New Rolls-Royce Unlike Any Other

The Rolls-Royce Wraith is a ground-breaking vehicle for the uber-luxury brand, which hopes that it will catch the fancy of aficionados of gran turismo cars.

READ MORE

Thanks, aboutthatcar.com

What to do if Your Vehicle is Recalled

Fairly often, you’ll see reports in the news about vehicle recalls. You hope that the recall doesn’t affect the car you own, but if it does, you don’t have to panic.

A recall means you can have your car repaired or replaced at any of the brand’s dealerships. Repairs are free as long as the vehicle is not more than 10 years old on the date the defect or noncompliance is determined, and can be initiated by any owner.

You should be notified by mail, but if you changed addresses or aren't the original owner, you might not have received the mailing.

Recalls are published at safercar.gov and reported by the news media, but it can take a month or more after any announcements for manufacturers to notify owners and to send essential parts and repair instructions to dealers. Your alert may also arrive by electronic notification, or via an onboard communication system in the car, if it is so equipped.

You may choose to wait to be officially notified if it's a minor repair, but if your car shows signs of a dangerous problem, you should call your dealer and ask to have the problem checked. They will help you assess how quickly your vehicle needs to be brought in. Your recall notification will specify exactly what you need to do and should indicate how long the repair should take, describe the safety risk caused by the defect and explain any potential hazards. The notice should also include a quality assurance number to call if any problems develop when trying to get the work done.

Could your vehicle have any recalls? 
You can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153), or research recalls and complaints at safercar.gov.

 Each manufacturer has its own dedicated informational recall centers that can check a vehicle's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to identify whether the car is part of any recalls; they can even tell you if the car has had any recall repairs in its history.

Do your research when shopping for a car 
Recall repairs can even be required for a new car, so it's not a bad idea to ask the dealer to check for recalls or technical service bulletins before you drive a new car off the lot. If you're shopping for a used car, check up-to-date safety recall information at safercar.gov or purchase a CARFAX report to reveal any recall information in the history of the car.

-PFCU

2014 Lexus RX 350: Well Styled, Yet Practical

The Lexus RX 350 might be called the original luxury crossover, coming out at a time a few years ago when the category was in its infancy. Since then, this popular vehicle has seen some changes, but remains a versatile, comfortable and attractive vehicle that’s good for families.

READ MORE

Chicago Auto Show Offers Industry's Latest and Greatest

The auto industry put its latest and greatest on display in the Windy City. See what the future on four wheels looks like at the Chicago Auto Show.

SEE IT HERE

Thanks, Bumper 2 Bumper TV

Subaru Shows New Legacy Sedan

Subaru has unveiled a new version of its popular Legacy sedan at the Chicago Auto Show. The Japanese automaker touts the new version as its roomiest Legacy ever, and says fuel economy is at the top of the all-wheel-drive midsize sedan class.

CHECK IT OUT

Thanks, AboutThatCar

2014 Volkswagen Passat: Fuel Economy with a Bit of Flair

Photo by A. Ogletree

The 2014 Volkswagen Passat is a midsize sedan with a roomy interior and very good fuel efficiency, which is boosted by its optional diesel engine.

The Passat has an understated but stylish appearance that gives it an air of luxury both inside and out. There’s a creased hood that sweeps toward a handsome front fascia that comes with optional fog lights.

The inside offers comfortable seating for two up front, three in the rear. There’s a neatly arranged dashboard that has its controls placed intuitively. All materials seem to be of good quality.

There are a number of engine choices, starting with the base 1.8-liter four-cylinder that improves on the fuel economy of the previous five-cylinder and makes 170 horsepower. Another choice is the 3.6-liter six-cylinder that makes 280 horsepower. The diesel option, which our tester was, is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 140 horsepower and 236 pounds-feet of torque.

The engines are rated at 24 mpg city, 34 highway for the base, 20 and 28 for the V-6 and 31 and 43 for the diesel.

Despite being impressed with its fuel economy and torque, we noticed a fairly persistent turbo lag in the diesel engine, putting a damper on what was otherwise a pleasant driving experience.

For technology options, you can choose VW’s new Car-Net system, which links to your smartphone to provide access to roadside assistance, stolen vehicle location, crash notifications and speed or boundary alerts for parents of young drivers.

The Passat gets very high safety ratings, providing you with extra peace of mind.

The Passat starts at around $22,000 and ranges to about $36,000.

With nice styling and very good fuel economy, it is a viable competitor in the midsize sedan market.