It has been held at various locations over the years but it was only since 1985 did it join the Formula One World Championship and that year it was held on the street circuit in Adelaide. It was held there until 1995 and thereafter to Albert Park in Melbourne. The first race in 1996 had over 400,000 people turn up to watch the event.

In the Formula One Grand Prix calendar, the Australian Grand Prix is the first round to be held. Since moving to Melbourne the only time it was not held as the first race was in 2006 and 2010. This tradition was also maintained while it was being held in Adelaide. Prior to then however it was the Portuguese Grand Prix that hosted the first race and this special privilage.

When the Grand Prix moved to Albert Park, there was a lot of protests. These protestors claimed that holding the race there would turn a public park into a private playground. They also protested about the fact that the race would cost a lot of money that could well be better spent if they were to actually build a permanent circuit somewhere else.

During the history of the grand prix, two drivers have been the most successful at winning the Australian Grand Prix and they were Australian Lex Davison and German Michael Schumacher. In 1991 the race was stopped after only 16 of the 81 laps because of rain. This gave the track the record for being the shortest Formula One race ever. In 1993 the race was won by Ayrton Senna, this was his last win before his death.

There has also been controversy there as well. In 1994 two of the title contenders, Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were involved in an incident and both of them were forced to retire from the race which allowed Michael Schumacher to win the Drivers Championship.

After 1995 new safety measures were wanted after Mika Hakkinen crashed heavily into a wall after he suffered a tyre failure during the first qualifying session. He was very badly injured and was saved when he had an emergency Cricothyroidotomy which was performed at the side of the track. Mikka recovered from the accident and was back inside a Formula One car after only three months.

If you do not feel like travelling to the Grand Prix by air, you can use car rental companies in major cities, like Sydney  to hire a car and drive there instead. Car rental in sydney can work out cheaper than other forms of travel. Additionally, it is also a good way to see the countryside whilst making the journey south.

Focus: Formula One is a post from: Car & Truck Rentals

What does an conversion to LPG involve?

First of all an LPG storage tank will be installed in the vehicle. This usually will go in the boot of the vehicle but if there is enough clearance this can go under the floor, this usually will only happen on 4WDs and a few commercial vehicles. The tank is fitted with an (AFL) Automatic Fill Limiter. This means that you cannot fill the tank past the safe fill limit of 80 percent. This is to ensure there is enough room as LPG expands with changes in temperature.

A regulator or converter is then added. This will convert the liquid gas into a gaseous vapour and also to regulate the process. After this a special air-fuel mixer is then installed, this ensures that the correct amounts are mixed together so to give proper combustion. A fuel lock is fitted next that allows the fuel to flow when the engine is running but will shut off the supply whenever the engine stops running.

Some vehicles have dual-fuel which are able to run on either one of two fuels, which is usually petrol or LPG. It would not cost any extra to have the vehicle converted to dual-fuel than it would to convert it to run on LPG only. Making the vehicle dual-fuel would give more flexibility.

Not all vehicles can be converted to LPG or dual-fuel. Some do not have a conversion kit for that particular vehicle. For some vehicles it may just be that there is not enough space for the LPG cylinder or that there is durability problems with the engine or it could be that the manufacturer of the vehicle does not know if the vehicle is compatible.

If you do convert your vehicle to LPG or dual-fuel you should ask about any additional servicing or maintenance that needs to be done above the vehicles requirements.

If car rental companies in major cities, like Sydney do start to move their fleets to vehicles which run on LPG or dual-fuel then this would reduce their carbon footprint as well as helping to reduce their costs for refuelling their fleets. This would also reduce the cost for car rental in sydney.

Green Focus: LPG is a post from: Car & Truck Rentals

Located on the dashboard is a button with ECON on it. When this button is pushed, the vehicle goes into ECON mode. This configures the energy-consuming systems to operate more efficiently. The vehicle also has an Eco Assist feature. On either side of the Speed indicator is two coaching bars which turn blue and green. Stay in the green while driving and you will be able to go further on a tank of fuel.

Some of the features that come with the Civic is FM Traffic. It is a feature of the GPS system. This will alert you to the current traffic conditions and is able to guide you around and heavy traffic by showing you alternative routes.

Here are some of the safety features that the vehicle has.

(ACE) Advanced Compatibility Engineering Body Structure. This enhances the protection in the event of a front on crash and there is elements to distribute the crash energy more evenly.

(SRS) Dual-Stage, multiple-threshold front airbags. One or two airbags will be deployed in the event of a head on crash if there is sufficient frontal impact. The airbags can be inflated at different rates, these rates depend on the severity of the crash.

(TPMS) Tire Pressure Monitoring System. This monitors the pressure in all four tires and will alert the driver if the pressure becomes significantly low.

(VSA) Vehicle Stability Assist with traction control. This can brake individual wheels or reduce the engine power if you understeer or oversteer the vehicle, this will help to gain control and regain the intended path of the vehicle.

The Civic also has (ABS) Anti-Lock Brakes with electronic brake distribution, (DRL) Daytime running lights.

If car rental companies in major cities, like Sydney do start to move their fleets to vehicles, which are a hybrid like the Honda Civic, then this would reduce their carbon footprint as well as help to reduce their maintenance costs for their fleets and the need to refuel their vehicles. This would also reduce the cost for car rental in sydney.

Green Focus: Hybrid Car – Honda Civic is a post from: Car & Truck Rentals

The hybrid system on the Buick is called “eAssist”. It is a system which enhances the fuel mileage by assisting the fuel engine. It does this by either shutting down the engine when the vehicle comes to a complete stop or it will cut of the fuel supply when the vehicle is cruising or decelerating. It can also give some electric assistance to the engine while the vehicle is accelerating, but there is no option for an all electric operation.

The electric motor inside is a 15kw liquid cooled one and generates a respectable 79 pounds of torque. This is mounted on the engine where the alternator is usually located. This provides both motor assist and charging of the battery by using a belt drive system which is connected to the crankshaft. The battery pack is a 115 volt air cooled lithium type and this gives an extra 11 kw of electric power assist during rapid acceleration or when the vehicle goes up steep hills and also gets back 15kw from regenerative braking.

Also under the hood of the Buick is a 2.4l fuel motor with 182hp. The transmission is a six speed Hydra-Matic which has high final-drive gearing. This allows the engine to maintain lower engine revs at motorway speeds, this also boosts mpg. There is an auxiliary electric driven oil pump to the transmission. This keeps it primed and also keeps the the fluid flowing when the engine switches off when the vehicle is at a stop.

A hill assist system is also included as standard to aid the driver to make a smoother start from a stop when the vehicle is on an incline by stopping the vehicle from rolling backward when the engine is in the shutdown mode.

Some of the standard features that come with the Regal eAssist include keyless remote entry, cruise control, leather wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise controls. Leather seats. The front seats are heated and has an eight way power driver’s seat. There is dual zone climate control and also a cd/satellite system.

The instrument panel has an ECO gauge, this responds to the way you are driving the vehicle. It also gives you a power flow schematic to let you see the battery charging and the way the power is being used by the eAssist system.

Using the eAssist in the city will give you around 40kph and on the motorway you will get nearly 58kph.

If car rental companies in major cities, like Sydney do start to move their fleets to vehicles which are a hybrid like the Buick eAssist then this would reduce their carbon footprint as well as helping to reduce their maintenance costs for their fleets and the need to refuel their vehicles. This would also reduce the cost for car rental in sydney.

Green Focus: Hybrid Car – Buick Regal eAssist is a post from: Car & Truck Rentals

Here are just some of the reasons why you should.

1. Electric vehicles are very environmentally friendly. They produce no CO2 emissions at all. While the vehicle is stopped in traffic, the electric motor does not idle. It does not burn any fuel at all and the vehicle does not have a tailpipe. They are a lot quieter than a normal fuel powered vehicle plus they are a lot more energy efficient. They are able to convert at least 75 percent of the energy from the battery to drive the wheels whereas in a fuel powered vehicle and they are only 20 percent efficient. In the fuel driven vehicles, 80 percent is lost as heat in the engine and the drivetrain.
2. They are much more reliable. Because electric motors have very few moving parts and they do not require any fluids such as engine oil or transmission fluid or anti-freeze, they will require little maintenance and also they are far less likely to leak.
3. They are pretty inexpensive to operate. Electric vehicles may cost more upfront but in the long term they will save you money. A gallon of fuel in the U.S. costs an average of $2.70 whereas the average price for electricity is $.11 per kilowatt per hour. A full charge of an electric car may cost as little as $2.75. Most of the electric cars allow you to choose when you charge the battery. You can charge it only during off-peak hours which will bring down your electricity costs.
4. You are able to charge your vehicle at home overnight and you never have to stop at a fuel station to fill up. In Australia a company called ChargePoint is building charge stations at public locations which include workplace, curbside, rest stops and shopping centres. They have charging station which range in their capability to charge from 240 volts to 400 volts and even include charging at 500 volts. To use these stations, drivers will receive a charge pass which allows them to recharge their vehicle at any ChargePoint station in Australia.

How an Electric Vehicle runs

The electric motor inside the vehicle is the size of a 5 gallon water bottle. This is connected to the transmission. There are batteries inside which are about the same size and shape of a normal car battery. The accelerator pedal is connected to a box which operate the electric controller and this delivers the power needed to run the vehicle.

If car rental companies in major cities, like Sydney do start to move their fleets to vehicles which are electric then this would reduce their carbon footprint as well as helping to reduce their maintenance costs for their fleets and the need to refuel their vehicles. This would also reduce the cost for car rental in sydney.

Green Focus: Benefit of driving an Electric Car is a post from: Car & Truck Rentals

Here are just some of the reasons why you should.

1. The engine has been built so it is more fuel efficient than regular vehicles and with the combined use of an electric engine as well, these vehicles will give you a better fuel economy and will give out a lot less pollution as well as giving out less carbon emissions as well. Also while stopped the vehicle will produce no carbon emissions at all as the fuel engine will switch off and only start up again when the vehicle is put into gear.
2. The batteries of the electric motor are able to get charged on the go using energy from the braking system. The energy is generated when the vehicle is being slowed down so that no energy lost during the braking procedure.
3. Also driving a hybrid vehicle will save you in the long term save you money. You don’t have to spend as much on fuel especially if you are using the vehicle mostly in a city where the traffic is quite heavy. As the engine turns off while stopped no fuel will be used like a regular vehicle for idling purposes. The cost of insuring a hybrid vehicle can be upto 10 per cent less than a regular one. As well the hybrid vehicle will retain a higher resale price.
4. In certain countries like the US, owning a hybrid will allow you to enjoy special benefits, you will receive tax breaks for driving one and you will be able to drive your vehicle in carpool lanes in cities even if you have less passenger in the car than is required. Some places even offer free parking and some toll bridges become free for hybrid drivers.
5. You will be showing everyone that you are more environmentally aware and that you care about the well being of the planet. Your vehicle will also be kinder to the environment.
6. The vehicles are built using lightweight materials and they tend to be more aerodynamic which causes less drag and the tyres are built with a distinctive rubber which lessens the friction when driving. The battery inside has enormous competence and it is composed of nickel-metal-hydride.
7. You still have a lot of options when it comes to buying a hybrid vehicle. There are more and more car makers that are building these types of vehicles. Some examples of hybrid vehicles manufactures include Ford, Toyota, Mercedes, BMW, Holden, Honda and Tesla and there are a few more besides

If car rental companies in major cities, like Sydney do start to move their fleets to vehicles which are hybrid’s then this would reduce their carbon footprint as well as helping to reduce their maintenance costs for their fleets and the need to refuel their vehicles. This would also reduce the cost for car rental in sydney.

Green Focus: Benefit of driving a Hybrid Car is a post from: Car & Truck Rentals

Available for the vehicle is the Auto Start-Stop. This will help to save money in fuel and will also reduce the emissions produced by the vehicle. While city driving the engine will automatically shut off when stopped. The engine will come back to life the moment you take your foot off the brake pedal. Another feature to help increase efficiency is the Active Grille Shutters. They help to reduce the drag to the vehicle which is caused by the air travelling through the engine compartment.

The battery gets charged partly by regenerative braking which recovers over 90 percent of the energy used.

Also with the Fusion, the vehicle interior is made from a fabric called Repreve. This fiber is made using 100% recyclable materials. As well as this, the seat cushions and also the head restraints use a bio-based polyurethane foam which is made up of oils of various seeds.

Some of the features inside include a lane keeping system. There is a camera which is mounted behind the windscreen. This watches road lane markings to determine the position of the vehicle and to detect lane departures. This can work either day or night time.

BLIS (Blind Spot Information System). This uses a radar located in the rear quarter panels to identify if any vehicle is detected in your blind spot. If there is a vehicle detected an indicator light will appear in the appropriate side mirror. The sensors can detect an approaching vehicle from 15 metres away. This helps when you are backing out of your driveway or out of a parking spot.

Smartgauge with Ecoguide Cluster. This has two screens which are both liquid crystal. They are located on either side of the speedometer. On one screen, leaves will start to grow if you drive efficiently and the more you do, vines and more leaves will appear. On the left screen, you can get information like the fuel economy, the engine coolant temperature, trip data plus the range till empty.

Adaptive Cruise Control and Forward Collision Warning. The adaptive cruise control works just like other vehicles that have cruise control but when the sensors detect traffic in front of the vehicle slowing down, the vehicle also slows down. When the sensors detect that the traffic has cleared, the vehicle will resume the set speed. Also an alert will sound if the sensors sense a potential collision. If the alert does sound, a heads-up display will also flash up indicating brake lights on the windscreen. In the event that you do not react in time, the brakes will precharge, this will help increase their sensitivity so they will provide more responsiveness for when you do brake.

If car rental companies in major cities, like Sydney do start to move their fleets to vehicles which are a hybrid or all electric like the  then this would reduce their carbon footprint as well as helping to reduce their maintenance costs for their fleets and the need to refuel their vehicles. This would also reduce the cost for car rental in sydney.

Green Focus: Hybrid Car – Ford Fusion is a post from: Car & Truck Rentals

The vehicle has a seven speed automatic transmission and uses an automatic start – stop system. This eliminates fuel consumption and emissions when the vehicle is at a standstill. The battery gets back lost energy with the use of regenerative braking. The hybrid components are cleverly located so that no cabin or boot space is lost.

In the city the vehicle will give you 38kph. While travelling on the highway it will give you 48kph and a combined kph of 41.

Some of the standard features that you will find included in the vehicle is power adjustable front seats, dual zone climate control, leatherette upholstery and a am/fm/cd/dvd entertainment system.

There are 2 premium packages that you can get.

In the Premium 1 package you will get a navigation system with 10gb of storage space and Sirius XM traffic.. Also heated front seats, a rearview camera, satellite radio plus a power rear window shade and an active multicontour drivers seat.

In the Premium 2 package you will get all the features of the Premium 1 package plus an electronic boot closer, bi-xenon headlights with active curve illumination with a headlamp cleaning system and active high beam assist. You will also get a proximity key system.

Some of the safety features of the vehicles include 2 two-stage front airbags along with a knee airbag for the driver. Other airbags include ones for the pelvic as well as curtain and side impact for added protection. There is also a system to alert the driver in the case of drowsiness. A sensor located in the steering wheel is linked to smart software that analyses the first 20 minutes of driving. When travelling between 80 and 180 kph, the system will identify erratic steering corrections and then issue an audible warning with a coffee cup icon appearing in the instrument display. This is called Attention Assist system.

The lane tracking package includes blind spot assist. This monitors both blind spots and also to the side of the vehicle. This works by alerting the driver if a vehicle in the blind spots activates their turn signals.

If car rental companies in major cities, like Sydney do start to move their fleets to vehicles which are a hybrid or all electric like the  then this would reduce their carbon footprint as well as helping to reduce their maintenance costs for their fleets and the need to refuel their vehicles. This would also reduce the cost for car rental in sydney.

Green Focus: Hybrid Car – Mercedes-Benz E400 is a post from: Car & Truck Rentals

The RX 450h never needs to be plugged in to recharge the battery. The batteries get charged through regenerative braking on all of the wheels. The battery inside is a 288 volt Nickel Metal Hydride.

Like most hybrid cars, the Lexus can be driven in different modes. ECO mode will automatically adjust the air conditioning and also the responsiveness of the accelerator which will improve the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. In Ev mode the vehicle can travel up to 2km at low speeds just on electric power alone. In this mode the vehicle uses no fuel and emits no CO2.

One of the features of the Lexus is the adaptive front lighting system. When you approach the vehicle when it is dark, a light will be illuminated underneath each exterior mirror and then when you step inside a choreographed lighting sequence will guide you inside.

There is also an enhanced climate control. This includes a humidity sensor that helps to control the inside temperature.

The Sports Luxury model also has a few more features like the head-up display. This displays certain key information on the windscreen above the instrument panel. This can show your current speed, the satellite navigation directions and also the audio settings. This allows you to continue along without having to take your eyes off the road. You can also view different information by using the steering wheel controls. This take show you other information such as the gear you are currently in, the fuel consumption and other key data.

Other features of the Sports Luxury model is the 15 speaker surround sound system, heated and ventilated front seats and there is also three memory settings which allow for different preferred seat positions.

One other feature is the hands free Smart Key Card. As you approach the vehicle, a proximity sensor detects the coded Smart Key Card and unlocks the door for you. This also activates the illuminated entry sequence. You can also unlock and lock the doors while your foot is on the brake pedal. You also get a normal key for emergency use.

If car rental companies in major cities, like Sydney do start to move their fleets to vehicles which are a hybrid or all electric like the  then this would reduce their carbon footprint as well as helping to reduce their maintenance costs for their fleets and the need to refuel their vehicles. This would also reduce the cost for car rental in Sydney.

Green Focus: Hybrid Car – Lexus RX 450h is a post from: Car & Truck Rentals

Comfort mode uses the electric motor and between speeds of 59-80 km/h you can coast which uses no power at all.

Eco Pro is for maximum efficiency. The gearbox and accelerator are optimised as well as the climate control. Like comfort mode the vehicle can coast at speeds up to 160 km/h.

Sport mode gives you a very sporty way to drive. There is additional power and there is no restrictions on the functions use. In this mode the engine is only turned off at very low speeds.

0-96 km/h can be achieved in 5.2 seconds which is 0.2 seconds quicker than a BMW 335I with a manual transmission. The ActiveHybrid 3 has an 8 speed transmission, which no one else currently offers.

The BMW head-up display shows your current speed on the windscreen. It also shows you navigation, control displays and collision warnings. It will also be possible to show additional information such as current speed limit, information on overtaking restrictions.

Safety features of the vehicle include adaptive headlights. The headlights adapt to the angle of the road ahead. At higher speeds the front headlights will raise up as more reaction time is needed and in slower speeds like urban traffic the headlights are lowered.

The front of the vehicle has 3 different devices to help protect pedestrians in the event of a collision. One of these is that the bonnet has deformation elements to reduce the impact energy created and this helps to act as a crumple zone.

A rear view camera provides a view for parking and there is also surround view. There are 5 cameras, 2 side view cameras which are located in the front bumper. There are 2 cameras located in the exterior mirrors and finally the rear view mirror to give you that all round information.

Also installed in the vehicle is an accident proof telephone. In the case of an accident crash sensors automatically trigger an emergency call to the BMW assist call centre. This also provides a precise position of the vehicle. You are also able to activate the emergency call yourself.

If car rental companies in major cities, like Sydney do start to move their fleets to vehicles which are a hybrid or all electric like the  then this would reduce their carbon footprint as well as helping to reduce their maintenance costs for their fleets and the need to refuel their vehicles. This would also reduce the cost for car rental in Sydney.

Green Focus: Hybrid Car – BMW ActiveHybrid 3 is a post from: Car & Truck Rentals