The Evils of E15 Edition

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THE CAR COACH REPORTS: January 11, 2013                                                            
The Evils of E15 Edition
Anyone who reads my blogs, has seen me on TV or has talked to me knows I am not a proponent of Ethanol blended gasoline.  There is evidence that it can harm catalytic converters, damage two stroke motors and reduce gas mileage.
While we have only had to live with E10 fuels for the most part, the feds decided that E15 fuels are now a good idea.  This means that some gas stations are now selling gasoline that is 15 percent Ethanol.
I have been a staunch opponent of E15 for some time and have been chastised by some who claim to know better.  They say there is no evidence that E15 can hurt your car and that it’s perfectly safe.  They’re wrong: http://www.api.org/news-and-media/news/newsitems/2012/may-2012/research-group-tests-show-e15-damages-vehicle-engines.aspx
This article, which has existed for the better part of a year, has been ignored by the mainstream media and anyone else connected to Obama’s green agendas.  Why?  Because it stems from a non-profit tied to the oil companies and the oil companies don’t want to have to blend Ethanol into gasoline because it is expensive. 
Regardless of who conducted the study in the API article, the fact remains E15 is bad for your car.  Don’t believe me?  Then listen to AAA: http://m.autos.aol.com/article/fiscal-cliff-ethanol-E15-tax-credit/
AAA has absolutely nothing to gain by saying E15 is a bad idea.  In fact, AAA is a trusted non-profit that has been helping motorists for decades.  What’s more, your tax dollars are helping to fund the very thing that could damage your car, according to the AAA story.  That’s right, the fiscal cliff deal that was recently passed provides tax credits for gas stations that use E15 and it’s coming out of your paychecks.
To add insult to injury, not only will E15 prematurely wear out your car, it could also void your warranty.
So let’s recap: We’re paying for the proliferation of E15, which could destroy our cars and void our warranties.  We might as well pay someone to give us the flu while we’re at it.   

What are your thoughts?
Post your comments at http://laurenfix.blogspot.com/


My Final Thought:

Take look at this video on Jalopnik of an Audi that parks itself: http://jalopnik.com/5974824/watch-an-audi-become-self-aware-and-navigate-a-parking-garage-by-itself
All I can say is wow!!!  While I am not a big fan of self-driving cars because they take the joy out of driving, this situation is just impressive.  No one likes a parking gagrage!  Kudos to Audi! 


Love your car!  See you next week!
--Lauren Fix

Winterize Your Car: Car Expert Lauren Fix

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Winterizing your vehicle is a wise idea. The last thing any driver needs is a vehicle that breaks down in cold, harsh, icy winter weather. A vehicle check before the temperatures drops is a sensible way to avoid both the inconvenience of being stranded out in the cold and the unexpected expense of emergency repairs.

I recommend the following steps for winterizing your vehicle:
1. Battery - Have the battery and charging system checked for optimum performance. Cold weather is hard on batteries.

2. Antifreeze - Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system. As a general rule of thumb, this should be done every two years.

3. Engine oil - Be diligent about changing the oil and filter at recommended intervals. Dirty oil can spell trouble in winter. Consider changing to "winter weight" oil if you live in a cold climate. Have your technician check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time.

4. Stay warm - Make sure heaters, defrosters and wipers work properly.

5. Winter wiper blades - use cold weather washer fluid. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months.

6. Tires - Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly.

7. Problems - If you're due for a tune-up, have it done before winter sets in. Winter magnifies existing problems such as pings, hard starts, sluggish performance or rough idling.

8. Brakes - Have the brakes checked. The braking system is the vehicle's most important safety item.

9. Exhaust - Have the exhaust system checked for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are closed.

10. All the Lights - Check to see that exterior and interior lights work and headlights are properly aimed.

11. Gasoline - Motorists should keep the gas tank at least half full at all times to decrease the chances of moisture forming and possibly freezing in the gas lines.

12. Carry the proper gear- Don’t drive anywhere without an emergency kit with an ice scraper and snowbrush, tire inflation product, jumper cables, flashlight, LED flares, blanket, extra clothes, bottled water, dry food snacks and needed medication.

If you don’t have an owner’s manual or need more information on vehicle maintenance, The Car Care Council offers the "Be Car Care Aware" information guide for FREE.

www.carcare.org

Detroit Delight Edition

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  THE CAR COACH REPORTS: January 18, 2013                                                            
Detroit Delight Edition
As many of you know, The North American International Auto Show kicked off this week.  This is the granddaddy of all auto shows where OEMs trot out their new wares in high style for the coming year.
While there were many stand outs in Detroit, I’m going to focus on a couple of American vehicles because they were the boldest and the best in my humble opinion.
Let’s start with the 2014 Corvette.  While I have not been a big fan of the GM bailout at taxpayer’s expense, let me just say that the General did this one right and that  new Vette is absolutely spectacular. http://autos.aol.com/article/Corvette-C7-Chevrolet-Chevy-Stingray-Detroit/
Everything about this car screams performer and it’s a bargain to boot.  For around $50k, I can honestly say that you can get a true race car for the street that will also coddle you and make you look good in the process.  While some say the plethora of vents make the exterior look too busy, they probably don’t realize that these vents are all functional and necessary.  Besides, any of the darker color paint jobs make them blend right in.
Another gripe I heard is from the purist crowd lamenting the square tail lights.  I say hooey to this!  That’s one of the meanest rear ends I’ve seen and it looks right at home on the new Vette. 
Speaking of mean, check out this Ford truck concept: http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-news/concept-cars/detroit-naias-2013-ford-atlas-concept-pickup-truck 
If the rumors are true, this will essentially be the new Ford F150.  All I can say is: Please build it and don’t change a thing!!!  This is one brutish-looking truck, yet it’s sophisticated and handsome all at the same time.  Good job Ford!


What are your thoughts?
Post your comments at http://laurenfix.blogspot.com/





My Final Thought:

Bob Lutz is one wacky guy yet this is just crazy enough to work: http://jalopnik.com/5975685/the-destino-is-the-corvette-zr1+powered-fisker-karma-youve-always-wanted
What do you think?  Would you want a Corvette-powered Fisker Karma?  I don’t think I would mind one at all.

Love your car!  See you next week!
--Lauren Fix

Gas Tax Quandary Edition

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    THE CAR COACH REPORTS: January 25, 2013                                                            
Gas Tax Quandary Edition
Fuel efficient vehicles are a good thing.  They emit fewer pollutants, cost less to operate, and they help reduce our dependence on foreign oil.  While there are drawbacks such as lack of power and towing capability, it seems the benefits for the average driver outweigh the negatives. 
However, there is one major glaring issue that fuel efficient cars and trucks present: Lower gas tax revenues.
So what, right?  Don’t our state and federal governments collect enough taxes?  Well, maybe but the gas tax they collect, especially from the state governments, is allocated to build and improve our road infrastructure. 
Nobody likes potholes or other road issues such as those pesky failing bridges that span enormous waterways.  Imagine there was no revenue to deal with these issues?  Imagine the bridge you take to work every day collapsing beneath you.
So now what?  While some states are thinking about charging drivers by the mile, others are pondering raising their gas taxes quite a bit. While these ideas may resolve the situation, Virginia’s governor wants to take a very different tack; he wants to eliminate the gas tax altogether: http://business.time.com/2013/01/16/virginia-is-worried-cars-are-becoming-too-fuel-efficient/#ixzz2IofDoIEo
Huh?  What would that solve?  Actually, quite a bit.  If gas were cheaper, motorists would drive more and buy more goods according to economists.  Additionally, the cost of these goods, which are delivered by gas-guzzling trucks, would decrease in price.  This is all very good for a state’s economy.
But what about the gas tax for road infrastructure? That would be covered by a modest increase in state sales tax from 5 percent to 5.8 percent.  Critics argue that consumers can’t afford this kind of increase but it’s still cheaper than most states’ sales tax rates. 
Critics also say that it’s unfair to those who don’t drive.  Why should they have to subsidize roads for those who do drive?  To this I say don’t get me started on what taxpayers subsidize who don’t benefit from the services they’re funding.  The same argument could be applied to those who don’t have children who pay property taxes to fund schools.
Virginia’s governor also wants to impose a $100 annual fee on electric cars because they don’t use gas yet still enjoy the benefits of public roadways.  I have mixed feelings about this.  Those who drive EVs are environmentally responsible and are helping to ease us off foreign oil.  Yet they can drive in carpool lanes by themselves and likely already received state and federal tax breaks.  Should they have to pay a yearly tax?  
What are your thoughts?
Post your comments at http://laurenfix.blogspot.com/



My Final Thought:

All I can say is: Lucky Jay leno!
http://jalopnik.com/5978819/jay-leno-gets-to-be-first-non+gm-person-to-drive-the-new-corvette-stingray


Love your car!  See you next week!
--Lauren Fix

Per-Mile Tax for Fuel Efficient Vehicles: Lauren Fix on FOX Business

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As tax revenue from gasoline sales go down due to more fuel-efficient cars on the road, lawmakers in Oregon and Virginia want to implement a per-mile tax on all cars to make up for lost gas tax revenue. Is this proposal fair?

Courtesy of FOX Business News
Aired: 1/25/2013

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Tour the Autostadt Car Musuem: Wolfsburg, Germany

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The Autostadt is a visitor attraction adjacent to the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg, Germany, with a prime focus on automobiles. Over 2 million visitors per year and 6000 visitors per day have enjoyed this destination in Wolfsburg, Germany.

It features a museum, feature pavilions for the principal automobile brands in the Volkswagen Group, a customer center where customers can pick up new cars, and take a tour through the enormous factory, a guide to the evolution of roads, and cinema in a large sphere. It is also home to the largest glass doors in the world and the longest printed line. The line starts from outside Wolfsburg and travels through Autostadt to a point on a farm. It is about 4 miles long.

Most people spend 2 days at this destination and take delivery of over 600+ VW’s per day- to owners in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands.

In June 2000, Volkswagen opened the Autostadt to the public - an entire city of cars built alongside the Volkswagen HQ in Wolfsburg. The huge complex features pavilions, waterways, bridges, lakes, parks, marketplaces, a train station, streets and lanes, entertainment, 11 organic world restaurants, and a unique competition and events center. Guests from all around the world are able to go on a fascinating journey of discovery in this world forum dedicated to the automobile.

Collect your car and eat and family experience. There are two 200 ft. tall glass silos used as storage for new Volkswagens. The two towers are connected to the Volkswagen factory by an underground tunnel. When they purchase a car from Volkswagen, it is optional to pick it up at Autostadt which includes free entrance, meal tickets and a variety of events building up to the point where the customer takes delivery of their car.

Experience cars, sustainability -- walk through the large glass revolving doors to main entrance, which is heated & cooled by sunlight only.

There are NO VW logos or car information in the main building. The big Globe of is aluminum over 80 glass globes as art and information in the floor that shouldn’t be missed.

The car design studio has clay modeling to show how they are used and show designs and why they are important. There's more to design than just surface.

Off to "the green level" which covers sustainability on CO2, effects of climate change, and all interactive with touch screens and multi-lingual.

Then Zeithaus or museum of cars with cars of all brands that made history including a Ford Model T. The Volkswagen auto museum presents vintage Volkswagens and other cars in their former glory and offers insights into the first historic years of the 20th century's most influential technology. These cars are all turning points in the automotive world.

The museum presents prototypes and concept cars, which are placed in glass cases outside where unique and special cars are a trip to heaven.

The Marque Pavilions show the many faces of Volkswagen: famous brands like Audi, Seat, Skoda, Porsche and Lamborghini. Each pavilion is a world in its own dedicated to that brand. The clubhouse is quite special as it has just one ultimate luxury car Bugatti Veyron and 2 pieces of art.

In summer months there’s the Cool summer island- summer sandy beach and music, boat rides and when Germany gets colder there’s a Christmas market in the winter and fall.

For more information, visit www.autostadt.de/en.

How to Buy Auto Parts Online: Car Expert Lauren Fix

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When you need an auto part, it’s best to research your options in order to find the best price. Besides checking at your local auto parts store, consider taking advantage of popular online resources.

Online auto parts and vehicle sales have grown each year. Sites like eBay Motors sell quite a few new and rebuilt auto parts online.

Here are some online auto parts statistics that may surprise you:
• A car or motorcycle helmet is purchased online every 90 seconds

• An auto part or auto accessory is bought every second

• A brake part is bought every 60 seconds

• A car speaker sells every 8 minutes

• More than 26 million parts are available at any given time on eBay Motors

• A pair of motorcycle riding boots sells every 12 minutes

• Internal engine parts sell every 9 minutes

• Automotive Shocks and struts sell every 2 minutes

• A rear axle differential part sells every 7 minutes

• An engine or component part sells every 26 seconds

• Clutch parts sell every 4 min

• An audio sound systems sells every 5 minutes

• A wheel or tire is sold every 13 seconds

These tips will help you make the right choices when shopping for auto parts:

• No matter how handy you think you are or how much you know about cars, don’t make a diagnosis without checking with a qualified mechanic first.

• Contact the online seller and confirm the part numbers. Do this even if they have the car parts listed.

• If you receive car parts that look incorrect, do not install them. If you do, you may not be able to exchange them. Contact the seller immediately.

• Unless the buyer is very reputable, make sure you only buy online car parts that include photos of the actual part on the advertisement. That way you know what to expect when you receive them.

• Remember, there are various levels of quality when buying car parts online. While it’s preferable to replace your car parts with genuine parts, many aftermarket brands are built to OEM quality standards and will suit your application just fine.

There are many websites to consider when purchasing online. With the ever-increasing availability of online choices, be sure to shop around locally as well.

www.ebaymotors.org