YOUR AUTOMOTIVE SOURCE FOR WEST CENTRAL NEBRASKA | THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH | FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014
Protecting visibility is essential when driving in hazardous conditions Driving when visibility is poor can test the skills of even the most seasoned and careful motorists. Though even novice drivers know to be especially cautious when driving in snow or heavy rain, extreme weather is not the only thing that can make roadways hazardous for motorists and their passengers. Highway construction that produces debris, poorly lit roadways and driving during certain times of the day when everyone seems to be in a rush can all compromise drivers' vision. As a result, it's imperative that motorists take steps to protect their vision when driving in hazardous or even potentially hazardous conditions. * Replace old or ineffective wiper blades. Maintaining wiper blades is an easy preventative measure drivers can employ to protect their vision, yet many motorists are unaware of just how frequently their vehicle wiper blades need to be replaced. Wiper blades should be changed every 90-120 days, as the blades can easily grow brittle and ineffective over time. Depending on how frequently they are used, wiper blades can wear out rather quickly, especially on older vehicles with pitting on the windshield.
savvy drivers know there is no excuse for the latter. A one-time treatment just a few times per year keeps windshields clean and visibility at a maximum. The Philips Windshield Treatment Kit is a do-it-yourself kit that can make windshield glass easier to clean for up to six months after application and can be used by anyone, from veteran auto enthusiasts to novice do-it-yourselfers. In just a few minutes, drivers can dramatically improve their vision thanks to the kit's unique, long-lasting hydrophobic technology designed specifically to coat windshield glass and make it easier to remove items that may obstruct a driver's vision, including ice, dirt and even bugs. Drivers can even take advantage of a new instructional YouTube video titled "Windshield Treatment Kit Video," which shows users the exact steps they need to take to help improve their field of vision in difficult driving conditions. The video can be found at www.philipsautolighting.com/windshieldkit.
* Don't forget to maintain your windshield. A windshield can be a motorist's best friend or his worst enemy when driving in hazardous conditions, but
* Check windshield washer fluid. Windshield washer fluid is one of those things drivers typically only notice when it isn't there. Routinely inspect windshield washers to ensure they're working properly, and top off windshield washer fluid so you know it will be there when you need it.
3820 South Newberry Access Rd. • North Platte, NE 308-532-4188 • 800-662-2963
* Clean interior glass and mirrors. It's easy to overlook interior glass and mirrors when cleaning a car, but a dirty vehicle interior can be as dangerous as it can be unsightly. While coffee-stained cup holders or spilled snacks under vehicle seats are largely cosmetic concerns, dirty interior glass and mirrors can significantly compromise a driver's vision. When cleaning the interior of their vehicle, drivers should remove any film that has built up on interior glass and mirrors. Such buildup, which is often thicker in smokers' vehicles, can reduce vision and create a hazy reflection from the sun, putting drivers and their passengers at risk. SC143062
PARTS AND SERVICE YOU CAN RELY ON • Differentials • Transmissions • Parts • Latest Diagnostics • Drive In Service
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1005 Cars
OLDSMOBILE 1991 N I N E T Y E I G H T- R e gency Elite, Clean, 3.8 LT. V6, 160,000 miles $2,500. (308) 534-9636 after 1pm.
CHEVROLET 1990 COR- H A R L E Y D AV I D S O N H A R L E Y D AV I D S O N VETTE Red exterior, 1993 SPORTSTER 883 2012 STREET GLIDE - Burnt orange, like new 8 , 0 0 0 m i l e s , c u s t o m black interior $7700.00 condition 6,000 original paint, lots of extras, call (308) 532-1637 m i l e s , $ 3 , 6 0 0 . ( 3 0 8 ) anytime after 5pm (402) 670-4255 MAZDA 2009 3- 59,000 530-1872. miles $10000 Silver, AuKAWASAKI 1997 VULtomatic, Great Mileage, HONDA 1987 GOLDW- CAN CLASSIC 1500, R u n s We l l C a l l 3 0 8 - ING 1200 Interstate For 21,000 miles, $2,900 Sale : Mileage is 48,625. 534-3978 Has been garaged, can (308) 368-7411 be seen at 1521 west CHEVROLET 2003 IM- 17th North Platte. For 1031 Pickups PALA SEDAN- 3800 V6 Info call 308-520-2105. CHEVROLET 1995 S-10 engine, excellent condi66,000 miles, very good tion, very good tires and condition,$ 4,900, (308) brakes, silver in color, 534-3307 89,000 miles,31 miles per gallon, carfax recCHEVROLET 1995 2500ords. $4500. 308-5344 Wheel drive, with top8607 per, 5.0 V8, automatic, KAWASAKI 2004 1600 140,000 miles, no rust, VULCAN CLASSIC 1010 Boats & good shape $3,150. Pearl Mystic Black in (308) 784-4591 Cozad color. Windshield, newer Motors tires, saddle bags, road LUND 2001 18’ IN FISH- pegs, 4,956 miles. Great 1032 SUVs E R M A N m o d e l , 11 5 bike. $4950 or best offer. CHEVROLET 2004 Mercury 4 stroke, 15 308-530-4199 TRAILBLAZER Maroon, Mercury 4 stroke, 12,500 Good condition, 110,000 (308) 530-3204 miles, $6400.00 (308) 520-0992
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PONTIAC 2002 BONNEVILLE, bronze color, power sunroof, leather, 194,950 miles, newer rebuilt engine, great school car, Must See, asking $2,900 OBO, best reached evenings @ 308 386 8492
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SKYLINE 1996 LAYTON 5th Wheel, half ton towable, sleeps six, air conditioning, microwave, awning. $5000.00 (308) 320-3190
Rev it up in the Classifieds
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SCAMPER slide in, Pop-up camper with bathroom, Good condition (308) 532-8157
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CHEVROLET 1967 SUBURBAN - 3 Door, runs good, great work vehicle. Local $4,500. OBO (970) 987-3752 KAWASAKI 2004 1600 MEAN STREAK- Candy Thunder Blue. Hyper charger, hard chrome true duals, 4737 miles. Very Sharp! $4950 or best offer. 308-530-4199
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JEEP 2000 CHEROKEE LIMITED, 4.0, heated leather, 4x4, automatic, 54,700 miles, 10,500 (308) 660-3776 HONDA 2008 CRV, low mileage, loaded, must sell (928) 830-5935
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CLASSIFIEDS
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
Trimming the costs of automobile ownership According to the Automobile Association of America, the cost of owning a vehicle is on the rise. In its 2013 "Your Driving Costs" study, AAA determined the cost of owning a vehicle is somewhere between $7,000 and $11,000 annually depending on the type of vehicle. That's a substantial amount of money and may leave many motorists looking for ways to reduce the cost of automobile ownership. * Downsize your vehicle. In its study, AAA found that the average cost of owning a vehicle varied considerably depending on the size of that vehicle. That should come as no surprise, as larger vehicles tend to consume more fuel and, as a result, cost more money. But drivers might be surprised to learn just how much less it costs to own a small sedan than it does a four-wheel-drive sport utility vehicle. Small sedans cost the least amount of money to own at $6,967 annually, while four-wheel-drive SUVs cost nearly twice that amount, setting their owners back $11,599 per year. But the most surprising thing from the AAA study might be its findings as to the costs of owing a large sedan. Such vehi-
2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C350 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY SE NADA $29,575
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#E054
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2009 CHEVY TAHOE LTZ 2011 DODGE RAM LARAMIE NADA $30,675 #E069A
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NADA $34,775
4X4
NOW $30,434
NOW $17,000 2013 FORD FUSION NADA $19,850
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2008 CADILLAC DTS
NADA $15,025
2012 Hyundai ELANTRA
SE TOURING
NADA $16,100
C323A
NOW $15,200
2010 Dodge RAM
NADA $25,300
1500 4X4
NOW $22,960
E225A
E200A
* Buy a used car. Buying a used car may not give buyers the initial excitement of driving off a car lot behind the wheel of a brand new vehicle, but it might prove quite exciting for your bank account. Revisiting a study they conducted in 2001, in 2013 experts at automotive Web site Edmunds. com examined three different financing methods and the cost of each over a six-year period, which the global market intelligence firm Polk estimates is the average car ownership period. The study examined the costs, including interest rates and fees, of leasing or buying a 2013 Honda Accord EX and buying a used 2010 Accord EX. The total cost of buying used after six years was $20,960, while the cost of leasing was $24,768 and the cost of buying new was $28,330. Buying used even saves buyers money when factoring in equity. Of course, leasing saves drivers the cost of maintenance and repairs, which can be considerable when buying used vehicles. However, an older used car won't cost as muchto insure as a vehicle that is being leased or financed. * Drive less. Of course, the easiest way for automobile owners to trim the costs of owning their vehicles is to drive less. Though vehicle manufacturers have improved fuel economy in recent years, driving less will save money on fuel, the cost of which hinges on a host of factors, including petroleum demand and economic conditions. Such factors may cause a dip in fuel prices one day, but a sharp increase in price the next day. Regardless of those fluctuations in fuel prices, drivers who can cut back on their driving are certain to save money. MM13C764
2011 Nissan MURANO
CROSS CABRIOLET
NADA $27,425
E151A
NOW $25,980
2008 Toyota AVALON
LIMITED
NADA $17,500
2008 Toyota SIENNA
NADA $18,150
* Drive safe and cash in on lower insurance premiums. Though numerous factors, including individuals' driving histories, influence the cost of auto insurance, drivers with clean track records might be able to buck the industry trend and pay less for their auto insurance policy next year than they did this year. In its study, AAA found that the cost of insurance rose by nearly 3 percent in 2012 from the year before. But drivers who can avoid accidents and citations are likely to see their rates decrease from year to year.
NOW $12,145
NOW $17,750
E030A
#C010A
cles are nearly as expensive as larger SUVs, costing drivers more than $11,000 per year. So drivers who downsize their vehicles to a small sedan will likely save themselves a substantial amount of money over the life of the vehicle.
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D335A
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2011 Toyota AVALON LIMITED
NOW $21,600
NADA $22,925
D276C
2008 Saturn VUE XE
NADA $10,700
NOW $9,241
2006 Toyota AVALON
NADA $12,075
Peace of mind with every new Toyota.
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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.
Because anyone who owns a car needs a laugh once a week.
THOUGH HYBRIDS ARE COMPLEX, GOING HAYWIRE IS RARE BY TOM AND RAY MAGLIOZZI
Dear Tom and Ray: My wife and I purchased a 2013 Prius in July 2013. We were parked at a mall when we had an unusual problem: I started the car and the “check hybrid system” light came on. We called Toyota’s 800 number to have our car towed to the nearest Toyota dealership. The people at the dealership “powered down” the system, then “booted it up” again, and we drove home. About a week later, the same thing happened. We had it towed to the nearest Toyota dealership, and we got our car back about a week later. I was told that the electronics in the car may have “a loose connection.” When I went to start the car, the problem recurred. Another week passed and I got a call that my car was ready. The mechanic told me they replaced one defective computer cell, and the computer was “talking to itself.” I went into the parking lot to start the car, and the XM radio was knocked out. After two and a half hours of waiting (again) for them to repair the XM, I was told by the mechanic that the car got stuck in reverse when it came off the lift and that the rear camera was not functioning. To make a long story short, Toyota replaced our Toyota 2013 Prius with a 2014 Prius. My question is (you were wondering when I’d ask it): How complicated are the electronics in a hybrid like the Prius? Can one thing going wrong cause a whole series of problems? -- Joseph RAY: They’re very complicated. TOM: Most people know that engine management has become computerized over the past couple of decades, with the computer figuring out how much air and fuel to send into the cylinders and controlling for emissions. R A Y : But not everyone realizes that almost everything else is now computerized, too: Shifting, braking, handling, safety systems, lighting, even steering and accelerator inputs are now being done “by wire.” TOM: So cars now have not just one, but many computers. And while that has a huge number of benefits, it also increases the complexity. RAY: To all of that, the Prius adds a computer to manage its hybrid propulsion system. It decides when to use the electric motor to power the wheels, when to switch to the gasoline engine, and when to combine the two. It manages the regenerative braking system and the level of charge in the hybrid battery. TOM: So the Prius is the poster child for electronic complexity in cars. But I’m not sure any of that explains why your car was so unreliable. I’m guessing your car was suffering from a fatal case of F.O.T.: fell off truck. RAY: I think someone forgot to secure it to a car carrier or a lift, and ... kersplat. Hey, my brother’s done it! T O M : When there are electrical gremlins on a new car and even replacing the computers doesn’t make them go away, you have to suspect an accident, where some unseen wiring got partially severed or pinched. RAY: The problem could be hidden inside the wiring sheath, which makes it very hard to find, especially when the problem shows up only intermittently. TOM: Toyota finally did the right thing for you by raising the white flag and giving you a brand-new car. Good for them. RAY: Based on what we see in our own shop, your problems were highly unusual. We’ve never seen problems like this on a Prius, so I’m guessing you had a one-of-a-kind. You lucky devil! TOM: So as long as the 2014 didn’t fall off the delivery truck, you shouldn’t have to worry about this again, Joseph -- complexity or not. Good luck. *** Get more Click and Clack in their new book, “Ask Click and Clack: Answers from Car Talk.” Got a question about cars? Write to Click and Clack in care of this newspaper, or email them by visiting the Car Talk website at www. cartalk.com. (c) 2014 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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