Team RV Paint & Body Center

Category: Automotive

  • Top 10 Best Engines for 2015

    Top 10 Best Engines for 2015

    It’s the end of the year, which in the auto industry means various ‘of the year’ lists are appearing to sum up the most significant new cars and trucks of the past 12 months. In addition, one of the most watched parts of this automotive award season is the annual Ward’s Auto 10 Best Engines list.

    The jurors at Ward’s evaluated 37 new or improved powertrains and showing automakers’ current emphasis on fuel economy that group included 15 turbocharged four-cylinder engines, four electric powertrains, and the first-ever hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain to be eligible for the award. They made up what the jurors called the most diverse field ever.

    Here are Ward’s 10 best engines for 2015:

    • 127-kilowatt electric motor (BMW i3)
    • 6.2-liter OHV V-8 (Chevrolet Corvette Stingray)
    • 6.2-liter Supercharged OHV V-8 (Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat)
    • 1.0-liter Turbocharged DOHC 3-cylinder (Ford Fiesta)
    • 100-kW Fuel Cell (Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell Vehicle)
    • 1.5-liter Turbocharged DOHC 3-cylinder (MINI Cooper)
    • 3.0-liter Turbodiesel DOHC V-6 (Ram 1500 EcoDiesel)
    • 2.0-liter Turbocharged H-4 (Subaru WRX)
    • 1.8-liter Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Volkswagen Golf)
    • 2.0-liter Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Volvo S60)

    The supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat V-8 from Dodge has generated plenty of buzz everywhere else, and with 707 horsepower it certainly has the muscle to be considered a great engine. It’s joined by another 6.2-liter V-8, the naturally-aspirated small block from the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, which was eligible again because it made the list last year. The 2015 Subaru WRX’s boxer four also made the cut.

  • 10 Reasons to Become a Mechanic

    10 Reasons to Become a Mechanic

    We’ve all heard about the shortage of skilled tradespeople in the United States, and the increasing age of those that are left. If you’re at this site, it’s probably safe to say that you have some slight interest in Auto Repair. Maybe you’re a Mechanic yourself, an avid DIY-er, or simply the curious sort. Perhaps you know someone who is. Whatever the case may be, if a new career is in the offing, there’s no reason to not consider Auto Repair. In fact, there are ten really good reasons to consider it!

    1. JOB STABILITY.

    The need for Mechanic is kind of like the need for doctors – everyone everywhere will always need them. Being a Mechanic offers you a certain level of security: a good Mechanic can always find employment, and the job can’t be outsourced!

    2. LESS STUDENT LOAN DEBT.

    College students these days are graduating with tens of thousands of dollars worth of student loan debt. Choosing a trade like Auto Repair often means you can attend vocational school or a community college for significantly less money, and then enter an apprenticeship where you’re actually paid while you learn the trade.

    3. ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

    Auto Repair is a licensed and regulated trade, and you can choose to work your way all the way up to the master level if you have the ambition to do so. Master Mechanics have a higher salary, more job flexibility, and more opportunities than many other professions.

    4. JOB VARIETY.

    Mechanics work in all kinds of industries. You could find a job designing Auto systems for new Auto, deciding how to manage, repair, and expand Auto systems, or developing new Auto technologies.

    5. INDEPENDENCE.

    Professional Mechanics can always choose to go into business for themselves. Owning your own Mechanics business means you can work when you want and where you want, which is great for those who have family obligations or need flexibility in scheduling or location.

    6. PERSONAL BENEFITS.

    As a Mechanic, you’ll be working your body and your mind all the time. Analyzing problems, developing solutions, and handling day-to-day business transactions will keep your mind sharp, and the physical requirements of the job can keep your body active and healthy.

    7. JOB SATISFACTION.

    Mechanics really do save lives. Without good Auto Repair systems to deliver Best Results About Driving, we would all be at risk of catching potentially Accidents.

    8. SOCIAL INTERACTION.

    As a Mechanic, you won’t be stuck in an office all day. You can be out and about, meeting and interacting with new people all the time. If you’re a friendly person and offer your clients good customer service, you can also generate a significant amount of income through these positive interactions.

    9. RESPECT.

    There are plenty of jokes and biases, but thankfully, more and more people are realizing what Mechanics do for us, and respect for the trade is growing. Indeed, the entire social landscape regarding skilled trades is shifting. After all, not everyone can be a Mechanic – people try to fix extensive problems themselves, make it worse, and then realize that they need you, the professional, to fix things for them.

    10. NO MORE Auto Repair Bills.

    Once you’ve got the skills, you’ll never need to pay someone else for Your Auto and Car repairs! This is probably the least important reason to become a Mechanic, but hey, if you’re on the tipping point this just might help you make the decision!

  • Should I repair my car or buy a new one ?

    Should I repair my car or buy a new one ?

    Something goes wrong with your car and you’re faced with a high repair bill. It would be nice to get a new car, but is that the smartest decision? Would you be better off fixing your current ride, or is it really time to buy a new one? The answers to these questions will vary, so let me give you some information that might help you make a more informed decision.

    REASON TO FIX YOUR CURRENT VEHICLE.

    If you aren’t sure if fixing it is the right thing to do, here are a few reasons why it is a good idea to bite the bullet and get the repairs done.

    • It is almost always less expensive to repair a car than buy a new one.
    • Although something as severe as a blown motor or failed transmission will run you in the thousands of dollars to replace, it still isn’t enough to buy a new car. (It would certainly make a nice down payment, but then there are the monthly payments to consider.)
    • Insurance and registration fees will go up with a new car.
    • A new car typically loses an estimated 20 percent of its value the moment you drive it off the dealer lot. Your existing car has already taken that depreciation hit
    • Repairing it now will keep you on the road and give you more time to save up and get your finances in order.
    • You have a sentimental attachment to your car. Maybe it was your first car, a gift from a loved one, or a dream car you finally were able to purchase. For you, buying a new car means giving up an old friend.

    REASON TO BUY A NEW CAR.

    There are times when it’s time to buy that new vehicle. Here are some reasons for it:

    • You don’t want to worry constantly about future breakdowns. Your mechanic told you to expect more things to go wrong with your vehicle.
    • You’re tired of the back-and-forth to the repair shop. Some things are fixed the first time around, while others seem to need constant attention or do not get fixed right the first time. Either way, trips to the mechanic are costing you too much time away from work or family, in addition to money.
    • You’re tired of your old car. Perhaps it embarrasses you, it rattles like crazy or you have to bang on the A/C to get it working. Every morning when you walk outside and see the neighbor’s car, you long for something new. That’s perfectly normal. Just take a good look at your budget and make an honest assessment of your financial situation.
    • You want something safer. Your car is old enough where it’s simply not safe to drive.

    A good rule of thumb to estimate when it’s time to throw in the towel, is if the cost of repairs is greater than either the value of the vehicle or one year’s worth of monthly payments and increased insurance payments.

    GET AN HONEST ESTIMATE.

    The only way to make an accurate decision, is to know what to expect. Ask your mechanic to fully inspect the vehicle and let you know what it really needs to run like new.