K&M Autobody Solutions
Locating reliable auto repair shop
Looking for a decent auto repair shop can be challenging. Most of us have at one time or another have suspected that we have been ripped off. The best way to locate a reliable auto repair shop is to: (1) Asking friends for a mechanic or technician. It’s important to find out what type of car they have, especially whether it’s foreign or domestic, what type of repairs they had done and whether or not the service was done efficiently and at the same price that was on the estimate; (2) Check review site for negative reviews online. Check online to see if you can find any negative reviews about the repair shop or mechanic. Don’t assume if you can’t find negative reviews that the shop is good; (5) Check if the mechanic’s are certified; (6) Check if the repair shop has a business license; (7) Find out if they offer warranties for the services that the perform. Generally a auto repair shop will give a one year/12,000 mile warranty. A good shops will give a 2 year/24,000 mile warranty.
FJ Cruiser 2012
The Toyota FJ Cruiser has changed very little since its introduction five years ago, and during that time the range of serious off-road-worthy models hasn’t changed much. Hummer is now gone,which I find amazing.Jeep has honed its Wrangler also, but the FJ Cruiser remains one of the better bets for off-road toughness and trail prowess with millions of happy customers. Have never had any kind of mechanical problem with any of my FJ Cruiser’s.
I personally have owned 3 Fj Cruiser’s. Recently got the 2012 Green Fj Cruiser, gorgeous car.The FJ blends retro and contemporary so well that its design should be quite ageless. Looking a bit like a vintage 1960s-era FJ40, crossed with modern cues from the 4Runner and Land Cruiser, with a MINI Cooper-like edge, the FJ Cruiser looks ripe for the trail, yet like a stylish accessory that would make as much of a statement parked in front of an
outdoor outfitter as in front of Urban Outfitters. Inside, the appointments are intentionally stark, with body-colored panels and simple gauges and sturdy switchgear, lots of extra’s.
The 2012 FJ Cruiser is built from the sturdy underpinnings of the last-generation Toyota 4Runner, with off-road ability the priority. Especially when considering its shortened wheelbase and additional
ground clearance, it shines off-road. Skid plates protect the underbody, and components are tucked into frame rails. On the trail, you’ll find good wheel articulation, without making too much of a sacrifice on-road, and the FJ’s approach and departure angles and water-fording depth (27.5 inches) are better than other stock vehicles.With a TRD off road package, you just can’t go wrong.
Considering that, on-road performance isn’t quite the afterthought you’d expect. The FJ does quite well, even on the highway, provided the path is relatively straight, but in any corners its height, tall tires, and hefty 4,300-pound curb weight get in the way of any attempt to change direction quickly. Its 260-horspower, 4.0-liter V-6 provides strong performance from a standing start, whether with the five-speed automatic or six-speed manual, though it’s not as quick on the highway. Will always be a faithful customer to the FJ.
Hybrids repair cost
Although you stand to save a lot of money in fuel cost, one of the most expensive types of cars to get repairs are Hybrids due to their parts being more expensive and fewer mechanics are trained to fix them. That cost will gradually decrease over time as the technology expands and the parts become more readily available. The number of trained technicians will also increase as the market will dictate their necessity. This will also help drive down the cost of Hybrids as there is no questions that it helps the environment and drives down our demand for oil.
fuel efficient with any car
1. Cruise control is a big saver of fuel and your carbon output.
2. Checking the air pressure on your tires. Get your own gauge so it is easy to check more frequently
3. Fill your tires with 100% Nitrogen. Yes, Nitrogen, lasts much longer.
4. Install Microgreen Oil Filter It extends the range of your oil change up to 30,000 miles and save up to $120 a year!
5. Wiper Blades made out of silicon rather than rubber which lasts much longer.
Toyota FJ Cruiser Review
Here are some of the many reasons I love my FJ Cruiser 2012. The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a mid-sized SUV with a boxy shape and rugged chassis that handles the urban road well and the off-road with nimbleness. The ride is comfortable under either condition and it maneuvers well in tight spots and around curves. The design of the interior makes for some awkwardness in getting in and out of the vehicle which makes this a car for sport and not luxury.
The Toyota FJ Cruiser is offered in one trim level with front doors that are standard size and rear doors that are half-size with a rear hinge. Standard features include exterior paint in two tones, 17-inch steel wheels, power windows and door locks, air-conditioning, eight manual adjustments for the driver seat, audio controls mounted on the steering wheel and an audio system with six speakers, CD and MP3 player, satellite radio, USB port, auxiliary audio jack, Bluetooth, and connectivity for the iPod.
The Toyota FJ Cruiser has a Convenience package that includes cruise control, power side mirrors, keyless entry, rearview camera, auto-dimming rearview mirror and rear privacy glass. Another package, called TRD, offers all terrain tires, off-road suspension tuning and 16-inch alloy wheels. An upgrade package features a full-sized spare tire with matching wheel, four-wheel drive, rear park assist, 17-inch cast aluminum wheels, a locking rear differential, steering wheel trimmed in leather, a 120-volt AC outlet, silver-tone cabin accents, additional gauges including an inclinometer and compass and an upgraded audio system with eleven speakers and a six-disc CD changer.
Four-wheel drive versions of the Toyota FJ Cruiser have Bilstein shocks, active traction control, a locking rear differential and the additional gauges that are included in the upgrade package. A Trail Teams Special Edition is available and features Army green paint, water resistant seats and floors, black bumpers, grille and mirrors, skid plates, rearview camera, the upgraded audio system, rock rails, multiple power outlets and includes the features of the TRD and the four-wheel drive packages.
Specs:
The engine in the Toyota FJ Cruiser is a 4.0-Liter dual overhead cam 24-Valve V6 with dual independent variable valve timing that can produce 260 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Transmission options are a five-speed automatic and six-speed manual. The Toyota FJ Cruiser with manual transmissions can only have four-wheel drive while the vehicle with automatic transmissions can have either two-wheel drive or a part-time four-wheel drive system.
Fuel economy for the Toyota FJ Cruiser depends on the drive and the transmission. A four-wheel drive vehicle with an automatic transmission is rated at 17 mpg in the city, 21 mpg in the highway and 18 mpg combined, while a four-wheel drive vehicle with automatic transmission is rated at 15 mpg in the city, 19 mpg on the highway and 17 mpg combined. A two-wheel drive vehicle is rated at 17 mpg in the city, 22 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg combined. The vehicle when properly equipped has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
The interior of the Toyota FJ Cruiser is a mixed bag with comfortable front seats and rear seats that are tight and difficult to access. Visibility is somewhat poor due to wide roof pillars, small rear windows and a high hood line. Cargo capacity stands at 67 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.
The Toyota FJ Cruiser rides best when it is off the road and handles almost any terrain with ease. It also rides well in an urban setting but the poor visibility and boxy shape detract from its maneuverability.
Ranking off-road SUV’s
The 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser ranks 10 out of 21 Affordable Midsize SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 69 published reviews and test drives of the Toyota FJ Cruiser, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.Don’t expect much in the way of on-road handling when driving the 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser; however, its ability off-road and style give reviewers plenty of reason to like the FJ.
The 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser continues into 2011 mostly unchanged save for some minor trim changes. This means the FJ Cruiser continues to offer style in spades. In fact, that may be the number one reason to purchase the FJ Cruiser as reviewers say that the SUV rides like the truck that it is on the road.This is because the FJ’s forte is on conquering the parts of world where the pavement ends. If off-roading is a serious part of your daily commute, or you plan on doing off-roading, the FJ Cruiser is certainly worth a look. For those who are sticking to pavement, the FJ’s poor ride quality and visibility may be reason to look at other SUVs that offer better on-road performance, even if it means having to sacrifice some style.
Jiffy Lube Scam Caught on Camera twice
Jiffy Lube trained and certified technicians will treat your car as if it were their own.” And judging by the news clip below, Jiffy Lube techs must really dislike their cars. A Los Angeles news station placed hidden cameras in their car and then took the vehicles to nine Souther California Jiffy Lubes. As we have all experienced, the speedy oil-change shops try to upsell you on things like transmission flushes, injector de-clogging, and other high-margin services. Watch the video and see for yourself if such repairs are really worth the extra expense.When will the learn ? They been caught twice on camera scamming people.
National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation
The National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) is a non-profit organization that evaluate technician training programs against standards developed by automotive industry and recommend qualifying programs for NATEF accreditation. So what they do is review programs or schools that teach individuals who want to learn to fix cars. They make sure that those taking these classes to become professional car repair guys learn what is necessary to practice their trade correctly. So its important that you check to see if your repair mechanic is certified and that he is certified from a organization that is NATEF accredited. Otherwise his certification may mean nothing and will give you no indication if he can do anything to fix your car.