July 30th, 2010 by Hal Moses
The Saturn Vue SUV green line will have better fuel economy than the Vues that are gas only. They feature a simple hybrid system that Ford and Toyota use. The green line is only around $1,500 more than the price of a comparable Vue that only operates on gas. This allows consumers to be able to afford an auto warranty and maintenance costs. The retail price, $23,000 is approximately $4,000 under the Ford Escape Hybrid, which is the least expensive hybrid to date.
The Saturn Vue hybrid offers a 20% fuel savings over the gas operated Vue. The Vue Green line supplements an engine that is four cylinders with electric power. It gets 27 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. In comparison, the gas only Vue gets 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
The Vue Green Line is the first SUV hybrid available with only front wheel drive. They aren’t offered with all- or four-wheel drive, as with other hybrid SUVs on the market.
The “green†Vue doesn’t give extraordinary fuel savings, but it is a good opportunity for consumers to purchase an SUV hybrid for under $25,000. It is important for motorists to do their homework and calculate the cost of owning the vehicle. For example, consider new car warranties, car maintenance costs, and insurance on the SUV.
July 30th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Satellite navigation devices, or the popular GPS interfaces that many motorists have in their vehicles, are, partly responsible for a large share of accidents and driving practices that are risky.
With about half of the motorists on the roads having access to devices such as these in their vehicles, it appears that this technology has penetrated the market. Drivers who have satellite navigation devices are much more likely to be involved in a minor accident or risky behaviors. In fact, 1.5 million say that they have engaged in sudden maneuvers, and approximately 5 million admit to going against the flow of traffic.
GPS systems fall into the same category as other car distractions, such as cell phones, kids, the radio, or passengers. This might be one of the reasons that road safety campaigns say that ‘Good Drivers Just Drive’.
Drivers should pre-plan their trips in order to avoid distractions by GPSs. In addition, drivers should protect themselves by purchasing used car warranties, and avoiding other in-car distractions.
July 30th, 2010 by Hal Moses
It seems that Toyota is trying to challenge Volvo for its coveted safety reputation: It’s designed a new supplemental restraint system. Being called a world-first, the rear window airbag is intended to work together with the head restraints to better protect the heads of passengers in the event of a rear collision.
This new safety system deploys in the same way that side curtain airbags do, from the lining of the roof. Toyota has planned to put this new innovation immediately into production in the iQ micro-car. According to Toyota, the airbags will almost double head protection for rear passengers. That is necessary too, because the backseats of the iQ sit right up against the glass and rear hatch.
While at the moment there aren’t any official plans to bring the iQ micro-car to the U.S., Toyota would love to do so if they can make a case for it, and also if the iQ would be able to pass American safety standards.
Toyota is smart to up their safety standards, since consumers are becoming more and more concerned with vehicle safety. In addition, motorists are attempting to protect themselves by maintaining their vehicles and signing up for roadside assistance programs and new car warranties.
July 30th, 2010 by Hal Moses
The recommended intervals for oil changes have increased a significant amount over the last ten years. It used to be that oil changes were recommended every 3,000 miles, but now recommendations are for every 8,000 miles. This is great news for drivers because it means less time at the mechanic and less money spent. However, there are a few cautionary notes to consider.
First of all, consult your owner’s manual for the “maximum recommended intervalâ€. Make sure you don’t extend beyond that number because saving $40 on an oil change is not worth having an $800 repair due to sludge buildup.
Second, if your driving type falls under “heavy duty†you will need to change your oil more regularly. Often, drivers don’t realize that daily stop-and-go commuting falls under this category. Also, if you use your vehicle for short trips with little highway driving you many need shorter oil changeouts.
Finally, you should use the specific oil type/grade recommended by the carmaker. Failing to use the right oil type can result in poor car performance, engine damage, and even void the terms of your auto warranty.
Although less frequent oil changes are convenient for consumers, people need to follow these cautionary notes. After all, you don’t want to ruin an engine because you didn’t add a couple of quarts of Pennzoil. This is why an auto warranty is always a good idea, too.
July 28th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Buying a new vehicle is an exciting event in most people’s lives. People often want to flaunt their priceless possessions for everyone to see. Drivers purchase an auto warranty to protect their jewels, and treat their cars with loving care. In addition, they try not to let their vehicle get any scratches. A car that is scratch free and has a shiny finish is a good reflection of its owner and brings a lot of driving pleasure.
However, with heavy traffic that is bumper to bumper, it is difficult to keep your beautiful gem scratch free. In fact, it is inevitable that your vehicle will receive a scratch or two no matter what measures you take.
Never fear, you don’t have to spend thousands at a shop getting your entire car panel painted. You can use Com-Paint, which is a touch up spray that allows you to say goodbye to scratches. Follow these simple tips.
On small scratches you can use Aeroshot Top Cut to remove and cleanse the surface that is scratched. This will most likely take care of the scratches so that they won’t need painting.
For medium scratches level with 1000 No. Emery paper. Shake the can well and hold it 12†from the surface and use a stroking motion to spray. Make sure the coats are light, not heavy. Let the painted area dry at least 72 hours.
Car owners like to feel like their vehicles are brand new. Simple things can allow you to do this such as touch-up painting, routine maintenance, and purchasing new car warranties to protect your vehicle. These simple things can keep your car seeming brand-new.
July 28th, 2010 by Hal Moses
How many people would shell out $45,000 for a little electric car made by the Chinese that has a driving range of 100 miles? Even though it comes with new car warranties and may be eligible to get a tax credit of $7,500, there may not be a lot of people willing to pay the money for this vehicle. However, Coda Automotive will discover the answer to that question next year with the launch of its five-passenger sedan in California.
For those who don’t know, Coda Automotive is actually a spin-off of Miles Electric Vehicles. This car is based on Haifei Auto’s sedan platform, and will drive around 100 miles. There isn’t a generator on-board, so after driving 100 miles the vehicle needs to be plugged into a power source. However, with the optional fast charger, the batteries can be recharged within 10 to 15 minutes.
Many small vehicles that are eco-friendly, such as the Toyota Prius or Honda Insight, have an aerodynamic styling that will communicate their frugal powertrains, however the Coda doesn’t do this. It has the appearance of a people’s car, not a trendy, zero-emissions vehicle.
July 28th, 2010 by Hal Moses
It can be difficult to find a car that is suitable for the needs of a family. In fact, consumers can often feel overwhelmed with all of the choices. So, what are some necessary considerations when purchasing a family car?
First, most families are in search of an affordable vehicle. This typically means that the sticker price is under $30,000 and comes with a good auto warranty. There are many good quality vehicles out there that go for less than $30,000, so if you are looking at a company that can’t produce a good vehicle for this price, you’re searching with the wrong company.
One very important feature for a family car is comfort. Five people should be able to fit into a vehicle comfortably, otherwise no one will be happy. Also, make sure that you have sufficient cargo space for groceries, hobbies, etc.
Safety is essential in a family vehicle. Many of the new car models have innovative safety features capable of saving people’s lives. For instance, the Chevrolet Malibu incorporates the OnStar system of communication, which has the Advanced Automatic Crash Notification.
Try not to get overwhelmed with the shopping process when looking for a family vehicle. Just take these tips into consideration and make sure purchase an auto warranty in case of unforeseen repairs.
July 27th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Hyundai has introduced many new car models lately, but the Genesis Coupe might be the most exciting.
The Coupe is styled aggressively, and was actually emulated after an animal that was predatory. This is obvious when looking at the headlights, which are angled, and the twisting lines that fall below the waistline.
This vehicle doesn’t just look impressive; it will be available with a 3.8-liter DOHC V6 engine that puts out 306 hp. You will also be able to get this in a 4-cylinder 212 hp 2.0-liter engine.
Staying true to the high performance appearance, the interior doesn’t disappoint. The seats have side bolsters and are very supportive and comfortable. Also impressive is the large speedometer and push button starter.
With any car, it is important to remember to protect yourself with an auto warranty.
July 27th, 2010 by Hal Moses
The Honda Fit made its first appearance in Japan in 2001 and is now being sold around the world. It has earned many awards, such as “Car of the Year†in Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. So why is the Fit so special?
Honda says that the Fit is targeted to people who are buying their first car, those who want a small affordable vehicle, and empty nesters. Honda hit the target with this because the Fit is “The†best car as far as the small vehicle market is concerned. It is sporty, with adaptability in the interior, and has the dependability and refinement that is found in all of Honda’s vehicles. Of course, the Fit offers all of this at a bargain price. This is a bonus because saving money on a purchase price allows you to buy an auto warranty that will protect your investment.
One of the major benefits of the Fit is the unexpected large area for passengers and cargo thanks to the design of the interior. It is called: Fit’s Magic Seat. This magic seat has different modes, including cargo, people or both. The seatbacks allow for folding down or the bottoms of the seats can flip up. This provides for four cargo and four seating configurations.
The bottom line is that the Fit is a great car. The adaptability and configurations of the seating are very clever. It’s sporty, as well as quiet and practical. It maneuvers well and has good fuel economy. In addition, the safety features are superb. To protect your investment, it makes sense to purchase an auto warranty and roadside assistance for this car that will give you peace of mind.
July 26th, 2010 by Hal Moses
When a teenager turns 16 years old, they are excited to get their drivers license. Unfortunately, teens have more driving accidents than any other age group. For the majority of teen drivers, the question isn’t whether they are going to have an accident, but when they are going to have an accident.
Inexperience is the main reason that teenagers are vulnerable to traffic accidents. Although 16 to 19 year olds only make up 5.3 percent of the driving population in our nation, they’re involved in 13.3 percent of all of the traffic accidents and 11 percent of crashes that are fatal.
A new program aimed to protect teenagers is “graduated licensingâ€. Although the age of licensing is the same, full privileges come gradually.
The program begins with a learner’s permit. Next, is the intermediate stage, in which teens can drive during the daytime alone, and in the evening they can drive between 9 p.m-6 a.m. with a licensed driver. Then, the advanced stage comes. This is when teens can drive with no restrictions.
The graduated licensing program is a good step to ensure that our teens remain safe. However, teens need to protect themselves by practicing safe driving habits and purchasing used car warranties.