Archive for February, 2010
Most Hit-and-Runs Happen to Parked Cars
Posted on 25. Feb, 2010 by admin.
When you think of a hit-and-run accident, it usually involves a dramatic sideswipe at an intersection followed by burning rubber as the driver takes off. According to Allstate Insurance, though, the most common form of hit-and-run occurs when you’re not even in your car.
The insurance company has found that seven out of 10 hit-and-run collisions involve a parked car and the other driver fleeing without leaving a note. This recently happened to the wife of our own David Thomas. She parked her car at work, where it was hit in a parking space by a semitruck that sped off before anyone could get the license plate number. David assures us that this was not a pleasant experience.
Most states have strict rules about notifying owners if you collide with their parked vehicles and heavy punishment for leaving the scene of an accident. Allstate says that most insurance policies have collision coverage that will cover repairs if your car is hit while parked.
Allstate: Seven Out of 10 Hit-and-Runs in Parking Lots (DriveOn)
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Reader Review of the Week: 2010 Dodge Ram 2500
Posted on 25. Feb, 2010 by admin.
“Just Want to Share” from San Luis, Colo., has owned enough pickup trucks in his day that he considers himself a fairly reliable source. Although he considers himself a Ford guy at heart, the diesel engines of Ford’s pickups have left him unhappy, which spurred the purchase of a 2010 Dodge Ram 2500. Check out his review to find out why he prefers the Ram to a Ford, and then when you’re done, post your own review here.
“I have had a 1999 Ford F-350, a 2008 Dodge 3500, a 2009 Ford F-250, and now a 2010 Dodge 2500. I love Ford. I think they are a better built truck, but when it comes to the reliability of a diesel you can't beat a Cummins — sorry Ford.
“I still have my ‘99 Ford with the 7.3-liter and have had only small problems. As soon as I got my ‘08 Ford I was left on the side of the road with a plugged DPF. I use my diesels on a ranch/farm and beat them up as a part of everyday use. This 2010 Dodge is really reliable: cold starts in Colorado winters and great new interior compared to my ‘08 Dodge. It can now track transmission temps and is great under a heavy load.
“My only complaint is that there’s still no boost gauge for turbo, and Ford’s ‘08 turbo felt better and had quicker pick-up. The transmission is smooth compared to my ‘08 Ford and feels like you’re really in control even though it is a 6-speed automatic. I am a diesel mechanic and a big Ford guy, but until Ford gets their diesel motors right, I will swallow my pride and buy a lower quality truck with a better diesel motor. Hope this helps.”
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Ford Announces 2011 F-Series Super Duty Power Figures
Posted on 25. Feb, 2010 by admin.
After holding our breath for five months, Ford has finally released the official power ratings for its 2011 F-Series Super Duty pickups. They are impressive.
The all-new 6.2-liter gasoline V-8 is rated at 385 horsepower (at 5,500 rpm) and 405 pounds-feet of torque (at 4,500 rpm), and the all-new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbo-diesel is rated at 390 hp (at 2,800 rpm) and an earth-shaking 735 pounds-feet (at 1,600 rpm) in the F-250, F-350 and F-450 pickups. The F-450 and up chassis cabs are rated at 300 hp and 660 pounds-feet.
The rest of the story can be found at PickupTrucks.com
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Toyota Chief Apologizes for Recalls
Posted on 24. Feb, 2010 by admin.
During testimony today in front of Congress, Akio Toyoda, the grandson of Toyota’s founder and who currently runs the company, said in a prepared statement that the company’s growth directly led to missing serious safety issues.
He also apologized numerous times to the families of victims of accidents in Toyota vehicles.
However, he did reiterate that there is no problem with Toyota’s electronic throttle control, a hotly debated topic during Tuesday’s hearing. Not any of the recalls have involved throttle control but instead floormats, accelerator pedals and brakes.
Toyota’s U.S. chief, Yoshimi Inaba, says the brake override system being installed in the eight models of the 15 recalled make up 72% of the total units covered under the recall. The older models not getting the upgrade are not compatible with the brake override system, he said.
Inaba did say a report from Europe about sticking acceletor pedals did pop up a year prior to the U.S. recalls, but the difference in models, right-hand drive and other factors led to the automaker not connecting the two.
Inaba also said that commercial readers for electronic data recorders – EDRs – will roll out by the middle of next year. Toyota’s prototype EDR reader can be read only by Toyota representatives, and there is only one in the U.S. Inaba said the readers will be widely available next year and will be easily read. The government currently doesn’t require EDRs; they’ll be mandated in 2012.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood answered questions for nearly three hours before Toyoda, but little was revealed in his testimony. There were a number of miscues by congressmen, however, especially regarding recalls. At least one representative mentioned there was a recall of the the Corolla and not one for the Chevy Cobalt, even though both had similar problems with power steering, and the Cobalt had even more complaints. Both models are in the early stages of investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and both had similar numbers of crashes attributed to them despite a higher number of complaints for the Cobalt. The Cobalt investigation is further along, with an information request filed that GM must reply to by March 26. However, neither the Cobalt nor the Corolla has been officially recalled.
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Ford Announces 2011 F-Series Super Duty Power and Pulling Specs
Posted on 24. Feb, 2010 by admin.
After holding our breath for five months, Ford has finally released the official power ratings for its 2011 F-Series Super Duty pickups. They are very impressive.
The all-new 2-valve SOHC 6.2-liter gasoline V-8 is rated at 385 horsepower (at 5,500 rpm) and 405 pounds-feet of torque (at 4,500 rpm), and the all-new 4-valve OHV 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbodiesel is rated at 390 hp (at 2,800 rpm) and an earth-shaking 735 pounds-feet (at 1,600 rpm) in the F-250, F-350 and F-450 pickups. The F-450 and up chassis cabs are rated at 300 hp and 660 pounds-feet.
Let's put these powerful numbers in perspective.
For the gassers, the outgoing 2010 Super Duty's standard 5.4-liter gas V-8 is rated at 300 hp and 365 pounds-feet, and the optional 6.8-liter V-10 is rated at 362 hp and 457 pounds-feet. So the new 6.2-liter V-8 has more horsepower than either of the old engines and just misses splitting the difference in torque between the 5.4-liter and 6.8-liter, with two fewer cylinders than the massive 6.8-liter.
We can also compare the 6.2-liter V-8 in the Super Duty against its application in the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. The 6.2-liter V-8 in the Raptor is rated at a larger 411 hp and 434 pounds-feet.
The power numbers are larger in the light-duty pickup for two reasons, according to Chris Brewer, Super Duty chief engineer.
“The main reason is that when the truck goes over 8,500 pounds [gross vehicle weight rating], the SAE [horsepower and torque] rating method changes,” Brewer said. “We can't get the same horsepower and torque out of it [like we can in the F-150].”
The 6.2-liter V-8 in the Super Duty also uses a different camshaft from the light-duty version, which, some may recall, is the same approach Ford uses to make 500 hp in the FR Raptor XT version of the 6.2-liter V-8.
Before we compare the old and new diesel power ratings, you may be wondering why there are two sets of power figures for the 6.7-liter diesel. Again, gross vehicle weight rating plays a role.
The Environmental Protection Agency requires different emissions testing procedures depending on the gross vehicle weight rating, which leads to different power ratings. So-called “heavy-duty light trucks” below 14,000 pounds GVWR are tested using a chassis dynamometer; medium-duty vehicles whose GVWR is 14,000 pounds or greater are tested using an engine dyno.
Comparing the oil burners, the old chassis-certified 6.4-liter Power Stroke diesel V-8 is rated at 350 hp and 650 pounds-feet, so we're seeing a substantial jump in power by 40 horses and 85 pounds-feet from Ford's in-house designed and built 6.7-liter V-8. The dyno-certified 6.4-liter is rated at 325 hp and 600 pounds-feet, or 25 hp more and 60 pounds-feet less than the 6.7-liter.
“We're real pleased about the numbers for the new gas and diesel engines,” Brewer said. “It's a big win for customers and us.”
Brewer also broke down the 2011 Super Duty's new towing and hauling capabilities.
Last week, GM announced its new 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 pickups would have best-in-class towing and hauling, pending the release of Ford's numbers. Ford is now claiming those numbers and bumping them significantly higher over the 2010 Super Duty.
The F-250 and F-350 single rear-wheel trucks can tow up to 14,000 pounds conventionally and haul 4,050 pounds and 4,500 pounds, respectively. The F-350 dual rear wheel is rated to pull 16,000 pounds conventionally and up to 21,600 pounds using a fifth-wheel hitch. It can haul payloads up to 6,520 pounds.
Maximum towing requires a standard 3.73 or optional 4.10 rear axle. For those interested in prioritizing fuel economy or looks over towing, the Super Duty can be ordered with 20-inch wheel s and a 3.55 final drive ratio or a tall 3.31 ring and pinion, which was introduced as an option in 2010.
As we mentioned in our first look at the 2011 Super Duty, Ford has made significant frame changes to the F-450 pickup in response to owner requests for better fuel economy. The result is a lighter truck with a double-digit percentage improvement in fuel economy, and it tops out at 13,050 pounds GVWR for 2011 versus 14,500 pounds GVWR in the 2010 model. Maximum towing is 24,400 pounds, down marginally from 24,600 pounds, and maximum hauling is 4,920 pounds, down from 6,100 pounds.
The F-450’s top speed has also been raised. The old 19.5-inch wheels have been dropped because their tires were rated up to only 80 mph. New 17-inch wheels and tires raise the 2011 F-450’s top speed above 90 mph. The two-wheel-drive version has also been dropped. The F-450 is only available with four-wheel drive.
All the towing and hauling improvements are due to the new gas and diesel engines and all-new six-speed transmission, Brewer said. The frame and suspension components are virtually identical to the 2010 Super Duty lineup except for the F-450, which we noted earlier.
The 6.7-liter diesel also uses a unique approach to staying cool while working hard to help increase the numbers. It has two separate cooling systems, each with its own radiator and water pump. The primary cooling loop cools the engine while the secondary loop controls the temperatures of the exhaust gas recirculation, fuel and transmission coolers and a brand-new air-to-water charge air cooler that replaces the previous air-to-air intercooler.
In the future, we'll be interested to check back and see if Ford's towing ratings change once the proposed SAE J-2807 trailer towing standards are ratified by an alliance of truck manufacturers that includes Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Toyota and Honda and several leading trailer and hitch makers.
“We are actively involved in the SAE Trailer Tow Committee that is developing the J-2807 standards,” Ford spokeswoman Anne Marie Gattari said. “Final revisions to the standard are in progress with a ballot vote planned for this quarter. The standard will be implemented by all OEMS starting in 2013 [model year]. Ford's current plan is to follow in that direction at that time.”
With all of the power and pulling improvements, Ford hasn't left fuel economy out of the equation. “For the pickups, we'll see an 18 percent improvement in fuel economy and 25 percent in the chassis cabs,” Brewer said.
Brewer didn't provide specific numbers since HD pickups aren't required to carry EPA fuel economy ratings. We'll take his word for it until we can test the trucks.
We'll be driving the new Super Duty pickups soon. We can't wait to share our first impressions next month. Also, we'll be waiting to hear GM's horsepower and torque figures for the new “LML” 6.6-liter Duramax V-8 diesel to see if Ford will hang on to it best-in-class engine ratings.
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Last Chance for Toyota Conquest Incentives
Posted on 24. Feb, 2010 by admin.
If you’re planning to take advantage of the current incentives some automakers are offering to trade in your Toyota or terminate a Toyota lease, this weekend is the last chance before many of those offers expire. Most of these incentives expire Monday, March 1, so we wanted to remind shoppers about the deals that may be available this weekend. Some of these offers can even be combined with other incentives. We list the various offers below, including GM, Chrysler, Ford and Hyundai vehicles.
Chevrolet
Up to $1,000 lease termination assistance when you buy or lease a qualifying Chevrolet, or zero-percent financing for 60 months. You can combine current incentives with $1,000 bonus cash on most 2009 and 2010 models. Eligible trade-in Toyotas must be 1999 and newer model years. Eligible Chevrolets are listed below:
- 2010 Cobalt
- 2010 Impala
- 2010 HHR
- 2010 Traverse
- 2010 Tahoe
- 2010 Suburban
- 2010 Avalanche
- 2010 Silverado
Chrysler
Chrysler has targeted select Toyota models for its $1,000 cash-back offer. Only Tundra, Tacoma and Sienna models receive the cash back when traded in for a Chrysler vehicle.
GMC and Buick
There is $1,000 cash back or zero-percent financing for 60 months on trade-ins of Toyota and Lexus vehicles 1999 model years and newer. All 2009 and 2010 GMC and Buick models are eligible except for the 2010 GMC Terrain.
Ford
Ford is offering $1,000 cash back on trade-ins of Toyota, Lexus and Scion models, as well as Honda and Acura models.
Hyundai
There is $1,000 cash back available for Toyota trade-ins. This offer can be combined with Hyundai’s customer cash back. Eligible Hyundai models are listed below:
- 2009 and 2010 Elantra
- 2009 and 2010 Elantra Touring
- 2009 and 2010 Sonata
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GM Says Hummer Sale to Chinese Is Off. Brand To Be Shuttered.
Posted on 24. Feb, 2010 by admin.
By Dave Thomas
GM’s planned sale of the Hummer brand to China’s Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co. has fallen through. GM says it will wind down all operations for the brand.
“One year ago, General Motors announced that we were going to divest Hummer, as part of focusing our efforts on Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac going forward. We have since considered a number of possibilities for HUMMER along the way, and we are disappointed that the deal with Tengzhong could not be completed,” said John Smith GM vice president of corporate planning and alliances. “GM will now work closely with HUMMER employees, dealers and suppliers to wind down the business in an orderly and responsible manner.”
GM says it will honor all warranties and provide service and parts through other GM dealers. This is the same process that Saturn and Pontiac went through in the past year since GM’s restructuring.
Hummer sales fell 67% in 2009 compared with 2008 to just 9,046 units. Reports from Bloomberg earlier today pointed to the Chinese government’s desire to portray a green image as its huge population is increasingly buying more cars as a reason it would not approve the sale.
[Source: GM]
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Hummer Sale to Chinese Company Falls Through
Posted on 24. Feb, 2010 by admin.
GM’s planned sale of the Hummer brand to China’s Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co. has fallen through. GM says it will wind down all operations for the brand.
GM says it will honor all warranties and provide service and parts through other GM dealers. This is the same process that Saturn and Pontiac went through in the past year since GM’s restructuring.
Hummer sales fell 67% in 2009 compared with 2008 to just 9,046 units. Reports from Bloomberg earlier today pointed to the Chinese government’s desire to portray a green image as its huge population is increasingly buying more cars as a reason it would not approve the sale.
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New York Gets Concessions for Toyota Owners
Posted on 24. Feb, 2010 by admin.
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has struck a deal with Toyota to provide owners of recalled vehicles in his state a number of added concessions. Toyota will provide and pay for out-of-pocket transportation costs to owners while their cars are being repaired, pick up and drop off the vehicles to owners’ homes and offer drivers free rental cars.
The cost wasn’t revealed, but The Associated Press says there are 500,000 recalled Toyotas in the state of New York.
We wonder if other states will follow suit.
AP Source: Toyota Agrees to Improve Repair Program (New York Times)
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GM in Midst of Quiet But Growing Revival
Posted on 24. Feb, 2010 by admin.
Less than a year after emerging from bankruptcy, GM has done anything but tread water, making new investments and rehiring workers as it makes a bid to return profitability and consumers’ good graces.
Since July, GM has invested $1.4 billion in 18 facilities across the country, including in its economically devastated home of Michigan. Factories in Flint and Detroit-Hamtramck have gotten a boost, and the automaker opened a battery plant in Brownstown Township.
Most recently, GM recalled 1,200 laid-off hourly workers and added a third production shift to the Lordstown, Ohio, plant that is building the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze.
All told, GM’s investments have translated into 5,500 jobs — a much different story from last year, when the automaker was cutting jobs and making massive production cuts.
All this has been possible, of course, with $50 billion in federal aid. As the economy improves, a leaner GM will look to capitalize on an automotive market with pent-up demand and with new models in the pipeline.
General Motors Roaring Out of Bankruptcy (Detroit News)
