May 16 On-The-Move by Bjorn Morton

Monday, May 16, 2011

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General Motors to add 4,200 in job blitz By Chrissie Thompson DETROIT FREE PRESS

DETROIT — General Motors plans to kick off a hiring blitz shortly that will add or preserve about 4,200 jobs in eight states, people familiar with the planning said. GM CEO Dan Akerson is to speak at GM’s Toledo, Ohio, transmission plant, heralding updates at 17 plants that will total more than $2 billion. Spokeswoman Kim Car-

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penter declined to comment. New jobs at GM first go to a pool of laid-off workers that now numbers about 2,000. In Detroit, GM plans to add a bulk of the new jobs at its Chevrolet Volt factory, which straddles a border with Hamtramck, Mich. Interest in the Volt extended-range electric car and the arrival of $4-a-gallon gasoline have prompted GM to move up the planned hire date for

new workers at the plant, likely to late summer. GM had planned to double the number of workers, which numbers about 1,000. Now, it may add as many as 2,000. GM also plans to expand its work force at a variety of U.S. powertrain plants. The new hires will include a couple hundred whitecollar workers. GM will add many of the jobs in 2012, with some hiring to start this year. GM executives have

said more fuel-efficient small cars have it better prepared for high gasoline prices than in 2008. As part of its upcoming wave of new hires, General Motors plans to deepen its bet on its extendedrange electric technology. When he speaks , Akerson may not list all the 17 plants getting the thousands of jobs as a result of GM’s $2-billion-plus investment, people familiar with the plans said.

Instead, Akerson intends to visit other factories in the coming weeks. A f ter more tha n a decade of whittling down its global work force from about 600,000 to about 200,000, post-bankruptcy GM has started adding jobs. In the United States, the automaker has promised to add or retain 8,882 manufacturing jobs since exiting bankruptcy in July. The new jobs have come with profitability: GM posted

its fifth straight quarterly net income last week. GM is seeking to build more than 25,000 Volts this year, up from the original target of about 10,000, Akerson has said. As engineers work to create a less-expensive Volt that will bring in profits, executives have debated a decision to produce 120,000 Volts annually starting next year, well See BLITZ, pAGE 2 / CARS

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Page 2 / Monday, May 16, 2011

Tallahassee Democrat / OnTheMOve

Check thermostat before replacing it By Brad Bergholdt

MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

Question: With the recent warmer weather, I’ve noticed my pickup will sometimes run hotter than I think it should. I’m wondering if changing the thermostat to a colder one would help. Answer: Let’s assume that the cooling system is full of coolant (a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water is preferred), that it’s leakfree, and that you’re seeing an occasionally high gauge reading. Start by qualifying the temperature gauge readings. A neat way to do this is with a noncontact digital thermometer, also called a temp gun. These are now widely available, and the cheapie ones have dipped below $20. This tool has many applications. You can check brake temperature, air conditioning or heater output, catalytic converter function, engine or transmission temperature, your refrigerator or freezer’s settings. There are endless possibilities. You can check true engine coolant temperature by aiming the gun at the engine’s thermostat housing. If you find the truck’s gauge and the gun agree when at normal and elevated temperature, we’ll go from there. The truck’s thermostat is designed to maintain overall engine temperature at about 195 degrees. At startup, the thermostat is closed, blocking coolant flow through the radiator, encouraging the engine to warm up as quickly as possible. As coolant temperature

There are many possible causes for occasional elevated temperature: a partially restricted radiator, airflow across the radiator impeded by bugs or debris, an eroded water pump impeller, a collapsing lower radiator hose, or a slipping fan clutch. reaches 195, the thermostat opens and continuously meters flow through the radiator to maintain that temperature. Should conditions cause elevated temperature, the thermostat opens fully, allowing maximum radiator participation. As long as the thermostat is opening as it should, it plays no role in managing temperature above 200 degrees or so. If there’s any doubt the thermostat is working properly, I’d change it in a heartbeat with one of the specified rating. They’re inexpensive, and it’s typically a simple job. Changing to a colder value, such as 180 or 160 degrees, may briefly assist a weak cooling system when you encounter a single steep hill, because you’re starting out cooler. But the drawbacks are many. Your engine was designed to run best, produce the fewest emissions and deliver the best fuel economy at 195 degrees. Plus the oil remains cleaner, compared to running at colder temperatures. There are many possible causes for occasional elevated temperature: a partially restricted radiator, airflow across the radiator impeded by bugs or debris, an eroded water

pump impeller, a collapsing lower radiator hose, or a slipping fan clutch. Radiator efficiency can be checked using the heat gun, comparing upper and lower radiator hose temperature when the thermostat is open and the car is at operating temperature. With adequate airflow across the radiator, you should see a difference of more than 20 degrees. If desired, a heavy-duty radiator, with more air passages, can be purchased for less than $200. Replacement could be a satisfying DIY job. Renew all hoses at this time as well. If the temperature drop across the radiator looks OK, but the inlet temperature in the top hose is notably higher than the thermostat rating, the water pump may not be providing adequate coolant circulation. For fan clutch information and testing, go to www.haydenauto.com. Click “Training,” then select a fan clutch tutorial. They did a nice job on this. n Brad Bergholdt is an

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BLITZ From Page 1 / CARS

above the current estimate of 45,000. Akerson has said he wants GM to bet on the Volt’s technology more than any other electrification solution. Pre-bankruptcy GM might have spent equal a mou nts on Volt ec, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure-electric vehicles, but not new GM, Akerson said in a January interview. “Would you bet on every hand in poker?” he asked. “We’re taking an assessed business risk.” The hiring blitz also includes the Warren Tech Center in Michigan and powertrain factories in Spring Hill, Tenn., and Tonawanda, N.Y. In Toledo, GM plans to invest about $250 million and add at least 250

Ryan GaRza/The Associated Press

General Motors Manufacturing Manager Larry Zahner announces Friday that GM is investing $109 million in Flint and Bay City plants as part of production for the Chevrolet Volt and Chevrolet Cruze at Flint Engine Operations in Flint, Mich. Of that money, $89 million will be spent in Flint and 78 jobs will be created and saved in the Flint area.

jobs, possibly as many as 400, depending on sales levels. New jobs at GM first go to a pool of laid-off workers, but officials have said that GM will have accepted all those workers by the end of

this year. That means many of these 4,200 jobs will go to new hires. According to GM’s contract with the UAW, those workers will make $14 an hour, about half of what first-tier line workers are paid.

Monday, May 16, 2011 / Page 3

OnTheMOve / Tallahassee Democrat

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Five things your auto mechanic won’t tell you By Noah Pransky

WTSP-TV — TAMPA, ST. PETERSBURG

ST. PETERSBURG — Most auto repair shops will tell you it’s time for an oil change, new tires or sometimes even a car wash, but they keep silent on some things — for reasons that may beneficial to them. 1. Fluid flushes are an easy way to run up the bill. “A lo t o f m e c h a n ics ... work on commission,” said Joe Milano, a mechanic at Old Northeast Garage in St. Petersburg with 32 years experience. “So they’re going to sell you (that) on whatever you’ll buy,” he said. “The machine does the work and he gets paid a commission for it.” M i la no says ma ny

mechanics will recommend a flush of brake fluid or transmission fluid even if your car doesn’t need it. He suggests sticking to the recommended maintenance in your car’s manual and if you have questions about a mechanic’s advice, get a second opinion. “Just say no” to any service you’ve got questions about, says Duane Denniston from Preventive Maintenance Service Center in Clearwater. He has 23 years experience. “You can go back and get it next week.” 2. A blind second opinion may be in your best interest. Even the most scrupulous mechanics would rather make a small profit on your business than no profit.

You make the estimate challenge job easier for him or her by showing your first quote. “He’s going to do his best job to beat that price (by) just enough to where it’s worth it for you to bring your vehicle to him,” Denniston said without a specific mechanic in mind. “You (should) probably not tell them anything and see what (the second mechanic) tells you,” Milano said. However, if the second quote is for the same service as the first, but at a higher price, feel free to give the mechanic a chance to beat the first price. 3 . Discou nt oil changes or tire rotations almost always lead to additional ser-

vices. Both Milano and Denn iston say cheap oil changes or free rotations are big garages’ way of f inding other things wrong with your car. “It gives them a chance to take your tires off and look for something wrong with your brakes,” Milano said. “ They’ll lose money on a promotion for an opportunity to checklist your car.” If you don’t have a good relationship with a trusted mechanic, it may be hard to tell if that suggestion for new brake pads or new tires is truly necessary. Just remember: A courtesy check from an experienced mechanic can be a life-saver if you’ve got a problem developing. But you’re also never commit-

ted to having any service performed at any time. You can always drive away. 4. Lifetime warranties are nice insurance for you — and the garage. Lifetime warranties give the consumer protection against poorly performing parts but also give the garage assurance that you’ll come back to them for service. “The parts are guaranteed for life but not the labor,” Denniston said. A nd labor cha rges often dwarf parts charges, Milano said. As with a free tire rotation, your return visit gives a garage an opportunity to discover more problems to fix. 5. Some of the best shops don’t advertise

at all. “Advertising is just a way to get people in the door,” Denniston said. Word of mouth is the best way to find a trusted mechanic. And one who has a healthy customer base without advertising often keeps everyone happy. Here are a few other tip your auto mechanic may not tell you: n Ask for synthetic motor oil, which lasts a lot longer. Otherwise you could get regular oil during an oil change. n Get the orig inal part back so you know the mechanic replaced it — and that something was wrong with it. n Change your air filters yourself and save $7 to $10. It’s virtually fool proof.

Page 4 / Monday, May 16, 2011

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OnTheMOve / Tallahassee Democrat

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Page 6 / Monday, May 16, 2011

Tallahassee Democrat / OnTheMOve

Natural gas builds customer base as auto fuel By Steven Cole Smith

MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

Slide behind the wheel of Krohn Racing’s new Chevrolet Corvette Z06, which has been fitted to run on compressed natural gas, and after a few minutes of driving the 500-horsepower car, you have to wonder: Why isn’t compressed natural gas more popular as a motor fuel? It’s a question Fort Lauderdale-based Wise Gas is trying to answer. Last year the company opened a public natural gas refueling station at 650 N.W. 27th Ave., where natural gas is now selling for $1.99 a gallon for the equivalent of one gallon of regular gasoline, which is averaging $3.93 statewide. Wise Gas also will install a home refueling station for natural gaspowered cars — cost of the unit and installation averages about $4,500, less a $1,000 tax credit — and can arrange for natural gas conversions to your current vehicle. Those conversions, for vehicles 2010 model year or older, cost between $4,700 and $7,000. Those costs can pay off for customers who drive a lot and use a lot of fuel. That’s one reason compressed natural gas has found favor with fleet customers. But Jeff Greene, director of business development for Wise Gas, said plenty of Florida motorists also are switching to either drive natural gaspowered cars, or plan to. Among the dozens of regular Wise Gas customers are a local college professor and a nurse who frequent the Wise station on 27th Avenue. Currently, Greene says Wise has about 75 regu-

RicaRdo deaRatanha/Los Angeles Times/MCT

Ted Simpson fills his new natural gas-powered Honda Civic GX at CNG filling station on April 19. Higher gasoline prices are building demand for vehicles that run on compressed natural gas, a fuel that can sell for as little as a third the price of gasoline.

lar customers at the station — including those who drive AT&T’s fleet of CNG-powered vehicles — plus a waiting list of about 200 customers who want to refuel there, but are awaiting upgrades to the station. Customers must have a Wright fuel card — the 24-hour-aday station doesn’t accept cash or regular credit cards for CNG motor fuel purchases. With the opening of the Fort Lauderdale station, the number of public CNG refueling stations in Florida effectively doubled, the only other one listed by the Department of Energy being a location near Pensacola. But Greene says

other stations are either under construction or in the planning stages for Clearwater, the Tampa area, Jacksonville, plus two in the Orlando area. At least a dozen other private facilities across the state are either owned by private companies or local government agencies, and it is conceivable that one or more of those could open to the public. CNG vehicles are facing a chicken-or-egg situation: There aren’t many CNGpowered civilian vehicles on the road because there aren’t many places to fill up. But until there are more CNG-powered vehicles, what is the incentive to build more CNG

stations? Caught in the middle is Space Coast Honda in Cocoa, the only Honda dealer in Florida authorized to sell the Honda Civic GX, a from-the-factory Civic that runs on compressed natural gas. With a starting price of about $26,000, the Civic GX looks and performs just like a regular Civic, but uses CNG exclusively. Honda has long sold the GX in all 50 states to fleet customers, but only sold it to private customers in four Western states. Retail sales were recently opened to all states, and Space Coast Honda signed. The dealership

has sold some Civic GXs for fleet use, including to NASA, but sales manager Doug Finwall said the retail market has been a disappointment. He has sold only six or so, a couple to out-of-state customers on eBay. Even with gas hovering around $4 a gallon, “The demand just isn’t there yet,” Finwall says. He notes it’s also expensive to carry spare parts for the GX and have mechanics trained to work on the on the CNG-rated aspects, such as high-pressure fuel lines. Though several manufacturers, including Chrysler, have CNG-powered vehicles on the draw-

ing board, Greene says most civilian owners of CNG-powered vehicles bought them at auction, many of them former government vehicles. There’s no question CNG works very well as a motor fuel, says Simon Marshall, engineer with the Georgia-based Krohn Racing team, that hopes to enter a CNG-powered racer in the American Le Mans Series, which opens its season annual with the 12 Hours of Sebring. Team owner Tracy Krohn owns one of the largest oil and gas exploration companies in the Gulf of Mexico, and had a Corvette Z06 converted to compressed natural gas to prove it works not only on a Honda Civic, but in very high-performance applications, too. Driving it, you can’t tell whether you are running on CNG or gasoline — CNG, Marshall says, has the equivalent of 130 octane, compared to 87 octane for regular gas. The downside, Marshall said: The gas must be stored under high pressure, at least 3,000 psi, and to give the vehicle a long range, the tank must be quite large and would likely intrude into luggage space. But under the hood of the Corvette, the extra hardware required to allow the Corvette to run on both CNG and gas is minimal. CNG, says Marshall, “just makes too much sense not to pursue as a fuel.” It’s very clean, abundant, safe — based on millions of miles of fleet use, anyway — and 85 percent of our supply comes from the U.S., the other 15 percent from Canada. And with gas at $4 a gallon, “Our time is coming,” Greene says.

Monday, May 16, 2011 / Page 7

OnTheMOve / Tallahassee Democrat

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Page 8 / Monday, May 16, 2011

Tallahassee Democrat / OnTheMOve

Put tax refund to good REVIEWS OF THE use withCARS. a car purchase BEST-HANDLING By Larry Printz

Mcclatchy tribune news services

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