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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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IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 29, 2020 -- What would you tell a younger you trying to make your way through the world? For Josh Jacobs, who rose from homelessness in middle school to football stardom, it is an inspiring message of hope and determination in Kia Motors' Super Bowl spot for the all-new 2021 Seltos SUV.

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here

Debuting today, "Tough Never Quits" finds Jacobs driving a Kia Seltos in his home state of Oklahoma and reflecting on a time when life was much more challenging, and the odds were stacked against him. As he asks, "I wonder what I would tell my younger self if I ever saw him?" he notices a young man – representing a younger Josh Jacobs – running on the streets. The voiceover continues, "I'd tell him, Josh, it's going to be hard growing up homeless…but you have to believe in yourself." Cut to both the younger and current day Josh's together in the Seltos as the two pull up to a football field and the final piece of advice given: "Push yourself to be someone and I promise someday you will."

Sharing Jacobs' incredible story on advertising's biggest stage inspired Kia to create the Yards Against Homelessness charitable initiative, an extension of the brand's "Give It Everything" brand personality. Yards Against Homelessness continues Kia's efforts to support and elevate America's youth following the creation of "The Great Unknowns" scholarship last year. With Yards Against Homelessness, Kia is pledging a $1,000 donation for every yard gained in the Super Bowl divided among three charity partners: Covenant House, Positive Tomorrows and StandUp for Kids.

Rising Gas Stocks Put Downward Pressure on Winter Pump Prices

The national gas price average is $2.51, which is three cents cheaper than last week, four cents less than last month, and 25 cents more than a year ago. Gas prices have continued to drop over the last week as gasoline stocks grew again, measuring at 260 million bbl – the highest stock level ever recorded by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) since it began recording the data in 1990.

“Increased total domestic stocks of gasoline have helped to ease pump prices,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson. “Typically, we see lower demand during this time of year. When combined with higher stock levels, pump prices usually decrease in response.”

EIA estimates that demand grew slightly from 8.56 million b/d to 8.66 million b/d. However, the current rate is lower than last year’s 8.87 million b/d at this time.

Quick Stats

The nation’s top 10 largest weekly decreases are: Florida (-8 cents), Michigan (-8 cents),Pennsylvania (-6 cents), South Carolina (-6 cents), Delaware (-5 cents), North Carolina (-5 cents), Maryland (-5 cents), Louisiana (-5 cents), Texas (-4 cents) and West Virginia (-4 cents).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets are: Missouri ($2.17), Texas ($2.19), Mississippi ($2.21), Oklahoma ($2.22), Louisiana ($2.22), South Carolina ($2.23), Arkansas ($2.24), Kansas ($2.24), Delaware ($2.25) and Alabama ($2.27).

West Coast

Pump prices in the region have mostly dropped. On the week, Washington (-2 cents) saw the largest decrease in the region, while Hawaii (+1 cent) saw the only increase. Hawaii ($3.66) and California ($3.52) remain the most expensive markets in the country. Washington ($3.10), Oregon ($2.98), Nevada ($2.97), Alaska ($2.95) and Arizona ($2.81) follow.

According to EIA’s report for the week ending on January 17, total gas stocks in the region dropped 1.4 million bbl to 32.4 million bbl. The current supply level is in line with last year’s level at this time, which will likely help prices to stabilize throughout the week.

CARFAX Accident Data Helps Car Buyers Shop Smarter

CENTREVILLE, Va., Jan. 28, 2020 -- Car buying season picks up in February as tax refunds start showing up, but you could end up overpaying by thousands of dollars on a used car - and putting your family's safety at risk - if you aren't careful.

Accident history is the No. 1 thing used car shoppers look for in a vehicle's history. CARFAX data estimates that as many as 40% of vehicles on the road have been in an accident or sustained damage; that's about 110 million cars. CARFAX data also shows one in four cars are sold within the first year after an accident or damage. If you're shopping for a used car, it's not always easy to spot the cars with damage and to know whether it was a ding - or a disaster.

Of all the vehicles for sale right now, about one in four have sustained damage. The average impact on retail price is about $500, but that average impact on value jumps to $2,100 for a vehicle with severe damage in its past. If you don't know if a vehicle has sustained damage, you could be overpaying by hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. CARFAX has a free valuation tool, History-Based Value, that looks at vehicle specific information for pricing, and it includes accidents as one of the many factors.

It's important to remember not all accidents and damage are created equal. Shoppers looking for used cars need not turn up their noses simply because there's damage reported. In fact, smart shoppers can dig a little deeper and save themselves some money by investigating the severity of any damage. A CARFAX Vehicle History Report can not only show you accidents, but many will detail where the impact was and how severe the damage was. It's also a safety concern, because you want to make sure any repairs were made properly. In addition to a CARFAX report, we recommend you have an independent vehicle inspection. A trained mechanic can spot signs of repairs and also make sure they were done properly so you can keep you and your family safe on the road.

Owning an Electric Vehicle is the Cure for Most Consumer Concerns

New study pulls back the curtain on the experience of going green and costs of ownership

ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 22, 2020) – New research from AAA finds that over five years and 75,000 miles of driving, the annual cost of owning a new compact electric vehicle is only slightly more expensive – about $600 annually – than its gas-powered counterpart. The study also revealed that the experience of owning an electric vehicle eases one of the biggest fears associated with these cars – range anxiety.

According to AAA’s survey, prior to owning an electric vehicle, a majority of owners (91%) said that they had at least one concern – things like insufficient range, implications for long-distance travel and finding a place to charge. Post purchase, many of these worries disappeared. AAA believes that if consumers have a better understanding of the real cost and experience of owning an electric vehicle, then the gap between expressed interest and adoption will begin to close.

“Although 40 million Americans have shown interest in buying electric for their next car, actual adoption is happening at a much slower rate,” said Greg Brannon, AAA’s director of Automotive Engineering and Industry Relations. “AAA wanted to understand what kind of impact the experience of owning an electric vehicle has on perception of these cars and maybe more importantly, if given the chance would consumers choose to go green again.”

AAA’s survey of electric vehicle owners, 71% of whom had not previously owned an electric car, revealed some interesting results:

Dear Listeners,

This Saturday January 25th is my 50th Birthday and I want to do something really big! Not for me, but for our community.  You see, I’m blessed beyond belief with everything I need and more! I have good health, a wonderful wife and children, more food than I need and a roof over my head. But some people in Phoenix don’t even have the most basic of needs and that really bothers me!

That’s why, for my 50th birthday this year, I’m asking people to donate to Saving Amy; a local organization that provides community, support and a new beginning for those transitioning out of homelessness.
 
I would be thrilled if you would make a donation of any amount to Saving Amy. From $1, to $1 million or whatever you like; no donation is too big or small.

Please use one of the links below:

Executive Council will match 25% of your donation for up to an additional $5,000.

 

Click here to make a quick contribution through our Facebook page.

My goal is to raise $10,000 for Saving Amy to celebrate my 50th birthday and I’m donating $500 of my own money to get it started.
 
Friends and family, please help me do something really big this year for my birthday!  Together we will help homeless people in Phoenix get the help they need to get back on their feet!
 
Happy Birthday to me.  (And thank you to you!!)

Matt Allan
Bumper to Bumper Radio Host

P.S. Click here if you need more information about Saving Amy.

Bumper Audio Clip of the Week

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