“Save The Manuals” – Will The Manual Transmission Become Extinct?

It has been estimated that less than 10% of new cars sold in America are equipped with manual transmissions.

Are manual transmissions going the way of the dinosaurs? It looks like it. Somehow, due to technology advancements just in the past 10 years, we are witnessing a virtual meteor destroy the raw mechanics that allowed purists to really ‘DRIVE’ their car like they stole it and feel good about it in the process. We have reached a paradox of the mindless driver over-taking the automotive world which will be left replaced with flappy paddle gearboxes and automatic slush-boxes.

Read more…

Five Concept Cars That Could Save The World

We’re all familiar with the nursery rhyme called “This Little Piggy” right? Does this sound familiar: “This little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed home, this little piggy had roast beef, this little piggy had none, this little piggy cried ‘wee wee wee’ all the way home…”  Ok, by now if you’re still reading this you are thinking to yourself “what the heck does all this have to do with cars?” either that or you’re thinking “this guy has gone completely mad!” Well you might be right on both counts as I will soon explain.

Read more…

AutoMD.com: The Best and Worst Cities to Get Your Car Fixed

Did you ever think for a minute that the city you live in didn’t apply to how much you spend for automotive repairs? Well, according the AutoMD.com’s latest Advocacy for Repair Shop Fairness Report, the city that you live in can have a great impact on how much you spend and who you can trust at your local automotive repair shop.

Read more…

Protecting your Ride, Benefits of a Car Alarm System

Has your vehicle ever been broken into?

Having this done to you is a horrible feeling. Some cry, others have the overwhelming feeling of wanting to get even. When I was 17 I had my first break in. The Toyota Celica was my first semi-sports car. While visiting a friend one day, someone tried to pop the trunk and steal my subwoofer but was ran off before he had the chance to make off with it. You think I would of installed an alarm after that but at that time I didn’t have the funds. My second break in occurred when I was 20. I was driving a Turbo Charged Eagle Talon with some goodies under the hood as well as a system in the trunk. This is where I wish I had an alarm system installed. I think it happened around 3:00 am. The thief first broke my back-side window and then my drivers side window to get in. After this he ripped the CD player out and popped the trunk for the rest. This night resulted in over 500 worth of damage and about $800 in audio equipment. All of this could of probably been avoided with a simple alarm system installed.

Read more…

Texting While Driving – How serious is it and do we need laws in place to Ban It?

While we enter the season of youngsters returning to school it reminds us of when we used to be a teenager faced with peer pressure, an acne filled face and maybe if we were fortunate enough, a car to drive to school. Although I never got a car until after high school, I can never recall a situation where I used my cell phone while driving, let alone, texting while driving. Simply put, the reason was, we didn’t have cell phones. Today surveys and “studies” will tell you that over 85% of teens will have a cell phone before graduating from high school. Of those teens, a majority of them will be guilty of texting while driving. It is not only teenagers that are texting while driving, adults of all ages are just as guilty.

Read more…

Asbestos Still Used in Manufacturing of Auto Parts

Though it is regarded as a “problem of the past,” asbestos should still be a major concern for those in automotive industry.

For the most of the 20^th century, asbestos was utilized by car manufacturers in clutches, gaskets, brake pads and linings. Asbestos appeared the ideal choice for car manufacturers due to its flame resistant, durable and inexpensive qualities.

Today, as asbestos has not yet been totally banned, many of these products may still contain asbestos. When materials that contain asbestos become damaged, they can release its fibers into the air. A big portion of the substance is inside the brake housing or clutch space and can become airborne when repairs or work is performed. This creates a major health risk to auto mechanics and car enthusiasts who maintain their own vehicles.  

Read more…

Four Ways to Save on Your Car in a Recession

With the economy still going bad with no immediate promise of recuperation in the next few months, a lot of people are finding the need to be more frugal in their spending decisions.  Cutting costs and saving money seem to be more important than ever as people are losing their jobs or are now faced with financial uncertainty in the next few months.  One of the challenges motorists face today is how they can be wiser in expenses that involve their vehicles.  Cars are a necessary commodity for us to get around effectively.  And since replacing our current rides prove to be an unrealistic thing in the road ahead, one must learn the necessary skills to keep their cars in top shape without having to spend more.  The following are practical ways one can be frugal on common situations where motoring expense cannot be avoided.

Read more…

A Buyers Market: Dealership Deals Rise While The Auto Industry Drops

We recently had the opportunity to chat with some local car dealerships and they all agreed that now is the best time ever to buy, obviously. Pretty much, it is a buyer’s market when it comes to car shopping. If you do not have a car with an upside-down note to pay off then you may be in a great position to buy a new or pre-owned car.

Read more…