Extensive Tyre Test Programme for Older Model Series

Porsche has extended its demanding approval process for winter tyres to include tyres for young and old classics. Offering customers this unusual service, the German manufacturer of sports cars enables drivers of older models to use the best available products on their car. Porsche is therefore providing valuable help and orientation particularly in the process of choosing new winter tyres with safe driving characteristics also on snow and ice. A further point is that this makes Porsche one of the few car makers to offer such an elaborate tyre approval process.

Well over 70 per cent of all Porsche sports cars ever built still exist today and are still driven actively in most cases – in both summer and winter. Indeed, even classic Porsche models more than 20 years old still offer the kind of performance today one would expect of a modern sports car. But the tyres fitted when such old and new classics were still in production have no longer been available for years. Tyre treads and rubber compounds have changed in an ongoing process of development, thus influencing the driving behaviour of such old Porsche models.

Conducting elaborate tests, Porsche’s engineers determine which of the tyres available today harmonise best with the features of a classic Porsche. The highlight in this testing and approving process is an extensive test programme up north in the Polar Circle.

Numerous Porsche models built in former years, among them the 911, 928, 964, 993 and 996, and then all the way to the first Boxsters, have been tested for this purpose on countless laps at the Arctic Driving Center in the Finnish town of Rovaniemi.

The criteria to be fulfilled by the tyres tested in order to receive approval by Porsche are so strict that not all tyres met the test requirements. The characteristics and features typical of an older air-cooled 911, for example, form an challenge not easy to overcome.

Further tests for dry and wet handling on test routes free of snow round off the test programme as such. Information on which tyres are recommended for which Porsche model is presented on Porsche’s website (www.Porsche.com) and is also available at all Porsche Centers.

- Porsche

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Falken Tire has designed and built a dynamic high mileage performance touring tire, which fits the needs of a wide market of vehicles. With an 80,000-mile limited mileage warranty, the SN211 offers long-term confidence and mile-after-mile comfort. Technological advantages are readily apparent through a variable sipe depth design, four optimized circumferential grooves and treadwear indicators. Best of all, the SN211 delivers maximum value and superb year-round performance.

Available in a wide range of original equipment replacement sizes, from 14-inch to 18- inch diameters, the SN211 is the tire for today – well-engineered and stylish, enhancing the look of popular coupes, sedans and wagons with a premium and sport-inspired appearance.

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Check out more pics over on Griot’s events page. Once spring kicks in, we hope to have some reviews on Griot’s products!

What happens when over 400 Porsches invade a small town in Ohio? Porsches 2 Oxford! July 26, drivers from as far away as California descended on the small college town of Oxford for what is becoming a legendary event in Porsche circles.

As the exclusive Car Care sponsor for the event, Griot’s Garage answered questions in a pair of how-to seminars, provided detailed demonstrations on customers’ cars, and still found time to enjoy the incredible collection of fantastic Porsche vehicles. Even an ultra-rare (in the U.S.) Porsche tractor showed up to partake in the festivities!

Griot’s Garage was proud to sponsor the Preservation Award, and it was a tough year to pick our favorite. Mac McGregor and his 1984 911 Targa stood out from the crowd, not only for the superior finish of the car but also for its story. Mac’s is a single owner car that has been lovingly cared for over the years. The 911 was a perfect example of dedication to preserving an amazing car and a testament to ‘Having Fun In Your Garage!’

At the end of the day, the winners’ parade started in front of our booth and we enjoyed seeing the storied history of Porsche line up right before our eyes! From casual to competition, unique to over-the-top, Porsches 2 Oxford has it all.

- Griot’s Garage

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Our Project New Beetle‘s heart is the 1.8T engine from Volkswagen/Audi. If your reading this and do not know what this means, it’s a turbo-charged 1.8L engine. It started life at 150hp and now sees around 210hp. In stock form it requires premium grade gas at 91 RON. It has been chipped (GIAC USA) which is written for 91-93 RON.

Do yourself, your engine and wallet a favor, fill your tank with the rating it requires. If you purchased a high performance car requiring a 91 RON or higher, don’t try to save pennies/gal cause in the end it just may cost you more!

Also, please maintain your car. Check/replace air filter, tires inflated and fix CEL (Check Engine Lights). Example: your O2 Sensor is out which measures your air/fuel mixture. A bad one will result in poor gas mileage!

Why the need for premium gas?

The octane rating is a measure of the resistance of gasoline and other fuels to detonation (engine knocking) in spark-ignition internal combustion engines. High-performance engines typically have higher compression ratios and are therefore more prone to detonation, so they require higher octane fuel. A lower-performance engine will not generally perform better with high-octane fuel, since the compression ratio is fixed by the engine design. – wikipedia

The AKI (anti-knock index — also known as “octane rating”) of the fuel is an average of two different methods of computing the fuel’s ability to resist engine knock. Regular unleaded gas in the U.S. has an anti-knock index of 87, while mid-grade is usually 89, and premium typically is 91 – 93. The higher the number, the more anti-knock protection the fuel offers.

Engine knock occurs when the fuel in the cylinder ignites by itself before the spark plug ignites it. The technical name for this condition is “pre-ignition.” It sounds like marbles rattling around in a can, and it generally gets worse the harder you press on the accelerator pedal.

Knocking can indeed damage an engine because what is in effect happening is the “explosion” of the fuel/air mixture is trying to push the piston downward in the cylinder before it’s gotten to the top of its stroke and is free to move downward. The engine is actually working against itself to a degree, and there is a lot of mechanical stress placed on certain engine parts, such as the pistons. In extreme cases, knocking can burn holes in the pistons and create other forms of engine damage.

Oil companies sell higher AKI fuels (also known as premium) to address this problem. A fuel with a higher AKI actually burns more SLOWLY than fuel with a lower AKI. This is because the fuel is less volatile and requires more heat input before it begins to ignite.

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Porsche 944 or not, this is a great read. It is a two part how-to.

Personally I don’t have the time and have been researching a place to do the New Beetle. I have done this routine in the past but right now it just need doing. We have a ton of rail dust on top of the usually birds, trees, etc. A claybar is #1 on anyones list. If you’ve used one you know it will make your car a smooth as a baby’s butt!

Andrew gettin it done with the Porter Cable Random-Orbit Polisher

- Part 1 is here
- Part 1 is here

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Finally got around to installing replacement bushings on the rear engine mount. A few weeks ago I was completing an oil change and I always use this time to inspect the car underneath. Well I noticed two bushings bulging out a bit. I pulled apart the mount and low and behold, they were ripped/split. I sent an email to VF-Engineering, purchased a kit of 4.

Bad pic from phone

I had a strong drive into work this morning and it had smoothed out a ton. Overtime, as they ripped, I got used to the vibration becoming more pronounced. A lot of people complain about the vibrations right off the bat, which I found not to be true. The reason for this is that the silicone bushings are stiffer than that of the OEM ones. This directs your engines power to the wheels as well as the body.

Wither way, the cars feels better now!

Technorati Tags: VF-Engineering, Lower pendulum mount, oneighturbo

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This is a great program. If you have children and need any assistance, get to one of these. Any make, any model! We have two kids and these seats can be a PITA!

They will also run through general safety checks.

IMO, every manufacturer should have this program available.

To find a local dealer participating in “Safety Saturday” please visit: www.SafetySaturday.com.

VOLKSWAGEN’S “SAFETY SATURDAY” MAKES ITS DEBUT ACROSS THE U.S.A.

- Make Safe Happen!

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Volkswagen of America, Inc. and Program Professionals, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to health promotion, injury prevention and safety programming, have teamed up to launch the national Volkswagen Safety Program.

“Volkswagen prides itself in providing safe vehicles that meet or exceed all government safety standards. Volkswagen Dealerships are proud to support Safety Saturday in its community effort to help educate drivers on proper car seat installation and general safety checks that could help prevent injury if in an auto accident.” Says Steve Keyes, Communications director at Volkswagen of America, Inc

Safe Happens is a nationwide program that will educate drivers, passengers and pedestrians on the importance of vehicle safety. Volkswagen and Program Professionals are dedicated to consumer safety issues and want to help drivers be mindful of driving conditions, car safety features and passenger safety dedication.

“The goal,” according to Janelle Rose, spokesperson for the Safe Happens Campaign and Director at Program Professionals, “is to help reduce or prevent accidental injury or death caused by traffic collisions, by educating consumers on proper precautions that can be put into effect every time we get into a car or behind the wheel.”

This nationwide “Safety Saturday” program will launch September 22, 2007 and will be driven home with the help of Volkswagen dealers across the U.S.A.

“Safety Saturday’s,” an extension to Volkswagens Safety Program will provide vehicle and car seat educations for all car owners. The program created by Program Professionals and Volkswagen was developed to educate drivers on the proper use of their cars features. It is also in alignment “Child Passenger Safety Week,” which runs September 16-22; a national awareness week prompted by the National Auto Dealers Associations (NADA).

During the “Safety Saturday” program, Volkswagen will provide a free safety inspection at participating VW dealerships. General safety checks consisting of tire pressure checks, airbag information, break light and blinker inspections will be offered. In addition, Sit Safe Child Passenger Safety Specialists will be available to share information on how to choose the correct car seat for your child, the four steps to child passenger safety and proper infant/child seat installation. Showroom floors will also be open for consumers to experience the “safety first” approach that goes into each Volkswagen through its comprehensive engineering and design. All participants will also have the opportunity to register to win a free 2008 Passat 2.0. 1

Program Professionals, Inc.

Founded in 2001 is a non-profit organization dedicated to health promotion, injury prevention and safety programming; providing comprehensive program management services, education and research throughout the United States and Canada. In addition to a variety of on-line and community-based programs, we provide toll-free assistance to parents, caregivers, child care providers, educators, medical professionals, automotive manufacturing personnel and other advocates. www.programprofessionals.org

1 NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C.),21 years or older. Ends: 9/30/07. To play and for Official Rules, including odds, and prize descriptions visit www.safetysaturday.com. Void where prohibited.

- VW Mediaroom

Technorati Tags: VW, Volkswagen, Safety Saturday, Program Professionals, oneighturbo

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“Many people disappear when they screw up. I wish to ‘man up’ before this community with my story.”

This is how TDIClub forum member DuluthRooster starts a post explaining how he ran a Jetta Wagon on waste vegetable oil for about 50,000 miles but then, sadly, had a terribly negative experience and ended up replacing the engine. He details the damage done to his engine by using VegOil that probably had too much water in it also probably also wasn’t filtered enough and the steps that he needed to take to figure out what was wrong and how to fix it over in the forums. It’s great reading if you want to know the dangers of using waste oil in your car, even if you think you know what you’re doing.

I don’t want to steal his thunder too much (his pictures are worth checking out, too), but here’s how he ends his post:

I will conclude my tale with a comment about WVO. I thought I was doing everything right but I damaged my car. Some mistakes I know I made were I didn’t increase my oil change intervals until it was too late. WVO permeates your crankcase oil and does not burn off so you can have loss of lubricity. Also water may have still been in oil evidenced by the blown off piston parts.

I think it was Drivbiwire that said that any money you save by running WVO will eventually be given back. At the time I thought he was a scrooge (well he is ). Well check this out.

Over two years I have saved about $5000 running WVO. In the last three months I have replaced a rear seal ($600), a turbo twice ($1400 VNT-15 times 2), new used engine ($2000), $1800 labor total to three different people, plus me chasing my tail for three months changing filters, fuel line, pulling injectors, etc. [...]

My next project is a biodiesel reactor. From now on it is B100 or D2 for me.

We certainly like the idea of WVO here on AutoblogGreen, but we also want to make sure that if you use it your experience is a good one. Take this as a warning, then proceed cautiously.

[Source: TDIClub]

– AutoblogGreen

Technorati Tags: VW, Volkswagen, TDIClub, Jetta Wagon, VegOil, WVO, oneighturbo, AutoblogGreen, B100, biodiesel

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I ride on Eibach/Koni setup but these are damn light and would put my stance right where I want it.

H&R continues its innovative design and manufacture of new suspension technologies with the introduction of Premium Performance Coil-Overs. These new coil overs feature Aluminum front struts that significantly reduce unsprung weight. Weight is reduced 30 to 40%over stock struts. Reduced unsprung weight improves suspension articulation resulting in optimized performance and ride. The Aluminum struts are black hard anodized for strength and beauty. All other features are the same as the famous H&R Street Performance Coil Overs.

The new Premium Coil Overs are available for popular Audi, BMW, and Volkswagen applications. Featuring H&R’s exclusive damper technology, each shock is specifically engineered to work smoothly with the progressive rate springs. The new H&R Coil-Overs will give your car superb comfort, performance and German style.

Like all of H&R’s products, H&R Coil-Overs are 100% made in Germany and use inductively tempered spring steel for unparalleled tensile strength and resiliency, allowing the use of a smaller wire diameter for reduced unsprung weight. H&R Coil-Over shocks are hand made monotube gas charged dampeners to maximize service life and performance. H&R is an A1 level product supplier to the automotive industry.

Contact:
H&R Special Springs
(888) 827-8881
www.hrsprings.com
info@hrsprings.com

Technorati Tags: H&R, H&R Springs, H7R Coilovers, vwvortex, oneighturbo

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Excellent read on biodiesel and it’s effects, pro’s and con’s and questions around offestting NOx and VW’s diesel’s.

I drive a modified 1.8T VW New Beetle. It does use premium gas. I’ve had decent talks with my wife about going biodiesel but financially we have both cars paid off. My yearly drive is about 9k in miles. Hers is a lot more probably around 14-15k but shes in a Honda CR-V.

With my mod’d Beetle, I still average 19mpg/city and jumps to 21-22mpg with 1-2 highway trips.

I’ve always said that it’s the “whole” picture and not just say the cost of gas today. There are some valuable points made below.

Read on..

This weekend I was checking out my friend Dave’s new VW Jetta, emblazoned with biodiesel stickers, as he told me how switching to biodiesel had lowered his carbon emissions 80%. (Biodiesel is based on biogenic carbon — the carbon emitted when you drive was absorbed by soybeans earlier in the season.)

I decided to push him a bit on the environmental bona fides of the car. “What about the NOx emissions? They’re a lot higher, you know.” Diesel, bio or not, burns at a higher temperature than gasoline and therefore causes more smog-forming oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions.

This is a common ding against diesel, and I immediately felt bad about repeating it. An 80% reduction in carbon emissions is nothing to scoff at. NOx and carbon emissions are pretty much impossible to compare, so wasn’t I just flinging mud?

Well, there is one way to compare carbon and NOx. Markets exist for credits in both pollutants, and theoretically we can use the respective price signals as an indication of their relative environmental costs. with this in mind, I sat down and calculated what Dave would have to pay for both his CO2 and NOx emissions (amazing what a new CEO will free you up to do in your spare time).

The results (Excel) show that given prices for carbon ($10/ton) and NOx ($2,500/ton), Dave’s use of biodiesel lowers his total environmental cost to $18.27/year, less than 50% of a gasoline Jetta and just 4% more than a Prius. In short, compared to a gasoline Jetta, the savings in carbon emissions ($22.32) more than outweigh the $11.59 he suffers as a result of higher NOx emissions.

Did I mention my friend had to buy this car used and out-of-state to skirt the California restrictions on diesels? For car geeks, this situation does look to be getting better. VW plans to test its “Clean TDI” technology in 2008 that will meet Tier 2 Bin 5 standards. In English, this means the emissions will meet “middle of the road” car standards and be available for sale in all 50 states. If Dave trades up for the new Jetta with this technology, his total environmental impact would be $7.68 — just 44% of the Prius.

For policy wonks, this example is a microcosm of many policy issues related to auto emissions. For example, Europe has already decided to encourage diesel passenger cars. In 2005, diesel made up 50% of new car registrations in Europe. Clearly that decision is based on a similar weighing of environmental goods (carbon reductions, biofuel use, energy conservation) and bads (NOx). It’ll be interesting to see how traditionally diesel-hating states like California adapt to diesel cars that both meet lower emissions targets and are more amenable to a biofuel strategy that can reduce CO2 in the near term (compared to ethanol).

One question to TerraPass readers with biodiesel cars: would you buy a TerraPass with a blend of small amounts of carbon offsets and the appropriate NOx credits? You’d have to submit your own DOT based testing data on NOx, as no comprehensive data set exists for these emissions. We’d source and retire from the US NOx market. Let us know what you think in the comments.

- TerraPass

oneighturbo

Technorati Tags: VW, Volkswagen, biodiesel, Environmental economics, green tradeoffs, Clean TDI, TerraPass oneighturbo

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