New Environmental Cars

Coming in 2010, is a new generation of cars in which conventional engine design has been refined to a much greater degree with emphasis on low emissions and greater fuel efficiency. Two of the new models will certainly raise the bar this year.

First is the Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion 1 with an emission rating of 99g/km meaning that it just scrapes into the zero road tax band A, accelerates 0-60mph in about 12.8 seconds and returns 74.3mpg. Top speed is 109mph.

The second is the Smart ForTwo with an emission rating of just 88g/km meaning it is well inside the zero road tax band A but accelerates at a far more liesurely rate of 0-60 taking nearly 20 seconds. Top speed is 84mph; more than enough to match the speed limit; but the fuel economy is a staggering 83mpg.

The prices for these cars are a bit more attractive than the Prius too with the Volkswagen expected to retail for about £12000 and the Smart car for around £8000. It seems likely that servicing costs for these new generation cars could also be cheaper than servicing hybrids.

Such improvements do prompt the question as to classification of new cars in the future. If enough new cars meet the A class grouping for instance; will there then be temptation on the part of the government to move these goalposts? If this limit were reduced by ten per cent, for example, then the Volkswagen would fail to qualify for zero road tax. Unlikely? Well, consider the many people who bought cars in 2000 and without advance notice of the road tax changes.

Winter Driving Tips

In meteorological terms, a British winter starts around the 21st December at the Winter Solstice and lasts for about three months. Typically, this represents the worst part of the year as regards motoring and where any weakness concerning the state of your car are often exposed. An autumnal or early winter service is thus a wise precaution where anti-freeze, oil levels and battery acid checks can make all the difference between struggle and breakdown in severe conditions.

The trick to driving in snow isn't magical but rather more about having good traction and applying gentle force rather than a heavy foot on the accelerator pedal. By example, I recall an incident some years ago on the road alongside Loch Leven and where a white transit van was struggling to make headway in the snow and blocking the road in both directions. After watching the antics of this van for several minutes, several drivers got out of their cars and volunteered to push the van. I joined this group but wisely elected to put myself at the middle of the rear and then, as expected, the young male driver put the pedal to the metal. I jumped up onto the rear step while the van slew sideways and effectively coated his helpers with slush and ice! Once stopped again, I nipped around to the driver side and politely asked him to step down and let me try. He slid into the passenger side while I slowly drove the van a few yards down the road without too much difficulty then deliberately put it up on a flat piece of grass. “If I were you,” I advised him carefully, “You had better stay here until this lot of traffic has passed. There's a couple of guys out there in drenched suits who probably want to lynch youright now! You caused all of this; not the van or the snow - or maybe the idiot who gave you control of this vehicle in the belief you vcould drive! Think about it!” I returned to my car with drivers applauding my effort while realising in retrospect, I had been a shade harsh in my assessment. Yes, I was young and rash too at some time in my life and I had my share of 'stupid' too but maturity brings benefits and bickbats in equal measure. Experience teaches how it is better to steer into a skid than try to avoid it.

Ultimately, experience plays a major role in driving safely during winter. In Sweden and in several Nordic countries, a special car fitted with mechanisms and driven over a skid pan are part of the basic driving test and in recognition of the climatic conditions deemed as normal. Finland has one of the toughest driving tests in the World. In such tests, students are taught to steer into a skid and keep control of the vehicle.

Accidents are more likely to happen when cornering because, in terms of physics, force=mass*acceleration, and thus, while making a turn, the mass of the vehicle simply wants to continue movement in the same direction unless other forces are applied to alter that condition. It's at this point where the coefficient of friction between the vehicle and the road becomes important and in conjunction with front wheel drive systems, because, without it, your vehicle would simply fail to make the turn - a phenomenon commonly observed on the twisting Cluny Road between Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes and where excess speed often leaves cars stranded in fields and proving once more how this road is a disgraceful link between two major towns and where the junction onto the Kinglassie Road often has long queues of traffic and where movement at peak times is often perilous and perhaps represents the most dangerous junction in the county. It remains a mystery why either a roundabout or traffic lights have not been introduced here! If the local authority had enough money to install stupid spedd bumps on many roads in Glenrothes then they surely had the cash to fix this issue long ago and it would be nice to think some dumb asshole should be fired on account of this oversight yet knowing he or she will probably remain in a high paid job and courtesy of rates paid by victims of their negligence!

Venting that aside and returning to the main theme, you stand a far better chance of retaining various degrees of coefficient if you have new tyres and inflated to the correct pressure. It's a good practice just to check the pressure whenever you fill up at the petrol or diesel pump. It only takes few minutes and it could save lives! It's also a good time of year when you can typically buy good quality tyres at massively discounted prices.

There are many kinds of batteries but the lead-acid battery fitted to cars is a fairly durable unit capable of delivering considerable current for short durations. It does have one important drawback, however, in that it's capacity can drop to around 60% of normal during freezing temperatures. In addition, if the vehicle is used infrequently then internal elements or cells may buckle since some degree of the charging and discharging cycle is needed to keep these intact.

Under normal circumstances, this doesn't usually present a problem but there has been a recent tendency for people to plug in satellite navigation displays and mobile telephones into the cigarette lighter socket and where the design for such a socket was to deliver a short burst of power rather than any kind of constant drain. In fact, it's sometimes evident that such use has been made merely by looking at the state of the socket connections and the battery terminals. In this connection, if you pardon the pun, there's an old trick of cleaning the battery terminals and smearing them with Vaseline or grease to keep the terminals resistant to water and condensation in wintertime. Since temperature does have such an adverse effect on the battery, it does make sense to put the car in the garage at night if this is available to you. It also means you start the day with clear visibility on all glass surfaces (more on this later).

Good visibility is crucial at all times but more so during winter. Each and every year though, we see the crass stupidity of some drivers running their cars during adverse weather and without lights when they clearly should and in the misguided belief they are conserving battery power – sheer poppycock! In the first instance, they aren't saving a dammed watt and merely placing themselves and others needlessly at risk! In the second instance, if the battery is really that bad then it needs replacing! I've always felt that Swedish car maker, Volvo, deserves praise in that their cars light up whenever the engine is run and in accordance with the harsher climate they often experience in their homeland marketplace. Most modern cars manufactured in the last decade have had this ability but have left it as an option. Even in sunlit conditions, low angles and shadows, running with sidelights may deliver hidden benefits and, without you even be aware of it, can save a nasty accident or save you and passengers lives!

According to insurance statistics, a huge number of accidents in wintertime occur within the first few miles and it's shocking (scary, even) to read that many vehicles took to the road with drivers peering through a small hole scraped clear while the remaining glass was left covered in ice and snow! At best, this is crass stupidity and it's often better to allow more time for the journey and where the stationary car can slowly build up enough heat through the ventilation systems. Under no circumstances should you apply hot water to the cold glass since this is likely to crack or shatter the glass. De-Icer sprays are fine in that they can help clear the frost while gently scraping the frost but condensation will almost always occur in cold temperatures. As such, the same rules as suggested above apply; don't move an inch until the ventilation system has cleared the entire window without usage of any rag or sponge. Ignoring this rule is likely to mean movement into traffic situations and where the windows merely freeze up again.

It may seem obvious to some but do not try to operate window opening or wipers when entering a car clearly covered in frost. A new set of window wiper blades purchased before the start of bad weather delivers incredible visual advantage and again aids driving safety – something that most people ignore and where the heat of summer typically hardens the rubber and leads to a 'skipping effect' that impairs visibility during cold weather. In any case, I would recommend replacing wiper blades every year and the best time is shortly before winter. They're not expensive and the difference is astounding. Once again, this can be a life saver!

Harping on more about the importance of visibility, it's common to see people place shields over their windscreen at night while the remaining glass will undoubtedly freeze. On the face of it, this seems like a logical precaution yet often means the driver takes to the road with limited visibility and an inability to make reasonable judgement as regards his or her relative position to other vehicles. In such cases, they are often unable to see wing mirrors or even determine the presence and proximity of vehicles behind them. It's sad to believe that car designers spend so much time, money and effort to ensure all round visibility is greater than 80% while some car owners negate this effort because they want to save a few minutes and it's as illegal as hell!

One more point about visibility may seem a shade more obscure and it's addressed to people who smoke in their cars like I do. We may not always be aware of it but a tiny deposit of grime builds up on the glass and can cause reflections and visibility problems when the sun appears low in the sky and at night. Although it is hard to beat an old favourite like Windoleen, most Shell garages carry a glass cleaner under the Shell brand in the more convenient form of a spray and although a shade costly at around £3.50 per bottle; it's the best so far as I can determine and a single bottle will be enough to last through the season. I use about three of these in a year! Naturally, it's a good idea to add several clean rags to accompany this product.

Turning to the obvious, it makes sense to regularly check and top up the window washer reservoir and use fluid additives that contain some degree of frost protection. Most garages stock these in time for winter and don't cost much. In winter, I also carry a large two litre plastic bottle of water and, depending on where I am, I can top up the reservoir during lunch periods or in a car park. It's also a good idea to ensure the fuel tank is always maintained above the quarter of half needle mark in case you get stuck in a traffic jam caused by an accident further up the road. In mid-winter, I'm also inclined to carry a heap of old blankets and a shovel in case I get struck in snow although I've never really needed them in recent times due to milder winters than I was used to as a younger man. Old habits die hard though!

Before closing this article, there are a few facts worthy of note. Many newer cars exhibit ambient external temperatures on the dashboard and often displayed in degrees Centigrade. As such, they're hardly built to deliver precise temperature readings but rather provide a guide as to external conditions and should never be relied on. Any reading below 4 degrees is likely to indicate the presence of 'black ice' and where readings are below 2 degrees almost certainly guarantees the presence of ice. Salt and grit laid down on the road by local authorities is unlikely to be effective at such temperatures since it requires a few degrees above zero to be effective. It's also worth noting that any drive in such conditions is hard on the car body shell and thoroughly washing the car soon after is advised if possible. The most rust damage occurs within the first forty-five minutes after conclusion of a journey in such conditions. As such, you can do yourself a favour when recognising that a journey avoided in adverse conditions doesn't cause more ice following the washing process and where you may be held liable for causing an accident.

Buying A Used Car

One of the biggest problems facing car manufacturers at the present time is the need to sell an adequate number of cars in order to keep the assembly lines running. To this end, prices on new cars have fallen drastically and which is good news if you're in the market for a new car but bad news if you bought a new car when the prices were much higher and where the value of your purchase has declined accordingly. The adage that a new car depreciates as soon as it is driven off the forecourt is often true and can sometimes be measured in a four figure sum. Buying a new car may well reduce the chances of having serious mechanical troubles and it's nice to have the assurance of a warranty but it is an expensive luxury whereby long warranties covering bodywork may be subject to regular application of underseal and applied by the local dealer and thus represent additional costs.

By contrast, buying a used car has many advantages. Modern cars are built to fairly stringent standards and have massively improved in terms of bodywork, reliability and longevity with some brands having enviable track records compared with others. Of course, there are risks and pitfalls to be aware of and it's always worth keeping in mind why the car is being sold. Does it have a problem the seller wishes to conceal? This may be more common when the deal is being conducted privately but less likely where a repuatable dealer is involved. It therefore makes sense to do some homework before examining possible options. Motormart.co.uk is a good place to start where users can join the interactive forum and glean valuable advice from other users. Motormart.co.uk is also a car search engine with listings from all over the United Kingdom although it's easy to tailor the results to a more local radius. In this way, the user can quickly find out whether the desired model is available for sale and what kind of price is being asked for.

Before making a final choice, check out the potential running costs. How many miles per gallon of fuel does it consume? How is it rated as regards road tax and where the least polluting models may have annual road tax fees of just £35! If the car is more than three years old then it should have a valid MOT certificate and if this is due to expire soon, it might be worth asking the present owner to renew it before offering to purchase. If the seller appears reluctant to do this then walk away; it might be the seller fears the car will fail and needs work to be undertaken. Don't forget insurance and ask to see the current insurance documents as this typically shows the name and address of the owner. The DVLA also recommend you ask to see the V5C document too and this will show previous owners but even if these look credible, it's worth taking a few notes about the car including the VIN chassis number, registration number and note how much road tax remains and ask whether this is included with the vehicle. In some cases, the owner may be able to supply a full service history (FSH) and if the car has been regularly serviced in a garage by qualified mechanics then it's likely the vehicle will be in a fairly good state of maintenance.

Do not be tempted to view your prospective purchase in anything less than clear sunlight and where the bodywork can be closely examined for scratches and dents. Take the car for a test drive to see how it handles. Try to find a wide empty car park and turn the car in tight circles both clockwise and anticlockwise. Any knocking sounds may indicate worn wheel bearings.

On average, most cars travel about 10,000 miles per annum so the mileage displayed by the odometer should reflect this. Check for worn screws on the dashboard, worn steering wheel and pedals, as these may be indicative of more miles driven and/or an attempt to tamper with the odometer.

Where you buy the car from, may have a bearing on whether you experience problems with your car. If buying from a car dealer, make sure that he or she is reputable. Check on the Internet for reviews and if possible, ask if there are any warranties or deals on offer, and check to see what is covered in any warranty.

Try to confirm that the person selling the car is the registered seller. If there are any doubts, do not buy the car. It may have been stolen, and you may lose the car if it has to be returned to its rightful owner, with very little chance of getting your money back.

Buying from an auction is an option but it is often better to visit a few times before making any bid and watch the proceedings and highly recommended that you take someone with you who knows how auctions work. If possible, take somebody with you who knows the technical aspects about cars too.

Before parting with a single penny, it's worth spending a few bucks and checking whether the car has been in an accident, has been written off at some time, subject to current financial obligations and has not been stolen. There are several web sites on the Internet that can perform this check for you such as mycarcheck.com or bestcheckit.com. Such checks will normally return VIN chassis numbers etc and can help verify identification of the car but please be aware that, whilst thorough, such checks aren't 100% foolproof and dedicated criminals do know the loopholes. It might also be worth considering whether a 'second professional' opinion and examination by engineers of the Automobile Association (AA) or Royal Automobile Club (RAC) and who can conduct a detailed check on the vehicle albeit at fair price should they discover any serious problems likely to cost far more!

Buying a used car can be an economical way of buying a car and taking that extrta bit of car to begin with can save a lot of heartache later. To find out more, go to used cars for sale

Money Saving Motoring Tips

A few years ago, the new owner of a prestigious car complained bitterly to the maker about the high fuel consumption. The car was thoroughly checked and found to meet all specifications yet the owner remained unsatisfied with the fuel performance. In response, the car was brought to a test track area and drained of all fuel. It was then loaded with a measured gallon and driven by a representative of the company. On this occasion, the car not only matched the fuel consumption figures but actually exceeded it by significant measure. The owner then accepted a similar challenge yet failed to meet a fraction of the distance acheived on the first run. The difference simply lay in the driving style; one was gentle and progressive while the latter involved rapid acceleration and more usage of brakes! Aggressive driving style will always consume more fuel irrespective of the make and model of car! It's also true that any form of additional weight or drag will affect fuel usage. Driving with an open window might reduce consumption by around two miles per gallon while roof racks, pods and towing trailers and caravans will reduce the figure much more. Poor observance of tyre pressures is another reason why fuel consumption may be less than it could be. Regular maintenance of the engine typically involves tuning and replacement of air filters etc and allows the engine to breath easier and perform at optimum levels.

A fuel tank filled to capacity may be ideal when starting long journeys but for a large part of the time, unused fuel will represent additional weight meaning less miles per gallon. As such, consumption improves as the tank contents become less. For local journeys, a tank filled between a half and a quarter will often prove perfectly adequate and return better fuel consumption figures. In a similar way, you might want to check the boot and see if you are carrying stuff that adds to the overall weight yet is unnecessary. A shovel for snow might be a wise precaution in winter yet hardly used in mid-summer! Check out http://www.petrolprices.com to get the best prices in your area. This web site is updated 8000 times every day and might help reduce the cost of motoring.

Cheapest Car In The World?

Tata isn't a brand name familiar to most in the UK but it is the largest independent private company in India. Based in Mumbai, the company has interests in communications, engineering, steel and car manufacture. A few years ago it acquired Steel Giant Corus and which included the former British Steel Corporation. A year later, they became proud owners of Jaguar and Land Rover. Collectively, Tata is now regarded as the eighteenth largest car maker in the World.

In January 2008, Tata Motors launched Tata Nano, the least expensive production car in the world at a factory gate price of about £1250. So far as is known, there are no imminent plans to introduce this car in Europe but it does beg the question as regards local car manufacturers, including Tata on account of the Jaguar and Land Rover involvement, looking for money from the government in order to protect local jobs. In this respect, take a look at the international competition of the future!

The Cheapest Petrol In The World?

Fifers would probably dance in the streets if suddenly offered petrol at fifty-two pence per gallon (not litres) yet that's what people of Iran pay these days and despite a lack of oil refineries within the national boundaries. In practice, international agreements with China means that this oil rich nation exports a huge proportion of its natural wealth to China and where a proportion is refined then shipped back. It is this long-term agreement that guarantees security for the nation since any attack or invasive tactics by western nations will automatically involve counter moves by the Chinese government. Despite this, the Iranian government has been considering price rises in a nation where public transport alternatives do not exist but recognise the political risks. The last political leader of Iran to propose such change was the Shah of Iran - and the people deposed him on account of his decision!

Cheapest Car Insurance?

Proven time and time again, the cheapest car insurance isn't always the best in event of disaster. Twenty years ago, the typical motorist selected a local broker who could examine personal circumstances and recommend the best deal. In modern times, the local broker offices have closed down and been superceded by a new generation of Internet web sites effectively performing the same function albeit with some insurers choosing to go it alone and claiming to offer better deals through independant web site offerings. As such, we've listed normal price comparision sites first and a few of the independents afterwards. Naturally, we don't claim the list is exhaustive or even complete but we're sure it does include options that might have been overlooked. Just make sure you read the small print.

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