The latest car from Mercedes Benz is definitely a good look at what will fill the streets in the future. With its hi-tech features that aim towards environment friendliness, this F-700 S-Class wonder is definitely one hell of a ride.

While it is tagged as a “research car”, production of this car will be in demand. After all, it does not only boast of the revolutionary Pre-Scan technology by Mercedes, but also its three-way catalytic converter. Why? Because this car can notably control its emissions. The DiesOtto, while a very powerful engine, it still needs an assurance that its carbons will not double during the combustion process. Hence, its Mercedes-Benz catalytic converter will take care of the rest.

The Pre-Scan technology is another innovative concept by Mercedes. It works through the Pre-Scan sensors that are strategically placed on the headlights so that they can be the “eyes” of the car. They will detect any lump, bump, or hump along the road, and they will pass this information to the car computer. The control unit then will come up with a plan in translating the hydraulics into a more accurate fluid flow for each wheel.

Of course, all these features are all the more enhanced by the exterior and interior beauty of the car. The F700 looks astonishing on the outside, with its unique contours and shiny polished coating. On the inside, it is a totally different story. The interiors are all floral-patterned and the leg room is unbelievable. This is definitely one car that is headed towards where the auto industry will go.

Idling the vehicle is said to have a lot of advantages. For example, it has been said that starting and then stopping the engine consumes more fuel than to actually leave it running. Catalytic converters work best when they are warmed up, and the best way to do so is to warm them up by driving the car. But note that even in a cold weather, when the engine is shut down for under 10 minutes, this will still not reduce the effectiveness of the catalytic converter. In fact, even in warm weather, idling vehicles can still circulate the coolant that may cool the engine and the catalytic converter faster than when turning it off. As for the issue of fuel efficiency, here is the myth buster: a warm engine that idles for more than 10 seconds burns more fuel and is said to emit more greenhouse gases compared to shutting down and starting up the engine again.

Another myth is that motorists should warm up their vehicle for a few minutes during cold weather before driving. On the other hand, modern electronically-controlled engines do not need to be warmed up. Also, emissions from an idling vehicle in winter conditions are more than double the normal level right after a cold start. It should be known that vehicle engines warm up fastest when a vehicle is being driven just as long as the windshield and other windows are clear of frost and snow, so there should be no reason to idle on start-up. As a matter of fact, using block heaters in very cold weather warms the engine before starting, which reduces pollution even more.

Warming up the vehicle is more than warming up the engine. Its tires, transmission, wheel bearings and other moving parts also need to be warm for the vehicle to perform its best. Most of these parts start out cold until you begin to drive. Idling can damage your engine’s components such as the cylinders, spark plugs and the exhaust system. Vehicles driven by diesel engine require warming up before driving off. There have been many variety of anti-idling devices designed to reduce the need for idling to warm up the engine, cool the vehicle or run auxiliary equipment when stopped.

Another dilemma is basically created by Diesel trucks. Since these vehicles are bigger in nature, they also need more amount of diesel to make them run all over the country. While the drivers of these vehicles are required to take a break and rest for a while, these drivers still leave their engines running to keep air conditioning and the others on. As a result, this has a very big impact on the air that we breathe since it emits an estimated 20 tons of air pollution, even greenhouse gases.

As a solution to this negative practice of truck idling, the Truck Electrified Parking (TEP) was created. This alternative power is tasked to supply electrical power through the outlets that were mounted on the pedestals at truck stops or rest parking areas. All that the truck driver has to do is to install a 120-volt converter. The system has to be tested in New York State first before it becomes operational along transportation corridors in Washington and Oregon.