Maintenance auto news

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 7.16.09

	First Drive: 2010 Buick LaCrosse looks to breathe life into old brand GM CEO Fritz Henderson says that the new breed of Buicks new must be more than competitive - they must be superb. So does the 2010 LaCrosse have the goods to take on Acura and Lexus? We find out.		STUDY: More Americans planning to keep their cars longer... are you? [w/POLL] Automakers looking for a quick turnaround in the new car market aren't going to like a new survey that says consumers plan to hold onto their vehicles longer than ever before.
	Pics Aplenty: Double-size gallery of 2010 Jaguar XJ images For any of you looking to get an even better look - or perhaps just additional looks - at the 2010 Jaguar XJ, we've added about 40 new photos to our gallery.	Other news of import Ford poised to overtake GM as America's top-selling automaker NHTSA: Drunk driving is down, but 16.3% of nighttime drivers are on drugs Discovery Channel's HD Theater bringing WRC coverage back to U.S. Officially Official: Mercedes to produce electric SLS gullwing BMW trademarks "Countryman" for Mini crossover name?

STUDY: Despite insurance breaks, hybrids driven more, cost more to fix, and get more tickets

Conventional wisdom is that hybrid vehicles reduce our dependence on foreign oil and emit fewer environment hurting CO2 emissions. When comparing a hybrid to a conventional gasoline-powered model on a mile-by-mile basis, there's some logic to this argument provided the pricing disparity between the two models isn't too broad. However, a new study by Quality Planning shows that hybrid owners drive much more than non-hybrid owners, potentially negating the benefits of the added battery pack and electric motor.

Quality Planning studied nearly 360,000 vehicles throughout 2007 and 2008 to analyze driving habits, and some of the study's findings are pretty surprising. According to the survey, hybrid and non-hybrid drivers have statistically similar commutes, but hybrid owners drive their vehicles 25% more (2,000 miles) in non-commuting scenarios.

Dr. Raj Bhat, president of Quality Planning, thinks part of the reason for these findings has something to do with the fact that high mileage drivers are typically more interested in hybrids than infrequent drivers.

"What we don't know is whether owning a hybrid vehicle encourages people to drive more miles each day or take more pleasure trips. High-mileage drivers appear to be attracted to these vehicles, so insurers should take steps to verify the intended use of hybrids and validate actual miles driven wherever possible."

If you really want a hybrid and you don't want to hear any more bad news, you should stop reading. QP also found that repair costs are significantly higher for hybrid owners. The Ford Escape Hybrid, for example, costs 31% more to repair than the gasoline-only model, while repairing the Toyota Highlander Hybrid will reportedly add 45% more cost. A recent report by IntelliChoice that found that, in the long-term, hybrids and diesels are actually cheaper than gasoline-only vehicles.

The text below illustrates how much on a per dollar basis hybrid repair costs for collision and comprehensive coverage versus one dollar for a non-hybrid. The disparity is shrinking every year, but according to QP, hybrids still cost more to fix. Hit the jump to view the Quality Planning press release.

Collision Comprehensive

Coverage Coverage

2006 Hybrid Models $1.16 $1.75

2007 Hybrid Models $1.09 $1.35

2008 Hybrid Models $1.13 $1.17

Continue reading STUDY: Despite insurance breaks, hybrids driven more, cost more to fix, and get more tickets

Does brake dust affect a car's quality? J.D. Power thinks so (w/POLL)

When wheels are covered with brake dust, the entire car looks dirty and in many cases, a basic wash will do little to rectify the problem. Most associate brake dust as a mere nuisance, but others actually see the sight of pad particles as a fundamental problem with the functionality of a vehicle's brakes. That may sound a bit strange to some, but J.D. Power seems to agree that brake dust is indeed a quality problem.

The long-running quality survey added brake dust as one of its 228 quality concerns back in 2006 in response to several survey-takers filling in "brake dust" as a write-in complaint. David Sargent, vice president for automotive research at J.D. Power, told The New York Times that brake dust is given the same weight as serious mechanical malfunctions. The reason, says Sargent, is that customers don't feel that brake dust is "trivial," and while malfunctions can be repaired, brake dust lingers for a very long time.

When asked by The Times why brake dust is even on a quality survey, Sargent mentioned that the survey gauges consumer perception, adding "the purpose of the study is to report back problems as defined by consumers."

Conversely, Consumer Reports does not use brake dust as a quality issue. Vehicle testing head Mark Champion admitted to the Times that cleaning brake dust is annoying, "but it is not actually a failure of the brakes." What say you? Hit the jump to take part in our poll.

Continue reading Does brake dust affect a car's quality? J.D. Power thinks so (w/POLL)

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 7.13.09

	Hot or Not? 2010 Chevy Camaro RS with factory accessories [w/POLL] When we came across this 2010 Camaro 2LT RS with an OEM ground effects kit and 21-inch two-tone wheels, we knew we had to take it for a spin. But is it a looker? Weigh-in by voting in our poll.		SPOILER ALERT: Letting Loose the Dogs of War at the 2009 German Grand Prix Every dog has his day and that's the unofficial theme of this year's Formula One season. You can ask any of a variety of players in this year's championship and they'll surely attest to the old axiom's veracity.
	VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz E-Class commercial features malfunctioning car The voiceover for Mercedes' "Ignite" commercial for the new E-Class starts with "It is, quite simply, the most advanced automobile we have every created." Too bad it's already throwing a warning light.	Other news of import Honda confirms production of CR-Z, Fit Hybrid in 2010 GM working on dedicated hybrid sedan? BMW M boss Segler says no M7 model is forthcoming VIDEO: Ken Block Gymkhana spoof is criminally awesome Want to be able to drop the top on your new Nissan 370Z? It's going to cost you

BREAKING: Early Camaro SS manual transmission failures reported, factory hold issued

Sporadic reports have begun popping up in the Camaro5 forums about issues with V8-powered SS models equipped with the manual transmission. It seems that doing a hard launch or using the launch control system occasionally results in a broken output shaft, a serious failure that will most likely leave the car immobile and in need of repair. We spoke with General Motors spokesman Adam Dennison about the problem and, as this is being written, a factory hold has been put on deliveries of manual transmission V8 Camaros while Chevrolet engineering teams investigate the problem.

Based on the reports, the transmission issues may not be related to the launch control system as the failures seem to happen whether or not launch control is engaged. The Camaro SS uses the Tremec 6060 six-speed gearbox - the same transmission fitted to the Dodge Viper, Mustang GT500, Corvette Z06 and other performance cars - so this is likely a manufacturing issue with a batch of gearboxes.

Dennison told Autoblog that an engineering meeting is being held this evening to identify the cause and establish a timing for the fix - and a recall seems likely. In the meantime, if you have a manual model Camaro SS, you might want to go easy on the launches for now - and if you have one ordered, you'll have to wait a bit longer. Thanks to Bailey and Derrick for the tips!

Gallery: One Night Stand: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro

Photos Copyright (C)2009 Alex Núñez / Weblogs, Inc.

VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz E-Class commercial features malfunctioning car

The voiceover for Mercedes' "Ignite" commercial for the new E-Class starts with "It is, quite simply, the most advanced automobile we have every created." However, during the start-up sequence before that voiceover, the actual commercial begins with a warning light: when the driver turns the car on, the message "Front Right SRS Malfunction Service Required" appears in the dash - not the type of message you expect to see when your car fires up and does its system check. Still, knowing how these things work, we suspect this commercial was probably filmed early on in a pre-production prototype with an inactive airbag - a common enough occurence with these sorts of vehicles.

In any case, to watch the commercial and to check out Mercedes' official response to the flub, hit the jump. Hat tip to Wai.

Continue reading VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz E-Class commercial features malfunctioning car

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 7.7.09

	First Drive: Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport It began with an e-mail from Bugatti's PR firm: "Give me a call when you have a moment." And then, just like the last time, there came the question: "We have a Grand Sport. Can you do something with it?" Let. Me. See.		Spy Shots: Ferrari F450 prototype Ferrari normally tests its future supercars wearing body panels from the prior version, and so earlier spy shots of the upcoming F450 have all been mules wearing F430 body panels. Today that ends with shots of an honest-to-goodness F450 prototype in its own skin.
	Lear files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy The supplier filed for Chapter 11 today in U.S. bankruptcy court for the Southern District of New York. The company hopes to operate business-as-usual while it restructures and plans to emerge from bankruptcy within 60 days.	Other news of import Hyundai to offer sporty hybrid by 2012 Inside Line pits Ford Taurus SHO against Infiniti G37 Found: Rare Michael Jackson commercials for Suzuki Love Honda Accord Crosstour officially confirmed for Fall 2009 Volkswagen Routan recalled for owner's manual omission BMW M3 GT4 may be offered to gentleman racers

VIDEO: Toyota dealer employees caught snooping through customer vehicle, watching porn

Have you ever had the feeling that the service guy at your local dealership is rummaging through your things? Perhaps even a few quarters are missing. A guy named Jason knows all too well about dealership employees going through his stuff - on two different occasions, Jason noticed that things were missing from his Toyota Tundra after getting it serviced at Hampton Toyota of Lafayette. One time, over $10 in quarters were reportedly stolen, and the next time, Jason says about half his quarters were gone.

After complaining about his problems to dealership management, he received no response. So he rigged a digital video camera to the passenger side door and recorded his Tundra's next service appointment. What he saw from the video footage was priceless. In one video clip, the technician rummages through his pills, even licking the medicine's residue on his hand. He also takes some quarters from the truck. Videos that were later removed from YouTube reportedly shows one man watching what sounds like pornography on a diagnostic computer.

Instead of again complaining to dealership management, this time Jason took the DVD to the local media, and sent a copy to the owner of the dealership, along with a letter detailing what happened to him. Consumerist reports that the dealer's owner immediately fired the three workers caught on video, along with the service manager that ignored his complaints. Jason also received an extended warranty on his truck for his troubles. Hit the jump to view the videos showing the technician rummaging through Jason's things. Hat tip to FaLex!

Continue reading VIDEO: Toyota dealer employees caught snooping through customer vehicle, watching porn

STUDY: Majority of highway fatalities caused by deficient road conditions

What would you think to be the leading contributor to fatalities in car crashes here in the States? Failure to use seat belts? Speeding? Drunk driving? Think again. According to a new study commissioned by Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), the leading cause of highway fatalities is deficient road conditions. In fact, the study asserts, with a roadway-related crash occurring every minute on American streets, inadequate roadway infrastructure is responsible for the majority of highway fatalities in the United States and over a third of injuries incurred in non-fatal crashes as well.

Given the state of many roadways, you might think that the situation - like America's road network - is beyond repair. However, the study, entitled "On a Crash Course: The Dangers and Health Costs of Deficient Roadways," assesses the financial cost alone of crashes caused by these substandard roadways - as a whopping $217 billion annually, including medical bills, loss of productivity and property damage. That's more than three-and-a-half times the $59 billion which local, state and federal governments in the United States invest in improving America's roadways. PIRE's solution? Improving road conditions, of course, including better signage and markings, widening shoulders and removing obstacles from roadsides. Follow the jump to read more on PIRE's findings and suggested solutions for what it deems is one of the largest killers in America.

Continue reading STUDY: Majority of highway fatalities caused by deficient road conditions

STUDY: UK police officers confuse diesel and gas pumps four times a day, cost taxpayers ?1 million

British police have an expensive problem. It's not crime and it isn't corruption, it's much worse. The £1 million problem is stupidity. Over the course of three years, UK cops have on 4,709 occasions put the wrong fuel in their police cruisers. That's an average of four cars damaged per day, with damages of £6,500 a week. That's more than $1.6 million USD. Blimey.

Each time the wrong fuel is added, the very expensive fuel has to be drained, and in many cases engines have to be repaired. According to the Mirror, one force, The Met, had four times as expensive a problem as any other group, with £194,212 in damage ($316k USD) over three years. In one year alone, the pump-challenged bunch had 287 erroneous re-fuels from its 6,500 unit fleet at a taxpayer cost of £84,992 ($138k USD). That's a mis-fuel rate of .09%.

A group called TaxPayers' Alliance demanded fueling info under the Freedom of Information act from 52 forces in the UK. Eight forces rejected the request, and four more didn't respond. The public action group poured over data over a four month period to come up with the staggering sum of bungled fill-ups.

TaxPayers' Alliance chief Matthew Elliott doesn't mince words when talking about the size and scope of the fuel problem. "Every car damaged is thousands of pounds diverted away from the fight against crime. One would hope our police were more on the ball." One would hope.

To combat the expensive fuel mix-up issue, North Wales placed yellow stickers labeled 'DIESEL' back in 2006, but that didn't stop officers from pumping petrol on 39 different occasions. Many forces have stated that they've tried many things to combat the problem, but apparently only one solution has worked. Humberside has had only one mis-fuel, at a cost of £51. They have an all-gas fleet, which they say saves £250,000 a year. Hmmm....