jbowman1993

New gadget for less able drivers

Chevrolet's G80 Diff-Lock aims to enhance Colorado appeal for potential buyers

Tan T. Sirikul

Bangkok Post

Friday, February 3, 2006

Many of you should be familiar with Limited Slip Differential (LSD) technology which is found in four-wheel drive pickups.

LSD works when either side of the wheel loses traction and transfers some torque to it.

If that isn't enough, then you'll just have to shift to four-wheel-drive mode.

And if it's a two-wheel-drive, then you have to get out of the car and start pushing.

This week's new technology for pickups is Chevrolet Colorado's G80 Diff-Lock: an engineering innovation that is used in as much as 75% of the North American pickup market.

Diff-Lock is different from LSD in that Diff-Lock transfers equal power to both wheels, 50:50 to be precise.

Safety? Don't worry because Diff-Lock will only work at speeds not exceeding 30kph. Over that and it automatically stops.

Chevrolet is targeting the G80 Diff-Lock at two-wheel-drive pickup users. This segment accounts for more than 60% of pickup users.

The G80 Diff-Lock will help the pickup driver in all situations. Huge potholes need not require getting put of the vehicle for a push. Off-road enthusiasts can also get the G80 Diff-Lock in their 4x4 vehicles as well.

During a test with G80 Diff-lock, I climbed a 45-degree angle slope station with 2m-long rollers on one side. Didn't make it on my first try, but was successful on the second with a little more pressure on the accelerator.

The second station saw one side of my two-wheel-drive in a precarious position with one wheel hanging in the air. Normally you'd need the 4x4 system to help out, but the G80 Diff-Lock made it look and feel very easy.

The G80 Diff-Lock isn't just an enhancement of the Chevrolet's performance arsenal, but a marketing strategy to boost sales at the start of 2006.

This year, there will be three major pickup brands unveiling all-new products making competition intense as ever.

Therefore, the fact that all of Chevrolet Colorado pickups have the G80 Diff-Lock to choose from is a smart move. And for an extra 20,200 baht plus labour costs, it's not a bad investment for the pickup market.

Street menace on the rise

Jessada Tandhasettee

Bangkok Post

Friday, February 3, 2006

If you aren't a Thai national or an expat who hasn't been residing in Thailand for quite a few years, you won't believe what you are about to read.

I, too, am quite hesitant to talk about this unless it's a personal acquaintance because they'll accuse me of lying.

The following is a list of a few hypocritical idiosyncrasies in Thailand.

Vehicles that are imported to Thailand are homologated in order to attain an exhaust level that has hazardous substances that do not exceed international standards.

Meanwhile, public transport buses are spouting out massive loads of black exhaust, while the authorities concerned do nothing whatsoever to tackle the problem.

And the nation's best (traffic police) can always be seen busy writing up tickets for front passenger who do not buckle up, while pickups loaded with human beings are let go scott free.

However, the primary focus of today's read will be about a "new breed" of illegal vehicles that will spread faster than the H5N1 virus itself.

I don't remember when this illegal form of vehicle began running on the streets of Bangkok. However, when I was young, say about 50 years ago, I remember seeing a three-wheeler which ran on pedals. Two wheels up front and one rear-wheel with brakes.

It used to have traditional red livery and we used to call it samlor daeng or the "red three-wheeler". A few decades later the moniker morphed into saleng.

Loads and braking capabilities were suitable as long as the power source of this saleng was provided by pedaling power of two legs.

But some genius thought it would be better if the rear one-wheel was replaced by a motorcycle's. No more energy wasted trying to pedal up slopes and undulations.

It's illegal and extremely dangerous as well. The rear wheel which is where the brakes are installed will have only the weight of the occupant and engine to rely on when decelerating.

Maximum loads will result in weight force of barely 30% of the entire vehicle on the rear despite locking the brakes.

Deceleration will be very low and this is very dangerous. And what's worse is that these illegal vehicles can attain speeds of up to 100kph or even more depending on the tail section's engine model being fused to the vehicle.

Every country has its fair share of amateur inventors who lack proper training and basic foundations in theory and practise. Therefore, the number of treacherous and inferior products being invented for use never stops. But it usually doesn't reach end-users because it is illegal.

These illegal three-wheelers or saleng cannot run on the streets of Thailand, according to rules and regulations of the Department of Land Transport.

As a matter of fact, the first or any saleng should be arrested or apprehended immediately.

It can't be registered for use on the roads. But why is it that there are several factories specialising in the production of illegal saleng products in Thailand?

Traffic police have a tendency to say: "We don't know what to do with these illegal vehicles who don't have a license."

And eventually the government will adopt a lenient approach with these salengs and probably give them a special license to run on the streets because of the sheer number of them.

I am pleading with the powers that be, for a country that is about to become the "Detroit of Asia", let's get rid of this despicable vehicle called the motorised saleng.

Thanks for the good points. There are many insightful comments floating around TV. I learn a lot every single day!

And Chownah, i respect and am tolerant of your attempted irony.

In reading posts here for the last 6 months, I have been impressed by many of the members, and their thoughtful insights into Thailand and life in this country.

But on the flip side, there seem to be a significant percentage who, while they choose to live in LOS, or they visit from time to time, have trouble accepting the cultural differences that present themselves. They instead prefer to hold every thought, idea, and item they encounter up to their "Western Standard". If they find that this doesn't fit perfectly, they feel the need to deride it, placing their cultural values above all others.

I believe that one of the challanges we all face in our ever changing and shrinking world, is to learn to develop a respect for our differences, even celebrate them. We are not all the same, and we don't all believe the same thing. We need to realize that this is a good thing! It is what makes our world such an interesting and wonderful place to live.

The United Nations has a wonderful website with great resources on this subject. (unesco.org)

The following is taken from that site.

Cultural Diversity is a fact

The World has some 6000 communities and as many distinct languages. Such difference naturally leads to diversity of vision, values, beliefs, practice and expression, which all deserve equal respect and dignity.

Cultural Diversity is our everyday reality

The international migration rate is growing fast every year. According to the “International Migration Report 2002” of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the number of migrants has doubled since the 1970s. The report also says that around 175 million persons are residing away from the country of their birth and one in every 10 persons in the developed regions is a migrant. Also, more migrants are coming from countries ever farther away. While the reasons for migration vary (economic, political, personal choice …) , one thing is sure: we live in an increasingly heterogeneous society.

Cultural Diversity reflects the respect of fundamental rights

Culture is a set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features of society or a social group. It encompasses, in addition to art and literature, lifestyles, ways of living together, values systems, traditions and beliefs. Respecting and safeguarding culture is a matter of Human Rights. Cultural Diversity presupposes respect of fundamental freedoms, namely freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of opinion and expression, and freedom to participate in the cultural life of one's choice.

Cultural Diversity is our collective strength

The Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development (September 2002) acknowledges that our rich diversity, which is our collective strength, should be used to ensure sustainable development. Cultural Diversity, indeed, is not just a natural fact that we need simply recognize and respect. It is about plurality of knowledge, wisdom and energy which all contribute to improving and moving the World forward.

(Stepping down from soapbox) Peace.

Travel forum Ahoy!!!

I was only thinking the other day that it's a good thing my partner and I are the same age, as neither one of us will be too old for a child. It scares me to think that my father could pass away in a maximum of 20 years - I'll only be 45! A good age for a female is 30, whereas the maximum age for a male should be 35 for the first child.

Welcome to Female Biology 101, or, The Things They Don't Tell You Until It's Too Late.

Women are designed to have children young. A 30 year old having her first child is called an "elderly primipara" and is a high medical risk. Fertility drops very sharply for women at the age of 25. Yes, I said 25. It continues to decline rapidly from there on out. From a strictly biological point of view, the optimal childbearing years are ages 19 to 21.

The current trend to delay childbearing is the absolute and direct cause of the high rate of infertility in women desiring to start a family. If you wait until you are 36, the odds are high that you will never have a child without spending tens of thousands of dollars in fertility treatments. Women over 35 have a steeply increased risk of having a child with birth defects, due to the egg being too old and "stale." Women are born with all their eggs, they don't make fresh stock like men.

Now, I am not saying a woman over 40 cannot have a perfectly normal child with no complications or fertility treatments. I am saying it is the exception. In the 1960s women over 40 were not given birth control pills when they became available, because their risk of conception was considered to be too low.

Quite frankly, the delayed childbearing frequently contributes to the obesity problem, too. How many have seen a mother of three under 25, with a figure that looks like she has never been pregnant? How many have seen a 36 year old mother of one fashionably delayed child who cannot lose the "baby fat?"

My wife and I got married this past year, and she just went off the pill three months ago, and is pregnant. She is 40, I'm 30. Maybe its because I am such a superstud!

From all the primary source research I have read, it is erronious to suggest that women over 40 having a normal child is the exception. Perhaps the odds are not as good as if she were 20, but the chances of having a normal pregnancy are still very high. In a March of Dimes study, the odds for a women of 40 having a problem were 1 in 105. That means that 104 women would have perfectly normal children. Now the odds for an 18 year old were 1 in 1,100. So the odds are better, surely. But things are not quite as bleak as you paint them.

Peace

Yeah, short people are the worst

What is the secret to long life?

Moderation in all things.

Thanks for the kind words and the good advice. Lots to think about! (joy!) Lots to buy! (Cringe, lol)

Just found out yesterday that my wife and I are going to have a baby, our first. Is it normal to feel so proud, excited, and scared all at the same time. What kind of advice do all you wise venerable sages have for me?

happyhappyhappyhappyhappyhappyhappy

Peace

Dealing With Potentially Drunk Farang Men Who Want To Talk

Well, if he's an Aussie, I think you can scratch the "potentially".

So is it just me or is everyone a dawg cheater like me???

Its just you.

I've got a lovely golden named Waffle. He is 11 months old. He likes to pick shoes up and carry them around, but doesn't really chew them. I like to keep him shaved, but let his coat grow during the colder evening weather. I suppose Ill shave him again in March, in preparation for the hot season.

These pictures are from September or so. He is enjoying his new doghouse.

Sounds like fun. I hate to commute myself. I'd drive me crazy.

Oh, and Bambina is Hot

I started draft a lengthy reply to this, but then I realized that I really don't care that much. I'm sure there is a big market for used tires in Thailand. I am sure we all realize that when we buy a used car, we buy used tires as well.

The only second hand car I ever bought was from my Dad, and so I knew what I was getting. (He's a maintanence zealot). So I can't speak to the other.

But really, how much money are we talking about? You can get a decent set of tires in this country for 4-6k. If you can afford to buy a car in this country, to can afford to buy new tires vs used. If you have your heart set on buying used, go for it. Let us know how it works out for you.

Peace

For me, buying second-hand tires would be the same as buying second-hand underwear. Sure, you can buy it, and wear it, but would you really want to?

Tires are cheap enough in LOS, buy new.

Peace

Thanks for the welcomes.

My friend is talking of going back in april,checked flights (recomended places.... ears all open!) and theyre not too badly priced,alot less than i payed at local travel agents anyway!

daft question time............. LOS??

LOS = Land of Smiles

The reason the prices are so cheap in April is that it is the hottest month in Thailand. Temperatures can push 40+ in Bangkok. But, sweating so much makes your skin look fantastic

Peace

No offence and a big Welcome to Thai Visa as lovely as your holiday story sounds, it really could have been a trip to Spain, Tenerife, Majorca anywhere.

It hardly sounds like you embraced the Thai culture, food, lifestyle etc etc.

Did you not visit any temples, eat any street food, hike through the jungle, that kind of thing.

Again, I dont mean to be rude, and im sure you may have done lots of other things, so why not share some of your feelings about the culture and Thai people (not the bar girls!)

Lighten Up. It was his vacation, not yours. Some people like to chill and relax when they are on a break from work.

I suppose I'm as guilty of this as the rest, but when a person is just sharing a fun experience, why do we at TV feel it is necessary to pee on his rainbow?

Even in the US, I would hardly ever use cruise. There where just too many 18 wheelers trying to set speed records. Every time I get frustrated with driving in Thailand, i just stop to remember the trucks on US Interstate 40, between Nashville and Memphis, and I immediately relax and thank my lucky stars I live here now.

Peace

The Nation

Friday, 27 January 2006

Pattanadesh Asasappakij

New cars: not all the fancy features apply to Thai roads

New cars usually include a big variety of standard features, making it easier for consumers to make decisions when buying. That’s because, when comparing models in the same price range, the car that has more features is surely the one with the better value.

At the same time, it should be remembered that certain features that come with some cars may not be appropriate for Thailand’s driving conditions.

Some of these features also require a lot of money to keep them operating, so although they may seem to add value to a car, they may turn out to create an unnecessary burden.

Khun asranu_jane asks:

My car comes with a function called “cruise”, but no matter how I try to use it, it won’t work. I’ve already tried to follow the instructions in the owner’s manual. My question is: what does the “cruise” function do and how do I use it?

It is a pity that you didn’t mention the brand and model of your car, because different brands have their own way of operating these systems.

However, I’ll give you as much detail as possible and if you still don’t understand then you might have to go to the service centre of your particular brand and get technical advice.

The “cruise control” function makes the car maintain a steady speed while allowing the driver to take his foot off the accelerator. It is usually offered in larger sedans and SUVs with engine sizes larger than 2,000cc, mostly for the US market.

Cruise control is a function that I consider a waste of technology.

I’ve travelled around the world and the only two countries in which cruise control would be useful are the United States and Australia, because they are very big countries and the roads can be very straight and long.

There is not much traffic on the highways while speed limits are strictly enforced.

In Thailand there is little opportunity to engage cruise control because the roads are filled with traffic travelling at different speeds.

There are many roads that are bumpy, and when there is strong vibration or the brake pedal is depressed – even slightly – the cruise control automatically disengages. So it’s not really suitable for Thailand.

To make use of cruise control, you must first achieve the desired cruising speed and then press the cruise-control button for three to five seconds, depending on the brand of car.

Once engaged, you can remove your foot from the gas pedal and the car will maintain a steady speed.

In some cars you can manually increase or decrease the cruising speed by using the cruise control buttons. In others you can raise the cruising speed by using the accelerator but you may not be able to reduce the speed.

As well as cruise control, traction control seems to me to be another useless piece of equipment in this country. Its main use is for driving in icy conditions and you can’t really find icy roads in Thailand.

So whenever you buy a car, as well as studying the equipment list, consider whether the features can be used in our driving conditions.

Many people, for instance, decide to buy 4x4 pickups, because the price is not much higher than two-wheel drive versions. But how many times will you engage the 4x4 system?

Many owners never get a chance to use the 4x4 system because they never go off road and never drive in really demanding conditions.

The truck is also heavier, so it consumes more fuel, and there are additional expenses involved in maintaining a 4x4 system.

It is a bit like a housewife buying something at a department store because of the free gifts that come with it and not because she really wants the original item.

Bangkok Post

Friday, January 27, 2006

Chevy's captivating 4x4

This Korean-developed sport-ute promises looks and practicality to meet the demands of fashion-conscious buyers who are bored with saloons

What is it? The Captiva marks Chevrolet's foray into the growing compact sport-utility vehicle market that is now crowded with many promising models. It comes with a choice of two- or four-wheel-drive, 142hp 2.4-litre petrol or 150hp 2.0-litre diesel and five- or seven-seat configuration.

It looks quite good...

Yeah. Looks are bloody important in SUVs nowadays. Some cool design cues include the flared wheel arches, front apron, twin exhaust pipes and fluid-looking head and rear lamps. In fact, the Captiva evolved basically unscathed from the S3X concept version shown at the 2004 Paris Motor Show.

...but it has Korean origins

Don't be put off by this. Ever since General Motors took over ailing Daewoo, it created a new unit called GM Daewoo and started making decent cars like the Optra compact family car current on sale in Thailand.

What's special about the Captiva?

Nothing outstanding really. But expect the Captiva to be a very complete SUV in its class with competitive prices and high specification like brake assist, hill descent control, stability control and rollover protection system. Chevrolet has also ensured buyers of driving comfort: the turbo-diesel option that is usually available with only a manual gearbox in European-spec SUVs comes with an automatic option.

How does the Captiva measure in practicality?

As said earlier, the Captiva also comes with seven seats. This is possible due to a spacious package sitting on a 2.7m-long wheelbase with an overall length of 4.6m. This is particularly important in the presence of the latest-generation RAV4 from Toyota that is hugely popular in Europe.

What are its Thai sales prospects?

It makes its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show next month and hits European showrooms in August. The Captiva would serve as a good weapon for Chevy against the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute and Nissan X-Trail in Thailand. However, our sources believe the Captiva won't come to Thailand, as it would have to be made in Thailand (or other Asean countries) to yield competitive prices.

But didn't Chevrolet always yearned for an SUV?

It did and still does. What they could be looking at instead is an SUV developed from the Colorado pickup which, in turn, is a reskinned Isuzu D-Max. Using such a strategy enables Chevrolet to enjoy the 20% excise tax applied on PPVs (pickup-passenger vehicles), thus enjoying better margins than building the Captiva which must face 30% and higher content of parts sourced from abroad.

You mean something like the Toyota Fortuner?

Spot on. Imagine a Chevy 4x4 with the Colorado's front end. Reskinning Isuzu's MU-7 is theoretically possible, although the market knows that the MU-7's lengthy body, cumbersome drive, rear leaf springs and fixed third row isn't competitive against the Fortuner that has more practical dimensions and driving manners..

How long will be the wait?

Can't tell. Chevrolet (GM) never talks about tomorrow. And their product strategies are notoriously volatile. But now that production of the Zafira mini-MPV has stopped, Chevrolet badly needs a one million baht alternative for non-saloon punters. In the meantime, sign that cheque for the Fortuner.

Actually, they are closing down all of Bangkok for a period of 3 months, for repairs and general maintanence.

I've always been a Goodyear man myself. Its a silly sentimental attachment. I was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, which used to be the tire capital of the world. Firestone, Goodyear, Goodrich, General Tire. All the big ones were there. I even went to Firestone High School. Well slowly, they all moved away, except for Goodyear. They still have their corporate headquarters there, so I stick by them!

Peace

I'd say you can safely put that rumor in the ol' circular file.

Bangkok Post

Friday, January 20 2006

Go car-shopping with your relatives and friends

by Jessada Tandhasettee

A friend of mine who wanted to purchase a new car asked for my help. Even though it's a new car in the market, it's not a walk in the park for the buyer.

There are a myriad of prices to choose from, several engine displacements to look at, safety and comfort equipment to consider. And advice from the salesman (that is really beneficial to the buyer) is far and few between.

The consumer usually doesn't receive informative advice from the seller, which also applies to other consumer products besides the automobile.

My advice basically focused on the benefits and value being offered by the equipment list of the vehicle. Hence, the salesman more or less owes me a favour because I lessened his burden of having to explain such things to the buyer.

But it turned out to be that I was the undesirable element in this equation, so to speak.

Salesmen are used to "easy prey" who will absorb anything, even wrong product information.

We asked the first question which was the date of the customer delivery and the salesman said: "Don't worry. If we can't deliver the car on the agreed upon date, we will return the deposit."

Right. The deposit will have to be returned to the customer no matter what. The actual meaning of his irresponsible answer is: "Your troubles are your own problems."

If the frontline (salesmen) of such companies do not regard the problems of customers as the most important issue, the management must train them so that their eyes are open to the plight of the customer who might have sold his/her previous car already in order to get hold of the necessary amount of cash for the new car.

The customer might have even gone through a major time and schedule adjustment of daily life in order to wait for the new car.

Another setback the customer might be facing is that the so-called "new model" he/she is buying might be a production model that has already reached the end of its lifecycle, but is still selling because of the huge inventory reserves of unsold cars.

It probably had a long product lifecycle outside Thailand, but is still considered a "new model" when it is sold and marketed here in Thailand.

The tricky salesmen usually talk their way out of this situation by saying that it is a "new model". But in fact, this is a blatant attempt by the manufacturer to trick the customer.

You might have heard of a national scam in the past involving an SUV distributor from Japan, or a premium European brand, who tried to sell off its product with an engine that was actually meant for a larger-sized body spec.

Simply put, these are charlatans in expensive suits.

I advice that you go to the showroom with lots of relatives and friends during the negotiation process. They can serve as witnesses in the case that you were duped by the salesmen.

I am afraid, this is the only advice I can give until we have a strong and capable organisation that really protects the consumer from being duped through fraudulent practices of the seller.