News and other tidbits that Chad Cloman finds interesting enough to share
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)
The perfect city car, powered by compressed air, with a range of 125 miles and a top speed of 68 MPH. Looks like they won’t be sold in the US, but let’s hope the technology makes it here eventually.
Thanks to Josh for this topic.
According to the AAA, the number one gas waster in America is under-inflated tires. My mileage has increased by about 2 MPG since I started regularly checking my tire pressure, saving me about $4.00 each time I fill up.
The official mileage estimates for hybrid vehicles, long known to be too high, have been reduced. The Toyota Prius, for example, had its city mileage drop from 60 to 48 MPG.
Link: http://www.wired.com/…
(via digg)
Ethanol is being touted as an alternative fuel because it emits less greenhouse gases than gasoline. Unfortunately, all is not wonderful in ethanol land. A recent study found that the overall health effects of ethanol would be slightly worse than gasoline, because ethanol exhaust has increased amounts of ozone—which contributes to smog and kills people with respiratory problems.
So while ethanol would free Americans from the oil tyranny of the Middle East and would reduce greenhouse gas emissions (thus saving coastal cities from flooding), its health benefits are actually worse.
Link: http://www.iht.com/…
(via digg)
Link #2: http://news.bbc.co.uk/…
This modified PT Cruiser is one of the neatest cars I’ve seen. I want one!
Link: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/…
(via Neatorama)
Honda and Acura odometers are consistently recording mileage too high, in some cases by up to 3.75%. While this may help prevent you from getting a speeding ticket, it has definite ramifications for mileage-based leases and warranties. Honda has agreed to make its odometers more accurate and to center the error distribution at zero. In addition, for affected vehicles, they will extend the warranty mileage by 5% and pay back excess lease-mileage charges of $6 million.
Link: http://www.usatoday.com/…
(via Engadget)
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the US Dept. of Transportation are campaigning to put interlock devices in the cars of all convicted drunk drivers. The devices are essentially breathalyzers that keep the car from starting if alcohol is detected above a preset level. Most states already require them for some offenders, but MADD wants them installed for everyone convicted of drunk driving—even first offenders.
Link: http://www.iht.com/…
I’ve often thought about doing something like this, if I were to ever be carjacked. Especially since my pickup doesn’t have a passenger airbag.
Think you want a hybrid? This article discusses the “new” diesel. Apparently diesel engines are more efficient than regular gasoline engines, but they’ve historically been much dirtier, to the point of failing emissions requirements.
