Latest News
ROAD TEST
- CHECK VEHICLE HISTORY
- CHECK FOR OPEN SAFETY CAMPAIGNS
- OWNERS MANUAL/WARRANTY BOOKLET PRESENT
- SEAT BELTS/RETRACTORS/AIR BAGS (WEAR, OPERATION)
- MIRRORS (OPERATION, HEAT, INSIDE-OUTSIDE)
- INDICATOR LIGHTS/GAUGES/WARNING TONES (OPERATION, LIGHTS, CLOCK)
- ENGINE START/IDLE (COLD, WARM)
- ENGINE OPERATION/PERFORMANCE/ACCELERATION (AT NORMAL TEMP.)
- SHIFTING/AUTOMATIC/MANUAL (TRANSMISSION, CLUTCH)
- ANTI-SKID/TRACTION CONTROL (OPERATION)
- BRAKING/ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (STRAIGHT STOP/ANTI-LOCK OPERATION IF EQUIPPED)
- STEERING/ALIGNMENT (EASE, NOISE, STEERING WHEEL CENTERED, ALIGNMENT)
- BODY/CHASSIS INTEGRITY (NOISE/VIBRATION/HARSHNESS)
- TRANSFER CASE (OPERATION, RWD, FWD, AWD)
- CRUISE CONTROL (HOLD, ACCELERATION, CANCEL)
- WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS (OPERATION/BLADES WIPE CLEAN W/O STREAKS)
- SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER (OPERATIONAL)
- TILT-WHEEL/TELESCOPING (OPERATION)
- HEATER/AIR CONDITIONING (BLOWER, CONTROLS)
- HORN (OPERATION, FUNCTION)
FUNCTIONAL
- KEY(S)/KEY FOB/REMOTE START (FUNCTIONAL)
- REAR DEFOGGER (OPERATION)
- LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT (SPARE, AIR PRESSURE, TOOLS)
- CONVERTIBLE TOP/BOOT COVER (OPERATION, CONDITION)
- INTERIOR LIGHTS (MAP LIGHTS/DASH LIGHTS)
- EXTERIOR LIGHTS/FOG LAMPS (HEADLIGHTS, DRLS, BRAKE AND HIGH MOUNT)
- DOORS/DOOR LOCKS (POWER LOCK OPERATION)
- WEATHER STRIPPING (CONDITION)
- SEATS/CHILD SAFETY SEATS & MOUNTINGS (OPERATION, HEAT)
- FUEL DOOR/TRUNK/HOOD/HATCH RELEASE (OPERATION)
- WINDOWS/POWER/SWING-OUT (OPERATION, ALL SWITCHES-FULL TRAVEL)
- ALARM/TELEPHONE (OPERATION, REMOTE)
- POWER OUTLET(S)/CIGARETTE LIGHTER (OPERATION, LIGHTER)
- PARKING BRAKE (OPERATION)
- SUN/MOON ROOF (OPERATION, CONDITION, NO LEAKS)
- OPTIONS/ACCESSORIES/OFF-ROAD/ROOF MARKER LAMPS (OPERATION)
- AUDIO SYSTEM/XM RADIO (OPERATION, RADIO, TAPE, CD, SPEAKERS, ANTENNA)
- NAVIGATION SYSTEM OPERATION
UNDER HOOD
- VISUAL (LOOSE/MISSING COMPONENTS, LEAKS, LABELS, DECALS)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM/BATTERY/STARTER (BATTERY, CABLES, BELTS, CHARGE)
- ENGINE COOLING/RADIATOR/FAN/FAN CLUTCH (LEVEL, HOSES, CONDITION)
- POWER STEERING SYSTEM (LEVEL, PUMP, LINES)
- BRAKE SYSTEM (FLUID LEVEL, MASTER CYLINDER, LINES)
- IGNITION SYSTEM (WIRES, CONDITION, ROUTING)
- FUEL SYSTEM (LINES, LEAKS, CONNECTION)
- VACUUM SYSTEM (HOSES, CONDITION)
- A/C COMPRESSOR/DRIVE BELT (OPERATION, CONDITION)
- BELTS/SERPENTINE (TENSION, WEAR)
UNDER VEHICLE
- VISUAL (BODY, LOWER BODY, UNDERBODY)
- EXHAUST SYSTEM (PIPES, CONVERTER, MUFFLER, SHIELDING)
- BRAKE PADS, SHOES (CONDITION, LINING)
- CALIPERS, ROTORS, DRUMS (CONDITION)
- BRAKE HYDRAULICS (LEVEL, LINES, HOSES)
- TIRES (TREAD DEPTH, TYPE, SIZE, PSI)
- WHEELS/LUG NUT TORQUE/TIRE PSI (OEM)
- SHOCK ABSORBERS/STRUTS (OPERATION, LEAKS, ETC.)
- SPRINGS/SWAY BARS/TOW HOOK (MOUNT, BUSHINGS, TORQUE TO SPECS, ETC.)
- CONTROL ARMS (CONDITION, MOUNT, BUSHINGS)
- STEERING/LINKAGE (TIE ROD/ENDS, LINKAGE)
- ENGINE/TRANSMISSION/TRANSFER CASE & MOUNTING (LEAKS)
- CLUTCH (ADJUST FLUID LEVEL)
- DRIVELINE/DRIVESHAFT/AXLES/UNIVERSAL JOINTS (CONDITION, OPERATION)
- AXLES/DIFFERENTIALS/AIR SUSPENSION AND COMPRESSOR (LEAKS, CV JOINTS)
- GEAR/RACK & PINION (LEAKS, MOUNTING)
- PARKING BRAKE CABLE (CONDITION, OPERATION, FRAYING)
EXTERIOR
- FRONT BUMPER (FASCIA, GUARDS, FINISH)
- GRILLE (HEADLIGHTS, OTHER LIGHTS)
- HOOD (EMBLEMS, FINISH, TRIM)
- LEFT FRONT FENDER (FINISH, TRIM)
- LEFT FRONT DOOR (FINISH, TRIM, EASE OF MOVEMENT)
- LEFT REAR DOOR (FINISH, TRIM, EASE OF MOVEMENT)
- LEFT REAR FENDER (FINISH, TRIM)
- TRUNK LID/TRUCK BED/BEDLINER (FINISH, TRIM)
- REAR BUMPER (FASCIA, GUARDS, FINISH)
- RIGHT REAR FENDER (FINISH, TRIM)
- RIGHT REAR DOOR (FINISH, TRIM, EASE OF MOVEMENT)
- RIGHT FRONT DOOR (FINISH, TRIM, EASE OF MOVEMENT)
- RIGHT FRONT FENDER (FINISH, TRIM)
- ROOF (FINISH, TRIM)
- WHEELS/WHEELCOVERS/TRIM RINGS/CENTER CAPS (SCRATCHES, PITTING)
INTERIOR
- INSTRUMENT PANEL/COMPASS (CONDITION, CONTROLS)
- DRIVER/PASSENGER SEATS/HEAD RESTS (CUSHIONS, TRIM, SAFETY BELT OPERATION)
- REAR SEAT/HEAD RESTS (CUSHIONS, TRIM, CONDITION, OPERATION, SAFETY BELT OPERATION)
- HEATED/COOLED SEAT (OPERATION)
- DRIVER DOOR (CONTROLS, TRIM, CONDITION)
- FRONT PASSENGER DOOR (CUSHIONS, TRIM, CONDITION)
- FRONT CARPET & FLOOR MATS (PRESENCE, CONDITION, WEAR)
- CONSOLE/COMPARTMENT LID FRONT & REAR (OPERATION, CONDITION)
- LEFT REAR DOOR/QUARTER TRIM (CONTROLS, TRIM, CONDITION)
- RIGHT REAR DOOR/QUARTER TRIM (CONTROLS, TRIM, CONDITION)
- REAR CARPET & MATS (PRESENCE, CONDITION, WEAR)
- HEADLINER/OVERHEAD CONSOLE/VISORS (CONDITION, OPERATION)
- LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT/CARGO AREA/SPARE TIRE (TRIM, JACK)
- PACKAGE TRAY (CONDITION)
MAINTAINANCE
- LUBE, CHANGE OIL AND FILTER (IF REQUIRED)
- INSPECT/CLEAN AIR FILTER/ CABIN FILTER
- INSPECT/CHANGE ALL OTHER FILTERS (IF REQUIRED)
- INSPECT/TOP-OFF FLUIDS (COOL, BRAKE, STEERING, TRANS., DIFF., WASHER)
- EMISSION/DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (MEET STATE AND LOCAL STDS.)
INTERIOR DETAILING
- CLEAN INSTRUMENT PANEL/COVER PAD SURFACE/ASHTRAYS/PACKAGE SHELF
- VACUUM AND CLEAN CARPET/TRUNK/PASSENGER COMPARTMENT/CARGO AREA
- CLEAN GLASS SURFACES
- CLEAN HEADLINER/SEATS/INTERIOR CLOTH TRIM
EXTERIOR DETAILING
- CLEAN ENGINE/COMPARTMENT
- RECONDITION/TOUCH-UP MINOR SURFACE SCRATCHES
- REMOVE TAR AND ROAD OIL
- WASH/WAX (BODY, WHEELS/COVERS, TIRES)
HYBRID VEHICLES (IF APPLICABLE)
- HYBRID BATTERY (INSPECT AIR INTAKE)
- BATTERY ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (CHECK USING SCAN TOOL)
- STARTER/GENERATOR CONTROL MODULE (CHECK FOR CODES AND SOFTWARE UPDATES)
WASHINGTON – The Obama administration plans to end the popular $3 billion Cash for Clunkers program on Monday, giving car shoppers a few more days to take advantage of big government incentives.
The Transportation Department said Thursday the government will wind down the program on Monday at 8 p.m. EDT. Car buyers can receive rebates of $3,500 or $4,500 for trading in older vehicles for new, more fuel-efficient models.
"It's been a thrill to be part of the best economic news story in America," Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement. "Now we are working toward an orderly wind down of this very popular program."
Through Thursday, auto dealers have made deals worth $1.9 billion and are on pace to exhaust the program's $3 billion in early September. The incentives have generated more than 457,000 vehicle sales. Administration officials said they have reviewed nearly 40 percent of the transactions and have already paid out $145 million to dealers.
Administration officials said applications for rebates will not be accepted after 8 p.m. EDT Monday and dealers should not make additional sales without receiving all the necessary paperwork from their customers. Dealers will be able to resubmit rejected applications after the deadline.
President Barack Obama said in an interview Thursday that the program has been "successful beyond anybody's imagination" but dealers were overwhelmed by the response of consumers. He pledged that dealers "will get their money."
Dealers have complained of delays in getting reimbursed and backlogs of vehicle paperwork getting processed in the program. Dealers have said they face a risk of not being reimbursed but LaHood has pledged that dealers will get paid for the incentives.
The administration has said it has tripled the number of staffers sorting through the dealer paperwork.
By KEN THOMAS and STEPHEN MANNING, Associated Press Writers
Porsche made it's own version of a 4 door sport coupe.
The Porsche Panamera is a Porsche version of the Mercedes CLS Class
View the side by side comparison
You can see the similarities!!!
The Ford Mustang remains the number one selling sports car by a wide margin, with nearly a 40 percent share of the segment in April. With May sales already ahead of projections, there is just one more reason for consumer shopping in this segment to pick the 2010 Ford Mustang.
Ford has announced that the 2010 Mustang coupe has earned the U.S. government’s top 5-star safety ratings, which includes 5-stars for driver and passenger in front and side crash tests, as well as for rollover performance.
“We’ve made many upgrades to the new Mustang that contributes not only to the car’s safety, but also to its driving enjoyment thanks to a stiffer structure,” said Steve Kozak, Ford Chief Engineer for Safety Systems.
Ford has more U.S. government 5-star ratings than any other automotive brand. That’s good news for some of us who will be driving around the 2010 Ford Mustang GT for a full review starting May 27 (look out for that during the first week of June).
More info about this car to come
Stay tuned!!