Earn Your Free Holidays With American Express Air Miles Credit Card
Posted on 11. Mar, 2010 by admin in general
Frequent flyer programs have come a long way since American Airlines introduced these in 1981. Since then, the concept of frequent flyer programs has been embraced by others and is no longer the exclusive domain of airline companies. One of the credit card companies that embraced this type of reward scheme is American Express. Many of their products, such as the American Express AIR MILES credit card, now include the ability to earn miles.
Simply by using your American Express AIR MILES credit card for your daily purchases, you get the chance to earn your free airline tickets to and from any destination in the world. If you have a dream to someday view Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower or to revel in sultry Rio de Janeiro, the American Express AIR MILES credit card could help fulfill that wish. American Express is able to offer this kind of product through its tie-up with AIR MILES, hence the name American Express AIR MILES credit card.
If you choose to link your American Express AIR MILES credit card to the regular AIR MILES program card you may already have, you can accumulate additional rewards miles. For instance, when you shop at a grocery store which is a participating sponsor of AIR MILES, you can charge your purchases to your American Express AIR MILES credit card and ask the merchant to also scan your regular AIR MILES loyalty card. In that way, you earn rewards miles twice – once for the charge in your American Express AIR MILES credit card, and once on your AIR MILES card.
When you have accumulated enough rewards miles, you can redeem these for free airline tickets to a destination of your choice. Should you have lots of miles, you can get your entire holiday for free. This could include a paid hotel stay, and a paid car rental. Free holidays do not come along too often. But it can be made possible with your American Express AIR MILES credit card.
You will get a free 100 rewards miles when you sign up for an American Express AIR MILES credit card. Note, however, that the 100 bonus rewards miles will only be credited together with the first purchase you make with your American Express AIR MILES credit card. When you have your credit card replaced or renewed, or if you receive supplementary cards, the 100 bonus mile offer does not apply.
On top of the rewards program tie-up with AIR MILES, the American Express AIR MILES credit card provides the usual package of benefits and services from American Express, including free insurance cover for auto rental, travel accident, and the important purchase and fraud protection services. You will also have access the company’s InfoAssist service where you can keep a secure record of sensitive information and documents.
Air Canada, Canadian North, American Airlines, Northwest Airlines, CanJet, Calm Air, KLM Royal Dutch and Lufthansa are the airline companies where you can obtain your free airline tickets by redeeming rewards miles in your American Express AIR MILES credit card. So, if seeing the world is a dream, perhaps this is one way of turning your dream into a reality!
How To Make More Money From Your Business?
Posted on 11. Mar, 2010 by admin in general
Iâ??ve been a Business Consultant for twenty-five years teaching accountants and helping business owners make more money. My real focus, though, is not on the accounting industry, but on small business owners and how they can turn their operations into a cash cow OR how they can increase their income by ten-fold.
Donâ??t think thatâ??s possible? You know it actually can be done. I went through this drill as a little practice set with a strategic coach a few years ago in Canada. He sat down and said, â??You can increase your business ten-fold.â? At first I thought, â??Not possibleâ?.
He went on to say, â??How much did you make the first month you had your own business or your own jobâ?? I thought back to when I was 12 years old, shoveling sidewalks where I made about $12 a month. He asked me again, â??How old were you when you multiplied that to over $100 a month?â? I replied, â??When I was 16, four years later, I started my first businessâ??an auto detailing shop, and brought in over $100.00 per month.â??
â??How old were you when you multiplied that by ten-fold, and were making over a thousand a month?â? I was 21, when I started selling life insurance making cold calls on the phone. Nobody else was using telemarketing in that industry at that time, so I was really making good money. He then looked at me, â??How old were you when you multiplied that by ten-fold?â? I answered, â??It went from a thousand a month to ten thousand when I was about 33 years old, when I started working as a Business Consultant for Accountants.
I became a Business Consultant after we went broke with our furniture business. This may seem like an unlikely transition, and you may be asking, â??What can I learn from someone who failedâ?? BUT, that failure caused me to spend years researching why our business was forced into bankruptcy. I learned it could have been prevented if I had gotten good information from our accountant on a regular basis, with a detailed explanation of what the numbers meant.
There was no usable data that pointed out that the business was actually a lot weaker than I thought it was. We did not have accurate numbers at our fingertips daily, or a good understanding of what our numbers meant. We were not basing important business decisions on accurate data and it caused us to go right out of business. My wife and I were sleeping in a car with a four-month old huddled between us as we were trying to keep her warm. It shouldnâ??t have been like that.
Right at that moment, I decided our future was to teach businesses how to avoid the mistakes we had made and I dedicated the rest of my life to becoming a relentless student of best business practices.
When I began this venture, my income jumped ten-fold, to over ten thousand a month. That was when I was 33 years old. This one simple exercise gave me the awareness that, â??My goodness! I do know how to increase my income ten-foldâ?.
By the time I was 47, we were doing QuickBooks© seminars. We were teaching accountants and business owners all over the world how to use QuickBooks. Consequently we jumped ten-fold again, to over a hundred thousand a month. I looked back at everything that happened to me and said, â??Wow that is quite an accomplishmentâ?? from $10 to $100, $1,000, $10,000, $100,000.â? Now the next big question was, â??KC, when are you going to hit a million per month?â?
Well, Iâ??m working on it right now. Maybe it will come in another five to six years, but Iâ??m shooting for it right now. I would love to see myself making a million dollars a month. I would like you to make that kind of money as well. But for today, letâ??s settle on making $1000 a day net profit or $365,000 a year. Thatâ??s how much it takes to be in the top one percent of all the income-makers in America.
I hope you come back every few days to listen in and leave comments or questions on the next couple of blogs, as I continue to give you some specific tips on why we donâ??t get rich, what kind of things we can do to get rich, and why it is a lot more fun to be rich than it is to be poor.
Iâ??ve got a poor sister, and I canâ??t figure out why sheâ??s poor. She is smarter and actually a better talker than me. Yet sheâ??s not rich. I keep calling her up and saying, â??Honey, why not try the principles Iâ??ve been explaining to you?â? She says, â??Oh, I might, but itâ??s a little scary. It might not work,â? as if what sheâ??s doing now is working.
We are going to talk about these things in the next couple of blogs, especially on how you can get rich with your business. I hope you can join me.
Letâ??s ride! Okay partners, talk to you soon.
At Call ASAP Locksmith Services Solves Your Problem
Posted on 10. Mar, 2010 by admin in general
Locksmith service is one of the most demanded services nowadays, as in todayâ??s so much stressful life anyoneâ??s mind can skip the keys inside your homes and cars and get locked-out. At this requisite time, a person only wants a help from locksmiths. Locksmith business is elaborating day-after-day and has widen its wings so much that at call ASAP locksmiths can reach to you if you want their help. This service is very becoming more and more popular and is serving people with great satisfaction. You can see that in Canada only there are lots of locksmith firms like 24/7 Top Locksmith Services, Lockmasters LTD, 24/7 Locksmith Toronto, GTA Locksmith and many more.Usually, people needs emergency locksmiths during car and house lock-outs, during any kind of vehicular accidents at the time when their expertise is required to open jammed doors and most commonly during fire disasters when doors have to be unlocked for saving people inside a building.Lockouts are very irritating situations, emergency locksmiths must be able to reach you on time to quickly and faithfully solve your problem. The best firms have local locksmiths that can reach you within a couple of minutes.People should verify and get sure that the locksmith service they are going to call is fully certified, bonded and insured. As this is the matter of your personal security and your propertyâ??s security. People should always have the contacts of more than one locksmith services, as they may require their help at any time at any place. Also make sure that those locksmiths services are available 24X7 a week, as one may get into a trouble often in odd time.Some locksmith services serve their clients only during their regular hours and only five days a week. due to their business only on regular hours they do not serve people at awkward hours. So, locksmith services those do business on 24X7 a week are the best option to get out of your problem. Those firms can reach you at any time even at 3 am and at any place.Normally, the services that a locksmith firms can serve to their customers are repairing of locks, locks with high security, key cutting, master key services, repair and installation of intercom systems, iron works and gates, access control devices, locks for file cabinets, CCTV, Alarm systems, 24X7 locksmith emergency lockout, replacements of Ignition key for vehicle keys like remote keys and transponder keys, roadside help and vehicle repair, key stuck services, duplicate keys, and many more.People may need help regarding any of these services at any time. So, always keep the contacts of firms, those provide locksmith services, in your telephone dairy and also save them in cell phones. Make sure that those firms are 24X7 locksmith services so that at call ASAP locksmiths can reach you and solve your problem. Canadians can contact 24/7 Locksmith Toronto for any emergency, as they work 24X7 a week.
Medical Tourism
Posted on 10. Mar, 2010 by admin in general
Medical tourism is the process of traveling abroad in order to receive medical care, be it cosmetic surgery, heart surgery, breast implants, a hip replacement, or dental work.
Rising health care costs and longer waiting times in the western countries like United States, Canada, and UK etc. are inducing patients to seek treatment overseas. While U.S. consumers are concerned mainly with the exorbitant cost of health care, Canadians are more troubled by wait-times for certain treatments. Indeed, approximately 1 million Canadians claim to be experiencing difficulties in access to care. As for UK, it is believed that more than 50,000 people from the UK travel for treatment abroad because of high medical care costs in UK.
Medical Tourism in South Korea
South Korea has been growing as a tourist destination of choice for health and vacation because of their world class physicians, modern technology, and unique caring and compassion at great values for money at a fraction of the cost in the west. The country is home to some of the best hospitals and stand alone Specialty clinics in the world, offering world-class expertise, state-of-the-art facilities, http://www.koreahealthtour.co.kr and the warmth of hospitality. Also, some of the world’s best spa retreat resorts and tour destinations can be found in this part of the earth. Additionally, it’s not unusual to find plus accommodations, foreign language translators, and other amenities at some of the major facilities.
South Korea has made its initial foray into the lucrative market of medical tourism by launching the Council for Korea Medicine Overseas Promotion. Funded by the Government and 28 private hospitals, this organization will market medical packages to foreign patients seeking affordable health care. The Council has initiated a set of measures to promote the medical vacation industry by aiding hospitals in their marketing strategies. In this way, South Korea can generate greater overseas awareness of the country’s medical and tourism offerings. According to a Council official:
The average charge for an in-patient visit in a US hospital is dollar3,762, which is 13 times higher than in South Korea.
The average charge for outpatients in the US is dollar13,000 which is 9 times higher than in South Korea.
South Korea’s affordable health care system has seen the number of foreign patients rise from 10,000 to 13,000 in just 2 years. With all these added measures in place, South Korea is on its way to claim its share in the prosperous medical vacation business
Benefits of Medical Tourism
Health care costs are constantly on the rise in countless Western countries. In the US alone, it is already a multi-billion dollar industry that shows no sign of stopping (worldwide it is over dollar3 trillion US). But why pay exorbitant prices at home when you can travel abroad and receive the same treatment (if not better) from a fully certified medical facility for a fraction of the price?
The following are some of the benefits of medical tourism:
Affordable
For many procedures, it’s often more expensive to receive treatment at home than it is to purchase a plane ticket, book a hotel, and pay for all medical expenses out of pocket in a foreign country. This is especially true in popular medical tourism destinations such as India, Thailand, Singapore and South Korea.
No wait times
Because popular medical destinations actively recruit patients from abroad, they do everything they can to eliminate wait times, provide patients with options, and ensure optimal care.
Many Options are Available
Some countries heavily regulate (or even ban) certain elective procedures or complicated surgeries. Hip resurfacing, for example, was only recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, despite its widespread use and success rate at many popular medical tourism destinations around the world. With medical tourism, you can travel to parts of the world where hospitals specialize in the aforementioned procedures.
More personalized care
Many providers offer more personalized care–i.e., a higher physician-to-patient ratio–than is commonly available in the United States or Canada.
Enjoy the Medical Vacations
The fact of the matter is, most of us need medical treatment from time to time, and most of us plan vacations every year or so. Combine the two into an all-out medical vacation and enjoy! Recuperating after surgery on a white sand beach while sipping island drinks and receiving full-body massages.
Important Tips
Besides doing a thorough research on the procedure, hospital, surgeon and the destination country, keep the following contact information handy when you go abroad for any medical treatment:
Emergency contacts like relatives and friends
Destination embassy
Hospital
Hotel
Local surgeon / doctor
Employer
Conclusion
Depending on the location and procedure, a medical vacation can cost 50%, 30%, or even 10% of what you would pay at home. The appeal of this phenomenon is driven by cost savings as high as 90%, depending on the procedure and the country in which it is performed, and virtually no wait times. Even when you factor in air fare, hotels, travel insurance, car rentals, shopping, and dining, many medical vacations are substantially more affordable than domestic health care is. This means that those who choose medical tourism are able to utilize the services of some of the top surgeons in the world, all while enjoying exotic locales and accommodations. Patients can put the money they are saving on the procedure into turning their journey into a magnificent, world-class retreat. For millions of patients, it is the only way to get the needed or desired medical treatment, without wiping out their entire life-savings.
For more information about medical tourism visit: http://www.koreahealthtour.co.kr/eng/medical-tourism.jsp
Gmc to Offer Convertible Debt Securities
Posted on 10. Mar, 2010 by admin in general
General Motors Corporation recently announced that it is planning to offer convertible debt securities of about $1.1 billion. The security notes will be unsecured and will mature on June 1, 2009. GMC is also planning to grant the underwriters of the securities a 13-day option to acquire up to an additional $165 million in principal amount of the securities. To alter the $1.1 billion in convertible securities that were put to the company in March of this year is the intention of the offering. The company also intends to sustain liquidity at a time when the capital markets present a cozy environment to do so.
Citi, Deutsche Bank Securities and Goldman, Sachs & Co. are the offering’s joint-book running managers. GMC anticipates indulging into capped call transactions with affiliates of the securities’ underwriters. To sufficiently increase the effective conversion premium of the securities and minimize the potential dilution to GMC common stock upon potential future conversion, the capped call transactions are done. Capped all transactions’ counter parties have advised GMC that they anticipate entering into various derivative and other minimizing activity with respect to the common stock of General Motors Corporation. This GM’s common stock could have the result of increasing or preventing a decline in the cost of GMC’s common stock concurrently with or following the costing of the convertible debt securities.
Moreover, in a total amount of around $4.1 billion, GMC got a commitment for a supplemental revolving credit facility. The car maker expects that the facility will be secured by GMC’s common equity ownership of GMAC LLC and after the definitive agreement is signed, it will mature 364 days. For general corporate purposes, the credit line and cost could be drawn and calculated. And this includes the needs for working capital.
General Motors Corporation has filed a statement of registration and a prospectus with the SEC. These were for the offering to which this communication is referred to.
About General Motors Corporation
Also known as GM or GMC, General Motors Corporation is the 2nd (after Toyota) largest car company based on sales revenue as of 2007. Maker of quality cars and their parts, GMC has around 284,000 employees all over the world. In 2005, 9.17 million GMC cars and trucks were sold around the world.
It was founded in 1908, in Flint, Michigan and has global headquarters located at the Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan, USA. In Zurich, Switzerland is their European headquarters. This American car maker produces its trucks and cars in 33 countries.
GM cars and trucks are sold under Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Daewoo, GMC, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall brands.
GMC is the majority shareholder in GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co. of South Korea. It has had collaborative ventures in technology and manufacturing with many of the automakers all over the world.
GM Parts like GMC tail light guard and accessories are known in the market under GM Performance Parts, GM Goodwrench and ACDelco brands through GM Service and Parts Operations that supplies GM dealerships and distributors all over the world. The United States is GM’s largest national market. This is followed by China, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany. GM owns half of a finance company, the GMAC Financial Services. It offers automotive, residential and commercial financing and insurance.
On line
The company is the number 1 automaker when it comes to Strategic Vision’s Total Quality Index (TQI).
Tire size FAQ
Posted on 09. Mar, 2010 by admin in general
Generic Auto Tire FAQcompiled by Bill Del VecchioGeneric Auto Tire FAQ Introduction:This FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) was assembled to address some of the most common inquiries received in the Compuserve CARS forum regarding the basics of tire selection, sizing and shopping. It attempts to give an overview covering typical consumer concerns when shopping for DOT-approved passenger car tires in the U.S. and/or Canada. Variations not covered include older, historical standards, non-US designations, truck tires and other specialty applications.================================================== ======================Table Of Contents1. What do all those sidewall markings mean?A. Size (i.e. 205/60-15)B. Speed Rating (i.e. H, V, Z)C. Load Index (i.e. 89, 92, 94)D. UTQG Ratings (Temperature, Traction, Treadwear)E. M&S DesignationF. Max. LoadG. Max. PressH. Type of ConstructionI. DOT Serial NumberJ. Manufacture Date (i.e. 134) 2. Tire Care: Inflation & Rotation3. Alternate SizingA. Why Do It?B. How do I calculate Tire Height and Rotations Per Mile?C. Can I put wider tires on my stock rims?D. What’s a Plus One, Plus Two or Plus Three conversion? 4. Buying TiresA. What brands and models are best?B. What factors are important to consider when choosing tires?C. How do I choose between Performance, Touring and All Seasons?D. Which All Season tires are best in the snow?E. Where should I buy my tires? 5. What about snow tires?6. What about buying new wheels with my tires?7. What about tires for my SUVs or 4×4?7. FAQ Sources, Bibliography and Revision History8. Copyright & Other Important Information================================================== ======================1.A. How do I read a tire’s sidewall to tell its size?A tire’s size is expressed in the format WWW/AA-DD (i.e. 205/60-15) where WWW is the tire’s sidewall-to-sidewall Width in millimeters (205), AA is the Aspect ratio or profile of the tire which specifies the tire’s height as a percentage of its width (60% of 205 = 123mm) and DD is the diameter of the wheel that the tire is mounted on in inches (15 inches). If the size is shown as P205/60R15, the “P” stands for Passenger and the “R” is for Radial ply construction. Note that the width does not measure the tread, which can vary significantly between tires with the same nominal width, even within product lines from the same manufacturer.What about an older tire that doesn’t list an aspect ratio?For an older tire without an aspect ratio (i.e. 175R13), it’s generally assumed to be a 78 or 80 series tire, (i.e. 175/78R13 or 175/80R13). Note that for some European tire models, the default ration is 83. Fortunately, the practice of not listing the aspect ratio is getting less and less common.1.B. Speed RatingThe speed rating was traditionally shown as a part of the tire’s size, i.e. “205/60VR15″. Since the inclusion of Load Ratings (see 1.C below), many manufacturers are now showing the speed rating after the size in combination with the load rating, i.e. “205/60R15 92V”. Commonly used speed ratings include:CertifiedRating Top SpeedN 87 mphQ 100 mphS 112 mphT 118 mphU 124 mphH 130 mphV 149 mph*Z over 149 mphW 168 mphY 186 mph* Originally, V was “over 130mph”. W and Y ratings are relatively new, hence the redundancy with Z, which will probably be dropped at some point in the future.1.C. Load IndexThe Load Index indicates the maximum weight the tire can carry at the maximum speed indicated by its speed rating. Some sample Load Rating Indices:Rating Capacity (lbs)75 85382 1,04785 1,13587 1,20188 1,23591 1,35692 1,38993 1,433105 2,0391.D. UTQG (Uniform Tire Quality Grading)…rates three aspects of tire performance: Temperature, Traction and Treadwear. These grades are usually located together on the tire sidewall. Tire manufacturers do their own UTQG testing and assign their own grades. Some variations in testing are inherent due to the lack of controls. FWIW, experts usually agree that Treadwear is consistent within a given manufacturer’s product lines.Temperature: A/B/CShows the tire’s ability to dissipate heat and its resistance to heat generation. “C” means that the tire meets minimal federal standards measured in laboratory testing, while “B” and “A” indicate increasingly better performance above the government minimum.Traction: A/B/CGrades straight-line wet braking performance. A is best, C is worst.Treadwear: Numeric GradeRates the tire against a control standard with a defined rating of 100 when run on a test course. A rating of 300, for instance, indicates that the tire will give three times the mileage of the control tire. One rated 60 would be expected to wear out in 60% of the control tire’s mileage.1.E. M&S DesignationIndicates an all-season tire designed for Mud & Snow use. Note that this does *not* mean that this is a “snow tire” (see Section 6).1.F. Max. LoadThis is the maximum static weight, usually in both pounds and kilograms, that the tire can support.1.G. Max. Press.The Maximum Pressure (usually in PSI and kPa) that the tire is designed to handle. This is *not* the recommended pressure, which is set by the car manufacturer and stated in the owners manual as well as on a sticker in the door jamb or glovebox lid (see Section 2).1.H. ConstructionThe number and composition of the tread and sidewall plies are listed on the sidewall, for example:Tread Plies: 2 polyester cord + 1 steel cord + 1 nylon cordSidewall Plies: 2 Polyester Cord1.I. DOT Serial NumberAll tires approved for street use in the U.S. by the Department of Transportation will display a DOT Serial Number.1.J. Manufacture DateAll tires are coded to indicate the week of manufacture. Look for a three digit number following the DOT Serial Number. The date code will be stamped rather than molded. The first two digits are the week of the year in which the tire was manufactured (01 thru 52), followed by the final digit from the year of manufacture. A tire stamped “134″ was manufactured in the 13th week (the week of April 4th in this case) of 1994.================================================== ======================2. Tire Care: Inflation & RotationWhat inflation pressure should I use in my tires?As stated in 1.G. above, recommended tire pressures are set by the car manufacturer, not by the tire manufacturer. They’re stated in the owners manual as well as on a sticker in the door jamb or on the glovebox lid. It’s important to check pressures frequently; at least once a month – more often if you find that you’re losing pressure. For consistency, always measure pressures before driving when the tires are cold (parked for at least four hours; preferably overnight).Tire pressure affects your car as follows:Lower Pressures Higher PressuresRide more comfortable stifferHandling less precise better feel & turn-inWear more on edges more in the centerGas mileage lower higher (less rolling resistance)Tracking steady tends to follow groovesMany car manufacturers are conservative (low) with their recommended pressures to maintain a comfortable ride. Drivers who push their cars fairly hard usually prefer a slightly higher setting. If you want to experiment, 32 all around is a good starting point – begin there adjust to your own preferences.The outside temperature affects your tire pressures; a general rule of thumb is that a 10 degree fahrenheit change will change tire pressure by 1 psi. When temperatures are fluctuating, check your pressures more often. And if you check them in a heated garage, adjust for the colder outside temps.How about rotation?Recommendations for tire rotation patterns and mileage intervals vary; check your car’s Owners Manual and the tire manufacturer’s recommendations for some guidelines. As a general rule, rotation is advised at least every 10,000 miles. It may be prudent to rotate more often if you’re using ultra high performance tires that wear quickly, or if your car’s suspension settings tend to wear the tires at one end of the car at a much more rapid pace. Many people find it convenient and a helpful reminder to rotate their tires along with their oil change schedule, every 7,500 miles for the typical car or every other change for those with more frequent changes. YMMV! ================================================== ======================3.A. Alternate Sizing – Why Do It?Variations from the OEM tire size are usually done to improve a car’s handling and performance. Except in the case of snow tires (see Section 5), a common goal is to get a wider tire and/or shorter sidewalls without changing the overall diameter of the tire. Wider tread width changes the tire’s contact patch and can lead to a big improvement in handling. In general, more rubber on the road provides a better grip. A shorter sidewall (lower aspect ratio) provides less flex which can improve turn-in, responsiveness and stability. Keeping the overall tire height as close to stock as possible reduces the chance that changes will impact the accuracy of the car’s speedometer and odometer, overall gearing, suspension dynamics and introduce potential clearance problems.Note Well: With any change from the OEM size, clearance between the tire, fender, fender wells and suspension components is a vital concern. Also, expect variations from calculated tire dimensions; whenever possible, measure the actual, mounted tire.3.B. How do I calculate Tire Height and Rotations Per Mile?A tire’s theoretical height in inches is calculated as follows:Height = (Width x (Ratio/100) x .03937 x 2) + Rim DiameterThe width multiplied by the aspect ratio over 100 gives the height in millimeters, multiplying by .03937 converts to inches, and doubling this accounts for the fact that there’s tire at the bottom and the top of the rim.Rotations Per Mile (RPM) can be calculated as follows:RPM = (inches per mile) / Tire Circumference= (5280*12) / (Height*3.1416)= 20,168 / HeightSome sample calculations of tire height and RPM are shown below:Height RPM Error @60MPH Note:205 60 15 24.69 817 – 60.0 Stock size225 55 15 24.74 815 0.2% 60.1 Wider tire on stock225 50 16 24.86 811 0.7% 60.4 Plus One245 45 16 24.68 817 0.0% 60.0 Plus One245 40 17 24.72 816 0.1% 60.1 Plus Two245 35 18 24.75 815 0.3% 60.2 Plus Three185 65 15 24.47 824 -0.9% 59.5 Snow tire alternativeIt may be helpful to set up a simple spreadsheet to determine options. Height and RPM calculations are given above, while the error and speed at an indicated 60mph are calculated from the RPM as compared to the stock size. An error of less than 1% almost always indicates a very good match.3.C. Can I put wider tires on my stock rims?The cheapest way to pick up additional performance is usually to get a slightly wider tire with a lower aspect ratio for use on the stock rim. For example, a stock 205/60-15 tire can be replaced by a 225/50-15 with almost no variation in overall diameter. Note well that in addition to the clearance considerations listed above, the width of the stock rim also needs to be able to accommodate the wider tire. A 6″ wide rim easily accommodates a 205/60 tire, but is at the low end of recommended rim widths for most manufacturers’ 225/50 tires. Wherever possible, seek advice from the tire manufacturer or other owners of your car to see what width tire your stock rims can accommodate.3.D. What’s a Plus One, Plus Two or Plus Three conversion?Also shown as “+1″, “+2″ or “+3″, these designations indicate switching from stock rims to rims of 1, 2 or 3 inch larger diameter. Going to a larger diameter rim while keeping overall tire height about the same can allow for a significantly wider, shorter tire which can have a dramatic effect on a car’s handling, ride and appearance.As shown in 2.B. above, potential replacements for a stock 205/60-15 can range from a prudent +1 combination like 225/50-16 to a rather outrageous 245/35-18 for a +3 conversion. Note that price increases are not linear; although 18 and even 19 inch tires and rims are available, they can cost several times what a 15 or 16 inch setup will run.================================================== ======================4.A. Buying Tires – What brands and models are best?There are no “best” choices. What’s good for you is highly dependent upon your car and your preferences. With that in mind, here’s a broad listing of some of the tires most frequently recommended by users of the CARS forum, broken down by type:Ultra High Perf: Pirelli PZero, Bridgestone ExpediaHigh Performance: Dunlop SP8000* and D40M2*, Yokohama AVS Intermediate* and A509*, Pirelli P700Z, Bridgestone RE71, B.F. Goodrich Comp T/A 3, Goodyear GS-CTouring: Pirelli P4000 M&S, Bridgestone Turanza M&S, Yokohama A378All Season: Dunlop D60A2*, Pirelli P500, Yokohama AVS U+4, Michelin XGT V4Race/Autocross: Yokohama A008 RS* and A008 RS II, B.F. Goodrich Comp T/A R1 (226 and 230 compound), Goodyear GS-CS* CARS All-Stars – most frequent positive feedback from satisfied users4.B. What factors are important to consider when choosing tires?The best tire depends upon a wide variety of factors, and the more specific you can be when asking a pro for advice, the better advice you’re likely to receive:
4.C. How do I choose between Performance, Touring and All Seasons?Tough question! Here are some random thoughts and notes to help:
4.C. Which All Season tires do best in the snow?Richard Engel [76614,3653] of The Tire Warehouse in Edmonton, Alberta offered that the Dunlop D65, Axiom and Sport 4000, Pirelli P300 and Yokohama Y370/Y378 are several top performers in the snow, but he’s quick to remind everyone that to get the best traction, you need a set of winter tires.4.D. Where should I buy my tires?Perhaps the best way to buy tires is to find a knowledgeable, local shop who has reasonable prices, competent service people, modern equipment and gives honest advice. As far as national chains, Super Shops have been recommended as a great place on all counts. Town Fair Tire stores in the Northeast sometimes have good prices if you negotiate, but their recommendations are frequently biased by what’s profitable or in stock and service can be spotty.Among mail order firms, the Tire Rack at (800)428-8355 has been recommended hundreds of times for good advice, excellent availability and very competitive prices. If you call, ask for Robert at x307 or Scott at x343. Tire Rack also has a web presence at Tire Rack – Your performance experts for tires and wheels – it was new as of 4/96, but already a very impressive interface with good content and (very) speedy operation. Highly recommended!Discount Tire Direct at (800)707-8473 also has retail outlets and does their best to beat Tire Rack’s pricing and delivery. TeleTire (800)835-8473 doesn’t carry as many manufacturers as some other firms, but also pledges to try to give the best price. EuroTire (800)631-0080 takes phone orders in addition to selling through their retail stores, but carries a limited brand selection.================================================== ======================5. What about snow tires?For snow tires, narrower and taller usually works better than the stock tire size, and some experts recommend considering a “Minus One” conversion, especially for cars equipped with wide tires. The sample calculations in 2.B. above are also used for determining narrower snow tires sizes and for Minus One conversions, i.e.:Height RPM* Error @60MPH Note:275 40 17 25.66 786 – 60.0 Stock size205 60 16 25.69 785 0.1% 60.1 Minus OneHeight RPM* Error @60MPH Note:205 50 15 23.07 874 – 60.0 Stock size185 55 15 23.01 876 -0.3% 59.8 Narrower Snow Tire on Stock RimFor serious driving in the snow, regular or all-season tires are no match for a good set of four snow tires. Among CARS forum members, the most frequently mentioned models are the Pirelli 190P & 210P and the Bridgestone Blizzak. The Pirellis are a very good all-around choice for a snow tire with reasonable dry performance and treadwear expectations, and the new Pirelli S/P is a good choice for a severe duty, studdable tire.The Blizzaks were only recently introduced, but already have a lot of fans. They provide great traction on slippery surfaces, but their dual compound tread design means that they may not be a good choice for all situations. Once the Blizzak’s tread is worn below 55%, it is designed to work as an all-season tire rather than a snow tire. This may work well for someone who puts high annual mileage on their car, expects to replace their tires yearly and prefers not to have to keep a second set of tire. By purchasing a new set of Blizzaks in the late fall, you can insure optimal snow traction throughout the winter. As the tires wear down, you get a competent all-season to use until the next replacement cycle. As an alternative, someone who puts lower mileage on their car can keep a set of Blizzaks through several winters by installing them just before snow starts and removed in early Spring.Nokia Hakkapeliittas deserve a special mention as perhaps the premium snow tire which is used by more rallyists than any other brand. Because of limited distribution, they can be difficult to find, but several forum members have recommended Greer Enterprises in Milwaukee (414-744-0996) as a source for Nokia tires.Do I *need* four snow tires?The question of 2 vs. 4 snows has been raised several times. While convent- ional wisdom used to be that putting snows on the drive wheels was sufficient, more recent recommendations have been to use all four. Why? The primary concern is that snows and all-seasons have dramatically different handling characteristics.Back to Library Tires
Driving in Chiang Mai, Thailand. – Can I, should I?
Posted on 09. Mar, 2010 by admin in general
Having had my Driver’s License for 47 years now and having driven manual transmissions and automatics from Volkswagen bugs, to Corvettes, to Nissan 300 ZX Turbo’s to more refined Lincoln luxury cars you would think that I could drive anywhere in the world.
My driving record is excellent. No accidents and no points off in the last 6 years and that qualifies me for the best rating and the best insurance rate in Canada. An experienced driver with the best driving record.
Coming to Chiang Mai, Thailand and renting a car to see the sites and get around town should be a breeze you would expect. Well anyone who thinks so is dead wrong.
Driving here has to be seen to be believed. Do not try it unless you know someone here who has educated you as to What to Watch Out For.
Here is my list:
The lines on the roads do not mean a thing here. You can drive on them, you can drive on the side of them, but do not expect drivers to drive between them. Why? Because on the left side of the road you will find motorbikes so cars move over knowing that this is the preferred route of the motorbikes. That is one reason. Another is that both red taxi’s (converted pick up trucks used as taxis) and tuk tuk’s (three wheeled motorcycles used as taxis) move over from the fast lane to the middle of the two lanes in an attempt to pick up more passengers and yet not lose out on positioning in a fast lane of traffic.
Traffic signals do not mean a thing here. Vehicles can jump the green and make a turn against the flow of traffic if they are hmmm. the first, second, third or even the fourth vehicles in line at a red light as you want to cross an intersection with the light just having turned green. Expect vehicles to run the red if it just turned red hmmm. what one, two, or perhaps three seconds ago.
Watch out for the 3 wheeled bicycles. These are normally driven by slim men in their sixties who have doing this for years. This may have been a fashionable and popular means of transportation 50 years ago or so but now it is a danger out on the roads as they move along at 4 mph on streets full of cars and motorcycles, all of which are in a hurry to go somewhere.
Watch out for vendors pushing their carts at 2 mph down the street on the left hand side of the road.
Watch out for dogs who lay on the road and refuse to move or move reluctantly as the last second.
If you are keeping up with the flow of traffic on a fast moving road at 45 mph in bumper to bumper traffic EXPECT someone to tailgate your vehicle. Oh maybe 10 ft from your rear bumper or perhaps 5 ft. from your bumper. Nice, polite, quiet people that they are Thai’s when they get behind the steering wheel change they make a transition from Mr. Hyde to Dr. Jekyll.
In my opinion most drivers here only have the mandatory basic insurance which is almost useless should they have an accident. So they try to be careful and not hit other cars by driving 3 ft away from vehicles on their passenger side. Either they cannot judge the distance as they are inexperienced drivers or they are extremely careful, either way they will drive down the street using part of your lane forcing you out of your lane.
Overtaking can be done regardless of whether you do it by passing the vehicle in front of you on the left or right side. So if you drive down the road EXPECT to see a vehicle coming straight for you in your lane passing a slower vehicle. They will pass and expect you to slow down or move out of your lane as they are going somewhere in a hurry.
Overtaking another vehicle will happen by vehicles going uphill and not seeing what is ahead of them, overtaking will occur on turns and the drivers not seeing what is ahead of them, overtaking will occur whenever and wherever.
Pedestrians crossing with the traffic light green DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY, vehicles go first and you should cross when you it is safe to do so.
Now having said all of that you may be thinking to yourself, Is this guy trying to scare me, is he trying to be funny, does he not want me to drive in Chiang Mai? The answer to these questions is:
I want you to know what you will be facing should you decide to drive here. I want you not to injure yourself or someone else thinking you can go ahead and rent/drive a vehicle without having driven here before or without some advice.
When I first arrived and saw the traffic I thought that I would never be able to drive here. Well now I do drive here. I know what to watch out for and drivers running greens or red lights does not surprise me or anger me. I merely expect it.
The Thai drivers here have probably not had any formal driving instruction, they may not have any decent insurance coverage, and they may be pushy when it comes to driving as they may be in a hurry to earn money so that they can feed their family. So nothing against them, I try to understand their driving habits and adjust mine accordingly. No matter how they drive they are happy go lucky, cheerful, hard working people and I love them.
If you are interested in learning more about living here, moving here, Thai foods, about Thailand and Chiang Mai visit our website.
Renting an RV – 10 Things You Need To Know
Posted on 08. Mar, 2010 by admin in general
Renting an RV is the best way to explore Canada and United States. It is possible to rent an RV year round, for a day, week, month or even longer. If you are planning to rent an RV the following are ten things you need to know:
1. Choosing the Size and Type of RV
There are several different RV types. The most common is the motorhome, generally speaking, the larger the unit, the more space, privacy and comfort it will afford its guests. If you are planning to stay at one place for a long time and would like some luxury it would be a good idea to rent a Fifth Wheel. This will enable you to park your trailer and have the ability to use the truck for daily excursions. If you are planning to move around, drive on rougher roads or are travelling in Northern Canada or Alaska a camper would be a great choice. Your decision will depend on how many people are travelling, where you will be going and also your budget. Take your time deciding because your choice may make your holidays the most memorable ever or you will be so miserable you will never want to look at another RV again. Once you know which unit you would like to rent, visit your chosen RV rental office and check out the motorhome or trailer to make sure it will meet your expectations.
2. RV Rental Companies
Shop around, shop around, shop around. Check out as many rental companies as possible. When looking at prices make note of what is included in the daily, weekly or even monthly price. Some rental companies may have packages that include all mileage, kitchen kits and insurance. The only thing you have to pay for is gas. Others may give you a daily rate that includes just that, the daily rate. You will have to pay more for everything else. Take your time calculating all aspects of the rental price. Also, it doesn’t hurt to haggle the price, you may be able to get a better deal than listed especialy if you are traveling during low season.
3. Reserving Early
If you are traveling during high season and you know which RV or trailer you would like to rent it is a good idea to book your RV early. You will be able to secure the RV you want and you may even get a better deal. Many companies offer discounts for reserving a few months ahead of your travel date.
4. Basic Set Up
When you are going over the RV features and basic set up make sure you check the leveling system and gauges. Gate valves for emptying grey and black tanks should close all the way and work smoothly without sticking. You don’t want to be splashed by a bit of sewage when the dust cap is take off. Adjust mirrors to needed position and check to see if they are firmly mounted and that they can be adjusted to needed position. Make sure everything is in proper working condition.
5. Insurance
RV rental companies are specialists in the business and offer reasonably priced, comprehensive insurance plans. Purchasing insurance coverage is a good idea and will help ease any concerns about driving an expensive motorhome or trailer. A second option may be auto insurance, speak to your insurance agent to find out if you are covered for the motorhome you want to rent.
6. Being Safe on the Road
Pick up your RV early. Drive it around a few blocks and test all the features yourself. You could come across a problem the mechanics may have missed. If this is the case you still have time to swap the motorhome for a new one instead of finding out 300 miles into your trip.
7. Kits
There are many different types of kits depending on the rental company you choose. They could be called by any one of these names; housekeeping kits, kitchen kits, personal convenience kits, vehicle supply kits among others. If you are flying to a city where you will be renting an rv and the only items you are bringing with you is your camera, personal items and clothes make sure you purchase all the necessary kits. Some rental companies may even supply a flashlight and axe for the campfire. They may also rent camping chairs, barbecues, bicycles, TV, DVD and other items to add to your fun.
8. Campgrounds and RV Parks
Canadian and US campgrounds offer camp sites ranging from back-to-nature basics in a wilderness setting, full facility campgrounds for RVs, quiet scenic camping sites, or RV parks with full resort facilities and amenities for families with children. When selecting an RV campground, it is important to plan ahead. Otherwise, you could arrive at your destination, only to find no place to stay. During peak season it is rare to find a campground without reserving. It is a good idea to purchase a couple of campground guides. They will give you information about fees and facilities.
9. Alternative Transportation
Unless you are pulling a trailer that you can unhook from your car you may need to plan for another way of getting around when you finally arrive at your destination. It may be enough to pack a couple of bicycles, there are more and more foldable bikes on the market that are comparable to regular bikes. They are easy to store and fun to ride. A lot of experienced motorhome travelers tow a small car or bring along a small motorized scooter. Enjoyment of your vacation may depend on how you handle transportation needs once you park your motorhome at a campground or rv park. 10. Secure your Load
Make sure everything in your trailer is put away in cabinets and whatever is not in cabinets is safely tied down so it can’t move. Checking the fridge is a good idea to make sure there is nothing that will spill or be thrown around during the trip. You wouldn’t want to get to your destination and find a fridge full of broken eggs or spilled milk. Not a fun way to start your trip.
Happy Travels!!
Your Cheap Travel Guide, Cheap Packages
Posted on 08. Mar, 2010 by admin in general
Improvement package in a low cost of books, Travel Holiday, which is approximately the same holiday in the heart.
Vacation cheap packages from different companies, leave. These include Indonesia ClubMed holidays. Wholesale travel and holidays and offers, especially large groups of people will be more offers. Spain, the Caribbean, Japan, Canada, Tuscany, Majorca, France, Hawaii and Mexico, highlighted the region on this site. Rich in tradition, and Spain, the sight and many people look at the major events of the day and not a ban. Caribbean, Bali, or simply by pressing the beach and the Tuscany helluvan travel there. French and romantic views, positions, and the french historian, man and lifestyle needs to be convinced. If more than seven types of signs, or real wild adventure, a trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands is a preference, and I want to take the instincts. In fact, vacation packages, discount travel, leisure and luxury with this variety, the greatest attention.
Links to other sites Travel, Directory, guide, travel blog, community, Legend Travel, World Nomads Travel Insurance Cover, Travel Insurance Company, according to the type of services Travel report. VisitBritain Travel Guide and Greek, and other po ‘is better than the master to enjoy their holiday card information.
Cheap holidays and holiday vacation travel to other activities that are more stringent than the budget, but fun, not to mention the number of people financially.
Leisure Travel in the case of people almost every day to collect and not to lose. But there are certain things, it is important objects or things, or as a bon voyage and security must not be forgotten. If, in order to ensure that every case is not unreasonable, if you want the security of travel during the journey or even your family. During the journey, we must not forget that the airbag to sleep. Anti-Voyage to prevent diseases and drugs are also needed to cause health problems. During a trip to a book, you can kill the boredom.
Two Wheels Good, Four Wheels Bad; the Motorbike Road Trip
Posted on 07. Mar, 2010 by admin in general
Ever since the internal combustion engine was invented, the road trip has offered a romantic allure for the traveller. But whereas journeying by car merely does the job, travelling by motorbike is associated with the most carefree of all road tripping experiences.
Travel by motorbike offers many things a car deprives us of; first and foremost a much stronger connection with the landscape through which you pass. Motorcyclists often speak fondly of the sounds and smells of the outside world that they enjoy as they pass. This is something that their car driving counterparts tend to miss out on, being confined to the insides of their vehicle.
Motorcyclists’ tales of the road have often been shared with armchair travellers in the form of books, films and TV documentaries. One of the most famous motorbike trips to be enjoyed by the mainstream was undertaken by Argentinean-born revolutionary icon, Che Guevara. The image of Guevara’s face is said to be the most reproduced image of all time, appearing as a fashion statement on posters, album covers and t-shirts which can be found in student’s bedrooms the world over, even though many probably have little idea of Guevara’s life and what he stood for.
Guevara wrote many books, but his best known publication, “The Motorcycle Diaries”, details a young Guevara as he travels through South America with his friend Alberto Grando on a 1939 Norton 500 motor-cycle. It was the poverty and persecution that he witnessed during his travels that fuelled Guevara’s desire to fight and die for the people of the lower classes.
A famous but fictional motorbike road trip story is told through the film “Easy Rider”, which features two bikers travelling through the American south to experience the land and its people and explore the American dream. The story follows their adventures as they encounter hippies, narcotics and eventually meet their doom at the hands of red necks, during their search for spiritual freedom.
More recently, the TV series “The Long Way Round” followed the biking adventures of actors Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman. The show documented their trip from London to New York which took them across Europe, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Siberia and Canada. Viewers were able to share McGregor and Boorman’s pain and pleasure, which included incredible scenery, amazing kindness and generosity of strangers, but also breakdowns, crashes, injuries, mosquito bites, and even being threatened at gunpoint. However, with a little help from the locals, and of course a good motorbike insurance policy, McGregor and Boorman survived the incredible journey intact; and the trip inspired the adventurous duo to embark on another biking adventure from John O Groats to South Africa two years later, which was also televised.
A road trip of any sort will always hold a romantic allure for the traveller, but it is a long journey by motorbike which is the ultimate expression of freedom on the road.