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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency Services, May 5 State waives college placement tests for students who hit high marks Search on for new medical provider for Butte Falls, Prospect clinics Man arrested after spitting on cars Phoenix loses a medical marijuana shop, gains another Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services, May 5 Man arrested after spitting on cars Emergency Services, May 4 Emergency services, May 3 Dozens of drivers nabbed in Medford pedestrian sting Politics and Elections Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline opponents rally in Medford BREAKING: Baltimore prosecutor charges officers in Freddie Gray's death Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Medford School Board, Position 6: Curt Ankerberg vs. Janet Lightheart Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Education More kindergartners vaccinated in 2015 Elementary students honor local police officers Levy backers eye final push Two seats contested on Central Point School Board Neal Simon: This is a test Environment State waives college placement tests for students who hit high marks Stopping fire in its tracks Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline opponents rally in Medford Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Residents say armed mine supporters sully Josephine County's reputation State News OSU warns that Benton County GMO ban could hurt research Oregon gun sale background check bill heads to governor PERS ruling means tough choices for state and local lawmakers US, Canada unveil rules to boost oil train safety Cylvia Hayes public records case goes before Salem judge Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Robert Louis Elliott Violet M. Brown Thelma I. Schneider Rhonda Lee Martin David Wendell Deller Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories South girls qualify for regional tourney Griffin's triple-double powers Clippers Rangers end Astros' win streak McIlroy is at the top of his game Woman seeking man she kissed hears from wife Varsity 541 College Sports Craig, Randall earn conference honors Spring has sprung, but work isn't done Raiders' Abbott breaks 22-year-old record Dodge signs as free agent with Falcons Lockie stands out in Ducks' spring game Pro Sports Griffin's triple-double powers Clippers Rangers end Astros' win streak McIlroy is at the top of his game Brewers turn to Counsell as new manager Warriors' Curry takes home MVP honor Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Wilson delivers in return of local boxing Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title Business Latest Stories Women's Leadership Conference prompts Lithia's own version Ride & Drive: 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Silvio Calabi: Taxis and traffic in the olde worlde Business briefs: Avista seeks rate hike, rental vacancies down Blog: Do You Want Cheese with Your Wine? Real Estate News Never enough: New Starbucks proposed on Barnett Road in Medford Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option New home in an old house Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house GREEN ACRES: Southern Oregon provides escape from the maddening crowd People In Business Transportation Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Business briefs Medford airport's record run continues Agriculture 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Opinion Latest Our View: Oregon's full of givers, and can use more Letters to the Editor, May 5 Michael Gerson: The intricate knot of urban poverty Rick Holmes: The war we’d rather forget John Floyd: Fraternities’ actions toward veterans abhorrent Editorials Our View: Oregon's full of givers, and can use more Our View: Our picks for Medford School Board Other Views: Gun-bill recalls misguided, futile Our View: Bill gives ex-convicts a glimmer of hope Our View: Medical marijuana market not at risk Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, May 5 Letters to the Editor, May 4 Letters to the Editor, May 3 Letters to the Editor, May 2 Letters to the Editor, May 1 Columns Michael Gerson: The intricate knot of urban poverty Kathleen Parker: Wife of the party Dana Milbank: Clinton's opponents need to smoke her out George Will: The Lusitania's role in history Charles Krauthammer: Men wielding power in hellish times Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Animal-killing program pulls wool over taxpayers' eyes Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Guest Opinion: This Earth Day, we celebrate the Northwest Forest Plan The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework Lifestyle Latest stories Search on for new medical provider for Butte Falls, Prospect clinics David Murdock: Tales from the Front Porch, Part 12 George Barnes: Generosity during a time of crisis in Nepal Wry & Ginger: A pitch to make national pastime better Paul Rogers: ‘Living’ mulches a healthy alternative to bark Food Prudence Hilburn: Chocolate chips make cookies delightful Andrea Honaker: Mexican-inspired dips for Cinco de Mayo Set a table from your local farmers market Let's do brunch! Page H. Onorato: Enjoying good food just for the fun of it Home and Garden Paul Rogers: ‘Living’ mulches a healthy alternative to bark Heirloom tomatoes bring ageless flavor Betty Montgomery: You can have a variety of ferns in your garden Clean out household chemicals Friday and Saturday Dear Monty: 10 tips to avoid tenant complaints Health Search on for new medical provider for Butte Falls, Prospect clinics Dr. Murray Feingold: Turn down that noise Health Watch: Pack your pantry with healthy items HealthStyle: It’s all in the family dinner 'Game changer' for heart patients Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, May 1 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Milestones and Achievements Wedding: Melody Ann Madi and Lyman Martin Stiles Engagement: Anders-Stanley ENGAGEMENT: Sellers-James Witham's birthday bash draws hundreds for 1950s prices Charlesworth-Murphy Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic at OSF's Black Swan in Ashland REVIEW: Carson, Patton shine in 'Arsenic and Old Lace' 5 picks for live entertainment Live Music in Local Clubs Master Gardener Spring Fair at The Expo Theater REVIEW: Carson, Patton shine in 'Arsenic and Old Lace' Some Oregon Shakespeare Festival crew members seek to unionize Randall Theatre stages 'Little Shop of Horrors' 'Much Ado' at SOU Thanks for the Memories stages 'Company' one night only Music Thunder's Edge, Steel Cranes tonight at Club 66 The Farr Side: CMAs do it right, in many ways Live Music in Local Clubs Trio Brasileiro plays Old Siskiyou Barn Interview: Offspring plays hits new and old on tour Community Events Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic at OSF's Black Swan in Ashland Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Master Gardener Spring Fair at The Expo A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Rogue Valley Earth Day 2015 Movies Victor D. Infante: ‘Avengers’ begs the questions, ‘Why superheroes, and why now?’ Movie review: ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ has a lot going on Movie review: ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ knows how to party Catching up with the Avengers Interview: Sofia Vergara talks ‘Hot Pursuit’ Dining Restaurant inspections, May 3, 2015 Taqueria Picaro offers casual Mexican cuisine Restaurant inspections: April 26, 2015 Island Grindz serves up Hawaiian specialties Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Our View: Oregon's full of givers, and can use more ... Tiller school closed because of budget cuts ... OSU warns that Benton County GMO ban could hurt research ... Our View: Oregon's full of givers, and can use more ... Tiller school closed because of budget cuts ... OSU warns that Benton County GMO ban could hurt research ... Silvio Calabi: Taxis and traffic in the olde worlde By Silvio Calabi More Content Now MailTribune.com By Silvio Calabi More Content Now Posted May. 4, 2015 @ 7:50 am By Silvio Calabi More Content Now Posted May. 4, 2015 @ 7:50 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Stagger out of Schiphol after a long flight from the U.S. and you’ll find the usual (for Europe) lineup of Mercedes-Benz taxis along the sidewalk. But scattered in among them now are sedans that at first I didn’t recognize. Handsome cars, some deep blue, some white . . . and, egad, all green! Teslas! Amsterdam’s international airport has made-in-California electric Tesla taxicabs! How cool is this? Our driver, a Turkish gentleman in a blue suit and with impeccable English, heaved our bags into the deep trunk and opened the doors for us. He slid into his leather seat, pressed the start button and touched the car’s enormous iPad-like screen to launch its GPS and many other functions. As we hummed away in combustion-free silence, he explained that, since October, Schiphol Airport has been served by a fleet of 100 Tesla Model S sedans. Teslas are even more expensive in the Netherlands than at home — about €85,000, or $95,000, for a base model — but a Dutch credit for zero-emissions vehicles brings the price down to about €65,000. And thereafter the car runs on cheap electricity instead of $7-per-gallon gasoline. Our Tesla had logged 65,000 kilometers in six months, or 40,000 miles, with routine service every 20,000 KM and no “issues.” With a full charge, its range of about 365 kilometers, 225 miles, covered an entire day of trips between the airport and downtown. If necessary, a cabbie on break plugs in at one of Amsterdam’s many charging points for 30 minutes. Our driver loved the car, and reported that his passengers were impressed with it too — its design, finish and comfort, and the fact that there’s nothing nasty coming from the tailpipe. (No tailpipe.) And of course the only noise in a Tesla is from the wind and tires. “When I get back into my own car,” our driver said, “I think something is wrong with it because of all the noise.” The most popular and highly regarded American car in the Netherlands, then, is the very one that the old guard in Detroit has been pooh-poohing ever since the first Tesla appeared more than 12 years ago. Days later, we’re in Zurich in an Opel Insignia sport-tourer, a German wagon with several features rarely found in American rental cars: a manual gearbox, a clutch, a twin-turbo diesel engine and automatic stop-start. The traffic is awful, so stop-start is good: When we’re immobile, the engine shuts down, to save fuel, exhaust and noise. I wish all the cars around us had stop-start. (Many do; if you want to see shiny new cars with all the toys, come to prosperous Switzerland.) But this is a diesel, so stop-start is bad, too: Each restart comes with a nasty jolt and clatter. I’m tempted to switch it off. The most intrusive and annoying stop-start systems are on German cars. Do they do this on purpose, so that we disable it, to protect their high-strung motors? Nearly all the wear that IC engines suffer occurs when they’re started up; after that, with oil circulating and parts at temperature, engines can run about forever. When an engine shuts down, its oil drains into the crankcase; on re-start there’s that moment — till the system is pressurized again — when parts move without benefit of lubrication. Does stop-start just buy fuel and emissions economy with engine wear? And what about the starter and battery? Is the 1MPG or less that stop-start contributes worth the wear, complexity and cost? Starter mechanisms, originally designed for 30,000 cycles, have been beefed up to take 300,000-plus cycles, so no worries there. And a Chrysler engineer explained that oiling of the pistons isn’t an issue on re-start because the tension of the rings is set to avoid excessive wear. “The bigger problem,” he said, “is the crankshaft, and there we use special bearings that were developed specifically for these applications to minimize wear.” VW, on the other hand, hasn’t put stop-start on its cars because Americans don’t like it and think something’s wrong with the car, which leads to negative comments in JD Power surveys. Hybrid VW owners, however, don’t have a problem with stop-start: Their engines switch off in town and while coasting, when the car acts as an EV. When IC power is needed, the engine automatically starts up and re-engages in the drivetrain. Again, with no extra wear. As we cross into Austria and then Germany, our Opel stops coughing and settles into the serious business of autobahn-running. The passenger-in-chief seems fine with it; she’s humming bits from “The Sound of Music.” Silvio Calabi reviews the latest from Detroit, Munich, Yokohama, Gothenburg, Crewe, Seoul and wherever else interesting cars are born. Silvio is a member of the International Motor Press Association whose automotive reviews date back to the Reagan administration. He is the former publisher of Speedway Illustrated magazine and an author. Contact him at [email protected]. By Silvio Calabi More Content Now MailTribune.com By Silvio Calabi More Content Now Posted May. 4, 2015 @ 7:50 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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