Joke
The Importance of Having Student Car Insurance
November 11, 2011 | 
Author 
During these trying times when the economy is in a recession, we all try to cut down on expenses. For some students, they are considering cutting back on or even completely doing away with their student car insurance. Here are reasons why this is a mistake:
For most students, their car is their most valuable asset. Student car insurance helps protect this asset in the event of damage due to accidents or other reasons like bad weather and other force majeure.
Car insurance is also a legal requirement in some states to have your car registered. Without it, you cannot legally register your vehicle. For example, to register your car in California, you would need to show proof of financial responsibility, and the easiest way to do that is to have your car registered. If you get stopped for a traffic violation and you are found not to have insurance, you could get fined for it.
Student car insurance also gives you peace of mind, knowing that even if you get into an accident, you will not be exposing yourself to tremendous financial responsibilities that may arise. In the event of an accident, especially when you have caused it and the other party suffered from injuries or even death, your auto insurance should be able to cover it. This is especially important for students and young drivers who are more prone to have an accident on the road. It is highly likely that a majority of new drivers will get into some kind of accident within the first year of driving. In fact, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics shows that drivers under 25 years old are four times more likely to die in an accident than older drivers!
Cutting back on your student car insurance may help you save a few dollars right now, but it will not help you in the long run. If you really want to save, there are a lot of easy and proven ways wherein you could cut back on your student car insurance premiums like shopping around for the best deals, getting driver’s education courses, getting club memberships, and others.
For some, having student car insurance could also serve as an incentive. Insurance companies are offering discounts to good students who maintain a certain grade point average, those who do not have accidents within a three-year period, or those who have safety features installed on their cars.
Pontiac GTO: The Classic Muscle Car
:: The famous Pontiac GTO has invaded the entertainment scene for a moment or two by means of movies and music. In 2002, Vin Diesel’s Triple X movie showcased a purple GTO, complete with the classic split grill front-end design and two-door component. The surf rock group, Ronny & the Daytonas even made a song out of this car that was included in the Billboard Hot 100 sometime in 1964.
The original GTO was in fact a redesign of the the Tempest model, but it was given a much bigger engine, the 389 CID. The model name for this car was drummed up by John DeLorean who took it from the Ferrari 250 GTO. The letters stood for Gran Turismo Omologato an Italian term. However, there was dissension among the executives at Pontiac, who believed that the bigger engine in a smaller car would not sell very well.
When Pontiac’s new car was released, there was a lot of tension among the executives at the manufacture, specifically Elliot Estes who approved the model designs. Since the GTO was so overwhelmingly successful, we may never know what would have happened if it had failed. Estes may have lost his job, as well as other chief designers and executives. Of course as we all know, they really had nothing to fear as this car became a legend. Thankfully, they were rewarded for thinking outside the box.
The Pontiac GTO was one of the best selling muscle cars from the mid-60s until the decline of these type of cars in the mid-70s. The entire muscle car industry was hit badly and several factors lead to the death of this era. This included environmental regulations placed on all car manufacturers to lower emissions, rising insurance prices for these types of cars, and possibly the worst being the rise in gas cost.
If you are just learning about muscle cars, I suggest you start with the Pontiac GTO. This car alone has created more fans of this hobby, then any I know of besides perhaps the Mustang and almost every model made before 1972 can fetch upwards of $35,000 or more when it is in great condition and most espeically has all the original numbers. I suggest that you see one of these cars in person by either going to a car auction or to a car show. You truly mustsee one of these cars in mint condition to truly appreciate its beauty.
Source: http://www.submityourarticle.com/articles/William-Jason-8914/got-163850.php
How to Be Safety on the Road
If you want cheap or affordable insurance, you need to show your insurer that you’re a safe driver. How do you exactly do that? We’ll discuss it in this article.
You can accomplish this task in two ways. First, you need to follow the laws of the road, and regulations by observing traffic laws and signage. They are there to remind you of what you can or cannot do. To disobey them is an offense, and you could be punished for being so hardheaded. The second one is to take into account is the safety of the other drivers. If all drivers would think before doing something stupid, car accidents will not be as prevalent as today.
Following road laws and practicing safe driving behavior will reduce the number of accidents that happen each year. Sadly, this isn’t the case right now. Distracted people rushing to get from, point A to point B are becoming a common occurrence.
Over speeding is one of the leading causes of countless car accidents; in addition to drunk driving or drugs, and you got yourself the perfect ingredients for a disaster. However, did you know that majority of the accidents could have been prevented if someone, in his right mind, would not drive his car because he’s drunk?
To give you a heads-up, below are some do’s and don’ts practiced by most safe drivers around the country when driving. Don’t forget to wear your seat belt.
If you have kids on board, choose only those appropriate and approved children accessories.
Always follow road laws and regulations. If you’re driving in a new place, it’s best to review them and to be cautious at all times.
It’s prudent to follow speed limits all the time.
Whether or not you’re familiar with the area, always keep your attention fixed on the road all the time. Did you know that a surprising number of accidents happen just a couple of blocks from home?
Be considerate and a courteous driver.
Don’t compete with the pedestrians. Give them the right-of-way.
Keep an emergency kit in the car all the time. Cellphone, flares, flashlight, blankets, food and water are just some of the most essentials.
Always keep a spare tire and check it regularly. Have a working jack as well.
Now that we’re done with the do’s, it’s time to talk about the things every driver should avoid when driving.
Obviously, don’t drink and drive. We’ve heard this a million times yet many still do.
Don’t read other driver’s mind. Never trust your assumptions that he’s going to turn left when he’s about to turn right.
Don’t follow the next car too close.
Don’t drive on the shoulder.
Don’t turn right if you see a signage bearing “No Right Turn.” Don’t run on stoplights or kept forgetting to yield.
Avoid playing your stereo system so loud that you could no longer hear the outside world. Watch out for fast approaching emergency service vehicles, such as ambulances or fire trucks.
If you need to answer a very important phone call, don’t talk and drive. Find a safe place to pull over.
Don’t shave, eat, put on makeup, change clothes or find the lost CD’s underneath your seat, while driving.
The car is not a toy so don’t play with it or race with the other drivers. There are designated places for car racing, and you can exercise your passion if you go there.
Road rage is punishable by law, and you could lose your license if you do so. Don’t drive if you can’t handle your emotions well.
Don’t leave any valuables inside the car.
Article Directory – Automotive Articles – 201-225 of 2047 Articles
Showing 201-225 of 2047 ,
by Jasper Lucas You’ve probably read that running a car on water can at least halve your gas bill – but that’s not the only benefit. Water powered engines also perform better, suffer less wear and tear and emit far less pollution.
So how do you get a water powered engine? It’s simpler than you might think.
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by Marilyn Katz Save money on car insurance, but be very wary of cutting some policy features because that can cost you a lot more down the road. Learn what to watch out for, and also the easiest way to get lower auto insurance premiums.
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by Shane Hester Learn the benefits of a industrial paint booth and how your auto repair company can benefit by having one.
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by Shane Hester See how you and your auto company can advatage with our custom paint booths made for your personal needs.
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by Maureen Romensya Are you considering using car transporting to
make it easy for you to get your automobile moved to a new home? Before you do,
there are some questions that you must ask every company before you can find
the right one to hire.
Published 11May2011, viewed 134 times
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by Preston Mane Anyone can have the ability to perform aluminum welding and repair easily and quickly. However, only few can carry out the strongest and most reliable aluminium welding, aluminum fabrication and parts repairs. This is because this kind of welding needs a lot of meticulous concentration and attention.
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by William Jason Published 11May2011, viewed 87 times
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by Kade Phillips The name “no-fault” insurance often confuses motorists. No-fault insurance does not mean that drivers are never at fault in accidents. Someone is always found to be “at-fault” in a car accident, whether partly or fully.
Published 25Apr2011, viewed 76 times
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by Peter Nisbet When you are collecting NASCAR hats and other gear related to American stock car racing, it is useful to keep in mind the history of the sport, and why so many articles of apparel such as hats, snapback caps and jackets are of so much interest. Irrespective of that, the best source of NASCAR gear is online, including online auction sites.
Published 18Apr2011, viewed 120 times
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by Andrew Scherer Cars are undeniably crucial in our lives. They supply a convenient
indicates of transportation, and they act as symbols on how we live our
life and also possibly what our status is inside the society.
Published 10May2011, viewed 75 times
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by William Jason Read about the specs on one of Jaguars most impressive models, the XK 150
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by Maureen Romensya Do you want to
use one of the good car shippers that can be found these days to move your
vehicle to a new place, but you want to make sure you don’t have a bad
experience or problems with the company you do choose to hire? Then you need to
understand how easy it is to avoid a bad experience and problems with any
company.
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by William Jason Published 09May2011, viewed 211 times
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by Marilyn Katz Are you an older driver? Do you care about senior citizens driving safely?. Get some tips about auto safety features and accident prevention that could help keep older people safe on the road.
Published 11Apr2011, viewed 89 times
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by Stephen Daniels When it comes to automobiles, there are those who prefer to buy domestic and others with a decided preference for foreign or import makes and models. There are, however, many qualified foreign auto repair shops, especially in larger cities, that offer the same (or better) quality care as a dealer, and there are several advantages to seeking them out.
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by William Jason Published 08May2011, viewed 171 times
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by Levi Quinn Whether you are after a brand new, fresh from the manufacturer vehicle or a more time-tested ride, you must be prepared to negotiate when you get to the dealership. Negotiations may be intimidating to individuals who are not accustomed to handling them, but the fact of the matter is that a negotiation is just a game of give and take. To be successful, though, you must respect the seller, the true value of the car, and the overall process itself.
Published 16Apr2011, viewed 73 times
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by Levi Quinn Like going to the doctor for a checkup or running a virus scan on your
computer, preventative maintenance for your car is an important part of
its upkeep. Unfortunately, car maintenance is much more expensive than
other forms of care; however, there are ways to save a bit of money on
your maintenance bill.
Published 16Apr2011, viewed 64 times
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by Levi Quinn If you drive and are not a multi-millionaire, odds are that you are at least a bit concerned with the price of gas. Filling up the tank may be a routine, but for many people it’s a routine that has the potential to break the bank. Ever-rising gas prices in a constantly fluctuating economy don’t help, but there are ways to save on gas despite the hole it may be burning in your budget.
Published 15Apr2011, viewed 64 times
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by Shane Hester Learn how you can save time and cash by visiting an auto repair shop to get your vehicle properly fixed the first time.
Published 10Apr2011, viewed 107 times
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by Levi Quinn As a car gets older and accumulates more miles, the maintenance that it needs to keep running often tends to increase, too. While regular oil changes, filter replacements, brake repair, and other small services can keep the mechanical aspect of your vehicle in tip top shape, keeping up with the exterior of the car can become more and more of an issue as the paint is faded and chipped away by the elements that it faces during every drive.
Published 10Apr2011, viewed 97 times
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by Levi Quinn Purchasing a new vehicle is of course a large investment, and as such many people can become lost in the enormity of the bill. What’s an extra thousand dollars when you are already dishing out 20?
Published 10Apr2011, viewed 66 times
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Source: http://www.submityourarticle.com/articles/Automotive/more/200
2011 Ford Fiesta – Auto Shows – Car and Driver
In 1976, Ford surprised U.S. buyers with a snazzy little subcompact hatchback called the
that pretty much knocked everyone’s socks off. Think tin-top equivalent of the original bug-eyed Austin-Healey Sprite, and you’re pretty close. Our July 1977 road test stated “we can confidently say that this car will exceed your every expectation.”
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Automobiles are just a little more complicated today than they were in 1977, and there’s a lot more competition at the small end of the market. But we confidently expect the latest Fiesta, debuting in U.S. spec at the
and due in showrooms in spring 2010, to stand out from the herd much as its ancestor did three decades earlier—particularly on the fun-to-drive scale.
The Car The Fiesta is the production version of the , a small-scale traffic-stopper unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt auto show. We’re pleased to report that the wedgy visual dynamics of the show car have been watered down very little for showroom versions, although the Fiesta looks distinctly sexier as a hatchback than as a formal sedan.
Which brings us to a little bit of not-so-good Fiesta news: U.S. buyers won’t be offered the three-door version, lamentable because it’s the swoopiest in terms of curbside wattage and visually closest to the Verve. Ford’s sales and marketing troops have no confidence in hatchback appeal for American buyers—witness the absence of a hatchback model in the current Focus lineup.
In fact, insiders tell us Ford’s product planners seriously considered limiting the U.S. Fiesta to conventional body styles—a four-door sedan and two-door coupe—before a vocal minority managed to get a five-door version into the mix. For that matter, in the original planning for the latest generation, the U.S. market wasn’t even on the menu. After two dreary Korean substitutes for the first-gen Fiesta (the Festiva, followed by the Aspire, both from Kia), Ford gave up on minicars entirely—until fuel prices soared over $4 per gallon, and a small flock of Asian-sourced subcompacts began to nibble an increasing share of the total U.S. passenger-car market.
Specifics of Small Small is a word that covers a pretty big range of dimensions in the world of subcompacts, and the five-door Fiesta ranks at the tidiest end of the scale, similar in size to the
—a Car and Driver 10Best choice—albeit 1.5 inches shorter in five-door form. It’s distinctly smaller than the Nissan Versa five-door, the biggest of the Lilliputian hatchbacks. At 173.6 inches the Fiesta sedan is 13.5 inches longer than the five-door, but it’s otherwise dimensionally identical—66.8 inches wide, 58.0 inches tall, on a 98.0-inch wheelbase. Passenger volumes are the same, too, but the sedan lacks the hatchback’s cargo versatility, of course.
Speaking of that, we can confidently say that despite its modest size the Fiesta five-door will happily digest luggage, including a comprehensive array of photo gear, for a pair of travelers on a week-long New York-to-Seattle run. The Fit’s cargo accommodations are more versatile, but the Fiesta gets the job done, and looks sexier than any of the other subcompacts while doing so. (Watch this space for our full cross-country test report.)
We can also say that there’s enough room for two adults in the rear seats, although those of the larger variety—over, say, six feet—will need a little cooperation from those up front.
FTD Spoken Here Another thing we can confidently say is that the Fiesta will rank high on the vehicle attribute we treasure above all others, to wit, the fun-to-drive (FTD) factor. Based on short preview drives in Europe and that coast-to-coast run last summer, we’re thoroughly impressed with the Fiesta’s eager agility and exceptional road-holding.
The electrically assisted rack-and-pinion steering system is sports-car quick at 2.6 turns lock-to-lock, and may well measure up as the most communicative in this class, with path accuracy that rivals a cheetah pursuing an antelope—something we don’t usually associate with electric-assist systems. Ride quality provides a nice balance between Euro firm and all-day comfort in U.S. interstate droning.
Acceleration is always an important FTD component, and here, too, the Fiesta promises to score high marks versus its competitors. Power is delivered by a 1.6-liter DOHC all-aluminum four-cylinder, expected to produce 119 hp at 6000 rpm and 109 lb-ft of torque at 4250 rpm. With a standard five-speed manual transmission, we booted a Fiesta to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds, which would be near the top of the subcompact charts. However, we must note that all our impressions and test results to date have been compiled with Euro-spec Fiestas, and the numbers may vary with U.S. versions—particularly if curb weight forecasts prove out. Our cross-country Fiesta weighed 2462 pounds. The lowest curb weight estimate for a U.S. five-door is 2537 pounds.
However, fuel-economy forecasts compare well with other cars in this class: 29 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway with the five-speed manual, 30/38 with the optional six-speed automatic.
Fiesta U.S.
How North American Fiestas—which will be built at Ford’s plant in Cuautitlan Izcalli, Mexico—will compare with the Euro model remains to be seen. We anticipate the same nifty control layout, cellphone-inspired center stack, supportive bucket seats, and the option of leather trim. Standard safety features, including ABS, will be comprehensive, and we know that Ford will add its Sync voice-activated communications system to the U.S. option list. Another option we look forward to experiencing is the new PowerShift six-speed automatic, a dual-clutch unit that should upstage the conventional automatics in competing subcompacts, including the Fit.
With its actual on-sale date still several months away—Fiestas won’t begin arriving in North American showrooms until April—price info has been confined to rumors, which trend toward the high end of the subcompact scale, particularly for the five-door. If true, that would pit the Fiesta five-door against the Honda Fit Sport, which currently starts at $17,120 for a manual model, $17,970 for the automatic. Add $1850 for navigation.
However, while the five-door will be offered only as a premium model, sedans and coupes will be available in three trim levels—S, SE, and SEL sedans, and an SE coupe. In our July 1977 road test, one of our testers observed that “the Fiesta is a real bright spot. Its styling is fresh, and it’s a nimble broken-field runner but, more than that, it makes me feel good about the direction modern cars are taking. We really are entering an era of efficiency.”
The more things change. . .
Article source: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/09q4/2011_ford_fiesta_-auto_shows
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2010 BMW X6 M / X5 M – Auto Shows – Car and Driver
Some will consider the announcement of the M versions of the and X6 arriving this fall to be heresy, a crime against the enthusiast faithful not seen since the debut of the Porsche Cayenne. Well suck it up fanboy, because the X6 M will lap the Nrburgring faster than the E46 M3. And if you really want to throw stones, blame the success of the Porsche, which demonstrated to BMW that a market exists for sporty SUVs. Both Bimmers—the powertrains are identical—put out 555 hp from a twin-turbo V-8, which is a 5-hp middle finger to the Cayenne Turbo S. The 500 lb-ft of torque in the BMWs, however, is 53 short of that of the top-level Cayenne.
The Mighty Boost The heart of the X5/X6 M, as in all M cars, is the engine. And the heart of this engine is a trick exhaust manifold and a pair of twin-scroll turbochargers. Of course this is BMW, so there has to be an acronym: Cylinder-bank Comprehensive Manifold, or CCM. The direct-injection 4.4-liter V-8 is based on BMW’s regular production engine, adding new pistons, a new intake manifold, and revised intake cam timing. Compression has been lowered slightly, to 9.3:1 from 10.0:1. The alloy used for the cylinder heads has been altered for greater strength, the oil pan is now aluminum with integrated cooling fins, and both the intercoolers and radiator have been enlarged to deal with increased engine heat.
The secret to the exhaust manifold, which sits in the valley between the two cylinder banks, is a convoluted plumbing system. Exhaust gas from each cylinder is routed to the dual twin-scroll turbochargers; each scroll is fed by a distinct pair of cylinders. The pairs are matched in such a way that the two cylinders fire a full crank rotation apart from each other. (In a four-stroke engine, every cylinder fires every two rotations.) This facilitates steady pulses of exhaust gases to spin the turbo, whereas a more conventional exhaust manifold will form waves of pressure. The M solution, while expensive, results in better engine response and less turbo lag. The torque peak, which runs flat from 1500 to 5650 rpm, backs up this claim. At max boost, the Garrett turbochargers produce 21 psi of pressurized air.
An Automatic M?
The X5/X6 M will only be available with a six-speed automatic transmission similar to the one in the standard X5 and X6. (No manual! Feel free to play the heresy card again.) The M version (dubbed M Sports Automatic) works with the engine computer to cut ignition in some cylinders during a gear change to affect faster shifts. Like in other M cars that lack a clutch pedal, the X5 M and X6 M have steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and will hold the selected gear at the engine redline in manual mode. The SUVs also feature an economy mode that keeps the engine below 4500 rpm unless you push the gas pedal all the way to the floor. There’s also a launch-control mode, which sets the revs at 3000 for a better jump off the line and shifts automatically while at full throttle. BMW claims a 0-to-60-mph time of 4.5 seconds.
An Eminently Classy Chassis BMW development driver Bernd Limmer says, “I’m completely convinced this is a real M car.” That might have something to do with who signs his paycheck, but the X5/X6 M have been tuned to lend credence to Limmer’s claim. The ride has been lowered 0.4 inch, and adjustable dampers (Adaptive Drive with Electronic Damping Control, if you’re still playing BMW lingo bingo) are standard. EDC varies between Normal and Sport modes, and the latter stiffens up the hydraulic steering as well. Both settings are significantly stiffer than the stock suspensions.
The xDrive all-wheel-drive system is physically unchanged but has been reprogrammed to provide as much rear bias as possible. While the standard X5 and X6 are set up to prevent slip in any circumstances, the M versions will allow some sliding if overall stability can be maintained. As in other M cars, the stability-control system can be set to full-on operation, an M Dynamic Mode competition setting, or turned fully off.
These are the first M models to use run-flat tires, with 275/40-20 Bridgestones at the front and 315/35-20 rubber at the rear. The X5/X6 M will also be the only M versions without cross-drilled rotors, a concession towards durability. Front rotors measure 15.6 inches (up 0.8 inch versus the xDrive50i’s) and 15.2 inches in the rear (up 1.6). Internals in the master cylinder have been replaced with a single-ratio valve to provide consistent brake-pedal feel throughout its entire travel.
Somewhat Sinister Styling Distinctive gills in the front fenders and new front and rear fascias, with the characteristic quad tailpipes at the back, separate the X5/X6 M from their more plebeian counterparts, but the rest of the bodywork is unchanged. The interior changes are subtle as well, limited to a few M-themed accents and the M Drive button on the steering wheel. The X6 already looks wild enough in stock form, so the M transformation is more effective on the X5, in our opinion.
If You Have to Ask, You Can’t Afford One
Sales will begin this fall at a substantial discount compared to the $98,515 base price of a Cayenne Turbo or the Mercedes-Benz ML63’s introductory rate just shy of $91,000. The cheaper X5 M will start at just $86,225, while the X6 M will nudge the $90k mark with a price of $89,725. Fuel economy is sort of an afterthought in vehicles like the X5 and X6, but the standard X6 V-8 gets an EPA rating of 12 mpg city and 18 mph highway, and the M versions are sure to be slightly worse.
As silly as these things seem, we’re looking forward to getting some test numbers; that should prove
very interesting.
Article source: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/09q2/2010_bmw_x6_m_x5_m-auto_shows