HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: hacker@cco.caltech.edu (Jonathan Bruce Hacker)
Subject: Re: Jump-starting 91-92 GM cars
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1992 19:49:09 GMT

Dean_Fraser@mindlink.bc.ca (Dean Fraser) writes:

> Now, one of the auction's executives was talking to a GM rep, asking
>how to keep some of the cars running after jumping them, as some tend to die
>after the cables are taken off.  He told the auction exec that you should (1)
>Press on the brake when boosting, as this sets up a proper load, and makes the
>alternator put out more juice, and (2), after jumping , run the emergency
>flashers on, as this again , calls the alternator to put out more juice. 

Was it April 1 when you got this advice?

An alternator has a voltage regulator that attempts to maintain
approx 14 Volts across its output terminals regardless of the 
load placed across them.    

Consequently, the only thing that will determine the current that 
goes to the battery is the battery's state of charge.  Operating 
any other loads (lights, flashers, etc) will increase the output
current of the alternator, but will not increase the current
going to the battery because the voltage will not have changed
across the battery terminals.  

-- 
Jon Hacker
Caltech, Pasadena CA
hacker@tumbler-ridge.caltech.edu
Xref: sparky rec.autos:10770 rec.autos.driving:2162 rec.autos.tech:5458
From: jayg@wpi.WPI.EDU (Jay Giurleo)
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.driving,rec.autos.tech
Subject: Choosing a radar detector
Date: 6 Apr 92 14:06:41 GMT
Article-I.D.: wpi.1992Apr6.140641.25545
Organization: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Newsgroups: rec.autos rec.autos.driving rec.autos.tech
Subject: Choosing a radar detector
Distribution: world

Hello, I need help in picking a radar detector.  Basically, I want to know
if there are any brands that stand out as being better than the rest, or
if there are other things that I should look for when picking one.  

Also, how common is the Stalker gun these days? I live in Mass, and I'm
wondering if I should spend a little more for that protection. (I think
Seekonk, MA uses it, but I haven't heard of any more.)

Thanks!


--
From: peterco@eff.org (Peter A. Cohen)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: American engines oversized,underpowered ?
Date: 17 Apr 92 16:29:44 GMT
     <1992Apr17.082246.10072@hasler.ascom.ch>
     <1992Apr17.100533.19372@gdr.bath.ac.uk>
Organization: ON Technology, Inc.
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1a2

In article  Mike Roncadori - Information Resources, mike@gilligan.Sun.COM
writes:

>	I don't know about the rest of you, but I am growing very
>tired of listening to Don infer that all US citizens are border-
>line illiterate, while simultaneously slaughtering Webster's dic-
>tionary with every post.

By the time a thread gets to grammatical flaming, I'm sorry to say that
the emotional index is way too high.  Just chill out, and take a deep
breath, for chrissakes.


- Peter

+---------------------+----------------------+
|   Peter A. Cohen    |  ON Technology, Inc. |
|   peterco@eff.org   |   155 Second Street  |
|   (617) 876-5122    |  Cambridge, MA 02141 |
| fax: (617) 876-0391 |    Product Support   |
+---------------------+----------------------+
|This message brought to you with the help of|
|  Peter Speck's Nuntius newsreader software |
| for the Macintosh, v1.1 (with MacTCP v1.1) |
+--------------------------------------------+
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: kdesai@bnr.ca (Kalpit Desai P265)
Subject: Mazda 323 Gas Cutoff problem.
Reply-To: kdesai@bnr.ca
Organization: BNR Inc., RTP, NC 27709
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1992 13:59:47 GMT

While driving the Mazda 323 (1988), the engine started to sputter and
stopped. It cranked up ok and worked for awhile. The same thing happened
again about 4-5 time, increasing in frequency. Finally it gave up.

What happens it that I can start the engine and can slowly drive the car
in Drive but as soon as I apply some GAS the car started sputtering and
dies. It cranks up ok but as soon as I touch the gas paddle it coughs and
shuts off.

Any help as to what the problem may be ??

Kalpit Desai
kdesai@bnr.ca
From: kerrat@dcs.glasgow.ac.uk (Adrian T Kerr)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: American engines oversized,underpowered ?
Date: 16 Apr 92 12:53:37 GMT
Organization: Glasgow University Computing Science Dept.

In Britain it is widely believed that American's drive oversized cars with
ridiculously huge engines. Since I know that recently the Honda accord (perhaps
known as something different in America) was the number 1 selling American
car ,and Japanese cars are becomeing more popular in America , are engine sizes
of typical family saloons getting smaller?

I own a Fiat Tipo with a 1.4 litre engine. This is reasonably powered for
everyday driving (I've managed an indicated 120mph on a journey to Edinburgh).
It is also one of the roomiest cars I've ever travelled in ,able to seat 5 in
comfort. The interior decor is nothing to speak of but is pleasant.

If cars in America ARE as ridiculously large as we are led to believe is it not
about time that "Yank tanks" were designed more sensibly.

I saw an article in a magazine reviewing the cadallac seville. It did sound
like it was indeed an exellent car ,however it was enormous. Is this the normal
size of your average American sedan? My Fiat Tipo has a 100 inch wheelbase and
is roughly 120 inches long and has enough interior room even for a quartet of 
large 6 foot 2 adults.

My Fiat has an antiquated engine ,unlike HondaUs latest batch of VTEC engines, and
only has 2 valves per cylinder but manages a creditable 78bhp and similar torque
coupled to around 35 - 40 mpg. Some French 1.4 litre engines have a much higher
ouput from the same basic specification , are American engines as efficient from 
low capacities? Do American engines have to be so large to move rather oversize
and overwieght cars?

I wait with interest for some answers.

Thanks Aidy.
From: chrisp@regenmeister.Sun.COM (Chris Prael)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Alfa 33 ... Should it be brought into the US?
Date: 6 Apr 92 17:20:48 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems Inc., Mountain View, CA
NNTP-Posting-Host: regenmeister

From article <1992Apr2.224357.13178@cabot.balltown.cma.COM>, by welty@cabot.balltown.cma.COM (richard welty):
> i'm impressed at how quickly they returned to profitability after the
> Fiat takeover, myself, but i'm also worried that they may cease to be
> Alfa except in name, too. 

Richard, 

You are usually right on the money.  Particularly when Alfas are the
topic.  But this time you missed.  Alfa has been Alfa only in name for 3
years now.  The 75/Milano was a real Alfa.  The GTV-6 was a real Alfa.

The Spider stopped being a real Alfa when they burdened the already
overloaded engine with an air conditioner.  And now they add power
steering.  It's been turned into a boulevard car!  And then there is the
164.  Pheh!

Chris Prael
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: paul@xcluud.sccsi.com (Paul Hutmacher)
Subject: Re: Are all Americans Stupid???
Organization: Greater Montrose UFO Appreciation Society & Data Haven
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1992 01:59:00 GMT

In article <1992Apr14.145346.18277@eff.org> Peter A. Cohen <peterco@eff.org> writes:
>I personally believe the whole reason inane 55-mph speed limits exist in
>this country is because we expect that the average driver is incapable of
>driving at faster speeds.

The 55 mile an hour speed limits are what remains of President Carter's
solution to the Arab Oil Embargo back in the seventies.  I actually prefer
Bush's solution to middle eastern crisises (crisi? crises?) but that's 
another story.

Besides, we don't drive 55 in Texas.  We never really did.


-- 
Paul Hutmacher  |     paul@xcluud.sccsi.com      |  .. like desperados
Houston, Texas  |  {nuchat,lobster}!xcluud!paul  |  waiting for a train.
From: fierro@uts.amdahl.com (Doug Fierro)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: No-Touch evaluation
Date: 14 Apr 92 00:47:22 GMT
Reply-To: fierro@amdahl.uts.amdahl.com (Doug Fierro)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Amdahl Corporation, Sunnyvale CA


  Well, folks, I have used No Touch twice now and it seems like a pretty
good product.  You know it can't be that bad when Son Of A Gun AND Armor-all
have already come out with competing spray-cans that do the same thing.

  Basically, it is a spray-foam application unlike the spray-bottle of 
other vinyl/rubber protectants.  I put two applications of No Touch on my rear 
tires and two of Son Of A Gun on the front (sidewalls only).  The foam
runs over the wheels but it doesn't harm them.  You just spray the No Touch
on and leave it- no touch, just like it says :-)

  It really makes the tire look new; a deep moist look (for lack of a better
word) and doesn't look like a lacquer finish.  When you compare it to the
tires treated with the spray-bottle protectant, there is a clear differnce
in appearance.  It just rained around here over the weekend and both No Touch 
and Son Of A Gun don't hold up too well when driving in rain.

  So it is worth trying out if you pay that much attention to your car.

  (I don't work for either company, or have interest in any company, or 
   relatives in either company)
  
  Doug
-- 
                                                     Doug Fierro
                                      |\             UTS System Software
  O                         __________|_\______      CASE tools development
  \_.______________________| * * * * * * * * */      fierro@uts.amdahl.com
 __\____                   |=================/       (408)746-7102
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: wwein@scott.skidmore.edu (warren wein)
Subject: Cleaning windows
Organization: Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs NY
Distribution: rec.autos.tech 
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1992 21:32:41 GMT

	What is the best way to clean windows?  And does anyone have
any opinions on Rain-X?


------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warren Wein

'83 Audi 5000s: sport sedan from hell!!!
'86 Toyota MR2: a real sports car, fun! fun! and more FUN!
'90 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX: "Atomic M&M"  Is this thing glued to the
                                          road? 	

" Insurance in Brooklyn costs how much ?! "

e-mail: wwein@skidmore.edu
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: welty@cabot.balltown.cma.COM (richard welty)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: <<< Mustang Powered Miata >>>
Date: 15 Apr 92 14:07:18 GMT
Organization: New York State Institute for Sebastian Cabot Studies

In article <1992Apr12.042254.17776@menudo.uh.edu> kevin@taronga.taronga.com (Kevin Brown) writes:
>The only engine type in which it doesn't make sense to have a centrally
>located camshaft is an inline engine.  For those engines, it makes much
>more sense to use an overhead cam (preferably DOHC).  But for a V-type
>or flat engine, a centrally-located camshaft makes a *lot* more sense,
>and reduces complications.

well, but ... with a centrally located camshaft, you end up with
extraordinary difficulties if you want to build a true hemi or a
4 valve per cylinder head (not that it can't be done); the simplicity
argument cuts the other way once the valves are not in a straight
line down the center of the cylinder head.

there are weight issues as well; you end up with a heavier block
casting in order to provide a housing for the central camshaft, whereas
the center of the V in my OHC Alfa V-6 is basically empty space (which
therefore weighs nothing.

if there were no engineering tradeoffs, everyone would be building
the same cars and motors, after all, and you wouldn't want that, now
would you?  it would leave us with less to argue about on rec.autos.

cheers,
  richard
-- 
richard welty                            518-393-7228
welty@cabot.balltown.cma.com
From: pete@introl.introl.com (Pete Ikusz)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: 300ZX vs SVX
Date: 10 Apr 92 14:21:42 GMT
Article-I.D.: introl.1992Apr10.142142.32527
Organization: Introl Corp.

In article <180911@pyramid.pyramid.com> lstowell@pyrnova.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell) writes:
>In article <Apr05.042459.18569@engr.washington.edu> eliot@lanmola.engr.washington.edu (Brutus Thornapple) writes:
>
>>The new RX-7 will kick both their butts.. 
>>
>   It will ALSO bruise the heck out of the drivers....apparently 
>   springs are an option on next year's model.

There are two models now: the touring and the sport. Both have
the same engine, but the touring is supposed to have a moderately stiff ride. 
The sport model is supposed to be a rock (along with a few internal organs) crusher!
The difference between the 2 suspensions causes only a .1 to .2 g difference
in lateral acceleration.

I'm not complaining, I'd take either, if I could afford the insurance!

-Pete
-- 
-------------------------------------------------------
Pete Ikusz	Introl Corporation	pete@introl.com
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: kevin@taronga.taronga.com (Kevin Brown)
Subject: Re: Why can't they
Reply-To: kevin@taronga.taronga.com (Kevin Brown)
Organization: Minimal.
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 1992 21:35:33 GMT

In article <1992Apr13.200237.8989@CS.ORST.EDU> averys@jasper.cs.orst.edu (Scott Avery) writes:
>I currently drive an 82 Rx-7 and really love it.  It's light and
>nimble and has enough power to have lots of fun in, but it has
>110,000 miles on it and has little rattles here and there, but
>there are no real problems.
>
>What I would like is a new car, about the same weight, with a little
>more power, say 130-150HP.  It has to be light and nimble.  I really
>want a car that is designed as a sports car.  I like the Nissan
>Sentra SE-R quite a lot, but it is an econobox that was hopped up
>to be a fun car.  I would like to have a car, under $17,000, that
>was designed to be a sports car, and that fits me.( I am 6'2")
>So far the only thing that comes close is a 240SX.  A Miata is
>underpowered, an MX-3 is too small for me and I really like 
>rear wheel drive, CRX si is too small, Eclipse/Laser/Talon has
>no headroom at all.  
>
>Help me please before I am forced to drive a Caprice Classic or 
>take shrinking pills.

If you're willing to consider an American car, you might try the Mustang
GT or LX 5.0.  Both are quite roomy, handle well (though not perfectly),
and accelerate *very* well.  You can *easily* get one for under $17K,
especially the LX 5.0, which you should be able to get for around $13K
to $14K.

I'm 6'3" myself, and it fits me just fine (though I would like a *little*
more legroom, the legroom I have is quite adequate.  This is going to
depend a lot on what your proportions are, though.  I have a friend who
is 6'4" and has long enough legs that his knees end up in front of the
steering column!).

The Mustang is a bit heavy, though, at around 3300 pounds, so it might not
be suitable for you.

>Thanks,
>Scott
>
>averys@jasper.cs.orst.edu


		Kevin Brown (kevin@taronga.taronga.com)

Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: c23st@kocrsv01.delcoelect.com (Spiros Triantafyllopoulos)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Driver education...
Date: 16 Apr 92 03:19:47 GMT
Organization: Delco Electronics Corp.

In article <8dvB9jC00WB9AHf3IH@andrew.cmu.edu> sh50+@andrew.cmu.edu (Sam Hui) writes:
>>I wonder if the average UK driver encounters the conditions we do,
>>i.e.  on the average far more violent weather than in the UK, endless
>>construction, congestion, many more cars on the roads, etc. Nature has
>>its way of selecting who gets to live, in particular after 30 mile
>>commutes on icy roads here :-). 
>
>While it's true that the British Isles don't suffer from the servere
>range of weather conditions that hamper parts of the US, we have our
>fair share of bad weather. Yes, it's true that cliche about it raining a
>lot and we also do have very bad fog, (especially near where I live).

RAIN! Did he say RAIN (Just kidding). It rains here as well, and thank
to hizonnor the Governor the four lane road I take to work has not been
repaved in decades. Half an inch of rain and it is outright dangerous.

Actually in my eight years of commuting in the midwest the worst ever
was driving thru blinding rain + half inch hail + 80 mph wind (i.e.
close to a tornado (nice feeling to hear the weather radio go "the
tornado is now in XXX heading for YYY", and you're in the middle with
no houses or trees or anything for miles, scared the living DAYLIGHTS
out of us. After that, the occasional snow, sleet, ice, ice, ice, snow
etc are no big deal.

Or this year's blowing snowstorm (ever driven 20 mph for 35 miles
with what amounts to a Bed sheet on your windshield?)


>distances to get to work. I have friends in California that travel 40/50
>miles to get to their summer jobs every day. That type of distance to
>travel to work for the average Englishman would be absurd.
>
>-Sam

Anyone else has real good horror stories (weather+auto related?)

Yes. I drive 30 miles a day one way (35 minutes, 4 trafic lites)

Spiros

-- 
Spiros Triantafyllopoulos                    c23st@kocrsv01.delcoelect.com
Software Technology, Delco Electronics       c23st@deaes.uucp 
GM Hughes Electronics, Kokomo, IN 46904      [A Different Kind of Disclaimer]
From: victor@uivlsisa.csl.uiuc.edu (Victor Ma)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Buying a car in New Hampshire
Date: 9 Apr 92 22:07:20 GMT
Article-I.D.: roundup.ku9g0oINN3qm
Reply-To: victor@uicadd.csl.uiuc.edu
Organization: Coordinated Science Laboratory, University of Illinois
NNTP-Posting-Host: uivlsisa.csl.uiuc.edu

>True, but there is no sales tax in Massachusetts for motor vehicles,
>either.  There is a ``registration tax'' instead.  It doesn't matter
>where you buy the vehicle, if you want to register it in Mass (even if
>you already own the vehicle when you move from another state) you have
>to pay 5% (unless it has gone up recently) of the purchase price (or
>the blue book value) of the car. 

i checked my relocation package from DEC.
if i remember correctly, your car have to be
purchased 6 months before your move to MA in
order to avoid the ``registration tax''

victor ma
From: ganapath@tahoe.qualcomm.com (Chinnappa Ganapathy)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re:  Wasted on Women???
Date: 6 Apr 92 18:50:05 GMT
Article-I.D.: qualcomm.1992Apr6.185005.9598
Organization: Qualcomm, Inc., San Diego, CA

In article <1992Apr3.195943.19048@icf.hrb.com> jek@icf.hrb.com (Joe Karolchik) writes:
>In article <AdqqQXG00WBK8570gV@andrew.cmu.edu>, hm01+@andrew.cmu.edu (Hope Markiewicz) writes:
>> 
>> P.S.  I can see  that some people didn't even realize that what you
>> wrote was a joke!  Pitiful!! 
>
>  Is it still a joke when an irresponsible driver performing one of the
>actions which we've been joking about causes an accident?  Just wondering.
>

Hmm ...  You just don't get it, do you?

Chinna
-- 
Chinnappa Ganapathy    |      People who claim they don't let little
ganapath@qualcomm.com  |      things bother them have never slept
QUALCO/\/\/\/\         |      in a room with a single mosquito.
From: lstowell@pyrnova.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Tire fixing help
Date: 17 Apr 92 01:36:28 GMT
Reply-To: lstowell@pyrnova.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Organization: Pyramid Technology Corp., Mountain View, CA

In article <1992Apr15.175756.18064@osf.org> kev@osf.org (Kevin Till) writes:
>Hi,
>	My girlfriend drove my Honda Accord and hit the curb. The wall of a
>front tire was damaged with a hole of about 1/4 inch hole(only the outside wall). Now the tire is leaking very very slowly. Is there anyway I can fix the tire without replacing it? (it's only six-month old)
>	Thanks!
>
    
    I'd replace it.  That is a dangerous area of a tire to be
    weakened...particularly if it is a low profile (sidewall flex)
    radial.  

    See if it had any kind of road hazard protection.....but
    remember tires are much cheaper than girlfriends.
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: nash@ucselx.sdsu.edu (Ron Nash)
Subject: Re: Jump-starting 91-92 GM cars
Organization: San Diego State University
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1992 03:52:17 GMT

In article <1992Apr15.194909.15615@cco.caltech.edu> hacker@cco.caltech.edu (Jonathan Bruce Hacker) writes:
>Dean_Fraser@mindlink.bc.ca (Dean Fraser) writes:

>> Now, one of the auction's executives was talking to a GM rep, asking
>>how to keep some of the cars running after jumping them, as some tend to die
>>after the cables are taken off.  He told the auction exec that you should (1)
>>Press on the brake when boosting, as this sets up a proper load, and makes the
>>alternator put out more juice, and (2), after jumping , run the emergency
>>flashers on, as this again , calls the alternator to put out more juice. 

>Was it April 1 when you got this advice?

>An alternator has a voltage regulator that attempts to maintain
>approx 14 Volts across its output terminals regardless of the 
>load placed across them.    

True, but the regulator does this by swithing the alternator off and on
at a rate depending on the load and speed of the alternator.  At idle,
most cars will not run without a battery (or a battery that is open
internally) unless a large load, such as the headlights, is present.
I have personally run into this my self, and the only way to keep the
car running was to turn on the headlights, or it would die as soon and
the cables were removed.


-- 
Ron Nash 	San Diego State University
Internet:  	nash@ucselx.sdsu.edu
Gin-N-Tonic	6 year old Arab/Saddlebred endurance horse
Luv on Fire	9 year old Arab, trusty trail horse
From: lea00@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM (Larry Akers)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Passing cars on the right...why?
Date: 15 Apr 92 19:37:29 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Co., Loveland, CO


    Well I do not think that passing on the right is safe or the
correct thing to do.  But as far as driving in the left lane goes,
I often drive in the left lane when I'm on the interstates.  Even
when there is no other traffic on the highway, like through Kansas
late night.  The reason that I prefer the left lane is due to the 
condition of the road surface.  I have noticed that the left lane
is almost always a smoother ride.  Maybe due to the increased use
that the right lanes endure.                  
    But the problem of people having to pass me on the right is 
not a big one.  If there is traffic (or even one car) behind me I
have no problem moving over for them to pass.  But that is a rare
situation since I like to drive about 5 MPH's faster than 80% of 
the rest of the traffic, some times that's 10-15 MPH's faster than 
90% of the cars on the highway.
    I am not trying to justify people driving slower than the rest 
o fthe traffic on the highway while in the left lane.  This is one
reason that some people prefer driving in the left lane.  If I find
that the road surface is of equal quality in all lanes then I drive 
in the right lanes except to pass, as it should be.

LA... LA...  LA...  LA...  LA...  Later,,, Larry Akers...
From: lstowell@pyrnova.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Best Head Unit for under $200
Date: 8 Apr 92 01:22:30 GMT
Reply-To: lstowell@pyrnova.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Organization: Pyramid Technology Corp., Mountain View, CA

In article <1992Apr7.210306.27377@eff.org> peterco@eff.org (Peter A. Cohen) writes:
>What's the best full-featured head unit that you know of for under $200?
>
    Linda Lovelace.
Newsgroups: rec.autos