Steering You Right with Sharon Peters
By Sharon Peters
CTW Features
Q: We’ve test driven some cars with CVT transmissions and they all made this odd, sort of droning sound. Is this typical of this technology?
A: Unfortunately, it is, among most of them. Would-be purchasers appreciate the improved fuel economy that comes with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) but the noise factor, often compared to the sound of a blender, is annoying to many.
Some carmakers are sufficiently moved by the complaints and have taken steps to address the issue — and are pitching improvements to the weird whirring/humming sound that seem to be especially obvious in smaller economy priced cars that often have less sound-reducing materials than more expensive cars. Among carmakers that are actively addressing the matter and marketing the improvement: Nissan and Honda.
Q: We’re going to be spending two months on the California coast. We’re desert people so we have little familiarity with driving in fog. Can you give us some tips?
A: First, just don’t even start off in heavy fog. And get off the road if it settles thickly around you. By get off the road I don’t mean to pull over onto the side of it. That’s a dangerous place to be so if you can avoid that, instead take the nearest exit, pull into a parking lot, even use a driveway if necessary.
That said, most fog is scary but not so thick you can’t drive (although if you have the choice, I always say wait it out because fog density can shift 30 yards down the road).
If you choose to keep going:
Roll down the windows and turn off the radio so you can hear anything you should hear — car horns and so on.
Turn on your low beams so drivers approaching you and drivers behind you will see headlights or tail lights (high beams aren’t helpful because of the reflection/bounce-back effect that actually decreases your ability to see). Also turn on the windshield wipers and defroster.
Drive a whole lot slower so you don’t ram into someone who didn’t have the sense to fire up his rear lights, and signal well ahead of when you want to execute a turn or stop.
© CTW Features
What’s your question? Sharon Peters would like to hear about what’s on your mind when it comes to caring for, driving and repairing your vehicle. Email Sharon@ctwfeatures.com.
