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IN TIP-TOP SHAPE

Story provided by Kevin Owens, Pro Transmission of Tampa

In order to keep your car running and operating like new … service it! The most important thing you can do for your vehicle is keep it serviced. This cannot be overstated. We are all familiar with routine oil changes, but your automatic transmission needs routine servicing as well.

Here is some useful information on how to check your engine oil and transmission fluid, along with other fluids.

ENGINE OIL:
(Every 2,000-2,500 miles)
While the engine is NOT running, locate the oil dipstick and remove it. Check the level and let a drop of oil drip onto a piece of paper or something white, such as a sticker under the hood. The oil should be clear, close to the color of honey. If it is darker than the oil out of this vehicle, it is due for an oil change.

TRANSMISSION FLUID:
(Automatics every 8,000-10,000 miles)
Locate the transmission oil dipstick. Note: Some later model vehicles do not have a transmission dipstick, and must be checked from underneath the vehicle. The Level of the transmission fluid is to be checked while the engine is running and in park for most vehicles. As with engine oil, let a drop of transmission fluid drip onto a piece of paper. (I am using the back of a business card.) As you can see by the color of the samples, the fluid on the left is somewhat darker than the sample on the right. This transmission is due for service.

OTHER FLUIDS:
Power steering, brake fluid and anti-freeze should be changed on a regular basis as well. Your owner's manual will have a service schedule you can go by. Florida residents will have to service more frequently because of higher temperatures.

Kevin Owens is owner of Pro Transmission at 4916 W. Linebaugh Ave., Suite 104, in Tampa. For more information, call (813) 964-0852, e-mail protranserv@yahoo.com or visit www.protranserv.com

TAMPA MAD HATTER KICKS OFF 1^ST CAR SHOW JULY 18

                                                                        By NITISH S. RELE

                                                                        editor@motoringtampabay.com

Mad Hatter Auto Service Supercenter, which recently opened at 4916 W. Linebaugh Ave. in Tampa, will be hosting a car show Saturday, July 18. Motoring enthusiasts can come and show off their rides regardless of makes and models.

The show will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Mad Hatter, which offers such services as mufflers/exhaust, brakes, tires, air-conditioning, auto diagnostics (taking care of that check engine light, for example!), auto repair such as standard maintenance, oxygen sensors, fuel injectors and carburetors, radiators, fans and hoses, CV joints, rack-and-pinion, steering, oil and fuel pumps and filters, etc.

Mad Hatter on Linebaugh Avenue is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call the store at (813) 374-9230 or (813) 374-9231 or visit http://www.madhatterexhaust.com

SUZUKI ‘fREE gAS fOR SUMMER’ sALES EVENT RUNS THROUGH AUG. 31

                                                            Story provided by Suzuki

To help motorists at the pump this summer driving season and generate additional traffic to U.S. showrooms, American Suzuki Motor Corp. is offering car buyers three months of free gasoline on retail purchases of new 2009 Suzuki SX4 Sedan and 2009 SX4 Crossover models. In addition, Suzuki is offering $2,000 in customer cash on all 2009 SX4 models equipped with manual transmission. The Suzuki “Free Gas for Summer” sales program runs through Aug. 31.

Customers will receive a stored value debit card that can be used for fuel purchases.  The amount of each stored value gas card is determined by several factors, including an assumed three-month timeframe for summer driving, the car’s EPA estimated highway mpg, the Federal Highway Administration’s estimated average of 1,000 miles driven per month and the U.S. national average price of one gallon of regular gasoline as determined by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. 

“Free Gas for Summer” Program

To learn more about Suzuki’s “Free Gas for Summer” sales promotion or locate the nearest Suzuki dealer, visit www.suzukiauto.com

2010 HONDA PILOT HIGH ON COMFORT AND VERSATILITY

                                                            Story provided by Honda

The 2010 Honda Pilot crossover combines road manners and around-town driving ease with the most sought-after SUV traits by virtue of its spacious interior, rugged character and all-weather confidence.

The 250-horsepower V-6 engine with a standard 5-speed automatic transmission provides both performance and enhanced efficiency with Variable Cylinder Management, a technology that can deactivate up to three of the engine’s six cylinders to save fuel when cruising or lightly accelerating. The available Variable Torque Management 4-Wheel-Drive (VTM-4) enhances traction in rain and slippery terrain. All models are equipped with a standard towing receiver and a maximum tow rating of 4,500 pounds on 4WD models and 3,500 pounds on 2WD models.

Consistent with contemporary SUV styling, the exterior conveys a bold and modular approach that also helps maximize interior space. Yet the Pilot still maintains a garage-friendly exterior size of less than 16 feet, requiring less space to park compared to other popular 8-passenger SUVs by a margin of 10 inches, and in some cases up to two feet.

The interior emphasizes an expansive feel with an efficient and modern design that supplies 152.7 cubic feet of passenger space within three rows of seats. Adjustable storage compartments in the center console can accommodate items large and small from handbags to mobile phones. The instrument panel’s wide center stack intelligently groups similar controls together for the audio system, climate controls and the available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System and Honda DVD Entertainment System (if equipped). All models provide an auxiliary audio input jack for digital music players, and the Pilot Touring also includes Bluetooth HandsFreeLink and a USB audio interface.

Fuel economy is an EPA-estimated city/highway/combined fuel economy of 17/23/19 miles per gallon on two-wheel-drive models and 16/22/18 miles per gallon on four-wheel-drive models. A 21-gallon fuel tank can comfortably provide a driving range of more than 400 miles on the highway.

The Pilot is available in four model choices (LX, EX, EX-L and Touring); each offered in either a two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive configuration.

FERRARI TAMPA BAY OPENS

            Ferrari Tampa Bay recently opened its doors. At 2420 Tampa Road in Palm Harbor (just west of U.S. 19), the 27,000-square-foot facility is the first in North America carrying Ferrari cars only. After all, Florida is the third largest market for Ferrari North America, accounting for more than 12 percent sales in 2008.

            The cars featured at the Tampa dealership are the new Ferrari California, F430 Coupe, 612 Scaglietti, F430 Spider, 599 Fiorano and the 430 Scuderia.

            The dealership general manager is Chris Warren and service manager is Bruce Brown.

TIRE KINGDOM OPENS IN WESLEY CHAPEL

Tire Kingdom has opened a new store in Wesley Chapel. Besides tires, of course, services offered are brakes, batteries, shocks, struts, CV joints, air filters, belts/hoses, tune-ups, alignments, oil changes, radiator service, scheduled maintenance services, etc.

HEACOCK CLASSIC PRESENTS AWARD TO MILLER 122

Heacock Classic, a division of Heacock Insurance Group, presented its annual award for the most historically significant race car to a 1923 Miller Special 122 Supercharged owned by A. Dano Davis – a car that went on to also win the Concours de Sport award at the 2009 Amelia Island Concours d’ Elegance.

Harry Miller produced this “122 inch” model in 1923 and it was powered by a straight-eight, twin-cam, dry-sump engine. With this magnificent machine, the Millers dominated American racing for the next two years, winning the 1924 Indianapolis 500 race and continuing on to be quite competitive well into the 1950s. The 122-cubic-inch Miller supercharged engine developed more than 200 horsepower and Millers set numerous land speed records over the years.

“To me, the Miller 122 represents the pinnacle of American craftsmanship,” said Heacock Classic President Ford Heacock III. “The car is a work of art; it is like the Bugatti of America.”

Ford Heacock III was specially chosen to present the “Race Car” award, due to his background and passion for high performance automobiles. As a native of Sebring, his grandfather, Ford Heacock Sr., was the first local chairman of the Sebring 12 Hours of Endurance sports car race.

Known as one of the nation’s most ground-breaking vintage automotive events both in design and innovation, the 14^th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, held March 13-15, attracted more than 250 cars from seven countries to fill out the 10^th and 18^th fairways of The Golf Club of Amelia Island.

Heacock Classic is a division of Heacock Insurance Group, Inc., based in Sebring. Founded in 1922, it is a full-service independent insurance agency. Today Heacock Classic is one of the leading collector car insurance organizations in North America. For more information, visit www.heacock.com

SAY GOOD BYE TO HONDA S2000 AFTER THIS YEAR!

Story provided by Honda

The 2009 Honda S2000 will be the final model year produced of the award-winning roadster. First introduced in 1999 for the 2000 model year, the S2000 helped define its segment with class-leading handling, engine technology and value. Originally envisioned as a limited-edition tribute to Honda's 50th anniversary, S2000 production was extended in response to customer demand and critical acclaim.

“The S2000 is a sports car designed by enthusiasts for enthusiasts,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co. Inc. “It raised the bar for all future roadsters, and it's already considered a classic by many Honda fans.”

As a true sports car that can serve as a practical and fun daily driver yet feel equally at home on a racetrack, this concept further evolved with a club racer-inspired S2000 CR trim, first offered in the 2008 model year. The S2000 has been honored with multiple awards through the years, including four appearances on Car and Driver Magazine’s coveted “10-Best” list.

The S2000 is sold in 64 countries around the world with cumulative world-wide sales of over 110,000 since its introduction in 1999. More than 65,000 S2000s have been sold in the United States since 1999.

For more information on the carmaker, visit

MOTOR TREND PICKS FORD F-150 2009 TRUCK OF THE YEAR

Story provided by Motor Trend

Motor Trend has picked the all-new Ford F-150 as its 2009 Truck of the Year. The complete report will be published in the magazine's February issue, available on newsstands Jan. 6.

During judging, editors praised the low noise levels and interior materials quality. Handy features such as the Tailgate Step, Box Side Step, a stowable bed-extender, and rear seats that fold up with one hand to reveal a broad, flat load floor helped tally a strong superiority score.

To achieve high payload and towing numbers, Ford retained traditional leaf-springs on the rear axle but made them longer to smooth the ride and wider with new mounting hardware to improve lateral rigidity and roll control. The chassis engineers tuned the steering for pleasing heft and remarkable accuracy that had many judges lauding the F-150 for feeling smaller and nimbler than the competition.

Ford claims it sells more of its half-ton pickups to work and commercial customers than its competitors, and the company predicts this segment will grow to 45 percent of F-150 sales. To that end, the truck's fully boxed chassis is further fortified to provide best-in-class rigidity, payload capacity (up to 3,030 pounds), and tow ratings (up to 11,300 pounds).

For more information, visit www.motortrend.com

NEW/REDESIGNED RIDES FOR 2009 – PART I

Here are a few of the new/redesigned rides for 2009. Happy and safe motoring.

By Motoring Tampa Bay staff

ACURA TL 

The fourth-generation midsize luxury sedan has been totally redesigned. This translates into a 6-inch increase in length, 1.8-inch overall width, 0.5-inch overall height, 1.4-inch longer wheelbase, 1.1- and 1.8-inch wider track in front and rear, respectively. Power trains are a 3.5-liter V-6 cylinder (280 horsepower) and a 3.7-liter V-6 cylinder (305 hp) engine. The car gets its first-ever SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel drive) system. A 5-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters on the robust steering wheel is standard. We can bet the all-new TL will give the competition a run for the money. Base price: $34,955. Web site: www.acura.com

HONDA PILOT  

Like the TL, which is owned by the luxury division of Honda, the Japanese carmaker also has redesigned its second-generation Pilot. Its wheelbase has been boosted by 2.9 inches, horsepower by 6, torque by 13, total interior volume by 4.1 cubic feet, overall length by 2.9 inches, and width and height by 1 inch each. Available as an all-wheel-drive or front-wheel-drive system, the midsize SUV offers a carlike ride, which is quieter than its predecessor. The 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine packs 250 horsepower at 5700 rpm. The eight-passenger ride is equipped with a Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system, which operates in three or four cylinder modes to save fuel. A 5-speed automatic transmission is standard. Base price: $27,595. Web site: www.honda.com

NISSAN GT-R  

Motor Trend and Automobile magazines have picked this all-new ride as their Car of the year. Sold in Japan as the Skyline GT-R, this fifth generation of the legendary N supercar is equipped with a 3.8-liter V-6 twin-turbo engine (480 horsepower). A 6-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive and 20-inch wheels are standard. The beast accomplishes 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.5 seconds. Automobile magazine editor-in-chief Jean Jennings sums it up beautifully: “What we love about the GT-R is that it refuses to compromise. It is not comfortable. It is not trying to make friends and it is not trying to influence people. It exists for one reason only ‘to go fast’ and it does.” Base price: $76,840. Web site: www.nissanusa.com

FORD FLEX  

Sometimes, it pays to be daring. Like the midsize SUV from Ford. Call it boxy, sure, but the ride has certain flair to it. Available as a front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, the all-new Flex is one of the most passenger-friendly SUVs on the market. A sole 3.5-liter engine cranks out 262 horsepower at 6250 rpm. A 6-speed automatic transmission is standard. The two-tone exterior tone is an eye-catcher. Ford has the right SUV to try to bring a turnaround in its sales figures. Now, if only the struggling carmaker had a few more vehicles like the Ford in its stable. Base price: $28,295. Web site: www.ford.com

LINCOLN MKS  

The all-new MKS is the new flagship for Lincoln. And rightly so. Available as a front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, the full-size luxury sedan is equipped with a sole 3.7-liter V-6 engine. The responsive power train develops 275 horsepower at 6250 rpm. Standard is a 6-speed automatic transmission. Apart from the captivating double-wing grille with a centered Lincoln star on the exterior are numerous comfort and high-end tech features packed into the well-appointed cabin. Base price: $37,665. Web site: www.lincoln.com