Although hybrid cars are the rage, and there are all kinds of alternative energy sources on the horizon, hybrids are cost prohibitive, usually ranging $3000 to $7000 more than the gas only version of that model. However, instead of changing fuel sources, some automotive companies have been using a new type of transmission to improve fuel economy, lower emissions, and actually make vehicles faster without adding to the sticker price.

These companies are using a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and instead of having set gear ratios (or gears), it constantly varies the gear ratios, as well as engine performance, so that they both operate at their most efficient level in any driving scenario.

Because these key components of the power train are at their peak performance at all times, fuel economy is improved by 6-8% and carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by 10%.

Although these figures may not sound impressive, the gas savings increase the highway mileage of most vehicles by 4 to 6 mpg, which adds up pretty quickly at $3/gallon.

The CVT’s potential for reducing emissions is also significant. As Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan Motor Company, said, achieving his goal of selling one million CVT equipped vehicles by the end of 2007 will have “the same effect in terms of reducing CO2 emissions as selling 200,000 hybrid electric vehicles.”

Since there is no shifting between fixed gears, there is no ‘shift shock’ or jerking sensation, which makes them exceptionally smooth to drive. CVTs also do well in hilly terrain since there is no ‘gear hunting’ or bogging down on a hill, followed by a loud, violent downshift, which also contributes to its superior acceleration.

You may be wondering why this isn’t in every car if it is so great. Well, every year, more vehicles in the American market add CVTs as an option, though it has happened quietly, as many people are leery of new technology, especially in cars.

The CVT is actually quite old although it is new to American automobiles. The concept was developed by Leonardo DaVinci and was first patented in the late 1800’s for industrial applications. The CVT has been used in Asian and European vehicles since the 1950’s, but until recently CVTs could not handle the power that American drivers demand from their cars. However, CVTs have seen widespread use in snowmobiles and Formula 500 racing where they have a reputation for extending engine life and being much easier to rebuild than either a manual or automatic step transmission.

So where can you test drive a CVT-equipped vehicle? Well you can go to dealerships selling Ford, Dodge, Audi, or Mini-Cooper, to name a few, although a Nissan dealership may be the best place to go. In order to hit their goal of one million CVT sales in 2007, they have installed CVTs in nearly every sedan in their lineup, including the best selling Altima, Maxima, and economical Versa (as a side note, Nissan has also made side curtain airbags standard in these models, improving safety and reducing insurance costs).

Although you may not have the budget for a hybrid vehicle or cannot wait for that miracle fuel to hit the market, you can take it easy on the environment, as well as your checkbook, by checking out a few cars with a CVT.

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Find the best deal on the auto insurance coverage you need. Visit us today for money-saving tips and receive free quotes for cheap car insurance for young drivers from respected insurance companies.

Whether you’re dreaming of beginning a career in the pit crews of NASCAR, thinking about getting a tech job at one of the major car or aftermarket companies, or just exploring the many possibilities within the industry, follow the information provided, to make informed decisions about your future.

A degree from a good automobile repair school helps to know the trade, makes you more comfortable with the norms and technicalities in the automobile field. It also gives higher-level openings such as master mechanic or mechanic positions depending on your experience. Whether you’re dreaming of beginning a career in the pit crews of NASCAR, thinking about getting a tech job at one of the major car or aftermarket companies, or just exploring the many possibilities within the industry, Automotive Schools contains the right information for you to make informed decisions about your future.

Automotive School Programs:

Automotive Technology
Diesel Technology
Collision Repair & Refinishing
Motorcycle Technology
Marine Technology
Aviation Maintenance
Applied Service Management
High Performance
Street Rod & Custom Fabrication

General Automotive Courses with Top Level salary estimation:

Automotive Technician – $58,000-108,000
Automobile Mechanic – $60,000-100,000
Diesel Technician – $60,000
Auto-Body Technician – $60,000
Paintless Dent Repair Technician – $50,000 – $300,000
Automotive Electrician – $20/hr
Motorboat Technician – greater than $21/hr
Motorcycle Service Technician – more than $41,000
Aircraft Mechanic – greater than $29/hr
Alternative Fuels Technician – $60,000-100,000

Ways to choose a Good Automotive School:

Mentioned below are some ways that may help you in choosing a good automobile repair school:

School Reputation: You need to find out the reputation of a school. This factor is important, as it will have a good impression on your curriculum vitae (CV). There may be several reasons for a good reputation of an automobile school. Generally the most common reason for having a good reputation is graduates from that particular school have performed exceptionally well in the automobile field. You may even cut short your list of schools whose reputation is not known or questionable.

Degree Program: Mostly all schools offer an associate’s degree to help you start in the auto industry. These degrees are short time courses, which on completion allow you to join the respective field as soon as possible. Many schools also provide a master’s degree to help ambitious people to attain positions that are more respectful. Do a good research on the degree program you want to join and check that the program teaches all the skills and techniques required in the field. You also need to ensure if the school provides an ASE (Automotive Standards of Excellence) certification or not. It is extremely important as it allows the company to know your skills in a particular area. Also, see if the school is offering internship or employment opportunities.

Resources Offered: You need to check for what resources the students get from the school. Generally, all automobile schools offer various resources to their students. Please check if the school is offering job placement assistance. Make sure that the school has a good program for graduates or students who are searching for a job. The school also needs to have programs like creating good CV, providing job listings and teaching interview skills.

Cost of the program: This is also an important factor while choosing an automobile school. A good school needs to be affordable too. You need to carry out a research on the cost of the program and need to know what all features are included in the cost. For instance, some schools provide everything in the listed price, while some schools may provide only the course for the listed amount leaving the books, tools and other necessary things required for the program. These need to be bought separately.

These are some ways to choose a good automotive repair school. Do thorough research and choose an automobile training school, which will give a boost to your auto career. Learn the differences between automotive diplomas, degrees, and certification.

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I love automobiles. Fast sports cars, classics, luxury vehicles are some of my favorites. I am also a certified ASE Technician and auto GURU.

Cost cutting is the first item on everyone’s agenda in these times of economic crisis and belt tightening. Fortunately, there are ways to cut costs on all general automotive repairs, both for minor repairs and major repairs. You only have to heed the advice of the mechanic we interviewed on how to save on car repair.

One of the first things you should do is to check your vehicle warranty. You need to make the most of all the benefits and discounts in your warranty. You could save a lot on auto repair, for both labor costs and car parts. Read through the fine print and do not allow anything to escape you. You will be throwing good money away if you insist on taking your vehicle to a different  mechanic or auto service shop instead of availing of the free service and free replacement parts indicated in your warranty. Remember that the warranty usually specifies that you bring your vehicle to its dealership, such as Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth, Chrysler, Daewoo, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, Volkswagen,Volvo, Acura, Honda, Lexus, Scion, Toyota, Nissan, Infiniti, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Mazda, or Suzuki. Your dealership is best equipped to make a correct diagnostic inspection to find what is wrong with your vehicle and perform all major or minor repairs required, even computer diagnostics and computer reprogramming.

On the other hand if your vehicle warranty is no longer valid, you do not have to go to your dealership where everything is more expensive. You should, instead, go to a reputable and experienced professional auto service shop that also employs reputable and experienced professional mechanics. You will be in excellent hands if they have certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). This means they can do what the dealerships do, but at lower prices.

With the ASE certification you can be sure that the mechanics are experts about engines and can do engine rebuild and engine replacement. They can fix your vehicle’s brakes and tractions control systems such as the antilock brake systems (ABS). They are experts on transmission service and maintenance procedures including transmission flush, repairing oil leaks and giving oil change service. They are specialists in radiators, cooling systems and auto air conditioner (A/C) repair.

ASE certified mechanics have the necessary know how in repairing electronic steering, power steering, power brakes, power windows, power convertible tops, power sunroofs and power locks, and can do electrical troubleshooting in all types of electrical shorts. They are also wizards with alternators, hoses and belts, including timing belts, and can ably handle body systems as well as suspensions such as front suspension, rear suspension and air suspension. They can fix air bag systems and can install and repair anti theft systems like remote starters. They also do key reprogramming.

Even as you save on costs, however, do not compromise on the automotive parts that will be used to replace your vehicle’s defective automotive parts. Make sure the auto service shop supplies you only with reputable brands of automotive parts like AC Delco, Bosch, Remy, Motorcraft, Mopar, Goodyear, Dayco, Echlin, Standard, Cardone, Autolite, NGK, Akebono, Nipedenso, and Denso.

You can save even more if you do all your automotive maintenance procedures and repairs by yourself, of course. To be able to do this, however, you should either be a professional mechanic or you should be willing to take formal classes in automotive technology, including all general automotive repairs, from minor repairs and major repairs. Without the proper education and training, do not even attempt to tamper with your vehicle or you might end up with much more expensive damage.

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ABC Autotech
Richard Borovicka
4411 30th St. West
Bradenton, FL 34207-1324
Phone: (941) 755-0112
Fax: (941) 755-8150
Email: aautotech@tampabay.rr.com
Website: www.abcautotech.com

Most modern cars are now fitted with a low maintenance battery and these either require little electrolyte topping up and in some cases, none at all. This is a result of advances in automotive technology where alternators ensure that the battery is not subjected to an abnormal voltage charge.

The battery charger that you use in your workshop needs to be as versatile as your vehicle’s charging system to ensure that your battery’s life if not cut short by a defective process.

The big problem encountered with maintenance-free or sealed batteries is gassing, this is where electrolyte is lost as a result of too high a charge. Battery chargers designed to deal with these maintenance-free batteries are referred to as automatic and they cut off the voltage between around 13.8v and 14.5v to prevent gassing taking place. Some of these automatic chargers allow the battery to be permanently connected, topping up the charge when necessary. This float charge is very useful when you have a motor caravan or a car that is laid up for a length of time. CTEK and some of the Gunsons range of chargers are designed with this function. These chargers also have reverse-polarity protection with a built in cut-out feature and are supplied with a decent length of cable and obviously, a decent pair of clips. CTEK produce a lead where the charger can be fitted to the engine compartment of a vehicle and plugged into the mains when required.

The Calcium/Calcium battery began being fitted to vehicles with SMART charging systems from 1997. Failure to fit the correct type of replacement battery could result in damage being caused to your vehicle’s electronic control unit; so it is absolutely vital that you fit the correct battery to your vehicle and invest in the correct charger to maintain it.

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A comprehensive range of battery chargers
covering all requirements can be found at Motor spares UK