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Category Archive : Auto

Truck rental: the cheapest source of goods transport

If you need to transport your items urgently, the truck rental option is available to you. It is the cheapest and safest source that anyone can buy. Trucks can be available in different types and sizes, from the smallest pickup truck to large highway trucks. It is up to you which one to use depending on the load. Many rental agencies have emerged that offer trucks for hire purposes and also at affordable prices.

When hiring, the only thing you need to consider is the requirement of the type and size of the truck. For example, to transport goods or items that require controlled temperature it is required to opt for a hot or cold truck or if you want to transport your car in a truck, you obviously need a truck trailer for the maintenance and safety of the car. Thus, renting a truck can solve many problems.

Another topic related to hiring trucks is scaffolding rental. Scaffolds include all basic household jobs used by the home owner at the time of renovation. It includes painting the house inside and out, replacing damaged and broken boards and rafts, installing new furniture, etc. Scaffolds basically help to perform various tasks like maintenance, modernization, and construction. Due to the flexibility and unique design, scaffolding rental is in high demand.

There are 3 main components in each scaffold assembly. It includes pipes, which are sometimes called tubes, boards, and couplers. The pipes are linked together by couplers and the platform allows workers to stand on it so that they can work efficiently. The board is also used to carry construction equipment such as bricks and paints. To do the job safely and keep the scaffold structure in place, hooks and nail plates are regularly used. Other equipment often used for scaffolding are debris chutes and nets. The necessary equipment for scaffolding is readily available in the market and can also be rented.

The Seven Deadly Tax Sins: Commonly Missed Deductions

It’s that time again, the tax deadline of April 15 looming. If you’re like most people, you haven’t gathered all of your tax records, much less filed your return.

Before we dive in and get started, take this opportunity to first review a list of some tax deductions that you may be entitled to if you itemize deductions but are overlooked by most people. Many of these deductions are subject to various limitations, so consider getting professional help from your tax advisor and accountant to determine which deductions you qualify for and which items apply to your specific circumstances. Remember, there are hundreds of deductions in all tax laws; many of them can be quite obscure but also quite lucrative. Here are seven commonly missed deductions to consider:

  • Points about refinancing: With interest rates so low in 2003, there was a lot of refinancing activity. The points you pay to refinance your home can be deducted pro rata over the life of the new loan. Also, all unamortized points from the old refinance are deducted in the year of the new refinance.
  • Health Insurance Premiums – All health insurance premiums you pay, including some long-term care premiums based on your age, are potentially deductible. Medical expenses must reach 7.5% of your adjusted gross income before they can grant you any tax benefits. The self-employed can deduct 100% of the health insurance premiums paid by themselves, their spouses and their dependents.
  • Non-Cash Charitable Contributions – If you’ve used your credit card for charitable contributions, remember that the deduction is allowed in the year you charged, not when you actually pay the bill. In addition, you can cancel certain out-of-pocket expenses related to charitable activities. Appraisal fees paid to value property donated to charities may be taken as a miscellaneous deduction subject to the 2% floor on miscellaneous deductions.
  • Higher Education Expenses – If your adjusted gross income was not more than $ 65,000 ($ 130,000 for married filing jointly) in 2003, you can get a deduction above the line of up to $ 3,000 for any higher education. tuition fees and fees you paid. For 2004, the deduction can be up to $ 4,000. For those with higher adjusted gross income limits ($ 80,000 single, $ 160,000 married filing jointly), the deduction is limited to $ 2,000 for 2004. This deduction must be coordinated with other education credits and savings vehicles.
  • Work Related Expenses – You can write off many work related and job search expenses such as education that maintains or enhances your skills, certain business tools, union dues, cell phone depreciation, certain job search expenses in your occupation current, including employment agency fees, resume preparation and travel expenses (local and out of town) and cleaning and laundry bills during a business trip. Work-related expenses are subject to the 2% floor on miscellaneous deductions. Also, if you buy a new SUV for business use that weighs more than 6,000 pounds and file Schedule C or other business tax return, you may be allowed to write off the full amount (up to $ 102,000 in 2004) in one year as a business. . Expenses subject to limitations.
  • Clean Fuel Deduction: If you’re not in the market for a large business SUV, you can still get a deduction for your personal car, another deduction above the line of up to $ 2,000 for 2003 ($ 1,500 for 2004) from the cost of buy a clean fuel vehicle or a car that uses a significant source of energy other than gasoline. That includes hybrid cars, like the Toyota Prius, the Honda Insight, and the Honda Civic Hybrid. You get the deduction in the year you start using the car and you must be the original owner.
  • Investment expenses and taxes: In addition to forgetting to deduct tax preparation fees and the part of their legal, accounting, or financial planning fees that relate to tax planning, many people do not deduct investment expenses. Those include certain fees paid to your financial advisor and / or broker and certain IRA fees that you can pay directly. You can also include mileage for meetings and long distance phone calls to your advisor or broker. Do not forget to include deductions for the cost of your investment publications or subscriptions, safes used for investment related documents, these deductions are subject to the 2% floor on miscellaneous deductions.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each RV model?

A class

The Class A RV is the most prestigious of all RVs on the market. The advantages of this RV are that there is always a market when you prepare to sell and there are many used models to choose from when buying. The new A-Class are very safe vehicles, your family can even move in the vehicle while driving. Class A ones are easy to finance and insure and have good repair records. This type of RV makes it very easy to “dock” (park anywhere without electrical hookups). Just stop where you want to go and eat dinner that was made while driving or just fall asleep. You never have to get out of your RV to set up because it is self-sufficient.

The biggest disadvantages of the A-Class are that they are also the most expensive. Many of the new Class A’s get less than 7 miles per gallon and the older ones may not even get more than 5 miles per gallon. Every time you want to go somewhere you have to break everything down unless you have towed a vehicle, but that makes your vehicle harder to drive and harder to drive. Many people find it impossible to back out of Class A RVs and intimidate them into driving them. When major road repairs are needed, he is forced to check into a hotel until his “home” and “transportation” are repaired.

Class B

The Class B RV is sometimes called a conversion van. Because they are basically a truck, the parts are easy to find and most mechanics can do the repairs. They are the easiest to drive, park, or fit in off-road locations that are impossible to reach with larger RVs. The B-Class offers great fuel economy compared to other RVs and is fast on the highway.

Class B is the most expensive per square foot and has very small storage compartments. They are better for one person, but two could possibly spend a weekend together, rather than a weekend could cause serious damage to their relationship. Some of the replacement appliances are hard to find because they were made for small rooms. When it comes to staying in a camp, you will probably pay the same as a bus would pay for the same space. The front window will require a windshield cover to provide privacy and reflect UV rays.

Class C

The Class C RV is a recreational vehicle built on the frame of a van or truck. The advantages of this type of RV are that it is generally easier to obtain parts and repair. They offer the family the same comforts of the Class A RV in terms of living space, while being more economically priced than the Class A. They generally have better sleeping capacity for families with a superior bed with a queen size mattress. They are ideal for long camping trips with large families. The Class C does not intimidate the driver like a Class A, as it is more like driving a truck or van than a bus. As a used vehicle, they are often easy to find and can be purchased reasonably cheaply. They are especially well cared for if the owner has purchased an RV cover to protect the exterior.

The downsides to the C-Class are that their price seems to depreciate faster than their big brother, the A-Class, and the storage space is considerably smaller than the A-Class. They don’t have the luxury look of the A-Class, as usual. they will do it. be more of a camper than a coach. Front cab windows sometimes leak where roofs are mounted and the windows will need a windshield cover to provide occupant privacy and keep the cab cool.

Travel trailer

The advantages of the travel trailer are many. The travel trailer offers a single level floor plan compared to the upper level fifth wheel bedroom. If you are using a truck to tow the RV, you have not lost use of the truck bed like you do with the fifth wheel. Some of the smaller, lighter models can be towed by a large car or truck. Travel trailer costs much less than motorized RVs. This is especially important if you need to do repairs on the RV. In this case, you can leave the motorhome for repair and still have the use of your truck or van. Plus, when you arrive at your vacation spot and prepare for your stay, you have the truck or van to get around and visit other destinations.

The downsides to these RVs come from driving the travel trailer. Larger travel trailers have quite a few balancing and handling problems. These are the most difficult to steer, drive, and brake of all types of recreational vehicles. Slow and cautious driving is recommended. Trailers of any type (fifth wheel or travel trailer) do not have the luxurious look of the coach.

Toy carrier

The toy carrier was designed for families and sports enthusiasts. There is a large cargo room at the rear that allows you to take your bikes, motorcycles, snowmobiles, jet skis, or other outdoor recreational vehicles to places such as the desert, the woods, or the woods. It’s like taking your garage with you. The garage of your toy carrier can also be used to house extra beds for large families or their guests. You can even add a toy transport screen to provide a shady area that keeps mosquitoes and all other insects out.

Something to consider if you are considering purchasing a toy transporter is whether you have a vehicle that can support the weight of the combined RV and toy transporter with a full garage. The weight of the RV and all of its toys will require the largest eight-cylinder or a heavy duty 250 or even a Cummings diesel.

Fifth wheel

The fifth wheel costs less than motorized RVs when it comes to square footage. Some people like the two-level floor plan caused by the hitch setup. The newer fifth wheels have multiple sliding outs. These slide in and spread the square footage, allowing you to stay in one place for many weeks without wanting to kill in another. The raised neck section of the fifth wheel (called the gooseneck) connects on the flatbed of the tow vehicle to the fifth wheel hitch. This hitch design reduces the overall length of the vehicle and, since a large majority of the weight falls on the rear axle of the truck, improves traction and handling for both vehicles. In case the trailer needs repairs, the fifth wheel trailer can be left at the repair shop while you can still use your truck. Also when you arrive at your destination and have prepared for your stay, you have a truck that can take you wherever your dreams take you. This is much easier than driving a huge motorhome to a nearby grocery store to buy some items.

There are some downsides to the fifth wheel. One is that the fifth wheel moves higher than the travel trailer, so it tends to fly a bit on highways and in severe storms. The fifth wheel hitch limits the use of the truck bed to transport large items and a car or truck cannot carry a fifth wheel.

Life crucified to abandon everything for Jesus

Jesus said in Luke 14:33 So also, whoever of you does not abandon all that he has cannot be my disciple. Jesus has expounded a teaching from Luke 14:26 to 14:32 and now he says this. Let’s take a look at what Jesus says and means by this statement.

In Luke 14:26 Jesus says that unless you hate your mother, father, sisters, brothers, wife, children, and even your own life compared to your love for Jesus, you cannot be His disciple. Jesus means that your love for Him must overshadow your love for anyone else who is dear to you, and even your own life. If you can’t make the decision to follow Jesus to do a certain thing when your entire family is opposed, Jesus makes it clear that you are not really His true disciple.

In the next verse, verse 27, Jesus says that serving Him with your whole life and being a true disciple of Him comes at a cost, and that cost involves taking up the cross of personal death for yourself and your own desires and choosing each day. instead of following Him and the principles of His Kingdom.

Jesus goes on to say in verses 28-30 that if you don’t die to yourself and make great sacrifices to live the crucified life and thus become set apart and holy before others, the world will laugh at you and call you. justly. you are a hypocrite who takes His name but will not go through hard effort to become like Him.

In verses 31 and 32, Jesus goes on to say that you are in a real war with the flesh and temptations and that most of you have given up the fight without knowing that you have. He says that instead of fighting with the help of the Holy Spirit and with the power of His blood, they have given up the fight against sin and allowed sin and their flesh to rule their bodies. He says that if you want to live for Him you have to get up and really fight.

Now that we know everything that has happened before, we can see what verse 33 says when it says, “So also, whoever of you does not abandon all that he has cannot be my disciple.”

You have to give up your life in the flesh.

You have to give up your own selfish desires for the things of the world.

You have to decide to follow Jesus no matter what your family says.

You have to follow Jesus even if your family and loved ones are not with you.

You have to obey Jesus every day and walk the way his teachings command you.

You have to walk in the Light of His Truth and take up your cross.

You have to obey Jesus and the Bible and repent of all your habitual sins and free yourself from a life of sin for years and become a saint.

You have to abandon the incorrect teaching that says that you cannot be holy and even less sin and live a life of holiness.

You have to give up your television time and spend time in the Word, in prayer, and doing things for the Kingdom.

You have to abandon friends who will not follow the same path as you.

In short, to sum it all up, you have to radically change the way you have been living and abandon everything related to that life and apply all your free time, your resources and your efforts to serve God. If you can’t do all of the above, you are not the disciple of Jesus.

The proper Christian life is rare. Holy men and women of God are rare. people who serve God with all their time, all their resources and every breath are truly rare on this earth. You may not even know one. When you are living the crucified life, your life sees results and you see the fruit of what you are doing.

I preach a difficult message and share it not to condemn you, but to convince you to come before God and repent in tears. I do not share this to look good, I only share it because I am called to be a Teacher and teach people the truths hidden in the Word of God.

I know that many will read this and reject it. I write this and I dedicate my time to the 20% that will be condemned and will change.

If you think you have abandoned everything, I doubt that you have. But if you have and agree with what I have said here, I would love to hear from you in a comment.

2012 Ford Ecosport Vs Ford Kuga

Ford introduces the new Ecosport as its first global compact SUV in Brazil and then in Asian markets. Recently, Ford of Europe did the same designed for the global market, but announced that it was its first Kuga compact sport utility vehicle. Both the Ford Ecosport and Kuga offer passenger car-like comfort and SUV versatility that deliver superior fuel efficiency, class-leading safety, and cutting-edge technologies.

Ford of Europe announced that its “experts identified the varied and often conflicting tastes around the world to create an intercontinental call for the company’s first global compact SUV.” This applies to both Ford models, but the Kuga leans more towards comfort and technology in most mature countries compared to the Ecosport version, which is a much simpler and cheaper SUV. Therefore, the EcoSport is intended for emerging markets and is unlikely in mature markets such as Europe, North America and Asian countries where the Kuga will be sold.

The cheaper Ecosport is more welcome in Brazil in view of the high taxes that slow down the sale of luxury SUVs. Kuga is hit hard as consumers are more likely to seek fuel-efficient small SUVs. However, in China, Kuga is selling as well as Ecosport due to lower taxes. In fact, Kuga attracted more attention than Ecosport and apparently sold more when the two compact SUVs were displayed side by side at the Beijing Motor Show during the show.

To create a more economical and profitable SUV to make in Brazil, Ford designed the EcoSport B on a platform, a compact hatchback with a spare tire from the outside. This could save space with this approach, but at the same time it also challenges most SUV manufacturers as most of them no longer carry the spare tire from the outside.

As for the Kuga with more space than the Ecosport, it comes with more technology. Features include the Ecoboost engine that is more powerful and efficient. For Ecosport it has its minor benefit, such as the lid of the electric trunk lock, thrown into a hidden slit in the right rear light. But for a more advanced technology designed for the Kuga, it has an automatic lid opening system, activated by the movement of the foot under the rear bumper. That shows the differences between development and underdevelopment.

However, the left panel of the interior of the Kuga looks like Ecosport, following the visual identity of the Ford world, known as kinetic design. Ford designed the EcoSport and Kuga, as well as other models, with customers in mind, in addition to fuel efficiency, world-class safety, powerful performance, and practical versatility.

With different SUVs flooding the market each year with more advanced technology, what do you prefer for an SUV, luxury or affordable?

Why buying a used car is the smartest decision

Buying a new car is an exciting adventure, but it can also involve a lot of running, dealing with different car dealers, and doing a lot of research. New cars are expensive.

In 2015 the median price for a new vehicle was reportedly $ 33,500 and just as you leave the dealership and hit the road in your new vehicle, your car’s value almost immediately drops by at least 11%. The value of a new car also drops almost 20% each year, reducing the value by almost 30% in the first year alone.

That begs the question, why wouldn’t everyone buy a used car? The reasons range from wanting you to be the first and only owner, knowing what you are buying, and not wanting to do the proper research.

While a new car should never be considered a bad investment, there are other options that can save you thousands of dollars, and the difference in vehicles is usually not far behind.

For example, if you search, go to the dealerships and find the type of car you want, you should not stop there. Keep shopping and look for used vehicles of the same model, based on use and mileage, you can save more than $ 10,000 in some cases.

Many people think that used cars are broken or beaten up. And while that may be true, chances are when someone is selling your old one because it is still in good condition and is probably looking for a change too. Doing the right research and working with the right people is important in finding the best deal available.

Here are five of the best used cars you can find for under $ 15,000.

1. Cadillac CTS 2011-2014 – The Cadillac CTS was a turning point for the automaker, making it more competitive by offering a more affordable price while maintaining the luxury, comfort, and driving precision of its older models. This midsize car is one of the best options when looking for a used car.

2. Mazda 6 2014-2016 – While this may be difficult to find, it is one of the best new models you can buy used. The Mazda 6 has a great, clean interior, plenty of storage space, and a variety of up-to-date technology throughout the vehicle.

3. Honda CR-V 2012-2016 – For a compact SUV, the Honda CR-V is one of the best bumps for your investment when buying used. Practical and reliable, the CR-V is one of the newest and best models you can find.

4. Toyota Camry Hybrid 2012-2015 – The Camry Hybrid is a great option when buying used and looking for a cleaner ride. Offering a comfortable and efficient ride, the Camry Hybrid also returns approximately 40 miles per gallon, saving you even more money.

5. Toyota Tundra 2007-2013 – In terms of trucks, it’s hard to find a better deal than the Toyota Tundra. Durable and reliable, the Tundra is ideal for working, towing, and essentially anything you want from a truck.

Buying a used car is the smartest decision. Not only will you save money, with the right amount of time searching and the right research, you can save a ton and use that money elsewhere.

Try taking the actual car you’re looking at to a personal mechanic as well, allowing them to check the vehicle to make sure there aren’t any issues. That is very important to make sure the car is in good condition both inside and out.

There are many great places to buy used cars, allowing you to test drive and check your vehicles before making any purchases. If you take the time to do the proper research and make the right purchases, you will save on your new vehicle. For the new car buyer, it makes sense to buy a used car, saving you money almost immediately and in the long run.

Regardless of whether you choose to buy a new or used car, you’ll want to keep your new purchase protected. Finding cheap car insurance near me is the best option to stay safe and covered no matter what event you may encounter on the roads. The right insurance company will be with you every step of the way, whether it’s on a new or used car.

Swapping a V8 for a Toyota MR2: Build Your Own Supercar

Please note: This is the first in a series of articles on this topic.

For many years, I have dreamed of owning an exotic mid-engine supercar. Unfortunately, they remained out of my reach financially. I decided the only way to get one was to build it myself. I’ve always been fascinated by mid-engined sports cars because of their superior handling, braking and traction compared to a front-engined sports car, even those front-engined cars with a rear transaxle, which supposedly have an optimal weight distribution of 50 / fifty. I like to call them “dumbbell cars” because their weight distribution is like a dumbbell: heavy at the ends and light in the middle. This is decidedly suboptimal for acceleration, handling, and braking.

Compare this to a mid-engine car, where if you were to make a dumbbell look like a mid-engine car, the weights would slide toward the center. Now if you want to make the dumbbell, or mid-engined car, turn on its vertical axis (called “yaw” in aeronautical terminology), it will do so much easier and faster. This is because tire traction does not have to overcome the inertia that a front engine / rear transaxle car would have on each end of the car. The result is that the car will be able to change direction faster and with less tire wear. Peak G-forces will also be much higher on a mid-engined car, which means it’s quicker around corners. The traction of the rear wheels during acceleration is higher, since the rear wheels weigh more. Interestingly, there are many “side effect” advantages in mid-engined cars that the automotive press doesn’t mention.

Some examples:

1) The exhaust pipe is usually very short on a mid-engined car (compared to a front-engined car), so the engine has to overcome less “pumping losses” or resistance to the exhaust coming out of the exhaust pipe. This means more power. The exhaust system will also be lighter as there is less. Dumbell cars have no advantage here.

2) The rear brakes do MUCH more braking vs. a front-engined car. When you step on the brakes, the weight is transferred to the front wheels. This means that the rear wheels are unloaded. In front-engined cars, the front brakes make about 80% of the stops. That’s why the disc brakes at the rear took a long time to catch up. They are simply not needed in the rear. A mid-engined car has a LOT more weight (usually around 55-60%) on the rear wheels. When you step on the brakes, the weight is transferred to the front, so when braking, you might get between 50% and 60% at the front. Dumbell cars get some of the help mid-engined cars get, but not as much, because the engine is still in the front and is much heavier than the trans at the rear.

3) the mid-engined car has no driveshaft (unless it’s an AWD car, like the R8 or Veyron) so there is a weight saving here.

Unfortunately, most mid-engine cars are very expensive. Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Zonda, Koenigsegg, Bugatti, etc. Some of these cars are over a million dollars! Mid-engined cars also tend to be more difficult to work with. Changing the spark plugs of exotic species is an important operation. The McLaren F1 requires removal of the engine to change the spark plugs!

In the realm of affordable mid-engined sports cars, there are the Pontiac Fieros and Toyota MR2s. In each case, the cars came with 4-cylinder engines. The Fieros had V6s too, but those V6s were underpowered, at a whopping 140PS. In 1990, Toyota redesigned the MR2 and also improved the horsepower. Base models had 130 hp and the top-end Turbo was 200 hp, which at the time was quite a lot for a car weighing 2,700 pounds.

The new body was very attractive, much like the Ferrari 348 of the time. The build quality was also superior as it was a Toyota after all. I decided to buy a 1993 Toyota MR2 turbo in 2005 with the intention of making a change from Toyota V6, which up to that point, had been done by many people. Around the same time, I found out that there were a few attempts to install a V8 engine in the older MR2 (Gen 1, 1984-1989 body style, or make 1). There were also attempts to install a Toyota / Lexus V8 engine in an MR2 mark 2. Attempts to convert the V8 into the MR2 mark 2 were not completed and the project owners gave up. The reasons were unclear, but it seemed to stem from the fact that the Toyota V8 was simply too long to fit the car crosswise, even after severely cutting the car in an attempt to make it fit.

As a mechanical engineer who happens to be a mid-engined sports car freak, I was intrigued by the prospect of putting a V8 in my MR2 Mark 2. With a powerful V8 engine, the MR2 would be transformed into a supercar, with supercar performance. . The guys at Fiero have enjoyed swapping V8s in their cars for many years. The Fieros have an advantage over the MR2s in that the engine compartment is wider, allowing for a larger and longer engine, like a V8. All Fieros and MR2s have cross-mounted engines. Another advantage the guys at Fiero have had is that Getrag’s stock transaxle bolts to a late ’80s / early’ 90s Cadillac 4.9L OHV V8. The rear Cadillac Northstar also bolts without an expensive adapter plate machined to measure.

At the end of 2007, a guy in Europe completed another V8 in an MR2 mark 1 (1st generation). The car was insanely fast and would make cookies in no time. What fun! So, I took another look at previous attempts to install a V8 on the MR2 Mark 2. What I realized was that they were trying to “keep it in the family” and use a Toyota or Lexus V8. There really was no valid engineering reason to use this power plant. It did not bolt to any of the MR2 transaxles and it was too long. The used Toyota V8 (engine code 1UZ-FE) is approximately 26 inches long from the crankshaft pulley to the rear face of the engine or the interface of the bell housing. This is the critical dimension. Compare this to stock MR2 engines like the 2.0L 3S-GTE turbo engine which has a critical dimension of 20 inches. This dimension is critical because it fits between the unibody pseudo-frame rails of the MR2 chassis.

I decided to take a different approach. I started searching the internet for a V8 engine that would fit the MR2 chassis, preferably uncut, or possibly with only a small amount of cutting from the MR2 monoblock. My requirements were that it be a V8 with at least 300 horsepower, that it be available, that it cost less than $ 5,000, and that it be short and narrow enough to fit the MR2. I managed to find one. Audi has an interesting habit of making very short V8 engines. They do this because they want to use their Quattro drivetrain, but at the same time, they don’t compromise handling too much. Audi seems to prefer longitudinal engine and transmission arrangements to transverse ones. The Quattro drivetrain involves a driven front axle, which they had to locate behind the engine. If the motor is too long, it puts too much weight in front of that axle, so they make up for it by making a shorter motor. This has the added benefit of allowing Audi to install this engine in smaller cars that were originally intended to have a 4-cylinder power plant. For my purposes, I found the 1991 to early 2000 Audi V8 engines to be about 20.6 inches long in the critical dimension and about 29 inches wide, not including headers or other easily removable items.

I bought a 1997 Audi 4.2L V8 (engine code ABZ) and a transaxle, and started working on my project. Unfortunately, after much trial and error, I finally decided that the Audi V8 was not suitable for this engine change. The problem lay in the fact that the engine was always designed to be longitudinal. In my case, with a transverse layout, the correct size axle had to run along the side of the engine, and Audi didn’t design the engine with that in mind, so there are large portions of the block in the way of that axle. . The starter, oil filter / cooler, and engine mount are in the way on that side as well, however I solved those issues. The nail in the Audi coffin was the adapter plate. I determined that the adapter plate required some of the mounting bolts to be located inside the hood housing of the 6-speed transaxle I was using, making them impossible to tighten. At that point, I decided to change my approach and use a different engine.

Stay tuned for the next article in this series.

Will your next car be a hybrid?

It is a rare news day in which no attention is paid to our major climate problems and the significant contribution of fossil fuel emissions to global warming. Along with rising fuel costs that make driving and commuting more expensive than ever, many are demanding fuel efficient vehicles and the market is beginning to respond to those demands. The hybrid car is one of those responses to greatly reduced fuel economy and emissions that is growing in popularity.

Hybrid cars, like the Kia Optima, combine the conventional combustion engine with a battery-operated electric motor to gain up to 40 mpg in fuel economy. This car can be driven in all-electric mode at lower speeds for zero emissions or in gas-electric combined mode at higher highway speeds. Full hybrid systems use a starter motor generator to charge the hybrid battery and the kinetic energy is recovered by converting and storing it in the batteries rather than wasting it as thermal energy when braking.

Efficiency is increased in the hybrid vehicle with aerodynamic design, high efficiency powertrain, low rolling resistance tires and lower ride height, offering a low drag coefficient. The use of idle fuel and emissions are eliminated when the car is stopped and the electrical load is low when the engine is switched off. All of this combines to achieve unprecedented fuel efficiency in a car with greatly reduced emissions.

Although the purchase price of hybrids may still be higher than the cost of gasoline-powered cars, fuel cost savings offer lower cost of ownership over a period of five years or less. This makes the hybrid car a worthwhile investment in economical operation and a gift to the environment.

Six cheapest and best-selling hybrid cars

If you are planning to go green, then you must take that passion and apply it to your cars as well. Today, you will find a multitude of fuel-efficient cars that consume less fuel than normal ones, helping to conserve the environment. These hybrid cars are equipped with a gasoline engine and an electric motor. But going green doesn’t necessarily mean skipping the style and the exterior. As manufacturers have now begun to combine the two, hybrid cars are selling like hotcakes.

Here is my list of the most popular and top-notch hybrid cars. The next six best-selling hybrid cars also have a lot of luxury features, which makes them so attractive and expensive, of course.

Toyota Prius hybrid:

It’s definitely not as big as the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid (mentioned later), but the Escalade’s sales are nothing compared to the Prius’s selling power. In reality, the Prius is the best-selling hybrid car on the market. Eco-friendly people love it for its excellent fuel economy and exterior design, which has become their trademark style. The latest version is bigger and more comfortable and it also has solar panels on the roof (which don’t ruin its overall look if that worries you). The cheapest of all on the list, it is attractively priced at $ 24,200.

Cadillac Hybrid Escalade:

This fabulous car is a perfect example of how you don’t have to skip the glitter to save the environment. It’s the world’s first full-size luxury hybrid SUV and therefore comes at a whopping $ 73,850 price tag. I wouldn’t skip this one if I were you because it has features that are worth the price. It has a powerful V-8 engine and can seat eight passengers. Its high-tech interior features include: an ultrasonic rear parking assist, a rear-view camera, and music control that automatically adjusts for background noise. It comes with a 25% improvement in fuel economy when evaluated with the standard Escalade. Obviously, it doesn’t save as much fuel as smaller standard hybrid cars, but if you’re looking to combine luxury, space, and utility and a greener vehicle, then I’d recommend the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid.

Lexus LS600h

For those of you who wish to opt for a smaller but equally luxurious car like the Cadilac Hybrid Escalade, this is for you. It is the largest and most luxurious car produced by Toyota (which is the parent company of Lexus). It is different and unique both in external and internal aspects. The electric motor can propel the car at slower speeds to save gasoline and provide a power boost to the gasoline engine’s fuel economy at its best. I would recommend this if you want to combine an exciting ride with eco-driving. Its interior is equally beautiful with a combination of elegant leather and wood. All Lexus vehicles have a remote touch interface (RTI), but this particular 12.3-inch version is more eye-catching than the road. It even has a rear seat entertainment system with a cool underarm footrest for cool drinks. Obviously, with all these wacky features, this car is priced at $ 119,910, which beats that of the Escalade.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

If you’re looking for a family vehicle that can carry a large number of people as well as luggage and is environmentally friendly, then Toyota’s Highlander Hybrid is the perfect fit for you. It seats seven people and has plenty of room for luggage, sports equipment, etc. It has a sophisticated powertrain with a 3.5-liter V6 engine accompanied by two electric motors instead of the usual one. It gives you up to 37 percent more fuel economy. It is also quite strong externally and is capable of withstanding tough conditions and uneven dirt roads without any problems. Internally, as mentioned above, it is spacious with plenty of legroom. It is equipped with the latest technology, such as a “Display Audio” multimedia system with a 6.1-inch touch screen and Toyota’s Entune service, which offers applications such as Bing search services, iheartradio.com and Pandora music. The $ 46,370 price tag in my opinion is quite reasonable and affordable considering all the features it has to offer.

Honda Civic Hybrid:

The Honda Civic Hybrid is one of the most affordable hybrid cars on the market, so it automatically earns a spot on this list. It is not much different from the standard Civic model, which makes it difficult to distinguish. Its gas-electric powertrain consists of a 1.5-liter inline four-cylinder i-VTEC engine that is combined with an electric motor to deliver 110 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque. The exterior is the same as the Civic, but the latest model has been updated with slightly different features and a better interior as well. The air vents have been revised and the cabin has been made more soundproof. In general, the driving experience is also quite pleasant; it is easy to handle and accelerates well. It is reasonably priced at $ 24,360. However, lately its price has been overtaken by the cheaper Honda Insight.

Toyota Camry hybrid:

Another Toyota car on the list, which is not surprising considering that Toyota offers some of the best-selling and most popular hybrid cars. Like the Highlander Hybrid, this all-in-one also offers excellent performance and a comfortable, spacious interior. The engine is a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle inline four-cylinder gasoline combined with an electric motor. The car is available in two versions: LE and XLE. The former has all the basic features like air conditioning, keyless entry, cruise control, etc. The XLE is a more advanced version with extra cool features like a 6.1-inch touchscreen and a leather-strap steering wheel with audio control. In contrast to the standard Camry, overall, there is a 26% improvement in fuel economy. Pricing is reasonable at $ 26,140 and the XLE version costs $ 1,530 more.

“Give me freedom or give me death”, but in current textbooks the context of these words is removed

Did you know that 52 of the 55 signers of the Declaration of Independence were Orthodox and deeply committed Christians? The other three believed in the Bible as divine truth, the God of Scripture and His personal intervention.

It is the same congress that formed the American Bible Society. Immediately after creating the Declaration of Independence, the Continental Congress voted to purchase and import 20,000 copies of deeds for the people of this nation.

Patrick Henry, who is called the puppet of the American Revolution, is still remembered for his words, “Give me freedom or give me death.” But in current textbooks the context of these words is removed.

This is what he said: “A call to arms and to the God of armies is all that remains for us. But we will not fight our battle alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of the nations. The battle, sir, is not only of the strong. Is life so expensive or peace so sweet as to be bought at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it Almighty God. I don’t know which way the others will take, but as far as I’m concerned, give me freedom, or give me death. ”
These phrases have been deleted from our textbooks.

Was Patrick Henry a Christian? The following year, 1776, he wrote the following: “It cannot be emphasized too much or too often that this great nation was founded not by religious, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone. , here freedom of worship has been granted to people of other religions “.

Consider these words that Thomas Jefferson wrote on the cover of his worn Bible: “I am a Christian, that is, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus. I have no doubt that our entire country will soon join the unity of our Creator and , I hope, also to the pure doctrine of Jesus “.

Consider these words from George Washington, the father of our nation, in his farewell address on September 19, 1796:
“It is impossible to rule the world without God and the Bible. Of all the dispositions and habits that lead to political prosperity, our religion and morality are the indispensable supporters. Let us cautiously allow the assumption that morality can be maintained without religion. Both the reason and experience prohibit us from expecting that our national morals can prevail excluding religious principles. “

Was George Washington a Christian? Consider these words from your personal prayer book: “O eternal and everlasting God, direct my thoughts, words and deeds. Wash my sins in the immaculate blood of the lamb and purify my heart by the Holy Spirit. Each day, inform me more and more in the likeness of your son, Jesus Christ, that living in your fear and dying in your favor, may in your appointed time obtain the resurrection of the justified to eternal life. Bless, O Lord, the entire human race and may the world be filled with the knowledge of your son Jesus Christ. “

Consider these words from John Adams, our second president, who also served as president of the American Bible Society.

In a speech to military leaders, he said: “We do not have a government armed with the power capable of fighting human passions, unbridled by morality and true religion. Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is totally inappropriate for the government of any other. ”
How about our first court judge, John Jay?

He said that when we select our national leaders, if we want to preserve our Nation, we must select Christians. “Providence has given our people the choice of their rulers and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”

John Quincy Adams, son of John Adams, was the sixth president of the United States.
He was also president of the American Bible Society, which he considered his highest and most important role. On July 4, 1821, President Adams said, “The greatest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected in an indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.”

Calvin Coolidge, our 30th President of the United States, reaffirmed this truth when he wrote: “The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings ceased.” be practically universal in our country. “

In 1782, the United States Congress passed this resolution: “The United States Congress recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools.”

William Holmes McGuffey is the author of the McGuffey Reader, which was used for over 100 years in our public schools with over 125 million copies sold until it was stopped in 1963. President Lincoln called him the “nation’s school teacher. “.

Listen to these words of Mr. McGuffey: “The Christian religion is the religion of our country.> From it derive our notions about the character of God, about the great moral Governor of the universe. The peculiarities of our institutions are based on its doctrines From no source has the author drawn more conspicuously than from the Holy Scriptures. From all these extracts from the Bible I do not apologize. “

Of the first 108 universities founded in the United States, 106 were clearly Christian, including the first.

Harvard University, established in 1636. In rule number 1 of the original Harvard Student Manual, students seeking entry must know Latin and Greek in order to study the Scriptures:
“That every student be instructed with clarity and be seriously pressured to consider well, the main objective of their life and studies is to know God and Jesus Christ, who is eternal life, John 17: 3; and therefore, put to Jesus Christ as the only foundation of all healthy knowledge and scholarship. And seeing that the Lord only gives wisdom, that each one seriously intends, through secret prayer, to seek it in him (Proverbs 2: 3) “.

For more than 100 years, more than 50% of all Harvard graduates were pastors!
It is clear from history that the Bible and the Christian faith were central to our educational and judicial system. However, in 1947, there was a radical change of direction in the Supreme Court.

Here is the sentence that was banished:

“Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence on You. We beg Your blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers, and our country.
Amen.”

In 1963, the Supreme Court ruled that reading the Bible was prohibited as unconstitutional in the public school system. The court offered this justification: “If parts of the New Testament were read without explanation, they could have been psychologically harmful to the children.”
Reading the Bible was now unconstitutional, although the Bible was cited 94 percent of the time by those who wrote our constitution and shaped our Nation and its system of education, justice, and government.

In 1965, the courts denied as unconstitutional the rights of a student in the public school cafeteria to bow his head and pray audibly for his food. In 1980, Stone vs. Graham banned the Ten Commandments from our public schools.

The Supreme Court said as follows: “If published copies of the Ten Commandments had any effect, it would be to induce schoolchildren to read them. And if they read them, meditate on them, and perhaps worship and observe them, this is not a allowable target “.
Isn’t it an allowable goal to allow our children to follow the moral principles of the Ten Commandments?

James Madison, the lead author of the United States Constitution, had this to say: “We have staked the entire future of our new nation, not on the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all our political constitutions on the ability of each of us to govern ourselves according to the moral principles of the Ten Commandments. ”
Today we ask God to bless America. But how can he bless a nation that has strayed so far from him?

Most of what you read in this article has been erased from our textbooks. The revisionists have rewritten history to eliminate the truth about our country’s Christian roots. I encourage everyone who reads and agrees with the words in this document to share them with others so that the truth of our nation’s history can be told.