New Year resolution suggestion...

Hey folks! I'm sure many of you created an outline of New year resolutions this year as always. Right? I propose you add a new resolution to your list. Start a car repair section to your household budget! This is a great way to circumvent financial surprises when unexpected car repairs come up. Put away a couple of hundred bucks monthly, this way, when something breaks on the car, you have the money set aside. If you don't use it for that year, either save it into the next year or use it for a favorite vehicle accessory you wanted but it wasn't in the budget! Do some of you do this? Has it worked for you? Let me know what you think, your comments are welcome!

Tom

Honda recall!

Those of you driving in a 2005–2008 Acura RL take note: Honda has issued a recall for your power steering hose. The high temperatures created by the V6 under the RL's hood are apparently causing some cracks to form in the power steering hose that could lead to fluid leaking onto the catalytic converter, resulting in a fire. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration issued the recall, but no injuries or fires have been reported as of yet. Approximately 43,200 Acura RLs are affected by the recall. Call your local dealer for the availability of parts before venturing out to the service dept. Oh, and you might want to call your local dealer with your vehicle's VIN just to make sure your vehicle is involved in this action.

Tom

I just put 4 Bridgestone Blizaks on my Sunaru Outback. I have 150,000 and have gone through several sets of high quality all seasons tires over the years. I can't believe the difference. The outback has always been fantasic in winter conditions. The addition of these tires have taken it up several notches. Bob

Bob:

So you followed my advice and installed 4 snows on your Subaru huh? Yes this will make a darmatic difference! All WD along with ice & snow grip tires will always result in sure footed winter travel. Drive safely!

Tom

Bob's comments on driving in a 4WD

Bob:
Not only do I blog, I answer my blog unlike so many other bloggers! I agree with your comment, people do get a false sense of security, hence they drive like its summer outside! I'll never forget driving on Sheridan Dr one time during a snowstorm. I was driving the small car (a Neon) the other guy, a Tahoe. He was barreling down the road like no one else was on the highway, a few minutes later there he was... stuck in a ditch! Poetic justice! I laughed all the way to Channel 4 to do my TV segment that morning! Take care and drive safely!

All Wheel Drive or Four Wheel Drive, Which is better?

Well boys and girls, winter is here in WNY! Some folks drive a four wheel drive vehicle, others, an all wheel drive. What's the difference? Well with four wheel drive you have a front & rear differential coupled to a transfer case gearbox. This gearbox locks all four wheels together for maximum winter weather traction. All wheel drive on the other hand, does not use a transfer case gearbox, therefore all four wheels are not locked together as with a four wheel drive vehicle, power is transferred from the slipping wheel to the gripping wheel in an effort to pull the vehicle out of the slippery road condition. In my experiences, all wheel drive works fine on maintained snow covered roads but when the going gets rough, the snow a few feet deep with very slippery roads, I always prefer to go with a four wheel drive, four wheel drive always gets me out of the muck & mire. What do you think? What has been your experiences? Do you get around better with a four wheel or all wheel drive?

Driving in a Winter Wonderland

Tom Torbjornsen here, I recently wrote a column on winter driving and common winter related automotive failures and how to aviod these pitfalls.
Find it here: http://www.americascarshow.com/tc/. I think you will find it very helpful. Take it easy out there, snow & ice are very hard on your vehicle!

Welcome to Automotive Valhalla!

Welcome to the Halls of Automotive Valhalla! It is I, The Norse God of the Automotive, Tom Torbjornsen! Bring me your car comments & discussion!