Thursday, January 31, 2013
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Basic Car Maintenance Tips to Keep You on the Road
Take care of your car and it will take care of you. Following basic car maintenance tips can help keep you on the road and out of the repair shop.
A little vehicular TLC can even help stretch your fuel dollar and help the environment, too.
Here are some car care guidelines:
Battery
Most car batteries today are maintenance-free, sealed and can last more than three years. The first sign your battery should be replaced is often trouble starting the engine.
Tires
A car tire inflated to 35 pounds per square inch (psi) can lose one psi every month or for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit of temperature change, so your car maintenance checklist should include checking tire pressure. Find the recommended level in the owner’s manual or on a sticker on the driver’s side door jamb. And don’t forget the spare.
Rotate tires every 6,000 miles to prevent uneven wear, replace them when they become worn and have the alignment checked if the car pulls to either side when driving or if you notice uneven tire wear.
Engine oil
Checking and changing oil is critical to keep today’s engines running properly and efficiently. Follow manufacturer guidelines for changing the lubricant – generally, every 3,000 miles or three to six months.
Check the oil level with the engine off and the car parked on a level surface. Open the hood, remove the dipstick, wipe it clean with a cloth or paper towel, then return it to the oil reservoir. Take it out again and see whether the level is within the acceptable range marked on the dipstick. If you add oil, don’t overfill, which can damage the engine.
Transmission fluid
Checking the automatic transmission fluid is another vital item on the car maintenance checklist. Look for a reservoir marked ATF (automatic transmission fluid) and follow the same steps as monitoring the oil level – only this time, with the engine running. Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for change intervals, about every 30,000 miles.
Engine coolant
Replace most engine coolant or antifreeze every 30,000 miles – or every two to three years. Newer formulas, however, may last up to 50,000 miles. To check coolant level, turn the car off and wait for the engine to cool. Locate the coolant reservoir (usually a translucent plastic tank) and eyeball the level of the coolant against the full and low indicators.
Power steering fluid
Power steering fluid should be changed every three years or 50,000 miles. If you have a power steering fluid reservoir, check the level visually; otherwise, follow the dipstick method. Low power steering fluid may indicate a leak, so have your mechanic take a look.
Brakes and brake fluid
Check to ensure that brake fluid levels are within tolerance. How often you need to replace brake pads or other components depends on how you drive and typical driving conditions. Warning signs of a brake problem include noise, vibration or “grabbing” when you apply the brakes. Working on your brakes is a job probably best left to the professionals.
Air filter
Basic car maintenance suggests changing your air filter each year or every 12,000-15,000 miles. A clean air filter can help your engine “breathe” better and improve gas mileage and reduce harmful emissions.
Fuel filter
Replace it annually to help prevent debris from clogging your car’s fuel line.
Windshield wipers and wiper fluid
Windshield wiper care is one of the most neglected basic car care tips. Replace the blades every six to 12 months or whenever the rubber becomes worn. Check the wiper fluid reservoir every week or so and keep it full.
Headlights and brake lights
With your car turned on and parked, have someone walk around to see that your lights are working – headlights, brake and tail lights, turn signals, etc.
Replacing bulbs in today’s vehicles can be a challenge. Have a mechanic do the job, particularly replacing and aiming headlights. A pro also knows if the problem is a blown fuse, not a burned out bulb.
Source: Nationwide
Friday, January 25, 2013
We just received this excellent review from Lacy on Yelp! Thanks so much for the feedback!
Lacy T.
Denver, Colorado
Jan 24, 2013
Thanks so much for leaving us this positive feedback, Lacy! We always love to hear about our guest's experiences. I am happy to hear that your sales and service visits with us were so enjoyable! Our number one goal is to have 100 percent guest satisfaction, and I am glad we achieved this with you. We hope to see you for your future automotive needs! If you have not already, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Thanks again for the recommendation!
Read more of our reviews on Yelp!
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Toyota Prius C named greenest car of the year
The ACEEE named the Toyota Prius C hatchback its greenest car of 2013. The ACEEE's GreenScore formula factors in a variety of data including the emissions of utility companies used to charge plug-in cars.
When deriving a car's GreenScore, the ACEEE also looks at the energy used to build and dispose of the car, which pushes cars with larger battery packs like the plug-in hybrids and electric cars farther down the list.
“The vehicles at the top of this year’s rankings are proof that automakers are really ramping up their offerings. There are more hybrid and electric options on the market this year than ever before and the race for a spot on the Greenest list is increasingly competitive," said ACEEE lead vehicle analyst Shruti Vaidyanathan. "Automakers have revamped their offerings to meet the growing demand for efficient vehicles and new fuel economy standards."
The expansion of hybrid and electric options this year pushed the eight-time greenest car leader, the Honda Civic Natural Gas vehicle, from the top of the list to outside of the top twelve in 2013.
Source: NY Daily News
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Toyota rolls out Furia concept for Corolla at Detroit Auto Show
Of all the automakers trying to generate buzz on the Detroit auto show's first day, Toyota Motor Co. made the most noise.
The company rolled out a concept design for the Corolla, one of its most important models, and announced preliminary sales figures showing that it has regained the title of world's largest automaker from General Motors Co.
Called the Furia, the new-concept Corolla, with its severely raked windshield and bulging fenders, marks a radical departure from the past and signals a wider effort by Toyota to shed its conservative image and make cars that ignite consumer passion.
"Iconic dynamism" is how the automaker describes the design language of the Furia concept. How much of that dynamism makes its way into the production model remains to be seen. Toyota offered no details on plans for horsepower, torque and handling capabilities. Nor did the company say when the next Corolla will hit the street.
Whenever it arrives, the car will have a huge effect on Toyota's future bottom line and its reputation in a hot and growing segment, analysts said.
"This car is very important to Toyota," said Jessica Caldwell, an analyst with auto information company Edmunds.com. "With the explosion of subcompact cars in the past few years, coupled with the demise of large cars, compact cars suddenly find themselves as the 'middle size' for American consumers."
The more aggressive design philosophy applies across the company, said Mark Templin, the global product and marketing manager for the automaker's Lexus division. Toyota isn't so much chasing volume as it is trying to design compelling cars, he said. His marching orders from Chief Executive Akio Toyoda are to "build cars that are fun to drive."
"Akio expects us to change the way the company behaves," Templin said. "He wants us to show the rest of the company how we can move fast, how we can make quicker decisions, take risks. He expects us to have fantastic design and great driving dynamics."
The automaker estimated Monday that it has overtaken General Motors as the global sales leader on the strength of a 22% sales increase last year, to 9.7 million vehicles. Those numbers will be finalized at the end of this month.
The company rolled out a concept design for the Corolla, one of its most important models, and announced preliminary sales figures showing that it has regained the title of world's largest automaker from General Motors Co.
Called the Furia, the new-concept Corolla, with its severely raked windshield and bulging fenders, marks a radical departure from the past and signals a wider effort by Toyota to shed its conservative image and make cars that ignite consumer passion.
"Iconic dynamism" is how the automaker describes the design language of the Furia concept. How much of that dynamism makes its way into the production model remains to be seen. Toyota offered no details on plans for horsepower, torque and handling capabilities. Nor did the company say when the next Corolla will hit the street.
Whenever it arrives, the car will have a huge effect on Toyota's future bottom line and its reputation in a hot and growing segment, analysts said.
"This car is very important to Toyota," said Jessica Caldwell, an analyst with auto information company Edmunds.com. "With the explosion of subcompact cars in the past few years, coupled with the demise of large cars, compact cars suddenly find themselves as the 'middle size' for American consumers."
The more aggressive design philosophy applies across the company, said Mark Templin, the global product and marketing manager for the automaker's Lexus division. Toyota isn't so much chasing volume as it is trying to design compelling cars, he said. His marching orders from Chief Executive Akio Toyoda are to "build cars that are fun to drive."
"Akio expects us to change the way the company behaves," Templin said. "He wants us to show the rest of the company how we can move fast, how we can make quicker decisions, take risks. He expects us to have fantastic design and great driving dynamics."
The automaker estimated Monday that it has overtaken General Motors as the global sales leader on the strength of a 22% sales increase last year, to 9.7 million vehicles. Those numbers will be finalized at the end of this month.
The Japanese automaker has launched about a dozen new or completely redesigned models in the U.S. in the last year, including new wagon and commuter versions of its popular Prius hybrids. At the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, it launched a new-generation RAV4 sport utility vehicle.
Toyota executives say both the RAV4 and the Corolla concept unveiled Monday embody the automaker's desire to push the envelope. Though some concepts bear no resemblance to production cars, Toyota says the Corolla Furia "hints at the styling cues consumers can expect to see in the next Corolla."
Since 1968, the Corolla has sold millions of copies with its unwavering embrace of the practical — some might call the current model plain, even homely. But the company now speaks, somewhat self-consciously, in soaring terms of its new focus on aggressive styling.
Bill Fay, Toyota's group vice president and general manager, acknowledged in a statement that the Furia design study "will surprise a lot of people."
Toyota executives say both the RAV4 and the Corolla concept unveiled Monday embody the automaker's desire to push the envelope. Though some concepts bear no resemblance to production cars, Toyota says the Corolla Furia "hints at the styling cues consumers can expect to see in the next Corolla."
Since 1968, the Corolla has sold millions of copies with its unwavering embrace of the practical — some might call the current model plain, even homely. But the company now speaks, somewhat self-consciously, in soaring terms of its new focus on aggressive styling.
Bill Fay, Toyota's group vice president and general manager, acknowledged in a statement that the Furia design study "will surprise a lot of people."
Source: Los Angeles Times
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
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