How to Prevent Scratches, Swirls On a Black Car

2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 long-term test car; Cars.com photo by Evan Sears;

Maintaining a black car's exterior is an intimidating experience considering a single finger swiped across the paint can show a noticeable blemish. Cars.com's long-term 2013 Subaru BRZ test car's Crystal Silica Black looked awful after 14,000 miles of not-so-great paint care, and we vowed to never own a black car again. We didn't have much choice when it came time to buy our 2015

Mercedes-Benz C300 long-term test car; black is the most popular C300 color in Cars.com national inventory of 2015 and 2016 models, and our car came with the right options and price.

Related: More on Cars.com's Long-Term 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300

Nationally, however, the color silver led the list in Axalta's Global Automotive Color Popularity report for 2014, with black a close runner-up. With so many cars coming off the assembly line with fresh coats of deep, glossy black paint, we gathered tips from car-care experts on how to keep that luster looking as good as new.

Truth is, a black car doesn't scratch more easily than any other color; the tips below will help keep any car's paint color free of scratches and swirls. Modern cars use clear-coat paint, and what you're actually washing and working with is the top layer of clear coat; the colored paint sits underneath this protective coating. A scratch in the clear coat appears white in all cars but contrasts with the black paint to create a more noticeable blemish, said Mike Pennington, global director of training at Meguiar's, a manufacturer of car-care products.

Dirt is Your Enemy
Clearly, right? Why else would you be washing your car? But what's really happening is the fine scratches and swirls you see in a black-painted car's reflection are typically the result of careless, preventable car-washing techniques. Cobweb-like swirls and scratches can look like a bad machine detail even though they're inflicted by washing techniques.

"If there's dirt, then you're grinding it into the paint. The whole idea is to not scrub the paint. And that's important in a black car because every scratch will show," said Mike Phillips, director of training at Autogeek.net, a car-care vendor and enthusiast detailing forum.

Bentayga: Bentley's Fast, Luxurious First SUV

2017 Bentley Bentayga; Manufacturer Image

Competes with: Land Rover Range Rover, Porsche Cayenne Turbo

Looks like: A Bentley up front, generic luxury SUV in back

Drivetrain: 600-hp, 6.0-liter W-12; all-wheel drive; eight-speed automatic transmission

Hits dealerships: Early 2016

We knew it was coming. We knew it would have a hard-to-pronounce name. And now we know it's going to be fast.

Bentley revealed the specifics of its first SUV, called the Bentayga, and they're impressive. Lurking behind the trademark grille and headlights is an all-new 6.0-liter W-12 engine that the company says is rated at 600 horsepower and 663 pounds-feet of torque. Bentley claims it will reach 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds.

Right behind that claim, Bentley follows it with another in its press release, calling the Bentayga " the world's most powerful and fastest SUV." However, Tesla revealed last week its upcoming Tesla X will hit the same mark in 3.8 seconds. Clearly this calls for a day at the drag strip.

Getting there will be a luxurious affair in the Bentayga. The handmade interior looks to be a step above even the automaker's most recent sedans and coupes in terms of opulence. The second row can be outfitted for four with a center console or five with a bench seat, and that second row is fixed, separating it from the cargo area. There are 15 interior colors to choose from as well as a hands-free power tailgate.

If you are actually tailgating in the Bentayga — polo anyone? — there is an optional folding "event seat" that is trimmed in the same leather as the seats inside the SUV. There are also optional picnic boxes that fit into the cargo area outfitted with china, crystal, flatware and a blanket.

Getting to any picnic shouldn't be a problem. The Bentayga comes with an air suspension with four different modes for off-road excursions. It can also be lowered to make it easier to get in and out.

Tech isn't forgotten, and there is a slew of the latest on-road and safety features like adaptive cruise control with traffic assist that maintains speed with the car in front of you at various speeds. Parking the 202.4 inches of the Bentayga will be assisted by a 360-degree camera system and an available autonomous parking system. Inside there is an 8-inch touch-screen multimedia system for the driver and removable 10.2-inch Android tablet for passengers to surf the Internet.

Bentley has been testing not only the capabilities of the SUV but also the styling, and the final product seems to be a study in conservatism.

It clearly screams Bentley up front, but the profile is pretty standard fare for the luxury space except for the beefy haunch over the rear wheels. The backside is a bit subdued when compared to the front, but that's the case with most of the Bentley lineup. Wheels range in size from 20 to 22 inches.

No pricing has been announced for the Bentayga, but we expect to learn how much this luxury SUV costs closer to its on-sale date in early 2016.

Cadillac Previews 2017 XT5

2017 Cadillac XT5; Manufacturer image

Cadillac's smallest SUV is getting a new name and a total redesign. The 2017 XT5 replaces the SRX in the brand's lineup and wears mini-Escalade styling up front with vertical light-pipe headlights and a grille similar to that of the CT6 sedan.

Related: More Cadillac News

Cadillac says the XT5 is the first in a number of Cadillac SUVs that will wear the XT name, with the number following indicative of size. Does the 5 mean it seats five passengers? The automaker released a couple teaser pics, but no further details. We'll know more about the 2017 XT5 when it debuts in Dubai in November and later at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show.

2010-2016 Jaguar A/C Issues

The problem: These vehicles have been found to exhibit poor air conditioning performance thanks to a worn-out air conditioner compressor direct pressure sensing valve. When this valve is bad, it results in misregulated refrigerant pressure, affecting air conditioning performance.

See More Service Bulletins

Corrective action: On affected vehicles, Jaguar dealers will replace the direct pressure sensing valve, check the system for leaks, fill refrigerant to proper factory levels and check for proper system operation.

Warranty info: Repairs will be covered on eligible vehicles under the provisions of the new-car warranty. If the new-car warranty has expired and an owner has an extended warranty in place, the provisions of that warranty might cover this repair.

What owners should do: Call your local dealer with your vehicle identification number to determine if your vehicle is involved in this service action. You can also call Jaguar at: 800-452-4827. Reference TSB number JTB00380.

Need to find a dealer for service? Go to Cars.com Service & Repair to find a local dealer.

Editor’s note: This is only one of dozens of service bulletins issued each month by automakers. Please check your automaker’s website to see if your vehicle has any service bulletins pending.

Check for recalls here on Cars.com.

2010 - 2012 Lotus Evora

Lotus is one of those rare brand success stories in which a company has been able to take itself from near extinction and redefine itself as a top sports-car manufacturer. The company came from humble beginnings in an old stable behind a set of North London Railroad tracks acting as a factory. As time moved on different subsidiaries have been formed and focused on different aspects of the business between Formula racing and road-car production.

Even when the Bugatti ownership was switched to private owner, Proton, in 1994 things were less exciting than ever. The Esprit S4 and V8 models would be the only real production models that Lotus had for the next decade. The Esprit had many great qualities to it, but in essence, it had been around since its original design in 1976.

The company was desperately in need of something to help change its image. In 2004, the Lotus Elise was approved for sale in the United States and was made available as a 2005 model. These series 2 models were compact, light, nimble, and a blast to drive through an S-curve. It turned out to be exactly the type of success that Lotus was looking for and opened the door for future new models.

Enter – Lotus Evora. The Evora is slotted right above the Elise and Exige models, and should entice a more diverse crowd than the hardcore go-kart like models.