Buick 2-2 Bengal Roadster Concept, 2001

Buick Has Uncompromising Beauty and Unique Function

Sporty Bengal is poised to become a prized possession

Roadster with Surprise Seating

The inside, Bengal's leather seating gives driver and passengers the feel of comfortable club chairs, said Lyon. Also, leather inserts grace the wood steering wheel.

Powerful V6 with Six-Speed Auto Transmission

Bengal owes some of its exceptional handling and sculptural exterior appearance to an innovative powertrain. Its supercharged, 3.4-liter V6 engine, which generates 250 horsepower, is transverse-mounted with the six-speed automatic transmission in front of it, rather than behind. This new drivetrain creates a shorter front overhang and a more rearward center of gravity that gives Bengal great handling on curves.

Voice Activated Controls, Head-Up Display

Quiet Servant, first shown on Buick's LaCrosse and Cielo concepts, is back -- featuring voice- activated controls from Visteon Corporation and a reconfigurable, color head-up display that shows gauges on demand. This enables the driver to control the car and its systems with voice commands or a four-position joystick on the steering wheel. As a result, the dashboard is simple and elegant and the driver operates the car with both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

Freed of the usual gauges and knobs, the entire dashboard is in fact one large flat-panel speaker from NXT Audio, anchoring Bengal's premium audio system. Altogether, there are five of these unobtrusive speakers which envelop the interior in audiophile-quality sound.

Buick Blackhawk Concept

The Blackhawk is the ultimate expression of Buick. It has classic styling combined with contemporary proportions. 

Retractable convertible with styling from the '30s

The Blackhawk is basically a 2-plus-2 convertible with a retractable top, and a body that looks like it came out of the late 1930s or '40s - because it did. Its face is a classic 1939 Buick grille, which has a pattern of fine vertical bars, and its major sheet metal combines the sleek bodies of 1941 and 1948 Buick Roadmasters.

All of this except the grille has been modified, and the final appearance - featuring black cherry paint, doors without handles and hidden headlamps - is of a streamlined yet retro head-turner that looks like it was created specifically for the Woodward Dream Cruise.

Blackhawk power: 463-hp V-8; 0-60 in under 5 seconds

The Blackhawk's performance goal is 0-60 miles per hour in under 5 seconds. Its powertrain is a 1970-vintage 455-cubic-inch Buick GS Stage III V-8 engine, heavily detailed and mated to the latest electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission. The naturally aspirated, overhead valve, fuel-injected engine generates 463 horsepower at 4600 rpm and 510 lb-ft of torque at 4200 rpm.

Hand-made components 

Many of the Blackhawk's major components are hand made, such as the frame, the unique carbon-fiber top and the retractable system that lowers the top into the trunk (leaving a small luggage area).

Other features include a fully independent suspension, remote keyless entry (so you can open the doors, which don't have exterior handles) and dual exhaust with three-inch pipes. The Blackhawk is equipped with 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels (a style similar to those on uplevel Rivieras, Wildcats and Skylarks of '65) with high speed, Z-rated tires -- P295/35R18 on the front and P295/45R18 on the rear.

As an accent complementing the exterior design, a slightly different shade of dark cherry is used to create a "sweepspear" along the sides of the body. The sweepspear is a decoration that first showed up on some '49 Roadmasters and later became a shape sculpted into the sides of '50s Buicks. It's basically a horizontal line that sweeps in a downward curve along the doors toward the base of the leading edge of the rear fender, then kicks up over the rear wheel openings. 

Emphasizes industry first for Buick: Lighted turn signals

While the Blackhawk looks to be from somewhere in time, it's hard to pin down where. Borrowed from the same 1939 Buick that donated the grille, a lighted logo device in the middle of the trunk exterior incorporates turn signals - a reminder that this particular '39 Buick feature was the industry's first production turn signal. Borrowed from contemporary technology, the Blackhawk is equipped with Global Positioning System navigation tied to a liquid crystal display screen.

And borrowed from a 1996 Buick Riviera - one of the most luxurious of all Buicks -- is the heavily modified Blackhawk interior. That includes buff color leather for the door trim and seats, plus design of the instrument panel and center console (though the wood-rimmed steering wheel is unique). 

Even the name is borrowed. Buick introduced a subcompact Skyhawk for 1975 and the hawk symbol became an icon for the entire Buick line through the 1980s.a

Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

Automotive - The Wave Car Care And Detail Shop In Denver Colorado

It's always nice when you use a service and actually have a good customer service experience. Perhaps this is because it's a rarity in these days where the customer seems to be more of an interruption to business than what they really are - which is the asset.

Most often, when you visit a car wash, you're left holding your breath until the car comes out so that you can assess the damage that may be being done to your trusty automobile. After all, besides a home, this is usually the biggest purchase that people will make in their lives. Taking care of it is a tedious expense, but a necessary one if you want your vehicle to uphold its value.

The usual result of the car coming out the other side of its bath is usually more than what you sent it in for. More than a shine, it seems like it's been in a fight somewhere along the way and come out with something more like a shiner. Dents, scratches, scrapes, and just overall dulling of the paint is not unusual, which leaves the customer wondering why they thought this time would be any different at all. Worse yet, the workers, the guys who are actually supposed to be doing the job and helping you protect your car, are most often less than gentle with your major asset and not the kindest people at that.

However, recently I've had a good experience with a car care service in Westminster, CO that left me leaving the place with a smile on my face rather than a frown and nervous departure, where I wonder what damage I'm going to find when I get home.

The service that we had performed on our vehicles was a complete exterior and interior detail on a Cadillac Escalade and a Mercedes C320. Now naturally these are the types of cars that we take great pride in owning and are truly grateful for being able to own, therefore we like to take great care of them. Well, the employees at The Wave Car Care Center did exactly that, making the vehicles come out seeming as if we had just brought them off of the showroom floor.

When you get a full exterior and interior detail at The Wave, what you're doing basically is spoiling your car; and by spoiling I don't mean "ruining" I mean spoiling like you would your child. The Wave goes through and cleans every little nook and cranny, and gets into places that I didn't even know existed on a vehicle. Here's a bit of what they do: Complete shampoo, clean and scrub all the vinyl & rubber, actually Q-tip clean the vents, clean the headliner, give you an interior condition, make the interior windows shiny and spotless, and clean door jams where dirt and grime are nearly always present. It was amazing but that's just the interior.

On the exterior they buff-n-wax, give your exterior a conditioning, clean your wheels and hubcaps, and black out the wheel wells. Basically they do all the stuff that I wouldn't want to, or probably attempt to do on my own at home. But that's actually a good thing, because surprisingly according to a study at the University of Texas on car washing - washing your vehicle at home does more damage to your car than washing at a car wash, and especially one as unique as The Wave Car Care Center.

Here's why.

The Wave uses what's called a "Touchless" cleaning system, which basically means that nothing touches your vehicle while going through the wash. Even your antenna and mirrors are completely safe. In fact, The Wave also uses a state of the art computer system that controls every single aspect of the process, which for you means that your car is going to come out with a consistent and thorough wash.

Now, the worst way to wash your vehicle is at home with one of those car washing brushes - the type that hooks on to the end of your hose which you buy at the large home department stores. Using this kind of brush - accompanied by your low water pressure hose that you have at home - does more damage to your car than anything. Actually, the very fact that you're using a low pressure hose at all does extreme damage to your vehicle.

There's really little better in this world than having a nice clean car. Nothing gives you more of a lift in spirit faster and nothing can be more of a downer, and more depressing than a dingy dirty car that you have to spend countless hours a week in.

If you want your car to look brand new, and not have to worry one bit about the safety of your car, or the customer service that you're going to receive, then you truly cannot go wrong by using The Wave Car Care Service at 9195 Wadsworth Parkway in Westminster Colorado.




By Bruce D Hunter

How to Save Money Buying Your Next Car

Introduction

Buying a car can be a costly and expensive business and is likely to be the second largest purchase made after buying your own home. This article examines how you can save money on your next car.

1. Be clear about what you want

Before you can save money on your next car you need to first understand what exactly you want. It's worth taking some time to think about what is and isn't important in your next vehicle and what you are willing to compromise on.

a) Will it be used primarily for city driving our longer journey's. City driving might require a more compact car choice to enable you to find those tight parking spaces and get good fuel efficiency. Long journeys might require more comfort

b) Is it a working car or is it just for fun? In which can consider whether you are willing to trade speed for fuel efficiency.

c) Will other drivers use the vehicle, and if so how will this effect insurance premiums?

2. Research

Good research is the key to saving money on your next car. Get a copy of the most recent vehicle trade handbook. This varies from country to country but it contains a comprehensive guide to the values or car types and models depending upon the mileage they have accrued and their age. You can also now find information online. Refer to this information when you see a car you are interested in to ensure that you are not paying over the odds.

3. Where to look

Three primary sources for finding a car are dealerships, via private sales through an individual and online. Some of the most popular places to pick up a good car and save money are exchange and mart and eBay.

You can save significant amounts on car sales through online traders because very often they don't have the overheads of traditional high street dealerships. Buying new cars can see you save anywhere between 15-20% through such online traders as those listed above. However also consider buying a used car online as these can often bring about the most lucrative savings, particularly through auction sites like eBay.

A friend recently bought a pick up truck with a guide price of $1000 for $200 on eBay and it turned out to be excellent. However, the major drawback is that not seeing the vehicle may leave you open to buying a dud.

Traditional high street dealerships usually add a mark-up of between 15-25% to cars that they sell, so be willing to haggle.

Private sales are where the best bargain are to be found because individuals may not be so aware of current market prices, therefore enabling you to pick up the perfect vehicle at a reduced price. Look in the classified sections of local papers and specific car trade magazines.

4. New Versus Used

Whilst owning a new car may be important to some individuals, some of the best bargains can be found through used car sales.

Some dealerships often accept used cars in trade for new models that they sell in order to smooth the sale. Very often dealers don't have the space to hold onto these used vehicles and are keen to secure a quick sale to get them out of the showroom. This especially true where, for instance, the dealer is tied into one car company like, Chrysler, but accepted a Ford in part exchange. They won't be permitted to advertise it in the showroom and will want to sell it off quickly. It's worth checking out the used car section of your local dealer to see if some bargains can be had.

5. Haggle

As mentioned previously most dealers and also those who sell privately, will add a mark-up of between 20-25% on the cars that they sell.

Never pay the ticket price always take time to inspect the car and see if there are any minor marks that you can use to build an argument for a price reduction.

Some useful questions to help you save money include;

a) What's your best price?

b) I really want this car but not at this price, what can you do for me?

c) What discount can I get for paying cash?

Always ask for their best price three times before you give in, persistence pays of! Be prepared to walk away or say no if you are unhappy about the price, it's amazing what an effect this can have on the price!

Also try to purchase your car towards the end of the month, ideally in the last 2 days. Most car dealership's sales targets run from the beginning to the end of a month and if they are desperate for a sale to increase commission rates, they are more likely to give you the best possible deal.

Finally always see what other extra's you can get thrown in, ask a question like "I'll accept that price if you throw in a free tank of gas/petrol."

6. Inspect the vehicle thoroughly

A sure way to save money on your next car is to get it inspected before you buy. Take a mechanic friend with you to give the car a once over and always take it for a test drive. The test drive often reveals underlying problems with steering, suspension or unusual squeaky noises if they exist.

Most motoring companies now offer a comprehensive checklist that you can get a free copy of to help those with little knowledge of cars spot any immediate problems.

7. Decline finance deals

Most car dealers make huge sums of money on finance deals that they talk you into getting in order to purchase your car. Whilst it is tempting to get a car on credit, avoid it wherever possible or shop around for a low interest loan from a bank instead. Most car finance deals have high interest rates of between 15-25%, which on a $10,000 car will add between $1500 and $2500 to the final price of the vehicle during the term of the credit agreement.

8. Associated costs

Before you make your final purchase think about other costs associated with your car once you have purchased it.

a) Buying certain types of cars will push up your insurance premiums and may also make it more attractive to car thieves.

b) Diesel engines are much more fuel efficient that gas/petrol engines, saving your lots of money on fuel. Also many diesel engines can be converted to run on bio fuels like cooking oil, which can save you even more money on fuel in the long term as well as helping the environment.

There is a detailed article on how you can convert your diesel engine to bio fuel available online, I have included the link for this at the end of this article



By J Dawkins

A Driving Instructor's Training Calendar

Running a driving school can be very taxing for anyone. Not only do you have to worry about the quality of instruction you give to your student, you also have to keep abreast with all the latest in business management and driving instructional information. It is a need nowadays, with auto and driving safety practices updating every few month. You also have to upgrade your driving instruction. There is a dire need for further training for experienced driving coach operators. This is the reason why seminars and workshops are conducted several times a year. As a good businessman, it is always a wise strategy to attend and conduct workshops and seminars among your staff in order to keep your company competitive. Further training for experienced driving coach operators is now a must.

Training Budget vs Low Sales

Further training for experienced driving coach operators and other workshops are very expensive. This is a truth that driving school owners will have to work with. It is quite a challenge to think about spending money to train your driving instructors especially when your sales levels are still on the low side. The other side of the coin is that by improving your instructors' competencies, you will eventually attract more customers or students to bring up your sales levels.

Deciding on whether or not to conduct further training for experienced driving coach operators is a tough decision to make. It's a matter of planning and budgeting. A business owner will have to prioritize the training programs that are necessary for his instructors. This will have to be based on the existing skills and competencies of the instructors and the potential of the new training sessions to add value to the school's offerings.

Another technique to work with is to send one or two instructors to particular courses and then have an echoing session later on. This can definitely save your company a lot of money while still being able to conduct further training for experienced driving coach operators. You see, getting additional training would actually allow your company to charge higher given the credentials that your driving coaches have. At the end of the day, this would still be a win-win situation for you, as long as you are able to choose your seminars and conventions correctly.

Redundant Training and How They Ruin Your Business

To maximize your training budget, you need to choose your training programs carefully. You need to guard against redundant training. This can ruin your business in several ways. For one, it's a waste of time and money. Your coaches will spend time attending a session that tells them what they already know. Their time could have been spent more productively attending to your customers and bringing in revenues. Your training budget could be spent on more substantial further training for experienced driving coach operators that actually add value to their competencies.

It is highly recommended to plan a training calendar consisting of programs that complement each other and serve to boost the skills and competencies of the coaches. Industry associations usually have lists of their training programs for the month or even for the year.

Team Building Workshops for the Sole Trader

It is not only the skills of the coaches that need to be improved through training. It is also important to hold team building workshops for the entire team to improve working relationships. Part of a driving instructor's training calendar should be a team building workshop. Depending on the size of the company, the program can be run company-wide or on a per department basis. This kind of training would be very beneficial as this actually enhances productivity and promotes better workflow if you are able to improve working relationships. This is something that most bosses forget: being a good company does not only mean having the most clients, but also by having the best workforce behind the company. This is definitely what any company would aspire to have.

Setting up a training calendar for your employees can be quite expensive. This expense on further training for experienced driving coach operators, however, is something that you will have to bear if you want to increase your potential for earning more revenues and building a better reputation in the long run. Spending time and money on training programs for your coaches or instructors and employees is the best way for you to ensure that you are able to stay ahead of the pack.



By Pete Morgan

How To Take Good Care Of Leather Seat Covers

Car seat covers play a major role in protecting the seats of automobiles from stains, pet hair and spills. The covers also protect vehicle car seats from getting worn out. They also protect upholstery from sunlight exposure, water damage, tears and rips.

The covers come in different styles and colors; therefore, you will always find a cover that will be ideal for you. You should note that not all designs are ideal for your car; therefore, you need to try a number of designs before you find the most ideal one for your vehicle.

If you are unsure of the right product to buy, you should do your research online. The good side is that there are many websites that will help you to find the right product for your car.

For the covers to have a long lifespan you need to know how to take good care of them. One of the best ways of taking care of the products is by cleaning them.

The best way of cleaning them is by vacuuming. Here you need to use either the regular vacuum cleaner or a portable auto vacuum. To avoid damaging the leather, you should use plastic vacuum attachments.

You can also use a toothbrush to loosen the dirt in the seams that a vacuum may be unable to pick up.

Other than vacuuming you can also use water to clean the leather. Here you need to use a washcloth to wipe down the seats. For ideal results you should ensure that you use warm water in cleaning.

When cleaning you should be cautious and ensure that you use products with natural ingredients such as mink oil, lanolin and UV protectants.

To avoid damaging your entire seat, you should always first test if the products are safe to use by cleaning a small area. As rule of thumb you should avoid using the products if there are adverse changes to the color and texture of the leather.

Creases can easily result to cracking of the covers; therefore, you should always remove them whenever they appear. The best way of removing the creases is by ironing them. Here you should turn your iron to its coolest possible setting and iron the cover.

In addition to cleaning and ironing the covers, other great ways of taking good care of the products are: putting the wraps away from excessive sunlight and seats. You should also avoid wiping the wraps with paper towels. This is because the towels tend to leave scratches that give the covers a bad look.



By Duncan Lancer

Understanding Your Driving Instructor Contract

Being a professional driving instructor or an approved driving instructor is not an easy venture. You are lucky if you already have the money and the resources to start your own driving instructional school. But if you're an independent ADI looking into opening a driving school franchise business, the market is going to be tough for you. Opening a driving school is no joke. It requires a lot of resources, trainings, and legal documents. However, there are now solutions to that. One can actually explore the possibility of opening a low cost ADI franchise as a franchise business.

Business Mentoring Course 101

Before opening a school, one has to remember that this is not just a school. This is, at the end of the day, a business. More than just being able to drive, having the passion to teach and wanting to start your own school, one must first remember that there are business practices and techniques to learn. It is important to take a business mentoring course.

The ADI franchise actually offers a business mentoring course that allows one to understand the business side of the craft. It is one thing to be able to drive and teach students well. It is a completely different thing to run a business. The good thing about this franchise is that it offers a business mentoring course in order to avoid mismanaging your very own driving school.

Researching the Main Competitor

Running a driving school franchise business is not an easy task. It involves having to understand the playing field. A good driving school franchise does not become the best just by being a good business, it must outrank all the others. Being a business, there will always be other individuals and businesses who will be competing with you. In starting your own business, you must be aware of the playing field where you are going to operate: who, where and how your competitors are doing.

Understanding your competitors would mean not just knowing who they are, but what they can do, their strengths, their advantages and their weaknesses would be able to give you the chance to beat the competition. You can find a lot of information about your competitors online. This means that you can do your competitive research without leaving the house. You can check out what strategies they are using online to get their customers.

As you do your competitor research online, you would realize that building your own driving school would also involve driving school website development. Your competitors are in this arena too, competing for the same target market as you are aiming for. Remember that the individuals who are trying to learn how to drive are also using the internet to find out where they can take their driving courses. Having your own website can make your driving school franchise business more visible on the internet.

Understanding the Industry Standard

The last thing to remember in setting up your driving school franchise, is living up to the industry standards. More than just learning how to teach people how to drive, one must also learn the ways on how to set up your very own driving school. Industry standards, permits, and other requirements must be fulfilled before opening up a good driving school. When you get the cheapest driving school franchise contract, you still must not forget to live up to the basic industry standards.

Compliance to industry standards such as class size, driving instructional books and your office is still necessary at the end of the day. These standards usually differ from state to state and so it would be best to look up the standards required by your home state before thinking about opening you very own driving school.

Furthermore, industry standards such as good business management is also necessary. Other companies have to get ISO certified and have to process most documents themselves. However, when one buys an ADI franchise, one can get assistance on all of these which would definitely make the job easier and more convenient especially for those who are unfamiliar with the industry and the business side of the craft of driving instruction.

Starting your own driving school can be a challenge. Dealing with this challenge is made more manageable when you opt for a driving school franchise business that comes as an entire package ready to be set-up straight from the box.



By Pete Morgan

Replacement Car Keys - Why Get Them Now

Let's face it. Being locked outside our home in an untimely manner or losing our car keys can give us a major headache. Getting the key stuck in the car ignition and damaging it whether by accident or not is another stressful situation. With no spare parts at hand, getting a replacement key ahead of time is not only a wise and logical decision, it can also save you from ordering a replacement key from your dealer, which is not only inconvenient but also expensive.

Choosing Your Replacement Key

Most of the time, your car key comes with a spare set; however, we tend to forget where we place them or in some instances, this spare set is also damaged in another way. A master-key is the best type of key if you have no spare to show your locksmith to duplicate. Although most locksmiths have a master-key made, there are times when one needs to show their car or tell the locksmith the car model or brand for them to be able to make a replacement key.

If your car key is the transponder type, then you might find it difficult to find a spare as most keys are pre-programmed on the vehicle type. This can be bypassed by locksmiths that have specialists on automotive keys. They can provide a blank key that can be programmed to work on the model specific vehicle. Although it might be costly, it is more affordable than purchasing one from the auto dealer. Additionally, one would be able to use the key immediately after the programming and not wait for the dealer to send a new one.

For those car owners that have key fobs or keyless remote car keys, replacement is much easier. Aside from the auto dealers, automotive locksmiths also have replacement key fobs that can be programmed to work on the vehicle type. Although authorized dealers can do the programming, automotive locksmiths more often than not have instructions and can do it for the car owner.

Aside from transponders and key fobs, other types of car keys are also making their way to the market. Some of these include laser cut, switchblades and smart keys. These keys are made to ensure that auto-theft is prevented. These keys can also be easily replaced by your local locksmiths and although much more expensive than regular car keys, one can get it much cheaper than having to purchase it directly from the dealers or buying a new one which can cost from $100 - $200.



By Patrick Laurence

What To Know Before You Purchase A Car

Though buying a car may seem like a walk down the hill, many people have reported the experiences as stressful and unpleasant. This is because of the decisions that one has to make and the keen attention, which is put into the process before acquiring the car. Whether you are in the progress of buying a car in the near future, below are some of the ways to go about the tense situation.

• Make a right, informed choice
  

This seems obvious; before you go on to buy that car that you are looking for, it is essential to make sure that you go for one that best fits you and your needs. Many people rush into the decision of acquiring a car only to make a regrettable decision that they would have been avoided easily by making an informed decision. Some of the consideration here is your body type and the regular functions that the car will be performing.

• Set your price target

By using the internet, you can be able to acquire great deals on the type of car that you are searching. Moreover, the internet has made it easier for buyers to be able to compare prices of the various dealers while interacting effortlessly with them and hence the internet should be the first stop to view the different costs and land on a good deal.

• Check your credits

If you are to buy the car on a loan, you should make it your homework to check your credit union to be able to find the lowest available rate. By getting a pre-approved loan, you get confidence in negotiating a better lower pr ice for the car.

• Do not buy the car on the first visit

Many experts recommend that you do not buy the car during the first visit. This is because you may be able to find other suggestions or change your mind on the processes. Many people who have ignored this step or have rather rushed into the buying decision have been faced with regrets after making a wrong choice.

• Check for warranty, insurance and repairs

Before you go to purchase the vehicle, it is important to check for other credentials such as the warranty repair services, guarantee and insurance policies. This will be essential in case of accidents and in legal proceedings regarding the car. For instance in case of an accident or repairs for the car you will need a lemon law attorney's help in legal matters that concern the repair and management of the vehicle.

By Saich M Kate

Abridged Car Theory Test - Discover a Cheaper Alternative to the Standard UK Driving Theory Test

The 'abridged' car theory test was introduced in October 2009 by the now defunct DSA as part of an overhaul to the UK driving theory test. The test gives safe road users an opportunity to complete a shortened version of the standard exam at a reduced cost. It has proven to be a successful initiative in getting more road users to acquire the 'Safe Road User Award'

To be eligible to take the 'abridged' test learner motorists must have successfully completed a voluntary course - the 'Pre-Driver Qualification In Safe Road Use' course - which was introduced in January 2009 and, at the time of writing (10th June 2014), is currently available at 10 locations throughout England and Scotland.

Those who successfully complete the course will be issued with a Safe Road User Award, permitting them to take the 'abridged' car theory exam. There are many benefits associated with taking this exam.

Firstly, the 'abridged' version features a reduced number of multiple-choice questions. Rather than the standard 50 questions and having to answer 43 correctly, 'abridged' car theory test candidates are required to answer 35 multiple choice questions, answering 30 correctly.

However, 'abridged' car theory test candidates are still tested on 14 hazard perception clips, in keeping with the standard UK theory exam.

Once candidates are issued with the Safe Road User Award they are required need to take the abridged car theory test within three years of getting it, otherwise the award becomes void and the process would need to be started again.

Secondly, the 'abridged' exam costs less, compared to the standard theory test, costing just £24. Candidates stand to save £7 and have the benefit of an accredited award certifying them as a safe driver.

 

The Safe Road User Award was developed in order to build positive attitudes to road use and help young motorists to take responsibility for using the UK's roads safely. The aim of the initiative is to reduce the number of deaths among drivers aged between 17 and 25, which has become a scourge on British motoring over the last 10 years, according to some commentators.

To enquire about the 'abridged' exam it's recommended that you consult a third party booking service or visit the official UK Government website. Either of these services can also be used to book the exam.

Using the official Government site requires you to carry out the booking, whereas enlisting the services of a third party company will mean they will book a test on your behalf.

By D Waldron

Continuous Professional Development for the Professional Driving Instructor

Becoming a Professional Driving Instructor is not an easy task, much more opening your own driving school at the same time. More than just becoming an instructor, you have to learn how to be a good businessman as well. You do not only have to worry about what to teach, how you can produce the best drivers, or how to design the best driving instructor training. You also have to worry about how to attract more customers, how to maintain profit, how to attract more students, how to cut less costs on operational expenses, and how to process important documents among others. This is an aspect of setting up a driving school that most ADI did not exactly learn during ADI training. This is the business aspect of the craft that sometimes you have to learn on your own.

Outsourcing Your Weakness or Train to Improve Standards

Not everyone can do everything all at the same time. There are a lot to learn in dealing with the different aspects of a driving instruction business. To be able to give the best driving instructor training, you must focus in teaching more than administration. If you are unable to do something, you can always outsource them. For example, if you're unable to manage receiving new students, you can always employ a receptionist. Or if you don't have any idea how to create your own web page, well you can always pay somebody else to do it.

Another way to go with this would be to train to improve your standards. Strive hard to give the best driving instructor training. If you are unfamiliar with a certain aspect of ADI training you can always look into further trainings yourself. Especially if you want to be able to brand yourself and your company to become best professional driving instructor. It's a great idea to undergo seminars, workshops and even additional training to improve your quality up to industry standards. Only in doing so can you reach your goal of giving the best driving instructor training.

Driving School Website Development

Everyone is on the internet right now. Therefore it won't only be a great idea to make one, it is practically necessary to stamp your presence on the internet. This would involve setting up a website, putting yourself on Google Maps, and getting some SEO help. Another way to build your credibility among your target audience would also be to set up some form of driving instructor training reviews. That would surely attract more potential clients on your end. Also, never forget to advertise that you give the best training.

New Trends in Marking Modern Businesses

As a businessman, it is also important to keep track of the present playing field. You must be very aggressive in getting new clients and customers. Therefore, one must be very vigilant in watching for new trends. Being the first in line in applying new business techniques and trends would definitely benefit your company in general. Employing all the trends in business practices, marketing strategies and even SEO would definitely keep you in the game and always one step ahead of your other competitors.

Delivering Quality-driven Tuition

Another great marketing strategy would always be good pricing. It is necessary to understand that your clients would always be looking for a good deal. They want to receive the education that they're paying for. It's a big no-no in marketing to shortchange your customer. If you're looking into charging for an expensive tuition, make sure that the services and instructions they receive are worth it and it's not just purely for profit. The truth of the matter is that if you shortchange a batch of people, word would quickly spread around, and a negative reputation would surround your company. This is the last thing that any business would want. The best driving instructor training, does not mean the highest tuition, but that which gives its money's worth.

The ADI as a Road Safety Champion

Finally, being an ADI instructional school, you must never forget to be an advocate of road safety. It is not just a requirement, it is a must. Promoting a safe driving environment would instill in the minds of your students the importance of driving safety. This is also a business strategy on your end. Advocating for driving safety would give potential clients an impression that you don't only care for profit, but also for their well-being.

Opening and running your own driving school is no joke. When you are properly trained and prepared, however, you will be able to take your strengths and weaknesses and make them work to your advantage.



By Pete Morgan

Choose the Most Reliable Super Cars Hire Service to Accomplish Your Dream

Super cars that refer to high-end sports cars allure almost everyone with their high-class style and utmost sophistication. Most people are passionate about driving these highly luxurious and stylish vehicles, even if they cannot buy them. There are various super cars hiring companies offering high-end cars at affordable prices. Let us see some of the reasons it can be more convenient for you to hire super cars than buying them:

The most significant aspect that makes hiring more convenient is the high amount of money that is required to purchase super cars. No matter how dearly you might cherish the dream of driving a super car, it is not always possible to spend a fortune on purchasing one. Hence the rental companies help you in accomplishing your dreams without having to spend thousands of pounds.

These cars are not suitable for regular use due to a number of reasons. For example, they are not really family-friendly. It is extremely unlikely for you to travel around in a Ferrari Coupe or an Aston Martin or a Porsche 911 with your family and kids. Again, it would be extremely inconvenient to drive these speedy cars on a crowded street if you are living in a city. It is hence wise to own a vehicle that's more family-friendly and convenient for regular use, and fulfill your long cherished dream of driving super cars by hiring them.
However, even when these cars are not suitable for regular use, and can cost you a fortune, it is a dream for most people to sit behind their steering wheel even if for a single day. Let us see what makes these cars so amazingly alluring and tempting:

It can make a huge impression on people around you. You can take the peoples' breath away by driving a stylish and high-end super car. Whether you want to impress someone special by taking them out to dinner or want to make an impression on your valued business clients, a sophisticated sports car can just be the right thing for you.

Driving a sports car is one of the most luxurious and heavenly experiences you can have. They are equipped with high-end features like review cameras and anti-lock brakes to ensure utmost safety and protection while driving. Other additional features like rain-sensor windshield wipers, electronic parking aids, TV screens in head rests and many more enable you to enjoy the most exotic driving experience.

Along with the magnificent outer appearance, sports cars are also extremely efficient, comfortable and luxurious from inside. This provides you huge levels of comfort along with style and elegance.
However, before hiring these sports cars, you must keep in mind certain important points:

Make sure that you have the ability and skill to drive these cars well. And in case you lack confidence in your driving skills, you must hire a chauffeur for travelling safe.

Always choose a reliable sports car hire company in order to avail the most efficient services. You must also check their reputation in the market to avoid any kind of future disappointments.


By Donald Finch 

Solving Problems With Your Parking Space

Have you ever come home from work and either your gate is block, or there is someone else in your parking space? If you have then you will know that it is extremely frustrating.

It seems like a minimal problem, but when you have worked hard all day and you just want to park and relax at home, then its a massive issue, especially if you have to park miles away and then walk home.

Parking further away from home has connotations if you live in a high crime area because your car is more likely to get stolen; the further away its parked. It is less likely to get stolen or broken into if it is sitting on your path, or outside your house.

Therefore, problems with parking can become a lot more serious and you should read on for tips about how to deal with the problem.

Tourists

If you live in an area that is popular with tourists, you might find that they are parking in the suburban areas because they don't want to pay for public parking.

If there are no signs up to show that the area is for residents only, then they won't know that they are causing trouble by parking in residential areas. Therefore, you should ask your local council if you have a resident parking only sign on your street. If a tourist sees the sign, they will not park there.

However, the sign has to have a call to action on it. If the sign just says no parking, then tourists are likely to park there anyway. But, if the sign says that they are clamped, or find, and then they will not park there.

Your council should have no problem having restricted parking in your area because it will drive tourists back to the public parking lots and the council will make more money. It is a situation that will benefit everyone.

Neighbours

If you have a problem with the neighbours parking in your space, or across your gate, then you can talk to them and ask them not to. You have to make sure that you are friendly here because you don't want friction between you and the neighbours. You do have to live with them and if they have a problem with you, then being at home can become very stressful.

They might not even know that they are causing you a problem and it might just be that they are only parking there because someone else is in their space. Then you could join and stop the person parking in their space.

Parking Barrier

If nothing that you have done so far, has worked, then you have no option but to install a parking barrier in your space. This will definitely stop people from parking where you usually park.

If you rent the property, then you have to make sure that you have permission off your landlord, before you install the barrier. If the space is part of your rental agreement, then the landlord will definitely sign a permission document.

If you own the property and the land where the space is, then you don't need permission off anyone. But, if the council owns the space, then you will have to ask for permission even though you are a house owner. This is especially true if you are parking on a public road. However, once you have the barrier, all parking issues will stop and you won't experience stress anymore.



By Natalie Ayash

Are Used Car Tyres Safe?

i

t is no secret, brand new car tyres can be very costly, this is why many car owners opt for used tyres because they seem like the ideal way to save some good cash on car maintenance.

However, there is more to buying car tyres than just getting a set with a lot of tread and for a cheap price. What many car owners fail to notice is that using used car tyres poses some safety risks that might not be evident then, but will be later.

Car tyres are made out of rubber compounds that are known to age as time goes whether used frequently, barely used or completely unused. However, it is really not clear how long the tyres can serve the car by providing the owner safe transportation until deterioration occurs to the point where they fail to serve their purpose.

When To Change Your Tyres

Tyre manufacturers recommend tyre replacement between 5-10 years regardless of wear and of course depending on the conditions. If the tyres are frequently exposed to humidity, heat, direct sunlight, salt air and other factors that can lead to quicker breakdown of the rubber compounds, then they should be replaced after a few years.

Buying used car tyres should not be an option, it doesn't matter if you are saving on cash or are trying to be environment conscious by preserving the natural resources by use of used tyres. Either way you are reducing your road safety conditions by driving around in used tyres and further outlined below are reasons why.

You Have No History Of The Tyre

It is easy to find the right size of a used car tyre for your vehicle but there is no way you can tell if the tyre was in a vehicle that was frequently overloaded, or was driven at very high speeds.

Such facts can affect the tyre's functionality in a way that might not be initially noticeable but might lead to failure in the near future. The tyres might also have been wrongly repaired, unnoticeably damaged, exposed to harsh elements or simply mishandled which can later affect transportation.

You Can Miss A Recall

With all new tyres being the registered to the car owner buying it, in case of a recall for any reason, the buyer can be contacted easily. However, with used tyres the link between the manufacturer and the buyer is no more and the buyer of used tyres may never know if the tyres have been recalled because of a safety issue. This might be very dangerous for you because you may end up baring the consequences as the buyer of the recalled used tyre.

Will fail When You Desperately Need Them

With used tyres, you can never be sure. Since you have no record of their history and are accepting them because they have plenty of tread and are sold at a great price, you are never quite sure when they will fail. There are common cases where the used tyres failed when the car owners had to rush to work while late, an important meeting, when tending to an emergency and so on.

If You have To Buy

If you are buying used tyres, then let it be only when you are buying a used car because a used car will obviously have used tyres. This way you can see the vehicle the tyres are from and can tell the mileage and overall condition.

You can also get maintenance records of the car to further help you tell the actual state of the tyres. You will not know the complete history of those used tyres in the second-hand vehicle, but you can tell if they are in good condition by looking at the vehicle.

If the vehicle looks neglected, then there are high chances the tyres are too. In this case you will have no other option but get brand new tyres. This is because the safety of you as a car owner and any occupants in your car will depend on the condition of the four tyres that you are riding on.

The Bottom Line

Buying a new set of tyres is no doubt a worthwhile practice because you are wisely preventing the danger posed by the unknown condition of the tyres. Used car tyres will save you some good amount, but they are not really worth the huge risk they pose. Their disadvantages far outweigh the advantages.


By Tyler Higgins

Vinyl Car Wrapping Explained

For many race car owners, using adhesive vinyl on their vehicles is always a better decision than spending on paint.

This is primarily because vinyl is significantly a less expensive alternative. On top of that, modern vinyl technology can assure results that are just as amazing as the painted ones.

Yes, the vinyl wrap products we have in our time have greatly improved. For once, bubbles are eliminated because vinyl is made of formable cast. Moreover, factory laminate coating can make the vinyl last longer - even up to a decade.

These days, vinyl wrapping is being used not just for race cars but for other vehicles that want to change colors. Instead of having to paint the car, owners may use a plain-colored vinyl as a substitute.

The process begins by picking the right vinyl wrapping. Generally, this product measures 60 inches in width and 25 feet in length. That's likely everything you will ever need to wrap an entire car. Again, you can purchase a solid color wrap or you may also specify any graphic customizations that you want such as stripes or any images.

In many ways, utilizing this material is a lot like repainting. The process can take about 6 to 8 hours plus the fees required by those who will work on it may vary from one provider to another. Paint cleaners and alcohol will then be used to get rid of rusts and scratches.

As mentioned above, vinyl is particularly popular among race cars and even among vehicles used for various purposes. An example of this is the many delivery cars or vans that require some type of customization in order to display the logo and contact information of certain businesses.

Before application, it will be necessary to remove the mirrors, moldings, and other body parts of the car. This can be a little time-consuming but is definitely worth all the hassle because it will make the task a lot easier. After this, the car will be ready for the transformation. This will involve a lot of sticking and stretching of the adhesive vinyl to get it right. There are installers who use heat guns to help the material stretch. What's important is that burning the vinyl is avoided.

Needless to say, only those with the needed knowledge and skills should handle this job. It is definitely for your best interest to contact local installers in your area.

You can check out vinyl car wrap a



By Lavoy T Collins

How Much Can You Expect to Pay for Long Term Car Hire

There will be a few situations in your life where you may need to consider hiring a car for a long period time. This can be an extremely expensive process if you do not follow the correct procedures. In order to know how much you can expect to pay for long term car hire, you need to figure out exactly what your needs are with regard to the vehicle itself.

There are two different options when hiring a vehicle, short term and long term. Short term car hire is normally associated with holidays or travelling. In these cases, the car will be rented to you at a daily rate. Long term car hire is rented to you at a monthly rate. Depending on your circumstances, you can choose to rent a car between three and twelve months when choosing long term car hire. The number of months that you choose to rent the car for will determine how much it will cost you per month. Different makes of cars will also be more expensive or less expensive to rent. If you only need a car to get around in for a few months, due to circumstances beyond your control, it is not advisable to choose an expensive car to hire.

If you are unable to buy a vehicle outright, you can "rent to own" a one by choosing long term car hire. This is a fantastic way in which to drive the car of your dreams in an instant, instead of waiting and saving for months and months on end. You can get your car straight away and pay for it on a monthly basis until you have the cash on hand to buy it from the dealer. In certain circumstances, you may be able to negotiate the monthly price to accommodate your needs. Just remember that the more money you can put towards your car monthly, the faster the car will be rightly yours.

How much can you expect to pay for a car? Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere between R50,000.00 to R250,000.00 for a motorcar. These prices will be determined by the make, year and whether or not the car is second hand. If you choose to purchase a second hand car for long term car hire that is priced at R50,000.00 you can expect to pay R4166.67 per month over a twelve month period. Ultimately, the amount of money that you can expect to pay towards a car will be determined by taking these different elements into account. Prices will also vary according to the company that you deal with.

Do your research before choosing your new car

Before choosing to "rent to own" a car, make sure that you do adequate research. You need to take into account how much you can realistically afford to pay for a car each month, what year model you would ideally prefer, the actual model of the car and whether or not you would be satisfied with a second hand car. Once you have figured all this out, you need to come to the best long term car hire companies.

By Kenneth Nel

Tips For Choosing Replacement Tires For Your Truck And Trailer

No matter how carefully you drive or how cautiously you choose your routes sooner or later you are going to have to replace your existing truck and trailer tires. If you are an owner operator then you know that this is a very costly event and you do need to take time to select just the right type, brand and design of tire that matches your typical driving experience.

The type of tire that you use should be designed for your type of driving. In addition you need to consider the position on the truck or trailer for the tire. Generally there are three positions that are possible and they are designated as an all positions tire, a drive axle or a trailer axle tire. In addition, since these same tires can be used for different types of vehicles they are also rated for long haul, regional, on/off road, urban and off road. Different tire companies may have different designations, but they will equate to the same purpose.

Steer Tires

Steer tires are designed for the tractor and create a smooth ride and easy handling. These are the tires that help you corner and turn while maintaining good traction and grip on the road. Steer tires can actually be used in all positions but they absolutely should be used for those all-important front tractor tires.

The tread design of steer tires is also unique. It is always designed to move water away from the tire in a ribbed type of channel design. This helps with keeping the tire on the road during cornering.

Tracking Undercarriage Wear on Your Excavator

Excavators spend the day carrying out heavy duty tasks such as digging trenches or picking up materials. Demolition is an even more demanding task, although it has the advantage of being stationary in one place, the swing of the machine house and movement of the arm and boom is hard work for the excavator. Tracking what the wear is like on the undercarriage, even though this type of machine sits in one place, is still important in your maintenance plan.

Check the wear on the machine's undercarriage with a daily visual inspection of the tracks. Depending on what your excavator is used for, the tracks may need to be replaced simply because of old age, but it could also be due to a variety of other reasons which will be touched upon in this article.

A daily inspection of the track will prevent failure. The operator should start the working day walking around the machine and examining the track. They should be looking for any cuts or tears on the track and also any indication that steel imbeds are showing. If these things are not spotted quickly, moisture or contamination could get into the track which will lead to failure of the part. If this happens the potential downtime of the machine could be worse than what it originally needed to be. When replacing the part, it is important that you purchase a high quality replacement, so that the machine lasts longer before the wear part needs replacing again.

Another thing the operator should be checking on the track is the tensioning; it should be fitted not too tight and too loose. To find out what is the right tension range, they should refer to the operation and maintenance manual.

As well as the track, the undercarriage components need inspecting. Although, daily inspection is generally too excessive, operators should regularly monitor it so that any problems are identified at an early stage. Components that should be checked include; idlers, sprockets and rollers. Idlers and rollers are permanently sealed making it hard to see any wear. Something to look for is moisture or fluid which may be leaking around the seal indicating a failure. If this happens, then you should replace the damaged wear part. In order to check the wear on the sprocket look at the teeth which should have a rounded end, if it has been worn out it would be more pointed. It is particularly important that you check this as you do not want to fix a new track onto a bad sprocket as it will accelerate the new tracks failure.

For all wear parts, the main thing to remember is to regularly inspect the wear parts. If you do this it will save your machine from a lot of damage which could have been prevented.



By John S Lewis

Vinyl Car Wrapping - Doing It The Right Way

Installing vinyl wrapping on a vehicle really takes knowledge and skill. In most cases, this work is done by several expert individuals. The process involves coming up with appropriate graphic design, preparing the vehicle for the wrapping, and using the best tools to get the job done the right way.

If you are someone passionate about cars and designing, this can be a good business opportunity to explore. As long as you are willing to undergo training, you can learn how to do this properly.

Those who have worked in this industry for years will attest that it is crucial to have images of the vehicle before doing any design. This is important in order to ensure that certain design elements fall in the right places. Most of the time, the vehicle's natural lines are used. Door panels, on the other hand, are best for covering overlaps.

Part of the preparation for the vehicle is to clean it with soap and water. The car should be allowed to dry for at least 24 hours. Degreasing the vehicle is another aspect that should not be neglected. Isopropyl alcohol can be used or you may also utilizea fast drying panel wipe.

Solvent printed media, on the other hand, should be allowed at least 48 hours to outgas. It is recommended that the rolls are left standing on a vertical position. When degassing is done correctly, the adhesive will have higher quality and the graphic designs will not be a hassle to fit.

During the lamination process, it is advisable that cold rollers are used. Extreme roller tension is strongly discouraged. Hard squeegee is a good tool especially when applying velvet strip. Changing the velvet often can be helpful in preventing scratches.

When doing the actual vinyl wrapping, experts find it a lot better to begin with the panel's flat parts and then work from side to side. It would be easier to stay consistent the vinyl's level that way. Complicated areas should be handled on the latter part of the installation process.

Spreading the tension on the vinyl itself should be paid attention to. That's the main reason why pulling outwards from the biggest parts of the vinyl is important as you stretch it. The same thing can be said when it comes to using extra heat for the purpose of softening and stretching the wrapping. That way, the graphics remain intact and any form of distortion is prevented.

By Lavoy T Collins

Parking Options Available in Big Cities

The parking situation in many big cities is very complex and more often than not leaves its residents baffled. Nevertheless, there are a lot of parking options available in the city. A few of which are briefed below,

Street parking-

You find street parking facilities in many areas that are a lot less crowded and further downtown. It is easier to find curb space on side streets and not on main roads. It is very easy to be misled and so ensure to read the signs. Anything that resembles street parking might not be actually meant for it. An area that is marked by a yellow curb or any indication of street cleaning happening that day needs to be avoided. Signs indicating that the snow is over a particular depth needs to be considered, when you are trying to park your vehicle. It is mandatory to have a city sticker posted if you are a citizen with local plates. Absence of a city sticker might earn you an orange ticket.

Permit parking-

Another very common practice is permit parking, however you need to keep a watchful eye on the signs that will indicate to you who, where and when. Some areas have 24 hours of restricted parking whereas some others restrict parking only at particular times of the day. Events that take place across the city may also affect the hours posted in different areas. It is mandatory that you will qualify for a permit in a particular area as there are numerous permit zones. This qualification requires you to meet certain criteria. It is also a possibility for permit holders to purchase parking passes that are temporary for use by visitors

Metered parking-

Though this type of facility is very often available, it is essential that you read everything that is on the meter, even the fine prints as they might have a lot of restrictions indicated.

Commercial lots-

Though these commercial lots and garages are easily available they might prove to be very expensive. The fine prints are usually close to invisible and so you might be led to thinking that the rates mentioned are genuine. However, you might miss a few terms that indicate that the rates are for a certain specified time alone. So ensure to read the fine prints so that you can avoid paying exorbitant amounts for a few hours of parking.

Renting a garage-

When options dry out you can always rent space in a garage that is situated close to your residence. Though the rates for this type of parking space may be huge you can be sure to find space for your vehicle close to where you live. There are many ways to find parking space like from popular classified sites or you can even find an agent who has multiple listing service access who would be able to find parking for you.





By Dhivya Rateesh Nair

Buying a Trailer? Informed Buyers Are the Best Buyers

Buying a box trailer might seem an easy job. After all, all you need to do is to search for one that is cheap and durable, right? However, durability for one, is a quality confined to trailers that are made from galvanized steel. To put in another way, galvanized steel trailers aren't available that cheap as painted ones that rust fast.

It's a simple thing. Painted trailers are always cheaper than galvanized trailers for the sole reason that galvanized steel costs more. Unless you get a really great deal and discount offer that makes the price of a galvanized trailer lower than a painted one, it is always the other side.

What is it for?

Talking of buying a trailer, you need to first know what you are buying your trailer for. Is it for odd jobs like gardening or is it going on the back of your small family car as a car carrier? Are you going to use it t carry a golf cart or on a boat? Depending on your needs, you need to buy a trailer.

Getting the right size

Box trailers after all, vary in sizes. If you are buying a trailer for a boat or a golf cart, you need to buy a bigger sized trailer that is at least 6X 4 in size though you might want a 7 X 5 one as well. If you are buying a trailer for gardening, you might want to buy one that is at least 7 x 5 in size. Ensure that you have good tyres for your trailers - that's really important!

The load capacity

Always ensure that your trailers' load capacity is known to you. The load capacity, measured by ATM or Aggregate Trailer Mass, states the total or maximum capacity of the trailer. So, if the ATM of a trailer is 600 kilogram, you can put a 410-kilogram weight on it easily. However, you cannot put a 700-kilogram weight on it and expect the trailer not to give away.

Maintenance

Let's make this simple. Your trailer will not look as new one year down the line. While the life of a car trailer is of utmost importance to you, maintaining it well will just uplift its shelf life. If you have not bought a galvanized trailer, you need to clean it regularly to ensure that the paint does not go away. More, you need to keep your painted trailer under cover nearly always to protect it from weather elements. Sometimes, the paint might wear off - you can easily paint it yourselves then.

Galvanized trailers are easier to keep and maintain and rusting is not an issue with this type of trailer. Galvanized trailers can withstand weather elements a lot better as well. Most of these trailers come with LED lights and full checker plate.

Apart from these, you might need to register your trailer especially if you are using it for business purposes.





By Larry Luther