Hybrid Vehicles: Going Green and Saving Money

What's A Hybrid All About

With the growing concern of global warming and how it will affect the future of our environment, the interest of going green and owning a Hybrid vehicles is bigger now then ever. Hybrid vehicles are vehicles with a combination of a small combustion motor used for acceleration and an electric motor for the purpose of cruising and maintaining speed.

The ideal behind the Hybrid vehicles is to cut the usage down on combustion motors which produce greenhouse gas emissions, the leading causes of global warming. Greenhouse gases come from fossil fuel that not only cars use for a source of energy, but also homes and businesses, essentially entire cites, states and countries.

How Do Hybrid Vehicles Help the Environment

With the wide spread use of Hybrid vehicles and their growing popularity, emissions are expected to be reduced by 450 million metric tons by the year 2050. Amazingly enough that is like the equivalent of having 82.5 million less cars on the road.

What to Expect When Driving Hybrid Vehicles

Switching from the conventional combustion car to Hybrid vehicles can be a big step for people. If you have spent your whole life driving a conventional combustion car there is a slight learning curve, but that learning curve could be well worth a driver's decision.

When thinking about buying one, someone might worry about the process of keeping a car battery charged. This at one time may have been a hassle for consumers, but for the most part new technology has not only brought about smaller and more efficient batteries, they have also brought a technology know as Regenerative Braking.

This breaking process is simply: the kinetic energy that the car produces during breaking is converted into electricity and then stored into the battery for use.

Do Your Research First

If you are someone who is thinking about making the conversion to Hybrid vehicles, than you will have to ponder some facts about your driving habits before you make a decision. Between Honda, Ford, GM, KIA and the many other companies that manufacture Hybrids, each of the companies' vehicles have their own set of pros and cons. For instance, some companies' Hybrids do better with gas millage stats for doing a lot of highway driving to where other Hybrids will see much better gas millage in city driving situations. It's highly recommended to take some time and do some research before you even go to a dealership and talk to a salesman.

Saving Money

Going green and helping out the environment is always a great thing, but right away the biggest perk a new Hybrid owner will notice is the money that they will save in gas mileage. Most Hybrids vehicles will only use about half of the gas that a conventional combustion motor uses and with gas prices the way they are today, as a Hybrid owner you could stand to save thousands of dollars at the end of the year.

Gas prices are just one way you will save money. Hybrid combustion motors are designed to run less and when a combustion motor runs less you won't need to do as much general maintenance on them such as tune-ups and oil changes. You will also find that the government likes to thank you for this type of contribution to the environment by giving Hybrid owners a tax refund for their responsible decision.

Maintenance of Hybrid Vehicles

Like with any vehicle there is some maintenance that needs to be done. Probably the biggest issue Hybrid owners will have is the changing of the battery. Most all dealerships that sell Hybrids vehicles will not only be able to change the battery for you, but they will also recycle the old one safely. This is important even if you don't have your battery changed at the dealership. If you do it yourself, you should still take your battery to the dealership to have them recycle the old ones for they have toxic like lead and nickel in them which would be bad for the environment. And since you are going green, I don't see why you would want to ruin your good deed, of owning a Hybrid, with a bad one by getting rid of a toxic battery improperly.

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Atlanta Turns Over A New Leaf

Conventional wisdom says that when something sounds too good to be true, that is probably because it is.

The caveat, however, is that the catch may come at someone else's expense. At least, that is what many Atlanta drivers seem to be banking on as they flock to lease Nissan's electric car offering, the Leaf. The current math for many drivers is that a Leaf is practically free. So the question becomes: Who is paying for those cars and, perhaps more interestingly, why?

Several of my friends in Atlanta currently lease Leafs, and talking to them made it clear why. The math works like this: For a basic model Leaf at the standard 24-month, 12,000-mile per year lease, you would pay around $290 per month, a payment which includes sales tax. You won't have to pay for gas, and maintenance costs for two years are low, since electric cars don't use internal combustion engines or motor oil. Some drivers might find this enough of an attraction alone, but Georgia drivers have a leg up. The state offers a $5,000 nonrefundable income tax credit and, unlike the federal electric tax credit that applies only to purchases, Georgia's credit is good for leases too.

With the lowered cost of fuel and maintenance, and depending on your insurance, you could get down to a rough cost of $1 per day for the Leaf.

With a car that is practically free to lease for many drivers, it isn't surprising that sales of electric vehicles have soared in Georgia. The Atlanta metro area has become the top market for Nissan's Leaf, with Nissan reporting that more than one-third of the car's national sales took place there in December.

In addition to the tax credit, many Nissan dealers extend a customer referral bonus to Leaf drivers who send more customers their way. And with no sunset date set for the state income tax credit, the trend will likely continue for a while. Georgia Power has sweetened the deal by offering a special rate for electric vehicle drivers.

Leasing also lets drivers avoid doubling down on a technology that remains a small sliver of the automotive industry; drivers aren't stuck with electric cars if power stations vanish or maintenance turns out to be very expensive down the road. Eric Evarts, a senior associate autos editor at Consumer Reports, said, "electric cars are the one thing where we would unequivocally recommend people lease." (1) Leasing spares you the risk of disappointment over the life of an electric car's battery or the car's repair costs.

Yet while it is obvious from the driver's point of view why this deal is appealing, it is less apparent why Georgia lawmakers are so eager to encourage state residents to invest in electric cars. Beyond the tax credit, Georgia has participated in a $230 million program, the EV Project, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and private partners. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported last year on the push to install more charging stations in Atlanta. Last fall, the city unveiled two recharging stations in the state Capitol's parking garage.

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle told officials and reporters that he was "more of a pickup truck kind of guy," but that he has enjoyed his Nissan Leaf. (2)

Georgia's motivation is likely not cut-and-dried, but a large part of it may very well be economic benefits. A 2013 study from Indiana University Bloomington and the University of Kansas suggested that economic development motivations, such as a job creation, mainly drove the promotion of electric cars. Additionally, programs like the EV Project pump federal dollars in to support photogenic initiatives like the charging stations at the Capitol, allowing local politicians to reap the benefits at the polls. Opponents, though, have been quick to point out that federal money could be used for other projects, and that it's little wonder specific automakers have supported a program to push their vehicles.

Nissan and other automakers face pressure in about a dozen states to increase the proportion of their sales of zero-emission vehicles, The Wall Street Journal reported. Even if they keep dropping the price of cars like the Leaf, automakers can also increase their overall earnings through sales of traditional vehicles if they can get more electric cars on the road. This also helps explain programs like ePass - Fiat's offer to electric car drivers of 12 days of free access annually to a gasoline-powered car rental. The program is designed to offset the range limitations of electric cars. BMW offers a similar program.

Georgia's actions, as well as those of other states and the federal government, effectively warp consumer behavior compared to the way in which car buyers would presumably act in an unbiased economic environment. It is unclear, however, that the state can support such incentives indefinitely.

It is also unclear whether electric vehicles can ever stand in the marketplace unsupported. But we won't know until Leafs and other electric cars cost more than a dollar a day.

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Sources:

1) ABC News, "Nearly Free Electric Car Leases in a State Near You?"

2) GPB News, "Electric Cars Surge In Popularity"

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How to Test Drive A Used,Car tips and tricks

                                  So you have performed a thorough pre-test inspection and are happy that the test vehicle is in good shape to drive? Even though the vehicle might pass the static inspection, a test drive is an essential part of buying a used car and can reveal many flaws that might not show up when the vehicle is stationary. Make the best of this opportunity to ensure you're comfortable and that everything's in good working order.

When taking the test drive, use your common sense, make careful observations, and know what to look for by studying the information in this document:

Make Notes

Being meticulous always pays off. Consider making a chart that covers the major areas such as: ride, noise, steering feel, tires, comfort, sound system, brakes, or anything else that's important to you. Grade each area carefully to help with your decision.

Silence Is Golden

Keep your mouth shut - This is a good tip to remember when entering into any negotiation. Most people are uncomfortable with silence and makes them want to talk. Car owners will often start talking about problems when a squeak or rattle presents itself while driving the vehicle.

Don't Be Rushed

Take your time while you are evaluating the car and don't be distracted by seller's pitch. If you're serious about the car, don't feel pressured into taking a short test, even if you feel the seller breathing down your neck! Negotiate with the seller how long the test drive can be. Try to allow at least 20 minutes for the drive and drive on all kinds of roads.

Before Heading Out

Consider whether you are comfortable in the car. Check whether you can you get in and out of the car easily and if you can adjust the seat and steering so you're comfortable. Get familiar with the car's all round vision and blind spots, and make sure you can clearly see the instrument panel and reach all controls easily.

Test the air conditioning and make sure both cold and hot air can be produced. Briefly take the temperatures to their extremes. Also, check all vents to see if they close and open smoothly. Switch on the radio and crank it all the way up to see if there is any distortion in the speakers. Turn the radio off when performing the test drive.

Eliminate Distractions

To enable you to hear any unusual noises, don't drive with the radio on and leave the windows up. Listen carefully while driving at different speeds and try to differentiate between normal noises from those caused by wind, tires or possible car problems. If you hear an alarming noise, try to isolate it by changing speeds or driving on different road surfaces. Also, don't bring the entire family along - they will only distract you while you need to devote all of your attention to the test drive.

Turn the Ignition

Turn the key and see if the car starts easily - modern cars should start almost instantaneously. (Check how much effort is needed to turn the key as well as how easy it is to remove the key.) Listen to the car idle inside and outside the car. See if you hear any repetitive squeaks or other noises and question the owner about it.

Engine & Suspension

The engine should be cold before you start. If warm (feel the bonnet), it might indicate the seller warmed up the car beforehand and might be trying to hide a starting problem. The engine should not smoke excessively when the car is started or when driving. The engine should be quiet and pull smoothly. Also, listen for unusual bangs or thumps from the suspension.

Choose a Driving Route

A test drive is of little use if you spend most of the time driving on the highway. Don't let the owner direct the trip. Drive a mixed route of local streets, highways, and a big empty parking area. A long highway on-ramp is a good place for testing a vehicle's acceleration and how well the car merges onto the highway. Find a bumpy road or an area with speed bumps and notice how the car responds after hitting bumps. Also, try to find some steep grades to climb to test the car's performance.

Vary the Speed

Make sure the car does not shake or vibrate by test driving at both slow and highway speeds. See if you are satisfied with the way the car feels going down the road at various speeds. Vibrations might indicate problems with the suspension, tyres, axels or drive train.

Transmission

With automatic vehicles, engage each one of the gears including reverse, while the engine is running. A clunking noise could suggest play in the transmission. Accelerate slowly and check whether the transmission shifts is smooth or if it slips or clunks when gear are shifted.

A manual transmission should shift easily among the gears without having to force it. The clutch should also engage the transmission easily. If not, the clutch could be worn and may need to be changed.

Brakes

Find an area without any traffic, get up to speed, and hit the brakes hard. Check whether the car swerve to the left or right. The brakes should provide confidence and stop the car in a straight line. The brake pedal should have a firm feel when braking and you should not hear any squealing or strange noises. The pedal should engage the brakes within 2-3 cm of the top of the pedal. (If the vehicle is equipped with ABS, the pedal will only vibrate / pulsate when braking very hard.)

Steering & Alignment

The steering should be responsive with no vibration nor have any 'play' or delay in response. If equipped, check whether the steering wheel buttons and adjustment control works. While driving, make gentle (about 20 degree) consistent turning motions with the steering wheel to either side a few times. Check whether the steering has any dead spots or uneven response that could indicate problems.

To check the alignment, drive a straight line and relax your hand off the steering wheel when it is safe to do so. See if the car keeps going straight without veering to one side. If it pulls to the side, have the tyre pressure checked. If the pressure is in order, the front end alignment may have issues.

Be Responsible

Your test drive should be performed in a manner that does not violate any traffic rules. Drive normally, and be attentive to everything about the car. Once you get comfortable with the vehicle, ask the seller if you can drive the car at a more aggressive pace, but stay within the speed limit. As mentioned earlier, a good place to test the acceleration of a car as at a highway on-ramp.

End of the Drive

If you feel you have found a good candidate, ask the owner if the car can also be independently inspected, before committing to the purchase. If you have any doubts, walk away. There are lots of other cars for sale.

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Article by JB, of www.driveit.co.za, a free South African vehicle classifieds website dedicated to the buying and selling of new or used cars online. Article may be used freely, but must include a link pointing to DriveIt Buy Sell Used Cars

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Tips To Help You Confidently Shop For A Car

                                          New car shopping can be fun for some while overwhelming for others. If you are one who does not like to embark on this process, you can probably make it easier on yourself by learning more about what to watch out for. Read the paragraphs below once or twice and you'll have a better understanding of the shopping process.

Prior to setting food on a car lot, figure out your financing. Go to your local credit union or bank. You may even get a lower interest rate and you will know what you can afford.

Make sure you do some research on a dealer prior to making an offer. You will make better headway if you understand how they do their financing and how they handle trade ins. Also, knowing about the customer reviews will assist you in avoiding getting scammed.

Get recommendations from people you trust. Looking back on their experiences, do they feel they did the right thing? Do they wish they'd gotten another one? What information have they heard about different cars that are available? When you're in the market for a car, this is a good way to get some preliminary information that you can start with.

If you are in the position to buy a new car, you should think about the vehicle's gas mileage, as that will affect your overall budget. A V8, with the power to tow your boat, may seem quite attractive. But, ask yourself whether your truly need that additional power.

Before you head out car shopping, check with your bank to ensure that you qualify for a loan. This is for your own good. Dealerships usually can help you get a rate that's better than your personal bank, but you should always know beforehand the interest rate that you are willing to work with.

Refrain from bringing up incentives or down payments before negotiating. These monetary exchanges should reduce your cost. You will end up with a better price if you negotiate the deal first, then discuss these "extras".

Do not limit your choices to just a dealership. You might be shocked to find the car you want from a person selling their car privately. Search through community area classifieds and hunt through social media to focus your search on cars available in your neighborhood.

The majority of the salespeople have sales quotas to meet every month. This system works to your advantage at the end of the month. Salesmen short on sales will want to increase their totals. You can get a lower price as they're more desperate than you are.

Prior to shopping for any car, review your budgetary needs carefully. It is best to know exactly where you stand before you begin looking at cars. You should establish a monthly budget for your car payments and your insurance. You need to secure a loan before shopping for cars.

If buying used, ask the dealer to let you take the car to a mechanic. You should pick one that is trustworthy. Don't use the mechanic that the dealer suggests. This mechanic can let you know if the car is in good enough condition to drive and whether the cost is worth the purchase.

Read all the paperwork before signing. You should not just sign the contract without reading. Ensure you read it from top to bottom. After you have signed, your legal responsibilities are set in stone. Do not hesitate to ask if you can take the contract home to go over it carefully. If your salesman does not want to let you take the contract home, there is more than likely some hidden clause they do not want you to find out about.

Some people dread the process of having to purchase a car. It is important to be armed with knowledge to get a positive experience with car shopping. Bear in mind everything you've learned here. Each little bit will help you to make a smart, financially sound decision.

I wrote this article to help people learn how to make shopping for a car a pleasant experience.

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The Pros and Cons of Front Wheel Drive Vs. Rear Wheel Drive

                                It has been a common topic of debate among car enthusiasts on which type of transmission is better for a car; the Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) or the Front Wheel Drive (FWD). As you may have guessed from the names, a RWD transmission provides power to the rear wheels, while the FWD transmission provides power to the two front wheels. However, the answer to which one of them is better is a bit more complex, as both of them have certain advantages and disadvantages over the other.

Rear Wheel Drive (RWD)

RWD transmission was commonly used in automobiles throughout the 20th century. However, it has dropped in popularity due to the high manufacturing costs, and due to the idea by car owners that FWD cars are much safer as compared to RWD.

Pros

•     RWD transmission provides better handling in a car in dry conditions. This is because the power is being transmitted to the rear wheels only, with none to the front wheels. So there is more friction between the front wheels and the road, allowing for greater traction and improved handling while preventing torque steer.
•     RWD transmission is much more simple and rugged as compared to FWD transmissions. Suppose a RWD car runs over a curb; there wouldn't be as much damage to a RWD car as there would be to a FWD car. The chances of expensive repairs are relatively less. This is why most police cars use the RWD transmission.
•     RWD cars also provide better weight distribution and balance, as it spreads the weight of its drivetrain evenly, along with the engine and the transmission being at opposite ends of the car. This is also why most sports cars use a RWD transmission.
•     A RWD car is also better at towing than a FWD car, since the force pulling the load would be closer to the load (in the rear), allowing for better steering.
•     There's also the fun aspect prevalent in RWD cars. No one can deny the thrill of pulling stunts such as drifting or burnouts, which are next to impossible to perform in a Front Wheel Drive car.

Cons

•     While a RWD car may provide better handling in dry conditions, it is relatively much more difficult to handle than a FWD car on low grip surfaces, such as icy roads or snow. This is because the car is being pushed by the back wheels, instead of being pulled by the front, which increases chances of wheel spin.
•     RWD cars also have a relatively higher purchase price, as the rear wheel transmission assembly is more complicated than a FWD.
•     In the hands of a professional who has experience with RWD cars, they can be a joy to ride. However, RWD cars are much more difficult to master than FWD cars and have a steeper learning curve. This can prove to be dangerous for a new driver who isn't familiar with this sort of transmission. Over-steering and fishtailing are common problems in RWD cars.
•     There's also the added weight factor due to the driveshaft, which decreases economy and increases running costs.
•     A RWD car has less interior space as compared to a FWD car, due to the transmission tunnel being placed in the rear, which takes up a lot of rear leg room.

Front Wheel Drive (FWD)

Now that we have discussed the pros and cons of the RWD drive, let's have a look at the FWD transmission. Nowadays, most cars use the FWD transmission due to two main advantages; economy and safety.

Pros

•     FWD cars are cheaper to build as compared to RWD cars, resulting in them being less expensive as compared to FWD cars.
•     The FWD transmission is also less heavy than RWD transmissions, which increases fuel economy.
•     While a RWD car may provide better handling in dry conditions, FWD cars are excellent when it comes to poor weather conditions such as snow or ice. This is because the car is being pulled by the front wheels, allowing for lesser chance of wheel spin.
•     FWD cars are also easier to master than RWD cars; for a new driver, it is recommended to get a FWD transmission cars.

Cons:

•     Due to both the engine and the transmission being located in the front, there is uneven weight distribution, and the car becomes nose heavy. This results in poor handling of the vehicle.
•     Another thing which adds to the poor handling factor is that the front wheels are being used to steer, along with pulling the vehicle. All the power of the car is being transmitted to the front wheels, which once again results in poor handling of the vehicle, as there is lesser friction between the ground and the tires. This is also why sports car rarely use FWD transmissions.
•     FWD cars may be cheaper to manufacture, but they have a higher maintenance cost due to their assembly consisting of small parts which are expensive to repair incase of damage. While an RWD car's front axle might not require work or service at all, it is a sure thing that a FWD car's axle would require some service or part replacements over the years.
•     As most accidents and damage to vehicles happens head on, an FWD car is also more susceptible to expensive damage, as the transmission assembly and axle in a FWD car is much more expensive to repair as compared to just the axle in a RWD car.
•     There are other handling problems, such as torque steer, in high powered FWD cars. This occurs when there is more force being provided to the front wheels than the drive can handle, resulting in the car jerking left and right.

Conclusion

While both the transmissions have their own pros and cons, there is no transmission that can be claimed as the best. It is up to the motorist to look over what advantages one has over the other, and choose the transmission that is best suited to his needs.

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