2013 Truck of the Year: Ram 1500

2013 Truck of the Year: Ram 1500

Star Tech: Ram Charges Toward 1500 Superiority

By Michael Febbo  From the February 2013 issue of Motor Trend  | 


For several years, it seemed all we ever talked about with trucks was torque and tow ratings. Things have changed, with truck buyers' expectations reaching a long way off the farm or job site. There's no single magic bullet that will meet every truck owner's needs, so even an entry payload model range like the Ram 1500 has to have far more breadth and depth than its forebears of a decade ago did. To demonstrate its half-ton's ability to cover the entire market, Ram delivered a V-6-powered SLT on the efficient and luxurious side and a V-8 powered Sport leaning toward power and performance.While Ford may be using smaller forced-induction engines for the sake of efficiency, Ram is refining its powertrain options by offering more efficient engines bolted to a new, optional eight-speed transmission. Replacing the old 3.7-liter V-6 is the much-celebrated Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6, which offers 42 percent more horsepower and 13 percent more torque. A new eight-speed transmission is standard on V-6 models and will be optional on the V-8. At launch, V-8s will be available only with the current six-speed automatic, with the new transmission coming at a later date.

At the end of our testing, the decision was unanimous. Hands down, the Ram ran away with this Truck of the Year award. The V-6 fills the void where the Dakota once existed. The V-8 is as much if not more truck than we expect to find in a 1500. The variety of trim levels offered by Ram can give you everything from a very basic work truck to a near-luxury vehicle with performance and off-road models falling somewhere in between. It ticks all six boxes in judging criteria. With loyalty higher in this segment than just about any other, we do wonder how many truck buyers are willing to switch brands. Until the rest of the industry can catch up with Ram trucks in the half-ton segment, it would be a shame to pass this one up.

This is a great article about the Truck competition for Motor Trend. Want to learn moree about Autovanhttp://www.autovantageservice.com/age.com, click HERE to see our site.

Automobile Struts, why do they go bad?

What Are Automobile Struts and how do they go bad?

What are automobile struts and how do you know if they are going bad?

The strut on an automobile is basically a shock absorber assembly for your car. However, the shock absorber portion, itself, is just one part of the strut. The main function of the strut is to dampen the bouncing of the vehicle when it travels over uneven surfaces.

The strut assembly combines the coil spring, the upper and lower coil seats, the strut bearing, the strut mount and the strut boot.

As in any case with mechanical devices, after wear and tear and aging, the strut and its components will weaken. This causes side effects shown as increased tire wear, poor rebound effects or "body roll" and lack of steering stability.

It is important to have the struts checked regularily to maintain your car's performance and safety.
We at Autovantage Service Centers can perform that service and keep you on the road where you belong. Call us at 530-823-3456

What does the SAE Viscosity rating on your Motoroil Can mean?

What does the SAE Viscosity rating on your Motoroil bottle mean?

 Viscosity is the oil's resistance to flow or, for the layman, an oil's speed of flow as measured through a device known as a viscometer. The thicker (higher viscosity) of an oil, the slower it will flow.
You will see oil viscosity measurement in lube articles stated in kinematic (kv) and absolute (cSt) terms. These are translated into the easier to understand SAE viscosity numbers you see on an oil bottle.

A W on a viscosity rating means that the oil’s viscosity has been tested at a Colder temperature. The numbers without the W are tested at 210° F or 100° C which is considered an approximation of engine operating temperature. In other words, a SAE 30 motor oil is the same viscosity as a 10w-30 or 5W-30 at 210° (100° C).

The difference occurs when the viscosity is tested at a much colder temperature. For example, 5W-30 motor oil performs like a SAE 5 motor oil would perform at the cold temperature specified, but still has the SAE 30 viscosity at 210° F (100° C) which is engine operating temperature.

This allows the engine to get quick oil flow when it is started cold verses dry running until lubricant either warms up sufficiently or is finally forced through the engine oil system. The advantages of a low W viscosity number is obvious. The quicker the oil flows cold, the less dry running. Less dry running means much less engine wear.

We at Autovantage Service can advise you on the oil best suited for your vehicle and the area of use.  Click here for more information on Autovantage or Call us at 530-823-3456

How Often Should I change My Oil?

How Often Should I Change My Oil?

Most automobile manufacturers recommend changing the oil at least once a year or between 3,750 and 7,500 miles (depending on vehicle manufacturer) in passenger car and light truck gasoline engines.

However, you'll discover when your read more closely that the once a year, or between 3,750 and 7,500 mile oil change (depending on vehicle manufacturer) is for vehicles that are driven under ideal circumstances. What most of us think of as "normal" driving is actually "severe service" driving. This includes frequent short trips (less than 10 miles, especially during cold weather), stop-and-go traffic driving, driving in dusty conditions (gravel roads, etc.), driving foothill roads and driving at sustained highway speeds during hot weather. For this type of driving, which is actually "severe service" driving, the recommendation is to change the oil every 3,000 miles or six months.

For maximum protection, most oil companies say to change the oil every 3,000 miles or three to six months regardless of what type of driving you do.

A new engine with little or no wear can probably get by on oil changes between 3,750 and 7,500 miles (depending on vehicle manufacturer). But as an engine accumulates miles, the need increases as blowby occurs. This dumps more unburned fuel into the crankcase which dilutes the oil. This causes the oil to break down. So if the oil isn't changed often enough, you can end up with accelerated wear and all the engine problems that come with it (loss of performance and fuel economy, and increased emissions and oil consumption).

Want more information? We are here to help -Call us at Autovantage Service Centers 530-823-3456

Summer is coming, how is your air conditioning

Summer is coming fast and soon we will reach for the AC button in our vehicles.  Below are some common symptoms which will let you know your air conditioning needs servicing.


-Wet carpeting on hot, humid days can indicate a clogged air conditioner drain. When the drain is working correctly you'll see water dripping onto the pavement under the vehicle after you park.


-A vibration or abnormal noise when the fan is on could indicate debris in the blower fan


-A reduced amount of air coming out of the vents, especially if it happens after driving for awhile, might mean the air conditioner's evaporator is freezing up.



-A musty or mildew odor when the fan is first turned on, or all the time when the system is running, can indicate that mold or mildew is growing in the evaporator box.



As the weather starts to warm up, make sure you take care of your vehicle's air conditioning unit now and it will take care of you in July.


Give us a call. Autovantage Service Centers

How to Drive Smart and Save Money!

How to Drive Smart and Save Money -

With no end in sight to high gas prices, consumers should take control of how they maintain and drive their vehicle to get more miles per gallon. It is very important for the health and life of your vehicle to maintain schedule services to ensure that your vehicle lives a long and productive life. Whether yours is the latest model or you paid it off years ago, the trick is giving your car the maintenance it was designed to receive. We recommend the following ways to drive smart and save money:

•Combine errands in one trip.
 •Lighten the load by getting stuff out of the car, including the trunk with the exception of important emergency items. Unnecessary items weigh the vehicle down, causing an increase in gas usage.
 •Stay within the speed limit. Gas mileage usually decreases when going over 65 miles per hour.
 •Avoid aggressive driving.  Sudden stops and starts or rapid acceleration decreases your vehicle's miles per gallon.
 •Check the condition of the gas cap. Approximately 17 percent of vehicles on the road have loose, damaged or missing gas caps, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year.
 •Open your windows. Auto air conditioners can reduce fuel economy by 10 - 20 percent. Consider using the air conditioner only when absolutely necessary.

We also recommend following these services to help:

•OIL SERVICE (Every 3,000 - 4,000 Miles) - Always refer to the manufacturer's specifications in your vehicle owner's manual, but a  good rule of thumb is to have the oil and filter changed regularly, every 3,000 to 4,000 miles when using conventional engine oil and every 5,000 - 6,000 miles when using full synthetic engine oil.
 •TIRE PRESSURE/ROTATION (Twice a year minimum) - Tires leak naturally and need the occasional check. When tires aren't inflated properly it's like driving while the parking brake is on. Under- or over-inflated tires wear out sooner. Furthermore, front and rear tires wear differently and should be rotated to even that wear.

•TIRES BALANCED (Anytime you get your tires rotated) - Tires that aren't balanced, wheels that are out of alignment and worn shocks or struts will cause your engine to work harder using more fuel.
 •CHECK YOUR SPARK PLUGS - A vehicle can have up to 16 spark plugs, which fire as many as 3 million times every 1,000 miles, resulting in a lot of heat and electrical and chemical erosion. A fouled spark plug can cause a misfire which wastes fuel and reduces fuel efficiency as much as 30 percent.

•CHANGE YOUR ENGINE AIR FILTER - Have the air filtration system inspected frequently. An air filter that is clogged with dirt, dust and bugs chokes off the air to the engine and creates a "rich" mixture - too much gas being burned for the amount of air. This wastes gas and causes your engine to lose power. When you replace a clogged air filter you can possibly improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.

We can't control the price of gas but we can control how we maintain and drive our vehicles.

Check out our Fuel Saving Special going on right now,

Autovantage Fuel Saver Special

FUEL SAVER SPECIAL!

Oh no! Fuel prices are on the rise again!

As we battle the prices at the pump, our team of experts at Autovantage Service Center can help your vehicle become more fuel efficient!
Our FUEL SAVER SPECIAL will maximize your vehicles fuel economy and performance.  This service will include an Oil Service with our synthetic blend oil (up to 5 qts) and high grade filter.

We will perform a three part Fuel Induction Service to de-carbonize your engine, fuel system and exhaust. We replace the Engine Air Filter and set your Tires to optimum pressure. We will Rotate & Balance (two) Tires.

 We will perform a Safety Inspection which will include checking your emission systems, exhaust systems and spark plugs (if accessible). Once your vehicle has been inspected, you will be given a list of our findings.

ALL OF THIS FOR ONLY $199.95

A $50 Savings! Call 823-3456 today to schedule your appointment..

 Come in before 3-29-13 and get an additional $5.00 off this offer.

Offer expires 4-12-13.


This offer cannot be combined with any other offer.  Larger vehicles & Synthetic are extra. Diesels are excluded

Call now or click here to contact Autovanage Service Center

How Often Should I Rotate My Tires?

How Often Should I Rotate My Tires?

Tire rotation is an important maintenance duty that extends the life of your tires and ensures safe driving.

All that parallel parking. All those three-point turns. With each turn of the steering wheel, pressure is brought to bear on the front tires. Resistance causes friction, which in turn produces heat. The result? The front tires wear quicker than the rears. Because of this, it's necessary to rotate the tires front-to-rear multiple times during their life cycle to 1) equalize tread wear and 2) maximize the life of the tires.

Tires work differently, depending on their location on your vehicle. Right-side tires have more exposure to curbs and other road hazards; moving them to the other side of the vehicle prevents excessive outside wear.

Front tires will show more wear if you are driving a front-drive vehicle. If your car has staggered wheels - the front and rear tires are two different sizes - you can still swap the tires side-to-side, but not front to back. If your tires are unidirectional (specific to one side of the car) you can rotate them front to back but not side to side. And if you happen to have staggered wheels that are also unidirectional or asymmetrical, you cannot rotate your tires at all! But that's rarely the case.

Every vehicle is different, but most manufacturers recommend that you rotate your tires every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. According to Goodyear, one of the largest manufacturers of tires, "a good rule of thumb is to rotate your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles." Which would equate to about every other oil change.

Check with your owner's manual for information specific to your vehicle.Rotating and balancing your tires on a timely basis will help keep maintenance cost down on your vehicle as well as help with lowering fuel consumption and increased safety. Rotating tires is a simple procedure that can be done at a reasonable price with your automotive professional. It is also a good time to perform a tire balance when rotating tires on your vehicle.

It is important to visually inspect your tires on a regular basis. The tread pattern has wear indicators built into it. These are little bumps or nubs manufactured directly into the tread. Inspecting them will tell you how close the tire is to needing replacement. They're located throughout the tread pattern. If the tread is wearing to the point where its height is approaching that of the wear indicator, you'll need to be shopping for tires soon. Obvious signs of wear need immediate attention.

Want more information?  We are here to help -Call us at Autovantage Service Centers 530-823-3456

Windshield Maintenance for your car

With money a little tighter, many families who might have jumped onto a plane for a jaunt to places far away are opting for a road trip to visit family and friends or a different region of the country.

Driving trips can be fun, what a great chance to get to know your family – probably more than you wanted but indeed an opportunity for bonding. Whether you're looking forward to 7 hours in the car with them or not, you do want everyone to arrive safely. Windshield maintenance is an often overlooked chore.

In snowy regions, we know that before we even take a short winter trip, we must have at least a half a tank of windshield washer fluid.

Salty, muddy road conditions can affect your vision instantly without good wipers and washers. But in temperate weather, we seem to forget that we need things to be up to snuff. Since in most cases, you'll be traveling to an area you don't frequent, take a minute to check out your needs.

If you're caught off guard by a storm, that's no time to realize your wipers are worn out. Do these quick jobs and you'll have some added peace of mind on your next road trip.

1. Replace your windshield wipers.
2. Top off your washer fluid.
3. Make sure your windshield washer nozzles aren't clogged and are aimed correctly.

Have more questions about repairs and maintenance – Call us at Autovantage Service Center 530-823-3456

When to have a Wheel Alignment and Wheel Balancing.and Why

Wheel Alignment is the process of adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are making contact with the ground evenly as well as parallel to each other. Why align the wheels? The purpose of these adjustments is to maximize tire life and to keep the vehicle tracking straight when driving.

Wheel Balancing insures that the tires and wheels spin correctly and without vibration. Balancing is accomplished by checking for any heavy spots on the wheel and or tire and making allowances for it by placing weights in specific spots on the wheel.

The sign of alignment problems are:

• Uneven or accelerated tire wear
• Pulling or drifting from a straight line
• Wandering on a straight level road
• Steering wheel off center while driving on a straight, level road.

The signs of a balance issue are:

• Steering wheel vibration at certain speeds.
• General vibration at certain speeds.
• Scalloped or cupped wear on the tire surface

Wheel Alignment: Check each tire for uneven wear patterns. Some times visible patterns can indicate that it may be too late to save the tire.We recommend regular alignment checks to avoid this issue.

At each tire, take a coin or small ruler and insert it in the tread at the inside, center and outside.

• If the tread is deeper on the edges than in the center, the tire is over inflated.
• If the tread is deeper in the center than at the edges, the tire is under inflated.
• If the tread is deeper on one side than the other, your alignment is an issue, have it checked immediately.

Run your hand back and forth across the tread, checking for uneven surfaces.

If the tread is smooth in one direction, but jagged in the other you have what is called a "feathered" wear pattern caused by incorrect alignment angles. Check alignment as soon as possible to avoid rapid tire wear.

If wear patterns are pronounced ask your alignment specialist for advice.

Aligned and balanced wheels are critical to the maneuverability of your vehicle as well as your safety on the road. Save money, save time, keep safe.

Call us with any tire and alignment questions and for all your automotive service and repair needs - Autovantage Service Center - 530-823-3456

What Are Automobile Struts and How do they go bad?

The strut on an automobile is basically a shock absorber assembly for your car. However, the shock absorber portion, itself, is just one part of the strut. The main function of the strut is to dampen the bouncing of the vehicle when it travels over uneven surfaces.

The strut assembly combines the coil spring, the upper and lower coil seats, the strut bearing, the strut mount and the strut boot.

As in any case with mechanical devices, after wear and tear and aging, the strut and its components will weaken. This causes side effects shown as increased tire wear, poor rebound effects or "body roll" and lack of steering stability.

It is important to have the struts checked regularily to maintain your car's performance and safety.

We at Autovantage Service Centers can perform that service and keep you on the road where you belong. Call us at 530-823-3456

What are the Common Signs of a Bad Air Filter

What are the common signs that a car air filter is bad or faulty?

•  Reduced fuel economy
•  Reduced Power while running
• Increased emmissions
• Fouled spark Plus

A visual inspection of the air filter will also show a clogged and dirty filter.

 

We can answer any questions regarding your engine's air filter and many others to help you maintain your vehicle and keep you on the road where you belong. 

Call us at Autovantage Service Center at 530-823-3456

Spark Plugs, When do I change them?

There is no single correct answer to this question. As spark plugs age, they lose their sharp edges as material from the center and ground electrodes is slowly eroded away.

 As the gap between these two points grows, the voltage required to bridge the gap increases. Even the best ignition systems will be stressed to supply enough voltage to completely burn the fuel.

Replacing worn out spark plugs with new ones effectively restores the ignition system's efficiency. Misfires are reduced, power is restored, economy of operation is enhanced and emissions are reduced.

The best guide is the manufacturer's recommendation for your vehicle, as this particular service varies from brand to brand and model to model.

In the absence of this information or in conjunction with it, you can rely on the advice of a mechanic who is familiar with your type of vehicle.

Click HERE to call the technicians at Autovantage Service Center for expert advice to keep your vehicle running at its best. Call us at 530-823-3456/

What does Check Oil Light Reallty mean?

If this light turns on while driving you should pull over and turn the car off.

Check the oil level and add oil if necessary. An oil pressure warning light (or low gauge reading) means one of two things: either your engine has dangerously low oil pressure or the oil pressure sending unit that triggers the warning light has failed.

We recommend you contact your local shop or Autovantage Service Center so as to not cause any damage. Contact us at 530-823-3456.