I think I've covered this before but one of the most irritating design 'features' that manufacturers insist on putting in their cars is chrome. It has no place inside a vehicle, and you could rightly argue that it has no place on the outside either. The problem with putting something as highly reflective as chrome or wood veneer on the inside of a car is that the reflection of the sun can be blinding when it catches you at the right angle. Interior surfaces should be matte so they don't run the risk of such reflections, especially the top of the dashboard. With the sun in the right place, you can easily get to the point where there is so much dash reflection on the inside of your windscreen that it becomes properly difficult to see out.
I think the problem is that too many manufacturers associate chrome and shiny things with quality and workmanship. They seem to believe that a chrome strip on the dash, or a shiny mirrored ring around a gauge or clock somehow demonstrates quality or exclusivity. In truth, these sorts of things just cheapen the look of stuff now. Modern aesthetics demand finely textured materials and surfaces, plush seating, touchable plastics and moody lighting.
And chrome wheels? Nothing says "drug dealer" (or person with no sense of taste) quicker than a car with massive chrome wheels on it. If you're going to put aftermarket wheels on your ride, make sure they're matte silver or black.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
More advice from a petrol delivery driver
You'll remember some time ago I posted about why cheap supermarket petrol is cheap. Well I have another nugget of information from my delivery driver friend which was news to me, but having been walked through it, it does seem to be true.
If you live in America, you're best buying Chevron or Shell petrol. There's a couple of reasons - both are 'top tier' petrol in terms of additives and detergents. But more interestingly, these are the only two companies who have separate trailer policies for oil and petrol.
So what is a separate trailer policy? It means that Chevron and Shell allocate trailers to carry refined petrol, and trailers to carry unrefined crude, and never mix the two. At the time of writing, they're the only two companies that do this. Every other refiner and distributor does double-duty with their trailers - sometimes they haul crude, sometimes they haul petrol. The key here is that the trailers are supposed to be cleaned thoroughly when going from one cargo to the other but very often they aren't. This means that unrefined crude can end up mixed in with refined petrol, and when that is burned in your engine, it can lead to fouling of fuel lines, filters, pumps and injectors.
So now you know.
If you live in America, you're best buying Chevron or Shell petrol. There's a couple of reasons - both are 'top tier' petrol in terms of additives and detergents. But more interestingly, these are the only two companies who have separate trailer policies for oil and petrol.
So what is a separate trailer policy? It means that Chevron and Shell allocate trailers to carry refined petrol, and trailers to carry unrefined crude, and never mix the two. At the time of writing, they're the only two companies that do this. Every other refiner and distributor does double-duty with their trailers - sometimes they haul crude, sometimes they haul petrol. The key here is that the trailers are supposed to be cleaned thoroughly when going from one cargo to the other but very often they aren't. This means that unrefined crude can end up mixed in with refined petrol, and when that is burned in your engine, it can lead to fouling of fuel lines, filters, pumps and injectors.
So now you know.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Guest post : financing a new car
This week's blog post is a guest post from Miles Walker from CarinsuranceComparison.Org.
The purchase of a new car is one of the biggest financial decisions most adults face, and its comparable to buying a home. The average adult cannot afford to pay for a new car upfront. If this is the case for you, it is essential that you explore your financing options. With vehicle research, this will make you prepared to wisely purchase your new wheels. The basic financing options for a new car are as follows:
Leasing
Leasing a new car is similar to renting one for an extended period of time. At the end of the lease, you will not own the car, even though you have maintained, insured, and repaired it. Leasing does usually mean lower payments, still, it is mainly a good choice for business owners. It also suits someone who desires to drive a new car every few years.
Dealer Financing
Dealer financing is the most convenient and obvious choice when buying a new car. With this option, you usually visit a dealership, negotiate on a price of your chosen vehicle, and then sit down to see the rates from that various banks working with the dealership can offer. Although this way is fairly simple, consumers have to remember that dealers do not have their best interest in mind. If you are easily swayed, a dealer could quickly pressure you into agreeing to a loan that could end up costing you too much in the long run. It is always best to calculate the interest rates and monthly payments you can afford before signing a loan. Additionally, dealers tend to tack on an extra charge for finding you a loan through their crop of lenders. Try other options before dealer financing.
Bank Financing
Getting pre-approved for a loan from a bank or similar lending source before you purchase a new car is a smart option. Generally, you can apply for these loans by phone or online. Some websites even allow you to compare interest rates so you can choose the least expensive lender. The best thing about being approved for a loan by a bank is that you can walk into a new car dealership knowing exactly how much you can afford to spend on your vehicle. This gives you an advantage over the dealer, and will avoid any dealership financing fees. Banks also tend to give more straightforward, no hassle rates.
Helpful Resources for Car Financing
Auto Loan Calculator Calculate the time necessary to pay off loans and estimate monthly payments.
Auto Financing - AWARE A helpful site dedicated to informing the car loan consumer.
Kelly Blue Book A trusted source listing the market values of vehicles.
The purchase of a new car is one of the biggest financial decisions most adults face, and its comparable to buying a home. The average adult cannot afford to pay for a new car upfront. If this is the case for you, it is essential that you explore your financing options. With vehicle research, this will make you prepared to wisely purchase your new wheels. The basic financing options for a new car are as follows:
Leasing
Leasing a new car is similar to renting one for an extended period of time. At the end of the lease, you will not own the car, even though you have maintained, insured, and repaired it. Leasing does usually mean lower payments, still, it is mainly a good choice for business owners. It also suits someone who desires to drive a new car every few years.
Dealer Financing
Dealer financing is the most convenient and obvious choice when buying a new car. With this option, you usually visit a dealership, negotiate on a price of your chosen vehicle, and then sit down to see the rates from that various banks working with the dealership can offer. Although this way is fairly simple, consumers have to remember that dealers do not have their best interest in mind. If you are easily swayed, a dealer could quickly pressure you into agreeing to a loan that could end up costing you too much in the long run. It is always best to calculate the interest rates and monthly payments you can afford before signing a loan. Additionally, dealers tend to tack on an extra charge for finding you a loan through their crop of lenders. Try other options before dealer financing.
Bank Financing
Getting pre-approved for a loan from a bank or similar lending source before you purchase a new car is a smart option. Generally, you can apply for these loans by phone or online. Some websites even allow you to compare interest rates so you can choose the least expensive lender. The best thing about being approved for a loan by a bank is that you can walk into a new car dealership knowing exactly how much you can afford to spend on your vehicle. This gives you an advantage over the dealer, and will avoid any dealership financing fees. Banks also tend to give more straightforward, no hassle rates.
Helpful Resources for Car Financing
Auto Loan Calculator Calculate the time necessary to pay off loans and estimate monthly payments.
Auto Financing - AWARE A helpful site dedicated to informing the car loan consumer.
Kelly Blue Book A trusted source listing the market values of vehicles.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Toyota wants to steer for you
Toyota recently demonstrated an accident-avoidance system that not only brakes for you, but steers for you too. It uses a series of sensors hooked up to its onboard computer to determine if you're about to be involved in an accident. It then takes control of the steering and brakes and attempts to avoid the accident for you.
The key word there is "attempts".
This is another in a long line of R&D projects that we don't want and don't need. This constant dumbing-down of everything is going to be the death of our civilisation. If this technology becomes commonplace, then drivers will have even less reason to concentrate whilst driving, and there will be even more accidents. Remember, computer systems are not infallible. If there's a bug in the code, and during the attempt to avoid what it "thinks" is an impending accident, your car actually causes another one, then the lawyers will get involved and everyone will pay.
Why don't Toyota spend this money on driver education instead? Driving schools, safety programs, driver education and other such things? Surely it's better to attempt to treat the cause of the problem rather than the symptoms?
And for those who relish the idea of their vehicle driving itself, here's a suggestion: use a taxi, bus or train. They exist right now.
Toyota wants to steer for you.
The key word there is "attempts".
This is another in a long line of R&D projects that we don't want and don't need. This constant dumbing-down of everything is going to be the death of our civilisation. If this technology becomes commonplace, then drivers will have even less reason to concentrate whilst driving, and there will be even more accidents. Remember, computer systems are not infallible. If there's a bug in the code, and during the attempt to avoid what it "thinks" is an impending accident, your car actually causes another one, then the lawyers will get involved and everyone will pay.
Why don't Toyota spend this money on driver education instead? Driving schools, safety programs, driver education and other such things? Surely it's better to attempt to treat the cause of the problem rather than the symptoms?
And for those who relish the idea of their vehicle driving itself, here's a suggestion: use a taxi, bus or train. They exist right now.
Toyota wants to steer for you.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Once again a failed car show
Wanting to give everyone a fair shake of the stick, I watched Adam Corolla's Car Show on Speed TV last Wednesday. Corolla was widely tipped as the ideal frontman for the American version of Top Gear but he proved in his own show last week why he never got picked. If you thought Top Gear USA was bad, The Car Show made it look like high quality programming. So what was wrong? Well to start with the four hosts spent the first segment of the show sitting behind a desk doing various news items. It looked like any number of post-game or post-match analysis shows on US sports networks. Four wooden presenters in suits, discussing stuff whilst looking vacant and uninvolved.
Eventually they got on to the meat of the program - car stunts and reviews and here's where the show really hit it's stride in terms of being a full-blown suckfest. The 24 hours of "lemons" race was too obviously scripted right down to the dodgy driving and various incidents. The review of the Rolls Royce looked like Dan Niell had a teleprompter strapped to a trailer outside the car and the rest of the segments went downhill from there.
Top Gear USA tried to copy Top Gear UK, and did it badly. The Car Show by comparison tried to copy Top Gea USA - badly. You know how when you photocopy a photocopy the end result is blotchy and unrecognisable? That's what Speed Channel have managed here; a poor copy of a poor copy. I guess Americans really can't make entertaining TV shows about cars.
But they don't know that - Top Gear USA returns for a second season shortly. May the Gods of motoring have pity on us.
Eventually they got on to the meat of the program - car stunts and reviews and here's where the show really hit it's stride in terms of being a full-blown suckfest. The 24 hours of "lemons" race was too obviously scripted right down to the dodgy driving and various incidents. The review of the Rolls Royce looked like Dan Niell had a teleprompter strapped to a trailer outside the car and the rest of the segments went downhill from there.
Top Gear USA tried to copy Top Gear UK, and did it badly. The Car Show by comparison tried to copy Top Gea USA - badly. You know how when you photocopy a photocopy the end result is blotchy and unrecognisable? That's what Speed Channel have managed here; a poor copy of a poor copy. I guess Americans really can't make entertaining TV shows about cars.
But they don't know that - Top Gear USA returns for a second season shortly. May the Gods of motoring have pity on us.
Monday, July 11, 2011
The Lincoln MKT
I know I've blogged about this before but American car companies really don't seem to be able to grasp the concept of design. Last night I followed a slab-sided chunk of metal down the street that was so revolting it made the Pontiac Aztek look like the work of a master. It turned out to be a Lincoln MKT. From what I can tell, that car is an exercise in how to get the proportions of everything on a vehicle wrong from every angle. The rear is this giant sea of metal with lights all the way across it. The sides have a Coca Cola wave in them at the swage line, but done in such a way that it makes the car look fat. The windows are too small, and there's too much sheet metal in the doors. At the front, things don't get any better. The front grille is gigantic - you could suck small children in through the openings and the end result of all this is a car that is so repugnant it's hard to imagine anyone ever signing off on the design. I think even Lincoln realise this - on their own gallery page, of the 50 photos available, only 13 of them show the outside of this monstrosity, and only 8 of those show the whole vehicle. Worse, someone apparently bought one of these things willingly and is driving it around town here. It never ceases to amaze me. I know it takes all types of people to make the world go round, but we could do with less of the people that have no sense of styling. Either that or Lincoln needs to stop trying to make a minivan look like a car.
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