cars

A car is a wheeled, self-powered motor vehicle used for transportation and a product of the automotive industry. Most definitions of the term specify that cars are designed to run primarily on roads, to have seating for one to eight people, to typically have four wheels with tyres, and to be constructed principally for the transport of people rather than goods. The year 1886 is regarded as the birth year of the modern car. In that year, German inventor Karl Benz built the Benz Patent-Motorwagen. Cars did not become widely available until the early 20th century. One of the first cars that was accessible to the masses was the 1908 Model T, an American car manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. Cars were rapidly adopted in the United States of America, where they replaced animal-drawn carriages and carts, but took much longer to be accepted in Western Europe and other parts of the world.
Cars are equipped with controls used for driving, parking, passenger comfort and safety, and controlling a variety of lights. Over the decades, additional features and controls have been added to vehicles, making them progressively more complex. Examples include rear reversing cameras, air conditioning, navigation systems, and in car entertainment. Most cars in use in the 2010s are propelled by an internal combustion engine, fueled by deflagration of gasoline (also known as petrol) or diesel. Both fuels cause air pollution and are also blamed for contributing to climate change and global warming. Vehicles using alternative fuels such as ethanol flexible-fuel vehicles and natural gas vehicles are also gaining popularity in some countries. Electric cars, which were invented early in the history of the car, began to become commercially available in 2008.
There are costs and benefits to car use. The costs of car usage include the cost of: acquiring the vehicle, interest payments (if the car is financed), repairs and auto maintenance, fuel, depreciation, driving time, parking fees, taxes, and insurance. The costs to society of car use include: maintaining roads, land use, road congestion, air pollution, public health, health care, and disposing of the vehicle at the end of its life. Road traffic accidents are the largest cause of injury-related deaths worldwide.
The benefits may include on-demand transportation, mobility, independence, and convenience. The societal benefits may include: economic benefits, such as job and wealth creation from car production, sales and maintenance, transportation provision, society well-being derived from leisure and travel opportunities, and revenue generation from the tax opportunities. The ability for humans to move flexibly from place to place has far-reaching implications for the nature of societies. It was estimated in 2010 that the number of cars had risen to over 1 billion vehicles, up from the 500 million of 1986. The numbers are increasing rapidly, especially in China, India and other newly industrialized countries.

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  1. Spiderpig

    Selling a car for an elderly relative - options?

    Since my father in law (from my first marriage) passed away, the ownership of his cars have been passed onto my mother in law. She has no need of them so the family is looking for the best options to sell them. One is a Jaguar XK8, the other a 5-series BMW. I know there’s Facebook/ebay, but...
  2. Ilovewaffles

    Infotainment system in Vauxhall cars 2016

    If a car battery is changed on a Vauxhall car from 2016 onwards with the infotainment system, does the system automatically come back once the new battery is installed , on as there is no code as before.
  3. owl61uk

    Price of cars, new and 2nd hand

    Pre covid car prices were fairly reasonable, for both new and 2nd hand cars. However since Covid prices of both new and used cars seem to have gone through the roof, the 2nd hand market in particular is just crazy A 5 year old Ford Fiesta still cost around £ 10k A 5 year old VW Golf still cost...
  4. Rasczak

    Hire Cars & Insurance

    Hi all, I have booked a hire car through Enterprise from Southampton Airport for 3 days from early next month. I normally book cars through my work account and thus covered by their insurance, but this is entirely for personal/leisure purposes and at my own expense so would need to make...
  5. DemonDragonJ

    Why Are Electric Cars Switching to Tesla’s Chargers?

    I have read that many electric car manufacturers are abandoning the combined charging system (CCS) in favor of Tesla’s charging system, which is obviously a very bad thing, since CCS is a royalty-free system that is not own by any one specific manufacturers, whereas Tesla owns their own charging...
  6. booyaka

    General Motorsport Thread (anything else other than F1)

    Couldn't see a "general" thread for motorsport stuff but thought it was worth making one for any other motorsport discussion outside of F1 which has it's own Wild one last night in the NASCAR at Daytona - incredible again the safety of these cars in terms of the structure of the main part of...
  7. GreyMutton

    Sad times. Volvo no longer selling normal cars in the UK.

    So it seems the current, annoying, trend for fat and ugly SUVs has claimed another victim. Volvo are planning to withdraw regular saloon and estate cars from sale in the UK, focusing on SUV sales only. Such a shame, i have never owned one but it was always in the back of my mind that I’d get...
  8. BlueOrange25

    ULEZ, low-traffic neighbourhoods, and speed limits

    A thread to capture the political stuff around the ULEZ in London and any other place that brings it in. ULEZ-compliant or not ⬇️ EDIT - 17 SEP 2023: Thread title changed to: ULEZ, low-traffic neighbourhoods, and speed limits
  9. zantarous

    Cost of second hand cars

    I am looking to move further out into the greener belts of London and I been house hunting and it really proving difficult getting around there without a car and when I move I will definitely need one as some of the places I have looked at have not shops or anything within walking distance...
  10. nheather

    Best Place to Sell Used Cars

    What are the best places to sell used cars - I'm aware of We Buy Any Car and Motorway. Motorway appear to have changed how they operate since I last checked them at the beginning of the year. Back then we got a quote based on various sellers offering to buy. But now it seems that Motorway...
  11. snerkler

    BTCC and Support Races at Donington April 2023

    A few photos from the opening round of the British Touring Car Championship and Support races at Donington. Got a bit wet in the afternoon. More on Flickr. 1. A1_04139 by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr 2. A1_04154 by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr 3. A1_04159 by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr 4. A1_04192 by...
  12. dmpzsn

    Possibly not the end of ICE cars

    I've just seen this link re Europe cancelling the European ban on ICE from 2035 :clap: I certainly hope this is followed by the UK as my personal thoughts is that it would never have worked. How this develops will have to be seen...
  13. AMc

    Ford seeks patent for cars that ditch you if payments missed

    I know it's only a patent application but this is quite a suggestion. Skip your monthly payments and the car repossesses itself or will only drive you to work :eek: 🤣 https://www.theregister.com/2023/02/28/ford_self_repossessing_patent/
  14. MikeKay1976

    Project CARS 2 pCARS2

    does anyone here still play pCARS2? it's a great game but I went back to it last night for 1st time in 12 months or more.... and my wheel would not work. it's was detected correctly as a fanatec GT2 and the wheel is working in windows . in game however the buttons work but zero response on the...
  15. DemonDragonJ

    Will Electric Cars Have Intrusive Features?

    My current vehicle is still a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle (a 2019 Toyota Corolla, to be more specific), but I intend for my next vehicle to be all electric, since I imagine that electric vehicles shall be affordable by the time that my current car reaches the end of its lifespan, but I...
  16. S

    Electric Cars

    I've been thinking about electric cars. There are claims that they are zero emission. However, they run on electricity. That electricity needs to come from power stations. Those power stations are not emission free, ergo, electric cars are not emission free, far from it. Add to that, the...
  17. NickParks

    AVF Time Trial - Brands Hatch GP Circuit - Gr3 Cars

    Listed below are the current participants, please let me know if you'd like to be added As before I'll take a screenshot of the current times at 11pm Sunday night :) AVF Name PSN ID NickParks WRL_NickParks Muffminer M1Kuma Lancia34 Riggs101 Leo31291 Leo31291 Vinny155 Thomasvduggan13...
  18. lynx

    VAG cars with proximity sensor - front wheel alignment.

    I recently tried to get my front wheel alignment checked out to be informed it would be a dealer only procedure due to the radar unit possibly requiring to be recalibrated. Due to a recent experience with my local VAG workshop I will never darken their door again. Does the car really have to go...
  19. RedDevil85

    Used Cars (1980) 4K UHD

    Links: Amazon.com - WowHD Release date: 15/11/2022 (US)
  20. raigraphixs

    Cars on the Road (Disney)

    Cars spin-off series on D+ September 8
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