LEARNING TO DRIVE 101

My son is learning how to drive. I never thought that the day would come, or maybe I hoped it wouldn’t. The day of a teenage driver in our house has arrived. My son has been driving with us for over a year with his learner’s permit, but his road test and license is soon at hand. Getting a driver’s license is an auspicious day. It’s a right of passage, a sign of adulthood, a milestone that brings with it serious responsibility, as well as access to the entire world. For the child, it’s exciting, for the parent, terrifying.

Getting my driver’s license was one of the biggest days in my life. It ranks as one of my most cherished moments. For me, it was an excruciating wait to reach the age of 16, and access the key to the highway. Every day until then was in preparation for that fateful day, the day of the road test. The first memory in my life was when I was very young; maybe three years old, I got in my parents’ car and pretended to drive. Somewhere in this practice session, I decided that it would be a good idea to release the emergency brake. I coasted down the hill, through my neighbor’s fence and into the side of their house.

Mistake #1: releasing the brake.
Mistake #2: jumping into the back seat and hiding on the floor instead of applying the brake.

Oops! I guess I needed a little more practice.

Undeterred, I continued my practice through the years playing with my toy trucks and cars for hours at a time; driving, parking, K-turns, I covered every move. When I was in the eighth grade, I would drive my grandfather’s bright red Farmall tractor around his barn and back again, sunrise to sunset. At 15 and not quite street legal, I would drive my parents’ car up and down the driveway, practicing everything that I could muster within the confines of the area. When I finally took my road test, I remember waiting for what seemed like eternity for the results to be delivered in the mail. When my license arrived and I learned that I had passed, my life long dream had finally been realized.

After I got my license, I drove any and every time that I had an excuse. I would pick my sister up at school, take my other sister to her job, chauffeur my father and mother to anywhere they might be going. I took advantage of any and all reasons to drive. I still love to drive. My problem now is, so does my son. Every time that we go anywhere, he wants to drive. I tell myself that it’s good practice for his road test. We drive just to drive, we practice parallel parking, and we dodge rogue drivers, many of whom should never have received licenses themselves. There is the occasional white knuckle moment, but basically, he is already a very good driver.

After all of the years and the thousands of miles that I have driven, I have never taken driving for granted. It still holds the same thrill for me that it did at age three, although I have decided that it’s better to stick to the road instead of driving into the side of a neighbor’s house. It feels good to see my son’s excitement as he discovers the joys of driving, but I still want my turn behind the wheel.

Enjoy the ride, we are!

MaineAutoMall.com Auto Blog

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Got Heat? Why Thermostats Matter

by Rob Hopp, Cars for Keeps Owner

In the typical car, mini-van or SUV, proper engine temperature control is critical to performance, gas mileage and - most important to car owners - heat.

If you hold your fingers above the defrost vents with the temperature set on high, as a general rule, you can not leave your fingers there for very long without them getting pretty uncomfortable if the heating system is working well.

We usually check the heat output at the center vent; a good heater will put out 150 degree temps.
We have seen them run as high as 160°f. At 130°f degrees you may start getting a few complaints, though it’s still pretty livable, at 120°f people are getting unhappy, the coats are staying on and below 110°f NO ONE is happy.

Engineers spend a lot of time figuring out what temperature creates conditions for optimal combustion energy and get the cold engine to that temperature as quickly as possible. Optimum combustion squeezes the most btu's out of each squirt of gasoline at the lowest pollution levels. Burn gasoline and get heat. Combustion and the heat it generates must be contained. Metals surrounding the combustion absorb and transfer the heat to the cooling system liquid (antifreeze) which is the same liquid that runs through the little radiator in your dashboard which the fan transfers to your cold tootsies. So, if your vehicle's thermostat is fading or failed, the impact is much broader than just cold toes.

To learn more about how faulty thermostats can be diagnosed by monitoring your heater vent's output, try reading our previous blog post on diagnosing faulty car thermostats.

If you stop by Cars for Keeps with your Car, Mini-Van, Light Truck or SUV, we'll test the output for free!

The 435,000 Mile Lexus: Dedicated Maintenance Goes the Distance

by Marjorie, Social Media Manager

Rob and I were having a chat about oil changes the other day, and I asked him how frequently his average customer visits the shop for routine maintenance, such as oil changes. Although I asked the question for marketing purposes, I was also personally curious to know how the "average" driver maintains his or her car, as I myself am a notoriously neglectful car owner.

His answer was as you would expect: all drivers are different! Some come in for the recommended 3,000 mile oil change, some for 7,000 miles, and a few (like me) come in for maintenance only when their car is hacking and wheezing from a dry engine.

However, I was shocked when he told me about one customer in particular who visits Cars for Keeps for an oil change every two to four weeks. "Two to four weeks - you mean twice a month??!!" I said, aghast that someone would be that dedicated to their car's maintenance. "Isn't that just...unnecessary?" I asked Rob, who did an equivalent of an over-the-phone shrug. "Well, his Lexus is the best in our High Mile Club," he said.

Like all good business owners, Rob keeps tabs on his best customers, inducting owners of cars that show...shall we say "unusual vitality" into the Cars for Keeps High Mile Club. The Club includes vehicles - many of them older - that are still running smoothly after an impressive number of miles (thanks to dedicated owners and the automotive expertise of the Cars for Keeps crew). But Gale and his 2000 Lexus LS400 tops them all, purring smoothly after a whopping 435,000 miles!


Perhaps Gale's bi-monthly oil change visits are a bit excessive, but if you compare the cost of two oil changes per month to a monthly car payment, he's getting quite a deal. In the end, buying a new car (or a new engine or transmission) is far more expensive than maintaining the one you already have. We're not suggesting you come in every month for an oil change, but coming in every three months for an oil change and routine inspection can save you (and your car) from a lot of grief. Remember, Cars for Keeps' routine "Pit Stop" inspections are always free!

Safe driving!

Cleaning up an ex-NATO Defender

This week we are wrapping up some modifications to an ex-NATO Defender 90. If you’ve looked inside one of these Army truck you know they are pretty bare. We decided to fix this one up a bit.

If you’re looking for a truck for serious off-roading, the military Defenders have a number of advantages over their civilian counterparts. First of all, they are almost all diesel powered. Second, they have heavier frames and more rugged chassis components. Finally, they are more basic and there’s less to strip off or damage in rough country.



We’ve decided to make the particular truck a bit nicer to drive while still retaining its Army character. To start, we stripped out the basic Army seats and repaired some minor corrosion in the floor. After welding up the damage we treated everything with WaxOyl.

Army truck are all bare metal inside. We fitted the rubber seat box cover and floor mats from a civilian D90. Those rubber bits improve the appearance a lot, and they give a quieter ride too. We changed the rubber boots over the shift and brake levers at the same time.

Then came the big upgrade. We fitted a pair of leather/cloth Exmoor seats with lumbar supports and seat heaters. In between we installed a Tuffy box for lockable storage. The Tuffy box even has space for a cup holder in front – a useful feature the Army guys never thought of.

We wired the seat heaters to switches on the front of the box.



Next we added some tunes. We fitted the latest Alpine head unit, with an iPod control built in. For speakers we rigged a Jeep-style overhead console that also gave interior lights. Sweet.





The final touch was a pair of inner door panels from Rovers North. These panels include inside door pulls – a real treat.



Here at Robison Service we’re proud to be known for our custom work on Land Rover vehicles. Visit our main website here, or stop by to see us the next time you’re in Springfield, MA.

Where Can I Find A Great Mechanic?

by Marjorie & Rob Hopp

It's like finding a great dentist; no one likes doing it, but it's too expensive not to have one. Finding a reliable, trustworthy mechanic can be tough, especially when you don't know what to look for. Our AAA Approved shop owner Rob (who's also a master mechanic) put together a list of tips and traits to look for when looking for a great mechanic.

Consumers prefer independent repair shops.
A survey Consumer Reports conducted last year of owners of almost 350,000 vehicles, people who used independent mechanics were generally more satisfied than those who had their car serviced at a dealership.

Make sure the shop knows your car.
Many garages specialize in certain makes. Those that focus on your type are more likely to have the latest training and equipment to fix your vehicle.

Get advice from friends and family.
Ask your family and friends who their favorite mechanic is, and what they like about him or her. If they have a brand that you own it adds some weight to their opinion too. Search to see what people are saying about their mechanics on forums and blogs online.

Check for certification.
Your mechanic and shop should be certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, or ASE. This certifies that the shop and all its employees are properly trained and their facility and service meets certain quality standards.

Give the shop a tryout.
Before your car needs a big repair, you might want to try out some local shops with smaller repairs or maintenance items, such as oil and filter changes.

Ask about warranties.
What kind of guarantees does the shop give on repair work? Warranties can vary greatly among shops, so ask about them ahead of time. Use a common repair, such as brake work, as your guide.

Make sure the shop is convenient.
Even the best shop might not be worth the effort if its hours conflict with your schedule or you have few transportation options after you drop off the car.

Thanks for stopping by, and safe driving!

2010 CAR REVIEWS: Spring Fever in Full Bloom

I love driving, it’s as simple as that; that’s why I love cars and that’s why I write about them here. The fluid interplay of the mechanics, combined with the sensory experience of the drive itself, makes every aspect of driving exciting to me and down right therapeutic. Whether I’m on the open highway, or navigating the twists and turns of one of New England scenic back roads, I love it all. Nothing helps me decompress after a hard day better than pressing the pedal to the metal and leaving my cares behind.

Enjoying a drive on my way to work the other day, it was only 39 degrees outside. Despite the brisk temperature, the VW Bug in front of me had his convertible top down. Taking the hint, I cracked open my sun roof, and then quickly sealed it again. Too cold! Regardless, spring fever was in the air. Spring is the time to rekindle the passion of driving. For that reason, spring is the time when auto manufacturers entice us with their marketing blitz of auto shows and new model marketing.

It’s no wonder that people can’t wait to celebrate the rebirth of spring, especially this year. After driving through a long dark tunnel, the auto industry is finally officially on its rebound. For the first time in too many years, Ford holds the number one sales position, outselling not only GM, but even the once invincible Toyota. People are buying cars again. I bought a car recently, as did several of my friends. I know even more people that are planning on buying soon, and now there are now some really exciting cars from which to choose. Here’s a quick overview of what’s available for 2010, and beyond.

The recent reintroduction of the Ford Taurus as a full sized, near luxury car was greeted with glowing reviews and has been selling well. The redesigned Ford Mustang of 2009 (sold as a 2010) has faced stiff competition from the successful launch of the recently resurrected Chevy Camaro. Ford is fighting back this summer with a reinvigorated V6 Mustang as a 2011 model. An all new 3.7-liter engine will deliver a whooping 305 HP, even more horsepower than what used to come out of the V8 of the signature Mustang GT. Preorders are hot. The icing on the cake is that this engine is EPA rated at 31 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city with the available six speed automatic transmission. To conquer the muscle car wars, Ford is also releasing as a 2011, a new V8 in the GT which is expected to produce 412 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. With this assault force, Ford hopes to retain its leadership crown as it battles the Camaro SS’s 426 HP and the Dodge Challenger’s SRT8’s 425 HP.

Speaking of Ford, its much anticipated European inspired Ford Fiesta is due to hit our shores this summer with a spunky 1.6L Ti-VCT Duratec® I4 engine and an expected 40 mpg highway figure. A spirited “pocket rocket” that should deliver a lot of fun for its drivers in town and on the highway. Close behind is a makeover for the slightly larger Ford Focus, due in early 2011. This too is expected to be an economical and a more exciting performer.

GM is raging a valiant fight to stay alive with the critical and sales success of its redesigned mini-SUV, the 2010 Equinox. Its four cylinder front wheel drive model comes with a standard 2.4-liter engine, producing 182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. The Equinox can handle any road and still deliver an amazing EPA mileage rating of 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway/26 mpg combined. For even more power with a little less mileage, there is an optional 3.0-liter V6 with 264 HP and 222 lb-ft of torque. Both engines come with a nice six-speed automatic transmission. Word is out about the Equinox, as GM is having trouble keeping up with demand.

My favorite addition to the GM line is the new and improved Buick La Crosse. Its picture is worth a thousand words: this is one beautiful car. The stodgy heritage of a floating, bloated Buick has now been replaced with this beautiful image, with sporty handling to boot. If the new La Crosse drives half as well as the reviews claim, GM will have a sales leader on its hands. Building on this momentum, Buick plans to launch a similar but smaller design in its 2011 Buick Regal. Billed as a “sports sedan”, GM is optimistic that it can capitalize on this European inspired design, satisfying a new niche for Buick.

Chrysler’s struggle to survive relies on its new relationship with Fiat, and new models that they can pool together from both sides of the Atlantic. Jeep is to be pared down to only essential models, the Mercedes influenced Chrysler 300 will be refined with new verve and the Fiat 500 will return to our market as an economical alternative. Of the Big Three, Chrysler’s direction (and future) seems a bit tenuous, but the jury is still out.

The Japanese are not about to sit back and watch the domestics steal their thunder. The introduction of the Honda Cross Tour has taken the cross over in a new direction. Is it a car, or is it a truck? Isn’t that what a cross over is supposed to be anyway? Honda also added pizzazz to its line with the return of the iconic Honda Civic Si. Talk about a “pocket rocket”, this Civic moves with its well refined 197 HP, 2 liter Honda engine, but still retains mileage of 21 city/29 highway.

Nissan is attracting attention with their unique Cube, Subaru continues to perfect its line of sturdy 4x4s and Hyundai is following it successful launch of the near luxury Genesis with a more luxurious Sonata for 2011. This list of exciting choices could go on forever, but it’s more fun to drive them.
Spring fever is here, and so it the lust for driving and the cars themselves. What better way to enjoy the road than in a new set of wheels, especially when there are so many good choices?

Enjoy the ride!

MaineAutoMall.com Auto Blog

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When to Have Your Brakes Repaired: 3 Easily Discovered Symptoms of Worn Brakes

Hi again, It's Dennis you friendly neighborhood Service Manager.

I thought today it would be good to talk about brakes and when it may be time for their repair.

1) One of the most common symptoms of brakes that need repair when you hear hear a high pitched squeal when the brakes are applied. Most vehicles' brake pads contain a thin hard metal tab within the brake pad that acts like a fingernail on a chalkboard when pads are worn down to the minimum thickness. This sound acts as a warning that it's time for the brake pads to be replaced - rather like the "Empty" gas tank warning. Ignore this and the brake job rapidly gets more expensive.

2) Listen and feel your brakes as you apply them. When applying the brake pedal, you shouldn't notice any grinding, squealing thumping or dragging. Any of these four symptoms could mean your brakes are not functioning at 100 percent, and could lead to further damage down the road.

3) On a vehicle with anti lock brakes (ABS), you should notice a slight pulse of the brake pedal in the case of heavy rain, snow, ice or a panic stop. This is how that system works. If the brakes pulsate at any speed and these conditions are not present, it may be time for the brakes to get checked. Normal braking should be a smooth operation.

Safe driving!

A Woman's Point of View: That Suspended State Between Winter & Spring

by Colette Cooley, Cars For Keeps Office Manager

It's Spring! At least, it feels like it is Spring. Our thoughts are turning to flowers in bloom, getting out the bicycles, walking around without ten pounds of boots on our feet, and putting the top down on the convertible. Oh, Joy! Can you feel you heart getting lighter and carefree?

We have Spring Fever here at Cars For Keeps too. One of the mechanics just came inside and told me I HAD to go out and stand in the sun for a few minutes - it actually feels warm. Ok, there are a few things we need to do to button up winter. Have our heating ducts cleaned, take that winter coat we have been wearing all winter to the cleaners, get the dog/cat you got for Christmas spade before she wanders around the neighborhood and comes back enceinte, and get the tires on your car aligned.

Come on, you know the only thing that blooms in the winter is the dreaded pothole, the snow covered curbs that you were sure were not there last summer, and those nasty ice ridges on the road that simply cannot be avoided. Let's give our bodies a break ladies. That shimmy and shake may feel good in the gym or on the dance floor, but in your car it could mean having to buy new tires if it goes on too long.

Who wants to spend their new summer clothes allowance on tires! Come on in to Cars For Keeps and we will "set your car straight" for you.

Happy spring from Cars for Keeps.

Why Should My Timing Belt Be Replaced?

by Rob Hopp, Cars for Keeps Owner

Most of today's vehicle use a rubber timing belt to keep the various
rotating shafts in sync (time) with each other. When these parts are not moving in perfect harmony, they can (and often do) hit each other. At the very least you become a pedestrian. We all know that our car won't breakdown right in front of our favorite garage where there is hot coffee waiting. Instead, it conks out at the worst possible moment. Then your car that will need emergency timing belt service along with the cleanup required to keep shreds of rubber out of the new timing belt.

Timing belt service is not inexpensive and trying to save money going for the lowest bidder can be a prelude to disaster. I suggest using top quality parts, done by a mechanic that knows your type of vehicle. They will know if there are common faults that prevent the service from lasting through another full service cycle (typically 100,000 miles or more).

The diagrams below are typical of the complexities of these systems, the first is from a Volvo, second is from a Nissan.



You can't usually just look at the timing belt to see if it's OK.
Many designs require hours of work just to disassemble the front of the engine for access.

The synthetic and cord reinforced belt (much like a tire) has precision teeth that engage the sprockets driving the shafts.












We often have to supress a morbid giggle when a client sees their car this far apart to perform "a simple timing belt".
It is often a reaction of horror... What did you do to my car?
Until we explain that this is the only way to get to the components on most Audi's & VW's and then return their car in tip-top shape.


























A Lucky Driver. This Acura engine was still running, but on the edge of catastrophe when the missing teeth were discovered. Typically $1500-$2500 in damage is done when a timing belt fails. Many times the engine is destroyed.













This one was not so lucky. The tensioner spring broke, and took a chunk out of the belt, leading to jumped timing and bent intake valves.















These are just some of the components that are used among the different designs of drive systems. The weakest link is the one that takes the rest with it. That's just one of the reasons we recommend following the manufacturers recommended mileage intervals for timing belt replacement, so an experienced mechanic can inspect the timing components to ensure they ALL will make it through another full life cycle and you can keep on driving with confidence.



How much does Timing belt service cost?
While the cost for timing belt service has a wide range depending on model and components required. The basic timing belt service on most four cylinder vehicles starts at around $200.00
We will gladly quote the service on your specific vehicle if you call Cars for Keep at (616) 846-1989 or by e-mail .

Fixing that Brake Light: the Cost-Effectiveness of Timely Repairs

In our last post, we reviewed techniques for diagnosing a faulty thermostat, and in that post we watched a how-to video showing how to replace the thermostat yourself. To be honest, my point in showing the video was to demonstrate how complicated and tedious attempting repairs like this yourself can be, unless you're very mechanically inclined.

Changing the brake lights or tail lights in your car is a far smaller task than changing the thermostat, yet it's one of those items that gets shoved to the back of the list. Changing the light yourself requires a trip to the automotive store, a hunt for the proper bulb and a wrestling match with screwdrivers, wires and even broken plastic in the garage that could last a long time. Yet putting that tiny repair off continuously (like I have done for the past month) could result in much greater inconveniences: getting pulled over, getting ticketed and even getting into an accident at night.

The time and cost of having minor repairs like this done by your local auto repair specialists is minimal, and the convenience far greater. Having your tail light or brake light changed at Cars for Keeps while you drink coffee and catch up on work in our pleasant waiting room will cost about 1/3 the cost of the traffic ticket you might otherwise get, not to mention saving the cost of potential accidents. For the majority of us, having Mike or Bobby change burnt out bulbs will take far less time than it would take for us to change it ourselves, and we instead can use that time to be more productive.

If you still think changing your vehicle's tail light or brake light is something that's worth changing yourself, take a look at the how-to video below. Perhaps you'll find it useful. If you're like me, you'll find the "simple" steps much more complicated and time consuming than they're worth.




Save driving!