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/

New interest in used vehicles

Used vehicles are hot commodities these days, as local buyers take advantage of low interest rates and more American dealers are cross-border shopping to take advantage of the high-valued U.S. dollar, industry officials say.
"The demand for used vehicles has just been tremendous," Dilawri Group CEO Ashok Dilawri said in an interview, adding it's the strongest he's seen in at least five or six years.

He estimated sales of used vehicles are running at least five to 10 per cent ahead of last year for his group of seven dealerships, and that the increase would be even greater if they had more pre-owned vehicles to sell.
"The supply is so limited, because what is happening is there are buyers from the south who are snapping up everything you put in the marketplace," Dilawri said.
He said the demand for used vehicles is so strong south of the border, U.S. dealers who previously wouldn't look at anything that was more than three years old are now purchasing vehicles from local auction houses that are 10 or 12 years old.
"Especially (pickup) trucks and SUVs (sport utility vehicles). Everybody is looking for them, because the demand is so high on those things."
A Scotiabank report released Friday said sales of pre-owned vehicles through Canadian dealerships are at their highest level in nearly a decade, and are expected to top the previous annual record of three million units set in 2011.
It said while Canadians are being drawn to the dealerships by low interest rates, which make car loans more affordable, the weak Canadian dollar has also made cross-border shopping a highly lucrative option for American auto dealers.
It said Statistics Canada data shows exports of used vehicles to the U.S. began to take off once the loonie fell below 90 cents (US). After more than doubling in the first six months of 2015, they soared by a staggering 155 per cent (year over year) during the July-August period when the loonie approached 76 cents (US), its lowest level in more than a decade.
The bank said that after the first eight months of 2015, nearly 23,000 Canadian vehicles had been exported to the United States, compared with 15,600 in all of 2014.
A local spokesman for Adesa Canada, which sells used vehicles online and through a network of auction houses across the country, said U.S. dealers have purchased at least 25 per cent of the roughly 55,000 vehicles it has been selling each month this year.
"Last week, we had a buyer from Texas who bought almost 500 units in two days," Gregg Maidment, Adesa's vice-president and general manager for Western Canada, said in an interview.
Maidment said while U.S. dealers were initially interested mainly in pickup trucks and SUVs, "Now it's gone across the board."
He noted the same thing happened in the early part of the new millennium, when the loonie was worth even less than it is today. But this time it's happening on an even bigger scale, because U.S. and other foreign dealers can now make their Canadian purchases online.
"Most of it is now done over the Internet. They can just click and buy the vehicle they need and have it shipped to them," Maidment said, adding Adesa has 20,000 buyers a day from 105 countries bidding on vehicles through its website.
"Because it's a worldwide buyer base now, people are able to, in many cases, get more than they expected for their car because it's live, competitive bidding," he added.
Maidment noted while Adesa sells used vehicles on behalf of individual car owners, it doesn't sell to the public. He also noted it's mainly dealers and dealer groups who are buying vehicles in Canada.
"You're not seeing (U.S.) consumers coming up here to look for a car."
The general manager for one local used-car dealership, Auto Gallery of Canada, said it's also been approached this year by American dealers looking to buy some of its pre-owned vehicles.
"And it doesn't matter if it's a small car or a truck. They don't care," Harvey Brennan said. "But we don't do that (sell to U.S. dealers), because we want to keep that business here."
The president of Manitoba's largest dealership group -- Birchwood Automotive Group -- said Birchwood hasn't been approached yet by any U.S. dealers. But Steve Chipman said Birchwood is always looking for ways to grow its sales, so it's contacting some U.S. dealers to see if they're interested in buying some of its pre-owned stock.
Because used trucks and SUVs are getting hard to come by, Birchwood Chevrolet took out a full-page newspaper advertisement last Friday stating, "We want your truck!" and "We will pay you more for your vehicle!"
Asked if people are responding, Chipman said, "They're starting to. There are people phoning, and we've taken some trades in and sold (them) some new vehicles."
murray.mcneill@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 21, 2015 B6

New interest in used vehicles

2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350

2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 Video
The Ford Mustang is no stranger to special editions. Some of them, in fact, are pretty lame. But the all-new Shelby GT350 is anything but. It's undergone top-to-bottom scrutiny, and the result is what the automaker says is the most capable-handling Mustang it's ever made.
Watch the video for more.
Video produced by Cars.com Media Team

Recall Alert: 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra and 2015 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe

 

Vehicles Affected: Approximately 3,100 model-year 2014-15 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks manufactured between Jan. 24, 2014, and Feb. 26, 2014; and model-year 2015 Chevrolet Suburban SUVs manufactured on Feb. 12, 2014, and Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs manufactured between Feb. 6, 2014, and Feb. 13, 2014
The Problem: The ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the Start position. If this occurs, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the Accessory position, causing a loss of engine, steering and braking power; this increases the risk of a crash in which the airbags may not deploy, increasing the risk of an injury.
The Fix: Dealers will replace the ignition lock housing for free.
What Owners Should Do: GM has not yet provided an owner-notification schedule. Owners can call Chevrolet at 800-222-1020 or GMC at 800-462-8782 for more info. Owners can also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's vehicle-safety hotline at 888-327-4236, or go to www.safercar.gov.

The 2016 Toyota Prius

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/09/09/2016-toyota-prius-official-photos/

 BEYOND POSSIBLE: THE SKY'S THE LIMIT FOR THE ALL-NEW 2016 PRIUS AT LAS VEGAS WORLD PREMIERE EVENT

• Striking exterior design ushers in new hybrid era
• New platform and rear double wishbone suspension dial up driving dynamics
• Ten percent fuel economy improvement on core models; highest MPG without a plug
• First vehicle based on Toyota's New Global Architecture
• Toyota Safety Sense system available among other safety enhancements

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 8, 2015 - - The same vehicle that pioneered the hybrid category just disrupted the status quo again. The all-new, fourth-generation Prius starred in a spectacular evening production of music, food and special effects to celebrate an industry icon in a way that was anything but expected.

More than 350 journalists, social influencers and Toyota guests watched the all-new 2016 Prius elevate into the Las Vegas night sky. After almost twenty years of shaping the world view on alternative energy vehicles, and more than 3.5 million global sales, Prius is setting out to change the world again.

Today's consumers expect environmental credentials, and the new Prius delivers. Smaller, lighter hybrid system components, higher-energy density in the batteries, and an internal combustion engine touting ground-breaking thermal efficiency (more than forty percent), contribute to a significant advancement in fuel economy. With an expected ten percent improvement in EPA estimated MPG on core models, Prius will offer best-in-class fuel economy among vehicles without a plug. A soon-to-be unveiled Eco model will achieve an even greater improvement, strengthening Toyota's leadership in hybrid fuel efficiency.

But it's not just about MPG anymore. Today's customers want all the traditional benefits of a hybrid, but don't want to compromise on looks and performance. So Toyota upgraded the Prius inside and out to deliver the complete package - emotional styling, smarter technology and impressive MPG, in a vehicle that's more fun to drive than ever.

"Prius set the global benchmark for hybrids, but now is breaking its own boundaries with more engaging style and fun-to-drive dynamics," said Bill Fay, group vice president and general manager, Toyota Division. "What was once a rational purchase that for many customers focused on fuel economy, is now so much more. This Prius will invite new drivers into the category by delivering an impressive look and feel, built on the foundation of safety and eco- consciousness that define the vehicle's heritage."

Easy on the Eyes

The Prius' exterior has been completely reimagined. From the side, it is longer and sleeker with the overall outline evoking an athletic shape. Inspired by a runner in the starting blocks, the sporty design conveys a feeling of forward motion.

The hood is lower and the distinctive roof peak has been moved forward. Bold character lines run along the side from the front fenders – one just above the sill that sweeps up towards the rear fender, while the upper crease morphs into the rear spoiler, which has been lowered.

The use of new standard LED headlamps minimizes the Prius' front fascia and, at the same time, provides an arresting lighting display which helps define the vehicle's character. The unique and striking rear combination lamps express the distinctive lines of the Prius from the rear spoiler to the trailing edges of the sides.

A palette of seven exterior colors includes an all-new Toyota hue, "Hypersonic Red." This new color utilizes a newly developed treatment process, which results in a deep and vibrant luster highlighting the external forms.

Need a Hug?

The Prius' new, premium interior adopts advanced technology complemented by features that are functional, fun and have high visual impact. The wrap-around dash design, form-hugging seats, ease of controls and improved visibility put the driver in complete control.

Once inside, drivers will feel immediately comfortable and impressed by styling cues that are unique in the industry. The wide instrument panel, seamlessly designed to be both functional and beautiful, gives a sense of comfort and spaciousness. Available premium white ornamentation in the lower sections of the cabin is reminiscent of fine bone china.

Efficient Development from the Start

The 2016 Prius is the first global vehicle to implement Toyota's New Global Architecture (TNGA). TNGA aims to greatly improve core vehicle performance and enhance product appeal through an integrated development program for powertrain components and vehicle platforms. Development of vehicles is being grouped to promote strategic sharing of components with the goal of improving resource efficiency by better than twenty percent. Resources will be directed into developing advanced technologies, and most importantly even further strengthening product appeal.

A Fun-to-Drive Hybrid? A "Wish" Come True

Engineered from the ground up, the new Prius is 2.4 inches longer, 0.6 inches wider and 0.8 inches lower than the model it replaces, providing a planted on-road presence while delivering more occupant and cargo room.

Hallmarks of TNGA, a lower center of gravity and a more responsive suspension package, dial up the driving excitement. In fact, the height of the Prius' front badge is exactly the same as that of Scion's FR-S sports car – a remarkable achievement in height and mass reduction.

The all-new rear double wishbone suspension produces a better connection to the road, providing greater control and feedback in all driving conditions. A more rigid body helps improve responsiveness while cornering. From winding mountain roads to the wide boulevards downtown, the new Prius stays connected to the road, without sacrificing ride quality and occupant comfort.

Safety First

TNGA also provides a more rigid structural framework to help enhance occupant protection in the event of a collision. The high strength upper body is designed to distribute frontal collision impact energy. Plus, the Prius will be among the first U.S. models to offer Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), a new multi-feature advanced safety package anchored by automated pre-collision braking. TSS bundles cutting edge safety technologies including:

• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
• Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Automatic High Beams

Available on the new Prius, Toyota aims to make Toyota Safety Sense available across nearly the entire vehicle lineup by the end of 2017.

Setting the Stage for the Future of Mobility

It started in 1992 with a vision for the future – mobility in harmony with society. Prius, which means "to go before" changed the way we move about the world, and changed the automotive industry forever. More than two decades and over 8 million Toyota hybrid sales later, the all-new, no compromises 2016 Prius stands side by side with its sibling, the hydrogen powered Mirai, poised to change the game yet again. The new Prius will arrive in dealerships early next year.
 

Are There Any Mechanical Benefits to Cleaning an Engine?

https://www.cars.com/articles/are-there-any-mechanical-benefits-to-cleaning-an-engine-1420681075630/
 By Rick Popely  on September 9, 2015


A clean engine compartment makes a used car look newer and better maintained. Some shops that perform engine cleaning services claim a clean engine even runs a little cooler because the gunk formed by dirt, oil and grease seals in some heat.
Appearances aside, does an engine that sparkles like new run any better than one that's grimy from normal use? Probably not.
Though it is true that oily, greasy dirt that accumulates on an engine can trap some heat, it's doubtful it would be enough to cause an engine to overheat or even run hotter than normal. If an engine overheats, the probable cause is more likely in the cooling system, or because the vehicle is towing or carrying too much weight or some other issue unrelated to the cleanliness of the engine bay.
However, there are benefits to cleaning a dirty engine. First, it can help determine where oil or grease is coming from, such as a leaky valve-cover gasket, so that a small problem can be isolated and repaired before it becomes a big one. In addition, because oil and grease can accelerate the wear of rubber hoses and plastic parts, cleaning off the gunk may save on repairs. And if you're the type who likes to do some minor maintenance, such as checking the oil level or accessory belts, a clean engine means your hands and clothes are less likely to get dirty.
Many mechanics and detail shops recommend using a degreaser and tools such as a vacuum with a small nozzle, compressed air or a toothbrush to get at hard-to-reach spots. Those are preferable to blasting an engine with a high-pressure hose or steam cleaning an engine, because moisture can damage electrical parts.
The cosmetic appeal of a clean engine will probably be the biggest payback. Most used cars are thoroughly detailed before being put up for sale, including many sold by private owners, so buyers have come to expect to see a clean engine when they shop. A dirty engine on a used car will hurt its curb appeal.