Service Tips from Autotrend Diagnostics

Survey: Consumers trust their shop for car maintenance and repair

2011-12-30T11:52:00.000-08:00

The following is reprinted from Consumer Reports

Survey: Consumers trust their shop for car maintenance and repair
Dec 20, 2011 12:30 PM
Contrary to what you might assume, it turns out that car owners put a lot of faith in their chosen repair shops, with 83 percent of those involved in repair decisions saying they are confident they’ll get the right maintenance and repair work done for the right price. This is one of the highlights of a new survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, which also found that more than half of car owners completely trust their shop.
At a time when the average car in America is 9 years old, many motorists are dependent upon proper maintenance and repair to keep their vehicle operating properly. Based on 1,699 random, nationwide telephone interviews of adult car owners conducted from November 3-7, 2011, we found that, on average, owners plan to keep their current car for another five years, underscoring the importance of regular maintenance and having a good, trustworthy mechanic.
To keep their vehicles running reliably, three-quarters (77 percent) of respondents take their car to a shop for maintenance and repair, while 21 percent reportedly handle those duties themselves.
More respondents (37 percent) took their cars to independent shops than to other types of mechanics . These are followed by dealerships (30 percent) and repair chains (11 percent), such as Midas or Pep Boys.
The vast majority of respondents who are involved with repair decisions (91 percent) said they trust their repair shop, with women, older drivers, and those with household incomes above $50,000 being significantly more trusting. Only eight percent of interviewees said they trust their shop very little or not at all.
When asked about their shop’s quality and pricing, consumers were again overwhelmingly satisfied, with just 15 percent expressing a lack of confidence.
Even with a high level of trust, consumers do their research before bringing the car to the shop and many wish they had more information available.
Car owners agree that they...
Authorize whatever work the shop recommends
73%
Research reommendations before authorizing work
68%
Wish they had more information going into the shop
56%
Negotiate the price of the work
46%
Shop around for the lowest repair price
45%
Find the repair bill is usually higher than expected
42%
The responses to these questions varied by gender, age, and income. For instance, women are more likely than men to shop around for the lowest repair price and negotiate the price. Similarly, more younger owners shop around for the best price (35 percent) while older respondents are far more likely to authorize whatever the shop recommends (47 percent). Households with incomes under $50,000, which are more price sensitive, are more likely to shop around and experience sticker shock than those with higher incomes. They also crave more information in order to make a smart decision.
While consumers are mostly happy with their maintenance and repair experiences, it is clear that being better informed can lead to higher satisfaction. To help, Consumer Reports has launched a new car repair information service that can help drivers understand common problems, learn how components work, and receive a service estimate that reflects local prices.
Powered by RepairPal, the Car Repair Estimator asks motorists to enter in the year, make, and model of their car, along with a zip code. From there, users can select routine maintenance for their car based on mileage intervals and the Estimator will tally the work and parts to provide a local price range. This information can educate you on what to expect and help ensure that you get a fair deal.
Even if you only want to better understand how components or systems function, the Car Repair Encyclopedia can answer many common questions.
Related:Survey: Consumers are running risks by postponing car maintenance or repair Survey: Better reliability is why most consumers replace their car
—Jeff Bartlett

Auto Warranties, Routine Maintenance, and Repairs: Is Using the Dealer a Must?

2011-01-05T14:26:00.000-08:00

Auto Warranties, Routine Maintenance, and Repairs: Is Using the Dealer a Must?

If you own a car, you know how important it is to keep up with routine maintenance and repairs. But can a dealer refuse to honor the warranty that came with your new car if someone else does the routine maintenance or repairs?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, says no. In fact, it’s illegal for a dealer to deny your warranty coverage simply because you had routine maintenance or repairs performed by someone else. Routine maintenance often includes oil changes, tire rotations, belt replacement, fluid checks and flushes, new brake pads, and inspections. Maintenance schedules vary by vehicle make, model and year; the best source of information about routine scheduled maintenance is your owner’s manual.

What is a warranty?

A warranty is a promise, often made by a manufacturer, to stand behind its product or to fix certain defects or malfunctions over a period of time. The warranty pays for any covered repairs or part replacements during the warranty period.

Do I have to use the dealer for repairs and maintenance to keep my warranty in effect?

No. An independent mechanic, a retail chain shop, or even you yourself can do routine maintenance and repairs on your vehicle. In fact, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which is enforced by the FTC, makes it illegal for manufacturers or dealers to claim that your warranty is void or to deny coverage under your warranty simply because someone other than the dealer did the work. That said, there may be certain situations where a repair may not be covered. For example, if you or your mechanic replaced a belt improperly and your engine is damaged as a result, your manufacturer or dealer may deny responsibility for fixing the engine under the warranty. However, according to the FTC, the manufacturer or dealer must be able to demonstrate that it was the improper belt replacement — rather than some other defect — that caused the damage to your engine. The warranty would still be in effect for other parts of your car.

Will using ‘aftermarket’ parts void my warranty?

No. An ‘aftermarket’ part is a part made by a company other than the vehicle manufacturer or the original equipment manufacturer. Simply using an aftermarket part does not void your warranty.

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act makes it illegal for companies to void your warranty or deny coverage under the warranty simply because you used an aftermarket part. Still, if it turns out that the aftermarket part was itself defective or wasn’t installed correctly, and it causes damage to another part that is covered under the warranty, the manufacturer or dealer has the right to deny coverage for that part and charge you for any repairs. The FTC says the manufacturer or dealer must show that the aftermarket equipment caused the need for repairs before denying warranty coverage.

Tips To Avoid Warranty Issues

Here’s how to get the most out of your vehicle’s warranty:
• Read your warranty. Often bundled with your owner’s manual, the warranty gives a general description and specific details about your coverage. If you have misplaced your owner’s manual, look for it online. Check the "Owners" section of your manufacturer’s website.
• Be aware of your warranty period. If problems arise that are covered under the warranty, get them checked out before the warranty expires.
• Service your car at regular intervals. This is a good idea in any case. But for the sake of keeping your warranty intact, follow the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule. Details are in your owner’s manual.
• Keep all service records and receipts, regardless of who performs the service. This includes oil changes, tire rotations, belt replacement, new brake pads, and inspections. Create a file to keep track of repairs; it will come in handy if you have to use your warranty. If you ever have a warranty claim and it appears that you did not maintain your vehicle, your claim could be denied.
• Complain. If you think a dealer’s service advisor denied your warranty claim unfairly, ask to speak with a supervisor. If you still aren’t satisfied, contact the manufacturer or go to another dealer. You also may wish to file a complaint with your state Attorney General, local consumer protection office, local Better Business Bureau, or the FTC.

For More Information
Visit ftc.gov for free information on buying, financing, leasing, renting and maintaining vehicles.
The FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. Watch a new video, How to File a Complaint, at ftc.gov/video to learn more. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
December 2010

The Future of Smog Check

2010-04-29T08:36:00.000-07:00

OBDIII – The “Green” Trojan Horse

New legislation on emissions testing threatens privacy and 4th Amendment Rights, but what's worse is that local businesses and economies lose the most. Brea, CA (PRWEB ) December 8, 2009 -- Imagine a device that is attached to your car that can monitor your driving. One tiny computer that can properly track your routes, the times you traveled, your rates of acceleration, braking, and the effect your vehicular propensities had on your miles per gallon; that by tracking your driving habits you could potentially change them to more properly reflect what the dealers say you get per gallon on your car. Furthermore, consider that this very same device can measure every aspect of your car’s electronic and mechanical systems, as well as conduct system-wide scans to identify potential repair work that would deter major breakdowns, parts replacements, and help maintain a cleaner environment altogether. Now imagine that the government can access this information whenever they see fit.
The upside to all of this is that such a device for tracking your driving habits already exists; however, maintains a plug-in requirement to retrieve any of the information stored inside your car’s On-Board Diagnostics computer (OBDII). In short, Big Brother’s watchful eye remains blind to all of your whereabouts and bad habits on the road, for now – and while OBDIII may still be years away, there is an intrigue within State Legislatures that has initiated an industry press on developing adaptive technologies that seem poised to become the future of emissions programs across the nation. OBDII technology – standard on every car sold In the United States since model year 1999 – has been accepted as an emissions industry grail in efficiently determining polluters, and in preemptively identifying mechanical issues before they become hazardous to roadway users and the public health. Early identification (that pugnacious ‘Check Engine’ light) has proven to be a vital utility in harnessing repair costs, cutting emissions output and improving fuel efficiency, all of which ultimately cuts the total cost of, and yields a higher return on investment for your automobile. OBDIII takes it one step further.OBDIII, a.k.a. Remote OBD or Future OBD, has already undergone legislation in Oregon and Nevada (NV Assembly Bill 414, passed in May 2009) and pilot programs in California and Denver, where governments have attached devices to public and volunteer vehicles. The technology works through telemetry; utilizing cellular and satellite networks to relay information from your car’s OBD computer, the data is then retrieved wirelessly either by roadside readers, mobile vans, or satellite uplinks (think of toll road transponders and attribute that to your car’s computer). The early applications have been primarily used to track fleet vehicles, with the City of Denver conducting the largest study to date, attaching Remote OBD devices to 430 vehicles, both public and citizen.The results of the Denver study inarguably generated vast reductions in pollution by each of the participating vehicles (over 50% fuel savings in some vehicles), something we can most all agree to be a mark to strive for; however, the very heart of the proposal calls into question man’s, and in particular – government’s – ability to restrain itself with information access. In the wake of the controversial NSA Wiretapping Program, the Patriot Act, and America’s torrid history with keeping the government from encroaching on our 4th Amendment rights; supporting a program that ferments government intrusion into the lives of citizens seems foolhardy.So glaringly obvious are the potential constitutional issues with OBDIII, that it led Sierra Research – a prominent California technology and research firm, and advocates of OBDIII technology – to state the following on April 27, 1999: in an “Update on Legal and Public Acceptance Issues Associated with OBDIII” report to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), Sierra states: “The OBD III program is a suspicionless search because CARB has no reason to suspect that a particular vehicle has a defective emissions control system or excessive emissions, but nevertheless requires the vehicle computer to monitor for and report information concerning compliance with CARB regulations.” Beyond Orwellian fears of “Big Brother” peering into our personal lives, OBDIII poses an immediate danger to local economies, as well. Much of the reason that State Legislators have found favor with the program is for its “drastic” reductions in State costs associated with operating an emissions program. The thinking is that by streamlining emissions testing into one pre-packaged bureaucracy by using roadside readers, satellite/cellular relay, mobile trucks, and the oversight agency, the costs to the State will be driven down for not having to purchase machines and maintain inspection facilities. However, decentralized programs are generally constructed so that facility maintenance and machine purchasing falls solely upon independent shop owners who opt to participate in the program. When the machines are removed from those facilities, what is truly taken is a revenue stream that stimulates capital circulation through the local economy and creates jobs. So government gains, while local citizens lose out.The total cost of OBDIII is passed down to more than just local business in its lost revenue. Estimates for the devices place the unit cost at up to $225; that becomes a cumbersome hike in the bottom line of new car purchases for the consumer, or the fee to retrofit an existing OBDII system with a remote. Beyond new OBDIII-ready cars, any car not equipped with an OBDIII module either has to be retrofitted with one (likely at consumer cost) or undergo an already existing type of testing, which means that regardless of remote capability, the State would still need to maintain inspection facilities in addition to the new technology. This necessity for two technologies would ultimately inflate the program costs.Proposed enforcement comes in two forms: law enforcement pullovers, or mailed citations. It’s hard to imagine that Americans would agree with law enforcement hours and tax dollars being spent on pulling over emissions offenders, as opposed to patrolling the streets, and in this nation, no citation is cheap. Tack on the costs of paperwork, clerical work, and mailings, and the program cost again rises for the State, while costs associated with citations only exacerbate the already rising costs of registration and the looming potential costs of repairs. More of America’s personal wealth feeding into the government system, as currently in Virginia, a fine under a similar program has a ceiling of $680 – for an emissions violation!And what of this Orwellian fear, where government has access to your car’s diagnostic system? One advantage of the program is the ability to disable vehicles, say for instance, in the case of a high speed pursuit. Though just like the Internet and anything else that’s vulnerable to hacks, is it really only the government who has access? Is it not pragmatic to think that having sensitive information, such as VIN and GPS-Tracking, stored in wireless transfers may create an environment ripe for unlawful access to other personal information, such as home addresses? So that any person may have their car disabled by a thrill-seeking hacker, or worse yet, be stalked or tracked so that a would-be assailant knows when you’re not at home, or more worrisome, when you are?The two-headed monster such a program would create with the insistent Mileage Tax proposals further deepens this argument into intrusive government taxing our driving habits, but that’s a fear for another piece. No, it wouldn’t seem that OBDIII’s environmental impact outweighs the loss to local businesses, the increase in unemployment, the excessive costs to consumers, the safety fears, or the 4th Amendment intrusion concerns that it carries with it like engine sludge. And if it does for you, then may I suggest lo-jacking your car and taking a look at the websites below, because they offer the environmental impact advantages such a program would have without any of the intrusive drawbacks. While you’re at it, write your congressperson an email and tell them to keep their eyes off your odometer.
www.carchip.com
http://www.scangauge.com/

Five Steps to a "Greener" Car

2010-04-27T16:32:00.000-07:00

It doesn't matter if the car you're driving is new or old, big or small. There are preventive maintenance steps every vehicle owner can take to make sure their car is as "green" or environmentally friendly as possible, according to the Car Care Council.
By following five simple preventive maintenance steps, you can help protect the environment by improving gas mileage, which in turn saves money at the pump.

1) Keep your car properly tuned for optimum performance. A well-tuned engine delivers the best balance of power and fuel economy and produces the lowest level of emissions. A 21st Century tune-up can improve gas mileage by an average of 4 percent. Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve gas mileage by as much as 40 percent.

2) Regularly check and replace dirty air filters. An air filter that is clogged with dirt, dust and bugs chokes off the air and creates a "rich" mixture - too much gas being burned for the amount of air - that wastes gas and causes the engine to lose power. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent, saving about 15 cents a gallon.

3) Have spark plugs checked and replaced if necessary. A vehicle can have four, six or eight spark plugs, which fire as many as three million times every 1,000 miles. This results in a lot of heat, electrical, and chemical erosion. A dirty spark plug also causes misfiring, which wastes fuel.

4) Maintain the cooling system. A cooling system thermostat that causes the engine to run too cold will lower the fuel efficiency of a car by as much as one or two mpg. There also are improved radiator caps on the market today that allow the cooling system to operate at a higher temperature before boiling over, increasing the system's efficiency and reducing emissions.

5) Maintain and repair your car as outlined in the council’s Car Care Guide. The guide helps drivers understand their car, the care it needs, and when it needs it and why. Single copies of the free guide may be ordered on the Car Care Council Web site, www.carcare.org.

In addition to proper vehicle maintenance, vehicles can be more fuel-efficient if tires are properly inflated and if drivers observe the speed limit, avoid aggressive driving and excessive idling, and adhere to an errand list to eliminate extra trips to the store for forgotten items.
Click here for the section in the Car Care Guide about environmental awareness.
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mercury/carcareguide/index.php?startid=25

Traffic Fatalities for 2009 Reach Record Low

2010-03-16T14:16:00.000-07:00

Finally, some good news to read!!!
The U.S. Department of Transportation on March 11 announced that the number of overall traffic fatalities reported at the end of 2009 reached the lowest level since 1954, declining for the 15th consecutive quarter. According to early projections, the fatality rate, which takes into account the number of miles traveled, reached the lowest level ever recorded.
The projected fatality data for 2009 places the highway death count at 33,963, a drop of 8.9 percent as compared to the 37,261 deaths reported in 2008. The fatality rate for 2009 declined to the lowest on record, to 1.16 fatalities per 100 million Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), down from 1.25 fatalities per 100 million VMT in 2008.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) attributes the decline in 2009 to a combination of factors, including high visibility campaigns like Click It or Ticket to increase seat belt use, and Drunk Driving, Over the Limit. Under Arrest, which helps with the enforcement of state laws to prevent drunk driving and distracted driving. In addition, the decline is also the result of safer roads, safer vehicles and motorists driving less.
NHTSA annually collects crash statistics from the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, to produce annual reports on traffic fatality trends. The agency intends to update 2009 estimates regularly as more data becomes available. The final counts for 2009 will be made available in summer 2010.
To view the preliminary fatality statistics, visit http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811291.PDF

Millions Rolling on Bald Tires

2010-01-13T09:00:00.000-08:00

Could this be you? I look out the window today and I see wet roads from the recent rain. Bald tires or even tires with low tread can lead to accidents. Have your tires check soon and we can check the pressure if your tires are in good condition to help you get better mileage and lower your emissions for a cleaner environment.

Millions Rolling on Bald Tires: RMA Report
A survey of more than 7,000 vehicles revealed that more than 11 percent had at least one bald tire, which can increase the risk of a crash, particularly in wet weather conditions that frequently occur during fall and winter months.
11/24/2009
Millions of drivers are sporting at least one bald tire, putting themselves and others at risk, according to research by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA).A survey of more than 7,000 vehicles revealed that more than 11 percent had at least one bald tire, which can increase the risk of a crash, particularly in wet weather conditions that frequently occur during fall and winter months. Extrapolating that result out, that means that nearly 28 million vehicles are in dire need to new treads.According to AAA, an estimated 33.2 million motorists will take to the road for Thanksgiving travel and that means nearly 4 million motorists could be at risk by driving on bald tires.Additional alarming statistics revealed in a national motorist phone survey earlier this year found that 64 percent of car owners did not know how to check tread depth and 9 percent never check tread depth, said RMA.“In this bad economy, drivers may be delaying necessary vehicle maintenance to save costs,” said Charles Cannon, RMA president and CEO. “But that delay may cost you more dearly if worn out tires lead to a crash with injuries or fatalities.”“Your tires literally keep your vehicle attached to the road," Cannon said. “Bald tires are dangerous because they cannot grip the road properly, they increase stopping distances and can contribute to skidding or loss of vehicle control."Not only are too many motorists not paying attention to tread depth, they also are ignoring tire inflation pressure. Under-inflated tires also pose a safety risk, wear out faster and increase vehicle fuel consumption.A similar survey of more than 5,400 vehicles' tire pressure conducted in March through May 2009, RMA found that only 9 percent of vehicles had four properly inflated tires, and 50 percent had at least one under-inflated tire – 19 percent of which had at least one tire under-inflated by 8 psi. (Tire Review)

American Families Save $26 Billion Annually at Independent Repair Shops

2010-01-13T08:56:00.000-08:00

I found this article through AAA. Very interesting news.

American Families Save $26 Billion Annually at Independent Repair Shops, Data Shows
Right to Repair proponents say research demonstrates need for legislation.
11/24/2009
Proponents of the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act Web say that new data revealing the economic importance of the automotive aftermarket to consumers shows why Congress needs to pass legislation to ensure a competitive repair market. According to the new study conducted by John Dunham and Associates for the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) and the Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE), independent auto repair shops save American consumers nearly $26 billion or $360 per family annually. The newly released data also provides estimated figures on the number of repair shops per state and congressional district, plus estimated sales per shop, overall sales and savings realized by choosing an independent repair shop per state and congressional district."This comprehensive data provides even more evidence that the automotive aftermarket is a central part of the economy and that consumers will realize significant savings from a competitive vehicle repair marketplace," said Ray Pohlman, president of CARE. "An extra $360 annually can help a family buy groceries and pay medical bills. Passage of the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 2057) is paramount to ensuring that there will be a competitive automotive repair industry now and in the future.""This data reveals that significant dollars are at stake not only to the U.S. economy but to each American family in passing Right to Repair legislation. The study further explains why the car manufacturers would like to retain control of the repair information, tools and software needed by independent repair shops to repair late model vehicles," said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of AAIA. "Every single person who owns or operates a vehicle stands to suffer economically if the Right to Repair Act is not passed."The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 2057) currently has the support of 46 members of the House of Representatives. Data from the study is now available on the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act website at www.guerrillaeconomics.biz/righttorepair.Consumers interested in supporting Right to Repair can send a letter urging their members of Congress to support the pending legislation by visiting www.righttorepair.org. autocarepro:news Copyright © 2009 autocarepro:news All Rights Reserved.

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE, IT’S IN THE BUDGET

2009-11-04T11:34:00.001-08:00

Whether you dread it or look forward to the challenge, there will come a point when you realize it’s time to update your budget or maybe create one for the first time. You resolutely gather up the bills and bank statements and settle in for the long haul. As you figure out your budget, you make sure to set aside money each month for the bills, groceries, doctor’s visits and other regular expenses you’ve come to expect. The time finally comes to put the budget in action and everything seems to work like it is supposed to. That changes, however, when you get ready to leave for work one morning and discover that your vehicle won’t start. After getting a repair estimate on what it will take to get the vehicle running, your well worked budget suddenly seems to be lacking. Unfortunately, vehicle repair is often overlooked because it is not thought of as a normal monthly expense. But although it is not needed every month, your vehicle’s maintenance does follow a regular pattern. Take a minute to look through the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual. The maintenance your vehicle needs is broken down by mileage. If your driving habits stay consistent throughout the year, it will be easy to see where the services need to be placed in your budget. While all vehicles typically need the same maintenance, the intervals between each service can vary. For this reason, it’s important to make sure the maintenance schedule you are looking at is designed for your vehicle. If you can’t find your owner’s manual, we can provide you with a schedule that is right for your vehicle.

That’s all for now. Check back next week for more tips from Autotrend Diagnostics, or visit www.AutotrendDiagnostics.com and click the Monday Morning Mechanic link for other automotive service tips.

PASSWORD SECURITY

2009-10-29T09:34:00.000-07:00

Stolen Hotmail Passwords Demonstrate Need for Stronger Passwords
I borrowed this from my friend Mike. It is not auto related but I think important for us all to be aware of.
By now, you've probably heard that 30,000 passwords for Hotmail and Gmail accounts were stolen earlier this month
But did you know that a security group analyzed those passwords and found that the most commonly used password was 123456? If that wasn't bad enough, the second most common password that was used...yep, you guessed it...123456789.
In today's electronic environment, that's unbelievable. We no longer live in a world where we can use a simple string of numbers or a child's name as a password. They're just too easy to hack...and the results can be much more devastating than merely finding your emails made public.
The problem is that we all have so many passwords. So how do we make strong passwords that we can actually remember for every account?
The tips below can help you avoid the most common password pitfalls and even implement a few new ideas that will make your passwords easy to remember...and hard to break!
Don't Use a Password that's Easy to Guess
There's no way around it...a well-protected password is hard for other people to guess. How do you do that? It's pretty simple really. Just follow this advice:
· Use a random string of characters. That means no sequential letters or numbers, like those Hotmail accounts that used 123456!
· Make it looooong. The longer the better--even up to as many as 10 to 14 characters if space allows.
· Switch things up. Use a combination of upper and lower case letters, along with a few numbers mixed in the middle or end.
· Don't use substitute symbols in common words. Using "@" for "a" or "1" for "I" may look good to you, but most hackers are smart enough to break those substitutes rather quickly when the password consists of a common word.
· For that matter, avoid easy targets like words straight out of the dictionary or things like family names and birthdays.
Don't Use the Same Password for All Accounts!
Most of us cheat when it comes to passwords. We have trouble remembering our passwords, so we come up with two or three that we can remember and use them everywhere.
But...you should avoid the temptation! That's because all of your accounts will be vulnerable if even one account is compromised. The reality is, you need to create and remember multiple passwords--a different one for each account! Fortunately, it's easier than you think. Just follow the steps below.
4 Simple Steps to Memorable, Yet Unique Passwords
Good passwords come down to two things: (1) they're easy for you to remember and (2) they're hard for others to break. Here's a sure-fire tip that can help you achieve both!
Think up a phrase. Instead of a common word or family member's name, think up a unique phrase that only you know. For example, you may think up something off the wall such as "I Like Short Hair Too."
Make it an acronym. In our example, "I Like Short Hair Too" would become ILSHT.
Add Complexity. Remember those substitutes you're not supposed to use with common dictionary words? Well, you CAN use them with your acronym. For example, "I Like Short Hair Too" can become "1 Like $hort Hair 2" which makes: 1L$H2. You can also use upper and lower letters to make it 1L$h2. The point is to be creative, but in a way that you can easily remember it.
Make it unique. A password is only really unique if you use it for one account and one account only. So you can't just use 1L$h2 for every account. And, in reality it's still too short. Here's the key to the whole process: Mix in additional letters and numbers that are unique to each account. For example, if you're logging into a "gmail account" you can use the "gm" and "@cct" (for acct) to make: 1L$h2gM@cct. Then, for a Netflix account, you may use: 1L$h2Nf@cct. That way, you're passwords will be hard for others to guess and unique to each account, but also easy for you to remember!
Of course, these are just examples. You'll want to be creative and think up your own acronym and ways to add unique characters for each account. And then keep that little secret to yourself so no one will be able to guess your account passwords.
Follow these simple steps and you'll have passwords that are tough to break, unique to every account, and easy to remember. And if you have children in your house who are starting to use passwords for email and IM accounts, teach them these steps to help educate them on the importance of strong passwords - they'll thank you later in life!
Check back next week for more info about your vehicles.

Buy a new car, or fix the old?

2009-10-21T09:21:00.000-07:00

WITH THE ECONOMY in maximum “underdrive,” a new car may not be the top priority on some motorists’ lists. Instead, they’re looking to squeeze more miles out of the car they have. Driving an older car longer does save
money—about $11,000 if you keep your four-year-old car another four years instead of trading it, according to a recent study by management consulting firm Runzheimer International. And modern cars are so durable, easily reaching 150,000 miles before becoming too tired to drive, that buying a new car is sometimes more a matter of desire
than necessity. Instead, consider investing some of those savings in a minor makeover and Old Faithful could become almost as good as new, as well as safer and more reliable. Here are some suggestions.

First, fix it. Ask Autotrend Diagnsotics to give your car a thorough inspection. If the inspection uncovers a cracked cooling system hose, frayed windshield wiper or broken shock absorber, replace it. Remember that annoying power window that seems to work only during a full moon? Repair it. And if the odometer shows between 60,000 and 90,000
miles, renew the engine timing belt before it breaks, demolishing both the engine and your bank account. Perform whatever routine service is due, as listed in the owner’s manual. During last October’s Car Care Month campaign, the Car Care Council, an automotive-repair trade group (www.carcare.org), found that one third of the vehicles inspected had low, overfull or dirty motor oil; a fifth had low, leaking or dirty coolant; a sixth had low, overfull or burnt transmission fluid.

Re-tire it. “New tires are the easiest, quickest and most cost-effective way to make an older car feel like new,” says Doug Kott, senior feature editor of Road & Track magazine. Tires with deep tread better grip the pavement, enhancing cornering ability. Thick tread adds to ride comfort because it absorbs irregularities in the pavement. And unworn
tires are less apt to aquaplane in the rain, a safety advantage. New tires also may reduce
interior noise and, when properly inflated, improve fuel economy. A tire pro can help you select tires that
will provide the attributes you deem most important. Tires fitted to new cars typically are optimized for long tread life and low noise levels, according to Kott. But if, say, responsive handling is more important to you, you might
choose high-performance tires, though they may wear quicker. Whatever you select, have the wheels aligned and the tires balanced.

Shine it “It’s psychological, but when I clean my car it seems to run better,” says Rich White, Executive Director
of the Car Care Council. It’s amazing how a professional detailing can make an older car look spanking new. Or do it yourself, beginning with a wash. Dish soaps strip wax from the paint; use soap made for cars. Dry with
pure cotton or special microfiber towels— they won’t leave swirl marks. If the paint doesn’t feel baby-bottom smooth, use cleaning clay on the surface. Follow with wax to protect the paint. Touch-up paints that exactly match your
car’s color are available from your dealer. A “paintless” dent-removal service can quickly
remove parking-lot dings. Vacuum the interior and use automotive vinyl or leather treatments, or cloth shampoo, on the upholstery.

Accessorize it. Seat covers and a fresh set of floor mats will spiff up the interior. Install a set of fancy wheels, a GPS, an aftermarket sound system, Bluetooth hands-free kit or an iPod adapter and your old car will really seem special again. Then …
Enjoy it!

Check back next week for more information from Autotrend Diagnostics.

CAN YOUR CAR LAST FOR 200,000 MILES?

2009-10-14T11:30:00.000-07:00

CAN YOUR CAR LAST FOR 200,000 MILES?

Yes it can!! According to the Annual Auto Online Survey conducted by Consumer Reports, a vehicle owner can potentially SAVE thousands of dollars by properly maintaining their existing vehicle rather than trading it in for a newer model. When comparing the cost of buying and keeping a car for 225,000 miles over 15 years to buying an identical model every five years, Consumer Reports found the savings could be more than the original purchase price of the vehicle – and even greater if the savings were invested. As an example, their research revealed that maintaining a Civic EX over 15 years would be approximately $30,800 less than the cost of buying a new Civic EX every five years.

WHAT IS MORE EXPENSIVE, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING MY VEHICLE?

Proper vehicle maintenance and inspections will help to prevent costly and inconvenient breakdowns. When your vehicle is completely inspected by a full service shop at each maintenance service any items that may be near the end of its useful life can be addressed, greatly reducing the chance of a breakdown. While the quickie oil changers may be convenient, they do not perform such repairs as brakes or fluid leaks, so they may not call your attention to such problems as these which means you may not know of the problem until it is too late to prevent a breakdown.

Autotrend Diagnostics can keep your vehicle in top condition. We have access to the latest factory information for your vehicle and proper repair parts that meet or exceed factory specifications to ensure a safe, reliable, worry free, and long life for your vehicle!!

That’s all for now. Check back next week for more tips from Autotrend Diagnostics, or visit www.AutotrendDiagnostics.com and click the Monday Morning Mechanic link for other automotive service tips.

2009-10-06T11:57:00.000-07:00

PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

I hear it all the time. “I really like my car but it is getting close to 100,000 miles so I have to start looking for another one.” NOT TRUE!! With proper care and preventive maintenance, some cars have gone way past 400,000 miles. Many of the 1966 Ford Mustangs that collectors cherish so much are still going strong and there are many other models out there doing the same. All it takes is some TLC.

A car is highly complex with many moving components and each of these components has a lifespan. If taken care of, the lifespan can be extended. Many cars have exceeded 400,000 miles and according to Wikipedia.org, some have even reached 1,000,000 miles. For many of these, the efforts at maintenance have not been excessively costly. Here is a list by Joseph Yonger, author of “How to keep your car going…..and going” from AAA’s Car & Travel Magazine:

“10 Secrets” for Long Car Life

Do regular oil changes
Monitor key fluids
Maintain the transmission
Change spark plugs as recommended
Watch and care for the timing belt
Don’t forget the radiator
Remember the filters
Fight rust
Know and use your maintenance manual
Drive with habits that don’t take years off the car

The author of “Drive it Forever,” Bob Sikorsky, sponsors a “High Mileage” club (www.theautochannel.com) with over 4000 members. He says the “family car can last 1,500,000 miles.

That’s all for now. Check back next week for more tips from Autotrend Diagnostics, or visit www.AutotrendDiagnostics.com and click the Monday Moring Mechanic link for other automotive service tips.