Electric Cars and Silent Death
Posted by admin in Green Motoring on March 20th, 2012
Living in the country as I do, I am often walking the narrow quiet lanes around my home in Herefordshire. As you can imagine my peaceful idol is often disturbed by a motor car or two which also use the lanes. There is nothing wrong in that, as long as they are not moving too fast that is, as because I can hear them, I move to the side of the road and let them pass.
'Silent death' risk of electric cars
But what will happen when electric cars start to move out of the cities and into the countryside, will they have to make them noisy, just so people like me have time to get out of the way? The alternative of course is that the driver of the car gives a polite hoot of their horn, but I cannot see this going down too well with some (when was the last time you heard a bicycle bell) as they may (a) be given a fright or (b) may take offence at being asked to move.
Not a New Issue
This is not a new issue, in fact the BBC raised the issue back in May 2011, when the first signs of pressure on electric vehicle manufactures started. This was to do with the fact that in cities the increased number of these totally quiet cars were starting to make things difficult for the hard of hearing.
Trolleybuses and Silent Death
Even that is not new however, as back in the days of electric trolley buses, the number of people killed by these silent vehicles caused the occurrence to be nick named ‘Silent Death’. Of course the electric trolley bus is no longer with us, but the number of electric cars and buses is bound to increase as the efficiency of the power units and especially the batteries and the range that they provide improves.
Manufacturers are Taking Note
It seems that the manufacturers are starting to take notice too, Nissan being amongst those planning to fit loudspeakers to their cars for the safety of other road users. Of course, those thinking that the electric car will reduce noise levels in cities, and rejoicing in the fact, are upset that there are plans to make them noisy on purpose.
As ever, the result will be a compromise, the amount of sound being produced being the minimum possible to make things safe. Of course, the issues for urban and country will be different, so perhaps the sounds and their levels will have to be different too, all quite a lot to think about.
What Happens In The Countryside?
Of course it will be some time before the electric car makes it in numbers to the countryside, perhaps one of the first to make it there in the UK being the Vauxhall Ampera. This is not a totally electric car, it having a small petrol driven generator on board. This mixture gives a range of some 360 miles in all, and at least when the generator is running it will emit some noise, but I doubt whether it will be as noisy as a conventional car. So the noise issue, or at least the lack of noise, is going to rumble on and as I say, is something that will be perhaps, of more concern to residents in the countryside than those in the city, the latter are after all expecting cars to be about.
In the meantime your motor car will of course require engine oils and other automotive fluids (as do their electric cousins ) so if you feel like a change from the big name producers, then check out the products made by www.exol-lubricants.com, after all sometimes it pays not to buy everything from the ‘big boys’
Best price for your car
Posted by admin in Car Buying on February 15th, 2012
Obtaining the Best Price for Your Car
Buying a new or used car is probably second nature to most people. But, when one considers, after a house, our car is probably the most expensive purchase we will make and so when selling our old car it is important to achieve the best possible price.
Getting the best deal on your old car
There is the option of trading in the old car, and this is a very popular course of action, but not necessarily the best option if there is the possibility of getting cash in the hand, as hard cash will more than likely enable you to secure a more favourable negotiation on the new car.
Putting aside the customary methods of trading in one’s car, the internet has become an excellent way of acquiring a valuation for the old car, and also connecting vendors with purchasers. The result being that the buyer becomes more aware, and is quickly alerted as to the level of competition. This means that unless the car to be sold is very unusual, such as a Bugatti, the internet makes it easy for them to check if the price is reasonable.
Suggestions on Promoting Your Car’s Valuation
Depending upon the nature of the sale of the car and whether it is a private buyer or experts in the trade, some very basic techniques will ensure one gets the highest price for the vehicle.
• Ensure the car has had a regular, professional service, with documentation to back up the service history.
• Have any minor damage repaired.
• Have all the documents together in a well ordered folder.
• Try to obtain an HPI check to show no outstanding HP.
• Ensure the jack and spare tyre are in their proper place and do not show signs of wear or grime.
• Most importantly, have the car cleaned by a professional valet which will serve to ensure interest.
• If the car is taxed and has a valid MOT certificate it will attract more interest.
• Consider the time of year you wish to sell. Early in the year straight after Christmas, for example, is probably not a good time if you are hoping to sell your cabriolet!
• Ensure you have looked into the price of used cars so that you have a good knowledge of the amount similar cars are selling for.
• Advertising needs to be favourable, so talk about the positive points of the car, such as sufficient room for child car seats and the pushchair if it is a family car.
Put Yourself in the Position of the Trader
Experienced traders are very adept at offering vehicles to attract one’s attention in order to get them to enter into negotiations. Here they encourage the buyer with added extras such as floor mats and wheel trims. These are of little cost to the seller but are often seen as valuable to the purchaser, so mirroring this attitude to sell one’s own car could ensure a higher price.
Make Sure The Services You Employ Are Trustworthy.
If you prefer to sell the car in the private sector, then the internet offers an increasing choice of reputable websites to sell online. Capitalising on the newest web technology, you will be able to upload videos and superior images.
On the other hand, rather than trying to sell the car oneself, there are numerous sites that will purchase the vehicle once the details have been submitted, subject to an agreed valuation. Once negotiations have been agreed, the car can delivered by oneself, to an agreed location, and subject to specifications, the transaction completed. On the other hand, many sites will agree to collect the vehicle from a destination of one’s choice. Whichever the method, this is a swift, simple way of selling your car.
Lost in Music?
Posted by admin in Motoring News on February 10th, 2012
Study finds that number of pedestrians injured while wearing headphones has tripled. Should Britain follow the lead of US and Australia in tackling headphone ‘zombies’?
Headphones: a dangerous distraction for pedestrians?
Walking along the street while listening to music on headphones can block out some of the unwanted noises of modern life – the drone of road-drills, the screams of babies in prams and the prattle of people on street corners. However, headphone sounds can also block out noises we need to pay attention to – the sirens of police cars, the tinkle of a bicycle bell, the beep of a car horn telling us we are in danger…
Road safety association and breakdown cover company, GEM Motoring Assist, have consistently urged motorists to refrain from using distracting technology behind the wheel. Concentrating on the road ahead rather than lining up our favourite track helps protect the safety of the members it provides car breakdown cover to.
But is it now time for attention to be turned to pedestrians who compromise road-users’ safety by becoming distracted?
Recent research conducted in the US has examined how many vehicle crashes involved pedestrians using headphones. The findings, published on 16th January 2011 in the Injury Prevention online journal, reveal that the number of headphone-wearing pedestrians suffering injuries or deaths tripled between 2005 and 2011.
The number of deaths and injuries was 16 in 2004-05 and had rocketed to 47 from 2010 to 2011.
It is important to stress that 55 per cent of these victims were struck by trains; however the statistics illustrate how distracting listening to headphones near roads and traffic can be.
In 2010, research by the AA conducted in Britain found that inattention caused by pedestrians could be the cause of 17 collisions per day; a figure which led the organisation to blast “iPod pedestrian, cycle and driver zombies”.
The American approach
Many states in America have started to tackle the dangers of distracted pedestrians with actions rather than just words. State laws requesting that pedestrians and cyclists stay focussed in their environment, by refraining from texting and listening to music, are becoming increasingly common.
John Kuhl of the National Conference of State Leglislators, told BBC News in 2011: “This year alone, five states have introduces some type of legislation on this.”
Australia and ‘iPod oblivion’
Australia – the first country in the world to introduce seat-belt legislation – has also taken a pro-active stance to tackle the rise of a trend they refer to as ‘iPod oblivion’. Television advertising campaigns Down Under have featured images of headphone-wearing people lying on the pavement with outlines chalked around their body; as if drawn by the police at a murder scene. The fact that these pictures have been posed by models does not detract from their hard-hitting impact.
The UK and headphones
In-car technology could provide an answer to the problem of pedestrians who forget their green cross code because they are listening to music. Car manufacturers are developing in-car cameras which identify if a pedestrian is too close to a car and halt the vehicle accordingly.
But can the UK afford to wait for technology to provide an answer before tackling the problems of distraction found on pavements? And how difficult would it be to enforce laws restricting the application of headphone’s main purpose – enabling people to listen to music-on-the-move.
On-foot UK headphone-wearers might feel it is hypercritical to ask them to pack away their listening devices when drivers still enjoy the freedom to use headphones behind the driving wheel.
Rule 148 of the Highway Code merely advises drivers to avoid distractions including “loud music (this may mask other sounds)”.
Such laxity is in contrast to many US states which only allow drivers to have an earphone in one ear while motoring from A to B.
Brightly-coloured clown
Headphone-loving pedestrians could also argue that mobile phone usage is more of a distraction than listening to music. Research conducted by Western Washington University backs up this claim. This study asked mobile phone users if they had noticed a brightly-coloured clown riding around on a unicycle while they were walking along.
Remarkably, 75 per cent said they hadn’t.
McLaren Merchandise
Posted by admin in Car Accessories on February 10th, 2012
McLaren Merchandise McLaren Racing, also known as Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is a British based team running the Formula One circuit. The team’s home base is Woking which is located in Surrey. The team is best known for its competition in Formula One but also competed in other races worldwide including America’s Indianapolis 500 and the Canadian American Challenge Cup.
McLaren Merchandise
The McLaren racing team is the second longest running team that is still active. It follows only Ferrari. McLaren Racing also has its own line of merchandise so their fans can express their support of the team. The team is made up of two drivers, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. The official McLaren shop offers fans a wide array of mclaren f1 merchandise. There are areas of the shop with specific items for men, women and children. McLaren also offers various gifts as well as collections. One would be hard pressed not to find something they like at the McLaren shop. The extent of the merchandise is quite impressive. The range of clothing offered by McLaren includes caps, t-shirts, polo shirts, sweaters, jackets and footwear. Shoppers can choose merchandise that supports the McLaren team as a whole. They can also select merchandise that specifically supports one of the two drivers, Jenson Button or Lewis Hamilton.
The website also offers shoppers the ability to preorder teamwear from the 2012 collection. Also impressive is their assortment of gift items. Of course, this includes die cast models to allow fans to build their own McLaren Formula One car. Also, includes are helmet replicas of either Button or Hamilton. DVDs and books are also popular gift items. Posters can also be found in the gift area of the shop. Accessories bearing the team’s logo are also gift items that are popular in the shop. These items range from key rings, mugs, water bottles and much more.
Cost deterring New Learner Drivers?
Is the rise in motoring costs the reason why people are putting off learning to drive?
Almost 228000 fewer driving tests were taken by learner drivers last year according to the Driving Standards Agency, which is a drop of 13% on the previous year 2009 / 2010. The number of young drivers between the ages of 17-25 taking tests has fallen by 19% since 2005 / 2006. So what is the reason for this fall in the number of people taking tests? Could the rise in motoring costs be putting people off?
Increasing cost of driving
To most people a driving licence means freedom. It is the gateway to a better life. People need cars to travel to work, some companies require you to have a licence to get the job in the first place. Families need a car to get about especially parents of young families where they need to take prams and so on everywhere. Cars allow us to go anywhere at any time and not be restricted by public transport schedules.
Ignition Driving School believes that the fall in young drivers taking tests is linked to costs associated with actually owning a vehicle and not the costs associated with learning to drive. In fact the cost of learning to drive is the lowest it’s ever been with so many driving schools offering discounts and promotions.
However, students now wishing to go to university have tuition fees to pay for and with the costs of car insurance for young drivers and fuel being at an all time high, young people are having to rethink about how they spend their money and are learning to drive when they are older and can afford it. A spokesperson for Ignition Driving School said, “We have seen a change in the types of courses that learner drivers want to do. We see a lot of people requesting to do intensive style courses, because they need to pass for a job offer they’ve been given. It used to be that learning to drive was a matter of course, you turned 17 and you started to learn to drive, but now people learn to drive when they need to, which may be when they are about to start a new job or when they have a young family.”
According to the RAC the cost of motoring has risen by 14% in 2011, with the average cost of owning a car being £128.64 a week. They found that various factors contributed to this rise including car depreciation, where cars are losing their value quicker making them worth less, car maintenance costs rising, car insurance premiums rising, on average costing 14.38% more than they did a year ago, and fuel costs being at an all time high, with two more fuel duty rises planned for 2012. In addition to these the cost of borrowing money has also become more expensive so people who take out car finance are also paying more for their car overall.
Ignition Driving School commented, “There is no incentive for young people to learn to drive as driving a car is expensive. Insurance companies used to reward young drivers for completing the Pass Plus scheme but even this advanced motoring course carries no weight now, with some insurance companies only offering a £10 reward for completing the course.”
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