Top Cars Arriving in the New Year

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carl-turnley-2019carIn time for the start of 2019, a number of auto manufacturers are getting ready to introduce their new lineups. In the mix, will be a number of new models in addition to upgrades of popular models and a few that are being resurrected from the past.

The popularity of the crossover and SUV inventories will see a number of new models for the New Year. Subaru plans on introducing the larger Ascent SUV. The vehicle is designed to include three rows of seats. Fuel economy conscious consumers can expect a number of new hybrids that include the Honda Insight, the Jaguar I-Pace and the Lexus UX. Tesla will offer the all-electric Model X.

Upgraded vehicles include the RDX by Acura. The Ford Ranger boasts an all-new design as does the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the GMC Sierra 1500 and the Ram 1500. Ford brought about a few changes in the company’s latest Mustang.

The Mustang GT coupes feature the Performance Package Two. The PP2 includes “MagneRide” adaptive dampers. The anti-roll bars on the front and rear of the vehicles are designed to be up to 67 percent stronger. The springs on the front and the rear are also reportedly up to 20 percent stiffer. The changes enable the GT to take corners better and provide more stability on the back roads.

Powerful muscle car fans will love the Ford Mustang Bullitt. The impressive engine in the Bullitt delivers 480 horsepower without forced induction. The sound alone of the engine revving provides an adrenaline rush. Add the blast from the exhaust and you have an exceptional muscle car that performs.

Jeep has long been synonymous with making quality off-road vehicles. However, for 2019, the company introduces the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. The vehicle shows us a totally different side to the Jeep name. The SUV features a 6.2 supercharged V8 engine capable of delivering more than 700 horses. The new Jeep goes from zero to 60mph in a mere 3.3 seconds. On a quarter-mile track, the Trackhawk easily accomplished the task in 11.6 seconds.

Although many believe that turbocharged four-cylinder engines are somewhat run of the mill, the engine in the new Mazda MX-5 Miata models is definitely different. The engine’s design reminds some of the capabilities of an Alfa Romeo or a Lotus-Ford twin cam. As such, drivers get a vehicle that is responsive and smooth.

Debunking five enduring myths about car maintenance

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carl-turnley-maintenanceCaring for our cars and trucks can often be frustrating. There are so many myths and rumors that it’s difficult to know what is the right thing to do for your vehicle. While a specific problem may require the assistance of a mechanic, these five tips can help you keep your car in a healthier state for longer.

You Probably Don’t Need Premium Fuel

Most people go for the higher octane fuel when they gas up at the pump, because they think it’s better for their car. This is just another urban myth. Unless your owner’s manual specifies the need for a higher octane fuel, regular unleaded will be just as good.

You Don’t Need to Change All Four Tires at Once

This is another car care myth that has been passed down through generations, but you shouldn’t feel obligated to follow it. What you do need to do is ensure all four tires are of the same brand and model. Also, check to make sure you’re always using the right size tire.

Leaving Your Tailgate Down Does Nothing for Fuel Efficiency

In a research project, Popular Mechanics tested the effects of driving various pick-up trucks with the tailgate down. This was in response to a theory that driving with the tailgate down helped conserve gas. In truth, this had no effect on fuel efficiency. However, the study did find that removing the tailgate altogether did help conserve gas. This was true even when the tailgate was replaced with mesh netting.

An Oil Change Isn’t an Excuse to Change Coolant

Many mechanics recommend changing coolant fluid and air filters, during an oil change. While this certainly benefits the mechanic, it doesn’t necessarily do much for your vehicle. Instead of taking your mechanic’s word for it, consult the vehicle owner’s manual to find out exactly how long your vehicle can go without changing coolant fluid and air filters.

An Electric Car is a Fire Risk

There’s a rumor going around that the new electrically powered vehicles are more likely to catch fire. Some people actually avoid buying electric cars, because they fear a random electrical fire. According to a report published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, electric cars are no more likely to catch fire than gas-powered vehicles.

Since most people aren’t mechanics, it’s easy to come across a multitude of myths and rumors about proper car care. Before buying into anything that you hear, it’s a good idea to research the rumor for yourself. Often consulting your owner’s manual can help you settle questions or concerns you have about your vehicle.

Ten Crucial Car Maintenance Tips

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Having a car is a tremendous privilege, but comes with great responsibility. Here are some tips to bear in mind to make sure your car’s maintenance is up to date.

  1. Check Your Air Filter

Whenever you want to pop on the air conditioner, you will want to make sure the filters in your car do not suffer much wear and tear. It is recommended that you change them every 12 months or so to prevent breathing in unhealthy air.

  1. Spark Plugs

Any issues that you may face with your engine can most likely be attributed to the spark plugs. Spark plugs are typically good for around 30,000 miles.

  1. Brakes

Cars that last longer typically have strong brakes. Every two years, ensure that your brakes are replaced. Checking your brake fluid can also be helpful.

  1. Cover It

Covering your car can ensure that the paint stays fresh and that your car remains stylish. This is more of an aesthetic tip, but it could save you money.

  1. Practice Better Driving

You could save money that you’d have to pay for damages to car by simply driving better and avoiding accidents. It reflects well on you, and saves you money in the long run.

  1. Exterior Engine Cleaning

Cleaning the exterior of your car can prevent excess debris from entering the internal compartment. Remove any debris or garbage that should not be there.

     7. Oil

Your oil should be amber in color, and you can refer to your owner’s manual in regards to when and how often your oil should be changed.

  1. Headlights

The headlights provide you with safety, allowing you to see what’s up ahead of you at night. Make sure the battery is up to date and that it is actually working before driving off.

  1. Windshield Wipers

The windshield wipers are one of the more vulnerable parts of your car that can wear out quickly. However, they can be easily replaced with a wiper blade.

  1. Tire Rotation

The general rule of thumb is to have your tires rotated and properly aligned every 5,000 miles. Doing so will also help your car’s fuel economy as well.

 

The Top Five F1 Races of All Time

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Formula 1 began in 1950 and has seen its fair share of classic events. After all, there have been nearly 900 Formula 1 races over the years. With so much content, and with so much history, you’re sure to find dozens of exciting, timeless moments.

However, we aren’t looking for classic moments here. We are looking for incredible races – races that are exciting, incredible displays of racing skill from beginning to end.

2008 Brazilian Grand Prix

The 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix was the conclusion to a tightly fought season. Lewis Hamilton was only 7 points ahead of Felipe Massa. Hamilton had to finish in the top 5 to maintain his lead. Felipe Massa started the race on the pole; Hamilton started in fourth. Even is Massa won the race, if Hamilton finished in the top five, Massa would lose the championship.

After rain stalled the race, Hamilton came out of the pits in sixth position. Massa ended up taking first place home; however, in the last turn, Hamilton took 5th position and took home the championship by just one point.

2012 Brazilian Grand Prix

The season was a tight one between Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel. The only thing stopping this race from being higher on the list is the fact that it finished under caution. Vettel ended up becoming a triple world champion at the conclusion of this race.

1988 Japanese Grand Prix

A stalled engine, a close finish, and tight season standings make this race stand out from others. Ayrton Senna ultimately won the race and the championship.

1957 German Grand Prix

This is arguably the best Formula 1 race to ever take place, and it happened only seven years after the racing organization was formed. Legendary driver Juan Manuel Fangio displayed what he was known for: incredible racing.

Fangio was driving a Maseratti and started on the pole. Fangio had a unique strategy: he used softer tires and never filled up past half a tank. This gave him greater speed around corners due to the softer tires and lighter load.

Fangio had a 30 second lead on the competition during his first pit stop, but things went terribly wrong. His pit team lost a tire. Fangio exited 48 seconds behind first place. Fangio broke the fastest lap record 9 times to take back first place and go home with the Championship.

1981 Spanish Grand Prix

Gilles Villeneuve’s journey from qualifying seventh and taking home the victory is another legendary race.

Villeneuve’s car had the clear advantage on straight stretched, but he was lacking speed around corners. It was his excellent strategy that earned him the victory. Villeneuve’s car was in the right places at all the right times, stopping Laffite from ever being able to pass him.

Not everyone will agree with these choices because there are countless classic races in Formula 1.

 

Cars that Altered History Forever

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Vehicle owners often have a favorite dream car that they own or desire to own. Over the years, there have been many automobiles that were considered innovations and are now icons of the automotive industry. Various automotive industry giants created a list of cars that made history and changed the world.

Ford Mustang

The Mustang is as American as apple pie. The car was first introduced to the public in 1964 at the New York World’s Fair. During the first year on the market, more than 500,000 were sold. The Mustang surpassed the Corvette and the Shelby in popularity and represented an affordable muscle car. The sports car also proved that it could stand up to the reputation earned by the Camaro and the Charger.

Volkswagen Beetle

The Beetle was unique in exterior design and function. Ferdinand Porsche developed the concept and was joined in his efforts to create the car by Adolph Hitler. The first Beetles were introduced in 1938. The last model featuring the rear-mounted engine was manufactured in Mexico in 2003. The unique air-cooled engine was later incorporated into the Porsche 911. The Beetle was reintroduced in 2003. Before the compact car became known as the Beetle, it had a number of names that included the KdF-Wagen, Kubelwagen and Type 60.

Jeep Cherokee

The introduction of the Cherokee made an impact on the automotive industry that would last for decades. The vehicle was the first middle-sized SUV made available to the public and quickly became quite popular. Manufacturers soon followed with their versions.

Austin Mini

The Mini was manufactured in Great Britain in 1959. Although small cars were already available, the Mini was unique due to the side-mounted engine and front-wheel-drive. In this way, the interior offered more space for occupants and cargo. The Mini Cooper and the Cooper S gained notoriety and success as race and rally cars. The little vehicle won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, in 1965 and again in 1967.

Toyota Prius

The Prius brought the concept of the fuel-efficient hybrid into reality. The first models were manufactured in Japan in 1997 as four-door, mid-sized sedans. Today, the designed advanced to include the five-door fastback. The Prius NHW11 or Generation II was the first of its kind to be made available outside of Japan in 2000. The car was readily accepted in Asia, Australia, Europe and the United States.

Making History: five cars en route to classic status

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The last decade has been something of a golden age for cars. And it will likely go down as the final evolution in the era of the largely mechanical and driver-intensive vehicles as cars are slowly taken over by technology, eventually becoming fully autonomous.

There can be little doubt that many of the final driver-based vehicles will ultimately end up with classic car status. With the massive improvements in per-displacement power production, stability control and aerodynamic design, the last 10 years have been a golden age of car production, featuring many of the most powerful and best-performing vehicles that have ever graced the roadways.

Here are a few rides that are likely to stand head-and-shoulders above even this stiff competitive cohort.

The Dodge Viper SRT

The Dodge Viper is perhaps the longest-running production of a single, easily recognizable sports car in American automotive history. Unveiled in 1991, the Viper of that year introduced the world to the rawest and most unwieldy street car that any American manufacturer had ever produced. And all the way to the end of its production run in 2017, the Viper maintained a strong adherence to its own lineage, with the final model bearing a strong resemblance to its 26-year-old forebear.

Right up to its last iteration, the Viper earned the reputation as an automotive rodeo bull, a vehicle powerful enough to kick any competitor into the dust but a danger to any driver not skilled enough to wrangle it. Between the neck-snapping power, wild handling and venomous aesthetics, the Viper is all but assured classic status.

The Dodge Challenger

With throwback styling that strongly nods to Mopar’s heyday in the ‘60s, the Dodge Challenger is as handsome as it is thrilling. A true driver’s car, the Challenger suffers from less of the wild-stallion-like feral road handling of its Viper cousin. And it can take a cart full of groceries back home with four adults riding along.

Yet, in its upper-echelon forms, the Challenger ranks among the most powerful production cars ever churned out of Detroit. It’s not hyperbolic to call the Challenger the archetype of modern American muscle. And this means its eventual classic status is a good bet.

The Honda S2000

The S2000 is an often-overlooked convertible that, while having a sleek and competent design, just doesn’t tend to visually reach the heartstrings the way that more exotic cars can. But the S2000 remains one of the greatest driver’s cars ever built. With its screaming 9,000 rpm redline, the S2000 accelerated, handled and sounded like a Ferrari but was priced like an Accord. You can bet on its presence at the auto auctions of the 2050s.

Changes Coming to F1 for 2019 Racing Season

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Those who are fans of Formula One racing are well aware of one of the problems the sport faces. In most Formula One races, those who start in the first rows almost always win unless there is an accident on the track.

There are two reasons for this. Formula One teams are experts at what they do. They know how to pace out a race to make sure that nothing goes wrong from start to finish. Another problem is that it is very hard to pass and overtake on the track.

In order to make it easier for drivers to pass, and to add some more excitement to F1, there are changes being made to the setup of the cars for the 2019 racing season. These changes are in anticipation of more extensive changes that are to be implemented in the 2021 season.

For 2019, the front wings on an F1 car will be wider, and there will be fewer flaps. This is being done in order to make it more aerodynamically possible for a driver to follow another driver closely. Right now, the setup of the cars causes turbulence when in the following position. This makes it harder for drivers to maintain the position that they need to be in to take advantage of passing opportunities.

There will also be a change in the design of the front brake ducts. There are currently small wings on the brake duct assemblies. In 2019, these will no longer be used. With this redesign, the brake ducts will be more apt to serve their intended purpose of providing cooling. It is hoped that this change will also help to end the problem of blown front axles that plagued several of the racing teams such as Ferrari, Force India and Haas during the current racing season.

There will be changes in the rear wing of the cars in 2019 as well. The rear wings will be taller and wider. The design of the rear wing will be simplified. This change will increase the downforce on the vehicle. This will stop the practice of coasting that some drivers currently use to make sure that they don’t run out of fuel.

With these changes in place for the 2019 Formula One season, the racing should be more exciting. There may be more chances for drivers to make a move resulting in fewer pole to win situations.

Avoiding Common F1 Racing Mistakes

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Formula One racing is exciting. Drivers race around the twisting and turning tracks to gain position and obtain a coveted place on the podium. Each year, there are a few new drivers in Formula One as some drivers retire and others realize that they just don’t measure up. It is important for new drivers to learn from the mistakes of others so that they have the potential for a long and successful Formula One career.

In Formula One racing, initial race position is of critical importance. The best racers on the best teams will do everything in their power to hold off drivers trying to come up from the back of the pack. Unless there is an accident or major error by a driver in the front two rows, those in the back of the pack rarely win a Formula One race.

New drivers should make sure to drive to the best of their abilities during the qualifying rounds. Any let down in performance will result in a poor starting position and few race points.

Another key for a new driver is to get the most out of the best tires for the track. Formula One drivers are required to use two different types of tires during the course of the race. One type is usually a hard tire while the other is a soft or super soft tire.

Invariably, one type of tire will perform better on a track on a given day. It is important that the driver make the most of the drive time available on the better performing tire.

A new driver to Formula One needs to make sure that all of the intangibles are working in his favor. Everything in Formula One is calculated by the team. The team engineers know just how much fuel is needed, when to make a pit stop and how the car needs to be set up for the race.

A new driver needs to make sure to listen to the team at all times. It’s vital that a driver get in for pit stops when they’re called by the team. Any mistake can cost position and points.

Finally, a new driver should review as much film as possible of previous races on a track. This is the next best thing to on track experience. Seeing how great drivers of the past raced is an important learning experience.

Debunking halo device myths

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Formula One (F1) Racing has been going through some big changes lately including the changing of their historic logo to the addition of a safety guard on the cars above the driver’s heads known as “the halo”. This has led many to begin passing around some myths about the sport that couldn’t be further from the truth. So what are these myths and what is the truth? The myths are as follows:

  • The Halo Device Goes Against The Rich History Of F1 Racing
  • It Will Permanently Destroy The Aesthetics Of The F1 Cars
  • The Halo Device Could End Up Trapping Drivers After A Wreck

The Halo Device Goes Against The Rich History Of F1 Racing

F1 racing fans are proud of the rich history of the sport. F1 racing represents the very best in both driving and engineering that the world has to offer. This is one of the biggest reasons that they seem to be so against the change in the design of the car. Although there has always been an element of danger in the sport, there is nothing more important than the safety of the drivers. This has been reiterated year after year as additional safety measures are taken so that fans can enjoy the sport while minimizing the risk of injury to drivers.

It Will Permanently Destroy The Aesthetics Of The F1 Cars

This myth is based on the misconception that the halo will remain in its current form for eternity. In fact, F1 racing officials are actually very open to the idea of racing teams designing their own halo guard systems and presenting them to a committee for consideration. The only caveat to this is that all teams would have to be given access to the designs so as to not give one team an unfair advantage over another.

The Halo Device Could End Up Trapping Drivers After A Wreck

While this is a very valid concern, all tests indicate that the halo device would actually aid drivers in getting out of the car easier if it were to flip onto its roof during a race. This is because the halo will keep the nose of the vehicle up higher thus allowing more room for a driver to escape before emergency responders arrive.

The Aerodynamics of a Formula 1 Car

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Ask anyone who is employed in Formula 1 and they’ll likely say that implementing aerodynamics wins championships. Aerodynamics consists of two main principles: minimizing drag and increasing downforce.

formula-1-aerodynamics

Aerodynamics became especially important in the late 1960s. That’s when numerous teams began to experiment with race car wings. Early tryouts with high mountings and movable wings created remarkable accidents, so regulations were implemented as of the 1970 season. These rules are growing along with the development of aerodynamics.

Wings on these cars function like aircraft wings, but in reverse. The former generate negative lift, also known as downforce, while wings on planes create lift. That’s because air travels over the sides at different speeds, and this produces variances in pressure. A modern car can develop 3.5 times the lateral cornering force of its own weight. In theory, these cars could be driven upside down.

By the middle of the 1970s, Lotus engineers discovered that the entire car chassis could act like a giant wing when the underside of the car was inventively designed. This is called ground-effect downforce. In the following years, more linear developments have moved aerodynamics along. Increasing speeds have led the sport’s controllers to adjust racing rules.

The aerodynamic factors of today’s cars are regulated by the location, height and width of bodywork. Each pound of downforce takes off milliseconds of lap time, so teams invest substantial amounts of money and time into computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and wind tunnel exercises. These two components are today’s main types of aerodynamic studies.

The rear and front wings on these cars make up about 60 percent of the downforce. The rest is covered by the floor. The wings’ designs differ from track to track because of different downforce requirements. For example, Monza is a high-speed track where wings are smaller to increase speed and reduce drag. Monaco, on the other hand, requires aggressive wings because of its track design.

Resourceful engineers will occasionally find loopholes and introduce clever solutions, such as F-ducts, double diffusers and exhaust-blown diffusers. Nevertheless, they don’t last long. One invention, the drag reduction system rear wing, has stuck around. It allows drivers to adjust the angle to increase speed and reduce drag. However, they can only use it on certain parts of a track and when a driver is within a certain time frame ahead in the competition.