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Video: MythBusters crash cars for science

admin — Thu, 06 May 2010 19:51:24 +0000

MythBusters Host Jamie Hyneman

On last night’s MythBusters, hosts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman wrecked a bunch of cars. Why, you ask? All in the name of science. In a previous episode, Jamie said that two cars hitting each other at 50mph was the same as one car hitting an immovable object at 100mph. Viewers wrote letters to the pair of hosts, complaining that Jamie was incorrect. Read on for the videos and more synopsis.

MythBusters - Adam Savage

The explanation given by irate viewers was Newton’s 3rd law, that actions have equal and opposite reactions. While this may be brain-bending, the video and resulting crashes show how it works, and the MythBusters have created a must-see video for anyone who drives a car. Beyond showing the science and proving the viewers correct, it shows exactly what happens to a car during 50 and 100mph crashes. Certainly eye-opening.

Part 1:

Part 2:

by John Suit

Source: MythBusters

Too Cool: Inner engine workings shown in Shell Oil commercial

admin — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:00:27 +0000

I thought this was too cool not to share with you. Shell Oil commissioned a commercial showing how its new Helix oil works. The ad agency that created the commercial recreated a Nissan 370 Z sports car in order to showcase the oil, and if you’ve ever wondered how oil works in your car’s engine, click past the jump to see the commercial and a behind-the-scenes video showing a little bit about how it was made.

Commercial:

Making-of:

by John Suit

Source: YouTube via AutoBlog

Video: iPad / Ford SYNC

admin — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:00:59 +0000

While we already know of an iPad integrated into a car stereo, the enterprising gentlemen in the video after the jump got an iPad to work with a stock Ford SYNC system. While it doesn’t work with the Ford’s built-in USB connector, it does work over bluetooth audio, the same as an iPhone would. Voice commands don’t work in that mode, but the guys in the video say that that feature is coming. Click here to read my review of the SYNC system.

by John Suit

Source: YouTube via AutoBlog

First iPad integration into a Car Stereo

admin — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 14:00:01 +0000

The guys at SoundMan Car Audio got their hands on an Apple iPad and promptly got to work, installing it in a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. They used a bunch of high-quality car stereo components to finish off the install, and it looks pretty sweet! Check out the video after the jump to see how and what all they did.

Click here to see their post on the iPad install.

by John Suit

Source: SoundMan Car Audio via AutoBlog

Video: iPad / Ford SYNC

Video: Truck versus Military Base barrier

admin — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:00:05 +0000

Ever wonder how they test the barriers in use in front of military bases? So do I, so when I saw the video below, I just had to watch it! No real explanation needed, just watch the video and see for yourself – it’s surprising.

by John Suit

Source: YouTube via AutoBlog

Consumer Reports tests Brake Override

admin — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:00:28 +0000

Consumer Reports has a new video they’ve produced, showing the before and after for brake override systems, and it’s eye-opening. They took a new Toyota Avalon (pre recall) and a Toyota Camry (post recall) and tested them, comparing their results to previous test results on the corresponding vehicles. Click past the jump for the video and my analysis.

The Avalon is supposed to stop in about 140 ft, from 60 mph. In Consumer Reports’ test, it took 513 feet, which is almost 4 times as long! And that’s just the first test they ran on the Avalon. If you get up to 60 mph again, and this time pump the brakes one or more times, you no longer have the ability to stop a runaway car with just the brakes. That’s scary stuff.

On the Camry, the same tests were conducted, and with the brake override system in place, the car stopped just as well as if the gas pedal weren’t pushed at the same time as the brake pedal.

The brake override system is a bit of software in the car’s main computer, which ignores most throttle input in the case of the brake pedal being pushed.

A neat thing the Consumer Reports video shows is that driving enthusiasts won’t be hampered by this system, and neither will off-roaders, boaters, and other drivers who may need a little gas with their brakes.

All in all, I think it’s a great safety feature to have, and would definitely have helped Toyota’s runaway cars.

by John Suit

Source: Consumer Reports