Back in my single days I strived to make things smell like man, you know, the scent of high octane racing fuel.  This even pertained to my decorating, what limited decorating I did do anyways.  Around the time of the holidays however, I always put up a Christmas tree, but I managed to manly it up a little bit too.

I focused on buying manly ornaments, like car engines, collectible cars, etc.   You wouldn't be finding any Hallmark ornaments on my tree.  It was almost like my tree was an offset of my personality, my car nut instincts, my maybe bad taste in decorating?

Some automotive Christmas Ornaments I would have hung on my tree.

Car Engine Ornament

Car Engine Ornament

Car Engine Ornament

Just a few suggestions for those of you looking to buy that automotive enthusiast a little something this year.  These are really inexpensive and make a thoughtful gift, even if they don't make it on the Christmas tree.

Coby Keychain $19.99

Coby Keychain $10.79

Tao Key Chain $19.97

I'm going to force myself to buy Christmas gifts a little bit earlier than Christmas Eve this year.  To do so, I full intend on taking advantage of online shopping, instead of braving the left overs from Black Friday.  Also, like most families mine will not be spending a lot on each other and instead intend on buying smaller more thoughtful gifts.  For some this sounds like a great idea, but can make buying a good inexpensive gift more difficult.  I have the solution!

This year I plan on buying my family members all a picture key chain.  However, unlike other Christmas presents I'm going to open these up before wrapping them and upload pictures of my daughter and the rest of my family.  That way when the grandparents and other family members open up their gift on Christmas Day it will already have recognizable smiling faces looking back at them.

So, I've managed to purchase inexpensive gifts for the whole family, because at most the picture key chain will only cost about $20.00.  Furthermore each gift is thoughtful and personal because I will have already installed personal pictures on each persons photo key chain.

Feel free to steal my ideas, there is still time to have these items shipped before Christmas Day.  Otherwise I'll just plan on seeing you in the Wal-Mart parking lot come December 24th.

Of all the safety features on an automobile there are few more important than your windshield. Often overlooked the windshield protects it passengers from wind, rain and road debris. Unknowing to most it also prevents occupant ejection during a crash, Roof crush in event of a rollover and acts as a backboard for passenger side airbag deployment.

The automotive glass industry is largely unregulated and has no definite standards for safe installation of windshield installations. Some auto glass repair and auto glass replacement shops use unethical procedures for windshield installations. When choosing an auto glass company you should make sure they are using new auto glass (OEM) Original Equipment manufacturer Glass not used glass or aftermarket glass. Also, you have to make sure that they are following the American National Standards Institute Guidelines. You should also make sure that they are insured and take how long they have been in business for into consideration.

If the new windshield is not properly installed at the time of replacement it may not pass the federal motor vehicle safety standards FMVSS 208, FMVSS212 or FMVSS216. FMVSS 208 mandates that the windshield must remain attached to the vehicle in event of a front end collision so that the passenger side air bag will work properly. FMVSS 212-requires auto glass replacements to maintain adhesion to the vehicle in the event of an accident to prevent occupant ejection. FMVSS 216-explains that the windshield Prevents Roof crush in event of a rollover. When selecting an auto glass replacement company don't base your decision off of price. If you do then let your mind be your conscience. Make sure you go with a glass shop that is committed to keeping their customers safe.

Article Submited By Glass Repair

Right now as I speak the US automakers are stumbling all over themselves to come up with a plan of action which will allow them to get $25 billion dollars in aid from Congress.  One of the requirements, before they fork over the cash, is for the automakers to produce an action plan in regards to how the money will be spent and insure they will not be in this same dire position down the road.  It's believed that their focus will shift toward cutting existing lines and producing more fuel efficient vehicles and that may mean bringing a hybrid diesel electric to the US market.

The technology is not new, rather it's been used for years in the train industry, dating back as far as the 1920's.  Today VW is leading the way with hybrid diesel electric engineering and using the technology in their VW Golf.  The hybrid VW is capable of getting up to 70 miles per gallon, but will not be distributed in the United States.  According to VW the technology would be too expensive to build and bring into the US, thus creating a potential market for domestic manufacturers.

Another hurdle US automanufacturers are faced with is the longevity of their current vehicles on the market.  More people are holding onto their existing cars for longer and even more are buying used, rather than new.  For example, it's easier to buy used diesel vehicles and let someone else take a bath in the depreciation after driving off the lot.

I believe serious thought needs to be put into engineering a quality hybrid diesel electric car for the domestic market.  The need for more fuel efficient cars isn't going anywhere and if the automakers hope to pull themselves out of their gas guzzling hole then something needs to change.  The current trend of cornering the large SUV and Truck market is obviously failing as a business model and 70 mpg is an appealing buy for anyone looking to purchase a new vehicle.

Golf Diesel Electric