Category Archives: Automotive

8 of the Best Gifts for Car Enthusiasts

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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.

Nikola the Future of Trucking – Not So Much

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.

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. 

Regenerating Tire Tread



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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.