Do My Door Hinges and Locks Need to Be Lubricated?

If the doors on your car creak and groan when they're opened or closed, the hinges are dry and need lubrication.

That's not just so they no longer disturb the peace. Without lubrication, hinges can eventually bind and bend, and the doors might twist off center and even stick. The same goes for trunk lids, liftgates, tailgates and hoods. Lubricating hinges with white lithium or another type of grease at the very least will allow them to operate more smoothly and with less effort.

Unfortunately, few repair shops or dealerships still perform these simple tasks (though it might pay to ask), so it's often up to ambitious vehicle owners to do it themselves.

Likewise, the rubber gaskets that seal doors, trunks and cargo areas deteriorate over time and may not seal as well. Giving them a light coat of silicone lubricant will keep them pliable and help prevent the gaskets from sticking during cold weather, which can freeze a door shut or damage the seal when you open the door.

With remote locking and unlocking almost universal on current vehicles, access to the passenger and cargo areas seldom requires a key. That means the old-fashioned exterior locks are seldom, if ever, used and are more neglected than ever. A growing number of new vehicles have only one exterior lock, on the driver's door.

Exterior locks should also be lubricated, such as with powdered graphite. An exterior lock that never gets used is more likely to collect dirt, moisture and other gunk that can make it harder to turn, especially in subfreezing weather. If the remote control were to conk out, forcing the driver to use a key, the lock might be frozen or hard to turn, especially with the small backup key that's hidden in most remotes. A bent or broken-off key creates a new problem.

Most mechanics advise not to use WD-40 — a degreaser and rust preventer that many mistakenly think is a fix-it-all lubricant — on hinges and locks because it doesn't have a lasting effect and attracts dirt.

Air conditioning is also nearly universal on vehicles, which is one reason the side windows on some vehicles are seldom opened. Crud builds up in window tracks over time and the rubber deteriorates, so as a vehicle ages the windows don't slide up and down as easily as they once did. Squirting some silicone lubricant or lithium grease (aerosol, not thick goop) into the side tracks can rejuvenate the rubber, shorten the time it takes to raise or lower the windows, and reduce wear on the electric motor for power windows.

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2003-15 Volvo Sedans, SUVs and Wagons Windshield Washer Issue

Vehicles affected by service bulletin:

• 2007 Volvo C30, 2008 Volvo C30, 2009 Volvo C30, 2010 Volvo C30, 2011 Volvo C30, 2012 Volvo C30, 2013 Volvo C30
• 2003 Volvo C70, 2004 Volvo C70, 2005 Volvo C70, 2006 Volvo C70, 2007 Volvo C70, 2008 Volvo C70, 2009 Volvo C70, 2010 Volvo C70, 2011 Volvo C70, 2012 Volvo C70, 2013 Volvo C70
• 2003 Volvo S40, 2004 Volvo S40, 2005 Volvo S40, 2006 Volvo S40, 2007 Volvo S40, 2008 Volvo S40, 2009 Volvo S40, 2010 Volvo S40, 2011 Volvo S40, 2012 Volvo S40
• 2003 Volvo S60, 2004 Volvo S60, 2005 Volvo S60, 2006 Volvo S60
• 2003 Volvo S80, 2004 Volvo S80, 2005 Volvo S80, 2006 Volvo S80, 2007 Volvo S80, 2008 Volvo S80, 2009 Volvo S80, 2010 Volvo S80, 2011 Volvo S80, 2012 Volvo S80, 2013 Volvo S80, 2014 Volvo S80, 2015 Volvo S80
• 2004 Volvo V50, 2005 Volvo V50, 2006 Volvo V50, 2007 Volvo V50, 2008 Volvo V50, 2009 Volvo V50, 2010 Volvo V50, 2011 Volvo V50, 2012 Volvo V50
• 2003 Volvo V70, 2004 Volvo V70, 2005 Volvo V70, 2006 Volvo V70, 2007 Volvo V70, 2008 Volvo V70, 2009 Volvo V70, 2010 Volvo V70, 2011 Volvo V70, 2012 Volvo V70, 2013 Volvo V70, 2014 Volvo V70, 2015 Volvo V70
• 2009 Volvo XC60, 2010 Volvo XC60, 2011 Volvo XC60, 2012 Volvo XC60, 2013 Volvo XC60, 2014 Volvo XC60
• 2003 Volvo XC70, 2004 Volvo XC70, 2005 Volvo XC70, 2006 Volvo XC70, 2007 Volvo XC70, 2008 Volvo XC70, 2009 Volvo XC70, 2010 Volvo XC70, 2011 Volvo XC70, 2012 Volvo XC70, 2013 Volvo XC70, 2014 Volvo XC70, 2015 Volvo XC70
• 2003 Volvo XC90, 2004 Volvo XC90, 2005 Volvo XC90, 2006 Volvo XC90, 2007 Volvo XC90, 2008 Volvo XC90, 2009 Volvo XC90, 2010 Volvo XC90, 2011 Volvo XC90, 2012 Volvo XC90, 2013 Volvo XC90, 2014 Volvo XC90

The problem: Drivers may have difficulty clearing the windshield using the windshield washer in cold temperatures. This is due to faulty "T" fittings and clogging in the windshield-washer nozzles.

See More Service Bulletins

Corrective action: Dealers will replace faulty nozzles with ones that allow better washer-fluid flow in cold temperatures.

Warranty info: Nozzle replacement will be done under the new-car warranty. Vehicles that are out of warranty but have an extended warranty may be eligible for repairs; repairs will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

What owners should do: Call your local dealer with your vehicle's identification number to determine if it's involved in this service bulletin. You can also call Volvo directly at 800-458-1552 or NHTSA at 888-327-4236. Reference TSB No. TJ29261.

Need to find a dealer for service? Go to Cars.com Service & Repair to find a local dealer.

Editor's note: This is only one of dozens of service bulletins issued each month by automakers. Please check your automaker's website to see if your vehicle has any service bulletins pending.

Check for recalls here on Cars.com.

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2016 Chevrolet Malibu 1.5T First Test Review

I wasn’t particularly fond of the last-generation Malibu. Compared to the competition, it was loud, unrefined, dynamically flawed, and remarkably cramped inside. The “emergency refresh”—GM for “Oh, drat, we forgot we had competition”—was but a small improvement. The new 2016 Chevrolet Malibu is the first clean-sheet redesign since that frankly quite awful car, and thankfully it appears that Chevy has taken a lot of the constructive criticism it received regarding the last-generation car to heart.

Lighter and longer than the version that came before it, the new 2016 Malibu is a much needed reimagining of what’s long been an also-ran in the midsize family-sedan segment. On our base Malibu 1LT tester, the buzzy, old base 2.5-liter I-4 that used to be found under the hood is long gone. In its place is a new 1.5-liter, turbocharged I-4 that makes 160 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. Although that’s a 37-hp and 7-lb-ft deficit versus the old engine, the Malibu’s weight loss means the 1.5-liter mill doesn’t give up much to the old 2.5-liter four-banger in terms of performance. The 1.5 is only available with a six-speed automatic, though an eight-speed automatic is available on the 2016 Malibu’s optional 250-hp, 2.0-liter, turbocharged engine.

At the track, the 2016 Malibu 1.5T accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds, only a tenth of a second slower than the last 2.5-equipped Malibu we tested. The Malibu is also a touch slower than the equivalent Ford Fusion—the last Fusion we tested, a 2013 SE equipped with a 1.6-liter turbo-four and six-speed auto, needed 8.2 seconds to hit 60 mph from a standstill. At the dragstrip, the 2016 Malibu takes 16.5 seconds to go through the quarter mile, hitting 84.6 mph in the process. That class-competitive performance ties the old Malibu’s time but is seven-tenths of a second slower than the old model.

Thanks to low-rolling-resistance eco-tires, the Chevy’s 60-0-mph braking performance leaves a bit to be desired, as it needs 127 feet to come to a stop. Those tires hurt a bit when it comes to limit handling performance, too. The Malibu lapped our figure-eight course in 27.4 seconds averaging 0.63 g through the process and managed 0.84 g average during lateral acceleration tests. The old Malibu lapped the figure eight in 27.8 seconds at 0.57 g average.

On the street, the new Malibu 1.5T is a pleasant surprise. Based on my experiences with the base engine in the last Malibu, I expected this one to be a dog. I’m quite happy to report that’s no longer the case. Although the last Malibu had lots of trouble dealing with freeway travel, whether it was merging, staying in one gear, or just not being a noisy box of bees, the new one has plenty of power to quickly and quietly merge on to the freeway or pass traffic, and it doesn’t have trouble picking and choosing a gear. From a ride and handling perspective, the 2016 Malibu is a major improvement over the old car. The suspension is compliant and happily soaks up bumps, and steering feel is pretty good considering the Chevy isn’t designed with sporty driving in mind.

Inside, I’m not fully sold on this base-level interior. Higher-spec Malibus have quite nice interiors, but our Malibu 1LT leaves much to be desired from a materials standpoint. My main complaint is with the cloth trim on the dash that wraps around the center stack. Other Malibus are finished with nice leather trim here. Our Malibu 1LT’s cloth trim, though, screams 1995 Lumina. The high-res MyLink infotainment system is quite good and makes the surrounding cloth and plastics look even more dated. Choice of trim notwithstanding, the rest of the interior is a big improvement over the outgoing Malibu, especially in the back seat. Back-seat passengers now have much more leg- and kneeroom than before, and headroom is fine for a 6-foot-tall adult. Back-seat passengers will also benefit from USB plugs and, more important, their own air-conditioning vents. The new Malibu’s trunk is shallow but long and otherwise spacious.

Ultimately, the new 2016 Chevrolet Malibu 1LT equipped with the new 1.5-liter turbo-four is a drastic improvement over the unloved (by us) car it replaces. As for how the improvement fairs against steep competition from Toyota, Honda, Ford, and others, only time (and a Big Test) will tell.

2016 Chevrolet Malibu LT
BASE PRICE	$25,895
PRICE AS TESTED	$27,985
VEHICLE LAYOUT	Front-engine, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan
ENGINE	1.5L/160-hp/184-lb-ft turbocharged DOHC 16-valve I-4
TRANSMISSION	6-speed automatic
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT	193.8 x 73.0 x 57.7 in
WHEELBASE	111.4 in
CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST)	3,124 lb (61/39%)
ACCELERATION, 0-60 MPH	8.5 sec
QUARTER MILE	16.5 sec @ 84.6 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH	127 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION	0.84 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT	27.4 sec @ 0.63 g (avg)
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON	27/37/31 mpg (est)
ENERGY CONS., CITY/HWY	125/91 kW-hrs/100 miles
CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB	0.63 lb/mile (est)

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BMW in Final Stages of i5 Decision

BMW will soon be adding another model to its lineup of electric vehicles under the “i” badge, and a decision on the body style of the new model is in the final stages. As of now, the automaker is debating between two different styles, either a lengthened i3 or a more traditional sedan to rival the likes of the upcoming Tesla 3.

In an interview with Autocar, BMW board member for sales and marketing, Ian Robertson, said, “You will see more i products, and we are in the final stages of deciding what the next car will be and when you’ll see it.”

Currently, the i3’s sales figures have been driven through demand, and not the production issues that occurred when the model was first launched. It’s due to this that the i8 electric sports car is considered more of a retail success, which currently has a waiting list for orders. Other factors that have attributed to the lower sales numbers are range anxiety, fuel prices in the U.S., and the lack of incentives in certain countries.

It’s expected that sales of the BMW i5 will begin in 2019, and it’s likely that the official unveiling may happen during the automaker’s centenary celebrations in 2016.

Source: Autocar

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VW Emissions Scandal Starts to Affect Car Sales

The Volkswagen emissions scandal continues to cause trouble for the German automaker, with hefty payouts and recalls, but now, car sales have slowed as trust in the automaker starts to dwindle.

The scandal originally started when the automaker was found to have used software on nearly 11 million diesel vehicles globally to cheat emissions testing. In September, VW admitted that the software vastly understated the actual amount of nitrogen oxide that the vehicles were producing.

Last week, Bernd Osterloh, VW’s work council chief told reporters in an interview that there was “caution in buying. The CO2 issue has triggered a greater crisis of confidence than the nitrogen issue.” This comes after the automaker made a statement earlier this month that VW manipulated the CO2 emissions in 800,000 vehicles, most of which were sold in Europe.

But perhaps even more problematic, Volkswagen went on record claiming that the emissions scandal affected both diesel vehicles also gas-powered models. In October, global sales for the automaker dropped by 3.5 percent, while in Germany, sales managed to increase by 0.5 percent.

With the slowing of sales, job security for plant workers has been called into question, but Osterloh went on to say in the interview that “Employment is safe provided we are selling cars. If we sell no cars, it will get relatively difficult. We will have to look at incoming orders of the next days, weeks and months.”

Source: Reuters

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First Production Bentley Bentayga to Join Heritage Collection

The very first 2017 Bentley Bentayga luxury SUV rolled off the production line in Crewe, Uk, this week after four years in the making. Not only will the very first model join Bentley’s Heritage Collection, over 1,500 jobs have been crated to support its production.

The Bentayga SUV was developed as part of a $1.2 billion investment program, one of the largest investments for the automaker. “This car is a celebration of UK manufacturing at its very best, not only reinforcing our commitment to industry in this country, job creation and significant investment, but to our home in Crewe. This is an important moment in our history, where we reflect and celebrate, but also look ahead to delivering this extraordinary car to our customers,” said Wolfgang Durheimer, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors, in a release.

The first Bentley Bentayga luxury SUV features an Anthracite exterior paint finish, handcrafted for more than 130 hours. During those hours, the new model was passed through the new body shop, paint shop, and new assembly line that were built as part of the investment. The luxury SUV was driven off the line to an audience of 4,000 employees.

The 2017 Bentley Bentayga luxury SUV will begin deliveries in January 2016.

Source: Bentley

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2016 Ford Shelby GT350R and 2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Go Head to Head (W/Video)

The shootout between the latest muscle car offerings from Detroit continues as Chevrolet’s champ goes out of production and Ford delivers the Shelby GT350R Mustang. On this week’s episode of Head 2 Head, host Jason Cammisa takes the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 and the 2016 Ford Shelby GT350R Mustang through challenge after challenge to see which muscle car will come out on top.

The Camaro Z/28 is powered by a 7.0-liter V-8 that delivers 505 hp and 481 lb-ft of torque, while the Shelby GT350R pumps out 526 hp and 429 lb-ft from its 5.2-liter V-8. The Camaro is slightly heavier, which might give the new Shelby a leg up.

First on the list is a canyon drive to get a feel for which muscle car handles better on the road before a dyno shootout. Racecar driver Randy Pobst joins in on the action at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway to see which car is better on the track. But a true test of muscle cars wouldn’t be complete without an all-out drag race with some help from Cammisa’s cousin, Bob. After that, it’s time to crown the winner.

Which muscle car will come out on top, the 2016 Ford Shelby GT350R or the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28? Watch the video below to find out.

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