Auto Trends Magazine — Page 160 of 161 — Car reviews, industry news, & advice.

R.I.P. – Pontiac’s El Camino Wannabe

January 6, 2009 by admin 1 Comment

Pontiac G8 Pickup Truck — General Motors announced that the Pontiac G8 ST, also known as the “El Camino” to car-truck diehards, will not go into production after all. The automaker canceled the project leaving the G8 sedan to soldier on alone.

When GM released the Pontiac G8 last spring, I was thrilled to see that the automaker had finally given the brand a car worthy of the Pontiac name. The G8 is a bold, strong, rear wheel driven five-passenger sedan based on the Australian Holden Commodore platform, just the sort of car needed to redefine the Pontiac name.

Along with the G8, GM had said that a car-truck version of the vehicle was going to be developed, an “El Camino” type truck that stirred the hearts of people who desired to see such a vehicle brought to market. When GM announced a contest to name the truck, the El Camino name received a strong response, but the automaker decided to go with the ST which is a rather dull abbreviation for sport truck.

See Also — The History of the Pontiac Fiero

Alas, the G8 ST will not go into production after all according to sources within and without General Motors. The company placed the project “under review” last month as part of the automaker’s review of its entire portfolio. Though GM hasn’t said whether Pontiac itself is dead, the automaker has no plans to bring the Pontiac G8 ST to market.

As far as this ST fan goes, I am personally very disappointed, though not entirely surprised by the announcement.

Originally slated to launch late this fall, the ST would have been a nice complement to the sedan. But, with GM sales tanking and the world in the grip of a worsening recession, the ST project has been canceled.

This may actually work to GM’s favor as the ST would have been a low volume vehicle in the first place. With gas prices remaining unstable, the ST’s survival would be threatened when gas prices climb as they are expected to do later this spring.

R.I.P. Pontiac G8 ST…we hardly knew ya!

Photo copyright General Motors Company.

Winter Driving Means Exercising Special Precautions Throughout The Season

December 30, 2008 by admin 1 Comment

Cold air has pushed down from Canada while moisture is moving east out of the Rockies, a dynamic mixture that means only one thing: snow, ice and freezing rain will impact all of the midwest and northeast over the next few days, making driving treacherous in some areas. Certainly, if you don’t have to be out on the roads during the worst of natures fury, you’ll want to ride this storm out.

It seems that the auto clubs and insurance companies are each doing their part to alert drivers of the pending problems of venturing out on the highway during the worst of the weather, urging people to wait the storm out. But, as we all know, work beckons and some of us are still away from home during the holiday season and needing to get back to where we live. A one day delay may not be possible for everyone.

“The best defense is preparation,” said Mike Convery, chief claim officer at MetLife Auto & Home. “Experience has shown us that many winter-related claims are avoidable, which is why it’s important to make sure your vehicle’s well-equipped and in good condition to take on the cold weather. By taking precautions, and being aware of what actions to take when you’re on the road, you may be able to avoid a serious accident and protect your loved ones from injury.”

Before the snow starts to fall, consider the following:

Give your vehicle a tune-up. Check the level of antifreeze and windshield wiper fluid, and make sure the battery is fully charged. If you haven’t changed your wiper blades in the past six months, purchase a fresh set.
Inspect your tires for bulges and uneven wear. If you get stuck in the snow, worn tires won’t be much help. Worn tire can also create potentially dangerous situations, too, such as a blowout on the road.
Keep emergency gear in your car. Make sure you have things like a flashlight, jumper cables, ice scraper, shovel, and snow brush, windshield wiper fluid, and warning devices (such as flares). Also, consider packing a “winter survival kit” that includes blankets, a bright piece of cloth to tie to your antenna, a flashlight with spare batteries, non-perishable foods, such as candy bars, and waterproof matches.

Snow, ice, and extreme cold can also cause problems for vehicles, especially during snow and ice storms, when driving can become treacherous. When braving the winter weather:

Drive slowly. Let someone know what route you’re taking and when you plan to arrive, so they can take action and alert authorities, if you don’t get there or are unreasonably delayed.
Consider the road conditions. Driving over the speed limit—or even at normal speed that would be considered unreasonable based on the conditions —can be hazardous, and the extra time you gain isn’t worth the risk.
Avoid ice patches. Avoid icy skids by matching your speed to the road conditions and taking precautions on curves and turns by slowing down in advance. Also, remember that ice patches are particularly common on-ramps, bridges, and overpasses, which tend to freeze first.
Slide smart. To bring a sliding car under control, remove your foot from both the accelerator and brake pedals, unless your vehicle has an antilock braking system (ABS). In that case, depress the brake pedal as hard as possible until the vehicle stops moving. Meanwhile, turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the front wheels to go and continue steering and counter steering.

Even with the best of precautions, your car may still end up stuck in a snowbank. Above all, don’t panic: try to push the snow out of the way of the wheels, by turning the steering wheel from side to side a few times or digging out with a shovel. Ease forward, keeping a light touch on the gas, and don’t spin the wheels or you’ll dig yourself in deeper. Rock the vehicle, shifting from forward to reverse and back again. If this doesn’t work, use your cell phone to call for help and then wait in your car, because it’s easy to get disoriented in the snow.

To stay warm, turn on the motor for 10 minutes every hour for heat, and make sure you have your window open a crack, for fresh air. Check to ensure that snow is not blocking the exhaust pipe. For best visibility, light two flares and place one at each end of the car, a safe distance away.

I also recommend that drivers not leave home without some sort of auto club arrangement in place. We’ve had a lot of success with AAA over the years, an auto club that provides towing, lockout service, car restart and other services. The last thing you want is to be stuck in a snowbank somewhere and needing the state to shovel you out – you’ll be responsible for that bill and you could end up causing a much worse accident!

Source: MetLife Auto & Home

Winter Prep: Replace Your Worn Out Tires

November 20, 2008 by admin 1 Comment

Very soon, much of the nation will be in the icy grip of Old Man Winter, a season that promises to supply us with plenty of cold air, ice and snow. If we are fortunate enough, we will have a rather tame few months, with warmer air keeping the worst of the season’s fury at bay.

Chevrolet Monte Carlo Regardless of just how this winter turns out, your car should be ready to withstand the worst of nature’s wrath. Your tires, which play a significant role in keeping your car on the road and moving, need to be ready for the months ahead. Not surprising, many drivers just do not check their tires often enough, putting themselves, their passengers and other motorists at risk.

Inspect Your Tires Monthly

You have heard the recommendation before: check your tires at least once a month to find out if they have enough air and are safe to drive on. Regular check-ups can help you determine if your tires need to be serviced or replaced. Most flats can be handled and repaired, but if you have a blowout or most of the tread is gone, then you need new tires.

Worn tires are a hazard, a potential safety problem that can cause an accident, injuring or even killing you. Most states regulate tire wear as a tire with not enough tread depth is prone to skidding, a common enough event during the winter months.

(See Also — 7 Winter Driving Safety Tips)

The Abe Lincoln Test

One way that drivers can determine if their tires are worn and in need of replacement is to invite Abe Lincoln to a test. Specifically, a Lincoln penny placed in the shallow tread groove with his head down, an effort that will reveal whether there is enough tread left or not.

If the top of Lincoln’s head remains visible, then the tire doesn’t have enough tread and should be replaced. Check out our tips on buying new tires for your car.

The Wear Bar Test

Another way to check for wear is to look for those narrow bands that appear inside the grooves crossing the tire’s tread. Wear bars are not seen until the tires have been worn down (hence its name). When the wear bars appear, your tires should be replaced.

Of course, if you are not sure if your tires need replacing or would prefer that someone else take a look for you, most tire stores offer a free brake inspection and check your tires too. Be safe this winter and put “tire checking” on your list of safety items to inspect on a regular basis.

Mexico City’s Love Affair With Volkswagen Beetle Is Over

October 3, 2008 by admin 2 Comments

The capital city of Mexico has one feature that no other city in the world can boast of: a huge fleet of iconic Volkswagen Beetle taxis to transport citizens around the bustling city of twenty million
people. No, it isn’t the same “New Beetle” sold in the US, rather the original Beetle that was last sold in the US more than three decades ago.

Now, Mexico City wants to distance itself from the cute bug, citing pollution concerns. Yes, the lovable bug is long on personality, but short on environmental friendliness and, citing published reports, is facing extinction. According to Victor Manuel Ramirez, head of the taxi division at the city transport and road ministry, the city now considers these cars to be a nuisance and wants them off of city streets, replaced by a modern fleet of fuel efficient vehicles.

The city is home to more than 100,000 taxis, often the only way that residents are able to get around the metropolis. But, the aged Beetles are anything but fuel efficient, getting just 19 miles per gallon when some of its modern competitors are averaging 34 mpg. Never mind the pollution that these cars emit — Mexico City is often enshrouded in smog, its residents plagued with respiratory illnesses.

The city’s government has plans to push taxis more than ten years old out of the city, which means that 75,000 cars would have to be replaced, the majority of those which are the original Volkswagen Beetle. City leaders are offering drivers $1500 to scrap their cars, but most drivers say that their taxis are still worth at least $2500. When sold new, the Beetle retailed for just $7500, but the car was last produced in 2003.

Not every taxi driver is thrilled with the move, citing a potential financial loss as one reason for wanting to keep their Beetles or seeking a higher contribution from the city to help them buy bigger, but more fuel efficient replacements.

Regardless of those feelings, by 2012 taxi drivers will be legally required to comply with the edict, with some expected to keep their cars for private use or sell them to third parties as the ban does not cover private owners…yet.

Beware of Flood-Damaged Cars!

September 3, 2008 by admin 1 Comment

Every month, thousands of flood-damaged cars are sold without that information known to the buyer.

Be On The Look Out For Storm-Ravaged Vehicles

In the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, tens of thousands of cars were scrapped, as they were deemed damaged beyond repair by flood waters, wind, or other storm-related insults. Some reports put that Ford Fiesta number at 250,000 vehicles, which represented cars registered to owners in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and the adjoining states.

Flood-Damaged Cars Retitled

Though most of these vehicles were hauled away and the titles changed to reflect that they had been totaled, in some cases these same cars were bought, retitled in other states, and offered for sale.

Unsuspecting buyers who were thinking that they were getting a quality used car, eventually learned that they were storm-ravaged, thanks to rusting body panels, foul odors, malfunctioning components, and a host of other ills that only surfaced after they made their purchase.

It has been several years since America was ravaged by some of these storms, but the warning about flood-damaged cars remains in place. Historic flooding in the Upper Midwest in 2008, in the South in 2010 and along the east coast in 2017 and later has yielded a bumper crop of damaged vehicles. The same post-Katrina scenario is once again rearing its ugly head: cars that were once totaled by insurers are back on the market and available for purchase.

How To Avoid The Scam

Car buyers should be alert to this scam in order to avoid being ripped off.

There are several tools at your disposal to help you avoid being conned, three of which can save you from plenty of grief:

1. Check KBB – Kelley Blue Book at www.kbb.com maintains pricing for thousands of used car models going back for well over a decade. There is one thing common about most flood-damaged cars: they are often priced below market levels. This should be a concern to you as a quality used car should retail close to what KBB says it is worth.

2. Obtain a Vehicle History Report – AutoCheck and Carfax are two of the more noteworthy companies that prepare vehicle-specific history reports. Thus, it is a good idea to buy one related to the vehicle you are considering. Here’s something to keep in mind: although these reports can be helpful, they are not perfect and they do not offer a guarantee for a vehicle’s condition.

3. See Your Mechanic – Always insist on a car inspection from your own mechanic. He’ll know what to look for, including especially troubling signs such as water damage, engine wear, transmission problems, brake and exhaust trouble, as well as electrical and engineering issues.

If It Sounds Too Good To Be True…

With any used car purchase the maxim, “if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably isn’t,” is the best approach when buying any vehicle. Certainly, you want to get the best price for a used car, but not at the expense of your wallet or your safety. Flood-damaged cars have a short lifespan and could put you and your family in harm’s way if an important part suddenly fails.

See Also — How to Check for Flood-Damaged Cars

With Some Help, You Can Change Your Timing Belt

August 4, 2008 by admin 1 Comment

Changing your car’s timing belt isn’t as difficult of a job as you might think it is, but it is something that must be done at least once within your car’s lifespan. Most timing belts will last anywhere from about 60,000 miles to just over 100,000 miles; your car’s shop manual can give you a rough estimate when it should be replaced. For the record, timing belt failure can take place at any time, but if you keep up with your car’s maintenance trouble can be averted.

How A Timing Belt Works

As a backgrounder, a timing belt works to turn the camshaft at exactly half the speed of the crankshaft. The camshaft causes the intake and exhaust valves to open and shut in time with the engine’s pistons as they move up and down in the cylinders.

When the timing belt breaks, you won’t be able to go anywhere as the engine will no longer run. In some situations, a timing belt failure could damage or even destroy a car’s engine; way too many car owners do not replace this important part until it has broken. As you can imagine, this can be a terrible problem when you are stranded and far from help.

Worn Out Belt? Not Easy To Determine!

Unfortunately, there is no iron-clad method to check that a timing belt has worn out. Instead, changing it at prescribed intervals will reduce the chance that it will break before it can be replaced. Furthermore, many mechanics will also advise changing the water pump at the same time as the timing belt – even if it hasn’t failed – as most of the labor that’s related to replacing a water pump has already been done when changing the timing belt. This is your decision as a water pump could last as long as your car or it could fail at some point in the future. If the latter takes place, you could be faced with a significant car repair bill in addition to going through all the trouble of being without your car for several days.

Weekend mechanics often feel comfortable enough to replace their car’s timing belt without the assistance of a garage. With a trusty Haynes or Chilton car maintenance and repair manual by your side, you can lift the hood and remove and replace the timing belt (and water pump) in no time.

Shop Around And Save

You can buy needed automotive parts at a local auto parts store, shop online for parts from a wholesaler, or visit your dealer’s parts department to get what you need. Shop around — the price differential between auto parts retailers can be significant.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

What You Must Know About Catalytic Converters

July 31, 2008 by admin 1 Comment

Toyota Highlander — The high profile of most SUVs and trucks makes stealing a catalytic converter an easier task for brazen thieves.

Just about every vehicle sold in the United States must come equipped with a catalytic converter, a device which helps to convert noxious and polluting gases into low emissions carbon dioxide and water. Though the widespread use of catalytic converters has done a wonderful job in cutting down on air pollution, there are some cautions motorists must consider with this technology, a part which works quietly with your vehicle’s exhaust system. Let’s take a look at what you need to know about your car’s catalytic converter.

Nixon Administration Initiative

Known in the automotive parts industry as “catcon” or simply as “cat,” catalytic converters began to show up on passenger vehicles in 1975. The Nixon Administration, which founded the Environmental Protection Agency, was behind the Clean Air Act, legislation designed to manage the air pollution problem impacting our nation during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Since then, catcons have been added to trucks, buses, forklifts, and a host of other transportation vehicles.

As helpful as catalytic converters can be, problems with these devices can occur. other than possible failure, which typically goes unnoticed until your vehicle fails its next DMV inspection, the intense heat associated with this device can cause problems.

Specifically, if you tinker with your own vehicle, you must permit your car to cool down completely before working in the vicinity of the exhaust system. Catalytic converters can get as hot as 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, thus any burns sustained from touching a hot catcon can be extremely painful, possibly even lethal.

Potential Fire Hazard

Car owners have also discovered that a catalytic converter can be a fire hazard. Since 1975, fire department have found that many automotive fires have been started because a motorist parked a car over dry leaves. Even with the engine turned off a hot catcon can emit sparks which can ignite leaves underneath. Should that unfortunate event happen, your car could be devoured by flames within minutes and destroyed.

Additionally, there are dangers to the catalytic converter itself. The fact that the unit burns at such hot temperatures means that they can suffer rapid thermal deactivation. Some experts suggest switching to synthetic engine oil to help reduce phosphorous contaminants which are a known contributor to failure.

By law, you may not remove your catcon without risk of being subjected to legal action. Thieves love to steal catalytic converters which are easily removed from cars and can be resold for a few hundred dollars. Unfortunately, the resultant damage that may occur can be extensive including harm done to your electrical system or fuel line.

Keeping Air Clean

Overall, catalytic converters have benefited society tremendously by helping to keep our air clean. Like any part associated with your car, knowing its capabilities, cautions, and limitations is essential to keeping you and your passengers safe.

AOCA Offers Timely Gas Saving Tips

June 11, 2008 by admin Leave a Comment

Gas prices have now topped $4 per gallon for regular gasoline, forcing consumers to cut back on usage or think of other ways to reduce the pain at the pump. The Automotive Oil Change Association (AOCA) offers some tips on how to improve fuel economy and, surprisingly, it doesn’t include changing your car’s oil every 3000 miles. Good thing too — most cars today can go for as long as 7500 miles between oil changes.

So, what does AOCA recommend? Some of the usual tips but also good reasons behind them:

Oil Changes — Regularly changing your oil will add many miles to your engine. Changing your engine oil according to your car manufacturer’s
recommendation in your owner’s manual will help lubricate the engine,
minimize friction and carry away excessive heat, all of which will
lead to greater fuel efficiency.

Use the Right Grade — Make sure that you are using the right grade of motor oil for your vehicle. This is usually printed on the oil cap or in your owner’s manual.

Drive Sensibly — Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage up to 33 percent at highway speeds and up to 5 percent around town.

Observe the Speed Limit — While every vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed, gas mileage usually decreases at speeds above 60 mph. As a rule of thumb, you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon of gas.

Air Filter — Filters are a crucial part of regular vehicle maintenance and act as the ‘vehicle’s lung’. Dirty air filters make it harder for the engine to breathe. If the flow is restricted by a clogged air filter, the fuel economy and vehicle performance will suffer. Replacing a clogged air filter can increase your mileage by up to 10 percent.

Tires — Under-inflated tires affect your mileage by increasing resistance and making it more difficult for the engine to move the car along the road. For every 1-psi you are under the optimal rate, you lose 0.4 percent of your miles per gallon. The average person can improve mileage by approximately 3.3 percent by inflating their tires to the proper psi for their vehicle.

Remove Excess Weight — Avoid keeping unneeded items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your fuel economy by up to 2-percent. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle’s weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.

Avoid Excessive Idling — When your vehicle is idling, you are getting 0 miles to the gallon.

Use Cruise Control — By using cruise control on the highway you will be maintaining a constant speed and saving gas.

Secure Gas Cap — Make sure your gas cap is on and not loose or damaged. 147 million gallons of gas vaporize every year due to these conditions.

Gas prices are expected to continue to rise, but you can realize improved fuel economy by changing your driving habits and keeping up with maintenance.

See Also — Hypermiling Defined!

Source: Automotive Oil Change Association

Ford Confirms Fiesta Production, Hatchback Plans

June 1, 2008 by admin 2 Comments

Step back in time with me when men’s hair was longer, pants wider, and shirts tighter. The year was 1976 and the Ford Fiesta (top photo) made its initial debut in Europe. Eventually, the car made its way to North America, but it never had quite the success it managed to achieve on the other side of the pond.

Ford Fiesta Later, Europe and North America shared Ford’s world car, the Escort, but the closest we’ve gone to having a car that both Europeans and North Americans loved was the Focus. Even now, the Focus sold in Canada and the United States isn’t the same one sold in Europe.

Last Friday, Ford announced that the all-new Fiesta (bottom photo), which will be hitting European streets in 2009, will begin production at the company’s Cuautitlán Assembly Plant in Mexico early the following year. Moreover, the subcompact sedan will be joined by a hatchback with both cars sold in the North American market.

Ford Verve At present, the Mexican plant produces F-Series pick up truck for the Mexican market, but will be converted into a plant that produces the Fiesta for the North American market (US, Canada). In addition, Ford has announced that the company’s Chihuahua Engine Plant, which already builds I-4 engines, will assemble diesel engines for light- and medium-duty trucks in a variety of global markets. Lastly, via a joint collaboration with Getrag (GFT), Ford will build a new transmission plant in Guanajuato to support a number of Ford products.

Ford’s total investment in Mexico will increase by $3 billion which includes investments being made by local suppliers, with as many as 4500 new Ford jobs coming to Mexico.

The Ford Verve concept which appeared at auto shows this year is the design for the next generation Fiesta.

See Also — Hot Hatch: Ford Fiesta ST

(Source: Ford Motor Company)

Eating French Fries On The Road Done Right

May 23, 2008 by admin Leave a Comment

Even with gas prices in the neighborhood of $4 per gallon, we’re still very much a drive-thru culture. McDonald’s can be “blamed” for starting this French Fry Holder trend some fifty years ago with scores of other fast food companies joining in.

The public enjoys the convenience of getting quick food at a decent price, so one gadget manufacturer has recently taken advantage of America’s on-the-go appetite by inventing a product that is sure to please.

Yes, if you like eating French Fries while driving down the interstate, but you don’t like to fish them from the bag or eat them cold, then the French Fry Holder from Improvements Catalog is something that you’ll want to check out.

“It slices, it dices….” — not really, but it does fit in your cupholder for easy fry retrieval. No, there isn’t a warming device included, but it’ll make it easier for you to keep your eyes on the road while your scarf down some fries. What’s more, that’s a little ketchup holder you see clipped on the front making it easy for you to dip, eat, and drive.

Dishwasher safe, you can also use the French Fry Holder to keep snacks or crayons in their place.

I don’t have a price for this gadget because it is currently sold out. Either demand is up or the product has been pulled, but either way you’ll have to check back with the folks at the Improvements Catalog to find out its status.

As for me, I’m going to wait to make my purchase until an optional heated version becomes available. The holder is a nice idea, but I want it to keep my fries warm too!

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