I believe the saying goes: "The squeaky wheel gets the grease". Most commonly used as a metaphor, but it also is true when your auto starts acting up. In another life, many moons ago, I wrote service for vehicle repair. Service writing had long hours, but allowed you to build a nice rapport with the customer.

Today I still have friends asking miscellaneous questions about auto issues. Amazingly I still archive several typical, and even less common issues, away in my head from those years of service writing. A common one I want to share involves squeaky brakes.

The question is: "I think my brakes are squeaking, what should I do?" The answer is simple, get them inspected. While some shops charge, others due a free visual inspection of brakes. If you get them inspected when they first squeak, chances are you will save yourself hundreds of dollars. How, do you ask? Nearly all brakes today have what's called a squeak bar (or wear bar). This is a small metal tab that protrudes out from the pad itself. When the pad material gets down to a certain point (about 2/32 of an inch), this metal tabs starts to make contact with the brake rotor.

So what happens once the squeaking stops? If you don't get the brakes inspected after hearing a continual squeak, your repair bill may double. If the brake pad material wears down to the rivets, chances are you will be also need new rotors not just pads. The average brake job can range for $150 to $350 per axle. When it gets to the point of needing new rotors however, that price will likely double! So if the squeak stops, don't think "oh it just went away, I'm okay".

Always put brakes and tires atop your maintenance list. These are the things that help you keep your vehicle under control. Loss of control is one of the top reasons for most major (non-alcohol related) accidents in this country.

Happy Motoring,

Lance

In this day and age you need an Orphan Annie decoder ring to help understand the modern-day vehicle features. Decades ago you looked for simple acronyms like; PW (Power Windows), PD (Power Doors), or A/C (Air Conditioning). Today things are a little more advanced, mainly due to the increase in vehicle safety. Ever since the introduction of anti-lock brakes (ABS) in the late 60's, cars have been improving progressively on safety.

Today we are accustom to seeing SRS labels throughout a vehicle cabin. The supplement restraint system, known to most as "air bags", was the biggest deal since ABS. This easily made the difference between major and minor injuries in an accident. It's a feature that is not appreciated until it's needed. Other safety features have since been added, but many don't even know what these latest-greatest features are.

Take the traction control system for example. TCS, also known as ASR, is one of the neatest safety features yet. The earliest versions were released by BMW, Mercedes, and Toyota back in 1987. This part electronic/part hydraulic system makes sure traction is maintained at the drive wheels. It monitors when there's a loss of traction, this typically happens from excess torque or contact with slippery surfaces (i.e. snow, sand, dirt). While some retard spark to the motor, others reduce fuel delivery, apply brake to the wheel, or close off the throttle. In other wards; this system does what the driver may not know to do!

1955 S-class Mercedes w/ ESC

Now don't confuse TCS with ESC, or the electronic stability control. ESC has been around since the 50's and was years ahead of it's time. Thanks to a partnership between Mercedes Benz and Bosch, the first ESC system was applied to an S-class Benz. This system works in conjunction with a vehicles ABS and TCS systems.

In a nutshell, this system has sensors that recognize what the car is doing and what the driver wants it to do. If it feels the car is swaying right, yet the driver is steering left, the system will apply brake or reduce fuel to help with the end result desired by the driver. This is the system that saves you from losing control when you swerve to avoid say a deer at high speeds. In years past you would lose control from over-steer and swerve off the road. With ESC, the car intervenes and makes sure this doesn't occur.

The safety levels of todays autos have evolved to nothing short of brilliance. Long past are the days of the Model T and simpler times. While you may never know all these acronyms, do know that they are doing important things to help you keep the shiny side up!

Happy Motoring,

Lance

Ventura County's got some of the best back roads in Southern California. So why not come up with a fun bike rally to ride these roads on vintage bikes? That's what Danielle Quinn thought about when her and "uncle James" created the annual Harry Quinn ride.

Danielle stated this ride was created in part to commemorate her grandpa, Harry Quinn. Harry has ridden roads from "the old country" to SoCal. He is a big reason why nearly a dozen of the Quinn clan got into riding. Another big reason was to get those that owned classic two-wheels to pull them out for a good old ride in the canyons.

This year was the second-annual run and tons of fun. An estimated 250+ riders made the event riding everything from FZ's to Norton Commando's. This was by far the most eclectic and exciting bunch of bikes and riders I have ever seen!

Check out the ride here: VCS Wheels: Vintage Bike Run

Ride on,

Lance

It's official, GM has filed BK and to many this is no surprise. It's a day many said would come. It wasn't so much a matter of if, as it was when. I want to take a minute to look at what GM was, where they are, and what they may become.

Remembering-

My fans know I am a third generation gearhead, and GM has been a big part of my family. My grandpa raced them and fixed them. My dad managed the company that shipped them from the factories in SF Bay Area. I have restored them, raced them and written about them. Heck, I remember my dad saying he would kick me out of the house if I ever brought home a ford!

Present-

Yes, "The General" has been known well by mine and many other families in this country. But it doesn't stop there, GM has made an impact on the global market as well. Buick is the top selling make in China, owning almost 23% total market share. Holden, GM's counterpart in Australia, has made the top selling sedan there (the Commodore) for the past ten years. Then there is Opel in Europe, a familiar name I see whenever I'm over overseas.

This is a company that has greatly helped mold the auto industry as we know it today. Many import fans may look down on this day, but then again, Toyota wouldn't even be what they are without their strong ties with GM. These two now giants have partnered on projects from as far back as the eighties. GM learned from Toyota, Toyota learned from GM's mistakes. The student is now the teacher in this relationship.

Yes, this is a hard day for those close to, and in the auto community. But is it all bad? No, their is a silver lining to this storm. This bankruptcy is a restructure, not a liquidation. That means a future for this company does exist. Will they be stronger, bigger, better? Maybe not, but they will be leaner, smarter and more efficient. That's what happens in times like these to companies like GM. Poor management and lack of true market demand coupled with a crumbling economy is part to blame. Now they have a second chance to do it right, and lose the mentality of yester-years auto industry.

Future-

GM will be required to be efficient. Forget the fact that the government could have bought the company three-times over with the "bailout" money! Yes, the company was worth 15billion and the government threw over 45 billion at them. Much of it went to the outstanding bank debt GM carried. This was a methodical way for the government to prevent a domino effect for the companies tied to them financially.

This will free them from debt leftover from year's past. Pensions for people that worked the line twenty years ago. Do I blame the unions? No answer. I do know that the rules that apply to GM didn't apply to Toyota because of the union and that hurt us. Matter of fact, that hurt each of "the big three". Note: I only single out Toyota because their goal has been to knock GM from top position as the global giant for years now.

I see much potential on the horizon for this company. Trim down the models, stop offering the same car with different badges under different monikers. We all know a Tahoe is a Yukon and a Blazer. Exploit the cars that people love rather it be the Malibu, or the excellent valued G8. Learn from Toyota, the company that learned so much from you. Doing some, or all of these things can help GM be the successful company I remember from years ago.

Tomorrow's a new day, Lance