Goss’ Garage < Hi `Pat from the MCF (Below has some great automotive topic's to check out 4-Sure)
Click & learn > EnJoy! (I've learned a lot of automotive information & help from Pat Goss of MotorWeek.
Do you Watch Motor Week on TV....I don't get it on broadcast TV, but wish I did! I'm thankful that it's on the `web!
Pat Goss, MotorWeek's resident master technician, helps consumers understand car problems and how to speak the same language as their technician. As cars becoming increasingly complex, fewer repairs can be accomplished at home. Effective communication with a repair shop is vital to keeping consumer and operating costs under control. From rattles and squeaks to leaks and drips, Pat covers a myriad of issues designed to keep cars on the road and out of the repair shop.

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Cabin Air Filters

Folks I’m constantly amazed at how many of fail to take care of very basic things that keep your car going, and working the way it’s supposed to. One of the things we find in the repair shop all the time is we get cars in with either heating or air-conditioning… Read More










Tires are Like Shoes

Guest Matt Edmonds visits Goss Garage to discuss various tires types by comparing them to types of shoes.










Buying TPMS Sensors

Pat Goss has special guest Tom Taylor discussing maintaining and replacing TPMS sensors.










Classic Car Showroom

We get a lot of questions about collectible and custom cars and the like. And one of the more common questions we get is “how do I go about pricing it? Either to buy it or to sell it?” So, to answer that question, we’ve come here to Rockville, Maryland… Read More










Ford Pickup Problem

If you have a Ford pickup truck, you may have one of these. This is a fuel pump driver module. It’s minicomputer that controls the speed of the fuel pump to control fuel pressure. It’s a very precise way to control fuel pressure, but, well, although it’s… Read More










Spare Tire Maintenance

Typically pickup trucks have their spare tires mounted underneath the bed. That means that you need to make sure that you have everything that’s needed to get that tire down on the ground so you can use it in case you have a flat. Now the first thing, especially… Read More










All the Parts

Car manufacturers today actually make far fewer of the parts they use to build a car than they use to. Most replacement parts today are made by independent companies. This is making replacement parts more available than ever. You don’t have to always go to a dealership to… Read More










Quality Parts

Americans love value and that can extend to auto parts. In some cases parts that cost less can be of good or at least acceptable quality. But, often you do indeed get what you pay for. Buying a bargain part can be a serious mistake when it comes to the safety and reliability of… Read More










Spring Car Checkup

With spring comes potholes, and potholes can do a lot of damage to a car. So one of the things that you want to do, is you want to make sure that you get your car up in the air and you have a look underneath it, to make sure that that last “mother of all… Read More










Smelly Air Conditioning

Sometimes people absolutely amaze me. See, if they sat down at the breakfast table and were presented with something like two stale, moldy, decrepit looking English muffins, well they would be horrified. They wouldn't to be in the same room with these things. Yet, at… Read More

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Out of sight, out of mind is how most people look at their batteries. Well actually, they don’t look at them at all. And that’s a bad thing because the battery is one of most important parts of every car on the road. And if you take the battery out of the car, you certainly can’t drive it; you can’t even sit in it and listen to the sound system. Well, to give us some pointers about new battery technology, we have George…battery expert. George, welcome to Goss’ Garage.
GEORGE: Great to be here, Pat. Thank you.
PAT GOSS: Alright. Tell us what’s going on with batteries these days.
GEORGE: Well, what is in front of me is a traditional lead-flood acid battery. If we open it up, which we suggest you do not, you’ll see what’s missing is the electrolyte. Each of the cells, composed of the twelve volts that’s necessary to use in your system. What you have in front of you, Pat, is the new absorb glass mat technology, and what that means is that instead of the electrolyte, or that acid free flowing solution, it is being absorbed inside these plates; both positive and negative plates, with a certain retainer, and it’ll hold each of those positive and negative plates together, and replaces that electrolyte, or that acid solution.
PAT GOSS: Ok, now there are advantages to this…what, longer life?
GEORGE: Terrific. Longer life, each of these batteries, the absorb glass mat, has the ability, because of that less acid, and the condensing of the plates, to have thicker plates, more robust plates, and more life and more power.
PAT GOSS: Alright. And, there are things that affect the life of the battery that we didn’t used to have in cars. Parasitic draw from the keep alive memory of all the computers and electronics built into the car. And then, other things…
GEORGE: Exactly. Everyone has a little tyke playing a game back there; you’re charging your cellphone; you’re charging your laptop; numerous devices that didn’t exist ten, fifteen years ago, today are being powered by that battery.
PAT GOSS: And, the technology in the automobiles themselves is changing, like stop/start technology.
GEORGE: Exactly. One of the reasons the manufacturers are moving to this new technology; they’re trying to use common parts that are used in Europe, for example start/stop technology; you’ll see a lot of these battery sizes coming on the market these days. And that is basically the absorb glass mat technology on those devices for those cars.
PAT GOSS: So, with a start/stop car, it shuts off every time you come to a stop. That means on your trip to work, you might start it and stop it a hundred times, as opposed to one in the past.
GEORGE: And another factor that’s very important here is heat. Most people don’t realize that heat kills the battery. And there’s an old expression in the battery business, that the battery dies in July, doesn’t fall over until December. So heat is a tremendous stress factor on the battery.
PAT GOSS: Ah, ok. So the absorbed glass mat battery fights all of these things.
GEORGE: Exactly. The robust plates, better construction, the fact that it’s an absorbed technology gives it the ability to, again, compress those plates and give it more power.
PAT GOSS: And that’s something to look for in your car. George, thank you. And if you have a question or a comment, drop me a line, right here, at MotorWeek.

 

Battery Basics: A Layman's Guide to Batte | BatteryStuff ...

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10 best values in new car models for 2014

2014

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To win Kiplinger's Best Value Award among new models, a vehicle must be a new introduction or fully redesigned. There are lots to choose from this year.

As automakers battle for market share, consumers are the winners -- with more choices in every segment, and better ones, at that. High-end carmakers are luring buyers with new lower-priced models, and mainstream brands are loading their vehicles with new features that used to be found only on luxury models.

American cars are back in a big way, with General Motors and Chrysler introducing impressive new models in an attempt to play catch-up with Ford and the foreign competition. And nearly every carmaker is offering a menu of green powertrains, from hybrid to electric to diesel.

Winners are picked based on value factors (such as fuel economy and resale values), performance and safety, plus our own driving impressions.

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Cars under $20,000: Mazda3
Sticker price: from C$16,995 (4dr HB Sport Man GX-SKY)
Invoice price: from C$16,026 (see current Mazda3 incentives)
Resale value: 3-year: 59%; 5-year: 44%

See all of Canada's best Mazda deals, on Yahoo Autos

From design to driving dynamics, the new Mazda3 takes the compact upscale. The 2.0-liter engine delivers performance as well as fuel economy, managing 40 miles per gallon on the highway. Optional safety features include forward collision warning.

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$20,000-$25,000: Mazda6
Sticker price: from C$24,495 (4dr Sdn 2.5L Man GX)
Invoice price: from C$23,098 (see current Mazda6 incentives)
Resale value: 3-year: 52%; 5-year: 37%

See all of Canada's best Mazda deals, on Yahoo Autos

The sharply carved exterior of the Mazda6 beckons you inside, where you’ll find premium materials and features such as Pandora Internet radio and SMS text messaging that can read texts aloud. Sporty handling accompanies plenty of power and a thrifty 30 mpg in combined city and highway driving.

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$25,000-$30,000: Chevrolet Impala
Sticker price: from C$28,445 (4dr Sdn LS w/1LS)
Invoice price: from C$26,341 (see current Chevrolet Impala incentives)
Resale value: 3-year: 51%; 5-year: 39%

See all of Canada's best Chevrolet deals, on Yahoo Autos

Looks and features befitting a Lexus put luxury carmakers on notice. The Impala's roomy and quiet interior is complemented by an easy-to-use voice-recognition system. Safety options include rear cross-traffic alert and forward collision warning, with automatic braking if a crash is imminent.

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$30,000-$40,000: Mercedes-Benz CLA
Sticker price: from C$33,900 (CLA250)
Invoice price: from C$30,849 (see current Mercedes-Benz CLA incentives)
Resale value: 3-year: 57%; 5-year: 39%

See all of Canada's best Mercedes-Benz deals, on Yahoo Autos

With taut lines and a muscular front end, the CLA looks both menacing and inviting. The turbocharged engine growls out 208 horses, but it gets 30 mpg in combined city and highway driving. Agile handling encourages your darker side, while active safety systems watch your back.

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$40,000-$50,000: Cadillac CTS
Sticker price: from C$50,895 (2.0L Turbo RWD)
Invoice price: from C$46,824 (see current Cadillac CTS incentives)
Resale value: 3-year: 53%; 5-year: 38%

See all of Canada's best Cadillac deals, on Yahoo Autos

Shedding weight along with some of its iconic edges, the CTS proves as dynamic as the foreign luxury rides in looks as well as behind the wheel. You can choose such features as automatic braking to avoid front and rear collisions and remote start that activates climate control.

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$50,000 and over: Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Sticker price: from C$106,600 (S550 4MATIC SWB)
Invoice price: from C$97,006 (see current Mercedes-Benz S-Class incentives)
Resale value: 3-year: 54%; 5-year: 35%

See all of Canada's best Mercedes-Benz deals, on Yahoo Autos

Beneath its traditional facade, the redesigned Mercedes flagship is a study in futuristic technology. It’s lit entirely by LEDs, boasts an elegant 12-inch dash display and features a smart suspension system that anticipates bumps in the road ahead to keep you comfortable.

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Sports Cars: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
Sticker price: from C$52,745 (2dr Cpe 1LT)
Invoice price: from C$46,996 (see current Chevrolet Corvette incentives)
Resale value: 3-year: 66%; 5-year: 53%

See all of Canada's best Chevrolet deals, on Yahoo Autos

Though it hooks you with a modern design inspired by the ’63 Sting Ray and a deep, throaty growl from the 6.2-liter, 455-horsepower engine, the all-new Corvette has features that appeal to your head, not just your heart. The 21st-century Stingray features an aluminum frame, carbon fiber throughout, direct injection and active fuel management—all of which help boost fuel economy to a responsible 29 mpg on the highway without losing an ounce of the thrill.

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Small Crossovers: Subaru Forester
Sticker price: from C$32,495 (Auto 2.0XT Touring)
Invoice price: from C$30,088 (see current Subaru Forester incentives)
Resale value: 3-year: 63%; 5-year: 45%

See all of Canada's best Subaru deals, on Yahoo Autos

The fourth-generation Forester is more family-friendly than ever. It boasts the most legroom in the category, and has increased cargo space and a rearview camera on all but the base model. A driver’s knee airbag and suite of optional safety features complete the package.

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Midsize Crossovers: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Sticker price: from C$47,595 (Limited)
Invoice price: from C$44,351 (see current Jeep Grand Cherokee incentives)
Resale value: 3-year: 57%; 5-year: 42%

See all of Canada's best Jeep deals, on Yahoo Autos

Whether you’re in the concrete jungle or off the beaten path, the Grand Cherokee will capably carry you in style. Leather and wood interior appointments meet rugged features such as the Selec-Terrain traction-control system, which allows you to choose settings for every situation.

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Large Crossovers: Acura MDX
Sticker price: from C$49,990
Invoice price: from $45,991 (see current Acura MDX incentives)
Resale value: 3-year: 58%; 5-year: 41%

See all of Canada's best Acura deals, on Yahoo Autos

Acura’s cushy crossover boosts fuel economy for 2014—with help from a new powertrain and the first front-wheel-drive model in the vehicle’s lineup. LED lighting graces the MDX inside and out, acoustic glass keeps the cabin quiet, and a sliding second row of seats makes passenger space customizable. The MDX boasts more standard features than before, and it’s safe, too; when it’s equipped with the optional forward collision warning system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates it a Top Safety Pick +.

 

Home » Features » Goss' Garage » TPMS Maintenance
TPMS Maintenance


by Pat Goss

All cars now have tire pressure monitoring systems. Well, don't think of that as being a replacement for your tire gauge because it really isn't. See, if you want the absolute best life out of your tires and the best fuel economy and everything, at least once a month, get out the trusty old gauge and check the pressure manually. That will give you the optimum pressure, not just a safe pressure, which is what the tire pressure monitoring system does.
Next, you have to be proactive in selecting the people that work on your car, they're going to take the tires, remove them or install them. You have to make sure they know how to do it, and they have the proper equipment, because if you don't do it right, the bead of the tire will come up across the sensor, and it breaks the sensor. Hundred and fifty bucks gone right there. Here we have one where they did that to it. Right here, the whole end of the sensor is gone. It also has another common problem. The end of the stem is gone; it has actually remained in the cap due to corrosion. So just loosening it with your fingers, it just falls apart.
Alright, that corrosion also extends to the inside on many of these. It can damage the electronics in the sensor itself. Now where does the moisture come from? The moisture comes from air compressors. So you might want to consider nitrogen in your tires because it is absolutely dry, and it will prevent most of these problems.
Now, next thing, don't bump a curb because if you bump a curb, you can wind up damaging the stem. At the same time it can crack the sensor. And corrosion problems, if you want to prevent them, dialectic silicone grease. Take a little bit of it put it on each one of the threaded portions of the stems. Make sure you always have a good cap on the stem that will help keep moisture out.
Also when you go to the repair shop, they should have one of these tools. This is the tool that releases air from the tire without taking the core out of the valve stem. Very important, saves a lot of problems. Last, here’s something if you have a flat tire, if you have some type of emergency repair kit – well, be careful. Make sure that it is safe for the sensors, because if it isn’t, you could do a lot of expensive damage.