A popular bar/restaurant in India wanted to promote responsible driving to its clients. Particularly, they don’t want drunk people to drive. But instead of just giving out fliers or putting up posters, they did something much better — they literally scared the people into becoming a bit more sober right before driving.

In India, of the many supernatural beings they believe in, apparently the most fearsome being is the Hindu diety named Yama, the God of Death. Imagine him paying you a visit in your car right before you drive off… now, that’s scary.

A Youtube video shows the reactions of the many party-goers (i.e. “victims”) who had a close encounter with “death himself”. In the end, the scene looks like a gag or practical joke. But I guess it drove home a good point.

To see the video, click here >>.

If we did something like this here in the Philippines, a hooded guy in a black cloak holding a sythe may have a similar impact. But if the “victim” is way too drunk to appreciate the joke, our hooded guy might just end up badly beaten up by the same person he is trying to save.

Photo credits:

By afroboof / Driver’s Seat [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)] on Flickr

and By Rob Boudon / Grim Reaper From Guitar Hero – Halloween (2006) [Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)] on Flickr.

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Here’s something to look forward to this April… the 9th Manila International Auto Show (MIAS). If you have already attended this event in the past years, you know that this event gets even better year to year.

Here is the official press release for the event:

9^th Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) Revving  towards INNOVATION and TECHNOLOGY

In its practice of arranging world class events, Worldbex Services International (WSI) is once again ready to start another exciting project as it uncovers the 9^th Manila International Auto Show – MIAS 2013 gearing towards the theme “INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY”. Dubbed as the Philippines’ biggest driving and motoring event, MIAS will be held at the World Trade Center Manila and Philippine Trade Training Center this April 4-7, 2013 from 10AM to 10PM. As in any events organized by WSI expect MIAS 2013 to be filled with first rate highlights such as in depth number of car displays, car launches, the most up to date collection of car parts, gadgets  and supplies, professional precision driving and test driving activities.

As MIAS 2013 anticipates over 88,000 visitors before 500 participating companies, the show promises to defend its title of upholding the ingenuity of the country’s car sector. For this year, MIAS 2013 have seen the carmakers desire for innovation, leading to technological advancement of car product’s contents and capabilities. Overtime, cars have transformed into rolling computer platforms with improving pocket features such as back up assist, automatic parking, stability control and phone integration. The innovation and integration of technology have nevertheless aided and even exceeded the needs of the present and future car owners. Because of this leap, cars have become a whole lot safer, sophisticated and enjoyable to drive,   MIAS 2013 takes the whole industry to better understand this transformation through the theme “INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY”. Continue reading …

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There’s something even worse than texting while driving… it’s surfing while driving. Yes, more and more people are actually browsing the web while behind the wheel. A study was conducted in the U.S. a few weeks back polling 4,000 drivers aged 18 and older about their web surfing habits while driving (“webbing”). An alarming 48% of those between 18 to 29 years old admitted to this practice. In the older set (above 29 years old), 21% admitted to doing the same.

Photo credit: By Lord Jim / Stefan Kloo [Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)]

The growing trend seems to be caused by the proliferation (and combination) of smartphones + internet everywhere + social media. Though social-media remain as one of the biggest distractions, motorists may also “surf while driving” to view maps, find directions, research local business,  and even send urgent emails.

Though the study only covers the U.S., I feel this trend may already be quickly spreading in the Philippines as well. With the proliferation of wireless broadband services from local networks, coupled with millions of internet-capable mobile phones in the country, the Philippine motorists face even more distractions while on the road.

The main advice I can give to both motorists and pedestrians is to be even more careful while on the road. For motorists, drive even more defensively. It is not enough that you are obediently following the traffic lights and signs. The other motorist may not necessarily be paying attention to these things since he may be busy sending a tweet or reading a post. As for pedestrians, before crossing the road, don’t just look at the oncoming cars — look closely at each driver and try to see if they are distracted or actually paying attention to the road. Being on the pedestrian walk doesn’t ensure that you are already seen by oncoming traffic. Make sure you catch the driver’s attention before stepping in front of his car.

Credits: Jennifer Geiger, Cars.com “Study: More people surfing Web while driving” USA Today.com Nov. 21, 2012 Dec. 23, 2012 <http://www.usatoday.com/story/driveon/2012/11/20/surfing-web-driving-state-farm/1717259/>

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We all want our cars to look good. We might even get a bit jealous when we see another car zoom past us, all clean and shiny. We promise ourselves that someday, when we’re not too busy, we’ll have the car washed, vacuumed, and waxed.

But, the thing is, your traditional neighborhood car wash provider may not necessarily do the job well.

So how can you tell if a car wash has been thorough? Here are three (3) things you should look for after your car wash:

1. Caked mud under the fenders

Fenders are there to protect your car’s lower body panels by blocking out dirt, mud, stones, and other debris. The problem is that as you’re driving, most of the mud gets deposited under and behind the fenders and mudguards.

If this is left untouched, it could cause rust to form under the car. To avoid this from happening, the area behind the fenders must be thoroughly cleaned. Because this area isn’t very visible just by doing a spot check, you’ll have to take a look yourself and see if this was missed by your local car wash service.

2. Excess water in crevices and out-of-the-way areas

After a traditional car wash, it may look as if your vehicle was thoroughly wiped down and dried. But, when you start your car, the excess water starts dripping out of the crevices. Or worse, it stays there and may lead to rust over time. This is a common problem with car wash services that use a lot of water and don’t have air compressors to dry hard-to-reach places.

Be sure that you check the surface and crannies of your door handles, side mirrors, and car grills – since these areas tend to hold some excess water. It would also be a good idea to ask about the tools and equipment that the car wash service is using before you get your car cleaned.

3. Superficial interior vacuuming

As your car wash service is vacuuming your car interiors, make sure they are being thorough rather than just going through the motions.Why is a thorough interior vacuum job important? According to one study cars with dirty interiors are serious health hazards, especially during warmer weather. They can harbor bacteria and germs that may induce food poisoning, vomiting, and other illnesses. Because of this, you need to be sure that your car wash service thoroughly cleaned your interiors.

Particular areas that you need to check are the carpeting under the floor mat and the areas directly under the car seat. It’s easy to find out if these areas have been cleaned. A simple spot check will reveal any leftover dirt.

So the next time you go through a carwash, check these three essential areas. If your latest carwash job was a good one, then you wouldn’t have to worry about hidden dirt, out-of-sight rusting, and dangerous bacteria. All you’ll have to do is enjoy the ride.

Author Bio: Coy de los Santos is a car enthusiast and entrepreneur. His latest venture, Parklean Crew Carwash, provides waterless home-delivery carwash services to Makati residents.

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Last week, I received an invitation to ‘Suzuki @ work,’ an after-sales service camp. My first question was: “I’ve heard of band camp and boot camp, but what exactly is a service camp?”

Suzuki Service Manager Rommel Cabanela humored me with an answer:

“A Suzuki service camp is like an assembly line where the vehicle passes through three stations or bays. Each bay has a team of qualified technicians and mechanics checking a specific portion of the check list.”

Oh, it’s a highly efficient setup for doing vehicle check ups…. nice.
Anyway, I’ve had my share of car check ups and I’m not about to be impressed easily. So I looked around further.

The service camp is a free 23 point check up for Suzuki vehicles. I noticed that they are quite strict about this — Suzuki personnel followed the 23 point check list to the letter.

“It’s essential that we don’t miss anything.” Cabanela adds.

In the first bay, the vehicle’s general condition is checked. The aircon, windows, mirrors, wipers, and all the lights are examined while the hand and foot brake are adjusted as well. An inspection of the under chassis – front and rear brakes, transmission – follows. In the second bay, wheel bearing, the condition of tires and power steering hoses and fluids are checked. At the last station, Suzuki engineers look under the hood and check engine performance with the use of Suzuki Diagnostic Tool (SDT). The condition of the belts, engine and engine oil, as well as ignition timing are examined at the last bay.

The whole process is documented in a service check-list that accompanies the vehicle through the three bays. Customers are given recommendations on specific areas of the unit that require servicing. And they get a 15 % discount on parts on their next visit.

The latest leg of Suzuki @ Work was held at Suzuki Auto Shaw, Mandaluyong last October 13 to 14. To get the latest Suzuki @ Work schedules, visit their website suzuki.com.ph or call their customer care hotline 902 1001.

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Here’s a solid reason why you need a dash cam — you need to protect yourself from scammers on the streets.

I just saw a video taken in Taiwan where a street scammer jumped in front of a car, faked her injury, and clearly tried to get something from the driver. Unfortunately for her, the driver was lucky (or smart) enough to have a video camera running on his dashboard. He captured the entire scene which undeniably disproves any claims against him.

See more by watching this video uploaded by AutoCarTVs on Youtube.

My friend had a similar incident in the Philippines years ago. A street beggar claimed to have been “slightly hit” by my friend’s car along Ortigas Avenue. My friend vehemently denied the allegation and swore to fight this claim even if it takes years. I understand they eventually settled out of court.

I don’t know for sure if my friend was guilty or innocent. But I always had this feeling that something was not right about the whole incident… and I’m always afraid that something like that could also happen to me or anyone else in my family since we drive around every day.

So let this be a warning for motorists — there are scammers on the streets. Get a dash cam and keep it rolling. Who knows, in the future, it could save you from a lot of stress, court appearances, insurance fees, and settlement money.

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Car sale: Our friends from Mitsubishi Motors sent us the latest price list (September 2012) for your reference. NOTE: Prices are subject to change without prior notice.

MITSUBISHI LANCER

Lancer 1.6 GLX M/T

• SRP: P705,000
• CASH DISCOUNT: P47,000
• ESP: P658,000
• FREE ITEMS: Tint, Floormats, Seat Cover, EWD

Lancer 1.6 GLS CVT

• SRP: P765,000
• CASH DISCOUNT: P47,000
• ESP: P718,000
• FREE ITEMS: Tint, Floormats, Seat Cover, EWD

Lancer EX 1.6G GLX M/T (13 MY)

• SRP: P825,000
• CASH DISCOUNT: P47,000
• ESP: P778,000
• FREE ITEMS:  Tint, Floormats, Seat Cover, EWD

Lancer EX 1.6 GLX A/T (13 MY)

• SRP: P855,000
• CASH DISCOUNT: P27,000
• ESP: P828,000
• FREE ITEMS:  Tint, Floormats, Seat Cover, EWD

Lancer EX MX 1.6G A/T (13 MY)

• SRP: P930,000
• CASH DISCOUNT: P32,000
• ESP: P898,000
• FREE ITEMS:  Tint, Floormats, Seat Cover, EWD

Lancer EX 2.0 GTA CVT (13 MY)

• SRP: P1,295,000
• CASH DISCOUNT: P155,000
• ESP: P1,140,000
• FREE ITEMS: Tint, Floormats, Seat Cover, EWD

Lancer EX RALLIART (Standard)

• SRP: P2,348,000
• CASH DISCOUNT: P350,000
• ESP: P1,998,000
• FREE ITEMS: Tint, Floormats, EWD

Continue reading …

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Whoever said that all women prefer clothes and makeup over cars should go out more often. Many women love cars just as much as men do. The main difference lies on what women look for when choosing a car.

I, for one, look for a car which is fuel efficient, spacious, reliable, and of course, stylish. I don’t really know much about engine displacement, dipsticks or fenders; but I do know that fuel efficiency is important since I know how much I pay for gas, and something that isn’t easy or fun to drive is a car I wouldn’t want.Speaking of style, it’s mostly the guys who like to trick out their prized vehicles. As the fairer sex, though I’d like my car to be stylish, I’d still want it to be practical, thank you very much.

So let me present to you a short list of cars in the Philippines that I think are easy on the eyes, perfect for a girls’ lifestyle, well-priced, and generously outfitted with the right amount of features – the cars I would recommend for Pinays. Continue reading …

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When Undoy happened 3 years ago, people said it’s very unlikely to happen again. They were wrong. Granted it wasn’t actually a full-blown typhoon that hit us just a few weeks back, but the flooding and consequent damages are generally just as bad.

That being said, I personally think natural challenges like these will happen more often than we think. More calamities will come and more people will need help. The good thing is, more and more people are actually willing to help… and they do it in different and creative ways.

Case in point, a local car club named TrackHos did something creative for charity late last year. The club is composed of people who own exotic and performance cars. We are talking about Philippine motorists driving Ferraris, Porshes, Lamborghinis, and GTRs. They wanted to get together, have fun, and raise funds for charity… so what did they do? Simple, they had their own car event — TrackHos Mile — an unlimited speed airport runway event. So one Sunday, they drove their exotic cars to Subic, shot a video, hanged out, raised funds, and donated all of the proceeds to the Philippines Red Cross in aid of the victims of Typhoon Sendong.

See more by watching this video uploaded by Trackhos on Youtube.

My personal insight from this exercise is this: given the right motivation, people can come up with many creative ways to help. For example, during the recent “habagat calamity”, a hardware store owner I know lent his dump truck to ferry people across waist-deep flooded portions of the road,… and I saw teens swimming and dragging inflatable boats loaded with supplies to bring help to areas where even dump trucks can go through. The simple formula seems to be just to look at whatever you have, and maximize or repurpose them for a greater benefit.

Now its your turn… What do you think can you do?

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I just saw the funniest car review video… and Batman was in it.

In London, journalist Rory Reid was doing a car review video on the Hyundai i30 when Batman (i.e. actually a Toronto-based comedian wearing the Batman costume), interrupted and gave his own opinion on the Hyundai. “Batman” literally got into the car and did a test drive. Staying in character, “Batman” didn’t have much to say about the car but he did make a lot of side comments which came out quite funny.

I’m not sure if it was actually a Hyundai or a Batman movie marketing gimmick but it sure got me interested in the car.

During the funny discussions, Rory was able to unobtrusively highlight some key aspects about the Hyundai i30:

1. 1.6 Liter 16Valve Diesel engine — Smooth and quiet drive — you barely can tell it’s running on a diesel engine
2. Lot of room at the back and huge trunk
3. Has Integrated Stop & Go (ISG) feature – the engine stops/starts while on a standstill or slowdown in traffic
4. Acceleration: 0 to 60 in 11 secs.
5. Nice wheels – comes with 16″ mags, GPS, voice control, other bells and whistles
6. Fuel efficiency: 75 miles per gallon
7. And it comes in Black

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