Wiper blades are one of the most neglected components on vehicles today. Many blades are cracked, split, torn, brittle, worn or otherwise in obvious need of replacement. Others may look okay, but do lousy jobs of wiping when put to the test.

Most experts say wiper blades should be replaced every six to twelve months for optimum performance and driving visibility. That’s because wiper blades don’t last forever. Exposure to sunlight and ozone causes the rubber to age, even if the wipers aren’t used much.

As a set of blades age, they lose much of their flip-over flexibility and they’re less able to wipe cleanly. They may develop a permanent set (called “parked” rubber) or curvature which prevents full contact with the windshield. The sun bakes and hardens the rubber. Then when the wipers are needed, they streak and chatter because they’ve taken a set and won’t follow the curvature of the windshield.

Cold weather can affect blade life, too. Freezing temperatures makes rubber hard and brittle, which increases the tendency to crack and split. The holders can also become clogged with ice and snow, preventing the holder from distributing spring tension evenly over the blade. The blade “freezes up” and leaves streaks as it skips across the glass.

Heavy use can be hard on wiper blades, because dust, abrasives, road grime and even bug juice wear away the edge that the blades need to wipe cleanly.

How well the wiper blades perform also depends on the condition of the wiper arms and holders. A blade’s wiping ability is affected by the amount of spring tension on the wiper arm, the number of pressure points or claws that hold the blade, and the design of the blade itself. If the springs in the arms are weak (which is more apt to be a problem in older vehicles), the wipers may not be pressed against the glass firmly enough to wipe cleanly. Replacing the blades won’t make any difference because the problem is weak arms not bad blades.

Ultimately, any blade that’s chattering, streaking or doing a lousy job of wiping is a blade that’s overdue for replacement. The same goes for any blade that is cracked, torn, nicked or otherwise damaged.

If you have replaced your wiper blades and chattering or streaking persists, visit the Lamborghini Sarasota Service Department to have one of our technicians inspect your wiper blades and wiper arms to ensure your continued safety on the road.

Source: [Yahoo Autos]

On February 11, 2010, Petro Frigerio, Chief Operating Officer of  Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., together with Lamborghini car designer Valentino Balboni and other top American and Italian Lamborghini executives joined Larry Morgan and Victor Young for Morgan Auto Group’s exclusive Grand Opening of Lamborghini Sarasota located at 5145 Clark Road in South Sarasota, Florida.  Lamborghini Sarasota is one of 31 exclusive Lamborghini dealerships in North America with certified Lamborghini technicians trained at Lamborghini’s headquarters in Sant’ Agata Bolognese, Italy.

Lamborghini Sarasota’s Grand Opening was held in conjunction with the ninth annual Sarasota Exotic Car Show weekend that benefits the Child Protection Center. Car enthusiasts nationwide attend the Sarasota Exotic Car show for the opportunity to see Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, Aston Martins, Bugatti Veyrons, and other rare luxury cars.  Lamborghini Sarasota’s Grand Opening festivities started Thursday morning with interviews on local networks and continued with a live news feed of Lamborghini Sarasota’s Grand Opening Thursday night.  Over 350 invited guests attended the event that included live music by the jazz group City Heat, Italian hors d’ oeuvres as well as a Callezione runway fashion show that debuted the most recent fashions from Lamborghini’s Winter/Spring 2010 clothing line.   Lamborghini Sarasota, with its catwalk and sleek marble and leather accoutrements, provided the perfect setting for guests to enjoy smooth jazz, Italian cuisine and see the latest clothing line from Lamborghini.   During regular business hours the catwalk features the latest Lamborghini automobile models and the showroom brings Lamborghini’s style and elegance to Morgan Auto Group’s latest jewel, Lamborghini Sarasota.

About Lamborghini

Founded in 1963, Automobili Lamborghini is headquartered in Sant’ Agata Bolognese, in Northeastern Italy and manufactures some of the world’s most sought-after super sports cars. With 31 dealerships in North America and over 125 worldwide, Automobili Lamborghini has created a succession of dynamic and elegant super sports cars including the Miura, Islero, Urraco, 350GT, Espada, Countach, Diablo, Murciélago LP 640, Murciélago LP 640 Roadster, Gallardo SE, Gallardo Superleggera, Reventón Coupe, Gallardo LP 560-4 Coupé and Spyder, Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce, Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni and the recently introduced Reventón Roadster.

Automobili Lamborghini announced today that production total of the Lamborghini Murcielago has reached 4,000 and also reporting that Murcielago number 4,000 has been sold to a buyer in China.

That production total makes the Lamborghini Murcielago the top selling V-12-powered model in Lamborghini history. The Murcielago’s predecessor and the poster boy of exotic cars in the ’90s, the Lamborghini Diablo, sold only 2,700. Before that, the poster on the wall alongside Farah Fawcett had a picture of the Lamborghini Countach, in production from 1974 to 1990, with just over 2000 sold. The Lamborghini Espada, from 1968 through 1978, was the preceding sales leader, with 1,217 total.

The landmark Lamborhini Murcielago is a lightweight version of the Murceilago LP 640, the Murcielago SuperVeloce LP 670-4. The car was painted orange Arancione Atlas, with black bucket seats with orange trim.

Lamborghini reports that the car will be delivered to Lamborghini’s showroom in Hangzhou.

That Lamborghini chose this particular Lamborghini to be number 4,000 because of politics and marketing. Automobili Lamborghini has a sales affiliate and seven dealers in China, the Pacific-Asian area representing a quarter of Lamborghini’s sales. Murcielago number 4,000 is more than just about numbers.

Source: [Examiner]

Between career and kids, parents aren’t left with much time to keep their shape, let alone their head. We leave the noggin up to you, but we’ve found time for exercise when you didn’t think you had a moment to spare. Here, the ultimate in mom/dad multi-tasking:

Line up for Ab Exercises
In the age of instant gratification, nothing is more aggravating than waiting in line. So when they close the express checkout, instead of getting mad, use the time for an ab checkup. “Abdominal vacuums are a simple way to turn any moment into a chance to strengthen your stomach,” says Kendra Kessel, a Los Angeles-based personal trainer. Simply tense your midsection, hitting both the abs and the intercostals (the tie-in muscles to the side of the stomach), and hold for a five-second count. Don’t forget to breathe. With each repetition, hold for a little longer while resting less in between.

Don’t Call Them “Dumbbell,” Unless….
It’s never nice to call your children names, but seeing them as a dumbbell might be the smartest thing you ever do. The next time you’re sitting and your kid grabs hold of the front of your leg, slowly raise your foot straight out, shooting to get your calf parallel to the ground. You get a workout; your tot gets a ride. You can also strengthen your legs with squats while holding your child against your chest, then lifting him up and down above your head to hit your shoulders, advises Scott White, a personal trainer based in Scottsdale, Ariz. When squatting, keep it safe by lowering yourself only until your thighs are parallel to the ground — no lower. When lifting, keep your elbows slightly bent; don’t straighten your arms until your elbows are locked. With these simple moves, “you can have a whole workout just with your kids,” says White.

Couches Aren’t Just for Potatoes
When it’s time for family TV, ask for a little more room on the sofa and get a lot more workout. Leg raises work your hip flexors, providing stability for your whole body. While perched on the edge of the couch, begin with your feet together flat on the floor. Raise your calf until it’s parallel to the ground, then slowly lower to get the negative. Want to hit those hard-to-help lower abs? Lie down on the sofa, knees bent and together, then pull your knees toward your chest. When you feel your hips lift slightly off the couch, hold for a beat and then return to the starting position. Feel the burn while you belt out tunes with “American Idol.”

Way to Go, Coach!
When you’re going to be at your child’s sporting event anyway, offer to help out as an assistant coach. You can lead the sprints, hit ground balls or just sweat off calories with extra-loud cheering while working the sidelines, says White. “This is the best combination because you get in great shape and also get closer with your kids,” he says. Plus, you’re not letting them have all the fun!

Take Your Cell for a Walk
The next time you catch up with a loved one on the phone, test your cellular coverage with a long stroll, says Kessel. “When you talk on the phone, time flies by,” she says. “Imagine getting a workout done without even knowing it!” For an extra challenge, hold that water bottle as you walk, and switch between hands to create a makeshift hand weight. Now even your water is multitasking!

As great as it is to kill two birds with one stone, sometimes there’s no substitute for the gym. So if certain exercises feel better done by the weight rack, save them for the gym one day a week. Most people can eke out at least that much time, says White. “If you get up 15 minutes earlier and go to bed 15 minutes later, there’s half an hour to get it done,” he says. Now let the fitness begin! 

Source: [Live Right, Live Well]