Automotive Advice - Auto Repair Questions and Answers

04 Honda CRV problems w/overheating and vtec system

2012-01-28T15:39:00.000-08:00

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer. I have a 04 Honda CRV that recently overheated after I picked it up from a body shop that had done repairs from a minor accident in which they replaced the radiator. It may have been driven only a couple of minutes or possibly up to 10 minutes while overheated. The body shop had not filled the radiator apparently and they sent a guy to help me on the side of the road where I had pulled over. It took over a ½ a “jug” full of antifreeze and we had to wait for it to charge through the system before the heat in the car worked. The next morning the engine almost stalled twice, although did not completely stall (it more or less, “bucked” while moving), and the check engine light came on. The shop said the check engine light was due to an electrical switch related to the Honda vetch system. The switch was replaced and I went to pick up my vehicle just as they were leaving to test drive it. The test driver came back and told the manager while I was standing nearby that the same thing was happening, that it was mechanical and something about restricted oil flow. They shop is supposed to call me today after they check it out again. I’m a female, don’t know much about cars. Is there anything I should know or ask? The body shop told me when they hooked up the computer to my car after the overheating incident that there were no overheating codes, but this electrical switch problem showed up. Do these issues; the vetch system switch problems, check engine light, engine almost stalling sound like they could be issues caused by vehicle overheating? I’m wondering if this is the body shops fault since they didn’t fill the radiator properly and apparently didn’t test drive the vehicle before they said it was done. Although, the manager told me he ran it for a “long” time before he called us to pick it up. Not sure can believe that – wouldn’t it have overheated then if there wasn’t enough radiator fluid. Sorry for this long email. Thank you so much for any help or thoughts.

>>Ask A Mechanic Response<<

Kia recalls 145,755 Optimas, Rondos in U.S.

2012-01-27T07:17:00.000-08:00

Kia Motors America is recalling 145,755 vehicles to fix a problem with the driver's side airbag that could potentially prevent it from deploying.

The recall covers 2006-08 model Optimas and 2007-08 model Rondos, according to documents posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Web site safercar.gov.

The problem originates with the clock spring assembly in the driver's side airbag which may become damaged over time. The damage can place high resistance on the electrical circuit, prompt an airbag warning light to illuminate on the instrument panel and compromise the airbag's ability to deploy, the automaker said in a letter to NHTSA. The condition could put drivers at risk for injury.

Kia, which identified the problem in November, will begin notifying dealers and customers sometime in March.

The company, in a statement, said it isn't aware of any airbags failing to deploy or of injuries resulting from the problem.

"Kia will provide a lifetime warranty for the driver’s airbag clock spring contact assembly for vehicles covered under this recall," Kia said.

Dealers will replace the vehicle's airbag clock spring as necessary, free of charge.

Printable Measuring Tools - Free

2012-01-26T12:11:00.000-08:00

Free to download or print measuring tools for measuring thread count, washer, nut and bolt sizes with ease. These handy .pdf files are a snap to view or print with the free adobe reader. Now available at FreeAutoMechanic.com were you can also Ask a Mechanic free online questions.

There comes a time when every mechanic could use a quicker way to help measure their Nuts and Bolts. These Nut and Bolt Charts can help you do just that. And when You find you need to purchase a replacement bolt, these charts will help you to measure and confirm exactly the right ones you need to order.

Brake Bleeder Screw Removal Tool

2012-01-24T07:29:00.000-08:00

It’s a known fact that working on cars can instantly turn good intentions into horrifying mistakes. You know, like when you snap a piece off of your plastic radiator by accident, when you spend an entire day failing at everything, or when you light yourself on fire. Yes, it’s times like these when you just want to roll your entire tool box into a giant smelting-hot volcano. Within minutes, your arsenal of tools collected over decades would be nothing but a gooey ball of liquid hot magma. Then you would never have to touch a stupid wrench again. Sadly, most of us don’t live near a liquid hot magma filled volcano, and if we did, we wouldn’t have the strength to push a tool box to the summit. So, we are forced to find viable solutions to these horrific mistakes as we wrench our way into the sunset.

This brings me to bleeder screws. OMG! But how?! Well, I am fairly certain that bleeder screws are the leading cause of the current economic crisis, 98% of failed marriages, and the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Bottom line, bleeders are a black hole of happiness, and they will crush your soul. The reason for this is simple. They are made of steel, which rusts, and breaks off when you desperately need it. Every. Single. Stupid. Time. Okay, fine! To be fair, it’s more of a rust thing. It isn’t the bleeder’s fault that it rusts itself solid and becomes one with the caliper. It’s the damp weather, neglect, and road salt. LOTS of road salt. Mix iron, aluminum, salt, and time together and you have a simple recipe that encourages you to push your tools into the tar pit full of Woolly Mammoths.

That being said, there is apparently a new god-like solution to rusty bleeder screws that I found on YouTube. A solution so great that Zeus himself would rub his chin with his hand, lean back, and with Shawn Connery’s voice declare “Not bad“! It’s called the “Phoenix System 4001 Brake Free”, and it may be the best $40-ish bucks that you ever spend if it works as well as it appears to in the video. If not, then you can write your favorite offensive word on it, and then heave it into the nearest river for satisfaction.

Here is the way it apparently works:

- You insert this tool into the business end of an air hammer.

- You then slide the bleeder-screw-sized impact socket onto the end of the tool.

- Place the air hammer and “Brake Free” tool onto the potentially (always) stuck, rusty bleeder screw.

- Crank up the air hammer, and then spin the “Brake Free” with a 3/4 wrench.

- BAM! The bleeder spins out without any danger, swearing, or hassle. Life is great am I right?

Now, the guy that made this video is a regular car-guy that makes videos as he works on cars. I’ve never met him, but he makes a fairly entertaining video for sure. I can’t speak for him, but I know I’m not getting paid by the tool maker to show it off. Mine is set to arrive in the mail today, so I will be sure to report back my own results, whether they are good or bad. If you decide that you are convinced by the video already, like I was, then you can buy your own over on SummitRacing.com like I did. That also happens to be where I borrowed the above image from. Anyway, as you can see in the video, the guy takes a VW brake setup from his back yard after it had been sitting ~20 years, and with the help of this tool, he pops the bleeder free on the first try. The whole thing makes no sense, and yet makes perfect sense. It is an automotive emotional roller coaster that I don’t want to end. Does it really work? Is it a scam? I will let you know in the very near future. Looks like I’ll need to find a sacrificial caliper for the cause…

Resource:www.1aauto.com

Chevy Volt fire probe is closed, NHTSA says

2012-01-20T15:35:00.001-08:00

U.S. safety regulators said today that they've closed an eight-week investigation into the Chevrolet Volt, concluding that the plug-in hybrid's battery doesn't pose a significant fire risk following a crash.

In a statement, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it "does not believe that Chevy Volts or other electric vehicles pose a greater risk of fire than gasoline-powered vehicles."

The agency said that modifications intended to reinforce the Volt's 435-pound lithium-ion battery pack that General Motors announced on Jan. 5 should "reduce the potential" of the pack catching fire in the days or weeks following a crash.

In November, NHTSA opened an investigation after two incidents in which the Volt's battery pack either caught fire or emitted sparks in the days or weeks following crash tests.

An earlier battery fire occurred in June, three weeks after the agency completed side-impact testing on the Volt.

GM reaction

In a statement, GM said NHTSA's decision to close the investigation "is consistent with the results of our internal testing and assessment." The automaker reiterated that the change it's making to protect the battery pack "is intended to make a safe vehicle even safer."

The agency's clearing of the Volt helps GM avert a potential hit to its image. The automaker's executives have held up the revolutionary car as a symbol of innovation and fresh thinking at the post-bankruptcy GM.

Despite broad praise for the car, U.S. sales of 7,671 Volts last year fell short of GM's goal of 10,000 units.

GM executives cooperated with NHTSA's investigation but have maintained that the Volt is safe. Company executives say the voluntary fix will make the car "safer" by reinforcing the steel surrounding the battery pack to prevent it from being punctured during a crash. It also will add a sensor to the battery pack to monitor coolant leaks.

GM is asking its 8,000 Volt customers to visit their Chevy dealership to have the work done. Dealers will be ready to perform the work starting in February, GM said.

GM said that about 250 Volt owners have taken GM up on its offer to provide loaner vehicles or to buy back the car to quell any safety concerns during the probe.

Testimony still to come

NHTSA said it still is unaware of any real-world Volt crashes that have resulted in a battery fire. It said the agency took the "unusual step" of opening the investigation because it wanted to "ensure the safety of the driving public with emerging [electric vehicle] technology."

A U.S. House panel hearing is scheduled on Wednesday to scrutinize how GM and regulators handled the investigation of the fire risks. GM CEO Dan Akerson has agreed to testify.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, chaired by U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., is also expected to hear from David Strickland, administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

PRESS RELEASE: NHTSA Statement on Conclusion of Chevy Volt Investigation

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released the following statement today regarding the conclusion of its safety defect investigation into the post-crash fire risk of Chevy Volts (PE11037):

Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration closed its safety defect investigation into the potential risk of fire in Chevy Volts that have been involved in a serious crash. Opened on November 25, the agency's investigation has concluded that no discernible defect trend exists and that the vehicle modifications recently developed by General Motors reduce the potential for battery intrusion resulting from side impacts.

NHTSA remains unaware of any real-world crashes that have resulted in a battery-related fire involving the Chevy Volt or any other electric vehicle. NHTSA continues to believe that electric vehicles show great promise as a safe and fuel-efficient option for American drivers. However, as the reports released in conjunction with the closure of the investigation today indicate, fires following NHTSA crash tests of the vehicle and its battery components—and the innovative nature of this emerging technology—led the agency to take the unusual step of opening a safety defect investigation in the absence of data from real-world incidents.

Based on the available data, NHTSA does not believe that Chevy Volts or other electric vehicles pose a greater risk of fire than gasoline-powered vehicles. Generally all vehicles have some risk of fire in the event of a serious crash. However, electric vehicles have specific attributes that should be made clear to consumers, the emergency response community, and tow truck operators and storage facilities. Recognizing these considerations, NHTSA has developed interim guidance—with the assistance of the National Fire Protection Association, the Department of Energy, and others—to increase awareness and identify appropriate safety measures for these groups. The agency expects this guidance will help inform the ongoing work by NFPA, DOE, and vehicle manufacturers to educate the emergency response community, law enforcement officers, and others about electric vehicles.

For additional information on the Volt investigation and others, visit www.SaferCar.gov.

94 explorer with wiper problems

2012-01-19T11:25:00.001-08:00

The wipers do not work properly when on any of the delayed settings. Best way to describe it is they stutter across the windshield and do not cycle down to the stop on any setting when shut off. I have already replaced the switch lever as it didn't work properly. I guess whats left is the motor or the relay unit under the dash, but I don't want to spend money I don't have to. Any ideas?

Response:
it's either the motor is bad or the linkage is not secure.

Ford recalls 450,426 minivans, SUVs in U.S. for safety flaws

2012-01-17T16:21:00.000-08:00

Ford Motor Co. is recalling 450,426 vehicles in the United States to fix defects that can cause fires or loss of power.

The action covers 205,896 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans and 244,530 Escape sport-utility vehicles.

Ford is recalling 2004 and 2005 model Freestar and Monterey minivans because the torque converter output shafts in their powertrains may fail and cause sudden loss of power.

The 2001 and 2002 model Escape SUVs may have brake-fluid leaks from the cap of their brake master cylinder reservoir leading to corrosion that may cause fire.

Ford disclosed the recalls today on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. Ford wasn't immediately available for comment.

The minivan recalls followed an investigation by the U.S. auto-safety regulator. The Escape recall follows another in 2007 during which Ford said some of the vehicles may not have been properly repaired.

BMW recalls Mini Coopers after fires, U.S. regulator says

2012-01-15T11:51:00.001-08:00

BMW is recalling 88,911 Mini Cooper cars because of a defect that has caused fires, the U.S. auto-safety regulator said.

The circuit board on the electric auxiliary water pumps that cool the cars' turbochargers can malfunction, overheat and cause fires, BMW said Saturday in a posting on the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Web site.

In October, the agency opened an investigation into Minis after reports of 12 engine fires, including five that destroyed the vehicles. In eight cases, the fires happened when the cars were parked and turned off. The recall includes various Minis from the model years 2007 to 2011.

Hyundai offers lifetime guarantee for battery pack on Sonata Hybrid

2012-01-12T08:55:00.000-08:00

Hyundai is offering a lifetime guarantee for the lithium polymer battery pack in its Sonata Hybrid.

If a Sonata Hybrid’s battery pack fails during the life expectancy of the vehicle, Hyundai will replace the battery for free and pay to have the battery recycled.

The announcement, made today on the sidelines of the Detroit auto show, comes soon after other vehicles powered by advanced battery systems have drawn scrutiny from regulators for possible safety and quality problems.

General Motors has voluntarily offered to add more protection for the lithium ion battery pack in the hybrid Chevy Volt after fires took place in the days or weeks following certain crash tests. The Fisker also recalled 239 Karma plug-in hybrids because of a problem in its cooling system last month.

“We can do that because in our testing, we found really extraordinary battery life -- at least 275,000 miles with a very low failure rate,” John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai Motor America, said on the sidelines of the Detroit auto show today. “We have a lot of confidence in our ability to back that at relatively low cost.”

Hyundai says its lithium ion batteries are the next-generation of lithium ion battery technology powering many advanced vehicles made by competitors.

Chrysler may scrap Dodge Avenger, focus on 200 sedan

2012-01-09T19:43:00.001-08:00

Chrysler Group LLC may drop the Dodge Avenger within three years as it readies a redesign of the better-selling Chrysler 200 sedan built on the same platform, a Chrysler executive said on Monday.

"Chrysler Group will likely consolidate around one midsize car in the future," Reid Bigland, head of the Dodge brand, told Reuters in a Monday interview at the Detroit auto show.

By focusing on a single model, Chrysler can lower marketing and development costs. The move also removes the risk that one model might steal sales from the other in the same showroom.

The Dodge Avenger and the Chrysler 200, formerly known as the Sebring, are built at the automaker's Sterling Heights, Mich., plant and were overhauled in 2010.

"If we have two cars that are very similar, it does split dealer focus," Bigland said. "Consolidating around one very competitive entry certainly has its advantages."

U.S. sales of the Avenger rose 26 percent last year to 64,023, while 200 sales reached 87,033 units. But both models lag far behind the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion and Chevrolet Malibu in sales.

A lackluster vehicle lineup and an untenable cost structure pushed Chrysler to the brink of collapse before its federal bailout in 2009. Chrysler emerged from bankruptcy under the management control of Italian automaker Fiat SpA.

Under Sergio Marchionne, the chief executive of both companies, Fiat and Chrysler are fusing their operations and developed a joint platform based on Fiat engineering that will underpin many of the group's future vehicles.

Chrysler unveiled the Dodge Dart compact car, which is the first vehicle off this platform, during the Detroit auto show. In the future, the Dart's roomy interior could win over some consumers who might have considered the Avenger, Bigland said.

Chrysler already offers its trademark minivans under the Dodge and Chrysler brands. But Bigland described the Avenger and 200 as "more closely aligned."

"Post-Fiat, there's a lot more product delineation," Bigland said.

Last year, the Avenger sold more than 64,000 vehicles in the U.S. market. The 200 sold about 87,000 in 2011.

The 200 was featured in Chrysler's 2-minute Super Bowl advertisement last year that featured performer Eminem and the tagline "Imported from Detroit."

Camber changes dramatically when replacing front suspension components causing increased alignment time.

2012-01-06T07:02:00.001-08:00

Subject:
Camber gauge Part Number 711-1039 use when replacing parts

Vehicle Involved: All Vehicles

Condition: Camber changes dramatically when replacing front suspension components causing increased alignment time.

Repair Procedure: When suspension parts need replacement such as a strut or strut bearing, camber is affected greatly. The use of a magnetic camber gauge will save time and make the alignment procedure easier. This tool does NOT take the place of the actual alignment machine.

Example: a vehicle needs a front strut bearing plate due to a noise issue. With the vehicle up on a frame rack and the tire off, install the magnetic camber gauge on the secured rotor and turn the adjusting knob till the bubble aligns with the zero mark. Remove the gauge without touching the knob and place it on the bench.

After replacing the bearing plate, reattach the gauge and move the strut until the bubble aligns with the zero mark. This will get the camber adjustment close to the original setting. The wheel alignment angles should now be checked to verify all four wheels are within specs. This tool may also be used when installing camber bolts if a "jack and hold" is not available on your alignment machine.

Example: You determine the car needs one degree positive camber correction. Support the vehicle and remove the tire. Install the camber gauge on the rotor and adjust the bubble to zero. Remove the OE bolt and replace it with an adjustable cam bolt. Now, turn the cam bolt until the gauge shows one degree positive. Tighten the bolts, and replace the wheel. Re-compensate and verify all four wheels are within specs. The camber gauge is listed in the Alignment products Manual under tools.

No. RCB 11-12

GM recalls Chevy Sonics to check for missing brake pads

2012-01-05T09:18:00.000-08:00

General Motors is recalling 4,296 Chevrolet Sonic subcompact models to inspect for missing brake pads. The missing part could lengthen the stopping distance, potentially contributing to a crash, the company said today in a statement.

The recall targets 2012 Sonics. The subcompact car -- a replacement for the South Korea-built Chevy Aveo -- went on sale this fall.

GM said the company isn't aware of any crashes or injuries resulting from missing pads. The problem was discovered when a rental Sonic was brought in for warranty service.

The missing brake pads -- part of a subassembly of components -- fell off before the cars were assembled and had remained unnoticed at the bottom of containers being shipped to the Orion Township, Mich., factory, said GM spokesman Alan Adler.

Korea Delphi Automotive Corp. is one of two suppliers that provides GM with brake assembly for the Sonic. GM declined to name the second supplier.

Delphi spokesman Lindsey Williams said in a statement that Korea Delphi -- a joint venture between Delphi International and two Korean stakeholders -- isn't associated with the recall of the GM Sonic.

GM's Adler also said the recall isn't a supplier issue and the company has since updated its processes in the assembly plant.

"This has been fixed by adding a clip to the shipping containers," Adler added.

Customers affected by the recall will start receiving letters from their dealers Jan. 14. GM said it expects "very few cars" to be affected by the problem.

"Dealers will inspect the front brakes for missing inner or outer pads," GM said in a statement. If a pad is missing, the dealer will install a new one, and if necessary, a new brake caliber or rotor. There will be no cost to the customer, the company said.

The Sonic is the only subcompact car built in the United States.

GM moved production of the redesigned small car to Michigan after striking a plant-specific deal with the local union at the Orion Township factory.

As part of the agreement, 40 percent of the plant's work force earn an entry-level wage, which starts at $15.78 an hour -- well below the base $28-an-hour pay for veteran auto workers.

The factory, which employs about 1,590 hourly workers, also builds GM's all-new compact car, the Buick Verano.

States wary of TrueCar's methods

2012-01-02T04:54:00.001-08:00

TrueCar, the Internet auto shopping service, casts itself as an innovator battling entrenched industry methods. And now it indeed is colliding with many long-standing state laws designed to protect the interests of car dealers and shoppers.

Regulators in Colorado, Wisconsin and Virginia have issued bulletins to dealers or sent letters to TrueCar concluding that legal problems exist with TrueCar's business model of charging dealers for leads that turn into a sale.

And dealer associations in three more states -- California, Kansas and Ohio -- say members who use TrueCar may be violating state law.

The legal questions, which could affect a significant number of TrueCar's dealership clients that represent 5,200 or so franchises in 49 states, come at a critical time for the company. On Jan. 1, TrueCar was scheduled to become Yahoo.com's partner for auto shopping. TrueCar agreed to pay Yahoo $150 million over three years.

The partnership will expand TrueCar's reach greatly, and it is recruiting dealerships to handle the additional business.

But the state regulators and associations say TrueCar dealers could face stiff financial penalties for potential violations of state laws governing advertising and so-called bird-dogging, or paying a third party a fee that is contingent on a sale. And regulators in at least two states say TrueCar lacks the appropriate licenses.

Last week TrueCar said in a statement that it has been contacted by regulators in six states: Colorado, Louisiana, Nebraska, Kansas, Virginia and Wisconsin.

"TrueCar continues to work directly with regulators to ensure that at no time will our dealer partners be in violation of any laws by participating on the TrueCar network," the company said.

"We're in the process of making meaningful changes to the service, which will be completed by the end of January 2012, in order to address specific concerns raised by regulators."

While TrueCar has its critics, some dealers are happy with its service.

Jeff Kotlarek, Internet sales manager at Taylor Chevrolet in suburban Detroit, said he typically offers his vehicles to TrueCar customers at $100 below invoice price.

But vehicle sales from TrueCar leads can generate a substantial profit, he said, when customers buy accessories, warranties or features, such as moonroofs, that they didn't originally request.

A tough month

The intensified scrutiny from regulators wasn't the only bad news in December for TrueCar and Scott Painter, the company's ambitious and charismatic founder and CEO. Group 1 Automotive Inc., the fourth-largest U.S. dealership group, told its 42 dealers who were participants to sever their ties with TrueCar. Group 1 said it objected to TrueCar's access to its dealerships' computer systems and also questioned the cost.

And now the regulatory concerns are causing some dealers to drop TrueCar.

California megadealer David Wilson decided to drop TrueCar two weeks ago because of legal risks. After doing some research, he concluded that any dealer in California who sells a vehicle through TrueCar is breaking the law.

Wilson, who had been using TrueCar's services at three of his 16 stores, also said he had sold just 15 cars through the company in the past six months. He said TrueCar adds no value to a transaction and wants to be paid more than what the dealership nets on a sale.

"Why do I want to put myself in jeopardy for that?" he said.

TrueCar said its service accounted for about 250,000 U.S. auto sales in 2011, about 2 percent of the estimated 12.7 million-unit U.S. market. But the Yahoo agreement should expand TrueCar's influence significantly in 2012.

Here's how TrueCar works: A shopper on TrueCar.com chooses a vehicle and sees information labeled as invoice price and dealer cost. The shopper then specs out a vehicle, and participating dealerships near the shopper's home offer prices, which can be below TrueCar's invoice price. TrueCar says the offer includes all fees but no taxes, and has no expiration date. The dealer pays TrueCar $299 for every completed new-car sale.

Over the years, consumers or dealers prompted state legislatures to pass laws to ban practices such as bird-dogging, which is paying fees to third parties for leads that turn into sales; brokering, which is charging a fee to a retail customer to find and negotiate the purchase of an auto; and using the word "invoice" in advertising.

Now, in the era of Internet leads and marketing, the question becomes: Is TrueCar merely offering prohibited services in a new form? Or, as the company contends, is it offering a new, and misunderstood, business model that does not violate existing laws?

For instance, is TrueCar a lead service, such as Autobytel, which gathers leads and sells them to dealers? Or is it a different animal that operates like a broker?

TrueCar acknowledges confusion about its business model.

"We are certainly open to changes that enhance our ability to comply with a particular state's needs and to more accurately reflect what we do," the company said. "TrueCar is not a broker, traditional advertiser or lead generation company. We do not arrange or negotiate sales for dealers, nor do we advertise vehicles for sale.

"Rather, TrueCar is an Internet marketing company -- the dealer's window through the Internet to customers searching for vehicles."

On Dec. 15, Colorado regulators issued an opinion that TrueCar's materials and Web site violate several state regulations, including advertising rules, and could lead to "bait-and-switch" scenarios.

Among the advertising problems are use of the term "invoice" and failure to include all costs in the advertised vehicle price, state regulators said.

A bait-and-switch occurs when a consumer who has been quoted a specific price arrives at a dealership to find the vehicle already sold or otherwise unavailable, and the dealer then tries to sell a different vehicle.

The Colorado Department of Revenue said dealers ultimately are responsible for any violations. For dealers, that could mean fines of as much as $10,000 per occurrence and possible license revocation, said Tim Jackson, president of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association.

The state also said it is concerned that TrueCar could be engaging in unlicensed sales.

"It's very serious," said Jackson, who used the attention-grabbing method of certified, return-receipt mail to send association members a bulletin on the TrueCar issues in mid-December.

"We didn't want it to end up just as another memo on the desk for dealers who may not be aware that this process is putting their dealership's compliance and potentially their dealership licensure and that of their salespeople at risk."

Lee Payne, a Honda and Hyundai dealer in suburban Denver, has stopped TrueCar transactions but did not cancel his relationship with TrueCar when the regulatory challenge arose. He had been using it at his Honda store for just a few weeks.

"We work really hard to be compliant, and if they're not compliant, we need to let that play out and see what the regulators decide," Payne said. "That's our biggest concern right now."

TrueCar acknowledged two weeks ago that some dealers have left recently for various reasons. Group 1 said it did not want to open its dealerships' computers. And Honda has warned its dealers that advertising prices below invoice on Internet shopping sites could put at risk the dealers' payments from the factory for local marketing.

In mid-December, TrueCar said it had 5,840 participating franchises and was recruiting more to handle a surge of leads expected from the Yahoo partnership.

Last week, TrueCar said it had clients representing more than 5,200 franchises and dealers representing 227 more franchises that had agreed to become clients. The company also said that since October it has received a record number of inquiries from dealers interested in joining TrueCar.

Class action

Peter Welch, president of the California New Car Dealers Association, says he is worried about regulatory penalties for his TrueCar members. He says dealers using TrueCar also could be swept into any class-action lawsuits that arise in the litigation-heavy state.

Welch said he believes the TrueCar model violates several points of California law, including advertising and licensing requirements. For instance, dealers in California aren't allowed to use invoice comparisons -- saying, for example, that an offered price is below the dealer's invoice -- and such comparisons are prominent on the TrueCar Web site.

"I don't believe the dealers understand that this whole thing is an advertising medium and they have to comply with all the advertising laws," Welch said.

TrueCar said in its statement that it is not an advertising medium.

The California trade association is completing a legal review and will warn dealers about their potential exposure, Welch said. Dealers can lose their licenses over violations, but Welch estimated that 90 percent of violations are settled with fines.

Bird-dog laws

Some dealer associations and regulators say TrueCar's model violates a ban on bird-dog arrangements.

In Virginia, the state Motor Vehicle Dealer Board warned dealers in October 2010 that it was illegal to pay a fee to Zag.com, the former name for some of TrueCar operations, in exchange for a sale.

Dealers were urged to stop the practice or face a $1,000 fine for each violation and possible suspension or revocation of their licenses. Bruce Gould, executive director of the Virginia Motor Vehicle Dealer Board, says TrueCar's practices violate the state's prohibition on bird-dog fees. On Dec. 20, Gould sent a letter to Painter saying the board would discuss the matter at a Jan. 9 meeting.

If the board agrees with his analysis, Gould says he will remind dealers that their payments to TrueCar are not legal.

"We try to take the position of giving everyone a fair warning, to say, 'OK, you're doing something wrong, you've got to stop it,'" Gould said. "If it continues, we'll have to bring out the guns."

Two weeks ago, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation sent TrueCar a letter saying dealers can't legally use the service. Wisconsin law prohibits bird-dogging.

Wisconsin law also requires licensing of persons and companies involved in selling vehicles in the state, and TrueCar doesn't have the proper licensing, according to the letter.

"It has generated a lot of concern among dealers," said Bill Sepic, president of the Wisconsin Automobile & Truck Dealers Association, which has fielded about 20 calls on the issue since early December.

Dealers could be penalized as much as $5,000 for each licensing violation and have their licenses suspended or revoked. But regulators aren't planning to take action against dealers now; they want to give fair warning, said John Remy, program specialist in Wisconsin's Division of Motor Vehicles' Dealer and Agent Section.

Don McNeely, president of the Kansas Automobile Dealers Association, said the association believes that TrueCar's model violates the Kansas prohibition against brokering. A broker charges a fee to a retail customer to find and negotiate the purchase of an auto.

In its statement, TrueCar said it has "received an enormous amount of support and encouragement from our dealer partners in recent weeks. They recognize that the facts about TrueCar differ significantly from some of the statements in the press, and that well informed buyers are an opportunity rather than a threat to dealers."

Said Jackson of the Colorado dealer association: "This is not just a witch hunt on TrueCar. For us, it's helping ensure our dealers remain compliant regardless of what platforms and systems they use. So it's TrueCar today, and it could be somebody else tomorrow."

Speaker replacement assistance needed

2011-12-31T21:30:00.000-08:00

Hello. I am needing to replace the speaker in the driver side door of my 1999 chevy Malibu. Me and my dad were looking at it and he knows more about changing out car speakers than I do. He said these things that are for decoration only (round grey things that supposedly cover screws) pop off on the side and bottom of door and there shud be a screw underneath that cover. And he said the speaker shud be screwed into the door somehow. Does anyone have any experience changing out driver side speakers on this type of vehicle?

Response:
Speakers to be fitted inside the Flap which covers the bottom of the door. U need to remove the flap and screw holes to be drilled and than fit it with soft side towards the sheet and magnet side shud face upside.

Gather the tools needed to remove the door panel and access the front speaker. You will need a wire cutter for some older models of the Malibu. Keep one handy just in case. Unhook the negative battery cable for safety before beginning the procedure.

Pull open the interior door handle and use the flathead screwdriver to pry off the small trim panel behind the handle. Unhook the electrical connection from the door lock switch and the trim panel. Slide the trim panel around the interior door handle.

Pull the tabs to remove the panel inside of the door armrest cubby hole. Remove the two screws located behind the panel.

Pry off the two tabs in the lower-center part of the door panel. Remove the retainer screws from behind the tabs.

Depress the center of the fasteners around the perimeter of the door panel. Once the fasteners are pressed, they will easily pull out.

Carefully pull sections of the door panel from the door. Several clips mount the door panel to the door; be careful not to break them. Once the clips are detached, remove the door panel and disconnect the electrical connections for the power window/mirror switches.

Remove the screws mounting the front door speaker to the door. Carefully pull the old speaker from the door and disconnect the electrical module. The speaker wires of some older Malibu cars are directly soldered to the speaker connection. If this is the case, cut the wiring with the wire cutters to unhook the speaker.

Mitsubishi Motors to launch electric light truck

2011-12-28T18:15:00.000-08:00

Mitsubishi is making an aggressive move into electric vehicles. Pictured is the PX-MiEV II concept, which is powered by a combination of hybrid systems. The drivetrain is expected to be in the next-generation Outlander.

Mitsubishi has begun development of an electric light truck it hopes to launch by April 2013, according to report in the Nikkei Japanese business daily.

The electric truck will be targeted at farmers, contractors and others who use light trucks for their work, the paper said.

Plans for an electric light truck designed for work duties highlight the variety of electrified vehicles Mitsubishi hopes to launch globally by 2016. A plug-in hybrid crossover, widely expected to be based on its Outlander crossover, is slated for sale in global markets by April 2013.

Mitsubishi is scheduled to begin retail deliveries of its first electric vehicle, the i minicar, to American customers next month. The car has been on sale in Japan since 2009, where it is known as the i-MiEV.

The electrified vehicles are part of Mitsubishi's plan to refashion itself as a global EV leader by launching eight electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles around the world by 2016.

It's unclear whether Mitsubishi's electric light truck will be available in the U.S. market. Mitsubishi officials have said it's unlikely that the U.S. market will get all of the eight EVs or PHEVs the company plans to launch by 2016.

Mitsubishi Motors is looking to sell 42,000 electric vehicles worldwide in fiscal 2012, double the number projected for this fiscal year, the Nikkei said.

The company aims to keep the sales price of the electric truck after government subsidies at less than 1.5 million yen ($19,200), making it cheaper than its two existing electric vehicles, the newspaper said.

98 Grand Prix ABS light is on and my Trac light is off

2011-12-24T05:55:00.000-08:00

My ABS light is on and my Trac light is off. Could it be a wheel bearing? Or just unplugged? Where would the plug be, so that I can check it? Thanks!

Response:
Probably a wheel bearing as the sensors are usually integrated in them.... if the sensor is not in the bearing it will be behind the wheel knuckle usually held in by 1 screw... check the wiring leading to the sensor/bearing and looking for any signs of damage, both front wheels(if I remember correctly they are integrated with the bearings in front and sensors in the rear)

I do know that on newer cars if your brakes get to warn it can trigger the brake light or abs light or both

I have a 1999 Chevrolet Malibu 2.4L. Ignition Key

2011-12-24T05:50:00.000-08:00

The ignition key will not turn. The auto was running when I recently was working on it. I turn the auto off and removed key. Later when I went to start the auto again the ignition was locked and the key could not be turned. The transmission is fully locked in Park. I discovered that the steering wheel lock is not engaged. Tried turning wheel, etc., to engage lock without success.

Any suggestions on how to repair? Can I over ride the steering wheel lock?

Response:
Time for a new Ignition Lock Cykender. This usually happens when alot of keys are on the keyring as they are made of aluminum and plastic.

GM recalls 15,627 Chevrolet Captiva crossovers

2011-12-22T06:01:00.001-08:00

General Motors is recalling 15,627 Chevrolet Captiva crossovers from the 2011-12 model years because the power steering fluid could overheat under certain conditions, leading to an engine compartment fire, the automaker said today.

The recall includes 3,150 vehicles sold to rental car fleets in the United States. No fires have been reported in the United States, where the Captiva is available only for fleet sale. The vehicle is built in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico.

GM spokesman Alan Adler said if the vehicle is inadvertently driven with the transmission in manual mode and left in first gear for a prolonged period, the vehicle's power steering fluid may overheat. This could cause the fluid reservoir to leak and start a fire if an ignition source is present, the company said.

Dealers will replace the power steering fluid loop cooler with a more efficient cooler at no cost.

Malibu will get Eco and turbo options

2011-12-19T05:01:00.001-08:00

General Motors is deploying an array of engine choices to help its next-generation Chevrolet Malibu stand out in the crowded market for mid-sized sedans.

The Eco version of the 2013 Malibu is scheduled to go on sale in February or March. It will have a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine and GM's mild hybrid system. That trim level will be sold alongside the 2012 Malibu for about six months.

At that point GM will begin offering more engine choices for the 2013 Malibu, and the old car will be phased out.

By late summer GM will offer a new 2.5-liter Ecotec four-cylinder as the base engine for the 2013 Malibu. And last week GM said it eventually will offer a new 2.0-liter turbo engine.

GM wouldn't discuss the specifications or timing for the turbo. But the engine is expected to be available as an option by the end of 2012.

The turbo engine will offer a more powerful option to Malibu buyers who might miss the six banger, which is offered in the current Malibu but is being phased out for the redesign.

The Malibu will join the Hyundai Sonata as the only other entry among top-selling mid-sized sedans to offer a turbo.

The staggered launch comes at the urging of GM CEO Dan Akerson, who pressed product developers to accelerate the introduction of the redesigned Malibu. The engine in the Eco version was ready for production earlier than the others.

The first-quarter launch of the Eco trim level allows GM to debut the sedan ahead of a few key rivals. Redesigns of the Ford Fusion, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima are scheduled to be introduced later in 2012. New generations of the top-selling Toyota Camry and the Volkswagen Passat debuted this fall.

"It gives us the opportunity to launch the car in a little bit of clear space as a technology and fuel economy story," said Russ Clark, Chevy's director of marketing for mid-sized and performance cars and compact crossovers, during a Chevy event here.

The Malibu Eco uses a small electric motor, a lithium ion battery and a stop-start system to boost fuel economy by about 12 percent, to 25 mpg in city driv-ing and 37 mpg on the highway, GM estimates. It's priced at $25,995, including a $760 destination charge.

The current Chevy Malibu, launched in 2007, played a major role in the comeback of the brand's sedan lineup. The next-generation Malibu has a bolder, more muscular design that GM executives hope will set it apart from rivals in the segment.

GM sold 191,774 Malibus through the first 11 months of this year, up 2 percent from the same period a year earlier.

After nearly 3 decades, Ranger waves the white flag

2011-12-16T06:27:00.001-08:00

Production of Ford's little workhorse is coming to an end.

The Ranger pickup, a popular U.S. compact truck for decades, will end production Friday morning.

The pickup debuted in 1982. At times, it was the top-selling U.S. compact pickup. Ford says 6,657,881 Rangers have been sold.

Ranger's best year was 1999, when 348,358 were sold. Sales this year through November tallied 64,114, a 26 percent increase over the first 11 months of 2010 and good enough to place No. 2 overall in compact truck sales. Mazda even had a version of the Ranger, known as the B series.

Over its history, the Ranger became a popular pickup with America's youth, handymen and some tradesmen. But as the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado and the former Dodge Ram battled for sales with big rebates and generous lease deals, compact intenders discovered they could easily afford a full-sized pickup.

The result? Ranger sales suffered.

In more recent years, Ford focused engineering and technology updates on the F-150. The Ranger's improvements essentially amounted to cosmetic changes. Ford pretty much gave up on the compact pickup market.

Meanwhile, the competition intensified. Rivals made improvements and their models grew in size and capability. Today the Toyota Tacoma is No. 1, holding 37 percent of the small pickup market. The Ranger is No. 2 with 24 percent, followed by the Nissan Frontier, 17 percent, according to the Automotive News Data Center. The Chevrolet Colorado is a distant fourth with a 10 percent share.

As for Ranger, Friday it will wave the white flag and surrender. The last Ranger will roll off the assembly line at Ford's Twin Cities plant in St. Paul, Minn.

While the Ranger name will die here, it continues around the globe, specifically on Ford's new mid-sized pickup. But Ford says there are no plans to sell the mid-sized Ranger here.

So for now, at least in the United States, the Ranger name will be filed away with such Ford nameplates as Falcon, Fairlane, Pinto, Maverick, Granada, Ranchero, Crown Victoria and Thunderbird.

China to impose duties on imported cars from U.S.

2011-12-14T04:50:00.001-08:00

China said today it would impose anti-subsidy and anti-dumping duties on imported cars made in the United States, the latest in a series of trade spats between the world's two largest economies.

The duties, to affect the Detroit 3 and some U.S.-based foreign automakers, will begin tomorrow and last two years, the Commerce Ministry said on its Web site. Cars that have engine capacity at or above 2.5 liters will be hit with duties ranging from 2 percent to 21.5 percent.

General Motors Co. will face anti-dumping and countervailing duties ranging from 8.9 percent to 12.9 percent. Chrysler Group's will range from 6.2 percent to 8.8 percent, while the U.S. units of BMW AG and Mercedes-Benz will face duties of 2 percent and 2.7 percent, respectively.

The ministry's statement said U.S.-made cars and SUVs benefited from subsidies and had been dumped into the China market, causing "substantial damage to China's domestic industry".

U.S.-China trade tensions have been mounting in recent months, particularly in the solar industry, where tit-for-tat trade probes have underscored leaders' warnings of a rising tide of protectionism amid gloomy global economic forecasts.

Ten years after China joined the World Trade Organization, experts say it is likely to become more deeply enmeshed in trade disputes.

More problems for Beijing at the trade governing body will be partly due to its ever-expanding trade footprint, but also because many of its trading partners have growing concerns over what they see as state support for strategic industries.

The United States has filed trade 12 cases against China since it joined the WTO, five since U.S. President Barack Obama took office.

China's Commerce Minister Chen Deming said in late November the country is likely to fight back if other countries resort to trade protectionism.

Steering wandering or pulling to one side. Excessive u-joint wear and vibration.

2011-12-11T15:17:00.001-08:00

Subject: Caster Wedge Uses

Vehicle Involved: Trucks with solid front axles and lifted vehicles with leaf springs.

Condition: Steering wandering or pulling to one side. Excessive u-joint wear and vibration.

Repair Procedure: Caster wedges are used to maintain factory caster specs on vehicles with solid axles and leaf springs. If caster is not in specs, vehicle may wander or pull to one side.

The wedges come in different alloys to match the application and are stepped at ½ degree increments. Various widths are also available to match leaf springs.

These same wedges can be used on the front or rear of a lifted vehicle to maintain proper driveshaft angles. Example: pick-up truck lifted using blocks between axle and spring. Now the transfer case is 4 inches higher than differential. To reduce angle, use wedges to tilt differential up. Be aware that too much angle will keep pinion bearing from proper lubrication. Installation should be done by a qualified technician. Use caution when installing parts and torque all bolts to specifications.

Wedge types and applications can be found in the Alignment Product Catalog under Truck Alignment Solutions.

Ford recalls Fusion, Milan to fix wheels that may fall off

2011-12-09T20:29:00.001-08:00

The recall covers certain 2010 and 2011 Fusions and Milans.

Ford Motor Co. is recalling 128,616 Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans to fix defective wheels that may fall off, the U.S. Transportation Department said today.

The cars' wheel studs may fracture while driving, leading to "vibration and/or wheel separation, increasing the risk of a crash," the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a notice on its Web site. The recall covers certain 2010 and 2011 models, the notice said.

The vehicles were built from April 1, 2009 through April 30, 2009 and from Dec. 1, 2009 through Nov. 13, 2010.

Dealers will replace lug nuts on all four wheels and inspect rear-wheel disc brake surfaces and replace them as necessary, the agency said.

"Affected customers can continue to drive their vehicles," said Susan Krusel, a spokeswoman for Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford. "We are not aware of any accidents or injuries."

Ford plans to notify owners beginning the week of Jan. 24, Krusel said. Customers can ask their dealers to inspect the lug nuts to make sure they're properly attached, she said.

The recall covers cars originally equipped with 17-inch steel wheels built at a plant in Hermosillo, Mexico, NHTSA said in a letter to Ford. The wheels were supplied by Hayes Lemmerz International Inc. in Northville, Mich., and the brakes were supplied by Brembo North America Inc. in Plymouth, Mich., the agency said.

NHTSA began investigating Jan. 21, according to agency documents. The agency at the time was aware of 29 owner complaints, including four instances in which wheels had fallen off, and 128 warranty claims Ford had paid for fractured wheel studs.

Dodge resurrects Dart name for Fiat-based compact

2011-12-06T14:50:00.000-08:00

Dodge will resurrect the Dart name with its new compact, the first Chrysler Group product for North America to be built on a Fiat platform.

The 2013 Dart, which will be assembled in the first half of 2012 at Chrysler's Belvidere, Ill., plant, will have a variety of four-cylinder engine options, including a new, improved version of the 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter World Gas Engine known as Tigershark.

The Dart will debut with a Fiat-derived 6-speed dual-clutch front-wheel-drive transmission but will be available later with a new 9-speed transmission coming from ZF Group. The latter will be built in South Carolina.

Chrysler announced the vehicle's name in a statement today.

Back to the '60s

The Dart debuted in 1960 as a smaller car for the brand, and sold more than 622,000 units in its first three years of production, according to the Chrysler-centric site Allpar.com. Available with a variety of engines, including Chrysler's popular "slant six," the car sold well throughout its 16-year run, and was one of Chrysler's first unibody vehicles.

Dodge last used the name in the 1976 model year in the United States, though sales of international versions of the Dart continued until 1981.

The historic Dart came in a wide variety of configurations, from an economy version to high-performance versions called "Swinger" and "Demon" in the early 1970s that featured a 340-cubic-inch V8.

The 2013 Dart is the first of at least eight upcoming Chrysler Group vehicles that will be built on Fiat's CUSW platform, including the replacement for the Jeep Liberty. The Dart will make its official debut at the 2012 Detroit auto show in January.

An early look at the Dodge Caliber replacement. Chrysler said today it will carry the Dart name.

Photo credit: KGP PHOTOGRAPHY

The 2013 Dart will compete against such fuel-efficient vehicles as the Chevrolet Cruze and Ford Focus, and will ultimately come in an "eco" model that achieves at least 40 mpg. Once that version becomes available, Fiat will receive the final 5 percent of Chrysler Group stock under the agreement that allowed the company to emerge from bankruptcy in 2009.

Honda widens airbag fixes to 917,000 more vehicles

2011-12-04T07:50:00.000-08:00

U.S. accounts for 90% of affected models

Honda Motor Co. widened its biggest recall to fix flaws related to airbags in models including the Civic and Accord produced as long as a decade ago.

The recall covers an additional 917,267 vehicles worldwide, said spokesman Keitaro Yamamoto. That brings the total to more than 2.77 million, the company's biggest recall for an individual flaw, he said.

More than 90 percent of the affected vehicles are in the United States.

"Affected driver's airbag inflators may deploy with too much pressure, which can cause the inflator casing to rupture and could result in injury or fatality," the company said in a statement.

The models include the 2001 and 2002 Accord, the 2001 to 2003 Civic, the 2001 to 2003 Odyssey, the 2002 and 2003 CR-V, the 2003 Pilot, the 2002 and 2003 Acura 3.2 TL and the 2003 Acura 3.2 CL vehicles, according to the statement.

Honda recalled more than 300,000 Pilot SUVs in September for seat-belt stitching that could unravel during a crash.

The latest move is a blow to Honda, the only large carmaker to report a sales decline in the U.S. last month, as it seeks to recover from natural disasters in Japan and Thailand this year.

Toyota Motor Corp. posted a drop in U.S. sales last year after the recall of millions of vehicles undermined its reputation for quality.

"A recall will definitely have a negative impact on Honda," said Masatoshi Nishimoto, a senior manager for IHS Automotive in Tokyo. "Honda is behind on production due to the impact of the Japanese earthquake and the Thai floods."