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Consumer Watch: Gas-saving gimmicks don't work

As gas prices rise so does the number of ads for "gas-saving" products designed to appeal to consumers looking for ways to improve fuel efficiency.

Maintaining your vehicle according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, changing filters and checking tire pressure regularly is the number one proven way to keep your vehicle running efficiently and maintain the highest gas mileage possible. However, the Better Business Bureau warns consumers to be wary “of gas-saving claims for automotive devices or oil and gas additives. While some of the gas-saving products have been proved to work, the savings are small, at best”.

Using some of these after-market products could cause serious engine problems or void the manufacturer’s warranty. The BBB recommends being particularly skeptical of the following kinds of advertising claims:

"Product improves fuel economy by 20 percent." The Environmental Protection Agency has evaluated or tested more than 100 alleged gas-saving devices and has not found any product that significantly improves gas mileage.

In fact, some "gas-saving" products may damage a car's engine or cause substantial increases in exhaust emissions. Some of these products include Air Bleed Devices, Vapor Bleed Devices, Liquid Injection, Fuel Line Devices, Mixture Enhancers, Internal Engine Modifications and more.

"I got an extra 4 miles per gallon with your product." Although ads may feature glowing customer testimonials, consumers should keep in mind that few people have the ability or the equipment to test for precise changes in gas mileage after installing a gas-saving product.

"Approved by the Federal Government." No government agency endorses gas-saving products for cars.

Instead of searching for miraculous gas-saving products, the BBB recommends that consumers consider taking one or more of the no-cost or low-cost actions that can help drivers save on gas consumption.

The most important place to start is at the gas pump. Buy only the octane level gas you need. Check your owner's manual to determine the right octane level for your car.

For more information visit their Web site at www.bbb.org.

Seasonal Car Care Planning and Preventative Maintenance Can Save You Money and Time as the Weather Changes

"Timely maintenance does more than keep your vehicle running smoothly," says Pat Goss, longtime mechanic and owner of Goss' Garage in Seabrook, Md., as well as co-host of the PBS television show "MotorWeek."

"It will save you money in both the short- and long-term because you are improving your vehicle's trade-in value, getting the most out of its mileage, and preventing costly repairs down the road."

In addition to keeping cash in your pockets, performing routine maintenance and using quality products can help drivers stay safe through even the nastiest of conditions. Maintenance plays a big role in staying safe -- according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about one in eight crashes can be attributed to mechanical defects due to neglected vehicle maintenance.

To avoid costly repairs and ensure your safety in preparation for harsh conditions, prep in advance by following a few simple guidelines:

Early Fall

Tune-up -- Get a full engine tune-up, as outlined in your owner's manual.

Fix the brakes -- Don't postpone needed brake work. Avoiding brake repair can be extremely dangerous, and if you procrastinate, you may end up damaging your rotors and incurring considerably more repair cost.

Get an oil change -- "Motor oil is the lifeblood of every vehicle," says Goss. "Replacing your current oil with a synthetic product that is specifically designed for longer oil change intervals helps to extend the life of your car. It is guaranteed to protect critical engine parts for up to 15,000 miles. Bear in mind, if you plan to go longer between oil changes , it is vital to follow the maintenance schedule for service to your brakes, tires, battery and other systems."

Mid-to-Late Fall

Check the battery -- If a battery is older than four years, it may not work well in cold weather. When in doubt, replace it.

Check filters, coolants and hoses -- Make sure all filters (oil, gas and air) are in good condition. Check the coolant and thermostat to ensure proper engine warm-up, and make sure your heater and defroster work. Coolant should be changed every two years, though the extended-life coolants used in many newer vehicles last about five years. Check for leaking or soft hoses and replace as needed.

Emergencies -- Put together an emergency kit containing gloves, boots, blankets, flares, a small shovel, sand or kitty litter (handy for providing traction on slippery surfaces), tire chains, a flashlight and a cell phone. You may also want to put a few "high-energy" snacks in your glove box.

Late Fall

Tire pressure -- Check tires for excessive wear and proper inflation. Be careful not to under-inflate or over-inflate tires. Low pressure increases wear and fuel consumption, while too much pressure can reduce traction, especially in icy conditions. As the weather gets cooler, your air pressure decreases.

Visibility -- Make sure to have window ice scrapers and de-icers available. Also replace your windshield wipers and make sure your front and rear defrosters are working properly.

Vehicle warm-up -- To ensure proper engine oil flow and lubrication, allow your engine to idle for a few seconds before driving in cold weather, and drive slowly for the first few miles until the oil is fully warmed up. In addition to being good for your engine, this practice reduces emissions and saves fuel.

"There's no reason to put off what you can accomplish today -- and why wait until it's bitter out?" says Goss. "Your car will be more reliable throughout the winter if properly cared for in the fall months." For more information on vehicle maintenance check out www.patgosscarworld.com and www.nhtsa.dot.gov.

Tip of the Week

Don't put sandbags or weight in the trunk of your front wheel drive car for extra traction in the winter. The extra weight in the rear actually lessens traction on the front wheels.

Extended Warranty Savings

The AAAutoWarranty special $100 off a 2 year or greater warranty expires October 31st. The discount code is SAVE100. Their website is www.AAAutoWarranty.com.

Top 10 Worst Cities for Gas Prices

According to Forbes.com as of September 16th they are:

1. Birmingham , Ala.
2. Orlando , Fla.
3. Nashville-Davidson , Tenn
4. El Paso , Texas-N.M.
5. Atlanta , Ga.
6. Pensacola , Fla.-Ala.
7. Raleigh-Durham , N.C.
8. Jacksonville , Fla.
9. Louisville , Ky.-Ind.
10. San Antonio , Texas

The Right to Repair Act - Keeping Your Costs Down

The Right to Repair Act requires vehicle manufacturers to make the same service information and tools available to independent service facilities as they do for their franchised dealers. This will mean you don’t have to pay the higher dealer hourly rate for certain types of repairs.

The Act, introduced by Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) and Darrel Issa (R-CA), now has 50 co-sponsors. For more information visit http://www.righttorepair.org.

Toyota Recalls 1.27 Million Cars

TOKYO -- Toyota is recalling about 1.27 million cars in the largest-ever single recall of vehicles in Japan in order to repair defective headlight switches. Toyota 's recall covers 17 car models, including its popular Corolla sedans and Vitz compact models.

This recall affects only cars in Japan , Australia , Singapore , Thailand and Malaysia.

Autos in the United States were not included in the recall.

Top Ten Most Stolen Vehicles

The top ten most stolen vehicles according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (the year is the model most stolen):

1. Honda Civic -2000
2. Toyota Camry -1989
3. Honda Accord -1991
4. Chevrolet C/K 1500 -1994
5. Dodge Caravan -1994
6. Ford F-150 -1997
7. Toyota Pickup -1986
8. Acura Integra -1995
9. Nissan Sentra -1987
10. Oldsmobile Cutlass -1986

NHTSA Announces Tire Safety Ratings

Passenger vehicle tire quality has improved since last year, according to ratings released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The agency rates tires based on traction, treadwear and their ability to resist heat.

This year, nearly 90 tire lines received the highest possible rating for traction. Also, five tire brands (Big-O, Goodyear, Michelin, Bridgestone and Cordovan) produce tire lines that received exceptional ratings for tread durability.

Tires with a higher treadwear rating should last longer. In grading for treadwear, tires are ranked numerically according to durability. The higher the number, the more durable the tire.

Tire ratings can be found on NHTSA's web site at http://www.safercar.gov. Here consumers can view ratings for tires used on passenger cars, minivans, sport utility vehicles and light pickup trucks.

Automotive Links
Can Be Found in our Resources Section

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Consumer Research
Parts and Supplies
Insurance and Financing
New and Used Vehicle Research
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Industry and Governmemt Links

Insider Report

Recalls and Service Bulletins Recalls are important safety repairs. Millions of vehicles and automotive products are recalled every year and a no cost repair or replacement is available. If you believe your vehicle or product qualifies for a recall, contact the manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
Product	Summary
MAZDA / MAZDA 5 2006	RECALL: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES A HEAT BUILDUP IN THE EXHAUST CAN OCCUR. CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. OWNERS WILL BE GIVEN A LOANER AT NO COST WHILE MAZDA MAKES REPAIRS. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
HYUNDAI / ELANTRA 2004	RECALL: THE OCS INSTALLED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE MAY MISCLASSIFY A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT (CRS) AS AN ADULT. THIS MAY OCCUR IF THE CRS IS INSTALLED AFTER AN ADULT HAS BEEN SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. IF THERE HAS NOT BEEN A 'KEY ON' ' KEY OFF' CYCLE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT EMPTY PRIOR TO INSTALLATION OF THE CRS. DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S OCS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO REMOVE THE FEATURE THAT MAY CAUSE THE CRS TO BE RECOGNIZED AS AN ADULT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
MITSUBISHI / ENDEAVOR 2005 MITSUBISHI / GALANT 2005	RECALL: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, WHICH CONTROLS THE FLUID PRESSURE TO THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES, MAY ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO BYPASS INTERNALLY DURING STOPPING. THIS MAY RESULT IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING, INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES, AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
FORD / F650 F750 2005	RECALL: THE DRIVE LINE PARK BRAKE ANCHOR BOLT MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FATIGUE LOADING. THE BOLT COULD FRACTURE OVER TIME . THIS MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PARK BRAKE ANCHOR BOLT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OCTOBER 13, 2005 . OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
LAND ROVER / LR3 2005	RECALL: SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY HAVE FUEL TANKS THAT CONTAIN AN INTERNAL BREATHER PIPE THAT WAS NOT MADE TO SPECIFICATION. THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE FUEL ODOR, DRIVABILITY CONCERNS SUCH AS HESITATION, MISFIRE, STALLING, ROUGH RUNNING, OR DIFFICULTY IN STARTING AND THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT MAY BE ILLUMINATED. IF THE AMOUNT OF FUEL FLOWING INTO THE BREATHER PIPE REACHES THE VAPOR CANISTER AND EXCEEDS ITS CAPACITY, THE EXCESS FUEL MAY BE DISCHARGED ONTO THE GROUND. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANKS. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OCTOBER 14, 2005 . OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-800-637-6837.
1999 - 2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE SILVERADO SUBURBAN TAHOE GMC SIERRA YUKON YUKON XL	RECALL: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION. THIS CONDITION IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN ENVIRONMENTALLY CORROSIVE AREAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES OF CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WEST VIRGINIA ONLY. THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALERS ARE TO REMOVE THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR MOUNTING SURFACE ON THE BEARING, APPLY RUST INHIBITOR TO THE CLEANED SURFACE, GREASE THE MOUNTING SURFACE, REINSTALL THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, AND CHECK THE PEAK-TO-PEAK OUTPUT VOLTAGE TO ENSURE THE WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL IS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.