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Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Why A Harley Davidson Motorcycle

By: Low Jeremy

There are several manufacturers of motorcycles around the world. The BMW for one, builds performance driven motorcycles for years. Japan-made Honda, Kawasaki, and Yamaha also have race winning motorcycles. Ducati is another motorcycle brand that is very popular around the world. But why a Harley Davidson?

Why is Harley-Davidson so popular around the world? Why is that when a Harley rolls on the road, everyone will turn their heads for a glance? Why is it that when one talks about motorcycle, the very first brand in mind is the Harley-Davidson?

Finding answers to these questions will give us 3 words: name, quality, and pride.

Name – When you hear the word “Harley-Davidson”, the first thing that might pop out from your mind is a “one hell of a machine”. Hearing the name “Harley-Davidson” would also easily gives you the impression of a great motorcycle company that set a great legacy throughout history. The name can be synonymous with toughness, quality, speed, and versatility. The name itself will set itself on the top of your mind.

Quality– Whether it is a CVO (Custom Vehicle Operations), Dyna, Sportster, Softail, Touring, or VRSC model, it is a Harley-Davidson. And when we say Harley-Davidson, we mean quality that is built over the years. Each Harley-Davidson motorcycle is made in superiority from the engine parts to the decals and finishing touches. Harley-Davidson motorcycles are made not only to sell but to live for a lifetime as well.

Pride – Harley-Davidson has been manufacturing motorcycles for over a century. And with a company that survived this long, owning one is like owning a piece of history of the company. Harley-Davidson motorcycles have gained so much respect over the years and it has set the trend for the motorcycle industry in the United States. Any Harley-Davidson motorcycle owner would say that they are proud to have at least one great motorcycle in their possession.

What would you feel if you are riding a motorcycle with the name “Harley-Davidson”? Surely, you feel proud. Proud as if you have your first baby; proud as if you have owned a brand-new house; and proud as if you have realized your dream. Indeed, owning a Harley-Davidson can be a dream come true for most. As the price of a Harley motorcycle does not come cheap, owning one can be hard. But if you do, you feel fulfilled and you somehow feel you have your life complete.

How about you? Why are you dying to have a Harley-Davidson motorcycle? The answer is in you…

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on Harley-Davidson & other useful information, please visit harley-davidson.articlekeep.com

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Now get your bike ready for a ride within seconds

By: frank1

We all are very much aware of the fact,how crazy is today’s generation for bikes. And with the new advanced technology,the craze for bike love is on a high ride. Many love to have their own bike, and how exciting if it is an extraordinary piece. But still for many, to buy a new bike is like emptying their wallets. So, what is the solution? How about an idea to construct your own bike and to decorate it according to your taste within your budget? For that there is no need to search the Internet or to peep again and again in daily newspapers for a better bike part dealer. These all services are now at fingertips here on our website.

Yes, we are offering you with a detailed list of each and every part of the motorcycle. You can choose any part from the list to modify your old bike into a dream bike. Here you will get connected with our large bike and bike parts dealer network.
Thus you can take the right decision of fixing the right part in your bike. Here you can locate almost all parts of any bike including new models and the older charming models. Through our network you can access, each and every motorcycle salvage yard. You can also locate a dealer in your area so as to save your time, money and labor. Our bike part locator hotline has listed out most of motorcycle and bike parts dealers across the country with their addresses and contacts. Every dealer whose a member of our network will serve you with the best service

As you get connected directly to a dealer, there is no need to pay extra bucks to any negotiator. Once you get logged in our network, you can hand over the bike parts order to any specific dealer. Once you have done this, forget all the tensions and get relaxed. After completing your order the dealer will contact you directly and will dispatch the order directly to your place. If you have registered your e-mail in our website, you will get various bids on bikes and motorcycles on your e-mail address, through your phone, or through faxes. You can place a request to buy or to sell your bike. You can put a query regarding the retail price of any part, so as to have a proper deal. This site will also help you to solve you problems with your bike. You can ask for different opinion to bike experts regarding your bike problem. That is why our service is very time reducing and will also save your money.

So, guys now don’t waste your time, place the order of bike parts, and start working on your dream bike.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

Frank Kanara is an automobile market expert. He writes on the new trends in the auto and car market in many auto journals. He also writes frequently on our motorcycle-bike-part website.

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Custom Motorcycle Helmets For You

By: Low Jeremy

If you are looking for a custom motorcycle helmet, there are many shops that can make one for you. There are a lot of motorcycle helmets you can choose from. With many designs and makers to choose from, you would surely have your hands full finding one that you will like. Different designs offer different levels of comfort and styling. There are different types of motorcycle helmets available for different types of rides.

One of the more common motorcycle helmet types is the full face helmet. This type of motorcycle helmet covers the whole head and provides the most extensive head protection to the rider. A rear extension of this type of helmet covers the base of the skull while the front tries to protect the chin. A plastic face shield allows protection to the eyes and nose and provides access to the face if pushed up. Riders would usually experience of heat, claustrophobic sensation and reduced hearing while using the full face motorcycle helmet.

Then there is the ¾ motorcycle helmet, also known as the open face helmet. This type of helmet, just like the full face helmet, covers the back of the skull but gets rid of the lower chin armor and face shield in order to provide better airflow, hearing and peripheral vision. As added protection, most open face helmets are equipped with visors that help block out sunlight. For the eyes, it is always recommended to use goggles or wrap around sunglasses as a means of protection.

There is also the half helmet that would give you the most minimum coverage allowed by motorcycle helmet law. This type of helmet has the same front design as the open face helmet but with a cropped rear portion. The use of goggles and sunglasses can provide additional protection to the rider, just like the open face helmet. Before buying this kind of helmet, make sure that it meets the government standard for motorcycle helmet safety.

But if among the hundreds of motorcycle helmet designs available do not have the features that you want, you can have one custom made just for you. Custom made motorcycle helmets are for those with special needs. They are for people who look for a unique type of helmet in terms of design or shape.

Styling is also the reason why many people would want to have custom motorcycle helmets instead. No matter what you choose, make sure that what you are using can provide you with the level of safety and protection required by motorcycle law. These helmets are made for your protection much more than just for looks. That is what you should always bear in mind.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

For more information on Motorcycle Helmets & other useful information, please visit motorcycle-helmet.articlekeep.com.This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included.

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Alternatives to Hybrid cars

By: lar

Hybrid cars are considered by many to be the thinking driver’s solution to the current global warming debate. They are fuel-efficient and produce a great deal less emissions than their conventionally powered counterparts. At the present they are gaining greatly in popularity due to a variety of factors.

It is very trendy to be seen driving hybrid cars; it displays your green credentials to the world. It also saves you a great deal on the cost of your fuel. This is especially relevant for drivers, who cover high mileages, but less so if the mileage is small or you change your car frequently. This is due to the high cost of purchase. And of course you may be able to save us all from a global catastrophe, always a point worth mentioning at dinner parties. But are the present gas electric hybrid cars the best and most efficient way of saving the environment, and your money, or is there a better option?

The new breed of diesel cars that burn their fuel very cleanly and efficiently are way ahead of some hybrid cars in the fuel economy stakes. Mostly produced by European manufacturers they give huge cost savings over standard diesel engine cars and even more so over gas cars. These clean burn diesel cars can give as much as 90mpg (which is at least as good or better than the best of the Hybrid cars can achieve), and also offer low emissions through more efficient fuel combustion. American manufacturers such as Jeep are now producing this new generation of diesel cars and are catching up with their European counterparts.

One of the latest innovations in this field is a hydraulic hybrid car. These are not too dissimilar in their basic principle to standard hybrid cars. The main difference is that they use a hydraulic accumulator to store energy via nitrogen gas, which is then compressed by a hydrogen motor and is used to power the vehicle through a hydraulic drive train, which also replaces a standard transmission. These two vital differences not only make it extremely efficient but also cheaper to produce than normal hybrid cars.

These differences could result not only in a lower purchase price, which until now had been one of the major stumbling blocks, but also considerable saving in fuel costs. In fact savings could be in the region of 30-40 per cent, with the highest savings being from vehicles that are mainly used in the urban environment. These new type of hybrid cars are still in development but, if shown to be practical and reliable, could easily supersede the current gas electric hybrid cars that are currently in production.

Another competitors to the standard hybrid cars are electric cars. Until now these have been more of a novelty or student type project. But now with lightweight chassis and panels being easier to product and smaller high-powered long lasting batteries falling in cost, they are beginning to look much more like a viable proposition. The limited range and the need for mains recharging of the batteries make this only practical for short range or town driving and are unlikely to overtake (in any way) Hybrid cars at the moment.

Fuel cell cars are another alternative to hybrid cars and are thought by many to be one of the best options for virtually emission free motoring. Motorists would buy fuel as liquid hydrogen this would then be mixed with oxygen from the air in much the same way as a conventional engine takes air and uses the oxygen to mix with the gas. This can be used to generate electric power to drive the car.

Although their are many alternatives hybrid cars still present the best and most viable way of increasing our fuel economy while lowering the emissions. Though with some of the new projects in the offing this may all change and we may see cleaner cars than ever appearing in our showrooms.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

Larry Westfall is the owner of www.Asian-Daily.com
Article Submission done by: www.articles-submit.com
Courtesy of:Asian_daily

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Honda Civic hybrid cars

By: lar

Probably the best looking of the new hybrid cars is the Honda Civic. It still employs the aerodynamics that help to make hybrid cars even more fuel efficient by reducing the wind resistance; allowing the car to move more freely through the air and use less fuel. But somehow they seem to have avoided the pitfalls that some of the other hybrid cars have fallen into where they seem to have been designed mainly for the wind tunnel rather than the street.

With the advent of the Honda hybrid cars being environmentally friendly has suddenly become much more stylish. The chrome front grill is a good feature and enhanced by the sloping headlights and the arched rear light clusters give the whole thing a real designer fell. The raised rather than the enclosed wheel arches that some other hybrid cars have, give the Honda much more the look of a cool (but sensible) roadster than the full on slipstream science project look of some other offerings.

The triangular turn signals also cut quite a dash and are integrated into the wing mirrors. Even the door pillars are slanted backwards to give a stylish impression. This all adds to the fact that these fuel efficient hybrid cars are not designed primarily for tree huggers but for a young trendy market, keen not only to help reduce emissions but also to get heads turning and cut a swath through the more mundane motoring choices.

There are, as well as the usual variety of trim levels available, more interesting options including curtain airbags and even an energy absorbing hood to lessen the levels of impact during a road accident.

The new Honda Civic, hybrid car uses a small 1.3 liter 4 cylinder engine as its main power supply. The engine employs a very clever use of technology whereby it can effectively cut out cylinders that are not required. For instance when the engine is only using a minimal amount of power as in low speed cruising. Another boost to engine efficiency are the aluminum pistons which, when combined with the low drag cylinders give a good power saving.

The hybrid cars engine is assisted by an electric motor that is rated to 20 horsepower. The new hybrid car motor is roughly 50% more powerful the one used in previous versions. The battery pack is also increased in both size and power and now can supply 158v adding considerably to the available horsepower. The combined available horsepower from both the hybrid cars electric and gas engines is 110-horse power. This is very respectable for such a lightweight car and means it is well able to maintain its place both at the lights (it will do 0-60mph in 10 seconds) and on the highway.

The Honda along with most other hybrid cars uses a braking system that allows the electric motor to be run backwards to assist with braking. This also means that the motor is generating power for the batteries and this latest Civic has had improvements to this system that allows it to recoup more 150% more energy than was possible with former versions. This all ads up to better fuel economy, and the latest version on the Honda civic hybrid car should return a figure of around 50mpg for both town and highway driving.

Although there may be cars that can give a greater economy, the new Civic is well worth considering. The stylish looks, excellent performance and very low emissions make this one of the most advanced hybrid cars on the market. It may be a while before the other match this, although the market for hybrid cars is becoming ever more competitive with more manufacturers seeing this as a lucrative market rather than just a passing fad. There could be more and faster hybrid cars innovations on the way.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

Larry Westfall is the owner of www.Asian-Daily.com
Article Submission done by: www.articles-submit.com
Courtesy of:Asian_daily

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Tuesday, January 30, 2007

How hybrid cars work

By: lar

There are two main types of hybrid cars: series hybrid cars and parallel hybrid cars.

Parallel hybrid cars work by using a combination of a traditional gas engine and a high output electric motor. The different elements of the engine start working at higher or lower levels of output are required. If the car is being driven carefully and accelerating at a reasonable level the electric motor will work on its own until a greater output is needed at a higher speed. Then the small high performances, in terms of fuel economy that is, gas engine takes over. This is a seamless almost unnoticeable process with a smooth transition of control from electric to gas power.

As the acceleration is powered by the electric motor the gas engine can be much smaller and more economical. There is no need for a great deal of energy, merely enough to keep the car at a steady speed, or to move the car from a mid range, around 40 mph to a higher speed. This requires a lot less energy than the initial movement from a standstill and consequently can be achieved with a lower level of power.

The parallel system of using both the gas engine and electric motor for hybrid cars means that there is less loss of power as when the car is traveling at higher speeds. As the energy is not required to go through the batteries and electric motor before providing power to the car. When traveling in this mode there is no need for the electric motor to operate and this also allows it to be recharged by the gas engine as the vehicle is traveling along. All ready for when the hybrid car slows and switches back to the electric motor.

Series Hybrid Cars: a series design works by powering the vehicle through an electric motor. The batteries supply the power to the motor. As the power arrives at the motor through the battery, series hybrid cars need a substantially larger reserve of power and consequentially a greater amount of batteries need to be carried in the car.

The motor only uses the exact amount of power required for the task in hand. If you spend hours in a traffic jam, you may get a little hot under the collar but your car will not be overheating. An electric motor does not need to tick over or idle when sitting in a jam; it will simply start turning when you start moving. When driving hybrid cars there will be no power (although maybe a little hair) lost even in the most extreme of gridlocks. As the motor will not be working when the vehicle is still, there is no need for the batteries to be recharged until power is again being lost when the car starts to move forward.

The large battery supply that is required for series hybrid cars is kept supplied with energy by a generator that runs from the main gas power unit. This only needs to operate when the batteries are in need of extra power so for much of urban driving there is no need for the motor to operate as only low levels of power are required. This allows the hybrid cars engine to run without emissions for city driving, especially if some higher powered driving, as for highways or main routes is done, and the consequent loss of power means that the hybrid cars batteries are brought upon to their full power supply by the gas motor when out of the urban environment.

There are advantages to both systems, but overall the parallel system is the most flexible for hybrid cars as it allows for the option of either power source to be transferred directly to drive the car without going through another separate means of transmission to the wheels.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

Larry Westfall is the owner of www.Asian-Daily.com
Article Submission done by: www.articles-submit.com
Courtesy of:Asian_daily

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Hybrid Cars do the Figures Add Up

By: lar

Hybrid cars are the new environmentally aware way to drive. They are very fashionable among the young professional classes at the moment, and a great way of displaying your green credentials to the world.

Although the ecological advantage may be the main factor in your wish to buy a hybrid car the cost implications are important and it is worth having a look at the main points and how the costs ad up.

Until now, many that might otherwise have purchased a hybrid car have been unsure as to the cost benefits of this new breed of automobile. While the environmental advantages have always been clear, the cost advantages have not. The average hybrid cars can produce anything between 20-90 pre cent less emissions than its gas guzzling counterpart. The 90 per cent being achieved while primarily using the electric motor at low speeds around town. There has always been an uncertain cost analysis as to whether buying a hybrid car saved you money in the long run, or actually added to your motoring costs.

Hybrid cars have always maintained a price premium compared to their more conventional counterparts due to the cost of the extra, and much more complicated technology involved. This is not only due to the separate electric motor that is needed to power the car but also to the need for seamless integration of the two power sources when switching from one to the other.

And also there aware other expensive features in hybrid cars such as weight reduction, generating capacity to top up the batteries and regenerative braking that all add to the higher cost of hybrid cars. This is used when the car is braking, instead of the brakes being applied to slow the car the electric motor is engaged without power and so runs backwards. The drag from this assists the braking motion and at the same time generates electricity for the batteries. This effectively saves power that would otherwise be lost

All of these systems on hybrid cars are expensive to produce and thus the cost of a hybrid cars is usually well above that of a similar, traditionally powered model. The argument over this has always been that you recoup these initial outlays in the lower running costs. This became an especially valid argument after the recent, dramatic rises in fuel costs, a trend that looks set to continue for the foreseeable future.

But does it all ads up? Is the fuel cost saving with hybrid cars enough to offset the original cost outlay? Or is running a hybrid car just an expensive way of helping the environment while leaving you poorer, despite the considerable saving in fuel costs? .

Well the long and the short of it is that it depends on the sort of driving you do. If you are doing no more than 10,000 miles a year and intend on keeping your hybrid cars for an average of five years then it is unlikely that you would accrue enough savings at the fuel pump to off set the original higher cost of owning a hybrid car. If however you are a higher mileage driver covering 30-50 000 miles a year then the fuel efficiency factor turns it into a whole different ball game.

If you regularly cover these sorts of mileages and are not too heavy with the gas then you could rack up substantial savings with a hybrid car. Under these circumstances the economics make much more sense and real savings can be made especially if the car is kept for a long for several years. The saving grace for the hybrid car as far as costs are the federal tax breaks that are now being applied, and these may help to push you towards a decision that hybrid car can indeed be a viable cost effective alternative to conventional motoring.

Although cost is not always the main reason behind the decision to buy a hybrid car it is still worth taking a little while to consider the cost advantages or otherwise. The cost of motoring is a substantial part of the equation in any household budget and not one that can readily be ignored. But if the type of motoring you do fits then there are considerable advantages over a traditionally powered car. With the price hikes at the gas pump set to continue this may be a much easier and much more straightforward calculation to make in the future.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

Larry Westfall is the owner of www.Asian-Daily.com
Article Submission done by: www.articles-submit.com
Courtesy of:Asian_daily

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Hybrid cars the Toyota Prius the First Real Hybrid

By: lar

The Toyota Prius is probably the best known of the present crop of hybrid cars. In 1993 a commission under president Clinton established the aim of achieving the production of a car within a 10-year timescale that would be practical for the average family and would give fuel economy of 70-80 mpg. Toyota was not invited to participate in this as it was a foreign manufacturer and the hybrid cars project was primarily intended for American manufacturers.

Toyota decided that would not be left out and established their own research and development project into hybrid cars. Way ahead of the other manufacturers they unveiled a working model in 1995. They moved ahead with this and in the incredibly short space of just 2 years, had refined the original prototype of their hybrid cars into a full production model and introduced it to an increasingly environmentally aware public.

When it was first introduced in 1997 it the Toyota Prius hybrid car was intended to be mainly effective in reducing the amount of carbon and greenhouse gases that the car emitted. This was mainly to promote a cleaner environment in densely populated areas. These areas are often plagued by smog, one of the modern day by products of having a mobile population that prefers to travel in their own vehicle rather that using the publicly available transport network.

The model was introduced to the North American public for the first time in the summer of 2000 and was, due to a limited import stock, only available through an online ordering system. Despite this the demand was such that there were severe delays in delivery due to the enthusiasm for this new and innovative design.

In 2001 the original American hybrid cars project was discontinued and the major US manufacturers without the input of, and money from, the government, halted most of their research and development in this area. Toyota were now well positioned to take up the slack in the anticipated growth of the hybrid cars market and were already working on an updated and more efficient model to press home their advantage.

In 2004 the Toyota Prius hybrid car was awarded the greatest honor in American motoring and was chosen as the North American Car of the Year, the first time this award had been won by a hybrid car. This put the gold seal of approval on the model and, in part, ensured the success of the concept of hybrid cars as transportation for the average driver.

This was further established when fuel prices began to rise and the need for economy became greater. There is never a greater impetus to the success of a new and innovative product than that it can put money back in the pockets of the consumer.

Another financial impetus to the sales of hybrid cars came with tax breaks announced by the Washington administration to encourage the consumer towards cleaner and more fuel-efficient vehicles. Hybrid cars were seen as a double bonus for the whole population. First it promoted a cleaner environment and helped with reducing the carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. It also was seen, if taken up by a significant amount of drivers, that hybrid cars could help reduce the consumers need for gas and so make the US more self sufficient in fuel production.

Before the introduction of the Toyota Prius, hybrid cars had not been widely available to the average car owner and were largely thought of as experimental and not practical for everyday motoring. The Toyota Prius changed all this, bringing the notion of a cleaner, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly hybrid cars within the grasp of the average consumer.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

Larry Westfall is the owner of www.Asian-Daily.com
Article Submission done by: www.articles-submit.com
Courtesy of:Asian_daily

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Hybrid Cars Toyota Prius

By: lar

The Toyota Prius hybrid car was first introduced as a production model in Japan in 1997, and then in the US in 2000. It has taken the green motoring world by storm and is the most popular hybrid car around. Even Hollywood film stars like Cameron Diaz are getting in on the act and increasing their green credentials by owning a Toyota Prius hybrid car.

This small, though not unworkably so, symbol of automotive innovation is fast becoming the ultimate environmentally awareness fashion accessory. But the Toyota Prius hybrid car is far more than just an ecological accoutrement. It is the first and still leader in its field. The demand for this vehicle is so great that Toyota is even now trying to keep up with the orders.

The twin power units in this hybrid car comprise of a highly fuel efficient 1.5 liter 4 cylinder gas engine that produces 76 bhp. This is used mainly for powering the vehicle at higher speeds when a steady load on the engine enhances the fuel economy of the engine. This is one of the most advanced hybrid car engines around and is very economical when used in conjunction with a light foot on the gas pedal. It produces a torque figure of 82 Ib. ft at 4200 revs. The pistons in the Toyota Prius hybrid car are highly engineered to be lighter than average for an engine of this size. They also have a very low drag producing less friction and more efficient use of power. They also have vale timing that varies according to the load on the engine and allows the most economical use of the gas.

The hybrid cars electric motor is supplied with power by a battery with a 500-volt output and produces 295-lb ft at 0 rpm. The electric motor is primarily used at low speeds and acceleration and with this amount of power available it is no slouch when pulling of from the lights. But neither is it a Porsche. Don’t expect to be left behind at the lights but also don’t expect everyone else to be eating your dust. That is not what hybrid cars are about. Though that is not to say that in the future that a sports car manufacturer will not move into the hybrid cars market.

This combination of efficient gas engine and electric motors in the Toyota Prius hybrid car can produce very good fuel economy. The light-footed driver should be able to easily achieve figures of around 50 to 55 mpg around town. And up to and maybe even exceeding 60 mpg on the open road.

Although not a large hybrid car it seats 5 people comfortably enough, although when fully loaded the suspension can appear a little on the soft side. It is also no small load carrier with a usable trunk space of over 16 cubic feet, much larger than the old Prius could boast. The impressively aerodynamically efficient hybrid car shape can mean that headroom in the back of the car can be a bit low for tall passengers.

Hybrid cars have all the extras that are expected in a quality car today. GPS, keyless entry, good sound system, and special “head curtain” airbags that allow the rear seat passengers to benefit from air bag technology as well as the front. It also has a very useful computer display on the dashboard that allows you to see which engine is providing the power and how efficiently it is working. This means you can adjust your driving to get the optimum mpg from your hybrid car.

Overall the Toyota Prius is a very impressive venture by a major manufacturer into the world of hybrid cars and contains all the elements that the average driver could want in terms of fuel economy, comfort, so long as you are not a basketball player, and equipment. The new model Toyota Prius hybrid car that is soon to be available looks even better so it may be worth holding back for a while.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

Larry Westfall is the owner of www.Asian-Daily.com
Article Submission done by: www.articles-submit.com
Courtesy of:Asian_daily

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Hybrid Cars Transport for the Future

By: lar

Hybrid cars are one of the more recent, and most practical, innovations in the fight against greenhouse gases and global warming. Electric cars would of course be the ultimate in reducing emissions, aside from those produced in the generation of the electricity used to power them. But all attempts to produce a viable electric car have produced nothing that would be useable and practical to the average driver.

Electric cars are all very well if you do not wish to travel faster than 40-50 mph, or go more than 100 miles before recharging you batteries for several hours. But for most of us this isn’t a realistic option. Many of us however would still like to make a contribution to the good of the environment without it adversely affecting our daily lives, and hybrid cars are a great way to start towards this goal.

One direct and immediate benefit of driving a hybrid car is the reduction in your fuel bill. This has become more and more important recently with the escalating cost of gas at the pumps. A typical car driving around town will return fuel economy figures of less than 25 mpg. This can be much lower with the larger cars that many own and especially with SUV’s which often have alarmingly low fuel economy around town often running at 15-25 mpg with many achieving less than 10 mpg!

This startlingly low, and increasingly expensive, figure can be improved dramatically by changing to any of the hybrid cars that are currently on the market. You should find it relatively easy to achieve figures in excess of 55 mpg; with even large SUV’s getting a figure of 30-40 mpg. This obviously depends on the type of driving you do, your hybrid carcar and your style of driving, but there are considerable savings to be had.

Changing to hybrid cars instead of conventional petrol or diesel engined ones could save you a great deal of money. You could realistically cut your fuel bill by anywhere between 25 to 50 per cent. If you are currently driving an SUV and change to a similar hybrid model you could see an average $3,000 fuel bill reduced to $1,500 or even under a thousand dollars if you go instead for one of the smaller, though still reasonably sized hybrid cars.

One of the arguments against hybrid cars, and also one of the reasons that many were reluctant to make the change was price. Hybrid cars are inevitably more expensive to buy than conventional cars due to the fact that they an electric motor as well as a petrol engine.

This, however may be due to change with the new tax breaks for hybrid cars. In any case the difference is much less than it used to be, with some hybrid cars costing as little as $1,000 more than their conventional counterparts. This would be likely, with a normal amount of mileage, to be more than saved in fuel costs in the first year.

Now the hoped for tax breaks for hybrid cars have emerged the cost of the vehicles should be more on a par with the standard road going model and these savings should be money in the bank. And would encourage a previously skeptical public view the benefits of hybrid cars as being financial as well as environmental. This would encourage a much wider ownership which in turn may drive prices lower again as cost per unit decreases with the economy of scale that mass production can bring.

So hybrid cars may soon be not only good for the environment but also good for your wallet as well. And hopefully in the near future, hybrid cars may be, with the falling price and ever increasing fuel efficiency, not only marginally, but a substantially cheaper and cleaner alternative for the financially and environmentally conscious driver.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

Larry Westfall is the owner of www.Asian-Daily.com
Article Submission done by: www.articles-submit.com
Courtesy of:Asian_daily

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Why Hybrid Car Drivers Need Thick Skin

By: Rick Hendershot -

Buying a hybrid car is more than a calculated decision to save fuel. It is a statement about "saving the planet".

Even if the chances are pretty slim that hybrid technology will actually make much difference, it gives hybrid owners the right to feel superior. After all, they care about the planet. And the rest of the world obviously doesn't.

But if you're one of those hybrid owners you'd better be ready to lose some friends. Here's why...

1. You're Driving Way Too Slow

In theory at least, hybrid owners are the antithesis of those guys who just ache to get in that passing lane and leave the rest of us behind. You know the type...you're minding your own business coming out onto the expressway and the otherwise ordinary guy in the vehicle behind you swings out and passes even before you've hit the highway.

Hybrid owners seem to do just the opposite. You've known for years that driving slow saves fuel. So you're likely to be driving under the speed limit rather than over like the rest of the world.

The fact that you're driving a hybrid just makes it worse, since you know that all the potential savings are squandered if you try to go fast.

Especially when you're accelerating. That guy in the high powered vehicle who pulls out and passes... the thought of saving gas has never crossed his mind. But hydrid owners know better. For you it's a moral duty to save fuel. The fate of the planet depends on it. So there's no way you're going to try any of that fast acceleration stuff.

2. What's with the Pulse and Glide Stuff

You've been told that "pulse and glide" can make a serious difference to your gas milage. That's where you accelerate (conservatively) to the speed limit, and then let the car "glide" to 10 or more miles per hour below the speed limit. Repeat this procedure. Repeat this procedure. Repeat this procedure...

I once had a friend who drove like this. I thought he was dozing off between pulses, but now I know differently. He was actually doing the environmentally responsible thing.

My friend's driving habits aside, this practice is not going to endear you to all the rest of the drivers who can't figure out why you keep slowing down. It's probably smart to speed up just a little when you find yourself in anything other than the "slow" lane.

All bets are off when they let you use the carpool lane.

3. You Just Won't Inch Forward Will You!

Everybody else in the world knows that you must "inch" forward during stop and go traffic. How else are you going to keep up with the driver in front. Besides, if you leave more than about a 15' gap between you and the guy ahead somebody's going to jump into the gap and slow you down even more.

Hybrid drivers have been told this "inching forward" stuff is pointless and wastes fuel. And the way they build hybrids these days they've got a point. When you take your foot off the brake pedal the auto-stop turns off and the gasoline engine restarts -- like one of those gasoline engine golf carts. And there goes most of your gas savings. All those stops and starts just eat up the gas.

But don't expect your mono-drive cousins to understand. They've only got one thing in mind: to get wherever they're going just as fast as possible. And everybody knows that racing up behind the guy in front is the only way to make that happen.

4. Do you really think you should be drafting me like that?

The responsible hybrid owner will make use of every advantage to save gas. And drafting larger vehicles is one technique that the more aggressive will try. That's where you pull right up behind a semi, a van, or an SUV and try to stay in the pocket of air they are pulling along behind them.

I remember doing this with an old '65 Beetle a few years back. We were travelling along the New York Thruway drafting semis. We were making great time and saving lots of gas... until we blew a rod.

Of course, sticking on someone’s bumper will not endear you to too many of your fellow drivers. And as I discovered, it's a bit dangerous too. You'll find yourself going quite a bit faster than you otherwise would go. And whipping along in that back-draft does not do a lot for your stability.

Just try to remember, when you're out there on the highway trying to save the planet, the rest of the world could care less about your morally superiour driving habits. All they want to do is get where they're going as fast as they can.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

Rick Hendershot publishes Linknet News | Advertise to Targeted Buyers - More than 1,100 specialized websites and 46 million imp/month | California Traffic School

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All You Wanted To Know About Hybrid Cars

By: Gregg Hall

The rising oil prices will have anybody fretting and praying for a miracle so that they did not have to spend that kind of money on fuel. If at all, anybody can answer those prayers, it is our own automobile industry. The only viable solution to this impending crisis could be in the form of manufacturing more fuel efficient Hybrid Cars. Many automobile manufacturers have taken an initiative by launching fuel-efficient hybrid cars that are environment friendly as well.

Hybrid would clearly mean a combination of two technologies, using best features of the two to deliver momentum directly or indirectly. Hybrid technology has existed for a long time in the form of mopeds that unite the energy of a gasoline engine and the pedal power; locomotives that are diesel-electric hybrids; mining trucks and diesel-electric buses in Seattle and other cities which run alternately on diesel and electricity; Submarines which are nuclear-electric combination and a lot more. The latest offering in the hybrid technology is the hybrid car that is combination of gasoline engine with electric motors.

The normal gasoline car runs on gasoline engines that run the car. These car gives us speed, easy refuel facility and long running between the refills. However, did anybody think about the harm these cars causes to our environment and to our wallets? The electric car can be an answer to those concerns. In an electric car, batteries supply electricity to an electric motor, which in turn runs the car. However, the electric cars have some limitations. They do not offer speed as the normal gasoline cars and these cars are not good for long drives because they would require recharging after 80-100 miles.

The hybrid car is a combination of the advantages of the two and takes care of their limitations. All hybrid cars contain a gasoline engine, an electric engine, a generator (mostly on series hybrids), fuel storage container, batteries and a transmission. It covers up the limitations of speed of an electric car while using its fuel efficiency and quality of discharge of less harmful substances.

All the major automobile companies are offering hybrid cars. This clearly indicates its future. Major examples are; Silverado Pick-up and Sierra Pick-up from GM, SUV mini-Escape car from Ford; Malibu, Yukon and Tahoe also from GM; Saturn Vue or Chevy Equinox and several models from Honda. French carmaker PSA Peugeot Citroen has two diesel-electric hybrid cars in the making.

Hybrid is not a fashion statement or a trail product. With so many makers jumping into the market, we are coming across never-before models in Hybrid cars. Latest statistics indicate a steep rise in sale as well as demand for of these cars. So, are you still thinking?

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

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. Get quality car care products from www.carcarewizards.com

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Why To Wait a Year for a Hybrid Car

By: Gregg Hall

Hybrid cars are very popular vehicles in today's society. Hybrid cars combine the power of a gasoline engine with the environmental benefits of an electric engine to create what most consider being a better car. There are essentially two different types of hybrid cars on today's market. One type uses the gasoline engine to charge a battery. The battery then runs the electric motor in the car. The gasoline engine is reserved for situations where power is required. Another type never fully runs on the electric motor, but reserves that for situations where the car requires more power. Hybrid cars offer thirty to fifty miles per gallon of gasoline, and a host of special features that make them quite competitive with regular cars. They also, though, a price tag of three to five thousand dollars more than a typical car and waiting lists of six months to two years. There are, though, three good reasons to purchase a hybrid, despite the waiting list.

One excellent reason to purchase a hybrid car is to save money. Gas prices have been skyrocketing for the past two years. It hasn't been unusual over the course of the last several months to pay between two and three dollars per gallon of gasoline. If you live in a city or do an extensive amount of city driving, a hybrid is the car for you. Because some hybrids function on electric power only at low speeds, no gas is used during city driving. That means you could get up to fifty miles per gallon of gasoline just by driving to work each day. Since most traditionally built cars get less than twenty miles to a gallon of gasoline, you could be saving some serious cash. Some hybrids can go more than six hundred miles in between fill-ups, and that could save you more than six hundred and fifty dollars at the gas pump each year.

Another strong reason to purchase a hybrid car is to reduce pollution. City style driving is hard on a vehicle. As a result, cars produce more pollution while sitting in city traffic. Hybrid vehicles were built for this kind of a situation. Most hybrids produce ninety percent less harmful emissions than traditional vehicles do. Moreover, because many states are cracking down on emissions laws, this can save you in the long run. The government, both state and federal, offers tax incentives to purchase a hybrid vehicle. The internal revenue service alone offers up to one thousand dollars in the Clean Fuel Vehicle Tax Deduction program. Other local and state agencies offer similar deductions just to purchase a car that will help reduce pollution in our cities and neighborhoods. Additionally, it will help you feel good to know that you, personally, are doing something that will help our nation clear the air and eliminate the toxins we have spent so long adding to the atmosphere.

One final reason to purchase a hybrid car is to end dependency on oil as a power source. Oil powers everything from our homes to our cars. As a result, the United States is one of the leading countries in the demand for oil. This places us in a seriously problematic situation, as we cannot completely provide the oil we need for ourselves. Auto makers have continually pushed for more oil dependent cars like sport utility vehicles, large trucks, and minivans. Americans have bought into the bigger is better auto craze. The demand for oil goes up every day. Purchasing a hybrid, though, helps to tell the people around you as well as the government and the auto makers that you personally want fuel efficient technology that will stop robbing our natural resources and those of other countries as well as a fuel source that is not dependent on the help of other countries. Oil costs billions of dollars not only to purchase, but also to secure in trade agreements, to deal with the politics of other nations, and to find peaceful solutions to terrorist issues that change the oil supply. Those billions of dollars could find homes for other programs in our nation if we did not require as much oil.

Hybrid cars are one step to changing the way we think about driving. There are a number of excellent reasons to purchase a hybrid.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

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. Get quality car care products from www.stopwaxing.com

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How Cost Effective Are Hybrid Cars?

By: Frank Little

There seems to be no stopping the oil companies, as the price at the pumps continues to rise to astronomical heights for a myriad of reasons, valid or not. Civil wars in Nigeria, international conflicts in Iraq, hurricanes and other storms at home and abroad are all reasons gas companies posit to defend their outrageous gouging.

In the face of rising gas costs, many consumers are beginning to consider the option of a hybrid vehicle- one which operates on both gas and electricity. All of the models of hybrid car will save money in terms of gas expenditures, but are they really effective when all of the costs of maintenance and other considerations are factored in?

Right off the bat, consider the cost of buying a hybrid vehicle. Depending on the model, hybrid vehicles can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 more than the equivalent non-hybrid model. These prices need to be stacked up against the savings that a hybrid car owner would gain in gas, factoring in the mileage needed. One report by Edmunds, for example, shows that huge price increases in the cost of gas would need to take place, or the vehicle owner would need to put on some serious mileage, in order for the hybrid models to gain a sufficient price saving advantage when stacked up against initial purchases. The one exception in the study was the Toyota Prius, which compared very effectively in terms of initial cost with the Camry model. The consumer watchdog points out, however, that as the hybrid cars become increasingly more available as a reflection of demand the prices can be expected to drop, making them more cost effective when it comes to an initial investment.

Also important to keep in mind is the fact that the hybrid cars have a much more specialized system than the standard vehicle, and will therefore require a more specialized mechanic when it comes time for any repairs. Most consumer report features consider hybrid cars to require an investment of at least five years in order to break even as far as initial costs go, and do not take into account the possibilities of damage that requires fixing to the power train of the vehicles.

It seems as though, at least for the time being, the purchase of a hybrid vehicle for the average consumer may not be the best option when it comes to saving money. It is important to keep several things in mind, however, when considering purchasing a hybrid model. Many consumers are choosing to purchase these cars because they represent a significant development in terms of environmental concerns over standard models. They also mean that as a whole, Western nations will become less dependent on oil as the sole means of power.

Finally, it is imperative to keep in mind that the hybrid car is a very new technology. Developed only within the last few years, the technology is still in the infant stages, where costs will continue to be high. Hybrid cars also have only a small percentage of the market right now as well. As time passes, the development of the hybrid technology will begin to push prices down to the point where hybrids are more than competitive with the traditionally fueled models of the past.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

Frank Little is a hybrid car enthusiast and maintains a website with hybrid car forums.

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Hybrid Cars: The Answer to High Gas Prices?

By: Amy Hansen

High oil and gas prices are here to stay. This has many people wondering what they can do to save money at the pump.

Hybrid cars have touted themselves as a great way to save money. Many owners of hybrids believed this upon purchase and soon found out that the gas mileage estimates were very overrated. Data from independent product-testing organization Consumer Reports indicates that hybrid cars get less than 60 percent of EPA estimates while navigating city streets. In Consumer Reports' real-world driving test, the Civic Hybrid averaged 26 mpg in the city, while the Toyota Prius averaged 35 mpg, much less than their respective EPA estimates of 47 and 60 mpg. Hybrid cars performed much closer to EPA estimates in Consumer Reports' highway tests.

This discrepancy could be due in part to the way the EPA conducts its tests. The EPA tests actually gauge fuel emissions to estimate fuel efficiency. Hybrid cars use computers to control the flow of gasoline and have more efficient catalytic converters, which reduce the amount of emissions. This may contribute to the disparity between EPA estimates and actual vehicle mileage achieved.

Hybrid car buyers pay a premium of a couple of thousand extra dollars over what others are paying for a comparable car. By most calculations, this extra expense will not be recouped in gas savings by the owner. The hybrid cars currently on the market cost from $3500 to $6000 more per car than comparable cars with conventional gas engines. This means that the amount of money you save, or don’t save, by buying a hybrid is very much dependent on gasoline prices. It’s no wonder that the average hybrid buyer has a substantially higher income than the average regular car buyer-- $100,000 versus $85,000.

Hybrid buyers may be saving on gas, but they are sporting a much more expensive battery. The cost of hybrid batteries ranges from $1,000 to $3,000, although we have gotten reports of some hybrid owners being quoted $4,800 to $8,000! This could be due to the current high demand for hybrid cars. And, although the hybrid battery may be covered under the car’s warranty, once the warranty expires, you could find yourself in for more of a ‘charge’ than you expected.

Hybrid cars may not be all they’re cracked up to be. Their gas mileages are overestimated and maintenance costs can be high. It also costs quite a bit more just to purchase one and these extra costs won’t be made up for with fuel savings.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

Amy Hansen invites you to visit her blog about high gas prices for information and money saving tips. There is also a resource to check the local gas prices in your area.

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How To Choose The Best Tire For Your Hybrid Car

By: Gregg Hall

Those who are unfamiliar with hybrid cars may not know that most come with new innovative tire designs. When replacing your tires on your hybrid car, you should stick with the low-rolling resistance tires. Those who own hybrid cars however know that these special low-rolling resistance tires are the best thing since the hybrid design itself. Consumers are definitely not the only ones with their eyes on the new low-rolling resistance tires however. Every major tire maker is getting in on the trend with new tires coming out frequently.

You may wonder what low-rolling resistance actually means. The name is a measurement of how tires roll on the road. If the tire rolls easily, then it is considered a low-rolling resistant tire. One benefit of these innovative tires is that they minimize the energy used by the tire. Tires use energy as heat in three different locations. First, there is heat between the tire and the road. Secondly, there is heat between the tire and the sidewall. Lastly, there is heat between the tire and the rim. The great thing about the low-rolling resistance tires is that they maintain traction, handling, and durability. When used with special suspension and brakes, they reduce resistance even more. The tires go through all of the approval standards of normal tires, so you can be sure they are safe to use.

Now that you know more about tires, you may wonder how they can make tires that reduce the energy usage. The answer is that tire manufacturers are using several different elements to create low-rolling resistance tires. First, they focus on the design of the tread. Different companies are using different designs, so you may seem many different designs coming to the consumer soon. After choosing a great design, they also choose lighter and stronger materials and reduce the sidewall to reduce flexing of the tire. The tires are made to run without air pressure. Most of them can still be used for up to 50 miles with no air pressure whatsoever. This is an amazing trait of these tires. With tires that can run without air pressure, you really have no need to carry around a jack or other tools for changing tires. You would have plenty of time to get to the mechanic shop or home before your tire would be useless.

Studies have shown that using low-rolling resistant tires on your vehicle can save on your gas budget. These efficient tires are fitted for each vehicle, which in turn will make your vehicle run smoother and more efficiently. It is estimated that you can save up to 6% on gas usage when using low-rolling resistance tires on your car. When considering these tires, which tend to cost about $40 more than regular tires for a complete set, think about what you could save at the pump. You may be spending a little more when purchasing the tire set, but you will save more than you are spending in the long run.

Although these great tires can save you bundles, low-rolling resistance tires have had a few complaints. Some drivers don’t like the way they handle on the road. But most low-rolling resistance tires have great tread, if you are a wild driver, they may not be as great for handling. However, slow or cautious drivers have seen no negative change. It is more of a personal preference when it comes to how they handle.

Consumers are taking the benefits of the new low-rolling resistance tires very seriously. California has even passed legislation that requires all replacement tires sold in the state to be as efficient as tires on new vehicles, which are mostly low-rolling resistance tires. This is a huge step toward the low-rolling resistance trend. More states are considering legislation as well.

When looking for new tires for your hybrid, be sure to check out the low-rolling resistance options. It is likely that your old tires were low-rolling resistance tires, so you will be used to the features they offer, whether or not you knew about their benefits before. You may be spending a little more in the beginning, but you will make up the upfront cost in gas savings almost immediately.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida. Get auto parts at www.car-parts-plus.com/

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A Look At Hybrid Cars

By: Mike Eggert

Are hybrid cars, the cars of the future? Only time will tell. I am sure most of you have by now heard about the new hybrid cars in the marketplace today. I'm also sure many of you are saying, "What the heck is a hybrid car anyway?" Well let us see if we as laymen people from the old school of gasoline automobiles can understand these new high tech automobiles.

Firstly we need to know what powers a hybrid. Well a hybrid has a gasoline engine and also a battery powered generator. The gasoline engine in the equation is much the same as the cars most of us are driving today. In most cases it is a bit smaller than the engines in our somewhat larger automobiles we currently drive. The reason for this is because the generator helps power the hybrid car. Both still operate the same as far as having a transmission to drive the wheels. Albeit a much more sophisticated version than what is in the typical gasoline powered vehicle. The difference is when the car begins to slow down, the gasoline engine stops and the generator motor takes over, thus saving fuel you would be burning for instance at a stoplight. Now, not only is this a saving for you as a consumer. It is also making the air we breathe cleaner. Both are I'm sure you will agree, a good thing. Now, both engines require a tank for the fuel, a gas tank the same as most of us have now, but also a tank for the generator, which is a set of batteries that must be kept charged. You see, this is the purpose for the generator.

It takes about 1000 pounds of batteries to equal the energy in a gallon of gasoline. Sounds like a lot of extra weight, but with the new designs this is not a problem. The newer designs are even converting kinetic energy produced by the engine into electric energy for the batteries. Confused yet? If not, you are probably reading the wrong article. However, it really doesn't matter if you understand the inner workings completely. By now you should at least have a basic understanding of what makes these little cars more efficient.

I'm sure you have seen some of the new hybrid cars on the street and were maybe a bit taken back by their appearance at first. Yes, the new hybrids do take some getting used to, especially the early models. They are a little smaller in size and very aerodynamic in design. And, with a driving force of about 60-90 horsepower, don't feel quite as powerful as your current automobile, but on the horizon are several new models, including SUV's that are much more traditional in their styling.

I think for now at least, the hybrid cars will take over a big part of the auto industry and carry us along until the arrival of the eco- friendly efficient cars of the future.

Take a ride in one of the new hybrid cars and decide for yourself if they are worth all the hype.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

For in depth hybrid car news and reviews visit www.hybrid-rides.com

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Hybrid Cars Could Help In Conserving Energy And Reducing Pollution

By: Jackson Porter

With the gas prices being so high, more and more people are becoming aware of how valuable energy is in our daily lives. Hybrid cars show how energy can be conserved and pollution reduced. The cleanest non hybrid car can put about 90 percent smog pollution in the air versus the hybrid.

The Honda insight was the first hybrid on the US market in 1999. It is electrically powered and can go 61 mpg on city roads and 70mpg on the highway. Then in 2000, Toyota brought the Prius to the market, it goes 52 mpg in the city and around 45 mpg on the highway. The Honda Civic hybrid came out in 2002 with 46mpg on city roads and about 51mpg on the highway. Since then there have been other hybrid models such as, the Chevy Silverado, the Dodge Ram pickup and the Ford Escape SUV.

Hybrids are more efficient for a number of reasons. For one, the battery of a hybrid lasts longer. It is equipped with two energy supplies- the gas and electricity. The car is made of lighter materials, that means less energy is used. The engine in a non-hybrid is heavier so it requires more power to accelerate and to go up an incline. And with a hybrid there are fewer cylinders.

Hybrids have less internal machinery. The energy and time needed to move a cylinder up and down in a non hybrid is greater. To start the car, the non hybrid engine needs more power because it has more cylinders. In addition, each cylinder uses more fuel for cylindrical displacement.

There are some tips to keep in mind when driving a hybrid to maximize energy and mileage productivity.

Drive slowly-Aerodynamic drag increases if you drive fast. If you slow down you will save energy.

Drive at a constant speed- Increasing your spend and then slowing down wastes fuel.

Try not to break suddenly-The motor in a hybrid is like a generator. Energy is lost if you stop abruptly. Try to give you car some recovery time.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

Jackson Porter is a staff writer at Environmental Central and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including Automobile Enthusiast.

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The Latest Hybrid Cars

By: Richard Henderson

Hybrid vehicles have become more popular in the past few years, as drivers are constantly trying to find ways to save on gas costs. Pump prices have rocketed especially after the Iraq war in 2003, as the flow of oil supplies was disrupted. Ever since that year, gas remains expensive and continues to rise due to market turbulence, high demand and conflicts in the Middle East.

Is 2007 the year to jump on the bandwagon for hybrid vehicles? Consider that using hybrid technology will be more expensive compared to purchasing a standard vehicle. Some of the top vehicle makers have already released an impressive line of hybrid vehicles 2007 that will likely make car buyers scamper to showrooms similar to bored wives going to a mall sale.

The 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Updated for 2007, the Toyota Camry Hybrid is a 4-door sedan that can carry 5 passengers. This hybrid vehicle is powered by a standard I4, 2.4-liter hybrid engine boasting of 192-horspeower. This hybrid vehicle achieves 43-mpg in city driving and 37-mpg on highway drives. The Camry has automatic transmission and overdrive is standard.

Initial Impressions

The 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid has been lauded for its impressive interior and consumption. However, many users have complained that consumption struggles to achieve as what is advertised by the company. Some even say that this vehicle only achieves 34mpg maximum.

Toyota has pulled out all the stops for this hybrid vehicle but it comes with a price, and expensive at that. Sold at an average of $29,000 in showrooms across the US. This vehicle is a nice option for those that do not want to scrimp on luxury but save on gas.

2007 Ford Escape Hybrid

A hit vehicle in 2006 that just got better for 2007. The 2007 Ford Escape is a 4-door sport-utility vehicle that can carry a maximum of five passengers. This hybrid vehicle comes in two trims, the 4WD and FWD.

This SUV hybrid is powered by a I4, 2.3-liter, 155-horsepower engine. Can achieve 36-mpg in city driving and 31-mpg in highway driving. Both trims come with transmission is variable speed automatic.

Initial impressions

A favorite among vehicle critics, the 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid for its Interior Space, Fuel Economy, GPS, and Comfort. Fuel Economy is outstanding and most consumers supposedly achieve 35 mpg, which is just below the advertised 36 mpg. However, attaining this type of performance will rely on the skills and behavior of the driver. 2007 might be the year Ford reclaims its dominance in the SUV market with the new Ford Escape.

2007 Mercury Mariner Hybrid

Looking to extend its great run in 2006, Mercury has updated the Mariner Hybrid for 2007. This vehicle only comes in one trim, the 4WD. This hybrid vehicle is powered by an I4, 2.3-liter, 133-horsepower hybrid engine. This vehicle can achieve 33-mpg in city driving and 29-mpg if cruising on the highway.

2007 Lexus GS 450h

All-new for 2007, the Lexus GS 450h is the hybrid that will propel the company in the new year. This hybrid vehicle is a 4-door luxury sedan and comes only in one trim, the Sedan.

The 450h is powered by a standard V6, 3.5-liter, V6, 339-horsepower hybrid engine. This hybrid vehicle can achieve 28-mpg in city driving and 28-mpg when cruising on the highway.

Initial impressions

The 2007 Lexus GS 450h has been lauded for having the best interiors around. Gas mileage is supposedly revolutionary and performance is comparable to the BMW M3.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

Richard Henderson runs his own home based marketing business but in his spare time writes articles about his passion cars! Why not visit one of his websites full of Hybrid Cars info.
www.car-fanatics.com

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Best Hybrid Car

By: Albert TAY

It would be easy to figure out which of the current automobiles today were ranked with the best energy efficiency ratings in gasoline powered car engines, model design, and those rated with the best safety features per car class. There is a wide opinion spread of rankings that can be provided by most major automobile manufacturers' reviews.

It would probably be difficult, if not impossible to find same rankings for the dual-powered hybrid automobile that is emerging like gangbusters on the automobile market today. It would also be near impossible to figure out which of these models would be considered or ranked as the best hybrid car available on the market today because with the energy saving features that save people money at the gas pumps, all of these hybrid car models are a winner.

The best hybrid car would provide versatility and style to the consumer. With mild hybrid and full hybrid car models available, there is a good selection of features that consumers can choose that will meet their individual driving needs and styles. Some of these hybrid car varieties have the capability of driving from a dead start on electrical power, while others require the gas powered motor feature to engage first to perform this part of the drive train operation.

There are three components in all of the hybrid cars that are manufactured today. To be considered a hybrid car, the automobile must have a gas powered automobile engine, an electrical motor and a car battery or battery pack underneath the hood. The manner that these components work together or singularly to move your car further down the highway depend greatly on the type of hybrid it is. The best hybrid vehicle would be one that used all three, but if that is not typical of your driving style, you will receive better fuel usage through the mild hybrid style which would render the car more economical.

The ease in use would also qualify a hybrid car into being considered one of the best on the market today. The keyless operation option is a highly valued feature that most consumers would prefer not to do without. These hybrid automobiles do not have a regular ignition switch, but feature state-of-the art technology in a push button ignition switch. All hybrid cars that have this feature built into their consoles will definitely be considered on the best hybrid automobile list that anyone creates.

Another feature that would be hard to vote on, in this best hybrid dual-powered car list would be the hybrids that give you a touch screen with interactive displays that give you a realm of information at your fingertips. The energy efficient power cars give multi-dimensional information across the console of the automobile, where you can tell at a glance what the climate control temperature is, or the radio settings are.

The simplistic pampering that these hybrid cars offer can give car owners back the control that they have in their cars. Drivers can now stay informed on the flow of power that goes through the electrical components and can now tell when this flow is affecting fuel consumption. With so many modes of operation to keep you informed and entertained, the hybrid automobile is hard to separate if you are trying to identify which one of the many manufactured brands are the best car in its class.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

More resources about Hybrid Cars can be found in hybridcars.simpleusermanual.comp.s. Albert left his 9 to 5 job after working in MNC for over 10 years, and jumped into INTERNET era. He has invested many resources and time in My Success Roadmap

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Future of Hybrid Cars

By: Albert TAY

There are many design concepts being considered for maximum public exposure and benefits on the drawing board of car designers today that look to the future hybrid car needs and considerations that will serve the public well in the course of the next century. Many of these hybrid car designers are taking past and proven sales performers and have begun reworking their designs from the ground up.

Instead of a front wheel drive platform, there are automobile designers that are building on a rear platform design for one of the nation's best selling and widely recognized car frames in America and worldwide. The hybrid car designs of the future are including sports car models that have been all-time favorites with the world in the past and are now being revived with the brand new hybrid engine in mind.

There is an aggressive training program in place at one of Americas largest car manufacturing companies that is preparing their technicians to repair the growing styles and variations of hybrid cars that are emerging onto the automobile market.

With the extreme difference in battery features and dramatic variance in voltage levels, there is a void that needs to be filled by someone who is equipped with the necessary battery cabling devices that can handle 270 volts instead of the normal 12 volt battery systems. Regular car technicians are typically capable of handling battery recharging requirements, but with the futuristic applications that are applied in hybrid battery design, the best service these car technicians can provide at present is that they can still provide oil changes and tire rotations should the need arise.

With a mindset of grasping and expanding the propulsion features that are somewhat limited in today's hybrid car designs, there are retro styling efforts that are focusing on providing hybrid cars with optional V8 engine capacities.

There are considerations in place to use solar cells in the framework of hybrid automobiles. The electrical power will be produced through the boot lids and bonnet placement of these solar cell modules. Through the use of solar cells it will then be possible to utilize the battery charging capabilities when the car is not turned on or in motion to replenish batteries that have been depleted through the use of air conditioning or through continuous operation when the hybrid automobile is delayed in traffic jams at different times of the day. This lightweight body structure design would benefit the energy savings to the consumer and make the car more manageable on the highway.

There is an effort in hybrid car design that is turning the out of the ordinary hybrid vehicle into a replica of what is parked in the driveway every day of our life. This blending in effect is meant to bring the hybrid full circle into the acceptable graces of the American public.

The future hybrid car will need to focus more on greenhouse gases that negatively effect the environment as well as a hybrid car that will be even more fuel efficient. Without these changes, the production and sales of any type of vehicle will not be possible due to the degradation of our atmosphere.

There are many views about hybrid cars in the futures that will change its fuel source from the heavy duty batteries in use today, to hydrogen-power fuel cell. This will take away the need for hybrid cars to have to use gasoline completely in order to transverse down the major highways.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

More resources about Hybrid Cars can be found in hybridcars.simpleusermanual.comp.s. Albert left his 9 to 5 job after working in MNC for over 10 years, and jumped into INTERNET era. He has invested many resources and time in My Success Roadmap

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