Friday 27 May 2011

Inside The Electric Car...

You may have heard about the electric car, or perhaps you even own one? the electric car is set to replace the fuel car in the future, slowly but surely.

We wanted to see how the inside of an electric car compared with a fuel one, and here is the answer:

Images and info from futurecars.com
An electric car is primarily built with three main components; the energy storage, the motor and the controller with related electronics. Are you interested in buying an electric car? Well before you do, you can read all of the good and bad points that are involved with owning an electric car that we have conveniently put together for you. Just click here. 



The Electric Car - The Good, The Bad

The Nissan Leaf - An Affordable Electric Car from Nissan
The electric car has been causing a lot of interest, even though quite a substantial amount of people don't particularly know too much about them.We can't decide whether the electric car is quite ready to take over the petrol/diesel car just yet, but what we do realise is the amazing potential these cars could have, not only for our environment, but also on our reliance of resources such as oil as well.  

We have had a look at the pros and cons of being an electric car owner.

Let's start with the Con's:

  1. Not all electric cars are available at any price - the cost combined with the availability of these cars is quickly becoming an issue. Tesla's Roadster costs approximately $100,000 and Nissan's 'Leaf' has already had their maximum order of 20,000, which means it won't be available again until the next phase - whenever that may be. For a full list of prices of electric cars, click here.
  2. Costs - it is easy to imagine how cheap it would be to run an electric car - just being able to plug in and charge your car up at any of the charge stations - could really offset the costs in comparison to a full tank of fuel. However, the price of electric cars are still pricey. Just like all new things, those that buy them new will always pay premium prices. Our advice, is to wait until these prices come down before committing to purchase one. Only then will you be able to see the benefit of the costs.
  3. Slow Charge - these cars can take up to 4-8 hours to fully charge, some that use a typical household plug charge can take up to 16 hours. It's not a simple case of being able to hop into your car and go for a spontaneous drive somewhere, every journey needs forward planning.
  4. Count the miles - You will now need to make a mental note of the miles you are travelling when you are on a journey in order to keep the car running. You will have to change the whole way you drive by planning every mile to the number.
  5. Where is the mechanic? - That's a good question. Electric cars are so new that mechanics haven't learnt how to be electricians yet, this could mean higher charge prices for repairs (as demand increases, so does the costs generally speaking) and that finding one to repair your car could be more complicated than the repairs to the car itself! 
So now let's look at the pro's:
  1. Environment - it goes without saying that electric cars are miles better for the environment than standard fuel cars because of less emissions and the lack of an exhaust!
  2. Quieter, smoother ride - Not only is it important to reduce emissions but also noise pollution can be greatly reduced using an electric car. A smooth ride also enhances the overall driving experience that many drivers seek out in a car.
  3. Cheaper - the cost to charge up your car is much cheaper than filling up a full tank, especially if you charge at off-peak times. 
  4. The mileage - electric cars are quite capable of travelling up to approximately 45-70 miles at a time when fully charged. Considering the average car driver drives approximately 25 miles a day (school runs, shopping etc) this should be more than enough for most people. Although if you are driving in winter and need the heating on, this could reduce dramatically (another aspect to consider). 
  5. A comment from an electric car owner (Mitsubishi i MiEV) - "Thanks to its instant performance, the car could out-accelerate most other cars in day-to-day driving. When people had a short demonstration run and could see how user-friendly and competent it was, many of them were convinced that electric cars could be a genuine replacement for petrol power." - Michael Boxwell, author of 'The 2011 Electric Car Guide', said to The Guardian. Read his full article here, it is quite an interesting read to get a perspective on someone who actually owns one and enjoys owning one.

So to conclude, we think that electric cars will eventually become a common and popular thing of the future, but there are still some things that need ironing out. We still recommend waiting for prices, availability and familiarity with electric cars to become  more apparent and reasonable before jumping in head first to buy them. 

Do you own an electric car? Please post a comment below. We'd love to hear your opinion!

Ford To Use Dandelions As Substitute to Rubber?


Image from Wikipedia
Dandelions are typically known throughout the World (USA, UK, Russia, Germany, Sweden and Spain) as a weed, a pest and a lawn nemesis! However, recently in the state of Ohio in USA, research is being implemented to find out if the Taraxacum Kok-Saghyz Dandelion commonly known as the dandelion (a Russian strain of dandelion) could replace rubber used in most cars. The study is taking place at Ohio Agricultural Research & Development Center (OARDC).

Ford have sprung into action again with a chance to make their cars of the future even more eco-friendly than ever before. With pineapples and banana's set to replace plastics in the future for the automotive company, it is no surprise that they are outsourcing for other materials to use as well, in this case, the Russian dandelion is the new contender. 

"We’re always looking for new sustainable materials to use in our vehicles that have a smaller carbon footprint to produce and can be grown locally,” said Angela Harris, a Ford researcher. “Dandelions have the potential to serve as a great natural alternative to synthetic rubber in our products.”

Image from Google.com
The dandelion contains a milky-white sap-like substance within its stems and leaves which can and has been used as a replacement for rubber (it temporarily replaced rubber in WW2 when oil was limited) but further testing is needed to see whether it would be suitable to replace rubber components on cars. 

Rubber was traditionally made from rubber tree plants but it is now made from oil, so this new venture into replacing non-sustainable resources for more sustainable ones could really impact positively on Ford's carbon footprint, thus helping our environment in the process. Good on you Ford!
 Ford researchers will assess the initial quality of the material to evaluate how it will perform in a variety of plastics that are used in vehicles to ensure it meets their very high durability and quality standards before any decisions are confirmed. 

Consumer Reports: Some Used Cars Have Fewer Problems Than New Models

Consumer Reports found eleven 2008 models had about the same or even fewer problems than similar 2010 models in the same class.

Consumer Reports has put together a list of 'the best of the best' - to guide consumers of the 2001 to 2010 models that scored well in road tests when new and have been consistently reliable. Here is the list here:


Best Used Small Car:  Honda Fit
Best Used Family Car:  Toyota Prius
Best Used Upscale Car: Lexus ES
Best Used Luxury Car: Acura RL
Best Used Sport & Sporty Car: Mazda MX-5 Miata
Best Used Minivan: Toyota Sienna
Best Used Small SUV: Honda CR-V
Best Used Midsized & Large SUV: Toyota Highlander
Best Used Pickup Truck: Honda Ridgeline


If you'd like to read the full article along with all of the findings from Consumer Reports, then please click here.

How To Make Your Used Car Last Longer

Here are some tips from Tara Baukus Mello from Bankrate.com on how to make your used car last longer:

Stay on schedule: All cars require regular maintenance, and you'll make an old car last longer if you stay on top of the manufacturer's recommendations. Follow the maintenance schedule that's listed in your owner's manual to keep your used car in tiptop shape. For most drivers, it's not necessary to increase the frequency of the maintenance (such as more frequent oil changes). Nor is it critical to have other services performed that are not on the manufacturer's list of recommendations for that specific mileage. Doing either is often a waste of money.

Give it a once-over: At least once a week, spend a few minutes walking all the way around the car to make sure all the lights and turn signals are working. Check the tires for uneven wear and other damage. Lift the hood, checking the battery connections for corrosion and the hoses for cracks or wear. Check the fluid levels.

Watch the tires: Your car's tires are the only part of your car that actually touches the ground, and those four patches of rubber need to be in top-notch shape in order to provide optimum safety as well as fuel economy. In addition to inspecting tires regularly, check tire pressure once a month and add air as necessary. The proper tire pressure (written in pounds per square inch, or psi) is listed in the car owner's manual as well as on a label on the driver's side doorjamb. Maintaining proper tire pressure will help prevent issues that could require expensive repairs, such as excessive wear on suspension components or blowouts that can result in accidents. It will also help your fuel economy -- a nice bonus with today's rising gas prices.

Drive wisely: Your driving style can affect an old car's life span. Leaving a traffic light like you're in a race, jamming on the brakes at a stop sign and taking turns at high speed are all very hard on your car's engine, brakes, tires and suspension system. This type of driving can lead to excessive wear and tear on these parts of your used car, requiring pricey repairs or replacement. While you don't need to drive like an old lady, taking a bit more care will help increase the life span of your car without expensive repairs that hurt your wallet.

Costs of Used Car Prices Rising

The cost of used cars has risen over the past few months. According to the American Association, NADA - National Automobile Dealers Association, some used cars are more expensive to buy now then when they were New. 


Cars such as Volkswagen Jetta, which is now worth $747 more, along with the Nissan Cube  worth $842 more, the Hyundai Tuscon which is worth $635 more - these are just a handful of used cars that are already exceeding their price bought at new. 


NADA explain that although the prices of the cars on their system that record the value of cars are often overpriced, there is a significant rise overall due to many economic factors. The main and most obvious one is the recent Japanese earthquake which has left the Japanese Automotive market in turmoil and devastation. Lack of new parts and new cars drive prices up for used cars - which are easier to obtain and easier to source parts elsewhere.  

American-made cars used to depreciate more quickly than many foreign brands for a variety of reasons – quality concerns, styling, and reputation, to name a few. A big factor was also Detroit's excessive use of fleet sales to rental firms, which the automakers used to prop up overall sales figures. Rental fleets would use the cars for a while, from several months to a year, and then re-sell the cars at auction. The oversupply of rental cars helped keep used car prices lower.


The same held true for leased vehicles as well: When drivers return a lease car back to the dealer, it either goes onto the used car lot or to an auction house where it is resold.

The combined effect automakers cutting back on fleet sales and the massive reduction in leasing in 2008 is cutting into used car supplies at auction.

Manheim, an American auto auction company, says used car prices are at an all-time high. The company is auctioning off fewer cars, but prices have soared.



The Best & Worst Used Cars

According to CBSmoneywatch.com, these are the best and worst used cars to buy:


BEST
Small sized car - Ford Focus
Mid-Size - Buick Lacrosse
SUV - Honda CRV & Honda Pilot

WORST
Small sized car - Volkswagen Beetle
Mid-Size - Chrysler Sebring
SUV - Jeep Wrangler & GMC Arcadia

The above cars are judged by cost of reparations, parts and the availability of the parts.

What do you think? Do you agree/disagree? Comments are welcome.



New York City Have Chosen Their New Taxi

You might remember our blog post in November about NYC Taxi's competing for a 'new look'. Three automotive leaders in the industry competed for their taxi prototype to be chosen; Nissan, Ford and Karsan. If you want to see the entries, click here. 

The winner, as you may have already guessed from the image below, is Nissan.

Congratulations Nissan!


Nissan's NV200 Taxi - The Winning Entrant. 

The deal will last 10 years and as part of the deal Nissan will be giving 6 Nissan Leaf electric cars to NYC, charging stations and will also work with cab owners to study the use of EV's. 

Due to start running the NV200 taxis in the streets of NYC in 2013, Nissan will be operating 13,000 taxi's logging a staggering 500 million miles per year. The cars will be built in Cuernavaca, Mexico at a base price of $29,000. 

Some of the features of the 'new look' taxi are going to provide passengers (and the cab drivers!) with a comfortable, relaxing and accommodating ride. Some of these features include:
  • Room for 4 passengers and their luggage.
  • A "low annoyance horn".
  • Sliding doors with entry step and grab handle.
  • Transparent roof panel (with a shade).
  • Independent control of Air Conditioning.
  • Reading lights and floor lighting.
  • Mobile charging outlet and 12V outlet.
  • 2 USB plugs.


Strange Car Names 2011

Strange Name Number 1:

Hyundai Equus

Image from Hyundai

The new Hyundai Equus is Hyundai's most expensive and luxurious car. It is supremely quiet, has a presidential-size back seat as well as a long list of VIP features. These include; A recliner for rear passengers offering the utmost comfort as well as a massaging/vibrating chair, a coolbox to keep those drinks extra cold, rear foot lamps, a table for rear passengers that pulls out and a 12 way adjustable driver seat, just to mention a few. 

And to make you feel like an extra special VIP, Equus is Latin for "Horse"... 

No, we don't get it either. 





Strange Name Number 2:

Nissan Juke


Nissan Juke means to fake someone out of their position, like in football. The noun means a "a roadside cafe or bar, especially one with dancing and sometimes prostitution". Interesting...


Image from Nissan

Strange Name Number 3:

Mini Countryman

Image from Mini

The Mini Countryman is the first and only vehicle with four doors and the option of 4 wheel drive. 

Countryman means "an inhabitant or native of a specified country" or "one living in the country or marked by country ways".


Strange Name Number 4:

Scion iQ

Image from Scion

According to Dictionary.com the word Scion or Sci-on means a young shoot or twig of a plant, especially one for grafting or rooting. It can also mean a descendant or heir to great wealth, riches or fame. Considering this looks remarkably like a smart car and has been marketed as a 'premium micro-subcompact' we'd say that perhaps the car is acting almost like 'the next generation' of smart car, with 'iQ' suggesting that it is much smarter than previous smart car's. How so I hear you ask? Well the Scion iQ has extra room in the back for those extra small passengers, a small pet, a weekly shop etc.  


Image from AutoGuide.com

Hmmm...very smart or very cramped? You decide.


Strange Name Number 5:

Nissan Leaf

Images from Nissan 

Nissan Leaf is the first electric car from Nissan. The sub-compact car will happily accommodate 4-5 adults, with roomy space in the back for storage, packages and the weekly shop. It takes approximately 1/2 an hour to charge fully at one of the 3 phase charging stations dotted across the country and takes 16 hours to charge with a standard household plug. 

The word leaf conjures up images of the environment, trees, freedom and basically makes you think 'green', all things that Nissan probably wanted consumers to feel about their vehicle. Of course out of all the names they could have chosen, naming their vehicle after a leaf was perhaps one of their most random choices. Who knows? maybe in a few years time, naming vehicles after woodland objects may become the norm. 






Some other particularly peculiar names we have found in the past are: Honda Life Dunk; Daihatsu Naked; Mazda Bongo; Fairlady Z; Suzuki Cappucino; Volkswagen Thing; Prairie Joy; Rinspeed X-Dream; Toyota Deliboy; Toyota Toyopet; Mitsubishi Pistachio; Mysterious Utility and GIGA 20 Light Dump, just to name a few.



Parts That Are Likely To Fail

According to Warranty Direct (A UK based specialist insurance company), 1 in 3 repairs that are carried out on vehicles aged 3-7 years old are due to wear and tear related failure.

Suspension arms, ball joints and steering racks are in the top 3 car parts that are deemed  most likely to fail. New car warranties supplied by manufacturers only cover material or manufacturing defects because wear and tear related failures increase in frequency, especially as the car begins to age and moves in to the traditional 3 year warranty. 

The Warranty Direct data shows that even small parts which will wear out over time - like the bearings in a water pump - could set you back an average of £209 to fix. Meanwhile, larger components like gearboxes cost on average £1,378.65 to put right.



Source: The Star


Ford Edge Earns Top Safety Marks

Ford Motor Company's 2011 Edge earned 'Top Safety Pick' rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for models built after February.

2011 Ford Edge


To earn this title, vehicles must receive a rating of 'good' for frontal, side and rear impact crash tests, for roof strength evaluation and offer electronic stability control. 

That's certainly given the car 'the edge' in comparison to it's competitors hasn't it?... sorry, we couldn't resist.

Wednesday 11 May 2011

An iPhone Application That Rates Your Driving Skills

Apple iPhone 3G owners have the opportunity to 'rate' their driving skills through an Application by State Farm, an insurance company. The application gives tips on how to improve your driving and scores your overall performance accordingly. The application uses an accelerometer & GPS location system which measures hard acceleration, hard deceleration and hard swerves - three of the riskiest driving behaviours according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.


State Farm Driver Feedback Application available for Apple iPhone 3G users.


Not to worry, State Farm are not archiving any data that has been received or recorded, it is an application that is for 'entertainment purposes only' and will not impact insurance rates. After your journey, the application makes recommendations and advises where you could improve your driving skills. Using the GPS mapping system, it is able to flag certain areas of your journey that you have driven which may have caused you to score lower. 

This gets a thumbs up from us! What is your opinion?

Want to see more applications available for car drivers? See our 10 Applications Available for car drivers. 

10 Useful iPhone Applications for Car Drivers

Got an Apple iPhone 3G? It seems the world has gone app crazy lately, with applications that can tell you where the nearest cash point, McDonalds, Argos or anything else you might possibly need to find at your fingertips - who needs maps anymore?! 

We have compiled a list of 10 useful applications available to download for your iPhone 3G, specifically for car drivers. 


PLEASE READ: We have never tested any of these application and don't plan to. We are in no way recommending them, rather informing you about them, so please read more about them including reviews etc before purchasing as we can't be held responsible for any disappointment! We just thought they were worth sharing as an interesting read of what is available for car drivers!

1. iGasUp! - is an alternative way of finding the cheapest petrol station in your area. You can download a similar version of this for free, the application is called Where?. Apparently it is not as good, but it's free! 

2. Carticipate - If you want to help the environment and save on fuel costs, this is a nifty application that will help you find commuters to carpool with in your area.

3. CarCare -  Lets you track car repair costs as well as fuel costs.

4. MileBug - MileBug is an application that logs the miles that you do - great for company car owners!

5. Parking Meter - This application lets you know exactly where you parked your car - great for multistory parking! It alerts you when your parking ticket is about to expire - avoid getting a ticket with this app! 

6. Trapster! -  This application helps if you are conscious of speed cameras, speed humps or police hot spots, it will alert you when you are approaching any of the above. 

7. iLeaseMyCar - If you’re looking to buy a new car, iLeaseMyCar (and now iLeaseMyCar Pro) is a great tool to carry with as you look at financing costs. This app lets you calculate your payments by changing your down payment, interest rate, and so on. 

8. Shazam - Want to know what song was just playing on the radio? with this handy app you can do just that!

9. AccuFuel - Track fuel efficiency and consumption with this app!

10. ParkingAssistant - Helps you find a parking spot within your vicinity!



If you want to see an application that rates your driving then click here!



Monday 9 May 2011

April Photo Competition Winner (Mondeostoc.com)


Mondeo Spares Ltd are club sponsors of Mondeo ST Owners Club forum and have been helping to choose winners for the many competitions that the forum runs. 

In April, the competition was to send in a photograph of your Mondeo with the theme 'tree' in mind. We had so many wonderful entries in, some were so inspiring it was hard to pick a winner between them!

We'd like to congratulate Richard Goodman from Nottingham who won this months competition. 

Here is the winning photo:


Richard Goodman from Nottingham's Winning Photo Entry
Photo taken at Wollaton Hall, Notts.


Here are some car specifications of Richard's Mondeo:
Lowered on Eibach suspension,
K&N air filter,
Air tech intercooler,
Forge silicone boost hoses
Forge silicone intake hose
Painted & polished engine bay
De-cat,
MIJ 2.5" Twin exhaust system
Black eye headlights
Hid headlights
Tinted windows

Running approx 165bhp without remap.



As the winner, Richard receives a t-shirt from Mondeo Spares and gets to choose May's photo competition theme. He has chosen "water".

If you'd like to enter the photo competition for May, the closing date is 27th May 2011.


To Enter:

May's theme is "water" so your car must be in the photograph with water near/around it.
You must be a registered user on the Mondeo ST OC forum.
Only 2 photographs per member can be submitted.
No photoshopped images allowed (lighting and contrast adjustments are OK)
Obviously must be a picture of a Mondeo ST.

Register at the forum here: