Category: Auto
-
Repower up
Steering You Right With Sharon Peters Q: What’s a “repowering” process when you’re talking engines? My son emailed he’s considering that for his old car, and I’ve never heard of it. A: When an engine is in deep trouble, some owners are opting not to buy a new car, which used to be what folks…
-
Too hot to handle
Steering You Right with Sharon Peters Q: I’ve just relocated to a town that experiences summer days that are typically 100 to 110 degrees. There’s no shade where I park. Is there an exterior car cover that covers my car’s top and windows to keep the interior cooler? A: I found some online vendors offering products that seem to…
-
10 things you probably didn’t know about Jeep
The original SUV celebrates its 75th birthday this year and remains steeped in heritage By Jim Gorzelany CTW Features The iconic Jeep — the original military-derived sport-utility vehicle — turns 75 years old this summer. “Jeep” is a colloquial derivative of the acronym G.P., which stands for “general purpose,” though it’s also said to be…
-
Snake oil change
Steering You Right with Sharon Peters Q: I bought a new 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee last summer, fully loaded, my fourth Jeep. At my last service visit, the service department recommended I bring it for oil changes every 3,500 miles. That seems excessive but it’s the dealership where I’ve bought all my Jeeps, I’ve had…
-
Choosing safe and reliable used cars for young drivers
They may not be particularly sporty, but we found a dozen affordable used cars that are safe and sane choices for students and those commuting to their first jobs By Jim Gorzelany CTW Features Driving a safer car is certainly important to all motorists, but it’s especially vital to younger drivers. That’s because car crashes…
-
Brake fluid 411
Steering You Right With Sharon Peters Q: My husband has a 3-year-old Lexus with 34,000 miles. When he went for routine service this week, they replaced — not just topped — the brake fluid. I have a 5-year-old Toyota Camry with about 50,000 miles and when he told me about the brake fluid replacement I…
-
Best new cars
The latest rides on the road run the gamut from super cool to red-hot By Jim Gorzelany CTW Features Though SUVs and pickups may be the auto industry’s darlings these days, manufacturers aren’t ignoring their loyal sedan and sports car fans. Here’s a quick look at a fresh fleet of passenger cars coming to dealers’…
-
Growing tomorrow’s tires
As most every homeowner knows, dandelions are extremely hearty plants. And one particular strain from Russia is so durable its roots could serve as the basis for automobile tires instead of conventional rubber trees. Continental Tires in Ft. Mill, South Carolina, says they’ve developed a set of tires in which the tread is made from…
-
Ten speeds and counting
You might have rode a 10-speed bicycle as a youth, but this fall motorists will be able to drive the first 10-speed truck, specifically the 2017 version of the full-size Ford F-150 pickup. The new transmission will come mated to a revamped version of Ford’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbocharged V6 engine that’s estimated to generate a…