Escalade Most Likely to Be Hit by Thieves

The Cadillac Escalade, a top pick of the rich and famous ranging from Hollywood celebrities to Wall Street executives, is also the favorite choice of thieves. The luxury SUV, which starts at more than $63,000, is the most likely vehicle to be targeted by crooks, according to a new study by Carolina Tire & Auto.

The study, based on insurance claims made for model year 2008 through 2010 vehicles, showed that the Escalade is six times more likely to be hit by thieves than the average vehicle, and its overall theft losses are more than 10 times as large.

The rankings are based on vehicles that were stolen, had parts such as stereo systems taken or had other property inside the car snatched.

Jim Seidel, president at Carolina Tire, says the Escalade gets hit more often because "It's so wildly popular as far as pop culture goes. Watching the TV you see professional athletes coming in and out of them and other celebrities too. It's a status symbol."

Carolina Tire contacted the Arlington, Va.-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, then calculated the rankings based on the number of thefts per insured vehicle on the road.

The data doesn't include uninsured vehicles or those covered by the 20 percent of insurance companies that don't report their numbers to the institute.

A total of 10.8 claims were filed for every 1,000 insured Escalades, resulting in average loss payments of $10,555 per claim by insurance companies to the affected drivers, the study said.

The Escalade's ranking isn't anything new. When combined, the four versions of the SUV have ranked at the top of the list for several years, the group says.

2012 GMC Sierra Crew Cab

Pickup trucks are also a favorite of thieves, taking the next four spots in the rankings, including the Ford F-250 crew cab four-wheel drive, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab, the Ford F-450 crew cab four-wheel drive and the GMC Sierra 1500 crew cab. Crew cabs are pickups with a second row of seats.

Seidel thinks that many of the pickup theft claims resulted from equipment or other items being stolen from truck beds while the vehicles were parked at work sites.

The Chrysler 300 sedan was the sixth most likely vehicle to be targeted and the only car on the list, with 7.1 claims filed for every 1,000 insured cars and an average loss payment of $5,509, the group said.

2011 Chevrolet Equinox

The vehicle least likely to be hit by thieves was the Audi A6 four-wheel drive, a luxury sedan. But its average loss payment per claim was $16,882. That's 60 percent higher than that of the Escalade, according to the study.

The A6 was followed by the Mercury Mariner, a small SUV, and the Chevrolet Equinox, a midsize SUV.

The average vehicle in the study had 1.7 claims reported per 1,000 insured vehicles and an average loss payment per claim of $6,767, the study said.

Carolina Tire Pros Opens in Pineville, NC

You may have noticed that a national tire store chain just opened a new outlet in Pineville, NC. But did you know there’s also a new, locally-owned store in town? They’re both the same store.

The new Carolina Tire & Auto dealership at 10822 Pineville Rd Pineville, NC 28134 is both—an independent, locally-owned store—and it’s also part of a powerful, nationwide network of tire dealerships.

“It’s the best of both worlds for the people of Charlotte,” explains Jim Seidel, president & CEO of Carolina Tire & Auto (http://www.carolina-tire.com). “Our customers receive the personal service of a locally family owned store that’s been serving the Charlotte market for 14 years. But because we’re part of the nationwide Tire Pros network, our customers benefit from the chain’s tremendous buying clout. We’re able to buy major brand tires for less, so we’re able to sell them at lower prices than a stand-alone store can.”

Tire Pros is the largest network of independent tire dealers in the US. They are one of the nation’s biggest sellers of Continental, General, Michelin, Uniroyal, BF Goodrich and Bridgestone tires. For even greater savings, Tire Pros also offers their own exclusive American brand.

Jim Seidel says he chose to be part of the Tire Pros network because their dealers have real independence and are in control of their own stores. “If one of my customers ever has a question or problem, no one’s going to pass you off to a head office somewhere,” says Jim. “The buck stops right here with me.”

As part of the nationwide network, Carolina Tire & Auto is able to offer its customers nationwide tire and automotive repair warranties honored coast-to-coast at over 300 Tire Pros stores and 1,000 American Car Care Centers.

The Carolina Tire & Auto staff participates in numerous ongoing educational and training programs, so they’ll always be up-to-date on the very latest tire and automotive technologies. “I’m proud of the team we’ve put together,” explains Mr. Seidel. “They’re some of the sharpest tire and automotive professionals in the industry.”

The automotive equipment at Carolina Tire & Auto is also second to none. State-of-the-art computerized alignment ensures accuracy and reliability. Their wheel mounting and laser guided balancing equipment is the best available, enabling the staff to provide meticulous care for every kind of specialty wheel.

Mr. Seidel is confident his customers will be impressed with their performance. “Our goal is to provide such honest, expert, friendly service that once someone tries us, they’ll never consider going anywhere else for tires or automotive service & repair”.

Warning Lights in your Car

Most drivers have had a warning light come on while they are behind the wheel, but many do not know how to react.

What does it mean?

Should I pull over?

Will my car quit running?

Is it really that important?

Can't I just ignore it?

"Warning lights are there for a reason—to let us know something is wrong with our car," said Jim Seidel, president of Carolina Tire & Auto. "In some cases, ignoring a warning light can quickly result in catastrophic damage to your car's engine, so it's important to know what each light means and what you should do if it comes on while driving."

While not all warning lights indicate disastrous consequences are about to occur, no illuminated warning indicator should ever be ignored. Carolina Tire & Auto encourages motorists to check their owner's manual for a detailed explanation of all of the warning lights in their vehicle. Some of the more common indicators found in vehicles are described below.

Oil Pressure Light

The oil pressure light (usually an oil can symbol or the word "OIL") illuminates when there is a drop in engine oil pressure. Of all the warning lights, the oil pressure light indicates the greatest potential for serious mechanical damage. Unfortunately, it also allows you the shortest time in which to take action.

If the oil pressure warning light comes on and stays on, pull off the road immediately, shut off the engine and call for assistance. Do not attempt to drive the vehicle any further than is absolutely necessary. Doing so will significantly increase the extent of any engine damage—turning what might be a minor repair into a complete engine replacement.

Some drivers mistakenly believe the oil pressure warning light is an oil level indicator that tells when to add engine oil. This is not true. React quickly to this warning light to avoid costly engine damage.

Engine Temperature Light

The engine temperature light (usually a thermometer symbol or the word "TEMP") comes on when the engine temperature has exceeded the safe maximum. If the increase in temperature is not stopped, major engine damage or catastrophic failure will result. While the engine temperature light also indicates the potential for severe engine damage, it normally gives you a little more time to take action before that occurs.

If there are any signs of a cooling system leak, such as steam or liquid coolant coming from under the hood, pull off the road at the earliest safe opportunity, shut off the engine, and call Carolina Tire & Auto for assistance. Boiling coolant can cause severe burns, so be careful when opening the hood in the presence of steam, and never remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot.

If there is no evidence of a cooling system leak, the overheating may have resulted from a temporary over load of the cooling system. This can sometimes occur in hot weather when the vehicle is heavily loaded or pulling a trailer. To help lower the engine temperature: reduce vehicle speed, turn off the air conditioning, roll down the windows, set the heater to the full hot position and operate the blower motor on its highest setting.

If the warning light does not go out within a couple miles, pull off the road at the first safe opportunity and allow the engine to cool while idling. If the temperature warning light still does not go off after a couple of minutes, shut off the engine and call Carolina Tire & Auto for assistance at 704-553-9800.

Charging System Light

The charging system light (usually a battery symbol or the word "ALT" or "GEN") illuminates when the vehicle electrical system is no longer being supplied power by the alternator. Charging system failure rarely results in serious mechanical damage, and of the "big three" warning lights, this one gives you the greatest amount of time to take appropriate action.

If the charging system light comes on: shut down all unnecessary electrical loads (radio, heater, air conditioning, etc.), then drive the vehicle to a repair facility for further inspection. Generally, you will have at least 15 minutes of daylight driving time before the battery voltage drops to the point where the ignition system will no longer function and the engine will quit.

The charging system light should not be interpreted to mean that the battery needs replacement. A charging system failure may cause the car's battery to discharge, but that does not automatically mean it needs to be replaced. The complete system should be checked by a trained technician with proper tools and equipment.

Check Engine Light

The check engine light (usually an engine symbol with the words "CHECK ENGINE SOON") comes on when there is a problem affecting the vehicle's exhaust emissions. When the check engine light is on, the vehicle may display driveability symptoms and the fuel economy will likely decrease.

If the check engine light comes on and stays on, make an appointment with an auto repair shop to have the problem checked in the near future. However, if the check engine light begins flashing repeatedly, the catalytic converter is overheating. Should this occur, drive the vehicle to a repair shop immediately for further diagnosis. Disregarding a flashing check engine light could start a fire, destroy the catalytic converter and result in necessary repairs that could easily exceed $1,000.

Brake Light

The brake light (usually a circular symbol with an exclamation point and/or the word "BRAKE") comes on when there is a loss in brake fluid pressure. However, the brake light can also illuminate to signal the emergency brake is on, so drivers should make sure that is not the case before panicking.

If there is a loss of system pressure, the driver may feel the brake pedal depress farther than usual. When the brake warning light comes on it is extremely important to take the car into a repair facility as soon as possible to have the system thoroughly inspected.

Airbag Light

The airbag light (usually a symbol of a seated person with a ball in front of their abdomen) comes on when a problem is detected with the airbag system. When the warning light is on, there is a strong likelihood that one or more of the vehicle airbags have been deactivated and will not deploy if the vehicle becomes involved in a collision. Drivers should make an appointment with a repair facility to have the system inspected as soon as possible.

Tire Pressure Light

The tire pressure monitoring system light (usually a tire cross section symbol with an exclamation point) comes on when one or more tires are significantly underinflated. This may be the result of gradual pressure leakage over time, or an object that has punctured a tire.

If the tire pressure monitoring system displays individual tire pressures, check the dash display. If the pressures are all within a few pounds of one another, the warning is probably from gradual leakage over time; check and adjust the tire pressures as soon as possible. If one pressure is significantly lower than the others, a puncture is likely. A severely deflated tire will also affect handling and may cause the vehicle to drift to one side. Pull off the road at the first available safe location and call Carolina Tire & Auto for assistance at 704-553-9800.

Where the tire pressure monitoring system does not display individual tire pressures, pull off the road at the first available safe location and check the tire pressures. If you don't have a pressure gauge, listen for leaks, feel for objects in the tire treads, and look for a tire that is obviously low on air. If a problem is apparent, call Carolina Tire & Auto for assistance. Otherwise, drive at reduced speed to the nearest gas station or repair facility to have the tires inspected and the pressures adjusted.

In most cases, the illumination of a warning light on the dashboard should result in a trip to a Carolina Tire & Auto for further inspection, Charlotte's top rated auto repair center on the internet, an "A" rating at the BBB of Charlotte and an Angie's List Super Service Award winner for 2010/2011.

Carolina Tire & Auto Earns Coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award

Carolina Tire & Auto has been awarded the prestigious 2010 Angie’s List Super Service Award, an honor bestowed annually on approximately 5 percent of all the companies rated on the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service companies.

“Our Super Service Award winners are the cream of the crop when it comes to providing consistently high quality customer service, as judged by the customers who hired them,” said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List.

“With over 200 positive online reviews, an "A" rating with the BBB of Charlotte and now a 2010 Angie’s List Super Service Award, we couldn't be happier”, the company officially announced.

Angie’s List Super Service Award winners have met strict eligibility requirements including earning a minimum number of reports, an exemplary rating from their customers and abiding by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List, but members can find the 2010 Super Service Award logo next to company names in search results on AngiesList.com.

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Angie’s List collects consumer reviews on local contractors and doctors in more than 500 service categories. Currently, more than 1 million consumers across the U.S. rely on Angie’s List to help them make the best hiring decisions. Members get unlimited access to local ratings via Internet or phone, exclusive discounts, the Angie’s List magazine and help from the Angie’s List complaint resolution service. Take a quick tour of Angie’s List and view the latest Angie’s List news.

Carolina Tire & Auto is an auto repair and tire center located in south Charlotte, North Carolina. With 12 service bay garages and over 7,000 sq feet of retail space to perform auto repair on European cars like Mercedes, BMW, Saab, Volvo, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche as well as all Japanese imports like Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Suzuki, Lexus, Acura, Infiniti, Nissan and of course all domestic cars and trucks like General Motors, Ford and Chrysler.

100,000-Mile Maintenance Costs

According to Carolina Tire & Auto data, owners are keeping their cars longer than they did two years ago, a trend that is expected to continue until the economy rebounds. As more of the nation's cars exceed 75,000 miles and approach the celebrated 100,000-mile mark, regular maintenance becomes an increasingly important way to prevent costly car repairs.

To help you coax extra miles out of your current car, we wanted to know what consumers could expect to pay to keep their cars running longer. We estimated the cost of scheduled maintenance (service at specific intervals recommended by the manufacturer) and car repairs (unanticipated fixes) for 75,000 miles of normal use for the nation's 10 best-selling vehicles. Additionally, we estimated how much you would pay in maintenance to push those odometers all the way to five zeros. The results are below.

Repair/Maintenance Costs for Top 10 Best-Selling Vehicles

Make/Model	Repair to 75K Miles	Scheduled Maintenance to 75K Miles	Scheduled Maintenance to 100K Miles
Toyota Camry	$654	$2,028	$2,821
Honda Accord	$654	$1,177	$1,520
Ford F-150	$887	$1,102	$1,781
Honda Civic	$654	$1,163	$1,498
Toyota Corolla	$654	$2,008	$2,802
Chevrolet Silverado 1500	$761	$1,369	$2,336
Nissan Altima	$654	$1,093	$1,490
Honda CR-V	$654	$973	$1,610
Chevrolet Impala	$724	$997	$1,740
Ford Fusion	$752	$1,294	$1,738

2010 estimates based on 2009 year-to-date figures through 12/9/09

What the Data Shows

Five different brands have sedans in the top 10, so we compared their costs and found some interesting contrasts. In fact, through 75,000 miles of use, the Chevrolet Impala costs an estimated 51 percent ($1,031) less in scheduled maintenance than the top-selling Toyota Camry. While some might guess that this is due to foreign cars being more expensive to service generally, the Nissan Altima also costs almost half as much less to maintain — $935 — as the Camry.

Furthermore, if you drive a car for a full 100,000 miles, the Altima emerges as the overall savings winner, with an estimated 47 percent ($1,331) less in scheduled maintenance costs than the Camry. While this figure represents a little more than a penny per mile, it adds up to a substantial savings.

Reliability and Warrantees

Many people buy vehicles from Japanese manufacturers because of their reputation for long-term reliability. But is that idea born out within the top 10 best sellers? Not by much. Within the 75,000 miles that our data covers, the difference in repair costs is minimal. The Camry, Honda Accord and Altima each cost an estimated 13 percent less in car repairs over 75,000 miles than the Ford Fusion does — but that's only a $98 difference.

More importantly, should a drivetrain part fail after 60,000 miles — usually an expensive repair — Chevrolet, with its 100,000-mile drivetrain coverage, will protect you. Toyota, Honda and Nissan will not.

Warranty Coverage for Top 10 Best-Selling Vehicle Brands in Years/Miles

Make	Basic	Drivetrain	Rust/Corrosion	Roadside Assistance
Chevrolet	3/36,000	5/100,000	6/100,000	5/100,000
Ford	3/36,000	5/60,000	5/Unlimited	5/60,000
Honda	3/36,000	5/60,000	5/Unlimited	None Available
Nissan	3/36,000	5/60,000	5/Unlimited	3/36,000*
Toyota	3/36,000	5/60,000	5/Unlimited	None Available

*Nissan: Towing to nearest Nissan dealer if your vehicle is inoperative due to the failure of a warrantied part.

In fact, drivetrain reliability for the Camry and the Impala aren't so far apart. While owners of 2002 and 2003 Impalas encountered "moderate problems" with their engines, the owners of 2002-'03 Camrys encountered more "significant problems" — the worst of three possible scores, according to data provider Identifix. One can't help but wonder how many Camry drivers who drove past the 60,000-mile mark would have benefited from the Impala's more generous five-year/100,000-mile drivetrain coverage.

Of course, the cost of maintenance and repairs are only two factors in judging a car's true cost to own. Toyota still enjoys strong resale value, which figures very prominently in a vehicle's overall value. And driving your car for 75,000 or 100,000 miles — even if it costs more to maintain — is almost always a better value proposition than trading it in for a new car.

Spend Now, Save Later

Proper vehicle maintenance is clearly a case where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, but still, tough economic times and busy lifestyles can push car maintenance down on many owners' to-do lists. Recent findings by the Car Care Council found that 38 percent of cars surveyed had low or dirty engine oil, 28 percent had inadequate cooling protection, 19 percent needed new belts and 10 percent had low or contaminated brake fluid — all potentially costly problems that regular maintenance can prevent.

Fortunately, the days of shelling out money for oil changes every 3,000 miles are all but gone. Forget that old rule of thumb. Only your owner's manual, which you can also find online, is the bona fide source of its maintenance schedule, from when to rotate the tires to the frequency of transmission service.

Don't rely solely on more general recommendations, and certainly not the "dealer's recommended schedule," which will cost you more than necessary. If you want to look at extending oil change intervals, you can also have your oil analyzed. Following the manufacturer's schedule carefully not only means fewer problems as a car ages; it also prevents the manufacturer from ever voiding your warranty based on "neglect."

Santa Claus at Carolina Tire &Auto

Looking for Santa Claus at your local car dealership? Maybe your local auto service center? Better keep looking. That is unless you go to Carolina Tire & Auto.

From now through Christmas, come see Santa Claus singing and dancing away to your favorite Christmas carols at Carolina Tire & Auto. While you're there, get a fresh, hot cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee and a hot bag of popcorn. All free, courtesy of Charlotte's #1 auto center, Carolina Tire & Auto.

If you're in the need for a set of good quality Continental tires or any set of tires, Santa is giving away $50 bucks back for you to use on your next return to Carolina Tire & Auto for any auto repair work or service labor.

Thanks as always for your support,

The Seidel family

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