2011 Drive Whatcom Spring Edition

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

The and the present

Ferndale charging station services electric vehicles on the I-5 corridor..........................................C5

2012 Honda Civiccoming to NorthwestHonda in April.................................................. C6

Three yellow Beetles converge atthe Fairway Center....................................... C8

What’s Inside...

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

The and the present DriveWHATCOMSpring 2011

A supplement of the

&

Diesel makes a green come-back thanks to the Audi A3 TDI at Roger Jobs Motors

SeeC3 inside

SPRING DRIVE WHATCOMC� Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, March 23, 2011 | Ferndale Record

(1) APR offer good on new 2011 Jetta Sedan models. Excludes TDI models. Example: For 2.9% APR, monthly payment for every $1,000 you finance for 60 months is $17.92. No down payment required with approved credit through Volkswagen Credit. *Not all customers will qualify for lowest rate. See dealer for details. Offer valid in US. (2) *APR offer good on new 2011 Jetta TDI clean diesel Sedan models. Example: For 3.99% APR, monthly payment for every $1,000 you finance for 60 months is $18.41. No down payment required with approved credit through Volkswagen Credit. Not all customers will qualify for lowest rate. See dealer for details. All offers expire March 31, 2011. Photos for illustration purposes only. ©2011 Volkswagen of America, Inc.

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C�SPRING DRIVE WHATCOM Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, March 23, 2011 | Ferndale Record

Audi A3 is green standard for clean diesel technologyModel won 2010 Green Car of the Year award

See TDI on C4 The Audi A3 TDI has helped redefine what diesel represents in the United States. — Lynden Tribune | MARK REIMERS

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Mark ReimersTribune reporter

WHATCOM — Green Car of the Year. There aren’t many vehicle that can make that boast. In 2010, the Audi A3 TDI earned the distinction from the Green Car Journal mostly due to its cut-ting-edge clean diesel technology. Yes, diesel. When many Americans hear die-sel, they still think of a long-haul trac-tor trailer rig, or a Cummins engine in a Dodge Ram. But some car manufac-turers would prefer you start thinking green. The Audi A3 may just be the vehicle to change the way drivers think about going green. Although not a front-line manufacturer in America, Audi has seen sales steadily ticking upward as demand increases for unique vehicles

like the A3. Travis Graddon, sales representa-tive and Audi brand specialist at Roger Jobs Motors in Bellingham, said Audi sold about 110,000 A3’s in the United States last year and has a target sales figure of about 140,000 this year. Last year’s success followed close on the heels of a humorous ad cam-paign for the 2010 Super Bowl telecast called “Green Police.” The ad imagined police units tasked with enforcing green standards in all areas of life. At a road checkpoint, the green police give the driver of an A3 TDI a free pass through traffic as a reward for his taste in auto-mobiles. But “green” has been a long-stand-ing effort and marketing theme from Audi, Graddon said, and no one is more


See NEW TECH on C10

AAA announces its top picks for new vehicle technology

The Audi A3 TDI is usually spoken for by the time it reaches a dealer lot anywhere in the United States. — Lynden Tribune | MARK REIMERS

qualified than Audi to claim the mantle. Perhaps the biggest drawback to buying an Audi A3 is the wait, since deal-er lots around the country move through their limited inventories as quickly as they can obtain them. Helping to fuel that demand are A3’s quality lightweight materials, super lux-ury and years of experience in the diesel market, with engines that produce 30 percent fewer carbon dioxide emissions than traditional gasoline engines. A 2011 Audi A3 TDI retails typically in the $30,000 range depending on fea-tures included, but it can save money in the long run. The efficiency of diesel means get-ting a lot of bang for each buck spent at the pump. In fact, although the 2.0 liter TDI clean diesel engine produces 140 horse power, it still gets a luxury class-leading 30 miles per gallon in the city and 42 miles per gallon on the highway. In addition, the A3 achieves 50 percent better fuel economy than a comparable gasoline engine. Graddon said Audi’s diesel technol-ogy speaks for itself. A close examination of an A3 tail pipe will discover no soot or odors, and it performs quietly. Diesel cars, although more common in Europe, have taken a long time to find accep-tance in the United States. However, in 2009, Volkswagen, which owns Audi, re-entered the U.S. diesel market, opening the way for Audi to take the lead. For more information, contact Rog-er Jobs at 734-5230 or visit at 2200 Iowa St. in Bellingham. E-mail Mark Reimers at [email protected].

Continued from C5

TDI: Earns best-in-class ratings for fuel economy

BELLEVUE — AAA has released its biennial list of top picks for new vehicle technology. Developed by automotive experts at the nation’s largest motor club, the list features a variety of interesting vehicle technologies intended to improve safety, increase performance and reduce the en-vironmental impact of some of the newest models on the market. “Every model year, automakers find new ways to employ technology in their vehicles to enhance the driving experi-ence,” said John Nielsen, AAA National Di-rector of Auto Repair and Buying Services. “While many of the innovations continue to focus on safety and performance, we’re also seeing more new technologies that address the environmental impact of the vehicles we drive, which is evident in this year’s list.”

Automakers go for ‘greener’ as well as safety and performance AAA’s experts warn that not every new vehicle technology necessarily has a posi-tive effect on function or safety. “Many technologies can distract drivers who end up multi-tasking behind the wheel, which takes their focus off the primary task at hand — safely driving their car,” Nielsen said. This year’s top picks by AAA for new vehicle technology include: All-Electric Vehicles — While many automakers have electric vehicles in the works, the Nissan Leaf is the first to mar-ket from a major car brand. With an esti-mated 100-mile range between charges, the Leaf is a viable option for many com-muters. It drives nicely and has a well-de-signed interior. Calculated on a cents-per-mile basis, the electricity that powers it costs less than half as much as gasoline in fuel-efficient cars.

Plug-In Hybrids — These cars provide the benefits of an electric car, while main-taining the same driving range as conven-tional vehicles. Vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt and the soon-to-arrive plug-in Toyota Prius operate in all-electric mode for a limited local range, after which a down-sized gasoline engine is used to either power the vehicle or recharge the battery while the car moves. Turbocharging and Supercharging — These systems have long been asso-ciated with performance, but they also can produce enhanced fuel economy. Turbochargers and superchargers let automakers install smaller engines that burn less fuel during normal driving, yet offer the performance of a larger engine when acceleration is needed for passing or merging. Ford’s EcoBoost engines are

an example of this technology, which was recently introduced into its F-150 models, with other manufacturers moving to fol-low suit. Inflatable Rear Seatbelts — Both Ford and Mercedes-Benz are working with this technology that promises to bring a large measure of the airbag protection afforded to front-seat occupants to those who are buckled up in the rear. In a crash, the seat-belts inflate, spreading the force of the im-pact over a larger area of the body, which reduces the likelihood of injuries. Start-Stop Technology — Common in other parts of the world, but only in limited United States use, start-stop tech-nology is making its mainstream debut in America via Mazda’s i-stop feature. The technology shuts off the engine when the car is at a stop, and instantly restarts it when the driver takes his foot off the brake


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Megan ClaflinFerndale Record editor

FERNDALE — Business owners and employees working near the Ferndale Events Center, just off Interstate 5 at Exit 262, are accustomed to a steady stream of travelers. However, recently a few new visitors are commanding more than just an upward glance. Each week, Tesla Roadsters, Ameri-can-made high-end electric vehicles, find their way to the public charging sta-tion located in the center’s parking lot and arrive in a “rainbow of colors,” said Anna Schiessel, Ferndale Events Center (FEC) operations manager. “Teslas come in every color you could imagine and are very unique in appearance,” Schiessel said. “Many local owners commute along the coast, back and forth between Seattle and Vancou-ver, B.C., so this is a convenient stop for them.” Schiessel said FEC owner Kim Al-freds installed the battery charger in 2010, after Chad Schwitters, a Redmond

resident and fellow Tesla owner, ap-proached him about the lack of charg-ing options along the I-5 route. Alfreds agreed to host the station and Schwitters donated the charging apparatus. “(Kim) sees (the station) as a pub-lic service, helping drivers who choose these all-electric vehicles,” Schiessel said. The charging station is inconspicu-ous. Passersby are likely unaware that the single, reserved parking space is a designated lifeline for electric vehicle owners, with only a simple awning and small sign marking the spot. Mounted to the center’s wall, a shoebox-sized elec-trical meter offers a prongless cord that locks into place on the roadster at a con-verter point near the rear of the vehicle. On average, a Tesla Roadster can travel 245 miles at a time and needs about three to four hours to regain a full charge of power. “Owners can use other outlets like the RV hookups at campground but it is

Ferndale charging station services electric vehicles on the I-5 corridor

A "free charge" at the self-serve station at the Ferndale Events Center may become a perk to visiting the area. — Ferndale Record | MEGAN CLAFLIN


The sleek Honda Civic coupe always pleases in the looks category. But hybrid ver-sions can take the pain out of filling up at the pump with an EPA-estimated com-bined rating of 45 miles per gallon. — Lynden Tribune | COURTESY

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Hybrid version will get 45 miles per gallonTim NewcombTribune assistant editor

WHATCOM — It may seem early for 2012 models to start arriving on local car dealership lots, but it is never too early for 45 miles per gallon. The new Honda Civic Hybrid boasts just that, an estimated city/highway com-bined fuel-economy rating of 45 miles per gallon. And a new HF gasoline-only ver-sion won’t be far behind, with an estimat-ed 41 mpg on the highway. The new Civic will land at Bellingham’s Northwest Honda dealership in mid-April and customers are already looking for-ward to the advanced fuel efficiency, said Tony Carter, Northwest Honda general manager. “With gas prices creeping up, fuel effi-ciency is on everyone’s mind,” Carter said. “This is a pretty green town, so people are interested in fuel efficiency more and more.” The entire redesigned ninth-genera-tion Civic lineup will become more fuel ef-

2012 Honda Civic to arrive locally in April

ficient with two models – the all-new Civic HF and the Civic Hybrid – each delivering fuel economy estimates of more than 40 mpg on the highway. The lineup also includes the standard coupe, a sedan and two sporty Si versions. In all, the 2012 Civic lineup includes a sedan and a coupe with conventional gas-oline models, a new “HF” high fuel econ-omy version, two sporty “Si” performance versions, along with one hybrid and a nat-ural gas alternative-fuel variant. The newly designed HF model will be the most fuel-efficient gasoline-only Civic in the lineup when it launches this spring. It is equipped with a 1.8-liter i-VTEC en-gine. The 2012 Civic Hybrid, which will be outfitted for the first time with a lithium-ion battery and a larger 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine, is expected to achieve an EPA-estimated city/highway combined fuel economy of 45 mpg, an improvement of four mpg compared to the current Civic Hybrid. Both the Civic HF and Civic Hybrid


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models will boast aerodynamic components and the Honda ECO Assist technology, which provides feedback to the driver to promote more efficient driving styles. Carter said that as hybrid technology has advanced, customers’ fears of it have dissipated, making a hybrid purchase a more mainstream idea in Whatcom County. In addition to the Civic HF and Civic Hybrid models, the Civic Sedan, Civic Coupe and Civic GX Natural Gas models are also estimated to achieve improved fuel econ-omy compared to the current models. The Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe achieve an EPA-es-timated fuel economy of 39 mpg on the highway, an im-provement of three mpg when compared to the current model. The Civic Natural Gas vehicle is anticipated to earn a 7 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to the current model. The Civic Sedan, Civic Coupe and Civic Natural Gas models will all be equipped with the Honda ECO Assist technology. Along with improved fuel economy, the new Civic lineup claims to offer more performance, particularly with the Civic Si. The Civic Si sedan and coupe models will feature a larger, more powerful 2.4-liter engine as well as a new six-speed manual transmission. The new engine is anticipated to deliver 200 horsepower with 170 foot-pounds of torque. Even with the larger engine and a 22 percent increase in torque, Civic Si is targeted to achieve an EPA-estimated highway fuel economy of 31 mpg, an increase of two mpg when compared to the current mod-el. Carter said that interior technology is also a bonus with the new Civics, as a new computer in the console boasts a five-inch screen where drivers can download per-sonal photos and sync their iPod and navigation systems. Northwest Honda, located at 2010 Iowa St., not only expects to sell the Civic locally, but to Canadian custom-ers too. “We sold three cars to Canadians over the week-end,” Carter said. “We sell a lot of used cars to Canada.” E-mail Tim Newcomb at [email protected].

The new Civic is packed with interior technology such as the new dash-mounted computer, which supports photo downloads and iPod sync along with navigational controls. The vehicle offers a perk for just about every-one. — Lynden Tribune | COURTESY


Yellow Beetles converge at the Fairway Center

Three employees at the Fairway Center, from left, Adele Salmonson, Teri Scheffer and Bonnie Jager, all come to work driving their nearly identical yellow Volkswagen Beetles. — Lynden Tribune | CALVIN BRATT

Three workers there sport their eye-catching VW models

Calvin BrattTribune editor

LYNDEN — Three canary yellow VW Beetles. All belonging to workers at the Fair-way Center. Sometimes parked within sight distance of each other. No, it’s not a mirage or a triple vision problem. Adele Salmonson, Teri Scheffer and Bonnie Jager didn’t plan it this way. It just happened that the three women obtained their very nearly identical Volkswagen cars, two of them within the last year, and they drive to the same vicinity for work. Now they feel like sisters in their bond for their auto-mobile babies. The three gathered recently at the Fair-way Cafe to get more acquainted with each other and trade some of their stories. “We’re quite often nose to nose out there (in the parking lot),” said Jager, who works three days a week at Ace Hardware in sync with Salmonson, a full-time cook at the cafe. Scheffer works part-time at the Connie & Co. Styling Salon, and she scoots around to several other involvements. “We’re drawn to yellow Volkswagens just like bees to a hive,” says Scheffer with gusto. So how did they each come to own one of these sweet specimens that seems to at-tract others? Each has a different story. Adele bought her 2001 standard stick-

shift model for her daughter Kaylee, who was just finishing up driver’s education at the time. Unfortunately, the teen, not entire-ly comfortable with stick-shift, punched the car into the cinder-block back of the home garage. So daughter has been content to let mom drive the repaired sporty Beetle while she settles for the old family clunker, a Buick Riviera. In fact, as a Running Start student at Whatcom Community College, Kaylee is able to pick out her vehicle in the parking lot a little more easily. Sometimes she counts four yellow VWs there. “So that’s the hot bug,” Adele said. Jager’s father, Evert Bredeway, in Michi-gan had collected and tinkered with the orig-inal version of VW Beetles all his life. When the reincarnated Beetle came out in 1998, he ordered one in yellow. But there was such a demand for them, resulting in production delays, that he got a 1999 model. After the Bredeway couple, both in their 80s, passed away, Ted and Bonnie Jagers took possession of the car a year ago and drove it cross-country to Lynden. They were struck that they came upon more Beetles in Wash-ington State than anywhere else on the trip. Twelve years old, the Jagers automat-ic transmission version still has less than 40,000 miles on it. Salmonson said her husband, Denny, promised her a Beetle when she graduated from beauty school. Last October, he found this one, a turbo-charged five-speed with a sunroof, in Bellingham. “I have to watch it because it gets going to 70 miles per hour in the blink of an eye,” she said. In fact, the turbo upgrade includes a rear fin that deploys at high speeds — somewhat like on an airplane — to keep the car from “taking off,” Scheffer laughed. It’s stayed on the ground for 128,000 miles so far. The women all report gas mileage around 35 miles per gallon. They also say appreciately that big and tall men who drive their Beetles find there is plenty of head and foot room to suit them. Grandkids and even dogs are eager to try out the back seat. Salmonson, who lives just blocks from work, has the luxury of needing only one tank fillup per month, for less than $45. They all at times use the famous flower vase built into the Beetle’s steering column. Scheffer’s car has a slightly paler hue of yellow, noticeable up close. Travis Graddon, a sales representative at Roger Jobs Motors in Bellingham, said it is true that Volkswa-gen varies its color scheme slightly every few years, so that, for example, in yellow there have been Sunflower, Double Yellow and Mellow Yellow so far. Scheffer likes to think that the person at the wheel of a yellow VW Beetle tends to be someone “spunky and social,” and even the word “crazy” came up among the three women. Crazy about their favorite car, at least. E-mail Calvin Bratt at [email protected].


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a very slow charge and take several hours longer than the station here,” Schiessel said. The charger is self-serve, so pre-dicting the number of drivers who will be utilizing the station is difficult, said Schiessel. However, she believes that the availability of a “free charge” is enticing to drivers visiting from California, where similar services cost a few dollars per charge. The charger can also serve other electric vehicle owners who have one of the many converter kits, which allow for the power cable to fit a variety of sockets. Several websites and blogs help to spread the word about the location of charging stations and service shops worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.pluginamerica.org/about-us. Founded in 2003 as a collaboration of Silicon Valley engineers, Tesla Motors stepped boldly onto the international car scene in 2008 with the release of the Tesla Roadster, a 288-horsepower, 375-volt electric sports car capable of travel-ing up to 300 miles on a single charge. The vehicle’s sleek design and powerful performance, with top speeds reaching 125 miles per hour, has helped open up the world of electric vehicles to even the most elite of car enthusiasts. Three years

later, Tesla boasts more than 1,500 own-ers in 30 countries worldwide and 17 stores worldwide, and it has begun pro-ducing a more family-friendly sedan. A Tesla price tag exceeds $100,000 and potential owners must preorder their vehicle from manufacturers, but as gas prices continue to rise, these zero-gas, zero-emissions vehicles are gaining popularity. For more information, visit www.teslamotors.com/. E-mail Megan Claflin at [email protected].

Continued from C5

Power source: Only premium grade power is available at this station. — Ferndale Re-cord | MEGAN CLAFLIN

SPRING DRIVE WHATCOMC10 Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, March 23, 2011 | Ferndale Record

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pedal. Common on gasoline-electric hybrids, more widespread application of the technology has the potential to save significant energy in non-hybrid vehicles, particularly in urban environ-ments. Variable Valve Timing — This fea-ture was once limited to high-cost per-formance and luxury models, but is now available in nearly every price range of vehicle. Variable valve timing creates more engine power while delivering greater efficiency and lower emissions. The technology is now widespread in models from numerous automakers including Ford, GM, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda and BMW. Enhanced Stability Control and Rollover Protection — Introduced in the 2011 Ford Explorer, curve control sens-es when a driver has entered a turn too quickly, which can cause a crash, espe-cially in SUVs, crossovers and pick-up trucks that have high centers of gravity. Curve control backs off the throttle and, if more assistance is needed, applies the brakes. Ford claims the system can reduce vehicle speed by 10 mph in just one second to help the driver maintain control in a curve. Diesel Engines — While diesel en-

gines have been around for decades, the days of smelly, noisy, smoke-belch-ing and rough-running diesels are gone. Modern diesel engines are clean, quiet, refined and powerful. They also are economical, often providing a 30 per-cent boost in fuel economy with a cor-responding decline in carbon dioxide emissions compared to gasoline en-gines offering comparable performance. Some top performers in this area include Volkswagen models with TDI diesel en-gines, and Mercedes-Benz vehicles with BlueTEC diesel power plants. Alternator Recharging Programs — Some manufacturers, such as Toyota and BMW, limit the time the alternator recharges the battery to higher engine speeds and/or when the car is slowing down. The outcome for the driver is improved performance of engine while idling and better fuel economy. AAA’s top picks for new vehicle technology are selected by AAA auto buying experts who review hundreds of vehicles each year. The list takes into consideration not only the first appear-ance of a new technology in vehicles, but also its availability to U.S. motorists in popular mainstream vehicles. Additional information about AAA is available at AAA.com or by calling 1-800-562-2582. AAA has a Bellingham of-fice at 4280 Meridian St., #106.

New Tech: Diesel, stabilityContinued from C4

Drivers are holding on to their cars lon-ger in these tough economic times. Motorists need to get the most out of their investment by following proper maintenance. “Holding off on purchasing a new vehicle can be a smart financial decision, especially if drivers properly maintain their vehicles to ensure they’re running safely and efficiently,” said Steve Stoll, merchandising director of AutoZone, the nation’s leading auto parts re-tailer. The average length of time consumers hold on to their vehicles is more than five years, according to a recent automotive in-dustry study. Older cars can be safe and de-pendable, but need ongoing maintenance to keep them running at their best. Motorists can plan ahead for repairs and replacements instead of being hit by an unex-pected bill down the road, Stoll said. Two key components in any vehicle are the braking system and the battery. Experts offer the following tips to ensure these vital parts are properly maintained:

Brakes Excessive build-up of road grime from winter on brake components is one cause of brake failure. Also, salt and ice removal chem-icals can create contamination of exposed brake parts and cause brake components to deteriorate prematurely. Hazardous road conditions may also lead to increased use of antilock braking systems, and in turn prema-ture wear of all brake system components. As temperatures warm up, motorists

should check their braking systems to uncover any damage that may have occurred during the winter months. Brakes should be checked quarterly to en-sure proper performance. Brake pads and ro-tors should also be checked any time the tires are removed, such as during a rotation. Other brake components such as brake fluid should be checked at every oil change.

Battery A battery’s biggest enemy is heat. High tem-peratures can cause the grids inside batteries to corrode and break down. The effects of the cor-rosion are usually seen when winter hits, when the car requires more electrical power to start. Drivers should have batteries tested up to twicea year in normal climates, and more frequently in extremely hot or cold climates. While batteries can last more than five years in ideal driving conditions, factors such as temperature, the car’s age and nature of usage can impact the life of a battery. Many motorists are unaware that under the stress of normal city driving, the average life of a vehicle battery is about three years. According to the National Car Care Council, drivers with batteries more than three years old should consider replacing them, since batteries rarely give warning signs that they are about to fail. Drivers seeking more information about protecting their auto investments and extend-ing the lives of their vehicles can visit www.au-tozone.com for car care tips, seasonal driving advice and maintenance how-to videos.

Seasonal checks: Brakes and batteries

C11SPRING DRIVE WHATCOM Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, March 23, 2011 | Ferndale Record

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2010 IOWA STREET (360) 676-2277website: www.northwesthonda.com

Used vehicles are a lot like snowflakes or people — no two are exactly alike. Sure, two Ford Mustangs are exactly alike when they roll off the assembly line. But, once they go home with a human being, no two cars are ever quite the same again. Maybe one is meticulously maintained, and only driven once a week to church and back. Maybe one gets in an accident, or is owned by a traveling salesman who drives 50,000 miles in a year. Once a vehicle has been on the road even for a short time, it takes on character-istics that make it just a little different from every vehicle on the road. So, with more than 30 million used ve-hicles sold throughout the United States every year, how can you make sure you get the right used vehicle to fit your needs, meet your price range, and avoid getting a lemon? It comes down to knowing where to look, learning about a vehicle’s history and getting a trusted source to take a look under the hood to make sure the vehicle is in good working condition. First things first — where to look. The world has shifted to the Internet, and car shopping is no exception. Every day, more than 100,000 people find a vehicle they are looking for by shopping on an automotive website. Online destinations such as eBay Mo-tors, NADA Used Car Guide and CarsDirect.com have literally hundreds of thousands of

vehicles searchable by make, model, year, mileage, price and many other attributes to help narrow down the search to a handful of vehicles that meet your criteria. You want a red convertible with a V-6, black interior, ABS and less than 25,000 miles? Chances are, one of these sites can help you find exactly what you are looking for. Once you’ve identified a few vehicles that could meet your driving needs, personal style and price range, it’s important to learn a vehicle’s history. An AutoCheck vehicle his-tory report can show if a car or truck has had possible undisclosed or unknown problems

that can affect an automobile’s safety and resale value, such as major flood or frame damage, or odometer rollback issues. One of the things car shoppers are most interested in is whether or not a vehicle has been in an accident. To meet this demand, AutoCheck has incorporated key informa-tion including police-reported accidents on vehicles from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as exclusive frame dam-age records gathered from physical inspec-tions at vehicle auctions. In addition, the AutoCheck Score offers users a system for comparing a vehicle’s history against other

vehicles of similar make, model and mileage. This helps shoppers determine whether it is worth paying a little extra for a high quality vehicle. Once you have found a vehicle that fits your needs and you verify its history, it’s still important to have a qualified authority take a look at the vehicle. Because many shop-pers are finding vehicles far from home, it can be challenging to physically check the car to make sure the description and condi-tion match the ad. This is where an inspec-tion service, such as InspectMyRide, comes in handy. InspectMyRide has a comprehensive 150-point inspection service that provides a detailed analysis of vehicle condition. In-spect My Ride sends a qualified inspector to the vehicle, performs a road test when conditions permit, inspects the vehicle for signs of damage or concern and returns a detailed report — including high-quality digital photos — usually within 24 hours. This gives car shoppers peace of mind that the vehicle they are looking at is as good as advertised. All of these steps — searching the da-tabases of major used vehicle shopping websites, reviewing a detailed vehicle his-tory report and getting an inspection from a trusted resource — give consumers the tools they need to find the right vehicle at the right price and make a stress-free purchase deci-sion based on history and expertise.

SPRING DRIVE WHATCOMC1� Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, March 23, 2011 | Ferndale Record

There are many important parts that wear out in your brake system. This is why we don’t just replace yourbrake pads and shoes. It’s also why we can stand behind our brake service with the best brake warranty

(Free Replacement 25,000 Miles – Parts & Labor).

Over 25 YearsExperience

Professionally Trained Technicians

Best BrakeWarranty

PremiumQuality Parts

BRAKE ASSEMBLY

WE REPLACEPrimary ShoeReturn Spring

yy

WE REPLACEPrimaryShoe

WE REPLACEShoeHold-DownParts

WE REPLACEAdjusterLever Spring

jj

WE REPLACEWheel

CylinderAssembly

y

WE REPLACESecondary Shoe

Return Spring

WE REPLACESecondary

Shoey

CALIPER ASSEMBLY

WE REPLACEBleeder ScrewCaliperHousing

pp

SealeaPistonBoot

WE REPLACEOuter/Inner

Pad & Plates

WE REPLACESleeve &Bushings

WE REPLACE

WE RESURFACE BRAKE ROTORS WE RESURFACE BRAKE DRUMS

LES SCHWAB BRAKE SERVICE INCLUDES:Do your brakes grab?

Do your brakes squeal whenyou step on the pedal?

Does your vehicle pull whenyou apply the brakes?

Do you hear a grinding noisewhen you step on the brakes?

Is your brake pedal spongyor maybe too hard?

(ON MOST VEHICLES)

Then it is time to have your vehicle’s alignment checked. We use the finest parts and have the latest equipment. We service domestic/import cars and trucks.

SIGNS OF NEEDED ALIGNMENT:

FERNDALE1731 LaBOUNTY DR • (360) 380-4660

LYNDEN210 BIRCH BAY - LYNDEN RD • (360) 354-1446

VEHICLE PULLING

VEHICLE WANDERING

TIRE SHOULDER WEAR

VEHICLE SHIMMY/SWAY

YPMUB RIDE

TIRE CUPPING

SIGNS OF WORN SHOCKS:Then it is time to have your ride control inspected. We use the finest parts and have the latest equipment. We service domestic/import cars and trucks.

Shock Installation Extra

2011 Drive Whatcom Spring Edition

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