RichC | July 29, 2011
President Obama announces the new fuel efficiency standards with a few early jokes regarding his daughter and driving before stressing the prices of fuel and the demand “worldwide” for oil. His “fix” is to take steps to control prices through and energy strategy that 1) increase domestic production, 2) getting rid of tax subsidies to […]
RichC | July 28, 2011
I had the chance to test drive the new 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI diesel on Wednesday and was both surprised and impressed; it was not entirely what I expected. The SEL Premium package made this mid to large sized sedan seem more like the VW Phaeton than it did the previous Passat. Besides the larger […]
RichC | July 26, 2011
After spending the weekend cleaning and “rebending” our Brenda’s bumped and bruised Toyota Rav4 into to some semblance of its former self … it now has a new piece of glass (opted for the $191.25 “real thing” rather than tacky Plexiglas). I can highly recommend Rich at Kiss Auto Glass for his quick service and […]
RichC | July 24, 2011
It was a hot Saturday to be working on the Toyota Rav4, but I figured it was best to use the extra day just in case there was a complication. Instead of having the insurance company fix our car, we have opted to go the salvage title route and accepted the insurance company’s check after […]
RichC | July 22, 2011
I’m not sure I’m ready to wait a full 17 months to see Chevrolet’s diesel Cruze, but glad to hear that at least one US domestic is planning to add a diesel option to the North American offerings. This is no small step considering what has to happen behind the scenes at dealerships, parts suppliers, […]
RichC | July 18, 2011
I was really hoping to see a new TDI Passat wagon in North America. Maybe I’ll just keep waiting for the crossover? Despite the unabashed public appearance of a camo-draped Volkswagen Passat wagon on American soil, the company is not planning to offer such a vehicle for sale here, we’ve learned from company sources. The […]
RichC | July 14, 2011
One would have thought that owning and renting cars for 30 years that I would have known that the little indicator arrow on the fuel gauge indicates which side the filler cap is located on. I don’t know how many times I’ve pulled into a gas station with a “new to me car” and guessed […]
RichC | July 2, 2011
The Panamericana Challenge trip/race/challenge delayed their start by 3 days, but as of 4AM Saturday morning started their drive. The heavy snow near their starting point at the tip of South America which postponed their start of the challenge has been cleared for their VW Touareg TDI and in watching progress on the map show […]
RichC | July 2, 2011
What’s with the sudden rise in oil price again? We’ve seen our weak economy take a crushing blow from rising oil prices once again. We all know that there has been an oil moratorium on U.S. oil ever since the BP oil spill … or perhaps since President Obama moved to the Whitehouse, but the […]
RichC | June 28, 2011
Last month I posted on a new start-up project raising funds for an engine oil analizer gadget … Lubricheck … and heard the @wsjthismorning radio spot/podcast talking about it.
RichC | June 28, 2011
How about topping this hypermiling diesel concept vehicle developed UK’s Cambridge Design Partnership and driven by an eleven-year old kid – 1,325 mpg. When I told my parents how far this car could go on a gallon of fuel they were absolutely amazed! It wasn’t too hard. The Go system helped me use as […]
RichC | June 20, 2011
Although I’m a big advocate for diesel power and biodiesel fuel, call me at least a little skeptical regarding the boastful numbers … At the heart of the sleek Iceni is a modified 550 bhp, GM 6.6 liter, twin-turbo diesel V8 running bio-fuel, and according to previously released info, the Iceni will run to 230 […]
RichC | June 17, 2011
Volkswagen’s CEO Martin Winterkorn (Germany) is committed to plug in hybrids according to a translation posted: I am firmly convinced that plug-in hybrids are the right solution for the next ten years. You can drive 50 to 60 kilometers all-electric and have the full flexibility of an internal combustion engine. The plug-in hybrid will be […]
RichC | June 15, 2011
Not a bad week for Audi; they continue to dominate with diesel powered Le Mans racing TDIs and show of the tweaking o their diesel-hybrid technology in the e-Tron Spyder plug-in diesel as well. From my perspective the supercar styling isn’t half bad either. It was a big weekend for Audi, which debuted a new […]
RichC | June 14, 2011
Although this Volkswagen Caddy 1.9L TDI isn’t available in the U.S. (yet), I know many diesel TDI enthusiast who could comfortably live with this ugly duckling when it comes to styling. The small van like cargo-carrying diesel mini-van with a 5-speed manual would be considerably more efficient than what North America offers today — and […]
RichC | June 13, 2011
The invitation to the annual TDIFest may not be the biggest and best car show in the nation, but for a group of loyal Volkswagen (and Audi) TDIClub members, it is the big bash of the year – and not to be missed. Previous “fests” have been hosted by local dedicated members of the TDIClub forum […]
RichC | June 10, 2011
Here’s a write-up by Jonathan Spira for Diesel Driver that highlights the new American built mid-size TDI sedan coming from Volkswagen … The 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI will be arriving at VW dealerships soon and we had an opportunity to pick up the car at the factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and drive it to Nashville. […]
RichC | June 9, 2011
I enjoyed exchanging emails and text messages (and tweets below) with a couple automotive writers touring the newly opened Volkswagen facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee the other day. The photos were great to see (above from Kiplinger’s Jessica Anderson) and the initial opinion regarding the 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI exciting to hear as well (below from […]
RichC | June 7, 2011
Probably only my biased opinion, but I found the Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet Concept attractive only from the front? Perhaps we’ll see this aggressive grill in the VW EOS with a few optional powerplants (hint, TDI?) … now that would be nice.
RichC | May 28, 2011
The new Chattanooga, Tennessee Volkswagen plant opened this past week (May 24, 2011) and is an example of how VW incorporates its trademarked ThinkBlue initiative. Here’s hoping the trend continues to the cars they build in America … the new 2012 Volkswagen Passat and Passat TDI clean diesel. Below is a chart from the ThinkBlue […]
RichC | May 26, 2011
With the recent overseas photos of a TDI (Volkswagen) with the “hybrid” badge, the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 and indications that Mercedes is planning a 2012 E300 Bluetec diesel hybrid … then I’m getting pretty excited. As someone sure to take a bit of heat from my diesel and biodiesel oriented friends, I’m still going […]
RichC | May 26, 2011
Great article in the WSJ talking about European diesels … Coming to America: European Gas Sippers Luxury Car Makers to Launch in the U.S. Fuel-Efficient Variations of Popular Models Previously Found Only Overseas European luxury-car makers are going to give U.S. consumers some tastes of the forbidden fruit they have been keeping to themselves. Joe […]
RichC | May 24, 2011
Volkswagen Group’s Jonathan Browning, President and CEO (Volkswagen of America, Inc) gave a quick interview on an important day for VW’s new Chattanooga Tennessee facility. It is exciting to American workers building what hopefully will be a great mid sized car: 2012 VW Passat. CNBC: Phil LeBeau‘s interview with VW’s Jonathan Browning
RichC | May 24, 2011
How about a quicker way for car buyers willing to invest in the latest green automotive technology to get their tax credit? If Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood gets his way those purchasing an EV could apply it to the price of the vehicle. He’s suggesting that instead of a tax credit when filing income […]
RichC | May 20, 2011
If you a a Volkswagen Beetle lover, this bug’s for you … for a mere $250,000 from what I hear. As the legend is told… back in 1963 Paul Newman bought a VW…the little red Convertible seen in this late 60’s VW ad. Not so long after this advertisement came out…the car was taken to […]
RichC | May 20, 2011
I’m posting Kickstarter link for a device designed to check the quality of engine oil. It is called Lubricheck and I’m hoping that someone reading this with engineering thoughts on how realistically accurate the device might be? I’m a mileage oriented oil changer, but with the price of synthetic oil, diesel oils and just plain […]
RichC | May 4, 2011
For those of us that regularly rent cars, we’ve always known that it is costly to bring a car back to the rental agency with less than a full tank. This lesson is doubly important with the higher prices at the pump nowadays. Some car companies are now charging over $9/gallon “if you bring the […]
RichC | April 25, 2011
The 2011 BMW 335d was voted the “Diesel Car of the Year” at the New York International Auto Show by readers of “The Diesel Driver” … following up the positive comment from others in prior years … like MotorTrend saying that the “BMW 335d is the best car I’ve driven in a very long time.” […]
RichC | April 25, 2011
They could have improved the efficiency (and performance) with a “chipped” TDI diesel no doubt! Still not such a bad idea in parts of central Ameican and the Middle East. The Volkswagen Bora Protect could possibly be the world’s most fuel-efficient, factory-built armored sedan. Powered by the automaker’s turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and paired […]
RichC | April 18, 2011
If you live between Dayton and Cincinnati and drive a B99 biodiesel capable car (word of caution for some of the latest models), you can now fill up for substantially less than the current $4-plus/gallon price of petroleum diesel … and do your part to help the environment. Biodiesel is now available on a regular […]
RichC | April 17, 2011
… and Google Video! With Google shutting down ‘cloud’ storage of videos users may have archived for years on their service, I decided it might be best to save a few important ones to my computer and personal webserver – a lesson for those putting to much trust in ‘cloud’ only storage. Later this month, […]
RichC | April 3, 2011
My son borrowed my Honda Pilot this weekend (just after I filled up – but I received a “Thanks Dad” text message from him), so I’ve been driving his Volkswagen GTI … fun. Of course the fuel tank is exactly where most college students keep their cars – empty – so I ended up filling […]
RichC | March 31, 2011
Keeping and eye on (and archiving) where one can and can’t use a cellphone while driving a car (posted in an AutoObserver). Click image for larger map Cell Phone States of Mind We’ve all been inspired to at least think, if not actually scream “Hang up and DRIVE!”, when we see a car drifting out […]
RichC | March 28, 2011
Volkswagen’s new 2011 Jetta model suffers a voluntary anti-theft and horn safety recall: “to reconfigure a wiring layout.” VOLKSWAGEN ANNOUNCES VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL OF 71,000 2011 MODEL YEAR JETTA VEHICLES March 28, 2011 – Herndon, VA – Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced a voluntary safety recall of 71,043 2011 model year Jettas in order […]
RichC | March 16, 2011
Joe White wrote about $4/gallon gasoline this morning in the Wall Street Journal and wondered at what price Americans switch to subcompact car? While he acknowledged that we’re not quite as bad as we were during the 2008 spike, prior to domestic carmakers shifting to more fuel efficient engines and CUVs rather than SUVS, we […]
RichC | March 13, 2011
If the new 2012 Volkswagen Passat isn’t up to your family hauling duty, then perhaps a new “van” will be up to the task. VW Big Profits, Microbus A Go The Volkswagen Group is thriving in the post-recession global market and announced the largest profit and revenue in the company’s history, while a European publication […]
RichC | March 11, 2011
Truth be told, I could see myself driving the 2012 Toyota Prius v (Versatility) … but don’t tell any of my Volkswagen TDI diesel friends! 42 MPG City, 38 MPG Highway, 40 MPG Combined Second row seats slide, fold flat, and recline 45 degrees for comfort 34.3 cubic feet of cargo volume First-ever resin […]
RichC | March 8, 2011
During a press conference today, Audi of America boss Johan de Nysschen confirmed that along with the current A3 and Q7 clean diesel models, the U.S. will get diesel versions of the A6 and A8 luxury sedans, as well as a diesel version of the Q5. The expansion of Audi’s TDI portfolio will take place […]
RichC | February 26, 2011
I would like to hear more about the Eaton “hydraulic hybrid powertrain” that both Chrysler and Ford are developing for mini vans and light trucks. I’ve heard of them being used in larger trucks, and delivery vans, but haven’t seen them in consumer vehicles yet. Some of the more interesting numbers being toss around suggest […]
RichC | February 14, 2011
According to Car and Driver, a few new Mercedes Benz diesel powered cars are planned for North America. Although the S class is probably a bit of a stretch, I’m anxious to see the 4 cylinder GLK and C-class vehicles. …we’re told, U.S. Benz dealers will also begin selling a diesel GLK. Likely wearing GLK250 […]
RichC | January 29, 2011
The L1 concept Volkswagen has been toying around with for the past couple of years is finally inching towards limited production (100 to be built). The car has grown into a side-by-side two seater and is known as the XL1 diesel plug-in hybrid has an aero design to reduce drag and increase gas mileage. It […]
RichC | January 23, 2011
For those who might be interested in what is happening in transportation here in Ohio (and the nation), Clean Fuels Ohio is hosting a lecture and a facilities tour at the Ohio State University Center for Automotive Research. The February 16th lunch will be a great opportunity to hear about the changes coming to the […]
RichC | January 14, 2011
I’ve posted regarding the superstreet intersections being constructed in Ohio and have wondered just how many more accidents are happening? According to the research, not having to turn left (and making a planned U-Turn instead) “reduce” accidents by 63%. Hmm … perhaps once we adjust to them, I’ll fell like they are an improvement, but […]
RichC | January 13, 2011
As mentioned the other day, the 2012 Volkswagen Passat will be built on a new platform in Chattanooga, Tennessee and be available with the very efficient and desirable TDI diesel engine. According to what I’ve read on other blogs, the published fuel economy will be 43 mpg on the highway and will be offered with […]
RichC | January 9, 2011
Can’t say I like the “flames ad” (below), but I do like the new Chattanooga Tennessee built 2012 Volkswagen Passat … especially with a diesel and what appears to be attractive pricing, at least for the entry level? (this is yet to be seen for the TDI diesel version which should get impressive fuel economy) […]
RichC | January 6, 2011
We gave Katelyn’s friend Drew a multifunction “jumpstarter” which includes a small compressor to put in the trunk of his car this year for Christmas … who knew it would come in so handy so soon? Sorry to hear his new tires picked up a screw, but glad he found his Christmas gift […]
RichC | January 5, 2011
With decreasing fuel economy, part cold weather perhaps, I’m going to try and get my 2006 Honda Pilot looked at again. Last month I opted for some expensive spark plugs and a reset of the check engine light fault, but this month I think I’ll also do a belated timing belt change. It’s not an […]
RichC | January 1, 2011
My son couldn’t stop laughing at this Top Gear holiday episode – a road trip from Miami to New Orleans – and wanted me to watch it. It takes a little time so I watch it on New Year’s Day on the computer. “Crazy Brits” definitely applies to a few of the things they do. […]
RichC | December 23, 2010
Those planning to purchase a new Volkswagen TDI diesel might want to do it before the year end … tax credits are disappearing.
RichC | December 21, 2010
Long time readers know that upon occasion Volkswagen TDI diesel related posts show up on my blog and am a big advocate for adding a skidplate. Recently a friend in a forum posted photo from his wife’s 2003 Jetta TDI Wagon after an encounter with a 6” curb. The damage to the unprotected cast aluminum […]
RichC | December 4, 2010
Volkswagen New Beetle lovers received a video glimpse of the new 2012 VW bug now that a spy video is on YouTube. The smooched down redesign looks less bug-like and a little more Porche/Audi TT-ish. Personally I’m not rushing out to to put an order in… even with a TDI engine. It’s hard to imagine […]
RichC | December 4, 2010
My 2006 Honda Pilot has been rock solid for 120,000+ miles, but it looks like all good things come to an end and it might be time for some overdue maintenance. Oh, I’ve done the routine stuff, but I have neglected to replace the plugs at about 100K and haven’t tackled the belts including the […]
RichC | November 30, 2010
Are you thinking about bigger injectors and chipping your Volkswagen TDI for a few added HP and a bit more torque? Maybe an engine transplant is in order … although this little Detroit diesel coming in at 3424 HP might not be the optimum transplant for most VeeDubs? Still, this will be pretty impressive in […]
RichC | November 24, 2010
Congratulations to my friend Bruce and somewhat local (<2hrs from Cinci) Volkswagen TDI guru for putting together the winning bid to host this years TDIFest. As those of us in the CinciTDI group found out in 2008, it was a big job … but ultimately rewarding. Hopefully our locals will be able to lend a […]
RichC | November 23, 2010
Although the eco ‘Bluemotion’ powered Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TDI’s fuel economy is calculated at 62.8mpg in UK imperial gallons, the 52.3mpg US number isn’t half bad either (conversion tool). The Sporty VeeDub’s impressive efficiency may not be it’s only attraction since there are many past Scirocco and current VW TDI owner drooling for a sleeker […]
RichC | November 22, 2010
My eyes never wander when we are talking about the female form … I keep them focused straight ahead … for my health and safely. But … I will admit to looking at cars. What’s interesting after reviewing a new Mercedes-Benz.TV video, the most “eye-catching” part of the CLS for me is the little […]
RichC | November 21, 2010
I almost forget … but I promised Jacob I would post this video. Here’s the footage that survived a CinciTDI How-To video attempt a year or so ago. Unfortunately the second part of the video (the more difficult part) covered the seal which requires more delicate adjustment and didn’t survive. I’m hoping we get a […]
RichC | November 19, 2010
The latest expensive gift catalog arrived from Hammacher Schlemmer in our mailbox just in time for me to add the Terrafugia Transition to Santa’s list. Actually I was shocked to see the “flying car” appear on the cover … a perfect gift for someone with money to burn. It is priced at $350,000, although you […]
RichC | November 17, 2010
I’m archiving an older forum post from a few years back when I still had my little diesel Jetta. Occasionally someone asks me why I’m “pro-skidplate” on a Volkswagen TDI and I point them to this post … Don’t be on the fence. Here’s a older photo taken shortly after I installed a skidplate … […]
RichC | November 17, 2010
Ouch. On a wet and rainy Tuesday evening the Dakota pickup truck behind my daughter didn’t stop quick enough. The minor fender-bender was at a stop sign and there were no injuries, just damaged plastic and bent metal … and the frustration of having to deal with insurance adjusters, collision repair centers, rent a […]