LemonFree.com Blog

1. Dodge Charger Hemi
The original Dodge Charger was the classic muscle car of the 1970s. In the past few years if you’ve ever seen a beefed up, more modern looking patrol car on your local streets, odds are its the new Dodge Charger Hemi. Police forces love the beefed up Hemi engine that comes in handy for intense pursuits (170 mph top speed, 368 horsepower), as well as the maneuverability and versatility of the vehicle.

2. Knight Rider’s Ford Mustang GT500KR
This isn’t the original 1980s smart car driven by Hasselhof. This is the Ford Mustang GT500KR, built for the modern version of the television show. This is the most powerful stock car that Ford has ever built. It’s a Shelby variation with 480lb-ft of torque at 4500rpm and solid-axle rear suspension that makes for some fantastic cop-car action sequences.

3. Italian Police Lamborghini Gallardo
Leave it to the Italians to choose a Lamborghini as a cop car. Just like in the movies, some of the fastest car chases occur in Europe and the Italian police want things to be fair. Lamborghini built specialized versions of its awe inspiring Gallardo for the task, including image and voice transmitting equipment and crime scene evidence storage coolers.

4. Steve McQueen Bullit Ford Mustang GT
Known for one of the best car chase scenes in cinema history, Steve McQueen’s 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 Fastback rose to cult status. In 2008 Ford released a limited edition Bullit model.

5. Miami Vice Ferrari Testarossa
Miami Vice was the epitome of cool in its day, from the flashy cars, cheap suits and high speed boat chases. But to this day, what is most rememberd from the series is Crockett and Tubbs’ 1980s Ferrari Testarossa. Enzo Ferrari himself was such a fan of the show that he donated two Testarossas to the series to replace the Daytona Spyder 365 kit car replica. Whether simply as a gift from a fan, or a shrewd marketing ploy, Ferrari established itself as a brand in the United States during this time period. In the 2006 movie version of Miami Vice the Testarossa was replaced by the sleek modern F430.

6. Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor
This is the vehicle most think when referring to a police car or often see patrolling their streets. It is the most widely used police car in the United States. Production started in 1992 and continues to this day. The vehicle is so popular among law enforcement agencies because it possess all the qualities needed for police driving techniques. It has a conventional rear wheel drive, a powerful V8 engine, and body on frame construction. This allows for more durability and easier repairs. It also boasts a heavy duty transmission, heavy duty brakes, and a 250 horsepower engine.

7. Chevy Camaro Z28 B4C
A stock Camarao was combined with the best part of the Z28 and a Chevy 350 V8 from 1991-2002. Besides a heavier frame then the stock Camaro it came with many add ons needed specifically for police cars. Heavy duty features include oversized front and rear sway bars, a high-output alternator, larger four-wheel disc brakes, separate engine, power steering, and transmission oil coolers. It has a certified 145mph speedometer. The California Highway Patrol, which deals with the most car pursuits annually in the U.S. adopted the car.

Getting lost in a movie is one of our favourite past times – and the movies we love have presented some pretty amazing cars over the years.  Here are some of our favourites …

Back to the Future Trilogy – 1981 Delorean DMC 12

The Delorean is one of the best big screen cars– any chance someone could make an exact replica….anything in particular you want to see?  I’ll drive!

Love Bug – 1963 Volkswagen Type 1 (Beetle)

Herbie, you little Love Bug.  How can we not love such a little car with such a big personality?  Beep beep!

The Dukes Of Hazard – 1969 Dodge Charger R/T

The classic General Lee with a good ol’ boy behind the wheel was always speeding away from trouble – or into it!  Fast and sexy – one of the coolest cars to this day.

Knight Rider – 1982 Pontiac Trans Am – KITT

Have you ever read the list of what this car could do?!  The most impressive would have to be the Money Dispenser – KITT could give Michael money when he needed it.  How come my car doesn’t do that?  Maybe we need to add this as a search option in our alerts…just an idea.

Batmobile

And of course the Batmobile… you know for when you need a jet engine and machine guns for your Sunday drive!

If you have any favourite cars from the big screen (or the little screen for that matter) let us know!  We’d love to know what you come up with!

The longer we live here in Winterpeg … I mean Winnipeg, the easier it gets to adjust to winter’s cold, snowy assault. However, our cars cannot adapt without some help from us seasoned veterans of winter. To prevent your vehicle from turning into a lemon over winter, check out our Winnipeg Winterizing Checklist. (after all we are the experts when it comes to winter)

1. Replace windshield wipers with winter blades
Factory and summer blades are great for weather that doesn’t involve snow and ice build-up on your windshield. However, visibility is everything in winter when driving conditions are poor. Try using a winter optimized blade that helps reduce the snow build up on the blade and has an arm strong enough not to break off under the weight of the snow.
2. Replace summer windshield washer fluid with winter optimized fluid
A winter optimized windshield washer fluid is a great asset. Not only does a windshield washer fluid contain an anti-freezing agent combined with a detergent, but many of the products on the market also offer a de-icer. From my personal experience this is unbelievably handy when you are late for work and your windshield is covered in a nice layer of ice. De-icer also helps to prevent ice build-up on windshield washer blades by lowering the freezing temperature of water.
3. Make sure your vehicle has a block heater
This nifty invention helps to warm an engine in cold weather so that your vehicle does not have to work as hard to start. Most vehicles sold in areas with cold climates have this as standard equipment. If you are re-locating or have purchased a vehicle from a warmer climate, be sure that your vehicle has a block heater. Plugging your car in frequently means the different between a start or staying where you are. If you have a block heater in your car, pull the cord out early. There is nothing like fishing for a the cord in -30 weather.
4. Ensure you have at least a ¼ tank of gas at all times
This one may sound odd, but to those who have run out of gas when we thought we still had room to run, it is no laughing matter. Frozen fuel lines can occur when a car is low on gas and left for an extended period of time in extremely low temperatures. To thaw a frozen fuel line, pull the vehicle into a warm garage, or try adding a gas line anti-freeze.
5. Replace your all-season tires with winter tires
My winter tires have frequently prevented me from sliding into the vehicle in front of me. Winter tires have a tread design that can provide up to 50% better traction on ice and snow. Look for a tire that meets the Rubber Association of Canada Snow Traction Performance requirements (logo is found on the side of tires). If you will be driving in extreme snow/ice conditions opting for chains may be a better bet.
6. Replace all season motor oil with winter oil
5W30 weight oil will flow better than a heavier weight in colder weather. This will ensure that the oil gets to your engine faster, causing less wear and tear. Be sure to check that the formula is compatible with your vehicle before use.
7. Always have a scraper, salt, warm weather gear, a candle and a lighter in your car
In a snow storm a scraper helps to brush off the snow from your covered vehicle. It can also be a useful shovelling tool in case you get stuck in said snow. Sand can help give your tires traction while stuck. Warm weather gear such as mittens, a hat, and a blanket can keep you warm until the tow truck comes if you find yourself in a sticky situation. Additionally, the heat generated from a candle can keep a car warm preventing you from freezing if things get really bad.
8. If you don’t know, ask a Winnipegger (LemonFree Staff)
We don’t mean to brag, but we really are experts when it comes to keeping our vehicles LemonFree in cold weather. Post a question to our Facebook wall or shoot an email to Support@lemonfree.com

I’m off to get my snow tires. Happy Winter Driving!