Technology Blogs

Fill 'Er Up: Hydrogen Fuel Cell Chevrolet Equinox

5 hours ago SMARTCARBUYERS --

equinox rear view.JPG

We have a hydrogen fuel cell-powered Chevrolet Equinox in the office right now, but I don't get to drive it. Anyone who wants to drive the vehicle while it's here for a week or so was required to attend a training session on how to fill it up with all that odorless, volatile hydrogen gas. I missed the training. But that's OK. I can live vicariously (and you can, too), through Senior Editor John O'Dell, the man who embodies the words Green Car Advisor and happens to head up our blog of the same name, who wrote a post here all about the fueling training our drivers got before they could grab the keys to the Equinox.

Are Prius Owners Really Eco-Snobs?

11 hours ago SMARTCARBUYERS --

A Monday feature on FoxNews.com, Green With Envy: Prius Owners Smile as Neighbors Fume, is just the latest in a long string of articles that equates owning a Toyota Prius with being holier-than-thou. An excerpt:

"Studies conducted by J.D. Power show that the typical hybrid purchaser is better educated and wealthier than the average car buyer. Furthering the exclusivity is the fact that available hybrids are hard to find... Toss in the tax breaks and access to highway HOV lanes that hybrid drivers get in many locales, and it's no wonder old-school drivers can get irritated."

To which the non-profit 40mpg.org, which encourages hybrid ownership says, "Enough already!" with all the hybrid owner bashing.

But is there some truth to the idea that Prius owners are eco-snobs?

Cooling Fan Clutch Ford F150, F250,F350 1992 - 1998 OEM

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Cooling Fan Clutch Chevrolet Silverado 2006 - 2008 OEM

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Hub Bearing Dodge Ram 1500 1994 - 1999 NEW Timken

13 hours ago AUTOBLOG (Wholesale Parts News) -- Read the rest of Hub Bearing Dodge Ram 1500 1994 - 1999 NEW Timken!

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Hub Bearing Chevrolet Astro 1995 - 2002 NEW Timken

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Hub Bearing Chevrolet K1500 1988 - 1994 NEW Timken

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In the Three-Way Navigation Battle, Don't Count Out Carmakers Just Yet

Tuesday, 26 August 2008 SMARTCARBUYERS -- 8-26-2008 9-37-41 AM.png

Technology wars are an essential part of progress. A decade ago, embedded navigation systems were the latest and greatest in-car tech. But with inexpensive portable navs hanging from the windshields of millions vehicles, embedded nav systems have started to look like tech dinosaurs -- and they've also been shown to slightly increase the depreciation of a vehicle's value. Meanwhile, analysts are predicting that portables will soon loose ground to mobile-phone based navigation systems.

But Michael A.M. Davies, a senior lecturer at MIT's Sloan School of Management and an expert on business strategy and technology, warns not to count out carmakers just yet in the three-way battle between embedded nav, portables and mobile-phone apps. As navigation capabilities expand to include location-based services and finding friends along a route, Davies believes that car companies are in a unique position to present this additional info in a safer and more practical manner.

"Navigation is about much more than getting from Point A to Point B," Davies said. "It now involves finding the cheapest gas, the nearest coffee shop and even social networking. As we confront drivers with all of this new information, how it is presented becomes really critical in the car."

Although automakers have traditionally lagged behind the consumer electronics industry in getting tech innovations out on the road, Davies expects car companies to quickly seize opportunities in location-based services, and perhaps even win the nav war. And as with Ford's Sync system, software will be the weapon of choice. And Microsoft could be one of the primary arms suppliers.
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Hub Bearing Dodge Ram 1500 2000 - 2001 NEW Timken

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Hub Bearing Dodge Ram 3500 1998 - 1999 NEW Timken

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Hub Bearing Dodge Ram 3500 1998 - 1999 NEW Timken

Hub Bearing Dodge Ram 1500 2000 - 2001 NEW Timken

Hub Bearing Dodge Ram 2500 1994 - 1999 NEW Timken

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Hub Bearing Dodge Ram 3500 1998 - 1999 NEW Timken

Mirror Ford Explorer 1995 - 2000 TYC#FDM1026ER

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Mirror Ford F150 F250 F350 1992 - 1998 Power New

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Park Light Ford Explorer 2002 - 2005 NEW OEM

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2007 HONDA VT600C SHADOW VLX Recall

Tuesday, 26 August 2008 AUTOBLOG (Honda) -- Honda has announced that they will be recalling certain models of the 2007 Honda VT600C Shadow VLX. They stated that on certain passenger vehicles and motorcycles, the owners manuals contain...

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What Should "I" Buy? Environmentally Friendly Mom Mobile

Tuesday, 26 August 2008 SMARTCARBUYERS --

What Should I Buy?

While on a recent family vacation, it seemed like half my family was looking to buy a new car (a more economically viable prospect in Canada). Five kin, plus one friend were looking to buy something new. All were looking at fuel efficient choices and all had a good idea of what they wanted to get -- three Civics, a CR-V and a Malibu. All choices I could get behind. But one wasn't sure what she should get, so let me pretend for a moment that I'm my aunt, what should "I" buy?

I presently drive a 2005 Volkswagen Touareg V6 with minimal options that my spouse bought for me. I like it a lot, but it's time for something new. I'm very environmentally conscious and want something more eco friendly than a gas-guzzling and heavy SUV. I have two boys, ages 5 and 8, one of which plays hockey in the winter so I do need trunk space. I also live with snowy weather, so all-wheel-drive could be nice.

So, what should I buy?

James Riswick, Automotive Editor

Bumper Trim Ford Crown Victoria 1995 - 1997 NEW OEM

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Weatherstrip Ford Crown Victoria 2003 - 2007 NEW OEM

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AC Accumulator Drier Ford E150,E250,E350 1997-2007 NEW

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The .Car Era Officially Starts Today, but is it the Beginning of an Error?

Monday, 25 August 2008 SMARTCARBUYERS --

Starting today,Chrysler will offer its UConnect Web in-car Internet service as a dealer-installed option. While it's an inevitable step towards staying connected even while traveling at highway speeds, some view it as just another distraction for drivers and an accident waiting to happen. In an editorial in The New York Times over the weekend, professor Randall Stross warned that Internet connectivity in the car is a "bad idea," and cites studies showing drivers are four times more likely to be involved in a serious crash while talking on the phone -- hands-free or not.

Although Chrysler touts UConnect Web as "tailored for kids in the backseat" so that tykes can play Webkinz and teens can check in with Facebook friends, and a warning screen initially appears warning against using the system while driving, there are no restrictions on front-seat viewing as with OEM and aftermarket video systems. So a driver could conceivably surf the Web or check email while behind the wheel, or a front-seat passenger could watch videos on YouTube in view of the driver. This, Stross contends, is a recipe for disaster, and he has The AAA Foundation for Highway Safety and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety backing up his case.

But rather than safety concerns, demand and pricing may do more to initially stifle the growth of in-car Internet access.

Latest Crash Tests Emphasize Importance Of Side Airbag Protection

Monday, 25 August 2008 SMARTCARBUYERS --

Tiguan Crash.jpg The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently conducted crash tests on eight small SUV's. Four scored the best, earning a "Top Safety Pick" award. These were the VW Tiguan, Ford Escape (along with the Mercury Mariner and Mazda Tribute platform mates), Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan Rogue.

The VW Tiguan was noted as the top performer of the group. "In the latest tests, the Tiguan's performance is a standout," says Institute president Adrian Lund. "It sailed through the front and side crash tests without a single downgrade for structure or measures of injury likelihood recorded on the dummy. This is 1 of 4 models in this group that afford superior crash protection in their class. This is a huge change from just 5 years ago when most small SUVs were rated either marginal or poor in our side test, and standard side airbags and electronic stability control were rare."

Park Light Mazda MPV 1989 - 1995 TYC#18-3045-00

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