Congressmen sign on to support Right to Repair Bill

A bi-partisan group in Congress has put its weight behind the Right to Repair Bill, including representatives from across the country.

Currently eight members of the House of Representatives, including initial sponsor Democrat Edolphus Towns, have signed on to support the bill that would require auto manufacturers to provide any information that may be used by independent shops to repair cars that it does to dealerships.

While language in the bill supports the protection of trade secrets, it also states that car owners and repair shops should have any tools and information used by dealerships made available at a similar cost.

One of the principal concerns is the more advanced computer systems that control most modern cars, which may require special esoteric information in order to decode.

It may also benefit owners of new and used cars looking to keep more money in their pocket: the bill as written recognizes that if enacted, it would help to promote competition that could benefit consumers.

“Right to Repair has become more important than ever as motorists seek new neighborhood repair shops because a dealership has closed in their area,” said Kathleen Schmatz, Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association CEO. “This … ensures that local auto repair remains available to car owners throughout the country.”

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Actor Ben Stiller prefers German engineering for his ride

While he has the money to plunk down payments on some of the most expensive cars in the world, Night at the Museum star Ben Stiller was recently spotted by photographers stepping out in an Audi Q7.

Reports didn’t mention Stiller’s rationale for buying the Audi SUV, but the Tropic Thunder actor may enjoy the powerful V8 engine in the top-of-the-line trim package that puts out 350 horsepower and still gets up to 18 miles per gallon on the highway based on EPA estimates and retails for around $60,000.

The Q7 was introduced in the U.S. in 2006 for the 2007 model year, and base models from then may be had for below $30,000 for the luxury make’s seven-seat SUV, according to Edmunds.com editors.

They also praised the vehicle’s handling with adjustable air suspension and top-notch design and craftsmanship.
Stiller, of course, may be using his to tool around in preparation for Little Fockers, the third installation in the Meet the Fockers series that is currently in pre-production.

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Proper maintenance may limit engine deaths

Car rental companies sometimes suffer from the same beliefs as some car owners: if there’s nothing wrong with the car, why worry about maintaining it?

Enterprise recently learned the potential downfalls of such a belief when it delivered a Saturn Outlook to a local dealership with 30,000 miles on it and reportedly only one oil change, according to a Jalopnik report.

The engine, which may cost thousands of dollars, needs to be replaced according to the news provider, providing a sobering image for those considering skimping on routine maintenance to save some money.

Prices for routine maintenance for used cars on the other hand, may cost a fraction of that. For example, a 60,000 mile service on a 2004 Ford Explorer costs around $350 to $600 in New York or Los Angeles according to Consumer Reports.

While the Outlook may be a somewhat unique case of auto negligence, the economic downturn may lead to more people ignoring the check engine light.

Used car buyers who want to make sure they are not buying a car from such an owner may want to consider an inspection that, if done by a qualified person, can turn up such information prior to purchase.

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New venues allow drivers to vent about others on the road

Until cars come with scrolling billboards or other instant communication possibilities with other drivers, it remains difficult to vent about poor driving habits such as speeding and cutting other cars off.

Using Twitter, the online site that allows users to post short messages, has allowed some in Alaska to make posts about questionable driving habits, according to a CNN.com report.

It was designed to provide more relief because when “you yell out the window or give them the finger, you really don’t get any vindication,” the Twitter feed’s co-creator, Molly Hutchins told the news provider.

Another website, platewire.com, goes one step further by allowing users to list license plate numbers of vehicles that annoy posters, and is part of a growing number of websites that give voice to frustrated motorists, according to a Slate report.

Websites that have been effective in modifying driver’s behavior, notes the news provider, include a blog by a bicycle rider in Wisconsin who took video footage of the close calls that trucks and other vehicles had while he was using the same roadways, or one Chinese city’s posting of traffic violators at their work place.

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Proper research, right questions may ensure a good used car purchase

If now is the time for a used car according to federal figures that say used car prices are the lowest in months, it may be beneficial to make the right choices before making the purchase.

First, knowing what one can afford is important in establishing a budget, but may also provide some talking points in ensuring that a dealer can’t persuade one to go after a more expensive model that could be unaffordable.

Going online to do research on cars can help because used cars generally have more reviews than their newer brethren, giving potential buyers a leg-up in understanding the positives and potential pitfalls of their model.

It may also offer insight into similar cars within a class whose features or price points may offer a better fit for the used car buyer, and also provide average nationwide values that can help a buyer figure out if a price is fair or not.

Once a model has been picked out, having a friend who is a mechanic or a trusted repair shop take a final look at the vehicle may enable an automotive newbie to make sure that their future ride is not a lemon.

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Memorial Day weekend travels may be easier with a Hyundai Elantra

There are three holiday weekends coming up, including Memorial Day Weekend May 23 -25, and while traffic may make vacation travel slow, riding in the right vehicle may lower the stress of both driver and whatever passengers he or she decides to bring along.

It may seem somewhat strange for a compact car to be a good choice, but U.S. News wrote that while it’s in the news provider’s affordable small car class, it’s actually classified as a midsize car by the EPA, offering more space for a small family.

They also ranked the Hyundai Elantra as one of the most cost effective to own because of its reliability and costs of repair and maintenance.

If you don’t need the space of the new Elantra Touring edition, which comes as a wagon, previous models may offer a similar quality for used car buyers.

According to Edmunds.com editors, the 2005 Elantra offered an affordable price to go along with a laundry list of standard features. Users on the site agreed, citing its mileage and the quality interior of GLS trim Elantras.

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A legal way to outrace cops may reduce accidents

A driver pulls up alongside a police cruiser, revs his engine to do a little burnout to raise the wheel temperature and anxiously waits for the red light to go green so he or she can outrun the cop.

It may sound like a recipe for a ticket and a stern talking to from local law enforcement, but in Florida there is a program called Beat the Heat that allows aspiring drag enthusiasts to battle it out with police from Miami suburbs at County Line Drag Way, according to a WPLG report.

Davie police officer Ron Bradley said that since the program began, street races in his town’s warehouse district have screeched to a halt, acknowledging to the news provider that some competitors tell him “We used to race in Davie. You probably used to chase us around, and now we’re here on the track and we want to race your car.”

In more than 20 states including Connecticut, police officers have outfitted cars to compete in drag races at legal drag strips, according to the Beat the Heat program website, in a bid to educate kids and adults about the dangers of street racing.

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Toyota Sienna, Ford Flex break into U.S. News rankings for great family cars

Something old or something new, priced where used car buyers can afford to borrow, and both are available in blue.

That’s the story of the Toyota Sienna and the Ford Flex, two vehicles that were recently named as two of U.S. News’ top seven family cars.

The Toyota Sienna, a minivan that has been available in the U.S. since 1998, was cited by the news provider for its low cost, smooth handling and its ability comfortably seat eight passengers.

Something old may mean good quality for prospective car buyers, as Edmunds.com editors lauded the 2002 Sienna for its safety features, optional and standard, as well as a smooth engine.

Something new, or newer is the Ford Flex, which first appeared here in 2009. U.S. News lauded its styling, the ability to fit seven adults and accessories that make it the “ultimate road trip vehicle.”

Those looking to save a little money may find people have traded in or sold their 2009 model year Ford Flex, which Edmunds editors gave an 8 out of 10 rating

However used car buyers would choose to finance their options, both cars come in blue, as well as white, black, beige and a host of other colors, too.

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Tires, ‘seat time’ the difference as NASCAR star falls to soap box derby driver

NASCAR drivers know how important tires are when it comes to winning races: team strategists try to guess on whether to change two or four tires at nearly every pit stop.

But that didn’t stop a teenage girl from using tires to her advantage when she took down Busch champion Greg Biffle in a soapbox derby race.

To be fair to Biffle, Tyler Shoff is a champion in her own right, but in a quarter-mile race at Derby Downs Raceway, it was the tires that helped to make the difference.

In a competition that lasted just 90 seconds, Shoff used specially designed tires that increase fuel efficiency by reducing rolling resistance.

“As a NASCAR driver, I understand the critical role tires play in my ability to perform on the racetrack, and today, Goodyear really proved how big a difference its new fuel-efficient tires can make… even over a distance as short as a quarter mile,” said Biffle, jokingly adding that Shoff did have more “seat time” in the racers than he did.

The fuel economy that some tires can offer may allow used car owners to maximize their cost effectiveness.

Another option is to make sure that all tires are properly inflated, which can improve mileage by up to 3 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

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Fusion Hybrid gets 1,000 miles on single tank, goes for more

A challenge to see how long the Ford Fusion Hybrid could travel on a single tank of gas provided dividends for both “hypermilers” and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

The goal for a team of engineers, one racecar driver and a man known for milking mileage, was to make it 1,000 miles using tactics to conserve fuel like coasting, keeping windows closed at high speeds and turning off electronics.

But they reached that goal with about a third of a tank remaining, and ended up traveling 1,445 miles and raising over $8,000 for JDRF.

NASCAR driver Carl Edwards was a member of the team, and even he was impressed by the Fusion Hybrid’s economy, though he’s no stranger to sipping fuel: in 2008, he won at Texas by traveling well below the average race speed and conserving fuel while other racers had to make pit stops.

The tactics that they used can benefit drivers of any vehicle, including used cars, because the tactics were developed by drivers using standard cars. Just don’t expect to make it almost 1,500 miles before the next fill-up.

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