AUTO NOTES.(Auto Weekend)(Auto Notes)

SUBARU RECALLS SOME 2001 MODELS

Subaru of America Inc. is recalling some of its 2001 Legacy models for inspection.

The company said it would look at possible problems in fuel hoses, rear-center seat belts and bearing housings on models which include Legacy L, GT and Outback.

Subaru said it will inspect 1,456 vehicles for possible leak problems in the fuel hoses as well as 1,977 cars whose bearings could cause loss of control. Subaru will also inspect 368 Legacy sedan vehicles to replace seat belts that might not fully extend.

Owners will be notified by mail and repairs will be made at no charge, the company told the Associated Press.

ACURA'S DVD NAVIGATION BEST, J.D. POWER SAYS

A J.D. Power and Associates navigation usage and satisfaction study concludes that the DVD navigation system in Acura's RL ranks highest in customer satisfaction.

The study found that "DVD-based navigation systems offer greater geographical coverage, more detailed points of interest information and increase the speed to calculate a route."

Acura's navigation system offers more than 3.7 million points of interest and detailed mapping of major metropolitan areas.

TAX BREAK AVAILABLE FOR HYBRID VEHICLES

Hybrid vehicle purchasers can take advantage of a new Maryland law that provides a tax break.

They can get up to $1,500 off their taxes. At this time the law, enacted July 1, only applies to the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius.

Dan Reicher, assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, said he hopes the Maryland law will encourage other states and Congress to take similar action. Currently, Arizona is the only other state with a tax credit for purchasers of alternative-energy vehicles.

TIPS ARE AVAILABLE ON HOW TO AVOID DEER

Hundreds of thousands of deer are hit by vehicles each year, many during the fall when deer are mating and migrating.

Response Insurance offers a free brochure on avoiding a car accident with a deer on its Web site, www.response.com. Or call 800/610-5928.

AUTO SHOW OPENS AFTER CHRISTMAS

The Hot Wheels 2001 auto show opens at the Washington Convention Center Dec. 26 with more than 500 new cars, trucks, minivans and sport utility vehicles on display.

During the weeklong run through Jan. 1, the show also will feature celebrity guests, music, racing simulation, extreme bike stunts and the annual Hands-On Contest to win a vehicle.

Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens and $4 for children 6 to 12 years old. Those under 6 are admitted free.

Show hours are Dec. 26 through Dec. 30 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m..

The Washington Auto Show Snow Ball Gala on Dec. 28, to benefit the Greater Washington Boys and Girls Club, will be held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. For more information about the auto show and the gala, contact Barbara Pomerance at 866-WASH-AUTO or go to www.washingtonautoshow.com on the Internet.

*Is your organization sponsoring an auto show? Does your auto-related group have a meeting coming up? Have you recently elected new officers? Fax or mail items of interest to Bill O'Brien, Auto Notes, The Washington Times, 3600 New York Ave. NE, Washington, D.C. 20002. Fax items to 202/832-2167. Deadline is 5 p.m. the Monday before publication of AutoWeekend each Friday.