by L Baures | Jan 26, 2018 | Trusted Auto Pros
Want to spice up your car with a nice plate? Now that there is a new WY license plate out with the Green River Lake and Squaretop Mountain design, new prestige plates are available.
What is a prestige plate?
A prestige plate is a license plate for your vehicle that you can customize the numbers and/or letters on. Sometimes known as private plates, personalized plates, or vanity plates.
How much do they cost?
Aside from all the other costs associated with going to the DMV to pay sales tax etc, just the costs for a prestige plate is $30. If you want to spend more, embossed plates are available for extra $50.
What letters/numbers will be on there as standard?
You county number will be on there. Pickup trucks and commercial vehicles will now have a ‘T’ for truck or ‘C’ for commercial after the county number, before the bucking horse logo. County’s with two digits will now have those number stacked. For example, Fremont County will now have the 1 at the top left and the 0 bottom left to represent county 10.
What can I have on my prestige plate?
You can have most combinations of up to 5 characters. A combination of letter numbers and spaces are allowed. For example, if you are a manager, you could have ‘MANGR’. Love your Jeep? How about ‘JEEP’. Live in Sheridan and work as a barber, you could use the county 3 number as a B and make something up like ‘3- ARBER’. There are literally endless combinations of what you could come up.
Restrictions include;
- Must be capital letters
- No symbols
- No more than three W’s or M’s (presumably because it’s hard to read?)
- Not just numbers unless the first number is a 0
- All numbers followed by a single letter (example of not allowed 11A, 12B, 123C)
- Nothing “obscene, vulgar, indecent, or pruriently suggestive”
- Duplicates are also not allowed
So other than those terms, that still leaves a huge number of possibilities for you to choose from.
Exempt vehicles
Vehicles for sale, or licensed demonstrators at dealerships. Radio Amateur plated vehicles, apportioned vehicles, and ones with specialty plates.
Where do I get prestige plates?
You can contact your local county clerk for more information, or print out an application form online.
The easiest way is to order online. To see if the combination you want is available, check out the DMV website here.
What combination would you get?
by L Baures | Jan 25, 2018 | Trusted Auto Pros
Top of the line SUV from Jeep
The Grand Cherokee is the top of the line SUV in the Jeep line up assembled in Detroit. It’s also the most awarded SUV. The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk won “Best in Class 4×4 Capability”¹. The Summit edition won, “Most luxurious vehicle in its class”¹ and the Trackhawk edition won, “Most powerful SUV ever”¹. Towing capacity can be up to 7,800lbs and the SUV also has a crawl ratio of 44.1:1.
What’s new for 2018
All 2018 model year Grand Cherokee’s will now be Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capable. This means smartphone integration is much easier, giving drivers the ability to use navigation, phone and messaging apps through the car. The latest 8.4″ UConnect screen will be higher resolution and have pinch-zoom capabilities. The 5″ screens will be replaced with higher resolution 7″ screens. Bi-Xenon headlamps with signature LED daytime running lights will also be available.
2018 features by model line up
Laredo
Laredo models now have a new cloth pattern available in Black or Light Frost Beige and new 17″ aluminum wheels.
Limited
Photo: FCA Media
Celebrating the 25th year of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Sterling Edition will be available in the Limited models. Features will include;
25th Anniversary Sterling Edition
- Platinum Chrome badging
- Lower fascia applique
- Grille rings
- Roof rails
- Fog lamp bezels
- 20″ heritage wheels
- Sangria exterior paint color available
- Platinum tow hooks
- 25th-anniversary badge
- Leather-trimmed instrument panel and center console
- Unique heritage perforated seats with decorative stitching
- 8.4″ Infotainment system
- Nine-speaker audio system
- Active Noise Cancellation
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Cross Path Detection
Trailhawk (Off-Road)
Redline exterior color available exclusively for Trailhawk, SRT, and Trackhawk editions. Black/Ruby Red interior.
Photo: FCA Media
Overland
Grand Cherokee Overland models will now be available with a brown interior option incorporating light grey accent stitching. A High-Altitude edition will also be available.
High-Altitude edition available, which includes,
- Low Gloss Granite Crystal badging
- Grille bezels
- Step pad
- Gloss Black grille
- Black Nappa perforated leather seats
- Black accent stitching
- Anodized Gun Metal interior accents
- Black instrument panel accent stitching
- Jeep Active Safety Group
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Dual pane sunroof
Summit
New Premium Metal Package for the interior with real metal accents will be available in Summit editions.
SRT
The SRT model with leather wrap package will get carbon fiber accents, black exterior badging, new 20″ Satin Carbon Spider Monkey wheels, or the option of 20″ lightweight wheels in Low Gloss Black. The SRT will also get the Premium Metal Package and be available in the Redline exterior color.
Trackhawk
The super-fast supercharged Grand Cherokee gets the new Premium Metal Package for the interior with real metal accents.
Photo: FCA Media
The Jeep Grand Cherokee also features an 8-Speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission, Quadra-Drive II Electronic Slip Diff (distributes torque for extra traction). The SRT and Trackhawk model has 5 drive-mode selections including; Auto, Sport, Track, Snow, and Tow as well as Launch Control.
SRT and Trackhawk editions will most likely be special order. Please contact your Jeep dealer for more information on ordering.
You may also be interested in
Photo : FCA Media
¹Based on the WardsAuto Middle/Sport Utility Vehicle Segment
by L Baures | Jan 23, 2018 | Trusted Auto Pros
Ty O’Neal
Ty O’Neal works as a service advisor at Fremont Chevrolet GMC and Buick in Riverton, Wyoming.
We interviewed him to find out a little more, here are the questions we asked;
How long have you worked in the auto Industry?
Ty says he has been working at the Fremont Chevrolet GMC Buick dealership in Riverton for 5 and half years going on six.
What is your favorite part of the job?
He says his favorite part of the job is, “..working with people, and you know, getting to visit with everybody”.
When you aren’t working, what are you doing?
“When I’m not here, I’m usually up in the mountains, just messing around, killing time, having fun. I’m passionate about my family. I have a girlfriend and kid on the way. I’m very excited about that”.
What is your favorite food?
Ty says his grandma is Mexican so she usually cooks great food and he loves Mexican food.
What is your favorite Color?
His favorite color is orange. He says, “I like orange, it’s a weird color, I dunno why”.
How about music. What kind of music do you like?
“My favorite music is country music. It’s about all you can listen to around here, so”.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
“…Me and my buddy hunting, up the mountains, we ended up rolling a Razor then ended up killing an elk after that… so that was a pretty fun day”.
What was your first car?
“My first car, my grandparents gave to me, it was a Lincoln. a Continental I believe it was, an older one. It was kind of a fancy car”.
If money was no object, what vehicle would you own?
Ty says if money was no object, he’d have a late 60s Chevelle.That’s his dream car.
by L Baures | Jan 23, 2018 | Trusted Auto Pros
Trailering
Towing/trailering and hooking up to a hitch can be a daily or weekly routine for truck owners. Whilst some drivers are trailering pro’s, it can still be a daunting task sometimes. It’s even more of a daunting task for first timers and especially without a spotter.
Over the last few years, Ford have come up with some game-changing technology making it a whole lot easier to tow. One of those features is simple yet could make all the difference, it’s called Dynamic hitch assist. Dynamic hitch assist has been available on Ford pickups since 2015.
Dynamic hitch assist
This system is not the same as the Pro Trailer Backup Assist that we covered earlier, but a more basic system. The Pro Trailer Backup Assist system is an extension of the dynamic hitch assist.
Dynamic hitch assist incorporates a black line on your backup camera that can be used a guide to your hitch. The line will change based on your steering angle so you can make sure you are keeping the steering wheel in the right direction/angle to meet your hitch on a bumper pull trailer. This effectively eliminates the need for having a spotter. Bystanders will be impressed!
As Ford mention in the how-to video below, another cool part people might not be aware of, it the ability to zoom in on the backup screen. You can zoom in on your touch screen by tapping the magnifying glass icon on the top left of the screen. This will bring up a closer view of the hitch allowing you to be spot on with lining up the truck.
Watch the video below for a demonstration.
Have a question? Message us, leave a comment or feel free to contact a Ford store.
Ford stores can be found in Riverton, Sheridan, Cody, Lander, and Powell in Wyoming and Scottsbluff, NE.
by L Baures | Jan 22, 2018 | Automotive News
Volkswagen Tiguan
The Tiguan is the latest new compact SUV from Volkswagen. It is available with optional 3rd-row seating and comes in FWD or with Volkswagen’s 4Motion All Wheel Drive (AWD) system. The 2018 Tiguan won ‘Top Safety Pick’ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Tiguan was awarded ‘Superior’ results in front crash prevention. It is also listed on the Cars.com 2017 Car Seat Check Honor Roll, and won Cars.com Compact SUV of the year 2017. Here comes the R-Line.
Photo: VW Media
If you’d like to read more about the Tiguan and check out our video, click here.
Quick specs
- 2.0 liter 4 cylinder turbocharged
- 8-Speed automatic transmission
- 184 horsepower
- 221 lb-ft torque
- Seats up to 7 with 3rd-row
Fuel Economy
EPA estimated fuel economy ratings for the 4Motion (AWD) Tiguan is 21 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway and gets a combined rating of 23 mpg.
Tiguan R-Line package
Volkswagen just announced that an R-Line package is now available on the Tiguan. The sporty looking appearance package gives “it an even more dynamic appearance” say VW. The current line-up of trim levels is the S, SE, SEL and SEL Premium. The R-Line package will available to add on to the SEL and SEL Premium models (the top two trim levels).
Exterior
The R-Line sporty package will include 19″ Trenton aluminum-alloy wheels on the SEL and 20″ ‘Braselton’ aluminum-alloy wheels for SEL Premium. The package also includes completely different bumpers, front, and rear. The front bumper has an air intake design for a much sportier look. A styled diffuser in glossy black is molded into the rear bumper. Body-colored wheel arch extensions and side skirts also add to the sporty look.
Interior
On the inside of the Tiguan, an R-Line welcome logo appears on the screen during startup. Of course, it wouldn’t be right not to have the logo on the steering wheel either. The headliner comes in black and the pedals get a sporty look too with some stainless steel covers. Stainless steel door sill plates with R-Line logo are also included.
Price
Adding the R-Line package to the SEL trim level is $1,795 MSRP which includes rear Park Distance Control (Park Pilot). On the SEL Premium, it is slightly less at $1,495 because the SEL Premium already has the Park Pilot system. The package is due to go on sale at the beginning of 2018. If you’d like more information on Volkswagen’s in Casper, click here.
by L Baures | Jan 19, 2018 | Trusted Auto Pros
I’ll never forget that time (in my youth) when I went surfing on the west coast of Scotland. It wasn’t really the surfing trip that was memorable, but the stench that lingered in my car for months after that made it unforgettable. Not really thinking about the consequences at the time, I left my soggy saltwater covered wetsuit and booties in the back whilst I drove home with the heater blasting (because the sea is cold in Scotland!). I can’t even begin to describe how nasty that smell was that lingered for…ever. So, in a nutshell, don’t leave smelly stuff in your vehicle.
The new car smell
People love the new car smell so much that air freshener companies are cashing in on it. Whilst these air fresheners might smell nice to some, most people would probably agree, it’s not quite the same as the original new car smell. That smell typically comes from the materials and processes that are used in manufacturing the vehicle. I’ve noticed, in my ‘over ten years experience’ with new vehicles, there are even different smells between manufacturers and between different vehicles too. For example, vehicles with real leather or high-end leather will have a strong leather smell.
How to keep the new car smell
Keep your vehicle clean.
Detail it often by vacuuming and using a damp cloth to clean the interior plastics.
Don’t leave smelly items in it.
This goes for wetsuits too, but gym bags, shoes, trash and any food items. Sorry, this also includes the pooch.
Leave eating to the kitchen.
This may be the most difficult one to overcome, but if you really want to keep that new car smell, literally don’t eat in your vehicle. Especially hot, fast food and takeaway. If you must, you can minimize the damage by turning off the heater/air conditioning vents so the smell doesn’t get sucked in.
No smoking
Smoking will cover up that new car smell pretty darn quick, and if the vehicle has cloth seats, it will probably never come out.
Leather Conditioner
Leather conditioner does a great job of not only conditioning the leather, keeping it soft and clean but it will bring back the fresh new leather smell.
Open the windows
If you do have a slight odor in your vehicle, driving with the windows down for a bit should help clear it out (assuming it’s clean and there’s no food or smelly items inside).
Ionizer
An in-car air ionizer may help (not tried and tested yet though). Some manufacturers such as Buick, are now even building these into the vehicle as standard.
Hope this helps, if you have any tricks or tips to let us know how you keep you’re vehicle smelling good, let us know!
Recent Comments