Drew Dowdell

There are a lot of disk brake conversion kits these days for older cars, but that's a modern development. It probably wasn't available when your dad bought it new unless it could be optioned that way from the factory. In my case, it wasn't that I knew they were glazed over, it's that it felt like the rear brakes weren't doing anything at all. My stopping distances were getting scary. When I pulled the shoes, the edges of the brake material looked melted over and the surface was very shiny. With brakes, only the surface receiving the stopping pressure should look shiny, so the inside of the drum and the surface of the rotors. The pad or shoe materal that touches the drum or rotor should be pretty matte. Any indication of melting of that material (virtually impossible with ceramic brakes unless you're in Indy) tells you that the brakes have overheated and must be replaced. I don't mess around with brakes and I just replace rotors/drums along with pads every time I do the brakes on a vehicle. So I have new drums, shoes, pads, and rotors for once the rest of the parts come in. Later years of the Toronado could be optioned with disk brakes, so maybe someday in a few years I'll see if I can get all the hardware to convert it.

Today, I got the starter replaced in the 1999 BMW R1100RS, the starter has siezed up. I had concerns that the whole engine was locked up, so I took the breast plate off and put a breaker bar on the crankshaft and thankfully it spun freely. So, then pulled the starter which was just two bolts and one nut to hold the wire on. It was pretty greasy under all of that so while it was out, I used some ZEP 505 Degreaser all around the area and got 20 years of grime out. Once I got it all back together and threw the battery back in, it fired right up with no trouble. It was running a little lumpy, so I got out the throttle body balancer and adjusted the idle and balance of the engine to where it's operating really smoothly (as far as boxers operate smoothly). I removed the engine guards on each side that had been spraypainted yellow by the previous owner, I'll be ordering new replacements. The previous owner also clearly had an incident on the right side at some point because that cylinder head cover is all banged up. I have the left one, and I'm watching a right one on EBay right now. I already have the gaskets. Once I get the right side, I'm going to do a valve adjustment as I can hear a tick and that is just a regular 12k mile service item and I have no idea when it was done last. Waiting to get that done and then I'll change the oil. I don't want to be opening up the engine after I put new oil in. I still need to find the front fairing for around the headlight and a new windscreen. I already have a new headlight, front turn signals, and a few other items, but it's getting pretty close to road ready. One of the things I love about these BMW boxers is how easy they are to work on. Everything is very accessible, the valve adjustment job will take me less than 30 minutes to do both sides. Pulling each cylinder cover is two bolts. Changing the oil is super easy.

I saw a news item that Fisker is opening some “EV Lounges” in premium markets. I’m not sure what that’s going to entail. I’m following Fisker a lot closer recently because I think the Ocean might be our replacement for the 300C in a few years

My Toronado hasn't been road worthy in a while due to some sketchy brakes. Today I started the rear drums and found that the shoes had been completely glazed over. I'm assuming something got stuck at some point and overheated the brakes. Drum brakes are such a mess to work on, I still do not understand why they are less costly to make than disks. I got the left side back together, but I didn't even start on the right. When I pulled them apart I found that the retainer springs and pins were being held there with not much more than caked on rust and a prayer. So over to rock auto where the complete hardware kit is less expensive than the price to ship it. Oh well, it will be here Wednesday. I also ordered some caliper pins for the front because I can feel those sticking. I could probably just grease them, but new ones are $6 a pair and the ones on there are probably 42 years old.

We opened Clubs back in 2018, but there was little interest in them, so in late 2019 we shut them down. The Clubs software has evolved substantially since then, so we are now reopening them. You can view all available clubs, or create a new one of your own, at this link. https://www.cheersandgears.com/clubs/ They are also visible under the Community Menu.

We opened Clubs back in 2018, but there was little interest in them. The Clubs software has evolved substantially since then, so we are now reopening them. You can view all available clubs, or create a new one of your own, at this link. https://www.cheersandgears.com/clubs/

We opened Clubs back in 2018, but there was little interest in them. The Clubs software has evolved substantially since then, so we are now reopening them. You can view all available clubs, or create a new one of your own, at this link. https://www.cheersandgears.com/clubs/

It's kinda hard to directly compare EVs to ICEs. They are just so much roomier inside than you'd expect from the external dimensions (except for the Benzes for some reason). The Bolt feels roomier than the Encore GX. The Ioniq 6 is about the same size externally as the Sonata, but it feels as roomy as my 300.

Fisker Inc. announced today that, starting in the first quarter of 2025, Fisker drivers will be able to charge at Tesla's 12,000 Supercharger Stations in the U.S. and Canada. All current and future Fiskers will be eligible. Current model drivers will use an NACS adapter, but a future refresh is planned to change the charge port on the vehicles to the NACS model. Those future vehicles will be supplied with a CCS to NACS adapter, ensuring broad compatibility. This move by Fisker will more than double the number of public chargers available to Fisker drivers when it comes into effect. View full article

If you're looking for other specific makes/models from GM, Ford, or Chrysler. I was gifted an extensive collection a while back that spans decades. I'm planning on selling off most of it. Happy Birthday @NINETY EIGHT REGENCY

I also made a clarification. SuperCruise is standard on all Escalade IQs.

I don't mind the C-Pillar as much as I mind the tail lights, but I think the rest of it looks fantastic. I'll reserve judgement on the screen until I can try one. The Benz EQS AMG screen was incredibly distracting, especially when the Navi map was loaded. It was the center screen in the MB that really bugged me. The Mach-E and Lightning were less distracting in spite of having similar sized screens in a similar location, but damn if I didn't need night-mode in the daytime with that bright white background. I'm interested in the light up trim graphics.

They rove around the Municipality I work for, but I haven't seen them in my own neighborhood. Amazon built a massive charging station and distribution center on the site of one of the first enclosed malls in the U.S. which is about 5 miles up the Lincoln Highway from me.

Now that all Arteons are R-Lines, the price went up. That's the bad. The good is that all R-Lines come with the significantly more powerful 300 hp 2.0T that makes the Arteon really move nicely. But at $52,849, that Arteon is $951 less expensive than the TwinTurbo-V6-powered Audi S4.

Today, Cadillac unveiled the newest member of their electrified lineup, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ. With The Escalade IQ, Cadillac introduces the first full-size electric SUV to the market. Like the Silverado EV that rides on the same Ultium platform, the Escalade IQ will offer up to 450 miles of range. The Escalade IQ is powered by a dual-motor system capable of producing up to 750 horsepower and 785 lb-ft of torque, delivering a 0-60 time of less than 5 seconds when in the driver-selectable Velocity Max setting. The preliminary towing capability estimate is targeted at 8,000 lbs. Electricity is provided by a 24-module Ultium battery with 200 kWh of available energy. The system architecture is compatible with 800-volt charging, the fastest currently available, and can take on 100 miles of range in as little as 10 minutes. Vehicle-to-Home charging will be available via a software update in the future when combined with Ultium Home products, while Vehicle-to-Load enables the E-IQ to power larger external devices. One-Pedal Driving, Variable Regen on Demand, and an innovative heat pump thermal system help extend range and increase passenger comfort. Four-wheel steer reduces the turning radius to 39.4 ft, a 6.5 ft reduction versus not using four-wheel steer. Cadillac arrival mode is a four-wheel steer feature that allows the Escalade IQ to move diagonally, making it easier to pull in and out of tight spaces while making a statement. Adaptive Air Ride plus Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 promises a comfortable and composed driving experience without sacrificing handling. The Adaptive Air Ride is capable of raising the E-IQ by one inch and lowering it by two. Low Ride mode allows the Escalade to be driven with the vehicle fully lowered at low speeds. Inside, passengers are treated to a premium cabin featuring a nearly full-width, 55-inch display across the dash, with some space at each end reserved for two of the forty speakers of the available AKG Studio Reference sound system on the available Executive Second Row package. Luxury 2 and Sport 2 systems feature a thirty-six speaker AKG system, while Luxury 1 and Sport 1 trims have nineteen. Cadillac is offering four interior themes with 126 ambient lighting options. Interior trims feature delicate detailing with laser-etched woodwork, and with the available illuminated trim package, the patterns light up at night, offering a unique look and glow. The Executive Second Row package includes stowable tray tables, dual wireless phone charging pads, 12.6-inch personal display screens, USB-C and HDMI ports, massaging seats, and headrest speakers. An available package adds power open-and-close doors to all four doors, and if enabled, the driver's door will automatically open as the driver approaches with the keyfob. In addition to the standard rear cargo area, a 12 cubic ft. eTrunk is located at the front of the vehicle. As Cadillac introduced SuperCruise to the market several years ago as an option in high end trims, but in the E-IQ, it now comes standard. Additional active safety features include blind zone steering assist, intersection automatic emergency braking, which enables detection of cross traffic, HD Surround Vision, Enhanced automatic parking assist, and front pedestrian and bicyclist braking that works at speeds from 5 mph - 50 mph. Pricing is expected to start around $130,000 when it goes on sale in the Fall of 2024. 2025 CADILLAC ESCALADE IQ PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS EFFICIENCY Cadillac-estimated range1 450 miles (724+ km) 1On a full charge based on development testing and/or analytical projection consistent with SAE J1634 revision 2017 – MCT. Range subject to change prior to production. Actual range may vary based on several factors, including ambient temperature, terrain, battery age and condition, loading, and how you use and maintain your vehicle. BATTERY SYSTEM: Type: Rechargeable energy storage system comprising multiple linked modules Battery Chemistry: Lithium-ion NCMA cathode, blended graphite anode Battery Rated Energy: 200 kWh ELECTRIC DRIVE: System: 2 drive units with 1 motor each Motor: Permanent magnet, bar wound Power1: 680 hp / 505 kW – Normal Mode 750 hp / 560 kW – Velocity Max Torque1: (lb-ft / Nm): 615 lb-ft / 834 Nm – Normal Mode 785 lb-ft / 1064 Nm – Velocity Max Final Drive Ratio (:1): 13.26:1 – front 11.63:1 – rear 1Based on GM testing CHARGING TIMES1 240V (7.7 kW Including Dual-Level Charge Cord): Approximately 14.8 miles of range per hour of charge 240V2 (19.2 kW AC): Approximately 37 miles of range per hour of charge time DC Fast Charge (Public): Up to 100 miles of range in 10 minutes of charge time 1Actual charge times will vary based on battery condition, output of charger, vehicle settings and outside temperature. See the vehicle's Owner’s Manual for additional limitations. 2Home charging requires professionally installed 100A dedicated charge station, sold separately. CHASSIS & SUSPENSION Front and Rear Suspension: Short-Long Arm (SLA) suspension with air springs and MagneRide dampers. Balanced ride and handling with premium isolation. Steering Type: Front: Rack & Pinion Electric Power Steering; Rear: Continuously variable actuator up to 10 degrees. Turning Circle, Curb-to-Curb (ft. / m): 39.4 / 12 Brake Type: 4-wheel disc with DuraLife™ Rotors Brake Rotor Size OD: (in. / mm): 13.98 / 355 (front) 14.05 / 356.8 (rear) Wheels: 24-inch alloy Tires: LT275/50R24 1Lower-profile tires wear faster. Tire and wheel damage may occur on rough or damaged roads or from surfaces, curbs, debris or obstacles. This damage is not covered by the GM New Vehicle Limited Warranty. For more details, go to my.cadillac.com/learnabout/tires or see your dealer. EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS Wheelbase (in. / mm): 136.2 / 3460 Overall Length (in. / mm): 224.3 / 5697 Overall Width (in. / mm): 94.1 / 2389 (with mirrors) 85.3 / 2167 (mirrors folded) Overall Height (in. / mm): 76.1 / 1934 Track Width (in. / mm): Front: 68.7 / 1745 Rear: 68.7 / 1745 Ground Clearance (in. / mm): 6.9 / 175 INTERIOR DIMENSIONS Headroom (in. / mm): 1st row: 43.5 / 1106 2nd row: 39.9 / 1015 3rd row: 37.2 / 944 Legroom (in. / mm): 1st row: 45.2 / 1148 2nd row: 41.3 / 1051 3rd row: 30.1 / 765 Shoulder Room (in. / mm): 1st row: 65.4 / 1662 2nd row: 63.6 / 1615 3rd row: 56.5 / 1435 Hip Room (in. / mm): 1st row: 61.1 / 1551 2nd row: 60.3 / 1532 3rd row: 49.4 / 1256 CAPACITIES EPA Passenger Volume (cu. ft. / L): 1st row: 1841 2nd row: 1651 3rd row: 1092 Cargo Volume1 (cu. ft. / L): 119.2 / 3374 (second and third rows folded) 69.1 / 1958 (third row folded) 23.7 / 670 (behind third row) eTrunk Volume1 (cu. ft. / L): 12.2 / 345.4 Max Trailering Capacity2 (lb. / kg): 8000 / 3628 1Cargo and load capacity limited by weight and distribution 2Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering, carefully review the Trailering section of the Owner’s Manual. The weight of passengers, cargo, and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can tow. View full article