CAR WARRIORS: 4G-EQUIPPED CARS NEXT STEP IS EVOLUTION

Friday, October 10, 2014

4G-EQUIPPED CARS NEXT STEP IS EVOLUTION

All new car's and truck's is the best mobile computer ever invented. With plenty of space for data storage, wireless antennas, and multiple processors and LCD screens, driving a new car is like towing a data center with you to the beach place. The problem is that all of that connected bliss has been limited to speeds of about 1 MBps or so. While your new phone might get some 4G service as you motor along, most cars themselves can connect only via 3G.

That is changing, fast. We recently tested two cars—the new Audi A3 and Cadillac ATS and that use a 4G data feed to connect at speeds of greater than 5 Mbps, creating a roving hotspot not only for the passengers in the vehicle watching The Blacklist on an iPad but also for the driver's smartphone or tablet. You can connect over 4G to the car,such as Pandora and iHeartRadio, and then play apps from your phone that run on the touchscreen no need for phone while you drive hands free.

Driving with 4G means your music stream is less likely to be interrupted by spotty service, but it's about much more than that. A fast connection in the car is ushering in the age of vehicular processing, which will allow passengers to use data-intense apps such as full 3D map visualization, two-way video calling, HD or even 4K video streaming, surround-sound audio, and even multiplayer gaming PlayStation 4 or on the Xbox One , all in the car. A new age of mobile connectivity is coming.

2015 Cadillac ATS

The Cadillac ATS mid-sized sedan is the smaller cousin to the Cadillac CTS and XTS full-size models. It's a sleek and nimble ride. The OnStar 4G LTE connection is also quite nimble. In our tests using the SpeedSmart iPhone app, we tested speeds of 6 to 10 MBps. To create a Wi-Fi hotspot in the car, you press the OnStar connection button on the rear-view mirror. Our test car was already configured with an SSID network name and password; you can set up one of your liking. Seven people can connect using any wireless device.

GM says the antenna on the ATS is much stronger than the one that fits inside a smartphone or tablet, and is tweaked to make sure the cellular data connection remains consistent as you drive, jumping onto cell towers quickly. As long as you keep driving, the hotspot never runs out of power. You can also use the accessory mode with the engine turned off to keep the hotspot going for 30 to 60 minutes.

One cool 4G perk: If you call an OnStar adviser, the agent can run a diagnostic on the car via the data connection, even while you're in motion. Previously, the OnStar agent could connect to speak to you but had to run the diagnostic tests after the call ended and then send the results. Someday soon, auto repair shops will be able to run these same diagnostics on your car.

GM is slowly rolling out OnStar 4G throughout its entire fleet; about 30 cars will use the faster data connection in the next few months, including most GM cars in the Cadillac, Buick, Chevy, and GMC line-ups. Cadillac offers a three-month trial for every new owner. After that, you'll pay by the month—(that's right, your car has a data plan now). There's also a single day package as well as an annual plan. If you already use AT&T, you can add the ATS for a flat rate of $10 per month and shared data.

2014 Audi A3

The A3 offers deeper connectivity via 4G. Google Earth and Google Street View both pop up immediately thanks to the faster feed. There are additional in-car apps available, from Twitter and Facebook to one for checking fuel prices and the weather.

The A3 will provide a hotspot for only about 10 minutes after you put the car in accessory mode; there's no extended mode. As with the Caddy, your 4G speeds depend greatly on where you connect, how many other drivers are around, and the time of day. The Audi and the Cadillac produced similar speeds, and no surprise there—both use the AT&T network. Audi, however, offers its own set of data plans, which cover six months or even 30 months of service. Go above your data allotment, though, and you'll need to sign up for more.

Audi does include a six-month trial with the A3, however, which is three extra months of free surfing over the Cadillac ATS. You can also add the A3 to your existing AT&T plan.

More Than Entertainment

A 4G connection in the car means that everyone can connect their phone or tablet to watch movies, web surf, even control the Wi-Fi-connected sprinkler system in your home. It's great for those family road trips, too. Many kids' devices don't have cellular data, but they can stay connected (and occupied) through the connection to your hotspot. And in my tests, having a fast and reliable connection meant streaming over apps like Pandora actually worked reliably, without the typical glitchy behavior on 3G-connected cars. Having about 10Mbps on board means everyone share the bandwidth without hiccups.

Yet the future promised by 4G connectivity in cars is about more than streaming movies. Tim Nixon, the CTO of OnStar, told me the next wave of connectivity will probably focus more on diagnostics. When a GM car can connect reliably over 4G, he says, it will be that much easier for dealerships to connect to your car's systems and diagnose any problems.

Of course, 4G is just the opening act of the connected car future. Cars will connect to the roadway, other vehicles, and a central car traffic control center over a wireless signal. (This won't be 4G. Current plans call for a more tightly controlled wireless signal called dedicated short-range communications, or DSRC, and it's currently in a testing phase.) When cars start driving on their own using sensors that look for problems on the road and adjust steering, braking, and speed autonomously, having a high-speed and secure connection will be crucial. Imagine an entire car network that adjusts in real-time to traffic flows, accidents, and road obstructions. We might not even need traffic lights, speed limits, or yield signs because the cars will all connect into a central grid. If we can get the network right, that is None of this is coming tomorrow, but it is coming.

No comments:

KNOWING ABOUT YOUR POWER-TRAIN WARRANITY

A powertrain warranty is a form of assurance offered by the manufacturer of an automobile. When a consumer purchases a vehicle, at the time of sale, he or she will be given a powertrain warranty, which will cover all or part of the powertrain of the underlying automobile. When a mechanical problem occurs to the powertrain the costs associated with repair or replacement are covered in the powertrain warranty—the manufacturer or dealer whole sold the automobile will pay to have the car fixed. That being said, what parts are covered and the extent of the repayment associated with fixing the car will vary greatly based on the powertrain warranty offered.

Depending on the manufacturer, a powertrain warranty will provide different forms of coverage based on interpretative differences; for example, one manufacturer’s definition of an engine can be referred to as a ‘long block’, meaning the engine, as well as everything attached to it cannot be removed. Another definition of an engine can be a “short block” meaning only part of the engine—typically the piece below cylinder head—cannot be removed. As a result, the coverage abilities will vary between these two warranties if the engine proved to be faulty.

In addition to the engine, the type of automobile will necessitate different variables within the powertrain warranty. For example, if you purchased a manual transmission vehicle, the warranty may exclude repairs or replacements for important pieces, such as the clutch—an extended warranty for a manual transmission will typically only provide coverage for the driveshaft and the axles.

A powertrain warranty will last for a certain number of years or for a maximum number of miles. In most instances, the powertrain warranty will last longer than a typical car warranty; the basic powertrain warranty is offered as a 10 year or 100,000 mile warranty, or whichever comes first.

Other Warranites Usually available to car buyers:

Basic: Also known as "bumper-to-bumper" coverage, this is the general coverage that would pay to repair defects in factory-installed parts. Tires are not typically included because they're usually covered under a separate tire manufacturer warranty.

Corrosion: Covers rust that causes holes in sheet metal in parts such as the doors or side panels.

Roadside assistance: Provides help with towing and tire-changing if the car breaks down while traveling.

It's best to check with dealers for specifics, but here is a list of seven top auto companies that offer among the best car warranties, despite the fact that many are rated safe cars by independent research firms.

Car Insurance Tips

Find out what’s covered and what isn’t. Get your quote in writing and confirm the accuracy of each vehicle and driver you are insuring, as well as the coverages you requested. Ask about free, value-added features, such as emergency roadside assistance. Check to see if repairs are guaranteed for as long as you own your car, and find out what kind of payment options are available.

To see if you’re getting credit where credit is due, it's a good idea to find out all the discounts available to you. Some simple ways to save money on your auto insurance include maintaining a clean driving record, being a good student and the inclusion of certain safety features when buying a new car can save you money on your policy.

Your state sets forth the minimum liability coverage you must maintain, as mentioned above. But these are just the legal minimums and might not give you the coverage you need. You'll have to decide what you want to buy beyond these minimums. Keep in mind that you are looking to find the balance between having adequate coverage and overpaying.

According to Consumer Reports, a general guideline for adequate bodily injury liability limits is $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, plus $100,000 for property damage. These amounts are what your insurer will pay to someone you are in an accident with. For uninsured motorist coverage, you should get the same amount as for bodily injury liability, as this covers your medical costs when someone who is not insured hits you.

Auto insurance tip #1
Understand why you need auto insurance
In short, you need car insurance to protect your car, yourself and your passengers. You also protect any assets, like your home and savings, as well as comply with state law.

Auto insurance tip #2
Know your current coverages-but be willing to adjust
Use your current coverages and limits as a starting point; you can refer to your declarations page for this information. Then, adjust your coverages as necessary to match your lifestyle-which might be different than it was when you first bought the policy.

For example, if your teenager starts driving next month, you might consider adding him or her to your policy now. Or, if you just bought a new car, you might choose loan/lease payoff coverage, so that if your car is stolen or declared a total loss, you'll have help paying off your loan or lease.

Auto insurance tip #3
Decide what you want to protect, then choose your coverages

Auto insurance tip #4
Use deductibles to your advantage
Your deductible is what you agree to pay out of pocket when you use your car insurance. In general, the higher you set your deductible, the less you'll pay for your policy. And conversely, if you set your deductible low, you'll pay more for your policy, but less when you have a claim.

Auto insurance tip #5
Know that certain things affect your rate
Insurance companies evaluate a variety of things when they calculate your rate, from your driving record to where you live and how many miles you drive on average. Keep this in mind when you see your rate.

More alternatives:

Raise your comprehensive and collision deductibles to at least $1,000, which lowers your premiums and prevents you from filing small claims that could jeopardize a claims-free discount. Add some more money to your emergency fund so you’ll have the cash to pay the deductible if anyone in your family does have an accident.

Drop collision and comprehensive coverage entirely on older cars that are worth little more than the deductible. You may be paying more in premiums than you could ever get back from the insurer, even if the car is totaled.

Tell your insurer if your child goes away to college. If your child goes to school more than 100 miles away and does not use the car, you can usually get a big break on your premiums but still have coverage when he or she comes home for vacation.

Ask about other discounts for teenage drivers. Some insurers offer discounts for driver-safety programs, cutting costs if the kids take a special class, watch a DVD, or read a driver-safety book and take a test. Ask your insurer what your kid needs to do to qualify.

Make the most of multi-policy discounts. You’ll usually get a break on your auto insurance and your homeowners insurance if you keep both policies with the same company. You may get an additional discount if you include an umbrella policy, which provides extra liability coverage beyond your auto-insurance limits and can be particularly valuable when you have a teenage driver.

Some insurers offer much better deals than others for teenage drivers, so it’s important to compare costs. The insurance company that offered the best rate for you and your spouse may have some of the highest rates when you add a teenage boy to the policy - and it’s almost always better to add the child to your policy rather than have him get his own policy.

You can get price quotes from several online insurance companies like Progressive or AllState or get personalized service from an independent insurance agent who works with many companies. You may not want to switch from a longtime insurer just to save a few dollars, however, because your current company may be less likely to raise your rate or drop you if your child has an accident. If you stay with the insurance company you currently have there more room for forgiveness and benefits of such various programs. Also keep in mind that if you have been getting a multi-policy discount, your homeowners-insurance rate might rise if you take your auto-insurance business elsewhere.

One thing you don’t want to do in an attempt to reduce your premiums is skimp on liability coverage. recommends liability limits of at least $250,000 per person, $500,000 per accident and $100,000 for property damage or a policy with a “combined single limit” of $500,000, when available, which does not limit the coverage to $250,000 per person involved in the accident. Young drivers are more likely to have accidents, and lowering your liability limits could leave you on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars in expenses if your child does hit another car or injure someone.

CAR WARRIORS

Friday, October 10, 2014

4G-EQUIPPED CARS NEXT STEP IS EVOLUTION

No comments:

Post a Comment

Previous Posts