| Automotive
News
AAA Arizona
Car Care Clinics
At a recent Phoenix Car Care Clinic,
AAA technicians found that four out
of five vehicles had problems ranging
from worn wiper blades (47 percent)
and worn belts and hoses (61 percent)
to low tire pressure (67 percent)
and faulty batteries (40 percent).
Left unchecked, these minor problems
can cause major breakdowns.
AAA
and Parents Best
Cars for Families
Who says being a parent
means you can't drive something stylish
and sporty? Today's family vehicles
don't have to be large and boring. More
than just safe and convenient, the best
ones combine practical features with
sleek looks and good handling.
To help busy families find great family
friendly vehicles at the right price,
AAA and Parents magazine
announce their fifth annual list of Best
Cars for Families. New this year is
a “crossover” category
for an emerging class of vehicles
that combine some of the best
features of station wagons, minivans,
and SUVs.
The vehicles were selected
by a team of reviewers from both
AAA and Parents who evaluated cars for
safety, comfort, value, fuel economy,
and convenient family features such
as child seat compatibility, cup holders
and cargo room.
Following
are the winners in each category:
Economy
Honda Civic
Mazda3
Kia Sportage
Sedan
Dodge Charger
Mazda6
Ford Fusion
Minivan
Toyota Sienna
Honda Odyssey
Chrysler Town & Country
Crossover
Subaru Tribeca
Nissan Murano
Volvo V50
SUV
Ford Explorer
Chevrolet Equinox
Jeep Commander
For full reviews of most of these vehicles
and others visit Auto
Reviews
 Protect
Yourself from Flood-Damaged Cars
Auto-industry analysts caution that
the risk of buying a water-damaged
car is not limited to flood-prone
areas of the country. These cars
often are repaired cosmetically and
moved elsewhere where they are sold
to unsuspecting consumers.
Knowing what to look for can drastically
reduce the risk of purchasing a potentially
dangerous vehicle. Here are some
tips to rule out flood damage:
- Check the trunk, glove compartment,
dashboard, and flooring below the
seats for silt, mud, or rust.
- Examine upholstery and carpeting
closely; if it doesn't match the
interior or fits loosely, it may
have been replaced. Discolored,
faded, or stained materials could
mean water damage.
- Make sure that accessory, warning,
airbag and ABS lights come on.
- Test the lights, windshield wipers,
turn signals, cigarette lighter,
radio, heater, and air conditioner
several times.
- Flex some of the wires beneath
the dashboard. Wet wires will become
brittle upon drying and may crack.
- Sniff around for musty odors
from mildew.
- If the seller
does not offer a vehicle history
report, use the 17-digit vehicle
identification number (VIN) on
the dashboard to obtain a CARFAX
vehicle history report. The free
CARFAX flood damage check will
identify any vehicle that was
last registered in a Federal
Emergency Management Agency disaster
area following Hurricanes Katrina
and Rita.
Correction
In the listing
of Approved Auto Repair facilities
that ran in our March/April 2006
issue, the phone number for Roy's
Automotive in Phoenix was incorrect.
The correct information is as
follows:
Roy's Automotive
13016 N. Cave Creek Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85022
602-482-3708
All
AAA Approved Auto Repair shops
employ ASE-certified technicians
who are qualified to diagnose
problems using state-of-the-art
equipment. They'll guarantee
your vehicle repairs for 12 months
or 12,000 miles. And, in the event
of a dispute, AAA will help you
settle the complaint. For more
information, visit our Approved Auto Repair web page.
HIGHROADS
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