All-new 2012 Camry

The jury is still out as to whether the Toyota Camry will retain its crown as the best selling car in America for the 10th straight year, but if it does, much of the reason will have to do with the hybrid model.

During the launch of the all-new 2012 Camry just a few weeks back, Toyota Group Vice President and General Manager Bob Carter announced that the company is forecasting sales of roughly 50,000 units for thew new gas-electric model, nearly double the 28,000 units moved last year.

Toyota’s prediction is well founded, with the Camry already touted as the winner in Toyota’s new Camry lineup. Perhaps the most significantly updated of the group, the Camry Hybrid makes a serious leap in fuel economy, offering a 41-mpg average, while also making a healthy 200-hp.

Courtesy of autoguide.com

2010 Toyota Corolla

An investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found no defect with the electronic steering in 2009 and 2010 Toyota Corolla models.

The agency had investigated the Corolla (and the Toyota Matrix) for complaints of steering wander or poor on-center steering feel, based upon complaints submitted to the agency by vehicle owners.

Subsequently, Toyota released a technical service bulletin advising dealer service departments on how to address customer complaints of poor on-center steering feel, and has developed an optional control unit that improves steering feel on Corolla and Matrix models. Toyota’s action to address consumer complaints was sufficient for the NHTSA to close the investigation into the Corolla’s steering.

Closure of the complaint is good news for Toyota, which paid a record $48.8 million in fines to the NHTSA for delaying action on the unintended acceleration and steering rod defect recalls. The NHTSA, working with NASA, ultimately found that sudden acceleration was caused by pedal entrapment in floor mats, a sticking accelerator and human error only; the agencies could find no evidence of problems with Toyota’s electronics.

The Corolla is one of Toyota’s most popular models, and a recall to fix the electronic steering would have impacted some 750,000 vehicles. It took the NHTSA almost 15 months to conclude their investigation, but their findings should help Toyota in their quest to rebuild consumer confidence in the brand.

Courtesy of thecarconnection.com

If you’d like to learn how to drive a stick shift, here are the basics but keep in mind, it generally takes practice. Driving around a vacant parking lot with an experienced friend before attempting to head for the streets is a good idea.

1) When driving a stick shift, you’ll become very familiar with the clutch pedal, which is located on the floor of the drivers’ side and is furthest to your left. Basically, the clutch pedal controls the shifting and when it’s pressed, shifting can occur. In an automatic, the torque converter does the work for you, but when driving a manual, it’s up to you to shift the vehicle into gear.

2) To start the vehicle, push down on the clutch, making certain the stick shift is in neutral (if it isn’t, the vehicle will stall). When you hear the engine fire up and turn over, take your foot off the clutch pedal slowly.

3) Move the stick shift into First Gear by pressing on the clutch pedal and moving the stick shift left and up. Take your foot off the clutch pedal slowly until the vehicle begins to move forward. You’re now in first gear and at this point, you’re not going to be able to go very fast, so you’ll need to move on up into Second Gear to get rolling.

4) Push on the clutch pedal with your foot and move the stick shift into Second Gear, giving the vehicle a little more gas as you remove your foot from the clutch pedal. If you don’t give the vehicle enough gas, it will stall.

5) Now that you’re in Second Gear, let’s boost it by going into Third Gear, doing the exact same thing as before, but moving the stick shift into Third Gear. Once you get the hang of it, driving a stick shift becomes almost second nature and you’ll rarely think about it, but during the first few times and practice sessions, you’ll be aware of everything you do.

6) Keep in mind that all vehicles are different, but listening to your engine is a good indicator of shifting times, although a good rule of thumb is:

• 10 mph Shift into Second Gear
• 20 mph Shift into Third Gear
• 30 mph Shift into Fourth Gear
• 40 mph Shift into Fifth Gear

7) When approaching a stop light or stop sign, shift back into neutral and come to a nice, easy stop by coasting and using your brake.

To resume travel, simply put the car into First Gear again as in #3 and repeat the process.

9) If you happen to be at a light or stop sign located on a hill, you’ll have to be quick while taking your foot off the brake, using the clutch and giving it gas, or the vehicle will begin to roll backwards.

10) Remember to set the parking brake when you leave your vehicle.

Courtesy of carsforgirls.com

TomTom Adds Homer Simpson to iPhone App

Taking another sabbatical as Safety Inspector at the Springfield Nuclear Plant (at least it is assumed in later episodes); Homer Simpson is now moonlighting in an all-new occupation. Channelling the longest-running animated series on network television, TomTom navigation added the popular bumbling father has been one of several celebrities’ voices available in providing turn-by-turn navigation.

One of the world’s lead providers of GPS-based navigational technology, TomTom introduced the favourite television character for downloading to TomTom units in 2009. Homer Simpson was joined by the more sinister personality of Springfield’s oldest and richest citizen Mr. Montgomery Burns. As in the case of the TV series, a driver can expect the Mr. Burns voice to commandingly deliver directions with sheer arrogance. However, while Burns talks down, words of reassure can also be conveyed including the memorable catchphrases including “excellent!” and a confidence boosting commendation as “… a good little peasant.” Obtainable along with other famous voices such as Bugs Bunny, Knight Rider’s original KITT, and Darth Vader, these navigation system voices for TomTom devices cost $12.95 each.

Allowing customization of TomTom devices, the novelty could soon be lost. As the price of stand-alone navigational units has dropped (well below $100) and OEMs have pursued their own on-board technology solutions directing motorists, TomTom has also adjusted to the advent of automotive guidance coming from smartphones. More and more, drivers are utilizing software applications for devices such as the Blackberry and apple iPhone. TomTom realized this changing market trend ahead of time developing an iPhone app in 2009.

On version 1.7 of their iPhone app, TomTom has allowed the additional for the colourful Homer Simpson persona to guide users of their mobile devices. The Simpsons star addition to the iPhone app marks the first time a celebrity voice has been added to the mobile phone-based TomTom software. An in-app purchase, the direction of Homer Simpson will come at a cost of $5.99 US. The TomTom iPhone version 1.7 app adds enhancements to Map Share as well as the inclusion of HD Traffic that provides constant updates on road delays. The TomTom iPhone cost in total costs $49.99 US not including additional features.

Taking directions from the voice of Homer Simpson, you are thankful that the TomTom brand name backs up the beloved but slow-witted fictional character. With wrong turns reoccurring in the plot of the favourite animated series, one of the first episodes of The Simpson titled “The call of the Simpsons” had Homer and the family lost in the woods after taking a wrong turn on an RV excursion. Thanks to the modern developments of GPS-based navigation, the Simpson patriarch will be directing with an unaccustomed sense of competence through the apple iPhone.

Courtesy of automoblog.net

Cellbrite Scanner

In recent weeks we learned that Apple and Google are spying on people carrying the companies’ smartphones. No big surprise there. But two other paranoia-inducing tech-tracking revelations that came out last week are perhaps more alarming for motorists: State police in Michigan have been collecting data from drivers’ cell phones during routine traffic stops, and police in the Netherlands have used data from TomTom navigation systems to catch speeders and also determine the best places to install speed cameras.

It’s enough to turn even the most tech-loving driver into a Luddite.

If you’re stopped by a state cop in Michigan, you could be asked to hand over your mobile phone along with license and registration. And using a cell phone extraction device from a company called Cellebrite, the law could find out a lot more about you than you ever imagined.

The folks over at Translogic got their hands on a Cellebrite UFED that can grab data from over 1,800 different cell phones. They report that the information — call history, contacts, text messages, photos and videos, whether they’ve been deleted or not — can be downloaded to a USB drive within seconds. Translogic also used a software program called Lantern from Katana Forensics to analyze the data from an iPhone, including locations previously visited and recorded by Google Maps.

The American Civil Liberties Union has been on the case of the Michigan State Police (MSP) for using UFED devices during what the ACLU calls routine traffic stops, and claims that it violates the 4th Amendment right against unreasonable search and seizure. The ACLU has asked for data from the MSP showing how the devices are used, when they are used and if they’ve been used without permission.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the MSP has in turn asked for over a half million dollars to cover the costs of retrieving and assembling the necessary documents to comply. Hey, times are tough in Michigan and the state needs the money. The MSP also claims that the UFED devices are used “only if a search warrant is obtained or if the person possessing the mobile device gives consent.” What would you say if a cop asked you to hand over your phone?

Traffic cops in the Netherlands have taken a more proactive approach to snaring speeders and other law breakers — and left portable navigation device maker TomTom with some explaining to do to its customers. Some of the company’s nav systems can send GPS info to TomTom, and the information is used to route drivers around traffic and provide more accurate arrival times.

TomTom also shares the info with the government in the Netherlands, which uses it to analyze traffic congestion and solve safety issues. But the Dutch press revealed that police also used the info to catch lead-footed drivers and as a basis for deciding the best places to install speed cameras.

The data used by the Dutch government didn’t include information on individual drivers, and TomTom has barred its further use. The company also released a letter to its customers and the company’s CEO made a video explaining the company’s position on driver privacy. What he didn’t mention is that some of his company’s nav system also point out to users where speed cameras are installed.

Sort of makes you think twice about using certain tech behind the wheel. And the wisdom of downloading and installing, say, a smartphone app from an insurance company.

Courtesy of blogs.insideline.com