If you live in America, you'll be used to pay-at-the-pump. It's one of America's greatest contributions to modern motoring. It all but eliminates drive-offs because you can't fill your car without stuffing a credit or debit card in the pump first, and the convenience is second only to drive-through cash machines. But all is not well in this motoring nirvana. First, there's the debit card problem - recently we had a rash of crimes locally where someone had installed card skimmers actually inside the pumps. That's a counterfeiting attack for which there's no defence. So tip number one : if the pump offers you a credit or debit transaction, do the credit one. You don't have to type in a PIN and the transaction is covered under the credit card organisation's anti-fraud clauses, be it VISA, Mastercard or whoever.
But second, and most importantly, there's an financial term you need to become very familiar with. Pre-authorisation. It's a mechanism that is used to quickly determine if you can actually cover the cost of what you're buying. When you swipe your card at a store, the amount runs through the quick-turnaround pre-authorisation system and gives a simple yes/no answer back to the point of sale. At the same time, a 'hold' is placed on your account for that amount. If you go through with the purchase, the hold is turned into a 'pending' amount which will clear at the end of the day. Why all this financial-speak in a motoring blog? Well petrol pumps will ding the account linked to your card with a pre-authorisation amount the instant you swipe it through the card reader on the pump. If it's a true credit card, that's not normally a problem, but if it's your bank card and it's merely using the credit card network to communicate with your bank, it could prevent you from filling up even if you have enough money in your account. Why? The following are the pre-authorisation amounts sent through to your financial institution from a couple of big-chain petrol stations:
Shell: $1.00
Conoco: $1.00
Philips66: $1.00
Chevron: $126.00
Texaco: $151.00
Notice the last two. If you have a hundred bucks in your bank account, and want twenty bucks of gas, don't go to a Chevron or Texaco. The pre-authorisation will attempt to hold more than $100 and because you have less than that in your account, it will most likely reject the amount outright.
If you have more than that amount, you're OK. The actual amount you spend at the pump will become the 'pending' amount and the high-dollar hold value will evaporate at the end of the day.
If you want to see just how quick this pre-authorisation system works, set your bank account to send you an SMS alert if your card is used at a petrol station. Swipe your card through the reader and you'll get a text message before you can get the nozzle of the pump to your petrol tank. That's how quick it is.
For my fellow Brits who live in England, you can probably only try this at Tesco. I don't know of any other petrol stations where they allow you the convenience of paying at the pump.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Speed is not dangerous
Just the title of this week's post is probably already irritating a lot of you, but calm down and I'll explain.
To help understand why I can quite confidently make that sort of statement, you need to look through the hype, the fearmongering and the plainly false information that is handed out like cookies by the police, councils and governments. The problem is that people are afraid of speed. They think that all sorts of evil happens when you're going anything faster than walking and that simply isn't true. The problem is people's lack of ability to control their vehicle, and a subset of that is speed - when people panic at speed, things get nasty much more quickly. But proper driver training could prevent this. You can't simply slap unrealistically low speed limits everywhere in an effort to reduce accidents. All it does is reduce the speed that the accidents happen. And these accident figures are freely available if you know where to look. Here in the USA, filing a GRAMA request can be very revealing. For example, in Utah, where I live now, the breakdown of the number of crashes where excessive speed was the primary cause looks like this:
2009: 1.2%
2008: 3.3%
2007: 0.94%
2006: 9.9%
More telling still, by far the largest percentage of accidents involving speed happen below 39mph - not exactly speeding, is it?
In England last year, the single largest cause of motorbike accidents was classified as failed to look, and it's obvious what that means. Speeding was second to bottom, only coming in marginally above deposit on road (meaning loose gravel, spilled diesel etc.) Numerically speaking the difference there is 14% of accidents came down to poor observation and a lowly 1% were attributable to speed.
In pedestrian fatalities, in general, the blame can almost always been laid with the pedestrian. The last time I looked into statistics for those fatalities in the UK, they panned out as follows:
- Pedestrian entered carriageway without due care (84%)
- Vehicle unable to avoid pedestrian in carriageway (12%)
- "Other" (4%)
Speed was the determining factor in one quarter of the "other" category - in other words 1% of pedestrians are killed due to motorists speeding.
Even the UK government has admitted that the speed kills mantra is, for want of a better description, total rubbish. In one notable memo on the topic, they opened with the following:
In recent years far too little research has been carried out into the causes of road accidents. Research that has been done has often started from the questionable presumption that the only route to improvements in road safety lies in the rigorous management of vehicle speeds. Conflicting viewpoints are ignored, irrespective of the significant weight of supporting evidence.
You can find that little gem of a report either on the government's own website (here) or in a PDF I printed from it (here) because topics like this tend to "disappear" when too much attention is drawn to them.
I'm currently gathering accident statistic information from various transport authorities across the US with GRAMA and FOIA requests - as I've done with Utah. I'll do some analysis and update my site and blog accordingly. I do know from initial investigations that in Arizona, the number of accidents in 2010 that were directly attributable to speeding was 1.4%. The number of accidents directly attributable to distracted driving (texting, using the phone) was over 30%.
For more reading I have a whole page on this topic: Speeding facts vs. fiction
To help understand why I can quite confidently make that sort of statement, you need to look through the hype, the fearmongering and the plainly false information that is handed out like cookies by the police, councils and governments. The problem is that people are afraid of speed. They think that all sorts of evil happens when you're going anything faster than walking and that simply isn't true. The problem is people's lack of ability to control their vehicle, and a subset of that is speed - when people panic at speed, things get nasty much more quickly. But proper driver training could prevent this. You can't simply slap unrealistically low speed limits everywhere in an effort to reduce accidents. All it does is reduce the speed that the accidents happen. And these accident figures are freely available if you know where to look. Here in the USA, filing a GRAMA request can be very revealing. For example, in Utah, where I live now, the breakdown of the number of crashes where excessive speed was the primary cause looks like this:
2009: 1.2%
2008: 3.3%
2007: 0.94%
2006: 9.9%
More telling still, by far the largest percentage of accidents involving speed happen below 39mph - not exactly speeding, is it?
In England last year, the single largest cause of motorbike accidents was classified as failed to look, and it's obvious what that means. Speeding was second to bottom, only coming in marginally above deposit on road (meaning loose gravel, spilled diesel etc.) Numerically speaking the difference there is 14% of accidents came down to poor observation and a lowly 1% were attributable to speed.
In pedestrian fatalities, in general, the blame can almost always been laid with the pedestrian. The last time I looked into statistics for those fatalities in the UK, they panned out as follows:
- Pedestrian entered carriageway without due care (84%)
- Vehicle unable to avoid pedestrian in carriageway (12%)
- "Other" (4%)
Speed was the determining factor in one quarter of the "other" category - in other words 1% of pedestrians are killed due to motorists speeding.
Even the UK government has admitted that the speed kills mantra is, for want of a better description, total rubbish. In one notable memo on the topic, they opened with the following:
In recent years far too little research has been carried out into the causes of road accidents. Research that has been done has often started from the questionable presumption that the only route to improvements in road safety lies in the rigorous management of vehicle speeds. Conflicting viewpoints are ignored, irrespective of the significant weight of supporting evidence.
You can find that little gem of a report either on the government's own website (here) or in a PDF I printed from it (here) because topics like this tend to "disappear" when too much attention is drawn to them.
I'm currently gathering accident statistic information from various transport authorities across the US with GRAMA and FOIA requests - as I've done with Utah. I'll do some analysis and update my site and blog accordingly. I do know from initial investigations that in Arizona, the number of accidents in 2010 that were directly attributable to speeding was 1.4%. The number of accidents directly attributable to distracted driving (texting, using the phone) was over 30%.
For more reading I have a whole page on this topic: Speeding facts vs. fiction
Monday, August 22, 2011
Top Gear USA finally has a flash of genius
I couldn't believe it. Last night, for the first time in a season and a half, Top Gear USA finally got a segment right. They ditched the redneck and the unfunny comedian and let Tanner Foust review the Porsche GT2 RS. That in itself wasn't the redeeming feature. The redeeming feature was that they had the police shut down central LA in the middle of the night so he could race it around the streets. The camerawork was great, the music was great, the post production was great, and they did a full on Fast & Furious light-to-light drag race with a pair of wonderfully turned out American muscle cars; a 500hp '69 Chevy Nova and a Dodge Viper SRT10. The audio in that 15 seconds was worth the entire train wreck of a show to date. The rest of the show was the usual steaming pile, but when they let the actual driver (and the only one who can talk to camera properly) do a segment on his own, they actually figured it out. There's a tiny glimmer of hope.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Too much bling, not enough thought.
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.
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 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.
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