If you take note of the vehicles that run on the streets you’ll get to appreciate their uniqueness and individuality. The varying sizes, designs, and features set them apart from their contemporaries. A regular size four-door vehicle is easily categorized as a sedan, and a sporty looking car with retractable roof is recognized easily as a cabriolet. Now the question is this, what do you call a car which bears characteristics of an SUV and a Minivan? Yes, there is such a vehicle now. It’s called a Crossover. Ok, maybe you haven’t heard this term before, and instead you heard XUV or CUV (crossover utility vehicle) being used. All these terms pertain to one vehicle.

A Crossover is one of the most suitable cars for family use. Why? It’s because Crossovers combine great features of an SUV and a Minivan like tall interior packaging, high seating arrangement, and ground clearance. By all appearances, a Crossover looks like a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), but its handling is just like a car. Its physical attributes make it ideal for family use.

One most familiar example of a Crossover is the Honda CR-V. The ones you see on the road nowadays is actually the third generation Honda CR-V. The third generation is the redesigned version, definitely sleeker and more stylish than its predecessors. More than that, it is also equipped with better under-the-hood components and interior features.

The Honda CR-V is driven by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine capable of generating 166 HP and 161 ft-lbs. of torque. These engine qualities are more than enough for transporting a family to any destination they need to go. This model in particular features captain’s chairs and huge rear seats that can be reclined for comfort. There are eight cup holders for each child’s favorite drink. This ensures no spills on the carpet. Grand entertainment is also offered in the interior as the CR-V. This means no more boredom for kids when going on long trips. Right on the center console lays a 6 Disc CD changer with a PC Card slot. A rear backup camera is even included; I guess this is another safety feature.

Handling is easy because it’s equipped with stability control, antilock brakes, and side-curtain air bags. When tested, the CR-V rated a 10 out 10 in terms of frontal, 10 out of 10 for side, and 4 out of 5 for rollover. See, with these results, the Honda CR-V is still one of the best family vehicles to have.

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Welding Certification tests are numbered by position and joint type. For instance a 1 G indicates a flat position groove weld. The 1 means flat position, and the G indicates a groove weld.

I saw a video the other day that advertised a mobile welding lab that was used to train and certify welders.

A few students as well as the instructor were interviewed and described the 8 weeks of welding training that led up to welding certification tests in the 1G position.

What?

That's right, 8 weeks of welding training per process to be able to certify in a 1 G weld test.

I don't get it. After 8 weeks of training in a welding process, why can't the welder pass some other positions like 3G and 4G welding tests?

Did you know that a 3G plate test combined with a 4G plate test certifies a welder in ALL positions?

That's all positions. Like 1G , 2G, 3G, and 4G. as well as every position of fillet welds imaginable too.

A 1G welding test certifies a welder to weld in how many positions? One ! that's it ...just one.

You get a lot more bang for your buck by training welders to certify in both the 3G and 4G positions.

Another issue is that 1G welding tests typically don't have very good pass rates.

You know why?

Gravity. That's right., gravity is working against you and not for you. Gravity lets the slag flow ahead of the arc on a 1G welding test and if you are not careful, it can cause cold lap and slag inclusions.

Gravity works For you and not against you on a 3G vertical plate welding test.

Gravity keeps the flux behind the arc. The arc is then allowed to do its thing and penetrate into the base metal. As long as you maintain enough amperage and a tight arc, things will go well on a 3G vertical plate test.

The AWS (American Welding Society) classifies the 1G position welding test as the easiest.

I disagree with that when it comes to beveled groove welds.

I believe 2G horizontal and 3G vertical welding certification tests have better pass rates when it comes to a bend test or x ray testing.

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1. Inspect Your Motorcycle Regularly

Make up a checklist of the important things you should inspect regarding your motorcycle’s safety and performance. Send it to the service center as well every time you cover 5,000 kilometers. Regular visits may cost you a small amount of money but this amount is certainly nothing considering that it’s equivalent to the price of your life!

2. How Oily is Oily?

Make it a habit to check your motorcycle’s oil level when you’ve stopped for gas. While checking the oil, make sure that no foreign material will accidentally fall into your motorcycle’s oil storage compartment. Avoid subjecting your motorcycle to constant exposure to extremely hot or cold weather as this can affect your oil’s quality.

3. Batteries are a Motorcycle’s Best Friend
Do you know that one of the most common causes for motorcycles to cease operating or malfunction is due to battery problems? As such, you need to take excellent care of your battery at all times. Firstly, never remove or replace them if the engine is still running. Do not change batteries by yourself if you don’t have any experience.

4. Adding Fuel to the Fire

An absence of care and precaution can easily add fuel to the fire and lead you to experiencing an unfortunate accident. To avoid fuel troubles, start by learning the various locations and uses of your motorcycle’s fuses. When changing fuses, always subject it to testing to ensure that it’s in good working condition. Damaged fuses put you at the risk of having your motorcycle’s blow up while you’re on the driver seat.

5. Clean Up Your Act

Believe it or not the mere act of cleaning can significantly reduce future maintenance costs and the chances of having an accident while you’re riding your motorcycle. If you do not like the idea of regular cleaning, just think of it as killing two birds with one stone: cleaning will let you enjoy a safer and cooler ride on your bike!

6. Your Motorcycle’s First Aid Kit

Always have a properly equipped toolbox strapped to your motorcycle. Even the world’s slowest and safest driver can still be an unfortunate victim of an accident so having a toolbox will just be your way of preparing for any eventuality!

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