Car Blog

Subaru of America, Inc. is offering the Facebook community an exclusive opportunity to select one of the charities to be a partner in this year’s fourth annual Subaru Share the Love event. To date, Subaru has donated almost $15 million to Share the Lovecharities and hopes to donate an additional $5 million this year.

The Share The Love event donates $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased from Nov. 19through Jan. 3. The new Facebook voting program allows consumers to vote for a charity that will be designated “People’s Choice.” Online voting will be available exclusively to Subaru’s Facebook community.  The eligible charities are:

Teach For America: Teach For America is the national corps of recent college graduates who commit to teach for two years in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in expanding educational opportunity. For more information, visit www.teachforamerica.org. Read the rest of this entry »

With lower temperatures, rain, fog and snow, driving in winter can become extra challenging. And your car can be even more affected by cold temperatures than you are.

Follow these tips to help minimise the risk of breakdown or accident in different winter driving conditions.

Reduced visibility:

• Check your battery. Driving in winter means less daylight. You’ll use the lights and heating much more, which drains the battery.

• Other conditions affect your visibility, like snow, sleet or rain mixed with dirt stuck on the windscreen. Rather than clearing just a small area, carefully clean everywhere: driving requires good peripheral vision and being aware of every other road user is vital.

• Cleaning your headlights can improve visibility. Dirt often forms a thick film which reduces their effectiveness. It also means that others can’t see you as clearly.

• Inspect your windscreen wiper blades. Even when it’s not raining, the vehicles in front of you often spray back enough dirty water to make cleaning the windscreen necessary. If your wipers are old, you can replace them with new winter wipers which prevent ice from collecting on the blade. Read the rest of this entry »

This Thanksgiving, an estimated 42.2 million motorists are expected to take to the road. Additional motorists and winter road conditions can lead to dangerous situations, so a team of million mile accident-free drivers are helping to make our roads safer.

America’s Road Team Captains, elite professional truck drivers, are offering advice on how to navigate through highway traffic and arrive at your destination safely. Tips include:

• Prepare your vehicle for long distance travel: Check your wipers and fluids. Have your radiator and cooling system serviced. Simple maintenance can prevent many of the problems that strand motorists on the side of the road before you leave your home.
• Plan ahead: Before you get on a highway, know your exit by name and number, and watch the signs as you near the off-ramp. Drivers making unexpected lane changes to exit often cause accidents.
• Do not cut in front of large trucks: Remember that trucks are heavier and take longer to make a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them.
• Check your emergency kit: Contents should include: battery powered radio, flashlight, blanket, jumper cables, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable foods, maps, tire repair kit and flares.
• Be aware of changes in weather: Weather conditions across the U.S. will be changing – especially during early mornings and evenings with the cold. Watch for ice, snow and other weather related obstacles.
• Keep your eyes on the road: Distracted driving is a major cause of traffic accidents. Even just two seconds of distraction time doubles the chances of an accident. Use your cell phone when stopped and never text while driving.
• Leave early and avoid risks: Leave early so you won’t be anxious about arriving late and to accommodate delays. Road conditions may change due to inclement weather or traffic congestion.
• Be aware of truck blind spots: When sharing the road with large trucks, be aware of their blind spots.  If you can’t see the truck driver in his or her mirrors, then the truck driver can’t see you.
• Slow Down: With the extra highway congestion due to Holiday travel, speeding becomes even more dangerous. Allow plenty of space cushion and reduce your speed.
• Buckle up: Safety belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45 percent and are a simple way to increase your safety on the road.

“Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year,” said America’s Road Team Captain Greg Nauertz (YRC). “With so many motorists on the road, it’s important to use caution and patience while driving. Following these rules for the road will ensure that we all arrive safely to our loved ones.”

Kia Will Return to GRAND-AM Road Racing in 2011

Two new Soul Special Edition(1) concepts hint at future urban passenger vehicle variations

Success of first auto racing season in the U.S. inspires the Forte Koup Type R Concept

Arriving at the gateway to the 2010-2011 auto show season, Kia Motors America (KMA) is ready to roll at the 2010 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas with a diverse and attention-grabbing lineup of concept and production-intent vehicles to further showcase Kia’s eye-catching new generation of vehicles.  Additionally, following the success last year of its first road racing season in the U.S., including six top 10 finishes, KMA confirmed its plans to campaign the Kia Forte Koup in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge in 2011, and unveiled the performance-inspired Kia Koup Type R Concept, built by Kinetic Motorsports.  Amid the activity and DJ-spun tunes at KMA’s SEMA Show display (#10803), show goers also are privy to a sneak preview of two all-new Soul Special Edition concept vehicles developed with production intent, while KMA also has teamed with fashion and lifestyle magazine Antenna for the second consecutive year to create “The Duel,” two custom Sportage CUVs that demonstrate the playful and professional aspects of the vehicle with a closet full of style options.

“Customization makes up the fabric of the SEMA Show and Kia’s design-led brand transformation has paved the way for us to showcase clever, design-inspired vehicles that are production capable,” said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing & communications, KMA.  ”Two more limited edition Soul vehicle concepts will artfully express the personalization options and fun available to consumers and tuners in the near future while our first year at the race track served as the inspiration for the exciting Koup Type R Concept.” Read the rest of this entry »

Future airplanes may be as small as birds and cars of tomorrow may get 100 miles to the gallon.

Both those concepts are being developed now, at least one by a company here in Virginia.  Lynchburg-based Edison2 just won $5 million in the Automotive X Prize competition for its Very Light Car. That car will be one of the technologies featured at “Aviation Unleashed,” a three-day forum, Oct. 18-20, at the Hampton Roads Convention Center at 1610 Coliseum Dr. The event is sponsored by NASA’s Langley Research Center and National Institute of Aerospace (NIA), both in Hampton, Va.

Edison2 chief designer Ron Mathis is scheduled to be the conference luncheon speaker, Tuesday, Oct. 19. Media are invited to attend his talk, which is scheduled to start shortly after noon on the second floor of the Hampton Roads Convention Center. The Edison2 Very Light Car will also be on display nearby.

“Some of the technologies that have made the Very Light Car possible could be used in airplanes,” said David Hinton, deputy director of NASA’s Aeronautics Research Directorate. “So we thought Edison2′s knowledge and experience would interest an audience that’s focusing on what’s possible in aviation.”

Other speakers scheduled to share ideas at the conference include Henri Seydoux, designer of a small helicopter that can be controlled from a smart phone; Peter Norvig, director of research at Google; Neil Gershenfeld, director of MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms; futurist John Petersen, founder of the Arlington Institute; and visionary Dennis Bushnell, chief scientist at NASA Langley.

During Aviation Unleashed participants will have the chance to see demonstrations of a number of small remotely piloted flying concepts, learn more about how video and tele-technology may shape travel and how advanced aircraft, made of new materials, propelled by innovative engines, could give people and goods efficient on-demand mobility. They’ll also hear various future scenarios and how those scenarios could impact current aviation development.

For more information about Aviation Unleashed,  go to:http://nia-webdev.nianet.org/aviation-unleashed/

Chevrolet introduced the all-new, 2011 Volt electric vehicle with extended range, establishing an entirely new segment in the global automotive market. The five-door, four-passenger Volt is designed to provide the benefits of an electric vehicle without the range limitations associated with other electric vehicles in the market.

“The Chevrolet Volt can be the only car you own,” said Mark Reuss, president, GM North America. “The Volt delivers it all: a revolutionary propulsion system, progressive styling, industry-leading safety, premium amenities and user-friendly technologies, and spirited driving dynamics.”

Designed, engineered, built and delivered to customers in 29 months, the Volt will go on sale at Chevrolet dealers before the end of 2010. It is offered in one very well-equipped standard trim level, along with two option packages: a Premium Trim Package and a Rear Camera and Park Assist Package. Read the rest of this entry »