Windshield Time
Chances are you spend a lot of time in your car. Here's some automotive-related news that might help you appreciate your home-away-from-home a little more.
Some things to hate about cars
Writer Jerry Garrett listed the things he hates most about cars in a recent New York Times article. Topping the list are poorly designed and situated map lights. In his car, the light is positioned above the rearview mirror. "Of course, it renders the rearview mirror useless, but more than that, it blinds me when I drive," he says. The best solution he’s seen is one offered by Saab a few years ago, in which lights were situated on each side of the cabin. Other irksome things about cars: sun visors that fail to shield the driver’s eyes; driver’s exterior mirrors that fail to provide wide-angle views, as those in Europe do; and audible alarms that continue to chime when you leave your keys in the ignition. "After 10 dings, let’s figure maybe I want my door open, to listen to the radio or something, with the key in the ignition," he says. "How much would it cost to reprogram this idiotic dinger?"
Crash test results for small cars
Most new small cars earn good ratings in frontal crash tests, but not in side and rear crashes, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Of seven 2009 model small cars tested (Chevrolet HHR, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Saturn Astra, Suzuki SX4 and Toyota Matrix), all earned the highest rating for occupant protection in frontal protection. But only the SX4 and Matrix (and its twin Pontiac Vibe) earned that rating for protection in side crashes. Among seat/head restraints evaluated, only those in the Focus earned a good rating for protection in rear impacts. The Institute also tested the Mini Cooper, a minicar that earned good ratings for front and rear crashworthiness but not for side protection.
Oil filter claims long oil life
The microGreen oil filter from SOMS Technologies, Valhalla, N.Y., can preserve a car’s oil for as long as 30,000 miles, according to a writeup in the Wall Street Journal. The filter fits the standard "spin-on" mount found on most cars and trucks and can be used in place of the filters sold at auto parts stores. It actually contains two filters, the second of which can capture particles in the oil down to 2 microns. The manufacturer recommends the filter be changed every 6,000 miles, but says that oil can remain in the engine for as many as 30,000 miles.
"Buy American" still sells
Despite the troubles of domestic automakers, and despite data that show the resale value of the Big Three’s cars lagging behind that of other automakers, nearly three-quarters of U.S. car shoppers say they prefer to buy American, according to Kelley Blue Book. More than half (51 percent) of respondents to a recent survey said they try to buy American products if they are readily available and price-competitive, and 14 percent said they will go out of their way to buy American. Six percent said they would only buy American products, and would do without a car altogether if an American product is not available.
Car shoppers delaying purchases
No surprise here: The weak economy is forcing consumers to delay purchasing new cars. But that’s not the only reason. According to Consumer Reports’ 2009 Auto Brand Perception Survey, 48 percent of respondents reported that they will wait longer before their next vehicle purchase. The number one reason is that their current vehicle is in good shape (39 percent). The other top reasons are: vehicles have become too expensive (30 percent), general concern about the weak economy (30 percent), consumers are waiting for fuel-saving technologies, such as hybrids, to become more affordable (18 percent), and interest rates for vehicle financing are too high (18 percent). In other findings: Safety stood out as the most important of seven factors when shopping for a new vehicle, especially among women shoppers. Quality was second, with Toyota and Honda leading the pack in perceived quality.
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