KeriBlog

Cars, Security & a Peek into my Life

Camouflaging Cars

When testing a new model, manufacturers disguise the cars from curious, long camera lenses… a leaked shot of an upcoming debut really sucks the drama away.

So many automakers keep a Camo Expert on staff.

The goal is to trick the eye into seeing something that’s not there.

How? The camo makes it difficult for a camera lens to focus, or sometimes an infrared-absorbing paint is used, B&W swirly paint can make convex appear concave, or the shape of the car is altered using styrofoam and fake body parts.

Read it online at Autonet.

Favourite line:

 There are different types of camo, but both always mask the two most important design features – the grille and tail lights. 

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WiFi Hotspots are Coming to Cars

This year, our cars will be constantly connected to the internet.  It’s going to be HUGE.

By 2021, the auto industry will have have the highest revenue that’s connectivity-related.

It arrived last year via Audi, and Chevy is a front-runner, with 10 of their models to be offered with 4G and LTE connections by this 2014 summer.

Read it online at Autonet.ca

Favourite line:

It will be interesting to see how the data will be priced, because using the rule of thumb that at YouTube video is 1MB per minute, we’d all be driving down the road just hemorrhaging money. 

Remember my column about War Driving? I wonder how this will affect things like that. I also wonder about the security aspect of an always-connected car.  Remember, you are responsible for hotspot users. 

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Funeral Procession Etiquette

It’s not a hearse, it’s a “funeral coach.”

Read it online at Autonet.ca.

Favourite line:

Try this trick; imagine how the person in the casket would give anything to trade places with you, and be the one stuck in traffic. 

Two favourites this week.

It’s in your best interest to give the procession a wide berth, because this is a line of distracted drivers.

Really though, be kind to a passing funeral.  

I received a bunch of emails this week – when you honk and get angry at a procession, it can haunt someone for 20 years.

Thanks for taking the time Bruce, of Humphrey Funeral Home.

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Diesels are the New Hybrids

Today’s diesels are far different than when they first arrived in the 1970s, yet somehow the stigma has unfairly stuck.

If you’re looking for great fuel economy on a tough-as-nails engine, consider a diesel. Better re-sale value too.

Read it online at Autonet.

Favourite line:

Don’t take my word for it – ask a diesel owner, because they will sing its praises, and word-of-mouth is how you really know. 

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Driving in a Roundabout

If you feel nervous: don’t be shy to put on your hazard lights and let the other drivers know you’re new to this.

Just remember…

The 1 Rule of a Roundabout:
never brake inside one

Read it online at Autonet.ca

Favourite line:

Remember there are hundreds of thousands of roundabouts being used in Europe right now, some 4 lanes wide, and there’s no way they’re all better drivers than you – you got this.

Turns out roundabouts are a touchy topic, 73 comments, not bad.

Below is a video of me driving inside a roundabout.

I’m driving a GMC 2500 HD Denali in the States. There’s a video over at Motoring TV.

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