THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
YOUR AUTOMOTIVE SOURCE FOR WEST CENTRAL NEBRASKA | THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH | FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015
New 2015 Toyota COROLLA
Rev i t u p in the Classifieds! & 10 Automotive Transportation
1005 Cars
0% X 6O MONTH* OR $500 REBATE
New 2015 Toyota CAMRY
New 2014 Toyota PRIUS C
New 2014 Toyota PRIUS V
0% X 6O MONTH* PLUS $500 REBATE OR $1000 REBATE
0% X 6O MONTH* PLUS $500 REBATE OR $2000 REBATE
1005 Cars TOYOTA 2008 SIENNA, very clean, low miles, nice tires, 3rd row seat, power door, 33,000 miles. (308) 539-7000
1013 Campers/RVs JAYCO 1978 32 ft gooseneck, $700. (308) 537-7659
0.9% X 6O MONTH*
New 2015 Toyota AVALON
New 2015 Toyota RAV
4
New 2015 Toyota SIENNA
1025 Motorcycles BOMBARDER 2007 4X4 OUTLANDER, 650 EFi, red, 1275.00 miles. winch and plow 5 ft moose. $5500. 308-221-2223 BUICK 2002 REGAL LS sedan, excellent condition, 3800 V6 engine, 88,000 miles, tan exterior, with tan leather interior, new tires, carfax records, $5800. (308) 534-8607
1032 SUVs
0.9% X 6O MONTH* OR $750 REBATE
New 2015 Toyota 4
RUNNER
0% X 6O MONTH* OR $750 REBATE
New 2014 Toyota TUNDRA DOUBLE CAB
CHEVROLET 1999 TAHOE $3500 NEWER MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION. RUNS GREAT. CALL OR TEXT 308-520-7561
2.9% X 6O MONTH*
1.9% X 72 MONTH* OR $500 REBATE
0% X 6O MONTH* OR $750 REBATE
New 2015 Toyota TUNDRA CREW MAX
1.9% X 72 MONTH* OR $750 REBATE
*WITH APPROVED CREDIT THROUGH TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES - GOOD THROUGH MARCH 2ND, 2015 Peace of mind with every new Toyota.
Featuring a complimentary maintenance plan with roadside assistance.
We at Toyota are devoted to safety and dependability, and proper vehicle maintenance is important to both. That’s why we’re including a complimentary worry-free maintenance plan1 with the purchase or lease of every new Toyota. For 2 years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first, you and your new vehicle will be covered. It’s complimentary peace of mind and we’re the only full-line brand to offer anything like it.
C2
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015
BY RAY MAGLIOZZI
Dear Car Talk: My husband and I grew up in "Ford People" families. We personally have been Ford customers for over 20 years, buying nine different Ford vehicles in that time. My husband took care of each of these vehicles meticulously, including our current vehicle, the 2012 Platinum Expedition, following the instruction manual explicitly and having no problems to speak of with any of the nine vehicles. Then, about four weeks ago, the Expedition started making a knocking noise. Since it's still under warranty, I took it to the dealership I purchased it from. Imagine how alarmed I was when the service adviser called us and said that they didn't know exactly what was wrong with my vehicle, but that it was OUR fault! Initially, they said they needed to establish that we'd performed proper maintenance. We told them we absolutely had, and provided receipts for oil and filters, and my husband's oil-change log. Then they called back and said that the fuel injectors were leaking, putting fuel in the cylinders, and when the pistons come up, it bends the rod. Then they called and said they weren't going to explore that issue any further because an engineer came in, looked at it with the valve cover off and said that there was sludge in the rocker arms. At this point, we went back to the dealership, along with a close friend who has been trained as a technician for Chevy and BMW. He (our friend) said there was nothing abnormal about the residue buildup. The Ford mechanic pulled out the dipstick and accused us of adding new oil to the truck before bringing it in. He basically accused us of lying and sabotaging our own $50,000 vehicle. After that, they changed the oil and filter, and charged us $360. They didn't give us a diagnosis on the engine noise; they said it turned out we just needed an oil-and-filter change. We couldn't believe that they were charging us, but they said they had no warranty claims to turn in to Ford, and they had put over 10 hours into it, and they said we should at least cover the mechanic's costs. We got into the vehicle to drive home, and it was still making the noise. We went in and complained. The mechanic said to drive it for 300 or so miles and bring it back in. During the next week, it continued to make the same noise -- always worse upon first
WEST CENTRAL DRIVES start. We took it back. This time they told me that we needed to give them permission to pull the engine, for $7,600. My husband feels like he is being accused of destroying his own vehicle. And they want to charge us for services that should come under my warranty. I can't believe it! What do you make of all this? -- Jane They need to get their story straight, and you probably need to get a lawyer, Jane. First it's a bent connecting rod, then it's sludge, then it's nothing, then it's time for a new engine. Wow. Since the vehicle is still under warranty, the only way they can avoid fixing it for free is if they can claim that you neglected to maintain it. But you did maintain it. You say your husband did all the required oil changes, kept the receipts for the oil and filters, and made notes. That should cover you in a courtroom. Obviously, I haven't seen the car, and I don't have their side of the story. But what may have happened is that if the fuel injectors were leaky, excess fuel may have diluted the oil, which collapsed your lifters. That would create a clattering sound that would be worse when you first start the car. And the diluted oil may then have damaged the connecting-rod bearings or the main bearings, which is why you need a complete engine rebuild now. If the problem was caused by faulty injectors, then it's absolutely Ford's responsibility. Unfortunately, they're trying to put the blame on you. And the fact that you did the oil changes yourself does make it harder to prove that they were done. Which is why I think it would be worthwhile to consult a lawyer who has experience in automotive warranty issues. You also could try going up the chain of command. Ask to speak to Ford's regional zone representative; the zone rep is authorized to override the stupidity or short-sightedness of dealership warranty decisions, if he so chooses. What's really unfortunate is that you guys buy, essentially, a new Ford every two years. And rather than take good care of you and then sell you another 10 or 15 cars over your lifetimes, this dealership has decided to go to war with a great customer, and lose that customer forever. Good luck, Jane. *** Got a question about cars? Write to Car Talk in care of this newspaper, or email by visiting the Car Talk website at www.cartalk.com. (c) 2015 by Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
Simple ways to save money at the pump The cost of fuel dipped in 2014, but drivers are still looking for ways to spend less at the pump. For many drivers, that means driving less. Driving less will save money, and doing so also reduces fuel consumption and contributes to fewer emissions entering the air, both of which can benefit the environment. But many drivers are unable to drive less, as commitments to work and family require them to get behind the wheel more often than they might prefer. Such drivers may be looking for ways to reduce their fuel costs, and fortunately there are several ways to do just that.
Buy when the time is right Prices at filling stations fluctuate on a daily basis, so unless your car is running on empty, avoid filling up when the prices seem especially high. Some patience may pay off with several dollars in savings, and those savings can add up to a significant amount of money over time.
Reconsider your choice of fuel Many of today's auto manufacturers now design their vehicles so they can run smoothly on regular unleaded gas, which is typically listed as "87 octane" at filling stations. That's important to know, as regular gas is often considerably less expensive than alternatives that are higher octanes. Many drivers may even choose regular unleaded, but opt for premium gas every third or fourth trip, feeling that the higher octane fuel every so often will increase performance of older engines. But many
engines are designed to run smoothly and efficient on low-octane fuel, meaning it's unnecessary to choose premium gas, even if you only do so once in a blue moon. Read your vehicle's owner's manual to determine the best fuel for your car.
Become a less aggressive driver Drivers with hectic schedules tend to be more aggressive when behind the wheel. But driving aggressively is unsafe and potentially costly. When driven at speeds that exceed 55 miles per hour, vehicles lose fuel economy. According to the California Energy Commission's Consumer Energy Center, driving 55 miles per hour instead of 75 miles per hour can reduce fuel costs by as much as 75 percent.
Remove unnecessary weight A car trunk might seem like a great place to keep your golf clubs, and it may be tempting to leave that roof rack on top of your car after a recent camping trip, but such unnecessary cargo in or on your car makes it harder for the car to get from point A to point B. That forces the car to consume more fuel. Unless your immediate plans include hitting the links or hunkering down at a nearby campsite, remove unnecessary weight from the car so your next trip to the gas station is less expensive. The cost of fuel can make trips to the filling station into costly excursions. But drivers willing to reconsider conventional wisdom and change their driving habits can save substantial amounts of money over time.