The History of the Tyre

The first rubber tyre was made in the mid 1800s, in an advancement from the bands of iron that were used on the wooden wheels of carts and wagons. Originally, the rubber was used on its own, carrying the entire load of the vehicle, but in 1845, inflated tyres - from then on known as the pneumatic or air-filled tyre - were invented.
By adding air to the tyre, shocks and bumps were better absorbed and the quality of ride was greatly improved. Multiple inner tubes meant that it would take several punctures before deflating, but the general public still preferred the solid rubber tyre and it took over 40 years for the pneumatic tyre to gain popularity.
John Boyd Dunlop effectively reinvented the wheel when he created an air-inflated tyre for his son's bicycle. When a bike race was won in Belfast using his tyres, his invention began to become an in-demand product. Around ten years later, the technique was applied to automobiles, by brothers Edouard and Andre Michelin. Demand for pneumatic tyres was huge, and legislation was passed to reduce the use of solid rubber tyres, and so the basis of the air-inflated tyre we know today was born.
Radial tyres were created by Michelin in the late forties, which contain cords that increased the mileage of your vehicle and lasted longer than previous models. This in turn led to an adaptation in suspension systems. Because of this, many US car manufacturers resisted the change due to the cost of redesigning their vehicles, but the new design was very successful in Europe.
After the fuel crisis of the 70s, America came around to radial tyres in order to create a more economical car for the demanding public. My the 80s, radial tyres were the norm in the US and around the world.
Since then, manufacturers strive to create even more economical, efficient and adaptable tyres that can deal with the demands of higher speeds, changes in weather and road conditions, and respect the environment. For example, winter tyres are recommended for the colder months, with special compounds that can better cope with low temperatures (regular tyres become rigid and lose their grip).
Since they are your only contact with the road, tyres are an integral and important part of your car, and should be well maintained to ensure your safety and the performance of the vehicle. Always check that your tyres are properly inflated and have sufficient tread depth, or you may find yourself with illegal tyres which have reduced grip and handling and can lead to accidents.

Buy cheap car tyres online from the UK's friendliest tyre company!

Don't Fall Asleep While Driving

The name, Takanoha may not be familiar to you but this is the name of a Japanese company that came up with an ingenious device to help drivers stay awake while driving. They called it the Nap Alarm which is a tiny gadget you place close to your ear. It is equipped with a sensor that can tell when you are about to fall asleep through your head movement. As soon as it senses an unusual change in your head position, it will begin to vibrate which should get you to wake up before a nasty accident occurs.
If you want you can use the alarm for occasions where you have to be awake even if every bit of your body prefers to be at home sleeping like when working late, attending an event that seems to go on forever, or studying for an exam. All these situations can be helped with this creative gadget.
Also, with the holidays fast approaching, you might want to get a few of these Nap Alarms as gifts to those you know who tend to drive late at night, work graveyard shifts, or professionals who are on call for emergencies like doctors and nurses.
If you are not convinced that it is a worthy investment, here are your alternatives and what problems they could bring.
One idea would be to fill up on coffee before going on the road. The problem with this solution is that eventually the body tends to become immune to caffeine. In fact, many people claim to get sleepier with caffeine instead of the other way around.
How about taking a nap before driving? It seems like a cheap solution unless you are the kind of person who can't sleep just anywhere.
Or, what if you are the type to fall asleep and the nap turns into a full length sleep? You could end up in a lot of trouble with parents or with a partner who could naturally be suspicious if you don't come home to sleep.
If you still aren't convinced that this brilliant invention is your best safety device for late night or early morning driving, think about what would happen if you rely instead chewing gum or rolling down your car windows? Gum is temporary and won't always work whereas the open window is also an open invitation to get robbed. In other words, you could be compounding the problem instead of solving it.
Driver fatigue is a real problem, which cannot be taken lightly. Lives and property are at stake every time you get behind the wheel of the car. If you are not alert, you could end up in a lot of trouble, possibly even injured or worst. Would it be worth it? This device has been proven to be safe and effective.
Considering that 50% of all road accidents in the past year have resulted from driver fatigue, you might want to seriously sit down and consider this device.

Can the 2011 Dodge Caravan Impress the Judges?

Can the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan impress the judges? At first glance the Grand Caravan for 2011 may look like another plain-Jane minivan-style family conveyance. However, it is not only auto show judges but, more importantly, customers from all walks of life who are duly impressed as soon as they take a closer look at this reliable, yet comfortable and powerful, mini-van.
It was the first Dodge Caravan that created the entire mini-van concept back in the 1984 model year. Today, with the sweeping changes and updates that Dodge has implemented for the 2011 model, the Caravan has come full circle as it re-establishes itself as the most valuable player of the mini-van league.
The main improvement is to be found inside the roomy cabin, where "Stow 'n Go" seating modifications allow drivers to easily convert the same vehicle they use to transport their children to soccer practice into a tough hauling and transport van that can easily be filled with lumber and cement for a do-it-yourself home remodeling project, or sports and camping gear for an extended vacation or nature excursion. That is not the only interior improvement, though, as the 2011 model of the Grand Caravan also boasts a new design that is flawlessly executed with higher quality materials.
Dodge has also updated the basic engine for the new Grand Caravan, replacing an older, less efficient engine with the highly acclaimed and powerful 283-horsepower Pentastar V6 that also powers its sports cars and SUV models. This engine delivers very respectable fuel mileage, and combined with a six-speed automatic transmission, it makes the Grand Caravan the quickest and highest performing of any minivan model available in the United States for the 2011 model year. Torque steering adds to the performance and versatility of the new Caravan.
Of course, a mini-van is first and foremost a family vehicle for which safety is a paramount consideration, and the Dodge Grand Caravan is a leader in that realm as well. With active front head restraints, and a full set of airbags including driver knee airbags as well as side curtain and front seat side airbags, the Grand Caravan provides ample protection in the event of a crash. Antilock disc brakes are standard as are stability and traction control, with safety-oriented options including rear parking and cross-traffic sensors, a rearview camera and a blind spot monitoring system.
Price is another factor that makes the Dodge Caravan quite impressive, as it is the minivan that provides the best set of options for its base price of just under $30,000. It is available in five trim packages, from the stripped-down commercially oriented C/V and entry-level Express through the Mainstreet and Crew and up to the luxurious R/T that adds both higher performance and top-class interior amenities to the Grand Caravan package.
At first glance, the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan may just look like another mini-van. However, a close look at the redesigned exterior, and a test drive that showcases everything it has to offer, presents a very impressive picture indeed.

An Automobile Donation Is An Easy Way To Get Rid Of Your Old Car

Auto donations at the same time make certain that most automobiles, which are being donated, get accepted easily in spite of the condition they may be in. You can donate your car by way of a simple call.
Giving your vehicle to a vehicle donation center is a gesture of good will and kindness that can help the charitable organization of your choosing to make a difference in the life of individuals and families in need. A vehicle donation center typically does business through a 'middle' agent between you (the donor) as well as the charitable organization you would like to support (the recipient of your own donation). Car Donations are fast and easily dealt with using charity vehicle donation programs. You'll be able to donate automobiles, trucks, vans, boats, airplanes, even lots as well as real estate.
Vehicle donations are a simple act of charity and specific basic info is required when you plan to donate your automobile. The name, address, and telephone number of the donor is required for an organization to take a car as a donation. If you plan to donate your vehicle, you also must supply details linked to the model and manufacturing year of the vehicle as well as the title and status of registration of the auto. Also through vehicle donations, one should give information regarding the physical condition of the automobile, plus the interiors of it. And most importantly, you can't donate your automobile if you don't provide the license plate number and vehicle identification number of the vehicle.
Any legally authorized automobile donation center will be able to supply you with a list of aid organizations it brokers deals for. Even though very few authorized vehicle donation centers are listed with the IRS as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, the charity you donate to has to be. Without having this badge of approval from the tax authorities, you'll not be permitted to legally get the deduction. Worse, this may set you up for an audit and no one really wants to mess with that sort of attention. A truly reputable authorized vehicle donation center can supply you with their tax ID number so you may confirm it on the IRS website.
Car donations have grown to be a hassle free procedure because of the emergence of professional services and also numerous methods through which a person might donate vehicles. A quick telephone call to a car donation agency can provide cash to the chosen charitable organization of the donor and he or she can bid farewell to the car for good. There is no need to give up a single penny when you donate your vehicle as all of the services are given at no cost.

How to Get the Best Out of Your Tyres

Buying cheap tyres online is one way of saving money, but there are plenty of other ways to keep costs down when it comes to tyres. Getting the best out of your tyres means keeping them in good condition, driving sensibly and maintaining your vehicle - you'll even end up saving money on fuel as well-kept tyres mean better fuel-efficiency!
Good quality, well fitted tyres should last, but there are certain avoidable elements that can conspire to reduce the life of your tyres. Road conditions, bad driving habits and even mechanical errors can all contribute to wear out your tyres ahead of their normal lifespan, costing you money and inconvenience in having to replace them early. But here are some simple ways to increase the life of your tyres:
Keep your tyres properly inflated and regularly check the tread is within legal limits (more than 1.6mm, or preferably, above 3mm). Over or under-inflated tyres can affect your braking, handling and the rate of wear on your tread. Get rid of any extra load in your car to put less pressure on your tyres and if you notice any uneven tread wear, get your car checked out for misaligned wheels.
Improper wheel alignment can be a cause for tyres to wear out long before their actual lifespan. This is easy to fix, and can be done when having your tyres replaced, along with wheel balancing, which can also affect the wear and life of your tyres. Both these services will smooth out your ride and improve grip and tyre life. You should also check your shock absorbers regularly, too, as any problems here can affect the efficiency of your tyres.
Driving smoothly will also prolong the life of your tyres - harsh cornering, aggressive acceleration and braking are sure ways to torture your poor tyres. As will driving too fast over potholes and speed bumps. We can't always avoid bad-condition roads but we can drive sensibly on them. With speed bumps, it's best to approach at an angle rather than straddling them, and avoid mounting the curb if at all possible.
If you are careful with your tyres and your car in general, you will end up paying less in fuel, repairs and will need to replace your tyres less frequently. But if you've been a bit neglectful, or it's just time for replacement, the best way to buy cheap tyres is online. Online tyre providers have competitive prices and a fast service - organising fitting at a garage near you or via a mobile van.

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At Grippy, we believe that saving money on tyres shouldn't mean sacrificing on quality. We believe in good old-fashioned tyre service, which means a fast, efficient response, high-quality tyres and an easy-to-use booking system. Rely on Grippy to provide the best prices for UK tyres online and keep you on the road.

WARN Winches: Durability at Its Best

For off-road enthusiasts having the proper gear is essential, and for good reason. It could mean the difference of being stuck in the mud or a ditch, and that never is pretty. Durability is just one of the things to look for in a winch.
The off-road community is a different breed. They are enthusiastic, and enjoy their lifestyle to the fullest. There are many companies in industry that serve the community, and WARN is proud to be one of them, offering the off-road community outstanding products, such as the Warn XT30 Winch.
The company is known for manufacturing durable products. In fact, WARN earned eBay People's Choice award in 2010 for "Favorite Winch". This is a reflection of the company and their outstanding products.
WARN Industries is a leader within the industry and the first to introduce recreational truck winches, locking hubs and ATV winches. The company is respected throughout the industry and in the off-road community for innovative merchandise. Innovations are second nature, and quality always comes first.
Warn winches are each guaranteed and covered with outstanding warranties that are quite generous. The company stands behind each of their products, and the WARN XT30 winch is not different.
Warn is known for offering the off-road community the best winches on the market. The manufacturer is popular and the off-roader not only receives an outstanding product but an outstanding value.
WARN offers a wide variety of winches, from light-duty winches with pull ratings, mid-range winches that can pull up to 10,500 lbs., and heavy-duty winches that can pull loads of 12,0000 lbs. or greater. There is no job too tough for the durable winches, and WARN ensures that the off-roader does get out of the situation they may be in with their durable winches.
WARN does stand behind each of their products. Should you purchase a winch and find that it is not the right fit for you, you will have the opportunity to return the winch. However, if the return is after 30 days, you will only be offered a store credit, and if it is past 90 days, you will not be offered a refund, which, is fair. The company asks that the merchandise be returned in the original packaging with manuals and ancillary materials.
WARN also offers a full inventory of winch replacement parts, so that the off-roader does not have to worry about keeping their winch running strong. When the winch needs an upgrade such as the electrical workings, you simply browse their selection of solenoids, remote controls, electric motors and replacement wiring. If you are in need of internal gears, fairleads, drums, cables, or badges, you will find these replacement parts easily available as well. With the replacement parts from WARN, your WARN winch will last a lifetime, which is what WARN is all about.
When ordering a WARN winch, you can expect it to be shipped within two days of the date of order. Bottom line, the service is outstanding, the products durable and first rate.

Battery Maintenance

Not many things in your car are more important than battery maintenance. Think about it: you could have the rest of the car in perfect condition, but if the battery won't fire up your ride, you're out of luck.
The first thing to check is for signs of corrosion buildup. That will typically be seen where the thick battery cables or wires attach to the terminals on the battery itself. Any corrosion you find there should be cleaned right away. You can eliminate many battery problems by making certain that the connections are tight and everything is clean without any corrosion buildup.
If your battery still needs servicing (most modern batteries no longer need servicing) check the fluid level - but be sure to check it when the battery is fully charged. Distilled water is the best type of water to use when adding fluids to the battery. Tap water can be used if no distilled water is available, and it is certainly better than having the battery run completely dry! Since tap water can have added chemicals and minerals that will reduce the battery's otherwise long life. Be sure to watch carefully when filling the battery and don't overfill it. Especially in warmer weather, overfilling can start the corrosion process sooner which will eventually cause starting problems.
One of the neat tricks you can use to help prevent corrosion build up is to place some silicone sealer at the base of the post and then coat the post itself and the cable with some extra grease or Vaseline. After reattaching the cables, make certain all the connections are tight and secure. This will help prevent outgassing from the battery onto the cable connection which triggers corrosion.
Enhancing Battery Performance and Extending Battery Life
The modern automobile, truck or SUV demands more power than ever before. This increased demand will reduce battery life over time. People's complaints about their batteries generally come down to two things: either the battery won't take a charge or hold it once it's been charged. The demand on batteries is such that fewer than one third will still be in use after four years.
One of the leading causes of battery failure can be attributed to sulfation eighty percent of the time. Here's the chain of events: as the battery is being used, sulfur molecules are discharged from the battery acid. The interior of the battery is made up of lead plates which get coated deeper and deeper with the sulfur molecules. After a period of time the excess sulfur coating the lead plates will prevent the battery from holding a charge, and you're out of luck.
Some of the leading causes of sulfating:
A battery sitting idle between charges. Sulfation starts within 24 hours of the battery being used in hot weather and within several days in cool weather.
A battery that is sitting in storage over time.
A battery that has been deeply discharged.
A battery that is under charged. Here's how that works: if you only charge a battery to 90% of its capacity, the other 10% of the battery chemistry is where the sulfation starts.
A battery sitting in temperatures over 100°F. As temperatures increase, internal discharging becomes more of an issue. If you leave a fully charged battery that is not being used in temps over 110°, within 30 days of battery will probably not work.
Battery plates that have low electrolyte levels and come in contact with the air.
Cheap battery chargers that have false or inaccurate charging levels. (That will, in fact, do more harm than good).
A cold battery is more prone to sulfation. In fact, a deeply discharged battery can even freeze when temperatures fall below 0°F.
Choosing and Buying a New Battery
The first thing to look out in considering a new battery is reserve capacity and high amp hours. Obviously, you need to have a battery that is the correct size for your vehicle and has the correct connections and terminals. Something else you might want to consider is a gell cell or what's called an absorbed glass mat (AGM) battery instead of a wet cell battery. You'll find this to be particularly helpful if the battery will not have regularly scheduled maintenance.
Another thing to consider is the demand of the job that you're going to be placing on the battery. For example, a battery whose only job is to start an engine will have different constraints that a deep cycle battery.
The last thing to check while shopping for a new battery is the date of manufacture. A battery that has been sitting on a shelf without being charged already has sulfation buildup occurring. The date of manufacture is stamped on the battery using letters of the alphabet to show the month and numbers to show the year of manufacture. For example if you see H1, you'll know that that battery was manufactured in August of 2011.
All in all, thinking about these important things ahead of time will help ensure that all-important battery will start your ride each and every time you need it to.

Joseph Cinwell (Joey to his friends) has been fascinated with cars since he was a teenager. He's currently working on restoring a 25 year old BMW and loves to fish when he's not under the hood of his Bimmer.

How To Stay Away From The Gas Pump!

Indeed the American dream is to drive past the gas pumps and keep on riding. Electric bicycles and electric scooters are becoming the ride of the times.
In fact electric moped motorcycles cost pennies on the dollar to charge and they are a great means of ecologically friendly transportation. Some of them can also carry two riders for a quick trip to the beach, Ballpark or check out the bike trail with out the strain. There's something about being on an electric scooter that can take the stress right out of your life. The driving distances can be up to 85 miles on a single charge. No gas needed.
Imagine the smile's on people's face's when you ride your electric bicycle past them in the park or at the beach, with the wind blowing through your hair enjoying your ride.
It's important to realize that with electric bicycles you can pedal or you don't have to, because you can let the battery do the work for you. You can also use it for your commute to your job so you don't have to take the bus or the train. On the other hand if you want to ride to work but don't want to get all sweaty you can let the electric bicycle do the work for you on the way there, then on the way home you can pedal and get your work out for the day with out going to the gym.
In fact if you're not used to riding because of your health an electric bicycle is a great way to get your body used to exercising because you don't have to pedal if you get tired or sore. You have the option to pedal or use the battery power feature allowing you to enjoy a bike ride with your partner or grandchildren to the park or the bike trail without the pollution or the thought of having to buy gas every time you drive you car out of the driveway.
The way gas prices have skyrocketed there have been stories of people buying an electric bicycle or electric scooter, selling one of there vehicles and save anywhere from three to five hundred dollars a month for a couple of years. As a result then found out they like saving so much money they have been able to take vacations and went another two years without a second vehicle.
People are becoming more environmentally friendly and going green. We can do our part in lowering greenhouse gas emissions with an electric bicycle or electric scooter which runs on batteries and doesn't burn fossil fuel.

Dreaming About Having A Luxury Sports Vehicle - Or Do You Have One?

Although many people wish they could, those who have the financial capacity to own a luxury sports car are relatively few in number. Both groups, dreamers and the rich, will enjoy this informative article about luxury sports cars. Since most luxury cars have not a lot of versions, they are very expensive. Generally it is possible to only buy them with two doors, because that is part of the strategy for making them high-performance. For many drivers who crave extravagance in their car, which they can drive for exhilaration, the car market industry has luxury sports cars that have been put into their own classification by the car manufacturers.
As a way to get an idea of how they stack up in terms of prices and features, let's look at a small cross-section of luxury sports cars. The Ferrari F430 Spider is definitely up along at the higher end for sports cars that are extravagant and expensive. This unique car stands out as the second-most speedy car on the planet, having been taken to 193 mph by Ferrari, so if that is what you want, look no further. There has normally been a consistency in Ferrari promoting and endorsing only top of the line concepts for its cars, and this awesome speed has lived up to expectations. It has a 486 HP engine and is believed to show off Ferrari's best F1 technology, but will only cost you $180,000.
Billed as the main attraction at the time, Jaguar's 2007 collection releases included the highly-priced luxury sports car, the Jaguar XK. A new element, the bonded aluminium platform, made this design an example of Jaguar's lightest. It weighs not as much as the previous model which included the 4.2L double-overhead-cam engine. The Porsche Cayman is most likely Porsche's most seasoned sports car at any time. It does not rank along with the most costly cars, nor amongst the speediest, yet it still fascinates a large number of fans. They enjoy the way it handles on the road with the mid-engine balance and the accuracy of the steering wheels. The car is expensive for most people, but the $60,000 asking price is rather inexpensive for top of the line sports cars.
If you're some of those for whom speed is everything, the Corvette Z06 from Chevrolet can totally satisfy you. You can get up to 200 mph in this car, and to find a faster car, you will have to spend $150,000 to get a Ford GT. The Z06 comes with the identical engine as the Le Mans C6R Corvette racing car, with a volume of 7 liters and an output of 505 horsepower. A dry sump V8 in addition to carbon-fiber fenders at the front end are a couple of more of the features.
You can locate many more luxury sports cars you can find to generate comparisons. There isn't any shortage of top-of-the range high end cars in the sports car category.

How to Make Sure You Are Giving Your Car the Right Fuel

The range of cars that can run on renewable fuels is increasing. Primarily it is about cars that can run on ethanol (E85) and biogas. There is also a certain range of cars with electric and hybrid drive.
For all those in the emissions of fossil carbon dioxide per kilometer can be reduced significantly.
Gasoline
Gasoline is still the preferred fuel in the world. 95-octane petrol sold consists of 95 percent oil and five percent ethanol. Ethanol share is limited today to five percent of EU fuel directive, but the regulations have changed. From January 2011 the possibility to increase this share to 10 percent.
Diesel
If you choose a diesel car can consumption and carbon emissions reduced by about 20 percent compared with a gasoline-powered car of similar size and engine power due to the diesel engine's greater fuel efficiency. Upon incineration, one liter of diesel rise to 2.48 kg of fossil carbon dioxide. If account is taken instead to fuel the entire life cycle (such as air pollution caused by refining, distribution, etc) are emissions 2.98 kg. Compared with a gasoline-powered car causing diesel cars slightly higher emissions of mainly nitrogen oxides - which acidifies soil and water - and particles that are harmful to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
Most new diesel cars have particulate filters (Environment 2005PM), which reduces these problems.
Ethanol (E85)
E85 (15 percent ethanol mixed with gasoline, 25 percent in winter) is a fuel of mostly manufactured from renewable raw materials such as sugar cane and cereals. Ethanol has less energy content than gasoline. Consumption per mil is therefore about 35 percent higher than with gasoline. From a lifecycle perspective, carbon dioxide emissions about 55 percent lower than with gasoline. When considering also the emissions of fossil carbon dioxide generated in producing and distribution of both ethanol and gasoline.
Cars can run on E85 are called flexi-fuel cars because they can run on any mixture of gasoline and E85. Transport Agency's assessment is that the percentage of E85, which was refueled in ethanol vehicles in 2009 was about 60 percent. With this degree of E85 fueling releasing ethanol vehicles out about 20 percent less carbon dioxide than the average new petrol car. Emissions of other substances that are hazardous to environment and health is about the same as for petrol cars.
The number of filling stations with E85 is increasing rapidly across the country and the beginning of September 2010 there were about 1700 pieces.
Vehicle
Vehicle fuel consisting mainly of methane. It may be renewable (biogas, made from organic material such as sludge, manure and waste) or have fossil (natural gas).
Clean biogas, essentially no fossil emissions, but small amounts of the greenhouse gas methane released during production. Although biogas-powered vehicles therefore affect climate, but emissions are 80-90 percent lower than with gasoline. Natural gas reduces carbon emissions about as much as diesel fuel compared to gasoline, which is around 20 percent. Emissions of other substances that are hazardous to environment and health is about the same as for petrol cars.
Many models starting and running a shorter distance on petrol before the engine turns to gas. The petrol tank may sometimes be small (15 liters) while other models have larger gas tank and you can then run a greater distance as gasoline.
Electric hybrid cars
In hybrid cars combine a conventional internal combustion engine with one or more electric motors and a battery to store energy from the engine and under braking. In this way, fuel consumption is lower. Since the combustion engine will automatically stop when you stop at a red light for example, there will be no idling. Electric hybrid cars have their biggest advantage in heavy city traffic where the number of stops and starts are great, but even at highway operation, fuel consumption is relatively low because hybrid vehicles are usually equipped with relatively small internal combustion engines.