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Posts Tagged ‘low fuel’

No doubt, there is no pleasure to get into ice-cold car during the winter. That is why we can see many people are idling their engines, even regardless if they are inside the car or not. However, cost of that “warming up” is significant, idling for ten seconds uses more fuel than restart your engine ! This going to be more than 100 litres of gasoline a year for idling ten minutes a day.

Get the electric seat warmer looks like great idea. You car battery will be easily handling the load and you don’t need run you engine when your vehicle is parked.

Why can’t we try to breathe easier, without the unhealthy exhaust fumes from a car that is going nowhere ? We will spare the air by reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to problems such as smog and climate change.

Chevrolet and OnStar announced that new Volt will be available to be controlled remotely though smartphone application. However, the 007 practice to drive remotely will be not an option. The application will only allow to control vehicle functions and OnStar features. The software will communicate with car from either iPhone, Blackberry or Motorola Droid.

The application will propose new interactive experience for Volt owners that has never ever been offered to any electric vehicle.

Among features the application will display :

• Charge status and voltage
• Battery capacity and available mileage range
• Messages and alerts from the car concerning charge interruption on completion
• Real-time odometer and other readings

It also will provide flexibility to setup charge schedule regarding off-peak hours when electricity rates are lowest, unlocking the doors and some other OnStar features and remotely start pre-condition the interior temperature.

The application will be available for owners at launch of the model that is scheduled for late 2010. Pricing has not been announced.

Green Car Journal announced five finalists for their “2010 Green Car of the Year” title, including :

Audi A3 TDI
Honda Insight
Mercury Milan Hybrid
Toyota Prius
Volkswagen Golf TDI

The award will be known at Los Angeles Auto Show on Dec, 3.

Meanwhile, the Popular Mechanics magazine run their own review and collected following contenders :

Audi A3 TDI
Toyota Prius V
Smart Fortwo Passion
Honda Insight EX Navi
Ford Fusion Hybrid

See the difference ? Not really much. There are,  apparently, only two kinds of  auto-makers – ones who are developing the green technologies and another ones who don’t.

And applauses go to Jay Leno, please, who is contributing to both Auto Show and PM mag.