WINTER IS HERE

Winter is here, please drive carefully. You don't want to end up in one of these videos, do you? Happy and safe motoring!










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FOUR WHEEL DRIVE: Fact & Fiction

You might as well face it, snow is on the way. The clocks have been set back to winter, there is frost on the lawn nearly every morning, and it’s only a matter of days before we wake up and see that first snowfall. You’ll know it when it happens; it’s when you hear the screaming and laughter of the neighborhood kids as they dive into their first snowball fight, signaling that winter is officially here.

Every year we celebrate the change of seasons, and it seems that every year we need to relearn how to drive in the snow. Without fail, the first storm sends a car or two off the road.
It seems that it takes a fender bender to wake drivers up, refreshing their memories to, “Oh yeah, it’s snowing, I need to slow down.” Have you ever noticed that the majority of these “victims” are driving 4-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicles? Fact: 4-wheel or all-wheel drive does not mean you are invincible.

In reality, 4x4 does nothing for winter driving other than to get the vehicle moving. If you are stuck in a drift, or you need to get up your driveway before you snow blow, 4x4 can help. Once you are underway, it does nothing. In fact, most all-wheel drive systems disengage once slippage stops, or when the vehicle reaches a certain rate of speed. Once the vehicle is underway, it’s your tires and your driving habits that keep you on the road.

Quality tread, deep and wide enough to grab the snow and throw it away is what gives you traction in snow. Also, tires made of proper winter rubber that is designed to grip the road in low temperatures helps to keep you on the road. The rubber of summer tires is too brittle to adhere to cold, slippery surfaces, proving down right dangerous in winter conditions.

However, nothing helps more with the challenges of winter driving than just slowing down. Whether you are driving with rear wheel, front wheel, 4x4, or all-wheel drive, the vehicle’s ability to stop is determined by its weight in relation to its brakes, not by how the wheels are driven. Basic physics: an object in motion wants to stay in motion, especially if it’s on ice and snow. In the best of conditions, a heavy full size SUV with extra weight and momentum will take longer to stop than a small car. In winter conditions, the stopping distance is even longer, with an even higher risk of slipping. Of course if it’s icy, even the best studded tires may not help. If you are going too fast for conditions, you will crash. Slow down, and at least you have a chance of avoiding a problem.

I for one can’t wait to drive in the snow again. This will be my first winter with an all-wheel drive vehicle, the Toyota RAV4. Even though I won’t be invincible, I still look forward to enjoying the artificial safety and security of a vehicle with higher clearance and all-wheel drive. Regardless, I will slow down when the snow flies. You should too!

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TOP DOWN, SMILE ON

Why do the majority of the convertibles that drive by me have their tops up? I don’t get it, if you’re lucky enough to have a convertible, why not use it? As I write this today, it’s a beautiful summer day in Maine, approaching 90 degrees with high humidity. You won’t hear any complaints from me. After all, it won’t be long before the snow flies and we’ll be talking about winter driving. So with summers so short here, why aren’t more convertible tops down?

The owner pays a premium when they buy a convertible. Not only is the purchase price more than the hardtop model, the car generally weighs more, impacting its fuel economy. A convertible swallows trunk space to accommodate the top, and insurance rates are higher for soft tops. These sacrifices must have been worth it, or they wouldn’t have bought a convertible in the first place. The freedom of fresh air and the open highway is priceless. The driver of a convertible can hear the birds chirp, smell the flowers bloom, and the can howl to the moon overhead. So why aren’t their tops down?

Could it be because the dream of the freedom of a convertible is not all that it’s cracked up to be? Do the flowers actually smell more like diesel exhaust? Is it because it’s too hot, too cold, or too windy? Are these top up convertible drivers avoiding sunburn on their bald spots, or is it that they have too much hair and don’t want to go home a tangled mess? Is the top up for fear of birds on bombing runs, or is it just too much work to press a button to put the top down? Or, could it be that they are suffering buyers’ remorse, and that they just aren’t convertible people?

I've never owned a convertible, so I can't criticize or judge the decisions of others. However, there is something really enticing to me about the freedom of open air driving. It seems to me that if I had bought a convertible, and paid a premium for it, I would take advantage of beautiful days like today. On the other hand, I might look pretty foolish in mid-February wondering, “What did I do, a convertible in Maine?”

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Reach for the Sky

Amy Bouchard of Isamax Snacks, the Whoopie Pie Lady, was in the other day. She proudly drives a Saturn Sky with the license plate that says, WHOOPIE. Little did I know that when I wrote this blog two years ago, the the Sky (and Saturn) would end production and it would become a collector's car. The Sky showed well then, and still looks great today.



I fell in love the other day.

A friend of mine came in and told me about her, “Go look!”

She belonged to someone else, but she was beautiful.

She had sleek, flowing lines.

Some say that she is fast, other’s say she is a little slow.

I don’t care what they say.

She is compact, perfectly formed, and looks good wearing her top either way.

I have seen her sister many times, but this was my first time with her.

It was well worth the wait.

But it was destined to be love from afar. She drove off without me.

She left without even a flash.

Another love lost.

Now just a fond memory, but I finally got to see, close-up, the Saturn Sky.

The Sky is a great design achievement for GM. It shows well from every angle, and in my opinion, is much better looking that its sister, the Pontiac Solstice. I spoke with the owner of this Sky, and she could not be happier. She has owned it for 9,000 joy filled miles, just now starting her third summer. I did not have the courage to ask for a ride, but she says that it is great around town, and at speed on the highway. In fact, she drives it regularly to and from Connecticut in total comfort. I congratulated her on her good fortune, and let her know of my envy.

The Saturn Sky, well worth a look, even if it is love from afar. Love the Sky!

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Going Topless

This is a reposting of a previous blog, but the need to go topless is still valid today.





It happened again yesterday, as it does just about this time every year. This one was a nice black BMW Z4. It caught my eye in the rear view mirror nearly a half mile back, in and amongst the clutter of the other cars. The Z4 navigated effortlessly past each of the slower cars, then roared by mine. It was a chilly 40 some degrees, but the top was down and the driver was smiling ear to ear. Immediately I had the fever again, the fever to own a convertible.

It is an absurd idea living in Maine. It makes no sense at all. What do we have, only two or three days a year that a convertible might actually be comfortable? The rest of the days it is either too hot or too cold, rainy, snowy, icy to enjoy. So what is the attraction? Is it the feeling of freedom, of unlimited visibility? Is it the bonding with nature; the ability to smell and hear the flowers and the birds (along with the tractor trailers and the buses)? I don’t know, and at this point, I don’t care. The passion and desire is there again.

One year I tried to satisfy the craving by renting a convertible for the weekend. Calls to several rental car companies in the area found that convertibles were not even available in this market, at least for that year. Probably because having a convertible in northern New England makes no sense. That still doesn’t matter. Each year, spring fever sets in and I want a convertible.

My sister has a Chrysler Sebring convertible. She says that if the day is not perfect, she doesn’t hesitate to turn on the heat or the air conditioner as she drives with her top down, whatever it takes to not miss the fun. Another friend of mine drives his VW Cabriolet in the middle of winter with the top down, his beret pulled down tight, scarf flying and sunglasses pasted to his head. To them, a convertible in New England makes perfect sense.

I thought that the purchase of my Scion TC would satisfy this convertible craving. The entire roof is glass with two separate sun roofs that illuminate both the front and the back seats. The front roof panel powers open to expose the whole front to fresh air and freedom. It is still not good enough. When this spring fever hits, the total freedom of a genuine roadster will only do, or at least a facsimile. The Z4 would be fine. Today is a nice enough day that a Pontiac Solstice, Mazda Miata or Ford Mustang would also satisfy.

The rag top desire will leave just about the time of the first frost. During the deep freeze of January and February, the thought never even occurs to me. But spring comes every year and another Z4, or something similar, will spark the fire. Those of you who own convertibles know the feeling. Enjoy the luxury of having the choice of going topless. There are those out there like me who are envious. Enjoy your ride!

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DETAIL YOUR CAR

My parking lot at work is Ground Zero for various species of pigeons, sea gulls, and any other bird that feels the urge. Almost every day one lucky vehicle wins the lottery and becomes the target for a bird in need. Some cars luck out with a few precise droppings; others become victims of intense carpet bombing, covering the car from front to back in a variety of shades and colors. It can be down right nasty, and at the very least, not at all good for a vehicle’s exterior.

Between acid rain, Mother Nature’s wrath of weather fury and the birds from above, it's now more important than ever to protect your car’s finish with a little TLC. Wash your car when it’s dirty (get that bird off while it’s fresh), wax the car’s finish at least twice a year, regularly vacuum the soccer dirt away and occasionally wash the grime off of your windows. These simple acts will make you feel good about your car, and add years to your fit and its finish.

Don’t fall for the misconception that if your car has a clear coat finish you don’t need to wax it. Clear coat is not some magical, space age treatment, but is nothing more than another layer of paint that happens to be clear. It’s prone to scratches, and can show wear and tear if not taken care of properly. A clear coat finish needs a protective layer of wax just like any other. Clean and wax your car regularly.

You can’t feel good about your car if its interior is dirty or full of clutter. Get rid of the stuff. You don’t need those old receipts, sales flyers and McDonald’s wrappers. The last thing you need in an emergency stop is flying debris hitting you in the head or distracting you. While you’re at it, get your vacuum out. Having clean carpets, upholstery and dash board will make you feel like you have a new car, reenergizing your love affair with your most expensive possession.

I’m always amazed what a difference it makes to clean the windows of my car. Gradually over time, a thin film accumulates over the interior glass, especially noticeable on the windshield. Whether it’s the gaseous residue from the plastics of the interior materials, dirt, pollen or other particulates, they all adhere to the glass. The film’s affects are most noticeable during night driving where the coating adds to the glare from headlights and street lights, as well as distorting distance perception with oncoming traffic. Clean your windows inside and out, you’ll be amazed what a difference it makes.

It’s surprising how much people are willing to pay for their car, and then choose to not take care of it. Don’t let the birds win, protect your car with a little wash here and a little wax there. Your car will look and feel like new.

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AUTO HISTORY 101: Through the Past Darkly

Ever notice how history has a way of repeating itself? And, isn’t it important to learn from the past? Common sense observations, right? Well in reality, history does repeat itself, and sometimes we never learn. Such is the case of the economy and the auto crisis of the past several years. As the auto industry crawls back to life, let’s look back to its beginning.

Henry Ford began production of his revolutionary Model T back in 1909. It was a basic, rugged vehicle made of sturdy materials, with a high clearance to provide reliable transportation over the challenges of existing horse and carriage trails.
For $850, it was initially a luxury and a novelty; a status symbol for the rich, or a toy for the first motor heads. Ford was ambitious, "I will build a motor car for the great multitude,” clearly stating his goal of placing a Model T in every home. To realize this vision, Ford adapted assembly line production techniques in 1913, and applied them to the Model T. Ford quickly lowered the production time for a new car from several hours to one every 93 minutes, then eventually to its final impressive rate of 23 seconds per car. Saving time and money, the purchase price lowered to an affordable $290. Sales of the “Tin Lizzy” sky rocketed, and Ford eventually sold an amazing 15 million Model Ts before the end of its production in 1927.

General Motors upped the ante. While Ford kept the production costs and the price down by producing basically the same car every year (“Any color as long as it’s black.”), GM updated their cars annually in flashy new colors, the latest in design flare and fancy options. Through aggressive advertising, GM’s Alfred P. Sloan sold the idea of two cars in every family, along with the need to buy a new car every year. Planned obsolescence became GM’s strategy, convincing buyers that last year’s model was out of date and out of style. Anybody that’s anybody would have to buy the latest and greatest GM car. Cost was not a problem, thanks to Sloan’s new finance program, the installment plan. In the freewheeling roaring twenties, the buyer could pay monthly for a car, and then return it to the dealer for the next year’s exciting new model. Ford perfected the use of the assembly line, but Sloan revolutionized the auto industry by selling cars on credit.

Autos sales soared through the 1920s, feeding a booming economy.
The support industries of steel, rubber and glass thrived, as did thousands of businesses capitalizing on the new found mobility provided by cars. Movie theatres, grocery stores and baseball games attracted thousands of auto touring families and individuals in search of new destinations and diversions with their cars. Highway construction began, gas stations were built, and life was good. Then in 1929, Black Thursday and Black Tuesday hit, and the greatest stock market crash in history was a reality. Ten years of the Great Depression followed. Jobs were lost, monthly installment payments were missed, cars were repossessed, and the idea of a new car every year was history.

Flash forward to today where buying a car on credit is a given. With new car prices regularly over $20,000, paying cash for a car is rare. Credit is an industry unto itself. Companies developed another alternative by creating lease programs where the buyer only pays for a car during a finite period of time, and then returns it to the dealer. Similar to Sloan’s plan, leasing allows a purchaser to buy a car without really owning it. In good times, credit or leasing programs can provide a buyer a new car every three or four years, and possibly a better car than they could normally afford. There is also big money to be made for the loan companies that provide the financing. But obviously, the success of either program is reliant on the buyers paying their debt.

As with the 1930s, our recent auto crisis brought all of the fun to an end, again. Before this downturn, auto manufacturers could not make enough cars. Vehicles were sold, even more were made. When auto sales reached their peak and people slowed their buying, companies made even more vehicles and marketed them aggressively with ambitious rebate plans. A vicious cycle accelerated. Manufacturers made less on each car, so they needed to sell still more just to break even. Most car makers did not succeed. Huge inventories backed up. Then the economy plummeted, people lost their jobs, cars stopped selling, auto companies were stuck in the red, and the government bail-outs are now history. Déjà vu: too many cars and too much credit.

Reflecting back to a simpler time, the days of Henry Ford providing basic, reliable transportation for $290 CASH made perfect sense. Alfred P. Sloan contributed to the Crash of 1929 with GM’s installment plan, and the planned obsolescence of their flashy new models. Could Sloan be responsible for the ills that the auto industry is only now recovering from, yet again? It’s hard to believe that lessons can’t be learned.

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