News and other tidbits that Chad Cloman finds interesting enough to share
Ever wondered how auto manufacturers ensure that car door remotes can’t be used to unlock multiple vehicles? The method they use makes it possible but highly unlikely. Also turns out that you shouldn’t repeatedly press the unlock button unless you’re near the car. The linked article explains all.
Link: http://www.mentalfloss.com/…
(via Neatorama)
I remember hearing about the Tweel and thinking what a great idea it was—no more flat tires and no more wasted gas or uneven wear due to improper inflation. Unfortunately, Michelin hasn’t done much with the technology. But now there’s another contender in the airless tire arena. Let’s hope this military technology makes its way to the consumer market sometime soon.
Link: http://www.gizmag.com/…
(via Neatorama)
The Ford Motor Company has created a viable system that replaces spark plugs with lasers. According to the linked article, this technology is “more reliable and efficient than current spark plug technology and will enable cars to start more easily in cold and damp conditions.” As an added bonus, fuel usage is reduced because of the increased stability of the combustion. Expect to see this “in the wild” within a couple years.
Link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/…
(via Engadget)
If you have an older, less fuel-efficient car and are thinking about buying a new one, then the US government’s CARS program may be for you. It effectively raises the trade-in value of your clunker to either $3500 or $4500, plus whatever you can negotiate for the scrap value. My 1996 S-10 pickup qualifies and is normally worth about $1200, so this program can save some serious money.
Link #1: http://www.cars.gov/
Link #2: http://www.abcactionnews.com/…
(via digg)
Update: The program has been suspended as of midnight on July 30th, because the government thinks it may have already run out of funds (based on pending sales).
Update #2: The US House of Representatives has allocated an additional $2 billion for the program. This still has to be approved by the Senate and signed into law. I’m not that impressed, however, considering that it took less than a week to burn through the initial $1 billion.
Update #3: An additional $2 billion has been added to the program. Note that CARS is popularly known as “Cash for Clunkers”.
The linked article has a printable accident checklist (PDF) that should probably be in everyone’s glove box. I’ve learned to call the police, even if it doesn’t seem like much damage, because car body repair is hideously expensive. In my first significant accident, back in the early ’90s, I had to pay a $500 deductible because I didn’t get enough information to track down the other person (who was at fault) or his insurance company.
Link: http://www.seriousaccidents.com/…
(via Lifehacker)
Here’s a neat tip—store a spare car key underneath your license plate, using one of the license plate screws to secure it. Sounds better than those magnetic holders.
Link: http://consumerist.com/…
Did you know that US tire dealers can sell “new” tires that are over 6 years old? The linked article tells how an informed consumer can avoid this situation.
Link: http://consumerist.com/…
Researchers have discovered that people who put bumper stickers on their cars, regardless of topic, tend to drive more aggressively and use their vehicles to express rage. This also applies to decals and personalized license plates
Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/…
(via digg)
Some tips on what and what not to do when you’re pulled over by the police.
Link: http://www.caranddriver.com/…
(via digg)
In an update to this Chad’s News post, it turns out there can be serious problems with cars that run on grease, vegetable oil, and other biofuels. The problems are not mechanical or technical; rather, they have to do with legal and regulatory issues (at least in California).
Link: http://www.latimes.com/…
(via Neatorama)
When running on electric only, hybrid cars are silent. This turns out to be a safety problem for people (both blind and sighted) who use their ears to identify moving automobiles.
Link: http://ap.google.com/…
I thought the condo I once bought was overpriced. Little did I know…
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/…
(via digg)
