Subaru, Mazda Rise, Ford Crashes, in Consumer Reports’ Automaker Report Card

Park a spot on the “Automaker Report Card”. Much like school report cards, automobile manufacturers get one based on consumer opinion. The list is being published in “Consumer Reports” magazine. Highlighting the latest automaker rankings in best and worst used cars and used car reliability for cars manufactured from 2006-2012. Where did your favorite automaker make it on this list?

(Overall score out of 100)

1.    Subaru (75)
2.    Mazda (74)
3.    Toyota (73)
4.    Honda (72)
5.    Nissan (67)
6.    Volvo (64)
7.    Hyundai (63)
8.    BMW (63)
9.    Volkswagen (62)
10.  Ford (60)
11.  Mercedes-Benz (58)
12.  General Motors (56)
13.  Chrysler (51)

Subaru in the first place spot, holding this spot for the first time with only six models out.  All of the most popular Japanese brand cars take the top 5 spots, with Mazda making significant improvement moving from seventh the last time the report has ran all the way to second place. Kudos Mazda!  Honda was in first place now falls to third place, mainly for the poor reviews on the redesigned Civic and Odyssey models. Unfortunately, General Motors and Chrysler remain on the bad side of the report, despite Chrysler’s reliability improvement to “average”.

Read the full Car Talk article here.

Source: http://www.cartalksecondopinion.com/blog/2012/03/20/subaru-mazda-rise-ford-crashes-in-consumer-reports-automaker-report-card/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=subaru-mazda-rise-ford-crashes-in-consumer-reports-automaker-report-card

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Custom Wheels and Tires For Your Wilmington Ride

It seems like everywhere you go in the Wilmington area you see custom wheels. Big trucks, little cars, mini-vans – it doesn’t matter, motorists are expressing themselves with custom wheels. Some North Carolina motorists want smaller tires and wheels – some want larger – and some want them enormous. So where do you start if you want new wheels? We suggest you start with your budget. We know, that sounds so practical. But if the look you’re after goes beyond just new tires and wheels and enters into the world of suspension modifications, you need to be prepared for the additional cost.

Let’s start with something easy – you want to give your ride a unique look and the stock wheel size is just right for you. One of the concerns you will have is that the new wheels have the same offset as your sedans factory wheels.

First, what is offset? The wheel bolts onto the hub on the sedans’s axle. The distance from the inside edge of the wheel to the point at which it bolts on, is the offset. If the new wheel has a different offset from the factory, the tires may rub on the inside or outside of the wheel well. That could lead to catastrophic tire failure.

Your tire and wheel professional at Atlantic Car Care in Wilmington can help you find the right size wheel – or install adapters to make your new wheels fit. All you have to do is pick from the hundreds of styles available.

Atlantic Car Care
21 New Bern Street
Wilmington, North Carolina 28403
9107941390

So, what if you want to upsize? Well, if it is just bigger wheels you want, but you want to keep the same overall tire diameter, that’s pretty easy. The same offset concerns apply. You need to know that the tires will likely be a little bit wider than the originals and could rub when you make sharp turns. Your tire professional at Atlantic Car Care will help you avoid this.

It is also important to keep the same overall tire diameter because changing the rolling diameter can mess with your sedans anti-lock brakes and stability control systems. Are you starting to see why you want to consult with your tire and wheel expert at Atlantic Car Care in Wilmington? Is “super-size me” your motto? If it is, you are going to have to lift your vehicle to make room for those huge tires. A mild lift doesn’t require extensive modifications. An extreme lift means a lot of new hardware under the vehicle. It also means a lot of stock electronic systems need to be recalibrated to the new tire size. For example, your speedometer and odometer will give false readings if they aren’t recalibrated. (You don’t want to risk getting speeding tickets on North Carolina expressways because your speedometer shows a lower-than-actual speed.)

You should also be aware of possible performance issues. Bigger tires and wheels weigh more. North Carolina automotive experts refer to this as unsprung weight because it isn’t held up by your sedans suspension system. Increased unsprung weight affects performance in different ways than an equivalent amount of groceries or little soccer players in the sedans passenger compartment. Acceleration is negatively affected. Stopping distances may also be increased – sometimes significantly. If you want really big tires and wheels, you might need to upgrade your brakes to compensate.

Heading the other direction, some motorists like to run smaller than standard wheels and lower the suspension. All of the same fitment issues still apply as well as calibration issues. Don’t think that sedans suspension modifications are a bad thing. Many systems actually improve ride, function and performance over the stock set-up.

Regardless of your budget, you want your sedans to continue to do all the things you need it to do. Some of those show cars and trucks you see on TV look fantastic, but have been modified in ways that may not suit your needs. For example, if you put large rims on your SUV with low profile tires, you may be in for busted rims if you go off-roading a lot around Wilmington. There just isn’t enough sidewall to absorb the impact of thumping over rocks.

Some motorists stuff the largest tires and wheels possible in their vehicles but have to severely restrict suspension travel so that the tires aren’t rubbing all day. That can lead to a very harsh ride. Again, talk with your Atlantic Car Care wheel professional about all of these things: how you drive in Wilmington, what look you are going for, your budget and what compromises you are willing to make.

At the end of the day, you’re going to be rollin’ out of there with one sweet ride.

Source: http://www.atlanticcarcare.com/tires-and-wheels/custom-wheels-and-tires-for-your-wilmington-ride

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Wishing You All A Very Merry Christmas

The family of Robert’s Auto Repair wishes you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We will be closed on Christmas Day and New Years Day, but will otherwise be open to serve you.

We want to thank all of you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your patronage of our auto body, mechanical, detail, and tire service facility. May you all be safe and healthy over the holidays. We look forward to serving you the next time your vehicle needs any type of auto repair.

With love and respect,

The Robert’s Auto Repair Team

 

Source: http://www.roberts-autorepair.com/blog/wishing-you-all-a-very-merry-christmas/

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2013 Ford Escape Goes Green, Literally

The eco-friendly gimmick war continues to rage on. On the heels of Chevrolet unveiling eco-impact labels on its new vehicles, Ford has announced that its new-for-2013 Escape will be made with plant material.

Ford is replacing some of the materials in the Escape’s doors with kenaf, a tropical plant related to cotton and okra. Kenaf is edible and looks like bamboo; it’s currently used in making cosmetics and paper products.

Ford says using the plant improves the vehicle’s fuel economy because it reduces the weight of the door bolsters by 25%. Its fuel economy gains weren’t specified, however. The automaker says kenaf will help save oil in other ways, too. Because the plant replaces oil-based materials previously used in Escape’s doors, “the use of kenaf is anticipated to offset 300,000 pounds of oil-based resin per year in North America,” Ford said in a press release.

When the redesigned compact SUV goes on sale this spring, kenaf will join Escape’s soy foam seats and head restraints, recycled-tire climate gauges and carpet made from plastic bottles.

Ford’s Escape certainly isn’t the first green vehicle. Land Rover’s new-for-2012 Range Rover Evoque, for example, is made with 35.2 pounds of recycled plastic, or about 1,000 16.9-ounce plastic bottles.

Read the full article here

Source: http://www.cartalksecondopinion.com/blog/2012/01/27/2013-ford-escape-goes-green-literally/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2013-ford-escape-goes-green-literally

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In a Fender Bender Recently? Here’s how Robert’s Auto Repair Can Help.

You got into an accident with your vehicle? Ouch! Automobile accidents are an unpleasant experience for everyone, but we do our best to set things right with your car, truck, or SUV again with our auto body repair service.

If your vehicle needs auto body repair work, here is how Robert’s Auto Repair can help your car look like new again:

1.  Robert’s Auto Repair is a preferred vendor or approved vendor with multiple insurance companies, so you can feel confident that we are well respected for our auto body repair services.

2.  Our friendly and helpful staff will provide you with all the information you need for your insurance company to get your vehicle repaired.

3.  If you need a rental car, we have an Enterprise representative on-site for your convenience.

4.  Whether your auto body repair is minor or major, we do all of the auto body repair in-house and can restore your vehicle to factory specifications. No problem!

5.  We guarantee all our auto body repair work.

6.  We have the technology and the experience to return your vehicle to you, fully restored, within a shorter amount of time than other auto body repair shops.

7.  We use environmentally friendly waterborne paint and we deeply care about doing our part to keep our earth healthy.

8.  Because of our desire to be the among the best in the auto repair industry, we work hard to give the best results, and that means extremely happy customers.

If you are ready to begin auto body repair, we are here to assist you. Robert’s Auto Repair is conveniently located at 234 Ramona, Monterey, CA 93940, right off of Del Monte Blvd. at Highway 1.

• To schedule an appointment with our auto body or detailing shop, please call today at 831-373-1535.

• To schedule an appointment with our mechanical repair or tire shop, call 831-373–1534.

Source: http://www.roberts-autorepair.com/blog/in-a-fender-bender-recently-heres-how-roberts-auto-repair-can-help/

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History Of Uncle Frank/Part 4 – The Singing Star

This archival photo depicts the “Rat Pack” circa 1960 on location in Las Vegas and proves the little-known fact that Uncle Frank Myers was one of the original members of the superstar performing group, along with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Dean Martin.

As a matter of fact, Uncle Frank accidentally inspired their most well-known project, when Frank, Dino and Sammy bought beautiful Cadillac convertibles from his Las Vegas dealership. Uncle Frank declared at the price he was giving them, the cars were a “steal.” Sammy happened to be eyeing one of the big casinos when he heard the word and instantly came up with the idea for their hit movie, Ocean’s 11.

Unfortunately, that led to a break with the Rat Pack, as Uncle Frank couldn’t clear enough time for the filming – “Sorry, boys,” he said, “I got too many great deals I want to give folks.” He was replaced by Peter Lawford, who was not quite as good-looking as Uncle Frank, but got by.

About Uncle Frank

Uncle Frank has lived many lives and has many stories to share. He currently resides in Winston Salem, NC where he spends his days as the Frank Myers Auto Maxx Mascot.

Be sure to read History of Uncle Frank/Part 3 – Uncle Frank The Football Star and check back for future editions later.

* Uncle Frank Sez: “All content in The History Of Uncle Frank is a mixture of parody, poor satire, and/or (very) lame humor. It is for entertainment purposes only.”

 

Source: http://www.winstonsalemusedcars.com/articles/frank-myers-history-part-4/

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Know Your Brakes

Grinding, Squealing, Pulsing most people know these to be signs that their brakes aren’t working properly however some do not.

There are a number of reasons you could be having these symptoms in your car such as worn brake pads, improper size, worn rotors, even dust in your brake system can cause these sounds to occur.

There are different kinds of braking systems first off there is disk,  second there is drum. The main components of Disk Brakes  are brake pads, rotor, and caliper.There is also Drum Brakes that consist of brake drums and brake shoes and wheel cylinder.

In addition to the sound symptoms you may have additional symptoms or a different symptom. Pedal vibration, brake grabbing or dragging, soft or spongy braking are mechanical signs of your brakes wearing.

Having brakes that are not in proper working order is a safety risk for you and others if you are having any of these symptoms you should get your brakes inspected. It is also suggested to have your brakes checked every two years, even if none of these symptoms present.

All Tech Auto Repair will perform a free brake inspection for you and we guarantee our work with a life time warranty. We perform a brake inspection, make sure  your brake fluid is full, and give you a quote on exactly what you need.

The post Know Your Brakes appeared first on Nampa Auto Repair & Oil Change Specialist: All Tech Auto Repair.

Source: http://www.alltechautorepair.net/know-your-brakes/

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What Football Taught Me About Auto Maintenance

If you love football like we do, you’re probably glued to the television screen, cheering on your favorite team. Over the years, we discovered that football has a lot to do with auto maintenance. Here are a few things football taught us:

You cannot accomplish everything yourself. — It takes a team to handle your auto maintenance. That is why we have all the team members at our facility to handle complete auto maintenance, including the detailing team, tire team, mechanical auto repair team, auto body repair team, painting team, customer service team, insurance estimator team, and our office management team.

Overcome losses and figure out what comes next. — This speaks particularly to our auto body repair and insurance estimator teams. When our clients come to us for auto body repair, they usually range from moderately inconvenienced to devastated from the loss of their vehicle. It is our job to assess the losses, communicate clearly with the insurance companies, and put our client’s needs first when assessing the next steps. We will do whatever it takes to make lemonade out of the lemons we have been handed, so our goal is to repair the vehicle back to factory standards and help get our clients back out on the road as quickly as possible.

Choose to associate with champions. — When you hang out with losers, you are a loser. When you hang out with champions, you are a champion. It’s guilt by association. That’s why we hire the best technicians in the industry and always offer the best repairs and services to please and delight our customers. Plus, we stand by our work with a warranty. We are the champions of our industry and we welcome you to play with our team.

Take care of your equipment, and your equipment will take care of you. — When people take great care of their bodies, chances are good that they will live long, healthy lives. Same goes for how we take care of our vehicles. When we provide preventive maintenance on our vehicles, we improve the return on our investments, the safety of our vehicles, and the longevity of our vehicles. When you take care of your vehicle with regular oil changes, major service intervals, wheel alignment, etc., you and your vehicle will enjoy a long relationship together.

If you’re ready to treat your vehicle like a champion, we look forward to assisting you. Robert’s Auto Repair is conveniently located at 234 Ramona, Monterey, CA 93940, right off of Del Monte Blvd. at Highway 1.

 

Source: http://www.roberts-autorepair.com/blog/what-football-taught-me-about-auto-maintenance/

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Driving Safety Tips for Daylight Savings Time Ending

As the days continue to become shorter and the darkness of the evening creeps up progressively earlier each day, the dangers of driving with limited visibility can…

The post Driving Safety Tips for Daylight Savings Time Ending appeared first on Dashboard Blog.

Source: http://www.grandsportautobody.com/blog/driving-safety-tips-for-daylight-savings-time/

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History Of Uncle Frank/Part 4 – The Singing Star

This archival photo depicts the “Rat Pack” circa 1960 on location in Las Vegas and proves the little-known fact that Uncle Frank Myers was one of the original members of the superstar performing group, along with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Dean Martin.

As a matter of fact, Uncle Frank accidentally inspired their most well-known project, when Frank, Dino and Sammy bought beautiful Cadillac convertibles from his Las Vegas dealership. Uncle Frank declared at the price he was giving them, the cars were a “steal.” Sammy happened to be eyeing one of the big casinos when he heard the word and instantly came up with the idea for their hit movie, Ocean’s 11.

Unfortunately, that led to a break with the Rat Pack, as Uncle Frank couldn’t clear enough time for the filming – “Sorry, boys,” he said, “I got too many great deals I want to give folks.” He was replaced by Peter Lawford, who was not quite as good-looking as Uncle Frank, but got by.

About Uncle Frank

Uncle Frank has lived many lives and has many stories to share. He currently resides in Winston Salem, NC where he spends his days as the Frank Myers Auto Maxx Mascot.

Be sure to read History of Uncle Frank/Part 3 – Uncle Frank The Football Star and check back for future editions later.

* Uncle Frank Sez: “All content in The History Of Uncle Frank is a mixture of parody, poor satire, and/or (very) lame humor. It is for entertainment purposes only.”

 

Source: http://www.winstonsalemusedcars.com/articles/frank-myers-history-part-4/

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Atlantic Car Care: Why Replace Your Engine Air Filter?

Just as our bodies need clean air to function properly, your sedans engine needs clean air to operate efficiently. Let’s go egghead for a minute. For every gallon of gas we burn driving on North Carolina expressways, twenty pounds of carbon dioxide comes out the tailpipe. Question: how can a gallon of gas that weighs a little over six pounds produce twenty pounds of carbon dioxide?

The answer is that the carbon comes from the gasoline, but the oxygen comes from the air. You see, it takes about twelve thousand gallons of air to burn a gallon of gas in your engine. Clearly, your sedans needs a lot of air to keep going in Heampstead. A lot of clean air is best.

You’ve seen the pictures of people in Japan wearing face masks. They want some kind of filter to keep unwanted pollution and germs out of their lungs. Well, your sedans also works better when its internals are clean. When your sedans air filter’s dirty, it simply can’t trap any more dirt, so the pollutants just pass through into your air intake system. From there it can clog your fuel injectors and even get into the motor itself. Not surprisingly, burning dust and pollen in your sedans engine does you no good.

So, we’re talking potential damage for Wilmington drivers. But another big thing is wasted fuel. Your sedans engine management computer tries to mix the correct amount of air in with the fuel. If the filter’s clogged, there isn’t enough air for the optimal fuel to air mix and that really messes with fuel efficiency.

In fact, replacing a dirty air filter at Atlantic Car Care in Wilmington can improve your fuel economy by up to ten percent. At today’s Heampstead fuel prices, you should be able to pay for a new air filter before your next oil change.

The verdict: When your sedans engine air filter needs to be replaced; it needs to be replaced. How often depends entirely on the level of air pollution where you drive in North Carolina. A simple visual inspection at Atlantic Car Care will tell you when you need a new engine air filter.

When you look at the air filter on your furnace at home and see it’s all clogged up with dust and dirt, you don’t hesitate to replace it. When your Atlantic Car Care service advisor shows you your nasty engine air filter, you now know why you should go ahead and replace it.

Source: http://www.atlanticcarcare.com/maintenance/atlantic-car-care-why-replace-your-engine-air-filter

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Prevent Untimely Transmission Repair with the right Automatic Transmission Fluid!

When you are scheduling a transmission service, make sure you understand what type of automatic transmission fluid (aka "ATF") is needed for your vehicle. ATFs have many performance-enhancing chemicals added to meet the demands of each vehicle. To keep costly transmission repair as low as possible, most ATFs contain some combination of additives that improve lubricating qualities, such as, anti-wear additives, rust and corrosion inhibitors, detergents, dispersants and surfactants (protects and cleans metal surfaces), kinematic viscosity and viscosity index improvers and modifiers, seal swell additives and agents (extends the rotational speed range and temperature range of the additives' application), anti-foam additives and anti-oxidation compounds to inhibit oxidation and "boil-off" (extends the life of the additives' application), cold-flow improvers, high-temperature thickeners, gasket conditioners, pour point depressant, petroleum dye, and friction modifiers.

Source: http://www.elkrivertireandauto.com/tips-blog/prevent-untimely-transmission-repair-with-the-right-automatic-transmission-fluid

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Air Conditioning season is approaching

The sun is shining and the weather is starting to warm up. Before you know it summer will be here and everyone will be using their A/C. All Tech Auto Repair offers an A/C service as well as A/C repairs and inspections.
Here is a little information to better understand the cooling system in your car.
The compressor is a pump that moves refrigerant through your car’s air conditioning system. The refrigerant is carried by hoses and pipes from one component to another. Compressor designs vary, but they all essentially work the same way.

The compressor is belt-driven by the engine through an electromagnetic clutch (although some hybrid vehicles use an electric motor to operate the compressor). The clutch allows the compressor to disengage when the A/C is switched off, or at times during A/C system operation when compressor function is not called for. The clutch usually receives its electrical signal from a component called a relay, which in turn, receives its activation signal, in most cases, from the fuel injection or engine control computer.

Besides pumping the refrigerant, the compressor has another job; at a certain point in the system, it raises the pressure of the refrigerant from low to high, and as the refrigerant’s pressure goes up, so does its temperature. Raising the refrigerant’s pressure and temperature enables it to release the passenger compartment heat it absorbed while inside the evaporator. The heat release process takes place in the next component to be discussed, the condenser.

The compressor can somewhat be compared to the water pump in an engine cooling system:

* The water pump circulates the engine coolant throughout the system. The coolant absorbs heat from the engine, and the water pump moves it to the radiator where it releases the heat to the atmosphere. It also circulates hot coolant through the heater core to warm the interior of the vehicle.

* The compressor circulates the refrigerant through the system. The refrigerant absorbs the heat inside the vehicle while passing through the evaporator. The refrigerant is then passed on to the condenser, where it gives up the heat to the atmosphere.

The post Air Conditioning season is approaching appeared first on Nampa Auto Repair & Oil Change Specialist: All Tech Auto Repair.

Source: http://www.alltechautorepair.net/air-conditioning-season-is-approaching/

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Fuel Efficiency Increases With Correct Car Alignment

If your car feels like it keeps straying off the road when driving down a straight road, your vehicle probably needs a wheel alignment service. It will keep you going straight down the road, create a smoother ride, and increase driver safety. Plus, a car alignment helps to increase the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. In today's economy, that's good news!

Source: http://www.elkrivertireandauto.com/tips-blog/fuel-efficiency-increases-with-correct-car-alignment

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Boost the performance of your car: The best auto repair

The auto repair business is in its full bloom.There are various ways which will certainly help you in finding the best technician who will address all your…

The post Boost the performance of your car: The best auto repair appeared first on Dashboard Blog.

Source: http://www.grandsportautobody.com/blog/boost-performance-car-best-auto-repair/

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Wishing You All A Very Merry Christmas

The family of Robert’s Auto Repair wishes you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We will be closed on Christmas Day and New Years Day, but will otherwise be open to serve you.

We want to thank all of you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your patronage of our auto body, mechanical, detail, and tire service facility. May you all be safe and healthy over the holidays. We look forward to serving you the next time your vehicle needs any type of auto repair.

With love and respect,

The Robert’s Auto Repair Team

 

Source: http://www.roberts-autorepair.com/blog/wishing-you-all-a-very-merry-christmas/

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Know Your Brakes

Grinding, Squealing, Pulsing most people know these to be signs that their brakes aren’t working properly however some do not.

There are a number of reasons you could be having these symptoms in your car such as worn brake pads, improper size, worn rotors, even dust in your brake system can cause these sounds to occur.

There are different kinds of braking systems first off there is disk,  second there is drum. The main components of Disk Brakes  are brake pads, rotor, and caliper.There is also Drum Brakes that consist of brake drums and brake shoes and wheel cylinder.

In addition to the sound symptoms you may have additional symptoms or a different symptom. Pedal vibration, brake grabbing or dragging, soft or spongy braking are mechanical signs of your brakes wearing.

Having brakes that are not in proper working order is a safety risk for you and others if you are having any of these symptoms you should get your brakes inspected. It is also suggested to have your brakes checked every two years, even if none of these symptoms present.

All Tech Auto Repair will perform a free brake inspection for you and we guarantee our work with a life time warranty. We perform a brake inspection, make sure  your brake fluid is full, and give you a quote on exactly what you need.

The post Know Your Brakes appeared first on Nampa Auto Repair & Oil Change Specialist: All Tech Auto Repair.

Source: http://www.alltechautorepair.net/know-your-brakes/

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It’s All About Tires!

Have you ever actually heard the definition of the word tire? If not, here it is--a ring-shaped covering that fits around a wheel's rim to protect it and enable better vehicle performance. Regular tire service is important as tires provide traction between the vehicle and the road while providing a flexible cushion that absorbs shock. Don't wait until you are stranded out in the cold with a flat to pay a visit to your tire repair shop

Did You Know . . . ? 

Source: http://www.excelautoandtire.com/tips-blog/its-all-about-tires

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Car Maintenance Coming into Spring

We are moving in to spring weather which means rainy weather, spring break trips, and another perfect time to check over your vehicle.

With the change in weather you want to make sure you are prepared

Fresh Wiper blades
Making sure your cooling system is working
Oil Change if needed
and any supplies needed if stranded

Before heading out on any long spring break trips you should get an over all inspection All Tech Auto Repair Does free 35 point inspections. When ever you are going to be taking a long trip you want to check for:

Properly maintained and inflated tires
you have a properly inflated spare tire, jack, tire iron
your coolant is non corrosive
your brakes are in good condition
you have completed recommended service for mileage
all components of your car are working properly
and an emergency kit

As Spring approaches All Tech Auto Repair is prepared to take care of all your car needs and keep your car running in good condition for all your spring adventures.

The post Car Maintenance Coming into Spring appeared first on Nampa Auto Repair & Oil Change Specialist: All Tech Auto Repair.

Source: http://www.alltechautorepair.net/car-maintenance-coming-into-spring/

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9 Tips for Driving Safely on Thanksgiving Eve

With the holidays right around the corner, many people have started making their travel plans, rushing home to be with family and friends. The truth is, more…

The post 9 Tips for Driving Safely on Thanksgiving Eve appeared first on Dashboard Blog.

Source: http://www.grandsportautobody.com/blog/9-tips-driving-safely-thanksgiving-eve/

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Owner Of Frank Myers Auto Wins Emmy Awards

The owner of a Winston-Salem, NC used car dealership was recently honored to receive an Emmy® Award. Tracy Myers, owner of Frank Myers Auto Maxx, won the award for serving as Executive Producer of the inspirational short film documentary, “Esperanza.” Myers  owns several other businesses located in the Triad area including: WrestleCade Entertainment & America’s Most Liked Dealer Services.

“Esperanza” earned the Emmy® Awards for best historical/cultural documentary. Myers received an Emmy Award for his role as an Executive Producer of the film. He also served as Producer of the film, “Mi Casa Hogar,” which earned Nick Nanton an Emmy for Best Director. The Emmy® Ceremony was held on November 24, 2013 in Miami, Florida.

“Esperanza” is the inspirational story of how the Great American Pastime of Baseball led a young ball player to his life’s mission. While playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic in 1985, Dave Valle, a Seattle Mariner’s catcher, was swarmed by young children as most young fans would do. Dave soon realized, however, that an autograph was the last thing they wanted; they wanted food. They were starving, and they weren’t the only ones. The ballpark was surrounded by poverty stricken villages. After that eye opening experience Dave and his wife Vicky made a pact to return and make a difference. It was in that moment, Esperanza was born.

The film showcases Esperanza International – an organization that dedicates itself to free children and their families from poverty through initiatives that generate income, education and health, restoring self-worth and dignity to those who have lost hope. It reveals an in-depth look at Esperanza International’s incredible story and what can happen when people believe in an idea and act to make it come true.

“Mi Casa Hogar” reveals an in-depth look at the incredible story of the Casa Hogar children’s home in Acapulco, specifically how the home is providing a nurturing environment with a focus on education in this economically disadvantaged region. Casa Hogar is a children’s home that provides care, shelter, strength, love and hope in a Christian environment for orphaned and abandoned children in Acapulco, Mexico.

Tracy was previously featured in the film “Car Men”, which is a documentary about the Myers family and Frank Myers Auto Maxx. It won 5 Telly Awards and was also nominated for an Emmy.

About Tracy Myers

Tracy is an award-winning small business marketing & branding solutions specialist, car dealership owner, best-selling author, Emmy-winning movie producer, speaker, business coach and entrepreneur. He is commonly referred to as The Nation’s Premier Automotive Solutions Provider while Best-Selling author and legendary speaker Brian Tracy called him “a visionary… a Walt Disney for a new generation.”

He is also a Certified Master Dealer and was the youngest ever recipient of the National Quality Dealer of the Year award by the NIADA, which is the highest obtainable honor in the used car industry. His car dealership, Frank Myers Auto Maxx, was recently recognized as the number one Small Business in NC by Business Leader Magazine, one of the Top 3 dealerships to work for in the country by The Dealer Business Journal, one of the Top 15 Independent Automotive Retailers in the United States by Auto Dealer Monthly Magazine and one of the fastest growing privately owned small businesses in America by Inc. magazine.

Tracy has been featured in publications such as Forbes, USA Today and Success Magazine, been profiled on The Biography Channel and The History Channel, written for Fast Company, been a guest business correspondent for the FOX News Network plus he’s appeared on NBC, ABC and CBS affiliates across the country. His inspirational stories and strategies for success have given him the opportunity to share the stage with the likes of Jack Canfield, Zig Ziglar (Author of See You At The Top), James Malinchak (Star of ABC’s The Secret Millionaire), Brian Tracy, Bob Burg (Co-Author of The Go-Giver), Tom Hopkins and Neil Strauss (Author of The Game & Co-Author of The Dirt with Motley Crue)…just to name a few.

Tracy is recognized as one of the top thought-leaders in the business world and has authored or co-authored 7 best-selling books alongside Brian Tracy (Author of Eat That Frog), Jack Canfield (Author of The Secret, Creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul Series), Tom Hopkins (Author of How To Master The Art Of Selling) and many others, including the breakthrough #1 hit YOU Are The Brand, Stupid!. He was also featured in the Emmy nominated film “Car Men”, which won 5 Telly Awards, and won 2 Emmy Awards as the Executive Producer of the films “Esperanza” and “Mi Casa Hogar”.

As the founder and co-moderator of the Unfair Advantage Automotive Mastermind Group, he helps facilitate and stimulate the thought process of some of the auto industry’s brightest minds 3 times a year in Charlotte, NC.

As founder of WrestleCade Entertainment, he produces and promotes one of the largest sports entertainment events held annually on the East Coast which has raised thousands for charity and broken attendance records.

Tracy spends his spare time with charities that are close to his heart and has made his home in Lewisville, NC with his wife Lorna and their two children, Presley and Maddie.

For more information about Tracy, visit his website at TracyMyers.com

 

Source: http://www.winstonsalemusedcars.com/awards/frank-myers-auto-owner-wins-emmy/

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Vehicle Safety Recalls

Need to know about important safety recalls for your vehicle?

Visit Cars.com’s Vehicle Safety Recall Tool and select your vehicle’s year, make and model and learn about important safety bulletins for your vehicle.

Source: http://www.cartalksecondopinion.com/blog/2012/02/01/vehicle-safety-recalls/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=vehicle-safety-recalls

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Auto Repair Shop Advice About Warranties

Are you worried about the last auto repair service performed on your vehicle? Were you offered any warranties on the parts or labor? Unfortunately, understanding warranties can be confusing--there are good ones and not so good ones. Knowing the difference is important before you make a decision.

Here are three simple questions to ask about any warranties offered by your auto repair shop before making a decision:

Source: http://www.excelautoandtire.com/tips-blog/auto-repair-shop-advice-about-warranties

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Know Your Brakes

Grinding, Squealing, Pulsing most people know these to be signs that their brakes aren’t working properly however some do not.

There are a number of reasons you could be having these symptoms in your car such as worn brake pads, improper size, worn rotors, even dust in your brake system can cause these sounds to occur.

There are different kinds of braking systems first off there is disk,  second there is drum. The main components of Disk Brakes  are brake pads, rotor, and caliper.There is also Drum Brakes that consist of brake drums and brake shoes and wheel cylinder.

In addition to the sound symptoms you may have additional symptoms or a different symptom. Pedal vibration, brake grabbing or dragging, soft or spongy braking are mechanical signs of your brakes wearing.

Having brakes that are not in proper working order is a safety risk for you and others if you are having any of these symptoms you should get your brakes inspected. It is also suggested to have your brakes checked every two years, even if none of these symptoms present.

All Tech Auto Repair will perform a free brake inspection for you and we guarantee our work with a life time warranty. We perform a brake inspection, make sure  your brake fluid is full, and give you a quote on exactly what you need.

The post Know Your Brakes appeared first on Nampa Auto Repair & Oil Change Specialist: All Tech Auto Repair.

Source: http://www.alltechautorepair.net/know-your-brakes/

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Automotive Service Tips for Winter Readiness!

The temperatures are dropping. If you haven't already done so, be sure to get your car ready for winter's cold temperatures with the appropriate automotive service. The right maintenance services, performed at the appropriate intervals, can be literal lifesavers in harsh conditions. It may also save you hundreds of dollars in automotive repair expenses.

Avoid Major Automotive Repair with Regular Maintenance!

Source: http://www.elkrivertireandauto.com/tips-blog/automotive-service-tips-for-winter-readiness

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Halloween / Dia De Los Muertos Driving Safety Tips (en espanol) Recomendaciones de seguridad para este Halloween y Día de los Muertos

Las fechas de fiesta y celebración se están acercando muy rápido! Como lo hacemos de costumbre, en estas fechas salimos a buscar el mejor disfraz para llevar a las fiestas de Halloween y buscamos las mejores flores y decoraciones para los altares de nuestros familiares que han fallecido para el día de muertos. Aquí en Robert’s Auto Repair, ustedes son parte de nuestra familia y queremos que pasen un divertido y seguro Halloween y un tranquilo Día de Muertos. Por eso les pedimos que tomen medidas de precaución cuando salgan a las fiestas para evitar que le pase cualquier tipo de accidente a usted y/o a sus seres queridos.

Algunas medidas de seguridad que les recomendamos en estas festividades son:

1. No maneje en estado de ebriedad

El manejar ebrio es una de las causas de accidentes más comunes que ocurren durante fechas de fiesta como lo son Halloween.

2. No maneje con objetos que limiten su vista en el volante

Muchas veces escogemos disfraces que incluyen mascaras, botargas, y objetos que van en nuestro rostro que limitan la periferia de nuestra visión. Es importante que al conducir usted pueda tener su vista despejada para prevenir un accidente por no haber visto algún auto, persona, u objeto que pueda poner en riesgo su vida o la de sus seres queridos al manejar.

3. Evite manejar a altas horas de la noche

Por lo general las fiestas se acaban alrededor de las 12 – 3 de la mañana. Desgraciadamente mucha gente decide manejar en estado de ebriedad o bajo la influencia de alguna sustancia que altera sus sentidos causando que sus reflejos y su sentido común disminuya. Por esto, le sugerimos que si no es necesario que conduzca a esas horas de la noche, no se ponga en riesgo.

Usted es parte de la familia de Robert’s Auto Repair y no queremos que por causa de algún accidente que se pudo haber evitado le tengan que hacer un altar el Día de Muertos. Le pedimos de la manera mas amable que considere nuestras recomendaciones de precaución en estas fechas de fiesta para que puedan tener una buena y divertida noche y un bonito recuerdo de ella. De parte de la familia de Robert’s Auto Repair, ¡le deseamos un divertido Halloween  y un tranquilo Día de Muertos!

 

Source: http://www.roberts-autorepair.com/blog/halloween-dia-de-los-muertos-driving-safety-tips-en-espanol-recomendaciones-de-seguridad-para-este-halloween-y-dia-de-los-muertos/

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2014 Volkswagen Beetle R-Line – Review

The 2014 Volkswagen Beetle is immediately recognizable as a descendant of the hippie-inspired 1960s Bug. The shiny standard wheels are even modeled after the Bug’s wheels from decades ago. Under the surface, though, the Beetle shares most of its parts with workaday Volkswagens such as the Golf and Jetta. Since it is sold as both a coupe and a convertible, the Beetle decides to change up its Powertrain lineup in 2014.

Trim Levels

2014 Beetle is available in three trim levels differentiated by engine: base (1.8-liter turbo), TDI (diesel) and R-Line (2-liter turbo).

Exterior and Interior

The exterior of the 2014 Beetle is really fascinating and head turning. Standard features on all Beetle models are power operated fabric top, heated mirrors, heated windshield washer nozzles and three wheel choices, 17 inch alloy, 18 inch and 19 inch wheels.

The 2014 Beetle’s interior uses some nice materials, though the Golf is still the winner here. At least the dashboard can be dressed up with body-color inserts, which is necessary, to compete against MINI and Fiat. VW is proud of the R-Line’s standard Kaeferfach glove box, which is a heritage feature with an upward-opening door. The R-Line also has three secondary gauges atop the dashboard.

The 2-person backseat is certainly useful, but headroom in the hatchback is naturally limited by the sloping rear roof line. Cargo space in the hatchback is good 15.4 Cu ft in the trunk, but maximum capacity is only 29.9 Cu ft.

The Beetle was redesigned two years ago for both male and female buyers. The New Beetle met almost universal acclaim for its design when introduced but was not a big success. To attract more male buyers, its look is now more masculine, especially with the lower, flatter roofline and much upright windshield. It’s modern, but not in a trendy way. This shape should hold up over the years.

Safety Features

2014 Volkswagen Beetle has 4-wheel, anti-lock disc brakes and four airbags (front and full-length side-curtain). The R-Line’s (and GSR’s) front brake discs are slightly larger. It has good frontal and side impact safety. VW’s Car-Net connected services include crash notification, stolen-vehicle location, boundary and speed alerts, all accessed via a nifty Smartphone app.

Power and Performance

Beetle started the 2014 model year with a 2.5-liter five-cylinder in the base model, but Volkswagen replaced this engine with a new 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The 2.5-liter five-cylinder rated 170 horsepower and up to 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway; VW rates the new 1.8-liter turbo at 170 horsepower as well. The new turbo four-cylinder boosts gas mileage by 16 percent, however, for the best mileage, there’s the Beetle TDI Clean Diesel, scoring 28 and 41 mpg city/highway. The 2014 Beetle R-Line offers 210 horsepower from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Most Beetles offered with a choice of five- or six-speed manual or six-speed automatic or dual-clutch automatic transmissions.
Another 2014 Beetle GSR has limited sales to 3,500 GSRs in total, each having a unique interior and exterior color theme and special equipment. It uses the same Powertrain as the Beetle R-Line.

Pricing and Availability

• MSRP of $45,100 – $72,300 and is available for sale.

Competitors

• Ford Mustang V6 convertible, Mini Cooper convertible, Fiat 500, Chevrolet Camaro

Pros

• Modern take on classic Beetle linesVintage touches available
• R-Line’s turbo thrust

Cons

• Small back seat
• Weak base five-cylinder
• Gas mileage less than impressive on non-diesels

The Verdict

The Beetle is a fantasy. It gives most of the Golf’s fundamental goodness and it packages those qualities in a uniquely eye-catching wrapper, particularly if Convertible models are chosen. Furthermore, the beetle is a nice and impressive choice for female.

Source: http://www.autoscraze.com/2014-volkswagen-beetle-r-line-review.html

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Radiator Service Increases Safe Winter Driving

The cold days of winter are approaching fast. Many drivers don't understand that even though the temperatures are low, it doesn't mean your radiator can't overheat. It is more important than ever to give your vehicle a radiator service before winter's cold temperatures are here to stay. The hot temperatures of summer may have unknowingly taken a toll on your vehicle's cooling system and you're headed for a major radiator repair.

To help prevent major radiator repair because of an overheating engine, here are two issues to watch out:

Source: http://www.elkrivertireandauto.com/tips-blog/radiator-service-increases-safe-winter-driving

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Backup Cameras Likely Mandated for 2014

The Department of Transportation has, in the works, a mandate to install backup cameras in all vehicles. Congress expects to have a final rule on the requirement by December 31^st, 2012. The Department of Transportation has conducted a study which concluded that an estimated 228 people die and about 17,000 are injured annually in back over accidents and half of the deaths are of children. If this law does pass all passenger vehicles will have to have backup cameras installed by 2014. “Adoption of this proposal would significantly reduce fatalities and injuries caused by back over crashes involving children, persons with disabilities, the elderly and other pedestrians.” It is estimated to cost between $159-$203 to have the visual display screen installed and will be even cheaper for newer model vehicles. If this passes, economy cars will be hit the hardest.

Are you ready to have a backup camera installed on your vehicle?

Read the full article from Car Talk here.

Source: http://www.cartalksecondopinion.com/blog/2012/03/12/backup-cameras/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=backup-cameras

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Top 10 Ugly Cars – Do you agree?

By Cars.com Staff, Cars.com

Designing a car is no easy business. It’s a process that takes years and is often split between studios located across the globe — conceptualizing, modeling, wind-tunneling, focus-grouping. When the final product arrives at your local auto mall, it’s been vetted more times than a presidential candidate.

After all that, it baffles us that an auto industry spending billions in product development could still turn out ugly cars. We’re not talking bland, designed-by-committee machines that leave you forgetting they exist. We’re talking rolling eyesores or comic relief on the drive home — cars whose owners you can only hope won them on a game show from hell.

We offer our picks for the top 10 ugly cars from the U.S. market over the past 30 years. We retired the Pontiac Aztek, an SUV even onetime GM product chief Bob Lutz admitted had an “unbridled homeliness.” Don’t get us wrong: The Aztek is ghastly. But it always makes these lists, and we wanted to give others a chance to shine. We are equal-opportunity offenders, after all.

Toyota Tercel wagon, 1983-87

Boxy hatchbacks aren’t inherently ugly, but when you add in odd angles and a rearmost window that looks like it dropped out of a Lego kit, things start to go wrong. It goes completely wrong when you circle around back and realize some joker has slapped an ATM on the back of your car.

Ford Mustang SVO, 1984-86

How do you take an automotive icon and make it ugly? Hire a designer from Ford, circa 1984. That’s when the automaker issued a performance variant of the Mustang called SVO. Already burdened with the econo-hatchback design of other Mustangs, it added a two-tiered spoiler and uniquely awful grille. The hood scoop looked like an aftermarket add-on.

Ford Probe, 1989-92

This may be the only car on the list owned by a Cars.com staffer. “My ’89 Probe was a pale brown called Mocha, so that alone could have influenced it falling on an ugly list,” says Managing Editor David Thomas. Latte hue or no, the Probe’s angular design and beefy proportions were not a good combination.

Chevrolet Lumina APV, 1990-93

Perhaps Chevrolet thought it was grabbing the future with its wedge-shaped Lumina APV, but all it proved was it could make a minivan look like a giant DustBuster. When we reflect on this injustice against families, we’re not saddened that GM is out of the minivan biz.

Ford Taurus, 1996-99

Rounded corners came into vogue in 1990s automotive design, but Ford went too far. Replacing the sensible ’95 Taurus with oval madness left all the aesthetics of a beanbag chair. One reviewer found more than six dozen elliptical shapes, from headlights to the amoeba-shaped dash insert for the stereo and climate controls.

Subaru B9 Tribeca, 2006-07

Subaru gutted it out for two model years before succumbing to its senses and overhauling the B9 Tribeca’s front, but two years of that appalling grille were two too many. We wish we could go back to a time when we hadn’t seen the B9 Tribeca.

BMW 5 Series GT, 2010-present

The 5 Series GT makes us long for the days when BMW had a proper midsize wagon in its lineup for folks who wanted a little more utility. You might think the sacrifices the GT makes in cargo versatility would lead to better looks, but the opposite is true. Why, BMW? Why?

Honda Accord Crosstour, 2010-present

Honda had to quell an internet backlash when the Crosstour debuted on Facebook. With its oversized grille and robotic headlights, the wagon suggests an automotive equivalent to the “before” photo in a rhinoplasty ad. Worst of all? You’d think the bean-shaped proportions would yield good utility, but the Crosstour has less room than most rivals.

Lincoln MKT, 2010-present

Is it a whale? Is it a piano? We prefer to think of it as what happens when a bunch of designers play a game of, “No, I can draw an uglier line than you.” Not to mention that it looks like their paper became folded, resulting in that god-awful rear-window line.

Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet, 2011-present

An all-wheel-drive convertible with reasonable ground clearance is good in theory. But the CrossCabriolet adapts the concept to the Murano SUV’s cluttered face, lops off two doors and squeezes the rest from a piece of Silly Putty. Leave the top up and the bloated tail joins two rear windows, neither of which offers much driving visibility.

_{Chevrolet Lumina APV photo courtesy IFCAR}

© Cars.com 01/3/2012

 

Source: http://www.cartalksecondopinion.com/blog/2012/01/03/top-10-ugly-cars-do-you-agree/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=top-10-ugly-cars-do-you-agree

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