How Manual Transmissions Work in Your New Car

Posted on July 16, 2010 by randall

Driving a car with a manual transmission for the first time can be a little tricky, but like anything else, with a little practice it’s easy to get the hang of. When you get behind the wheel of a new car with a manual transmission, you will notice the stick shift usually in the center of the car by the console. This gives you the control of shifting gears, but there’s another crucial part on the car that makes this work: the clutch. That’s the 3rd pedal next to your gas and brake pedals.

You push down on that clutch when you want to shift from gear to gear, and this maintains a proper balance between engine power and your transmission. I found a great video that will explain the basics of how a manual transmission works, and I think after you watch it, you will have a better understanding of how to drive a stick shift.

Let me know if you have any questions after watching:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbHuJOBsgSE

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Great Gas-Saving Tips for Your New Car or Truck

Posted on July 15, 2010 by randall

Going green while driving can be done even if you don’t own the hottest new hybrid car. I have a few great gas-saving tips that you can start using in your new car or truck, and according to the U.S. Department of Energy, aggressive driving behaviors such as rapid acceleration, speeding and braking can lower gas mileage significantly. Sensible driving not only helps conserve precious fuel resources while saving money, it’s also safer for all drivers.

Take a look at these tips:

Tires are the key. Keeping your tires properly inflated is important for overall vehicle safety, and it can also help with your miles per gallon up to about 4%. If your tires are under inflated it will increase the rolling resistance which will reduce your fuel economy. Check the outside walls of your tires for the suggested inflation levels.

Lighten your load before a trip.

Lighten your load. If you have a vehicle with a roof rack, putting a lot of luggage on the top of your car will not only reduce your fuel economy by as much as 5%, but it will also affect your vehicle’s aerodynamics. Also, take a look in your trunk and clean out any items that aren’t absolutely necessary.

No need to warm up. With modern engines there’s no need to idle in the morning to let your car warm up. Plus, if you’re not in traffic and idling for more than 30 seconds (like in the line at a drive-through restaurant), turning your engine off will help save emissions and wasted gas.

Take it slow and cruise. Using your cruise control and maintaining a steady speed will conserve more gas than pumping the accelerator. Also, just reducing your speed by 10 mph can give you a 10-15% improvement in overall fuel economy.

Those tips should help your fuel economy and vehicle emissions, and I will continue researching more gas-saving tips for a future blog post. If you have any tips for me, feel free to post them in the comments below!

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Join the Reed Speed Car Meet This Saturday!

Posted on July 14, 2010 by randall

Looking for something fun to do this Saturday? Come on down to my Randall Reed’s Planet Pre-Owned at 1919 Oates (off of 635) for the Reed Speed Car Meet on July 17th! Not only will you get to see cool cars, but you will also get to listen to some great live music while enjoying delicious free food. The meet is from 9am-1pm, and foreign and domestic vehicles are welcome.

Plus, you can enter to win the 2010 RADbrid Fusion Turbo Hybrid from RAD-Rides. Click on the image below for more information about this one-of-a-kind ride.

If you have any questions about the Reed Speed Car Meet or the 2010 RADbrid Fusion Turbo Hybrid, come on over and let me know.

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Car Maintenance Tips — Part 2

Posted on July 12, 2010 by randall

If you missed the first part of this post series, you can find it by clicking here. Here are a few more great maintenance tips that will help you keep your vehicle in the best condition as possible so it retains the highest value over time. Thanks to the CarTips.com site for putting together such an impressive list:

– Keep tire valve caps on – It’s easy to lose these buggers, but if you do your tires can slowly (or quickly) lose air and leave you stranded, cause you fuel mileage or worse, cause an accident. Tire pressure is very important, and tire valve caps help to maintain it.

– Rotate your tires – If your car has tires that can be rotated, they should be regularly. Unless you have high performance tires, you should be able to rotate them to maintain tread wear and increase the life of your tires.

– keep your tires properly inflated – Even a small drop in tire pressure can cause major drops in fuel economy. Plus it can damage your tires, increase tread wear and even cause a blowout. To make sure you’re not spending too much at the pump, or putting yourself in danger, make sure your tires are properly inflated. The correct tire pressure will be printed on the side of your tires and most tire shops will fill your tires at no cost.

[I want to add a note from Trent, a reader of this blog, where he points out a tip for inflating your tires: NEVER inflate a tire to the pressure on the side of the tire. That is the maximum pressure at a maximum weight. Always inflate tires according to the manufacturer’s recommendation, generally on a sticker in the driver-side door jam.]

– Check for moisture in airpumps – If you are filling the air in your tires and you notice that there is moisture coming from the air pump you need to let the shop owner know. The air pump will need to be drained. If they cannot or will not drain the water, find another shop with a pump that will not fill your tires with moisture. The excess moisture can cause pressure problems and even corrode your wheels from the inside.

– Clean your wheels – Your wheels see a lot of dirt, grime, water and use. Maintain the finish on your wheels properly by cleaning them when you wash your car. Most modern wheels have a clear coat finish like the paint job on your car and can be maintained in the same way.

– Check your wheel alignment – An incorrect wheel alignment can cause the car to not drive straight or wear your tires excessively. In order to maintain your car’s tires and make sure your car is safe to drive, have your alignment checked when servicing your car.

– Check engine oil regularly – Every second fillup or so you should be checking the oil level in your car. Low or dirty oil can cause excess wear on your engine and a multitude of problems down the road. Engine oil is VITAL to your car’s engine and must be taken seriously.

Checking & changing your oil is important for engine components.

– Change your oil frequently – Engine oil will collect dirt and grime from the inside of your engine. By changing it regularly you are removing the dirt and maintaining a clean engine that will last longer and run better.

– Change oil, air and fuel filters regularly – Don’t forget to change the filters in your engine. Each of the power train’s filters will affect engine performance and an excess buildup of dirt in the filters will drastically decrease the efficiency of the engine.

– Check spark plugs – Checking spark plugs is necessary once every two oil changes. They should be properly gapped by a technician and be cleaned of any buildup. A lot of engine problems can be spotted early on by checking your spark plugs and changing if necessary.

– Fuel injector cleaner – Fuel injector cleaner will help to maintain the flow of fuel into your engine cylinders. Dirty fuel injectors can cause low fuel economy or even damage or fire in the engine compartment. If you have a fuel injected engine, every 6 months add a bottle of fuel injector cleaner to a full tank of gas.

– Run your A/C unit in winter – By running your A/C unit in the winter you make sure that it stays in working condition. If the A/C unit is not running for too long, it can cause problems when you go to use it in the following summer.

If you have any other tips that you use to keep your car in great condition, come on over and tell me about them or feel free to comment below.

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News Update: Customizing Your 2011 Ford Fiesta

Posted on July 9, 2010 by randall

There’s no doubt that the new 2011 Fiesta is one of the most talked about Fords out there right now. Ford is promising fun and reliability, while also letting the customers customize their own driving experiences. Take a look at the latest release from Ford.com about some of the customization options that will be available on the new Fiesta:

PERSONALIZE YOUR FORD FIESTA: ACCESSORIES, BODY KITS AND GRAPHICS PAVE THE WAY

  • All-new 2011 Ford Fiesta comes with design cues that make it stand out, but owners can also add their own personal touch with available Ford Custom Accessories and graphics
  • Accessory options include exterior or interior design items such as illuminated gear indicator shift knob and rear spoiler, even a kayak carrier to haul outdoor gear
  • Customers can order a body-side tattoo, or choose from one of 18 available graphics to put their own mark on Fiesta

DEARBORN, Mich., July 8, 2010 – Ford Motor Company is giving Fiesta customers even more reasons to love their new car with an assortment of personalized options such as custom accessories, body kits, a Fiesta tattoo and graphics.

Vehicle personalization is a booming trend, with the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) anticipating the automotive aftermarket and accessories business to generate more than $27 billion this year.

“The Fiesta already offers customers a range of options to make it their own, from unique exterior colors to interior seating combinations, but with the addition of our accessory options, consumers can take Fiesta personalization to the next level,” said Sam De La Garza, Fiesta brand manager. “Each of the accessories adds a unique flavor to Fiesta, and everybody agrees they can find an accessory or graphic that matches their personality.”

Ford Custom Accessories offers almost anything an owner would need to put a creative touch on Fiesta or give the car even more functionality. If an owner is looking to light up the interior, for example, there are several choices. An illuminated gear indicator shift knob comes with a digital gear display, while illuminated door sill plates add special effects with an LED Fiesta logo.

There’s even an interior light kit that includes one LED-generated light in the cup holder area and a light bar in the footwells. Owners can set a mood with their choice of seven colors that create the perfect ambience.

“Fiesta has one of the most diverse and extensive factory-orderable offerings of any of our vehicles,” said Richard Anderson, planning manager, Ford Vehicle Personalization. “We’re pleased by the take-rates on early Fiesta orders, which are about twice as high as we’ve seen on any other vehicle line.”

The accessories ordered the most include items such as:

  • Interior protection package, which comes with all-weather floor mats and a rear cargo area protector
  • Exterior protection package, which includes splash guards and a rear bumper protector
  • Illuminated interior accessory package, with illuminated front door sill plates and shift knob

A rear roof spoiler exclusive to the hatchback is a chiseled head-turner that matches Fiesta colors. Want your Fiesta to look like it’s ready to take to the track? A four-piece, race-inspired body kit comes with a sculpted front air dam, side skirts and a sleek rear valance.

For outdoor enthusiasts, there’s a kayak carrier, a bike carrier and a roof rack to help transport gear. An armrest with a generous storage bin is also available, and folds up between the seats for convenience.

Even former Fiesta Movement agents are getting in on the personalization fun.

“I went with the body kit, rear roof spoiler and sport pedals as a way to give my Fiesta a racing look and stand out from everyone else,” said Bryan Redekker, a former agent from Grand Rapids, Mich., who has a white Fiesta on order.

Accessories are available at local Ford dealers, or online at www.fordaccessories.com.

Flowers, dots, a cityscape – all on your Fiesta
For the first time in North America, Ford is offering a unique body-side tattoo graphic for Fiesta. Guaranteed to get looks, this striking tattoo, available in black or silver, spells out Fiesta on the side panel. It’s made of heavy-duty, weather-resistant vinyl and is precision-cut to fit the curves of the car.

Another option features Ford Custom Graphics by Original Wraps, which lets customers choose the size and design of body-side graphics from a portfolio of images. More than 18 designs are available in several different colors, and include a cityscape, bubbles, flames and even ninja blades.

Ford first put these graphics to use during the first chapter of the Fiesta Movement, where 75 percent of agents opted to include a graphic on their Fiesta. Check out the graphics at www.fordfiestagraphics.com.

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Car Maintenance Tips — Part 1

Posted on July 8, 2010 by randall

In my research for this post, I browsed a round to find some great car maintenance tips that will help you retain the most value in your car. Cars, trucks, and SUVs can be great investments if you maintain as much equity as possible in them, and if you can help maintain your vehicle’s value, then it will be more valuable if and when you decide to sell it or trade it in.

I came across a great listing on the CarTips.com site, and I wanted to share it with you because I feel that it covers some great points:

– Break in new cars carefully – If you’re driving a new car there is a break in period. This step is incredibly important and can’t be overlooked. If you are too hard on the engine it will seriously lower the life span of your car and cause you a heap of headache in the future. When buying a new car, make sure you’re aware of all break in procedures so that you can follow the steps to the tee.

– Buy good gas and don’t allow the tank to get too empty – Not all gasoline was created equal. Make sure you purchase gas from a reputable company so that you don’t get stale or dirty fuel. Also, if you can avoid using the bottom 1/4 (quarter) tank of fuel you will maintain a cleaner fuel system. Condensation and sediment can build up in your gas tank and if you run your car almost to empty you increase the risk of this sediment being picked up by your fuel filter.

– Don’t fill up at a gas station that is being refilled – If you’re looking for a fillup, don’t buy gasoline from a station that has a tanker truck in the lot. This means they are filling the tanks and this causes the sediment in the tanks to be kicked up and enter the gas station system. It’s best to come back the following day or to find another station.

– Park in the shade – This car tip will help to keep UV rays off of your paint job and extend the life and color of your car’s paint.

– Clean the inside regularly – Don’t just wash the outside of your car, clean the inside too. Give your car a vacuum and clean the dash board and instrument panel. Use a protectant like Armor All to protect your dashboard from the sun.

Armor All has a great selection of protectants.

– Fix weatherstripping right away – Bad weatherstripping can cause leaks, which can cause mold, which is almost impossible to fully clean. Make sure if you see bad weatherstripping on your car to fix it right away. It will only get worse if you leave it.

– Maintain your leather – If you have leather seats, buy a leather conditioner and use it regularly on your leather interior. This will prevent drying or cracking and will extend the color and softness of your leather.

– Protect your paint – When washing your car, be sure to use a wax at the end. This will not only add to the shine, but protect your paint from the sun. Also, don’t use your car as a shelf… everyone needs a place to lean or put stuff sometimes, but it shouldn’t be your car.

– Fix windshield chips – If you fix windshield chips right away they can’t turn into full blown cracks. Usually you can get chips filled and fixed at a glass shop for pretty cheap… and it only takes a few minutes so you really have no reason not to.

– Keep an old blanket handy – An old blanket in your car can be handy for a number of things. If you have to transport something on the roof, or if you’re placing something dirty in your trunk you can protect your carpet, paint or interior.

– Wash in winter – You should definitely wash your car in the winter and not only the summer. Winter driving will create a lot of build up of salt, dirt and grime which can hurt your paint, cause rust and ruin your wheels. Wash your car just as regularly in the winter as the summer.

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How to Polish Scratches Out of Your Car

Posted on July 6, 2010 by randall

No one wants to go out in the morning and find a scratch on their car, but it’s good to know that there is a way to remove most simple scratches. Whether you drove next to some brush or your keys got a little too close to the paint, you can usually get the scratches out by hand with some polish, or with a machine buffer if you have one available.

Here’s a great series of videos from Mark Boudreau showing you how to get rid of those scratches on your car:

Be sure to click the “Next Segment” icon when the video is done to see the next in the series. Here’s a list of those items you’ll need:

  • liquid dish-washing soap
  • clean rags
  • rubbing compound
  • polish
  • wax
  • a machine buffer
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Auto News: The 2011 Ford Fiesta is Going Social

Posted on July 2, 2010 by randall

2011 Ford FiestaAs you may have noticed, I’m a big fan of social media. Sure, it’s a way to get marketing and advertising messages out, but even more importantly, it can be used for fun, involving ideas. The possibilities are limitless, and that’s why I love what Ford is doing with its 2011 Ford Fiesta social media push.

Take one look around a new Ford showroom and you should see a Fiesta Movement kiosk that will feature videos highlighting the new car, and it is also a photo booth for new Fiesta owners. If you buy a new 2011 Ford Fiesta, you will get an exclusive USB drive that is actually interactive — and you don’t have to wait until you get home to plug it in because it plugs right into the USB slot in the car! It comes pre-loaded with an audio-tutorial of your new car and how to use all of the new features.

It doesn’t end there, though, just take a look at what AutoGuide.com has to say about the social creative:

Here’s where the social media aspect comes into play. Fiesta owners can use the USB to install a program that lets them access and modify their delivery photos, then share them with other Fiesta owners through social media channels like Facebook. The desktop application also provides a wiki (called Fiestapedia) with tips on how to use the Fiesta, get podcasts and other related information.

The first automaker to create such a program, this Fiesta experience is a new way for Ford and its dealers to interact with customers. It’s an innovative step that shows Ford trending towards a customer experience that does more than deliver a car.

There’s a reason that Jalopnik.com calls the 2011 Ford Fiesta, “The best small car you can buy in this country.” It’s great to see Ford embracing the new technology and getting the customer involved right from the start.

What do you think? Can’t wait to get your hand on a new Fiesta?

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Your Car or Truck: How to Remove a Bumper Sticker

Posted on June 30, 2010 by randall

This might take a while.

Back when little Suzie was in elementary school, you didn’t mind telling the world via a bumper sticker that you were a proud parent of an honor roll student. But, now Suzie is all grown up and just finished college, and you want to take that bumper sticker off of your car — don’t worry, Suzie won’t mind!

If you’ve ever tried to peel a sticker off of your new or used car before, you know it’s not an easy task, especially if it has been on there for a few years. Before you try to just rip it off, there are a few options you can try that should get any sticker off of your car:

Lubricant
WD-40 is a popular brand of lubricant that I recommend, and it usually doesn’t take much of the stuff to get the job done. Spray a healthy coating over the surface of the sticker and let it soak in for a minute or so. Try peeling up one of the corners or edges and see if you can slowly peel the sticker off. If it starts to work at first, but then it doesn’t, add a little more WD-40.

Here’s a video that shows another technique using WD-40 by spraying it behind the sticker as you remove it and it seems to work pretty well:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3z4l1ylMcs

Hot Water
If the lubricant doesn’t work and the sticker is being stubborn, try taking a small cloth towel and boiling it in water. Pull the towel out with tongs or something similar so you don’t burn yourself, and then soak the sticker for up to a minute. Try peeling the sticker off and this usually does the trick if the lubricant didn’t help. Another tip I have would be to use a clothing steamer if you have one available, but steam from about six to eight inches away from the sticker and get progressively closer.

Hot Air
This third option usually pulls up the most difficult stickers, so grab a blow dryer and run it over the sticker to try to soften the adhesive. Then peel away the sticker with something rubber like a putty knife or a spatula, but avoid any metal items that might scratch your paint.

By now your sticker should be off and you want to clean any remaining adhesive with some alcohol and wax down the bumper afterward if you’d like to.

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Henry Ford’s First Automobile

Posted on June 28, 2010 by randall

When you think of Henry Ford’s legacy and the automotive and technological advancements he achieved, it’s hard to imagine him building his first car engine on a kitchen table. But, that’s exactly what happened in 1896, and the car was called the Quadricycle because it was basically an engine mounted on a frame with four bicycle wheels holding it all up.

The 1896 Quadricycle

The engine was a smaller one-cylinder gasoline design that Ford came up with due to his interest in internal combustion engines. An internal combustion engine is what you’ll find under the hood of most modern cars, and it just means that the fuel is burned within the actual engine and not in an external furnace (like a steam engine for example).

In a lesson of humility, Henry Ford built the Quadricycle behind his house in a brick shed, but when it was completed, Ford realized that the frame was too wide to fit through the shed door. According to Ford, He was so excited to get his car out for a test run that he took an axe and smashed the bricks out of the wall. That just goes to show you how passionate Henry Ford was about his vehicles!

Ford got his first car out of the shed and took it for its first drive — only to have it stall a few blocks down the road. The car had an ignition problem, but Ford never gave up, and his Quadricycle soon got the attention and backing of the mayor of Detroit. This would be the start of his first car company in 1899, the Detroit Automobile Company, and while it didn’t last long, Henry Ford’s story was just beginning.

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