Posted a few minutes ago.... -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Big SUV; tiny cargo space Date: Sun, 22 Jul 2001 14:27:47 -0400 From: "James R. Frysinger" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Organization: Metric Methods To: ..... Letter Editor, L.A. Times copies to John O'Dell and the editor of the Charleston Post and Courier Dear Sir: In today's Charleston Post and Courier, an article by John O'Dell of the Los Angelos Times is printed, regarding the new Chevrolet Tahoe. It is also available online at http://www.latimes.com/news/custom/highway1/la-000056934jul11.story Then online version provides more information than is printed in our local paper, but unfortunately it too is lacking in some respects. Mr. O'Dell writes about the Tahoe's 5.3 L engine (and a smaller 4.8 L engine that is available) but then gives the engine's power in horsepower (but not kilowatts), torque in foot-pounds (but not newton meters), and towing capacity in pounds (but not in in kilograms). He also provides some dimensions in inches and feet. (Do cars have feet?) The Society of Automotive Engineers includes the metric quantities in their articles, so that information is available to Mr. O'Dell. The strange part of the article is where he states, "It will haul people in serious comfort, carry a peck of parcels, and tow a ton (or four) with ease." Gee, in an SUV, I would expect the glove box to hold a peck (8 dry quarts or 8.8 L). What a tiny cargo space the Tahoe must have! Ain't it a shame that Americans have such a deep understanding of their units that they hate to give them up for SI? Come on, Mr. O'Dell. Join the automotive world and get metricated. There is absolutely no reason in the world why your article (at least the online version) couldn't include metric quantities. James R. Frysinger also at: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cofc.edu/~frysingj -- Metric Methods(SM) "Don't be late to metricate!" James R. Frysinger, CAMS http://www.metricmethods.com/ 10 Captiva Row e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Charleston, SC 29407 phone/FAX: 843.225.6789
