Friday, December 7, 2007

What You Should Never Buy With Your Used Car

Probably the biggest money-maker and greatest rip-off for consumers are dealer installed add-ons. You know window tint, alarm, DVD player, tires and wheels, spoilers and ground effects are just some of the multitude of aftermarket products available to enhance the look and/or features of your vehicle. However, if you are willing to spend a little time getting prices, you can find a much better deal than the dealer is offering.The only advantage to buying your vehicle add-on's from the dealer is you are able to add the cost into the lien note. But this will obviously raise your monthly payment from just a few more dollars to a couple of hundred! Not to mention the additional interest incurred when you roll the accessory costs into the vehicle's lien note. Save yourself the aggravation and some money by getting any of the accessory add-ons from other sources. There are a myriad of aftermarket retailers just waiting for you to come in and purchase your add-on equipment from them. For the most part, these retailers have technicians who know far more about installation and set-up procedures than any Used Car Dealer mechanic. Plus they offer a greater selection of high quality aftermarket products than the dealer and at lower prices.The reason is simple; the aftermarket retailers know you can easily roll the accessory cost into your lien note, so they have to make it worth your while to choose to purchase from them instead; thus better selection and lower prices. Plus if the truth were told, the Used Car Dealer probably sends your vehicle out to an aftermarket retailer to install the products anyway. Most dealers do not have the ability or manpower to do all the accessories in-house.Think about it, if you are paying the dealer $350.00 for window tint, they are probably paying $100.00 at the aftermarket retailer, which is more than likely the same price you would be paying as well. So not only do you keep your payments down, you save on the cost of the items, the labor to install them and you also establish a relationship with the aftermarket retailer should there be any problems later on. If you take the vehicle back to the dealer, chances are you will be directed to the aftermarket retailer for any repairs or warranty problems.
Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com
About the Author: Chuck Parrish, former used car salesman now consumer advocate, reveals unethical salesman ploys, and how to get cheap used car finance and insurance at his website http://www.usedcarangels.com.

How to Win a Flex-Fuel Vehicle

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius said the choice of a grand prize is a good one. "By offering an E85 vehicle as a grand prize, the Lottery and its partners are helping promote an industry that is increasingly important to Kansas," said the Governor. "Demand for ethanol is creating a growing market for Kansas grain." Good for the ethanol industry, perhaps, but of questionable value as a way to reduce gasoline consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. According to official EPA fuel-economy ratings, a 2007 GMC Sierra Classic 1500 4WD (Crew Cab) gets 15 mpg in city driving and 19 mpg in highway driving when operating on straight, unleaded gasoline. Operating on E85, those numbers drop to 11 mpg and 14 mpg, respectively. That is about the same as a Hummer H2 (flex-fuel versions of which will become available starting with the 2008-year models).Even were the truck to run all the time on E85, it would still burn 61% as much gasoline (in the form of the 15% gasoline contained in E85) as a Honda Civic hybrid would running exclusively on gasoline. Thats assuming the E85 being consumed actually contains the full 85% ethanol: ASTM standards for E85 allow its ethanol content to drop as low as 70% during winter months, in order to improve performance attributes.Of course, in practice, the amount of ethanol consumed by owners of FFVs in the United States is much, much less than 85%, and still in the single digits. It is easy to understand why: besides having to hunt around to find a filling station that sells E85, the lucky winner of the truck would (according to the EPA) have to shell out $889 more each year to keep the vehicle tanked up on E85 instead of unleaded gasoline.One has to wonder also whether the profits from the Lottery will provide a net gain for Kansas. In addition to offering income tax credits for installing E85 fueling equipment (up to 40% of total cost, to a maximum of $160,000 per station), the State Government also pays a tax credit of 7.5 cents per gallon of ethanol produced from plants located in the state.Environmental BenefitsBio-ethanol is an entirely renewable fuel that can be produced from just about any biomass source, such as corn, wheat, sugar-cane or cellulose. On top of these environmental benefits, in many markets the car owner is compensated at the fuel pump through the lower price of bio-ethanol.One single renewable fuel will not be able to replace todays fossil fuels, and the range of alternative fuels will probably be far wider in the future. Many different fuels and technologies are therefore being developed in parallel. Ethanol reduces dependency on fossil fuels.Bio-Ethanol - The future?The demand for renewable bio-ethanol is growing steadily in Europe. There are already 23 plants producing ethanol in Europe which is expected to rise to just over 60 by 2008. Approximately 720 million gallons of ethanol are produced annually within the European Union, primarily from sugar beet and various grains. Capacity is expected to increase threefold by 2008.In comparison, the USA has 101 bio-ethanol plants with a capacity of 4.8 billion gallons per year. It has a further 39 bio-ethanol refineries under construction, which will add more than 2.5 billion gallons capacity. There are already about 1,000 filling stations for E85 in the USA.
Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com
About the Author: Vidar Lura write articles about to operate with alternative based fuels, which reduces our dependency as a nation on foreign oil, improves our environment. How to Win a Flex-Fuel Vehicle More info visit website http://www.abcesso.com

Company Puts E85 Ethanol in Your Vehicles Gas Tank

Ethanol fuel stations, commonplace in Brazil where the AutoFFV was designed, are popping up all across the United States. Small mom-and-pop fuel station owners and large suppliers are opting to replace their mid-grade gasoline with E85. The appeal of the fuel in the U.S. stems from a desire to move away from dependence on the Middle East as well as the fuel's inherently clean burning characteristics.Until recently, the renewable fuel was useful only to those owning a factory-built flex-fuel vehicle. However, these vehicles are few in number, as availability has been limited primarily to fleets and municipalities. But the AutoFFV lets almost any car or truck owner choose between E85, gasoline or any blend of the two."Our system is unique because we have the only system that can convert a standard vehicle into a flex-fuel vehicle while simultaneously protecting the engine from the acids that can form when burning E85," said Vidar Lura, president of Abcesso Technology.The AutoFFV was designed to help consumers take advantage of the wide availability of ethanol fuels. Ethanol has been available at the fuel pump in Brazil for 30 years. The AutoFFV kit, as sold in the United States, includes a controller unit, which installs easily in most modern vehicles with no modifications, and engine protection chemicals, which permanently plate internal engine parts to protect them from wear and oxidation.The AutoFFV carries a warranty that covers not only the box itself, but also the vehicle's engine.AutoFFV conversion technology was developed by Letande Ind.in Brazil, a company that was recently acquired by Abcesso Technology. While several other companies have attempted to reverse engineer the technology, the reverse-engineered products have been found to cause performance problems and even damage engines.So, what is ethanol? Ethanol is ethyl alcohol which needs to be 100% pure. Ethanol is the highest performance fuel on the market and keeps today's high-compression engines running smoothly. Ethanol-blended fuel (such as e85) keeps your fuel system clean, cause it does not leave gummy exhausts.And because ethanol burns cleaner, it produces fewer emissions. Today, all ethanol cars manufacturers approve the use of ethanol blended fuels and even recommend to use ethanol for its positive environmental impacts.The use of an ethanol will allow to increase the performance of ethanol cars in general. Initial tests showed that ethanol may also extend from 20 to 80% the engine's maintenance. The conversion of existing engines is not only feasible, but also cost effective.One of the most convenient ethanol-gasoline mixtures is called e85 and consists of 85% ethanol to 15% gasoline. Ethanol fueled cars are specially designed to run well as on the mixture of ethanol to gas as on alcohol fuel, moreover, they are able to detect the specific ratio of ethanol to gas and adjust themselves accordingly to run as efficiently as possible. Ethanol cars that run on ethanol can also run on regular gas, too, that's how flexible they really are!
Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com
About the Author: Vidar Lura write articles about to operate with alternative-based fuels, which reduces our dependency as a nation on foreign oil, improves our environment. Company Puts E85 Ethanol in Your Vehicles Gas Tank More info visit website http://www.abcesso.com

Caring For A Convertible Top

It appears that one of the items on your car that is most susceptible to the elements and sun or UV damage is the convertible top. Without proper care they will fade, stain, yellow and crack similar to cloudy headlights. If this condition is not checked and allowed to worsen eventually expensive replacement will be the only option. There is an alternative which is restoration of the convertible top. Just like with headlight restoration, an item that was previously replaced at great expense can now easily be restored to like new condition.Before proceeding with this article, be sure to check your owners manual for required car as some convertible tops are more sensitive or may require special products or coatings for maximum durability. If you do not already have an owners manual one can easily be purchased through your local new car dealer (for older models they may have to order it as it probably will not be in stock). It is also a good idea to have the owners manual anyway so you know the correct maintenance intervals, safety issues and everything you need to know related to your car. Most convertible tops incorporate a plastic window or windows. These windows rarely are treated to withstand the sun and UV damage. For most, routine cleaning with specialized car wash soap and following up with some wax will usually do the trick. Be careful not to get the wax on the vinyl or cloth top material as it may stain or discolor it. For oxidized and cloudy plastic windows what we have found that works best is headlight lens restoration. When this treatment is applied to the windows, it removes the oxidation and film and restores optical clarity just like it does with headlight lenses. The results on plastic windows are amazing. Glass windows can be cleaned with regular glass cleaner and for stuck on debris a razor blade works wonders (do not use glass cleaner on plastic windows or parts).Using a vacuum cleaner and lint free towels remove all dirt and debris around the top (this includes inside the back window where bugs and debris accumulate a long hose attachment works great here. Also do not forget to lift the convertible top cover and clean out the inside). Then look at the top and see what material it is made out of.
Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com
About the Author: For the rest of this article and for many more great articles on similar, helpful topics, please be sure to visit - How to clean headlights - http://www.mdwholesale.com.

Car Dealer Scams

If you are looking to buy a car then you might think the safest place to buy from is a car dealer, since they should be the most knowledgeable and trustworthy people to buy a car from. However this is not always the case, some car dealers are out to make a fast buck and so will try anything.Many people know what car sales men are like, and so hate the experience of buying a new car. Of course not all car dealers are the same, it is just unfortunate that there is no easy way to differentiate them.Sometimes when you buy a car the dealer will charge you for the advertising fees twice, because they have already been added to the invoice the dealer received. To beat this one ask about advertising fees demand to see a copy of the invoice if you are not completely satisfied. They will usually also add a bogus processing fee of from $100 to more than $500 (the processing fee is pure profit for the car dealer that he does not have to pay any commission on to salespeople). Cars are like any other consumer product, the more desirable it is the more somebody is willing to pay for it. Some dealers add on additional fees on top of the prices of the cars if they are very popular, this is not completely unfair as it should help to even the demand and supply functions out. However you should never pay over the MSRP of the car or even close to the MSRP, if the car is more highly demanded then the maximum you should pay is the MSRP (or better yet wait a few months until its popularity wains and buy it at invoice).Some dealers quote a certain figure in an add for a certain car, but when it comes down to it the actual price is much higher than this (you may not be able to get one with no options, etc..). Make sure that you continually ask the dealer exactly what you are paying for and the exact price so that they realise that you are not going to take any messing.When trading in your car there are also cons to be aware of, some dealers will quote figures when you are outside, but by the time you get inside these figures have vastly shrunk - or better yet, they will switch you to negotiating payments where you have no idea how much total you will end up paying and they will break it down as its only $25 a day, etc.... (Lets see, $25 a day is $750 a month and that is $9000 a year and $45,000 over a typical 5 year car loan - it adds up very fast and that may not include interest and compounding of principle! Lets say you only over pay by $5 a day - that doesn't sound too bad and the dealer seems like a really nice guy, right? $5 a day is $150 a month, is $1800 a year, is $9000 over 5 years too much you paid! Think about it).
Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com
About the Author: For the rest of this article and for many more great articles on similar, helpful topics, please be sure to visit - Headlight Repair and Restoration - http://www.mdwholesale.com.

Re-Thinking The Role Of A Stryker

We are all aware of the serious problems with the Stryker MGS, but now that Stryker Brigades have entered combat, and peace stabilization work in Iraq, a number of observations have been made.They are a hell of a lot safer than being in a light armored jeep. They can handle rifle and machine rounds. Smaller IED and personnel mines handled without too much difficulty.However, they cannot take the punishment that the M2 Bradley can handle. Even with SLAT armor, they have fallen prey when multiple RPG are fired at them. They are reportedly also taking a lot of damage in the wheel areas of the vehicles, whereas the tracked M2 would brush them off, keep on moving, and fighting.Considering the foregoing, do you think the Stryker will be relegated a lesser position in the new modular army, with the M2 being put back into the spotlight. I note that to date I haven't seen much about the speed of the Stryker being of much use in convoy or patrol duties, which makes one wonder if the think-tanks are hashing this over in terms of light mobility that can't handle RPG's let alone larger munitions.The M2/M3 has shown that they can take more damage, sure, but they're still vulnerable to RPGs. The other thing that surprised me is that Stryker's tend to do better when hit in the wheel areas than Bradley's; the RPG detonates when it hits the tires, meaning it disables the vehicle but doesn't punch through the armor, while the same hit wouldn't necessarily disable the Bradley but it'd kill everybody inside. I'll ride in the Stryker. Also, the Stryker was never meant to lead an assault when there was real armor available; it's supposed to deploy quickly like the 82nd did in 1990 for the Gulf War, and then it's good for peacekeeping stuff, plus it's a good platform for middle echelon forces.The Stryker's have done pretty good in Mosul with 1-24 INF. I saw that had been hit by a car bomb, the only thing really wrong with it was the tyranny made some funny noises and it needed some new tires and a paint job.One item that the Stryker units in Iraq wish they had "the day before" is the version with the 105mm cannon. But because of problems with the autoloader it's IOC has been pushed back to 2008 or 2009. For the life of me I can not figure out why the US Army does not buy some of those off the shelf 105mm two man conventional turrets (Cadillac Gage has them in production for export orders) and fit them to Stryker's for Iraq till the overhead turret version is available.Yes, the TOW bunker buster is "some what" filling that role (i.e. electrical wires cause problems in urban warfare), but all the commanders say a conventional cannon is needed NOW. And in fact the conventional turret 105mm is much better for the type of warfare that the US Army is now engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan (i.e. the turret commander can acquire targets and direct fire better). The only clear cut advantage that the overhead turret has is in the tank destroyer role.Finally, if the US Army bought a batch of conventional 105mm turrets for an interim solution, after the overhead turret version is fielded those turrets could be removed and easily sold on the world export market.One of the problems with the Stryker MGS is that some people tried to make them a tank replacement. They could have gotten away with a vehicle with more firepower over the 25-40mm cannon, with something like the Canadian Cougar with its short 76mm gun, and had no problems with shooting it. However, that would have brought into question the disparity between the 105-120mm guns on tanks. I have no problems with light armored forces, after all that is what I served in, however the Rumsfeld's of the world, and lord knows we have our share of them up here, had an agenda and nothing was going to change their ideology, even if lives were lost. For me and I'd suggest many others that is the bottom line.It also brings into question the thought processes that the Stryker's would not be in frontline combat as this would be left to tanks and heavier armor in the way of the M2 and M3, but they somehow forgot how insurgency fighting can be as dangerous as frontline duty. Convoys with weaker armor can still cost lives, just as frontline combat can and in Iraq that never ending lesson is played out far too often.One of the other posters said something important, IMHO, that these types of vehicles have a place for base security patrols, true peacekeeping where the belligerents want you there as a buffer force, but otherwise this use of Stryker's in a combat zone has to be rethought. Maybe with newer Stryker's that have added armor this situation will improve. I know that they have done pretty good in Iraq and in Afghanistan. In prior conflicts Canadian troops lost their legs, and sometimes lives due to the inherit weakness in the M-113 APC, with the wheels and bottom protection doing what they are supposed to do, and that is all to the good side of the equation. However, without added armor protection that benefit is lost and also the nonsense about making them air transportable. No way with the added armor. Makes one think again that both Lockheed-Martin and Boeing have missed the boat in not creating a successor to the Herc, and why the A400M Airbus with its superior payload capacity while still having the same take off and landing requirements of a Herc will win the day in many purchases from NATO countries. Unproven yes, but if it does succeed, LM's lead in the medium military lift field will be extinguished.
Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com
About the Author: Victor Epand is an expert consultant for http://www.CombatCloth.info/. CombatCloth.info carries the best selection of combat clothing, gear, and accessories on the market.

Motor Trade Insurance: Getting The Best Deal

If you are a motor trader, then you know that the only way you can make money is to get the best price possible. You have to buy the vehicle at the best price, get repairs made at the best price, and also sell the vehicle at the best price. With this same principle in mind, you need to make sure that you are buying motor trade insurance at the best price. The profits you are making in all other aspects of your motor trading business could be eroded drastically by the amount of money that you are overpaying on motor trade insurance. The best way to save money on motor trade insurance is to shop the market and try to find the best price from all possible sources. However this can be a daunting task to complete by yourself, and most of the time you do not have enough time or resources to do this successfully. When looking for the best price while you are shopping for motor trade insurance, you should probably hire an insurance broker that can do the searching for you. These companies usually can negotiate a better price for you, get you a policy that is personalized to fit your needs, and also find many different motor trade insurance carriers that you might not have ever known about. These companies are also very good at explaining the coverage much better than some other insurance companies can. You might think that these insurance broker companies are a middle man that you do not need, but they will be able to find you the coverage that you need, at a great price, faster and more easily than you will be able to on your own. Also if you are thinking that you might not need motor trade insurance at all, then think again, because many different things can happen to your vehicles that could land a crushing blow to your business.Motor trade insurance is very important if you are in the motor trade business. Any of your cars could be damaged or completely wrecked while you are driving, or even while they are parked. The amount of cars on the road now-a-days that do not have insurance is very high, so you do not want to lose your whole investment on a car if your car gets wrecked and the person who caused the accident does not have insurance. Motor trade insurance can also be used to protect your car if you are the one that causes the accident. Some people think that motor trade insurance is only good until you get into an accident, because then the insurance company decides that they do not want to pay your claim. Most of the time it is hard to know if you have a good insurance company until you have had an accident. However if you use an insurance broker then they usually have someone that works for them that will work with a particular insurance company on your behalf.This in-house claims manager as they are sometimes referred will work for you to get the insurance company to pay for your claim. The best thing about using an insurance broker is that they work for you and not the insurance company, so they are going to do everything in their power to make you, their customer, satisfied. If you bought your own motor trade insurance, then you have to fight with the insurance company by yourself to get the money you deserve on a claim. The biggest problem with this is that most of the time you do not know all of the insurance jargon that an insurance company uses, so you will not be able to understand everything that is going on. The insurance broker's claim manager knows the insurance business inside and out, so they can fight for you and get much better results.
Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com
About the Author: Save money on your Motor trade insurance at http://www.northerncounties.com/motor-trade-insurance.php

How The HumVee Became The Hummer Of Today

The popular hummer vehicle manufactured by General Motors actually uses the design of the HumVee military vehicle. This vehicle was created to replace the old military jeeps of the US Army because it was getting obsolete in the sense that it cannot be adapted to the new requirements of the US Army today. The need to traverse rough terrain easily simply cannot be done using the old style jeep. The new HumVee can easily do this using its wide suspension and stronger body. Of course, a bigger and better 4 wheel drive installed also helps a lot in making sure that the HumVee can indeed go anywhere on the face of the planet. Moreover, a deep water fording kit can also make the HumVee capable of fording a body of water up to 1.5 meters deep.Today, there are more than 15 versions of this vehicle in the US Army alone. The HumVee army vehicle has become the standard cargo carrier, troop carrier, ambulance, automatic weapons platform, missile carrier and surface to air missile platform of the US Army.It has become so popular that people are familiar with it without even having seen a real one. You can see HumVees in the news, in your pc games and in toy models. HumVee has indeed become the standard vehicle of the US Army.The HumVee also has its civilian counterpart called Hummer. This vehicle is manufactured by General Motors and has become one of the popular vehicles in the market today. The hummer is a vehicle derived from the HumVee design but on a smaller scale with components added for both comfort and style. Today, there are several models of this vehicle being sold as a midsized sport utility truck or a sport utility vehicle. They are generally used by people requiring a rugged and off the road vehicle for their line of work. Some people also prefer them because of the image or the size of the vehicle. Popular versions of these vehicle are the Hummer 1, which was the original design, the Hummer two, which was a smaller version of Hummer h1 and is considered as an efficient multipurpose vehicle, Hummer h2 sport utility truck which is a pickup truck version of the standard h2 vehicle and the hummer h3, which is even smaller than its two precedents and is being marketed as a mid sized sports utility vehicle.
Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com
About the Author: Greg Lucas is a small business owner and an on-line marketing expert who owns and operates a large network of informative and educational websites. for more information please visit: hummer pickup truck

Toyota Hybrid System Control For Toyota Ohio

The system control of THS II maintains the vehicle at its maximum operating efficiency by managing the energy used by the entire vehicle, which includes the energy for moving the vehicle as well as the energy used for auxiliary devices, such as the air-conditioner, heaters, headlights and navigation system. The system control monitors the requirements and operating states of hybrid system components, such as the engine, which is the source of energy for the entire hybrid vehicle; the generator, which acts as the starter for the engine and converts the energy from the engine into electricity; the motor, which generates the drive power for running the vehicle using the electrical energy from the battery; and the battery, which stores the electrical energy generated through power generation by the motor during deceleration. It also receives braking information being sent via the vehicle's control network, as well as instructions from the driver, such as the throttle opening and shift lever position. In other words, the system control of THS II monitors these various energy consumption statuses of the vehicle in real time and provides precise and fast integrated control so that the vehicle can be operated safely and comfortably at the highest possible efficiency. Like modern jet planes, THS II hybrid vehicles use by-wire control, in which the driver's instructions are converted into electrical signals (through wires) to be used in integrated control. In by-wire control, system reliability is the highest control priority. When a smart key sends information indicating that the driver has gotten inside the vehicle, the system power supply is turned on.First, whether or not the hybrid computer itself is functioning normally is monitored, and an operational check is performed before the ignition button is pressed.When the ignition button is pressed, the system checks whether or not various sensors, the engine, the motor, the generator and the battery are functioning normally. Then, the switches for the components in the high-voltage system, such as the motor, the generator and the battery, are turned on, making the vehicle ready to run. This is the start-up control sequence. When the driver presses the ignition button again before leaving the vehicle, the components in the high-voltage system are disconnected and, after confirming that such systems are turned off, the hybrid computer shuts down.Safety checks are also being carried out while the vehicle is moving, and, based on various types of information such as changes in driving conditions, the system controls the vehicle so that it can operate in an emergency mode in the unlikely event of failure in the hybrid system or lack of fuel.Engine power control is the basic control mechanism of THS II for always minimizing the energy consumption of the entire vehicle.Based on the vehicle's operating state, how far the driver has depressed the acceleration pedal and the status signals from the battery computer, energy management control determines whether to stop the engine and run the vehicle using the electric motor only or to start the engine and run the vehicle using engine power.When first started, the vehicle begins to operate using the motor unless the temperature is low or the battery charge is low. To run the vehicle using engine power, the engine is first started by the generator and at the same time, the system calculates the energy required by the entire vehicle. It then calculates the running condition that will produce the highest efficiency for producing this energy and sends an rpm instruction to the engine. The generator then controls the engine revolution to that rpm. The power from the engine is controlled by taking into account the direct driving power, the motor driving power from electrical generation, the power needed by the auxiliary equipment and the charging requirement of the battery. By optimizing this engine power control, THS II has advanced energy management for the entire vehicle and has achieved improved fuel efficiency.The driving power of a vehicle with THS II is expressed as the combination of the direct engine driving power and the motor's driving power. The slower the vehicle's speed, the more the maximum driving power is derived from the motor's driving power. By increasing the generator rpm, THS II has made it possible to use the engine's maximum power starting at slower speeds than was possible with the current THS. It has also made it possible to significantly increase the maximum drive power by using a high-voltage, high-output motor that successfully improves power performance. Because the engine has no transmission and uses a combination of the direct driving power from the engine and the motor's driving power derived from electrical conversion, it can control the driving power by seamlessly responding to the driver's requirements, all the way from low to high speeds and from cruising with a low power requirement to full-throttle acceleration. (This is known as torque-on-demand.)Additionally, the time required to start the engine during acceleration from motor-only drive has been reduced by 40%, greatly improving the acceleration response. In order to eliminate shock during engine start-up, the generator also precisely controls the stopping position of the engine's crank. To ensure that the vehicle's driving power is not affected even when a large load is applied, e.g., when the air-conditioner is turned on, precise driving power correction control is carried out, achieving smooth and seamless driving performance.In THS II, the newly developed Electronically Controlled Braking System (ECB) controls the coordination between the hydraulic brake of the ECB and the regenerative brake and preferentially uses the regenerative brake; it also uses a high-output battery and increases the amount of energy that can be recovered and the range in which it can be recovered. The system increases overall efficiency and, thus, fuel economy.In THS, the engine, the generator, the motor and the wheels are linked together via the power split device. Furthermore, most of the engine power is converted into electrical energy by the generator, and the high-output and high-response motor drive the vehicle. Consequently, when the vehicle's driving power changes abruptly, e.g., wheel slippage on icy or other slippery surfaces and wheel locking during braking, a protection control similar to that used in conventional traction control is used to prevent abrupt voltage fluctuation and revolution increase of the planetary gear in the power split device. In THS II, we have advanced the parts protection function further and achieved the world's first motor traction control by utilizing the characteristics of a high-output, high-response motor. The goal of the motor traction control is to restore traction when wheel slippage on a snowy road is detected, for example, and inform the driver of the slipping situation. The basic requirement for safe vehicle operation is firm traction between the tires and the road surface. Motor traction control helps the driver maintain this state.This is another driver assist function that is unique to the high-output motor THS II. This function prevents the vehicle from sliding downward when the brake is released during startup on a steep slope. Because the motor has a highly sensitive revolution sensor, it responsively senses the angle of the slope and the vehicle's descent and ensures safety by increasing the motor's torque.
Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com
About the Author: Melih ("may-lee") Oztalay, CEO SmartFinds Internet Marketing Web: www.toyotaofbedford.com EMail: melih@hsfideas.com Toyota Ohio state customers now have an online showroom built with Toyota Cleveland Ohio shoppers in mind.

Toyota In Cleveland Ohio And The Hybrid System

A hybrid system combines different power sources to maximize each one's strengths, while compensating for each other's shortcomings. A gasoline-electric hybrid system, for example, combines an internal combustion engine's high-speed power with the clean efficiency and low-speed torque of an electric motor that never needs to be plugged in for recharging.Toyota is working to not only further enhance the convenience of its vehicles but is also focusing its initiatives on solving global environmental issues through a variety of activities and proposals for realizing sustainable mobility. The development of powertrain technology is the basis for improving the environmental performance of vehicles, and this technology is being developed from three perspectives: 1) improving fuel efficiency in order to reduce CO2 emissions, 2) making exhaust emissions cleaner to help abate atmospheric pollution, and 3) pursuing energy diversification. Toyota strives, in its move towards energy diversification, to provide the necessary vehicle at the time and place it is needed, i.e. the right vehicle at the right time and in the right place. In addition, Toyota is actively developing hybrid technology to serve as a core technology applicable to all powertrains.Toyota's mission has always been to provide clean and safe products. Thus, the company has positioned the environment as one of its most important issues and has been working toward creating a prosperous society and a world that is comfortable to live in. With this goal in mind, Toyota has been actively developing various new technologies from the perspective of achieving energy security and diversifying energy sources, which is necessitated by the dwindling supply of petroleum resources. For example, in motive power sources for automobiles alone, we have been continuously improving conventional engines and have developed and commercialized lean-burn gasoline engines, direct injection gasoline engines and common rail direct-injection diesel engines, etc. We have also been modifying engines so that they can use alternative fuels, such as compressed natural gas (CNG), instead of gasoline or light oil, and have been installing these engines in commercially sold vehicles. Toyota has also developed and has been marketing electric vehicles (EV) that use motors for the driving source; hybrid vehicles (HV) that combine an engine and a motor, fusing the advantages of these two power sources; fuel cell hybrid vehicles (FCHV) that use fuel cells (FC) to generate electricity based on a chemical reaction between hydrogen and the oxygen in the air and that supply this electricity to electric motors to produce driving power.In January 1997, Toyota declared the start of the Toyota Eco Project. As part of this effort, Toyota decided to tackle the international challenge of reducing CO2 emissions in order to prevent global warming and accelerated the development of a hybrid vehicle with the goal of achieving twice the fuel efficiency of conventional vehicles. Then, in March of the same year, Toyota announced the completion of a new power train called the Toyota Hybrid System (THS) for use in passenger vehicles. This power train combines a gasoline engine and an electric motor, and because it does not require external charging, as do existing electric vehicles, it works within existing infrastructures such as fueling facilities. This system also achieves nearly twice the fuel efficiency of conventional gasoline engines.THS was installed in the passenger vehicle Prius, which was introduced in December 1997 in the Japanese market as the first mass-produced hybrid passenger vehicle in the world. In 2000, overseas marketing of the Prius began. The Prius has gained a reputation as a highly innovative vehicle, and its cumulative worldwide sales have exceeded 110,000 units. Meanwhile, THS has continued to evolve, and in 2001, THS-C, which combines THS with CVT (continuously variable transmission), was installed in the Estima Hybrid minivan and THS-M (a mild hybrid system) was installed in the Crown, luxury sedan, both for the Japanese market thereby contributing greatly to innovations in the automobiles of the 21st century.Building on the ecology-focused THS, Toyota has developed the concept of Hybrid Synergy Drive. Based on this concept, Toyota has developed a new-generation Toyota hybrid system called THS II, which achieves high levels of compatibility between environmental performance and power by increasing the motor output by 1.5 times, greatly boosting the power supply voltage and achieving significant advances in the control system, aiming for synergy between motor power and engine power.Toyota has positioned hybrid technology as its key technology. Beginning with the development of EVs and through the commercialization of HVs and FCHVs, its continued efforts have now culminated in the development of THS II. Toyota will continue to endeavor to make technical advances in this area.
Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com
About the Author: Melih ("may-lee") Oztalay, CEO SmartFinds Internet Marketing Web: www.toyotaofbedford.com EMail: melih@hsfideas.com Toyota Ohio state customers now have an online showroom built with Toyota Cleveland Ohio shoppers in mind.

Toyota Hybrid System Development Objectives For Toyota Ohio

Automobiles of the future must increase both environmental and safety performance, while significantly increasing the all-important motor vehicle characteristic of being fun to drive. To achieve superior driving performance, which is the basis for driving enjoyment, the conventional approach has been to increase output and torque by increasing engine displacement or using supercharging. However, this approach decreases fuel efficiency, making it difficult to achieve compatibility of environmental performance and power. In other words, fuel efficiency and power are in a trade-off relationship. By using the Toyota Hybrid System (THS), the Prius was able to escape the inevitability of this relationship in a paradigm shift. The goal of the Hybrid Synergy Drive concept is to achieve compatibility of high levels of both environmental performance and power.THS, which is a series parallel hybrid, contains a power split device that splits power into two paths. In one path, the power from the gasoline engine is directly transmitted to the vehicle's wheels. In the other path (electrical path), the power from the engine is converted into electricity by a generator to drive an electric motor or to charge the battery. This unique configuration achieves idling stop, stopping of the gasoline engine while the vehicle is running, running of the vehicle using the electric motor, motor assist at any speed, and highly efficient energy regeneration, without using a clutch or transmission. This is achieved through the use of a motor having large low-speed torque and large output.The newly developed hybrid system, THS II, targets both greater power and improved motor power transmission efficiency, advancing energy management control for the entire vehicle. As a result, Hybrid Synergy Drive has been developed, which markedly increases power performance, improves acceleration performance, and at the same time achieves the highest degree of environmental performance in the world.The new hybrid system THS II is based essentially on THS. In a bid for even higher efficiency, the new system adopts a high-voltage power circuit between the motor and generator, and greatly reduces energy loss during energy transmission to deliver optimal energy efficiency. THS II significantly increases the use of the electric motor, and under conditions in which the engine experiences poor efficiency, the engine is stopped and the vehicle runs using only power from the electric motor. Under conditions in which engine efficiency is high, THS II operates the engine at optimal fuel efficiency and generates optimum electricity. It also achieves greater energy regeneration during deceleration and braking, thereby increasing the electricity input/output efficiency, in pursuit of the world's highest fuel efficiency. In terms of environmental performance, THS II aims to meet the ATPZEV (Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle) Regulations in California, U.S.A, which are proposed to go into effect in 2005, the Ultra-Low Emissions Level in Japan, as well as the EURO IV Regulations, scheduled to go into effect in 2004, thus realizing the world's highest level of clean emissions.THS II boasts by 1.5 times more power from the motor thanks to a higher rpm of the engine, motor, and generator. It adopts a high-voltage power circuit and a higher-performance battery for increased power supply. As a result, the motor power and engine power together provide a more powerful yet smoother running performance.All of the major components of THS II have been developed by Toyota on its own. The high-voltage power circuits, the motor, the generator and the battery have all been designed anew, enabling further evolution of the hybrid system.The system consists of two kinds of motive power sources, i.e., a high-efficiency gasoline engine that utilizes the Atkinson Cycle, which is a high-expansion ratio cycle, as well as a permanent magnet AC synchronous motor with 1.5 times more output, a generator, high-performance nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery and a power control unit. This power control unit contains a high-voltage power circuit for raising the voltage of the power supply system for the motor and the generator to a high voltage of 500 V, in addition to an AC-DC inverter for converting between the AC current from the motor and the generator and the DC current from the hybrid battery. Other key components include a power split device, which transmits the mechanical motive forces from the engine, the motor and the generator by allocating and combining them. The power control unit precisely controls these components at high speeds to enable them to cooperatively work at high efficiency.
Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com
About the Author: Melih ("may-lee") Oztalay, CEO SmartFinds Internet Marketing Web: www.toyotaofbedford.com EMail: melih@hsfideas.com Toyota Ohio state customers now have an online showroom built with Toyota Cleveland Ohio shoppers in mind.

How Are The Options About Automobile Financing

You have found the car that makes your heart race by 120 beats per minute. Now only one thing stands between you and the car of your dreams: financing the purchase. In a perfect world, you would pay the full price in cash without blinking. But if you are like the seven out of ten car and truck buyers who don't live in a perfect world, chances are you would be paying for your car through one of several financing schemes.Understanding the basics of each car financing option is key to choosing the automobile financing strategy that best suits your situation. Here is an overview of auto financing options that may be available to you.Auto Loans from Lending InstitutionsYou can get a car loan from a bank, credit union, or other lending institutions. The car that you purchase will serve as collateral for the auto loan. This means that the lender can repossess your vehicle if you default on the car loan. Auto loans are a popular car financing option because they generally offer reasonable interest rates and are relatively easy to get.Two factors are likely to affect the total cost of the car loan. One is the term or duration of the loan. Generally, the longer the term of the loan, the lower your monthly installment will be. But you will end up paying more towards interest and this will increase the total cost of the auto loan. If you can afford it, get a short-term loan. Your monthly installment will be higher, but you will be paying less money over all. The second factor that may affect the total cost of your car loan is your credit rating. Creditors with less-than-stellar credit history are usually charged a higher interest rate because of the elevated credit risk.How can you put a limit on learning more? The next section may contain that one little bit of wisdom that changes everything.Dealer FinancingLike traditional auto loans, dealer financing is reasonably easy to get. Most dealerships have relationships with numerous lending institutions, so they can arrange car loans even for car buyers with blemished credit histories. To compete with traditional bank loans, many dealerships offer zero percent or very low interest on dealer loans. However, such loans are available to car buyers with stellar credit ratings. Consumer experts advise car buyers to get pre-approved on an auto loan from a bank or credit union before approaching the dealership for possible financing. By getting loan pre-approval from another lending institution, a car buyer gets the upper hand when bargaining for a lower rate on a dealer loan.Home Equity Loans and Home Equity Lines of CreditIf you own a home and have accumulated substantial equity on your property, then you may consider getting a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit. Home equity loans are fixed or adjustable rate loans that you repay over a predetermined period. Home equity lines of credit are open-ended, adjustable-rate revolving loans with a maximum credit limit based on the equity of your home. Home equity loans tend to have lower interest rates than credit cards and other types of personal loans. Interest payments on home equity loans may also be tax-deductible up to a certain extent. Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit use your home as collateral, so make sure you are financially capable of paying the monthly installments if you don't want run the risk of losing your home.Credit CardsA credit card advance or credit card draft from your credit card company can help you drive your dream car home. Like home equity lines of credit, credit card advances or credit card drafts are revolving lines of credit with variable interest rates. To entice existing customers to avail themselves of credit card drafts, credit card companies waive cash-advance fees, guarantee low rates during the initial period of the loan, or offer high credit limits. However, because credit card drafts are unsecured, they generally have higher interest rates than home equity loans, traditional auto loans or dealer loans. Financing your auto purchase through credit cards could also leave you vulnerable to hefty penalty charges if you make a late payment or exceed your credit limit. You can't predict when knowing something extra about automobile financing will come in handy. If you learned anything new about automobile financing in this article, you should file the article where you can find it again.
Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com
About the Author: Michael Hehn writes articles about various topics. Find out what he has to say about financing at Financing

What is Toyota's Hybrid System in Toyota Ohio?

Fusion between an internal combustion engine and electric motor--achieving different functions through different power combinations.Automobile hybrid systems combine two motive power sources, such as an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, to take advantage of the benefits provided by these power sources while compensating for each other's shortcomings, resulting in highly efficient driving performance. Although hybrid systems use an electric motor, they do not require external charging, as do electric vehicles.Hybrid systems possess the following four characteristics:1) Energy-loss reductionThe system automatically stops the idling of the engine (idling stop), thus reducing the energy that would normally be wasted.2) Energy recovery and reuseThe energy that would normally be wasted as heat during deceleration and braking is recovered as electrical energy, which is then used to power the starter and the electric motor.3) Motor assistThe electric motor assists the engine during acceleration.4) High-efficiency operation controlThe system maximizes the vehicle's overall efficiency by using the electric motor to run the vehicle under operating conditions in which the engine's efficiency is low and by generating electricity under operating conditions in which the engine's efficiency is high.The series/parallel hybrid system has all of these characteristics and therefore provides both superior fuel efficiency and driving performance. There are three types of Hybrid systems from Toyota. The following three major types of hybrid systems are being used in the hybrid vehicles currently on the market:1) Series hybrid systemThe engine drives a generator, and an electric motor uses this generated electricity to drive the wheels. This is called a series hybrid system because the power flows to the wheels in series, i.e., the engine power and the motor power are in series. A series hybrid system can run a small-output engine in the efficient operating region relatively steadily, generate and supply electricity to the electric motor and efficiently charge the battery. It has two motors, a generator (which has the same structure as an electric motor) and an electric motor. This system is being used in the Coaster Hybrid.2) Parallel hybrid systemIn a parallel hybrid system, both the engine and the electric motor drive the wheels, and the drive power from these two sources can be utilized according to the prevailing conditions. This is called a parallel hybrid system because the power flows to the wheels in parallel. In this system, the battery is charged by switching the electric motor to act as a generator, and the electricity from the battery is used to drive the wheels. Although it has a simple structure, the parallel hybrid system cannot drive the wheels from the electric motor while simultaneously charging the battery since the system has only one motor.3) Series/parallel hybrid systemThis system combines the series hybrid system with the parallel hybrid system in order to maximize the benefits of both systems. It has two motors, and depending on the driving conditions, uses only the electric motor or the driving power from both the electric motor and the engine, in order to achieve the highest efficiency level. Furthermore, when necessary, the system drives the wheels while simultaneously generating electricity using a generator. This is the system used in the Prius and the Estima Hybrid.Since a series hybrid uses its engine to generate electricity for the motor to drive the wheels, the engine and motor do about the same amount of work.A parallel hybrid uses the engine as the main power source, with the motor used only to provide assistance during acceleration. Therefore, the engine is used much more than the motor.In a series/parallel hybrid (THS in the Prius), a power split device divides the power from the engine, so the ratio of power going directly to the wheels and to the generator is continuously variable. Since the motor can run on this electric power as it is generated, the motor is used more than in a parallel system.
Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com
About the Author: Melih ("may-lee") Oztalay, CEO SmartFinds Internet Marketing Web: www.toyotaofbedford.com EMail: melih@hsfideas.com Toyota Ohio state customers now have an online showroom built with Toyota Cleveland Ohio shoppers in mind.

Toyota Ohio's History In Hybrid Vehicles

Toyota has been researching and developing the hybrid system with the aim to achieve low emissions and to conserve energy for over 30 years.Gas Turbine Hybrid Cars (S800/Century) In the 1970s, Toyota announced the gas turbine hybrid cars (S800/Century), based on a combination of gas turbine engine and electric motors, as one of our solutions to address the urban environmental issue of exhaust gas emissions. We also began our research into electric vehicles at the same time. Their in-house electric motor development program had begun in the 1980s. Thus the technologies necessary in releasing a mass production hybrid vehicle later were accumulated over the many years.In the 1990s, reduction of CO2, identified as one of the causes for global warming, became a global issue in addition to the issues of exhaust gas emissions. At the same time, the opinion that it would be rather difficult to consider using batteries as a key component of the main powertrain in future vehicles due to problems related to the self-weight and other restrictions became dominant among automotive engineers in the 1990s. This prompted Toyota to seriously consider the possibilities offered by various types of hybrid systems and focused our research and development efforts to realize mass production hybrid vehicles that can be offered to the society at large.1st generation Prius The 1st generation Prius was released to the market in 1997. This was the world's first mass produced hybrid passenger car that provided the basic convenience that automobiles intrinsically offers and outstanding environmental performance at a low price, affordable to many people. The 1st generation Prius was developed as one solution from Toyota that addressed the issues of improving urban environmental conditions by reducing emissions and improve the global environmental conditions by reducing the amount of CO2 emission.The 1st generation Prius focused on ecology as the utmost priority. Based on the lessons learned from that experience, the next generation was developed featuring HYBRID SYNERGY DRIVE, to provide enhancements to "The Joy of Driving " quality, which is what attracts people to automobiles intrinsically.Toyota will continue our efforts to develop innovative future generation powertrains in pursuit of manufacturing cars with world's leading environmental performance, in which our customers can enjoy a comfortable driving experience.Gas Turbine Hybrid Cars (S800/Century)In the 1970s, Toyota announced our gas turbine hybrid cars (S800/Century), based on a combination of gas turbine engine and electric motors, as one of our solutions to address the urban environmental issue of exhaust gas emissions. We also began our research into electric vehicles at the same time. Our in-house electric motor development programme had begun in the 1980s. Thus the technologies necessary in releasing a mass production hybrid vehicle later were accumulated over the many years.In the 1990s, reduction of CO2, identified as one of the causes for global warming, became a global issue in addition to the issues of exhaust gas emissions. At the same time, the opinion that it would be rather difficult to consider using batteries as a key component of the main powertrain in future vehicles due to problems related to the self-weight and other restrictions became dominant among automotive engineers in the 1990s. This prompted Toyota to seriously consider the possibilities offered by various types of hybrid systems and focused our research and development efforts to realize mass production hybrid vehicles that can be offered to the society at large.1st Generation PriusAnd the 1st generation Prius was released to the market in 1997. This was the world's first mass produced hybrid passenger car that provided the basic convenience that automobiles intrinsically offers and outstanding environmental performance at a low price, affordable to many people. The 1st generation Prius was developed as one solution from Toyota that addressed the issues of improving urban environmental conditions by reducing emissions and improve the global environmental conditions by reducing the amount of CO2 emission.The first generation Prius focused on ecology as the utmost priority. Based on the lessons learned from that experience, the next generation was developed featuring HYBRID SYNERGY DRIVE, to provide enhancements to "The Joy of Driving " quality, which is what attracts people to automobiles intrinsically.
Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com
About the Author: Melih ("may-lee") Oztalay, CEO SmartFinds Internet Marketing Web: www.toyotaofbedford.com EMail: melih@hsfideas.com Toyota Ohio state customers now have an online showroom built with Toyota Cleveland Ohio shoppers in mind.

Toyota Hybrid System Transmission And Engine For Toyota Ohio

The hybrid transmission consists of the power split device, the generator, the electric motor and the reduction gears, etc. The power from the engine is split into two by the power split device. One of the output shafts is connected to the motor and the wheels while the other is connected to the generator. In this way, the motive power from the engine is transmitted through two routes, i.e., a mechanical route and an electrical route.An electronically controlled continuously variable transmission is also provided, which can change speed while continuously varying the rpm of the engine and the rpm of the generator and the electric motor (in relation to vehicle speed).THS II also reduces friction loss by about 30% by using ball bearings in the transmission and low-friction.The power split device uses a planetary gear. The rotational shaft of the planetary carrier inside the gear mechanism is directly linked to the engine, and transmits the motive power to the outer ring gear and the inner sun gear via pinion gears. The rotational shaft of the ring gear is directly linked to the motor and transmits the drive force to the wheels, while the rotational shaft of the sun gear is directly linked to the generator.Because the maximum possible rpm of the generator has been increased, it can draw on higher engine rpm, thereby producing higher output. As a result, the amount of electricity created by the generator is increased, and this increased amount feeds the motor, thus leading to an increase in driving power.A 1.5-liter engine is used, which achieves high efficiency by using the Atkinson Cycle, one of the most heat-efficient, high-expansion ratio cycles. Because the expansion ratio ((expansion stroke volume + combustion chamber volume)/combustion chamber volume) is increased by reducing the volume of the combustion chamber and the chamber is evacuated only after the explosion force has sufficiently fallen, this engine can extract all of the explosion energy.In conventional engines, because the compression stroke volume and the expansion stroke volume are nearly identical, the compression ratio ((compression stroke volume + combustion chamber volume)/combustion chamber volume) and the expansion ratio are basically identical. Consequently, trying to increase the expansion ratio also increases the compression ratio, resulting in unavoidable knocking and placing a limit on increases in the expansion ratio. To get around this problem, the timing for closing the intake valve is delayed, and in the initial stage of the compression stroke (when the piston begins to ascend), part of the air that has entered the cylinder is returned to the intake manifold, in effect delaying the start of compression. In this way, the expansion ratio is increased without increasing the actual compression ratio. Since this method can increase the throttle valve opening, it can reduce the intake pipe negative pressure during partial load, thus reducing intake loss.VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent) is used to carefully adjust the intake valve timing according to operating conditions, always obtaining maximum efficiency. Additionally, the use of an oblique squish compact combustion chamber ensures rapid flame propagation throughout the entire combustion chamber. High thermal efficiency, coupled with reductions in both the size and weight of the engine body through the use of an aluminum alloy cylinder block, and a compact intake manifold, etc., help improve the fuel efficiency.The engine's top revolution rate has been increased from the 4,500 rpm in conventional engines to 5,000 rpm, thereby improving output. Moving parts are lighter, piston rings have lower tension and the valve spring load is smaller, resulting in reduced friction loss. Furthermore, the increase of 500 rpm produces faster generator rotation, increasing the driving force during acceleration and further improving fuel efficiency.
Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com
About the Author: Melih ("may-lee") Oztalay, CEO SmartFinds Internet Marketing Web: www.toyotaofbedford.com EMail: melih@hsfideas.com Toyota Ohio state customers now have an online showroom built with Toyota Cleveland Ohio shoppers in mind.

Toyota Ohio Accumulated Sales of Hybrid Vehicles

Since the 1st generation Prius release in 1997 and up to 2003, Toyota has sold approximately 150,000 units. Furthermore, after the 2nd generation Prius was released, it has sold 120,000 in 2004.Prius was offered to the market at a reasonable price and made choosing a hybrid vehicle an ordinary choice. It is truly the world's first mass produced hybrid vehicle in reality and in name.Global sales of Toyota's hybrid vehicles, mainly of its Prius model, have topped the 500,000 mark, with around 513,000 units sold worldwide by the end of October. These cars cleverly combine a conventional petrol engine with batteries and an electric motor to maximize fuel economy. Toyota launched the Prius "the world's first mass-produced hybrid " in Japan in 1997 and began selling it in North America and Europe in 2000. In 2001 in Japan, it added a minivan, luxury sedan and hybrid truck. In 2003, Toyota introduced the second-generation Prius and the Alphard MPV in Japan.In Canada hybrid cars are not yet big sellers, but these fuel-efficient, low-polluting cars are a growing presence on Canada's highways.Toyota Canada Inc. announced Wednesday the sale of its 5,000th second-generation Prius mid-size hybrid, which remains a modest figure in the auto business. But sales are up by 30 per cent so far this year, which is worth noting.In Europe the european diesel-dominated market is showing signs of slowly warming up to hybrid vehicles. Toyota Motor Europe recently announced that the cumulative European sales of both Toyota and Lexus hybrid vehicles passed 50,000 units. A total of about 41,000 Prius hybrids have been sold since it went on sale in Europe in 2000. Sales of the Lexus RX400h and GS 450h have reached a total of over 10,000 units in just 17 months of sales. While 50,000 hybrids sold might seem like an impressive number, the worldwide cumulative sales of Toyota and Lexus reached almost 635,000 units on April 1. This indicates a relatively low penetration in Europe compared to other markets, such as the United States, with over 260,000 Prius cars sold.In the U.S. the Internal Revenue Service announced September 2006 that Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. has submitted quarterly reports indicating that its cumulative sales of qualified vehicles to retail dealers has reached the 60,000-vehicle limit during the calendar quarter ending June 30, 2006. Under the current tax law, the credit for buying a hybrid vehicle begins to phase out during the second calendar quarter after the quarter in which the company sells its 60,000th hybrid or lean burn technology vehicle.The credit for all new advanced lean burn technology motor vehicles or new qualified hybrid passenger automobiles or light trucks manufactured by Toyota Motor Corporation will begin to phase out on Oct. 1, 2006.Vehicles purchased before Oct. 1, 2006 qualify for the full credit. For Toyota hybrid vehicles bought on or after October 1, 2006, and on or before March 31, 2007, the credit is 50 percent of the otherwise allowable credit amount. Taxpayers buying vehicles on or after April 1, 2007, and on or before September 30, 2007, can only get 25 percent of the credit.Toyota saw a 'hiccup' in hybrid sales November 2006. The Prius saw sales drop to 8,733 units sold, a drop of 12.1%. The first time in 5 months sales have seen a decrease from last year and only the fifth time sales have dropped in two years. Toyota blamed some of the other decreases, not on lack of demand, but on lack of production, as the Toyota Camry was being built in the same plant. So, it's interesting to see a drop here.The Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Lexus RX 400h also saw decrease to 1643 and 1239 units sold, respectively. That's a decrease of 29.5% for the Highlander Hybrid and 34.9% for the RX 400h. The Toyota Camry saw 2806 units sold in October and the Lexus GS 450h sold 177 units. Neither were on sale last October and so there is no comparison.So, despite seeing drops in all four vehicles being sold last October, Toyota still managed to increase sales of its hybrids from last October by 3.0%. If we took out the Camry and GS 450h, however, Toyota Hybrid sales would have been seen to drop 18.0%. Its possible Toyota is starting to see some sales decrease because of the phasing out of its federal tax credit.
Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com
About the Author: Melih ("may-lee") Oztalay, CEO SmartFinds Internet Marketing Web: www.toyotaofbedford.com EMail: melih@hsfideas.com Toyota Ohio state customers now have an online showroom built with Toyota Cleveland Ohio shoppers in mind.

Is Ethanol the Chicken, or the Egg?

Even though the some state offers up to $30,000 to convert existing pumps to E85, there have only been some grants awarded, with half of them going to retailers looking to install biodiesel, not E85, the report stated. Currently, 1000 stations in the U.S. sell E85.Gas station owners are hesitant to spend the thousands of dollars it requires to switch their equipment, according to the Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Stores.Very few of U.S. drivers own cars that can handle the E85 fuel, which makes gas retailers wary of installing the systems. Eestimates that less than 600,000 flex-fuel vehicles are being driven in the U.S."Our goal is to push renewable fuels, and E85 might not be the way to do it""We ve got people who have put in E85 already who are taking it out because people arent buying it."Another roadblock for retailers is a new requirement that forces stations using the grants to keep the E85 fuel pumping for a minimum of five years. Few owners would be willing to make such a commitment, according to the organization, which sought a three year minimum."There just so much uncertainty with E85 right now"But if the state wants to meet its mandate of 25 percent of its motor fuels to be made from renewable resources by 2020, gas retailers must adopt the fuel, officials said."People arent buying flex-fuel vehicles because they cant buy the fuel for the flex-fuel vehicles. Its the old chicken versus the egg"Others maintain that the fuel will come, if given some time. "Its going to be ugly for a few years, I just think it will be, as you try to get supply and demand in balance""But it will come. Too much depends on it."So, what is ethanol? Ethanol is ethyl alcohol which needs to be 100% pure. Ethanol is the highest performance fuel on the market and keeps today's high-compression engines running smoothly. Ethanol-blended fuel (such as e85) keeps your fuel system clean, cause it does not leave gummy exhausts.And because ethanol burns cleaner, it produces fewer emissions. Today, all ethanol cars manufacturers approve the use of ethanol blended fuels and even recommend to use ethanol for its positive environmental impacts.The use of an ethanol will allow to increase the performance of ethanol cars in general. Initial tests showed that ethanol may also extend from 20 to 80% the engine's maintenance. The conversion of existing engines is not only feasible, but also cost effective.One of the most convenient ethanol-gasoline mixtures is called e85 and consists of 85% ethanol to 15% gasoline. Ethanol fueled cars are specially designed to run well as on the mixture of ethanol to gas as on alcohol fuel, moreover, they are able to detect the specific ratio of ethanol to gas and adjust themselves accordingly to run as efficiently as possible. Ethanol cars that run on ethanol can also run on regular gas, too, that's how flexible they really are!
Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com
About the Author: Vidar Lura write articles about to operate with alternative based fuels, which reduces our dependency as a nation on foreign oil, improves our environment. Is Ethanol the Chicken, or the Egg?. More info visit website http://www.abcesso.com

The Silent Killer

Have you ever a fantasized about sitting in 2000 pound metal sled surrounded by 20 or 30 gallons of flammable liquid, while going head on into oncoming obstacles at 60 miles an hour, with your eyes closed. Over half of Americans experience this everyday. They get behind the wheel of an automobile without the proper sleep. Referred to as "the silent killer" because it is so often overlooked as the cause of an accident. The full effect of drowsy driving is not yet known because reporting is imprecise, police are not trained to detect sleep related crashes and there is no Breathalyzer test to determine whether someone was driving while dangerously drowsy. Driving without the proper sleep has the same effect as driving under influence of drugs or alcohol. You not only put yourself at risk but everyone around you. You fight to maintain control of the vehicle while you attempt to arrive safely at your destination. In the United States one in five reported falling asleep at the wheel. You know that you are exhausted but at the moment you are robbed of common sense, and you sincerely believe you can drive on safely. Everyone has commitments but we allow them to dictate our life pace, sometimes with devastating results, especially when we drive with inadequate rest. Common sense tells us that we are tired and need sleep, but is overridden by our desire to reach the destination. Lack of proper sleep is a main cause of mishaps on American highways and it shows no signs of decreasing as our lifestyles become more and more hurried. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that approximately 100,000 police-reported crashes annually involve drowsiness and/or fatigue as a principal causal factor. You start the week off with little sleep and end the week exhausted, and the cycle begins again. You learn to tolerate your exhaustion and it becomes a habit and pretty soon it becomes a part of your everyday life. When you are sleepy and trying to drive the outside world looks and sounds totally different than under normal conditions. The slightest sound is magnified a thousand times and the weakest light becomes a laser beam pointed directly at your eyes. You loose control of your most important cognitive functions and your reaction time is reduced significantly. Having small children or animals in the automobile further complicates the problem.Perhaps this explains how you are driving in one lane and end up in another. It may further explain why people end up crashed into trees and ravines and do not understand how they got there. Those crashes result in an estimated 1,500 fatalities and 71,000 injuries each year, and an annual monetary loss of approximately $12.5 billion. Lets face it you can drive without proper sleep, but you significantly increase your chances of having an accident. Fortunately for most lack of sleep is a not a chronic problem. There are many temporary and some permanent solutions to this mayhem.Stop driving or switching drivers is common method use by many drivers to ensure they get enough sleep. Another technique is to open the windows or turn on the air conditioning. Contrary to popular belief noise cannot eliminate the need for the proper sleep but it may keep you alert when you have decided to keep driving no matter the consequences. Listening to the radio or compact disc player may be a solution if the music doesnot relax you so much that you really do fall asleep.Stopping to eat or drink may revitalize the body and give you the energy you need. Drinking caffeine may give you a temporary boost but this type of relief forces your body to act in an abnormal manner and sooner or later the effects wear off. Experts who have looked at the problem say the only safe way to combat drowsy driving is to pull over to a safe parking spot and take a 20-minute nap. Then drive to the closest safe resting spot such as a motel, friend's house and sleep. This is great advice but old habits are sometimes hard to break so you may not quit pushing the envelope over night.
Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com
About the Author: Johnny A. Jenkins, Distribution Director of Repeller Technology, urges you to get the Nap Zapper. It is simple, easy to use and keeps you awake while driving. Available at: Repeller Technology

How to Find a Used RV in Great Condition

"RVing," so to speak, is something that many people dream about. Driving down the open road in a recreational vehicle with everything that you need right at your fingertips can be an unforgettable experience. RVs will make your vacations better, and enhance your life in extraordinary ways. Owning an RV can be very freeing, allowing you the ability to have limitless adventures, whether camping or traveling. If your first recreational vehicle is going to be a used one, do your research. Used RVs, in great condition, are sold everyday; the key is in knowing where to find them.Used RVs are typically sold by RV dealers. Finding a dealer that has a good reputation for selling used vehicles is not hard to do. Ask people that own an RV if they have a dealer that they can recommend to you. Let your friends know what you are looking for. Word of mouth is an excellent way to locate a dealer who will treat you right. RV dealers will often have perfectly good used RVs on the lot that have been traded in for bigger and better models. Find out if they have one that had just a single owner before being traded in. Be sure that you walk through the RV, that is has the accessories you want, and that everything is in working condition. Don't forget to test drive it as well. Your RV dealer will help you with every step, and answer any questions that you might have.Keeping an eye on the classifieds in your local paper can help you locate dealers that have used RVs in excellent condition. You can, of course, buy from an individual, but you lose the benefits a dealer can offer, such as any available warranty. Don't forget to check the mileage, and don't be afraid to ask to take it to a mechanic that you trust to get it checked out. A reputable used RV dealer should have no problem with your request. Be sure that you ask how much oil it uses, and how many miles you can get to a gallon of gas. Searching the internet is also a great tool for finding a dealer that offers good condition used RVs at the right price. Sometimes traveling to check out a great deal is worth the time and money that you put into it. Take your family along with you to make sure that it is a model that they all will be happy with. You will want your family to love the RV, and be comfortable on family camping trips and vacations; their input is an important part of your decision.Finding a used recreational vehicle in great condition ss not difficult to do. Be sure that you are looking in all of the above places, and you will locate the vehicle of your dreams. That next family vacation does not have to be a distant dream; make it a reality and take your family on the best vacation they can imagine in a great used RV.
Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com
About the Author: For more information about used RV's,RV dealers, and RV Sales visit Bankston Motor Homes: http://www.bankstonrv.net/

Ever Thought of Trying Drag Car Racing?

Do you find yourself obsessively watching car racing on TV or driving to the local racetrack? Do you love tinkering with cars out in the garage, getting oil on your hands? Does the sound of a super-charged engine get your blood pumping?Well, maybe you are the kind of person who would love to get into the hobby sport of Drag Racing. Here is some insight.Drag car racer, Lorne Walters, worked on his drag car for over two years, making it one of the fastest cars on the strip. He even competes against cars that have a higher rated horsepower than his 1984 drag racing street car that he picked up for next-to-nothing. He collected inexpensive, used parts for it for over a year, until he finally bolted it all together and cranked the ignition.Since then, he has put a couple of seasons of driving and fine-tuning under his belt. He explained that it is not major changes that produce big leaps in performance but many little changes over time that makes the difference between winning and losing a race.Removing the muffler increased his engine's horsepower. Removing over three hundred pounds of non-essentials made the car lighter. Removing the belt-driven fan and replacing it with a battery-powered fan reduced the load on the engine. Changing from street tires to tires that get sticky when you lay rubber and heat them up increased his car's traction. All of these changes increased his car's speed.When you are counting your racing time in tenths of a second, every little change brings you closer to winning.One of Lorne's motto's to live by is, You can't learn it if you don't do it. If you want to become a better and more successful Drag Race driver, you can't just read about it or watch it, you must do it! The more you do it, and apply what you learn from the experience, the better you become.You may not consider everything you just read to be crucial information about drag car racing. But don't be surprised if you find yourself recalling and using this very information in the next few days.Before he ever thought of driving his own car though, Lorne joined a pit crew for a stock car driver, which allowed him to network with other enthusiasts and also get into the thick of it. Once he got bitten by the race car fever, getting behind the wheel became a driving obsession.Consistency is also one of the major keys to winning. In Drag Racing, it isn't always the fastest car that wins, but also the one who stays consistent in doing the little things right. Good race timing scores must be repeated often.Lorne also learned quickly that when you are on the strip, ready to go, you don't hang around waiting to be told to go. Waiting for the tree of lights to reach green-for-go cost him 1.2 seconds. Which meant that his competitor, who exploded his engine's horsepower into forward motion just prior to green, left the gate just as the tree hit green and was way out ahead of him. There is always a lag time before the car will actually burst forward.When Lorne started out with his own car, tagging along with a successful racer who knew the circuit and all the ropes placed him car lengths beyond his competition. He also gained much of his knowledge by asking lots of questions, searching the Internet for free information, and by hands-on experience.Drag Racing is no longer a hobby to Lorne, it is a passion a passion that pushes him from race to race throughout the season.Maybe this could be your passion, and like Lorne, you may get some or even your entire car sponsored by local businesses.Not sure if you would like it? Some drivers are allowed to take passengers during certain parts of the day. Why not get to know one and go for a trial spin?Happy super-charging!This article's coverage of the information is as complete as it can be today. But you should always leave open the possibility that future research could uncover new facts.
Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com
About the Author: Michael Hehn writes articles about various topics. Find out what he has to say about cars at Cars

What to Do and Not Do in the Event of an Accident

The worst thing has just happened to you. You have had an accident. There's never a good time to have an accident but it always seems to happen at the worst possible time. So what do you do? First off you need to stay calm. It's a totally natural reaction to lose your head or panic right when you need to be rational. Just after the accident is the time you should be taking note of all the information you will need to ensure that you are fully compensated and covered for any damage done to your property or to you. Talk to witnesses, get their contact details, make notes and take pictures if possible at the time of the accident. You'll be glad you did as it will be difficult to accurately recall all of the details as time passes. Finally remember not to admit that you caused the accident, even if you did. Right after the accident this will all be the last thing you think of, so make a checklist and keep it in the car.While you are at the accident scene take a note of the following details:Driver Details of everyone involved in the accident. Don't forget to add yours too. These details should cover the Drivers Name, driving license details, and driver insurance details including the insurance company name, policy number, and contact details. Finally remember to get the car license plate number.If you are carrying a camera take pictures of the accident scene, the damaged vehicles, and any injuries that were caused by the accident.Note the contact details of any witnesses such as name, address, phone number and email address so that you can follow up with them later.Post-Accident Follow Up: Complete your own fully detailed description of the accident as soon as possible after it occurred. You can fill this in with the details and any pictures that you took at the scene of the accident.If you were injured then take pictures of your injuries.Follow up with the witnesses to the accident and get their written details of the accident.If the Police attended the scene of the accident ask for their report.After the Accident: If you were injured you will need to keep track of the following medical expenses and visits:Any hospital visits and treatments at hospitals such as MRI, x-ray, physiotherapy and laboratory services.Over the counter and prescription medications.You should keep track of the dates, times and reasons you had to visit a doctor or the hospital, and keep a note of the time off of work due to the accident. If the time off caused a loss of income, you should get a letter detailing all of the lost income from your employer. Similarly if you are still in school you should keep track of all of the hours of missed schooling due to the accident.While you are undertaking medical treatment you should take pictures of your injuries to show their progress over time. Keep a log of the date and time of the picture and add details of any pain that you are experiencing, how you are feeling, and any distress or discomfort that you experience as a result of the accident.Keep track of all other expenses related to the accident. These will incluse some of the following: Property damages such as car repairs, damage to barriers, fences and signs.Some other indirect expenses may also occur such as a cancelled vacation due to injuries sustained in the accident or the cost of a rental car while yours is repaired. Finally there are other miscellaneous costs, such as ointments,lotions to treat your injuries, and bandages.Never reply to any questions or queries from any other party involved in or related to the accident, such as insurance companies or attorneys without first consulting your attorney. Do not settle any bills or sign any documents until you are sure of the extent of current and future medical expenses related to the accident, and have agreed on it with your attorney.
Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com
About the Author: Steve Dolan has been involved in several accidents and learned "The Hard Way". Click on Accidents and Injuries to find all the resources you need in the event of an accident.

The Benefits Of Choosing A Mobile Home

Mobile homes can be bought for a cheaper rate than stick-built houses in quite a few places in the country. Mobile homes are known to be the easy-on-the-pocket housing choice of so many people across the board and all this despite the common prejudice that tends to haunt it. The advantages are real but not immediately obvious. The main advantages are fast equity building. It is a half truth that mobile homes depreciate over a period of time. This is true if they are in parks but mobile homes on land generally go up in value.Buying a mobile home with real estate very often finds it doubling in value in a bit more than 10 years. Of course the house might be in need of some maintenance but that holds true for all houses at some point of time. What does happen is that the value of the land goes up and the mortgage payments are lower than that of stick-built houses. Because of the seven year amortization, shorter than normal and the lower equity amount, you find that you build up equity quite fast. For example a house with a $100,000, 6%, 30-year mortgage loan will entail a payment of $599.60. Now $500 of the very first payment will go towards interest and $99.60 will go to the principal amount. You find that you have built equity of $99.60. A mobile home on land, with a $30,000, 8%, 10-year mortgage will mean a payment of about $363.99 only. With mobile homes, a higher rate of interest is normal as is the shorter term too, and this means you have free and clear ownership of the home in 10 years instead of the usual 30. Here in the first month, $200 will go towards interest, which means $163.99 goes to the principal amount. So you see just how much more equity you are building.A faster loan pay out may be due to the fact that mobile homes on land may appreciate more slowly than a regular house. Banking the difference in payments of about $235.61 each month will give you a better financial stability with the mobile home rather than the expensive home. By paying less each month you can build more equity. Since simple math is not part of the licensing agreement, your real estate agent will not tell you these little bits of important information and maybe you should not expect him to.When you own land you can make whatever changes, modifications to your home and use the place according to your requirements. By renting rooms, you can do well money wise. This is a major advantage when you own the land as well as the home. Mobile homes are cheap to maintain too. Things like windows, plumbing, doors, etc are all that much cheaper. So are the fitting costs for plumbing and electricity.Did you know that because property taxes are based on value, it is less on mobile homes and the insurance is lower, too? But ensure that you are eligible for insurance before you make any purchase as some areas don't insure old mobile homes. On the other hand it would not make much sense to buy a mobile home if the prices for houses were as low in the same area.
Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com
About the Author: More information on considering mobile homes considering mobile homesthttp://www.rvmobilehomesales.com

Government Auctions Are Great Places To Find Car Deals

If you're in the market for a new car, but you can't afford the high price of retail, visiting a government auction in person or online can be a smart way to go. Government auctions are notorious for having some of the best automobiles going at a fraction of the prices you'd pay from a dealer or private owner.Government auctions can be found in all kinds of jurisdictions, ranging from small, local authority auctions to large federal auctions. They can include everything from the top of the line, just released vehicles to older cars that have been well cared for in a government fleet.Let's take a look at some of the types of vehicles that can be found at government auctions:Newer model cars, trucks, light vansThe newer cars found at government auctions are generally those that have been seized from suspects by various law enforcement agencies. This means they might not be in tip top condition, but they could be, as well. In these cases, the government auctioning authority will be interested in making as much money as possible, but the fact is these cars can end up selling for a real steal. No law enforcement agency can afford to store an endless amount of vehicles seized from drug dealers or other bad guys.Middle of the road carsMany government agencies have a policy that dictates how old cars in their fleet can be. Once they reach this point, regardless of mileage, they are auctioned off and new vehicles are purchased. These cars can be very good buys and generally have been cared for within a fleet system, so they're practically guaranteed to have all their maintenance in place. They can be very good buys for those interested in government auctions.Older vehiclesThese, too, can be found at government auction. Whether they are retired fleet or seizures, some of these vehicles can be purchased for a fraction of their real value. If you're looking for a particular type of car, or a classic, don't discount a government auction as a place to look.Now that you understand just about any kind of vehicle can be found at government auction, let's look at the types of agencies that might host auctions:Local law enforcementThese government auctions are favorites of those who want newer models cars. Since many states allow their local agencies to maintain some of their seizures to sell and purchase newer equipment, it's possible to get your hands on a brand new car for a fraction of its sticker price by going this route.State auctionsThese can include a combination of fleet retired vehicles and seizures. Here you can find everything from standard government issued cars to the latest sports vehicles.Federal auctionsThe many agencies within the federal government also host their own auctions or combination auctions. At these you can find a variety of different types of cars, trucks and light work vehicles, too.Government auctions are fantastic for finding really good deals on a variety of cars and trucks. Since the agencies aren't looking to make a "profit" per say, the prices on the starting block can be more than reasonable.
Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com
About the Author: Reviews of the Top 3 Car and Truck Auction ServicesSave up to 90% on Cars http://www.VehicleTopics.com

Repo Auctions Are Automotive Candy Stores

Getting a great deal on an automobile purchase is nearly impossible, but there are places to turn for good buys and even better cars. One such place is a repo auction. But, many people don't quite understand what repo auctions are and they don't seem to realize what hidden treasures can be found at them.Let's look at some of the top questions and answers surrounding repo auctions:What is a repo auction?A repo auction is one that's held on behalf of banks and other lenders to help liquidate merchandise that's been defaulted back into the bank's ownership. Everything from houses and cars to boats and trucks can be had at repo auctions. In the automotive market, a repo auction can be a very good place to get a good deal on a vehicle that's newer and generally in pretty good shape.Why do banks take part in repo auctions?Banks that write car loans or mortgages don't want to own a fleet of vehicles or a neighborhood of homes. They want the interest earned on the loan, not the merchandise. To help them recover the financial loss experienced in a default, they often host auctions to recoup their money. This doesn't mean the bank will necessarily let a car go for thousands and thousands less than its value, but since it really is only interested in covering its loss, savings likely will be realized. Sometimes the savings can be great.What kind of cars can be found at repo auctions?Just about any type of car, truck or van that a bank will write a loan for can be found at a repo auction. Typically these are newer model vehicles that are worth the "risk" to the bank.What is the condition of vehicles at these auctions?That will vary from vehicle to vehicle quite honestly. Most vehicles are in very good shape, but that doesn't mean all of them are. It's important to ask questions about items you might bid on. Don't take it for granted the car is in perfect working order.Are their warranties on purchases from auctions?Sometimes. Generally, the banks themselves auction the cars off "as is," but it's possible manufacturer warranties will extend to the purchase. It will all depend on the banks, the cars in question and who made them.What kind of deals can be had?Again that will depend on the car in question and the loan that was outstanding on it, but generally you can pick up newer cars for a fraction of the sticker price by going to auction. Of course, you have to place the winning bid to do so.How do you find these auctions?They are generally listed in newspapers, magazines, on television and there are even special computer programs that know exactly where to look to find upcoming auctions. Some of these programs can sort auctions by those that have particular cars, too.A repo auction is a different way to buy a car, but the truth is it can be a great way to do so. There's no reason to pay full price, but it is a good idea to exercise judgment and look carefully before bidding.
Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com
About the Author: Reviews of the Top 3 Car and Truck Auction ServicesSave up to 90% on Cars http://www.VehicleTopics.com

Tips On Buying Insurance For Your Rental Car

When you rent a car, you are accepting responsibility for a very expensive piece of machinery. Even if the car happens to be an economy one, the investment the dollar rent auto company has in it is likely in the thousands of dollars. And while the company needs to protect itself, you, too, should be concerned, as well. A pre- and post rental inspection can help cover the bases.What is a pre-rental inspection and what can renters expect?Just like any other pre-lease inspection, such as with a home or apartment, a dollar rent auto inspection is a quick walk through to check for any damage that's on the car before it's driven off the lot. By taking the extra few minutes to do this, rental car companies protect themselves and they protect you from being charged for any damage another renter might have caused.When you're doing a dollar rent auto inspection, it's a very good idea to be particular and make sure an entire check list has been followed. Doing so can really save you a hassle down the road, too.A good rental car inspection will look at the following things:* Condition of the body. Check the car for any scratches, dings or dents. Be particular and make certain to note any imperfections you see on the car rental inspection form.* Interior. Look at the seats, flooring, dash and even the roof of the car. Any damage, dings, dents, stains and so on should be noted on the auto inspection form.* Engine. While it's difficult to check the engine for anything and everything that might be wrong, do listen for any problems and make sure they're noted on the inspection form if anything seems amiss.* Accessory damage. Don't forget to note the condition of the radio, DVD player or any other accessory that might be included on the dollar rent auto inspection form.As you fill out the car rental form, do be certain to add anything that seems out of place with the vehicle inside or out. Even the smallest of scratches could come back to haunt you in the form of a charge you should not be having to pay.When you turn your auto in, remember to do a post inspection following the same check sheet used for the initial dollar rent auto inspection. It's imperative that the same things be looked at both times.Rental companies have thousands of dollars invested in their fleets. An auto inspection can save them time, money and problems down the road. With this in mind, it should be no wonder that most locations are fairly particular about who they rent to and what kinds of insurance coverage they require. They're not being difficult - the dollar rent auto company needs to protect itself.Just be certain to fill out the auto forms correctly to protect yourself, as well. Doing so can be very smart if a problem does crop up.
Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com
About the Author: More information on dollar rent auto inspections dollar rent auto inspectionshttp://www.rentalcarshelp.com