Archive for August, 2011
2009 Chrysler Minivans: Cutting Edge Technology Means Better Fuel Economy
It was 25 years ago this Fall when the Chrysler Corporation shook up the automotive industry by introducing a trio of small vans dubbed minivans for its Chrysler Dodge and Plymouth brands. The Chrysler Town Country Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan were instant hits helping Chrysler to carve out a new automotive segment and defining the term people hauler in the process.
Today Chrysler still leads in this important segment offering two models: the Dodge Grand Caravan and the Chrysler Town Country. Both minivans seat seven passengers and are powered by a 4.0L V6 engine that is paired with a sixspeed automatic transmission. The transmission new for 2009 is the first of its kind: the only sixspeed automatic available on a minivan.
The new enginetransmission pairing has given the automaker a needed boost by providing best in class fuel economy of 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. “Chrysler and Dodge minivans continue to lead the segment” said Larry Lyons Vice President Car and Minivan Product Team Chrysler LLC. “With an improved 4.0liter sixcylinder engine and a minivanfirst sixspeed transmission no other minivan has better fuel economy. We optimized both the engine and the transmission to give our customers the fuel economy they want and the power and responsiveness they expect.
Chrysler has managed to hold firm in the minivan market even while Ford and General Motors exited the segment. The Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna are its chief competitors but Chrysler still holds 40 of the market with the Dodge Grand Caravan continuing as the best selling minivan on the market. Since it was first introduced Chrysler has sold more than twelve million of its minivans.
When it comes to passenger safety the Chrysler and Dodge minivans are at the top of their game receiving fivestar crash test certification for front and side impacts. Both minivans have been technological leaders down through the years by offering Swivel ‘n Go seating minivanfirst dual DVD players and uconnect studios SIRIUS Backseat TV with family programming channels that include Nickelodeon Disney Channel and Cartoon Network Mobile and bestinclass aerodynamics Cd of 0.33.
For 2009 a third version of the Chrysler minivans is now available the Volkswagen Routan a vehicle which shares the same platform engine and transmission as its Chrysler and Dodge cousins. However the Routan uses a unique suspension and the minivan has its own interior and exterior to help differentiate the model from its American competitors.
Source: Chrysler LLC
About the writer: Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer who resides in Cary North Carolina. Matt provides magazine web content and article writing services to clients all over the world serving the automotive human interest and business communities. The Auto Writer is his flagship car weblog.
What You Look For Before Buying Your Next SUV
Before you write down that check for the SUV you want to buy it is best to get some education on the subject of rollover accidents. In fact rollover accidents are a great concern to the National Highway and Transport Safety Agency NHTSA which is attached to the United States Department of Transportation.
This is not to say that you should not but the SUV you have been dreaming about. Just read on.
Rollovers are accidents when a vehicles ends up on another side. And each vehicle class has a rollover rating from the NHTSA.
* Five stars has a risk of rollover of less than 10;
* Four stars has a risk of rollover between 10 and 20;
* Three stars has a risk of rollover between 20 and 30;
* Two stars has a risk of rollover between 30 and 40 ; and
* One star has a risk or rollover of over 40.
It should not be surprising that sedans usually get a five or four star rating from the NHTSA while taller vehicles like SUVs will likely get three stars or less. Minivans usually get a threestar rating.
The NHTSA ratings are based on “Static Stability Factor” which is essentially a measure of how top heavy a vehicle is. Essentially taller vehicles which have a higher center of gravity have a greater chance to rollover.
Before rollover ratings were popularized by the NHTSA driving experts rated the rollover resistance of a vehicle using the moose test. Under the moose test a vehicle’s stability is tested during a sudden evasive maneuver usually towards the other lane which is to avoid a moose suddenly appearing before your vehicle’s path. The vehicles that were easier to control during the sudden lane changes rated higher in the tests.
Although the NHTSA ratings and moosetests would point to taller vehicles or those with a higher center of gravity being less resistant to a rollover accident a lot still depends on the driver for safe motoring. In fact the NHTSA once stated that all vehicles can rollover.
Since there is little motorists can do about the rollover ratings since these are based on tests what they can do is improve their skill and knowledge about vehicle control dynamics a subject only taught in performance driving schools.
In the subject of vehicle control dynamics a motorist is taught how to keep his vehicle balanced under all road conditions and to avoid imbalance that could lead to loss of control or accidents like a rollover.
To simplify matters but we will write more on this subject later a vehicle is balanced when its weight is equally distributed on all four wheels when it is traveling and there is no abrupt load transfer to the front like during hard braking or when the vehicle leans to one side like what happens when a vehicle enters a turn too fast.
To keep a vehicle balanced always observe the following:
* Travel at the appropriate speed so you can avoid the following:
Sudden lane changes requiring quick steering inputs
Sudden braking
* Always brake along a straight line especially during hard braking situations
* Brake early as possible to avoid abrupt load transfer from the rear to the front of the vehicle
* Always slow down and shift to the appropriate gear before entering a turn do not step on the brakes and turn the steering wheel simultaneously
* Be aware of road adhesion conditions slippery and the like and adjust speed appropriately
* Keep tires properly inflated at all times
It is also advisable to look as far as possible when driving but not ignoring what is immediately ahead so you can judge road conditions ahead and apply the necessary steering braking or deceleration measure to keep your vehicle balanced.
Likewise when a vehicle is to be loaded with lots of passengers and cargo make sure this is well distributed over the vehicle. Do not load too much on one side nor too much at the rear.
What we are saying here is the safety of a vehicle largely depends on driver skill since it is a given that the most stupid driver on the road can rollover a vehicle that has a fivestar rating from the NHTSA. Don’t be one of them.
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Washington Dc Limo Adventure Rides
It has been said that cars and limo are part of the USA culture from the 65′s until today futuristic looking cars and limo have been developed to satisfy not only people’s transportation needs but also to provide a way for the consumer to show just how well they are doing in society. Limos are the cars designed to do just that they send a message to people who watch the passengers riding on such luxurious vehicles.
Limo have been modified in order to fit every occasion the exterior designs and chassis vary some people may use these vehicles for simple transportation which is the case of business owners and operators but in the other hand people have also been using limo with the purpose to recreate celebrate and have memorable times.
Limo are not what they used to be 80′s movies showed different types of limos but they all had something in common while their exterior looked extremely formal their interior was not very inviting the seats did not look very comfortable and there were not many extras which people could use for recreation. One of the places was limo are most frequently used is the great city of Washington DC this city is best known for its landmarks classy environment and festivities.
People who live in this city are often in need of Washington DC limo services in order to assist their social events while you may think of this city as serious and unappealing to young people the fact is that many use limo transportation to celebrate and have thrill rides with their family and friends. It is common knowledge that we shouldn’t drink and drive at the same time not only will you put yourself in danger but you would endanger the lives of many innocent people this is why it is important to have designated driver during such occasions.
Today’s limo services have adapted their fleet to serve business people as well as others who need this type of transportation for special events; some have futuristic interior designs which create an inviting atmosphere for those who have just closed a business deal and want to celebrate on the road or for wedding occasions. Special events are what triggers these thrill rides they can fit between 1822 people who can enjoy the ride to their destination or an exciting tour throughout town.
Some popular Washington DC limo makes used during these occasions are: the Lincoln Navigator Cadillac Escalade the Jaguar SSeries and the Limousine Bus etc. Whatever the occasion may be when renting a limo in Washington DC make sure the company provides special services for such events because some will not let you party inside their vehicles.
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