Latest News From Bumper Radio

SEATTLE, May 15, 2014 --  As Americans hit the road for the upcoming summer travel season, traffic will be heavy, tempers may be short and aggressive driving can become inevitable as a new U.S. driving survey from Safeco Insurance reveals.   While only 36 percent of respondents admitted to their own driving as aggressive, 85 percent describe others' driving as aggressive with 82 percent reporting they experience negative feelings because of how others drive. 

While these statistics may not paint the nicest picture of U.S. driving behaviors, the good news is that 72 percent of those surveyed said they'd be willing to make at least one change to their own behavior to make driving a more pleasant experience for others on the road. To answer that call, Safeco is launching "Drive It Forward Fridays" (#DIFF) to encourage positive driving actions to counter negative driving behavior that can often jeopardize safety.

ERIE, Pa., May 12, 2014 -- Parents choose baby names in all sorts of ways, from the conventional — like naming a child after a beloved relative—to the decidedly unconventional, like posting names on a white board outside the delivery room and asking nurses and passersby to vote on their favorite. Chances are no one chooses their child's name based on how many people with that name get into car crashes or have their cars stolen.

But in the tongue-in-cheek spirit of giving parents-to-be one more thing to consider, Erie Insurance compared the Social Security Administration's annual list of the most popular baby names with its claims data to rank which names have the most car crashes and which names' cars are stolen the most.

BETHESDA, Md., June 10, 2014  -- With the hot summer temperatures on the rise, knowing the symptoms of a sick cooling system are critical to your summer driving plans, since cooling system failure is a leading cause of vehicle breakdowns. The most noticeable symptoms are overheating, leaks, a sweet smell of antifreeze and repeatedly needing to add coolant, according to the Car Care Council.

"Neglecting your cooling system can result in serious damage and even complete engine failure, which would put a sudden end to your summer road trip," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. "If the cooling system doesn't receive regular maintenance, it's not a question of whether it will fail, but rather when it will fail. Performing regular checkups of belts, hoses, the water pump and fluids will ensure your car remains properly cooled and healthy for many miles down the road."

New AutoMD.com survey on how consumers view the repair shop/service center experience shows vast majority still feel overcharged, want pricing transparency, 'apples-to-apples' comparative job quotes and, most of all, a good mechanic -- and most are checking reviews and pricing online first.   

CARSON, Calif., June 10, 2014 -- Most consumers (83%) continue to 'feel' overcharged in the auto repair process and rank the experience of going to the repair shop/dealership to get their car repaired on a par with going to the dentist (with women preferring the dentist), according to a new consumer survey from AutoMD.com.

BETHESDA, Md., May 20, 2014 -- If your summer vacation plans include a road trip, the last thing you want is to have unexpected car trouble to leave you stranded at the side of the road, ruining all the fun. A pre-trip vehicle check is the best way to be car care aware and ensure that your car is ready to get you to your destination, says the non-profit Car Care Council.

The Car Care Council recommends the following pre-trip checklist before hitting the road this summer:

WORCESTER, MA, May 16, 2014 -- Do you know if your car has any open manufacturer issued safety recalls?  Amazingly one-third of all vehicles recalled by automakers are never brought to dealers. The reasons people don't take advantage of these repairs range from not being aware of the recall to not having the time to give up the car to make a repair. 

If your car seems to be running smoothly, a safety recall may seem to be an inconvenience but there are good reasons to get a defective part fixed as soon as you can.  First and foremost is safety, for you and your family. Recent research from the Highway Loss Data Institute found that repairing recalled vehicles reduces "dangerous incidents" for drivers.  The study looked at non-crash fire claims and found fewer insurance claims for those who made a recall required repair.

The Goodguys 16^th Southwest Nationals is a giant vintage automotive festival featuring over 3,000 hot rods, customs, classics, street rods, muscle cars, & trick trucks through 1972 vintage. In addition to the car show, the event will include manufacturer and vendor exhibits, a bountiful swap meet and cars-for-sale area, special “themed” parking areas, Goodguys Autocross (to test vehicle agility and performance), Goodguys “Top 12” Champions Arena, model car show, kids face painting and lots of fun for the entire family!

On Sunday, November 17, the event will feature the All American Sunday, open to all years American made and powered vehicles. Registration for the All American Sunday will be held at WestWorld and will open at 7 am on the 17^th.

Video and photos from a Bumper to Bumper Radio live remote radio broadcast at Tri-City Transmission in Tempe, Arizona. This event was held on October 26, 2013.

After much anticipation, Better Business Bureau serving Central, Northern and Western Arizona (BBB) revealed the 2015 BBB Business Ethics Awards winners last night during its 14th annual dinner sponsored by Wells Fargo. For the first time, BBB also presented an award recognizing an individual's commitment to ethics.

Curt’s Auto Repair, a Bumper to Bumper Radio preferred shop, was included as a winner of the ethic award in the category of businesses with under ten employees.

“We are proud to have this year’s winners join over 60 local companies celebrated for their ethical business practices,” said Matthew Fehling, BBB President/CEO. “These companies understand the impact ethics can have not only on their bottom line, but also their products, services, operations and, most importantly, their people.”

Why is National Car Care Month important? This car infographic displays what free car care inspections around the country found in 2014.

Do you know how healthy your car is?

Top problem areas included dirty or low engine oil, dirty or restricted air filters and low or leaking coolant. Many safety components, such as lights, wipers and tire tread were found inadequate in over 1 in 10 cars. A quick visual inspection can help determine if these safety components need attention on your vehicle.