HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Eagle Talon Clutch Noise
From: dwsmall@miavx1.acs.muohio.edu (Derek 'Enzo' Small)
Date: 11 Jan 93 12:41:50 -0500
Distribution: na
Organization: Miami University Academic Computer Service"

>   Also, does that 10 minute shut off timer for the rear window defrost piss anyone
> else off?  My rear window defrosts, the defroster shuts off, I forget, and when
> I look back again my window is frosted again.  My last car (Isuzu Impulse) didn't
> have a shut of timer so I just left it on all the time and had no problems (someone
> said it would burn out if I left it on, but nothing ever happened - it's cold
> enough up here in Ottawa to justify leaving it on).

I won't validate the claim to this but my grandfather used to do the same thing
till one morning he left it one, parked in the sun and came back a half hour
latter to find his rear window with a big hole in the  middle and glass all
over his trunk (no it wasn't a rock the glass broke out)  I didn't think
these things could get that hot but.....

As far as you transmission goes.  Mine does the same thing in my Rx7, grinds
and stiff as H___ till it warms up. My solution, as soon as I graduate I'm 
moving where it's warm.

-- 
*******************************************************************************
* Derek "Enzo" Small                   [san.dwsmall]@miavx1.acs.muohio.edu    *
*                                      Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056   *
*******************************************************************************
*                                                                             *
*   Long live Enzo Ferrari  !!!!!!!!                                          *
*                                                                             *
*   May his lagacy nor his cars ever collect dust.                            *
*                                                                             *
*******************************************************************************
From: issa@cwis.unomaha.edu (Issa El-Hazin)
Subject: Re: Why is US engine technology so retrograde?
Organization: University of Nebraska at Omaha
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 15:29:04 GMT



If I may, let me add another thing that people almost always seem to  
miss when talking about smaller more efficient engines. A smaller/lighter 
engine usually sit behind the front tires, more toward the MIDDLE of 
the car [in a front engine car]. In comparison, a bigger/heavier engine 
[almost always] sit on TOP of the front tires [axes] to support its heavy 
weight. The first design makes the car more BALANCED, opposed to the front 
heavy second design. 

Of course, a smaller engine can fit in more cars [even smaller/lighter ones] 
and usually have a [slight] advantage in fuel economy over a bigger engine 
with the SAME OUTPUT. On the other hand, big engines have their own advantages,
namely, more torque (and maybe more established design for lower tech ones). 
It's interesting to note that some of this extra torque advantage is canceled 
by the extra RELATED weight added by the bigger less efficient engine.

Back to the topic. I also think that the US seems to offer more low tech.
engines than the Europeans/Japanese. This could be due to LOWER PRESSURE 
on them to supply such engines [I'm not saying that the US don't make some 
great engines]. 24v V6 Mazda's engine in the Probe, 1.8 I-4 mazda's engine 
in the Escort GT, Yamahas 3.0/3.2 in the Taurus SHO, Mitsu in about one half 
of Chryslers cars and Vans [Talon/Laser, Stealth, Acclaim/Sundance V6...], 
Lotus/GM 5.7 in the ZR1, etc etc...

I agree that the tax on the engine size in many countries (a Maserati 
with less than 2.0 litre V6 302bhp!! Italy's tax code penalizes cars 
with engines of greater than 2.0-litre displacement) is a major factor 
that is pushing other car makers to perform.

Smaller don't always mean less. In some rich countries where there is no 
tax on engine size [or anything else] and the gas is dirt cheap, many small 
sporty engines are very popular.

Only my $0.02 

issa
From: philw@vice.ICO.TEK.COM (Philip W White)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Braking techniques
Keywords: engine braking
Date: 8 Jan 93 02:36:54 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Tektronix Inc., Beaverton, Or.

jimf@centerline.com (Jim Frost) wrote in <1ihqs0INN5bq@armory.centerline.com>:

> Engine braking helps avoid wheel lockup in slick conditions.

True, but I think that's an oversimplification.  Yes, I find it easier to
modulate the amount of engine braking than the amount of foot-braking
in my truck.  IF you are in 4WD engine braking can be good in slick
conditions... useful but maybe not real useful in 2WD.
 
HOWEVER: some folks will apply this rule blindly, will be scared of foot
brakes if on ice, will engine brake inappropriately.
 
EXAMPLE: a woman I heard interviewed on Portland radio last week who
was going downhill on an icy freeway, thought she was going too fast,
downshifted, "swerved" (her word) and was hit by a truck.  No injuries.
I assume she did not match revs when she declutched after the downshift,
getting too much engine braking.  She had apparently heard it is not
good to use the foot brake on ice...

I also assume when she said "swerved" she really meant "lost traction".
 
We have had lots of chances to drive downhill on icy
roads here in Portland the last coupla weeks.

I agree engine braking is useful on ice and long downhills.
But I think it's never appropriate to brake by shifting down to a gear 
which gives you a "high" engine speed ("high" is eg. 4000 rpm in a Chrysler
2.2liter).  Never appropriate unless your brakes are failing!

      Phil White   Tektronix, Beaverton, OR
USENET:  philip.w.white@tek.COM
 US Mail: Mail Stop 59-432, P.O. Box 500, Beaverton OR 97077-0001
Organization: Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 11:48:29 -0500 
From: Steven Ritter <sr0o+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Re: GEICO's Laser Guns

hhtra@usho72.hou281.chevron.com (T.M.Haddock) writes:

> The payoff for GEICO, besides the stock deals, is that if a GEICO-insured
> motorist is caught, GEICO will hike that person's premiums.  The rate
> hikes vary but the scariest one is for doing more than 20mph over - 62%!
> That's right - SIXTY-TWO percent!  It sure won't take many of GEICO's
> 4 million policy holders getting caught to payback the cost of those laser
> guns.

I don't have any problem with GEICO donating laser guns to police. If
they think that this will reduce claims (and thus their costs), then
this is exactly what they should be doing. They do believe that speed
kills: they won't insure you if you admit to using a radar detector.
This is no different from giving discounts to people with air bags or
ABS (both of which they do).

However, I've got a big problem if GEICO is treating people caught by
laser gun differently from those caught by other methods. First, how
would they know? Do the police departments report directly to GEICO?
I've got real problems with that. Do cops normally ask for your
insurance card?

62% does sound pretty steep; it might be the increase for people who are
currently on "good driving discounts" (no accidents or tickets for five
years). 

I've got GEICO. I'll give them a call and ask about this.

Steve
From: lstowell@pyrnova.mis.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Why is US engine technology so retrograde?
Date: 8 Jan 93 23:10:54 GMT
Reply-To: lstowell@pyrnova.pyramid.com.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Organization: Pyramid Technology Corporation

In article <96151@rphroy.ph.gmr.com> rhaar@albert.cs.gmr.com writes:
>	Cadillac Northstar engine

                 290-295 depending on who you believe.  About like
		 the old Z-28 302 had "only" 290 hp.   
		 Screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeech!

		 Damfino why they don't stick that thing in the
		 buick or better yet Camaro/Firebird.  

		 Or the Saturn... >:-)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: rjwade@rainbow.ecn.purdue.edu (Robert J. Wade)
Subject: Re: A QUESTION ABOUT TIRES
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1993 14:00:10 GMT

In article <121520003@hpldsla.sid.hp.com> tonya@hpldsla.sid.hp.com (Tony Arnerich) writes:
>mtbs100@emx.cc.utexas.edu writes:
>
>All those 185/70-_R14 tires are the identical nominal size. The S, H,
>and V letters are max speed designations. The higher the max permissible top
>speed, the more expensive. S is pretty much the lowest range commonly available,
>I think it might be 85 mph. H is faster (105 mph??), V is fastest (135 mph??)
>Weel, OK, I might be off on which designation means exactly what, but you see
>the principle involved.

s=112mph
t=118
u=124
h=up to 130
v(with no service description)=over 130, with service descpt.=up to 149
z=over 149
From: c23st@kocrsv01.delcoelect.com (Spiros Triantafyllopoulos)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: KILL ME! >Re: Diamante Wagon<
Date: 11 Jan 93 14:40:37 GMT
Organization: Delco Electronics Corp.

In article <1993Jan9.181841.12863@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu> mperlman@nyx.cs.du.edu (Marshal "Airborne" Perlman) writes:
>ICK... I am at college now, and don't get around much, but today, here in
>little iddy bitty Melbourne Florida, I SAW A DIAMANTE WAGON... I almost
>passed out I laughed so DAMN hard... who's idea was this? How much
>acid did he drop?
>
>HAVE YOU SEEN IT?
>If you ever see me behind the wheel of one of these..KILL ME!!

Aw, c'me on.

The Camry wagon is by far the worse... The rear treatment is outright
horrible!

I actually kind of like the back of the Diamante Wagon. Straightforward,
not very busy. But the best rear end treatment is easily the BMW 525(or 535?)
Touring...

Spiros
-- 
Spiros Triantafyllopoulos                    c23st@kocrsv01.delcoelect.com
Software Technology, Delco Electronics       (317) 451-0815
GM Hughes Electronics, Kokomo, IN 46904      [A Different Kind of Disclaimer]
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: phr@telebit.com (Paul Rubin)
Subject: Re: Why 2 keys?
Organization: Telebit Corporation; Sunnyvale, CA, USA
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 23:32:51 GMT

In article <1993Jan11.191001.38505@watson.ibm.com> Christopher J. Born writes:

   Most (if not all) Japanese manufactures only require one key.

   Some manufacturers are creating a key that will open every lock
   on the car except the trunk.

Japanese locks are made out of paper (almost).  It takes about 1
second to pop one with a screwdriver. After having my Nissan Sentra's
trunk broken into twice, I got the trunk lock replaced with a
cylindrical type (like a Kryptonite bike lock).  The locksmith who did
this says they have done hundreds of cars and never had a break-in
reported with the new lock except one where the burglar appeared
to have used something like a sledgehammer.  Most likely, the
burglars see the round keyhol and just move on to the next car.

I got this operation done at Reed Bros. Security on Telegraph Ave.
in Oakland in case anyone in the Bay area is interested, by the way.
Cost was around $90.  I highly recommend it if you drive in bad areas. 
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: des@helix.nih.gov (David E. Scheim)
Subject: clearance from the ground and rough terrain
Organization: NIH
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1993 16:02:30 GMT

After driving on a certain rough country road each summer, the muffler on my 
old Honda Civic Station wagon would invariably need replacing.  I wonder if 
a small station wagon exists that has better clearance off the ground such 
that this problem would be less likely to occur with careful driving.  Or 
does one need to go to a minivan or sports vehicle to get any significantly 
better ground clearance?

/*********************************************************************/
/*                      --- David E. Scheim ---                      */
/* BITNET: DES@NIHNEI31                                              */
/* INTERNET: desl@helix.nih.gov          PHONE: 301 496-2194         */
/* CompuServe: 73750,3305                  FAX: 301 402-1065         */
/*                                                                   */
/* DISCLAIMER: These comments are offered to share knowledge based   */
/*   upon my personal views.  They do not represent the positions    */
/*   of my employer.                                                 */
/*********************************************************************/
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: moofster@world.std.com (A Happy Dog-Cow)
Subject: Break-in & oil changes
Organization: The Nest of the Moofster
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1993 16:39:16 GMT

I have my new Sentra SE-R, and I *****LOVE***** it.  I just can hardly wait to 
get out BREAK-IN!!!  Speaking of which: the dealer says I should change the oil
at 3500 miles, but my personal feeling on this is to get it changed by 1000 at
the latest.  I want to really tenderly baby this car, and make sure it gets off
to a good start.... (Though in a fit of indiscretion, I had the car doing 100
down Route 128 for a few minutes!!! yikes).  I now use Cruise control
religiously to prevent such infidelities.

Any opinions?
Also: what about brakes?  On my motorcycle I'm used to "breaking in" my brakes
by mildly overheating them (soft Ferodos) to "cook" the binding resins or
whatever out of them.  This is probably unnecessary and/or bad for the semi-
metallics in my car, right?

Another question: looking for a wideband radar detector, prefereably 
remote, but not if it compromises performance of the unit.  Are Escorts still
the top dog?

(Please email direct responses to these questions to moofster@world.std.com)
Thanks,
Robert
From: turner@ss20.cps.msu.edu (Stephen Turner)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: '93 Probe GT in snow.
Summary: can you get by in adverse weather with standard tires?
Keywords: tires
Date: 4 Jan 93 17:02:53 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Dept. of Computer Science, Michigan State University
NNTP-Posting-Host: ss20.cps.msu.edu
Originator: turner@ss20.cps.msu.edu

I'm considering the purchase of a '93 Probe GT.  However, I notice that
it comes standard with P225VR16 (or something) Goodyear tires.  That
is, performance, directional tires that I've heard are horrible
in anything but dry pavement (or, should I say, are terrific, if you
can avoid driving in rain or snow ...)

Unfortunately, this has to be a factor, since the new car would have
to be my only car, for a while at least, and I currently live in a
semi-rural area of Michigan that's about 35 minutes away from my
work/school.

So I have two questions, if anyone can answer:

1) is this true? That is, how "bad" are they?  Or, can they actually be
   driven under adverse conditions?

2) does anyone have a good estimate of how much it would cost to get
   some normal wheels with all-season radials, etc., that could be
   put on in fall and taken off in spring?  (Does anyone ever DO this?)

Feel free to respond via email or post.  I'll send a summary, if
anyone really wants it (or post, if there are many requests.  Hah.)

And as always,
"Thanks in advance"

-Steve Turner (turner@cps.msu.edu)
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.tech
From: adam@microware.com (Adam Goldberg)
Subject: Re: What is the resonable oil comsumption?
Organization: Microware Systems Corp., Des Moines, Iowa
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 20:13:16 GMT

brownr@hydra.rtp.dg.com (Randy Brown) writes:

>In article <cc.purdue.edu>, wilhelal@sage.cc.purdue.edu (Tony Wilhelm) writes:
>|> 
>|> > <gong@cbnewsc.cb.att.com> (jiechen.james.gong) writes:
>|> > 
>|> > 	I have a 68000 milse '86 190E/2.3.  It needs more than a
>|> > 	quart of oil between 3000 miles oil change.  The compres-
>|> > 	sion test showing the engine is still like new. What is the
>|> > 	your experience on the engine oil consumption for this car? 
>|> 
>|> Acording to a my Local Chevy dealer 1 quart/1000 miles is normal for all GM 
>|> cars. I don't know about Mercedes.

>So, if you change your oil/filter every 3K miles, you have to add 2 quarts 
>between each change??  I would not expect that to be normal GM car behavior.
>I have a '83 Z28 with 305 V8 that uses about 1/2 quart between 3K changes,
>and it has about 115K miles on it so far.

>I would not call 1 quart/1000 miles normal for any reasonably new car.

I'd say that any car drinking 1qt/1k is a candidate for the repair
shop.  And if the Chevy dealer is correct, then the GM tolerances are
wacko.


-- 
Adam G.
adamg@microware.com, or ...!uunet!mcrware!adamg
The above is not to be construed in any way as the official or unofficial
statements of Microware, or any Microware employees.
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: mzimmers@netcom.com (Michael Zimmers)
Subject: Re: Car dealers
Organization: Netcom Online Communications Services (408-241-9760 login: guest)
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 02:22:14 GMT

In article <1993Jan11.193417.16336@datamark.co.nz> thomas@datamark.co.nz (Thomas Beagle) writes:

>>In article <1993Jan11.003544.5756@netcom.com> mzimmers@netcom.com (Michael Zimmers) writes:

>>   This is technically true, but a very poor attitude for the manufacturer
>>   to take.  I know of no other end-user commodity in which the maker gives
>>   the suppliers the latitude that the carmakers give their dealers.  And
>>   whether valid or not, most customers will associate the maker with the
>>   dealer.  Were I a carmaker, I'd be living in my dealers' shorts, making
>>   sure they weren't sullying my reputation and damaging future revenue
>>   prospects.

>Yes, but when you do this sort of thing, they tend to use terms such
>as "restraint of trade" and "price fixing".
>
>They're your laws, you've got to live with them.

Wrong.  I'm not talking about anything resembling price fixing.  I'm
talking about accountability for honesty and service.  There is *no*
legal restriction for that.
-- 
Michael Zimmers                                    |  Home:  408 996 1984
SoftHelp                                           |  Work:  408 996 1965
Software Solutions for Open Systems                |  Data:  408 996 1974
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: prange@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (Henry Prange)
Subject: Windchill Re: Get a car heated in winter: How long is appropriate?
Keywords: Heating
Organization: Indiana University
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 16:23:43 GMT

Windchill factors apply to warm, naked, human skin. They refer to the intial
rate of heat loss compared to still air at a given temperature. Of course,
your skin won't get colder than the air temperature (except for evaporative
cooling) no matter how hard the wind blows. 

The effect of convective cooling increases something like the square of air
speed but is ultimately limited by the rate at which heat arrives at the
surface. For this reason, winchill factors don't increase much beyond about
40 mph. I intend to use this argument if a cop stops me for doing 80 mph
in the winter on my motorcycle: "Honest officer, I was just trying to limit
exposure time once I had exceeded maximum wind chill speed"
From: mills@athena.lkg.dec.com (George Mills)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Crash Test Info & Saturn Test Score Controversy
Date: 13 Jan 93 00:42:18 GMT


It is interesting to see though that size didn't seem to make much difference
in the stats.
From: jimf@centerline.com (Jim Frost)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Braking techniques
Date: 7 Jan 1993 17:56:16 GMT
Organization: CenterLine Software, Inc.
NNTP-Posting-Host: 140.239.3.202

vetter@mtu.edu (STEVEN J. VETTER) writes:
>  My point is, except for the obvious long hills and such, why do it at all?  Engine
>  braking does not brake as well as the brakes do, it is less controllable, and if
>  it wears on the clutch even the tiniest bit, why do it?

Engine braking helps avoid wheel lockup in slick conditions.

jim frost
jimf@centerline.com
From: moofster@world.std.com (A Happy Dog-Cow)
Subject: Query about Nissan Sentra SE-R
Keywords: New 1993 Nissan Sentra SE-R 
Organization: The Nest of the Moofster
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 23:21:14 GMT

Managed to talk a dealer down to $13,600 for a 1993 Nissan Sentra SE-R, 5spd,
A/C, power sunroof, driver airbag, premium sound system, cruise control, and it
is Ruby Red.  Sticker says $15,600, did I do okay?  I'm trying to get them to
toss in LoJack (radio-based car retrival device) into the deal, but I'm not
sure how hard I should push.  The 5-yr/100,000 mile warranty is $489, bumper
to bumper (beyond the 5/60 powertrain warranty, and the 3/36 warranty on every
thing else).  (This is in the Boston area).

Can anyone lemme know how well I'm making out here?  Sticker on the base Sentra
SE-R with nothin' is $12,600.  

Please email your responses, as I don't read news.  Thanks!
(Moofster@world.std.com)

Robert


Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: theof@oakhill.sps.mot.com (Theo Freund)
Subject: Re: Honda struts
Organization: Motorola SPS MMTG, Oakhill site, Austin, TX
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 03:57:34 GMT

I still have the original struts on my 1983, 172,000 miles Accord.
They seem to work OK so far.

Many "American" made and American designed cars use struts.  Have for years.
In general, the smaller cars.   I do think the Japanese struts and parts
in general cost a little more.

-- 
Engineering Rotation Program, #4
High End Design, LP040 project, PLL group
Motorola Microprocessor and Memory Technology Group (MMTG),  Austin, Texas 
theo@oakhill.sps.mot.com,  work: 512-891-4419,  pager: 928-7447 # 9233
From: jimf@centerline.com (Jim Frost)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Tricks for cold weather?
Date: 11 Jan 1993 14:17:50 GMT
Organization: CenterLine Software, Inc.
NNTP-Posting-Host: 140.239.3.202

andrew@frip.WV.TEK.COM (Andrew Klossner) writes:
>I've unstuck a door lock by blowing into it.  You have to shove your
>mouth up against the door to get enough pressure.  Yes, this adds
>humidity to the lock internals, but several breaths are usually enough
>to get me in.

I'm surprised you haven't managed to stick your lips to the car door
(maybe it doesn't get that cold where you are though).  I'll skip this
technique, thank you.

jim frost
jimf@centerline.com
From: dbernard@clesun.Central.Sun.COM (Dave Bernard)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: AMIGO Information
Date: 6 Jan 1993 14:57:28 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems
Distribution: world
Reply-To: dbernard@clesun.Central.Sun.COM
NNTP-Posting-Host: clesun.central.sun.com

To me the biggest drawback is that the rear-seat passengers get to enjoy
the top down.  The driver never gets to.  I find this design downright weird.
As a fun vehicle, the Tracker or the Wrangler would therefore seem to have
the advantage, in my opinion.  That is, the Amigo has the disadvantages of
a ragtop without the real advantages!

	Dave

Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: hue@island.COM (Pond Scum)
Subject: Re: Mini-van or utility vehicle...4WD vs gas mileage
Organization: Island Graphics Corp.
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 07:06:18 GMT

mills@athena.lkg.dec.com (George Mills) writes:
>Jeep offers both 4WD and AWD (Select trac I think they call it)

I was looking at Jeeps today.  They have three available for the Grand
Cherokee.  Command-Trac is part time 4WD.  Selec-Trac is part time 4WD
also but can be left on all the time if you want (including dry roads).
Quadra Trac is full time 4WD using a center differential filled with
viscous fluid.  I think the way this works is that if it starts to slip
a lot the fluid becomes less viscous and slips less, sort of like a
limited slip differential.

-Jonathan		hue@island.COM