by L Baures | Aug 17, 2018 | Trusted Auto Pros
Student discounts on cars.
Definitely, a big perk of being a student is all the associated discounts. This even rolls out into new cars. Did you know that some (not all) manufacturers offer special rebates for eligible students? These are available on new cars and may help offset the cost of the some of those crazy expensive books you’ll never read again.
Here are some of the manufacturers that have discount programs in place for students and educators. Of course, contact your local dealer to confirm the terms an eligibility.
Chevrolet educator program.
Special pricing from Chevrolet is available for current employees of schools. The schools can be public, private, a college or university. Discounts can be used on new 2017 or 2018 model year purchases and leases. Click here to find out more about the program or contact your preferred Chevrolet dealership.
Chevrolet student discounts
This program is for students, recent graduates (with the last 2 years), nursing school students and graduates This can be either at a 2-year school or 4-year school. Base model trims are excluded. Sign up with Chevy for a discount code or contact your Chevy dealer for more info.
2019 Cruze Hatch RS, Photo: Chevrolet
Ford student discounts
Available for current students at college, trade school, junior college, community college, or university. The discount can be up to $750. This Ford program is also open to high school seniors with a letter of intent for a university. Also included are medical school residents (with some restrictions). You will need proof of eligibility. Check out more information and requirements at www.forddrivesu.com or contact your preferred Ford dealership.
2018 Ford Fiesta, Photo: Ford
Toyota student discounts
The discount program available from Toyota also offers a $750 rebate on selected Toyota models. Students must be enrolled in a 2 or 4-year college or university to qualify. Graduation must have been within the last two years. You can also apply within 6 months of graduating. Included institutions are; vocational Schools, junior college’s, technical colleges and nursing degree programs. Vehicles in the program are the; Camry, Corolla, Corolla iM, Prius, Prius c, Prius v, RAV4, Tacoma, Yaris, Yaris iA and 86. Plug-in electric and hybrid vehicles are excluded. For more information contact your Toyota dealership or check out www.buyatoyota.com.
2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback, Photo: Toyota
Volkswagen student discounts
This program is open to students who have graduated within the last 2 years. the college graduate program from Volkswagon doesn’t require a credit history, however, If there is history it should be good. You can submit an application based on existing employment or with a written commitment from a future employer. Contact your preferred Volkswagen dealer for more info or check out www.vw.com/special-offers/
2019 Volkswagen Jetta, Photo: VW
2019 AWD Golf R Will be Available in 40 Different Colors!
by L Baures | Aug 15, 2018 | Automotive News
Volkswagen Golf R goes colorful
No offense Volkswagen, but about time! Aside from the Habanero Orange and Kurkuma Yellow (gold) colors offered by VW, the rest of the colors are mostly bland. Safe. But bland. Especially if the Volkswagen dealership is next to a Dodge dealership (who have lot’s of wild colors) like in Casper, WY. Not to fear, Volkswagen will cheer up the roads a little with the 40 new custom Golf R colors available.
Not just a sports car
The Golf R is an AWD sports car that puts out 292 horsepower. Currently, the Golf R is available in 5 colors; blue, red, black, gray and white. Whilst sports cars do typically look good in those colors, the Golf R is more than just a sports car. It is an enthusiast car with a following, shaped in part by a tuning and modification scene. Being a part of that scene is about customizing your own vehicle to stand out from the crowd. I have been part of this several times with various vehicles. One time I couldn’t decide which custom paint color to get so I ended up with ‘chameleon’ paint (one that changed colors). Don’t judge me, it was the noughties! It also cost a lot of money at the time, so this is super cool that Volkswagen is now offering to do it from the factory.
Cool colors straight from the factory
It’s cheaper having the car painted at the factory. Not only that, but it’ll be done by robots, that will probably do a better job than most body shops. Also, having a custom paint job from new means there isn’t any prep work involved before the changing the color. For example, if you wanted to change the color of your car, usually you’d need a different color base coat Then there’s stripping the engine if you do the engine bay, removing windows and fixing any dents etc. This all adds up in labor costs and potentially parts that might need to be replaced along the way. Volkswagen’s MSRP for custom colors on the 2019 Golf R is $2,500, which is very very reasonable.
Heritage and personality inspired colors
Volkswagen say that they researched the colors to appeal to owners and also pay homage to heritage vehicles. One of the VW classics includes the MK3 Scirocco which came in a Viper Green color, one of the colors available.
2019 Volkswagen Golf R in Viper Green
Other classic colors that have stood out in Volkswagen’s history are ” …Deep Blue Pearl from the Mk4 and Mk5 R32, Ginster Yellow from the 1997 Driver’s Edition GTI, and Mars Red from the Mk 1 GTI.” Depressingly, I am writing the word history along with these colors, but I actually remember them. Way to feel old, but it’s for sure nostalgic and get’s the feelers going for us car enthusiasts.
2019 Golf R in Gingster Yellow
Which of the Golf R colors would you choose?
If you are interested in more about ordering a 2019 Golf R in a custom color or would like to see the Golf R colors on a sample card (on route to the dealership), you can contact Fremont Volkswagen in Casper.
by L Baures | Aug 14, 2018 | Trusted Auto Pros
Technically they are called Multicontour Seats with Active Motion®.
Front driver and passenger seats equipped with multicontour Active Motion®, Ford says, are designed to help reduce muscle and leg tiredness. Along with helping blood flow to avoid back pain.
In the back part of the seat there are 3 pads that provide a lumbar, ‘rolling pattern’ message. The seat base also has pads that move up and down to massage.
Buttons to activate the seat are on the side/bottom next to the power controls that move the seat forward and backward etc. On some trucks, the multicontour seats can be activated through the Sync touchscreen system. Once activated the seats will stay actively moving for 20 minutes unless turned off manually.
Which Ford trucks have the ‘massage’ seats?
2018 Ford F-150 King Ranch trims have the multicontour seats with active motion as an option (601a package). They are standard on the F-150 Platinum and F-150 Limited trims (ie. the top of the line trucks).
On 2018 Super Duty pickup trucks, they are available on the F-250 King Ranch as part of the King Ranch Ultimate Package. This package also includes LED fog lamps and taillamps, quad LED headlamps, Blind-Spot Monitor, Cross Traffic Alert and Trailer Tow. A twin panel moonroof, tailgate step, and power running boards are also included in the King Ranch Ultimate package. The ‘massage’ seats are standard on the Platinum and Limited trim levels, the same as the F-350.
Which Ford cars have the Multicontour seats?
The 2018 Ford Explorer Platinum (top of the range) comes with the multicontour driver and passenger seats as standard. New 2018 Ford Expeditions also have the multicontour seats available in the Platinum trim level. Some older model Taurus’ had them too.
What do you think of these seats? Want to test drive a vehicle that has the multicontour seats, give your preferred Ford dealer a call!
Let us know what you think in the comments below.
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by L Baures | Aug 13, 2018 | Trusted Auto Pros
Updated: 03/10/2020 New Chevy Vin Towing sticker added.
2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, Photo: Chevy
Truck Towing Capacity
How much weight a pickup truck can pull can vary hugely, even between two pickups that look identical. That’s why finding out your towing capacity by VIN is more accurate. Factors that can affect a pickup truck towing capability include:
- Engine Type
- Axle Ratios
- Transmissions
- Chassis
- Suspension
- Tires and load ratings
- Hitch type and class
- Trailer type
Calculating towing capacity
With so many variables between truck builds and manufacturers, it can take a few minutes to figure out exactly what the max towing capacity of your specific vehicle is. The combined weight of your truck plus trailer and cargo should not exceed the max tow capacity. You’ll need some information from the VIN or door sticker on the truck.
- GVWR – Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (how much weight your vehicle with passengers, fuel, and cargo can carry).
- GCWR- Gross Combined Weight Rating (the max total weight of everything combined, ie. your truck, passengers, trailer and cargo).
- GAWR- Gross Axle Weight Rating (the amount of weight that can be placed over each axle).
- Curb Weight- This is how much your vehicle weight without anyone in it or any cargo.
- Tongue Weight- How much weight the hitch can handle.
Some owners manuals may have towing capacities in there, however, some of the newer ones don’t due to the variations on each truck build.
Towing capacity formula
- Find out curb weight (on VIN sticker).
- Add the weight of passengers, fuel, and cargo to the curb weight.
- Subtract this number from your vehicle’s GCWR ( you may have to look this up using your VIN if it’s not on the door sticker).
- This is your max towing capacity.
- Check to make sure the hitch can also handle this weight.
Find out your trucks towing capacity by VIN Number
Click the links below for each manufacturer and put in your VIN Number to find out your specific trucks towing capacity or GCWR so you can work it out.
RAM Trucks
Towing calculator
Find out my RAM Trucks towing capacity by VIN
Screenshot from RAM Trucks website. Click on ‘Look up my vehicle’ on the website page to enter your VIN.
Ford
It seems Ford do not yet have this feature on their website. Click this towing guide link and select the year of truck. You’ll then have to scroll to find your specific truck. There is a VIN decoder on a Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forum. Enter your VIN then click on ‘Tech Specs’. This will bring up information you need for towing including GCWR.
2018 Ford Super Duty F-250, Photo: Ford
GMC
Towing Charts for 2018 model GMC’s
2019 GMC Sierra Denali 2500HD
Chevrolet
For 2020 model year Chevy trucks and on, the towing capacity can be found on the door sticker. Thank you, Chevy for doing this!
Example below.
Here is the link to Chevy Enthusiasts Forum which includes a VIN Decoder. Click on ‘Tech Specs’ to find out information on your truck. Some Chevrolet trucks may have towing capacities in the owner’s manuals.
2018 Chevrolet Silverado High Country, Photo: Chevrolet
Toyota
Entering your VIN in the Toyota Owners vehicle specification page will bring up lots of information on your truck. This includes GCWR and towing capacity numbers.
Pickup Truck Towing Charts
2019
Ford F-150
Ford Super Duty
All-New RAM 1500
Classic RAM 1500
RAM 2500
RAM 3500
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and HD
2018
Ford F-150
Ford Super Duty
RAM 1500
RAM 2500
RAM 3500, and Chassis Cab
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and HD
GMC Sierra 1500 and Heavy Duty
How to Decode a VIN Number
by L Baures | Aug 10, 2018 | Trusted Auto Pros
Can you flat tow a 2018 Jeep?
Below is a list of 2018 4×4 Jeep models and whether they can be flat towed or not. Checking your owners manual for your specific vehicle is always a good idea before attempting to tow. A link to the Jeep owners manuals is provided at the bottom of this article. Manufacturer warranty will not cover damage to vehicles due to incorrect towing.
What is flat towing?
Also known as ‘dinghy towing’ or ‘four down’ towing. ‘Four down’ because the vehicle being towed has all four wheels down on the ground behind an RV or another vehicle.
Flat towing a Jeep Wrangler. Photo: J Forsell of Wyoming
Compass
No.
The 2018 Jeep Compass cannot be flat-towed.
2018 Jeep Compass, Photo: FCA
Renegade
No.
The 2018 Jeep Renegade cannot be flat towed. The Renegade should be towed on a trailer.
2018 Jeep Renegade, Photo: FCA
Cherokee
2018 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, Photo: FCA
Yes and no.
This depends on the trim level of Cherokee.
Cherokee’s with a single speed Power Transfer Unit cannot be flat towed. All four wheels must be on a trailer when towing (never Dolly tow a 4×4 vehicle).
Flat towing Cherokee’s with the ActiveDrive II or 2-speed PTU (Power Transfer Unit) is allowed. 2018 Jeep Cherokee’s with the 2-speed PTU are the Trailhawk models and the Mopar flat tow witing kit must be used.
Check page 165 of the 2018 Jeep Cherokee Owners Manual for instructions on how to set up the vehicle to be flat-towed.
Grand Cherokee
Yes and no.
This one also depends on the trim level of the Grand Cherokee. Grand Cherokee’s without 4-LO and the SRT models cannot be flat -towed. Models with 4-LO can be flat-towed. Dolly-towing is not allowed on 4×4 models.
Wrangler JL
Yes.
4×4 models of the 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL can be flat-towed. Refer to page 371 of the 2018 Jeep Wrangler owners manual for instructions on how to set up the vehicle for flat-towing.
2018 Wrangler JL, Photo: FCA
Wrangler JK
Yes.
Just as with the new JL Jeep Wrangler’s, the JK models in 4×4 can also be flat-towed. instructions on how to set up the vehicle to be flat-towed are available in the owners manual.
Jeep Wrangler Sahara, Photo: FCA
Jeep Owners Manual
Download the owners manual to find out how to flat tow a 2018 Jeep.
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