Ford ECO Boost Engine

Ford has designed a new engine which is able to reduce CO2 emissions by 20%, help the environment and use less fuel - which also helps to save money on fuel too! The new engine is called the ECO Boost engine, for more information about this engine visit the Official Ford website for all of the specification details.

Taxi's in NYC compete for "New Look"

Ford, Nissan and Karsan (A Turkish car manufacturer) were three of the lucky companies to have the opportunity to design a 'new taxi' for New York citizens this month. All three vehicles remind us of small transit vans with unique features within each vehicle.

Karsan's approach to the design is to have a ramp which will allow wheelchair access as well as a rear-seat pull down seat in order to make taxi trips more social. Ford & Nissan have approached the project with comfort and space at the forefront of their design, demonstrating how their vehicles will supply the general public with comfort and stability whilst riding as a passenger. You can see from the images below how much more room passengers will have riding in one of the vehicles.

The lucky winner will be announced in early 2011 with a contract worth $1 billion.

Which do you prefer?

Ford's Entry:

NIssan's Entry:

Karsan's Entry:

 

Winter Special: Driving tips in winter

First and foremost, if the weather is treacherous outside then do not drive. If you really need to drive in harsh winter conditions then we have a few tips and advice for you:

·         Drive slowly; if your car skids, you have a higher chance of being able to regain control should your car skid on ice.

·         Keep a good distance from other vehicles; at least three cars apart.

·         Brake gently to avoid skidding.

·         Turn on your headlights to enhance not only your vision, but other drivers will be able to see you        better too.

·         Use lower gears to keep traction on the roads, especially when going up hills.

·         Don’t use cruise control, you want to have as much control as possible over your vehicle when driving in harsh winter conditions.

Used truck dealership in America offers strange promotion in the form of AK-47's?

We were quite shocked (but not really suprised) when we discovered that a truck dealership in Florida, US, have taken drastic measures to promote their business. Nations Trucks located in Sanford, Florida, are currently running a promotion due to close at the end of November whereby truck buyers will receive a voucher for $400 (£250) which can be redeemed for an AK-47 at a local firearms shop when they purchase a truck. According to Nick Genetta, General Sales Manager at Nations Trucks, business has been booming since the promotion of the deadly weapons, stating that "My buyer [of trucks] is absolutely a gun owner, no question".

 In regard to sending out the wrong message, Genetta said "I don't think that it sends the wrong message" and explained that the company are merely allowing customers to assert their rights under the Second Ammendment of Constitution. All customers are subject to backgrounds checks before being able to purchase a firearm - We'd certainly hope so!!!

Read the full article here.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ (World News, North America, USA)

Stolen cars - be warned

Cars get stolen every day, whether they are new, used, old, fast, slow, modern etc. Do not presume that just because you own an older car that this does not mean your car will not become a target. In fact, if anything, thieves may see your car as a potential gold mine. It may not be worth anything at face value, but breaking the vehicle to retrieve the parts and sell them on is a common way for thieves to make quick money. This is especially the case if your car is an older model, because spare parts are harder to come by for older models, so are much more valuable and expensive.

We were shocked to discover how many drivers tend to leave windows open a little on warm days, how they leave valuable possessions in clear view on dashboards and seats and how blase they are about thieves targeting their own vehicle. It is easy for a criminal to realise what possessions are in a car for them to make a quick sale - anything from; - ipods, cd's, cd case holders (full of cd's), hands-free sets, mobile phones, wallets/purses, satellite navigation, cd players etc. We were also shocked to discover that some people leave their mail - including bank statements - in their cars. Not only would the thief/thieves be able to steal your car and possessions, but they could also steal your whole identity!

Please don't presume this will not happen to you, take precautions and you could avoid the thieves stealing from you:

• Don't leave possessions in clear view inside the car - always place valuable items in the glove box, under your car seats or in the car boot.
• Make sure all windows and doors are locked before leaving the vehicle unattended.
• If you do not have one already, get a car alarm installed.
• Try not to leave your car over night in a secluded, dark area where not many people would be able to see anyone stealing your car.
• Remove CD/DVD players from your car.
• For around £50 you can buy a steering wheel lock. For another £80 you can buy a 'tyre claw' lock that will keep one wheel from moving.
• You can get an alarm fitted to your vehicle from between £150-£300 at any car shop. The alarm will go off when the door is opened without a key.
• You can get a 'kill switch' installed which will not allow engines to start unless there is a precise-matching key.

The best way to deter thieves, is to not give them a reason to want to access your vehicle in the first place. They know exactly what they are looking for, exactly how much they can get for the possessions in your car and exactly where to sell your car for scrap. You are basically inviting thieves to steal your car by leaving possessions in plain view.

Did you know that most thieves target cars that are in small and quiet residential areas? including residential and apartment complexes? their other favourite places are gym, restaurant and shopping car parks, some have even said that their car has been stolen in the church car park on a Sunday!

Please take care!

Winter Special: Essential advice for severe weather conditions

Before starting off on your journey, check the weather forecast so you know what kind of weather to expect; frost, sleet, snow or ice. This will help you to assess what kind of weather conditions to expect and you can accommodate your driving style and supplies accordingly.

·         Keep a mobile with you at all times.

Make sure that:

-          All numbers are up to date

-          Emergency contact numbers are up to date.

-          There is a mobile phone charger in the car with you that can plug in to your lighter socket to recharge.

-          Keep your breakdown cover’s number in your phone.

·         Tell people where you are going, what route your are planning on taking and if you deviate from your route, make sure you let people know.

·         Keep a torch in the car.

·         Keep some blankets in the car (we recommend thermal blankets for winter).

·         A satellite navigation system in your car could be a life saver if you have no idea where you are and conditions are too bad to see.

·         A bottle of cold water or de-icer spray – this will help to remove ice from your windscreen and vehicle.

·         Make sure your car has enough fuel for the journey.

Essential checks to make on your car before driving anywhere in harsh winter weather conditions:

·         Check the battery

·         Check the tires for air, wear and tear and tread depth.

·         Check the ignition, brakes, wiring, hoses and fan belts.

·         Change and adjust the spark plugs.

·         Check the air, fuel, emission filters and the PVC valve.

·       Check antifreeze levels and the freeze line.

Winter Special: Essential supplies to have with you on a long winter journey

1.       A fully inflated spare tyre, wheel wrench and tripod-type jack.

2.       Jumper cables

3.       Tow and tyre chains

4.       Shovel

5.       Tool Kit

6.       Bag of salt/sand/gravel/cat litter

7.       A working flash light with extra batteries

8.       Compass

9.       First Aid Kit

10.    Exterior windshield cleaner

11.    Ice scraper and/or snow brush

12.    Non-perishable, high-energy foods like unsalted canned nuts, dried fruits and hard boiled sweets.

Winter special: How to control your car if it skids on ice

If your rear wheels skid

1.       Remove your foot from the accelerator immediately

2.       Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they are sliding right, steer right. You should always steer in the same direction that your rear wheels are turning.

3.       Sometimes your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you try to recover the vehicle, if this happens, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You may have to steer left and right a few times to try and get control back of the car. Try not to turn the wheels too abruptly or quickly as this can cause your car to skid even further.

4.       If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.

5.       If you have ABS do not pump the brakes, instead gently apply pressure to the brakes. Feeling the brakes pulse is normal.

If your front wheels skid

1.       Take your foot off the gas and shift the gears into neutral, but don’t try to steer immediately.

2.       As the wheels skid sideways, they will automatically slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Now put your vehicle into 1^st gear drive and accelerate very gently.

Winter Special: What to do if your car gets stuck in the snow

Firstly, do not panic! Turning the wheel quickly and trying to accelerate/reverse may only dig you in deeper. Very slowly turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push the snow out of the way, very gently touch the gas to ease your car out. You can also use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and from the underside of the car. Pour anything available at your disposal underneath the wheels to get some traction – this could be sand, salt gravel, cat litter, flat planks of wood – anything you can find that you think will help and will not damage your tyres. Shift the gears from 1^st to reverse and back again. Each time you are in gear, give a gentle touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going again.  

Winter special: What to do if you ever become stranded in the snow

You never know when this could be you, a family holiday in wintery Scotland for example could turn into a nightmare scenario where there is no-one in sight and no-one near to help you. We have put together some helpful advice and tips of what to do if you ever find yourself in this situation.

·         Don’t leave your car unless you know exactly where you are, how far it is to possible help (i.e. garage or shop up ahead) and you are certain it will improve your situation.

·         If you have flares in the car with you, place one at each end of the car a safe distance away. If you don’t have any flares then use any kind of brightly coloured cloth and hang it from your antenna.

·         Protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia by using woollen items, blankets and anything else you can cover yourself up with to keep warm. Share body heat with those in the car with you.

·         Avoid using the radio/cd player on the car – as this can drain the car battery. You can use the heater for approximately ten minutes every hour to keep warm.

·         Eat a hard boiled sweet to keep your mouth moist and make use of other food in the car to keep energy levels high.

·         Keep at least one window open slightly. Heavy snow, ice and low temperatures can seal a car shut.

·         Try and wear as many layers as possible. If you were going on holiday and have a suitcase full of extra clothes, put these on. Including putting extra pairs of socks on to avoid hypothermia and frostbite.

·         Thermal blankets will keep you protected from harsh weather conditions, if you have them.

·         Breathing in cold air for a prolonged period of time can trigger respiratory problems. If you have a passenger in the car with you that has asthma, heart problems, lung complaints or any other respiratory problems make sure they cover their mouths with a blanket often to breathe in warmer air.

Winter Special: Preparing your car for winter

·         Your car battery will lose power when the temperature drops in winter. Before you embark on your journey, check that your battery is working and also don’t forget to check the charging system and belts.

·         Check the cars cooling system to make sure it has not frozen, you can use an antifreeze but make sure you use the correct one for your vehicle. Also check for any leaks in the cooling system.

·         Make sure your car demister system is working – this can be severely dangerous if you are driving and your windscreen mists up, especially in winter conditions as it seriously restricts vision to the point where you may have to stop your vehicle.

·         And finally, check your windscreen wiper blades to make sure they are operating correctly. If they are not, purchase new ones, these can be a real life saver in extreme weather conditions.

A new, innovative use for car spares...now why didn't we think of that?

Look at what some very clever and artsy people from Russia created. We don't know why they did it, but it looks cool.

All of the designs are made from recycled car parts.

Can't get enough of these and want to see some more?

Visit the website (www.auttomotto.org) where we found these by clicking here.

A collection of Car Logos/Brands and their meanings

Here is a collection of a collection of car logos and a history of their brand. Here at Mondeo Spares, although we do specialize in Ford parts, we do also have a few other parts now and again, so come and take a look at our site, or give us a call.




Ford

Ford, one of the biggest American multinational automotive corporations, manufactures and distributes automobiles across six continents. It is currently the world’s fourth largest automaker, and is constantly making efforts to discover the best automotive ideas, designs and technologies. It has been into existence for more than 100 years now and successfully has over a million loyal customers who enjoy the experience of a vast range of affordable, reliable, vibrant and unique mainstream cars that offer a considerable value for their money.

The company was founded by the legendary Henry Ford along with the Dodge Brothers in 1903. Ford named its cars using 19 most used alphabets in English. Model T became a great hit and gave a huge popularity to the company. With the start of World War I it was producing nearly half of the cars sold in US and today is retaining its success.

Peugeot

Peugeot branded themselves with the 'mighty lion' logo. The lion is a symbol of the region of Franche-comté. Peugeot’s roots go back to 19th-century coffee mill and bicycle manufacturing. The company’s entry into the vehicle market was by means of crinoline dresses, which used steel rods, leading to umbrella frames, saw blades, wire wheels, and ultimately bicycles. The lion represents the excellence of their saws in three aspects: saw tooth is as enduring as lion’s tooth; saw blades is as elastic as lion’s backbone; the performance of the saw is as invincible as that of lion. In 1890, when the first Peugeot motor was out on the market, the company decided to carry on the “lion” trademark to signify its high quality.

Aston Martin

Aston Martin Lagonda Limited is a British manufacturer of luxury sports cars, based in Gaydon, Warwickshire. The company name is derived from the name of one of the company’s founders, Lionel Martin, and from the Aston Hill speed hillclimb near Aston Clinton in Buckinghamshire. The logo of Aston Martin is a flying roc with wings wide spread, on each of which writes ASTON and MARTIN, indicating that the company has the velocity and ambition of a roc.



Bentley

The brand and company Bentley was formed in January 18th 1919. The company was previously known for their range of rotary aero-engines in World War 1. Mr Walter Owen Bentley, the founder of the company, has used the logo - the famous 'wings' - since the first appearence of the first motor vehicle went on sale.


Lincoln

 Henry M. Leland, founder of the Lincoln brand in 1917 named the brand after his longtime hero, Abraham Lincoln. Ford Motor Company adopted the brand, Lincoln, in 1922 and became a luxury brand which is held in the highest prestige even today. Leland adopted a greyhound as their emblem, which was later replaced by the 'diamond' which is currently in use today.

Jaguar

Jaguar Cars Ltd, or as we know the brand today, Jaguar, was founded in 1922 by Sir William Lyons. He originally manufactured motorcycle sidecars before switching to passenger cars. The original name for the company was "Swallow Sidecar Company" but was changed after World War 2 because of the negative and unfavourable connotations of the SS initials. The Jaguar logo is of a Jaguar leaping across the company name. The leaping jaguar is possibly presented to represent speed, power and performance. The emblem can be found on the front of any Jaguar vehicle.

Chevrolet

The "Chevrolet" or "Chevy" logo may seem quite ordinary and perhaps one could argue, quite mundane, but the logo holds a huge significance in the corporate world. Boasting metallic colours in the form of a cross, Chevrolet represents the autmotive industry completely. The simple, yet elegant trademark is recognised in the car industry as quality, importance and prestige.

 Mazda

Mazda Motor Corporation based in Hiroshima, Japan, was founded by Jujiro Matsuda who was interested in spirituality. He chose to call the company 'Mazda' to honor both his family and Zoroastrianism. The word 'Mazda' means wisdom, intelligence & harmony and derives from Ahura Mazda, the Avestan language name for a divinity exalted by the ancient Iranian prophet, Zoroaster. The logo captures the spirit of Mazda, the 'M' evokes an image of wings in flight and could also symbolise Mazda's flight towards the future and the 21st century. The 'V' in the centre of the 'M' spreads out like a bird about to take flight, perhaps representing freedom, creativity, vitality, flexibility and the passion that symbolises Mazda. The sharp, metal, solid feel to the logo signifies power, security, safety and innovation.

Alfa Romeo

The Italian automotive company, Alfa Romeo, was founded on June 24th 1910 in Milan. The logo is split in half and contains the emblems of Alfa's hometown, Milan, and one of the great Milanese "Visconti" family. On the left is the read cross on a white background, this has no connection to patriotism in England, instead it signifies the days of the First Crusade, when many Milanese soldiers were amongst the Lombards who followed Giovanni of Rho to the Holy Land. The red cross was their symbol, whilst the white background symbolised the white shirts they were forced to wear under their armour to protect them from the fierce Palestinian sun. On the right of the badge are the arms of the Visconti family, which later became recognised as those of the City of Milan. Some say the serpent represents the snakes that the Lombards used to wear round their necks in a little case as a lucky charm, - or the dragon which, at the start of the fifth century, plagued Milan and was finally killed by Uberto, Squire of Angera, and founder of the Visconti family. It could also be the symbol of Ottone Visconti who fought a victorious duel with the saracen leader, Voluce, during the First Crusade. The city of Milan, however, claims that the serpent has nothing to do with hte Visconti family. 

Lamborghini

 Automobili Lamborghini S.P.A, or as it is more commonly referred to as - Lamborghini, was founded in 1963 by businessman and tractor factory owner, Ferruccio Lamborghini. The logo has a bull on the badge which is symbolic of the founder, Ferruccio Lamborghini's astrological star sign - Taurus. The Italian-born company has achieved great things since the 60's and has accomplished a brand identity reveered and respected across the world. Lamborghini cars are symbolic of respect, status, sleek, sensuality and wealth. It is said that Lamborghini and Ferrari have a long-standing rivalry and this is why there is no coincidence that Lamborghini's raging bull logo looks somewhat similar to Ferrari's black horse set upon a yellow background. Perhaps they were 'taking the bull by the horns' so to speak!     

Lexus

Lexus is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. The Lexus logo was developed by Molly Designs and Hunter Communications. The final design for the Lexus logo featured a stylized “L” within an oval, and according to Toyota, was rendered using a precise mathematical formula. The first teaser ads featuring the Lexus name and logo, designed by Team One, appeared at the Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York auto shows in 1988. 

 Click for source of information.