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This week we discuss several topics requested by our audience, including: How does an EV's extra battery weight affect braking? Is it necessary to turn a vehicle's front wheels toward the curb when parking on a steep hill, even if it has an automatic transmission? What are the best practices for storing hybrid cars for long periods of time? We also explain how CR's used-car reliability data is gathered for each vehicle's model year.
SHOW NOTES
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00:00 – Introduction
00:34 – Question #1: How does an EV’s extra battery weight affect its braking distances over ICE competitors?
05:14 – Question #2: Which vehicle segment you would revamp, given the opportunity?
10:28 – Question #3: What is the proper way to store a hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicle for long periods of time?
15:05 – Question #4: How does CR collect used-car reliability data for each model year?
16:37 – Question #5: Should a Jeep Wrangler be considered a convertible?
19:33 – Question #6: Is it necessary to turn a vehicle’s front wheels toward the curb when parking on a steep hill, even if it has an automatic transmission?
22:05 – Question #7: Is using an extremely thin engine oil, like the 0W-8 used in the new Toyota Crown, for improved gas mileage or just planned obsolescence?
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Is an Electric Car Right for Your Next Road Trip
Brake Lights Can Fail to Provide Fair Warning on Some Electric Vehicles
How Well Can an Electric Pickup Truck Tow?
Car Safety Guide
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Mike, Yes, manual station wagons should replace CUVs but simulated wood exteriors should be mandatory. 😉 Jennifer, I think the Mercury Cougar wagon just edges out the LTD II . 🤩
since we have days that can approach -40F in the winter, we always use 0-30W synthetic oil in our vehicles. less of a struggle to start up on those cold mornings. plus less wear & tear on the engine especially for those first few minutes after starting up.
Super fun episode. Great questions and answers. I love how yall always seem to have so much fun producing the podcast. Yall joke with each other and it makes the podcast feel like sitting in for a conversation with a few car nut friends.
I absolutely love Consumore Reports! Can you guys do testing on popular hair clippers for men who prefer to cut their own hair at home? Thanks!
In reference to the discussion about crossovers vs. station wagons. There are so many trucks and large SUVs on the road that the additional height of the crossover over the station wagon sometimes gives you the additional safety of being able to see around or through that large vehicle. The station wagon doesn’t typically give you that ability.
The question about parking on a hill was well-answered. 🏆
Always love Talking Cars ❤ this was a super episode. Shared.
I would go for the minivan! Far, far better than a station wagon!
The Mazda MPV was a great size but most vans are much too large.
The last Buick station wagon was incredible.
I guess a Outback is really a station wagon.. but they don’t call it that.
It started as a raised legacy wagon… then they dropped the legacy wagon 😮
It is the last mainstream wagon standing.
Mike’s opinion of Crossovers instantly made me a fan of his
👏👏👏👏
I love this combo of hosts. Great variety of questions. Awesome information that everyone can use. The Mitsubishi Diamante wagon made my heart race when I was in high school. Lol
Specific example of EVs far outperforming ICE in braking: long downhill. The EVs will use regenerative braking charging their battery and comparatively little friction brakes while an ICE will have mostly only friction brakes (with a slight amount of engine friction braking available) which can lead to overheated rotors and brake fade on long downhills for the ICE while the EV will still have plenty of braking available. You’ll run into this scenario in many of the Western states in the USA.
Oh man you are wrong 🤣
I saw a dynamometer engine test comparing thin oil with thicker oil. I had always assumed that the thin oil would be a win win but the test showed the thicker oil produced more horsepower? They said the piston rings sealed better with thicker viscosity oil.I saw the test on engine masters motor trend tv.
In SF, turning your wheels in is the law in all parking spots. But I think if you are uphill, you should turn your wheels away from the curb. That seems like it would be safer.
Great stuff! I’m good with the crossover segment going away if that excludes the Subaru Crosstrek!
Turning your wheels when parking on a hill – in many hilly municipalities, it’s the law. If you do not turn the wheels into the curb (curbing the wheels) you will get a ticket. You always turn the wheel so that if the car rolls down the hill, it will not roll into the middle of the street.
I always wondered why manufacturers never created a “Park” gear on manual transmissions that does the same thing as on an automatic.
I had a moment where I intended to put my (broken) manual transmission shifter in Reverse. I hit 4th instead, which provided much less resistance to movement. I also neglected to set the parking brake. About 15 minutes later, someone knocked on the door because my car rolled out of the driveway into the street. Afterward, I was vigilant about using the parking break all the time. I also eventually identified and fixed that broken shifter.
19:33 I thought what you are supposed to do (manual or auto) when parking facing uphill is, turn the front wheels towards the road, let the car roll back a bit so the passenger side tire is close to, or even touching the curb (standard/vehicle curb). If slope curb, then you would turn and point the front wheels toward the curb. When parking facing down hill, you would turn your front wheels towards the curb regardless what type of curb.
I love crossovers, but I’d buy a station wagon if it had good headroom. Because I’m 6’4 and if I could buy a compact wagon or hatch I actually fit in that would be great. As it stands I’m pretty happy with my CX-30.