A Women’s Point of View: Gas Pumps and Handi-Wipes

by Colette Cooley, Cars for Keeps Office Manager

I was talking to a customer the other day when she made the comment that the worst thing she has to do is pump gas. Most women would agree that pumping gas is not high on our list of fun things to do. It's one of those chores where we have to mentally go to our happy place while doing it. It takes courage to grab that pump handle not knowing who last used it and what they had on their hands, leaving behind residue of…..?

Then we check the direction of the wind so we can stand upwind of those noxious fumes. Then we find out that we have picked the only pump that refuses to shoot out our receipt. And then, the topper is when the pump fails to click off and we get a backwash of gasoline all over our hands making it necessary to drive home with only our wrists on the steering wheel. The fumes from that seem to linger in your car for days.

The best temporary solution is to carry handi-wipes in your car's storage compartment. As any busy professional or soccer mom knows, handi-wipes are a MUST! But what else can we do to take charge over this situation?

The best way to cut down on visits to the gas pump is to make sure your car is running at its best and most fuel efficient. Regular maintenance is the key. Oil changes when they are due, visual inspections, fluid checks and tire air pressure checks. Believe it or not, these services improve your car's fuel efficiency. Sludge in the engine causes the engine to work harder and uses more gas, so get those flushes done to clean out that engine. There are also some wonderful additives that can help your car get even better performance. Stop by or give us a call; we'd be happy to help you find out which additives and maintenance routines are best for your vehicle.

Got Heat? What Your Car's Radiator Output Says About Problems Under the Hood

by Rob Hopp, Cars for Keeps Owner

If you hold your fingers above the defrost vents with the temperature set on high, as a general rule, you shouldn't be able to leave your fingers there for very long without them getting pretty uncomfortable - if the heating system is working well.

When we perform routine inspections (aka "Pit Stops"), we usually check the heat output at the center vent; a good heater thermostat will put out 150° temps.

We have seen them run as high as 160°f. At 130°f degrees you may start getting a few complaints, though it’s still pretty livable, at 120°f people are getting unhappy, the coats are staying on and below 110°f NO ONE is happy.

More importantly, a malfunctioning heater often points to deeper problems below the hood - problems which, if left unattended, could result in interior coolant leakage, engine inefficiency or an overheated engine.

Is it the radiator, the heater core or the thermostat?

These are the three components which influence your radiator's heating performance the most. Small, easy to fix problems in any of these can result in low heater output, and more serious problems with any of them can lead to mechanical failure or damage to other parts of your vehicle.

Radiator - The radiator is the component which cools engine coolant to keep the engine cool. When vehicles' heaters are on, the heat extracted (by air cooling) from the coolant (heater core) is pushed through the dashboard heater vents. Clogs, cracks or leaks in the radiator impede coolant fluid flow, resulting in low heat out put and, in many cases, engine overheating.

Heater core - The heater core is essentially a heat exchanger which transfers heat from the engine to the radiator. Hot coolant fluid is passed through the core's winding tubes from the engine, which heats the fluid, to the radiator, where fans blow hot air off the heater core tubes and through the vents. Heater cores are made up of small tubes which sometimes get clogged, causing radiator failure. A clogged heater core also means the engine is not being properly cooled, which can lead to engine damage if left unattended. Heater cores may also become leaky, resulting in lower heat output and improper engine cooling.

Thermostat - The thermostat is what activates the flow of coolant fluid through the engine. It controls a small, heat-activated valve in the heater core which blocks or opens coolant flow through the engine. To minimize engine wear and make the most efficient use of engine energy, thermostats ensure that coolant doesn't flow through the engine until it reaches its maximum operating temperature (about 200 degrees F). When thermostats aren't working correctly, they could be stuck open - causing inefficiency - or they could be stuck closed, causing the engine to become hot and blocking hot air from coming out of the car's heating vents.

If you stop by with your car, mini-van, light truck or SUV, we'll test the output for free!
While the symptoms can seem similar, subtle differences in your description or in our testing tell us which component is to blame. Most clients aren't aware that something as simple as low coolant (antifreeze) can cause some pretty weird symptoms.

Renault Zoe

Renault Zoe



This second iteration of the Zoë concept was a Paris surprise. Although it is billed as a concept, according to design manager Geoff Gardner, the design seen here closely represents the production version of a Modus-sized 5-seater ZE model that's planned to go on sale in 2012. 

Although the overall profile is fairly conventional, there's softness in the surfacing that's fresh and gives a friendly, non-threatening character. There's also enough new detailing to make it interesting. For instance, the way the shoulder line sharpens as it runs rearwards into the tail lamp, the scallop in the lower door, and an interesting C-pillar treatment where the concave sweep of the rear window is echoed in the DLO. The front demonstrates the new Renault DRG and a lower grille that has mesmerizing concentric rings. Headlamps feature seven square LEDs, surrounded by a blue ring that switches to white or to orange when the indicator is activated. What's more, there are little marker lamps to provide some animation for the ‘whisker' lines in the front and rear bumper. "The Zoë is a little like a mouse, with small eyes and a sweet little nose, plus a sloping rear, not unlike the old Renault 4CV" admits Gardner, although other designers we spoke to thought it reminded them of a ‘soft' Alfa Romeo.

The white and gray interior continues the soft theme of the exterior with flowing lines and use of blue chrome inserts to frame the IP and door pads. The pebble-like shapes of the seats and the small center console (housing a plant on the showcar) create an ambience of calm, helped by the use of backlighting on some surfaces. Again, the detail design appeals - a lime green dot pattern is used on the IP and air vents, while printed circuit motifs are used on the pedals and floor carpet.

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Lotus Elite

Lotus Elite



Of all the cars Lotus unveiled (see our separate news piece for more), the Elite feels closest to production. It targets the Ferrari California market and, given that the Elite shares the same folding hard top format, one of the most impressive aspects of the design is the way it avoids the long deck lid, which so often creates a proportional imbalance in cars of this type.

However, it was telling that the only images Lotus showed of the car with its hard top folded were computer renderings and more than one member of the CDN team highlighted the lack of shutlines in the large rear screen. We'll reserve full judgment until we've seen the roof in action.

Overall, the Elite is a relatively generic sports car design. Its DRG is indistinct, although it does at least avoid overt aggression in the process of its move away from the traditional Lotus grille unlike the smaller Elan and Elise. One characteristic it is unfortunate enough to share is an execution that looks rushed.

For example the front fenders apex behind the front axle line, rather than directly above, before diving below the A-pillars, which contributes to an area where a number of surfaces twist into one another in uneasy (dis)harmony at the hood/fender/A-pillar intersection. Similarly, the diving shoulder line creates a strange highlight, which twists about its surface as it moves from the broad rear haunch into the door. The rocker treatment and lower light catcher don't help, creating an area behind the front wheel where the surface almost appears concave and weak.

Inside, the derivative nature continues; the centre console architecture is reminiscent of Audi's R8, while the Ferrari background of Lotus's new management is given away by Ferrari 458-style indicator switches on the steering wheel.

Not content with brown leather, suede-like Dinamica fabric, aluminum, carbon fiber and wood (in a Lotus!) there's a further material used in the seat centers, center console and around the binnacle. It features a repeat motif of the Lotus insignia and reminds us of the material used on certain ‘upmarket' handbags - yet like some of those products, it feels crassly nouveau riche.

Based on what was shown here, Lotus may be about to repeat some of the mistakes of its past, once again calling into question the future of the company.

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A Women’s Point Of View: Auto Tips & Tricks for Halloween

by Colette Cooley, Cars for Keeps Office Manager

Halloween is fast approaching. The time of year when children (and some adults) get to live out their fantasies of who they would like to be for just a few hours. Extraordinary preparations are being made this year it seems. My granddaughter has been growing her bangs since summer to match the character she is going to portray. Teenagers are sporting orange and bright pink hair with spikes, and artistically shaven heads are becoming popular. Strange costumes have been showing up around Cars For Keeps.

Yes, even adults believe in the magic that lies in our imaginations. As part of the preparation for this night let us not forget about our cars. Because of all the little goblins, fairys and air-benders dashing around the streets and neighborhoods, brakes and headlights should be in top working order. When was the last time you had your brakes checked?

How about decorating your car to compliment the character that your children are portraying? Goth seems to be big this year. A spray can of cobwebs in strategic places on the outside of your car can set the mood for all to see, and of course, the standard skull attached to your antennae or dangling from your grill is a must. Get the ones that glows in the dark. Very chic.

It is the little things that are most often forgotten, so just as a reminder, fill the gas tank.

Happy Halloween!

Audi e-tron Spyder

Audi e-tron Spyder



Where the quattro Concept caused a certain amount of consternation for its brutal graphics and overt retro-ness, the e-tron Spyder draws subtle nods of appreciation – surely a more appropriate reaction to an Audi.

Rather against the expectation offered up by the potential of a compact mid-engined sports car, the e-tron Spyder (or R4 as many now refer to it) is a car that takes some time and exploration to appreciate – a refreshing change from the in-your-face obviousness served up by many. The e-tron Spyder has a beguiling subtlety that reveals itself in layers the closer you get.

Lead exterior designer, Wolfram Luchner, has created an incredibly technical-looking car that harks back to the reassuringly detail-obsessive Audi of a decade ago, yet its form language is also perfectly aligned with the technology-rich e-tron label. Its surfaces – the doors in particular – are sheer in a way that's reminiscent of the first-generation TT. It is on the verge of looking rather too solid, an accusation it averts by virtue of its expressive, yet wonderfully taut fenders.

If only its DRG were as restrained. We found ourselves blocking the e-tron's face with our hand in order to appreciate the rest of the car; such is its abrasive character. It is too aggressive for such a refined design, with the expression of a mechanical piranha. The mechanical aspect is an admirable visual identifier for 'e-tron', but the flesh-eating fish connotation is unpleasant. It's representative of a wider need to progress from the state we find ourselves in where extreme aggression is seen as positive. Here it is the exact opposite and is totally at odds with the car's character.

The interior design – the work of Ivo van Hulten – is another Audi triumph, with a design that is clean, technical and sophisticated, yet with a visual lightness that's entirely appropriate for a compact sports car. The instrument binnacle is particularly successful with its minimal instrumentation, touch-sensitive secondary switches and metal detail that we find repeated on the passenger's side of the IP.

The e-tron Spyder demonstrates Audi's most successful exploration of its e-tron aesthetic to date and also demonstrates a very welcome return to the marque's famed surface discipline that had begun to wander around like an A5's beltline. All it now needs is a more approachable DRG.

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Peugeot EX1 concept

 

Peugeot EX1 concept



On the eve of the of the Paris Motor Show, Peugeot held a private viewing of the EX1 Concept Car at its premier showroom on the Champs Elysees in Paris. The EX1 represents one of Peugeot's celebrations of 200 years of business, along with the company's new corporate mantra, "Motion and Emotion". The EX1 concept proves that an electric powered car does not need to be only a neighbourhood local commuter car, but also an exciting, efficient, and high speed mode of transport.



Its name stands for: E = Electric, X = across four wheels, and 1 = the No. 1 vehicle of its type. The front of the car is charged with smoothing the airflow over its tapered rear half, which reflects the more mechanical attributes of the EX1. In truth, Peugeot introduced similar conceptual architectural layouts in their Asphalt concept from 1996 and the 2006 20Cup Concept.



All of these concepts feature a very narrow rear track, primarily for improved aerodynamics, handling and efficient, minimal packaging. The most significant evolution of this third generation of narrow rear track concepts from Peugeot are is its pair of electric motors, each providing power to either the front or rear wheels.



"The new Peugeot DNA is Motion and Emotion. This is all about efficiency," explained Gilles Vidal, Peugeot Director of Design. "In the design department at Peugeot, we are pushing towards the reality that ‘electric' is all about an emotional experience of getting out of the city, and having an exciting time driving".



The inside tack is that its DRG is a strong hint towards the upcoming 208 supermini's face. Aside from this, the concept seems to sit slightly ill at ease with Peugeot's move away from what it describes as a 'hyper-sporty' aesthetic. While, after 14 years of similar concepts, there still seems little chance that the company will every commit one to production.

Grand Haven Harvest Traditions: Pumpkin Picking

by Marjorie Steele, Cars for Keeps Social Media Manager

Let's take a break from auto repair to talk about fun activities happening around Grand Haven - namely, pumpkin picking! After all, you've already attended to your vehicle's fall maintenance, right?

It's Halloween season again, and for those of us lucky enough to live in West Michigan, harvest season means more than trick or treating. Thanks to an abundance of local farms, Halloween in Michigan offers families many opportunities for outdoor fun. Picking your own pumpkin out of the field is much more fun than picking one from the grocery store - especially for the kids - and most pumpkin patches also offer apple picking, cider making exhibitions, corn mazes and hay rides.

Grand Haven has a number of nearby pumpkin patches which offer plenty of activities for friends, couples and families.


Bethke Farms is the closest, being located just outside of Grand Haven proper. Bethke has a u-pick pumpkin patch, a corn maze and a beautiful 20 minute hayride for the family to enjoy. Open through October 31st, 10-7 Friday through Sunday and 4-7 Monday through Thursday. Click the link to learn more about visiting Bethke.

Kent Harvest Trails is a Grand Rapids-based organization which has put together a comprehensive list of pumpkin patches and farm tours available throughout the Grand Rapids area - most of them are a short 30 minute ride from Grand Haven. Activities range from huge, 15 acre corn mazes to scarecrow building and petting zoos. Visit their list of pumpkin patch farms to learn more about each farm's activities, hours and location.

I think this weekend, I'll be trying out the corn maze at Fruit Ridge Hayrides. What will your family be doing?
needs, right?

A Woman's Point of View: Susan G. Komen & Breast Cancer Awareness Month

by Colette Cooley, Cars for Keeps Office Manager

The month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. A gentle reminder to get your yearly breast examination and there are many events that you can participate in to help in the fight of this horrible disease. My dearly loved sister-in-law died of breast cancer last year and there are probably many of you out there that know someone who is fighting this battle.

Many women avoid mammograms because it is too painful. I am one of them. I found a better way. You can get a breast exam through Thermography. It is not painful, nothing touches you and it finds anything suspicious sooner than x-ray exams. To find out where to get a thermographic breast exam in your area just Google “thermographic breast exam”. You will find many hits to explain what thermography is and how it works.

There are many cancer walks and races going on around the country and you can find out where by Googling “breast cancer walk”, or go to the Susan G Komen website. The US Postal Service has Susan G Komen stamps for sale this month, and a portion of the price is donated to cancer research. You can pick them up at your local Post Office.

Cars For Keeps is giving away ball caps for Cancer Awareness this month - although I noticed today that there are only four hats left! If you are in the neighborhood, stop by and pick one up. Women unite to comfort, strengthen and encourage each other for our health, welfare and knowledge of how we can be all we are meant to be.

Summer Travel Story Contest Winner

Well, choosing a winning entry for our Summer Travel Story Contest was difficult, but we're pleased to announce our winner. We hope Martha Webb and her husband enjoy their weekend getaway in the mansion at Grand Haven's Lakeshore Bed and Breakfast.

Thank you to everyone who participated - we appreciate your support! If you placed an entry in our contest, be sure to check your email for a special gift from Cars for Keeps.

Summer in Michigan

by Martha Webb
There is nothing like summer in Michigan, especially, on the west side of the state. From the UP to South Haven there is nothing but the beautiful sights of Lake Michigan. Each port town is unique in itself. I've spent many summers in Muskegon and Grand Haven, lots of fun memories. Then there’s Mackinaw and the Island. As a matter of fact my husband and I were going to Mackinaw over Labor Day Weekend – and unfortunately, we didn’t get to go. You see he had a heart attack on Tues. and Wed had a heart cath and stents. Our weekend get away flew out the window. I’m praising God I still have him and the medical staff were able to save him. That’s really the most important thing. We have only been married 7 years (both 2nd marriages). We were engaged in Grand Haven. So we have many things we are thankful for and our favorite vacation together is now the Labor Day Weekend of 2010 as we got a new lease on life and a greater appreciation for each other.

A Women’s Point of View: It’s All In What You Know

by Colette Cooley, Cars for Keeps Manager

The other day as I was walking through the garage I stopped to watch one of our mechanics, Leslie, installing a new engine in a car. It was amazing. He had just gotten the engine block bolted in but there were pieces and parts lying around everywhere. Wires and hoses were strewn all over the engine. It looked like a giant jigsaw puzzle. Imagine a plate of cut up cooked spaghetti and then trying to get all the pieces back together again.

I mentioned the puzzle aspect of putting the engine together and he just shrugged nonchalantly and said, “It’s not that difficult.” It hit me then that it’s all in what you know. Our mechanics are going to school all the time to keep their knowledge up to date and to keep pace with all the engineering technologies which are used in new automobiles every year. Just as with any other career, our mechanics have taken a lot of training and expertise to become good at what they do. How many people could step into your job without training and do it as well as you?

It is fortunate that the only thing you and I to know about our cars is where to take them for maintenance and repair. It’s all in what you know - and that knowledge is a wonderful thing.

Using the Car Care Guide: Empower Your Auto Repair Choices

by Marjorie S., Cars for Keeps Social Media Manager

This month, the Car Care Council and participating auto repair shops across the country (including Cars for Keeps) are celebrating Car Care Month. So what exactly does that mean?

Well, in addition to placing a healthy discount on our bumper to bumper inspections, we're emphasizing customer education. A well informed customer is a great customer - at least we think so. The better you understand your vehicle and its maintenance needs, the longer you'll be able to keep your car running efficiently (which is kind of our thing).

A while back, the Car Care Council published a printed Car Care Guide for vehicle owners to use as a reference for any and every repair service they might encounter. The Car Care Guide is now available in digital format, allowing customers like you to boost your car care knowledge from the comfort of your computer.

Click on the link above, and let's review some of the Guide's most useful features together:

Car Care Checklist - On pages 1-2, the Car Care Guide details every part of your vehicle which requires routine maintenance, exactly how these parts need to be maintained and how often. Handy, huh?

Why Do I Need This Service? Expanding on the list of parts outlined in the checklist, the Guide then provides detailed information about maintenance and service tips for each of these areas. The guide answers that pesky question, "Why Do I Need This Service?" regarding each service area in detail, so you can stop relying on hearsay and subjective opinion.

Typical Service - Wonder what kind of maintenance will be performed on your vehicle when you bring it into the shop? You don't have to. The Car Care Guide outlines common maintenance procedures for each major service area as well as recommendations for service regularity.

Questions to Ask - By far our favorite feature in the Car Care Guide, this section helps car owners know what questions to ask their auto technicians during routine maintenance to ensure you're getting the best service - and that you understand what services are being performed. Your car's maintenance shouldn't be a thing of mystery to you, and we'd be thrilled to answer any of the Guide's questions - or your own.

Why are we so excited that this resource is available to you, the vehicle owner? It provides a trustworthy source of information which isn't from us. In other words, we can be confident that when we say "don't take our word for it", a reliable third party auto repair resource is close at hand.

Jaguar XJ75 Car Concept Luxury Sports Car

Jaguar XJ75 Car Concept Luxury Sports Car

No future for the mid-engine Corvette

With GM facing well-publicized challenges -- along with just about everyone else who needs a little thing called money -- certain high-profile and expensive programs are crowding up on the back burner. Even America's sports car, the Corvette, is not exempt, with CAFE regulations clouding the view inside the 'Vette Nation's crystal ball. Motor Trend, commenting on the C7 Corvette's delayed arrival, has said that the new coupe won't appear until the 2014 model year at the earliest. The mid-engined route has also been scrapped, since it would simply cost too much to re-engineer the entire car for the purpose of easier integration of fuel saving tech like cylinder deactivation. That means a six-cylinder is still being talked about -- by GM outsiders only, at this point -- as an option for the C7. If we take the Camaro as an example, that 2014 introduction date could mean late 2012, but that still only gives you four years to mentally prepare for a budget- and economy-minded V6 Corvette. Get cracking.

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Luxury Cars Wallpaper

Alfa Romeo, Competizione


Alfa Romeo


Aston Martin, Vantage V8 Roadster


Factory Five


Ferrari, 612 Scaglietti


Koenigsegg


Lamborghini, Murcielago LP 640 Roadster


Maserati


Maserati MC12 Corsa

Top Sports Cars Aston Martin

2008 Aston Martin DBS

A combination of elegant design, innovative manufacturing processes, race-derived materials and components and Aston Martin’s unrivalled hand-build expertise makes the DBS a luxury sports car without equal. Every line, crease and curve conveys the enormous potential of the DBS, a seductive blend of refinement and raw power, provided by the hand-built V12 producing 510 bhp, a top speed of 191 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds.

AUDI S5
Among the high-performance coupes, the Audi S5 with its combination of V8 FSI technology and quattro permanent all-wheel drive truly stands alone. The eight-cylinder engine with superb power potential is well matched with the specially tuned sports suspension and high-performance brakes.
2008 BMW 135i Coupe

The standard M Sports Package for the 135i Coupe offers more performance and a striking look. Features of the M Sports Package include M Sports Suspension for higher traction and reduced body roll, 18-inch wheels with performance tires, M logo doorsill trims, an M leather sport steering wheel and an M logo footrest for the driver’s left foot. The leather appointments on the gearshift lever and handbrake, as well as the handbrake handle are finished in high-quality soft leather. The roof lining on the M Sports Package comes in Anthracite, and the interior features offered in this package are rounded off by Glacier Silver aluminum interior trim that highlights the sporting character of the cockpit. The M Sports Suspension also comes with a high-performance brake system incorporating six-piston fixed calipers on the front axle and two-piston fixed calipers at the rear.

The Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4 “Pur Sang” Edition
Visitors to the Atelier in Molsheim are always intrigued to see the Bugatti Veyron’s high-tech components being meticulously assembled into an automotive work of art. Watching the car coming together, coupled with an admiration for the technical beauty of its structure, gave the designers the idea of finishing the car in its pure material configuration – meaning no color coating. The result is the EB 16.4. Veyron “Pur Sang”, a two-tone study of pure materialness showing the car’s true essentials: carbon and aluminum.
The carbon monocoque holds the engine plus the passenger cell, while the polished aluminum panelling is enhanced by reflections in the sculpted bodywork. Interestingly, the rawness of the materials even more strongly highlights the dual character of this car: performance power coupled with cruising comfort, structure and body, dark and light.

2009 Chevrolet ZR1

Chevrolet officially announced the 2009 Corvette ZR1 – an American supercar that brings the technology and engineering refinement of carbon-fiber, ceramics and electronics together in a distinctive design.
“Chevrolet’s goal with the new ZR1 is to show what an American supercar can deliver, at a price that trumps exotics that cost two, three or four times as much – and does so with exceptional driveability,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager.