The African Bull Dog ( KENYA )

Sustainable by all means.

Mombasa (Kenya) is the location where this unique prototype was conceived. Details are outlined from their Facebook page.

Completed

30th January 2011

The vehicle

The african bull dog is a Kenyan Built Off Road 4X4 Vehicle and MPV; This car is built for every day use, it can be used in farms as a produce cart, or even as an ambulance at Marsabit desert to provide emergency care to the forgotten communities and as a truck to ferry drugs to those remote places that you have never heard of!; With ample backing, the African Bulldog can do for Kenya what the Citroen 2CV did for France and the V.W Beetle for Germany!

Company Overview

Heino Autoworx is a Leading 4x4 vehicle workshop based in Mombasa at the Mtwapa Creek, Kenya. We have been involved in the maintenance of 4x4 vehicles and S.U.Vs for years and we decided to push the boundaries.

Description


The African Bull Dog is the brain child of Engineer Heino, he has a vast experience in the automotive and boat industry. The crew has been working tirelessly to ensure that we meet our target and we build a vehicle that meets the standards of the 4X4s we work on on a daily basis.

Mission


4X4 Extreme Efficient Performance!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/African-Bull-Dog/160682840649799?sk=wall

BAILEY LMP2 ( SOUTH AFRICA )

This is an African Phenomenon for 2011. Below are the stats straight from the makers mouth describing this awesome beast.

"Bailey Cars took the Bold and Brave step of building a current day Prototype car in 2009. Its taken 2 years of intense design and manufacture to produce this master piece of south African engineering.

The car has had many firsts for South Africa such as full carbon Tub, full CFD body design and building a car to the A.C.O Le Mans 24 hours regulations

The car is available to customers who would like to compete in sports car racing throughout the world in events such as ALMS, Le Mans series, Asian Le Mans Series and even the South African Le Mans Series and RSA GT challenge.

Chassis

· Carbon composite monocoque chassis

· Monocoque certified to all ACO and FIA structural and crash standards

· Adjustable pedal box and steering column

· Safety equipment includes 6-point lightweight seat belt harness

· Plumbed in fire extinguisher system

Engine

· 460hp maximum as regulated by ACO
· The engine must be made in a minimum of 1000 units in 12 consecutive months and must come, either from a grand touring car, Or from a large production car.
· Choice of homologated BMW, Lexus, Toyota or Nissan 5000 cm3 8 cylinders maximum. maximum
· Or 3200 cm3 forced induction engine with max 6 cylinders
· Diesel not allowed in LMP


Suspension

· Double wishbone layout all round

· Pushrod rocker type with damper and coil over spring all round

· Third-spring option for front and rear suspension

· Frictionless bearing seals all round

· Same upright all round

· Angular-contact wheel bearings all round

· Chromoly steel-fabricated TIG-welded wishbones

· Quick adjustable ride height, camber, and toe

· electrically power assisted rack-and-pinion



Fuel System



· 90-litre bladder type fuel cell

· Dual Low-pressure fuel lifts pump plus dual high-pressure pumps




Transmission


· Ricardo sequential-shift gearbox

· Six forward speeds plus reverse with torque input capacity in excess of 500 Nm

· Adjustable gear ratios

· Paddle shift as standard

· Gear oil cooling system



Bodywork


· All body panels of lightweight infused epoxy glass composite construction

Brake System

· AP Racing six-piston aluminum calipers all round

· 380 mm diameter ventilated discs front and rear

· Full carbon brake set up as option



Wheels and Tyres


· Wheel dimensions 11”wide x 18” diameter front

· 13” wide x 18” diameter rear

· 3 piece wheels

· Centre lock and anti loosen to FIA standards


Cooling System


· 1 water radiators

· 8-litre dry sump oil tank

· Twin engine all cooler

· Twin Electric oil scavenge pump

· 1 intercooler

· Driver air-conditioning system



Electrical System



· Military-spec chassis wiring loom

· FIA-regulation emergency power cut-off switch

· External start jump plug

· Digital dash display and with full data logging

· Xenon headlamps



WEIGHT

· Minimum weight as specified by ACO 900kg excluding driver and fuel


Bailey - Beautifully Engineered Cars

http://www.baileyedwardscars.co.za

Ghana President Pays $165,000 Parking Charges on Falcon 900EX in USA

The Ghana presidential jet “Falcon 900EX Easy” during the 28-days holiday stay by the president of Ghana John Evan Atta Mills, at New York and other parts in USA accrued $165,420 charges for airport or aerodrome facilities and air route navigation facilities within the period of Nov & Dec 2011.

It's a known fact that the charges for landing an aircraft other than airship at Government Airports/Aerodromes, parking and housing charges in USA is quite exorbitant. Many people have questioned the sense in flying a presidential jet to America, flying around and parking for over 28 days for annual holidays other than a US government invites who could receive some VIP discount for foreign government officials. One could have thought an annual holiday without a large family should have equally patronised any reputable commercial flights for such occasion.

According to the Global Business Travel Journal “it is unfathomable for a president from a third world country (Ghana) which depends largely on donors for budget support to embark on annual holidays to America for such period using the country's Presidential Jet, knowing that the parking charges for each 24 hours period or part thereof shall be 35% of the landing charges when parking period exceeds 6 hours”.

Though, others could also argue from many angles that the Falcon 900EX which flies 4,550 nautical miles nonstop, as the fastest in its class has all the necessary features for the comfortability and security of president. With its classic trijet engine design, the 900EX can use small airports at high altitudes, even on hot days. It's the most versatile aircraft and also one of the safest given its ability to fly slower on approach than its twinjet competitors.

It is also unquestionable that the state-of-the-art flight deck of Falcon 900EX offers pilots an uncompromising capability to monitor and control the progression of the flight while the spacious, custom-crafted cabin offers passengers the intransigent capability to perform at peak levels while en route.

But since all airport flight charges depend on the Maximum Land Weight (MLW) and Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW), one should taken into consideration the length of stay in USA and the weight of Ghana Presidential Jet with the Take-Off Weight of 49,000bl (22,226Kg) and the Landing Weight of 44,500lb (20,185Kg), not forgetting the security charges, parking and housing charges.

Recently, Airports in America have manipulated landing fees to encourage airlines to fly fewer planes or schedule landings for off-peak times or even less-busy airports, hence, the need for considering such charge when flying to US airports for long stay.

Credit: Antoinete Bruce (Senior Consultant – Global Travels Journals Network)

Date: 26/12/2011

Starting your car in winter

Starting a car in winter is nothing like it use to be back when cars were carbureted. With modern fuel injection most people don't even think or wonder if their car will start. This is a good thing but just because your car starts doesn't mean it is ready to go. No I am not saying you need to let it warm up for a few minutes or any thing like that. When the weather gets colder it is even harder on your vehicle and special precautions should be taken. Below are my recommendations for start your car when it is really code.

1. Let it run for a bit once started - I am not talking about the 1-3 minute warm up time of old as that isn't needed. What I am saying is put your foot on the break put the car in gear (if it has an automatic transmission) while running and let the fluids circulate and built pressure for a few seconds before driving off. This is usually when I am putting my seat belt on and adjusting the radio, you know 10-15 seconds. When it is cold oil doesn't flow as fast so why risk damage to your engine or transmission by running it faster than it needs to before oil has fully circulated. 
2. If you have a block heater plug it in the night before. Block heaters a wonderful they either heat the oil or heat the coolant so that your vehicle has an easier time starting and also causes it to warm up quicker. If your vehicle doesn't have one installed you can get some aftermarket ones that you put in line with the coolant system or can attach to the oil pan. They are well worth their cost.
3. Put the batter on the charger over night - You are not trying to charge the battery but you are trying to keep some warmth in the battery. So by putting it on a charger at the 1.5 to 2 amp trickle charge you can ensure that the battery doesn't freeze. For instruction on how to charge your batter see this article.
4. Drive lightly - Once your vehicle is started don't drive it like a race car until it is up to full operating temperature. This means driving it lightly as you go through the neighborhood and don't do the jack rabbit starts from a stop. 
5. If you flooded the engine (yes this can happen with fuel injected vehicles if you press the gas pedal down some when trying to start it) there is a way to unflood  it with modern fuel injected vehicles. Press the gas pedal all the way to the floor and as soon as you hear the engine catch let off the gas. You shouldn't be touching the gas pedal when starting a fuel injected vehicle even in the cold weather. these aren't like the old cars with carburetors
6. If you have a diesel vehicle you have your own set of issues and probably know these secrets for getting it started but a neat trick I learned from one of my coworkers who has a diesel is to use some of those adhesive block heaters* that stick to your oil pan but instead stick them to your fuel tank. This will prevent your diesel fuel from gelling up and makes starting easier.

* Note I am not sponsored by or endorsing O'Reilly Auto Parts I just know that they carried the adhesive block heater pads and wanted to provide an example. I have no relationship with O'Reilly Auto Parts other than as a customer.

Winter supplies

Now is the time of year, especially with the Christmas holiday approaching, that the local news paper or local news has a segments on what you should carry with you for traveling in inclement weather. Below is my list which is probably more complete and useful.

• Blanket - one per person
• Snacks - some chips, candy, jerky or other snacks like food that won't go bad in case you are stranded
• 1 quart oil - doesn't everyone have one of these in their trunk
• Jumper cables - You will need to know how to used these. Even if you don't need them for your self you can be the hero as it seems no one carries these anymore.
• Warmers - The hand and foot warmers that heat up when they are exposed to air. These work great as I use them when hunting and am out side for weeks on end in the cold weather.
• Hat
• Mittens/gloves
• Tow chain or tow rope - Yes I have one of these, if you get stuck hopefully a 4WD truck or 4WD SUV comes by and can help pull you out. Then I suggest giving the person some cash since they did stop and pull you out of the ditch. This is a lot cheaper than getting a tow truck to pull you out which charge like $75 to hook up your car. I have even helped pull people out of ditches a couple of weeks ago with my Jeep who got stuck.
• A full tank of gas - It doesn't have to be full but keep it above half a tank. I see an awful lot of people who are stuck on the side of the road because they ran out of gas and now are walking to a gas station.
• Some cash - Keep $40 or so in cash in your car in small bills. It is nice since things seem to get bad when you are out in the middle of no where with limited services and they don't take credit card. Often gas stations require a cash deposit to use a gas can as well.
• Flash light with working batteries
• Some basic tools - If you work on your own car you probably have a good idea of what the most used tools for it are. Typically this is a couple of screw drivers, and a handful of wrenches. I know BMW's have a little tool kit in the trunk that has this but I don't know if other vehicles do as well but I wouldn't be surprised if Mercedes do as well.
• Tire chains - If you are getting into some deep unplowed snow this will make your car go like a tank. Being from Minnesota you would think that they would be common here but they aren't. Most people think they are banned in this state but they aren't according to MN Statute 169.72
• Ice scrapper
• Windshield washer fluid (the non freezing type)
• Shovel - Those folding military/camping shovels work great for tossing in your trunk.
• Flash light.
• 40lbs sack of rock salt - Some people use kitty litter but I like rock salt better as it will provide traction like kitty litter but will also melt ice. Just get a 40lbs sack of the rock water softener salt. If you don't need it during the winter then you can go dump it in your water softener. If you have a rear wheel drive vehicle I would suggest two 40lbs sacks, one over each rear wheel. 
• Some fire starters - In case you are stranded for a long time having a fire for warmth might be nice if you are off in the woods.
• First aid kit
• Something to drink - Everyone suggests water, but that just freezes, bottles of pop freeze at a much lower temperature so instead of having a frozen block of ice you might actually have something to drink. Don't have cans of pop as when they freeze they will just burst and then you have a sticky mess so get plastic bottles.

Get Your Car Ready for Winter

With winter on its way or already here now is the time to start getting you car ready for winter. Below are the things that I do to prep my car for winter.

1. Check the coolant - You should already be doing this each oil change but it is worth another check. Unlike in the summer you will need to have a mix and not run 100% water. Usually a 50/50 mix is the ideal ratio to balance boil over and freeze prevention. The last thing you want is to have your engine coolant freeze as this would probably be the end of a number of parts.
2. Check your battery - A number of auto parts stores will check your battery for free if you don't have the tools to do it your self. Cold weather is hard on batteries and if you have a battery approaching the end of its life it might just freeze which will be the end of that battery.
3. If you haven't done a flush and fill recently on you coolant now would be a good time to do so. This ensures that you have both good coolant and that you don't have a plugged heater core. 
4. Switch to a lighter weight oil - Now your car will typically have a recommended oil usually 5w30, some vehicles have 2 oils they recommend based off of the temperatures it will operate in. In my daily driver (the BMW 540i) I will run 4 different weight oils throughout the year. In the peak heat of the summer I run 15w40 while in the middle of winter I will run 0w30 while running 5w30 and 10w30 in the less extreme  temperatures. The first number is the cold flow number so the cooler it is the lighter oil you can go with. When the day time highs are going to only be -10F it would be worth while to run a light oil that actually will flow and build oil pressure. The second number is the hot flow number and means this oil will thin no more than a X weight oil so 0w30 when cold flows like a 0 weight oil but once it warms up it flows like a 30 weight oil. Using a lighter oil also will help it start when it is cold as well. 
5. Use synthetic oil - If you haven't read my write up on using synthetics one of the reasons they are better is they have better flow at low temperatures. This allows your engine to build oil pressure sooner. This will also make starting it easier as well.
6. Wax you car - Now is a great time to go and do a nice hand waxing. The nice shine won't last but it will provide additional protection from road salt. If you are lucky enough to not live in an area that salts the daylights out of the road then go and enjoy some time in the nice weather and wax your car anyway.
7. Get some rubber floor mats - This will keep your carpet in nice condition and also helps prevent the floor of your car from rusting out. It seems to take forever for automotive carpet to dry out so this will keep then dry and also prevent them from getting that awful salt stain.
8. Check the tread on your tires - With the snow and ice on the road you don't want other factors decreasing your cars traction. Good tread helps provide as much traction as possible which you will need.
9. Get the snow tires on it - If you are lucky enough to have snow tires they make a world of difference when driving on snowy and icy roads. The reason is that they are made with rubber compounds that can provide better traction on theses surfaces. These compounds are very soft so you don't want to run snow tires in the summer otherwise they will just wear away but in the winter do wonders. If you don't have snow tires but would like some I would suggest purchasing a set of cheap steel rims to have them mounted on as it will save you money in the long run since you will other wise be paying to have them mounted and balanced on your existing rims and then paying to have them unmounted and the summer tires put back on in just a few months.

Lagos toll gate protest turns violent

** One feared killed, 18 arrested, detained ** Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal assaulted It was another day of protest yesterday as residents of the Lekki, Ajah and Epe axis of Lagos State came out en-masse to vent their displeasure over plans by the state government to begin collection of tolls on the newly constructed Lekki- Epe Expressway today.

But yesterdayÕs protest turned violent when Policemen tried to disperse the protesters. The residents who had gathered at about 9:00 am claimed that if the toll regime is allowed, an average resident would be paying about N250,000 per annum on a car, a development they claimed would impoverish them. Gov. Babatunde Fashola, had on Nov. 14, while presenting the 2012 Appropriation Bill to the State House of Assembly, expressed support for the collection of tolls by the Lekki Concession Company (LCC).

He said the state had, so far, spent N4 billion as compensation to the LCC for suspending toll collections on the road. The residents, in their hundreds, walked from Lekki Peninsula Phase 1 round about to toll plaza, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs. Some of the placards read Where is the real Governor of Lagos State?ÕÕ ``Why not toll on Bourdillon Road,ÕÕ ``No to LCC/ High TechÕÕ and ``No to toll on Lekki axis.ÕÕ Others are ``No payment for unfinished road,ÕÕ ``Three tolls in one Local Government? Madness,ÕÕ and ``We will not pay tolls to live or return to our homes.ÕÕ The protesters were trailed by members of the Nigeria Police Force who later shot teargas to disperse them because of the heavy traffic they had caused around the toll plaza. In the stampede that ensued, several people were injured, while one middleaged man was feared dead. The cause of death was however not clear. A version said he collapsed after a gunshot was heard.

But another version claimed that the yet-to-beidentified protester died of exhaustion while some said he collapsed after being chocked by the tear gas canister fired into the crowd of protesters . Journalists were also not spared by the thugs and policemen at the scene as they were equally attacked. One of the photojournalists works as a staff of the Nigerian Compass newspapers. He along with Sunday Alamba, who works with Associated Press (AP) were assaulted, while their cameras, bags and other paraphernalia were seized. Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw-Nuttal was also one of those assaulted. Some residents were not so lucky as over 40 of them were allegedly arrested.

Lagos State Police Spokesman, Samuel Jinadu, DSP, however said only 18 residents were arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigation department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, Lagos, while no death was recorded. Chairman of the Lekki Peninsula Phase 1 ResidentsÕ Association, Mr Wole Akala, who led the protest, told newsmen that government should not start the collection of tolls until a viable alternative route was created. ``It is totally premature for the government to start collecting tolls as the alternative route it created is in a private estate. ``Oniru is a private estate and people living there may close the road at any time to celebrate one thing or the other. It will expose us to the decisions of private individuals,ÕÕ he said.

Akala said the alternative route could not take two cars at a time, noting that there would be chaos if the multitude of people decided to take that route. ``Government should suspend the collection of tolls and construct the road properly. It cannot use peoplesÕ money to build its road. ``It is an unpopular decision that should be reversed. Government is for the people and the people are saying that they do not have that kind of money to pay for three toll plazas,ÕÕ he said. Mr. James Imadoye, Chairman of Brown Estate, said Oniru was not the route agreed upon in the contract, adding that the alternative road should be a coastal road. ``What we are saying is that Lagos State has a contract and a master plan for Lekki axis; they have deviated from this master plan. ``Both the contract and the master plan are subject to the Laws of Lagos State and the government should respect its own Law. 

``We are also aggrieved that this is the only road they are putting toll plaza on. The government has renovated roads in Ikoyi, Orile and Surulere, why are there no toll plazas on those roads?.ÕÕ Dr Ronke Agoro, a resident, said the government had not justified why it should collect tolls on the road. He said it only added a lane to the two lanes built by the former governor of Lagos State, Lateef Jakande. ``What have they done on the road that they are asking us to pay? The government wants us to pay for everything; meanwhile the minimum wage is just N18, 000.

Are they asking us to go and steal? Meanwhile the state government on Saturday restated its commitment to maintenance of law and order in the state. Speaking against the backdrop of the protest march by a group said to be opposed to the commencement of tolling at the Lekki - Epe Expressway, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba said while it is the fundamental right of the citizens to protest, there should never be a recourse to violence. While expressing regrets that some journalists and media organisations were affected by the fracas which reportedly broke out at the scene of the protest, the Commissioner noted that reports reaching the State Government indicated that the law enforcement agents had to step in to prevent a breakdown of law and order when alleged thugs arrived the scene and fighting broke out.

According to the Commissioner, the Police stepped in to restore law and order and have made some arrests including a top Peoples Democratic Party candidate who contested and lost during the last general elections, a development which showed that the protest itself was politically motivated. Mr. Ibirogba cautioned against the politicization of every issue including developmental issues with clear implications for the welfare of the people and the image of the country as a whole. He said broad based consultations had been carried out and several conditions set by the people in the Lekki axis including the provision of alternative routes and provision of high capacity buses had been met before an earlier suspension on tolling was lifted. The State Government, Mr Ibirogba said, would probe deep into the issue and prosecute masterminds of the reported violence during the protest.

Credit: National Mirror

18/12/2011

Some thoughts on the trades

This weekend I finished another excellent book about our economy, and how we might recover from recession.  One of the suggestions was that we should become better educated, as a society.  To bolster that point, the author talked about college graduation rates, and the limited prospects for non-college-graduates who end up with low paying service jobs.

Where are the trades, in that writer’s mind?

I can just hear the answer now . . . Trades?  What are trades?

All too often, writers divide the world of work into “educated and professional” labor performed by college graduates, and “minimum wage service work” performed by the unwashed masses; those of us who did not make it out of college or perhaps even out of high school.

That depiction does a great disservice to our young people as they contemplate their future career paths.  For the trades still offer tremendous opportunity, and they are overlooked more and more today.

So what are the trades, you ask?  Trades are specialized jobs that are taught by doing.  People who work in the trades use both their hands and their minds to reason through problems and produce tangible results.  In years past you learned a trade by being an apprentice.  Today, you might learn a trade at a trade school, or academy.  And some apprentice programs still exist. 

Examples of trades are:

• Carpenter, cabinetmaker, or framer
• Auto, truck, or airplane mechanic or technician
• Computer service technician
• Medical equipment service technician
• Plumber
• Electrician
• Heavy equipment operator

All of those jobs require substantial skill that is developed through both study and practice, and all have different levels.  One starts out at low wages as an apprentice, while masters make as much as most people in “professional” jobs.

The next step up from being a master is to own a small business that employs other tradesmen. Examples are my auto service company, or a local electrical contractor.  Owners of successful trade business can make as much or more money than even high-level professionals, like doctors or lawyers.

Yet the path to success in a trade does not generally pass through a college and it is often overlooked.

There are three hundred million people here in America.  It’s tradesmen who construct the places where we live.  Tradesmen bring us the electric power, and the plumbing.   Tradesmen fix our cars and trucks, and they restore that old jalopy we took on our first date.  They build those custom cabinets you always dreamed of in the study.  They bring town water to your cabin when the well ran dry.  The beauty of the trades is that they are not going anywhere.  No one is outsourcing those jobs to India or China.  

It’s true that the trades change.  The job of fixing cars has changed tremendously over the past twenty years, as has the job of wiring a house or even installing plumbing.  But everything changes.  We all have to learn and adapt.  Tradesmen may have a greater challenge, learning to adapt both hands and minds, but we do it and prosper.  

In some cases, fewer workers are needed in a given area.  Construction trades are a good example of that today.  With the housing collapse, we have a surplus of tradesmen who know how to work new construction.  Yet we still have jobs in other trades, like auto repair, and we even have jobs for carpenters, plumbers and electricians in repair and maintenance. 

I find working on things I can pick up and handle very satisfying.  I know many other tradesmen feel the same.  I like to fix something, see it work, and know it’s a job well done.  That sense of personal connection and satisfaction is missing in all too many jobs today.

Tradesmen of all kinds are what keep our world running.  When the lights go out, you don't call an investment banker.

So why are the trades overlooked and dismissed?  Maybe it’s time for a second glance . . .

FCT Abuja in Nigeria introduces park-and-pay services

The FCT Minister, Sen Bala Mohammed, said on Thursday in Abuja that vehicle owners within the city would henceforth pay a minimum fee of N50 for parking.

The minister, while speaking at the launch of the Test-Run of Controlled Parking Space in the FCT, said the move was aimed at checking traffic congestion in the city.

``It will also assist in inculcating best practices in road-usage,'' Mohammed who was represented by the Director Mass Transport in the FCT Transport Secretariat, Mr Wilson Unogwu, said.

He said the scheme would take off next week with all the 5000-marked-parking-bays on the city's streets attracting a minimum charge of N50 per hour.

``This will be N650 for per day, while defaulters are to pay N5,000 for wrong parking on flower beds and walkways,'' the minister said.

Mohammed said the project would be executed by two private companies, Integrated Parking System and Platinum Parking Management Service.

He said the two companies were the ones the monetised parking space have been concessioned to.

Chief Operating Officer of Integrated Parking System, Umar Kaltungu, assured that sufficient revenue would be generated from the project.

He said an electronic swipe card pre-loaded with N500 would be purchased by drivers to enable them make payments at Point-of-Sale terminals.

Photos: Credit Confidential

Text Credit: 234next.com

09/12/2011

Getting a collector car ready for winter storage

It’s late November, time for collector cars to be put in storage all over New England.  These are some thoughts from my 25 years doing this job here at Robison Service . . . 

We start by opening the hood and having a look at the fluids.   There are differing opinions on oil, but my preference is to change dirty oil in the fall, rather than leaving it to rot the engine all winter.

I feel the same way about other fluids.  If they are dirty, I suggest they be changed.

We use test strips to check antifreeze for pH balance and freeze protection.  If the coolant fails or even looks marginal, we change it.

We check the battery and cables.  If the car is going to sit in storage, and it predates the computer era, I suggest disconnecting the battery.  If the car has computers that need to be kept alive, I suggest fitting a trickle charger and a timer to make sure it keeps the battery up without boiling it away.

Some people are concerned about rust in the combustion chambers.  If you have this worry, get a couple cans of marine engine winterizer spray.  Disconnect the ignition, and crank the engine over while spraying the winterizer into the intake.  That will coat the inside of the motor with oil and it will last a year or more, until it’s started again.

Of course, if you do this, the car must be pushed or towed into its storage spot.

Next we inflate the tires.  My big concern is that tires develop flat spots when the car sits still on its tires for months at a time.  You can minimize that by inflating to the maximum pressure shown on the sidewall.  You can eliminate flat spots by storing your car on blocks, so the wheels are actually slightly off the ground.

Most classic cars have steel fuel tanks that are vented to the air.  When temps rise and fall moisture can condense on the inside surfaces of the tank just as it forms a mist on the exterior metal surfaces.   That “fog” ends up in the gas and causes all sorts of trouble.

You can minimize that problem by keeping your car filled with fuel.  You can also minimize the problem by protecting your car from dramatic temperature swings wherever it is stored.

The next area of concern is the fuel itself.  Gasoline degrades as it sits in storage, and today’s pump fuels start out marginal for use in older cars.  For that reason, I suggest you fill your car with premium fuel, and add fuel stabilizer to slow its deterioration. 

If you are near an airport, and they will sell you fuel in gas cans, your car will run better on Avgas 100.  However, it is costly and not every airport will dispense the stuff into containers.  It’s illegal for road use in the USA despite its functional superiority.

I like to put cars up on the left and spray penetrating oil into all the linkages and moving parts. That reduces the chance things will freeze up or rust over the winter.

Finally, we get to the interior.  I have had enough trouble with rodents that I now leave mouse baits on the floor in hopes that will reduce or eliminate infestations.  I also leave an air freshener inside, and choose a dry location for storage.  

If you are in a cold climate the best storage garage is one with radiant heat pipes in the floor.  A heated floor will keep moisture away and keep your vehicles at a more constant temperature.  It's more costly to build in radiant heat, but it actually costs less to heat a space this way than through a conventional heater.

Unheated storage is more common.  Many times unheated garage storage means the car will be exposed to daily temperature cycles as the sun warms the building and it cools at night.  This is harder on woodwork (if your car has woodwork) but it's not a big deal otherwise provided the air is dry and the car has antifreeze protection.

Barns are the worst places to store cars because they tend to be full of rodents and they often have dirt floors that wick moisture up into your chassis, rusting frames and brakes and anything else. 

Some people like to store cars under a cover; others prefer to leave them open.  I like covers because they protect you from scratches if cats jump on the cars or things brush against them.

If you do this work yourself, plan on spending a few hours putting the car to rest.  If you pay someone to do it for you, expect a bill for several hundred dollars of labor plus fuel, coolant, or other fluids

Whatever you choose, I wish you luck this winter season.

And remember . . . an apple a day will keep anyone away, as long as it's thrown hard enough.

John Elder Robison is the general manager of J E Robison Service Company, independent restoration and Bosch Authorized Car Service specialists in Springfield, Massachusetts.  John is a longtime technical consultant to the Land Rover, Porsche, and Rolls Royce Owner's Clubs, and he’s owned and restored many of these fine vehicles.  Find him online at www.robisonservice.com or in the real world at 413-785-1665

How long do tires last?

How long do tires last? 

If you have a collectible car, the tires may look new, yet be falling apart inside.  The culprit is dry rot, which destroys tires from within.  Dry rot causes the rubber to break down, become weak, and eventually fail.  Usually without warning.

Dry rot is the visible manifestation of the natural process of rubber breaking down.  It’s accelerated by a number of factors including:

• Ozone exposure;
• Exposure to bright sun and heat;
• UV exposure;
• Use of certain tire dressings and chemicals;
• Underinflation.  

Dry rot is a bigger problem in the south because it’s hotter and the sun is brighter.  It’s a problem at high altitude because the sun is more intense and there is more UV exposure.

Some people say tires need to be replaced every five years in the tropics.  Others say tires should be replaced every ten years, wherever they are.  Then there are those who say you don’t need to do anything unless you can see dry rot attacking the tires.  I think that last opinion is probably closest to the truth, because I see cars that are stored indoors all the time, and the tires look perfect after ten years, but other cars that are parked outside in the sun every day show dry rot damage in three years.

That leads to a question – how do you know the age of a tire?

Tires that were made after January 1, 2000 have a code stamped on the inner sidewall that begins with DOT and ends with four digits molded into the tire.  The four digits indicate the week (1-52) and the year (00 for 2000) that the tire was made.

Here’s an example

This tire was made in week 43 of 2002.

The KIIRA EV Unveiliing (UGANDA)

The official unveiling of Uganda's first electric car was marked by the President of Uganda, HE Yoweri K Museveni taking a drive in the lime green, 2 seat ,right hand drive vehicle. The Kiira EV as is its name is a proof of concept that showcases the brave new direction the development team wants to explore in the further. The team is to develop a production concept 30 seat commuter bus by 2013.


More information about the development in detail on the following link


http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/30288-makerere-launches-electric-car-set-to-embark-on-minibus-kiira-ev-launch-supplement.html

Is It Fair to Charge for Parking in Nigeria?

The simple reason why most of us think this way is because most Nigerians has never been properly educated about parking and its effects on our roads.

Most Nigerians feels that parking is a right not a privilege but then what do we say about driving? It's also amazing to know that even in the current Nigeria Transportation Policy (draft), hardly is the word parking made mention of in the 59-page document. In overseas, parking is a big business managed by professionals. In US alone last year over $20 billion was estimated to have been generated as parking revenue. It's shocking to know that even as Nigeria is considered as giant of Africa, very little has been done in this regard. We complain daily of high employment but still our leaders and politicians seems clueless on how to increase Nigeria GDP and create more employment opportunities for the so-called masses.

Even our so called city planners and professors of strategic planning and transportation do not have full understanding of the effect of parking in our society. For the past 6 months i have been reading through some literature written by our university scholars on traffic and transportation issues in Nigeria but very little emphasis is placed on parking and its initiatives. Nigerians needs to be well educated about parking, its effect on traffic and its environs. This is a goldmine that only few of us that have worked overseas at the very senior level understands but to average Nigerians they don't know how "it" can directly bring them wealth and indirectly enrich the nation.

Let us make some clarification, driving is not a constitution right rather a privilege. People choose to drive not force to own a car and if this information is factual, then people must be able to pay the price of parking or at the very least make provision for their own parking. Again, what do we mean by the word "Parking"? A vehicle either in stationary or standing position is said to exhibit the phenomenon of parking. Very soon in FCT Abuja, Nigerians will experience for the first time parking management services and from all indications, if all things goes well many parking meters will soon be installed in major strategic areas in the federal capital territory for motorists to be able to parked legally or otherwise face the consequence of being issued with a fine or what is called "Penalty Charge Notice" (PCN). There will also be an opportunity for legalized on-street residential parking via the use of Residential Parking Permits (RPP).

Back to the question, yes it is fair to charge for parking. The major reason why we have vehicle spillover causing major traffic on our roads is due to lack of effective parking management initiatives borne out of parking regulations and the fact that parking is free in most places. The cost of providing parking as an infrastructure is pricey therefore this cost should be borne by those that make use of the infrastructure. Just as Donald Shoup who is arguably considered by most professionals in the industry as the "Greatest Parking Professional) said in his book titled "The high cost of Parking". You don't buy a pair of shoes and expect someone else to provide you with a storage for it. You make your own provision at your cost and maintain it. To some in developed countries, parking meters are ethically akin to pay toilets. If people "need" parking, won't pricing it necessarily harm the poor? But the fairness of charging for parking has to be considered in comparison to the alternative, which is "free" parking made possible by minimum parking requirements for all land uses. Minimum parking requirements can make parking appear free just as we have in Nigeria, but the cost does not disappear; rather, it reappears as higher costs for all other goods and services, especially housing.

A case study from Oakland, California shows how minimum parking requirements raise the cost of housing. Wallace Smith (1964) studied a sample of 64 rental housing projects developed within four years before and two years after Oakland introduced its first off-street parking requirement for rental housing. Before 1961, Oakland's zoning ordinance did not even mention off-street parking in residential districts. In 1961 the zoning was changed to require one off-street parking space per dwelling unit for all apartments developed after that date. As a result of the parking requirement, the number of dwelling units per acre in new developments fell by 30 percent, and the construction cost per dwelling unit rose by 18 percent. Even including the cost of the newly required parking spaces, housing investment per acre declined by 18 percent. Land values fell even more (by 33 percent), because the land was suddenly burdened with a new requirement to provide parking that residents did not pay for. Property tax revenues also declined, because both land values and construction investment declined. 

Why did their developers reduce housing density by 30 percent in response to a minimum parking requirement of one parking space per dwelling unit? First, developers said the requirement made previous densities impossible without expensive underground garages, so the cost of development at the previous density greatly increased; therefore, they reduced density and devoted more land to surface parking. Second, developers said that adding a dwelling unit required another parking space, but enlarging a dwelling unit did not; therefore, they built fewer but larger units. All architects and developers know of similar situations where minimum parking requirements dictate what can be built, what it looks like, and what it costs. Form no longer follows function, fashion, or even finance; instead, form follows parking requirements. 

From the above case study, it is doubtful that "free" parking benefits the poor when the hidden costs of the consequent minimum parking requirements are considered. Because the cost of providing the required "free" parking is incorporated into the cost of all other goods and services, parking requirements force the poor to pay for parking regardless of whether or not they own a car. Some may argue that automobiles already pay for public roads through gasoline taxes, so charging for curb parking is unfair "double taxation." But automobiles use gasoline only while they are moving, not while they are parked (unless evaporative emissions, which pollute the air, are considered). The more a car is parked, the less it pays in gasoline taxes, so gasoline taxes clearly do not pay for parking spaces, and charging for curb parking is not unfair double taxation. 

A separate equity issue is whether it is fair to charge market prices for curb parking in older commercial areas where small businesses rely on curb parking for their customers. Recall that the goal is to price parking to yield about an 85 percent occupancy rate so motorists can quickly find a place to park near their destination. A lower price is called for if there are too many vacancies, and a higher price if there are so few vacancies that motorists must drive around to find a place to park. The total number of curb spaces will not be reduced. Instead, market-clearing prices will reduce the number of parked cars by only enough to create a few curb vacancies, so a parking space will never be hard to find. 

My priority is to help solve some of the perennial issues causing traffic congestion in Nigeria if allowed and also to bring expertise and professionalism to this lucrative field that is yet to be fully understood by Nigerians. If you like to know more about professional parking and how you can invest in this goldmine, please feel free to leave me a message including you email address or phone number and i will contact you privately.

Lets take a cue from South Africa whose parking industry last year alone contributes about 8% to its GDP and this figure is predicted to rise for this year. More so, traffic congestion has reduced to about 30% in major parts of South Africa with the introduction of regulated parking via parking management practices. Our government needs to create enabling environment for foreign investors to come in and invest in this goldmine that is currently hardly recognized in the country. I will like to see professional parking fully developed in Nigeria in the next 5 years and for the country to regain its status in the continent as the  "Giant of Africa".

Credit: 

This article subject to copyright law ©, is written and published today 19/11/2011 by W.A Seriki, the founder of Nigeria Parking Professionals Network (NPPN). He is the CEO of V-Park Management Solutions Limited whose company website is http://www.v-parkms.com/ and he is also an Independent Parking Consultant who provides advice on parking management related matters as it affects Africa and mostly Nigeria as a country.