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Posts Tagged ‘driving’

Ferrari F430 – A Dream On Wheels

December 13th, 2009 No comments

The 430 was born of space age technology. It hasn’t all aluminum chassis was made through a partnership with Alcoa. The frame of the 430 is shared with the Ferrari 360. The structure and the rigidity of the 430 was really worked by changing around beans on the floor of the vehicle. In fact the 430 shares some of the exact same parts as used in the Ferrari 360 Modena.

To call the 430 sexy is an understatement. The Ferrari 430 is slightly redesigned from the 360 to be more aerodynamic and curvaceous. Much like the 360 with 430 has a minimal drag coefficient. Although similar, the 430 produces a tremendous amount of down force. You can see a lot of Ferrari’s heritage within the car. It has the taillights of an Enzo as well a similar front air vents. It has the names etched into the mere much is the same way as the Ferrari Testarossa. Even the front openings in the bumper are similar to racing models of the 60s.

Just like similar Maserati models the 430 features a 4.3 L V8 power plant. This new engine is a huge change for the 430. Nearly all engines of previous V8 Ferrari’s came from the Dino racing programs of the’50s. All Latinos technology went out the window with the advent of the new 4.3 L engine that has displaced the 12 engines that were found in earlier Ferrari models. The do it do what packs quite a punch. It can deliver 483 hp at 8500 RPM rocketing the 432 at top speed of a’6 mph.

The breaks of the 430 were redesigned in close collaboration with Brembo. The 430 relies on cast iron alloy disc. Another option that Ferrari buyers welcome are the carbon fiber reinforced ceramic brakes. Ceramic brakes have a much higher heat resistance and they wear less than metals. The 430s brakes offer more than good performance, they offer a longer lifespan. Ferrari even says that the breaks will not fade after over 300 laps at their test track.

The Ferrari 430 is outfitted with a computer-controlled slip differential. This computer controls the distribution of torque based on steering angle and lateral acceleration. The carmaker claims this to be a world’s first. Ferrari drivers can select from five different settings on the steering wheel that cover electronic suspension, transmission behavior, and throttle response. The 430 also has run flat tires that are uni-directional and covered by Goodyear.

Even though the 430 is an entry-level Ferrari, it is no slouch. The 430 packs mind numbing acceleration, rocketing from 0 to 60 miles for our and 3.5 seconds. The 430 is the third fastest Ferrari ever made. It should be noted that that the 0 to 60 time was achieved with launch control. American versions of the 430 do not have launch control.

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Overheated Engines: Process to Follow When Driving

August 1st, 2009 No comments
by Ethan Melandri

As your temperature gauge rises higher than normal, going closer to the red zone, you are given the first indicator that your engine is overheating. The second indication is the warning light your vehicle has to tell you the car is running hot. This light is typically found on the dashboard, and you may see steam rising from the bonnet. When any of these signs appear you need to stop driving the vehicle. To continue driving is asking for brutal and costly injury to the engine.

If your vehicle is overheating you need to pull off the street and turn the vehicle off immediately. You do not want to continue to a mechanic garage or station as this will result in irreparable damage to the engine. The cylinder head when it gets too hot will warp or crack, thus replacement is needed in that situation.

Once safely parked on the side of the road, switch on your hazard lights to warn any following drivers of your problem. Providing that there is no fire present you can open the bonnet, to give the engine a chance to cool down, however do not be tempted to touch any of the engine parts at this point, as it is very likely that you will be burnt.

It can take several minutes or hours for the engine to cool. If you have an overheated engine during the night you will want to keep your sidelights running, to help other drivers see your car. You can also turn on the headlights to help you see what you are doing.

Once the engine has cooled down you will probably need to top up the coolant level. In an emergency it is fine to use ordinary water but make sure it is not too cold or it could crack the plastic water reservoir. If you need to add a lot of water to your coolant it will significantly dilute the concentration of the antifreeze within it, and this will eventually need to be remedied by a qualified mechanic to prevent the coolant freezing during the winter.

The filler cap on the coolant can still be extremely hot even after the engine has cooled down. Underneath the cap is pressure which will cause steam to rise when it is released. This could burn your hand. It is imperative to make sure the radiator is cool to the touch, as well as to use a rag to cover your hand when you open the filler cap.

Reaching out at arms length to fill the container will help stop you from being hit with hot coolant. You will want to stop and check the levels of the reservoir to ensure you are not over filling it. There is a maximum and minimum line on the container. You will need to check that the temperature gauge is back to normal levels before driving again.

It is safe to drive if the coolant was the issue; however there could be another issue which has caused the engine to overheat. You will want to avoid long trips until you can get the car into the garage. If the engine gets hot shortly after you begin to drive again, pull over and call for roadside recovery to tow your vehicle to a garage.

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Foggy Conditions Guide to Driving Safely

June 15th, 2009 No comments
by Ethan Melandri

Care should be taken when driving in foggy weather. The potential for accidents is greater because no one can see with any clarity and some drivers may not change their driving habits for the inclement conditions.

When there is thick fog about, the best advice is to delay your journey until the weather improves, but if you have to travel what are the best tips and advice to help you make safe progress.

Having a vehicle that is in good working order will be invaluable to your journey. The windscreen should be clean and the lights must be functioning properly. This should include the fog lights on your car. If you have less than 100 metres visibility you will want to engage your fog lights. This not only enables you to see better, but other vehicles will be aware of your presence as well. The use of your regular lights will be of no benefit to you at this time. They actually reflect the fog and limit your visibility even more.

One of the main hazards that occurs when there is foggy weather is that cars tend to follow each other a little too close. It may be from a sense of security that they arent the only car on the road or they may just be driving too fast for the conditions. There is also the possibility that they think they can escape the fog sooner if they go faster. Any of these scenarios can contribute to major accidents. It is very important that you keep your speed under control so that in the event of a sudden stop you are able to have enough space between your car and the one in front of you.

Fog is a phenomenon that occurs due to a cooling of the air during its dew point. The depth of the fog and its height is determined by the environment and geography it appears in.

Typical times and places to expect fog are normally on cold winter mornings in low lying ground, valleys or significant dips. Because the fog can change thickness and in turn reduce visibility very quickly, you will constantly need to reassess the conditions and tailor your driving accordingly.

Once you have achieved more than 100 metres of visibility you must turn off your fog lights. The law states that this is a requirement and it is also unpleasant for oncoming cars. Dont forget to turn off the fog lights on the back of your car as they can disguise your brake lights which can be a hazard.

Driving in fog can be highly rough, yet you are capable of remaining safe while driving. You will need to drive in a style that meets the conditions you experience and afford space to others on the road.

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