AboutThatCarBlog.com

Toshiyuki Tabata spent 30 years as a Nissan Motor Co. engineer trying to make gasoline-powered cars quieter. Now he’s consulting music composers to make electric cars noisier — and safer.

Electric and hybrid cars, with little or no engine noise, are lauded for their silence, yet some groups including advocates for the blind say pedestrians may fail to notice them approaching.

To address those safety concerns, transportation agencies in the United States and Japan may mandate artificial sounds for the vehicles.

“We fought for so long to get rid of that noisy engine sound,” said Tabata, Nissan’s noise and vibration expert. “With electric cars, we took a completely different approach and listened to composers talk music theory.”

Carmakers including Nissan and Toyota Motor Corp., manufacturer of the Prius gasoline-electric hybrid, are researching sound as more silent models come to market.

Nissan will start selling its Leaf electric car next year in the U.S., Japan and Europe next year, while General Motors Co. plans to introduce its extended range electric Chevy Volt in late 2010. Toyota will introduce a battery-powered vehicle in 2012.

Popularity: 8% [?]

New program taking hold across the country. Its aim is to reduce parking demand by offering convenient, cost effective and environmentally friendly option to owning a car

The University of California at Davis (UC Davis) and Zipcar, the world’s largest car sharing service, launched Zipcar’s car-sharing program on campus. The service will help the college manage the increasing demand for parking and associated congestion while offering students a convenient, economical and environmentally friendly alternative to owning a car.

UC Davis will have a formal launch event at the Activities and Recreation Building (ARC) today and tomorrow from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. each day. Students and faculty will have a chance to sign up for membership, learn more about the program and see how the technology works.

A mix of eight self-service hybrid and fuel efficient Zipcars will be available for use 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The cars are located in reserved spaces and they are available to all staff and students ages 18 and older. Gas, insurance, 180 free miles, reserved parking and roadside assistance are included in low hourly and daily rates.

Faculty, staff, and students will be able to join Zipcar for $35 and can drive for as little as $8 per hour or $66 per day weekdays and $9 per hour or $72 per day on weekends. Students also get $35 in free driving credit as part of a launch promotion. Local residents ages 21 and older can join for $75 ($25 one-time application fee and $50 annual fee). All members 21 and over will have access to Zipcar’s network of more than 6,500 vehicles throughout the UK and North America.

For more information, go to: www.zipcar.com.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Popularity: 9% [?]

September 8^th kicked-off the Shell V-Power “Fuel My Passion” Contest and Sweepstakes, a program allowing consumers nationwide to share their photos and “love stories,” exemplifying why they are passionate about their vehicle.

Consumers can enter to win the grand prize of free Shell V-Power premium gasoline for a year (five winners) and ten finalists will win a $250 Shell Gift Card. In addition, participants also will be entered into a sweepstakes for a chance to win an all-new 2010 Harley-Davidson^? Fat Boy^? Lo motorcycle.

To enter, participants can submit their stories online at www.shell.us/fuelmypassion. Shell V-Power^? contestants will be required to submit a creative photo, with the contestant giving the “V” sign (symbolizing Shell V-Power^?) along with their ride (e.g., car, motorcycle, boat, RV, etc.), and a story up to 100 words on: “How Shell V-Power^? fuels their passion for their ride.” The story portion of the entry can include poems, songs, “love stories”? or anything else that expresses a unique or special bond between the contestant and their ride as well as how Shell V-Power^? helps fuel that passion.

Contestants can enter the contest in five different categories:

• Modified Car – Any vehicle that has been upgraded with aftermarket parts and components in order to change or enhance its properties, including styling, audio or performance (includes all tuner and custom cars).
• Motorcycle (Sponsored by Harley-Davidson^?) – Open to all types of motorcycles, inclusive of sports and chopper motorcycles.
• Sports/Luxury car – Automobiles designed for high speed and power, tight handling and/or luxury and flashy looks. Includes coupes and sedans.
• Truck or SUV – Includes trucks and SUVs of all sizes.
• Other Premium Rides – Includes any type of transportation that is driven with passion and fueled by Shell V-Power (e.g., classic car, RV, boat, etc.) but does not fit within the other categories.

There is a limit of one entry per person per category. More details on the contest are available at www.shell.us/fuelmypassion. The contest ends Oct. 6^th.

Popularity: 7% [?]

A window sticker for used cars is now available through the web site www.used-cars.com. Consumers have the ability to create in seconds, a professional-looking window sticker similar to the one that came with the car when it was brand new.

Using the car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and software developed by Edict, Inc., the site gathers original feature information on the seller’s vehicle and produces a window sticker.

The Used-Cars.com Window Sticker, ready to be affixed to the window, comes complete with a detailed equipment list, including power train, safety, comfort and convenience features, the EPA fuel economy ratings, and many other items found on the original label required on all new cars.

A .PDF of the window sticker is e-mailed immediately to the consumer for printing as a hand out or email to potential buyers. A hard copy of the Used-Cars.com Window Sticker is printed on special paper by Used-cars.com and mailed at no additional charge to the buyer, who can attach it to the inside of the window, no tape required.

Consumers can get a premium window sticker for their vehicle at www.used-cars.com for any vehicle manufactured after model year 1995. The price, obviously, $19.99.

Popularity: 6% [?]

MINI USA announced today the introduction of a free app to MINI owners that allows access to roadside assistance with the touch of an icon. The new MINI Road Assist mobile application was developed by Allstate Roadside Services and is available for iPhone and select BlackBerry users.

The app connects users to roadside assistance while automatically supplying the service provider with all relevant information about the vehicle, most importantly, its exact location. Whether it’s for a battery boost or to replace a flat tire, the new MINI Road Assist app for iPhone and BlackBerry users puts control in the driver’s hand – and handset.

Perhaps the best part, it eliminates the need for lengthy conversations about vital vehicle information and location and jumps directly to sending help after a short call. This feature utilizes global positioning system (GPS) technology, pinpointing a caller’s location to help customer service representatives identify the nearest available service provider and communicating their exact location.

Once service is confirmed, the mobile app delivers the driver with the service provider’s name, an estimated time of arrival and an automated service follows up to ensure the issue has been resolved. To begin using the app, MINI owners will need to download it to their iPhone or compatible BlackBerry device.

Step-by-step instructions guide users to enter their Vehicle I.D. (VIN), name, address and other details – even uploading a photo of their MINI. When a MINI owner needs roadside help, they simply launch the app, select their service need and press the “call” button.

Their user information, vehicle location and service need are all transmitted automatically to customer service representatives – saving valuable time to get them motoring again as quickly as possible.

Popularity: 6% [?]