Well until someone comes up with the Magic Battery, which hasn't happened yet and is not on the immediate horizon, diesel cars and light trucks are going to be alive and well in their little niche.
Indeed! (THEN, probably) the environmentalist will say it causes anything from death through dying to spontaneous religious conversion (to the WRONG religion of course).
Quite the straw man ! It is amazing that your wife can tolerate an airport ! Really the list is endless.
She rarely complains about the fumes so it did catch my attention. Jetways mitigate a lot of the exhaust at airports plus they are typically forward of the engines; you just have to be careful that the cabin doesn't get filled up with the fumes. Helps to avoid the big hubs too.
It depends upon whether the environmentalist you mention is a qualified scientist or a self-appointed agitator. I take science from scientists and politics from politicians (with a pound of salt) and engine data from engineers and battery data from electrical engineers (or chemists as the case may be).
I generally don't count anecdotal data as hard evidence, or arguments that are trying to incite emotion. The facts are the facts and they can be checked and peer-reviewed.
Well until someone comes up with the Magic Battery, which hasn't happened yet and is not on the immediate horizon, diesel cars and light trucks are going to be alive and well in their little niche.
Indeed! (THEN, probably) the environmentalist will say it causes anything from death through dying to spontaneous religious conversion (to the WRONG religion of course).
It depends upon whether the environmentalist you mention is a qualified scientist or a self-appointed agitator. I take science from scientists and politics from politicians (with a pound of salt) and engine data from engineers and battery data from electrical engineers (or chemists as the case may be).
I generally don't count anecdotal data as hard evidence, or arguments that are trying to incite emotion. The facts are the facts and they can be checked and peer-reviewed.
Well until someone comes up with the Magic Battery, which hasn't happened yet and is not on the immediate horizon, diesel cars and light trucks are going to be alive and well in their little niche.
Indeed! (THEN, probably) the environmentalist will say it causes anything from death through dying to spontaneous religious conversion (to the WRONG religion of course).
And I have been long enough on this topic to know, you know, I do pretty much the same. So do the points get across or not?
BUT ...
SLOW news diesel day!
I just got off the phone with the INDY shop that changed the 09 JETTA TDI's (CP 'ed) oil and oil filter and air filter. (actually the specific guy @ the shop that did the service) Given his VERY in depth description (and 4 days later) , a less TMI version would be: completely and utterly seamless from a GASSER (like model), even as he was FULLY aware of it being a TDI AND TDI part specifications. !!!! I will likely use him and his shop AGAIN !!!
SIDEBAR (30,000 miles oci's puts cost per mile driven, lubrication @ .0026833 cents. For parts only costs, back out .0008333. Since a lot of folks like to know the time interval, 15,000 miles per year commute, 30,000 miles ='s app 2 years)
For TMI, so far the 09 Jetta TDI has seen VW 504/507 specification oils: 1. Castro EDGE 5w30 2. Total Quartz INEO 5w30.
The A3 TDI has this must have in my next vehicle. Never again for NavTeq"
The A3’s available 4G LTE connectivity headlines its technology story; the faster connection makes Audi’s Google Earth-enabled navigation system all the more astonishing.
Google seems to be the only mapping that keeps up to date. GM was tied to Google maps and then switched to Bing maps. Microsoft has proven the are not up to the job with NavTeq I don't think their Bing maps are much better. GM and Apple both screwed up dumping Google mapping.
I do make sure diesel batteries (all actually) get trickle charged. Diesels do have a heavier current draw (over gassers) especially during COLD start.
TMI would be almost ALL car have 24/7 to CUSTOM current draws. VW charging systems (actually most others also) are NOT designed to get the battery back to 100% charge status.
I have never (in 350,000 miles) had COLD starting issues, either due to battery or ULSD gelling and/or both, However, this is purely anecdotal in 4 TDI's.
MORE SLOW news
Happy Days are here again? OR Commodity ARMAGEDDON ?
OPEC basically confirmed that it's in a price war with the US ANDY TULLY, OILPRICE.COM FEB. 11, 2015, 12:02 PM
Shale can't compete with oil. Shale oil wells have a very high decline rate (60 to 90 percent over 3 years). Thinking shale oil will satisfy our energy needs is a delusion.
Shale can't compete with oil. Shale oil wells have a very high decline rate (60 to 90 percent over 3 years). Thinking shale oil will satisfy our energy needs is a delusion.
Especially when the default is 95% + plus RUG/PUG ! Further 75% of those are easily LARGE cars to light trucks !! Remember with 95% RUG/PUG, all it took to CRASH/CRUSH prices and DEMAND was 1 % oversupply (Some say, due to fracking !!!). That was AFTER going from 4% year over year growth, to a net year to year LOSS.
So you don't think that anything UNDER 95% RUG/PUG is being fought, vilified and being made economically untenable? Less than 2.5% diesel cars are being almost totally vilified?
The US (miraculously) went from a relative "NON" producer or net/net/net importer to the world's BIGGEST supplier of energy products ! Makes one wonder how long and what delusions are being kept up ! Like I have said in past posts, the environmental conservatives don't even believe their own hype !!!
Cheaper Gas? Politicians Want a Tax Fill-Up The 34% price drop at the pumps is stirring government appetite for your savings. By CARLY FIORINA And PENNY NANCE Feb. 11, 2015 7:19 p.m. ET
Shale can't compete with oil. Shale oil wells have a very high decline rate (60 to 90 percent over 3 years). Thinking shale oil will satisfy our energy needs is a delusion.
Beats nothing in a pinch, and still a good stop gap until we can tap into free zero point energy.
They could tack about $5 per gallon on RUG/PUG and leave diesel alone. That would keep the poor drivers and cars off the roads. But not mess with the cost of food and other goods. First use the money to fix the roads and bridges, then chip in on mass transit for those that cannot afford gas. It would also force the poor to bunch up more in the cities just like Gore and his minions want US to do. Those wise buyers with diesel vehicles would have nice smooth highways with little but truck traffic to contend with. It is a win win.
They could tack about $5 per gallon on RUG/PUG and leave diesel alone. That would keep the poor drivers and cars off the roads. But not mess with the cost of food and other goods. First use the money to fix the roads and bridges, then chip in on mass transit for those that cannot afford gas. It would also force the poor to bunch up more in the cities just like Gore and his minions want US to do. Those wise buyers with diesel vehicles would have nice smooth highways with little but truck traffic to contend with. It is a win win.
Yes !
The talk/actions are disingenuous, as on the one side, they want to make it economically untenable to drive !! YET on the other, want to make it so POOR people can drive !!!
One essential issue, there is little to none of the multiplier effect without TRANSPORTATION. Europe is a slo mo demonstration that even WITH transportation, it can be an exercise in ARRESTED decay AND stunted development (Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal hope I didn't leave anyone out )!!!
DIESEL trucking is already MORE than WELL regulated.
IF they STOP siphoning off the highway funds and just FIX the roads, the funds would be in abundant surplus. They leave prominent road messes to keep UP the now legal siphoning.
It is a long term trend and policy to "dense up" cities.
Yes, I don't want to buy new diesel cars each 50,000 to 100,000 miles. I would only want to buy (if I had to) tires (consumables) every 100,000 miles. Ah yes, I know that is the PERCEIVED problem.
Everything goes in cycles but the overwhelming trend is that people like living in cities. The cities I want to live in have crazy rents; don't see the poor living there except in tents perhaps. Maybe the lastest San Fran measles exposure will reshift the cycle.
I got squat for diesel news, not even one of the incessent drumbeat particulate-killer stories that seem to show up every day.
Yes, cycles are an integral part of life. Yes, a lot of folks do like living in cities! SF rent and rental CRISIS is/are of their own making! But if one is on the correct side of it, getting paid while they stumble around, ain't bad. The down side is you can pay more to park ones car than for a moderate to expensive meal.
Ah no !!! Funny to see that nature exacts a consequence for the choice not to vaccinate.
Particulate- killer stories are like ghost stories and are totally red herring.
Some red herring - that stuff will kill you. (OSHA)
Diesel CARS my friend, not COAL mining operations, etc !!! ??? I've worked flightline operations for app 5 years of my life (unmitigated emissions) . Total red herring ! So you really think by turning all those operations to GASSERs will magically make pollution ZERO ???
You should by default STOP all old folks taking cruise ship lines, (equivalent of the [non-permissible content removed] GAS chambers) IF the red herring pieces are to be believed. Or stop importing cars by ship until they convert to gassers.
Back on topic, less than 2.5% DIESEL cars of the PVF of 265.6 M is app less than 6.64 M. units !!!!! Defacto you are implying 6.64 M pollute more than 258.96 GASSERS !! ???
Yeah, I was alive when Kennedy was assassinated too.
Truly with all the Prius (hybrids) in th PVF, in say SF Bay Area and probably more importantly, the LA Metro area, the air quality has NOT gotten statistically BETTER. In fact, both areas bemoan much more "spare the air days".
So how are we all enjoying all the global warming on the north east portion ?
<, less than 2.5% DIESEL cars of the PVF of 265.6 M is app less than 6.64 M. units</p>
That's kind of like saying smoking is okay so long as I don't have to live with a smoker.
Do you have snow? Alyeska is lucky that they can make snow up high and the rain quit, the Iditarod start had to move to Fairbanks, Bogus deesn't even have a 3' base and tubing conditions "are being evaluated". Taos Ski Valley has a new lift that's not open yet and only a 44" base. Temp is 44°F in Aspen today, 10°F above normal. All that "weird" weather following the warmest recorded year on record.
Doesn't look like a super deep base around Tahoe either. About half the lifts aren't running - is that because it's a Thursday or lack of snow cover? Doesn't sound any better for Cali XC skiers than the Alaskan ones either. (santafenewmexican.com) Actually got to XC at Donner one year "back in the day".
There is almost no base @ all @ the Lake's altitude. 6,225 ft. Weather and conditions are more spring like. So its like 52 F and the low tonight is supposed to be 36 F. It is and has been absolutely GORGEOUS !! Opened groomed runs can also be totally delightful, albeit some would say boring.
Having lived in the Rocky's, conditions can change FAST, to being different right around a rise.
So the real answers are lack of snow cover AND marshaling and prioritizing snow making operations.
There is almost no base @ all @ the Lake's altitude. 6,225 ft. Weather and conditions are more spring like. So its like 52 F and the low tonight is supposed to be 36 F. It is and has been absolutely GORGEOUS !!
My sis is moving back to So Lake Tahoe. I am sure she will be happy with warmer weather. She does not like California Lakes subdivision very much. She left their in the late 1990s. Moving back into the same duplex with the same neighbor after all these years. She has tried the casino trade in Louisiana, Florida, Las Vegas, AZ, central CA and now back where she calls home. You go up much in the Summer? May see you one of these trips.
Everything goes in cycles but the overwhelming trend is that people like living in cities. The cities I want to live in have crazy rents; don't see the poor living there except in tents perhaps. Maybe the lastest San Fran measles exposure will reshift the cycle.
We just went down to the big central library in San Diego. Has a lot of old fiction that my wife likes. More than 70 years old stuff. Right across the street is a big tent city. Lots of VERY strange looking people. They have a great rare book museum. The lady working in the museum moved downtown from out where we live. She is ready to leave. She said it is just too depressing living in a highrise and then seeing all the people laying on the sidewalks at night. Not safe to go out at night.
No diesel smoke in the city, the buses down there are all running on CNG.
There is almost no base @ all @ the Lake's altitude. 6,225 ft. Weather and conditions are more spring like. So its like 52 F and the low tonight is supposed to be 36 F. It is and has been absolutely GORGEOUS !!
My sis is moving back to So Lake Tahoe. I am sure she will be happy with warmer weather. She does not like California Lakes subdivision very much. She left their in the late 1990s. Moving back into the same duplex with the same neighbor after all these years. She has tried the casino trade in Louisiana, Florida, Las Vegas, AZ, central CA and now back where she calls home. You go up much in the Summer? May see you one of these trips.
Indeed !! We do love the seasons! Let me know when you are planning to be up !! I do hope your sister is successful in getting back into her industry !
Funny, was just researching ours - naturally they do it differently here. (NY Times)
Looks like you are getting a new air pollution monitor for the border. More concern about particulates. Didn't realize it was quite that busy. (scvnews.com)
I don't think you can compare the 47 homeless in Las Cruces to the 9000+ in downtown San Diego. You would have to have over 500 to compare to the mess in San Diego. A recent visitor from Florida could not believe the cops let the homeless get away with what they get away with here. About half of ours are in homeless shelters. Most don't want to obey the rules and get the boot.
If you are in the hills looking across the border into Tijuana, it is always a brown haze. You figure it is well over 2 million people. People flow into and out of that city continually. I don't think Mexico has a clue how many people live there, or do they care. And yes that pollution comes across the border just like the undocumented immigrants. Worse is the pollution dumped into the ocean. The US spent $2 billion on a sewage treatment plant for Tijuana about 20 years ago. We still get several days a year that the beaches have high levels of pollution.
Garrison says there were 460 beach closure advisories in San Diego County last year.
Mexico is just getting around to refining ULSD. So all those trucks coming into the USA under the NAFTA agreement are still running on dirty diesel, polluting our air.
Given their posted MPG's (REAL WORLD) , don't you just LOVE progress?
(WEIGHT LOSS)
I was following a thread where an 11 Acura MDX driver gets app 17 mpg (70,000 miles), asking about the VW Touareg TDI.
Sidebar1: 14 Acura MDX dropped 400+ #'s AND took on a smaller engine AND RDX platform (aka, hopefully much better mpg in the real world). He was negatively impressed with the 15 Acura MDX.
SIDEBAR2: A relative normally tells me his is app 20+ mpg (SOS/DD trek and not as many miles). Fully.com postings 17.5 to 21 mpg.
He was wondering what a (15) VW Touareg TDI would get. He was looking to increase mpg, as they put on over 17.5k miles per year. I had said without more data points, the best was to keep the 11 Acura MDX. (he disagrees)
I almost do not want to chime in with my anecdotal 12 VW Touareg TDI's 31 mpg (33 mph SOS/DD trek) . (82% to 48% better mpg)
NOR, did I want to get into that now the 14/15 Acura MDX's WEIGHT is on par with the MB GLK 250 BT, with its' even BETTER 39 mpg vs 21 to 21.1 mpg (fully.com 14/15 Acura MDX) .
I have officially fallen out of love with my Optima. I went over to Ford and drove the 2.3 Ecoboost Mustang base model. Now, I know this is a diesel thread but that 2.3 had 320 lb ft of torque at like 2000 RPM. Diesels have always had good torque, but if they could muster the 310 HP of the fords 2.3 Ecoboost...that would be a real accomplishment.
If you are considering a sporty car to go along with your diesel, you get a LOT of car in the Mustang 2.3 Ecoboost. I drove the stick. The sales man was scared....I was grinning from ear to ear. The braking was excellent too. Build quality...awesome, materials GOOD (for a change in the 'stang). Back up camera and bluetooth/pandora standard. 17" alloys standard. Expensive looking seats do not give anything away that this is a base model.
More on topic, but @ best, academic, I am not sure why Ford has not come out with a DIESEL, let alone HOT to meet or exceed MB's 2.1 L T TDI @ 369 # ft.
While off topic, so I take it that did NOT motivate you to buy that GASSER, Ford Mustang?
It good to see that Ford seemingly has come out with an (gasser) engine that almost skunks the rest of its (segments) line.
I would love to hear the back story on why it was/not selected for the LEO application line of vehicles. Specifically the NEW FORD's Explorer and Taurus (?) , I see on CA highways, the CHP seems to have gone to.
When do you think the eco boost engine will be paired with an 8 speed AT or 7 speed MT?
IF the current price trend continues for ULSD during the "CRASH/CRUSH" ($3.99 to $3.19= -$.80 cents). Based on 15,000 miles per year commute @ 41 mpg/= 366 gals/12 mo= 30.5 gal mo) , we save $24.40 per month. A MONTH savings is IFFY !!
I think it might be another OBAMA illusion/delusion that this price drop will last a FULL year.
Given the current pricing differential? That's still pretty sweet....
Is that the good news or the bad news ?
LOL
I don't think there's any choice but for it to be both!
Well, OFF topic @ least I have a PROJECTION of $89. per year COMMUTE tire cost.
(15,000 miles per yr. consumption to 90,000 miles @ 1/32nd in, 09 VW Jetta TDI )
Needless to say, this has a cost per mile driven: tires, component.
I hope it is becoming more than apparent (with foot notes, COSTS of the HPFP issue PU'd by VW, the most notable ) that ANY car should EASILY make it to the first MAJOR tune. ( 100,000 miles, 120,000 miles, 150,000 miles) Probably more importantly, make it past a few more. So in the 09 Jetta TDI's case, I anticipate 1 more (30,000 miles) oil and filter change @ 120,000 miles.
(GASSER VW Jetta's are also due similar major tune items @ 120,000 miles) Further TMI: I would NOT be comfortable with a (GASSER) 30,000 miles OCI !!
USPO gets 10 mpg ! ? And we all wonder why they have not done so well ??
Postal Service Seeks to Retire the Old Mail Truck It Needs 180,000 ‘Next Generation’ Vehicles With Good Fuel Efficiency By ANNE STEELE Feb. 12, 2015 7:12 p.m. ET
'''"The Grumman LLVs are getting nine or 10 miles per gallon of gas due to the stop-and-go nature of most delivery routes, making their fuel efficiency closer to dump trucks than modern commercial vans. In fiscal 2014 the postal service spent about $539.7 million on fuel."...
They don't even have to spring for smog inspections, let alone make those corrections !! ???
So Stever, YOUR mailman has been silently polluting you @ app $3,270 per year, per vehicle! ? I know they pay FAR less per gal than you and or me. They also pay NONE of the FED/STATE/LOCAL taxations.
You probably still blame my CA based 2003 TDI for the DEED.
Not that they would listen or even care. This 180,000 unit FLEET would be tailor MADE real world for EV !!
But I think even they know better !!!
Any diesel, selected would totally blow current results out of the water. So, that is why it would be improbable to IMPOSSIBLE to go that way !
Chatted with my carrier two days ago. He was in his pickup (sorry, didn't know if it was an F-150 or what - usually he's in a "real" Wranger). He was idling the whole time searching for a package, and I was able to hang out at the tailgate without choking on the fumes. Never noticed a carrier in a Prius - seems like that would save a lot of gas and perhaps brake wear. It's probably not ideal height-wise though.
Out here we'll get the occasional mail truck but they are usually delivering packages.
(Fun thread on the Diesel Garage forums about UPS trucks).
Chatted with my carrier two days ago. He was in his pickup (sorry, didn't know if it was an F-150 or what - usually he's in a "real" Wranger). He was idling the whole time searching for a package, and I was able to hang out at the tailgate without choking on the fumes. Never noticed a carrier in a Prius - seems like that would save a lot of gas and perhaps brake wear. It's probably not ideal height-wise though.
Out here we'll get the occasional mail truck but they are usually delivering packages.
(Fun thread on the Diesel Garage forums about UPS trucks).
When we had the 2006 Dodge (MB) Sprinter diesel RV, the front axle broke on our trip to TX. It did this about 100 miles from the closest Dodge Sprinter dealer, Beorne Chrysler. They knew right off when I called in the problem. They were the UPS/Fedex repair dealer for the San Antonio region. Took us right in after I slowly drove the 100 miles to the dealership. Arranged for a nice rental SUV. Best part it only took them two days to order the part and get it installed. It was a ceramic spring that quite commonly broke. Fedex would replace with a steel spring. It was under warranty so I had them put in the OE spring. We have mostly Fedex diesel Sprinters around here. The new ones have a V6 diesel or you can get a 4 cylinder Bluetec with 7 speed auto. They have done something different as the torque is only 265 ft lbs at 1400 RPM.
Looks like Mercedes slipped this one into the mix quietly. I did not realize they were offering the 2.1L Bluetec in the ML. MB also slipped in a new dealership only 13 miles from home. Right in the middle of our Iraqi Refugee city. I guess we know who got the money out of Iraq. I know the BMW dealer there does very well. The MB dealer has 6 of the ML250 Bluetecs in stock. Must go test drive one.
It appears to be in the MIDSIZE CUV platform (same length as the 12 VW Touareg TDI) . It is pretty telling MB can put a 4 cylinder engine TWIN TDI in the stable of 5 MB I4, V6, V8 engines. Even more telling are robust sales ! Further TMI is the AD Blue filler is now behind the locking fuel cap. Pricing seems to take off from the MB GLK 250 models.
But then for grins, I priced out a 15 Porsche Cayenne that was roughly 2.37 TIMES more than my 12 VW Touareg TDI. Needless to say most of it was unrelated to TDI and power train.
Just for the record. The EU getting their panties in a twist over diesel cars need a reality check.
World’s 15 Biggest Ships Create More Pollution Than All The Cars In The World
Says James Corbett, professor of marine policy at the University of Delaware: “Ship pollution affects the health of communities in coastal and inland regions around the world, yet pollution from ships remains one of the least regulated parts of our global transportation system.” It sounds serious, but how bad could it be? Staggeringly, if a report by the UK’s Guardian newspaper is to be believed. According to their story, just one of the world’s largest container ships can emit about as much pollution as 50 million cars. Further, the 15 largest ships in the world emit as much nitrogen oxide and sulphur oxide as the world’s 760 million cars.
Just for the record. The EU getting their panties in a twist over diesel cars need a reality check.
World’s 15 Biggest Ships Create More Pollution Than All The Cars In The World
Says James Corbett, professor of marine policy at the University of Delaware: “Ship pollution affects the health of communities in coastal and inland regions around the world, yet pollution from ships remains one of the least regulated parts of our global transportation system.” It sounds serious, but how bad could it be? Staggeringly, if a report by the UK’s Guardian newspaper is to be believed. According to their story, just one of the world’s largest container ships can emit about as much pollution as 50 million cars. Further, the 15 largest ships in the world emit as much nitrogen oxide and sulphur oxide as the world’s 760 million cars.
Another "inconvenient " truth. The scales are almost too lopsided to imagine, let alone talk about.
No emissions, bunker oil 5,000 to 25,000 and UP ppm sulfur !!!
RUG/PUG 30 to 90 ppm sulfur. BIODIESEL: ZERO ppm sulfur. ULSD 15 ppm sulfur, nominally delivered @ the pumps 5 to 10 ppm sulfur. With mitigated emissions on par with hybids.
YET RUG/PUG is 2 x to 18 TIMES dirtier than ULSD !!!
..."Sommer is surely on to something here: Including the military, the U.S. government operates more than 600,000 cars, buses, SUVs, ambulances, and light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks. A footprint of that size means great potential to spur shifts in the market.
This fact isn’t lost on President Barack Obama, who noted these figures in a 2009 executive order that effectively kicked off the government’s first Electric Vehicle Pilot Program.
Launched in 2010, the program leased 116 plug-in EVs"....
I'M HELPING.......... Let's see 116/600,000 is .0001933 PERCENT of the FED vehicle fleet !!!
41 years ago, I had two (FED) EV tow vehicles !!! They were both CRAP, but that was another story.
Elon says it's going to be all electric in 20 years.
And who's going to argue with a guy who runs the only private company to sucessfully launch stuff into space?
None of Musk's companies would succeed without $millions of tax dollars. Though probably cheaper than having the government do it.
What I am thinking is the government can keep my closer tabs on people when they have to plug their vehicle into the grid. Most new TVs can listen to the conversations in the room. EVs are all part of Big Brother Control.
Comments
Matthew Phenix
http://www.bbc.com/autos/story/20150210-driven-2015-audi-a3-tdi
For the AWD fans ! ? UK perspective.
The EPA Annexes Sweden
Volvo is challenging the U.S. agency’s authority to regulate diesel-engine pollution across borders.
By HOLMAN W. JENKINS, JR.
Feb. 10, 2015 2:21 p.m. ET
I am not sure if this is accessible.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/holman-jenkins-the-epa-annexes-sweden-1423614114
I generally don't count anecdotal data as hard evidence, or arguments that are trying to incite emotion. The facts are the facts and they can be checked and peer-reviewed.
BUT ...
SLOW news diesel day!
I just got off the phone with the INDY shop that changed the 09 JETTA TDI's (CP 'ed) oil and oil filter and air filter. (actually the specific guy @ the shop that did the service) Given his VERY in depth description (and 4 days later) , a less TMI version would be:
completely and utterly seamless from a GASSER (like model),
even as he was FULLY aware of it being a TDI AND TDI part specifications. !!!! I will likely use him and his shop AGAIN !!!
SIDEBAR (30,000 miles oci's puts cost per mile driven, lubrication @ .0026833 cents. For parts only costs, back out .0008333. Since a lot of folks like to know the time interval, 15,000 miles per year commute, 30,000 miles ='s app 2 years)
For TMI, so far the 09 Jetta TDI has seen VW 504/507 specification oils: 1. Castro EDGE 5w30 2. Total Quartz INEO 5w30.
The A3’s available 4G LTE connectivity headlines its technology story; the faster connection makes Audi’s Google Earth-enabled navigation system all the more astonishing.
Google seems to be the only mapping that keeps up to date. GM was tied to Google maps and then switched to Bing maps. Microsoft has proven the are not up to the job with NavTeq I don't think their Bing maps are much better. GM and Apple both screwed up dumping Google mapping.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
http://www.odometer.com/car-care/6867/12-tried-and-true-tips-to-keep-your-diesel-running-this-winter#slide/0
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
I do make sure diesel batteries (all actually) get trickle charged. Diesels do have a heavier current draw (over gassers) especially during COLD start.
TMI would be almost ALL car have 24/7 to CUSTOM current draws. VW charging systems (actually most others also) are NOT designed to get the battery back to 100% charge status.
I have never (in 350,000 miles) had COLD starting issues, either due to battery or ULSD gelling and/or both, However, this is purely anecdotal in 4 TDI's.
MORE SLOW news
Happy Days are here again? OR Commodity ARMAGEDDON ?
OPEC basically confirmed that it's in a price war with the US
ANDY TULLY, OILPRICE.COM
FEB. 11, 2015, 12:02 PM
http://www.businessinsider.com/opec-is-waging-war-on-american-shale-producers-2015-2
So you don't think that anything UNDER 95% RUG/PUG is being fought, vilified and being made economically untenable? Less than 2.5% diesel cars are being almost totally vilified?
The US (miraculously) went from a relative "NON" producer or net/net/net importer to the world's BIGGEST supplier of energy products ! Makes one wonder how long and what delusions are being kept up ! Like I have said in past posts, the environmental conservatives don't even believe their own hype !!!
The 34% price drop at the pumps is stirring government appetite for your savings.
By CARLY FIORINA And PENNY NANCE
Feb. 11, 2015 7:19 p.m. ET
http://www.wsj.com/articles/carly-fiorina-and-penny-nance-cheaper-gas-politicians-want-a-tax-fill-up-1423700365?mod=hp_opinion
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
The talk/actions are disingenuous, as on the one side, they want to make it economically untenable to drive !! YET on the other, want to make it so POOR people can drive !!!
One essential issue, there is little to none of the multiplier effect without TRANSPORTATION. Europe is a slo mo demonstration that even WITH transportation, it can be an exercise in ARRESTED decay AND stunted development (Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal hope I didn't leave anyone out )!!!
DIESEL trucking is already MORE than WELL regulated.
IF they STOP siphoning off the highway funds and just FIX the roads, the funds would be in abundant surplus. They leave prominent road messes to keep UP the now legal siphoning.
It is a long term trend and policy to "dense up" cities.
Yes, I don't want to buy new diesel cars each 50,000 to 100,000 miles. I would only want to buy (if I had to) tires (consumables) every 100,000 miles.
I got squat for diesel news, not even one of the incessent drumbeat particulate-killer stories that seem to show up every day.
Ah no !!! Funny to see that nature exacts a consequence for the choice not to vaccinate.
Particulate- killer stories are like ghost stories and are totally red herring.
You should by default STOP all old folks taking cruise ship lines, (equivalent of the [non-permissible content removed] GAS chambers) IF the red herring pieces are to be believed. Or stop importing cars by ship until they convert to gassers.
Back on topic, less than 2.5% DIESEL cars of the PVF of 265.6 M is app less than 6.64 M. units !!!!! Defacto you are implying 6.64 M pollute more than 258.96 GASSERS !! ???
Yeah, I was alive when Kennedy was assassinated too.
Truly with all the Prius (hybrids) in th PVF, in say SF Bay Area and probably more importantly, the LA Metro area, the air quality has NOT gotten statistically BETTER. In fact, both areas bemoan much more "spare the air days".
So how are we all enjoying all the global warming on the north east portion ?
Do you have snow? Alyeska is lucky that they can make snow up high and the rain quit, the Iditarod start had to move to Fairbanks, Bogus deesn't even have a 3' base and tubing conditions "are being evaluated". Taos Ski Valley has a new lift that's not open yet and only a 44" base. Temp is 44°F in Aspen today, 10°F above normal. All that "weird" weather following the warmest recorded year on record.
Wake me up when the Mazda6 diesel gets here.
Yes, We have some (new) snow .
http://www.skiheavenly.com/the-mountain/snow-report/snow-report.aspx?intcmp=SN000061
Having lived in the Rocky's, conditions can change FAST, to being different right around a rise.
So the real answers are lack of snow cover AND marshaling and prioritizing snow making operations.
No diesel smoke in the city, the buses down there are all running on CNG.
Looks like you are getting a new air pollution monitor for the border. More concern about particulates. Didn't realize it was quite that busy. (scvnews.com)
If you are in the hills looking across the border into Tijuana, it is always a brown haze. You figure it is well over 2 million people. People flow into and out of that city continually. I don't think Mexico has a clue how many people live there, or do they care. And yes that pollution comes across the border just like the undocumented immigrants. Worse is the pollution dumped into the ocean. The US spent $2 billion on a sewage treatment plant for Tijuana about 20 years ago. We still get several days a year that the beaches have high levels of pollution.
Garrison says there were 460 beach closure advisories in San Diego County last year.
Mexico is just getting around to refining ULSD. So all those trucks coming into the USA under the NAFTA agreement are still running on dirty diesel, polluting our air.
http://www.ogj.com/articles/2014/09/pemex-advances-diesel-program-at-mexican-refineries.html
(WEIGHT LOSS)
I was following a thread where an 11 Acura MDX driver gets app 17 mpg (70,000 miles), asking about the VW Touareg TDI.
Sidebar1: 14 Acura MDX dropped 400+ #'s AND took on a smaller engine AND RDX platform (aka, hopefully much better mpg in the real world). He was negatively impressed with the 15 Acura MDX.
SIDEBAR2: A relative normally tells me his is app 20+ mpg (SOS/DD trek and not as many miles). Fully.com postings 17.5 to 21 mpg.
He was wondering what a (15) VW Touareg TDI would get. He was looking to increase mpg, as they put on over 17.5k miles per year. I had said without more data points, the best was to keep the 11 Acura MDX. (he disagrees)
I almost do not want to chime in with my anecdotal 12 VW Touareg TDI's 31 mpg (33 mph SOS/DD trek) . (82% to 48% better mpg)
NOR, did I want to get into that now the 14/15 Acura MDX's WEIGHT is on par with the MB GLK 250 BT, with its' even BETTER 39 mpg vs 21 to 21.1 mpg (fully.com 14/15 Acura MDX) .
If you are considering a sporty car to go along with your diesel, you get a LOT of car in the Mustang 2.3 Ecoboost.
I drove the stick. The sales man was scared....I was grinning from ear to ear. The braking was excellent too. Build quality...awesome, materials GOOD (for a change in the 'stang). Back up camera and bluetooth/pandora standard. 17" alloys standard. Expensive looking seats do not give anything away that this is a base model.
Price? $25,540
While off topic, so I take it that did NOT motivate you to buy that GASSER, Ford Mustang?
It good to see that Ford seemingly has come out with an (gasser) engine that almost skunks the rest of its (segments) line.
I would love to hear the back story on why it was/not selected for the LEO application line of vehicles. Specifically the NEW FORD's Explorer and Taurus (?) , I see on CA highways, the CHP seems to have gone to.
When do you think the eco boost engine will be paired with an 8 speed AT or 7 speed MT?
IF the current price trend continues for ULSD during the "CRASH/CRUSH" ($3.99 to $3.19= -$.80 cents). Based on 15,000 miles per year commute @ 41 mpg/= 366 gals/12 mo= 30.5 gal mo) , we save $24.40 per month. A MONTH savings is IFFY !!
I think it might be another OBAMA illusion/delusion that this price drop will last a FULL year.
I don't think there's any choice but for it to be both!
(15,000 miles per yr. consumption to 90,000 miles @ 1/32nd in, 09 VW Jetta TDI )
Needless to say, this has a cost per mile driven: tires, component.
I hope it is becoming more than apparent (with foot notes, COSTS of the HPFP issue PU'd by VW, the most notable ) that ANY car should EASILY make it to the first MAJOR tune. ( 100,000 miles, 120,000 miles, 150,000 miles) Probably more importantly, make it past a few more. So in the 09 Jetta TDI's case, I anticipate 1 more (30,000 miles) oil and filter change @ 120,000 miles.
(GASSER VW Jetta's are also due similar major tune items @ 120,000 miles) Further TMI: I would NOT be comfortable with a (GASSER) 30,000 miles OCI !!
Postal Service Seeks to Retire the Old Mail Truck
It Needs 180,000 ‘Next Generation’ Vehicles With Good Fuel Efficiency
By ANNE STEELE
Feb. 12, 2015 7:12 p.m. ET
http://www.wsj.com/articles/postal-service-seeks-to-retire-the-old-mail-truck-1423786375?mod=trending_now_2
'''"The Grumman LLVs are getting nine or 10 miles per gallon of gas due to the stop-and-go nature of most delivery routes, making their fuel efficiency closer to dump trucks than modern commercial vans. In fiscal 2014 the postal service spent about $539.7 million on fuel."...
They don't even have to spring for smog inspections, let alone make those corrections !! ???
So Stever, YOUR mailman has been silently polluting you @ app $3,270 per year, per vehicle! ?
You probably still blame my CA based 2003 TDI for the DEED.
Not that they would listen or even care. This 180,000 unit FLEET would be tailor MADE real world for EV !!
But I think even they know better !!!
Any diesel, selected would totally blow current results out of the water. So, that is why it would be improbable to IMPOSSIBLE to go that way !
Out here we'll get the occasional mail truck but they are usually delivering packages.
(Fun thread on the Diesel Garage forums about UPS trucks).
When we had the 2006 Dodge (MB) Sprinter diesel RV, the front axle broke on our trip to TX. It did this about 100 miles from the closest Dodge Sprinter dealer, Beorne Chrysler. They knew right off when I called in the problem. They were the UPS/Fedex repair dealer for the San Antonio region. Took us right in after I slowly drove the 100 miles to the dealership. Arranged for a nice rental SUV. Best part it only took them two days to order the part and get it installed. It was a ceramic spring that quite commonly broke. Fedex would replace with a steel spring. It was under warranty so I had them put in the OE spring. We have mostly Fedex diesel Sprinters around here. The new ones have a V6 diesel or you can get a 4 cylinder Bluetec with 7 speed auto. They have done something different as the torque is only 265 ft lbs at 1400 RPM.
But then for grins, I priced out a 15 Porsche Cayenne that was roughly 2.37 TIMES more than my 12 VW Touareg TDI. Needless to say most of it was unrelated to TDI and power train.
World’s 15 Biggest Ships Create More Pollution Than All The Cars In The World
Says James Corbett, professor of marine policy at the University of Delaware: “Ship pollution affects the health of communities in coastal and inland regions around the world, yet pollution from ships remains one of the least regulated parts of our global transportation system.” It sounds serious, but how bad could it be? Staggeringly, if a report by the UK’s Guardian newspaper is to be believed. According to their story, just one of the world’s largest container ships can emit about as much pollution as 50 million cars. Further, the 15 largest ships in the world emit as much nitrogen oxide and sulphur oxide as the world’s 760 million cars.
http://www.industrytap.com/worlds-15-biggest-ships-create-more-pollution-than-all-the-cars-in-the-world/8182
No emissions, bunker oil 5,000 to 25,000 and UP ppm sulfur !!!
RUG/PUG 30 to 90 ppm sulfur. BIODIESEL: ZERO ppm sulfur. ULSD 15 ppm sulfur, nominally delivered @ the pumps 5 to 10 ppm sulfur. With mitigated emissions on par with hybids.
YET RUG/PUG is 2 x to 18 TIMES dirtier than ULSD !!!
Volkswagen Exec: We Need More Federal Investment in Electric Vehicles
Mary Mazzoni
Mary Mazzoni
http://www.triplepundit.com/2015/02/volkswagen-exec-need-federal-investment-electric-vehicles/
Does this "MATH" say it all?
..."Sommer is surely on to something here: Including the military, the U.S. government operates more than 600,000 cars, buses, SUVs, ambulances, and light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks. A footprint of that size means great potential to spur shifts in the market.
This fact isn’t lost on President Barack Obama, who noted these figures in a 2009 executive order that effectively kicked off the government’s first Electric Vehicle Pilot Program.
Launched in 2010, the program leased 116 plug-in EVs"....
I'M HELPING.......... Let's see 116/600,000 is .0001933 PERCENT of the FED vehicle fleet !!!
41 years ago, I had two (FED) EV tow vehicles !!! They were both CRAP, but that was another story.
And who's going to argue with a guy who runs the only private company to sucessfully launch stuff into space?
What I am thinking is the government can keep my closer tabs on people when they have to plug their vehicle into the grid. Most new TVs can listen to the conversations in the room. EVs are all part of Big Brother Control.