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Last Updated: Mar 26th, 2006 - 13:41:45 |
(NUI) - Just like fashion and music, the automobile industry is constantly evolving, creating trends that change from year to year. New gadgets, safety features and vehicle styles make buying a new car and repairing one even more complicated.
A recent poll reveals the attitudes of today's top ASE-certified master mechanics and their views on "What's hot" and "What's not" in the automobile industry.
Auto technicians think actor Jim Carrey would also make a great used car salesman. The poll, conducted by The Valvoline Company in conjunction with the National Institute for Automotive Excellence, revealed trends in safety as well as what consumers can do to protect their automotive investment.
Here's what made the list:
What's Hot ...
Motor Oil. The poll found that almost nine out of 10 top mechanics (86 percent) strongly agree that oil in auto engines should be changed every 3,000 miles for maximum vehicle performance.
Sport Utility Vehicles. Technicians believe one of the primary reasons for the current popularity of sport utility vehicles is their ability to drive well in inclement weather. Also, consumers purchase SUVs because they are perceived as a status symbol.
Seat Belts. Out of a variety of safety features, the seat belt was chosen (61 percent) as the best safety feature for consumers to have in their cars or trucks. The seat belt beat out the air bag (23 percent) and the anti-lock braking system (15 percent).
Increased Speed Limits. Although motorists will be zipping down highways at faster speeds due to new legislation that has increased speed limits across the country, the new laws will have little effect on car and truck maintenance.
Jim Carrey. He's not only one of the hottest actors in Hollywood, but he also was chosen by technicians as the celebrity who would do the best job selling used cars. Carrey beat out actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, basketball star Dennis Rodman and Prince Charles.
What's Not ...
Electric Cars. More than 40 percent of master technicians agreed that electric cars are not very likely to be mass produced for consumer use within the next 10 years.
Auto Emissions. That's why the technicians think that consumers should change their motor oil more often as a way to reduce the level of auto emissions in the United States.
Anti-Lock Brakes. Although this safety feature may be a hot item on today's new cars and trucks, almost half of those technicians surveyed believe that U.S. drivers have not learned how to properly use anti-lock brakes.
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