Tampilkan postingan dengan label writer. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label writer. Tampilkan semua postingan
Another great Ezra Dyer line (that guy is hilarious! ) from the latest Automobile magazine
If Jay Leno had this problem, he'd build a new lawn mower, smelting his own ore for the block and crafting the handle from the skids of a surplus military helicopter. The final product would put down 83 horsepower and be called the Blind Monk, after the sightless holy man who achieved trancendence whole jetting the carburetor. If you think that you're mechanically inclined, rest assured that Leno would make you feel like a medieval dung collector who time-warped onto the Shanghai maglev.
Wrong Pedal? I Wonder Why ...by Denise McCluggage, article in Oct 1 2012 issue of Auto Week, and on Denise's own website
Women drivers—specifically really young ones and really old ones—are more likely than other drivers to cause collisions by putting a foot wrong. ( http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/04/women_more_likely_to_mistake_g.html )
Or so says a recent report from The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. ( DOT HS 811 597 )
The study found that women—more specifically 20- and 76-year olds—were disproportionately likely to tromp on the accelerator when they aimed for the brake. Thus crashing, most often in parking lots. The report seemed almost apologetic, like they expected to get yelled out for politically incorrectness. But I nod in easy belief for many reasons. First the young women: my evidence is anecdotal but I give good anecdote so trust me. Girls are better students than boys. They also tend to have confidence in what they learn. They’ve been attentive in driver’s-ed and, bless their naïve little hearts, are positive they now know How to Drive.
A single anecdote: a friend riding with such a daughter offered a suggestion (really a plea) which was rejected with: “Da-aad, I know what I’m doing!” My friend told me that all has daughter knew was foot hard on the brake or hard on the gas. Such conviction cannot imagine error. Car doesn’t slow when the “brake” is pushed? Push harder. Another thing, what is this 20-year-old wearing on her driving feet? I’d like to see accident reports include that information. Flip-flops? Quite possible. And quite hazardous. Or maybe stiletto heels or platform sandals. Not ideal for sensing what one’s feet are doing in pedal land.
Now for the older segment. When “unintended acceleration” first came into our ken years ago drivers most often involved were found to be short of stature. (Stretching to depress the pedals?) Also many had recently changed from one model car to another. (Unfamiliarity with pedal location?)
Now consider this. Even if the older women are driving a car they’ve had for years their relationship to the pedals could well be new to them. Experience speaking here. One day I got into my ’93 Sidekick and became aware that my steering wheel was fuzzily – annoyingly—encroaching into my field of vision. The wheel is not adjustable. Little is in an old Suzuki.
What had happened? My condensing spine, yielding to mounting years of gravity, had reached a Notice Point. Like the wicked witch I was “shrinking, shrinking!” So I bought a wedge-shaped cushion for the car seat and, sigh, was elevated back to normality. No bothersome steering wheel intrusion and my chin boldly level again. And thus my eyes looking, not peering. (Level, dear driver, is of critical importance for proper placement of the horizon. A proper horizon helps you nail your turns. Doubt me not.) My Suzuki seating, being kitchen-chair upright, created no problems for me with the pedals, but in most cars old-age shrinkage can change a driver’s positioning vis a vis brake and accelerator. If you have a shrinking old lady in your family check out her relationship to the pedals as she drives. Particularly as she backs up, a maneuver frequent in parking lots. Is there tippy-toeing? An uncertainty as to which pedal her feet are contacting? She could be at risk for wrong-footing and hitting something.
For your daughter, insist on appropriate footwear (she can keep driving shoes in the car) and give her some pedal-awareness exercises. For your Mom or Auntie Doodah, get her into a car that fits. (Recognize that adjustments on many seats are inadequate.) And for everyone, use this remedy for unintended acceleration: “If what you’re doing doesn’t work—stop doing it.”
http://denisemccluggage.com/index.php/mcblog/comments/wrong_pedal_i_wonder_why
Or so says a recent report from The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. ( DOT HS 811 597 )
The study found that women—more specifically 20- and 76-year olds—were disproportionately likely to tromp on the accelerator when they aimed for the brake. Thus crashing, most often in parking lots. The report seemed almost apologetic, like they expected to get yelled out for politically incorrectness. But I nod in easy belief for many reasons. First the young women: my evidence is anecdotal but I give good anecdote so trust me. Girls are better students than boys. They also tend to have confidence in what they learn. They’ve been attentive in driver’s-ed and, bless their naïve little hearts, are positive they now know How to Drive.
A single anecdote: a friend riding with such a daughter offered a suggestion (really a plea) which was rejected with: “Da-aad, I know what I’m doing!” My friend told me that all has daughter knew was foot hard on the brake or hard on the gas. Such conviction cannot imagine error. Car doesn’t slow when the “brake” is pushed? Push harder. Another thing, what is this 20-year-old wearing on her driving feet? I’d like to see accident reports include that information. Flip-flops? Quite possible. And quite hazardous. Or maybe stiletto heels or platform sandals. Not ideal for sensing what one’s feet are doing in pedal land.
Now for the older segment. When “unintended acceleration” first came into our ken years ago drivers most often involved were found to be short of stature. (Stretching to depress the pedals?) Also many had recently changed from one model car to another. (Unfamiliarity with pedal location?)
Now consider this. Even if the older women are driving a car they’ve had for years their relationship to the pedals could well be new to them. Experience speaking here. One day I got into my ’93 Sidekick and became aware that my steering wheel was fuzzily – annoyingly—encroaching into my field of vision. The wheel is not adjustable. Little is in an old Suzuki.
What had happened? My condensing spine, yielding to mounting years of gravity, had reached a Notice Point. Like the wicked witch I was “shrinking, shrinking!” So I bought a wedge-shaped cushion for the car seat and, sigh, was elevated back to normality. No bothersome steering wheel intrusion and my chin boldly level again. And thus my eyes looking, not peering. (Level, dear driver, is of critical importance for proper placement of the horizon. A proper horizon helps you nail your turns. Doubt me not.) My Suzuki seating, being kitchen-chair upright, created no problems for me with the pedals, but in most cars old-age shrinkage can change a driver’s positioning vis a vis brake and accelerator. If you have a shrinking old lady in your family check out her relationship to the pedals as she drives. Particularly as she backs up, a maneuver frequent in parking lots. Is there tippy-toeing? An uncertainty as to which pedal her feet are contacting? She could be at risk for wrong-footing and hitting something.
For your daughter, insist on appropriate footwear (she can keep driving shoes in the car) and give her some pedal-awareness exercises. For your Mom or Auntie Doodah, get her into a car that fits. (Recognize that adjustments on many seats are inadequate.) And for everyone, use this remedy for unintended acceleration: “If what you’re doing doesn’t work—stop doing it.”
http://denisemccluggage.com/index.php/mcblog/comments/wrong_pedal_i_wonder_why
Not many people are good writers, and few good writers keep at it for 6 decades, here is Denise, who is prolific, insightful, and still writing in magazines and inline
This site deals with what to drive (I recently experienced the Bugatti Veyron); where to drive (some great roads I’ll tell you about); and how to drive (some tips and admonitions to make those despair-makers more like me and thee.)
I’ve been at both driving and writing a looong time. I got my first driver’s license in 1940. Some ten years later I was writing about, among other things, cars. Some of those other things will show up here, too. But mostly cars, trucks and a few motorcycles. Well, an airplane or two. Yes, and skis. But mostly cars.
http://www.denisemccluggage.com/
So how did I (Justacarguy) find this? Well, I just started subscribing to Autoweek and read an article that she had published there (frequent columnist) that I find well thought out, well written, insightful, and with the wisdom and experience of a old woman writing about the change in driving for her personally, and women in general, especially focused comments on new girl drivers. (Oct 1st issue of Autoweek and also http://denisemccluggage.com/index.php/mcblog/comments/wrong_pedal_i_wonder_why )
I'm not sexist by any measure, I am however, incredibly interested in enjoying the writing and perspective of people from very different lifestyles than my own, and the few autowriters that are female and write from the perspective of their age, experiences, and contrast in opportunities in the automotive hobby world can be listed on a very small piece of post it note. Denise is at the top of my list now, Shirley Muldowney has a regular column in a Hemmings magazine, Muscle Machines I'm pretty sure, (subscribed for years til their editors choice of "muscle machine" irritated me)
"When I die... " a funny line from John Lewinski about the Barber Museum
I’ve since decided that when I die, I want to be cremated with my ashes sprinkled somewhere inside this museum. If that’s illegal, just dump my body on the track.
http://www.craveonline.com/lifestyle/articles/189387-visiting-the-barber-vintage-racing-museum
http://www.craveonline.com/lifestyle/articles/189387-visiting-the-barber-vintage-racing-museum
Another example of Ezra Dyer being one of the few great humorous automotive writers you can find
The most incredible thing about the all-wheel-drive Veyron is not its engine but its drivetrain. A Veyron just digs in and goes. I try not to indulge in hyperbole, but when I floor the Veyron, we pass a tribe of Morlocks and the Wicked Witch of the West, and the sky turns green and commuters fly past on personal dirigibles, and then I hit the brakes and we return to our dimension.
I have a split second to think, "Hey, this is fast but controllable." Then the turbos hit.
It's like a bomb went off behind the rear bumper and we're surfing the shockwave. I upshift and it happens again, except now we're going much faster. The rear end scrabbles for traction and I find myself countersteering at perhaps 65 mph. I back off the gas, because I am not ready to visit third gear of the Mosler Raptor on this particular street. Not even if Waylon Jennings were sitting next to me singing the Dukes of Hazzard theme song.
http://www.automobilemag.com/features/columns/1201_dyer_consequences_has_rear_wheel_drive_reached_its_limit/index.html
I have a split second to think, "Hey, this is fast but controllable." Then the turbos hit.
It's like a bomb went off behind the rear bumper and we're surfing the shockwave. I upshift and it happens again, except now we're going much faster. The rear end scrabbles for traction and I find myself countersteering at perhaps 65 mph. I back off the gas, because I am not ready to visit third gear of the Mosler Raptor on this particular street. Not even if Waylon Jennings were sitting next to me singing the Dukes of Hazzard theme song.
http://www.automobilemag.com/features/columns/1201_dyer_consequences_has_rear_wheel_drive_reached_its_limit/index.html
A good article "I wouldn't test drive a Lincoln for $50"
Read this amusing look at what a problem Lincoln is in, and why Bill didn't take them up on the 50 dollar payout to test drive a Lincoln. http://youarewhatyoudrive.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-wouldnt-test-drive-lincoln-for-50.html
Ezra Dyer, terrific funny writer, his latest column excerpt
Speaking of the Ferrari 458 Italia:
" ... the 458 makes its horsepower peak at its redline. So if you want to access all 562 hp, you have to hang in there until 9000 rpm. In fact, if you let the tach drop below the 7000 rpm, it will start raining because you made Enzo Ferrari cry from heaven. " Love this guys writing!
If you want to read a couple articles from Ezra, and he writes for Men's Journal and Autmobile Magazine, there are some online:
I often get solicited to post someones article, list, or link to their site, but don't. Here are some I'm interested in if you want my attention
was a car insurance bill bigger or smaller relative to the car payment 10, 20, and 30 years ago?
The best car events in the world, or the worst
the least expensive way to see the Pebble Beach Concours
The most incredible car museums in the world
the most incredible cars you've never heard of
the top 10 coolest cars ever
the top 10 highest maintenance cars ever
The most impressive car collections / collectors you've never heard of
how to get in to see Ron Pratte's, Dennis Albaugh's car collection, or an invite to Gale Banks' Invitational car show
the best auto writers, and where to read their work
the most memorable auto advertising
the best auto photographers, and where to see their work
the best car customizers (other than the Barris) and which was the best car they ever made
10 best vehicle related websites
10 worst mechanics,
10 worst ripoffs in the auto world (besides Bernie Madoff),
10 hardest repairs due to engineering shortsightedness,
10 most difficult to diagnose problems with your car,
10 cheapest insurance companies (did that myself a couple years ago),
10 insurance companies to avoid,
10 women that broke a mechanics heart,
10 best jobs in the mechanics world,
10 best auto related companies to work for (pep boys, sears, discount tire, AAA, or what?)
10 nicest people you've met while getting a quote on your repair
10 coolest conversations while waiting for your car to get fixed (mine was a WW2 Battleship gunner telling me about the USS Iowa)
10 best vehicle related trades for work (spare engine for a repair on your truck?)
10 ways insurance companies screwed you out of your claim, even if it was because you weren't fluent in insurance lingo and missed the thing you could have done to save your self a headache
10 cheapest places to get new tires
The best car events in the world, or the worst
the least expensive way to see the Pebble Beach Concours
The most incredible car museums in the world
the most incredible cars you've never heard of
the top 10 coolest cars ever
the top 10 highest maintenance cars ever
The most impressive car collections / collectors you've never heard of
how to get in to see Ron Pratte's, Dennis Albaugh's car collection, or an invite to Gale Banks' Invitational car show
the best auto writers, and where to read their work
the most memorable auto advertising
the best auto photographers, and where to see their work
the best car customizers (other than the Barris) and which was the best car they ever made
10 best vehicle related websites
10 worst mechanics,
10 worst ripoffs in the auto world (besides Bernie Madoff),
10 hardest repairs due to engineering shortsightedness,
10 most difficult to diagnose problems with your car,
10 cheapest insurance companies (did that myself a couple years ago),
10 insurance companies to avoid,
10 women that broke a mechanics heart,
10 best jobs in the mechanics world,
10 best auto related companies to work for (pep boys, sears, discount tire, AAA, or what?)
10 nicest people you've met while getting a quote on your repair
10 coolest conversations while waiting for your car to get fixed (mine was a WW2 Battleship gunner telling me about the USS Iowa)
10 best vehicle related trades for work (spare engine for a repair on your truck?)
10 ways insurance companies screwed you out of your claim, even if it was because you weren't fluent in insurance lingo and missed the thing you could have done to save your self a headache
10 cheapest places to get new tires
funniest thing I read all day, the writing of Scott Longman in Mopar Action, Feb 2011 issue, '68 Power Wagon feature
"Displacement! No, MORE displacement! No, more than THAT! Offset journals and crank throws and who gives a good rat's thyroid if the piston skirts are in contact with the holes at the bottom end!
496 CID? No! More! 500? Keep at it! A Callies crank? 540? Yes!
540 flag waving, magnificent, glory laden American cubic inches! But flow? Heads! From Indy! Fire hoses have less flow! Fuel injection? Not a chance! No drama! No history!
Carbs! Leviathan carbs! 900! No! 1,000! What, are you lame? 1,100! Yes! 2200 CFM worth of carbs at full throttle that look like the Deep Throat Tunnel project during a class 5 rainstorm!
And what do you mean, atmospheric pressure? If I want atmospheric pressure, I'll inhale! Belts! Blowers! Boost! No, MORE boost! No, more than THAT! A Procharger F1R!
Dammit Boost is America! Why the hell did we go through the revolutionary war and adopt Adam Smith and put up the flag on Mt Suribachi and survive Jimmy Carter if we aren't going to have boost? How's 20 pounds? 20? Not a chance! make it a nice round number like 29! What? The motor will blow up? Intercoolers! No, bigger than that!
Set to chill Chernobyl! Heat exchangers that hang icicles in Hades! We're going for a column of air that would flash freeze green beans, denser that Elena Kagan, but half the weight and triple the throughput!"
496 CID? No! More! 500? Keep at it! A Callies crank? 540? Yes!
540 flag waving, magnificent, glory laden American cubic inches! But flow? Heads! From Indy! Fire hoses have less flow! Fuel injection? Not a chance! No drama! No history!
Carbs! Leviathan carbs! 900! No! 1,000! What, are you lame? 1,100! Yes! 2200 CFM worth of carbs at full throttle that look like the Deep Throat Tunnel project during a class 5 rainstorm!
And what do you mean, atmospheric pressure? If I want atmospheric pressure, I'll inhale! Belts! Blowers! Boost! No, MORE boost! No, more than THAT! A Procharger F1R!
Dammit Boost is America! Why the hell did we go through the revolutionary war and adopt Adam Smith and put up the flag on Mt Suribachi and survive Jimmy Carter if we aren't going to have boost? How's 20 pounds? 20? Not a chance! make it a nice round number like 29! What? The motor will blow up? Intercoolers! No, bigger than that!
Set to chill Chernobyl! Heat exchangers that hang icicles in Hades! We're going for a column of air that would flash freeze green beans, denser that Elena Kagan, but half the weight and triple the throughput!"
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