BorgWarner - BuyAutoParts.com

BorgWarner is an industry leader as a manufacturer of powertrain solutions for all types of vehicles. BorgWarner is best known for its line of Turbochargers that it makes for everything from standard passenger cars to pick-up trucks, to heavy duty construction machinery. If you drive a turbocharged Ford, Dodge, Audi, or Subaru chances are you have a BorgWarner turbo in your vehicle. BorgWarner is number 355 on the list of Fortune 500 companies and managed 7.1 billion dollars in sales last year. BorgWarner is truly a powerhouse in the auto parts industry.

Recently, BorgWarner has decided to sell its Turbochargers directly to consumers. This is a big change for BorgWarner because in years past their turbos were only available to the largest distributors and dealerships across the globe. Now anyone can purchase a turbo directly from BorgWarner. Some of the best places to buy a BorgWarner turbo are BuyAutoParts.com, CarPartsWarehouse.com, and TurbochargerPros.com. All of these sites offer a full line of OEM replacement BorgWarner Turbos at wholesale prices.

BorgWarner makes a premium product and you deserve to get it at a premium price. Now that BorgWarner has decided to sell its parts to consumers, you can find a great deal by visiting one of the sites mentioned above. If you need to replace your turbocharger, I recommend that you check out BuyAutoParts, they can get turbos for almost any type of vehicle (construction vehicles included!), they have great prices, and their customer service is exceptional.

Used Car Prices Dropping

Brand new cars with turbos and superchargers cost a lot of money, this makes sense.  What’s confusing is how used car prices sky rocketed in the last few years.  It was getting to the point where someone could actually sell a car for more than they paid for it a year down the road.

A few factors led to the price increase of used cars. No one wanted to take out new debt, or they couldn’t qualify for credit to buy a new car.  So, owners held onto their own used cars. Car manufacturers also limited the amount of production during the recession.  Since no one bought cars and car companies didn’t make any cars, a shortage of used cars existed.  Since I was able to stay awake in most of my Econ classes at school, I know that when supply goes down price goes up.

Now that there is some light at the end of the tunnel of the recession and gas prices have leveled off, people are buying new cars again.  Used car demand is going down a bit, and thus so are the prices. The National Auto Dealers Association of America predicts that prices on used cars will continue to fall.  Midsized and compact cars could see a decrease up to 5% in June.

BMW the Most Powerful Auto Brand

BMW constantly tries to make their cars more powerful with turbochargers and diesel injector pumps, but the company just became more powerful in a different way. A recent study conducted by Millward Brown shows that BMW has passed Toyota to become the most powerful automobile brand.  They estimate the BMW brand is worth $24.63 billion. BMW is now the number one luxury car maker in the world, and it also has the most valuable brand.  That’s a pretty good one-two punch.  

Out of the Way Toyota

Toyota falls second to BMW by roughly $3 billion.  Toyota and most other Japanese car companies were hurt by the earthquake and the Fukishima Nuclear accident.  These disasters caused shipment delays, and crippled supply chains.

Figuring out the worth of a brand is a tough job.  Some people say it is even to subjective to gage. However, Millward Brown claims they can do it. To figure out brand worth, Millward Brown conducted over two million surveys in greater than 30 countries.  They also added in the earnings from branded products, and the power the brand has on the company’s bottom line.

Other notable outcomes of the survey are Hyundai being the first Korean car company to make the top ten ranking at number 9, and Ford is the only American company that made the cut at number 7.

       Rankings in Billions

1.       BMW 24.63

2.       Toyota 21.79

3.        Mercedes 16.11

4.       Honda 12.64

5.       Nissan 9.85

6.       VW 8.51

7.       Ford 7.02

8.       Audi 4.70

9.       Hyundai 3.59

10.   Lexus 3.39

My iPad has a Giant Cadillac Case

Cadillac is about to launch its new XTS, and it is not the center console screen or the navigation unit that people are talking  about. The feature getting all the buzz is a little well known gadget known as the iPad. Every XTS sold will come with a brand new Apple Tablet.  Each iPad will be preprogrammed with apps designed to enhance the driver’s experience.  The most important app is the one that educates the car owner on how to use Cadillac’s new Cadillac User Experience, CUE for short.  CUE is a tablet-like infotainment unit system in the cars dash.  When a customer buys an XTS they will get a tutorial on how to operate the CUE but some people take a little longer to learn, thus the iPad is there for help. It has 12 videos explaining how to use CUE to its fullest.

Besides helping the not so tech savvy learn how to use CUE, the iPad also comes preloaded with an app called MyCadillac and OnStar.  MyCadillac offers parking and maintenance assistance.  With the OnStar app the owner can check gas levels and unlock doors.

Cadillac is not only providing the iPad to help customers learn about how to operate their new vehicle, they are offering an iPad to become more luxurious.  They plan not to just use the iPad from Apple but also borrow Apple's customer service.  They want to have the car equivalent of the Apple Genius Bar.  GM has sent 25 experts around the country in support of CUE, and every Cadillac dealership will have two technology.  

Best of the Beijing Auto Show

If your big gas guzzler has been having diesel fuel pump or diesel injector problems and you are in the mood to get rid of the big vehicle and downsize to something sporty than the Beijing Auto Show was the place for you. The show has come and gone, and it brought some great new sporty cars. The vehicles in the show were either geared towards improved fuel economy or edgy designs. 

The biggest head turner at the show was the Lamborghini Urus.  Executives at Lamborghini expect the Urus to more than double all Lambo sales.  The car may be named after an extinct cow, but it surely will move more like a cheetah with an estimated 600 hp under the hood. The Urus won Autoweeks top honors at the show.

BMW’s i8 Concept Spyder was also a show stopper.  This topless two door is actually a plug-in.  Looks like Tesla has a competitor for high class plug-in.  You’ll be able to go 0 to 62 mile per hour in 5.0 seconds while still getting 75 miles per gallon.

One of my favorite looking cars from the show was from a Chinese car manufacturer, Jianghuai Automobile Company.  The JAC Heyue SC Coupe has styling that is classic but not too overdone.  The one area the car is lacking is in its guts. It only has a 162 hp 2.4L engine. 

Cadlllac's "Super Cruise" To Take On Autonomous Driving

We’ve all dreamt about the idea of hopping into our car, popping our destination into the car navigation system, and sitting back and listening to the car stereo while our car drives itself. Google has been working on the autonomous car for years now, but who knows when the day we start seeing these cars for sale will come. Out of the 160,000 test miles Google has put on these cars there has never been an accident, so the reason for delay is more about legality. However, many car companies are making steps in this direction. For years cruise control has been almost a standard feature on any car, leaving only steering and breaking up to the driver. Many of us have cars that can parallel park themselves, alert us if were crossing into another lane, and have cameras that give us a complete view of our surroundings.

Cadillac is one of the manufacturers making bold steps into the future of the automobile industry. With what they dub “Super Cruise”, their vehicles will be able to control the steering, gas and brakes with no input from the driver using all of the technology that are in most new cars already. Although full-autonomous driving is the end goal, the feature would most likely be limited to highway-only use to start. Sensors and cameras will let the car know its surroundings and it will rely on the GPS to know its location. Sounds simpler than you’d expect, right? Check out a video of Super Cruise in action here. 

Lamborghini Finally Unveils SUV at Beijing Auto Show

Lamborghini has been hinting for awhile now that it was considering either a sedan or a crossover for its third model line, and the answer is finally here: a crossover named the Urus. While it may end up with a supercharger (and hopefully avoiding parent company's Volkswagen Jetta turbocharger), you can bet it will still be extremely fast. Urus is the name of a Spanish breed of bull that is known for both its fighting size and hauling size. They are known for having broad shoulders and being taller than most. While I’m not sure the attribute of extra height applies in this metaphor, the Lamborghini Urus is certainly a broad, sleek, powerful, and beautiful crossover.

 The first thing you’ll notice about the Urus is that, despite being a crossover, it still thankfully looks like a Lamborghini. Its super aggressive lines and low structure create an image that is distinctly Lambo. The Urus will be a 4x4 with over 600 HP, stretching over eight inches longer than an Aventador and costing over 200k. They project sales volume to be about 3,000 per year which will triple Lamborghini’s annual production.

 

Press releases state that the production model will be available in 2015 and that they are trying to make it powerful but less polluting. By 2015 European high-performance cars will need to be able to emit no more than 200 grams of CO2 per km in order to pass recent regulations so the Lambo will have to be somewhat eco-friendly
.

A big help in this department will come from shedding as much weight as possible using light and strong materials in construction in lieu of metal. Even the interior will be optimized for lightness. Steering will be electro-mechanical and the range of travel adjustment on the suspension will be 3.5 inches.

 Fifty percent of sales are projected for the U.S. The Urus wil hunker down to a minimum height of 65.4 inches with a width of 78.4 inches. The 196.5 inch current length is matched to a wheelbase measuring 114 inches. Four passengers are said to have plenty of room inside, even with head room in the back seat.

What do you think of the new Lamborghini Urus? It is still awhile off before production models start circulating, but it seems to keep in step with previous Lamborghini design and ethos. Do you think Lamborghini should keep to the fast supercar market?

Synthetic vs Conventional Motor Oil

Maintaining clean motor oil is essential in the proper care of your vehicle, but whether you take it to a shop or do it yourself, a debate is inevitable: conventional or synthetic? Synthetic is obviously more expensive, but is it worth the extra dollars spent? You might want to to tune in, especially if you have a vehicle with a supercharger or turbocharger.

Synthetic oil does perform better than conventional oil when it comes to longevity and the ability to handle high temperatures. It provides better lubrication in very low temperature starts, and it also has a greater resistance to oxidization and sludge build up. But synthetics usually cost double of what conventional oil costs. Whether it is worth the cost is largely dependent on the type of car you drive and your own preference.

Both conventional oil and synthetic oil are derived from petroleum, so there is really no environmental benefit either way as far as sustainability goes. However, synthetic oil does last longer than conventional oil so you don’t need to do oil changes as frequently, so you use less oil over time. In that sense synthetic oils might be the lesser of two evils.

Recently however, Valvoline released a brand new product called NextGen that is conventional motor oil comprised of 50% recycled oil. You can typically return your used oil back to the shop you purchased it at to recycle it, thus greatly reducing its environmental impact. So if you were to use recycled oil, it might be comparable in environmental-friendliness to synthetics at a reduced cost.

As far as emissions go, synthetic oil has been shown to have lower volatility and thus not vaporize out the exhaust as quickly, reducing emissions. 

It should also be noted that any performance vehicle, especially if it is driven hard, should have synthetic motor oil because of the enhanced capabilities of synthetics. Because synthetics have a higher tolerance for extreme temperatures, engines with turbochargers or superchargers would benefit from using synthetics to prevent burnt oil build-up in their engine. But the rest of us who have normal passenger vehicles, and just shuffle from our residence to work every day, don’t typically need to worry about getting every horsepower available out of our engines or burning motor oil in our performance parts.

Ultimately it’s important to identify if the cost vs benefit for your specific vehicle and situation. Either option will do the job, which is probably why this issue is hotly debated. What do you think is better for your car, and wallet?

Fresh Squeezed Orange Oil Tires

Tires are the only thing between the entire rest of your car and the ground, so it goes without saying that they are extremely important factors in the safety, efficiency, and handling of your vehicle. There is more to it than simply making sure you have a properly functioning air fuel ratio sensor and O2 sensor. There are several components to a great tire, but two main components that effect fuel efficiency and longevity of the tread are the rubber and oil mixture used to make the tire.

 The outside tread of a tire is usually comprised of 10% oil from petroleum products. The composition of a tire seeks to compromise traction, tread life, and rolling resistance. The less rolling resistance you have, usually the less traction you have. Less rolling resistance leads to better fuel economy (less fuel to get the car moving and maintain a speed) but typically a more slick tire that doesn't have great handling. Tire company Yokohama discovered that replacing the petroleum oil with orange oil resulted in a tire that offered a 20% reduction in rolling resistance without sacrificing performance in traction. Yokohama’s orange oil tires allow for a better tire in all three categories.

 

They introduced these tires three years ago with the dB Super E-Spec, offering only four sizes and orange oil racing slick tires that were used in the American LeMans Series to show its true durability. They are now making a new orange oil tire called the AVID Ascend in a variety of sizes that cover about 85% of the touring market. They are marketed as eco-friendly, as they are now comprised of rubber and orange oil, both renewable resources (as opposed to petroleum). 

If you’re into performance tires, the new AVID Ascend is definitely worth looking into. They are priced just slightly above other brands of touring tires, but maintain much higher tread-life warranties making the extra cost well worth it. And if you’re concerned about the environment, it’s a great option as well. However, if you're looking for a citrus-y scent to accompany your burnouts, you're going to have to settle for one of those sandpaper trees hanging from your rear-view mirror.

NHTSA wants Brake-Throttle Override Systems

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants to upgrade the agency’s current safety standards to include brake-throttle override systems. This will most likely be included in the software on your engine control module and would control things like your ABS control module does. This is to disable the throttle in the case that the driver presses both the throttle and the brake at the same time. The new standards would apply to all vehicles and buses regardless of size and weight.

This is supposedly to protect drivers in the case that the gas pedal gets stuck, allowing for easy and controlled breaking. If you recall there was a huge 2010 Toyota snafu after a few people claimed their family member’s crashes were the result of a faulty gas pedal that got stuck (or that the car’s computer caused “unintended acceleration”). Investigations revealed there was no evidence to substantiate the claim that Toyota vehicles had an issue with “unintended acceleration” from the manufacturer, but that didn’t stop the lynch mob.  

 The NHTSA commented on the situation, "We learned as part of the comprehensive NASA and NHTSA studies of high-speed unintended acceleration that brake override systems could help drivers avoid crashes," said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. "While NHTSA's defect investigation program will continue to monitor and consider consumer complaints of any potential vehicle safety issues, this proposal is one way the agency is helping keep drivers safe and continuing to work to reduce the risk of injury from sticky pedals or pedal entrapment issues."

On its face, this seems like a good and safe idea. One thing is bothering me about this though: this seems more to prevent the idiots who freak out in an accident and press both the gas and brake at the same time and less about vehicle manufacturer problems to me. People who react like that should not be driving. Sure, we could spend a long time talking about who and who should not be driving but this measure seems like yet another attempt to idiot-proof driving a vehicle.

Operating a car in this country is still a privilege, as it should be.  The problem is that many people in this country have a job and a life and there is simply no choice for them but driving, even if they shouldn’t be. Think about the people you have met in your life – I’m sure you can think of at least one or two who have caused several accidents and shouldn’t be on the road. I think the public transportation system in this country needs to actually work, so those who should not be driving have a viable alternative. 

This is also yet another system I imagine breaking at some point. Can this thing go haywire and prevent the vehicle from accelerating at all? How expensive is it going to be to fix?

All-in-all, with the current driving laws we have today, I think this could potentially be a good idea. I’d like to see how many accidents are caused every year by “unintended acceleration” of any kind and the cost of implementing these systems in all motor vehicles. What do you think about idiot-proofing cars?

The 2013 SRT Viper

The New York Auto Show is this week, and although there are thousands of cars on display, you might not notice because everyone’s talking about the same thing: the new SRT Viper. Sure, it doesn't have a supercharger or a turbocharger but it's still an absolutely breathtaking sight to behold. After a few years hiatus the Viper is back with a vengeance under the SRT name. Let’s dig in to some of the great details that make this car so magnificent.

The new Viper has a brand new exterior design that still pays homage to previous Viper models. An all carbon-fiber hood, roof, decklid, and aluminum door panels not only look great but keep the car as light as possible. The entire body is beautiful and extremely aerodynamic, with a .364 drag coefficient. The hood has been re-designed with a “double-bubble” shape that gives improved headroom to both the driver and passenger while maintaining a low profile. The Viper is equipped of course with dual-function bi-xenon projector headlamps and LED daytime running lamps and turn signals in the classic sinister snake eye configuration. The wheels will be offered in a five-spoke, forged-aluminum “Rattler” design.

The interior is fully leather with accent colors applied to the seats, doors, center console, and stitching. Both seats are high-performance racing seats with lightweight Kevlar/fiberglass shells. For the first time ever, seat height can be adjusted by up to 40mm and seat travel has been expanded by 90mm overall. A new 7-inch, full-color customizable instrument cluster is available for the discerning driver, with Uconnect to access more information, entertainment, and emergency services in-vehicle.

 Under the hood lies a new 8.4L all aluminum V-10 overhead valve engine that delivers 640HP and 600lbs of torque – the most of any naturally aspirated engine in the world. The engine also features a new, ultra-high flow and lightweight composite manifold, high strength forged pistons, sodium-filled exhaust valves, new catalysts to reduce back pressure, and an aluminum flywheel that reduces reciprocating losses. This is paired with an updated Tremec TR6060 6-speed manual trans that has a shorter throw shifter and closer gear ratios.

This amazing piece of work will go into production at the end of 2012 to go on sale as the 2013 model. No word yet on exactly how much it is going to cost, but something tells me that if this is on your 2013 wishlist it’s going to set you back quite a bit. For the rest of us, the drool-worthy extensive photography will have to suffice.

The First Auto Show – 1900

With the New York International Auto Show in full swing this week, it’s interesting to take a look at the humble roots of this show. Back to a simpler time before air fuel ratio sensors and 02 sensors. The very first of its kind was held in 1900 at Madison Square Garden. The weeklong event displayed 31 brand new vehicles and a variety of accessories to customize each “horseless carriage.” Even more interesting is this excerpt from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle on October 13^th, 1900 describing the show: 

“During the Automobile Show at Madison Square Garden, November 3 to 10, there will be contests of many kinds. The usefulness of the automobile in all kinds of going and under all conditions will be fully tested, and everybody will have an opportunity to see how the experienced chauffeur gets out of trouble. All the contests but these on Friday will be for vehicles on the show, and the programme, under the directions of the technical committee and the contests and exhibition committee of the Automobile Club of America, C.J. Field, chairman, will be as follows–

• November 3: Brake contest and obstacle contest for steam vehicles.
• November 5: Brake contest and obstacle contest for electric vehicles.
• November 6: Brake contest and obstacle contest for gasoline vehicles.
• November 9: Obstacle contest between electric cabs for hire, competition of electric delivery wagons.
• November 10: Championship competition and obstacle contest between winners in steam, electric and gasoline, championship between winners of stopping competition in steam, electric and gasoline.”

  

 The focus was more on pitting the different engine types against one another in feats of agility and power, versus the different styling and technological features we have today. There was a special ramp built to test the vehicles power for driving up inclines, and to prove how rugged and durable the Oldsmobile runabout was, they drove it from Detroit to NYC.  Patrons were charged 50 cents for admission, yet despite the steep price (about $13 in today’s cash) about 48,000 visitors attended throughout the week. 

The Oldsmobile runabout, or “Curved Dash,” was the world’s first mass produced car. It was built between 1901 and 1907 and sold for $650. General Motors bought Oldsmobile in 1908 and produced more than 35 million vehicles under that name before it retired it in 2004. None of the automobile makes displayed at the first New York Auto Show exist today.

The first car advertisement, 1898.

Interestingly enough the gasoline powered engines were the least popular vehicles at the first show due to their noisy and noxious qualities. They ran on “light spirits” such as stove gas, lamp oil, alcohol, and of course gasoline. Gasoline was once an unwanted byproduct of producing kerosene (the oil used for light and heat at the turn of the century) and cost only 15 cents a gallon. It was quickly discovered that gasoline was the superior fuel and provided far greater horsepower, so its popularity took off.

It’s interesting to look back at how far auto shows and the cars showcased in them have come, but the basics are still the same. If you’re planning on attending the New York Auto Show this year, think back on its humble beginnings – if you can remember while drooling over the new 2013 SRT Viper.