Brooklyn print edition (PDF) - Caribbean Life

CAR DEALS Aug. 31–Sept. 6, 2012 • Caribbean Life • Brooklyn/Staten Island Page 50
Is a hybrid the
right fi t for you?
Some eco-friendly behaviors
and lifestyle changes
have been easy to adopt,
but others have proven far
more diffi cult. Perhaps nothing
illustrates that more than consumer
reaction to hybrid cars.
Hybrid car sales have dipped in
recent years. But supporters note
that vehicle sales in general have
also decreased over that period,
meaning it’s quite possible that
hybrid car sales are indicative of a
larger slump, and not necessarily
indicative of an adverse consumer
reaction to hybrid cars.
Whatever the reason for dwindling
sales, it’s clear consumers
have been reticent to embrace hybrid
cars, especially when compared
to other eco-friendly lifestyle
changes that have caught
on seemingly en masse. For those
considering a hybrid car, there’s a
valid case to be made on both sides
of the fence.
Why buy a hybrid car?
Buying a car is never an easy
decision. Choosing to buy one
that’s fundamentally different
than one you’ve ever purchased before
is even more diffi cult. Perhaps
there’s no greater reason to buy a
hybrid car than the environmental
benefi ts. A hybrid’s low emissions
mean less greenhouse gases,
which can include harmful carbon
dioxide. Less emissions make for
a healthier planet. For consumers
whose chief concern is the environment,
then hybrid cars are the
way to go.
There’s also more practical reasons
to buy a hybrid car. Better gas
mileage means drivers will be paying
less at the pump, which can add
up to signifi cant savings over time,
not to mention less fuel consumption
that will help the environment
as well.
Hybrid cars also tend to be more
effi cient. Hybrids have both an internal
combustible engine and an
electrical system, enabling drivers
to switch back and forth between
the power sources to make their
vehicle more effi cient, burning less
fuel when the conditions allow and
using less electrical energy when
the conditions would otherwise
drain the electrical power system.
Why steer clear?
Hybrid cars’ biggest problems
are largely economical. Resale
value of hybrid cars pales in comparison
to that of traditional au-
Before purchasing a hybrid
vehicle, weigh the advantages
and disadvantages of hybrids
to ensure the car meets your
needs.
tomobiles. Much of this lower resale
value is thanks to the battery
needed for hybrid cars.
Hybrid car batteries typically
need to be replaced once per decade.
When selling a preowned
vehicle, drivers might fi nd that vehicle
is less attractive to prospective
buyers if that battery has not
previously been replaced or if it’s
been several years since it was replaced.
Lower resale value is especially
tough to stomach when considering
the initial cost of hybrid cars,
which many feel makes them less
attractive options. Hybrids are often
considerably more expensive,
and researchers have noted that
the cost savings of hybrids are not
realized until after several years
of driving a hybrid vehicle. While
this fi gures to change as the market
continues to offer more hybrid
cars, for today’s consumer, that future
offers little comfort.
Safety is also a concern when
considering a hybrid car. Hybrids
use high-voltage batteries to operate,
which can prove disastrous
should an accident occur. Manufacturers
insist this concern isn’t
really a problem, as the batteries
are designed to turn off in an accident.
However, some consumers
subscribe to the “better safe than
sorry” approach and feel hybrid
batteries are simply too risky.
Much like any big-ticket decision
consumers must make, deciding
whether or not to buy a hybrid
car requires careful consideration
of the advantages and disadvantages
to hybrid cars before driving
one off the dealership lot.
You don’t have to sit idling to save gas.
Seven auto
myths revealed
When it comes to cars, many drivers
would admit that their technical
knowledge is lacking. In addition,
automotive technology is constantly
changing, making it hard to separate car facts
from fi ction.
The following are some of the most common
myths and misconceptions about vehicles.
Myth 1:
Higher octane fuel causes all cars to
run better
Fuels are rated according to how they prevent
detonation in the engine. Higher performance
engines generally have higher compression
ratios and are more prone to detonation.
They require high-octane fuel to prevent this.
Other engines have different compression rates
and usually require a lower-octane fuel. Unless
a driver hears engine pinging or knocking,
switching to a higher octane will not improve
performance due to the engine design. Drivers
can save their money and stick with “regular.”
Myth 2:
You must service your
vehicle at the dealership
It is illegal for dealerships to force service be
done strictly at the dealership. Routine maintenance
can be done by other vendors. Find out if
certain after-market parts installation may affect
the warranty, but even these should be OK.
Myth 3:
Idling uses less gas than restarting
the engine
Drivers don’t have to sit idling, wasting gas,
and contributing to added emissions. Restarting
a warm engine does not use more fuel than
idling a car.
Myth 4:
All-wheel drive makes a
vehicle invincible
All-wheel drive can provide some added
traction going up a snowy hill or coming out of
a turn on a rain-slicked surface, but it doesn’t
make a vehicle invincible. All-wheel drive will
do little to help a driver avoid road hazards or
grip the pavement in corners. Tires, suspension,
and driver skill are essential as well.
Myth 5:
Drivers should see side of the car in
side mirrors
In fact, they are improperly adjusted if the
sides of the car can be viewed. Moving out the
mirrors just a bit more reduces the need to look
over a shoulder to check for blind spots, which
takes a driver’s eyes off the road.
Myth 6:
All-season tires offer more traction in
the rainy seasons
Unless a person lives in a locale with conisderable
snowfall, it’s best to avoid all-season
tires. A standard tire has more grip, both wet
and dry, than an equivalent all-season tire.
Myth 7:
Antilock braking systems create
shorter stopping distances
Antilock braking system was actually created
to enable a driver to steer out of danger and
not spin out while braking. Shorter stopping
distances may occur, but they’re a side effect of
the system’s design.