Archive for March, 2010
Toyota’s Brake Override System – How it Works
Posted by: | CommentsAs the sudden unintended acceleration still haunts Toyota, they will begin installing brake override systems in many of their current and previous year models. Toyota said that “The brake override system is not an integral part of the recall remedy, but is instead being added as an extra measure of confidence for Toyota owners” (see Press Release).
So how does it work?
According to Toyota, their brake override system “automatically reduce(s) engine power when the brake pedal and accelerator pedal are applied simultaneously under certain driving conditions.”
The brake override system will work when:
1. The throttle opening is greater than 1/3
2. Vehicle speed is above 5 mph
3. Brakes are applied firmly
To learn more about Toyota’s Brake Override System, click on the image below.
Toyota - Brake Override System
A new muscle car era for Gen Y’ers? 2011 Ford Mustang: High Horsepower and High MPGs
Posted by: | CommentsThe 2011 Ford Mustang EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Fuel Economy MPG (Miles Per Gallon) are in:
- Ford Mustang 3.7 liter V-6 … 300+ HP (Horsepower) and 31 mpg on the highway with an automatic transmission
- Ford Mustang GT 5.0 liter V-8 … 412 HP and 26 mpg on the highway with a 6 speed manual transmission
2011 Ford Mustang
I am not only impressed with the GT, but look at the “regular” mustang…300 HP out of their V-6! Read Ford’s Press Release. Are we in a new muscle car era? Let’s compare the 2011 Mustang specs to the classic 1969 Mustang.
1969 Mustang 250 c.i. (4.1 liter) I-6 1V Carburetor … 155 HP
1969 Mustang 302 c.i. (5.0 liter) V-8 2V Carburetor … 220 HP
1969 Mustand 428 c.i. (7.0 liter) Cobra Jet 4V Carburetor … 335 HP
See all specifications at TheAutoChannel.com
With about half the engine size (3.7 liter) the 2011 Mustang V-6 is encroaching on the HP of the massive 1969 Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet. Technology is amazing!
With its proclaimed “Americas Best Warranty“, “Hyundai Assurance“, high quality cars, and a major competitor (Toyota) in public perception nightmare ; Hyundai overtakes Toyota and Honda as the #1 automaker in owner loyalty according to KBB.com.
Hyundai is a Korean company, but with facilities in Alabama (manufacturing), California (proving grounds), Michigan (engineering), half the cars they sell in the U.S. are made in the U.S. They have over 5,000 direct U.S. employees and an additional 20,000 at dealerships. They also embrace diversity…this is how Hyundai puts it “WE’RE NOT ALL THE SAME, BUT WE’RE ALL EQUAL“.
2011 Hyundai Sonata
Law Enforcement Vehicle Race Heating Up: Ford, Chrysler, GM, and Carbon Motors
Posted by: | CommentsLaw enforcement agencies have plenty to choose from when looking for a new vehicle.
2012 Ford Police Interceptor – The new Ford Taurus-based model will replace the popular Ford Crown Victoria. See the newly released specifications for the Ford Police Interceptor HERE.
Police - 2012 Ford Police Interceptor
2010 Dodge Charger Police – The Charger is gaining popularity as the Ford Crown Victoria-based car is being phased out. Check out the Dodge Charger Police Specs HERE.
Police - 2010 Dodge Charger Police
2011 Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV) – The all new rear wheel drive model. Read about the PPV specifications HERE.
Police - 2011 Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV)
And then you have a specialized vehicle manufacturer, Carbon Motors. Expected to be released in 2012, the E7 is a purpose-built vehicle platform build exclusively for law enforcement. With its diesel engine and expected life of 250,000 miles it may be a player in the law enforcement market. Check out the specifications at www.CarbonMotors.com.
In a presentation in Paris on March 1st, Richard Newell the Administrator of the U.S. Energy Information Administration, indicated that by 2035 new light duty vehicle efficiency is projected to reach 40 mpg (miles per gallon). In addition, flex fueled vehicles, mild hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and full hybrids will account for the majority of alternative fueled vehicles sold.
See the presentation below…look specifically at slides 10 and 11.
Energy Information Agency: 2035 - The U.S. Energy Outlook including Alternative Fueled Vehicle Projections
I was disappointed to see (or I guess not to see) that a very small percentage of new vehicles would be 100% pure electric. With any projection, I guess time will tell. Either way, alternative fueled vehicles will play a role in meeting the new CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards for 2016. The new standards require an average fuel economy standard of 35.5 mpg in 2016. See Whitehouse.gov article on these standards.
GMC released the specifications today of the new 2011 Sierra Denali HD. What I like about this press release is that it highlights “Competitive Facts” focusing right in on how Sierra matches up with the Dodge Ram and Ford F-Series and Super Duty. In this Press Release, General Motors highlights the towing capability, payload capacity, new independent front suspension system, and my favorite…an exhaust brake on the Duramax diesel. This is what I would like to highlight.
The exhaust brake, which can be turned on or off by the driver, uses the turbocharger and engine compression to generate backpressure…thereby slowing the vehicle without applying the brakes. For those that have tried to keep a steady speed with cruise going down hills with a load, this is a really neat feature. It is integrated with the cruise and accounts for vehicle load and road grade. This will certainly help in prolonging brake life on downhill grades.
2011 GMC
NBC Today Show – The Runaway Toyota Prius
Posted by: | CommentsThe NBC Today Show reported on a story regarding a runaway Toyota Prius in California. This report, along with numerous others, really questions whether Toyota has figured out its “Sudden Unintended Acceleration” issues. After recalling 8 million+ vehicles for floor mat entrapment and sticky accelerator pedals (by fixing it with shims), have Toyota engineers really diagnosed the problem correctly? It is true that the floor mats and sticky accelerator pedals are probably an issue, but are they the only issue? Is the vehicle electronic throttle control system to blame? Many customers are still experiencing issues even after their vehicle has been “fixed” by the recall. Toyota, in congressional hearings, was confident that the vehicle electronic throttle control system is not to blame. What a nightmare for Toyota, NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), and especially for Toyota owners.
Watch the Today Show video
Runaway Prius
UPDATE:
As reports flourish about this driver’s credibility (see this USA Today Article), Toyota released a video clarifying that hybrid models have a brake override system. Watch below.
Hybrid Vehicle Brake Override System Video
