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A Car Brake Repair Primer

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The security of your car is vital, whether it is a Mercedes or a Mazda – even the safest vehicle on earth can have brake failure. If your car’s brakes don’t work properly, the consequences could be fatal. Thus, the brakes are probably the most important part of your vehicle. Car brake repair knowledge is always good to have because you never know if or when your car’s brake system will let you down. If this happens while you’re driving let’s say in the desert, miles away from the nearest garage, you should be able to

  • Perform a brake inspection and troubleshoot the problem
  • Know what it takes to do a car brakes repair
  • If possible, do the fix yourself
  • If not, be able to describe the problem to someone who is able to repair your automobile brakes.

To become able to perform the work listed above, the first thing you need to know is how a car’s brake system works.

A drum system is utilizing hydraulic pressure to press a pad against a brake drum to slow down the speed of the vehicle. Here is how it works:

  • press the brake pedal
  • the piston in the master cylinder sends pressure via the brake lines held by the brake shoe to the wheel cylinders inside the brake drum
  • the friction caused by the shoe pressed against the drum is stopping the wheel from turning

A brake drum is a flat-topped and heavy cylinder, that you normally find somewhere between the wheel rim and the drive wheel. When you press the brake pedal, the friction material held by the brake shoes is pressed against the brake drum. This will slow the rotation of the wheels. A wheel cylinder contains pistons utilizing hydraulic power from the master cylinder to force the brake pads against the brake drum.

Another brake system, called disk brake system is using hydraulic pressure to press a pad against the rotor. This way it slows down the vehicle. Here is how it works:

  • press the brake pedal
  • the piston in the master cylinder is activated and sends pressure via the brake lines to the calliper
  • when the pad makes contact with the rotor, friction is created and this stops the wheel from turning

A rotor is nothing but a circular plate that is gripped by the brake pads for slowing down the vehicle. A brake pad is a pad made of friction material. When pressed against the rotor it stops the wheel from turning. This pad is held by the calliper, which straddles the rotor by using hydraulic pressure from the brake lines. With help from internal pistons it forces the brake pads against the rotors.

Performing this process, the breaking system needs brake fluid. The master cylinder provides this by distributing the brake fluid under pressure, to the entire breaking system of your vehicle.

The description above gives you the knowledge of how two different car brake systems work. These are the first things you need to know when troubleshooting and fixing any problems regarding your vehicle’s brakes. Brake problems can occur in a Cadillac, a VW or even in the safest vehicle brand. There are plenty free resources online which give you step by step instructions on fixing any brake problems that your vehicle may incur. I recommend that you go online and do a search for ‘car auto brake repair’. You’ll be amazed of the list of brake fix resources that will appear within seconds.

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Source by Terje Ellingsen

Container Transportation: The Pros and the Cons

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Intermodal freight transport is the transportation of freight in intermodal cargo containers, using multiple modes of container transportation, including truck, rail, barge and ship. In this method of transport the actual freight itself is not handled as it is transferred from one transportation mode to another, but rather entire cargo containers and their contents are transferred from truck to rail, or from truck to barge/ship, or from rail to barge/ship, or from barge/ship to truck, etc.

Some of the advantages of intermodal freight transport include:

• Little or No Damage – When cargo is properly packed and sealed in a container, damage should not occur to the container’s contents during transit.

• Labor Savings – The actual cargo is only handled at its point of origin when it is packed into the container and at its final destination when it is unpacked.

• Handling During Shipping Is Eliminated – Once the container is packed and sealed, that container won’t be opened again until it reaches its final destination.

• Flexibility Regarding Types of Transportation – Containers can be transferred from ships to overland transport (trucks and trains) or even to barges for river transport. Barges are used to transport containerized cargo on major river systems like the Mississippi River in the United States and the Rhein River in Germany.

• Specialized Containers – There are a wide range of containers designed to transport different types of cargo, including liquids, frozen goods, compressed or liquefied gases, fast freight and even mini containers for smaller loads of cargo. There are also special containers for transporting livestock, tilting containers which make unloading grain easier and faster, fan-tainers that can ventilate the cargo within with built-in blowers or fans, hang-tainers with hanging systems for garments, and even open-end containers designed to transport long items.

• Little or No Theft/Pilferage – The likelihood of theft or pilferage is greatly reduced or even eliminated when cargo is shipped in sealed containers.

• Time Savings and Improved Efficiency – The use of containers means ships or barges are loaded and unloaded faster which means less time in port and improved efficiency. Cranes can move containers rapidly from ship/barge to trucks or trains for delivery directly to inland destinations.

Some disadvantages of intermodal freight transport include:

• Not Suitable for Transporting Smaller Shipments – Containerization is often not practical for shipping smaller loads because the shipping costs are often too expensive for half container loads.

• Heavy Loads Can Cause Road Damage – Trucks hauling heavy containerized loads can cause additional wear and tear to road surfaces which increase maintenance costs. In the case of public roads and highways, these increased maintenance costs can result in higher taxes to individuals and businesses.

• Delays in Deliveries – As has been experienced in Europe and elsewhere at various times, labor disputes or strikes involving dock workers at harbors or involving rail or trucking workers can delay deliveries.

• Costs at Harbor – Dock dues can be expensive, especially when ships are forced to remain in port for extended periods, as can happen when cargo can’t be unloaded during labor disputes/strikes involving dock workers. In addition, the largest container ships used today require specialized deep-water terminals and handling facilities.

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Source by Fred Dubya

3 Reasons to Buy a Repossessed Car From a Credit Union

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Are you shopping for a deal on a vehicle? Have you ever considered purchasing a repossessed vehicle but didn’t want to pay to locate repos? This article will provide you with information on understanding what a “repo” is, the benefits of buying one directly from the financial institution, and where you as a consumer can locate repossessed repossessed vehicles locally.

1- Value:

Much has been said about buying repossessed vehicles. While most of it has focused on the great deals you get, it’s important to understand what a “repo” is, and why you get a better deal. Calling a car a “repo” doesn’t automatically make it a good deal. A lot of the used cars you see at dealerships were once repos too. Most of the larger Banks will send their repos to “Dealer Only” auctions. Here Dealers will buy them at wholesale, clean them up, and then sell them to consumers for a commission. Once a Dealer adds a commission or fees to the wholesale price, it is now a retail price and the term “repo” is inaccurate. Dealers may still call them “repos”, but in reality this is nothing more than a sales gimmick.

Many of the smaller Credit Unions deal only in lower volumes, and get better results from selling their repos to the public. Typically they will post a link on their website that provides information about their current inventory. By skipping the Dealer and buying directly from your local Credit Unions you avoid paying and fees or commissions for a bona-fide “repo”. Credit Unions are anxious to sell these vehicles and can make added concessions that a Dealer or other private party could not.

2- Trust:

There seems to be a stigma with the term “Used Car Salesman”. Although most Dealers are honest, consumers become somewhat guarded when negotiating a vehicle purchase. Nobody wants to get buyers remorse after they find out they were mislead.

When you buy a repossessed car directly, you can be assured that they are not paying a sales commission or any hidden fees. Credit Unions want nothing more that to retain your trust. The Credit Union motto is; “not for profit, not for charity, but for service”. The Credit Unions have no incentive to sell you on a vehicle you don’t want.

3- Financing:

Credit Unions are not Car Dealers, but they can still sell cars and provide onsite financing. Perhaps the best perk of buying from a Credit Union is the financing. Ask any Car Dealer about financing and they will most likely tell you the Credit Unions are the best. Credit Unions can do things that larger Banks can’t.

Many Credit Unions who sell “repos” will even provide special financing terms as low as 0% financing. When buying these vehicles you can negotiate both the price and the financing terms. If the they can’t budge on the price, try asking for a reduction in the interest rate.

The next step is to start looking for a repo deal. RepoFinder’s website was designed and built with deal-seekers in mind. The website is 100% free to use and is the best place to start your repo search. RepoFinder connects you directly to the Lenders.

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Source by Mike Dudical

Best New Cars for 2018 – Specs, Prices, and Reviews

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1. 2018 Audi A1

Since the time it was unveiled in 2010, The Audi A1 did not make much news in the premium supermini segment. It was somewhat eclipsed by the rival MINI. However, the second generation A1 is all set to lock horns with its iconic British rival. Priced at $18,000, the 2018 Audi A1 comes with hi-tech makeover including a revamped infotainment setup and plush upholstery. Based on VW group’s new MQB architecture, it should be fun to drive. Spy shots indicate a more hatchback like design in contrast to the existing model’s bubble shape. The release date is expected at the beginning of 2018.

This small city car will have a wide variety of engines. Beside 1.0-liter and 1.5-liter engines, it also comes with a 1.6-liter diesel engine. Some rumors say that by 2019, Audi will offer an S1 version which will be powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine.

2. 2018 BMW i8 Roadster

One of BMW’s much-awaited models, the i8 Roadster is all set to be unveiled in 2018. The Coupe will have a hybrid powertrain. At approx $155,000, it is not meant for the faint hearted ones. It is unclear whether BMW should use lighter fabric roof or go entirely open top for this one. Spy shots of the prototype hint at menacing front design.

This convertible BMW roadster will be powered by three-cylinder 1.5-liter engine. This engine in the tandem with electric motor will give amazing 362 hp. The release date of i8 Roadster is confirmed for 2018.

3. 2018 Audi Q8

A large sized luxury SUVs are in vogue and everyone from Bentley to Rolls Royce are set to unveil their contenders. Obviously, Audi does not want to be left behind. The Q8 is the upcoming flagship SUV from the company and it is going to have an expected price tag of $88,000. It will have a powerful hybrid engine and lavish interior. The huge grille and aggressive exterior styling make it quite a stunner.

When it comes to the specs this Audi large SUV, for now, has only 3.0-litre TFSI engine, which in the tandem with electric motor gives 444hp. Beside this powertrain, in the future, we can expect 4.0-litre V8 turbo-diesel engine and probably some petrol engine also.

The release date od Audi Q8 is still unconfirmed, however, we can safely say that it will be available for purchasing in 2018.

4. 2018 BMW X3

The BMW has been preparing a number of new models for 2018 launch but the Iconic German carmaker is also revamping existing popular models! Spy shots of new 2018 BMW X3 have appeared and they indicate the new model will be built on the brand’s much touted modular UKL platform. It is expected to be lighter than the existing model owing to heavy usage of high-strength steel and aluminum. The expected price tag for 2018 BMW X3 is $ 42,000.

The BMW SUV will have three powertrain options in the offer. The basic model comes powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine. This engine has 180 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. The second option is also the 2.0-liter engine, but with 240 hp. The most powerful engine in the new 2018 BMW X3 is 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine with 300 hp.

Its release date is expected in the third quarter of this year.

5. Audi Q6 e-tron

The first electric SUV from Audi is not going to be a variant of the regular Q6. It will definitely be slotted beneath the Q7. The design resemblances with 2015’s e-tron Quattro concept showcased at Frankfurt Motor Show would be there. The approx price would be close to $75,000. It is expected to offer brisk acceleration despite lacking any fuel based powertrain. The exterior styling will be like that of a sporty SUV.

This electric SUV will have two versions, which will have the same battery capacity of 100 kWh. The first one will have 303 hp and the second one will have 408 hp. Autonomy of both versions should be 185 to 220 miles.

Audi has announced that the production version of Q6 e-tron will be ready for 2018.

6. 2018 BMW Z4

The upcoming Z4 is among the most awaited models of BMW those will be released in 2018. Expected to be priced at $38,000 the Z4 is aimed at Porsche 718 Boxter. The model is going to have a soft top. It will have dual seat layout and get rear-wheel-drive.

The new 2018 BMW Z4 will be offered with two engine options. The first one will be a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 250 hp. The second option would be a 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine with 335 hp.

The release date of this BMW roadster is expected in 2018.

7. 2018 Skoda Yeti

The Yeti, Skoda’s popular SUV is all set for its 2nd generation debut. The prototype model has been spied testing several times. Design traces from its sibling Kodiaq are expected to be there in the final model. The boxy build of the present model will not be there and it will be built on MQB platform. Changes in wheel design and grille are also expected. The base trim price would be around $ 20,000.

When it comes to the engine aggregates we expect powertrains from VW game, including a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder turbo petrol and 1.6 and 2.0-liter TDI diesel engines. As hybrid variant is also possible, it could combine the 1.4-liter gasoline engine and electric motor.

The new Yeti are expected in showrooms from the beginning of 2018, at a starting price of around $ 18,000 for the base version.

8. 2018 Toyota Supra

Toyota Supra is making headlines since it is a little different from other cars made by the Japanese automobile giant. Toyota is developing this sporty coupe in alliance with BMW. Some design elements of the previously showcased Toyota FT-1 concept can be there in the final model. Details of the powertrain are not clear but the car could be priced around $ 62,000.

As we found out in 2018 Toyota Supra will be powered by a 6-cylinder 3.0-liter turbo engine, mated to a hybrid engine that would give a total power of 470 hp.

This model will be available in the sale from January 2018.

9. 2018 Volkswagen Touareg

The Touareg is among the most popular models from VW and it is getting a makeover for 2018. It will share the platform of Bentley Bentayga and Audi Q7. So, the 2018 Touareg will have a lightweight body. On first look, it resembles the Audi Q7 to an extent. It is likely to be priced at $55,000.

Volkswagen still has not announced which powertrains will give the power to the new Touareg.

10. 2018 Mercedes A-Class

The Mercedes A-Class is set to get a makeover for 2018 and this is natural given the steady popularity of the A-series lineup. Aimed at the BMW X1, the A-Class will get sharper exterior styling. This is among the more affordable Mercedes models you can buy and start price would be close to $ 25,000. A top of the line Mercedes-AMG A 45 variant may also be unveiled later. Everything from infotainment setup to the quality of cabin upholstery will get a boost.

The old 2.1-liter diesel engine will be replaced by new 2.0 liters with 160 hp and 190 hp.

The release date is expected in early 2018, also until the end of the next year, you can expect Mercedes A-Class sedan version.

Conclusion

This is ten cars from different categories which will be completely redesigned. As you can notice this article includes all categories from small city cars to Sport Utility Vehicles.

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Source by Nenad Banjac

Car Wash Showers: Bathing at Its Finest

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It’s a necessity for everyone to take a bath daily. Most just don’t care where they do this, how plain they take their baths and how their bathrooms look like. These people just fail to recognize that things must not be taken for granted. As much as possible, everything must be as rewarding and as exciting as possible. If you don’t want to be labeled anywhere near ordinary, just continue reading.

There’s definitely no better way to clean yourself than submitting yourself to a car wash shower. These modern systems are made up of a dual array of fixed spray nozzles arranged in a vertical manner. This vertical orientation allows a refreshing complete cleansing of the whole body. Car wash showers grant you complete control over the volume and strength of water gushing into your body. This type of showers also commonly come with his-and-her temperature-control valves upon installation which ensure that your shower will be anything but tormenting.

The spa system is a type of car wash shower that easily captivates the elusive interest of classy users. This system allows up to two times water recirculation per minute. The set-up targets around 80 gallons of water per minute to unclean or stressed parts. The spa system directs water through air to guarantee strengthening and rewarding gains of water massage. After the spa-like treatment, you can take a typical shower.

The released volume of 80 gallons is better than the output of more than 20 shower heads. Because the mentioned amount may be too much for unfamiliar users, the body jets are set to low delivery by default. This grants the bath taker enough time to figure out the best settings for a massage-like shower without getting inconveniently surprised. Given the relatively large water output and pressure, the controlling device needs to be situated at a spot unlikely to be hit by the shower stream.

The various components comprising car wash showers allow some diversity to the privileged who want this definitely fulfilling bathing experience. You can choose from several brands, styles and finishes of spray heads and shower valves. For the best designs, select a general motif for your shower room and pattern everything according to it. The appeal and elegance of the best car wash shower designs will just be nullified if the shower will just be assembled in a lowly setting. If you opt for a somewhat classic appeal, then select components that appear vintage in pattern. There’s definitely a wide array of valves and shower heads being purchased in the market, but for best effects purchase your shower parts from companies that are well-known for selling high quality shower packages.

Car wash showers are definitely high end innovations and because of this status, many systems can’t support their complexity. For example the large water input requires the continuous water supply and a relatively large container especially for the spa system. Your house drainage system may also pose some hindrance. Because these showers require adequate hot water, the water heater must be replaced if it can’t provide the minimum heat required. The walls of the shower room must also be thick enough to fit the water lines for the various spray heads. Before purchasing a car wash shower, make sure that you have already consulted with a trusted plumber and resolved the mentioned issues.

Car wash showers will definitely become a very hot trend for the wealthy in the near future. If you can afford the costs and if your plumbing system permits such extravagant innovation, just feel free to own your own car wash shower right away.

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Source by Arrick Chakraborty

How to Take Care of Your Car Headlights

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It is a common occurrence on the road – gleaming cars with sleek bodies, washed and polished to a fault, sporting yellowed, cloudy headlights! You see dirty, unkempt, cloudy, scratched headlights on old cars and you see them on swanky new cars. It is surprising that people would go through the trouble of vacuuming their interiors and hand polishing their exteriors while leaving their car headlights looking positively ugly.

Unattractive headlights are a compelling eyesore because your headlights form the basic character of your car. These are what you first observe in a car. They are the eyes of the car and play a big role in maintaining the good looks of your car. Clear headlights are also a safety requirement. Cloudy headlights do not throw proper light on the road and could very well lead you into a ditch at night. So, it is important to take care of your car headlights regularly, for both aesthetic and pragmatic reasons.

The good news is that maintaining your car headlights in great condition is easy; and investing some time in it will keep you safe and happy.

Cracked headlights: If one or both headlights are cracked, replace them immediately. Any crack on the surface will allow moisture and dust to seep in, making the headlights cloudy while increasing the glare for oncoming drivers. If you need to wait for the weekend or a holiday to get the headlight replaced, seal the crack with resin until you replace.

Dirty headlights: Use headlight cleaners to wipe your headlights. Dirty, cloudy headlights can greatly affect your night vision. So, every time you wash your windshield, make it a point to clean your car headlights too.

Maintenance: Many drivers say that they just do not remember to check the condition of their headlights. This is wrong. Inspect your headlights annually to make sure that they are in good condition and are focused properly. Replace bulbs once every year to keep your headlights in good working condition. And it is important to replace both bulbs, even if you have a situation where only one is burned out.

Condensation: Sometimes headlights get cloudy due to retention of moisture. To remove condensation, remove the headlight and drill a small hole at the bottom. Drain out water and leave the headlight to dry. Seal the headlight and reinstall it.

Headlight lenses: Most recent vehicles have lenses made of polycarbonate. This makes it easy to maintain and repair them, if necessary. However, though polycarbonate is resilient and hardy, it also has a tendency to cloud and yellow after extensive UV exposure. Fortunately, there are a number of clarifying agents to help you remove this haze.

For those who are less inclined to purchase products to clean their headlights, there are headlight repair and maintenance kits. These kits have everything you need to keep your lenses clean.

Keeping your car headlights in good condition is not a difficult task. All it needs is consistency.

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Source by Kathlyn Kathie

How To Detect a Lemon Car

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There are few things more exciting than buying a new car and testing it on the road. Owning the car of your dreams is a great feeling. Unfortunately, this feeling can be quickly ruined if the new vehicle begins to act strangely and is plagued by numerous malfunctions in a short time. If the number of repairs is quickly getting higher and you wander why, the answer may be in front of your eyes: you have bought a lemon car. Find out how to detect a lemon car before actually buying the car and contact a lemon law attorney if you need any help.

Stumbling upon a lemon car occurs more often when buying a used car. Whenever you want to buy a car, either new or used, there are some things to verify. The first thing to check is the tire thread dimension. Buying a car with uneven tire thread is really not recommended. Uneven thread indicates that the tires were never rotated or changed during spring of winter. And this should tell you that the car was not properly cared and some hidden traps may be lurking. A front end alignment job will be only the tip of the iceberg.

Another thing to do before buying the car is to see if the suspension is working properly. Buying a car with a misaligned suspension will force you to make a costly visit to the mechanic. The quickest way to check if the suspension is working is the so-called “bumper test”. Push on car’s bumpers, both at front and back. The car should bounce gently once or twice. If the car does not bounce or the bumper feels still, this should be worrying signs. Meeting resistance when you push down the bumpers is never good.

A car with loose or wobbly steering wheel is another sign for a lemon. Loose steering wheel suggests an alignment problem or a problem with the steering liquid. It is also a sign that the car you want to buy is maybe too old.

Testing your car at high-speed for short distances may also reveal other problems. If you take the car of a spin and after you reach a certain speed, let’s say 60/mph, the car begins pulling one side or if the steering wheel begins shaking, you should consider twice about buying this car. These are clear signs of engine problems and having a car with faulty engine is a life-threatening risk.

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Source by Gurgu Ciprian

4 Ways To Get Rid of Hyper-Flashing With LED Turn Signal Bulbs!

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Hyper-flashing, also known as rapid flash or hyper flash, it’s the most common phenomenon that occurs when you change your turn signals to LED lights. Since LED turn signal bulbs draw much less power than the original factory bulbs, this will cause a sudden drop in the circuit’s resistance causing the hyper-flash or rapid blinking of the turn signals. This type of event also occurs when you have a turn signal bulb blown or not working since that also causes a drop in resistance in the circuit. This lens will show you four ways to tackle this problem once and for all.

1) The first solution is also the most common out of all four and will be a sure-fix to the hyper-flashing issue. Load resistors are resistors that are put between the positive wire and negative wire of the LED turn signal wiring, bridging the two wires together raising the load (hence load resistors) for the entire circuit. The specifications for most load resistors have 50W capacity with a 6 ohm resistance. Although these will fix the issue for nearly 100% of cases, the requirement of tapping wires discourages some people from purchasing these. Along with the wire tapping, these also get very hot once they are operating due to the electrical resistance created within the resistor so these must be mounted to a metal surface.

2) The next solution is a plug and play (PnP) load resistor harness. In theory, it is the same exact design as the load resistors previously mentioned, however, these are pre-wired to a specific socket size such as 3157, 7443, 1156, and more. Since the load resistors are pre-wired, they can be easily installed without needing to tap any wires. These are perfect for those who want a PnP style solution to their hyper-flashing woes. Unfortunately, the only downside is that the socket plugs are universally designed and may not fit all housings. In addition to that, most of these are designed using a 3 ohm resistor instead since they will be in direct proximity to the pre-wired wires to prevent overheating and melting. Mounting to metal is still required.

3) The third solution is a thermal flasher relay. Most vehicles come equipped with a relay that coordinates the flashing speed of the turn signals. These factory flasher relays are designed to operate using a regular incandescent filament bulb, not an LED bulb that has a lower power draw. To fix this, aftermarket thermal flasher relays are designed to operate with aftermarket LED replacement bulbs. The flasher relay does not get hot and is a PnP solution. The only downside with this fix is that some of the newer vehicles do not use a flasher relay to coordinate the LED corner lights, instead it uses the vehicle’s ECU (Electronic Control Unit). This brings us to our last solution to the hyper-flashing issue…

4) Many European vehicles and some newer vehicles have the ECU to control the flashing of the blinker lights. In addition to controlling it, European vehicles also have a system that monitors the draw and resistance of the exterior bulbs and warns the driver when they are not functioning. These are known as fault or error messages and can be quite annoying. To alleviate this, some vehicles have the ability to change the resistance and draw requirements of the turn signal circuit to use an LED turn signal using aftermarket car computer software. This not only gets rid of the error message, but it also fixes the hyper-flashing issue at the same time. As with all these fixes, there will be a “pro” and there will be a “con” to each solution; the con for this is that this type of fix may not be available for all vehicles.

All in all, having the choice of four distinct hyper-flash fixes will allow the user to choose what is best for their vehicle. While one solution may not work for the vehicle, another solution may work it instead. While these fixes are not rocket science and is not difficult to accomplish, these all require some type of electrical knowledge of the vehicle, it is still recommended that only a professional with experience install these fixes.

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Source by Eric Wu

Can Police Use Laser Guns From Inside Their Car?

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You might have seen it before – you are traveling along the interstate and you see a police officer in his car shooting LIDAR out of their driver’s side window. Perhaps you’ve even spotted an officer targeting through his windshield or via the side-view mirror?

The question is: can law enforcement officials employ LIDAR from inside their car or truck? In short, Yes!

Police laser, officially named LIDAR is an acronym for LIght Detection And Ranging. Among the laser jammer online community, ‘laser’ can be the more frequently used term, but LIDAR is equally acceptable. Police laser guns may look complicated and daunting, though with a bit basic familiarity with math along with an example or two, anyone can understand how it performs strategies to, then defend against it.

Overall, police laser (LIDAR) guns calculate speed by using infrared light to measure distance a few hundred times (in just a few seconds). The genius of police laser guns, compared to radar guns, are how the laser beam concentrates onto an extremely tiny area that it can only focus on one automobile at a time. Officers would like to be in a position to locate one exact vehicle, and the laser gun’s little beam enables them to do so. Light beams broaden when they travel; they may start as small as a pin as soon as they leave the laser gun. Even so, after 1000 ft, the beam is just about six ft wide, still small enough to focus on only one automobile.

Many officers running speed enforcement with LIDAR choose to sit perpendicular towards the road and shoot at oncoming traffic from their driver’s side window. Why would they do that from the inside of their car? You can find 3 major reasons:

1. Laser guns are heavy!

Although they might not look like it, a good number of laser guns have state-of-the-art and heavy innards, which can put pressure on an officer’s hands and arm if he or she is shooting for an lengthy time. For this reason, some officers will in addition utilize a tripod or rest the LIDAR unit on top of their car and target vehicles from behind the car.

2. LIDAR guns have to be steady

Most people have certainly not used police laser in the past, therefore they do not understand how tricky it may be to truly concentrate on a car coming from a sizeable distance away. To acquire a speed reading, the officer needs to maintain your car or truck targeted for about a second and keep from ‘sweeping’ sideways. Sweeping or abrupt movements could very well give an incorrect speed readout.

3. They are ready to go

At the time a police officer gets a speed readout, he needs to then go chase the speeder! If he’s already seated in the car, he’ll be able to just put his car into drive and turn on their red and blue lights. If he’s standing outside of the vehicle, he had to open up his car door, get inside, and then pull out, leading to lost time and quite possibly a missed ticketing prospect.

As previously mentioned, some police will shoot the laser gun via their windshield and even reflect it off of their rear-view mirror at oncoming cars. This actually will generate a speed readout, but these methods will probably decrease the device’s functionality and quite a few LIDAR gun companies usually do not endorse these methods.

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Source by John A Sampson

5 Fabulous Ford Cars and Trucks

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The Ford brand is the most popular automotive brand in the United States, regularly beating Chevrolet and Toyota for top honors. The Ford Motor Company has worked diligently to bolster its namesake brand and has done so by offering numerous models for consumer consideration.

There are too many Ford models to mention here, but we’ve selected five which are fabulous and should be considered if you are looking for a new car or a low mileage used vehicle.

1. Ford F-150 – No Ford list can be written without mentioning the full size Ford F-150 pickup truck. Introduced in 1948, the F-Series is the best selling pickup truck line in America, powered by V-6 and V-8 gas engines paired with six-speed automatic transmissions. Available in two- and four-wheel-drive, in various cabin and bed configurations and trimmed the way you want it, the F-150 features a spacious cabin, excellent payload and towing capacities and, when equipped with an EcoBoost V-6, a nice blend of performance and fuel efficiency.

2. Ford Fusion – Ford’s current midsize sedan, the Ford Fusion, was introduced in 2006 and refreshed in 2010. This five passenger sedan is powered by a fuel efficient four cylinder engine or optional V-6. The Fusion has consistently proven to be a good value, offering better residual value than even the segment leading Toyota Camry. A hybrid model joined the line in 2010, offering 41 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, tops in its class.

3. Ford Edge – The market for midsize crossover models is very competitive, with most every manufacturer offering at least one model. The Ford Edge was restyled in 2011 and now offers improved fuel economy, better handling, numerous technology features including SYNC, Bluetooth and an advanced audio system and leather seating options. This crossover offers plenty of storage room and is suitable for light towing.

4. Ford Focus – New for 2012, the compact Focus sold in North America now matches what Europeans have long enjoyed. This car is roomy, sporty and offers class leading fuel economy, achieving 40 mpg with its most fuel efficient model. The Focus is a tuner favorite too, allowing owners to customize their rides with sport fascia, performance exhaust systems and a host of other features. The new model is available in sedan and hatchback body styles.

5. Ford Fiesta – The smallest Ford model is the Ford Fiesta, a subcompact car retailing for under $14,000. Modern, sporty and offering a roomy interior, the Fiesta is a fuel efficiency leader too, offering 40 mpg on the highway. This car features 10 airbags, a number not found on even most midsize sedans. You can customize your ride to make the Fiesta reflect your personality.

Other Ford models worth considering include the Taurus, Explorer, Escape and Mustang, top performers in each segment. Ford is a proven winner offering many submodels worth considering too.

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Source by Matthew Keegan