2018 Fall Automotive Guide v CLARION NEWS � TUESDAY, October 16, 2018 � Page 9

Automotive Guide2018

Automotive Guide2018 FALLFALL

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SUVs, CUVs and crossovers still going strongThe end of 2017 was

marked by a strong, near-record number of cars andtrucks being sold. Leadingthe pack during that record-breaking period were SUVsand similar vehicles, suchas crossovers and compactutility vehicles, or CUVs.

According to Forbes andindustry consultant LMCAutomotive, SUV sales roseby 12 percent across theglobe in 2017, while tradi-tional passenger car salesfell 2 percent. LMC furtherexplains that, over the lastfive years, SUV sales haveincreased by 87 percent.

Experts at the automo-tive buying and selling

resource Kelley Blue Bookhave said that, thanks tothe success of SUVs, manyonce-successful car modelsare being phased out. Oneof the vehicle classes thathas experienced steadydecline is the large sedancategory. Individuals andfamilies looking for largevehicles tend to favor SUVsover large sedans.

The shift towardcrossovers, utility vehiclesand even pickup trucks isbeing driven by a strongeconomy and improvementsregarding fuel-efficiency inSUVs and trucks. LMC esti-mates that, by 2022, 84 per-cent of all the vehicles sold

by General Motors - one ofthe "Big Three" Americanautomotive manufacturers -will be some kind of truck orSUV. In 2017, the balance ofcars versus trucks andSUVs being sold shifted for

the first time, with 65 per-cent of the market optingfor vehicles in the latter cat-egory.

Even though compactand small vehicles like theperennially popular Toyota

Corolla and Honda Civicare still strong sellers,SUVs and crossovers areoutpacing the rest of thepack. Many crossovers andSUVs are now built on uni-body frames, which tend tobe lighter than traditionaltruck frames, making thevehicles more fuel-efficientand comfortable than pastmodels. Combustionengines have received anoverhaul, and some evenhave engines that turn off afew cylinders at times toimprove efficiency. WithSUVs driving more like carsand offering similar bene-fits, added benefits likemore space, flexible seating

and higher visibility contin-ue to entice buyers.

Crossovers, which arelike small SUVs but tend tobe more streamlined andshaped like cars, are oftenbuilt right on car bodies.They offer the drivability ofa sedan but the attributesof an SUV. CUVs havebecome ubiquitous in park-ing lots and a mainstay ofmanufacturers' new offer-ings.

Roadways are filled withtrucks, SUVs, CUVs, andcrossovers. These vehiclesare outpacing more tradi-tional automobiles andshow no signs of losingsteam.

Why clean air filters are important

Replacing air filters is an inexpensive way to keepvehicles performing at peak capacity.

Vehicle owners likelyknow to check fluid levelsand get their cars' oilchanged, but air filtersmay not be at the top oftheir maintenance check-lists. Despite being a rela-tively inexpensive part,air filters often go over-looked.

Air filters have animportant job in a vehicle,prolonging the life span ofengines and helping carsrun more smoothly andefficiently.

Purpose of vehicle airfilters

Vehicle combustionengines operate with amixture of fuel and air.Without oxygen, gasolineor diesel fuels cannot burn

How to recognizepotential brakeproblems

Maintaining a vehicle ismore than just a way to pro-tect one's financial invest-ment. Vehicle maintenancecan protect against accidentsand make the road safer fordrivers and their passengersas well as their fellowmotorists.

Fully functioning brakesare an important componentof automotive safety. In its2015 Crash Stats report, theNational Highway TrafficSafety Administration saidthat brake-related problemsaccounted for 22 percent ofcrashes where vehicular fail-ure was cited as the cause ofthe collision. Bad brakes areparticularly notorious forrear-end collisions. Faulty,worn brake lines, anti-lockbrake system malfunctionsand worn brake pads anddiscs are some potentialbrake problems.

It is important thatmotorists learn to recognizethe first symptoms of braketrouble so they can addressissues before they put dri-vers, their passengers andother motorists at risk ofaccident or injury.

• Unusual noises:Screeching, grinding, rub-bing, and high-pitchedsounds are common indica-tors that brake pads, rotorsand other parts of the brak-ing system need attention.Worn pads can cause dam-age to other vehicle parts,resulting in more expensiverepairs if they're notaddressed promptly.

• Pulling: If the car pullsto one side when applyingthe brakes, this may indicatebrake pad linings are wear-ing down unevenly. A brakeadjustment may be neces-sary. Pulling also may beindicative of an object ordebris caught in the brakefluid.

• Less responsive: Ifwhen pressing on the brakepedal the brakes just do notseem to be as effective asthey once were, or it is neces-sary to press the pedal hard-er for the brakes to engage,there may be a brake fluidleak or an air leak. Checkunder the vehicle to see ifany fluids are pooling.

• Pungent odors: Fire-stone Tire Company says aburning smell may be indica-tive of worn out brake padsand friction on the tires.Each of these issues requireimmediate attention.

• Vibrations: Certainvibrations may indicatebrake issues. Rotors canbecome warped from metal-on-metal rubbing, potential-ly leading to a failure of thevehicle to brake properly.Vibrations also may indicatetires are misaligned. Theseproblems can be properlyassessed by a trainedmechanic.

Do not let potential brakeproblems go unchecked.Keeping brakes in goodworking order helps driversstop more readily and avoidcollisions.

properly and power theengine. The air filter's jobis to prevent dirt, dustand other debris frombeing sucked into an

engine. Otherwise, grimecan build up and impedeengine performance orcause erosion of partsunder the hood.

It is much more cost-effective to routinelychange air filters thanreplace expensive engineparts. Rather than ignor-ing air filters until thelast minute, drivers cantake steps to keep filtersclean and functioning atpeak performance.

• Improve fuel efficien-cy. Clogged air filtersreduce air flow to engines,resulting in an improperratio of air to fuel. As aresult, spark plugs can benegatively affected andthe engine may idleroughly or misfire. Thesescenarios can greatlyaffect fuel efficiency aswell as cause enginedeposits from rich fuel. To

save money and trips tothe fuel pump, replace fil-ters regularly. Accordingto GearHeads, for oldercars, studies have indicat-ed that by replacing adirty air filter, one canimprove gas mileage by asmuch as 14 percent.

• Reduce stress on theengine. Because of the air-to-fuel mix in engines,even a mixture that isslightly off balance canaffect what is going onunder the hood. Thatmeans the engine mustwork harder to get enoughclean air into the chamberto complete the combus-tion cycle, says the Auto-motive Training Center.

• Enjoy more power. Afilter that is saturatedwith dirt will restrict airflow. In such instances,drivers may notice a lackof power during accelera-tion. Replacing the filtercan easily restore thatpep.

• Reduce vehicle emis-sions. Environmental con-cerns are a priority formany people. By keepingthe engine working prop-erly, with the advantage ofclean, unobstructed airentering the chamber, avehicle may produce loweremissions.

Replacing air filters isan easy fix that many dri-vers can do themselves, orask their mechanics to doduring oil changes or oth-er repair shop visits.

Top tips for buyingteens their first cars

Start teen drivers out with a vehicle that is not tooflashy but gets high marks for safety.

Selecting a first car for ateenage son or daughter canbe challenging. Newlylicensed drivers probablywant something sporty thatalso looks cool, while theirparents no doubt want thembehind the wheel of some-thing sturdy, safe and reli-able.

According to the expertsat Edmunds.com, an auto-motive research and advicegroup, involving teens in theprocess of selecting a carhelps teach them responsi-bility and learn lessonsabout money that may helpthem make smart choices inthe future.

• Manage expectations.Cars are generous gifts andnot something teenagershave a right to. Teenagersmay not realize the expensesinvolved in acquiring, run-ning and insuring a vehicle.Parents can explain all ofthese factors. Unless theteen has enough money tobuy his or her own car, thefinal call is up to the parentson how much to spend andwhich vehicle to choose.

• Note that bigger isn'talways better. Some parentsthink their teens will besafer in a truck or SUV.While large vehicles mayfare slightly better in acrash, they can be more cum-

bersome to park and drive,especially for novices. A largevehicle may tempt teens topile in friends for a Saturdaynight, but research indicatesthe risk of a crash increaseswith multiple teens in a car.

• Choose safety overlooks. Safety should be thetop priority. According to theCenters for Disease Controland Prevention, teen driversbetween the ages of 16 and19 are four times more likelyto crash than older drivers.Choose a vehicle with a highsafety rating over one thatlooks stylish or comesequipped with distractingbells and whistles.

• Pass down the familyroadster. Teenagers mayanticipate being handed thekeys to a brand-new or pre-viously owned vehicle off of adealership lot. But givinghim or her a set of keys to acar already in the drivewaymay be more practical.Everyone involved alreadyknows the history, drivingcapabilities, safety statistics,and potential quirks of carsthat have been in the familyfor years. It may not beflashy, but cars already inthe driveway will getteenagers from point A topoint B just as effectively asthose currently sitting idleon the dealership lot.

Page 10 � 2018 Fall Automotive Guide v CLARION NEWS � TUESDAY, October 16, 2018

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How to approach buyinga preowned vehicleVehicles are consider-

able investments. Accord-ing to Kelley Blue Book,the estimated averagetransaction price for lightvehicles in early 2018 was$36,270.Perhaps because of that

price tag, many people inthe market for cars andtrucks shop for preownedvehicles, which statisticsindicate are considerablyless expensive than newa u t o m o b i l e s .Edmunds.com notes thatthe average transactionprice for a used vehiclepurchased in the firstquarter of 2018 was$19,700.Of course, preowned

vehicles carry more riskthan new cars. That said,car buyers in the marketfor preowned vehicles cantake steps to protect them-selves against the risksassociated with buyingused cars.• Shop for certified pre-

owned vehicles. Certifiedpreowned vehicles, orCPOs, typically come withan inspection and extend-ed warranty. That can easethe concerns of buyersworried about buying alemon. Many CPOs arerecently returned off-leasevehicles that tend to havelow mileage. Lessees areobligated to return leasedvehicles in good conditionor suffer financial penal-ties, meaning most off-lease vehicles will be well-maintained.• Recognize "certified"

and "CPO" are not thesame thing. Edmunds.comnotes that there's some-times a difference betweenvehicles that are charac-terized as "certified" and

"certified preowned." TheCPO designation typicallymeans the vehicle manu-facturer stands behind thevehicle and its warranty. Avehicle described as "certi-fied" many only be backedby the dealership itself.That's an important dis-tinction for buyers whomay travel a lot or thosewho plan to move, as amanufacturer-backed war-ranty should allow them totake the vehicle to any ofthe manufacturer's dealer-ships for repairs, regard-less of where those dealer-ships are located. Driversof vehicles that are onlycertified by a dealershipmay only be able to taketheir cars in for repairs atthat particular dealership.• Get a vehicle history

report. Some sellers,whether it's dealerships orprivate citizens, may pro-vide vehicle historyreports. But even if theydon't, the cost of suchreports is negligible com-pared to the value of the

information they provide.These reports indicate if avehicle has been in anyserious accidents and indi-cate mileage that can alertbuyers to illegal odometeradjustments, and somemay even indicate if main-tenance was performed atmanu f a c tu r e r- r e c om -mended intervals. If sell-ers are reluctant to pro-vide reports or the VINnumbers of a vehicle nec-essary to order them, thenwalk away.• Take a long test dri-

ve. A long test drivethrough various condi-tions (hills, curvy roads,highways, etc.) can givebuyers a feel of how a pre-owned vehicle handles.Don't succumb to pressureto cut test drives short,and be wary of sellers whowant to keep test drives toa minimum.Preowned vehicles can

be great investments, espe-cially when buyers takesteps to make the mostinformed decisions possible.

Fluids to check beforeyour next road tripFor many traveling

enthusiasts, few things aremore enticing than the openroad. Road trips have longbeen popular, and that popu-larity appears to be on therise.According to a report

from MMGY Global, a traveland hospitality marketingfirm, road trips represented39 percent of vacations takenby United States travelers in2016. Road trips also remainpopular in Canada, wherevast, rugged terrain makesfor idyllic trips.Before embarking on

road trips, motorists wouldbe wise to inspect their vehi-cles to ensure their getawaysare not derailed by car trou-bles.

· Brake fluid: Squeakybrakes are not the onlypotential indicator of brakeproblems. Brake fluid, whichshould always be topped offbefore beginning a road trip,also might shed light onpotentially serious problems.According to the NationalMotorists Association, brakefluid looks honey-like andtranslucent when fresh. Apuddle beneath a vehiclethat is clear to brown andslick indicates a brake fluidleak, which can ultimatelylead to a complete failure ofthe brakes. The NMA recom-mends brake fluid bechanged at least once everythree to four years.• Transmission fluid:

When fresh, transmissionfluid is red, darkening overtime. However, transmissionfluid should never appearbrown or black, which indi-cates potential internaldamage to the transmission.To determine if there areany issues with the trans-mission fluid, the NMA rec-ommends drivers wipe a cooldipstick between theirthumb and index finger. Ifeven the slightest bit of gritis felt when wiping the dip-stick, the transmission islikely in need of work.• Oil: Drivers should

change their vehicles' oilbefore embarking on roadtrips, especially if such trips

will be lengthy. The NMAnotes that fresh oil is light todark amber and translucent,and that is how oil typicallylooks immediately after anoil change. Oil darkens overtime, and that is natural(black oil indicates it's timefor an oil change). However,oil that appears cloudy ormilky indicates that coolantis getting into the oil, per-haps due to gasket problems.Drivers who are not gettingtheir vehicles' oil changedbefore a road trip should atleast check their oil beforeleaving to inspect the color ofthe oil and ensure the vehi-cle has enough oil.• Windshield washer flu-

id: The unknown of the openroad is part of what makes itso appealing. While manyroad trippers plan their tripsduring the summer and fallwhen the weather tends tobe both pleasant and pre-dictable, there's no guaran-tee inclement weather won'trear its ugly head. Filling thewindshield washer fluidreservoir before embarkingon a trip ensures drivers' vis-ibility won't be adverselyaffected by unforeseenissues that can soil wind-shields.Checking fluids before

embarking on a road trip canhelp drivers avoid break-downs and ensure a safe, funtrip.

Did youknow?Improved performance

and reliability has increasedthe life expectancy of manyvehicles. As a result, manydrivers are keeping their carsand trucks in excess of 10years. According to an IHSMarkit study, the average ageof vehicles in the UnitedStates is a record 11.6 years,with the average length ofownership at 79.3 months, ornearly seven years. Evenafter an owner has relin-quished his or her new vehi-cle, that used car or truck cango on to provide many moreyears of utility for its nextowner. Certain models top thecharts among the longestkept vehicles, according toiSeeCars, an automotiveindustry group. These includethe Toyota 4Runner, Chevro-let Corvette, Mercedes-BenzSLK, Porsche Boxster, andthe Toyota Land Cruiser,which is the longest keptvehicle and also is theautomaker's longest-runningSUV. This vehicle is held ontofor an average 10.6 yearsafter being bought new. Tohold on to their vehicles aslong as possible, driversshould follow maintenanceschedules, keep their cars andtrucks clean and makerepairs promptly. When itcomes time to get a new vehi-cle, upkeep can go a long waytoward improving resale val-ue or getting back more ontrade-ins.

Navigate these driver assistance appsIt is never a good idea to

use smartphones or otherdevices while behind thewheel. In fact, distracteddriving is a key risk factorfor automotive accidents.However, certain smart-phone applications and fea-tures can make road tripsand other excursions easier,safer and more enjoyable -provided these apps areused before getting in thecar, when safely pulled over,or in the hands of a passen-ger.

Make a pitstopDrivers may not know

where to pull off the high-way when they need a mid-trip snack or a restroomrun. iExit enables you tosee all upcoming exits on aparticular roadway (whenlocation services are turnedon) and which amenitiesare accessible at each exit.The app also tells driverswhich way to go if they needto find gas stations orrestaurants. Icons indicat-ing food, fuel, hospitals, andeven banks/ATM machinesare included to indicatewhat's available at the exit.

Popular sightsField Trip by Google will

pull from categories you

have selected and your loca-tion to indicate potentialsites of interest around you.The app works off of recom-mendations from travel andlifestyle sources, and willprovide Bluetooth-enabledalerts when you're close by.

Fill 'er upExclusively for locating

fuel stations, GasBuddyalso helps drivers comparegas prices so they can savemoney if they so desire.When fuel costs can makeor break a trip, this app willkeep your tank and walletfull.

Gain performancedata

To keep track of vehicleperformance, use Dynoli-cious Classic. While thisapp's not free, it's lessexpensive than a visit to aservice station. Dynoliciousrelies on an iPhone's built-in accelerometers to gaugelateral and longitudinalacceleration and horsepow-er.

Get trusted repairsIt is important to find a

trusted mechanic who willfix a problem for a reason-able price. Repair Pal is anapp that has already culledquotes and reviews from

nearby mechanics to simpli-fy comparison shopping.

Navigation madeeasy

Smartphones alreadyfeature built-in map appsthat offer navigation anddirections, such as thoseoffered by Google andApple. But Waze is a com-munity-driven app thatprovides real-time updatesto traffic situations, gasprices, law enforcementsightings, and alternativeroutes to avoid delays.

No more lost carsFinding that elusive

parking spot can be chal-lenging. When you finallygrab a space in a parkinggarage or on city streets,you want to make sure youcan find your way backthere easily. Enter Honk, anapp that can mark yourvehicle's location with aGPS pin. You can also maketext or verbal notes indicat-ing position or how muchtime you have on a parkingmeter, as well as use theapp to find businesses near-by.Various apps can be

assets to drivers, helpingthem to save both moneyand time.

The benefits of electric vehiclesElectric vehicles remain a

curiosity for many motorists.While many industry expertspredict all cars on the roadwill be electric models atsome point in the future, gas-powered vehicles still out-number electric cars by awide margin.Some drivers may be hes-

itant to purchase electric carsout of a fear of the unknown.That's understandable con-sidering the cost of new vehi-cles, electric or gas-powered.According to analysts at Kel-ley Blue Book, the averagetransaction price for lightvehicles in the United Stateswas more than $36,000 inearly 2018. That makes vehi-cles a significant investmentand perhaps explains whyconsumers have thus farbeen hesitant to embraceelectric cars en masse. Butthe benefits of electric carsare many, and understandingjust what those benefits aremight compel more drivers tomake the leap.

Effects on localeconomies

Many countries, includingthe United States, import asubstantial percentage of thepetroleum they consume. Forexample, the U.S. Depart-ment of Energy notes thatthe United States imports 19percent of the petroleum itconsumes, three-quarters ofwhich is used for transporta-tion. All-electric vehicles can

How to improve the valueof your trade-inWhen the time comes to

purchase a new vehicle,many drivers explore trad-ing in their existing cars ortrucks. Trade-ins canreduce the cost of buyingnew vehicles and save dri-vers the hassle of sellingtheir vehicles on their own.Motorists who think

trading in is the best wayto unload their currentcars can take various stepsto improve the trade-invalue prior to visiting thedealership.· Know the trade-in

market. Some trade-insmay be more valuable thanothers, even if the cars arerelatively similar withregard to mileage. Forexample, preowned vehiclebuyers typically prefer latemodel vehicles as opposedto cars that are older. Thisis even more apparent nowthat many car buyers wantsmartphone-friendly vehi-cles that afford themaccess to the apps and GPSsystems on their phones.Drivers who want to getmaximum value for theirtrade-ins may benefit bytrading in a year or so ear-

lier than they initiallyplanned, as this will maketheir cars or trucks moreattractive to prospectivebuyers, which should makeit easier for dealerships tosell the vehicle.· Address any issues.

Dealerships will offer totend to any repairs trade-ins may need, but that willcome at a cost, which willbe reflected in the trade-invalue of the car. Vehicleowners should address anyissues before taking theirvehicles to the dealership.Fix any doors that stick orminor scratches on thevehicle's exterior, remem-bering to have the cardetailed, washed andwaxed. Investigate if anymajor problems, such asengine troubles, are worthfixing on your own, or ifyou're better off receivingless for your trade-in andletting the dealershipaddress such issues.· Keep maintenance

records. Maintenancerecords illustrating thatthe vehicle was taken careof can help owners getmore for their trade-ins.

Drivers who intend totrade the vehicle in to thesame dealership where thevehicle was purchasedshould still keep their ownmaintenance records toeliminate potential prob-lems as they negotiate thetrade-in value of theirvehicles.· Shop around. Drivers

who are not satisfied withthe trade-in value assignedby a specific dealership canshop around until they findbetter offers. Some dealer-ships may not offer muchfor a vehicle because theyalready have a similar caror truck sitting on their lot,while others may jump atthe chance to make theirpreowned inventory morediverse. Exercise patiencewhen shopping around toreduce any frustration thatmight develop during thenegotiation process.Various factors impact

the trade-in value of carsand trucks. When purchas-ing new cars, vehicle own-ers can employ variousstrategies to get the mostmoney for their currentautomobiles.

be powered solely by domesti-cally produced electricity,which can benefit localeconomies in countries suchas the United States andCanada.

Cost savingsThere's no denying that

purchase prices for electriccars and even hybrid vehiclesare higher than those formore conventional, gas-pow-ered vehicles. However, manycountries offer sizable taxcredits to buyers of hybridand electric vehicles. In addi-tion, fuel costs for hybrid andplug-in electric vehicles arelow, which can help offset thehigh purchase price of suchautomobiles.

Environmental impactThe DOE notes that elec-

tric vehicles produce zerotailpipe emissions. The samegoes for plug-in hybrid elec-tric vehicles when they'reoperating in all-electric mode.That's a substantial benefit,

as tailpipe emissions pose asignificant threat to the envi-ronment as well as humanhealth. Common tailpipeemissions include carbonmonoxide, nitrogen oxides,sulfur oxides, benzene, andcarbon dioxide. Such pollu-tants can lead to furtherdepletion of the ozone andsome, such as benzene, areknown carcinogens.Electric vehicles have yet

to catch on a wide scale. How-ever, the overwhelming bene-fits of such cars and trucksmakes it extremely likelythat they are the future ofdriving for those motoristswho have thus far been hesi-tant to ditch their gas-pow-ered automobiles.