HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: tpickett@auspex.com (Tom Pickett)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Anti-Lock Brakes makes stopping SAFER?
Date: 29 Dec 92 22:15:44 GMT
Reply-To: tpickett@auspex.com (Tom Pickett)
Organization: Auspex Systems, Inc.  Engineering

In article <241@io.trident.datasys.swri.edu>, johns@trident.datasys.swri.edu 
(Stephen Johns) writes:
>  Using the emergency brake should achieve the effect you are looking for.
> 
>  The emergency brake is also what you use to do a J-turn, I think that's
>  what they're called.  The ones that are on TV and in movies alot, where you
>  do a 180 real fast by letting the back end of the car do most of the
>  traveling! :)
> -- 


I used to do this for fun when I was in college 20 years ago!
however we called it a "handbrake turn."

It is not easy to execute this using the foot pedal that many mfg
of american cars like to use for the "handbrake."  I am also not at all
sure that the ABS would not kick in using the emergency brake, and 
additionally, the use of the handbrake/emer brake in a situation where
an accident is imminent is probably not going to happen in time to be of
much use.  This kind of response must be a reflex, not a planned and
executed maneuver in order to be effective.  The handbrake or emerbrake
are not handy enough to allow application in an emergency IMHO. :-)


Tom Pickett 
tpickett@auspex.com or 74616.2237@compuserve.com
SHO  GOZE
From: hhelanto@vipunen.hut.fi (Henri R Helanto)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Storing a MIATA - Suggestions?
Keywords: Storing a Mazda Miata
Date: 2 Jan 93 04:06:10 GMT
Organization: Helsinki University of Technology, Finland

In <mgr.725675896@hela.iti.org> mgr@iti.org (Mike Rother) writes:

>Miata owners:  Those of you storing your Miata for the winter, 
>how did you prepare your vehicle?  Also, how do you cope with 
>"no Miata" for several months??
	
	Well, my sister bought a hard top for her Miata, mostly
	because she hasn't got another car for winter... :-)

-Henri
-- 
 Henri Helanto - SysOp    |	'MY LAST SONY! THE TOY THAT BROKE UP!'   
 hhelanto@vipunen.hut.fi  <->    m40176m@puukko.hut.fi   
-+*> Call MyBBS (+358-0-485067/485068/485968/485918/488139, 24h) ! <*+-
From: qazi@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (Aamir Hafeez Qazi)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Saturn's Allegedly "Noisy" Engine
Date: 21 Dec 92 20:47:47 GMT
Organization: Computing Services Division, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
NNTP-Posting-Host: 129.89.7.4

In article <1992Dec21.193304.23085@cbnewsd.cb.att.com> hhm@cbnewsd.cb.att.com (herschel.h.mayo) writes:
>
>From what I've gathered from owners, and my own experience and other
>sources is that the problem with Saturn's engine noise is a myth 
>created by car rag testers who were pressed to find anything bad  to
>report about it. It seems that once something like this is started,
>it is like a self perpetuating feeding frenzy. I drove one, and I
>didn't notice anything unusual about the engine noise. But I guess
>once this sort of thing gets started, everybody probably test drives
>one with ear cocked listening. Maybe I'm going deaf. Any other opinions
>from people who have shopped around?

--I drove a 91 Saturn SL2 with the 5-speed when it was first released.
  That car had excessive engine noise above 3500 rpm.  It sounded like
  Saturn bolted in a few chain saws under there.  The '92's are supposed
  to be better, but how much better (someone fill in here) ?  Based on
  my test drive, I would have ruled it out at the time if I were looking
  to buy a car.

--Aamir Qazi

-- 

Aamir Qazi
qazi@csd4.csd.uwm.edu
--Why should I care?  I'd rather watch drying paint.
From: patrick@csdvax.csd.unsw.edu.au
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: toyota trucks
Date: 24 Dec 92 10:52:25 +1000
Organization: University of New South Wales

In article <8055@tekig7.PEN.TEK.COM>, bernardr@tekig6.PEN.TEK.COM (Bernard J Rate) writes:
> 
> Does anyone have experience of the new Toyota full-size truck? I am curious
> to know what engine they used and if its any good for towing serious loads.

In Australia we don't have the T100 yet, but I do have the U.S. advertising
glossies for it. It uses the same V6 engine as the Hilux and 4-Runner.

The T100 is NOT full size and is not intended to compete with the U.S full
size pickup market. Toyota's introduction of a full size would do SERIOUS
damage to the U.S. full size pickup makers, and IMHO would be discouraged by 
large import tariffs, etc.

I hope the T100 gets good sales in the U.S., since whether Australia will get
it (hopefully with diesel engine option) depends upon its sucess in the U.S.
market.
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: cshafai@eeserv.ee.umanitoba.ca (Cyrus Shafai)
Subject: Re: '91 Eagle Talon
Organization: University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
Distribution: usa
Date: Sun, 27 Dec 1992 06:59:02 GMT

>>i am an owner, and i was just wondering.... .has anyone had trouble with this
>>car?  
>>
>>my transmission seems to stick more than on other cars i've driven, AND my
>>cruise control is broken for the SECOND TIME (the car has just a little over
>>32K on it).  AND at notchy higher speeds (around 70), the steering wheel
>>vibrates some.
>>
>>anyone else have similar experience?
>>

I recall there was some discussion on this group about Talons having
transmission problems, especially with first gear.  Talons supposedly
had problems engaging first gear.  So, in answer to your
question, yes it seems people have experienced transmission problems.


--
-------------------------------------------------------------
Cyrus Shafai                        <cshafai@ee.umanitoba.ca>
The Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Laboratory  -  STM/AFM Lab
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada   ph. (204) 474-6007
From: amh2@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu (ALOIS M. HIMSL)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Audi - luxo lemon?
Date: 30 Dec 92 23:28:27 GMT
Organization: Lehigh University

I am the owner of a 1983 Audi GT Coupe. I agree that Audi is a well engineered
and nice car to drive, but the maintenance and parts are a killer on one's
bank account.  Audi parts are very difficult to find in junk yards and if you
do find one, the prices are usually very high. There are several mail order
places out there, but their "discount" prices are still outrageous. The bottom
line is that unless you live in Germany do not buy an Audi. I am also having a
very difficult time trying to sell mine.
Al Himsl
Lehigh University
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: wesf@boi.hp.com (Wes Fujii)
Subject: Re: Non-linear speedometer when cold
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 16:39:15 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard / Boise, Idaho
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1.4 PL6]

Ram V. Mohan (mxm1003@s22.msi.umn.edu) wrote:
: 
: I've a 1989 Mazda 323 with about 40,000 miles.   When it is cold
    <stuff deleted about non-linear and noisy speedometer when cold>
: the cable sticking inside the dash board. 
: 
: Any pointers and suggestions to this problem are appreciated.  Is it
: anything to worry about?  or is it just one of the bizzare effects fo
: cold.?  Thanks
: 

Lube the speedo cable.  Your problem should go away.  If it gets too
bad, the cable or cable end could break and it'll be harder to fix
later.

Wes Fujii
________________________________________________________________
      ___   ___ ___ 
     /  /  /  //  /
    /  /__/  //  /    A real motor is an Oldsmobile Rocket 455
   /  HURST //  /     "This is NOT the new generation of Olds"
  /  /  /  //  /_______ 
 /__/  /__//  //  ___  \
          /  //  /   \  \       Wes "BANZAI" Fujii
         /  //  /OLDS/  /          Boise, Idaho
        /  / \  \___/  /      wesf@hpdmd48.boi.hp.com
       /__/   \_______/ 

Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: romansks@unvax.union.edu (Steve Romanski)
Subject: Re: Big Three Efforts to Fight Rust?
Organization: Union College, Schenectady, NY
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 18:24:47 GMT

ah190@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Stuart Pearl) writes:


>Have the big three automakers REALLY been improving the corrosion
>protection on their cars in the last 5 years or so?

>I've been seeing a lot of ad hype on print and on TV about how "this"
>company is using more galvanized steel while "that" company is using more
>non-metal composite material in an effort to fight rust.  But does it
>really make a difference in the rust belt states come winter time?

>Has any one automaker taken an innovative lead in making a more rust
>resistant car, or are they all about the same?
>-- 
>                   ---===<<< Stuart Pearl >>>===---
>                           Cleveland, Ohio
>                      ah190@cleveland.freenet.edu
>                         --------------------


The problem with any undercoating is the first nick that you recieve in it
allows water to get underneath it. It then holds the moisture very well,
just check out an older car that was rustproofed, you will probably
be able to stick you finger through any part that has been rustproofed.
The bare metal will just be rusted.  

Its best just to take your chances without rustproofing and keep it clean.




Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: jmps@cbnewsd.cb.att.com (J. M. Sauer)
Subject: Re: LH test-drive results (by a buyer)
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: na
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 16:50:56 GMT
Summary: test drive

In article <D2150040.me5vo3@destiny.howtek.UUCP>, paul@howtek.UUCP (Paul Rothenberg) writes:
> 
> In article <1hqjh4INNfn3@menudo.uh.edu> (rec.autos), esl_manager@gimme.uh.edu () writes:
> > Hi
> 
> >  [test report deleted]
> 
> > 5) [Stingy dealer]: May be I was expecting too much, but I was only
> > allowed to test-drive in an area that was less than 3 blocks! The reason
> > given was to maintain a low mileage on the test cars. Was that being a
> > little stingy or what? 
> > 
> > [rest deleted] 
> >
> > Arthur
> > 

I was shopping for a Taurus or Sable Wagon and at both Mercury and
Ford dealers I was given the car to drive for as long as I wanted
so that I could drive the car home to show my wife and really give
it a good test.  We ended up buying a Taurus.  This was the first American
car we have owned for many years.  The treatment at the dealerships was
very good.  We haven't found a thing wrong with the car so far.  
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: Chuck@clemson.edu (Chuck Heck)
Subject: Re: SHO Electrical Troubles
Organization: Clemson University
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1992 21:09:39 GMT

In article <15992@auspex-gw.auspex.com>, tpickett@auspex.com (Tom Pickett) writes:
> 
> MY SHO failed its smog check yesterday.  The egr switch is faulty.
> Should I bother fighting it out with Ford?
> 
> Tom Pickett 
> tpickett@auspex.com or 74616.2237@compuserve.com
> SHO  GOZE
> 
Yes.  All of the emissions stuff is covered by a 5yr/50k mile warranty.  There
should be no questions asked about this one.

Chuck
From: andrey@cs.arizona.edu (Andrey K. Yeatts)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: GM Holdback on Geo?
Date: 31 Dec 92 18:10:44 GMT
Organization: U of Arizona, CS Dept, Tucson

After posting that long letter to Stuart Pearl, I then come back
with a categorical "maybe."

Does anyone know whether there's a GM holdback (you know, the 2 or 3 percent
per car sold extra they pay dealers at the end of the year or whenever)
on the Geo model line?

Thanks,

andrey

-- 
Andrey Yeatts					Dept. of Computer Science
andrey@cs.arizona.edu				Univ. of Arizona
{uunet,allegra,cmcl2,noao}!arizona!andrey	Tucson, AZ 85721
						(602) 621-4108
Xref: sparky rec.autos:30235 rec.autos.tech:16997
From: jimf@centerline.com (Jim Frost)
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.tech
Subject: Re: Do SPOILERS Really Work???
Date: 21 Dec 1992 13:30:40 GMT
Organization: CenterLine Software, Inc.
NNTP-Posting-Host: 140.239.3.202

choy@skorpio.usask.ca (I am a terminator.) writes:
>In article <1992Dec13.225328.14446@nntp.hut.fi>, k33074s@kaira.hut.fi (Micke Bergman) writes:
>What do spoilers do to fuel economy? On my flight simulator, I can put on
>spoilers to slow my plane down. I expect dragging a spoiler around would
>slow a car down.

On a plane spoilers are used to increase drag and lift dramatically.
This is very useful both for slowing down and for operating at low
velocities -- desirable capabilities in an airplane.

On a car spoilers have two possible purposes (other than aesthetics):
1) Break up airflow around the back of the car to reduce drag and
possibly to reduce high-speed lift; and 2) provide downforce (similar
to what they do in a plane but to a much smaller degree).

From talk on this group I suspect that most cars' spoilers are used to
break up airflow rather than to provide downforce.  They usually
aren't big enough to have much of an effect on downforce.

The goal of the spoiler in each case is different so you get different
results.

jim frost
jimf@centerline.com
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: phr@telebit.com (Paul Rubin)
Subject: Re: Impact is DEAD [was: Electric Vehicles]
Organization: Telebit Corporation; Sunnyvale, CA, USA
	<1992Dec24.135201.8745@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu>
	<1992Dec24.115117.45894@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu>
Date: 26 Dec 92 20:59:04

       1. Electric cars don't decrease the amount of pollutants in
          the atmosphere, they just move them somewhere else. (think
          of the electrical connection as a long, thin exhaust pipe)

Not true.  Even coal-burning electric power plants can make less air
pollution per unit of energy produced than car engines, because of
hotter operation and extra pollution-control devices (electrostatic
scrubbers etc.) which are not practical for auto use.  Electricity can
also be generated from solar, wind, and hydro sources, which make no
air pollution.
From: esl_manager@gimme.uh.edu ()
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Saturn SL2 test-drive results
Date: 29 Dec 1992 20:51:14 GMT
Organization: University of Houston
Distribution: world
Reply-To: esl_manager@gimme.uh.edu ()
NNTP-Posting-Host: gimme.cc.uh.edu
Keywords: Noise, Price, Test-drive, Transmission, Handling

Hi Saturn enthusiasts,

I have been reading quite a lot of literature on the Saturn line of cars
and finally went to a local dealership for a test drive. It was quite an
eye-opening experience. I sum up the experience into two catagories:
likes & dislikes. Before you begin, please bear in mind that I have
never owned an American-made car and I am still open to buy one if they
are comparatively better.

Car tested: SL2, 4dr, DOHC (twin-cam), 5-speed
Date tested: 24th Dec, 1992

Likes:
1) [Steering]: As far as its ability to make U-turns in very tight
swings, I must say that it very impressive, compared to other cars of
the same (or almost the same) size, like the Honda Civic and Acura
Integra.
2) [Handling & external noise]: As for the shocks, struts performance, I
would rate them excellent, considering the cost of the car. In short,
the handling feels firm when the situation calls for it, like when
you're negotiating a nice curve at, say, 45 MPH, but at the same time,
it is more comfortable than most Japanese cars when the car goes over
bumps or holes. The interior of the car seems to receive significantly
lower noise level when the car is going over bumps or holes compared to
the Honda type of cars.

Dislikes:
1) [Engine Noise]: The subject matter of this posting tells it all ---
noise. You may not believe me, but I feel that the engine-noise level of
the SL2 is higher than my Acura Integra RS 1988! I couldn't believe my
ears when I drove it. Could someone illuminate me on that matter? Is it
the noise of the timing-chain or some other design problems?
2) [Transmission]: The gears are a little heavy and sticky. Maybe I
should try another SL2 elsewhere but that was what I felt when I drove
it. May be someone can explain to me. Could there be a major difference
between Japanese transmission and that of American technology?


Conclusion:
I would try as far as possible to buy American but considering the fact
that price of an Acura Integra RS and that of a Saturn SL2 pretty close,
I have no doubt that the former is a better buy. Note that I have not
test-driven the latest Integra yet. I was basing my comparisons with my
current 1988 Integra.

--
Arthur
From: paul@howtek.UUCP (Paul Rothenberg)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: LH test-drive results (by a buyer)
Date: 30 Dec 92 14:10:17 GMT
Reply-To: paul@howtek.UUCP (Paul Rothenberg)
Organization: Howtek, Inc.
X-Mailer: uAccess - Macintosh Release: 1.6v2


In article <1hqjh4INNfn3@menudo.uh.edu> (rec.autos), esl_manager@gimme.uh.edu () writes:
> Hi

>  [test report deleted]

> 5) [Stingy dealer]: May be I was expecting too much, but I was only
> allowed to test-drive in an area that was less than 3 blocks! The reason
> given was to maintain a low mileage on the test cars. Was that being a
> little stingy or what? 
> 
> [rest deleted] 
>
> Arthur
> 

Rude is more like it.

I had the same experience when I recently test drove a Ford Probe
GT. I could not beleive he wanted me to keep the test drive short.
I mean, if I'm going to plunk down @ $19K for a car, I'd better be
able to drive it for as long as it takes to come to a conclusion about
the car. 

On an alternate note, a Honda dealer let me test drive a Prelude Si
ALONE and as long as I needed. Hmmmm. 

===============================================
Paul M. Rothenberg

REPLY TO: paul@howtek.uucp
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: mzimmers@netcom.com (Michael Zimmers)
Subject: Re: Anti-Lock Brakes makes stopping SAFER?
Organization: Netcom Online Communications Services (408-241-9760 login: guest)
Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1993 03:31:21 GMT

In article <16105@auspex-gw.auspex.com> tpickett@auspex.com (Tom Pickett) writes:

>I was going downhill, around 35 - 40 mPH in the hills above Redwood City.
>As I approached an intersection on a curve and on a steep hill, a person
>decided to run the red light and made a left in front of me.  It was 
>raining at the time.  I did what comes naturally to me -- I expected a
>collision, and decided to put the car sideways into the other car.  To
>do this, I applied heavy brakes and steered hard left.
>
>Normally this would put the car into a skid sideways and would result in
>lessened impact with the other car (spreads the impact over a larger 
>area).  The ABS kicked in and I simply came to a stop in a half-completed
>left turn.  No collision.  Seems like a good idea, but what if the car
>could not have stopped in time using the ABS?
>
>If the ABS had not been sufficient to stop me, I would have certainly
>been prevented b\from using the skid to lessen the impact.  The skid
>would have:
>
>	1. scrubbed speed off from the drag produced thereby reducing
>		impact.

What makes you think the incremental braking of ABS wouldn't have given
you at least comparable deceleration?

>	2. Spread the impact over a wider surface area, causing the car to
>		take the impact instead of the human body.

This seems to be an incidental benefit due to circumstances, and could
easily have been reversed.

>	3. Might have allowed me to steer around the other car had they come
>		to a stop, by converting the skid into forward motion allowing
>		me to "drift" around the other car.

Again, circumstance.  You've got more steering control with ABS than without.

>I don't know if ABS is always a good thing or not.

I've yet to hear of a legitimate case where it wasn't.
-- 
Michael Zimmers                                    |  Home:  408 996 1984
SoftHelp                                           |  Work:  408 996 1965
Software Solutions for Open Systems                |  Data:  408 996 1974
From: ah190@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Stuart Pearl)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Auto Safety Hotline Number & Crash Test Results
Date: 1 Jan 1993 20:45:58 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (USA)
NNTP-Posting-Host: slc10.ins.cwru.edu


This may be a FAQ, but there's an 800 number that can be called for a
variety of vehicle safety, crash test and recall information.  It's
the Auto Safety Hotline: 1-800-424-9393.

The answering facility is automated with a menu of touch tone feature
choices, so it helps to have a touch tone phone.

Some of the information includes recall data - you provide the make,
model, year and they presumably send you the info (good for those
situations where the local dealership won't level with you), crash
test results (I ordered one of these and will try to post it), child
safety seat recall info, and a tire quality grading report.

-stu
-- 
                   ---===<<< Stuart Pearl >>>===---
                           Cleveland, Ohio
                      ah190@cleveland.freenet.edu
                         --------------------
From: lstowell@pyrnova.mis.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Before Buying Japanese.
Date: 31 Dec 92 22:19:29 GMT
Reply-To: lstowell@pyrnova.pyramid.com.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Organization: Pyramid Technology Corporation

In article <1992Dec31.215044.21428@Happy-Man.com> Joshua_Putnam@happy-man.com writes:
>
>So while we may not be as dominant in manufacturing as we were
>right after we blew up most of the factories in Japan and
>Germany, talk of U.S. "deindustrialization" is greatly overblown.
>
   Not only that, but how many truly European car companies are
   there left, and how many are owned or partnered with American
   companies?  

   And the US companies HAVE been slapped with fines for dumping in
   Europe.  The most recent offender is Chrysler in Austria.  

   And anyone who thinks the Japanese cars are big stuff obviously
   hasn't driven some of the 92 and 93 American cars yet.  

   Of course I seriously doubt if we would HAVE the Taurus, Seville
   STS, or Mark VIII if it WEREN'T for the Japanese competition.  

>There's no denying some sectors of the economy have been hit
>hard.  But to suggest America is deindustrializing or failing to
>compete is selling the country short.

   Amen, and the Japanese internal economy is currently not in the
   best of shape...what goes around just may come around.