GM stock fell below $10.00 today for the first time since 1954 oil was at $143.67. There is some talk of bankruptcy but will the government step in and save it as it did Chrysler many years ago. At one time I would have said they will but after so many jobs have been moved out of the country. They have 280,000 employees with 140,000 in the US. One of the items they are trying to sell is the Hummer but at $4.00 a gallon I just can’t imagine they have a lot of interest.Other auto makers stock pricesFord $4.36Toyota $91.40Honda $33.29Nissan $15.80I wish the election would come sooner but I just don’t know if either of the candidates have the answers.
All posts by John
Tranny Flush
The only ones who recommend you get a transmission fluid FLUSH are the people who make the transmission flush machines and the shops who buy them. As has been stated many times and in many places no automotive manufacturer recommends a transmission fluid as a regular service. In fact General Motors, Chrysler, Ford and most of the import manufacturers recommend AGAINST it, going as far as voiding the new car warranty if it is done.All that is recommended is a regular automatic transmission service which entails dropping the transmission pan, replacing the transmission filter where applicable, draining the torque converter where applicable and refilling with fresh, new automatic transmission fluid.A simple service like this usually runs from $59.95 to $159.95, depending on the year, make and model of vehicle. On most vehicles it is a very easy Do It Yourself job which can save you over half the cost of having a shop do it.
Automotive Oddballs
Avert your eyes. Run for the hills. And call the National Guard. The mutants are attacking. Not from outer space, but from car factories right here on planet Earth. It’s time to don the 3-D glasses and check out some freaks of the four-wheeled variety.The list doesn’t include cars of the ‘60s or earlier, so don’t look here for Edsels and the like. And it only includes one model from the American Motors Corporation, because there’s just not room for all the mutant masterpieces from that sadly defunct company. Finally, there are no Eastern European junkers such as the Yugo or Trabant, because some targets are just too easy. News source: Read More & Pictures
Octane & Mileage
Time for a few words of wisdom about octane, sales of the higher octane, thus more expensive, fuels have fallen off with the high gas prices. First read your owner’s manual, you know that manual under all the junk in the glove box, if you don’t have one look online. Heed the advice they give on minimum octane for your vehicle. If you use to low of an octane you won’t hear a ping as in the old days, as the knock will retard the timing. But what will happen is the engine will carbon up, no matter how many road miles you put on, and this can cause major problems with no warning till it is too late. Knock sensors detect detonation and automatically retard the spark to compensate. The delay means maximum gas expansion occurs when the piston is farther along in its down stroke and thus there’s more room in the cylinder head. This reduces peak cylinder pressure, eliminating knock but also giving you less power, poorer mileage and carbon build up.Regular gas has an octane rating of 87, midgrade 89, and premium 91 or 92. (Octane ratings are lower in the West Mountains. All grades of Fuel contain roughly the same amount of heat energy, or power.. Rather, a higher octane rating means the fuel is less likely to cause your engine to knock or ping. Knock, also known as detonation, occurs when part of the fuel-air mixture in one or more of your car’s cylinders ignites spontaneously due to compression or excess carbon Independent of the combustion by the spark plug. Instead of a controlled burn, you get an explosion. To avoid this, high-octane gas is formulated to burn slower than regular, yes slower. So it will ignite without benefit of spark.Using high octane when you car does not require it is a waste of money, it will not increase your power or mileage. The one major difference is the additives put into the fuel. One example was Amoco silver, which has changed since going BP; it contained several excellent additives such as a cleaner that produced excellent results. I know of no Major that has a fuel like this Mobil is the closest but still not worth the money if your vehicle does not call for higher octane.If you insist on spending some extra dollars add a can of sea foam to your tank on every 3rd or 4th fill and you will perhaps see some results, but it is more of a maintance item that gallonage increase.
Roadside Emergency Kit: What to Carry With You
A roadside emergency can happen at any time, whether your car is new or old. A range of problems can cause it, from a tire failure or mechanical breakdown to running out of fuel. At best, it’s an annoyance; at worst, it can compromise your safety. Being prepared with a basic emergency kit can increase your safety, reduce stress, and help you get back on the road faster.Even if you have roadside-assistance coverage or an automobile-club membership with roadside assistance, you usually need access to a phone in order to contact them and you may have to wait on the side of the road for an hour or more before help arrives. That’s why we recommend that drivers carry certain items in their vehicle, even if it only gets used for everyday, around-town driving. This basic kit can be supplemented with additional items if you go on a long-distance trip or have to deal with winter weather conditions.It’s also important to make periodic checks on the equipment to ensure it’s in working order–that the spare tire is properly inflated, batteries are not discharged, first-aid supplies are current, water is fresh, and food is dry. In addition, be familiar with how each tool works, from the cellular phone to the jack, before you need to use it in an emergency.BASIC KITThis kit is intended to aid you in getting help, signaling your car’s presence to other motorists, and tackling simple challenges.Cellular phone. We don’t recommend that you talk on a cell phone while driving, but in an emergency, this can be the single most valuable component of your kit. Keep a car charger handy. This device plugs into the cigarette lighter or other power point in the car and charges the battery of your cell phone. When traveling, it’s best to leave your cell phone on and, if applicable, leave the retractable antenna extended. This may shorten the time it takes you to reach 911, if necessary. Emergency tip: If you have to dial 911, remember that your location and phone number aren’t always available to an emergency operator when calling from a cell phone. So give the operator your number and any information you have about your location. Ignore any “no service” messages on the phone and try the call anyway. If you have trouble connecting to 911 from inside a car, get out if possible and call from the side of the road. That may help you get a better signal.First-aid kit. Choose one that allows you to treat a range of problems, from small cuts or burns to ones that require major bandaging. We also suggest you get familiar with how to use the kit before you need to.Fire extinguisher. A car fire can start from something as simple as a wiring short circuit or leaking oil. You should get away from a vehicle that’s on fire as quickly as possible. Still, for extra security it’s good to keep a fire extinguisher in the car that can be used in any emergency or to quickly douse a small flame that’s just begun. The quicker a fire can be put out, the less damage it will cause. Multipurpose dry-chemical fire extinguishers are available in a variety of sizes. We recommend carrying a compact unit that’s labeled 1A10BC or 2A10BC.Warning light, hazard triangle, or flares. If your vehicle is stuck on the side of the road, it’s vital that you give other motorists as much warning of its presence as possible, especially at night. Look for a battery-powered warning light that can be placed far from the vehicle. Reflective hazard triangles and flares are also effective and don’t need batteries.Tire gauge. This should be used on a monthly basis to check the inflation pressure in all four tires and the spare tire. Because the ambient temperature affects tire pressure, it’s also advisable to check the pressure after a significant change in temperature.Jack and lug wrench. Almost all vehicles come with these items for changing a tire. Refer to your owner’s manual on where they’re located in the vehicle and how to use them. Models that come with run-flat tires do not have a spare tire. Run-flat tires can be driven a limited number of miles with little or no air in them. They have very stiff sidewalls, which provide support when the tire is deflated. Click here to learn more about the warning signs of imminent tire failure.Foam tire sealant or a portable compressor and plug kit. For minor punctures, a foam tire sealant can get your vehicle back on the road quickly. Only use it in an emergency, however, many tire shops will refuse to repair the tire because of the sticky residue these sealants leave inside it. Be sure to choose a sealant that’s labeled as non-flammable, and don’t consider this a permanent fix. A portable DC-powered air compressor can also be used to inflate a tire–and is especially handy for one that suffers from a slow leak. To fix a puncture, however, you need to have it professionally repaired.Spare fuses. If you experience an electrical problem, your first check should be for a burned-out fuse. These are easy to check and replace by referring to your owner’s manual. Keep an assortment on hand of the proper type for your vehicle.Jumper cables or a portable battery booster. Jumper cables are easy to use as long as you have a second car available to provide a jump. Refer to your owner’s manual for instructions. A portable battery booster eliminates the need for a second car.Flashlight. This can be critical at night. Choose one that is bright and weatherproof. In addition, a flashlight with a magnet, flexible mounting system, or a stand will free up your hands for other tasks. Also, have extra batteries and a bulb available.Gloves, hand cleaner, and clean rags. Even the simplest jobs can get your hands dirty. Having these on hand will help keep that dirt from getting on your clothes or your vehicle’s interior.Auto-club card or roadside-assistance number. If you belong to an auto club or roadside-assistance program, be sure you have the necessary information in your vehicle.Disposable flash camera. Following an accident, this lets you record the condition of your vehicle and other vehicles for insurance purposes.$20 in small bills and change. Keep this available for miscellaneous use. And resist dipping into it for a spontaneous ice cream cone on a hot day.Pen and pad of paper. This can come in handy for a range of uses, from leaving a note on the windshield should you have to leave your car to jotting down information after an accident. News source: Autos MSN For long trips, especially those through remote areas, add these items to your basic emergency kit.Basic tools. This includes a set of socket and open-end wrenches, a multi-tip screwdriver, and pliers. This should be enough to perform simple jobs such as changing a lightbulb, tightening battery cables, and so on. Even if you don’t know what to do, a Good Samaritan will still need something to work with.Coolant hose repair kit and tape. A leaking coolant hose can sideline your vehicle quickly and possibly cause engine damage from overheating. Often, a leaking hose is a simple fix if you have the right items. They can be bought at any major auto-parts store.Extra clothes and small tarpaulin. Even if all you do is change a tire, these items can help keep your regular clothes clean.Water and nonperishable emergency food. Bring enough food and water to sustain you and any passengers for at least a meal, longer for remote areas or in extreme hot/cold regions.CB radio. If your route will take you into an area where cellular service is spotty, consider a portable or in-car CB radio.GPS navigation system. This is an optional item, but good to have when traveling to new places. See portable GPS system Ratings.ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR WINTER DRIVINGFor the cold, wet conditions of winter, you may need additional items in your emergency kit, especially if you travel in remote areas or in severe conditions.Windshield scraper. Good visibility is your most important safety item, but persistent snow and ice can build up quickly and make it hard to see. A long-handled, soft-bristled brush can also come in handy.Tire chains and tow strap. Familiarize yourself with how to put the chains on your vehicle’s tires or attach a tow strap before you need to do it in cold and possibly dark conditions.Blanket and winter hat. If you run out of fuel or if your battery dies, the vehicle won’t be able to provide heat. A blanket and hat can help keep you warm if you have to wait for a long time in cold conditions.Chemical hand warmers. These small, inexpensive packets are available at ski shops and sporting-goods stores.Small folding shovel. If you get stuck in snow, this can be a vital tool. A folding camping-style shovel will require more digging effort than a longer-handled shovel, but is more convenient to store in the vehicle.Bag of cat litter.This can help provide some traction on an especially slick road surface.
10 Common Mistakes Shops Make
One:Not confirming the concern. To fix a problem, the first thing one must do is recognize it. Two: Insufficient Road Testing. Many technicians consider driving the vehicle into the shop a road test. Three:Misdiagnosing. Mechanics will spend hours chasing the wrong problem, wasting your time and money. Four:Throwing parts at a problem. To compensate for lack of skills, this goes right back to mistake number one: confirm the problem with diagnostics, then proceed. Five:Not addressing primary concerns first. Technicians often spend an inordinate amount of time looking for easy sells that will fatten their paychecks. Six:Overconfidence. Too often unqualified technicians get in over their heads. The road to hell is paved with good intentions? Seven:Taking shortcuts, technicians create a host of problems. Eight:Poor Repairs. Whether through incompetence or just lazy,worse with computer repairs, incorrect software programming, coding. Nine:Not confirming repairs solved the problem. Ten:Making a mess. If the above nine mistakes weren’t bad enough, there are now greasy fingerprints on the hood and steering wheel, and two big greasy boot marks on the carpet.
Advice On The Net
You can get car auto repair questions answered in many places around the Internet. I myself visit several, when I have time; I also do evaluating for several. There is a ton of bad advice on the net, remember anyone can jump on most sites. That is why GreenFlagAuto has a Pit Crew. They are screened for repair knowledge and most answers I screen or do myself. I think this has prevented many from joining the Pit Crew. We are always looking for more help, if interested send me an E-Mail. I would rather not answer an inquiry than have misinformation on our site.I babysit my grandkids so on some days I have a lot of time and some days I don’t but I try to keep up and keep the site fresh.I know my advice is not always correct but I do my best to be sure it will do no harm to either you or your vehicle.Remember asking a mechanic or tech for advice is like asking which oil is the best you are going to get several different viewpoints.
Dale Jr Spouts Off
DOVER, Del. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. has his moments when talking to reporters isn’t on the top of his priority list. That’s OK. The man has to deal with the media horde more than anyone else in NASCAR. It gets old at times.But the weird thing is some of Earnhardt’s best comments come when he wishes he were somewhere else besides the back of his hauler, talking to reporters.[+”> EnlargeAP Photo/Russ HamiltonDale Earnhardt Jr. on cheating in the garage: “I feel very good about how stern NASCAR is handling all these issues.”Friday afternoon was one those days. At one point, Earnhardt was asked his opinion on the penalties given Haas CNC Racing.”I don’t know, man,” he said. “I’m done giving you guys my opinion on stuff, on things that ain’t related to me.”Immediately after saying that, Earnhardt gave his opinion.”I don’t want guys directly cheating, intentionally cheating to outrun me,” he said. “I hope if that ever happens, or if it happens in the future, it’s dealt with real harshly.”I feel very good about how stern NASCAR is handling all these issues.”I’ve been in that situation, too, and I feel very good about how stern they are. I like the fact that they’re harsh. I want them to be harsh.”Despite his lack of enthusiasm for the interview time, Earnhardt offered some strong opinions on several topics. It probably was the best Q&A session of the season. For your entertainment and amusement, here is Junior at his best:On concrete tracks like Dover, a place where he has three victories: “I don’t like concrete. I wish it was asphalt. I ain’t a fan of concrete. It’s real bumpy and rough. It’s just real slick and gets kind of tough to hang on to. You look at the old races they ran here on asphalt and they looked pretty fun.”On the Pocono test session: “The track needs to be repaved. It’s real, real rough. They paved this little strip in Turn 3 in the third groove and we’re all running around on it. It was funny.”When we first hit the track I saw that strip of asphalt and I thought, ‘Man, I bet that’s got a lot of grip. If I can figure out a way to get up there and run on it, I might find some speed.’ By the end of the test, everybody was running there. That’s going to be slightly amusing to see in the race.”On race purses and why one driver can make more than another driver who finishes ahead of him: “There is money paid to guys who run a full schedule and money paid to guys who are on a Winner’s Circle program or have run a race, teams who have won a race and drivers who have run a race. There is money paid to guys for various decals they run on their fenders. It’s very complicated.”On the penalties to his Nationwide team (one crew member was suspended for a week and another placed on probation) for the shoving and shouting incident with Denny Hamlin’s crew after the race in Charlotte last week: “Well, my guys were a little bit aggressive. They did show their butts a little bit. But the penalties, I was a little disappointed in. I felt like we sort of got the bad end of the deal.”NASCAR said they were going to be more lax on the penalties for us showing our emotions. I don’t want to see anybody get punched in the face if it ain’t necessary. That’s why I kind of feel like the penalties were real harsh because it was great TV. Each side really kind of had a valid argument and I really didn’t see much harm in it.”On the $1,000 fine given to Tony Eury Sr., the crew chief of Earnhardt’s Nationwide team, for the Charlotte incident: “I didn’t think Pops should get penalized. Man, he’s a veteran in this sport. He didn’t do anything wrong at all. I thought his treatment should have been a little bit better than that.”But Tony always had a real sore temper when I was a young kid. I didn’t want to mess with him. I was scared to death of him. It wasn’t until recently where I felt like we worked on the same level, but he demands that respect. Tony Sr. is possibly more intimidating than my father.”He is the same way as my dad was in his ability to intimidate and motivate. He gets guys to team up with him and get on his side. He’s a great leader. I’m fortunate as hell to have him on my side working at JR Motorsports. We’re a much better team with him.”On reports that Bruton Smith wants to buy Dover International Speedway: “I don’t believe what I read.”There you have it. The world according to Earnhardt News source: ESPN GO Sports
Hail Damage Estimates
With hail season here I think it is time to discuss estimating hail damage, if you take it to your insurance company or a body shop makes little difference as an adjuster will have to look at any major damage. I prefer the independent body shop as they are less likely to cut corners. Many manufactures body shops are very competitive compared to their service departments. Maintain a take charge attitude without being pushy. Remember you pay the premium and there are a lot of players in the insurance game that want your business.Bring in a clean car as it is easier to inspect and dents will be more visible.Do the inspection indoors under fluorescent lights that run from the left to the right, many dents do not show up in the sun.The estimator should be familiar with the limits of paint less dent repair. Previously repaired panels, dents close to a seam or the edge will require body repair and paint.If you think the damage is close to the value of your vehicle determine a value (Kelly Blue Book) and be ready to decide if you want to keep the vehicle or let the insurance take it. Normally they will let you keep the vehicle and pay 70 to 80% of the estimate they are usually fair as to the true retail value of the vehicle if you want to let them have it.Inspect your vehicle before paying or signing over the insurance check most body shops are easy to work with as they want to get along with the insurance companies but there is always one bad apple. Many of these hints also apply to a damaged vehicle beware of cheap aftermarket replacement parts many of these are of inferior quality.
Hybrid Battery Cost
As I got into my car at my local YMCA recently, I noticed a Prius parked next to me with a For Sale sign in the window. It read: “’05 Prius, $14,999, 97,000 miles.” This beige Prius looked to be in good condition. And with gas prices topping $4 a gallon, it certainly seemed like a good deal for a gas-electric hybrid that gets 48 mpg in the city and would cost about $23,000 new. But one question nagged at me: as the odometer approaches the century mark, how much life is left in this car’s electric battery? And then an even scarier question occurred to me: if the battery runs out of juice, how much would it cost to replace it? Those concerns short-circuited any interest I had. So I put the key in the ignition of my far less fuel-efficient car and drove off.Hybrids these days are hotter than a laptop battery, with sales up 58 percent last month. But what happens if the battery on your hybrid goes dead? After all, hybrids have been on the road in America for eight years, racking up hundreds of thousands of miles. Automakers say those big batteries under the seats are holding up well. But when they power down, replacing them will cost you thousands. That thought might have been a caution light for me, but it isn’t for the growing gridlock of used hybrid buyers. On the car Web site MyRide.com, the number one search term last month was “Used Toyota Prius”–up 944 percent since January. “People are ignoring the concern about battery life,” says J.D. Power auto analyst Michael Omotoso. “Their immediate concern is, ‘Oh my God, gas is $4 a gallon. I need a hybrid. I’ll worry about battery replacement five years down the road.'”When hybrids first hit the road in 2000, there was plenty of fear-mongering, especially here in Detroit, where the Big Three were drunk on cheap gas and big SUV sales. Back then Motown execs warned darkly that rescue workers could be electrocuted trying to save trapped motorists who crashed in these high-voltage contraptions. And those giant batteries could cost $10,000 or $15,000 to replace once they ran down, maybe after 100,000 miles or less.It turns out those safety fears were nonsense. But while the battery replacement cost was overblown, it is not insignificant. Philip Card of Utica, N.Y., says a Toyota dealer wanted to charge him $3,900 to replace the battery on his 2001 Prius, which had 350,000 miles on it when he bought it used on eBay this year for $4,357. Card knew the battery might be running on empty when he bought the car, but the retired engineer hoped to convert the car into a plug-in hybrid that could get 100 mpg. Before he had a chance, though, his Prius had a brownout. “It lost power drastically,” he says. “It still moves around, but with no pep at all.” He’s decided to park the Prius rather than replace the battery. He’s going to scavenge parts from it to fix up two other Priuses he owns. What’s his advice for other used Prius buyers? “If they’re going to take it to a Toyota dealer for service,” he says, “they better have deep pockets.”The stiff cost of replacing a battery at your dealer helps explain why an underground aftermarket in Prius batteries is emerging. Since last year eBay has seen an 850 percent increase in Prius batteries changing hands. Prices for used Prius batteries–which come from junkyards and auto body shops–range from $450 to $1,700, says Famous Rhodes, director of eBay Motors parts and accessories. “As hybrid vehicles hit the tipping point in age,” he says, “the demand is growing significantly.”The hard part about these cheap batteries: once you buy them you have to figure out how to install them. That’s labor-intensive work for which dealers can charge $900. But Rhodes does not recommend that amateur mechanics try to tackle this high-voltage repair job. “This is not something where a DIY can just open up an installation manual and put in their own batteries,” says Rhodes. “You need to have a mechanic or an electrical technician do it.” News source: NewsWeek