The 2023 New York Auto Show

April 9, 2023 RichardReina Car shows, Events New York Auto Show, NYIAS

With Covid shutdowns in their rearview mirrors, the organizers of the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) were back on track this year. As has been their scheduling regimen, there were two press days on the Wednesday and Thursday before Good Friday, with the public days running from Good Friday through the Sunday after Easter. I was again able to attend on a press pass (issued to “Richard of Richard’s Car Blog” for the first time), and unlike my previous experiences, the show was completely set up on Wednesday. (Previously, attending on a press day meant dodging cars and displays being maneuvered into place by NYC union workers.)

As was noted in the blog post from the 2022 NYIAS, the traditional in-person auto show is dead, but only for some manufacturers. Notable by their absence were BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and Mazda. Surprisingly, some corporate nameplates were there while sister brands were not. So we had Chevrolet, but not Buick, Cadillac, or GMC; Honda, but not Acura; Nissan, but not Infiniti; VW, but not Audi or Porsche; and Ford, but not Lincoln. Yet big splashes were made by Stellantis (Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo), Toyota (including Lexus), and Subaru. The Koreans were there in full force, with cars from Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. (It is worth noting that Audi and Porsche each had a small four-car display provided not by the manufacturer but by a local dealer.)

Compared to last year, there was a dearth of EV start-ups. INDI and VinFast, both with vehicles on display in 2022, were MIA this year. However, both the main level and lower level had more real estate devoted to EV test tracks, where willing attendees could hitch a ride in an EV. It is, of course, their lack of an emissions-spewing tailpipe that makes it possible to run them indoors.

The show was a case of extremes, with a significant segment of the wares devoted to our EV future, while large pickups and SUVs were also dominant. Many of the trucks showcased the outdoor lifestyle, equipped as they were with tents, cargo boxes, and bike carriers. Subaru was the leader this year in promoting this theme, as their press conference began with an overview of Subaru’s dedication to AWD, enabling owners to take their cars far off the beaten path.

Additional detail from the show is included as part of the photo displays below.

FORD

The F-150 Lightning was a large part of Ford’s display, as were both Mustangs: the ICE coupe, and the EV SUV. Various Broncos and pickups showed off their rugged, off-road personalities

CHEVROLET

Chevy did their best to make it look like it was the domestic EV leader, with many soon-t0-be-released EV trucks on display. The problem: these vehicles are not for sale yet. The EV Silverado was there, same as last year, but still isn’t in any showrooms. However, the one Camaro on the floor represented an end to an era, as the Camaro pony car will soon be no more. Not to be outdone, the Corvette E-Ray was there, looking identical to its ICE siblings. For those who crave maximum size on a body-on-frame platform, the Suburban continues to exist.

STELLANTIS

As the only domestic manufacturer with a full lineup of its brands on display, Stellantis stood out. It helps that the Ram and Jeep brands have great products and are selling well. A surprise to me was the Dodge Hornet, which I knew to be a brand-engineered version of the Alfa Romeo Tonale. The Hornets on display looked great, and even better, had impressive interiors with inviting seats I hadn’t expected to find in a Dodge. I predict that the Hornet will do well and will handily outsell the Tonale, especially given how little Alfa seems to market its cars in this country.

The RAM REV EV pickup is a disappointment, looking almost nothing like the stunning concept truck which had been shown at the CES a few months prior.

My vote for best-looking vehicle at the show: the Charger Daytona EV concept:

HYUNDAI

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is a striking-looking four-door sedan in a world full of SUVs.

VW

The I.D. Buzz, looking like the same one I saw last year, was here again. One of the more clever displays was the lifted I.D. 4, exposing the EV battery “skateboard”.

JDM DISPLAY

A large section of the bottom floor was devoted to what looked like a club-sponsored display of JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) cars, perhaps three dozen in all. They were segregated by decade, and it was clearly some of the older ones which grabbed my attention.

’80s Toyota Corolla, RWD, known by its “AE86” internal platform code.

1970 Mazda R100, which predated the RX-2 in this country.

EMBLEMS AND BADGES

THE GRILLE WARS CONTINUE

WHAT I DREADED TO SEE IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR IN 1972:

Rich’s Repair Ramblings #7: Electrical 103, the Ground

April 2, 2023 RichardReina Rich's Repair Ramblings electrical diagnosis

Rich’s Repair Ramblings #7: Electrical 103, the Ground

I may have been fixing cars for a long time, but that doesn’t mean that I still don’t make mistakes! I certainly do, and one of my most common mistakes is following that diagnostic path called “jumping to conclusions”, also known as “starting at step 4 while skipping steps 1, 2, & 3”. (Professionals who are honest with me admit to still making this mistake at times.)

In electrical repair work, it is so easy to conclude that “the component” is bad, without first diagnosing the wires and connections for that component. So what happens? You purchase a new replacement component, plug it in, and when the dang thing still doesn’t work, you end up performing diagnostic steps 1, 2, & 3 anyway.

In our previous brief overview of the basic electrical circuit, we stated that electrical flow starts at battery positive, flows through a wire to the “load” (bulb, motor, or other electrical device), and then back to battery negative through a common ground (metal chassis, body, or engine block). The test light can verify the presence of 12V on the hot side of this circuit, up to the device itself. What about the ground side? That is our topic this time.

Let me state something I was taught 40 years ago: the number one cause of auto electrical problems is loose, dirty, or corroded connections. Our AACA beauties are at least 25 years old. Many of them are two, three, or four times that old. Temperature, moisture, dirt, rust, and vibrations all wreak havoc with these connections. If you’re trying to fault-trace an electrical problem, with or without a test light, you could do worse than first checking that all connections are clean and tight.

If you are using a test light as we described last time to fault-trace a circuit, you might run into this theoretical dead-end: let’s say it’s an inoperative headlight bulb. You tried a new bulb (easy enough to do), replaced the fuse (even though the old one looked ok), and confirmed voltage at the bulb connection for both low & high beam (it’s a 7” sealed beam unit). What now? It’s not the headlight switch, because you have voltage at the bulb. Could it be the ground connection?

While there is a way to use a test light to check for ground, I find it easier to take apart the ground connection to verify that it’s clean and tight. There are several common ways that components are grounded: a separate ground wire attached to the body with a screw or bolt; a mounting screw for the device itself passing into the bare body or chassis; or a wire in a harness running to a “gang” ground some distance from the component. To check a device’s ground, you must find it.

Look at this illustration of a wiring diagram. Along the top we see the left turn indicator light and both headlights. At the bottom left we see the flasher unit. For each of these four components, I’ve drawn a red circle around “ground”; the schematic uses a triangle drawn as a series of lines. Remember, as this diagram verifies, that every electrical device must have a ground. What the diagram does not show (because of space limitations) is exactly how each component is grounded.

Ground is usually not hard to find. Invariably, if the ground is bad, removing the offending screw or bolt will reveal that it was loose, greasy, or covered with rust. Cleaning and tightening the ground screw (and sometimes replacing it with a fresh one) renews ground and brings back functionality. In the field, I’ve used a flat-blade screwdriver or a pocketknife to scrape away rust. At home, I may use sandpaper, a file, or a Dremel tool. If the mounting hole has become enlarged from rust, try a larger bolt. Do not paint the area, thinking you are protecting it from further rust! You want the ground attachment to be tightly secured to bare metal.

Factory ground wire (black w/red tracers) is secured to ground via mounting bolt

My Alfa uses separate ground strap between hood and body

Aftermarket ground wires are grounded via sheet metal screw passing through crimp-on ring terminals

The photos show various grounding methods used on my own cars. Another shortcut, if you can’t find ground or want to verify that a good ground connection will make the device work, is to use a test wire to temporarily run your own ground. Beware of this potential dead-end: on some vehicles, a large metal component like an engine block is grounded to the chassis via its own separate ground strap. If that ground strap is loose or broken, your real problem isn’t the ground wire into the block; it’s the ground strap disconnecting the entire block from the car’s ground circuit. It bears repeating: the number one cause of auto electrical problems is loose, dirty, or corroded connections.

Rich’s Repair Ramblings #6: Electrical 102, The Test Light

March 28, 2023 RichardReina Rich's Repair Ramblings 12V test light, electrical diagnosis

Rich’s Repair Ramblings #6: Electrical 102, The Test Light

Last time, we covered battery basics. Picking up from there, we will presume that your battery is charged, and the terminal connections are clean and tight. Santa has granted your biggest wish, a 12V test light! (If you got coal, you can pick one up for $15 or less.) Now you ask, how does it work, and how can you use it to diagnose an electrical problem on your old sled? Test lights are simple and effective, but first we need to understand electrical flow.

For an electrical device to work, electrical current must flow from the battery positive terminal, to the device or “load” (light bulb, dash gauge, motor, whatever), and back to the battery negative cable. The “hot” side of this path is from the positive terminal to the device; the “cold” side is from the device back to the negative terminal. Each device has a dedicated wire on the hot side; but the metal chassis and/or body of the car is used to conduct current (“juice”) on the cold side back to the battery. This is why there isn’t a separate wire for each and every electrical device running back to the negative battery terminal, which would double the size of the wiring harness. You only need to ground the load on the cold side to complete the circuit.

A switch in the circuit allows an intentional interruption, so that the device can be turned on or off. Any unintentional interruption in this flow from positive back to negative, such as a shortcut [“short circuit”] or a break in the path [“open”], will prevent the device from operating. Most circuits include fuses; the fuse acts as a fail-safe in case of a short, so that the fuse “blows” before the device can be harmed.

A test light lets you check for current at any point along the hot side of this path. It’s a go/no-go check: if the test light illuminates, you have current; if it does not, you don’t. For much electrical fault-tracing on our old cars, this is all you need. The test light has a sharp pointed probe on one end; a light bulb inside its clear case; and an alligator clip on a wire at the other end. With the clip attached to any ground point, the test light bulb will illuminate if the probe touches any positive or “hot” 12V source. Let’s see what the test light can do. (The following applies to 12V negative-ground systems only.)

Start at the battery to become familiar with the test light’s operation: attach the clip to the negative battery post; then touch the pointy end to the battery positive post; the test light should illuminate. If it does not: are you sure the battery is charged? Are the clip and the probe actually touching the posts? Are you sure the test light works? Try a different battery if necessary.

Test light clip on battery negative, probe on battery positive, test light lights

Once that test is done, move the alligator clip to a ground point other than the battery negative post. You may ask “how do I know what is ground?” This is a valid question, and it can be a matter of trial and error. In theory, any unpainted metal surface on the engine, body, or chassis should be ground. Try the engine block, an unpainted fender washer, or a bolt along the firewall. In each case, after attaching the clip, touch the probe to battery positive. If it lights up, you have found a good ground. Avoid anything that might be insulated: paint, rubber, and plastic will not conduct electricity well enough for our purposes. So avoid hose clamps, plastic shields, and any painted surface. (Guys with Corvettes and Avantis play by a different set of rules with their fiberglass bodies).

Test light clip on fender bolt, probe on battery positive, test light lights

Moving away from the battery, let’s say that a device on your car doesn’t work, and you want to check the fuse. A test light allows you to check the fuse without removing it. This also serves as a preliminary check of the circuit entering and leaving the fusebox. NOTE: you need to know if the ignition key must be “on” for the circuit to be live. I confess that I’ve tested circuits which I thought were dead only to realize that the ignition was off and needed to be on!

Exposed metal areas at top of fuse allow test light probe to touch

With the test light’s clip attached to a good known ground (re-check at the battery positive if you’ve moved the clip), touch the probe to either end of the fuse. (In the photo with the modern blade-type fuse, there are exposed metal points in the top which allow this.) The test light should light at both sides. If it lights on one side and not the other, there is a good chance that the fuse is bad. Try a new fuse. If the test light doesn’t light on either side, it is more likely that there’s an open circuit in the wiring to the fuse. Remove the fuse and touch the probe to the fuse box terminals one at a time. Power at one terminal means that you’re getting juice to that terminal. Lack of power at both terminals means that there’s a break in the circuit between battery positive and the fuse box.

Clip on fender bolt, probe on fuse, lit test light proves current is at fusebox

You may need your vehicle’s wiring diagram for the next step. Find a wire which feeds the circuit you’re testing. With the pointy end of the probe, pierce the insulation until the tip is touching copper. BE CAREFUL! That tip is very sharp, and I’ve stabbed myself more than once doing this. For practice, try a working circuit so you get a feel for how far to insert the sharp probe. If the test light lights, you have juice in the wire. If it doesn’t, you’re starting to narrow down the problem.

Probing red wire through insulation, lit test light proves there is power in wire

Simeone Museum Demo Day, March 2023

March 26, 2023 RichardReina Events, museums Corvette Sting Ray, Ferrari 250P, Ford GT40, Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe, Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum

If my own blog posts are to be believed, I have visited the Simeone Museum in Philadelphia five times: October 2011, October 2012, December 2015, June 2016, and February 2022. This most recent Saturday, March 25, 2023, can now be counted as visit #6. Any visit to the Simeone, with its collection of historic racing and sports cars, is special. Saturday was a Demo Day, and Demo Days are extra special because a small theme-based collection of vehicles is chosen, and they are taken outside to the back lot so that attendees may delight to the sights and sounds of them motorvatin’ (a Chuck Berry coinage) under their own power.

The theme this time was “Sebring ‘65”, an infamous race because of the deluge which caused cars to plow through what was described as up to 8 inches of standing water on the track. For this Demo, the museum selected its ’64 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe and ’66 Ford GT40 Mk II. The program listed the ’63 Corvette Grand Sport, but in lieu of that, a stock ’66 Corvette 427 roadster was chosen (nice to have such illustrious machinery as backup). Last but not least, on loan from Luigi Chinetti Jr. was a ’63 Ferrari 250P. (The Ferrari was not part of the driving portion of the day’s festivities – one can only presume that the loan arrangement excluded such an option.)

My friend Terry, whose idea it was to visit on this particular Demo Day, accompanied me. We arrived about 30 minutes before showtime, and to my pleasant surprise, all four cars were arranged at the front of the seating area; they were not roped off (as I’ve seen done previously) so guests were free to get up close and personal with the cars. Soon enough, the program started and we were treated to a slide show, including technical specs of the cars and film footage of the actual 1965 Sebring 12-hour race. The variety of vehicles racing that day, American and foreign, was huge, and the race stood out because 1^st and 2^nd place overall were taken by two American teams. The Chevy-powered Chaparral of Jim Hall and Hap Sharp came in first, followed by a GT40 driven by Ken Miles and Bruce McLaren. To Enzo’s chagrin (he had earlier threatened to boycott the race), his 250LM finished third.

BELOW: RED FERRARI AND YELLOW FORD GT DURING SLIDE SHOW PRESENTATION:

After the slide show, it was Ford vs. Chevy in the back lot. I should not have been amazed that all three cars started up on first attempt. They were slowly driven out of the building, and once on pavement, the drivers picked up a little bit of speed, but not too much! These vehicles are too valuable to put them at risk. (The Cobra Daytona, in particular, as one of the most singularly-famous cars in the world, must have an incalculable monetary value.)

After the show, we toured the rest of the static display within the museum, and promised each other that this would not be the last time we’d visit the Simeone in 2023.

Rich’s Repair Ramblings #5: Electrical 101, The Battery

March 23, 2023 RichardReina Rich's Repair Ramblings Car batteries

RICH’S REPAIR RAMBLINGS #5: ELECTRICAL 101, THE BATTERY

This article is the first in what will be a continuing series about our old car’s electrical systems. I’ve worked with automotive 12 volt (12V) electrics both as a professional and as a hobbyist for many years, and I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve also been bemused by my fellow technicians, many of whom put me to shame with their mechanical know-how, who plead ignorance or fear of their car’s electrics. It is my hope that these articles will encourage you to tackle some simple fault-tracing and repair on your own jalopies, and feel comfortable doing it.

Let’s start with the battery, the ‘heart’ of your vehicle’s electrical system. If your collectible is a U.S.-made car that pre-dates the 1950s, it most likely has a 6 volt (6V) electrical system. Domestic cars switched from 6V to 12V systems in the mid-1950s, and also almost universally changed to a negative ground system. Some foreign cars stayed with 6V and/or positive ground systems through the 1960s. For simplicity’s sake, I’m going to stay with 12V negative ground systems here, but much of what is covered is applicable to any vehicular electrical system.

Flooded-cell battery. Note electrolyte caps and hold-down clamp.

BATTERY BASICS

There are two types of batteries commonly found in today’s cars: the ‘flooded cell’ (wet) battery, and the AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery. The flooded cell battery is the older technology, and it requires checking the water level (really the electrolyte level) and topping it up as necessary. Water is ‘consumed’ as the electrolyte is released as gas through vents during the charging process. If an owner allows the electrolyte level to drop too low, the battery might not hold a charge and could be ruined.

Modern wet batteries have evolved into ‘low maintenance’ or ‘no maintenance’ versions, which theoretically don’t need top-ups. Older flooded cell batteries have removable caps to add water; low- or no-maintenance batteries have caps which require a little more effort to access, if they have caps at all.

The AGM battery holds its electrolyte in glass mats, which minimizes consumption and makes it truly maintenance-free. AGM batteries are completely sealed (no caps) and leakproof, and therefore can be mounted in almost any position. They also tend to be longer-lasting, albeit a bit more expensive than wet batteries.

AGM battery in my Alfa is mounted sideways in trunk.

Whether flooded or AGM, a 12V battery consists of 6 cells; in a fully charged battery, each cell is 2.2V, so 2.2 x 6 = 13.2V. In reality, a static car battery will usually measure around 12.5V. The battery has a positive (marked +) post and negative (marked -) post protruding from the top of the case (GM used side-case-mounted battery terminals for years). A heavy battery cable, typically red for the positive side and black for the negative side, is attached to each post with a large clamp. A hold-down clamp keeps the battery in its place while driving.

BATTERY MAINTENANCE

The following recommended battery maintenance steps should be followed for ANY car, old or new. For our classics, which are driven much more infrequently, these checks are even more critical, and will help ensure that your collector car battery is always up to the task of starting the engine and letting you take your buggy out for a spin.

Check the electrolyte

If you have a flooded cell battery, remove the battery caps and check the water level at least twice a year. I recommend spring and fall; every three months is even better. The electrolyte level should reach the top of the ‘ring’ so that the level looks like an oval. USE DISTILLED, NOT TAP, WATER. Buy a jug of it at ShopRite for 89 cents and keep it in the garage. Don’t overfill the battery. If you accidentally overfill and cause a spill, wipe it up with paper towels (wear gloves to avoid acid burns; even the mild electrolyte solution can sting) and discard the towels.

If the battery frequently needs topping up, the case may be cracked. Check along the sides and bottom for signs of corrosion from spilled electrolyte; a cracked case cannot be repaired. If the same cell is always low and all the others are OK, that cell may have sulfated; you may need to replace the battery.

Clean the battery top

I began my career working on fuel-injected Volvos, which is where I learned that a dirty battery top (covered with dust, grease, oil, whatever) can cause current flow between the positive and negative posts. The resultant voltage loss is enough to disrupt the electronic fuel injection. Cleaning the battery top would sometimes fix a poorly-running car!

Since then, I’ve been fanatic about ensuring that my cars’ battery tops are clean. One tried-and-true method is with a solution of baking soda and water. If it’s not too dirty, any mild cleaner might do. I’ve used Windex, Brakleen, or Simple Green. You don’t need a lot; again, use paper towels, wear gloves, and throw the towels away. The goal is a clean, and dry, battery top.

Note the start of corrosion at base of terminal clamp

Tighten the battery hold-down

On a rally many years ago, I was driving my ’68 Mustang while following a friend who was in his Austin-Healey. He hustled it at speed around a corner, immediately after which, it stalled. Dead. No crank, no nothing. I pulled up behind him to assist. By this time, he had the hood open, and it was obvious to me that the battery wasn’t there. “Ron, where’s the battery?” I asked. He replied “in the trunk”. We both saw it as soon as the trunk lid was popped: during the tight right-hander, the unsecured battery flopped over, yanking the negative cable clear off its post at the same time.

You may or may not be rallying your car, but the battery is supposed to remain securely in place. All cars have some sort of battery hold-down. Check yours. If it’s missing, replace it. If it’s loose, tighten it (but not too tight, which could crack the case). By the way, bungee cords are a poor substitute; purchase a proper hold-down. Ron and I both thank you.

Clean and tighten the posts and cable terminals

This one is the most important maintenance tip, and it’s also a very neglected one. We will get into electrical flow in a future article, but suffice to state that for your car’s electrical system to deliver peak performance, all connections must be clean and tight.

Battery terminals build up corrosion for a number of reasons: engine compartment dirt, arcing from dissimilar metals, electrolyte seepage. Whatever the cause, this corrosion will interfere with consistent electrical flow out of the battery and to all the electrical devices in your car. It is imperative to clean and tighten these connections on a regular basis.

Simple battery maintenance tools and supplies: petroleum jelly, brushes, dielectric grease

Start by removing both battery terminals. ON A NEGATIVE GROUND SYSTEM, ALWAYS REMOVE THE NEGATIVE CABLE FIRST, AND REINSTALL IT LAST. This will prevent possible short circuits at a ‘live’ positive terminal. Clean the battery post and both inside and outside of the cable terminals with a stiff brush (you can pick up steel or brass-bristled brushes for about a buck apiece). Use a cleaning solvent as recommended above.

REINSTALL THE POSITIVE CABLE FIRST, THEN THE NEGATIVE CABLE. Clamp them tight, then smear petroleum jelly or dielectric grease on the terminal tops. The aftermarket offers plastic “battery terminal toppers” which snap on top of the terminals. If your engine compartment is particularly messy, consider these as extra protection. They provide the added benefit of helping to prevent accidental short-circuits.

Topping up the electrolyte, washing the battery top, and cleaning and tightening the terminals are all simple maintenance steps that any vehicle owner can accomplish. Even if you’ve never wrenched on your own car before, you can do this!

Richard’s Rearview Mirror, an auto industry recap for the week ending Mar. 18, 2023

March 19, 2023 RichardReina Rearview Mirror industry recap

After this post, Richard’s Review Mirror column will continue, albeit on a slightly less regular basis. It will also occasionally include stories on the classic car collecting hobby.

GM TO INTEGRATE CHAT GPT IN ITS VEHICLES

GM states that the AI software could be used, for example, to explain certain vehicle functions (in lieu of reading the owner’s manual) or could help integrate functionality with other devices.

KIA INTRODUCES ITS LATEST EV, THE EV9

The new KIA EV is the first all-electric 3-row SUV to come to market. Details are scarce right now, but photos show a cavernous space with 2^nd and 3^rd row seats folded (keeping in mind that there is no ICE drivetrain to take up space).

RIVIAN WANTS TO UPDATE AMAZON TRUCK DEAL

Rivian had signed a deal with Amazon whereby the online retail giant had agreed to purchase 100% of Rivian’s commercial truck output. However, Amazon now states that it intends to purchase only 10,000 EV vans this year. Rivian wants to get out of the exclusivity clause so that it can sell trucks to other customers.

PORSCHE: FUTURE CAYENNES WILL BE BUILT WITHOUT AN ICE

Porsche announced that the next generation Cayenne will be available as a pure battery-electric EV, alongside ICE and hybrid options. It will launch in Europe in 2026 and in the U.S. in 2027.

NEW CAR PRICES RETURNING TO EARTH?

Consultancy firm LMC Automotive is projecting that as new vehicle supply improves and slowly returns to something closer to what it was, new car pricing will follow by dropping back to pre-pandemic levels.

LEXUS ANNOUNCES FIRST EV

The new model, the RZ450e, shares its platform with the Toyota bZ4x. It is on sale in the U.S. in limited quantities at present. Prices start around $60,000, and the spindle grille remains, even though this was a ripe opportunity to eliminate it.

VW STILL AIMING FOR “AFFORDABLE” EV WITHIN TWO YEARS

Vw is claiming to be shooting for what they call an affordable EV (€ 25,000, or $27,000) within two years. It would be sized below the existing VW ID.3 EV. A released VW illustration shows the name ID.2ALL.

NISSAN ARIYA EV SLOW TO RAMP UP

When Nissan launched its Ariya EV, the company had planned to produce close to 150,000 units a year. However, various manufacturing issues and parts delays have cast grave doubts on Nissan reaching that number. Current projections claim that the actual number will be “significantly below” 1000,000 units.

NHTSA UNDERREPORTING DISTRACTED DRIVING DEATHS?

NHTSA’s most recent numbers show that about 10% of all driving fatalities are related to distracted drivers. However, the National Distracted Driving Coalition claims that NHTSA’s methodology, which pre-dates extensive smartphone use, is outdated, and the true number is closer to 25% to 30%.

CARFAX REPORTS MUCH HIGHER CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFTS

You read that correctly. CarFax has the ability to track and record the number of stolen cats, and for 2022, they report as many as 153,000 were stolen. The top 5 vehicles which lost their converters is not a surprise: it’s the Ford F-150, Honda Accord, Toyota Prius, Honda CR-V, and Ford Explorer. The SUVs are all on the list because they sit higher off the ground, making access easier. And the Prius is a frequent target because its cats have a higher mineral content.

PORSCHE TO REPRODUCE AIR-COOLED 911 MAGNESIUM CRANKCASES

Porsche announced that they will begin to manufacture replacement crankcases for ‘60s and ‘70s era 911s. Up until now, new replacements have not been available from any source. No word on pricing, but given the market values of these air-cooled cars in the collector car marketplace, Porsche can probably charge whatever they want and can expect to get it.

Richard’s Rearview Mirror, an auto industry recap for the week ending Mar. 11, 2023

March 12, 2023 RichardReina Rearview Mirror industry recap BMW, Electrify America, Ford, NHTSA, Tesla, VW

TESLA CUTS PRICES ON THE S AND THE X

In what is its 5^th price adjustment so far this year, Tesla dropped the prices on its two most expensive models, the Model S sedan and the Model X utility vehicle. The change affects U.S. market vehicles, with Model S prices cut by $5,000, and Model X prices by $10,000. The two vehicles comprise a very small percentage of Tesla’s sales in the States, with the less expensive Model 3 sedan and Model Y utility vehicle accounting for the bulk.

VW GROUP REPORTS PROFITABLE 2022

The VW Group, which includes Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and other makes, reported its 2022 global financial results. The combined marques sold just under 8.5 million vehicles, which included almost 600,000 EVs. Boosted by sales of higher-priced models, VW reported a net income of €16 billion ($17 billion), up 2.6% from the previous year.

6-12-48, WHICH DOES TESLA APPRECIATE?

During its Investor Day presentations earlier this month, Tesla announced that future vehicles, perhaps starting with the soon-to-be-released CyberTruck, will abandon 12V systems, which have been the industry standard since the 1950s (unless you drove a Beetle). The announcement included a plea to the rest of the industry to join Tesla in this switch, which may not be so far-fetched. A number of hybrids, including my 2023 Volvo V60, run on a combined 12V / 48V system.

NHTSA OPENS INVESTIGATION OVER TESLA STEERING WHEELS

Based on two reports it has received claiming that the steering wheels in Tesla Model Y vehicles became detached while driving, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration took the first step in launching a probe into the cause. According to NHTSA, both vehicles were missing the bolt which secures the wheel to the steering column.

FORD SURVEY COMPARES F-150 ICE AND F-150 LIGHTNING OWNERS

Ford recently surveyed F-150 pickup owners, asking how the trucks were used, and what type of vehicle was replaced by their new pickups. Lightning EV owners reported a higher percentage of usage for home improvement projects and for camping compared to F150 ICE owners. Over 50% of Lightning purchasers replaced a non-pickup, while that was true for only 1/3 of ICE F-150 buyers. In my opinion, these results squash any naysayers who may claim that the Lightning “isn’t as good as a real pickup truck” (not sure what’s not real about it). To Ford’s credit, the Lightning is capturing a large number of buyers who up until now may not have had a pickup on their shopping list.

REPORT: 3 EVs BECAME INOPERABLE DURING RECHARGING

Car & Driver magazine reported a discovery that in three separate cases, with three different EVs, the cars became inoperable during routine recharging. In all the incidents, the vehicles were being recharged at an Electrify America public charging station. It happened to an F-150 Lightning, a Chevrolet Bolt, and a Rivian R1T. Owners reported hearing a large boom (according to the story, possibly the sound of a circuit breaker tripping) after which the vehicles would not power up and needed to be towed. The details are too lengthy to get into here, but you can read the C&D story at this link.

AFTER CONTROVERSY, VW TO MAKE CARNET EMERGENCY SERVICE FREE

VW got some negative publicity recently, when a VW Atlas was carjacked with a child inside the vehicle. Law enforcement wanted to use the car’s vehicle tracking software, but the vendor was slow to respond to the request, replying that the owner’s subscription to the service wasn’t paid for. (The story ended happily with the child rescued unharmed.) In response to the pushback, VW will offer its Carnet service free for 5 years for 2020-2022 vehicles which are equipped with the software.

IRA IS INFLUENCING EUROPEAN CAR MAKERS’ DECISIONS

VW, which had previously announced plans for EV battery factories throughout Europe, is backpedaling. Executives with the German auto maker have realized that the IRA makes the idea of battery plants in the U.S. a much more attractive proposition, and VW is looking to the EU to possibly come out with its own version of the IRA. Expect similar stands from other European automobile manufacturers.

BMW REPORTS STRONG 2022 SALES AND PROFIT FIGURES

BMW released its 2022 financial results: while vehicle sales at 2.4 million units were down 4.8% compared to the previous year, other results were positive, with the company posting a profit of €18.5 billion ($19.8 billion) on revenue of €142 billion ($151.8 billion), respective increases of 49% and 28%.

Rich’s Repair Ramblings #4: Starting a Barn Find

March 10, 2023 RichardReina Rich's Repair Ramblings barn finds

RICH’S REPAIR RAMBLINGS #4: HOW TO START A ‘BARN FIND’

Barn finds are everywhere! They’re fascinating because they’re the fantasy of something that’s been untouched for many years, waiting to be rediscovered and brought back to life. Perhaps you saw a classified ad for a barn find; or there’s one in YOUR barn to reawaken from its slumber. Either way, starting the engine in a car which hasn’t run in decades helps verify its mechanical condition. If you get it started, you gain a better sense of how much restoration work is needed.

Here’s a list of items to bring when you arrive: a mat/creeper, flashlight, masking tape, marking pen, shop vacuum, container of fresh gasoline, empty fuel container, siphon device, carb cleaner, starting fluid, fully charged car battery, fire extinguisher, and rags. Tools should include wrenches and sockets to fit the crank pulley bolt, spark plugs, and battery terminals, plus ratchet wrenches, extensions, screwdrivers, pliers, and hammers.

Some of the essential items to bring to the barn

Before attempting to fire her up, eyeball the entire car front to rear, looking for two things: one, assurance that it hasn’t been partially disassembled while stored; and two, evidence that varmints haven’t taken their toll. There’s no point in a start attempt if the intake manifold is missing, or if critters have chewed the engine compartment wiring harness! If tires are flat or brakes are seized, worry about that later. This initial effort will focus ONLY on getting the long-dormant engine to run.

If everything looks intact, try to turn the engine over by hand. If you’re lucky, a snug fan belt might provide enough tension for you to manually move the crank. It’s more likely, though, that you’ll need a wrench on the front pulley. Find that size socket, and using your longest breaker bar, try to turn the engine. If it won’t budge, remove the spark plugs (label the plug wires for correct reassembly). Some recommend a squirt of oil in each cylinder. If it’s so stuck that it needs oil, it should sit and soak for several hours or overnight. But try it again. With the plugs out, you’re not fighting compression. You’re trying to confirm that the crankshaft, pistons and valves will move.

Don’t let the decrepit exterior dissuade you from trying to start it

Pop off the distributor cap to watch the points open and close. Clean and adjust them if necessary. Check the plugs you’ve removed and clean them. If you know this car’s engine well, you might have a correct spare set of plugs with you. In either case, install the cleaned or new plugs, and put the wires and cap back. While under the hood, check the air filter (a favorite place for squirrels to store nuts). At a minimum, shake it clean. If you have a shop vac, vacuum the air cleaner assembly. Pull the engine dipstick – is there oil in there? Don’t worry too much about its color, just make sure you have enough in the crankcase.

Turn your attention to the fuel. Old gasoline is the #1 reason why a dormant engine won’t start. Untreated gasoline has a shelf life of 6 months, so if older than that, drain it. A best case scenario is finding a tank with a drain plug. Place your empty container under it, and remove the plug. Be prepared for bad-smelling gel to drip out. Also be prepared for an environmentally safe way to dispose of it. If there’s no drain plug, you can try to siphon it out. If you’re able to drain the tank, add several gallons of fresh fuel to it. If you can’t get the old fuel out, consider a temporary way to connect your fresh fuel to a line feeding the fuel pump. It could be as simple as a fuel hose on the suction side of the pump inserted in your gas can. If the fuel filter looks grimy, consider bypassing it for now. Don’t even try starting an engine with old fuel.

If a battery is in place, we can be almost certain that it’s completely discharged, so you can’t jump it. Disconnect the terminals, clean them, and hook up the fresh battery you brought (you DID bring a 6V for this ’52 Ford, yes?). Get the polarity correct. Are there ignition keys? Good. We are close to making our attempt. A mechanically sound engine only needs air, fuel, and spark to start. If the air filter isn’t clogged, you’ll have air. You figured out a way to get fresh fuel to the pump. Spray some carb cleaner on the carb, then a little starting fluid. Turn the key to “on”. Do any electricals work? If horn or lights do, that can be verification that the wiring is OK. We’re ready. Turn the key to “start” (or push the starter button).

Engine compartment looks crusty but intact; worth a try to start it

It should crank (after all, you hand cranked it, and you have a fresh battery properly connected). If it won’t crank, you may have a wiring problem from the ignition switch to the starter, or a bad starter. If it cranks but makes no attempt to fire, have a helper pull one plug wire and hold it near ground – do you see a spark? If not, check your ignition connections (coil & distributor). If you have crank, and have spark, try a SMALL amount of gasoline into the carb. HAVE SOMEONE NEARBY WITH THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER. If it starts and stalls, there’s blockage somewhere in your fuel routing, so check that.

If you’ve got air, fuel, and spark all lined up, fingers crossed, it should start. Congratulations! Depending on the car’s overall condition, you may not want to idle the engine more than a few moments. Next, you’ll need to figure out how to drag it home. However, you successfully brought a ‘barn find’ engine back to life!

Richard’s Rearview Mirror, an auto industry recap for the week ending Mar. 4, 2023

March 5, 2023 RichardReina Rearview Mirror industry recap AAA, Audi, Corvette, EU, Ford F-150 Lighhtning, JD Power, Polestar, Rivian, Tesla, VW

AAA SURVEY SHOWS INCREASE IN FEAR OF AUTOMOTIVE AUTONOMY

For the last few years, the AAA (American Automobile Association) has been conducting an annual survey of consumer attitudes toward “automated driving”. The most recent survey, results of which were released last week, showed a marked increase in the percentage of drivers who are afraid of fully automated vehicles. The number jumped 13%, from 55% in 2022 to 68% this year. Yet many are supportive of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) in their cars, such as adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and emergency braking. The AAA survey shows that there is confusion among drivers in distinguishing between ADAS-equipped vehicles and fully autonomous vehicles, leading to some level of mistrust in them.

U.S. PEDESTRIAN FATALITIES IN 2021 REACHES 40-YEAR HIGH

In spite of more and more safety systems in modern automobiles, the number of pedestrians killed on roadways in 2021 was the highest it has been in 40 years. Additionally, the first six months of 2022 resulted in 3,434 pedestrian lives lost, a 5% increase from 2021. Highway traffic experts blame a number of factors, including more aggressive driving, heavier vehicles, and roadway and sidewalk infrastructure which favors vehicle speed over pedestrian safety.

F-150 LIGHTNING PRODUCTION TO RESUME MID-MARCH

The Ford Motor Company, having stopped all F-150 Lightning EV pickup production several weeks ago because of an unspecified battery issue, announced that Lightning production will resume on March 13, although the company has not as of yet stated any details about the problem or what was done to resolve it.

TESLA’S INVESTOR DAY MEETING LACKS ANY NEW PRODUCT INFO

Elon Musk and a team of executives held what they billed as an Investor Day meeting on March 1, announcing plans to cut costs, build a factory in Mexico, and streamline operations. However, those (i.e., Wall Street) who were hoping for big product news such as a new, lower-priced EV, or more details about the soon-to-be-released CyberTruck, were left disappointed, and the drop in stock value reflected that disappointment.

TESLA SHAREHOLDERS SUE COMPANY OVER FALSE FSD CLAIMS

FSD, or “Full Self-Driving”, is a Tesla option which costs up to $15,000 above the cost of the vehicle itself. A group of Tesla shareholders has sued the company, claiming that they were misled, both by the promise of “SAE Level 4” autonomous driving which in reality is Level 2, and by the failure of Tesla to reveal certain inherent dangers in FSD.

RIVIAN PINS HOPES ON 2023 AFTER REPORTING BIG LOSSES IN 2022

Rivian, the all-EV manufacturer which builds the R1T pickup and R1S sport utility, reported that it lost $1.7 billion in the 4^th quarter of 2022, bringing calendar year ’22 losses to $6.8 billion. Yet the company hopes to produce 50,000 vehicles in 2023, which would be about twice its 2022 total. While the company claims that demand for its trucks remains strong, its primary objective for this year will be, like so many other auto manufacturers, to drive down costs. Down the road, Rivian plans to put up a new plant in GA to produce two smaller and presumably more affordable models, the R2T and R2S.

J. D. POWER EV SATISFACTION SURVEY: RIVIAN AND MINI ARE TOPS

The consulting firm J. D. Power has released its 3^rd annual “Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study”. While the survey continued to segment vehicles into premium and mass-market segments, the ownership focus changed this year to first-time EV purchasers. In the premium segment, the Rivian R1T pickup came out on top, with the Tesla Model 3 in 2^nd. The Model 3 was in first place the previous two years. The Mini Cooper Electric ranked 1^st among mass-market models, beating out the 2^nd place Kia EV6. The Kia Niro EV was on top the previous two years.

VW TO BUILD SCOUT PLANT IN SC

VW announced that it has chosen SC as the location for its new U.S. manufacturing plant, where the Scout EVs will be built. The company will invest $2 billion in the operation, which will bring around 4,000 jobs to the area. Production could begin in 2026, with VW hoping to churn out up to 200,000 Scout vehicles annually.

FOUR-DOOR CORVETTE MAY BE ON ITS WAY, ZORA SPINS IN GRAVE

Rumors continue to swirl that GM is planning to extend the Corvette as its own brand, coming out with a 4-door EV followed by a crossover EV, both named “Corvette”. Instead of sharing a platform with other GM EVs, these vehicles will use a platform unique to them, and tuned more for performance. Before you write your scathing letters to GM, know that the 2-door ICE Corvette is intended to continue, at least for now.

VINFAST DELIVERS FIRST U.S. VEHICLES, DROPS LEASE PRICE

Vietnamese EV maker Vinfast delivered its first 45 vehicles to U.S. customers last week. Further, the company announced a drop in its published lease price. The monthly number has decreased from $599 (in January) to $399 (on Monday) to $274 (via messages sent to those who paid a deposit). Initial deliveries are scheduled only in California for now.

FISKER OCEAN EV DELIVERIES TO BEGIN THIS YEAR

Fisker announced plans to begin deliveries of their Ocean EV in 2023. The Ocean, which was shown in prototype form at the 2020 CES and then in final form at the 2021 L.A. Auto Show, has obviously been in the works for some time. The company claims that the base model, the Ocean Sport, will start as low as $37,499. Fisker, relying on Magna as a manufacturing partner, plans to build 42,000 units of the Ocean this year.

USPS TO PURCHASE FORD EV VANS

The U.S. Postal Service announced that it will buy over 9,000 Ford E-Transit vehicles, and will install 14,000 charging stations at its post office facilities across the country. Deliveries of the Ford E-vans will begin later this year. To fulfill a shorter-term need, the USPS will also be buying the same number of Ram ProMaster ICE vehicles. No word on whether consumers would have access to the chargers (“let me drop off this package for mailing and top up the F-150 Lightning while I’m there”). Now that I think about it, allowing customer access to these chargers could put the USPS back in the black….

AUDI AND POLESTAR SAY ‘NO’ TO EV PRICE CUTS

After Tesla slashed its prices, giving rise to concerns of an all-out price war, Ford cut its EV prices, but GM and VW said they would not follow suit. Now other companies have also spoken up. Jens Puttfarcken, the head of Audi Europe, said that Audi will adjust prices only when it is right for Audi to do so. And Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath told analysts that Polestar will not play the price game, as it plans to stay in the luxury EV segment and will not chase volume like mass-market manufacturers.

EU POSTPONES ICE BAN AFTER “NEIN” FROM GERMANY

The EU had scheduled a vote on approving a new law effectively banning the sale of ICE cars after 2035, but that vote has now been put on hold. Germany wants the EU to consider allowing the use of synthetic fuels; it’s suspected that Germany, a country well-vested in automotive manufacturing, wants to afford some protection for its legacy auto makers. Italy, which had earlier declared it would not support the total ban of ICE vehicles, also supports the use of renewable fuels.

AM RADIO GOING THE WAY OF THE DODO BIRD?

Many new vehicles are being produced without an AM radio. The trend has been growing for years among EVs, and now, even some hybrids and ICE cars lack AM radio. (My 2023 Volvo V60, which is a mild hybrid, has no AM radio, and frankly, I miss it. For up-to-date traffic and weather reports in the NY Metro area, AM radio was the best.) Concern is increasing, though, among some government officials who believe that access to an AM signal is a necessity during national emergencies. There is some rumbling that Congress may take action, and either request or insist that car makers include AM radio in their infotainment systems.

Rich’s Repair Ramblings #3: Organization

March 1, 2023 RichardReina Rich's Repair Ramblings Shop supplies, Tools

Rich’s Repair Ramblings #3:

ORGANIZATION: THE KEY TO SAFE AND EFFICIENT CLASSIC CAR REPAIR

You might have a portable plastic tool box, or you might have several large combination top & bottom toolboxes, yet, if your tools and supplies are not organized for quick and easy access, any repair job potentially becomes fraught.

Two stories illustrate my point: a while back, a friend asked me to his house to assist with some front-end work. I brought no tools with me. We determined that we needed an 11/16” deep socket, ½” drive. He said to me “oh, I have that, I’ve got every size”. When he opened his tool “box”, really a large plastic box, there were several dozen sockets rolling around at the bottom: SAE, metric, shallow and deep, in 3/8” and ½” drive sizes. It took about 10 minutes to find the socket we needed, and since I only was able to spare an hour for him, the delay greatly cut into my available time.

Sockets are on rails, arranged by size, type, and color-coded (blue for SAE, red for metric)

A short time later, another friend asked me to assist with servicing the transmission and rear axle fluid on his car. He drove his car to my place. With the car safely up on jack stands in my garage, I was on a pad under the car to determine what we needed. It was too much effort for me to keep sliding out and sliding back under to fetch tools, so as I lay under the car, I made my tool requests to him: “1/2” drive ratchet wrench, bottom box, top drawer, on the left” and “locking pliers, top box, third drawer, on the right”. I knew right where my tools were, and was able to describe the locations to him, making it possible for him to find them while I stayed under the car. Together, we worked very efficiently that afternoon.

Metric wrenches are in size order, and organized by type (combo, box, open, flare nut)

I might have some OCD attached to my need to be organized, but frankly, those who have seen my setup acknowledge that they would like to strive for it. It’s no different than any other organizational need, whether it is your computer files, your clothing, or your kitchen utensils: when you need something, you want to know where it is so that you can put your hands on it right away.

When working on my classic cars, more than once I’ve found myself at my workbench in a position where some component is partially disassembled, and I need a tool RIGHT NOW to continue the disassembly. The situation requires me to keep one hand on the part, so putting it on the bench while I scrounge is not an option. Knowing the tool’s location has repeatedly paid off in these kinds of service situations.

Supply cabinet shelving has paints and varnishes on one shelf, car care products on another

One of my pet peeves, when peering into friends’ toolboxes, is the intermixing of tools and supplies. I make a clear distinction between “tools”, which are permanent, and “consumables”, which require replenishment. Large toolboxes are expensive; I want their weight-bearing drawers to be holding ratchets and wrenches, not spark plugs and spray lube. (And there’s no shame in labeling the drawers; we can’t memorize everything!)

Plastic bins were sized to fit greatest number of them on each shelf

The accompanying photos attest to my layout: sockets are on rails with clips; wrenches are in size order, with SAE sizes in one drawer and metric in another; and consumables are on shelves in a supply cabinet. Supplies which can fit in plastic bins are labeled; lately, I’ve been buying these small multi-compartment organizers for literally a few bucks each. I’ve used them to organize items like fuses, bulbs, washers, and electrical terminals. Your big-box hardware stores have all these goodies for sale.

Multi-compartment box has dividers to make different sizes; this one hold bulbs and fuses

Many years ago, a boss who was a mentor said to me: “take the time to GET organized, then once you are, STAY organized. It will greatly reduce your stress”. Whether it’s on-the-job or with one of my classics in the garage, I’ve found those to be words to live by. As you wrench on your classic, you’ll find organization to be akin to a 3^rd hand in the workshop.