Motorweek.org talks biodiesel in recent PBS episode

| March 14, 2009

Although there were a few things missing in this episode of the PBS Motorweek, I did enjoy seeing and hearing biodiesel still being promoted. I particularly enjoy their highlighting the ‘Appleseed’ processor! (how do you like that @girlmark)

Patent granted for diesel engine 106 years ago today

| February 23, 2009

For those that appreciate engineering and diesel automotive history, today was the day in 1893 that Rudolf Diesel was granted a German patent for his diesel engine design. Rather than burning gasoline in a cylinder with spark ignition, the diesel engine uses ‘fuel oil’ (or vegetable oil — peanut oil in Rudolf Diesel’s case) using [...]

Enjoyed driving the new 2009 BMW 335d

| February 20, 2009

I called a friend of mine to check on his wife who was scheduled for surgery this week and after hearing that she was in recovery, our conversation shifted to the new 2009 BMW 335d that was sitting in front of the Akron area Dave Walter dealership. Although I know how the soft-sell enticement game [...]

How Stuff Works: Motorhead Cuisine article

| February 15, 2009

I’ve been know to heat up some leftovers under the hood before and enjoyed reading the occasional article detailing the process … and talking to the odd-ball few who enjoy motorhead cuisine. In perusing a ‘magazine’ topic at an excellent time-killing site, Alltop.com, I stumbled on a How Stuff Works article on cooking/reheating food under [...]

Motorweek picks 2009 VW Jetta TDI as Drivers’ Choice

| February 14, 2009

For those of us already familiar with the new clean diesel breeds, it will come as no surprise that long running PBS automotive program Motorweek selected the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI as the Drivers’ Choice Award winner. They previously reported positively on the VW TDI although on in February announced it along with all their [...]

GM to import engine for Volt and Cruze from Aspern, Austria

| February 5, 2009

Last year, General Motors announced that it would build a $370 million engine plant in Flint Michigan to supply the 1.4L engines for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and Cruze;  autoworkers in the depressed southeastern part of Michigan thought this was good news with so many jobs were leaving the area. In October, GM started the [...]

PCMike demostrates Parking Assist from Ford

| January 17, 2009

MSNBC’s Mike Wendland reported on the new parking assist technology Ford will be offering in select 2010 models.  As seen in premium … and not so premium …  models before, it is pretty cool technology.

Direct Injection is the future for gasoline engines

| January 15, 2009

So which automotive technology is in our near future? According to an article in Wednesday’s Marketplace section of the WSJ, “Analysts say sales of vehicles with such engines — which deliver greater fuel economy and power than today’s similarly sized gas engines — will far exceed those of hybrids and electrics for years to come.” [...]

Top Gear reviews the Honda FCX Clarity

| December 16, 2008

The somewhat irreverent automotive program Top Gear, with its opinionated hosts, generally does a pretty good job of bashing wienie cars with electric motors, but James May in a recent episode offered a different opinion. He had the chance to test drive the Honda FCX Clarity and film a report with guest Jay Leno. The [...]

Gasoline prices continue to drop

| October 26, 2008

Although I didn’t fill up today, gasoline prices remain surprisingly low giving strapped consumers at least a little breathing room from the high fuel prices just a few weeks earlier. Let’s hope some of the added cash back in consumers wallets helps to stimulate the economy.

Part 1: Fuel Prices

| April 22, 2006

The subject is on everyone’s mind once again … Fuel prices. What are we doing about it and is it really a problem of our own making? As several east coast gas stations put the ‘Out of Gas’ signs back on their pumps, Americans are getting worked up once again over potential shortages and the [...]

Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.