HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-10-25, Page 21THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012. PAGE 21.
NC –Part of being a smart, safe,
fuel-efficient driver includes
knowing how to achieve good results
even in the worst weather. Did you
know, for example, that the
combined effects of various
conditions can increase fuel
consumption more in winter than
summer? While it may sound
obscure, when you break it down it
really makes sense.
• Drivers should expect higher fuel
consumption in cold weather. The
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) found that a drop in
temperature from 24°C to 7°C
increased fuel consumption in urban
commutes by 12 to 28 per cent.
• Aerodynamic resistance is
greater in winter.
Cold, dry winter air is about 12 per
cent denser than warm, humid
summer air, increasing highway fuel
consumption by about 1.3 per cent in
winter. The average wind speed is
also higher in winter, which
contributes to increased
aerodynamic resistance and fuel
consumption.
• Winter roads create difficult
driving conditions. Roads tend to be
rougher in the winter, with increased
asphalt deterioration and a mix of
snow, ice, slush, water, salt, gravel
and sand. The engine works harder
to offset the increased rolling
resistance, as the tires must push
aside heavy snow and road cover.
The snow and ice also increase
wheel slippage, which results in
higher fuel consumption. U.S. EPA
data show that fuel consumption can
increase from seven to 35 per cent as
a result of poor road conditions,
depending on the surface type and
snow load.
• Winter gas normally has lower
energy density. Gasoline
composition is seasonally and
geographically adjusted based on
historical temperature data. A litre of
winter gas has less energy than a
litre of summer gas, typically in the
range of 1.5-3 per cent. Diesel fuel is
similarly affected.
• Winter driving taxes the vehicle's
electrical system.
Except for using air conditioning
on hot summer days, a vehicle’s
electrical loads are normally higher
in cold weather due to greater
demand from heating, defrosting,
heated seats, heated mirrors, and
increased use of the windshield
wipers and washer pump. The
energy for these electrical loads is
provided by the vehicle’s electrical
system, which obtains power from
the engine.
More winter driving tips can be
found on the Natural Resources
Canada website at www.oee.nrcan.
gc.ca
Continued from page 20
measure of safety to ensure there is
nothing behind the car or no small
child darting by.
Back-up cameras also can be
advantageous in urban areas or if
you need to park in a tight garage or
lot. The back-up camera can alert
you to how close you are to other
vehicles or barriers.
Those who want to save money
may want to invest in a back-up alert
instead of a camera. This sensor will
sound when you’ve closed in on an
obstacle behind the vehicle.
PARKING ASSIST
Some cars and trucks are now
coming off of the factory line with
an option to assist with parking.
Intelligent Parking Assist System, or
IPAS (also known as the Advanced
Parking Guidance System, or APGS,
in some Toyota and Lexus models),
is a system that involves the use of
cameras and sensors to easily park a
car with minimal effort from the
driver.
There are many things first-time
drivers are nervous about when
taking their road tests. Parking tops
the list of the tested skills that are
problematic for new drivers. Parking
even causes many students to fail the
road test portion of their driver’s
licensing exams.
Initial development of a parking
assistance system can be traced back
to the start of the 21st century and
was pioneered by Toyota engineers
for the Prius Hybrid sold in
Japan. Eventually, many car
manufacturers started introducing
their own versions of parking
assistance.
Nowadays, many IPAS features
involve little to no involvement from
the driver. Onboard computers rely
on cameras and sonar sensors to
calculate the size of the parking spot
and proximity to other parked cars
and obstacles. The correct turning
radius is then identified, and the
vehicle does all the work. The driver
may need only to verify that the
parking space that appears on screen
is adequate and make any
adjustments accordingly before the
automation begins.
While the parking assist
technology is worth it to drivers who
struggle when parking, there is no
major research to indicate that this
technology is essential to preventing
accidents. Drivers who can
competently park their vehicles
might want to forgo a parking assist
option to save money.
Many new technologies have been
introduced into the automotive
market, and drivers must decide if
these options are a worthy
investment.
Continued from page 17
people also may recommend certain
routes, but these could be tailored to
get the best response out of the car.
But if you’re familiar with the area
take a test drive on your terms. Try
different road surfaces and speeds.
Also be sure to make turns to gauge
the turning radius. This can be as
simple as making some turns in a
parking lot.
• Change lanes. Take the
opportunity to change lanes so you
can judge the visibility of the
vehicle.
• Adjust the seating. This will help
you determine the comfort level of
the vehicle and if it will fit your
frame. You don’t want the car to be
uncomfortable to drive.
• Test the radio and the climate
control. See how the car functions,
including whether it takes a long or
short time to reach a comfortable
temperature.
• Have a passenger ride in the
back. If you won’t be distracted by
it, have a friend or family member
ride along and pay attention to the
things you might be missing while
focusing on the road. These may
include road noise, suspension and
the general comfort of the vehicle.
A test drive is an important
component of buying a car. It can
often make or break a sale, so be
sure to include it on your must-do
list.
Drivers could forgo parking assist
Be thorough with test drives
Improve your fuel efficiency in cold weather
2003
FORD ESCAPE XLT
White, 3 litre, V6,
loaded, 4x4
217,037 kms
$5,4
9
5
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2 Experienced Licensed Mechanics at your service
2006 Ford Freestar SE - burgundy, 4.2L, CD player, loaded, 7 pass., 208,932 kms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,495.
2005 Ford Escape XLT - red, 3L, V6, loaded, 2WD, sunroof, 189,706 kms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,995.
2005 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT -silver, 3.8L, V6, DVD/TV, 7 pass., loaded 194,380 kms. . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,495.
2003 Chev Malibu -green, 3100, V6, 4 dr., loaded, 198,810 kms.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,995.
2003 Ford Taurus LX -red, 3L, V6, loaded, 4 dr., 201,714 kms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,995.
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser -blue, 4 cyl., auto, 4 dr., loaded, 241,724 kms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,995.
2003 Ford F150 XLT -burgundy, 5.4L, V8, auto, loaded, super crew, 4x4, 187,976 kms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,995.
2002 Chev Impala -blue, 3400, V6, 4 dr., loaded, 242,977 kms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,295.
2002 VW Jetta GLS - silver, 2L, 5 spd., loaded, 4 door, 206,118 kms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,495.
2002 Chev Trailblazer - brown, 4.2L, loaded, 4x4, 199,217 kms.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,995.
2002 GMC Sierra SLE Z71 - blue, 5.3L, 4x4, ext. cab, loaded, 202,000 kms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,495.
2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo - grey, 4.7L, V8, loaded, 4x4, 227,975 kms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,495.
2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo - white, 4L, loaded, 4x4, 223,383 kms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,495.
2000 GMC Sierra SLE Z71 - brown, 5.3L, 4x4, ext cab, loaded, 257,817 kms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,495.
2000 Saturn SL2 -burgundy, 4 cyl., 4 dr., loaded, 189,000 kms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,495.
2000 GMC Jimmy SLS -taupe, 4.3L, V6, auto, loaded, 4x4, 215,620 kms.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,995.
1998 Ford F150 XLT - blue/silver, 4.6L, V8, ext. cab, loaded, 4x4, 298,847 kms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,595.
1997 Chrysler Sebring -black, 2.5L, V6, leather int., 2 dr. loaded, convertible, 287,233 kms. . . . . . . . . . . . $2,995.
1984 Rampage -neon green, 4 cyl, auto, 169,950 kms.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,295.
519-524-9878
37117 Blyth Road,
Goderich, ON
Chamney
Auto Repair
Sales & Service
38897 Blyth Rd., R.R. #1, Auburn
519-526-7283 or 519-440-7800
Proprietor ~ Eldon Chamney
RR #3 Blyth (on the Westfield Rd.) 519-523-4356
Complete Mechanical Service
Computerized Tune-Ups
Snow Tires - Mufflers - Brakes
Vehicle Inspection Station
DAN’S AUTO REPAIR
It’s Time
For
Winter
Tires
Carter's
West End
Garage
& Body
Shop
215 Huron St.,
Clinton
519-482-9363
or if busy
519-482-3534
For all your
Winter car
needs!
2012 2012FALL CAR CARE 2012
ON $6.00 THURSDAYS
Drop into either of our offices any
Thursday with your word classified
(maximum 20 words) and pay only
$6.00 + HST (paid in advance).
That’s $1.00 off regular rates.
The Citizen