The Glenn Beck rally — which took place on the 47th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech at the memorial — drew a good deal of controversy, with civil rights leaders holding a countermarch. But the event largely kept free of overt political references, as Glenn Beck (a longtime scourge of the Obama White House) had pledged it would. It stressed religious themes, together with celebrations of noncontroversial virtues such as charity and national service.

Even though Glenn Beck is still tabulating a crowd estimate, it can be expected to be significantly higher than the number CBS News reported over the weekend: 87,000.

Glenn Beck Rally Attracts Estimated 87000

An estimated 87,000 people attended a rally organized by talk-radio host and Fox News commentator Glenn Beck Saturday in Washington, according to a crowd estimate commissioned by CBS News.

The company AirPhotosLive based the attendance on aerial pictures it took over the rally, which stretched from in front of the Lincoln Memorial along the Reflecting Pool to the Washington Monument. Beck and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin spoke at the rally.

Beck, who predicted that at least 100,000 people would show up, opened his comments with a joke: “I have just gotten word from the media that there is over 1,000 people here today.”

AirPhotosLive gave its estimate a margin of error of 9,000, meaning between 78,000 and 96,000 people attended the rally. The photos used to make the estimate were taken at noon Saturday, which is when the company estimated was the rally’s high point.

Glenn Beck Rally organizers had a permit for crowd of 300,000. Crowd estimates used to be provided by the National Park Service, but the agency stopped counting crowds in 1997 after being accused of underestimating the size of the Million Man March in 1995.

Glenn Beck rally underway at Lincoln Memorial

‘America today begins to turn back to God,’ the cable commentator tells a crowd of conservatives as he kicks off a rally on the 47th anniversary of Martin Luther KingÂ’s ‘I Have a Dream’’speech. Glenn Beck Rally Attendance.

Reporting from Washington — Cable commentator Glenn Beck kicked off a major rally of conservative activists at the Lincoln Memorial Saturday, in what he billed as a non-partisan event that features former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and other speakers.

Beck’s “Restoring Honor” rally is taking place on the 47th anniversary of civil rights leader Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and at the same spot on the National Mall, on the steps of the memorial.

Beck has said the rally would “reclaim the civil rights movement” and greeted the thousands gathered along the Mall with soaring predictions.

“America today begins to turn back to God,” he said.

Attendees were encouraged not to bring political signs and flyers. Skeptical Democrats have countered that the event is “blatantly political.” Many in the crowd wore shirts and hats in the colors of the American flag.

Falling on the anniversary King’s famed speech at the same location, the event has drawn especially strong criticism from civil rights leaders aligned with Democrats. Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, the NAACP and other groups were to lead a “Reclaim The Dream” counter rally and march to the mall.

“In ‘63, they went to Washington for a strong national government to protect civil rights,” Sharpton said in an interview earlier this week. “He and Palin are going there for a weak national government and to advocate state rights.”

Glenn Beck previewed Saturday’s event Friday night to an audience at the Kennedy Center and thousands of supporters watching on line. “I’m convinced that not just this event, but this time period is going to be remembered as the beginning of the great awakening in America,” he said.

Glenn Beck told the estimated 87,000 people at his rally Saturday that “America today begins to turn back to God.”

But the Fox News host’s preaching may have escaped some attendees.

A video of encounters with rally goers at “Restoring Honor” captured political views and comments that sound nothing like the words of Rev. Martin Luther King, who spoke from the same spot as Beck did, 47 years ago today.

While angry protest signs that have come to characterize tea party events were mostly absent from Saturday’s rally (Beck asked attendees to leave the signs at home), many people wore their political hearts on their sleeves.

The video, put together by the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, shows rally goers weighing in on President Obama, “liberals,” the NRA’s support of gun rights for individuals on a federal terrorist watch list, and illegal immigration.

Take Castrol for example. They led the field for years with GTX. This was surpassed a few years back by semi-synthetic and fully synthetic oils, including GTX2 and GTX3 Lightec. Now, that’s been surpassed by Formula SLX which can cost upwards of $75 for 5 litres. And most recently, Castrol GTX Magnatec which is muscling in on the hitherto separate world of friction reducers.

What does my oil actually do?

The point of engine oil is primarily to stop all the metal surfaces in your engine from grinding together and tearing themselves apart from friction whilst transferring heat away from the combustion cycle. Engine oil must also be able to hold all the nasty by-products of combustion, such as silica (silicon oxide) and acids in suspension. It cleans the engine of these chemicals and build-ups, and keeps the moving parts coated in oil. Finally, engine oil minimises the exposure to oxygen and thus oxidation at higher temperatures. It does all of these things under tremendous heat and pressure.

A quick guide to the different grades of oil

Mineral or synthetic?

Mineral oils are based on oil that comes from dear old Mother Earth which has been refined. Synthetic oils are entirely concocted by chemists wearing white lab coats in oil company laboratories. For more info, see the section on synthetics further down the page. The only other type is semi-synthetic, sometimes called premium, which is a blend of the two. It is safe to mix the different types, but it’s wiser to switch completely to a new type rather than mixing.

Synthetics

Despite their name, most synthetic derived motor oils (ie Mobil 1, Castrol Formula RS etc ) are actually derived from mineral oils – they are mostly Polyalphaolifins and these come from the purest part of the mineral oil refraction process, the gas. PAO oils will mix with normal mineral oils which means Joe public can add synthetic to his mineral, or mineral to his synthetic without his car engine seizing up (although I’ve heard Mobil 1 is actually made by reformulating ethanol).

The most stable bases are polyol-ester (not polyester, you fool). When I say ’stable’ I mean ‘less likely to react adversely with other compounds.’ Synthetic oil bases tend not to contain reactive carbon atoms for this reason. Reactive carbon has a tendency to combine with oxygen creating an acid. As you can imagine, in an oil, this would be A Bad Thing. So think of synthetic oils as custom-built oils. They’re designed to do the job efficiently but without any of the excess baggage that can accompany mineral based oils.

Pure synthetics

Pure synthetic oils (polyalkyleneglycol) are the types used almost exclusively within the industrial sector in polyglycol gearbox oils for heavily loaded gearboxes. These are typically concocted by intelligent blokes in white lab coats. These chaps break apart the molecules that make up a variety of substances, like vegetable and animal oils, and then recombine the individual atoms that make up those molecules to build new, synthetic molecules. This process allows the chemists to actually “fine tune” the molecules as they build them. Clever stuff. But Polyglycols don’t mix with normal mineral oils.

Mixing Mineral and Synthetic oils – new concept

The web is a great place to keep things up-to-date, so here’s the current thinking on the subject of mixing mineral and synthetic oils. This information is based on the answer to a technical question posed on the Shell Oil website.

There is no scientific data to support the idea that mixing mineral and synthetic oils will damage your engine. When switching from a mineral oil to a synthetic, or vice versa, you will potentially leave a small amount of residual oil in the engine. That’s perfectly okay because synthetic oil and mineral-based motor oil are, for the most part, compatible with each other. (The exception is pure synthetics. Polyglycols don’t mix with normal mineral oils.)

There is also no problem with switching back and forth between synthetic and mineral based oils. In fact, people who are “in the know” and who operate engines in areas where temperature fluctuations can be especially extreme, switch from mineral oil to synthetic oil for the colder months. They then switch back to mineral oil during the warmer months.

There was a time, years ago, when switching between synthetic oils and mineral oils was not recommended if you had used one product or the other for a long period of time. People experienced problems with seals leaking and high oil consumption but changes in additive chemistry and seal material have taken care of those issues. And that’s an important caveat. New seal technology is great, but if you’re still driving around in a car from the 80’s with its original seals, then this argument becomes a bit of a moot point – your seals are still going to be subject to the old leakage problems no matter what newfangled additives the oil companies are putting in their products.

The beginning of 2010 continues to be a good time for car buyers. Creative buying incentives from the “Big Three” U.S. automotive companies have enticing offers to any customer walking through their dealership doors. General Motors just ended their campaign to unload all of their Pontiac and Saturn inventories with savings of up to over $7,000 per vehicle. Currently, GM is offering 0% APR financing or up to $4,500 cash back on new vehicles. Chrysler is offering incentives similar to that of GM. However, their cash back options are about $2,000 less than that of GM. Toyota, seeing a significant decrease in profits last year, are also promising low APR financing options. Expect to continue to see these specials for at least the next two quarters.

So what else can we expect for 2010? Hybrid cars continue to rise in popularity in the U.S. More people are environmentally conscience than ever before. Additionally, hybrid cars are more fuel-efficient. To date, there are 23 hybrid vehicles on the market in the U.S. General Motors has introduced the Sierra, Yukon, Silverado, Tahoe, and the Escalade, available in hybrid form. Interestingly enough, Chrysler offers only one hybrid vehicle, the Aspen. If GM and Chrysler focused more of their energy on fuel economies instead of high profit margins related to SUV sales, they could have prepared for the forces of the economic crisis.

Recently, General Motors announced the creation of a plug-in hybrid available later this year. The Chevy Volt, touted as GM’s savior, is expected to take the auto industry by storm, with an EPA rating of 230 miles per gallon Additionally, a tax credit of $7,500 is available to customers willing to go electric. Hopefully this will be the beginning of a new era of fuel-efficient cars from American motor companies.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Rico Auto Industries Ltd. will resume full supplies to General Motors and Ford Motor after workers agreed to end their strike last night, Surendra Singh Chaudhary, senior vice president in charge of human resources, said by phone today. About 2,200 workers struck at the company’s factory (at Gurgaon near New Delhi), demanding that 16 of their colleagues who were suspended be reinstated.

General Motors and Ford temporarily shut factories because of the shortage of components, even as they strive to boost sales amid the worst global recession since the 1930s. Automakers sourced $3.6 billion worth of parts from India in the year ended March 2008, compared with $330 million a decade ago, according to the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India.

“Outsourcing has more advantages than the risks involved as it offers the huge benefit of low cost,” said Deepesh Rathore, a New Delhi-based analyst at IHS Global Insight Inc. “Such incidents of labor problems will be quickly forgotten.”

The strike at Rico Auto started Sept. 21 and forced the closure of a General Motors sport-utility vehicle assembly plant in Delta Township, Michigan, and the suspension of one of two shifts at a Warren, Michigan, transmission factory, a person familiar with the situation said last month. Ford Motor shut a plant in Canada for a week.

Rico agreed to take back eight suspended workers immediately, and another eight will be kept under suspension pending an inquiry, Chaudhary said. Prem Kumar, president of the Rico Auto Employees Union, also said workers agreed to end the strike following the settlement.

Early synthetics got a bad reputation for leaking. This was because, despite the claims of the oil manufacturers, the seal-swell characteristics of the new synthetics were different from those of the mineral oils they replaced. If the seal-swell rate was lower, the seals shrank and oil leaked from crankshaft seals and rocker cover seals. If the rate was higher, the seals swelled a little extra and the engine was tight. Then if the owner changed back to mineral oil, or added a quart when no synthetic was to be had, things got really bad.

Fortunately, the situation has improved; you should have no problem switching back and forth. Adding a quart of mineral oil to a crankcase full of synthetic will be fine. Read the fine print — a lot of the “synthetics” on the market are blends containing a substantial proportion of mineral oil.Most automobile manufacturers recommend oil drain intervals of 3,000 to 6,000 miles for petroleum motor oils. Amsoil recommends up to 35,000 mile oil change which is 5 to 11 times fewer oil changes.Just think about the savings on the environment.

Oil is the lifeblood of your engine. The purpose of motor oil is to lubricate and protect your engine from heat and friction; the two major enemies of your engine. Without oil, your engine would overheat and cease working. Your engine might even crack. Motor oil may be the single most important fluid you will put in your engine.

What Is Petroleum Motor Oil?

Crude oil, better known as petroleum oil, is pumped from the earth, refined, and sold as a lubricant. In spite of the refining process, which is imperfect, contaminants that are not beneficial for your engine will be introduced using petroleum motor oil. Petroleum motor oils contain a different-sized molecular structure that contains properties both beneficial and non-beneficial. Petroleum motor oil has been the predominant automobile lubrication product for generations. If changed regularly, petroleum motor oil will provide a measure of protection for your engine, but not necessarily the best measure of protection.

What Are The Disadvantages Of  Petroleum Motor Oil? High oil temperature in excess of 240F will break down petroleum oils and cause oxidation, which in turn forms deposits, varnish, and increases wear.

Petroleum Motor Oil Vs. Synthetic Oil:

• Low oil temperatures will cause formation of sludge, which can block oil passages.
• Very low temperatures of -40F will make oil too thick to flow.

For dependable performance and long-term engine protection in all motor vehicles in all climatic conditions, petroleum oils must be supplemented with expensive additives that prolong the oil service life and reduce the wear to an acceptable level.

What Is Synthetic Oil?

Synthetic motor oil is a laboratory manufactured, custom-designed product that contains a uniform-sized molecular structure and is pure from any of the non-beneficial properties found in conventional petroleum motor oils. Before being introduced to automobiles, synthetic oils were first used in fighter jets. Synthetic oils were first introduced to the consumer market in 1972 and have grown in popularity because of the superiority in protecting today’s high performance engines.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Synthetic Oil?

Quite simply, the biggest disadvantage of synthetic oil is price. With a manufacturing process that is much more involved, synthetic motor oil costs nearly four times the price of petroleum-based motor oil. This means an oil change that would typically cost $20, could cost nearly $80. However, since synthetics are more durable, oil changes are not needed as often, and this fact partially negates the cost disadvantage of synthetics.

Which oil is better: Synthetic or Non Synthetic?

Every year motor oil companies spend millions promoting their product; the majority of them petroleum motor oils. Although petroleum motor oil will provide adequate protection, there are some reasons why synthetic motor oil may be the better choice when it comes to protection for your engine. Why settle for adequate protection? Synthetic motor oils have clear advantages. Let us look at some of these advantages.

Unlike petroleum motor oil, which must be changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, synthetic motor oil can go 6,000 to 10,000 miles between oil changes. Longer oil change intervals, means fewer trips to the lube shop or time spent underneath your truck.

Synthetic motor oil is better for the environment. Because synthetic motor oil lasts about three times longer than petroleum motor oil, change intervals are significantly longer. Fewer oil changes reduce the waste-disposal problem that comes with changing your oil, which leads to a healthier, greener planet for all of us.

Petroleum motor oils are prone to boil or vaporize within the normal operating temperature of the engine. This is commonly referred to as breakdown. Once the oil begins to breakdown, it usually results in oxidation, creating hardened oil deposits -more commonly know as sludge- in your engines components. Synthetics by contrast, are able to withstand greater heat temperatures, resulting in greater protection against breakdown.

A typical oil change using petroleum motor oil may cost anywhere from $25 to $30 at your local oil change shop. Using synthetic motor oil will cost you approximately $75 per oil change. While synthetic motor oil may cost you more per quart, it will save you money in the long run because of longer oil change intervals.

How to Mix Synthetic Oil With Non Synthetic Oil

With the introduction of synthetic oils, synthetic oil blends and various other oil additives heralded with confusing, and sometimes erroneous ad campaigns, it is hard for the average consumer to know what is what in the engine oil world. However, the facts are not nearly as confusing as the misinformation and hype floating about. Synthetic oil is a man-made improvement of standard oil, but the two can be mixed with no ill effects as long as a few common sense measures are taken first.

It is now confirmed that the much-anticipated Toyota small car for India would make an appearance – at least as a concept – at the upcoming 2010 Auto Expo in New Delhi in January 2010.

The company said that hatchback and sedan versions of the small car would be showcased at the Auto Expo. It is interesting that the company is working on both together – although it is no guarantee that by the time the small car is ready for production, the sedan would still remain. Much will depend on the reaction of car buyers when it is displayed.

At this point, the small car is variously referred to as the “Entry Family Car“, “Emerging Family Car” or EFC. We do not know if its a real code name, or an invention by the automobile trade press. Update: The EFC is now called the Toyota Etios.

What we have seen over the course of 2009 is a clear indication that all car companies have now fully accepted that the small car market in India is where the volumes and big money is. Maruti Suzuki still rules the Indian small car segment, but things are not going to be very easy for them, say, in 2011 or 2012.

Other companies which are planning small car launches in India sometime during 2010 are Fiat, Ford with its Figo, Hyundai with a small car… and a Honda small car. Remember that Honda and Toyota are two companies that never made a mis-step in India. The sales of the Honda Jazz are low, but it was expected anyway.

Apart from the small car concept, Toyota would also display its upcoming Prius hybrid for India at the Auto Expo 2010. Another product expected is a low-end MPV, positioned below the Toyota Innova, which will compete against the Xylo and the Chevrolet Tavera. It is said that this might be the Toyota Avanza – but we have also heard that it is an all-new MPV.

The so-called EFC small car will be manufactured in India, but is likely to be exported to Brazil and China, and possibly to even more cost-sentitive markets across the world. Vietnam and Indonesia are also likely candidates along with more Latin American countries. The EFC will be the cheapest car from Toyota anywhere in the world.

Meanwhile, Dentsu Communications has been given the advertising contract for the Toyota small car as well as the Toyota Prius.

Honda

Honda P-NUT, according to representatives of the Japanese company, demonstrates the vision of designers that might look like ultra-compact city vehicle in 10-15 years.

Honda says the P-NUT is ready for one of three possible powertrains: an efficient gas engine, a gas-electric hybrid, or a pure electric set up.

The central driving position will be flanked by two rear seats and has been built to provide ample legroom. All of 11.2 x 5.7 x 4.6 feet size, it has its rear seats with a foldable option in case you need more storage space. Honda says legroom for all occupants is the equivalent of a mid-sized sedan.

Falling in the micro-car category, the concept P-NUT is designed for cities and tight urban areas with its small, micro-car footprint.

Honda has conceptualized the design with exteriors making the car a single piece combination windshield and roof. The windshield serves as a head-up display for the navigation system.

“A new generation is discovering the benefits of living in urban centers that provide convenient access to business, entertainment and social opportunities,” said Dave Marek, director of advanced design at Honda’s U.S. R&D center. “The Personal-Neo Urban Transport concept explores the packaging and design potential for a vehicle conceived exclusively around the city lifestyle.”

Specifications:

• Length: 3,400 mm
• Width: 1,750 mm
• Height: 1,439 mm
• Powertrain: Internal-combustion engine, hybrid-electric or battery-electric
• Size class: Ultra-compact
• Layout: Rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive
• Passengers: 3

The jury assessed each model in terms of technical innovation, cost, safety, environmental friendliness, as well as the emotional component. From this list, the world’s best recognized Honored model VW Golf next generation, the representatives of the jury also impressed with layout of a compact Toyota iQ and a fresh perspective on the world car of the new Ford Fiesta. The final choice of a “World Car of the Year” is made of the trio. Throughout the short history of the competition WORLD CAR OF THE YEAR even one brand could not win it twice. The tradition is continued in 2009.
WORLD CAR OF THE YEAR is so good because it is not tied to a specific region. The jury of the competition includes 59 automotive journalists from different countries up to Mexico to South Africa. Have the greatest representation of the country with a developed automobile industry and automobile market: ten Americans, six Japanese, five Germans, five Chinese.

In different parts of the world people have different tastes: if the U.S. hamburger? High beer, and in Russia prefer dumplings with vodka, the average Japanese will die from the normal portions of American food, or a normal dose of Russian vodka. And if all three have to agree on the best meal together, it will have to stay in the Italian pasta. The same with cars – the winner must arrange WORLD CAR OF THE YEAR representatives of all countries.

11 finalists WCOTY 2009

• Audi A4
• BMW 7-Series
• Citroen C5
• FIAT 500
• Ford Fiesta
• Honda Jazz
• Jaguar XF
• Mazda6
• Nissan GT-R
• Toyota iQ
• Volkswagen Golf VI

“World Car of the Year”
2005 – Audi A6
2006 – BMW 3-Series
2007 – Lexus LS460
2008 – Mazda2
2009:

• Ford Fiesta
• Toyota iQ
• Volkswagen Golf VI

The VW Golf, whose design is inspired from the Scirocco is the world car of the year 2009. The VW Golf is by far the best selling VW model in the world. 26 million Golfs have been dispatched to customers in 120 countries since the beginning.
Similarly defined and finalists among sports cars. For the victory here will be competing not only the three models, but the three approaches, the philosophy of the three sports models from the U.S., Japan and Germany. In past years, victory was always a German school, and the last two years – for the models of Audi.
“The best sports car”
2006 – Porsche Cayman S
2007 – Audi RS4
2008 – Audi R8
2009:

• Corvette ZR1
• Nissan GT-R
• Porsche 911 Carrera

Four respected world expert in automotive design selected three nominees for the title of “Car Design of the Year. The experts were two representatives of the best European magazine Auto & Design, published by Italy, Silvia Baruffaldi (Silvia Baruffaldi) and Robert Kamberford (Robert Cumberford), the legendary, already white-haired Japanese Akira Fujimoto (Akira Fujimoto) – permanent editor in chief of Car Styling, which can always be found at the Moscow Motor Show, as well as Tom Matano (Tom Matano) – Head of the School of Industrial Design (School of Industrial Design) from San Francisco. The most beautiful cars in the competition WORLD CAR OF THE YEAR same as in AutoNews.ru up to 2008.
“Automotive design of the Year  2009”
2006 – Citroen C4
2007 – Audi TT
2008 – Audi R8
2009:

• Citroen C5
• FIAT 500
• Jaguar XF

To determine the best “green” car and met only a handful of experts representing North America, Europe and Asia. In the three finalists out of three Japanese models, professing a different approach to solving environmental problems of the car. Model of Honda’s hydrogen fuel cells, Mitsubishi is all-electric car, but Toyota has achieved success through an ultra-compact car with a very small, but efficient internal combustion engine.
“The Best Green Car”
2006 – Honda Civic Hybrid
2007 – Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec
2008 – BMW 118d with Efficient Dynamics
2009:

• Honda FCX Clarity
• Mitsubishi iMiEV
• Toyota iQ

The Jaguar XJ is built on a light and strong all-aluminum structure. Two engine options are available: a 300-hp 4.2-liter V8, or a 400-hp 4.2-liter supercharged V8. Both engines send power through a six-speed automatic transmission. An adjustable air suspension is responsible for the XJ’s impressive road handling abilities and luxurious ride. Safety features part include advance dual front airbags, side curtain airbags, and front side-impact airbags. Anti-lock brakes, traction control, and auto electronic stability control are standard.

At the gas pump, the EPA-estimated city/highway fuel economy for the Jaguar XJ at 16/25 mpg. All  Jaguar XJ models require premium fuel.

The 2009 Jaguar XJ8 and XJ8 L add new standard equipment, including a DVD-based navigation system, 320-watt Alpine Premium Surround Sound audio system and a twin-needle stitched and tailored dash cover.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

It is absolutely new car model because it evokes a sense of “adventure and technical innovation,” as well as “flair and style.”

“Simplicity is the hardest part in design principle to follow. It’s at the heart of our approach to Ghost. Seductively simple, it offers the presence you’d expect from a Rolls-Royce underpinned by the latest technology and ideas in luxury car design. Ghost is the essence of Rolls-Royce in its simplest, purest form. Every inch delivers on the power of simplicity.” – Rolls-Royce says.

Rolls-Royce also announced final specifications for the advance new car. The 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 will pump out 563 hp and 575 lb-ft of torque and will mate to a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. Rolls-Royce says the engine has also been retuned for more low-end torque, to provide a quieter and more relaxing driving experience in the tradition of the company’s cars.

The Ghost can shuffle you to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, despite weighing 2.4 tones. The top speed will be achieved at 155 mph. Base price for the Ghost is between €200,000 and €300,000.

The Rolls-Royce Ghost aims to be the next great superlux car, competing with storied auto marques like Bentley and Aston by offering both a sumptuous cabin and engaging driving dynamics.

At 212.6 inches long, with a 129.7 inch wheelbase, 76.7 inches wide, and 61 inches tall. In pictures, the Ghost looks small by Rolls standards, yet the new Rolls-Royce is slightly longer and taller than the Bentley, but a smidge narrower and it’s seven inches larger than the BMW 7-Series.

The Continental lineup also includes GT coupe and GTC convertible versions, and we expect two-door and drop top iterations of the Ghost to launch after the sedan.