Automotive Business

Archive for January, 2011

A four-wheel drive vehicle existed since 1899. Like any technology that we have right now, this kind of vehicle has undergone series of transformation until it has adapted the looks of the modern day cars. Most of these vehicles serve well in the military but because of technology, passenger vehicles were able to adapt this system. Although the first car of this kind was generally used as transportation to the moon, it has paved way to various improvements that worked well for ordinary folks in our time.

There are many advantages of using a four-wheel drive. From the word itself, the benefits of using such vehicle is attributed to the wheels, as they become the focal point in this feature. However, most of the automobiles adapting this kind of mechanism perform better because of the other features that compliment the performance of the wheels. The following are the reasons why 4WDs are of great advantage:

1. This kind of vehicle avoids wheel slip. In any kind of road, (whether muddy or icy) you will have the great traction to keep you in control with your vehicle. You cannot get this kind of advantage from the usual cars. Although traction can also be found on 2WDs, however they are not as better as what you get from 4-wheel vehicles.

2. Using this vehicle would also mean more control on rough trails. If you use mainstream cars, you will definitely stop in the middle of your driving spree. If you want to keep on moving despite how rough the road will be, this is your solution. However, you need to have accessories like tuff country lift kits to improve the performance in difficult roads. They can be a great help to you in maneuvering your car especially when you engage in off-road adventure.

3. In cases of emergency, this kind of vehicle can help you in towing. Due to the enhanced traction, towing should not be a problem. If in any case another family member will have engine problems while on the road, you do not to pay towing services just to help them. You can go down and get them yourselves. All you need is a bunch of ropes or cables and you will be off to save the day.

4. Having a four-wheel drive vehicle helps ordinary folks to make everyday driving safe for their family. Many people no car can avoid the dangers of the road; not even a 4WD. However most automobiles with this kind have adapted special features like ABS (Anti-Lock Braking system) and other safety features that could be the possible reason most of them are a little expensive compared to 2WDs.

5. They are good for safe off-road adventure, which many outdoor enthusiasts love. Some of the vehicles using this kind of feature are mostly trucks and SUVs. With their safety features and the accessories that you add like tuff country lift kits, makes the performance of these vehicles even better.

An important part of your whole vehicle is the steering wheel. Imagine your vehicle without it and it would seem like you could go nowhere. That is because the steering wheel is a steering control. It is manipulated by the driver and it becomes a channel that directs that control towards the rest of the vehicle.

Upon purchasing a vehicle, you could actually note that some vehicles contain a good looking steering wheel while for other vehicles the steering wheel simply looks dull. That is why many people often try to replace their vehicle’s original steering wheel with one that would not only suit their tastes and would suit their vehicle, but they would also try to find the right kind of steering wheel that could respond and perform excellently according to the directions given by the vehicle’s driver.

If you would like to replace you vehicle’s original steering wheel, it would be best if you are armed with ample and the right kind of information regarding the original one. You should know the measurements of the original steering wheel so that when you purchase a replacement, you would be able to find a new one that would fit and work well with your vehicle. Keep in mind that when you choose the new one, you should make sure that the new steering wheel would not actually obstruct your view of the gauges on your dashboard.

Locate the right kind of store to purchase the steering wheel of your choice. If you have no idea yet as per what kind of steering wheel you would like to have for your vehicle, ideas are available in automobile magazines, in auto shops and auto parts stores, and online as well. You can also ask your friends and family where they purchased new steering wheels.

Remember that steering wheels come in various styles. There are four spoke steering wheels, three-spoke ones, multi-color, boomerang-style, ultra-tech style, and even Formula One style racing steering wheels. Try to choose the right one that would not give you much confusion yet would give you satisfaction. Also, you have to choose what kind of finish you would like your steering wheel to have. Some of the choices to choose from include wood, vinyl, leather, and carbon fiber.

There are a few major parts of four wheel driving, and one of these is known as rock crawling. Driving in mud, on sand and through water is a lot of fun, but for some reason rock crawling is one of the more major things that people compete in. The only issue with rocks is that they are hard, and very unforgiving to your vehicle. When you slide at all, or drop down damage is something that happens very easily!

Rock Climbing is a full on four wheel driving sport in America and Australia, along with many other places. Four wheel drives are transformed into buggy like vehicles which are able to crawl over rocks with ease. If you do much rock crawling, you need to have gears which are very different to a standard car. Some rock crawlers will have 25 gears, and the top one will get them to 60 miles an hour! Being able to crawl along at a very slow speed ensures limited wheel spin, and limited damage.

The worst thing to do when crawling rocks is to spin your wheels, as when they eventually grab traction (and they will) all of that force is transferred into one movement, and you will often break a CV or axle. The tip is to pick the right lines, let your tires down to very low pressures and to do everything very slowly. Avoid any big rocks if your vehicle is not very well modified, as they love to dent panels and break your driveline if anything goes wrong!

How to Learn to Safely Tow a 5th Wheel RV

When towing a travel trailer behind a car or pickup with a bumper hitch you always know it’s there. One of the great things about a 5th wheel RV trailer is that it tows so easily it is easy to forget you have that huge object behind you. But there is a feel, especially through the steering wheel (even with power steering) that you need to learn to recognize.

Learn to judge specific distancesYou need to learn to judge specific distances. How far must you be from the curb to make that turn without creaming the side of the 5th wheel on that telephone pole. You need to know if the vehicle beside you is too close so your rear end will take out its front fender. You need to learn how ‘wide’ a turn your towing vehicle must make to assure the trailer stays on the road throughout the turn. How high is your 5th wheel — including your roof-top air conditioner. Trying to squeeze through a low overpass can cost many thousands of dollars besides ruining the trip

Know the limitations of your side mirrorsYou need to learn how to use your side mirrors and to always be aware of what is reflected in them. You need to realize that, when the towing vehicle is not in line with the towed vehicle, the side mirrors are almost useless. Hence you must take notice of all possible obstructions before going into a turn — especially if backing up.

When you put it in reverseBacking up a 5th wheel is very different from backing up your car. Not only do you turn your steering wheel oppositely, you have to know WHEN to turn it and by how much. It took you years to learn to drive your car safely; it is going to take a while to learn to tow your 5th wheel safely.

Anticipate, anticipate, anticipateYou need to learn to anticipate movement and, especially, changes in movement of other vehicles. As you will be driving a pickup (or a medium size truck) you will be sitting higher than in a car. This will allow you to see over the roof of many vehicles. In any case, you need to be aware of the motions of the vehicle in front of the vehicle directly in front of you.

Avoiding rear endersWe had a flasher circuit installed in our 5th wheel brake lights’ wiring. This makes the trailer’s brake lights flash like a strobe for the first 8 to 10 seconds of applying the brakes. If you’re going to slow down, press lightly on the brakes to trigger the brake lights to give the vehicle behind you plenty of notice. It doesn’t matter that the other guy is 100% at fault in an accident, it is going to cost you, too. Collision repairs are primarily cosmetic; your vehicle will never be the same again. By the same token, you can’t stop on a dime with all that weight. You need to anticipate when your leader is going to stop in time to avoid your being guilty of rear ending him.

Safe driving can boost fuel mileageYou can improve fuel mileage by 2 to 4 miles per gallon by maintaining an even speed. With all that weight, it takes a lot of fuel to accelerate even slightly Deceleration is just setting you up to waste more fuel. Try to avoid heavy traffic — especially rush hours. Pull into a rest area, take a nap or enjoy a bite to eat and some relaxing time. When you are in traffic, leave plenty of space in front of you. Yes, there are always those inconsiderate drivers who will try to squeeze into 18 feet of space with a 19 foot car. Let them. You will get there; they may not.

Check your weightThe first time you have your 5th wheel loaded up have it weighed, axle by axle. Most larger truck stops have scales and will do this for you for a small fee. It is urgently important that your truck-trailer combination be properly balanced and the not exceeding the listed limits for each vehicle. So many accidents are caused by overloading or out-of-balance loading. Every one of those accidents was avoidable and many caused the loss of life.

Finding an expert instructorSome dealers have someone who is capable of instructing 5th wheel driving techniques, — especially the art of backing up. If your dealer doesn’t — or you bought your 5th wheel from a private individual — there are many good 18 wheel semi-truck drivers around who would be happy to teach you for a little extra cash. $50 for this education is probably the most worthwhile investment you’ll make when you buy that 5th wheel. I have seen many 5th wheelers circle the RV parks looking for a spot they can back into because there are no available pull-throughs. Don’t be one of them.

Wheel Charts, Calculators, Information Discs, Spinners, Volvelles – What DO You Call These Things?

Have you ever thought about the difficulties of manufacturing and marketing a product that doesn’t have a name? I don’t mean a totally new product for which you can invent a name and market the product from scratch. I mean a product that has been around for over 600 years but it still doesn’t seem to have a universal, generic name. What can the product be? You will have seen them – two or more circular pieces of card, joined at the centre with a metal eyelet and which turn to reveal printed information through an aperture. The Oxford English Dictionary calls them “volvelles” but unfortunately, it seems that they didn’t tell anyone else!

You can imagine this conversation going on in the pub:

“So, what business are you in?”

“Well, we make volvelles.”

“Oh really, and what exactly is a volvelle?”

“Well, it’s a wheel chart.”

“And what’s a wheel chart?”

“Well, some might call it a ready reckoner.”

And so it goes on!

So, the big problem with volvelles is that absolutely no-one calls the product a volvelle. “Wheel charts” is a term which is reasonably common in the USA but again, not everyone in the USA calls them wheel charts and it’s not a term that is used much in the UK. So what do you search for in order to find them? One UK manufacturer, Whitney Woods, has been making the product since 1992. The company originally referred to the products in its publicity material as “eyeletted discs” but others were calling them calculators, ready reckoners and spinners. The company went on Google in search of enlightenment and as “Wheel Charts” seemed to be a popular generic term on US websites Whitney Woods adopted “Wheel Charts” as the product’s name.

However, it transpired that the UK company’s counterparts in the USA have the same problem. Look at this snippet from the website for Datalizer Slide Charts:

How Did You Search For Us?Everybody knows our products by a different name. What names did you use to search for us?Circular Calculators, Circle Charts, Color Wheels, Conversion Charts, Data Dials, Data Disks, Datalizers, Data-lizers, Dial Charts, Dosing Guide Charts, Graphic Calculators, Information Dials, Nomographs, Medical Calculators, Metric Conversion Slide Chart, Plastic Graphic Calculators, Promotional Slide Guides, Slide Calculators, Slide Charts, Slide Guides, Slide Rules, Slide Wheels, Sliders, Slip Charts, Wheel Charts, Technical Calculators, Wheel Charts, Wheel Calculators..

The issue is far from cut and dried! Further investigation was called for and the next port of call was an extremely well researched book – “Reinventing the Wheel” by Jessica Helfand.

“Reinventing the Wheel” is a book on the subject of paper wheel charts or circular ephemera of the 20th century. It is a fascinating book if you are into paper and cardboard engineering it would be an interesting addition to your own library. However, whilst the author often refers to the product as a wheel chart, her research tells her that the original term is probably a “Volvelle”.

In her book (p18) she says, “The Oxford English Dictionary traces the etymology of the word volvelle to the medieval Latin, “volvellum” or “volere” – to turn – describing it as “an old device consisting of one or more movable circles surrounded by other graduated or figured circles, serving to ascertain the rising and setting of the sun and moon, the state of tides etc.”

However, Ms Helfand goes on to list over thirty other names by which the product has been known including: fact finders, trouble shooters, locators, calculators, slide rulers, convertisors, circular interfaces, calendials and dynameters.

So, going back to my original question, what DO you call these things?

A hub bearing in a car serves two main purposes.

1. It allows hub and attached components to rotate freely.2. It keeps wheel tire and rotating mass attached to the vehicle.

Even though wheel hub bearing is a vital part of the vehicle it is overlooked. Most of drivers are not maintaining it properly.

What are the side effects of weak maintained hub bearing?Its can causes horrible noises and ghost vibrations. Noise free driving environment is very informant for the driver to concentrate on driving. It facilitates decision making process. High concentration on driving prevents potential crashes and near crashes. According to the study released by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), 80% of vehicle crashes and 65% of near-crashes caused from driver distraction.

What we should do when we hear phantom noises or ghost vibrations at sporadic points during the drive?

Please check brakes, spring and struts as usual. But furthermore inspect the condition of wheel hub bearing. It may be the hidden reason for the noises. Replace it if required. Most of the time, your issue will be fixed. Some drivers get exhausted by checking brakes, springs and not finding the solution.

Should I regular check it?You should make it a habit to check wheel bearing at the service.

Please keep in mind that a hub is not a standalone pieced of hardware. It is just part of a handful of important parts that hold the wheel and axle together and keep your car safely together. Wheel hubs look sort of like metal cylinders. Be sure to get your wheel bearings maintained according to a schedule for the safe side.

An ab wheel is probably one of the cheapest exercise equipment around. A plastic one costs around $10 while the more expensive ones cost from twenty to thirty dollars. It consist of a single wheel that spins on an axle. The axle extends out on either side of the wheel and serves as a handlebar. The ab wheel is designed to enhance the abdominal muscles and the big question is: Does it really work?

Before answering that question, let’s see first how the it works. The basic exercise is very simple. You kneel on the floor with the ab wheel while grasping the handlebar in front of you with both hands. Roll out until you are fully stretched and then roll back.

As simple as it sounds, this exercise is difficult for most beginners. It works out your abs, arms, shoulders and back. You have to contract your abs the whole time to maintain proper posture.

So, does it really work? The simple, straightforward answer to this question is yes. It is one of the best exercise devices you can use to strengthen your core. Keep in mind that the main function of your abs is to stabilize your body. Your abs hold your core in place and keep you stable while you perform different movements such as throwing a ball, standing on one foot, reaching over your head, etc. With the ab wheel, you have to support your whole body weight while you roll out. This forces your abs to work as a core stabilizer.

A lot of people are under the impression that it is used to develop six-pack abs. While it is true that you can tone your abdominal muscles with this device, the ab wheel alone will not be able to give you ripped abs. A sensible diet and cardio exercise are necessary if your goal is to have six-pack abs.

Fitness experts advise that you should strengthen your lower back muscles first before attempting to use the ab wheel, especially if you lead a sedentary lifestyle. Weight training can help you develop your lower back muscles and get you ready to work out on the ab wheel. In fact, experts agree that beginners will find working out on an ab wheel to be extremely challenging.

For it to really work for you, start with exercises that match your fitness level. Roll out only as far as you can control the wheel. Start with less range of motion until your abs are strong enough and you have mastered the form.

Almost everyone has probably taken a ride on a Ferris wheel and if you were like me still remembers the experience eons after the ride. The Ferris wheel is an American invention and behind its invention lays a fascinating story that will inspire everyone. A story that involves the application of several fundamental principles of success. In this article I will outline the key success principles that lead its inventor, a 33 year old man named George Ferris, to create the Ferris wheel.

Optimism & Ambition

It was said of George that even in the darkest times, he was ever looking for the sunshine to come. A quality that was to come in handy at the most important turning point in his life. George was also ambitious and competitive. Growing up in mid 19th century America the emerging industrial landscape proved to be a fertile ground for his talents.

By the time he was 24 he had worked on the construction of the Henderson Bridge, at that time the longest trestle span in the world. By age 26 he had founded his own company. By his early 30′s he had major offices in several important cities, NYC, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. That was when his company secured a contract for the 1893 World’s Colombian Exposition, a fair. An occasion that was to become the turning point in his life.

Rising To The Challenge

Ferris’s initial work for the exposition was less than acceptable to Daniel H Burnham, architect and head of the exposition committee. Happening just a few years after the Paris’s exposition and its Eiffel tower Daniel was smarting for an American response to the French engineering marvel.

Burnham threw a challenge “Make no small plans; they have no magic to stir men’s minds”. George Ferris took it on.

Courage Of Conviction

George’s response to the challenge was to build an enormous revolving wheel, higher than Chicago’s tallest building. It would carry 2000 people at a time and weigh 1,200 tons. A contraption never before seen. A contraption that was enormous even by today’s standards.

At first people ridiculed his idea and made fun of him. They called him a wild man. Soon George acquired the nickname “the man with wheels in his head.”

But George stood by his conviction to build a wheel that the world had never seen before. The Ferris wheel was completed on time and under budget. As promised by him, it turned out to be the highlight of the exposition drawing people from far and near.

The Importance of Relationships

A significant reason for George’s success was his ability to develop and sustain deep relationships with people. Said an acquaintance of him, “George was eminently engaging and social, a storyteller who often amused his friends with anecdotes.”

George did not have the luxury of a long lead time to build the Ferris wheel. Yet he not only managed to acquire the key building material for the wheel, steel, by relying on his industry connections he managed to successfully sell his idea of a giant revolving wheel and get it built.

The Ferris wheel has proved to be an enduring success. It continues to thrill riders and inspires many to build bigger and more daring wheels, from the London Eye to the world’s largest Ferris wheel, the Great Wheel of China in Beijing.

An inspiring and enduring personal story built on fundamental and permanent principles of life.

Motorized wheel chairs are an excellent choice for many people who experience physical limitations. These chairs are designed for people who have weak upper body strength or who have experienced an injury or illness that requires assistance when it comes to mobility. Motorized wheel chairs come in many colors, models, and types and also offer many customized features to make the wheel chair uniquely your own.

Depending on how you plan to use your motorized chair, you can find ones that will enable you to have more freedom inside your home and outside your home. Most motorized chairs are not designed to fold or disassemble, so you’ll need to look at options for transporting it when you leave home. However, there are a few that are built with a traditional cross-brace frame, which means it can be collapsed for travel or for storage. For those who like to or need to leave home on a regular basis, a chair that can fold may be the best choice. For others, a mini-van outfitted with the proper equipment can easily transport your motorized wheel chair (with you in it) with no problem.

Why would you choose a motorized wheel chair?

1)Tight spots are always a frustration when it comes to maneuvering a wheel chair. Motorized wheel chairs are known for having greater flexibility when it comes to moving freely around your home or in tight spots in the mall, church, or store.

2)A joystick provides one-hand maneuvering on a motorized chair, making it easy for most people to learn and master rather quickly. The joystick is programmable too!

3)This type of wheel chair can accommodate people of varying weights from 150 pounds up to 800 pounds (on a few models) and anywhere in between.

4)Motorized wheel chairs can be customized to fit your physical needs.

5)You’ll have more freedom out of doors – going up hills, stairs, to the beach, over uneven terrain, or to the grocery store and back will all be available options to you with your power chair. Motorized chairs have several power base and tire options so you can choose which one will make your life easier and enable you to continue going where you want or need to go each day.

6)Seats on power chairs have more choices when it comes to comfort. The seats can recline, tilt, or elevate. Some even come with a power stand feature. When you’re in a wheel chair permanently or for the majority of your day, comfort is of the utmost importance. Seats are sold separately from the chair so you can customize it to fit you just right.

7)Power or motorized chairs offer rear wheel drive, front wheel drive, or center wheel drive.

8)Footrest and armrest styles vary in style and purpose, so you can personalize your chair to meet your physical limitations or requirements.

9)A battery powers motorized chairs. The size and type of battery make a difference when it comes to speed, power, and the amount of time you have between battery changes. Power chairs use a sealed wet battery, a gel cell battery, or an acid battery.

As with any choice you make on a consumer product, it’s vital that you conduct your own research on motorized wheel chairs to make certain you’re purchasing the chair that will give you the most mobility and comfort possible.

Wheel Pose (which also has many other names and is also known as Upward Bow, Urdhva Dhanurasana or Chakrasana) has always been one of those magical poses for me. It looks beautiful and majestic, and it’s also a quite advanced. On a scale of 1 to 10 full wheel is about an 8.

This pose is a full back bend and it strengthens the arms, legs, abdomen, glutes, shoulders, quadriceps and spine. It has many benefits such as stretching the chest and lungs, stimulating the thyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands, increasing energy and counteracting depression. It’s also therapeutic for asthma, back pain, infertility and osteoporosis.

There are a number of contraindications to this pose though which include (but are not limited to) back injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, diarrhea, headache, heart problems and high or low blood pressure. When in doubt check with your medical professional.

Wheel isn’t for everyone but there are gentler alternatives. Bridge pose is considered a gentle variation and alternative for wheel pose, and it has many of the same benefits. On the 1 to 10 scale of difficulty, bridge pose is a 3.

There is hope for all of us in working towards being able to do wheel pose. There are many preparatory poses to get you ready:

Stretching the abdominals: Bow, LocustStretching through the chest: Chest Expansion, Camel, Cobra, Upward facing dog poseStretching through the shoulders: Tabletop, Cow Face Strengthening the Core: Plank Pose, Upward PlankStretching through the quadriceps: Dancer Pose

The key to wheel pose is the flexibility and openness through the shoulder and chest area, so if there is one area to concentrate on focus on that one.

You can practice how the pose feels by going into wheel over top of a Swiss ball (large inflatable exercise ball). This will help to stretch the chest and shoulders while still have support for the rest of the body.

There are also a few ways to work your way into this pose. You can either push up into it from the floor or work your way down into it from standing.

Don’t rush into trying this advanced pose. As it is quite advanced it could take months or years to work your way into it. Take your time and when your body and mind is ready it will happen and be comfortable.

Make sure to create a balanced yoga practice and include front forward folds as well as side bends, twists as well as back bends to prepare you.