Auto Advice For Calgary Consumers
The Most Important Towing-Related Safety Features in Calgary, AB
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(Posted on Mar 17, 2021 at 08:00PM by Josh Lew)
Towing is a challenging undertaking. Luckily, trucks like the Ram 3500 come with various safety features that make the process easier and more secure. For example, pickups often have trailer sway control. This system relies on a combination of upward and downward pressure on the spring arms and hitch tongue to steady the load when needed.Â
Standard active safety systems can also aid in towing. Blind-spot monitoring, for instance, alerts the driver when other vehicles are in the next lane and parallel to the trailer. This tool can supplement extra-wide mirrors (such as 7x11 ones), which offer a better view behind the vehicle.
In addition, some tire monitoring systems include a hookup for trailer wheels. This component allows the driver to get an early warning about a puncture that could lead to a loss of control.Â
To learn more about the Ram 3500 and other trucks with trailer safety features, contact our Calgary, AB dealership today.
How Can Wheelbase Measurements Help Calgary, AB Drivers Choose a Vehicle?
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(Posted on Mar 17, 2021 at 01:00AM by Josh Lew)
The wheelbase of a vehicle is the distance between the centres of its front and rear tires. It is a commonly-cited specification, but what does it mean? A car with a longer wheelbase has extra interior space. This connection might seem obvious, but the vehicle may also display less evident traits. For example, it will be more stable and offer a smoother ride. This is why SUVs and luxury cars often have lengthier dimensions.Â
On the other hand, autos with shorter wheelbases offer better handling. For this reason, many sports cars have less distance between their front and back tires.Â
Towing vehicles, such as pickup trucks like the Ram 1500, benefit from very long wheelbases because it makes it harder for them to lose control when pulling heavy loads.Â
Whether you are interested in sports cars with shorter wheelbase measurements or lengthier sedans or trucks, contact our Calgary dealership today to inquire about our current offerings.
Can Calgary Drivers Benefit from a Continuous Variable Transmission?
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(Posted on Mar 16, 2021 at 09:53PM by Josh Lew)
A continuous variable transmission (CVT) is different from standard automatic and manual units, which have a fixed number of gears. Instead, it uses a pulley-like system connected to flexible composite belts. What are the benefits of this type of setup?
Since there is no shifting with a CVT, a vehicle can technically have an unlimited number of gears. The engine can always operate near peak efficiency because it can get the best possible ratio at any speed. Also, the system has fewer components, so it is much lighter than a standard transmission. This can lead to lower gas usage.Â
When it comes to performance, a CVT offers smoother operation and steadier acceleration with no pauses for gear changes. At the same time, the components are more challenging to repair, and they do not work on autos that have powerful engines. Some hybrid vehicles, such as the Chrysler Pacifica, have an electromagnetic continuous variable transmission (EVT).Â
To see which cars near you have a continuous variable transmission, contact our Calgary dealership today.
What Is Electric Power Steering and How Does it Work in Calgary, AB?
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(Posted on Mar 10, 2021 at 09:03PM by Josh Lew)
Electric power steering (EPS) uses energy from the vehicle's battery to reduce the effort required to turn the wheel. Most new cars and many trucks have this system, though a few still rely on a hydraulic design. The EPS components include a brushless motor, sensors, and an electronic controller. The entire package usually sits inside the steering column.Â
The system is very efficient. It conserves fuel and electricity since it remains in standby mode unless needed. Also, because of the design and components, it is easy for automakers to pair EPS with active safety tools such as lane-keeping assist and automated parking.Â
The main drawback of this type of power steering is that any wiring, fuse, or battery failure can affect the functionality. These issues are rare in modern cars. Furthermore, though it could be hard to turn, the wheel will still function without electrical assistance.Â
To learn more about this feature, contact our Calgary dealership today.
How Does Adaptive Cruise Control Work in Calgary, AB?
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(Posted on Mar 9, 2021 at 07:30PM by Josh Lew)
Adaptive cruise control (ACC), available on autos such as the Jeep Cherokee, enables your vehicle to maintain a set speed on the highway. It also relies on sensors to adjust the pace to ensure a safe following distance. Some cars even have a stop-and-go feature that works in heavier traffic. An ACC system relies on cameras, radar, or lasers to locate vehicles near yours as you drive down the highway. These sensors can measure distance and velocity and adjust the engine as needed to keep an appropriate gap. When the road is clear, the vehicle returns to its pre-set speed.Â
You typically activate cruise control with buttons or knobs on the steering wheel or column. First, you engage the system and then accelerate to your desired speed. Most units require you to press a SET switch before removing your foot from the pedal.Â
Additional controls allow you to increase or decrease the pace incrementally (1-2 km/h at a time).Â
To see which vehicles have adaptive cruise control near you, contact our Calgary dealership today.
What Advantages Can a Diesel Engine Bring to Calgary, AB Drivers?
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(Posted on Mar 5, 2021 at 11:01PM by Josh Lew)
Diesel engines have come a long way since the 1980’s. Today’s models avoid problems like noise and excessive emissions. Also, they have enhanced some of the advantages that make them a great option for specific tasks. What does diesel bring to Calgary drivers? First of all, the motors are more efficient than their gas counterparts.
The reason for this is their higher compression ratio. Diesel units use hot, dense air to ignite the fuel (instead of spark plugs). In addition to this attribute, the engine design has fewer components. The limited number of moving parts lowers the maintenance requirements.Â
Another advantage of these units is that they provide more torque. The extra power may not be useful to some, but it comes in handy for towing, hauling, or acceleration. This is why pickup trucks, such as the Ram 3500, come with a diesel option.Â
To check the availability of diesel-power vehicles near you, contact our Calgary dealership today.
What are Paddle Shifters and How Do Calgary Drivers Use Them?
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(Posted on Mar 3, 2021 at 11:01PM by Josh Lew)
Paddle shifters help the driver switch manually between gears when operating a vehicle with an automatic transmission. This feature sits behind the steering wheel on both the right and left sides. You can typically find it on performance-oriented autos like the Dodge Charger. Paddle shifters (initially produced for racing) provide a hand-operated option for consumer vehicles. You typically have to choose the manual setting to activate the feature. Also, you cannot select Drive, Reverse, or Park with this component, so you must move the car into D using the regular stick before the mode becomes operational.
Usually, the right paddle is for traveling up through the gears, while the left is for downshifting. Â This feature can decrease brake wear because it naturally slows the car as you decelerate. At the same time, the components are electronic, so they do not cause damage to the transmission, even if you use them incorrectly.Â
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Contact our Calgary dealership to inquire about the availability of vehicles with paddle shifters.
What is Engine Start-Stop (ESS) and How Does It Improve Fuel Efficiency in Calgary, AB?
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(Posted on Mar 2, 2021 at 11:01PM by Josh Lew)
An Engine Start-Stop (ESS) system, available on autos such as the Jeep Cherokee, helps improve fuel efficiency by cutting the power when the vehicle is not in motion. This component uses sensors to monitor the speed of the car. When the driver applies continuous pressure on the brake, the unit interprets the action as an intent to stop, and it shuts off the motor, which remains dormant until the pedal gets released.Â
This feature is meant to improve fuel economy. The stop-start cycle is usually measured in hundredths of a second, so it does not hinder performance. The ESS uses electronics, but it is wired separately from the HVAC, lights, and media centre. Therefore, it doesn't affect the functionality of these other components.Â
Does Engine Start-Stop work? It can increase fuel efficiency by up to 10%, but it is most effective in city driving and during stop-and-go rush-hour commutes. It offers little benefit for those who usually ride on the highway.Â
To see which vehicles have ESS, contact our Calgary dealership today.
