Ron's Log

Keyless Car Ignition Risk?

News that some drivers are putting their keyless ignition cars in the garage and walking away without realizing the car is still running. Some deaths by carbon monoxide poisoning have been attributed to this. Rather than personal responsibility [oh no! not that!] some people are suggesting keyless ignitions be outlawed. I have a simpler idea (but not as simple as personal responsibility): put a carbon monoxide alarm with a really, really loud horn in your garage or in the car itself. People will still have to exercise the responsibility to respond to the alarm and shut off the car.

Very Large Musical Instruments

So large, in fact, that you have to drive an automobile to play them.

Somewhere in L.A. County.

Broderick. Broderick.

Viral Honda ad.

And this, I guess, is meta-viral.

Chicago whines.

Sadly, Chicago is not the backdrop for the new mini-version of Ferris Bueller's latest day off -- from work.

The new Honda ad, starring Matthew Broderick, hit the internet in advance of the Super Bowl and was quickly one of the most shared videos online.

In the original movie, released in 1986, Ferris Bueller takes a day off from his suburban Chicago school and enjoys a great day in Chicago, hitting the Art Institute, going to a Cubs game and singing in a St. Patrick's Day Parade. It was shot in Chicago, River Forest, Oak Park, Northbrook, Highland Park, Glencoe and Winnetka, Lake Forest.

In the new Honda ad, Broderick calls in sick to his acting job, goes to the beach, and rides a roller coaster. It's clearly shot in Southern California.

Passing On An Icy Road

Traffic pauses politely and then proceeds. All is well.

If you like that, that Youtube user has a lot of similar videos. Apparently, he's got a lot of friends around the world who drive with video cameras on their dashboards.

Antique Cars

They were setting up some sort of shoot near Union Station in L.A.

How To Get To The Springs In Saline Valley

No, not directions and mileages. How to get there as in, what kind of vehicle and how to drive it so that you don't end up just a sad newspaper article.

Not owning a lifted Jeep with locking diffs and 20 gallons of fuel on the roof doesn't mean you can't go off-road. Automaker marketing has us believing that we need more capable vehicles than we'll ever use. Most off-roaders will never use the full capability of their Raptors just like most Porsche owners will never set ring records. Own an AWD crossover with a little ground clearance? That's really all you need, if you know what you're doing.

California Gas Tax

George Skelton is of the opinion that California needs to raise its gas tax because (A) we need the money and (B) it hasn't been increased since the 1990s. California's gas tax is 46.6¢/gallon. Arizona's 19¢. Nevada's 33.1¢. Oregon's 25.0¢. I wish people would stop using Texas as a comparison, as though we want to be Texas. If California were like Texas I'd go find some other place to live. Nevertheless, Texas collects 20¢/gallon. And Florida gets 34.4¢.

Chinese Electric Car Maker Opens U.S. HQ in L.A.

BYD, which manufactures electric and hybrid cars, charging systems, solar panels, LEDs, and electric buses, opened its American headquarters at 1800 S. Figueroa in Los Angeles yesterday. Initially, they will focus on fleet sales, but will begin consumer sales next year. The deal to locate in L.A. was incentivized with $2 million from the redevelopment agency, a 15% tariff reduction for any BYD cars entering via the Port of Los Angeles, and a promise from LADWP to quickly install battery charging devices for any resident who bought an electric or hybrid BYD. In return BYD promised to open in 2010 with 150 employees, but it opened yesterday with only 20 employees.

This Is A Car Ad

Or so it is claimed.

Boston Tow Truck Driver

Not the helpful AAA tow truck driver, this is a Boston tow truck driver.