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Drive in anxious and cruise out confident with the best automotive information for your vehicle! Tune in to KTAR News 92.3 every Saturday from 11 a.m. to noon as Matt Allen helps listeners with their car problems. The show call in number is 602-277-5827.


Latest News From Bumper to Bumper Radio

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 30, 2020) – Following the Thanksgiving holiday, the national gas price average is more expensive. At $2.12, it is two cents more than a week ago, but remains cheaper compared to last month (-2 cents) and last year (-46 cents). Across the country, motorists in nearly 30 states are paying more at the pump on the week with states along the I-95 corridor seeing the largest jump: Delaware (+15 cents), Maryland (+8 cents), Pennsylvania (+7 cents), New Jersey (+6 cents) and North Carolina (+6 cents).

Despite the small increase at the pump, U. S. gasoline stocks increased and demand decreased, according to the Energy Information Administration’s reports for the week ending November 20. Demand dropped to 8.1 million b/d, a five month low, and stocks built by 2.2 million bbl to total 230.1 million bbl.

“As COVID-19 cases increased, the national gas price average saw it’s cheapest November in 12 years,” said Jeanette Casselano McGee, AAA spokesperson. “Motorists can expect gas prices to mostly decrease in the days ahead, especially with demand showing the lowest reading since June.”

Quick Stats

The nation’s top 10 largest weekly increases: Delaware (+15 cents), Maryland (+8 cents), Pennsylvania (+7 cents), New Jersey (+6 cents), North Carolina (+6 cents), Indiana (+6 cents), Washington, D.C. (+5 cents), Virginia (+4 cents), Tennessee (+4 cents) and Oklahoma (+3 cents).

Ally Survey Reveals Heightened Dependence On Cars in Pandemic, Even With Fewer Places To Go

DETROIT, Nov. 18, 2020 -- At a time when many Americans are adapting to a lifestyle with fewer places to go, a new survey from Ally finds that cars and personal transportation are more essential to people's lives than prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Seventy-two percent of car owners say that going for a drive alone allows them to clear to their head, according to a survey of 2,000 American adults conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Ally Financial. Nearly three-quarters of men (73%) and more than half of women (53%) consider their car to be their personal "fortress of solitude."

Ally survey finds that the essential value of cars is increasing during pandemic, along with financial anxiety.

In addition, the pandemic has caused Americans to rethink their desired mode of transportation. Nearly 3 out of four Americans, 72%, are wary of using public transportation because of COVID-19. This isn't just a short-term trend—69% of car owners say they plan on driving more after the pandemic ends rather than use public transportation.

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TOMS RIVER, N.J., Nov. 18, 2020 -- Specialty Vehicle Engineering is pleased to announce the availability of its all-new 2021 YENKO/SC® Silverado Off Road Truck, powered by a custom built 800HP 378 C.I.D. supercharged LT-1-based engine. This is the most powerful limited production 2021 Full-Size GM truck available today, and only available from your Chevy dealer. Only 50 of these Limited Edition YENKO/SC® trucks will be built in any factory available color, and will be available in crew cab and double cab Custom models in 4WD. The YENKO Off Road comes equipped with a heavy-duty 6 speed automatic transmission with performance upgrade, Brembo's larger front brakes that include 6 piston calipers and 16.1" Duralife™ vented rotors, our BDS lift kit that raises the truck 4" and includes higher-rated front and rear Fox® performance shocks, and HD rear sway bar to properly balance the awesome power of the 800HP supercharged engine.

The YENKO® Silverado exterior features include YENKO Off Road 1/4 panel graphics, hood insert manufactured from OEM-quality high-impact composite material finished in gloss body color with flat black louvers, Unique 12-spoke 20" x 10" aluminum alloy front and rear one piece wheels in matte finish with rim edge finished in silver, black, or body color, Nitto Ridge Grappler LT295/60R20 off road performance tires that offer a quiet ride, a custom high-impact composite tailgate panel overlay with embossed YENKO/SC logo in gloss finish body color, a custom front grille bar with the YENKO/SC logo stamped in, also in gloss finish body color, and much more! Each of these 50 vehicles will include a numbered power badge, two numbered key fobs, a Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin, and a 3 year/36,000 mile limited warranty on engine and supercharger assembly, transmission upgrade and non-powertrain components. For more information contact Specialty Vehicle Engineering at (732) 240-3696 ext. 173 or visit www.specialtyvehicleengineering.com.

All-New 2022 Subaru BRZ Makes Global Debut

THERMAL, Calif., Nov. 18, 2020 -- The all-new, rear-wheel drive 2022 Subaru BRZ sports car made its Global Debut today at the Thermal Club Raceway in Thermal, CA. Subaru developed the all-new BRZ with the same fundamentals of sports car design that it used to create the original: low vehicle weight, an ultra-low center of gravity with precision steering and handling in an affordable 2+2 package. But for the 2022 model year, the BRZ features more power, better handling, improved styling, a 50-percent increase in torsional stiffness and a modern interior. A pure sports car with Subaru DNA.

Running counter to the current trend of power over precision, the 2022 Subaru BRZ focuses on simplicity and fun. Designed to deliver an unmatched driving experience, the all-new BRZ features a new and more powerful 228 horsepower 2.4-liter horizontally opposed engine. Sitting low in the chassis, the Subaru BOXER's unique design allows the BRZ to achieve a Center of Gravity (CoG) even lower than the previous BRZ and on par with exotic hyper-cars. The ultra-low CoG is critical to delivering unrivaled handling, with a low polar moment and quick reaction to driver inputs. The 2.4-liter naturally aspirated engine redlines at 7,000 RPM and delivers a 15-percent increase in torque. The 2022 BRZ will be offered in both Premium and Limited trims and is available with two transmission choices; a standard six-speed manual or an available six-speed automatic with a new Sport mode designed for more aggressive driving. The new Sport mode allows for more rapid downshifts with automatic throttle blipping and utilizes yaw sensors to hold the transmission in a lower gear during hard cornering to maximize performance.

Clever and Modern Design

Despite its sporting intentions, the 2022 Subaru BRZ does not sacrifice everyday comfort and practicality. The 2+2 seating and folding rear seats create a useful cargo area that has space for carrying a mountain bike, golf clubs, or even four race tires and tools for track days. Utilizing aluminum for the roof, front fenders and hood, the 2022 Subaru BRZ has an estimated curb weight of just under 2,900 lbs., delivering on its promise of accessible performance.

Front-End Alignment vs. 4-Wheel Alignment FAQs | Good Works Auto Repair

As a vehicle owner, it’s good to learn about and understand some of the services that your car will need during its lifetime. You’re probably already familiar with things like oil changes and AC service.

But, what about wheel alignments? Do you know the difference between front-end and 4-wheel alignments? When is it necessary to schedule service? What exactly does it entail? Here, we’ll try to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about wheel alignments.

What is a wheel alignment?

The term ‘wheel alignment’ is actually a little misleading. In reality, a wheel alignment involves making minor adjustments to a vehicle’s suspension, not the tires or wheels themselves. The main purpose is to ensure that the tires make proper contact with the road. Specifically, they need to be at the right angle in order to maximize road contact and provide appropriate traction and safe handling.

A wheel alignment generally involves looking at and making adjustments to three components:

Camber – This is the angle of the tire as seen from the front of the vehicle.
Toe – This is the angle of the tire as seen from above – a ‘bird’s eye view’.
Caster – Lastly, this is the angle of the steering axis.

An expert mechanic will evaluate all of these factors and make adjustments as necessary to bring your vehicle back into alignment.

Bumper Audio Clip of the Week

Bumper to Bumper helps a listener who is having an intermittent electrical issue with her vehicle.