Selecting a Shop for Car Care and Repair

As an automotive consumer advocate and a long time valley car talk show host, one of the questions that I’m asked most often is “how can I find a honest and reputable repair shop?”

Recently, I interviewed the Arizona Attorney General, Terry Goddard on my radio show and his statistics mirror those of the Phoenix area Better Business Bureau which show that some of the highest number of complaints that their offices receive concern automotive issues.

As a member of the BBB’s Auto Repair Advisory Committee, I can attest to the severity of the problems with some shops performing poor quality repairs, overcharging customers and inexperienced technicians performing the work.

It’s common for many folks to select a repair shop that is convenient to them or has a coupon. However, not all auto repair shops are created equal!

Before you need a repair performed, use the shop for simple maintenance items. Make sure that you are comfortable with the management and facility, the quality of their work and the price that they charge.

When having repairs performed:

• Have the diagnostics performed first, then discuss your service options with the shop to insure a first time repair solution.
• Request to have your old part(s) back for your inspection.
• Use a charge card so that you can dispute the charge if the repair did not fix the issue.
• Check their BBB rating and the number of complaints filed against them and how long they have been in business.
• Check for online testimonials and complaints.
• Get a written warranty.
• Until you’ve found a trusted shop, a second written estimate that shows like quality parts and labor operations is a wise decision.

Independent shops typically charge about 34% less than dealerships (according to Consumer Reports) due to lower overhead costs and more flexibility with the parts they use.

If I can assist you in finding a quality shop near you, please email me through the Contact page at www.yourautonetwork.com. We have researched the majority of repair shops in town and are happy to provide you with this information!

Happy Motoring! 

Cary Lockwood of YourAutoNetwork.com is an automotive consumer advocate,  and host of the “Calling All Cars” radio show heard in Phoenix on KXXT 1010 AM Fridays at 10:00 am. Cary serves on the Better Business Bureau’s Auto Repair Advisory Committee and has over 30 years in the auto industry. Ask Cary your automotive questions at YourAutoNetwork.com.

Synthetic Motor Oil-A Wise Choice for Car Owners

Caring for your car can be quite expensive and time consuming! Whether you’re the do-it-yourselfer for your car maintenance or you take it to a shop, I’ve got some great news that will save you time and money as well as getting a longer life out of your engine and increase your fuel economy!

 Synthetic motor oil was developed in 1969 and over the years, it was reformulated to the point where many auto manufacturers began using it as factory-fill in many production vehicles.

 Where we have been in the habit of changing our oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles, some vehicle manufacturers state that oil changes can be extended to intervals of up to 10,000 miles or more when using synthetic motor oil.

Synthetic motor oil studies find that these products have:

• Improved mechanical friction reduction, increasing engine life and fuel economy.
• Much better low and high temperature viscosity stability.
• Enhanced chemical & shear stability
• Greater resistance to oxidation, thermal breakdown and oil sludge formation.
• Increased oil change intervals and less waste oil.
• Quicker lubrication on cold starts which greatly reduces engine wear!

Personally, I run synthetic engine oil in all of my vehicles, from my older cars to my later model vehicles. I have found that the engine performance is far superior having run the synthetics. In fact, one friend of mine racked up over 450,000 miles on his construction truck, running synthetics from day one. When he sold the truck with 450,000 miles, the original engine was still running strong!

While synthetic engine oils are typicallly 2-3 times more expensive than the typical mineral based engine oils, being able to increase your oil change intervals and all of the other benefits that come with it, far outweigh using a conventional engine oil.

Synthetic oils reduces our demand on crude oil as well as our reliance on foreign oil producers.

In my book, synthetic engine oil is a great value for your budget, your vehicle, your time and the environment. An automotive maintenance grand slam!

Cary Lockwood of YourAutoNetwork.com is an automotive consumer advocate,  Big Three engineering veteran and host of the “Calling All Cars” radio show heard in Phoenix on KXXT 1010 AM and KXEG 1280 AM. Cary serves on the Better Business Bureau’s Auto Repair Advisory Committee and has over 30 years in the auto industry. Ask Cary your automotive questions at YourAutoNetwork.com.

Extend Component Life with Timely Refueling

There are many systems on later model cars that will sometimes give you early warning signs, alerting you that a problem is looming on the horizon. If you pay attention to items like minor fluid leaks, odd noises or odors, it may save you from a costly breakdown.

 However, there are some vehicle components that will fail without much warning! One such component is the fuel pump. When it fails, your vehicle will not run. Therefore, I like to do whatever I can to maximize its durability.

 You can extend the life of your fuel pump by always maintaining at least a ¼ tank of gas. These tank mounted pumps are cooled by the surrounding gasoline and low fuel levels can overheat and overwork the pump, causing them to fail prematurely.

 Another tip to get over 100,000 miles out of the fuel pump is to replace your fuel filter more often. Modern fuel systems have filters that are very effective at protecting expensive fuel injectors, but when they begin to get restricted, they tax the pump excessively which can lead to early failure too! I replace my vehicle’s fuel filters at 20k mile intervals and I recently passed 100 k miles on my vehicle with the original pump. Unfortunately, some vehicles have non-serviceable filters. Some people call that progress. I call it planned obsolescence.  

 Given the fact that most fuel pumps are modular components that are serviced as assembly, they can run you more than $900 as well as leaving you stranded.

 A few more trips to the gas station doesn’t sound that bad after all (given the benefit). Besides, who can resist those giant fountain drinks at the mini-marts!

 If you have a car question or comment, please email me through the Contact page at www.yourautonetwork.com

 Cary Lockwood of YourAutoNetwork.com is an automotive consumer advocate,   and host of the “Calling All Cars” radio show heard in Phoenix on KXXT 1010 AM and KXEG 1280 AM. Cary has over 30 years in the auto industry.

What’s Your Car Telling You?

You’re driving down the road and glance down at the instrument panel. A light is on… the image of an engine. Your mind fills with dread as you envision the pile of money it’ll cost to repair the problem.

 Actually, having that check engine or service engine soon (SES) light come on may not mean a major repair expense is in your future. It could be an indication of a minor problem, such as your gas cap seal is cracked. It could also be an indication of an emission system problem which can cause poor fuel economy or a driveability issue.

 When this SES light is on solid, it is not a panic situation, however you should take your vehicle in for service in a timely manner.

 Another point of interest is that it is a diagnostic aid for more than just engine functions. You can expect to see an illuminated SES light if a fault is detected from other vehicle systems such as the transmission or the charging system.

 When this light comes on, it sets a code in the vehicle computer, making it easier and less costly for a technician to diagnose the problem. Using a scanner, the code will provide data that indicates the particular system that is malfunctioning. Then, the technician will go about determining which part in that system is the culprit.

 Depending on the condition, your vehicle may not display a check engine light when there is a malfunction, making it more difficult to diagnose because a code was not set in the computer.

 If the SES light is flashing, it is a warning that your vehicle needs immediate attention. It could mean that your vehicle has a misfire condition that could damage your expensive catalytic converter. Shutting off your vehicle as quickly as possible may save you from a budget busting repair.

 Continuing to drive a short distance could cost you dearly when that SES light is flashing. A small tow charge is well worth the price.

 Happy Motoring!

 Cary Lockwood of YourAutoNetwork.com is an automotive consumer advocate,  Big Three engineering veteran and host of the “Calling All Cars” radio show heard in Phoenix on KXXT 1010 AM and KXEG 1280 AM. Cary serves on the Better Business Bureau’s Auto Repair Advisory Committee and has over 30 years in the auto industry. Ask Cary your automotive questions at YourAutoNetwork.com.

THE BUCKET LIST FOR YOUR CAR

  I don’t think your car will have an oppurtunity to drive through the pearly gates when it finally utters it’s last exhaust note but there are many items of value to have with you in case it attempts an early trip to the barb wire gated junk yard before your ready to let it go.

  Way before Nicholson and Freeman were in the movie about life goals before check out time,I’ve used a bucket full of stuff i keep in my car in case it attempts early vehicular suicide.

  Feel free to post this column on your refridgerator to help you fill up your own breakdown bucket.

 Normally , these articles are copywrited ,but since my editor is on vacation ,go ahead and copy the check list if it will help your friends and family. If someone mentions some kind of copywritten automotive guru protected work,tell them you have a permit. (use A.R.S.- B.L.2 cause that sounds real official)

• well seasoned large bucket (mine has a handle and a history)                                          
• Cell phone and car charger
•  A towing service number in your wallet/phone
•  jumper cables
•  flashlight/fresh batteries
•  a large bottle of drinking water   Warm water is still better than nothing.
•  work gloves
•  sunscreen
•  sunglasses
•  blanket/tarp
•  small vehicle safety kit
•  a can of fix a flat
•  The complete jack/tire changing tools
•  The lug lock key
•  A windshield sun shade
•  a sun shading hat

 Don’t forget to have an aired up spare tire that is easy to get to and not older than 7 years.

  Even if you only have to wait a short time for a tow truck,a half hour without some of these items can be pretty brutal.

  If you do happen to have an un-scheduled break down,(most seem to fit into that catagory) you’ll be so prepared that your deodorant won’t even work overtime.

  Two words that have always stayed with me since my boy scout days,be prepared ,will ultimately make a breakdown easier to cope with.

  Happy motoring !

My car needs a whatchamacallit?

Perhaps this has happened to you:

 You take your car in for service or repairs and the service writer tells you that you need to have a thingamajig replaced so that your car will function properly. You don’t understand a single word that he utters, your eyes glaze over as you nod your head affirmatively and then when you are presented with a quote for the repair, sticker shock sets in.

 You tell the shop that you’ll think about it and when you get home, you call your uncle Jake in Des Moines. You figure, heck…Jake knows a lot about cars! He replaced the distributor in his 1973 Chevy truck and it only took him a week to do it.

 Problem is Uncle Jake’s analysis and explanation is about as helpful as that service writer’s was!

 Vehicles have become incredibly complex. They are very sophisticated and ever-evolving. These days it takes a highly-trained technician to properly diagnose a vehicle problem.

 After working as a senior engineering technician with one of the Big Three automakers for over 20 years, owning an auto repair shop for 10 years and having a car talk radio show in the Valley for about 5 years, I understand how you might feel about auto care and repair.

 That’s why I am excited to announce that I will be writing columns for the Arizona Republic that I hope will help you understand your car better.

 In my columns, I will strive to bring you the kind of information that will make you feel much more comfortable the next time your vehicle needs service or repairs. I will also tell you about the latest in new car technologies, important recalls and pass along money-saving info about selling or buying a new or used vehicle.

 I hope you’ll come along for the ride.

 If there is ever an automotive topic that you’d like for me to address in my column or you have a car care question, you can always reach me through the “Contact Us” page at www.YourAutoNetwork.com.

 Cary Lockwood of YourAutoNetwork.com is an automotive consumer advocate,  Big Three engineering veteran and host of the “Calling All Cars” radio show heard in Phoenix on KXXT 1010 AM and KXEG 1280 AM. Cary serves on the Better Business Bureau’s Auto Repair Advisory Committee and has over 30 years in the auto industry. Ask Cary your automotive questions at YourAutoNetwork.com.

Runaway Toyota Poised to Strike Again, Thanks to Local Dealership

Due to the recent downturn in the economy, it is quite obvious that many businesses are suffering (not to mention our neighbors, family and friends). Businesses have so many obligations…. their shareholders, their employees, their vendors, but what about their obligation to be ethical in their business practices?

Not so long ago, I believe that many business owners and executives did the right thing. They took the high road because they were ethical and they knew that taking short cuts (lying and cheating) would be their undoing in the long run. 

Today, we have banking institutions (like Goldman Sacs) that have come under fire because they have possibly conducted themselves in an unethical manner which may have caused harm to folks who purchased stocks from them.

We have also been a witness to many other instances where the consumer was enticed in to Ponzi schemes where many of them lost much, or all of their wealth.

You know, it’s one thing to lose the money that you have invested, but it’s another thing to lose your life (and perhaps the lives of others) because of the unethical practices of unscrupulous business owners.

Together, let’s examine a situation that I recently talked about on my radio show. I interviewed Irene Simonetti who was the owner of a 2010 Toyota RAV4 that she purchased in December 2009.  She thought very highly about the quality of Toyota vehicles and when she was notified about a recall concerning an unintended acceleration issue, Irene scheduled an appointment with the dealership and took her RAV4 in right away to get it fixed.

Irene had owned Toyota’s in the past and she purchased a new one because she was so comfortable with their great reputation and that they had been very dependable for her in the past. .

A couple of months after having the recall work performed which would have eliminated the risk of any runaway “unintended acceleration” issue, Irene was on her way to a doctors appointment when her RAV4 became unresponsive when she applied the brake as she exited the freeway at I-17 and the Carefree Highway. At a speed of 65 MPH. she was unable to get the vehicle to slow down as she approached the busy intersection at 7:45 AM on a Tuesday morning. Having operated a vehicle for 45+ years, her instincts were to put the vehicle in neutral and apply the brakes. The engine revved furiously and with both feet on the brake pedal, she was able to bring her car to a complete stop in the middle of an intersection without causing an accident.

As you can guess, Irene was very upset and quite worried after this event. She had her vehicle towed to a local Toyota dealership that day.

After a few days of the car being at the dealership, Irene and her husband Bob were told that the reason her vehicle had this runaway condition was due to the floor mat being jammed up against the accelerator pedal (which was not valid in this instance). This seems to be the standard dealership response that folks hear after encountering this runaway condition. Irene and Bob believed that this runaway condition would happen again with their RAV4 and they did not want to drive this vehicle again.

In need of transportation, Bob and Irene were referred to a local dealership after telling their story on TV. NOTE: This dealership has a relationship with the TV station and knew that it had experienced a runaway condition. The dealership made them an even trade in on another make of vehicle and Bob and Irene accepted the offer.

Business ethics (being what they are these days) we discovered that Irene’s RAV4 was up for sale at a sister dealership down the street.

Because Toyota has not determined the cause of the unintended acceleration issue on their vehicles OR any other Toyota or Lexus vehicle, we have to assume that this RAV4 is being resold to an unsuspecting buyer who may be faced with the same runaway condition that Irene experienced.

This time, will the new vehicle owner of the RAV4 injure others when the car goes in to runaway mode? As in past situations around the country, will people die after being involved in an accident with one of these cars? Is common sense uncommon now? Should we expect business people to do the right thing and keep these vehicles off the road until there is a real fix for the Toyota vehicles? Should Toyota be paying the dealers to keep these vehicles in storage until there is a real fix for this malfunction?

It’s a tragedy that this vehicle is sitting on a car dealerships lot and the dealer is waiting for someone to purchase it. Will it be a family of 5? Could it be your family that purchases this vehicle? It’s not just an isolated incident involving this one car at one dealership…it may be thousands of cars!

Whether it’s a private party or a dealership sale, and the seller has experienced a runaway condition or other serious malfunction, they should be legally obligated to present the car buyer with this information. If not, and this vehicle is in an accident because of this condition and people are injured or killed, should the seller face criminal penalties or manslaughter charges?

Please, everyone, remember that these cars are out there so stay alert and drive defensively!

 Cary Lockwood of www.yourautonetwork.com is an automotive consumer advocate and the host of Your Auto Network’s Calling All Cars radio show on KXXT 1010 AM Phoenix and KXEG 1280 AM Phoenix. Cary is also on the Better Business Bureau’s Auto Repair Advisory Committee. Cary has over 30 years in the auto industry as an engineering technician at G.M. as well as being an auto repair shop owner for 10 years. You can download the radio show by going to www.yourautonetwork.com You can also post your automotive questions through the contact page of the website.

Cheap Auto Parts Are Hazardous

The untold story of “pay me now or pay me a whole lot later”.

Over the past few decades (or longer), the U.S. consumer has become accustomed to cheap products at the store. Because the price is so low, it never is a “big deal” when it wears out quickly because they can just run out to the store and replace it with another cheap item. However, the biggest risk that the consumer faces when buying a cheap soap dispenser is that the pump fails. However, installing cheap brakes on your car carries a significant risk. Global out sourcing of auto parts has put the consumer at risk, a very big risk. In fact, sometimes the form of pay me later comes in the form of a fatality.

The F.M.V.S.S. (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) are easily side stepped by unscrupulous “grey goods” that arrive to our shores daily stocked at our local auto parts stores. Manufacturers in China, India and other countries are well known for shoddy workmanship and sub-par components.

These poor quality parts are thrust upon do-it-yourselfers and uncaring repair shops whose only focus is the cheap price. As a matter of fact, some auto repair shops take advantage of these cheap parts by luring the unknowing consumer in with a low repair quote. With price as their only concern, they are putting the lives and safety (of many) at risk. Failure of inferior parts such as brakes can certainly cause injury or death of the occupants of a vehicle OR perhaps be a significant hazard to other drivers or pedestrians who share the roadways.

The average consumer would never think that a toy or a pallet of drywall could be hazardous, but tainted with lead paint or chemicals when produced in countries with lax or no safety standards, these products can be toxic and cause serious injury. The same applies to these cheap auto parts and the unsuspecting consumer may not know how they are truly risking their lives and the safety of others.    

Yes, it seems like we are more concerned about protecting the wealth of a movie studio by cracking down on “Pirated” DVD’s than we are about cracking down on the importation of potentially hazardous products.

Here’s an example of some of these poor quality parts and your risk factors:

Brake Parts: especially sub-standard brake pads and brake shoes can under perform and extend the stopping distance of your vehicle. Poor quality and inferior brake rotors, brake drums and hydraulic system parts can also compromise your vehicles safety and durability.

Tires: Economy brand and no-name tires are everywhere! Arguably, the most important component on a vehicle. Because of the harsh conditions that they endure, a cheap tire can fail prematurely causing problems with traction and control of the vehicle. Low quality tires will increase the vehicles stopping distance and have poor handling characteristics as well as reduce your fuel economy.

Drive Belts: Most vehicles now have a wide multi-ribbed one-belt system which is also known as a Serpentine Drive Belt. One belt has the critical function of keeping the power steering, water pump and alternator functioning as well as non-critical items such as the air conditioning. When the Serpentine belt fails, the power steering system becomes disabled, the engine could overheat rapidly and the alternator is no longer charging the battery. This situation would make it necessary to shut down the vehicle, potentially leaving its occupants stranded.  

Hoses: Every vehicle has an array of many types and sizes of hoses. The cooling system hoses and by-pass hoses help keep your engine operating at a proper temperature level and failure of any one of these hoses can cause engine overheating, again potentially leaving the occupants stranded. Engine overheating can cause major engine damage and huge repair costs.

Filters: Poor quality filters are a slow and silent killer! Oil, air and fuel filters are rather inexpensive anyway, however, inferior quality filters can accelerate engine wear and poor quality fuel filters can cause fuel injectors to fail which can cause immediate loss of engine power and are rather expensive to replace.

 When it comes time to purchase auto parts for your vehicle or when taking your vehicle in to the shop for repairs and maintenance, always insist that O.E.M. (Original Equipment Manufacturer) or equivalent parts are used or the “pay me now or pay me a whole lot later” scenario may jeopardize your safety as well as taking a big bite out of your wallet!

Cary Lockwood of www.yourautonetwork.com is an automotive consumer advocate and the host of Your Auto Network’s Calling All Cars radio show on KXXT 1010 AM Phoenix and KXEG 1280 AM Phoenix. Cary is also on the Better Business Bureau’s Auto Repair Advisory Committee. Cary has over 30 years in the auto industry as an engineering technician at G.M. as well as being an auto repair shop owner for 10 years. You can download the radio show by going to www.yourautonetwork.com You can also post your automotive questions through the contact page of the website.

Oil Changes Can Harm Your Car

Call it intuition, but do you ever get one of those feelings in your gut that screams out at you “for the love of Fred (Pete or God), walk away from this place and never darken their door again”! Gut instincts will sometimes steer us away from doing business with someone that might not be acting in our best interest! But there are other times that we think “This is the deal of the century and I’m gonna take advantage of it”! That might excite those that respond to emails that state “You have won the lottery in Nigeria”. For those of us that listen to our gut feeling, this article might be of interest to you.

How many of you have clipped a coupon thinking that you are going to get a “screaming deal” on an oil change? OK… many of those oil change coupons are a “come on”. After you factor in their EPA fees, shop supplies and basic “other” charges, you might not be getting a deal after all! And then, this oil change shop may want to use a viscosity of oil that the manufacturer of your vehicle does not recommend. Alright then…do you go ahead with this service because it’s cheap or do you ask them to use the manufacturers recommended oil viscosity to keep your vehicle warranty in tact? Uh-oh…the shop adds on another few dollars to comply with your request.

There have been so many complaints about some quick lube shops as well as  big box stores because their oil change technicians do not have proper training when it comes to the task of an oil change. Well, an oil change service is much different now than it was years ago. With today’s engine technology, it requires a properly trained technician to change the oil on your vehicle!

OK.. you might be thinking “an oil change is just an oil change”! Well, not so fast friend! In today’s engines, we need to consider so many things! If an oil change technician over fills your engine, it can lead to catastrophic failure, If they under fill, it can starve your engine for lubrication! Are they using a high grade of oil and filter? Yes, using a low grade oil and filter can reduce the life of your engine too! Did you know that reclaimed and recycled oil is also used by some shops to save a buck at your expense?

Having worked as an engineering technician in vehicle development for a major auto manufacturer for many years, we found that there are two critical items that are typically missed when an oil change is performed. After the oil has been drained from the engine and new fluid is installed, when the vehicle is started the engine is operating without proper lubrication for the first few seconds. This can cause wear and tear on the engine that over time, could lead to its premature death. If the technician primes the new oil filter before installation, the engine has proper lubrication at start up. Also, consider spending a couple extra dollars on your oil change and have the shop replace your drain plug gasket every time your oil is changed. This will help reduce any oil leaks and minimize the need to add oil between changes. It will also save you from scrubbing your garage floor!

As vehicle and oil technologies have evolved over the years, the 3,000 mile interval for oil changes have increased somewhat. Now, experts state that you can go 4,000 to 5,000 miles between oil changes with a mineral based oil, or twice per year whichever comes first. If you are using a synthetic oil, your interval should be 6,000 to 7,000 or once per year (whichever comes first). If your vehicle came with factory-fill synthetic oil, you should continue to run this, however, if it came factory-filled with the standard mineral based oil, you can switch over to synthetic. While synthetics are more than twice the price of mineral based oils, you can almost double the intervals between oil changes, reduce your fuel consumption by as much as 2% and get better engine protection so your engine will last much longer! Oil life monitor systems have proven to be very reliable as an indication of when an oil change is needed, however, if your vehicle did not come with a factory-fill of synthetic oil, the monitor will not take this in to account if you switch to synthetic so you will have to track it based on your mileage and time intervals.

When selecting an auto care shop for your next oil change and lube, you should factor in the “bells and whistles” that they include in the price of your service. Some shops will offer a free tire rotation as well as a general vehicle inspection which would include checking tire pressures, fluids, belts, hoses, cooling system components and brakes. With hotter temperatures right around the corner, vehicles become much more prone to failure and making sure that your vehicle is in top working order could save you from a break down condition!     

As a general rule of thumb, you should spend a few minutes of quality time with your vehicle once a month. Checking your fluid levels on a cold engine while parked on a level surface could help you catch problems before it leads to a costly repair!

Cary Lockwood of www.yourautonetwork.com is an automotive consumer advocate and the host of Your Auto Network’s Calling All Cars radio show on KXXT 1010 AM Phoenix and KXEG 1280 AM Phoenix. Cary is also on the Better Business Bureau’s Auto Repair Advisory Committee. Cary has over 30 years in the auto industry as an engineering technician at G.M. as well as being a auto repair shop owner for 10 years. You can download the radio show by going to www.yourautonetwork.com You can also post your automotive questions through the contact page of the website.

Car Computers Are Better Than PC’s

Every three years (like clockwork), my office computer takes its last breath and goes to PC heaven. For example, it never seems to fail when I’m writing a quick email to my cousin Ned in Toad Suck Arkansas. It waits until I’m three days in to writing a business proposal and I’m one hour away from my deadline. For better or for worse, my computer guru was able to stop by to examine the BSOD (blue screen of death) and gave the sign of the cross before leaving. At that time, I realized that resuscitation of my computer would not occur.

Deadline abandoned, I hop in my car and drive to a nearby electronics store to purchase another computer that will last me another 3 years.

As I approached the parking lot of my favorite computer superstore, it hit me like a freightliner. If our car computers only lasted three years, people would be outraged, protesting with signs and pitchforks, longing for the days of the old Corvair and Edsel. Well, maybe not that far back but some car that was manufactured in the 1970’s before computers were introduced in to our automobiles.

Unbelievable as it may be, automotive computers, sensors and modules control  most of today’s vehicles. They take so much abuse but typically last for 100,000+ miles. There is not a label on our car that states “fragile-do not drop” on the outside of our car when we purchase it. Automotive computers are designed to survive in some pretty brutal environments. Freezing cold, severe heat and humidity are common as well as being vibrated and bounced around every day the car is driven.

According to Slate.com, “our vehicle computers are loaded with software code. By some estimates, new cars contain as much software as desktop PC’s. with thousands of individual functions powered by computers”.

I started putting together a list of all of the components that were controlled by computers in current model vehicles. It’s somewhat amazing when you think about it! Today, we have powertrain  control modules (PCM’s), body control modules (BCM’s), Ignition modules, cooling system, stereo and security modules, modules that operate our windshield wiper blades, heat and cool our cars and our seats, power our mirrors and door locks, monitor the life of our engine oil, air bag modules, back up cameras, lane departure sensors, tire pressure monitors and the list goes on and on!

My wife recently asked me if all of this technology and all of the new features will be costly to fix or replace when a vehicle gets in to its “senior years”. I thought about it for a moment and realized that we have become so addicted to having all of these “bells and whistles” that many people will “pony-up” the bucks to fix them when they fail, especially those computer modules that keep us from driving our vehicles!

I guess we should all be thankful that computer controlled car systems last much longer than our PC’s do!

So the next time that you have to replace your P.C., just remember and be thankful that the car that you purchased did not come with a “fragile” warning label affixed to it! 

Cary Lockwood of www.yourautonetwork.com is an automotive consumer advocate and the host of Your Auto Network’s Calling All Cars radio show on KXXT 1010 AM Phoenix and KXEG 1280 AM Phoenix. Cary is also on the Better Business Bureau’s Auto Repair Advisory Committee. Cary has over 30 years in the auto industry as an engineering technician at G.M. as well as being a auto repair shop owner for 10 years. You can download the radio show by going to www.yourautonetwork.com You can also post your automotive questions through the contact page of the website.