Alternative Fuel Options for Cars 

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Carl Turnley Alternative Fuel Options for Cars

A growing demand exists for alternative fuel vehicles due to government regulations and environmental concerns. Substitutes for conventional engines that are gasoline-powered and contain internal combustions are important for both consumers and the manufacturers who will provide them. Which direction should be taken is a tricky dilemma for both. There are several options.

 

Gas-Electric Hybrids

The original hybrid models, the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight, each reached the U.S. in the year 1999. Today there are roughly 40 gas-electric models available for sale. Using electricity to power vehicles to some extent has significant benefits, both for emissions and fuel economy. A battery power at low speeds and handles stopping and starting. Regenerative braking and the gas engine charge the battery so it does not need to be plugged in.

 

Plug-In Hybrids

PHEVS, or plug-in hybrids, have larger batteries that can get the car moving with the use of electricity alone, generating zero emissions. These batteries are charged by plugging them in to a power source. Fewer models are available in the U.S., and the larger batteries add a hefty amount to the price tag.

 

Electrics

EVs, or electric vehicles, run free of gasoline entirely. They make use of a battery to store electric energy used to power the motor. Acceptance of EVs has been growing since their introduction to the market. Range anxiety is a deterrent that continues, as is the limited number of charging stations that lie outside of major cities.

 

Ethanol and Flex Fuel

Corn ethanol has made its way into the fuel supply of the nation thanks to the 2007 Renewable Fuels charge of the government. Ethanol has received a backlash because it contains less energy than does gasoline, which results in a fewer number of miles per gallon. It also takes a fair bit of energy to produce, leading to increased carbon dioxide emissions.

 

Biodiesel

Biodiesel, which is manufactured from animal fats, vegetable oil, or grease recycled from restaurants, raises conventional diesel fuel’s octane rating and burns in a cleaner fashion. It is also biodegradable and non-toxic. It can be used alone but is generally mixed with conventional diesel fuel. Biodiesel can be found in many vehicles that boast conventional diesel engines that lack modification.

Debunking Car Transmission Myths

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There is a lot of mystery and misinformation surrounding automatic transmissions, even within the automotive industry.  While some of these myths might have been true decades ago, modern technology has helped to level out the performance disparity between automatic and manual transmissions. Today’s blog is going to take a closer look at common transmission myths and the facts that will debunk them. 

 

Automatic transmissions are sealed units that are neither serviceable nor repairable.

It all depends on finding the right technician. Even though it seems like the only fix for a problem with an automatic transmission is a complete replacement of the unit, they are repairable and can benefit from being serviced. Those who don’t work with automatics can find the task daunting and nigh impossible, but for those who do, the task is still difficult because it’s easy for things to go wrong. The reason for this is that automatic transmissions contain a lot of small parts that are easily forgotten, so many mechanics don’t like to work on them. 

 

Cars with manual transmissions always cost less than their automatic counterparts.

While cars with manual transmissions tend to cost less, this isn’t always true. Consumer Reports notes that buying a car with a manual transmission can help consumers save between $8,000 and $12,000, but a number of cars on the market today, such as BMWs and GM models, cost the same regardless of their transmission. The maintenance cost of automatic transmissions may be higher, but better design has helped them to last the life of the vehicle, so long as the driver is taking care of it. Manual transmissions tend to not last as long and may need a few replacements during the car’s lifetime. Of course, this depends on the driver’s behavior and other variables as well. 

 

Automatic transmissions are less fuel-efficient than manual transmissions.

This claim is unfortunately true, however, manufacturers are closing the gap in fuel efficiency between manual and automatic transmissions. That being said, manual transmissions tend to beat automatics in fuel efficiency by a small margin in most cases. At its simplest, the problem boils down to weight and friction. Automatics are heavier than manual transmissions, which require more work and thus require more fuel. Depending on the abilities of the driver, though, automatics can be more efficient at times by switching gears at the most efficient time as opposed to manual if the driver isn’t good at hitting the optimal shift time. 

The Biggest F1 Races Taking Place in 2019

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2019 brings another exciting year for Formula 1 racing! Even though we are past the halfway mark for the year, we still have a number of races to look forward to. Here are some of the biggest F1 races taking place in 2019.

 

Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2019 – 20-22 September

Singapore’s Marina Bay Circuit is known for its nighttime races, having hosted the first one in F1 history back in 2008. The physically demanding 5.063km course provides no shortage of challenges for the driver, from bumpy surfaces to high humidity. What’s more, the circuit features 23 corners during the high-speed lap. This race gives visitors a chance to experience Singapore at its best.

 

Formula 1 VTB Russian Grand Prix 2019 27-29 September

The Sochi Autodrom was the site of the Formula 1’s first-ever Russian Grand Prix in 2014. The circuit itself grew from the internal roads of the park built for the Winter Olympics that same year. One of the unique features of the track is right at Turn 3, a 750m constant-radius left turn that takes drivers around the outside of the Poyushchiye fountain. This early autumn race means that it’s still warm enough for visitors to take advantage of some of Russia’s best beach resorts in Sochi. Unfortunately, ski season doesn’t start until at least December. 

 

Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix 2019 11-13 October

While the Suzuka International Racing Course (better known as just “Suzuka”) was built in 1962, it didn’t see its first Grand Prix until 1987. The track is one of the seminal courses in Formula 1, with driving challenges like snaking S curves and a crossover and remains a favorite among drivers. Kimi Räikkönen holds the current lap record of 1:31.540 from 2005, but we’ll see if anyone can beat that this year. 

 

Formula 1 United States Grand Prix 01-03 November

The Circuit of the Americas’ first Grand Prix was in 2012, which drew a crowd of over 100,000 spectators. The crowd witnessed Lewis Hamilton’s last win in a McLaren before he made the switch to Mercedes the following year. The circuit draws inspiration from a few of the other famous tracks in F1 history, like Suzuka and Hockenheim. The uphill run into Turn 1 provides the opportunity for some overtaking action.

Tips for Getting Into F1 Racing

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carl-turnley-f1Formula One racing is one of the world’s biggest entertainment pastimes — a competitive sport that demands dedication and perseverance from its participants. If you’re just looking for a new hobby, Formula One racing might not be right for you – but if you have the drive to succeed and the patience to train for years, these tips can lead you to victory.

Consider Racing School

If you’ve been driving on normal roads for years, you might think that you have an understanding of what it takes to drive a Formula One car – after all, it’s just faster, isn’t it? Not exactly. Formula One cars require faster reflexes than normal driving and involve higher stakes, not to mention the inherent differences in the designs of the vehicle platforms. Racing schools can give you an opportunity to refine your skills and see what you’re made of – not only that, but they allow access to vehicles you might not be able to try out otherwise. This is a great way to make sure this is the right path for you.

Start Slow in a Kart

Some suggest that you should train with a go-kart before you actually start Formula One racing – while this can be a valuable way to train your skills, it isn’t always necessary. That said, if you do need to start out slow, try earning a go-kart certification and finding a nearby course that has their own karts. That way you’ll save money overall and you’ll always have somewhere to train – and some go-kart races even have cash prizes, meaning you could earn back the price of your membership to the course.

Meet Racing License Standards

Since this is a rather dangerous sport, you’ll need to meet a number of requirements to become a Formula One racer – you’ll need to spend two years of licensed racing in a junior class of single-seat vehicles, like go-karts, as well as 40 race points from victories. You’ll also need 300 hours in a Formula One car itself on a course or as a junior member of a team – and, of course, you’ll need to be a legal adult.

Keeping all of this in mind, Formula One looks like a hard hobby to break into – but if you’ve got the skill and the commitment to go the extra mile, those steps should help you get started.

A History of Formula One Racing

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carl-turnley-f1historyFormula One racing uses the fastest one-seater cars developed for road racing, deriving most of their speed from the fact that they can take corners with immense speed and create aerodynamic push that further bolsters their velocity. All vehicles in Formula One races must follow a set of standards first devised in 1946 before several revisions.

These 1946 standards led into the first Formula One events, namely the 1950 race at Pau in southwest France and subsequent world championship at Silverstone. From there, interest was piqued, and seasons started in earnest – the big developments in this era were mostly derived from alterations to the vehicle models.

Early races saw domination by Italian manufacturers like Alfa Romeo and Ferrari, and although the former managed to outspeed the competition during the 1950 season, Ferrari soon developed a new methodology that gave them a massive advantage over the competition.

Enzo Ferrari realized that increasing the engine power of their super-cars would mean lowered fuel efficiency, and that the resulting time spent refueling would ultimately neutralize any advantage from their more powerful cars. As a result, he equipped the Ferrari Formula One team with V12 4.5-litre 375s that saw nearly four times the miles per gallon and decreased pit time hugely.

Things changed again in 1958 when Stirling Moss breezed across the finish line in the 1958 Argentine Grand Prix, marking the first major win by a driver whose engine was mounted behind the driver’s seat. The British had realized that rear-mounted engines could give their cars better handling and weight, putting them at a sizable advantage over the formerly titanic Italian teams.

Dozens of minor alterations and changes to the platform continued until the late 1960s, when a new issue arose – the ever-growing speeds at which drivers moved meant that crashes were often fatal, and safety became more of a focus than it ever had before. Changes to the supercars led to better handling and more focus on protecting drivers.

Over the next several decades, titans rose and titans fell – names like Niki Lauda, James Hunt and John Watson proved their skill on the road and made Formula One racing a titan of world entertainment.

A Review of the 2019 Bahrain Grand Prix

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carl-turnley-grandprixLet’s take a moment to recap the 2019 Bahrain Grand Prix, a race that was certainly exciting and action-packed:

The winner of the race was Lewis Hamilton driving for Mercedes. Lewis admitted it wasn’t his finest weekend until the final 10 laps of the race. He insisted Ferrari were “incredibly quick” during the race. During the middle stint of the race, he had a competitive race with Sebastian Vettel. Fortunately, Hamilton was able to perform a dazzling move on the brakes to surpass Sebastian and take second place. On lap 48, Hamilton passed Charles Leclerc to take first place. On the final stretch, Leclerc’s vehicle had a loss of power, due to cylinder failure, which resulted in not taking the victory lap.

The loser of the race was deemed to be Sebastian Vettel. He had an incredible start; however, it was downhill beginning on lap 38. His vehicle spun out, which resulted in Lewis Hamilton passing him up. The effects of the spin out caused the front wing to break off. From that point on, his hopes of getting a podium position were eliminated, he finished the race in fifth place. On a positive note, he finished the race one short of 100 races in his career. A feat only accomplished by Hamilton (130) and Michael Schumacher (142).

The race team considered the winner would be Mercedes. Mercedes was off to a great start during the season-opener; however, when they arrived in Bahrain the dust seemed to have settled. Ferrari was apparently no match for the Mercedes cars. Ferrari excelled during practice and in qualifying. Ferrari secured the front row during qualifying. It was expected for Hamilton to at least earn a podium spot, but not for his teammate Bottas. To much a surprise, it was Mercedes that took first and second place. This one-two finish was a first for Mercedes since 2014. It earned Mercedes 39 points clear of their rivals Ferrari in the constructor’s championship.

The overall winner was considered the Bahrain International Circuit. The usual warm desert sun was not out on Sunday, before the Grand Prix. Nevertheless, the climate was forgotten as the Bahrain International Circuit produced a stormy race of their own. The race was exciting throughout the event, especially the final 10 laps.

Addressing Common Car Tire Myths

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carl-turnley-tireTires affect a car’s handling and braking, so keeping them in tip-top shape is a simple way to improve drivers’ safety, but both cars and tires have changed dramatically in the last decade, and yesterday’s conventional wisdom about their care and maintenance has evolved. Before hitting the open road, here are five common tire myths car owners should ignore.

 

 

Myth #1

A tire’s ideal inflation pressure is listed on the sidewall.

Fact

Tire pressure is set by vehicle manufacturers and can be found in the owner’s manual or on the sticker in the driver’s side door jamb. The pressure noted on the tire is its maximum inflation level.

 

Myth #2

Tire-pressure monitoring systems warn drivers when tires should be inflated.

Fact

Monitoring systems only warn drivers when at least 25-percent of a tire’s pressure is lost. A reduction of just 10-percent affects tread wear, fuel efficiency and cornering. Experts recommend checking tires monthly with a pressure gauge as part of routine maintenance.

 

 

Myth #3

Tires should be rotated annually.

Fact

For optimal performance, tires should be rotated roughly every 7500 miles. The front tires on front-wheel drive vehicles bear more weight than the rear tires and tend to wear out faster. Rotating them regularly distributes the work evenly among all four tires, promoting even wear and longevity.

 

 

Myth #4

A tire is safe as long as it has adequate tread.

Fact

Rubber tires break down naturally over time, even when not in use. Heat, cold, ultraviolet light and exposure to environmental chemicals can cause dryness and cracking in the sidewalls known as dry rot. Excessively dry tires can be treated with a tire sealant to make them safe, but tires with advance dry rot could come apart on the road and should be replaced.

 

 

Myth #5

A tire will burst if it’s inflated past the maximum pressure listed on the sidewall.

Fact

The pressure at which a tire will burst far exceeds its maximum pressure. While minor overinflation negatively impacts a tire’s performance and fuel efficiency, owners shouldn’t be afraid to fill them as recommended.

Tires are one of a vehicle’s most essential safety features, and to protect precious cargo; it’s worth staying in the know about their proper upkeep.

 

Crucial Tips for New Drivers

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carl-turnley-drivingThere are over 200 million people in the United States who regularly get behind the wheel of an automobile. Earning your license is certainly a major accomplishment, but it comes with a lot of responsibility; you need to make sure you are driving both safely and responsibly, so consider these crucial tips.

Keep Practicing

Just because you’ve earned your license doesn’t mean that you are suddenly an expert driver. In fact, you’re probably far from it. No matter how much you think you know about driving or how good you may be, you can always improve. Pay attention to how others drive, stay on top of changing traffic laws, and keep practicing.

Slow Down

This tip really cannot be stressed enough. Not only will speeding get you in trouble with the police, but it will kill you or someone else if you’re not careful. The faster you drive, the harder it will be to control your car or stop, especially if the weather is less than perfect. As much as you may want to drive fast, you should keep your speed down to a manageable level if you don’t want to crash.

Avoid Distractions

Distracted driving has become a serious problem throughout the country, and it will almost certainly get worse as time goes by. When you drive, cut out as many distractions as you can. This means no texting, no talking on your phone unless you have to, and no changing your radio station unless you’re stopped. Keep an eye on the road ahead of you at all times, no matter how much you want to read the text you just received.

Obey All Traffic Laws

Traffic laws are there for a reason. Even the ones that seem arbitrary or too much of a hassle are in place to keep you and other drivers safe. Stop at every stop sign and red light, keep your speed manageable, signal whenever you turn or switch lanes, and avoid tailgating the vehicle ahead of you.

Drive Defensively

You have no control over what anybody else is doing on the road, but you do have control over your own vehicle. Keep a close eye on all of the other vehicles on the road, and stay away from drivers who are speeding or weaving in and out of traffic. As long as you keep your distance from them, they can’t crash into you.

The Impact of Data Analytics on the Auto Industry

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carl-turnley-dataThere’s been a big impact in the automotive industry that involves data analytics. As of today, there’s vehicles that are capable of collecting massive amounts of data for their analysis. Vehicles contain around 50 sensors that are used to collect information of the driver’s pattern. For example, it can collect the speed, emissions, distance, resource usage, style of driving, and fuel usage. When this information is combined with predictive analytics, data scientists are able to utilize the information for the private and public sector.

Data Analysis is currently and going to have a major role in the auto industry. The data science is going to be utilized across the board. It will be used to build smarter vehicles for the consumer, auto racing, smart cities, and the insurance industry. For the consumer it means smarter vehicles. The data analysis can be used to predict potential issues before they become problems. This will benefit the consumer for negating the need of a costly repair. In F1 Racing, the team is using the analysis to collect information on the vehicle’s performance.

This technology has its pros and cons. For example, some may view it as big brother because insurance industries will have access to the information as well. The insurance industry point of view is it will lower the driver’s costs based on their safety record and safe driving habits.

Since 5G is right around the corner, big data is going to be able to take advantage of the technology. It’ll have the ability to update the vehicle’s software remotely, monitor and respond to engine performance. When it comes to interconnected highways, the data can inform the driver of incoming construction, accidents and intersections. This lead data will benefit the driver to effectively navigate the vehicle seamlessly through expected traffic congestion. The end result is traffic flow will be efficient and safer.

Data analytics is also sparking the connected cars. Connected cars will be able to provide local information to the driver from gas stations to retail outlets. Essentially, the automobiles will be using localized data to concoct customized suggestions based on the driver’s preference. For example, it’ll suggest a flower shop offering a 20% discount on your nearby route for your upcoming anniversary.

Five of the Best-selling Cars of All Time

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carl-turnley-corollaHow does a car become so popular that people want to buy it again and again? It needs a reputation of being reliable year after year.

Just a few cars have been able to pull this off. Here are five of the best-selling cars of all time along with facts about what makes them so great.

Toyota Corolla

How Many Sold: Over 43 million

What Makes It Great:

A practical, economical car, the Corolla was launched in 1966. Since then, it’s become the best-selling auto of all time. No matter how many millions of Corollas are already on the road, buyers still show up for new models.

Options run from bare-bones staples to advanced safety and comfort features.

Ford F-Series

How Many Sold: Over 40 million

What Makes It Great: The F-150 and its larger cousins are true workhorses that last and hold their value. The only pickup on the list, this model has grown from a simple work truck to a more stylish, luxurious ride.

Today’s F-Series appeals to everyone from families to handymen to corporations.

Volkswagen Beetle

How Many Sold: Over 23 million

What Makes It Great:

The odd little car with the bug-eyed headlights and the engine in the rear spoke for a generation of young Americans in the sixties. It stood out from the other cars and was a perfect fit for the times.

A relaunch and design changes removed some of the quirkiness. Still, it retains a loyal following.

Lada Riva

How Many Sold: Over 19 Million

What Makes It Great:

The boxy, sturdy design tells the story: this is a tough little car. It lacks charm and comfort, but it’s a reliable and affordable means of transportation.

Also known as the VAZ 2101, this car was last produced in 2012 but is still a common sight on the road.

Honda Accord

How Many Sold: Over 17 million

What Makes It Great:

This mid-sized sedan popped up in the mid-seventies and has been in production ever since. This is a popular family car with remarkable economy, safety and reliability.

Redesigns have taken the vehicle from basic to sleek and back again several times, but it’s remained a top seller for decades.