Driving & Safety News
LA Auto Show: VW Does Infotainment the Right Way
The 2015 LA Auto Show showcases the best of the auto industry—well, at least according to car companies. Increases in horsepower, better fuel economy, and most importantly—the latest tech—is all on display during the 10-day event in Southern California. Once of my first missions at the show was to figure out who is putting the most care and thought into in-cabin electronics, mainly the ones that guide us around and play our music, affectionately known as "infotainment."
LA Auto Show: The Car of the Future Is Only $6,800
There was one company at the 2015 LA Auto Show that had everyone intrigued. They didn't have a big booth, and they only had one car on display, but they definitely had everyone's attention.
Note To Self: When Bored, Try Car Surfing
Dumb as it may be, it sure looks fun. And when boredom comes calling... (for those with a death wish)... presenting, the highly dangerous game of car surfing:
News: The Wall of Death (Thank God for Centrifugal Force)
We've seen it before, but India's Wall of Death never ceases to awe and amaze. Below, taken from the Guardian's Eyewitness photo series, a man performs the incredibly dangerous stunt during Jhiri Mela, in India ("a fair held every November in memory of a farmer who killed himself in the face of unjust demands from a landlord").
News: Can You Pass the Crazy Chinese Driving Test?
China is a hot mess of traffic and is stereotyped for spawning some of the craziest drivers in the world. The traffic jams are known to be so bad, drivers have been gridlocked for 9 straight days.
News: Ralph Lauren's Decadent "Garage" (Re: Luxury Auto Museum)
You can see why Ralph's daughter Dylan may have conceived of the $15 grand gingerbread house. Below, images of the fashion King's exotic car garage, via Vanity Fair.
News: Synchronized Drifting = High-Speed Motor Ballet
It's an auto freak's wet dream: the beauty of synchronization + the adrenaline rush of engines revving and expert vehicle maneuvering. Check out these incredible dancing Toyotas on Japan's Fuji Speedway. Inspired? Start small.
News: Go, Granny, Go! Hacked Mobility Scooter Goes 69 MPH
Though the idea of a highway-friendly mobility scooter might seem absurd, we think it makes perfect sense: After all, who has a greater need to move quickly than those with the least amount of time left to live?
News: See the Car-Accident-Causing Optical Illusion in Action
UPDATE: Here's the latest on the optical illusion disaster waiting to happen: the "warning illusion" has been installed, and now you can now see it in action below.
News: What if Airbags Were on the Outside of Your Car?
A team of Japanese researchers have developed an airbag system for the exterior of the car, rather than the interior, with the purpose of protecting pedestrians.
News: 3D Optical Illusion Scares the Poop Out of Canadian Drivers
Imagine this scenario: Late for work, you jump in the car. Going your usual 10 or maybe even 15 miles over the speed limit, suddenly a ball tumbles into the road, closely pursued by a little girl! Scared sh*tless, you slam on your brakes.
News: Teens Build World's Most Fuel-Efficient Car
How many gallons of gas does it take to get from Kansas City to New York? Depends on what you're driving. In this custom-modded Indy race car designed by students at the DeLaSalle Education Center? About four.
News: A Vending Machine for Cars
Ever been wowed by a parking lot? If not, odds are you've never been to the square of St. Stephen's Basilica in central Budapest, home to the world's first fully robotic subterranean parking garage, the Wöhr Multiparker 730. Click through for a video of the Multiparker in action. Previously, Working Bugatti Veyron Built from 10,000 Empty Cigarette Packs.
News: World's First EVER Monster Truck Backflip
Last year WonderHowTo's favorite daredevil Travis Pastrana attempted to land the world's very first monster truck backflip. Unfortunately, it didn't quite work out as he had hoped. Here's what happened: Now, one year later, Pastrana's fellow Nitro
Apple Founder Wozniak: Prius SOFTWARE Also Causing Out-of-Control Acceleration
In today's Silicon Alley Insider, the legendary Apple founder, Steve Wozniak, says "his new Toyota Prius occasionally goes insane on the highway--and that it's a software problem, not a hardware problem. He has tried to tell Toyota and the US government, but they won't listen."
News: Car Completes World's Largest 360° Loop-the-Loop
This past spring, British TV show Fifth Gear aired stuntman Steve Truglia performing a Hot Wheels inspired feat. The daredevil completed the world's largest 360° loop-the-loop. Death was a definite risk.
News: New Super Hybrid Kicks Tesla Motors' Butt
Capstone's CMT-380 stealth looking prototype can hit 150mph, compared to Tesla's 125. Tesla better step it up.
News: Auto-Unicycle Trumps Segway
Forget the Segway, you don't even have to stand anymore thanks to Honda's U3-X. This self-balancing unicycle relies on an inclinometer instead of gyroscopes to keep the rider balanced. The personal transporter even allows the user to travel forward, back, left, and right thanks to the Honda Omni Traction (HOT) drive system. This automatic unicycle gives a whole new meaning to taking it easy. Check out this CNN video for a further demonstration of the Honda U3-X.
News: Save gas
Listen to KipKay. He's quite the crafty how-to guru. Suggestions vary from adding acetone to your gas tank (a practice banned in Vietnam for it's damage to engines) to emptying your trunk of all it's unnecessary junk. Save gas.
News: Unlock Your Car with a Slim Jim or Coat Hanger
"After driving onto frozen river, man locks keys in car, engine melts ice." - Detroit Free Press. Avoid such a fate.
News: Survive economic devastation & Stop guzzling gas!
Way before $5 gallons of gas and billion dollar bailouts, Kipkay made this gas saving video. Congratulations Kip on winning the 2008 WonderHowTo Recession Survival Award!
News: Pop a wheelie on a sport bike
Wheelie popping. Whether you're cruising on a Schwinn or a suped up Suzuki-- the physics are the same. Balance.