You always have a ‘choice,’ even where something simple is concerned – even something as simple as your car’s engine air filter. Say you’ve been driving around without having changed your car’s engine air filter in a while. You can choose to buy one for $15-20 and install it yourself or perhaps with the helping hand of a friendly parts store clerk. Or, down the road, you may find yourself shopping for a laundry list of parts and a reliable repair shop. Under these circumstances, your shopping list could include: Piston rings – $120 Full gasket set – $175 Connecting rod bearings – $80 Main bearings – $80 Machine work – $600 Repair shop labor to remove/reinstall engine and parts – $1,200 Labor to disassemble and reassemble engine – $750 Total $3,005 Additionally, if you add in new spark plugs, oil, belts, filters, hoses, motor mounts, thermostat the cost inches a lot closer to $4,000. On the other hand, your mechanic can order a re-manufactured engine at $2,500 or more, and with the cost of labor added in it too totals $4000-plus! “An air filter is a small item in terms of cost, but plays a very big role when it comes to protecting the engine in your car,” said Chuck Kerrigan, Director of Marketing for Purolator, a major supplier of engine air filters to the automotive aftermarket in North America. “Today’s engines include parts that are manufactured to such precise tolerances that even a modicum of dirt can potentially damage its performance,” said Kerrigan. Imagine, for every gallon of fuel your vehicle consumes, it ingests 10,000 gallons of air. And with the precise clearance of one-thousandths of an inch or more between the piston ring and the groove of the piston in which it rides, the engine is extremely vulnerable when the air filter is dirty or blocked. Once this happens, the filter media gets sucked in, ruptures, allowing unfiltered dirt to rush in and damage the engine’s vital internal parts. “The two most critical features to look for in engine air filters are ‘efficiency’ and ‘capacity,’ ” said Kerrigan. “Efficiency describes how well an air filter removes harmful particulates, and capacity is a measure of how much debris a filter can hold. For example, our Purolator Classic air filter is 96.5 percent efficient with excellent capacity. And our premium Purolator PureONE air filter, which is 99.5 percent efficient, removes particulates as small as 8 ten-thousandths of an inch, and can hold more contaminants than many other air filters on the market. Particles this size and larger can cause major damage to critical internal engine parts and over time, can cause damage serious enough to require total (and expensive!) engine overhaul or replacement,” Kerrigan emphasized. “Finally, avoiding the frustration of knowing that you could have prevented an engine rebuild simply by spending a couple of dollars now, is priceless; your engine will appreciate it, and so will your bank account,” Kerrigan said. To learn more about Purolator filters and the filtration category, please visit www.purolatorautofilters.net.
Seven DIY Car Care Tips to Cut Your Maintenance Costs
Still trying to pare down your household budget? Here’s an option you might not have considered—doing more of the regular maintenance on your car.
The idea can be a little intimidating—even scary—for some. The website, womens-finance.com, reports that one-third of women have some sort of “car-phobia” when it comes to servicing their cars.
You’ve learned DIY for your home, so why not for your vehicle? We’re not talking about a brake relining, but simple things that not only can cut your service expenses but also extend the life of your car, save on gas and keep you and your family safer on the road. Here are seven tips to get you started:
Use Your Owner’s Manual
Unlike men, most women find directions helpful. You don’t have to read every page of your manual, but skim through it and become familiar with the basics. Just like cookbooks, mark the important parts with tabs or adhesive notes. Keep your manual handy when inspecting or working on your vehicle.
Put a Scheduled Maintenance Program on Your Calendar
Your manual has the details on how often you should change your oil and fluids and inspect and replace parts. Schedule these and other DIY activities on your calendar to make sure you don’t forget.
Maintain Proper Pressure in Your Tires
If you only have time for one DIY job, this would be your top choice. Underinflated tires are the No. 1 cause of tire failure or flats and can decrease you fuel economy by as much as 10 percent. Use a quality tire-pressure gauge and check when the tires are cool. Information about the correct pressure for your car is in your manual and on the driver’s doorjamb.
Change Your Fluids Regularly
These include your radiator coolant, engine oil, brake fluid, power-steering fluid and automatic transmission fluid. Some of these tasks are quite easy, but even the most challenging are doable with a little help and practice. Your mechanic or a service representative can show you what to do, or you can find assistance online. This video, for example, will walk you through the steps of checking your oil.
Inspect Your Belts and Hoses
Belt and hose failures are the No. 1 cause of roadside breakdowns. You should inspect them every six months and before long trips.
Know How to Respond to Dashboard Warning Signs
Some of the most important signs are the check engine light, water temperature gauge, and indicators for electronic controls such as the antilock braking system (ABS) and traction control. For example, if your ABS light comes on and stays on, you should immediately have a professional inspect your car.
Content provided by George Palatine, Allstate Auto Insurance Company, Northbrook, IL
 Start, Look, and Listen!
Now’s the time to get your car ready for the demands placed on it in the coming winter months. Especially in rain, sleet, freezing rain, and maybe snow, you’ll want your vehicle to start and run reliably. And you’ll want your driving experience to be as safe and comfortable as possible. Here are some things to check to make your winter driving safer and more secure.
Start Installing new spark plugs will help assure quick starts even in very cold weather when battery power can be severely compromised. According to Wilkinson, “Most drivers feel that the original spark plugs performed well and lasted quite a while. Our Bosch Iridium is the replacement spark plug most like the Original Equipment (OE) plugs used in many late-model cars. Bosch Iridium has optimized spark projection in the combustion chamber and uses a fine wire electrode design for superior ignitability and performance. It is an excellent replacement plug for any car using older-technology spark plugs.” Look Takatsuka added, “ICON’s exclusive tension spring arcing technology creates a custom fit that’s contoured to the curvature of both the driver and passenger sides of the windshield of each vehicle, unlike other blades that try to accommodate different curvatures with a single blade design. Such a compromise just can’t provide the clean, consistent wipe offered by Bosch ICON’s patented innovative design.” Listen Keep your car ready to beat the cold! Brought to you by Robert Bosch LLC
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2012 Fiat 500 Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick
The 2012 Fiat 500 has been named a Top Safety Pick in the mini-car category by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
To earn the award, a vehicle must receive the top rating of Good in front, side, rear and rollover crash tests and have an electronic stability system, which is now standard on 2012 models. In the 500’s crash tests, measurements taken from the crash-test dummy’s neck and chest show a low risk of injury. In the side-impact crash test, the vehicle’s side is struck by a barrier moving at 31 mph, representing the front end of a pickup truck or SUV. In side-impact testing, the 500’s driver could fracture his or her pelvis in a crash of this severity.
To pass IIHS’ roof-strength test, a vehicle’s roof must be able to withstand the force of four times the vehicle’s weight. The 500 can withstand an impressive 6.16 times its weight.
The award only applies to 500s built after July, according to IIHS. Models built before July have weaker seat structures that can cause more harm to front passengers. You can check when a vehicle was built on a label affixed to the driver-side doorjamb.
The only other mini-car to earn Top Safety Pick status is the 2011-12 Ford Fiesta.
Car and Driver and the Chrysler Brand Announce the Launch of Txt U L8r
- New mobile app for Android and Blackberry created to combat the dangers of texting while driving
How Txt U L8r Works
- When TXT U L8r is running on a driver’s handheld device, the application sends a predetermined message back to the sender with an alert that the user is unavailable.
- At the same time, the received message is read aloud to the driver, ensuring he or she doesn’t miss an urgent message.
- A paid upgrade of the application is available allowing the driver to respond back to messages with voice commands.
The development of Txt U L8r was prompted by a Car and Driver Texting While Driving Study that showed driver reaction times while texting were much worse compared to drunk driver reaction times. The study demonstrated the time it takes to hit the brakes when sober, when legally drunk, when reading an email and when sending a text.
Results of the Car and Driver Texting While Driving Study
- When unimpaired, it took drivers an average of .54 seconds to brake.
- When legally drunk, it took an additional four feet to brake.
- When reading an email, it required an additional 36 feet to bring the car to a stop.
- When sending a text, another 70 feet was required to brake.
Based on the results of this study, Car and Driver representatives appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show in January 2010, as part of Oprah’s widely popular “No Phone Zone” pledge, to discuss their findings and to demonstrate just how dangerous texting while driving truly is.
“Our experiment showed just how dangerous texting while driving can be,” said Eddie Alterman, editor-in-chief of Car and Driver. “The results of our research were precisely the reason we developed Txt U L8r in an effort to help drivers avoid car accidents often associated with distracted driving. Our goal is to make Txt U L8r part of a daily driving routine while helping save lives behind the wheel.”
The problems of texting while driving, coupled with the results of the Car and Driver study, were the primary reasons why the Chrysler Brand chose to officially sponsor the Txt U L8r application.
Chrysler Group LLC was the first automaker to establish a corporate policy that prohibits its employees from texting while driving company-owned vehicles and texting with company-provided communication devices while driving personal vehicles. Chrysler has implemented this policy to promote safer driving behaviors and to serve as an industry example.
The company will take a further step by enabling its employees to download the Txt U L8r application to their company-owned communication devices.
The Chrysler Brand will also take action on its Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/Chrysler) to ask its community and owners to make the commitment of not texting while driving. With a simple click, fans can take the “I Drive Text-Free” pledge, as well as share it with their friends and family
“Chrysler brand vehicles are designed with available safety and security features that help to deliver your precious cargo safely from one destination to the next,” said Olivier Francois, President and CEO – Chrysler Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Together, let’s pledge to keep our eyes on the road and our hands on the wheel by promising not to text while driving.”
To Download Txt U L8r
Click on http://bit.ly/aRSgul from your Android.
Click on http://bit.ly/cVWTic or http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/12376 from your Blackberry.
Or search “Txt U L8r” in the Android Market or Blackberry Appworld to find and download the application to your handheld device.
Broadcast outlets, please note: A video news release and audio clips from this announcement will be available today, 10/6/10, at 1:00 PM EST at http://www.epk.tv/view/#/campaign/text-u-l8r/.
Source: Chrysler
The holiday season is a time when busy people can become vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. The following tips can help you be more careful, prepared and aware during the holiday season.
- Do not leave your vehicle unattended with the motor running.
- Never leave your vehicle unattended with children inside.
- Keep all doors locked and windows closed while in or out of your vehicle.
- If you shop at night, park in a well-lighted area, close to your destination.
- Always set your alarm/anti-theft device.
- Do not leave packages or valuables on the seat of your vehicle; lock them it in the trunk.
- When approaching and leaving your vehicle, be aware of your surroundings.
- If you’re feeling uneasy, ask store or mall security for an escort!
FIAT of Austin
wishes you all a wonderful Holiday season!
Fall is the picture-perfect time of year when many drivers take to the road to view the autumn colors. The leaves are beautiful to see, but when wet or in piles on the roads, they present driving hazards unique to the season. The Car Care Council reminds drivers to prepare for fall driving conditions by having their vehicles’ tires, brakes and wipers checked before heading out on the road.
“Drivers should be aware that wet leaves on the road surface can make stopping difficult, and piles of leaves can obscure potholes, curbs and street markings,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Add to these hazards the fact that road conditions can change from ideal to miserable in a matter of minutes, and what you have is a potentially dangerous situation.”
Tires can affect the car’s ride, handling, traction and safety, and are a critical connection between the car and the road in all types of driving conditions. To maximize tire life and safety, check the inflation pressure and the tread depth, and inspect the sidewalls for cracks or punctures. As a general rule, tires should be rotated every 6,000 miles and balanced.
The brake system is the car’s most important safety system. Brakes are a normal wear item for any car, and brake linings, drums and rotors, as well as brake fluid, should be checked at each oil change.
To help ensure the performance and safety of wipers, blades should be replaced every six months or when cracked, cut, torn, streaking or chattering. Windshield wiper fluid should be checked monthly and only washer fluid should be used.
SOURCE Car Care Coucil
With fewer daylight hours in the fall and winter, it’s important to make sure your vehicle can be seen by others and your visibility is not compromised. Fall Car Care Month in October is also National Headlight Safety Month, the perfect time for a safety inspection of your vehicle’s lights and wipers, according to the Car Care Council.
“As the days get shorter, your vehicle’s lighting system becomes more important to the safety of you and your passengers,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “From the driver’s seat you may not notice a light that isn’t working, so be sure to inspect your car’s lights at every oil change. At the same time, inspect and replace wiper blades so you can see clearly when wet weather hits.”
Lights and wipers play a major role in safe driving, as the chance of an accident increases if you can’t see or be seen. The wiper system keeps excessive water, snow and dirt from building up on the windshield, maintaining clear visibility. The lighting system provides nighttime visibility, signals and alerts other drivers, and supplies light for viewing instruments and the vehicle’s interior.
Lights are normal wear items that require periodic inspection and replacement. In addition to replacing dimming, rapidly blinking and non-functioning lights, the following tips can help keep you safe:
- Keep headlights, tail lights and signal lights clean. External dirt and debris can dim operational lights from being seen by others.
- Make sure that your headlights are properly aimed. Miss-aimed headlights blind other drivers and reduce your ability to see the road.
- Don’t overdrive your headlights; you should be able to stop inside the illuminated area, otherwise you are creating a blind crash area in front of your vehicle.
- If there is any doubt on whether or not your headlights should be on, turn them on. Lights not only help you see better in early twilight, they also make it easier for other drivers to see you.
Many factors can accelerate the replacement interval of wipers, including operating conditions (winter conditions are tough on wiper blades), frequency of use, material and type of wipers and sunny weather. In fact, wiper blades can deteriorate faster and need more frequent replacement in desert states.
Some states have laws that require the headlights to be on with the wipers. If you detect any problem with your car’s lights or wipers, have them checked out at once. Keep your vehicle’s lights properly cared for to help ensure a safer ride and keep the road ahead well lit.
SOURCE Car Care Coucil
Lisa Copeland is the Chief Sales Strategist for the Nyle Maxwell Family of Dealerships.
Katie King is the Sales Director for Buying Cars Her Way.
Judith Dudley is the Social Media Strategist and the Chrysler Dealer Standards Director for the Nyle Maxwell Family of Dealerships.
Jody DeVere is the CEO and President of AskPatty.com, Inc. Visit www.askpatty.com to learn more about how to become an AskPatty.com Certified Female Friendly® Dealer.
Melinda Garvey, Founder and Publisher of austinwoman Magazine, is regarded as one of the most dynamic women in the greater Austin area for her work as a successful female entrepreneur, community philanthropist and role model.
Amber Barnett is the newest design consultant at FIAT of Austin!