Pam Responds to Motorist Assurance Program (MAP)

Pam’s response to the Motorist Assurance Program (MAP) position on vehicles beyond their factory, maintenance schedule:

It is sad that the manufacturers are taking the lazy road regarding 150k-plus maintenance schedule. Can they truly believe that an engine with more than 50,000 moving parts – with 150,000 miles – is going to replicate an engine straight off the assembly line? What about a 180,000 mile engine? Would that have the same wear as an engine with 30,000 miles? I don’t think so.

Let’s look at this logically. Do the majority of vehicle owners maintain their cars or trucks according to the manufacturer, recommended services throughout its lifetime?

No.

Read more: Pam Responds to Motorist Assurance Program (MAP)

Double Check that Discount

Who doesn’t love to clip coupons?
But, when it comes to those $19.99 or $26.95 oil change vouchers, you need to think twice. That little, harmless piece of paper that you received in the mail -- or on a Facebook ad -- can turn into an expensive lesson when it comes to auto repair.

Don’t get me wrong. There are a lot of great “mom and pop” ASE-Blue Seal auto shops out there that emphasize superior work at an honest price…and they have oil change coupons. But, then there are the other automotive centers – the bad apples – that use deep discounted oil change coupons as a means to get your vehicle and your wallet into their place of business. 

Read more: Double Check that Discount

Car Care for The Clueless Goes Coast-to-Coast with CBS Radio

Starting Jan 18th, Join ASE-certified auto tech Pam Oakes on "CAR CARE FOR THE CLUELESS"  every Friday at 5 p.m. -- LIVE, coast to coast -- on CBS Radio stations: WOMC HD3-Detroit, WMBX HD3-Boston, KJAQ HD3-Seattle and WDSY HD3 & WZPT HD3 Pittsburgh and world wide on the Internet. Got an automotive question? Get a professional automotive answer!

CALL-IN SHOW HOTLINE: 248-545-7685.

Top Tier Fuel: Health Food for Your Vehicle

You know how lousy you feel when you eat a consistent diet of fast food? And, how much better you feel when you eat a healthy meal?

Well, your vehicle is no different.

About eight years ago, a few automobile manufacturers got together and formulated a special fuel composition. They wanted to ensure that their vehicles had the least amount of emission output -- and, at the same time -- provide the best miles-per-gallon (MPG). General Motors, Toyota ,Volkswagen, Audi, Honda and BMW  got together to promote emphasis on how detrimental low detergency in fuel is for your car or truck. Even though the low detergency standards meets the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) guidelines, it still is an issue. Low detergency does not keep internal engine components clean. And common sense dictates that a clean engine is an efficient engine.

Read more: Top Tier Fuel: Health Food for Your Vehicle