Monday, November 14, 2011

Holiday travel season approaches; is your car ready?

Steven Cole Smith/ The Orlando Sentinel

Orlando, Fla. —Rennie Bryant has seen it all before: Since founding Redline Performance, an auto repair facility in Pompano Beach, Fla., more than 35 years ago, he's used to hearing last-minute requests from customers who are heading out of town on a holiday trip.
They're looking for a quick, last-minute checkup to make sure their car, truck, SUV or minivan is up to the trip. And sometimes, when Bryant asks when they plan to leave, the answer is, "This afternoon."
Of course, that is probably too late. The holiday season will be here before you, and your car, know it. Holiday travel is stressful enough, and an ill-prepared vehicle can not only jeopardize your trip but the safety of you and your passengers. And even in the best case, on-the-road repairs are seldom cheap or convenient.
There's a lot that shade-tree mechanics can do, but Bryant suggests that to really check the car out, you need to put the vehicle on a lift, and few of us have access to one. Underneath, Bryant said that while modern vehicles don't need conventional lubrication jobs, you need to check CV joint boots — rubber enclosures that surround constant-velocity joints on front and all-wheel-drive vehicles that connect the engine to the wheels — for cracks that can let lubrication out, dirt and water in.
It's also much easier to check for leaks from underneath. You can catch small problems before they turn into big ones. Brakes and brake lines should be inspected, as well as the condition of the exhaust system.
"It's easier to check tires, too," Bryant says, as you can rotate the tire and check all the tread for cuts, unusual wear or nails and other puncture-causing objects.
Once the car is back on the ground, Bryant checks the spare tire. "No one ever thinks to look at it and check the pressure until it's too late," he says. "Those little temporary spare tires tend to lose air quickly."
Under the hood, Bryant checks the age, level and condition of the oil, the transmission fluid and the brake fluid. "And, of course, the antifreeze in the radiator."
Also worth a look: Belts and hoses; fuel, oil and air filters (including the often-overlooked cabin air filters many modern vehicles have), and windshield washer fluid, as well as the condition of the wipers. When was the last time you checked to make sure all your exterior lights work? A pre-holiday trip checkup is a good time.
Finally, don't forget your own comfort on a trip. A good interior cleaning, including the glass, will make the trip more pleasant — no car ever comes back from a holiday trip cleaner than it was when you left.


From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20111113/AUTO01/111130303/Holiday-travel-season-approaches--is-your-car-ready?#ixzz1dh1EAAyL

Friday, November 11, 2011

More Cities Turn Off Red-Light Cameras: Is It A Trend?

Cameras: Is It A Trend?
Red-light camera
Red-light camera

Traffic cameras were once heralded as a way of making streets safer and lightening the loads of thinly stretched police departments, but now, the tide seems to be turning -- even against the once-popular red-light camera. Are voters pushing back on Big Brother? And if so, will they be successful?
Last night, Albuquerque, New Mexico became the latest city to can its red-light camera program. Others like Houston, Texas and Los Angeles, California did so earlier this year.
But among much of the public, support for red-light cameras remains strong. In New Jersey, 71% of voters think they're a great idea, and a recent study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found similar support in 14 cities across the U.S. In fact, the National Coalition for Safer Roads says that red-light cameras are important for public safety: after a legal challenge forced Albuquerque to turn off its red-light cams earlier this year, the number of red-light runners and speeders surged 600%.
OUR TAKE
The public's divided opinions on red-light cams come down to the competing concerns of safety and privacy. On the one hand, citizens clearly like the idea of making streets safer, particularly for children. (In New Jersey, public support for red-light cams was strongest in school zones.)
On the other hand, citizens don't like the idea of being watched. Yes, people seem to understand that -- just like the noisy tree falling in the forest -- running a red light is still a crime, even if there's no police officer around to see it. But as a recent article in the Wall Street Journal points out, cameras often catch infractions so minor that no police officer would even bother to write them up. And of course, with no officer present, there's no way to explain any extenuating circumstances that might've gotten a driver out of the ticket in the first place.
But the biggest beef that citizens seem to have with red-light cams is that they're typically run by for-profit corporations. Cities outsource camera installation and enforcement to those companies, and in turn, the companies receive a percentage of the fines those cameras bring in. The general sentiment seems to be that cam systems are purely designed to drive revenue, and the corporations that install them are outsiders, profiting from hardworking locals. And worse, they're making those profits from the comfort of their offices, without putting in the same hard work that the city's police officers do.
Camera companies say that business is booming, so LA, Houston, and Albuquerque may be just blips on the radar -- the last throes of a public concerned about new technology. (Remember the hue and cry about making online payments a decade ago? How times change.) Then again, those cities could be at the leading edge of a new wave of anti-cam sentiment.
We're curious to know your own feelings about traffic cameras -- both speed cams and red-light cams -- and how they're being used in your hometown. Feel free to drop us a line, or leave a note in the comments below.
By
Richard ReadRichard Read
ReporterBIO
Richard Read is a car writer, covering marketing, technology, social media, and other auto industry topics for High Gear Media. With a background in... More

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Mitsubishi unveils global small car, near-production plug-in hybrid crossover



The PX-MiEV II is a two-motor plug-in hybrid system running on a lithium ion battery and a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine.

Automotive News -- November 9, 2011 - 8:00 am ET
TOKYO -- Mitsubishi Motors Corp. will unveil a close-to-market version of a plug-in hybrid crossover due next year and its new global small car at this month's Tokyo Motor Show.
The PX-MiEV II hints strongly at the hybrid version of the Outlander crossover that Mitsubishi plans to launch in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013. That vehicle is the next step in the transformation of Mitsubishi's lineup with an assortment of electrified drivetrains.
The PX-MiEV II is a two-motor plug-in hybrid system running on a lithium ion battery and a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine. One motor powers the front wheels, the other the rear ones.
Mitsubishi is targeting fuel economy of 60 kilometers per liter (140 mpg) under Japan's testing cycle, which is not comparable to the U.S. or European fuel-economy measures, and says the vehicle can cruise 31 miles in electric-only mode.
Another feature of the drivetrain is that it can operate in either series or parallel hybrid mode.
At lower speeds or when the battery is low, it can work as a series with the engine acting as a generator to recharge the battery, but not to power the wheels. At higher speeds or when the battery is topped up, it acts as a parallel hybrid, with the engine recharging the battery and moving the wheels.
Under the floorboards is a lithium ion battery with about the same capacity as the i electric vehicle that goes on sale in the United States this month. But because the PX-MiEV II is heavier and equipped with all-wheel drive, it doesn't achieve the i's electric-only driving distance.
The Mitsubishi i has an EPA-rated driving range of 62 miles on a full charge.

The Mirage relies on an improved engine with idle-stop technology, weight loss and better aerodynamics to boost its fuel economy.

The global small car enters production in Thailand next year and is bound for the United States as early as 2013. Mitsubishi has christened it the Mirage, reviving a subcompact nameplate that was dropped in the early 2000s. The hatchback replaces the Colt, which is being phased out.
Mitsubishi is shooting for fuel economy of 30 70 mpg and a sticker price around 1 million yen ($12,800). The Mirage relies on an improved engine with idle-stop technology, weight loss and better aerodynamics to boost its fuel economy. It is 10 percent lighter than the Colt.
It is powered by a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable transmission.
Mitsubishi plans to start manufacturing the Mirage at a new factory in Thailand in March. But the massive flooding in that country may push back the start of production.
You can reach Hans Greimel at hgreimel@crain.com.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Honda's new Asimo robot can act on its own



Honda has spruced up its humanoid robot, Asimo, giving it the ability to move without being controlled by an operator.

By Honda, Wieck
Asimo has been the face of Honda, as you can see from that British commercial, above. It shows the potential for robot technology.

Now, the robot can not only move on its own, but it's been given more intelligence and a greater capability to cope with different situations. "With significantly improved intelligence and the physical ability to adapt to situations, Asimo took another step closer to practical use in an office or a public space where many people come and go," Honda says in a statement.
Now it can:
  • Maintain its posture by putting out its leg in an instant.
  • Comprehend the movements of people around it using multiple sensors and estimate the changes that are taking place.
  • Use its new capability to make predictions from gathered information and autonomously determine the next behavior without being controlled by an operator.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

The Top Five Best Selling Vehicles to Ever Grace Planet Earth

2000 Volkswagen Golf passenger side three quarters
Think about this for a second. The world welcomed its seven billionth human early Wednesday morning, just 12 short years after surpassing the six billion mark. Danica May Camacho of the Philippines came into the world bringing with her the reinforced realization there are A LOT of people on this planet. It’s estimated that by 2025 there will be eight billion people on earth and 10 billion by 2083.
With the world’s population growing at an exponential rate, natural resources like food and energy are expected to become strained. That also translates to a myriad of people who need transportation whether it’s personal or public. When the internal combustion engine was first installed into a vehicle by German engine and car designer Karl Benz way back in 1885, there were less than 1000 gas-powered vehicles on the road. Fast forward to the current day and there are around 750 million gas-powered vehicles in the world. It’s been speculated that if the current trend continues, that number will double over the next 30 years. In honor of Danica May Camacho and every other person on earth here is a list of the top five best selling vehicles still in production today.

5. Honda Civic (1972- ) 17,730,000+

The Top Five Best Selling Vehicles to Ever Grace Planet Earth image
The Civic was first introduced back in 1972 for the 1973 model year and could be configured as a two-door model with a three-door hatchback version coming along a few months later. Early on luxury premiums such as an AM radio, heat, two speed wipers, and painted steel wheels came standard. Later on options like air conditioning, power windows and locks, and a six-speed manual transmission were added. The Civic has come a long way from the its early notoriety for rusting in three years or less to becoming one of the most familiar nameplates on the planet.

4. Volkswagen Beetle (1938- ) 22,300,000+

The Top Five Best Selling Vehicles to Ever Grace Planet Earth image
Perhaps one of the most iconic vehicles of all time, the Beetle is known for its unmistakable exterior styling cues. The “Bug,” as it’s affectionately known, was the go-to choice for cruising to the beach back in the day. However, while rusted-out floorboards weren’t a standard feature they were a chronic problem as time passed. The Type 1 body style halted world-wide production in June of 2003 as the final Bug rolled off the production line. When the dust settled 21,529,464 Beetles has been produced over an unprecedented 58-year production run. The Golf-based “New Beetle” was introduced in 1997 as the demand for Type 1′s began to dwindle.

3. Volkswagen Golf (1974- ) 25,000,000+

The Top Five Best Selling Vehicles to Ever Grace Planet Earth image
The early 1970′s were a busy time for Volkswagen. After the introduction of the enhanced Super Beetle in 1972 the Golf followed two years later, and called the Rabbit here in the U.S. While the Golf was slated to be a long-term replacement for the Beetle, both of Volkswagen’s compacts lived simultaneously for decades. The Golf GTI “hot hatch” variant showed up a few years later adding a racing flair to the front-wheel drive hatchback. The first genertation was phased out in 1983, and over the years the Golf has gone through five more generations. The Golf checks in at number three on our list, as it is Volkswagen’s best-selling model with over 25 million assembled by 2007.

2. Ford F-Series (1948- ) 30,000,000+

The Top Five Best Selling Vehicles to Ever Grace Planet Earth image
Touted as the best-selling truck of all-time the Ford F-Series stops at number two on our list. The full-size truck has been available to the public for decades, and has been the best-selling truck for 34 years running. The first-generation F-Series, known as the Ford Bonus-Built, went on sale in 1948 with optional “luxuries” such as “See-Clear” windshield washer fluid, a passenger-side windshield wiper, sun visor, and passenger-side tail light. Today’s F-150 is more sophisticated, to say the least, with optional leather, a navigation system, and an advanced 3.5-liter turbocharged V-6 engine.

1. Toyota Corolla (1966- ) 35,000,000+

The Top Five Best Selling Vehicles to Ever Grace Planet Earth image
Here it is: The bestselling car of all time is the Toyota Corolla. The subcompact and compact Corolla was first introduced in 1966 but it wasn’t until 1997 when it earned the title of bestselling car in the world. Spread it out over a half-century, and that equals one Corolla sold every 40 seconds on average. Early on, the Corolla was rear-wheel drive, but in the mid-80s it switched to front-wheel drive and never looked back. The (current) tenth generation Corolla was introduced back in 2006 and sales shot to an all-time high with 387,388 units sold.
So there it is, the top five most sold vehicles of all-time. Have you ever driven one of these vehicles mentioned above and if so do you have a favorite? Tell us about it in the comment section below.


Read more: http://blogs.automotive.com/the-top-five-best-selling-vehicles-to-ever-grace-planet-earth-64257.html#ixzz1d81EWbkH

Monday, November 7, 2011

For Hackers, There's A Tempting New Target: Your Car

Guest post written by Bart Giordano

Bart Giordano is director, wireless product marketing, at Marvell.

Bart Giordano: Don't hack my ride.

Outside the living room, automobiles have become the epicenter of multimedia activity for consumers. From Cadillac to Audi, all the major automotive players are getting in the game, offering movies on integrated LCD screens, enabling passengers to surf the Web or simply allowing access to an address book on the car’s head unit. A recent study by In-Stat forecasts that more than 35 million in-vehicle infotainment systems are expected to ship in 2015.

With all the hype around these innovations, however, one extremely important topic – security – is consistently overlooked.

While car manufacturers tout heightened safety capabilities made possible via Wi-Fi, such as emergency calls automatically placed as the airbags deploy, carmakers fail to mention increased security risks that go along with wireless access to automotive systems. While cables serve as secure communications links to critical systems, wireless connections are susceptible to hackers, which opens the door to myriad potential problems. To manufacture cars that meet strict security requirements, automotive companies must deliver in-vehicle wireless security on par with that offered by wired systems.

As the popularity of wireless offerings in cars continues to grow, it will be imperative that consumers arm themselves with basic knowledge about these security concerns. To make it easy, here are three questions consumers should ask while shopping for a Wi-Fi enabled car (and three answers they should hear) to ensure secure connectivity.

  • How do I know that any data transferred from my smartphone to my in-vehicle infotainment system arrives safely and securely?

Today, several carmakers allow passengers to transfer phone numbers, email addresses and other information from mobile devices to hardware devices installed in their cars. To ensure that this data is not susceptible to hackers, carmakers must guarantee that the consumer’s data is encrypted using a highly secure encryption standard such as the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), which has been adopted by the U.S. government and is used worldwide.

  • Since car manufacturers offer different in-vehicle Wi-Fi offerings, are there any standard wireless protocols my car should be compatible with?

While this issue might not be top-of-mind for the typical consumer, they should seek a car that adheres to the industry’s most important and universally recognized wireless protocols, which not only provides enhanced connectivity, but also ensures additional security. Wi-Fi Direct is a industry standard protocol that provides an easy to use way to securely connect Wi-Fi-enabled devices to the automobile. Similarly, the upcoming Wi-Fi Display is designed for transmitting video over a Wi-Fi link in a secure manner.

  • As vehicle-to-vehicle wireless communication capabilities expand (e.g., social networking between cars, locating and reserving charging locations for electric and plug-in hybrids), how can I be sure that my car is secure from outside interference?

Automakers are already laying out their plans for next-generation vehicles. In the coming years, we’ll see cars transforming into highly customized personal assistants, connecting the car to his or her home and computer systems as well as other vehicles. This interaction between multiple vehicles and locations also heightens the need for tight security. To support these connections, carmakers need to create multiple independent wireless networks. Separating and securing wireless networks prevents inadvertent interference with in-vehicle communications systems, as well as deliberate malicious intrusions to an automobile’s key safety features.

During the next five years, consumers will experience significant advancements in wireless automotive systems. Building consumer awareness about technologies associated with this industry will be essential in guaranteeing security on the mobile highway.

Friday, November 4, 2011

The most-stolen new car in 2009. NHTSA releases car theft lists

Audi S8 has highest rate, but Camry leads in sheer numbers

Washington The Audi S8 topped the government's list of highest theft rates among new cars in 2009. And the Toyota Camry, which was 2009's best-selling car, was the most-stolen new car that year.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tracked the theft rate among all new 2009 passenger vehicles stolen in 2009, and just released its report.
The Audi S8 had the highest theft rate: 8.81 thefts per 1,000 vehicles produced. Just two out of 227 cars produced were stolen.
Ford Motor Co.'s Shelby GT Mustang had the second highest theft rate with 8.61 vehicles per 1,000 stolen; five out of 581 total cars were stolen.
Rounding out the top five: BMW M5 (7.58 per 1,000), Dodge Charger (6.47 per 1,000) and Honda S2000 (5.60 per 1,000).
In sixth was the Mitsubishi Galant (5.11), followed by the Chrysler 300 (4.57), Infiniti M35/M45 (4.32), Cadillac STS (4.28) and Mercedes CL-Class (3.91).
The report doesn't track light trucks, which include most SUVs, pickups and minivans. The Cadillac Escalade has typically topped the overall list of most-stolen vehicles, according to surveys.
NHTSA said the overall theft rate declined to 1.33 per 1,000. It was down 21.3 percent from 2008's 1.69 per 1,000. "The agency believes that the theft rate reduction could be the result of several factors including the increased use of standard antitheft devices, vehicle parts marking, increased and improved prosecution efforts by law enforcement organizations and increased public awareness," NHTSA said.
Chrysler had seven vehicles in the top 20 theft rates. In addition to the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300, the carmaker's offerings in the top 20 included Chrysler's Sebring, Sebring Convertible and PT Cruiser, and the Dodge Avenger and Dodge Caliber.
GM had four vehicles in the top 20. In addition to the Cadillac STS, the list included the Pontiac G5 and G6 and Chevrolet Impala.
The Toyota Camry, which was 2009's best-selling car, was the most-stolen vehicle in overall numbers at 781, but it ranked 50th with a 1.74 per 1,000 theft rate, followed by the Toyota Corolla at 51st with 632 stolen.
The lowest theft rate among new cars that had at least one theft? The now-discontinued Mercury Mariner with a 0.08 per 1,000 theft rate, or two out of 25,682.
dshepardson@detnews.com
David Shepardson/ Detroit News Washington Bureau

From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20111104/AUTO01/111040355/NHTSA-releases-car-theft-lists#ixzz1cm5X5HI2

Thursday, November 3, 2011

As Car Sales Increase, Bargains Will Likely Be Harder To Find

Handing over car keys



Thanks in part to record incentives, car sales in the United States are up, but that brings with it both good news and bad news. First the good news: consumers don’t spend money on things like automobiles unless they have confidence in the economy, which could mean that the worst of the recession is behind us.

Now the bad news: more car sales mean less incentives and discounts from manufacturers, especially since the excess inventory that’s plagued the industry in recent years has been all but eliminated.

Japanese manufacturers are still recovering from the March disasters in Japan, so inventory levels at most Japanese brands are just beginning to normalize. Flooding in Thailand has disrupted production of certain Japanese car brands (most notably Honda), but we’re still a month or so away from seeing this in dealer showrooms.

With foreign cars in short supply and domestic quality on the rise, consumers embraced U.S. automakers this year, lowering inventory levels at GM, Ford and Chrysler dealerships. Smartmoney tells us that Ford has reduced available incentives by 13 percent in October, and it’s cutting rebates even further in November.

Thanks to record low interest rates, buyers with exceptional credit can still find good deals on auto financing, and some manufacturers (like Audi, for example) are actively promoting low interest financing.

If you’re in the market for a new car, it may pay to put off a buying decision until December. Inventory levels aren’t likely to improve, but manufacturers may be more inclined to deal in order to make year-end targets.

By
Kurt Ernst
ContributorBIO
                       
About Kurt Ernst
Kurt has been fascinated by anything with wheels and a motor for a long time. Growing up, he spent his spare time turning wrenches and pumping gas in the family garage, back when hand tools were used to tune cars. After college, he spent a year racing cars, only to learn that he was neither fast enough to get rich nor rich enough to get fast. These days, he spends his time as an automotive writer and a self proclaimed "Cro-Magnon Renaissance Man".