Let's start with the gripes:
Diesel Tax Incentives. We all know about the tax incentives for hybrids, but what about diesels? They also save a lot of fuel.
Well, there are tax credits of up to $1,800 for diesels, but here's the rub: Only some cars and SUVs are eligible. Pickups need not apply.
Think about that one. Since the big pickup has a thirst and population to match, encouraging a switch from gas to diesel would conserve a ton of fuel. And isn't that why we have these tax breaks?
Push-Button Starting. This recent wrinkle is the ultimate example of technology for technology's sake, of making something because we can. With this cost-adding feature, the presence of your door lock fob activates the ignition switch so that you can turn the engine on and off by pushing a button on the dash.
Can anyone tell me if pressing a button requires any less time and effort than turning a key?
Big Wheels. Seventeen-inch rims were typical in the early '30s. By the '60s, they had shrunk to 15 and 14 inches, with some small cars shod in size 13s.
They've been going the other way in more recent times. A 15-incher is now fit only for an econobox, while bigger, more-performance-minded cars are fitted with rims as large as 20 inches.
These 18- to 20-inch rims and the tires that fit them add significant cost for no apparent reason other than to provide the car with a more macho appearance.
I find it kind of silly. Do we really need wheels that look as if they could fly in our friends from other galaxies?
Black and Bright Interiors. I would be the first to agree that black interiors with bright metal accents are handsome business. But, please, ye denizens of design, can't we do something else inside the car? It seems as if four out of every five test cars I get into have black upholstery and door panels, bright accents, and a gray headliner. It's almost Orwellian, as if Big Brother has prescribed a uniform.
And now for the tips segment, which will deal with the ways you can take care of your car so it will take care of you during the rigors of winter driving. Here's what you or your mechanic should be checking before the cold weather tries to leave you in roadside misery.
Make sure your car is in sync with its maintenance schedule. A clogged fuel filter can leave you sitting by the road. A set of worn spark plugs may not let you get started.
Have your battery checked. But even if the battery tests out OK, I would replace it if it is original equipment more than four years old. Remember, a battery loses a lot of starting power in cold weather, and the marginal one that got you started in the relative warmth of fall may leave you sitting in winter.
Check your tires for sidewall damage and tread depth. Baldies don't do you much good in snow and they are more prone to flats. Keep tabs on your tire pressure, which drops with the temperature.
Have your antifreeze checked to make sure it is protecting the engine. If it is due for replacement, do it. Proper antifreeze maintenance is important. You don't even want to think about how much it will cost you if the cooling system freezes up and cracks the engine block.
Check the radiator, radiator hoses, and heater hoses for leaks and signs of deterioration, like flabbiness in the hoses. A cooling-system failure could leave you sitting. So could a broken engine belt, so look for belt tears or fraying.
Obviously, you'll want to check your exhaust system for leaks. It's also a good idea to examine the suspension system for damage, and look over the steering system's tie rod ends for potentially dangerous wear.
It's also a good idea, when preparing for winter driving, to assemble an emergency kit to keep in the back of your car. It can include a flashlight, a cigarette lighter to heat keys to thaw a frozen lock, an adjustable wrench, assorted screwdrivers, a pair of pliers, salt or cinders to throw under a slipping drive wheel, a warm old jacket, a tarp or blanket to lie on, a compact shovel, and some roadside flares.
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