November 11th, 2009 by Hal Moses
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that small cars aren’t as safe as big vehicles, back in 1997. Yet, today there are more small cars than ever. Small vehicles aren’t the only way to accomplish fuel-efficiency and reduced emissions. There are now light construction materials that can accomplish this feat on larger vehicles. In fact, making a vehicle lightweight will improve safety. A car that is lightweight is more nimble than a heavy car, allowing motorists to avoid accidents and road service calls.
Many people make the assumption that weight and size of a vehicle go hand in hand. This isn’t necessarily true. Lightweight, strong materials, like carbon fiber tend to be expensive, however, certain high-end automakers are implementing it on roofs and hoods.
The Smart ForTwo is using plastic door panels. The doors won’t ding or scratch, and are reinforced internally with steel bars. This gives the best protection in the instance of a side impact, yet it is more lightweight than a conventional door.
Small vehicle sales are at an all time high in the U.S. Currently, the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit are the top sellers. Although consumers will have to pay more for big vehicles that are lightweight, it is worth it because of safety. In addition, motorists should buy good new car warranties to protect themselves.
November 7th, 2009 by Hal Moses
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a recall has been issued by Nissan for 242,720 Pathfinders, Xterras and Frontiers for model years 2005-2009. The recall is due to a crash sensor that causes the airbag to deploy in an accident. This recall is mainly aimed at cars that are sold in climates with cold weather, in which road salt causes the crash sensor to corrode. The warning light for the airbag may become illuminated.
Nissan says they will replace sensors that are faulty and put new ones in, and all vehicle owners will receive a 10-year extended warranty for the crash sensors. Nissan urges people to look for the warning light regardless. This recall is the second one Nissan has had in the last three months that involves an airbag sensor. Nissan owners can call Nissan at 800-647-7261.
It is important for car owners to protect themselves by purchasing new car warranties since you never know when your car will fail.
November 7th, 2009 by Hal Moses
Many people claim to love the smell of a new car. However, the chemicals that gives cars that new smell may be harmful and have been known to cause long-term health issues. However, consumers now have a guide that will aid them in figuring out the cars that are the safest.
An advocacy group in Michigan, called The Ecology Center, recently published a guide about toxic chemicals in vehicles and child seats on Tuesday.
The report deals with harmful substances, such as chlorine, bromine, heavy metals and lead. The Ecology Center got samples of parts that people touch the most, such as center consoles, steering wheels, and seat fronts.
The investigation determined that there are top healthier cars from Smart, Acura, BMW, Chevrolet, Toyota and Honda. Some cars that created high concern were by Suzuki, Mitsubishi, VW, BMW, Mazda, Lincoln, Audi, Mercedes, BMW and Kia.
Consumers are becoming more and more concerned with car safety issues. They are taking precautions, such as doing research on new cars, and purchasing cars with added safety features, and new car warranties.
November 5th, 2009 by Hal Moses
Mitsubishi has confirmed that in the near future it will sell an electric car in the U.S. that is fairly inexpensive.
This small electric vehicle is called the i MiEV, which is short for Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle, and will be one of the very first EVs that will be mass-produced on the global scene, according to the carmaker. Over the next several years, this car will begin to show up in Japan and Europe.
This car is based on the i, which is a small city car sold in Japan. The transmission, gas engine, and fuel tank are replaced by an electric motor and battery pack.
The car will be able to travel 80 miles on a single charge, thanks to the lithium-ion battery pack. When using a normal outlet it will take approximately 12-14 hours to charge. According to Mitsubishi, though, there is a fast charger that will only take 30 minutes to give the car an 80% charge.
Consumers are excited about this vehicle coming to the U.S. However, with any car make sure to get good new car warranties in case of unexpected repairs.
November 4th, 2009 by Hal Moses
According to Audi, there will be minor adjustments to the Q7 SUV, which include a front and rear end that is slightly revised. However, the change that is the most noticeable on this vehicle is the LED running lights that encircle the entire design of the headlight. In addition, the rear also gets LED brake lights.
The interior of the car pretty much stays the same, except for front seats with new leather and the third-generation of the infotainment system that sports a multi-media interface. And this car has an intriguing navigation system operated by voice-activation. Motorists can just say a command, such as “I’m hungry†or “I need gasâ€, and the computer will locate the appropriate points of interest in the local vicinity. This will eliminate car accidents and roadside assistance calls that were caused by distractions having to do with the navigation system.
Choices for the engine include the current 3.6-liter V-6 and 4.2-liter V-8, as well as a new option of TDI for those people who want a diesel alternative. Audi claims that the 2010 Q7 TDI is going to get approximately 25 mpg with a range of 600 miles. This car is on sale complete with new car warranties.
November 4th, 2009 by Hal Moses
Many people enjoy owning minivans because they offer various options for carrying cargo and passengers. Depending on your needs, you can configure minivans in a variety of different ways. Also, minivans now come with climate control in dual zones, as well as DVD systems. These features offer great appeal to buyers, especially families.
There is tons of interior room in minivans, which allows for plenty of leg and headroom. Also convenient are the models that have sliding doors on both sides of the vehicle, making it quick and easy to get in and out.
Minivans allow enough seating for up to eight passengers. The ones that is equipped for seven passengers typically have captain’s chairs, not a bench. The Honda Odyssey offers even more flexibility in seating by having a center seat that can be removed.
If you need a vehicle that has flexibility in seating and cargo space, minivans are a great option. They have numerous features that make for a comfortable, convenient ride. However, no matter what vehicle you decide to purchase, make sure you get new car warranties to protect yourself from unforeseen repairs.
October 31st, 2009 by Hal Moses
Microsoft’s latest attempt at vehicle technology appears to be promising. Vi-Fi, or vehicle Wi-Fi, is Wi-Fi connections in vehicles. Microsoft has partnered up with the University of Washington and the University of Massachusetts in order to make Wi-Fi connections a reliable and steady experience, which hasn’t happened with offerings by cell phone makers and their cards for laptops.
This new system allows for multiple Wi-Fi signals to come in and out at any given time in order for the signal to remain strong and steer clear of “hand-offsâ€, which are known to fumble and lead to spotty service.
But many people might ask, “Why do we need Wi-Fi in cars anyway?â€Â Do we really need to net surf behind the wheel? Well, Wi-Fi- would be a good addition to technology in cars because it would replace satellite subscription services that are expensive, and it would allow us to have an unlimited amount of applications. With Wi-Fi in cars, the weather and movie times could be displayed, as well as Internet radio, live stock quotes, instant messaging, and pretty much anything else you could access on a laptop.
For this to be an option for the everyday driver, there will need to be a larger infrastructure for Wi-Fi, but Microsoft has proven they can produce terrific technology in cars with the Sync system. However, drivers should protect themselves by purchasing new car warranties to avoid unnecessary repair costs, after all, the latest technology can be expensive to repair.
October 30th, 2009 by Hal Moses
What benefits come with purchasing a sedan? Sedans will give you a balance of performance, handling, fuel-efficiency, safety and easy access. Also, they handle well in the majority of driving situations. Unless you are someone who needs to store a lot of cargo, they are a great option.
There are many different choices when looking at sedans. You could purchase a large, small, family, or luxury sedan. All of these categories are made up of many models that have different characteristics. They have various balances of sporty, comfort, and practicality.
Fuel-efficiency varies greatly in different sedans. Do your homework in this category to make a comparison of different models.
Sedans are equipped with various safety features. All models that are new have dual front air bags for added safety. Also standard is three-point seat belts and LATCH systems. However, certain models also have side air bags and head protection bags.
Do your research to get the sedan that will fit you best. Also, make sure to buy new car warranties for peace of mind. Following these simple tips will give you the knowledge to make a good decision when it comes time to purchase a sedan.
October 28th, 2009 by Hal Moses
A recent report shows that new car customers aren’t doing enough to ensure the best deals on financing, insurance and new car warranties.
Only 64 percent of motorists would even attempt a negotiation on the price of a new vehicle. In addition, over 2 million motorists wouldn’t even bother to research the current value of their existing car when planning to do a trade-in. In fact, over 30 percent of drivers admitted they wouldn’t even spend an hour researching how they are going to pay for their new vehicle.
Alarmingly, 91% of customers weren’t able to explain what the phrase ‘lease purchase’ meant, which is a term often used in car financing deals. Also, 50 percent said they would go ahead and purchase a new car without getting any quote for the insurance.
Our nation is known for being bargain hunters and trying to get the best deal. But for some reason when it comes to purchasing a new vehicle motorists are falling short. It’s crucial for all drivers wanting to buy the newest vehicle to do their homework. Financing, insurance and an auto warranty are an essential part of the car buying experience. So, shop around and find the best deals. Otherwise, pay the price.
October 23rd, 2009 by Hal Moses
It isn’t surprising that Ford’s aiming the new 2010 Mercury Milan and Ford Fusion hybrids straight at the Toyota Camry Hybrid, but what is attention getting is Ford claiming that its sedan hybrids will outdo the city mileage of the Camry Hybrid by 5 mpg. That would make the Milan and Fusion hybrids’ rating at 38 mpg. Although there wasn’t a number provided for highway mileage, Ford claims that it beats the Camry Hybrid in this area as well. The Camry Hybrid currently gets 34 mpg/highway.
The Milan and Fusion hybrids will be the first hybrid technology use, besides the Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner hybrids. Battery technology has undergone a big improvement since the launch of Ford’s compact SUV hybrids.
Consumers are anxious for new hybrid technology and want to save money on such things as gas, new car warranties, and auto loans. In this poor economy, people are looking for all of the financial relief they can get, including hybrid technology.