Warning: file_get_contents(http://ecs.amazonaws.com/onca/xml?Service=AWSECommerceService&AWSAccessKeyId=1RCVA0H2E7FY0189B3R2&AssociateTag=coluwebcons-20&Operation=ItemSearch&SearchIndex=All&ResponseGroup=Small,Images&Keywords=Awards) [function.file-get-contents]: failed to open stream: HTTP request failed! HTTP/1.1 400 Bad Request in /home/content/t/h/e/theeman/html/EngineCritic/wp-content/plugins/amazonfeed/php/amazonfeed.class.php on line 271

Every year since 1999 there has been a gathering of views over 65 motoring journalist to select the best engines made available today in various aspects such as technology used, drivability, economy, performance, and refinement.

Awards are given to a few categories of engines such as International Engine of the Year, Best Performance Engine, Best New Engine, Green Engine, and according to Capacity Classes. Among them are the engine awards most anticipated by motoring companies as it will make a difference in either pushing sales or pushing them away from the business.

This year we see the emergence of BMW engines being the winner for multiple categories including the International Engine of the Year 2008. With the BMW 3 liter Twin Turbo used in the 135, 335, and the X6, it sets it’s points just barely over Volkswagen’s TSI. With BMW’s new high-precision direct injection system, it helps the engine to drink less fuel while producing a good amount of power to the wheels. Rather using a single large turbocharger, the design of two smaller turbocharger is the key to balance out the boosts throughout the rev range, eliminating lag while acceleration.

Another engine being awarded the Best New Engine of the year is the BMW 2 liter Diesel Twin Turbo used in the 123D. This 4 cylinder engine is claimed by BMW by far the most powerful of all, thanks to the balancing act of power increase, weight reduction, and lower emissions. The 2 liter diesel twin turbo kept its fellow 4 liter V8 used in M3 off the Best New Engine category. It simply is because of the innovative technology used to create a lightweight engine block, while maintaining the build of a solid and rigid block, making it a more powerful engine than petrol of the same capacity.

Another award appeared to be new this year is the Green Engine of the Year award. Replacing previous Best Fuel Economy award, this year’s Green Engine Award is again the Toyota 1.5 liter Hybrid Synergy Drive used in the Toyota Prius. Judges still fond over the concept of the Hybrid Synergy Drive that combines petrol and electric used to propel a car. With a low power output of just 76bhp the Prius uses another 67bhp produced by another electric motor, thus conserving fuel and keeping the CO2 emission level low.

Museum Of Art

Buying A Used Car

If you are ever thinking about owning a boat, the first thing you should consider is how much it is going to cost. After you’ve determined that you can afford it and have found a place where you can store it, you need to make sure that you know how to actually operate it. Most states, if not all, require boat owners to have a license that proves they actually know how to operate their boat. For a lot of people, getting a license means that one will have to attend a class that instructs him/her on all of the safety features and general operating features of a boat.

According to one boat enthusiast, David Pascoe, you should regularly inspect your boat. Depending on the size of your boat, this inspection shouldn’t take longer than thirty minutes or so. By inspecting your boat on a regular basis, you can save yourself hundreds (even thousands) of dollars in repairs down the line. According to Pascoe, many boat owners don’t really know or understand too much about boat engine maintenance. Most boat owners place too much emphasis on changing the oil, not realizing that the majority of boat engine damage is the result of failure to maintain the cooling system. Contrary to popular belief, a boat engine cooling system is different from a car. Unlike cars, boats use the water that they are floating on to cool the engine. Therefore, if you’re riding around in polluted water, more than likely, your engine is getting the worst of it. For this reason, Pascoe recommends having good filters (aka: sea strainers). This is not a place to be frugal; find out what type of water your boat usually sits in. If your boat is usually docked or riding through salt water, it will ruin your engine over time which is why you need to make sure that your water pumps are inspected regularly.

If you have a closed cooling system on your boat (aka: fresh water cooling), you need to be wary of crud building up. The build up will act like an insulator, gradually slowing down the cooling system on the boat. When you are pouring coolant into your engine, make sure that you aren’t pouring too much. As we all know, too much of anything is usually a bad thing. And actually, having too much coolant will cause unwanted crud to build up. Also, make sure you read the manual for instructions on how to properly pour in the coolant (because there is a specific process for doing it).

Changing the oil in a boat is slightly different than changing the oil in your car. Unlike a car, which requires you to change the oil every ‘X’ number of miles, the oil in a boat (if its diesel) needs to be changed at least every 100 hours. This is because carbon builds up in the oil, which will transfer to the piston ring grooves and eventually cause the rings to stick, which is NOT a good thing. For gas engines, oil change is not as dependent on the number of hours but, rather, should take place before the oil blackens. You see, as oil accumulates engine by-products, it will get darker, becoming more acidic in the process, which can cause internal damage to your engine. This is why you want to change it before it becomes black. The frequency with which you would change the oil in a gas boat will depend on a number of things, such as geographic location.

AutoTransport and Auto Transport Company