Q:
I heard part of a report that seemed to be indicating that Great Britain is banning all non-hybrids sometime in the future. Can this be true?
A:
No. One party in England proposed a bill that would, in effect, essentially ban all non-hybrid cars by 2040. No one is suggesting that will ever come into being.
Q:
I read a lot about plug-in electric cars and how wonderful they are. I am wondering how many plug-in electric cars are actually in use in the U.S.?
A:
Approximately 120,000 to 140,000 plug-ins have been sold in this country.
Q:
My husband runs his tires a little “low” for what he says will be a softer ride — about 5 or 6 pounds less than recommended on the door. I’m pretty sure this isn’t good, but what are the potential problems with doing this?
A:
The list is so long. Steering precision is reduced, as is cornering stability.
Tread life, in the long run, will be reduced. There can be a buildup of heat, leading to tire failure in some cases.
A study a few years back by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that driving on tires under-inflated by 25 percent or more are three times more likely to be involved in a crash related to tire problems than vehicles with proper inflation.
Moreover, under-inflated tires can increase fuel consumption by as much as 6 percent. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 50 percent to 80 percent of cars on the road are bouncing about on under-inflated tires.
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