Wear a Helmet

Although it’s not mandatory in some states, wearing a helmet is encouraged for safety purposes while riding a motorcycle. Some riders feel that having a helmet on their head diminishes their ability to be at one with nature. They feel that a helmet keeps out important noises, such as a vehicle blowing their horn or the approach of a large truck or bus. However, if you do happen to take a tumble wearing a helmet will undoubtedly absorb a significantly greater amount of impact than your bare head. If you do opt for a helmet, or are required to by law, be sure it’s DOT approved. Full face helmets have proven to provide considerably more protection than an open face helmet or a ‘cap’ type helmet.

Drive Defensively

Because a motorcycle is much more dangerous to operate than it is to ride in a car or truck, you should make every effort to drive defensively. Although being aware of your surroundings and driving carefully is advisable under any circumstance, it’s exponentially more important to do so while riding your bike. Try and be aware of what’s around you at all times. Keep track of traffic, not only what’s coming at you, but what may be approaching from the rear or traveling alongside of you. Continuously glancing in your mirrors will help you know if a car or truck is in the next lane. Never rest your feet on ‘highway pegs.’ Instead, you should keep them on the foot pegs so you can use the brakes immediately, if necessary.

Keep Your Machine in Good Repair

It is important to make sure your machine is in good working order, no matter what you’re driving. On a motorcycle is even more important. Perform routine maintenance regularly to ensure your bike is operating efficiently. Check the brake fluid and brake pads every time you do a tire inspection, which should be at least once a week. Make sure the tires have the proper amount of air pressure, adequate tread, and even wear. Keep the clutch and brake cables properly adjusted and lubricated, and check the drive system when you check the tires and brakes.

Don’t Speed

Although it may be tempting, don’t exceed the speed limit. The freedom of riding a motorcycle seems to be enhanced by some people when they routinely pass traffic like it’s standing still. However, this is a dangerous practice. Riding a motorcycle can be a uniquely freeing experience, but going too fast is a primary cause of single-vehicle accidents. Instead, you should slow down and enjoy the ride.

Take a Motorcycle Safety Course

Operating a motorcycle isn’t like driving a car. It takes a great deal of concentration to be aware of your surroundings at all times, which is imperative on a bike. In order to do that efficiently and naturally, you should take a motorcycle safety course. The more training you have on your motorcycle the more confidence you’ll have when you’re operating it. A motorcycle safety course will teach you how to operate the vehicle, and provide you with the knowhow to meet emergency road conditions without hesitation.

Dress Appropriately

Because you’re out in the open on a motorcycle, you will be much more aware of changes in temperature than you are when you’re enclosed in a car or truck. Weather conditions are more noticeable. Sudden downpours of rain can not only make you uncomfortable, but can become distracting and possibly cause you to lose control of the motorcycle. You should wear the appropriate clothing, such as a jacket, gloves, and boots, and don’t forget to pack raingear. Dressing appropriately will not only help you enjoy the ride more, but will also provide some protection if you are in an accident.

Take Frequent Breaks

It would be a good idea to take frequent breaks while you’re riding. Long stints in the saddle can cause fatigue, and that can lead to inattention to what’s going on around you. Being well rested is more important when you’re riding a motorcycle than it is while you’re behind the wheel of a car, because a motorcycle demands more of your attention.

For more motorcycle safety tips, see MotorcycleInsurance.com.

Drive Slower

A proven method of saving on fuel expenses is to drive slower. Gasoline engines are designed to perform smoother at slower speeds, and they’re also more fuel-efficient when you reduce your speed and drive at or below the posted speed limit. The number of miles per gallon your car gets depends a lot on operating it at slower speeds, because as your speed increases the mileage drops significantly.

Avoid Jack Rabbit Starts

Another way to save gas is to avoid jack rabbit starts. If you’ve ever seen a jack rabbit run, they continually stop and start, and when they take off it is quick and sudden. If you drive that way by accelerating quickly, especially from a standing start, your engine will suck up gas at a rapid rate. Instead you should take off slowly and smoothly, which will allow the engine to operate at peak efficiency.

Keep Tires Inflated Properly

If you make sure your tires are properly inflated, you’ll get better gas mileage than if they’re over or underinflated. Underinflated tires will create a drag on the roads surface that reduces gas mileage, and overinflated tires can cause dangerous handling problems in addition to lowering your miles per gallon. Check the sidewall of your tires for the recommended psi (pounds per square inch). It would be a good idea to check the tire pressure often—even more so during cold weather, which can cause tires to lose pressure. Also, make sure the wheels are aligned properly because if they’re not, it can affect gas mileage and cause handling problems.

Use Cruise Control

Whenever possible, especially on long trips, use the cruise control that comes standard on a lot of vehicles to maintain a consistent speed. Constantly varying your car’s speed can cause the engine to run inefficiently. Operating at a consistent speed will allow the engine to get good mileage because it takes more fuel to accelerate a vehicle than it does to keep it moving.

Don’t Use Air Conditioning

The heat on a hot day, especially when you’re in a vehicle with the sun beating down on the metal roof, can make you want to reach for the air conditioning button. If you want to save gas it’s better to put up with the discomfort. Running the air conditioner saps gas and lowers your mileage. The hotter it is, the more you’ll be tempted to turn the air conditioner. If you do, your fuel efficiency will suffer, and you’ll end up paying more the next time you stop for gas.

Clean the Air Filter

Gas mileage will be improved if you make sure your air filter is kept clean. It doesn’t matter where you live; the air is constantly filled with dust and dirt, which would make its way into your engine if you didn’t have an air filter. If you don’t keep the filter clean it will clog up with dust and dirt and your engine won’t perform at peak efficiency.

Keep the Engine Tuned

If your engine is properly tuned, it will perform efficiently, which will give you the best gas mileage possible. At regular intervals you should have your mechanic tune the engine. The spark plugs should be changed periodically, and the belts tightened. The oil should also be changed on a regular basis.

Tighten the Gas Cap

Each time you fill the tank, make sure you replace the gas cap properly. Ensure it fits tightly and is properly sealed. If the gas cap is loose fumes will escape, and your gas mileage will be lower than it could be. Escaping fumes also cause air pollution.

Drive a Smaller Vehicle

Although you may be tempted to stick with your SUV or heavy sedan, driving a smaller vehicle will allow you to save money on gas. Most small cars get very good gas mileage, and they can also be equipped to provide the comfort you’re used to in a larger vehicle. Over time, you can save quite a bit of money by driving a smaller car—each gas stop will cost less.

For more gas saving tips, visit CarInsurance.net.

A cold air intake is usually mounted on the hood of the car and takes cold air directly to the engine via a very short path. This prevents the air from heating up in the engine compartment as it travels to the car’s engine. But why is cold air better? Well, you may remember a time when you were exercising, how cool, fresh air feels better than hot, stuffy air. Your car’s engine feels the same way. But you may still ask why that is so.

The reason is that cool air is denser and more of it by weight can get into your lungs when you are exercising and into your car’s engine when it is burning a lot of fuel. More air means more oxygen and more oxygen means better combustion. And with better and more complete combustion the engine will give more power and you will get better mileage.

I hope you enjoyed reading about the cold air intake system and will be able to make an informed choice about it.  Similarly, if you find the right article you can learn more about other technical products such as exhaust headers. Even if a product is highly technical you can get to understand it better if you make an attempt. And that will help you make a better choice.

Author bio: Louie Liu has been in the car aftermarket products industry for over 7 years. He specializes in body kits, tail lights & other aftermarket products. You can learn more about car aftermarket products at his site www.ilovebodykits.com.

Skill Level

If you don’t have much experience riding motorcycles, be open and honest with yourself about what you can and cannot handle. A high performance bike is typically not recommended for beginners. Safety should be of the utmost importance, and if you’re not completely comfortable riding, a motorcycle with a powerful engine probably isn’t the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you’ve ridden for a long time and feel at home on a motorcycle, a larger engine might be just what you’re looking for.

Affordability

Motorcycle price tags can range from a few thousand dollars to upwards of $25,000.00 or more. It’s always wise to stay within your budget–and if you can’t afford to make the payments on it, it’s not the right bike for you. If the motorcycle of your dreams is leaning on the expensive side, why not look for a used one? Other motorcycle enthusiasts often take good care of their bikes, and when they decide to upgrade, they may be selling a top-notch machine at a rock-bottom price. Not only do you need to take the cost of the bike into consideration, you also need to think about how much it will cost to buy motorcycle insurance. If the total cost of payments and insurance is one that will overwhelm your budget, now may not be the right time for you to buy a motorcycle.

Purpose

There are an endless number of motorcycles out there designed to fit a multitude of interests. What type of riding are you interested in? What kinds of activities do you have in store for your new bike? If you will mainly be using your motorcycle to get to and from work and don’t have far to travel, a standard bike will do the trick. Cruisers are ideal for those with commutes that are a bit on the longer side, and they allow room for a passenger, too. Touring bikes are perfect for riders that want to travel across the country or ride for hours on the open road with a travel companion, while sport bikes cater to those who enjoy off-road biking or extreme sports. If you would like a motorcycle that can be used for both on and off-road fun, a dual purpose bike is your best bet.

Try It Before You Buy It

Just like clothing, a motorcycle is something you need to “try on” for size before buying. The first thing to consider is the height of the bike.  When the motorcycle is at a standstill, you should be able to place both feet flat on the ground without much effort. If only your tippy-toes are touching, the motorcycle is too tall for you. Secondly, you need to take into consideration the weight of the bike. You should be able to balance the weight of the motorcycle from a seated position when it isn’t in motion. If you can’t, it’s too heavy and you need a lighter machine. If you find a motorcycle that you’re seriously thinking about buying, take it for test ride or two first. An appropriately-sized bike is the key to comfortable and safe riding.

Whether you want a motorcycle for cross-country adventures, off-road thrills, or simply as a means of traveling to and from work– have fun choosing one. Once you know exactly what it is you’re looking for, you’ll undoubtedly find the motorcycle that suits you perfectly.

If you were lucky enough to own a car you wanted it to look beautiful at all times. This was sometimes difficult, as there were no paved roads, so cars drove on streets of dirt, which caused the cars to get covered with dust and mud. People took great pains to make sure the car always looked spiffy.  The car was washed frequently—a bucket of soap water, some rags and a lot of work: scrubbing, rinsing, drying and waxing. Today, the process has been automated by car washes, which are quicker, and more convenient for people on the go.

The first automated car washes were not too different from washing a car on the lawn. There was a stall for the car, a spray hose for soap and water and rags for scrubbing and drying. These types of car washes still exist, but with slight changes to make the job easier. Coin changers and coin operated car washes soon followed whereby a person paid for the wash by depositing coins into the wash to begin the hand sprayer. The wash usually lasted long enough to rinse, wash, and rinse soap off the car. Soon after, the automatic car wash was born. This allowed a person to stay inside the car while it was guided onto a rail that pulled it through a complete wash cycle. Today, some auto washes hire employees to perform the complete car wash while the car owner waits inside a room where drinks and other items are for sale. With this option, you can have the car vacuumed, waxed, and other special jobs performed for additional costs.

There are people who are obsessed with having a clean car. They wash the car even if it’s the least bit dusty or has a drop of mud or dirt on it. Automatic car washes are convenient, but the car may not always come out as clean as you would like.  The windows may be streaky; the brushes may not reach all the outer surfaces, and there may still be dirt under the windshield wipers. Many people take their own towels and supplies to finish cleaning the spots the car wash missed.

Another thing to remember is that car washes are not friendly to the environment. They use a tremendous amount of water and electricity.  When a car goes through an automatic car wash, the undercarriage of the car is washed, which allows oils, gas, and road tars to be flushed down drains along with the rest of the water. This may make its way into rivers and streams. Some car washes have a system where the water is treated and reused.  This uses less water, which in turn, sends less into the streams.

The brushes on the auto washes are designed to be friendly to your auto; however, since there are so many types and styles of cars, they cannot guarantee that the brushes will hit on your car correctly. This is why most car washes have a disclaimer for their wash, alleviating them from charges for damage to your vehicle. For instance, many car washes have signage that instructs you to take your antennae off, or fold in mirrors. Some do not allow soft top cars (convertible tops) and others have size and height restrictions. Ultimately, their disclaimer tells you to enter at your own discretion.

There is some controversy over the chemicals used in the soaps and waxes the car washes use. Some auto manufacturers have warnings about using auto washes, and may not warrant the paint protectants if they can prove an owner did not follow their recommendations.

Another hazard to the auto during the wash is malfunction. If an auto wash stopped moving the car, but the brushes continued to turn and beat on the car, it would do significant damage. Cars can be damaged during entering and exiting the car wash as well. If you attempt to drive onto a track and miss; you could do some damage to a tire, or some other part of the undercarriage. Some of the entrances and exits are narrow, so there is also the opportunity for hitting the wall or part of the equipment and scratching or denting your car.

Perhaps the safest way to wash your car is to do it the old-fashioned way: at home on the lawn. Any water you use would go into the lawn. You can use soaps, cleaners, and waxes that are made specifically for your type of paint surface, or that you prefer based on ease of use, or quality of the finish. Since you do the cleaning you can check for wear, scratches or parts that need to be replaced. There is time to check the lights and windshield wipers. Your car will be cleaner and it will most likely cost much less.

About the Author: Dan Bodrero is a car enthusiast who knows the importance of maintaining your vehicle inside and out. His company, Seat Covers Unlimited, manufactures sheepskin seat covers and other items to keep your car looking new.

During the onset of the summer season and before heading out for vacation, you should follow the summer car care tips below to ensure a safe journey with your vehicle.

Summer Car Care Tips

• Clean your Car: Regularly clean your car to remove sand and dust accumulated on it. Wash your car once in a week and clean it under the hood, wash the wheels well. Wax and Polish your car after every six months to preserve its paint.
• Tires: It is important to check your car’s tires pressure to avoid tire blow-outs. Rotate your car tires to check it properly.
• Tune-up: Tune-up your car from Mechanic before going.
• Cooling System: Check your car’s radiator for leaks. Also check cracks and leaks in the rubber cooling system hoses. If your antifreeze is more than 2 years old, then it’s a good idea to replace it.
• Batteries: Batteries lifespan is limited in hot summers. And it’s not sure to keep it going even after boosting it up. So, it’s wise to replace the battery after 3 to 5 years.
• Brakes: Check your car’s brakes properly before embarking on a vacation. Sometimes road salts, during winter driving, are the reason of the brake damage. So, check your brakes after every six months or after 20,000 Km.
• Oil Change: Regularly change your car oil and keep the fluids like brake, coolant and windshield washer, full.
• Lights: Make sure that car headlights, brake, parking, reverses, turn indicators and hazards lights work properly. Also, check the small bulb above your number plate.

One more summer car care tip is to keep a tool kit and a first aid kit with you. After checking these things you are ready to go for any enjoyable journey with your own vehicle in the summer. And keep in mind that if you drive faster than 60 miles per hour than it will decrease your fuel efficiency. Every 5 miles per hour over 60 is like paying extra 24 cents per gallon, and it’s better to spend that money on snacks or drinks when you make a stop.

About the author: Roberta Smith writes for http://www.toyotaplace.com. She enjoys content and writing about the social sphere.

It all began in about 1950 with a freshly developed bread loaf shaped van that was designed for the German people as a low cost form of transportation. It was called the T1 or Minibus. Not too many years after its introduction, they gained a great following of people because 3rd party manufacturers began making add-ons for these vans that made them ideal for camping. In particular, a company called Westfalia produced some of the first and most innovative Volkswagen camper designs ever known. These took off in sales during the hippie era during which huge numbers of middle class and wealthy youth were able to purchase them.

As time marched on, Volkswagen continued to improve on their initial design and has since made numerous other models of its initial T1 Volkswagen Transporter. The T2 was the next update of its original T1 model and it came with some minor body changes and a bit more horsepower. The Volkswagen T3 was then released about twelve years after the T2 and became the last version of Volkswagen camper van that would have rear-wheel drive and a rear engine. In 1990, the T4 came our way and had Volkswagen’s first water-cooled engine. The T5 is the latest Volkswagen camper van and it has so many home features built into it that you could almost forget you’re driving a van.

If you’re thinking about buying a used Volkswagen camper van, be sure to check current camper values to make sure you’re getting a good deal.

Versions:

The seven passenger Toyota Tarago comes in two models – the GLi and the GLX. The common equipments in both the versions are balance-shaft-equipped engine, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and ABS anti-skid brakes. The GLi version has an additional Enhanced Safety Pack system which consists of Vehicle Stability Control, Toyota Pre-Crash Seatbelt System, Traction Control, front-seat side airbags, driver’s knee airbag, electronic Brake Assist and full-length side curtain-shield airbags.

Image via Wikipedia

The GLX version has several other enhanced features like Vehicle Stability Control, full-length side curtain-shield airbags, roof rails, six-CD multi-changer, front and rear parking sonar, 17-inch alloy wheels, rear seat climate-controlled air conditioner and electronic Brake Assist.

Features:

One peek into the interiors of this luxury SUV, you can find ample seating and luggage space. The seats at the second and third rows can be folded to make additional luggage space. There is also an under-floor luggage compartment having a lid. Other interior features consists of 20 other storage locations including four bottle holders, eight cup holders, front door pockets, three storage locations for the driver, passenger’s upper storage area and driver’s and front-passenger’s seatback map pockets.
Safety features incorporated into this 7 seater car are seven SRS airbags, driver’s knee airbag and a special feature known as the Toyota’s Pre-Crash Seatbelt System. This system makes use of information from both the electronic BA system and the stability control system of the vehicle to set up the front seatbelts when a collision is anticipated.

Performance:

The Toyota Tarago boasts of great acceleration and performance among 7 seater cars. The vehicle’s 200kW 3.5L V6 Aurion engine provides effortless driving and overtaking capabilities on road. With this vehicle, Toyota has achieved another milestone in engine performance.

Family transport: There are people with bigger families who would find the ordinary 4-5 passenger vehicles (which seem to have been designed with the needs of a two-kid two-parent family in mind) unsuitable for their usage. These are the people who will find the 7 passenger vehicles highly adorable. Worth noting here is that the term ‘family’ is increasingly expanding, to include the domestic helpers and visitors who may be staying with a given family at a given point in time (and who would as such also qualify to be termed as members of the family). More and more young families are also opting to stay with their aging parents, rather than sending them to ‘homes’ – the end result being a situation where the said senior citizens also become members of the families. Simply put, the traditional two-parent, two-kid family set up is no longer typical – hence the need for bigger family transport, through the said 7 passenger vehicles.

Image via Wikipedia

Paying passenger transport: There are many parts of the world where we see the 7 passenger vehicles being deployed in public transportation. We are also seeing many people opting for carpooling arrangements, in which the 7 passenger vehicles often come in very handy.

Cargo transport: The space inside the 7 passenger vehicle is often adequate for the transportation of decent amounts of cargo. And depending on how the upholstery is done, it is usually quite easy to bend the seats to accommodate the cargo, with the seats being unbend when the cargo transport assignment is over, thus reverting the said vehicles back into family/paying passenger transportation vehicles.

GTO, or Grand Turismo Omologato, which when translated to English means Grand Turismo Homologated, alludes to the intention of the car: racing. The name was derived from the Ferrari 250 GTO, one of the most successful race cars during that time. Naturally, the name of the Pontiac GTO drew a lot of protests from Ferrari fans, an issue that still lives on today.

Although General Motors didn’t initially want to produce automobiles that were meant for racing, the greenlight to produce the GTO was made. This is because of the low sales incurred by General Motors, who had hoped that the GTO’s appeal to the racing crowd would increase it.

Early in 1963 however, a memo that would almost stop the production of first GTO was released. General Motors stated that company involvement with racing activities would be stopped. Additionally, it also said that cars should only have 10 pounds of engine displacement. It should never have been produced, because it violated company policy. But it was approved anyway, and became a great success. GM’s gamble paid off, as the GTO proved to be a very popular innovation in the automotive industry when it was released in 1964, and has become what was universally considered the very first of muscle cars for sale.

The original model had a large 6.4L V8 engine, and had up to 4-speed manual and 3-speed automatic transmissions. It came in either a hardtop, a convertible, or a coupe, providing many options for car lovers everywhere.

By the late 60s all the way to the 70s, a second generation version of the GTO was released. Its style speaks of the 70′s lifestyle back then. Many cosmetic and engineering changes were made, like the inclusion of 4 headlamps at the front, as well as a Vacuum Operated Exhaust that helped boost both performance and style. However, despite many improvements, the car would cease production in 1974, due to lowered sales numbers.

The GTO would be revived, however, between 2004 to 2006, with many modern changes to the body’s style, engineering, and interior. Many complained about its appearance, despite its engineering features, and eventually, the final GTO rolled off the shelves on 2006.

Auto enthusiasts will enjoy checking out Motorclassic.org for other articles, such as Porsche 911 For Sale.