Fixin’ Chix

Propagating My Favorite Perennial, The Hosta

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:13:51 +0000

Notice the large varaiety of varigated hostas at the base of the water feature.

Propagating my Favorite Perennial, the Hosta
Hostas are perennials. Hostas are my favorite type of perennial, because they are showy, large, beautiful and very hardy plants. I also love hostas because they can be propagated easily. I propagate hostas anytime of the spring, summer or fall, and always have success doing so. I’m always amazed at how many people do not know how hardy these plants are. The hosta comes in over 300 varieties. There are small, medium and large sizes. Hostas come in many different colors and styles. There are light green, dark green, green blue hostas. Also there are solid colors and variegated colors of many types. You will see by the picture in this blog that I have a variegated variety at the base of the water feature. The outside edge of the beautiful leaves are white while the center of the leaves are dark green. That would be my most favorite hosta variety. Find the style or styles of hostas you like, plant and enjoy their beauty. Remember these plants are shade plants which prefer shade most of the day. The leaves of a hosta plant tend to burn in the direct sunlight.

Instead of going to the nursery and purchasing new hosta plants and spending plenty of money that you don‘t need to. I always take a piece or chunk of another existing hosta in my yard. Sometimes, I will cut the hosta in half and dig up one half and replanted in another area of my garden or yard. Sometimes I will use a large knife or machete to cut the plant as if I were cutting a piece out of a pie. I then will replant the smaller piece of the hosta in my new section of garden. This is a great way of propagating the hostas because the hosta plant will quickly fill in where I took out the small piece and within a few weeks you will not be able to tell where the plant was cut. No need to do anything special with the plants, just water and they will take root. If you want to ensure they are going to do well, some fertilizer would help also.

Another Simple DIY blog tip by the Fixie Chick

Spring Equipment Check-Up Guide – DIY

admin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:09:40 +0000

You’ve put your winter coat away, and the days are getting longer. Welcome to spring! Unfortunately, that’s not all that is getting longer. Your lawn is calling and you need to be ready to answer.

Spring is the start of the lawn care season, and with a little work early in the year your lawn and garden equipment will be ready to perform all season long. This guide will help you move into the yard without a hitch.

Safety First

Remove the power cord, spark plug wire, or battery for cordless equipment prior to performing any service. Also gloves and eye protection are required to safely perform service.
Next, check all of the unit’s fasteners, replace any that are missing, and tighten loose fasteners to the manufacturer’s recommended tightness. Loose and missing fasteners are a frequent cause of trips to the repair shop, and can be dangerous.

Sharp Cutters are Key

Evaluate the condition of any blades, cutting attachments or blower impellers. If in poor condition, these items will impair performance and can cause injury.
It’s probably best to leave maintenance of these items to a professional unless you are a very skillful mechanic and instructions for removal, replacement and sharpening are readily available.

Electric Equipment

Electric equipment’s external cords and wires should be checked for fraying.
Check all extension cords used to power these products. Any frayed cords and wires should be repaired immediately by a certified technician. Replace any bad extension cords. Don’t risk using the unit or extension cord even once as dangerous shocks can result.
Ensure that all switches are intact and activate freely. Fully charge the battery, if applicable.

Gas Powered Equipment

Perform the simple maintenance procedures from the owner’s manual.
Check the oil before starting any small engine that doesn’t use gas/oil fuel mix. Place the product on level ground to avoid false readings. If the oil is low, fill it to the recommended level with the specified oil. Also, while some oil consumption is normal for small engines, now is a good time to check for oil leaks that need to be addressed by a professional.
Check the air filter; carefully clean dirt, oil, and debris off the filter cover and the surrounding area before removing the cover. Examine the filter, and if it is dirty, replace or clean it per manufacturer’s instructions.
More experienced DIY ers might want to change the oil and filter and check the spark plug. Make sure that your fuel is fresh as stale fuel can damage your engine. Unless you used a fuel stabilizer like Sta-Bil from Gold Eagle Co., any fuel more than 90 days old needs to be properly disposed of.

Cables and Levers

Check to make sure all of these cables and levers operate smoothly. If they don’t, lubricate or replace them.

Start Up

Connect the spark plug wire and fire up engine-powered equipment. Following the operator’s manual instructions, fill up the fuel tank with fresh fuel, making sure there are no fuel leaks, and start the engine.
If the engine doesn’t start, it is often because unstabilized fuel was left in the unit during storage. This stale fuel doesn’t like to burn, and leaves varnish in your carburetor’s small passages and the fuel line. But all is not lost. If stale fuel and a dirty fuel system are the causes of hard starting, try a product like Start Your Engines! fuel system revitalizer. These starting fluids/system cleaners can refresh stale fuel and clean muck out of your fuel system just by pouring them into the unit’s fuel tank. It’s an easy and economical way to fix a gunked-up engine.
If the engine still will not start after trying a fuel system revitalizer, it’s best to get a professional to evaluate the problem.
Spring lawn care season is a great way to get active and enjoy the outdoors. It can be rewarding and easy if your tools are ready from the start. So what are you waiting for? Get going!
Another great DIY article by the Fixie Chick

Take My Advise, You Will Love a Patio Heater.

admin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:52:42 +0000

Ok, I love the outdoors, in case any of my readers could not tell that by my posts in this blog. Since I crave being outside more than inside, I wanted to write this short article to inform you of something that I purchased a few years ago and consider it a huge asset to my patio in the event any of you can learn something from my purchase and review. It is called a patio heater. The heater is run on propane, however I do know that it can be converted to natural gas just like a barbeque grill can be converted.
The patio heater stands about 6 feet tall with a burner near the top and a deflective heat shield at the very top. They come painted or in stainless steel. I have a stainless steel model. The prices of the units have come down considerably in the past 5 years or so therefore I am now writing to suggest one. I use this heater to extend my spring and fall outdoor time. You know the times when you crave to hang out around the patio table but the temperature outside is not quite comfortable enough. This unit solves that problem just fine. It heats a radius of about 8 to 10 feet around. It is great when you are entertaining outside and the temperature cools off just a bit too much. All you do is ignite the patio heater and serve more drinks! Now that I have had one, I can assure you I would not live without it!

The Fixie chick
See below if you would like to know the type of heater I have:

Pesky Racoons?

admin — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 14:59:13 +0000

Good Day. Today I’d like to share a question that came in on the Fixie Chix Ask it Form.

Inquiry/Question: Our beautiful plants get dug out of their terracotta pots and destroyed, thrown all over the place and killed, apparently by a raccoon in the middle of the night. We live in Conesus in the woods. How can we prevent our plants from being destroyed? O.W.

Fix: Dear O.W.,
A Raccoon’s diet consists primarily of insects, fish and frogs during the Spring and early Summer. During the late summer and fall, fruits, berries, nuts, and grains are also eaten. I am wondering if your pest might be a ground hog or rabbitt. Both love to dine on green, leafy plants. Either way, here are a couple of solutions to try that should deter most small animal pests.

A very popular animal repellant on the market today is actually electronic and claims to emit soundwaves humans can hear but deters animals from coming any closer. For around $70.00, you can purchase the Yard Guard Animal Repeller. This electronic yard protector uses adjustable, powerful sonic and ultrasonic sound waves to repel dogs, cats, deer, rabbits, raccoons, squirrels, opossums, armadillos, skunks, bats, rodents other creatures and bugs. Humane and effective, ideal for yards, gardens, porches, buildings and greenhouses, for up to 4,000 square feet of coverage. This may not be the best choice for indoor pet owners.

Additionally, you can try natural repellants, some you can purchase, some you can make yourself. Most of the solutions I have seen for sale are made of the urine of the pest’s predator.

Hot Pepper Repellant Recipe for the DIY ‘er
You need:
1. One chopped yellow onion
2. One chopped Jalapeno pepper
3. One tablespoon of Cayenne Pepper
Boil ingredients for 20 minutes in two quarts of water. Then let it cool and strain the mixture through cheesecloth. You can apply this with a pesticide sprayer or a spray bottle. This will deter just about any animal from an area where it is applied. The only draw back is that it only lasts for three to five days.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know which method you choose and how it works for you.

Don’t forget, anyone can log on www.FixieChix.com and click on the Ask It form. I am happy to help whenever I can.
-The Fixie Chick

If you feel like trying your hand at trapping the racoons, here is a recommended trap:

How Important Are Your Tires?

admin — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:04:34 +0000

The tires may be the most mundane parts of a car, but there the only contact between your car and the road. A tire is actually a pneumatic device that supports the vehicles load, acts as a spring, and translates acceleration, braking, and cornering inputs to the driving surface. Tires profoundly influence safety, performance, ride, comfort, and fuel economy.
It is not actually your tires that carry the load of your vehicle, but it’s the air inside them that does. That’s why it’s important to check the pressure weekly, or at the very least, once a month. It only takes about a minute or two, and you’ll be likely to notice any pressure loss caused by minor punctures before it results in a major problem. The best time to check tire pressure is in the morning when the tires are cold since air expands when it’s hot. I, personally, have noticed that my tires loose a significant amount of air in the fall when the air temperatures fluctuate up and down quite a bit.
Set your tire pressure, according to the range recommended by the vehicle’s manufacturer. This information is listed on a label located on the door jam, engine compartment or glove box door. Also check your owner’s manual about recommended pressure adjustments for driving a fully loaded vehicle or in extreme temperatures. Inflating your tires at the maximum pressure may improve high-speed performance and fuel economy, since it reduces rolling resistance, but it can also produce a harsher ride and reduce the tires’ resistance to damage from potholes, bumpy roads and other hazards. Proper tire pressure levels make handling steering and braking safer and easier.
The Fixie Chick

Here is a nice Tire Pressure Guage that I would recommend if you are in the market for an affordable one:

Protect Your Perishables During Power Outages

admin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:51:15 +0000

Do you know how to keep your food safe during a power outage caused by storms or other events? Foods stored in freezers and refrigerators can become unsafe in just a few hours if bacteria begin to grow, and if these foods are consumed, people can become very sick.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has the answers to help you keep your food safe.
* Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperatures. Each time the door is opened, a significant amount of cold air is lost. Never taste a food to determine its safety.
* The refrigerator will keep food cold safely for about four hours if unopened. A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full and the door remains closed). Food may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40 degrees F or below.
* If possible, obtain dry or block ice to keep your refrigerator and freezer as cold as possible if the power is going to be out for a long time. Fifty pounds of dry ice should hold an 18-cubic-foot full freezer for two days.
* If the power has been out for several days, check the temperature of the food in the freezer with a food thermometer. If the food still contains ice crystals or is at 40 degrees F or below, it’s safe. Check each package of food to determine its safety.
* Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers and deli items after four hours without power.
* The safest rule of thumb: When in Doubt, Throw it Out!
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that as many as 5,000 people die each year due to some type of food-borne illness-that’s almost 14 people every day.
In addition, for one out of every five Americans, food-borne illnesses are even more dangerous than they are for the average healthy adult. Those in the at-risk category include young children, pregnant women, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
So when the lights go out and you’re left in the dark for more than a few hours, take precautions to avoid food-borne illness.

Installing Carriage Door Hardware On Your Garage

admin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:26:58 +0000

Here’s a do-it-yourself home improvement project you can complete in under an hour, for way under a hundred dollars! Carriage door hardware attaches right onto your existing garage door for an elegant, upscale look. There are about a dozen styles and finishes to choose from, so you can choose the look that’s right for your house.

For this project you will need:
Hardware Kit
Cordless Drill
Rivet Gun (I recommend a convertible or universal gun)
Adhesive (I recommend Liquid Nails)
Tape Measure
Marker
Safety Glasses & Work Gloves
Paper Towels
Gather all your tools in one place so they are easily accessible

Step 1:

Place the hardware where you want it and mark the holes with your marker. When you mark the second door, choose a reference point(s) and measure the distance from handle to reference point and strap to reference point to ensure even placement.

Step 2:

Put on your safety glasses. Using a bit that about the size of your rivet, drill a hole in each of your marks.

Step 3:

Liberally apply Adhesive to the back of one piece of hardware and apply to garage door, lining up holes in hardware with holes in door. Hold the hardware to the door until a bond forms, about a minute.

Step 4:

Insert rivet into one of the holes. Place rivet gun opening over rivet, and using a pumping action press arms of rivet gun together two or three times to create a pressure seal. Once you feel pressure, press arms together hard. Rivet nail will pop off, leaving hardware riveted to door. Pick up and dispose of rivet nail. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until all hardware is attached. Carefully wipe off any excess adhesive as each piece of hardware is applied.

Check out the Fixie Chix column in the July issue Home & Yard Handbook. And don’t forget, if you have any questions about this project or any other, please email me. I look forward to helping you.
Happy Home Improving!
-The Fixie Chick
DIY is FUN!

Cleaning and Caring For Outdoor Furniture – DIY Project

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:19:36 +0000

Have you noticed the bird droppings, sap, tree buds, dirt and debris that has settled on your patio furniture this spring? A good cleaning and a little maintenance will get your outdoor furniture in tip-top shape this year. Here are some tips to DIY:

* Vinyl or Resin
If you have vinyl or resin furniture, you may be tempted to wash the furniture with bleach, and a hard scrub brush. DON’T! Bleach, chlorine and even dirt can deteriorate vinyl and resin furniture. Your best bet is to purchase a cleaner specifically formulated to clean vinyl/resin outdoor furniture. Give your furniture a good initial cleaning and spray it off once a week to keep it nice and clean.
* Aluminum If you have aluminum furniture, keep the following in mind: There are two types of aluminum furniture. Painted and not painted.
For painted aluminum furniture, clean with mild soap and water, rinse, dry and protect it with paste car wax. If the paint is in poor condition, rub it with fine steel wool, wipe and polish with wax.
Unfinished aluminum oxidizes. Believe it or not, the corrosion actually protects the metal from the elements, but oxidization does dull the aluminum. A metal polishing paste can remove the oxidization. Once it’s polished, protect it with car wax. Alkaline cleaners will CAUSE oxidation, so avoid chemicals with ammonia.
* Wicker Keep your wicker furniture in the shade. The sun dries it out. You can use a little wood glue and a permanent marker in matching color to touch up small areas. To give a piece a whole new look, spray paint each piece with outdoor spray paint.
* Metal and Cast Iron Use a mild detergent, scrub the surface gently and rinse with a low pressure hose. Iron rusts. When you wash it, check for paint damage. Sand the rust off, along with the damaged paint, right down to bare metal, then prime, and paint with a rust resistant paint. Finish with a spray on liquid wax.
* Wood All wood furniture is best stored indoors through the winter, and should be cleaned once or twice a year. There are some excellent products that help lighten darkened wood, as well as oils, stains, and polyurethane coatings that can add a durable protective finish on wood furniture. When washing wood, use a mild detergent, and gently scrub and rinse with a low pressure garden hose. Painted wood can be wiped down, but avoid high pressure sprays, as it may flake off the paint entirely. With care, even outside wood furniture can last for decades.
* Cushions Fill your bathtub with mild detergent and hot water. Use a soft scrub brush or sponge to rub off stains. Dry the cushions in the sunshine for a couple of days. Sun lightens stains and kills mildew.

NOTE: Use environmentally friendly cleaning products that won’t kill your grass or damage your garden beds.
NOTE: Check to make sure that none of the bolts holding the furniture together are rusty. Replace them if they are, and tighten them thoroughly.

Another great article to DIY by The Fixie Chick

Healthy Homes of Rochester Announcement as the Fixie Chick

admin — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:11:19 +0000

This post is to announce that I am now one of the principal coordinators for Healthy Homes of Rochester (www.healthyhomesofrochester.com). We will be mainly focusing on fundraisers for schools, and other groups, to raise money for their organizations and providing home parties as a means of teaching homeowners how to save energy and save money with energy efficient products that are used around the home. In addition we will be offering “Green Living” items as well.
I look forward to helping others prosper while growing this new business to the best of our ability.
We also have some very exciting new products that we will have exclusive agreements to retail. The products will be non-toxic cleaning supplies. I will be making announcements as we get closer to the launch of our new cleaning products.

The Role Of Women in Home Improvement

admin — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:14:54 +0000

A report was recently released on The Role of Women in Home Improvement. In this 127-page report, the role of the female homeowner was explored from various aspects.

*Of 36 different project types studied in total, women were the primary product selectors for 44% of the total completed projects reported and were also the primary doers (DIY) or executors for 29% of the home projects.

* Women were the highest actual project doers for ones such as stripping/refinishing furniture, shampooing carpeting and planting a garden and were highest as major product selectors when it came to stripping/refinishing furniture, adding or replacing carpeting, painting a room, remodeling a kitchen or bathroom and the replacing/refinishing of flooring.

*When viewed on the basis of dollar spending where women were the primary selectors of products needed for the projects, women accounted for 36.7% of the grand total vs. 25.5% for men. But on an individual project basis, female homeowners were more than one-half to two-thirds for projects such as kitchen & bathroom remodeling, interior painting, carpet additions or replacements and the replacement or refinishing of flooring.

*The 2005 HIRI Project Decision Study serves as another reference point for the involvement of women in major household home improvement projects. Female head of households alone were the project idea initiators for 40% of them while also contributing to the 12% joint female/male component. Women by themselves were over 50% for projects that included interior painting and the remodeling of either a kitchen or bathroom.
Product Purchasing
* Overall, women were the actual in-store purchasers for about 41% of all products reported by total homeowners in the 2006 HIRI PPTS on a purchase occasion basis. This is based on 226 product items in 14 categories and a grand total of 15,500 individual purchases. On a dollar purchase basis for these same items, females accounted for 44% of the total.
* On both a purchase unit and dollar spending basis, women were by far the highest in overall categories such as wall/window/ceiling/floor coverings, major household appliances and kitchen & bathroom remodeling.

The Fixie Chick

Stay Healthy and Have Fun as a Family – Family Exercise.

admin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:13:41 +0000

Family exercise must be made fun. People that have been exercising all their lives often have trouble adapting their routines to their children. That’s because parents exercise to stay fit and look good, but kids exercise to have fun. So if you want to stay fit as a family try to include your kids in your existing exercise routine isn’t going to work. Here are some ideas that will:
After your routine to include your children’s interest, you can jog with your children, but don’t expect to run from start to finish. Plan to chat along the way and take time to stop at the pond and look for tadpoles (for example)or climb a favorite tree in a park. Find a way to include everyone. I sometimes go out running while my son bicycles beside me. Everyone can be together and no one worries about falling behind. Go at the children’s pace. Let the slowest member lead the group so everyone can keep up. If you lead the way your children will try to keep up with you and exhaust themselves or they’ll quit right away. Give positive feedback. Are your children learning to play baseball? Adults often don’t realize how many different skills are involved in learning a new sport or even just learning how to throw and catch a ball. Congratulate your children on each new accomplishment, such as holding the ball correctly or meeting the ball with the bat.
Remember to make it fun!
The Fixie Chick

2009 Pontiac G3

admin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:11:11 +0000

The 2009 Pontiac G3 is a five-door five-passenger subcompact hatchback offered in a well equipped single trim level. The G3 looks small on the outside, but provides maximum cargo space and a host of other features in its roomy cabin. This hatchback is backed by Pontiac’s extensive warranty coverage that includes 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, 5-year/100,000-mile drivetrain warranty, 6-year/100,000-mile corrosion warranty, and 5-year/100,000-mile roadside assistance warranty.

Power and Performance

Underneath the hood of the 2009 G3 is a 106-horsepower 1.6-liter ECOTEC four-cylinder engine. The G3 offers a front-wheel drive and a standard five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed automatic transmission is optional. The manual transmission’s EPA-estimated fuel economy stands at an impressive 27 mpg in city and 34 mpg on highways while the data with automatic drops down to 25/34/mpg.

Build and Styling

On the exterior, the 2009 G3 gets 14-inch steel wheels; rally-inspired front fog lamps; compact spare tire; and front all-season tires. Sport Package featuring 15-inch painted aluminum wheels, leather-clad shift knob, and leather-wrapped steering wheel; power tilt/sliding sunroof; and sunroof sunshield are available as options.

Standard interior features given on the 2009 Pontiac G3 include cloth seats; front bucket seats with driver and front passenger manual fore/aft, recline, and height-adjustable head restraints with accessory hook; driver lumbar; pass-through rear seat; air-conditioning; auxiliary input jack; six-speaker AM/FM stereo system with CD player; and MP3 playback. The G3’s interior can hold 42 cubic feet of cargo. XM Radio with a free three-month trial is available.

Safety Features

Dual-stage frontal and side-impact airbags for the driver and front passenger; passenger airbag on/off switch; GM’s exclusive one-year OnStar Safe and Sound Plan; daytime running lights; child safety locks; and tire pressure monitoring system are some among innumerable safety elements offered on the 2009 Pontiac G3.

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2009 Kia Borrego: A new way to go around in style

admin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:11:10 +0000

The 2009 Kia Borrego is a new midsize SUV that brings power, luxury and sophistication to ever-expanding Kia lineup. It is available with a strong V8 engine and six-speed transmission for the first time in a Kia vehicle.
The Borrego made global debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Kia says Borrego is one of the first production offerings based off of the new design direction Kia continues to unveil through concept vehicles including the Kue, KND-4, Kee and KOUP. It presents a straightforward and clean look intended for those who enjoy an active yet uncomplicated lifestyle.

Power and performance

The new Borrego is powered by a DOHC, all-aluminum 3.8-liter V6 as well as Kia’s first-ever DOHC 4.6-liter V8 engine, also all-aluminum engine which are more powerful than any in Kia car to date. The V6 pumps out a competitive 276 horsepower at 6,000 rpm with 267 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm, the all-new V8 is rated at a class-leading 337 horsepower at 6,000 rpm with 323 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. By the merit of its power, the Borrego is more powerful than the Toyota 4Runner, Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Jeep Grand Cherokee and GMC Acadia. The 2WD or 4WD Borrego runs on regular unleaded fuel compared to the Pathfinder, which requires premium unleaded.

With class-leading towing of 7,500 pounds when partnered to the V8, and 5,000 pounds with the V6, the new midsize SUV offers unmatched capabilities for a weekend of camping or outdoor lifestyle activities. A new six-speed automatic transmission mated to the V8 engine and with this it achieve best-in-class fuel economy for an engine of its kind with an EPA rating of 15/22 city/highway for the V8 with 2WD and 15/20 city/highway for the 4WD – perfect for families on the go as well as for long road trips. When the V6 is under the hood, Borrego is able to achieve competitive fuel economy of 17/21 city/highway (2WD) and 16/21 city/highway (4WD).

Exterior and interior

The Borrego features an aggressive, wide stance indicating stability and strength with flared back headlamps, an upright grille and chiseled hood exude a strong presence. The contemporary front and rear fascias reveal a new face of luxury and the swift rolling on optional 18-inch alloy wheels let the enjoyment of an energetic life both in city cruise and highway travel.

The space in the Kia Borrego is quite large enough to accommodate as many as seven passengers. It also offers decent headroom, driver’s knee airbag and legroom besides a vast cargo area. The perforated leather seats with single-stitch tailoring throughout sets the scene, which leads into the leather-wrapped steering wheel with redundant controls. Three rows of seating are standard for a capacity of seven passengers. The sliding second-row seat allows easier access to the third row, and both the second and third rows fold flat for optimized cargo space.

Safety Features

Kia puts a lot of emphasis on safety, offering six standard airbags, electronic stability and traction control, ABS and brake assist across the line. It also offers downhill assist control (DAC) and hill assist control (HAC), which help maintain stability on steep slopes.

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2009 Dodge Journey

admin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:11:10 +0000

The brand new 2009 Dodge Journey is a feature-packed mid-size CUV with a reasonable price tag. The Journey has a spacious interior and a striking exterior look.

The 2009 Dodge Journey is available in three trim levels – the base SE, SXT and the R/T. The 2009 Journey is a family-hauler with standard seating for five and optional 50/50-split folding third row for seven available on the SXT and R/T trim levels.

Powertrain and Performance

Under the hood of the front-wheel 2009 Dodge Journey SE model is a standard 173-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine matched to a four-speed automatic transmission. The uplevel Dodge Journey SXT and R/T trims are powered by a 235-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Buyers can use either front-wheel or all-wheel drive system on the SXT and R/T variants. Estimated fuel economy of the 2009 Dodge Journey is 19/25 mpg (City/Highway).

Build and Styling

The 2009 Dodge Journey offers three types of seat upholstery: cloth is standard on the SE trim, YES Essentials stain-resistant, odor-resistant, anti-static seat fabric is standard on the SXT variant and standard on the R/T model is leather.

Innovative standard and optional features on the 2009 Dodge Journey include Chill Zone beverage storage bin; 16-inch 6-spoke painted wheel cover (standard on SE) four 12-volt power points; automatic remote start; automatic temperature control; sunglass bin with child observation mirror; molded map pockets with bottle holders; sliding center arm rest; heated front seats with leather or premium cloth; Tilt ‘n Slide second-row seat; LED directional interior lighting; LED removable/rechargeable flashlight; iPod interface connector; Flip ‘n Stow in-seat storage; rear-seat entertainment system with an 8-inch color monitor; and UConnect with Bluetooth cellular phones.

Optional packages available on the 2009 Dodge Journey include MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System with hard-drive-based Navigation and parkview rear back-up camera; Trailer Tow Prep Group; and chrome appearance package with 19-inch aluminum chrome-clad wheels (available on SXT and R/T).

Safety Features

The portfolio of standard safety technologies available on the 2009 Dodge Journey include advanced six multiple airbags; front knee bolsters; anti-lock brakes; electronic stability program with brake assist, traction control, electronic roll mitigation, trailer sway control; tire pressure monitoring; and Sentry Key Theft Deterrent System (standard on SXT and R/T and as part of the Popular Equipment Group on the SE).

Child booster seats; a rear-seat video system; and hands-free communication system are optional on the 2009 Dodge Journey.

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2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee

admin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:11:10 +0000

Since 15 years, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has been a versatile midsize SUV with true off-road capabilities. A five-seat midsize SUV with a clean diesel engine, the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee is available in Limited, Overland and SRT8 trims with 4×4 and 4×2 configurations. A 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 and a new leather-appointed interior package are new for 2009.

Power and performance

The Overland 4X4 trim (13 city/19 hwy) features a 5.7-Liter V8 HEMI(R) MDS VCT engine, multi-speed overdrive automatic transmission, Quadra-Trac (R) II Active Full-Time 4WD, Electronic Stability Program and four-wheel traction control.

A 6.1-liter SRT HEMI(R) V8 engine packs 420 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 420 pounds-feet of torque at 4,800 RPM in the SRT8 (11 city/14 hwy). Five-speed auto W5A580 transmission, Quadra-Trac(R) Active On Demand 4WD, Electronic Stability Program and four-wheel traction control are other features.

The Overland 4×2 (14 city/20 hwy) has a 5.7-Liter V8 HEMI(R) MDS VCT engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with Electronic Stability Program.

In the Limited 4×4 comes with a 3.7L V-6 that produces 210 horsepower at 5,200 RPM and 235 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 RPM. Five-Speed Auto W5A580 transmission, Electronic Stability Program and four-wheel traction control are available.

Body and styling

18″ x 7.5″ aluminum chrome clad wheels, 20″x9.0″,20″x10.0″ forged aluminum wheels with polished face and 17″ x 7.5″ aluminum wheels are available.

Exterior mirrors with memory, smart beam headlamps, fog lamps, remote start system, skid plate group, trailer two group IV, power sunroof, remote keyless entry, automatic headlamp leveling system, security alarm, air conditioning with dual zone automatic temperature control, 115-V auxiliary temperature outlet, wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel, tilt/telescope steering column, rear view camera, cargo compartment cover, power heated fold-away mirrors, 180-mph speedometer, dual rear exhaust, performance-tuned suspension, rain-sensitive windshield wipers, vehicle information system, enhanced accident response system, ParkSense (R) rear park assist system, ParkView (R) rear back-up camera and power adjustable pedals with memory are key features depending upon trims.

Safety

Side curtain airbags for all rows, antilock brakes, electronic stability system, traction control, and a smart key that immobilizes the engine in a theft attempt are standard. Parking assist, rear backup camera, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlamps are optional.

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