Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Hyundai, Broadcom to equip vehicles with built-in ethernet
Hyundai, Broadcom to equip vehicles with built-in ethernet
[[posterous-content:pid___0]]Hyundai is the second manufacturer after BMW – having put its Flexray ethernet system into the X5 – to pledge to install Ethernet technology in its cars. This isn't a ploy to give you yet another place to work on those regional sales spreadsheets, it's about reducing vehicle complexity while making the cars and their systems more efficient. The Korean manufacturer will be doing so in conjunction with Broadcom, the U.S. firm having created the "one pair Ethernet" (OPEN) special interest group that now counts 81 members.
Various in-vehicle electronics use a variety of protocols, primary among them being control area network (CAN), local area network (LAN) and low voltage differential signaling (LVDS). Broadcom wants to integrate those incompatible and highly specialized systems into one Ethernet system – the same plug-and-play one your computer can use all over the world – and in doing so make Ethernet "the backbone of the car." Developed with BMW and Hyundai, Broadcom's BroadR-Reach standard uses two unshielded cables instead of four, which allows for light and inexpensive wiring that can be fit through a bodyshell's tight spots. Achieving the kind of consolidation ultimately envisioned would bring numerous and wide-ranging advantages like lowering the cost and complexity of electronics, at the same time allowing for greater electronics capabilities inside the car like 360-degree car camera security systems, using the same IP standard familiar around the world, allowing for speeds from 100 Mbps to 1 GBbps for faster and better communication between systems, just for starters. Lighter wiring – and there's a lot of it in a car – also means lighter cars.That futuristic world is still in the future, though. Automakers are naturally keen to develop Ethernet applications in phases, such as focusing just on infotainment, to make sure it can stand up to the rigors of an automobile's daily life. Hyundai hasn't said which of its products will be the first in line or when that vehicle reach showrooms, but has cited infotainment, lane departure warning, park assist and telematics as the features likely to benefit.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Great Car Battery Maintenance Tips
Owning jumper cables is like owning a truck. When you own a truck, people seem to cozy up to you when they are moving. When you own jumper cables, you're suddenly like Batman but for dead batteries. You might as well give your friends a Jumper Cables Signal that they can point at the cloudy sky in times of crisis. With great power comes great responsibility, I guess. (And now I am mixing metaphors.)
Car batteries are full of toxic chemicals and have to be dealt with specially when they die. The green thing to do is to squeeze as much life out of them as possible and decrease the overall amount of batteries that you are going to need in your lifetime. Here are some tips for that.
1. Park in a Garage
A thoroughly insulated garage will keep your battery warm in the winter. Skip heated garages. They will rust your car.
2. Keep Your Battery Clean
Remove the clamps and clean away grease, dirt and oxidation. A filthy battery connection will weaken the charge.
3.Insulate Your Car Battery
If you don't have an insulated garage, you can always insulate the battery. It's a cheap way to protect the battery.
4. Recharge it with Solar
You can purchase an inexpensive solar charger for your car battery. The charger refills your battery's charge with solar energy. Combo this device with a monitor so you don't overcharge the battery.
5. Add Distilled Water
If you're stretching the life of a conventional battery, you may have to add some water to it. Here is how this is done.
6. Secure the Battery
If your battery is jiggling around, it could tip over. A loose battery bashing against other parts of your engine is bad. Battery acid spilling all over your motor is also bad. Keep the battery tray clean. Make sure the battery sits correctly.
Friday, October 26, 2012
It's a very Festive Friday! And it's about time!
Thursday, October 25, 2012
2012 SEMA | Hyundai Veloster "Velocity" Concept
Fast just got a whole lot faster. Check out the sleek "Velocity" concept for the Veloster, straight from the minds of Hyundai's own design and engineering teams.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Be Sure To Take Advantage Of Our Savings!
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Why Hyundai
It’s not just about how we build cars. It’s why.
There’s a reason why Hyundai cars are so frequently praised for their standard safety equipment. There’s a reason why our designers spend so much time driving and testing our vehicles. And there’s a reason why we’ve invested so heavily in processes and equipment that ensure the quality of our cars.
Safety
A number of years back, Hyundai made the decision to invest in safety. Take Electronic Stability Control (ESC). We took note of studies done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which found that ESC reduced crashes and fatalities by as much as 43%. Knowing how many lives could be saved made our goal clear: to make ESC standard on nearly every car we build.
Design
We believe in exterior design. Making it dynamic and fluid and utterly head-turning. But, more important, we believe in ergonomic design—the science of making our cars intuitive and comfortable. And, with the introduction of the Genesis, we’ve taken our study of ergonomics to a whole new level.
Quality
Designing is only half the equation. Which is why Hyundai invests millions of dollars in its assembly plants around the world. The Hyundai plant in Montgomery, Alabama, was built from the ground up to be efficient, quality-focused, and mindful of the people who work there. Every car is put through a series of checks by both uncompromising machines and humans alike, with an eye on making every Hyundai the very best one we can build.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Your Monday Maintenance Tip: 9 Ways to Increase Gas Mileage
Improving fuel economy not only saves drivers money, it also benefits the environment by releasing fewer emissions into the air and reduces a nation's dependence on oil and oil imports. Reducing the amount of driving we do - by carpooling, using public transportation and combining trips - has the greatest effect on how much gas each person uses. That said, there are many ways to improve fuel economy when we do drive. These primarily involve driving more efficiently and making sure our cars are properly maintained.
Drive More Efficiently
Our driving habits have a significant impact on fuel efficiency:
1. Go Easy on the Pedals
Speeding, braking and rapid acceleration waste gas. Depending on the type of vehicle, poor driving habits can negatively affect fuel economy between 5% and 33%. Based on the current national average of $3.12 per gallon (for regular gasoline), driving sensibly, and not like a race car driver, can lead to an equivalent gas savings of between 16 cents and $1.03 per gallon.
2. Slow Down
Gas mileage decreases above 60 miles per hour. According to fueleconomy.gov, for every five miles per hour that exceeds 60 mph, drivers pay an equivalent of about 24 cents more for each gallon of gas. While each vehicle has its own optimal speed for fuel efficiency, speeding can result in 7% to 23% reduced fuel economy. Driving at slower speeds can save 21 to 71 cents per gallon.
Gas mileage decreases above 60 miles per hour. According to fueleconomy.gov, for every five miles per hour that exceeds 60 mph, drivers pay an equivalent of about 24 cents more for each gallon of gas. While each vehicle has its own optimal speed for fuel efficiency, speeding can result in 7% to 23% reduced fuel economy. Driving at slower speeds can save 21 to 71 cents per gallon.
3. Leave Extras at Home
An additional 100 pounds in your car can reduce gas mileage by up to 2%. The reduction is relative to the vehicle's weight: Smaller vehicles are more affected by increased weight than larger ones. For every 100 pounds in extra weight, plan on spending up to 6 cents more per gallon.
4. Use Cruise Control (When Appropriate)
According to Edmunds.com, using cruise control under appropriate conditions (avoiding use during especially hilly terrain) can improve fuel economy by up to 14%. That's a savings of about 43 cents per gallon.
5. Turn off the Car
Idling gets zero miles per gallon and collectively consumes several billion gallons of fuel per year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The California Energy Commission (CEC) advises that vehicles should be turned off if the expected wait will be longer than 10 seconds, since an idling vehicle can burn as much as one gallon of gas each hour. Turning the car off can save about 5 cents per minute.
6. Check Tire Pressure
A little bit of vehicle maintenance can go a long way in improving gas mileage. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 1.25 billion gallons of gasoline - approximately 1% of total consumption - are wasted each year on underinflated tires. Tires can lose about 2 pounds per square inch (psi) per month. Each tire that is underinflated by 10 psi reduces fuel economy by about 3.3%. Four tires that are underinflated by 10 psi, then, would reduce a vehicle's fuel economy by a substantial 10% at an added cost of 31 cents per gallon.
Follow the guidelines in your vehicle's owner's manual (these recommendations also appear on a sticker inside the driver's side door jamb) - and not what is stamped onto the tire itself.
7. Replace Spark Plugs
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence indicates that bad spark plugs can decrease fuel economy by up to 30%, and can cost drivers up to about 94 cents per gallon at today's prices. If a car's gas mileage suddenly drops, there's a good chance it's because of misfiring spark plugs.
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence indicates that bad spark plugs can decrease fuel economy by up to 30%, and can cost drivers up to about 94 cents per gallon at today's prices. If a car's gas mileage suddenly drops, there's a good chance it's because of misfiring spark plugs.
8. Check Alignment
Misaligned tires drag instead of roll freely. Improper alignment can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 10% - about 31 cents per gallon. In addition, the tires can wear out more quickly. Tires that are out of balance (symptom: vibration in the steering wheel) can cause uneven tire wear, which can result in lower gas mileage. Tires should be balanced and rotated according to the vehicle's owner's manual to improve tire performance and fuel economy.
9. Fill Your Tank Early in the Morning - or Late at Night
Fuel is dispensed by volume. If you fill your tank when it is coolest outside - early in the morning or late at night, and avoid the heat of the day - the fuel will be more dense. As a result, you will get more gas for the same amount of money.
Good for You, Good for the Environment
Reducing the amount of driving we do, whether it's by carpooling or foregoing an unnecessary trip, is perhaps the most effective way to decrease the amount of gas that each person uses and make fill-ups at the gas station last longer. Proactive steps can be taken to improve fuel efficiency by paying attention to and changing gas-guzzling driving habits, and following a vehicle's maintenance schedule. Improved gas mileage is good for you, good for your car and good for the environment.
Friendly, Knowledgeable, Low Pressure: Just a Few Things Our Customers Say About Us!
"Initial contact and test drive was with Tony. He was low pressure, knowledgeable and friendly. Had to leave and absolutely no pressure to keep me there or buy. Very pleasant. Returned later that day, Tony was busy with another customer, so he passed me to Darren. Again, friendly and low pressure. Darren was patient, knowledgeable and down right helpful. Not my typical experience to a dealership. Bought the car that day. Great group of folks."
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Football Trick Shots (featuring the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe)
The guys at Dude Perfect prove their passion for the sport by hurling footballs at a 40-mph Santa Fe.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Hyundai Equus Honored With the 2012 Motorist Choice Award
IntelliChoice and AutoPacific awarded the Hyundai Equus with the 2012 Motorist Choice Award in the Luxury Lifestyle and High Tech category. IntelliChoice and AutoPacific, both distinguished automotive research companies, annually recognize vehicles that deliver a compelling combination of high consumer satisfaction and lower-than-expected ownership cost over time.
“Hyundai has worked hard to create a vehicle that provides luxury car shoppers with tremendous value and amenities, and as winner in categories for Luxury Lifestyle and High Tech, demonstrates that they've surely succeeded in the mind’s eye of the consumer,” said Dan Hall, vice president, AutoPacific.
Hyundai’s flagship Equus successfully competes with the best sedans in the world, while adding a new level of customer experience to luxury car ownership. Since its introduction, Equus has outpaced its sales and market share expectations. The 2012 Equus features Hyundai’s most powerful engine ever, the new direct injection 5.0-liter Tau V8 engine. The new engine produces 429 horsepower and is mated to a new in-house eight-speed transmission providing Equus drivers more power and refinement.
“With a host of standard features and innovative technology including Hyundai’s most powerful engine, the 2012 Equus offers customers a perfect marriage of luxury and affordability,” said Scott Margason, director, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “This recognition from IntelliChoice and AutoPacific is proof that our flagship sedan is a true competitor amongst the most sought out luxury sedans in the market.”
Courtesy of Hyundai USA
Monday, October 15, 2012
Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Common Maintenance Mistakes
Curiously, many people haven't adjusted their thinking to keep pace with new car maintenance schedules. The preoccupied still run their daily drivers without service until the dash warning lights burn out, while over-achievers fret about running synthetic oil more than 2,500 miles without a change.
Although maintenance intervals are now more widely spaced, even the newest cars require scheduled service to live long, productive lives. Whether yours is the latest model or you paid it off years ago, the trick is giving your car the maintenance it was designed to receive.
Surprisingly, the answer to what maintenance is required is hiding no farther away than the glove box. Every car is supplied with a maintenance schedule — in the owner's manual or in a separate maintenance log book — that details that vehicle's needs. A few minutes assimilating these requirements will help you avoid the following common car-maintenance pitfalls.
Proper Tire Inflation and Rotation
Tires leak naturally and need the occasional check. Figuratively speaking, underinflated tires suck up gasoline. Under- or overinflated tires wear out sooner, and deliver the same emergency maneuver handling as marshmallows. You probably aren't going to check tire pressures monthly, but how about twice a year?
Furthermore, front and rear tires wear differently and should be rotated to even that wear. Your owner's manual will have a recommendation on both pressure and rotation periods.
Wiper Tales
Here's a news flash: It's much easier to avoid hitting things you can see. Simple as it is, that's the concept behind replacing your windshield wipers before they fossilize into noisy uselessness.
Fall is the ideal wiper replacement time: after the blade-baking summer and before the fall and winter nastiness. Depending on location, wiper replacement may be an annual affair in the Southwest to a biannual chore in northern climes.
Tune-Up Anachronism
There are no more "tune-ups." Valves no longer need adjusting, ignition timing is computer controlled and there are no carburetors to fiddle with. About all that's left of the old tune-up drill are the spark plugs. These are often good for 100,000 miles, so don't change parts just to change parts. Instead, save up for those big 60,000- and 120,000-mile services when the timing belt, spark plug wires and coolant are due for replacement.
Octane Overdose
"If some is good, more is better" thinking does not apply to octane. Here the rule is to supply whatever octane the engine is rated for and call it done. Higher-than-required octane does not yield more power or mileage, only oil company profits.
Some engines are rated for premium 91 octane fuel but can burn 87 octane regular, thanks to the magic of knock sensors. In that case, run regular gas if puttering around surface streets, and premium fuel if full-throttle driving is part of your daily repertoire.
Oil Change Timing
Oil changes every 3,000 miles used to be required jobs, just like cleaning the accumulated fuzz from record player needles or defrosting freezers. Today, advances in engine design and lubricants make oil changes something to be done when the schedule calls for it, not when granddad says it's time. Some cars call for 5,000-mile change intervals, some up to 15,000-mile stints. Others have a variable timer. Follow the schedule and use the oil called for by the manufacturer.
Tired Tires
Tires wear out, but they also time out. The tire industry says tires are toast after five years, but they're selling tires. It all depends on heat, sunlight and ozone conditions. There's little argument from any pundits that after seven years those black donuts are dried and better off holding down a farmer's tarp than carrying your family around. If you're not sure how old your tires are, a tire shop can read the date code stamped into the sidewall.
Dirty Air Filter
Semi-clogged air filters hurt fuel economy for the same reason you don't like to run with a potato in your mouth. The question is, when is your filter dirty? Under a Norman Rockwell schedule of small-town errand running and church duty, an air filter might not see much grit. But grimy city surface streets or just looking at a dirt road on a map are often enough to overwhelm air filters. This one is about conditions. If you go near dirt, the air filter may need changing twice as often as the schedule calls for.
Ignoring Your Brakes
Note to the Wandering Unconscious: If you notice anything different about your brakes — sound, feel or response — they are telling you to visit a mechanic. Now.
Tighten Your Gas Cap
Is the Check Engine light on? Then make sure the gas cap is on tightly before calling the dealer. No joke, this is one of the most common ways of setting off your car's diagnostic system, since a loose gas cap defeats the fuel system's venting arrangement.
The Garage Is for Parking
Let's review. Your house is your most valuable investment. Your car is likely your second most valuable investment. If you're paying all that money, then why are you storing empty cardboard boxes, broken skateboards and plastic holiday wreaths in the garage? Pitch that junk and get the car in the garage!
Courtesy of MSN
Thursday, October 11, 2012
See It To Believe It: Your Driveway. Your New Car. One Click.
Thanks to a little help from Google Street View, now you can find out which Elantra—and which color—looks best in your driveway.
Try out the Driveway Decision Maker for yourself at http://www.PickMyElantra.com.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Hyundai Launches Immersive Digital "Test Driving" Experience
A first for U.S. automotive companies, the digital experience allows visitors to “test-drive” the Elantra on a personal level. Available on flash-enabled web browsers, the website taps in to the Google Maps API and prompts visitors to enter their desired street address, color and model of choice. Users then experience a real life view, powered by Google Street View, of their chosen Elantra model – GT, Coupe or Sedan -- driving to the destination. At arrival, users can freely rotate, park in a driveway, tilt and even parallel park. In addition, users can download, save and share with friends on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
“With the two additions to the Elantra family, customers now have the option of choosing between the GT, Coupe and Sedan,” said Steve Shannon, vice president of Marketing, Hyundai Motor America. “Driveway Decision Maker lets users customize and ‘try-on’ which Elantra fits them best.”
Unveiled earlier this year, the Elantra GT and Coupe expands the Elantra family to reach youthful and sporty buyers. The GT features European driving dynamics and five-door functionality. The Coupe caters to those who enjoy the compact coupe features, with a sporty design. The 2012 North American Car of the Year, Elantra Sedan continues to be one of the hottest selling cars in the country.
Courtesy of Hyundai USA
Monday, October 8, 2012
Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Are Your Tires Ready For Winter?
We'll keep this simple. If you live in the snowbelt and you're running all-season tires year 'round, you're probably sacrificing a noticeable level of vehicle control and performance when driving on snow and ice. Yes, it's become fashionable in the U.S. to rely on all-season tires in, well, all seasons. When winter rears its ugly head, though, even the best all-season designs won't be able to match a quality winter tire on snow and ice.
The reason is also simple. All-season tires are a compromise: You don't expect them to deliver the same cornering potential on pavement as dedicated performance tires, and likewise, they can't match the slippery-road traction of today's winter tires. "The difference between an all-season tire and a snow tire," notes Matt Edmonds, director of marketing for The Tire Rack, "is the same as between an all-season tire and a performance tire. It's that much better."
More Europeans seem to have gotten the message. According to statistics provided by Goodyear, for instance, about 80 percent of drivers in Scandinavia switched to dedicated winter tires during the "dark months." About half of Austrian and Swiss drivers and nearly one-third of German car owners also mount up winter tires when the weather turns cold.
In terms of sheer traction, studded tires still provide the best grip. Goodyear estimates that a metal-studded tire provides up to 40 percent greater traction on hard-packed snow and ice than all-season tires. However, they also have a definite downside, producing higher noise levels, decreased ride comfort, and reduced traction on both dry and wet (but non-freezing) road surfaces. Plus, they're well known for chewing up asphalt, leading many regional governments to ban their use.
By contrast, a modern studless snow tire can provide up to 20 percent better snow traction than an all-season design, without the significant disadvantages of studs. We've verified this from behind the steering wheel. A well designed winter tire provides a tangible seat-of-the-pants performance advantage over all-season tires in both snow and ice conditions. This includes better initial hookup, shorter braking distances, and cornering that's both more predictable and controllable. This is important, since again according to Goodyear, "The largest group of [winter] accidents results from loss of lateral control of the car on ice and snow."
The key word in snow traction is "bite." The more edges, the better. What you generally get in a good winter tire is an aggressive tread design, deep grooves, sharp corners and edges for digging into snow and gripping ice, and plenty of sipes (the small slits within individual tread blocks). Sipes provide two advantages, they help keep the tread blocks flexible in freezing conditions and provide additional small, but helpful edges.
In the past year, the Rubber Manufacturers Association instituted stricter requirements for tires designated for severe winter conditions. Only tires that meet these requirements can display the letters M and S in some configuration, plus a pictograph of a mountain with a snowflake. If unsure about whether a tire model is rated for severe snow conditions, look for this symbol.
There are plenty of good snow tires on the market. In fact, tire manufacturers often produce a variety of designs to fit different types of vehicles and driving conditions. Dunlop, for instance, produces the SP Winter Sport M2 for T- and H-rated high-performance vehicle fitments, the Graspic HS Q-rated performance radial, the SP Winter Studdable, and the Grandtrek SJ4 studless design for use on SUVs, light trucks, and vans. Pirelli, meanwhile, offers its Winter Ice and Winter Ice Plus models in both a conventional directional tread design, as well as a special asymmetrical pattern designed to use the inner tread area to optimize traction and braking and the outer area for cornering control and directional stability.
It was Bridgestone, however, that really launched the modern era of winter tires when, in 1993, it introduced its innovative Blizzak design with a unique multicell compound. This fall the next-generation Blizzak will hit the market in three new models. The direct replacement for the original Blizzak WS-15 is the WS-50, which has a new tread design and a new Tube Multicell compound claimed to offer better snow and ice traction. In addition, the two-layer tread now has conventional snow-tire compound under the multicell outer layer, instead of the all-season compound previously used.
There are also now two ice-compound versions of the Blizzak. Called The IceGripper and designated MZ-01 and MZ-02, these use a slightly softer Link Multicell compound that provides better handling and braking on ice. The MZ-01 has a larger circumferential groove for better wet performance than the MZ-02. Bridgestone is also now offering the Winter Dueler, a snow tire using Blizzak technology that's targeted for light trucks and sport/utility vehicles.
Meanwhile, Goodyear's latest offering is its Ultra Grip Ice, which combines a directional tread with a special silica tread compound, called IceLoc, to provide up to a claimed 12-percent better ice traction than a conventional snow tire. Like the Blizzak, the Ultra Grip Ice uses a two-layer compound, with its IceLoc compound on the outside and a conventional snow-tire compound underneath. The Ultra Grip also employs a wider, flatter tread, and high-density sipes keep the tread face pliant in freezing temperatures, while helping evacuate the film of water just below the snow.
Michelin's Arctic Alpin brings a whole new concept to the market with over 1700 Torque-Locking Sipes. In contrast to conventional sipes, which descend into the tread block as a straight cut, Michelin's design has a zigzag pattern. This allows the thin blocks of rubber between the sipes to squeeze together and interlock with each other under load, providing more stability to the individual blocks and ribs. The result is that, even on clear roads, the tire still provides good handling and response. With the Arctic Alpin, the winter compounding extends throughout the depth of the tread.
Like the popular Blizzak, Yokohama's Guardex series also employs a micro-pore type compound, but one that runs throughout the tread, not only on the outer layer. In addition, it features nylon "mini-stud" fibers in the tread, which are designed to improve snow traction, wear, and dry-handling capabilities, as well as provide the extra bite of studs, but without the damage.
Yes, the winter tire market is heating up with a variety of good designs to help you get through the slippery stuff. But perhaps the most important thing is that you make the switch to a winter tire at all. The extra performance, control, and safety are waiting to be enjoyed.
10 tips for winter drivingWhile we'd wager that 99.9 percent of our readership can't thread a cross-ice pass through traffic like Wayne Gretzky, we're not so sure about the Great One's credentials for winter driving (more so, say, than any other person growing up in the snowbelt). Still, Goodyear has teamed up with Gretzky to promote the performance advantages of winter tires in a new ad campaign. As part of this, Gretzky and J.O. Hunt, chief engineer for Goodyear tires, offer these 10 tips for winter driving.
1. Slow down. Wet, snowy, or icy roads offer less traction and make it harder to stop and turn.
2. Consider buying a set of winter tires. It's best to replace all four tires with winter tires because differences in tire size and wear can negatively affect a car's handling and stability.
3. Beware of bridges: Because bridges and overpasses are exposed to cold air both above and below, ice can form on them even when the roads on either side are free from ice.
4. If possible, carry a sack of sand or gravel in the trunk. On a rear-drive car, the added weight over the drive wheels will improve traction. And the sand or gravel can be used to help get you out if you become stuck.
5. Avoid sudden inputs on the steering wheel, brakes, or accelerator. Make gradual movements to avoid upsetting the balance of the car.
6. The buildup of ice and mud on wheels and underneath your car can cause your wheels to become unbalanced, which can upset the ride and lead to unnecessary wear of your tires and suspension parts. Wash off any mud or ice as soon as possible.
7. If you're planning a long winter trip, pack extra blankets, water, food, and a few chemical-heating packs in case you get stranded. If you do get stuck, stay with your vehicle until help arrives.
8. Have your cooling system fully checked out, including coolant, hoses, belts, and water pump.
9. Maintain your tires at proper inflation to maximize their contact with the road. Pressure that's too high or low can cause unnecessary tire wear and reduce the size of the contact patch, making it less safe.
10. In snowy conditions, make sure your car's air intake is free from a buildup of snow. Many cars draw air from below the radiator; if this intake becomes clogged with snow, you car could overheat, even on a cold winter day.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Hyundai Hope On Wheels Takes On Cancer
When cancer touches a child, it touches us all. Which is why, since 1998, Hyundai Hope On Wheels has granted tens of millions of dollars to cancer research programs and institutions across the country. Our goal: to help give every child with cancer hope. Our dream: to help find them a cure.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Hyundai to bring Cosworth-tuned Genesis Coupe to SEMA show
Now, Hyundai can count itself among the marques that have collaborated with Cosworth. The automaker is set to reveal the Cosworth Genesis Racing Series concept at the SEMA show in Las Vegas that opens Oct. 30.
Based on the 3.8-liter V6-powered Hyundai Genesis Coupe, the concept takes an already capable car and gives it a racing edge. Output has been boosted from 348 hp to 389 hp, and torque is upped from 295 lb-ft. to 325 lb-ft. Intake, exhaust and brake systems have all been upgraded alongside the engine. Everything rides on a Cosworth performance suspension system and wheels.
No car prepared for exhibition at SEMA would be complete without substantial cosmetic modifications, and the Genesis Coupe concept is no exception. But where Hyundai's ARK Performance Genesis Coupe concept throws subtlety to the wind, renderings of the Cosworth Genesis Racing Series concept seem to show the embodiment of British restraint.
There's plenty of carbon fiber on the car, of course: The front splitter, rear diffuser and a handful of other visible parts are made out of the lightweight material. But an integrated rear spoiler sits where many tuners plant a large wing, and gunmetal gray-colored wheels nicely complement a deep blue paint job.
The 2012 SEMA show takes place Oct. 30 through Nov. 2 in Las Vegas.. The show is a leading indicator of trends in technology and customization for the automotive industry. Autoweek will be there with the latest news, photos and video, and we'll bring it all to you right here at autoweek.com.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Your Monday Maintenance Tip: When Your Car Doesn't Start
1. Listen to the car. Because there are basically two possible sound profiles for a car that won’t start, and they convey crucial information about what’s going on behind the scenes. The first profile is silence—and believe it or not, that’s probably an indication that things aren’t that bad (see 2a). The second is repeated “coughing” without ignition – this is potentially bad (see 2b). So your first step is to figure out which profile your uncooperative car is rocking.
Now, if all you hear is silence, then…
2a. Call up that friend who has jumper cables. Why? In all likelihood, you’ve got a dead battery. The starter needs electricity, you see, because when you first turn the key, there’s no fuel in the system yet—the energy has to come from somewhere else. If the battery’s dead, the starter has no energy source, so it won’t make a peep. In your case, you probably left your headlights or an interior light on overnight. Happens to the best of us. So get your friend to jump your car, drive it around for something like 20 minutes to recharge the battery, and you’re good to go.
(NOTE: It’s possible that you did nothing wrong, and your tired old battery just decided to call it a career. If you think you might need a new battery, go ahead and jump-start the car – that part will still work – but then take it directly to your technician and have the battery tested.)
On the other hand, if you hear coughing or similar sounds of distress (or if 2a doesn’t work), then…
2b. Seek professional help. Whether that means calling AAA or using that towing coverage on your insurance that you hoped you’d never need, it’s time to bring in the pros at this point. Used to be that you could pump the gas pedal a little and hope for a miracle, but with modern fuel-injected engines, that trick is pretty much obsolete. There’s a litany of possible malfunctions behind a sputtering starter: fuel pump, ignition coil, electrical connections…in short, a bunch of stuff that you really don’t want to be messing with unless you know what you’re doing. Let your trusted mechanic take it from here.
In any case…
3. Don’t fret! Cars usually start when they’re asked to, but there are lots of moving parts involved, and occasionally issues arise. Don’t think less of your ride because of it. Follow the simple steps we’ve outlined here and it’ll be back to normal in no time.
Courtesy of Driverside.com
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