Diesel – The New Muscle Car2
?Diesel – The New Muscle Car
The muscle car era hit Americans roughly around 1964. It was a race between Detroit automakers to produce the meanest, fastest, most powerful cars on the street. Cars were rated by the rumble coming from under the hood, not just how they looked on the outside. The young generation of drivers wanted a car that had plenty of horsepower, could lay down 2 strips of rubber a mile long, and was able to barrel down the 1/4 mile faster than anyone else. But that period in time slowly faded out and by the mid-70′s was over with.
Have Americans entered a new muscle car age? No…but they have been introduced to a muscle truck. The light duty diesel market has produced some very powerful machines in recent years and the race is on to produce the most powerful diesel powered truck. The big 3 are fighting (not literally) for the top spot, and in such a poor economy you most definitely need popularity. Though it is debatable, I believe the diesel market to have received its biggest boost in popularity somewhere around 2003. It was 2003 that the 6.0 liter Power Stroke diesel was introduced into Ford pickups, and the jack rabbit acceleration of these trucks seemed to have started the torque wars between automakers. Imagine a 6,000 pound vehicle capable of out-performing (in every aspect) any gas powered truck on the street (with the exception of a few high-end sports trucks being offered). Not to mention, there are not many cars coming off the lot these days that could come anywhere near matching the performance of these vehicles.
What is truly fascinating about the new diesel trucks is their power potential. With fairly simple upgrades, these trucks can put out 500+ rear wheel horsepower without any internal modifications. How many gasoline engines can do that? And for the diesel enthusiast, a 700-1000 HP daily driver is no longer just a dream; its a reality! The parts and information necessary to turn your heavy hauler into a street machine have long been available. The potential of these engines has increased the popularity of diesel motor sports, including drag racing and sled pulling.
Sadly, we may have seen the end of our second “”muscle car”" era. The government is cracking down on diesel emissions and this has eliminated much of the power potential through the use of aftermarket parts. However, the diesel market is far from dead, and with every major automaker moving towards diesel powered vehicles, who knows where this could lead…round 3? With the big 3 increasing horsepower ratings to 350 HP recently, the diesel truck market is still booming despite being hurt by new emissions requirements. At this rate, it will not be long before Ford, Chevy, and Dodge are selling 500 horsepower diesel powered trucks…and possibly cars?
Helpful Ideas From a Ford Diesel Truck Owner1
?Helpful Ideas From a Ford Diesel Truck Owner
I have a 94 Ford Diesel truck and in the last 14 years, I have added a coupe and a sedan to the family line up of cars. Previously, I had not thought twice about keeping the old truck around, but lately the cost of fuel has me thinking about what to do with my truck. I thought about selling it, but saw the price new and old trucks are garnering and decided to look elsewhere for some ways to get more out of my old truck.
1. Offer in town moving services: Craigslist and other online classified services are chopped full of people selling furniture, mechanical equipment and other heavy items that are not easy to transport. What’s missing on CL is an abundance of people offering moving services to get items from point A to point B. This is particularly true in major cities where there is good transit and many people don’t have cars like NYC and San Francisco. So take a moment post an ad, wake up a few hours early next weekend and make some money and help a few people out.
2. Rent it out: Every once and again people need a truck to move things and you might not have the time to help, but what you do have is a hearty ford diesel truck (any truck will do, but you see where my loyalty lies) and for a few extra dollars a month, you can change your insurance coverage to include business use. As most car/truck rental locations will charge $100+ per day and another arm and a leg for insurance, now is your chance to undercut them and make some money.
3. Short distance car hauls: So this one might not be for everyone, but if you like to do some traveling and can spare an extra day of vacation every month, why not take a few road trips next year. With major auto shipping carriers charging upwards of $500 for short hauls from Vegas to Phoenix, Phoenix to Los Angeles etc. now is time to jump in and tow someone’s car. A simple hitch and a few extra dollars on insurance and you are set.
These are just a few basic ideas to think about making money using your truck on the weekends. For the most part, there might be some cash outlays involved in getting some of these ideas rolling, but if your truck is paid off and in good working condition, you can make some pretty easy money without sacrificing much more than your free time. If you have suggestions or other ideas on how to get the most out of your truck, please drop me a line.
Diesel – The New Muscle Car
?Diesel – The New Muscle Car
The muscle car era hit Americans roughly around 1964. It was a race between Detroit automakers to produce the meanest, fastest, most powerful cars on the street. Cars were rated by the rumble coming from under the hood, not just how they looked on the outside. The young generation of drivers wanted a car that had plenty of horsepower, could lay down 2 strips of rubber a mile long, and was able to barrel down the 1/4 mile faster than anyone else. But that period in time slowly faded out and by the mid-70′s was over with.
Have Americans entered a new muscle car age? No…but they have been introduced to a muscle truck. The light duty diesel market has produced some very powerful machines in recent years and the race is on to produce the most powerful diesel powered truck. The big 3 are fighting (not literally) for the top spot, and in such a poor economy you most definitely need popularity. Though it is debatable, I believe the diesel market to have received its biggest boost in popularity somewhere around 2003. It was 2003 that the 6.0 liter Power Stroke diesel was introduced into Ford pickups, and the jack rabbit acceleration of these trucks seemed to have started the torque wars between automakers. Imagine a 6,000 pound vehicle capable of out-performing (in every aspect) any gas powered truck on the street (with the exception of a few high-end sports trucks being offered). Not to mention, there are not many cars coming off the lot these days that could come anywhere near matching the performance of these vehicles.
What is truly fascinating about the new diesel trucks is their power potential. With fairly simple upgrades, these trucks can put out 500+ rear wheel horsepower without any internal modifications. How many gasoline engines can do that? And for the diesel enthusiast, a 700-1000 HP daily driver is no longer just a dream; its a reality! The parts and information necessary to turn your heavy hauler into a street machine have long been available. The potential of these engines has increased the popularity of diesel motor sports, including drag racing and sled pulling.
Sadly, we may have seen the end of our second “”muscle car”" era. The government is cracking down on diesel emissions and this has eliminated much of the power potential through the use of aftermarket parts. However, the diesel market is far from dead, and with every major automaker moving towards diesel powered vehicles, who knows where this could lead…round 3? With the big 3 increasing horsepower ratings to 350 HP recently, the diesel truck market is still booming despite being hurt by new emissions requirements. At this rate, it will not be long before Ford, Chevy, and Dodge are selling 500 horsepower diesel powered trucks…and possibly cars?
4 Ways Obama Has Not Done a Good Job Up to This Point in Trucking
?4 Ways Obama Has Not Done a Good Job Up to This Point in Trucking
Obama signed the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which included a provision to end the Department of Transportation’s trucking project.
Which was supposed to allow 100 Mexican carriers to do business beyond the border zone in the United States, and a reciprocal number of U.S. carriers to do the same in Mexico. This was a trucking plan started by the Bush administration.
Job creation:
Now this same administration is trying to put in another cross-border plan for trucking. With a unemployment rate still above 9% it’s hard to imagine Obama wanting to implement another cross border trucking plan with Mexico to eliminate even more jobs.
The Obama administration keeps claiming it is creating jobs, but where are they? “”While Democrats promised their 2009 stimulus would create 3.7 million jobs, the reality is far different, to date, 2.6 million jobs, including 2.5 million private sector jobs, have been lost.”" This was posted August 21, 2010.
The United States Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood “”touts”" that this new cross-border trucking plan with Mexico is going to create jobs. But, it does not take a genius to see that by allowing Mexican trucks into the US will cut jobs.
Steve Russell, chief executive officer of Indianapolis-based Celadon Group Inc., which serves the U.S., Canada and Mexico said, “”The theory behind cross-border trucking is that one tractor would replace three.”" in a recent article. I know my math is not perfect, but that looks like it will remove jobs from the trucking industry in both countries.
This new cross-border trucking plan with Mexico seems to me like is only going to help Mexico truck drivers, and lesson the cost on imports and exports. “”U.S. truckers that want to take advantage of a cross-border accord also may able to reduce labor costs by hiring Mexican drivers, who earn about half of what their U.S. counterparts are paid,”" Femsa Logistica’s Theissen said in another recent article.
Environmental issues:
The US trucking industry is strict on environmental issues that deal with exhaust from the US trucks. So strict that it put many owner-operators out of the trucking business, and caused many companies to have to renew their fleet of trucks to meet the standards also putting some companies out. Plus, it has also caused many states to impose very costly “”No-Idling”" laws for truck drivers – some without regard to the drivers rest necessities.
“”Most trucks in Mexico, whether owned by U.S. companies or Mexican carriers, don’t meet the proposed air-quality requirements to cross the border,”" said Salvador Saavedra, president of the automobile industry sector of the National Manufacturing Industry Chamber, a Mexico City business group.
So are Mexican trucks able to meet U.S. environmental standards? Not according to Juan Carlos Munoz, the president of Mexico’s National Chamber of Motor Transport of Freight, in a recent article he said, “”Mexican trucks cannot meet U.S. environmental emissions standards, which effectively shuts them out of the market. Mexican oil companies do not have sufficient capacity to supply the diesel suitable for these new technologies that is required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.”"
Safety and Security:
The fact that a cross-border program is in any stage of development does not sit well with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) leadership. “”With all the talk about the need for every initiative to create jobs, it’s absolutely shocking,”" said OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer. “”The only jobs this ill-conceived idea can create are for non-citizens who will take jobs away from U.S. citizens.”"
Coupled with the fact that the program would threaten U.S. trucking jobs, Spencer is equally concerned about the safety and security of truckers and U.S. highway users alike. “”It’s a pipe dream that the safety and security issues can be resolved, given the general state of disarray or war that exists in Mexico,”" he said.
So how is this all suppose to create jobs, again?
Diesel Price increase; results more job losses:
I have not even mentioned the fact that the White Houses continuing drill moratorium on deep-water drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, will undoubtedly cause fuel prices to continue to sky-rocket, which will likely cause even more truck drivers to go out of business, and more companies to close resulting in even more jobs lost.
What I don’t understand is we need to QUIT BUYING foreign oil, but Obama has stopped drilling in the Gulf of Mexico – which is our oil. Obama has been obsessed with passing a “”clean”" or renewable”" energy bill since he took his oath of office.
The first manifestation of that desire was the poorly drafted and ill-fated “”cap and trade”" bill rushed through the House early in his presidency. The legislation was so flawed that it never was brought up for a vote in the Senate. After running into other energy policy dead ends, the Obama administration tried a new gambit.
By executive order he reopened the door for some expansion of drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and used that action as leverage to try to get members of Congress from energy-producing states to assist him in passing what he could claim to be a “”clean energy”" bill.
That idea was upset a month later when the Deep-water Horizon erupted in the Gulf. Obama then shifted his strategy. He tried to use the spill to build public pressure on Congress to pass an aggressive “”green energy”" bill. That went nowhere, and the Obama administration shut down OCS drilling. The president still seeks his Holy Grail of a renewable energy bill. His problem lies not just with Republicans. His energy policies mean disasters to many Democrats from energy-producing states as well.
So we see Obama’s agenda to make us greener, but he is also costing millions of jobs in the process. Going green is a good idea, just not now. Right now we can not afford to go green, but we could gradually change, but to do it over-night is a ludicrous idea.
Obama’s intentions may have been for the good, but his failed attempts are putting the US deeper and deeper in debt. And now with this cross-border trucking plan coming into the picture – he is going to be putting you and me in danger on the roads. With fuel prices going up, and “”CHEAP”" labor being allowed into the US by way of Mexican truckers – who do you think these companies are going to want to hire to haul their freight? Expensive US truckers – or the “”El-Cheapo trucking”" company from Mexico?
Mexico is not even within the same planet in comparison to Safety regulations that US truckers endure. So, how much safety do you imagine goes into a Mexican trucking fleet? Congress needs to hear from you about this cross-border trucking plan.
There are many different reasons why a trucking program with Mexico is a bad idea. The following are just a few things that public officials need to know:
The burden should be on Mexico to raise the regulatory standards of their trucking industry, not on the U.S. to lower ours or find ways to accommodate their trucking companies and drivers.
Every year, U.S. truckers are burdened with new safety, security and environmental regulations. Those regulations come with considerable compliance costs. Mexico-domiciled trucking companies and drivers do not contend with a similar regulatory regime in their home country nor must they contend with the corresponding regulatory compliance costs that burden U.S. truckers.
To date Mexico has failed to institute regulations and enforcement programs that are even remotely similar to those in the United States
To ensure the safety and security of U.S. citizens, Mexico-domiciled trucking companies and truck drivers must be required to comply with the same level of safety, security and environmental standards that already apply to U.S.-based companies and drivers, NOT ONLY WHILE OPERATING IN THE U.S. BUT ALSO IN THEIR HOME COUNTRY.
Without a level playing field with Mexico, thousands of U.S. jobs will be lost if a cross-border trucking program is initiated at this time.To reach your Senators and your Representative in the House, call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121, provide the operator with your home zip code. The operator will connect you with the offices of your elected representatives.
Daily Forklift Truck Maintenance
?Daily Forklift Truck Maintenance
Many businesses require a forklift truck for their day to day operation. A forklift truck can be a valuable piece of machinery for any business involved in, or planning to be involved in, the movement of heavy goods and materials. Forklifts are used extensively, and there are many different types of machine, each more suited to a specific job that the next. Fuel type is one such consideration in the process of selecting the correct machine for the application. Forklifts are available as diesel, gas or electric, regardless of fuel type all require daily maintenance checks to ensure the safety and smooth running of the vehicle on a day to day basis. The following article provides an overview of what these checks should include for each fuel type, and who should carry them out.
Anyone involved in the operation of a forklift truck should be qualified to do so. This is a legal requirement much like obtaining a driving licence. Furthermore qualifying to operate one type of truck, does not cover the same operator to drive another. For example a licence for a telescopic handler would not cover the same operator to drive a rough terrain forklift truck. This is important to take note of, if your business requires the use of a number of different types of machine. Ensure that any operators have taken a conversion course to cover any additional truck types they are required to drive (see earlier article for more details on forklift truck driver training). A key component of any forklift truck training course, and one of the first elements to be taught is the routine daily checks, which must be performed on the machine prior to use. This is the case for diesel, gas or electric trucks, for which the following checks should be performed:
Electric
Check battery electrolyte levels after charging battery
Check hydraulic oil level
Check all wheel nuts for tightness
Inspect hoses for leaks and damage
Visually inspect tyres for damage and inflation pressure
Top up batteries with distilled water/di-ionised
Additionally ensure that batteries are recharged after each shift, and avoid engaging in random charging.
Diesel / Gas
Check radiator water level
Check engine oil level
Check all wheel nuts for tightness
Check fuel level
Visually check water trap
Inspect hoses for leaks and damage
Examine tyres visually for damage and inflation pressure
Ensuring that the above checks are carried out not only prolong the life and ensure the safety of your forklift truck, they also reduce any costs incurred. Any neglect or misuse of a forklift will result in damage and hence unnecessary costs, therefore it is wise to make sure operators sign off on such duties on a daily basis.
In summary making certain that your machine is well maintained, and daily checks carried out, can not only prolong the life of any machine the business owns and ensure safety is preserved, but also make sure that additional costs are not incurred and the smooth running of your business is ensured.
GM Extended Warranties – 7 Key Factors That Impact Your Price
?GM Extended Warranties – 7 Key Factors That Impact Your Price
A GM extended warranties price can be dramatically impacted by seven key factors. One of these factors can be a difference of over $900 in the span of 5 minutes or less.
Some of these 7 key factors are obvious, while some may not be so obvious. Let’s start with some of the more obvious factors and work our way into those that may lead to consumers feeling as if they were ripped off and in some cases, consumers becoming the victim of an extended warranty scam.
7) The Age of Your GM Vehicle
An older vehicle equals higher risk and therefore, a higher price. This applies to older vehicles with lower miles as well. Older, low mile vehicles still run into problems: seals and gaskets dry up, fuel pumps, computer modules and tie rods go bad, etc.
6) The Miles on Your GM Vehicle
Each additional mile added to the odometer means the vehicle is one more mile closer to a break down. This equates to higher risk and therefore a higher price.
5) The Model of Your GM Vehicle
A Chevy 3500, 4×4, dual rear wheel, diesel truck will have a higher price than a base model Chevy Aveo. There are simply more things to go wrong with the truck and from experience, the ”"number crunchers”" know that the truck will be used for towing, hauling heavy loads, possibly off-roading and other activities that may shorten the life span of the trucks parts.
4) The Length of Your Coverage
The more coverage (time and miles) you opt for the higher the price.
The less obvious price factors:
3) When You Buy Your GM Extended Warranty
The cost of coverage increases as your vehicle inches closer to the GM factory warranty expiring. Once it has completely expired, you’ll certainly see a spike in pricing. This is due to GMPP, General Motors extended warranty division, assuming all the financial risk of your vehicle breaking down from day one.
Every day that goes by and every mile added to the vehicle has the potential to increase the cost. In addition, GM can raise their extended warranty costs at any time. In fact, most extended warranty companies will have cost hikes at least once a year and oftentimes twice a year. The earlier the better is the key to the lowest price.
2) Type of GM Extended Warranty Coverage You Buy
Here’s where the extended warranty scam can come into play. If you happen to run into one of the unscrupulous Finance Managers out there, they may try to sell you a Basic Guard (the most basic of the GM extended warranties) and represent it as a Major Guard (the ”"Cadillac”" of GM extended warranties).
Be sure to read your warranty contract closely and, if your vehicle qualifies, always opt for the GM Major Guard Coverage. This virtually eliminates any doubt as to what is covered and what is not covered.
1) The $900 Dealer Difference
It can take you less than 5 minutes to either overpay $900 or less than 5 minutes to save $900, the choice is yours. Not all GM dealers sell their extended warranties for the MSRP set by GMPP. Some dealers will sell for a little less, some for full MSRP and some for more than MSRP.
If you are considering buying your GM extended warranty from the dealer that you bought your vehicle from, because you got a great deal, be careful not to be lulled into thinking that the Finance Manager, of this same dealership, will have the same “”low price leader”" mentality.
A lot of dealerships have $700, $900, $1,500 and yes, I seen even higher mark ups on GM extended warranties. The time it would take you to get just one more quote (let’s say 5 minutes) could be the $900 difference.
You Don’t Need a Cape to Be A Superhero in Fleet Management
?You Don’t Need a Cape to Be A Superhero in Fleet Management
Are you a fleet manager or fuel manager? Are you the president or CFO of a fleet company concerned about your company’s bottom line, again? Are you tired of sitting on the edge of your seat, sweating, worrying and waiting for the Department of Energy to report that diesel fuel prices are up per gallon for the nth week in a row? Accept the inevitable; diesel’s national average price will be what it will be. You can’t control it. It’s out of your hands. However, do not throw in the towel just yet. Take a deep breath, sit back in your chair, roll up your sleeves and empower yourself. Now is the time to gain control over those things that you CAN control. Be your own superhero. Help save your fleet management company. Save time. Save money.
No more feeling helpless, buried under tasks and maxed out on time. No more wondering IF your company’s current fleet fuel management programs are working, or WHY they aren’t. Yes, you are considered the fuel expert for your company, so make an executive decision and steer your company down the road to increased profits and decreased expenses. Reach out to industry fleet fueling experts that have the insight you need to optimize your programs. No more same old, same old. Fleet fuel experts have access to essential industry data and proven performance records that can put you back on track so you don’t have to hold your breath each week. Let the fuel prices do what they will do knowing that you have the power to put your company on solid ground.
A fleet fueling expert can perform a comprehensive analysis of your current fleet management programs and determine what fleet management approach is best for your fleet company’s vehicles. Detailed analysis can determine the best use of your fleet cards or fuel cards, whether truck stops, mobile fueling or onsite refueling is best for your fleet mobile fueling, and if your company would benefit from a fuel saving plan. They can even establish fuel auditing for all your fueling transactions that will raise red flags and stop losses due to theft or simply incorrect fuel charges.
You’re thinking, why would I consider the added expense of hiring a fuel expert when I’m looking to save money? Shouldn’t I, or one of my employees be able to come up with the cost-saving and income-generating policies already? Well, the fact is, at the end of the day, fuel experts can save a company three times as much as the cost of hiring one. And, fleet fueling experts micro-manage the situation for you so that you can focus on the big picture.
Fuel experts are dedicated to monitoring multiple industry variables for you. They build fleet management programs that are specific to your company. Stop wondering how you can do things differently, more profitably. Consult with a fleet fueling expert and start implementing a fuel management program that you can count on. It’s a win-win situation. You save your time and your company’s money. You look like a hero.
Gas Prices Driving You Up the Wall- Fix it and Enjoy 5 Benefits1
?Gas Prices Driving You Up the Wall? Fix it and Enjoy 5 Benefits
Gas prices are indeed driving many of us up and even over the wall. The common lament is that gas prices are “”killing us.”" Like all situations before us, we can worry, fret and fume all we want over spiraling gas prices but be rest assured that nothing will change unless we decide to act. In terms of beating gas prices, the best option, as validated by thousands of users all over the world is to install a gas saving water car device in our cars. The solution is so simple that it can be easily overlooked. Would you believe that all takes to deal with gas prices is a water car device costing less than USD 100 with some being being offered at less than USD 50?
What does a water car device do? It helps to convert your car or truck or vehicle to a water burning vehicle. Not exactly into a water hybrid vehicle but very close to it. The water car device is a Do-It-Yourself and amazingly affordable device based on a simple technology. It makes use of water as a supplement to gasoline or diesel fuel. The result? Thousands of people all over the world have reported mileage increases from 29% to as much as an incredible 256%. They have taken control of gas prices. Yes, too good to be true. The facts are there for verification. In addition to better mileage, the accompanying benefits of using a water car device is better performance, less pollution through reduced emissions and generally cleaner as well as quieter engines.
Yes, the water car device offers an immediate solution to our gas price woes. It is here and it is providing immense relief to many of us all over the world in coping with the stress and anxiety over rising gas prices. Best of all, the water car devices come with 100% cash back guarantees. This makes it even harder to believe. To believe, you need to look at all the information available, evaluate the results and be willing to try the water car device. Water car devices and the solution it provides for beating gas prices is certainly not a hoax. The only problem is that it is too good to be true.
Some of the actual benefits experienced by users all over the world include:
1. Better mileage. 50% increase on a heavy 350 V8 van, 56% on a Ford truck, 107% on a Toyota Corolla, 285% on a Chevy 4WD pickup, 77% on a Volkswagen diesel and $200-$400 savings every week on a big rig diesel truck.
2. Clean up emissions that damage your health and the health of your family, loved ones and the general community. The technology burns the”"Brown’s Gas”" that is produced and turns it right back into water No harmful chemicals are emitted from this system. As the engine takes less gasoline and burns it more completely and efficiently, the overall effect is a dramatic reduction in harmful emissions. User’s report that they can actually smell the difference.
3. Greatly enhanced engine power and performance through the removal of carbon deposits and prevention of further carbon build up. Cooler engines due to reduced engine temperature. The bonus? Drive down global warming.
4. Better driving with a calmer, quieter and much smoother engine as well as better gearshifts that are available in only the most expensive cars. The water car device can do this due to the effect water has on the combustion cycle inside your engine.
5. Reduced wear and tear especially on pistons, valves, rings and bearings. Overall, this leads to longer engine life expectancy.
The technology has been applied. The water car device is real and it works. It takes the sting out of steep gas prices. We can all heave a sigh of relief. At last, there is something that we can actually do to cope with current gas prices. The water car device offers us a simple and practical solution especially for those on limited budgets. Quit worrying about gas prices. Resolve to act and experience the new found freedom from crazy gas prices.
Fuel Efficient Trucks from Volvo
?Fuel Efficient Trucks from Volvo
The world’s primary source of fuel for different industries comes from the reserves of fossil fuels which is a non-renewable source of energy. Since fossil fuel is non-renewable, the world is in danger of running out of supply. While the current amount of fossil fuel reserves can still last a long time, steps have been taken by different industries to lessen their dependency on petroleum products. The automotive industry is one of the major sectors in the global community that has taken a step towards not only in the development of alternative fuel but in implementing the use of such fuel as well. Several car manufacturers now produce vehicles that run on alternative fuel or alternative fuel mixed with gasoline.
One of the more prominent car manufacturers that attend to the need of decreasing the consumption of gasoline is Toyota. The Japanese outfit has introduced their first hybrid car in Japan and eventually also produced such in the US. This vehicle is the Toyota Prius. The car is now the most popular hybrid car in production with a buyer base that is exponentially expanding in number. Another car manufacturer committed to the environmental protection cause is the Ford Motor Company subsidiary Volvo. The car manufacturer known for producing safe cars are also taking steps forward in the development of alternative fuels which is evident in their three models in that are already in production. These units employ the FlexiFuel technology thus allowing them to run on a combination of bio-ethanol and gasoline which is called E85.
Their FlexiFuel technology being already used by some of their models already is also being sold in selected European markets. This is not the only technology being developed by the Sweden-based car manufacturer. They are also following in the steps of Toyota and Honda which have been using hybrid technology in their cars. The vehicles employing the hybrid technology runs not only on gasoline alone but is also powered at some point by electricity via an electric motor that is capable of giving enough torque and horsepower to the vehicle. This technology is what Volvo is developing not for application on their passenger cars but actually for the use of their trucks.
Volvo is the world’s second largest manufacturer of trucks behind General Motors, but they are making their bid for supremacy in that segment. In the process, they have developed a hybrid truck that they aim to sell to different industries especially those with a large fleet of trucks. In the development of their hybrid trucks, they have teamed up with the US Air Force which will be the first to use the hybrid truck technology. The US Air Force has already ordered four of the said trucks and the construction of the units is already underway. The government agency can save on their fuel consumption by as much as 35 per cent depending on driving conditions and application.
The technology behind the hybrid truck which was developed hand in hand by Volvo and the US Air Force and such is known as the I-SAM or Integrated Starter Alternator Motor. This uses the big Volvo alternator which doubles as an electric motor to help the truck’s diesel engine to drive the truck. The use of the alternator as an electric motor results to a better fuel economy over trucks which are powered only by a diesel engine. Thanks to relatively lesser fuel consumption, emissions are reduced therefore helping in preservation of the environment. The exhaust system further cleans the gas emitted by the engine a fact that makes the hybrid electric truck from Volvo not only fuel efficient cut is also clean.
The use of the alternator as an electric motor is already being employed by the Saturn Vue hybrid car. The technology is almost similar except for the vehicle being driven since the I-SAM technology is made for a much heavier vehicle. The alternator or electric motor takes over the operation of the truck during idling and when less power is needed. It can also be used to give added boost to the truck’s diesel engine.
Writing With Absolutes – Why Master Writers Use Them
?Writing With Absolutes – Why Master Writers Use Them
Absolute Phrases will Make Your Writing Crackle.
Absolute phrases add a sense of action and simultaneity to the main idea in a clause or sentence. They are, without a doubt, the most effective tool that a writer has to depict scenes filled with details that create action and suspense. No other tool exists that is more efficacious.
Nothing enlivens a scene as well placed Absolutes.
Through the apprehension of details all human beings-but in particular, readers-filter whole scenes in order to grasp, evaluate, and pronounce judgments about actions, places, and thoughts.
What gives versatility and flexibility to the Absolute phrase is that it may be embedded just about anywhere in the clause or sentence (beginning, middle, or end). Absolute phrases supply the much needed details at the right time and the right place.
Observe-in the example below-how nouns and the present participle interact:
The trees seemed to advance-to close ranks-as if in menacing formation, branches flailing, trunks forming cavities resembling huge distorted mouths from which the most horrifying and ungodly screams seemed to issue, filling the swamp with a hellish cacophony (M. Guerrero, Poison Pill, chapter 35, p210).
Branches flailing, trunks forming cavities, filling the swamp-are Absolute phrases. When nouns are combined with the present participle (verbs ending in -ing), the results are Absolute phrases.
Absolute phrases are also called Absolute Nominative, or simply Absolutes.
They-absolutes-highlight the immediacy of the action, causing it to unfold right in front of the readers’ eyes. But how can these bits of information-details which are so unrelated to the main idea, even illogical one might say-be so loosely tacked on?
Fortunately for writers, the English language allows for this type of non sequitur. It is a part of the language that not even grammarians such as Otto Jesperson and Henry W. Fowler, or linguists (including Noam Chomsky) have been able to explain with convincing adequacy; a conundrum as puzzling as ‘why do humans grow arms and not wings?’
Writers should be thankful for such aberrations of the English language, and take advantage of them.
In addition to the present participle form of the verb (tears
coursing down her cheeks), we may also use the past participle to form another variation of the Absolute: teeth
clenched, box cutter tightly
gripped in her hand.
Because many grammar and syntax textbooks begin the discussion of Absolute Phrases with convoluted definitions, regrettably many readers abandon the topic, never to revisit it again. So, let’s look at what Absolutes do, what they accomplish, and then at the end of the chapter we’ll attempt a working definition.
Forms of the Absolute
Although Absolute Phrases may be written in many ways, the following four usages are the most prevalent:
(1) Noun and the present participle: branches flailing.
(2) Noun and a past participle: teeth clenched.
(3) Noun and a prepositional phrase: a blade in her hand.
(4) Noun and an adjective or adverb: ears forward.
Absolutes: Group (1) – Noun + Present Participle
The thug saw him and hurried to the waiting Honda, which took off with a loud squeal, screeching and lurching forward, the engine revving up. (M. Guerrero, Poison Pill, chapter 3, p22).
Just then Morales opened his eyes only to see the old man’s harsh stare, his droopy eyelid twitching. (N. Guerrero, Poison Pill, chapter 27, p145).
As you can see in the above example, the noun eyelid is qualified by ‘his droopy,’ implying that any qualifier may either antecede or follow the noun; yet, this fact doesn’t negate that the phrase is an Absolute Phrase formed by a Noun + Present Participle.
The bullet ripped the stick out of the huge man’s lips hitting the wall with a thud, Gil’s lips turning ashen, teeth chattering, and clicking like gag dentures. (M. Guerrero, Poison Pill, chapter 33, p193).
But just as he said this, the floor under the hand truck caved in, the smile fading off his face. (M. Guerrero Poison Pill, chapter 29, p162).
“”And Lord Julian, then?”" he asked, his eyes watching her, bright as sapphires in that copper-coloured face. (R. Sabatini, Captain Blood, chapter XXXI, p337).
He wore a black, short mid-riff tank top under his black leather jacket, his pale face glowing with unnatural light, thin lips twisting in an evil smile. (M. Guerrero, Poison Pill, chapter 15, p89).
Cowboy felt the frigid mud shifting and tugging downward at his feet, sucking and crushing around his waist and chest, large bubbles surfacing, gurgling and popping around him, filling his nostrils with the vilest putrid stench. (M. Guerrero, Poison Pill, chapter 29, p162).
He did things to me that I’d only read in books, and at the end of it, legs trembling, heart thudding, I laughed and he buried his face against my belly, laughing too. (Sue Grafton, ‘A’ is for Alibi, p177).
By now you should have noted how the
-ing participials cause the nouns to zoom in and become extremely visible.
As Joey and Lenox strode to their van, Cowboy felt eyes watching him, his rat-tail stiffening, and a chill running down his spine. (M. Guerrero, Poison Pill, chapter 18, p103).
Even though the narrator purports to be objective and camera-like in his observations, he manages to inject inner-state details that only an omniscient narrator could know. This technique empowers the writer to get inside the character’s mind, body, and even his central nervous system: “”a chill running down his spine.”"
We puttered past the barn, the diesel thumping, the trailer creaking, and turned south toward the lower forty, a tract next to Siler’s Creek. (John Grisham, A Painted House, p43).
Grisham, by his adroit use of two Absolutes (diesel thumping and trailer creaking), augments the acoustics of the passing scene. Had he chosen to simply say, “”We puttered past the barn, and turned south…”" the scene would have fallen dead on arrival.
Note how Jane Austen in Pride and Prejudice uses the Absolute to objectify an otherwise internal sensation felt by a character:
Elizabeth made no answer, and walked on, her heart swelling with indignation.
And feel the chills Bram Stoker brings to the reader as he depicts count Dracula’s wrath:
As my eyes opened involuntarily I saw his strong hand grasp the slender neck of the fair woman and with giant’s power draw it back, the blue eyes transformed with fury, the white teeth champing with rage, and the fair cheeks blazing red with passion.
The Absolute “”the blue eyes transformed with fury,”" is discussed below, as it belongs to Group (2), since ‘transformed’ is a past participle rather than a present participle.
To conclude this section, see how Tolstoy uses this absolute construction in his War and Peace:
“”Do you or do you not know where that will is?”" insisted Prince Vasili, his cheeks twitching more than ever.
Pierre obediently sat down, his eyes asking if he were doing right.
The spot chosen for the duel was some eighty paces from the road, where the sleighs had been left in a small clearing in the pine forest covered with melting snow, the frost having begun to break during the last few days.
Absolutes: Group (2) – Noun + Past Participle
Less dramatic than the -ing Absolute is the past participle Absolute. While the former causes the action of the noun to unfold in front of the reader’s eyes, the latter conjures up an image of something that has already happened.
His head-piece was gone, his breastplate dinted, his right sleeve a rag hanging from his shoulder about a naked arm. (R. Sabatini, Captain Blood, chapter XXX, p331).
“”I’ll check with them, Joey, and then I’ll let you know. Where are you planning to bury them?”" he asked, his forehead wrinkled with curiosity. (M. Guerrero, Poison Pill, chapter 29, p159).
…he charged straight on howling with wild fury, arms flailing, and eyes closed. (M Guerrero, Poison Pill, chapter 36, p230).
In his mind he saw the picture of the boy that the police photographer had taken, his flesh eaten black by the flames. (Elizabeth George, In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner, p267).
His men stood, grinning, awaiting orders, the two prisoners now fast pinioned. (R. Sabatini, Captain Blood, chapter II, p16).
Here’s an example from a master story-teller:
Her friend, Pixie Dark, was backing away from the whole deal, small white hands clasped between her breasts, eyes wide. (Stephen King, Cell, chapter 2, p8).
Stephen King wrote a best seller book on writing; yet, nowhere will you find –in this famed book– a single word about Absolutes. Go figure.
Fuel Cells Motorcycles, Trucks, Tanks, ATVs and Fire Hazards from Heat Exchanges
?Fuel Cells Motorcycles, Trucks, Tanks, ATVs and Fire Hazards from Heat Exchanges
We have heard a whole lot of talk about fuel cells and of course it is a worthy endeavor. Portable generators, cars, transportation industry, Power generators, Ships, etc. can benefit. However in a mobile application such as a shuttle bus, car, truck, train, tractor, motor scooter or even a Segway air-cushioned platform mover, there is the problem of heat. The heat occurs on transfer of fuel. So if we are talking about a portable application the heat can make steam and the steam can be used for additional power needed also. In an off road application when we are in places of drought and extreme fire hard there is a significant problem which needs to be better addressed with the material sciences to control the heat. Everyone knows that 2-cycle motorcycles get hot and can cause fires if you are not careful.
The hydrogen cell problem with it’s temperatures could be significantly worse. In larger vehicles there have been ways to mitigate this, with additional insulation panels, however in a small off road vehicle or ATV, the problem becomes more significant. When I speak of ATV, I mean All-terrain vehicle, not the Fuel Cell term of Advanced Technology Vehicle. At Texas A and M. they are working on just such a project.
When we are talking motorcycles, and ATVs the cooling system is the major obstacle, wouldn’t you know it. There is always some hitch and it does appear that this small obstacle is in fact being taken care of through new material sciences and it is critical indeed as we have seen urban heat of five plus degrees within various regions of the US due to concrete and asphalt without one fuel cell car and we know that reciprocal engines of gasoline motors run about 300 or so degrees, which is a lot less than the conversion rate to pure hydrogen? Well these engineering barriers are being pummeled currently as the innovators in America accept the challenge and refuse to go back, such is the nature of the American Spirit, Never ever, ever, ever Give Up. Winston Churchill could have been an American, he certainly talked like one and this current situation could have used such talk. And of course he comes from the same stock as many of us do. Well it appears many University Researchers in this country may just beat President Bush’s cautious commitment to bring this technology to the forefront by 2012. We are now seeing the strides of innovation take hold. From the Spinglass Scooters to potential Segway Models.
Now then, the components of these vehicles cannot be made of lightweight composite. Some types of composite unfortunately give off Cyanide Gas when they burn. We of course have been learning this from the F-117 Stealth crashes and the potentiality of the 7E7 half composite airliners. So what material do you make these units out of which is safe for anything from a ride on lawn mower to a laptop computer 90 watt power system. Even Plastics melt and give off some pretty toxic substances? Ceramic Coatings or glass coatings on top of other materials, indeed may be one solution. As a matter of fact this is just about the only known solution for the exhaust and catalyst systems (which run extremely hot and glow inside) in current exhaust systems. Many think it can be applied to the heat issues of hydrogen cells as well and of course after reading many articles and studies in the Ceramics Industry, I believe there is ample opportunity there.
[http://www.ceramicindustry.com/CDA/Article...0],27484,00.html
We have been studying these situations for our company in the Mobile Oil Change Business figuring if we cannot change the oil in the future as a business we can replace filters and membranes with re-usable ceramic materials which maybe found in the new technologies associated with fuel cells. But where will all these filters be discharged? After all Glass takes quite a while to decompose rendering it’s half life closer than that of uranium to lead, then from Ceramic filter to dirt? Will future archeologists dig up these nifty ceramic filters in old garbage dumps in the decomposed semi-crude oil remenance and wonder what on Earth we used them for and proving that we were indeed a species of significant cognitive worth? As we look at ceramic coatings such as Adsil (google it to learn more) and others we realize that they decrease corrosion from things like the nasty Magnesium Chlorides put on roads in the North during ice and snowstorms.
Will we need to coat the entire car with glass to prevent fire? Will this mean you will wash your car with Windex? Is glass cleaning services a future growth industry then, since more things will be made from glass including much of the coating on a car. Will this foil the efforts of GM, Ford, Honda and Toyota in planned obsolescence? In other words whoever is making the cars, whether it is GM-Ballard partnership, Eaton-Ford Partnership or a Multi-National Foreign Conglomerate of China, Japan, Korea, US then will cars last so long people will buy fewer of them or will the Chinese demand for oil drive the prices of crude up so fast and furious that the whole world will begin to switch to fuel cells at once during a last hurrah of overbearing gas and diesel prices. Cars which last too long mean consumer will not continue to buy new cars which on average now is 3.1 years in the middle class of America. Now do not go out and buy Windex Stock right now. No matter what this is still many years off.
You will see in the future that many companies and even military, NASA and others use ceramic coatings on equipment to prolong life. Corrosion issues are serious in all sectors, including shipping containers, truck chassis, braking systems, railroad, automotive, even a rusty lawn-mower with many plastic parts from your local Home Depot, Lowes or Wal*Mart.
Ceramic coatings even applied at 5 mils are enough to seal the aluminum pores enough to solve basic corrosion problems. Corrosion control is especially important to military equipment after wartime. Sure it provides jobs to make new tanks, humvees and armored personnel carriers, but there maybe budget concerns as well to think about. After all some of the T-34 tanks used by our enemy were how old? Still running, perhaps with corrosion controls of ceramics, the ones left could be put in museums forever? A remainder of the Human Species and her need to wage war, perhaps an innate characteristic which may eventually be bread out of our genome, but probably not likely soon. Hydrogen cell tanks, yes there are many such projects going on now.
What will the routine maintenance service companies look like in the future? How will they maintain their ROIs and Proformas, forward looking statements and spreadsheets, Warren Buffet style balance sheets, quarterly profits and shareholder’s equity? These companies to harvest continued cash flow in these cleaning, maintenance and coating industries will need to drastically modify their procedures. As we see from this weeks devastating Hurricane Charley, we need to pay attention to the global warming problems as they are real and when you turn up the heat, the surrounding atmosphere will notice and when it comes to mother nature, she is quite sure of what she is doing.
I hope you have enjoyed this provocative topic and interesting study on Fuel Cells for motorcycles, trucks, trains, tanks, ATVs, ships, etc. as it pertains to global warming, urban heat, Fire Hazards from heat exchanges and risks associated with these new technologies.
The future is going to be a most excellent place to live as long as we pay attention to what we are doing on the way to get there.
Trucks Explained – Types of Trucks
?Trucks Explained – Types of Trucks
Although the first truck ever made is credited to England in 1885, Ford Motor Company is best known for taking the truck to the next level of mass production in the early 1900′s. Fords third vehicle produced in 1900 was a pickup type truck and in 1917 Ford introduced the Model-T One Ton truck chassis. In 1925 the first mass produced pickup truck came off the Ford assembly line. It featured a cargo box, tailgate, stake pockets and a heavy-duty rear suspension. Since the main purpose of the truck is to move cargo, trucks quickly started gaining in popularity as an efficient and economical way to transport products. As the versatility of the truck grew in popularity, along with improved roads, the truck today is the primary method for transporting goods.
Types of TrucksThe first trucks were unable to transport large and heavy loads. As the industrial revolution of agriculture and manufactured goods continued to increase in the twentieth century, the need for larger trucks that could handle larger and heavier loads increased. Today, trucks generally have 3 major classifications, light duty, medium duty and heavy duty.
Light duty trucks are normally your typical pick up type trucks and are generally under a maximum GVW (gross vehicle weight) of 14,000 lbs or less. The greater majority of pick up trucks utilize gas engines and their drive trains are more similar to passenger cars then other classifications of trucks. When selling a used truck, pick up trucks tend to hold their value better than passenger vehicles because of their versatility.
Medium duty trucks are generally between 14,001 and 26,000 lbs GVW (gross vehicle weight). Even though there are some gas engines in medium trucks, the greatest majority are diesels because of the lower fuel costs and the life expectancy is generally three times greater than a gasoline engine. If you’re looking for trucks for sale or used trucks for sale in the medium category, you should always look for trucks with diesel engines. Medium trucks are often used in local deliveries, so when looking for trucks for sale, it’s better to find a truck that was used for longer hauls. Stop and go traffic with local routes is much harder on the drive train.
Heavy duty trucks are over 26,000 lbs GVW (gross vehicle weight) and are generally always diesel engines because of the higher torque, low fuel costs and durability. When purchasing a used truck for sale, look for trucks for sale that have lower mileage. The cost of replacing an engine or transmission could run into the “”tens”" of thousands of dollars. Heavy duty trucks are cab only and pull one to three trailers at a time. Heavy duty trucks are almost always long distance haulers due to their ability to transport large and heavy payloads.
In summary when looking for a truck for sale, look for a truck with a diesel engine because of fuel costs, durability and the ability to handle heavier loads and towing. If your looking for a used trucks for sale, look for trucks for sale that have low mileage and trucks for sale that have more highway miles than local miles. Following these guides could save you thousand of dollars in the long run.
Forget V8s In Pick-Ups, Small High Power Diesels Are The Way To Go
?Forget V8s In Pick-Ups, Small High Power Diesels Are The Way To Go
The Pick-up Truck market in the US is very lucrative and that does not harbor Innovation. With hauling capacity being the biggest selling point, Truck makers tout Ultra-large V8 engines putting out huge horsepower and torque figures. with fuel economy being a big issue today, many of the truck makers are looking to complex technologies to solve this issue. What many of them fail to realize is that smaller diesel engines can provide as much torque or more than the Big V8s and still consume less fuel.
I am fully aware the diesel engines in development by Ford and GM and its true that Chrysler is using the Mercedes 3L CDi engines in the grand Cherokee, but these are still too big and the Mercedes engine is quite expensive. Even Toyota with all their eco clout just followed Detroit when they engineered their new Tundra. To get an idea of what I’m trying to say is to look at those hatchbacks used for hauling in Europe. They rely on small diesel engines with serious torque that their petrol rivals cannot muster. Now look at the stream of progress in the diesel field from the amazing engines from Fiat and Peugeot to the high tech wonders of BMW especially their new twin turbo versions. The 3.0L 6 cylinder version produces 272hp and a mind boggling 413lbft of torque and the new 2.0L 4 cylinder version produces 204hp and 295lbft of torque. all while having a fuel economy of 35mpg and 41mpg respectively. That is some serious performance both on the torque and fuel economy fronts.
Now Imagine a Pick-up Truck with an engine in between those two a 2.5l 5 cylinder engine with 235hp and 350lbft of torque and a fuel economy of 30mpg taking the heavier weight of the Pick-up into consideration. This is very feasible and should be looked at by the Big Truck Makers. They can standardize their engines offering different states of turbo boost while using the same engine. This would save manufacturing costs and be a lot cheaper than chasing hybrids. Why Toyota did not push to take on the Pick-up Truck Market touting fuel economy is a mystery, but any Truck maker than wants to send the rest out of business should really consider small capacity diesels even if their initial price would be more expensive than the big V8s they currently use.
