In any given week, more than 100 customers are stepping to the cash register at an AutoZone store with the hope of saving a little on the cost of gasoline.

They are buying fuel additives, octane boosters and other products that purport to save gasoline.

With the cost of a gallon of unleaded regular knocking over the $4 mark, it’s no wonder the store has a big display of Lucas fuel stabilizers, treatments and boosters right near the register.

And the promises can be eye-catching. A bottle of Lucas fuel treatment says, “It’s a tuneup in a bottle (and) increases power and miles per gallon.”

“It’s been steady,” AutoZone store manager Joe Sharpe said of sales of fuel additives.

But do any of the products really work? A study released two years ago by the Federal Trade Commission said emphatically “no.”

“The EPA has evaluated or tested more than 100 alleged gas-saving devices and has not found any product that significantly improves gas mileage. In fact, some ‘gas-saving’ products may damage a car’s engine. No government agency endorses gas-saving devices for cars.”

At AutoZone, the most popular products are fuel-system cleaners, like the Lucas fuel-injector cleaner, Gumout and STP gas treatment, Sharpe said. The products range from $1.49 to $11.99, depending on size and brand name.

Given the even higher cost for premium gasoline, some drivers may be tempted to use lower-grade gasoline and hope to bump the fuel to another level by adding an octane booster.

“The octane boosters actually work the opposite of the way many people believe,” said Al Mannato, fuel issues manager for the American Petroleum Institute.

Octane boosters are often composed of a large percentage of alcohol and are designed to give the driver more power, not better gas mileage, he said. If there is 10 percent alcohol in an octane booster, then there can be as much as a 3 percent loss in fuel economy.

Bennett Greenwood, a mechanic and owner of A Mobile Car Doctor car-repair service, said that some of his customers admit to using lower-octane gasoline than recommended.

“Some cars are more finicky than others,” Greenwood said. A lot depends on the type of driving and the type of car, but he recommends following the owner’s manual.

When a higher-performance engine burns the wrong octane gas, the engine can knock, Mannato said.

Using engine cleaners can improve fuel economy as part of preventive maintenance, said Barry Bronson, a spokesman for the Valvoline division of Ashland Inc.

Bronson said Valvoline products can reduce the need for higher-octane gas, but he also said it’s not a good idea to go against manufacturers’ recommendations.

Sharpe said drivers also have worries that extend beyond the pump.

“More than buying fuel additives,” he said, “people are buying locking gas caps … to keep people from siphoning gas.”

from: 

By Braden Lammers
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Like the newest luxury technologies, cutting-edge safety technologies tend to debut on vehicles that are out of reach for the average new car shopper. Even the driver’s front airbag, now required by law in America, wasn’t available in all vehicles until over a decade after its consumer debut. This was also the case for luxury advancements like power windows and even air conditioning. But while riding luxuriously is something most drivers can live without, feeling safe is certainly not.

Fortunately, car manufacturers reciprocate the large and growing consumer focus on safety. Car safety information is now more accessible than ever, thanks to websites like Safercar.gov, so a model that tests poorly won’t go unnoticed. And when a model tests well, its manufacturer is always eager to promote the star-studded crash test ratings.

To continue racking up the stars, carmakers must keep pace with emerging technologies, as well as the evolving standards of the government-sponsored National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other independent vehicle safety researchers. There are a number of factors involved, but here’s the upshot: a new list of must-have safety features is forming, and many are now available without having to spring for a luxury ride.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 

At the top of that list is Electronic Stability Control, which is fast becoming an industry-wide standard for accident avoidance technology. In fact, the government has dictated that ESC will be required in all sub-10,000 lb. passenger vehicles starting in the year 2012. Though that may seem far away, the technology has already made a permanent mark on the industry.

It’s particularly useful in poor weather conditions, or when pushing the car to the edge of its capabilities. Specialized sensors monitor the traction of each tire, and immediately work to correct a skid or loss of control. The system does this in two ways: either by applying brakes to only the affected tire(s) or by providing more power for the tire(s) with the most grip.

Different manufacturers use different acronyms for it, but the technology remains the same. Thankfully, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has conveniently chronicled the list of names that manufacturers use to market ESC.

Side Curtain Airbags

Side curtain airbags are another feature with remarkable life-saving potential. And, like ESC, they are on their way to nationwide adoption — by 2013, side curtain airbags will be mandatory in all vehicles.

Front airbags are an indispensable part of a safe ride, but crashes can happen from all angles. Side curtain airbags deploy during side-impact crashes, normally from an area above the driver- or passenger-side window. Many manufacturers have these airbags deploy in conjunction with other side airbags, which protect the chest as curtain airbags protect the head.

Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS)

Though they aren’t breaking news for anybody, anti-lock braking systems are still just optional on many new vehicles. ABS will mechanically pump the brakes for you during a sudden stop, as long as pressure is consistently applied to the brake pedal. That last point is crucial — many drivers who have ABS don’t take full advantage of it, either because they’re used to manually pumping the brakes or because they instinctively lift their right foot when the system kicks in.

With that in mind, the safe choice is opting in for ABS, and getting to know how the system works. ABS can reduce overall stopping distances in certain driving conditions, and since the wheels will never lock up, it allows you to remain in control and concentrate on steering to safety.

Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) 

As your only physical connection with the road, properly inflated tires are a must. They reduce the risk of blowouts, promote even tread wear, create a more comfortable ride and even improve fuel economy. But while every driver should have a tire pressure gauge stashed in the glove box, it’s easy to forget to perform a pressure check every month.

Enter tire pressure monitoring systems. There are several types of TPMS out there, but they all provide a helpful warning light on the dashboard when one or more tires is under-inflated to the point of being a safety hazard. While no TPMS will provide the accuracy of manually checking your tire pressure, it is a helpful line of defense against a serious road risk. According to the NHTSA, all new vehicles manufactured after September 1st, 2007, come equipped with TPMS.

2008 Safety All Stars

Here are five of the IIHS’ Top Safety Picks for the 2008 model year. In order to be a 2008 Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must have available ESC and some sort of side-impact head protection technology (usually side curtain airbags). These selections also received “Good” ratings on front, side and rear crash tests from the IIHS.

These vehicles all sport an MSRP below $25k — even with the addition of ESC when not standard. However, please note that prices can vary based on location, supply and many other factors.

Small Car – 2008 Subaru Impreza

(Note: ESC is optional on this vehicle as part of the Premium Package)

Midsize Car – 2008 Honda Accord

Large Car – 2008 Ford Taurus

(Note: ESC is optional on this vehicle as part of the Safety and Security Package) 

Small SUV – 2008 Honda CR-V

Large Truck – 2008 Toyota Tundra

Just remember that doing your homework is essential to finding the best and safest car for you and your family. And while a set budget can stand in the way of being the first on your block to have that hot, new luxury trend, it doesn’t have to stand in the way of your family’s safety, or your own peace of mind.

The average American spends 38 hours — almost a full work week — per year commuting. Commuters in traffic-heavy areas such as Los Angeles, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. spend almost double that time in their cars per year.

If you have a long slog to and from work, a comfortable, reliable, easy-to-operate commuter car is essential. It won’t shorten your commute time, but a suitable car can ease some of the frustration you might feel in gridlocked, white-knuckle traffic.

In terms of commuter cars, one size will not necessarily fit all. A compact car may get the best gas mileage and easily weave in and out of heavy traffic, but those with families may need a larger car with more features. Whether you’re looking for a small car or a family sedan, consider the most reasonably compact exterior in each vehicle class, as that usually correlates with better gas mileage.

Look for a mechanically sound car, one that accelerates and brakes both quickly and smoothly. While you don’t want a car that is slow to accelerate, you also don’t want one that lurches forward when you press the gas pedal. Likewise, choose a car with precise braking; make sure the brakes don’t feel “mushy” when you step on the pedal.

For a rough commute, automatic transmissions are probably best. Though a manual transmission will save you about $1,000 when you purchase your car, remember that automatic transmissions are easier to handle in stop-and-go traffic. This is often important as the car in front of (or behind) you could be dangerously close to yours.

Of course, choose a car with comfortable seats. They can be enhanced with options like power controls, extra leg room, lumbar support, and temperature controls. Be sure to try out options like heated seats first to see if you’re really willing to spend the extra money — some people don’t like how they feel.

A good commuter car offers excellent front, rear, and side visibility. The controls are easy to see and reach, and are preferably steering wheel-mounted. Make sure all of your other needs are met as well, including multiple well-placed cup holders and ample storage.

Most importantly, don’t forget valuable safety features when you’re shopping for your ideal commuter car. Options such as traction control, all-wheel drive, antilock brakes, audible warning devices, and electronic stability control can help prevent an accident, while features like side and curtain airbags, seat belts, and head restraints are essential for crash protection.

In essence, any reliable car will get you to and from the office. But why not also travel in comfort, safety, and style?

Wow! I can’t believe the number of hits this blog is getting, THANKS!

I just was responding to a comment and remembered that I had not shared some really exciting news with you. (I know that most of you are just reading (because of the enormous hit count), That’s cool.

Anyway, I have made a deal with Newton Conover High School to let them use my truck to enhance any event at the school. We talked about football games ) of course)  as well as soccer, volleyball, baseball, and sofball. Basically I told them I ad this killer truck, with about $3000 worth of lighting effecst, that I would donate to any event. Wow! So far I am going to let them use it at half time, you throw a ball at a target on the roof to win huge prizes (fun huh) and we are going to pull the cheerleadrs in the Old Soldiers Parade and Lead the NCHS Homecoming Parade.

If you guys have any ideas please let me know, we are really excited about the whole deal!!!

So I was thinking about a previous post.

I really believe that you, our customers, I mean, you did come to this site or our lot to look at a car to buy, are the greatest un-tapped knowledge base in the world. Your looking to buy a car, were in the business of solving that need. Who better to tell us what we are doing right, and what we may be doing wrong.

You folks have believed in us, trusted us, with not only your car purchases since 1969, but we have the great fortune of helping your kids and grand kids! Hey, no kidding, when you bring you 16 year old in to see us, we are walking on air! What a huge compliment and we can’t thank you enough! Talk about positive reinforcement. Our appreciation knows no bounds for you. We really are at a loss at how to say thank you for enabling us to continue to thrive and grow!

But we do have a sincere desire to express that gratitude, and a gas card just seems so impersonal. Our customers are like family. We remember each and every story and family. We rejoice in the folks that walk in our front door. I love it when I can ask about your kids who are grown now and on their own. I remember when you came in and they were toddlers tearing up the place! My own kids gave me a video game machine to put in the office for your kids to play with!

So once again I am offering this as an open forum. If you were the boss here at Village, what policy do you think you would implement to make the experience even better? I’m open to anything, bigger office, smaller office, more privacy, less privacy, you name it and we will seriously consider doing it.

So, write to me, I’m begging you to write to me. We want to be the very best, provide the very best, over the top experience for you. So, let’s hear it. Write it on this blog, call me or Eddie, come by to visit (we still have the best free coffee), or email us. We can’t wait to here from you and I will personally respond to each and every one of you! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

Showing the V for Village !!!

John Lennon???

Seven National Quality Dealer Award Winners!!!

(Thats Tracy Myers on the end!)

Show the V for Village.

We thought that it would be so much fun to feature you, our loyal customers in our advertising in such a way that it would be even more fun for you than us. So, after many very late night brainstorming sessions, we came up with a plan.

We really wanted to find a way to showcase the many people (like you)that have trusted us since 1969.

So here is your challenge, if you are up to it. We will feature your entries in our TV commercials, on our website and in our print advertising.

Every one of you will be somewhere interesting in the next few months. Maybe the mountains or the sea. Maybe out west or down south. All we need from you is a picture.

Take a picture of you, you and your girlfriend, you and your husband, you and your grandma, you and your dog, or you and your kids. Really, whatever you can think of in some exotic, different, remote, or interesting spot, with your car, showing the V for Village Motors. Use your fingers (like the peace sign) or your arms, or your ski poles, whatever. Be creative.

Maybe in front of the Welcome to Florida sign, the Washington Monument, the Swinging Bridge, the Mexican Border, or the Grand Canyon.

Your picture must contain you, the V sign, and the car you bought at Village Motors, even if you bought it 35 years ago or yesterday. The rest is up to you! It might be helpful to include a description of your picture and the circumstances that brought it about.

The very best, or very worst, most creative pictures will not only be featured in the media mentioned above, but some we will frame to decorate our offices in Conover. The Valley Hills Mall and coming future locations.

We are very proud of you and want to show you off!

Here is one of me and Eddie, We’re sure you can do better.

Bring us the print or email it to VPIX@villagemotors.com.

We can’t wait to see yours!

Oh yeah, we’ll put together a qualified panel of well known judges from our community, and award a $200 gas card to the winner!

 So please include good contact information with your picture.  

Good luck and happy motoring.

PS – Point your friends and family to this contest, the better the response the better chance of another contest with even bigger prizes!

I’ve been thinking a lot about what we could do at Village Motors to earn your business during this upcoming Economic Stimulus plan. Basically, how can we best help our customers to maximize the benefit from this second tax season? I have a few ideas which I will share with you soon. But, what I really need now is your thoughts.

What would help you and your family the most? If we doubled your tax return to get you to the down payment that would in turn get you to the monthly payment you need, or help to overcome negative equity? Or what if we offered a $600 match or a $600 gas card? Would the choice make it more attractive to you and your friends?

We have decided to basically discount everything $600 to try to help and service our customers the best we can during these difficult economic times. You folks have believed in us, and we want to do something in return. It’s like this, your going to have some unexpected cash, and we want to help to maximize that event for you and your family. Maybe we haven’t figured out the most effective way to make this happen for you and that is why I am posting this. Tell us what would be the best thing for you. We will pick from all the suggestions and maybe have the greatest sale ever.

I have really spent some time trying to figure out how to best enable you, my customer, to reap the largest reward from this opportunity. But, I feel that I have come up short on the idea list. And I don’t want to let you down, or disappoint . So who else would I go to but you folks who have made us the best choice for used cars in the Catawba Valley! It is because of you and your input and feed back that we have the 30 day warranty, the certified cars, the bank and finance company financing, extended service contracts, carfax certification for every car, gap insurance, as well as our in house financing opportunities that has the goal that everybody rides! All of these came directly from your suggestions, emails, and input!

You were the ones that told us that dealing with me or my brother-in-law Eddie (everybody’s best friend), and not a horde of hungry salesman,  managers, and  finance managers made your experience so much better. And we’ve stuck with that, for over 30 years, because we trust you to tell us when we screw up!

Now after decades of providing the very best service, opportunity, and quality that our family can fathom, it’s your turn. Tell me on this blog, email me, or call me on my cell phone.

What can we do to make the exceptional Village Motors Experience even better for you, your family, and your friends.

We have a referral program that pays $100 to both the  referer and the new customer, cash! Can I make this an any better deal? Really, what would it take for you to send your best friend, your sister, your Mom to see us, knowing that we are going to do everything possible to get them the very best transportation package that will really work for their family and budget? And stand behind our promises!

We’ve solved the financing dilemma, I mean, we have programs available for every body! So what, if you were the boss here, what would you put into place next. The winning idea we implement is worth $500 in warm and fuzzy cash, an appearance in our TV commercials and newspaper ads, as well as prominent exposure on our website.. So here is your chance to help us to be the very best. Because that is our goal. We want to so over deliver to you, our customers, that you can’t help but tell everybody about those guys at Village Motors!

I look forward to hearing from you, Bruce

We’ve put together a list of the common scams that take place in the automotive industry, some of these may not be specific to used cars, but the important thing is to be conscious of how easy it for dealers and sellers to take advantage of unsuspecting consumers.

Low Balling– Is one of the tricks most commonly done by dealers. They will try to convince the buyer that they can provide the lowest possible price for the car thereby prompting the buyer to start negotiations with the dealer. The salesman will probably tell you that you can get the car that you want for a lesser amount but when you are about to enter negotiations, it turns out that you were not promised a lower price after all. It is just an empty promise.

Best Price Matching–When you tell the dealer that you will try to look around and check other car dealerships, the salesman will ask you to return when you get the best possible price and he will offer to match it. By this time, you will probably be too tired and sick of looking around. Chances are that you will take their offer.

Yoyo Scam–You will be allowed by the dealer to bring the car home as soon as possible. The dealer will take care of the financing, a few days later he will contact you again and tell you that there was a problem with your financing plan. He will tell you to set up a new financing scheme through him which, of course, will be at a higher cost and this will also entail a very high profit on the dealer’s part.

Protective Coatings—Commonly called Paint Protect ant, Fabric Guard, Undercoating or even Rust Proofing—This one has been around a while, but it’s still prevalent at a lot of dealerships. They will usually “pack” this into the cost of the vehicle. During my years of experience I can’t recall one single event that this has helped a consumer. My Opinion—Forget it and don’t let the dealer persuade other wise.

Window Etching Trick–Window etching is a very common scam. What the dealer will do is to offer to etch the VIN number of your car onto the window of the car for a price. Basically, the price ranges from as low as $300 to as high as $1,000.

Some buyers think that they did a good job by being able to talk down the price to a few hundred dollars, but unfortunately for them, a few hundred dollars is still a good amount of money.

The best way to avoid this kind of scam is for you to buy an etching kit that you can do on your own. This is available in most auto shops and costs around $20. See how much they profit from you.

Tip—Some insurance companies will offer a small discount if you do etch the windows. The philosophy here is that if the windows are etched, it is less likely to be stolen, there by reducing the risk against the insurance company. Call your insurance company and ask if they offer the discount!!

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