At the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, the world premiere of the electric five-door liftback Polestar 2 will take place, which should compete on the market with the American Tesla Model 3.
In terms of design, the new Polestar 2 largely repeats the Volvo Concept 40.2 show car. However, certain design adjustments did occur. In particular, the serial car received a different form of bumpers, a new bonnet, as well as other taillights and a modified opening of the fifth door
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Electric Polestar 2: the second model of the Swedish company
Car Selling Methods In A Reliable Way By Yourself
In 2018, 81 million cars were sold. While buying a vehicle yourself is easy, the same cannot be said for selling a car. But, sooner or later, you are bound to sell your old car to get money for buying a new one.Now, selling your car yourself is not as easy as it may seem. This is because most car buying services and dealerships out there try to get the best deals for themselves. This means they will try to cut a cheap deal with you. You are bound to have trouble negotiating with them for the best deal if you don’t do your research. We don’t mean to scare you. You can sell your car in a reliable way by yourself. Simply consider the following car selling methods, and you are good to go:
Do your research
Begin by conducting thorough research. This should include the person or company you are selling to and your car. The former will ensure that you don’t end up dealing with scammers or frauds. The latter guarantees that no one can make a poor deal with you. This is because you will already know what price to demand from them.
Use online valuation companies for getting an estimate
The best way to avoid an unfair price and to know what to demand is by seeking help from online valuation companies. There are various companies operating in the country that offer free valuation to car sellers. Use these services to get an estimate for your car. Here, the valuation of your vehicle is based on its current market value, condition, years of use, the value of add-ons and mileage. Many other factors may also be used to arrive at a final quote. By using these valuation systems, you can set a price for your vehicle.
Decide who you will sell it to
A fundamental question you will have to answer early on is who you will be selling your car to. There are various parties you can sell it to. Deciding this at the initial stage will allow you to target them accordingly. Here is how you can sell your car.
Privately
You can sell your vehicle to an independent party directly. The good thing about selling to private buyers is that they are likely to negotiate less since they are not as experienced as dealerships. However, on the other hand, you will have to deal with incessant questions.
Dealership
Car dealerships are a convenient way to sell your car. Just like you go to them to purchase vehicles, you can go to them to sell it off as well. But, the chances are you won’t get a good deal with them since they take into account their commission too. Not to mention they are biased to give you an underpriced deal.
Online car buying services
One option is that you can avail the facilities of online car buying services. This will help if you don’t want to undergo the hassle of taking your car to the dealership and transact with haggling car dealers. Here, you don’t have to take your vehicle anywhere. Also, since they rely on online car valuation systems, you are more likely to get the best deal.
Get your papers ready
Selling a car is not as simple as giving it to someone in exchange for money. The transaction also involves a lot of documentation and paperwork. You wouldn’t want to embark on the car selling journey and go through all the hassles only to later discover that you don’t have the required documents in place.
Therefore, make sure you gather all the required documents early on. This includes the vehicle registration document, logbook, and other car related documents. Failure to present these documents can lead to problems. Proper documents are proof of your reliability. And in case of private sellers, trust and reliability matter more than if you were to buy a used car from a dealership.
Repair any damages
The condition of your vehicle matters a lot. Just like you would want the best vehicle, so will the buyers of your car. Unless you repair damages, you can’t expect to get a reasonable price for your vehicle. Therefore, invest in replacing any damaged accessory in your vehicle. Even if the said things don’t affect the functionality of your car, a damaged item does say a lot about your car. And none of it is good! You need to make a good impression. And sometimes you will have to invest a bit for it. Don’t hesitate in doing so. It will pay off in terms of greater return in the final transaction.
Collect maintenance receipts
If you have got any work done on your vehicle over the years, a great practice is to collect, and safely keep all the receipts. This will help you in justifying the price you ask for your car. It also acts as evidence of why your car buyers should trust you when you say that your vehicle is in excellent condition.
Advertise
No one will know that you are willing to sell your car unless you tell them. This is why it is crucial to advertise it appropriately. This is especially true if you wish to attract private buyers.
Here are some ways to advertise used cars:
- Use websites that target auto enthusiasts
- Make use of your social media accounts to let your friends know about your intent to sell
- P2P sites, where communities of like minded people are present can be used to spread the news
- Newspapers and brochures can be distributed in the neighborhood
- Use word of mouth to tell your family, co-workers, and friends.
Conclusion
Sell your car in a safe and reliable way. Yes, the journey won’t be smooth. But, it isn’t impossible either. Follow these tips to get your hands off your old vehicle and get a new one.
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Wednesday, February 27, 2019
10 Top Soft Skills for Working in a Startup
In a startup like us, the most common question we get asked is “What skills do you look for in an employee?” Obviously, we believe that we all have our own technical skills that are specific to each role. Therefore, we decided to take a bit of time to discuss this question with our team to compile what we believe are the most important soft skills you need to succeed in a startup.
As an exciting new company in the technology arena, we are constantly inundated with resumes of talented people who want to join the internationally growing team but we aren’t here to talk about us, we here to help you. So what skills do you need to step up and be the employee that a startup requires:
1) Enthusiasm
First and foremost, being enthusiastic in the workplace is probably one of the most underestimated skills.
Think about it, a person who is enthusiastic about their job is the kind of person who will be able to keep morale high during the rollercoaster ride that is working in a startup company. Being realistic every day isn’t filled with ping pong and brainstorming sessions and it’s during these days where the enthusiast stands out to rally the team, put a smile on peoples faces and helps produce high-quality work. We know from first-hand experience that those with this trait are far more likely to succeed when working with a new up and coming company!
2) Patience
As the famous song by Take That goes “Have a little patience” and a truer statement couldn’t be said when it comes to working in a startup. Especially in this world sometimes things won’t work the first, the second and maybe even the fifth time. But don’t worry about about it, a well run startup never sees failure as a setback, we see it as more of an information-gathering experience. How else would we figure some things out?
Being patience is a hugely important skill when working in this arena. Learning to face your failure, learn from it and to push on again is the sign of an employee who knows what it means to work in the fast past and ever-changing environment of a startup.
If patience isn’t your forte, we recommend taking up meditation, yoga, journaling, walking…basically anything that gives your mind the space to breath and reset before you dive back into the frenzy.
3) Resourcefulness
Most of the time in the startup world you won’t have the time, budget, people power or that super expensive software to create the ideal process for any project. However, this is normal and it’s up to any potential employee to show their value to work with the tools at hand. Being resourceful with what’s around you will not only show your ability to do your job without all the bells and whistles but it’s a trait that will stand to you throughout your career. Make it work and reap the rewards.
4) Humor
Startups are fun and that’s a fact! Is there any job in the world where you’re building the future, innovating, disrupting and at any level have the opportunity to leave your stamp on a company that will last long after you move to pastures new?
That’s basically what working for a startup is all about and sure it’s graft and sure it’s hard work at times, but it’s brilliant fun. You won’t find puppies, ping pong and pizza parties at most 9-5 jobs. Being a person with a good sense of humour will help you enjoy the environment and endear yourself with your small team of colleagues. For us, at Winfooz this is something we consider important as our team is more of a family to us and if you have a good Dad joke or terrible pun to share with us, we are all ears.
5) Scalability
This is one most people won’t think about but it’s massively important, don’t be a busy fool and have to complete a tedious task manually over and over again when you can automate it in some way. Remember this environment is fast and frantic and that extra bit of time can be the difference in another project being a 8 out 10 or a 10 out of 10.
Being scalable means you know when you can build a tool that will help you achieve these tedious tasks up to 10 times faster. For example why manually publish to Facebook every day when you can set up a schedule, do the job once and move onto something else.
If you do this right, you can 10x your output with the same level of input and who doesn’t want that?
6) Curiosity
Being a curious person is a great skill to have if your working in a startup (especially if it’s your first time).
If you score that elusive interview ask questions, show you want to understand the inner workings of the company, what they are doing and where they hope to go. It shows an interest and will also help give you more information to take into your job. Things like knowing how many projects include multiple departments, what is the company structure etc can do a lot to make you stand out from the person who just wants to get in, get paid and get out.
I’m going to go off script slightly for a moment if you don’t mind… So I’m Jon and as you might have guessed I’m the content writer here at Winfooz and in my own personal experience so far I can honestly say being the curious type and touching base with each different department in the company has not only helped me understand the company since the day I began but it’s also made doing my job much easier. I can go to anyone in the company and ask a question and I’ll get an answer as soon as they can, asking questions and being curious in a startup isn’t considered pestering it’s learning.
And to get us back on track, it’s not curiosity that killed the startup cat, in
7) Flexibility
Thing change literally all the time, that’s just the nature of a startup, get used to it. It’s almost guaranteed that any roadmap you see will be drastically different in a short space of time, it’s how it is and being flexible is going to be an important tool in your arsenal. In a fast paced environment being flexible will help you avoid that sense of whiplash that occurs when plans change suddenly, which they can and will.
Being flexible is more than just dealing with change it’s being willing to change track, shift work hours on the rare occasion it’s needed or just being willing to help with something that’s not necessarily in your job description.
8) Get Comfortable with Chaos
In case you haven’t guessed yet, working in a start up is chaotic… but that’s why it can be so much fun. Whether it’s rushing head first into a dealdline to get our product to market, hitting sales growth numbers or just dealing with dealers, the day to day in any startup is full of twists and turns.
As we said it’s part of what makes working for a company like Winfooz fun. Our developers are always battling the clock to get our latest innovations to market, our marketers are always trying to figure out how to share our message and our sales people are always getting stuck into driving the company forward by finding the right customers for us to work with.
If you join a startup already better equipped to expect these chaotic moments, the big wins will feel even better.
9) Aspiration & Self Improvement
Some might say these are two different points but trust us they are not. We feel that being aspirational and being willing to work on your self improvement go hand in hand. Think about it, how do you hit your aspirations without putting in the work to improve yourself? You don’t.
Being in a startup means your company will be going toe-to-toe with much bigger and better-funded players in the game but you shouldn’t be worried. Be aspirational! Bring that “sky is the limit” attitude to your workplace and show the world what you can do.
Remember even a baby step forward is a step forward and it makes a difference. When talking about self-improvement, it doesn’t have to be leaps and bounds. Say to yourself every day “I will do 1 thing better than I did yesterday”, in a working year that’s about 260 things you are better at than you were a year ago.
Let us use the analogy of money to put this in context, I have a savings jar and every day I go and place $1 in the jar. One day I don’t have the dollar to give. Do I smash open the jar and just give up and say my aspiration/goal is gone or do I go back tomorrow and put the dollar in again and see what I have at the end of the year?
No matter whether it’s a brief without any typos or a presentation with proper formatting, make it a habit to improve every part of your professional persona.
10) Initiative
Last but certainly not least, be the person who can take the initiative! Of all the skills we have listed this is by far the most important! Every single business in the world is working towards its goals but when it comes to a startup, resources are normally limited. That’s where the person who can take the
While a company is still in its infancy an employee must be a bit of a Jack-of-all-Trades. There more you prove you can grab the bull by the horns and show initiative the more you will find yourself in your bosses good books. So get out, anticipate the problems, figure out what’s needed and take the lead with calculated actions to resolve the issues without needing your boss to hold your hand. Take our word for it, not only will you get that proud sense of accomplishment but your bosses will be impressed and your
We hope you find this helpful, whether you are looking for a job with us or another up and coming company. Working in a startup is a fun, fast, sometimes tough but ultimately rewarding career choice and we hope you gained something valuable from this article. If you have any thoughts or opinions you would like to share with us, please get in touch.
We wish you all of the best in your job hun and remember these skills are brilliant to have in any proffesional workplace.
The post 10 Top Soft Skills for Working in a Startup appeared first on The Winfooz Blog.
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
6 Things You Need to Know Before Buying a Used Car 2019
Despite living in a time where we have more information available to us than literally ever before, buying a used car is still something that is really tricky to get right.
And it can be disastrous should you fail to do that.
But fear not, here’s what you need to know.
What Kind of Car You Need
First on the list of essentials is knowing what you want, because if you don’t know what you want you can never find it.
With that said, it’s more about practicality than daydreams.
Even if you could find a Ferrar in a used car dealership, I would recommend you stay away from it because of those kinds of cars are spent by the time they get there.
As I said, this isn’t about daydreams, it’s about your everyday life and the kind of car that will serve you well in the process of you living it.
So in order to get a practical car, you will have to think about what you need from it every day.
Do you need a big sturdy work vehicle? Or a tiny two-seater that almost runs on air?
Also think about your lifestyle, if you are the type of person who loves to travel you will have to have quite a bit of storage in that car.
If you run a lift club you will need more legroom for passengers.
It’s Safer To Buy From a Dealer
Well, more or less anyway.
It’s more about having a fallback if the car isn’t what they said it would be, which can happen quite a lot with used cars.
They are more likely to help you with that because they have a reputation to take care of, and those things are so fragile in the modern world what with how easy it is to spread the word on social media about two-faced dealers.
It’s also about financing, it will be much easier to get financing on a car from a dealer than a private sale, which may not be important if you’re buying cash, but for mere mortals, it’s a bit of a big deal.
Oh, and speaking of social media, internet and all that, be sure to do your research on the dealerships that you are considering too.
There are actual websites dedicated entirely to reviews of car dealerships.
Has The Car Been Recalled?
It’s important to know if your car, even if it is used, has been recalled.
This usually happens when specific car models are found to be defective in some way and thereby threatens the safety of buyers and society.
This is also known as a Lemon Car.
Even though there are laws to protect you against car dealers, tricking you into buying one of those cars, you can also do your own research.
When all is said and done, all you can trust when buying a used car is your own research, and facts. Always work with facts. (Although that gut instinct is not to be ignored either)
As it is, you can easily check if there has been a recall alert for the type of car your buying by checking the VIN number on the DMV’s website.
There is also a page for checking if the car has been stolen.
Can They Provide Service Records?
A service record it’s basically a book or system where you log the maintenance and upkeep of the car you are driving.
It’s an important tool to make sure that you keep up to date with your car’s maintenance, but it’s also important for someone who wants to buy a used car.
this will give you an idea of how well the car you potentially want to buy has been looked after but it will also give you an idea of what condition your car is in mechanically.
It’s important to look for spaces and a car’s service history that stretch out too long because it can mean that either the car was damaged and had been repaired instead of serviced or it can just be negligence, which is also not great for the mechanics of the car.
Needless to say, it’s important to go through a car’s service history with a magnifying glass and a fine comb.
But what if it doesn’t have one?
Well, then my advice to you is this – back away, back away slowly and then turn and run.
You’re welcome.
How To Inspect a Car
At first glance, a car can look all shiny and spotless but do not be deceived, a shiny oyster can still hide a rotten pearl.
A crucial skill you will have to learn throughout this process of finding a car is to inspect a car that you are interested in buying.
That means learning how to spot if it has been in any serious accidents;
First off you will have to check if there is any mismatched paint and ask the reason for that – sure the sun does fade paint but blotchy paint is a bit of red flag.
Check the exterior for any visible dents, check if the bodywork’s lines line up, check for scratches, peeling or bubbling paint and rust.
These may indicate deeper issues that can and should dissuade you from that purchase.
You should also ask if you can test drive the car and while doing so, check all interior features and electronics, the ac, windows, etc. but also check for fluid leakage, which can be a serious warning sign.
If you know zero to little about cars you can always print out a used car checklist and practice on your significant other’s car.
A Good Mechanic Goes a Long Way
No, I’m not talking about fixing a car so you can buy it, I’m talking about having a mechanic inspect the car for mechanical and structural defaults.
But was the point of you doing that then?
Well, it’s a bit like advancing in levels of a game, once you’ve passed the easier levels, you will go on to more challenging tasks in order to eventually win.
You would be surprised how many cars will fail your test, which is why it’s so important for you to do that before you bring in the big guns.
Dealers have their own mechanics, but they will always swear that the car is in great shape even when it’s far from it.
So you really need to get an independent mechanic that you can trust, to inspect the car for you.
Ask family and friends for recommendations, it’s usually best to go with someone that someone you know trusts.
The post 6 Things You Need to Know Before Buying a Used Car 2019 appeared first on Ultimate Car Blog | The Latest Car News, Reviews, Tuning.
Monday, February 25, 2019
Tips for Choosing Ford F100 Parts Online
Having a classic car is for many people a synonym of treasure, either because of its sentimental or monetary value, but not all these gems are in the best condition, which leads them to lose their value. If you have decided to restore your Ford F100 but you do not know where to buy the Ford F100 parts or have doubts about the quality and confidence of the products, we are offering you some options in which you could find practically any accessory.
Some Tips for Choosing Spare Parts for Ford F100
The evolution of technology continues to bring even more ease in the lives of human beings. Currently, it is possible to find what you need on the internet, including Arclight fab Ford f100 parts. Indeed, several sites currently offer online sales of car parts, without the motorists moving from the garages or dealers. Everything is done in one click from the net.
Choose Ford f100 Parts with Peace Of Mind
Nowadays, even the purchase of car parts innovates. Web sites have specialized for some time in the sale of car parts, such as Aaron Kaufman’s Arclight Fabrication Shop is one of the reliable shops to buy best quality and 100 % genuine Arclight fab Ford f100 parts. Arclight Fab makes parts for Ford F100 truck because they enjoy them; they are enthusiastic about Ford pickup. The most common pieces or even the rarest are available. Shock absorber problems, headlights, batteries, wiper blades or brake pads, these platforms offer spare parts at a very competitive price. Indeed, the owner can make a remarkable saving by buying on the internet. Too often, the rates offered by classic garage owners are relatively high.
Room Assembly Manuals Available For Ford F100 Motorists
One of the advantages of using the arclightfab website to buy auto parts is that you do not need to be a mechanical expert to find parts that fit the vehicle in question. The precise model of the car where the serial number can find the parts that correspond to it. Moreover, they have professional mechanics who advise customers before buying. This allows shoppers to save more time searching for the Ford F100 parts or accessories they need.
Ford F100 parts: on which sites to buy?
To obtain quality Ford F100 parts, it is essential to choose the right service provider. It is important to choose the safest and best online spare parts stores, such as Aaron Kaufman’s Arclight Fabrication Shop . Some selection criteria should be put in place to do this. These must be based primarily on the products to acquire, if you want to get body parts, engine or other. It is also important to ensure that the items to be ordered are suitable for the vehicle. Every consumer needs to look more closely at the merchants suggesting such pieces. It is crucial to know the brands sold by the store. The permanent availability of a customer service is also to be checked. Consulting the advice of other assignees is also a good way to find the best sellers.
Conclusion
Before placing an order on the internet of Ford F100 parts, here are some criteria to know absolutely. It is important to know the brands of parts that the site offers. It is also important to know that the customer service is available at any time for information or in case of any issue. Customer reviews also show the reliability of an online sales site.
The post Tips for Choosing Ford F100 Parts Online appeared first on Ultimate Car Blog | The Latest Car News, Reviews, Tuning.
Friday, February 22, 2019
The Hassle-Free Guide to Scrapping your Car
If you’re considering selling an old or damaged vehicle for scrap, you may have a few questions about the process:
What’s a fair price for my car?
Can I drive my car to a scrap yard?
How do I tie up all my paperwork?
Scrapping a car is an area that’s surrounded by some strict laws – so, it’s important to get it right. We’ll explain exactly what you need to do – and help you avoid some frequently made mistakes.
Finding the right price
Scrap car prices can vary enormously. Sometimes, a specialist scrap dealer will offer you an exceptional price for a particular make or model they salvage – whereas occasionally, an unscrupulous trader might look to buy your car cheaply, only to sell it on.
If you want to be sure you’re getting a fair scrap price for your vehicle, you should make sure you’re dealing with an Authorised Treatment Facility – or ATF. An ATF is a scrap yard or dismantler that has proved they meet with government rules around the handling of scrap metals – and they’re the only facilities which can officially start the DVLA scrapping process.
As a result, using an ATF means you’ll get all the paperwork you need to prove your car’s been sold and dismantled – and you can be certain you’re getting the full scrap price – not a quick cash deal from an illegal trader who’s just planning to sell your car on to an ATF!
Arranging recovery
Almost all cars scrapped in the UK come as a result of a failed MOT or unrepairable damage, and, because of this, virtually all of these cars cannot be legally driven on the road. If you’re planning to drive your car to a scrap yard, you must be absolutely sure it’s legal – which would include having an MOT, current road tax, and valid insurance.
If you’d like to remove the worry involved with delivering your car – just don’t do it! Instead, look for a site that offers all all-inclusive scrapping service, like Car.co.uk – as well as making sure you get the best price locally, every quote they provide will include free collection from any UK location.
Completing your paperwork
If you’re the registered keeper of your vehicle, you’ve got a legal responsibility to make sure the DVLA are informed of any changes to ownership – including if it’s sold to a dismantler.
The good news is, this can be done quickly and simply by filling out section 9 of the V5C log book document you have for your car. You’ll need to complete the date of the transfer, along with the name and address of the company you’re selling the vehicle to – before you and the person collecting your car sign it. When finished, tear this section of the log book out and return it to the DVLA at the address on the rear – and the scrap collection driver will take the rest of the document away.
Don’t worry if you’ve misplaced your V5C – a letter to the DVLA that details all of the above is also acceptable.
Avoid unauthorised scrapping services
With the introduction of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act in 2013, the law surrounding scrap metal collection tightened quite considerably. While it may be tempting to respond to adverts from traders who promise to ‘scrap your car for cash’ – this is actually illegal – and can often see unsafe cars being put back onto the road.
As if dangerous cars on the road isn’t deterrent enough, unauthorised scrap traders cannot issue the appropriate DVLA paperwork to confirm that your car has been recycled either – and this can sometimes result in fines coming through your door. To make sure you get a fair price and stay on the right side of the law, you should always scrap your car with a service that works exclusively with ATFs – or with an ATF directly.
Toronto Used Car Dealers Guide – Getting a Good Deal
The used vehicle market is quickly growing with various researches showing that about three times more used vehicles are purchased than new ones every year. There are numerous reasons why individuals choose to purchase a used car, with the primary aim being on the cost saving they are likely to make. Your cash will likewise extend a lot further with a used vehicle, for instance you will be able to bear the cost of a specific make and model with loads of additional items, for example, sat nav, air conditioning and so forth. If you purchased that make of vehicle new, you may need to purchase the basic model.
Purchasing a used vehicle such as Mercedes, BMW & Audi from a dealer can be tricky for some individuals, despite the fact that this experience should be a pleasant one. As long as you are watchful, do all the vital checks and ask the correct inquiries, purchasing a used vehicle ought to be an easy process. In case you are planning to purchase a used vehicle from used car dealers in Toronto, here are some basic things that you should check.
1. Initial Inspection
The primary thing to check is the general state of the vehicle. Does it have any dents, knocks or scratches and if this is the case, do they reflect in the cost? Check the state of the tires to ensure they are good or to see if they will require replacement. Make sure that the front and back lights have no cracks and look at the bodywork for rust. Check under the car to see if there are any leaks.
2. Service History and Also Mileage Check.
Always request to see the car service history which you can get from Carfax. Ensure that it has been serviced routinely by a reputable garage and the service books have been stamped. Likewise, confirm that mileage has been logged in the service book and ensure that it is similar to the mileage on the vehicle. If the dealer tells you that there has been some work done on the vehicle make sure they show you the receipts to prove it. The more the information you get on the vehicle, the better.
3. Mechanical Check.
Regardless of whether the vehicle starts with no issues, except if you are a mechanic, it is impossible for you to determine the state of the engine. It is advisable that you contact an experienced mechanic to assess the engine and check it over before you make that purchase. They will probably give you a genuine evaluation of the engine state. Getting the vehicle’s engine checked (and transmission) in advance could spare you a lot of money in the long run.
4. Test Drive.
The most ideal approach to get a feel for a vehicle is to make a test drive yourself. You would then be able to perceive how the vehicle handles and whether the vehicle ‘feels’ right for you. It’s is likewise an extraordinary method to check whether the vehicle has any rattles or ‘knocking’ noises and furthermore check if everything is working, for example, the indicators, the lights or the stereo. Normally these items are a requirement for certification so you should be covered anyway.
Final Thoughts
Never buy a car uncertified unless you are prepared to either do the work yourself or don’t mind paying a mechanic to do the work. It’s a big risk and should be avoided – especially if the price of the car is very low. Something must be wrong and you could end up paying dearly later on. So whether you are going to buy a used car from a dealership in Toronto or another big city, it’s a good thing there is lots of competition and choices. Research the used car dealer before you even step foot in their business because reputation goes a long way and could influence the kind of car you buy.
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Microwaves Creating Hydrogen from Fossil Fuels
As fuel cell
vehicles rollout in California, Germany, Japan, the UK and elsewhere, creating
an abundance of hydrogen is key to the success of the adoption of the vehicles.
As fuel cell vehicles are considered to be disruptive technology so are the
means of making hydrogen gas. One of the new ways of doing so is to use
microwaves to create hydrogen from fossil fuels. The left over high-purity carbon
can be sold in the marketplace for a whole host of applications such as carbon
nanotubes for fuel cells.
Scientists have
proven that microwaves can aid in creating nanostructured molybdenum disulphide
or MoS2 catalysts with an enhancement that allows the production of hydrogen.
The microwave-assisted approach functions by expanding the space and,
therefore, diminishing the interaction between particular layers of MoS2
nanosheets. As a consequence, a larger portion of reactive sites end up being
exposed, while on their edges hydrogen can be produced.
Scientists from
both United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia established a technique that allows the
production of high purity hydrogen from fossil fuels, without the natural
release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The process called
microwave-initiated dehydrogenation functions based on inexpensive iron
particle catalysts, while transforming unrefined petroleum into diesel, petrol
or methane. Even though some view this as an innovative technique that should
be put into practice in order to lessen the burden from our planet, a couple of
specialists in the field criticise the approach and remain skeptical about its
efficiency.
Furthermore, several
experiments conducted at the University of Oxford by Pete Edwards and his team
revealed more details in regards to microwaves creating hydrogen from fossil
fuels. When it comes to the employment of hydrogen as a clean energy conductor,
there are a few limitations that arise due to its lack of infrastructure,
safety concerns and even the serviceable sources. Hence, researchers from
Oxford aimed to cultivate a competent route that can dispose hydrogen at a
higher rate from naturally prevailed fossil fuels, while taking advantage of
the available infrastructure, due to the fact that those sources will still be
used in the nearby future.
The conclusion
that was drawn by Pete Edwards and his team was that the concept they
discovered and used in their experiments reveals the fact that two scientific
domains can work together harmoniously. Moreover, combining fundamental physics
and chemical catalysis allowed them to observe how efficient can be to make use
of induced metal-to-insulator transitions that take place when metal particles
diminish to the point where quantum effects take place.
In other words,
the microwave absorption rises to a fairly high level only when the electronic
conductivity available in a particle diminishes drastically. By testing this
theory on inexpensive iron particles, Edward`s team was able to successfully
create microwave-absorbing catalytic particles that led to the creation of
fuels like oil or methane.
Researchers at the
University of Oxford state that their goal and vision remains to make use of
hydrocarbon fuels through available distribution systems that permit a smooth
supply of clean hydrogen, without the disposal of carbon dioxide emissions. The
by-product of this process, the solid carbon, is a great source of catalysts
that can be preserved underground or sold at a premium in the marketplace as I
had previously mentioned.
As earth’s climate
deteriorates rapidly, the means for producing hydrogen cleanly needs to
increase just as rapidly. Microwaves may just be one answer to the equation.
Citation
Things only Land Rover Owners Need to Know
There is something special about owning a Land Rover. It doesn’t matter if it is brand new or and approved used Land Rover. It is an experience pretty much unlike any other vehicle. It is a unique experience, and sadly not everyone knows how to use all of the functions on the car. That goes for enthusiasts too!
Here are a few things that Land Rover owners should know.
We Are As One
Where most car owners can drive by each other, nonplussed at their taste in vehicles, as a Land Rover owner you should be waving to the rest of us. It is the first rules of owning such a mammoth and indeed beautiful car.
We are as one, and we should stick together.
This little-known law of owning a Land Rover will ensure that you are in the club for real.
Next time you see another Land Rover owner, give them a good old wave.
Dora The Explorer
There are a few things in the world that are sad to see. A dropped ice cream cone, toast landing butter side down and a Land Rover that is destined for a life of the 5-minute drive.
These cars are designed for the ultimate exploring. They are comfortable, air-conditioned, a quite literally head and shoulders above most vehicles.
Once you have the keys in your hand, you should feel yourself spontaneously turning into Dora The Explorer, your most exquisite pair of Sorrells secure themselves to your feet, and you are off on a couple of hour drive followed by a ramble and at least three stops for tea.
There is a lot of technology in the car that makes it the perfect long-distance runner, and being used for a few minutes here and there is a waste of a beautiful machine.
Old Veteran
Land Rovers have a history. You could buy so many books about their origin, what the design features are there for, and who came up with it all. And actually, that isn’t a bad thing to do if you really love the car.
If you have picked up an old runner aren’t all that sure about the heritage of the brand and the car, then you might not really be ready for all the quirks it comes with.
The history of Land Rover and Range Rover is what makes the brand so unique.
Capability
In all seriousness now, the vehicle is probably the most capable and diverse vehicle you’ll ever come across. It is perfect for shopping trips or driving up a muddy track. It comes with a range of options to suit whatever lifestyle it is going to be a part of, and you are unlikely to get a smoother drive out of something with similar sizing.
Top Tip: Another little-known rule is that if you see any vehicle from the Range Rover or Land Rover brand you are bound by ownership law to park next to them. And, while doing to leave enough space for them to open their doors safely. Double points if you manage to wave at another own in the same car park.
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Monday, February 18, 2019
Disc Brake Rotor fits 1988-1995 BMW 525i 535i 530i HELLA-PAGID
 | C $115.66 End Date: Monday Nov-18-2019 23:22:32 EST Buy It Now for only: C $115.66 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
Sunday, February 17, 2019
Professional Grade Disc Brake Pad Electronic Wear Sensor fits 2007-2009 BMW X5 X
 | C $52.00 End Date: Sunday Nov-17-2019 19:12:06 PST Buy It Now for only: C $52.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
Saturday, February 16, 2019
Dialing in the Brakes, Steering, and Exhaust on my 1967 Mustang
Over the past year or so, I’ve been driving my ’67 Mustang a bunch. After all, it was my first car. I purchased it 19 years ago (for $2400) when I had just turned 17 years old in 2000. It has always run really strong for me, especially after the engine rebuild around 2012, when I also replaced the factory two barrel carb with a 4 barrel Holley, added an aluminum intake manifold, and abandoned the stock camshaft in favor of a warmed up cam from Comp Cams. Since the engine rebuild, I haven’t really changed much on the car and only drove it occasionally on weekends. This past year, I’ve put the Mustang in heavy rotation for any quick runs to the grocery store, out of town day trips, and almost any other driving that I could do. I decided to give a much-needed overhaul to the brakes, steering, and exhaust.
Brake Upgrade
When I had the car on the lift with easy access to all the brake and steering components, it made a lot of sense to do the Shelby drop at the same time. The Shelby or “Arning drop” was made popular on the early Shelby Mustangs and involved lowering the upper control arm mounting point lower by an inch, to achieve a flatter stance and better suspension geometry. This not only lowers the front of the car by an inch, but it noticeably improves the handing of the car after it’s done.
I snagged a brake kit from Street Or Track, comprised of 13″ rotors up front and 12″ rotors in the rear. The massive front rotors are 1.25″ thick, and are genuinely race track quality. All the rotors are vented and slotted and are top of the line. Four piston calipers round out the brake kit, with a drum-in-hat emergency brake setup on the rear rotors.
Having the car up on the lift was a great opportunity to inspect all of the suspension components, and a set of SoT solid mount strut rods replaced the factory rubber bushing struts.
I also added a 1.25″ sway bar to keep things tight up front, and to take advantage of enhanced capabilities of the solid strut rods. With the disc brake kit, I also upgraded the factory spindles to a new set of spindles that will add significant strength over the original design.
I decided to upgrade my brake master cylinder from the original style to a new Wilwood master cylinder with an adjustable proportioning valve. This will allow for a much more customizable braking setup, allowing me to dial in the exact amount of bite that should be allocated to the front brakes versus the rear.
Here was the old setup:
Here’s the new Wilwood Master and Proportioning valve:
The brake upgrade was pretty smooth and straightforward, and the car now stops like a modern car. When it comes to brakes, my opinion is that there is no such thing as overkill. A good set of brakes calibrated correctly is a must have whether you’ve got a daily driver or a track-ready racer.
Stance Upgrade
Ever since I have had my Mustang, I always wished that it sat just a little lower than it did. I wanted the perfect stance, and I feel like I achieved that upon completing the Shelby drop. The car now sits perfectly level from the front to the back, and the wheels/tires properly fill the wheel wells.
The 13″ disc brake rotor and 4 piston caliper fit perfectly my American Racing Torq Thrust 2s.
Steering Upgrade
The car came with power steering from the factory, but it’s a well known fact that the stock setup is way over boosted. I opted for a Borgeson quick ratio steering box, with a 14/1 ratio. The new steering box, combined with the Shelby drop, solid strut rods, and sway bar have made a huge improvement in the driving mannerisms. It handles way better!
Exhaust Upgrade
Now that the car is behaving properly on the road with her new braking and handling characteristics, it is time to take the exhaust system to the next level. The car had the original intake manifolds, old burned out glass pack mufflers, and 3/4 length turn down exhaust. For the new setup, I opted for a new set of Dougs Ceramic Tri-Y Headers, a MagnaFlow true X-Pipe, Borla CrateMufflers, and chrome exhaust tips.
I had a local exhaust shop install the exhaust. The system is running 2.5″ through the entire system. Let me tell you. The new setup sounds even better than it looks! And it looks amazing. I couldn’t be happier with the quality of components. Honestly – my car is now one of the best sounding Mustangs I have ever heard.
Once I got all the new components setup, I took it for a 500 mile road trip over to my brothers house where I met up with my dad and snagged some shots of our cars together. My Mustang ran so well. There are only a few bugs to be worked out. Here’s a quick video that I shot on the day that I got the Mustang back from the exhaust shop. Listen to those Borla’s purr!
The post Dialing in the Brakes, Steering, and Exhaust on my 1967 Mustang appeared first on Classic Nation.
Review: 2019 VW Jetta
It’s no small secret that Americans and Europeans have their differences, and one needn’t look any further to illustrate that point than to look at what kind of cars we like to drive. The 1970’s fuel crisis made a great argument for the hatchback-the idea being to get the maximum amount of room possible for people and cargo on a relatively small footprint. VW’s Golf was a raging success and proved the formula worked, and it was what a lot of people wanted. Well, almost everyone. For whatever reason, Americans looked at hatchbacks and decided they looked kind of cheap. And those new car buyers didn’t want to be seen driving something they perceived as being cheap looking. So, in 1980, VW had the brilliant idea to take the Golf, put on a trunk on it, and call it a Jetta.
Thirty nine years and seven generations later, that formula has been sales gold for VW. With Audi’s and BMW’s commanding premium prices, the Jetta was the only game in town if you wanted a German sedan on a budget most people could afford. And while the people who bought their Jettas loved them, VW looked around and saw their competition enjoying greater sales numbers. The problem, as I believe VW saw it, was the Jetta cost a little more, and VW engineers were obsessing over things the average American buyer didn’t really care about. The solution was the Jetta would be built with the American buyer in mind.
The purists were less than thrilled at the realignment. But the Jetta experiment continues to evolve, and for 2019 an all new, seventh generation has arrived. First impression is the Jetta appears a bit larger than Jettas of yore. And you would be right-today’s Jetta is around the same size as a Passat was twenty years ago. While the Jetta has grown to America specific proportions, the styling definitely has a German accent. It is no nonsense, not flashy nor trendy. The smart, creased styling gives the Jetta an upscale look. Our test car, finished in Platinum Grey Metallic with contemporary LED head and tail lights and a ‘just right’ amount of chrome looked serious enough for any junior executive to own without apology. Our SEL model let the car down in one area worth mentioning: the 16″ alloys look comically small on the car and betray the otherwise high end appearance. In fact, during my week with the Jetta, the only criticism I received about the car’s looks were that the wheels were too small.
Inside, the Jetta overall is a pleasant place to spend time. Utterly contemporary, the satin chrome accents and door handles, piano black surfaces and dark grey faux wood trim work in concert to provide an aesthetically pleasing environment. The controls are intuitive, displays crystal clear, and I appreciated the driver-focused infotainment screen. At night, you and your passengers will be entertained being bathed in soft ambient LED lighting-there are ten hues to choose from to set the right mood. The only letdown were the hard plastics found on the door caps and center console, which serve as reminders you’re sitting in the cheapest VW sold on these shores.
During my time with the Jetta, I took a 400 mile round trip from my native Connecticut to a wintry retreat to Atlantic City, and it was here I was able to appreciate the Jetta’s cabin and features. The seats provided plenty of comfort, and I loved how the steering wheel felt in my hands. Music is a must for any road trip, and the Beats audio did not disappoint. The trip really provided an excellent opportunity to use Apple CarPlay, which allowed me to use Google Maps for navigation, access Pandora radio, and send and receive text messages. It was a great companion, and very simple to use. Even after slugging through New York Friday rush hour traffic, I arrived feeling fresh and relaxed.
All Jettas are motivated by a 1.4L turbocharged four cylinder rated at 147hp. This proved to be perfectly adequate for merging onto highways and passing-the Jetta never felt out of breath. Fuel economy is excellent, with a rating of 30MPG city, 40MPG highway. After cruising at a pretty good clip for hours, I was impressed that I was still able to average 40MPG. You can get a six-speed manual in a Jetta-but you are forced to settle for the base model, as all other Jettas come standard with an 8-speed automatic. Left on its own, the automatic will rush to the highest possible gear for max efficiency, which is fine, but you find yourself constantly lumbering around at about 1,000 rpm where there is no boost on immediate tap. A friend and former Jetta owner found it an affront, and ignorant of longtime buyers that VW will not offer a manual across the line, and I agree.
In this Volkswagen tuned for American drivers, I set my expectations pretty low for ride and handling. I was pleasantly surprised. The Jetta feels well controlled and buttoned down. Ride was about as stiff as I would have hoped for a non-GLI Jetta. While the handling felt just right, the super light steering felt out of place, as if the handling people and steering people never once met to decide what the Jetta driving experience, as a whole, should be.
The Jetta is available in five trim levels-base S, SE, sporty R-Line, SEL, and SEL Premium. Our SEL test car came standard with LED head and tail lights, panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, leatherette seating, dual zone auto climate control, push button start, auto dimming rear view mirror, 8 speaker Beats audio with Sirius XM satellite radio, 8″ infotainment touchscreen, VW’s 10.25″ Digital Cockpit gauge cluster, rearview camera, forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane assist. Including delivery, our test car stickers at $25,590USD, which represents a solid value for the features you get in return.
After seven generations, it’s only natural the Jetta has evolved from Golf with a trunk to a car with a personality all its own. Yes, the Jetta we see now is tailored specifically to the North American car buyer, but in this iteration, VW has smartly, if only slightly, moved the needle closer to it German ancestry. When asked ‘who is this car for?’, I would have to say the Jetta would be perfectly suitable for the small family who want out of the crossover craze, or anyone looking for an easy to live with highway commuter with a just right amount of amenities and style for a weekend date night.
Friday, February 15, 2019
How to put a number plate on retention
If you’ve bought your own personalised number plate from a private dealer or the DVLA, it is probable that you don’t want to change this when it comes to buying a new car. With The v778 Retention Certificate you can keep hold of your old number plate for a brand-new car without having to buy a new registration plate.
A retention certificate (or formally known as a V778 Retention Document) legally allows you to take the number plate off your vehicle and retain it for another.
If you want to sell your registration plate, on a site such as NewReg.co.uk, or use it on another vehicle then you’ll need this document in order to do so. Whether you have a replacement straight away or you’re waiting to sell it, applying for the V778 is simple, quick and can be done online.
Therefore, you do not have to wait weeks before you decide to find a buyer for the number plate.
The DVLA have made changes to their old system so that the retention certificate is now valid for up to 10 years. Before-hand, you would apply for the certificate depending on how many years you thought you would have to keep the plate under retention. The new system is much easier and you now also have the option to renew the certificate for another 10 years absolutely free if necessary. Applications for the initial certificate cost £80.
Are you eligible?
If this is something that you want to do, first you’ll need to check If your number plate is eligible to be retained and you must ensure that:
• The vehicle with the plate has been taxed to date
• The vehicle has been MOT’d to date
• You are the registered keeper of the vehicle, your name must be on the V5 log book
• The number plate is transferable
How to apply for the V778 Retention Document
If after reading the above, you believe you are eligible to have your number plate retained then you are able to apply for the V778 document two ways:
-For the quickest and easiest method, you can apply online
-If you’d prefer to apply via post, you can download the DVLA D317 form, complete it and post to the DVLA offices in Swansea, along with the original V5/V5C (Vehicle Registration Document).
What happens next?
If you’re documentation is approved then you will receive the V778 via post, as well as this, you will also receive a replacement registration number. If viable, the DVLA will reissue the vehicle’s previous number plate, however if this isn’t possible then the registration number will coincide with the vehicle’s age. You can replace this number plate with a private one at any point, however, you are unable to sell the replacement plate that you have received from the DVLA.
Before approval it is possible that the DVLA might want to inspect your vehicle, to confirm if it is eligible for the new registration number. They will check that your car has been taxed and MOT’d. If either have expired, then your vehicle will have to be transported to the DVLA office. As well as this, they will check your VIN number and chassis plate. If your application is declined, you may not get all of your fee back.
If and when your application has been approved, you will receive your V778 document, as well as a V5 registration document to show identify the replacement registration number. Instructions on how to extend your 10-year certificate are located on the back on the V778 document.
The post How to put a number plate on retention appeared first on Ultimate Car Blog | The Latest Car News, Reviews, Tuning.
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