My two year reading project - Terry Brooks

My 2022-2024 Tery Brooks Reading project. He is still my favorite author.

I'm going to re-read this books in story chronological order:

[x] Imaginary Friends - Jan 2022
[x] Running with the Demon - Jan 2022
[ ] A Knight of the Word
[ ] Angel Fire East
[ ] Armageddon's Children
[ ] The Elves of Cintra
[ ] The Gypsy Morph
[ ] Bearers of the Black Staff
[ ] The Measure of the Magic
[ ] First King of Shannara
[ ] Allanon's Quest
[ ] The Sword of Shannara
[ ] The Black Irix
[ ] The Elfstones of Shannara
[ ] The Weapons Master's Choice
[ ] The Wishsong of Shannara
[ ] Indomitable
[ ] Dark Wraith of Shannara
[ ] The Scions of Shannara
[ ] The Druid of Shannara
[ ] The Elf Queen of Shannara
[ ] The Talismans of Shannara
[ ] Ilse Witch
[ ] Antrax
[ ] Morgawr
[ ] Jarka Ruus
[ ] Tanequil
[ ] Straken
[ ] Wards of Faerie
[ ] Bloodfire Quest
[ ] Witch Wraith
[ ] The High Druid's Blade
[ ] The Darkling Child
[ ] The Sorcerer's Daughter
[ ] The Black Elfstone
[ ] The Skaar Invasion
[ ] The Stiehl Assassin
[ ] The Last Druid

Santa Cruz vs Maverick US sales for 2021

Although it is true that the Ford Maverick is out sold the Hyundai Santa Cruz in the US during 2021, it is not as large of margins as some make it out to be. Below is the sales stats in the US. Note that this is not Global sales. I don't have those numbers. Maybe globally it is much more dramatic of a difference. Additionally, I don't have the monthly numbers for Ford like with the Santa Cruz.

First, the Ford Maverick.

Second, the Santa Cruz

 

I'm Fascinated with Hyundai's HTRAC AWD - Part I

I have been studying/reading as much as I can about Hyundai's HTRAC AWD. Honestly, I feel the company is purposefully as vague and unforthcoming as possible on how this system works. There is literally so little information about this AWD system out there, and the vehicle's manuals are very sparce on information. Yet the company touts this piece of technology and has a special badge they place on every vehicle that this is installed on.

So likely I will have one or more follow up posts as I learn more, but for now this is what I know:

Unlike mechanical AWD systems (like Subaru's) with a limited torque split between front and rear wheels, Hyundai’s HTRAC system is an electronic mode-based system. By using modes, the HTRAC AWD system takes these modes into consideration and uses an electronic variable-torque-split clutch with active torque control between the front and rear axles as specified by the driver. The HTRAC AWD system was designed by Magna and first incorporated in the Genesis line. What I found the most interesting is that Magna also makes AWD systems and parts for BMW, Subaru, and Audi also. What I also learned is AWD is fairly complex with vehicles like the Santa Cruz. Likely Hyundai does may not want to release information that would go over the average car buyer’s understanding or might find overwhelming.

Subaru integrates its transfer case into the transmission, as opposed to a front wheel bias. The use of limited slip differentials (LSD) is key, as they combine the benefits of open and locked differentials. The torque split of a LSD is based on available grip.

HTRAC is different. It uses computer sensed wheel slip/spin and driver input. The driver selectable HTRAC on the Santa Cruz has four main modes in the United States: Normal, Sport, Smart, and Snow modes. Other countries have different options and additional modes. In the US, there is also a separate AWD "lock" mode that will disable if the vehicle accelerates faster than 37 MPH. This is not a 4WD locking differential as there is an electric clutch between the front and back. Hyundai implies it is to work like 4WD as the manual calls this Four-wheel drive mode. I'll go over this later. If you are not in AWD lock mode, you are in AWD "auto" mode. you have the four main modes: Normal, Sort, Smart, and Snow. Both Hyundai and Subaru will use individual wheel braking to help distribute power to other wheels.

Normal mode setting tries to use as much front wheel drive as possible (especially on highway speeds), only using rear for slipping or when accelerating from a dead stop.

The Sport mode setting gives a more agile feel by sending more available torque to the rear wheels. Sport mode also provides sporty but firm ride, although the manual does not specify how. In Sport mode, the fuel efficiency may decrease. Additionally, when SPORT mode is activated, the engine RPM will tend to remain raised over a certain length of time even after releasing the accelerator. Also upshifts are delayed when accelerating.

Smart mode selects the proper driving mode among, Normal and Sport by judging the driver's driving habits (For example, mild or dynamic) from the brake pedal depression or the steering wheel operation.

4 Wheel Drive mode also refers to AWD lock. This is when you select AWD Lock mode by pressing the AWD LOCK button. The AWD LOCK mode increases the "drive power" when driving on wet pavement, snow covered roads and/or off-road. I'm guess Hyundai is using drive power as a term for torque. Hyundai has a notice to not use AWD LOCK mode on dry paved roads or highway. "Doing so can cause noise, vibration, or damage of AWD related parts." The main goal of AWD Lock mode is to allow a driver to maximize the vehicle’s traction under extreme driving conditions such as unpaved off-road, sandy roads, and muddy roads. The AWD Lock mode is in operation only when a vehicle travels at 37 mph (60 km/h) or less. When traveling at 37 mph (60 km/h) or faster, the mode will switch to AWD Auto.

Utility vehicles and tires.

This is a progression in my vehicles and the tires they had. This is also a history in my lessons with the fact that AWD/4WD is not the only major component of successful and confident driving in snow or off roading. Honestly, tires affect all cars and how they perform. A sedan will perform best with a certain type of tire. Same with sports cars, trucks, or any type of vehicle. This is about utility vehicles and their tires. First, let my layout a list of the vehicles that I have owned and the tires and drive each one had:

width/%  Rim  vehicle                   drive
245  /70 R16  Jeep Grand Cherokee       4WD
235  /70 R15  Nissan Xterra             4WD
245  /65 R17  Jeep Commander            4WD
195  /65 R15  Subaru Impreza hatchback  Symmetrical AWD
225  /55 R17  Subaru Crosstrek          Symmetrical AWD 
245  /50 R20  Subaru Ascent Limited     Symmetrical AWD
245  /60 R18  Santa Cruz                HTRAC AWD

All of these vehicles listed above were either AWD or 4WD. But they have completely different handling in snow. AWD or 4WD is only part of the equation. Tires make a big difference in snow. Especially width. Width will determine how much grip will be available. Width will determine how easily snow is pushed away. For example, the Impreza was horrible in slush. Driving through thick wet snow pushed the car around horribly. It also did horrible in fresh snow for traction. Although the Impreza and the Crosstrek had the same AWD system and had all season tires. To say that the 225 tires did considerably better than the 195 tires is an understatement! 245 tires do even better. I pushed the Jeep Commander all the time in heavy snow The 195 tires just will not cut it.

But there is more to this than wheel width and AWD/4WD. Tire tread is important too. For example I took my Jeep Grand Cherokee off the pavement quite a few times and it did excellent. I tried to take the Nissan Xterra on some of the same area and it failed where the Jeep Grand Cherokee succeeded. Granted the Nissan had 235 tires and the Jeep 245, but the Jeep also had aggressive outer tread where the Nissan did not.

Will 265 perform better than 245s? For Snow, mud, and sand - very likely yes. Especially if they have good tread. But it should also be noted the more aggressive the tread is and the wider the tire, the worse the gas mileage will be. Other considerations are comfort, noise, and tire roll. The more aggressive the outer tread is, the noisier the tire will be. The more sidewall a tire has, the more roll the tire will have.

My New Vehicle - the Santa Cruz!

I have started 2022 with a new vehicle. Traded in the red Mustang and I am now driving a 2022 Santa Cruz. It was the vehicle I didn't know I wanted. This a compact truck, or UTE, or SAV, or cross over SUV with a bed OR what every you wish to call it. I was shopping out another Subaru and instead purchased a Korean, Alabama made car. I purchased the SC right before New Year’s.

This vehicle is a quad cab with 4'3” hard composite molded bed with a rubber mat over the floor. There is an additional trunk underneath the bed floor that can double as a cooler with drain plug.

For the transmission, this SC has an 8-speed "SHIFTRONIC" automatic with their HTRAC AWD. For "rubber", the SC comes with 18" wheels - 245/60 R18 105H.

The front has LED running lamps built into the grill. As a theme, the entire vehicle is covered in triangles and even the body lines have triangles. The center dash infotainment unit has Apple play (wireless, Bluetooth, camera, etc.) with everything that you would expect in a modern vehicle. Drive modes include normal, sport, smart, and snow with a AWD lock and downhill accent control.

DIMENSIONS: Wheelbase: 118.3 in || Length: 195.7 in || Width: 75.0 in

The SC has good ground clearance with 8.6 inches of ground clearance and a decent 23.2-degree departure angle. This should do fairly well for off paved-road driving.

The color is what is being called "stone blue". I have thought about naming the vehicle "Bl-UTE-iful". I admit, that might be a little corny. The steering feels great and is Rack-Pinion. Handles very smoothly. The turning diameter is 40 ft. The wheels are jeepish looking 18" x 71.5" with aluminum wheels.

The front grill has a lot of use of chrome with hidden LED lights. Hidden during the day anyway. At night with lights directly towards the grill they are more visible while the car is off.

Another view with the lights on at night.

Apple car play selected with Apple's GPS/Map on. Android is an available option with the system, but we are an Apple family. Also have HD radio and MP3 player.

The mode select, AWD lock, camera select, auto hold, and down hill assist are located in the center by the gear shifter.

The interior is very SUV like and has chrome lines that "flows" through out.

In sport mode, the outer left and right sides of the guages turns reds.

Using the HTRAC AWD on snow and ice felt fairly sure footed.

Here you can see the triangles on the wheel well's trim and on the 245/60 R18 tire. As I stated earlier, these triangles cover much of the Santa Cruz.