Ford Taurus Engine Block Heaters 605-1619 on 2040-parts.com

Maintenance 'favours' end up costing more

GETTING help from family, neighbours or friends for basic car maintenance tasks costs the UK public an estimate £300million a year, according to a new survey. Over 2,000 people were surveyed on behalf of Halfords Autocentres and one in six said they regretted asking for help in the first place. 45% who subsequently had to pay a professional to rectify mistakes were left with a bill in excess of £100.

Cadillac CTS

By Ben Oliver Motor Shows 09 January 2007 04:39 New CTS: no mistaking this for anything other than a Cadillac The all-new CTS compact exec saloon is Caddy's big news from the Detroit show, and they were never going to muck about with a distinctive design direction that has won them praise and younger customers since it began in 2001. The new CTS exaggerates it further with yet-more vertical lamps and grille, plus plenty of bling, using chrome for the air vents, window surrounds, the three-inch exhaust tips and 18-inch rims. No high-performance V version of the new car has been announced yet, but until it arrives the range will be led by a new direct-injection, 3.6-litre V6 with variable valve timing putting out 300bhp and 270lb ft.

GM Foundation donates $2.5 million to Detroit's College for Creative Studies

The General Motors Foundation announced a $2.5 million donation to the College for Creative Studies in Detroit on Monday. CCS, with an enrollment of nearly 1,400, is one of the world's leading art and design schools. It offers Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in 11 disciplines and Master of Fine Arts degrees in two majors.