June 19th, 2009 by Hal Moses
Drivers and politicians tend to be against road tolls because it is believed that they burden drivers with a lower income disproportionately. However, a recent study by USC and UCLA has discovered that a sales tax may be a greater offender on that front.
The study looked at a 10-mile stretch of freeway in California that encompasses four express lanes on Route 91. It discovered that, overall; the toll was used more by middle and upper income drivers than by drivers with a lower income. It also discovered that charging more during hours that are peak helped alleviate traffic.
However, if the highway was financed by a sales tax, the study discovered that these same middle and upper income motorists would have shelled out $26 million less than they would have under a system of tolls. In the meantime, drivers who are lower income would end up paying $3 million more.
Congestion pricing and tolls aren’t perfect, and the study made a suggestion that lower income motorists who have to travel during peak hours should be given discounted pricing. After all, lower income drivers are already struggling to afford car costs, such as an auto warranty and car insurance.
June 19th, 2009 by Hal Moses
Over the past few decades, perhaps one of the biggest technical developments has been to tires. And now, new rules concerning tires will yield even more mileage and safety improvements.
After the estimated 280 deaths that were linked to Firestone tire failures on the Ford Explorer SUVs, lawmakers ordered tire pressure monitoring systems are used. These systems alert drivers if they have a tire with low air.
Thankfully, some of the recent monitoring systems don’t have problems that were experienced with the earlier technology. Problems included false alerts, and failure to advise drivers which of their tires was low.
Now, there is a national registry that has been approved, allowing drivers to register their tires that they purchase. In the case of a recall, such as Firestone, drivers would be notified quickly.
Drivers will be much safer with the new tire rules. However, drivers should always protect themselves by doing regular tire pressure checks and having an auto warranty in case of necessary repairs.
June 18th, 2009 by Hal Moses
With everyone worried about the economy, there are numerous tips circulating about how to save money on fuel. A lot of this advice, however, isn’t worth the time of the average driver. So, which strategies are worth the time and which aren’t?
There are several things that you can do to significantly improve your fuel economy. It makes sense to drive slow and steady to improve gas mileage. If you travel at the speed limit and avoid accelerating rapidly you won’t burn as much gas. Also, you don’t want to let your car idle. Every second in which your engine is running while your car is stationary you are wasting gas. Also, keeping your tires inflated properly will allow you approximately a 10% improvement in fuel-efficiency.
There are also some tips that aren’t worth your time. First of all, don’t bother filling up when temperatures are cool. Although this theory is true, it won’t save you enough to be concerned with it. Next, lightening your load isn’t going to help you with fuel-efficiency very much unless you’re carrying 100 pounds of cargo in your car. Most people don’t carry enough stuff in their car to amount to much.
Consumers are becoming more and more concerned with saving money on their cars. To do this they are buying fuel-efficient cars with an auto warranty, and following tips to save on fuel. Motorists are feeling the pinch due to the poor economy.
June 18th, 2009 by Hal Moses
You might find that your car has become a mess from kids, pets, friends, etc. But how are you supposed to keep it clean with kids spitting up and people having four-course meals in your backseat? Let’s face it; it can be hard. However, here are some tips to help you get started.
You might want to insist that whatever people bring in the car they have to take it out. This means that kids should be responsible for the cups, stuffed animals, books, etc. Also, you could limit them to only bringing one item each car ride.
Keep a trash bag from the kitchen in your vehicle. This comes in handy for trash, or for dirty wet clothes. You can have your oldest child be in charge of the trash bag.
For toddlers, purchase spill proof snack bowls and cups. You can buy a “snack trapâ€, which keeps Cheerios from spilling all over your floor.
Keep toothpaste in your glove compartment. This can save you from a stain on your upholstery. Just rub gently on lipstick or ketchup stains to remove stains.
Purchase some rubber mats to go on top of your carpet. If you don’t want to spend the extra money you can even turn your carpet mats upside down to reveal the rubber side.
It’s never easy to keep your car clean when you have a busy lifestyle, however, these tips will help. Don’t just purchase an auto warranty to maintain your car, put a little bit of work into cleaning the interior.
June 18th, 2009 by Hal Moses
People become irrational about their cars. They treat them as if they are their babies and give them affectionate wash and wax jobs on the weekends. Some drivers even talk to their vehicles and give them a pat here and there. But as much as our cars mean to us, we don’t need to waste money on them. Here are some common ways that drivers waste money on their cars.
First of all, buying premium fuel over regular isn’t necessary. Purchase the cheapest gas possible that keeps your engine from knocking. Octane serves the purpose of preventing knock, so if your car doesn’t knock with regular gasoline you’re fine.
Usually, auto manufacturers recommend that you change your oil every 5,000-7,000 miles. Many motorists assume that they should get their oil changed every 3,000 miles, however, this should be done only if you put a lot of wear and tear on your car.
Also, having auto repairs done at a dealership will cost you. Instead, find a reliable independent shop to do the job for less money. In addition, it is a good idea to have an auto warranty to avoid unnecessary costs down the road.
Following these simple tips can save you lots of money. Don’t allow other people to talk you into paying expenses for your vehicle that are unnecessary.
June 18th, 2009 by Hal Moses
Teenage drivers add a significant amount of cost to a family’s auto insurance. This is because insurance is based on the likelihood of a driver getting into a car crash. According to statistics, young drivers who are inexperienced account for a large amount of auto accidents. This is why they require a road service program and a good auto warranty. So, what can parents do to eliminate some of the cost? Here are some tips.
First of all, make an effort to qualify for as many discounts as you can. You might be able to classify your teenager as a driver who is “occasionalâ€, instead of a primary one.
Next, ensure that your teen has taken a driver’s education class. This can qualify them for an insurance discount. Also, having them take a defensive driving class might reduce premiums.
Avoid buying a high performance, sporty car that your teen might get into trouble with. Insurers frown upon these vehicles.
Finally, if your adolescent goes away for college without taking the car, it is likely that you can drop them from your insurance policy.
These simple tips will save you money on insurance and save your teen from calling for emergency roadside assistance. In addition, invest in used car warranties to avoid unnecessary repair costs. It is a win, win situation for everyone.
June 16th, 2009 by Hal Moses
Often motorist get sticker shock or experience buyer’s remorse after buying a new car. However, you can avoid this by considering the expenses that you will encounter in the future.
According to experts, most consumers anticipate the price of the purchase, registration and taxes. However, many people forget to factor in the price of insurance and new car warranties. Fortunately, by doing your homework you can get good deals on insurance and an auto warranty.
To control car costs drivers should consider these tips. First of all, decide before you get to the dealership the amount of money that you can spend. Also, decide on what type of car will suit your needs. It is also beneficial to get quotes from several dealers, because then you are in the position to negotiate. Finally, check insurance and auto warranty prices on the vehicle that you want to purchase.
You don’t have to go broke purchasing a new car. But, be smart and consider all of the costs involved. It isn’t just the purchase price that you will be paying.
June 16th, 2009 by Hal Moses
One trick that people use to sell a used car is to detail it until it looks brand new. However, beware, a motor that is steam-cleaned won’t fix a gasket that is blown. This is why it is important to purchase an auto warranty.
Having said that, dealers that are reputable typically won’t try to sell vehicles with big issues, for fear that they’ll have to fix them down the road. If you test drive a vehicle that doesn’t make awful noises and feels pretty good, chances are it is fine. Dealers don’t like to sell junky cars.
In any case, it is still a smart idea to have a trained professional take a look at your vehicle. If the dealer claims the vehicle was inspected by it’s mechanic, request to view the paperwork. If the dealer can’t produce them, make sure an outside technician sees the vehicle.
Also important, is to check that the car has a clear title and that it hasn’t ever been in a big accident. You can tell the dealer to go on Carfax or AutoCheck to confirm this. Both of these sites have a fee to trace the car identification number for odometer and service registrations, and accidents. However, often dealerships will check the vehicles on their lot free of charge.
Typically, it is safe to buy a used car from a dealership; however, it never hurts to take these quick steps to ensure you don’t get a lemon. In addition, used car warranties will give you peace of mind in case you need repairs.
June 13th, 2009 by Hal Moses
A driver’s worst nightmare is to turn the key and have their car not start. Sometimes your engine will turn over but for some reason the car just won’t start. Do you know what to do if this happens to you? Of course you could call a mechanic. However, without an auto warranty you might face costly repairs. There are three things that you should check on your own first. A car relies on air, fire and fuel. If a car doesn’t get one or two of these vital ingredients, it won’t start.
The first thing that you should check is to make sure the car has gasoline. If there is an adequate amount, the engine might have been flooded. You can floor the gas pedal for around ten seconds, but be careful not to pump it while you are turning the ignition. If the engine is still not starting, tap the carburetor close to the gas line. This can free the line if the needle valve is stuck.
It is also important to check for broken or loose spark plug wires. Make sure to do this with the engine off. The wires that go from the distributor cap to the spark plugs should be secured down on the ends.
Now that you have checked for fuel and fire, we move on to an air check. If you own a car with a carburetor, take off the top of the air filter and look at the choke plate. If it appears stuck, open or close it. Then jiggle the plate in order for it to move freely.
Checking the three main ingredients, air, fire and fuel are a great place to start if your car won’t turn over. However, you may need a mechanic if you can’t find anything wrong. You never know when your car might breakdown, which makes it is a necessity to have an auto warranty to protect you from costly repairs.
June 13th, 2009 by Hal Moses
The purpose of the thermostat in your vehicle is to regulate the temperature of the vehicle so that it remains at a desired level. To do this it controls the heating and cooling mechanisms and controls the flow of heat that goes throughout the system. The thermostat manages the coolant amount in the internal combustion engine. You will find a thermostat in any liquid cooled engine.
If you’re thermostat isn’t performing correctly it may be for a few reasons. First, if the water pump in the car is failing then the thermostat will be affected. The thermostat can also be affected if the engine is overheated or there is coolant leaking.
You should have your thermostat checked out by your mechanic regularly. It holds a key position in cooling your engine, so it should be replaced every few years.
Failing to replace your thermostat when it should be could give you additional problems, such as a knocking noise with acceleration, emission problems, and poor fuel-efficiency. Unfortunately, you never know when car problems will arise, which is why you should have your vehicle serviced regularly and purchase an auto warranty for peace of mind.