Have A Broken Windshield? We Can Help.
Do You Know Your Tires Speed Rating?
Giammalvos Featured In Motor Age.
Radio Reception Problems On 97-99 Malibu And Cutlass.
Trap Resistant Rear Trunk Kits Can Protect Children.
State Police Crack Down On Auto Theft.
Top 10 Stolen Vehicles in 2000.
2002 Cars Get Beverage Heat-Cool Systems. 
Truck Bumpers Can't Take Too Many Bumps.
In Passing.

Our E-mail Address: samgauto@samscars.com

Our Phone Number Is 508-999-3213
 

 

Have A Broken Windshield?  We Can Help.

  Many people take their tires for granted. Tires have become practically as complex as the cars they are attached too. Ten years ago all you had to be concerned about was the size of the tire. Nowadays, the tires are marked with special letters to denote their speed rating. 
When an automobile suspension is designed, engineers design the stiffness of the tire's sidewall into the formula of the vehicle's suspension. Every car has a tire placard mounted somewhere on the body which displays not only the tire size but the recommended tire speed rating. Speed ratings should never be changed as this can alter the handling characteristics of the automobile. 
A typical size might be written as: "P215/65R15 89H". The "P" means that the tire is a passenger tire. "215"is the width of the tire in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall. "65" is the aspect ratio which is the ratio of the tire's height to width. "R" is the construction, in this case it signifies a radial tire. "15" is the rim size. "89" is the load index. In this case, the 89 means that the tire has an industry maximum load of 1279 pounds. Different numbers correspond to different loads. The "H" is the speed rating. The rating H means that the tire is capable of a maximum speed of 130 MPH. Other ratings are as follows: 
Q = 99 MPH 
S = 112 MPH 
T = 118 MPH 
U = 124 MPH 
V = 149 MPH 
Z = speeds greater than 149 MPH.When it is time for you to invest in new tires we will make sure that we install the right size AND speed rating. We will also make sure that your vehicle does not have tires with different speed ratings. If a vehicle has four tires with unlike speed ratings the vehicle can suffer adverse handling at highway speeds. 
If you decide to replace your own tires, always make sure to choose the correct size and speed rating. 

Once again the service department of Giammalvo's was featured in Motor Age Magazine. The March 2001 issue featured our dealership diagnosing a complex diagnostic problem on a 1997 Chrysler Sebring. The May 2001 issue features a narrative by Mark Giammalvo on intermittent electrical problems and extensive diagnosis and repair techniques. Copies of the articles can be viewed on the service area of our web site at: 
www.samscars.com 
 

 If you own a 1997-1999 Chevrolet Malibu or 1997-1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass, you may encounter a problem of weak FM radio reception and no AM radio reception. We have now seen this problem several times. General Motors has written a service bulletin to address the issue. The antenna lead may have been misrouted during the vehicle assembly process. This could allow a passenger in the right front seat to accidentally disconnect the antenna with their foot. The fix is simple. A peek under the passenger's side dash will reveal the antenna cable unplugged. It should be plugged back in, then secured behind the right hand kick pad to prevent further disconnects. 
 
 
 

   Several automobile manufactures have now made available trap resistant rear trunk kits. Depending on the 
automobile manufacturer, these kits can consist of an illuminated or "glow in the dark" trunk release handle and cable that we can install that will allow someone accidentally locked in a trunk, to open the trunk from the inside. Without this kit, most trunks can not be opened from the inside. Many 2000 and 2001 vehicles are now being built with this system. The kits can be added to older cars without this feature. 
Feel free to give our service department a call if you would like this safety device added to your vehicle. 
 

 The Massachusetts State Police is cracking down on auto theft. The Governor's Auto Theft Strike Force, started in 1983, consists of 15 state police officers and thee Boston Police officers. The program was formed back in 1983 when Massachusetts became the number one state in the nation for stolen cars. In 1990, Massachusetts dropped to number six in the nation for auto theft. Now the state is down to the rank of 22nd in the nation. The Strike Force is a large operation. In addition to bringing criminals to justice they also investigate auto thefts, help recover stolen vehicles and educate the public. 
Education about common sense prevention is a major drive of the force. To report a tip about a car stolen from your area or to learn more about the Strike Force please call 1-800-HOT-AUTO. 
 

The top 10 stolen vehicles in the U.S. in 2001 were: 

1    1989 Toyota Camry 
2.   1988 Toyota Camry 
3.   1990 Toyota Camry 
4.   1994 Honda Accord EX 
5.   1990 Honda Accord EX 
6.   1997 Toyota Corolla 
7.   1992 Honda Accord LX 
8.   1995 Honda Accord EX 
9.   1991 Toyota Camry 
10. 1996 Honda Accord EX 

Regardless of the type of car you own, always park in well lit areas with the doors locked, windows up. If you have an alarm, use it. Do not leave keys visible in the vehicle. Any key visible could cause a would-be thief to break into the car presuming it is the ignition key. 

Built-in beverage heating and cooling systems should be optional on some vehicles starting in 2002. One cooler design company, Tellurex Corp., uses a thermoelectric semiconductor to generate temperatures ranging from 38 to 120 degrees. The low voltage semiconductor is mounted under the center console and conducts heat or cold by transfer to a metal plate or by a small electric fan. A center console for the Lincoln Navigator can hold a six pack of soda and keep it as cold as a refrigerator. The price to consumers should be about $120-$150. 

Recent crash tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found the bumpers on some trucks and SUV's can't take much of a beating. The pickup trucks tested were: Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150, and the Toyota Tundra. The SUV's tested were: Ford Escape, Hyundai Santa Fe, and the Toyota Rav4. Of the seven 2001 models tested, only the Ford Escape earned an "acceptable" rating for crash-worthiness in a set of four five-mile-an-hour crash tests. The other six models suffered "excessive damage." 
 
 

Louise "Jeanna" Parkinson, was a lifelong resident of New Bedford. She was a member of the Sons of Italy and the St. Francis of Assisi Women's League. She was a recipient of the Marian medal from the Diocese of Fall River. 

Donald Vital, was born and raised in New Bedford and moved to Lakeville for 20 years before moving back to New Bedford two years ago. Before his retirement, he worked for the Construction and General Laborers Union Local 385 out of Fairhaven for many years. He served on the union's executive board for three years, served as union president for 15 years and was a delegate to the Massachusetts Laborers District Council for 15 years. 

Arthur Joseph Pastie was a lifelong New Bedford resident and a former firefighter for the City of New Bedford and proprietor of Necchi's Sewing Center.  He was a World War II Navy veteran and veterans' agent for six years for the City of New Bedford. He loved crossword puzzles, politics and singing. He was an avid golfer and was involved in maintaining the Whaling City Country Club as an 18-hole course when threatened by Route 195 in 1965. He also was instrumental in establishing Pvt. A. Poirier Veterans of Foreign Wars Post at its Ashley Boulevard location, as well as other community endeavors. 

Dennis J. Hogan Sr. was born in Placentea, Newfoundland, and lived in this area since 1946. 
Mr. Hogan was former owner and operator of Commonwealth Fishing Vessel. He was a World War II Army veteran. Mr. Hogan was a member of the Fishermen's Union and American Legion Post 166 in Fairhaven, and a 50-year member of the Damien Council of the Knights of Columbus. 

Edward Mello, was born in New Bedford, he lived in New Bedford most of his life; he resided in Acushnet 12 years. Mr. Mello was a New Bedford police officer until he retired. He served with the traffic division as a motorcycle officer for many years. Before his retirement, he served in City Hall. In 1967, he received the Police Officer of the Year award for outstanding service.  He served in the Navy after World War II. He was a member of the Mount Carmel Senior Club. He enjoyed dancing with his wife, woodworking in his basement and spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. 

Frances R. Sokol, was born in New Haven, Conn., she lived in New Bedford most of her life.  A graduate of New Bedford High School and St. Luke's Nursing School, she was a retired registered nurse who worked at area hospitals and finished her career at the New Bedford Health Department. Mrs. Sokol had a passion for classical music and Egyptian history, and enjoyed reading, gardening and the arts. 

James Costakes, was born in New Bedford, and lived in the New Bedford area all of his life. Involved in the fishing industry since 1945, Mr. Costakes was a commercial fisherman for close to 30 years. He served for five years as a fisheries information officer for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He was president of the New England Fisheries Steering Committee and served on the New England Fisheries Management Council for nine years. He was an advisor to the U.S.-Canadian Boundary Dispute and a commissioner of the Atlantic States Marine Advisory Committee. He was a member of the Offshore Oil/Fishing Committee, the National Quality Improvement Committee, and the Hawthorn Country Club. He was named to the Governor's Task Force on P.C.B. Problems by former Gov. Edward J. King. Mr. Costakes was a chairman of the New Bedford Seafood Council, and director of the New Bedford Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Corporation. He was a member of the Coast Guard Advisory Committee on safety issues. 

 Milton Nisson, was born in New Bedford, he lived here before moving to Dartmouth in 1951. Mr. Nisson was the owner of Berk's Men's Clothing Store of New Bedford. He was a graduate of New Bedford High School and was very active in military and civic organizations. He served as a staff sergeant during World War II. He was a past commander of the Greater New Bedford Veterans Council, past commander of the 
Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 105 and 7, past commander of the New Bedford Veterans of Foreign Wars and Jewish War Veterans Post 154. He was a member of the Cape Verdean Veterans Association, American Legion No. 459 and Ahavath  Achim Synagogue. He was instrumental in the establishment of the New Bedford Veterans' Clinic and the re-establishment of the Waldron Barracks of Greater New Bedford. He was the coordinator for the veterans' parade in New Bedford and served as its grand marshall. In 1944, he was granted a private audience with Pope Pius XII. 

Cecelia B. Ponichtera, was a lifelong New Bedford resident. Mrs. Ponichtera was employed by Wamsutta Mills and then Staylastic Manufacturing Co. as an office worker for many years until her retirement. She was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Society 

Lillian M. Morris, was born in South Dartmouth, she lived in North Dartmouth for most of her life. Mrs. Morris was one of the former proprietors of the Shawmut Diner in New Bedford until her retirement. 

Leone D. Benevides, was born in New Bedford. Mrs. Benevides was employed as a registered nurse for the Massachusetts Easter Seals Society. She was also a nurse for the Bristol County Sheriff's Department and for St. Luke's Hospital for several years. 

Thelma T. Mazur, was born in Chelsea,  she had lived in New Bedford for 22 years. She was a 1936 graduate of Simmons College where she earned her bachelor's degree. She received her master's degree in education from Lesley College. She was a teacher in Malden for 25 years, retiring 22 years ago. Prior to her teaching she was a dietitian in several Boston nursing homes. Mrs. Mazur was a member of Ahavath Achim Synagogue and Tifereth Israel Congregation and their sisterhoods. She also was a member of Hadassah, the Council of Jewish Women and the retired Teachers Association. 

Estella V. Cabral, was born in New Bedford, Mass., she was a registered hairstylist and owner of Ray-Stel's in North Dartmouth, Mass., along with her husband. Mrs. Cabral was a member and past president of St. John the Baptist Couples Club. She was a member of the New Bedford Catholic Women's Club 
and past chairwoman of the Annual Ball. She was a member of the State and National Cosmetologist Association. After retirement, she lived on Nantucket Island and in Florida.