Trusted Auto Pros Archives

Staff Spotlight: Ty O’Neal

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.

How To Use: Ford Dynamic Hitch Assist

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.

How To: Keep That New Car Smell

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!

Reader Question: I’d Like An AWD Car, What Are My Options?

by L Baures | Jan 16, 2018 | Trusted Auto Pros

A Wyoming reader, who wishes to remain anonymous asked us about AWD cars.

“I’d like an AWD car, what are my options?”

The reader currently drives a Subaru Outback, and would like a change from a Subaru. Most people are probably more familiar with 4WD trucks and AWD or 4WD SUV’s but not so many cars. Back in the day, AWD cars weren’t so common, although there are plenty more options to choose from now.

Arranged by manufactures, offered by Fremont Motors, here are some cars available with AWD.

Ford

Ford Focus RS

2016 Ford Focus RS

The Focus RS is a sporty, performance hatchback (hot hatch) car with 320 hp and a ‘drift mode’ button. These have manual transmissions and are fairly rare and difficult to come by. Production of the Focus RS will be discontinued this year. The turbocharged 2.3L 4 cylinder engine can go 0-60 in 4.3 seconds.

Ford Fusion

2017 Ford Fusion AWD

The Ford Fusion is available in FWD and AWD with a 6-speed auto transmission. With a 2.0L 4 cylinder engine, the car gets an estimated 29mpg on the highway and 20mpg in the city.

Ford Taurus

2018 Ford Taurus

AWD is standard on the Ford Taurus SHO, and available with the Taurus SEL and Taurus Limited. The 3.5L V-6 engine comes paired with a 6-speed auto transmission. The bigger of the two Ford AWD sedans, the Taurus has about 4 cubic feet of more space in the truck. The SHO version of the Taurus is the ‘Super High Output’ trim. It has the 3.5L EcoBoost (turbocharged) engine making it a powerful highway cruiser.

Lincoln

Lincoln MKS

The MKS is a luxury sedan that is available with a 3.7L V-6 engine. Paired with the 6-Speed transmission the sedan will get an estimated 26mpg on the highway and 18mpg in the city. There is also the option of the 3.5L EcoBoost (turbocharged engine) which puts out 365hp making the MKS a luxury cruiser. MKS production ended in 2016.

Lincoln MKZ

Photo: Lincoln

The Lincoln MKZ is a mid-sized luxury sedan, offered with AWD. The MKZ is based on the Ford Fusion platform. The 3.0L twin-turbocharged engine puts out a whopping 400hp. Available with a retractable panoramic sunroof.

Lincoln Continental

Photo: Lincoln

Top of the line luxury, the Lincoln Continental is choice of chauffeurs. It has seat massagers in the front and rear. That’s right, back and bottom seat massagers. Reclining heat and cooled seats in the back. A 19 speaker audio system, two-pane sunroof and an armrest with digital display in the back are just some of the coolest features. The door handles are particularly unique. If the Lincoln Continental were a chocolate it would be a Ferrero Rocher.

Dodge

Challenger GT

Dodge Challenger AWD

The Dodge Challenger GT is America’s only AWD muscle coupe. Equipped with the 3.6L V-6, the Challenger GT made its debut in 2017. Find out more about the Challenger GT here. Also available in some BRIGHT colors!

Dodge Charger

2018 Dodge Charger GT AWD

The Dodge Charger is available in RWD or AWD. This roomy muscle car with backdoors just so happens to be the choice of vehicle for the Wyoming Highway Patrol. The full-size sedan can be had in AWD in the following trims; SE, SXT, for 2017’s and GT, and GT Plus for 2018. A 3.6 V-6 engine with 8-speed automatic transmission puts out 300hp. It also gets an estimated 27 mpg on the highway.

Chrysler

Chrysler 300

2018 Chrysler 300S AWD

The Chrysler 300 like the Dodge Charger is available in RWD or AWD. AWD is available on the following trims; Touring, Touring L, 300S and Limited. It also has the same engine, the 3.6L V-6 with the 8-speed auto transmission. The Chrysler 300 is more about luxury than muscle though. Fuel economy is estimated at 27mpg on the highway and 18 mpg in the city.

Buick

Buick Regal & Regal Sportback

: 2017 Buick Regal

: 2018 Buick Regal Sportback Photos: Buick

Buick offers FWD or AWD on almost all of their lineup. The only exception is the convertible Cascada. The Regal is a mid-sized luxury sedan available with a whole host of safety features like Forward Collision Alert. New to the market this year is the Regal Sportback where the entire trunk lid opens to allow access to the rear seats. This is useful if you need extra cargo room, fold down the rear seats and your good to go.This is a popular design in Europe. The sporty turbocharged Buick Regal GS is also available in AWD.

Buick Regal TourX

Buick Regal TourX

Also new to the market is the Buick Regal TourX. This station wagon is available exclusively in AWD and has more cargo space than a regular sedan. We featured this car earlier, find out more here. Prices start at $29,070 MSRP.

Buick brings out a wagon!!

Buick LaCrosse

2018 Buick LaCrosse

The Buick LaCrosse is a full sized sedan, so slightly bigger than the Regal sedan. For 2018 model years, the LaCrosse gets a new 9-speed transmission to go with the 3.6L V-6 engine. AWD versions of the car are available in the Essence trim and Premium trim levels.

Volkswagen

VW Alltrack

2018 Golf Alltrack Photo: VW

The Volkswagen Alltrack is a wagon version of the Golf. The Alltrack even comes equipped with an ‘off-road’ mode, hill descent control, paddle shifters and a turbo. Estimated fuel economy is 32 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg in the city. It also has the latest tech in new models with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Prices start around $25,850 MSRP for new Alltracks. Coming 2019 will be the Arteon.

There are currently no AWD cars offered by Chevrolet or GMC, although they do have SUV’s and trucks. Fiat has the 500X which is a subcompact crossover.

Got a question? Email us or feel to comment below.

Read Question: Which Vehicle Should I Buy?

Ford Introduces All New Sporty Edge ST

Reader Question: How Do I Get My Car To Heat Up Faster?

by L Baures | Jan 4, 2018 | Trusted Auto Pros

Record low temperatures were set over the Christmas break in Wyoming. Let’s face it, nobody really loves getting in a vehicle that’s frozen over, unless you’re maybe a snow queen. Reader Juliet, from central Wyoming, asked us, “how do I get my car to heat up faster”. A valid question that can have controversial answers. Juliet drives a 2010 GMC Acadia which has remote start.

Getting hot air faster

Driving with frozen feet is probably not recommended so how do we get heat faster?

If you have an auto setting in your climate control, set your temperature to the hottest and your good to go. Otherwise, the quickest way to get hot air from your vents is;

TURN THE TEMPERATURE TO COLD AND TURN OFF THE FAN

Yes, that may seem backward but that’s how a cars heating/cooling system works. Then, after driving for a bit, turn it to hot and turn on the fan. It’ll get hotter faster this way, than if you were to get in and turn it to hot with fans on full. For more info on how the system check out this link.

Remote start

Remote start such as on the vehicles key fob or through a smartphone app will let you start your vehicle from inside. The vehicle will run for around 10 minutes before automatically shutting off (unless you get in the vehicle before that). The time it runs for may vary depending on the manufacturer or remote start system that is fitted to your vehicle. Some vehicle remote start systems (such as in RAM trucks) even automatically turn on the drivers heated seat and heated steering wheel if the temperature is below 40°F.

How to remote start a Fiat, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM

If your vehicle is parked in a garage, don’t forget to open the garage door before remote starting to avoid deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.

Whilst remote start will help a little….

Driving your car will actually make it warm up faster

With advances in technology and synthetic oil, modern vehicles usually only need about 30 seconds to warm up (without damaging the engine). Modern diesel vehicles will give a signal when the glow plug light on the dash goes out it’s good to start. Some push button diesel vehicles will display a message telling you that pre-heating is in progress. It will then start automatically when ready or via remote start.

Use a block heater

Truck plugged into block heater Photo: tuchodi (Flickr)

Don’t have a block heater fitter? These can be purchased aftermarket or from your local dealer. They range in price from about $45 to a few hundred. There are block heaters that warm the engine oil and block heaters that warm the coolant. So you can plug your vehicle in overnight or have it set on a timer. This means you can start warming up the engine a few hours before you plan to leave. There are even thermal heat blankets available for engine bays too!

Thaw your windshield faster

Thawing your windshield faster by parking facing east. You could also use an external windshield cover that makes it easy to remove snow. This means you can be on your way sooner. Driving your car will heat it up faster than idling will.

Did you know Rawlins, Wyoming has a law against Idling?

According to to the EPA, Rawlins Municipal Code, Section 10.03.070:

“The person owning or in charge of a vehicle shall have five minutes from the time of the police arrival to shut off or move the vehicle. A misdemeanor citation may be issued after that. No vehicle, even attended, shall remain idling while parked for more than 20 minutes”.

If you find yourself on a rig site with a heavy-duty diesel pickup, you may also be required to shut off your truck, unless it has a certified clean idle sticker.

Do you have any other tips for warming up a vehicle? Let us know or comment below.

Upton, Chad. “Warm Your Car Up Faster.” Broken Secrets, 25 Feb. 2010

Compilation of State, County, and Local Anti-Idling Regulations. Transportation and Regional Programs Division, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2006,

Staff Spotlight: Nick Markisich 2017 Salesperson of the Year

by L Baures | Jan 2, 2018 | Trusted Auto Pros

Update 8/6/2018, Nick Markisich is now the Sales Manager at the Fremont Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Store in Casper, WY.

Nick Markisich is a sales consultant at Fremont Fiat Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM in Casper, Wyoming. Nick recently won the award for salesperson of the year. Part of that competition is related to customer satisfaction survey results and competing against almost 50 other salespeople throughout Wyoming and Nebraska.

We interviewed him to find out a little more, here are the questions we asked;

How long have you worked in the auto Industry?

Nick replied, “17 years. I started out as a service advisor at a dealership in Rock Springs, Wyoming”.