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Back to School with TRICO | The worst defensive driving class
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First Brands Group Acquires Brake Parts Inc. And Champion Laboratories
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By chevyguy
This car has nothing but issues, now I have water coming in when it rains and my back seat floor is a puddle. Took my spare tire out and have water in there also. Sprayed the whole car down and can see the water coming in when I spray the roof. Looks like it may be coming from the roof rack area. Took the panels off to look and the roof/body seal may be the culprit. Also found a bulletin on this. I ordered some
link hidden, please login to view so I'll try and replace the seal. Anyone run into this on an equinox or terrain?
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By NAPA
Some people have been asking, do electric cars work in cold weather? Absolutely they do! But winter driving doesn’t always mean a winter wonderland, sometimes it just means preparing for the cold. People have been link hidden, please login to viewelectric cars in cold weather for years with little or no trouble other than potentially shorter battery range. Here’s a few tips about driving an electric car in winter.
Preheat Before You Leave
One advantage to plug-in electric cars in the winter is they can use grid power before you drive. It makes far more sense to prepare for your drive while connected to grid power than use up battery range. If your electric car has the option to preheat the cabin while link hidden, please login to view take advantage of that feature. Vehicles like the link hidden, please login to view and Nissan LEAF can be toasty warm for your departure. Use seat heaters if so equipped as they are more efficient at warming the occupants directly. Once you are on the way it will take far less power to maintain a comfortable cabin than if you had started cold leaving you parking spot.
Use The Right Tires
If you live in an area where winter tires are recommended, by all means use them. Snow tires are able to stay pliable in low temperatures and typically feature a special tread design that helps grip the wintery roads.
While it is common for electric vehicles to use special low rolling resistance tires, during the winter months you want all the grip you can get. Luckily with the growing popularity of electric vehicles there are now specific link hidden, please login to view made for EVs. These EV winter tires are designed specifically to address the needs of an electric car by balancing low rolling resistance while still offering winter weather traction. Just make sure to change into winter tires before the weather shifts.
Drive Easy
If your warm driving style is already easy going to maximize battery range, driving an electric car in cold weather will be an easy transition. The roads will likely be slippery so easing into acceleration and braking will help keep things under control.
Keep in mind that most electric vehicles are fairly heavy, so there is a lot of momentum built up even under normal driving. Loads of low-end torque make for spirited driving in warmer months, but you will need to dial back the accelerator pedal in slippery conditions. If your vehicle has “ECO” mode, use it. You may have a winter/snow driving mode as well so check your owner’s manual.
Turn Off Regenerative Braking
As amazing as regenerative braking is at recouping energy and extending driving range, it can also cause problems on slippery roads. Normally when the driver lifts their foot off the accelerator pedal the regenerative braking system kicks in to help slow the vehicle. This is great in dry weather, but the braking action that recovers electricity can cause the wheel to lose grip on slick roads making for erratic handling. People driving electric cars in winter conditions need to pay attention to the road surface. If the road conditions are slippery, it is best to turn off your regenerative braking system and go back to using your trusty brake pedal.
Your Range May Vary
Depending on your vehicle, electric car battery life in cold weather will vary. If you have an older electric vehicle with less than 100 miles of range you will need to be as sparing with power as you can. Things like headlights, link hidden, please login to view, radio, seat heaters, battery heaters, fans, even power steering all take previous battery power. On the flip side, if your vehicle’s range is in the hundreds of miles and your trips around town are short, there’s no reason to skimp on the power. Of course this assumes you will recharge once you are done driving for the day.
Plan For An Emergency
This tip applies to everyone on the road, but in an electric vehicle your
link hidden, please login to viewshould include a portable 110v charger if you have one. Sure it is the slowest way to recharge, but it beats no charge at all if you are stuck at a friend’s house. Check out all the
link hidden, please login to view available on link hidden, please login to view, or trust one of our 17,000 link hidden, please login to view for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on taking care of an electric car battery in cold weather and learning more about electric cars in winter driving, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your link hidden, please login to view. The post
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By NAPA
Finding a Mode for Every Mood and Move You Make
Driving mode controls are a relatively new technology leveraged to offer you the best, most personalized driving experience possible. Access to mode controls and select traction systems has revolutionized the market of available vehicles that respond to performance cues. Driving modes include flexible ways to improve towing capability, fuel efficiency and controls for weather conditions like sleet, ice, wind and snow.
For example, Tow / Haul mode allows the transmission to hold gears longer when engaged. This protects the transmission from damage caused by towing heavy objects at low RPMs. It also makes it easier to drive up steep terrain while pulling.
Modern automobile manufacturers have engineered ways to stylize your driving preference using various systems. Each driving mode option serves a specific purpose for when, where and how you drive. Every mode choice improves your vehicle’s performance in a specific area and works to adjust the steering throttle and engine control functions that respond to road conditions.
Modes of driving include:
Economy / Tour Comfort Smart / EV Only Off-Road All-Terrain All-Weather Snow Mode Tow Mode Sport or Sport+ V-Max +R (Track Mode/Racing Mode) Leveraging your
link hidden, please login to view, traction system and desired reaction to road conditions is paramount to comfortable driving. You can switch on any driving mode at any time, even while in motion. Sophisticated electronic vehicle systems allow you to master seasonal driving changes and can even keep you safe in harsh conditions. The Snow and Ice drive mode feature improves performance across slick road conditions by altering your pedal map and torque response.
link hidden, please login to view saves on fuel consumption costs by adjusting how the engine and link hidden, please login to view function together. This can decrease your vehicle’s power output, which protects the environment and improves your miles per gallon. Transform Your Driving Experience link hidden, please login to view
As you explore customizing your driving style, you’ll discover that several driving modes will improve your experience on the road. Personalizing your commuter sedan, hard-working pickup truck or deluxe SUV is more accessible than ever. In-demand driving mode technology allows you to ride in luxury or rule the road. With features like automatic engine starting and advanced all-wheel drive toggles, performance tech is at your fingertips.
Driving modes have transformed drive time into fun, tailored experiences that can change from circumstance to circumstance. Although some vehicles only have a few options, others feature nearly a dozen or more choices. Switching between driving modes is more commonly included in newer model cars, trucks and SUVs.
Depending on your vehicle, you have several performance settings to navigate from like Snow, Ice, Mud, Sand, Towing and Steep Terrain. Add to that list racetrack settings and velocity boosting elements. Keep in mind, the various modes might have different names depending on your vehicle’s make and model.
For example, Tour mode is in line with Eco mode. At the same time, you can use the Terrain mode on low speed through mountainous terrain, but it is also good for pulling boats out of the water, launching a boat and mild off-roading adventures. This is similar to Off-Roading mode, which improves your traction when the surface below your vehicle is less than ideal.
When the Sport or Track mode is activated, you can tighten the front seat side bolsters. Depending on your vehicle, the active exhaust will open, and the car won’t cut power when you go sideways due to all traction-related systems turning off temporarily. Sport modes are so much fun to try, but you should only test them on a safe, open track with an experienced driver at the wheel. Sport mode variants can also include the ability to stiffen the suspension, which reduces the car’s traction.
In general, the road condition options like Mud, Sand, Snow and Rock modes are for specified situations and terrains. While in Sand mode, your ride might have an extra sensitive throttle control to allow for more wheel slip so you can maintain momentum as you drive. Rock mode will adjust the traction control system to dampen the throttle response, letting you experience a less bumpy ride. This usually requires you to select a low-range setting for activation.
On most vehicles, the driving mode is connected to the engine control module (ECU) to control the engine, transmission,
link hidden, please login to view and brakes. This offers power maps for different driving conditions. Each mode alters engine functions to suit your choice, and you can pick the mode you prefer as you commute. Modern Vehicle Technology Supported by NAPA
Smart system-wide support birthed a new driving experience where you can develop on-road skills, making it safer and more fun to cruise the streets. Take the variations in Sport mode, for example, which enable that car, truck or SUV to react sharply and in style.
Adjusting driving dynamics is an automatic function in some vehicles. Imagine commuting across the country and going from sandy terrain into a mountainous snow range. Now, picture your vehicle automatically toggling between your vehicle’s ideal driving mode based on your preferences, road conditions and weather. Won’t it be thrilling to drive on cruise control, and your ride automatically switch from Comfort or Economy into sport mode when you hit the open, backcountry pavement?
In part, driving modes have improved all-season driving safety by eliminating common driving issues using advanced sensors that predict the road. Extra safety is paramount when driving in winter conditions, and Snow / Ice and Rain mode can significantly reinforce your traction. Snow mode is known for dialing back your throttle response, increasing the stability of your traction control system and reducing wheel spin.
Different road conditions and your own brand of driving contribute to your vehicle’s unique characteristics; therefore, you must investigate to choose the best driving mode for you. Browse through all the
link hidden, please login to view that NAPAOnline.com offers for improving your Sport mode. For advice and expert tips from our technicians on enhancing your ride, visit one of link hidden, please login to view. The next time you drive, play with the different modes and see how you and your vehicle respond. Featured image courtesy of
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By NAPA
Not every vehicle matches the concept its designers and engineers intended. What might have been a stellar idea on paper may have gone wrong in production. Sometimes the court of public opinion is more accurate, and the public has shown these cars to be real turkeys or duds.
Our list of worst cars includes the familiar, the forgotten and the unloved. However, time can be a redeemer, as even some of the awful ones are now collectors.
DMC DeLorean link hidden, please login to view
With its space-age design, brushed stainless-steel outer body panels and gull-wing doors, the
link hidden, please login to view promised to live up to its early 1980s hype. What should have been a strong competitor to the Porsche 911 and Chevrolet Corvette turned out to be an absolute dud. Poor build quality, a sticking throttle, suspension issues and a wonky speedometer led to a tremendous slowdown in the manufacturing process. They only produced three model years before the company shuttered. The main reason why anyone remembers the DeLorean is its significant role in the “Back to the Future” movie franchise. Today, the DeLorean is a collectible, largely due to its Hollywood exposure.
Ford Taurus
When it was released in 1986, the Ford Taurus revolutionized the midsize sedan market with its front-wheel-drive layout and sharply improved quality standards. Through its second generation, the Taurus remained one of the industry’s top sellers. But in 1996, this all went downhill.
The oval design, along with the circular headlights, rounded body panels and oval rear window, were too much of a contrast to the previous generation, causing the Taurus to lose its best-seller status to the Toyota Camry. As a result, Ford hurried its next makeover, bringing out a new and much less controversial design just four years later.
link hidden, please login to view Pontiac Aztek
What were they thinking? The 2001-2005 Pontiac Aztek is one vehicle that simply shocks. On the one hand, it is one of the worst looking cars ever, with a weird front fascia, strange lighting elements, odd rear side windows and a tricky tailgate. On the other hand, the 3.4-liter pushrod V6 engine paired with a four-speed automatic transmission was a sluggard. Somehow, Pontiac built this turkey car for five years before dropping the model. After another five years, the brand itself was canceled. Oddly thanks to the hit TV show “Breaking Bad” there has been a resurgence in collecting surviving Azteks in good condition.
Subaru B9 Tribeca link hidden, please login to view
It was supposed to be a ground-breaking vehicle for Subaru, its first model with an available third row. Instead, the Subaru B9 Tribeca was heavily criticized for its triangle grille and rounded body panels. The two-part name was off-putting, with some calling it the “benign Tribeca” due to its polarizing design. Two years after its 2006 release, Subaru refreshed the vehicle and dropped the B9 appellation. The Tribeca continued for seven more years before succumbing to slow sales.
Nissan Juke link hidden, please login to view
Credit Nissan with pushing the styling envelope in recent years with several models, including the boxy Cube, the Murano CrossCabriolet drop-top SUV and the Juke. Not since Ford built the Edsel Corsair has so much ugliness been released by one manufacturer. The 2011-2017 Nissan Juke was known for its design drama, including bulges, swells and sharp angles. It’s as if the designers married a rally racer with a utility vehicle and added provocative lighting elements to give it an insectoid appearance.
Inside, motorcycle-inspired gauges, funky colors and striking cloth seating fabric were not welcome highlights. Notably, the Juke was a hoot to drive, with an available 6-speed manual gearbox. Thus, its “worst car” designation is truly in the eye of the beholder.
Worst Cars
Whether you own a classic or a turkey car, you should protect it against the outside elements with a
link hidden, please login to view. Preserve your car from the harsh winter weather or just cover it up to shield it from glares. Check out all the
link hidden, please login to view available on link hidden, please login to view, or trust one of our 17,000 link hidden, please login to view for routine maintenance and repairs. To learn more about your favorite car brands, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local link hidden, please login to view. Photo courtesy of
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By Counterman
Advance Auto Parts has announced a $25,000 donation to Breathitt County Area Technology Center, a technical school in Jackson, Kentucky, that serves approximately 400 local students in grades 8-12.
The donated funds will assist with rebuilding efforts of the school’s automotive technology program following the devastating flooding that impacted Eastern Kentucky over the summer.
On Wednesday, Sept. 21, team members from Advance presented the donation to Breathitt County Area Technology Center principal Joseph Mayabb and auto tech instructor Darryl Cole at Hazard Community and Technical College, Lees College Campus, in Jackson.
Breathitt County Area Technology Center will hold classes and all operations at Hazard Community and Technical College for the foreseeable future.
“Our friends, neighbors and communities in Kentucky are still hurting,” said Advance district manager and Kentucky resident Matt Belcher. “During this difficult time, our local team is humbled and grateful to help Breathitt’s auto tech program and their students with this donation. We admire Breathitt’s educators and staff for the work they do in training future auto technicians. Together, we can work toward rebuilding communities across Eastern Kentucky.”
Breathitt County Area Technology Center experienced significant damage throughout its campus. Flood waters reached more than 5 feet in some places, destroying most of the automotive training tools and other essential items in the building. Advance’s donation will help replace equipment used by auto tech instructors and students.
“This has been a very difficult time for everyone in our community,” said Breathitt County Area Technology Center’s principal, Joseph Mayabb. “Although we are down, we are not out. With an incredible staff of instructors who are taking care of these students and their needs, and generous partners and businesses such as Advance Auto Parts, we will continue to educate our students and position them for growth and success.”
Breathitt County Area Technology Center offers five career pathways for students: auto tech, business, carpentry, electricity and health sciences. Students enrolling in the auto tech program learn to diagnose, repair and maintain all types of vehicles and vehicle functions, such as brake and electrical systems; engines and transmissions; suspension; steering; and heating and cooling systems.
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