On the Move 9-26-11

Page 1

Monday, September 26, 2011

For Advertising Information Contact Your Local Cars.Com On-The-Move Sales Team at 599-2329

What to consider when shopping for electrics, hybrids luxury sedan? There’s the Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid, which the automaker compares to a Maserati Quattroporte but with better mileage and lower emissions than a Toyota Prius. Do you lean toward small, practical sedans that seat five? The Nissan Leaf may be your ticket. Although existing offerings and the EVs about to come out are comparable to many conventional gasoline-powered vehicles in virtually every aspect but range, they aren’t for everyone. Here’s what to consider if you are thinking of making an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid your next drive.

By Jerry Hirsch Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES — Electric cars are back. Popular in early automotive history, electrics quickly got smoked by their internal-combustion-driven cousins. But in this age of volatile gas prices and climate worries, these clean, quiet vehicles are winning new fans. Advances in technology have improved their range and power. Companies are rolling them out in every flavor. Need a small SUV? Take a look at the Toyota RAV4 electric hitting the market next year. How about a

Be prepared to pay more

A glance at the sticker prices says it all. You are going to pay more for the privilege of being able to zip along powered by electrons rather than fossil fuel. The cost of a home charging station adds an expense you don’t have with a gasoline car, but it does add convenience. When you take the purchase price, add in the cost of three years of maintenance, three years of fuel and a home charging station, then back out the expected resale price, a Chevrolet Volt will run almost $9,000 more than a similar-size See ELECTRICS, Page 6

Comparing fuel economy

What it costs to drive 25 miles in electric cars vs. other fuel-efficient cars: Leaf Volt

$0.95 $1.62

Prius hybrid

$1.84

Fusion hybrid

$2.35

Elantra

$2.78

Cruze Eco

$3.06 $3.40

Accord

$3.53

Fusion © 2011 MCT Source: Environmental Protection Agency, Union of Concerned Scientists Graphic: Jerry Hirsch / Los Angeles Times

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Page 2 / Monday, September 26, 2011

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Tallahassee Democrat / OnTheMOve

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Service Special $ 00

15 OFF

Any Air Conditioning Repair Coupon not valid with any other offer. Must present coupon at time of purchase. Limit one coupon per person. Coupon does not apply to prior purchases. Other Restrictions my apply. Void where prohibited.

OnTheMOve / Tallahassee Democrat

TD-0000186460

Monday, September 26, 2011 / Page 3

Page 4 / Monday, September 26, 2011

Tallahassee Democrat / OnTheMOve

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Monday, September 26, 2011 / Page 5

OnTheMOve / Tallahassee Democrat

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‘08 TOYOTA Camry

‘08 NISSAN Altima

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‘06 INFINITI G35

‘05 ACURA MDX TL

‘06TOYOTA TOYOTA ‘07 Camry Highlander

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Page 6 / Monday, September 26, 2011

Tallahassee Democrat / OnTheMOve

Factory-built car is for wheelchair users By Zlati Meyer Detroit Free Press

The first factory-built vehicle designed specifically to transport wheelchair users rolled off the line earlier this month. The MV-1 is manufactured at AM General’s assembly plant in Mishawaka, Ind., using a Roush chassis and a Ford engine and transmission, according to the automaker, Miami-based VPG. The $40,000 car — buying a regular vehicle and having it converted costs around $55,000 — comes with a wide ramp, a 56-by-36-inch entryway and 190-plus cubic feet of interior room, which seats six. “This is the first and only automobile designed and engineered to meet

The $40,000 car comes with a wide ramp, a 56-by-36-inch entryway and 190-plus cubic feet of interior room, which seats six. or exceed the vehicle guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said VPG CEO Dave Schembri, who was president of Smart USA. He added that government assistance is available to defray the cost of an MV-1. “There was a void in the market,” Schembri said. “The origin was the

plea by disability groups for accessible taxis.” An estimated 3.3 million Americans age 15 and older use wheelchairs, according to the U.S. Census. “I had a sister in a wheelchair,” Schembri said. “She passed away in 1990. I can’t tell you how a vehicle like this would’ve changed her life. She felt so self-conscious about being transferred in and out. ... This would’ve definitely improved her quality of life.” The MV-1 will be sold through more than 40 existing U.S. dealerships, VPG said. The first one went to Hall of Fame Miami Dolphins linebacker Nick Buoniconti’s son, Marc Buoniconti, who was paralyzed from the shoulders down during a 1985 college football game.

Electrics From Page 1

conventional-engine Hyundai Elantra and about $5,000 more than the current Prius hybrid before sales taxes and registration fees. A Leaf has a lower sticker price and qualifies for more incentives, depending on your state. It will cost about $6,500 more than an Elantra and about $3,500 more than a Prius before taxes and registration fees.

Philosophy or economics

Is it worth the added expense to reduce your dependence on oil? What are you willing to pay to reduce carbon emissions in your neighborhood? The Leaf creates about 1.8 tons of carbon emissions in a year’s driving, or about 13,500 miles, according to federal estimates. A Honda Accord spews 6.2 tons of carbon emissions traveling the same distance. If you can keep a Volt — which has a gas engine to kick in and make electricity when the battery runs out — on mostly electric power, you will put up carbon numbers closer to the Leaf.

Think about your drive

Face it. If you have a mega-commute, you will be better off in a hybrid or conventional fuel-efficient vehicle. Motorists who commute about 40 miles or less, or who have easy access to a workplace charging station, will be able to make better use of an EV because they won’t be limited by the shorter range of the vehicles. But even then, be careful. The Toy-

Don Kelsen/los Angels Times/mCT

Michael J. Walsh does not use any fossil fuels to power his Nissan Leaf as he charges the batteries with a solar cells built into the roof. He is shown in Rancho Mirage, Calif. ota Prius Plug-in Hybrid that goes on sale next year will have an allelectric range of only about 13 miles. After that, the gasoline engine starts. People who drive more than 13 to 15 miles a day might be better off buying a conventional hybrid or fuelefficient gas-powered car and saving the premium they would pay for the plug-in and the expense of a home charging station. A Nissan Leaf, and some of its rivals hitting the market in the coming months, will go roughly 75 miles or more on one charge. That’s enough for a longer commute, but because the Leaf, the Ford Focus Electric and similar cars are pure electric vehicles, there’s no backup gas motor to engage and provide a safety net.

Charging into charging

EVs make the most sense for people who can charge at home, and that rules out most apartment and condo dwellers for now. A home charging station is going to set you back about $2,000 and possibly more, depending on the wiring in your home. You will also need to clear out space in your garage to park a car — imagine that! And you are going to have to research electricity rates. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, a Leaf owner who drives 13,500 miles annually will pay from $393 to $725 for Los Angeles Department of Water and Power electricity, depending on off-peak or peak charging schedules.

Shaking suspension is one way to test ball joints By Paul Brand Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

QUESTION: The ball joints on my 2007 GMC Yukon were diagnosed by an independent shop as needing replacement. The truck has 55,000 miles and is under warranty. When I took it to the dealer, they shook the wheels and told me there was nothing wrong with the ball joints. It is my understanding that the ’07 models had ball joints without Zerk fittings to allow lubricating with a grease gun. My concern is the greaseless joints are prematurely failing and I’m getting the runaround from the dealer on the warranty claim. The “shaking” or “rocking” of the wheel seems very subjective in evaluating ball joints. Are there alternative wear indicators for determining replacement? ANSWER: Pulling or pushing up and down on the suspension is the correct initial test for worn ball joints. If play is seen or felt with this simple test, GM then suggests measuring the play in the upper and/or lower ball joint with a dial indicator. If measurable play is more than 2 millimeters (0.08 inch), the ball joint needs replacement. By the way, there’s no inherent problem with “greaseless” suspension components — they are lubricated and sealed when manufactured and require no periodic maintenance. Q: My 2002 Ford Windstar’s “ABS” and “Brake” lights come on intermittently. Our service man has replaced the pads and turned the drums. This works for a while, but then both lights come on again. I’ve been told that the brakes are fine but the antilock brake system (ABS) is probably not working when the light comes on. What is going on here? A: If the brake warn-

ing light comes on, there is the potential for a serious hydraulic brake problem that could affect the safety of the vehicle. The brakes are not working fine. Yes, when the brake warning light illuminates, the ABS will also be disabled and the ABS warning light will come on. The brake warning light will light up for one of three primary reasons: low brake fluid level in the master cylinder, hydraulic pressure loss or significant difference in one-half of the diagonal hydraulic brake system, or the parking brake mechanism sticking on. First and foremost, have a dealer or qualified shop check for and fix or eliminate any of the above issues causing the brake light to come on. A scan tool should be able to pull any diagnostic trouble codes from the brake and ABS systems. Q: We recently purchased a 2009 Ford Escape with about 37,000 miles on it. Last weekend I was washing and waxing the car and I noticed a bit of rust and paint bubbling along the bottom inside edge of the tailgate. We didn’t buy this car at a Ford dealership, but I was wondering if there were any bulletins about this problem and if they would fix this. If not, do I just scrape it off and apply primer or touchup paint? A: My Alldata automotive database did not find any Ford bulletins covering paint problems on this vehicle, but you could certainly call a Ford dealer to doublecheck. And yes, you should do something to restore the rust and bubbled paint now before it gets worse. Remember, rust never sleeps. — Paul Brand is an automotive troubleshooter and former race-car driver. Send questions to him at paulbrandstartribune.com.

Monday, September 26, 2011 / Page 7

OnTheMOve / Tallahassee Democrat

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Page 8 / Monday, September 26, 2011

Tallahassee Democrat / OnTheMOve

Cars for teens: 1-year leases gaining traction The Associated Press

Should you lease a car for your high school student instead of buying a clunker? More parents are doing just that, according to a nationwide leasing business. The number of one-year leases for high school seniors is up 17 percent from a year ago, says LeaseTrader.com, a short-term leasing marketplace. The reason: Demand for leased cars shot up this year after Japan’s earthquake and tsunami shrank the number of new cars available, making used cars pricier and harder to find. A look at one-year leases:

How they work

Rather than enter a new full-term lease, parents typi-

FIND MORE ONLINE Online car leasing sites: n www.leasetrader.com n www.swapalease.com n www.tradealease.com

cally take over the remaining 12 to 14 months of an existing lease.

Pros

n No long-term commitment on car payments. n Most vehicles are only one to two years old, with excellent safety records. n No down payment. n Lease contract expires around same time son or daughter heads off to college.

Cons

n No car after a year. n Insurance costs are high-

er for newer cars. And leasing companies often require

additional insurance to cover their losses if the car is damaged. n Mileage limits restrictions result in extra charges if you exceed the remaining allotted miles outlined in the lease terms, which typically run from 8,000 to 14,000 miles. n Upkeep costs could be higher than on a car you own, because this is the bank’s vehicle and you will be held to certain standards for regular maintenance.

What’s popular

The Mazda 3, Toyota Yaris and Mini Cooper are among the popular models being leased to students for the year before they head off to college. Average prices recently ranged from $185 a month to roughly $235 a month on LeaseTrader.

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