Car Doctor chat: Future of auto technology

John Paul joined Boston.com on June 30 to discuss the future of automotive technology. The following is an unedited transcript of the chat.

willieboy: When us airconditioning on 1994 Camry, when I turn the temperature control to "warmer" (less cold) does this reflect in the compressor duty cycle and save fuel or is the colder air only diverted outside passenger compartment?

John_Paul: Most car just open and close a "blend" door. The blend door mixes warmed air with the cold. In most cases the compressor does not more than run up to pressure cycle off and run again.

kim: it was so funny to read about cig lighters because i really never noticed they were gone until i read the article! they always seemed dangerous to me, do you think car makers will eventually stop including them altogether?

John_Paul: Cigar lighters and ash tray have become option in some cars. We need to get people to stop smoking first

Jim34245: Hiya car doc! What's the coolest music technology you've seen in the cars you get to drive? anything we haven't heard about yet on its way to market?

John_Paul: Jim, I'm still waiting to see internet radio in cars(its coming) but the best is huge hard drives that we are starting to see, Sync from Ford is pretty good. And I don't know wheo elso will get it but the Bose system in maserati is very nice and simple to use

Yamin: my new FORD has those number buttons on the door to unlock it. i have yet to figure out how to use it, and considering i use my key, wonder why the heck they even included it????

John_Paul: Yamin, you should figure it out, it is very simple. It is a nice system the first time you lock your keys in your car. One of the AAA cars here has it and its nice to be able to open the vehicle and put stuff in it without the keys.

oldSkool: I'll tell ya what. The more stuf they add to these cars, the more dangeours the road is. People get so distrcated. Go back to a steering wheel, shifter and a fm radio and i bet the accidents will go down!

John_Paul: oldschool, Keep in mind that in Mass. there was a bill filed to ban radio (1940's) too distracting. Not all distractions are created equal. What I think we need is more common sense

smarty: what's that new smar tcar got in it for cool tech?

John_Paul: smarty, The best tech is the Smart gets stability control. Other than that I'm still waiting for a road test. Smarts biggest problem is they have more orders than cars. As far as I know the Smart PR people have no interest in providing a car to the New England Motor Press

Rudy132: DO ANY NEW CARS COME WITH THE SHIFTER MOUNTED TO THE STREERING WHEEL? SOMETIMES I MISS THAT, CALL IT NOSTALGIA!!!!

John_Paul: Rudy, check with Buick and the Chevy Impala, as of this year they were both available. I miss bench seats!!!!!

PJG: Where is the best place for auto repairs, a local repair shop or the dealer?

John_Paul: PJG, both can be good, the dealer has the latest info and may see something before the local shop. I like the small shop because I like to talk to the person that is going to fix the car. Small shops tend to be cheaper

triedNtrue: Hey there John! I listen to your show all the time - keep the advice coming!

John_Paul: triedNtrue, thanks

triedNtrue: So what do you think about flying cars? How far away are they? I know it's crazy, but there are prototypes out there now!! Check YouTube!

John_Paul: triedNtrue, where is my flying car? I have seen two prototypes, but yet to see any fly. On the other had I drive about 100 miles round trip to work and I'm not sure with the things I have seen I want people flying.

shwayze: i think more and more people are installing after-market tech in their cars to get ahead of what comes standard. what do you think this does to the resale value?

John_Paul: Shwayze, so improves value some not. Sometimes what you like isn't always appreiciated by others. Performance upgrades are the same way. I love the sound of a mello exhaust but its not for everyone. For me a XBox in a car would be a waste and I wouldn't pay extra for it. But it your car and add what you like.

FutureNow: When can we expect to see technologies such at compressed air, water powered, and/or cellulose (switch grass) car technology in the market place here in the US (or will be ever do to the fact that the oil industry never wants this to happen)?

John_Paul: FutureNow, I think we will see all of it, but a little at a time. In the 1900's you could buy a car that was electric, gas, steam, diesel and they all worked. The problem is a little chicken or egg. Nobody wants to put in infrastructure without people to use it. No hydrogen cars with out some place to fill up. This is a big topic email me and I'd love to discuss it. jpaul@aaasne.com

QA: what about the fuel cell? or cars run by water or something. i want them out on the mraket, but more importantly - affordable!!

John_Paul: QA, me too. would like to see all the alternative at a reasonable price without that you don't have customers and without that they don't get built.

Charlie_R: John: HI; Do dealers offer leases on smaller cars?

John_Paul: Charlie_R they do, but usually the lease is not all that attractive. You need to compare and see how the numbers work

MR_OLDSMOBILE: WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE?

John_Paul: Mr_Oldsmobile, I dirve a different car every week but my own cars are a PR Cruiser convertible, Kia Sorento and a Honda Scooter. In the recent past I have had an electic car, a 1965 corvair and other oddities

towri: 98 Maxima, the turn signal works at random...is there a switch or something that makes it go on/off and if so where is this located?

John_Paul: towri, most random electrical issues are related to poor connections. Check all the bulbs and wiring

Lattemonster: What's your opinion on WVO kits? Any word on the street of which would be best to use?

John_Paul: Lattemonster, I don't know anything about that. The greasecar kit is good I have seen quite a few.

towri: doc, I noticed that during winter months the fuel efficiency drops significantly. What's the reason for this? Also why don't they use the heat generated by the engine to cycle it back in?

John_Paul: towri, the fuel in winter has less energy, less energy less MPG. Over the years there has been some designs for heated fuel, it worked with some problems.

athena02116: will they ever design cars with those wonderful small triangular front windows again?

John_Paul: athena02115, vent windows are great, but expensive and went away when most cars came with aiir conditioning. I don't think we will see true opening vent windows again

mcycles: You know we never talk about cool features on motorcylces. Do you they even exist? Anything coming out soon that's cool and futuristic for bikes?

John_Paul: mcycles, flying motorcycles? bikes do have ABS and I have been on an electric scooter (Vectrix) that would go 50 miles between charges at highway speeds. But many people like the basic motor cycle, sure you can add GPS, Ipod docks but isn't it about the ride/

Ryan: John, is there any industry information on buying "certfied pre-owned" versus a "used" car? Are you really getting anything other than piece of mind?

John_Paul: Ryan, not at all and that is the problem. Some certified cars are no more than a sticker, some get extended warranties, new tires, batteries and all new fluild. You have to ask and see what each manufactuer does.

Aja1: John, I realize that safety is important, but all these new requirements that car manufacturers are being required to add to cars (Vehicle stability comes to mind) adds significant cost to repairs when these systems malfuntion...seems like it allows the manufactureres ways to make more money from people who can only afford entry level cars. Thoughts?

John_Paul: Aja1, everything costs, stability control when combines with ABS is actually fairly inexpensive. But you are right that repairs can get expensive. And its not just safety everytime I see a hard top convertible doing its dance folding into the trunk it makes me wonder how long beefore it breaks.

Aja1: runflat tires are another example

John_Paul: Aja1 runflat tires still need work IMHO

John_Paul: Now that there is a break, you can always email me at jpaul@aaasne.com and check out my Q&A column weekly in the Cars section of Boston.com and tune into my radio program on WROL am950 (www.wrolradio.com) Saturday mornings at 9:00

Aja1: actually I meant tire pressure monitors...but I agree...just seems like if you want a corolla, part of what you want is fewer things to break and the more technological advances that they are required to have will make cars more expensive for everyone.

John_Paul: Aja1, TPMS sensors have over 500 methods just to reset them. It is crazy and not even every manufacturer has the same procedure (GM at least 6)

enduro: Why do cars need to be so heavy? We have new materials available but cars continue to be hulking beasts.

John_Paul: enduro, light cars make for better fuel economy, you wouldn't believe how some manufacturers are working to save weight. The Tata Nano the $2500 car I think weighs less than 1800 pounds. I think as gas stay expensive we will see lighter cars

Aja1: yet they will be required on all cars (at some point) yes?

John_Paul: Aja1---now, although the good thing is no defective rubber valve stems

al5957: What is your school of though on conventional vs synthetic motor oils? I have been told that one the switch has been made to synthetic that you can't switch back to conventional oil?

John_Paul: al5957, not a problem, but I think you will find the benifits outway the costs. I switch to Royal Purple oil several years ago to try it out and would never change back. The cold weather start up is much better and there is a slight MPG bump

Aja1: oh well...if no one else is asking ?'s here is a more fun one. What is your choice for a comfortable and fun car for a 40 mile each way commute? Under $33K

John_Paul: Aja1, how about a Mini fun, good mpg and turns heads.

John_Paul: My hour is up thanks for all the great questions, please feel free to email me jpaul@aaasne.com

John_Paul: aja1 I have spent 100's of miles in a Mini convertible and it was still fun. Acura TSX is fun and you might find an A4 with out much for options