2015 Ford Escape SE INDOOR AUTO SALES WINNIPEG

Credit Guys Indoor Auto Sales

Went to the bank they said hit it!

Credit Guys: serving the community for more the 10 years.

Credit Guys is a licensed Dealership in Winnipeg’s beautiful West St Paul neighbourhood at 33 Emes Road and McPhillips by the perimeter. We are accredited with the Better Business Bureau and a partner of the Manitoba Motor Dealers Association.

We strive to give our customers great satisfaction and advice in financing in the automotive industry so when you drive away you don’t just leave with a vehicle you leave more knowledgeable and educated.



We have 14 prime and subprime lenders that serve our customers’ needs with any type of credit whether you have no credit, foreign, student, damaged credit due to losing your job, bankruptcy, divorce, or perfect credit we can assist you. Our lenders service any level of credit and we work hand in hand with them to fight for an approval for you.

Vehicle leasing is another area of expertise our business offers. If you own a company in any line of work a leasing option might be the right fit for you. Any level of credit is acceptable when it comes to leasing.

J.D. Power Study Praises Blind Spot Warning, Backup Cameras

Car owners report that electronic collision protection aids are the most satisfying and most used technology in their vehicles, according to J.D. Power's 2016 U.S. Tech Experience Index Study released today.
Bringing up the rear among tech categories analyzed: navigation.
Related: Kia Tops Luxury Brands in Latest J.D. Power Quality Study; Fiat, Smart Trail
The study is the first in which the auto researcher has measured owners' experience in the first 90 days of ownership with "driver-centric vehicle technology" in these categories: collision protection; driving assistance; comfort and convenience; entertainment and connectivity; smartphone mirroring; and navigation.
Scoring the highest overall satisfaction with owners was the collision protection category, a bundle of features including blind spot warnings, lane departure and lane keeping systems, and backup cameras and warnings. The category tallied a score of 754 out of 1,000. Least satisfying were navigation systems at 687. The overall average was 730 in the survey of 17,864 vehicle owners and lessees from February through August.
J.D. Power looked not just at how satisfied drivers were with the technology experience but also at how much they actually used the features, and at what features they want on their next vehicle. Backup cameras and warnings and blind spot warnings are both the most used and most wanted technologies, with at least three-fourths of owners saying they use those technologies every time they drive and 96 percent of owners who have them now saying they want them on their next car.
The study also showed that today's drivers don't feel limited to just the tech built into their car. Among those who said they never use a particular in-car technology, 39 percent said they use another device, such as a smartphone, in its place. Navigation was the most subbed-out. And illustrating the power of familiarity, 57 percent of owners who use another device said they have never even used the in-car feature. Of the 43 percent who had used use the car's tech but stopped, 56 percent stopped within the first month.
The study also highlighted a critical role for dealers in technology use and satisfaction by making owners aware of features and showing how to use them. Among owners whose dealer showed them how to use the technologies, overall satisfaction was 25 to 54 points higher than for those who learned how from other sources or previous experience.
"It is alarming how many technologies consumers have in their vehicle but aren't using because they don't know they have them or don't know how to use them," said Kristin Kolodge, executive director of driver interaction and human-machine interface research at J.D. Power, in a statement.
Being shown how to use features eases problems with owners finding technologies difficult to use, which cuts both tech satisfaction and overall perceptions of vehicle quality. J.D. Power found an average 98-point drop in tech satisfaction when owners experience difficulty and also has found in its quality studies that the quality rating drops when owners find a feature hard to use, even it works as designed.
"By taking the time to show the technology to the new owner, the dealer can mitigate [difficult-to-use] issues, improving both satisfaction and quality," Kolodge said. "If the dealer explains all or many of the technologies to the new owner, it can have a dramatic positive effect on the ownership experience."
The new study also awarded top vehicles by market segment for best overall tech experience. Average satisfaction varied a lot by segment, with the highest being for large vehicles (755), followed by small premium (735), compact premium (732), mid-size premium (731), compact (727), mid-size (725) and small (706).
Here are the awards, based on responses from the 13,269 people who had bought or leased in the previous 90 days a new 2016 vehicle that's all-new or has been redesigned within the past three years:

https://www.cars.com/articles/jd-power-study-praises-blind-spot-warning-backup-cameras-1420691774244/

Why It's Important to Pay Attention to Recalls

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CARS.COM — You hear about recalls for cars and wonder, am I at risk? We'll tell you why you need to pay attention, and why you'll need to keep paying attention, to keep you and your family safe.

Automakers issue safety recalls when something in a car goes wrong. It could be a minor thing, such as a label with the wrong information, or it could be something very dangerous, such as a faulty airbag. Either way, you should always pay attention to recall notices. The most famous recall today, affecting millions of Takata airbags, concerns a flaw that federal regulators say contributed to at least 10 deaths in the U.S.
If your car has been recalled, you should get a brightly colored recall notice in the mail.
Don't throw it away. It isn't junk mail.
Open it and follow the instructions. Your best bet? Call your local dealer and schedule an appointment to get the recall work done. The dealer will do it for free.
Sometimes, though, a fix hasn't been determined or the repair parts are still on order.
In that case, the notice may tell you what you can do to mitigate the risk until your car is fixed. Follow those directions, and if you don't feel comfortable driving until the repair is done, see your dealer about getting a loaner car. Several automakers are providing loaner cars for vehicles affected in the airbag recalls.
Two more tips.
First, make sure your car is registered at your home address. If it isn't, you won't get these notices.
Second, get in the habit of entering your vehicle identification number into the government's online recall database at least twice a year to see if it has any unfixed recalls. If your car has one, call your dealer and get it fixed right away.

Read more at https://www.cars.com/articles/video-why-its-important-to-pay-attention-to-recalls-1420690467325/#05vphMqcqK1lL0Co.99

Why Are My Brakes Squealing?

By Rick Popely 

https://www.cars.com/articles/why-are-my-brakes-squealing-1420684417093/

If you're lucky, the squealing (or squeaking) noise that your brakes make when you first drive your car in the morning, particularly after rain or snow, is just surface rust being scraped off the rotors by the pads the first few times you apply the brake pedal, or the result of moisture and dirt that collects on the rotors, including from condensation caused by high humidity. If it goes away after a few brake applications, no worries.
If the noise persists most times or every time you apply the brakes or stays on continuously while you're driving, the cause is more serious — and the fix will be more expensive.
A continuous high-pitched squeal while you're driving is usually the sound of a built-in wear indicator telling you that it's time for new pads. As the pads wear down and get thinner, a small metal tab contacts the rotor like a needle on a vinyl record to warn you it's time for new pads. (Some wear indicators may work differently and engage only when you apply the brakes.)
Other squeals and squeaks will require a brake inspection to diagnose, and may require cleaning, lubrication or adjustment, and possibly new parts. Most brake noise is caused by worn or loose parts.
For example, an unevenly worn rotor (often referred to as "warped") won't let the brake pads press flat against the rotor when you apply the brakes, and that can create vibrations that generate noise. Likewise, an unevenly worn pad won't press tightly against the rotor and may chirp. Another possibility is that the pads are loosely mounted, or the shims that hold them in place have corroded or become loose.
And then there are the pads themselves. Some mechanics warn that bargain-bin pads are more likely to be noisier than higher-quality, more-expensive pads. In addition, loose or sticking calipers can contribute noise.
Because there are several possibilities, and because brakes are a crucial safety feature, it is best to have a pro diagnose noise.
A grinding sound usually means that the pads have worn away, and now the backing plates on which they were mounted are being squeezed against the rotor. This metal-to-metal contact means that you will need to replace the rotor as well — and that you probably ignored some earlier warning signs of brake wear.

Police ice cream truck to patrol Boston's mean streets

 

  The Boston Police Department unveiled a new patrol vehicle that will help officers both fight crime and the summer heat–an ice cream truck.

According to WHDH, the new $89,000 truck, which is a refitted Ford Transit, is part of a community policing initiative called Operation Hoodsie Cup. Started in 2010, the program has distributed around 120,000 free Hoodsie Cups, an iconic New England ice cream treat made by the Hood company since 1947, to citizens throughout the city.

"If you had told me 30 years ago that the Boston Police Department would have an ice cream truck as part of its patrol force and my officers would be handing out Hoodsie Cups...I would've said you were crazy," PBD Commissioner William Evans told WHDH. "But, I absolutely love the new truck and everything this program represents. The goodwill it generates between my officers and our city's young people is undeniable and nothing short of remarkable. My only regret is that I wish we had started doing this 30 years ago."

Operation Hoodsie Cup is part of a growing trend of community based policing among the nation's police forces. They're not even the first to use ice cream. Police in Halifax, VA, recently began pulling people over for violating code 1.7.3.9, which makes it illegal to drive without an ice cream cone on a hot day. Introduced in 1994 as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, community based policing is promoted by the Justice Department's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). Community based policing relies on more personal relationship between police and citizens to reduce crime and increase safety, and emphasizes proactive policing such as foot patrols, citizen involvement, increased officer accountability, and a decentralizing of police authority.

http://www.autoblog.com/2016/08/03/police-ice-cream-truck-to-patrol-bostons-mean-streets/

Does My Car Need Synthetic Oil?

https://www.cars.com/articles/does-my-car-need-synthetic-oil-1420684417536/
By Tim Healey

If your car's owner's manual says it does, you do.
For many consumers, whether to spend extra money for synthetic oil for an oil change is a difficult question to answer.
Manufacturers of synthetic oil promise more miles and better performance when compared with conventional motor oil, but it comes at a higher cost — sometimes twice as much per oil change. Is it worth the extra money?
Typically, high-performance vehicles will be more likely to require synthetic oil, as will vehicles that have a turbocharged or supercharged engine. However, if your vehicle does not require synthetic oil, the choice is trickier - and there is no clear answer.
Synthetic oil generally resists breaking down for longer than conventional motor oil (typically 7,500 miles to 10,000 miles, sometimes up to 15,000 miles, as opposed to 3,000 miles to 7,500 miles for conventional oil). That makes the extra cost a wash, if you have half the number of oil changes, but each one costs you twice as much. Other touted benefits include cleaner engines, better flow in cold temperatures, better protection when it's hot outside and better performance with turbocharged engines.
There are also synthetic blends. As the name implies, these are blends of synthetic and conventional oils. They straddle a middle ground — they cost more than conventional oils but less than full synthetics, and are said to last longer than conventional oils but not quite as long as synthetics — but again, that's a hard number to pin down since manufacturers are vague with their claims. An independent testing lab we spoke with said that synthetics often didn't perform much better than conventional oils do.
Still, older engines may benefit from synthetics because it is less likely to form sludge.
If your car doesn't require synthetic oil you should perform a cost/benefit analysis, but that can be difficult to do due to vague claims made by manufacturers. There may be no reason to spend more on synthetic oil, except for peace of mind.

Read more at https://www.cars.com/articles/does-my-car-need-synthetic-oil-1420684417536/#LmeRVYY89CovEdUr.99

What's the Best Compact SUV of 2016?

https://www.cars.com/articles/whats-the-best-compact-suv-of-2016-1420684893542/

CARS.COM — Compact SUVs continue to be a best-selling segment, and why not? They carry plenty of people, cargo, pets, whatever you need. Because they're so popular, Cars.com is now testing this category every year.
The 2016 Compact SUV Challenge
Results | Multimedia Winners and Losers
This year's version is the first stab at our new Champions & Challengers approach: We pit the winner from the last go-round (the 2016 Honda CR-V; Honda declined to provide one for testing, so we secured one from a car broker) and the segment sales leader (the Toyota RAV4) against all of the compact SUVs that have been remodeled since our last test in May 2015 (the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Ford Escape).
The judges for this Challenge were:

• Joe Bruzek, senior road test editor
• Jennifer Geiger, assistant managing editor, news
• Bill Jackson, assistant managing editor, data

You can see how we conducted testing below the results. Here's how they all finished:
5 2016 Hyundai Tucson, 661 points

The Verdict: "The Hyundai Tucson doesn't stink up the joint, although its transmission comes close. Unfortunately, it doesn't do anything well enough to recommend it over the other Challenge entrants," Jackson said.

What They Liked

Value proposition: As we often find with Hyundais, "the Tucson offers a lot of value, as it's one of two SUVs that meets our price cap and offers all-wheel drive," Jackson said. "Getting a power liftgate, a blind spot monitoring system and all-wheel drive are nice touches for the price," Bruzek added.
Punchy handling: "Its sporty nature makes the Tucson the standout, fun-to-drive SUV in this test," Bruzek said. "It's the athlete of the bunch," Geiger added. "Body lean is well-checked in corners and maneuverability is excellent."
Ride, most of the time: "Its road isolation is impressive," Geiger said. "Wind, road and engine noise are well-hushed." But, she cautions, "skip the Sport model's sport-tuned suspension; the ride is too firm, hopping over bumps with a brittle, jittery feel."
Getting around: "The dual-clutch transmission kicks down well and offers a lot of passing power," Bruzek said. "Its potent turbocharged 1.6-liter engine has punchiness the others lack."
And...: "Kids can be gross," Geiger noted from experience, "but forgotten milk spills and gooey snack drool have met their match with the Tucson's Yes Essentials stain- and odor-resistant upholstery." "This sucker is roomy, both up front and in back," Jackson said.

What They Didn't

Slow starts: The SUV that is so fun to drive at high speeds suffers at low speeds. "The transmission's behavior had me flashing back to driver's ed with its abrupt, lurchy shifts during low-speed driving," Geiger said. Bruzek found it to be "jerky and chattering," which made it "infuriating" to him, while Jackson found it to be "a pain."
On the small screen: "The multimedia system is the size of a deck of cards and the graphics don't look so hot," Jackson said. Bruzek went even further: "It's a joke compared with the larger, more robust screens offered at this price."
And...: "Cargo room in back is stingy compared with the best in class," Geiger said. "The rock-hard front and backseat cushioning is not very comfortable," Bruzek said. "The interior trim over the glove box had some deep scuff marks," Jackson noted. "That suggests that while the interior looks OK while it's new, it might not hold up so well after a few months."
Research the 2016 Hyundai Tucson | Search Inventory | Car Seat Check

4 2016 Toyota RAV4, 691 points

The Verdict: "The RAV4 is great," Bruzek said, "if your driving experience isn't important to your consideration. Once you're behind the wheel, it's immediately apparent there's room for improvement."

What They Liked

Storage galore: "The RAV4's cargo area is huge and there are plenty of in-cabin cubbies, too," Geiger said, "my favorite of which is a shelf above the glove box perfect for holding devices ... or french fries." Jackson agreed about the shelf (although he did not mention any snacks).
Cabin quality: "The high-quality interior has soft materials in every nook and cranny, and attractive accent stitching to boot," Bruzek said, and Geiger agreed.
Kid-friendly space: "The absolutely massive backseat can fit your biggest buddies or provide separation between two feuding kids," Bruzek noted. "The RAV4 gets straight A's for car-seat installation with ample room and easy Latch connections," Geiger added.
And...: "I love that I can adjust the height of the power liftgate opening from the driver's seat," Jackson said. And Bruzek noted that "the 2016 version has made big improvements in quieting engine, road and wind noise and highway speeds."

What They Didn't

That noise: "That's only because the previous model was louder than a taxiway at O'Hare International Airport," Jackson said. "Its lack of road isolation got on my last nerve," Geiger said.
Rough-rider: "Its road manners need work, with its busy ride and numb, unnatural-feeling steering," Geiger said. "The suspension crashes over bumps and feels cheap compared with the refined ride of its competitors," Bruzek added.
No go: "The RAV4 is the pokiest of the bunch in the passing lane," Bruzek said, and Jackson agreed. "It kind of dawdles everywhere it goes," he said. "There's no driving pizzazz."
Behind the multimedia times: "The as-equipped midtier multimedia system lacks smartphone integration like the top system and neither of those systems offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto," Bruzek said. "It's a mixed bag," Geiger added. "It's a mess visually, with a mix of knobs, panel buttons and a touch-screen, but there's no learning curve when it comes to using it."
And...: "Yes, the rear seat reclines," Jackson said, "but reaching over your shoulder to make it recline isn't so fun."
Research the 2016 Toyota RAV4 | Search Inventory | Car Seat Check
3 2016 Honda CR-V, 694 points

The Verdict: "The CR-V's roomy cabin and ample cargo room are appealing," Geiger said, "but its infuriating multimedia system and loud, slow powertrain are deal-breakers."

What They Liked

Plenty of room: "The passenger and cargo room is big enough to be borderline midsize-SUV territory," Bruzek said. "With the most legroom of the bunch, rear passengers will have ample space," Geiger added.
Engine performance: "There's good power from the CR-V," Jackson said, "especially when it comes to passing on the highway." "For a continuously variable transmission, its operation is nearly seamless, except for a slight lag from a start," Bruzek said.
Inventive features: "The CR-V's LaneWatch camera system is a favorite that not only displays vehicles in the passenger-side blind spot, but also cyclists and pedestrians," Geiger said. "The backseat folds flat easily with the pull of a cargo-area lever and its clever design makes it very flexible, able to carry different-sized items," she added.
Value: "You get a lot for your money with the CR-V," Jackson said. "Our test model was one of the few with all-wheel drive."
And...: "The CR-V has tight steering, which makes you feel connected to the road," Bruzek said. And "it has a high-quality interior that not only looks good," Jackson said, "but it also looks like it'd stand up to years of abuse."

What They Didn't

Multimedia nightmare: "The system is atrocious and doesn't belong on any car in 2016," Jackson said. "It lacks conventional knobs and dials," Bruzek pointed out, and Geiger found that "I've spent a lot of time using Honda's multimedia system and it never gets better."
Drivetrain issues: "The power takes its time spooling up and the CVT complains loudly the whole time," Geiger said. "There's an unpleasant sound there," Jackson said, "and I felt an occasional odd vibration at extended idle."
Punishing ride: "The ride quality is firm and busy, and there's no reward in the handling to make up for it," Bruzek said.
And...: "It's time for new designers," Geiger said. "The CR-V gets chunkier and more awkward looking with each redesign."
Research the 2016 Honda CR-V | Search Inventory | Car Seat Check
2 2017 Kia Sportage, 753 points

The Verdict: "The Sportage is the Goldilocks of this SUV class, with its just-right blend of comfort, style and power," Geiger said.

What They Liked

Plenty of go: "With the Sportage's no-nonsense powertrain, power is ample and delivery is smooth and prompt," Geiger said. "The 2.4-liter's acceleration is welcomed among the sometimes laggy turbocharged competition," Bruzek added.
Quite the ride: "No matter the surface, the Sportage feels composed," Jackson said. "Only the Ford Escape offers a cabin that's as hushed as the Sportage," he added. "It commendably balances a comfortable ride with lively handling," Geiger said.
Multimedia bliss: "Using the straightforward touch-screen system was a snap," Geiger said, "and connecting my phone to Android Auto provided seamless navigation." Bruzek found it "painless to use with tuning and volumes knobs, plus it has a large screen and great Pandora integration."
And...: "Supple and comfortable seat cushioning is covered with a stylish design and stain-resistant Yes Essentials fabric," Bruzek noted.

What They Didn't

Value misses: "Others in this Challenge offered a power liftgate but not our Sportage," Jackson pointed out. "A blind spot monitoring system is available but not equipped," Bruzek said, "though the Sportage came in $1,900 less than our price cap." Finally, Geiger noted that "shoppers will likely have a hard time paying more than $29,000 for an SUV without a push-button start."
The inside look: "With its bold face and chiseled lines, the Sportage's exterior styling nails the sporty vibe but the design-less black, plastic cabin is dull," Geiger said. "There's a lot of hard plastic in the interior and a particular piece of interior trim constantly hit my knee when I was driving," Jackson said.
Multimedia fail: "As an iPhone user, no Apple CarPlay is a big miss," Bruzek said, "and if it had been offered, it would have pegged the technology category's score." Given how close the Sportage was to the winner, it might well have put it over the top.
And...: "The sporty curves and sloping roofline look great," Geiger said, "but the sacrifice is rear visibility." "The big 2.4-liter engine is a little grainier sounding than the smoother turbocharged engines," Bruzek said.
Research the 2017 Kia Sportage | Search Inventory | Car Seat Check
1 2017 Ford Escape, 755 points

The Verdict: "The 2017 Escape is a great-driving small SUV, now with more features for the money," Bruzek said, "but there's still a lot of the old Escape's aged interior in it."

What They Liked

Infotainment system: This is a huge item because this had been a Ford sticking point for years. "The previous MyFord Touch system was likely a deal-breaker for shoppers but the Escape's new Sync 3 might actually be a deal-maker," Geiger said. "It's clean-looking and easy to use." Bruzek praised its "ease of smartphone integration," and Jackson said it was the "best multimedia system in the group; that it has Apple CarPlay makes it even better. A clear win for Ford."
A comfortable, quiet ride: "The Escape has the best driving dynamics and manages to feel responsive and composed over bumps," Jackson said. "If you're looking for a compact SUV with a quiet cabin, this one is at the top of its class." "Its refined, substantial ride makes the Escape drive like a larger, more expensive SUV," Bruzek added.
Help with the kids: "The backseat's exposed Latch anchors take the struggle out of car-seat installation," Geiger said.
And...: Bruzek liked "the numerous front storage areas for phones and other pocket items," while Geiger liked how "the powertrain is pleasant. Power builds steadily and smoothly, and never feels strained."

What They Didn't

Interior style and quality: "There's a sea of hard plastic and interior design that probably was futuristic when Ford first went to it years ago," Jackson said, "but it could use a rethink." It's "low on style and quality," Bruzek said, and Geiger said that "the cabin's materials feel cheap and the overall design is uninspiring."
Ride issues: Although the other judges liked the Escape's road manners, Geiger found them wanting. "Composure over bumps is a problem," she said. "There's more hop and wiggle than an Easter Bunny convention."
And...: "Ford said it improved interior noise levels with this model but there's more work to do," Geiger said. "The engine is loud and crude-sounding." "It has unimpressive fuel economy for a high-tech engine with only front-wheel drive," Bruzek noted. "The rear seats are hard, offer very little thigh support and there's not a lot of backseat room," Jackson said.

Read more at https://www.cars.com/articles/whats-the-best-compact-suv-of-2016-1420684893542/#zxHltL0SGlyJdEYP.99

Read more at https://www.cars.com/articles/whats-the-best-compact-suv-of-2016-1420684893542/#zxHltL0SGlyJdEYP.99

Tire Rotation: What You Need to Know

https://www.cars.com/articles/tire-rotation-what-you-need-to-know-1420684517375/ 

Tire Rotation

Wavebreak media LTD/Wavebreak Media/Thinkstock

Many automakers recommend that your car's tires be rotated on the same schedule as its oil changes. In most cases, this means every 7,500 miles or six months, though some automakers have stretched the oil-change interval to 10,000 miles. Rotating your tires when you get the oil changed is good, assuming you do that at least once a year; you should do it more often if you drive, say, more than 10,000 miles annually. Unless you drive fewer than about 7,500 miles per year, you should probably rotate tires every six months or so.
The tires mounted on the drive wheels of any vehicle perform extra duty because they apply the power to the pavement. On front-wheel-drive vehicles that is amplified by the weight of the engine and transmission, and because the front tires do most of the work in turns. Rotating the tires between front and rear a couple of times a year spreads out the burden so they wear evenly. Automakers that offer all-wheel-drive cars also recommend rotating tires.
How do I know it's time to rotate my tires?
You can't tell only by looking that it's time to rotate them, so following a regular schedule will help your tires wear evenly and last longer. This applies whether you have front-, rear- or all-wheel drive.
How often should I rotate my tires?
Tire manufacturers typically recommend rotating tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. Moving the tires from front to back (and side to side in some cases) evens out wear and extends tire life. A good guideline is every 6,000 miles or every six months.
Why do I need to rotate my tires?
Rotating the tires helps tires wear more evenly and last longer - and can save money because you won't need new tires as often.
How much should I pay?
The cost of repairs can depend on where you are as much as it does on what you need fixed. To get an estimate for your repair, go to our estimator, plug in your car's year, make and model information, add your ZIP code, and choose the repair you need. We'll give you a range for what your repairs should cost in your area.

Read more at https://www.cars.com/articles/tire-rotation-what-you-need-to-know-1420684517375/#o5x6vGJO1HfDwsub.99

Tesla Model 3 Wows With $35,000 Price Tag

By Brian Wong

It's not often that you hear an automaker laud a car's minimum performance, range and price rather than the most a model could offer, but that's what Tesla CEO Elon Musk did at Thursday night's unveiling of the Model 3 four-door hatchback at Tesla's Design Facility in Hawthorne, Calif., which I attended. Tesla claims a base model of the new electric car will deliver at least 215 miles of electric range, go from zero to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds and have a base price of $35,000. The Model 3 is scheduled to begin production by the end of 2017, says Tesla, but I was able to take a ride in a Model 3 prototype at Thursday night's event.

That $35,000 price tag doesn't include any federal or state tax credits that could lower the Model 3's price for buyers who qualify. Autopilot semi-autonomous driving features will come standard, as will supercharging capability, opening Tesla's supercharger network to Model 3 owners.
Tesla's new Gigafactory being built in the Nevada desert will supply the lithium-ion batteries for the Model 3. The Gigafactory is key to allowing Tesla to meet its planned production of 500,000 cars a year out of its Fremont, Calif., assembly plant.
Musk was mum on the Model 3's horsepower, torque, interior or exterior dimensions, or even what the maximum range would be on higher trim levels at launch. Historically, more expensive versions of Tesla's vehicles have provided more range and quicker sprints.
All-wheel drive will come standard and, according to diagrams shown at the event, the Model 3 will feature two electric motors — one attached to the front axle and the other to the rear.

Thursday morning was the first opportunity for people to put down a refundable $1,000 deposit to reserve a Model 3. By now you might have seen photos of people in long queues outside Tesla stores.
At the San Fernando Valley Tesla store, 100 people lined up more than two hours before the store opened at 10 a.m., and by then the line had grown to roughly 500 people, according to a friend who was in the line. It took my friend four hours of standing in line to put down his deposit.
Tesla had a running counter at Thursday evening's event displaying the number of pre-orders with deposits, and when I left the event, it already was pushing 140,000 Model 3 reservations.

Production will begin in late 2017, Tesla says, with the first deliveries happening around that time, starting on the West Coast and then heading east. However, given Tesla's penchant for tardiness, I would take those estimates with a grain of salt.

Tesla did not announce a hard date for deliveries to begin, but Musk said, "I do feel confident it will be (by the end of) next year." It's likely we'll see delivery of most orders in 2018.


https://www.cars.com/articles/tesla-model-3-wows-with-35000-price-tag-1420684265540/

America's Muscle Car Romance: Reignited and It Feels So Good

By Matt Schmitz
https://www.cars.com/articles/americas-muscle-car-romance-reignited-and-it-feels-so-good-1420684065869/ 

Years before Steve McQueen made the '68 Ford Mustang an icon among the cars of Hollywood history, muscle cars already had muscled their way into our hearts. Quintessentially "U-S-A! U-S-A!" in their power, speed and all-around awesomeness, muscle cars are America's ode to the freedom of the open road. And while our collective romance through the decades has accelerated and braked by turns, the torch we carry for the muscle car burns hot of late.

The classic trio of pony cars from the Big Three automakers in Detroit — the Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang — has enjoyed a sales resurgence in recent years. Combined, car buyers purchased more than 266,216 of the cars in 2015, according to the automakers. That's a 21 percent increase over 2014 sales and 27 percent over 2013.
The Mustang leads the pack; its sales totaled a whopping 122,349 in 2015 compared with 70,438 in 2011 — a 74 percent spike. That's roughly double the overall increase in U.S. auto sales overall during the same five-year span. The Mustang saw a 48 percent sales boost just between 2014 and 2015.

The Chevy Camaro has been a formidable rival since its relaunch in 2010 following a seven-year hiatus. Camaro sales actually dipped to 77,502 in 2015 (with a redesign in the wings for 2016) from 88,249 in 2011, but overall sales of 417,006 for the five-year period still compare favorably with the Mustang's 435,603.
The Challenger lags those totals. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles sold 66,365 of them in 2015 compared with 39,534 in 2011, a 68 percent increase. From 2014 to 2015 alone, Challenger sales rose 29 percent. However, both the Mustang and Camaro far exceed the Challenger's five-year total of 252,091.
Despite recent gains, muscle-car sales are still just a fraction of what they were during their 1960s and '70s heydays. Be that as it may, the real fun over the past half-century of the muscle-car era hasn't been the sales figures, but the race.
 

John Kraman, director of consignment for Wisconsin-based Mecum Auctions, has personally witnessed the rekindled love affair with the muscle car, primarily on the vintage and collector side of things, and he has loved watching the ups and downs through the years.
"The Detroit Three manufacturers have been battling the sales wars since the Ford Mustang and Plymouth Barracuda started it in April 1964," Kraman said. "The GM response was the 1967 Camaro, with Plymouth-cousin Dodge jumping in with the Challenger in 1970."
The modern era of the performance car with a retro theme kicked off in 2005 with the introduction of the S197 Mustang platform, Kraman explained. The Mustang's success in blending vintage styling with today's tech persuaded Dodge (Plymouth by then was defunct) to resurrect the Challenger in 2008, with Chevy countering in 2010 with the return of the Camaro.
"This retro-themed market has been driven by aging baby boomers seeking modern versions of the legends they grew up lusting over," he said. "In addition, younger buyers have also embraced this market due to the performance and technology they represent as current. Plus the styling theme of honoring the past but looking fresh and contemporary certainly has helped the multigenerational appeal."

With all three pony cars back at the top of their game in performance and value, Kraman said, excitement in 2016 is at a "fever pitch."
"This three-way market has forced all the builders to fine tune and improve their entries to stay competitive," he said. "As long as these combinations of styling, performance, technology and value continue, the market will remain strong and viable."
For an even better idea of how far muscle cars have come, check out Cars.com's 2016 Muscle Car Challenge. We pitted V-8 and V-6 versions of the Camaro, Challenger and Mustang against one another during a week of intensive testing on the track and on the highway:

Honda to recall new Civics in Canada because engines can fail

Honda is recalling about 45,000 newly redesigned Civic compact cars in the Canada and the United States because the engines can fail and stall while being driven.

The recall affects 2016 Civics equipped with two-litre four-cylinder engines.

Documents filed by Canadian safety regulators say that a circular clip around the pistons may be missing or was improperly installed at the factory. That can cause a pin on the piston to rub against the engine block and possibly cause engine failure or a fire.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/news/recalls/honda-to-recall-new-civics-in-canada-because-engines-can-fail/article28663067/

What's the Best Small-Engine Muscle Car?

By Patrick Olsen

Americans always have loved muscle cars, and with gas below $2 a gallon in many parts of the country, there might not be a better time to be a fan. We tested muscle cars with small engines, and we tested them with V-8 monsters. This test concerns the smaller-engine versions, which still provide plenty of thrills, but are a little easier to live with, both in fuel costs and as daily drivers.
Read more 

https://www.cars.com/articles/whats-the-best-small-engine-muscle-car-1420684025506/

2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport

 

Europe might seem to be an unusual place to introduce a new Chevrolet Corvette, given that the 'Vette has never really fit in with its continental competitors. Never outgunned but always outclassed. And European sentiment towards it has always been a bit derisive. This latest generation, however, the C7, has been changing minds all over the world. The latest Corvette is tight, well-built, amazingly competent, affordable and even fitted with an interior that's no longer embarrassing.
Read more at

https://www.cars.com/articles/2017-chevrolet-corvette-grand-sport-first-impressions-1420683929458/

Is Your Car Part of the Takata Airbag Recall? Read more at https://www.cars.com/articles/is-your-car-part-of-the-takata-airbag-recall-1420680509675/#H8Lc4tQPwa20D1Y9.99

CARS.COM — Which cars are included in the Takata airbag recalls? After a considerable expansion on Jan. 22, 2016, the massive recall could affect around 28 million airbags — virtually all of them frontal — in at least 24 million cars in the U.S.
Read more at https://www.cars.com/articles/is-your-car-part-of-the-takata-airbag-recall-

 

 

 

https://www.cars.com/articles/is-your-car-part-of-the-takata-airbag-recall-1420680509675/

Car Child Seat Check

 Great comparison of new vehicles and their compatibility with child seats.

Car Seat Check

Fisker rebrands, eyes late 2016 return

Friday October 30, 2015 - 10:10 am

Published By: The Formula Publications Team

A renewed focus, a new brand, a California-based factory and a growing market for luxury alternative-powertrain vehicles have former automaker Fisker eyeing a strong return in 2016.

But when the luxury line and its stunning plug-in hybrid offering hits dealerships, it won’t be as a Fisker Automotive offering but rather from Karma, the original handle of its first and only nameplate.

“It’s in our DNA,” the company explains. “It’s a name that respects our past, while simultaneously reinventing our future. An awareness of what we are doing, and how and why we are doing it. It’s old. It’s new.”

The Fisker story began in the late 2000s. Designed by Danish co-founder and namesake Henrik Fisker, the company was headquartered in Anaheim, Calif., but built its cars at a facility in Finland. Its one and only nameplate, Karma, hit North America after Environmental Protection Agency certification issues ended in late 2011.

The cars carried a base price that topped $100,000 and quickly became a favourite of celebrities and automotive journalists alike. Movie star Leonardo DeCaprio became an equity investor and brand ambassador while Top Gear Magazine named it luxury car of the year in late 2011.

The sleek and luxurious four-door plug-in electric hybrids featured eco-friendly extras like a solar paneled roof and reclaimed lumber accents. Powering the sedans were two 120-kW motors from battery supplier A123 and a 2.0-L turbocharged VVT DI engine.

Its retail network was a forbearer in many ways to what Tesla has done around the world with many dealerships set up in traditional retail locations like shopping malls.

Unfortunately for Fisker and its fans, financial woes hobbled production after just 2,450 Karmas rolled off the line. Its battery supplier A123 Systems filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October 2012.

Confounding the drama that month was the destruction of the 338 units parked at Port Newark, New Jersey when Hurricane Sandy pounded the north-eastern U.S. coastline.

Recalls, vehicle fires, funding missteps and unfortunate twists of fate eventually forced the company to file for bankruptcy in 2013. Chinese auto parts giant Wanxiang Group acquired Fisker’s assets for $149.2 million (U.S.) in 2014 with the goal of restarting the company under the Karma banner.

Intentions took a large step to fruition this summer when Wanxiang inked an 11-year lease on a factory in Moreno Valley, Calif.

Units rolling off the line there could reportedly be offered for sale as early as the middle of next year.

Exactly what will follow in terms of product remains a debatable topic. Aside from an updated Karma, analysts and industry watchers are wondering what car will come next if its sales market returns.

Former co-owner Fisker has previously stated Wanxiang employs upwards of 20 of the brand’s original designers and owns several of his designs as a part of the Chapter 11 purchase.

Norman Hebert, chief of Quebec’s Groupe Park Avenue dealership group, was one of only four Canadian Fisker retailers during its first run. He says that despite the passage of time, demand remains surprisingly high for the models he characterizes as timeless.

“I think we were the only dealer in Canada that continued to service their customers. We were only in business about six months and sold close to 30 vehicles,” he explains. “It seems sometimes there isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t have customers looking for used Fiskers. We are very excited to have that brand come back.”

The market for expensive, alternatively powered cars has certainly grown in the past few years. Tesla says it has pre-sold the first 15,000 units of its new Model X while numerous hybrid and electric offerings are beginning to flow forth from brands like Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, BMW, Audi and Lexus.

While questions remain about how its retail network will develop, becoming production ready and gaining certification will have to be the first of many vital steps to any kind of major comeback.

http://www.canadianautoworld.ca/article/101789/

Get a Grip With the Winter Tire Program

 

Manitoba public insurance

Winter tire program

Get a Grip

With the Winter Tire Program

INDOOR AUTO SALES AND SERVICE

Even if you’re driving safely, winter roads can be slippery. Reduce your risk on the road by purchasing 

winter tires with low-interest financing. The MPI Winter Tire Program provides low-interest financing 

to eligible Manitobans at prime plus two per cent*, on up to $2,000 per vehicle. This financing can be 

used for the purchase of qualifying winter tires and associated costs from Indoor Auto Sales and 

Service. 
Program eligibility: To be eligible for the Winter Tire Program, you must:be an individual 

(not corporate) Manitoba Public Insurance customer, purchase qualifying winter tires for a passenger 

vehicle or light truck (gross vehicle weight under 4541 kg) registered under your name have no 

financing restrictions or outstanding arrears on your Manitoba Public Insurance account. Check your 

eligibility quickly and easily with our eligibility confirmation tool. Qualifying tires will display this 

symbol  as established by Transport Canada and the Rubber Association of Canada. It indicates 

that the tires have met specific snow traction performance requirements and are designed to be used in 

severe snow conditions. Financing can be applied to the purchase of winter tires displaying the symbol 

above as well as associated costs including:
rims,mounting balancing,taxes and fees The following are not eligible for financing:
repair of tires, maintenance/storage of tires between seasons unless included as part of the initial cost, 

switchover cost of changing between all-season and winter tires after the initial purchase/installation 

unless included as part of the initial cost. Visit Indoor Auto Sales
Determine your eligibility for the program, then visit Indoor Auto Sales and select your tires. We will 

confirm your eligibility and complete the loan authorization. You will be asked to:provide your vehicle 

registration certificate and your driver’s licence or identification card, select a financing term between 

one and four years and a monthly payment withdrawal day, choose between using the existing banking 

or credit card information on your Manitoba Public Insurance account, or have your Autopac agent 

contact you for the information, provide your phone number and preferred Autopac agent, read and 

sign the loan information (including applicable interest rate), Preauthorized Payment Agreement, 

promissory note and terms and conditions We will fax your signed application to your Autopac agent. 

*Interest rates are determined by the Bank of Canada and are subject to change without notice.
http://www.indoorautosales.net/mpi-winter-tire-program.html

Should I Change the Thermostat?

Schmidt/iStock/Thinkstock

Unless an engine overheats or fails to reach normal operating temperature after being driven for several miles, the thermostat that regulates the flow of coolant is probably working properly. Thermostats generally last for years — even for the lifetime of a vehicle — so why bother changing it?
Indeed, if it appears to be working, there probably isn't need for a new thermostat. However, if you're having other cooling system maintenance performed, such as replacing the coolant and/or the radiator hoses on a vehicle that's been in service for several years, it could be a good idea to replace the thermostat at the same time for peace of mind. That's particularly true if the upper radiator hose is being removed, as that's where many thermostats are located.
Aside from this type of preventive maintenance, a thermostat doesn't need to be replaced unless it stops opening and closing when it's supposed to. If it sticks in the closed position, that traps coolant in the engine so that it overheats. If it sticks in the open position, the coolant will constantly circulate through the engine and radiator, which can prevent the engine from reaching full operating temperature (and full efficiency) and reduce heat output from the climate system.
Among the signs that a thermostat isn't working are an engine that overheats or runs hotter than usual, or a cabin heater that fails to produce sufficient warm air. A faulty thermostat may also trigger the check engine light. Because these symptoms can be caused by other problems, the entire cooling system should be inspected by a pro before deciding to replace the thermostat.
Not getting enough heat in the interior is mainly a comfort issue, but overheating can cause serious engine damage and shouldn't be ignored. Most vehicles have a temperature gauge that gives a constant reading of the cooling system temperature, ranging from "C" to "H" or blue to red. In modern cars, the needle or bar graph will come to rest dead center, or just a notch or so toward the cold side, when the engine has reached optimum temperature. Cars with this gauge might also have a warning light for when the engine is running hotter than normal.



An increasing number of cars do away with the gauge and have a high-temperature warning light, either alone or supplemented by a separate indicator — typically a blue icon of a thermometer sitting in water — that comes on when you start a cold engine and stays lit until it reaches the proper operating temperature. If this indicator stays illuminated, there's a good chance the thermostat has stuck open.
A gauge can give a driver an early heads-up that something is wrong, but a warning light might not come on until the engine is so hot it needs to be turned off immediately to prevent damage.
https://www.cars.com/articles/should-i-change-the-thermostat-1420682599501/

Halloween Safety Is No Trick

 By Courtney Messenbaugh  on October 28, 2015
 

Cars.com illustration by Paul Dolan

With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, the number of partygoers and trick-or-treaters roaming the streets by foot and by car is sure to soar. It's a time that should be nothing but fun, but according to these scary facts, Halloween can quickly turn into a nightmare.
Related: More Safety News
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lists Halloween as consistently one of the top three nights for pedestrian injuries and fatalities. For kids, the statistics are even deadlier. Kids are twice as likely to be killed by a car while walking on Halloween than any other night of the year, according to Safe Kids Worldwide.  Deaths related to drunken drivers are also up: More than 115 people were killed by drunken drivers on Halloween night between 2009 and 2013, NHTSA reports.
No, we here at Cars.com are not going as Debbie Downers this year for Halloween. We love Halloween, but we want it to be safe for everyone, so use the following tips to keep you and yours safe this spooktacular night. You can thank us in candy later.

If you're driving

• Slow down! Pay particular attention when driving in residential areas where pedestrian traffic is likely to be heavy. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a pedestrian is more than two times as likely to be killed if they're hit by a car traveling at 35 mph compared to 25 mph. What seems like a small reduction in speed — 10 mph — can be the difference between life and death.
• Remember that the kids are excited, excitable and sometimes unpredictable. Keep your eyes on the road and reduce any distractions inside your car (that's right, stop texting or live tweeting during your drive, on Halloween and every day)!
• If you're behind the wheel, you better be sober. We don't need to explain this one.
• If you're not sober, have a sober friend drive, grab a ride-sharing service, a taxi or hop on some public transportation. 

For trick-or-treaters and their parents/guardians

• When suiting up, avoid costumes that drag along the ground and could potentially trip someone. Make sure masks don't obscure vision. Seek costumes in light or bright colors that are easier for cars to see. There are even some costumes that light up on their own, delighting little ones and making them safer.
• Let it glow! Apply reflective tape to children's costumes, jackets or treat sacks. Bring along a flashlight (don't forget to check the batteries before you head out!) to illuminate your path or even adorn the children with some of the glow necklaces or glow sticks that are found in abundance in the dollar section at your favorite store.
• Review routes and safety precautions with younger and older children alike. Older children who are on their own should let their parents know the route they're travelling and have an agreed upon time to come home. Everyone should stay on sidewalks, use crosswalks to cross the streets and be vigilant about looking for automotive traffic from all directions.
• All together now! Adults or an older teenager should accompany younger trick-or-treaters. AAA suggests that youngsters have a chaperone until age 12. Older kids should travel in groups and stay together — it's more fun together anyhow.
• Enjoy yourselves. Halloween is supposed to be and genuinely is, fun.

Once everyone is home safely, allow the kids a few pieces of candy before bed (after you've checked to be sure it's safe, of course) and then carry on with binge-watching old horror films while binge-eating some of the wee ones' candy. They won't even notice.


https://www.cars.com/articles/halloween-safety-is-no-trick-1420682553563/