New Battery Technology Promises 100 Miles

There is a new battery in the automotive town and this one is the brainchild, creation, and product of Technology Research Laboratories, or TRL. This new battery is not yet in the market but it has already been made known by TRL that they are going to soon offer a new kind of battery for vehicles. Of course, it is not surprising because most manufacturers do first announce their new products – whether it be a new vehicle or some new Dodge parts – and they would then take their time to actually let the public see what this new product really is.

According to TRL, this new product of theirs is an innovation that would help battery manufacturers to get more sales. After all, consumers would surely be rushing to buy a battery that could run for a real long time and could be used even by hybrid electric vehicles. All these have been made possible because of the new kind of battery technology that TRL developed. And if the technology is applied, you would then be able to create one power source that is less costly and can be used for a longer time compared to the usual batteries one can find in the market right now. The company also does boast that this new technology of theirs also provide much safety which is very essential.

If you are thinking that such a technology could only benefit those people who own vehicles for their personal uses, then you should think again. You see, according to TRL, their new battery technology could also be used to manufacture and produce batteries for hybrid electric vehicles, as previously mentioned, as well as for commercial and industrial vehicles.

Compared to the conventional batteries that abound in the market, the batteries that could be created with TRL’s technology are actually produced using some principles on physical chemistry that the company uses. The technology also does make use of materials that are easily found in the market and need no materials that are quite expensive. You see, TRL did disclose that to create their batteries with their new technology need very ordinary materials like carbon and plastic. The company also does say that with their new battery technology, creating batteries for vehicles would also mean being friendlier to the environment. Despite such characteristics, the new battery actually can stand and survive through a great amount of electrical abuse.

Tried on a hybrid electric car, the new battery would work really well. And if TRL continues to produce such a revolutionary type of battery, the industry would certainly be leaning towards hybrid electric cars. The only problem though with this kind of vehicles is that in previous years, power sources are quite rare and come with a high price. TRL does promise that if you use their battery on a hybrid electric vehicle, you would find yourself speeding through 75 miles to 100 miles per hour.

About the Author:
Joe Thompson is the owner of a successful auto body shop in Ferndale, California. This 38 year old is also a prolific writer, contributing automotive related articles to various publications. Please visit Dodge parts for more information.
Added: 19 Oct 2006
Article Source: http://articles.simplysearch4it.com/article/39867.html

How Your Cars Suspension Works

"Suspension," when discussing cars, refers to the use of front and rear springs to suspend a vehicle's "sprung" weight. The springs used on today's cars and trucks are constructed in a variety of types, shapes, sizes, rates, and capacities. Types include leaf springs, coil springs, air springs, and torsion bars. These are used in sets of four for each vehicle, or they may be paired off in various combinations and are attached by several different mounting techniques. The suspension system also includes shocks and/or struts, and sway bars.

Back in the earliest days of automobile development, when most of the car's weight (including the engine) was on the rear axle, steering was a simple matter of turning a tiller that pivoted the entire front axle. When the engine was moved to the front of the car, complex steering systems had to evolve. The modern automobile has come a long way since the days when "being self-propelled" was enough to satisfy the car owner. Improvements in suspension and steering, increased strength and durability of components, and advances in tire design and construction have made large contributions to riding comfort and to safe driving.

Cadillac allegedly produced the first American car to use a steering wheel instead of a tiller.

Two of the most common steering mechanisms are the "rack and pinion" and the standard (or recirculating-ball) systems that can be either manual or assisted by power. The rack and pinion was designed for sports cars and requires too much driver muscle at low speeds to be very useful in larger, heavier cars. However, power steering makes a heavy car respond easily to the steering wheel, whether at highway speeds or inching into a narrow parking place, and it is normal equipment for large automobiles.

The suspension system has two basic functions, to keep the car's wheels in firm contact with the road and to provide a comfortable ride for the passengers. A lot of the system's work is done by the springs. Under normal conditions, the springs support the body of the car evenly by compressing and rebounding with every up-and-down movement. This up-and-down movement, however, causes bouncing and swaying after each bump and is very uncomfortable to the passenger. These undesirable effects are reduced by the shock absorbers.

The above information is directly from the Auto Insight program, which you can buy online from AutoEducation.com.
Common Problems:

· Shocks and struts can wear out and affect handling. If you car bounces excessively over bumps and leans hard in corners, your shocks could be warn. Look behind the wheel for the shock or strut and look for leaking oil. This is a sure sign of a worn shock or strut.
· Ball joints. Ball joints wear and can cause your car to wander while driving down the road. This is dangerous as they can separate and cause you to lose control.
Preventive maintenance:
· Check your shocks or struts for leakage frequently. Also pay attention to how your car handles. If you notice the ride deteriorating take your car in to have the struts checked.
· Ball joints should be checked when your car is inspected, if not, have your mechanic check them at least twice a year.
· At each oil change make sure you or your mechanic lubricates the ball joints and any other suspension components. Some components cannot be lubricated as they are sealed from the factory.

About the author:
Kevin Schappell maintains http://www.carbuyersclub.com where he gives advice on buying, selling, insurance, and financing. A mechanical engineer and car guy, Kevin has decided to spend his online time helping others learn about automobiles. To learn more about how your car works, Kevin has created http://www.mycarwizard.com
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Internet Provides Wealth of Information on Car Maintenance

(ARA) - A thorough check of your vehicle's major systems is a good idea before the snow flies, and checking your tires, brakes and battery is a good start. But if you're like many drivers, you may not know enough to recognize a problem when you see one.

For instance, do you know the telltale signs of a weakening battery? Do you know the difference between all-season tires and performance tires, or which one is right for your vehicle?

The Internet can provide a wealth of information for the car maintenance novice who is looking for tips on how to winterize a vehicle or make a specific purchase. Online resources, such as motorist.org and some manufacturer Web sites, can provide basic information on how systems such as brakes, shock absorbers and batteries work, why they're important, and what car owners should be aware of when preparing their vehicles for winter conditions.

For example, if your car cranks slowly when you try to start it, has trouble starting in cold weather, or if your headlights dim when the car is idling, have that battery checked. And if you're buying tires, all season radials are designed to handle dry and wet surfaces as well as some snow, while performance tires provide more grip and a sportier feel.

A new Web site, sears.com/auto, lets drivers compare features and prices of batteries and tires, gather information about automotive maintenance, and find answers to commonly asked questions and definitions for useful terms related to vehicle maintenance.

On the site, car owners can enter the year, make and model of their car to receive a list of tires and batteries designed to fit their vehicle. Items can be sorted by price, brand or product name, and car owners can compare as many as four similar items side by side. By entering their ZIP code, car owners can then find the nearest Sears Auto Center, where they can discuss questions and options with the experts on staff.

"With the information they gather online, car owners gain a better understanding of what they need and why, before they even begin comparison shopping," says Bill White, president of Sears Automotive. "Savvy consumers frequently come into their local Sears store with their printout of side-by-side comparisons when they are looking to purchase major appliances, lawn tractors, home theatre and other big-dollar items," he says. "Now, automotive tires and batteries are two more areas where sears.com can help consumers make fact-based decisions for major purchases."

The "Automotive Advisor" section of the site offers information on buying, maintenance, safety and more -- ideal as owners prepare their vehicles for winter driving. Common questions, ranging from how and when to check tire pressure to why "cold cranking amps" in your car battery are important, are answered in this section of the site.

The site also provides information on services Sears Auto Centers offer, such as alignments, brake service and wheel balancing, as well as a list of what is included with each service. All information from the site can be printed for quick reference. Because the products offered on the site must be installed on a vehicle, they are not available for online purchase, but can be obtained at Sears Auto Centers nationwide.

"On the Internet, auto owners can research the advantages of various products, compare prices and make decisions in the comfort of their own home," says White.

Sears also offers a wide variety of merchandise and services through its Web site, www.sears.com.

About the Author:
Courtesy ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com; e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com
EDITOR'S NOTE: Sears, Roebuck and Co. is a leading U.S. retailer of apparel, home and automotive products and services, with annual revenue of more than $40 billion. The company serves families through 860 full-line stores nationwide.
This article was posted on January 17, 2002
Article Source: articlecity