On this episode of Epic Drives, Associate Online Editor Nate Martinez tours Japan's greatest driving roads in Subaru's new rear-wheel drive BRZ coupe. Along the way, he tears up the Toyo Tires Turnpike, climbs Mount Fuji, dances down the hairpins of the Nihon Romantic Highway and drops the hammer at the tight and twisty Gunma Cycle Sports Center.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Subaru Receives Top Grade from TrueCar.com Amidst Record Sales
Subaru earned an A+ in its May 2012 Performance Scorecard, while BMW fell into a tie for second with an A grade. Factoring into Subaru’s score were its record-breaking May sales, which were up 48 percent compared to the same month last year. Year-to-date, Subaru has moved 136,602 vehicles in the United States, a 22-percent gain compared to the same period in 2011.
Redesigned to become lighter, faster and more fuel efficient than previous models, the 2012 Subaru Impreza has been a popular item in showrooms since its debut last fall. Sales of the Impreza were up more than 235 percent in May year-over-year, moving 6,786 units. So far in 2012, Subaru has sold 34,677 units of the compact car, a 170-percent jump compared to the same period last year.
The Subaru Legacy sedan and Outback wagon also continued their strong 2012 sales performances last month, increasing by 23 percent and 9 percent respectively compared to May 2011. With 20,378 units tallied through May, sales of the Legacy are up 14 percent year-over-year. Meanwhile, sales of the volume-leading Outback have risen 3 percent in that same period, totaling 44,800 units.
As more buyers turn to Subaru vehicles, the automaker has created a new social guidebook on Facebook that allows owners and Subaru fans to share their favorite places and activities with each other. Called the Subaru Guide to Everything, the site allows users to post their top locations for hiking, camping and biking, as well as recommended dog parks and dining spots. It can be viewed at http://guidetoeverything.subaru.com/facebook.> “Every Subaru owner has a strong sense of adventure in one way or another, so there will be tons of great locations to be explored on the new guidebook,” added Dunn. “There are already several Massachusetts spots submitted by users that I’m sure our customers would love to check out.” Courtesy of Top Wire News
Monday, June 25, 2012
Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Checking Lights and Direction Indicators
SIDELIGHTS Two white at the front; two red at the back. Should be bright and of equal intensity. Look closely at the rear lights to see if there is a dim glow from 
the brake lights, turn indicators or high-intensity fog lights — this may mean a poor earth to the car body on the nearest sidelight. If the front sidelights are small bulbs set in the headlight reflector these may be dim — these little bulbs tend to overheat and go black inside. Not a MOT fail point as such if they are both equally dim, but it's best to replace them.
HEADLIGHTS Put the headlights on dipped beam. Both should shine with equal brightness — failure to do so means a bad electrical supply or earth at that bulb. The reflection from the lights on a wall or garage door should show the two beams pointing slightly down to the left and level.
There are adjusting screws or knobs behind each headlight, but unless a beam is so far out of line as to cause a hazard, it is probably best to leave adjustment to the MOT tester, who will usually use a beam-setter to set them spot on. Switch to main beam and make the same check —
REAR FOG LIGHT(S) Switch on the high-intensity red rear light(s) — your headlights need to be on dipped beam. If fitted, fog lights must work, so must the interior 'tell-tale' light on the instrument panel.
DIRECTION INDICATORS Turn the ignition on and operate the indicators. Check that there is a flashing 'tell tale' light on the instrument panel. Check that front and rear indicators are flashing.
The flash rate should be between 30 and 90 per minute. If it's just under 30 it may speed up once the engine is running, though not if the flasher unit is an electronic rather than a mechanical unit. Side repeater indicators on the wings must be working if fitted.
HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS With the indicators off, switch on the hazard flashers, checking for the warning light and/or tick inside. Walk round the car to ensure that all four hazards are flashing, and that no other lights are glowing dimly. Switch off hazard flashers.
BRAKE LIGHTS Get a helper to operate the foot brake while you check the brake lights. Again, both brake lights must be equally bright, with nothing else glowing. Switch off the ignition.
LIGHTING REPAIRS If a light isn't working, chances are the bulb is blown. Bulbs are standard items, so replacement is easy. Indicators and rear red hazard lamp bulbs are 21 watt; brake light and rear tail light are usually a 21 and a 5 watt combined into one bulb. This only fits one way round to ensure the brake light is the more powerful. If it doesn't slip in easily, don't force it! Ensure that the offset pins match the slots in the bulb holder.
Front sidelights are either small bulbs set in the headlamp reflector, or larger bulbs (around 5 watts) under separate covers. Headlight bulbs come in various fittings and types, so take the old bulb along when buying a replacement. Access to the bulbs is gained by either unclipping the bulb-holder from the back of the light housing (usually after removing a cover) or by use of a number 2 Pozidriv (cross-head) screwdriver to unscrew the coloured lens from the outside.
If you have a vehicle handbook, it may show the correct procedure for removing and fitting bulbs. Other reasons for a bulb not lighting may be broken or badly corroded wiring. If one lamp lights up another, check for broken or corroded wires or a damaged lamp-holder and replace them. Many rear light units are mounted on a printed circuit board. If the circuit strips corrode, a new unit will probably be needed.
Front sidelights are either small bulbs set in the headlamp reflector, or larger bulbs (around 5 watts) under separate covers. Headlight bulbs come in various fittings and types, so take the old bulb along when buying a replacement. Access to the bulbs is gained by either unclipping the bulb-holder from the back of the light housing (usually after removing a cover) or by use of a number 2 Pozidriv (cross-head) screwdriver to unscrew the coloured lens from the outside.
If you have a vehicle handbook, it may show the correct procedure for removing and fitting bulbs. Other reasons for a bulb not lighting may be broken or badly corroded wiring. If one lamp lights up another, check for broken or corroded wires or a damaged lamp-holder and replace them. Many rear light units are mounted on a printed circuit board. If the circuit strips corrode, a new unit will probably be needed.
LENSES & REFLECTORS Headlamp reflectors must be bright and not obviously misted, tarnished or corroded. The headlamp lens should not have any hole or a crack that could let in water. All plastic lenses covering the other lights should be the correct colour and not excessively faded.
Courtesy of 2Pass
Friday, June 22, 2012
The Car Store's Summer Tire Special!
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| Come join the celebration at The Car Store and simply print out this email to take advantage of this great tire offer! | ||||||
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Tuesday, June 19, 2012
SUBARU PUMA RallyCross Team USA Ramped Up Competition at Inaugural Hoon Kaboom Texas RallyCross Race.
In the first heat, Sverre Isachsen led the pack off the line and drove his #11 Subaru WRX STI with vigor to secure a spot in the Main event with a second place finish in his heat. SUBARU PUMA RallyCross Team USA's Bucky Lasek finished fourth in the same heat and was seated in one of the two Last Chance Qualifiers (LCQ). Dave Mirra in the #40 WRX STI was also placed in an LCQ, where he put up a tough fight and finished in second position, just a few seconds short of advancing to the final.
Bucky Lasek provided the greatest spectacle of the heat races, and possibly the event, during the running of the LCQ B. After a tight start, Lasek was chasing Liam Doran whose ailing car was leaking fluids and slowing. After Lasek chased Doran through the chicane, Doran ducked to the left as though he was pulling off, Lasek went for the pass only to have Doran pull back in during the lead-up to the narrow steel jump. Having braked hard to avoid the car in front him, Lasek felt he had scrubbed too much speed to clear the jump and made the split decision to abort the jump and drive off the side of it. In an amazing maneuver more suited to a skateboard than his #80 Subaru WRX STI, Lasek rode the water barrier beside the jump on two wheels and stuck the landing!
Sverre Isachsen entered the 10-car Main event with the podium in his sights. Starting in the 2ndrow, the Viking Warrior muscled his way forward through the pack off the start and got alongside Marcus Gronholm. The two collided when Gronholm tried to duck into the Shortcut through Isachsen. The impact forced Isachsen unwillingly into the Shortcut and the sent him sideways into the grass, but he stayed on the throttle and continued, losing several positions in the process. Things really got tricky on the next lap when Isachsen was slowed by another competitor as they approached the jump "We were heading towards the big jump, when the car in front of me suddenly braked. I had two choices; I could hit him and crash both cars, or I could brake! I braked and stopped just before the end of the jump as I would not have cleared the gap,” explained Isachsen. The race was red flagged and Global Rallycross Officials would restart the Main but denied Isachsen the opportunity to continue in the event due to stopping on the jump. Isachsen pleaded with the Officials to no avail. Sverre remained confident in his decision and his future campaign in the #11 Subaru WRX STI as he stated, "I don’t understand why I wasn’t allowed to start again. All I did was try to avoid a big crash. But on the positive side the car was awesome today, and I’m really looking forward to the next race which is a part of X Games."
X Games 18 kicks off in Los Angeles on June 28 and runs through July 1. Similar to last year, the RallyCross course will run on the streets of downtown L.A. in the vicinity of the Staples Center. Summer X Games broadcast information can be found here.
Images of the Subaru PUMA RallyCross Team can be found here.
For additional information about Subaru PUMA RallyCross Team visit: http://www.subaru.com/rally. Become fan on http://www.facebook.com/subaruofamerica and follow @subaru_usa and @srtusa. #PUMAGRC
Courtesy of Subaru
Monday, June 18, 2012
Your Monday Maintenance Tip: What to Do If Your Car Overheats
If your car overheats, do not drive more than a quarter mile. Have it towed to avoid further damage to the engine. However, if there is no experienced mechanic or tow truck nearby, follow these simple steps:
• Pull over to a safe location and turn off the engine.
• Do not open the hood until the car has completely cooled or the temperature gauge has moved from hot to cool.
• Check the coolant (also called antifreeze) level in the radiator. Look in the owner’s manual if you are unsure where the coolant reservoir tank is.
• Make sure the radiator cap is cool before opening it. Slowly twist it off with a towel and beware of any hot steam. If needed, fill coolant to the top of the radiator. Put the radiator cap back on.
• Be sure the upper or lower radiator hose and any of the heater hoses have not been blocked, disconnected or burst.
• Restart the engine.
• Carefully monitor the temperature gauge. If you see it crossing the optimal mark, pull over to a safe location and turn the engine off.
While your best bet is to get help from a mechanic, your safest bet is to be prepared. Store these essential items in you car: Coolant, tool kit, working flashlight, non-perishable foods and water.
Courtesy of The National Safety Council
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Ad of the Day: Subaru
ometimes love takes you places you weren't quite expecting, says Subaru.
Maybe it's because you're a grounded wife chasing your roguishly obnoxious hot-air-balloon-pilot husband to wherever the wind happens to send him. Or you're a father trying to help his young daughter catch a better view of the rainbow she spotted somewhere over the hill.
Wherever it is, Subaru wants to get you there, according to two new spots in the automaker's "Love" campaign from Carmichael Lynch for the 2013 Legacy and Outback. (Six more ads are forthcoming.) These first two ads, which play up the brand's off-road capabilities, are well produced but a little contrived. "Rendezvous," in particular, takes too fantastical a trip to be convincing and ends up feeling strained. "Looking for Gold," meanwhile, stays closer to reality, and while a bit sappy, is understandably so—maybe even resonant. It's also a nice extension of the campaign's father-daughter dynamic, previously in the brand's Emmy-nominated "Baby Driver" spot from 2010—and another reflection of advertising's broader shift away from doofus dads.
Still, as car ads go, neither spot strays far from the beaten path.
CREDITS
Agency: Carmichael Lynch, Minneapolis
Chief Creative Officer: Dave Damman
Executive Creative Director: Randy Hughes
Copywriters: Conn Newton, Ellie Anderson
Art Directors: Michael Rogers, Brad Harrison
Director of Integrated Production: Joe Grundhoefer
Executive Senior Producer: Brynn Hausmann
Business Manager: Vicki Oachs
Account Service Team: Andy Gorski, Kristen Stengel
Production Company: Gorgeous
Director: Vince Squibb
Executive Producers: Paul Rothwell, Jeff Baron
Line Producer: Rupert Smythe
Director of Photography: Alwin Kuchler POSTPRODUCTION
Edit House: The Whitehouse
Editors: Stephen Jess, Rick Lawley
Assistant Editors: Alejandro Villagran, Shane Reid
VFX House for "Looking for Gold": The Mill
VFX House for "Rendezvous": Randy Gackstetter, Volt
Online Artist: Steve Medin, Volt
Telecine: Sean Coleman, Company 3
Audio Mix, Sound Design: Carl White, BWN MUSIC
Title for "Looking for Gold": "Won't Let You Leave," Jenny O.
Title for "Rendezvous": "Going Somewhere," Gareth Dunlop
Music Supervisor: Jonathan Hecht
Composer: Gareth Dunlop ON-CAMERA TALENT
"Looking for Gold": Andrew Miller, Bluesette Miller
"Rendezvous": Barry Sherman, Brynn Horrocks, Emily Yancy, Cedric Scott
Voiceover: Justin Beere
Courtesy of Adweek
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Fuji Heavy mulls new Subaru plant In U.S.: report
TOKYO (MarketWatch) -- Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. , the maker of Subaru brand cars, is considering building a new plant in the United States to begin operating possibly in the fiscal year starting in April 2015 after facing difficulty launching production in China, Kyodo News reported Friday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
By investing about Y40 billion, the automaker aims to construct a plant capable of producing 100,000 vehicles a year on the premises of an existing plant in Indiana to meet strong demand in the country, the report said.
Fuji Heavy President Yasuyuki Yoshinaga said last month the company will prioritize beefing up production in the United States, deeming it is difficult to set up a joint venture and start production in China as its authorities have not yet accepted its application.
Fuji Heavy, which produces automobiles in Japan and the United States, has seen a shortage of stock amid robust sales of its mainstay Legacy series and the Impreza compact car. Faced also with a strong yen that eats into exporters' profits made overseas, the automaker came up with the plan to expand production in the United States.
Courtesy of MarketWatch
Monday, June 11, 2012
change a tire
Sooner or later, it's bound to happen to most everyone. You're driving along with your mind on the important meeting agenda, and suddenly your car pulls to one side and you hear that dreaded flapping sound of a flat tire.
Nowadays, many drivers have roadside assistance services that will come fix your flats, but it's always smart to know how to change a flat yourself. Because it's a fairly common occurrence, car manufacturers have tried to make the tire change process one that virtually anyone can do.
Before Starting Out
It's a good idea to get your car serviced before heading out on a road trip. Part of the checkup should include a look at the tires.
Look for any unevenly worn spots, or skimpy tread. If the tires are iffy, invest in new ones. You'll need them eventually anyway, and it's better to start out on a trip with new tires than have a blow-out in the middle of nowhere.
Even if you're not heading on a trip, you should familiarize yourself with the tools you'll use in the event of a flat tire. Most cars come equipped with a simple jack and lug wrench, as well as a spare tire. Check your owner's manual if you aren't sure how to access these items.
Pull out the jack and the tire, and make sure the tire is in good shape. If your spare is flat, get it fixed.
It only takes a few minutes to make sure you have all the tools, and you'll save yourself a big headache later if you find yourself on the side of the road with a flat.
Optional Items to Pack
Besides the crucial jack, wrench, and spare tire, you might also want to consider placing these tools in your trunk to make a tire change much easier and more comfortable:
- Flashlight (with extra batteries)
- Gloves
- Tarp or mat to kneel on
- Plastic rain poncho
- Fix-a-flat™ spray foam
- Tire gauge
- Tire blocks
Changing a Flat Tire
Follow these simple steps to fix the problem and be on your way in no time:
- Find a safe spot to pull over. If you're on the freeway, getting off is the safest bet, even if you have to drive on a blown tire. Otherwise, pull as far onto the shoulder as possible. Don't park in the middle of a curve, where approaching cars can't see you. Also choose a flat spot; jacking up your car on a hill can be a disaster. If you have a manual transmission, leave your car in gear. Be sure to set your parking brake!
- Turn on your hazard lights. Get the jack, wrench, and spare tire from the trunk of the car and bring them over to the tire that is flat. Use other tools or supplies if needed.
- Use the wrench to loosen the lug nuts. You may need to remove the hubcap. Don't remove the lug nuts at this point; simply loosen them by turning the wrench to the left (counter-clockwise). If the lug nuts are really tight, try placing the wrench on the nut and standing on the wrench arm to use your full weight on it. You can also try hitting the wrench arm with a rock.
- Use the jack to lift the vehicle off the ground. Different car models may have different places to put the jack; consult your owner's manual for specific locations. Once the jack is securely in the correct spot, jack up the car until the tire is about six inches off the ground.
- Remove the lug nuts and pull the tire off the car. Make sure to place the lug nuts in a pile that won't get scattered, and pull the tire straight toward yourself to remove it from the wheel base.
- Place the spare on the car. Line up the lug nut posts with the holes in the spare, and push the spare all the way onto the wheel base until it can't go any farther.
- Put on the lug nuts. Don't put them on tightly, just make sure they're on enough for the spare to stay on the car for a moment.
- Lower the car back to the ground. Use the jack to bring the car back down to ground level. Remove the jack from underneath the car.
- Make sure the lug nuts are tightened. With the car back on the ground, you can now tighten the lug nuts. Rather than tightening them one by one in order, start with one lug nut, tighten it about 50%, move to the opposite nut (across the circle) and tighten that one about the same amount. Keep tightening opposite lug nuts gradually in turn until each lug nut is as tight as it can be.
- Put your flat tire and tools back in your trunk. Make sure you don't leave anything on the side of the road.
Quick Fixes
Once in a while, a tire isn't completely destroyed when it goes flat. If the flat is caused by a nail or other sharp object, and you can't or don't want to change your tire on the side of the road, you may be able to give yourself a few miles of leeway by using a flat-fix type spray.
Simply follow the manufacturer's directions. In ideal situations, the spray foam will allow you to at least find a close off-ramp and pull into a service station or a rest stop before you have to change your tire.
Courtesy of DMV.org
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Subaru of Indiana named first U.S. auto plant to meet ISO 50001 energy standard
Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. in Lafayette was recognized Monday for its heightened commitment to energy conservation that could help the car manufacturing plant save costs and reduce emissions.
SIA is the first U.S. car manufacturing plant to become certified in energy management, which means it complies with the International Organization for Standardization’s global standards — meant to increase a company’s energy efficiency.
“(The certification) is a culmination of a lot of hard work and dedication,” said Thomas Easterday, SIA’s executive vice president. “Over the years, Subaru has been well-known to be a leader. Right now, we’re taking an even bigger step.”
The SIA team spent six months monitoring energy consumption data in order to figure out how to improve its current processes to gear up for an audit by DEKRA Certification Inc., a company that provides professional certification in the automotive industry.
The Journal & Courier requested energy consumption data, but it was not released as of Monday night.
DEKRA President Henri Pierre Salle, who presented top executives from Subaru SIA with the ISO 50001 certification at a gathering on Monday, said the purpose of the certification is to provide an energy management framework for companies.
“A process of improvement becomes part of the everyday culture,” Salle said. “That spirit and culture already is here in the Subaru culture.”
Auditors who worked with SIA plant managers to collect the data said SIA’s commitment to saving energy is high compared with other large companies they have visited, Salle said.
Auditors noticed a particular attention to energy conservation in Subaru SIA’s painting and trimming processes, which account for more than 40 percent of the plant’s total energy consumption.
“The auditors noticed a clear commitment to energy consumption that was very robust,” Salle said. “They don’t casually make that kind of comment.”
Auditors will return to SIA at least once a year to make sure the plant is living up to the certification’s standards by testing random processes .
In November, a Bentley plant in England was the first car manufacturer in the United Kingdom to receive the certification. In October, a Lamborghini plant was the first in Italy to attain it.
SIA President and CEO Masaki Okawara said the new certification helps SIA maintain its leadership in the car manufacturing field.
“Environmental leadership is a very important business goal,” Okawara said. “This will help us reach and maintain that goal.”
Courtesy of JC Online
Monday, June 4, 2012
Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Sunny Day Driving Safety
To see your way clearly
- You could wear Sun glasses or draw down the window-shade when the sunlight is too strong to make sure you can see your way clearly.
Prevent Engine Overheating
- Engine Overheating may cause breakdowns, especially on a hot day.
- Check the level, condition, and concentration of the coolant periodically.
- If your car overheats, do not drive any more.Never remove the radiator cap until the engine has thoroughly cooled.
Pay Attention To Tires
- Check your tires regularly
- Be sure the tires are properly inflated
- Don’t drive at a high rate of speed for a long time,particularly in hot weather
- Do not overload your car
Courtesy of Car-Use.net
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