Volkswagon Unveils Their Temporary "Auto-pilot"

I am pretty sure we have all dreamed about cruising that 300 mile trip on the highway while we are ready to knot off to have an auto-pilot. Being able to "ride" while in the driver seat would surely be a glorious thing indeed. We could chat away on the phone, play a computer game, or watch a movie. I'd go for a ride just to relax...LOL

Anyways, clearly we aren't anywhere near having a road full of cars that drive by themselves and doing it safely. My knees are still going to have to cover for me on that straightaway with nobody around when I want to change my coogi clothing, but Volkswagon at the final presentation of the EU research project HAVEit (Highly Automated Vehicles for Intelligent Transport), Prof. Dr. Jürgen Leohold, Executive Director Volkswagen Group Research, has presented the “Temporary Auto Pilot” by Volkswagen: Monitored by the driver. The car can drive semi-automatically up to a speed of 130 kilometres per hour on motorways. It represents a link between today’s assistance systems and the vision of fully automatic driving.

“Above all, what we have achieved today is an important milestone on the path towards accident-free car driving,” emphasises Leohold at today’s final presentation of the EU research project HAVEit in the Swedish city of Borås. The Temporary Auto Pilot (TAP) bundles semi-automatic functions, i.e. functions monitored by the driver, with other driver assistance systems, such as ACC adaptive cruise control and the Lane Assist lane-keeping system into one comprehensive function. “Nonetheless, the driver always retains driving responsibility and is always in control,” continues Leohold. “The driver can override or deactivate the system at any time and must continually monitor it.” full story

Teens Tell Teens About Texting and Driving Dangers

Does anyone truly believe that texting and driving is proper, or safe? I mean I do it at times, and I KNOW it isn't safe. Texting, trying to grab the military coins I dropped on the floor, turning the iPod song to a different one, taking a drink while texting. It's like driving the problem here! Ha! Of course I am the greatest driver in the world so surely nothing will happen to me ;).

Of course we all know that many of the messages related to safe driving or nothing more than common sense. Wearing your seatbelt may be uncomfortable, but we know it is safer. That doesn't mean I would wear one if it wasn't for it being required by law. Motorcyle helmets being worn is something else many try to keep open. Catchy sayings like "Click it, or Ticket" stick with us though so I guess the easier it is to pound a message into our heads to get u to think about road safety the better. We learn by repetition so having a texting and driving discussion is necessary.

Six U.S. high school students were selected from nearly 300 journalism entries around the country as winners of the national Keep the Drive High School Journalism Awards to curb distracted driving, earning prizes totaling $7,500. The Keep the Drive High School Journalism Awards, sponsored by The Allstate Foundation, encourage high school journalists to educate their peers about the dangers of texting while driving, to raise awareness about youth traffic safety and empower teens to take on the issue locally. more

Motocross Parts

Finding motocross parts isn't easy to do if you search the net these days. You may be able to find a site here and there that offers motocross parts and other motorcycles parts, but nobody really has a quality site that gives you all the categories and search functions you need to find what it is you are looking for. Sure you may be able to find a page randomly that pops up with some dirt bike handlebar grips, but overall it is pretty limited.

So I figured I would introduce a site that is putting some effort into categorizing and displaying motocross parts in an easy to search in an easy way. If you click on the link at the beginning of this post you will come to a motocross parts category page that leads to many in depth pages for each category. Much easier to search this site for motocross parts than even some of the top listed in the search engines now. This site should be listed towards the top rather than what is there already for motocross parts so have a look.

2011 Dodge Durango Review

When the SUV market was really taking off to the point that everyone had one, and we all wanted one, the Durango was one of the middle to high end designs I liked. While test driving the smaller Jeep Cherokee, or even looking at the Grand Cherokee, I always liked the Durango quite a bit and made plans to go out and get one eventually. Like everyone else priorities change, or something else comes up, and I never got to buy one. Is the 2011 Durango finally going to get me to buy? A v* with a HEMI? Certainly a jump up from the toy I have running on 9v batteries.

Dodge says the Durango is “Re-engineered from the asphalt up” with an all-new unibody structure that is 25% stiffer than the previous model, all-new short/long arm front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. Aggressive shock and spring rates and large sway bars handle body roll in hard turning maneuvers. Available electro-hydraulic performance steering, along with standard electronic stability control also contribute to maintain tire grip and vehicle stability. full review

2011 Audi A4 2.0T quattro Review

Audi is a brand that I rarely consider. Not because I don't find the automobiles to be pleasing, or that they aren't very well designed, but either they aren't marketing that well in my area, or overall. Even the reviewers I see state such things as "cult status" when referring to Audi in luxury sedan categories, or "quietly making a name for itself". This pretty much confirms my lack of notice to the brand most years simply because they aren't in the forefront usually.

While not everyone is tossing their Thermarest Neo Air Sleeping Pad into the back of their SUV and heading into the mountains, or buying hybrids, or trying to go green, it seems to be what patrols the headlines. The luxury brands we all know like Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, and even Jaguar are much more likley to be talked about than Audis from what I have noticed. Why?

This review for the 2011 Audi A4 quattro has some good insights into the company and their cars. Talking in a highly favorable tone when discussing not only this car, but the entire brand in general.

Is it Even Worth it to Repair Older Cars (10-15 years old)?

All kinds of people you know, and probably many of you like myself, have at least one car sitting around they just don't get rid of, or upgrade to a newer model. A car that keeps on running, and still looks alright, but isn't going to win any beauty contests anytime soon. In this economy many of us aren't exactly out there trying to drive home a new car so we keep maintaining one that is a little bit older because it still runs well, and it doesn't cause too many problems. What is the final straw when you stop getting a car repaired and just junk it for parts?

If you have to get your car, truck, or SUV repaired by a pro, odds are it comes a lot sooner than it would if you have the ability to repair a car yourself. If you have the desire to repair your own car, you most likely need some sort of auto repair guide for certain problems, or at the very least help with diagnosing your car troubles. Even if you don't plan to repair the car yourself, it makes sense to get an auto repair estimate online before you take it in and even bother with it right?

This is where you can save yourself a lot of time and headaches. Not only can you get a quick estimate on auto repair costs, but you can get help from auto owners that have the same car, and likely the same repair issue. You can even set your self up with an online repair and maintenance schedule that will tip you off on advice about repairs and proper maintenance. This is great for any car, not just an old one. Much easier to keep an online repair and maintenance schedule for me than trying to have a file I have to pull out and look through tons of paperwork.

There aren't many top notch auto repair websites that have an easy to use interface, with everything you need from self-help to just getting repair estimates out there. Being able to plug your make and model in and then get similar auto repair questions and answers for your vehicle is one of the most useful search functions there is for someone looking to get help with car trouble. Everyone else describes their car problems with the same kind of adjectives so even if you think it makes little sense someone else is very likely to know exactly what you mean, have made the repair themselves, or had someone do it.

So when is the point of no return on car repairs? Finding that out is pretty easy with a place like RepairPal, who will show you your exact make and model, and break it down to every conceivable automotive repair problem. You can ask other auto owners who have made their own repairs, and you can see what the cost of those repairs by a professional would run you in your area. You really can't be more prepared than this when making that decision on whether it is time to just put ol' Betsy to rest, or keep her on life support for a few more years.