THE CAR COACH REPORTS: WEEK IN REVIEW 5-25-12
PRESSURE EDITION
While the government mandated tire pressure monitoring system on all newer cars is a good idea on paper, it pretty much fails miserably. A single light on the dash leaving you to guess which tire is low on pressure is frustrating at best and TPMS systems erroneously warn drivers of low tire pressure all the time even though the tires are fully inflated.
Some higher-end cars will actually tell you which tire is low and by how much via a digital readout on the dash. While this is an improvement over the single warning light, too few vehicles actually have such systems.
Inevitably, drivers end up ignoring their TPMS lights, especially when faulty, and drive around with underinflated tires.
I have always been a big proponent of checking your tire pressure on a monthly basis. Not only do properly-inflated tires save fuel, they are also safer and will last longer. Unfortunately, the vast majority of drivers rarely check their tire pressure unless their tires look low.
Step in Nissan: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/nissans-easy-fill-idiot-proofs-tire-inflation/
Nissan has invented a foolproof system whereby drivers can never over-inflate their tires and will always know which tire needs air and when. The beauty of this system is that you never need a gauge, which most drivers don’t have anyway. All you need to do is fill the tire and the car’s horn will honk when it’s full.
It’s so simple yet so effective. Stop, fill honk. Why didn’t I think of this?
In other news, Saab may not be dead after all! We all thought the Swedish automaker took its last breath in 2011 but it appears there may be a new suitor who wants to swoop in and buy up the remaining assets: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/saab-to-be-saved-by-mystery-swedish-electric-car-company/
What they plan on doing with these assets is unknown but let’s hope they keep the brand alive and start producing some new cars. I was always a big fan of Saab—they were quirky but really nice cars.
What are your thoughts? Should Saab be saved?
Post your comments at http://laurenfix.blogspot.com/
My Final Thought
Check out this story: http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/driving-an-ev-is-like-paying-a-buck-a-gallon-eternally/
Really? What if the cost of electricity skyrockets? It’s happened before. And while $1 per gallon sounds nice, this report doesn’t take into account that when we were all paying this amount back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, none of our cars had only a 100 mile range!
EVs have a long way to go before becoming mainstream. They need much better range, towing capacity, better performance and better looks.
I’ll stick to gasoline and diesel…for now.
What do you think? Are EVs worth it?
Share your thoughts at: http://laurenfix.blogspot.com/
See you next week! Love Your Car! --Lauren Fix
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