If you’ve been car shopping recently, you have seen adaptive cruise control (or ACC) touted as a feature on new vehicles. But what does this benefit entail, and how can it work for you?

Basics About Adaptive Cruise Control

The concept of cruise control has been around for decades as a means of enabling drivers to keep their vehicles at a preselected speed. Adaptive systems take this idea a step further by adjusting speeds so that your auto keeps a safe distance from the vehicles in front of it. For example, if the vehicle directly ahead of you slows down, the adaptive system will in turn slow your vehicle down.

This type of system may be known by several different names, including intelligent cruise control, dynamic cruise control, active cruise control, automatic cruise control, radar cruise control, and distance control.

System Operation

The tech has come a long way since the first such system in the early 1990s. On-board sensors propel current technology. Radar, lasers, cameras, or other combinations of sensory equipment evaluate the surrounding traffic conditions. By detecting close-by vehicles or other potential objects in the road, the sensors can communicate optimal times for braking or acceleration.

ACC and Autonomous Tech

Autonomous, or self-driving, cars will be heavily reliant on cruise control enhancements. In their current forms, these cruise control systems are semi-autonomous. They are typically combined with other advanced driver assistance features such as lane centering and automatic emergency braking to provide the vehicle with increased levels of autonomy and safety.

Benefits of Adaptive Cruise Control Systems

As noted, an obvious advantage of these systems is their ability to strengthen safety. Fender benders resulting from following another vehicle too closely should be less likely. In addition, drivers will become more aware of potential hazards before they are visible, whether the obstacle is a tricky turn or an animal in the road.

These easy-to-operate systems also place less stress on traffic flow and on individual drivers. When more motorists are following the rules of the road and maintaining safe speeds, accidents, and traffic snarls naturally decrease. And stressed drivers can worry less about managing their fuel in heavy traffic or being on high alert for every potential problem. The vehicle itself becomes their ally.

ACC may not be available on all vehicles, please contact your local dealer with questions about feature availability and operation.

 

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Preventative maintenance from the qualified technician is vital to keep your vehicle in excellent running condition. Proper maintenance services at the recommended intervals will make your vehicle reliable, fuel-efficient, and safe on the road. Plus, you will save on gas, repairs, and tires.

Longevity

It’s a fact that a well-maintained vehicle will last longer. Follow your car’s service schedule and stick to the maintenance intervals. Check the tire pressure, brakes, battery, and all the fluids regularly, and change the oil at the recommended intervals to keep the engine well-lubricated and protected.

Performance

Routine maintenance at factory-recommended intervals is crucial to keeping your engine running smoothly, your brakes working properly, and your tires in excellent condition, boosting your vehicle’s overall performance.

Reliability

When your vehicle is well-maintained, you reduce the risk of unsuspected breakdowns and getting stranded on the side of the road. Regular vehicle inspections from a qualified technician will ensure every system and component works properly, and you’ll be assured that your vehicle will always get you safely to your destination.

Fuel Efficiency

It’s essential to keep your car in top condition to get the most out of your car’s gas mileage. Regularly scheduling oil changes and replacing spark plugs, oil and air filters will help improve your car’s fuel efficiency. Additionally, keeping your tires properly inflated and ensuring your engine is well-tuned can make a significant difference in how much gas your car consumes while reducing harmful emissions.

Safety

Routine maintenance will ensure that your car is always safe on the road. All the safety systems, including the braking system, are thoroughly inspected during each scheduled maintenance service. The tires will be checked for wear and damage and inflated to the proper pressure levels to give you the stopping power you need and ensure your safety behind the wheel.

Lowers Costs

With regular maintenance from a qualified technician, minor problems will be detected early before turning into costly repairs. Your engine will stay well-lubricated, reducing friction and wear, and your tires will be rotated at regular intervals to extend their lifespan. Keeping up with your car’s maintenance will save you money on repairs, gas, and tires.

Protects the Warranty

Keep your vehicle warranty intact by following your vehicles’ service schedule and relying on a qualified technician to perform maintenance and repair services. By ensuring your vehicle receives proper care, you can enjoy worry-free driving, knowing you’re protecting your investment.

Increases the Resale Value

As your car gets older, the resale value decreases. With regular maintenance and repairs, your vehicle will have an up-to-date service record, increasing the resale value. Prevention is better than cure, and maintenance costs are far lower than unexpected repairs.

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The Detroit Grand Prix will make a grand return to its original home on the streets of Downtown Detroit this weekend. The Grand Prix will feature three full days of activities and celebrations that represent a homecoming and connection to the event’s heritage.

The Detroit Grand Prix began as a Formula One race on the streets of the Motor City in 1982. Formula One raced annually in Detroit from 1982-1988. In 1989, the Detroit Grand Prix welcomed Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) as its primary series and the first INDYCAR races were hosted on the Detroit street circuit from 1989-1991. In 1992, the Grand Prix transitioned to Belle Isle Park with INDYCAR races on the island annually through 2001. After a six-year hiatus, the Grand Prix returned to Belle Isle thanks to the vision of Roger Penske and under the direction of the Downtown Detroit Partnership. Following successful events in 2007 and 2008, the Grand Prix paused for a few years due to the national recession and returned in 2012 with support from General Motors and Chevrolet serving as the event’s title sponsor. The Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear has been hosted each summer on Belle Isle since 2012, before the global pandemic forced the cancellation of the event in 2020. After returning in 2021, the Grand Prix celebrated its final event on Belle Isle in 2022 before returning to its home in Downtown Detroit in 2023 and beyond.

For a full schedule of events, click here.

Click here for tickets.

(Credit: detroitgp.com)

National Military Appreciation Month started with a simple idea; to gather America around its military family to honor, remember, recognize and appreciate those who serve and have served all while knowing its history. Legislated twice this idea that began with founders Alice Wax, Rita Thompson and Duncan Munro (MSgt USAF Ret) has evolved and adopted across government, commercial and nonprofit entities providing increased national attention & recognition to our military.

The first legislation began in 1999 by the United States Senate designating May as National Military Appreciation Month. With the support and sponsorship of the late Senator John McCain, (R-AZ) and Representative Duncan Hunter, (R-CA) of San Diego along with over 50 veteran service organizations, this important legislation states to our service members that we protect, set aside an entire month to honor, remember and appreciate their patriotism and dedication from their families. In April of 2004, more comprehensive legislation was passed by unanimous consent of both Houses of Congress as H. Con. Res. 328 solidified May as National Military Appreciation Month.

In honor of National Military Appreciation Month, we would like to recognize our partnership with Paralyzed Veterans of America and their amazing work and commitment to serving veterans – and to medical research, advocacy, and civil rights for all people with disabilities. Click here to learn more about PVA and the many ways you can support their efforts.

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The power packed documentary series ‘100 Days to Indy’ premiered on the CW network for leadup to racing’s most highly anticipated event. Produced by Penske Entertainment and VICE Media Group, the six-episode series takes fans behind the scenes to chronicle the bold and brash personalities of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as they begin the 2023 season and start their quest for racings greatest prize, the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 28 at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

If you haven’t had a chance to catch a glimpse of The Captain, Roger Penske and some of your favorite Team Penske drivers, here’s how you can watch.

On the CW network: Each episode will debut on the CW from 9-10 p.m. ET/PT every Thursday, with the final episode airing Thursday, June 4. Each episode will also re-air on Sunday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT. To find the CW affiliate or channel in your area, visit cwtv.com.

Stream on the CW app: Each episode will be available for free streaming on the CW App on Fridays, the day after each episode debuts on the CW network. The CW app is free and doesn’t require a login on Roku, FireTV, Apple TV, Android TV, VIZIO Smart TV, LG TV, iOS, Android, and UWP/XBox.

VICE TV: VICE TV will air every episode on the Tuesday following its Thursday premiere. Click here to find VICE TV in your area.

Congratulations to Team Penske and Penske Entertainment on this exciting documentary!

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OEM Parts Defined

The letters OEM are short for Original Equipment Manufacturer. Auto parts that are OEM carry the manufacturer’s official branding. The manufacturer itself may create the parts, or these parts may be made by a subcontractor of the manufacturer. OEM auto parts are installed during a vehicle’s assembly, so any parts that carry an OEM tag will be identical to the original parts.

Aftermarket parts, in contrast, are not made by or officially approved by the manufacturer or one of its subcontractors. You might think of aftermarket parts as the generic versions of name-brand products.

Compatibility

Aftermarket parts, by their nature, are designed to work with various makes and models. As such, they’re more of a one-size-fits-all rather than a perfect and complementary fit. Parts that are OEM, on the other hand, are made to meet the precise specifications of a vehicle. With OEM, you will not need to worry about a bad physical match between the part and the auto itself. The installation will be more seamless.

Quality

Parts backed by the original manufacturer carry that manufacturer’s seal of approval. With OEM, you can rest assured that the parts put into your vehicle are of the same quality as the parts that made the vehicle operational in the first place. After installation, the auto should perform in much the same manner as it did before issues arose.

With aftermarket parts, you will not know exactly how well the part you purchase will work with your vehicle or how it will impact performance. And you cannot be sure of the design quality of the part itself, nor will you benefit from a parts warranty.

Convenience

Aftermarket parts will often necessitate a prolonged search for products that fit your auto’s unique needs. Plus, these parts may need to be ordered, which can lengthen the time you’re waiting on urgent repairs. But if you invest in OEM, the parts will only be a short drive away. Dealerships typically have these parts on hand and ready to go.

 

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In the spring, a lot of people take time to spruce things up around the house. Cory Ermold at CarShop Chester Springs shares what steps he’d suggest to improve the look and feel of your car this spring.

 

After a tough winter, my car is looking a little tired. Outside of going and buying a new one, do you have any practical suggestions?

Cory: There are a couple of companies out there that make solid spray wax products, which you can find at an auto parts store or at many big box retailers. After a quick wash, just spray the wax on, and it gets the car very clean—removing pollutants from your car’s surface and protects the paint a bit. The key is to use a clean, new, high–quality microfiber towel.

So not just the rags I usually use washing the car?

Cory: Using something that’s been sitting in a bucket for six or eight months isn’t going to give you a great result. The other tip is to not use the same towel inside and out. Use it just on the exterior surface of the vehicle. Another thing I’d recommend is to clean the windows and mirrors—that’s really easy to do and can go a long way.

Any special tips on that?

Cory: There are streak–free window cleaners, and you can use a microfiber towel, but Windex and paper towels combined with a little elbow grease will do fine. After the winter, there’s usually a haze of salt on your windshield that you might not notice until you clean it off—and then just vacuuming out the salt and debris from the exterior doesn’t take a huge investment of money or time, but it can make a big difference.

Anything I should do outside of cosmetics? 

Cory: The way your vehicle drives is highly dependent on the quality of your tires and how balanced they are. Get your tires rotated and balanced, and you’ll experience less road noise and less vibration. Your vehicle will drive straight and smooth. You’ll be surprised how much different it feels.

 

(Credit:Carshop.com)

Besides reducing exhaust emissions, an electric car can save you money on gas. But what about maintenance costs? We spoke with Cory Ermold at CarShop Chester Springs to learn more.

Give us the basics. What’s under the hood of an electric vehicle?

Cory: For starters, the engine isn’t in the place you’d expect. –The power source is a battery that runs under the platform of the car, usually from nose to tail. Under the hood, where the engine would be in a combustion vehicle, it’s generally just a storage space. A lot of manufacturers refer to it as a “fronk”—a front trunk.

That sounds totally different.

Cory: Actually, from the standpoint of the driver, you might not notice. You step on the accelerator, and you’re driving down the road. But from a technician’s point of view, an internal combustion engine has somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 moving parts, whereas a Tesla, for example, needs only 15 to 20 moving parts to get going.

How does that impact maintenance?

Cory: Part of the benefit of having so few moving parts is there’s a lot less to go wrong. In an electric vehicle, it’s basically a battery and computers. There’s no oil. There’s no filter. The only air filter in the vehicle is going to be your cabin air filter that filters the air you breathe.

So fewer trips to the shop?

Cory: Typically speaking, yes. For an electric vehicle, you really only have to rotate the tires and do the brakes. The maintenance schedule is about 7,000 to 10,000 miles between the rotations and brakes as needed, omitting state standards and things that can happen with any car, like a headlight bulb burning out. Less maintenance means the cost of ownership is going to be a little bit lower, not to mention the cost of energy. Of course, the initial point of entry cost is higher than comparable gas vehicles in most cases, because of the technology.

What’s the deal with the battery? Does it wear out over time?

Cory: It’s a little like your cellphone, in that how you use it can make it work more or less efficiently. Manufacturers recommend that to prolong battery life, you charge the battery to 80% of capacity and run it down to around 20% before recharging. Of course, on long trips, it’s perfectly acceptable to charge it to 100% and go down to practically zero, but in general, you really want to keep the vehicle in the 20% to 80% capacity range.

And if you don’t?

Cory: You might start to lose some of your max range. Maybe instead of your top range being 300 miles, you’ll find the maximum charging range is only 280 miles. I should point out that electric car batteries do wear a bit over time too, regardless of usage patterns, but you really don’t have to worry about failure. Manufacturers have tested them for 500,000 miles, and it’s more likely your electric car will come to the end of its rolling life before you reach the end of its battery life.

What about the computers on electric cars?

Cory: One thing that’s different about electric cars is their reliance on computerization. Everything is controlled by chips, processors, and computers, all the way down to your steering, your suspension—everything’s controlled by computers.

Like your home computer, you get upgrades and updates. While my vehicle is charging at night, I often get a notification that a software upgrade is available, and I’m asked whether I’d like to do it now. I just click “yes” and when I come back in the morning, it gives me a snapshot of the changes. So, a lot of potential bugs are fixed with those overnight Wi–Fi updates.

Any last thoughts on electric cars?

Cory: Electric vehicles are getting better every day. The infrastructure is improving too; it’s not like with gas, where there’s a gas station on every corner, but particularly with Teslas—they’ve got their own charging stations but also have adapters that allow their plug to fit other charging stations—it’s better than ever. I just plug a destination into the computer, and it routes me to charging stations en route. It even tells me how long I’m going to need to charge when I get to the station. Given the cost of gas and the fact that 300 miles of charge can cost $8 to $10 versus the $50 to $60 you might pay to fill up at the pump, there’s never been a better time.

 

(Credit: Carshop.com)