Another year is coming soon and that indicates all the new concept and model unveilings that come with it. At this time, all the breaking news, live photos, original video will also be provided by the High Gear Media team in Detroit. Now, let’s take a preview look at some cars and models.

2012 Honda Accord Coupe Concept: There hasn’t been any other details unveiled besides that the car version will come to showrooms next fall. As far as we know, Honda will preview its 2013 Accord, we’re estimating both the sedan and the coupe, with a new coupe concept in Detroit. The launch of the ninth-generation Accord will indicate 30 years of U.S. manufacturing of the model at Honda’s factory in Marysville where is the first Japanese car assembly plant in the U.S. It will also indicate the introduction of Honda’s first plug-in hybrid model, which offers up to 15 miles of electric only driving.

2012 Lexus Design Concept: With the brand new GS four door putting on some eye-catching sheet metal, it may be the right time for a brand new IS range, and quickly, Lexus has just teased an approaching design concept that previews the long run direction of the business’s design. Written by the artists at the company’s Calty studio in Newport Beach, regardless of what it is, it will be uncovered in full on January 9.

2012 Nissan Pathfinder: Nissan will be providing more than one concept auto to Detroit, in its scenario a preview of the next-generation Pathfinder SUV, which we just spied testing, along with a battery-electric business van. It will be losing its truck-based ladder frame for a more car-like unibody style assimilated from the 2013 Infiniti JX. Nissan has not presented any information on the electric van concept, but we assume the concept of the Nissan NV200 will be the battery-powered version.

2012 Lincoln MKZ: The new 2013 Lincoln MKZ, which will reveal a system with the next-generation the European Ford Mondeo and Ford Fusion, while will be considerably differentiated for an excellent and superior look and feel. On top of that, the piano wire grille to remain, there are horizontal slats instead of Lincoln’s latest straight design.

2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS: When it comes with Chevrolet Sonic RS, we may feel impressive by its 148 pound-feet of torque and 138 horsepower and a trim line. Obviously, we hope see more about Chevrolet since it has a potential to become a new and good performance deal.

The word “car” makes most of us think of a four-wheeled vehicle with some sort of space for a driver and at least one passenger on top of its wheels. Innovations are very much a part of the automotive world and as new transportation concepts come into play and the needs of industries grow, the definition of “car” becomes more obscured. An increasing number of people and businesses rely on vehicles to assist them in their jobs and for amusement. Cars are enjoyed as hobbies and status symbols as well as the very practical means of transportation they are.

The necessity for owning an automobile also increases every day and new demands are regularly made on the auto shipping industry. Car transport companies no longer live in the simple days of yore when they moved standard vehicles from one place to another. Car shippers are now receiving requests that go beyond the complex. People expect to push the limits of auto shippers and they expect their will to be done with ease. Now it’s time to look at the mechanical devices the auto shipping companies employ and the ways in which they do that.

The standard automobile will always need to be transported and given all the advances in auto shipping over the last few years, this task is handled quickly and efficiently. To most people, a car is very much a land-based piece of engineering, but opportunities are presenting themselves to vehicle transporters that go beyond this line of thinking. There are boats and jet skis, for example that might need a trip somewhere. This is all part of the advancement of the vehicle transportation industry. Getting back to the land-based vehicle transportation model, there are all terrain vehicles, motorcycles, golf carts and snowmobiles all looking to go from one place to another far, far away.

Building booms create new trends in auto shipping. Many auto shipping companies are now specializing in transporting heavy construction equipment. Such massive feats of vehicle engineering are a challenge to transport but auto shipping company representatives are discovering creative means to handle these ungainly machines and get them to their new sites. In the same vein, farming vehicles are now under consideration to be transported long distances posing new logistical challenges for the auto-shipping industry.

Other equipment that has recently come to the attention of auto shippers are trailers, generators and car parts. Now that our education of the auto shipping industry has broadened somewhat, lets review a few of the ways companies are handling their multitudinous tasks.

A standard car is given the option of shipping in either a closed or open container. The open container is the cheaper option but the vehicle is then exposed to the elements. The more expensive closed container method of shipping is ideal for shipping vintage or classic cars or the hyper-expensive luxury models where protection is a major issue. The jet skis and boats will need trailers to ship. Companies will generally allow you to use your own trailer or will rent you one of theirs.

The good, reliable shipping companies will not require you to put licenses or registration tags on your vehicle as they have their own transportation documents that allow them to transport the vehicles and identify them.

Other options to move many types of vehicles are flat bed tow trucks, low boy trailers, step deck trailers, double wide extendable drop trailers, vessel trailers and multi-axle extendable carriers. No matter what type of vehicle you are shipping, the auto shipping company that is handling your job should offer you every conceivable transportation method available in today’s auto shipping industry.

What a year 2011 has been for classic British auto marque Jaguar.

Having stunned the motoring world with the C-X75 supercar concept at the Paris Motor Show in late 2010, Jaguar made a storming start to 2011 by announcing that the car was heading for production.

While the original concept startled auto fans by featuring extraordinary jet turbine engines, a tie-up with the Formula One racing team Williams will see the jets replaced by a 1.6 litre four-cylinder engine boosted by both a turbo and a supercharger.

The result, Jaguar claims, will deliver Bugatti Veyron-rivalling performance and nearly 1,000bhp on a special track-day setting. But this is one supercar that will also be kinder to the environment, thanks to twin electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack that the company says will help the car to achieve class leading acceleration times. There will even be the option of running the car on electric power alone.

Production will be limited to an initial 250 cars, due to hit the road in 2013, although Jaguar claims it has not given up on the original concept of a supercar powered by jet turbines.

In August, Jaguar received a special morale boost when the company’s mould-breaking XF model was crowned ‘Car of the Decade’ by a leading UK motoring magazine Auto Express. Making the award all the more meaningful was the fact that it was based on responses to the magazine’s ‘Driver Power’ survey, which asks readers to rate their cars on factors like performance, comfort, reliability, running costs and servicing experience. More than 300,000 responses delivered the verdict that the XF received consistently higher ratings from owners than any other car in the survey.

September was another big month for the ‘big cat’ marque, as it revealed plans for a further all-new car. The company’s C-X16 concept, unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show, showcased a new spin on Jaguar’s latest design language and has been referred to by some commentators as the spiritual successor the company’s legendary E-Type.

The new baby Jag is designed to be a smaller, more sporting model that will fit into the marque’s line-up below the XK model and take the brand’s fight for market share to key rivals like Aston Martin and Porsche. Like the C-X75, this new sports coupe will reduce emissions by combining electric with combustion power, most likely in the form of the company’s 3.0 litre supercharged V6.

In turn, it has also been revealed that the next generation of the XK will become a larger, sporting ‘grand tourer’, with a proper four-seat configuration designed to take on a range of sales competitors from the BMW 6-series to the Bentley Continental.

Jaguar’s year looks set to come to a close with something of a return to reality from the excitement of unveiling ground-breaking new sports cars. Recent reports have highlighted that an estate, or station wagon, version of the Jaguar XF is undergoing testing and is due to go on sale towards the end of 2012. Set to be called the ‘Sportbrake’, the new model is part of Jaguar’s plans to boost sales by expanding the range of existing models through offering options like load-carriers and diesel power. However the new XF wagon won’t be lacking innovation, since it is set to be the first car in Jaguar’s current range to offer a 4×4 powertrain.

Despite all this new car development activity, Jaguar nevertheless also found time during 2011 to give the XF a mid-life facelift. Amid a range of minor styling and technological tweaks, the most noticeable change was the addition of slimmer headlamp units, bringing the car closer to the looks of the original 2007 C-XF concept.

It has certainly been a busy year for the classic British marque and one that seems to show that the large investment Jaguar has received from its new Indian owner Tata could be starting to pay off.

The problem with today’s car electrical is becoming so intricate due to the innovations of the present technology but the design is basically the same as 20 years ago. A quick check of the major components of car’s electrical system will do you a lot of good rather be stranded in the middle of nowhere. One of the major components of a car’s electrical is the battery. One important factor to consider is the proper care of the car battery by seeing to it that the battery and connections are always clean and properly ventilated to remove the risks of dangerous fumes and explosive gases. When buying a new battery be sure to buy one with a compatible or higher rating than the previous and the same group size to fit into the battery plate and connections. Before replacing the battery, be sure to check the car’s electrical system because you might be having other problems besides battery replacement. Do a checking of the alternator because this might be the cause of the problem.

The alternator is the device that works with the battery of the car to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy in the form of alternating current. The battery supplies the electricity and the alternator continually charges the battery so you need never have to worry about the car suddenly stalling. You might be on your way home when suddenly the radio stops, the dash lights go dim and finally the head lights are gone. You pull off to the side road and finally the car has no more power. Sometimes, you might think that it is the battery that went off but it might be the alternator taking its last breath.

It is very important for the car’s electrical system to be checked at least every two years or when there are major problems that are experienced. This is probably due to the computerized control systems that are severely affected by fluctuations in voltage. The average trouble shooting knowledge might not be enough on certain situations that the necessity for a maintenance check be done by the proper technicians. Mustang parts are the market authority on car parts and accessories. Just do an online search for the Mustang product tested and track ready products to be shipped within the day the order was placed with 100% free shipping. Take advantage of the holiday discounts on the car electrical parts for good performance.

Mobile car washing is a great business, however the wintertime it can get quite cold, and it is hard to clean the cars without creating ice that you might slip on, or that a customer might slip on which is even worse. Further, there are fewer working hours in the day, and it’s pretty difficult to wash cars the dark. No, it’s not impossible, I’ve done it before, but it isn’t as easy as you think. And the next day if you go back, you will see streaks, and places which you had missed. It is very difficult to get the Windows perfect, when there is a layer of moisture on them from the cold air.

Now then, let’s talk a little bit about some strategies. Sometimes it makes sense to leave your residential customers until later in the evening, therefore you can clean the cars in the driveway, and then put them in the garage to dry, under the light. Working in an ill lighted parking lot is extremely difficult, and in my day, because before retirement I did run a mobile fleet washing business, where we washed hundreds of vehicles in a row for the US Post Office, and many major utility companies – I can’t tell you how hard it was to do a perfect job. Of course, we had to wash the vehicles at night, under the lights in the corporate parking lot, because those vehicles were out during the day doing services for their own customers.

Any mistakes that we made readily showed up the next day, and that meant that our reputation was tarnished along with the dirt spots on the vehicles. Now then, I recommend that if you have a mobile car washing rig, perhaps a pickup truck with a trailer, that you use a combination of the headlights on the vehicle along with 1 million candle watt floodlights. These floodlights should be semi-shock mounted so the bulbs don’t break, and you have to constantly clean off the lens of each light bulb, because the water overspray prevents the light from shining brightly.

Another thing you can do if you’re caught in a situation where you have to do a perfect job, but you can’t see what you’re doing – is to clean the vehicle twice, or as you are washing it take your lamb’s wool mit over each piece of the body twice before you rinse. In fact, I’d recommend that you hold the soap met in such a way that your fingers go over the body lines and grooves perfectly, otherwise you will miss spots, and it will show. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.

Before your road test can begin at the DMV, the license examiner will perform a safety check on your vehicle. If your car isn’t mechanically sound, it’s possible that you could fail your road test before you even turn the key. To ensure your vehicle is ready for the road test, here are some things to check:

• Non-functional/defective doors and windows – Your door must shut completely and your windows must roll up and down easily. In some areas, the driving license examiner is required to keep the window open just a bit for safety purposes.
• Damaged/too-heavily-tinted windshield, windows – Damages such as cracks or window-tint that’s too dark may obstruct vision during driving.
• Non-functional/defective lights – All lights, including the tag light, and turn signals must work properly. Make sure you test them all before going to the DMV. Changing out a bulb is cheap and relatively easy.
• Non-functional/defective/missing seat belts – Being properly buckled in seat belts is a requirement in ALL states.
• Non-functional/defective windshield wipers/washer fluid nozzle – You have to be prepared for all kinds of weather. The examiner will ask you to activate your windshield wipers.
• Non-functional/defective brakes – It’s obvious that brakes have to work every time; especially in an emergency and emergency braking will be a part of your road test. Your examiner may also ask you to activate the emergency brake. Your emergency brake should be able to hold the car on a slight upgrade or hill.
• Broken rearview mirror, side mirrors – To be aware of a driver’s surroundings, these mirrors have to be able to show what driving conditions are like behind the vehicle.
• Flat/over-inflated/defective/worn-out tires – The examiner will check your tires for proper inflation and tread wear. If there is any doubt, he or she will use a penny to check the depth of the tread. If you can see the top of Abe Lincoln’s head, the tires are too worn.
• Non-functional/defective horn, speedometer, fuel indicator - These are all required for safe operation of a vehicle. An inoperable speedometer will mean an automatic failure. Horns are necessary to warn another driver in case of an emergency. The examiner will ask you to tap your horn.
• Obvious leaks/fumes coming out of the vehicle – A driver should be alerted if the vehicle leaves a trail of oil or produces harmful fumes that could enter the passenger compartment.

These are just some of the items that will be checked. Make sure your car is clean inside and out and that there are no objects in the window that could obscure a driver’s vision. Make sure everything is in working order and you should sail right through the test.

For many people their vehicle is their largest investment next to their homes, so looking for the right vehicle for your needs is a very important decision and can sometimes cause a bit of anxiety and stress, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience looking for new vehicles. If you are currently looking for a new mode of transportation and you want to avoid some of the stress that normally accompanies such a task, then try following these simple steps when looking for a new vehicle.

First, try to figure out what kind of vehicle you need and prefer, and try not to make your decision based solely on looks. For example, do you plan on purchasing a vehicle that will be used mainly for commuting? If so, then you might want to choose a compact car that gets good gas mileage and is comfortable enough for driving long distances to work and back. If you are looking for a vehicle that will comfortably hold your entire family, then consider purchasing a roomy SUV or minivan with good crash test ratings so that you will know that your family is well-protected. If you are looking for a vehicle that you can pull a small trailer or a camper behind, then you might want to consider purchasing a truck that has plenty of horsepower for your needs. Always try to figure out what your vehicle will be used for and then try to shop for a vehicle that will meet your needs.

Second, you will need to figure out how much you can afford to spend on a vehicle before you go shopping. If you don’t figure out your budget in advance then you are more likely to overspend and purchase a vehicle that you can’t comfortably afford. On the other hand, if you go vehicle shopping with a minimum and maximum budget limit in mind, then you will be able to quickly narrow down your choices and will be less likely to waste your time looking for vehicles that are too expensive for you to purchase. Also, if you go shopping with a maximum budget already firmly established, then you will be less likely to be haggled by salesmen, and they will be more likely to try and help you find a vehicle that will fit within your budget range rather than trying to talk you into a vehicle that is too expensive.

Third, you should do a little bit of research to find out if leasing or buying is the right option for you. There are advantages and disadvantages to both options, so it is important that you carefully consider your particular needs so that it will be easier for you to figure out if buying or leasing is ideal for you.

Fourth, realize that there are online tools that can help you to calculate what your monthly car payments will be and how long it will take you to pay your vehicle off if you make the minimum payments. The more informed you are and the better prepared you are, the more likely you are to be satisfied with your purchase and to find the right vehicle for the right price.

If you’ve never had to jump start a car, it can be a very good thing to learn. If you have ever experienced getting into your car, turning the key and nothing happens, then you probably know how frustrating it can be. Your car doesn’t have enough current to activate your high amperage motor. You have to find someone else to give you the currency you need to get to a location to change out your battery. Here are the steps you need to take to get your car jump started.

You should first call someone that can come and help you. If it’s in the winter you should always keep blankets with you to make sure you aren’t left in the cold. Many times batteries die because of the extreme weather people live in. If this winter is freezing and colder than normal winters you may need to end up changing your battery at some point.

Once someone comes to help you they should park their car close enough to yours so the cables can reach both of your batteries. You should open both hoods and keep them open with prop rods. The car that is giving the jump should be shut off. You should then clamp the jumper cables onto the car that is providing the jump first. Connect the red (positive) clamp to the red post of that battery first. Make sure the charges on the other end are not touching before placing the black (negative) clamp on the black post. Then you can connect the other end of the cables to the car battery that is dead. Connect the red first and then the black, making sure they never touch.

After you have successfully connected the cables to each car you should then turn on the car that is giving the jump for five to ten minutes to allow the dead battery to receive some charge. Then you should shut it off. You can then turn on the car that has the dead battery; if it doesn’t start you may need to allow it to stay plugged into the cables longer. If you need to do this, only keep the car that is doing the jumping on for the time needed. Once you get a good enough charge you should first disconnect the black (negative) charge of the car that is providing the jump and then the red. Then you should repeat this process on the car that received the jump. You should then keep the car that received the jump running to ensure you can get somewhere to fix it and close both hoods. You can then get back on the road and get your battery diagnosed. You will usually have to replace all parts that are out of current, but there is usually a warranty given with it. The average warranty for a brand new battery is 7 years, if it dies before that you can go to the place you bought it and get it replaced. Many mechanics will test your device before they fully diagnose and replace it to ensure they need to replace it. You’ll be able to get back on the road quickly after you know how to jump start your car.

I am not being sexist, but as a husband of 42 years, a father of 3 daughters and grandfather of 4 granddaughters, I quite often have to look at the world from a feminine point of view.

Some people say I am blessed!

I have spent most of my working life with motor cars, and I have noticed over the years that some ladies do seem to have a fear of motor car mechanics and garages.

The first thing you must learn to do are the routine checks on your car. This involves checking engine oil level, coolant and washer bottle levels and tyre pressures. I do not want to sound patronising but these checks are very easy. If you do not know how to do this, just ask someone. Please believe me, you will learn very quickly and this will improve your confidence.

Taking your car to a garage for repair could be a problem for some ladies.

My wife and I ran a driving school for 21 years. We used the same local main dealer for cars and petrol for many years. One day, my wife had a problem with her car, and went to the afore said local main dealer to fix it. They said they did not have the part in stock to fix her car. She pointed out to the mechanic that they had BBQ fuel and potatoes in their showroom, but no part to fix her car. My wife then sat down and started knitting. The boss came out and then arranged for the part required to be taken from a new car in the showroom. She was back on the road within an hour. Be assertive but always gracious.

If you feel that the garage are really patronizing you, then play them at their own game.

Explain the problem with your car, and then tell them that your Husband, Father or Boyfriend would normally maintain your car. Say that they are away this weekend on a stag night, so could they please give you a detailed invoice of all work done, and return the defective parts.

I once had a flat tyre whilst on a driving lesson with a young girl. The wheel had to be changed, so I ask her, would you like to change the wheel?. She agreed, the wheel was changed, and she had learned a new skill. Two years later I met this lady in the pub. and she told me she had a flat tyre on a night out. I asked her if she had changed the wheel herself. She said no way, I was all dressed up for a night out so I stood at the side of the road with a hammer in my hand and a very nice man stopped and did it for me. Again, play them at their own game.