A mix of Ford vehicles mainly composed of vans and SUVs are being recalled due to a faulty switch which can eventually lead the vehicle to overheat and catch fire. Among the notable Ford models include the Ford Windstars, Ford Explorers and Ford Rangers. The cruise-control deactivation switches were said to be the culprit of these potential fire hazards when brake fluid leaks onto them. They reportedly stay hot even if the car has been turned off. There has already been one casualty, Al Gavegan Jr. who died in August 14, 2007 when his 1994 Mercury Grand Marquis was parked in his garage and caught fire in San Antonio.

As a remedy, affected vehicle owners are advised to park their cars outside their garages to avoid potential fire accidents. This is not a new problem. Here are the affected vehicles for your reference:

• 1995-2003 model year Ford Windstars
• 2000-2003 model year Ford Excursion diesels
• 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 Ford F-Super Duty diesels
• 1992-2003 Ford Econolines
• 1995-2002 Ford Explorers and Mercury Mountaineers
• 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 Ford Rangers
• And 1994 Ford F53 motorhomes

(Source) Injury Board

Tags: 2002 ford explorers, brake fluid, cruise control, culprit, deactivation, duty diesels, econolines, fire accidents, fire hazards, fluid leaks, ford excursion, ford explorer, ford models, ford rangers, ford vehicles, ford windstars, mercury grand marquis, motorhomes, windstars ford

Continue reading...

Much has been said about the celebrated Cash for Clunkers program and now, there is one company that has officially announces entertaining customers who wish to avail of such a program. Hyundai, known to be among the first in business and a lot of unique programs to entice sales breaks the ice as being the first official company to entertain customers who will avail of the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS).

In fact there was already a first customer. Katherine Michon of Arlington, Virginia was the first to trade-in an eligible clunker for a new Hyundai, replacing her 15 mile-per-gallon 1995 Ford Explorer with a 26 mile-per-gallon Hyundai Elantra Touring, at Alexandria Hyundai in Alexandria, Virginia.

Hyundai buyers will receive the full rebate allocated under the CARS program (also known as “cash for clunkers”) when an eligible trade-in is exchanged for a qualifying Hyundai model. Hyundai is the first automaker to extend the government incentive to consumers, accelerating its implementation by several weeks by backing dealerships with short-term cash advances as the government organizes the rollout of the program industry-wide.

(Source) Press

Tags: 1995 ford explorer, alexandria virginia, arlington virginia, automaker, car allowance, cash advances, clunker, consumers, doors, ford explorer, government incentive, hyundai elantra, implementation, mile per gallon, new hyundai, rebate system, rollout

Continue reading...

One car that has been quietly in the roster of vehicles of Subaru of America is the 2010 Subaru MY Outback. This all wheel-drive has been reported to achieve a 24MPG combined and 29 MPG, exhibiting better fuel economy than other vehicles under the same category. This includes the likes of the Toyota Venza, Volvo XC70, VW Passat, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ford Explorer.

“The all-new 2010 Subaru Outback combines great on- and off-road capability, comfortable space, incredible cargo carrying ability and fuel economy all for a great price,” said Tim Mahoney, senior vice president and CMO of Subaru of America, Inc. “We think this new Outback will really raise the bar in the crossover segment.”

The new Subaru Outback starts at an entry-level price of $22,995. It is a great alternative vehicle for customers looking for more room than a midsize sedan and features the off-road capabilities of an SUV.

(Source) Press

Tags: Crossover, ford explorer, fuel economy, jeep grand cherokee, other vehicles, road capabilities, road capability, subaru of america, subaru of america inc, subaru outback, volvo xc70, vw passat

Continue reading...

Here is a contest you may be interested in. A partnership by Microsoft Zune and Funkmaster Flex will give one lucky winner an opportunity to win a customized 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The vehicle is a dream for techie freaks. Imagine a vehicle loaded with perks like a Zune media player or even an Xbox, PC computer, and the Sprint wireless AirCard? All these perks give the comfort of a dream vehicle on wheels.

Among the features of the Zune 2008 Ford Sport Trac include:

• A custom Zune display mount connecting to trailer hitch to display Kicker Zune player
• Xbox 360
• PC computer powered by Microsoft Windows XP mounted in center console
• Internet on the go with Sprint wireless AirCard
• TV on the go with Slingbox
• Wireless keyboard and mouse
• Two 7″ headrest monitors featuring built-in DVD player
• One 10″ flip-down monitor with VGA input
• One converted factory screen to display movies, computer, and Xbox 360 in-dash
• 8″ and 6.5″ Kicker speakers in front doors, with custom fiberglass pod
• 6.5″ Kicker components in rear doors
• Four 8″ Kicker subs behind rear seats, installed in a custom sub box
• Two Kicker amps

So rather than install them individually and spend tons of money while you are at it, here is a dream contest where you can get all of it for free! Entries can be submitted until 8/31/09 on the contest homepage.

(Source) Press

Tags: custom fiberglass, custom sub box, dream contest, dream vehicle, flip down monitor, ford explorer, ford explorer sport, ford explorer sport trac, free entries, kicker amps, kicker speakers, kicker subs, microsoft zune, sprint wireless, vga input

Continue reading...

Most car owners are looking for alternative source of fuel and while we have been witness to various forms of car fuel like fossil fuel and biodiesels, here is a new form of fuel and it is called LipoDiesel.

Lipodiesel is actually extracted fats from a human body, mainly from people who undergo liposuction to get rid of unwanted fats. These extracted fats have been tried by a cosmetics surgeon on his Ford Explorer and so far, it seems to be helping him fight off the dreaded fuel costs. Just imagine how 1 gallon of fat can produce a gallon of fuel. That is practically the same amount of mileage from regular diesel.

However, the legality of it all is certainly under hot water. While the patients do not mind where their excess fats, there is a U.S. law that prohibits the use of medical waste from powering vehicles.

Mail Online

Tags: biodiesels, car fuel, diesel, excess fats, Ford, ford explorer, fossil fuel, liposuction, medical waste, mileage

Continue reading...