Around the country, just about now, little children are anxiously anticipating putting on their scariest costumes and hitting the streets in search of candy. For weeks, and for some as long as a few months, the kids have been scanning costume catalogs looking for that perfect look that will scare the neighbors, along with their parents, brothers, sisters and friends into securing them as much candy as possible. It’s a kid’s celebration!

Or is it?

Turns out, its not just kids that like to scare the parents and neighbors this time of year.

Our friends, the car manufacturers, just love to scare people and they are at it again during this most frightening time of the year.

Mazda, following in the footsteps of their brethren Honda, Hyundai, Ford, GM, Chrysler and Toyota, has issued a public statement in which they “recommend” that consumers not use aftermarket parts when making repairs to their vehicles after an accident.

The statement says in part, “ Mazda North America Operations (MNAO) does not recommend the use of aftermarket parts for any Mazda maintenance or collision repair.” It continues, “ These aftermarket parts are generally made to a lower standard in order to cut costs and lack the testing required to determine their effectiveness in vehicle performance and safety”.

Even in this statement, the manufacturers don’t come right out and say that aftermarket parts are definitely inferior. They use the word “generally,” not stronger language like – always or every time. In other statements released by the manufacturers, they cover themselves by using words like could, might or may. They never come right out and say they are inferior. They can’t. That would not be the truth.

This campaign is not about the truth, it’s about scarring people and grabbing a monopoly for the car manufacturers.

Where is the evidence that these parts are inferior? Recent tests by independent testing companies have shown that in many cases, aftermarket parts preformed better than the original part. The only tests showing that aftermarket parts don’t perform correctly are those conducted by the car manufacturers themselves. How reliable can those be?

The car manufacturers claim that aftermarket parts are not tested. Wrong again. Aftermarket parts are tested by not only the company that manufactures the aftermarket parts, but also by several independent testing agencies and groups. These testing groups then certify the parts as comparable to the original part.

In addition, many of the aftermarket parts come from the same manufacturing plants and companies that manufacture the original parts. Believe it or not, just because it may say Ford or GM on the box, it does not mean that they actually manufactured it.

This is just more of the same old scare-tactic propaganda perpetrated by the manufacturers in their on-going national campaign to gain monopoly control over the sale and use of collision parts. It’s all about greed, greed and more greed.

Overall, the replacement market for collision parts amounts to around fifteen billion dollars a year. Currently, the original manufacturers have control of around 80% of this market. The remaining 20 % goes to the aftermarket and this piece amounts to three billion dollars. That’s big bucks folks and a huge motivation for the original manufacturers too grab it all using whatever methods it takes.

For years I have been saying that this monopoly grab is a coordinated campaign by the manufacturers. Many others, including the original manufacturers, have said it is not. But lets take a look at this.

When conducting a campaign that has various groups, organizations or companies involved, you want everyone talking about the same issues as much as possible. Talking from the same page if you will. To make sure this happens you put together what are called talking points. This is a simple list of issues that you wish to highlight in your campaign. Usually, you limit it to a few simple points. Once you have these points settled on, you distribute them to your cohorts and let them produce press releases, position papers and statements. This is what is happening with the car manufacturers.

I have gone back and looked at the statements produced by the car manufacturers and I have found some strong similarities, which clearly show that a coordinated campaign is underway. These are excerpts gleaned from the statements.

STATEMENT FROM HONDA – MARCH 18, 2008

“The original body parts used on a Honda automobile are designed and built to provide optimum fit, function, safety, and structural integrity. “

STATEMENT FROM CHRYSLER – DATE UNKOWN

“Chrysler LLC vehicles, systems and components are engineered, tested and manufactured to protect vehicle occupants based upon both government mandated and internal corporate requirements relative to durability, NVH, vehicle safety and occupant protection. “

STATEMENT FROM HONDA / ACURA – MARCH 22 2010

“ Honda and Acura vehicles are engineered and manufactured to exacting standards and as such are designed to help protect vehicle occupants in the event of a collision.”

STATEMENT FROM HYUNDAI – JULY 22, 2010

“Hyundai vehicles and Hyundai Genuine Parts are designed and manufactured to meet Hyundai’s exact engineering specifications and to protect vehicle occupants in collisions.”

STATEMENT FROM TOYOTA/LEXUS/SCION – NOVEMBER 11, 2010

“Toyota Lexus and Scion vehicles are engineered and manufactured as an integrated assembly of carefully designed and manufactured parts working as a system to provide predictable performance, safety and durability.”

STATEMENT FROM MAZDA – SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

“Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) recommends that all maintenance and collision repairs be performed using Genuine Mazda Parts in order to provide an optimum level of performance, safety and durability. Genuine Mazda Parts are made from the same blueprint as the original parts found in production vehicles, ensuring that each part is guaranteed to perform seamlessly and wear the same as the day the vehicle was built.”

These statements clearly appear to have been prepared from a template written by the same people. Each statement has the same main points woven throughout them showing a concerted effort on the part of the car manufacturers. It’s all right there for everyone too see.

Aftermarket parts have an unblemished sixty-year record of safety. Every year millions of consumers confidently chose aftermarket parts for their vehicles and those millions are rewarded with quality and affordability. Just what the car manufacturers do not want you to have.

This effort to scare the American consumer away from using aftermarket parts and gaining a clear monopoly is the scariest Halloween trick of all.

Well, the Chrysler boys are at it again!

Ten months after the Fox Television affiliate in Detroit found a group of workers from the Jefferson North Plant, which assembles the Jeep Grand Cherokee, spending their lunch hour drinking alcohol and smoking pot, a follow-up investigation has found more of the same behavior at another Chrysler plant.

This time, a group of workers from Chrysler’s Trenton Engine Plant in Trenton, Michigan, were, once again captured on video during their lunch break drinking what appeared to be a variety of adult beverages while several were also smoking “cigarettes” that did not seem to come out of a name branded pack.

The workers were not on Chrysler plant property at the time of their lunch-party. However, they were just a few feet away from the United Auto Workers (UAW) meeting hall. I must ask, is there a roped off designated area for this activity at the UAW hall?

I know that perks, benefits and pay are out-of-control at the automakers but, I guess we all missed that part of the agreement with the UAW that allows workers to hang out at the hall during the work day using drugs and drinking alcohol.

Chrysler released a statement saying that the conduct captured on video was “unacceptable” and that the workers would be suspended without pay once they are identified. Wow – tough talk Chrysler.

With taxpayer money being used to bail out Chrysler and the UAW should we, the taxpayer, not expect better than this from our government owned company? As a taxpayer, and thereby a part owner of the company, I say FIRE THEM NOW!

How often is this happening? This is now twice in less than a year at just two plants in relative proximity to one another. How many more plants around the country have workers participating in adult liquid and wobble weed breaks during working hours?

Last year was the fourth worst year for auto recalls since they began keeping those records. How much of these recall problems could be due to auto workers that are drunk or high on the job? One has to ask.

Can you imagine the outcry from the car manufacturers if this activity had been found at a plant that manufactured aftermarket parts? They would be apoplectic and calling for the plant to be shut down because of the danger to the manufacturing process.

I’m sure that the majority of car company assembly workers at plants around the country are hard working and not engaging in this type of activity, at least I hope so. And, I hope that the workers caught engaging in this activity receive the help they need to move on with their lives – in some other career. But, once again, this shows that the OE’s have a lot of problems that they need to take care of before they spend their time denigrating and attacking the aftermarket.

Here are a couple more car stories where you just have to shake your head and wonder…..

JEEP OWNERS CALL FOR RECALL

Using online websites, Internet forums, fan sites and You Tube an ever-growing group of Jeep owners around the country have been calling on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to – recall their vehicles!

Now, I don’t know how many of you have ever had to go through a recall – I have and take my word – it is not fun. In fact, it is a royal pain in the backside! I can say without hesitation, I do not ever want to go through that frustration again.

So I have to ask, how bad does it have to be for an owner of a vehicle to beg the government to recall their vehicle and go through all of that?

The problem concerns fuel overflow issues on gas tanks affecting most Jeep models, but centered mostly on 2007 and 2008 Jeep Wranglers. Chrysler has recalled some Dodge Durango’s for the same problem but they deny any problems with Jeeps.

The complaints are that even after the gas pump clicks off, gas spurts out of the fuel cap soaking the vehicle, the vehicle owner and the pavement. It is so bad and happens so often that many Jeep owners are not filling their tanks completely full to avoid being drenched in fuel.

Chrysler says the problem is that owners are using fuel with high ethanol levels. Their testing shows that a plastic “O” ring on the inlet valve that is supposed to stop the fuel from gushing out, swells when soaked in ethanol thereby causing the problem.

Ok, so in the scheme of things this may not be the biggest, scariest or most threatening of problems. Certainly not when compared to many of the other recalls that have recently been made. But, it is annoying and one of those things that should just not be happening.

The vehicle owner has no choice in the level of ethanol their fuel contains, so how can they do anything to alleviate this. And besides, should Jeep have not foreseen this problem?

Chrysler has already recalled the Durango for the same problem. Why not a recall for these Jeeps?

The best Jeep could muster is too issue some service bulletins, which means they will only fix the problem if the owner brings it to the dealers attention – and pays for it. The NHTSA says no recall because Jeep owners generated the interest in the issue over the Internet and it would. What?

I have to ask again. How many years has Jeep been manufacturing vehicles? All those years and they still can’t get some thing as simple as the fuel process right?

You just have to shake your head.

IS IT JETSON TIME?

This is a good head shaker.

Remember that cartoon The Jetsons? The way they flew around in their own mini – spaceships. As a kid, I was sure we would all be doing that by now.

Well, we may have taken the first step in that direction – finally – kind of.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has granted a legal exemption to the Terrafugia Company that will allow their Transition model to be driven on the road.

Why is this a big deal? Well, the Terrafugia Transition is actually a two-seat prop plane that turns into a vehicle able to be driven on the highway at proper highway speed, when not flying through the air.

It’s a flying car!

I call it that anyway. The company calls it a “roadable vehicle”. Trust a bureaucratic corporation to put a downer on it. Flying car – roadable vehicle – come on – It’s a flying car for goodness sake. Go with it!

The flying car includes automotive safety features like crumple zones and even airbags.

The Transition has successfully completed several test flights and is expected to enter production in 2012. Where do I sign up?

No word on whether you get a dog named Astro with each purchase.

What’s next, buildings mounted on the top of poles?

For almost as long as cars have been on the road there has been an ongoing debate about whether you should always buy a new car, or, never buy new and go with a used car every time.  Both sides have good points to back-up their positions so the choice comes down to your own personal feelings. Must you have a new car always, or, can you go with something a little older and save money. One thing is for sure, that debate will continue.

But there is another area of the vehicle that involves new versus used that has not received much attention. That is the purchase of used tires for your vehicle.

I know what you may be thinking. Used tires, how can you even think about putting used tires on your vehicle? That can’t be safe. Well actually, not only can it be safe, but it also can be a very cost efficient alternative in this day of four-dollar-plus a gallon gas and ever-rising costs for maintaining your vehicle.

My first contact with used tires goes back many years. My father owned a small construction company. He had several vehicles of different sizes including pick-ups, heavy-duty trucks, dump trucks and various tractors and heavy equipment that needed maintenance and tire changes on a regular basis. He always purchased used tires for them. To my knowledge, he never had a problem with them.

In addition, I had uncles that were farmers. They farmed hundreds of acres raising grain and cattle. They also bought used tires for all of their farm equipment – tractors, combines, pick-ups – all of them. Even then, with gas prices at  under or around a dollar, yes it has been that many years ago, and the cost of maintenance being much less, the use of used tires saved hundreds if not thousands of dollars every year. That savings mattered and made a difference.

I personally have purchased used tires for my own vehicles. After being told by my dad that the days of his paying for all the maintenance on the vehicle I was driving at home was at an end, and, that I was now paying for it myself, I quickly realized just how expensive maintaining a vehicle can be. Fortunately we had a family friend that owned a tire shop and he always helped to find the right tires for me. Used tires became part of my regular purchases and I never had a problem with them.

For some people, buying used tires presents a bad image. They believe that used tires have little or no tread left because, why else would they have been discarded. That is not always the case.

So, lets take a look at where they come from, and how you can find and use these tires in a safe economical way.

First, perhaps we should take a page out of the car manufacturers own playbook. Instead of calling these – used tires, which gives us a bad image, we will start calling them – previously owned tires. Hey it worked for the car companies.

Normally, all four tires should be replaced at a time. Many times however, just one or two tires show some excessive wear for whatever reason, so people, doing what is recommended, will replace all of the tires even though not all the tires suffer from excessive wear.

On other occasions, people decide they want a different type or look of tire so they replace them even though the older tires are still in good shape. These still good tires become nice – previously owned tires ready for use again.

The number one lesson about changing tires is – never ever replace just one. If one tire blows out or is seriously damaged in some way, or if a tire has excessive wear, you never replace just that one tire. You always replace two tires. So, you have a situation where only one tire was bad while the other is still fine. This also creates a nice previously owned tire inventory.

The key to any previously owned tire is the tread. When buying new tires, people do not usually check the tire tread, unless they want to see the design. They know, because it is new, that the tread will be “unused” or diminished from use. When looking at previously owned tires, you need to become a tread expert.

There is a very easy tried and true test to see if your previously owned tire has sufficient tread to keep you safe and sound while giving you miles and miles of economical driving. And, it turns out the tester is right in your pocket. It’s called the penny test.

Take a Lincoln head penny and hold it with the head facing down. Place your thumb and forefinger so it covers Lincoln’s body. Place Lincoln’s head into one of the grooves anywhere on the tire to check the evenness of the tread. If any part of Lincoln’s head is obscured by the tread you more than likely have a safe amount of tread. Run the penny around the tire or check points where it seems the tread maybe worn to a lower level. If you can see anywhere above the head including the words “In God We Trust,” there is not enough tread on the tire so move on to the next one.

Do not run tires with different tread patterns. Make sure the tires are the right size required by the manufacturer. This will make your ride smoother and the wear on the tires will be more even.

In addition too checking the tread, look carefully at the sides of the tires. Look for cuts or gouges, which may indicate that the tire has been damaged in an accident or driven against a curb at some time. A thinning of the tread on the side of a tire creates a higher probability of a blow out at some point.

If possible, look inside the tire for tire patches. Many times when a tire has been punctured, causing it to go flat, it can be repaired with a patch. This is a safe and easy repair done often in the country. If you find a patch, check it thoroughly to make sure it is still firmly attached to the tire with no rips or tears. A well-applied patch can out last the tire. Just make sure it is still properly in place.

Where can you find previously owned tires. Most garages, tire retailers and some car dealers keep a large selection of these tires on hand. Use their extensive expertise in helping you too select the right set of previously owned tires for your vehicle.

In this day of tight budgets previously owned tires are a safe and economical way to help keep your vehicle on the road. Go for it!

One day this past week tucked in with my regular mail call of bills, coupons and friendly reminders of some thing I absolutely need too do, was a very nice looking flyer from my friendly Honda dealership.  The flyer stated that it was coming specifically from the Honda Authorized Tire Center. Sure enough, there were two very well produced pictures of technicians in very clean uniforms handling tires and tire accessories. Very professional and very nice indeed.

My first reaction was, when did they come up with an Authorized Tire Center for my Honda, or, any other make and model for that matter. As you know, if you have read any of the other articles on this site, and hopefully you have, I have already had a tough monopoly experience concerning the tires on my wife’s Honda van. The Honda dealership is the only place I can buy tires for the van resulting in extreme inconvenience and exorbitant costs. Still, I did not know about the Authorized Tire Center so, I read on.

The flyer tells me that I should not go to another tire dealer for my tire needs because the Honda dealer is the only place where I can find – “ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES made for your model.” It continues by telling me that the tires will be “installed by Honda-trained technicians, so you’ll get the tires designed for the model you drive.”

Most will see this as just a simple flyer trying to create some business for the dealer. I see some thing much deeper and more sinister at work here.  To me, this is just part of a continuing attack on the independent aftermarket in an attempt to coerce people back to the dealer for their maintenance and repairs – including tires.

The verbiage and pictures on this flyer imply just such a scenario. There is no talk about better prices or special deals. No language about convenient hours and being able to get in and out in a fast and easy manner, all things you might find in a regular sales flyer.

No, all the language here is about having – “ the original equipment tires made for your vehicle installed by Honda-trained technicians so you’ll get the tires designed for the model you drive”. It makes it sound as if none of the tens of thousands of independent tire dealers around the country can do the work correctly. Further, it implies that these independent dealers may not posses the right parts or equipment to do the tire job properly or carry the correct tires in their inventory

The wording of this flyer is clearly designed to make the vehicle owner think that the dealer is the only place you can get “the right repair or parts for the vehicle”. In the case of my wife’s van that is true, but only because they have a monopoly on my tires. In most cases, parts and tires can be found at any of the hundreds of thousands of independent repair locations around the country.

This mailing is just another part of a national campaign to create a monopoly for the car companies. For over seventeen years I have seen this campaign grow in force to the point that now, the car companies are even going after your tires. Think about that.

Remember, the independent aftermarket has existed in this country for nearly as long as there have been cars providing quality products at affordable prices. Do not be coerced by the car companies into thinking you can not get the right service, or the right parts from the aftermarket. Even tires.