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Abbreviations and acronyms for cars

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

4WD-Four Wheel Drive
Mostly cars are two-wheel drive, but driving all the wheels gives greater grip off-road or in snow also in ice.

4WS-Four Wheel steering
With four-wheel steering, the back wheels are turned electronically to give additional stability along with manoeuvrability.

A/wheels- Alloys (alloy wheels)
These are wheels made from aluminium alloy rather than steel. They are lighter, tend to look better and they are less likely to rust than steel ones; they cost more though.

A/C: Air-conditioning
This cools and dries the incoming air in your car to keep it is comfy in the summer heat.

ABS- Anti-lock Braking System
ABS prevents total brake lock-up in urgent situations and it also shortens the stopping distance but you can still maintain control of the steering.

BHP- Brake Horse Power
This refers to the useable power that is generated by your engine. It is one of the factors that persuade car performance.

C/coded- Color Coded
This is when the bumper as well as mirrors is the same color as the bodywork of a car.

C/con- Cruise Control
This is a device that keeps your car at a particular speed with no need to have your foot on the accelerator.

C/L or CDL- Central Locking or Central Door Locking
Central locking allows you to open all your car doors at the turn of a key or the press of a button.

Clim/con or ECC
Electronic climate control that automatically keeps your car at a fixed temperature either by cooling or heating the incoming air.

CRS- Child Restraint System
Child Restraint System (CRS) refers to a child’s car seat, booster cushion or booster seat.

DVLA- The Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency
The Government agency is responsible for maintaining the registers of vehicles and drivers. The DVLA is also responsible for collecting car tax.

E/M- Electric Mirrors
External mirrors can also be adjusted from inside the car using an electric switch.

E/seats- Electric Seats
Seats can also be adjusted using an electric switch.

ESP- Electronic Stability Program
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is a system which uses sensors to analyze a vehicle’s cornering stability, and if essential the system will automatically reduce power and/or apply gentle braking to correct any under or over-steering. Normally modern sports cars will have this feature.

ESR- Electric Sunroof
A sunroof is a glass panel in the roof of your car. If it is electric then it can be opened electrically, rather than physically.

E/W- Electric Windows
Windows can be opened or closed using an electric switch, rather than using a handle to wind them up and down physically.

FDSH- Full dealer service history
This is when the complete service history shows that all the services have been carried out by a main seller.

FFS/R- Factory Fitted Sunroof
A sunroof is a glass panel in the roof of your car. If it is factory fitted then it was fitted at the moment of manufacture.

FSH- Full Service History
This is proof of servicing according to the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule along with MOT certificates, repair invoices and whatever documents that relates to the work done on a car. This gives a complete view of how a car has been used and maintained.

GC- Good Condition
A car that is in good condition.

GPS- Global Positioning System
The use of satellite-generated information is to establish a car’s exact position and this information forms the base for Satellite navigation (Satnav) and Trackers.

H/L/W/W- Headlamp Wash Wipe
Headlamp Wash Wipe will clear your car’s headlamps for you.

H/seats- Heated Seats
This will literally heat your car seats to keep you warm on cold winter mornings.

ICE- In-Car Entertainment
This might be entertainment equipment that is fitted to your car such as car audio and car stereo device, CD and MP3 stereos, iPod kits or DVD players.

Immob- Engine immobiliser
It is as electronic device that stops your car from starting unless the proper key is used.

IRS- Independent Rear Suspension
Independent Rear Suspension denotes that each rear wheel can move in isolation from the other wheel, rather than them both being attached to a shared axle and it can make handling the car easier as well as making it more relaxed.

LHD- Left-Hand Drive
Countries are moreover left-hand drive (LHD) or right-hand drive (RHD). This denotes the side of the car where the steering wheel is placed. In UK it is right-hand drive and a left-hand drive car is one that has been imported from a left-hand drive country.

LPG- Liquefied Petroleum Gas (fuelled)
LPG is an alternative fuel to petrol or diesel.

LWB- Long Wheel-base
A long wheelbase vehicle usually has added space inside.

MOD-Manual Over-Drive
This is the highest gear in the gear system of a manual car. It allows the engine to operate at a lower RPM for a particular speed; as a result the car uses less petrol.

MOT- Ministry of Transport Test
An annual test is essential for the largest part of vehicles in UK over 3 years old to establish their safety along with roadworthiness.

MPV- Multi Purpose Vehicle
More commonly referred to as a people carrier. It is a huge family car with plenty of space inside and the alternative to move the seats around.

ONO and OVNO- Or Near Offer, Or Very Near Offer
This term is most frequently used with the price of a used or second-hand item that is for sale. It means the seller is open to negotiation, but he doesn’t want to go much below their asking price.

P/x or P/ex- Part exchange
This is when you give goods as part payment for a more exclusive item. Often when you purchase a new car from a dealer you have the choice of trading in your old car as part payment.

PAB- Power Assisted Braking
Many braking systems are ‘assisted’ so that the pressure that you apply with your foot on the brake is magnified by an unusual device fitted to the car.

PAS- Power Assisted Steering
Steering that is powered either electrically otherwise by a hydraulic system.

PDM- Power Door Mirrors
See E/M

REV- Revolutions
This refers to the revolutions per second inside the vehicle engine, increased by using the accelerator. Therefore the phrase “revving the engine”.

RDS- Radio Data System
This is a standard system used to send small amounts of information using the FM frequency. It allows a radio to display such information as station name, time and song information.

RHR- Rear Head Rests
The head rests positioned over the back seats.

RPM- Revolutions per minute
This refers to the total number of revolutions per minute.

RWD- Rear Wheel Drive
A vehicle in which the power is fed to the rear wheels rather than the front wheels.

SIPS (Side Impact Protection System) Revolutions per Minute
This term refers to the safety features in a vehicle that have been incorporated in order to reduce the chance of injury to passengers, or damage to the vehicle, upon impact from the side.

SatNav- Satellite Navigation System
The use of satellite-generated information to find out a car’s exact position and then it will provide the driver with mapping and directions. See also Global Positioning System (GPS).

SUV- Sports Utility Vehicle
The Sports Utility Vehicle combines the passenger capacity of a people carrier together with significant towing capacity as well as off road capability.

TC- Traffic collision
Term used as a substitute for “accident”.

TG- Top Gear
The highest gear available in a vehicle, normally fifth or sixth gear.

TDi
It is a technology produced by Volkswagen for modern diesel engines, which aims to produce better engine performance and reduce emissions.

TNT- Taxed and tested
A phrase used in car adverts to make it clear that the car is taxed and it has to pass the MOT test.

TP- Target Price
This is a feasible price that you should aim for prior to buying a car. Setting a target price gives you something to aim all the way through your negotiation.

TW- Tinted Windows
Windows has to be colored in order to restrict the glare of the sun also to increase privacy within the vehicle.

V5
This certificate will be issued when the vehicle is officially registered with the DVLA and you should inform the DVLA of both your personal as well as the key vehicle details as soon as you turn out to be the legal owner of a vehicle. This certificate is then issued.

VGC- Very good condition
A car that has a fantastic nick.

VIN- Vehicle Identification Number
Vehicle Identification number uniquely identifies a vehicle. This is different from the registration number and it consists of 17 characters.

VTEC- Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control
Basically this is a technology that Honda has developed to maximize the power of an engine while also raising its fuel effectiveness.

WLC- Whole Life Cost
Whole Life Cost (WLC) denotes the cost of running a motor vehicle for a defined period of time, taking into account depreciation cost, running costs, servicing along with all other expenses.

WO- Write off
A term that is used to express a vehicle which is worth less than the costs of the repairs required in order to make it road praiseworthy. The term is generally used after a vehicle has been into an accident.

Interesting Facts About Cars

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

. Top fuel dragsters accelerate around 5g from standing start and the nitromethane injection produces around 6000 BHP.

. The best ever time for removing a car engine, and replacing it in 42 seconds for a Ford Escort, on 21st November 1985.

. An airbag moves up to 4500 mph in one second when it is triggered. A force of 200g is generated and they are designed to burst out at an impact speed of 19 mph. The bag inflates in 40 milliseconds of a crash.

. The Ferrari Formula 1 team is unique in the reality that it produces both chassis as well as engines for its cars.

. Each day Ferrari makes a maximum of 14 cars.

. There were barely 107 models of the Ford GT40 made of which only seven were road cars.

. The Worlds longest traffic hold-up was 110 miles long, among Paris and Lyon on the French Auto route in the year 1980. A more recent competitor for the title was a 100 mile long traffic Jam, close to Hamburg in Germany in 1993.

. The first know automobile was built in the year 1668 and it was a two foot long steam powered model constructed by Ferdinand Verbiest who is a Belgian Jesuit preist.

. Luxembourg has the most crowded roads in Europe with Five hundred and seventy (570) cars per thousand (1,000) people.

. The very first car race ever seen in the United States was held in Chicago in the year 1895 and the track ran from Chicago to Evanston. The winner was J. Frank Duryea and his average speed was 71.5 miles per hour (mph).

. During 1924 a Ford car cost $265.

. The very first auto insurance policy is purchased in Westfield, MA, in the year 1897.

EUROPA i6 MID 2010 LOTUS CONCEPTION CAR

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

EUROPA i6 MID 2010 LOTUS CONCEPTION CAR
This is a conception from South African designer Idries Noah the Lotus Europa i6 which looks some what like the Elise/ Exige.

The Europa i6 conception study is a mid-engined, back wheel drive sports car enthused in terms of design by the classic Europa with Elite as well as by the latest Lotus models. The self-determining designer supports that preferably, the Europa i6 would weigh up about 2,030 lbs (920 kg) with power coming all the way from a 2.0-liter supercharged inline six-cylinder engine.

In presumption, he added that the sports car would run from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in 7 seconds and on to a high speed of 165 mph or 265 km/h. leaving aside the theoretical technical specs, Idries’ take on a compact mid-engined Lotus sports vehicle which hits the spot and it is too bad that and it exists only in the digital world.

Actually I like the old classic Europa which has the high rear section and it also has the character. The latest version looks exceptionally identical as Elise as well as Exige, not quite Europa. So I have decided to give it my own take. Enthused by classic Lotus cars, Europa as well as Elite. And taking some current Lotus trends into consideration. It’s well-known as the 2010 Europe i6.” Idries Noah says.

BMW Vision on EfficientDynamics Concept

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

BMW's visionBMW’s most recent concept combines a three-cylinder diesel as well as two electric motors to bring impressive fuel economy—plus 60 mph within five seconds.

BMW is using its home-market Frankfurt auto show to exhibit its most recent contribution to the hybrid trend, the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept. The 2+2 conception also contributes to the noticeably German trend of giving things names as long as a freight train, but it unquestionably provides a vision—so to speak—of things to arrive from Bavaria.

BMW describes the Vision EfficientDynamics perception as a four-door coupe with “outstanding aerodynamic qualities.” BMW says that the slippery shape combined with the BMW’s second-gen ActiveHybrid components along with “an extremely economical combustion engine” to go beyond the fuel efficiency of today’s little cars at the same time as delivering remarkable performance.

Hyundai 2011 Tucson

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

2011 tucson

At the moment, Hyundai exposed the renderings of its new 2011 Tucson compact SUV. This is a momentous new model for Hyundai, which is ahead in market share at the same time as other automakers are flailing. The 2011 Tucson will debut at the Frankfurt Motor show next month and the sale starts early on 2010.

2011 tucson1car_photo_284370_7

As per the source the key features of 2011 Tucson are:

  • The redesigned off-roader will be powered by a four-cylinder lineup of engines in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms.
  • As a recent finish in-house developed six-speed automatic designed for less fuel consumption in mind will likely find its way into the sportier 2011 Tucson as well.
  • As usual, diesel variants is been expected to be offered for the customers outside of North America.

what are the cars are cleanest?

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

The amount of smog a car puts into the air depends essentially on which emission standards it meets. (See “What are emission standards?” below.) It can also be affected by how you drive and maintain the car, how much fuel the car use, and the manner of fuel used.

Passenger cars must meet certain fuel mileage standards. Generally, the better the fuel mileage, the “cleaner” the car. For example, smaller cars typically get the best fuel mileage, which also means they pollute less.

Light trucks – which include vans, small pickup trucks, a

nd sport utility vehicles (SUVs)– are allowed to get lower fuel mileage than passenger cars. As a result, the average light truck pollutes more than the average car.

Some of the heaviest light trucks, such as large SUVs, do not have to meet any mileage standards. They are among the most polluting vehicles..

Emission standards

Emission standards limit the amount of pollution coming from a vehicle. All new vehicles for sale in the United States meet either federal emission standards (set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), or California standards (set by the California Air Resources Board). The California standards are stricter than the federal standards

What to do if your vehicle is stolen

Friday, June 12th, 2009

If your vehicle is stolen you should   report it immediately to the police. The police will notify the Driver-VehicleLicensing   Agency (DVLA) of the details of the theft and any recovery of the   vehicle on your behalf.

Call your local police station

Before calling the police to report the theft of your vehicle,   make sure you have all the vehicle details to hand i.e. registration   number, make, model and color of the vehicle.   The police will give you a crime reference number which you will need in the   event of an insurance claim and claim for a refund of vehicle tax on your tax   disc.

Call your insurance company

You will need to contact your insurance company immediately   for advice. If your vehicle is not recovered and your insurance company pays   out a claim, then you should tell the DVLA the date the payment was accepted and the name and address of the insurance   company.

You should complete the ‘notification-of-sale   or transfer‘ or V5/3 part of your registration document or the V5C/3 yellow   section if you have the new style registration certificate. If your insurance   company requests the whole of the registration document or certificate you should   tell the DVLA in a letter giving the details of   the insurance company and the date of the claim.

Refund of vehicle tax

You can apply for a refund on your vehicle tax if your vehicle   has been stolen and not recovered. Many vehicles are recovered within a few   days of theft, so it is advisable not to make the application until about seven   days after the theft. A special application form V33 is available for   this purpose. You will need the crime reference number given by the police.

What you should do if you have a personalized registration number

, you can normally reclaim it if the vehicle has still not been found after 12 months, provided certain requirements can be met.

  • The theft must have been notified to the police and recorded on DVLA records as stolen for not less than 12 months
  • At the time of the theft, the vehicle must have had a current MOT test certificate
  • At the time of theft, the vehicle must have had a current vehicle tax disc
  • The DVLA will require a letter from your insurers confirming they have no objection to the number being re-issued

To apply or for further information, you will need to write quoting your vehicle registration number to the Cherished Transfer Section, DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BW

Car Batteries

Monday, June 8th, 2009

Car battery is a rechargeable cubicle in the SLI (starting-lighting-ignition) variety of batteries. They are also lead acid family of batteries. Lead acid batteries are the oldest method of rechargeable batteries. High power output of a car battery is essential to provide a high current draw required for the engine starter.. The battery state of charge decrease the voltage produced also decrease.?

Battery power is formed through a chemical reaction… Inside the battery there are positive and negative lead plates are immerse in an electrolyte solution …This acid is made up of with the combination of water and sulfuric acid. When the solution mixed with the lead plates the chemical relations creates voltage. This

voltage is then released from the batteries positive terminal and returned to the negative terminal. Voltage from the alternator maintain the battery state of charge. This continuous cycle can make electricity for years.

Common Problems in batteries

When the battery is overcharged or jump started, water in the electrolyte solution is distorted into hydrogen and oxygen. This can cause an blast from the battery if a spark or another source of detonation is present. It also reduce the fluid level inside the battery and can depiction the lead plates… Exposure to oxygen can harm these plates and decrease their ability to provide the chemical reaction needed. check your battery on a regular basis, if acid is present replace the battery and verify the charging system.

Be extremely careful when managing a car battery, gloves and eye protection are required because battery acid are dangerious. When charging a battery use caution, always connect the leads when the charger is turn off. This will avoid a spark from being created; a battery is most prone to an blast after a battery charge. The most easiest way to recharge your battery by a process called trickle charging. This is performed using an low-cost trickle charger; most repair shops have a more powerful and more expensive battery charger that is capable of charging at a higher rate.

Clean the Battery and Terminals -

These deposits are acidic by-products of a normal battery charge and expulsion function. While wearing protective goggles and clothing, use a garden hose to wash the battery completely also wash the surrounding area, this will dilute the acid to a non-corrosive state

Battery Storage

  • Keep charge your battery to full capacity
  • Store up in a cool place but not where it will be below 0 C or 32 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Keep checking the battery every two months and recharge if needed
  • Take out all electrical connectors from the battery

Preparing your Car for Sales

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

A few quick and simple works could add hundreds of pounds to your car’s value before selling.

We show you the necessary steps to preparing your car.

Car maintenance checks

Car buyers love to check under the hat when viewing a car. The following checks will ensure your car is in great figure before selling:

  • Check your oil level and fill accordingly. Clean oil looks far better than sludgy treacle
  • Fill all water and coolant bottles up
  • Check your tyre pressure and replace any worn or damaged tyres
  • You can steam-clean the engine bay but avoid going overboard – some buyers may think you’re trying to hide faults. Take care with older cars, as steam-cleaners can sometimes damage fragile parts or connections
  • Clean out leaves and debris from the air intakes and make the engine bay appear well looked-after

Washing your car

Cleaning your car can greatly increase your chances of selling it – without costing the world. Here’s how to make your car gleam with pride:

What you’ll need

  • Car shampoo
  • Sponge
  • Bucket or hose
  • Leather chamois
  • Car wax or polish
  • Window cleaner and cloth
  • Vacuum cleaner
    Low-gloss cleaner

Avoid using washing-up liquid, as this can cause rust.

Tata’s ultra-cheap Nano Car: British Riding Impressions

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

Purchase of A Used CarThe British journalists from the Car Magazine went to India where Tata Motors produce the Nano car at the price of $2,500/ £1300, the cheapest car, by far, ever made. Unfortunately, they weren’t allowed to drive the car, only to have a walk on the back passengers’ seats. Thus, we found out that the largest Indian car manufacturer is ready to launch the car on the market as they have already started the production.

The Tata Nano is a small rear-engined four-passenger city car aimed primarily at the Indian market. The car has been very appreciated by many sources and especially by the British journalists as they have experienced on their own the car’s 33 horsepower and its ability to reach 65 miles an hour. They said that its four small wheels are at the absolute corners of the car to improve handling. There is a small trunk, big enough for a duffel bag. The car is powered by a 623cc two-cylinder engine at the back of the car. We’ve also found out that stationary, the four-speed gearbox’s shift felt long and lumpy. On a short run close to 60mph the Nano didn’t feel strained or unstable, so it should cope with extra-urban duties if required. Moreover, the tiny 12-inch wheels grip admirably.

According to Tata Group, the Nano has a fuel economy of 4.55 L/100 km (21.97 km/L, 51.7 mpg (US), 62 mpg (UK)) under city road conditions, and 3.85 L/100 km on highways (25.97 km/L, 61.1 mpg (US), 73.3 mpg (UK)). Besides, it is a little over 10 feet long and nearly 5 feet wide. The car will come in different versions, including one standard and two deluxe variants. The deluxe version will have air conditioning, but no power steering.

Overall, the guys from Car Magazines were pleased by Nano’s driving test and they reassure us that Nano drives like a proper car and it will probably be the best city car from Europe and not only once it will hit the market.