CARFCO

By Dennise Ryder

Here is a car shopping tip you don’t see everyday. In March 2007 the Canadian Government announced in their budget that a rebate would be available for fuel efficient vehicles, referred to as the ecoAuto Rebate Program.

The idea is to reward those drivers who are trying to help with the environment by driving vehicles that are more fuel efficient. So here is a win/win car buying tip for anyone in the market for a new vehicle, drive a vehicle that is more fuel efficient and then get $1000 back for your new car purchase!

If you are in the market for a new car you can follow the link at the end of this article for a list of vehicles that are included under this program. Keep in mind that the 2008 model year vehicles haven’t been released as of yet, but keep visiting the site and in time the 2008 model year will be included.

The an outline of the ecoAuto Rebate Program is as follows:

The progam is applicable to anyone buying or leasing a vehicle after March 20, 2007 as long as the car you purchased is on the list.

Only cars bought or leased in Canada are eligible for the Program. If you purchased your car in the USA then you are not entitled to the rebate.

Individuals, businesses and organizations can apply under the EcoAuto Rebate Program, again as long as the vehicle bought or leased is on the list of eligible vehicles.

It’s a pretty simple process however there is no indication as to how long it will take for you to receive your ecoAuto Rebate, understand however that this rebate comes directly from the Canadian Government it is not associated with the car dealership where you purchase or lease your new vehicle. You can get the forms from the Dealership where you initially purchased our vehicle or again follow the ecoAuto Rebate Program link below for all the information you need!

Dennise Ryder writes from her home in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Learn more about the Canadian Government ecoAuto Rebate Programs and car buying tips that will help you save money.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dennise_Ryder [http://ezinearticles.com/?Car-Shopping-Tip—Save-On-Fuel-And-Get-$1000-From-The-Canadian-Government&id=831501 ]http://EzineArticles.com/?Car-Shopping-Tip—Save-On-Fuel-And-Get-$1000-From-The-Canadian-Government&id=831501

By Amy Nutt

There are so many different cars around these days, and the general public only really knows about half of them. Everyone knows about the regular car companies. People know all about these car makers and they also know about the standards they can expect from these companies. There are also other car companies that most people know about, but only a half of the population would ever have the finances to own one of their cars. The general public only knows the name of these cars, and not much about what makes them a quality vehicle.

After those two groups of cars, there is another group that most of the population would never be able to afford, and most people also do not know a lot about these cars. In fact, some people may not even know that some of these cars even exist. The cars I’m talking about are more than luxury cars, more than sports cars, and more money than four or five "regular" cars put together! Here are the top ten most expensive cars in the world:

Bugatti Veyron - With a price tag of $1,700,000, there aren’t too many people who you will see driving this vehicle around town. With "1001" horsepower, this car has a 16.4 engine and it can get up to a speed of 400 kilometers per hour. This car was built by a subsidiary of Volkswagon in France, and it took years to perfect.

Ferrari Enzo - This sports car costs 1,000,000, and is also known as the Enzo Ferrari or the F60. It was built with Formula One Technology in 2003. This car and its brand name basically speaks for itself in the racing world.

Pagani Zonda C12 F - Weighing in at $741,000, this car is still too expensive for the average person to own, and probably the above average person as well! It sports a 7.3 V12 engine that has been passed down by its predecessors.

Koenigsegg CCX - This sports car will cost you $600,910 to buy, and it is worth every penny. The Competition Coupe X (CCX) commemorates the anniversary of the completion and first test drive of the first CC car in 1996. It has a 32 valve V-8 engine that was based on the Ford Modular engine design.

Porsche Carrera GT - This car has a price tag of $484,000. Labeled as a super car, this German made sports car has a 5.7 liter, V10 engine. It also boasts a 612 SAE horsepower.

Mercedes SLR McLaren - Weighing in at a price of $455,00, this car is still too expensive to drive around town. The "SLR" in its name stands for "Sportlich, Leicht, Rennsport", which is German for "Sport; Light; Racing".  This car has a 5.5, V8 engine.

Maybach 62 - This car will cost a more affordable $385,250. This is also the first of the above listed vehicles that is not a sports car. The Maybach 62 is known as an ultra-luxurious car, and was designed with a hired driver in mind.

Rolls-Royce Phantom - This luxury car costs $320,00, and it is one of he most well known brand names of the luxury car business. The Phantom was made in 2003, and it was the first to be made under the BMW name.

Lamborghini Murcielago - This sports car costs $279,900 to buy, and is a lot more affordable than the above sports vehicles! This car will definitely turn heads and has a 6.5 liter engine.

Aston Martin Vanquish - This super car will cost you $255,000 to buy, and it was featured as the official James Bond car in one of his films. This sports car has a 5.5 liter V12 engine.

What makes these cars so expensive? A combination of things contributes to the price tags of these vehicles. One part is the years of work that went into designing and making them. Another part would be the brand name of each car. Add to that the power of the engines, and the style of the [http://www.discountcar.com]cars, and you have the reason for the expensive price tags.

Discount Car Rental with locations in Canada. Car Hire in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and in all major Canadian cities.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Nutt http://EzineArticles.com/?Top-10-Most-Expensive-Cars&id=929773

By Gregg Hall

How you treat your tires actually goes a long way in determining what you spend on gas. Tires are often neglected because people do not know that they affect their gas mileage. A good tire maintenance culture will not only make your rides safer, it will also leave a little more in your pocket.

I will give a few tips that will help you improve you fuel economy, they are simple things. You may  know about them, if you don’t they are here. If you already do, then refresh your memory and get the savings you so much deserve.

You should ensure your car tires are properly inflated. Deflated tires have more friction with the road. This means that the engine has to work harder. For your engine to work harder, it needs more energy. And we all know where it gets its energy from. Make sure your tires maintain the recommended pressure. A drop of 5 pounds makes you lose 2% in your gas mileage. Please, note that they should be inflated evenly as this also affects fuel efficiency apart from its other advantages.

You need to maintain your tires even more during winter. This is because air temperature drop has a corresponding loss in your tire pressure. This makes it even more difficult for your tires to roll. Remember, the more deflated a tire is, the more friction you have.

Rotating your tires is another way to improve your gas mileage. You should get the recommended pattern for your car make and model in your owner’s manual. And apart from mileage issues, they’ll ensure your tires wear evenly with all the attendant benefits.

Your tire type also affects your gas mileage. A lot of folks don’t know that there different types of tires. And by this, I do not mean brand names. There are types that are stiffer and therefore task your engine more. Generally, Radial tires are preferred to Bias belted tires. Ask auto professionals which is best for your car.  However, bear in mind that what you need is a tire that has the lowest rolling resistance.  The lower your tire’s rolling resistance, the better your gas mileage. Please, do take note of this when replacing your tire.

Finally, make sure your wheels are properly aligned. Otherwise the tires will not roll freely consuming more fuel in the process. Misalignment will also affect other parts of your vehicle like the suspension. This will eventually affect your gas mileage negatively. Don’t let your money go to waste on gas or on new tires, take the time to care for your vehicle the way it is suppose to be cared for.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as vintage wheels at http://www.vintagewheelsplus.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall http://EzineArticles.com/?Did-You-Know-That-Improper-Tire-Pressure-May-Drastically-Affect-Your-Gas-Mileage?&id=333047

By Mary Freeman

If you are shopping for a new car, or even a used one, chances are the gas mileage it gets is one of the first things you want to find out. Now, gas mileage that a vehicle can offer has become the main concern throughout the whole country with prices now reaching the $4 a gallon mark and climbing.

People are now in search of vehicles which can offer them good gas mileage (which means the distance the vehicle can cover with a gallon of gasoline). Reputed manufactures like Ford, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Honda, Volkswagen, Chevrolet and others are trying to launch cars with better gas mileage and technology that is environment friendly. In the meantime, you are stuck with trying to squeeze the best mileage out of the vehicle you currently have.

Below are some tips and suggestions on ways to increase gas mileage in your vehicle:

Determine Your Gas Mileage

You will first want to calculate your vehicles gas mileage to set a baseline in which to work from to improve your overall mileage. Fill your tank, record the odometer reading, drive around until empty, then record the odometer ready when empty.

Take your car to the gas station again and now record the gallons it takes to fill up(lets say 14 gallons). You can now subtract the first odometer reading from the second and divide the result by 14. This is your current MPG.

Reduce Your Vehicle’s Excess Weight

The heavier your car is the more the engine has to work to pull the excess load. Getting rid of all unnecessary weight in your vehicle when on trips will assist to increase your mileage in the long run.

Avoid Idling the Vehicle

Idling is sometimes necessary, like at stop lights, signs, etc, but you will want to avoid all other unnecessary idling wherever possible, like in drive through lines, waiting for friends, etc. If you expect that you will not be moving for an extended period of time , turn off the ignition.

Avoid Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving can have big effects on your cars gas mileage. Certain actions such as quick accelerations and hard breaking, and even jerky steering can have an effect on your car’s fuel efficiency, so don’t do it! Stay calm when you are driving and try to give yourself enough time to break gradually. Drive defensively not aggressively and you should be ok.

Keep Your Car Maintained

Keeping your car services and in good working order(as per manufacturers specifications) is another way to increase gas mileage. In addition to regular tune-ups you should ensure your tire pressure on all tires are as per dealer specifications. Tires which are low on air make your car work harder to accelerate which taxes your engine and therefore decreases your gas mileage. Always check your Owner’s Manual if you are unsure of your vehicle’s tire pressure requirements.

Change the Oil Regularly

Changing your oil regularly can help to improve your gas mileage. Choose the recommended grade of oil when doing this. Note: Motor oil which is advertised as Energy Conserving may be the ideal choice as it can reduce friction and assist to improve your fuel efficiency.

Replace the Air Filter Regularly

A clogged air filter can be a serious contributor to poor fuel efficiency. Clogging greatly reduces the oxygen to the engine as its using fuel. The decrease in oxygen can interfere with the correct fuel mixture which helps to reduce gas mileage. A clean air filter can also help to improve the performance of your engine.

The Right Octane

You will always want to stick with the manufacturer’s suggested gas octane rating when at the pump. If regular gas is recommended, then you will only be wasting more precious money purchasing a higher octane. Stick with what is recommended and you will be ok.

Aerodynamics

Decrease the drag on your vehicle and consequently increase your gas mileage by removing outside accessories, like ski and luggage racks if they are not required.

Other ways to increase gas mileage include keeping your air conditioning off whenever possible. This taxes the engine when on and consequently uses more gas when it is on.

Keep your windows closed whenever possible. This decreases the drag coefficient of the vehicle which reduces natural resistance.

Utilizing the tips offered above to increase your mileage will go along way to keep your vehicle driving at optimal efficiency while using the least amount of fuel necessary.

Mary Freeman is an accomplished Author who writes articles on Natural and Home Remedies. To access her remedy website, please visit http://www.eRemedySpot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Freeman http://EzineArticles.com/?Ways-To-Increase-Gas-Mileage-In-Your-Vehicle&id=1198883

By Naum Levinson

Trading the car in: what makes financial sense?

A lot of people are trading their cars in every 4-5 years. A car payment, stretched over  5-7 years, is not uncommon.

Unfortunately the situation known to dealers as "upside down," is not uncommon either.  It means, that the person owes for his/her car -  more than the car is worth.

If the person keeps trading cars every 4-5 years, there’s  still 2-3 years of payments left, and the financial situation is just getting worse…

How to avoid the situation like that?

A lot of financial experts agree that maintaining your present vehicle makes much more financial sense.  Contemporary vehicles are more reliable and, with proper maintenance, can serve reliably for 8  years or longer.  After the car is paid off, you can save about $2500 per year, including repairs, maintenance, license, registration, taxes and insurance.

That’s what we call "Return on Investment"….

If proper maintenance was done over the years, a repair bill from time to time is a "drop in the bucket," compare to the regular monthly payments for the car. If a car was paid off during the period of 5 years and has survived another 4 years, it’s  the savings of $10,000. Nice downpayment for the new vehicle, right?

Let me give you an example.  When I’ve purchased my 1994 Toyota Camry, the car was two years old and had 27,000 miles. Five years later, it was paid off. For four years I am enjoying not having payments on my car. Except for the regular maintenance, I didn’t have any unexpected breakdowns and car is still very reliable, taking me and my family where we want to go.

As you can see, I am preaching from my own experience. It’s not difficult and it can be done!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mr. Naum Levinson was born in Eastern Europe. He holds a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in automotive design. He has over 35 years of experience in vehicle research, development, maintenance, and repair.

On his website http://www.best-auto-repairs.com, he shares his life experience with readers, and stresses the point that the best repair is a preventive maintenance system.

His other interests are computers, travel, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. He lives with his family in La Mesa, California.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Naum_Levinson http://EzineArticles.com/?Trading-the-Car-in&id=130889

by Scott Siegel

There is some very bad advice out there in regards to improving your gas economy.  I recently saw an article from the Washington Post.  It talked about a strategy called hypermiling.  While some of the tips presented were useful and favorable ways to save gas, such as being easy on the gas pedal, others were just plain hazardous.

The post described this particular fuel saving methodology as hypermiling.  It described hypermilers as motorists who modify their driving to improve mileage and reduce emissions.  This description can describe many concerned drivers interested in conserving fuel and protecting the environment.  The difference between hypermilers and normal fuel conscious drivers is hypermilers are fanatics.

It seems any activity pushed to what one would consider fanaticism is dangerous and this is no different.  Some of the methods suggested by hypermilers can put you the driver, your passengers and other motorists in great peril.

For example here is one piece of advice offered by some hypermilers: TURN OFF YOUR CAR AND COAST.  This behavior is likened to hybrids that shut the gas engine off when the car is sitting still.  But with hybrids, the electric motor is how the vehicle starts and runs at slow speeds so the car is not really off, just running on a different system.

When you turn a conventional car off, the first thing that happens is your steering wheel locks.  You have absolutely no control of the car at that point.  The second thing is there is no power to the vehicle.  Not only can you not steer but you can’t power the car if you need to accelerate quickly if an emergency situation should arise.

Additionally the power brake system turns off.  In order to stop the car you have to literally push the brake pedal through the floor board.  No brakes is another extremely dangerous position to put you, your passengers and other drivers in.

Advice like this is irresponsible and can end up causing someone harm.  Another suggestion by Some hypermilers is to over-inflate your tires.  Again another dangerous suggestion.  Over inflating your car’s tires causes less tread to be in contact with the pavement.  The control of your vehicle is only through the contact your tires have with the road.  If you compromise that, you compromise your control and safety.

Additionally if you over inflate your tires they will wear faster.  That will result in you loosing tread and ultimately loosing more traction.  Monitoring your tire pressure is good advice.  Keeping them at the proper inflation does save fuel.  Over inflating is a safety hazard.

The basic premise of hypermilers is good.  Relearning how to drive in a responsible manner with fuel economy in mind is the best way to save gas.  While much of their advice can be called mainstream, such as slowing down, their fanaticism adds too much of a degree of danger.  Common sense driving, learning the correct way to drive fuel efficiently, is the best way to save gas.  After all, the best fuel saving device is you, the driver.

Scott Siegel is the author of a 143 page manual of industry insider information on saving gas and dollars at the pump (beatthegaspump.com). Visit us to discover how you can get better gas mileage. Find out how to improve gas mileage.

Independent tests conducted by engineers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory on a BMW Hydrogen 7 Mono-Fuel demonstration vehicle have found that the car’s hydrogen-powered engine surpasses the super-ultra low-emission vehicle (SULEV) level, the most stringent emissions performance standard to date.

"The BMW Hydrogen 7’s emissions were only a fraction of SULEV level, making it one of the lowest emitting combustion engine vehicles that have been manufactured," said Thomas Wallner, a mechanical engineer who leads Argonne’s hydrogen vehicle testing activities. "Moreover, the car’s engine actively cleans the air. Argonne’s testing shows that the Hydrogen 7’s 12-cylinder engine actually shows emissions levels that, for certain components, are cleaner than the ambient air that comes into the car’s engine."

It was not an easy task to measure the Hydrogen 7’s emissions. "A gross polluter is easy to measure, but the cleaner the car the harder it is to test," said Don Hillebrand, director of Argonne’s Center for Transportation Research. "Most labs test at the SULEV level. Argonne’s vehicle testing facilities are unique in that they are able to detect even trace levels of emissions. In this case, it was near-zero emissions."

After an extensive evaluation by BMW, "Argonne’s Advanced Powertrain Research Facility was found to be the only public test facility in North America capable of testing hydrogen vehicles at these low emissions levels," said BMW’s Wolfgang Thiel, manager, operating support emissions analysis. "Zero is a very small precise number — we are pushing the boundaries of emissions testing."

Technical and program information about the Hydrogen 7 tests will be presented by Wallner and BMW North America’s Jason P. Perron Wednesday, April 2 during the National Hydrogen Association Annual Hydrogen Conference, March 30-April 3, in Sacramento, Calif. Argonne will join BMW’s Christoph Huss, senior vice president, science, traffic and vehicles regulations, in a press conference to present the test results during the Society of Automotive Engineers 2008 World Congress, April 14-17, in Detroit.

BMW has put the hydrogen model into limited series production. Although the vehicle is not yet available for sale to the general public, it is being made available to "influential public figures," whose use demonstrate a new era in clean energy, BMW has said. In the meantime, the greatest challenge to widespread use of hydrogen cars is the limited number of hydrogen refueling stations.

Argonne’s transportation research program and facilities are primarily funded by DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, which supports the development of vehicle technologies and alternative fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on foreign oil, and enables the U.S. transportation industry to sustain a strong, competitive position in domestic and world markets.

Special thanks to Science Daily

I am pleased to be writing what will be the first of a long line of posts relating to anything and everything automotive.  The launch of this blog just happens to coincide with some very interesting industry news from ZENN Motor Company.  ZENN announced the fall 2009 launch of a fully electric, highway capable vehicle.

The car is reported to be able to accelerate to speeds of 125 KPH/ 80 MPH and can run for up to 400km (225 miles) without a recharge.  One of the most impressive features is that this vehicle will only take 5 minutes to recharge. It also boasts 1/10^th of the operating costs of the average gasoline powered internal combustion engine.  Best of all, the car is reported to be 100% emission and noise free.

ZENN currently produces low-speed (40KPM/25MPH) fully electric cars, not legal for use on highways. The cars are available for sale in some US States. Here is the press release in its entirety.