4 Featured Technologies That Seem Like A Blast From The Future

In 2015, we have become accustomed to being surrounded by gadgets that would have seemed a fantasy 50 years ago. From inter-connecting smart phones to fully functioning robotics, we are at the precipice of a technological revolution. For many of us drivers, however, we are firmly rooted in the last generation, driving around in cars that haven't changed much in many years, apart from some new bells and whistles. However, automotive technologies are being developed that will radicalize how we drive and experience driving. Here are 5 that are guaranteed to impress any motor heads.

Augmented Reality Dashboards

At one point, GPS technology would have seemed a million miles away from a trusty atlas or road map, but today we are closer to ever to having a full navigation system built into the windscreen. This will be displayed through different types of glasses that will display different information to the driver in real time. This will display not only directional advice, but will display the speedometer, parking sensors, rev counter, fuel gauge and other aspects of the cars computer. Through touch screen controls, drivers will be able to control every facet of their vehicle from the screen, including air conditioning, radio, windows and headlights. Perhaps the most futuristic is the ability to zoom in on parts of the road so drivers can see obstacles up ahead more clearly. If put into place, this could help improve drivability but also keep drivers and there passengers safer.

Solar Roadways

Solar powered LED roadways have the potential to change the world in a way that many other technologies could only dream of. Designed to not only illuminate our roads and display dynamic traffic information, but actually charge electric cars wirelessly whilst they drive. This would revolutionize how we fuel our cars and completely transform the automotive economy. This would make electric cars a true alternative to petrol and diesel powered cars, and lead towards us improving our carbon emissions by an inexplicable amount. Imagine never having to refuel your car manually while driving around on illuminated LED roads! There are even plans to make the panels heated that will melt any snow or ice that has accumulated on the LED panels, which will then be filter to a water treatment center to use within the water supply. However, there are some questions about how economically feasible these plans are and how the roads will be constructed and maintained. However, the city of Sandport, US, is going to become the first city to have the panels by installing them within a parking lot.

Fully Autonomous Cars

This has been speculated for a long time but, in 2015, they are finally testing fully autonomous cars on public roads. A recent report suggested that by 2035, nearly 75 per cent of vehicles sold will have automatic driving capability. Google have actually been planning to make it a reality within 5 years, so we could have driverless cars sooner than we think. Whilst we have had components such as self-parking cars, completely driverless cars would revolutionize how we navigate our roads and motorways. However, there have been some initial problems; for instance, Google's attempt at a driverless car cannot tell the difference between a rock and a piece of litter that has drifted into the road and subsequently attempts to drive round both of them in the same way. Also, there are some moral questions about how much it will actually improve road safety and whether people will actually want to put their life in the hands of a computer program. Nevertheless, envisioning a future where we are essentially driven around by robots definitely seems like something out of science fiction.

External Airbags

Many of us have been involved in some form of accident on the roads, sometimes costing a lot of money in repairs. However, this could be all change if external side airbags are fitted on cars. Side crashes currently account for around 40 percent of all traffic accidents and we could now see a dramatic reduction in the damage these crashes cause. The airbags are designed to deploy in 20 - 30 milliseconds and protect the vehicle from the impact. This is being developed alongside cameras that will detect the moment the airbag needs to be triggered. When completed, this design could bring about a massive transformation in road safety.

How to Parallel Park Like a Pro!

Do you have what it takes to park like a pro? Here's a quick how-to that will dramatically elevate your parallel parking game. Hosted by Unbox Therapy's Lewis Hilsenteger.

Top 4 Reasons to Avoid Parking Under Trees!

In these hot summer months, the temptation to search for shade in which to park is very high, especially if you have leather interior. Nobody enjoys the feeling of leaving a restaurant or returning to their car from running errands and then hopping in a scorching seat. To top it off, you have to sit in the sun while your car cools down because your steering wheel is as hot as a stove top! Everybody appreciates a chance at avoiding this discomfort.

Unfortunately, parking under trees is not a solution. While you can certainly park your car in the shade of a distant tree or nearby building, there are numerous reasons why you should never park your car directly under a tree, no matter if it is in your driveway or a parking lot. Here are the top 4 reasons to stay away from trees, no matter how shady they are:

1. Bird droppings are no fun. If you are like most people, you do not appreciate seeing a smear of droppings across your windshield or around your door. It almost seems as if birds do this on purpose, especially if your car is new or has just been washed and waxed. Not only are these gifts from above unsightly and gross, especially if they land on your door handles, they can also be harmful to your vehicle. Bird droppings can fade and chip paint over time, leaving stains that never go away, no matter how hard these areas are scrubbed. It is recommended that you wash off bird droppings as soon as possible. Parking under a tree invites feathered fiends--which love resting and nesting in trees, of course--to turn your car into a toilet.

2. When bad weather strikes, you should feel lucky to be indoors. You can be safe and dry inside a building and leave your car unattended in the storm. The most common case of foul weather, light rain, is no big deal to your vehicle. However, if you are parked under a tree, even the slightest winds and rain can lead to a major problem for your car. Loose branches and sticks can easily fall onto it, scratching your paint job or even damaging your glass. If the weather gets very intense, the entire tree could fall on your vehicle. A windshield replacement is simple and affordable enough, but what do you do when your entire roof or hood is smashed in?

3. The only perk to parking under a tree is its shade. However, there are simple solutions to beating the hot sun. You can have your windows tinted, replace them with pre-tinted glass, or put up a simple sun visor. These things might seem like relics from the 80s and 90s but they are still perfectly effective at bouncing sunlight away from your car, which keeps it cool.

4. Not only do birds love leaving their droppings on cars, but they will also love standing on your car. Trees do not only attract birds. Cats may venture by for a hunt and climb atop your vehicle with their dirty paws and sharp claws. Squirrels, mice, raccoons and other small animals may also climb onto your vehicle, eat atop it, and leave nutshells, dirt, and stray hairs behind as they participate in the little ecosystem around the tree. Heaven forbid one of these larger animals should urinate or leave droppings on your car. 

While many of these problems seem unlikely, you could also say that car accidents are unlikely. Everyone knows, though, that when it comes to your vehicle and safety, you should do everything you can to prevent damage. Avoid parking under trees to minimize these risks.

The 2016 Ford F-150 Continues to Innovate

The 2016 Ford F-150, part of Ford F-Series, America’s best-selling truck for 38 years, continues to innovate with the addition of breakthrough towing technology, new Special Edition Appearance Packages, SYNC 3 and alternative fuel capability.

All-new Pro Trailer Backup Assist makes it easier for drivers of all skill levels to back a trailer up to launch a boat or park in a driveway. The segment-first technology allows customers to steer a trailer instinctively by turning a knob left or right to indicate direction; the truck controls its steering and limits vehicle speed. Leveraging advanced camera technology, Ford engineers developed the system and tested it for almost a decade. Along the way, Ford earned five patents for the technology, with 10 more pending.

The Special Edition Packages for XLT and Lariat further personalize F-150 to customer tastes, adding all-new unique 20-inch premium anodized dark-painted aluminum wheels with red sport lettering, black running boards, smoked headlamps, unique bodyside graphics and badging, special edition seats with Alcantara® inserts, red contrast stitching and red bolsters, and unique red stitching on the steering wheel, transmission gear selector boot and instrument panel. This package also features a dark anodized grille with black mesh on XLT while the Lariat dark anodized grille receives red accents.

F-150 also features SYNC 3 – Ford’s newest communications and entertainment system that features enhanced voice recognition, high-speed performance and capacitive touch screen and easier-to-understand graphical interface.

Responding to customer requests, the 2016 Ford F-150 with the 5.0-liter V8 engine will offer a gaseous-fuel prep option, making it the only light-duty pickup capable of running on compressed natural gas or propane.

New features and color choices

Other changes for the 2016 F-150 include:

• SYNC 3 replaces Sync with MyFord Touch
• XLT and Lariat models add available Special Edition Appearance Package (requires Sport Appearance Package)

• Shadow Black replaces Tuxedo Black
• Lithium Gray replaces Guard Metallic
• 20-inch machined aluminum wheels with painted silver pockets available on XL

Going Green has Never Been Easier!

Motorists can do their part to help the environment by practicing a few 'earth-friendly' car care habits, note the experts at the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). It all comes down to timely vehicle maintenance and non-aggressive driving.

Here are specific suggestions from ASE:

• Slow down. Speeding and hard accelerations waste gasoline. Use cruise-control on highways to maintain a steady pace. When waiting for friends or family, shut off the engine. Consolidate daily errands.
• Lighten up. Remove unnecessary items from the vehicle to reduce weight.
• Don't pollute. Dispose of used motor oil, antifreeze/coolant, and old batteries properly. Some repair facilities accept these items. Or call your local government. Keep the engine running at its peak-a misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30%. Replace filters and fluids as recommended by the owner's manual.
• Get pumped. Keep the tires properly inflated and aligned. Under-inflated tires waste fuel by forcing the vehicle's engine to work harder. Moreover, properly maintained tires last longer, saving you money and lessening the burden at landfills.
• Know your limitations. If you are not a do-it-yourselfer, find a good technician. Ask friends for recommendations. Check the reputation of the repair shop with your local consumer group. Check out the technicians' credentials. ASE-certified professionals have passed one or more national exams in specialties such as engine performance and air conditioning.
• Don't try this at home. Your car's air conditioner should be serviced only by a technician certified to handle and recycle refrigerants. The air conditioners in older vehicles contain ozone-depleting chemicals, which can be released into the atmosphere through improper service.
• Instant karma. In addition to helping the environment, routine maintenance will help your vehicle last longer, get better gas mileage, and command a higher resale price. Pretty cool.
  

  

Meet One Of The World's Fastest Shelby GT500 Mustangs | Metro Ford Chicago

 

In the world of drag racing, you usually do your best to get optimal traction off the line. Still, there are lots of rear wheel driven beasts out there that happen to do just fine.

Such is the case with this, the Kinetik Motorsport Shelby Mustang GT500 - a car that isn't just fast, but looks fantastic as well.

The GT500 is a proper muscle car, so if muscle is what you're going for, look no further than this modified version. Now, imagine unleashing 1,173 WHP and no fewer than 1,059 lb-ft (1,435 Nm) of torque through your rear tires. That's Bugatti Veyron territory!

In its debut at the Texas Mile, it managed to hit 209.3 mph (336 km/h), which isn't a record, but still, very impressive. As far as fast Mustangs go, there aren't many that can top this one.

Besides the 4.7 liter supercharger, this car also has a limited slip differential, Griggs GR40SS suspension, Koni coilovers, a Magnaflow 3" catback exhaust with competition mufflers, American Racing 2" primary long tube headers and Baer Extreme front and rear brake discs.

Naturally, you can go faster at the Texas Mile. Build yourself something like this Hennessey-tuned Ford GT and you'll make 209 mph look like child's play.

However, in terms of Mustangs, we'll take this particular one any day.

5 steps to get the best car finance with bad credit | Metro Ford Chicago

 

Finding a fair deal on car finance with bad credit isn’t like searching for a needle in a field full of haystacks. There is a logical order to things sometimes. Finding good bad credit car loans might take a bit longer but it’s entirely possible – and worth it. Just keep in mind that bad credit car loans will usually attract higher interest rates than “regular” or mainstream car loans. If you follow these steps, you could find a deal that will eventually reduce your debts in the long term.

 

1. Do your homework
Currently, you’re likely only about two or three steps away from something that can search the internet at any given time. Having that in mind, you can research bad credit car loan options using your computer, phone or tablet. Find as many brokers and financiers as possible and see what they offer. See which sites offer no-obligation quotes to get an idea of what you’ll pay.

2. Ignore the “zero percent” and “one percent” dealer finance offers
You might be tempted to take the “zero percent” finance or “low rate” finance offers that car dealers often peddle. Don’t fall for them! These “deals” have many hidden traps. You might not be able to negotiate the price and end up paying a lot more than you bargained for. If you want to get back into good credit, don’t take the “easy way out” – it often isn’t.

3. Check your credit history
This step is crucial – check your credit history so you are better prepared when you eventually settle on a broker. Your credit history is the first aspect your chosen financier will assess when figuring out your eligibility for a loan. Your credit history might have errors in it. It’s your responsibility to fix them if they occur. This could improve your credit standing.

4. Set a reasonable budget – and stick to it
Once you have a couple of brokers or lenders that you’re comfortable with, it’s time to go car shopping. Keep in mind that lenders see people with bad credit as higher risks. It’s worth your while to budget conservatively. If possible, you should provide rough estimates to your lender, showing you can comfortably take on a large debt such as a car loan.

5. Do your homework round 2: researching your lender
So you’ve picked a lender or two and you’re ready to apply. Before you do, check out your lender a bit more closely. Do they have positive user reviews on sites like WOMO.com.au? Have they been around in the industry for a reasonable amount of time? Do they have a current Australian Credit Licence? You can check using the ASIC website. You can never be too careful!