GLK350, a powerhouse from Mercedes-Benz

German vehicles are known for their engineering marvel, comes with a personality and a price tag to match it. So, it is no surprise when I saw the $53,000 plus price tag for Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4Matic, a compact crossover SUV (RWD cost around $38,000 and base AWD around $40,000). The all-wheel drive first introduced in 2008 and now comes with a 3.5-liter V6 that delivers 302 horsepower and 7-speed automatic transmission. Unfortunately, no manual is available. For 2013, the GLK comes with few modifications including a 3.5-liter V6 and 2.1-liter 4-cylinder turbo diesel. It delivers 19 city, 24 highway and 21 combined miles per gallon. While the Turbo Diesel provides excellent fuel economy the V6 provides unparalleled acceleration expected of a Mercedes-Benz. The GLK350 can haul up to 3,500 pounds.

Standard safety features include front side air bags, full side curtain air bags and stability control, a feature more common with higher vehicles. Based on crash tests, the IIHS has given a “Good” rating.

Exterior styling of the vehicle is unusual and distinctive. The exceptional exterior finish provides what’s expected of Mercedes-Benz. The well insulated cabin provides comfortable seating and road noise is non-existing inside the cabin.

Invest in the Right Tools for Your Car

By Toolsmith Direct

Everyone understands how important their vehicle is to their daily lives, but that doesn’t mean we always act like it. Without a properly functioning vehicle, most of us would be out of a job. Obviously, at the very least, it would make life unbelievably inconvenient. And yet, we don’t necessarily take the best care of our cars despite the fact that maintenance and repairs could cost us dearly.

Toolsmith Direct has the solution though. They have every tool you could possibly need to give your automobile the TLC it deserves.

For example, think of how many issues you could solve with a car jack. The company’s website has a number of car jacks, all of which will get your vehicle nice and high off the ground so you can inspect for any problems or do the maintenance that needs to get done.

Too many people simply don’t have a jack so they pay an exorbitant price to have somebody else do the work they could knock out in an hour or so for free.

This is just one example, but it makes the point. Invest in the right tools and you’ll be paying for a longer life for your car.

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If you’re in the market for power tools, a 3 ton floor jack, a bottle jack, generator, car jacks or just about anything else, all you need to do is visit Toolsmith Direct. The company has that brand and many others with all the tools you need for whatever your current project is or will be.

Get More from Your Camper

The Foam Factory

If you own a camper, you probably take great pride in getting as much from it as possible. Campers are homes away from home for many and even those who only get theirs out once a year like to know they’ll travel in comfort.

But if you’re not using foam to do so, you’re only enjoying second best, if you’re lucky. A foam mattress for example is perfect for the nights you’ll spend inside the RV. Any other cushions you need can be made from foam too—whether it’s a couch, seats inside or even the actual material you sit on when you drive.

Best of all, foam is a very affordable material. So if the worst should happen or years of wear and tear finally catch up to them, you can relax knowing that replacement cushions won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

No matter what kind of cushions you need for your RV, foam can fit the bill. Getting custom made applications is easy because, again, foam is so cheap. But it’s also insanely easy to work with.

There are even a number of different types of foam so you can shop around and get the exact feel and comfort you want for life on the road.

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At The Foam Factory, you’ll find every type of comfortable cushion you can imagine and then some. Whether you need a mattress replacement or you need outdoor foam that will fight off the elements, this store is the place for you.

What is going on with Nissan?

Japan is the world’s third largest vehicle manufacturer behind China and the US. Nissan is the world’s sixth largest car manufacturer producing more than 4.8 million vehicles based on 2012 data. Nissan sold 30,849 Altima’s in the U.S. just in the month of February 2014 making it the third highest automobile seller behind Ford F-Series pick-up (55,882) and Chevrolet Silverado pick-up (36,584). Even though it is the sixth largest manufacturer, it is not included in the seven largest revenue producers in the auto market. Nissan is faced with several challenges.

Two years ago Nissan led the field of Japanese car makers in terms of profits. It was on an expansion into profitable emerging markets and recovering from the devastating tsunami that ravaged parts of Japan. With emerging markets slowing and faced with production delays, Nissan is losing its standing in the world car market.

In May 2013, Nissan cut prices of seven major models including Altima in order to boost sales. Sales did rise during that month and started to fall behind other manufacturers immediately. When a manufacturer doesn’t have a pipeline to introduce each year, they tend to lose the pricing power. Nissan is not expected to introduce another new model, except Murano within the next 12 months.

The Properties of Diamond-Like Carbon

Man-made diamonds are made in a laboratory, but have many molecular similarities to the real thing.

Written by: Denton Vacuum, LLC

There are seven different forms of carbon materials that would be considered “man-made diamond.” These materials are very close to diamond on a molecular level, created through a process called plasma-enhanced vapor deposition, but still have many differences. Each form contains a significant amount of sp3, which are hybridized carbon atoms.

Diamond like carbon is usually applied to something else that would benefit from the hardness of diamonds. Examples include drill bits, hard disk housing, and the engines of modern day sports cars. These materials benefit from the reduced abrasion that comes with used diamond like carbon.

Even diamonds can be one of two different crystalline polytypes. Diamond like carbon attempts to simulate those polytypes, with some changes thrown into the nanoscale level of the structure. Generally, diamond like carbon is used to make something else harder, slicker and stronger. Even a thin coating of diamond like carbon can increase the life span of some products from a few days to a few years.

Some companies use vacuum coating systems to add fillers. Hydrogen, graphitic carbon and various metals can all help reduce production costs or grant other abilities to the materials used. DLC can be applied to any surface that is compatible to a vacuum environment.

The increased life span of products is also good for the environment. Coating a material requires a small amount of material to increase a product’s life span, so it’s responsible for a sustainable economy to produce goods with a longer life span.