Smart Headlights — the car tech the Philippine roads badly need
Because of the lack of enough smart drivers, the Philippine roads badly need these smart headlights for its cars.
Driving School for Theoretical and Practical Driving Courses
Starting August 2020, LTO mandated applicants for new student permits to undergo mandatory 15-hour driving seminar. If you are living around Makati, Taguig, Pateros, and other neighboring areas, here’s a driving school near you that’s accredited by LTO to conduct Theoretical Driving and Practical Driving Courses: iLean Driving School.
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Sportech Car Cover review (not worth it!)
I bought a Sportech car cover at Handyman in the District Mall Dasmariñas on the 21st of January this year for PhP2,799. The purpose of the purchase was to protect my car from the sun’s UV rays and acid rain as it usually sits idle on the carport all day without any ceiling to cover it.
Given its price, I expected it to last at least a year before it needs replacement. O boy, how wrong was I? How I wish I read this blog post before the purchase.
Even before 3 months was up, it already showed wear and tear (literally!) I had to put duct tapes to keep it from tearing apart. Finally, after over 3 months, no duct tapes can keep the damn thing whole again.
Here’s a closer look of the roof part. …
TRAIN and Pick-up Trucks
Top Gear Philippines posted the new 2018 price list of the Toyota cars line-up, after the effectivity of the TRAIN (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) law. Yes, as expected, expensive and/or luxury cars either retained or even decreased their selling prices. But the more interesting observation is how pick-up trucks, i.e., the Hilux lineup, saw decreased prices as well, regardless of the original price.
I still can’t surmise why pick-ups have to benefit from this law? Please, someone, explain it to me.
Video: What you have missed in PIMS 2016
The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc (CAMPI) held the 6th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS 2016) at the World Trade Center – Manila from 14 to 18 September 2016.
It culminated last weekend, and if you missed it, well, I guess you will just have to get by with this video:
We were disappointed that Subaru and Ford did not take part in this motor show, though. We were looking forward to check out the new Subaru XV and Ford Escape.
The Inefficient STAR Tollway Toll Collection System
On the afternoon of June 5, 2016, armed with my Transcend Drivepro DP220, we traversed through Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR Tollway) northbound from Ibaan to Sto. Tomas. At exactly 4:52 pm, just right after we passed the Tanauan exit, we hit the end of the long queue leading to the Sto. Tomas toll barrier.
What followed next was a good 3 kilometers of traffic at crawling speeds for 48 minutes (which translates to an average speed of 3.75 km/h). Finally, at 5:40 pm, we got to pay for our toll fee.
I’ve documented that ordeal in the video that follows. Don’t worry, you don’t have to go through the same 48 minutes to finish the video, as I cramped it to about 2.5 minutes.
Imagine a good 1 hour lost just making our way to pay for our toll due. Perhaps, other people spend more time than that in Metro Manila traffic, but for a much better purpose — to get home or even to get to where they wanted or needed to go. Moviegoers line up to watch their favorite movies. Heck, calamity victims wait in line to get their share of relief goods. Now, isn’t it absurd to line up in such a long time for something that you have to pay for? …
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Fuel Economy Comparison Among Philippine Cars
Topgear.com.ph published the fuel economy test results of various cars in their article, “Department of Energy, Petron release results of 70-vehicle fuel economy run“:
Well, the numbers are finally out. A total 70 different vehicles from 22 car manufacturers took part in the government-sanctioned test, with varying results. Take note: The run was performed on a highway setting. Drivers embarked on the 280km drive from Angeles through SCTEX, TPLEX and back.
Among the vehicles fuel economy numbers, here are some important observations: …
Subaru Cars Philippines PMS Guide
Subaru Philippines (Motor Image Pilipinas, Inc.) has this Preventive Maintenance Service (PMS) guide for the Subaru XV, Impreza, and Forester:
Click on the image to enlarge.
It is imperative that I have this guide handy as this would mean I need to earmark a better part of my budget (insert sad emoticon here) since my Subaru XV is due for 40K kms PMS soon. And this list doesn’t appear to include the cost of replacing the brake pads yet. Tsk!
Note: I copied this image from a post in the Subaru XV Club Philippines Facebook group. I re-posted it here for the benefits of all the other Subaru XV, Impreza and Forester owners in the Philippines.
This motorcycle rider thinks he’s Superman
Have you ever wondered how come a lot of motorcycle riders figure in tragic accidents? For driving like this one in this video:
So, for motorcycle riders out there, please remember these things the next time you hit the road with your two-wheel vehicles:
- Wear your helmet/s;
- Make sure that all your lights (headlight, taillight, brake lights, and turn lights) are working especially at night;
- Do not counterflow, and if you do–don’t expect the oncoming car to yield in your favor;
- When you overtake and eventually change lanes ahead of the vehicle you’re overtaking, do it like a responsible four-wheeled vehicle would do, i.e., provide enough space and use your left/right turn signal lights (make sure those signal lights are visible to the driver behind). Anticipate that the vehicle behind might accelerate even before you make your turn for not seeing you ahead of time.
Waze vs. Google Maps vs. Apple Maps
Thrillist enumerates their reasons ‘Why You Should Ditch Google Maps for Apple Maps‘.
The points mentioned in the article may perhaps be valid if you’re living in U.S. But here in the Philippines, your best bet would be Waze. Why?
- It offers important data like traffic, accidents, the police, etc. and those are actually crowd-sourced. Google Maps and Apple Maps have no traffic data in the Philippines;
- Public transportation data is basically non-existent for Google Maps and Apple Maps in the Philippines;
- Don’t get me started with 3D and/or satellite view of Google Maps and Apple Maps, when they still show our 30-storey office building as plain earth.
Nevertheless, I wish you could use Siri to search for locations via the Waze app.
Subaru XV Concept Car
Subaru revealed the Subaru XV Concept car in the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show. Watch the video that follows:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqkcpZk3_pU
What, basically is a concept car? Wikipedia defines it as:
A concept car (also known as concept vehicle, show vehicle or prototype) is a car made to showcase new styling and/or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not be mass-produced.
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Taking delight in my all-wheel drive
Top Gear Philippines (TGP), in its article ‘This is the reason you buy a go-anywhere AWD vehicle‘, writes:
Yes, crossovers are mostly used in and around the city. But in those rare moments when you just want to live life to the fullest and take the road less traveled, you’ll thank yourself you purchased a ride blessed with all-wheel drive.
Personally, I don’t go that much to such adventures. I may sound just trying to take delight in my decision that I got a Subaru XV, but the fact that my Liana (my Subaru XV) is proudly equipped with symmetrical all-wheel drive actually brings me peace of mind when my travels take me along some muddy roads and the like. …