Saturday, December 24, 2011

Tips Add Acid for Your Motorcycle's Battery

Batteries of Motor cycles were supplied by get geared are quality merchandise planned to give you long services. Please inaugurate the battery category that is optional by your motorcycle producer. Older motorcycle with electronics designed for a conventional lead or acid battery must be fitted with a continuation free battery. The originator and control device of the vehicle are not appropriate for safeguarding free batteries and would excess the battery causing lasting damage. Motorcycle batteries are vessel dry from the factory. Electrolyte solution must be supplementary to the battery chase by full accusation routines before the sequence can be used.

Electrolyte solution be accessible in massiveness and must be of the correct specific gravity for the battery it being used in. There are assortments of electrolyte solutions with altered SPG available. The 1.250 SpGfor instance, is worn in Harley Davidson batteries. The battery is then stimulating up till the electrolyte reads 1.265-1.270 with hydrometer in each cell.

Please check before first use the correct magnitude, voltage (V) and competence as well as the correct location of the positive and negative workstation. In addition for conformist lead / acid batteries you must make sure the correct location of the emitting point. The upper right corner of the wrapping are colour coded according to the type of succession. when fluttering the battery, warrant it is attaching forcefully to the motorcycle battery tray or clamping. Use the sheltered screws and nuts and enclosed workstation lubrications and fortification where requisite.

Sparkling the wire trimmings with a wire skirmish before put together them to the succession incurable for a clean correlation. For long-standing periods when you do not be determined to exploit your motorcycle mare the succession in the full and disengaged the earth cable. For winter storage it's recommended to eliminate the battery in general.

Do not utilize battery chargers premeditated for cars. Their incriminating current will burdened and therefore scratch the motor cycle battery. Only use battery chargers premeditated for motorcycle batteries, for optimum charging, diagnostic and maintenance we recommended the saitio intelligent procharger. Avoid inadvertent creeping currents by keeping your sequence clean. Always append the positive terminals first and then the negative terminals. When removing the battery reverse this order and start with negative terminals.

Here are few instruction for changing the battery : Things you will be need
  • Flat screwdriver

  • Electolytesolution

  • Hydrometer

  • Distilled water

  • Small funnel or squirted bottle

  • Eliminate the cap from each cell on the battery with horizontal screwdriver. Remove the sequence cap from the vent nipple. Install the succession vent tube onto vent nipple by hand.

  • Place the succession on the flat level facade. Place the small funnel or squirt bottle plunger into the first cell. First cell up all the method to the cap hole/ repeat this process until all the cells are full. Do not reinstall the caps at this time.

  • Make sure the battery to the battery charger set to one tenth of the battery's amp per hour rating. Charge the battery until the amperage being convey off to zero. Check the SPG of each cell with hydrometer to verify that it is within factory stipulation.

  • Make sure the each cell of SpG with hydrometer to verify that it is within factory stipulation. And check the level of electrolyte after charging.

  • Install the caps on each cell and tighten then firmly with a flat tip screwdriver.

Nissan X-trail Engine

   one of the most well-liked segments of new car market have established a light function four wheel drive vehicles named as Nissan x- trail. It is a spare bit of flexibility over a conservative two wheel drive traveler car which is mostly expect able for the approaching customer. There are lots of models published of this car in the Australian market. Among them one of the newest contributions to the market called the x- trail from Japanese car maker named as Nissan.



   There are two models of this car available in the market named as X Trail-ST and X Trail-Ti where the second one is more exclusive and advanced specific adaptation. A manual gearbox is used for the X Trail-ST. the automatic transmission is available for the two models. The new models are a compact four wheel drive according to the Nissan but these are relatively a particular automobile with a well-designed inside. The outside of these models are styling manages to merge a strong look with a up to date appearance.



   Respective fuel economy, smooth and quite operation are the main object of these models. All of the modes are 4*4 systems which gives four- wheel grip in the X-trail when mandatory. A dash mounted push switch selector allocates the driver to pick connecting 2WD, AUTO mode and LOCK. The main features of X Trail-ST are air conditioning system, power steering process, electric system windows and body engine immobilizer. For the safety purpose this model use front seat belt pretensions and anti-lock brakes with brake assist. Alloy wheels, cruise control, fog lamps as well as the leather steering wheel and different cloth trim.



   2.5L inline - four petrol engine is used for the new models of Nissan which is used double overhead camshafts and 16 valves. Power of 132kw at 6000rpm and torque of 245Nm at 4000rpm are produced by this engine. Other specification of the engine is four cylinder type DOHC, capacity- 2.49 liters, mass of the engine- 1440kg, length-451omm, width- 1765mm, fuel tank capacity- 60 liters. The compressor ratio of this engine is 9.6. In 2002, Nissan x trail GT model was also introduced with power of 209kw. 2.0L I4 with power-140bhp, 2.5L I4 with power- 165bhp, 2.2L Common rail turbo diesel with power-136bhp engines were also utilized for this model. This was the first generation of the Nissan X-trail.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Barrett Jackson to auction JFK Hearse

I'm sure everyone remembers the Barrett Jackson Scottsdale auction  from January 2011 when a 1963 Pontiac Bonneville naval ambulance was sold. A rare vehicle sure, but it was claimed to have been the very ambulance that carried President John F. Kennedy from Andrews Air Force Base to the White House hours after his assassination in Dallas, Tx. Mystery surrounded the car and the lead up time prior to the sale. Was it really the car? Some say yes, lots of facts pointed to no. No one really knew for sure. Either way, the car sold for over $100,000 though no where near what the seller was thinking he'd get.

That brings us to the 1964 Cadillac hearse pictured here. This hearse has a solid, verifiable, and most of all documented history that it was in fact the very hearse to carry President Kennedy from Parkland Hospital in Dallas to the airport to be transported back to Washington D.C.

However, this time around O'neal Funeral Home documented the cars history. The 1964 Miller Meteor bodies Cadillac shows less than 50,000 original miles and is in fantastic condition and shows only 3 owners from new. The hearse has been for sale for a while, going through several auctions being offered for as high as $900,000 in 2007 with no sale. So it should be interesting to see what the car will fetch when it rolls across the block that is the Barrett Jackson circus in a few weeks. I'm sure the car will get coverage on Speed, so make sure you watch January 15th-22nd, 2012. We'll keep you updated.

Source: Hemmings Motor News. Picture: Barrett Jackson.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Breaking Saab news: No more warranty coverage.

Breaking news from Saab. Saab North America will no longer be honoring warranties on Saab vehicles sold in the U.S. Additionally, all new Saabs sold will be sold "as-is" with no warranty coverage what so ever. 

Effective Dec. 19, "warranty coverage is suspended indefinitely for all new Saab vehicles sold. During this period, the warranty booklet must be removed from the owner information packet," Saab Cars North America said in a statement provided to Automotive News.

"For any vehicle sold or leased during this period, the customer should be affirmatively advised that the vehicle does not carry any warranty coverage and is sold 'as is.' "
Saab Cars North America also said it has suspended the processing and payment of all claims, including but not limited to:

• New-car warranties
• Powertrain warranties
• Emission warranties
• Parts warranty
• Safety belts, airbags
• Towing
• Recalls and campaigns
• Certified pre-owned coverage
• Goodwill
• No charge maintenance
Until February of 2010, General Motors handled all warranty claims for Saab, but that had since stopped when Swedish Automobile AB purchased the automaker.
What does this mean for potential sales of new Saabs over the next few weeks/months? Well there probably won't be many. Currenty, Saab says they have 2,400 new Saabs available for purchase nationwide. And with sticker prices well over the $30,000 mark, I don't think too many potential buyers want to shell out that kind of cash on a new car that won't have warranty coverage.  So will dealers be offering huge blowouts on cars in inventory? I can see that on the horizon. But I wouldn't hold my breath on any of these new cars being collectible for the time being. We will keep everyone updated on any further drama on the Saabs of our Lives.

Source: Automotive News.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Who want's to play Steve McQueen?

Also part of this past weekend's Icons of Hollywood auction was the original "Michael Delaney" hero fire suit worn by Steve McQueen in his iconic 1971 film Le Mans. Estimated to sell for $200,000 to $300,000. Bidding went crazy, with a final bid of $800,000, plus a $184,000 buyer premium for a total of $984,000. This may very well be the single most valuable piece of Steve McQueen movie history that isn't a car. And certainly the record for a piece of motorsport memorabilia.  The story goes that the suit was donated The Observer, a British news paper to be given away in a Le Mans contest and was won by a 12 year old boy by the name of Timothy Davies. He sold the suit a number of years later, and probably for a sum no where near this figure.

In August the 1970 Porsche 911S owned and driven by Steve McQueen in the opening sequence of Le Mans set a record sale at $1.375 million dollars.

Source & Photos: Profiles in History.

Genuine Back to the Future DeLorean breaks the bank!

About a month ago Profiles In History, auctioneers of anything and everything celebrity announced that they would be auctioning the one and only screen used DeLorean from the Back to the Future trilogy that is in private hands to highest bidder at their December Icons of Hollywood auction. The DeLorean being offered was used for the final film, and was used extensively when Marty McFly traveled back to 1885. In order for the DeLorean to drive over the rough desert terrain, the running gear was removed and replaced with a custom frame and Volkswagen running gear. As strict warning was given that the electrical system was hacked up because of this, making the car unfit for street use. But in reality, you could make everything function properly. But enough about that. What did it sell for? Pre auction estimates had the DeLorean set between $400,000 and $600,000 dollars.

With an opening bid of $400,000. By the time the hammer fell, the final bid was a mere $440,000. There was a also a $101,200 buyer premium, making the total $541,200 for a one of a kind piece of Hollywood history. And you're certainly going to be the only one on the block with one. If the new owner is out there in cyberspace, PLEASE get in contact with us. We would love to interview you and find out what your plans are.

$500,000 a little too rich? For $30,000 you could have bought Doc's model train and time machine used to show how Doc and Marty would return to 1985. Or how about Doc's wind up Cadillac used to demonstrate how Marty would harness the lightning to travel from 1955 to 1985? That one could have been yours for $18,000. This was just part of the huge collection of props and memorabilia from the film series. And part of the proceeds from the auction of the DeLorean and other film memorabilia and props will be donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research.




Source & Photos: Profiles in History.

Saab files for bankruptcy protection. What's next?

The soap opera that has become Swedish automaker Saab, continues to unravel. The automaker is expected in bankruptcy court today in Sweden where it will find if they are shielded from creditors while a buyer for the company is found.

General Motors, former owner of Saab until their own bankruptcy let them shed the automaker, has been blocking the potential sale of Saab to a Chinese automaker. GM's basis is because they do not want the sharing of GMs platform technology with another competitor that could potentially undercut them in the Chinese market that GM has seen huge success with. And unfortunately, Saab depends on GM's help in that are in order to be able to build cars or at least until Saab has the funds to develop their own technology again. And that really isn't going to happen any time soon.

All the while dealers in the US and around the world have been patiently awaiting cars to be able to sell to customers, and with each passing day, its looking less and less likely they'll see them. So is this the swansong for Saab? Unfortunately it looks like it may very well be. I have always been a fan of the brand and would hate to see them go away, but I think the time has come to envision a world without new Saabs.

Hot Rod of the day: 1940 Ford style

Few cars are as iconic as the 1939/40 Ford. It's a car that symbolizes the Moonshiner. Which in fact the '40 featured below served as in a prior life.


Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix raises $200,000 for charity

Being a Pittsburgh based car guy and racing fan. I brag about the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix throughout the year. Not only do I show cars and participate in the events, but I also serve as a member of the Car Show Committee. Be it the car shows, the races, the fun of enjoying a nice weekend in the park, what ever fits your fancy, the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix has a little bit of everything. The best though is that ALL proceeds from the PVGP events benefit two awesome charities, the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and the Allegheny Valley School. This year, the PVGP set a new record, donating $200,000 to both charities at the recent "Victory Lap" check presentation ceremony. Representatives from the PVGP, event sponsors, car manufacturers, and participating car clubs were on hand at the Allegheny Valley School's campus for tours, a checkered flag waving and Terrible Towel wave (Myron Cope, inventor of the Terrible Towel sat on the board of AVS and the PVGP, and sales benefit AVS also). Each charity will benefit equally, receiving $100,000 each. This money will be used to provide residential care, treatment and support for developmentally disabled individuals in the Pittsburgh area.
Since 1983, the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix has raised over $2.95 million dollars for both charities, with no signs of stopping.

For more information on how you can donate to the PVGP, volunteer or find out about the 2012 event, please visit http://www.pittsburghvintagegrandprix.com


Charity Ambassadors representing each charity;  Anita Iyengar -Autism Society of Pittsburgh and Brandon Fisher - Allegheny Valley School were on hand to receive the $200,000 check. 
left to right: PVGP Showside Director Bob Speer, Shop 'n Save's Rich Haeflein, Autism Society's Dan Torisky and PVGP Race Director Rocky Farrar with the 2011 check for $200,000.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Petersen Museum co-founder, Margie Petersen 1936-2011

It comes with a heavy heart as we announce that Margie Petersen, husband of the late automotive publication giant Robert Peterson has passed away at the age of 76.

Margie and her husband Robert we co-founders of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, Ca. Robert, who passed away in 2007 was the founder of Petersen Publishing. He was the publisher of such titles as Hot Rod and Motor Trend. Since her husbands passing, Margie has served on the board of directors of the museum and has donated millions of dollars to the foundation that operates the museum, most recently the building and cars, totaling over $100 million dollars.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Hot Rod of the Day: 1934 Ford Pickup

What isn't there to love about this 34 Ford? A classic 50s/60s style hot rod in all its glory. Except for maybe the fact that it's powered by a Chevy motor, but you can't fault that when it helps to complete the look. Look at that gold paint that goes on for weeks. And the trick exhaust system, the white walls on chrome steelies. This is one classy truck. This truck was spotted at the 2011 Grand National Roadster Show.


Thursday, November 17, 2011

Canadian big rigs racing.

There are some wildly crazy forms of motorsport out there, I mean after all can you really get much wilder than school bus figure 8 races? Check out this video from Canada. It shows a race that features big rigs as the weapon of choice, and these aren't your typical truck you see out on the highway. Though they do appear to have been so at one point in their life. Click the link and check it out.

Canadian Big Rig Racing.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Sepeda Motor Bertenaga Udara





MELBOURNE,- Ada gebrakan baru dari Australia dilakukan Dean Benstead, mahasiswa dari Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) jurusan desain industri. Dia berhasil menciptakan sepeda motor yang bergerak menggunakan tenaga udara bertekanan tinggi (compressed air) yang dinami "02 Pursuit". Selain ramah lingkungan, sepeda motor ini menawarkan bahan bakar alternatif sebagai pengganti bensin.


Dari tampilan, motor ini terlihat ramping tanpa sebonggol mesin yang biasa "nangkring" di bawah Casis. Desainnya bergaya SuperMoto tapi lebih sederhana dengan satu jok dan suspensi tunggal di belakang. Pemakaian velg jari-jari dan ban bertapak lebar membuat tampilannya lebih gahar.


Cita-cita Benstead membuat "02 Pursuit" didorong pengalaman semasa kecil yang gemar mengendarai sepeda gunung. "Sepeda motor konsep ini diciptakan dari goresan sketsa ke grafis komputer. Baru kemudian dibentuk sasis dan bodi, diproduksi dengan bantuan pabrik lokal Rinlatech Engineering," jelas Benstead.


Bahan dasar Pursuit diambil dari sepeda motor 250 cc. Gear penggerak dicomot dari Yamaha WR240F yang terintegrasi pada mesin udara (Engineair) DiPietro sebagai jantung pacu. Dengan mesin unik ini, sepeda motor bisa dikebut sampai 100 kph dan kemampuannya, kata Benstead masih bisa ditingkatkan lagi seiring finalisasi penelitian yang masih terus digarap.


"Prototipe selanjutnya akan mengubah total gayanya, menggunakan material berbeda, salah satunya mengganti sasis tabung baja yang dipakai sekarang ini. Mungkin pakai bahan aluminium atau bahkan titanium supaya lebih ringan," jelas Benstead.


Sayang Benstead tak menginformasikan catatan lain seperti tenaga, torsi dan konsumsi udara per kilometer. Mungkin informasi ini bisa diperoleh saat "02 Persuit" mejeng perdana di Sydney Motorcycle & Scooter Show, 25 November 2011. sumber: Disini

Banjir Thailand, Ford Kehilangan 30.000 Mobil





JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com — Banjir Thailand telah mengganggu pasokan Ford untuk pasar ASEAN, termasuk Indonesia. Meski kedua pabrik perakitan Ford tidak direndam banjir, karena tidak ada pasokan komponen, produksi pun lumpuh.






"Kami tidak bisa berproduksi sampai saat ini dan telah berlangsung selama dua pekan. Kami kehilangan produksi mencapai 30.000 unit. Jumlah yang besar," beber Joe Hinrichs, President Asia Pacific and Africa Ford Motor Company, menjawab pertanyaan Kompas.com di Hotel Mulia, Jakarta Selatan, Jumat (4/11/2011) siang. Hinrichs berkunjung ke Indonesia untuk mempelajari rencana investasi untuk mendirikan pabrik baru.






Peter Fleet President Ford ASEAN yang berkantor pusat di Bangkok, Thailand, menambahkan, bencana mengganggu produksi Ford. Namun, dampaknya tidak terlalu besar. Pabrik Ford diharapkan kembali beroperasi pertengahan November ini dan segera mengisi pesanan yang belum terpenuhi.






Bagus Susanto, Managing Director PT Ford Motor Indonesia (FMI), mengatakan, stok unit yang tersedia untuk Indonesia masih aman sampai November 2011. Diperkirakan, gangguan mulai terjadi Desember 2011 jika pabrik belum juga berproduksi. Hal tersebut wajar karena sampai kini semua produk Ford dipasok dari Thailand, yaitu Fiesta, Ranger, dan Everest. Sementara itu, Focus dan Escape dari Filipina.






Di sisi lain, Joe Hinrichs memastikan kunjungannya ke Indonesia tak ada hubungannya dengan banjir di Thailand dan sudah dijadwalkan sejak jauh-jauh hari.






"Ini merupakan kunjungan pertama saya di Indonesia, dan tak ada kaitannya dengan banjir (Thailand). Saya mau mengetahui potensi Indonesia sampai sejauh mana," ungkap Hinrichs.

Cara Buat Domain Gratis Dot TK

Beberapa waktu yang lalu, domain dot tk ( .tk ) hanya memberikan fasilitas untuk menyingkat alamat url/domain yang panjang menjadi nama domain yang singkat. Begitu saya cek dua hari yang lalu, ternyata .tk telah menambahkan fasilitas pendaftaran nama domain gratis, sama halnya dengan domain gratis seperti co.cc, cz.cc, co.nr dan co.tv. Entah kapan tepatnya fasilitas domain gratis dari .tk ini resmi di tambahkan dan di luncurkan. 


.tk adalah top-level domain kode negara Internet untuk Tokelau, sebuah wilayah kepulauan di daerah lautan Pasifik bagian selatan, dekat New Zealand. Namun, domain ini disewakan secara gratis, kemungkinan untuk memperbanyak income. ( http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/.tk


Namun, bila kita memakai domain ini, blog atau web kita harus memenuhi kriteria 25 page view per 90 hari. Itu kalau saya ga salah nranslate , kalau salah tolong di koreksi. 


In order to continue providing FREE DOMAIN to you, we may establish minimum use requirements for our members. As of January 1
, 2007, these minimum use requirements are as follows: Each member is required to generate an aggregate of at least twenty-five (25) page views during 90 days. Access of your domain name by a third party will be credited toward satisfaction of these requirements. By accepting this Agreement, you agree that you will comply with the foregoing minimum use requirements (although you understand and agree that we may discontinue FREE DOMAIN at any time pursuant to section 8.2 regardless of your compliance with these requirements). We reserve the right to contact you from time to time regarding your compliance with the foregoing minimum use requirements. 


Ga susah amat kok mendatangkan pengunjung ke web/blog kita sebanyak 25 orang dalam jangka waktu / 3 bulan . Salah satunya dengan promosi. Bisa melalui Social Network seperti facebook, dsb. Atau rajin-rajin blogwalking. Dengan kita rajin update dan posting saja, rasanya syarat ini tidak menjadi masalah. 


Itu saja gambaran singkat tentang domain gratis dari .tk . Berikutnya bagaimana cara dan langkah-langkah untuk mendapatkan domain gratis dari dot tk. Mulai dari tahap registrasi, Setting dan mengarahkan domain dot tk ke blogspot serta Setting dan mengarahkan domain dot tk ke hosting berbayar. 






Cara Registrasi domain gratis .Tk 




Yang pertama adalah, silahkan klik banner di atas. Atau klik link ini, Mau Domain dot TK GRATIS (Ref). Kemudian kita akan di bawa kehalaman untuk memilih sebuah nama domain seperti gambar di bawah ini. Silahkan pilih nama domain favorit kita kemudian klik next. 


domain gratis dot Tk 


Bila nama domain tersebut sudah ada pemiliknya (teregistrasi), maka akan tampil halaman seperti gambar di bawah ini. 




Silahkan klik tombol back pada browser, kembali ke proses awal pada gambar pertama. Cari alternatif nama domain lain yang belum di registrasi. Atau pilih list nama domain yang tersedia dibawahnya. Bila nama domain tersebut tersedia, akan muncul halaman seperti gambar di bawah ini. 




Pastikan centang bagian “Free domain” bukan “Paid domain” . Kemudian tekan tombol next. Pada tahap ke dua ini, silahkan pilih opsi “Use DNS for this domain” kemudian centang pilihan “Use my own DNS Services” . Pada kolom Name server, isikan dengan “ghs.google.com” ( anggap kita ngehosting di blogspot, nantipun bisa diedit mau diarahkan kemana servernya ). Isi alamat email kita di kolom “Your E-mail Address” dan jangan sampai salah. Isi Karakter huruf pada kolom “Type the characters you see in this picture”. Selanjutnya silahkan klik next. Lihat gambar dibawah. 


domain gratis dot Tk (langkah2.a) 


domain gratis dot Tk (langkah2.b) 


Langkah selanjutnya adalah mengisi Nama dan Password (gambar dibawah). Password di sini adalah password untuk log in ke dot tk. Selanjutnya klik next. 




Sampai di sini, kita telah melakukan registrasi baru domain gratis di .tk. Tinggal menunggu konfirmasi yaitu kode verifikasi yang dikirimkan kealamat email kita. 


Menunggu Konfirmasi dari dot Tk 


Silahkan cek inbox email kita. Jika tidak ada, cek pada spam email. Kemungkinan nyasar kesana seperti yang saya alami. Isi konfirmasi dari dot Tk kurang lebih seperti ini : 




Thank you for using Dot TK to register your brand
new Dot TK domain name! 


You have registered with the following information: 


Your e-mail address : jeri_27ars@yahoo.co.id
password: ngetes 


confirmation code: Tkte40169 
(please note: this is not your password) 


As you know we like to keep things simple, so all you need
to do to activate your Dot TK address is… 


1. Go to http://my.dot.tk/registration/confirm?tk=Tkte40169 


2. Enter your confirmation code 


If you have received this email, but did not join us @ Dot TK,
then somebody tried to register using your e-mail address. 


In thase case, you can simply ignore this message… But why not come on in,
and see for yourself if your own -free- domain name is still
available at http://www.dot.tk 


Hope to see you soon at Dot TK. 


Dot TK
Renaming The Internet 


Kalau sudah dapat konfirmasi email,, silahkan ikuti link seperti yang saya tebalkan diatas. Seharusnya kita akan di bawa kehalaman seperti di bawah ini. Silahkan masukkan kode konfirmasi kita dan klik “Confirm”. 


Konfirmasi 


Bila kode konfirmasi yang kita masukkan benar, maka domain baru di dot Tk yang kita registrasi ini langsung di aktifkan. Silahkan log ini dengan alamat email dan password kita untuk melakukan setting/merubah server name. 


Aktif dan log in 


Untuk Setting dan mengarahkan domain dot tk ke blogspot serta Setting dan mengarahkan domain dot tk ke hosting berbayar, Silahkan baca kelanjutannya di sini : Domain Gratis dari .Tk

Saturday, October 29, 2011

5 Fakta Mengagumkan Seputar Adzan

Pembahasan tentang 5 fakta mengagumkan seputar adzan berikut ini mungkin bisa menambah wawasan anda terutama bagi anda yang beragama Islam.



  Adzan adalah media luar biasa untuk mengumandangkan tauhid terhadap yang Maha Kuasa dan risalah (kenabian) Nabi Muhammad saw. Adzan juga merupakan panggilan shalat kepada umat Islam
, yang terus bergema di seluruh dunia lima kali setiap hari.



Betapa mengagumkan suara adzan itu
, dan bagi umat Islam di seluruh dunia, adzan merupakan sebuah fakta yang telah mapan. Indonesia misalnya, sebagai sebuah negara terdiri dari ribuan pulau dan dengan penduduk muslim terbesar di dunia.
  • Kalimat Penyeru Yang Mengandung “Kekuatan Supranatural”

Ketika azan berkumandang, kaum yang bukan sekedar muslim, tetapi juga beriman, bergegas meninggalkan seluruh aktivitas duniawi dan bersegera menuju masjid untuk menunaikan salat berjamaah. Simpul-simpul kesadaran psiko-religius dalam otak mereka mendadak bergetar hebat, terhubung secara simultan, dan dengan totalitas kesadaran seorang hamba (abdi) mereka bersimpuh, luruh dalam kesyahduan ibadah shalat berjamaah.

  • Asal Mula Yang Menakjubkan:

Pada jaman dulu, Rasulullah Saw. kebingungan untuk menyampaikan saat waktu shalat tiba kepada seluruh umatnya. Maka dicarilah berbagai cara. Ada yang mengusulkan untuk mengibarkan bendera pas waktu shalat itu tiba, ada yang usul untuk menyalakan api di atas bukit, meniup terompet, dan bahkan membunyikan lonceng. Tetapi semuanya dianggap kurang pas dan kurang cocok.



Adalah Abdullah bin Zaid yang bermimpi bertemu dengan seseorang yang memberitahunya untuk mengumandangkan adzan dengan menyerukan lafaz-lafaz adzan yang sudah kita ketahui sekarang. Mimpi itu disampaikan Abdullah bin Zaid kepada Rasulullah Saw. Umar bin Khathab yang sedang berada di rumah mendengar suara itu. Ia langsung keluar sambil menarik jubahnya dan berkata: ”Demi Tuhan Yang mengutusmu dengan Hak
, ya Rasulullah, aku benar-benar melihat seperti yang ia lihat (di dalam mimpi). Lalu Rasulullah bersabda: ”Segala puji bagimu.” yang kemudian Rasulullah menyetujuinya untuk menggunakan lafaz-lafaz adzan itu untuk menyerukan panggilan shalat.

  • Adzan Senantiasa Ada Saat Peristiwa2 Penting:

Adzan Digunakan islam untuk memanggil Umat untuk Melaksanakan shalat. Selain itu adzan juga dikumandangkan disaat-saat Penting. Ketika lahirnya seorang Bayi, ketika Peristiwa besar .



Peristiwa besar yang dimaksud adalah


- Fathu Makah : Pembebasan Mekkah merupakan peristiwa yang terjadi pada tahun 630 tepatnya pada tanggal 10 Ramadan 8 H, dimana Muhammad beserta 10.000 pasukan bergerak dari Madinah menuju Mekkah, dan kemudian menguasai Mekkah secara keseluruhan,
sekaligus menghancurkan berhala yang ditempatkan di dalam dan sekitar Ka’bah. Lalu Bilal Mengumandangkan Adzan Diatas Ka’bah

- Perebutan kekuasaan Konstatinopel : Konstantinopel jatuh ke tangan pasukan Ottoman,
mengakhiri Kekaisaran Romawi Timur. lalu beberapa perajurit ottoman masuk kedalam Ramapsan terbesar Mereka Sofia..lalu mengumandangkan adzan disana sebagai tanda kemenagan meraka.

  • Adzan Sudah Miliyaran kali Dikumandangkan:

Sejak pertama dikumandangkan sampai saat ini mungkin sudah sekitar 1500 tahunan lebih adzan dikumandangkan. Anggaplah setahun 356 hari . berarti 1500 tahun X 356 hari= 534000 dan kalikan kembali dengan jumlah umat islam yang terus bertambah tiap tahunnya. Kita anggap umat islam saat ini sekitar 2 miliyar orang dengan persentase 2 milyar umat dengan 2 juta muadzin saja. Hasilnya =

534.000 x 2.000.000 = 1.068.000.000.000 dikalikan 5 = 5.340.000.000.000

  • Adzan Ternyata Tidak Pernah Berhenti Berkumandang

Proses itu terus berlangsung dan bergerak ke arah barat kepulauan Indonesia. Perbedaan waktu antara timur dan barat pulau-pulau di Indonesia adalah satu jam. Oleh karena itu, satu jam setelah adzan selesai di Sulawesi, maka adzan segera bergema di Jakarta, disusul pula sumatra. Dan adzan belum berakhir di Indonesia, maka ia sudah dimulai di Malaysia. Burma adalah di baris berikutnya, dan dalam waktu beberapa jam dari Jakarta, maka adzan mencapai Dacca, ibukota Bangladesh. Dan begitu adzan berakhir di Bangladesh, maka ia ia telah dikumandangkan di barat India, dari Kalkuta ke Srinagar. Kemudian terus menuju Bombay dan seluruh kawasan India.



Srinagar dan Sialkot (sebuah kota di Pakistan utara) memiliki waktu adzan yang sama. Perbedaan waktu antara Sialkot
, Kota, Karachi dan Gowadar (kota di Baluchistan, sebuah provinsi di Pakistan) adalah empat puluh menit, dan dalam waktu ini, (Dawn) adzan Fajar telah terdengar di Pakistan. Sebelum berakhir di sana, ia telah dimulai di Afghanistan dan Muscat. Perbedaan waktu antara Muscat dan Baghdad adalah satu jam. Adzan kembali terdengar selama satu jam di wilayah Hijaz al-Muqaddas (Makkah dan Madinah), Yaman, Uni Emirat Arab, Kuwait dan Irak.



Perbedaan waktu antara Bagdad dan Iskandariyah di Mesir adalah satu jam. Adzan terus bergema di Siria
, Mesir, Somalia dan Sudan selama jam tersebut. Iskandariyah dan Istanbul terletak di bujur geografis yang sama. Perbedaan waktu antara timur dan barat Turki adalah satu setengah jam, dan pada saat ini seruan shalat dikumandangkan.



Iskandariyah dan Tripoli (ibukota Libya) terletak di lokasi waktu yang sama. Proses panggilan Adzan sehingga terus berlangsung melalui seluruh kawasan Afrika. Oleh karena itu
, kumandang keesaan Allah dan kenabian Muhammad saw yang dimulai dari bagian timur pulau Indonesia itu tiba di pantai timur Samudera Atlantik setelah sembilan setengah jam.



Sebelum Adzan mencapai pantai Atlantik
, kumandang adzan Zhuhur telah dimulai di kawasan timur Indonesia, dan sebelum mencapai Dacca, adzan Ashar telah dimulai. Dan begitu adzan mencapai Jakarta setelah kira-kira satu setengah jam kemudian, maka waktu Maghrib menyusul. Dan tidak lama setelah waktu Maghrib mencapai Sumatera, maka waktu adzan Isya telah dimulai di Sulawesi! Bila Muadzin di Indonesia mengumandangkan adzan Fajar, maka muadzin di Afrika mengumandangkan adzan untuk Isya.

Friday, October 28, 2011

The only Gremlin exported to Australia returns to the United States | Hemmings Blog: Classic and collectible cars and parts

Boomerang: The only Gremlin exported to Australia returns to the United States | Hemmings Blog: Classic and collectible cars and parts

We found this over at Hemmings this morning. A car that could be easily overlooked if it weren't for the fact that it was right hand drive. And such a fascinating story to go with it. A one of one Gremlin sent as a kit to Australia for evaluation of export production/sales there. Incredible that the car survived.

Source: Hemmings

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Hot Rod of the Day!

I found this stunning 1950 Mercury via Fotki (a new photo service we are trying out) and just had to post it. In one shot, it captures the whole essence of Southern California Car Culture at it's best. The Pacific ocean, a hopped up flat head, a woody station wagon, and surfing. What more could you want?

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Driven: 2012 VW Beetle Turbo

It's finally here. The long awaited replacement for the Volkswagen New Beetle is finally hitting dealer lots. And we had the chance to drive one. Our test car was a candy white Launch Edition Turbo. Having driven and owned many of the outgoing New Beetles since 1998, the new 2012 edition is a welcome addition to the VW family. Many of the New Beetle's downfalls have been addressed including size, handling and power.

First thing you notice is the size difference. At first glance, it doesn't appear to be much larger, but the more you look at it, the more apparent it becomes that this isn't the small Beetle of old. You are also drawn to the elongated hood that more closely resembles the original Beetle. One styling cue I am still trying to adjust to, is the squared off front bumper that is part of VW's new design DNA. It just doesn't scream Beetle when you look at it. But who am I to argue? Moving to the side we find one of the best styling cues adapted to the Beetle yet, pillarless doors. They really suit the Beetle's design. The roof, much lower and elongated also carreis a few styling cues from the Beetle of the 1970s. An interesting styling touch is the partial roof panel attached tot the rear hatch. This adds the extra rear seat headroom. Out side, it also carries the roof mounted antenna, carried over from the previous New Beetle. The tail end of the car we find some great styling features. A true dual exhaust system with polished tips. Large, while not round tail lamps do have a few design cues from the past as well. Another nice touch is the addition of the VW emblem/trunk release seen on some other VWs, but never adapted to the previous car. This is a much welcome addition.

Our test car was also equipped with the optional 19 inch wheels wrapped in Continental ContiPro Contacts and the Turbos featured red brake calipers. 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS on all 4 corners. Unlike the previous New Beetle, the 2012 features a new fully independent 4 link rear suspension and a MacPhearson Strut front suspension. A Sport suspension package will be available as an option. The turbo is equipped with a 2.0 liter 4 cylinder that has 200 horse power. Our test car came equipped with the optional 6 speed DSG automatic.

Moving to the interior, you are greeted by deep bolstered sport seats that come standard on the Turbo. The fit and finish of the interior is top notch compared to the VWs of old. I was surprised to find hard surfaces for th top of the dash, but the quality of the materials used are excellent. The new dash layout is excellent, a really nice feature is the body colored door, dash and steering wheel accents that really give the interior some splash. Storage is one thing there is no lack of in the Beetle. My particular favorite storage spot is the "KaferFach" glovebox. It captures the style of the original Beetles dash perfectly. The driving position is suited perfectly as one would expect from a car as sporty as the Beetle. And the flat bottomed steering wheel is an interesting touch. The rear seating area is greatly improved also, additional head and leg room is a big plus, as is the new 50/50 split rear seat vs. the New Beetles solid rear seat back. The trunk area is almost doubled in size. The lower edge of the trunk opening is almost flush with the trunk floor making loading and unloading easier. The rear cargo shelf attaches with string to the rear hatch to lift automatically just as in the Golf/GTIs. Under the trunk floor hides a full size 16 inch spare tire and a full tool kit. Of the entire interior, the only creature comfort missing that I would have liked to see was the addition of a center armrest. Outside of that there were very few.

The driving characteristics are very Volkswagen. Its fun to drive and packs plenty of power and handles like a go cart. We put it through its paces on some twisty roads and were very impressed with the cars characteristics. It stays planted on the road with only a tad of over steer. Performance was brisk in both full automatic and in manual shift modes. There is minor road noise with the windows up thanks to the larger wheels and low profile 235/40R19 Continentals. Cruising around, we managed 23 miles per gallon. While VW rates the 2.0T at 22 City, 30 Highway. In summary, I was very pleased with the new 2012 VW Beetle.

A special thank you goes out to Billco Volkswagen for letting us use of their car for this review.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Book Review: Car Guys vs. Bean Counters

Bob Lutz, love him or hate him is one of my heroes. I see a lot of similarities between him and myself. Not only with the business prowess and the want to succeed, but also the fact that were are true dyed in the wool car guys. Having read Lutz's previous business book, Guts. I anxiously awaited the arrival of Car Guys vs. Bean Counters: The battle for the soul of American Business. At around 230 pages, I couldn't put this book. Every time I would pick it it up, I would get lost in the world of the auto industry I so truly love. There's a brief history lesson about GM's rise to to be the largest auto maker on the planet and the height of their style setting trends of the Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell era at  GM Design to loosing their ways in the Roger Smith era. But it's not all doom and gloom. There are plenty facts about what GM was doing right. And there's some interesting tidbits about other auto makers like Chrysler, Ford, Toyota, and VW. And lastly why the GM bankruptcy was an unfortunate truth that had to happen. bob Lutz is no stranger to the auto industry. His career has spanned nearly 5 decades and he has worked for all of the Detroit Big Three. I won't give away too much, but if you are passionate about cars and you are looking  for a great book to read. I highly recommend picking up Car Guys vs. Bean Counters.

What's the Best Chevrolet of all time?

As part of Chevy's centennial this year, the fine folks over at GM created an online contest to pick the best car out of Chevrolet's 100 year line up. Cars like the 53 and 63 Corvettes, 57 Bel Air, 69 Camaro, 70 Chevelle SS, the 1912 Classic Six, 09 ZR1, and even the 2011 Volt and a handful of others were all up for voting over the last few weeks with the winners heading to next round. By the time it was all said and done, the Chevy fans, chose the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro is the Best Chevrolet of all time. The Camaro won with an astounding 25,000+ votes. 2nd place was the 1970 Chevelle SS with only 18,000 votes.

Source: Chevrolet, General Motors

Thursday, September 15, 2011

The last Ford Crown Victoria heads on the last patrol

The Ford Crown Victoria can undoubtedly be classified as one of Ford Motor Company's best selling vehicle lines. Even it was fleet sales. Millions are in use throughout the world as police cars and taxi cabs. The Panther platform in which the Crown Vic was built on was first introduced 32 years ago and served all of Fords major divisions. The Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, Lincoln Town Car and the ill fated Mercury Marauder all shared the same chassis architecture.

What might be the most sad though about a true American workhorse fading in to glory is that the final Crown Victoria won't be preserved by Ford or by any collector that we're aware of in the U.S. Nope, the last Crown Vic is headed to Saudi Arabia. Hopefully who ever ends up with the final Crown Vic will realize just how special this car is to automotive history and won't run it til the wheels fall off.

Only time will tell what future lies for a rear wheel drive, V8 powered sedan for Ford holds. This is the first time since 1932 that there has not been one in Ford's line up. Many police departments and taxi companies have been hoarding Crown Victorias in an effort to keep their fleets going especially as many older models were killed off during the failed Cash for Clunkers program. And many aren't enthused with the new Taurus police interceptor.

Long live the Crown Victoria! Thanks for 32 great years!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Little known history of the Chevrolet Bowtie.

Some automotive brands are pretty clear about how their corporate logos have come about. Ford, Chrysler, Volkswagen, Porsche and Ferrari all come to mind. One that's not well known, but also shrouded with a bit of mystery is the bowtie logo of GM's Chevrolet division.

Several stories have emerged as to how the now famous logo originated. One from Billy Durant's daughter who says that it originated from her father's imagination one night at dinner. Another from Durant's widow saying that her husband found a similar logo while reading a newspaper while on vacation in 1912. Others say it is a stylized version of the Swiss flag cross as Louis Chevrolet was born in Sweeden.

The official origin from General Motors is that Billy Durant saw the logo as part of the pattern on some wallpaper in a Paris hotel that he would tear down and return to Detroit with in 1908. The earliest known use of the the bowtie logo dates to 1913. So who's to say which one is the true meaning behind the bowtie? Durant passed away in 1947, so the answer has certainly gone to the grave at this point. But there is no denying that it ended up being the right choice as now, 100 years later the Chevrolet brand is still in business making cars.

Press Release:

DETROIT, Sept. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Globally recognized today, the Chevrolet bowtie logo was introduced by company co-founder William C. Durant in late 1913. But how it came to be synonymous with the brand is open to wide interpretation.

Durant's version of how the logo came into existence is well known. The long-accepted story, confirmed by Durant himself, was that it was inspired by the wallpaper design in a Parisian hotel.

According to The Chevrolet Story of 1961, an official company publication issued in celebration of Chevrolet's 50th anniversary:

"It originated in Durant's imagination when, as a world traveler in 1908, he saw the pattern marching off into infinity as a design on wallpaper in a French hotel. He tore off a piece of the wallpaper and kept it to show friends, with the thought that it would make a good nameplate for a car."

However, conflicting accounts have emerged, each of which is plausible enough to deepen the mystery and suggest it may never be solved. Two of the alternate origins come from within the Durant family itself.

In 1929, Durant's daughter, Margery, published a book entitled, My Father. In it, she told how Durant sometimes doodled nameplate designs on pieces of paper at the dinner table. "I think it was between the soup and the fried chicken one night that he sketched out the design that is used on the Chevrolet car to this day," she wrote.

More than half a century later, another Bowtie origin was recounted in a 1986 issue of Chevrolet Pro Management Magazine based on a 13-year-old interview with Durant's widow, Catherine. She recalled how she and her husband were on holiday in Hot Springs, Va., in 1912. While reading a newspaper in their hotel room, Durant spotted a design and exclaimed, "I think this would be a very good emblem for the Chevrolet." Unfortunately, at the time, Mrs. Durant didn't clarify what the motif was or how it was used.

That nugget of information inspired Ken Kaufmann, historian and editor of The Chevrolet Review, to search out its validity. In a Nov. 12, 1911 edition of The Constitution newspaper, published in Atlanta, an advertisement appeared from by the Southern Compressed Coal Company for "Coalettes," a refined fuel product for fires. The Coalettes logo, as published in the ad, had a slanted bowtie form, very similar to the shape that would soon become the Chevrolet icon. Did Durant and his wife see the same ad – or one similar – the following year a few states to the north? The date of the paper was just nine days after the incorporation of the Chevrolet Motor Co.

One other explanation attributes the design to a stylized version of the cross of the Swiss flag. Louis Chevrolet was born in Switzerland at La Chaux-de-Fonds, Canton of Neuchatel, to French parents, on Christmas Day 1878.

Whichever origin is true, within a few years, the bowtie would emerge as the definitive Chevrolet logo. An October 2, 1913 edition of The Washington Post seems, so far, to be the earliest known example of the symbol being used to advertise the brand. "Look for this nameplate" the ad proclaims above the emblem. Customers the world over have been doing so ever since.

Many variations in coloring and detail of the Chevrolet bowtie have come and gone over the decades since its introduction in late 1913, but the essential shape has never changed. In 2004, Chevrolet began to phase in the gold bowtie that today serves as the brand identity for all of its cars and trucks marketed globally. The move reinforced the strength of what was already one of the most-recognized automotive emblems in the world. More than 4.25 million Chevrolets were sold in more than 120 countries and regions during 2010.

About Chevrolet -- Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 120 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers "gas-friendly to gas-free" solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com

Source: GM

Friday, September 9, 2011

Where is Henry's punch bowl?

It's no secret that Henry Ford was one of the greatest minds to have lived in the 20th century. Aside from building some pretty fine automobiles, Henry Ford also dabbled with racing. In 1901 Ford, participated in a race put on by the Detroit Driving Club. He built a car specifically for the race, all in hopes of securing backers for his next automotive venture, which was of course, Ford Motor Company. Also participating was Alexander Winton, a fellow car builder from Cleveland, Ohio who was also considered the best driver in the country at the time. Winton's entry in the race was secured by letting him pick the trophy for the race which was a cut glass punch bowl set. And it was picked because Winton had a spot in front of a window in his home where it would look perfect and "really tie the room together". What Winton didn't count on was Henry Ford's determination. The race officials changed the format from a 25 lap endurance race (that was a lot in 1901) to a 10 lap sprint. While Winton's car was vastly more powerful than Henry Ford's "Sweepstakes" racer. The size and light weight of Ford's car gave the advantage. Catching and passing Winton's car by the eighth lap. Winning the race, Henry Ford did was any driver would do, by taking the punch bowl home. After Henry Ford's wife Clara's death in 1950, many of the Ford's possessions were auctioned off. This included the punch bowl, which sadly, no one knew the meaning of.


Now, Edsel Ford II want's it back. Ford Motor Company and the Ford family now fully understand the special meaning of the punch bowl and want it back, badly. The punch bowl is wanted for a new addition to The Henry Ford museum called Racing in America. All in an effort to teach and raise awareness of the science and technology of motor racing. And the punch bowl is an extremely significant part of that history.  Edsel Ford is hoping that thanks to the Internet that the punch bowl can be found. It is known that it was purchased by a private collector in the 1950 auction. So hopes are that it's out there somewhere. Look at the picture carefully. Perhaps it is sitting on your grandmother's dining room table. You could be the hero of the Ford family!


Thursday, September 8, 2011

In the garage: 2012 Scion xB

Many of you may remember how impressed we were with the 2009 Scion xB as one of our first test cars. So much so that another has been added to the fleet. We recently picked up our new tester and have enjoyed it just as much as our last Scion. Our new xB is painted in a very understated Army Rock metallic, and like our previous 2009 is void of options. That being said, you do get A/C, a 160 watt Pioneer stereo with CD player,  iPod and MP3 jacks, standard disc brakes w/ ABS, traction and stability control, power windows and locks, and just about everything else you'd expect to find standard.

Our car again has the 2.4 liter DOHC 16 valve 4 cylinder that offers relatively good performance at 158 horse power. This time, we opted for the 5 speed manual transmission. Toyota rates the fuel economy at 22 City/28 Highway. So far we have averaged 23.3 MPG, though it's not like we're exactly light on the gas.
 Inside the xB is very roomy. the seats sit at chair height and are fairly comfortable. Since our 2009 xB, I have noticed that one major change Scion made was the addition of a traditional center arm rest for the front seat passengers.  The radio, heater and A/C controls, and the gear shift are all right at your finger tips. With the  5 speed manual, this makes for a very comfortable driving position. Otherwise, the car really has changed very little. But that's not really a bad thing. The only recommendation that still carries over from the 2009 xB is to have the addition of an arm rest for the 60/40 rear split seat. This would make for longer trips more comfortable for those riding in the rear seat. Look for more updates soon!