Dec 2011 21

A little time can save you a lot of money.

 

The timing belt or chain is one of the most important maintenance items on an automotive engine, yet it is frequently the most neglected. Failure to follow the required maintenance schedule for the timing belt or chain can lead to very expensive repairs to other engine components.
 
One reason so many drivers neglect timing belts is the long service intervals. Unlike oil changes that typically occur several times per year, timing belts typically last at least 50,000 to 60,000 miles, and timing chains can go 100,000 miles or more before needing replacement.
 
Why is the timing belt or chain so important? Like a runner, an engine needs to breathe in order to produce power. Athletes alternately inhale air and exhale carbon dioxide. Engines also draw in air and then exhale exhaust gases. Every cylinder in an engine has from two to four valves, half of which allow air and fuel in and the other half providing a path to let exhaust out.
 
Each valve has a spring attached to it, keeping it tightly closed. The valves are opened by a rotating camshaft with lobes that push down on the top of each of the valve stems in turn. As the lobe passes, the spring pushes the valve back up.
 
For an engine to work, the opening of these valves must be carefully synchronized with the rise and fall of the pistons. If the valves open too early or too late, the engine can run poorly or not at all. Worst of all, because the valves must open as the piston falls, if the valve timing is too far off, the pistons and valves can collide, causing severe damage inside the engine.
 
In order to keep everything in sync, the camshafts are driven by the crankshaft.
With just a few notable exceptions, the camshafts on virtually all modern engines are mounted on top of the cylinder heads at the opposite end from the crankshaft, an arrangement referred to as “overhead cam.” The result is a fairly long drive mechanism that is typically either a toothed belt or a chain drive.
 
Chains have a durability advantage over belt drives, but they are noisier than belt drives. A toothed rubber belt can stretch as it ages; this can leave the camshaft out of sync with the crankshaft. Chains can also stretch or break, but they generally last about twice as long as belts.
 
Whether an engine has a belt or chain drive, the service interval will be listed in the owner’s manual and manufacturers strongly advise that drivers follow the recommendations. Unlike changing oil or an air filter, replacing a timing belt or chain is generally not the type of service most people can handle at home. It typically requires removing most of the parts at the front end of the engine such as the alternator, power steering pump and air conditioning compressor. In a front-wheel drive vehicle with the engine mounted left to right, this area can be very tight and difficult to work in.
 
When the time comes to replace the timing belt or chain, it’s best to bring the car to a qualified service facility such as the dealer that sold the car. The technicians there will have special training on how to do this operation and all of the specialized tools that may be needed. They will also know how to make sure that the crankshaft and camshafts are all correctly aligned so the engine runs properly.
 
TimingBeltCareModern engines can run for many miles and years with the original timing belt or chain. When it is time to replace it, however, it’s best to get the job done promptly and properly by a professional who offers a warranty on the work. Whatever option you choose, delay can be costly. 
 
Contact us today and we’ll help steer you in the right direction.



Dec 2011 20

Ohio lights up the holidays.

 

This is the season for tradition, for twinkling lights, festive songs and sweet treats. It seems no matter where you are in Ohio, there’s a special event waiting to brighten your day in the midst of the winter chill. 
 
As homes throughout the state are adorned with color and light, one “house” in Akron stands out: The Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, the historic Manor and estate of Goodyear Tire and Rubber founder F.A. Seiberling. This grand Tudor Revival home and the magnificent grounds date to the early 1900s; today, it’s a National Historic Landmark and an accredited museum. There’s no better time to feast your eyes on its grandeur than during December’s “Deck the Hall” event, which runs through December 30, 2011. The grounds come to life with animatronics displays, special musical entertainment and holiday treats like gingerbread and cider. During your self-guided tour, you’ll encounter scenes from Alice in Wonderland and the Wizard of Oz, behold the elegant 20-foot Christmas tree and see a painstakingly-constructed Lego replica of the Manor House. The estate features sweeping views of the Cuyahoga Valley, a 550-foot Birch alee with more than 100 distinctive gray trees, English and Japanese gardens, a palatial glass Conservatory and a thatch-roofed gate lodge. The home itself has 65 rooms, 18 of which are bedrooms, and 23 bathrooms. There are 23 fireplaces and elaborate, hand-carved woodwork throughout. See how one of America’s great tycoons of the Industrial Age and his family lived. Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens is open April through December. Get additional information at www.stanhywet.org.
 
Downtown Cincinnati is the cool place to be all winter long, as the U.S. Bank Ice Rink at Fountain Square is in full gear. Weekends through Christmas Eve, you can take a spin with Santa himself. On New Year’s Eve, have a “blast” during the annual celebration that includes free skating, music, refreshments and fireworks. For rink hours and other details, go to www.myfountainsquare.com.
 MakingSpiritsBright
Satisfy your appetite for fun during the holidays by heading to the Cleveland Botanical Garden for the annual WinterShow, through December 31, 2011. The event also serves as a showcase for the 2011 Gingerbread Competition where you’ll see the city’s “most magical gingerbread houses,” fashioned in all shapes and sizes by craftsmen of every description. Prizes are awarded in a variety of categories: Family and Children (under 18 years), Adult (18 and older) and Professional. There’s even a non-competitive Arts and Culture category. Entries take center stage at the 10-acre institution that was founded in 1930. During the holidays, the 20 gardens are enhanced by all manner of trimmings including a floral carpet, holiday trees and cacti and a contemporary menorah. There’s also live musical entertainment, delicious treats and shopping for last-minute gifts. For more information, go to www.cbgarden.org.
 
In the weeks ahead, make plans to have some Ohio-style holiday fun. The state’s foremost attractions, all wrapped in twinkling lights, are sure to make your season bright.



Dec 2011 20

Biggest Savings of the Year

InterstateFordYearEndCelebration2011

It’s that time of year again! Ford is giving Interstate more Stocking Stuffers to pass along to you!
 
For example, Ford Credit is making special rates available for a Red Carpet lease where you can pickup a brand, new 2011 F-150 4×4 CrewCab valued at nearly $40,000 for only $349/month, acquisition fee included!* Or, get into a 2012 Focus for as little as $14,988!** The Savings are real, and geared to fit your lifestyle and budget on the Ford of your dreams. Contact one of our representatives today.

* F-150 #1058,1 available at this price, 39 Month lease, 10,500 miles per year, .20 cents per mile overage. All rebates applied, includes $750 trade assist, final price plus tax, title and document fees, $0 Down available with approved credit. Take new retail delivery from Interstate stock by 1/3/2012. See Interstate for qualifications and complete details.. Expires 1/3/2012. ** 2012 Focus S, Includes dealer discounts and factory incentives. Discounts off MSRP, FMCC Financing required.No-charge maintenance for 2 years or 25,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Coverage includes regularly scheduled maintenance services at 7,500 mile intervals. For all offers, take new retail delivery from Interstate stock by 1/3/2012. See Interstate Sales for qualifications and complete details.. Expires 1/3/2012.  Customer can defer first payment up to 90 days. Payment deferral requires Ford Credit financing; not all buyers will qualify. For APR rates other than 0%, finance charges continue to accrue during deferral period. Only available on 0% APR contracts in Pennsylvania. Take new retail delivery from dealer stock by 1/13/12. See dealer for qualifications and complete details.


Nov 2011 25

Demand for new Fords, and quality pre-owned vehicles is increasing as the month pushes on.

Every year we do special things for our customers around the holidays. This year, our Black Friday Sales Event has been so popular that we’re extending it through the end of November. Turns out a lot of folks need larger vehicles, or have simply held on to their existing vehicles a year or two longer than they planned. Whatever brings you to visit, we will do our best to accommodate here at Interstate.

Between now and November 30, anyone who visits and goes on a test drive to evaluate one of our vehicles will receive a free gift just for the effort. We’re open seven days per week except for the major holidays, and service Monday through Saturday. If you’re ready for your new sleigh, or just for some service, give us a call or stop by. We’ll take care of all your automotive needs.


Nov 2011 15

Or, how to save a dinner party.

Say you’re sitting at a dinner party. Conversation has started to wane and you find yourself sweating into your shrimp cocktail because of the awkward silence. Now, imagine you have a random tidbit of useless information that you can interject, re-energizing the discussion and becoming the hero of everyone around you. This can all happen if you just read this list of 50 amazing, but completely useless, facts.
 
1.      In Japan, they have live lobster vending machines.
2.      Wedding rings are placed on the third finger of the left hand because ancient Egyptians believed the vein located in that area ran directly to the heart.
3.      The brightest star in the sky is called Sirius.
4.      Upon exiting a cave, a bat will always turn left.
5.      There is a small town in Kentucky called Monkey’s Eyebrow.
6.      Factoring in inflation, what was worth $1.00 in 1950 is worth $0.12 today.
7.      The sentence “Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo” is grammatically correct. It utilizes the three meanings of the word “buffalo” – the city, the animal and the verb “to bully.” In the most simplified terms, the sentence means, “New York bison whom other New York bison bully, themselves bully New York bison.”
8.      Every one of the sweaters Mr. Rogers wore on Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood was hand knit by his mother.
9.      One of the ingredients of dynamite is peanuts.
10.The most money ever paid for a cow at auction was $1.3 million.
11.On average, the human head has 120,000 hairs; however, natural blondes can have as many as 140,000 while redheads often have as few as 90,000.
12.In Italy, police drive Lamborghinis.
13.Beetles taste like apples, wasps taste like pine nuts and worms taste like bacon.
14.What English-speakers call a “French kiss,” French-speakers call an “English kiss.”
15.On average, right-handed people live nine years longer than left-handed people.
16.The skeleton of Jeremy Bentham, an English jurist, philosopher and social reformer, is present at all major meetings at the University of London.
17.A little over a century ago, the majority of the Icelandic dog population was killed by an epidemic.
18.Honey is the only food consumed by humans that has been found to not spoil. In fact, honey found in ancient Egyptian tombs was sampled by archaeologists and deemed edible.
19.Dolphins sleep with one eye open.
20.Queen Elizabeth I took great pride in her cleanliness, once declaring that she bathed once every three months, whether she needed it or not.
21.Slugs have four noses.
22.The number “57” on a Heinz ketchup bottle refers to the number of products the company sold. Even though they sold around 60 products at the time, Henry Heinz thought 57 was a lucky number.
23.In the film E.T., the sound of the alien walking was produced by a sound engineer squishing her hand in jelly.
24.Lucy and Linus from the Peanuts comic strip had a little brother named Rerun who sometimes played baseball with Charlie Brown.
25.In China, the three most well known Western names are Jesus Christ, Richard Nixon and Elvis Presley.
26.Due to time zone shifts, if you had flown from London to New York on the Concord, you would arrive two hours before you left.
27.You burn more calories sleeping that you do watching TV.
28.The largest number of children born of a single woman was 69. The woman, a Russian peasant, gave birth to 16 sets of twins, 7 sets of triplets and 4 sets of quadruplets from 1725 to 1765. 
29.The word ‘nerd’ was first used in the Dr. Seuss book If I Ran the Zoo.
30.In Paraguay, dueling is legal as long as both parties are registered blood donors.
31.The United States has never lost a war – in which mules were used.
32.Nobody knows who built the Taj Mahal.
33.The Neanderthal’s brain is believed to have been larger than the modern day human’s brain.
34.According to scientists, dolphins were once four-footed land dwellers.
35.On average, people have four dreams per night. That’s 1,460 dreams per year.
36.The cost to run a 30-second commercial during the 2011 Super Bowl was $3 million.
37.J.K. Rowling was the first person to earn $1 billion as an author.
38.Fortune cookies are not Chinese; they were invented in San Francisco in 1920.
39.According to Nielsen, Americans spend, on average, 53 billion minutes a month on Facebook. That averages out to 4 hours, 39 minutes and 33 seconds per person, per month.
40.An octopus has three hearts.
41.Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, but could never call his mother or his wife – they were both deaf.
42.Every human was but a single cell for approximately one half hour.
43.The number one employer in Brazil is Walmart.
44.Shakespeare was 46 when the King James Bible was written. In Psalm 46 of that work, the 46th word from the first word is “shake” and the 46th word from the last word is “spear.”
45.You cannot taste salt until you are four months old.
46.More than 37 percent of Americans begin their Christmas shopping before Halloween.
47.An Iowa man named Charles Osborne had hiccups for over 68 years. Studies claimed he likely hiccupped 430 million times.
48.In her lifetime, the average woman will do 215 miles worth of ironing.
49.Percy Spencer was inspired to invent the microwave oven after the chocolate bar in his pocket was melted by a vacuum tube.
50.Two-thirds of the world’s eggplant is grown in New Jersey.



Nov 2011 11

Honor veterans at these Ohio landmarks.

 

Each year on Veterans Day, we pay tribute to the men and women who serve in our country’s military forces. Ohio offers the opportunity to honor them every day at veteran’s memorials you should plan to visit soon.
The Ohio Veteran’s Memorial Park in Clinton, while a work in progress, provides poignant reminders of the sacrifices made by soldiers and the families who love them. At its heart is a 125-foot-long black granite Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall engraved with the names of more than 3,000 Ohioans who lost their lives during the conflict. On the monument’s reverse side, you can see highlights from Ohio’s proud military heritage dating back to the War of 1812. Nearby, the Gold Star Mother statue honors women and families who lost a child in service, and plans are underway for an additional sculpture in recognition of Blue Star Mothers, those who have (or have had) a son or daughter in the military. Memorials are located throughout the park – garden benches, flowering trees, engraved pavers and markers – along with flags representing each branch of the armed forces. A POW/MIA reflection pond and eternal flame (still under construction) will be dedicated to servicemen and women who remain unaccounted for, but never forgotten. For directions and additional information, go to www.ovmp.org.
 
North of Cincinnati, in Hamilton, honoring soldiers has been a community tradition for more than 100 years. The Soldiers, Sailors and Pioneers Monument, a massive three-story building, was dedicated in 1906 at Fort Hamilton. Atop its dome sits a 14-foot bronze statue of a Civil War soldier. Art glass windows pay homage to women’s wartime contributions, and polished marble slabs bear the names of Butler County’s first settlers and veterans from the Revolutionary through Spanish-American wars. The monument houses a collection of Civil War weaponry, as well as uniforms, photography and memorabilia from conflicts of the 20th century. There’s also a reference library with genealogy resources and records of residents who served in both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf. Get details at www.butlercountyohio.org/monument.
 
One of the state’s most unusual military attractions is the Confederate Soldiers Cemetery on Johnson’s Island in Lake Erie’s Sandusky Bay. It is here that a POW Depot operated from 1862 to 1865, housing as many as 10,000 prisoners, most of whom were Confederate officers, during that time. Today, the cemetery is all that remains of the prison camp with three monuments to honor those buried here; the first was dedicated in 1910, and the other two were dedicated in 2003. These monuments indicate 267 grave locations, although originally, there were 206 headstones. Nearby, the Johnson’s Island Museum, located in the Ohio Veterans Home, displays artifacts from private collections and offers exhibits covering the island’s vast history. While the museum is open only from Memorial Day to October 1, the cemetery itself offers a quiet place for reflection year-round. Information is available at www.ohiodnr.com/LinkClick.aspx?link=22605&tabid=20487 and www.johnsonsisland.org.
 
As the year winds down, take time to honor the contributions of our nation’s armed forces. A proud military heritage shows at memorials throughout Ohio.



Nov 2011 9

Performance, efficiency and utility in a do-it-all compact SUV.

The 2012 Ford Escape has been a perennial best bet for consumers looking for a five-seat, compact SUV. More than a million Escape models are on the road today, thanks to a combination of capabilities that continues to be unmatched by the competition.
Thanks to its high-tech features, handsome styling, spirited performance and the impressive fuel economy of both the traditional Escape and the Escape Hybrid, Edmunds.com noted that the 2012 Ford Escape is “a tempting choice in the compact crossover category.”
 
The non-hybrid Escape is available in three trim levels – XLS, XLT and Limited – or choose the Escape Hybrid or the Escape Hybrid Limited. Every trim level of the Escape is offered in either front- or all-wheel drive, giving it an advantage over many competing compact SUVs that only offer a two-wheel drive on their entry trim levels.
 
Adding to the choices, all non-hybrid Escape models are available with a 2.5-liter Duratec® inline four-cylinder engine with advanced intake variable-cam timing technology to maximize performance when it’s needed and optimize fuel efficiency during steady cruising. The Escape XLS offers the engine with a choice of either a six-speed automatic transmission (its increased number of ratios provides low-end acceleration while offering maximum fuel efficiency in overdrive) or a five-speed manual transmission. Both the XLT and Limited trims are standard with the six-speed automatic. The Escape maintains a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds with the Class II Trailer Towing Package.
 
The Escape Hybrid operates with a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle inline four-cylinder, coupled with a permanent magnet, AC-synchronous electric motor. During highway cruising, the Escape Hybrid’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder is in continuous operation, but in heavy traffic or city driving, the electric motor provides much of the motive force until the Escape Hybrid reaches a speed where the gas engine can provide the most efficiency. Power from both the gas engine and the electric motor is channeled to the wheels through an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) that keeps the engine turning at optimal speed for increased fuel efficiency. The Escape Hybrid is capable of fuel economy EPA-estimated at 34 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.
 
Regardless of which Escape model you choose, you’re in for some class-leading technologies. The industry-exclusive MyKey® – which allows owners to program a “key limit” to certain vehicle functions like top speed and radio volume to help promote safe driving habits – is especially helpful if inexperienced teen drivers are expected to be behind the wheel. MyKey also includes the ability to set speed alert chimes that warn drivers they’re approaching unsafe speeds, an earlier low fuel warning indicator and a persistent Belt-Minder® seatbelt alert.
 
Escape XLT, Escape Limited and Escape Hybrid Limited are available with Intelligent 4-Wheel Drive that works to provide maximum traction either on the road or off the beaten path. Two hundred times per second, the system senses traction input and automatically adjusts torque distribution to the wheels with the most grip, transparently and without input or interaction from the driver, in wet or dry conditions. The system works in combination with the standard AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control (RSC®) system, which utilizes gyroscopic sensors that measure vehicle yaw and roll motion. If you happen to enter a corner too quickly, or make a sudden evasive maneuver, RSC applies brake pressure to individual wheels and adjusts engine power to help you stay in control.
 
The class-exclusive SYNC® system is available on select Escape and Escape Hybrid models. The system offers hands-free access to a paired and connected Bluetooth® enabled phones. Music is also available through your USB-connected digital media player without ever having to take your hands from the wheel. SYNC Services also include Traffic, Directions and Information, turn-by-turn directions and a business search that operates through the audio system. The Vehicle Health Report allows customers to receive a vehicle diagnostics report online and 911 Assist can connect directly to a 911 operator through the paired mobile phone in the event of a collision in which airbags deploy.
 
The Ford Escape continues to be a fan favorite, and with all the connectivity and efficiency technology built in, you can see why. For a demonstration of all of its capabilities, contact us today for a test drive.



Nov 2011 5

Thousands apply for a spot on FUEL TV’s upcoming action sports driving show.

Photo: Ford Gears up for Octane Academy Series

 

Ford’s new action sports campaign, Octane Academy, is a chance for motorsports fans to get a crash course in driving from the pros. Four Ford action sports drivers – Ken Block, Brian Deegan, Tanner Foust and Vaughn Gittin, Jr. – will host 32 selected fans at four camps over the course of one year. Within each camp, eight contestants will compete in both creative challenges and risky dares. Their adventures will be chronicled in a 13-episode television series, also called Octane Academy, launched by Ford and FUEL TV.

 
Since July, Ford has received over 6,000 applications and 850 video submissions from people looking to be the next great action sports driver. Fans explain why they want to participate and be mentored by the four Octane Academy superstars.
 
Crystal Worthem, Ford Brand Content and Alliance Manager, is thrilled with the public response. “We created Octane Academy to reach a younger, more diverse generation of action sports and race enthusiasts through this never-been-done-before experience, and the momentum for Octane Academy is proving we hit our target. The response rate, creative video submissions and passion to be part of Octane Academy have exceeded our expectations.”
 
FUEL TV is also excited about Ford’s latest project. Peter Vesey, FUEL’s Vice President of Advertising Sales, promises that the show “will feature quick cuts, comic relief and risk-taking scenarios that take both the pro drivers and every day Joes out of their comfort zones in the name of entertainment.”
 
Deegan, a Ford RallyCross and off-road truck champion, will teach his amateur drivers to handle the fierce F-150 SVT Raptor. Gymkhana celebrity Block will have a Ford Fiesta, 2010 Formula Drift champ Gittin, Jr. a Mustang and X Games 16 double gold medalist Foust a Ford Focus ST.
 
After several weekends of adrenaline-pumping tasks, the drivers who earn the approval of the pros will win prizes, and the overall winner of each camp will receive a new Ford vehicle of their choice.
 
The Octane Academy series is set to air in early 2012. Learn more about the pro drivers and their camps at www.octaneacademy.com. You can also check out the F-150 SVT Raptor, Fiesta, Mustang and all-new Focus at www.ford.com. At www.fuel.tv, FUEL TV’s schedule will keep you updated on episodes.




Nov 2011 1
0% APR, Cash Back, No Payments for 90 Days, PLUS 2 Year Maintenance Free

Big Savings NOW at Interstate!

Outstanding savings as we roll out the 2011 Year End Clearance Event. 0% APR available on Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, Escape and more, plus Cash Back. Also, some vehicles qualify for No Payments for 90 Days, PLUS a 2 Year Maintenance Program included at No Charge. Now is the time to save big at Interstate Ford.



Oct 2011 21

There are many ways to help prevent and treat sinusitis.

Sinus infections, also known as sinusitis, are a widespread problem that can interfere with day-to-day life. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines sinusitis as inflammation of the sinuses that occurs with a viral, bacterial or fungal infection. Sinusitis can be caused by a common cold, allergies or a problem with nasal structure. For many people, the symptoms of congestion, coughing and headaches are often unbearable. Fortunately, however, there are simple steps you can take to help alleviate a sinus infection or even avoid one altogether.
 
To help prevent sinusitis, The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) offers a few general suggestions:
  • Keep your nasal passages as moist as possible with sterile saline sprays or washes. Avoid dry indoor environments. You can use a humidifier, but be aware that very humid air can increase mold, dust mite and cockroach allergens, which will cause problems if you’re allergic to these organisms.
  • Steer clear of irritants like cigarette smoke and strong chemical odors.
  • Avoid long swims in chlorinated pools, since the water can irritate the lining of the nose and sinuses.
  • Use decongestant nose drops or sprays before air travel.
Understanding what triggers sinusitis can help you avoid getting an infection in the future. If you experience chronic irritation and inflammation, the NIAID recommends talking to your healthcare provider about having an allergy test.
When a sinus infection develops, the goal is to get rid of it as quickly as possible. And while your doctor can prescribe helpful medications, sometimes it takes some additional relief to feel comfortable. At home, there are plenty of easy ways to fight the annoyances and pain of sinusitis. Try these tips from the Mayo Clinic (www.mayoclinic.com):
  • Drink lots of fluids like water and juice to help nasal drainage. Avoid caffeinated beverages, which can dehydrate, as well as alcohol, which can increase swelling of the sinus and nose lining.
  • Apply warm, damp compresses to your nose, eyes and cheeks to alleviate facial pain.
  • Keep your head elevated as you sleep to promote drainage.
  • Try using a sinus rinse to help clear nasal passages.
Speak with your doctor about more ways to combat sinus infections. Although the symptoms can be unpleasant, having the tools to combat that stuffed-up feeling will go a long way. Get more information from the NIH and the NIAID at www.nih.gov and www.niaid.nih.gov, respectively.