Ford recalls F-series pickups, Edge, Lincoln MKX

DETROIT (Reuters) – Ford Motor Co is recalling about 20,000 new vehicles in North America, mainly its heavy duty pickup trucks, due to the chance that an electrical short could cause a fire, Ford and U.S. federal regulators said on Thursday.



Ford will inform owners of its F-series pickups and small sports utility vehicles Edge and Lincoln MKX of the potential problem by January 10, according to a filing with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.



About 15,000 of the affected vehicles were sold in the United States, and most of the rest in Canada, said Wes Sherwood, Ford spokesman.



Sherwood said the automaker is not aware of any injuries, crashes or fires resulting from the issue.



Body control modules made by Lear Corp at a plant in Mexico produced over a six-day period may cause an electrical short, Ford told NHTSA in a filing.



The same filing said that Lear "found that a newly hired operator failed to properly clean a soldering machine during four production shifts" over six days in late October.



Sherwood said the suspect vehicles were assembled at Ford plants between late October and mid-November.



"If an electrical short develops, an overheating condition may occur" and result in a vehicle fire, the NHTSA filing said.



Ford discovered the problem when two F-150 pickups had fires in mid-November and early December at a Dearborn, Michigan assembly plant before being shipped, it told NHTSA.



"Ford is not aware of any reports for related fires on vehicles in service," the automaker told NHTSA.



Of the nearly 20,000 vehicles affected, 13,200 are Super Duty F-Series trucks, which are the F-250, the F-350 and the F-450 models.



Some 476 F-150 pickup trucks were affected. That model is the biggest selling vehicle in North America.



About 6,200 Edge and MKX models are affected, Sherwood said.



Edge and MKX are also known as crossover vehicles because they are built on a car platform rather than a truck platform as are larger SUVs.



Ford dealers are to inspect recalled vehicles and if necessary replace body control modules at no consumer cost. Sherwood said the repair time is relatively short, but he did not specify how long each repair will take or how much repairs will cost the automaker

1998 buick lesabre anti freeze smell

hi just got a 98 lesabre and it has a strong anti freeze smell coming fro under the hood. theres no leaks anywhere that i can find. even took the engine cover of.





Response:

The best way to find a coolant leak is to pressure test it. This can be done with the use of a pressure tester or have your local shop do this for you.





http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/sta12270.html



The most common placed to look on the 3.8L engine is the plastic 90 degree tube located toward the top front of the engine. look for orange looking coolant laying around this area.

My digital gas gage reads full all the time I have to go by my miles and sometimes that don't work and I run out of gas..how do I fix my problem

This is a common problem and to correct this problem will require the replacement of the fuel sending unit. The fuel sending unit is inside the fuel tank and has the fuel pump mounted in it. This requires the removal of the gas tank and then the fuel sending unit can be removed from the tank.





1.Disconnect the negative battery cable.





2.Relieve fuel system pressure.



3.Remove fuel filler cap to release fuel tank vapors. Leave cap off until repairs are completed. Gasoline fuel vapors are extremely flammable. Ensure that fuel is stored in a container that can be properly sealed. Never store fuel in an open container. Store container in a safe place away from heat.



4.Remove fuel tank by performing the following:



1.Step 1: Drain fuel from the tank into an approved container for storage.



2.Step 2: Raise and safely support the vehicle.



3.Step 3: Remove rear stabilizer bar at links, pivot bar downward.



4.Step 4: Remove hoses and pipes from tank unit.



5.Step 5: Remove hoses at tank from filler and vent pipe.



6.Step 6: Disconnect tank unit harness from rear body harness.



7.Step 7: Support fuel tank and disconnect 2 fuel tank retaining straps.



8.Step 8: Remove tank from vehicle.



5.Remove sending unit, gasket and pump assembly by turning cam lock ring counterclockwise. Lift assembly from fuel tank and remove fuel pump from fuel tank sending unit.



6.Pull fuel pump up into attaching hose while pulling outward away from bottom support. Take care to prevent damage to rubber insulator and strainer during removal. After pump assembly is clear of bottom support, pull pump assembly out of rubber connector for removal. To install:







7.Push fuel pump assembly into attaching hose.



8.Install fuel tank sending unit and pump assembly into tank assembly. Use new O-ring seal during reassembly.



9.Install cam lock over assembly and lock by turning clockwise.



10.Support tank and position in vehicle. Install tank straps and secure with retaining bolts. Tighten to 25 ft. lbs. (33 Nm).



11.Connect tank unit harness to body harness.



12.Connect hoses to filler and vent pipes. Tighten clamps.



13.Connect hoses and pipes to tank unit.



14.Connect rear stabilizer bar to links. Tighten bolts to 42 ft. lbs. (58 Nm).



15.Lower vehicle.



16.Refill tank and install filler cap.



17.Connect negative battery cable.



18.Start engine and check for leaks

Professional Automotive Technicians at AutoTechnician.org

This Auto Technician Website is a unique and different approach to locating an auto repair shop and or technician. Each registered Tech has to take 25 question test that only the top seasoned  and or well educated technicians could pass. Autotechnician.org offers FREE directory listings for all qualifying technicians that pass the test. This is to help profile your areas of experience to target customers. Did I mention it was free.



For The Consumer: To provide consumers in need of auto repair or maintenance a better, more reliable online resource to research and locate their best choice of an auto repair mechanic or technician suited for their vehicle.



This website has the ability to help both the technicians and the consumer at the same time. It allows a technician to post his or her credentials, promote the facility he/she works at and also provides a place for consumers to search and locate the best technicians for the job the need.



I encourage any automotive technician to check out the website, register and take the test.

Car Insurance, the New Big Brother?

Insurance companies get a bad rap. Everybody hates auto insurance until they need to file a claim, and all of a sudden they’re all friends. A week later they go back to hating their insurance company. It looks like some insurers, like The Hartford, want to just skip the part where you pretend like you’re friends and just stick to being hated. They have a new plan over there called Direct Repair Provider, or DRP. It’s basically a network of pre-approved repair shops that are authorized to work on your car if you make a claim. Sounds innocent enough, right? It could even be a good idea, letting your insurance company find the shop and do the legwork for you. The problem lies in the future implications. If your car is sent to one of the Preferred Provider shops, you’re essentially letting the insurance company repair your car. Since the repair shop is in the pocket of the insurer, who’s side do you think they’ll take when a repair is up for debate? I’d also be willing to bet that in exchange for the steady stream of business that will come when a shop becomes a DRP, they agree to lower rates. This can mean lower quality work and less attention to detail.

The issue is heating up in the industry, but it will be up to consumers — the ones paying for car insurance — to tip the scales in the direction of independent repair shops and no direct oversight by the insurance companies. If your insurer is offering these packages, be sure to think long and hard before you sign up.

Chrysler recalling 76K Dodge Ram trucks

WASHINGTON – Chrysler is recalling about 76,000 Dodge Ram pickup trucks to fix a power steering issue that could lead to brake pedals that are slow to return after the driver applies them.



The recall affects certain 2010-2011 model year Dodge Ram trucks built from March 2009 through October 2010.



Chrysler said some trucks with diesel engines and a hydroboost brake system could be equipped with a power steering reservoir cap with excessive vent pressure levels.



The excessive levels could lead to brake pedals that are slow to return and make the brake lights remain on, potentially causing a crash.



Chrysler said it will notify owners and dealers will replace the steering reservoir cap free of charge.



Owners can contact Chrysler at (800) 853-1403.

Should I solder or crimp my electrical conections ?

I prefer crimp unless on at an area that it can't be used. It should be mentioned that there is a correct way to apply a crimp to crimp connectors. All crimp connectors start out as a flat piece of metal that is shaped into a cylinder, so they have a seam where the edges meet that runs the length of the connector. The connector should be placed in the crimping tool with the seam at 12 o'clock (facing up). When the jaws are closed, the shaped crimper die presses down on the seam from above, bends and crushes the connector metal, compresses and traps the wire strands and produces a tight crimp. A connector that's crimped with the seam in a different position may still work, but the connector may not assume the desired crimped shape and its grip on the wire strands may not be as tight as a result.



Second, I've learned that the European Union (EU) has passed legislation requiring the removal of all lead from solder. This has presented problems in electronic items. With the lead removed, tiny whiskers can form on a solder joint that can short out adjoining connections.



Reference : www.motor.com

Ford to unveil a B-Max minivan concept at Geneva show

Ford of Europe plans to unveil a concept of a small minivan that will replace the Fusion at the Geneva auto show in March, a Ford source told Automotive News Europe.



The vehicle will challenge the Opel Meriva, Europe's top-selling small minivan. It will go into production by the end of next year at Ford's factory in Craiova, Romania, the source said, adding that European sales of the minivan will begin in early 2012.



When asked for confirmation, a Ford of Europe spokesman reiterated what the company has previously said about its production plans at the Craiova plant: “It is a B-segment vehicle and will go into full production early in 2012.”



Ford, which uses B segment to describe subcompact-sized cars, is likely to call the new vehicle B-Max, as it will be the smallest offering in Ford's European range of minivans that includes the medium C-Max and large S-Max and the large Galaxy.



Based on Ford's global B-architecture, which debuted in 2008 with the Fiesta subcompact model, the B-Max will be a five-seat minivan with rear sliding doors, the source said.



The Meriva has been Europe's best-selling small minivan since Automotive News Europe began tracking the segment in 2003.



Ford Fusion sales peaked at 82,696 units in 2007, when it was No. 2 to the Meriva at 132,715 units, according to data from market researcher JATO Dynamics.



The Fusion, which was launched in 2002 has begun to show its age, sliding to fifth place in the segment last year, behind the Meriva, Citroen C3 Picasso, Renault Modus/Grand Modus and Opel/Vauxhall Agila. Through 10 months, Fusion volumes have dropped 36 percent to 30,577.



Crucial model



Ford has said that about 150,000 units of its B-segment vehicle will be built a year at the Craiova plant, 80 percent of which will be exported. The company has no plans to sell the model in the United States.





The automaker says added production is crucial to boost output at the underutilized Craiova plant, which Ford bought from the Romanian government two years ago.



When Ford made an offer for the former Daewoo factory in July 2007, it planned to build up to 300,000 vehicles and 300,000 engines annually, a rise from about 24,000 vehicles and 116,000 engines built at the facility in 2006.



Ford got control of the plant in March 2008 with an original plan to invest 675 million euros by 2012 and begin production of the B-Max by early 2010. This plan stalled because of the global financial crisis, forcing the production start to be re-scheduled to the end of 2011.



In July 2009, Ford began producing the Transit Connect small van in Craiova, where 300 units were built in 2009 and 8,500 have been made through 11 months this year, Ford said.



Most of the Transit Connects were exported, according to the Automotive Manufacturers and Importers Association (APIA) in Romania.



By the end of 2010, Ford will have invested 200 million euros in Craiova, roughly a third of the original total earmarked at the time of purchase. Ford has until 2013 to complete the investment.

What Happens if I don't change my oil?

I read this post on Yahoo.com today and was quite surprised.

Change Your Oil Every 3,000 Miles





The little sticker placed on the car windshield reminds you to change a car's oil every 3,000 miles -- regardless of make, model or scenario.





But many experts now say the 3,000-mile oil change is dead. Why? New car engines and oil quality have advanced to the point where cars can go 5,000 to 10,000 miles without a change.





"Generally speaking, vehicles don't need to be changed every 3,000 miles anymore," says Tara Baukus Mello, author of Bankrate.com's Driving for Dollars column. "It's somewhere between 5,000 to 10,000, unless they have an engine oil sensor, and then it could be anywhere."





However, don't automatically assume you can push oil changes beyond 3,000 miles.





"It's important to consult your owner's manual for the frequency, the number of miles, the length of time between changes and the type of oil -- and to follow whatever those instructions are," Mello says.

Being a Shop Owner, a Shop Technician for over 20 years and previous Street and Track Racer, I have not only pushed engines to there limits but maintained fleets of vehicles for long periods of time including Police Vehicles that rarely get turned off.   Here is the skinny on oil changes.

1. If you are planning on getting rid of the car in under 50,000 miles, you could get away with not ever changing the oil.


2. If you plan on tossing their car at 100,000 miles or less, you can get away with changing your oil every 10,000 miles.


3. If you would like your engine to last up to 500,000 miles change your oil every 3,000 miles.

Here's the thing, there are differences in everyones driving habits. For example, the police vehicles are sold at auction at 120,000 miles or less so The oil only gets changed every 5,000 miles. The average car owner likes to keep there car to close to 200,000 miles these days and changing the oil more frequently helps to ensure the ability to do just that.



The easiest way to be able to tell when your oil should be replaced is when you can visually see the oil changing to a darker color as this is the first signs of the viscosity (thickness)breaking down. This means the oil is no longer doing its job.



So what exactly am I getting at? You may save a few dollars on oil changes but if you are needing your vehicle to last as long as it can you are just short changing yourself in the long run. An engine can cost Thousands. 



What Happens if I don't change my oil?  Nothing at first and then over time, the engine will start to wear prematurely and start burning oil (oil level decreases). You won't notice the vehicle smoking out the exhaust for a while but once you do, its too late. The damage is already done. You will be buying 2 to 3 quarts of oil between oil changes just to keep the engine full of oil. The engine will pass oil through the exhaust causing damage to the O2Sensors and catalytic converter causing the check engine light to come on and the fuel management system to work improperly giving worse fuel miles and Costing you more money. Then over time you notice a slight rattle or knock noise on start up that eventually happens anytime the engine is running and now you are looking at buying a new engine of replacing the vehicle. In the meantime your neighbor who had his oil changed regularly at 3,000 miles is having none of these problems and you are sitting there thinking you bought a lemon and the whole time it was just a lack of maintenance on your part.



........ Change your Oil, it isn't that expensive. $20,000 car vs. $20.00 oil change..... do the math.

Preparing Your Vehicle For a Long Trip this Winter

Personally, I prefer to get to my destination; instead of siting on the side of the road waiting for the tow truck. Preparing your car for the trip is simple. This article is intended to briefly educate on how simple checks will keep you moving forward. Read on.

Automobiles are my specialty. I repair and service an average of one to five a day, with a comeback rate of 2%. Only 2 out of 100 vehicles return to me because of my mistake or a part failure. I take pride in educating auto owners about the importance of a reliable automobile. In order to prepare yourself for a successful commute on a long trip use a basic check list.



- Check the oil, you should check the oil on your car or truck once a week, but absolutely check it before a long drive.



- Check the tires, automotive tires will loose air over time. This can result in a major problem on the road, like a blow-out. Tires will malfunction if not inflated properly.



- Check the coolant, overheating can be damaging to the vehicles engine resulting in roadside assistance.



- Inspect the belts & hoses, a belt braking can cause a number of things; including battery charging and power steering malfunction.

In summary, I have briefly explained some basic checks on your car that should be performed, before a long trip. Make sure to consult a qualified auto service mechanic for further assistance. The auto mechanic should be able to assist you with other procedures that are necessary to make your automobile road worthy. Keep your ride off of the hook and have a save trip.

On-board Internet is just around the corner, experts say

BERLIN -- On-board Internet will soon become a regular option in cars as the necessary technology makes its mass market breakthrough in the next few years. That is the view of experts meeting at the Automobilwoche Congress in Berlin.



“On-board Internet can be here very quickly. It can happen in two to three years. It goes hand-in hand with the continued, rapid development of car-to car communication" Ulrich Kurth, an automotive specialist at T-Systems told the Congress.



Automobilwoche is a sister publication of Automotive News Europe.



All the components necessary to roll out the technology are at hand. "The chemical mixture has become explosive. We have everything. Now it's only a matter of how these components come together." he added.



But Stefan Bratzel, manager of the Center of Automotive at the University of Applied Sciences in Bergisch Gladbach added a cautionary note, warning automakers that they shouldn't underestimate the attractions of on-board Internet and allow non-automotive companies to provide universal standards for the technology before they do.



“We are going to have the Google generation in high-volume cars. The industry must internalize this from the outset,” Bratzel said.



Attracting young drivers



Bratzel added that the Internet could play a key role in making cars more attractive to young people, who already use Internet regularly.



“To become more attractive to young people, the auto industry must offer something that they now use naturally on a daily basis.”



He added that carmakers could also use the technology to maintain and shape future customer relationships.



“On-board Internet can assure the OEMs' contact with the customer beyond the sales process,” he said.



But not every aspect of the existing technology for on-board Internet points to the future, according to T-Systems's Kurth. He doesn't consider the current leading applications such as Ford Sync and Onstar to be the way forward.



“These solutions continue to be quite simple," Kurth said. "They don't lend themselves to expansion.”

Honda Fit EV Concept

“Honda’s long history with electromotive technologies has enabled us to understand customer requirements,” said Takanobu Ito, Honda's president and CEO. “In Honda’s view, an electric vehicle must offer great utility and be fun to drive. Fit EV’s urban commuting capability will be a perfect addition to the full-function mobility of the plug-in hybrid and the FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle.”



The Honda Fit EV Concept has a claimed range of 70 to 100 miles. Power is supplied by a lithium-ion battery and coaxial electric motor. Top speed is projected at 90 miles per hour.

Inside, the Fit EV Concept looks to be as fit as the original gas powered model. An E-drive system, first introduced in the new Honda CR-Z, allows for three unique drive settings: Econ, Normal and Sport.



Econ is said to improve range by 17 percent over the Normal setting, and 25 percent compared to Sport. Acceleration is significantly quicker in Sport mode, but going fast isn’t the main reason for buying this vehicle; practicality and economy are.



Battery recharging takes up to 12 hours using a 120-volt outlet, half that with 240 volt. On a stand nearby, Honda also displayed their latest home charging system. Swipe a card in front of the main screen and plug in to begin the recharging process.



Additionally, Honda unveiled a new plug-in hybrid system designed specifically for midsize to larger vehicles. With big plans in the works for EV automobiles, Honda is once again leading the charge to reduce the use of fossil fuels and change the world one vehicle at a time.

Should I buy a Chevy or a Ford?

Ohio dealer Chris Haydocy heard it even at dinner parties: "Government Motors."



In conservative Buckeye country, it meant a fat "no, thank you" to vehicles from General Motors Co., whose majority stakeholder was the federal government.



Texas Chevrolet dealer Carroll Smith said he won't be happy until the government has sold its stake in GM. The IPO reduced U.S. ownership from 61 percent to about 33 percent.



Smith, who will sell about 1,600 new vehicles this year at Monument Chevrolet in Pasadena, Texas, is convinced that the stigma of government ownership cost him sales.



He said he has heard at the country club, especially from his Republican friends, how Ford Motor Co. deserved praise for not taking federal bailout money. "It's not quantifiable, but I'm sure it's happened," Smith said of lost sales.



He said he bought the maximum 800 shares of GM common stock offered at the IPO price to GM dealers, employees and retirees.



Tom Durant, a Dallas-area Chevrolet dealer and member of both the GM and Chevrolet dealer councils, said product will determine GM's future. With improving sales and a bankruptcy-scrubbed balance sheet, GM will have more money going forward to invest in product development, he said.



"We had new product coming out during bankruptcy and lots afterward," said Durant, owner of Classic Chevrolet. "That's what this game is all about."



This year, GM has launched the Chevrolet Cruze compact, the Chevy Volt plug-in sedan, heavy-duty full-sized pickups and the Buick Regal mid-sized sedan.



Ohio dealer Haydocy -- whose Haydocy Buick-GMC will sell about 500 new vehicles this year, about the same number as 2009 -- said nothing succeeds like success.



He said the good vibe from the IPO is likely to make some consumers curious again about GM vehicles, which should boost showroom traffic. Haydocy also owns a small Chevrolet, Buick and Cadillac store in Bucyrus, Ohio.



Said Haydocy: "People aren't investing because of civic pride; they want to see the story behind the success."

U.S. car fuel economy up; C02 drops for sixth year

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- A boost in U.S. auto fuel economy standards slashed carbon dioxide emissions by 14 percent per mile over the last six years and reduced gasoline use by 16 percent, the government said today.



A new report from the Environmental Protection Agency found that C02 emissions have decreased while fuel economy has increased every year since 2005, reversing the trend of the previous eight years.



Average C02 emissions fell by 64 grams per mile to 395 grams in the last six years, while vehicle fuel economy rose by 3.1 miles per gallon to 22.5 mpg.



The numbers are expected to keep improving as the government requires higher fuel economy and lower greenhouse gas emission emissions for vehicles



By 2016, average fuel economy is set to reach 35.5 mpg and emissions will be lowered to 250 grams per mile.



The government proposed in October that heavy trucks reduce their carbon emissions by 20 percent by 2018 as part of a first-ever fuel efficiency standard for commercial vehicles.

Recalled Ford Windstars stack up on dealer lots, awaiting parts

There are about 575,000 Windstars that could have cracked or damaged axles.



DETROIT -- Used Windstar minivans are stacking up on some Ford dealerships’ lots as dealers await parts to repair the vehicles.



And as they do, Ford’s costs for this recall are mounting as well.



Ford Motor Co. says new axles to replace any broken Windstar axles, on 1998 through 2003 models, will not arrive until early next year. Some other parts related to the axle problem arrive within two months, said Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood.



There are about 575,000 Windstars that could have cracked or damaged axles. Most require small repairs that can be completed this year, Sherwood said.



Most of the Windstars affected are in the Rust Belt region, where winter road salt accelerated axle erosion, dealers say.



Windstars with cracked axles are unsafe to drive, so dealers have to store them while Ford reimburses dealers for the expense of renting Windstar customers a vehicle, Sherwood said.



Sherwood said he did not know how many Windstars are being stored by dealers.



Dealers estimate Ford is paying about $38 a day to provide rental vehicles to effected Windstar owners. That could amount to about $2,000 or more per customer by the time the parts are in, costing Ford millions.



“I have about 50 Windstars sitting on my lot,” said a dealer, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Ford called me and asked me if I needed assistance with storage. I said no. I have them out back -- hidden -- because it’s a sad looking gang.”



In rare cases, Ford will offer to buy back the vehicle at the top-end of the Kelley Blue Book value. It also offers a $2,500 incentive toward the purchase of a new Ford vehicle or $500 toward a used vehicle.



Ford’s Sherwood declined to estimate Ford’s cost of this recall. He added: “Our goal is to make sure we limit the inconvenience and all of our customers are satisfied.”

GE to buy 25,000 electric vehicles from GM, rivals by 2015

DETROIT (Bloomberg) -- General Electric Co. will buy 25,000 electric vehicles, almost half of them from General Motors Co., by 2015 in the biggest such order ever.



Electric autos will make up at least half of GE's 30,000-car fleet, as well as leased vehicles from its GE Capital unit, the company said in a statement today. GM's portion of the order is for 12,000 vehicles including the 2011 Chevrolet Volt. Financial terms weren't disclosed.



GE's order is a boost for the Volt as GM prepares for an initial public offering after its 2009 restructuring in bankruptcy.



“Wide-scale adoption of electric vehicles will also drive clean-energy innovation, strengthen energy security and deliver economic value,” GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt said in the statement. GE's equipment generates one-third of the world's electricity.



“Electric vehicles are a real-world technology that can reduce both emissions and our dependence on oil,” GM CEO Dan Akerson said in the statement. The company plans to deliver Volts by the end of this year, he said. The sedan has an electric motor to drive the wheels and a gasoline engine to recharge the batteries once they're spent.



Immelt is positioning GE to benefit from more energy-efficient technologies by producing batteries, car-charging stations and smart-grid systems. GE said it's in a “strong position” to help 65,000 leasing customers convert to electric vehicles and sees the electric-car market adding as much as $500 million in sales in the next three years.



In the U.S., the Obama administration has committed more than $11 billion in taxpayer aid to help car and battery makers start producing electric vehicles.



Battery power



Other automakers preparing to sell vehicles powered solely by batteries in the next 18 months include Nissan Motor Co., which starts delivering Leaf hatchbacks late this year; Ford Motor Co., readying electric versions of its Transit Connect delivery van and Focus compact car; and Toyota Motor Corp., which will sell a rechargeable RAV4 SUV.



By buying so many vehicles, GE is helping drive down their price, which will spur production and increase demand for battery plants and other parts makers, Fred Smith, chairman of the Electrification Coalition, a Washington-based organization of transportation and energy executives, said in the statement. Smith is CEO of FedEx Corp.



The move will “make electric vehicles more visible and acceptable to the public at large,” Smith said. “This is good for GE, good for our economy and good for our nation.”



GE will open two customer centers to evaluate vehicle-charging, driver experience and maintenance requirements and to display an array of models and manufacturers. One will be near Detroit in Van Buren Township, Mich., as part of a new technology center GE announced last year, and the other in Eden Prairie, Minn., where GE Capital Fleet Services is based, according to the statement.



GE is investing $10 billion in the next five years in clean energy across its business lines. Its products include lithium ion batteries for cars and trucks via a venture with A123 Systems Inc. and sodium-based batteries for use in large vehicles such as locomotives.



GE Energy Infrastructure is the company's biggest industrial unit, accounting for $37 billion of the parent company's $157 billion in revenue last year. GE is also the world's largest maker of locomotives, jet engines, medical-imaging equipment and related information technology systems.

GM's loss is Uncle Sam's . . . loss, too

General Motors can see a silver lining in those billions of dollars in losses it piled up in the years before declaring bankruptcy in 2009. So-called tax loss carry forwards will allow the company to avoid about $45 billion in taxes on future profits, the Wall Street Journal reported last week.



The giant tax break will be good for up to 20 years.



GM might have lost those accounting provisions when it emerged from bankruptcy as a new company last year. That's what normally happens when a company undergoes a major change in ownership as part of a restructuring.



But a little-noticed ruling by the feds last year allows companies that got a bailout under the Troubled Asset Relief Program to retain those tax benefits, the newspaper said. So GM can keep more of its future profits.



The tax benefits were cited in the public disclosure preceding GM's initial public offering of stock, which will be launched this month.

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1998 Mercury Tracer Questionable Service?

Had my son’s car towed to the shop on Friday because it stalled on him twice. On his check up sheet in August 2010, the only thing needing attention was his serpentine belt; everything else was green.



After they checked the vehicle, they reported that the timing belt needed to be changed. Some other things they noted was the front brakes and the rotors needed to be changed, transmission flushed, new spark plugs. Is it possible for all this to go wrong in the space of two months?



1998 Mercury Tracer, 4 cylinder automatic



Response:



As for the tune up, transmission flush may just be time for this on the scheduled maintenance and in the long run, this will not hurt the vehicle. You can however put these to items off for another time.



As for the brakes, being a safety issue I would tend to be a bit concerned here. If you are having trouble stopping or hear grinding….you may want to have this taken care of.



If the brakes seem fine to you, you can say “NO” and bring it back when they do start to cause you an issue.



Some shops feel obligated to Continue.....

Toyota seeks dismissal of class-action suit over unintended acceleration

WASHINGTON -- Toyota Motor Corp. is asking a federal judge in California to dismiss a class-action lawsuit over alleged safety defects on grounds that plaintiffs have not identified an electronic defect and many of them don't claim to have experienced unintended acceleration.



The company's filing contends plaintiffs are making claims on behalf of all Toyota owners with electronic throttle control systems while asserting “only a tiny fraction of the vehicles in question” have accelerated out of control, Toyota said in a statement today.



Toyota's own technical reviews have found no evidence of any electronic defects that might lead to unintended acceleration, the statement said.



“More than a year after filing their first complaint, plaintiffs have not identified a defect and are grasping at straws to make their case,” Toyota lawyer Cari Dawson said in the statement.



An amended class-action complaint filed last week in federal court in Santa Ana, Calif., cited internal company records documenting instances in which Toyota technicians or service managers re-created acceleration problems like those reported by customers.



“We believe the evidence clearly shows that Toyota recognized -- and could replicate -- sudden, unintended accelerations with their vehicles for nearly a decade,” Steve Berman, an attorney representing plaintiffs, said in a statement. “We also believe Toyota knew how to fix the problem using a brake-override system -- standard equipment with other carmakers. We are confident the case will move forward, and the jury will be the ultimate arbiter.”



The 725-page filing last week also alleges Toyota secretly repurchased from customers some vehicles it found with safety defects linked to unintended-acceleration problems.



The suit attempts to consolidate dozens of consumers and businesses claiming economic losses stemming from complaints that Toyota vehicles raced out of control.



Toyota said last week it had indeed repurchased vehicles from customers who complained of unintended acceleration but did so to conduct “further engineering analysis” on the cars.



The company said its technicians were unable to replicate those acceleration concerns.

2003 dodge caravan

Well i have tried everything so i thought i would get on here for some ideas so her goes i have a 2003 dodge grand caravan with flex fuel the problem started when the van hit 300,000 miles it stopped running the gas light had come on a couple minuetes prior to it stop running so i went and got 5 gallons of gas and put in it this did not make a difference either so i pushed it home from there i have changed the fuel filter the van will run when it is cold for about 3 minuetes then it stops and makes a clicking noise from the fuse box and will not start when it is making the noise so i changed the fuel pump no difference then i changed the map sensor no difference then i changed the coolent sensor no difference then i put new plugs and H2o sensor in it then i checked the codes again and it said the TP sensor was malfunctioning so i changed that and it ran for exactly 15 minuetes and stopped running again and the clicking noise started back up so my last option is the computer brain unless someone else has an idea i can try??



Response:

1) Have you tried the crank sensor? Sometimes when those heat up they make the engine cutoff

2) That would have been my first guess did you check the fuel pressure before you changed the pump??

3) Check for a plugged converter.

'99 ford windstar dies while driving

so before i took my car to a Midas to change my oil and rotate my tires and did what one of there services to check hoses and belt and my check engine light ect... i knew my car was having a transmission problem and it needed a fuel injection service i drove the car like that because i cant afford to pay for replacement for a transmission for 99 ford Wind-star i had already change that transmission 2 times and there it goes it slips and has sort of hard shifts! but that's not the question the question was that in the morning when i took my sister to work before i took the car to Midas it wouldn't turn off at all but the R.P.M would just go down a little so this time in the morning after 2 days i took it has turn of on me at least 5 to six times at every stop i do and the car would shake drastically i don't know what it is can u guys help me out with a guess at least!!!



Response:

1) Start the engine and walk to the tail pipe. Can feel the exhaust under pressure, does it sound like a whistle? Now look under at the pipes and see if any are crushed or something in the tail pipe.

New Honda CRZ, is it worth it?

The New Honda CRZ is a completely new designed econo-sport 2 seater. Looks awesome, drives awesome, lots of new technology and well.... I think a bit over priced for what your getting($19,200). You can buy a new Honda Civic for less money($15,800) and it gets only a few miles per gallon less than the CRZ(26 CITY 34 HWY). Don't forget the civic can carry 4 passengers as well. Oh, I hear ya, what about the whole Go Green issue? Well, I can think of keeping more of the Green in my pocket for starters. You may burn slightly less fuel per gallon(a difference of a few gallons on hwy only.35 CITY 39 HWY) but now you have to burn coal as well to charge the battery. Hmmmm doesn't sound very Green at all to me. But if your just going for the latest and greatest Wow factor. The New Honda CRZ is a great option for all. For myself, I'm a bit disappointed in Honda for building a hybrid car thats no more advanced in the fuel mileage area than it is. In part its my own fault for having such high expectations for an extrordinary car company.

Leaf, Volt and Fiesta among Green Car of the Year finalists

The Chevrolet Volt, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Lincoln MKZ Hybrid and the Nissan Leaf were been named finalists for 2011 Green Car of the Year honors today.



It's the first time the list of finalists has included electric cars: the Leaf and Volt.



The winner will be announced during media previews for the Los Angeles Auto Show on Nov. 18. The award, sponsored by Green Car Journal, honors vehicles that represent environmental leadership and technologic innovation.



“These five 2011 Green Car of the Year finalists reflect an auto industry in transition,” Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal said in a statement. “It wasn't long ago when electric drive was a novelty. Now, it's expected that auto manufacturers will include electric drive in some form among their model offerings.”



Award organizers said the inclusion of the Ford Fiesta alongside the electric Volt and Leaf, and Sonata and Lincoln MKZ hybrids, proves that internal combustion engine technology has also advanced to levels of competitive fuel economy standards.



Ford Motor Co.'s subcompact hatchback qualifies for consideration due to its 40 mpg highway fuel economy using a conventional gasoline engine.



Nominees for the award can include any vehicle that employs a fuel-efficient powertrain technology: electric, hybrid, gasoline engine, diesel engine or alternative fuels. The 2010 Audi A3 TDI took the honor last year. It was the second diesel model in a row to win the award, after the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI.



A vehicle must be on sale by Jan. 1 in order to qualify.



This year, auto enthusiast Jay Leno, host of the “Tonight Show,” and former race car driver and auto designer Carroll Shelby will join a jury that also includes Carl Pope, chairman of the Sierra Club; Frances Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council; Jean-Michel Cousteau, president of Ocean Futures Society; Matt Petersen, president of Global Green USA; and Green Car Journal editors.

Millions of Fords recalled for engine-fire risk still unrepaired

In some 1995-2003 Windstars, cruise control switches may leak brake fluid into the anti-lock brake system Ford said.



WASHINGTON -- About 8.4 million Ford vehicles that can possibly catch fire remain on the road because of lack of owner information even after the largest U.S. safety recall ever, regulators said today.



The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration urged owners of the 14 million vehicles recalled between 1999 and 2009 for leaky cruise-control switches to take their unrepaired vehicles in to dealers. The switches on those vehicles may leak into the antilock brake system, Ford has said.



“If not repaired, the vehicles can catch fire, even if they are turned off, parked and unattended,” NHTSA's statement today said.



A NHTSA spokeswoman said that about 60 percent of the 14 million recalled vehicles -- or 8.4 million – have not been brought in for repair by owners.



Typically, about 30 percent of recalled vehicles are not returned for repair within a year-and-a-half of the announcement, said the spokeswoman, who asked not to be named.



Today's statement singled out used-car owners who may not know whether the vehicles they bought had ever been returned to dealers for needed repairs.



It also urged owners “to watch for potential warning signs of an imminent fire.”



Those signs include a cruise-control system or brake lights that stop working, low brake fluid and the illumination of brake warning lights on the dashboard.



Ford has notified owners about the recalls a number of times, company spokesman Wesley Sherwood said.



The repair rate for the Ford models has been “likely lower than typical” because of their age, he added.



NHTSA praised the automaker's notification efforts as “diligent.”



Among the models that have been recalled over the years are 1992-2003 E series, 1993-2003 F series, 1995-2003 Windstars, 1995-2002 Explorers and 1995-2003 Rangers.



Ford's series of eight recalls for the same defect amounted to the largest-ever U.S. recall, according to NHTSA data. The 14 million vehicles recalled are nearly double the size of the next biggest.



Ford's most recent recall of 4.5 million vehicles for leaky cruise-control switches was in October 2009 after customer complaints of 72 fires.



A Ford owner can check whether a vehicle has been recalled and repaired by entering the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the following site: www.myford.com.

U.S. to set new fuel-efficiency rules for medium, heavy trucks

The Obama administration is preparing to release details of proposed fuel-efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks that would begin in 2014 and extend through 2018, according to a published report.



In May, President Barack Obama signed a memorandum directing the EPA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to co-write the first-ever fuel-efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks.



"I believe it's possible in the next 20 years for vehicles to use half the fuel and produce half the pollution that they do today," Obama said at a White House ceremony at the time.



Margo Oge, director of the EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality, said an announcement would happen “soon,” The Detroit News reported today. The newspaper said details could be released as early as Monday.



Because heavy-duty trucks account for a large percentage of emissions -- the heaviest consume more than 2 million barrels of oil every day, average 6.1 mpg and emit 20 percent of the greenhouse gases from the transportation sector -- the new proposal could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 250 million metric tons over five years, The News reported.



The proposal covering medium- and heavy-duty trucks is part of a larger White House initiative that includes standards for more fuel-efficient cars and light-duty trucks, including a 62 mpg fuel economy standard for light-vehicle fleets by 2025.



Current rules require a fleetwide fuel-efficiency average of 34.1 mpg by 2016 for passenger cars and light-duty trucks.



Under the new medium- and heavy-duty truck rules, manufacturers would be encouraged to replace old diesel engines with new, cleaner diesels. The government already has spent $200 million on the effort since 2005.



New diesel engines emit 90 percent fewer environmental pollutants, including those that contribute to smog, compared with engines made 20 years ago, Reuters reported.

Automatic Transmission Trouble Shooting Basics

1) First thing to do, no matter the issue, is to check the transmission fluid



The transmission is slipping: odds are the fluid level is low and topping the fluid level off will take care of the immediate issue(you'll still want to find out what happened to the missing fluid.



The transmission fluid is Dark and smells burnt: At this point if the transmission is shifting ok, a fluid and filter change is in order. If the transmission is causing you an issue and the level is full but still burnt looking you are looking at needing a rebuild. The dark color comes from the worn clutches inside the transmission. The clutch material is similar to that of brake pads and when they wear the leave dust similar to brake dust collecting on your wheels.





Transmission won't shift, No reverse, Stuck in Gear, No Overdrive:



these transmission problems can be caused by severe internal damage, a failed shift solenoid, failed sensor or a transmission computer module failure. Sometimes a simple Read more on Transmission Troubleshooting

Google is testing a car that drives itself - No Driver needed for Google Car

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Google Inc, the world's largest Internet search engine, has been tinkering with engines of another sort and come up with some futuristic results -- a car that drives itself. Video of Google Car



Google, in a posting on its official blog, said it has developed the technology and been busy testing a fully automated car that would take the controls out of the hands of distracted drivers, leaving them free to text, eat or apply makeup to their heart's content.



"Our goal is to help prevent traffic accidents, free up people's time and reduce carbon emissions by fundamentally changing car use," Google said on its blog.



The automated cars use video cameras, radar sensors and a laser range finder to "see" other traffic, as well as detailed maps to navigate the road ahead.



The futuristic autos have already been tested on the heavily trafficked California roadways -- including highways, bridges and busy city streets. They have even navigated San Franciso's famed Lombard Street, a tourist favorite known as the nation's most dramatically winding address.



All in all, our self-driving cars have logged over 140,000 miles, Google said.



All of the test runs have had a driver behind the wheel just in case. The driver can take over as easily as one disengages cruise control, Google said, adding that test drives have also included a trained software operator in the passenger seat to monitor the software.



Google said it believes its self-driving cars might one day cut by half the more than 1 million traffic fatalities suffered each year.



For those ready to shell out hard-earned cash for one of the first self driving autos, Google said the project "is very much in the experimental stage" providing only "a glimpse" of what transportation might look like in the future.



It remains to be seen whether Google investors, who have been concerned by the company's spending, will applaud its automotive aspirations. The company missed Wall Street's earnings estimates in the second quarter and is due to report third quarter results later this week.



Source: ca.reuters.com

GM defends Volt while critics say it's not a pure electric car

Chevy Volt

DETROIT (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Co. is disputing accusations that its low-emission Chevrolet Volt is a hybrid and not a true electric vehicle a month before the car goes on sale.



Auto critics Edmunds.com, Motor Trend, Popular Mechanics and others have said that during heavy acceleration the Volt uses its gasoline engine to augment power from the electric motors to drive the wheels.



On its Web site, GM says the car is an extended-range electric vehicle, not a hybrid like Toyota Motor Corp.'s Prius.



“GM's insistence that the car is fully electric is hard to understand in light of the fact that the gas engine provides direct motive power under certain conditions,” the New York Times said Monday.



Doug Parks, a global electric vehicle executive for GM, told the New York Times that the automaker chose not to publicize the high-speed gas-engine assist feature previously to protect the technology during the patent application process.



'A PR problem'



The Volt debate illustrates the marketing challenge for automakers selling new technology in cars that don't fit standard classifications and whose performance is difficult to measure.



GM and Nissan Motor Co. have both made claims about their new models' fuel economy and driving range that not all consumers may attain because electric performance varies greatly by driving habits.



“You have a PR problem with any one of these vehicles,” said Jim Hall, principal of 2953 Analytics Inc., an auto consulting firm in suburban Detroit. “GM had this sort of schizophrenic thing about doing its best to manage perception and at the same time going off into traditional old-style GM hype.”



GM has promoted the $41,000 Volt as an electric vehicle to give it an image boost over hybrid-electric cars such as the Prius.



“The Chevrolet Volt is not a hybrid,” GM said in materials distributed this week to journalists. “It is a one-of-a-kind, all-electrically driven vehicle designed and engineered to operate in all climates.”



The Detroit automaker has said for three years that the Volt would always run on electric power and more recently said it would average 230 miles per gallon. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hasn't rated that number, and GM said many consumers may get lower fuel economy.



Series and parallel hybrid



GM said Monday that the engine does assist in driving the car through an electric generator.



Critics at Popular Mechanics and Edmunds both wrote they consider the Volt a plug-in hybrid and not the electric vehicle that GM has touted for years. The Edmunds review of the car had the headline: “GM Lied: Chevy Volt is not a true EV.”



According to the editors at AutoWeek, an affiliate of Automotive News, the Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle, series hybrid and parallel hybrid all rolled into one.



For the first 25 to 50 miles it's an electric vehicle, running on the battery pack alone. Once the battery pack reaches its minimum charge, the 1.4-liter engine kicks in and turns a generator to feed electricity to the two electric motors -- or a series hybrid.



At speeds of about 70 mph or more, a clutch pack engages which lets the 1.4-liter engine lend a hand and mechanically help turn one of the electric motors, while also generates electricity for the electric motors. That would make it a parallel hybrid by using two power sources to help move the vehicle.



The new claims have arisen in recent days following the formal media launch of the Volt. For the first time, journalists are getting the opportunity to drive the Volt in all modes and driving conditions.



Up until now, GM had allowed journalists to drive the Volt in electric-vehicle mode only.



“GM has kept the complete functionality of the Volt a closely guarded secret until now,” said Bob Gritzinger, executive editor of Autoweek.com and who was among the journalists that drove the vehicle this week.



Nick Richards, a GM spokesman, said the Volt always runs on electricity and has no mechanical link from the gasoline engine to the wheels.



The car's four-cylinder gasoline engine powers a secondary electric motor, which turns the wheels, Tony Posawatz, the Volt's vehicle line director, said in an interview. The car's gas engine doesn't directly power the wheels, he said. GM never disclosed that fact because the engineers saw it as a benefit that boosted the car's fuel economy, he said.



‘Very different'



“I keep telling people that this is a smart solution,” Posawatz said. “It drives very different from a hybrid.”



Hall, of 2953 Analytics, said there are some similarities between the Volt and the Prius.



“In a Prius, there is no mechanical linkage between the engine and the wheels -- it goes through a motor,” he said. “They use the engine to drive a direct-drive generator to drive the motor. The Volt does the same thing, it's just that the Volt can run with electric power without an engine longer than pretty much any hybrid right now can.”



GM said previously that the Volt would go 40 miles on a fully charged battery before the gasoline engine starts to recharge the battery, giving the vehicle a total range of 340 miles.



The company said this week it will go 25 to 50 miles in electric drive and 310 miles on one charge and a tank of fuel.



Nissan and GM both will have marketing challenges when consumers experience lower range or fuel economy, Hall said. With hybrids and electric cars, they can drive farther in stop-and-go city driving than on the highway because braking recharges the battery.



Company claims



That means many Volt owners won't get 230 miles per gallon in the Volt and Leaf drivers won't get the 100 miles on a single charge that the companies have claimed, Hall said.



Consumers probably won't care whether the Volt is a hybrid or electric car, said Eric Noble, president of The CarLab, an auto consulting firm in Orange, Calif. Potential buyers will be more concerned with the car's price, the fuel savings and how far they can drive before needing to plug in or refuel.



“Consumers don't care what we call it,” Noble said. “In our research, most of the questions from consumers are about battery life and recharging.”



The Volt's emissions are more important than what people call it, said Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate Campaign, an environmental lobbying group in Washington.

“I don't think purity is the issue,” Becker said. “What comes out of the tailpipe is the issue. If it's a little, it's green. If it's a lot, it's not.”

Coolant Leak in 2001 Sunfire

Hello! HELP PLEASE!!!!! I have a 2001 Sunfire and my coolant keeps leaking out, I put some Coolant in it yesterday in Michigan City Indiana, and got home and the low coolant light came back on. Anyone, have an ideal what the problem could be? Im praying its not a big issue, so any help will be greatly appreaciated..



Response:

1) Check your hoses for a leak if that don't get it maybe you have a small crack in your radiator



2) Check for leaks under the car. Could be caused by a hose leak, bad water pump or radiator. If you don't see any leaks check your oil dipstick, if it is a milky or gray shade it could be a cracked head or head gasket which is bad. The milky or gray shade means the coolant is leaking into your engine and mixing with the oil.



3) I used "Bars stop leak" on mine last year around this time. Worked like a charm, haven't had a problem since. I drive a 1993 Saturn SC2.



4) take it to any auto shop and ask if they can give it a presure test, it should cost little or nothing



5) Google "Dexcool". Thats the red coolant that GM started using around 95 or 96. After reading the horror stories, decide if you still want to keep the car. This stuff will eat gaskets and metal engine parts to the point where you will eventually have to replace the engine. A friend with a late 90's Caddy spent 2 grand to replace the heads, and a month later 5 grand for a new engine. The car was only two years old. Another friend with 2 Chevy vans, a 96 and an 02 spent 800 bux to have the cooling systems 'super flushed' and an intake gasket on the 96 replaced. A month later he blew the engine on the 96. I checked the oil level and it was 4 inches past full. The coolant leaked into the oil pan. A month later he had to replace the lifters on the 02. Don't remember the cost on that one.



I just ain't worth it.

Brake problem with 1992 Chevy Lumina Car

the rear brakes on our lumina are shot we just bought the car and discovered the pads are missing and the rotors are severely rusted and pitted i do not even know if the calipers work.can the rotors be turned or is it just as well to buy new.any advice would be helpful thanks.



Response:

1) The rotors can be turned if there is enough metal left on them to be safely used. There is a minimum thickness which varies depending on the manufacturer. If you bring it to a shop, most will replace the rotors, just for the extra bux.



2) I would compare the price to buying them new. The cost of new rotors vs turning them on our van was only a $5 difference so we bought new.



3) Remember that with ABS Brakes to block the line and crack the bleeder screws before you compress and that they turn while compressing. You can rent the tool from most auto parts stores inexpesively. Myself, I'd replace the calipers just because my son has a 93 Lumina and know that they freeze up due to mounting hardware issues. The Hardware kit is cheap and easy to install to ensure safety. We replaced the rotors for $30 each(Borg), calipers were $40 each(Wagner), pads were $25 for the Lifetime Pads(Wagner).



4) I wouldn't open the bleeder screws... I'd take the cap off the master cylinder and push the cylinders back with a clamp(front) or rears turn them back with a special tool its a cube with a bunch of different prong arrangements and you turn it with a 3/8 ratchet... About 11 at most parts stores.... That way when your done its not necessary to bleed the brakes



5) You GO RIGHT AHEAD. The 1st time you have to buy a NEW Accumulator you'll have learned 1 expensive lesson about ABS Systems. And THAT Folks is WHY We block the lines and bleed off thru the bleeder screw.

Home of the Free Alignment just a myth?

If you live in the US and ever listen to the radio you can't help but hear one of the great commercial going on and on about a free alignment with the purchase of new tires. So we want to clear the air about this free alignment business.



1) they do provide an alignment if you purchase 4 New Tires (PAY the operative word) the price is built in dummy!!



2) Did you wreck your car or have front end work done recently that requires an alignment? Probably not, so you do not need an alignment. Now you are paying more for your tire than you need to so you can get an alignment you don't need. Smart on the advertisers part. Most people do not know that they do not need an alignment.



3) Well my car is pulling? Again, if you didn"t wreck it... you just need tires replaced and no need for over priced tires to get an alignment.



How much do they charge for an alignment without purchasing tires? $69.95. So divide that by 4 and that's about $17.50 per tire. Could you buy tires for $17.50 a tire less. YES, so I am going to have to say that you are not getting a FREE Alignment. Don't let shifty advertising convince you otherwise. Stay alert when dealing with Big Brand Tire Stores.

Hyundai to recall Sonata sedans in U.S.

SEOUL (Reuters) – Hyundai Motor, South Korea's top automaker, will recall some 139,500 Sonata sedans sold in the United States, due to problems with the steering wheel that could cause a loss or reduction of control.



The automaker announced the recall after the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a probe into steering problems in August, a move analysts said was aimed at heading off criticism that it was slow to respond.



"Hyundai's pre-emptive action is fast enough to avoid any criticism in handling safety issues," said Kim Byung-kuk, an analyst at Daishin Securities.



No accidents or injuries occurred as a result of improper assembly or loose steering connections, Hyundai said in an email statement on Sunday.



The vehicles were built from December 11 through September 10.



Hyundai sold 128,484 Sonata sedans in the period from January to August, 35 percent of its U.S. car segment sales during the period.



The firm's latest recall comes as the auto maker seeks to increase production of the Sonata, its best-selling model in America, at its plant in Alabama.



Lee Sang-hyun, an analyst at Hana Daetoo Securities in Seoul, said the recall is unlikely to hit Hyundai's sales.



"However, since potential defects related to assembling are not a significant problem with its quality, it will barely impact Hyundai's sales," Lee said.



In February, Sonata, underwent the first recall this year that affected 47,000 units in South Korea and U.S. due to front door lock faults.



Hyundai has been one of the stronger performers in the U.S. auto sector in recent years, gaining market share and logging an 8.3 percent sales increase in 2009, while the industry fell 21 percent overall to the lowest levels since the early 1980s.



Hyundai's affiliate Kia Motors said in early September its co-chief executive resigned to take responsibility for nearly 86,000 recalls of some of its models, including the Soul compact sedan.

Opel will build rival to Ford's Ka in Germany

Opel/Vauxhall will build a new small car below its Corsa subcompact in Germany and may add an electric version, the automaker announced today.

Currently, Opel has no entry in Europe's fast-growing minicar segment to compete with cars such as the Ford Ka or Volkswagen's forthcoming Up.

Opel CEO Nick Reilly said the new minicar “will be an important element in our growth strategy.”

The company will invest 90 million euros (about $120 million) to build the model, code-named Junior, in its factory in Eisenach, eastern Germany, on an existing production line starting in 2013. The plant builds the three-door Corsa variant.

With the minicar, Opel is delivering on its promise to expand its product portfolio and enter new segments, Reilly said in a press statement.

He said the new model will be a stylish and fuel-efficient car with "innovative technology and an exciting design."

An Opel press release said: "The future car is geared toward customers who need a small-sized fuel-efficient car in urban areas, for example, but who do not want to compromise on technology, design or convenience."

It added: "At a later stage, this car might also provide the opportunity of a battery-electric version for zero-emission driving in city areas."

Opel said the investment will secure the 1,600 jobs at Eisenach.

Opel's factory in Zaragoza, Spain, which also builds the Corsa, will receive additional Corsa production volume as the new minicar comes on stream.

General Motors Co. has pledged to invest 11 billion euros until 2014 in its Opel subsidiary to boost sales. A small SUV and a coupe version of the Astra five-door hatchback are planned.

Chevy clash fears

Opel has remained outside the minicar segment to avoid clashing with its GM sister brand Chevrolet, which sells Korean-built entry-level cars in Europe.

But Reilly convinced GM bosses in Detroit that Opel needs a minicar because there has been a structural change in customers' habits with more people downsizing to smaller cars.

In 2004, Opel unveiled the Trixx minicar concept at the Geneva auto show but the 3+1 seater never went into production because GM decided at the time that the Chevrolet Spark/Matiz would be its only entry in the segment in Europe.

Opel's announcement about the minicar is the third major investment commitment from the automaker this month.

On Sept. 15, the company said it will significantly strengthen its Kaiserslautern, Germany, plant as a component manufacturing center and expand local engine production. Six days later, the company said it will invest 500 million euros in its engine plant in Szentgotthard, Hungary, to build a new facility for the production of three new Euro 6-compliant engine families.

How do you tell if the belt tensioner assembly is bad?

How do you tell if the belt tensioner assembly is bad?

How do you replace it? I am still having some clattering from the tensioner pully after changing the harmonic balancer.

I am stumped again, I installed the dampner, pushed it on good and tightened the center bolt. The pulley appeared to be inline with the others, so reinstalled the belt. Started the engine and ran for 10 min. idling, then went down the road for a mile or two and back. After I got back home, I heard clanking, the belt tensioner pulley was jumping some? I took the pulley off, the bearing seemed pretty good, just a little rough, was able to inject grease into the bearings. I finally replaced the pulley with a new one, then the problem is still there???????

The tensioner pulley jumps erratically with the clanking. I don't know if it is the tensioner assembly or some other pulley grapping the belt at times?

So far the belt is not being damaged yet. The belt tensioner assembly has good tension and strong, with no slack/slop in it but it is jumping on/off as the belt is rotating.

Do you think maybe the pulleys are still out of alignment some kind of way? Is it possible that the dampner could push in too far or does the shaft key stop it properly?

Please send me some help, I don't what to replace a $125 belt tensioner assembly and the problem continues.



RESPONSE:



With the serpentine belt off, the tensioner pulley arm has zero sideways movement when pulling on it. It also has a substantial tension and recoil with the belt off. I just notice that the tensioner groans when raising it and on releasing it when installing the belt, it goes to a point and stops, then you can push it downward by hand maybe another 1/16" at times.

I am eyeing the pulley alignment and had someone with mechanical experience involving pulley drives on heavy equipment, take a look,listen. He thought everything looked normal and was rotating well now, after cycling the a/c compressor clutch off/on, trying to get some tensioner pulley chatter.

So I don't know if I can have full faith in it right now. I will put some miles on the car tomorrow around town and see if it reappears and eats another belt.

I cleaned all the drive pulleys to make sure there wasn't some of the old torn up belt debris/crud in the grooves, either making it prone to jump or grab while rotating, (a long shot effort) ???

After running for 10-15 mins. warming up, so far all is ok, I revved the engine to about 2000 rpm, up/down and no noise at all, no squealing or chattering.

New Chinese policy may force foreign automakers to share intellectual property

Foreign automakers may have to share innovative electric-vehicle technology with Chinese companies in exchange for access to the nation's growing light-vehicle market, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing executives at a group of international automakers familiar with the government's plans.

China's Ministry of Industry is drafting a 10-year plan aimed at making the nation a leader in hybrid and electric-car technology.

The ministry's proposal could require foreign automakers to enter into joint ventures in which Chinese companies hold majority stakes, the newspaper said.

Major foreign automakers fear China will use the initiative to gain control of their intellectual property. China is now the world's largest vehicle market and a major source of sales and profits for many foreign automakers. Under China industrial policy, foreign automakers typically have to establish joint ventures with Chinese automakers to gain access to the market.

At the same time, the country has yet to produce a domestic automaker that can compete globally on the same scale as Toyota Motor Corp., Volkswagen AG and General Motors Co.

Chinese government officials see the electric and hybrid initiative as an opportunity to create such an automaker, The Journal said.

Raising a hurdle

A draft of the Ministry of Industry's electric-vehicle plan includes an investment of up to 100 billion yuan, or $15 billion, in charging stations and other infrastructure.

It also would create three to five globally competitive Chinese car companies with a capacity to build 3 million hybrid cars by 2020, according to The Journal. China hopes the initiative also will produce two to three global makers of core parts, such as advanced batteries and electric motors.

One foreign auto executive quoted by The Journal said the Ministry of Industry's draft "unnecessarily raises the hurdle for our plans for producing an electric car in China." Because China is likely to be a major market for electric cars and plug-in hybrids by 2020, foreign automakers will need to build such vehicles in China, the unidentified executive told the paper.

“The new pending policy would make the process unnecessarily more cumbersome and complicated," he said.

For automakers and other industries, China's importance has grown in the wake of the global financial crisis. But at the same time, Chinese leaders have sought to trade market access for technology to transform the country's industrial base.

In July, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce warned that China's policies are "forcing foreign technology companies to anguish over balancing today's profits with tomorrow's survival."

The Beijing government, according to The Journal, says concerns about the country's investment environment are unfounded.

"China is committed to creating an open and fair environment for foreign-invested enterprises," Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told global business leaders at a meeting of the World Economic Forum in China this week. "Foreign-invested enterprises in China on the whole enjoy a good environment and have reaped good returns."

94 Olds Delta 88, 3.8L V-6 serpentine belt replacement

My 94 Olds Delta 88, 3.8L V-6 is on a belt chewing tantrum. The old serpentine drive belt was several years old with cracks across the belt ribs. Well, it separated apart, splitting completely along the ribs last week. I replaced the belt with a new belt from O'reilly auto parts, "Master Pro" brand. I installed the new serpentine belt, making sure that the pulleys were clean of any old belt debris and according to OEM belt routing diagram. I have taken the same belt off/on this engine many times in the past so I am very familiar with the belt routing.

Now after several days of using the car for 25-50 miles. I heard clunking sounds and after raising the hood, the new belt has chewed the inner side up and nipped off a 12" long thin piece, like one rib wide.

Since the belt is shaved, it is now riding out of line from one pulley to another.

What is the cause of this belt chewing? I checked/double checked to make sure the new belt was routed and seated in the pulleys correctly.

All pulleys appeared to me ok, rotating well with no (in/out)end play.

The only other thing that I noticed was it put some holes in the under hood insulation padding and the top covering, cloth, I think was hanging down where IT POSSIBLY could have been caught in the serpentine belt, would that throw the belt off line and caused the belt damage/shave?

One other thing I will note is the engine harmonic balancer has a slight wobble but it has had that for quite a long time.

Please give me some advice on correcting this belt monster. I wouldn't want to buy a $40 better belt only to have it eaten too.



Response:

Check your Belt Tensioner out. It sounds as if it is worn out and out of line. These are available at most parts stores for around $50 and have 2 plastic inserts for the water jacket and Heater Hoses. Also most people don't look at them just the pulley. If you can see any of the internal spring, it's worn out.

Transmission has no operation, PCS ?

how do i know if my pcs went out? i was driving down the road all of the sudden it was like i was in neutral no forward or reverse.changed fluid and filter,still nothing. there was no noise or any thing when it happened just kind of like it went into neutral no slip or anything



Response:

Your vehicle would have the check engine light on and have a P0700 code referring to a transmission issue. Using a capable scan tool, there will be at least one transmission code that would indicate a failure, possibly the pcs.



More Comments: PCS Testing Procedure Video

GM's OnStar said to consider free services, targeting Ford

DETROIT (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Co.'s OnStar in-car communications unit may offer some free services next year to rival Ford Motor Co.'s Sync music and information system, two people familiar with the plans said.



OnStar, a subscription service that provides accident alerts, directions and vehicle diagnostics, is scheduled to introduce an upgraded system this month that links vehicles to the social media site Facebook and translates voice messages to text, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the details aren't public.



In-car technology features attract tech-savvy consumers and allow carmakers to charge more for smaller, cheaper models, said Brandy Schaffels, an analyst at TrueCar.com. GM, the largest U.S. automaker, is adding features to keep pace with systems including Ford's Sync.



“When Ford came out with Sync, they met OnStar's services and upped the ante,” Schaffels, content manager at the California-based researcher, said in an interview. “Technological features are where GM and Ford are going to found their reputation with the next generation.”



OnStar may begin offering entertainment and information services that link to a user's smartphone without a subscription or fee, said one of the people. OnStar is now offered free in many models for the first year and then for $199 to $299 a year, depending on the features.



Jocelyn Allen, a spokeswoman for OnStar, declined to comment.



Voice-to-text



The voice-to-text system will be studied with a test audience while the company decides whether to offer it to all customers, the person said. The new version of OnStar will have enhanced services for emergency response, which alerts an OnStar operator when there is a vehicle crash, the person said.



OnStar will unveil a new advertising theme with the tagline “Live On,” while individual services will have their own themes, such as “Always On” to promote accident alerts, the people said.



The unit also is studying ways to use OnStar outside of the car, where immediate contact with an operator or access to other services such as safety or security might be useful, said the people, who declined to give specifics.



OnStar, available on more than 40 vehicles from GM's 2011 model year, has about 5.7 million subscribers, according to a GM regulatory filing. OnStar and Google Inc. said in June they would partner to offer eNav, a turn-by-turn navigation feature that allows drivers to send Google Maps destinations to their vehicle.



Ford Sync



Ford has been selling Sync, based on Microsoft Corp.'s in- car, voice-activated technology, since the 2008 model year, Alan Hall, a Ford spokesman, said in a telephone interview. The company added features such as touch-command controls and voice-activated climate control this year.



The technology, available as a $395 option on some models, helps make cars more profitable and is included standard on higher-end vehicles.



Ford said in January it plans to bring social networking, Web browsing and thumb controls similar to those on Apple Inc.'s iPod into 80 percent of its models by 2015.

Vibration after Replacement of new rotors

I recently purchased 2 new rotors for my suzuki grand vitara and had my tech install the new rotors, when I drove off… I had a shake in the steering wheel when applying the brakes and it felt like the brakes was slipping when pressing on the brakes. I took off the wheel to check for oil or dirt on the rotors and didnt see any oil/dirt on the rotors. I then took it back the tech and he install the old rotors back and didnt have the problem anymore. My tech informed me that the rotors wasnt a good set and where not balance and I needed to take them back to the store and get a replacement. Was this information correct that I was told?



Response:

This is accurate information. The new rotors you had put on were no good right out of the box, it happens form time to time.



The store should Brake Article

the rear brakes on this stratus and the right rear caliper will not release

I replace the rear brakes on this stratus and the right rear caliper will not release. There seems to be nothing wrong with the caliper itself. The pressure does not back off when you take your foot off the brake. I think it has anti-lock braking system. Any Ideas.



Response:

Is it only one side that will not release? How do you know that. Did you try squeezing the caliper back away from the pads?

1) Sounds like the rubber part of the line has collapsed,that line has a inner line that gets weak and when you press on the brake pedal it lets the fluid flow out to the caliper but when you let off and the fluid tries to return back the line collapses keeping pressure on caliper not letting it release...

2)And to prove this, get a c-clamp and push the piston back into the caliper. Remove the clamp and the piston should stay in the caliper. Start the car, push on the brake petal, turn the car off, and check to see if the piston stays in the out position. If so, replace the rubber hose. You will need to bleed the air out of the lines when that is done. Get some penetrating oil. I like Kroil, others on this list like PB Blaster. Spray the bleeders until you can loosen them. You will also need a friend to help with the bleeding.



3)

Do you know the the stratus has screw in rear calipers and not push in calipers???

Redesigned 2011 Dodge Durango has three rows of seats, new logo

New Dodge Durango

Dodge today released the first pictures of the 2011 Durango SUV.



The Durango will be built at Chrysler's Jefferson North assembly plant on the same platform as the Jeep Grand Cherokee. It will arrive in dealer showrooms in the fourth quarter this year.



The Durango comes with seven seats while the Grand Cherokee comes with five. The Durango will have 22 seating configurations, according to a statement by the company. Like the Grand Cherokee, the Durango will be available with two engine options: a standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 and an optional 5.7-liter HEMI V-8.



The new Durango will receive an all-new cabin as part of Chrysler's ongoing campaign to upgrade interiors across its entire lineup.



Chrysler stopped making the previous-generation Durango in 2008, when it shut down its Newark, Del., assembly plant. The new vehicle bears no resemblance to its predecessor. The old vehicle was a body-on-frame SUV derived from pickups. The new platform is a unibody-style structure with rear- or all-wheel-drive options.



Dodge is describing it as a “three-row performance vehicle.”



The Durango will be the first vehicle to sport the new Dodge logo, featuring a restyled, chrome-accented version of the crosshair grille that Dodge and Ram shared before Chrysler's new management separated the brands last year. The distinctive Ram's horns are gone, having stayed with Ram, which is now exclusively a truck brand.



The vehicle will make its first public appearance at the Dodge Rock ‘n' Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon presented by SunTrust in Virginia Beach, Va., over the Labor Day weekend.



Although Dodge no longer sells trucks, it's still the top-selling brand in the Chrysler Group stable. Dodge sold 35,364 vehicles in August, up 8 percent over the same month last year.

U.S. proposes new labels for fuel economy, emissions

WASHINGTON -- Consumers shopping for new cars would be able to compare fuel economy and emissions levels with the U.S. fleet average by looking at labels on window stickers under a federal proposal made today.



The Obama administration is carrying out a 2007 law that requires labels to put new vehicles in fleetwide context for fuel economy, greenhouse gases and smog-forming pollutants.



The comparison must cover electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles.



One part of the administration proposal would give each vehicle a bold letter grade from A+ to D for its fuel economy and greenhouse gases in comparison with the rest of the U.S. fleet.



The auto industry opposes this approach while many environmental groups support it.



Current labels have just a mile-per-gallon figure for the vehicle without any pollution ratings. Comparisons also are limited to the class of vehicle rather than the entire U.S. fleet. An SUV, for example, is compared just to other SUVs.



“We want to help buyers find vehicles that meet their needs, keep the air clean and save them money at the pump,” EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said in a statement.



The EPA and U.S. Department of Transportation said they want to have the new labels in place for as many 2012 model cars and trucks as possible.



The proposed changes constitute the most significant overhaul of the fuel-economy label since its inception more than 30 years ago as automakers plan to introduce more fuel-efficient vehicles, the agencies said.



Advanced-technology vehicles



The administration today also proposed different labels for advanced technology vehicles -- including plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles -- that are soon to be mass-marketed.



These labels would contain additional information tailored to the technologies of the vehicles, the EPA said. For example, the label would identify how many miles the advanced technology vehicle can go before recharging or refueling.



The administration is seeking public comment over the next 60 days before it adopts a final rule.



The administration proposed two labeling approaches for vehicles.



One approach would feature a letter grade. The label also would estimate the vehicle's fuel-cost savings over five years compared with the fleet average.



The second proposal would keep the current label's focus on fuel economy and annual fuel-cost projections. Sliding-bar graphs underneath would compare the vehicle's fuel economy and tailpipe emissions with the fleet average.



The auto-industry lobby opposes letter grades, while a number of environmental groups favor it.



“Automakers support providing our customers with meaningful information for decision-making on vehicles that meet their particular needs, but the proposed letter grade falls short because it is imbued with school-yard memories of passing and failing,” said Dave McCurdy, CEO of the Auto Alliance.



The lobby represents Toyota, General Motors, Ford and eight other domestic and foreign manufacturers.



EVs would get an A+



Under the grading system, 17 of the 2,011 models in the current fleet would receive an A or above, said Gina McCarthy, an EPA assistant administrator.



Electric vehicles would get an A+, plug-in hybrids would get an A, and the “very best” hybrids -- such as Ford Fusions, the Honda Civic and the Toyota Prius -- would get an A-, she said.



A total of 14 vehicles in the current fleet would receive a D or D+. These include high-performance vehicles such as a Ferrari 612, McCarthy said.



The median grade would be a B-, she said.



Luke Tonachel, a vehicle analyst for the Natural Resources Defense Council in New York, said: “A bold letter grade would simplify the process of finding the cleanest, most efficient vehicles.”



McCarthy said it is possible the final rule will contain a blend of the two proposed approaches.



Misleading information?



Environmental groups expressed dismay that the proposed labels would not factor in pollution caused by electric vehicles' use of power plants for recharging.



This pollution is particularly acute in Midwestern and Eastern states, where generating facilities rely heavily on coal, environmental advocates said.



“It misleads consumers about how polluting the vehicle is,” said Daniel Becker, director of the safe-climate campaign at the Center for Auto Safety.



EPA said it intends to make this information available on the Web.

2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee Brake Noise

My brakes make a horrible a screeching noise with light pressure on the brake. They’ve been inspected several times and I ‘m told my brakes are fine. I’m told the thickness of the brake pads is fine. They’ve blown off “dust” which didn’t improve anything. I’m told they can cut the rotor but you can only get one cut from a rotor. I can have new brakes installed but if I’m told my brakes are fine…why would I have new ones put on? I’m at a loss on how to remedy this situation. This is a new vehicle. Brake noise started at 8,000 miles. It’s a 2009 JEEP Grand Cherokee.



Response:

from a safety and function stand point, there is no need to replace the brakes. The brakes will perform properly.



You can have the brakes cleaned multiple times but unless you have the pads and rotors replaced, the noise will return over time.



I would ...read the entire brake article

Is this the right time to buy a car?

There are many different factors when it comes to making the decision of when is the right time to buy a car. Probably the most important factor would be necessity. If you need a car and either do not have one or the one you have isn't worth fixing, Now is the perfect time to buy a car.

Many buyers may need to wait to see if their job is secure before running out and buying that new convertible that they have been wanting, but all the financial aspects aside, this is a buyers market. Car manufacturers are offering great incentive along with some of the best quality of cars we've seen in years. And with dealers being closed left and right by manufacturers, they are more willing to sell first and haggle on price later. What I mean by this is this, The dealers HAVE to sell a certain amount of cars in order to remain in good standing with the manufacturer and ultimately keeping their doors open. So the dealer more worried about the volume of cars they sell and less about maximizing the profit on each unit/car.



So if you need or want a new or used car, now is a great time to purchase a car. Know what you want and what you want to pay before you go and odds are, you get it.

You can can get a FREE online quote ahead of time to give you an idea of pricing so you are prepared before you go. Get a FREE Online Quote Here

Prices of used SUVs, crossovers surge 30% from last year, Edmunds says

Some used SUVs and crossover vehicles are selling at retail for 30 percent more than they did last year, in a sign of how high used-vehicle prices remain. But on average, prices of used vehicles retreated again in July from record levels this spring.



Edmunds.com reports that the retail price paid for a used Cadillac Escalade, averaged over all model years, was $34,715 last month, up 36 percent from the average price paid a year earlier. The retail price paid for a used Dodge Grand Caravan in July, averaged over all model years, was $15,629, up 34 percent.



Joe Spina, Edmunds.com senior analyst, says a lack of confidence in the economy is driving more people to buy used vehicles. That puts upward pressure on prices of an already limited supply of used vehicles.



“This time last year, consumers were buying fuel-efficient vehicles and trading so-called gas guzzlers,” Spina says. “Now, those who need trucks and large SUVs are buying them, but the inventory is low because there is a current shortage of lease returns and trade-ins of this vehicle type.



“Prices are indeed very high now. While this is the case, last year’s prices were low, making the gains even more dramatic,” he says.



Even so, data from Manheim and ADESA Inc. show that wholesale used-vehicle prices in July declined from record high price levels this spring.



The average wholesale used-vehicle price in July was $10,060, ADESA says. That was 2 percent lower than the average price in June and less than 1 percent higher than the average price in July 2009.



The monthly Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index stood at 118.9 in July, down from 120.2 in the previous month but up from 115.4 in July 2009. The index is adjusted for make, model mix and time of year.