Cranbrook RCMP are appealing to the public for help in locating a number of rowdy teenagers who they say threw rocks and bottles at police officers and police vehicles after authorites broke up a house party on Thursday night.

Police were called to a residence on 14th Avenue and 20th Street in Cranbrook at about 11:30 p.m. in response to a complaint of a noisy party, said Cranbrook RCMP Cpl. Pat Prefontaine in a news release issued Friday.

Upon arriving, they saw between 100 and 200 teenagers, inside and outside the residence, in various stages of intoxication.

The young girl in charge of the party told police her parents were out of town and most of the guests were uninvited, police said. She then asked for assistance in removing the unwanted guests.

“Once most of the teenagers were outside, they milled about breaking bottles and throwing rocks,” Prefontaine said.

“One male was seen by police to be breaching his curfew and was cooperative with police as he was placed in a police vehicle for transport home. Another male tried to open the police door vehicle to allow the teen inside to escape, but was stopped by police, leading to a scuffle with the officers and his running away.”

Anyone who has information regarding this incident — and specifically the assault on the two officers and damage done to the police vehicle — are asked to call Cranbrook RCMP at 250-489-3471, or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-TIPS.

 

Home»Lifestyle Home»Picking the perfect ride: Five tips to find the best car for you

(ARA) – “If my van doesn’t start, I’m in trouble,” says Leanne Kocsis, a working mom whose family of six relies on having a vehicle. It must run reliably, accommodate her family, keep them safe and be fuel efficient. And, the loan payments can’t rob their savings.

Whether you’re a soccer mom or a jet-setter, choosing the right vehicle isn’t something to take lightly.

“Do your research before you buy,” advises Kocsis. As a member of financial services provider USAA, she used car-buying tools on USAA.com to find her match, a Toyota Sienna.

“The car-buying experience is unique to each person,” says Steve Thompson, assistant vice president in charge of USAA’s Car Buying Service. “We try to help people understand the cost and value of a vehicle – beyond the sticker price – so they can get the right car for their needs.”

Savvy shoppers get the most for their money by weighing all options in advance. Start your search with these factors in mind.

1. Fuel economy

Soaring gas prices increase demand for fuel-efficient vehicles. But, carefully consider whether you drive enough to make fuel economy important. Double-check your math for hybrid vehicles. Unless you’re a road warrior, a hybrid’s fuel savings may not offset the higher purchase price.

What about electric cars? The technology and infrastructure is still in its infancy, and Toprak and Thompson agree that buying now is risky for cost-conscious consumers.

2. Safety

Safety should play a role in every car-buying decision. You can find most crash test ratings at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website at www.iihs.org.

Most new cars come with extensive safety features such as air bags, anti-lock brakes and crumple zones. You can decide whether additional precautions are worth the extra cost.

3. Reliability

Objective research tools such as Consumer Reports offer predictions of reliability based on their own road tests, consumer surveys and other data. Be sure to also check used-car listings. If the vehicle you’re considering tends to sell for much less than similar models, that might indicate poor performance. For new cars, reliability reports are generally positive. If reliability is a concern, consider an extended warranty. Extended warranties come in all shapes and sizes, so do your homework.

4. Insurance costs

Your age, where you live, and how you drive affect your insurance premiums. But your car makes a difference too. You might pay more to insure a vehicle that has been involved in more accidents, causes more damage, costs more to repair or is stolen more frequently than other models.

“If you’re on the fence between two similar models, an insurance quote might help you decide,” says Thompson.

5. Financing

Don’t wait until you’re at the dealership to discuss financing. A lower annual percentage rate could save hundreds of dollars over the life of the loan, even if it means passing up a dealership cash rebate.

“We got pre-approved for an auto loan from our bank and gave the dealer the chance to match it,” says Kocsis. “They couldn’t come close.”

Eliminate the guesswork

Choosing the right car can be time-consuming and confusing. To make it easier, some service providers do the research for you.

USAA’s “Best Value” list, for example, uses quantitative data to recommend one vehicle in each of 16 categories, from SUVs to compacts, as the best overall buy. Vehicles are ranked by relating the purchase price to a litany of other factors affecting safety, power, reliability, fuel efficiency, insurance costs and more. The 2011 list is available at www.usaa.com/bestvalue.

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Home»Lifestyle Home»Picking the perfect ride: Five tips to find the best car for you

KUSA – Auto salvage yards take apart cars that have been totaled, retrieving every usable part. People can come to the yard to look for used parts, or check out availability and prices online.

Buying used-car parts can save you a bundle. Consumer Reports says there are benefits and pitfalls to utilizing used-car parts.

Unless you’re doing the repair yourself, Consumer Reports says before you shop, check whether your mechanic will do the work and what, if any, guarantee the shop will provide. And be sure to check on whatever warranty the seller offers. Warranties generally last between one and six months. If there is no warranty, check to see that at least you can return the part.

But Consumer Reports says there are certain parts you should never buy used. Avoid buying anything that’s related to safety or the functioning of the car. Those parts should only be bought new or be rebuilt by a reputable supplier. Those car parts include safety belts, air bags, brake parts, and electronic sensors that monitor system problems.

Consumer Reports says the safest things to buy used are parts such as mirrors, bumpers, and alloy wheels. Even used parts such as side-window glass and hoods can be safely installed. Once you find the part, ask the supplier whether it meets original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, specifications. That way you know you are getting a part that the dealer or authorized mechanic would use.

When you shop for replacement parts, you’ll need the make, model, and year of your car, as well as the VIN. It’s also helpful if you have the number of the part.

Consumer Reports has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor appearing on this Web site.

(Copyright © 2007-2011 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. )

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One of the first things that you will need to know before you attempt to ship your vehicle is the price that a company is going to charge. The price could change your overall moving budget, and you may find that this type of service doesn’t fit your original budget.

Getting free price quotes from auto transport companies is simple. Just call and few companies and be prepared to provide them with certain information. This information should include the location as well as the destination, the date that you need the service, the vehicle or vehicles that you need shipped, the services that you would like to hire, and any special accommodations that you might need. By providing this information to a company, you should receive a fairly accurate price estimate for the job.

Knowing how you will be required to pay for the service is another important thing to know when you are shipping your vehicle. Some companies may not take checks, while other companies may not deal with cash. You need to know this ahead of time so that you are prepared when the car hauling companies’ truck shows up to load your vehicle. The last thing you need is to waste time because you did not know the company didn’t take personal checks.

Verify everything in writing, including any insurance coverage that the auto shipper provides to you. You need to have a copy of the policy in hand before you release your vehicle to the company for shipping. This is vital to the safety and health of your vehicle in the event that there is loss or damage. Accidents do happen, and you should be prepared with enough insurance coverage to take care of any problems that might come up along the way.

Always leave the vehicle with an original inspection report when you hand the car over to the company. This report will show the condition of the vehicle as well as any minor or major damage that exists when the vehicle is loaded onto the carrier truck. This same report should be cross-referenced when the vehicle is delivered to ensure that no damage occurred in transit. Should any damage be present, be prepared to file a dispute with the company as well as the insurance that you procured before the trip. Be sure to inspect your vehicle carefully upon pick up to make sure that there is no new damage.

The best way to ship any car is by making informed decisions. It is important to have enough knowledge so that you do not get taken for a ride by any of the less than honest companies that make it by out there. By knowing these few simple tips, you can avoid many of the problems that are out there in the car shipping industry today.

– Subaru Drivers to Enjoy Free Vehicle Diagnostic Inspection in April at Participating Subaru Dealerships –

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CHERRY HILL, N.J., April 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Subaru of America, Inc. is once again celebrating the Car Care Council’s National Car Care Month in April by offering free vehicle diagnostic inspections for Subaru vehicles, at participating dealers across the country.  Subaru’s theme for this year’s program is “MPG: Maintenance Preserves Gas,” which underscores the importance of regular vehicle maintenance when it comes to maximizing any vehicle’s fuel economy.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080325/SUBARULOGO )

Subaru is also sharing some helpful tips on ways to improve fuel economy, which can be used by any driver, for any vehicle:

• Maintain proper tire pressure
• Replace air filter when dirty
• Use cruise control when possible
• Remove excess weight inside vehicle
• Change engine oil and filter when dirty
• Drive sensibly
• Tighten the gas cap
• Avoid excess vehicle idling

“Whatever vehicle you drive, these simple tips will help maximize your fuel economy and save money at the pump, which is especially important now that we’re seeing a noticeable increase in gas prices,” notes Gary Palanjian, vice president of parts and service, Subaru of America, Inc.  ”And beyond fuel savings, they’ll pay off in other ways, too – you’ll increase your vehicle’s reliability, you’ll reduce the likelihood of costly repairs, and you’ll enjoy higher trade-in or resale value down the road.”

During National Car Care Month, participating Subaru dealers will perform a thorough multi-point diagnostic checkup of all major operating systems, and owners will receive a detailed written report of the vehicle’s condition.  For a list of participating dealers, consumers can visit www.subaru.com/carcare.html.  Check Subaru’s Facebook page for car care tips throughout the month.

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 dealers across the United States.  Subaru boasts the most fuel efficient line-up of all-wheel drive products sold in the market today based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy standards.  All Subaru products are manufactured in zero- landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit www.subaru.com.

About the Car Care Council

The Car Care Council is a national non-profit organization providing information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign that promotes the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair. For more information, visit www.carcare.org.

Contact:
Michael McHale
Subaru of America, Inc.
856-488-3326
mmchale@subaru.com

Rachelle Damminger
Subaru of America, Inc.
856-488-5093
rdam@subaru.com  

SOURCE Subaru of America, Inc.

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