Latest News From Bumper Radio

Winter storm Juno has the potential to create hazardous road conditions for many drivers. Automotive expert Lauren Fix, The Car Coach appears on The Weather Channel to caution those navigating winter driving.

You may not see them, or know much about them, but engine belts are always working to keep your vehicle moving. Losing a belt can mean immediate trouble for the engine and a breakdown for you. The Car Car Council recommends motorists “be car care aware” and review the owner’s manual to ensure that belts are inspected and replaced at the proper intervals.

A vehicle’s belts are essential to the cooling, air conditioning and charging systems of the engine. Serpentine belts are used to turn the water pump, alternator, power steering and air-conditioning compressor. Older cars use V-belts for various accessories and failure of this belt could strand a driver.

Gas Prices Increasing After Dropping to Lowest Levels Since 2009

• U.S. average gas prices have increased seven days in a row for a total of two cents per gallon. Gas prices had declined a record 123 consecutive days to $2.03 per gallon before increasing last week for the first time since September 25.
• “Many drivers are noticing an uptick in gas prices for the first time in months,” said Avery Ash, AAA spokesman. “It is typical to see gas prices increase this time of year due to refinery issues, yet hopefully the consumer impact will be less problematic given how low prices are today.”
• Today’s national average price of gas is $2.06 per gallon, which is about $1.22 per gallon less than a year ago. AAA estimates that Americans are spending about $365 million less per day on gasoline compared to this time last year.
• The national average price of gas reached a current 2015 low on January 26 of $2.03 per gallon, which was the lowest average since March 27, 2009.
• Gas prices have dropped about $1.64 per gallon since reaching a national average of $3.70 per gallon on April 28, 2014.
• The average price of gas in January was $2.11 per gallon, which was the cheapest monthly average since April 2009. Gas prices in December 2014 averaged a much higher $2.51 per gallon, while the average was $3.30 per gallon in January 2014.

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- CarMD.com Corporation, a leading provider of car repair data and software as a service solutions, today released its 2014 CarMD® Vehicle Health Index™ Manufacturer & Vehicle Reliability Rankings delineating the manufacturers and vehicles with the lowest combined "check engine" repair incidents and costs. The Index ranks the top 10 manufacturers, top 100 vehicles, top vehicles by category and the most common repairs by make. This year's Index is based on more than 40,400 specific repairs performed on model year 2004 to 2014 vehicles in the United States from Oct. 1, 2013 to Sept. 30, 2014. Current and archived indices are available at http://corp.carmd.com.

"This CarMD Index, now in its fourth year, is the only report to offer an annual ranking of manufacturers and vehicles with the lowest combined check engine repair incidents and costs, which is very different from survey-based reliability lists," says Doug Sobieski, chief marketing officer, CarMD. "While this index is based on in-use vehicle repairs needed over the past year, it has also proven to be a useful tool in helping car and truck shoppers make informed decisions about the vehicles they are considering. This data further empowers our software as a service partners to provide information to help their clients minimize the cost of vehicle ownership."

Over Three-quarters of customers that haggled were successful in negotiating a discount.

YONKERS, NY—Consumer Reports latest survey of repair service satisfaction found the odds are consumers will be more satisfied with an independent repair shop than with a franchised new-car dealership.

The one automaker that outscored the independent shops was the electric carmaker Tesla, which earned high praise for its on-time repairs, courtesy, price, quality, and overall satisfaction. But part of Tesla’s current success might be because it’s new to the market, and it has a relatively small number of customers to satisfy compared with the established luxury brands.

The survey, conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center in 2014, was based on subscriber satisfaction with repairs on more than 121,000 vehicles—80,000 of which were repaired at franchised dealers and more than 41,000 at independent shops.

Used Car Standouts from the 2004 through 2013 Model Years

YONKERS, NY — With prices at historic highs – even for models with high mileage and seemingly excessive wear – and with so many vehicles from which to choose, shopping for a used car can be a challenge. To help Americans choose the best used car for their money, Consumer Reports compiled a Best & Worst Used Cars list for model years 2004 through 2013.

The full report is available in Consumer Reports’ Annual Auto Issue, which is on newsstands now, and at the 2014 Autos Spotlight page on ConsumerReports.org. Highlighted are the best small cars, sedans, and SUVs available in four price ranges: from $10,000 or less up to $25,000. Each performed well in CR’s testing when new and had above-average reliability for the model years shown, based on CR’s Annual Auto Survey. And all models came standard with electronic stability control (ESC).

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH 2015
6PM – 8PM
95 North Dobson Road, Chandler AZ 85224

To r.s.v.p. 480-726-6400 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Learn how to talk to a mechanic and how you can take control of your car care service and make sure you are making the best financial decisions for you! Join in on a hands-on experience to empower your decision making around vehicle repairs! Come and learn from car care media expert, Frank Leutz, COO of Desert Car Care of Chandler and President of Phoenix Automotive Service Association.

By giving your vehicle a little more attention now, you’ll avoid the heartbreak and unplanned expense of car trouble down the road. The non-profit Car Care Council recommends a little tender loving auto care this Valentine’s Day and beyond.

• Check the battery and replace if necessary. Make sure the connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free.
• Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.
• Check the hoses and belts to make sure they are not cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or showing signs of excessive wear.
• Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission, as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.
• Check engine performance to make sure the engine delivers the best balance of power and fuel economy, and produces the lowest level of emissions.
• Check the steering and suspension system annually including shock absorbers, struts and chassis parts such as ball joints, tie rod ends and other related components.

WASHINGTON, D.C., (February 10, 2015) – Too many Americans report that they regularly speed, run red lights, use distracting devices or drive drowsy, despite the fact that one in three have a loved one who has been seriously injured or killed in a crash, according to the AAA Foundation’s latest Traffic Safety Culture Index. The results further find that unsafe behaviors persist even though one in five drivers have themselves been involved in a serious crash, and one in ten has been seriously injured in a crash.

“It is very disappointing that we continue to see a prevailing attitude of ‘do as I say, not as I do,’ where large numbers of motorists seem to recognize the risks of certain behaviors but do them anyway,” said Peter Kissinger, President and CEO of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “Enhancing the safety culture in society must begin with each individual.”

Consumers allocate portion of tax refund for car care.

Valley car care expert offers three tips on high risk areas.

Every year customers come in to use a portion of their tax refund for vehicle car repairs on items that they have been putting off. However, what the consumer is not aware of are three HIGH RISK areas to always ask their mechanic to check. This can save from having costly repair surprises in the future. Between now and April 30, call to schedule your complimentary Income Tax Protection Inspection with a focus on the three vital areas.

The Car Care Council estimates that more than $62 billion in vehicle maintenance and repair is not performed every year, evidence that there is considerably more that consumers should be doing to protect their automotive investment. These are the three most important areas to have their mechanics check out.