Salem-News.com Automotive articles

Former NASCAR Crew Chief Larry McReynolds Warns That Poor Car Maintenance Could Wreck Your Wallet (VIDEO)

Larry shares simple tips to help keep vehicles running smoothly during winter months.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Car accidents usually occur because someone has done something wrong while driving. The mistake could be something silly, like scraping the curb or it could be something more serious, like brake failure. One of the most common causes of car accidents is poor car maintenance.

Former NASCAR Crew Chief, Larry McReynolds tells our viewers the critical things they should do to keep their vehicles up and running during the winter months.

Oregon`s Scorching Summer: How`s Your Car Doing? (VIDEO)

The crew at Active Automotive in Salem checks your car for free.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Record hot days haven't kept people off the streets in Salem. Cars take a beating on these sizzling summer days.

The auto techs at Active Automotive give Oregonians advice to make summer driving successful, so you can safely reach your destination.

Kadel`s 16th Annual Golf Classic Raises Over $12k for Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon

Kadel's CEO Don Braden wrote the check to the Make-A-Wish Foundation for $12,200.

(AURORA, Ore.) - Kadel's Auto Body held their 16th Annual Golf Classic at Langdon Farms Golf Course and raised over $12,000 for local charity Make-A-Wish Foundations of Oregon. Golfers and sponsors turned out to support this organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions.

One of Kadel's employees who worked at the event said "It was one of our best tournaments." "Many of these golfers come back year after year because the4y love to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The weather was wonderful."

Saying Good Bye to Pontiac

Yesterday, amid ongoing financial problems and restructuring efforts, GM announced that it would phase out the Pontiac brand by the end of 2010.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The car that always reflected the cooler, more sporty side of General Motors, will take its place in history next year when the last Pontiac rolls off the assembly line.

Tough times in the U.S. will spell the end for the company that brought us the "GTO", Trans Am and "Bonneville. Sammy Hagar sang about them and so did Little Ronnie and the Daytona's with the classic "Little GTO."

A Four-Door Porsche? (VIDEO)

In a first-ever move for the company, Porsche introduces the four-door Panamera at this year’s Shanghai Motor Show.

(STUTTGART, Germany) - The legendary sports car maker is changing the whole idea of a four door sedan. People may do a double take when they see the first-ever four-seat sports car from Porsche called the “Panamera”, just introduced at the Shanghai Motor Show in China.

The 2010 Panamera is Porsche’s fourth model line and the company says customers will see an unprecedented vehicle concept, a gran turismo offering dynamic performance, elegance and luggage space - all delivered at zero to 60 miles and hour in under 5 seconds.

Pump Prices Dip Slightly after Increasing for Several Weeks

The Oregon average for regular unleaded drops a couple cents this week to $2.10, while the national average falls six cents to $1.90.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Gas Prices are are coming down a little after rising since late December. Oregon's average for regular unleaded drops two cents in the past week to $2.10, while the national average falls six cents to $1.90.

Crude oil prices have increased a few dollars in the past week, but have stayed between about $34 and $48 per barrel since early December.

Toyota Reduces Air Emissions with Bio-Reaction`s Bio-Oxidation Technology

By not opting for thermal oxidation, Toyota significantly reduced the energy needed to treat the VOCs and is keeping tons of new CO2 from being generated every year.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Bio-Reaction Industries(R) evolutionary technology is helping environmentally conscious Toyota to significantly reduce volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions within one of its painting operations. As shown in Toyota's 2008 North America Environmental Report, Toyota's aluminum wheel plant in Delta, British Columbia recently added a third paint booth to meet growing demand.

As a result, VOC emissions were expected to increase. To alleviate the VOC increase the plant needed to implement new emission reduction technology. This is where Bio-Reaction's patented Air Pollution Control System came to help.

10 Car Care Tips for Tough Economic Times

The faltering economy means some people are postponing or even forgoing maintenance on their vehicles as a way to save money. AAA says ignoring these things can impact your safety and cost more in the long run.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The troubled economy is making many consumers think twice about their expenditures, and some may consider delaying or even foregoing maintenance on their vehicles.

Earl Baker, the Approved Auto Repair Coordinator for AAA Oregon/Idaho has a list of the ten most important car care tips that drivers can't afford to ignore.

House Auto Bailout Supporters Received Average of 65% More from Auto Industry Interests

“Big-money interest groups investing in political influence see sky-high returns, while 'we the people' foot the bill" - Daniel Newman, MAPLight.org's executive director

(BERKELEY, Calif.) - Members of the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Auto Industry Financing and Restructuring Act last night.

MAPLight.org's research department revealed that over the past five years (January 2003 - October 2008), auto manufacturers, auto dealers and labor unions gave an average of $74,100 in campaign contributions to each Representative voting in favor of the auto bailout, compared with an average of $45,015 to each Representative voting against the bailout--65% more money, on average, given to those who voted Yes.

The final vote: 237 Representatives voted Yes and 170 voted No, with 26 Not Voting and 1 voting “Present.”

Libertarian Party Calls Logic Behind Auto Bailout `Insanity`

Says only hope for the long-term viability of automakers is bankruptcy and restructuring.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - The nation's largest third-party is calling for Congress to strike down a measure backed by the White House that would risk at least $15 billion of taxpayer dollars to bailout the American automotive industry.

"It's insanity," says Libertarian Party spokesperson Andrew Davis.

"It's insane that we keep going back to the taxpayers to bailout struggling corporations who, for lack of good management and sound business practices, have become unprofitable. Who in Congress is standing up for the taxpayers? Where are the Republicans, who claim they stand for the free market? Where are the Democrats, who claim they oppose corporate welfare?"