Georgia’s Clean Air Force Offers Seven Key Guidelines for Buying a Pre-Owned Vehicle

According to a 2017 used car market report, three out of four automotive sales in the United States involve a pre-owned vehicle. Since Georgia motorists rely so heavily on their cars for transportation, choosing the right pre-owned automobile is important. Utilizing the best resources can help with this decision.

Georgia’s Clean Air Force, in partnership with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), offers seven expert tips to help motorists in the market for a pre-owned vehicle.

“Prior to buying a pre-owned vehicle, it’s imperative that consumers research its history. Researching a potential buy can save you time and money later,” said Michael Odom, Mobile & Area Sources Program Manager, Georgia EPD.

• Obtain a Free Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR). To view a free summary of the most recent vehicleinspection reports, motorists should visit www.cleanairforce.com/motorists/vir-reprints/. This report informs you if the vehicle has had a valid, passing emissions inspection performed within the last 12 months.  
• Ask for a Carfax Report. Carfax reports give you the history of the vehicle, letting you know if the vehicle has been involved in an accident or other negative event. When you’re ready to buy, check to see if the dealership will run this report for you. If not, you can easily run a report by visiting www.carfax.com.
• Research the Dealer. Knowing who you are purchasing a pre-owned vehicle from is a vital step in the buying process. By reading reviews for any dealerships or sellers, you can eliminate those that are untrustworthy or have negative comments posted about the vehicles they sell.
• Acquire a Pre-Purchase Inspection. Employ a trusted third party to perform a pre-purchase inspection. 
• Take a Mechanic to a Private Sale. Bring a trusted mechanic with you to a private sale so you don’t drive home with a lemon.
• Complete an On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) Test. Not sure what this entails? An on-board diagnostic (OBD) test scans the vehicle for specific codes that indicate when the vehicle had certain repairs, or if it has undergone recommended preventative maintenance services. This is helpful information to know when determining what kind of damage or work has been done in the past.
• Choose Your County Wisely. Sellers located outside of metro Atlanta’s 13-county testing area are not required to provide a passing emissions test at the time of sale. You should take this into consideration if you reside in one of the 13 counties where passing an annual emissions test is required.

For additional information or to download an infographic on tips for buying a pre-owned vehicle, visit the Georgia’s Clean Air Force website at http://www.cleanairforce.com.

First Look: Ford GT

Atlanta Auto Examiner recently got a look at the all new Ford GT. It truly seems to be a modern day muscle car. It looks fast even when it's standing still. We hope to drive it soon to provide a full report.
A few facts:

• All-new race-winning Ford GT supercar serves as a test bed for new technologies and advanced lightweight materials that will benefit future Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and electric vehicles
• Patent-pending rear wing improves track performance by changing shape like an airplane wing, increasing downforce on the car, with minimal impact on drag, to help aid acceleration, cornering and braking
• GT’s aerodynamics produce positive downforce in all conditions, giving GT stability and grip on and off the track

Love the Lake: Lake Hartwell, S.C.

Beautiful Lake Hartwell, S.C., straddles the South Carolina-Georgia border and is just a two-hour drive from metro Atlanta. It offers boating, fishing, picnicking, hiking and other activities. It's also a great place to view wildlife. Atlanta Auto Examiner's recent trip included viewing a fox, several squirrels and some fish.

Tips for Improving Air Quality and Saving Money

Georgia’s Clean Air Force, a partnership with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), offers these six simple tips to help improve Georgia’s air quality and save money in the process.

As summer driving season kicks off, Georgians who make minor adjustments to their driving habits can greatly reduce harmful emissions, help to improve air quality, and operate their vehicles more reliably.

“As Clean Air Month leads into the summer driving season, it is the ideal time to remind drivers to assess their driving habits and make adjustments that can help to improve the air quality in Georgia,” said Michael Odom, Mobile & Area Sources Program Manager, Georgia EPD. “A few minor tweaks can contribute to cleaner air, save drivers time and money, and prolong the lives of the vehicles they drive.”

In honor of Clean Air Month, following are six tips to help improve air quality and save money:

• Pressure Your Tires to Perform at Their Best. When it comes to fuel economy, your tires are literally where the rubber meets the road. Under-inflated tires create more drag, requiring more gas to accelerate. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.2% for every 1 psi drop in the average pressure of all tires. Plus, properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.

• Don’t Idle on Idling. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, idling for just 10 seconds wastes more gas than restarting the engine. For every 10 minutes your engine is off, you'll prevent one pound of carbon dioxide from being released into the environment. And you’ll save money, too. An idling car burns anywhere from 1/5 to 7/10 of a gallon of fuel per hour. A good rule of thumb is to turn your engine off if you will be idling for 30 seconds or more.

• Car Pool to Work and School. A typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Carpooling with friends or colleagues is not only an excellent way to cut down on harmful emissions, it can save you money on gas, and it can even save you time through the use of HOV lanes. If you have a shorter commute, pledge to walk or ride your bike to work once or twice a week.

• Fuel in the Cool. Twenty percent of all hydrocarbon emissions from cars come from fuel evaporation. Filling your gas tank during the hottest parts of the day – afternoon and early evening – will lead to more evaporation than filling in the morning or at night. Hot temperatures combined with gasoline fumes create harmful ground-level ozone. Also, don’t forget to snap your gas cap in place. Each year, 147 million gallons of gasoline vaporize due to loose, damaged or missing gas caps.

• Lighten Your Load. According to the EPA, fuel economy can be increased by 1 - 2 percent for every 100 pounds removed from the trunk of a vehicle. With gas prices increasing for the summer driving season, this can translate into significant fuel savings over time.

• Cruise to a Win. Fueleconomy.gov statistics show that increasing your highway cruising speed from 55 mph to 75 mph can cause as much as a 20 percent increase in fuel consumption. Driving at 55 mph instead of 65 mph can help you improve your gas mileage by as much as 10 - 15 percent.

For additional information, visit Georgia’s Clean Air Force at www.cleanairforce.com.

2019 Volkswagen Beetle: Another Swan Song

For decades, the Volkswagen Beetle was among the most popular small cars. Then it went away for awhile. Then in the 1990s, it came back, as the New Beetle. Its popularity was re-stoked and it seemed the world would forever have its Beetles. 
Now however, the 2019 Beetle has entered its final year of production, as it will take another halt in production, indefinitely. 
Sales have been mild, with the rise of compact crossovers probably playing a large role. 
Anyway, doesn't hurt to enjoy it while it's still here. 
It's available as a two-door hatchback or two-door convertible.
Its maximum cargo capacity is 29.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.
The Beetle has four trim levels: S, Final Edition SE, SE and Final Edition SEL.
Under the hood is a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 174 horsepower and is linked to a six-speed automatic transmission.
Fuel economy for the Beetle is rated at 26 mpg city, 33 highway. 
While it's no sports car, it's still kind of fun to drive. And you can't help but enjoy the nostalgic aspect of it. 
Pricing ranges from about $22,000 to around $31,000.
We'll miss this fun, iconic little car. Maybe it will come back to us again some day. 

Things to See in Tennessee -- Chattanooga

This lovely view of a bridge over the Tennessee River revealed itself in a recent visit to Chattanooga. This pleasant city has a fun downtown section with shops, restaurants, attractions and beautiful river vistas.

Chattanooga is nestled amid the Smoky Mountains and the Tennessee River, creating beautiful views throughout the city.

Sensational Sao Paulo

We recently visited the vibrant city of Sao Paulo, Brasil. Shown above is a Sunday afternoon street festival that featured live music, performances, food and a lively party atmosphere.

This live statue was among many attractions at the Sunday street festival in Sao Paulo. The city showed its cultural richness.