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Monthly Newsletter
--What happens after the auto show?--
Have you ever caught a glimpse of a car that made your right foot twitch in anticipation? You scour the internet and trade magazines for more information on what is easily the coolest thing to ever grace 4 wheels. Your anticipation hits the rev limiter as you find out the car will be at an auto show near you! You will be able to smell the newly pressed sheet metal and see your face in the reflection of the hand polished poly-carbonate ceramic infused ultra-paint made specifically for this car. Oh joy and rapture!
Then the brakes are applied suddenly as you discover that this Adonis of metal and rubber will never see the light of day as it is just a concept car.
Why the tease? Well manufactures use concept cars as a way to exhibit cool new features and gauge public reaction to their new ideas. If a particular feature is a hit then it will be a feature on next years model, if it is a bust then it is back to the drawing board.
The same goes for a particular design of a brand new model; if it is successful then you can expect to see it next year, if it is not then the manufacturer has not spent millions of dollars and countless man hours developing a vehicle no one wants.
Yes, it is a bit of a let down when the vehicle you have been pining for is relegated to recycle bin but, for example, the case of the 1994 Dodge Prowler shows that dreams can come true. The 1994 Dodge Prowler was an exceptional case of things going perfect for a concept car. The fans and the media loved it so Dodge knew they had a hit and could begin to produce it but none of this would have been possible without the concept car.
Some concept cars are absurd for absurdity sake though they do answer some important questions about the capabilities of automotive engineering. Gull wing doors, thermal vision, massaging seats, radar guided cruse control-all of these innovations were first seen on a concept car. Though they may have seemed too futuristic or blatantly unnecessary, the innovations spawned by concept cars have evolved car culture and supercharged the boundaries for automotive engineers.
So in the future when you see a concept car that looks too good to be true, it probably is, but you never know-it could be prowling the production line in the near future.
--Which rubber best meets the road--
Fall never lasts as long as we want it to. The fiery display of fall colors fades in to the desolate monotone swath of white and gray as Old Man Winter comes calling seemingly earlier and earlier each year. This is the time of year when making sure you have the right tires is paramount as slippery when wet leaves meet always slippery ice and snow.
Choosing tires can be a difficult decision this time of year especially in this economic climate. Do you go with all-season tires that are able to handle all types of weather or do you buy snow tires to combat the ever lengthening winter season?
All-Season tires have the ability to handle mud, snow, heat, rain and any combination therein throughout the year. The tread design on these tires is such that it can combat all weather conditions. If you live in an area of the country where you are likely to see all of these conditions then all-season tires are most likely the bet for you. All-Season tires are a great investment as many of them have a tread life rating that extends to 35,000 or even 80,000 miles!
Winter or snow tires are designed specifically for snowy conditions. They have tread designs that have been proven to be the best at allowing exceptional maneuverability in extremely snowy and icy conditions. Snow tires also have been proven to stop better in snow and ice than all-season tires. They can do this while maintaining a relatively quiet ride and provide excellent traction in dry conditions as well.
While winter tires are great during the winter months, what about the ride comfort and durability during the rest of the year? Speed rating is a critical factor in choosing tires as it determines the speed at which a tire can travel safely. Winter tires generally have a lover speed rating than all-season tires meaning that when you want to go faster on a summer's day you will not be able to do so safely at highway speeds if you still have on winter tires.
All-Season tires are great in the summer and spring seasons as their tread design is best used for speed and safety in dry and rainy conditions. The major trade off is that they do not have the stopping abilities and maneuverability characteristics that winter tires have in snow and ice. They may have a higher speed rating but consider how fast you can drive on an icy freeway.
The choice is ultimately lies in the wallet as both types of tires have advantages. Which ever set you choose be sure to have the balanced and rotated at the proper intervals to ensure you investment lasts and that you and your family are safe on the road.
--Do you know?--
Every vehicle has one and it is the most important identifier for vehicle history reports and police reports. So what do those seemingly loose amalgamations of letters and numbers actually stand for?
For your car the VIN or Vehicle Information Number, is like its Social Security number. It is the fingerprint for your car as no two VINs are ever the same. It may seem hard to believe given the millions of cars that have been made that no two numbers are the same but it is true.
Since 1981, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has required automotive manufacturers to use a standardized 17 character VIN system on all of their road going vehicles. This is after the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) created the system in 1980 to ensure that no car could ever be mistaken for another.
You can find you car's VIN in several places. The easiest to spot is on the lower right corner of your windshield. You can always check your owner's manual and inside the drives door jamb. Some vehicles have the VIN tattooed in places such as the engine block and in the trunk.
The VIN is broken down into sections of numbers and letters:
Digits 1-3: Identifies the country in which the vehicle was manufactured, the manufacturer and the vehicle type.
For example: U.S.A.(1 or 4), Canada(2), Mexico(3), Japan(J), Korea(K), England(S), Germany(W), Italy(Z)... Etc
Audi(A), BMW(B), Buick(4), Cadillac(6), Chevrolet(1), Chrysler(C), Dodge(B),
Ford(F), GM Canada(7), General Motors(G), Honda(H)... Etc
Digits 4-8: Further specifies the trim level and included options
Digit 9: This is a check number to verify that the VIN is not a fake. The 9th digit is used in a very advanced mathematical formula to verify the VIN's authenticity.
Digit 10: Represents the model year-not the year it was manufactured.
Digit 11: Identifies the assembly plant for the vehicle.
Digits 12-17: The serial # for you car.
There are websites that allow you to enter your VIN to have this information interpreted for you. While it is not necessary to memorize the VIN from your car, it is important to have it written down and kept in a safe place incase the unthinkable happens and your vehicle is stolen.
Halloween: Spooky and Delicious
--Tricks for treats--
Ghouls, Goblins, Ghosts and great times-Halloween is one of the best holidays! Dressing up in costume to fool and frighten your family and friends along with great food and games make Halloween a scary good time.
Gathering together for any reason is always fun; add in sugary treats and terrifying tricks and you have the recipe for a great time. Here are some devilishly delicious treats* to make for you favorite group of costumed terrors!
Halloween Popcorn Treats
Recipe courtesy FoodNetwork.com
Ingredients
Vegetable cooking spray
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/3 cup popcorn kernels
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
6 cups (12-ounces) mini marshmallows
6 fun-size caramel peanut chocolate bars (such as Snickers), cut into 1/4-inch pieces
3 (3-inch) chocolate chip cookies, crumbled
1/3 cup chopped salted almonds,
1/2 cup orange and black chocolate candies (such as M and Ms)Directions
Spray the inside of a large mixing bowl with vegetable cooking spray, and lightly spray a baking sheet. Set aside.
In a 3 quart or larger, heavy-bottomed pan, heat the oil and popcorn over medium-high heat. Cover the pan and shake gently. Cook until all the kernels have popped, about 3 minutes. Place the popcorn in the prepared bowl.
In a medium saucepan, heat the butter over low heat. Add the vanilla extract and marshmallows. Stir constantly until the marshmallows have melted and the mixture is smooth, about 5 minutes. Pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the popcorn. Using a spatula, sprayed with cooking spray, stir until the popcorn is coated. Spread the mixture over the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with the chocolate bar pieces, cookies, almonds and chocolate candies. Using a spatula, gently press the toppings into the popcorn. Allow the mixture to dry for 1 hour.
Break into 2-inch pieces and store airtight in a plastic container.
Serving Suggestion: Place in small plastic bags and seal with colored ribbon.
Pumpkin Bars
Recipe courtesy FoodNetwork.com
Prep Time:15 min-- Cook Time:30 min
Level: Easy
Serves: 48 small bars or 24 larger barsIngredients
Bars:4 eggs
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
15-ounce can pumpkin
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
Icing:8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.Using an electric mixer at medium speed, combine the eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin until light and fluffy. Stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix at low speed until thoroughly combined and the batter is smooth. Spread the batter into a greased 13 by 10-inch baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting. Cut into bars.
To make the icing: Combine the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the sugar and mix at low speed until combined. Stir in the vanilla and mix again. Spread on cooled pumpkin bars.
Dragon's Blood Punch (non-alcoholic)
Recipe courtesy FoodNetwork.com
Prep Time:5min : -- Cook Time: --
Level: Easy
Serves: about 20 to 25 servingsIngredients
1 (46-ounce) can red punch (recommended: Hawaiian Punch)
1 (46-ounce) can apple juice
1 (48-ounce) bottle cranberry juice
1 (2-liter) bottle ginger ale
Ice cubes
Berry vodka, optional
Orange liqueur, optional
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a large punch bowl or pot. Add ice and stir.For grown up version, add 4 cups berry vodka and 1/2 cup orange liqueur.
Ladle into serving glasses.
