In the olden days, headlights were made of glass and were round (okay, sometimes rectangular). Most modern headlights have plastic lenses/covers that in time get hazy and even yellowed as they age. Thousands of miles of getting bombarded with dirt, sand and grit are to blame for clouding up these headlights. And until recently, you had no option but to replace them with expensive new units. Depending on how far gone they are, you can probably save them with a headlight restoration kit, provided you don't mind mimicking Daniel-san in the Karate Kid.
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
Dear Tom, I own a 2000 Lexus ES 300 Platinum Series. I purchased it about three years ago, and at the time it had only 4,400 miles on it. It now has nearly 39,000 miles. It seems to be running fine and the Lexus dealership has never indicated any problems when I get the car serviced. However, I wonder whether there might be sludge buildup because the car sat idle in its early years (only 4400 miles driven by previous owners over a 6-year period). Could this be a problem later on? And would it be evident by now? Michael from Long Island, NY
Contrary to Michael's concern, sludge does not set up as a result of an engine that is rarely used. It occurs due to extensive engine use in an environment where the engine is not maintained (infrequent or no oil changes).
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
Dear Tom, I own a 2003 Ford Focus with a 2.3L engine that stalls (and sometimes shuts off) when it rains hard, so I took the car to my dealer. They told me it would cost $95 an hour for diagnostics and a whole day for the technician to find the problem! Needless to say, I drove the car back home. The job would cost me several hundred dollars or more and that's not including the parts. I need your advice! Lynda from Wilmington, DE
Lynda should try spraying water on the sparkplug wires with the engine running. This should duplicate the conditions that cause the engine to stall. If it stalls then you know the wires are bad and need to be replaced. Also, take the car to another dealer. The price you were quoted is way too high.
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
Dear Tom, I own a 2002 Pontiac Grand Am. There was a banging noise in the front end whenever I drove over a speed bump, so I had the front bearing plates replaced. I hoped this would solve the problem but it still makes the same noise. Could the struts be bad? Sammy from LA
Sammy asks a question that can only be answered with a complete front-end inspection. It could be the struts, and a host of other things. Get it into a shop for inspection and diagnosis. The "hit and miss" approach to solving automotive problems wastes a lot of time and money.
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
Dear Tom, I own a 2004 Ford F-150. It has a bad vibration at speeds of 50-60 mph. The vibration comes from the rear and it's gotten worse lately. What could cause this? Tammy from Santa Barbara, CA
It sounds like Tammy's car has a drivetrain vibration. As a starting point, go to your local Ford dealer and have a technician take a ride with you. Then he can determine a course of action.
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
Dear Tom, I own a full size 1996 GMC conversion van. I have to add antifreeze at least once a month but I never see any antifreeze on the driveway. Do you have any idea where it's going? John from Batavia, NY
John writes in with a commonly asked question over the years. Based on the fact that John doesn't see any coolant on the ground, he should have someone perform a cylinder leak down test on the engine. These signs point to a potential head gasket leak.
It's worth a closer inspection because an internal coolant leak is one of the repairs where customers frequently pay for unnecessary parts and labor. Why does this happen? Repair shops tend to assume a course of action before performing proper diagnostic tests. Needlessly replacing parts can cost big bucks when it comes to engine repair.
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
Dear Tom, I own a 1997 Ford Escort. There is a knocking noise coming from the engine when I press down on the gas pedal. Where should I look for the problem? Sandy from Wilmington, DE
Sandy is hearing the dreaded "Engine Knock," a sign that her power plant is about to give up the ghost. Not good news.
General Motors today issued a technical service bulletin asking all owners of the brand-spankin' new Chevy Camaro to have their vehicles inspected and repaired during their next regular visit to a Chevy service bay. Though not a recall, the technical service bulletin says that Camaros should undergo the following: - HVAC system reprogram - to prevent HVAC evaporator freeze-up after extended highway drives- Rear spoiler fastening - for VINS 9126194 or lower, to tighten possible loose nuts used to attach the rear spoiler- Engine harness inspection/repair - to ensure that heater hose clamps are not touching the harness bracket GM stressed that this is not a DIY project. Any Camaro still a Chevy dealer's lot will be repaired prior to sale.
Most folks probably think of car owners' clubs as something meant only for those who wash their beloved car with baby diapers and who can recite production numbers and engine output figures at will. Though that's certainly true, these clubs are also a great benefit to owners who may just be interested in some advice or who are looking to buy or sell a particular model.
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
Dear Tom, I had the front brake pads replaced on my 2002 Ford Taurus and they squeal. The shop told me it would probably stop after 500 miles or so. Well, it's been way over 500 miles and they still squeal. What could be wrong? Cathy from New Brunswick, NJ
Squealing is the result of brake pad vibration. If brake pads are not secured to the brake caliper they will squeal. Have the shop check over their work. They'll most likely find that the pads need to be secured or insulated in order to stop the squeal.
This has been a commonly asked question over the years. Here are a few causes and solutions for brake squeal.
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
Dear Tom, I own a 2000 Toyota Camry and the floor mat on the driver's side is wet. It's not coolant (it appears to be clean water), and the heater core is not leaking. The water is coming in even when it is dry outside. What could be wrong? Sal from Brooklyn, NY
It sounds like Sal's air conditioning (A/C) condensation drain is clogged with organic debris. This is a common occurrence and is easily remedied by cleaning the drain hose. So how does this A/C water find its way into your vehicle's cabin and onto the passenger's side floor? And how does one clean the drain hose? Good questions. Let's take a look.
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
Dear Tom, I own a 2004 Cadillac Escalade and there is a picture of the truck displayed on the dash panel, showing the left front tire only. What does this picture mean? Carolyn from Washington D.C.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) in Carolyn's Escalade is detecting low air pressure in the left front tire. Carolyn should check the tire with a pressure gauge and compare the reading with the other tires on the vehicle. I suspect you have a leak in that tire caused perhaps by a nail, a leaking valve, or a rim bead.
Tire leaks are annoying to say the least, and sometimes the cause can be hard to find, which makes them darn right frustrating. I hear from a lot of people who are at their wits end trying to trace a leak. It's worth a closer look.
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
Dear Tom, I own a 2002 Toyota Camry. Lately it makes a roaring sound when I'm driving at high speeds on the interstate. I also noticed that the noise changes when I turn the steering wheel to make the car sway right and left. Any thoughts? Tom from Harrisburg, PA
Tom should have the front wheel bearings checked. If he finds one side is bad, he should replace both sides because wear is relative and the other side is sure to be close behind. Bad wheel bearings are a common repair on front wheel drive (FWD) vehicles. Since most cars today have FWD, let's look at how to determine if your car has bad wheel bearings.
When it comes time to replacing tires on a car that was bought new, many consumers automatically go with original fitment. "That's what the manufacturer used, so it must be the best tire for this car" or so goes the wisdom. But due to factors such as the carmaker wanting to keep production costs down and tire science advancements giving rise to better performing tires, this is not necessarily the best way to go when its time for new sneakers for your ride.
With those ever-increasing advances in tire technology one of the best ways to improve your cars road holding ability, handling and hence safety might be to consider a different set of tires.
This was clearly illustrated during a Dunlop event I attended where the company introduced a a handful of new tire models. Not to spoil the story, but I can say with certainty that the right tire choice can make a noticeable, "seat of the pants" difference, whether you're talking about a hard-working family car or a high-performance sports car.
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
Dear Tom, I own a 2002 Dodge Intrepid with 56,700 miles. The low oil pressure light comes on after the car is warmed up, but only when I apply the brakes or put the car in park. Any ideas? Louise in Sewell, NJ
Louise should ask her technician to perform an oil pressure test with a mechanical gauge hooked to an oil gallery in the engine. This will determine if the oil pressure is indeed low or if the oil pressure-sending unit is at fault. Once the tech has determined if the engine indeed has low oil pressure he can proceed with diagnostics and repair.
Let's take a look at some common issues behind an oil pressure warning light.
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host ofAmerica's Car Show on satellite radio.
Dear Tom, I own a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder with 68,000 miles. The dealer suggested fuel and air induction systems "cleaning" to the tune of $120. Is this necessary? Tom in Seattle, WA
I highly recommend fuel system cleaning. Varnish and dirt build up in the fuel delivery system and should be removed. If it has never been done on Tom's vehicle at 68,000 miles then I would do it. This concern comes up quite frequently: Is fuel system cleaning really necessary or is it a waste of money?
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host ofAmerica's Car Show on satellite radio.
Dear Tom, I own a 2000 VW Jetta, which runs very well. The "check engine" light has been on for a few weeks now and I don't know what it means? Since the car is running great, could it be a malfunction in the dashboard lights? What should I do? John from Spokane, WA
The self-diagnostics in John's Jetta has identified a fault in the system that must be checked, and John should get it into a shop immediately for on-board computer diagnostics to track down the fault and repair it before the domino theory takes place and other problems ensue. He shouldn't ignore this light because it could cost him a lot of money down the road.
John brings up a popular question, one that I've handled hundreds of times over the years.
The 3 and 6 mph tests were designed to see how the cars' bumpers protect fenders, headlights, trunks, grilles and other parts from costly damage. The lowest estimated repair cost from the test was $742 on the front of the Mazda 6; the highest was $3,494 on the rear of the Chevy Malibu. Repair costs are influenced by both the price of replacement parts and the complexity of repairs.
"Consumers buy midsize cars for practical reasons. There's nothing practical about a $1,000-plus repair bill after a minor bump in commuter traffic," says Joe Nolan, Institute senior vice president.
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
Dear Tom, The airbag light came on in my '99 Subaru Impreza a couple of months ago. Should I be concerned about it? A friend suggested that maybe one of the air bags is disconnected. Is this common and should I take it to the dealer and pay a huge price to see what's up? Caryn from Moorestown, NJ
Caryn should be concerned. When the airbag light illuminates, it means that the safety restraint system is inoperative and the airbag will not deploy in the event of a collision. It may be covered under warranty, so Caryn should have her local dealer run the vehicle's VIN to see if there's a recall or safety restraint warranty in effect, and she should do this as soon as possible.
A lit airbag light is a common occurrence and a major safety issue, so let's take a closer look.
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
Dear Tom, The temperature gauge on my '02 Mazda Tribute does not indicate that the engine is hot. However, it smells hot after I've been driving for a short time, and I see a little smoke coming from under the hood. What would be causing this? Mark from Philadelphia
What has Mark's nose on alert could be a result of a coolant, oil, or transmission fluid leak burning on a hot exhaust. In short, lots of things could cause this condition. Because an oil leak on the exhaust manifold could pose a fire hazard, Mark should get it into a shop and have it checked out immediately.
Cars often tell us when they are having a problem; we just have to pay attention. Mark's car is expressing symptoms of a leak. So how do we track it down?
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
Dear Tom, I took my 2004 Chevy Impala to the dealer because of a musty odor. After they replaced a few air conditioning parts the musty odor got worse. My husband took the carpet up and, low and behold, it was soaking wet underneath. It looks like the water is coming from the upper front area of the passenger's side. What causes this condition? Pat from Independence, MO
Either the condensation drain for the A/C is clogged or the heater core is leaking into the vehicle's cabin on Pat's Impala. There is a drain under the HVAC box that can be cleaned of debris, and this should be checked to make sure it's clear.
Pat's problem is a common one. I get asked this question a lot, especially during the summer season when air conditioners are buzzing away. What causes this problem and what can you do about it?
When you take your car into a dealership for service you become the target of subtle -- and sometimes not-so-subtle -- sales pitches from the service advisor. Of course you want to keep your car running, but you also want to cut expenses and avoid unnecessary repairs and service. Check this list and you'll be ready to deflect many of the come-ons and strategies service advisors use to generate extra profit for themselves and the dealership.
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
Dear Tom,
Why do my car's belts squeal all the time? I own a 2006 Ford Focus with a 2.3 liter 4 cylinder engine. I have replaced the belts three times in the last three months and they still squeal, especially when the A/C is on. I am tired of replacing belts, so what else could be wrong?
Alan from Freehold, NJ
Alan's car has only one drive belt, called a serpentine belt. He should check for a worn, glazed, or torn belt or a worn automatic belt tensioner. Note that Alan keeps referring to "belts." His car only has one that drives all the components, and we'll take a closer look at these serpentine belts.
After witnessing a dapper, middle-aged man fueling up his Mercedes CLK convertible, completely oblivious to the fact that two of his tires were visibly low on air, it put me back on my tire maintenance soapbox. I gave him the heads-up and on my way in to work vowed to put up a blog to remind y'all to keep tabs on your tire pressure. Edmunds feels so strongly about this that we recently (on Earth Day) checked the tire pressure on nearly 500 cars and found that over half were under-inflated.
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
Dear Tom, I own a 2003 Toyota Solara. How often should the struts be changed? And are struts a lifetime part? Ron from Dover, DE
Strut life varies with the type of vehicle, how the vehicle is driven, and the environment in which the vehicle is driven. Have the struts inspected by a qualified shop to determine if they need replacement. Struts do not last the lifetime of the car. As a matter of fact, they are considered a wearable item (an item that wears with age). Ron asks a couple of good questions, and let's take a look at a few others I frequently get related to shocks and struts.
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
Dear Tom, Is there a product on the market that can stop oil from leaking in an engine? My Lexus is leaking oil and I was quoted $1200 to fix it. I don't have the money and want to drive the car. Please help. Linda from Little Rock
Unfortunately for Linda, no product stops oil leaks. The only way to stop an oil leak is to restore the sealing capacity of either the mating surface or the seal. Mating surfaces must be clean and have enough material to fit securely to a gasket or seal. Seals and gaskets must be flexible and pliable so that they can form a tight seal against the mating surface.
Linda is going to have to find a way to get it fixed, and brings up a hot topic. This one falls under the category I call "Mechanic in a Can." Some companies take advantage of the ignorance of consumers, and promise them instant cures for mechanical problems by simply adding their wonder elixirs. Be wary of products that claim to "Stops Engine Oil, Transmission Fluid, and Coolant Leaks," and here's some straight talk surrounding these snake oil compounds.
I can't tell you how many times I've heard people say that. But if you change your oil this frequently, and you do it at a dealership, you are probably hemorrhaging money. That's because every time you enter the service department, you have a big bull's eye on your back. You are about to become a victim of the dreaded "upsell."
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
I received a letter from Jill in New Hampshire, asking: "Is it better to use the parking brake on a regular basis whenever I park? Or should I simply put the transmission in park (unless I am parking on a hill)?"
Jill asks a good question. I use the parking brake on all my vehicles all the time because, as the old saying goes, "Use it or lose it." Using the parking brake on a regular basis ensures that the cables don't freeze up. There are many schools of thought about when and when not to use your e-brake. So why do I recommend using it all the time?
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
I received a letter from Irene in Brooklyn, NY the other day asking about recommended octane ratings: "My car calls for regular gasoline, but I want to use premium grade. Will this harm the engine? I've heard you can't do it the other way around. However, I always thought using premium gasoline would help my car run better, even though the manual says to use regular. Is this true?"
Fuel octane has nothing to do with the quality of gasoline or how the car will perform. It has everything to do with how the gas acts in the combustion chamber environment. If your carmaker suggests you use regular octane fuel (87) then use it. Using a higher octane will not make your car run better. Irene brings up a subject that a lot of people ask me about, and one that is commonly misunderstood. Let's take a closer look at why Irene should use regular gasoline.
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
The summer heat can do a lot of damage to your car and much of it can be avoided. During the hot weather I field more questions pertaining to belts, hoses, and transmissions. These parts are susceptible to towing and higher temperatures and can suffer from "heat exhaustion." In addition, the extra heat can shorten the life of your engine and tranny. Here's some areas to look out for as temps climb:
Vehicles such as the Audi Q5 boast all-wheel drive. Some tend to overestimate benefits provided by this feature.
The automotive world is filled with myths and misconceptions. Many are encouraged by carefully worded advertisements. Others originate from Olympic-level leaps of imagination and assumption. And some, particularly those concerning how a car actually works, are created when complex subjects are oversimplified.
Click here to get the skinny regarding 10 of the most common automotive myths.
In a series of press conferences today, President Obama and GM's CEO Fritz Henderson released details on GM's earlier filing for Chapter 11
bankruptcy protection.
Saying, "give us another chance," Henderson promised that the bankruptcy filing would be "the start of a new and better GM." He predicted that the restructuring process would take from 60 to 90 days. GM has launched its own site to help keep the public informed of its latest efforts and promotions.
Henderson was preceded by President Barack Obama who essentially said that Chrysler's apparent reemergence from bankruptcy bodes well for GM's long term success. He noted that after entering Chapter 11, Chrysler sold more cars in May than in April. However, he didn't mention that most of those sales were at fire sale prices.
General Motors followed Chrysler into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this morning in an effort to restructure and reinvent itself as a profitable company.
Since there is a lot of noise coming from the media and Washington, it creates the feeling that the product itself -- the car you are driving or are thinking of buying -- has somehow changed. It hasn't. Many GM cars are dependable, practical, even exciting vehicles that will provide years of service.
So we come back to the two most persistent questions: Should I consider buying a GM now that the shadow of bankruptcy has fallen on this company? Has anything changed for me, the GM owner?
Today's Idle Chat Topic: It's time to wash a winter's worth of gunk off your car. Do you hand-wash at home, go to a coin-op, drive through an automated stall at a gas station or spend freely for a full-service car wash? IC's hosts debate the merits of their favored method.
Mr. Romans: Bryn, I'm in the minority for sure, but hand washing at home is the way to go. Of course, this actually requires a house, a driveway and a hose, which I realize not everyone has access to. In this case, a coin-op is the next best thing. But washing and drying at home is the surest way to minimize scratches on your car's paint. It's also enjoyable -- you're outside, and you can get up close and personal with your car. Best of all, it's the cheapest method by far.
Ms. MacKinnon: Maybe you've got the time, energy and proper equipment to wash your cars yourself, Brent. I just don't. So, most often, I take my car to a good-quality exterior car wash (no brushes, plus optional undercarriage wash) at my local gas station when my ride needs a bath. Occasionally, when my budget can handle it, I'll go to a full hand wash car wash and catch up on my reading. I like the fact that the commercial car washes use less water than I would, and that they treat and/or recycle the waste water, something I'd have a hard time doing in my driveway.
Idle Chat is hosted by Bryn MacKinnon and Brent Romans, two editors at Edmunds.com. Each Sunday in the Idle Chat Lounge (read: driving a Mercedes-Benz E320 while listening to Rose Royce's "Car Wash"), they pontificate on a topic that's kinda about cars.
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
The summer season is upon us. Some of us are going to turn on our air conditioning to discover that we have lukewarm air coursing out of the vent system (or no air at all). I get all kinds of questions about what to expect at a visit to the repair shop with A/C woes. A/C repairs can be costly and intimidating. Here's some info to arm yourself with so that you feel confident and can adequately communicate with the tech and ask the right questions.
This upcoming long weekend is one of the most popular in terms of road trips. But nothing ruins one of these family- or friend-bonding events quite like being stuck on the side of the road, cursing at your car as you wait for the savior from AAA to arrive. Spending a little time going over your car to make sure everything is up to snuff before setting out is time well spent. You know, an ounce of prevention and a pound of cure and all that...
Modern ABS systems contain as many electronic as hydraulic components. [Photo: Bosch]
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
Most vehicles today have anti-lock brake systems (ABS), which help prevent the wheels from locking up when braking on slippery pavement. ABS helps the driver keep control of the vehicle while turning and slowing at the same time. Though all vehicles are not yet required to have ABS, an upcoming federal stability control standard (which goes into full effect in model-year 2012), will basically serve as a de facto standard for ABS, as it's an integral part of stability control setups.
To keep your ABS brake setup performing to spec, when it comes time for maintenance, you'll need to pay attention to some specific components. On top of the hardware in a conventional hydraulic brake setup, an ABS system adds wheel speed sensors at each corner, a brake computer, and hydraulic control unit.
Day two of the downsizing of the American auto industry brought GM's announcement that it would "wind down" its dealership group over the next year by eliminating 1,100 outlets.
Mark LaNeve, GM's vice president of vehicle sales, speaking from his car via OnStar, said that dealers would be receiving letters today notifying them that they would not have their contracts renewed next year. This will allow these dealers to make an "orderly transition" to another business or close their doors permanently.
The long time frame will also allow dealers to sell off their remaining inventory. LaNeve said that if the dealerships were simply to close, GM would have to take control of their unsold cars.
The dealerships receiving letters today were selected due to low sales levels or poor CSI (Customer Service Index) levels. These dealers only constituted about seven percent of the total sales for GM.
A number of us on staff here have personal cars that don't get driven much (yes, there's some Photoshop-enhanced humor there). A big perk of our job is getting to drive all kinds of new cars all the time, hence the semi-retired life of our personal rides. We've even dubbed the parking area for them the Editorial Graveyard, as some of the vehicles (including yours truly) have a layer of dust on them seemingly dating back to the Clinton Administration.
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
Ever wonder what goes into the making of that round, black, rubber thing that holds air, and we refer to as a tire? To the casual observer all tires look the same, but there's a lot more to it than meets the eye.
Modern tire construction allows for a high degree of handling, ride comfort, traction, extended tread wear, and fuel economy that far exceeds the tires of just a few years ago. Tires contain up to 200 raw materials, as well as complex architecture of steel belts, textile piles, and computer-designed tread patterns, which deliver maximum traction under a wide range of conditions.
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
Clean filters are vital to the performance of your vehicle. Four important filters are the air, fuel, transmission, and oil filters. In addition to grit and dirt that enter the engine and transmission from the environment, your car also produces its own contaminants from condensation, chemical reactions, and wear. If it were not for these filters, some components in your car would self-destruct. Proper maintenance saves a lot of money in this category, and it has profound effects on your car's performance.
Declaring that Chrysler has "a new lease on life" President Barack Obama announced at a press conference today that the automaker will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy (reorganization) while it forms a new partnership with Italy's Fiat.
Obama also said the bankruptcy will be "quick" and "controlled" and will not affect Americans' chance to buy a Chrysler or get it repaired. He also announced that General Motor's financial arm, GMAC, will soon finance new Chrysler sales to "unlock frozen credit markets" and help more consumers qualify for a new car purchase.
Chrysler owners will not be left in the lurch since warranties will be honored at the remaining dealerships. Even if the company is liquidated, the U.S. Government has already pledged to continue warranty coverage through a third party fund. While the press conference contained few details, a few events seem likely.
This weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio. April is National Car Care Month!
Recognizing symptoms of common brake failures will give you confidence at the repair shop, save you money, and provide a safer ride for you and your family. This week, we'll take a look at the most frequent service factors of disc and drum brakes.
On Earth Day last week we offered to check and fill tire pressure for free at a local Shell Station. We recorded the air pressure levels people were riding around on and, well, it's pretty amazing. And a little scary.
I thought everyone was going to be super low. Instead, they were super all-over-the-place.
We checked 83 cars at the Shell Station and recorded the levels people were driving on. (Meanwhile, at other locations around Santa Monica, another 400 cars were checked -- but no data was collected.)
It never ceases to amaze me how many people don't bother checking their owner's manuals for service requirements / intervals. The Quicky Lube shops tell you to get your oil changed every 3,000 miles. Yet, if you check your owner's manual, you'd see that the actual maker of your vehicle probably recommends changing the oil every 7,500 miles or so. So if you would like to save money (and a finite resource), keep tabs on what your car needs by taking a look at the maintenance schedule.
We can understand that perhaps when you purchased your used car, the manual was M.I.A. Not to fear, Edmunds is here, with an article on where to find your manual online as well as our handy online maintenance guide for thousands of vehicles. To use the latter, simply enter your car's basic info (year, make, model, engine, transmission) and you'll be brought to a page showing various mileage intervals. Click on whichever most closely matches the miles on your car and you'll see what should be done. The parts, labor and total estimated cost are all shown.
All you need to do is check their tires to find out how much they know about tire pressure and tire safety.
Yesterday, for Earth Day, Edmunds.com volunteers spent the day at a local Shell station offering to check and fill drivers' tires. If they agreed we recorded the level of air pressure on which they were driving. It was pretty scary.
This new weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio. April is National Car Care Month!
Recently, an elderly woman called my radio show. Her husband of 32 years had passed away and she was left to take care of the household responsibilities, which included the family car. Her question? "How do I know if I'm going to a good auto repair shop?"
I have been in the automotive talk show business since the early 90s, and every year the number of people who ask me this question increases.
BMW likes to tout its "Ultimate Service" program, which covers all scheduled maintenance and most wear items (excluding things like tires) for the first 4 years or 50K miles. BMW has now introduced a plan that offers owners the ability to extend their coverage for an aditional two years or 100K miles (whichever occurs first), however it comes at a price that helps reinforce the notion that luxury vehicles, especially European ones, can be expensive to maintain. Details after the jump.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere. Green Car Advisor American Honda Motor Says It Still Hopes To Close FuelMaker Deal FuelMaker Corp., the company that manufactures the Phill home refueling station for the Honda Civic GX, is facing a potential bankruptcy. This technology is important to the future of the GX, the only natural gas vehicle being sold in the U.S., and as such Honda is trying to facilitate the sale of FuelMaker to a company that has similar interests. Despite this potential setback, Honda remains committed to the GX, and will continue to promote the vehicle.
Edmunds Daily GM Recalls Mid-Size Cars Made Between '97 and '03 Chrysler Recalls 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Commander, Wrangler The last thing these companies need is more bad publicity, but with these recent recalls, General Motors and Chrysler hope to get ahead of a few critical safety issues. GM is recalling over 1.4 million vehicles equipped with its 3.8 liter V6. Chrysler is recalling 4,336 of its 2009 Jeep Cherokee, Wrangler, and Commander models. Follow the links to get all the details and the list of models affected.
Inside Line 2010 Cadillac SRX First Drive The redesigned 2010 Cadillac SRX is facing an uphill battle as it tries to compete with the class leader Lexus RX. Cadillac engineers say that the SRX has a different balance than the RX, and that it is more fun to drive. Inside Line's Daniel Pund drove the SRX at a press event and gave us his early impressions. Pricing for the Cadillac SRX has not been announced, but is estimated be in line with the RX's price- around $36,000 to start. The car is expected to hit showrooms sometime this summer.
This new weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio. April is National Car Care Month!
Dear Tom, Please help my sister and I settle a disagreement. Which of the following is the proper procedure for using the emergency brake? (A) Stop the vehicle. With a foot on the car brake, put the emergency brake on, and then put the car in park. (B) Stop the vehicle, put the car in park, and then put the emergency brake on. Many thanks. --Tammy and Cher from LA
Tammy and Cher, (A) Stop the car, apply the e-brake first, and then put the car in park. By following this procedure, when the car is put into park there will be no excessive stress placed on the parking pawl (a spring-loaded pin that locks into a slotted plate inside the transmission). On a side note, use the emergency brake frequently, even when parking on a flat surface, to keep it working properly. Best to you both.
April is National Car Care Month. And while there are plenty of vehicular vital signs that you should pay careful attention to all year long (engine oil, transmission fluid and tire tread depth, just to name a few), Today's Idle Chat Topic focuses on a less fundamental but more in-your-face car care issue: In-Car Air Fresheners.
Ms. MacKinnon: I like the idea of air fresheners for the auto, but can't get behind them in practice. Artificial pine trees, chemical strawberry-scented miniature flip-flops, pina colada gel in a can? Blech. So I don't buy them, but I like the idea of a do-it-yourself freshener for a not-so-fresh car's interior. Therefore I sometimes keep a little box of baking soda under the driver seat of my car (the kind intended for use in the refrigerator or freezer with detachable panels that expose a fine mesh through which the baking soda absorbs odors), but I also just found this great homemade air freshener trick, which sounds promising. Nothing like the pervasive smell of coffee to make your morning commute a little less noxious.
Mr. Romans: Here's a question: "How did America's cars get to be so stinky in the first place?" It probably has something to do with what we covered in our Do You Eat in Your Car post. I've never used automotive air fresheners personally -- having a little tree dangling from the rearview mirror is just too kitschy -- but I can see the appeal. If my car smelled like dirty socks, I suppose I'd want it to smell like, oh, I don't know, lemons, or maybe Scarlett Johansson. I would just be afraid that I'd be covering up the problem rather than addressing it -- my car would end up smelling like Scarlett's dirty socks.
Brent Romans and Bryn MacKinnon are two editors at Edmunds.com. Each Sunday in the Idle Chat Lounge (read: the curb outside Pep Boys), we pontificate on a topic that's kinda about cars.
If you've recently bought a used car, or even if you've owned yours for some time, occasionally checking for TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins) and Recalls is well-advised. TSBs are typically non-safety-related defects whereas Recalls are safety related. You can get the low-down on both with this article.
Either way, you'll want to know whether or not your car has any potentially upleasant surprises in store for you. To get the skinny on your car, go here and you'll see links for "Safety Recalls" and "Service Bulletins" on the left hand side.
This new weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.April is National Car Care Month!
Dear Tom, I have heard both pros and cons concerning the need for Motorvac service. Please set the record straight. I have a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer with 35,000 miles. It runs fine. Do I really need this expensive service? -- Joe from Anchorage, Alaska
Joe, Carbon buildup (varnish and carbon are byproducts of gasoline combustion) in the upper regions of the engine is a fact of life. This carbon must be cleaned out because it affects burn efficiency, and the varnish inhibits fuel flow through the injectors. When buildups occur, the performance system senses a problem and tries to adjust various parameters to correct the conditions it "sees." The attempt to correct the conditions results in drivability problems. Regular Motorvac service (every 35-40,000 miles) will prevent this from happening. The engine will start crisply on cold mornings, acceleration will be snappy, and performance and fuel economy will be optimum. Yes Joe, I highly recommend this service.
(Will the government's pledge to back warranties on domestics help salesmen like Lucas Crabtree at Glenn Thomas Dodge in Long Beach, California?)
"If I was a car buyer right now my head would be spinning!" a friend said to me this week.
There was a one-two-three-punch this week with the ouster of GM's Rick Wagoner, the government's annoucement of warranty protection (plus the cash for clunkers proposal) and the new array of incentives offered by Ford and GM.
Many people write into Edmunds with questions about problems with their vehicles. We'd love to answer all of these questions individually, but if we did, we'd have no time for anything else. (Not to mention that it's risky to diagnose a problem without physically examining the car.) But there are plenty of sources for help on Edmunds, and you'd be surprised how many good ideas you can find if you take the time.
First, look at our Long-Term Road Test blog to see if the editors have tested the make/model of car you've got. We chronicle everything we find wrong (or right) with these vehicles while they're in our fleet.
Next, check out your vehicle's Technical Service Bulletins. They can be a little dense to read, but you'll often have an "aha!" moment if you look down the list of all the little problems that the manufacturer has acknowledged -- at least to their service departments.
Also try Edmunds Answers. Ask a question, get some answers! There are specific categories, such as Car Maintenance/Repair, to choose from. Other consumers -- some of whom are really savvy -- will weigh in on your specific question. (You might even get a staff answer or two in there.)
We also have tremendous resources in CarSpace. In the Forums, you can browse the discussions by vehicle, the forums by make (and model), or by theme (such as Auto Repair). You can then search the discussions by keyword ("transmission"). Whatever path you take, you'll be able to check a specific model for known issues and to see if other owners have had similar experiences. You can also ask a question of the group.
(In modern engines, oil dipsticks, are usually color coded such as this yellow one just below the Hemi logo.)
No fooling; April is National Car Care Month and we have three simple things you can do today and over the weekend to show your car you care. As you hopefully already know, these are things you should be doing on a regular basis:
1) Check the oil. This is the lifeblood of the engine so we advise doing this at every other gas fill-up.
2) Check your tire pressures. Too-low tire pressure leads to accelerated tire wear, increased fuel consumption and, most importantly, compromised handling and safety.
3) Detail the car. C'mon, you know that you'll feel better too driving a squeaky-clean car with no bird crap on the hood and no crumbs on the seats.
Volkswagen issued a recall today for the 2008 R32
and the 2009 CC
. Up to 5,000 vehicles of each model are estimated to have been affected. The R32 is being recalled
due to a faulty fuel tank ventilation valve. In some instances, this fuel leak can seep into other systems, and can potentially lead to a vehicle fire. The Volkswagen CC is being recalled
due to a faulty front seat belt buckle assembly. According to Volkswagen, some of the wires in the buckle assembly were not properly routed, and if damaged, can potentially deactivate the passenger's front airbag.
Dealers will fix the problems free of charge. Owners looking for more information can contact Volkswagen at (800) 822-8987 or call the National Highway Traffic Administration's safety hotline at (888) 327-4236.
This new weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.
Dear Tom, I own a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse 4 cylinder with 60,000 miles. I have the oil changed every 3,000 miles and I have followed the maintenance schedule as recommended by my dealership. For the 60,000-maintenance service I was told that the timing belt should be replaced and all fluids flushed. The estimate was between $800-$1000. Is this necessary for a car with only 60,000 miles? -- Julie from Sarasota, FL
Julie, Yes, I would do this maintenance. The engine (2.4 Liter SOHC) on your car is an "interference engine." It is designed in a way that, if the timing belt breaks, the valves will collide with the pistons, resulting in catastrophic engine failure. There are two timing belts to replace on this engine, one for the camshaft and one for the balance shaft (which quiets engine vibration). Have both replaced. The transmission, cooling system, and whatever other fluids should be serviced along with replacement of proper filters that go along with the service. You might want to get an estimate from an independent shop to see if you can save some money, but I would definitely follow this scheduled service. It's a good idea to check your maintenance records first to be sure that you don't have work done now that was already done at a previous time. -- Tom
(A big inducement to buying new is the peace of mind of getting a bumper-to-bumper warranty.)
You would like to buy an American car but would the warranty still be honored if the automaker goes bankrupt? And what about the availability of parts and service?
In a move to build confidence in American vehicles, and spark sales of domestic vehicles again, the Obama administration has announced that warranties on new cars purchased during this restructuring process will be honored, even if the manufacturer goes out of business. This removes at least one big reason American buyers have been shying away from vehicles by the Big Three automakers.
This new feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio. His column will appear weekly on Wednesday afternoon.
Dear Tom, I own a 2004 KIA Amanti with 15,000 miles. At the last inspection, the mechanic said the vehicle would need brakes all around in a couple of months. He quoted me a price of $772, and he said that I should have ceramic brake pads installed. Is it necessary to go with ceramic pads and is this a reasonable price? What type brakes do you suggest? -- Cindy from Rochester, NY
Cindy, Ceramic pads will hold up better to high-speed stops compared to metallic brake pads. In addition, ceramic pads are quieter, they do not produce "brake dust," and they wear less on brake rotors. Overall, I prefer ceramic brake pads. The price you were quoted seems high. Call for a couple more quotes and make sure you tell them the specifics of what the first shop quoted you. That way you will be comparing apples to apples. In my area (Western New York) the going price for pads and rotor replacement is usually about $150-$200 per axle set. -- Tom
Dear Tom, I own a 2004 Chrysler Town & Country minivan (small V-6 engine) with 78,000 miles. I hear a single clicking sound in front under the floor when I shift from drive to reverse or vice versa. The car seems to shift fine (no gap in gears). However, the sound worries me. I don't notice this problem when shifting from low gears to drive or from park to drive or reverse. Could the noise be an indication of a future transmission problem? -- Ed from Jamestown, NY
This new feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio. Tom has been in the auto industry for over 35 years and receives numerous questions each week about car maintenance from his listeners. This makes him the perfect expert to show you how to save money while keeping your car in top running condition. His column will appear weekly on Edmunds Daily, but following this entry will move to Wednesday afternoon.
Dear Tom, I've owned four vehicles and rented three. The common denominator was the presence of a skunk odor, accompanied by facial numbing within 10-20 minutes of driving the vehicles. I have been told the problem is caused by antifreeze leaks. That is the million-dollar question. Give me your knowledge. I am about as far away from being a mechanic as you can get! -- Lisa from LA
Lisa, Although the information you provided is vague at best, I will try to "give you my knowledge." I will assume you are talking about a pungent odor inside the car when the HVAC system is activated. Odor from the HVAC system comes from a couple of different sources. Either the heater core is leaking engine coolant into the vehicle cabin when the HVAC system is operating, or there is a clogged condensation drain in the HVAC. A leaking heater core tends to leak a small amount in a fine mist. It gets caught up in the air stream created by the blower motor and blows into the car's cabin. This vapor usually smells sweet and condenses on the inside of the windshield, fogging it up.
On the other hand, a plugged condensation drain results when organic matter gets sucked into the air intake of the HVAC system at the base of the windshield. Leaves, pine needles and other debris get into the HVAC box, mix with condensation from the A/C system, and form an unholy, stenching paste that plugs the water drain. The water from condensation then pools inside the dark, warm box and mold and mildew grows. This results in a pungent smell every time the HVAC system is activated. Sometimes the evaporator core springs a leak and refrigerant oil soaks the outside of the core. When air is drawn across the core, dirt is filtered out and it sticks to the oil on the face of the core. This also results in mold and mildew causing the smell.
Check the condensation drain at the bottom of the HVAC box. If it's plugged then remove the debris and empty a full can of Lysol disinfectant into the air intake at the base of the windshield with the heater set on defrost and high blow. Once the can is emptied, let it sit for a half hour so that the disinfectant has time to kill the mold and mildew. However, if a refrigerant leak is found in the evaporator core, then the HVAC box will have to come apart and the core replaced. Finally, to check for a leaking heater core, have the cooling system pressure-tested. If coolant is leaking into the car from the passenger's side HVAC, then the core is leaking and must be replaced. Good luck. -- Tom
Last week we introduced a new feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio. Tom has been in the auto industry for over 35 years and receives numerous questions each week about car maintenance from his listeners. This makes him the perfect expert to show you how to save money while keeping your car in top running condition. His column will be appearing weekly on Edmunds Daily.
Dear Tom, I own a 2002 Buick LeSabre with 53k miles. I purchased it new and maintained it well. Recently, the car suddenly blew a brake line; there had been no leakage beforehand. My technician said the line just "rotted out". Fortunately it didn't cause an accident. I reported this failure to GM headquarters asking if it was a pattern with these cars and, if so, would they consider a recall. Since GM is on its last rites, I never even received the courtesy of a reply to this serious safety inquiry. -- Ed from WNY
Ed, Don't expect to get a positive response from GM. They will claim that they have no control over where you choose to live and drive your vehicle. In your case, you chose to drive your car in the "Salt Belt" region of the US, resulting in severe undercarriage rust. GM can do nothing to remedy such a condition. You'll have to bite the bullet and pay to have the brake line replaced. Understandably, no recalls here. Sorry. -- Tom
Dear Tom, I own a 2000 Volkswagen Passat 2.2 Turbo, with 140,000 miles. The transmission fluid is dark brown, but it has no burnt odor or visible particles. Can I change it? I was told that changing the fluid on a high mileage transmission might cause it to fail. Is this true, and if so, why? -- Ed from Santa Barbara, CA
Ed, Dark brown trans fluid is an indicator that the fluid has been burnt. This is not good. I recommend that you change the filter and refill the pan, rather than perform a complete flush of the system. When a transmission overheats, the glue on the back of the internal clutches crystallizes. When a complete flush is performed, the high detergency property of the new fluid removes the hardened glue from the back of the clutches and renders the trans useless. I have seen this time after time. The filter change and pan refill will not affect the transmission in this way. -- Tom More maintenance Q&A...
Though this is bound to stir up lunch- and dinner-time "debates" between husbands/wives, boyfriends/girlfriends and brothers/sisters, a recent survey done by leasetrader.com found that girls tended to be slobs more than the guys when it came to keeping their cars' cabins clean.
This week we're introducing a new feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of "America's Car Show"on satellite radio. Tom has been in the auto industry for over 35 years and receives numerous questions each week about car maintenance from his listeners. This makes him the perfect expert to show you how to save money while keeping your car in top running condition. His column will be appearing weekly on Edmunds Daily.
Preventative Care for Your Car -- ... A Basic Necessity in Today's Economy
Many people who call in to my show, or e-mail me with questions tell me they can no longer afford to buy a new car. If you're in that situation, then you'd better take good care of the one you have or it will cost you a lot more in the long run. These are uncertain times and maintaining our cars has become a basic necessity.
Here are three maintenance practices I highly recommend that will save you considerable money and help to insure you are not stranded without wheels.
Everyone knows that the sale of new cars is way down. But what's happening in the collector car market?
That was the subject of a discussion hosted by Meguiar's car care products Wednesday featuring a host of speakers who have their finger on the pulse of the market.
Barry Meguiar, president and CEO of Meguiar Inc. said, "We need some good news these days and the good news is that attendance is up (at car shows). We can grow in bad times." He added that while the sponsorship money has dwindled, the attendance has not.
This growing audience is largely unrecognized by the mainstream and exists, "under the radar," according to Meguiar. Some five years ago the collector car market was estimated to be as large as 3 million people. Other estimates have said that 11 percent of all drivers feel passionately about their cars.
J.D. Power just came out with the results of its 2009 Customer Service Index for Dealer Service. Once again, Lexus took top honors with excellent scores across the board. Here's how the next 15 brands (all considered "better than most") fell out, in order of rank:
Jaguar BMW Cadillac Acura HUMMER Land Rover Buick Saturn Lincoln Porsche Audi Mercedes-Benz Infiniti SAAB Mercury
What I found most interesting here is that Cadillac, Buick, Saturn and Lincoln all did better than Porsche, Audi, Mercedes and Infiniti.
But while that kind of information might be helpful to consider as a factor in vehicle purchase, what about after you've bought your car? At that point, when you need warranty service or general repairs, you need to know if your brand's Dealer A is better or worse than Dealer B in your area.
That's where Edmunds' Dealer Ratings and Reviews tool comes in. Choose your vehicle brand and type in your zip code, and you can instantly see how dealers nearby compare with each other -- on both sales and service. Plus, you'll be able to see the individual consumer reviews (just like on Amazon), including specifics on why people do or don't like that dealership's work.
Here are real examples: reviews of two different Honda dealerships that are actually very close to one another geographically (names/locations of the actual dealerships have been omitted -- don't want the lawyers coming after us):
Edmunds.com consumer advice editor Philip Reed was recently interviewed on "America's Car Show" by host Tom Torbjornsen. He spoke about changes in the new and used car markets as well as his prediction for the future of the American car business. Have a listen.
In related news, columns about auto maintenance will be presented on Edmunds Daily written by radio host Torbjornsen. The articles will cover a wide variety of topics that will certainly help car owners prolong the life of their cars. Tom's columns will begin appearing weekly in March.
With the demise of Saturn nearly certain and the fate of Hummer, Saab and Pontiac hanging in the balance many consumers are wondering what will happen to their warrantees if these brands are sold or go into bankruptcy.
Saturn owners may face the biggest challenge since the Saturn sales and service experience is perhaps more popular than the cars themselves. Still, it is likely Saturn owners will be able to have repairs made under warranty, have routine service performed and continue to buy parts even if the Saturn brand is phased out by 2011 as proposed.
The recently announced plan to restructure GM and Chrysler, described in this Auto Observer article, has raised questions in consumer's minds about the long-term viability of owning one of these domestic cars. However, any plans automakers forge to return to stability (that means business as usual in the service bay) will certainly include plans to continue warranties and service.
Toyota has announced a safety recall for approximately 134,900 Toyota Yaris sedans and hatchbacks sold for model years 2006 to 2007. The manufacturer determined that the seat belt pretensioner deployment may affect the sound insulating foam in the center pillar following a collision. That description doesn't make the fault seem very severe and there are no reported cases of this condition in the United States. Toyota estimates it will take approximately one hour for the dealer to repair (depending on workload, of course).
Along with getting in shape and giving up whatever vices you may have, you might want to consider a few more New Year's resolutions. We've got some suggestions, automotive-related, naturally, for you...
Two days ago, a friend of mine was complaining that she just paid $3,500 to a Nissan dealer to replace a "cracked engine block." Or perhaps it was "some seals that broke," she said, clearly unfamiliar with anything automotive. But the car, only four years old, had just 17,000 miles on it.
That didn't seem possible. How could a car fall apart that quickly? Did she have a lemon on her hands? She went through the ins and outs of her nightmarish experience with a local mechanic and the dealer's service department: How they insisted that she must have overheated her car even though she swore that she hadn't, how the warning lights never came on, and how the dealer fixes didn't "take" and she ended up at the inconveniently located dealer repeatedly.
For years we've been asked, "What happens when the battery dies in a Toyota Prius?" And more importantly, "How much will it cost to replace a Prius battery?"
Long before this became an issue, detractors jumped on this as a reason not to buy these fuel efficient cars.
But now the time is upon us, as Heather Knowles found out when her 2002 Toyota Prius wouldn't hold a charge any longer. Read the whole story in Green Car Observer and find out if there is an afterlife.
With the cold clutches of winter upon most of us, we recommend making sure your wheels and your winter driving techniques are up to snuff.
Most modern cars have long tune-up and anti-freeze change intervals. Still, especially for older cars, you'll want to have your engine in a good state of tune and your hoses and anti-freeze checked. And as we said here recently, the importance of proper tires cannot be over emphasized.
Equally as important is knowing how to drive in the slippery stuff. We have you covered there as well with this article chock full of tips.
My wife called me at work last week in a mild panic. Our 2003 Honda Odyssey had suddenly and simultaneously displayed a check-engine light and a traction control malfunction. And it immediately started stumbling up the moderate hill that lies between the kids' school and our home in still-smoky Yorba Linda.
Great.
Tracy had checked the oil and other vital fluids before calling me, and everything checkable had checked-out just fine. I headed home.
I plugged in my trusty Scan Gauge II into the OBD port to see if I could read and reset any codes. Only one came up: P0365. A quick check of the internet showed that the cam angle sensor on bank #1 was the culprit. I tried to clear the code using the reset function on the Scan Gauge, but it turned back on immediately.
Time to head to our local dealer. At least it's all downhill and only a mile away.
After seeing the same code and removing the plastic engine cover for a better look, the technician called me over to show me what was wrong: Rats (or mice) had chewed through the wiring harness, disabling the cam sensor.
You find the most interesting things in our Forums
.Here are three things that will get you browsing. Who knows what else you'll find?
One member described some bad information he'd been given by a car salesman and how he had responded by giving the salesman a bad response on a survey. He finshed by saying, "On a side note, I am currently serving in Iraq and time spent on Edmunds takes me away from this God forsaken place. Thanks to all of you... " Read the exchange.
Dealerships all over the country are getting hit particularly hard by our country's current economic woes. Many consumers are deciding to hold back on buying that new car until they feel more financially secure (or are being forced to do so because of credit issues). In September, new car sales across the industry were down about 23% from what they were in August. It's predicted that many, many dealerships will be forced to close their doors permanently by the end of the year. What does all this have to do with oil changes and tire rotations, you ask? Read on.
Recently, I overheard a conversation in the office that revolved around the soul-sucking, brain-shriveling task of going to the DMV. It went something close to this:
Her: Yeah, I have to go in to get it renewed because my address changed.
Him: Agh, that's a drag.
Her: Yeah, I'm bringing my hardbound copy of "War and Peace" with me to pass the time.
Him: Good idea.
Members of the American Automobile Association might already know that they don't necessarily have to withstand the endless wait at the DMV anymore for registration renewals and the like; you can take care of such things at your friendly neighborhood Auto Club office. Sure beats burning sick time on a DMV trip only to realize you've been standing in the wrong line for four hours.
But did you know that there are a whole host of additional services that the Auto Club can help you with, some of which have nothing to do with cars? Things like personal loans, bail bonds and prescription discounts. It's true! Check out the entire list in our recent article, Top 10 Other Benefits of Your AAA Membership. Who knew that the AAA card sleeping in your wallet, waiting for you to blow a tire or need a jumpstart, had so much potential?
Recent economic turmoil is causing many people to rethink big purchases. For those who aren't ready (or willing) to plunk down the money for a new car right now, take heart. There are plenty of ways to eek some extra life out of your older car -- and it doesn't have to cost as much as you might think. Here are some resources on our site that can help:
There's something convincing about hard copies. When something is printed out, it lends substantially more validity to a subject than just the spoken word. Nowhere is this more true than when you're in the heat of battle. That is, when you're at the dealership negotiating the price for your new set of wheels.
This has been mentioned before on our site, but it bears repeating. If I prevent one person from wasting 5 quarts of perfectly good oil, using 5 new quarts of a finite resource and frittering away $25-$50, it's all worth these keystrokes...
It's common knowledge that tires must be replaced when the tread has been worn down (the penny test
is a great way to check your tires' tread depth). But it's a lesser-known fact that tires have a shelf-life after which they can be dangerous to drive on, even if they're brand-new or have plenty of tread left.
Experts say 6 years is the maximum that tires should be in use, provided they were stored properly after they were manufactured. The problem is that, as tires age, the tread is more likely to separate from the rest of the tire, which, if it happens on the road, can cause a sitation much more difficult to recover from than a tire blowout. (Check out this dramatic 20/20 report on the subject to see footage of a tire losing its tread and how dangerous it can truly be, plus hear the stories of people it happened to.)
So, how do you know how old your tires -- or the tires you'd like to buy -- are? You've gotta crack the code.
Back in May, we instituted a company-wide experiment to see how much gas we could save if we properly inflated our tires. On average, our employees' tires were 7-percent under inflated, which is much better than the government's estimation of 26-percent under inflation for the average American. However, if the nearly 250 million registered passenger vehicles in the United States (according to a 2005 Department of Transportation study) were only 7 percent under inflated, and brought their tires up to the specified level, together they would save about $23 billion per year. Think about how much we could save if that 26-percent number was used.
Who would've thunk it possible that we here at Edmunds would be ahead of the political curve? When a woman at a town hall meeting asked Sen. Barack Obama about what sorts of steps normal Americans can take to lower their energy costs, he suggested making sure their tires are properly inflated. Within hours, the McCain campaign starting arguing that Obama's new energy plan amounted to nothing more than keeping your tires inflated and Sen. McCain himself mocked it as a ridiculous notion. The McCain campaign is even selling tire pressure gauges with "Obama's Energy Plan" written on them. Could they possibly get more snarky?
Bumpers have become prime real estate for pricey technology such as night-vision cameras, adaptive cruise control and proximity sensors. But the leading edge of a vehicle is also frequently the first to sustain damage, and even a small fender bender can create a huge repair bill when high-priced gadgets get caught in the carnage.
The Wall Street Journal recently reported that bumper tests conducted by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety show that the average repair cost is $4,500, and auto-body bills are even higher for tech-laden luxury cars. The IIHS concluded that the cost to repair frontal damage on the Infiniti G35, for example, can run in excess of $5,200 -- almost five times that of a Chrysler Sebring.
One of the great things about cars is that it can bring people with common (and not so common ) interests together. And surprisingly often, those people don't fit the stereotype of the typical car enthusiast. One such example is the Mini Skirts, a mostly girls Mini rally group based in Southern California.
"Chief" Mini Skirt Victoria Hanseroth, who used to work at a Mini dealership in North Hollywood, got the idea for a female-centric car club in 2006 while on an organized drive from Santa Barbara to Las Vegas. Since then, she's created a social network for women with Minis and other female car enthusiasts who don't find it easy to meet kindred spirits. The group does various planned drives and social events, some of which support charitable organizations.
Perhaps one of the most interesting things about the Mini Skirts is this: Hanseroth believes these events have not only made the participants better drivers, but better car shoppers.
We probably all have horror stories about being taken advantage of at a dealership service department. While some car repairs should be left to the professionals, the fact of the matter is, it's often easier to do something yourself than you might think.
Case in point: An overly zealous valet broke the window switch on my 2001 BMW 325Ci. I called around for repair estimates, and was quoted anywhere from $140 to more than $200 to fix it (one Los Angeles-area dealership wanted $145 just to "diagnose" the problem -- parts and labor were extra). The service advisers all left me with the impression that it was quite a laborious job, because "you can't just pop the window switch off and install a new one, you have to take off the entire center console."
Instead of blindly believing their stories, I did some research online with the help of a friend to see just how difficult it would be to install the switch myself. Lo and behold, I found a priceless resource of how-to info for my car that seems to have been put together by one or more enthusiasts who just like working on their cars (the site is an unofficial collection of information and is not associated with the manufacturer).
Turns out the job was as simple as popping off the shifter boot, removing four screws, lifting up the loose section of console and unplugging the old switch. And the entire console did not have to come off, contrary to what I'd been told.
As for the part, I found it online from a few different places for about 50 bucks.
Installation was a snap, and thanks to careful research, I was able to replace the switch in about 15 minutes. And it cost me only a fraction of what the dealer would have charged -- never mind the time I would have been without my car.
Of course, these circumstances were all specific to my car, but you'd be surprised what kind of information you can find -- and how much time and money you can save -- with just a little digging.
Not all of us – women and men alike -- grow up with the benefit of having a gearhead in the family who turns us on to all things automotive and sparks a lifelong interest in cars. Put me in that category. My dad checked his own oil and tire pressure, but that was pretty much the extent of the dirtying of the hands in our driveway...
Lauren Fix, a.k.a. "The Car Coach," just published a new book titled, Lauren Fix's Guide to Loving Your Car: Everything You Need to Know to Take Charge of Your Car and Get On with Your Life.
Lauren is the host of Talk 2 DIY Automotive on the Do-It-Yourself Network and has authored several automotive books. Her latest tome is designed to give you "Car Smarts" and to make good decisions on buying, driving, maintenance, and safety, and to save money...
In a gloomy economy, one can’t help but think that manufacturers are taking shortcuts to create new vehicles. But that’s not true according to J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study.
The study is an industry standard for new-vehicle quality measured at 90 days of ownership...
When shopping for a vehicle, most people tend to buy the most vehicle that they can afford, with the highest monthly payment that their budget allows. Often, buyers haggle over that last $10 per month without looking into other monthly expenses that they may be facing. Some of these expenses hurt their bottom line, if they are not considered ahead of time.
Time to take your car in for service? Before you call to make an appointment, check out this super useful tool we have on Edmunds.com. I was recently reminded of its existence in the Tips & Advice section after one of our editors posted about taking our long-term Hyundai Veracruz in for service this week. I wish I had known of its existence before I took my car to the dealer the last time (which was before I worked here)...
For the past six model years, VW has had a basic warranty that was more akin to the ones offered by luxury car makers, rather than one associated with the "people's car." Bumper-to-bumper (B2B) coverage was for 4 years or 50K miles, which ever occurred first. Most competitors offered only a 3 year/36K mile basic warranty. It was one of the factors that made VW's more attractive than other mainstream manufacturer's vehicles, along with helping to mitigate reliability concerns that have been plaguing VW's for the past decade.
However, for the 2009 model year, beginning with the introduction of the VW Tiguan CUV this summer, VW is shortening its B2B warranty...
NHTSA's done a lot of good work under Chief Nicole Nason, about whom we wrote only weeks ago
. Here's another new annoucement that The Driving Woman is applauding: At NHTSA's consumer site, Safercar.gov
, you now can signup for automatic e-mail alerts if the government recalls tires or child safety seats.
This is great news, because so many people miss these recall notices...
While it is not required to service your vehicle at the dealership in order to maintain your warranty coverage, I prefer to do it this way and here is why...
While conventional wisdom suggests that independent shops or chains are less expensive for maintenance service, like oil changes, I have found that my local dealers is very price competitive. This is especially true when I use the service coupons I often receive in the mail. For example, I recently had the Nissan dealer change the oil in my Murano...
There’s a new line of tire-storage products that may help to ease the anxiety of compulsive garage organizers––you know who you are.
Tire totes make it easy to carry winter tires to their storage place.
The Tire Garage lets you store winter tires outside.
Wheel felts protect those expensive rims.
These products, designed by Motivation Design, located in Salisbury, MA, are the same folks who designed the Kurgo dog restraint system for cars. They are sold through catalogues or on websites by outfits like Herrington’s, Classic Motoring Accessories, and Tire Rack. Some tire manufacturers, like Michelin, also sell them in dealerships.
For the garage obsessed, I can’t think of anything more appealing––after every nut and bolt has been put in a labeled drawer––than Motivation Design’s Tire Totes. As spring approaches and you take off the snow tires, slip tire cozies onto those expensive tires, seal with Velcro and use the handle to carry them to their appointed place.
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A sixty-pound dog, unrestrained in a vehicle traveling at 30 mph, can cause an impact of 1,200 pounds. That’s enough to hurt another passenger in the vehicle or send Fido right through the windshield. Now, imagine how it could distract a driver who is trying to control the vehicle in an emergency.
That was the message from state troopers, who joined Volvo Cars North America and Bark-BuckleUp at the Chicago Auto Show to promote pet travel safety. But troopers made it clear that there is another important reason for Fido to buckle up. When emergency workers have to open the vehicle after an accident, sometimes the pet will prevent access. And if emergency workers do get the vehicle open, the pet is in danger of jumping out into oncoming traffic.
"Volvo believes this campaign to educate and inform consumers as to what happens after an accident will save lives." said Daniel Johnston, Product Communications, Volvo Cars of North America...
In this time of rising fuel prices, I have received more than a handful of questions regarding the need to use premium fuel, even in vehicles that require them. Most modern vehicles that require premium fuel can run fine on regular gas. However, you will see reduced performance and fuel economy as a result.
First, let me give a brief and simplified explanation of how vehicles that vehicles that require premium fuel extract extra power...
We bought a 2005 Jetta TDI for our long term fleet several weeks ago. Everyone loved the car but hated the rear window tint. Looking out the back was like being in the middle of a bad dream, those dreams where you can't quite see what's going on but you know it's important. Here's what it looked like:
I did a Google search for "window tint" in Long Beach, CA, and got a dozen hits...
A woman who has been leasing a 2005 Audi A6 contacted me to ask a simple question: when is enough ENOUGH?
Basically, this woman has been to the dealership 11 times over the past two and a half years for a variety of electrical problems. The nav screen went out while she was in an unfamiliar area and it was replaced twice. She has been through two batteries and replaced the tires at about 20,000 miles. The car's central computer system went out and was replaced and a host of other electrical problems kept the car in the shop.
You've probably seen Edmunds' CarSpace -- where consumers can discuss any automotive-related topic from shopping for cars to the specifics of makes and models. Now, the people in charge of CarSpace (the Community team) has just launched a new service to answer all your questions. Appropriately called Edmunds' Answers, it's a social question and answer system where any member can ask an automotive question. Members of the community, including Edmunds employees, can answer these questions...
In an earlier blog I talked about how hard it is to keep your tires inflated up to the right pressure. I got a lot of readers responding with tips on how they stay on top of this important maintenance task.
I stopped in at my local auto store to see if they had any new products in the tire aisle. I bought a set of these Tire Minders
. I put them on my tires and one showed that it was a little low already.
Please excuse the sensational headline but I wanted to get your attention. Soon, we'll be posting an amazing story about tire pressure monitors. I don't want to scoop our own website so I'll just tell you that it's very eye opening about the safety effects of low tire pressure.
The green folks are always telling us to fill our tires to help fuel economy...
(Cell phone picture of a Long Beach, CA, service bay.)
It worked like a charm.
Our long term 2007 Chevrolet Silverado was overdue for its oil change and tire rotation at 15,000 miles.
I looked at our Maintenance Costs section and saw that the oil change, tire rotation and a list of inspections should cost $156. I printed this out and took it with me to the dealership...
Here is the 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander from our long term fleet after three trips to the service department and four days off the road for a minor repair. The remote key fobs stopped working and they had difficulty finding and fixing the problem.
Or did they? What if the problem was that the technician was a.) too busy to get to it, or b.) incompetent, or c.) lazy...
Until I got into the car biz, I thought about tires as a necessary accessory that needed to be changed, rotated or put out to pasture. A decade later I'm thinking differently. Last week I went to the jungles of Bahia, Brazil to see how Michelin
's rubber trees are individually
scraped for their sap and visited the plant where rubber is condensed into blocks to be shipped to Michelin’s plants in South Carolina. What truly astounded me was that it takes ONE YEAR for a rubber tree to create 5 kilos of the white sap, which equals enough rubber for a tire of a small car! Tires have taken on a whole new meaning for me.
In the course of a conversation with Lynn Mann, the spokesperson for Michelin, North America, she told me about the Tweel,
the airless tire that is less than a couple of years from market for front loaders like Caterpillars and ten years away for passenger cars...
Hey readers! Want to give your Dad a gift for Father’s Day that will appeal to his inner car guy? It’s very easy to be creative when it comes to cars. And you can go from practical to more exotic...
An interesting story in The Wall Street Journal
talks about the decreasing life span of modern batteries -- despite their ever-improving design. The reason is simple, and one you can probably guess at -- today's cars put more demands on batteries than ever before. What with in-car entertainment, cupholders that heat and cool drinks, not to mention all the gadgets people typically stuff in the power outlets, can anyone feign surprise? It's not uncommon for me to have both my radar detector and my cell phone plugged in at the same time. And if I happen to have my portable Sirius satellite receiver with me as well...
If you're the owner of a 1997-2001 Toyota with either a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or 3.0-liter V6 engine, listen up: Autoblog reported last week
that Toyota will be extending powertrain warranty coverage to a full 8 years on certain models fitting this description. It's part of a settlement of a class action lawsuit
filed by Toyota owners who needed engine replacements due to the buildup of oil sludge or gel in their cars' engines.
Up until now, Toyota had offered only a Customer Support Program for owners who experienced "gelling" -- whereby the company would examine cars on a case-by-case basis and decide whether to cover the cost of engine replacement. If it was determined that the sludge was the result of owner negligence (not getting the oil changed frequently enough), the owner had to foot the bill...
The Girls Scouts of America can now earn their first-ever automotive merit badge, the "Car Care Badge." Although most of the girls aren't driving yet, they're learning early how to change the oil and check tire pressure... something way too few adult women actually do. By building this competency early, they're sure to have an eye toward the preventative maintenance that may some day save them big bucks -- or a blowout...
