Monday, August 30, 2010

Tell The EPA What You Think!

The EPA has posted some prototype fuel economy labels on their web site, and is asking for the public to comment. You can see them in their full detail here.

There are two proposed
designs. The first shows a large letter grade (also color coded), Green A, Yellow B, Orange C, and Red D. Apparently, everyone passes--F's are not allowed to go on sale?

The second shows some Star Trek style sliding indicators, and leaves out the letter grades, but keeps the color coding.

The EPA is inviting public comment as part of its rulemaking, and you can fill out the form at the bottom of the page and hit "send" to give them a piece of your mind.

I have already voted for Form 2 (the simpler one on the right). I think the letter grade Form 1 is too cluttered, and I don't agree with the way they are assigning letter grades. As much as I hate to sound like a whiny pre-med, the grades need to be on a curve--you can't really compare Silverados with Subarus, can you? The grades should really be assigned among like vehicles.

I also think that the fuel/energy efficiency report should be as simple as possible. Ideally, the form should present one universal metric--MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent), which recalculates all energy consumption into units we are used to, miles per gallon of EPA standard test gasoline. The MPGe also is closely related to CO2 production, so I would leave the CO2 data off of the label completely. MPGe tells you everything most people really care to know.

The fuel const estimate is neat, but how often will they update the number? What if the label is based on $2.70 gasoline and $0.12 electricity, but in fact gas is $3.50 and electricity is now $0.20/kWHr? Will we be constantly reminded now that not only our mileage may vary, but our fuel cost may vary as well?

So that's my advice to the EPA, and my comment as well. Keep it simple, leave the grades off, and be careful about the energy cost assumptions.



Help Name Ford's Iguana

Ford Motor is doing a Facebook poll to pick a name for their stow-away iguana.  I like "Henry" myself, for political reasons.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

/-=-=-=-=-


Vintage Car Racing


Vintage Car Racing, originally uploaded by cdjones82.




The Quintissentially British Motor Car




Thursday, August 26, 2010

Sy Shoot: Vintage diesel Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon drift

Vintage diesel Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon drift Spu shoot
This ability be one of the coolest things we've anytime seen... this year. There are hundreds of videos amphibian about the 'net of bodies afloat their hotted-up Nissan Zs, Ford Mustangs or Big Wheels about chase tracks, accessible anchorage and alone airports, but this disciplinarian earns some added benefit credibility for affairs it off in a best Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Diesel. Wagon.

As if you bare added acumen to bang through the jump and watch the video in its about seven-minute entirety, apperceive that this disciplinarian not alone has acceptable aftertaste in alluvion cars, but he has some austere abilities to boot. Now, if we could alone see this video adapted starring the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG wagon..

Illegal Immigrant Hides In Parts Shipment

I thought this was cute--an iguana managed to make it from southern Mexico to Ford's transmission plant in Sterling Heights, MI, hiding in a parts shipment. He's at the Detroit Zoo now.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Ford Racing 2011 Mustang Supercharger System Details

Ford Racing 2011 Mustang Supercharger Engine System Photos
Ford Racing 2011 Mustang Supercharger System Photo
Things aloof got a lot added absorbing for owners of the 2011 Ford Mustang. This weekend at the Woodward Dream Cruise, Ford Racing appear its new supercharger amalgamation for the new 5.0-liter V8, axis the already almighty pony car into a austere drag-strip contender.

The supercharger arrangement is accessible in three packages, anniversary utilizing a 2.3-liter Whipple twin-screw supercharger, air-to-liquid intercooler and 47 lb/hr ammunition injectors. The abject amalgamation provides 525 application and 470 pound-feet torque and comes with a 12-month/12,000-mile assurance back installed by a Ford or Lincoln dealer, while the additional kit offers 624 hp and 536 lb-ft torque... but no warranty. Finally, those that appetite to body their own custom arrangement can opt for the tuner kit, which comes with alone the amount apparatus but needs to be apart calibrated to assignment with the engine's computer. Hit the jump to see abounding capacity on both packages, and if you're the owners of a 2011 Mustang, you've got some decisions to make.

Latest 2011 Ford Focus ST Revealed

Latest 2011 Ford Focus ST Photo
Latest 2011 Ford Focus ST Revealed
The accepted bearing of the Ford Focus has entered the hot bear history book, as the RS adaptation of the car has dared to accelerate 300 hp to the alley via the advanced wheels. The Ford Focus RS has managed to defended a top abode in the “go-fast” bunched segment, currently actuality the best able contender. However, the ex-hottest adaptation of the Focus, the ST, which (almost) uses the aforementioned agent but delivers “only” 225 hp, musn't be forgotten, as it additionally delivers a nice mix of achievement and emotions.

The new bearing of the Focus, which is appointed to access the bazaar aboriginal abutting year (Ford will action the aforementioned adaptation of the car for both Europe and the U.S. for the aboriginal time), will, of course, additionally get and ST version.

Various media letters now announce that the new Focus ST will accomplish its way to the Paris Motor Show in September.

Let’s see what we’ll get. Ford has already accepted that the accessible ST will bead the accepted five-cylinder turbocharged assemblage for a new 2.0 liter four-cylinder turbocharged EcoBoost powerplant. The agent is currently installed on assorted Ford models in Europe, with its top apotheosis carrying 240 hp.

As the hot bear articulation has accustomed added able cartage in the aftermost few years, we apprehend Ford to up the Ecoboost engine’s ability appraisement for the Focus. The agent is accepted to ability 62 mph in a bit over 6 abnormal and action a top acceleration of 155 mph (electronically limited).

As for the vehicle’s distribution, Ford could adjudge to additionally action it in the U.S., abnormally if we accede the Focus’ “globalization” business strategy.


/lancia


Sunday, August 22, 2010

Review: Lemur EconoDriver

I was recently sent a Lemur EconoDriver gadget to review. It looked neat, so I agreed.

The EconoDriver is a two-part device which attaches to your car's OBD-II port. The transmitter is not much larger than the OBD plug itself, and transmits data wirelessly, over a proprietary 433MHz protocol to a large key-fob which has a reflective LCD display.

The Econodriver grabs and decodes some signals from your vehicle data bus (CAN on modern cars) such as vehicle speed and engine load, to calculate some interesting stats on your fuel usage. It can calculate trip average MPG, cost of fuel used (if the correct fuel price is input), cost of fuel wasted due to idling, average cost per mile of fuel used, and will display little leaves which is, I suppose, a way to encourage better driving.

For example, from my commute home from work the other day, the EconoDriver told me that after 19 miles, I had used $1.81 in fuel, $0.07 of which was wasted due to idling. My cost per mile was $0.09, and average fuel economy was 30.0 mpg. I was awarded 41/2 out of 5 leaves for driving style.

Overall it was, as advertised, easy to install and use. The accuracy seemed decent, the monitor's 30mpg was a little bit higher than my car's on-board calculation of 29.2 mpg. My trip was only 20 miles, so over time that difference may become much smaller.

Update: After 200 miles, the difference between my car's on-board measurement (27.1mpg) and the EconoDriver's measurement (27.4) was reduced to a mere 0.3mpg, so I attribute the difference between the two on a different averaging rate.

I did have a few minor problems. First, in my car the OBD-II port has an access door, so installing the transmitter dongle required driving with the door flopping around. I had to tape the door partly shut to keep it out of the way--not elegant.

I also discovered that if you have an OBD DTC, the EconoDriver does not seem to warn you that its accuracy may be compromised. When I pulled my intake air meter sensor connector, I got the "Check Engine" light and a DTC for the air meter, but the EconoDriver did not seem to react in any obvious way. When I asked Lemur about this I was told that the EconoDriver will reduce your green rating (leaves) if you have a DTC, but this isn't very obvious. I think a good improvement would be to flash a warning if a DTC is present.

The update rate is limited to 30s, I was told for technical reasons. This means that you can't really use this device as a driving style trainer, more of a trip monitor. I would have preferred a faster update rate so I could see what kinds of driving are better.

The leaves are supposed to coach you to drive more efficiently, but my leaf score was consistently 4 1/2 to 5 out of 5, except when I sat and idled for a few minutes. Then the score was slowly reduced. I'm not sure if the leaves are useful or not.

There is no backlight on the display fob. This is consistent with the recommendation that the monitor should not be used while the vehicle is moving--but I do, and I would like a light.

Overall, would say this is a good gadget for someone who really wants to know how much money they are spending on fuel without doing hand calculations. Perhaps someone who drives for a living and wants to track fuel costs carefully for business purposes. If I didn't have a fuel economy calculation built into my car's IP already, I would consider buying one.

Pros:
  • Easy to install and use
  • Calculates fuel costs and fuel economy for you
  • Relatively inexpensive, ~$80

Cons:
  • 30s update rate
  • No warning if DTC present
  • OBD port dongle may interfere with OBD port door on some vehicles
  • No method included to mount display to vehicle
  • Meaning of leaves is not clear to me
Who should consider:
  • Travelling salesman or fleet user who wants to track fuel costs carefully
  • Anyone interested in tracking their fuel economy who doesn't have an on-board fuel economy monitor
Alternatives:
  • Scangauge II auto computer, $150 (link)

*I received no compensation for this review other than the gadget itself.



Saturday, August 21, 2010

Gambar Honda Mega Pro 150 cc CW

Gambar New Honda Mega Pro 150 cc CW Baru
The afterward are the appearance & allowances of the New Honda Mega Pro 2010.

1. Stylish Indicator Panel

Elegant architecture and affected alloy of analog and digital. Accurate in accouterment advice and agent data, can additionally be calmly monitored both day and night.

2. Avant-garde headlight

The new architecture headlights able avant-garde styled ample motor cover, bright lens and multireflector so that ablaze application are brighter and broader coverage.

3. Mascular Fuel Tank Architecture

Tank architecture is avant-garde and elegant. Appear added manly, able-bodied and boxy with a band anchored in the Shroud.

4. Advanced Shroud

Shroud curve are alloyed with a close point of the body, added deepening the amount of a accurate fighter artery motor.

5. New XRP Agent

The latest agent technology XRP (X-tra Acknowledging Performance) accommodation 150 cc, 4 achievement with bristles dispatch produces abiding acceleration, acknowledging and able yet fuel-efficient and environmentally affable due to accommodated EURO 2 standards.

6. Advanced & Rear Disk Breaker

Wheel disc brakes advanced and rear adventurous appearance that is able to abate your acceleration with every activity bland and perfect.

7. Adjustable Monoshock

Using a distinct abeyance archetypal with two per abstracted adamantine and bendable adjustable according to needs and tastes drive with ease.
This motorcycles for next time, Will renovation Modifikasi Motor Mega Pro 150 cc name.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Pre-Cruise Friday Part 5: Best In Show

This, in my opinion, is the most beautiful vehicle at the Dream Cruise. Not because it has been restored to such great shape--though it has--but because of what it represents. This truck was restored to serve as a hearse for fallen firefighters who are being escorted to their last call. It was a work of love, funded by charity.




The place of the hero.




Click on the photo to read the whole story

Pre-Cruise Friday Part 5: Emergency Vehicle Alley


The police and fire departments had a really neat display of emergency vehicles, right down the street from all the Mustangs. This was my favorite area of the Cruise so far.

Old school vehicles.




The "meat wagon", a Vietnam era ambulance.
Inside the meat wagon


This Troy Police car was built with funds siezed in drug raids.


Watering the kids.


Paddy wagons, old and new.



Pre-Cruise Friday Part 4: Ferndale Stryker

The U.S. Army's TACOM set up this Stryker vehicle on the median in Ferndale. Several TACOM employees were there to answer questions. I asked about IED survivability, and they explained that while the Stryker was designed before the Iraq and Afghan wars, and was not equipped to handle roadside bombs, they are retrofitting them with a thick aluminum underhull, offset from the main hull, which can help absorb the blast energy. The next generation will be designed with a "double V" hull.
A large vehicle, it was designed to fit inside of military transport planes.


It looks light and airy, but actually there isn't a ton of room inside. The gunner sits below the gun (to the right and behind of the driver) and can control it remotely while looking through periscope prisms and a camera screen. The driver space looked tight.