Monday, November 2, 2009
by Marjorie, Cars for Keeps Social Media Manager
You hear the craziest things about how to maintain your car. And let's admit it: most of us DO crazy things - or worse, we do things to our cars based on rumors and myths rather than concrete mechanical knowledge. In an age when most of us get 90% of our car knowledge from movies like "Gone in Sixty Seconds", we could probably all use a little maintenance myth-busting that helps us know which mythical advice to follow and which to throw out the window.
1) Always keep your gas tank full. This is a major point of contention between my husband and me. Seeing how far I can get the needle to go below the big red E is like a sport for me - if worst comes to worst, I can always swerve to get the last remaining dregs into the combustion chamber. My husband is far more practical and points out the safety of having a full gas tank.
As it turns out, keeping a full gas tank not only means that you can jump in the car for trips to the emergency room without stopping for gas, but it also prevents water from getting in the tank. Particularly during cold winter months, condensed water forms on the inside of an empty tank, causing improper flow and, at times, stalling. I've had this happen numerous times; my poor little Focus even conked out on the freeway once when I'd been running it on fumes. Turns out, it just wanted a full tank to push the water out.
2) Premium gas will mean better mileage and fewer repairs. My penny-pinching side is happy to report that this is relatively bogus. With today's fuel standards, even low and mid grades of gasoline have detergents and other additives that keep everything running smooth. Additionally, the mileage you'll gain with premium isn't nearly big enough to justify the cost. Unless you have a supercharged engine or a Hemi, premium doesn't make much of a difference.
3) Always warm up your car. As unpleasant as it is to slosh through powder in your pajamas, this one is actually an excellent idea, as it benefits both driver and the car. Particularly on those nostril-freezing winter mornings Michigan is so famous for, giving your car a few minutes to warm allows it to move oil and other fluids to where they need to go. The difference in car function can be tantamount to the safety difference between a driver stepping into a warm interior and gazing out of a clear windshield and a driver gripping an icy steering wheel and asthmatically jerking from the cold.
4) Wait a while before going through a car wash after repairs. I was shocked to see in our analytics report that someone had searched the term "how long after repairs can I go through the carwash", but hey - I've believed crazier myths. Let's let Rob tackle this question: "I am surprised how frequently this question comes up and have found that most of the questioners have had body repairs done to their vehicles where the body man recommended waiting a certain period before washing the car. In the mechanical repair field, there are very few situations where the vehicle cannot be washed or driven right away. If such an occasion arises, typically, the vehicle is kept for follow-up and road testing to ensure a complete repair."
Safe driving!
• What is it: A new gullwing supercar that successfully replaces the Mercedes-Benz SLR• Key facts: 6.2-liter V-8 with 571 horsepower, 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and rear-wheel drive
• on sale: April 2010.
• Cost: $250,000 (est.)
It is been unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt auto show, and in very few days, High Gear Media heads to Monterey and Laguna Seca to enroll with the 2010
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG for the first drive.
The SLS car is the successor to the present Benz SLR roadster and past coupe, but this time around, the German automaker's put an importance on low weight to go with astonishing power, as it hunts down a few of the track-ready luster that graces most Ferraris and Lamborghinis. The new SLS AMG features a reduce weight of 3,571 pounds thanks to an aluminum spaceframe, which also provides an almost ideal front-to-rear weight distribution of 48:52 %.
Inside the lightweight body, the new SLS AMG offers up a single powertrain, an evolution of today's big AMG V-8.That 6.2-liter mill will produce a healthy 571 horsepower, along with 479 pound-feet of torque. With a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, and rear-wheel drive, the SLS AMG will go faster from rest to 62 miles per hour (mph) in a claimed 3.8 seconds--Corvette ZR1 territory but shy of the stunning 3.3 second times turned in by the Nissan GT-R as well as Porsche 911 Turbo.
A Race Start function controls power from launch to preserve driveline parts. A top speed of 196 mph is also claimed, however a push to 200 mph in final development wouldn't come as a surprise and the new gullwing supercar is likely to be the most capable Mercedes ever.
That gullwing body--a heritage cue from the famous Gullwings of the 1950s--is a relatively long shape, with a extended nose to accommodate the big V-8 and a short deck featuring a configurable spoiler for high-speed stability. The SLS AMG is around 183 inches long and it also sports a wheelbase of 105.5 inches. Carbon-ceramic brakes with 15.4 inch front discs and 14.2 inch rear discs are teamed with 19-inch wheels along with tires for stopping capability equivalent to the task.
Styling is conquered by a new front-end treatment that evolves the present SL/SLK-Class shapes. Inside, the dash is parallel to that in the present SLR, but with richer finishes--one of the chief complaints on the SLR centered on its somewhat pedestrian cabin and the COMAND controller figures into the center console design, and will run climate as well as entertainment systems. Mercedes will fit the cabin with leather, aluminum as well as chrome trim, and optionally, carbon-fiber trim, as well.
The two seated SLS AMG will be a limited production motor vehicle, with 3000 - 5000 units produced in all.
Standard features includes the leather trim, COMAND system, an electronic parking brake, keyless ignition, rain sensors, headlamp assist, PARKTRONIC, heated seats, cruise control, AMG floor mats, sports pedals and THERMOTRONIC. Optional goodies consist of a 6-disc DVD charger, Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG sound system, alarm, and numerous AMG paint schemes include the special Alubeam Silver.
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG for the first drive.
The SLS car is the successor to the present Benz SLR roadster and past coupe, but this time around, the German automaker's put an importance on low weight to go with astonishing power, as it hunts down a few of the track-ready luster that graces most Ferraris and Lamborghinis. The new SLS AMG features a reduce weight of 3,571 pounds thanks to an aluminum spaceframe, which also provides an almost ideal front-to-rear weight distribution of 48:52 %.
Inside the lightweight body, the new SLS AMG offers up a single powertrain, an evolution of today's big AMG V-8.That 6.2-liter mill will produce a healthy 571 horsepower, along with 479 pound-feet of torque. With a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, and rear-wheel drive, the SLS AMG will go faster from rest to 62 miles per hour (mph) in a claimed 3.8 seconds--Corvette ZR1 territory but shy of the stunning 3.3 second times turned in by the Nissan GT-R as well as Porsche 911 Turbo.
A Race Start function controls power from launch to preserve driveline parts. A top speed of 196 mph is also claimed, however a push to 200 mph in final development wouldn't come as a surprise and the new gullwing supercar is likely to be the most capable Mercedes ever.
That gullwing body--a heritage cue from the famous Gullwings of the 1950s--is a relatively long shape, with a extended nose to accommodate the big V-8 and a short deck featuring a configurable spoiler for high-speed stability. The SLS AMG is around 183 inches long and it also sports a wheelbase of 105.5 inches. Carbon-ceramic brakes with 15.4 inch front discs and 14.2 inch rear discs are teamed with 19-inch wheels along with tires for stopping capability equivalent to the task.
Styling is conquered by a new front-end treatment that evolves the present SL/SLK-Class shapes. Inside, the dash is parallel to that in the present SLR, but with richer finishes--one of the chief complaints on the SLR centered on its somewhat pedestrian cabin and the COMAND controller figures into the center console design, and will run climate as well as entertainment systems. Mercedes will fit the cabin with leather, aluminum as well as chrome trim, and optionally, carbon-fiber trim, as well.
The two seated SLS AMG will be a limited production motor vehicle, with 3000 - 5000 units produced in all.
Standard features includes the leather trim, COMAND system, an electronic parking brake, keyless ignition, rain sensors, headlamp assist, PARKTRONIC, heated seats, cruise control, AMG floor mats, sports pedals and THERMOTRONIC. Optional goodies consist of a 6-disc DVD charger, Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG sound system, alarm, and numerous AMG paint schemes include the special Alubeam Silver.
• What is it: A new gullwing supercar that successfully replaces the Mercedes-Benz SLR• Key facts: 6.2-liter V-8 with 571 horsepower, 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and rear-wheel drive
• on sale: April 2010.
• Cost: $250,000 (est.)
It is been unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt auto show, and in very few days, High Gear Media heads to Monterey and Laguna Seca to enroll with the 2010
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG for the first drive.
The SLS car is the successor to the present Benz SLR roadster and past coupe, but this time around, the German automaker's put an importance on low weight to go with astonishing power, as it hunts down a few of the track-ready luster that graces most Ferraris and Lamborghinis. The new SLS AMG features a reduce weight of 3,571 pounds thanks to an aluminum spaceframe, which also provides an almost ideal front-to-rear weight distribution of 48:52 %.
Inside the lightweight body, the new SLS AMG offers up a single powertrain, an evolution of today's big AMG V-8.That 6.2-liter mill will produce a healthy 571 horsepower, along with 479 pound-feet of torque. With a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, and rear-wheel drive, the SLS AMG will go faster from rest to 62 miles per hour (mph) in a claimed 3.8 seconds--Corvette ZR1 territory but shy of the stunning 3.3 second times turned in by the Nissan GT-R as well as Porsche 911 Turbo.
A Race Start function controls power from launch to preserve driveline parts. A top speed of 196 mph is also claimed, however a push to 200 mph in final development wouldn't come as a surprise and the new gullwing supercar is likely to be the most capable Mercedes ever.
That gullwing body--a heritage cue from the famous Gullwings of the 1950s--is a relatively long shape, with a extended nose to accommodate the big V-8 and a short deck featuring a configurable spoiler for high-speed stability. The SLS AMG is around 183 inches long and it also sports a wheelbase of 105.5 inches. Carbon-ceramic brakes with 15.4 inch front discs and 14.2 inch rear discs are teamed with 19-inch wheels along with tires for stopping capability equivalent to the task.
Styling is conquered by a new front-end treatment that evolves the present SL/SLK-Class shapes. Inside, the dash is parallel to that in the present SLR, but with richer finishes--one of the chief complaints on the SLR centered on its somewhat pedestrian cabin and the COMAND controller figures into the center console design, and will run climate as well as entertainment systems. Mercedes will fit the cabin with leather, aluminum as well as chrome trim, and optionally, carbon-fiber trim, as well.
The two seated SLS AMG will be a limited production motor vehicle, with 3000 - 5000 units produced in all.
Standard features includes the leather trim, COMAND system, an electronic parking brake, keyless ignition, rain sensors, headlamp assist, PARKTRONIC, heated seats, cruise control, AMG floor mats, sports pedals and THERMOTRONIC. Optional goodies consist of a 6-disc DVD charger, Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG sound system, alarm, and numerous AMG paint schemes include the special Alubeam Silver.
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG for the first drive.
The SLS car is the successor to the present Benz SLR roadster and past coupe, but this time around, the German automaker's put an importance on low weight to go with astonishing power, as it hunts down a few of the track-ready luster that graces most Ferraris and Lamborghinis. The new SLS AMG features a reduce weight of 3,571 pounds thanks to an aluminum spaceframe, which also provides an almost ideal front-to-rear weight distribution of 48:52 %.
Inside the lightweight body, the new SLS AMG offers up a single powertrain, an evolution of today's big AMG V-8.That 6.2-liter mill will produce a healthy 571 horsepower, along with 479 pound-feet of torque. With a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, and rear-wheel drive, the SLS AMG will go faster from rest to 62 miles per hour (mph) in a claimed 3.8 seconds--Corvette ZR1 territory but shy of the stunning 3.3 second times turned in by the Nissan GT-R as well as Porsche 911 Turbo.
A Race Start function controls power from launch to preserve driveline parts. A top speed of 196 mph is also claimed, however a push to 200 mph in final development wouldn't come as a surprise and the new gullwing supercar is likely to be the most capable Mercedes ever.
That gullwing body--a heritage cue from the famous Gullwings of the 1950s--is a relatively long shape, with a extended nose to accommodate the big V-8 and a short deck featuring a configurable spoiler for high-speed stability. The SLS AMG is around 183 inches long and it also sports a wheelbase of 105.5 inches. Carbon-ceramic brakes with 15.4 inch front discs and 14.2 inch rear discs are teamed with 19-inch wheels along with tires for stopping capability equivalent to the task.
Styling is conquered by a new front-end treatment that evolves the present SL/SLK-Class shapes. Inside, the dash is parallel to that in the present SLR, but with richer finishes--one of the chief complaints on the SLR centered on its somewhat pedestrian cabin and the COMAND controller figures into the center console design, and will run climate as well as entertainment systems. Mercedes will fit the cabin with leather, aluminum as well as chrome trim, and optionally, carbon-fiber trim, as well.
The two seated SLS AMG will be a limited production motor vehicle, with 3000 - 5000 units produced in all.
Standard features includes the leather trim, COMAND system, an electronic parking brake, keyless ignition, rain sensors, headlamp assist, PARKTRONIC, heated seats, cruise control, AMG floor mats, sports pedals and THERMOTRONIC. Optional goodies consist of a 6-disc DVD charger, Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG sound system, alarm, and numerous AMG paint schemes include the special Alubeam Silver.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
About new volkswagen. The revival of the Rabbit name here didn't help, and that musty moniker has again been shed for 2010. Yet, more than ever, the redesigned Golf's neatest trick is to boggle the minds of Americans who grew up in Dodge Omnis or Chevy Chevettes. Ten minutes in the Golf, and those folks will be amazed that an affordable hatch could look, drive, and feel this good.
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