How to Change Cabin Air Filter

Crossovers are big bruisers. However, CUVs are affected by dirt, dust, and all other sorts of debris that clog the cabin air filter. That’s why it is necessary to periodically change cabin air filter on your CUV.

The following video is a helpful guide on how to change cabin air filter. Let’s follow Barbara as she demonstrates to us the proper way of changing cabin air filter.

Buick and Cadillac vehicles could soon be getting in-car WiFi hotspots, showing that GM will be spreading out the mobile internet access technology to its near-luxury and luxury trims.

The hotspots are achieved by making a system that connects cars and devices through routers in the vehicles. The in-car router itself should fetch something along the lines of $500, and then owners would have to pay a monthly access fee in the neighborhood of $29 or $30.

GM is expected to break out the system first on the Cadillac Escalade and the Buick Enclave.

The Kumho Fortis SUV Concept

It’s not exactly something you would expect from a company that manufactures tires for SUVs worldwide. Kumho Tires, part of the multifaceted Kumho Asian Group, has released its Fortis SUV concept, with unique takes on how SUVs of the future should help environmental initiatives.

The concept SUV makes extensive use of recycled tire rubber. The bumper sections, hood, doors, front wings, and the hatch in the rear all make use of the reused material. The Fortis concept runs on a lithium-ion battery pack.

Of course, innovative tire technology is also present–after all, Kumho makes millions of tires for SUVs. There are metal biters along the treads of the tires so that off-road capability is maximized, acting as a hook that will grip the terrain. The tire’s cavity is inflated when the car rolls on-road so that the biters will be covered.

That sure is something. Those measures, coupled with the Fortis’ high-tech looks, should be something to watch. There’s probably a miniscule chance of it getting produced, since this is a tire company we’re talking about here. Still, it would be nice to see a unit go on and off the road.

VW Tiguan by B&B Tuning

Germany’s B&B Tuning has come up with upgrades to the Volkswagen Tiguan, available for the entire range of the compact crossover SUV.

The range-topping model is boosted to a whopping 300 horsepower. The upgrade range is scaled, from the 190-hp 1.4-liter TSI variant.

As you can see from the image, there are also aerodynamic changes and custom wheels that go with the tuned engine.

Mazda CX-7 Update

The updated version of the Mazda CX-7 mid-sized crossover vehicle was showcased at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, which kicked off a couple of days ago. The new CX-7 sports substantial exterior revisions as well as interior upgrades.

Among the new exterior design elements are larger air intakes, chrome surrounds for the front grille, and some minimal changes to the rear.

The interior has a new central console, an LCD monitor, and a premium steering wheel.

More on the new CX-7 as details surface. Stay tuned!

Source: Left Lane

We said we’d touch more on the innovative “City Safety” system that will have its production debut in the 2010 Volvo XC60 crossover. Well, here it is–the lowdown on the latest safety technology that is Volvo’s pride and joy. After all, they can’t be touting the XC60 as the “safest Volvo ever” for nothing.

City Safety scans distance and speed and engages the brakes when needed.

City Safety is a system designed to prevent low-speed collisions, the kind motorists mostly encounter while driving through city traffic and crowded urban areas (hence the name). The key to this is an optical sensor or radar located in the car’s upper windshield. This ’senses’ the speed of the car in front of the XC60 about 50 times per second, and if the car gets too close and the driver doesn’t react, then City Safety brakes the XC60 automatically. Awesome!

According to Volvo Cars president and CEO Fredrik Arp, the 2010 XC60 “is packed with (Volvo’s) accumulated safety know-how and technology, both when it comes to preventing accidents and protecting all the occupants in a collision.” He added that Volvo is the first automaker to provide such a system as a standard in its models, and it is clearly the main thing that makes the XC60 the safest Volvo yet.

Only time will tell if City Safety makes a big impact in preventing collisions. As the system sees more action in different models, then it can truly be proven.

2010 Lincoln MKT

Crossovers help satisfy owners’ power and size requirements while allowing sedan-comparable fuel economy. The 2010 Lincoln MKT we wrote about in the previous post gives excellent fuel economy thanks to an optional EcoBoost powertrain, which is in turn supported by technology from Bosch.

This particular variant boasts of a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine. These EcoBoost engines are powered by a gasoline direct-injection technology called DI-Motronic supplied by Bosch. DI-Motronic is essentially a very prices direct-injection mechanism that allows unparallelled injection timing and control. This helps increase fuel economy while also augmenting power.

“The EcoBoost engine family is an innovative way to improve fuel economy without sacrificing performance. Bosch is proud to be providing its GDI technology and systems expertise to Ford,” said Bosch Gasoline Systems North America regional president Sujit Jain. He reaffirmed that improving upcoming vehicles is “at the core of what we do.”

Source: NAIAS Official Site

Thinking of trading your old car for a new and bigger crossover? If you are, then be sure to have a look at Toyota’s upcoming 2009 Highlander crossover. Aside from being reasonably priced, it’s also set to carry a new four-cylinder engine type.

The new four-cylinder engine has a 2.7-liter capacity and is expected to offer better fuel efficiency, low emissions and improved engine performance compared to the previous engines used. So, how good are the numbers? Well, according to the EPA, the fuel economy of new four-cylinder engine yields 27 mpg when the crossover is driven on the highway. And when it’s driven in the city, the engine is able to return 20 mpg. In terms of performance, the new engine helps the 2009 Toyota Highlander achieve 187 hp at 5,800 rpm. Torque is also expected to hit 186 lb-ft at 4,100 rpm when running with the regular 87 octane fuel. As for speed, the engine allows the Highlander to go from 0 to 60 mph in just 9.7 seconds.

Also, compared to the V-6 engines previously used for the Toyota Highlander, the new engine will allow the crossover to run smoothly while reducing noise and vibration. This is achieved thanks to the six-speed electronically-controlled automatic overdrive transmission with intelligence (ECT-i). Considered the lightest and most compact transmission, it also allows you to shift gears effortlessly and accelerate quickly.

With all the things that the new Toyota Highlander can do, you’d expect that the company would price it a bit higher compared to its siblings that have a V-6 engine. However, Toyota decided to keep the vehicle priced at just $25,705. So if you’re aiming to get a brand new crossover, be sure to include the new Toyota Highlander in your list. It’s set to be released by January 2009.

Sources: Auto Channel, Consumer Guide Automotive

Pet owners are in for a treat when they purchase the new Toyota Venza. According to the Japanese automaker, it will be launching an array of aftermarket pet products for the upcoming crossover by the end of this year.

Toyota is anticipating that majority of the buyers of the new Venza will be pet owners. And since these owners tend to bring their pets along wherever they go, Toyota thought off providing them with same comfort given to their masters.

Another factor that prompted Toyota to develop this type of products for its Venza was the survey conducted by the American Automobile Association or AAA. Based on the survey, more than 30,000 accidents are a result of unruly pets. Toyota is hoping that the products it’s developed will help owners in restraining their pets and keep them from becoming a distraction.

So if you’re planning to get a Venza and want to ensure the security of your pets, be sure to drop by the nearest Toyota dealership in your area. They’re currently offering the following products for you and your pets: an easy loading and unloading rear hatch pet, a leash tether to secure your pets in the vehicle, a pet booster seat with harness, a first and second row or cargo area pet barrier, pet seatbelt buckles, rear seat zip line-style harnesses, and waterproof and removable hammock-style seat covers.

Source: World Car Fans

For those anticipating the upcoming 2009 Toyota Highlander, you’re in for a treat. Toyota has just added another engine option by announcing that this crossover can now be paired up with an optional four cylinder engine.

Measuring at 2.7-liters, the four-cylinder engine is partnered with a six-speed manual transmission. It boasts better fuel efficiency thanks to its unique powertrain combination. This has garnered the approval of the EPA as it gave the 2009 Highlander a 20/27 mpg for city and highway driving respectively. This is an improvement, considering that its original 3.5-liter V6 engine was only capable of returning 18 mpg when driven in the city and 24 mpg when used on the highway. Its hybrid version however still tops the charts as it’s able to return 27 mpg when used in the city and 25 mpg when driven on the highway.

The new four-cylinder engine is capable of producing 187 horsepower at 5,800 RPM and 186 lb-ft of torque. The engine will allow the new Highlander to hit 60 mph in 9.7 seconds while carrying a maximum tow rating of 3,500 pounds.

All-in-all, I’d say that the performance of this new four-cylinder engine isn’t at all that bad. It may not be as fuel efficient as its hybrid sibling, but it’s still capable of limiting your engine’s appetite for fuel. That’s big savings for you right there.

Sources: AutoBlog, HowStuffWorks