Archive for the ‘Driving Matters’ Category
Wednesday, April 8th, 2009
New cars were on the menu, of course, but so was the potential of a Chrysler tie-up with Fiat and its small car expertise. It's all being done in the hopes of getting consumers to think about cars.
Posted in Advertising, Driving Matters, Incentives, Product News, Technology | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 8th, 2009
Nothing's guaranteed yet, but if there's enough interest in the machine GM and Segway hope they can put a two-seat transportation device on the market one day. It's not the answer to all of our transportation issues, but it could help a lot of people.
Posted in Design, Driving Matters, Gadgets, Green, Product News, Technology | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009
It's complicated and probably won't make everyone happy, but the U.S. government has a plan to back new car warranties in the event of a financial crisis at the company that made the car. This NY Times story sheds some light on what it might mean.
Posted in Advice, Buying Tips, Driving Matters, Product News, Program For Change | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 24th, 2009
At some time it will be just too dangerous to let Alzheimer sufferers take out the family car, and figuring out when that should be is a growing issue.
Posted in Accidents, Driving Matters, Is There A Lesson Here?, Law Enforcement, Program For Change, Sad stories | No Comments »
Sunday, February 22nd, 2009
They won't fight the ticket on your behalf or anything, but a new online service will do a lot of the administrative work associated with moving citations.
Posted in Driving Matters, Is There A Lesson Here?, Law Enforcement, Program For Change | No Comments »
Sunday, February 22nd, 2009
It's not really a bad idea to buy a Sky from Saturn or a Solstice from Pontiac if you're looking for a sporty two-seat roadster, since GM will supply parts and honor the warranty no matter what.
Posted in Advice, Buying Tips, Dealerships, Driving Matters, Is There A Lesson Here?, Product News | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 18th, 2009
A reporter in Orlando made a small mistake the other day regarding the safety integrity around her car and is paying a big price for it. The best part is she can now help other people avoid the same problem.
Posted in Advice, Driving Matters, Is There A Lesson Here?, Law Enforcement, Safety, Warnings | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 10th, 2009
This is pretty interesting, since it speaks to a growing concern across the country. It has limitations, to be sure, but it could work for lots of people feeling the economic pinch.
Posted in Advice, Buying Tips, Driving Matters, Financing, Insurance, Program For Change, Save Money | No Comments »
Friday, February 6th, 2009
If you're in the market for a pickup truck this year, you need to know that Ford has upgraded the smaller of its two models -- the Ranger -- with some interesting safety features. There are side airbags and, most importantly, an electronic system that reduces the chance the truck ...
Posted in Accidents, Driving Matters, Gas Issues, Product News, Save Money, Technology | No Comments »
Thursday, February 5th, 2009
By using the Microsoft-designed Sync system, Ford says, drivers can do more of the multi-tasking with voice controls, leaving their hands free to steer. Check out Ford's press release below for the full details.
Posted in Accidents, Buying Tips, Driving Matters, Gadgets, Parts, Product News, Technology | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009
Higher fuel economy and lower emissions sounds like a great idea, but there are things at play that will make them harder to achieve than Obama understands, or so says this Boston writer.
Posted in Driving Matters, Gas Issues, Green, Is There A Lesson Here?, Program For Change | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009
An electric vehicle with a range of only 30 miles may not seem like much, but it's probably enough to get most people going for a day. That means these upcoming Fords can be recharged at night or while you're at work and keep you off gasoline most of the ...
Posted in Buying Tips, Driving Matters, Gas Issues, Green, Product News | No Comments »
Monday, February 2nd, 2009
Maybe it's not Mars that men are from, but from some planet in another universe, as this story about paying money to wreck cars makes clear.
Posted in Driving Matters, Is There A Lesson Here?, Parts, Sad stories | No Comments »
Sunday, February 1st, 2009
Given the tendency of the New York Times to get its automotive coverage wrong, this article from the grey lady of US journalism about a possible future for the auto industry is surprisingly well thought out and balanced. It describes a new world for carmakers and car buyers.
Posted in Advice, Driving Matters, Green, Is There A Lesson Here?, Program For Change | No Comments »
Saturday, January 31st, 2009
It's still in the discussion phase, but there are people in DC who think it might make sense to support those people who want to get out of a gas-guzzler for something smaller and more fuel-efficient.
Posted in Driving Matters, Gas Issues, Incentives, Program For Change, Save Money | No Comments »
Friday, January 30th, 2009
The glee in this press release about a method for overturning DUI charges from a British law firm is not quite typical of the kind of thing you see from American law firms when they think they've done something clever, but it's close enough to give you the creeps.
Posted in Driving Matters, Law Enforcement, Program For Change, Sad stories, Technology | No Comments »
Friday, January 30th, 2009
This type of thing may happen in other parts of the continent, but somehow it isn't surprising that it's pretty common in Boston, particularly the south side. If you don't life there, this kind of behavior might be viewed as comical.
Posted in Advice, Driving Matters, Is There A Lesson Here?, Law Enforcement, Sad stories | No Comments »
Thursday, January 29th, 2009
This should be an important consideration if you're trying to save money on fuel by going to a smaller vehicle. It means you're putting yourself at greater risk and not saving any money.
Posted in Accidents, Advice, Buying Tips, Driving Matters, Gas Issues, Insurance, Is There A Lesson Here?, Product News, Save Money, Warnings | No Comments »
Thursday, January 29th, 2009
The key point here is that unless you really want to drive a sedan that's smaller than a Chevrolet Malibu or a Toyota Camry, you won't like what the new vehicle situation will be like when the national fleet fuel economy average meets those new standards.
Posted in Driving Matters, Gas Issues, Green, Is There A Lesson Here?, Technology, Warnings | No Comments »
Thursday, January 29th, 2009
Several methods of getting consumers back into the new car market are being considered in Washington, which should be good news for people who decide to take the plunge.
Posted in Buying Tips, Dealerships, Driving Matters, Pricing, Product News | No Comments »
Thursday, January 29th, 2009
Since outward signs of enjoyment and financial well-being seem more offensive lately than they have in a long time, it's probably not surprising that a pair of "life's-a-banquet-and-I'm-filling-my-plate" cars will be phased out.
Posted in Driving Matters, Is There A Lesson Here?, Product News, Program For Change, Sad stories | No Comments »
Thursday, January 29th, 2009
Bearing in the mind the fact that the people who did the survey will directly benefit from an upsurge in the replacement of parts and extra vehicle serive, it's possible that a grain of salt, or maybe even two, needs to be applied here. But it's probably true that a ...
Posted in Accidents, Advice, Dealerships, Driving Matters, Is There A Lesson Here?, Parts, Repairs, Warnings | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 28th, 2009
The craziest auto writer in the English-speaking world is back recommending a Volvo smart shoppers should avoid and suggesting that attractive cars should get preferential treatment. We think it's supposed to be a joke, but who knows?
Posted in Buying Tips, Children, Driving Matters, Is There A Lesson Here?, Law Enforcement, Product News, Warnings | No Comments »
Monday, January 26th, 2009
A regular commute into Dallas for a disparate group of women has developed into a networking organization that offers help in times of car trouble or job searches or whatever's needed, and no men are allowed.
Posted in Advice, Cute stories, Driving Matters, Is There A Lesson Here?, Program For Change, Repairs, Safety | No Comments »
Sunday, January 25th, 2009
By far the most important lesson of this story is that you should NEVER leave anything on view inside your car since it can lead to a break-in and endless residual trouble. From there on, it probably depends upon where you live, since not all police departments will behave the ...
Posted in Advice, Driving Matters, Is There A Lesson Here?, Law Enforcement, Program For Change, Sad stories, Warnings | No Comments »
Sunday, January 25th, 2009
Groups of mothers regularly pray together for the safety of their families and they believe those requests have often been answered.
Posted in Accidents, Advice, Children, Cute stories, Driving Matters, Is There A Lesson Here?, Program For Change, Safety | No Comments »
Saturday, January 24th, 2009
In principle, the idea of switching from gas to electricity to power cars has a lot of appeal, but there are a lot of challenges on the road to this utopia, including the infrastructure required to supply the electricity. This NY Times story gives a reasonably accurate perspective of the ...
Posted in Driving Matters, Green, Is There A Lesson Here?, Product News, Program For Change, Technology | No Comments »
Thursday, January 22nd, 2009
As entertaining as a list like this can be, the truth is that it's drivers who get tickets, not the cars themselves. There is sometimes a co-relation between the driver and his car that results in tickets (young men and cheap sportscars), but more often the causal relationship is not ...
Posted in Driving Matters, Is There A Lesson Here?, Law Enforcement, Safety, Warnings | No Comments »
Thursday, January 22nd, 2009
These pictures are quite entertaining, if you're sitting someplace comfortable at home and not behind the wheel trying to get across town without getting killed, at which point some of these traffic lights would be terrifying.
Posted in Cute stories, Driving Matters, Technology, Warnings | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 21st, 2009
Attention all you folks who think the sun rises and sets on imported cars, do yourself a favor and look carefully at this press release below from a respected research firm. It may help break up some of the calcification that's built up around your brain on the subject of automobile ...
Posted in Advice, Buying Tips, Driving Matters, Is There A Lesson Here?, Lists, Program For Change | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 20th, 2009
The woman in charge of leading the development of hybrid vehicles for Ford is enthusiastic about the opportunity, even in such parlous economic times.
Posted in Driving Matters, Green, Product News, Program For Change, Technology | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 20th, 2009
A consideration of how to handle one of the most irritating things about having a car leads directly into a consideration of the best way to lead your life. It may not work for you, but it might be worth your time to think about it.
Posted in Advice, Children, Driving Matters, Is There A Lesson Here?, Program For Change | No Comments »
Monday, January 19th, 2009
Most people take being in a car for granted, especially if they've been doing it for years with no untoward results. But this story shows how close to disaster you can come every time you get into a vehicle. This situation will play out in these people's lives forever and ...
Posted in Accidents, Children, Driving Matters, Is There A Lesson Here?, Law Enforcement, Sad stories, Warnings | No Comments »
Monday, January 19th, 2009
In a rational, sensible world, something good would come from this story about new air quality regulations in California that would make life difficult for some technology firms working on devices to reduce pollution from cars. That something good would be a wider public understanding of exactly how difficult it ...
Posted in Driving Matters, Green, Is There A Lesson Here?, Program For Change, Technology | No Comments »
Monday, January 19th, 2009
An examination by a tech writer at the Washington Post makes it clear that the new technologies meant to stop people from being able to use cell phones in cars aren't as infallible as many people, but particularly the parents of teenagers, had hoped.
Posted in Accidents, Children, Driving Matters, Gadgets, Safety, Warnings | No Comments »
