Motorweek; 2803

It was a bigger and better than. Second generation of their tiny. Magnet. Let's see if the new. Comeback. Is even more so. Done but. With. Oil additives this time on buses garage. I'm saving something. And this week we're racing Lemon style. And Nissan three born four door sports car the new Maxima. So come drive with us. A little weak. TV's original automotive magazine brought to you by cars. Let's say you're looking for a car. You can help research. OK even contact a dealer. My idea of a symphony a Pistons playing the tune my right for you to listen to me. Been feeling.

100. Percent with. This election and all the places people have. Been part of the company that helps those people get. You know they do things here so you can get there. You accuse. Your host from over a week. John Davis. Well hello and welcome again to motor week. We're glad to have you with us. When the 2007 Honda Fit arrived on American shores gasoline had just topped an unheard of three dollars per gallon. Needless to say this perfect timing made the highly fuel efficient fan an instant success. Well now less than three years later gas has broken the four buck barrier and Honda is back with a new generation of their thrifty hatchback. But as with the first fit the new one is about a lot more than just saving gas. When Motor Week tested the 2007 Honda Fit we declared it to be an

economy car for drivers who want to get where they're going without wasting fuel but refuse to leave driving enjoyment behind the all new 2900 fit not only expands on the original's most popular features and character but expands its. All exterior dimensions except height have grown with overall linkup four point two which is the one hundred sixty one point six inches. Wheel base grows one point nine inches to ninety eight point four. This growth improves interior room as well as crash safety. Indeed Honda's advance compatibility engineering body structure resides under a still tall but more aerodynamic shape that pushes the pillar forward. This allows for more glass for improved visibility. Our Fit Sport test car has a higher mounted rear spoiler to the mix as well as deeper front facia with integrated fog less polished exhaust tips and 16 inch aluminum wheels. The

added size an extra glass not only deliver a slightly larger cabin but an airier feel the interior and also look more upscale with bigger 3-D gauges and a display for current in average fuel mileage. Front seats have thicker padding and more support shortcomings of the original car audio system start with a 160 watt CD unit with an ox input jack and windows media capability. They can be integrated into the optional satellite link navigation system. The Fit Sport adds a USP interface for an iPod. It's housed in one of the twin glove boxes which are a part of a dozen different storage Snooks But the biggest storage story is the fits improved second row split image exceed beyond more head and leg room for occupants the folding mechanism a simpler one handle motion fold seats flat for big cargo upright for Slim items and mate with a front seat to provide a lounger with the magic seat in its fold flat utility mode cargo space is in a word

big get fifty seven point three cubic feet all accessible through a lower tailgate opening plus a folding front passenger seat allows items up to seven feet nine inches long. Moving the new Fit is a more powerful one point five leaders single cam four cylinder engine and eight horsepower boost gives it 117 and a 106 torque rating is up loose of one pound. But as with the previous fit the transmission's both manual and automatic are both five speeds. The Fit Sport automatic it steering will paddle shifters even with more power a government fuel economy ratings remain almost the same 27 City 33 highway with the manual and 28 city 35 highway with the automatic all on regular gas. We estimate a low energy impact score of 11 barrels of oil consumed per year and an equally impressive carbon footprint of only 6 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. As with the first fuel efficiency means there's not a ton of

get up and go. But it is an improvement. Not so the buzzy or engine reaction and rather raspy exhaust no transmissions are well matched with a paddle shift sport automatic delivering clean sharp gear changing chassis stiffness is much improved ride quality is slightly better thanks to the longer wheel base and retune strut front and torsion beam rear suspension. The new high capacity electric power steering responds quickly with a very direct feel. If it still pushes and rolls when driven hard but does so in a very predictable manner. ABS brakes remain standard so while still no high mileage sports machine if it has a very nimble and entertaining character that does egg you on. The 2900 is still an affordable egg. Two bases fifteen thousand two hundred twenty dollars for the manual transmission and sixteen thousand twenty dollars with an automatic trim adds about fifteen hundred dollars more. Yes there are cheaper sub compact but none that are more

enjoyable and versatile. Indeed despite a dose of growth hormones the 2009 Honda Fit is just as frugal practical and fun to drive as the original fit and that will make the new fit. A guaranteed hit again. This looks like the perfect time to check in with Pat Goss for more of our top tax addictive car care advice. John over the years there been huge differences in the way automobiles are made and there is also huge differences in the lubricants that we need to use to protect them. All right. Joining us now once more is Tom Smith who is a lubricants chemist. Welcome back to the show. It's good to be back. Let's take a look at some of your displays here now. Throughout this one thing has remained constant and you have a sample here in this jar.

Yes that's crude oil and that's still what we start with and we use that to make the base fluid that we build the oil from. OK now based fluids right here we've got some base fluids these are an older type through an extraction process and we're really limited with it to what molecules are in the crude oil. Here we have more modern base oils where they're more highly refined and we actually can convert the molecules in the crude oil to really make an ideal much higher quality base oil. But this wouldn't work in an engine. No baseball alone isn't enough you need additives. OK so here we have an assortment of additive sources for this one here is a detergent inhibitor and it's a mix of detergents dispersants an antioxidant. The detergents keep the contaminants in combustion by products from depositing on the engine. Dispersants keep them suspended in the oil and the antioxidants protect the oil itself from chemical breakdown from the high heat. OK the next one the next one is a very important one. That's something called zinc phosphate couldn't do that one. Or you may have heard it referred to as simply zinc which is

EDP or simply phosphorus and that's the primary anywhere additive that goes into the oil back in that day it was in there probably at about 300 parts per million. Today we're looking at about 800 parts per million right. And this one that's a corrosion inhibitor one of the big things in combustion you produce a lot of water. You've got a lot of iron in the engine water and iron meaning rust so you need something to fight. I know of the milky one. That's a friction modifier and that's really important today. That reduces the internal friction of the engine so you reduce your fuel consumption and with the price of fuel today that's really important. Now I'm guessing although this looks like water it isn't. Know that if you hold that up that's really thick and what it is is basically rubber dissolved in oil. And here's a sample of the rubber. It's a ground up rubber and that really made a significant change in the type of oils we use. When you put this into motor oil and it converts a single grade oil into multi grade oil and the way it does it these molecules are very large and when they get

cold they shrink down into a tight little ball so that they don't impede the flow of the oil. But when the oil heats up these balls expand and swell and there's arms reaching out from it and so that increases the viscosity of the oil. This allows you to be very light and flow easily at low temperatures but get high temperature protection by having a more viscous soil at high temperatures. This is how we make 5 25 36 at or this is what we are referring to when we talk about if it's constantly improved. Yes OK in the final result is this. You put all these together and you get a finished motor oil. Thank you very much really appreciate it. And if you have a question or comment write to me or send me a DVD-Video of your question and you might see yourself on TV. The address is Motor Week Owings Mills Maryland 2 1 1 1 7. What could be more exciting than competing in the world's premier automotive in durance race 24 hours of long. Well that's one expensive dream. There

are very few car fanatics will ever realize. But now there is an alternative that's more in tune to us less fame drivers with shoestring budgets. I'm talking about the 24 hours of LeMans. What's that you ask. Well are over the edge guy Steven Chapnick is more than happy to share the juice. The 24 hour the mind of one of the most prestigious race in the world. The 24 hours of LeMans. Not so much. But the drivers are driving it. We don't know the difference at all. A good old fashioned down to dirty party is the main goal. These guys and gals are pumped to put their cars through one heck of a two day indoor entrance. Started by Jay Leno also known as the chief perpetrator. The 24 hours of Lemans is like the American and European Lamont's are but with a twist or squeaks. These cars were bought for $500 or less. For the first time in women's history. The nationwide tour hit South Carolina's Carolina

Motorsports Park. You know it seems like racing takes itself really seriously and it shouldn't. Racing is not a very good name we have to do it. It's kind of a stupid thing to do it's fun and we figured why not make it fun again. Once world class cars from Germany Sweden Japan and the U.S. these 80 now clunker machines took to the truck. Jake brought along his trusty judges to make sure nothing went wrong. And if they don't look on the up and up when the robes aren't enough the white weeks make them official. To each team their car is priceless and every one of them has a story. Every year we try to do some stupid motorsport thing we've done demolition derby we've done Lawnmower Racing and when I saw this I thought this is so stupid I have to do it. So pick adrenaline rush. I mean we've been working for months on these cars and felt leading up these three days and it's all worth it. When she get in there you're doing your own thing and you forget all about it. Just comes kind of natural. Richard had.

Even made a cameo. Oh wait. Never mind. He did however give it a royal endorsement. There's been a lot of fun. We spent little time picked up but basically it's as we got it. So other than the petit bleu Obviously though. During the weekend I got a little hungry so decided to use some of the local resources. Now that's my kind of pizza delivery. Day one was so rough for some of the teens by day two they were ripping apart their cars. My highlight of the 24 hours of Lemans had to be entering the race myself one day two thousand five hundred birds. Let me hop in there. Animal House inspired number 65 entry for the race. Why. Insanity in a car probably expire next hour or so anyway so what they wish could be done for the team even gave a shout out to Motor Week on the side of the car. As for driving. Mike gave me only one rule. Don't get black flag. Who knew you could have that much fun in a car and legally drive. My only thought after pulling off that helmet.

Ooh what a rush. There is a winner at the Ritz. They get a sweet and tart looking trophy. The losing team. Let's just say they're not as lucky. Team Salazar meet the people's curse. This excavator literally took their BMW. Like a dog. But even the team had to marvel in all its glory. This is what we came out to do we set out to piss everyone off to race the hardest. I think we did it to steal a line from the late. Great Jim McKay. Is the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. But only it's 100 percent fun. I guess the same remains true when you have lemons make lemonade. I. Feel that the better way to keep these cars out of it. Junkyard man. Will know when he's not an animal and. When we started our long term test of a 2007 Suzuki s x 4

we weren't sure this all wheel drive compact crossover was truly competitive with segment stalwarts like a Honda CRV. Well 13 months and 13000 short hop miles later we feel quite differently. Four is a well-designed extremely dependable and downright fun to drive 5 door. Suzuki has instilled much of the carefree manners of their motorcycles into the Essex poor. Yes the 143 horsepower and line 4 has a little noisy when pushed but with a 5 speed manual it's more than adequate and delivers twenty five point seven miles per gallon of regular. That's great for a non-hybrid that has room for 5 grown ups or over 54 cubic feet of cargo. With prices that start in the mid teens plus a generous seven year 100000 mile power train warranty this is Zuki ASX four is one fun and practical utility choice that should not be overlooked. Recently sales of the Dodge Grand Caravan have been

moving off while virtually all other people movers are headed south. Well after living with one for four months and nine thousand miles we know why. Where else can you find seven in eight passenger capacity for cargo room than a Chevy Suburban was twenty point six mpg economy on regular gas and not need an expensive hybrid or diesel to do it. The answer is only in a minivan and Chrysler's exclusive stowing go seating can't be beat for versatility. Still we wish our Essex t's interior was more upscale. The dash mounted gear shift looks cheap. But that's a minor thing. So before you spend wads of cash on a big crossover or hybrid give the Dodge Grand Caravan a thorough test ride coming up the Honda Accord and Hyundai Vera Cruz on the next motorway long term road test update. Reality where Jessica trucks are you has on tap and this week's Motor News.

These old cars are a mainstay on European roads but outside of heavy duty trucks widespread acceptance of diesels in the US has been stalled due to the lingering perception that they are noisy and dirty. However clean diesel fuel in advanced designs are changing that notion prompting new efforts to encourage American consumers to consider diesels. Recently the latest advancements in diesel technology were on display at the US Department of Energy's 14th annual diesel engine efficiency and emissions research conference. Held in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn. The DIA conference is the Dio is primary channel for government and industry to exchange data the Ork clean diesel research. Do you know we undersecretary But Albright kick things off with an optimistic view of the future of diesels. So much for where we go with.

Better displays of power train components along with numerous discussion sessions offered participants maximum exposure to all things diesel. But beyond the seminars dear attendees also get a chance to see the very latest in diesel vehicles. While this Le Monde's champion Audi R10 turbo diesel race car was just a static display other current European and domestic diesels were available for extended drives from this mini cooper diesel to Ford of Europe's asked Max People Mover diesels are emerging for every taste and they always surprise what this car is a Ford Mondeo and it's available in Europe. It's a four cylinder. Believe it or not it's in and it has amazing power. It got four cylinder. It's also incredibly quiet. But the question remains. Will American consumers embrace diesels. The difficulty with diesel is just the availability and the price of the fuel over the cost over the lifetime of the vehicle. We're told three to

five years. You more than make your money back. But it's it's probably a little hard for the consumer to see that immediately. So even if diesels still become an overnight sensation the gradual acceptance of light duty clane diesels here will still help slow the American appetite for foreign oil and that's it for this week's Motor News. Before the Nissan Maxima there was no entry level luxury sports sedan. The idea of blending top notch comfort exceptional drive and handling at a reasonable price simply did not compute. Maximus four door sports car montra was more than a marketing thing. But over time the Maxima lost its way and became just another upscale front drive sedan. Now Nissan seventh generation Maxima aims to course correct and reclaim its former phase. Redesigned from the ground up the U.S. built 2009 Nissan Maxima

arrives with a fresh approach to styling. No longer to be confused with the Maximus liquid motion theme equates to a more powerful and flowing coke bottle shape. To recapture its four door sports car platform Maxima has shifted dimensions wheel base is down by almost two inches to one hundred nine point three overall length five four inches while with N-Track it increased by about an inch and a half. The maxim a strong president is led by a Three Bar Grill flanked by L shaped wraparound headlamps with available h IDs. Seamless profile as defined by a high beltline accented will players an 18 or 19 inch wheel while the back end features oversized exhaust and an available spoiler. Oddly neither standard ass or upper level SB trim is noted by the front drive Maxima gets an increase of power from an upgraded 3.5 liter

V-6 output is now two hundred ninety horsepower. One upshot of thirty five thousand two hundred sixty one pound feet of torque. There is no proper sports sedan manual gearbox the continuously variable transmission features a new drive sport mode that flips the throttle in corners to keep the rpms up premium and sport packages add paddle shifters. At the track our Maxima Espy premium sprinted from zero to 60 in a suite six point three seconds while taking the Quarter Mile End fourteen point seven seconds at 99 mph the CVT proved to be a good match to the 56 is toward her. We found the paddle shifters and actually slowed things down. Maxima handling is the result of a well to strut front suspension multi link rear geometry and enhanced body rigidity stability and traction control are standard despite the front bias weight penalty or front wheel drive the big Maxima delivers a high level of agility. Turn ins are quick and cornering is

very flat. Steering is responsive with good feedback even if a little too light while not as capable as accurate as new TTL. The Maxima is another front driver with up to date sports sedan credentials. And or ride quality that we think is among the best of us lot. Brakes are 4 wheel Vin Adeste with ABS and brake assist still stops on average just slightly longer as 133 feet from 60 to zero. Pedal feel was fine with plenty of stability. Within its doors the maxim offers a handsome sophisticated cockpit style cabin which borrows elements from other Nissans like the Maranoa crossover gauges are well laid out and clear as are most controls are Espy's aluminum and wood trim underscores the upscale look. Front seats have improved lateral support for more spirited driving. Both sides have power adjust with leather and seat available and for upgraded sound There's a nine

speaker both audio system voice navigation includes real time traffic seen on a seven inch touchscreen display and there is also an available backup camera. The three adult second row seat has two forms standard is a 60 40 split fold with a big trunk passthrough total trunk space is a reasonable fourteen point two cubic feet. Government fuel economy ratings are 19 City 26 highway on premium gas expect 20 to a normal driving the maximum energy impact scores a moderate fifteen point six barrels of oil per year while its carbon footprint measures in at a lower than class average 8.3 tonnes of CO2 emitted annually. And base pricing for the Maxima S is twenty nine thousand nine hundred eighty five dollars while the US fee begins at thirty two thousand six hundred eighty five dollars. Joe Nissan's goal to reunite the 2009 Maxima with its four door sports car route is

successful to a point. It still trails rear wheel drive sports advance in handling ballots and there is no manual transmission. Still the new car is light years better than its predecessor and a fine alternative to the Acura T.L. and Audi A6. So welcome back Maxima. We missed you. But I hope you'll join us here next week for more motor week. Well Tess Korea's first true luxury sedan the Hyundai Genesis and a 50 state legal clean diesel SUV. The Mercedes Benz M-L 320 110. And if you still haven't gotten enough of us why not check out our latest podcast at Moto week online. Till next time I'm John Davis. We'll see you here on motorways. To learn more about motor TV's original automotive magazine. PBS daughter or. To order a DVD or

VHS copy of this program call 1 800 8 7 3 6 1 5 4 Motorway has been brought to you by cars dot com. Let's say your looking for a car. Cars dot com can help research locate even contact a dealer. Cars Dodge cars. Some guys like to relax in a leather recliner. But to others there is nothing better than cardboard on concrete Valvoline 100 years younger than. Me I guess. I love seeing all the places people have to go. I love being part of the company that helps most people get their. You know beautiful thing here so you can get there. This program was produced by American Public Television which is sold me responsible for its content.

On. PBS.