Effective immediately, Chyrsler is upgrading its three-year, 36,000 mile powertrain warranty to a lifetime warranty. The warranty only applies to original owners and lessees, and specifically excludes rental companies and corporate fleets. Still, it’s a good news, right? The car experts at Jalopnik think it could be better:
cars
SunPass Regularly Overcharges Customers
By 7.28.07
SunPass, Florida’s automated prepaid toll system responsible for processing 2 million tolls each day, regularly overcharges and erroneously bills customers, according to an investigation from WTSP.
E-ZPass Charge You Fee When It Malfunctions
By 7.27.07
The Red Tape Chronicles has an interesting story from Kathy Sunato, a Pennsylvania driver who noticed that E-ZPass was charging her strange $5 fees.
Gas Prices May Remain Stable Through The End Of The Year
By 7.25.07
Take out the keys, throw open the garage, gas prices may soon end their wallet-busting ascent. Analysts armed with charts and calculators think gas prices may camp for the rest of the year around the $3 mark. Of course, hurricanes or explosions can wreak havoc on estimates and refineries, but barring interference from terrorists, careless workers, or Mother Nature, the worst may be over. From the L.A. Times:
Beware Nationwide Locksmith Swindle
By 7.20.07
Takeaway: AAA membership has perks. Or, consider taking a few to find a locksmith with a good local word of mouth and putting their number on your cellphone. The fire department can unlock cars, but only if it’s on fire or there’s a baby trapped inside. And of course, try not to lock your keys in your car.
Plug-In Hybrids Could Help Cut Emissions
By 7.20.07
Plug-In Hybrids are not yet available, but new research says that when they are their use could slash emissions by, well… a lot. Theoretically, plug-in hybrids could be driven up to 40 miles a day on electricity alone. More good news: using electricity for fuel wouldn’t harm the power grid and the equivalent cost would be about $1 a gallon. But can car manufacturers make the cars cheap enough and the electric company make power clean enough to sell the idea to the American public?
The upbeat news for plug-ins, seen by many as the next big step in environmentally friendly automotive technology, came with two caveats. Achieving the maximum air quality improvements would require a significant cut in the pollution produced by electric utilities. It’s also dependent on large-scale adoption of plug-in hybrids, which may not be in new-car showrooms for several years.
Georgia Sues Infamous Bill Heard Dealership
By 7.10.07
Georgia is suing the super duper shady Bill Heard dealership, whom we wrote about twice in July 2006. This time, the dealership stands to get slapped on the hand for sending out advertising that fraudulently appeared to be recall notices for GM cars, but were actually printed by the state’s biggest car seller in an attempt to scare people into buying new cars. The result of the lawsuit could be a fine of a $5,000 per mailing, up to $50,000,000, reports AJC.com, and a promise to stop deceptive trade practices. It would mark the 16th such promise Bill Heard has made in its 16 years of business.
By 7.10.07
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Automotive journalist goes car shopping, without telling any of the salesmen who he really is. [KickingTires]
When Warmer Temperatures Throw Off Gas Pumps, Consumers Pay
By 7.9.07
“In the summer time fuel gets hot and as the fuel gets hot the volume expands, but the energy does not,” says a new report from NPR. The basic idea is that while the volume of fuel expands and contracts, the amount of potential energy within the gas stays the same. A gallon of gas at 80 degrees won’t push a car as far as a gallon of gas at 60 degrees.
By 7.8.07
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Chrysler is expected to introduce the Chery A1 by 2009 with an expected price tag of around $10,000. The Chery is sold primarily in developing countries, but will be improved for the American market with amenities like “glowing cup holders, a powerful stereo and other features younger people expect.”
How To Get A Deal On A Rental Car
By 7.8.07
Ask For A Discount: Always ask for a discount, especially if you’re a member of an organization like AAA or AARP.
Hybrid Mileage Claims Spur Lawsuit
By 7.7.07
A California man shocked that his Honda Civic Hybrid’s gas efficiency didn’t match EPA estimates has decided to file a class action suit against Honda for false advertising. John True spent an extra $7,000 on the hybrid model after seeing advertisements that claimed average city fuel efficiency of 49 mpg. True was horrified to discover that after 6,000 miles of driving, he only averaged 32 mpg.
The lawsuit claims American Honda Motor Co. has misled consumers in its advertisements and on its Web site. The suit notes that while the Environmental Protection Agency and automobile window stickers say “mileage will vary,” some Honda advertisements read “mileage may vary.” That implies that it’s possible to get the mileage advertised, said William H. Anderson, a Washington, D.C., attorney for True.
385 Car Rental Discount Codes
By 7.6.07 — Updated: 9.8.16
Here’s about 385 working discount codes and coupons for National, Enterprise, Budget, AVIS, and HERTZ, courtesy of Fat Wallet. The post says they’re all tested as of 6/30/07. If you have trouble using any of the codes, read through the pages of messages for tips and pointers.
By 7.6.07
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Man blogs effort to get Kia car that randomly turns off while driving it returned under Oregon lemon law.
Now This Is A Car Salesman
By 6.28.07
A guy walks into a dealership and wants to buy a $30,000 truck for $19,900, according to this blog entry by car salesman, “Bloodraven” (pictured). The mark gets with one salesman but then calls over to a second salesman he’s bought from a few years ago. Now the second salesman has to sell the truck for the first salesman. Read how salesman #2 fends off the seemingly unstoppable customer’s quest for a deal with a good jerk of the patriotic heartstrings…
How To Repair A Plastic Bumper
By 6.27.07
Plastic bumpers are a real snagglepuss to repair but it can be done, and for less than your deductible, this Instructable by Popular Mechanics tells us.
