Archive for the ‘News’ Category
5 common car problems and what they cost to fix
Tuesday, May 10th, 2011By DEE-ANN DURBIN
AP Auto WriterDETROIT — Drivers get nervous whenever the “check engine” light illuminates on their dashboard. It can signal anything from a missing $3 gas cap to repairs costing thousands of dollars.
But think of the light as a way to stay on top of problems and extend the life of a car. Often, it’s warning about problems that can be avoided by keeping up with regular maintenance, says CarMD, a maker of vehicle diagnostic equipment. (more…)
2011 Nissan Murano: The fairer way to drive a crossover
Friday, April 29th, 2011By AARON COLE
Managing Editor, MediaOne of UtahCredit where credit is due.
In the list of carmakers that have taken risks over the past 10 years, Nissan not only takes the crown — they dominate the conversation.
Take, for instance, the Nissan GT-R.
Then the Nissan Juke.
Then the Nissan Cube.
(Just make sure your eyes are closed for the last one.) (more…)
Faulty brake light fuse needs attention now
Tuesday, April 26th, 2011By Brad Bergholdt
McClatchy-Tribune News ServiceQUESTION: My fuse for the brake lights keeps popping. I was made aware of the problem after almost being rear-ended, then figured out the stop lights weren’t working. I’ve had to replace the fuse several times over the past month or so and am getting frustrated having to constantly check the lights or worry when they’ll stop again. Any ideas of what I could check before bringing it in?
—Alvin P. (more…)
‘Halo lights’ woo car customizers
Friday, April 15th, 2011By Chris Woodyard
USA TODAYIRVINE, Calif. — Like lurking tigers peeking through the darkness, more muscle cars are getting their own sets of piercing eyes.
In this case, the halo-like glow emanates from colored LED lights that rim their headlights like irises surrounding black pupils.
At a recent Dodge and Chrysler car gathering on an abandoned airstrip here, owners treated these so-called halo lights as automotive must-haves for those who want to turn heads. (more…)
Jeep may offer diesel engines within 3 years
Friday, April 8th, 2011By BRENT SNAVELY
Detroit Free PressAUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Jeep could offer diesel engines in some models within three years, the president and CEO of Chrysler’s Jeep brand said.
Diesel engines could help Jeep improve its fuel economy and would give customers another option as gas prices increase. Mike Manley said Jeep could offer diesel engines in such models as the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Grand Cherokee. (more…)
Thinking of an electric car? Get your garage ready
Friday, April 1st, 2011
By TOM KRISHER
AP Auto WriterWith gas prices rising and instability in the Middle East, the thought of an electric car in the garage might be getting more appealing.
Before you jump for the new technology, though, make sure your garage is ready to be a refueling station. (more…)
JD Power: Autos more reliable now
Thursday, March 24th, 2011
By Jerry Hirsch
Los Angeles TimesLOS ANGELES — The auto industry is producing more reliable vehicles. That’s the finding of a J.D. Power and Associates dependability study examining problems experienced during the last 12 months by owners of 2008 model-year vehicles.
The study, released Thursday, found there were an average of 151 problems per 100 of the 3-year-old vehicles during the time period surveyed. That was the lowest problem rate since the inception of the study in 1990 and an improvement from the 155 problems owners of 2007 models reported in last year’s study, J.D. Power said. (more…)
Firmer financial footing making for better car loans
Thursday, March 17th, 2011By DEE-ANN DURBIN
AP Auto WriterDETROIT — As car buyers head back into dealerships after a two-year drought, they’re being greeted by rock-bottom interest rates on auto loans, eye-popping lease deals and a renewed willingness to lend to people with spotty credit.
Banks are on more solid fiscal ground, helped by government aid and renewed demand for auto loans that are packaged and sold as securities, a market that raises money and allows banks to write more loans. Buyers, too, are gaining confidence. U.S. auto sales rose 20 percent in February to the highest monthly pace since Cash for Clunkers in August 2009. (more…)
Electric charging firms plugging into public money
Wednesday, March 9th, 2011By Julie Wernau
Chicago TribuneCHICAGO — When politicians tout the benefits of public subsidies for electric vehicles, the argument inevitably comes down to two words: Chicken. Egg.
It works like this: Consumers won’t buy electric vehicles without somewhere to charge them. But no one will build charging stations without electric vehicles to use them.
To solve this quandary, local governments and the federal government have pumped millions of dollars of public subsidies into building charging stations. (more…)
Hybrids on the mind, but not in the driveway
Monday, February 28th, 2011
By CHRIS WOODYARD
USA TODAYAbout six out of 10 consumers say they would look at a gas-electric hybrid when the time comes to replace their current vehicle, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll has found.
Some 35 percent would “strongly consider” a hybrid; an additional 23 percent would “consider” it.
But while the results seem to indicate that hybrid gas savers are taking off, the results are at odds with what consumers actually are buying: only 4.3 percent of vehicles sold last year were hybrids, the Environmental Protection Agency reports. (more…)
