Locate an Auto Repair Shop in Sutton, Alaska

Federal investigators found that the auto had rubber all-weather floor mats for a Lexus RX400h, which is a sport-utility vehicle, and that they were unsecured by the vehicle�s retaining clips. Toyota had previously stated that the mats were for a different Lexus vehicle but had not said which model. The NHSTA report found that one of the two clips on the Saylor vehicles had pulled out of the carpeting and was lying under the floor mat. The other clip was still attached to the carpeting but not hooked into the floor mat. In addition, the vehicle�s brake surfaces showed signs that they had been worn down through heavy braking against the full force of the 272 horsepower Lexus engine. �Rotors were discolored and heated, had very rough surfaces, had substantial deposits of brake pad material, and showed signs of bright orange oxidation on the cooling fins consistent with endured braking,� the report said. NHTSA investigators also noted that instructions for operating the car�s keyless ignition, which requires that the power button be pressed for three full seconds to turn off the engine at speed, were �not indicated on the dashboard.� The San Diego County Sheriff�s Department is leading the investigation of the crash and has not yet released a final report. The NHTSA report indicated that the Sheriff�s Department had recovered an electronic data recorder, or black box, from the wreck, but that �no attempts to retrieve data from the EDR have yet been made.� Lt. Julie Sutton of the Sheriff�s Department said today that the department has no comment on the NHTSA report, adding that it is not releasing any more information about the San Diego crash at this time. My question. Why would you need all weather floor mats in San Diego? Last time it rained was February. You have to drive out in the country to find mud when it does rain.

I think the Betty Sutton bill was the one the auto industry wanted. Ms. Sutton's bill would provide buyers vouchers of $3,000 to $5,000 if they turn in cars that are eight years old or older and buy new cars that get at least 24 miles per gallon on the highway or trucks that get 27 mpg. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123853805152575391.html (I think they must have reversed the car/truck mpg requirements)

may be some hope though - "Representatives Sander Levin of Michigan and Betty Sutton of Ohio, both Democrats, said this week that they may try to extend the program if the initial allotment is exhausted swiftly. " http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601209&sid=anhSjXp64Ul8

You can get the details for CFC here: http://sutton.house.gov/news/story.cfm?id=250 Rules for SUV's are dependant on weight class. We are waiting for the bill to pass to decide what to do, but a 2wd pilot puts us at $4500 with the 5mpg difference. Let's see if they up the rebates on the '09's, or might make more sense to just get an 2010...

"A cash-for-clunkers program that would provide government vouchers to consumers to trade in their old cars faced an uncertain fate Thursday. Lawmakers had attached the program to a must-pass bill to finance the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but talks on the broader legislation collapsed Thursday over unrelated issues. The House bill, sponsored by Rep. Betty Sutton, D-Ohio, and aggressively pushed by U.S. auto makers, faced opposition from several senators who say it wouldn't go far enough to reduce car emissions of greenhouse gases. The critics, including Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, contend that the House bill could provide vouchers toward the purchase of high-polluting Hummers and SUVs." 'Cash For Clunkers' Uncertain After Bill Stalls (Wall St. Journal)