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Avoid summer pollution by installing catalytic converter
Disgusted by black, noxious fumes coming out of your vehicle? That smoke is fouling the air you breathe, and by the way, poisoning not only yourself but also your loved ones. And it could also mean frequent emissions tests, as mandated by various state laws and the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
You can solve that problem by installing catalytic converters into your vehicle. A catalytic converter (also known as catcon or cat) is a device that turns harmful exhaust gases like nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and unburned fuel into basic molecules like nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and water. "Cats" reduce the toxicity of these emissions from your internal combustion engine. This way, these gases can no longer cause damage in the environment, thus making you safer and healthier.
Motor engines try to regulate the air:fuel ratio to 1:14.7. Meaning, for every pound of fuel to be burned, the engine needs 14.7 pounds of air to do the job. But in reality, when driving the air-fuel ratio in your engine varies from lean (an air-to-fuel ratio higher than 14.7), and other times the mixture can be rich (an air-to-fuel ratio lower than 14.7).
Because of these non-ideal conditions, the burnt fuel can actually produce other kinds of emissions like:
* Carbon monoxide - a poisonous
30/50/20
Find out about what "30/50/20" means in car insurance lingo.
Starting on page 153 he explains what those numbers mean on your car insurance. For example, 30/50/20. Never pay attention to those before? Me neither.
Read more: Six-Day Financial Makeover - who likes horror movies?
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On The Record: Phyllis Wolper
Ann Richard may not often be remembered for helping divorced women obtain credit and car insurance, but she did.
I remember that as late as the 1980?s, it was almost impossible for a single woman to obtain credit on her own. Things were much harder for a divorced woman who often had to pay a higher rate for car insurance than her ex-husband, and she had little protection under the law. Many law enforcement agencies did not respond to what they deemed a domestic dispute, even after the divorce was long final, which too often had tragic results.
Read more: On The Record: Phyllis Wolper
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Ford Shelby GT500KR #0001 Features Glass Roof
The inside scoop on the upcoming Ford Shelby fast car auction at Barrett-Jackson.
At this year?s Barrett-Jackson collector car auction Ford & Shelby are teaming up to auction the already rare Shelby GT500KR #0001 off for charity. To make the one-of-one Ebony black GT500KR even more rare it will feature the same full glass roof that is being offered as an option on the 2009 Mustang V6 & GT models.
Read more: Ford Shelby GT500KR #0001 Features Glass Roof
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Stupid
The story of hitting an S.U.V.
I don?t even know what caught my attention and took it from the road, but when I saw how close the monstrous SUV was, I slammed on the brakes and watched my hood crinkle up toward me. And then I said fuck. Which was probably louder than the crash.
It could have been worse!
Read more: Stupid
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Electric Car Faster Than A Porsche
The Zap Alias is a really fast car!
For those of you who want an eco-friendly car for your conscience, but a superfast car for the cool factor, you no longer have to be conflicted.
Read more: Electric Car Faster than a Porsche
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A Necessary Evil
The story of buying a car.
We got a very good deal, if that is possible in the car sales arena. The car is not a performance vehicle but will get me from a to b, not very fast but fast enough. Lol
Read more: A Necessary Evil
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Team Magic E4 EP Sedan
If you can't buy a real fast car, check out the E4 EP from Team Magic.
Back in the middle of July, some new images of the new E4 EP touring car from Team Magic started surfacing on the internet and since then more and more information has become available and now we have the official word from the Taiwanese company themselves. Team Magic have quietly continued to develop and enhance this new car, since its first showing late last year in Chicago, and has had a lot of work and testing put into it to reach its current state. With testing complete, it?s time for Team Magic to introduce the latest step forward in electric touring car technology; the Team Magic E4.
Read more: Team Magic E4 EP Sedan
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Nissan Considering Next Sports Car
Check out the new fast cars from Nissan.
Yes we know that you?re all very excited to see the Nissan GT-R next month at the Tokyo Motor Show. But while you guys are focused on the GT-R, Nissan has ideas for another sports car on the table. They just haven?t decided on which one.
Read more: Japan Report: Nissan considering next sports-car
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Leno Picks Up His BMW Hydrogen 7
It's a green fast car for Jay Leno.
Joining actor Will Ferrell as one of the fortunate few, comedian Jay Leno became the latest person to receive keys to a BMW Hydrogen 7 ? the first hydrogen-powered luxury sedan.
Read more: The Green Picture: Jay Leno Picks Up His BMW Hydrogen 7
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Escape Love
An Escape owner in love with Ford's smallest SUV.
Up until a few years ago, my grandparents (on my mom?s side) were the only ones in my family who had ever driven a Ford. I had only known of a few people who had one or had one previously, so I had not had much experience with them until I bought my own. One of my co-workers at the time (and long time friend) had just purchased her second Mustang and had actually owned an Explorer a few years earlier as well. The really loved both and encouraged me to look into Ford?s smaller SUV (the Escape).
Read more: Escape love
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My New (To Me) Ride
Fast car drivers may want to look in the used market for a good deal on a luxury car.
So taking a page from my brother, I started looking at used luxury cars. And rather than going through the dealerships I wanted to look at small, niche companies that specialized in taking off-lease cars, fixing them up, and getting them back to market.
Read more: My New (to me) Ride
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Breakfast With The Ford Mustang, THEY'RE GR-R-REAT
Some fast car marketing from the folks who bring you the Mustang.
Get ready for a chance to win a Ford Mustang, Edge or F-150 in a new contest put on by Kellogg?s, HotWheels, Target and Ford. It?s easy to play, all you have to do is buy Kellogg?s cereals at participating Target stores around the country and collect the collector cards inside each box.
Read more: Breakfast With The Ford Mustang, THEY’RE GR-R-REAT
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Milka Duno
Click through for more snaps of Venezuelan fast car driver Milka Duno.
Milka Duno is a Venezuelan race car driver best known for holding the record of highest finish for a female driver in the 24 Hours of Daytona which she did in January.
Read more: HCF: Early Latin Edition: Milka Duno
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If A Car Launches In Second Life, Will Anyone Notice It?
A look at fast car marketing on Second Life.
So does maintaining a presence in Second Life result in increasing brand exposure and car sales? I went undercover again to see whether I could find what the magic ingredient for Scion?s expanding presence in Second Life was:
Read more: If A Car Launches In Second Life, Will Anyone Notice It?
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Electronic Control Units
Good post on this incipient Formula One fast car controversy.
The F1 world should start waking up sometime during the next couple of days. The summer break has been a welcome relief from the non-stop controversy of the 2007 season, but before we jump on the treadmill again I thought it?d be worth looking into the Electronic Control Unit contention bubbling under the surface.
Read more: Electronic Control Units
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gas that is colorless and odorless
* Hydrocarbons or volatile organic compounds - produced mostly from unburned fuel that evaporates
Sunlight breaks these down to form oxidants, which react with oxides of nitrogen to cause ground level ozone (O3), a major component of smog.
* Nitrogen oxides - contributes to smog and acid rain, and also causes irritation to human mucus membranes.
The catalytic converter works by:
1.Reduction of nitrogen oxides to nitrogen and oxygen.
2.Oxidation of (non greenhouse gas, but toxic) carbon monoxide to less harmful (greenhouse gas) carbon dioxide.
3.Oxidation of unburnt carcinogenic hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water.
Several components make up the standard catalytic converter. These are:
1.The core or substrate. The core is made up of a ceramic honeycomb, which provides support to the catalyst.
2.The washcoat. This is a mixture of silicon and aluminum. This forms with the core, a rough, irregular surface which has a large surface area. The large surface area gives more places for the catalyst to bind. The catalyst is first suspended to the washcoat before being applied to the core.
3.The catalyst. Tis is usually a precious metal, either platinum, palladium or rhodium. Platinum is most widely used but is the most expensive. Either palladium or rhodium is substituted for it. Platinum and rhodium are used as reduction catalysts, while palladium and platinum are oxidation catalysts.
One downside of having catalytic converters is that it becomes ineffective in the presence of lead, which leads to catalyst poisoning. Catalyst poisoning occurs when a substance in the engine exhaust coats the surface of the catalyst, preventing further exhaust access to the catalytic materials. To avoid it, vehicles with catalytic converters are run using unleaded fuel.
Catalytic converters help protect lessen the emissions brought about by the burning of fossil fuels. Having one installed is doing your share in protecting our environment. In the end, you are also protecting yourself and your loved ones.
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