February 2018

SUV’s With The Best Ground Clearance

by L Baures | Feb 19, 2018 | Trusted Auto Pros

Ground clearance is the distance from the lowest part of the vehicle to the ground. The bigger that distance is, the more ground clearance (clearance of the ground) the vehicle has. This is particularly useful for off-road situations where the car or SUV (sports utility vehicle) needs to clear objects such as dirt mounds, rocks or even snow.

Whilst pickup trucks can also have good clearance, they are not always the most practical option if say perhaps, you need to seat more people. It may also just be a personal preference or it comes down to cost and/or feature availability that you may choose an SUV.

Here are some of the 2017/2018 model year SUVs with the best ground clearance numbers.

SUV’s with the best ground clearance

The Jeep Grand Cherokee (Trailhawk Edition) has an air suspension which gives it a huge advantage. The luxury off-road SUV can be lowered or raised with just the push of a button. The 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee has a staggering 10.8″ of ground clearance when raised.
Photo: FCA
Jeep Wrangler. Unsurprising the Jeep Wrangler comes in next with the new 2018 Wrangler JL Sahara and Rubicon models. With 10″ and 10.8″ of ground clearance respectively. No wonder these machines have an off-road cult following.
Photo: FCA
Toyota Sequoia. The flagship full-size SUV from Toyota has great ground clearance at 10″. Not only can this large vehicle negotiate obstacles off-road, but can do it whilst seating people in the 3rd row.
Ford Expedition. The 2018 model year Ford Expedition is a complete redesign of the full-size SUV. 9.8″ of ground clearance is impressive for a 3rd-row vehicle that doesn’t really have much of an ‘off-road’ history like some of the vehicles mentioned above do.
Photo: Ford
Toyota 4Runner. The TRD Pro is the top of the off-road equipped model of the 4Runner. With a little extra height on this trim level, the TRD Pro makes 9.6″ of ground clearance.
Photo: L Baures
Toyota Land Cruiser. Next in line is another one from Toyota. The Land Cruiser is a proven capable vehicle that has been around since the dinosaurs. OK maybe not quite that long, but it’s been a while. The Land Cruiser comes in with 8.9″ of ground clearance.
Photo: Toyota
Jeep Cherokee. Don’t judge this little one by its size when it comes to ground clearance. The Jeep Cherokee may be smaller than the rest but it can keep up with the big boys. The Cherokee Trailhawk (off-road trim) has 8.8″ of ground clearance.
Photo: FCA

Now you know which SUVs have the best ground clearance available in Wyoming.

Volkswagen Unveil New Luxury AWD Car- The Arteon

by L Baures | Feb 16, 2018 | Automotive News

Photo: VW

Making its debut at the Chicago Auto Show, the 2019 Arteon is a mid-sized sedan that will be available with optional 4Motion® all-wheel drive.

2019 Volkswagon Arteon

The Arteon will be a flagship top of the line upmarket luxury touring sedan with a premium interior. The wheelbase is longer than the Volkswagen CC (that it will replace) giving it a much more planted stance. The luxury sedan has already been on the European market since mid-2017. Hinrich J. Woebcken, CEO of the North American Region, Volkswagen says, “This car is the spiritual successor to the CC, but it is bolder and faster”.

Photo: VW

Specs

Powertrain

2.0-liter turbocharged TSI® gasoline engine with direct injection.
268 horsepower.
258 lb-ft torque.
8-speed automatic transmission.
Optional 4Motion® all-wheel drive.

Exterior highlights

18″ aluminum alloy wheels (19″ wheel available).
Fastback design.
Wide planted stance.
Sloping rear roofline.
LED headlights.
LED taillights.
Chrome grille.
Frameless side windows.
Dual trapezoidal exhaust tips.
Rear spoiler.

Interior highlights

Sports seats.
Heated front seats (ventilated cooling seats available).
Available; massaging driver’s seat, Nappa leather, and memory seats.
3 zone climate control.
8″ touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto™ and MirrorLink®.
Puch start button.
Keyless entry.
Car-Net connected vehicle services.
Dynaudio® premium audio.
Panoramic sunroof.
Easy-open power trunk (activated by ‘kicking foot action’ under rear bumper).

: Photos: VW

Safety

The Volkswagen Arteon will have all the latest safety technology including Adaptive Cruise Contol (ACC) with Stop and Go as an option. Foward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist), and Blind Spot Monitor (with Rear Traffic Alert) are all standard. Safety features also optional on the Arteon will be Lane Departure Warning with Lane Assist, High Beam Control, Park Assist and an Overhead Camera View.

“In addition, the 2019 Arteon offers a combination of both passive and active safety systems that are engineered to meet or exceed current crash regulations. These systems include the class-exclusive Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and a reactive hood”, says VW.

Warranty coverage will be 6 years or 72, 000 miles, bumper-to-bumper. One of the longest limited warranties available on new cars today.

Trim levels

SE
SEL
SEL Premium

When will it be available?

The Volkswagen Arteon is expected to arrive in dealers by Fall of 2018. For more information, you can contact your Volkswagen dealer.

: Photos: VW

This car will be a great alternative for a customer looking for all the features of an Audi but with a Volkswagen price.

All New 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

How Soon Do You Need Insurance on a New Vehicle Purchase?

“Volkswagen Arteon European Sales Figures.” Carsalesbase.com, 8 Feb. 2018,

How To: Change Clock on a Jeep Renegade

by L Baures | Feb 15, 2018 | Trusted Auto Pros

Here’s a quick tutorial on changing the time/clock on a 2016/2017 model year Jeep Renegade. First, you will have to figure out which screen version you have. Look at the pictures below and compare to the one in your vehicle.

2016/2017 Jeep Renegade

There are three different screen models in the Renegade. The 3.0 (RA1), 5.0 (RA2) and the 6.5 (RA4).

: 3.0 (RA1)

: 5.0 (RA2)

: 6.5 (RA4)

How to change the clock on the 3.0 (RA1)

3.0 (RA1)

Press the MENU button (middle bottom of the radio)
Push ENTER/BROWSE (bottom right)
Select TIME and FORMAT
Use the ENTER/BROWSE button to select SET TIME
Hours and minutes can be adjusted by turning TUNE/SCROLL knob
Push the ENTER/BROWSE button to move to the next section
When you’re happy with time set, press BACK to exit

How to change the clock on the 5.0 (RA2)

5.0 (RA2)

On the right-hand side of the radio, push the MORE button
Press the SETTINGS option on the touchscreen
Select CLOCK and DATE
Press SET TIME
Touch UP or DOWN arrows to set the hours and minutes
Select 12hr or 24hr format
On the touchscreen, select DONE to exit

How to change the clock on 6.5 (RA4)

6.5 (RA4)

If the clock is not displayed, on the touchscreen press SETTINGS then CLOCK, followed by ON.

On the 6.5 (RA4) system, the clock is automatically updated using information from the GPS. If for some reason, you need to set it manually here’s how:

On the touchscreen, select the clock display
A message will appear asking if you’d like to set the time
Press YES
Select “+” or “-” to adjust the hours and minutes

Fun fact, Daylight Savings is not always on the same date, but it always on a Sunday.

For Wyoming, in 2018 Daylight Savings Time will change on Sunday, March 11th. At 2 am the clocks will go forward. On Sunday, November 4th, at 2 am the clocks will go back.

Do you have a question or topic you’d like us to write about? Get in touch, comment below or shoot me an email.

FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne Passes, Mike Manley takes the Lead

“The Legend Returns”

by L Baures | Feb 14, 2018 | Automotive News

Toyota released a teaser image of a sports car.

The title of the image says, “The Legend Returns”. The only other information they posted on the press release is, “a modern racing concept signals Toyota’s commitment to bring back to the market its most iconic sports car”. More information will be available on March 6th at the Geneva Motor Show.

What is the car?

From the picture posted, it’s clear there is a rear spoiler and bubble-like roof line. This would indicate it’s a sports car. I haven’t seen many Yaris’ with great big wings mounted on the back end. Here’s what we do know though. Toyota has been working on a concept car called the FT-1, which has a big wing at the back. Pictures of the concept have been available from 2014, so this car has been in the works for quite some time. Hopefully, this means, we can expect big results from Toyota. Look at the striking resemblance between the teaser photo and the concept photos. The wing is a little different, but it’s a still a ginormous wing and the roofline is very close.

: Photo: Toyota

: Photo: Toyota

Could it be the new Supra?

1995 MKIV Supra Turbo Photo: Toyota

With a bold title like, “The Legend Returns”, is a strong indication this car could be seen as the new Supra. Toyota has had a good run of legendary sports car including the Celica GT4 rally car and the drifters dream AE86. The RWD Supra, however, was a 90’s legend during a Japanese sports car boom that seen performance vehicles like the Nissan Skyline GTR’s and Honda (Acura) NSX’s emerge.

These beasts were putting out almost 300hp from the factory around 20 years ago. Back in those days, it must have been the equivalent to a Challenger Hellcat release. Not only were the cars a lot of fun straight out of the showroom but also have highly tunable engines. The Supra’s popularity was heightened after the movie release, “Fast and Furious” in which an orange MKIV Supra Targa top was featured. The engines used in the MKIV Supra’s are still legendary among car enthusiasts today. There were two engine options for the MKIV Supra, a naturally aspirated 3.0 liter inline six (2JZ-GE) and the 3.0 liter inline six with twin turbochargers (2JZ-GTE).

Which powerplant will it have?

According to apparent leaked information from Japan’s Best Car Magazine, a Supra MKVforum member posted that it’ll be a 3.0 liter straight six again. Producing 335hp and 332 lb-ft of torque paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission with a curb weight of 3,284 lbs. Car enthusiasts are probably not excited by those numbers considering how long this car has been in development.

Another member of the same forum debunked at least of those ‘rumors’. The member with username ‘A70TTR’ says, “Curb weight is flat out wrong by a lot” and, “I have to tread carefully here, but it’s not disappointing”.

Screenshot from supramkv.com

Road and Track say the engine is in development with German manufacturer BMW sharing the Z4 platform. “The two companies are working together on engines and lithium-ion batteries” quotes Road and Track. So if they did go with a 3.0 liter straight six and threw in a hybrid (because it’s Toyota and it’s 2018) some more power/torque could be possible. BMW currently offers a 2.0 liter 4 cylinder (240 hp), and a 3.0 liter turbocharged inline six (300hp) with overboost function. These engines would line up with the rumors, however, nothing has yet been officially published or said about an electric motor or what kind of hybrid functionality it may have by Toyota.

Lexus has the RC F GT car. The GT3 race car specs published include a 467 hp, 5.0-liter V-8 engine (2UR-GSE). Also noted is an 8-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode. Could this be a contender for engine choice?

Here are some of the official Toyota concept images released over the past few years

: Photos: Toyota

How To Protect Your Vehicle From Damaging Winter Road Chemicals

by L Baures | Feb 13, 2018 | Trusted Auto Pros

Winter in Wyoming

We all know that salt is corrosive and can cause rust on metal. In Wyoming, we don’t need to worry as much about salt damage as they do in other States. States that are close to the Ocean, for example, not only have to deal with salt on the roads to melt snow, but salt from the Ocean mixed with moisture will corrode a vehicle.

A recent report from SafeWise, states that WYOMING RANKS AS THE MOST DANGEROUS STATE FOR DRIVING IN SNOW.

Considering the sheer amount of snow Wyoming gets, we can probably all agree, it’s a good idea to clear the roads.

The impact of bad winter road conditions can be horrific and terrifying at best. Aside from plowing the roads, WYDOT (Wyoming Department of Transport) also put down a salt/sand mix and other chemicals before and after snowstorms.

Which road chemicals are used in Wyoming?

We contacted WTDOT to find out a little more about the chemicals they use. Sand has no effect on melting snow or ice and is purely used as an aid to give tire traction. A salt/sand combination is used regularly. WYDOT says that each area has its own effective blend of sand and salt. More salt may be added to the sand to stop the stockpile from freezing. If the stockpile freezes it will result in large chunks of sand that cannot be used. The goal is to be able to spread the mix evenly on the highway.

Magnesium chloride
Salt brine
Geo-melt
Ice-slicer

Magnesium Chloride

Magnesium chloride is widely used, “which is a natural combination of chlorides and dirt or grit”, says WYDOT, “…mined from the ground without any modification and looks much like our normal sand/salt material, only the concentration of salt is much higher”.

Salt brine and Geo-melt

Salt brine is a 23% Sodium Chloride 77% water mix that is used on snowpack. Geo-melt is added to the salt brine to assist in lowering the melting point, which means it will melt snow and ice down to about 8-10°F (depending on air temperature and wind).

Lines on the road from Salt brine Photo: Wikimedia, user Z22

“WYDOT is starting to do more anti-icing which is to place a layer of salt brine on the pavement before the snow begins to fall. As the snow builds up during the storm the salt brine keeps the snowpack from bonding to the pavement. This helps the snow plow remove the snowpack down to bare or wet pavement”.

When are they used?

These chemicals are used in different applications depending on the conditions. WYDO says they use Sodium Chloride the most because it’s the cheapest and works down to about 5 to 10 degrees. If the weather prediction calls for colder temperatures then Magnesium Chloride is used, down to about -5 to -10 degrees. If it gets really cold then Ice Slicer is used.

All of these chemicals are salt based.

How do these chemical affect my vehicle?

Salt + Water + Metal = Rust.

Although vehicles can be galvanized or have some paint protection, salt and/or corrosive products can still penetrate (especially underneath your vehicle). This will eventually cause rust. Rust will eat away at the metal, leaving nothing. Rust is not easy to get rid of either and will spread like a disease. It may also make it maintenance more expensive and/or take longer to repair due to parts being corroded or rusted.

Tips to protect your vehicle from salt, sand and winter de-icing chemicals

Wash your vehicle before (salt brine can be applied to roads before a storm) and as soon as you can after a storm. Make sure it gets dried or any missed salt could stay in damp areas.
Make sure you also wash the underneath of the vehicle (some drive-thru car washes offer this).
Clean out wheel arches with a power washer.
There are products available on the market to remove salt from vehicles (like a shampoo that specifically targets salt).
Wax the vehicle at least once a year.
Have a paint protection applied and keep it topped up/waxed.
Have an undercoat protection applied to underneath the vehicle.
If you do find some rust on body panels, have it treated/removed asap.
Consider a ceramic coating.