Author Archives: HiOctane

automobile lovers, Automotive, Uncategorized

8 of the Best Gifts for Car Enthusiasts

Posted on by HiOctane

Photo Credit: Pexels

8 of the Best Gifts for Car Enthusiasts

If you have a loved one who is crazy about their car (or cars in general), picking out a gift for them can be challenging. It may seem like they have everything they need already, or you may not know enough about cars to confidently purchase a gift. Worry not — a truly helpful car guide is here! The most important thing to remember is that you want your loved one’s daily driving experience to be better than it was before. If you keep that goal in mind and consider the gifts in this guide from Hi Octane Jewelry, you’ll be on the right road to your road warrior’s heart.

1. Tidy Garage

We’ll start with a gift that could be the most meaningful one on the list: a clean garage. Clearing out your garage to make room for your loved one’s home auto shop is a great way to show how much you care. If you don’t know what to do with all the items in the garage, don’t worry. Self-storage units are less expensive than you might expect, which can buy your car lover a little time to go through their things. Need some help finding the right storage place? Move.org has some great tips and resources to make the process painless.

2. Car Speakers

If your auto enthusiast loves to listen to music, give them the gift of amazing sound quality in their vehicle. Getting them a set of new speakers for their vehicle will provide them with a way to listen to music at the highest quality, which is something their stock speakers likely aren’t doing. Since there are so many different brands and types of speakers, be sure to read through some online guides before buying a set.

3. Security Devices

One thoughtful idea is to consider gifts that help prevent auto theft, ensuring the safety and security of their prized vehicle. Options include advanced car alarms that offer state-of-the-art protection against break-ins, steering wheel locks that act as a strong visual and physical deterrent, and GPS tracking devices that allow for real-time monitoring of the vehicle’s location.

These gadgets not only provide peace of mind but also demonstrate a caring and considerate approach towards the recipient’s love for their car. Such gifts are not only useful but also show a deep understanding of the enthusiast’s passion and the importance of safeguarding their treasured possession.

4. Hi Octane Jewelry

Gifting the car enthusiast in your life with a pair of cufflinks or a custom belt buckle from Hi Octane Jewelry is a unique and thoughtful way to celebrate their passion. Hi Octane Jewelry specializes in crafting automotive-themed accessories, perfect for those who have a deep appreciation for cars. The cufflinks are a subtle yet stylish way to add a touch of their automotive enthusiasm to formal attire. Meanwhile, a custom belt buckle can be a striking statement piece, showcasing their love for cars in everyday wear. These pieces are meticulously designed and crafted, ensuring that they’re not just accessories but also treasured keepsakes that reflect their personal style and interests.

5. Car Cover

Just as seat covers can help protect the seats of a car, a car cover protects the exterior from the elements. This is the perfect gift for someone who constantly washes their car and settles for nothing less than the most pristine-looking automobile.

6. Car Buffer

To further assist your loved one with achieving that pristine aesthetic for their vehicle, get them an orbital car buffer to care for their paint. These buffers can not only remove stubborn stains with ease, but they can also remove scratches.

7. Vacuum

Gifting your loved one a high-quality car vacuum will help them keep their interior spic and span, and it may even help capture that perfect new car smell! This might sound like a pricey present, but you can pick up the Dirt Devil Scorpion for under $40. Plus, a car vacuum will give your loved one a little peace of mind the next time someone drops a french fry while on the road.

8. Roadside Emergency Kit

There isn’t a more practical and useful gift than a car emergency kit. It can be easily stored, and it can assist your loved one in the most common of problems they may experience on the road, like a flat tire, dead battery, burned-out headlight. These kits not only provide convenience, but they also help ensure your loved one will make it home safely.

There you have it: some of the best gifts for the car enthusiast in your life. Keep in mind that you want your loved one’s everyday driving experience to be enriched, so be sure to check online reviews for any products you’re considering. Then, you’ll be well on your way to getting them the perfect gift.

automobile lovers, Automotive

Nikola the Future of Trucking – Not So Much

Posted on by HiOctane
19
Aug
3 new lawsuits & CEO stepped down When it sounds too good to be true apparently it is.

Today I was listening to one of my favorite Podcasts called the Founder Hour while working on a custom 3D printed design I am doing for a customer.  The Podcast featured Trevor Milton of Nikola.  Below is the link to the Founder Hour podcast. I would encourage you to take a listen and see how Nikola is poised to take over the trucking world.

Listen to Podcast Here

Pat & Posh of Founder hour always start their podcasts asking their guests about their childhood, which in many instances gives you an early look into how the entrepreneurs developed into who they are now.  In Trevor’s case it certainly applies. His father was in the Train industry and Trevor grew up on locomotives and recalls one of the train engineers saying to him, “Can you imagine these same electric locomotives on a semi truck?”  So that sparked the idea for his electric semi trucks.  Trevor has spent years laying the ground work for Hydrogen fuel cell powered semi trucks and Nikola will also control the Hydrogen Fuel stations that will fuel these trucks across the country. Nikola is able to provide zero emissions. Hydrogen also has higher energy storage density than lithium ion batteries, both in terms of energy stored per unit weight and energy stored per unit volume. Fast Fill up – Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles fill up–like their gasoline equivalents – in about five minutes. This short refilling time means that drivers aren’t inclined to walk away during a refill, unlike battery electric vehicles which can take up to take 3 to 18 hours to fully charge vehicle batteries.

Nikola’s is also entering  into the Personal Truck Market with the Nikola-Badger.  
0-60 MPH 2.9 Seconds
Peak HP 906
Continuous HP 455
Peak Torque 980 Ft. LBS
Range 600 Miles
Battery 300 Miles
Fuel Cell 300 Miles
Hydrogen 8 kg
Fuel Cell 120 kW
Towing Capacity 8,000 LBS
Drivetrain 4×4 Independent Wheel Drive (IWD)
Dimensions 5890mm L x 2180mm W x 1870mm T
*Specs can change due to weather, altitude, hydrogen output, battery state of charge, thermal needs and customer requirements. Final specs may change or vary.

 

PreOrder a Badger here

 

Below is a video about the Nikola-Badger as well. 

Automotive, Cool Tech, Uncategorized

Regenerating Tire Tread

Posted on by HiOctane



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Goodyear has unveiled their latest concept car tire featuring tread capable of regenerating itself. The recharge tyre has a biodegradable tread that can regenerate thanks to a special liquid compound made from a biological material and reinforced with fibers inspired by spider silk.

When the tire needs recharging, drivers can insert a new capsule containing this liquid compound into the centre of the wheel. depending on the their location, vehicle, what season they are driving in and how long their journey is, the tire will then regenerate itself accordingly. Thanks to artificial intelligence a driver profile would be created around which the liquid compound would be customized, generating a compound blend tailored to each individual driver and their style of driving.

 

Radically simplifying the process of replacing your tires with rechargeable capsules, the tread would be supported by a light-weight, non-pneumatic frame and tall-and-narrow shape. this is a thin, robust low-maintenance construction that would eliminate the need for pressure maintenance or downtime related to punctures.  Sounds like this tire concept is only available for future EV cars for now.  



Car Buying

SheCar a new way to buy cars

Posted on by HiOctane
27
Aug

Have you checked out SheCar Yet? I did while back. I had heard about it online awhile back from a Forbes article.  I happened to have a friend that was car shopping and asking me for some car input regarding what car she should get etc.  So I did some online searching.  Then I remembered the article I had read a while back at the time I had followed them on social media as well.  And you know how these days you think about something and then almost magically like google and Instagram are reading your thoughts they show up in your feed.  And SheCar popped up in my Instagram feed and they were doing a giveaway.  So I entered and low and a behold a few weeks later I was notified I was a winner.  Well after getting on the phone with Athena to thank her for the gifts she had sent.  I told her about my friend and her needs and she gave me a very thorough explanation and demo of their services.

The way SheCar works is you contact SheCar and they provide an online demo of the service and how it works. You are given a log in to access an Automobile Auction portal site.  You can then select the area of the country that is closest to you.  And then you put in the type of car and features your looking for.  Then the site pulls up a search of vehicles that are available and you can review photos and notes about the vehicle that consists of any extras or damage the car might have etc.  Here is a nice graphic showing how it works.

 

 

 

So if you’re wondering how does SheCar make any money well I will tell you because I was wondering that too.  In Step 2. Athena itemizes her fee into the cost for you.  So you know exactly what SheCar is charging and it is very fare.  And if you happen to be experiencing hardship, SheCar and her newly formed non-profit organization, SheCare, Inc. which exists to provide women who are emerging from hardship with reliable and safe vehicles. Together the two organizations serve to provide women and men with honest, transparent, and truthful information about the cost and condition of cars.

SheCar® is a woman-owned and operated online car dealership created to help women and men trust – even love – their car-buying experience. Click on over and give it a try I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised like I was at how easy it is.   Book a Demo here

 

hi octane gear

A new way to say to Thank you.

Posted on by HiOctane

I thought we might try something new here at Hi Octane Jewelry. We are trying a digital Thank you card for our customers that purchased jewelry on our web site and have subscribed to our email list.  I thought I would try Paperless post for this new “thank you” method. Paperless Post is a newer discovery to me, they provide digital products including digital invitations, digital birthday cards, digital flyers and digital thank yous. Recently, I tried out their digital invitations with a Bunko get together I was having. I was able to pick a nicely designed invitation and customize it then send it out to my friends via email and they were able to respond and interact with the invitation. I thought it worked well.  I am seeing most recently that people seem to like to be contacted via text.  Are you seeing this too? It seems like when you are planning a get-together people to seem to interact and be using texts to coordinate the get together etc. This isn’t my personal go-to method.  I prefer emails.  But I am noticing those around me don’t check their email much.  Feel free to comment below with your input.

So for this Thank you I am sending out, my daughter put together these to layouts using the paperless post web site. She added the hot rod artwork, which can be done pretty simply by uploading a jpg.

The cool thing about Paperless post is the email has the look of “old school” real mail with the use of an envelope that opens and the card comes out of the envelope. If you haven’t joined our subscription list and want to you can subscribe below:

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Jeep, Test Drive

2020 Jeep Gladiator

Posted on by HiOctane
19
Jul

My 2013 Jeep Rubicon had a recall for the airbag inflator.  So I made an appointment at my local dealer Bob Baker Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Carlsbad  to take my Rubicon in and after talking with the tech he said the repair was only going to take an hour or two.  So I thought this is a great time to test drive the new Gladiator and see how this new Jeep truck drives.  So I gave service my keys and walked on over to scope out the new rides.  I figured the sales team would find me quickly as they always do, the minute you start looking in windows of vehicles at any dealer lot.  So Jim found me and I told him about my Jeep being in service and wanting to take the Gladiator for a spin he agreed.  So we walked around and looked on the lot to access the vehicles they had on hand.  There were 4 gladiators, a lifted red one that was buried in the lot. And 3 white ones with various modifications, One with an overlander kit, and a nicer model with cool rims and offroad tires and a plain one with street tires. Of course the pretty stock plain vehicle with street tires was the easiest to get out of the lot so we decided that would be the one we test drove.  So he did all is prep info with my license etc and then handed me the keys.  So Ginger and I hopped in the two front seats.  We checked out the new dash and windshield.  The 2020 Jeep windshield has a more aerodynamic slant to it which probably helps with noise and wind resistance.

 

The new dash looks good, the screens are newer and much easier to read.

This particular rig had heated seats and steering wheel which is nice in cold climates.  But here in Southern California, we need the cooled steering wheel option, that sucker bakes in the sun in these parts.  My Rubicon now only has heated seats and they are just the 2 front seats. There are a few new buttons that Jim pointed out like the A with and Arrow and the word off.  This apparently turns off the Auto shut down mode that new cars do when they come to a complete stop, which is supposed to help fuel economy.  Which I have never understood because I was always told starting your motor uses the most gas.  So to me shutting it off an on intermittently does not make fuel sense. But feel free to comment below and school me on this.

So you will see the window controls in the middle below and also 4 new built-in Auxillary switches for that winch and lightbar you want. So those can be added there nicely.  You will also notice a new spot called media this has a USB plugin and a few others. I should have taken a shot of it open too.

The Shifters are nice looking they look more like a traditional shifter than the typical t-top automatic shifter which is nice. The leather boot is a nice addition.  I had an issue with my rubicon where I had to activate this little transmission lock on my shifter and mine has this piece missing now.  So I like the look of the leather boots much better.

 

The small back window does open.

The Overlander edition has this handy outlet in the bed of the truck, which would be nice for a camper or if you are transporting a welder or generator etc.

 

The bed of the truck also has this cool feature, click to play:

Which is a nice addition.  One of my other favorite add -ons which I didn’t photograph is the door hinges now have automatic slow closures.  So that funny foot door grab thing that all jeep owners do when they open their door, and you stick your foot out just enough to catch the bottom of the door before it flies out and hits the car next to you.  Now you don’t have to do that anymore jeep has solved that for you finally.  I can’t tell you how many times one of my kids or visiting kids have gotten out of the door and that door has flung open and just about nailed the car next to me.

 

As for driving the gladiator, as I said earlier I was driving an edition with street tires (not the one in the pics) So the jeep was very quite.  The steering overall felt very tight and responsive more like an sports car then your typical jeep which felt nice.  When I turned right out of the dealership and on to the street and gunned the motor I did do a little burnout.  You can feel the motor has more power and is more responsive to my lead foot. It feels peppier than my current rubicon. When I turned the vehicle around and headed back up the step grade to the dealer I romped on the accelator and the getup you want was there.  The jeep accelerated nicely and quickly up the steep incline.

 

The Gladiators come with two motors a 3.6 L V6 and  I believe a smaller motor with a turbo. I couldn’t find the specs on the web site. The Gladiator has a towing capability of 7,650 lb Towing Capacity. Which is a lot more than the 3500 lbs that my current Rubicons tow capacity.

 

Another feature I saw that I thought was great is they did away with those dumb roof screws that you had to take out when you take the T-tops off. So now there is just toggles like in the front center of the roof in the back portion and you just turn those and lift out.  No more odd giant screws to contend with or question where to put them.

 

Which means this is possible. I love the idea of getting an airstream or vintage trailer and checking out the countryside or hitting car shows across the country with a trailer.

As for the backseat.  I thought it was more comfortable than the back seat in my 2013.  The seat felt slightly more angled and wrapped to your back a little.  The one in my Jeep is very upright and can be uncomfortable being so upright.  The new one feels a bit better.  When I looked behind the seat I saw nothing except the back wall of the Jeep.  In the lower portion which was below the seat there is a small space shown below with a speaker in it.  This wasn’t on the one I looked at. But if you are hoping to store things behind the back seat of your Jeep or anywhere besides in the bed, you can pretty much forget it.  There just isn’t any extra room.

Here are a few things I saw on the website but did not see in person.

 

Behind the back seat

 

 

 

 

 

On the web site, it shows this storage space under the back seat.  I was not shown this nor did I look at that space. So I am not sure if this is a paid add on or what.

 

Overall I really liked the new Gladiator.  It seemed very comfortable to drive and had the pep you want driving around Southern California.  And if you want to pull something it’s got the ability.  I really would like to take one off-road and see how they do out at Borrego.  The closest I could get to this with the dealer, was pulling it off the curb.  Wouldn’t it be cool if 4×4 dealers had an off-road course you could drive?  REI up in Seattle use to have something like this. They had a dirt and rock Mountain Bike path around their flagship store that you could test ride mountain bikes and see how they really perform.  It would be fun to take a few Gladiators out to the proving grounds in Borrego this winter and “play” with them.  I tell yah only some know the real feeling of taking your Rubicon out on a trail and having it crawl up rocks, there is nothing quite like it.  Cheers to Jeep I think the Gladiator will be a success.  Want to read our review of our journey out to the Proving Grounds in our 2013 Rubicon we did for Drive Line. You can check it out here.

Books

Barnfinder Collector Car Tales

Posted on by HiOctane

Tom Cotter is the best-known barn find vehicle expert.  His passion for automotive archeology has made him the point person for other binder finders, who stories he has collected for more than twenty years. This book pulls together his best barn finder stories from around the globe.  And includes Shelby Cobra’s, classic Dusenbergs to Harley hoards and even lost supercars. I think any gearhead in the family would enjoy this book.  It’s available on Amazon. I would like to make a suggestion to Audible please add this to your books, in case we want to listen to it while we are roadtrippin on our own barn finding journey.