Ford Recall - 2012-2014 models, hold on to your doors!

Remember that old expression * hold on to your hats *, well now apparently some Ford owners have to hold on to their doors.
Ford recall affects 389,585 vehicles built between 2012 and 2014 model years. The recall involves  faulty latches that may allow the doors to fly open while the car is being driven. The faulty part is actually called a pawl spring tab which can break, in turn results to doors that can't be latched.

All models affected by the recall were built in Ford's three Mexican plants, these models are:

* 2012 to 2014 Fiesta vehicles built at Cuautitlán Assembly Plant in Mexico between Feb. 1, 2012, and May 31, 2013


* certain 2013 to 2014 Ford Fusion vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant from July 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013


* certain 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ vehicles also built in Hermosillo from July 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013


Of the 389,585 vehicles under recall, 336,873 are believed to be in the U.S., 30,198 in Canada and 22,514 in Mexico. Ford dealers will replace all four door latches at no cost to the customer.

Full recall article on USA today web-site: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2015/04/25/ford-recall-door-latches/26361495/
All images curtsy of Google images

Best All-Season Tires for 2015

Since writing this blog most of the feedback that I have receive from you the readers is positive in nature and I thank you for that. As well the majority of your feeback has to do with tire information and professional recomendations from the leading tire retailers and testers. Buying the right/best tires for your budget is a really important decision. We try to make a well informed decision because we all know that we will have to live with those tires on average between 3 and 5 years.

So here is a fresh all-season tire review from wheels.ca (14.04.2015)
Before I list their results of the top all-season tires here were the parameters used by wheels.ca in the data collection:
"In researching all-season tires, I found that test results and consumer feedback on TireRack.com, CanadianTire.ca and ConsumerReports.org support the above models as top picks, taking into consideration various performance characteristics. Bare in mind that user feedback is subjective as everyone has difference priorities and experiences based on their driving style and conditions. All new tires start out very good at the beginning of their life, but it is important to consider how their characteristics will change as the tire wears out."

• Michelin Premier A/S (new tire design, top rated, pricey) ($133, 640 A/A)
• General Altimax RT43 (best bang for the buck) ($80, 700 A/A)
• Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 (best handling, acceleration, and braking) ($131, 500 AA/A)
• Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season PLUS (best ride, low road noise) ($106, 700 A/A)
• Michelin Defender (best tread-wear, good fuel efficiency) ($125, 820 A/B)
• Michelin LTX M/S2 (light truck SUV) (best overall truck/SUV tire, pricey) (N/A)
• Firestone Destination LE2 (light truck SUV) (best value priced truck/SUV tire) (N/A)
• Continental ExtremeContact DWS (best handling, acceleration, braking) ($110, 540 A/A)
• Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season PLUS (best ride, low road noise) (N/A)
• Bridgestone Dueler HL Alenz PLUS (best tread-wear, good fuel efficiency) (N/A)

Beside each tire I have included the tread-wear life, traction and temperature information as well as a price in US dollars (tirerack.com) just to give you a rough idea of an average cost for a 205/55/16 tire. (chose the size due to it's high use on most midsize cars)
What you see is ($$$$, 500 AA/A), the higher the number the longer the tire will last. The first letter or set of letters correspond to traction, AA being the best then A then B then C. The second letter corresponds to the heat resistance of the tire the higher the letter the better A, then B, then C)
As an example the Michelin Defender tire will last for 1.5 times longer than the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3, but the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 has better traction and can handle higher speeds than the Michelin Defender can.
For more detailed information on how to read tread-wear, traction and temperature information on sidewalls follow this link to discounttire.com link: http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTreadwear.do

You have to decide which is the right tire for you based on your needs and driving style. 
Myself knowing full well Michelin does produce what is probably considered the best (3 season) tires in the world. At $80 each I would not be able to pass up the incredible deal that the General Altimax RT43's offer. (almost $50 less on average per tire than the Michelins)

"As a general principle, it is best practice to select the highest quality tire that your budget will allow and follow your vehicle’s original manufacturer fitment for size, load and speed rating. When your tires are worn to the wear indicator, don’t put off purchasing new replacement tires because worn tires exhibit reduced performance and safety. After all, tires are what keep our vehicles safely planted on the road."

I highly recommend reading the full article by following this link to the wheels.ca website: http://www.wheels.ca/guides/best-all-season-tires-for-2015/

2016 Honda Civic - 10th generation unveiled @ the New York auto show

Update (16.04.2015):
Base engine for North America will be a twin-cam VTEC 2.0L four cylinder, while the higher end Type R model will get a 1.5L four cylinder turbo. Six speed manual or a CVT will be the transmission choices for the base version Civic. No power specifications on the base engine have yet been disclosed.
Rumor has it that the next generation Type R Civic around two years away will receive a 2.0L turbo engine with around 300 horsepower (only be offered with a six-speed manual).
More on this news at Car&Driver.com link: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/2016-honda-civic-coupe-concept-photos-and-info-news
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Honda unveiled on Wednesday the 10th generation Civic at the 2015 New York auto show.
Honda's Executive Vice-President John Mendel told the audience "This, ladies and gentlemen, is the return of the sporty Civic". Unfortunately not much engine or suspension information was disclosed at the show.


Full set of 22 pictures of the new look lime-green Honda Civic can be found by following this link to the globe and mail web-site: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/in-photos-dramatic-new-look-for-honda-civic/article23760885/

According to USA today article:
"Mendel said that a Civic Type-R, a sport version found outside the U.S., will be coming to American showrooms. Among the engine choices in the Civic will be a new 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. It will also come with a CVT, or continuously variable transmission."
You can read the full USA today article and watch a short video by clicking on the following link: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2015/04/01/honda-civic-new-york/70780754/