2006 Volvo C70 Coupe / Convertible

It was the introduction of the C70 in 1997 that cracked the conservative, stodgy mold of Volvo's character. If there were any pieces of that mold clinging after almost a decade of fresh product releases, the 2006 Volvo C70 has left them in its dust.

Base priced, including destination charge, at $39,405 with the six-speed manual transmission and $40,655 with the five-speed automatic, the new-generation midsize C70 will make its appearance in showrooms this spring. This four-seater coupe/convertible cranks up charisma with a slick new form highlighted by a retractable hardtop that allows it to change personality in seconds. The C70's edge is its "two-cars-in-one" appeal, offering the advantages of both a sleek, precise-fit hardtop and open-air convertible.

With a touch of the button the three-piece top begins its show, splitting apart to fold into the trunk, than out again - operations accomplished in about 30 seconds in each direction. With out the top up, the trunk provides a relatively spacious 12.8-cubic-foot storage capacity. When the top makes its home in the trunk, storage is reduced to 6 cubic feet.

Body styling is clean and sophisticated, a bit understated and definitely recognizable as a Volvo - featuring traditional cues such as a short front overhang, subtly rounded corners and strong shoulders.

In terms of exterior dimensions, the 2006 model is about the same width, but 5.4 inches shorter in length and with a 1-inch shorter wheelbase. It sits lower and has a slightly shorter nose that Volvo touts creates a more powerful and athletic look.

In sync with its more muscular appearance is a potent powertrain and a balanced performance character, making the C70 exciting to drive. Power is sent to the front wheels via a T5 2.5 liter inline-five-cylinder engine. Boosted by a light pressure turbo, this powerplant delivers 218 horsepower and 236 foot-pounds of torque. With the manual transmission, its 0-60-mph time is 7.6 seconds.

Well-planted wheels, Dynamic Stability and Traction control, and on-center steering contribute to high-speed agility. Traction comes via 235/45/17 tires wrapping aluminum wheels with forked spokes. Eighteen-inch wheels and 235/40/18-V Rated tires are a $995 option.

The T5 is offered with a choice the two aforementioned transmission mates - a six-speed manual and a five-speed automatic with "Auto-Stick" manual shifting mode. Shifting the real manual is a slippery operation, great for those liking sophistication over notchy, traditional sports car feedback. The auto transmission slips into manual mode with a right tap of the lever into a vertical slot. Moving the lever forward upshits and backward downshifts. Driving the C70 on twisty roads and hilly terrain, the "Auto-Stick" feature was greatly appreciated.

The leather-grip shift lever is planted in the lower slop of a trim, refined-looking brushed-aluminum-accented center control panel. The steering wheel is leather covered, with an attractive aluminum strip lining the underside of the upper arc. The steering grip, enhanced by bulges, has a substantial feel.

Leather seats are an option that comes as part of a $1,395 Premium Package. Eight-way power adjustability on driver and front-passenger seats is standard. The front buckets are aggressively bolstered and supportive to provide comfort for long-term driving. Headrests are large, padded and contoured for excellent support.
Safety has always been the key feature for Volvo cars and the Volvo C70 is no different. Rollover protection system, Whiplash Protection System, front, door, rear side bags with Side Impact Protection System are all safety enhanced systems for the C70.

2006 Dodge Magnum RT Review

The new Magnum is a great looking car that will get your neighbors talking as you rumble around the block. The unique styling of the Magnum will also attract muscle car group in the form of 18-22 year old guys pointing for their friends to “check that out”. And a few people will approach you as you are filling up the gas tank to ask, “Does it really have a Hemi?”, with only a vague notion that it somehow makes the car better.

The Magnum is offered with many different engine sizes (either a 6-cylinder or 8-cylinder) with your choice of horsepower output of 190, 250, 340 and 425. The price of the vehicle also corresponds with the engine size starting at $30,345 to the expensive STR-8 model for $37,320. A big part of the mystique around this car is the Hemi engine. The Hemi is short for hemispherical combustion chamber, which creates more efficient fuel burning and allows larger valves for better airflow. Basically, it produces more power than an engine with its displacement would normally produce. (There are also drawbacks to the Hemi, which is why it isn’t the only engine that Chrysler produces).

The interior of the car looks much more expensive than you’d expect for the price of the Magnum. Since Mercedes bought Chrysler, the Dodge vehicles I’ve sampled have had a sharp improvement in interior quality. While on the road, the car is very solid and the seats are comfortable even on long highway runs.

As much as I like the looks, after driving it a while I really have to question the design concept that the Magnum offers. It is a station wagon built to transport a lot of people and a lot of stuff. But mating this with a powerful engine with the taught racing-like suspension is uncomfortable for both. It is like having a Corvette tow a small trailer, and you are in the trailer and the Corvette driver is 15 years-old, pushing the car to its limits. (Only an actual Corvette has a much more comfortable suspension than the Magnum). Even driving on smooth roads, the steering is very darty and difficult to control. And with a large car, all that weaving and road feedback is exaggerated for the passengers and everything you’ve stored in the back.

I like having a navigation system, but figuring out how to use it with the steering wheel controls made me frequently refer to the user’s manual. In spite of the high horsepower and low-end torque I played with when starting from a full stop, the RT model I drove averaged 20 MPG on the highway.

What I presume to be the target market for this car, those 18-22 year-old guys that I mentioned, will probably love this car. And as much as I love driving sports cars, the darty steering and sharp suspension make it too uncomfortable without any spectacular payoff. The 0-60 sprint is fun for a little while, but I’d pass on buying a Magnum as a daily driving vehicle.

by: Andrew Kier

Fuel Efficiency Tips

Increases in the price of gas, accompany the increase in the number of fuel-saving scams.
Continuous increase in the price of gas is common news nowadays. This is accompanied by an upsurge in advertising exposures for “gas saving” gadgets. These products attract potential buyers searching for methods to maximize fuel efficiency.
There are important procedures car owners can take in consideration to improve gas mileage. According to the Better Business Bureau, the public should be critical in assessing products that claim gas saving features for vehicle devices or additives for gas and oil.
There are products that feature gas-saving features that really work. In addition to that, consumers could be facing a major engine trouble or a nullified creator’s warranty by putting devices to the engine.
Consumers should be wary of these specific advertising slogans: “20 percent fuel efficiency improvement”
A hundred or more devices that feature gas-saving qualities are proven untrue by the Environmental Protection Agency. Worse, there are so-called “gas-saving” devices that may cause a harmful effect to a vehicle’s engine.
Another side effect is more smoke emissions. Examples of these devices are Engine Modifiers, Additives, Fuel Line Gadgets, Liquid Injection, Vapor and Air Release Devices and a lot more.
“Get an additional 4 miles for each gallon with this product”
Consumer testimonials are common in fuel saving ads. Assuming these testimonials are not made up, few consumers test the fuel consumption of their vehicle before putting on the gadget. Therefore, an objective comparison of the fuel consumption before and after the product was added will not be attained.
“Federal Government Approved”
Keep in mind, a government agency never endorses fuel saving devices. Although EPA has assessed potential gas savings but first the product should be evaluated and tested.
The alternative in looking for gas-saving devices, the BBB suggests that the public should take into consideration doing more than one activity that can help conserve gas. The vital way to begin is to concentrate on the gas pump. The consumer should buy only gas as needed. Make sure to review the car manual to know the proper level of octane of the car.
The following are practical tips to conserve gas:

Efficient driving
Just drive reasonably within the speed limit. Remember that speeds of more than 60 miles per hour increase fuel consumption.

Do not do sudden starts, accelerations and stops. Acceleration should be done gradually. The gas pedal should not be stepped on more than one fourth of the way down. This will allow the engine to function most efficiently. Gas conservation could reach up to 5 percent if sudden stops, jerks and accelerations are avoided.

Make use of gears for overdrive and cruise control as needed. Fuel efficiency is attained when moving on the highway.

Windows should be closed on highways. Windows that are open can create air drag that can decrease the fuel consumption by 10%.

Rough roads should not be taken as much as possible. Dirt, bumps, rough roads and gravels can cause 30% increase in fuel consumption.

Take out unnecessary baggage. The trunk should be kept clean, any gadget, tools or loads that are not needed should be taken out. 100 pounds of extra baggage can affect fuel economy by two percent.

The car should always be maintained. The engine should be given a regular tune up, the tires should always have the right air pressure and efficiently aligned, the oil should be changed when needed and air filters replaced regularly. Clogged filters can affect gas consumption adversely by up to ten percent.

Turn off the engine whenever there is an opportunity. Idle engine wastes fuel. There are instances where the engine could be turned off; stopping for gas, waiting for someone, changing tire pressure, caught in traffic and a lot more.

Engine warm-up fuel conservation tips:
Lengthy warming up of the engine should be avoided. 30 to 45 seconds should be enough time.
Check if the automatic check is removed after warming up the engine. This is usually stuck which could usually cause poor gas and air combination.
Do not rev the engine. This is usually done before turning off the engine. This causes unnecessary fuel loss and also washes the oil within the cylinder walls. As an effect, there is air pressure loss and consequently fuel loss as well.

by: Gregory Ashton

2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Review

Whenever a carmaker launches a new coupe, it is not unusual that a convertible version arrives shortly thereafter. Usually, the convertible models are pleasant but ultimately not as complete a packages as the hardtop version, but in the case of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder the opposite is true.

For some odd reason, Mitsubishi has made the Spyder a much nicer car than its coupe siblings. Just take a look at the Eclipse's styling, for example. The Coupe's sporty roofline, distinctive face, and rounded, bulgy haunches are positives, however, the backside is large and totally at odds with rest of the car.

In convertible form, the canvas roof extends several inches beyond the coupe's roofline, giving the Spyder a stubbier and tidier rear end. It also looks wider and squatter overall, while its topless shape also highlights the neat design of the doors and the sporty rake of the windshield. It is just so much more visually arresting and elegant than the coupe, regardless of whether the top is up or down.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder's interior is essentially the same as the coupe. The rear seats in both coupe and convertible derivatives are something of an afterthought, so much so that Mitsubishi did not bother to put headrests in the back of the Spyder. And the engineers even stuck an 8-inch subwoofer in the middle of the rear seatback. It is part of an impressive 650W six-CD Rockford Fosgate system that is included with every Eclipse Spyder and is just another example of how there seems to be more love in the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder than the hardtop.
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder's roof is solid and slick. Top comes down in at about 19 seconds. Two windshield rail latches have to be released before the roof can be folded away electrically. Roof-up wind noise is well suppressed, though there is still a bit of tire noise. Even with the windows wound all the way down and driving along at highway speeds, the interior remains relatively calm and free from buffeting.

On the move, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder's chassis is evident in not only the virtual elimination of cowl shake, but also in the way the car feels. At 3,472 pounds the four-cylinder convertible is about 200 pounds heavier than the coupe, but its 162 horsepower, 2.4 liter engine doesn't struggle as you might expect and compensates for its lack of power by revving happily and sipping gas sparingly in the process.
The six-speed, 260 horsepower, 3.8 liter V-6 is best avoided because a fidgety suspension and excessive torque steer makes it too much work to drive even with moderate enthusiasm. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder's steering does not offer enough feedback but at least it is reasonably quick.

Body control and rider quality is impressive on the 2.4 liter model too, while the five-speed manual gearbox is light and precise.
At $25,389 for the 2.4 liter and $28,269 for the V-6, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is not cheap but it somehow feels better value than the coupe because it is so much more desirable.

2006 Toyota Camry Review

So you want a Toyota Camry? That’s an excellent choice. The Toyota Camry has been one of the highest rated mid sized cars of all time. Its safety ratings are all excellent, and the comfort this car provides is remarkable for the price. The Toyota Camry is perfect for the average family.

Here’s what the different models of the Toyota Camry offers:

Entry Level Standard Toyota Camry:

The entry level standard includes such features as power locks, power windows, cruise control, a CD player, but the options for the entry level standard are very limited.

The Toyota Camry LE
With the Toyota Camry LE, you get options added from the standard such as keyless entry, a power driver seat, and color-keyed external mirrors.
The SE

The Toyota Camry SE is equipped with similar features if the LE. A few of the features that set the LE off from the SE are: interior trim, the upholstery, suspension (sport tuned), larger, allow wheels, a sporty rear spoiler, fog lamps, and the front grille.

The Toyota Camry XLE
One more step up and you have some of the latest vehicle technologies including climate control, a dimmed rearview mirror for driving during the night, a larger, more powerful audio system, and leather seating.

The Safety Aspect
On every Toyota Camry model, anti-lock breaks are standard, though side airbags are still an option. The Toyota Camry earned a five start front impact protection rating by the NHTSA crash test. For front occupant protection, the Toyota Camry earned four stars, and was rated three stars for rear impact.

Toyota Camry Key Specifications:
Standard Engine
2.4L I4
Standard Transmission
5 Speed Manual
4 Cylinders
Horsepower @ RPM
154@5700
Torque @ RPM
160@4000

The Pros
The Toyota Camry provides a large amount of room.
Has a reputation of being a very quiet ride.
Number of Safety features
Number of luxurious features
Resale value is good
Reliable reputation

The Cons
Vehicle is considered more expensive than the wrest of its competitors.
Lack of power

by: Aaron Brandon

Top 10 Ways to Prevent Auto Theft

Every 27 seconds, another vehicle is stolen. More than 1 million motor vehicles will be stolen this year. Is it just a matter of time before you become a victim of auto theft? Not necessarily, if you follow these 10 auto theft prevention tips:
1. Install an antitheft device
2. Never leave your car running or leave the keys in the ignition when it is unattended
3. Keep your car door locked at all times
4. If you have a garage, park your car inside and lock the garage door
5. Don't store packages or valuables in plain sight
6. Park your car in a safe, well-lit, or well-traveled area at night
7. Have your vehicle identification number (VIN) etched into the windows and major parts of your car to make your car harder to resell on the black market
8. When you park on the street, turn your wheels toward the curb, use the emergency brake, and try to park between other cars (this will make it harder for a thief to tow it)
9. Avoid parking your car in a long-term parking lot
10. Take out any removable electronic devices (e.g. CD player) when you leave your car

About AUTOMOTIVE

The last 100 years has seen the rise of the automobile as our primary mode of transport. The technology is constantly evolving and there are no signs of decline in the industry. Automotive engineering is the combination of mechanical engineering, vehicle dynamics, drivetrain engineering and engine design to form a subject that deals with all aspects of vehicle design.

Automotive engineers study such subjects as aerodynamics, vehicle ride and handling, power generation, crashworthiness and even management, looking at every component in modern vehicle construction. The entire automotive drivetrain, including the suspension, transmission, brakes, tyres and engine, can be modelled and simulated on computer making development of new components/ vehicles a quick and relatively inexpensive process.

The use of computers does not stop there. In the last 20 years, due to the decrease in size and cost of microprocessors and sensing devices, there have been major advances in various aspects of automotive control, from Traction Control Systems (TCS) and Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) to Active Suspension systems and Power Steering all of which have improved the safety and performance of todays vehicles.
The continued development of Engine Control Units (ECU's) has led to a reduction in exhaust gases and to more efficient operation of the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE). There is also a growing interest in the environmental impact of the automobile with research centring on electric (EV), hybrid electric (HEV, powered by both an ICE and electric motor) and Fuel Cells Vehicles (FCV) as a means by which to reduce greenhouse gases and fuel consumption.

With these new concepts emerging in an already large discipline, automotive engineering is an ever expanding field. As we move into the 21st century, the automobile, in all its forms, will continue to develop, performance, safety and fuel economy will continue to improve and exhaust emissions will continue to reduce. Automotive engineers are at the forefront of this development.

History of Honda

Sōichirō Honda (本田 宗一郎, Honda Sōichirō, November 17, 1906 – August 5, 1991) was a Japanese engineer and industrialist, and founder of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.. Soichiro was born in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan.
Honda spent his early childhood helping his father, Gihei, a blacksmith, with his bicycle repair business. At the time his mother, Mika, was a weaver. At 15, without any formal education, Honda arrived in Tokyo to look for work. He obtained an apprenticeship at a garage in 1922, and after some vacillation over his employment, he stayed for six years, working as a car mechanic before returning home to start his own auto repair business in 1928 at the age of 22.
In 1937 Honda began producing piston rings for small engines which lead to manufacturing small engines to be used in motorcycles, and then in 1948 he started producing complete motorcycles as president of the Honda Motor Company. Honda turned the company into a billion-dollar multinational that produced the best-selling motorcycles in the world. Honda's excellent engineering and clever marketing resulted in Honda motorcycles out-selling Triumph and Harley-Davidson in their respective home markets. In 1959 Honda Motorcycles opened its first dealership in the United States.

Honda remained president until his retirement in 1973, stayed on as director, and was appointed "supreme adviser" in 1983. His legendary status was such that People magazine placed him on their "25 Most Intriguing People of the Year" list for 1980, dubbing him "the Japanese Henry Ford." In retirement Honda busied himself with work connected with the Honda Foundation. He died in 1991 from liver failure.

History of toyota

In 1933, Toyoda Automatic Loom Works created a new division devoted to the production of automobiles under the direction of the founder's son, Kiichiro Toyoda. Kiichiro Toyoda had traveled to Europe and the United States in 1929 to investigate automobile production and had begun researching gasoline-powered engines in 1930. Toyoda Automatic Loom Works was encouraged to develop automobile production by the Japanese government, which needed domestic vehicle production partly due to the worldwide money shortage and partly due to the war with China. In 1934, the division produced its first Type A Engine, which was used in the first Model A1 passenger car in May 1935 and the G1 truck in August 1935. Production of the Model AA passenger car started in 1936. Early vehicles bear a striking resemblance to the Dodge Power Wagon and Chevrolet, with some parts actually interchanging with their American originals.
Although the Toyota Group is best known today for its cars, it is still in the textile business and still makes automatic looms, which are now computerized, and electric.
During the Pacific War (World War II) the company was dedicated to truck production for the Imperial Japanese Army. Because of severe shortages in Japan, military trucks were kept as simple as possible. For example, the trucks had only one headlight on the center of the hood. The war ended shortly before a scheduled Allied bombing run on the Toyota factories in Aichi.
After the war, commercial passenger car production started in 1947 with the model SA. In 1950, a separate sales company, Toyota Motor Sales Co., was established (which lasted until July 1982). In April 1956, the Toyopet dealer chain was established. The following year, the Crown became the first Japanese car to be exported to the United States and Toyota's American and Brazilian divisions, Toyota Motor Sales Inc. and Toyota do Brasil S.A., were also established.
Toyota began to expand in the 1960s with a new research and development facility, a presence in Thailand was established, the 10 millionth model was produced, a Deming Prize and partnerships with Hino Motors and Daihatsu were also established. The first Toyota built outside Japan was in April 1963, at Port Melbourne in Australia.[21] By the end of the decade, Toyota had established a worldwide presence, as the company had exported its one-millionth unit.

Coolant

A coolant is a fluid which flows through a device in order to prevent its overheating, transferring the heat produced by the device to other devices that utilize or dissipate it. An ideal coolant has high thermal capacity, low viscosity, is low-cost, and is chemically inert, neither causing nor promoting corrosion of the cooling system. Some applications also require the coolant to be an electrical insulator.
While the term coolant is commonly used in automotive, residential and commercial temperature-control applications, in industrial processing, heat transfer fluid is one technical term more often used, in high temperature as well as low temperature manufacturing applications[1].
The coolant can either keep its phase and stay liquid or gaseous, or can undergo a phase change, with the latent heat adding to the cooling efficiency. The latter, when used to achieve low temperatures, is more commonly known as refrigerant.

HONDA CRZ

Toyota Prius 3rd Generation

Toyota RIN

Toyota IQ

In case you're interested in knowing more info on worm gearbox, stop by http://www.varvel.com

Toyota CELICA (Hybrid)

TH!NK ( Electric Car )

Cheapest Car : Tata Nano ( India )

Temperatur Control & Control Water Flow ( Cooling System )

The engine temperature is primarily controlled by a wax-pellet type of thermostat, a valve which opens once the engine has reached its optimum operating temperature.
When the engine is cold the thermostat is closed, with a small bypass flow so that the thermostat experiences changes to the coolant temperature as the engine warms up. Coolant is directed by the thermostat to the inlet of the circulating pump and is returned directly to the engine, bypassing the radiator. Directing water to circulate only through the engine allows the temperature to reach optimum operating temperature as quickly as possible whilst avoiding localised "hot spots". Once the coolant reaches the thermostat's activation temperature it opens, allowing water to flow through the radiator to prevent the temperature rising higher.
Once at optimum temperature, the thermostat controls the flow of coolant to the radiator so that the engine continues to operate at optimum temperature. Under peak load conditions, such as labouring slowly up a steep hill whilst heavily laden on a hot day, the thermostat will be approaching fully open because the engine will be producing near to maximum power while the velocity of air flow across the radiator is low. Conversely, when cruising fast downhill on a motorway on a cold night on a light throttle, the thermostat will be nearly closed because the engine is producing little power, and the radiator is able to dissipate much more heat than then engine is producing. Allowing too much flow of coolant to the radiator would result in the engine being over cooled and operating at lower than optimum temperature. A side effect of this would be that the passenger compartment heater would not be able to put out enough heat to keep the passengers warm.
The thermostat is therefore constantly moving throughout its range, responding to changes in vehicle operating load, speed and external temperature, to keep the engine at its optimum operating temperature.

Radiator of Automobile

In automobiles with a liquid-cooled internal combustion engine a radiator is connected to channels running through the engine and cylinder head, through which a liquid (coolant) is pumped. This liquid is typically a half-and-half mixture of water and ethylene glycol or propylene glycol (with a small amount of corrosion inhibitor) known as antifreeze.
The radiator transfers the heat from the fluid inside to the air outside, thereby cooling the engine. Radiators are generally mounted in a position where they will receive airflow from the forward movement of the vehicle, such as behind the grill. Where engines are rear- or mid-mounted, it's usually still necessary to mount the radiator behind the front grill, so as to achieve sufficient airflow, even though this requires long coolant pipes.

What is radiator

Radiators and convectors are types of heat exchangers designed to transfer thermal energy from one medium to another for the purpose of cooling and heating. The majority of radiators are constructed to function in automobiles, buildings, and electronics.
One might expect the term "radiator" to apply to devices which transfer heat primarily by thermal radiation , while a device which relied primarily on natural or forced convection would be called a "convector". In practice, the term "radiator" refers to any of a number of devices in which a liquid circulates through exposed pipes (often with fins or other means of increasing surface area), notwithstanding that such devices tend to transfer heat mainly by convection and might logically be called convectors. The term "convector" refers to a class of devices in which the source of heat is not directly exposed.

Lubricant

Motor oil, or engine oil, is an oil used for lubrication of various internal combustion engines. While the main function is to lubricate moving parts, motor oil also cleans, inhibits corrosion, improves sealing and cools the engine by carrying heat away from the moving parts. The majority of motor oils are derived from petroleum. Motor oil mostly consists of hydrocarbons, organic compounds consisting entirely of hydrogen, and carbon.
Motor oil is a lubricant used in internal combustion engines. These include motor or road vehicles such as cars and motorcycles, heavier vehicles such as buses and commercial vehicles, non-road vehicles such as go-karts, snowmobiles, boats (fixed engine installations and outboards), lawn mowers, large agricultural and construction equipment, trains and aircraft, and static engines such as electrical generators. In engines there are parts which move very closely against each other causing friction which wastes otherwise useful power by converting the energy to heat. Contact between moving surfaces also wears away those parts, which could lead to lower efficiency and degradation of the motor. This increases fuel consumption and decreases power output and can, in extreme cases, lead to total engine failure.
Lubricating oil creates a separating film between surfaces of adjacent moving parts to minimize direct contact between them, decreasing friction, wear, and production of excessive heat, thus protecting the engine. Motor oil also carries away heat from moving parts, which is important because materials tend to become softer and less abrasion-resistant at high temperatures. Some engines have an additional oil cooler for this purpose.