Hot-weather safe driving tips

It's summer, when temperatures and tempers rise. Keep your cool - and those of drivers around you.

* Don't tailgate - especially behind trucks, where you may not be visible to the driver.

* Avoid groups of cars on the highway, so you don't get involved in other people's accidents.

* Courtesy is contagious and also helps avoid accidents. Let other cars merge; stay to the right except to pass; and always use turn signals.

* Mobile phones distract you from concentrating on traffic. If you must call, use a Bluetooth wireless system or headphones. Better yet, pull over!

Jetta TDI buyers to get $1,300 back from the IRS

Now that Toyota has sold so many Priuses that the popular hybrid no longer qualifies for federal tax credits, and they are essentially sold out until the new generation cars show up next year, people might be wondering where to go for a high mileage vehicle. Volkswagen's new 50-state legal Jetta TDI is going on sale around about Labor day and our good friends at the IRS have decreed that people who purchase one will be able to get a check back from the feds for $1,300. The clean diesel Jetta qualifies under the Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle income tax credit. That would bring the price premium for the diesel to only $700 over a comparable Jetta with a gas engine. The EPA has rated the Jetta at 29/40mpg city highway with a 6-speed DSG gearbox. Real world numbers are likely to be closer to the low 40s for most drivers, but we'll be finding out for ourselves soon.

Passat Tops Motor Trend List of Family Sedans

Motor Trend recently picked the Volkswagen Passat as their No. 1 "Familial and Frugal Four-Cylinder Car" when testing it against 10 other similar Series 4 vehicles. The judges recognized the car's ability to exhibit some muscle while remaining a "dutiful family member" with plenty of space to haul passengers with economical ease in the increasingly expensive gasoline world.
In addition to having exceptional speed and handling for its class, the Passat was also praised for its sleek shape, comfortable and stylish but simple interior, and trunk space.

The automotive jury declared, "Passat's European DNA means a clean, sleek exterior shape and simple, orderly cabin that stands apart from some of the flashier competition." They also cheered that its exceptional handling and pick-up "does 'swift' like Howard Stern does shock" and that "you might not even notice your true pace until those blue lights appear in your rearview mirror."

Overall, Motor Trend said that when it came to picking the No. 1 car for "Familial and Frugal," the decision was nearly unanimous that it was "so attractive and so far and away the best drivers' car, it would be nuts to consider anything else."

Corner Garage or Dealership Service Department?

The are both positives and negatives when it comes to determining where you should have you vehicle serviced when a problem arises. Many times the garage around the corner from your house may be closer, and have a more personal feel because they deal with a much smaller customer base. They may also offer shorter repair times for this same reason. If there isn't as much work to do, you should be able to get it finished more quickly. However, they are not subject to the rigid customer service standards that manufacturers place on a Car dealership either. The majority of the manufacturers today use a series of surveys called the "Customer Satisfaction Index" to rate a dealership. This is not merely for the sales department. Every service customer is sent one of these surveys in the mail, and then asked to fill it out and return it. These grades from the manufacturer affects many aspects of a dealerships well being. If the service department does not rate up to par, it could affect the amount of the technicians pay,and sometimes the service writer's also. So, they will almost always put their best foot forward when it comes to taking care of their customers. Local Mom and Pop garages are also not exposed to the extensive detailed training requirements that technicians in the Car Dealership's Service department are required to attend. This keeps them up-to-date on the latest technology and make them experts on certain vehicles that the manufacturer produces. When it comes to a large, complicated problem a dealership should always be your first choice in this situation. Most dealerships also work directly with Manufacturers warranties. This means that they will be able (in most cases) to offer loaner vehicles, and shuttles to and from the facility to make sure that servicing your vehicle is as little of an inconvenience as possible. Normally if you a service customer of a dealership, you may also be quickly updated on any recalls that may come up for your model. Many dealerships are now making it easier than ever to have your vehicle serviced. You can now visit the "Contact Us" tab on the Service page of many dealership websites and schedule an appointment that works into your schedule, or simply ask a question regarding the maintenance of your vehicle. Dealership Service departments are not perfect, but you have a much better chance of getting quality service from a trained professional.

Kia Web site tops in JD Power Study

Kia Motors America's consumer Web site, www.kia.com, was recognized as the highest ranked automobile manufacturer Web site for the fourth time in a row based on the newest J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Manufacturer Web Site Evaluation Study(SM) (MWES).

The semi-annual study measures the usefulness of automotive manufacturer Web sites during the new-vehicle shopping process. New-vehicle shoppers evaluate Web sites in four key areas: appearance, speed, navigation and information/content.

"Over the years, Kia has successfully satisfied shoppers with its straightforward, intuitive Web site by providing pages that load quickly and that are easy to navigate," said Arianne Walker, director of marketing/media research at J.D. Power and Associates. "By focusing on these key aspects of the Web site experience, Kia has continually met the expectations of its customers."

Detail your vehicle to a brilliant shine

We could teach a college-level course with all the automotive-detailing rules and products out there today. Seeing that we don’t have time for something like that here, we’re providing a few tips to help your Volkswagen model not only look clean, but also radiate with a brilliance that will leave your friends drooling. A note before we get started: Always turn off your Volkswagen vehicle and let it cool down before doing any work on it. Ready? Let’s go.

1. Work in the shade with cool water, and be sure your vehicle’s surface and wheels are cool in order to avoid water spots from quick drying.

2. Check your cleaning products and make sure anything you use, especially on wheels, is compatible with the finish.

3. Clean vents and other crevices inside and outside your vehicle using cotton swabs and toothbrushes. When cleaning these small areas, be mindful of sharp edges or road debris, which could cause injury.

4. Remove dust from small recessed areas using canned/compressed air often used to clean computers. (Remember not to leave compressed air in hot areas.)

5. Clean your wheels first, before the rest of the exterior, so you don’t have to worry about getting water spots on your paint when you rinse them.

6. Use a soft-bristled wheel brush that will fit snugly into the spokes and contours of your wheels. It will cover all of your wheel’s surfaces more completely without being harsh on the metal surface.

7. Use a rubber spatula to remove bugs and other stubborn debris from your windshield. Cleaner clay is also effective.

8. Do a final rinse with just the hose (no spray attachment) to reduce spotting, and dry with a chamois or microfiber towel.

—Or—Use deionized water, which helps achieve a spot-free shine without drying.

Now stand back and admire your handiwork.