According to The American Consumer Satisfaction Index, the results from its Q2 aren’t good for domestic auto manufacturers.  The people at ASCI claim that customer satisfaction is higher than ever for the whole industry, however there aren’t any American automakers that made the top four.  And the bottom three on the list are made in America.

Domestic car companies are having problems because they are lagging further behind their counterparts overseas.  This will be of no help when the Big Three lose more power with pricing.  They will have to continue their dependency on discounting and rebates, in a car market where consumers are deciding to turn to foreign cars.  People feel foreign cars are more reliable, and with the addition of an auto warranty, they enjoy the peace of mind that they get with them.

The ACSI is a representation of a customer’s overall satisfaction, which includes customer service and doesn’t necessarily determine the quality of cars.  In addition, carmakers don’t have any control over a dealership’s customer service.

If you’re a lover of old cars you aren’t alone. Antique car shows all over the U.S. display vintage cars.  Crowds gather to admire these charming vehicles.  Owners who display their vehicles have a great deal of pride.

Many people who own vintage cars have restored them piece-by-piece, literally. It’s not just that they have rebuilt the vehicle; they have restored it back to its original state.

It is simple to differentiate between rebuilding and restoring a car.  A car that has been rebuilt has new parts.  A restored car has parts that are authentic to its year and model.

The restoration process encompasses the body of the car and the mechanical components.  It is amazing to some people that the actual parts must be original to the year and make of the vehicle, but this is necessary for a true restoration.

The restoration also includes the vehicle’s interior.  The upholstery should be repaired whenever possible.  It can be nearly impossible to find the exact upholstery for a car’s year and make.  If this is the case, you need to get as close as possible to the original.

The restoration of a car is a labor of love, but well worth it.  There is no greater satisfaction than turning a piece of junk into a beautiful classic.  And don’t forget an auto warranty will bring any motorist peace of mind, especially with a vintage car.

There are hundreds of new vehicles on the market, which can make it difficult for car buyers to choose what is best for them.  Many people tend to base their decision on looks alone, but this is a dangerous way to decide on a car.  So, what other considerations should motorists make?

The first factor to consider is how much money you intend to spend.  Figure out what your maximum amount is before going to the dealership and stick with it.  Also, make sure to include everything in the bottom line, such as interest, taxes, finance charges, insurance and new car warranties.  You need to factor in all of these expenses.

Also determine if you need a fuel-efficient car.  Some models rate much higher on fuel efficiency and if you have a long commute to work this might be an important factor.

Consider safety features.  Does the car you are looking at have side-curtain air bags, brake assist, stability control?  Also, how were the scores on crash tests?

Finally, do you need a lot of space?  If you have a large family you might want to think about a minivan or SUV that has ample passenger room and cargo space.

Do your homework before getting to the dealership so you know what you are looking for.  In addition, make sure to get an auto warranty so you can protect your wallet in case of unforeseen repair costs down the road.

If you’re planning to purchase a used vehicle you need to find out as much as you can about it.  The car could have problems that you can’t detect by looking at it.  In order to understand the car that you are getting, get a vehicle history report.  This will give you combined information from DMVs, RMVs, and police reports about the car that you are looking at.  Here are some things to consider when looking at the vehicle report.

Determine if the car has had many owners.  You are better off with a car that has had fewer owners because there is more of a likelihood that the car has been taken good care of.  Although inexpensive, rental cars will have undergone a great deal of abuse.

Also, consider the location that the car has been in.  This is important because some climates are harsher on cars.  For example, winter conditions are hard on cars because of salty roads.  Obviously, excessive heat and flood areas are also of concern.

Finally, make sure that the name and description on the history report actually match the vehicle you’re looking at.  This will help avoid types of fraud, such as vehicle identification number cloning.

A used car is a great way for people to save money and get a great car.  Just do your homework to make sure you are getting a good buy.  You need to consider the costs of used car warranties, auto insurance, and maintenance costs.  An auto warranty is a good way to get peace of mind when purchasing a used vehicle.

American drivers are opting to drive fewer miles and take public transportation when possible. The driving decline is due to a fundamental change in motorists’ habits that started during the high gas prices a couple of summers ago.  Starting November of 2007, American motorists have driven 100 billion fewer miles than the exact time span the year before, which marks the largest decline continuously ever recorded in driving history.

The Federal Highway Administration gathered the data, which includes this additional information.  Nationwide, public transportation has increased in record numbers, including Amtrak, which made the most money in this fiscal year than in 37 years of business.  Vehicle accident fatalities have also seen a decline of 10%.

American drivers are trying to protect their wallets by driving fewer miles.  Other things that motorists can do to protect themselves is to sign up for emergency roadside assistance programs, purchase an extended auto warranty and perform regular maintenance.

Talking on a cell phone impairs drivers to the same extent of a drunk driver with a blood alcohol level of .08.  This is one distraction that teenagers deal with while behind the wheel.  They often like to multi-task while driving, which is very risky for themselves and other people.

And in modern times, teens have even more to deal with.  They switch CDs, play with iPods, and have the distraction of all of the modern gadgets on dashboards.  Also dangerous is the temptation to send text messages while at the wheel.  One out of five teens have admitted to doing this.  With statistics like these, it is necessary that teens be covered by a roadside assistance program.

Experts say that our brains aren’t capable of driving and multi-tasking because of the unpredictability of driving.  For instance, a deer could jump in front of your vehicle, or a cyclist could swerve on the road.  These are dangerous events, and especially if the driver isn’t paying attention to the road.

With all of the modern distractions, we need to keep our teen drivers safe.  Parents can help their teens by purchasing roadside assistance, an auto warranty and making strict driving rules.

The Prius has become one of the hottest vehicles in the country.  This is actually quite amazing because this is a hybrid electric vehicle, which requires people to embrace change. With any change, people like to protect themselves.  Many people feel better purchasing a hybrid if they have an auto warranty to go along with it. The billion-dollar question that innovators face is whether people will resist or embrace innovation.  Apparently, Toyota got it right, because thousands of people are buying the Prius.

People accustomed to a regular vehicle would struggle to get the Prius to move forward.  In addition, people probably couldn’t figure out how to put the car in reverse.  However, these are not hard lessons to learn, they just require people to change their way of thinking.  To start the Prius you press a button located on the dashboard twice.  To make your car go forward or backward you manipulate a small stick that comes out of the dashboard.

People might fear technology because it is seductive, yet they might also have a fear of not being able to change. Either way, it is good to protect yourself.  This includes purchasing new car warranties that will cover you in the case of faulty technology.  Innovators never really know which way the cash register will ring.  However, Toyota got it right with the Prius.

Some people think of used cars as being dirty, junky and old.  But a different market is making savvy buyers who are looking for updated vehicles pay attention.  The bonus is that these cars don’t have the sticker price of new cars.

Certified pre-owned cars have undergone rigid inspections and been refurbished by their manufacturer.  Also enticing is that they are backed with an extended auto warranty.  Automakers are realizing that they can’t ignore the certified vehicle market.

A recent study shows that certified pre-owned car sales have gone up 46% since the year 2000.  It is estimated that 1.5 million certified used vehicles are sold yearly, which is equivalent to approximately 10 % of the sales of new cars.

So what are the best and worst certified pre-owned cars to purchase?  Forbes.com has put out a list to help consumers make a good purchase.

At the top of the list of the best CPO cars are Honda Accord and Toyota 4Runner.  Following is the Acura TL, and Subaru Impreza.  Also, the Lexus GS tops the list.

Cars on the worst list are the Saturn Relay, and Jeep Grand Cherokee.  Also, the Volkswagen New Beetle, Pontiac G6, and Mercedes Benz E Class make the list.

Certified pre-owned can be a great way to purchase an updated vehicle without the updated cost.  Another perk is that they come with an extended auto warranty.  Just remember to keep in mind the best and worst CPO car lists when considering a purchase.

Many motorists don’t realize that a little bit of routine maintenance can keep you free of expensive car repairs.  And most maintenance takes no more time than refilling the fluid for your windshield wipers.  Here are a few tips to help keep drivers safe and free of trouble.

Make sure to change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.  However, you should check your oil at least once a month.  You want the oil line on your dipstick to be between the marker lines.  If the oil looks dirty or black, it is time to have it changed.

If you’re having trouble shifting gears you are probably having transmission problems.  Check the level of the transmission fluid to determine if it is low.  Low transmission fluid could indicate a leak.  You should refill it with the lubricant your car recommends.  If you see leaking on your driveway take your car to a mechanic.

Also, check your coolant levels.  You should have your radiator flushed every two years and change your coolant.  In addition, make sure your radiator is corrosion free.

Finally, check your tire pressure every two weeks.  Consult your owner’s manual for the correct pressure, and fill your tires accordingly.  Remember, both overinflation and underinflation affect safety and fuel efficiency, so it is important to maintain tire pressure.

These simple maintenance tips can keep you from having major, costly repairs.  However, it is important to purchase an auto warranty because you don’t want to be faced with unnecessary expenses down the road.

Terms like geometric morphometrics and pareidolia aren’t generally important to people designing or buying cars, however they were significant in a recent study that found that people see faces when looking at vehicles, and typically they prefer ones that look powerful.

Pareidolia is an occurrence in which people actually see faces in various things from clouds to inkblots to cars.  A recent study was based on this concept and used geometric morphometrics to let participants rank vehicles on how they looked, using traits that are human like disgusted, sad or extroverted.

The results of the study confirmed that pretty much all people like cars that are powerful looking, like the BMW 5 Series.  Also, people tend to shy away from designs that are feeble-looking, like the Toyota Prius because they worry that they won’t be as sturdy and will require a good auto warranty.

Who knows if this research will determine the future designs of cars, but it might mean that we will see more big-mouthed grilles on the roads.