Auto Zone 4 You - 4x4, Jeep and Truck Stuff

4x4 hire: self-drive adventure tips

2011-05-25T03:49:00.000-07:00

There is nothing as exhilarating or adventurous as a self-drive adventure – 4x4 hire in South Africa gives you the chance to set off to some of the most rugged and beautiful destinations in South Africa, with the durable, hard-wearing and all-terrain toughness of a 4x4 vehicle. This allows you to experience even more on your holiday – going where regular cars cannot, you can take on dirt roads and mountain passes for the trip of a lifetime.
Many travellers opt for the added accessibility and endurance of a 4x4 to help them transverse some of the tougher roads and passes in the country. Those who enjoy outdoor sports and adventure sports are able to fit in gear such as surfboards, paddleskis or climbing equipment, and with the help of a car that can navigate steep or uneven roads, travellers are able to get to even more exotic locations.
Here are some of the most popular destinations and routes for 4x4 hire adventures:
Eastern Cape and Garden Route
Despite having only a few 4x4 trails, the Eastern Cape still boasts some of the most spectacular routes. Addo Elephant Park is one of the most popular destinations in this region, along with Lammergeier Private Nature Reserve and Khululeka Retreat in Port St Johns, with excellent trails to visit. The Waterfall Bluff, Magwa and Frasier waterfalls are also highly recommended. The Garden Route is filled with thrilling destinations, from Kynsna Forest to Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve, Nature’s Valley and George.
Cape Town
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Cape Town and its surrounds offers spectacular mountain passes, forests, river beds and many other thrilling routes. Some of the most popular include the Boegoeberg Trail in the Cedarberg Mountains, Glen Oak 4x4 trail in the foot hills of the Klein River Mountains, the Karoo National Park along the West Coast plus many other diverse and rich habitats that beg to be explored when you enjoy South African 4x4 hire and experience the thrill of a self-drive safari.
Johannesburg and Gauteng
The City of Gold has very few 4x4 trails, but the ones that can be enjoyed are well worth the effort. Berakah 4x4 Eco trail is found just outside Parys, plus there are two excellent Hennops trails which vary from highly advanced to family-friendly. Most of the trails here are organised by adventure groups, for more information ask your 4x4 rental agency to advise you on available options.
Mpumalanga
With its vast and varied landscapes and rich wildlife, Mpumalanga offers some excellent 4x4 opportunities. The breathtaking Blyde River Canyon, the Sudwala Caves, the Wonderkloof Hydro, Kruger National Park and Riverwild 4x4 in Nelspruit are just some of the fantastic routes on offer.
KwaZulu-Natal
Experience some of the most staggering views and landscapes with a host of options for self-drive. Drakensberg mountains, Cetshwayo's Retreat 4x4 trail, ush Nkandla Forest, the Insuze Gorge, Thukela River at Jameson's Drift, the shimmering Shushu Hot Springs, Sani Pass, Thule Beacon Trail and many other trails can be explored in your hired 4x4.
Enjoy the adventure of a lifetime as you witness some of the country’s top natural wonders and premier locations – all experienced at your own pace, in your own time. Get the best deals for affordable and reliable 4x4 rental in South Africa, and contact a reliable vehicle hire or travel agency to help you plan the ultimate off-road adventure.
Katy Africa - About the Author:
Katy Africa has scoured the web in search of car hire South Africa, and showcases the best deals for car rental options.

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/4x4-hire-selfdrive-adventure-tips-1424375.html#ixzz1NMOJ1qWu
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

2011 Chevrolet Silverado

2011-05-24T10:06:00.000-07:00

When consumers started to buy extended cab and crew cab pickups instead of cars and SUVs, the Detroit Three accelerated development of the trucks. They were updated nearly as often as midsize sedans.General Motors pulled the Chevrolet Silverado ahead by a model year, launching it as a 2007 in summer '06. At the time, Silverado was arguably best in class by capability, refinement and interior quality. The aggressive update backfired when the 2008 oil shock and subsequent financial crisis hit. Management at first delayed development of its replacement, but that now appears to be back on track for a '13 model year launch, placing this model in the penultimate year of its lifecycle.The current GMT900-platform Silverado remains competitive, if not best in class. Maximum trailer capacity is 10,700 pounds. If you opt for the economical two-mode hybrid version, that number drops to a still-capable 6,200 pounds. And of course, like the competition, the Silverado is offered in a wide array of trim levels, cabin configurations and powertrain choices....

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2011/chevrolet/silverado/index.html#ixzz1NI547KHB

2011 Cadillac Escalade

2011-05-02T07:45:00.000-07:00

The 2011 Cadillac Escalade continues its reign as the largest and most ostentatious luxury SUV on the market. Four years off its most recent redesign, the Escalade remains the de facto status symbol of the financially well-endowed.Entering 2010, the Escalade improved its fuel economy with GM's Active Fuel Management technology, which shuts down half of the V-8 engine's cylinders when they're not needed. The Escalade Hybrid remains the only hybrid full-size luxury SUV on the market and offers significantly better fuel economy than non-hybrid models, but at a $10,000 premium that will take an estimated 12 years of fuel savings to pay off based on EPA fuel economy and cost data.The Escalade also offers seating for up to eight people in three rows and multiple body styles including an extended wheelbase SUV and a short-bed truck. All models are well-equipped with luxury features and technology, though the vehicle lacks some significant features for its class, such as side curtain airbags and adaptive cruise control.

Buying Cheap Cars Is Smart Purchase

2009-05-14T04:48:00.000-07:00

Smart cars are fast becoming more popular over the last 12 months. Originally considered a novelty, the smart car is on the rise as a modern fuel efficient and cheap motoring alternative.

Cheap cars are now an excellent way to avoid the high cost of motoring.

You may already be familiar with smart cars. A tiny four wheeled vehicle no more than about half the length of a normal car. The smart car has a distinctive shape and look and you may well have seen them in the street.

If not you'll recognize a smart car when you do see it. The most distinctive feature of the car, apart from the fact that the smart car is extremely short, is the steep windshield sloping down to the front of the car, with the front bumper, if you could call it that, right in front of the front wheels.

The original intention of the smart car was to be of use as a vehicle that avoided the parking headaches of larger cars by reason of the fact that it was so short it could park in parking spots so small that not much other than a motorcycle could park there. Not only that but it was also so small that it could park nose or tail in to the kerb without the other end of the car poking out into the traffic and causing a traffic hazard.

It was intended that two smart cars could park in a space which would normally be taken by one regular car, or even 3 smart cars could park in the space occupied by a large vehicle.

The smart car was the result of a joint venture between Daimler Benz the car manufacturer and Swatch the Swiss watch manufacturer. The smart cars were manufactured in a purpose built factory in France which as established in 1994 and so have been around for some time. It is said that almost 1 million smart cars have been sold in over 25 countries.

In early 2008 smart cars became available in the US, and people started to realize that a cheap cars was a smart motoring purchase.

Smart cars are cheap compared to average vehicles, and have many advantages over many vehicles as well. And of course they also have disadvantages. They take only 2 people, and are extremely small so it isn't practical to spend a day shopping and expect to put your new television in the back of the car.

That being said there are some good reasons to buying used cars, particularly for city dwellers. As said they are cheap to buy and cheap to operate. They have a gasoline motor but because of the small size and weight of the car don't eat as much fuel as just about any other car. They are easy to park and easy to house even in the smallest garage. They have achieved surprisingly good results in safety crash tests.

For the canny buyer there are good reasons to buy a cheap car. There are small numbers of used smart cars on the market and a second hand smart car is a good way to maximize your savings from a purchase of a smart car. There are a number of places where you can pick up a bargain on a used smart car online if you know where to look.

So if the price of gas is becoming an issue for you and you'd like to keep driving but at a much reduced cost then consider a cheap car. It's a smart purchase and may well keep you on the road when others can no longer afford gas.

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2009-01-29T17:07:00.000-08:00

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Auto industry feels the crunch

2009-01-27T17:33:00.000-08:00

So much hype has been given to the financial crisis-- dubbed as the world's worst since the Great Depression. And it seems the hype is well-founded. Everyone is affected and car dealers and manufacturers have started to feel the crunch since last year.

Honda has officially pulled out from the 2009 F1 race after posting a sharp plunge in profits. A number of manufacturers have laid of thousands of workers. Companies are likewise finding new ways to cut their costs.

Here, AutoNews reports that is shutting its design studio at its research-and-development complex in suburban Detroit and moving the work to its main U.S. design studio in San Diego to cut costs.

The design studio in Farmington Hills, Mich., opened in 2005. Nissan spent $14 million on the studio as part of an $80 million expansion project at the R&D facility.

The worst new is this: In addition to closing the design studio, Nissan also said it is closing four regional sales offices. In all, the automaker expects to cut about 100 jobs.

I really hope this financial crisis gets solved sooner than later.

2010 Chevrolet Equinox

2009-01-18T16:35:00.000-08:00

I was looking for any updates on soon-to-be-released SUVs and found out that Chevrolet is ready to introduce the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. According to Automobilemag.com, "the 2010 Equinox is arguably the best looking vehicle in the segment and uses some of the most advanced technology under the hood."
And when I saw the pics, I have to agree with this description.

Engine-wise, the Equinox comes equipped with the base 2.4-liter inline-four and front-wheel drive. The Equinox should be rated at 21/30 mpg, thanks to direct injection, a six-speed transmission, and a few aerodynamic tricks (Equinox boasts a 0.36 drag coefficient).

For the interiors, it is said that the new model has a variety of optional equipment to keep passengers happy. A plethora of storage options include a large glove box, a center bin large enough to conceal a laptop, and enough cup holders for the family. There's also elegant blue ambient lighting, which looks very upscale in the dark. Important offerings like Bluetooth phone connectivity, USB audio support, a DVD entertainment system in the rear, available hard drive-based radios, a rear-view camera, and a power, programmable liftgate allow customers to option the Equinox to be quite lavish.

Complete review can be read here.

The 2008 Toyota Tundra

2008-11-11T23:12:00.000-08:00

After being completely redesigned for the 2007 model year, the Toyota Tundra returns for 2008 with only a few minor changes. While the previous Tundra had been slightly smaller than full-size best-sellers such as the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado, the new Tundra grew significantly and gained more assertive styling, including the very prominent upright grille, more detailed headlamps, and flared wheel wells. And going along with the new, bigger packaging, it's now made in Texas.

Engines range from a 236-horsepower, 4.0-liter V-6 up to a new 381-horsepower, 5.7-liter iForce V-8. In the middle, there's a 4.7-liter V-8 making 271 horsepower. The iForce comes with a six-speed automatic transmission, but other engines get a five-speed auto. When properly equipped, the Tundra can tow up to 10,800 pounds.

Just like its Detroit competitors, the Tundra now comes in a wide range of body configurations, with Regular, Double Cab, and CrewMax cabs and three different bed lengths. The Double Cab has small rear doors and enough seating space for children, with a folding seat bottom when it's not in use, but the CrewMax has full-size back doors and enough space in the backseat to compare with the second row of full-size SUVs.

The top-of-the-range Limited includes quite a few standard features that could be referring to a luxury SUV, such as a powerful JBL sound system, dual-zone climate control, and heated power front seats. All models have a tilt/telescopic steering wheel. Major options include a screen-based navigation system with rearview camera and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. A TRD (Toyota Racing Development) Off-Road Package is also offered.

The Tundra was given four stars in federal government frontal and side-impact crash tests, but it earned the top Good rating in all of the insurance industry tests; it was named a 2008 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. The 2008 Toyota Tundra certainly has more standard safety features than most of its competitors. Front-seat side airbags and roll-sensing side-curtain airbags are standard across the line, along with anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes and electronic stability control.

2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD

2008-11-02T19:20:00.001-08:00

Mike Monticello, in his review of the 2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD, assessed that this baby is big on safety, style and power. When I read Mike's review on this particular vehicle, the thing that caught my eye was the author's description that "Volvo's turbocharged, all-wheel-drive XC60 — which will compete in the small utility segment when it goes on sale in the U.S. next March — will be the first vehicle in the world to come standard with a low-speed accident-avoidance system, making it "the safest car Volvo has ever produced." Not surprising, really, considering how Volvo has always been anal about safety.

Also, the vehicle actually uses an infrared laser sensor located near the top of the windshield to detect a vehicle within 13 feet of the XC60's front bumper that is either stationary or moving in the same direction. In his well-written review, Mark notes that if the "system feels the XC60 is about to strike that vehicle, and the driver has not reacted, it will automatically apply the brakes, bringing the car to a stop if possible." Amazing, ain't it?

Aside from incredible safety features, Volvo has also designed the new XC60 T6 as a fun ride for its owners and passengers. The XC60 T6 AWD comes with the same transversely-mounted 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 as found in T6 versions of the S80 and XC70. That means 281
bhp and best-in-class torque of 295 lb.-ft., the latter from 1500 -4800 rpm. This super-smooth engine is mated to a 6-speed Geartronic automatic transmission, the power put to the road by Haldex's fourth generation all-wheel drive with Instant Traction.

If you are interested in reading Mike's full review, you can click here . In a gist, Mike tells us what's hot and what's not in this new vehicle from Volvo:

What's Hot:City
- Safety system
- Powerful turbocharged inline-6
- Fancy styling, inside and out

What's Not:
- Poor fuel mileage: 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway
- Most active safety systems are optional, not standard
- Won't be cheap

Mitsubishi Endeavor 2008

2008-10-23T21:55:00.000-07:00

According to Edumunds review, the Endeavor is a midsize crossover SUV from Mitsubishi that combines smart styling with lots of room for five people and their gear. It combines the elevated seating position and hauling ability of a traditional SUV with a smoother, more carlike ride and better fuel economy. But as with most crossovers, it lacks the serious off-road and heavy-duty towing abilities of a truck-based SUV.

photo credits: http://www.autospectator.com/

The Mitsubishi Endeavor is based on vehicle architecture that's shared with Mitsubishi's Galant sedan and Eclipse coupe. There are two trim levels: LS and SE. Both trims are powered by a 3.8-liter V6 that produces 225 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. A four-speed automatic transmission with a trendy manual shift mode is standard.

You can choose from the four-wheel drive model or the all-wheel drive. All-wheel-drive models are equipped with standard stability control, which supplements the traction control that is standard on all Endeavors. Stability control is unavailable on front-wheel-drive models, a notable omission. However, the Endeavor is equipped with standard rollover-sensing side curtain airbags and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Endeavor earned high marks for crashworthiness in both government and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing.

photo credits: autos.yahoo.com

Whether off-road or on the road, Edmund notes that the Endeavor scores high marks -- thanks to the multipurpose car/SUV platform that it shares with the Galant and Eclipse. The review goes further by saying that "while the 3.8-liter engine offers less power than most competitors, it does boast a wide and flat torque curve, yielding energetic performance that belies its hp numbers. However, the four-speed automatic seems outdated in a segment where five- and even six-speed transmissions, and their attendant enhancements to performance and fuel economy, are becoming the norm. Maximum cargo capacity is also disappointing at 76.4 cubic feet, and the lack of a third-row seat diminishes the Endeavor's appeal for families. "

photo credits: autos.yahoo.com

On the safety side, side airbags became standard on all models in 2005, and antilock brakes were optional on base models until '06. Side curtain airbags were added to the standard features list in '07. Traction control became standard across the lineup for '08.

Personally, this strikes me as an interesting SUV -- not to mention an attractive one. Definitely worth looking into.

Crisis?

2008-10-16T23:04:00.000-07:00

Aside from the US Presidential elections, the one worry that has been hovering over the consumer's daily existence is the financial crisis that has Wall Street reeling. Now what has got to do with the automotive industry? A lot.

The crisis that started with the US sub prime has wound its way to the world's financial markets with some of the strongest financial institutions finding themselves in the brink of bankruptcy. And now we are starting to hear talks of automotive companies laying of hundreds of its workers to cope with the crises. Demand for new SUVs have also plummeted to an all-time low.

In an article by Joe Lorio, he noted "the faltering economy and now the credit crisis have pretty much choked off sales of the remainder of the market."

"While August saw the pain spread to all major brands, save Infiniti, Mini, Nissan, Subaru, and VW, in September, every one of those holdouts found themselves underwater, too. The only nameplates to post gains in September were tiny niche players: Maserati (up 30%), Lotus (up by 3 cars - yes, 3), Lamborghini (by 2), and Rolls-Royce (by 1)," Lorio writes.

Well, we can only hope it gets better. There are so many good SUVs out there waiting to be purchased -- some have even been featured in this blog.

That is just my quick thought on the financial crisis and the automotive industry. Next time, I promise to write about SUVs for real.

“The Iguana” The New Breed In Off Road Vehicles

2008-10-13T23:41:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I haven't posted in this blog of mine. I've been busy these days working with my 4x4 related websites. But now that I'm back its time to kick things off with my featured off-road vehicle for today which is far different compared to you daily ride.

Have you ever seen a vehicle that is made based on an exotic animal? Oh well, that's what I'm going to feature in this post. An off-road vehicle with the concept of imitating an "Iguana", unusual isn't it. This vehice is custom built for the local trails and tough enough for the tourism trade The IGUANA runs ahead of the field. “They’re designed to do things other trucks can not do.” Not only to travel off road but to rumble through the jungle, climb over fallen trees and scurry through up to three feet of water.

The Iguana like its cold-blooded counterpart is adaptable to many different climates and terrains. These sturdy trucks easily chew through miles of rough terrain including mud, rocks, downed trees, snow, and sand, even water up to three feet deep. Currently, these trucks are being constructed for use in the tourism trade within the Caribbean jungles and mountains and Mexican sand dunes, as well as for private individuals.

Ultimate Rides is committed to making their vehicles as eco friendly as possible. That’s why each truck begins with a recycled 4-wheel drive chassis. A custom designed roll cage provides safety and the dry cell battery and low-tox antifreeze helps keep these trucks environmentally friendly. Ultimate Rides also offers propane and butane conversion kits as an alternative fuel source.
The trucks are extremely versatile and very easy to operate, durable and sturdy, and built with non-proprietary parts. Recognizing that “one size does not fit all” each truck is available with many options and customized to fit almost anyone’s needs, terrain, and theme. The IGUANA is available in two, four, and five passenger models.

Ultimate Rides, manufacturers of the Iguana, started out as a business that has grown out of Wayne’s Welding, a company started by Wayne and Linda Weich in 1977. Wayne a certified, master welder and custom fabricator has always had a knack for engine building and modification, and was soon sought after by many to build engines with extra horsepower. Wayne passed his passion for cars and custom fabricating on to his son Chris and it wasn’t long before a new business was born.

Big GMC Suburban Off-road Monster

2008-09-21T19:28:00.000-07:00

Saw this 49 inch modified GMC Suburban while surfing the net. I was really amazed because this truck really rocks! This off-road vehicle has some nice Atlas gears which makes it more powerful.

Its beefy tires has strong axles and driveline. Up front is a Dana 60 reverse with extra strong axles, air lockers and air bag suspension.

With the help of the strong Duramax 6.6 engine and some strong mud tires, this truck is capable of taking any off-road challenge.

Amazingly the tires don't look overly large for this truck. They just seem to be made for this SUV. There is not much stopping this truck!

Some trucks with larger tires seem to loose a lot of their highway driving capabilities but I can tell you that this Suburban is not one of them. In fact it rides just like a normal car - only difference is in the off road capabilities.

Nissan Murano

2008-09-14T23:40:00.000-07:00

Trying to staisfy my insatiable craving for the hottest news on the latest SUV models, I allowed my mouse to do some serious browsing over the weekend. And guess what? I came across Nissan's newest SUV for 2009. They actually did not introduce any SUV last year -- whether intentionally or not, your guess is as good as mine.

Anyways, there's this nice review I saw which came out in LeftNews. According to the review, Nissan has "refined the Murano's standard engine and introduced a second-generation Xtronic CVT. Nissan's standard 3.5 liter V6 has been on Ward's '10 Best Engines' list for 13 years. The Murano also has intuitive all-wheel-drive or front-wheel-drive."

It further noted that all 2009 Muranos feature a VQ-series 3.5-liter DOHC V6 rated at 265 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque coupled to a CVT transmission with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC). 2009 Muranos are available in front-wheel drive or with an all-wheel drive system. The Murano comes standard with Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with a Traction Control System (TCS).

Visually though, the most striking visual element in this hot new vehicle is the contour of its body. The new Murano design also includes an available dual panel power sliding glass moonroof and second row skylight. Other available features include a new foldaway cargo organizer, heated front and rear seats, power liftgate, rain-sensing front wipers and RearView Monitor.

Looks real good, if you ask me. What do you think? Appreciate your comments and thoughts.

SUV in review: The 2008 Volvo XC90-4 V8 SUV

2008-08-26T23:33:00.000-07:00

Whenever I think about cars and safety features, one name comes up: Volvo. I think they are one of, if not the, safest vehicles plying the streets today. With that trail of thought in mind, I wanted to zero in on one of their latest models: The 2008 Volvo XC90-4 V8 SUV.

According to the KBB Editor's Overview, the 2008 Volvo XC90 strikes the perfect balance between car and SUV. Riding atop the previous-generation S80 chassis, the roomy and safe XC90 comes wrapped in a manageable size and equipped with a choice of a V6 or V8 engine. Although more expensive than similarly-sized vehicles from Nissan and Honda, many consider Volvo's more luxurious SUV as something of a status symbol. Regardless of how you view the XC90, there is no arguing with the vehicle's rugged construction, all-weather capability, exemplary safety rating and strong resale value.

Look at how these babies look!

Exterior

Passenger interior view

The engine. Wow.

Now don't you wish you had one of these, too? I sure wish I did.

2008 the top 10 Most fuel efficient SUVs

2008-08-20T23:49:00.000-07:00

Given the rising costs of fuel, it got me thinking which among the current SUVs we see everyday are actually living up to their promise of fuel efficiency.

According to Edmunds, the top 10 Most fuel efficient SUVs for the current year are:
Ford Escape Hybrid — 34/30* (tie)The Ford Escape Hybrid offers a potent hybrid drivetrain and a roomy interior.

Mazda Tribute Hybrid — 34/30* (tie)Exceptional mileage makes the Mazda Tribute a king among hybrids.

Mercury Mariner Hybrid — 34/30* (tie)Like its corporate twins, the Tribute Hybrid and Escape Hybrid, the Mercury Mariner Hybrid offers class-leading fuel economy and low tailpipe emissions.

Saturn Vue Hybrid — 25/32* The Saturn Vue Hybrid's affordable price makes it one of the true bargains of the hybrid bunch.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid — 27/25*Performance and fuel economy achieve harmonious coexistence in this sterling Toyota.

Lexus RX 400h — 27/24*The RX 400h is expensive, but it offers all the quickness and luxury you'd expect from a Lexus.

Jeep Compass — 23/28The Compass comes armed with a low price tag and the sort of compact dimensions that enhance maneuverability.

Ford Escape — 22/28 (tie)Even without the benefit of a hybrid powertrain, the Escape is thrifty enough to earn a place on our list.

Mazda Tribute — 22/28 (tie)Ditto for its twin, the capable Tribute; this Mazda also offers a long list of safety features.

Nissan Rogue — 22/27*Turn to the Rogue for a carlike driving experience and a well-crafted cabin.

Ford Escape Hybrid — 34/30* (tie)The Ford Escape Hybrid offers a potent hybrid drivetrain and a roomy interior.