In the face of soaring gasoline prices pushed by crude oil prices hitting $75 per barrel, nearly 60 percent of those questioned said they favor oil production in ANWR.

“These are very strong results,” said Paul Phillips, PACWEST’s president. “Congress has failed previously in numerous attempts to pass legislation opening ANWR’s vast oil and gas reserves. Hopefully, they will now be more responsive to the will of the people and address the people’s energy needs.”

On numerous occasions, the powerful environmental lobby has defeated attempts to open ANWR, claiming that production there would harm the environment. However, as Phillips points out, it had no such qualms when the Clinton administration proposed oil production on another section of Alaska’s North Slope.

In fact, Mr. Clinton’s Department of Energy published an extensive report in 1999 entitled “Environmental Benefits of Advanced Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Technology.” That report found, “From the tundra of Alaska to the wetlands of Louisiana, a host of advanced technologies enable the oil and gas industry to produce resources far beneath sensitive environments.”

It describes techniques such as building ice roads for moving equipment that simply disappear without a trace when summer comes to the Arctic and directional drilling that allows many wells to be put down from a single location. These and other techniques would enable the production of oil and gas using just 2,000 of ANWR’s 19,500,000 acres.

Should the Congress vote to open ANWR to oil production, Phillips said, the effect of driving prices down could be immediate, even though actual production would be some years away.

“Much of the price of oil is based on speculation that there will be shortages in the future,” Phillips noted. “Any action which might even slightly lessen such shortages could have a strong impact on prices.”

Opening ANWR could well be just such an action. The U.S. Department of Energy has estimated ANWR could hold as much as 16 billion barrels of oil. That is an amount equal to 30 years of imports from Saudi Arabia. Peak production, it is estimated, would yield approximately 1.5 million barrels per day, or about 7.5 percent of this country’s daily usage–enough, according to experts, to impact world prices.

Americans Want American Energy is a post from: Ots Pdl Iasi Car Tips

Choppers are great fun to ride, and if you want to build one it can be an amazing and rewarding experience. You can buy one from a former owner or from a custom motorcycle builder. Here are eight reasons to build your own custom chopper or kit bike:

1. Kit bikes are easy to build compared to a “start from scratch” chopper. You start with a rolling chassis and go from there. You are only committing to the frame, motor and front end when you go with a kit bike. If you have never built a motorcycle before, the kit bike is the way to start and then later build a scratch chopper. You’ll end up with a classy ride you love even when you begin with a kit.

2. The customization is entirely up to you. You choose the accessories and features for your motorcycle and the end product won’t be like every other bike on the road!

3. The experience is a great reason to build. Not only will you learn about motorcycle design, balancing and ergonomics, you will know how every single part in the motorcycle works and be able to perform repairs easily.

4. The chopper you build, whether from a kit or from scratch, will fit you and your personal needs. If you love suicide shifts, you can have it. If you want a lower profile for easy balance when stopped, you can design that right into the motorcycle. Ladies, especially, love the custom motorcycle because many petite women don’t feel comfortable with a high profile motorcycle, yu can build the motorcycle to suit your body.

5. Building your own chopper is a LOT less expensive than building a built machine. If you design and build your own scoot, you’ll get what you want at a fraction of the price a custom builder will charge. After all, you are putting out all the sweat equity yourself!

6. By building your own chopper, you can spread the expense over a period of time rather than having to pay for everything up front. When you buy a showroom motorcycle, whether chopped or not, you have to pay for everything at one time. This often means financing becomes involved and you have to plan for all those payments. If you are already on the road on a stock bike or another chopper, you can perform your build of a new chopper over a period of time, adding parts as you have the money. Sure, this may not be the fast track to having a completed ride, but it can often represent the sensible way to get what you want and have it paid for in full when you first ride out! You’ll save tons of money on interest chargers over financing.

7. Bonding with friends and fellow riders is another great reason to build a bike. Usually when you start a build, friends drop by to help and see the progress. This allows quality time to chat and share tips and tricks. Sure, bonding can occur on the road, but it’s nice to have some garage time with your buddies.

8. Family members are often more supportive of the motorcycle when you are putting time into it at home yourself. It keeps you at home and the whole family can participate in the project. Even the kids will get excited as the motorcycle comes together!

Eight Reasons to Build Your Own Chopper or Kit Bike is a post from: Ots Pdl Iasi Car Tips

If you are a fan of the Buick brand you have witnessed your fair share of changes over the past five years. Gone are the Park Avenue, LeSabre, Century, and Regal, and in its place are the Rendezvous, the Rainier, LaCrosse, Terrazza, and the Lucerne. All the changes are the result of General Motors broad realignment strategy in the wake of retiring the Oldsmobile brand, lifting Saturn into the fold, and setting strategy to compete against the nonstop onslaught of foreign brands including Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, and Infiniti.

One look at the Buick and you will notice a strong resemblance to the Cadillac DTS. The Buicks oval grille sets it apart from the Cadillacs firm nose, but a cursory examination of the body lines tells you that these cars are in fact twins. In the past, Buicks were essentially stripped down versions of Cadillacs, while Oldsmobile and Pontiac were more luxurious or sportier versions of Chevrolet models. Clearly, GM is repositioning Buick to have a more distinct near luxury look without stepping on Cadillacs toes, while giving the Buick division a much needed replacement for the aging Park Avenue.

For the car shopper, the Lucerne is value priced, arriving at in showrooms at just under 27K. With a standard 3.8 V6, the automaker can claim decent fuel mileage of 19 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. In these days of hyped up gas prices, favorable fuel economy is a keen marketing tool, but expect many buyers to opt for the ultra powerful Northstar V8 instead. Why? Because, if they want to purchase a Buick, they likely will want the power to go along with the luxury. It remains to be seen how well the V6 operates in a car that is 203 inches long and weighing in at nearly two tons.

Standard equipment for the Lucerne includes the following: power windows, door locks, and mirrors; side curtain air bags for the front seat; theft deterrent system; OnStar; keyless entry; and more.

The optional equipment list is expansive and can easily drive the starting price of the top of the line CSX to over 35K. For that price you receive heated power seats with lumbar support; a memory package that adjusts the seats, mirrors, radio, and climate control to each drivers specifications; sport leather steering wheel with built in controls; and more.

A fully loaded Lucerne is still several thousand dollars less than the DTS, making the Lucerne a value leader in the luxury car category. Still, Buick has its work cut out for it as competition from foreign brands including Acura, BMW, and Lexus continue to hammer away at GMs near luxury division. Fortunately, quality levels for all Buicks remain very high so combining that level of success with a strong price may help the Lucerne compete admirably.

2006 Buick Lucerne: Return of the V8 is a post from: Ots Pdl Iasi Car Tips

General Motors has been itching to release the Yukon and a host of other full sized GMC/Chevrolet models to the public as soon as possible. Some find this odd, particularly since fuel prices are high and demand for large vehicles is on the decline. Still, there is good reason why GM wants you to take a closer look at upcoming offerings including the 2007 GMC Yukon, their big SUV:

• New from the ground up.Ask anyone who purchases large trucks and SUVs and they will tell you that owning one with the latest technology is often a deciding factor in purchasing a new model. GM is right on schedule with the update; however as with any older model vehicle currently on the market sales typically decline as a new model is prepared for release.
• Engine efficiency. The 2007 Yukons two V8s will produce greater horsepower than the previous engines, but they will register an increase in fuel economy. How so? General Motors is incorporating Displacement on Demand technology, which deactivates some of the cylinders at low loads for increased fuel economy. You may recall a more basic version of this technology being applied to Cadillac models in the early 1980s; that particular V8-6-4 technology was ahead of its time and GM had to pull it back then as the engines did not do what was intended for them to do. Now, more than a generation later, General Motors has worked out all the kinks and has vastly improved on the original idea.
  
• Safety.Roof mounted side curtain air bags will now be made available for all three rows of passengers. GM has been on a major offensive over the past half decade or more in stressing safety, a big seller for any vehicle. A better ABS system and StabiliTrak, GMs premier handling system, will also be included.
• Technological improvements.Rear camera systems, power fold and tumble rear seats, and an improved navigation system are some of the updates. The interior of the 2007 Yukon is actually larger than preceding models.While General Motors can only wish that fuel prices were lower, the company is hoping that each of their new models can take a greater slice of the shrinking big truck/SUV pie. With new models from Ford still a year or two away, the Yukon is poised to cut into Expedition sales as well as take back sales lost to Lexus. Even with high fuel prices in place, there will likely always be a core market of people who need a vehicle of the Yukons size; General Motors knows this and has updated their line of vehicles to keep pace.

2007 GMC Yukon: Still Too Much? is a post from: Ots Pdl Iasi Car Tips

For fans of off-roading, there are two considerations when taking to the dirt and rocks of off-road driving: safety and ecology. Safety starts with having the right equipment-a vehicle that’s designed for uneven, unpredictable terrain and tough, dependable tires that can take the punishment of dirt, rocks, ravines and more. And by following ecological guidelines, you can help ensure that trails will be enjoyable for other adventurers.

Safety Tips

1. Inform someone of where you are going and when you expect to return.

2. Make sure your vehicle has plenty of fuel.

3. Ride at safe speeds for existing conditions.

4. Travel straight up and down hills-never traverse the face of a hill; it may cause your vehicle to slip sideways or roll over.

5. Cross large rocks or other obstacles slowly, at an angle, one wheel at a time.

6. Cross ravines at a 45-degree angle.

7. Only cross streams at a designated fording point.

8. Never turn around on narrow roads, steep terrain or unstable ground.

9. Avoid stopping in tall grass or brush, which can be ignited by engine heat.

10. Reduce tire pressure to improve traction in tough off-road conditions.

It’s the Ecology

1. Drive only where permitted.

2. Keep a trash bag in your vehicle and collect litter left by others.

3. Ride in the middle to minimize the widening of the trail.

4. Avoid slide slipping and wheel spin to prevent erosion.

5. Keep away from wildlife.

6. Steer clear of sensitive habitats: wetlands, meadows, tundra, etc.

7. Clean your vehicle after the ride to reduce the spread of noxious weeds.

8. Observe proper sanitary waste disposal.

Top Trails

To highlight some of the best off-road trails in the country, BFGoodrich Tires, in conjunction with Tread Lightly and United Four Wheel Drive Associations, has launched its Outstanding Trails program. The program is dedicated to the responsible use and preservation of these off-road trails and will aid in the effort to keep these trails sustainable.

“Last year, more than 50 million people sought adventure through recreational off-road driving; the sport is exploding in popularity,” said Kaz Holley, brand director for BFGoodrich Tires. “Each one of the trails highlighted in this program is amazing, and embodies the very best in off-roading. BFGoodrich tires and these Outstanding Trails are very similar in nature-both are tough and both are fun to drive on.”

The program identifies five of North America’s best trails. From desolate desert stretches to towering peaks and rolling hillsides, these trails are unique in toughness and beauty.

After a careful selection process, five of North America’s “outstanding” off-road trails were nominated for uniqueness, terrain type and enthusiast following:

Black Bear Pass, near Ouray, Colo., is a picturesque trail nestled in the San Juan Mountains.

Pyeatt Draw, a scenic and exciting trail situated in Payson, Ariz.

Hell’s Revenge, with its slick sandstone slopes, brings adventure to thrill seekers in Moab, Utah.

Historic Naches Pass, also known as the Longmire Wagon Train, takes off-road drivers over the Cascade Mountains in Naches, Wash.

Upper Tellico Trail, Trail #4, located in the Nantahala National Forest, is located in an area where Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia meet.

As a part of the program, BFGoodrich Tires will host several events at designated trails to highlight the uniqueness of each location as well as to educate off-roaders on the responsible use of each trail. The company will also give a grant to a selected off-road club to help with the costs associated with the trails’ conservation.

America The Beautiful: Exploring The Roads (And Trails) Less Traveled is a post from: Ots Pdl Iasi Car Tips

EagleRider, a leading motorcycle rental company, is now paving the way for a revolution in the way enthusiasts travel. EagleRider’s self-drive tours are beginning to generate a buzz within the industry as result of their dramatic growth since conception.

EagleRider does all the planning and provides all the gear, leaving travelers the freedom to marvel at the scenery and experience the trill of adventure on the road alone or with the company of their own friends and family. More than 100 self-drive tours are available out of every EagleRider location.

Companies like EagleRider are springing up everywhere and are more than just motorcycle rental or tour organizations. They are complete travel and concierge service companies tailored for the motorcycle market. EagleRider offers the personal service of an in-house trip planner, with customized itineraries focusing on the most majestic motorcycle touring routes.

EagleRider’s self-drive tour customers rent a late-model motorcycle, stay at first-rate accommodations and receive a personalized road book designed with everything a rider would need, including mapped routing, restaurant suggestions and interesting stops along the way.

Round-the-clock roadside assistance and motorcycle concierge services come standard with an EagleRider rental, and customers can choose to have a GPS navigation system installed with their personal trip routing for ease of travel.

“Being able to leave a blustery winter in Omaha, go to Southern California and rent a motorcycle for a ride to Cabo is absolutely wonderful,” said Joe Ricketts, chairman and founder of Ameritrade. “EagleRider provides truly great service.”

Motorcycle travel will never be the same again thanks to companies like EagleRider, who make amazing, hassle-free vacations their priority.

EagleRider Revolutionizes Motorcycle Travel is a post from: Ots Pdl Iasi Car Tips

It is no surprise that the 2006 BMW Z4 Roadster still has the power and ability to set car lovers and aficionados hearts racing. Yes, the 2006 BMW Z4 Roadster is exceptionally great and filled with passion. This vehicle sports two seats that is a tradition with BMW vehicles. It also contains an interior that is finely sculpted just like its exterior. It has eye-catching new touches that include the center console and steering wheel. Some parts have also been done in with finishes that are in the same color as its seat trim. The controls are mounted so as to provide an aesthetic finish. And BMW has once again done it. It has created the ultimate driving machine that is the modern yet interpretation of roadsters and has combined this with a beautiful combination of appeal, power, and performance.

New features and specifications had been added to the 2006 BMW Z4 Roadster. The list includes new tail lights with integrated light conductors and horizontal lines, a new rear design that gives off a wider, lower and more muscular look, sophisticated and top quality materials, additional choice of colors, and a more refined interior. Also, this new vehicle comes with a new folding roof that is extremely compact. The front and rigid section of the new roof moves down on top of the fabric roof like a cover. This then locks in position with the body of the car. It is very much easy to open and close with just one hand. And the heated rear window is made from scratch-proof mineral glass to make it scratch-free. However, if you do not like this new roof, you have the option of having instead the fully automatic and electrically operated roof. This is opened and closed with the use of a remote control.

To know more about the 2006 BMW Z4 Roadster and other vehicles, you can simply visit Auto Parts Discount. The site holds tons of information regarding the vehicle makes and car brands. Visitors and interested parties may also purchase BMW parts and accessories at the Auto Parts Discount site. Auto Parts Discount is one of the leading suppliers of BMW parts and accessories like crash parts, bumpers and air deflectors to name a few. It holds a wide collection of parts that are made from quality and durable materials. These parts have also gone through the required standards so as to meet the manufacturers criterion.

2006 BMW Z4 Roadster: Meeting The Roadster Ethics is a post from: Ots Pdl Iasi Car Tips

Just what is it about the new Tahoe that is bringing in the customers? With sales up nearly 50% over the previous years model there has to be something that sets the big SUV apart from its predecessor. In fact, everything has changed with the Tahoe as it is an all new model:

New body The size of the Tahoe remains about the same: it is big. Yet, the body has been restyled with fresh sheet metal giving the truck a thoroughly modern and imposing look. The Tahoe is much more aerodynamic than the preceding model with a wind drag that is lower than the smaller Porsche Cayenne SUV according to Chevrolet.

New engine technology Back during the 1980s, GM experimented and failed when it launched Cadillac vehicles that could shut down unneeded cylinders at various times during the engine cycle. Two decades later, the company has perfected the technology and its displacement on demand engines are some of the most economical motors sold today. In fact, car critics have noted that the Tahoes fuel mileage is comparable to the much smaller Kia Sorento.

New interior features GM squeezed extra room out of the already roomy Tahoe interior by sculpting out more space from seat backs, doors, and the headliner. The result is an even roomier feel for passengers. In addition, Chevrolet is reporting that the new Tahoe is 20% quieter than its predecessor thanks to acoustic dampening materials and the improvements in aerodynamics.

Rallying cry — Besides the progress over the previous model, there is one other thing that is stimulating sales: owner loyalty. GMs misfortunes havent gone completely unnoticed by loyalists who enjoy the big SUV and insist on supporting the brand. Typically, when any popular model is redone, sales do surge. However, in the face of high fuel prices the lift that Chevrolet is getting is much higher than had been expected. This is good news for GM as the SUVs carry a high per unit profit margin to them; money the general needs as it attempts to right its listing ship.

Of course, not everyone wants a vehicle the size of the Tahoe. Instead, they will have to wait a few more months before the even bigger Suburban joins the line up. And you thought I was about to mention some sort of compact SUV, right? Not for Chevy owners who are loyal to their big trucks, vans, and SUVs!

2007 Chevy Tahoe: Selling Like Gangbusters is a post from: Ots Pdl Iasi Car Tips

The ball on the hitch is removable but it is there to cover the actual workings of the receiver, parts of which are sharp, dangerous pieces of metal. Without the ball on top, these hitches could cause damage to people walking around the back of the vehicle and so it is a bad idea to remove the ball unless it is vitally necessary. The workings can also be covered with general dirt from the roads if the cover is not on and this can prevent trailers from being attached without good cleaning being done prior to it.

As mentioned previously, the ball is the most common type of hitch cover. However, it isnt the most exciting design and so somebody came up with the idea of customised and personal hitch covers. Now you can almost certainly find a hitch cover which represents you individually but if you cant there are numerous places which will custom make one for you with the design of your choice on it.

Many small business owners have their company details on their hitch cover. This is a great idea as it provides them with free advertising whenever they drive or park their vehicle in a place where others will see it. Another common theme for a hitch cover is that of sporting teams or colleges. Showing your allegiance has never been easier and die-hard fans can add a hitch cover to the plethora of bumper stickers which are readily available.

Collectible and iconic designs are also popular choices, such as the Harley Davidson logo. You can also find iconic characters such as Scooby Doo, Superman or any number of Disney characters on hitch covers. Many use their hitch cover to pass on a message, perhaps regarding their faith or offering support to the nations armed forces, or to reveal their hobby to the world, such as surfing or skateboarding.

The Internet is a great way to find unique and individual hitch covers. Search engines offer a multitude of sites selling these items and you could spend hours searching for the perfect design. One website I use to find hitch covers is www.hitchadvice.info as it has a huge number of designs in one place and they are divided into categories, making it easy to narrow down your search area somewhat. The prices for these items are also very reasonable and they offer great customer service options too.

All You Need To Know About Trailer Hitch Covers is a post from: Ots Pdl Iasi Car Tips

Street motorcycle accessories like helmet are matters of personal taste. In that case, aesthetic side is often chosen over anything else. Anyhow, this has contributed why safety is most of the time overlooked. Whatever the case may be riders safety must be the topmost priority.

In a study conducted by the NHTSA, DOT National Highway Traffic Safety US Department of Transportation, they have subjected 50 motorcyclists, of varying age and riding experience to a test. They were made to ride along a prescribed test route. Then, they were asked to periodically change lanes and their head to check traffic in the adjacent lane. Afterwards, they were made to change lane in their normal manner. The riders have driven the route three times, full and partial helmet on, and on the third time, without wearing a helmet. The ability to hear surrounding traffic was also altered systematically.

The study found out that helmets are not hindrance to motorcyclists ability to hear and observe surrounding traffic. In connection with the hearing tests, no significant difference was found in rider’s ability to hear traffic, either between helmet types or between helmet and no helmet.

Hearing ability, on the other hand, was significantly affected by vehicle speed due to increased wind noise. However, for any given speed, helmets did not diminish nor enhance hearing. In connection with the vision tests, it showed that the minimal amount of the lateral vision (field of view) that is sacrificed by wearing a helmet can be made up by turning the head a little further.

Further, the study showed that 19 of the 23 riders who were given the vision tests compensated for helmet use by turning their head a little further before changing lanes. Overall, any negative effect of helmets on rider vision appears to be very minor, especially in comparison to the protection offered by helmets should a crash occur.

Arai, Bell, Icon, AGV, Nolan, Thor, Erex, are some of the trusted motorcycle helmet manufacturers in the world. The helmets they are releasing are tested and approved by Snell and DOT.

Pick the best helmet for your secured journey. Be guided by your senses

Donning Riders Insignia is a post from: Ots Pdl Iasi Car Tips