Letters to the Editor: March 6, 2006

More Letters to the Editor

Car washers strike back

On December 17, 2005, you posted an article authored by Bengt Halvorson in TheCarConnection.com that makes several statements about the professional carwash industry that demand a response.

Mr. Halvorson cleverly uses language designed to distort the truth. For instance, he writes that car damage can occur in professional car washes. It can but does today in less than one tenth of one percent of the time. He writes that “touchless” car washes don’t damage the finish, but they won’t likely get off all of the deposits. The truth is that touchless car washes are likely to get all the deposits off though they may not always. Every major oil company in America is installing “touchless” car washes in conjunction with their gas stations and convenience stores and if they didn’t clean cars, the oil companies wouldn’t be spending millions of dollars to do it!

Professional carwashing is the only responsible way to protect the appearance of your car. Professional car washes are now the preferred method of washing of two-thirds of the American public and 100 percent of environmentalists. The professional car wash industry is a $23.9 billion industry. It has succeeded because it has changed a great deal since the last time Mr. Halvorson took his car to a car wash. He should try it today — he might change his view of the industry.

Mark O. Thorsby

Executive Director

International Carwash Association

TCC Tip: Keep It Looking New by Bengt Halvorson (12/12/2005)
A little extra care goes a long way to avoiding dents, dings, and scratches.

More expert advice

I am an ASE certified mechanic at National Tire & Battery and have seen every tire wear issue possible. I would like to input my knowledge if you are interested. In the article, “Your Tires Are Talking,” there are several inaccuracies.

“Wear in the center” – Although over-inflation is one cause of wear in the center, it is more common to see it on the drive wheels from lack of rotation. The tires on the drive wheels flare out in the center like a dragster tire and will wear out in the center if left there too long.

“Wear on the edges” – This is also caused by lack of rotation on the front tires or excessive toe in/out on front.

“Cupping” – This is most often caused by lack of rotation on the rear of a front-drive car or too high of a caster angle on the alignment allowing the wheels on the front to lean out too far when turning. This is especially a problem on GM trucks.

Daniel Shuhart

TCC Tip: Read Your Tires by Bengt Halvorson (2/13/2006)
See your tires for what they really are, good or bad.

Al-Qaida comes to TCC

This was a very exciting article written by John F. Gardner. It is good to know that the police and security people take these kinds of classes. I am hopeful that some kind of investigation is done when a private person applies to take this and other related classes as it would be bad if the bad guys take this class too! Like Al-Quada [sic] people!

Laurieannelee

The 007 Experience: Shaken, Not Stirred by John F. Gardner (1/2/2006)
A driving school that teaches you James Bond’s best moves.

Jaguar flak

Poor Jag: damned if the front end looks too Aston-y, damned if it’s Taurus redux. And next up, the S-Class, right? They better be more careful with the Taurus reflex when building a sedan, don’t you think?

Bruce Robinson

2007 Jaguar XK Coupe/Convertible by Marty Padgett (2/6/2006)
Gorgeous, yes — but technically tight, too.

Bimbo redux

This appears to be another one of those “pile on North America” articles. Most of the skin was located in the booths of those OEs from across the pond. I think there is a perception that beauty is sexist.

Tom Flannery

At Auto Shows, Bimbos are Back by TCC Team (2/6/2006)
Maybe we’re prejudiced — but thank goodness we’re blond.

He doesn’t care what real women drive

What real women drive? I guess I live on another planet. I don’t see real women driving the automobiles listed by Carol Traeger. Oh yes, I suppose that the market for these automobiles is targeted toward women. But what really defines real? What percentage of real women drive them? Is this really enough to call real?

Hmmm? It seems real women account for less than five percent of the women population. So the rest of the women are not real?

Hmmm? It seems real women have disposable incomes high enough to accommodate the “sophisticated” European automobiles. So the more sensible women are not real?

Hmmm? It seems Carol Traeger has her vision obscured by the glittering chandeliers of high society. So the women not in this society are not real?

I don’t doubt that women have a very different take on the vehicles they drive. I don’t doubt the stages of life will influence the vehicle they drive. But if real women lived up to Carol’s real expertise then this market would be real big.

Carol Traeger has a real perception problem about real women resulting in real terrible journalism. Maybe she should get a real job?

I know I am a male, but I work in a field dominated by 98 percent women..... real women. I cannot think of one who drives any of the automobiles in her article, and very few who would aspire to Carol’s real misconceptions.

My real wife is happy with her real Subaru Outback that offers real safety, real function, and real bang for the buck without having to be in the SUV/minivan crowd.

REALLY!

Arthur Brood

Who the hell cares “What Real Women Drive,” and that “bimbos are back,” and especially what Shannen Doherty does (who the hell ever she is)? Can’t even spell her name right. You guys (or whatever) need to get a life

afd

Carol Traeger would respond to these letters if she weren’t on a press trip swinging from one of those high-society chandeliers. And are we the only ones who thought “afd” was an acronym beginning with “adios?” —Ed.

CarGirl: What Real Women Drive by Carol Traeger (2/13/2006)
Our battle of the sexes takes place on wheels.

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