11. August 2009 by admin.

Starting today and continuing through September 8, General Motors is implementing a test program in California that will allow buyers to shop for vehicles online using eBay. In a partnership first announced in early July when GM emerged from its bankruptcy procedures, the pilot program  enables shoppers to browse hundreds of online showrooms, ask questions, negotiate prices, and arrange financing and payment options to buy a new 2008, 2009, or select 2010 car, crossover or truck — and can even determine the value of their trade in through the site.

“Together with eBay Motors, GM and our dealers are reinventing the car-buying experience for our California customers,” said Mark LaNeve, GM sales vice president in a statement released by the automaker. “As the dealer showroom expands from the parking lot to the laptop, this makes it easier for a customer to browse available new-car inventory, make an offer, buy it now, or send a message asking for more information from a dealer - all at the customer’s convenience.”

With more than 225 General Motors dealers participating in California, shoppers will discover as many as 20,000 new vehicles at what General Motors says are “very competitive prices.”  Shoppers can bid using the traditional eBay options “Buy It Now” (if they agree to the advertised price) or “Make Offer” (if they want to try to negotiate the price down further). Shoppers can use the site to compare pricing across models or participating dealerships, and eBay also provides expert tips and advice with a buyer checklist.

“With 12 million individual car shoppers visiting our site every month, eBay Motors has unique insight into how people prefer to buy their cars,” said Rob Chesney, vice president, eBay Motors. “Through this program, we are helping GM dealers to extend their physical showroom while at the same time delivering to our buyers the great deals and broad selection they expect from eBay.”

Complete program details, including participating GM dealer inventory, are available through individual GM brand websites that can be found at gm.ebay.com, chevrolet.ebay.com, gmc.ebay.com, buick.ebay.com and pontiac.ebay.com. If this pilot program works well in California, it could prove to be a whole new model for how General Motors sells vehicles across the United States.

Would you be inclined to shop this way? Take a look at the sites mentioned above, and let us know what you think!

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11. August 2009 by admin.

It is one of those 90-plus-degree days, hot, hazy and humid. Isn’t it great to be able to get in your vehicle and enjoy the comfort your air conditioning system provides for you and your passengers?  

The Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide wants all car owners to understand how their vehicle’s air conditioning system works, be able to recognize problems and optimize performance so they can enjoy maximum comfort while driving.  

 Tips to achieve the quickest interior cool-down:  

• If possible, leave the windows down slightly on hot sunny days. Temperatures in a closed car can exceed 140 degrees. An A/C system works by removing heat, so the cooler the interior is to start with, the easier and faster the A/C will do its job.   When you first get in the car, roll all the windows completely down, or even better, open the doors for a short period of time. This helps the hot interior air escape quickly.  
• When you first turn the A/C on, set the controls to “MAX” and/or “REC”, and use highest blower speed. This moves the greatest volume of air, re-circulates cooling air for even faster cool-down, and prevents hot outside air from entering.  As soon as you are comfortable, switch the system to “NORM” or “OUTSIDE”, and select a lower fan speed. The lower the blower speed, the colder the air from the system.  
• Applying window tint can help reduce interior temperatures. The tint does not have to be dark to reflect sunlight—- some tints have a metallic substance within them for this purpose.  Always check your local and state regulations; window tinting products may not be legal in some states or municipalities.  

The Mobile Air Conditioning Society advises all consumers to take their vehicle air conditioning problems to a professional service facility that is certified in proper refrigerant recovery, recycling and recharging methods.      (Photo left: A service technician checks a mobile A/C system for leaks.)

To learn more about your vehicle’s air conditioning system, contact the Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide for an informative 32-page consumer booklet, Getting to Know…Your Car’s Air Conditioning and Engine Cooling System. E-mail info@macsw.org, call 215/631-7020 x 304 or fax your request to 215/631-7017. Visit the MACS Worldwide website at www.macsw.org .  
Sponsor Information
Mobile Air Conditioning Society Worldwide
P.O. Box 88
Lansdale, PA 19446
Phone: 215-631-7017
www.macsw.org

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11. August 2009 by admin.

When Brakes Talk, Drivers Should Listen

 When it comes to driving safely, it’s easy to take your vehicle’s ability to stop for granted - until you really need it.

According to brake expert Akebono, your brakes often reveal possible serious situations when they make noise, pull, judder - another term for vibrate - or feel soft. Addressing these symptoms promptly enhances your safety and may save time and money in the long run.

Brake Squealing and Groaning
Squealing noises soon after a brake job may indicate there is a problem. You should return to the shop where the work was done as soon as possible, to have the brakes checked out by a technician. Installing premium brake pads, calipers, and rotors may cost a bit more up front, but often provides noise- and vibration-free operation and longer pad life.

In some instances, however, brake squealing simply indicates the pads are worn down and those squeaking wear indicators are doing their job.

The abrasive nature of many traditional brake pads against the rotor may also cause squealing. Low quality rotors could be the noise culprit, as well. Neither of these situations is ideal, but the resulting noise is more annoying than anything else.

Groaning noises also can be caused by low quality or abrasive brake pads. Squealing and groaning can both be minimized by installing premium brake system components. Have your installer use the same type of pad fitted as original equipment or an upgrade pad. Ultra-premium ceramic pads, such as Akebono’s ProACT brand, are now available for virtually all domestic, Japanese and European models.

Pulling and Judder
When your brakes are applied and the vehicle pulls to one side, low tire pressure may be at fault. But, it can also mean a brake caliper is sticking, leaking or not sliding properly due to corrosion. This can lead to uneven brake pad and rotor wear, reducing the life of the pads and causing steering wheel judder or vibration.

The rotor may be able to be machined smooth, but this is not a long-term fix. A corroded caliper or rotor may need to be replaced. A trained technician can assess the situation and fix it right the first time.

Soft-Pedal Feel
When air or water gets into the brake system, you may experience a soft-pedal feel. Improper bleeding and general corrosion are typically the culprits. Air in the system forces you to push harder on the brake pedal than normal to stop. Water can adversely affect caliper performance by causing brake fluid to boil prematurely. This can result in a significant loss of stopping power. It is best to have the brake fluid changed as recommended.

Motorists can learn a lot by paying attention to what their brakes have to say. It can be a key to being both safe on the road - and with their money.
Smooth, quiet braking is determined in large part by the proper fit and compatibility of the brake caliper, pad and rotor. Installing premium parts may cost a bit more up front, but they help provide noise- and vibration-free operation and longer pad life on today’s cars and trucks.
Creative commons brake photos by alviman at morguefile and modenadude39661740@N00 at flickr.com and

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11. August 2009 by admin.

Richmond Mobile Brake & Tune is Richmond’s First Ask Patty Certified Female Friendly Automotive Service CenterNew Services Designed with the Women Consumer in MindRichmond Mobile Brake & Tune is pleased to announce they have completed AskPatty.com’s Certified Female Friendly training and is now Richmond, BC’s first Certified Female Friendly service center. To achieve certified status, their personnel completed online training on how to better meet the expectations of the woman consumer. “Up until now, like many automotive businesses, we thought the obvious goal was to ensure thatwomen were treated the same as men. Through the AskPatty program, we’ve learned that treatingwomen the same as men does not necessarily yield the ideal experience for women. This may not sound profound, but with an increased awareness of what elements women seek in a positive automotive servicing experience, our service centers are better prepared to meet and exceed the expectations of our female customers” stated Russ Robertson, Owner of Richmond Mobile Brake & Tune. An Ask Patty certified service center creates an inviting and comfortable environment where womenfeel welcome. They guarantee that the experience of repairing and maintaining a vehicle will be apleasant one. Ask Patty trained and certified associates are held to a high level of customer satisfaction with women consumers. 

Visit the Richmond Mobile Brake & Tune Certified Female Friendly site at:

http://femalefriendlydealer.askpatty.com/?d=Richmond_Mobile_Brake_and_Tune 

About Richmond Mobile Brake & Tune  Richmond Mobile Brake & Tune is owned and operated by Russ Robertson, a seasoned professional with 30 years experience as an Automotive Technician and Manager.Russ was a technician with Canadian tire, a technician and manager for Midas Auto Service Experts, and Manager of B.C. Short Stop and Big O Tire. Richmond Mobile Brake & Tune is breaking ground in the mobile field of the automotive industry and currently the only Ask Patty Certified Female Friendly Repair Service in the area.  Among our many achievements, Richmond Mobile is an ASE Blue Seal Recognized business in Canada with ASE certified techs, we are BBB Accredited and a proud member of Richmond Chamber Of Commerce. Richmond Mobile Brake & Tune was created with the idea that outstanding customer service is our number one priority.   We can and will look after all your automotive needs. Visit Richmond Mobile Brake & Tune site at: http://www.richmondmobilebrake.com/ About AskPatty.com, Inc

The AskPatty.com, Inc. website and blog is a safe place for women to get advice on car buying, maintenance and other automotive related topics. Women can shop for vehicles at our network of Certified Female Friendly retailers across the U.S.

AskPatty.com is a member and 2009 corporate sponsor of the Women’s Automotive Association International based in Detroit, MI, Board member of the UnitedSpinal.org, Member of the California SkillsUSA.org board, on the Women’s Board of the Car Care Council, a SEMA member and a member of the SEMA Business Women’s Networking Group.

AskPatty.com is partnered with Parenthood.com, INSweb.com, LightSpeedVT.com, CareerBuilder.com, AutoTrader.com, NIADA, DriverTV.com, MyCarPage.com, MyAutoLoan, Aware and BlogHer.com.

Ask Patty Certified Dealer Program:

Properly armed with the right tools and training, automotive retailers can increase their share of the largest and fastest growing demographic of new vehicle buyers in the US — Women. The Ask Patty Certified Female Friendly program was designed specifically for automotive retailers to attract, sell, retain and increase loyalty with women.

What Is An Ask Patty Certified Female Friendly Automotive Retailer?

An Ask Patty Certified Female Friendly automotive retailer creates a safe and comfortable environment where women feel welcome and make the experience of purchasing and maintaining her vehicle a pleasant one.

Ask Patty trained and Certified Female Friendly retailers are held to a high level of customer satisfaction for women consumers.

Go here to learn how to become AskPatty.com Certified Female Friendly:

http://www.askpatty.com/getcertified/ 

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