Wheels
January 26, 2017
INSIDE
CARS » TRUCKS » SNOWMACHINES » ATVS
• Buick Encore: Updated look • Chrysler Pacifica: More technology • Concepts: Realistic or forgettable? • Dealer’s Corner: 2-stroke vs. 4-stroke
EVER WONDER WHY SKI-DOO IS THE #1 SELLING ®TM and the BRP logo are trademarks of Bombardier recreational Products Inc. or its affiliates.
SNOWMACHINE IN ALASKA FOR SO MANY YEARS RUNNING?.... FIND OUT ON PAGE 10
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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Henry Ford Museum changing name to reflect innovation focus The Associated Press DEARBORN, MICH. — The Henry Ford Museum in suburban Detroit has changed its name to better convey the museum’s collection and its core focus on innovation, officials announced Monday. The museum now will be known as the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. The museum was founded by auto pioneer Henry Ford and is part of The Henry Ford, a popular tourist destination in Dearborn, Michigan. “Henry Ford Museum has always been about ideas and innovations that changed the world,” Patricia Mooradian, president of The Henry Ford, said in a statement. “We believe adding the word innovation to the museum’s name better serves our visitors as
it clearly defines the museum’s focus.” The museum’s collection includes artifacts and exhibits that showcase American history, ideas and innovations, including the railroad, auto, aviation and agriculture industries. Other1 well-known artifacts include the limousine in which President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 and President George Washington’s camping supplies. The Henry Ford also will collaborate on the development of courses for students in grades 6 through 8 to foster problem-solving, creativity and innovation. And it will continue the educational television series “The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation,” which is in its third season. Online: http://www.thehenryford.org
In this July 29, 2010 photo, The Henry Ford Museum clock tower is shown in Dearborn, Mich. Starting Jan. 23, the museum will be known as the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. (AP PHOTO/CARLOS OSORIO)
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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Thursday, January 26, 2017
A warming trend W
ell it comes as a nice reprieve from the minus-40s we’ve experienced over the last week or so. Being a Las Vegas transplant, I am really appreciating the current “warm snap.”
Be sure to check out our first Dealer’s Corner installment in this issue. Craig Compeau shares some excellent insight — some real brass tacks — into the pros and cons of two-stroke versus four-stroke and air-cooled versus liquid-cooled snowmachine power plants. If you don’t learn something helpful, then I’m a Lithuanian Olympic gymnast! Thanks, Craig, for sharing the expertise with all of our avid Wheels readers. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that Craig would be more than happy to discuss this and more with you, helping you to find the perfect snowmachine to meet your needs and budget. As always, enjoy the great Alaska outdoors and be safe.
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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Thursday, January 26, 2017
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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Buick drops price, updates look of Encore subcompact SUV By Ann M. Job FOR THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
B
uick has lowered the price on its popular Encore for 2017, all while updating its look and adding new connectivity features.
The base price of a 2017 Encore with the destination charge included has been lowered to $23,915, saving buyers $1,075 off of last year’s $24,990 manufacturer’s suggested retail price. It comes with front-wheel drive, a six-speed automatic transmission and a 138-horsepower, turbocharged
four-cylinder engine and is cheaper than some other popular small SUVs, including the 2017 Toyota RAV4 which starts at $24,910, and the 2017 Honda CR-V, which starts at $24,985. But the RAV4 and CR-V all-wheel drive models have starting retail prices that are $480 and $505, respectively, less than an all-wheel drive 2017 Encore, which lists for $26,790. For those looking for more power, a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 153 horsepower and 177 footpounds of torque now is available as an $895 option on more Encore models than ever. The new Encore, which is smaller than the CR-V and RAV4, earned a
full five stars for occupant protection in frontal and side crash tests from the federal government. Consumer Reports estimates it will have higher than average reliability. All base 2017 Encores come with a standard 8-inch, color touchscreen display, push-button start, redesigned and good-sized, 18-inch wheels and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity for the first time. Other standard features on the 2017 Encore are keyless entry, rear vision camera, 10 air bags, electronic stability control and traction control, and an audio system with at least six speakers. It also comes standard with Bluetooth connectivity for phone and audio,
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cruise control, power windows and door locks, audio and phone controls on the steering wheel, and power-adjustable driver seat cushion. But there are plenty of luxury options, too, including a power moonroof, leather-covered seats and a heated steering wheel. Unfortunately, all of the Encore’s seats, including those in front with a power-adjustable cushion, recline only via manual levers, even in the $35,000 models. For 2017, the new headlights, hood and grille at the front exterior of the Encore help reduce the vehicle’s stubBUICK » 6
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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Thursday, January 26, 2017
FACT SHEET 2017 BUICK ENCORE PREMIUM FWD BASE PRICE: $22,990 for base FWD; $24,365 for Preferred FWD; $25,565 for Sport Touring FWD; $25,865 for Preferred AWD; $26,865 for Preferred II FWD; $27,065 for Sport Touring AWD; $28,365 for Preferred II AWD; $29,065 for Essence FWD; $30,465 for Premium FWD. PRICE AS TESTED: $35,220. TYPE: Front-engine, frontwheel drive, five-passenger, subcompact sport utility vehicle. ENGINE: 1.4-liter, double overhead cam, turbocharged, Ecotec four-cylinder with VVT. MILEAGE: 27 (city), 33 (highway). TOP SPEED: 123 mph. LENGTH: 168.4 inches. WHEELBASE: 100.6 inches. CURB WEIGHT: 3,237 pounds. BUILT AT: South Korea. OPTIONS: Experience Buick package (includes power moonroof, 18-inch, seven-spoke, chromed aluminum wheels, uplevel, 8-inch touchscreen with navigation) $1,940; 1.4-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine with stop/start technology $995; White Frost tricoat exterior paint $995. DESTINATION CHARGE: $925. — The Associated Press
BUICK
Continued from 5 nose look and plain appearance. Inside, the revamped dashboard and new instrument cluster are more streamlined and upscale than the previous, clunky-looking arrangement. The Encore remains narrow, though, and in the test-driven model, front-seat passengers often bumped arms when trying to latch or unlatch seat belts at the same time. The test-driven 2017 Encore, a top-ofthe-line Premium model equipped with the optional 1.4-liter, double overhead
cam, Ecotec turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivered much-needed power and decent response. There were times during hard acceleration or on uphill climbs that the engine sounded loud and buzzy. The Encore did a nice job of keeping road and wind noise to a minimum, though. Everyone sits up a good ways from the pavement in the Encore, but even petite passengers can get in and out of the vehicle comfortably. The rear seat can feel constricted and is really best for two passengers. However, the large front seats block the frontal views from the backseat.
The front MacPherson strut suspension and rear torsion beam arrangement provided decent absorption of most road bumps. The Encore’s short, 100.6-inch wheelbase created some bobbing up and down on certain road surfaces. The federal government estimated the test-driven version of the 2017 Encore should get 30 mpg in combined city/ highway driving, but the vehicle averaged 25.2 mpg. The 2017 Encore has been the subject of one U.S. safety recall because front-seat air bags or seat belt pretensioners might not work during a crash because of a software problem.
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Thursday, January 26, 2017
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2017 Pacifica has more technology than earlier Chrysler vans By Ann M. Job THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
T
he 2017 Chrysler Pacifica is a sharp-looking, roomy and versatile minivan with more technology than previous Chrysler vans and thoughtful features that other minivans can lack.
Every Pacifica has Chrysler’s newly improved StowN-Go seats that are arguably the easiest and tidiest to get out of the way when extra cargo space is needed. All upper models of the Pacifica come standard with multiple grocery bag hooks behind the thirdrow seats. The Pacifica offers a second-row console between
captain’s chairs that has a front storage slot for quick and handy access to computer tablets. Chrysler’s latest generation UConnect touchscreen system in upper models of the Pacifica is one of the easiest-to-understand comprehensive infotainment control systems in cars today. Other available technology includes a 20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, surround view exterior camera system and parallel and perpendicular park assist. The 2017 Pacifica, which has the most powerful engine of all minivans, ties with the 2017 Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna in top minivan fuel economy — 22 miles per gallon in combined city/highway driving — even as it undercuts the prices of these competitors’ base models. The starting manufacturer’s retail price, includ-
ing destination charge, is $29,590 for the base 2017 Pacifica LX and compares with $30,690 for a base 2017 Sienna L and $30,790 for a base 2017 Honda Odyssey LX. Among the standard features on the Pacifica LX are 17-inch wheels, three-zone temperature control, remote keyless entry, rearview camera, 5-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity with voice command, fabric-covered seats, cruise control, power windows and door locks, eight-way, power-adjusting driver’s seat and power, heated outside mirrors. CHRYSLER » 8
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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Thursday, January 26, 2017
FACT SHEET 2017 CHRYSLER PACIFICA LIMITED BASE PRICE: $28,595 for LX; $30,495 for Touring; $34,495 for Touring L; $37,895 for Touring L Plus; $42,495 for Limited. PRICE AS TESTED: $48,280. TYPE: Front-engine, frontwheel drive, seven-passenger minivan. ENGINE: 3.6-liter, dual overhead cam, Pentastar, 60-degree V-6 with VVT. MILEAGE: 18 (city), 28 (highway. TOP SPEED: NA. LENGTH: 203.8 inches. WHEELBASE: 121.6 inches. CURB WEIGHT: 4,330 pounds. BUILT AT: Windsor, Ontario, Canada. OPTIONS: UConnect theater and sound group (includes 760-watt amplifier, 20 Harman Kardon speakers, seatback video screens, three-channel video remote control) $2,795; advanced safetytec group (includes ParkSense front and rear park assist with stop, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane departure warning plus, automatic high beam headlights) $1,995. DESTINATION CHARGE: $995. — The Associated Press
CHRYSLER
Continued from 7 Minivan shoppers, however, can find bargain-priced vans with less standard equipment, such as the Dodge Grand Caravan with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price, including destination charge, of $24,590. Consumer Reports puts predicted reliability of the new Pacifica at below average. The federal government said the 2017 Pacifica earned five out of five stars for occupant protection in frontal and side crash tests. Replacing the Town and Country minivan in Chrysler’s lineup, the Pacifica is built at the same Canadian assembly plant by the same parent company — Fiat Chrysler — that builds and sells the Grand Caravan. But the vans appeal to different buyers. With its quiet interior, refined ride and
upscale looks, the Pacifica aims at the Honda and Toyota buyers who seek amenities, comfort and technology. The Pacifica’s exterior has front styling that looks more like that of a contemporary sedan. Inside, the Pacifica’s functionality is integrated into an upscale, spacious environment punctuated by high quality-looking plastics on the dashboard and pleasing materials on the seats. The test Pacifica Limited felt like a luxury car with its leather-covered seats and center dashboard UConnect control center operated through good-sized buttons, knobs and 8.4-inch touchscreen. Menus in the display screen were not intimidating, and controls were easy to find and use. The only oddity in appearance seemed to be the steering wheel with its big, heavy-looking, plastic center. The revamped, 3.6-liter, dual overhead cam, Pentastar V-6 mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission responded quick-
ly and delivered strong power for the 17-foot-long Pacifica. The engine’s 287 horsepower surpasses that of other minivans, while the Pacifica’s peak torque of 262 foot-pounds at 4,000 rpm tops all but the 263 foot-pounds at 4,700 rpm in the 2017 Sienna. The Pacifica’s electric power steering had a mainstream feel, and brakes worked well to bring the 4,300-plus-pound vehicle to a stop. The Pacifica is the first Chrysler minivan with an independent rear suspension, which allows a deep cargo cavity at the back of the vehicle. The ride overall in the test van with 18-inch wheels and tires was compliant over most road bumps and stress-free for easy long-distance traveling. The test Pacifica averaged near the government’s 22 miles per gallon rating, which translated into 430 miles of travel range on a tank of regular unleaded gasoline.
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Thursday, January 26, 2017
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Auto show concepts: Would you build them or forget them? gull-wing doors in the rear and three steps that unfold to help occupants climb in aren’t likely to be seen in dealer showroom. Still, the sleek, wagon-like shape gives a clue that the new Navigator will be a sharp departure from the current, truck-like one, which debuted in 1997. The 2018 Navigator is expected to go on sale later this year.
By Dee-Ann Durbin ASSOCIATED PRESS
DETROIT — Car companies don’t just show current models at auto shows. They also unveil prototypes that could be built in the future. These so-called concept cars help them gauge the public’s reaction to new designs or technology. They can also amp up excitement about a company’s future. These are some of the concept vehicles on display at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which opened to the public this month. As show visitors check out these concepts they should ask themselves: Would I build it or bag it?
Volkswagen I.D. Buzz
The latest incarnation of VW’s groovy, 1960s minibus is the I.D. Buzz. VW says I.D. stands for “identity” and “iconic design.” The “buzz” refers to the whirring sound of the electric drive system, which can take the minivan up to 270 miles on a charge. The I.D. Buzz seats up to eight and lets the driver’s seat face the rear when the minivan is in self-driving mode. VW minibuses haven’t been sold in the U.S. since the 1970s, but the company has released several concepts over the years that take their styling cues from the beloved minibus. This one would fit neatly with VW’s goal of selling 1 million electric vehicles annually by 2025.
Cadillac Escala
Volkswagen I.D. Buzz
Cadillac Escala
GAC Enspirit
Infiniti QX50
GAC Enspirit stop-and-go traffic. It also has a significantly more efficient engine. Infiniti is expected to build a model very close to the concept version that will go on sale next year.
Infiniti QX50
Infiniti hints at the future design of its midsize SUV with the QX50. Its flowing lines resemble other, newer members of the Infiniti family, like the smaller QX30. The concept has an advanced semi-autonomous driving system that can take over for the driver in some situations, like
Cadillac says the gleaming Escala gives an idea of a future flagship sedan. It has smooth surfaces and a long hood. Inside are thin, curved display screens that respond to touch, voice and gesture commands and fabric seats inspired by high-fashion suits. The Escala is a rear-wheel-drive sedan with a 4.2-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that can cut back to four cylinders to save fuel. While the Escala is a beauty, its sales prospects are dim in a market that is crazy for SUVs. Cadillac sedan sales were down 2 percent last year; by contrast, sales of the Escalade SUV jumped 11 percent.
Lincoln Navigator
Lincoln Navigator
Automakers often load up concept vehicles with features that might not make it into production. Take the concept Lincoln Navigator. Giant
What could make an SUV stand out in a market overrun with them? How about a bonsai tree? Chinese automaker GAC — that stands for Guangzhou Automotive Group — is displaying the EnSpirit concept on the auto show floor, a small four-door SUV with a retractable cloth roof. Inside are light wood accents and a long center stack that features a little bonsai tree in the rear. The EnSpirit is a plug-in hybrid, and GAC says it can go around 60 miles in electric mode before the small gas engine kicks in. Although GAC says it hopes to sell vehicles in the U.S. by 2019, it won’t say whether the EnSpirit — or anything like it — could eventually be sold here.
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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Thursday, January 26, 2017
DEALER’S CORNER
2-stroke or 4-stroke: What sled is best for you? Just a few short years ago the word on the trail was the pending demise of the two-stroke snowmachine. But there was a problem. Riders had gotten spoiled on the lighter weight and much better power-to weight ratio of two-strokes versus four. So most manufacturers decided to get their engineers working on cleaning up the emissions and improving the fuel economy of these much sought after power plants, and that is exactly what happened. And while the lower power fancooled two-stroke engines will likely be gone soon (for political reasons more than anything), the fourstrokes and newer direct-injected two-stroke engines are here to stay. Two-stroke engines have a few notable advantages, and depending on where and how you ride, they are the engines of choice. Let’s start with the fan-cooled two-strokes. The advantages are many, unless you require massive HP and top end speed. Fan-cooled engines are lighter, less expensive, and simpler than their liquid twoand four-stroke counterparts. They typically have both electric start and a rope start feature and carry simple carburetors vs more elaborate hightech injection systems. This allows the sled to be started in almost any temperature, and they do not require snow from the track for cooling. For many years, trappers and folks in remote parts of Alaska used these sleds for their daily work, setting snares, hauling firewood, etc. The downside of fan-cooled carbureted sleds has been fuel economy, especially when compared to the newer two- and four-stroke sleds. Fuel consumption on 500 to 550cc fan-cooled sleds with carburetors has traditionally been in in the 8-12 miles per gallon range. That wasn’t so bad when fuel was $1.50 a gallon, but fuel can cost four to five times that amount in the villages. And fuel economy, especially in Alaska, is what has driven the move to direct-injected two-strokes and four-stroke powered sleds.
When it comes to horsepower, there is a major difference between those two. A typical 600cc four-stroke has about the same horsepower as a 550cc fan-cooled (approximately 60 horsepower). For example, BRP rates their SkiDoo 600 ACE engine at 29 mpg, meaning that, theoretically, one could get almost 300 miles on a tank vs. 100 or so on the fan-cooled model. Those figures are a bit skewed in the real world, like most mileage figures, as most drivers do not cruise at 30 mph on a hard-packed trail under perfect weather conditions. The fuel economy on these modern four-strokes is impressive nonetheless Long-term engine reliability is also an advantage with the four-strokes, as well as impressive torque, cleaner emissions, and less engine noise. So there must be some downside to the four-strokes. There is. Weight is the most obvious difference, with the average four-stroke coming in at roughly 30-50 pounds heavier. For trail or river riding, that extra weight is not a make or break issue. The four-stroke engines also typically have a higher center of gravity, which can be a disadvantage for both deep snow operation and mountain riding. The wide-track models are less affected by the extra weight simply due to their massive footprint and lower typical operating speeds. That leaves the newer clean-burning, direct-injected two-stroke liquid-cooled models, which have pumped new life into the two-stroke sleds. These incredibly powerful models brag fuel economy very close to the four-strokes and typically close to double the horsepower per cubic centimeter. For example a new Ski-Doo 850 E-tec engine is rated at 165 horsepower conservatively, and their 900cc four-stroke comes is at 90 horsepower. This is why you find the vast percentage of mountain, crossover, and performance trail sleds using this new technology. However, many riders of the utility sleds
have opted for these direct-injected engines on their work sleds due to fuel economy, handling, and brute horsepower. Many of our customers like to use their machines to haul gear to their cabins, then disconnect their cargo sled, and then go play in the powder or climb the surrounding hills and mountains where both economy, pulling power, and the “fun-factor” need to be standard equipment. Finally, for our cold Alaska winters, the two-strokes will start down to close to minus 40 and our fourstrokes will start down to minus 25. If going out in these temperatures is important to you, the two-stroke may
be the better choice, although those new handheld battery jump packs would be a wise choice to carry for either model. Regardless of which model or brand you buy, the engine you choose should be the right one for the job. We always suggest taking a demo ride on both to get a better idea of power, torque, and handling and comfort. Dealer’s Corner is an occasional feature presented by the Daily News-Miner and is made available to Interior Alaska automotive, ATV, snowmachine and motorcycle dealers. Craig Compeau is president of Compeau’s, a fourth-generation Fairbanks family recreational products business.
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By Craig Compeau
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Thursday, January 26, 2017
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IN BRIEF
Eyeing a 2017 Land Rover? Experience it in VR First PCMag.com
Jaguar Land Rover really, really wants you to experience its cars in virtual reality before you buy one. It used VR to unveil an electric concept car last fall and built a VR showroom app for the HTC Vive headset, and now it plans to bring similar apps and headsets to physical showrooms. More than 1,500 Jaguar and Land Rover dealerships worldwide will get VR headsets this year, the company announced on Thursday. The experience will be a combination of 360-degree videos of the cars, which you can also view on a tablet, as well as short videos that take prospective customers under the hood using animations to explain vehicle features. Each vehicle will have its own VR experience, starting with the 2017 Land Rover Discovery. The company said it plans to create new ones each time a new vehicle is launched. Jaguar Land Rover is the UK’s largest auto maker, and it harnessed its reputation for luxury in the US to demo the I-Pace electric concept car last fall at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The audience donned HTC Vives to try out the interior of a virtual I-Pace, first sitting behind the wheel and then in the backseat. The I-Pace experience, which is also available for Vive owners to download at the Viveport store, was the model for the expansion into showrooms. The showroom tablets, meanwhile, are designed to aid customers in selecting options for their vehicle with the dealer in addition to offering 360-degree videos. Jaguar Land Rover isn’t the first luxury car company to adopt VR as a sales tool. Cadillac is also rumored to be planning a transformation of some of its dealerships into VR-only showrooms with no physical inventory, and some Volvo dealerships have Microsoft HoloLens augmented reality headsets to help buyers customize their dream car.
Nissan to test autonomous vehicles in London Nissan is ready to unleash its
self-driving vehicles in Europe for some action in the real world. Reuters reports that the Japanese carmaker plans to start testing a “modified version of its compact electric Leaf car equipped with autonomous driving technology” in London next month. The trials will mark Nissan’s first such tests in Europe, the report notes. “With future models secured and cutting-edge innovation being developed right here in the UK, we’re looking forward to a strong future of designing, engineering and manufacturing in the country for customers right across the world,” Nissan Europe Chairman Paul Willcox tells Reuters. Nissan already has some experience testing its self-driving cars on public roads. The company in Nov. 2015 started testing its first autonomous vehicle, a prototype based on the Leaf EV, on highways and city roads in Japan. Nissan has promised to include self-driving technology in multiple vehicles by 2020. The new European trials come after Nissan earlier this week at the Detroit Auto Show unveiled a new concept car dubbed the Vmotion 2.0. The car’s front grille has a backlit Nissan emblem that glows when the ProPilot self-driving system is active. Announced last spring, ProPilot is not a completely autonomous technology. While it can assist drivers in heavy traffic, it still requires them to keep their hands on the wheel at all times. Nissan demoed ProPilot in May using a Leaf electric vehicle, and announced in July that the Serena minivan would be the first production model to incorporate it. This article originally appeared on PCMag.com.
Bank expects record global auto sales in 2017
Global car sales accelerated sharply in the final months of 2016, with sales supported by stronger global economic growth, according to a statement from Scotiabank, Canada’s international bank and a financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and Asia-Pacific. Gains are expected to continue, albeit
more slowly over the coming year with purchases increasing to an eighth consecutive annual record, according to the bank’s statement. Increased replacement demand in the U.S. will be complemented by a renewed sales upturn in most emerging markets; however, China is the exception, with an expected slowdown, the bank statement reads.
AutoZone hiring 12,000 this spring
AutoZone Inc., a retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories, announced this month it will hire more than 12,000 new full and part-time employees nationwide through April for its more than 5,300 U.S. stores. The company, in a news release, noted it has hired more than 10,000 current and former U.S. military service
members since 2015 and that it has a goal of hiring more than 15,000 additional transitioning service members and military veterans by 2020.
Sears Auto Center joins myCarfax program
Sears Auto Center announced this month it has teamed with Carfax to help people take better care of their vehicles. In a news release, Sears Auto Center states that its customers will have access to Carfax information and resources. Sears Auto Center will enroll customers in the free myCarfax.com service, through which customers will receive vehicle-specific email and mobile reminders from myCarfax.com that direct them back to Sears Auto Center when recommended oil changes, tire rotations and other services are due, according to the news release.
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