The Ins And Outs Of Modifying Your Car

Modifying cars has been going for many years. In recent years people may have seen films and TV shows with radically different cars on screen compared to the model that rolls off the production line. A prime example is the supercharged exotic cars in the Fast and the Furious film series. The films centre on the subculture of racing drivers who modify their cars to look and perform way beyond expectations.

 The popularity of these films and the culture they've highlighted means more people are looking to alter their cars to get a unique look or an extra boost in performance. What many drivers are unaware of is that some of these modifications can be dangerous or even illegal to add to their vehicle and could invalidate their insurance.

 Performance modifications are often a key question when applying for car insurance and can add serious amounts to your premium. If you fail to declare any modifications you could invalidate your insurance agreement which would leave you seriously out of pocket should you have an accident or need to make a claim.

 Visual modifications can be cheaper than expensive after-market performance parts such as body kits or interior decoration such as floor mats and gear knobs. A large portion of these will not affect your insurance as they do not affect the safety features of the car. It is worth checking prior to any modification you have planned and keeping your insurer notified though.

 Another common modification is a new car radio or CD player; many modern car audio products have lots of features and so makes them pretty irresistible to car thieves. When choosing a car stereo make sure it has a removable face panel and take this with you whenever you are, not left in the car. This way the car thief will know that even if they stole the unit out of the car it would be useless.

 Modifying cars can be a fun and expressive medium and as long as you take care not to compromise your cars functionality and safety. This way you can achieve a unique looking car that is the envy of all your friends, but also be covered via valid insurance and protected from threat of theft at the same time.

Introduction On Car Body Styles

Cars are available in a large assortment of styles, models, colors and specifications. Every car is built to suit a segment of specific body style irrespective of the classification based on price, size, color, and model.

 Car body styles have their names originated from the traditional modes of commuting or from the regions and countries where they were designed and produced.

 Compiled here is a listing of various car body styles found on Indian roads.

 Sedan

 Sedan was originally defined as a four-door enclosed compartment body with fixed seats placed one after the other for seating four to five passengers. Currently, sedan is defined as three-box configuration with a non-collapsible roof, four doors and two fixed cross seats. This is also called a Salon. The longer the length of the sedan, better the looks. Long sedans give good leg room as well as the cargo area. Some of the common sedans in India are Honda Civic, Tata Indigo, Honda City, Hyundai Accent, and so on.

 Wagon

 Wagon or Station Wagon is a car body style similar to that of sedan but with an extended rear cargo area. The name has originated form the old four wheels carriage pulled by horses. The car has excellent pulling capacity but the popularity has gone into oblivion because of the versatility of SUVs. Yet, this is a good car for those who love sedans and require the benefits of SUVs. Tata Indigo Marina is a common wagon available in India.
 Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)

 Sport Utility vehicle is a car that combines the towing capacity of a truck with a comfortable passenger seating space. The car also has a good seating position, spacious cargo capacity and better road stability. The car is best for sports lovers to run the car smoothly on snow, mud, sand and off-roads. Some of the common SUVs in India are Mahindra Scorpio, Chevrolet Captiva, Ford Endeavour, and so on.

 Hatchback

 Hatchback is a car with an enclosed passenger compartment and an integrated cargo space. Unlike the sedan, the trunk of the car is in the form of a lifting door. The integrated cargo space is accessed by a large flip-up window or a single top-hinged tailgate. These cars have gained prominence in the Indian market. Some of the common hatchbacks in India are Hyundai i10, Maruti Wagon-R, Hyundai Santro, and so on.

 Coupe

 Coupe is well defined as a two-door sedan. It is an enclosed compartment with a permanent roof and one fixed cross seat good enough for seating two occupants. The car gives a sporty look and adds joy and thrill to the driving experience. Some of the common coupes in India are Porsche Cayman, Mercedes Benz CL-Class, Audi TT, BMW M3 Coupe, and so on.

 Convertible

 Convertible, the name itself represents something that is converted. The car holds a flexible roof that can be converted from an enclosed compartment to an open car and vice versa. Rear seats are cramped and the trunk is small because the folding roof requires space to fit into the car. Driving a convertible gives a warm and glorious feeling. Some of the common convertibles in India are BMW M6, Porsche 911, and so on.

 Roadsters

 Roadster is an open type body with two doors and folding top. It is good enough for seating two passengers and also holds a rear compartment for luggage. It is a good car for long drivers who just love to drive single or with a loving partner. Some of the common roadsters in India are Porsche Boxster, Mercedes Benz SL-Class, and so on.

 Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)/Multi Utility Vehicle (MUV)

 MUV and MPV are both used for the same segment for multi-purpose vehicles whose name is derived from the automotives used the US Army during World War II. The car is used for a variety of purposes apart from carrying passengers. The car has huge carrying capacity for both the occupants and luggage. These are fading down the line but yet new variants and models are coming up. Some common MUVs or MPVs in India are Tata Sumo, Mahindra Maxx, Mahindra Bolero, Chevrolet Tavera, Maruti Gypsy, Maruti Omni, and so on.

New Concepts in Car Insurance - Pay since you Direct

You are able to pay since you talk with a telephone plan, so why wouldn't you pay because you drive vehicle insurance? It appears like a superb idea; but would pay as you drive auto insurance job for you?

 The idea behind pay as you drive vehicle insurance is simple. Basically its this- should you not drive greatly, you won t pay high insurance costs. Advocates for the sort of insurance policy think that there are numerous merits for this brand of program. Less air pollution, lower gas consumption, and lower costs towards the consumer only 1.

 Imagine you car pool to function, or take public transit? You are not using your car pretty much so why are you currently paying high premiums. Which has a pay as you drive car insurance premiums you'll be ready to quite literally pay as you go. Another situation where this plan would be of benefit is because of many retirees who have winter homes in temperate climates, the 'snowbirds' moving to Florida or Arizona 24 weeks of our year and six months in Ny or Toronto for instance.

 Essentially the insurers would set approximately driving amount to maximize your specific car type. It will then be broken down into a cents per mile basis. If you wished us the pay as you drive auto insurance system you are able to acquire a set number of miles and also you would be covered for insurance during this period of time.

 Pay while you drive automobile insurance is an incredible idea for all those people don't use their car very much or try to find cost saving methods or environment saving alternatives. Currently one of these program is not yet available, there are supporters in many states who will be hoping to turn that around soon.

 Groups including Environmental Defense, the Conservation Law Foundation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are functioning to organise a national cooperative that will get yourself an insurance providers to offer deep discounts for low-mileage drivers; halfway one step toward PAYD (Pay Because you Drive) insurance.

 General Motors and On-Star Offers PAYD Rates. In mid-2004 General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) Insurance began offering mileage-based discounts to OnStar subscribers within the some states. The OnStar system reports a vehicle's odometer readings firstly and end of the policy term to verify mileage. Motorist who drive lower than specified annual mileage can receive insurance premium discounts of about 40%.

 PAYD programs are also currently available in Israel, South Africa and Holland. PAYD is gaining momentum, Car Insurace Concepts and can be about to your neighborhood no fault car insurance soon.

Body Kits - Rediscover Your Car

Even the most attractive of cars is unable to sustain its edge of excitement all through its working life. True there are some classics out there which have a timeless appeal, but those are usually very high priced cars for collectors and not really cars that the average person uses for work or pleasure day in and day out. On the other hand modern cars have to compete hard to win a buyers affections and as part of that effort they are built to last. This means that you can look forward to years of great service from your car.

 And that also means that almost surely after a few years you will start taking the looks of your car for granted. The mere sight of it will no longer set your pulse racing as it did when you first bought your car. But there is good news for you. If you will give your car some time, effort and a little money you will find that your car is not old and past its prime, but rather you can bring back the excitement that you had some years ago. For most old cars performance is not really an issue if they have been maintained well. This because as it is most modern cars are able to perform well in excess of legal limits. So you only need to give your car trendy looks to make it come back to life.

 And the latest trends can be easily acquired by going in for the latest curves, shapes and if you so wish even graphics. The body kits industry offers cost efficient means to make your car look like it belongs to the future instead of the past. You will find it fun and rewarding to go through the available options for car body kits components. You can also opt for components such as car spoilers that improve the looks and also improve the stability of the car when it is traveling at high speeds. So go ahead and rediscover the excitement that your car has by giving it the looks of tomorrow.

Hyundai I10 Car

Hyundai i10 is the car of next generation and best suit to the personality of youngsters. To sustain their potential customers Honda has been constantly doing some great modification in the car in terms of exteriors and interiors. The new Hyundai is now available with a new powerful engine and with a great amount of aesthetic change at front and rear side along with a few interior modifications.

 The new Hyundai i10 car is equipped with the similar existing power trains but with a latest added technology that is Variable Timing Valve Train (VTVT), integrated to boost power and performance of the heart of the car. The newest version of the Hyundai i10 car looks more robust and sporty than its forerunner and the most of the amendment has been done on the front outlook.

 The some cosmetic modifications has been occurred in the car are round headlights, lower but wider air-intake, single chrome finished horizontal slat at front radiator grille with a new design front bumper. While the rear side of the Hyundai i10 car has been noticed only two chief transforms that are reserve parking sensors and new design bumpers. The car come equipped with the two petrol engine options such as 1.1 IRDE2 and 1.2 Kappa2.

 The Hyundai i10 car forerunners have done so well in terms of performance which has beaten all the cars of its segment included Hyundai i10 D-lite, Hyundai i10 Era, Hyundai i10 Magna, Hyundai i10 Asta and etc. Truly the car has created the boom in the Indian automobile company and giving the high competition to other hatchbacks in India.

 Apart from these great features, the Hyundai i10 car is fully loaded with the fun and entertainment features like it has an advanced CD/MP3 compatible music system with FM and with Speakers providing best in class entertainment. Moreover the car supports the powerful superior revolving kind Air Conditioner that keeps passengers fresh and cool even at the time of hot summer seasons.

 To double your entertainment the Hyundai i10 car is also embedded with the AUX and USB ports and Bluetooth connectivity. Overall the car is the great blend of spaciousness, style, comfortable and has very eye catching features. The Hyundai i10 car price comes under the bracket of Rs 3, 54,146 to Rs 5, 95,084 (Ex-Showroom Price in Delhi). The price of the car is also varying upon the dealer's location.

Hydrogen Might Be An Answer, But Not The Way You Think

For years the public has been hearing about how hydrogen might be the answer as an alternative fuel source to fossil fuels. The public listens to vague plans of hydrogen fuel cells mounted on or under their cars, and filling them up at modified gas stations. The so-called reasons for them not already being in production often revolve around safety. The public is also hesitant to sign on to what they consider as a new and untried technology. What most dont realize is that hydrogen powered internal combustion engines arent new  although the idea of a hydrogen fuel cell is newer than the technology itself. Hydrogen just might be one of the answers to a safe form of energy, just not the way people are being led to think.

 The history of the internal combustion engine is an interesting topic, and one still debated among scholars and various national interests. Most ignore all prior engines to the gas-fired internal combustion engine built by Jean Joseph Etienne Lenior in 1860. Many more dont consider any engines built before the four-stroke engine (the closest relative to the modern automobile engine). If one goes by the terms internal combustion engine, then there are several examples prior to 1860. For example: Christiaan Huygens designed a gunpowder driven water pump which used a rudimentary piston in the 17th century. Many of those earlier designs are impractical, or they used fuels such as coal dust.

 The first hydrogen powered internal combustion engine was built by Francois Isaac de Rivaz in 1807. His engine injected oxygen and hydrogen into a cylinder which was ignited by an electric spark. Where that design differs from the modern idea of the fuel cell driven vehicle is that it separated hydrogen from water mixed with an electrolyte. The hydrogen cell method uses stored hydrogen which is injected into the engine. The electrolysis method of hydrogen generation is to create oxyhydrogen ( hydroxy or Browns Gas) by running an electric current through electrodes in an electrolyte and water solution. This is then injected into the cylinder where combustion takes place. Modern gas powered engines have oxygen censors, computers, and various other censors. It takes quite a bit of modification to get them to run completely on hydrogen.

 For now, a gasoline engine slightly modified to run on both hydrogen and gas will have several benefits. First, the addition of the Browns gas in the cylinder with the gasoline will cause more of the fuel to be consumed during combustion  reducing the amount of gasoline needed to run the engine. Next, because there is hydrogen and oxygen in the cylinder the waste product (exaust) will mostly be the recombined hydrogen and oxygen (H2O) vapor. Another benefit is that the mixture, instead of building up carbon in the cylinders, will serve to keep the engine cleaner. With better compression and a few censors an engine currently designed for gasoline could be produced to run completely on the hydroxy mixture. Research is still ongoing to further refine the process of separating hydrogen and oxygen so that only the hydrogen will be used.

 The Department of Energy (DOE) does not currently allow the mass production and sale of hydrogen boosters in the US. Part of the reason is that the use of certain materials as electrodes can also produce dangerous materials such as hexavalent chromium from using stainless steel. Other reasons are listed, but most of them boil down to commerce under the guise of protecting the public safety.

 The current method of creating hydrogen for fuel cells is by using fossil fuels. With a small investment in hydrogen on demand technology car manufacturers could produce vehicles which run fully on hydrogen for a fraction of the cost. Hydrogen cell technology will require a continued reliance on fossil fuels until a more efficient method to mass produce hydrogen is introduced.

Export Car From USA To France

Export car from USA to France can be considered as a very good option since it allows a lot of benefits that other types of car buying options in France do not provide. Some of these advantages are discussed hereunder.

 Fast online process- these days you can export car from USA to France online, without having to travel all the way to a different country for your car purchase. This makes the whole deal very convenient and allows you to take your own sweet time to decide which car you like the most. Also, you can buy your car from anytime anywhere, and take advice of your entire family and friends before making the finally online booking. The whole deal hardly takes a few clicks, and filling up of a few details to complete!

 Cost effective- there is no reason to explain why a USA made car bought from USA, in direct export car from USA to France can be far more cost effective than buying it from agents in France. You do not have to pay any unnecessary brokerage charges or dealer fees, etc and your car charges are reduced to the minimum of what is required to be paid for the cost of the car and the government taxes. Believe it or not, direct purchase is always the cheapest possible deal you can get on any product buy, including cars.

 Easy shipment the shipment process for export car from USA to France is handled by the seller company itself, though they might charge additional rates for it, or include it in the cost of the car. They work with only the best of shipment companies, which implies that your car reaches you in perfect condition and in the least amount of time possible. Just make sure to provide the correct address so that the car can land right at your doorstep and you do not need to move an inch out of your house to complete the purchase process of the car of your dreams!

 Lots of options to chose from- when you are buying a USA made car directly from USA through export car from USA to France, it is obvious that you will get innumerable car options to choose from, unlike in case of those who buy USA cars from French dealers- who usually deal in only a given models and sets of cars. You can choose from various car manufactures, models, colors, designs, modifications etc, and get exactly what you want, without making a compromise.

 Authentic USA cars- often when USA cars are sold in France, they are sold in parts which are assembled and then resold to the final customers. In the process a lot of USA parts get replaced by local French car parts, by local French mechanics, etc. Though this doesnt usually make any basic difference to the car, the fact remains that the authenticity of the car is lost, which you as an owner may not approve of. However, when you opt for export car from USA to France directly, you do not need to worry about the authenticity of the car at all.