Dog Mode
Tesla recently rolled out a safety and convenience option that car – and dog – owners will appreciate, reports Automotive News. Dog Mode uses automatic sensors to maintain a comfortable temperature for pets inside the vehicle when you have to run errands, while also displaying a message in giant letters to passers-by who might become concerned for pets left in the car. The message will tell anyone looking inside the car that the owner will return soon and display interior temperature. Back in 2016, Tesla already offered a Cabin Overheat Protection feature – a more basic version of automatic climate control for when the car is turned off. Dog Mode is the upgrade, offering more user-adjustable settings. Of course, this system is not a replacement for common sense or local laws, especially when it comes to leaving children in the car, reports Automotive News.
Potential rival to Tesla? Amazon
Amazon is leading a $700 million investment in Rivian, a Michigan company that is developing a battery-powered pickup truck and an electric sport utility vehicle, reports The New York Times. Founded in 2009 by an MIT-trained engineer, R. J. Scaringe, Rivian first showed its truck and SUV at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. The key feature of each is a chassis that is shaped like a skateboard and includes all the components that propel the vehicles – a large battery pack, axles, suspension, cooling system and four electric motors. The company says its pickup will be able to go up to 400 miles on a full charge. The deal is the latest example of how the auto industry is being reshaped by new technologies and nimble companies that have raced ahead of many traditional carmakers, according to the newspaper.
The best
Motor Week announced its 34rd annual Drivers’ Choice Awards, based on factors that (according to the editors) matter most to consumers, including price, practicality, performance and fuel efficiency. Some winners:
- Best Small Car: Kia Forte. “This year, better technology, more space and truly dynamic styling are sprinkled into the mix.”
- Best Eco-Friendly: Honda Clarity. “The Honda Clarity PHEV delivers an outstanding MPGe rating, along with great style, and Civic-based interior packaging and driving demeanor.”
- Best Family Sedan: Nissan Altima. “Besides roomy comfort, great tech and style, what really won us over was a big hit in performance — both in suspension tuning, and from its segment-first variable compression 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder.”
- Best Small Utility: Toyota RAV4. “Wearing a more rugged design, and gaining a more substantial ride; yet retaining all of its car-like friendliness.”
Windshield cracked? It’ll cost you.
Fixing a cracked windshield used to be the kind of repair a technician could perform in a few minutes in your office parking lot while you were at work. Today, the same repair could take hours and require expensive computerized equipment in a special facility, reports The New York Times. And it will probably cost much more. If the repair is not done properly, it could have dire consequences. In this new world of advanced driver assistance systems, features like lane-keeping assistance, automatic emergency braking and collision avoidance are integrated with windshields. Cameras nestled behind the windshield, radar sensors hidden in the front grille and ultrasonic components embedded in bumpers work within narrow tolerances. A seemingly minor impact can knock them out of alignment. A camera that hasn’t been recalibrated after a windshield repair, for example, could mean the difference between keeping you between the lines or steering you off a cliff. And a relatively minor driving misjudgment that damages a side mirror and rear bumper could require fixing rear radar sensors used with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems. The price? As high as $2,050.
Hot or cold, your electric vehicle will suffer
Minus 25 degrees is just a bad memory for some Repertoire readers. But if you’re thinking about buying an electric vehicle, and you live North, be warned: Electric vehicle driving range decreased by 41 percent when the mercury dips to 20°F and the heating system inside is on, according to new research by the American Automobile Association, reports Automotive News. That means for a 100-mile route, an electric-powered vehicle could go only 59 miles. Lower range translates into more frequent charging and higher operating cost for users. In case you’re interested: Loss of range at low temperatures is due to the reduced mobility of electrons in the battery, the use of thermal management systems in many cars to keep the battery warmed and the fact that an EV has to generate electricity for heating rather than relying on waste heat from an internal combustion engine. By the way, AAA’s research also found that when outside temperatures heat up to 95°F and air-conditioning is used inside the vehicle, driving range decreases by 17 percent.
A good deal for a compact
The 2019 Kia Soul won Kelley Blue Book’s 5-year Cost to Own Award in the compact car segment, reports Kia. “The key advantage that the Soul has over its competitors is its high residual values,” Eric Ibara, director of 5-Year Cost to Own for Kelley Blue Book, was quoted as saying. “This year, the Soul ranked third in Best Resale Value, which translates into a low depreciation cost – the factor that accounts for one third of its overall ownership costs.” The Soul also has the lowest financing costs and state fees in its segment, he said. The 5-Year Cost to Own is the total amount of vehicle-related costs the car owner will likely have to cover during the first five years of owning a car. This includes out-of-pocket expenses like fuel and insurance, and vehicle depreciation (loss in value).