The More Preferable Car Battery

Batteries are known to be amongst the volatile parts of a car’s mechanics.

One moment they are in perfect working condition and the next you cannot get the car to catch on. This can often be attributed to an electrical problem causing the car to not start up thereby leaving the drivers stranded in a location far away from the nearest auto repair shop. The best thing to do to make a situation like an electrical crash less possible would be to get a good battery.

Investing a good amount of money on a battery is an investment that speaks for itself in the long run. A good lead acid liquid battery goes between the price ranges of $70-$130. Liquid lead acid batteries have been quite common since their development in 1859 and according to the experts they are the least expensive batteries in the world of automotive engine starters. In order to make this battery more manageable and eco-friendly, the sealed liquid lead acid battery was developed. Another possible investment can be the Value Regulated Lead Acid battery (VRLA) which includes gel and absorbed glass mate that are not in any way liquid.

There is also the Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) battery

Which is made up of silicate glass fibres then mixed with boron forming a mat that holds the electrolyte. This battery was put into production in the year 1972 but its use was targeted towards military and non-vehicle applications like boats, motorcycles and electronics. As of now, the AGM batteries are now being used in car production. AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries can cost from $155 to $260 but have more advantages over liquid lead acid batteries.

The AGM has a lower non-use discharge rate than the liquid lead acid batteries. Because of the high rate of power consumption used by today’s vehicles, automotive manufacturers have turned to AGM batteries as their new car power source. The 2007 models of the BMW were the first to have the AGM batteries due to their computer functions and braking. AGM batteries are in more ways than one better than the liquid lead acid batteries but the downside of the AGM is that care has to be taken not to overcharge the. Their charging rate happens to be faster with a standard output of 14.5 volts.

A solar panel with a trickle charge is recommended when an AGM battery is put into a non-use vehicle.

If charged over the standard 14.5 volts, the AGM battery will go bad. The vehicles that encounter the most problems with AGM are the sport vehicles as a result of the rough environment in which they are put into use.  It is best to get rid of the old plug in garage battery charger and get a new one that sustains volts instead of amps. An AGM battery charger will sense a very low voltage in the battery and will start the recharge whereas an old charger does not sense low voltage and will not charge the battery.

The AGM batteries are known for starting up easily even after years of storage without any problem. The batteries can also attain full charge with no problem after years of piling up dust in garages. The AGM batteries can be put into vehicles and the negative cable disconnected in the one that is not being used often anymore and it starts right up when the engine is run occasionally. There have been negative reviews and complaints only about the AGM failing often but according to findings, this can be only attributed to situations where best practices are not involved. The batteries can be left for a long period of time without use but it is highly recommended that it be stored with a solar panel that has an extremely low trickle charge to prevent any chance of it being overcharged. It is imperative that the negative cable be disconnected when the battery is not in use.

When it comes to the AGM against the Gel cell

The AGM tends not to warp easily due to its thicker plates therefore; during deep discharges they resist the build-up of sulphur that improves the chances of destroying a battery. The batteries comprising of wet cells tend to spoil after 3 to 4years maximum. On the other hand, the life of the AGM battery goes to about 8- 10 years that is if proper care is taken.

As a result, the clear recommendation is the Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) if proper care is taken.

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Toyota Camry 2018 Model

The Toyota Camry model started out as just another version of the car makers Celia

However, in the year 1982, it gained autonomous status, and overtime it has become one of the most accepted sedan cars worldwide. It currently has the reputation of the highest selling private car in the whole of North America and some other parts of the world. The all new Camry 2018 model comes with a revolutionary look that seems to intend to pass across a message to both customers and competitors alike. The new car comes with a sporty look as well as considerable style upgrade. There is an upgrade both in the in the interior and exterior of the car, the car engine is also not left out in this regard, in fact as regards the engine, there is a new Hybrid technology been deployed alongside two other engine variants

Car Exterior

Camry cars have hitherto known to come with rather dull exteriors, however, the all-new Camry 2018 model seems to be a game changer. Among other features, the first thing that is sure to catch the attention of any car lover is certainly its wide firm look that is a result of its lower centre of gravity. This innovation was made possible by Toyota making the car a little wider, the engine hood was also brought a little downwards so also was the roof. On the other hand, the wheelbase was elongated by about two inches. At the front of this car, certain ideas were certainly adopted from the Lexus line of the same car maker, one could easily notice that the headlamps look a little meaner; also it comes with a lower LED strip that gives it a Z-shaped outlook. Furthermore, the car grille seems a little bigger and wider. The upper grille section comes framed in a body-colored component; the vents on the sides also seem a little wider. The front Facia would certainly catch the attention of new generation drivers who fancy style and panache.

On the side view of the 2018 model, one can easily notice that there is a deviation from the regular Beltline features normally associated with the Camry line, it now comes with upgraded lines that showcase the more beefy arches of the wheel, also at the rear of the car, one could easily notice some real changes, for instance, there is a bulging spoiler on top of the trunk lid, there is also the all new backlights that come with extensions on the vent as you approach the apron, also you have the upgraded bumpers that come with all new and improved bumpers, furthermore a careful observation of the C-pillar shows a lot of surfaces that radiate light from different points. This is sure pointers that Toyota did spend a great deal of time and resources in this Camry project.

Interior

The dashboard of the Camry 2018 model came with a design focus on giving the owner the feeling that he is riding inside a sport car, this is accomplished by a compartment that feels like a cockpit with the driver been the major focus of the components, also the car passenger will surely get a whole new experience sitting in this beauty, there is a feeling of openness and also surfaces that seem softer as well as the dashboard veneers. The carmakers assure that all surfaces of the car would come with soft touch components as well as high-quality materials; this surely shows that Toyota is upping its game in terms of overall quality.

Another quite interesting feature of the interior is that it comes with a comfortable feel, the seats at the front have been totally redesigned with a view to up scaling the space within, it also comes with a lower sitting position because the car maker certainly didn’t want to reduce the space of the shoulder and head by reducing the cars head, however the driver can be sure of having better visibility while driving

Engine

The car engine comes in form of a 2.5 litre four cylinder type, also there is the 3.5 litre V 6 six cylinder engine, the new drivetrains have been structured in such a way as to optimize fuel usage. Even though there has not really been a public announcement of the engine features, the car maker states that customers should expect greater power outputs from the new 2.5-litre engine when compared with the previous versions, with a guarantee of lower fuel usage. It is expected that the new engine unit should be able to give up to 178 horse-power output. Also, the hybrid model promises better fuel usage, travel time, and so on

Price and release date

There is really not much difference as regards pricing with the previous version as this car only adds a few hundreds of dollars. The pricing starts from around 23,495 dollars, the LE goes for about 24,000 dollars, the SE goes for 25,000 dollars XLE costs about 28,450 dollars while the XSE is valued at about 29,000 dollars. The car should be out on sale around the later part of 2017 or early 2018.

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Towing a Motor-Home

Common and logical tips of driving a Motor Home

We are here bringing to light some of the very common and logical tips of driving a motor home, knowledge of which can make any camper a better and safer RV driver.

A motor home which may also be called a recreational van or simply a caravan is much taller, wider and broader than any other automobile. Hence, it is obvious it will require extra care and caution while driving, turning, reversing or parking. The size of your caravan should always be clear in your mind so that you can act accordingly at all times of your drive.

Tail swing or off-tracking has mostly been the reason for accidents of RVs.

It should be known that an average caravan has up to 2-1/2feet of tail swing. So, it is always better to keep your rig at least 3-1/2 feet away from the pump while at a fuel station. This allows your vehicle the required space for tail swing preventing you from any possible pulling and pushing.

Always have full knowledge of your vehicle’s overhead clearance. This is often not an issue when you are driving on major highways or motorways that mostly have well marked clearances but there can be problems when you are passing through cities or side roads of the country where you may encounter lower clearances. To avoid such situation, it is smart to stay behind some tractor/trailer rigs, which are mostly near the maximum allowed height, when you are on the countryside. This can keep you out of such troublesome situation.

Intersections are other tricky areas which require an alert response.

Being on the left lane of a two lane road having a plan to turn left, your move must start by pulling your vehicle as close to the left line as possible and then allowing your tail end of the rig to swing out continuing to the right when you turn left. The turn must be taken extremely watchfully and very gradually and steadily. Similarly, if you are in a single lane road and plan to turn left; your move must start with pulling up as close as possible to the left line of the road in order to prevent your caravan’s tail from hitting any signposts, fire hydrants or any other thing at the corner of the road.

The next challenge lies in when to actually turn the wheel.

Unlike a car or any other automobile where you are sitting behind the front wheels, in a big rig motor-home, you are actually sitting just above the front wheels and this must be clearly bore in mind. This explains that regardless of which way you have to turn at an intersection, you have to pull yourself straight up to the point you have to turn and then turn the wheel for the required turning.

A clear picture of your vehicle and a pre-planned solution for any troublesome situation can help you bypass any complication or obstacle that may come up on your big rig drive.

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Driving Tips While Towing

There are few basic rules which can be learned only through time and experience.

They may be taken for granted and avoided but in a long drive play a vital role allowing you a relaxed drive. Some of them are listed below.

Gap rule: Maintain a 4 to 6 seconds or nearly 400-500 feet gap between your vehicle and that in front of you. This allows sufficient time for stopping in normal road conditions and is regarded as a safe stopping gap.

Long distance view rule:

A habit of looking at least 10 to 12 seconds down the road allows a sufficient time to plan your move such as slowing down, changing lanes or any other change of action that the situation demands.

Steering rule: There may be situations on a highway drive where you find yourself busy turning the steering wheel left and right. The best way to ease such a condition is to lift up your head a bit and try to have a longer view of the road. This will not only help you reduce the frequent left and right movement of the wheel but at the same time let you maintain your position on the lane.

Speed rule:

It is advisable to maintain a low speed drive of about 60 to 65 mph on interstate highways for a relaxed and safe highway towing. This may make you lose around 15 minutes in a 200 mile drive but will allow you to pick up as much as 2 to 2.5 mpg with a gasoline engine and at the same time you could be able to enjoy the pleasure and beauty of the scenery around.

Rest rule:

When you are out on a long distance tow drive, it is very important to keep yourself fresh and alert. So, it is good that you keep taking short breaks at regular intervals say after every 2 to 2.5 hours drive. A short walk, use of restroom and just getting out of the driving seat can relax you to a great extent. This is also important to keep a check of your towed system. A walk around the vehicle with a careful vision can bring to your knowledge if somehow any problem with the vehicle parts arises and if everything on the vehicle is fine.

Truck stops:

You can find truck stops with large parking areas, fuel stations and gasoline pumps scattered all over the major state highways. It is wise to use these stops for re-fueling your vehicle as well as yourself. These stations have food stores as well. It is the best place on the highways to accomplish all your required needs. The large parking areas allow an easy parking no matter how big your trailer or camping van may be. You can grab a few hours of sleep as well before picking up something to eat and then continuing your drive with a fresh energy.

Try to keep these in regular practice and you will realize how stress-free and enjoyable your elongated drive becomes.

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Highway Towing

Highway towing necessitates a motto which goes as “Plan accordingly, take it easy and be cautious”. You may need the underlying guidelines to become a pro in this field.

The foremost rule of towing in the highways is to always follow the right lane except when you are passing.

It is very important to be completely acquainted with all the controls and reference points from the driver’s seat in accordance with the position of the vehicle being towed in traffic.

When you are planning to tow a vehicle in a highway

It is required that you have a clear picture of your vehicle system in your mind with respect to its length, width and height. This helps you in leaving the extra room required while taking turns, corners and also while changing lanes. You must be completely in the habit of keeping views of rear roadways and making full use of side mirrors as well.

Before you actually start towing, you must always double check the components including that the hitches are in order, that the safety pins are engaged, safety chains are attached, breakaway cable is connected and also that all the lights and brakes are operating perfectly. Rules permit you to stay within a given width limit which is only possible if you have already adjusted your mirrors for the best required views. These should be well extended and adjusted in order to allow you a nice view both on the sides as well as at the rear.

Towing is a critical task

Involving an extended vehicle system which cannot be taken to and fro easily or cannot be reversed or moved about conveniently. So, it is very important that you are well aware of the route, proper freeway exits and all the pathways that you will need to pass in your journey. This can be facilitated by the proper use of GPS maps and the correct knowledge of the lanes as to which lane to be used and when and to which lane to be changed.

Overtaking is a crucial task with long extended trailers on a highway.

You must make full use of your rear view and side mirrors and also the indicators while you are planning to overtake. Never be impatient and make your move all of a sudden. The vehicles in front and at the back must be fully aware of your lane changes.

The trailer brakes should be synchronized with the tow vehicle’s brakes manually whenever applying the brakes and must be applied lightly and slowly in order not to affect others on the road.

Towing on mountains need extra caution.

The proper use of gears, accelerators and brakes is required where concentration cannot be compromised. While ascending and descending hills you have to be careful with the speeds and the transmission gear range. Overheating and undue engine loads can be avoided by downshifting. At the time of sharp turns around obstacles, you have to allow enough room for the trailer which tends to cut into the tow vehicle’s track.

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Towing by Four Wheel Down or Two Wheel Down Dolly

Towing of a vehicle that is technically known as a dinghy

It is basically done either by a four wheel down method or through a two wheel down which is simply known as a dolly or a trailer.

In the first one which is the four wheels down towing, the front part of the tow vehicle has a mounting plate adaptor which is installed into it. The function of the adaptor plate is to get connected at two places of a tow bar which is in turn attached to the trailer’s hitch. The steering of the towed vehicle is left free and due to the castor and camber that is designed into the front ends of the vehicle, the towed vehicle automatically follows the direction of the tow. This method incorporates quite simple and quick connection and disconnection.

The other method which is simply known as a dolly or a trailer is basically towing with only two wheels on the road making use of a small two wheels trailer which is called a dolly.

In this technique the front or the rear two wheels depending upon the choice are driven onto the trailer while the dolly similar to any trailer follows in line with the tow vehicle. The system on the whole is just like a four wheeled trailer with an extended wheelbase as compared to the normal ones. This is a bit complicated in connection and disconnection in comparison to the former method but still does not take more than 10 minutes to complete.

There is one more method which is simply towing through a trailer but this method is generally suggested only for transporting expensive cars, bikes, extreme off-road vehicles, golf cart or multiple kayaks. This system adds in a lot of arrangement costs and a much reduced flexibility and is not at all suitable for camping or towing of small vehicles and transportations.

Moving towards the pros and cons of the first two techniques, they both have their own advantages and disadvantages and it is up to the requirement of the situation that you can select between the two.

A four wheel down towing has the advantage of simple installation

And has little space issues while on the other hand the same becomes a disadvantage for the two wheel down towing which requires extended time for its installation which also adds in a lot of hassle and at the same time it also brings in much pace issues.

The advantage of a tow dolly is the little installation and purchase cost required and enough flexibility that is allowed in the process. This is in contrast to the four down towing which is a costly mean and becomes a disadvantage for this method in addition to the modification of the vehicle that is required. Another disadvantage of the four wheels down towing is the problem that is faced during braking which cannot be resolved by any means except by maintaining sufficient feet of difference between vehicles.

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Rules for Towing

Vehicle to use for Towing

If you ever plan to use your vehicle for towing, it becomes very important for you to be completely acquainted with the rules and regulations that are meant to be followed while towing. Some of the most important guidelines are listed below.

Safety –

• Tires with correct pressure.
• Properly working rear light clusters.
• No rust and fully lubricated components.
• If with braked trailers, the brakes must be perfectly operating.
• In open trailers, proper equipments for tying the loads.
• In closed trailers, correctly operating rear latches to prevent any burst opens.
• Once the trailer is hitched, safety chain must surely be attached.

Engine Power and Torque –

• The power and torque are the main characteristics that classify a vehicle’s capability for towing another. The tow vehicle should always be selected keeping these two points in consideration.
• An insufficient power or torque can prevent a tow vehicle from pulling the load or moving forward on an uphill stretch.

Best suitable vehicle for the tow –

• For unbraked trailers that have no brakes on the trailer wheels, the pulling capacity lies in the limit of 750kgs which is even lesser in case the car is smaller.
• The braked trailers on the other hand are equipped with brakes on their wheels and have the capacity of pulling weights between 1500- 3500kgs depending upon the type of vehicle being used.

The line of drive –

• The driver should take care of the rear ends while towing which is often misguided if following the line swept by the rear wheels.
• In bulky load carried at the rear, extra caution is required while towing.

Control during swaying –

• In case a trailer starts swaying on your tow drive, the best control can be made by stopping the use of accelerator.
• No brakes and dropping of the speed automatically brings the trailer in line with the tow vehicle.
• Good hold of the wheel and no sudden movements can help you further.

Well operating gearbox and clutch –

• Increased clutch pressure makes the vehicle slip.
• Increased pressure on the gearbox causes overheat of the fluid and stripping the teeth off the cogs and even further damages.

The Chassis strength –

• The chassis should be rigid enough to be able to handle the heavy weight that is exerted upon it while uphill acceleration.

Apart from the above guidelines, a driver is compulsorily required to follow some very important points that include –

• Always tow a trailer weight in accordance with your license permit.
• Always load your vehicle or the trailer to be towed in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines of the vehicle.
• Always be careful about the safety of the objects being loaded in your trailer which should be safe from collisions inside and at the same time not sharply peeping outside to cause harm to other vehicles outside.

Always be careful with the usage of headlights which becomes a very important factor when you are towing a vehicle.

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