What, me Captain Obvious? No way! I have better abs.
If you've received your latest copy of AutoWeek you may have checked out the BWTM page (I know it's the first thing I look at every week). One of the items on this week's BWTM page had a familiar ring to it. I think because it mentioned my name and a quote of mine. In their ongoing "Captain Obvious" series they used a quote that appeared in The Detroit News story about the Toyota Tundra's engine failure. I've always hated the term "out of context" because it's such a standard-issue response when someone doesn't like a quote that's attributed to them. Instead, I'll just repeat the conversation with the reporter of this story.
To the best of my knowledge (yet another great phrase), the conversation went something like this:
Reporter: "So, is engine failure a pretty serious problem?"
Me: "Of course. It's very damaging to the brand's image because engine failure instantly kills a car's ability to run, and it's not a simple thing to fix. It's not like a door hinge or air conditioning problem. This problem strands the driver, and it costs a lot to correct."
Certainly most reporters have word count limits and deadlines, so they've got to write their stories, and use their quotes, as "efficiently" as possible. That often has them picking the most concise phrase to make a strong point (like the fact that an engine failure is a big deal) and it doesn't allow for such luxuries as context or the complete answer/response.
A co-worker has already told me, "Hey man, you're famous!" But I've had a longstanding defintion of famous -- and this ain't it. For me, the definition of famous is when your name makes it into a Tonight Show monologue. However, when one considers that Jay Leno is a fellow car freak, and he might also see this BWTM item in his regular buff book reading, well, the possibilities are endless...
Jay giving his monologue at some future date: "So in his latest statement regarding the war in Iraq, President Bush is quoted as saying, 'Our mission in Iraq has proven more difficult than we originally planned for.'"
"Well duh! Sounds like something Karl Brauer might say."
Now that's fame baby!
BTW, if anyone cares I'm going to be on The Early Show on CBS around 7:40 a.m. today (live Eastern time, taped everywhere else). And no, that doesn't count as famous either.
- Posted by
- Karl Brauer June 15, 2007, 3:00 AM
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- Internet vs. Print Publishing
Wow Karl, that's messed up!
Glad to see you have a sense of humor about this, Karl :-)
Hmmm... it's 12:08 p.m. Eastern as I'm now reading this. Bummer...
I thought was a bit of a bizarre quote when I read the original article - glad you clarified. What's with the question??? Is this reporter a regular auto news writer?
Relating back to a post of yours Karl from a couple months back, I have to say by the time my AutoWeek arrives on Thursday (if I'm lucky) most of the news and a lot of the photos are "old" news to me thanks to Edmunds and other online sources. Still, I like to have that mag and hold it in my hands - take it with me etc. And, it was a big step to dump most of my old Hot Rod, Stock Car, Circle Track, Car & Driver and Road & Track - under the relentless crush of spousal pressure. One recent thing that I like about AutoWeek is the "Truth & Beauty" two page photo feature each week - for me it's a great throw back to the car and racing mags from when I was a kid. That kind of thing just aint the same on a screen.
Better luck with the next interview / quotation and I hope you get a chance to talk cars with Leno sometime.....let us know when to watch.
What was the topic of today's appearance?
Glad to see you took it in stride, Karl. It's also nice to know "the other side of the story" as well. When I first saw the quote, I thought, "Wth? I don't remember Karl ever writing something "Duh!" like that."
The disposal of buff books breaks my heart because giving them to today's youth probably could help them spend less time in front of the idiot box (perhaps mashing buttons while they're at it) and/or computer screen.
That being said, if anyone in the LA area wants to get rid of their mags, I would gladly take them off your hands! Just drop me a line through CarSpace.
The trick with buff books is to take what they do best (large, lavish photography and in-depth, well-written stories/features) while leaving behind what they can no longer compete at (timely news/event coverage). I totally agree with the photography comment and AutoWeek. That's where a print publication still shines, and they should play it up to the max.
The topic on The Early Show was "cheap gas" -- as in AM/PM gas versus Shell "Super-Duper Detergent" gas. Does it really make a difference? In short -- no! Between the standards that all gas is required to meet, and the fact that very often the AM/PM is actually selling Shell gas anyway, this whole "our gas is better than their gas" turns out to basically be a...well, Shell Game (ha!).
I'd worry more about the variation in the quality of how each gas station is maintained then the variation in quality of fuel by brand. Interesting that this topic came up shortly after what truly appears to have been a "bad gas" situation with my GT. Bad gas, by the way, I bought from a Mobil station, not a "no-name" station.
Is there a transcript available? Nevermind. I'll try to watch the video clip at the link below at home. I am working after all here!
I found the story here: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/06/15/earlyshow/main2933590.shtml
This has me wondering what the additive difference is between different brands and the whole "Top Tier Gas" hoopla (www.toptiergas.com) some of us out there may have seen or heard.
I've always thought that Shell and Chevron/Texaco had better fuel because of the additives they use in their gasoline.
Something that also confuses me is I regularly see unbranded tanker trucks at Shell, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips stations. At other stations, I see Chevron trucks filling the tanks of Chevron stations.
It would be great if someone from or with great knowledge of the oil industry would chime in here! But that would be OT (off-topic). Perhaps this could be addressed in a future blog entry.
hahaha!
...but I don't think engine failure kill car ability to run is captain obvious.
To motor freaks yes.
But to the Detroit News audience?
I'd think more than motor freaks read the newspaper.
If you have heart failure, you'll still last a couple months to years before you're killed.
Other forms of engine failure would have you limping to a dealer, without coming to a complete stop on the road.
Suby, I have seen the same thing with the no name trucks. I think that the different oil companies use different methods of distribution. Some have their own fleet of trucks and some contract the transpo out to subcontractors. I had a friend who drove for Mobil for years and he told me that it was a constant topic of discussion whether or not to continue with their own trucks, drivers, insurance etc or to sub it out.
Ironically, the quality of gas topic hits a nerve a little with me today.
Despite my assertion that the gas is all regulated to a certain basic quality level, my Nissan dealer has given me the "it's just crummy gas anymore and they're all pinging on regular" My Frontier is at the dealer today to address (and re-address) some issues. One thing that I left off the list today (given up on for now) was pinging on regular gas - after the first 10 months of running great on 87. Does anyone here know if the "digital knock sensor" can be tested (dealer said no)? The truck has a 4.0 VQ V6 with a 6spd (fun combo) but it pings on regular under load / every time I shift gears – drives me nuts. I have tried putting 4 different "name brands" of 87 in it to no avail - only "runs" on premium. Why did they list the knock sensor on the window sticker and elsewhere if it isn't going to make a difference?
Sorry........like I said…….hit a nerve.
Sounds like a dealer malfunction there Rick. You might try another Nissan store to see if they can address what is most obviously a defective know-sensor (or maybe other computer problem).
The thing about "no-name" brand versus brand-name gasoline is -- they often all use the same gas! If there is a logistical problem with, for instance, the traditional AM/PM supplier, guess what they do? Yup, buy Mobil, Shell, Chevron or whatever brand they get the best deal on. Actually, even the brand names will sell a competitor's fuel if logistical/supply issues cause it to make sense (at least in the short term). If there are people out there trying to be "loyal" to certain brand of gasoline they are likely living in a fool's paradise -- other brands of gasoline are going in, even if the pump always says "Mobile" or "Shell" or whatever.
Here is a really good story on this subject:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2007-06-13-bad-gas-usat_N.htm
That is an awesome article! Thanks, Karl!
"If you have heart failure, you'll still last a couple months to years before you're killed."
Woah, that's news to me (for reals). I thought heart failure kills a person's ability to run, and was not an easy thing to fix.
What about the Techron???? That makes my engine happier, right???
No...but it makes for some really "cute" cars and brand recognition.
Not that I'm cynical or anything.
Thanks, Karl, this is the second most local dealer to me - first one was the reason to look elsewhere. If things don't improve with the truck or dealer(s) I'll be contacting Nissan directly for their suggestions.
RE: the tanker trucks at stations.....I've also heard that the off brand stations end up with name brand gas because the NB companies will dump their leftover fuel to them at a discount instead of trucking it back to the terminal.
I'll have to read that USA Today article too (after work :-))
I just saw the CBS EARLY SHOW video on cbsnews.com. Good to "see" you, Karl........
Yeah I watched it too, pretty cool!
Karl, good job on TV.
Regarding "top tier" vs. ordinary gasoline, the list of top tier retailers includes a few discount brands too. Paid $2.839/gallon for top tier regular from QuickTrip this afternoon.
Top tier retailers
http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html
Most people here probably know about gasoline price guides on the web, but here's the obvious URL for GasBuddy.
http://www.gasbuddy.com/
A few years back I was talking to a gas station manager during a Shell "take-over" where all the Texacos were switching to Shell's and a lot of "no-names" were also becoming "Shell". What he told me is that they would still be the essentially the same station and use the same supplier, but now carry the "Shell" name. So essentielly, when you thought you were getting "Shell" gas, you were really getting the same "no-name" stuff you always got. In reallity it probably was "Shell" gas....
But who knows, I just buy my gas where ever I happen to be when I need gas whether it be Shell, Chevron, Texaco, AM/PM or Wal-mart. Even gas price differences don't really sway me to one station or the other because they are all within 10 cents of each other anyway and that saves me maybe 3 bucks each fillup... I am not going to drive out of my way to save 3 bucks when the time it would take to drive out of the way is worth more than those 3 dollars.
thebigal, Chevron and Texaco merged. I have never heard of anything with Shell and Texaco getting together.
interesting... this was a few years back, '01 or '02 and all the Texacos went out and Shell came to replace them. I think it was a partnerhsip with Shell and maybe not a full merger, like what is going on with Texaco and Chevron?
And while I was reading the article on the Top Tier gas, I do remember my last S-10 I had didn't like Arco AM/PM gas. For what ever reason it didn't run vvery well on it. Although this was several years ago and I visit that same station now with my current S-10 and also my Impala and never had a problem.
I second thebigal. There's a privately owned gas station chain in my area (Lisi's Fuel). All of their stations used to be Texoco's. About 3 years ago they all changed to Shell.
Interesting: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texaco
See 1998 to 2001.
Can I just say that I got by best fuel economy ever on Shell gas. 32.7! Granted I did drive to Philly and back going the speed limit (plus 11) for a change, but I also tried to lose flicmod's TSX on some back roads on the same tank. I can only imagine how well I would have done had it not been for that encounter. We'll see how I do on this tank of Sunoco. Hopefully I get a Philly trip in before I have to fill up again to make all things "equal".