Radio Show Highlights

This column will consist of topics discussed and questions answered on my weekly radio show 'Major's Auto World' broadcast on WEVD 1050 am, Tuesday evenings at 8pm. This will be updated weekly.

Highlights from Tuesday, 12/29/98

GM announces the availability of inside trunk releases for 1990 and newer vehicles.

Last summer 11 children suffocated do death, while locked inside automobile trunks. GM has decided to voluntarily address this issue by offering the owners of 1990 and newer GM vehicles, the installation of inside trunk release handles. The handles are large and illuminated; so as to be easily seen and used by children inside a dark closed trunk. The kit also comes with a large net to be installed in the back of the trunk, so if the rear seat is removed, a child will not be able to climb inside the trunk. GM says that the kit, which usually costs between $250-$300, will be installed for $50. GM will be absorbing the rest of the cost. If you own a 1990 or newer vehicle and are interested in obtaining the inside trunk release kit, you should contact your nearest GM dealer.

The electric car. Will it ever be a reality?

The EPA has wanted a 0 emissions car for years now. Three states have passed legislation requiring the sale of 0 emissions vehicles. Yet the only available 0-emission vehicle (electric) does not seem to be wanted by the motoring public. There have only been 1600 electric cars sold since 1996. General Motors (EV1) has been the leader in sales with approximately 900 units sold. The problem appears to be two-fold, first, the limited range, approximately, 100 miles between 3 to 4 hour battery recharges. Second, cost, the new nickel hydride battery pack that GM is using costs about 35,000 dollars. This works fine if you lease the vehicle for 3 years, but if you wanted to purchase the car, you would have to replace the batteries every 5 years or so.  The question becomes, is the government forcing the manufacturers to build and sell a car that the public does not want? If so, how are the manufacturers going to comply? Well, at the moment the manufacturers are subsidizing the cost of the vehicle. A good percentage of sales are going to municipalities, using tax payer dollars to pay for them and to fleets that are receiving tax breaks for the use of alternative fuel vehicles (also paid for by the taxpayer).  Most experts agree that the future in 0 emission vehicles lies in fuel cell technology. A method of extracting the hydrogen from the fuel without burning the fuel, thus 0 emissions. Fuel cell research companies say they are about 5 to 10 years away from being able to offer a viable 0 emission vehicle to the public, with the range and fill up ease as today's cars. Maybe instead of spending taxpayers dollars on a vehicle that may never really be used by the public, the government should invest more in fuel cell technology.

Questions asked

Q- I remember electric trucks being used in NYC. What is the big deal about using electric now?

A- That's true. The electric vehicle is not a new technology; it's been around since the twenties and before. But in those days people did not drive far distances. Delivery trucks in NYC and other urban areas could drive all day and not put on 50 miles. Also large trucks had more room for batteries, they also had less accessories that have to ran on electricity, such as air conditioners, and electric defoggers.

Q- Will running out of gas damage the fuel injectors in my car?

A- No, first, when the car shuts down, the fuel system, including the injectors and the fuel pump are shut down as well. It is very important on fuel injected cars that the fuel filter is changed regularly. All fuel injected car use electric fuel pumps. When the pump is trying to push fuel through a dirty filter, it causes the pump to overheat and burn up.