Meaning of the warning lights on your dashboard

I have had my car serviced and MOT done recently but the service reminder light still comes on. The workshop did not know how to solve the problem ( I did not go to TMS - the authorised dealers of Volvo in Coventry, this time) and so I turned to my trusted Guru - YouTube. I soon found a video showing how to reset the service light indicator on a Volvo S40. Watch below:



Anyway, according to Britannia Rescue, most drivers do not have a clue what all the lights on their dashboard stand for. I found a great guide on the VW Facebook page with explanations of the lights. They might differ from car to car.

Watercar Panther

The Watercar Panther is claimed to be the fastest amphibious car in the World. The car is powered by a Honda V6 V-Tec engine and can travel at speeds over 40 miles an hour on water.



For more information visit their website: http://watercar.com/

World Premiere of the BMW i3

The BMW i3 was launched today simultaneously in New York City, London and Beijing.

It is the first purpose-built plug-in electric production vehicle to be made primarily from carbon fiber.

Watch it here:




http://www.live.bmwgroup.com

Carports and canopies for protection from the elements

It has been a scorching hot summer here in the UK. Just the other day, it was around 30 degrees C (approx. 86 degrees Fahrenheit ) and when I got into the car, it felt like a sauna. According to the US National Weather Service site, on a sunny day, temperatures inside the car can easily reach the ranges of 180 to over 200°F. Even with the air conditioning blowing at full power, it still took several minutes before it was finally comfortable inside the car. AT times like this, I do envy people who have houses with garages.

I do not have a garage in the front of the house and the car is left exposed to the elements. It is the hot sun now and rain, frost or snow at other times. However, these are not the worst. If you have ever parked under tress, you will understand what I mean. I do not really mind dead tree leaves but I especially hate bird poop. The worst part is that they are not only disgusting, they can actually damage the car paint if not cleaned off as soon as possible, and I am talking from experience.

Anyway, I was thinking how wonderful it would be, to have a covered driveway in front of the house. The more I thought about it, the more I realised that it would be a fantastic idea. By chance I got to know about 123v Plc, a company which is specialised in Carports and Car Canopies. They offer three different types of styles, namely,
1) Cantilever, where the carport or canopy is attached to a wall or any other structure;
2) Traditional, where the carport is attached to a wall and has posts as well. It can have a much larger span than the former.
3) Freestanding, with it's own posts.

I think for our house, a cantilever style canopy would be the most suitable. One reason I prefer this style is that there won't be any obstacles on the driveway.

However, installing these kind of structures is not a DIY job and would require the services of specialised companies. One thing that watching Cowboy Builders on TV has taught me is that you need to hire a reputed and experienced company for these kind of jobs. 123v Plc has been designing, manufacturing and installing all kinds of open sided structures, since 1997. These includes custom-build carports and canopies for homes, schools and offices all over Scotland, Wales and England. What I really found amazing was the fact that they offer a free, no obligation site survey so that each job is tailored to the needs of each individual customer. And once the fitting is complete, the surveyors will return to photograph them.

Check their site for more information.

How are cars made - a look at the Tesla factory

Video gives us a glimpse into how the Tesla model S is manufactured in their factory using specialised robots.

BMW M5 Nighthawk

The limited edition BMW M5 Nighthawk. Limited to only 10 units for the Japanese market.

Where Can I Get a Quick Logbook Loan Against My Car?

Have you been rejected by the banks? People require fast loans for a variety of reasons: whether to ease financial constraints and make ends meet, pay for a holiday, or complete some on-going home improvements. Read on to discover straightforward and secure alternatives that could provide you with large sums of cash in your account today.

Logbook Loans

Have you considered a logbook loan to ease your financial pressures? V5 Loans is a company which offers simple alternatives to bank loans for people who have been refused by banks and other lenders. Similar to a payday loan, a logbook loan can provide even larger sums of cash to customers, much more quickly. Simply, it is finance secured against the value of your car or vehicle, whereas a payday loan is unsecured. The value of your car will be assessed promptly as the car is the loan’s security; fees are determined by each vehicle’s age, model type, and general condition.

Instant Fast Cash

With V5 Loans you may be eligible to up to £20,000, depending on the condition of your vehicle, and this figure could be transferred into your account within 24 hours! V5 Loans ensures that a cheque or cash can be handed over within a few hours, since there are no credit checks and your only obligation will be to make timely loan repayments. You might be eligible for same day cash, so long as you own a vehicle and are based in England or Wales.

Bad Credit Rating

V5 Loans can boost your future credit rating, making prospective bank loan applications more likely to be accepted. Keeping up with weekly or monthly repayment plans ensures this provides a boost to your credit file. APR rates are typically higher than most high street lenders, but this is offset by the loan’s flexibility; it represents a secure alternative to unregulated money lenders.

Typically, logbook loans companies will arrange a face-to-face meeting with each customer, following a successful online loan application. This is a standard procedure to discuss the lending scheme and appraise the value of your car, thus deciding on the size of the loan. What’s more, you are often allowed to keep driving your vehicle throughout the duration.

Remember, you may be eligible for an instant cash loan, even with a bad credit history. If you are looking for a quick loan and own a car that is free, or almost free, from finance and have a proven income – whether through wages or welfare benefits – a logbook loan is a quick, reliable, and handy solution.

Jaguar Project 7

Jaguar's Project 7 concept car will debut at at Goodwood Festival of Speed this Friday.
Not very practical but I am guessing - a lot of fun.

Would you buy one if you had the money?

Check out the video of this high performance, single-seater roadster. 

Jeff Dunham's car collection

Comedian Jeff Dunham gives a tour of his private garage and shows off some of the amazing cars in his collection, including one of the original hand-sculpted Batmobiles used in the movies.

Is car leasing the right option for me?

The wonderful world of brand new cars is incredible, but it can also be overwhelming. When you want a new car, you have so many different options for purchasing it. How can you tell if new car leasing is the right option for you?

Affording the down payment and monthly payments

Simply purchasing a car outright might be your end goal one day. However, with the amount of money that you currently have saved, you know that would not be a reasonable possibility. Therefore, in order to determine if leasing a vehicle is the right choice, you must assess whether you have enough money to cover the monthly payments. Working with the car dealership Click here can let you know what those payments would likely be.

You don't drive an excessive amount

When you buy or finance a car, you generally do not have a limit on the number of miles that you can drive. With a car lease, however, you do. The dealership will give you a certain number of miles that you can drive on an annual basis. If you exceed that amount, you will have to pay a certain price for each additional mileage. Negotiating with the car dealership is often possible when you feel that more distance is necessary.

No long term commitment

Some people like to keep their cars for years and years. When you do not fall into that category, a car lease can definitely be the best option for you. Leases can last for all different amounts of time, but it's very popular for one to last about 36 months. As a result, within a three-year time span, you will be able to trade that car in and get another new vehicle.

You love prestigious vehicles

Perhaps you are wondering who doesn't love the newest and most fashionable cars on the market. Well, all people have their own opinions, and some might not care about this quality. Leasing is the perfect arrangement for individuals who do. Without a leasing program, you might never have been able to afford this particular car. Now, since the payments are less, you actually can. Of course there are also more cost effective options such as Ford leasing Click here.

Saving money is a priority

Speaking about the lower payments, leasing is definitely a smart option for people who are looking to save money. In most cases, a finance deal is going to cost more on a monthly basis than a lease will, so these leasing plans help you to save money overall.

Deciding what to do when you want a new car can be a little tricky, but considering these factors will help you to determine if leasing a vehicle is the right option for you now.

Toyota Auris Hybrid ad

Early preview of the new Toyota Auris Hybrid TV ad.

3rd gen BMW X5

Check out the third generation of the BMW X5  This Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) combines performance and luxury. The new model has enhanced aerodynamics, a few new engine variants, adaptive chassis options and a range of customisable design packages.