Safety, technology upgraded in Focus
Ford's jack-of-all-trades Focus hatchback has been upgraded for 2016 with a racy RS model, new safety features and a more responsive voice-recognition system for making phone calls and sending texts.The 2016 Focus RS is the top model now and has all-wheel drive and a turbocharged, 350-horsepower, EcoBoost, four-cylinder engine churning out a whopping 227 more horsepower than the base hatchback model. That power on such a lightweight compact five-door Focus is attracting widespread attention from driving enthusiasts and weekend racers who are undeterred by the starting price tag, ...
Subaru CVT transmission is worthwhile
Dear Doctor: I have a 2012 Subaru Forester with the automatic transmission. I'm considering purchasing a new Forester with a continuously variable transmission. I'm looking for reliability, low maintenance, and good gas mileage. I have 150,000 miles on my current Forester and never did anything to the automatic transmission. Will the CVT be the same? HarveyDear Harvey: I am driving a new Subaru Crosstrek with a CVT transmission that has steering-wheel paddle shifters. Subaru is continually updating its vehicles and my test car is a great example. The engine is a clean design and the ...
New 2016 Buick adds turbo engine
The hot-selling Buick Encore has a new, peppier model for 2016 that makes the affordably priced, easy to maneuver and surprisingly refined SUV even more appealing.The new 153-horsepower 2016 Encore Sport Touring joins all Encore models in providing the first two scheduled maintenance visits to the dealership for free during the first two years / 24,000 miles. Plus, warranty coverage on the powertrain, which can typically entail the most expensive repair costs on a vehicle, lasts for six years or 70,000 miles.The Encore also earned five of five stars in frontal and side crash testing by ...
Source of car rattles needs lift inspection
Dear Doctor: I own a 2011 Subaru Legacy with 75,000. There are no major problems, except for some rattles the car developed in the last six months. I'm sure that this past winter (and previous ones before) and hitting a few potholes have caused some rattles coming from the front of the car and maybe in the dashboard. Are there repair service centers that specialize in finding rattles?- HerbDear Herb: Older Subaru vehicles are noted to have exhaust heat shield rattles. We secure them when possible by using metal hose clamps. The other area that causes rattles is sway bar links/sway bar ...