Posts Tagged ‘Vehicles’
Car Warranty Companies Save Vehicles Thousands Annually
As far as warranties on products go, sometimes it makes sense to absorb costs as they arise. This can be said for kitchen appliances, electronics and fitness equipment. Typically these products, while not cheap, are not a huge investment like a vehicle. In many cases warranties for products like a vacuum cleaner cost just as much as the repair. Car warranty companies have a rightful place in the warranty market. An extended car warranty can save a driver thousands of dollars a year. That's no small cost to absorb and with rising fuel costs and repair rates, vehicle owners can't afford to not partner with car warranty companies, to protect their investment.
Just how expensive are car repairs?
Costs have been rising in recent years. A new engine or transmission can run a vehicle owner between three and four-thousand dollars. Air conditioning and electronics run up a bill between one and two-thousand. Even parts as seemingly simple as a water pump is over five-hundred dollars. If that doesn't speak volumes to the necessity of having extended car warranty coverage, that's not even including the road side assistance necessary to get the car to the shop, and a car rental to get by while the vehicle is being repaired. Not to mention, it's Murphy's Law that the vehicle will break down, just after an unexpected expense, like an emergency medical or vet bill. If a driver does not have at least five-thousand dollars set aside for unexpected break downs and repairs, then a car warranty will really bring peace-of-mind and reassurance to a vehicle owner. Read the rest of this entry »
The History of Battery Electric Vehicles
Battery Electric Vehicles or BEVs, predated the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles. It was between 1832-1839 that Robert Anderson, a Scottish businessman, invented the first electric carriage and Professor Sibrandus Stratingh from the Netherlands designed the first small-scale electric car which was built by his assistant Christopher Becker in 1835.
The storage battery improved, firstly by Gaston Plant?, a French physicist who invented the lead acid cell in 1859 and the first rechargeable battery. Then, in 1881, Camille Faure developed a more efficient and reliable battery which became so successful in the early electric cars. This discovery caused battery electric vehicles to flourish, with France and Great Britain being the first nations to support widespread development of electric vehicles.
Prior to 1900, battery electric vehicles held many speed and distance records, the most notable of which, was the breaking of the 100 km/h (60 mph) speed barrier. It was by Camille Jenatzy on April 29, 1899 in a rocket-shaped vehicle named Jamais Contente (Never Happy) which reached a top speed of 105.88 km/h (65.79 mph). Read the rest of this entry »
Choosing the Right Wheelchair Vehicles Dealer
When you are shopping for wheelchair vehicles, choosing the right dealer will be just as important as choosing the best van. If you are new to the vehicle shopping, then you may be wondering how to determine which dealers will provide you with the wheelchair van inventory and equipment options that you will need in order to make the right decisions. Finding a wheelchair vans dealer does not have to be very difficult. All you need to do is know where to look. Here are a few ways to determine if you have found the best dealer to provide you with your mobility vehicle.
Start by looking locally. If you can find a quality local dealer of wheelchair vehicles, you will find that this has many advantages. With a local dealer, you will be able to actually go to the lot and test drive the wheelchair vehicles before you buy. Being able to drive the vehicle and see it before you make a purchase goes a long way since you will be investing your money into the vehicle. Read the rest of this entry »
Compare Vehicles
Finding a new car that is adequate is not that easy. Some of us might have the luxury of time and can afford to physically show up at the appropriate dealerships to test-drive and compare vehicles (though asking a salesman might not get you anywhere in this endeavor, really). But most of us, I contend, have way too much to do and would prefer someone do the vehicle comparisons for us.
But where to go? Whom to trust?
The trick is to consult the most reliable sources–those who will compare vehicles with regards to style, comfort, cost, dependability, emissions ratings, and (especially these days–in 2006–with gas at over four bucks a gallon!) gas mileage statistics…without having anything to gain by doing a vehicle comparison review for us average consumers.
True, we can consult the car and truck forums, where aficionados and enthusiasts will clarify in great detail their opinions on makes, models, and relevant characteristics. We can check out the commentaries on bulletin boards online, such as those at Craigslist.com, to get an idea about which particulars (and even particular sellers) to stay clear of. But we can also compare vehicles of our liking at the premier online sites. Such sites do not get a kick-back for high ratings or reviews, and, hopefully, do not suffer the fallout when providing us with information on lemons. Such sites compare vehicles according to standards, regulations, and industry specifications, and offer clear, accessible, and fair and unbiased reports. Read the rest of this entry »