Moto&tech

Practical city car – what parameters should I pay attention to when buying?

What should you look for when choosing a city car to actually make it practical? Here are some important features.

Published

2 years ago

February 1, 2021

Dominic Lyon

You need about 4 min. to read this post

Even if there is no single ideal city car, it is good to look for features which will bring it closer to this ideal. Low fuel consumption, compact dimensions, maybe low emission level? Here is a discussion of the most often mentioned parameters that make a city car practical.

European-style car

Town cars are a typically European invention. They are adapted to the rhythm of life in big cities with narrow streets and continuous shortage of parking spaces. At the same time they are used to commute to work, which is usually located at the other end of the city. They do not have to be as strong and powerful as American SUVs. When we think about them, in our imagination we see the immortal Mini Cooper speeding through the streets of Paris or Rome. Although in recent months sales of these cars have fallen in favor of the growing segment of SUVs, many people still opt for small city cars

Reliability

A city car should be new first and foremost. This is a higher expense at the start, but it will pay off in lower operating and maintenance costs. It is worth to be guided by opinions concerning reliability of particular cars – e.g. customer satisfaction survey conducted by German institute J.D. Power can be very helpful.

Long warranty period

Manufacturers of high quality cars are not afraid to give a fairly long warranty period. It is worth paying attention not only to its duration, but also the terms of loss, the possibility of buying the so-called “extended warranty” or warranty

Low price

A city car has to be, above all, cheap. Unfortunately, it often happens that the basic version, although cheap, is also extremely poor. Additionally, Poles are more and more willing to choose cheap SUVs, such as Dacia Duster, which can be purchased at comparable prices to city cars. Cheap cars in the segment in question are:

Toyota Aygo X 1.0 VVT-i 72 KM – from 38 800 PLN;
KIA Picanto M 1.0 DPI 67 KM – from 39 900 PLN;
Fiat Panda Easy 1.2 69 hp – from PLN 40,900
Hyundai i10 Access 1.0 MPI 67 hp – from PLN 40,900
Mitsubishi Space Star Inform 1.0 75 hp – from PLN 40,990.

Low fuel consumption

A city car will very often have to stand in traffic jams. Until recently, cars with gas installation were considered to be the peak of savings in such conditions. Currently, more expensive hybrid engines, which allow lower fuel consumption e.g. while standing in traffic jams, are gaining popularity.

Safety

Modern safety systems supported by innovative technologies should also be present in the equipment of city cars. Automated braking assistance when a pedestrian or another vehicle is detected is a very valuable capability that should be taken into account. Other important technologies include dusk and rain sensors and lane keep assist.

Convenience

This element of evaluating a car is a bit more complicated. A comfortable city car is one that is spacious, but also small in size. It’s also good for it to be easy to drive

Compact size

Congestion and narrow parking lots make small car size a price to pay. We are talking mainly about the A segment, that is the smallest cars up to 3.5 m long. Currently there is a tendency to expand cars considered to be urban. It is worth adding that such a car must also be maneuverable

Capacity

It is the comfort that is behind the fact that city cars are getting bigger and bigger also when it comes to interior dimensions. It is important not only to have a spacious cabin, but also sufficient space in the trunk. This should allow a family of three or four to do a week’s worth of shopping. Here, however, you should rather lean towards choosing a car from the B segment. Especially large engines have, for example, the Seat Ibiza (355 l), Skoda Fabia (330 l), or Hyundai i20 (326 l)

Automatic transmission

This is one of the solutions recommended especially by people who spend a lot of time on the road in the city. Cab drivers, among others, praise it

Nice design

There’s no denying that a stylish design is also important when it comes to city cars. This is especially important for ladies who choose city cars. Examples of beautiful city cars? Of course Mini Cooper, Fiat 500 or Citroen DS 3.

photo: Dhruv Singh/Unsplash

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Moto&tech

Which industries can benefit from M2M technology?

M2M technology has been around for some time now, and it has revolutionized many industries.

Published

4 months ago

February 3, 2023

Dominic Lyon

M2M technology has been around for some time now, and it has revolutionized many industries. M2M technology provides businesses with a way to automate tasks, reduce costs, and gain insights into their operations.

Automotive

M2M technology is quickly becoming an essential part of the automotive industry, providing a range of solutions that improve safety, reduce costs, and increase efficiency. Automotive companies can use M2M technology to remotely monitor and control their vehicles, track driver behavior and diagnose problems more quickly and accurately. M2M also allows for automated driving systems, providing increased safety on roads and highways. In addition, car manufacturers can use M2M technology to collect real-time data from their cars, which can be used to improve product designs, optimize service delivery, and even provide targeted marketing. By leveraging the power of M2M technology, automotive companies can ensure their vehicles are safer, more reliable, and better performing than ever before.

Healthcare

M2M technology is revolutionizing the healthcare industry. By providing real-time communication between medical devices, systems, and patient data, M2M technology can increase the efficiency of healthcare services and provide better patient care. One of the most important applications of M2M technology in healthcare is the monitoring of vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature. With M2M technology, healthcare providers can have access to real-time information on patient vital signs, making it easier to detect changes in health status and provide appropriate care. This can help to reduce hospital readmissions and improve overall patient outcomes. M2M technology can also be used to track medical supplies, from drugs and medical equipment to patient files. This helps to ensure that all medical supplies are kept up-to-date and easily accessible for both staff and patients.

Transportation

Transportation has been a major beneficiary of Machine to Machine (M2M) technology. Thanks to the ability to track and monitor vehicles, companies can optimize their resources, maximize efficiency, and reduce costs. Companies such as airlines, shipping firms, and trucking companies can benefit from the use of M2M technology to monitor their fleets. M2M technology allows for real-time tracking of vehicle location and speed, as well as other important information such as fuel consumption and engine performance. This data can be used to identify trends in routes taken, which can help to optimize delivery times.

Main photo: Adi Goldstein/unsplash.com

Moto&tech

How to keep your car clean?

It is said that the appearance of a car testifies to the owner of the vehicle. See how to take care of your car to make it shine clean!

Published

8 months ago

October 14, 2022

Dominic Lyon

The car is not only your faithful friend and servant, but also your “second skin”. Dirt, traces of bird droppings on the bodywork, stains on the windows and cigarette ash on the seat upholstery are not the best indication of the owner of even the most “dashing” car. Learn to take care of your car so that it serves you for as long as possible and enhances your image!

Regularly wash your car

The cleanliness of your car is affected by many factors, from the salt poured on the roads in winter to the resin and sap dripping from the trees in spring and summer. All of this looks unsightly, and also pisses into the body and affects the components in the car. Regular washing is the main recommendation when it comes to maintaining cleanliness. It is especially important to wash the invisible parts of the vehicle, such as the chassis and rims. Their recesses accumulate dirt that is difficult to remove, which over time can lead to corrosion.

Don’t neglect the car’s interior

A clean, well-maintained car interior is not only a prerequisite for a comfortable and pleasant ride. Dust, greasy stains and dirt all damage the seat upholstery. Proper car care includes cleaning all interior components, including seats, doors, floor and ceiling.

Vacuum as often as possible

During the warm months, spring, summer and early autumn, you should vacuum your car at least once a month. This is the only way to protect yourself and your passengers from dust and allergens that enter the interior through open windows.

Remember about floor mats and thresholds

Drivers often forget that the thresholds in the car should also be cleaned. Although at first glance the dirt on the thresholds is not very visible, with the doors open the car looks unsightly. The floor mats should also be taken care of, especially after rain and snow. Rubber floor mats simply need to be washed with water, and those made of fabric – shaken out and vacuumed.

Lights and windows

Clean lights and windows are a prerequisite for safe driving. Streaks and mud on windows and headlights impair visibility, leading to accidents on the road. Headlights should be washed after every long drive. From time to time, it’s also a good idea to wipe them with a special polish and clean the car lamps from the inside. Even if it’s very dark on the street, don’t wipe the lights on with a damp tissue. This will dull the surface of the headlights. Let them cool down a bit before you wipe them.

Keep your car in order

Don’t turn your car into a small storeroom. Take only the essentials on your trip. And under no circumstances keep trash in it! Throw away coffee cups, plastic bags and bottles systematically. Arrange your purchases so that nothing falls out and rolls into a hard-to-reach place. Remember, a freely moving bottle on the floor can fall under the pedals and make braking impossible!

Refrain from eating and smoking

The best way to keep your car clean is to fully prohibit smoking and eating in the car. This is the only way to protect yourself from greasy stains, as well as ubiquitous cigarette ash. If you can’t do without snacks, get yourself a small lunch box and put a separate waste container on the floor.

main photo: unsplash.com/Oliur

Moto&tech

Automatic or manual transmission – advantages and disadvantages

“Automatic” or “manual”? Is either transmission better or does it all depend on the personal preferences of the driver? Learn the advantages and disadvantages of both solutions before you make a decision on the purchase of a car!

Published

10 months ago

August 18, 2022

Dominic Lyon

Among motorists, the arguments about what is better: automatic or manual transmission are not quieting down. Proponents of traditional solutions complain about the automatic transmission, proving that there is nothing better than “manual”. Others again praise the convenience of the “automatic” and vow never to return to a manual transmission. As in any dispute, each side is a little bit right. We will try to give you a factual presentation of the pros and cons of both solutions.

Manual transmission – advantages

Ability to use the full dynamics of the engine

On a manual transmission you can immediately accelerate your car to the highest speed. A classic automatic at a certain rpm begins to shift gears, so a manual transmission provides greater driving dynamics.

Lower fuel consumption

With efficient gear shifting, as well as the ability to idle, you can save a lot on fuel. Such benefits will not be provided by an automatic transmission, in which even putting in slack while driving is discouraged.

Lower oil consumption

Every transmission needs a special fluid. An automatic transmission requires 6 to 10 liters of oil, while a mechanical transmission requires about 3 liters.

Manual transmission – disadvantages

Driving comfort

The first disadvantage of a manual transmission is lower driving comfort, which is felt primarily by novice drivers. They find the starting maneuver especially difficult, as well as driving uphill.

Clutch

Poorly dynamic and smooth driving can lead to clutch burnout. And this caution applies especially to inexperienced drivers. And replacing the clutch is already an expensive repair, which automatic drivers, by definition, do not have to worry about.

Engine life

Lower engine life in cars with mechanical transmissions is due to the fact that their drivers easily allow the engine to overheat, especially if they like to drive fast.

Automatic transmission – advantages

Different dynamics

While a classic automatic with a torque converter actually severely limits the car’s performance, automatic dual-clutch transmissions such as DSG perform better than a manual transmission. When driving on such an automatic, two gears are engaged at the same time, which makes shifting up or down very fast.

Different fuel consumption

A classic automatic actually consumes more fuel, but newer models or transmissions use much less fuel than manual transmissions.

Smoothness of driving

An automatic transmission means a more comfortable driving experience. Even an inexperienced driver can smoothly, without nerves or the so-called “kangaroo”, start the car without posing a risk on the road.

Longer engine and transmission life

Automatic transmissions control the revs more and protect the engine from overheating.

Automatic transmission – disadvantages

As noted above, a car with a classic automatic accelerates more slowly than a vehicle with a manual transmission. The classic also has only four gears and consumes more fuel than a manual transmission. All models, both newer and older, require more transmission oil.

The undeniable downside of automatic cars is also their higher price. The cost of operating and repairing an automatic transmission is also much higher, and you should know that according to statistics, manual transmissions break down much less often.

main photo: unsplash.com/Jean-Philippe Delberghe