Archive for October, 2011
Ford Escape Hybrid Review – The Pros And Cons
First released in 1994 the Ford Escape hybrid is a gaselectric alternative to Ford Motor Companys original SUV. It is the first automobile to unite the full capacity of a sport utility vehicle with the great benefits of a hybrid which include excellent fuel economy and low environmental effects. It is similar in body and features to the earlier Escape but is distinguished by its Hybrid symbol located in the rear. The vehicles most appealing feature is its fuel economy.
The 2008 Escape Hybrid can get an average of 34 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. One of the ways it does so is by conserving gas when the vehicle is stopped or moving at slow speeds. In these instances the SUV is powered by its electric system. Gas prices are the number one reason why people are switching to hybrid cars and the Escape Hybrid definitely cushions the blow of the gas pump on your wallet.
There are other environmental benefits of driving the Ford Escape Hybrid over other vehicles. It has been rated as a Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle. The Escape Hybrid also contains an Ecofriendly interior. The cloth seats are produced using waste materials which lessen the amounts of plastic and polyester fibers that would end up being dumped in a landfill.
The electric motor of the vehicle runs off a NiMH nickelmetalhydride battery and is constantly recharging each time the driver applies the brakes. As if all the environmental friendly aspects of the SUV werent enough purchasing a Ford Escape Hybrid could also qualify you for up to 3000 in tax credits.
You can find out more information about Hybrid Cars at www.prohybrid.com along with video news reviews and tools such as price quotes and an automotive loan calculator.
About the writer: Article provided by ProHybrid.com
Finger Pointers And Suvs
February of 2009 I was helping a friend with a paper route. I got to one driveway where I was greeted by the home owner who I handed his paper personally. He started making small talk about the weather and other things. While we were talking his neighbor across the street was pulling out of their driveway in a Ford Expedition. This prompted my newspaper customer to make a negative reference to their vehicle of choice as it drove down the street. He clearly said “Guys like him and their big SUVs really pollute the air”. I kept my mouth shut for a couple seconds knowing this statement was wrong. I then asked “what are his other vehicles like”. My customer said “Thats it just that truck”. I then started a conversation leaning in the direction of the larger vehicles being safer in some kinds of accidents.
While we were talking I looked over his shoulder noticing he had 2 cars in his garage one of them being a full size Cadillac which probably had a motor as big or bigger than the SUV he was complaining about. Next to the Cadillac was a Toyota sedan. I didnt say anything about my observations while we were talking but here was a example of a two vehicle home complaining about a one vehicle home simply because of the vehicle type chosen.
After driving away to continue the paper route this conversation caused me to go into one of my Curious George modes. For the next 45 minutes while doing the paper route I paid close attention to the vehicles owned in this Menomonee Falls Wisconsin community.
Actually that guy with the Expedition he was complaining about had nothing on some of the other homes I spotted. Numerous homes in this community have two three and four vehicles. This was more common than someone might think. A few homes had a lot more A LOT MORE.
I found one home that I just have to talk about because it is obvious they use a lot of gasoline in their family. This home had a full size work truck which probably belonged to the man of the house. Then there were two mini vans which Im assuming were the family transportation. Two rusty clunkers were parked in the driveway closer to the road. These apparently belonged to the teenagers in the home. My guess is these two cars are not tuned up and probably not driven in any efficient manner if driven by teenagers. Next to the garage was a trailer with two snowmobiles on it. Inside the garage was a dirt bike and the usual snow blower and lawn mower equipment. The back yard had a motor home on blocks for the winter.
I admit it I felt this was something the guy complaining should see to cool his jets on SUVs. The fact is that there are also some cars on our roads that use unforgivable amounts of gasoline. Think of what this does for pollution. I personally can verify this. Anyone who has been in the image gallery of my website and looked at the pictures of the vehicles Ive owned in the past can see my old green Chevrolet Caprice wagon. This wagon had a 454 engine and a half ton rear end in it. I put more gasoline in this family style car than any truck or SUV I ever owned. Almost as fast as I fueled it up it was gone. The car ran absolutely great. It had no fuel leaks it was using every drop the way it was made to do when it was built. Definitely not a good vehicle for running around in thats why I got rid of it.
For all the finger pointers out there bad mouthing SUVs yes you are entitled to your opinion but take a look at the bigger picture the whole picture before making that opinion public.
Reporter Joseph Toth
Washington Micro Bank BBS
About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;I was raised in Wisconsin as a hard working individual. As a teenager I worked on a farm until I became a adult. I have never worked less than two jobs at a time until I turned 44.
I dont and never have smoke drink drug or gamble. In 2005 I successfully gave up caffeine entirely and havent had any since.
My hobbies are automobiles electronics driving and photography.
I have many friends and I am well known in the trivillage area I live in.
My adult careers that stayed with me long term are commercial driver and loss prevention agent.
Finding A Vehicle Shipping Company
Selecting an auto transport company is not that easy. You will search a transport company that has a blend of quality and economy. There are numerous ways of finding an auto transport company like the telephone book and the internet. To find a reliable auto transport company you need to read the car shipping company reviews talk to your friends and relatives as to how their experience was.
Here are some of the useful tips that will help you in selecting the best car shipping services: When you are finding a vehicle shipping company do research work. See to it that the auto transport company is registered with the U.S. Department of transportation and a USDOT and MC number is assigned to them. A middle man or a broker must also be chartered and possess a MC number. Check that the car carrier is specially documented to ship automobiles both nationwide and overseas. Check that the shipping companies have proper court documents and cargo insurance coverage.
Every company may have different amount of insurance coverage so ask the auto transporter written evidence about the insurance coverage. Not every company will leave your car at doorstep. Most of the haulers will drop your vehicle to a terminal near to your house. From there you have to pick up the car. There are some companies that charge some extra fee for transporting your vehicle to the house. It is upto you to choose the auto shipping company whether you want door to door or terminal to terminal. Usually terminal to terminal is much cheaper but if you see that the cost of both the services is roughly the same prefer door to door delivery.
One more important think to check while selecting a shipping company is the car shipping insurance. Most of the companies will cover the insurance expenses in the shipping cost while some shipping companies would ask you for extra cost. It is important to know about the insurance plan covers. Most of the shipping company plans cover against any harm and damage to the automobile up to a certain amount of money. See to it that you have all the information about insurance before you sign the agreement. There may also be some cheap car shipping services around you but you should carefully select the car shipping quotes to help you transport your vehicle more efficiently. You may think that finding a good shipping company is a tedious job but it is a very simple process.
About the writer: Shijina is an expert author for Auto transport and Auto shipping. She written many articles like Vehicle shipping car transport and Vehicle transport. For more information visit our site aaat.com Contact me at shijinaseogmail.com