Signs You Should Get a New Car

There may come a time during the life of your car when you think it should be replaced. There are several signs you should look for that indicate that it is time to buy a new car.

One of these is the cost of maintaining your car. You need to ask yourself, “what’s my car worth?” and if you find that it is costing you more on repairs and maintenance than it is worth, you should look into buying a new car.

Another cost that you should examine closely is the amount of money you are spending on gasoline. Fuel prices are rather high these days and newer cars use gas and oil more efficiently. In addition, there are hybrids or electric cars that can run on the power of electric motors at low speeds and get excellent gas mileage in city driving. If you find yourself frequently filling up at the gas station, you might want to consider buying a car with better gas mileage.

Another sign that it might be wise to buy a new car is if there is a cloud of thick black smoke coming from the rear of your car when you accelerate. This means that your car is burning gas and that other parts of the engine may be failing. This black smoke causes pollution of the air. It may also be dangerous for those driving behind you who could be blinded by that smoke coming from your exhaust pipe.

Continuing to fix and repair an old and damaged car may lead you to think about what car valuation is and if it is time to get a new car for both economic and safety reasons.

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Indoor Air Pollution

Many believe that the pollution that we have in the air within our homes, workplaces and other environments is more dangerous to us than outdoor air pollution.  The reasoning behind this is because a majority of people spend about 80% of their lives indoors.

There are many different ways that indoor air pollution can be created.  The earth naturally gives off radon, which can get into the basements of houses. In some homes, the materials that were used to construct them slowly release fumes into the home.  One example of this is the formaldehyde that is sometimes used in treated lumber. Vapors from paint can also lead to indoor air pollution. One of the greatest forms of indoor air pollution is tobacco smoke.  Smoking not only is bad for your health in general, it also can get into fabrics and furniture, even paint, and continue to seep into the air long after the smoker leaves the room. It gets into the carpet and carpet pads, which also can cause issues for pets as well as any young children that may be crawling or laying on the floor.

It is said that indoor air pollution can be as high as 62% greater then that of outdoor pollution.  Some ways to make sure that your home’s air quality is good are::

  • Open your doors and windows and air out the house often
  • Use an air purifier
  • Do not allow smoking in your home

There are many health problems that can be avoided, simply by keeping your air clean, fresh, and pure. The air in our homes we breath the most, since we are liekly to spend a majority or our time there, or in the office. Be aware of your enviroment, make sure that there is adequate ventilation and suggest air purifiers if they are not already present. Having clean air at work can also avoid employee fatigue as well as other related issues.

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Mechanism involved in Electric cars

There are few things you need to know about your car. If all tiers have same pressure, efficiency will be increased. If we drive in night time extra power is needed for light, horns, etc. So battery should be managed while traveling in cars at night.  Electric cars nowadays are user friendly, and easy to drive. Other research is going for unmanned electrical cars. This is helpful for physically challenged peoples.

If India makes separate budget for production of electric cars fuel problems and economic problems can be controlled. It can increase the technology related with electrical powers. It is helpful for giving jobs for unemployed citizens. But there is major problem for starting this process that is electric power lagging. So we can only make tests and creating innovative ideas for electric cars and their evolution.

All over the world electric cars are not familiar, because till now many of us feel that it is not a successful product. Because it cannot be maintained properly, there are no centers for repairing these types of cars etc. In other countries only few of them are using these types of cars because they feel having an own car is prestigious one.

They cannot maintain a car throughout the year. But general thing is everyone wants to drive the car with less fuel consumption and less smoke, so from this logic electric car proves its simplicity and is more economical. Everyone likes to buy an electric car to overcome economic problems and increase of fuel prices. But the sad thing is there are not many centers for booking these types of cars.

But it will sure happen sooner if electric car production companies get attention. Manpower and technology was well developed in different countries and therefore so it’s not amazing fact if everyone produces them. 

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Lithium-ion Batteries in Electric Cars

Lithium-ion battery technology has commercially been in use since the early 1990′s. You may not realize it, but the very lap top that you are viewing this article on, uses a lithium-ion battery for energy. Basically any portable electric device (i.e. cameras, cell phones, power tools) utilize the technology of lithium-ion battery.

This specific battery’s superior status is due to the fact that lithium is a very light-weight metal. This allows for light-weight portability. The lithium-ion battery is complex and requires close management. It is also expensive to mine which means higher-prices upfront for items utilizing the battery. Despite these drawbacks though, this battery is really the way of the future.

Auto-makers know this and are using this high-powered resource to benefit the electric car industry. For example both GM’s 2011 Chevy Volt and Nissan’s 2011 Leaf make use of the lithium-ion battery technology. These new trendy, environmentally-friendly cars are taking advantage of the many benefits lithium-ion batteries have to offer.

So what is it specifically that draws electric car manufacturers to this new technology development in batteries? What are the advantages of a lithium-ion battery compared to other battery technology?
1. high-energy density
2. less likely to lose charge when not in use
3. light in weight
4. considered low maintenance
All of these impressive characteristics can drive the electric car industry forward. With a longer charge capacity, a lithium-ion battery allows an electric car to go faster and run longer between charges. Its light-weight also does not unduly weigh the car down and benefits speed and range capabilities too. With this top-of-the-line energy resource, auto-makers will be able to create more effective electric cars. Whereas previously gasoline-powered cars swept the industry, in the future, electric vehicles may be more than a passing trend. They will be the general standard.

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Electric Car Battery

Before jumping on the electric-car band wagon, it’s probably best to get some straight facts about how electric cars work. With society trends as they are, more than likely, the electric car will become a common sight in our neighborhoods, highways, and urban areas.

While many individuals may not know the detailed ins and outs of internal-combustion engines, they have a basic knowledge of how to maintain their cars. It’s common knowledge that gasoline-powered cars do contain a battery as well as an engine.

However though, these batteries are unlike the batteries contained in electric cars. In gasoline-powered vehicles, the battery is only used to start-up particular features. For example, the battery only starts up the engine and is not responsible for keeping the engine running while the car is driving. This is often referred to as “turning over the engine.” The battery also powers the car radio, power-locks, windows, air-conditioning, and other electrical features on the vehicle.

In an electric car, the battery does not merely used as a catalyst, rather it carries the full responsibility for powering all features of the car. It serves as the cars CEO and really runs everything. The battery powers a control which in turn powers the electric motor which provides energy for the car to run. It also runs all the features listed above run by the battery in a gasoline-powered vehicle. Since this puts a heavy responsibility on a battery, electric cars demand high-powered and rechargeable batteries. Typical Double A Batteries are disposable. They have only one-use capacity. Car batteries though in electric cars need to be rechargeable. This means that the chemical energy which creates electric energy must be able to react again and again to recharge the electric capacities. As car manufacturers discover more powerful batteries, this will only enhance the electric car’s performance and abilities.

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Electric Sports Cars Cure Eco-Friendly Men’s Midlife Crisis

PhotonQ-Tesla Roadster World Road Trip
Image by PhOtOnQuAnTiQuE via Flickr

When a man reaches his forties, it is believed that he faces the fears of his own mortality. In what people call a midlife crisis, men try to overcome their fears of getting old by engaging in activities or acquiring objects that create a sense of youth. Something that has fit both of those descriptions is the sports car. But what about the man that refuses to abandon his environmental ideals for momentary youthful gratification? Well, he is in luck because luxury car makers have started to release the sleek, and still fast, electric sports car. Middle-age men can look stylishly young and drive fast all without the problem of emissions.

Some consumers may be skeptical about the quality of electric sports cars, especially in regards to its performance. However, some major car makers are making moves to be major players in the market. First of all, Nissan, an innovator in the field of electric vehicles has one lined up. Tesla Motors, new to the automotive scene, is staking its entire company exclusively on electric sports cars. And if there was still any doubt, Porsche has announced its development of one to be released in the near future with Mercedes, Audi and BMW soon to follow.

Meanwhile, the facts themselves dispel notions of an inferior sports car. Unlike the designs of some hybrids and early models of electric cars, the electric sports cars that are being produced by the makers mentioned above keep the same smooth, aerodynamic style everyone has come to associate with sports cars. And what about performance? Using the Tesla Roadster as an example, it can reach 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and boasts 288 horsepower. But what may be the most eye-popping number is its 245 mile range on a single battery charge. Additionally, it can plug into nearly any outlet available. So if a man really wants to look manly, he now can do it without harming the environment.

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Electric Cars can be Operated Electronically Too

Chevy Volt
Image by The Toad via Flickr

The advanced lithium-ion batteries just may not be the coolest thing about the electric cars that will be hitting the roads soon. Future electric car drivers will feel very futuristic when they install their own charging station in their home. But, one futuristic item that they may own now will be very beneficial to an owner of an electric car: the smartphone. Why? Well, electric cars will be smart. That is, they will be highly connected to communication systems. So, someone with a smartphone will be able to engage their electric car with only a tap of the touchscreen.

Software applications have already been in the works for smartphones to interact with upcoming electric cars set for release including the 2011 Nissan Leaf, 2011 Chevy Volt and the 2012 Smart For Two Electric Drive . The most intriguing feature of the apps will be the ability to remotely find out the charging status of the electric car. Plus, app users will be able to schedule charges without leaving the couch–if it’s already plugged in, of course.

These apps will also be able to relay information and alerts to the car’s owner including how full or how low the battery’s charge is, the estimated time of when the car will be finished charging and if the charging cord has been unexpectedly unplugged. The last feature is certainly important considering charging cords do not lock into place, creating a potential problem later if the battery is found to have never been charged. Stats on the car’s performance and condition will also be accessible on smartphones.

Following in the foot steps of remote car starters, apps for electric cars will also provide the capability of turning on the heat or air. Drivers will have the luxury of getting into the temperature of their choice without the wait. And geeks will not have to worry, cause all of these apps will be found on both the iPhone and Android.

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What Happens to Electric car Batteries After Use?

Lithium Ion Battery Prius
Image by thelastminute via Flickr

It goes without saying that the lithium-ion batteries being produced for electric cars will not last forever. While they can be recharged many times over a span of several years, they eventually will have to be replaced. This has created some fears that electric cars won’t be as eco-friendly as thought. As more and more drivers turn to electric cars, some believe their batteries will pile up in landfills and begin contaminating the environment reminiscent of all the old computer parts building up today. However, those fears are quite unfounded as car makers have taken the necessary steps to formulate solutions to properly disposing or reusing electric car batteries after they have reached their end.

For example, auto maker Nissan has made agreements with the company 4R Energy Corp. to supply them with their used batteries which will then be disposed of, processed for reuse or refurbished for commerical purposes. Agreements like these will keep lithium-ion batteries in use and out of garbage dumps. Because of the environmental consciousness of electric car consumers, it can only be assumed that other car makers will surely follow in Nissan’s footsteps with their own green methods for disposing or recycling their batteries.

Once a used battery leaves the dealership, they will be reviewed by 4R Energy Corp. to determine their next destination. They may be repaired, or the parts that are in good condition will be taken out and used in the production of brand new batteries.

This development will not only give electric car buyers a better peace of mind, but it will also effect retail prices in a good way. The lithium-ion battery is the most expensive part of electric cars. By using recycled parts in their production, costs are sure to go down. Cheaper batteries will then mean cheaper electric cars. It is a scenario that can only be described as a win win, both for electric car drivers and electric car makers.

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