Saturday, February 10, 2018
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Me And Mercedes - A Personal View
By
Andrew Carter |
Submitted On September 24, 2015

Back in 2008, when we wanted to invest in a Taxi in Africa, we ended up buying a Nissan Bluebird from Belgium for a family in the Gambia - this because of their reliability, price and the fact that it was built in the UK. What our African friend really wanted though, was a Mercedes (just out of our pocket unfortunately). This because they are seen as indestructible, desirable, unbreakable the world over. No wonder so many city taxi fleets around the world rely on the brand.
So, this year, we've finally caved in, and have bought a turn of the century E-Class estate. The 'E', or 'Executive' Class that we now own is a silver (with some rust bubbles thrown in, E240. The class has been in production since 1993, and ours is the second (W210, "New Eyes") of the four generations currently on the roads around the world - the one with the round headlights and the flatter nose. The fifth generation should be with us in 2016.
We love our Merc. She's the size of a small barge, but still has a half-decent turning circle; a fairly large family with fairly large dogs can be comfortably accommodated; her 'toy' level is genuinely 'Executive' (rain sensors, headlamp washers, integrated dog guard, CD multichanger etc. etc.); and it's a smooth, powerful ride with the benefits of a 2.6 V6 170 HP engine, a good automatic box and cruise control, and the downside (therefore) of poor fuel consumption. At only 130,000 miles the engine is barely broken in - one of the main selling points of the brand being that their engines go on and on.
Is the Merc a Granddad's car? Maybe. As the Honda Civic is driven by elderly gentlemen in flat caps, so the Merc seems to be for empty-nesters with beards, a good salary and a sound sense of what life is about: these are people who have 'arrived'. The car speaks of affordable luxury, understated elegance, reliability and status, a great big scary wolf in the clothing of a well-bred sheep. Actually the range includes a wide variety today, from small A Class family cars to the huge salons beloved of dictators through the decades; from the 4 wheel drive wagons to the very quick sports versions.
One thing's for sure, the manufacturer has been at it a long time. Herr Benz made the world's first automobile back in 1886, and the first Mercedes branded car was made in 1901. The 1926 merger founded Mercedes Benz and the three pointed star trademark still familiar worldwide. I discovered I wanted one in the twenty noughties, now I own one - it makes me happy.
Andrew is a qualified teacher of English as a foreign language
(TEFL), a farmer with twenty years agricultural (mainly Pigs and
Research) experience, and worked for fifteen years in the global
automotive industry. He's now breeding bait / garden worms and selling
quality used cars, the latter being on show at http://www.dlfmotors.com
, the former shortly available on-line!Wheel Bearings: Sometimes They Need Replacement
By
Sam Iskander |
Submitted On September 25, 2015

Some newer cars are
equipped with hub bearing assemblies and have internally pressed
bearings that might not be able to be serviced by rather completely
replaced after years of use. Wheel bearings are exposed to a lot of heat
and friction and require a high quality lubricate in order to do their
job effectively. However, wheel bearings will always need replacing
after some time.
There are a few key steps that need to be taken
when checking to see if your wheel bearings need to be replaced or
serviced. Following these instructions carefully will decrease your
chances of making a mistake or causing injury to yourself or vehicle.
First,
use a jack to raise the wheel you think the bearings are compromised in
and allow the vehicle to sit on the jack stand. Next, spin the wheel
with force with your hands and listen through the sidewall of the tire
for any odd noises that resemble a grinding sound. Use your hands to
feel for any resistance as the tire spins.
Now, place one of your
hands on top of the tire and one on hand on the bottom of the wheel.
Using a rocking motion, wiggle the wheel. If the tire is serviceable,
the bearings will allow for slight movements up to 1/8th of an inch. If
you experience any bigger movements, this indicates that your wheel
bearing needs servicing, tightened, or replaced altogether.
Locate
the hubcap and the dust cap from the hub middle by using a hammer and a
set of pry instruments. You might find that a straightedge screwdriver
works best for this step. Take a look at the cap for any internal
dryness, cracking, or lack of lubrication.
Find the cotter pin and
remove it, then take out the castle cap and spindle nut by utilizing
the two channel locks. Next, remove the washer and strike the top of the
tire towards the inside using one hand with your other hand resting on
the spindle in order to catch the outer bearing. Take a good look at the
bearing and if it is able to be reused, repack it with plenty of
packers and lubricant.
Once you have fully inspected the bearing
washer located inside of the wheel assembly, secure the spindle nuts
with your hands and channel locks. Finish up by spinning the wheel
towards you to properly secure the bearing. Pull out the nut and replace
the existing cotter pin and cap. Place plenty of lubricant inside of
the cap.
You will also need to check out the hub bearing
assemblies to ensure their integrity. First, put your hand on top of the
tire and your other hand on its right side. Spin the tire towards you
while exerting solid pressure. Examine the tire for any resistance or
loud noises while it spins.
Next, put your hand on top and to the
side of the tire once again and rock it back and forth. If you notice
that the tire can rock more than 1/8 of an inch, the hub bearing
assemblies need replaced immediately.
Keep in mind, replacing
old-fashioned wheel bearings with newer models will save you money in
the long run. It is ideal to also replace wheel bearing that are rusty,
broken, and worn down. If your bearings are considerably worn down,
consider taking a look at your brake pads as they probably need
replacing too. Be privy to what your wheel bearings are up to and keep
an eye on whether they require replacement or not.
5 Insane Driving Laws From Around the World
By
I Mustafa |
Submitted On September 28, 2015

Russia Does Not Like Dirty Cars
For
reasons that are only obvious to those inside the Kremlin, Russia have a
law that states if you car is considered dirty by officials, you can be
fined around 2000 rubles (£85) on the spot. Russian citizens have
stated that they think this is just a way to gauge more money in fines
from unsuspecting motorists. In any case, if you haven't given your
bonnet a good wax and shine in a while, it is probably best to stay away
from Russia.
You Are Banned From Driving On Certain Weekdays in Manila
In
what seems like one of the most arbitrary rules in road law history,
the capital city of the Philippines bans drivers from using their
vehicles depending on the last letters of their licence plates. This is
apparently in response to the terrible driving conditions across the
city, where red lights are just a suggestion to stop and lanes are there
to be changed as much and as fast as possible.
Don't Honk Your Horn near Sandwiches in Arkansas
Inexplicably,
it is illegal to honk your horn near a shop that sells sandwiches or
cold drinks after 9 pm in Arkansas. When researching this law, I
couldn't find one explanation of why it was brought in and why no one
pointed out how stupid it is. Thinking about this leaves the mind
reeling with so many questions; why is it so specific about the
temperature of drinks? What does car horns have to do with food? Was
this a serious problem in Arkansas that needed to be stamped out?!
Drunks Can Only Sit in the Back in Macedonia
Driving
while under the influence of alcohol is a pretty sensible law; you lose
a lot of your sense of judgement while drunk and turn into an
overconfident idiot. Less sensible, however, is the decision to make
sitting in the front seat passenger seat of a car while intoxicated
illegal. While it could be argued that being driving even close to the
wheel of a car is dangerous, I don't think this is the case. Instead,
this was probably invented by someone who likes a bit to drink and then
to have a lie down in the back seat of a car while being chauffeured
around.
In New Jersey You Cannot Pump Your Own Gas
Filling
up your tank with petrol is by no means a difficult task, so it is
difficult to fully understand the purpose of a petrol attendant. Surely,
most people of perfectly capable of doing this themselves? New Jersey
doesn't think so, as there is actually a law that requires every petrol
station to employ an attendant to pump your gas. Some argue that this is
a way of forcing job creation within the economy, but opponent of this
argue that the money spent on this should be spent on more purposeful
jobs, such as city beautification.
All You Need to Know About Wheel and Tire Safety
By
Dan Hinchee |
Submitted On September 21, 2015
Your entire car performance depends on how well the four wheels
handle the road. Many people often focus on engine maintenance and
forget all about the wheels that the car rides on.
Wheel and tire
performance is very important for your safety when driving. The
following are some important factors to keep in mind:
Check your tire pressure
Depending
on how often you drive your car, you may need to check your tire
pressure at least once a week. Getting the right tire pressure prolongs
the lifespan of the tires, enhances safety and makes your vehicle more
economical in fuel usage. Your tire lifespan may reduce by up to 75%
even when you are operating at 80% tire pressure.
You can tell
there is a pressure problem when the tires start wearing out faster on
the outer edges. Tire blowouts often occur when the tire is under
inflated since there is not enough air to hold up the weight of the
vehicle. The sidewalls of the tires end up getting flexing beyond their
limit and blow out. If you are driving at a high speed, you could easily
cause a bad accident. Make sure you inflate the tires according to the
tire rating.
Replace your tires
Replacing all four tires may
be costly but it is not expensive as what you may lose in case of an
accident. Bald tires should be used on racetracks only. When your tire
treads are worn out and you cannot retread them, you need to replace
them. The treads enable the tires to grip on to the road surface, which
is necessary for breaking and making turns. Worn out tires are also
illegal and you can get a fine for riding on tires with a low tread
depth. You can buy a tread wear indicator and check the tread depth
yourself. Make sure to check all the tires in every main grove and at
least two different points along the grove.
Use the right tire for the right weather
You
cannot use the same tires for summer during winter. Tires come with a
variety of ratings. There are some which are all weather and there are
specially designed winter rated tires. If you experience heavy winters
in your areas with a lot of snow, you should get rated tires for your
own safety.
Clean your wheels
You need to clean the wheels
when you are washing the car. Avoid washing car wheels when they are
still hot as this could cause rapid contraction and weaken the wheel. A
lot of mud, grime and dirt often end up covering the wheel and this
could affect the way the breaks work. Get some mild soap and water to
loosen the grime and dirt and wash off the wheel when it is cool. You
can wax or polish the wheel after washing for the finishing. Make sure
you get the right rims for your tire so you do not damage the edges of
the tire.
A New Technology That Will Change Everything
By
William A. Edwards |
Submitted On September 28, 2015
Every few years someone claims that the world will be changed by a
new technology. Sometimes they are right, and other times they're
wrong. This has lead many of us to believe that we have all placed too
much faith in the technological revolution. Despite all our criticism,
concerns and fears about anything new that involves a microchip, no one
can deny that the world has changed for the better or worse thanks to
high tech gadgetry and there is no end in sight. In most cases there is
not an instant effect caused by new inventions. It takes time for
people, industry and governments to adjust. During those periods of
adjustment the technology has time to become refined and less expensive.
Workers who lose their jobs to new technologies end up having to look
for other types of employment. This is a cycle that people have
experienced since the dawn of the industrial revolution, and now it is
about to happen all over again in a huge way.
When cell phones came along most people thought of them as a new toy for the wealthy. Today, most people have one and for many the phone in their pocket is the only one they have. The instant upside is that we can easily stay in touch with our family, friends, employers or business contacts. More than just personal communication devices, smart phones now allow us to take care of many tasks that once required a PC to handle. The downside is that we can no longer hide from the world unless we simply do not answer our calls. Add to that the fact that we can easily become addicted to social media, texting, games and all kinds of online activities.
When the "mobile phone" revolution first started to explode a lot of investors and venture capitalists thought they would make a fortune investing in various schemes to buy or sell phones or air time. Most of those investments fell flat and ended up being loss leaders. That is why it is important to see what is coming, know when to make a purchase; or invest and how. Otherwise is it all too easy to become a victim of new technology. If you dout this just visit any garage sale or junk shop where you will find all sorts of technology that was supposed to go on for years and expand into more advanced versions. Good examples: Atari Game Systems, The Adam Computer, Game Boy, 8mm amd VHS Camcorders, Betamax and VHS Video Recorders/Players, Laser Disc Players, Cassette, 8 Track and Reel to Reel Tapes and Machines, Telex Machines, PDAs, Portable Televisions, LED Watches and Typewriters.
When personal computers first appeared they were expensive toys designed for geeks who loved electronics. Even after companies like Apple designed machines that would be attractive to everyone, they often became obsolete by the time they hit store shelves. People made and lost fortunes over these. That is because those early computers represented the type of advanced technology that kept advancing so rapidly that it left very little time for consumers to catch up. A lot of people jumped in to the early versions of these machines for fear that they might be left behind. I remember buying a bunch of different and unique computer systems with all their bells and whistles during the 1980s. None of them lasted or really did all that I wanted them to do. The upside for me was that I had to write my own programs for most of them to do what I wanted them to do, so I learned a lot about how these machines and their programs worked.
I recall when the "World Wide Web" was suddenly transitioned from a secretive way for the U.S. Military and Government to communicate and exchange data to a place where everyone was welcomed. A lot of people ignored or downplayed it at that time. However, before long all those popular electronic Bulletin Boards accessible by computer modems began to quickly relocate from phone numbers to web addresses. When the early Windows operating systems began to appear their emphasis was on PC applications. By the time that Windows 95 was released, even the venerable Bill Gates admitted that he had vastly underestimated how popular and important the Internet would become. A lot of other investors and companies saw the potential and rushed to get in on the excitement by creating Internet Service Providers with electronic mail. Since that time many of them have vanished or become a part of conglomerates. Understanding or seeing the potential of new technology is never enough. You have to know how to avoid the hype, survive the changes and possibly even make some money along the way.
In 2001 the Segway PT was unveiled. This two-wheeled people transport device was supposed to be the next big thing. Even Steve Jobs said that this invention would be "as big a deal as the PC." However, unlike cell phones, personal computers or the Internet, the Segway had a limited market. Children, senior citizens and many disabled persons can use cell phones, personal computers and the Internet. Most them could not or would not use the Segway. These personal transportation oddities fit the needs of various industries and businesses much like the robots and programmable machines that have taken over many manufacturing and other jobs, but like those devices the Segway has many limitations in terms of users, terrain and applications which have kept it from being the huge success that many once thought it would be. Wide appeal, application and usage are the key components to any truly successful new technology and one is about to begin a slow burn that will lead to an explosive change in society and the world of finance.
Some time ago Google demonstrated their self-drive car to a public underwhelmed by what they saw. The problem was that it was kind of ugly with that weird rotating thing on top and most people had no faith that fully automated vehicles could ever take over the roadways of the world. What people did not know then and many still have no clue about today is that many tech and car companies are currently betting the farm on the fact that self-drive vehicles will take over the road within the next ten to twenty years. We already have vehicles that can park themselves and now come with a wide variety of safety or anti-collision devices on board. Some vehicles now have the ability to make automated decisions about braking, parking and other maneuvers. Is it that hard to believe that there will be much more to come?
This new technology will not appear overnight, but it will benefit everyone instead of just being attractive to a niche market. It is going to be refined and slowly introduced to people a little at a time. When all the research and trials come to fruition, fully automated cars will begin to make a huge impact everywhere. Insurance companies that depend mostly on auto policies will begin to disappear. Auto body shops will be as rare as photo developing stands. The numbers of people who die or are severely injured in auto accidents will likely drop to an almost insignificant amount. Personal injury lawyers will have to look for new clients. Police Officers will have to find new and creative ways to write tickets. The price of gas will fall dramatically due to the efficiency of self-driving vehicles: Most automated cars will probably be powered by hybrid or alternative energy sources.
Prices on some consumer goods will drop as automated trucks hit the road and are able to pick up and deliver more frequently. Even with human monitors on board, those people will no longer need to wear themselves out by constantly handling the operation of such huge and cumbersome vehicles. That means they may be able to remain on board for longer periods of time. Lowering the cost of delivery to market will allow many new products to be introduced that might have been unavailable due to those cost factors. The expense and complexity of managing huge traffic systems will be lessened and the experience of having to travel at a snail's pace to and from work during the rush hour will be all but eliminated. The money saved by the implementation of self-drive vehicles could be used to repair and replace the many roads, bridges and tunnels that have become dangerous to use or are simply obsolete.
Governments see the potential of automated vehicles. We know this because many are slowly, but surely, adapting or enacting laws to accommodate this new technology. Self-drive vehicles are already legal for the purposes of research and development as far as the federal government is concerned. Several U.S. States have also made them legal to operate, with many others having already proposed pending legislation. Many state legislators have quietly been told to expect some fully automated vehicles by 2018-2020 at the latest. What concerns government officials and the developers of this new technology are the hackers. They can already use the existing technology in many new vehicles to take them over and bypass drivers. That is a real concern that must be dealt with from a legal and technological standpoint. That need for failsafe automated vehicles are one of the things slowing their development and appearance in new car dealer show rooms.
Things are moving fast when it comes to fully automated vehicles, but that does not mean that small investors or venture capitalists should invest in them right now. The truth is that no one really knows what twists and turns this new technology will take. Besides, I am certain that there will be all sorts of brand new after market and technological accommodation opportunities to make lots of money for small investors when the time is right. Just imagine all the new gadgets and systems that will appear as needed when this new technology becomes prevalent. Until then it is would be a wise new car buyer or high tech investor that keeps his or her eyes on self-drive vehicles and the markets they will shortly begin to create.
When cell phones came along most people thought of them as a new toy for the wealthy. Today, most people have one and for many the phone in their pocket is the only one they have. The instant upside is that we can easily stay in touch with our family, friends, employers or business contacts. More than just personal communication devices, smart phones now allow us to take care of many tasks that once required a PC to handle. The downside is that we can no longer hide from the world unless we simply do not answer our calls. Add to that the fact that we can easily become addicted to social media, texting, games and all kinds of online activities.
When the "mobile phone" revolution first started to explode a lot of investors and venture capitalists thought they would make a fortune investing in various schemes to buy or sell phones or air time. Most of those investments fell flat and ended up being loss leaders. That is why it is important to see what is coming, know when to make a purchase; or invest and how. Otherwise is it all too easy to become a victim of new technology. If you dout this just visit any garage sale or junk shop where you will find all sorts of technology that was supposed to go on for years and expand into more advanced versions. Good examples: Atari Game Systems, The Adam Computer, Game Boy, 8mm amd VHS Camcorders, Betamax and VHS Video Recorders/Players, Laser Disc Players, Cassette, 8 Track and Reel to Reel Tapes and Machines, Telex Machines, PDAs, Portable Televisions, LED Watches and Typewriters.
When personal computers first appeared they were expensive toys designed for geeks who loved electronics. Even after companies like Apple designed machines that would be attractive to everyone, they often became obsolete by the time they hit store shelves. People made and lost fortunes over these. That is because those early computers represented the type of advanced technology that kept advancing so rapidly that it left very little time for consumers to catch up. A lot of people jumped in to the early versions of these machines for fear that they might be left behind. I remember buying a bunch of different and unique computer systems with all their bells and whistles during the 1980s. None of them lasted or really did all that I wanted them to do. The upside for me was that I had to write my own programs for most of them to do what I wanted them to do, so I learned a lot about how these machines and their programs worked.
I recall when the "World Wide Web" was suddenly transitioned from a secretive way for the U.S. Military and Government to communicate and exchange data to a place where everyone was welcomed. A lot of people ignored or downplayed it at that time. However, before long all those popular electronic Bulletin Boards accessible by computer modems began to quickly relocate from phone numbers to web addresses. When the early Windows operating systems began to appear their emphasis was on PC applications. By the time that Windows 95 was released, even the venerable Bill Gates admitted that he had vastly underestimated how popular and important the Internet would become. A lot of other investors and companies saw the potential and rushed to get in on the excitement by creating Internet Service Providers with electronic mail. Since that time many of them have vanished or become a part of conglomerates. Understanding or seeing the potential of new technology is never enough. You have to know how to avoid the hype, survive the changes and possibly even make some money along the way.
In 2001 the Segway PT was unveiled. This two-wheeled people transport device was supposed to be the next big thing. Even Steve Jobs said that this invention would be "as big a deal as the PC." However, unlike cell phones, personal computers or the Internet, the Segway had a limited market. Children, senior citizens and many disabled persons can use cell phones, personal computers and the Internet. Most them could not or would not use the Segway. These personal transportation oddities fit the needs of various industries and businesses much like the robots and programmable machines that have taken over many manufacturing and other jobs, but like those devices the Segway has many limitations in terms of users, terrain and applications which have kept it from being the huge success that many once thought it would be. Wide appeal, application and usage are the key components to any truly successful new technology and one is about to begin a slow burn that will lead to an explosive change in society and the world of finance.
Some time ago Google demonstrated their self-drive car to a public underwhelmed by what they saw. The problem was that it was kind of ugly with that weird rotating thing on top and most people had no faith that fully automated vehicles could ever take over the roadways of the world. What people did not know then and many still have no clue about today is that many tech and car companies are currently betting the farm on the fact that self-drive vehicles will take over the road within the next ten to twenty years. We already have vehicles that can park themselves and now come with a wide variety of safety or anti-collision devices on board. Some vehicles now have the ability to make automated decisions about braking, parking and other maneuvers. Is it that hard to believe that there will be much more to come?
This new technology will not appear overnight, but it will benefit everyone instead of just being attractive to a niche market. It is going to be refined and slowly introduced to people a little at a time. When all the research and trials come to fruition, fully automated cars will begin to make a huge impact everywhere. Insurance companies that depend mostly on auto policies will begin to disappear. Auto body shops will be as rare as photo developing stands. The numbers of people who die or are severely injured in auto accidents will likely drop to an almost insignificant amount. Personal injury lawyers will have to look for new clients. Police Officers will have to find new and creative ways to write tickets. The price of gas will fall dramatically due to the efficiency of self-driving vehicles: Most automated cars will probably be powered by hybrid or alternative energy sources.
Prices on some consumer goods will drop as automated trucks hit the road and are able to pick up and deliver more frequently. Even with human monitors on board, those people will no longer need to wear themselves out by constantly handling the operation of such huge and cumbersome vehicles. That means they may be able to remain on board for longer periods of time. Lowering the cost of delivery to market will allow many new products to be introduced that might have been unavailable due to those cost factors. The expense and complexity of managing huge traffic systems will be lessened and the experience of having to travel at a snail's pace to and from work during the rush hour will be all but eliminated. The money saved by the implementation of self-drive vehicles could be used to repair and replace the many roads, bridges and tunnels that have become dangerous to use or are simply obsolete.
Governments see the potential of automated vehicles. We know this because many are slowly, but surely, adapting or enacting laws to accommodate this new technology. Self-drive vehicles are already legal for the purposes of research and development as far as the federal government is concerned. Several U.S. States have also made them legal to operate, with many others having already proposed pending legislation. Many state legislators have quietly been told to expect some fully automated vehicles by 2018-2020 at the latest. What concerns government officials and the developers of this new technology are the hackers. They can already use the existing technology in many new vehicles to take them over and bypass drivers. That is a real concern that must be dealt with from a legal and technological standpoint. That need for failsafe automated vehicles are one of the things slowing their development and appearance in new car dealer show rooms.
Things are moving fast when it comes to fully automated vehicles, but that does not mean that small investors or venture capitalists should invest in them right now. The truth is that no one really knows what twists and turns this new technology will take. Besides, I am certain that there will be all sorts of brand new after market and technological accommodation opportunities to make lots of money for small investors when the time is right. Just imagine all the new gadgets and systems that will appear as needed when this new technology becomes prevalent. Until then it is would be a wise new car buyer or high tech investor that keeps his or her eyes on self-drive vehicles and the markets they will shortly begin to create.
$132,000 Tesla Model X arrives September 29th, 2015
After years of waiting, Tesla Motors, Inc. finally released the online configurator for the Tesla Model X. It only features a Model X Signature Edition for now, allowing you to fully spec out the Model X Signature
starting from $132,000 and going way, way up to as much as
$143,750. For example, the “Ludicrous Mode” speed upgrade will cost an
extra $10,000 on top of the base MSRP of the vehicle.
With a 90kWh battery pack the Tesla Model X will have an estmiated (EPA)
range of 240 miles. It will sprint from 0-60mph (0-100kph) in 3.8
seconds and reach a top speed of 155mph (250kph). With the “Ludicrous
Mode” switched on, acceleration time drops to just 3.2 seconds, just
like the Model S P90D with “Insane Mode”. If you want to see how
Ludicrous and Insane mode look like, check the video below. The
performance is somewhat similar to the Tesla Model S vehicles, while it
will demolish SUV’s and crossovers, it clearly stands out from the best.
For example, a baseline Porsche Cayenne Turbo S
starts at $157,300 and it won’t bring you any tax rebates or discounts.
Fully specced out Cayenne Turbo S goes for as much as $209,255.
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