Acura Recalls RLs For Faulty Power Steering Hose

Yes, Acura recalls 2005-2008 RL sedans due to faulty power steering hose. The recall, which covers 43,200 Japan-built Acura RL sedans sold in the United States, is made to fix the power steering hose that may crack from engine heat and possibly cause a fire. Good thing, no injuries or fires have resulted from the faulty hose as of press time.

"On certain passenger vehicles, prolonged high underhood temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely, causing the hose to crack and leak power steering fluid," said the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration in its recall summary of the Acura RL. "Power steering fluid leaking onto a hot catalytic converter will generate smoke and possibly lead to an underhood fire."

The maker of Acura CSX engine mounts determined the potential safety-related defect on Nov. 20, according to documents on NHTSA's web site.

"On certain passenger vehicles, prolonged high under-hood temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely causing the hose to crack and leak power steering fluid," according to the NHTSA file. "Power steering fluid leaking onto a hot catalytic converter will generate smoke and possibly lead to an under-hood fire."

The recall started last Monday.

Honda dealers will install a new heat resistant power steering hose free of charge, according to the documents. "Owners may contact Honda at 800-382-2238," according to the document, and they may also contact the NHTSA's "vehicle safety hotline" at 1-888-327-4236 or go visit http://www.safecar.gov.

Owners will also be contacted by mail and asked to take their vehicles to an Acura dealer, according to American Honda Motor Co. Inc.'s documentation, Morning Star reported.

If you are of the owners of the mentioned models, better have your car checked at your dealer.

New High-Performance Car For Ford

Detroit automaker Ford's European arm recently announced that a new high performance car is in the works. The Auto Channel reported that the Focus RS will be launched in 2009 and it will be a cool-looking and rubber-burning car.

According to the report, the RS version of the Focus will be created in the likes of the Focus ST and will be developed by Ford Team RS.

John Fleming, Ford of Europe's president and CEO, had this to say: "With two consecutive Manufacturers' World Rally Championship titles under our belt, the time is right to create a new Focus RS. With the Fiesta and Focus ST models, Jost and his team have proved already that they can deliver exciting and practical performance road cars. The success of these models, combined with Jost's experience in motorsport and Ford of Europe's positive business results, mean that we now have a credible business case for a no-compromise Focus RS roadcar for more enthusiastic drivers." Jost Capito will be leading the development team.

Capito meanwhile added: "We have reviewed our technical options and worked closely with the Design team on how the car might look, and I'm very excited by the results. Now with the programme going ahead, the hard work really starts as the small team working on the project takes the car from prototype to production."

"We will use the redesigned 2008 Focus ST as the base for a no-compromise RS model that will become the ultimate road-going Focus. Just as the Focus RS WRC owns the rally circuit, we want the new Focus RS to own the road, so we have the major competitors in our sights as we develop the car's performance, design, handling and braking." Those are some strong and fighting words but I think that Ford can back it up and actually create a vehicle which can outperform any Acura CSX with its reliable engine mount.

CarMax's Sales Report

If you are looking for a new vehicle but do not have the dough to buy a shiny new car or large vehicle, you can still have a car if you know where to look. There are companies like CarMax which offers used vehicles for sale. The used vehicles that the company offers top consumers are still in good condition even down to their wiper blades so it is a good choice for cash strapped auto buyers.

Recently, CarMax reported its performance in the market for the third fiscal quarter. Here are the most noteworthy figures according to The Auto Channel.

• Total sales increased 7% to $1.89 billion from $1.77 billion in the third quarter of last year.
• Comparable store used unit sales were flat compared with a 13% increase during the prior year's third quarter.
• Total used unit sales grew 9% versus an 18% increase in the third quarter of fiscal 2007
• Net earnings declined 34% to $29.8 million, or $0.14 per share, compared with $45.4 million, or $0.21 per share, earned in the third quarter of last year.
• As previously reported and included in the September revision to our fiscal 2008 expectations, CarMax Auto Finance (CAF) income was adversely affected by increased funding costs for our 2007-3 public securitization, which reduced CAF income by $8 million before taxes.
• An increase in the cost of funding receivables through the asset- backed commercial paper market resulted in an additional $4.6 million pretax reduction in third quarter CAF gain income related to receivables in the warehouse facility that had been originated in previous quarters.
• The increase in the cost of funding receivables through the asset- backed commercial paper market also had an adverse impact on CAF's gain percentage in the third quarter. CAF's gain on loans originated and sold in the quarter declined to 3.6% compared with 4.3% in last year's third quarter.
• For the fiscal year ending February 29, 2008, we now expect comparable store used unit sales growth of approximately 2% and earnings per share in the range of $0.87 to $0.93. Compared with our prior expectations, the decline in the expected earnings range is largely the result of higher funding costs at CAF.

Looks like not only the Big Three are having problems with selling vehicles to auto buyers eh?

Moms, Keep Your Cars Clean Before The New Year

It has been a tradition to some people who believe in lucky charms and stuff during the holidays and New Year. They put them into practice usually before the New Year arrives. However, there are some things that we should as well try to apply prior to the celebration of the New Year. This goes to all the sweet-loving moms out there.

Mother Proof™, the leading provider of online car reviews and information dedicated to women and mothers, asks every mom to clean-up their “landfill” vehicles as soon as possible… probably before 2008 comes in. Mother Proof challenges every hard-working mom to refresh their cars to symbolize a great new beginning! Talk about car bras and other stuffs!

"We've learned a lot through our own personal experiences at Mother Proof and from other clean-car mamas who've shared their wisdom about how they manage their car clutter. One friend uses her wait time in the carpool lane to pick up trash in the front seats. Another splurged on cool, mesh pencil bags to keep small items organized. She keeps her garage door opener, toll-pass transponder and change in one, while another houses Band-Aids, lip balm, sunscreen and lotion. It is just a car, after all - you shouldn't need a drugstore-sized cache of supplies," says Mother Proof's Chief Mother, Kristin Varela.

Mother Proof will aid all moms with useful tips they have come up along with some pieces of advice from more experienced and clean mothers. Check out some of Mother Proof’s Official Rules of Car Cleanliness published at The Auto Channel:

Rule No. 1: Don't put a lot of stuff in your car in the first place. This sounds simple, but that's only because it is.

Rule No. 2 (if you simply must bend Rule No. 1): Keep a small basket or organizer in your cargo area to house items like first-aid kits, sunscreen, wipes and diapers, plus anything else you like to keep in there.

Rule No. 3: Don't buy CD holders, sunglass clips or anything else that attaches to the sun visor.

Rule No. 4: Hit the car wash regularly. One of the best things to happen to your new found car-cleanliness habit is the neighborhood drive-through car wash. For around $3, you get a handy super-sized wet-wipe, a drive through the wash and unlimited use of the vacuum. Kids love the car wash, and they love to help vacuum up their areas in the back.

Houston Defensive Driving Online Course Offered To Teens

Teen drivers can now enroll and learn defensive driving through the most powerful tool in the planet, the Internet! The program is called the Houston Defensive Driving Online Course for Teens. It is sure to be more informative than our usual car repair manual!

Houston Defensive Driving online offers a modern and interactive course configuration through suitable teachings by enrolling one of the several programs included in the defensive driving courses.

Here's the description about the course provided by The Auto Channel. Check this out:

The knowledge to handle a vehicle defensively gives you safe passage on the roads. Unless you gather some insight of safe driving you may face one of the unfortunate outcomes like being issued with a traffic ticket. It may accumulate some unwanted traffic points, make your insurance costlier or you may be implicated in the Houston traffic courts. Some of the advantages of *Houston Defensive Driving online* is, you can reduce points on your record and possibly even lower your insurance rates. The course provides you a TEA approved certificate that helps you to gain insurance discount.

The Court Approved defensive driving course from T*exas Houston Defensive Driving* claims to inculcate the safe driving habits through an interactive and comedy mode of learning, covering the varied disciplines like Speeding, Braking, Backing, Emergency maneuvering, Evasive steering, Defensive Parking, Alcohol consumption and its effect on driving.

The course administrators believe that course from *Houston Defensive Driving online* need not be confined to those looking for ticket dismissal or point reduction but can be pursued by everyone in order to cultivate the defensive driving habits.

In brief *Houston Defensive Driving online* provides the following benefits:

1. 24 hours and 365 days availability of course.
2. State approved curriculum.
3. Multiple sittings completions.
4. Higher end course with low price.
5. Live 24/7 customer support facility.
6. Unlimited Texas state specific test preparation materials.
7. Comedy and interactive online course.

Ford’s New Vice President

Alan Mulally, Ford Motor Company President and Chief Executive Officer, announced the new Vice President of their company today. Joe Hinrichs was the new appointed Vice President for Global Manufacturing and his new job will be starting this January 2008.

Hinrichs was the vice president of North America Manufacturing and handled other operational appointments like engineering support for vehicle, powertrain and stamping. In his 40’s, Hinrichs has already made a huge contribution to the Ford company.

Mulally said, “Joe has been successful in leading the restructuring of our North American manufacturing operations and was a key participant in the recent contract talks with the UAW. In his new role, Joe will focus on delivering a global manufacturing plan that allows us to improve our efficiency while leveraging our scale worldwide. A global manufacturing footprint supporting a global product plan that delivers the vehicles people want and value are key to creating an exciting and viable company - that delivers profitable growth for all."

He will be doing the job of the previous executive vice president and president Mark Fields. He said, "Our plants in North America are more competitive and our launches are stronger, thanks in large part to Joe's leadership. Integrating manufacturing around the world and aligning it with product development on a global scale will make the entire business stronger."

Hinrichs also added, "I am excited by the opportunity to bring our plants and engineering functions around the world together into one, cohesive manufacturing. Integrating a global process plan and combining it with our global product plan allow us to accelerate our ability to produce the vehicles customers want around the world while continuing to improve quality."

It’s good to hear news like this online. Just like Acura CL heater core and other auto parts, auto news like this are also available online.

Auto Writers Honored

All over the world, auto enthusiasts keep track of what is happening in the auto industry reading articles written by credible auto journalists. They have become an integral part of the industry. Numerous auto journalists are given the chance by automakers to test drive new cars so that they can give it a review which will inform consumers as to the good and bad of a certain car.

Recently, The Auto Channel reported that the Motor Press Guild honored some auto journalists for their contributions. Four MPG Best of the Year Awards were given for different discipline including article, book, audio/visual, and photography, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award, and the prestigious Dean Batchelor Awards. So without further ado, here are this year's winners:

• Article Category: Preston Lerner for "Fast & Spurious." This article brings to life the quirky spoof of a race, the "24 hours of Le Mons" held annually at the Altamont Motorsports Park in Northern California, for street cars costing less than $500. Lerner thinks of it as "the Doo Dah Parade meets the Daytona 500, with elements of a demolition derby and 'The Gong Show' thrown in for good measure."
• Book Category: Bernard Cahier for F-Stops, Pit Stops, Laughter & Tears. This book is the story of Bernard Cahier's long and fascinating journey through the automotive world of the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s, focusing on the sport of motor racing. It also covers his life before motor racing, as a fighter in the French resistance in World War II, and chronicles the many friends he's made, and those he, and we, have unfortunately lost.
• Photography Category: Louise Ann Noeth for "Salton Sea Roadster." Her photo features a modified racing machine along the abandoned marina shoreline at California's nearly dead Salton Sea.
• Audio/Visual Category: Ed Justice, Jr. for his radio interview "Insights into Car Branding with Charlie Hughes," an engaging interview that takes one firmly inside the mindset of the American automobile manufacturer.
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Tom and Ray Magliozzi, also known as Click & Clack and the Tappet Brothers from National Public Radio's "Car Talk." "Car Talk" is heard by more than 4.1 million listeners each week on 588 radio stations, and their column, "Click & Clack Talk Cars," appears in 335 newspapers.

Meanwhile, the Dean Batchelor Award was given to Mr. Cahier for his book. I really salute these guys for what they do. If you are ever having problem with your Porsche 968 parts, I'm sure these guys would know how to help you out.

Cars With Great Cash Back

Cars.com and Kicking Tires posted the cars with great cash back on their official website as of December 7 this year. These are the following cars.

2007 Ford Edge
MSRP: $25,320
Cash back: $2,500
Percent off MSRP: 9.87%
Expires: 1/2/08
5-Year Ownership Costs

2007 Cadillac Escalade, ESV, EXT
MSRP: $54,670
Cash back: $4,500
Percent off MSRP: 8.23%
Expires: 1/2/08
5-Year Ownership Costs

2007 Ford Focus
MSRP: $13,715
Cash back: $3,500
Percent off MSRP: 25.52%
Expires: 1/2/08
5-Year Ownership Costs

2007 Hyundai Entourage
MSRP: $23,895
Cash back: $2,000
Percent off MSRP: 8.37%
Expires: 1/2/08
5-Year Ownership Costs
Cars.com Best Bet

The 2007 Hyundai Entourage comes as the Cars.com Best Bet. The car has a base price of $23,895 with total cash back of $2,000 and with 8.37% percent off its MSRP. It expires on January 2, 2008 with five years of ownership cost. It's good to know that the new vehicle is filled with quality parts like bumpers, wild shield and header pipe.

As a car shopper, you need to look for the following factors such as sales, incentives and various offers in order for you to find the best car. But you should also look for cars with great cash back values. This is when you resale your car after several years. The car you should choose must be one among the cars listed above so you can still save some of the money even after several years of ownership. The Top 10 Cash-Back Offers were all posted at Kicking Tires' official website.

Acura Problems

It seems that we have found one of the reasons why Acura sale for the month of November has decline and even their sale for the first 11 months of the year. It seems that Acura TL owners are having problems with their vehicles' transmissions. Although Honda has proven itself in the reliability department, it seems that Acura owners are having problem shifting to the third gear.

This site has this guys asking around about this particular problem. Camaro 28z said: "I have bought 2008 Acura TL type S and i have experienced problems when trying to shift in to third gear. It's just sometimes it won't go in and you really have to force it. Some times it will pop back into neutral and some times it the car will grind gears." Now if you have bought a luxury car, you would surely expect that every auto part should function well even the Acura CL fuel injector that comes with your CL.

Camaro is not the only one who thinks there's something wrong with the Acura TL's transmission. A man calling himself David replied: "I have the TL also. And I have the same problem but I am used to it. I had a Nissan before which had the same problem. Actually, the problem only happens during the first 30 min or so that you have turned the car on. Basically it only happens when the engine is still cold even if you warm it up for a good amount of time."

Jeff from the United States also had problems with his Acura TL and he even said that the dealership where he bought his car from said that they might see if a General Motors transmission fluid will suit the tranny on his TL but it will void the warranty.

I have seen Acura slide down in the ranking when it comes to reliability issue. So with these comments about the tranny of the 2008 Acura TL, it is not surprising that Acura may be down at present.

Ford Will Produce Compact Verve in Nanjing Next Year

We have already familiarized ourselves with its presence since the first time it showed itself during earlier auto shows this year. And now, Changan Ford’s Nanjing plant will be producing the concept car in 2009 according to a top Changan Ford executive.

The original Verve concept was designed in Europe and according to the news, it was set to compete in the 'B-Car' segment of the market, which is considered as one among the most popular compact cars sold in the US. Associated Press has the news.

The Ford Verve Concept four-door hatchback is one among the hottest cars ever seen at the fifth annual Guangzhou Auto Show. Ford presented the new four-door Verve Concept at Guangzhou Autoshow meaning that the China car market plays a very important role in Ford’s global plans.

Phil Spender, the Chief Operation Officer of Ford Motor (China) Limited, was quoted saying, "With this new four-door Verve Concept, the picture of Ford’s big plans for the small-car segment is becoming clearer. Our future small car is being developed as a global car. It will be designed in Europe, engineered in Germany and manufactured globally. These two Verve Concepts demonstrate how confident Ford is in its direction and its appeal to consumers here in China.”

Shen president of Changan Ford Mazda also said, "The company’s plant in Nanjing is expected to produce 50,000-80,000 vehicles next year. When Verve starts production in 2009, the Nanjing plant will reach its peak production capacity of 160,000 a year.” This does not handle the manufacture of Acura CL catalytic converters.

Changan Ford Mazda is looking forward to produce 225,000 units before the year ends and up a 35% increase for the following year. According to Shen, “But the Chongqing plant’s maximum capacity is only 250,000.”

If you wish to know more about the issue, check out Gasgoo and find out more about the plans of Ford.

Dodge Names Four "Are You Tuned Out?" Finalists

General Motor’s Dodge has already announced the four finalists of the "Are You Tuned Out?" US search for the most outstanding car enthusiast and car tuner. Americans spend more than 18 billion hours tuning up and upgrading their cars every year. These four finalists represent the millions of car enthusiasts who have the knowledge on how to give their cars a few interesting tune ups.

The Auto Channel was able to identify these four finalists:

David Mayo of Philadelphia, Pa. - Mayo spends more time with his car than any member of his family. He's so tuned out his family told him that cars are the reason he's not married. He's addicted to tuning and admits that his current car is killing his social life. If there's a rehab clinic for tuning, Mayo is the first to confess that he needs help.

Zach Madrid of Colorado Springs, Colo. - Not only is Madrid "completely tuned out ... he's a Mopar freak," according to his fiancee Tricia Champagne. He has a passion for cars and customizing, and has a sketch book full of visions, concepts and customizedversions of his favorite cars.

Anthony Baroni of Brentwood, Calif. - According to his wife Tiffany, Baroni is a "huge car nut." He spends countless hours researching cars online, in magazines and on TV, and is obsessed with the Dodge Caliber SRT4. He is so tuned in to tuning that he has even tried to teach his 3-year-old son to say, "Mommy, daddy needs a new Dodge."

Paul Martins of Canton, Mass. - According to Brenda Posipanko, she's lucky. She has a wonderful boyfriend who is faithful and loyal; the only problem is she never sees him. In addition to filling her dining room with a "gazillion assorted car parts," Martins spends all of his
free time under the hood of his project car.

If you are looking for more information about this piece of news, you can visit the site and also learn more about the different car parts like Acura coil springs.