solar panels

Solar Panels to be fitted on the roof of this Ford Concept Car

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BBC News

Ford Is Making A Concept Car With Solar Panels For A Roof

Huffington Post

What do Superman and the Ford C-MAX Solar Energi concept car have in common? Both receive power from the sun.

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Solar panels on car roofs a great idea but not a new idea

So, in my opinion this idea from Ford motor company is one of the biggest step forwards yet. Especially, in the quest for the electric cars! Enabling, them to cover more mileage.

Significantly, this car could be run on solar energy from Solar Panels . Even when the car is running about ! Consequently, the batteries will also be charged. Developments like this will be a big step in the right direction ! So, I can envisage all EV’s and all electric cars will have this technology. Incorporated in the cars electric system. Aiding charging.

This is not the first time that solar panels have been used to power cars

 

So, I believe that it will be the first time that a major car manufacturer. Has incorporated solar panels onto an actual model.

Consequently, a guy called Ed Passerini ! Was probably the first man to invent the first solar powered car ! Way back in 1977. After building several smaller prototype cars. He eventually built the solar car known as Bluebird.

More recently in 1983 two Australian’s, Hans Tholstrup and racing driver, Larry Perkins . Managed to drive a solar powered car from Perth to Sydney. Totaling 2566 miles a great achievement ! The vehicle was called the “Achiever”. Equipped with a solar cell panel fitted to the roof. Hence, that charged 2 x 12 volt lead acid leisure batteries.

Batteries charged for use after dark

So the charged batteries were to be used for use when the Sun was behind clouds or even in darkness. Many of today’s Solar Panels and solar energy equipment had not even been invented back then, so the electrics they used were pretty basic. They had an electric motor to drive the car with a basic type gearbox that could only have the gears changed when the vehicle was stopped. The acceleration was done by either using 24 volts or 12 volts, the 24 volt was the fastest option, depending on the amount of battery storage.

Other recent tries at utilizing solar energy were carried out by the larger auto companies such as Ford, using them in the headlights.

See on www.huffingtonpost.com

efb car battery

Car Battery Check-Make sure that your family are safe by checking your CAR BATTERY before a journey

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Car Battery Check

Make sure that your family are safe with a Car Battery Check

So, on a recent visit to France, we unfortunately broke down. Due to an electrical fault on our Peugeot van. Just by a coincidence another English vehicle in a few parking spaces near to us. Was also broke down, this vehicle was a Citroen C4 Picasso people carrier, and was occupied by a family of six , four children and their parents.

I went over to the guy, who was looking under the bonnet (hood) of his car. Tentatively,  asking him what had gone wrong. He told that the orange alternator light had come on. Sadly, but he carried on. Not suspecting that the light would cause a problem. He went on to tell me! That he had suspected that the car may have had a dodgy battery for a few weeks. But he just kept on charging it up. Because he did not use the people carrier very often. In fact he only used the car for family outings and visits to the sea side.

I told him that I was in the Car battery business. So, and suspected that a Battery Check would do the trick. I am amazed at the number of drivers that I come across. Consequently, who are hell bent on trying to keep a dead battery alive. Of course, by constantly trying to charge up their old, and probably dead battery up. So, trying to keep the thing alive. Most drivers fail and eventually give up their dead battery. Of course, and go out to have a professional Battery Check. Before buying  buy a new one.

Car Battery Check

We were both members of the AA, a British breakdown organisation, that covers the whole of Europe. Sure enough a breakdown truck arrived to attend to the guy with the people carrier. The system in France only allows the AA Recovery to attend a breakdown on the road side or hard shoulder of a motorway.

This is French law! I think it has something to do with protecting the livelihood of the French garage trade. Something that the French are good at,  protectionism. The English guy did have a battery test and needed a new  12 Volt Battery. The battery on the vehicle was a common size. Known to us as a 096. These batteries cost about £60 here in the UK. But the driver got a shock when the new battery cost him 140 Euros.

His breakdown cover may not have covered him for what we call renewable s, so the lesson there is do not mess about trying to resurrect your old car battery,

just go and buy a new one. The whole experience of breaking down would have put a lot of pressure on his family, not knowing if they would not reach their holiday destination or not, just for the sake of a battery test before starting off on a journey.

Car Battery Check

My wife and I have had eight children together over the past 35 years and have traveled extensively all over Europe. We have broken down a couple of times in our people carriers and so we know about the pressure that breaking down can put on the whole family. It is not worth the hassle and stress, just because you did not prepare your car and had a not knowing if they would not reach their holiday destination or not, just for the sake of a Car Battery Check before starting off on a journey.  

 

hydrogen cell cars

Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles-Toyota to launch in US next year 2015- domain-B

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Toyota to launch hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles in US next year domain-B Hydrogen-powered electric cars are moving in at a brisk pace as fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) that use hydrogen as fuel for their batteries will be in use in Northern America by 2015…

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Toyota The new Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles will be able to get their electricity from an electrochemical between oxygen and hydrogen which will generate a current cars could be available earlier than thought.

The first British hydrogen filling station. Hence, for public to use ! Has now been opened in Swindon Wiltshire. Consequently, it is located at the giant Honda factory near South Marston. The new site will be open to the public. Although it is within the grounds of the Honda car factory.

This is the very first step. On the road towards attracting Hydrogen fuel-cell cars to the UK. So, the single pump will be able to fill The new Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. They will be able to get their electricity from an electrochemical between oxygen and hydrogen. Which will generate a current cars with a gas based hydrogen. Although any members of the public will have to pass a BOC safety course . Of course, before been able to fill their hydrogen cars.

The new Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles will be able to get their electricity from an electrochemical between oxygen and hydrogen which will generate a current. The only wastes that are omitted are water vapour and heat making the cars extremely environmental friendly.

The new cars from Toyota are expected to be in use in the USA by as near as 2015.

 

This is much earlier than thought before. In my opinion this technology will be a winner. Eventually the motorist will be able to travel just as far as a conventional gasoline cars. Without having to have the time consuming inconvenience. So, of having to charge up the battery for the return journey. That’s of course unless the present battery technology is not significantly modified.

Other car makers have also shown more than interest. The new Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles will be able to get their electricity from an electrochemical between oxygen and hydrogen which will generate a current. The new Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles will be able to get their electricity from an electrochemical between oxygen and hydrogen which will generate a current powered car.  Honda of course and Hyundai as well as Toyota, who’s hydrogen cars are expected to be able to a range of about 300 miles from a full tank and the fuel will only take three or four minutes to fill the tank.

The USA are at the forefront of supplying fuel.

 

The new Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles will be able to get their electricity.So, from an electrochemical between oxygen and hydrogen. Significantly, this will generate a string of filling stations. Naturally, with 68 stations stretching from San Diego to San Francisco, with a further 20 new filling stations to be built by 2015.

The new Toyota car is expected to be called the FV2. So, and will be made including all the latest IT technology. Making the car a real stunner. Another Toyota model will be known as the i-road . Which will be a three wheeler city car ! Of course, this car is well advanced and will be having trials in several cities. From Japan to France this year (2014)

 

 

See on www.domain-b.com

A massive breakthrough in Australia as a new diesel hydrogen fuel mix engine is engineered !

car clutch

Clutch Vibration Problem-TOYOTA AURIS TD comes in with a Clutch Vibration Problem

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Clutch Vibration Problem

TOYOTA AURIS TD comes in for a Clutch Vibration Problem

So, for some unknown reason.  Christmas time brings in a few cars that are having Clutch Vibration problems. Hence, these are the normal problems. So, such as the driver cannot get the gears. Or the gears grind. Thus, when trying to drive the car and so on.

The Toyota Auris was a slightly different problem. As a result, the car was sort of vibrating and rattling. Consequently, as it was been driven along. When speaking to the customer. Ryan Linton my workshop manager. Discovered that the car had only had a new clutch fitted about two years ago. So the customer found it highly unlikely. Hence, that the clutch could be causing the vibrations. Especially, when driving the car along.

Ryan explained that the only way to tell is to check the clutch for the Clutch Vibration , by stripping the housing off and taking a look. The customer agreed and he took one of our courtesy cars while we explored his car to see what the problem was.

The other clutches that were done this week were standard sort of jobs, taking two or three hours to do, but we always check with our Auto-data computer system, for the times it takes to do these jobs and this Toyota was shown to take seven hours, this included the Duel mass Flywheel having to be changed, but at this stage we did not exactly know what was wrong with the car.

Clutch Vibration Problem

Ryan  stripped down the Auris clutch housing and assembly. Only to find that the system was a Duel Mass Flywheel. To clarify, the car had only had the clutch fitted two years ago and nothing had been done to the Dual Mass Flywheel. This action had

caused the pressure plate and the Dual Mass Flywheel to wear prematurely. Causing the DMF to have more play in it. Therefore causing the Clutch Vibration.

We did not fit the first clutch. However the customer said that he would not go back there again. The cost was estimated at about the £1000.00 mark. Of course, customer gave us the go ahead to do the job. The time given by Auto-Data was pretty accurate and it took Ryan near enough six hours to complete the job. We always fit LUK clutches and DMFs because they were the company who originally developed the products along with BMW in Germany and to date we have never had any warranty problems with the LUK products in the past.

The Toyota Auris clutch and DMF was finished, tested and returned to a happy customer another job well done by my excellent staff.

mot test-Online Bookings on Increase

MOT Horror Submissions-Broken cars sent in for the MOT test-have you seen worse ?

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MOT Horror Submissions

MOT Horror Submissions

As the owner of an MOT testing station in Halifax Yorkshire. So, we have seen most things. Hence, when it comes to car owners and presenting their beloved vehicles in for the dreaded MOT test.

Of course, this applies to 90% of motorists. Consequently, these are the drivers who really care about their cars. They do most of the right things, by having the cars checked out before the test date.

You can tell though that they are worried and often pace up and down waiting for the tester to appear with the results of the test. Obviously many drivers are worried about the potential cost. Especially this time of year when approaching Christmas time.

With this is mind it is only understandable. That when it comes to an annual MOT test. Then drivers can often be filled with dread. Wondering whether they are about to be presented with a long list of failures. Consequently, that will leave them with nothing more than an immensely high bill!

MOT Horror Submissions-Check the easy things before the test

Subsequently, If your vehicle is due your MOT test. Then check all the common things that are easy to do. Such things as the lights and tyres. This will only take you a good 10 minutes and is part of the test. make sure your windscreen wipers are in good condition and washers are working. Simple things that will ensure a smoother test experience.

It doesn’t matter how long you have been driving and what condition your car may be. So, no one actually enjoys the dreading feeling. Hence, of having to head to the local garage for their annual MOT test. We’ve heard all the horror stories. Including the multiple fails, the eye watering quote to fix any issues. Most garages are busy because they are trusted.

A lot of garages and MOT centres. Pride themselves on providing the best service. Offering the  best prices possible as it is only this degree of customer satisfaction. That will ensure a continuous trade for the garage concerned.

However, there is a small percentage who operate with underhanded tactics and have incredibly questionable ethics that leave mechanics with a very tarnished reputation. These should be avoided at all costs. Because you will be asking for trouble and a big bill at the end of it.

MOT Horror Submissions-10% of drivers don’t give a damn?

Of course, the other 10% are the “couldn’t give a toss” brigade. These drivers turn up with their cars from hell. the car in the article image is a prime example. Worst than this some cars turn up with badly worn tyres and half the lights missing.

In general though things are good between our customers and testers. In fact we have a great reputation for fairness and honesty and that why we are always busy.

MOT test stations across the country are continuing to report dangerous defects and MOT horrors. One tester recently submitted pictures of a 2001 Nissan Micra to the DVSA after the station came across a cracked axle and

Source: Latest MOT horror submissions: have you seen worse than these?

Motorcycle Batteries Maintenance Tips-Look after your bike battery?

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Motorcycle Batteries Maintenance Tips

Motorcycle Batteries Maintenance Tips

This article  explains some of the pitfalls about buying a motorcycle battery. Motor cyclists should be careful when buying a new battery. But i do not want to be scare mongering. As long as you follow simple rules. Hence, it will be a perfectly safe operation to carry out. Your new battery can be bought at a cheap Motor-cycle battery price online. Of course, where possible, with a next working day delivery. Thousands of these batteries are bought online every year. Significantly, without any problems at all.

“Battery failure isn’t just inconvenient, it can often lead to dangerous problems. Before you take your bike far from home, learn what happened to Sarah. Anytime you take your motorcycle on a trip, you should make sure the battery is in optimum condition. If you have a typical, conventional battery, take a few moments to ensure that fluid levels are adequate before heading out. Remove the caps to see if the cells appear dry; if they are, add clean distilled water. Additionally, look for any signs of terminal corrosion and leaking acid, including tarnished chrome and faded paint. “If you aren’t confident in your ability to service a conventional battery, consider buying a sealed variety. These maintenance-free motorcycle batteries are ideal for people who like riding their bikes but don’t particularly enjoy using Batteries Maintenance Tips and working on them”

         Motorcycle batteries are very safe

Motor cycle batteries? which make or type?

The motorcycle battery market is flooded. Commonly, with all sorts of makes and different types of batteries. Significantly, this can be very complicated. Of course, I think that the internet is the best way to go about buying one of these batteries. Consequently, this way of buying motor cycle batteries. Keeps the job as simple as possible. Importantly, try to replace the part number of the battery the same as that you are replacing. So, like for like.

Differing manufactures are not such a problem ! Except that some motorcycle batteries come with differing part numbers. Of course, I was thinking of Varta and perhaps Bosch. A few years ago a European standard battery part number was introduced. Of course, to try to make all the battery manufacturers use the same number, but this seems to have fallen apart and you can get three different numbers for the same battery.

Japanese battery markings

The most common part numbers are on the Japanese bikes and will look like,”YTX9BS”; this to me is the most common type of battery. The European number found on a Varta will look like “53030”, so the numbers will differ depending where your bike is from. You will find though that most Japanese bikes will have the YTX9BS lettering, but BMW’s will have the 53030 Varta numbers.

In any case you will find it easier if you replace the battery that is fitted to your bike, will be best practice and unless you know what you are doing please don’t try to be clever and update or uprate the battery that you have fitted to the bike. Batteries are available for cherry pickers in Kings Lynn. Information about the worlds largest battery.

new vans

Volvo self driving cars- 100 to be tested on Swedish roads in pilot project …

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Volvo self driving cars

Volvo has announced a pilot project that’ll see 100 Volvo self driving cars take to the roads of Gothenburg, Sweden, as the automaker continues in its efforts to bring a fully autonomous self driving cars to the market.

 

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Volvo self driving cars

Hi it must be a strange feeling to get into a car that can steer and drive to its destination without any aid by a driver. I must be getting old ,because I can’t see for the life in me what these Volvo self driving cars are going to gain.

If that’s what people want why on earth don’t they stick to the driver- less train systems that we see in many countries these days? I would much prefer to sit on a train high up above the busy traffic “Than In Volvo self driving cars”. Significantly, modern technology is good, but it is not perfect. I recently visited France and had to turn off the motorway because it was blocked by an accident, a large truck had toppled over, completely blocking the two lane motorway.

Unfortunately, we had to turn off so I switched on my satellite navigation system, hoping to pick the motorway up further North. I keyed in Calais further North and the sat/nav kindly to me to three junctions South of the junction that I had to turn off on? It then came up with a server problem message, which rendered it useless?.

So I have my doubts about the technology used in these cars.

Here is a good snippet from the Popular Mechanics web-site about the strange sensation that their driver experienced when first handling one of these Volvo self driving cars,

“As soon as I hit the small black lane-centre button, I can feel the wheel stiffen in my hands. Suddenly the light bar atop it begins to glow a soft green, signaling that the car has taken over the task of steering. I had already surrendered control of the acceleration and braking to the vehicle’s adaptive cruise control, and now with my feet flat on the floor, I slowly un-wrap my fingers and release the wheel. Sitting in the passenger seat is Jeremy Salinger, who works on General Motors’ semi-autonomous car program. He’s seen the car do this dozens, possibly hundreds, of times, but, if only to reassure me, he states the obvious: “The car is in control now.”… http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/industry/the-12-most-important-questions-about-self-driving-cars-16016418

His final comment is that” it felt like a ghost was driving the car”

See on www.digitaltrends.com

Goodyear Wrangler SUV Tyres

SUV Winter tyres-even more important for SUV drivers – UK Net Guide-Pellon tyres

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SUV Winter tyres

SUV Winter tyres even more important for SUV drivers UK Net Guide Indeed, speaking to the Telegraph, Guy Frobisher, marketing director at Continental, notes that a significant proportion of accidents could be avoided if only drivers invested in some…

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Winter tyres for extra safety

It always amazes me the amount of SUV drivers that visit my garage here in Halifax UK, are not aware of the dangers that they face when driving in any kind of winter weather .

Even if it does not snow. So, the cold and wet weather will affect the way that their SUV vehicle. Hence, will perform on the roads, and they will be much safer. Thus on SUV Winter tyres.

I can now say without doubt, that this is a true fact. The article says that the SUVs on summer tyres. Are involved in more accidents relating to the weather conditions. Than on normal type saloon cars. The tyre sizes and overall diameters. Making the SUV vehicles more vulnerable in winter weather. Therefore, there is no doubt that SUV Winter tyres. So, will enhance the safety of the vehicle in winter weather.

SUV Winter tyres

Also many SUV drivers are not aware that their vehicles are only fitted with summer tyres. Of course, when they are first purchased. SUV Winter tyres have to be bought separately. They seem to be lulled into a false sense of security. Especially, when they see that their cars are fitted with big fat wheels and tyres. So, the truth is that this type of tyre will act in the opposite direction. Of course, when they are faced with cold temperatures and rain and snow. Indeed this type of tyre with its wide tread area acts exactly in the wrong direction, and makes the vehicles unstable on the icy and wet winter roads.

As the article states last year the AA alone had to rescue 8000 motorists who were stuck in ice snow and mud, and all this could have been prevented if the vehicle owners had fitted winter tyres. So if you take my advice it is not too late to fit a set of SUV Winter tyres on your SUV particularly, but on any vehicle, foe a safer winters driving.

 

wiper blades-lady drivers

Car Safety Tips-for Lady Garage Users – (Although Everyone can benefit from Car Safety Tips)

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Car Safety Tips-for Lady Garage Users

While everyone can benefit from car safety tips. You will have to admit that women are more likely to need these tips. Of course, to help them out during unexpected and unfamiliar situations. While it would be great if  woman were well versed and equipped to handle wonky Disc Brakes or out of aligned tyres, that isn’t usually the case. Find below some great car safety tips to help you out and manage the unforeseen when you are driving.

When your car brakes fail

Before all else, check if your car is equipped with anti-lock brakes or just regular ones. Knowing this important bit of information. Naturally, will help you determine how to manage when your brakes fail. To know this, when a light goes on with the logo ABS when you start your car. Then you have anti-lock brakes. If no light goes on, then you have regular brakes.  If your brakes fail, you need to downshift to a lower gear first. Next, pump your brakes three to four times to build up the brake fluid pressure.

If this does not work. So your next option would be to use the parking brake. Do this gradually, not abruptly, and be ready for the car to skid. With anti-lock brakes, practice your sudden stops at safe street situation. Of course, to get a feel of how they should perform.  When you press the brake all the way down, you should feel a strong vibration at the pedal, which will let you know the ABS system is working the way it should.

When car isn’t driving straight

If your car is veering to the left or right even when your steering wheel is straight. Chances are your wheels may need to be aligned. But before you head off to have them aligned, make sure to check off other possibilities that may cause your car to tend towards another direction when the steering wheel is straight.

Are you tyres properly inflated? Make sure they are inflated to the recommended  pressure, which you ought to find on the label attached to the driver’s side door. What about the wear pattern? Are you tyres round or are they out of shape? Are there missing pieces or lumps  along the side-wall? Also make sure that all your tyres are of the same type. Having several kinds  on one car can make for an unstable ride.

Once you have determined that there is nothing physically wrong with yours, you should bring in your vehicle for proper and professional wheel alignment to keep your vehicle running properly  and safely.

Unstable steering, clanking and banging sounds while driving, vibrations while driving

This could indicate a problem with your suspension. The suspension system of a vehicle takes the heaviest wear from the road and it is an important part in keeping your car stable while driving and ensures the driver and passenger’s safety.  If you go over a hump and the car continues to bounce up and down, chances are your shock absorbers are worn and may need

replacing. Clanking and banging sounds may indicate that your shocks are getting caught and not bouncing back. Vibrations while driving on smooth surfaces should clue you in to have your shocks and suspension checked because they are not supposed to occur on a smooth road.

They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

It is better to maintain your car properly and routinely in order to avoid any major mishaps. Most Car Safety Tips are useful, but you need to make sure to take your vehicle to a reputable and  professional garage that will ensure outstanding results and keep your car humming for a long time.

We will help you keep your auto in excellent condition so it will always be road worthy and safe for anyone to drive- male or female. And as an accredited Independent Car Care Centre garage, you are assured that our standards are up to par with theirs.

•             An open and honest approach with the customers

•             A high standard of work and excellent value for money

•            At least 12 month guarantee on parts and labour

•             An open invitation to inspect, review and rate the garages of your choice to make the best informed decision for your needs  

hybrid car servicing

UK driverless Cars-government paves way for driverless Cars | tech spotlight

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BBC News – UK government paves way for uk driverless cars

The government has announced that it wants to make the UK a world centre for the development of driverless cars.

It said it would conduct a…

Eric Roberts insight:

UK Driverless cars ? what a joke?

Importantly, then I think it would be better to rephrase the statement as “uk driverless cars in the South of England”.

Anybody who travels around the North of England. Of course, would know that our roads in town and city centre are busting at the seams with traffic. We have had very little investment. Especially, to our road structures here in the North of England for years. Hence, successive governments have neglected to update the northern towns and cities. They cancelled the tram scheme in Leeds. Because of the costs! So, the East West train lines were to be electrified, but that never came off, because of lack of finance, now they can suddenly find some money by selling off their share in Eurostar to fund the development of Gatwick airport along with other projects down in the South, once again neglecting the northern towns and cities.

The only thing that I can think of that the government have done is to widen parts of the M62 motorway. We are desperately in need of a new road infrastructure to take us from North to South, before we completely grind to a halt. We all know what a nightmare it is trying to drive around West

Yorkshire in the rush hour traffic.

Now the government are going to give a £10 million prize to fund a town or city that becomes a testing ground for the UK driverless Cars. What a joke, the name of Milton Keynes has already been mentioned on more than one occasion, so I reckon that it’s a done deal. What chance would we have in the North for driverless cars, we are too congested as it is and one our largest cities Leeds, had to miss about on its tram system.

We do not need UK driverless Cars but a decent road and rail system, especially here in Yorkshire. The North is and will still be starved of investment, never mind this ridiculous idea of driverless cars, what a joke.

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