maintenance Archives

Ferrari offers scheduled maintenance program for 7 years in Europe, other markets to follow

Filed under: Car Buying, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Ferrari, Luxury

Ferrari has started offering a free, seven-year maintenance plan for customers in Europe. The plan covers all 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia, California Spyder or FF models bought at an authorized Prancing Horse dealership. For now, the program is only available across the pond, but will make it to these shores later in the year.

According to Ferrari, the plan is attached to each individual car, which means it’s transferable to different owners if the vehicle is sold within its first seven years. Coverage includes the cost of labor and original replacement parts, as well as oil and brake fluid.

When the program goes global, Ferrari says it will be the first maintenance plan of its kind to be offered around the world. With any luck, the new perk will help Ferrari gain back some consumer confidence after the the bad publicity surrounding the 458 Italia’s annoying propensity to burst into flames. Read the full Ferrari press release after the jump. Top tip, Don!

[Source: Ferrari]

Continue reading Ferrari offers scheduled maintenance program for 7 years in Europe, other markets to follow

Ferrari offers scheduled maintenance program for 7 years in Europe, other markets to follow originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cadillac announces comprehensive warranty, scheduled maintenance program for 2011

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Cadillac, GM, Luxury

Cadillac Crest

Cadillac is stepping up its customer service game. The General Motors luxury nameplate has announced the introduction of Cadillac Shield – an extensive warranty service scheduled to hit the ground this month. Buyers can now look forward to Cadillac Premium Care Maintenance, which includes oil changes and tire rotations for the first four years or 50,000 miles, as well as the company’s five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage. Pile on five years of 24/7 roadside assistance with courtesy transportation and you’ve got the basic groundwork for the new warranty program.

And to quote every infomercial ever made, “but wait, there’s more.”

OnStar is part of the party with one year of the company’s Directions and Connections plan and its own smart phone app. The app monitors oil life and fuel levels as well as allowing owners to manage simple vehicle tasks (like locking and unlocking the doors) from their phone.

Speaking of apps, Cadillac is rolling in its own smartphone program as part of the deal, too. The Caddy app allows users to locate their vehicle in a parking lot, schedule maintenance, locate dealers in the area and call for roadside assistance. Hit the jump for the full press blast.

[Source: General Motors | Image: Drew Phillips/AOL]

Continue reading Cadillac announces comprehensive warranty, scheduled maintenance program for 2011

Cadillac announces comprehensive warranty, scheduled maintenance program for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge announces 3/36 no-cost maintenance on select Durango and Journey models

Filed under: Car Buying, Crossover, Chrysler, Dodge

Dodge Durango Citadel

Dodge Durango Citadel at SEMA 2010 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler has unveiled a new no-cost maintenance program for certain Dodge Journey and Durango models. Buyers who opt for the Durango Citadel or the Journey Lux will be treated to free maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles that includes oil and oil filter changes every three months or 3,000 miles as well as scheduled and recommended maintenance at 6,000 mile intervals. The program also throws in $1,000 worth of trip-interruption coverage, towing and roadside assistance up to $100 and $35/per day car rental should you get into an accident. All told, Chrysler says that the program has a retail value of around $1,100.

We’re guessing that no-cost maintenance is an effort to lure buyers to deeper ends of the Durango and Journey option pools. Of course, knowing that you won’t have to shell out a dime for routine work on your vehicle is likely to be a big selling point when either the newly reworked crossovers are lined up against their competitors. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: SEMA 2010: Dodge Durango Citadel “Black and Tan”

Dodge Durango Citadel

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Dodge announces 3/36 no-cost maintenance on select Durango and Journey models

Dodge announces 3/36 no-cost maintenance on select Durango and Journey models originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Volt’s “maintenance mode” will burn gas to prevent aging

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Technology, Chevrolet, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt – Click above for high-res image gallery

When General Motors conceived the electric powertrain for the Chevrolet Volt, the 40-mile electric driving range was specified so that most drivers would rarely, if ever, have to use any liquid fuel. Components like the battery were then sized to match the performance and range specifications. However, the whole point of incorporating the range extending engine was so the Volt could keep going without the driver having to continuously monitor the battery level, even though GM once told us that the Volt would move without gas in the tank.

Regardless, leaving the same gasoline in a tank for months or even years creates a new set of problems. One reason is there’s no such thing as pure gasoline. What’s sold at the pump is a blend of numerous hydrocarbon compounds like octane, heptane and other additives that lubricate valves and fuel injectors, along with a range of assorted chemicals. Many of these compounds will eventually evaporate, reducing the performance of the fuel and could possibly lead to engine damage.

To address this, the Volt has a completely sealed and pressurized fuel tank. Pressurizing the tank helps minimize evaporation from the liquid fuel, forcing it to stay in liquid form. Before the fuel filler can be opened to gas up the Volt, the tank has to be depressurized, which takes a few seconds after pressing the release button. The engine management system also monitors the time between when the engine runs and will periodically prompt the driver to run past the 40-mile electric range before recharging. If the driver doesn’t force the Volt to run on gas, the system will eventually start the engine to consume some of the aging fuel and circulate the fluids within the engine. Once this maintenance mode is complete, the engine shuts down until it’s needed again or enough time has passed. GM hasn’t revealed what the time intervals are, but with Volt production right around the corner, we’ll find out soon enough.

Gallery: Quick Spin: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

[Source: Plug-in Cars]

Chevy Volt’s “maintenance mode” will burn gas to prevent aging originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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