Windshield time

Edition: December 2007 - Vol 0 Number 12
Article#: 2830
Author: Repertoire

Pumped on nitrogen

Should you pay $3, $4 or even $10 per tire to fill them with nitrogen, or is compressed air good enough? A recent article in The Wall Street Journal (“Driving on Nitrogen-Pumped Tires,” Oct. 25) airs both sides of the argument. For years, auto-racing teams, the aviation industry and the military all have had their tires filled with purified nitrogen. They say it is more stable and produces more consistent inflation pressure, even during severe temperature changes. (Compressed air contains 78 percent nitrogen, 21 percent oxygen, and contaminants.) Proponents also believe that nitrogen is less corrosive to rubber. Indeed, nitrogen’s larger molecules don’t seep through a tire’s rubber skin as quickly as compressed air, meaning a nitrogen-filled tire maintains pressure better than one filled with compressed air — which can lead to better fuel efficiency, better handling and longer tire life. (But even if you use nitrogen, you still have to check your tire pressure regularly.) Nitrogen is harder to find, but a number of large auto-supply chains, small service shops, tire dealers and even Costco stores are said to offer it. But you’ll pay more for the privilege.

iQ’s coming

Toyota Motor Corp. says the company is close to launching its little iQ, which it says is the world’s smallest four-seater. Designed for city driving, the car is said to measure about 10 feet long and 5.5 feet wide. That means it’s about half the size of a Lincoln Town Car and about 30 inches shorter than the Toyota Yaris subcompact. The car was unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show in Germany.

PT Cruiser convertible is cruisin’ away

In the midst of its early November announcement that it would lay off 10,000 hourly jobs and another 1,000 salaried and contract positions, Chrysler LLC also announced it would eliminate four cars from its lineup through 2008: 1) Dodge Magnum 2) the convertible version of Chrysler PT Cruiser, 3) Chrysler Pacifica and 4) Chrysler Crossfire. In the same time frame, Chrysler will add two all-new products to its portfolio (the Dodge Journey and Dodge Challenger) and two new hybrid models (the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango). Vice Chairman and President Jim Press said the company was making the moves to reflect its “new customer-driven philosophy” and to focus on “new, more profitable and appealing products.”

Custom accessories

Buyers of Ford vehicles will be able to select customized features for their vehicles online at the time they place their order, as part of the company’s newly announced “Custom Accessories” program. The program will be available at dealerships and online. Participating dealers will feature interactive accessory and customization displays in their showrooms, according to the company. The display will highlight accessories, electronics, wheels and tires, and will allow customers to configure and order these items for their new vehicles. From home, consumers will be able to go online and spec their customized vehicle, order parts and — starting in January — schedule an installation appointment at their dealer of choice or have the parts home-delivered.

Driving solo

This could be the most important driving-related story for sales reps who want to catch up on paper work, phone calls and even lunch while driving. A self-driving SUV called “Boss” — a robotized 2007 Chevy Tahoe — navigated a 55-mile course in California recently, averaging 14 miles an hour. The drive was part of a competition sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA. Boss was developed by a team of faculty, staff and students from Carnegie Mellon University, with major support from General Motors, Caterpillar and Continental AG. They received a $2 million cash award for finishing first in the competition. Boss employed a software system that produced graphic animations of its sensor and data inputs during its run. The system enabled the Carnegie Mellon team to understand what the vehicle saw, and how and why it responded to its environment.