Finding a Shop You Can Trust

How do you find a shop you can trust to service your vehicle—one that will make you feel confident about your choice and provide quality repairs at a fair price? Here are some tips:

• Start with the most obvious. Is the facility neat and clean? Are employees genuinely concerned with your questions and are their answers direct, to the point and reasonable?

• Look at the credentials of the business and the employees who will service your vehicle. Most shops will post educational certifications or accomplishments and professional business affiliations in their waiting areas. Some affiliations to look for include trade association membership, such as the Automotive Service Association (ASA), and membership in the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Look for certification or education offered by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) and the Automotive Management Institute (AMI).

• Ask about the equipment used to diagnose and perform the service. Is it up-to-date and are the technicians educated in the proper equipment use?

• Make sure a written estimate is provided prior to letting the business begin the repair. A good rule of thumb is to request approval on any changes to the original estimate that exceed 10 percent.

• Ask about the shop's warranty. Most automotive service facilities will warranty their parts and labor either in writing or in shop posted announcements.

• Ask family, friends and neighbors for their recommendations. Word-of-mouth referrals are the shop's best form of advertising.

Relevant pics from Flickr

By Jaymond

By Djivy

By Jaymond

By northbaywanderer

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Chevrolet Showcases the all new 2008 Malibu

Chevrolet Showcases the all new 2008 Malibu at the 20th Anniversary Celebration of Univision's Premio Lo Nuestro

Chevrolet's first year as Exclusive Automotive Sponsor

Chevrolet today announced its exclusive automotive sponsorship of this year's 20^th anniversary celebration of Premio Lo Nuestro a la Música Latina (Lo Nuestro Latin Music Awards) on February 21, 2008. For over eight years, Chevrolet and Univision Network's Premio lo Nuestro have celebrated Latin music, bringing the hottest talent to people's homes.

As part of this year's 20^th anniversary celebration, Chevrolet has joined forces with Univision to showcase the all-new Chevy Malibu by integrating the Malibu into the broadcast of this premiere awards show. Malibu will provide millions of viewers with exclusive "back stage" access throughout the broadcast. In addition, as part of their official automotive sponsorship of Premio Lo Nuestro, Chevrolet will play a key role in recognizing a singular achievement by one of the evening's special performers and will also make sure all of the evening's celebrities and VIP's arrive in style to the Red Carpet in a fleet comprised of Tahoes, Suburbans, and a Corvette.

Celebrating this star-studded event, Chevy will also bring two of its most famous "stars". The acclaimed Chevy Malibu, recently named "2008 North American Car of the Year "at the North American International Auto Show, will be on display along with the star from this past summer's action movie hit "Transformers," the beautiful Camaro "Bumblebee".

"Music and entertainment are a strong part of Chevy's tradition, and we are thrilled to be a part of this great celebration that pays tribute to Latino talent," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet General Manager. "Chevy is committed to bringing the music to the fans, and having Latin music fans interact with our vehicles is invaluable."

Top 5 Tips Or What You Need To Know Before To Buy A Car

Author: Alex Baumm

For the purpose of mobility, there is a need to own a vehicle. Through the years and in almost all societies, owning and driving a car has somehow become a status symbol because it is quite logical that owning up such a vehicle is not always affordable.

These days, however, people have greater chances of buying a car because there are practically more options in transactions.

If you are aiming to purchase a car, it would be wise if you would take into consideration several factors. Initially, you need to decide whether you want to buy a new or a used car. If you have enough money to spend, of course, buying a new car is the most advisable and logical thing to do.

New cars are always on top quality and are guaranteed to deliver good and reliable performances. On the other hand, if your budget is quite limited, you can opt to purchase a second-hand car, which are available at car auctions or through used car dealers and brokers.

When buying such refurbished and reconditioned cars, it is imperative that you look at several considerations, particularly, the number of the car's previous owners, accident and mechanical history and maintenance requirements.

When purchasing a new car, it would surely be helpful if you would take note of the following advices and recommendations. These are considered the basic and important things and activities you should do before car purchase.

1. If you are aiming to find and secure the best and most reasonable deals when purchasing a car, it would be advisable if you would make the acquisition on the period from July to October and on the second half of December.

It is a know fact that cars are basically less costly on these periods. Annually, the periods also coincide with the usual periods car dealers usually launch and implement significant car purchase discounts. Discounts of a few percent surely would mean a lot of savings.

2. Do a comparison shop first. There are numerous used car dealers in the community and all of them are aiming to cut the throat of each other.

That is why you can be sure there is intense competition, which usually comes in the form of contests to lure more customers by lowering prices. Of course, dealers offering the best and most competitive prices win, and you should do business with them.

3. Always remember that cars that would be ordered from a car plant or facility must not cost more when compared to the prices of cars on the lot or the showroom. Many car buyers are fooled when dealers charge extra costs for cars that need to be ordered from plants.

Likewise, you should be wary about cars that need to be sourced or located by the dealer from another dealership. Usually, used car dealers implement additional, yet, unnecessary fees for such service.

4. It is illegal for car dealers to sell cars that lack price invoice sticker or MSRP. The price tags in the showroom should always be the actual price you would need to pay if you are making the purchase. No more, no less.

5. Lastly, it would be wise if you would do your own research of the car model or brand you are purchasing. Carmakers and marketers hire the best advertisers. So at times, do not fully believe ads for they have been developed and produced to awe and lure buyers.

Most powerful racing Porche 911 considerably improved

Auto News : Auto Industry : Porsche News

The Porsche GT3 RSR launches into the new model year with extensive modifications. The most powerful race car based on the Porsche 911, which last year scored wins at the 24 hour races of Le Mans and Spa as well as overall victory at the Nuerburgring 24 hours, competes in the GT2 class at international long distance races. The most distinguish-ing feature of the new GT3 RSR is the front end which received major improvements to the aerodynamics. The majority of innovations however are hidden under the weight-optimised body.

Aside from the easily recognisable additional spoilers on the front apron, so-called flicks, an optimised air ducting with newly-designed side air outlets generates more downforce and reduces drag. The rear end including the rear wing was taken over from the predecessor. Extensive changes to the suspension cinematics increase mechanical grip considerably. The range of possible suspension set-ups was broadened.

The 3.8-litre boxer engine of the GT3 RSR remains unchanged apart from slight improvements to details. It delivers 465 hp (342 kW) at 8,000 revs per minute and delivers a maximum torque of 430 Nm at 7,250 revs. The rev limiter of the efficient six-cylinder kicks in at 9,400 rpm.
Much of the know-how in the GT3 RSR’s totally new gearbox has come from the RS Spyder sports prototype. The sequential six-speed unit, developed by Porsche engineers, is considerably lighter than its predecessor. Internal friction was substantially reduced. The flat angle of the drive shafts allows teams a wider range of suspension set-ups.

Aside from the GT3 Cup and the GT3 Cup S, the GT3 RSR is the third race car based on the Porsche 911 offered by Porsche Motorsport. Thirty-five units of the fastest and most powerful long distance racer made in Weissach, apart from the exclusive RS Spyder sports prototype, are now being produced and delivered to customer teams around the globe. The price of the GT3 RSR is 349,800 Euro plus VAT.

Chevy crossover will have 3 rows of seats

Traverse is making debut at the upcoming Chicago auto show
provided by: www.msnbc.msn.com

CHICAGO - Chevrolet is adding a crossover with three rows of seats to its lineup — the Chevrolet Traverse — which is set to debut this week at the Chicago Auto Show.

A crossover vehicle is one that has most of the attributes of a truck-based sport utility vehicle but is more maneuverable and gets better gas mileage because it’s built on car underpinnings.

The Traverse, which borrows its bold front end and styling from the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, joins the two-row Equinox in Chevrolet’s crossover family. The Traverse will go into production in Spring Hill, Tenn., in the third quarter of this year.

The Traverse isn’t coming a moment too soon for General Motors Corp.’s Chevrolet division. Automakers have been racing to introduce more crossovers as the segment continues to grow in an otherwise soft market. Crossover sales rose 16 percent in 2007, despite a 3 percent decline in the market overall.

GM’s Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook crossovers were a bright spot for the automaker in last year’s bleak market, and they continued to perform well in January. Acadia sales rocketed up 335 percent in January from the same month in 2007, while Outlook sales more than doubled. Those models all feature three rows of seating

Chevrolet will also face competition from other new three-row crossovers this year, including the Ford Flex and Dodge Journey.

“We think the Traverse is the right vehicle for the right time,” Ed Peper, Chevrolet’s general manager, said in a statement.

Peper said the Traverse drives like a smaller vehicle but is large enough to accommodate adults in the third row and will have a large cargo space. It also has sliding second-row seats for easier access to the third row.


The Chicago Auto Show opens to the public Friday after two days of media previews.

GM also announced Wednesday at the show that half its U.S. vehicle volume will run on ethanol by 2012, just as partner Coskata Inc. is expected to be ramping up ethanol production.

In a speech at the show, GM North America President Troy Clarke said GM will have 11 ethanol-capable vehicles on the market this year and 15 in 2009. Clarke also announced that GM will be producing its first four-cylinder ethanol-capable model, the FlexFuel Chevrolet HHR, in 2010.

“We don't only want to respond to the needs of the market. We want to anticipate them,” Clarke said.

How To Avoid Auto Mechanics Scams

Going nuts everytime a check engine light goes on, is nothing new. Everyone's busy and cannot possibly have enough time to go check your car or truck whenever this happens, so you take it with good will to your "loyal" mechanic and he checks it over and a famous one liner that you've heard before utters his lips, you know, something like, "Good thing you brought it over, I don't think it would have lasted another mile." Or something like that.

Whenever the check engine light goes on, don't panic. I've known several people who've had this problem over and over again.Usually it's a computer problem, or something so simple as needing another gas cap that makes people go into a tizzy. Sometimes the check engine light goes on because something needs attention that shouldn't wait too.

I know there's a lot of mechanics out there who are trustworthy, and reliable, and maybe you are perfectly happy when them. And maybe they come running down your driveway everytime the check engine light does come on, but most of the time, the engine has nothing to do with the that light gives you that wallet busting warning.

When a check engine light comes on, the on board usually stores a code that will lead to direction of the malfunction. Consider it a map with treasure being your malfunction. It doesn't necessarily tell you exactly what is wrong but gives you a code that you (or a technician) can decipher and get to what's aching your baby. Sounds simple, doesn't it? Well before you Indiana Jones wannabes light your torch and go into dark caverns under your hood, get all your facts straight. Just like Dr. Jones did with his archeological facts, you'll have to do a little research yourself. Sounds scary? Don't worry, it's not. Let's say the code "p0171, oxygen sensor indicates lean" shows up, causing your check engine light to glow. It doesn't mean the oxygen sensor is bad, it just means that the oxygen sensor is stuck lean. Now there could be several reasons for this; the engine could be running lean because of a number of problems, or the oxygen sensor is lazy and may actually need to be replaced. However, a bad oxygen sensor should set a oxygen sensor code as well.

Replacing a oxygen sensor sounds less threatening than replacing your transmission, doesn't it? It's amazing how many auto mechanics will tell you what's wrong when a check engine light goes on. It's become a vital commodity to mechanics, just like a pop up ad on your computer, but they don't have to pay for this ad.

And research is really not so bad. It's not like homework, you don't have to do it, however, if you don't, and ignore it, you'll regret it. So how can distinguish what your car needs, and what kind of project it will entail if you can't trust your mechanic? Well, you can take it to a mechanic when the check engine light goes on, but most mechanics charge jup to hundreds of dollars just to inspect the problem, and you'll have to add this to fix what that the mechanic has dreamed up, after all, who's he afraid of, it's not like you've done your research, right? Here is a great way to get your research done before going to the mechanic, so you know what you are in for.

Almost all car repair questions can now be answered online, right at your fingertips. Many websites now offer advice for the average car owner to troubleshoot car problems, so the days of going to one mechanic after another to diagnosis your car problems are over. Sites such as Automtoive Experts Online are dedicated to troubleshoot car problems, such as check engine lights for Honda Accord or Toyota check engine light. This site is designated for safe and reliable auto advice that's cheap and fast. No one has the time to figure out common car problems on their own, and mechanics can charge up to hundreds of dollars just to tell you what's wrong. The site is great for car owners who do work themselves, and a life savor for newbies as well.

The site is free to register and join, all questions can be seen for free and registered users bid on answers written by real certified experts. Common questions relating to check engine light for Honda Accord, or Toyota check engine light are often answered within hours. It also guarantees your satisfaction by refunding your deposit 100% if you are not satisfied. It is easy to use and the database of car repair questions is growing.

So before you go out and venture the wild terrain of under your hood, do a little research and go prepared. If you are not mechanically inclined, you owe it to yourself to still do the research so you can go your mechanic prepared, and proud, and say, "My emmisions increased 1.5 times, emitting triple the hydrocarbons into the atmosphere, fix that, and nothing else." Your mechanic will never look at you the same ever again.

How to Cope with Cold

Source: AAA Michigan

Preparing now for frigid weather conditions will help keep your vehicle on the road, advises AAA Michigan. This month, the Auto Club has received calls for emergency road service that are well above normal levels for this time of year. AAA is giving priority to callers stranded on freeways or in traffic, where they are facing hazards.

Motorists can help keep their vehicles on the road by doing the following:

* Check your battery strength. Faulty batteries cause more car starting problems than any other factor. At zero degrees, a good battery has 35 percent less starting power.
* Park your car in the garage. If you have no garage, put a tarp over the hood or park protected from prevailing winds. To keep doors from freezing shut, place a plastic trash bag between the door and the frame.
* Keep the fuel tank at least half-full to avoid fuel-line freeze-up.
* To avoid frozen door locks, buy a lubricant available in most auto supply stores. If your lock freezes, heat your key with a pocket lighter but remember to wear gloves or hold the key with pliers. Or, fill a plastic jug with hot water. Hold it against the door panel or lock area. Do not throw hot water on the car. It may freeze and run the risk of cracking glass.
* If you become stranded, stay with your vehicle. It provides excellent shelter from the cold and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. If you can start your engine, run it only enough to keep warm. Make sure the exhaust pipe is snow-free. Keep emergency supplies in the car, such as a cell phone, boots, hats, gloves, blankets, a "coffee can heater," flashlight and reflective triangle.

AAA and the Michigan Towing Association remind motorists to give tow truck operators a "brake." They're there to help you. Drive with care when a tow truck's there.

About Automo-tips

Some people use their automobiles only to get from Point A to Point B. You know there's more than that. You get mad when someone makes a remark about your car that's less than flattering. You get riled when a cool car is destroyed in a straight-to-video movie. You realize when a new car doesn't deserve it's name of a great car of the past. When you see someone driving a boring vehicle, you feel sorry for them. You know it's not the destination that counts - it's the journey.
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