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The 2013 Manila International Auto Show

April 24, 2013 By

Earlier this April, the 4^th to 7^th specifically, was yet another heart-attack inducing, breath-taking killer of a show – the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS). With over 300 cars on display and thousands of car lovers in attendance, 2013 has stepped it up a notch higher than last year’s event. Whether you’ve attended for the cars, accessories or the ladies, I’m sure the MIAS did not disappoint.

You know that MIAS is just around the corner when you hear blaring music announcing its presence. At the World Trade grounds, you are greeted by a queue of restored Mistubishi Lancers and Mini Coopers – a testament to the diversity of cars that are on display – the new and the old school. Entering the event proper, you see handsome jaw-dropping cars: the Lexus LF-A and a Ferrari (by the way, great car curation by the organizers). After crossing the big red barn doors… the beautiful chaos begins.

The first building is inhabited by the “new” cars. Big players include Maserati, Ford, Subaru, Mini, Jeep, Peugeot, Honda, Mazda and Isuzu. Tagging along were a few other brands like China’s Cherry and Piaggio, who were launching its cute pickup, passenger vehicle, drive-away chassis and delivery van – all great for small businesses.

According to Nathalie Torres of Piaggio Ape, people have been creative with the “Ape”. Some use it as mobile stores, mobile cafes and delivery and service vehicles (even for weddings!) Ford also launched its new pickup, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak while Mazda launched its new Mazda 6 executive sedan and Subaru its kick-ass Forester which drew a lot of commotion.

Proceeding to the next building, over to our right is our proud and not-to-be-outdone-by-imported-brands local supplier the Roberts Automotive and Industrial Parts Manufacturing Cooperation. According to Christine Capuyao, a representative of Roberts AIPMC, “The MIAS is the perfect time to launch and re-introduce the products of Roberts AIPMC because most of the target market is here.”

Indeed, at the MIAS, Roberts AIPMC have successfully launched their brand of Evercool Radiators, which was expanded to three categories the “ALPHA”, “SUPRA” and “ULTIMA” to accommodate compatibility with more motorized vehicles – from regular passenger vehicles to heavily used trucks and buses.

Another proudly Philippine made product that was launched was Roberts’ Tiger Leaf Spring Flexiride. Apart from the regular leaf spring the Flexiride:

Has a 25-30% softer ride than the original OEM leaf spring
Maintains vehicle posture even if the leaf spring is softer
Provides vehicle levelling and stability that guarantees the passenger’s safety
Strictly follows OEM standard processing parameters in manufacturing quality leaf springs

ROBERTS Evercool Radiator featured at the 2013 Manila International Autoshow

ROBERTS Tiger Leaf Spring featured at the 2013 Manila International Auto Show

These new product launches coupled with a re-introduction of the Soundex Mufflers proved to be a successful 4-day participation at the Manila International Auto Show.

In retrospect, the event was yet another awesome showcase of art and engineering. The car savvies, I’m sure, will continue to support this monumental international event that’s held right here on our own soil.

How does Volvo Intend to Build a Crash Proof Car?

March 1, 2013 By

The archives of YouTube have so many car crash compilations that it seems that no driver can be entirely safe on the road, no matter how cautious he may be. To say that car accidents are a bummer is a cruel understatement, and in the world of safe driving, Volvo is taking the lead. The 85-year-old company currently has around 50 engineers working with automotive partners, such as Ricardo UK, on the new crash proof car technology. Volvo hopes to launch the first accident-free vehicles by 2014. These cars can only run up to 31mph, but faster versions will be available by 2020.

How does it work?

Volvo is coming up with a computerized, self-driving vehicle, which will be installed with high-tech sensors that will take over the car’s steering at times of imminent accidents. It also has the capability of “communicating” with other cars over the airwaves about accidents or congestions ahead, automatically taking avoidance actions along the way. Along with its collision-avoidance features, Volvo’s crash-proof car will also come with a pedestrian and animal detection, which causes the car to involuntarily slow down whenever something is blocking its way.

Here are other significant qualities of Volvo’s very own crash proof car:

Auto-pilot convoy driving-cars link together automatically to drive themselves in special motorway ‘road trains’.
External airbags that deploy in the event of collision.
Automatic braking at junctions.
Camera on front grille, which helps the driver see ‘round corners’ better.
Park alignment that automatically controls steering.
Lane departure warning which steers the car to keep it in the lane if it drifts.
Blind Spot Radar Alert: motion sensors that warns driver of a vehicle hidden from the driver’s sight.
Dazzle-free Driving: headlights are automatically to avoid blinding other drivers.
Adaptive Cruise Control – includes radar that scans distance to the car in front and automatically adjusts speed to maintain the pre-set distance.
Speed Limit Sign Recognition.
Automatic alert to emergency services once airbags go off in crash.

Excited for the new technology?

By 2020, this is going to be a full-blown technology that will prevent us all from encountering accidents that may lead to death. Even the most careful drivers may get involved in car accidents, but with this crash proof car, there would be nothing to worry about! This is wonderful news both for car owners and automotive industries alike. Let’s all look forward to this exciting technology that Volvo will bring us!

Truth or Myth: The Blind Can Drive (Google’s Driverless Car)

February 20, 2013 By

There are a lot of blind people who are able to do things greater than most able-bodied individuals, but driving a car is definitely not one of them. Such a stunt would be frowned upon by others, not out of simple prejudice but out of both sympathy and concern for safety. It’s not just about the safety of the blind person himself, but also the security of the people around him.

All disabilities are unfortunate, but the good news is that Google has been working hard to give the blind the “ability” to drive. The search engine giant has already dominated much of the Internet, and they’re now at the forefront of research and development in other areas of technology, which includes the automobile industry. If you’ve been watching the news or roaming around the Internet frequently, then you may have already caught wind of Google’s exploits with driverless technology, with tests being done on the road with cars that drive themselves.

Driverless cars are now legal in the state of California, which has made some motorists a bit nervous. The concept of cars that drive themselves is potentially helpful to a lot of people, but it’s unlikely that anyone would place their lives on the hands of a computer. A human operator, while flawed and prone to lapses of judgment, will always be preferred over a mechanical pilot. This is quite an unusual notion to bring up on an article promoting driverless cars, but the mentioned project of Google holds great promise.

While all of this can seem laughable at first, the idea of giving a blind person an extension of his mobility through a driverless car does speak a lot for human rights and the ability to dream big. With that in mind, Google’s tests with their driverless car throughout time has been both storied and yet shrouded in mystery.

The concept of an autonomous car is pretty much touching the realm of science fiction, wherein you can ride taxi cabs that do not smell like twenty years of farts. It can also give children a new way to get to school every morning without feeling apprehensive about the bus driver. It can also be quite convenient for a lot of things like shopping trips as well. In fact, companies have great uses for driverless cars, making logistics less of a nightmare to deal with on a regular basis.

While the technology is still in its infancy, the blind won’t have to wait any longer to find themselves mobile on a much efficient scale. Such a freedom of movement seems unfair to keep away from the visually challenged, and perhaps this technology will enable such people to gain more opportunities to be productive members of society, which is perhaps a good incentive that takes away the fears of seeing a car on the road with no one at the wheel.

Limitations of Electric Vehicles

February 1, 2013 By

The past decade marked the age where electricity can be the foremost source of power of cars. The likes of the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf sparked the popularity of electric vehicles. This breed of cars have a set of considerable benefits such as reduced gas consumption, zero carbon emissions, less noise and less sophistication on the construction compared to regular car engines. However, there are also limitations to an electric vehicle. Here are some of them.

1) Reduced Range

If you only need a car for daily trips to nearby shops and the office, then using an electric car will be perfectly okay. However, if you’re someone who’s fond of long-distance travels and frequent road trips, you may encounter a few problems. As you know, electric cars are powered by batteries, which are not really built for long mileages. This fact may cause anxiousness in this present time, but all should be fine once gas stations become equipped with areas exclusive for charging.

2) Reduced Speed

Compared to gas engines, electric car engines are slower in speed. Their latest models can only drive until 60 to 70 miles per hour, while regular cars can normally run twice as fast. So when driving in a highway, you may want to stick in the slow lane. Otherwise, you might catch an accident while “racing” against normal cars. Electric cars, hence, are only recommended for city driving and short commutes. Long vacation trips are out of the question.

3) Long Recharge Times

In connection with the reduced range, you won’t be able to drive an electric car the moment its battery dies out. Accompanying this is the limitation that it requires a long recharge time. What if your profession involves a lot of emergency situations where you have to get to a specific place at the quickest time possible? What then? Either have a cab driver on speed dial or buy an extra battery for your car in case you want to swap it with the drained one.

4) Heavy Battery

If you’re considering purchasing a reserved battery, make sure that your car can load up the excess weight. Take note that these particular batteries are extremely heavy—far heavier than traditional car batteries. While you are not to carry this weight, the car range is affected as it will need more energy to consume to support the added weight. Electric car batteries are connected with the battery packs or arrays for additional power. A collection of the lithium-ion battery pack weighs about 1,000 pounds.

If you are into green-living, buying an electric car can be a good choice. But note that not all electricity resources are renewable. Though electric cars can save a lot of fuel, many fellow drivers will not appreciate the toxicity of these batteries. Be conscious of the limitations above to help you decide whether to get an electric car or stay with the normal ones.

Effects of Stronger Peso to Gasoline Prices

January 23, 2013 By

For so many years, the Philippine Peso was down in the dumps against other first world currencies, but recent improvements in the economy have caused a sudden and subtle recovery. Slowly but surely, the peso is climbing its way back to a healthy position similar to where it was 10-15 years ago. This is very good news. The prices of basic commodities, like imported oil, will adjust for the benefit of our country.

The constant rise and fall of oil prices in the world market results in an unstable flow of government and private transactions, leading to higher costs. This conflict, in turn, would cause hardship amongst average Filipino folks, especially to those who belong to the lowest strata of society.

The stability of gasoline prices nationwide would be a good indicator of economic success because it would result to better prices in food, water, public transportation, and many retailed products. The government will have to be cautious in its process of balancing the Philippine Peso with other currencies, particularly the US Dollar, which is globally recognized. To be able to maintain its healthy position would be great, although it would be best to see it continuously improve as time progresses. Hopefully, it can find itself in line with neighboring Asian nations that are very much competitive.

There are oil-rich countries, especially those than can be found in the Middle East, that do as much as they can to retain their prices for oil. Fortunately, thanks to newly discovered oil reserves, the distribution and cost of oil remains at a steady pace. And for the world’s function to remain at this steady pace, leaders should focus their efforts on looking for alternative resources as much as they should be focusing on maintaining the resources that we currently have. As an essential element in machinery and transportation, fuel is universally considered as an invaluable requisite in the survival of any nation. For the less fortunate Filipinos who can barely afford their basic human needs, a stable currency would literally be a life-saver.

How Does your Car’s Gasoline Octane Level Affect your Car?

January 7, 2013 By

All cars are composed of four-stroke gasoline engines. Of these four, the compression stroke is the one that condenses air and gas into a smaller volume in a cylinder before it is ignited by the spark plug. The amount compressed would then be called compression ratio. The gasoline octane level of a vehicle will tell how much compression the fuel needs before it can ignite. Usually the compression ratio is 8:1. Thru this ratio, one can accurately determine the octane rating of the gas that one must use in his or her car.

For a car engine to assume a high-performance level, it must have a high compression ratio and a high octane fuel. A high compression ratio involves a higher horsepower though the gasoline for the engine may cost higher as well. Making use of high octane gasoline prevents engine knocking as it tends to burn slower than low octane gasoline. Although it is important to note that this is not a fixed principle as certain cars can react differently to various types of gasoline. If your car is running on low octane gasoline running and has not experience engine knocking, then switching to high octane will not result to any significant advantages. It all really depends upon the build of the vehicle’s engine.

For today’s generation of new automobiles, high octane gasoline is needed if recommended by the manufacturers themselves. It would be wise to instigate a necessary discussion with the sales department of an automobile company regarding the condition of the car you desire to purchase. Gather all the important details pertaining to the indispensable parts of the vehicle, its fuel specifications, and its engine mechanics.

Though there is some truth in the myth that there are benefits in using octane boosters, the end result will ultimately be decided by your car’s engine. If we consider the regular gasoline octane rating of 87, high octane fuel would not make any improvement on mileage or speed. If your car is designed to run on 87 octane gasoline there should not be any significant difference when it comes to its ability to produce power. If your car’s performance has decreased in quality recently, it might be suffering from a damaged part, so make sure to treat your car to a check-up every once in a while. I conclude with the reminder that the gasoline octane level should be leveled according to the specifications of the manufacturing company.

The Top 5 SUVs of 2012

January 1, 2013 By

The comfort and security that one feels when they ride an SUV is something that is hard to top, a lot of people would still want a good sizeable SUV even though there are countless of smaller cars out there that keep getting better and better. With that in mind, here are five of the best SUVs in the market for the year 2012.

2013 Ford Escape

One of the more affordable compact SUVs in the market today, the new 2013 Ford Escape was redesigned for much convenience and comfort. This SUV rates high in safety and performance, with various features like the Ford Sync and MyFord Touch that helps you link the car with certain devices that assist in rear parking and blind spot monitoring. This particular model one does take the cake in the compact SUV department. However, make sure to skip the base engine and go straight to Ecoboost for superior fuel economy.

2012 Mazda CX-9

Mazda’s newest offering in the midsize SUV category is quite a beauty on its own. As one of the sportiest crossovers in the market, this SUV is for those who want a sleek exterior that’s matched with a comfortable interior. If you’re looking for a quality three-row SUV on the cheap, this vehicle will definitely give you the best of both worlds. The base model is already quite an offering by itself, even though the ride is a bit on the stiff side. But if you’re looking for a sport SUV, then the new Mazda CX-9 is top choice.

2012 Ford Expedition

The Ford Expedition has always been a favorite amongst buyers of SUVs, and this latest version is definitely no exception. It has a spacious interior, a hard looking exterior, and a feel that just emanates safety and security, which makes it perfect for families. For such a large vehicle, the rear independent suspension does give it rather good handling that you wouldn’t expect from such a beast. Some may say that the controls feel a bit dated, but they’re easy to use and understand, which can be said for the rest of this SUV.

2013 Lexus RX 350

The luxury of a Lexus is hard to deny, and the new RX 350 is one of the best offerings from the company. Among midsize SUVs, the RX 350 is a grand expression of Lexus’ understanding of luxury and performance. While there are better performing models in the RX series, the other features of the 350 make it hard to pass for anything else. You’ll rejoice in its wide space, quiet ride, smooth handling, fuel economy, and more. This is a true contender on any list regarding the best SUVs in the market today.

2012 Land Rover Range Rover

Perhaps the ultimate in the world SUVs, the Range Rover has never faltered in providing both luxury and reliability in the category of large SUVs. Full-featured and incredibly spacious, the British SUV leaves its competition far behind. With useful gadgets that would make The Terminator drool, with leg room that feels like light years across, and with performance that’s comparable with the Starship Enterprise, the Range Rover is definitely hard to beat. All kidding aside, the Land Rover has yet to come out with a Range Rover that has disappointed, and that’s saying a lot.

Slalom vs. Drifting

August 8, 2012 By

Have you ever thought about racing your car in such a way that you can almost feel like you’re flying? Have you ever desired to take on slalom racing or car drifting? What are the differences between the two in terms of rules and skills required? How do their racing courses differ when it comes to look and feel? How are the winners in both categories determined?

SLALOM

Slalom is considered as the root of motorsports. One does not need to buy a specific car or customized parts in order to participate in this particular species of racing. Slalom takes place in an enclosed paved area, usually in a parking space of a building, or an airport runway, where pylons or those orange traffic cones are used to create a man-made obstacle course for you and your car. Directions as to how the racers will go about the course will be provided.

Slalom is performed on a solo and timed basis, meaning that there will be no wheel-to-wheel racing, no passing of other cars, and that the racing rink will be the driver’s own during the course of his or her performance. Sharp turns in an obstacle course will require drivers to perform a power slide, which can be misinterpreted by some as drifting. Remember: just because a driver leaves a couple of skid marks on the road doesn’t mean he or she is already drifting.

DRIFTING

For people who have lack sufficient knowledge in the automotive world, drifting would seem like something created for rich, bored people who simply want to show off their newly acquired Nissan Silvia. But, to be honest, drifting involves as much car control as slalom, although “drifters” are going to need a customized car. Drifting usually occurs at a minimum speed of 100/kph. It focuses on the rear wheels of the car, which explains why drifters change their tires after each show. Car drifting doesn’t necessarily require the presence of paved roads, but it does require sharp turns. Contrary to slalom, drifting is not timed, but there is a set of judges that will evaluate how well you handled all the tricky turns.

Depending on your age and skill level, you should be able to determine which category you are most suited for. You always have to bear in mind your safety and discipline, and also your financial capability. To be young and ambitious and hungry for speed is not enough; you should posses the specific set of skills in order to survive in this high-speed world.

What you Need to Know about the RPM Gauge

July 6, 2012 By

Amidst fuel price hike and heavy traffic, there are a lot ways to maximize fuel efficiency and save money. One of the ways is to make use of the RPM gauge, which is found near the dashboard. Every vehicle has its own tachometer, where the RPM of the engine is measured. RPM, which stands for revolutions per minute, shows the number of complete revolutions of the crankshaft of the engine every minute. Faster vehicles require more revolutions from the engine, which means that more fuel will be burned.

How to read the RPM Gauge

Every time your vehicle accelerates on a particular gear, the pin in the RPM gauge also increases. The value in the RPM gauge should be multiplied by 1000 to get the revolution per minute of the crankshaft of the engine. For example, if the RPM gauge shows 2 RPM, it means that there will be 2000 revolutions per minute.

Idling

Idle speed is characterized by the RPM when the vehicle is on a stationary position. It is during this time that the engine generates enough power to sustain its accessories and ancillaries (water pump, alternator, power steering, etc). Normally, a car’s idle speed is around 600-1000 RPM. However, air conditioning must also be considered in increasing the idle speed as its use would require more power from the engine. Most air conditioned vehicles nowadays are automatically adjusted in the carburetor or power steering; this increases idling when the air conditioning is running.

Perfect Shifting for Fuel Efficiency

If you’re using an automatic transmission vehicle, you don’t need to worry about gear shifting as the transmission will do it for you. But for drivers of manual transmission vehicles, here are some tips on how you can attain fuel efficiency.

Rule of thumb: if the engine is revving faster to sustain the speed, move to the next gear. For a more economical drive, shift to the second gear when your speed is around 20kph.

There are no hard rules on the perfect timing to move on to the next gear. But for economy’s sake, try to maintain up to 2000-3000 rpm before shifting to the next gear.

Driving at higher gears will save fuel a lot more than staying in first or second gear, which will burn more fuel.

Shift into neutral gear instead of idling at a traffic light. This calms down your engine and lowers down RPM, resulting in better fuel efficiency.

LED Lights: Future Lights or Mere Distraction?

May 6, 2012 By

LED lights, or Light Emitting Diodes, aren’t new. They were first invented in 1962, originally available only in the color red. Since then, its development and the widening of its range of use have been witnessed not only in the technological field, but also in the commercial field. It all started with a faintly glowing red light that was not bright enough to be useful for anything more than just as a power indicator. After about a decade, in the ‘70s, more colors became available, and it was “The New Thing”. It became sought-after and immediately saw its application in the calculators and digital watches of consumers. In the ‘80s, several experiments with new and different materials resulted in making LEDs brighter, cost-efficient, and stable.

Because of these, the industry of LEDs grew even bigger. Being almost 10 times as bright as the LEDs before, it surpassed the incandescent light bulbs in terms of brightness and efficiency. It even greatly affected the advertisement industry by surpassing the classic neon light. Today, the range of its uses never ceases to grow. Even in the latest cars, LED lights are present, not only internally, but as part of its headlights too. So in this article, we’ll look into the aspect of LEDs in and on automobiles. Is it the way of lighting the future, or is it something to be disregarded?

So what’s it used for?

LEDs can be applied for usage in cars in a wide, extreme variety. It could be as an indicator light at the driver’s panel where the speedometers are. It could be an internal cabin light for reading and other purposes. LEDs are even used externally to illuminate the wheel rims, replace the underbody neon lamp, or the most common use – as a brake or signal light.

What’s the big deal?

The thing is, LEDs look really, really cool. The way they are placed around the headlights of some cars, most notably those of Audi, is actually pretty neat. It’s like eyeliner for the “eyes” of the car – headlights. LEDs also look amazing as red brake lights, and they are ever-reliable if used as a signal light. It simply looks cool. Another good thing is that LEDs have great advantages. They are extremely long-lasting. Since it does not have a filament, it won’t burn out. It will last much, much, much longer than the conventional incandescent. LEDs don’t heat up very much too. Its other advantage, (which I personally think is its best) is efficiency. A very big percentage of the power put into it actually goes into creating light, and not just creating heat. As a result, little power is needed to put out the amount of light compared to an incandescent light bulb putting out the same amount of light.

So what are the bad things about it?

In the context of a car, it’s not bad at all. It looks good, it lasts a long time, it’s efficient, it’s energy saving, and it’s a good product overall. Well maybe the only distracting part of it comes in when it’s used for advertisements along the road. Every now and then, you’d see a modern electronic billboard that shows advertisements by looping videos again and again, by showing slideshows of brands and products, or by giving announcements and on-the-road reminders. These CAN be distractions. If you’re on the road and see giant LED screens with these, you’re bound to take your eyes off the road. They totally are good advertisement techniques, but it’s a potential for hazardous situations.

The thing is, LED lights ARE the lights of the future. I mean, with the quality and efficiency that it offers, why settle for anything less? However, they are quite a distraction sometimes on the road. So it’s up to you. You can always pimp your ride with LED lights (since you know it’s cool), but it’s also your choice whether or not LED ads will distract you or not. It’s all up to you.