"You May Not Run Out of Gas" - Youngstown, OH

In light of news that Massachusetts has been charging $275to fight a traffic ticket whether you win or lose, I was wondering what other ridiculousregulations were going on out there in the car world. I’m not talking about requirementsthat ensure your fuel injectors and turbochargers are in good working condition.I’m talking about some ridiculous, yet very real, traffic regulations such asit being illegal for a driver in Alabama to be blindfolded while operating avehicle. This is obviously so dangerous that it should be illegal, but I wonderwhat happened down the line that this had to become an actual law.

Some of these laws are so old and just haven’t yet beenabolished, while others are due to not-so-smart people doing some not-so-smartthings. In California, no vehicle without a driver may exceed 60 mph. Also,women may not drive in a house coat. In Arcadia, CA peacocks have the right ofway to cross any street, and in Temecula ducks have the right of way at alltimes. In San Diego, it is illegal to shoot jackrabbits from the back of a streetcar.Is your car getting dirty? Don’t go to Downey, CA where it is illegal to washyour car in the street.

Head over to the east coast and you’ll find some prettycrazy regulations as well. In Hartford, CT it is illegal to cross the street ifyou happen to be walking on your hands. In Marietta, GA it is illegal to spitfrom a car or bus, but you can from a truck! In Tennessee, driving is NOT to bedone while asleep. In Virginia Beach, if you are drunk and not driving, but thedriver is drunk as well, you can BOTH receive a DUI. What if you happen to hita pedestrian in Sarasota, FL? Be prepared to pay the $78 fine.

While many of these regulations were made many, many yearsago and just haven’t been abolished, they are all still active laws in theirrespective states. While I don’t think that a woman would be ticketed fordriving a car without a man waving a flag in front of it (yes, this is still “illegal”in Louisiana), it is interesting to read some of these outdated traffic laws. Andback to Massachusetts charging $275 to fight a ticket. They say these fees arenecessary as thousands of people appeal tickets which are causingrising administrative costs. Sounds to me like pressure to just pay your ticketwhether it was deserved or not, and I don’t think you should be charged todefend yourself in court.

The Lexus LF-LC Photos Leaked

Are you having some car problems?  Is your starter giving you issues?  Does it seem like Mr. Fuel Injector calledin sick?  If everything car related hasjust got you feeling like you want to trade in your vehicle for a razor scooterhold on a second.  Here are some picturesto make you go to your car happy place.

Photos of the Lexus hybrid super car currently called TheLF-LC have been leaked onto the internet. This thing looks like it could eat aPrius.  The vehicle definitely fits intothe sharp and youthful demographic which Lexus has been aiming for in the pastfew years. The car was designed at Calty Design Studio in Long Beach, and theyget a huge pat on the back from me. The edgy lines and distinctive grill aresure to attract a large crowd when it is unveiled at the American InternationalAuto Show in Detroit on Monday. 

Even though a few pictures were leaked there are still manymysteries about the supercar.  What we doknow is that it is a four seater, it’s a hybrid, and it looks amazing.  The rest of information out there right nowis just speculation.  Considering thatthe LF-LC shares a very similar design to the LF-A, it is forecasted that theLF-LC will provide similar power.  Toyotahas a history of giving their concept cars codenames that clarifiespositioning.  It is a guess that LFstands for Lexus Future, and the LC means LS Coupe.  This crazy hybrid could go on sale in 2015under the name LC600h.

Clean Fuel Injectors Mean Better Gas Mileage

After time you may notice your car isn’t getting the same gas mileage it once did. A cause of this may be one of your diesel injectors, which can experience wear over time. Diesel or regular fuel injectors will need a bit of work to sustain the power and performance they had from stock. In some cases a simple cleaning of the injectors can restore the vehicle’s performance. In other cases, the diesel injectors may need to be replaced with a new diesel injector kit.  A recent consumer reports study shows that 46% of people think fuel economy is the most important factor when purchasing a car. (Have you seen any Hummers around lately?) The only factor that seems to have more of an impact on new car sales is price.

A main factor that can hurt the performance of a fuel injector is dirt. A fuel injector is basically a valve controlled by the car’s ECU. This valve opens and closes very quickly to allow fuel to be squirted into the intake valves. Ideally, the fuel is delivered as a mist and it is vaporized immediately. If there is any dirt on the nozzle or within the injector itself, the fuel will not be sprayed as consistently and the combustion system will suffer. This process takes place in small fractions of a second and is therefore extremely sensitive.

How do you clean your fuel injectors? Give them a bath! Ultrasonic cleaning is one of the more intensive (but effective) solutions.  This process involves actually removing the injectors and giving them a “bath” in a special cleaning solution. Simpler cleaning tips include doing a few full throttle accelerations on the highway. After having the injectors cleaned, most car drivers notice an immediate improvement in performance.

If there has been too much dirt buildup or there are other problems facing the fuel system, the fuel injectors may ultimately need to be replaced. If it comes to this, you should probably consider changing out all of the fuel injectors at the same time. So save yourself some money at the pump this holiday season and make sure your getting the gas mileage you’re suppose to!