The 100 Year History Of The Hybrid CarBy: T J Madigan
The history of hybrid cars is immersed in controversy. Not so much for the product itself, but for the technology it uses. Is it old like the conception of wheel itself, or is it a recent idea, as recent as the embryonic stem cell technology? First of all, a hybrid car is a vehicle that uses on-board RESS, or rechargeable energy storage system. This is coupled with a fueled propulsion power source for the automobiles propulsion. The Hybrid car is a low-gas consuming vehicle, therefore, a low-polluting vehicle. The last characteristic is particularly important because of the growing consciousness of people worldwide on the need to protect the environment. History points to the clear differences between hybrid and all-electric cars. Electric cars use batteries charged by an external source. On this note, almost all hybrids, save for those considered as mild-hybrid, still need gasoline or diesel as their fuel source. Other fuels are also available in the form of ethanol or other plant based oils. Hybrid vehicles also use hydrogen gas occasionally.What is the history of hybrid cars?The history of hybrid cars is closely intertwined with the history of the automobile itself. In 1898, Ferdinand Porsche, a young Czechoslovakian, designed the Lohner-Porsche carriage, a series-hybrid vehicle that utilized a one-cylinder gasoline internal combustion engine. This engine spun a generator which powered four wheel-mounted electric motors. The car was eventually presented at the 1900 World Exhibition in Paris. The said automobile, capable of up to 56 km/h (35 mph) fast destroyed several Austrian speed records. In 1901, it won the Exelberg Rally, with Porsche himself driving the car. Mass production during this time was yet to be developed, but for Porsches future-looking design, 300 units of this model were sold to the public.The first Porsche model however, technically speaking as we know Porsch today, was a hand-built aluminum prototype, and was completed on June 8, 1948. The development of the first transistor-based electric car in 1959, the Henney Kilowatt, heralded a new development in the history of automobiles as a whole, and the history of hybrid cars in particular. This transistor-based electric car, paved the way for the electronic speed control. Ultimately, this made the road for the development of modern hybrid electric cars possible. The Henney Kilowatt was considered the first modern electric car. It was a product of collaborative work between the National Union Electric Company, Henney Coachworks, Renault, and the Eureka Williams Company. Whilst the sales of the Kilowatt during this time were far from encouraging, its development served as the prototype for the other automobiles down the line of hybrid cars. Between the 1960s and 1970s, another prototype of the earlier electric-hybrid vehicle was built by Victor Wouk. Wouk is among the scientists involved with the development of the Henney Kilowatt automobile. For this work, some historians bestowed upon him the honor being the Godfather of the Hybrid hybrid car. For his pioneering work, Wouk installed a sample electric-hybrid drivetrain into a 1972 Buick Skylark, courtesy GM for the 1970 Federal Clean Car Incentive Program. The program was later axed by the EPA in 1976. Hybrid enthusiast and supporters continued building hybrid automobiles. These models however, were not put into mass production. In the fading years of the twentieth century however, the history of hybrid cars has taken on a new course. 1978, the regenerative-braking hybrid, was developed by Electrical Engineer David Arthurs. The said regenerative-braking is to have become the core design concept of most hybrids, currently available in the market. The first attempt of Arthurs used off-the shelf components, including an Opel GT. But the voltage controller that links to the battery motor and the DC generator belonged to Arthurs. Fast forward in the 1990s The history of hybrid cars took the final step to modernity in terms of mass production during the Bill Clinton administration. Clinton initiated the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles program in September, 1993, that involved the Department of Energy, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, USCAR, and various governmental agencies. The partnership was tasked to engineer a modern efficient and clean vehicle. In 2001, this program was replaced George W. Bushs own hydrogen focused FreedomCAR initiative. The focus of the FreedomCAR initiative was to fund research that is considered high risk for the private sector to engage in. The long term purpose of which is the development and production of petroleum emission. The success of hybrid vehicles in terms of mass production however, became a reality, when the Japanese car manufacturer entered the American market. This is when the history of hybrid cars finally took its modern development. Honda Insight and Toyota Prius became the modern progenitor of modern day hybrid vehicle available today in the market.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Consumer Reports and Hybrid Cars
Why There Are Contradicting Consumer Reports About Hybrid CarsBy: T J Madigan
Hybrids are hot nowadays. The Hybrid car uses 2 engines; one uses the traditional fuel, while the other uses the energy from a rechargeable battery. There are a myriad of hybrid cars, to choose from. What then is or guarantee that we are protected from too much hype, instead of an honest advertising?One of the simplest ways is through consumer reports on hybrid cars. There is much information available about hybrid cars, especially about their features, engine specifications, designs, colors and other dizzying information. Information from the manufacturer's websites are also a good source of preliminary knowledge on hybrid cars. But one of the most interesting pieces of information, and one that gives an honest insight into the opinion or feelings about hybrid vehicles may be glimpsed in consumer reports on hybrid cars. Reliability of hybrid cars according to consumer reports"These hybrid systems have been very reliable," declares David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' auto test center. Mr. Champion noted that about 94 percent of Toyota Prius owners, would buy another Prius, and are very happy and satisfied, was asserted by the influential consumer survey. The center, collects individual consumer reports on hybrid cars, and uses the statistics to come up with a talk paper.Mr. Champion also refers to hybrids as "mainstream technology", particularly with the introduction of the Honda Accord hybrid. The Honda hybrid clinched the title of Consumer Reports Best Family Sedan. The Honda Accord hybrid, bested some 32 other models for the prestigious award.Critics, however, are not wanting. Some automobile experts and analysts have criticized the hybrid car powertrain, as flamboyant in that two engines are being used for one purpose. Consumer Reports on the other hand, disagreed. Champion explained that the electric motor adds the power, to the engine. Prior to the award being presented, Consumer Report conducts a testing, by applying some actual expectations of consumers to hybrid cars. The Accord hybrid for instance, achieved superior fuel efficiency unsurpassed by its conventional counterparts. But as in other endeavors, consumer reports on hybrid cars have another side. An alternative consumer view from the same center posited the question: "Considering a hybrid car? Don't rush out to the dealership just yet." The individuals went on to explain that they are not against the protection of environment. The center also asserts that they are supportive for burning less fossil fuel. Their concerns, accordingly, emanate from Financial experts arguments that hybrid drivers are paying too high a price for an automobile that offers only marginally better fuel efficiency than the other economy cars already on the road. Gabriel Shenhar, senior auto test engineer for Consumer Reports, said that if someone is "looking at your pocket, you're not gaining anything there anytime soon," Shenhar asserted that it is wiser, to wait until auto makers improve hybrids' powertrains and bring prices more comparable with regular models. The same Consumer Reports compared the 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid car, which averages 36 miles per gallon and is worth $21,000, with the 2003 Honda Civic EX, which averages 29 miles per gallon and is worth $18,500 a unit on the average. Interested to know the results? The tax break excluded, it would take a consumer 21 years in fuel savings to cover the expense for buying hybrid. And consumer reports on hybrid cars has more bad news. The people behind Edmunds.com expect that hybrids will depreciate faster than other counterpart traditional vehicles. They are also noting that the attempts of the car manufacturers on improving the hybrid powertrain so fast will fail to convince consumers to buy this relatively new technology. The consumer reports on hybrid cars, however, particularly that of Edmunds.com, are waiting for the new hybrid SUVs, the Ford Escape and the Lexus RX Hybrid. If these new hybrids will eventually reach the price level, of other lightweight trucks, and will offer far better fuel savings, the more the better. If both are achieved, says Edmunds.com's automotive expert Ed Hellwig, there's no reason why people will not rush to their dealer and buy one. These are only a few of the pieces of literature that deal with consumer reports on hybrid cars. It does, ultimately, depend on the consumer, to find and research as much information as possible regarding hybrid cars.
Hybrids are hot nowadays. The Hybrid car uses 2 engines; one uses the traditional fuel, while the other uses the energy from a rechargeable battery. There are a myriad of hybrid cars, to choose from. What then is or guarantee that we are protected from too much hype, instead of an honest advertising?One of the simplest ways is through consumer reports on hybrid cars. There is much information available about hybrid cars, especially about their features, engine specifications, designs, colors and other dizzying information. Information from the manufacturer's websites are also a good source of preliminary knowledge on hybrid cars. But one of the most interesting pieces of information, and one that gives an honest insight into the opinion or feelings about hybrid vehicles may be glimpsed in consumer reports on hybrid cars. Reliability of hybrid cars according to consumer reports"These hybrid systems have been very reliable," declares David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' auto test center. Mr. Champion noted that about 94 percent of Toyota Prius owners, would buy another Prius, and are very happy and satisfied, was asserted by the influential consumer survey. The center, collects individual consumer reports on hybrid cars, and uses the statistics to come up with a talk paper.Mr. Champion also refers to hybrids as "mainstream technology", particularly with the introduction of the Honda Accord hybrid. The Honda hybrid clinched the title of Consumer Reports Best Family Sedan. The Honda Accord hybrid, bested some 32 other models for the prestigious award.Critics, however, are not wanting. Some automobile experts and analysts have criticized the hybrid car powertrain, as flamboyant in that two engines are being used for one purpose. Consumer Reports on the other hand, disagreed. Champion explained that the electric motor adds the power, to the engine. Prior to the award being presented, Consumer Report conducts a testing, by applying some actual expectations of consumers to hybrid cars. The Accord hybrid for instance, achieved superior fuel efficiency unsurpassed by its conventional counterparts. But as in other endeavors, consumer reports on hybrid cars have another side. An alternative consumer view from the same center posited the question: "Considering a hybrid car? Don't rush out to the dealership just yet." The individuals went on to explain that they are not against the protection of environment. The center also asserts that they are supportive for burning less fossil fuel. Their concerns, accordingly, emanate from Financial experts arguments that hybrid drivers are paying too high a price for an automobile that offers only marginally better fuel efficiency than the other economy cars already on the road. Gabriel Shenhar, senior auto test engineer for Consumer Reports, said that if someone is "looking at your pocket, you're not gaining anything there anytime soon," Shenhar asserted that it is wiser, to wait until auto makers improve hybrids' powertrains and bring prices more comparable with regular models. The same Consumer Reports compared the 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid car, which averages 36 miles per gallon and is worth $21,000, with the 2003 Honda Civic EX, which averages 29 miles per gallon and is worth $18,500 a unit on the average. Interested to know the results? The tax break excluded, it would take a consumer 21 years in fuel savings to cover the expense for buying hybrid. And consumer reports on hybrid cars has more bad news. The people behind Edmunds.com expect that hybrids will depreciate faster than other counterpart traditional vehicles. They are also noting that the attempts of the car manufacturers on improving the hybrid powertrain so fast will fail to convince consumers to buy this relatively new technology. The consumer reports on hybrid cars, however, particularly that of Edmunds.com, are waiting for the new hybrid SUVs, the Ford Escape and the Lexus RX Hybrid. If these new hybrids will eventually reach the price level, of other lightweight trucks, and will offer far better fuel savings, the more the better. If both are achieved, says Edmunds.com's automotive expert Ed Hellwig, there's no reason why people will not rush to their dealer and buy one. These are only a few of the pieces of literature that deal with consumer reports on hybrid cars. It does, ultimately, depend on the consumer, to find and research as much information as possible regarding hybrid cars.
Generic Gas
Generic Gas Can you save you money and not harm your car!By: Scott Siegel
As the price of fuel goes up and up more drivers are thinking about using generic gas from stations that are not affiliated with the big international gas companies like Exxon or Shell. The question is, can you get the same quality of gas from ABC gas station as you can get from the big guys? Will the XYZ gas run your car with out causing damage to your engine?The answer simply is, there is not much of a significant difference between the generic gas and the more expensive gas except for some additives which each company has added to it's gas. To really understand how this is possible a short look at how the gas refining system treats gas makes the picture easy to see.By and large gas produced at refineries is a generic product. An example often used to illustrate this is California because it has a standard different from most other states. In California all gas sold has to meet specific environmental specifications. Because of that all gas in California terminals are produced to the same specifications. Since all the gas is the same, gas refiners often share and exchange gasoline and store it at shared terminals in common tanks.The gasoline that is produced at one refinery is not really different than another refinery. They all produce what one would call generic gas. It is the chemicals that are added to the generic gas that makes one brand different from another. Each brand has it's own formula of additives.This adding of the brand additives usually takes place when the gas is being put into the tanker truck for distribution. In essence all the companies are starting with the same generic gas as their main component. You can now see why generic gas is really the same as the branded gas.Just to be safe, there have been studies to see if there is a difference between generic fuel and branded fuel. The latest research was a cooperative study was done by the Maryland State Comptroller's office and ABC News.The Maryland Fuel Testing Laboratory was where a battery of tests were conducted. The gas was checked for contaminants like excessive sediments or diesel accidentally mixed with the gas. They ran the gas through an elaborate test engine to ensure that the gas was all the same 87 octane level. They even made sure that the gas was formulated correctly for the season.The study results are good news for you. The study found that for the most part all gas was one and the same. The major difference between brands of gasoline is how much detergent additives are put into it. Even taking into consideration the additives the differences between them are very small.So basically gas is gas and all the gas sold in stations whether it is from a branded station or a generic station will work just fine in your car. The biggest difference it turns out is only price.$100 to $200 per year is the estimate that is used in gauging how much you can save by using generic gas. Go to the generic station the next time you fill up and save yourself some cash.
As the price of fuel goes up and up more drivers are thinking about using generic gas from stations that are not affiliated with the big international gas companies like Exxon or Shell. The question is, can you get the same quality of gas from ABC gas station as you can get from the big guys? Will the XYZ gas run your car with out causing damage to your engine?The answer simply is, there is not much of a significant difference between the generic gas and the more expensive gas except for some additives which each company has added to it's gas. To really understand how this is possible a short look at how the gas refining system treats gas makes the picture easy to see.By and large gas produced at refineries is a generic product. An example often used to illustrate this is California because it has a standard different from most other states. In California all gas sold has to meet specific environmental specifications. Because of that all gas in California terminals are produced to the same specifications. Since all the gas is the same, gas refiners often share and exchange gasoline and store it at shared terminals in common tanks.The gasoline that is produced at one refinery is not really different than another refinery. They all produce what one would call generic gas. It is the chemicals that are added to the generic gas that makes one brand different from another. Each brand has it's own formula of additives.This adding of the brand additives usually takes place when the gas is being put into the tanker truck for distribution. In essence all the companies are starting with the same generic gas as their main component. You can now see why generic gas is really the same as the branded gas.Just to be safe, there have been studies to see if there is a difference between generic fuel and branded fuel. The latest research was a cooperative study was done by the Maryland State Comptroller's office and ABC News.The Maryland Fuel Testing Laboratory was where a battery of tests were conducted. The gas was checked for contaminants like excessive sediments or diesel accidentally mixed with the gas. They ran the gas through an elaborate test engine to ensure that the gas was all the same 87 octane level. They even made sure that the gas was formulated correctly for the season.The study results are good news for you. The study found that for the most part all gas was one and the same. The major difference between brands of gasoline is how much detergent additives are put into it. Even taking into consideration the additives the differences between them are very small.So basically gas is gas and all the gas sold in stations whether it is from a branded station or a generic station will work just fine in your car. The biggest difference it turns out is only price.$100 to $200 per year is the estimate that is used in gauging how much you can save by using generic gas. Go to the generic station the next time you fill up and save yourself some cash.
Saving Gas and Money
How to Save Gas and Save Money With a Few Simple ChecksBy: Scott Siegel
You may not know that your car may not be running as efficiently as it should. If your car is not running at its optimum then you are loosing fuel economy and money. If you invest just a few minutes a month you can prevent that loss.A few simple things to look for on a regular basis may prevent problems with your car can affect your gas mileage. In addition to saving gas by keeping your car running at its best, you might also be preventing costly repair bills in the future.Even more importantly you will insure that your car is as safe as it can be. You can prevent problems that could lead to critical failures that might result in an accidents causing injury.Most maintenance should be left to the professionals. However, once a month you should perform the following checks to help identify and head off problems that can cost you fuel and money down the road:1. First check your tires. Check for any objects that may have become embedded in the tire causing air leaks. Look for signs of uneven or excessive wear and check the pressure. Keep your tires at the recommended pressure as listed in your owners manual.2. Check for fluid leaks. Look around the car and especially under the car around the engine. If you see fluid then you should attempt to identify it. One way is by its color. Coolant is a bright yellowish green color, Transmission fluid is usually pink, Oil is black and brake fluids and power steering fluids are generally clear, with a slight tinge of brown . These fluids are all oily to the touch.3. Check the level of your fluids. This would entail the engine oil, the engine coolant, the transmission fluid and the power steering fluid. Make sure you top off any that are low. Check with the owner's manual to make sure you are doing this properly.4. Check under the hood for cracked or leaking radiator hoses and cracked or split spark plug wires. Also check for loose clamps and check the battery for any visible signs of corrosion.5. Check the brakes. Identifying brake problems can be done with this procedure. Find a flat and straight road that is traffic-free. Put your hands very lightly on the steering wheel. At a slow speed, put on the brakes gradually. If the car swerves to either to the right or to the left, it is an indication that your brakes need work. It could indicate uneven wear or that your brakes simply need adjustment. Don't wait, get this taken care of as soon as possible.6. Use a similar test to check for problems with wheel alignment. On a straight, flat and traffic-free stretch of road, rest your hands lightly on the steering wheel and drive at an even speed. If the vehicle pulls to one side, the wheels may be misaligned.These are just a few basic checks you can perform on your car monthly. By doing this you will keep your car running at its peak performance. If your car is running at its best, it will save you gas, money and will keep you safe!
You may not know that your car may not be running as efficiently as it should. If your car is not running at its optimum then you are loosing fuel economy and money. If you invest just a few minutes a month you can prevent that loss.A few simple things to look for on a regular basis may prevent problems with your car can affect your gas mileage. In addition to saving gas by keeping your car running at its best, you might also be preventing costly repair bills in the future.Even more importantly you will insure that your car is as safe as it can be. You can prevent problems that could lead to critical failures that might result in an accidents causing injury.Most maintenance should be left to the professionals. However, once a month you should perform the following checks to help identify and head off problems that can cost you fuel and money down the road:1. First check your tires. Check for any objects that may have become embedded in the tire causing air leaks. Look for signs of uneven or excessive wear and check the pressure. Keep your tires at the recommended pressure as listed in your owners manual.2. Check for fluid leaks. Look around the car and especially under the car around the engine. If you see fluid then you should attempt to identify it. One way is by its color. Coolant is a bright yellowish green color, Transmission fluid is usually pink, Oil is black and brake fluids and power steering fluids are generally clear, with a slight tinge of brown . These fluids are all oily to the touch.3. Check the level of your fluids. This would entail the engine oil, the engine coolant, the transmission fluid and the power steering fluid. Make sure you top off any that are low. Check with the owner's manual to make sure you are doing this properly.4. Check under the hood for cracked or leaking radiator hoses and cracked or split spark plug wires. Also check for loose clamps and check the battery for any visible signs of corrosion.5. Check the brakes. Identifying brake problems can be done with this procedure. Find a flat and straight road that is traffic-free. Put your hands very lightly on the steering wheel. At a slow speed, put on the brakes gradually. If the car swerves to either to the right or to the left, it is an indication that your brakes need work. It could indicate uneven wear or that your brakes simply need adjustment. Don't wait, get this taken care of as soon as possible.6. Use a similar test to check for problems with wheel alignment. On a straight, flat and traffic-free stretch of road, rest your hands lightly on the steering wheel and drive at an even speed. If the vehicle pulls to one side, the wheels may be misaligned.These are just a few basic checks you can perform on your car monthly. By doing this you will keep your car running at its peak performance. If your car is running at its best, it will save you gas, money and will keep you safe!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Oil Helps Save Gas
Take Care of Your Oil If You Want To Save Gas!By: Scott Siegel
A car that is performing at it's peak will get the optimum fuel economy. If conditions of the engine deteriorate, it will loose peak performance which will then cause you to use more gas and spend more money. Oil is critical in preventing engine deterioration. Good fuel economy and proper management of the oil in your engine go hand in hand.A priority in your car maintenance needs to be scheduled oil changes. Changing the oil according to the car makers recommendations is essential to keeping your car at its peak and keeping your gas economy at its best.Oil lubricates the moving parts of the engine, preventing metal-to-metal contact, minimizing friction and carrying away excess heat - all of which promote better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.The oil in your engine also removes metal shavings, dirt and other impurities which are then captured in the oil filter. Neglecting your cars oil can create other problems above and beyond the effects on fuel economy. Improper oil maintenance could lead to replacing the engine itself. Keeping a record of when you last had the oil changed will ultimately help you save gas.The interval between oil changes is very important. It is important to following the car makers maintenance schedule. If the manual says to change the oil every three months do it. If the manual says to change the oil every three thousand miles do it. When oil is left in an engine too long, it becomes saturated with the very dirt and impurities it is supposed to remove. Once the oil is saturated it will be less efficient in doing its job. Your car's performance will decline and your fuel economy will get worse.Make sure that you are using the right grade of oil that is required by your car or truck. By using the lowest multi grade of oil recommended in your owner's manual, you can improve the fuel efficiency of the engine, particularly when starting it cold.Using the right grade of oil ensures that your car will run as smoothly as it should in all types of weather. Oil that is too heavy forces the engine to work harder to overcome the oil's resistance. If the engine works harder it uses more gas. You can improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil and not a higher grade.As an illustration: using 10W-20 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage. Use only the oil recommended in the owner's manual for the best engine efficiency and the best fuel efficiency.Many drivers make the mistake of procrastinating in getting the oil changed. The more a driver puts off changing the oil the worse the fuel economy will be. Using the proper grade and changing the oil on time will help you get better gas economy.
A car that is performing at it's peak will get the optimum fuel economy. If conditions of the engine deteriorate, it will loose peak performance which will then cause you to use more gas and spend more money. Oil is critical in preventing engine deterioration. Good fuel economy and proper management of the oil in your engine go hand in hand.A priority in your car maintenance needs to be scheduled oil changes. Changing the oil according to the car makers recommendations is essential to keeping your car at its peak and keeping your gas economy at its best.Oil lubricates the moving parts of the engine, preventing metal-to-metal contact, minimizing friction and carrying away excess heat - all of which promote better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.The oil in your engine also removes metal shavings, dirt and other impurities which are then captured in the oil filter. Neglecting your cars oil can create other problems above and beyond the effects on fuel economy. Improper oil maintenance could lead to replacing the engine itself. Keeping a record of when you last had the oil changed will ultimately help you save gas.The interval between oil changes is very important. It is important to following the car makers maintenance schedule. If the manual says to change the oil every three months do it. If the manual says to change the oil every three thousand miles do it. When oil is left in an engine too long, it becomes saturated with the very dirt and impurities it is supposed to remove. Once the oil is saturated it will be less efficient in doing its job. Your car's performance will decline and your fuel economy will get worse.Make sure that you are using the right grade of oil that is required by your car or truck. By using the lowest multi grade of oil recommended in your owner's manual, you can improve the fuel efficiency of the engine, particularly when starting it cold.Using the right grade of oil ensures that your car will run as smoothly as it should in all types of weather. Oil that is too heavy forces the engine to work harder to overcome the oil's resistance. If the engine works harder it uses more gas. You can improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil and not a higher grade.As an illustration: using 10W-20 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage. Use only the oil recommended in the owner's manual for the best engine efficiency and the best fuel efficiency.Many drivers make the mistake of procrastinating in getting the oil changed. The more a driver puts off changing the oil the worse the fuel economy will be. Using the proper grade and changing the oil on time will help you get better gas economy.
High or Low Profile Tires
How To Decide Whether To Go With High Or Low Profile TiresBy: Gregg Hall
Today there are many and many questions about certain types of tire and what kind are the best for your automobile. Most people want there cars to have a nice and elegant sporty look to them and when people think of that, they think of low profile tires. But many people don't know what low profile means and they might not always be the best choice for your car. There are many more things to choosing tires for your car than the looks of the tires. They might look better than their brother, the high profile tire but are they safer. Low profile tires are wider and lower to the ground than high profile tires. But when your diving down a highway at 75 mph looks don't really matter what matters is how safe and durable your tires are. The only thing that is holding your car on the road are four rubber tires. Having good tires might be a good and safer idea when traveling down the highway at a high rate of speed. The main thing of your concern when choosing a tire is how much grip it has to automobile and the road . High profile tires have a longer contact path between the road and you car, as with low profile tire they have a shorter contact path between the road and your car. How does this and what does this mean for you and your car you are traveling in. When choosing which type of tire to choose it is important to think of these things. Your car will drive differently on roads with these types of tires. Automobile that have a wider tire are more concern on force. When higher tires have a disadvantage of not deflecting side loads and the car has worse turning around curves. The other disadvantage besides concerning force is that rubber takes up most of the space of the diameter of the tire and rim. This means you can have a bigger tire on your automobile. This means a lot for you if you're a driver of the automobile. Bigger tires and wheels mean you need bigger and better breaks. Bigger and better breaks mean better stopping power, which is better and safer for your automobile. There are disadvantages to having these types of tires and wheels to. If a automobile has a design with a narrow tire, that means the car won't be stable or safe with low profile tires on the car. Wider tires on cars with short sidewalls have a rougher ride on bumps in the road. A rough ride isn't just bad for you and your passengers but is also bad for your car and your tires.The last thing I have to say is that if you want something to improve your automobiles handling and turning on roads then there is no reason to switch to low profile tiles. Many people now days drive on straight roads and don't need the extra things that low profile tires provide for roads that a very swerve. But if you live some where like Ireland or Europe where there is a lot of turns and twists then low profile tires are might what you want for your automobile.
Today there are many and many questions about certain types of tire and what kind are the best for your automobile. Most people want there cars to have a nice and elegant sporty look to them and when people think of that, they think of low profile tires. But many people don't know what low profile means and they might not always be the best choice for your car. There are many more things to choosing tires for your car than the looks of the tires. They might look better than their brother, the high profile tire but are they safer. Low profile tires are wider and lower to the ground than high profile tires. But when your diving down a highway at 75 mph looks don't really matter what matters is how safe and durable your tires are. The only thing that is holding your car on the road are four rubber tires. Having good tires might be a good and safer idea when traveling down the highway at a high rate of speed. The main thing of your concern when choosing a tire is how much grip it has to automobile and the road . High profile tires have a longer contact path between the road and you car, as with low profile tire they have a shorter contact path between the road and your car. How does this and what does this mean for you and your car you are traveling in. When choosing which type of tire to choose it is important to think of these things. Your car will drive differently on roads with these types of tires. Automobile that have a wider tire are more concern on force. When higher tires have a disadvantage of not deflecting side loads and the car has worse turning around curves. The other disadvantage besides concerning force is that rubber takes up most of the space of the diameter of the tire and rim. This means you can have a bigger tire on your automobile. This means a lot for you if you're a driver of the automobile. Bigger tires and wheels mean you need bigger and better breaks. Bigger and better breaks mean better stopping power, which is better and safer for your automobile. There are disadvantages to having these types of tires and wheels to. If a automobile has a design with a narrow tire, that means the car won't be stable or safe with low profile tires on the car. Wider tires on cars with short sidewalls have a rougher ride on bumps in the road. A rough ride isn't just bad for you and your passengers but is also bad for your car and your tires.The last thing I have to say is that if you want something to improve your automobiles handling and turning on roads then there is no reason to switch to low profile tiles. Many people now days drive on straight roads and don't need the extra things that low profile tires provide for roads that a very swerve. But if you live some where like Ireland or Europe where there is a lot of turns and twists then low profile tires are might what you want for your automobile.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Tesla Electric Sportscar
Tesla's wild ride
Building the world's first electric supercar was never going to be easy - even without the hubris, infighting, and mismanagement that nearly sent Tesla spinning off the road.
By Michael V. Copeland, senior writer
Last Updated: July 9, 2008: 5:07 PM EDT
Elon Musk backed Tesla to the tune of $55 million - but his micromanaging has alienated some staffers.
Martin Eberhard, pictured in 2007 before his falling out with Musk, now says 'I have no problem with Tesla the company. I do have a problem with Elon and the way he treats people.'
Musk, pictured in a vehicle electronics simulator referred to as the 'E Buck' in the shop, demanded that Tesla engineers push the car's top speed to 125 MPH.
For Martin Eberhard, there were many obstacles on the path to building the ultimate electric sports car. There was the scientific challenge of creating a lithium ion battery pack stable enough to power a 2,650-pound vehicle. There was the belief that Americans would stick with their gas-guzzlers, no matter what the price of oil. And there was, of course, the considerable resistance in the venture capital community to funding heavy industry.
But for Eberhard, the ultimate indignity came in early June of this year. Just days before he was finally supposed to take possession of his Tesla Roadster, a gray beauty with orange racing stripes that he had devoted the past five years of his life to building, a technician who had been driving it on the 101 freeway relayed some bad news.
The most advanced car on the planet had rear-ended a truck.
Instead of sweeping triumphantly into Eberhard's driveway, the Roadster was towed back to Tesla headquarters south of San Francisco where, under the exacting eye of the company's chairman and financial backer, Elon Musk, it would be rehabilitated.
Even with its carbon-fiber front end shattered, the car was something to behold. Eberhard had named the car for Nikola Tesla, an eccentric late-19th- and early-20th-century inventor whose name has become a byword for genius tethered to otherworldly ambition. (His legacy ranges from the AC power systems we still use today to plans for a "death ray" that would help armies fight wars with electricity.)
The Tesla itself - 400 volts of electric potential wrapped in a carbon-fiber body - is as far-out as its namesake, styled like the cars you used to see only in cartoons but charged by a high-powered outlet in your garage. Stomp the accelerator, and thick cables connecting the liquid-cooled lithium ion battery pack to a printed circuit board send all that current into a series of silicon transistors the size of your little fingernail. They are capable of switching as much as 850 amps, which drive the AC motor as high as 14,000 rpm and send the rear-wheel-drive Roadster screeching off the line, with a range of 220 miles on a single charge. Acceleration is so fast (0 to 60 in 3.9 seconds) that you get pushed back in your seat for as long as you dare to keep your foot on the aluminum pedal.
That the Tesla exists at all is a small miracle. For car geeks it has long seemed that electric vehicles are the car of the future - and always will be. First tinkered with in the 1800s, the electric vehicle (or EV) had its fate sealed with the invention by 1900 of the internal-combustion engine, which was cheaper and could travel much farther than any battery-powered model. There was another flurry of EV development during the energy crisis of the 1970s, and again in the early '90s because of a series of regulatory guidelines governing emissions. But by the late '90s, California had defanged the electric-vehicle portion of its zero-emissions mandate and soon after, GM (GM, Fortune 500), Toyota (TM), Honda (HMC), and Ford (F, Fortune 500) all shut down their EV programs. The most dramatic end would come for GM's EV1, when the Detroit automaker famously ripped the cars away from ecstatic owners and sent them to the crusher, as detailed in the film Who Killed the Electric Car?
That backdrop makes the story of the Tesla all the more remarkable. The car was conceived by Eberhard, an engineer, serial entrepreneur, and inventor (his name is on battery-cooling, electric motor, and power electronics patents filed by Tesla Motors). He was convinced that if he could outfit an existing sports car chassis with loads of laptop batteries, it would be feasible to build and he'd find plenty of buyers among the speed-loving, planet-conscious Silicon Valley set and beyond. But given that he had zero experience in the auto world and that gas was at a relatively cheap $1.50 a gallon, Eberhard, 48, couldn't find a VC firm willing to give him enough to build the car. Which is how he came to Elon Musk.
The 37-year-old Musk had co-founded PayPal, was forced out of the online-payment company, but cashed in when it was sold to eBay (EBAY, Fortune 500), giving him more than enough money to launch SpaceX, a private rocket company that aims to start shuttling people to the International Space Station by 2011. Big ideas, in other words, are Musk's specialty. After a two-hour meeting in February 2004, Musk agreed to plow $6.3 million into Tesla. He would become the company's chairman; Eberhard would be CEO.
In one sense, the duo's timing couldn't have been better. Tesla has begun delivering cars just as gas prices and fears about global warming have shot to all-time highs. All those automakers that shelved plans have since restarted them. Nissan (NSANY), Mitsubishi, Daimler, Subaru, and boutique firms like Fisker Automotive are furiously working on new models - some all-electric, others range-extended EVs - but won't get to market till 2009-13. GM's Bob Lutz even credited his company's relaunch to Tesla. "If some Silicon Valley startup can solve this equation," he told Newsweek, "no one is going to tell me anymore that it's unfeasible."
Building the world's first electric supercar was never going to be easy - even without the hubris, infighting, and mismanagement that nearly sent Tesla spinning off the road.
By Michael V. Copeland, senior writer
Last Updated: July 9, 2008: 5:07 PM EDT
Elon Musk backed Tesla to the tune of $55 million - but his micromanaging has alienated some staffers.
Martin Eberhard, pictured in 2007 before his falling out with Musk, now says 'I have no problem with Tesla the company. I do have a problem with Elon and the way he treats people.'
Musk, pictured in a vehicle electronics simulator referred to as the 'E Buck' in the shop, demanded that Tesla engineers push the car's top speed to 125 MPH.
For Martin Eberhard, there were many obstacles on the path to building the ultimate electric sports car. There was the scientific challenge of creating a lithium ion battery pack stable enough to power a 2,650-pound vehicle. There was the belief that Americans would stick with their gas-guzzlers, no matter what the price of oil. And there was, of course, the considerable resistance in the venture capital community to funding heavy industry.
But for Eberhard, the ultimate indignity came in early June of this year. Just days before he was finally supposed to take possession of his Tesla Roadster, a gray beauty with orange racing stripes that he had devoted the past five years of his life to building, a technician who had been driving it on the 101 freeway relayed some bad news.
The most advanced car on the planet had rear-ended a truck.
Instead of sweeping triumphantly into Eberhard's driveway, the Roadster was towed back to Tesla headquarters south of San Francisco where, under the exacting eye of the company's chairman and financial backer, Elon Musk, it would be rehabilitated.
Even with its carbon-fiber front end shattered, the car was something to behold. Eberhard had named the car for Nikola Tesla, an eccentric late-19th- and early-20th-century inventor whose name has become a byword for genius tethered to otherworldly ambition. (His legacy ranges from the AC power systems we still use today to plans for a "death ray" that would help armies fight wars with electricity.)
The Tesla itself - 400 volts of electric potential wrapped in a carbon-fiber body - is as far-out as its namesake, styled like the cars you used to see only in cartoons but charged by a high-powered outlet in your garage. Stomp the accelerator, and thick cables connecting the liquid-cooled lithium ion battery pack to a printed circuit board send all that current into a series of silicon transistors the size of your little fingernail. They are capable of switching as much as 850 amps, which drive the AC motor as high as 14,000 rpm and send the rear-wheel-drive Roadster screeching off the line, with a range of 220 miles on a single charge. Acceleration is so fast (0 to 60 in 3.9 seconds) that you get pushed back in your seat for as long as you dare to keep your foot on the aluminum pedal.
That the Tesla exists at all is a small miracle. For car geeks it has long seemed that electric vehicles are the car of the future - and always will be. First tinkered with in the 1800s, the electric vehicle (or EV) had its fate sealed with the invention by 1900 of the internal-combustion engine, which was cheaper and could travel much farther than any battery-powered model. There was another flurry of EV development during the energy crisis of the 1970s, and again in the early '90s because of a series of regulatory guidelines governing emissions. But by the late '90s, California had defanged the electric-vehicle portion of its zero-emissions mandate and soon after, GM (GM, Fortune 500), Toyota (TM), Honda (HMC), and Ford (F, Fortune 500) all shut down their EV programs. The most dramatic end would come for GM's EV1, when the Detroit automaker famously ripped the cars away from ecstatic owners and sent them to the crusher, as detailed in the film Who Killed the Electric Car?
That backdrop makes the story of the Tesla all the more remarkable. The car was conceived by Eberhard, an engineer, serial entrepreneur, and inventor (his name is on battery-cooling, electric motor, and power electronics patents filed by Tesla Motors). He was convinced that if he could outfit an existing sports car chassis with loads of laptop batteries, it would be feasible to build and he'd find plenty of buyers among the speed-loving, planet-conscious Silicon Valley set and beyond. But given that he had zero experience in the auto world and that gas was at a relatively cheap $1.50 a gallon, Eberhard, 48, couldn't find a VC firm willing to give him enough to build the car. Which is how he came to Elon Musk.
The 37-year-old Musk had co-founded PayPal, was forced out of the online-payment company, but cashed in when it was sold to eBay (EBAY, Fortune 500), giving him more than enough money to launch SpaceX, a private rocket company that aims to start shuttling people to the International Space Station by 2011. Big ideas, in other words, are Musk's specialty. After a two-hour meeting in February 2004, Musk agreed to plow $6.3 million into Tesla. He would become the company's chairman; Eberhard would be CEO.
In one sense, the duo's timing couldn't have been better. Tesla has begun delivering cars just as gas prices and fears about global warming have shot to all-time highs. All those automakers that shelved plans have since restarted them. Nissan (NSANY), Mitsubishi, Daimler, Subaru, and boutique firms like Fisker Automotive are furiously working on new models - some all-electric, others range-extended EVs - but won't get to market till 2009-13. GM's Bob Lutz even credited his company's relaunch to Tesla. "If some Silicon Valley startup can solve this equation," he told Newsweek, "no one is going to tell me anymore that it's unfeasible."
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