Five things you should never do with a 4x4 vehicle

You see that switch down by your knee. You can see that it has numbers and letters. You don't fully understand what it all means, but you're itching to test it all out. That's the drive selector, and before you slam it into 4Lo you should watch the video above. Engineering Explained is here to walk you through the five things you should not be doing with your 4x4 vehicle.

First up is a pretty basic one. If your vehicle is equipped with one or more locking differentials, make sure you're not using them on the pavement. When you lock up the center differential, you're telling the vehicle to send equal power and wheel speed to the front and rear axles. This becomes an issue when you want to make a turn, as EE clearly illustrates.

Next up is to make sure that you don't attempt to put your vehicle into 4Lo while moving. Some vehicles allow you to make this switch at very slow speeds, but it's best to just come to a stop and allow the input shafts and gears to be at the same speed. That ideal speed would be zero.

Third, don't mash the throttle when you're stuck. All you're going to do is make the situation worse. EE's host Jason Fenske talks about the differences between static and kinetic friction to make his point. When you go flat on the gas, you're going to sit there as your tires spin and dig you deeper into the hole you've created.

Our fourth 4x4 bullet point concerns traction control. For the most part, you're going to want to keep it on. These systems are very intelligent and can help you out more than they'll hurt you. If you're driving through a surface like mud or sand, however, where you can sink, you'll probably want it off so the engine doesn't cut power on you. Momentum is key, and traction control could rob you of that.

Finally, once you're done with your day of wheelin', make sure you don't just pack up and drive home. Take your time and inspect the undercarriage of your ride. You could've bent suspension or steering bits. You could've banged up your exhaust. There could be branches or rocks packed into your movable parts, or mud could be covering your radiator. All of those issues can cause problems, so it's better to find out before you hit the highway for your journey home.

Read more at: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1103781_five-things-you-should-never-do-with-a-4x4-vehicle?fbfanpage

What do little Jeeps and big vans have in common?

Sales numbers bump around a lot, but sometimes patterns emerge — and this month, two big ones showed up.

First, the rise of the little crossovers, with Jeep Compass and Renegade both doubling their sales figures from April 2015. This is the trend Sergio Marchionne was talking about when he rationalized dropping Dart and 200 development (Dart fell by 49% and 200 by 60%). The Compass has been around for years; yet its sales doubled. The new-ish Renegade still beat it. The Patriot, similar in most ways to the Compass, posted a 10% gain.

The small-crossover story continues “out of brand” with the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V beating the Civic and Corolla, respectively. Only the Toyota Camry beat its crossover version. (Fiat’s 500X+500L together outsold last year’s 500L alone, but those numbers are still minimal: all Fiats combined hit 3,045.)

As for the big vans, both the Chrysler Town & Country and Caravan soared. The relatively inexpensive Caravan more than doubled in sales, rising 116% to 13,203 for the month — beating every other Dodge and every Chrysler (but only coming in middlin’ by Jeep standards). The pricier Town & Country hit 9,195 sales. It’s possible that some of this is due to incentives, as the company clears lots for the new Pacifica; and some may be from customers seeking to get a cheap Dodge minivan while they can, not realizing that the Dodge will stay in production for around another year.

Perhaps minivans are just having a good month: at Honda, Odyssey sales rose by 13%, hitting 13,047. But at Toyota, Sienna sales dropped by 8% to 10,795. It looks like this is an FCA phenomenon, and it’s pushed the Caravan to #1 best selling minivan in the US for April. Year to date, the Odyssey clocks in at 40,486 and Caravan at 46,915, a nice lead (Chrysler is at 40,811, also beating the Odyssey, though not be quite as much.)

The other big vans — the ProMasters — did well, too. The full sized ProMaster hit a 61% increase, to 2,835; and the City rose by 89% to 1,880. Ford dominates this market to an absurd degree, partly through consistency.

Read more at: http://www.allpar.com/news/2016/05/what-do-little-jeeps-and-big-vans-have-in-common-31724

Google-Chrysler hookup is real

The Chrysler Pacifica will be able to drive itself.

Google’s Self-Driving Car Project and Fiat Chrysler announced that the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans would be integrated into Google’s self-driving test program, the first time that Google has worked directly with an automaker. The number of Pacificas to be added to the Google fleet will be greater than the total size of the fleet today.

FCA will engineer around 100 vehicles for Google, which will integrate its sensors and computers. The project will be located in southeast Michigan.

John Krafcik, Chief Executive Officer of the Google Self-Driving Car Project, said, “FCA has a nimble and experienced engineering team and the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan is well-suited for Google’s self-driving technology.”

Around 33,000 deaths occur each year on U.S. roads, 94% of which are caused by human error.

Google’s self-driving cars are currently being tested in four U.S. cities. Self-driving Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans will be tested at Google’s private test track in California before running on public roads.

Sergio Marchionne, CEO of FCA, had previously said that the company would seek partnerships for autonomous-car technology rather than creating it in-house.

The story was scooped by numerous publications before the announcement.

Read more at: http://www.allpar.com/news/2016/05/google-chrysler-hookup-is-real-31726

Parking Pointer: Is It Safer to Back in or Pull Forward?

Parking your car can be tricky, especially when so many things can go wrong. Most Americans—76 percent—prefer pulling into a spot and then backing out, according to AAA research. But the safest way to park is to back into a space and then pull forward when you’re leaving.* This method maximizes your visibility and minimizes your chances of hitting a cyclist, pedestrian or another car. But backing into a parking spot can be intimidating.

Check the area for pedestrians and moving vehicles before putting your car into reverse.

Don’t depend on your car’s backup camera or mirrors to see what’s behind you.

Tap your brake pedal to increase your visibility to others.

Back slowly into your spot, continuing to check the area for people.

Park away from entrances and other cars when possible.

* Always follow posted parking signs. Some municipalities do not allow motorists to back into a parking space.

Read more at: http://community.autoclubsouth.aaa.com/t5/Safety/Parking-Pointer-Is-It-Safer-to-Back-in-or-Pull-Forward/ba-p/255542

New Polaris Sportsman 6x6 BIG BOSS 570 EPS

Polaris Industries Inc. introduced the all-new 2017 Sportsman® 6x6 BIG BOSS 570 EPS all-terrain vehicle (ATV) to the company’s powerful off-road lineup. The new six-wheel drive BIG BOSS offers more traction, range, capacity and versatility to take on the most demanding off-road conditions, and was built for customers desiring to reach the most remote destinations.

“The all new BIG BOSS offers ultimate utility for our customers who use ATVs for epic hunting trips or need to work in the harshest of conditions,” said Steve Smith, director of Product Planning, Polaris Off-Road Vehicles. “Unlike any other ATV, it is designed specifically for customers who demand ultimate traction, massive payload and carrying versatility. This vehicle takes on the biggest jobs, anywhere.”

The BIG BOSS is the industry’s first 6x6 ATV built for two people and it has the ability to haul incredible amounts of gear with the industry’s largest payload, a highly configurable Lock & Ride® cargo system, and integrated front storage.

The Sportsman 6x6 BIG BOSS 570 EPS has a longer chassis to accommodate more cargo and a second person. The exclusive, fully integrated passenger system includes a raised second seat for more visibility, as well as hand grips and foot rests. Behind the passenger, an 800-lb. (362 kg) capacity gas-assist dump box with steel Lock & Ride bed rails; dual rear racks with integrated 5-gallon bucket mounts; and six high-mounted, tie-down points ensure the biggest loads are secure. Integrated box dividers allow the dump box to be configured into two different sections while the stake pockets add height to the box to carry more gear. Up front, the vehicle provides even more carrying capacity with the industry’s only integrated, 6.5-gal (24.61 L) front storage and factory-installed rack extender that can carry 90 lbs. (40 kg). The vehicle also is equipped with a standard 2-in (5.08 cm) receiver, and has a 1,500-lb. (680 kg) towing capacity to haul out big game or work harder on the job site.

For additional versatility, the BIG BOSS can be customized for the biggest hunts and most remote jobs all year round with more than 30 Polaris Engineered Accessories™. The vehicle offers the ultimate in fast and easy accessory integration with the industry’s only integrated winch and plow mounts. Accessories such as the new Yukon Adventure Rack add height, additional tie-down points and more security to the rear box; and the convertible, dry storage accessory box, which can be used in either the one-up or two-up riding position, allows the BIG BOSS to be even more versatile.

To travel to the most remote places, a vehicle must be fuel efficient and have the ability to conquer the most-demanding terrain while keeping the operator comfortable. The BIG BOSS does all three.

For ultimate range and proven performance, the BIG BOSS features the highly efficient, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder Pro-Star® 570 engine, delivering 44 horsepower and plenty of torque for working, hunting and traversing tough terrain. The engine features dual overhead cams and four valves, along with an automotive-style Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) system for flawless starts and smooth operation in varied temperature and altitude. The vehicle boasts the industry’s largest fuel capacity at 6.75 gal (25.6 L), about 50-percent more than most ATVs, and an industry-leading range of up to 130 miles (209 km) ensuring the operator can focus on the hunt or getting the job done.

To tackle the toughest terrain, the BIG BOSS relies on Polaris’ proven and legendary All-Wheel Independent Suspension with the most rear suspension travel of any 6x6 (8.2 in [20.83 cm] front, 9.5 in [24.93 cm] rear) and 11.5 in. (29.21 cm) of ground clearance. The vehicle features 4WD and 6WD options with the flip of a switch, and the industry’s fastest-engaging High Performance On-Demand True All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system to give the operator instant engagement when more traction is needed. To complement the drive system, the BIG BOSS is equipped with aggressive 26-in. (66.04 cm) PXT tires that are Polaris-proven and reliable in all types of terrain. For traversing mountainous areas, the vehicle also features Polaris’ exclusive Engine Braking System (EBS) with Active Descent Control (ADC) that work together to provide six-wheel braking for optimum control and smooth deceleration during descents.

To make the biggest hunts and most-remote jobs easier and more comfortable, the BIG BOSS has features that ensure the vehicle does the brunt of the work. The new, variable-assist Electronic Power Steering (EPS) is the easiest to use in the industry. Designed to deliver all-day comfort and control in every application, it automatically adjusts to the riding conditions for effortless low-speed technical maneuvers, and excellent feel and control at high speeds. The EPS ensures the vehicle is a delight to drive, easily maneuvering tight trails or rugged job sites. For rider comfort, the narrow seat and wide, flat floorboards provide a more natural sitting position and easier operator maneuverability. The vehicle also has the highest visibility of any 6x6, due to the rider position and its steerable three-beam, 150W forward lighting, which ensures a lighted path even when turning, making it a reliable work partner regardless of the time of day.

The Sportsman 6x6 BIG BOSS 570 EPS will be available in Sage Green, retails for $10,999 U.S. and $13,599 CAN..

Read more at: http://www.polaris.com/en-us/company/article/polaris-introduces-new-sportsman-6x6-big-boss-570-eps