Car Care News Service

The Car Care Council has launched a digital version of its popular Car Care Guide that can be easily accessed through the council’s Web site at www.carcare.org.

“The digital version of the Car Care Guide serves as a quick, online reference for consumers to find preventive maintenance information,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “The Car Care Guide has been a huge success since it was first introduced in 2006. We’ve since printed more than two million copies of the booklet. During this past year because consumers were hanging onto their vehicles and looking for fuel efficiency advice, we saw a huge increase in the number of requests for the guide from individual consumers. By creating and offering an online version the council will not only save considerable money on postage and handling, but we can reach a much larger audience of vehicle owners.”  

The Car Care Guide was designed with two purposes in mind: one to promote and provide information to motorists through the consumer media and the Web site; two, to respond to requests from repair shop owners and parts store counterpersons for credible third-party vehicle maintenance information for use at the point-of-sale with customers.

The Car Care Guide uses easy-to-understand everyday language, instead of technical automotive jargon, and fits easily in a glove box. The guide covers the most common preventive maintenance occasions and procedures that need to be performed to keep cars safe, dependable and efficient. It also includes descriptions of 12 major vehicle systems and parts, and a list of questions to ask when maintenance or repair procedures are being done on a car. A Car Care Checklist reminds motorists what vehicle systems need to be maintained and when service or repair should be performed.  

New sections on Fuel Economy and Environmental Awareness have been added to the Car Care Guide to show consumers how to get better gas mileage and make their vehicle environmentally friendly.   

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers.

You can find hundreds of free articles, videos, and audio files for downlaod at www.carcarenewsservice.org.    

Automotive technicians are often compared to doctors. This comparison undoubtedly makes some techs smile and others grimace. But in the end, the two professions have a lot in common. It may surprise consumers to find that by choosing these professionals wisely, they can get better care at a better price.

When it comes to choosing a repair shop, many experts extol the virtues of the clean facility, a wall adorned with ASE certificates or a coffee pot and some tasty snacks. While these items are important, these four vital questions tell most of the story:

1. Will the service advisor or tech take time to listen to your description of the car’s problem?

2. Can they explain things to you in laymen’s terms?

3. If necessary, will they test-drive the car with you?

4. Do they have the knowledge and equipment to diagnose and repair it the first time?

Back to the doctor/technician comparison. Some doctor’s are great diagnosticians. They can pin point a malady when their peers are coming up with empty charts. What’s the difference between that doctor and the people wearing white coats? Possibly his/her knowledge and perhaps equipment, but probably it’s listening skills that sets the really great docs apart from the good ones.

When choosing a professional, the variety that looks after your car or the variety that looks after your body, ask them the four-questions. In effect, audition them. See how the doctor takes care of your flu and how the tech deals with an oil change before visiting with something more serious.

Watch how they handle their time and be aware of how much time is allotted to you. Are they tuned into your problems and asking relevant questions? Are they providing an objective opinion based on information they’ve garnered during your discussion? Can they explain the problem and solution to you in laymen’s terms?

The bottom line is this time is money. The less time these people are willing to spend on the front end often multiplies the amount of time needed on the back end. In the case of both the doctor and tech, the extra time spent having to fix you or your car a second or third time not only is expensive, it can be detrimental to the car or patient’s condition.

Most regions are teeming with automotive professionals (and doctors, too) who are trained to listen, learn, test and correctly repair your vehicle (or body) the first time. By working with a great shop, over the course of time you can save endless hours and cash. And here’s an added bonus, patronizing these professionals and telling your friends means that more folks can enjoy and benefit from their outstanding business methods.The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” campaign, educating consumers about the benefits of regular vehicle maintenance and repair. For more information visit www.carcare.org.

NASCAR tire changers know the importance of tightening lugs nuts.

Some learn their lesson the hard way. Two years ago before the Daytona 500 when Tony Stewart radioed the pits complaining of a loose wheel after what he thought would be a routine tire change.

“Yeah, I got a lecture,” said the tire changer, who forgot to tighten a lug nut creating a vibration in Tony’s car. “If this happens to a motorist, it could cause an accident, so be aware.”

Seemingly, that’s an obvious task when caring of your tires, but what else can we learn from a professional who knows the ins and outs of tires and how they wear on the road?

“I always check my tires with the old penny trick,” he said. “Put a penny in the tread upside down and facing you, if you can see all of Lincoln’s head, then you need new tires.”

Here are more tips from the NASCAR pros and the folks at Goodyear:

• Check your tire inflation. Check your tires’ air pressure at least once a month with an accurate tire pressure gauge and do it while your tires are cold and have not been used recently. Even driving a mile will cause your tire pressure to increase and give you an inaccurate reading.
• Check your tire tread at least every 3,000 miles.
• Know what certain wear patterns mean. Some can indicate a problem with your vehicle or under and over inflation.
• Keep your vehicle properly aligned to avoid uneven wear on your tires.
• Rotate your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles.

More car care tips from NASCAR at http://www.nascar.com/auto

Your car doesn’t want flowers, or balloons, or even candy this Valentine’s Day – it just wants a little love in the form of an oil change, tune-up and basic service. There’s no debating the value of preventive maintenance to keep your car running well – not to mention getting you safely to your hot Valentine’s Day date – according to the Car Care Council. This Valentine’s Day, treat your car to regular care and take the following preventive maintenance steps:

• Change the oil and filter every 3,000 miles or three months, or per the owner’s manual. Periodic oil and filter changes keep your engine clean on the inside.
• Check the tire pressure at least monthly, including the spare. Your car’s tires affect its ride, handling, traction and safety.
• Schedule a tune-up annually to optimize your car’s performance. A well-tuned engine delivers the best balance of power and fuel economy and produces the lowest level of emissions.
• Have the alignment checked at least annually. Potholes and other road conditions, as well as normal wear, can take their toll on your car’s steering and suspension. A wheel alignment reduces tire wear, improves fuel economy and handling, and increases driving enjoyment and safety.
• Inspect the windshield wipers and lights on the car. Lights and wipers play a major role in safe driving, and they are normal wear items that need periodic replacement.

“These preventive maintenance steps will help ensure the reliability and safety of your car, and they’ll also help improve gas mileage,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.   

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council’s Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.

Consumers’ chronic pain at the pump is returning with gas prices 67 percent higher than a year ago and probably heading back toward $3 a gallon soon. To help alleviate the pain, the Car Care Council offers some simple and inexpensive vehicle maintenance tips.

“You can’t control the price of gas, but you can control how much gas you burn by performing proper maintenance and how you drive. Performing simple and inexpensive maintenance can save as much as $1,200 per year in gas costs,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.

The Car Care Council offers these gas-saving maintenance tips:

• Keep your car properly tuned to improve gas mileage by an average of 4 percent.
• Keep tires properly inflated and improve gas mileage by 3 percent.
• Replace dirty or clogged air filters and improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.
• Replace dirty spark plugs, which can reduce mileage by two miles per gallon.
• Change oil regularly and gain another mile per gallon.

Driving behavior also impacts fuel efficiency. The council offers these gas saving driving tips:

• Observe the speed limit. Gas mileage decreases rapidly above 60 mph.
• Avoid excessive idling. Idling gets zero miles per gallon. Warming up the vehicle for one or two minutes is sufficient.
• Avoid quick starts and stops. Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent in the city.
• Consolidate trips. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much gas as one longer multi-purpose trip.
• Don’t haul unneeded items in the trunk. An extra 100 pounds in the trunk reduces fuel economy by 1 to 2 percent.

For more informative content created for motorists who care about cleaner air, safer highways, peak performance, reduced operating cost, and a satisfying automotive experience, visit www.carcarenewsservice.org

Vehicle braking systems have finally received the attention that they have needed for many years. Modern technology has delivered a solution for vehicles that will keep their wheels shining and brake noise to a whisper, while still allowing drivers to experience the performance they expect. Motorists can now start their weekends with a quiet ride around town instead of a morning of scrubbing brake dust off their wheels.

“Ceramic brakes keep the wheels clean. Motorists are spending a lot of money on wheels; they don’t want dirt and noise – they want clean and quiet.”  reports Ken Selinger, product development manager at Akebono Corporation. “Today, brake pad formulations with ceramics are also the most capable friction material for controlling NVH (noise, vibration and harshness),”

Today’s brakes are about more than just pure stopping power. Braking noise, vibration and harshness, as well as brake dusting, are major concerns for all motorists. This situation has been exacerbated by consumer demand for more responsive, performance-orientated steering systems, which result in the driver feeling any vibration in braking much faster than before.

Ceramic Friction Technology
Global automakers have recognized that ceramic friction formulated brakes are the best option for smooth, assured, quiet braking under a variety of driving conditions. The Akebono Corporation has played a major role in the development and refinement of ceramic brake pad technology. Their 25 years of development has resulted in ceramic brakes that deliver increased performance advantages over traditional semi-metallic and other formulations.

Ceramic friction material technology was first embraced by automakers in the 1990s. Today, it is featured on a significant number of new vehicle models, as well as a broad spectrum of aftermarket replacement applications.

A Feet Solution
Ceramic brake pad material technology has also been developed for the massive fleet market. These advanced design, severe-duty brake pads lower fleet operating costs per mile and improve vehicle safety and control.

“Police, taxi, municipal and federal government, commercial, limousine, and other fleet operators are constantly searching for repair and maintenance alternatives that will perform well, extend service intervals, cut costs, and reduce downtime,” explains Randy Mordue, director of aftermarket sales and marketing for Akebono. “Typically with fleets you will see higher vehicle weight and loads that require more durable material, with ceramic brake technology the fleet can be operated at a lower cost.

Put to the Test
Akebono was the first company to offer viable solutions to problematic NVH issues, which have plagued the automotive industry for years. They have made a name for themselves, over the past 25 years, as the originator of true ceramic technology in braking systems. Being widely known as the place to go for problem solving, they fully intend to stay on the leading edge of brake technology well into the future.  

To learn more visit http://www.akebonobrakes.com.

Collegiate Engineering Teams Bring Innovative Technology to Formula Hybrid Competition    

Hybrid motor vehicles are here, attracting widespread attention and growing sales, and hybrid automotive technology is advancing with every new model year. “Formula Hybrid,” an international competition at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, NH, encourages hybrid technology development utilizing a racing environment. The Speedway is home to many memorable NASCAR races, and is attracting industry support for the technology-building event.  

Bosch, a global leader in advanced automotive technology, supported the international competition and John Thomson, Zone Manager, Bosch Diagnostics Business Unit, and William Marchetti, Senior Technical Specialist, Bosch Service, served as judges for the event. “We believe the future of hybrid vehicles continues to look bright and that America’s colleges are certainly doing their part to help usher in the next generation of hybrid technology by providing much needed training to engineering.  

“Students in such diverse disciplines as electrical, mechanical and computer engineering showed off their working hybrid concepts and put them to the test at Formula Hybrid with a wide range of hybrid vehicles. They came away with proof on the race track that their concepts work,” Thomson said.  The competition was founded, and is run, by the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College.  

Supporting Hybrid Product Development  

“In this competition, there are a variety of vehicle designs that speak to the ongoing need for development of hybrid diagnostic technology and tools. Bosch’s MMD540H Digital Hybrid Multimeter is a great example of the kind of tool that will allow the technician to safely and accurately diagnose both conventional and hybrid vehicles,” said Thomson.  

Held earlier this year, the 3rd annual Formula Hybrid International Competition attracts teams of engineering students from more than 20 leading colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada, Russia, India and Taiwan. During this competition, students have an opportunity to impress judges, like Thompson and Marchetti from Bosch, while sponsors and observers are able to take away valuable data and experience for further development of hybrid vehicles and service products for the future.  

Texas A&M Takes Top Prize  

The Formula Hybrid Competition encourages interdisciplinary teamwork and innovation as teams of undergraduate and graduate students focus on the task of designing, building and racing high-performance, fuel-efficient plug-in vehicles. The competition consisted of technical inspections, design and marketing presentations, acceleration runs, an autocross competition and an endurance event.  

The Texas A&M University student team won 1st place Overall Hybrid.  

“The collegiate teams which participated in the Formula Hybrid competition demonstrated the kind of forward-thinking engineering that is prized by automotive industry leaders like Bosch, which supplies parts and diagnostic equipment for traditional fuel and hybrid vehicles.  Student entries show a thorough understanding of the complexities and challenges of designing fuel efficient hybrid vehicles that not only work, but work well enough to compete on a challenging race course,” Thomson said.  

SAE and IEEE endorse the Formula Hybrid Competition, and Formula Hybrid is a member of the SAE Collegiate Design series.  

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. In the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology, some 280,000 associates generated sales of 45.1 billion euros ($66.4 billion) in fiscal year 2008. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 300 subsidiaries and regional companies in over 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network are the foundation for further growth. Each year, Bosch spends more than 3.5 billion euros, or eight percent of its sales revenue, for research and development and applies for over 3,000 patents worldwide. With all its products and services, Bosch enhances the quality of life by providing solutions, which are both innovative and beneficial.

In North America, the Bosch Group manufactures and markets automotive original equipment and aftermarket products, industrial drives and control technology, power tools, security and packaging technology, thermotechnology, household appliances, solar energy and healthcare. Bosch employs nearly 24,000 associates in more than 70 locations throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with reported sales of $8.6 billion in fiscal 2008. For more information on the company, visit www.boschusa.com.

For information on Bosch Aftermarket Automotive Products, visit www.boschautoparts.com.

For information on Bosch Diagnostic and Wheel Service Equipment, visit www.boschdiagnostics.com

They’re back and they’re bad. Potholes have returned and hitting one with your car can do a number on tires, wheels, steering and suspension, and alignment. To help determine if hitting a pothole has damaged your vehicle, watch for the following warning signs provided by the Car Care Council.  

• Loss of control, swaying when making routine turns, bottoming-out on city streets or bouncing excessively on rough roads. These are indicators that the steering and suspension may have been damaged. The steering and suspension are key safety-related systems. Together, they largely determine your car’s ride and handling. Key components are shocks and/or struts, the steering knuckle, ball joints, the steering rack/box, bearings, seals and hub units and tie rod ends.  
• Pulling in one direction, instead of maintaining a straight path, and uneven tire wear. These symptoms mean there’s an alignment problem. Proper wheel alignment is important for the lifespan of tires and helps ensure safe handling.
• Low tire pressure, bulges or blisters on the sidewalls, or dents in the rim. These problems will be visible and should be checked out as soon as possible as tires are the critical connection between your car and the road in all sorts of driving conditions. 

“Every driver knows what it feels like to hit a pothole. What they don’t know is if their vehicle has been damaged in the process. If you’ve hit a pothole, it’s worth having a professional technician check out the car and make the necessary repairs to ensure safety and reliability,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.  

Potholes occur when water permeates the pavement – usually through a crack from wear and tear of traffic – and softens the soil beneath it, creating a depression in the surface of the street. Many potholes appear during winter and spring months because of freeze-thaw cycles, which accelerate the process. Potholes can also be prevalent in areas with excessive rainfall and flooding.  

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council’s Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.

The Car Care Council has launched a digital version of its popular Car Care Guide that can be easily accessed through the council’s Web site at www.carcare.org and the direct link http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mercury/carcareguide/.

“The digital version of the Car Care Guide serves as a quick, online reference for consumers to find preventive maintenance information,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “The Car Care Guide has been a huge success since it was first introduced in 2006. We’ve since printed more than two million copies of the booklet. During this past year because consumers were hanging onto their vehicles and looking for fuel efficiency advice, we saw a huge increase in the number of requests for the guide from individual consumers. By creating and offering an online version the council will not only save considerable money on postage and handling, but we can reach a much larger audience of vehicle owners.”  

The Car Care Guide was designed with two purposes in mind: one to promote and provide information to motorists through the consumer media and the Web site; two, to respond to requests from repair shop owners and parts store counterpersons for credible third-party vehicle maintenance information for use at the point-of-sale with customers.

The Car Care Guide uses easy-to-understand everyday language, instead of technical automotive jargon, and fits easily in a glove box. The guide covers the most common preventive maintenance occasions and procedures that need to be performed to keep cars safe, dependable and efficient. It also includes descriptions of 12 major vehicle systems and parts, and a list of questions to ask when maintenance or repair procedures are being done on a car. A Car Care Checklist reminds motorists what vehicle systems need to be maintained and when service or repair should be performed.  

New sections on Fuel Economy and Environmental Awareness have been added to the Car Care Guide to show consumers how to get better gas mileage and make their vehicle environmentally friendly.   

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For more information, visit www.carcare.org.

Deep down, you know your car should be checked out before hitting the road for the holidays, but with so many other things left to do, some folks put it off. Bad idea, says the Car Care Council, especially when motorists realize that in as little as 10 minutes, they can determine if their car is ready for long-distance travel.

The 10-minute pre-trip checkup recommended by the council includes the following:

• Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering and brake and transmission, as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.
    
• Check the hoses and belts that can become cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or show signs of excessive wear. These are critical to the proper functioning of the electrical system, air conditioning, power steering and the cooling system.
   
• Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.

“In a very short amount of time, motorists can identify how road-ready their vehicle is and then take steps to have the problems fixed before heading out for vacation,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “It’s a small sacrifice compared to the inconvenience and potential safety hazards of breaking down many miles away from home. Plus, if repairs or maintenance are needed, they can be done by a repair shop that knows you and your vehicle.”

The council also recommends that wipers and interior and exterior lighting on the vehicle be checked prior to a road trip, and that motorists restock their emergency kit. As a rule of thumb, wipers should be replaced every six months and lighting should be checked monthly.

To save on fuel costs during the trip, the council suggests that motorists avoid aggressive driving, observe the speed limit and avoid excessive idling. Gas caps that are damaged, loose or missing should be replaced to prevent gas from spilling or evaporating.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For more information or to receive a copy of the council’s new Car Care Guide for motorists, visit www.carcare.org.