Weight Savings tips for Performance and Efficiency

5 Weight Savings tips for Performance and Fuel Efficiency
by Carlo Morelli

In the air travel industry, airlines live and die by their operating costs, a large component of which is their fuel costs. That is why aircraft manufacturers have whole departments whose purpose in life is to track and reduce the weight of the airplanes, ounce by ounce and gram by gram. Auto performance enthusiasts can take a tip from aerospace engineers- by instituting a weight reduction program, you can get dramatic performance and power increases and save gas.

What other mod to your car can effect braking, cornering, acceleration and gas mileage, reduces wear on your engine, suspension and brakes, and doesn't void your warranty? Not many.

Here are a few ways to reduce your car's weight you may want to consider.

1) Remove all the broken parts you don't plan on fixing. For example, if have a broken power antenna motor or an old cassette stereo unit you never use- you can take them out.

2) Clean out your trunk. You might be surprised how much gas you're wasting if you haven't looked in your trunk in awhile. Your spouse or teenager (or you!) may have decided this was good place for long-term storage. It's not. Old phone books, folding lawn chairs, sandbags for winter traction, cases of dog food, we've seen it all. They belong in the garage or basement.

3) Lose the flashy bling-bling rims. Get forged aluminum wheels to replace showy steel wheels. Those are for show, not for speed, usually. While you're at it, look for lightweight tires. Compare weight on your current tires to some others on the market. The differences can be significant.

4) Carbon Fiber Panels instead of steel. They may be a little pricy, but are certainly a cost-effective replacement over time. Depending on your local vehicle code, you may also be able to replace your steel hood and trunk lid with carbon fiber ones. Major savings here.

5) Replace power seats with racing seats. Power seats can weigh in at up to 75 pounds each. Replacing them with lightweight fixed-back racing bucket seats that weigh ten pounds or less each will shave 150 pounds off your car.

Carlo Morelli writes for www.Caroom.us, where you can find custom car floor mats and all weather rubber car mats

Racing Innovators To Remember

Sports Car Innovators To Remember
by Gregg Hall

The history of American sports cars is the story not only of machines, but also of the men who made and drove them. There have been many key players in the development of the modern sports car, but some stand out as truly significant figures.

Among those innovators to remember are Alexander Winton, Zora Arkus-Duntov, and John DeLorean. Each made a lasting impression on the sports car scene.

Alexander Winton

Alexander Winton was the first truly successful automotive magnate in the United States. His cars participated and excelled in virtually every major racing and touring event of the late 1890s and early 1900s. Winton cars were perceived as the model of American automotive engineering.

Winton's success and belief in his vehicles led him to accept a challenge from an upstart from Detroit named Henry Ford. In a much-ballyhooed 1901 contest, Ford and Winton squared off in one-on-one race.

Winton's Sweepstakes racecar suffered from mechanical problems during the contest and his two-cylinder, 28 horsepower racer finished a distant second to Ford, who found his career revitalized after the publicized victory.

Despite often being remembered as the man who lost to Ford, Alexander Winton was a true American sports car pioneer and laid the groundwork for many manufacturers who followed in his footsteps.

Zora Arkus-Duntov

After World War II, American manufacturers began to produce readily available sports cars, in contrast to the limited production, high-dollar versions from earlier in history. After Ford made a splash with the Thunderbird sports car, Chevrolet sought to capture its share of the growing market with the 1955 introduction of the Corvette.

The Corvette, whose distinctive appearance was brought to light be famous designer Harley Earl, was a beautiful package containing a ho-hum gift. The car had a two-speed automatic transmission and a standard Chevy 6 cylinder engine. Sales stagnated.

A Russian émigré and Chevrolet designer named Zora Arkus-Duntov took the reigns of the Corvette project after its second lackluster year. He redesigned the new Chevy V8 to fit in the Corvette and replaced the automatic transmission with a sportier 3-speed manual tranny. His design changes vaulted the Corvette to fame and admiration.

Arkus-Duntov continued his affiliation with Corvette, ushering it into its heyday as the most respected and admired American sports car.

John DeLorean

A brash young auto executive at Pontiac named John DeLorean had an idea. He could take the under performing Pontiac Tempest, make a few minor exterior alterations, outfit it with a big and powerful V8 engine and upgrade some of the other components. His revitalization effort turned the lowly Tempest into the Pontiac GTO--the car that sparked the muscle car era in America.

DeLorean's efforts to build better and more interesting sports cars continued as he opened his own auto company. He introduced the stainless steel DMC-12 sports car later popularized in the Back to the Future movies. The innovative vehicle was never a hot-seller but was an inspiration for countless future designs from other automakers.

The controversial DeLorean was plotting an economy-priced plastic sports car that was never released. He passed away while the vehicle idea was still in its infancy.

Sports car enthusiasts remember cars. They can tell you the specs of many significant sports cars and can trace the history of many sports car lines. It's important to remember these cars did not materialize from thin air. There were men behind the cars who brought them to the limelight. Three of the great innovators--Winton, Arkus-Dontav, and DeLorean deserve to be as remembered as any sports car to ever hit the road.

Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. To keep your car looking great, get car care products from http://www.stopwaxing.com

Motor Oil - Lifeblood of Your Car

Motor Oil: The Lifeblood of Your Car
by Craig Kerwood

Whether you drive a car, truck, or SUV your motor vehicle is the second biggest investment you'll make in your lifetime. With car prices escalating every year, it makes sense to take good care of your car. Take good care of your car and your car could last 200,000 miles or more. Fail to take care of your car and well, you'll be spending a lot of time in repair shops or at your local automobile dealership.

It is said that motor oil is the lifeblood of any engine. Ask any auto racing driver how important oil is and you'll usually get an answer to the effect that without oil auto racing would probably not even exist. Auto racers put a premium on good motor oil. Many auto enthusiasts also understand the importance of motor oil. Motor oil lubricates your engine and helps to fight against the two biggest enemies of any engine; heat and friction. Without oil, your car would produce excessive heat, heat causes friction, and friction produces wear. Wear is enemy number one to your engine.

How you choose and take care of your oil is important too. Here are some things to remember:

1. Choose the right weight - A 5W-30 performs better in colder climates. Warmer climates may want to consider a 10W-40. Knowing the difference can help the overall performance of your engine.

2. Check your Manufacturer's Recommendations - It is important to use oil that stays within the recommended guidelines of your vehicle's manufacturer. Choosing oil that does not fit the parameters recommended by your car's manufacturer could void your warranty. This is very important!

3. Consider a Synthetic - Synthetic motor oil are superior to providing better protection, longer oil change intervals, providing greater resistance to breakdown, improved cold weather starts, and improve overall fuel mileage. Synthetic motor oil can go as much as 10,000 to 15,000 mile between changes. Synthetic costs a little more, but the "peace of mind" may be well worth the little extra you'll pay. Petroleum motor oils in contrast will provide adequate protection but are prone to breakdown, sludge, and require changing every 3,000 miles. They contain wax additives and components in the oil left behind after refining that are not beneficial to the engine.

4. Keep your oil clean - Dirty oil in any engine is never beneficial. Keep records of when you last changed your oil and change it according to recommendations. During normal operation, engines produce metal fragments that can harm your engine. Routine oil changes help to "flush" out any fragments that may exist in your oil.

5. Choose a quality filter - It doesn't make sense to change your oil only to install a cheap oil filter that isn't going to help keep your oil clean longer. Doesn't skimp cost on your oil filter and purchase a quality oil filter for added protection.

In this article we have attempted to explain the important role motor oil plays in your vehicle's engine and given you some tips to help you maintain your car's oil which will in turn help your car to last longer. Follow these tips and you'll save yourself a significant amount of grief and money too! Happy driving!

The author is a freelance writer and sole propreitor of Jet City Oil based in Everett, Washington. He enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, and vintage cars. He encourages you to visit him at: http://yourcarsbestoil.tripod.com

Guide To Saving Gas

A Guide To Saving Gas With Your Vehicle
by: Andrew Bernhardt

Super-expensive gas is here to stay. Drivers are in a scramble over how to afford their morning commute. They're resorting to a number of solutions, some the result of fuel economy technology in the form of hybrid vehicles, others steering for quick-fix gadgets carrying a high price tag and dubious claims.

Don't downgrade from your favorite ride into a sub-compact clown car! Stay away from fuel saving gimmicks, too. There are simple ways to save gas, increase gas mileage and stick it back to the greedy barons stealing your spending cash.

Improving Air Flow

A great place to start when looking to increase gas mileage is with your vehicle's air filter. It is by far the easiest performance upgrade around, and the quickest way to increase gas mileage.

If you're still lugging around town with a disposable paper air filter, you must toss it in favor of a performance air filter. A disposable paper air filter is incredibly restrictive to airflow, a restriction which essentially chokes your engine. Compare this to a performance air filter which uses either cotton or foam filtration material. Air flows much easier through these performance air filter materials which puts plenty of oxygen into your engine for burning fuel. With the extra air on hand, your engine's computer responds by using less fuel per air part.

But wait - there's more. The bountiful airflow puts extra horsepower at the pedal for your driving pleasure. Not to mention the cleaner air volumes now entering your engine, which contribute to overall vehicle condition. Be careful, though. Overusing the power boost provided by a performance air filter will negate any mileage improvements.

Improving Aerodynamics

Ever feel like something is holding your truck back? Surprisingly, it's probably your tailgate. Passing air rushes over your truck's cab and flows directly into your open bed. With nowhere else to go, the turbulent air crashes into your tailgate - catching your truck like a trout that swallowed the hook.

Adding a tonneau cover to your otherwise exposed truck bed provides a tight surface for airflow to blow right past. Without a drag-prone tailgate to slow your truck down, you can see an average gas mileage improvement of 5% to 10% immediately.

If you'd rather not get a tonneau cover, or need full uncovered bed access at all times, consider an air-flow tailgate. drag is reduced immensely, thanks to a mesh or louvered design that allows turbulent air in your truck bed to slip right through the gate.

Though studies show the gas mileage improvement is not as dramatic as adding a tonneau cover to your ride, air flow tailgates will show an immediate gas mileage improvement that exceeds unsafe driving with the stock tailgate down.

Tire Pressure Effects

If you're getting worse gas mileage than usual, check your tire pressure. If your tires are under-inflated, your vehicle has to work that much harder to spin them. The friction caused by these flabby tires could be sucking your gas mileage by 2mpg or more. Not to mention the premature tread wear that will cost you serious cash down the road.

Check your pressure with a digital tire gauge for the best possible accuracy. The recommended pressure for your tires is usually given on a label inside your door well. If they're low, fill them up at most any corner service station and check the pressure again with the digital tire gauge. Under-inflation can have cash-swallowing consequences, but over-inflation is just as bad for your wallet.

Sharpen Your Shop Skills

The overall health of your car contributes greatly to the gas mileage you'll see throughout its life. Follow the regular maintenance schedule for oil changes, tune-ups and inspections. Don't keep driving your vehicle if something is blatantly screwed up! Get the problem fixed, and it's less likely to drain your gas tank.

www.autoanything.com

Save Money On Gas

4 Ways To Save Money On Gas
by: Chad Klingensmith

Can anybody remember the good old days when we could buy gas for less than a buck?

Back in roaring 90's we could drive around in our SUVs at little expense. Heck back then I could fill up my 20 gallon tank for less than twenty bucks if I knew where to get cheap gas. It seemed that naive the OPEC and economic recession could help drive you fuel costs $2.00 a gallon. A few years later a war in the Middle East along with hurricane lead gas prices briefly over $3.00 a gallon. Sadly the golden days of low gas prices have come and gone. If you're a smart consumer you do more than just live in hope for gas prices to drop; you need to consider your vehicles fuel efficiency.

The Energy Information Administration estimates that the United States consumes over 20 million barrels (840 millin gallons) of petroleum products each day, almost half of it in the form of gasoline used in over 200 million motor vehicles with combined travel over 7 billion miles per day. A fluctuation in gas costs of even a few cents could cost American consumers millions of dollars

Here are 4 suggestions of where you can lower your gas costs:

1. Your Car

Whether you drive a used SUV or brand new compact economy car your auto maintenance will have an influence on your fuel costs. If you want to maximize your vehicles ability to utilize fuel I would recommend the following:

Get those regular tune-ups

This sounds like common sense for most folks but some people wait a little too long to get that much needed oil change. The EPA predicts that fixed a faulty oxygen can save you up to 40% in fuel cost.

Replace your air filters

They're inexpensive and easy to replace. The EPA estimates that keeping your air filters fresh could save you up to 10% on fuel.

Keep your tires properly inflated

Under inflated tires can lower your gas mileage by up to 3%. They also cause your tires to wear out quicker. You should check your tires PSI at least once a month.

2. Your Commute

A shortcut on the road might short change your fuel economy plan if you're not careful. Your fuel economy can be influenced by multiple variables

Avoid the stop and go

Getting caught in the morning and afternoon rush hour does more than just give you headache. It causes your vehicle to consume more fuel since your spending more time idling in traffic. If possible try avoiding the rush hour by either leaving earlier or later (if the boss is okay with it). Also try to stay on the highways were you will experience fewer stop and goes. The quality of road can influence your cars fuel economy. The EPA also recommends using cruise control and overdrive gears when possible.

Unnecessary Objects

Some people consider their cars as an extension of their rooms. Heavy objects can increase the drag on your vehicle decreasing your fuel economy. If you are on road trip it is recommended that you put objects (such as skis) inside your vehicle to reduce aerodynamic drag if possible.

3. Your Lead Foot

Driving like you're in the grand prix and trying to save money on fuel is like going in two directions at once. In fact the EPA predicts that driving at speeds at an access of 60 mph increases aerodynamic drag and can drastically reduce fuel economy. You also increase your risk of getting in an accident or getting a very expensive speeding ticket. Slow down!

4. Your Gas Station

It can be tempting at times to give in and purchase gas from that nice convenient looking gas station. Its modern look and feel can lull you into spending a couple extra dollars. If you are like most folks you are probably filling up at least once if not twice a week. Those few extra dollars can really add up. Driving around trying to find a gas station with the cheapest gas prices can obviously defeat the purpose! A solution would be find information online about current gas prices, such as www.gaswatchinfo.com.

Saving Gas Tips

Save Money On Gas
by: Charlie Bulow

You can easily pay 25 to 50 cents less per gallon of fuel, reduce your maintenance costs, have an impact on the environment, and help reduce our dependency on oil producing countries.

1. PRE - TRIP.

When approaching your vehicle you can spot numerous things just by looking.

Any drips on the ground? How about the tires? Any large cracks in the rubber, is the tread separating from the sidewall of the tire?

Every 2 or 3 weeks check your air pressure. Low pressure can decrease mileage and life of the tire by as much as 15%, not to mention throwing alignment off. This should be done before driving, when tires are still cool and it's best to go by the car manufacturers recommendation listed on the end of the door. Look for even tread wear, uneven wear usually is over or underinflation or out of alignment. Stick a penny between the grooves - if the tread doesn't reach Lincolns head go and buy tires.

2. GENERAL MAINTENANCE

Do you lack knowledge of how to twist your belts around looking for cracks on the inside, how to check your air filter, or even oil? I could show you how easy it is in less than five minutes so don't be afraid to ask someone you know, it really isn't a big deal - just beyond the scope of this article. If no one can show you, visit my site and contact me. An air filter that needs replacing can cut mileage by 10%; clogged fuel injectors or bad plugs can be over twice that much.

3. FUELING

Resist the urge to 'top it off', finish fueling when the pump shuts off automatically, gas will slosh out. Do replace the filler cap if it's loose as gas does evaporate. Your local gas stations pumps measure the flow by volume so the best time to fill up is early in the morning when fuel will be the coolest. When you fill up simply add the product shown on my website, it?s dirt cheap,dramatically reduces emmisions and cleans out your fuel system while giving you an increase in fuel mileage of up to 35%.

4. DRIVING HABITS

You're driving habits can save so much fuel that most medium to large size trucking companies give a fuel mileage bonus. Practice defensive driving, stay aware of the road situation waay up ahead as well as right next to you, and behind you. Anticipate changes in traffic; entering, exiting, turning traffic, etc. Leave a comfortable gap between you and others allowing you to smoothly change lanes without touching the brakes. Staying aware of the big picture helps a lot, and will keep your stress level down. In town try to go with the flow of the timed lights.

Stopping and starting also has quite an effect on mileage. Instead of pushing you?re foot down, apply pressure. Let off the gas before the brake is necessary, you should be able to come to a stop applying a consistent pressure, not having to stomp down right before a stop sign.

Avoid idling when possible and remember, toady?s cars don?t need to ?warm up?.

5. AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATERS.

Your air conditioner needs horsepower from the engine to operate, using more fuel. In hot weather a good foldable windshield protector is a worthwhile investment. Also look for shady parking spaces. When returning to a hot car roll down the windows to allow the heated air to escape, then turn on the ac, running at medium instead of full blast. The air will be cooler and your engine won?t have to work as hard. The same principle applies in the winter, it doesn?t help to run the heat at full blast. Some cars defrost runs off the ac motor so use only the heater if defrosting isn?t necessary.

http://www.gasprofits.com/savesfuel/

Radiator Maintenance

Radiator Maintenance
by: Katerina Mitrou

Maintaining your vehicle is essential if you want to keep it running well and operating at peak performance. The usual maintenance procedures, such as oil changes, are usually not issues for most people – but performing basic maintenance operations to keep your radiator and engine running well are just as important yet more often overlooked. Radiator maintenance is an integral part of the overall “health” of your vehicle because the engine has to remain at a prime operating temperature in order to work properly. If your engine overheats, for example, you’ll have a lot more headaches than if you keep up with important maintenance tasks on a regular basis.

Radiator maintenance is mostly about the fluids. Other problems with the cooling system can arise, for various different reasons, but for basic maintenance and upkeep properly maintaining the vital fluids in the radiator is what will keep your vehicle humming with life for years to come. Whether you utilize the services of your local shop to perform key maintenance and repair processes or do everything yourself, it is recommended that coolant is replaced every year or so. In addition to coolant replacement, it is also a good idea to flush and refill the radiator every 1 to 2 years to ensure the cooling system will run well, even if your mileage is low after this period of time. Following such a maintenance schedule is vital if you want your vehicle to be properly and consistently maintained.

Why Antifreeze is Key

Antifreeze/coolant is a big part of what keeps your engine in top working order. In addition to its cooling properties and ability to keep your engine running under extreme temperature variations, many companies also include other ingredients that help keep your engine working well. For instance, antifreeze can contain additives that prevent rust and corrosion of the radiator, engine and vehicle heater. If you neglect radiator maintenance the advantages of a good cooling system will not be fully utilized.

Basically, coolant is a 50/50 mix of glycol and water, depending on your vehicle. The glycol portion of the mixture is the antifreeze – it works to keep the water from turning to ice in cold temperatures and reaching the boiling point in extreme heat. With the coolant operating at the proper degree, the engine will continue running at a stable temperature in all climates and driving situations.

Ethylene glycol is used in antifreeze but it requires proper handling if you are planning on performing cooling system maintenance on your own – it is a toxic substance that can cause health problems or even death, and can be damaging to the environment. Following suggested protocol when handling antifreeze is a necessity. Keep it away from children and animals, and ensure proper disposal according to local hazardous waste regulations. A recent alternative to ethylene glycol is propylene glycol. Antifreeze that contains propylene glycol is less toxic than its predecessor, especially at low levels, but it still must be handled with caution. No matter what antifreeze you use, the fluid picks up heavy metals during usage, so disposal is something to be taken seriously. Follow the same procedure you would with any antifreeze product and you will avoid problems when performing maintenance on your vehicle at home. It is very important that you do not pour coolant down your sink or into storm drains due to its toxic properties.

Draining and Flushing

Over time, rust and sediment can build up in your vehicle’s cooling system making it necessary to drain out the coolant from time to time to clean out anything that may be clogging up the system. Many experts recommend this be done every few years, preferably every year. You can tell if the coolant in your radiator requires removal if it appears dirty or brown in color, and if you see little rust specks floating around. Coolant should appear a slightly thick, light yellowy-green color, almost like lemonade, or orange if your car uses long-lasting coolant.

If you are going to take on the job yourself, begin by parking the vehicle in a safe work area – away from kids, pets and storm drains. Raising the car on ramps is also a good idea if you are able to do so. Follow this checklist before getting started: turn the ignition off and wait until the engine is cool. This is very important – it’s dangerous to work with a hot engine. Set the car in Park and engage the emergency brakes.

Now you can get started. First step – remove the radiator cap. Place a 2-gallon or larger bucket underneath the radiator drain plug and remove the plug. This will catch the fluid. Once the fluid has finished draining, put the plug back in place. If you want to drain as much coolant out as possible, you can add another step to the procedure and drain any excess coolant in the engine. Simply take out the plug in the engine block if you can, to drain the coolant.

If you think your cooling system needs a more thorough cleaning to remove excess sediment and rust, flushing may be a good idea. You can achieve this by using a radiator-cleaning product fit for this type of job. This is a simple task. All you have to do is close up all the drain plugs and pour the product into the radiator along with some water. The instructions on the package should tell you exactly what to do – this usually entails running the heater on high for a specified amount of time. When the engine cools you can drain the radiator fluid out and refill with water, following the same steps as above. This will have fully flushed out the cooling system.

Refilling

Refilling the radiator is easy, especially if you consult your car’s user manual and the instructions on the antifreeze bottle. You will need to know the ratio of coolant to water before refilling, which can vary depending on the vehicle and weather conditions in your area. Fill the radiator according to the instructions and also fill the overflow reservoir with a 50/50 mix. Clean up any spills that may occur and then close the cap. Now you can run the engine to the normal running temperature – and make sure you set the heater on high to effectively circulate the coolant throughout the system. When the engine cools down again, double check for leaks.

If everything checks out ok, you’re done and can drive off knowing you have kept up with one of the most important aspects of your car’s maintenance.

This article was written by Katerina Mitrou sponsored by http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/