posted by Savanah on Dec 3
Do you ever dream of going on the perfect first date? Well, welcome to the club. There are some people, those rare crazy ones, who enjoy first dates and in fact live for them. Of course these are usually the same people who don’t really like relationships and are of the one-night stand fan club. And while there’s nothing wrong with that, keeping everything safe and consensual, those one night stands and a lifetime of first dates is not our cup of tea. There are expert the desperados out there though and more power to them. Meanwhile, for the rest of us, first dates tend to bring with them a certain amount of anxiety and nervousness. This is typically due to the amount of hope and ambition that one might have for future relationships, and while the best intentions might be there, first dates tend to bring out the awkward, superficial and self-conscious aspects we all possess within us.
So, if you’re one of the many who possess a bit of insecurity and anxiety over first dates, third dates or beyond, the good news is that you are not alone. Okay, there’s actually much better news than that to report. There are some easy tools and a bit of skills that can help you master your nerves and actually enjoy that first date. Maybe even you can be yourself while on it. And while it might be as easy as buying that new set of Pacer wheels to spiff up your car, and yes it’s true that many people’s identities are tied into their autos, there are other equally appealing measures you can take. By yourself that new outfit or get a new hair cut are all comparable activities. Well, that is, for those of us who don’t value our cars above all else. And here I see our target population is shrinking.
Well, fear not, there are some other great measures you can take before going on that date. One of the most effective tools is your own power of imagination. And this doesn’t mean the ole imagine everyone in the room is naked trick, unless of course it’s that kind of date. But it is close to the same mental trick. For instance, you can pretend that you are reliving this date from a much later point in time. If you can progress the relationship in your mind to the point of being well beyond at ease and comfortable with each other and then play it backward to the night in question, you’ll see that all of your worry was for naught. Of course it might freak out your partner if you share this secret and let them know you’ve already gone and married them in your mind. However, there are many others and they all relate to self esteem support and remembering that whatever happens, it’s going to be okay. You were okay before you met this person and you and your life will go on, even without them. And if the date doesn’t work out, you still have those fancy new xxr wheels .
posted by Savanah on Sep 24
The expression of one’s sexuality frequently has a direct symbolic connection. For instance, cars, trucks, motorcycles, almost any type of vehicle also has standard sexuality attached to them. And the manner in which this is manifested depends both on the automobile and the owner. It’s extremely common for a magazine to feature an incredibly attractive female next to or on the hot rod wheels , and while this is an advertisement feature, the symbolism involved indicates power and virility in the owner of that particular car. In a very direct manner, the advertisement is saying that whoever drives this vehicle or one like it will attract the female that is standing next to it. Of course some of these ads go even further and suggest that car itself is actually a sexual entity, substituting for the male viewer of the magazine. This is another symbolic association of one’s vehicle, it can be viewed as a metaphoric extension of one’s own sexual prowess.
In addition to personifying our vehicles and using them as an extension of our own sexuality, sometimes we even give them pet names of the opposite gender. This is another interesting vehicle dynamic and many wives and girlfriends complain their partner pays more attention to and cares greater for his vehicle than he does her. One of the other assumptions about fancy vehicles is that they overcompensate for a lack of virility or prowess in their owner. Regardless of how we want to bend the associations, the symbolism remains strong and most people believe a hot car will attract a hot mate.
The automatic question that evolves from this topic is along the lines of truth in the advertisement. Can a hot vehicle assure the owner of a hot romantic partner? The answer to that question is slightly relative and of course there is never any sure thing or guarantees, or is there? Isn’t it true that people are attracted to classy and expensive automobiles? It is more than suggested that the owner of a classic Jaguar will have little trouble finding passengers. However, the type of passenger one finds is another question all together. And here’s another aspect of the symbolism, just like we humans seem to attract a specific demographic of individuals, so do does the car we drive. It has been argued and some believe it to be absolutely true that just as our personalities attract certain individuals our cars, as extensions of our personalities, attract the same kinds of people. Whether this holds true, it’s certainly an interesting question. And yet another one might be to ask if this topic holds any key to understanding the amount of road rage that exists. So, if you put a pare of new custom tires on your vehicle does that mean you practice safe sex, or you’re just trying to keep up with proper maintenance of your vehicle? Perhaps it’s more than a little of both.
posted by Savanah on Nov 10
Nowadays there is an exploding market of used cars minneapolis is a good example of this. A failing economy means that not only are fewer people able to finance or afford a new car, but many people are trying to unload their cars in order to get some fast cash or to reduce the drain on their monthly budgets. This means that used car lots are brimming with both vehicles and buyers.
The best thing a used car shopper can do is take an honest assessment of their needs and means. This can be a painful process, but it’s much better to know what you can afford before stepping onto a car lot and facing a high pressure sales pitch. Those buyers who know what they are looking for, what that model and year of car is actually worth, and what they are willing to pay for it are in a much stronger negotiating position than those who are just idling looking for a car.
In addition to assessing what you need and can afford in a used car, you should also make sure you understand the value of your trade in. It may make more sense to sell the car outright to another dealer and then purchase your used car separately versus using it as a trade-in as part of the purchase deal. It’s also a good idea to arrange an auto loan in advance using a credit union or bank rather than waiting to see what a dealer can offer in financing. This will usually result in you having a more affordable interest rate and payment plan than otherwise. It will also help in the negotiating process. Dealers will usually take a price that they know is backed up by cash than a higher price that they then have to help arrange money to cover.
posted by Savanah on Aug 21
No matter what type of car you own, if you keep it long enough, you’ll eventually have to repair it. Imagine two vehicles, the Oldsmobile 88 (aka as the Eighty-Eight) and the Chevrolet Cavalier. The Oldsmobile 88 was a full-sized vehicle sold by General Motors and produced from 1949 until 1999. You might find a wide number of variations in its name, spread out over the years, from Delmont to Royale (eleven names were used in connection with the 88 badge). The Oldsmobile brand was originally created in 1897 by founder Ransom E. Olds. . When it was finally dropped in 2004, Oldsmobile was one of the oldest surviving Amercian automobile brands, and one of the oldest in the world.
If you still own one of these cars, you’ll find it increasingly challenging to maintain, even if you have its original Oldsmobile repair manual .
The same might be said of the Chevrolet Cavalier, a compact auto, which was produced from 1982 to 2005, except that, in this case, while the wagon was discontinued, the coupe, sedan, and convertible body styles eventually returned. With this automobile, as you browse through your Chevrolet Cavalier repair manual , you might see that your chances of finding parts and mechanics who know how to work with this car an easier task than you might with the Oldsmobile 88.
posted by Savanah on Aug 5
Anyone who needs to ship their car can use an auto transport service. It doesn’t matter if you’re rich, poor or somewhere in between, you can transport your auto and find rates to suit your needs. However, don’t wait until days before moving or buying a car on the other side of the country to find the best auto transport company, because you may be stuck with an unsuitable company at a price you can’t afford.
You can go online and fill out a form and get the best bid, or you can use a car dealership who utilizes car shipping companies and services, because they too may be able to get a good deal when it comes to shipping multiple automobiles. Independent companies will oftentimes have lower pricing than a dealership because their operation has no overhead which allows them to offer you cheaper pricing. Brokerages can also offer cheap prices due to the fact they aren’t obligated to certain trucks and particular routes, which means brokers can shop around to get you a great price on transporting your auto.
Military personnel can utilize auto transport services, but can only ship one of their vehicles. Many Military personnel have families with multiple cars, so it’s up to them to find another auto transport company. They’re in luck, because most auto shipping companies offer a military discount.
Shopping around online is your best bet for finding that perfect auto transport company and always ask to see if the company is registered with the appropriate state’s Department of Transportation and that their insurance is current and that the coverage adequate.
posted by Savanah on Mar 26
Have the kids gotten old enough to sit in the car for longer periods of time? Is it time to load them up and hit the road with the dodge caravan repair manual by your side and see some of the amazing sights. Which Highway is it going to be? There are many fantastic American highways to travel. If you haven’t made it up Highway 1 along the California coast maybe this would be a good time.
Maybe you would rather leave the kids at grandma’s house while you take this road trip. Maybe you would rather run it with a nice sedan or an old classic Ford Mustang. Just make sure you have the reliable manuals you need to keep it running smoothly. There are some great sights to see along the way.
If you start out in the Los Angeles area it will be at the Santa Monica Pier which is a great stop. This is also the end of the Route 66 that comes across the country from Chicago. The pier is a historical marker for Santa Monica. From there the drive takes you through Malibu Beach and on up to beyond San Francisco. Some say the best place to start is San Francisco or Monterey because following the highway south give a better view and easier road side stops for photo ops. The north part of the drive is really some of the most beautiful parts of the drive. The drive itself is a state of mind. One has to be in it just for the drive itself and not worrying about when the next stop will be. Turn on some great music that motivates you and take in the fresh air and sights with an open heart and you will be in driving bliss.
posted by Savanah on Mar 16
Almost everyone has a tire changing story. There are lots of memories connected to these moments, because they almost always come at the most inopportune moments. Whether it’s a high-speed blowout, or a simple little flat that goes unnoticed until the rain starts to pick up, we have all found ourselves by the side of the road at some point, trying to figure out how to work the jack. Some days are luckier than others, when some kind-hearted mechanic or police officer will stop to help, and other times it’s a solitary venture that seems to go on forever.
Moments like these remind us of how important it is to maintain your car tires , and sometimes a flat can be an excuse to finally get the trick new set of wheels that you’ve always wanted. Some of the inconvenience of having to change your tires is very much helped out by some of the best tire changing stories. It’s pretty hard for some of us not to think about Ralphie in the Christmas Story ‘s tire changing scene, and that little chuckle that always comes back can be enough to keep you a little bit warmer, or at least help to see the humor in these things.
That iconic scene, however, also reveals where we’ve come in terms of tire technology. It’s fascinating to see how things have changed over time, and it’s also interesting to see how films will try to create the past, even when they sometimes get some key details a little bit mixed up. The vintage tires in that scene are changed with nuts, when it’s only bolts that were on the wheels of that particular vintage. Special thanks go out to those who watch for anachronisms in classic films to point this out.
posted by Savanah on Aug 24
One of the components that serves to ensure the safety of a race car driver, is the tires. Anyone who has known anyone involved in the industry, especially those guys driving the cars themselves, knows the importance of a high quality general tire. As in the tires of a street car, the tires of the NASCAR automobiles are radials. However, racing tires differ due to the requirements of the racing industry. The materials used for production, the rubber and the metal, must be stable during situations of high speed and extreme temperatures.
The ability to change a tire by the pit crew is of importance to the competitions, and the need for a high level of traction on the course is of importance to the driver’s safety. Race car tires are often filled with nitrogen rather than air, due to the decreased moisture of the chemical. When tires get hot, the moisture will tend to expand and vaporize at the same time, which serves to cause pressure increases within the tire itself.
These seemingly small differences affect the way the driver is able to maneuver his or her vehicle. With the use of nitrogen, more control is given to the team, and they will be better able to deal with cases of a discount tires overheating. When the speeds of a race are extreme, the requirements alter, giving the drivers the benefits of an inner lining. This is equivalent to having two tires on one axle, one mounted inside the other, but having its own supply of air.
In the case wherein an out tire blows, the inner one will remain intact and functioning. This allows the drive to stop in the pit in a safe manner, and have the entire tire changed. There are various compounds used on race tracks. Soft compounds allow for speed, but harder compounds allow for durability. The difference is in the consequential wear and tear on the Toyo tire, the first wearing out the inner tire, and that later wearing out the outer. In all cases, tires are one of the most important ‘parts’ of a racing car, not only for the win, but for the life of the driver in the car.
posted by Savanah on May 19
Carbon fiber (alternatively called carbon fibre, graphite fiber, graphite fibre or carbon graphite) is a material consisting of extremely thin fibers about 0.005–0.010 mm in diameter and composed mostly of carbon atoms.
The carbon atoms are bonded together in microscopic crystals that are more or less aligned parallel to the long axis of the fiber. The crystal alignment makes the fiber very strong for its size. Several thousand carbon fibers are twisted together to form a yarn, which may be used by itself or woven into a fabric.
Carbon fiber has many different weave patterns and can be combined with a plastic resin and wound or molded to form composite materials such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic (also referenced as carbon fiber) to provide a high strength-to-weight ratio material. The density of carbon fiber is also considerably lower than the density of steel, making it ideal for applications requiring low weight.
The properties of carbon fiber such as high tensile strength, low weight, and low thermal expansion make it very popular in aerospace, civil engineering, military, and motorsports, along with other competition sports.
Many high performance wheel and tire package companies are now making carbon-fibre rims with each of them weighing about 9lb less than an equivalent alloy wheel. Check with a tire dealer when looking for tires and rims for your vehicle.