Columbia, S.C.: Capital of the Palmetto State

 

AAE recently visited Columbia, S.C. The capital city of South Carolina, Columbia has a population of around 134,000, and is home to the University of South Carolina. Pictured above is the capitol building. The area around the complex has statues of historic figures including Strom Thurmond, a staunch segregationist who served South Carolina in the U.S. Senate, a monument to the Daughters of the Confederacy and other structures honoring historical figures. 

The state capitol building was the scene of a protest that decried the overturning of a woman's right to reproductive freedom. Many protesters were present on the sidewalk outside the building and many motorists driving by honked their horns in support. 

Tips to Help Get You and Your Vehicle Ready for Summer Road Trips

 

With summer travel season getting into full swing, it's time to think about making sure your vehicle is prepared for road trips. Here are a few tips to help prepare you and your vehicle for the open roads this summer.

- Get an oil change and check fluids

Opinions vary on when and how often to change your engine oil. Some car owners subscribe to the somewhat dated "every three months or 3,000 miles" rule of thumb, while others adhere to oil-change intervals ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 miles.

Rules of thumb aside, we suggest at least changing your oil (full synthetic or synthetic blend is ideal) and oil filter before heading out on your summer road trip. Fresh oil will keep your engine parts lubricated and moving smoothly, while the new filter will remove any impurities and metal fragments that might otherwise find their way into the motor.

Being stranded on the side of the road with an overheated engine might look like an adventure in the movies, but it's no picnic in the middle of a heat wave. Check your coolant level frequently throughout the summer. If the amount of fluid consistently decreases, you may have a leak in your radiator or other issues that need to be addressed.

Seasonal weather changes can also cause other essential fluid levels to fluctuate. Make a habit of periodically checking levels for your power steering, brakes and transmission. These systems and components rely on specific fluids to function properly, so levels should always be maintained in the designated working range.

- Monitor your tire pressure 

As we mentioned earlier, the air pressure in your tires increases when the temperature rises. That's why it's a good idea to routinely check tire pressure throughout the hotter months.

External temperatures and the heat transferred from the road to your tires can generate swings of several pounds in air pressure. It may seem inconsequential, but that extra pressure can impact how your vehicle rides and the longevity of your tires.

- Get your vehicle aligned 

Alignment can be thrown off over time with general wear and tear or it can be caused by running into potholes, hitting curbs, or riding on rough surfaces for extended periods.

If you're planning a long summer trip, you should inspect your vehicle's alignment. Proper alignment improves the handling and overall ride of your automobile, extends tire life and reduces damage to your suspension and other critical components. It can even enhance fuel efficiency.

- Inspect your brakes 

It's fun to let the good times roll, but eventually, they must come to a nice, smooth stop. Your brakes ensure that they do just that — when and where you intend — making the pedal located to the left of the accelerator the most important safety feature on your vehicle. If your brake pedal is tough to push or you can hear a screech when you brake, there could be cause for concern.

Summer's added impact of stop-and-go traffic, long road trips and increased heat takes an even greater toll on your braking system.

Even if your brakes aren't making noises or requiring you to press harder to come to a stop, you should have them checked annually to ensure they're in good condition, especially if you think you might trade in or sell your vehicle before the odometer maxes out.

5 Tips for Saving Money, Helping Air Quality

 

With gasoline prices continuing to rise and the summer travel season upon us, motorists might benefit from learning about the many ways to help improve air quality in Georgia while also saving money.

Proper vehicle maintenance and adjusting some driving habits can significantly affect overall air quality in Georgia. Using these tips in your daily routine can also boost your vehicle’s performance and save money.

These five tips can help improve air quality and save motorists money:

-  The 30 Second Rule. Americans waste nearly four million gallons of gas each year by unnecessarily idling their vehicles. Idling can allow harmful deposits to form inside of an engine, contaminating oil and damaging components. The rule of thumb is to turn your engine off if you will be idling for more than 30 seconds.

  - It's Cool to Pool. According to The Rideshare Company, the average vehicle releases 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually. If you team up with some of your colleagues and carpool to work or other activities, you can cut down on harmful carbon dioxide emissions. If you have a short commute, pledge to walk or ride your bike to work once or twice a week.

   - Refuel in the Cool. Hot temperatures and gasoline fumes combine to create harmful ground-level ozone. Refueling your vehicle in the evening, when temperatures are cooler and gasoline evaporates less rapidly, is recommended. Also, don’t forget to tighten your gas cap. Each year, 147 million gallons of gasoline vaporize due to loose, damaged or missing gas caps.

    -  Get Pumped About Cleaner Air. Underinflated tires produce more drag, requiring your vehicle’s engine to work harder. This produces harmful emissions and wastes money by decreasing fuel efficiency. Properly inflated tires save money, extend the life of your tires and improve gas mileage up to 3.3% annually, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

- There's an App For That. There are scores of smartphone apps to improve fuel economy and find the most efficient travel routes. Today, there are even apps that help motorists avoid left turns, which can be a major source of idling. Georgia-based UPS conducted groundbreaking research, concluding that eliminating left turns conserves fuel, lowers emissions and increases safety. Since 2004, UPS saved 10 million gallons of gas and reduced CO2 emissions by 100,000 metric tons – the equivalent to taking 5,300 passenger cars off the road for an entire year – simply by instructing its drivers to avoid left turns. 

InfInformation from the Georgia Clean Air Force was used in this report. 

2022 Infiniti Q50: Luxury Sedan with Some Zip

 

The Infiniti Q50 Infiniti is a luxury sports sedan with seating for five. It combines comfort, technology and lively performance to create a formidable presence in the sedan market. 

Under the hood, the Q50 features a base engine that's a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that makes 300 horsepower and is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. That powerful engine creates exhilarating driving dynamics. 

The Q50 features a Red Sport model especially focused on performance that has a 400-horsepower variant of the V-6. You can choose from rear- and all-wheel-drive models. 

New for the 2022 model year, wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity and a Bose stereo are standard. 

Other standard features include 360-degree camera system, front and rear parking sensors and heated front seats. 

Fuel economy is rated at 19 mpg city, 26 highway for the enhanced engine and 20 and 29 for the standard. 

Pricing starts at around $43,000 and ranges to around $58,000.

For a luxury sedan with sporty driving characteristics, the Q50 is worth a look.  

Electric Vehicles: Where Do We Stand, and Where Are We Headed?

 

With gas prices continuing to linger at high levels, more people than ever are thinking and talking about electric vehicles as they seek relief from costly visits to the pump. The auto industry has taken notice, with many manufacturers laying out plans to convert most of their fleets to EVs over the coming years. Ford said last year that it will make an $11 billion investment in two manufacturing plants devoted to EVs. That initiative is expected to result in 40 percent of Ford's worldwide vehicle sales being EVs by 2030. The move is also projected to create 11,000 jobs. General Motors plans to make only EVs by 2035. Federal lawmakers have taken note too, having recently passed legislation that will devote billions toward EV infrastructure.  So what should people know about EVs? First, EVs are widely considered to be classified in one of three ways: plug-in hybrid vehicles (which still use some gasoline), hybrids (which also use some gasoline but do not need to be plugged in to an electrical source) and battery-electric vehicles (which use no gasoline at all). While interest in EVs has risen in recent years, challenges to making them more ubiquitous remain. Primarily, there aren't enough electric charging stations available. Estimates show that there are about 46,000 charging stations in operation, compared with about 150,000 gas stations.  Additionally, the fossil fuel industry, as one might expect, isn't exactly fully onboard with the EV movement. Oil and gas companies see their future as being uncertain as society moves away from fossil fuels.  At the retail level, gas stations also don't know what the future might hold for them. Perhaps they can install electric charging stations to supplant gas pumps. But this conversion could be costly and ultimately not profitable enough to be a wise business decision.  Gas stations might also not be a primary source of charging for EVs, as other public locations (offices, restaurants, retail spaces) may continue to set up charging stations for the convenience of their clients.  It's important to note, though, that charging stations aren't "one size fits all." There are different charging types with different costs and their capacity to juice up vehicles fully can vary.  For example, the Tesla Supercharger can charge up to 200 miles in 15 minutes, but can only be used by Teslas.  If you want to learn more about EVs, there are resources available. The International Energy Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency all offer helpful information about this growing industry.

2022 Lexus NX 350: Bold New Look, Small Crossover Appeal

 

With a redesigned look, the 2022 Lexus NX 350 features a more dynamic look that should appeal to those who seek a sporty, small crossover. 

This subcompact luxury vehicle offers seating for five. 

It features four trim levels: base, premium, F sport and luxury. 

Under the hood is a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 275 horsepower and is linked to an eight-speed electronic automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. 

The NX 350 is rated at 22 mpg city, 29 highway by EPA. 

The interior is kind of cozy - after all, this is a subcompact. However, space is arranged efficiently and the NX offers decent comfort for most passengers. 

It features a maximum cargo capacity of 46.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. 

Driving dynamics are solid, with firm handling and braking and effortless acceleration. 

The NX 350 starts at around $42,000 and ranges to around $50,000.

For a sporty, compact crossover that offers luxury, the NX 350 is a formidable competitor. 

Cleveland, Tenn.: Nice Town to Stop Off the Highway and Enjoy

 

Cleveland, Tenn., is a small town about 30 miles northeast of Chattanooga. It offers appealing restaurants, shops and views of the area's nearby mountains.  It's a perfect town for stopping off to get a bite to eat, stretching your legs and taking in some of the local scene if you're on a highway road trip on Interstate 75.

The natural beauty of Tennessee is on full display in the Cleveland area, with lush green trees, rivers and streams and scenic mountain views that can be enjoyed.