Auto Racing

DETROIT, MI - Volkswagen is recalling some 2,500 Beetles in the United States and Canada because the front passenger seat airbag could inflate and injure a small child.

The recall includes 2012 and 2013 Beetles with leather sport seats. If the seat gets wet, the module that's supposed to detect a child seat could fail, meaning the air bag could go off in a crash and hurt the child.

Volkswagen says 320 vehicles are involved in the recall in Canada, although 95 of them are still on dealer lots.

The company says no one has been injured. Cars are supposed to detect child seats and switch off air bags automatically.

The problem was discovered in routine factory inspections. The affected cars were built from February through August.

Volkswagen will replace the seat module free of charge. The company will notify owners when the parts are ready.

With the first snowfall around the corner, it’s that time again where we brace ourselves for the cold and buy a new winter coat and boots.  Some of us might like to hibernate in the winter time when we can, but others are most adventurous and most have to at least commute to work – this is where the all-season versus winter tire debate begins.

Recently I was invited to a winter vehicle preparation clinic hosted by Canadian Tire.  It was a chance to showcase their new automotive winter products and learn first-hand how all-season and winter tires perform on a local hockey rink.

Safety should always be paramount whenever you use your vehicle, but I don’t believe people understand the vast differences between the two types of tires.  All-season is a catchy name that can make a driver feel safe, but when it comes to winter driving the softer compound on winter tires retains elasticity giving you much more control and traction. While, all-season tires tend to harden at 7 Celsius and lose their grip.

The decision is clearly not just based on which is better – if that was the case everyone would have winter tires, but whether it’s worth it to buy.  Winter tires can be a large investment for some, which would double their cost for tires and add extra charges for making the tire switch twice a year. It’s an individual or family choice and it should be based on how often you use your vehicle and what you use it for. If you use your car very sparingly – I might say it’s not worth it to make the winter tire investment, but if you do travel a sizeable distance or like to drive in the winter time – the Canadian Tire hockey rink experience might help you with your decision.

The two tires being tested were the MotoMaster SE2, Canadian Tire’s best-selling all-season and Goodyear’s Nordic Winter Tire, designed specifically for life in Canada. I was told before beginning that modern winter tires offer up to 50% - or even more – winter traction than all-season tires by Graham Jeffery, Category Business Manager at Canadian Tire. These sets of tires were placed on identical Hyundai Elantra GT’s and they were tested through various skating rink routes and stops.  

Now it was time to see for myself…

I started with the blue Elantra GT which had the Goodyear Nordic Winter tires on it.  It cornered well around the rink, but not too much throttle could be used as I began to head straight for the hockey boards. With an ease off of the accelerator and a steering wheel rotation in the opposite direction (counter-clockwise) I was back on track and feeling safe.  After numerous laps and slopes it was time to test out the brakes.  A stop sign was situated just ahead of a large measuring tape in ft. I slowly accelerated up to 15 km and slammed the brakes at the stop sign finally coming to a complete stop 21 ft. away.

Now it was time for the comparison as I jumped into the red Elantra GT with the all-season MotoMaster SE2’s. I felt the difference immediately as I tried to glide it up to 15 km, which was a struggle. The harder compound rubber failed to get any traction for my turn and that was my indication to slow down. I didn’t feel the same comfort level while driving and was overly cautious with any acceleration.  As for the braking test – well it took an extra 14 ft. to stop as I landed on 35 ft. away from the stop sign.

There are various types of winter tires on the Canadian market, and it's important to assess your needs in order to select the right tire for your kind of driving. The Goodyear Nordic Winter Tire was exceptional compared to the MotoMaster all-season tire and you can only imagine what the difference might be in real road conditions while driving in speeds four times more than I was going.  “Goodyear’s Nordic Winter Tire can stop 45 ft. shorter than a regular all-season when traveling at 60 kms,” said Jeffery.  The braking gap between the two was eye-opening and if safety is a concern – you better get suited for some winter tires before the first snowfall.

MISSISSAUGA, ON – Habitat for Humanity is calling on all Canadians to visit their local Nissan dealer over the next month, as Nissan Canada has pledged a donation of $20 to local Habitat for Humanity projects for each test drive in order to help more low-income families access affordable homeownership and break the cycle of poverty.

“Nissan Canada and its employees have been great supporters of Habitat’s work in Canada for over five years,” said Stewart Hardacre, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada. “Their employees regularly help out on builds and they provide much-needed financial support to help cover hard costs such as land and building materials. We are extremely grateful for their support.” 

As part of Nissan Canada’s “Gift to You” holiday campaign, Nissan will also be donating an additional $5 to local Habitat affiliates for each new Facebook “like” they receive over the duration of the promotion, which ends December 24. Nationwide, Habitat for Humanity and Nissan Canada hope to generate $550,000 in total, which will help several more low-income families realize a safe and decent home they can afford.

“Nissan and our employees have been proud supporters of Habitat for Humanity Canada for the past five years, helping build numerous homes for Canadian families from coast to coast,” said Judy Wheeler, Director of Marketing, Nissan Canada Inc. “Everyone should be home for the holidays and with the funds raised through this campaign, we will ensure many more Canadians have a home to call their own this time next year.” 

Visit www.nissangift.ca for more information on the campaign, Nissan vehicles, and the Nissan dealerships near you.

MISSISSAUGA, ON– The 100th Grey Cup is right around the corner, and Nissan – the official automotive partner of the Canadian Football League - is gearing up for the big game by supporting several fan-focused events this week, starting with the 100th  Grey Cup Festival which commences November 15. For 10 days and 11 nights, the city of Toronto will celebrate the 100th Grey Cup through various events in the downtown core, including the 100th Grey Cup Festival Family Zone hosted by Nissan. Yonge-Dundas Square will be dominated by Nissan with practically all of the billboards in the vicinity promoting Nissan’s new 2013 models. The Nissan Family Zone will be bustling with excitement; offering plenty of activities for the whole family. 

Nissan is providing 30 new 2013 vehicles as official Grey Cup Festival VIP transportation. Included in this mix will be the much anticipated all-new 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The 2013 Pathfinder re-imagines the SUV with new aerodynamics, a new unibody platform and class-leading combined fuel economy. The unibody platform allows for a roomy, comfortable interior without compromising Pathfinder’s strong all-weather capabilities. A long list of new technologies also includes a Dual Panorama Moonroof, Around Viewä Monitor, and 13-speaker Boseâ Premium Audio System and tri-zone entertainment system.

“Nissan  is proud of its association with the CFL and its storied history. This festival is about family fun and Canadians coming together from all across the country to celebrate.” said Judy Wheeler, Director of Marketing at Nissan Canada. “We are thrilled to be a part of such a momentous Canadian sporting event, and can appreciate the high level of excitement that the 100th Grey Cup Festival celebrations will bring to CFL fans.”

Nissan will also feature several new vehicles on display at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, and in the Nissan Family Zone at Yonge-Dundas Square. The Nissan Family Zone will feature the all-new Altima, several vehicle displays, a mini-football field for children to learn and play, food stations and live entertainment. On top of that, the legendary CFL player and five-time Grey Cup Champion Warren Moon will be stopping by the Nissan display on Saturday afternoon, November 24, to answer fan’s questions.

On the afternoon of Sunday, November 25th, the Sun Life Grey Cup Fan March will wind its way through the streets of downtown Toronto to Rogers Centre and a Nissan Pathfinder will open this fan march. During this fan march, many participating fans will have the unique opportunity to carry the Grey Cup trophy alongside legendary CFL players from past Grey Cup Games.

On Grey Cup Sunday, the festivities will kick off at 12:30 pm from Varsity Stadium, the site of 30 past Grey Cups, with the Sun Life Grey Cup Fan March leaving the Stadium at 1:45 p.m. Thanks to our tremendous partners at Sun Life Financial, there will be entertainment, marching bands, mascots, cheerleaders and a whole lot of spirited fun throughout the March, which will be featured on TSN’s game day coverage, hosted by TSN’s Cabral ‘Cabbie’ Richards. The March will proceed to Front Street joining the pre-game celebrations at the TELUS Street Festival.