Archive for March, 2009
Few Points Regarding Vehicle Inspection
Vehicle inspection is the practice of having one’s vehicle inspected by a certified agency as authorized by local or state governments. A vehicle inspection engross the testing and inspection of different areas of the vehicle to make sure the vehicle is safe for the environment and safe to drive on the roadways. The employees of the inspection station will also check the car for properly working safety features such as the horn the headlights the break lights and the brakes themselves. If any of these are not working or are working improperly the inspection will be marked as a failure and the driver will have to have the car inspected again shortly after that.
Before a vehicle can pass an inspection it must pass all of the required tests and safety regulations that are law within each individual state or uniformed law across the country. Those tests also include emissions tests. Emissions are what the vehicle emits from its exhaust pipe. If the emissions are too dangerous for the environment the car will not pass inspection and will need to have the problem looked at by a mechanic and then the car must be inspected again.
Although the bodywork isn’t the most important feature it can reveal if there are any serious problems with the car. For example if the colour of a particular panel differed from the rest of the car it could designate that the panel had been replaced possibly because the car had been involved in an accident. The presence of any dented panels scratches and scrapes can also indicate how well the car has been looked after.
Many safety checks are also carried out. Tyres and wheels are checked systematically to make sure the tread is ample and there is no damage to them. Hub caps and wheel bearings will also be up to standard and free from any defects.
Of all the parts of a car the engine is conceivably the most important. To this end the inspection will ensure there are no strange noises emissions or leaks coming from it which could indicate a problem. All the wiring will be checked to make sure the connections are good and nothing is loose.
When it comes to the exhaust there are new rules in place that mean any car with extreme exhaust fumes will fail its MOT. The inspection will check the emissions are within safe boundaries as well as checking the exhaust is properly fixed and not showing any signs of holes or rusting.
Of course the brakes are extremely important and as well as making sure the brake fluid is at the correct level they will be checked to ensure they are in good working order. The same applies to the clutch and gear system. If changing gear is a problem for example this would be fixed before the car is offered for sale and the same applies to every point of the inspection.
The inspection also ensures less important items are checked such as the CD player and the heating system for example. Even though you could still drive the car if these didn’t work they are still important to the overall attractiveness of a car.
The above steps should greatly increase your chances of passing the MOT with flying colours. Should you have any concerns consult a qualified mechanic.
About the writer: MTA Pre Purchase Car Inspections use the most advanced systems available in Australia to thoroughly inspect your car. Book your Pre Purchase Vehicle Inspection today to get the best vehicle inspections. Visit http://www.mtavehicleinspections.com.au
Evolvolution Is His Solution
The Evolve an enthusiasts company owned by Don Nicholson 35 injects Volvo philosophy to pave way for a distinct set of product lines. The company is now busy working on products for Volvos newest pride the C30.
The Volvo C30 a threedoor fourseat hatchback powered by I4 and I5 engines was officially unveiled at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. It is specially designed to cater to the demands of the young generation drivers. The edgy design of the vehicle that features the interesting frameless glass tailgate confident stance and broad shoulders that eventually served as Volvos design hallmark made it a stunner.
“The new C30 is an ambitious new car for Volvo” said Fredrik Arp President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation. “It is a car that aims for a group of young singles or couples with intense urban lifestyles. These people prioritize excitement in design and driving characteristics and this car should suit their varied tastes perfectly.”
“The C30 has plenty of muscles in a sporty and compact package. Anyone who recalls the Volvo SCC Safety Concept Car or the classic P1800ES will recognize the exclusive and convenient rear tailgate. The distinctive tail lamps ensure that no one will be uncertain about which car they are following” added Steve Mattin who is Volvo Car’s design director.
The hatchback also offers a bunch of legendary heritage from Volvo its groundbreaking safety features. The Volvo C30 is equipped with the BLIS standing for Blind Spot Information System which aids the driver in identifying another vehicle in the blind spot. As a true Volvo the hatchback is also equipped with the Intelligent Driver Information System IDIS WHIPS Whiplash Protection System and a Side Impact Protection System with side airbags and the Inflatable Curtain IC. The Volvo C30 also features the patented front and rear structure to absorb and redistribute impact on the vehicle. In cases of accidents the car also features seatbelts with unique pretensioners to safeguard occupants.
“The new Volvo C30 plays an important role in our push towards a volume of 600000 cars a year. We are broadening our model program to make it possible for new younger customers with an intense urban lifestyle to choose a Volvo with the right appeal as early as possible” Arp noted.
These reasons and more made Nicholsons pride as an enthusiast soar to a new level. This sense of pride is carried over to his company Evolve which sells aftermarket highperformance parts through car dealerships. Evolves Volvo products include engine management software.
Nicholson bought a Volvo known for its safety milestones six years ago. However he found out that there were no aftermarket performance parts available for Volvos. “This his S60 sedan was a neat and exciting product but there was nothing out there in the aftermarket” Nicholson said. This gave him the idea to write a business plan and meet with some Volvo executives at its headquarters. Volvo executives agreed to let him showcase his ideas by producing a car intended for the 2003 Specialty Equipment Market Association Show.
Eventually Nicholson decided to launch Evolve in Monrovia California. About three years after its launch Evolve already has a full line of aftermarket products to enhance the appeal and performance of late model products. Evolve parts are sold through the parts department of Volvo dealerships. The product lines include reprogrammed engine management software that turns up the power of Volvo engines a sport exhaust system air management components to improve airflow into the engine special turbocharger down pipes and even complete highperformance turbo charging systems.
Nicholsons company also produces aerodynamic body kits wheels brake components lowering springs coilover suspension kits antisway bars and special seats shifters pedals and even custom steering wheels.
The companys best customers include the owners of the Volvo S60R. They typically spend about 3100 on aftermarket equipment said Nicholson. A full aero body kit runs around 2300. A set of lowering springs is 389; an exhaust system is 950; and a full leather interior seats and door panels is 2990 when installed.
Now Volvo enthusiasts can explore their desires and be secured that they could turn to reality. The choices are not only limited to Volvo air filters steps tail lights because they could go beyond.
About the writer: Glady Reign is a 32 year old is a consultant for an automotive firm based in Detroit Mi. She is a native of the motor city and grew up around cars hence her expertise in the automotive field.
Ethanol And The US Corn Crop
The American farmer and the American ethanol producer have been under attack criticized for seeking to capitalize on the productivity and bounty of American agriculture to help solve this nations energy crisis. In particular critics often misrepresent the impact of ethanol production on American corn and total grain supplies contorting facts and reporting statistics completely out of context. In advance of the USDAs September World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates WASDE report due out on Friday the RFA has put together the following facts and figures that put the debate about how America uses its corn supplies in proper context.
As the size of the corn crop grows so too do its uses.
In 2002/03 the United States produced a corn crop of 9.0 billion bushels and consumed 9.5 billion bushels of corn. How was that crop utilized?
Usage Bil. Bu. Percentage of Total Use
Feed/residual 5.6 59.0
Export 1.6 17
Ethanol 1.1 11.5
Other 1.2 12.5
Source: US Department of Agriculture
In 2007/08 the United States produced a corn crop of 13.1 billion bushels and consumed 12.8 billion bushels of corn 35 more than in 2002. While the amount consumed by ethanol production increased so too did the entire crop and every other usage.
Usage Bil. Bu Percentage of Total Use
Feed/residual 6.1 48
Export 2.4 19
Ethanol 3.0 23
Other 1.3 10
Source: US Department of Agriculture
Because the size of the annual corn crop continues to increase over time discussing corns various uses in the context of percentages can sometimes be misleading. For example a similar percentage of the crop was exported in 2002 and 2007; but in real numbers the amount of corn exported in 2007 was 800 million bushels more than in 2002 an increase of 50. Similarly a considerably smaller percentage of the crop was fed to livestock in 2007 than in 2002 but in real numbers the amount of corn fed to livestock increased by nearly 10.
When corn is used to produce ethanol onethird of the corn is left over as distillers grains or DDG and used as a high protein animal feed.
- Discussions of how much corn is used for ethanol must recognize the fact that onethird of the corn is returned as feed to the livestock feed market.
- Every 56pound bushel of corn that enters the dry mill ethanol process yields 2.8 gallons of fuel ethanol and 18 pounds of residual grains. These residual grains often referred to as distillers grains are fed to livestock and poultry.
- In 2008 33 of the corn crop will be used for ethanol on a gross basis according to the August 12 USDA WASDE report. However when the distillers grains feed is considered the net usage of the 2008 corn crop will be closer to 22.
- Net usage of corn by the ethanol industry in 2007/08 was about 16 of the corn crop.
Increased corn production and less commodity speculation have helped reduce corn prices.
- 2008 new crop corn futures DEC08 peaked in late June at 7.88 and were over 7 for just three weeks. DEC08 corn futures have fallen nearly 2.50 per bushel since the speculationfueled peak.
- Corn is currently selling for under 5 per bushel on the cash market in many locations. USDA is projecting the seasonaverage corn price in 2008/09 will be 5.40 per bushel and the average price last year was 4.25. USDA may be overestimating the amount of corn that will be processed into ethanol in 2008/09.
- Given current ethanol production economics the expected timing of new capacity coming online and the levels of ethanol blending required under the 2009 Renewable Fuels Standard RFS it seems unlikely that 08/09 ethanol use will reach 4.1 billion bushels as USDA projected in August. Other estimates place corn use for ethanol in 2008/09 closer to 3.8 billion bushels.
- It is also notable that USDA overestimated corn use for ethanol in the 2007/08 marketing year. In its first estimate of 2007/08 corn demand May 2007 WASDE USDA pegged marketing year ethanol use at 3.4 billion bushels. It wasnt until September 2007 that USDA marginally revised the estimate down to 3.3 billion bushels. The estimate was further revised down to 3.2 billion bushels in October 2007 followed by revisions to 3.1 billion bushels in April 2008 and 3.0 billion bushels in May 2008. USDAs latest estimate of corn use for the 2007/08 marketing year which ended August 31 remains at 3 billion bushels.
Higher energy prices have driven the corn farmers cost of production to unprecedented levels.
- Farmers are facing record prices for diesel fuel gasoline fertilizer and other fossil energyderived inputs. These higher energy costs are in part responsible for the higher corn prices facing ethanol producers and livestock feeders. In many locations this year if the price of corn drops below 3.50 per bushel farmers will not make a profit.
About the writer: Matt Hartwig is the Communications Director for the Renewable”>http://www.ethanolrfa.org/”>Renewable Fuels Association in Washington DC. Previously he worked as the assistant media director for the Consumers Union in Washington. Prior to that he was the Democratic Communications Director for the Senate Agriculture Committee.