A Guide to Modding Your Car for the Zombie Apocalypse

Yes, yes, we know: zombies aren't real. Yet. Fair enough, it's probably not the most impending of dooms, but if you've ever watched a zombie film before, you'll have spent at least a little time sitting and thinking about your escape routes, about the supplies you'd pack, about your strategy for survival. There's nothing wrong with that; it's just clever foresight!

So if you're the kind of person who sometimes worries about the possible future outbreak of an aggressively virulent and death-reversing virus, read on, and we'll offer you a few hints on pimping your ride for maximum zombie resistance.

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Bulletproof Glass

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What's that I hear? Zombies don't have guns? Why should you need bulletproof glass? It's a good job you're reading ths guide, because you've already fallen into the worst trap possible: you've underestimated your zombie foes. While it seems unlikely that the undead will be able to operate complex bits of kit like guns, it's not a given. Indeed, some films have shown zombies to be quite adaptable and capable of learning new skills. The last thing you want is to be caught by surprise when a nearby Zed decides to have a go with that pump action shotgun. Beyond that, bulletproof glass is just generally tough and will take the pressure of a mass crush of undead, and it'll protect you from any rival survivors looking to appropriate your supplies

Solar Panelling

This one might not be so useful at the moment, since solar panel technology is still very much in its developmental stages and it'll be a while before we can totally run vehicles effectively on solar power. However, it should be obvious that satisfying power demands in the post-zombie world is going to be a major problem. Given enough time and depending on the number of survivors, gas is going to be in short supply. Not only will solar paneling entitle you to power so long as the weather is good enough, it'll keep your car much quieter than one running on a standard petrol engine, allowing you to stalk about covertly between the roaming undead hordes.

Muffler

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Assuming you can't get your hands on the above mentioned solar panels, you'll be needing to do something about your engine's noise. If there's one thing we've learned from decades of zombie films, it's that the undead still have a pretty good sense of hearing. Avoid drawing down the wrath of the masses by making sure you've got a good muffler installed on your car.

Storage Space

You're going to need to stay as mobile as possible in a world where you're perpetually dodging a gruesome death. At the same time, you're going to have to carry everything you own with you, or else leave it behind. Solve this by making sure you rig your vehicle up for maximum storage space. Ditch all the unnecessary cargo, attach a roof rack. Cram goods into every possible nook and crannie!

Last Resort Anti-Zombie Countermeasures

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You're probably not going to be able to avoid every fight. Sometimes, it's going to get dicey and you'll have to make a narrow escape. There are a number of ways you can attempt to prepare for this eventuality. We know it sounds cruel, but consider keeping a couple of small animals handy to be deployed as distracting snacks. Failing that, consider mounting weapons. Anything flame based is a sure fire winner against the amassed undead. If you can't manage that, bulking your vehicle up enough to ram through heavy objects and crowds of walking corpses will do the job. Firearms should be an absolute last resort, else you'll attract every Zed within a five mile radius.

You can rent a car from Vroomvroomvroom.co.uk at London airports and around the UK, but you'll have to make it zombie-ready yourself!

Green Vehicle Upgrades, Greater Environmental Standards

There’s been a sensible and ultimately necessary push for greater environmental standards for automobiles.  The United States is responsible for nearly half of the entire world’s automotive carbon dioxide emissions, and with global warming still accelerating, it is incumbent upon policymakers and individual consumers to do what they can to adapt the American way of life to a future that is sustainable and environmentally sound.

A Realistic Perspective

The plain fact is that we are still a long ways away from becoming carbon neutral or abandoning all of the damaging tendencies that are entrenched in our day-to-day lives.  And while a utopian vision of a future in which we are all living in luxury without ever darkening the skies or sullying the water with pollution is a vision well worth aspiring to, it’s unreasonable to think that we can take enormous leaps towards it immediately. In the meantime, it’s a matter of small steps, and every little bit helps.

With well over 250 million passenger vehicles in the United States, raising the average fuel efficiencies by even a modest amount or encouraging transition to more sustainable alternatives by just a small fraction of drivers would have a significant impact on the volume of overall emissions.  Government-mandated fuel efficiency standards have increased over time, though some might say it has been slower than it should have been.  Either way, the government must do its part, as must businesses, but individuals must also take responsibility for their own impacts, which, while seeming insignificant on a global perspective, establish patterns for all of their fellow citizens.

Increased Efficiency

Obviously, one thing you can do if you’re financially able is invest in upgrading to an altogether new car with a more efficient engine. But what if you’re personally attached to your car, as many people are? Perhaps you’re a sports car enthusiast or a mechanic who assembled his vehicle as a labor of love. If in spite of that you’re still concerned about your carbon footprint and environmental impact, you can apply both of these passions by upgrading your car’s engine or chassis to make the vehicle more efficient.

The default image one has of a muscle car owner may not be the image of an environmentalist, but interestingly, high-performance cars tend to have greater fuel efficiency because they are more aerodynamic. A commitment to improving one’s car in general goes hand in hand with improving its fuel efficiency. The right selection of Ford Mustang parts, for instance, can decrease drag and net you more miles per gallon than another vehicle with a similar Mustang engine housed in a less sleek design.

Eliminating Emissions

If one wishes to go much further and reduce their carbon emissions to zero, there are a number of companies that sell or install electric vehicle conversion kits, allowing you to turn the car you already own into one that runs independent of gasoline or carbon emissions. This sort of conversion is possible – subject to different specifications, skill levels and price tags – with just about any vehicle.  Thus, you can retain the older model sedan that you associate with your youth and your first experiences driving, or the classic Mustang parts that you’ve accumulated as you built your ideal car over the course of years, and in either case you can drastically reduce your impact on the environment.

An environmentalist utopia may ultimately be incompatible with the standard American lifestyle, including its obsession with personal mobility. But such lifestyles are by no means incompatible with efforts to transition to a greener society. It is possible to adapt what you already have for yourself to what you will want for the world at large. It just takes personal energy, investment and earnest commitment.

Now that you know about improving fuel efficiency, you may be interested in learning more about the Ford Mustang parts that can improve your car’s aerodynamics. Guest post written by CJ.

What To Teach Your Kid About Their First Car

Picturing your teen behind the wheel of a car can be nothing short of  panic-inducing. And while that anxiety may never really go away, (even when your kids are in their 30s) you can take steps to at least make sure you don’t end up breathing into a paper bag on a daily basis.
The key is making sure both you and your teen are absolutely prepared when they are ready to hop behind the wheel. Here are a few of the things you’ll want to cover to make sure you teen is ready for the road.
 

Help Choose the Right Car
When shopping for a car, safety should be the first priority. Whether your teen will be driving a new or used vehicle, make sure it has plenty of safety features: seat belts and airbags are a must while anti-lock brakes are a definite plus. Certain mechanical problems can also cause a dangerous situation, so be sure the car you choose is in tip-top shape. As a parent, you may want to familiarize yourself with the car owners manual to make sure the car has all the features you need.
Proper Driving Education

It isn’t a necessity, but putting your teen in driving classes will help make sure they are ready to operate a vehicle safely. When you are driving with your teen in the car, be sure to make observations and point out the safety measures you take every time you get behind the wheel. Leading by example is among the most effective ways to keep your teen safe when they are ready to get behind the wheel.

Proper Maintenance Lessons
Many teens are unaware just how maintenance intensive owning a car can be. To make sure their car is safe and running smoothly, make sure your teen knows the importance of a proper maintenance schedule. If you aren’t sure what that schedule is, break out the original car owners manual and have a look. Staying up on oil changes will keep the car running properly while keeping tires inflated will save your teen (and you) money by maximizing fuel efficiency. Maintenance is an important lesson to teach your teen for safety reasons and to protect the car as an investment.
Economic Responsibility
Your teen may not realize that owning a car is a balancing act and requires a certain amount of financial responsibility. Gas, tires and maintenance are just a small sample of the many expenses that come with owning a vehicle. Your teen should know that certain sacrifices need to be made in order to keep their car on the road. Making your teen pay at least a portion of the insurance and maintenance costs is an excellent way to teach them about the financial responsibility of not only owning a car, but becoming an adult.

Ben Norris is a freelance writer and former teen driver living in Phoenix, AZ.

Leather Key fob - Keep calm and carry on

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