Ten millimetres of heaven…

The rev meter needle of the metallic beige Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8 I was driving went steadily around the zone: 3000 rpm…4000 rpm…5000rpm…6000…6500 rpm. On the left side of the instrument panel, the speedometer needle, too, made its determined clockwise swing: 70 kph…85…100 kph…120…140 kph…

Most car enthusiasts probably wouldn’t raise an eyebrow at these speeds. Just about any car nowadays can reach an honest 160 or 170 kph. Even 1.3-liter cars like the Honda City/Jazz and the Toyota Vios boast terminal velocities that 90 percent of the local population would never be able to attain — especially in Metro Manila traffic.

So why the fuss about the 1.8-liter Altis? Because the Toyota just overtook a bus speeding at 110 kph with barely three inches of the gas pedal depressed. That’s roughly half of the full length of the pedal’s travel. The more common 1.6-liter car would need to have its accelerator pedal pressed almost to the floor to accomplish the same feat.

And it’s all because Toyota lengthened the stroke of the 1.6 Altis’ crankshaft by a seemingly miniscule 10 millimeters — just over a third of an inch — from 81.5mm to 91.5mm (the piston’s diameter, or bore, remains the same at 79mm). The result? Two hundred cubic centimeters more of displacement, from 1600 to 1800cc — and a whopping horsepower jump from 116 to 145hp accompanied by a torque increase from 160 Newton-meters at 4400rpm to 188 Nm at a somewhat more relaxed 4200rpm. Enough to allow the Altis 1.8 to overtake a speeding bus in a single bound — or a small prod of the accelerator.

But Toyota is not the only one who has discovered the joys of a larger size. Nissan, and Chevrolet have followed suit with 1.8-liter versions of the Sentra 1.6 and Optra 1.6, respectively, with the Optra undergoing increases in both bore (by 2.6 mm) and stroke (by 4.5 mm). I have driven the Optra 1.8 and it, too, can cruise at 120 kph with my toes barely tickling the throttle. Which, trim and equipment upgrades aside, should be the principal reason for opting for the bigger motor.

It’s simply automotive heaven when you’ve got a car that’s capable of cruising with your right foot just barely resting on the rightmost pedal, that can overtake a speeding bus or truck with a mere half-step or that can dispatch that pesky tailgating kid in the lowered and noisy 1.6-liter sedan — with utter effortlessness. And you don’t need a turbo or a big V8 to do it. All it takes is a mere 10 millimeters of difference.

…And The Magwheel Dealer From Hell

One would think that automotive journalists like us would enjoy all the perks and VIP treatment from car companies and other automotive-related establishments. Not always, unfortunately. Especially when we’re seen as mere hapless consumers by some retail outlets that haven’t heard of the words "customer satisfaction."

It all started when I brought my personal car to have a new set of magwheels fitted to it. I was at the West Ave. area at that time so I stopped at the first service center I saw, Mega Motion.

The reception was courteous and the service was prompt — one mechanic having all four wheels off the car in no time. Unfortunately, we discovered that my new set of magwheels had deep center holes which required either extra-long wheel nuts or a tire wrench with a slim head, neither of which the shop had. Faced with the prospect of scratching brand-new magwheels with ordinary tire wrenches, we had no recourse but to replace the old wheels; the gracious receptionist even apologizing for being unable to deliver the service I requested. I asked if I had to pay for anything and she said, "Wala na po," with a smile.

I had driven less than 200 meters when I came across Autobahn, a small store also in West Ave. that displayed several high-end alloy wheels. Thinking that a purveyor of expensive wheels should have all the necessary tools to install them on a wide variety of cars (I had a garden-variety Mitsubishi Lancer), I drove in.

I chatted with the owner, a darkish and somewhat overweight fellow, who agreed to perform the wheel swap but who also didn’t seem willing to hide his dislike for customers who show up with their own new set of magwheels in the trunks of their cars.

Needless to say, we encountered the same problem with the wheel nuts. Only this time they had socket wrenches that would have done the job. Unfortunately, the owner said that the wrench set was new and he didn’t want it scratched. Of course I realized that he would have been only too happy to use it if I had bought the magwheels from him.

Fair enough, I thought, as the mechanics replaced the front wheels they had taken off. I peered inside the shop to look for the owner but he had disappeared back into his office. I turned to the guy who looked like the most senior of the mechanics to ask if I had to settle anything. He said "Okay na yon, sir!"

So I got inside my car and backed out. Frustrated I was all set to drive off and just return to work when I saw the owner of Autobahn, hands on his hips, scowling at me. He was saying something to one of his people while gesturing towards me. Thinking I might have inadvertently brought one of their tools with me, I drove back in.

The Autobahn owner wasted no time approaching my open door and said, "Sa susunod, kung magpapagawa ka, magbabayad ka, ha." Stunned I replied, "Sabi ng tao mo kasi pwede na raw ako umalis e, at hindi niyo rin naman nagawa yung pinapagawa ko."

"E may-ari ba yung kausap mo?" was his quick retort. "Tinanggal at binalik naming yung gulong mo. May labor charge yon," he added. Not knowing how to respond to this kind of customer service, I said, "Galing kasi ako sa Mega Motion; hindi rin nila nakabit pero hindi nila ako siningil. Apat na gulong pa binaba nila." I was already pulling my wallet as I said this.

"Wala akong pakialam sa kanila; tindahan ko ito," was his arrogant reply. Then upon seeing my open wallet, he launched another attack: "Hindi ko kailangan ang pera mo! Pupunta ka lang dito pag may bibilin ka!"

I saw absolutely no point in arguing further with this lunatic (although I did have visions of tire wrenches wrapped around his fat black neck). I got into my car and drove off, seething — lost in the irony that I used to conduct customer satisfaction seminars for a Japanese car company for four long years. "The Customer is Always Right" never seemed so vague and distant. I felt woozy with shock. Then a stark realization crept to me: I’d already had a not-so-pleasant experience with this very same Autobahn almost two years ago when I came in to have my tires rotated. They said they were too busy for tire rotations — even when they didn’t have another car in their two-car shop. I could only laugh at how my memory failed me. To any of you daring enough to do business with Autobahn, I only have two words: caveat emptor.

Backseat Drivers keep both the authorities and us journalists (and sometimes even inventors!) on our toes. here are a few of the reactions we got from last week.

I think Mr. Robert Nacianceno should enrol at A1 Driving School so he can be familiarized with international road signs — Jonathan G., Taguig

Robert Nacianceno of the MMDA should be fired for ignoring international conventions on traffic signs! — Albert Dacer, Bacolod City

The PNP and the MMDA should put an end to abusive tricycle drivers who insist on using main roads from which they are banned. — Lito G, Quezon City

MMDA people look "corny" in blue uniform. Pink is better. No need to wear orange vests, plus this would be savings for the government. — Gerald B.

Mr. Afuang, Signs of the Times an eye-opener for the DPWH, MMDA and other local government sectors as well as the private sector. International color scheme, font, sizes, etc. should be followed. — Toñitor

The people at the MMDA should go back to school where they teach international signs. They should not make their own signs. — 09179363333

Re: Motoring Today "— Isn’t the relief window 10 to 3PM not 10 to 4PM? — 09163638920

To MMDA Traffic Enforcers, LTO Flying Squad,etc. Why are PUJs allowed to ply/run at night without taillights (and even headlights)? — 09212065613

Mr. Pablo Planas, inventor of the "Khaos Fuel Saver", please bring down the price of your invention because regular consumers cannot afford it at P6,500. — 09274556558

Speak out, be heard and keep those text messages coming in. To say your piece and become a "Backseat Driver", text

PHILSTAR<space>FB<space>MOTORING<space>YOUR MESSAGE and send to 2333 if you’re a Globe or Touch Mobile subscriber or 344 if you’re a Smart or Talk ’n Text subscriber.