Archive for July, 2009
Automobiles And Braking
When it comes to automobiles and braking Im the first to admit that Im an ol fart not quite so old that I recall them being called horseless carriages. But when I first started driving all gear boxes were not only stick change but crash too. For the kids this means that you had to equalize the revs between the engine and the transmission or you would hear an almighty scraping in the gear box and not be able to select the gear of your choice.
Brakes were cable operated and drum front and rear which meant that you could actually build leg muscles when braking and if you were driving at more than 30 miles per hour your chances of stopping in less than 150 feet depended upon whether you were going uphill. Hence we soon learned to use the crash gear boxes properly if we wanted to drive fast because brakes alone were insufficient to stop the vehicle.
What does this mean today? I just picked up my SUV after a 170000 mile service and the original brake pads Ive had it since new are 50 worn so I may have to worry about renewing them by the time the vehicle has a 250000 mile service. This is because I use my stick shift gear box when braking even to this day Ive told my wife to put a gun to my head if I ever think of buying a car with an automatic transmission. I would see this as giving up full control of my vehicle.
Many of you are probably thinking that Im one of these old guys that drive at half the speed limit and create traffic queues behind me just to preserve my brakes. Nothing could be further from the truth and few kids even in sports cars can get away from traffic lights as fast; I would consider it a sin to drive below the speed limit if conditions allow. What I am attempting to put across in this article is that one of the major reasons we have so many traffic accidents these days has nothing to do with traffic volume and a lot to do with complacency.
Is it possible that cars have been made too easy to drive that each generation of drivers has become just a little more complacent? Too many of the old drivers tasks have been automated or semi automated. Im thinking of automatic transmissions power steering ABS braking traction control and so on that each does a little bit to take away the need for a driver to have total control of the vehicle.
This brings me to the point of the debt of gratitude that all motorists owe to Formula 1 car racing because this is the only form of car racing that has constantly developed new technology that has been incorporated in the cars we buy and drive. Listed below are just a few innovations that started in Formula 1 Grand Prix Racing:
Thin wall main and big end bearings.
Hydraulic brakes.
Disc brakes.
ABS Braking systems
Carbon fiber brakes.
Independent suspension.
Multi valve cylinders.
Aerodynamic body design.
Traction control.
Plus very soon well probably see Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems KERS being introduced to the family car to supply bursts of free energy when required for overtaking. Watch this space.
Next time you get into your car dont assume that any specific gadget makes life easier for you because by doing so you are probably giving up some of the control you have over the vehicle. The most important thing with all automobiles is safety and especially the quality of your braking ability.
Good driving.About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;When it comes to cars and their best and worst attributesthe Author of this article always startsnbsp;researchhere. nbsp;He has been actively involved in all thingsautomotive for many years including his popular irreverent formula 1racing articles that were featured on F1rumors worldwide. nbsp;Youcan view more of hiswork here. nbsp;
The Legendary Ford T-bird
Ford TBird are legendary and the current models are really elegant. Brought back from our glory years reinterpreted for these modern times is a timeless classic begging for the open road. As Ford Vice President of Design explained the 1955 to 1957 Ford TBird is as symbolic of the times as rock and roll music and bobby socks. Some clubs cater for any model produced by a particular manufacturer while vehicles including Corvettes and Ford TBird are served by specialist organizations.
To make sure that the paint color comes out correctly we suggest that you make sure that your TBird is present for the painter to color match color. Your TBird is one of the rare vehicles to come full circle from classic roadster to pavement burning muscle sled to punchy sedan then recently back to its roots. As Motor Trend Detroit editor wrote Perhaps the most outstanding feature of the new Ford TBird is the clever wedding of sports car functionalism with American standards of comfort.
It is also a lasting piece of American culture. The 91 model is an excellent value for a used car. And if your it is equipped with a cold air intake system the cold air intake filter will perfectly match it. The it is a retro design that has been around a few years now but still manages to stand out from the crowd. Taking you back to the golden age of the American roadster and is about driving freedom. The sole power train under the hood of the 2004 model is a 3.
1959 TBird is a cruiser in every sense of the word. It is a vehicle that has shared the platform with the Lincoln as well and it has sufficient room to accommodate tall drivers as well. The Ford TBird is a car manufactured in the USA by the Ford Motor Company. And is big on style and comfort and is still an affordable piece of ‘Automobile Americana’ that may someday be a classic.
1988 is absolutely gorgeous with its remarkable features that includes platinum spark plugs 225/60/16 tires new computer and wiring custom 2. For this year it is fully loaded with outstanding features power disc brakes air conditioning cruise and speed control power door power locks tilt steering wheel power windows power driver seats seat belts AM/FM radio with cassette power steering climate control 6way power sunroof and custom wheels.
Knowing that the resale and trade in value of your 1993 is 1480. Millions of vehicles are recalled each year and it is possible that the 2005 is among them. This Ford TBird is an 11″ long die cast collectible metal car with operable doors hood trunk. And it is a big purchase so take the time to research carefully make a few phone calls check with the Better Business Bureau and your consumer affairs about your Ford TBird dealership.
The thoroughly modern interior of the new Ford TBird is done up with classic style. The trunk of the Ford TBird is spacious enough for a golf bag and carrying along the soft cover for the stowed top shrinks the available space considerably. This 2005 is subject to prior sale and it may become unavailable without notice. I have a 94 Ford TBird is there an easy way to remove the sunroof to replace the screws that came loose. Top speeds were high; my 1967 is capable of better than 140mph and that is not atypical.
About the writer: Ronald Firquain is a writer marketer entrepreneur webmaster and has 16 years of computer knowledge. You can download ebooks for making money online building a website play golf guitar and more. For more information goto: Street Hot Rods
Autodelta Unveils Alfa 159 J4 2.2 C Models
Autodelta is delighted to announce that it will reveal the bespoke Alfa 159 J4 2.2 C after 18 months of rigorous improvement of the 2.2 JTS direct injection engine at a special occasion at the Yacht Harbour of Driessen Amsterdam this coming June 2021 2008.
The Auto Channel reported that the Autodelta J4 2.2 C which denotes Compressore will develop into the third member of the elite bespoke Jseries models. It will join the Brera J5 3.2 C and Spider J6 3.2 C in the array when it is commercialized starting July 1st. Its primary theme carries on a long tradition of employing forced orientation principles by Autodelta to expand nothing less than the very definitive expression of high performance motoring like the other two recognized sports cars with its splendid auto body parts.
On the other hand the 159 J4 2.2 C will be launched with a supercharged edition of the 2.2 JTS direct injection petrol engine while the Brera J5 and Spider J6 models with their outstanding auto body parts have a deep focus on advancing Alfa Romeos 3.2 V6 engine. The addition of a Rotrex C3074 supercharger and a specificallyenhanced system boosts the 2.2litre units power from the standard 185bhp up to 245 bhp a boost of 60 bhp. For the time being peak torque is elevated from 230Nm to 290Nm providing the sports saloon an additional 60Nm of torque.
Both are high compression engines which mean that a very thorough development programme is called for says Autodeltas Managing Director Jano Djelalian but one of the biggest advantages is that a high performance driving experience can be coupled to excellent fuel efficiency something that is becoming more important with ever rising oil prices.
Actually Autodeltas technical brilliance is pretty basically unconcealed: no other company has been able to effectively supercharge and commercialize Alfa Romeos directinjection JTS engines.
Alfa Romeo created a superbly stylish sports car with the Brera and one that we were able to take forward in a number of areas says Jano It moved us forward as we welcomed a whole new type of customer coming through our doors; for the first time we also had one model that was in demand right across the world and as well as gearing up to cope with it here we had to take our global network of agents one step further.
The J5 arrived just as we celebrated our 20th anniversary continues Jano and it has superbly launched us into our third decade.
About the writer: Anthony Fontanelle is a 35yearold automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.
