Savvy Tips for Renting a Car
With friends and relatives renting cars while they visit and vacationers renting in sunny vacation spots, summer brings many people into car rental offices — some who might not have much experience car rental. Rent-A-Wreck has some tips to help consumers get the right car and the best value: •    Research car rental companies before your trip. [...]
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Mon, 24 May 2010 17:23:26 +0000

Next Best Thing to Vacation: A Stress-Free Commute

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(NewsUSA) - It may be vacation time for kids, but most adults work through the summer months. Firestone Complete Auto Care recommends some commuting tips for everyone who is spending the summer driving to work instead of heading out on vacation: * Keep Your Vehicle in Tip-Top Condition. It is important to keep your vehicle properly maintained. For example, check your tires regularly since they are the only thing connecting your vehicle to the road. You can check your tires' tread depth with the "penny test." Insert a penny in the tread with Lincoln's head down. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, the tread is worn, and the tire probably needs to be replaced. If you are not certain, have it checked by a tire professional. You should also have your automotive technician make sure that your tires are properly inflated and rotated. In addition, have them check under the hood to evaluate your vehicle's other major systems. * Commute Comfortably. Wear shoes that are comfortable and safe to drive in -- flat shoes with some grip on the soles are ideal. Make any adjustments to your seat or mirrors before you start on your way. * Don't Be Distracted. Stay focused and do not multitask. Make your daily commute your "quiet time" for the day by turning off your cell phone. Even if your local laws do not require it, if you must talk on your phone invest in a headset so you can focus on the road. Make sure that you can still hear honking horns and sirens while using your headset. * Keep Calm. Consider leaving earlier or researching an alternative route to miss rush hour traffic, holiday traffic or bad weather. If you know that you're going to be late, accept the delay. Slow down and keep your distance in heavy traffic. Unsafe driving habits such as changing lanes right before or after an intersection or in a school zone, not signaling before a turn, making illegal U-turns and other activities can put you and others at risk. If you are still facing the daily grind this summer, take the time to make your commute a safe and pleasant part of your day.

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Fri, 21 May 2010 05:00:00 +0000

What Exactly is a Hybrid Car?
Even if you drive a hybrid car, you probably don’t know some basic facts about your car and what makes it work. Hybrid cars use two separate engines for propulsion, usually an electric motor and a gasoline-powered engine. And while auto companies usually act as if hybrids are all the same, they come in three main [...]
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Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:52:22 +0000

Hybrid Cars Are Hot, But What Are They?

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(NewsUSA) - Even if you drive a hybrid car, you probably don't know some basic facts about your car and what makes it work. Hybrid cars use two separate engines for propulsion, usually an electric motor and a gasoline-powered engine. And while auto companies usually act as if hybrids are all the same, they come in three main forms: series hybrids, plug-ins and parallel hybrids. Series hybrids use an electric motor to power a car's movement -- the gas engine just recharges the electric battery. In plug-in hybrids, the electric engine's battery can be charged directly through an electric outlet. The car is propelled by the electric motor alone, and most plug-ins also include a combustion engine for battery regeneration. In parallel hybrids, the electric motor and the internal combustion engine can work both individually or in unison, powering the vehicle for peak performance. For example, Porsche, a company known for building high-performance cars, has developed two completely different hybrid systems -- one for the racetrack and one for the road. The road-going vehicle, the Cayenne S Hybrid, uses an advanced full parallel hybrid design with the electric motor between the combustion engine and the transmission. The Cayenne S Hybrid, a high-performance SUV, is as fast as the V8-powered Cayenne, but is the most fuel-efficient version in the model line-up. The 47 horsepower electric motor is an ideal partner for the 333 horsepower supercharged engine, providing a considerable amount of high torque at low speeds. When working in unison, the two units deliver a maximum system output of 380 brake horsepower and a peak torque of 427 pounds per foot at just 1,000 revolutions per minute. Given a reserved, moderate style of motoring, for example, in a residential area, the Hybrid Manager allows the driver to cover short distances on electric power alone and therefore absolutely free of emissions, driving at speeds of up to nearly 40 mph. The combustion engine may be completely switched off at speeds of up to 97 mph, being fully disengaged from the drivetrain when no further power is required. In this so-called "sailing mode," the drag forces exerted by the combustion engine are eliminated in the interest of lower drive resistance and fuel consumption. The Cayenne S Hybrid is the only hybrid capable of this driving mode.

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Tue, 20 Apr 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Make the Most of Your Next Home Improvement Project
Whether it’s the downturn in the economy or the increasing popularity of DIY television shows, one thing is certain; homeowners are tackling more home projects themselves. A lot of first-timers are learning new skills and using new tools so they can finish projects ranging from simple maintenance and crafts to room renovation. Most DIYers will begin [...]
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Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:53:48 +0000