Pimped out lambo

BBC Sport have announced a new line-up for their Formula One coverage for 2011. After two successful years, Jonathan Legard is moving aside as lead commentator, with Martin Brundle taking over.

Brundle will be joined by David Coulthard as co-commentator, who moves on from his previous role: providing the snappily dressed pre-race banter and analysis with Eddie Jordan and Jake Humphrey in the pit lane. BBC Sport says that Coulthard will continue to provide “key elements of this analyst role” in the coming months.

“I’m very excited to be joining forces with Martin in this new role of co-commentator,” said Coulthard. “F1 is all about challenging yourself and this will be a big challenge for me, but one that I am looking forward to. There is a great team on the BBC F1 show and we’re looking forward to the year ahead and to bringing something new to our loyal viewers.”

Ben Gallop, BBC’s Head of F1, added: “We’re always looking for ways to take our Formula One coverage to another level – and for 2011 we have an exciting new combination in the commentary box. We’re keen to make the most of Martin Brundle’s wealth of broadcasting experience and his popularity with the audience by giving him the role of lead commentator and putting him alongside David Coulthard, one of the biggest names in British motorsport and a skilled race analyst. We want to tap into their combined on-track expertise – together they will provide our viewers with more immediate discussion, analysis and debate as the action happens. The results of screen tests have been very impressive and we are convinced this combination will deliver a fantastic commentary for our audience for what promises to be a thrilling 2011 season.

“The change of direction we are taking unfortunately means there is no place for Jonathan Legard in our commentary set-up. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Jonathan for his great work over the last two seasons. He is a first-rate journalist and broadcaster who has been a core member of our team, helping to re-establish BBC Sport as the nation’s F1 broadcaster. We wish him all the very best for the future.”

The orangiest F1 blog on the internet, Sniff Petrol, posted its reaction here. Warning: contains some strong language and adult humour.

In other F1 news, the BBC also confirmed that this year’s coverage will be broadcast in HD for the first time.

“Along with many, many HD viewers, I’m delighted that we’ll have a chance next season to see Formula 1 in all its glory on television,” said Danielle Nagler, Head of BBC HD and 3D. “Its fantastic news that Formula One Management has decided to green light HD broadcasts, and we’re looking forward to sharing with the fans all the races in all their detail on BBC One HD and BBC HD.”

Speculation that Eddie Jordan will have to tone down his shirts in response to the higher-definition broadcast remain unconfirmed at this stage.

An automatic transmission is just that- automatic, consequently most people tend to pay very little attention to it until a major problem rears its ugly head.

Picture the scenario- you are driving along in the lap of luxury, the satellite radio blaring and the heated seats on. You have become accustomed to the comfort level and great driving experience brought to you by BMW.

You decide to stop at the local convenience store on your way home to grab some ice cream for the kids and a bottle of water for yourself. Upon returning to your car, you start it up, check your rear view mirror, put the shifter in reverse and then the unthinkable happens- the engine just revs as if it is in neutral and the car goes nowhere!

This article deals with the reasons behind an unexpected loss of reverse in certain BMW automatic transmission equipped vehicles, specifically the 3 series and 5 series vehicles that use the ZF5HP19 or steptronic transmission. This includes the popular 323i, 323ci, 325i, 328i, 330i, 525i, 528i, 530i, X3 and X5 models well as some others built in the 1999 to present model years.

To eliminate confusion, this does not apply to vehicles equipped with the GM 5L40 E transmission, just the ones with the sometimes problematic ZF5HP19. The 5L40 E has some issues of its own that are beyond the scope of this article but are certainly going to be the subject of another.

The failure rate for these transmissions seems to be very high and is expected to become much more of a problem as time goes by.

Typically, the vehicle is working perfectly while driving forward but when it is put in reverse there is a complete and permanent loss of movement to back up.

Reverse is typically a major feat for any transmission to accomplish- imagine the demands that are placed on a gearbox as it is asked to reverse the torque of your engine so that you can back up your nearly 4000 pound vehicle.

By far, the most common cause of the reverse problem in BMW’s is the failure of the D-G clutch drum. Specifically, the snap ring that retains the D or reverse clutch breaks out of the clutch drum resulting in an inability for the clutch pack to apply.

The good news is that there is hope in regards to a proper repair. The factory has released an updated part that so far appears to be a permanent fix for this problem.

In our testing and in conjunction with several hundred successful repairs at our facilities, the new part seems to be metallurgically superior in several ways. 

We have found that there is an improved radius area as well as slightly thicker casting. In addition to this, the grove that retains the snap ring is also relocated further away from the edge of the drum.

With this issue addressed and attention to detail in several other areas of the ZF5HP19 unit, the transmission can be repaired to “better than new” condition by a competent transmission rebuilder / remanufacturer. In fact, when properly repaired, the ZF gearbox becomes quite robust and can provide an almost indefinite service life.

Petrol strikes have been something that we have seen alarmingly more often in the recent years, and it seems that we are on for another one in the first few months of 2011. Fuel tank drivers are threatening to bring on a national strike which will cause further difficulties to the thirty six million motorists currently driving in Britain, on top of the January blues, rise in VAT and rise of fuel costs.

Not only will the walkouts by some three thousand drivers cause road users misery, but it could have a knock on affect to some of our important industries, hospitals, schools and the homes of old and vulnerable people who still rely on the old fashioned oil heating.

The strikes come amid fears that the lack of fuel could see profiteering by garages and petrol stations, and it really isn’t something that the UK needs after the snow causing losses of millions of pounds by businesses at the end of last year.

A ballot between union members will go on at the end of this month to establish what will happen, and if it is decided a walk out will happen it will go ahead at the start of February. The union boss has announced ‘a serious deterioration in employee morale’, citing this as one of the reasons that the strikes will go ahead. Critics have announced that the boss of the union, ‘Red’ Len McCluskey is earning £100,000 per year and this is a bit of a kick in the teeth for the workers he is negotiating on behalf of.

When it comes to hauling your bike or bikes on your vehicle, you no longer have to rely on bungee cords to do the job. Your bike is expensive and should be mounted properly to your vehicle with a bike rack. You can find these at stores like AutoSport Catalog or StreetSideAuto and they will prevent any damage from occurring during the haul. You can find a variety of styles and designs to choose form that will make it easy to haul your bike anywhere you want and with any type of vehicle.

When it comes to choosing which mount is right for your car or truck, it may get confusing. Some tips below will help you sort it all out and be on those beautiful bike trails or riding through the park in no time.

Hitch Mount Bike Racks

If you have a trailer hitch receiver on your vehicle, you can choose a hitch mount bike rack. These are easy to install and can be removed when not in use fairly easily. The mount will attach directly to your trailer receiver and can store from one to five bikes. You can find these in styles that allow you to swing them out and away from the vehicles back door or trunk so that you can enter and have access to your gear or other equipment. The mounts that do not offer the swing feature will have to be removed to be unloaded before you can enter the back of the vehicle.

Spare Tire Varieties

You can also find bike rack mounts that fit the spare tire area, which is great since it is not used for much anything else and is considered unused space. The downside to these mounts is that of course if you need access to your spare tire, you will have to remove the mount completely before you can get to the tire.

Trunk Mounts

Trunk mounts are another choice and can be a great idea for those wanting something temporary. They are easily removed once they are not in use and can offer an easy load feature to help you get your bikes from point A to point B. These are not as stable as the hitch mounts, but they do offer stability and as long as you are not out four wheeling while hauling the bikes, you will be fine. The downside of course is inability to gain access to your trunk without unloading the bikes; this can be a problem if you make a stop somewhere and need to get to your trunk.

If you want to avoid blocking off the back of your vehicle all together, you can install a roof rack bike mount. These are permanent and offer great stability with the downside being you have to hoist the bikes up over your head to fasten them to the vehicles rooftop. If you own an SUV, you could be required to have some real muscle power to load and unload your bike

An integrated part of any vehicle, the automobile electrical system has definitely made driving a lot more easier over the decades. Frequent innovations in electrical system has helped us in a comfortable and easy drive. But friends, no coin comes with a single side. If there are advantages, there are problems or hassles that accompany them.

Very often, you face problems while starting up your car and notice other problems with the electrical system. Are you aware of the problems that actually affect your electrical system. Some of the hassles that you face with your vehicle’s electrical system are: 

Common Automobile Electrical System Problems Are : Car’s Battery Is Dead - This is the most common problem. Your car’s battery might be dead, thus inviting troubles for your vehicle. 

No Power Stored in the Battery – This is possible that your car’s battery does not have ample power so that it can spin the engine.

Alternator is Not Working – At times, a damaged alternator might be the cause for the hassle. Such an alternator will not charge the battery. 

Problem with Starter or Solenoid – These bad auto parts will affect the functioning of a braking system. 

Battery Cables Might Be The Problem – A loose cable might be the root of the problem. 

Electrical Fuses – If there are any damaged electrical fuse or loose wire, it might affect the smooth functioning of electrical system. 

Cracks In Alternator Belt – Tension as well as crack in the alternator belt causes trouble. 

Ignition System Has Problems – Thats common in breakdown of a vehicle. Any auto part of automobile ignition system like ignition switch, magento, coil wire, etc might have caused the problem.

Loose Spark Plugs – These electrical devices have loosened or are not properly implanted into internal combustion engine

Pagani has released a teaser video for its upcoming supercar. It has called this video ‘The Shape of the Wind’.

Battling an inherent desire to laugh at the video’s name, this is the third in a five-part series of short clips lingering frustratingly on details of the successor to the Zonda, ahead of its Big Fat Public Unveil at the Geneva motor show in March.

Internally referred to as ‘C9’, specifics on the Zonda’s little bro’ are few and far between. More as we get it, but for now, feast on this video and have a peek through our gallery of teaser shots.