BETHESDA, Md., June 10, 2014  -- With the hot summer temperatures on the rise, knowing the symptoms of a sick cooling system are critical to your summer driving plans, since cooling system failure is a leading cause of vehicle breakdowns. The most noticeable symptoms are overheating, leaks, a sweet smell of antifreeze and repeatedly needing to add coolant, according to the Car Care Council.

"Neglecting your cooling system can result in serious damage and even complete engine failure, which would put a sudden end to your summer road trip," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. "If the cooling system doesn't receive regular maintenance, it's not a question of whether it will fail, but rather when it will fail. Performing regular checkups of belts, hoses, the water pump and fluids will ensure your car remains properly cooled and healthy for many miles down the road."

New AutoMD.com survey on how consumers view the repair shop/service center experience shows vast majority still feel overcharged, want pricing transparency, 'apples-to-apples' comparative job quotes and, most of all, a good mechanic -- and most are checking reviews and pricing online first.   

CARSON, Calif., June 10, 2014 -- Most consumers (83%) continue to 'feel' overcharged in the auto repair process and rank the experience of going to the repair shop/dealership to get their car repaired on a par with going to the dentist (with women preferring the dentist), according to a new consumer survey from AutoMD.com.

BETHESDA, Md., May 20, 2014 -- If your summer vacation plans include a road trip, the last thing you want is to have unexpected car trouble to leave you stranded at the side of the road, ruining all the fun. A pre-trip vehicle check is the best way to be car care aware and ensure that your car is ready to get you to your destination, says the non-profit Car Care Council.

The Car Care Council recommends the following pre-trip checklist before hitting the road this summer:

WORCESTER, MA, May 16, 2014 -- Do you know if your car has any open manufacturer issued safety recalls?  Amazingly one-third of all vehicles recalled by automakers are never brought to dealers. The reasons people don't take advantage of these repairs range from not being aware of the recall to not having the time to give up the car to make a repair. 

If your car seems to be running smoothly, a safety recall may seem to be an inconvenience but there are good reasons to get a defective part fixed as soon as you can.  First and foremost is safety, for you and your family. Recent research from the Highway Loss Data Institute found that repairing recalled vehicles reduces "dangerous incidents" for drivers.  The study looked at non-crash fire claims and found fewer insurance claims for those who made a recall required repair.

Thank You Bumper to Bumper Radio Auto Care Network Members!

The Bumper to Bumper Radio preferred Shop members teamed up again for a record breaking effort by raising over $9,400 for Phoenix Children’s Hospital this year in conjunction with KTAR’s record breaking drive of over 1.1 million for the 2013 KTAR Give-A-Thon!