A Sunroof and a Moonroof Option

After examining some of the latest i3 photographs, Ive noticed something unusual. It seems there may be a sunroof and a moonroof option. One, as seen in the above video below of the i3 driving on the Autobahn, shows a normal looking large sunroof that opens and slides towards the rear of the car as most sunroofs do.

Look at the roof above the front seats. Its clear there are two different openings divided by a section of roof and the glass is covered with the same material on the side window of the rear door the woman has open

However the second, as seen in these two pictures seems to be two separate glass sections divided by a stationary section of the roof. Its hard to tell, but it seems these may not open, and just be there to let light in, like a classic moonroof. The interesting thing is there are two distinct separated panels, not one large piece of glass. I suppose this would allow one passenger to close their moonroof section if the sunlight was bothering them while the other front seat occupant could leave the one on their side open. Unless of course it is one large glass panel that opens and slides back above the section of roof that divides the opening into two spaces. Perhaps they needed that section to increase the strength of the CFRP passenger module. Take a look at the pictures and let me know what you think is going on there.

Its harder to see here but you can see the divider sticking down between the two openings.

For those that dont know the difference in sunroofs and moonroofs, basically a sunroof opens and pops up and slides back to allow air in the car while a moonroof is sealed and just allows light in. Click here for a thorough explanation.

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it seems like Curtiss Wright sold the monstrosity of a hovercraft waste of R D to Ford maybe

found on http://bangshift.com/blog/historic-video-1960s-army-testing-of-curtiss-wright-air-car-is-a-glimpse-of-a-future-that-never-was.html

the 1961 Ford Glide Air was the 1959-60 Curtiss Wright model 2500 http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2011/07/1959-curtiss-wright-model-2500.html

top two images found on http://www.thegentlemanracer.com/2013/04/1961-ford-glideair-hover-car.html

Feb 5th update, the Army tried it out

found on http://bangshift.com/blog/historic-video-1960s-army-testing-of-curtiss-wright-air-car-is-a-glimpse-of-a-future-that-never-was.html

Filmed in 1960, the brief clip shows military testing of a 1959 Curtiss-Wright Model 2500 Air Car. Powered by two 180 horsepower Lycoming engines that each provided lift via a four-blade fan, the Air Car was able to steer by redirecting this air through louvers set into either side of the body.

This weighed in at around 2500 pounds, was twenty-one feet long, eight feet wide, and claimed to reach speeds of “over fifty miles-per-hour”, all while carrying up to four passengers. It also drank aviation gas from two twenty-gallon tanks to give it a range of about two hours of run-time.

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cool bar Nakombi in Sao Paulo Brazil good way to reuse a VW van nose!

I dont remember where I came across the photo, but, its in Sao Paulo Brazil

Commentor Auto Clandestine let me know: It is a japanese restaurant called "Nakombi". The restaurant owner started his business selling food at street in a Kombi (VW van are called "Kombi" in Brazil). After few years, the guy just decided to call the restaurant "Nakombi" because it sounds like a japanese word and "na Kombi" means "in a Kombi" in portuguese (Brazil speaks portuguese, not spanish). And no, this is not his first Kombi, it is just fiberglass. Ive been there, is very good! 

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Skip the first thirty seconds then watch a sped up version of the super bowl

found on http://bangshift.com/

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A Royal Story of the Tire King and his Royal Travels

Once upon a time there lived a King in the land of Tire. He lived by himself at the Palace of Pneus (Pneus is French for tire). The King of Tire or better known as, "The Tire King" loved tires and especially loved helping the people of his Kingdom and other Kingdoms with their car and tire problems. Too many times the Tire King would see hard working people being taken advantage of by other so called Tire Nobles from other kingdoms. .

At first it was just the King and his Tire .

This was pleasing to the King, but the tire was heavy so he mixed it up a little and tried to balance that tire out.

The King decided that he needed to find someone worthy enough to help him buy and sell but especially hold up with him the best tires in the world for his Kingdom. So the King trekked out about his Kingdom looking for someone strong enough and worthy enough to hold the world class tire from the Kingdom of Tire.

Many people tried out for this great honor. But Try as they might, no one could hold up to the world class standards that the Tire King held for his customers in the Kingdom of Tire.

So the King tried to disguise himself and see if he could find someone amongst the people of the Kingdom that would take on this royal task. The Tire King got himself a job at at Big Jims Pizza Den from the Kingdom of Tire. Everyone seemed more interested in eating Big Jims Pizza than having the royal responsibility of holding up the standards of world class tires within the Kingdom of Tire.

The King thought to himself, "well if I cant find anyone by land, maybe Ill find someone by sea?

That idea may have sounded good on dry land behind the safe walls of the Palace of Pneus. However once out in the ocean, the Tire King rethought this idea.

"If I cant find someone within this planet to keep and hold up my high world class tire standards, then maybe I need to go outside this planet to find someone", the King exclaimed.

So off on a royal trip to the Moon the King rocketed.

But when the King got to the Moon, all he found there besides his fellow astronaut was once again just himself holding the royal tire and high standards.

We he returned to Earth the King was still frustrated. He was frustrated that all his royal travels had not produced anyone that would help him hold his royal tire.

So the King decided to join the American CIA and help them fight terrorism around the world. The King was very successful at his new job. However, even when taking down the biggest of bad guys, he still found himself drawn to holding up the Royal Tire. It appeared that rubber really ran through his veins. So back to his Kingdom of Tire the King went.

It was back in the Kingdom of Tire when the handsome King found that the only person wanting to help him hold up the royal tire along with his world class standards and the best tires for the Kingdom of Tire was a lovely Princess named Princess Deb.

The King married the Princess and together holding the Royal Tire, they lived happily ever after at the Palace of Pneus in the Kingdom of Tire. Better known as Carolina Tire & Auto.

The End

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Buying Parts and Having a Shop Install Them

Auto repair shops get their revenues from several things—mainly from the labor involved in doing a repair or replacement and from the part that they install. If you will notice, parts offered by these shops are more expensive than those that you will find in your local store or in online auto parts shops. Given, the parts that they offer are already available, so you don’t have to wait for a few days unlike when you shop online. But, the mark-up on these parts can sometimes be considerably huge.

One solution that many drivers try is to buy their own parts from the local shop and to bring the parts to the auto repair center for installation. Many shops and mechanics are okay with this, with some mechanics even favoring this practice in case the needed part is not available or is not easy to find. But, there are others who are not into this practice. Some of them will perform the job, but they will not provide you with a warranty for the part, sometimes even for labor. So, you will be at the mercy of your car. There are also some shops that will totally refuse to install a part that is not bought from them.

I haven’t heard of any rule or regulation that prosecutes auto repair shops that refuse to install a part because it isn’t bought from them. So, if you’re someone who wants to save on the high cost of replacement parts offered by shops by buying a cheaper one from your dealer, you need to be clear with the shop that will perform the service. If the shop will not agree, then you can always take your car to another shop that will, or do the installation yourself if you’re familiar with the process.

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Carburetor Adjustments How to Adjust Your Carburetor After a Carburetor Rebuild

This article will explain to you how to adjust a carburetor after rebuilding one. You can also use these instructions to adjust rebuilt carburetor after you buy one. Most of the carburetor adjustments are preset if you buy a rebuilt one rather than rebuilding one and having to find the specifications to adjust it to. After installing the carburetor on the vehicle, you will still need to check these adjustments. Although the rebuilt carburetors have been preset, they still have to be adjusted properly or your vehicle will not run, as it should.

Once you set the carburetor on the vehicle and tighten, everything down the first adjustment to this carburetor will be to the choke system. On a cold engine hit, the throttles cable a couple of times and see if the choke plate snaps shut. When it does start the vehicle up and watch the choke pull off in operation. Some carburetors have two choke pull offs operated by the engine vacuum engine. Normally after a carburetor rebuild a choke angle gage is used to adjust these pull offs. We are going to presume that a carburetor choke angle gage was not used and adjust this carburetor’s choke pull off by sight and sound.

As the engine starts and is, idling high because of the cold engine check and adjust the carburetors fast idle speed settings. Adjust the fast idle to specifications. With a Phillips head screwdriver, adjust the choke pull off by turning the screw clock wise to lean the mixture out. Turning the screw counter clockwise, you will be richening up the pull off setting. As the carburetor is warming up after a couple of minutes hit the carburetors throttle once and your choke linkage should kick down to your base idle speed setting. Adjust your carburetors base idle speed to specification and at this time adjust your carburetors air conditioning idle by turning on the air condition and setting that ac idle to specifications.

Carburetor adjusting is a skill that can be learned over a long period. I understand carburetors are no longer installed on today’s cars but I have seen many older cars still on the roads today. The last carburetor adjustment to do now is the air fuel mixture screws or screw depending on the type of carburetor you have. This carburetor adjustment is what you can call fine-tuning the mixture screws. Turn the car off and screw each carburetor mixture screw all of the way in making sure not to over tighten them. Now with your carburetor-adjusting tool screw both screws all the way out three complete turns. Start the car and slowly turn the carburetor adjusting screw in a quarter of a turn each time until you hear the engine begin to lower its base idle. Turn the screw back out slow enough to get that last little RPM rise and stop. Do the same to the second carburetor screw if equipped.

I hope this article will assist you in learning how to adjust your carburetor after a carburetor rebuild or after replacing your vehicle with a rebuilt carburetor.




Adjusting The Air Fuel Mixture Screw

 

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Im coming live to a computer near you

So, through the magic of my new HTC Hero and UStream, I am going to begin a new "show" that will feature things like Q & A, Fireside Chat, and so forth with you all out there. I figure at least some of you might care enough to know how a father of 4 with limited income keeps his Bimmer in top notch shape using "redneck ingenuity" and a dose of common sense. I will also offer repair advice, try and help diagnose problems, and even throw in some live DIYs of upcoming repairs.

But, I need to hear from you all and see what you want to discuss or not discuss. Either PM me on Bimmerfest.com (smolck) or comment on this blog and I will try and do this as best I can. I cant wait. Archive videos will also be placed here.

Cant wait to use some new technology to help the masses!

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The cost of a Thanksgiving Turkey The blood of heroes

Think about it for a moment. As I sit here in my jammies in a cushy house in suburban America, taking the day off from work like most and smelling the bird cook in the oven, I cant help but think of those brave men and women in Afghanistan and around the world that are sitting in fox holes or bunkers. They sit with M-16s in their hands, relying on them to keep them alive. And when I think of that scene, I all of sudden feel very lazy and ashamed.

I wish I had the guts, the honor, and the will to be a military man. And I guess maybe that is why I stand in awe of those who do have it. And why at almost every holiday I think about them, and what they do for us. And then I think of the fact that they rarely get thanks, they dont make a bunch of money, they just do it because they have a sense of duty.

And if you think they dont sacrifice, I implore you to click this link and see the emotion on the faces of those people as their soldiers come home. If you dont cry, you dont have a heart. This video and others like them will show you just exactly what kind of sacrifice is being made by these brave men and women.

And so I just want to remind you today as you hug loved ones not often seen, and eat and be merry, there are still men and women who are away from their families and loved ones. Say a prayer for them, ask God to protect them and keep them. And continue to give them the strength and courage to be the heros they are.

And so Ill leave you with a quote from General George S. Patton, Jr "it is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived"

Be thankful for our troops! God Bless them all!!

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Directions to Install a 2001 Mustang Fuel Tank

Directions to Install a 2001 Mustang Fuel Tank

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Second Opinion Should I get a Second Opinion QwikTalk Automotive

You just received your auto repair estimate and you are shocked by the price. I bet you are wondering, “Should I Get a Second Opinion?” Chances are, coming from a 25+ year auto mechanic like my self I am saying Yes to your question! Get as many car opinions as possible. The more opinions you get the lower the price of that original auto repair estimate will get. So the second opinion idea and your question on should I get a second opinion is a big yes.

On my blog, “Auto Repair Savings And my special Links” I give you the consumer, ideas on how to save money on your car repairs. If you get a chance check it out. I give this new company thumbs up on how well they take care of their car repair customers asking questions especially when it comes to getting a second opinion. They can be found HERE. Just give them a call and explain to them that you are looking for a second opinion on your car repair estimate. They will connect you with a highly trained auto repair mechanic possibly in your area to answer your questions and to give you a much needed second opinion.

Brake repair and car tune-up shops are known for giving out very high estimates then giving you the opportunity to tell them what you want and can afford right now. Take a few minutes and call QwikTalk to give you a second opinion right there on the spot! Give it a shot the next time you feel like you are being forced into unneeded car repairs. I would definitely recommend these guys to my friends and family members who are needing a second opinion really fast. In training new auto mechanics they are told to try and get a up sale before the customer has a chance to get a second opinion.

QwikTalk’s Website will explain the procedure on getting expert advice. Not only are they good for auto repair second opinions, they have other professionals ready and willing to give you second opinions on many other topics. Just click HERE. Go there and save them in your favorites so that the next time you are in a jam they are only a click away!

Keywords- Qwiktalk, second opinion, auto repair, truck repair, website, automotive

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How To Buy A Used Car

Buying a used car can be pretty frustrating. Once you find the one you like, there always seems to be a problem with it. Buying a used car can also have its benefits too! A used car with a well maintained service history can save you lots of money.

Things you need to do before buying that used car is have it checked out at a few repair shops. What I mean is, I would visit a few specialty shops and have them run a diagnostics check on it.

A tune up shop would be able to use their expertise and give you a thourgh and quick evaluation of how the computer components are operating. Then visit your local Front End Alighnment shop and get their input as well as a brake and exhaust shop. That way you will know that you have their expert opinions on that car you are ready to buy. When they give you the thumbs up, you are good to go!

My opinion is if you take it to one place you are not really gettting an accurate diagnosis. They may write you up a big ticket on just what items they feel comfortable selling to you. Happy Driving!

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Learn How to Change Struts on a 2001 Ford Taurus

Learn How to Change Struts on a 2001 Ford Taurus

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Trailer 7 Pin 12N Wiring Diagram How To Wire A Trailer Plug

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How to Get Your Car or Truck Ready for a Road Trip

So you think you have everything planned for your long awaited road trip. Here are a few things you can add to your list to make sure you get to your destination. Having car problems are not what you had in mind while you are out driving down that lonesome highway. I have listed 5 important items you should have inspected before you leave. Here they are.


1. Have your car brakes inspected if you are planning on driving in the mountains.- Mountains and hilly terrain will cause your brakes and fluid to heat up quite a bit. For instance if your brakes are pulsating just a little before you leave, you can plan on your brake rotors to heat up and warp as you are driving through the mountains. So if you have time go out and drive your car around and test the brakes before you leave. If you feel the slightest problem starting to develop then have your brake system inspected by a reputable car repair shop.

2. Check all of your wiper blades and washer fluid. - There is nothing worse than driving into an unexpected rain storm and cant see where you are going. Not only is it hard but it is also very dangerous. The same goes for checking your washer fluid. After the rain you will be trying to clear the windshield from all of the dirt and mud.

3. Tire pressure is very important for your road handling and your gas mileage.- Go out and buy yourself a tire pressure gage from any parts store. Over inflated tires can get hot and cause your tires to blow at high speeds. Having one tire to full and one tire to low will throw your alignment off and cause steering and handling problems. Keep in mind that different climates will cause your tires to either increase or decrease in your tire pressures.

4. Check your car fluids and get them topped off. - Make sure you check your transmission fluid and your engine oil levels before you leave. Your antifreeze can also be checked at this time. Your over flow bottle should have a "full mark" labeled on the side of it. If you are having an oil or transmission fluid leakage problem take enough with you so you can top these off any time you become low.

5. Check your head lights and blinkers. - Have a helper go out side with you and have them test the head lights while you stand in front of the vehicle. This is also a good time to have them test your front blinkers. Do the same to your rear brake and back up lights. Not only are these dangerous but also can be against the law in some states if they are not working correctly.

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Characteristics of a Good Automotive Repair Mechanic

Knowledgeable on various auto parts.

This is perhaps the most basic characteristic that any auto mechanic should have. Lots of different auto parts are out in the market today. And because we, as car owners, do not necessarily possess the sufficient knowledge when it comes to vehicle parts, we will inevitably depend on the expertise of our mechanic. A simple trick to determine if your chosen car specialist really knows his business is to ask him to differentiate a few parts and gauge whether he is confidently answering your question or is just making his way around.

Diverse background on automotive repair experiences.

Years ago when the makes of our vehicles were much simpler, any mechanic would have been okay. But with todays high-tech and complex vehicles including family sedans, sports and luxury cars, SUVs, and pick-up trucks, we need someone who has a diverse background in automotive repair services. Mistakes have no room when it comes to automotive repair as these will only make things even more costly. Choose a mechanic who has certifications of training programs and classes that he has attended. The mechanics time spent in studying as well as in the actual practice of automotive repair is very advantageous for us car owners.

ASE certified to be an automotive repair professional.

Speaking of certifications, perhaps the most famous and widely recognized one, when it comes to professionals in the automotive industry is the ASE certification. Annually, an estimated 100,000 automotive technicians take ASE certification exams each May and November at over 750 locations.

With an ASE certification, we are assured that our mechanic has good background in all automotive services because an ASE certification requires a minimum of two years work experience in addition to passing a series of examinations that include Engine Repair, Engine Performance, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Brakes, Heating and Air Conditioning, Suspension and Steering, Manual Drive Train and Axles, and Automatic Transmissions for auto technicians alone. There are separate tests for those who want to be collision repair technicians, engine machinists, parts specialists, and others.

Furthermore, all ASE certifications have expiration dates which requires technicians to re-test every five years to keep up with technology and to remain certified.

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Easy DIY Auto Repair Learn the Essentials for a Ford F150 Power Steering Rebuild

Easy DIY Auto Repair: Learn the Essentials for a Ford F150 Power Steering Rebuild

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