How Do You Use Maxtrax? By Aaron Schubert

Maxtrax is a brilliant way of recovering a stuck four wheel drive quickly, safely and easily. I've seen far too many recoveries that could have gone wrong to recommend using alternatives. Maxtrax is a form of sand ladders, which are put underneath the vehicles tyres to give additional traction. They are made out of a special engineered plastic which is UV resistant and extremely strong.
If you are stuck in sand, simply remove them from their storage location (a lot of people mount them on roof racks with the supplied mounts), dig some of the sand out of the way and put them as far under the wheels as possible. Maxtrax have the ability to be used as a shovel, making life very easy. Once you have a pair (make sure they are used on the same axle or you will get crossed up) under the wheels, gently accelerate until the vehicle grabs the Maxtrax and goes forward. These can be used in forward or reverse motions, and if you have a second set can be used together (1 on each wheel).
There are a number of alternatives to Maxtrax, but you get what you pay for. In mud, Maxtrax also works exceptionally well. Simply move a bit of the mud out of the way (or just jam them under the tyres) and you are set to go. The advantage of storing these on top of your vehicles is that when they are dirty, you don't have to put them in your car!
Maxtrax come in a number of colours, and can be mounted on the rear tyre, roof racks or inside the vehicle. If you have a dual cab ute its often easy to mount them up against the canopy. If you are going to use the conventional methods of recovering a vehicle (with a snatch strap, tow rope or winch) make sure you always think twice about your safety.
When recovering a stuck vehicle, there are a number of things that can break, creating fast flying object. Snatch straps in particular will take anything they are attached to and shoot it through the air faster than you can see. Dampeners are vital, as they limit how far the strap or cable will go through the air. The advantage of Maxtrax though, is the fact that you don't have to worry about something breaking or going wrong. You are guaranteed a safe, quick and easy recovery!

Maxtrax are a type of Sand Ladder and are exceptional off road. Find out more about the Maxtrax value here.

How Can I Make Sure My 4WD Lift Is Legal? By Aaron Schubert

In all parts of the world, there are restrictions in what you are allowed to do when modifying a four wheel drive. Sure, you can go out and purchase the biggest lift kit you can find. In fact, you can fit the kit, and drive around with it. However, there is a good chance that at some stage a police officer will pull you over and inspect it. The correct way of modifying your four wheel drive is to find out what the legal limitations are before you purchase anything!
In Western Australia, if you lift your vehicle more than 50mm (this is including tyres, body lift or suspension lift) the car needs to undergo a lane change test. This is a test to see how your vehicle performs when swerving at high speeds. If the vehicle fails, then you will not be able to get it certified as being roadworthy. Whilst some of these rules seem over the top, they have been put in place to protect road users.
There are many different ways to lift a vehicle, ranging in prices and quality. A body lift for example, will simply lift the body of the vehicle off the chassis. You will end up with more room to run bigger tyres, but it can cause other issues. For example, if you have a bumper or rear bar, it will stay in the same place and the body will go up, leaving a gap in between the two. Other issues can be radiator hoses and gearbox levers, as well as the need to lengthen cables and other hoses under your vehicle.
The most common way to lift a four wheel drive is to install a suspension lift. This means fitting larger springs and shock absorbers, lifting both the body and the chassis up. This is not as ideal for fitting larger tyres, but it is probably the more common method of lifting your car.
Which ever way you go about it, make sure that your vehicle is going to meet the criteria that the law specifies for your area. This will often vary from state to state; check it out! If your vehicle is not legal, and you have an accident, your insurance company can quite easily walk away from everything, leaving you to pick up the tab. If you injure someone, or damage an expensive vehicle you can be in debt for the rest of your life!

Don't fit a lift kit without checking the regulations. A Hilux Lift Kit looks great, but check it is legal. Unless its a recognised modification, like a 4WD Awning it's not worth it!

Are Crossover SUVs As Safe As You Want Them to Be? By Zachary J Taylor

We all might have noticed the intense rise in the sales and popularity of small crossovers. They seem to be much more practical than the large SUVs as well as sedans, and have attracted a large proportion of young customers. Consequently, these small SUVs have risen really high in the number of sales as well as popularity. However, recent tests have shown that quite a significant number of the popular crossovers that run the streets today are not as safe as they are actually supposed to be! This test was conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and only two of all the crossovers that participated actually crossed the limit of the passing marks.
The two SUVs that passed the test were the Subaru Forester and the Mitsubishi Outlander. Actually, in true terms it was just the Subaru Forester that actually scored good as the Outlander just scored an acceptable score. All other SUVs could not even cross this 'acceptable' mark. It is interesting to note that both of these SUVs had been redesigned recently. Apparently the engineers at Mitsubishi and Subaru kept a keen eye on new test that IIHS introduced!
The new test that was involved in the regular IIHS series of tests was the 'small overlap crash test'. This test replicates the effects of the vehicle hitting a strong and fixed object like poles, etc. from the front. The SUV under test is made to drive front first into a rigid five feet long object at a speed of 40 miles per hour (64 kilometres per hour). The test replicates the consequences of the vehicles frontal corner being damaged. This test checks the efficiency of airbags and seat belts in a much better way than other frontal crash tests do. IIHS has now created two different categories - 'Top Safety Pick+' and 'Top Safety Pick'. The two above mentioned SUVs which passed the newly introduced 'small overlap crash test' were granted the title of 'Top Safety Pick +' while the other SUVs which couldn't pass the test, put did fairly well in the remaining tests were listed under the latter category.
The Institute's Vice President, Joe Nolan was quoted as saying that "With the redesigned Forester, Subaru's engineers set out to do well in our new test, and they succeeded. This is exactly how we hoped manufacturers would respond to improve protection for people in these kinds of serious frontal crashes." The institute has placed the Subaru Forester and the Mitsubishi Outlander in the 'Top Safety Pick +' category and has declared them as the safest choice of all of the SUVs that were tested. The SUVs that were listed in the 'Top Safety Pick' category were Kia Sportage, Jeep Patriot, Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV-4, Volkswagen Tiguan, BMW X1, Buick Encore, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson. The Toyota RAV-4 has however not been given the new test yet. The Institute says that the SUV will not be tested until next year as there are pending changes which are to be made which will improve the SUV's safety statistics by many folds.

For more information and fully independent writing and reviews, visit http://www.Reviewitonline.net for the most up to date content, automobiles, and industry research.

Porsche Incorporates New Hybrid Drive In The Cayenne SUV By Zachary J Taylor

Although Porsche's amazing and iconic SUV Cayenne has been very popular all the while, the company seems to be on a futuristic roll as it plans to produce and release a e-hybrid version of the SUV soon! Now you might wonder that isn't the Cayenne already available in a hybrid version. Well, yes it does come in a hybrid version, but the electric motors aren't as strong as they should be and the hybrid drive isn't of the plug in type. Porsche plans to incorporate these upgrades into the current version! Yes, the Cayenne Hybrid is just going to be better than ever!
It will be quite worthy to mention here that Porsche very recently released a similarly hybridised version of the amazing Panamera, which was received with utmost ecstasy by critics as well as automobile freaks! And we must say that Porsche has indeed created a monster by adding the hybrid drive to the Panamera. Now that Porsche has tasted the awesomeness that it was blessed with, the company planned of converting the iconic SUV in the same way!
The electric motor that Cayenne will be equipped with is expected to provide an output ranging from 95 horsepower to 100 horsepower. If Porsche uses the same V6 supercharged engine that Cayenne comes with now, then the total output will exceed 420 horsepower, as the V6 produces a power of 333 horsepower by itself! Enough to feed the appetite of the craziest of all speed freaks! Also, Porsche plans to launch another upgraded version in the United States of America which will feature an even more insane engine! What else would you call a 4100cc V8 twin-turbo diesel engine which is capable of producing a power of 377 horsepower and a torque of 627 lb. - ft.!?
Talking about the electric motor that Porsche is going to use, we expect it to deliver a power which lays around 100 horsepower, as mentioned above. Rumours have it that the company plans to design the vehicle such that it is capable of running more than 15 miles if drove solely on electricity. However, the German company doesn't seem to settle on any compromise when it comes to power. Even if you are running on electricity only, your Cayenne would bless you with a four wheel drive. This is clearly suggested by the fact that the electric motor is positioned between the engine and transmission. On the other hand, the hybridised Panamera features a rear wheel drive.
Besides using a stronger and plug in type hybrid, Porsche plans t incorporate a number of new features to the already amazing Cayenne. One of such features might be the e-charge, which Porsche flaunted with its new hybridised version of the Panamera. This feature comes in handy when you are travelling into a city from outside, and is driver-selectabel. The feature, when switched on by the driver, is capable of increasing the engine output over the motor for some time. This helps in recharging the battery so that you can travel on a fully charged battery in the only electricity mode while running in city! We hope that Porsche incorporates this feature in the new Cayenne. The SUV is expected to be in markets in 2014.

Zachary Taylor is a contributing automobile writer for Reviewitonline.net. For more independent and honest reviews of all makes and models, and to read more of his work, visit http://www.reviewitonline.net.

ESC: Electronic Stability Control - The Essential Safety Component for Your Car By Victoria Schneider

Driving safety took a leap in the mid-1990's when Electronic Stability Control was introduced. Bosch, a German auto supplier, first developed the system with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7-series. Electronic Stability Control, or ESC, is the use of speed sensors on each wheel and the ability to brake those individual wheels. ESC adds a unit that helps monitor steering wheel angles and rotation around the vehicles vertical axis. If the vehicle starts to travel in a direction that is different than the indicated steering wheel position then the ESC will brake the appropriate wheel to help the driver maintain control. Simply put, a well-designed ESC system will substantially reduce the chances that you lose control of your car under most operating conditions. ESC systems are particularly helpful in preventing loss of control which results in vehicle rollovers and for preventing loss of control while driving on slippery surfaces. Consumer Reports even shared that, "Electronic Stability Control is the best safety feature to come out since seatbelts."
Many companies have renamed their ESC systems. Ford named it Advance Trac, Audi calls it Electronic Stability Program, GM named it Stabilitrak, and Porsche branded it Porsche Stability Management. Sometimes it can be confusing when requesting it on a vehicle, but all of these systems work the same way.
Over time, ESC has become more sophisticated and less costly. Many people now request ESC when purchasing a vehicle. In an analysis by the European Accident Causation Survey found that in 18% of all injury crashes and 34% of all fatal crashes, ESC would have reduced the likelihood of the crash or prevented it all together. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said that equipping vehicles with stability control can reduce the risk of rollovers by more than 70% and prevent as many as 9,000 fatal crashes per year.
By 2010, 85% of all vehicles had ESC. Significant reductions have been seen in single and multiple vehicle crashes when vehicles are equipped with ESC. The government now requires ESC on all passenger vehicles made in 2012 and later. Because ESC works seamlessly with antilock brake systems and traction control, these features will become a standard across all segments, even the low cost models. Although this is a great step towards better driving safety, many people still purchase or have purchased used cars without ESC. To find out if your car is equipped with ESC go to http://www.iihs.org/.

Founded in 2006 by attorney Lance Cooper, The Cooper Firm is a Marietta, Georgia-based, full-service law firm providing expert counsel in a broad range of product liability, personal injury and wrongful death cases.

Nissan Launches New Juke Nismo Crossover in Europe! By Zachary J Taylor

Nissan has finally launched an impressive road car in the continent of Europe. With its new 2013 Nissan Juke Nismo, the company has finally paved its way into the continent. The new vehicle was unveiled at the 2013 Chicago Motor Show, which was organised a while back. Also, Nissan has added many changes to the newer version, and the SUV has become much better that it was ever before!
The Nissan Juke has been quite popular since its debut in 2010 for the unconventional designing that it features and the compactness that it features. Although it is a SUV with a full seating capacity of five people, it is quite compact and is often confused with a hatchback. With the capacity of seating two people in the front and three in the back, the Nissan Juke Nismo has become one of the favourites among those who like SUVs with unique designs.
The new 2013 Nissan Juke Nismo has been made better than before in many ways. One of the most prominent one of these aspects is the engine that the company will be using an improved engine in the new model. Nissan has upgraded to an impressive 1600cc four cylinder engine which incorporates the amazing turbo charged direct injection technology. The engine is capable of delivering a total power output of 197 horsepower and a torque of 184 lb. - ft. Also, the company will provide customers with the option of choosing from any of these two transmission systems - a six speed manual transmission or a CVT gearbox. There are different models with feature both front wheel drives as well as all wheel drives, providing customers with a good variety of options to choose from.
There are some visible changes in the new version of the SUV as well. You will certainly notice the larger wheels and the lowered suspension quite easily. The 2013 Juke Nismo uses wheels of 18 inch diameter each. Also, the vehicle will flaunt day time running LED lamps installed within the head lamps as well. You will also find a well groomed interior cabin which now features beautiful seats. The steering wheel of the vehicle is also changed to be quite a sporty one. The company also claims that the driving experience of the vehicle has been made much better as the suspensions, steering and transmissions have been enhanced.
The company seems to be quite excited with the Nismo version of its Juke Crossover SUV. Andy Palmer, the Executive Vice President of Nissan (Global Product Planning) was quoted as saying, "Nismo is about providing innovation and excitement for everyone, and there's no better place to start than with the Juke, our critically acclaimed and highly successful compact crossover. Oozing an attitude that has really struck a chord with buyers across Europe, it was the obvious choice for the Nismo team to showcase its design, engineering and personalisation expertise." The 2013 Juke Nismo is indeed an amazing car, both in terms of looks as well as performance, and doesn't come at hefty prices either! We sure hope for the SUV to make it big in the European markets!

Zachary Taylor is a contributing automobile writer for Reviewitonline.net. For more independent and honest reviews of all makes and models, and to read more of his work, visit http://www.reviewitonline.net.

Lamborghini's Urus Receives the Final Nod! By Zachary J Taylor

Remember when we brought the sad news to your notice that the amazing Urus SUV Concept that Lamborghini had revealed some time back was not receiving the green light for production for some months? Well, we have some good news for you!
Lamborghini has reportedly confirmed that the gorgeous SUV will be out in the markets by the year 2017. We had earlier reported that although the company had revealed the SUV Concept long back, it will not be giving the final nod for production for a few months. However, the company carried out crucial developments in the positive direction. But now the time has come, and the company has taken the important decisions. Lamborghini will most probably be producing the SUV! Interesting to note that the Urus will be the first SUV that Lamborghini will be producing since the 1980s!
All the automobile fanatics here might have heard about Evo. The editorial director of the company, Mr Harry Metcalfe attended the celebrations that Lamborghini held up for the anniversary of unveiling the amazing Egoista Concept Supercar. Metcalfe later tweeted with a hashtag that the production of the Urus is confirmed - "Lamborghini confirms Urus SUV for 2017 production at tonight's #Lambo50 gala dinner." Besides this very strong indication, some other incidences of the recent past months also suggest that the SUV is on its way. The company filed some patents in China in the month of February. Also, the CEO of Audi, Mr Rupert Stadler has stated that "Lamborghini has to do it. Because of the need to dovetail into production cycles, we should see the Urus in 2017." The fact that Audi is the owner of Lamborghini makes Mr Stadler's statements a really strong indication!
The SUV is just in its initial stage currently, and needs a lot of development before it can be ready to hit the streets. The production plants will also take some time to get adjusted to as Mr Stadler mentioned. The Urus will have to be adjusted in the timetables as it will be sharing the MQB platform with Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg.
Speaking of the amazing SUV, the Lamborghini Urus sports a gorgeous carbon fibre - rich body, making it much lighter than other SUVs. SUVs coming from the same brand like the Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg are more than 100 kilograms heavier than the Urus! Also, the beast will feature an all-wheel drive system. Under the hood you'll be blessed with a beautiful 4000cc V8 engine. Coupled with a hybridising system which uses an electric motor to send torques to the wheels, the Urus will definitely be the one of its kind. The engine will produce a power output of 600 horsepower with the help of the electric hybridisation. Since the Urus is lighter than other SUVs, this power output will really make it a very fast and agile vehicle. Expect to see the Urus hitting the markets in 2017. However, a demo model might be prepared by the late 2016 only!

Zachary Taylor is a contributing automobile writer for Reviewitonline.net. For more independent and honest reviews of all makes and models, and to read more of his work, visit http://www.reviewitonline.net.