Posts Tagged: ‘Driving’

Front Wheel Driving and Fuel Efficiency

February 5, 2012 Posted by admin

The choice between front-wheel and rear-wheel driving has always been an issue for car owners, manufacturers, enthusiasts, and mechanics. They cannot decide on which can be more beneficial and less risky on the road. Above all, they also have to consider which can allow them to save up more money.

Prior to the emergence of the fuel crises in the 1970s, rear-wheel drive vehicles ruled the road. However, as everyone began to struggle against erratic gas prices, auto manufacturers embarked on innovative ways to accomplish fuel efficiency. Thus, aside from reducing the sizes of their vehicles, they also implemented a new drive train.

From the king rear drive, automakers switched to producing lighter front-wheel drive vehicles. By placing the engine and the transaxle in the front, there was no more need for a driveshaft and rear axle.

The bulky transmission and differential are simply placed in a single housing; hence, there were less necessary parts.

Since there was a more compact body structure and lighter weight, front-wheel drive vehicles require less gasoline power.  Moreover, the lowered load also improved acceleration, breaks, and traction. Above all, the reduced space allocated for the vehicle parts means more comfort for the interior. Thus, if one is looking for stylish mobiles that are convenient, light, and fuel-efficient, then he must check out the array of used Audi Ottawa dealerships have.

Used car dealers Ottawa car buyers go to are homes to the best pre-owned vehicles that are still in good running condition.

They have wide selections of different front-wheel drive models from the finest car manufacturers. The automobiles that they sell are also affordable; hence, allowing aspiring car owners to acquire their dream cars at reasonable prices and through convenient financing schemes.

With the present downturn in the global economy and the erratic prices of petroleum products, it is imperative to be smart consumers. Consider the financial advantages that a pre-owned vehicle can present, as well as the reduced fuel burn up that a non-rear-wheel drive auto can offer. Thus, start to switch drive train by grabbing a more fuel-efficient front-wheel drive vehicle like a used Audi A4.

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Categories: Fuel

Holiday driving & Car insurance

January 31, 2012 Posted by admin

The months cycle round every year and our traditions have it the summer season starts with Memorial Day and ends on Labor Day, when we take to the roads in our millions for weekend breaks and longer holidays. This makes this period one of the peaks for accidents. In 2009, the US Police Departments recorded some 5.5 million collisions in which people were killed or injured. Once the dust had settled and the statistics were collected, the Insurance Information Institute (III) confirmed 0 million in claims for injuries and damage to property. This is not small potatoes. Of course, that was then. Today, the price of gas is back up to around a gallon. Experts think of this as an important psychological barrier. If the price goes above, it deters people from driving as often and as far. But, in the lead-up to Memorial Day, the price seems either to be retreating slightly or at least steadying below .

The national average on May 19 was .93. With AAA predicting 35 million Americans on the road for the getaway on Memorial Day, this is good news although the price is still crimping travel plans. Whereas the getaway used to involve driving more than an average 50 miles, more people this year are expected to stay closer to home.

So as we switch over from the winter to the summer blend of gas which burns more cleanly and reduces air pollution, now’s the time to start planning the journeys. The first step is putting the vehicle through a routine maintenance to ensure you are going to be safe if you suddenly push the vehicle into a longer drive. The III confirms a high percentage of the accidents during the summer are caused either by driver fatigue or mechanical failures. If you do a short commute to work, suddenly stepping up to hours of cruising down a busy highway can test your powers of concentration. If you also have the family with you and the children are a distraction, the risk of a collision goes up fast. Always ensure the children have something to occupy them and be prepared to share the driving with someone responsible. That way, you stand a better chance of arriving in one piece.

You should also look at your insurance portfolio. You’re putting the family in harm’s way, so are you all covered for medical expenses? You’ve also loaded up a range of personal property including all the latest electronic must-haves for the younger passengers as well as clothes and other valuables. Are you sure all this is covered, particularly if you’re driving out of state? Then, with the risk of accidents high, are you going to leave your own cover on the minimums, or will you consider increasing the comprehensive and collision coverage? Perhaps you should even think of umbrella cover to protect you in the worst case scenarios.

This may look excessive but it costs you nothing to get car insurance quotes for topping-up your existing cover. When you are only talking about a relatively small increase in premium, it can give you and the family peace of mind as you set off. It’s no good thinking about car insurance after the accident.

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Categories: Car Insurance

Tips on saving fuel whilst driving

January 31, 2012 Posted by admin

With growing concerns about the environmental impact of cars, coupled with the rising cost of petrol, fuel-efficient driving makes a lot of sense in the 21st century. You can do your part to combat the effects of climate change as well as make big savings when re-fuelling your car by changing your driving habits or upgrading to a more efficient vehicle.

Even if you don’t drive a car renowned for its fuel efficiency, you could still save up to 30 per cent on fuel by keeping up with routine maintenance and getting out of bad habits behind the wheel.

Aggressive driving is one of the most common causes of excessive fuel use, and while we may all suffer from road rage every so often, controlling our driving behaviour and avoiding ‘jack rabbit’ starts and hard braking can save significant amounts of fuel, not to mention avoiding wear and tear on your braking system.

Greenhouse gas emissions from such aggressive driving behaviour are more than five times those of standard driving, and rapid acceleration can account for as much as half of the energy consumed by your car if you live in the city.

The key to conquering aggressive driving doesn’t come in the form of sedatives or mood music, but is simply a mental note to accelerate more slowly and change gears as often as possible, reducing your impact on the environment as well as keeping your car in better condition.

Slow and steady is the name of the game when it comes to fuel-efficient driving, and you can use speed limits to your advantage to help you save fuel in slower areas. While driving at fast speeds on motorways can get you to your destination quicker, it’s well known that faster speeds lead to a rapid increase in fuel consumption, especially when you pass the 60mph mark. Slowing down your average cruising speed by 10mph could improve your fuel efficiency by as much as 20 per cent.

It’s not just your personal driving habits that will determine your carbon footprint, but also the condition of your vehicle. You don’t need to invest in an expensive hybrid or electric car to do your bit to help the environment, just make sure you keep up with regular maintenance of your car to boost its efficiency. Under-inflated tyres contribute to your rate of fuel consumption and are also unsafe, so make sure you get your tyre pressure checked next time you get a windscreen replacement quote or other service to your vehicle.

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Categories: Fuel

Driving techniques to save you fuel

January 28, 2012 Posted by admin

The way you drive significantly impacts the amount of fuel that your car uses. Changing your driving habits to drive in a more fuel efficient manner, therefore, will not only save you money at the pumps but help you reduce greenhouse gases and other harmful pollutants.

Research shows that adopting fuel efficient driving techniques can make your vehicle 30 per cent more fuel efficient. Are you a fuel efficient driver?

Here’s a guide to make your gas get you further and your ecological footprint smaller.

- Avoid aggressive driving. Many drivers are guilty of ‘stop/start’ and aggressive driving. Hard breaking and accelerating can increase fuel consumption in used cars by up to 40%. Accelerating and breaking slowly and smoothly will help reduce your fuel costs.

- Maintain steady speeds. Harsh breaking and accelerating increases fuel consumption, and so too does constantly changing your speed.

Dramatic acceleration – such as from 50 km/h to 75 km/h – will use up your fuel at a faster rate than if a smooth and gradual level of acceleration is maintained.

- Don’t leave your car running. Whether your car is a new or used Honda or Peugeot, leaving your car running or idle will use up your fuel. Unless you’re in traffic, when the car is stopped or waiting, turn the engine off to save fuel.

- Get your car serviced regularly. Regular car servicing can save you a lot of money on fuel. Under inflated tyres, dirty air filters and dirty engine oil can all increase the amount of fuel your car consumes.

Adopting these driving techniques will not only help reduce the amount of fuel your car uses, but will have a positive impact on the environment. These techniques can be adopted by drivers of all vehicles, whether you drive a used Land Rover or a new Honda. So change your driving style and technique today and save money at the pump, and help to save the environment.

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Categories: Fuel
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