Thursday, August 30, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
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2014 Mazda6 Officially Revealed With New 2.5L SkyActiv Engine
Which tidbits will Mazda keep close to the vest, you may ask? The American market specifications, which will be released at a later date. Instead, the announcement includes information about the engine options which will include a 148-hp SkyActiv-G 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a 189-hp 2.5-liter SkyActiv-G four cylinder.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t shed any light on the brand’s plans to keep or cast aside the 2012 model’s 272-hp 3.7-liter V6 which helped bring previous models farther upmarket. Then again, market preferences have changed significantly since the outgoing generation Mazda6 debuted. Now even cars like the BMW 328i have migrated to a four-cylinder powerplant, albeit with help from a turbocharger.
While recent information isn’t available, Mazda exec Jim O’Sullivan said that all future Mazdas will incorporate SkyActiv technology. Given that and the fact that Mazda doesn’t have a V6 in its new engine line, it stands to reason that the car will drop its thirsty engine option.
That still leaves one question mark: the SkyActiv-D, which is the diesel version seen in the Takeri concept which the car is heavily based on. For now, Mazda is being mum about bringing an oil burning version of the midsize sedan to North America, but O’Sullivan hinted that there is a possibility during a conversation with AutoGuide at the New York Auto Show.
In an early first drive for the Mazda6 prototype using the SkyActiv-D, the engine performed exceptionally well by offering a higher redline than other turbo diesels by using a lower compression ratio than most.
Source: AutoGuide.com
Monday, August 27, 2012
Monday Maintenance Tip: Checking Your Drive Belts
What is this?
This is the inspection or replacement of the belt(s) in your engine compartment.
Every car has a water pump, a power-steering pump and various accessories — all of which are powered by rubber drive belts. On older cars, each of these components is driven by its own belt. On most modern cars, all of these components are driven by one belt, called a serpentine belt.
Should I do this service when it's recommended?
Definitely.
Why do I have to do this?
Belts in your car don't last forever. They wear out from use and eventually crack and decay from ozone that's in the air.
What happens if I don't do this?
If your car has individual belts and one of them breaks, then you'll lose the function of whatever part that belt was powering, such as the alternator, power-steering pump or water pump. If the serpentine belt breaks, all of these parts will stop functioning. Engine damage may result from overheating.
Is there any maintenance required between intervals?
Between service intervals, inspect your car's belts for cracks. If you hear a screeching noise coming from under the hood — especially when you start your car on a cold morning or when making a sharp turn — you might have a loose belt.
Car Talk Tip: If you're changing a serpentine belt, draw yourself a diagram of where the belt runs so you'll know exactly how to install the new one.
Courtesy: CarTalk.com
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
"Car Tip of the Week": Overcrowded Keychain
Happy Wednesday fans! This week’s “Car Tip of the Week” is for those drivers whose car key shares a chain with a dozen other keys.
Limit the number of keys you carry on a single chain because the added weight and bouncing while you drive can wear out the tumblers inside the ignition. Add years of service and prevent ignition switch failure by purchasing a lightweight key chain which allows you to separate your ignition key from the others so that it’s the only one in the ignition as you drive. Watch out, if your ignition key “sticks” when you try to turn on your car it’s a warning that your ignition switch is about to fail.Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
Monday Maintenance Tip: Changing Your Brakes
What is it?
Brake pads, linings and rotors are parts of your car's brake system and are housed next to each of the wheels. They push against one another to create friction, which stops the car.
There are two kinds of brake systems: disc brakes and drum brakes. Disc brakes are the most common system in use today, and they're very much like the hand brakes on a bicycle. When you step on your car's brake pedal, the brake pads squeeze a spinning disc rotor that's attached to the wheel. The resulting friction, when applied to each of the wheels, slows the car.
The second type, drum brakes, involve brake shoes that push out against a spinning brake drum, which is attached to the wheel. This friction slows the car.
Both systems work by creating friction, so brake parts are expected to wear out. The questions then are, how worn out are they? And are they worn out enough that they need to be replaced?
That's what this service is all about checking these components for wear and other potential problems.
Should I do this service when it's recommended?
Absolutely.
Why do I have to do this?
In short, you do this service so you don't crash into a cabbage truck.
What happens if I don't do this?
If you neglect your brake pads and shoes, your brakes will ultimately fail. Even before that happens, however, you can cause damage to other, more expensive brake parts, such as rotors, drums and calipers. In other words: a stitch in time ... saves you from helping your mechanic with a boat payment later on.
Is there any maintenance required between intervals?
If you notice any of the following signs and symptoms when you brake ...
- flashing brake warning light
- squealing, chirping or grinding noises
- pulsations in the brake pedal
- shaky steering wheel
- increased stopping distance
- car pulls to one side when you stop
... your brakes may require servicing. Make an appointment with your mechanic right away.
Car Talk Tip: Most cars have disc brakes in the front and back. A few economy vehicles and many light trucks have disc brakes in the front and drum brakes on the rear wheels.
Courtesy: CarTalk.com
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Check out this quick tip to keep your vehicle's tires safe AND legal!
Since almost every state mandates a minimum tire tread depth of 2/32" for passenger car tires as measured from the top of the tread wear indicator to the top of the tread, this little trick can really come in handy.
The indicator appears in the tread grooves as a small bump. Coincidentally, the lettering over Abe Lincoln's head on a penny is exactly 2/32" meaning it's bad news if these letters can be seen over the tread wear indicator.If your tires have insufficient tread don't put yourself and others in danger. Find the perfect replacements by visiting us here!Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Monday, August 13, 2012
Monday Maintenance Tip: Checking Your Spark Plugs
What is this?
Spark plugs are little devices inside the cylinder that take in high voltage electricity at one end and create a spark at the other end. There, the spark ignites the gas and air mixture, and the resulting combustion is what ultimately powers the car. This service involves removing the old spark plugs and replacing them with new ones.
Should I do this service when it's recommended?
Yes.
Why do I have to do this?
At the sparking end of the spark plug is a built-in gap between two or more little pieces of metal, called electrodes. When the plug fires, one or more sparks jump that gap and a tiny bit of the metal is burned off. This happens hundreds of times every minute. Over time, the gap between the metal tips gets too big.
Also, your spark plugs can get fouled, but that would indicate that you have a problem.
What happens if I don't do this?
Your engine will start to misfire and run poorly, performance will suffer, efficiency will decrease and emissions will dramatically increase. Your car may also be difficult to star
Is there any maintenance required between intervals?
We recommend removing the old spark plugs and reinstalling new ones at least every 30,000 miles.
Many manufacturers have long-life, 60,000- or 90,000-mile spark plugs. If you don't remove these spark plugs until they're due to be changed, you might find it extremely difficult or even impossible to remove them when the time comes. You'll also want to examine the plugs if your car is running poorly. A blackened plug, for example, can tell you that the engine is running too rich.
Courtesy: CarTalk.com
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Production of All-New Mazda6 Begins at Hofu Plant
Mazda Motor Corporation held a ceremony to commemorate the start of production of the new Mazda6 (known as Atenza in Japan), fully redesigned for the first time in five years. The ceremony took place at the company's Hofu Plant No. 2, in Yamaguchi prefecture. Approximately 500 people gathered for the celebration, including Mazda's Representative Director and Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, Takashi Yamanouchi, executives, employees and a representative of the Mazda Workers Union. The first vehicle to come off the line was a Mazda6 wagon built to European specifications and powered by the SKYACTIV-G 2.0 gasoline engine.
In his speech, Takashi Yamanouchi commented "I am deeply moved that production of the third generation Mazda6, the flagship model of our new-generation vehicles, starts in such an important year for us. It is the 30 year anniversary of the start of operations here in the Nishinoura district of the Hofu Plant and the 10th anniversary of the start of production of the first-generation Mazda6, back in 2002. That first Mazda6 debuted as an embodiment of Mazda's brand message, Zoom-Zoom, and its success led to great improvement in our brand image. The new Mazda6 that starts rolling off the line today features both SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY and KODO - Soul of Motion design. Its development represents the very best of our engineering capability and our uncompromising attention to detail. Let's all work together to promote the new Mazda6, to make it a model that gains the support of customers all over the world and leads the Mazda brand to new level."
Representing all Hofu Plant employees, Masatsugu Ohgi from the Trim & Final Assembly Gr. No. 2 in the Vehicle Production Dept. No. 4 said "Incorporating everything we have learned about quality improvement through the production of nine million vehicles over 30 years at Hofu, we are determined to deliver a new generation Mazda6 that will outperform the previous model in every respect and stir the emotions of customers around the world."
The all-new Mazda6 is the first model to be equipped with Mazda's unique brake energy regeneration system, i-ELOOP. In all areas the development team tried to instill the essence of the Mazda brand, the joy of nimble handling that responds precisely to the driver's intentions, while offering the class, style, quality and comfort people expect from a car in the CD segment.
The new Mazda6 will be introduced to Europe and Japan before the end of 2012, followed by other markets starting with the US at the beginning of 2013. Mazda is planning to produce approximately 120,000 units of the Mazda6 per year at the Hofu Plant.
Mazda will premiere the new Mazda6 sedan with Russian specifications at the Moscow International Automobile Salon 2012, which opens on August 29, 2012.
Courtesy: Mazda News Releases
Monday, August 6, 2012
Monday Maintenance Tip: Changing Your Brakes
What is it?
Brake pads, linings and rotors are parts of your car's brake system and are housed next to each of the wheels. They push against one another to create friction, which stops the car.
There are two kinds of brake systems: disc brakes and drum brakes. Disc brakes are the most common system in use today, and they're very much like the hand brakes on a bicycle. When you step on your car's brake pedal, the brake pads squeeze a spinning disc rotor that's attached to the wheel. The resulting friction, when applied to each of the wheels, slows the car.
The second type, drum brakes, involve brake shoes that push out against a spinning brake drum, which is attached to the wheel. This friction slows the car.
Both systems work by creating friction, so brake parts are expected to wear out. The questions then are, how worn out are they? And are they worn out enough that they need to be replaced?
That's what this service is all about checking these components for wear and other potential problems.
Should I do this service when it's recommended?
Absolutely.
Why do I have to do this?
In short, you do this service so you don't crash into a cabbage truck.
What happens if I don't do this?
If you neglect your brake pads and shoes, your brakes will ultimately fail. Even before that happens, however, you can cause damage to other, more expensive brake parts, such as rotors, drums and calipers. In other words: a stitch in time ... saves you from helping your mechanic with a boat payment later on.
Is there any maintenance required between intervals?
If you notice any of the following signs and symptoms when you brake ...
- flashing brake warning light
- squealing, chirping or grinding noises
- pulsations in the brake pedal
- shaky steering wheel
- increased stopping distance
- car pulls to one side when you stop
... your brakes may require servicing. Make an appointment with your mechanic right away.
Car Talk Tip: Most cars have disc brakes in the front and back. A few economy vehicles and many light trucks have disc brakes in the front and drum brakes on the rear wheels.
Courtesy: CarTalk.com
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
The Mazda Summer Sales Event is now at Russell & Smith Mazda!
This summer make your dream Mazda your new Mazda with 0% APR for 60 months and no payments for 90 days! Now's the time to take advantage of this years hottest deals.
To start shopping and find your new Mazda click here
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