Used car buyers need to be aware of a common scam; odometer fraud.  This is the act of rolling back the odometer on a car.  This deceives buyers into thinking a vehicle has fewer miles than it really does.  It is estimated that this crime leads to sales of around 450,000 vehicles every year.

Also alarming is that digital odometers are easier to meddle with than traditional odometers.  There are ways that consumers can protect themselves against odometer fraud.

First of all, request to see the car’s title and make a comparison between its mileage and the car’s odometer.  Also, compare the mileage on the car’s maintenance records with the odometer on the vehicle.  In addition, sometimes there are stickers with maintenance records on doorframes and windows.

Next, you should ask for a Carfax History Report on the vehicle to see odometer discrepancies.  If the person selling the car doesn’t have one, you can order one online with the vehicles VIN number.

Finally, check to see that the odometer gauge numbers are all aligned.  If they aren’t aligned, or if they move when you tap on the dash, you may want to think twice about buying.

These tips can save you from buying a car that has been tampered with.  However, you never know the true history of a used car.  This is why used car warranties are a good idea to protect you against unforeseen repairs.

It can be tempting to text-message in your car, especially if you’re stuck in traffic.  You assume that there is little risk involved, however, if the person in front of you stops a little faster than you intended, all of a sudden you may find yourself calling your road service program.

Recent studies show that avoiding texting in the car will drastically reduce your chances of getting into a car accident.  In fact, four states are making an attempt to ban driving while texting (DWT).  Washington put a ban earlier in the year on texting while on the road.

Statistics suggest that DWT is a danger that is growing.  In drivers ages 16 and 17, 46% admitted that they have texted while driving.  A study by Nationwide Insurance indicates that DWT is a generational activity.  Out of people ages 18-27, 37% admit to texting while driving, meanwhile, only 14% of 28-44 year olds admit to this.  Also, only 2% of 45-60 year olds said they texted on the road.

Cities around the nation are passing text-message ordinances because of the danger that it poses.  It is best to just refrain from this activity, otherwise you might find yourself calling for emergency roadside assistance.  Drivers should protect themselves by practicing safe driving habits and making sure they have good used car warranties.

In this struggling economy, automakers can’t count on slick styling and big engines alone to lure buyers.  Consumers have changed their tastes: appearance and performance are still a priority, but value, gas mileage and practicality are becoming more important than every, according to experts.  In fact, more motorists are signing up for new car warranties and roadside assistance.

Fuel-efficiency stays on the top of people’s minds.  A study was conducted in January by the Consumer Federation of America, finding that even though gas is at $2 per gallon, drivers are still looking for 20% better mileage in their next car.

However, don’t count out the importance of performance.  Derrick Kuzak, who is the head of product development at Ford said, “I think people are looking for both [performance and efficiency].  He also said the carmaker’s EcoBoost initiative, which is basically downsizing engines for better fuel-efficiency but adding on turbochargers to make up for performance that is lost, is a way to satisfy both demands.

People assume that more power means poor gas mileage, but this isn’t the case.  Now there are advanced drivetrains, better aerodynamics and lighter materials.  There are popular vehicles in every car segment, from the Toyota Prius to the Escape that are more fuel-efficient and quicker with every redesign.

According to a recent study by J.D. Power and Associates, there is a great amount of interest in hybrids and alternative fuel vehicles.  In fact, less than 25% of people asked revealed that they would only consider purchasing a car powered by gasoline.

However, there are some misconceptions.  Motorists who purchased a hybrid car expected that they would get a fuel-economy improvement of approximately 28 mpg if compared to a gas-powered vehicle that was similar.  However, in reality, people who bought hybrids only gained an improvement of 9 mpg.  People who bought diesels were similarly disappointed with a 12-mpg improvement, when they actually expected to improve 21 mpg.

A big challenge for vehicles with alternative powertrains is the unrealistic fuel-saving expectations that consumers place on them.  Especially with hybrids, the actual fuel performance of the car doesn’t usually live up to the EPA estimate.  Consumers need to educate themselves about such things as the benefits of technology, maintenance and new car warranties.  Being able to manage consumers’ expectations and lowering the cost of alternative power vehicles will help these cars gain acceptance.

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.

Anyone who has seen the the 2010 Mazda3’s redesign is impressed.  Mazda is setting the bar high with the incredible designs of both the Mazda3 and Mazda6.  It is blazing a trail for its lineup to look sophisticated and uniform, without appearing to be identical and boring.  Mazda has succeeded in making their vehicles radical with taillights, front grilles, headlights, and rear ends that sport a new look, and take the midsize sedan in a new direction.

Mazda uses similar lines on the hood, similar contours of the fender, and similar headlight assemblies to give the Mazda3 an upscale look, while keeping an appearance that is individual when looking at the entirety of the car.

The MSRP on this vehicle starts at $15,295 including new car warranties. There has been great consumer buzz about this car and owners haven’t been disappointed.  Mazda got it right with the recent Mazda3.

For car accidents in the future, a circuit may be as crucial to safety as seat belts.  In the 1960’s, Congress made safety belts mandatory, which has reduced deaths drastically.  Now, a new safety revolution is going on.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has made electronic stability control equipment mandatory in all cars.  This decision will prevent approximately 10,000 deaths a year.

ESC is a current feature available on most luxury cars, and it is an option on most other cars.  This feature serves the purpose of not just protecting passengers, but also preventing accidents all together.  Most of these features have a microchip as a base, and are still being perfected.  This is why it is important to purchase new car warranties in case of costly technical repairs.

Many drivers opt to purchase a package of various safety options, not just individual gadgets.  For example, Lexus markets their safety features as a system that works together.  One package they offer has smart cruise control, lane-departure warning, and ESC.

When looking to buy a new vehicle it is important to consider crash test ratings, electronic stability control, and rollover resistance.  When evaluating a car for safety, remember to look closely at the following.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducts crash tests on vehicles.  They rate vehicles based on results in frontal crashes and side impacts.  Paying attention to these scores will help make a good choice when it comes to vehicle safety.

Electronic stability control is a highly recommended safety feature.  This will help your vehicle stay under control when cornering.  It will help you avoid sliding and skidding by selectively applying brakes to one or more of the wheels.

Vehicles that are tall, such as SUVs and pickup trucks have a higher likelihood of rolling over.  To determine a vehicle’s inclination for rollover NHTSA has a five-star rollover rating.  You can access these ratings at www.safercars.gov.

Consumers are becoming more and more concerned with protecting themselves.  They are purchasing new car warranties and buying vehicles with added safety features.  Taking these simple steps allow drivers to have peace of mind.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a recall has been issued by Lexus for 214,500 2006-08 GS, IS, and LS cars.  Apparently, there has been corrosion within fuel pipes that has caused a leak.

Lexus discovered that specific ethanol fuels containing a low moisture content will make the pipes rust.  This can cause the indicator lamp on the dashboard to signal a malfunction, but this doesn’t occur in every case, which is why it’s necessary to have your car checked by a professional.  Lexus has notified car owners via email and will replace the parts that are affected at its dealerships, free of charge.

Unfortunately, you never know when your car parts will fail, which is why it’s so important to protect yourself with used car warranties.  After all, you don’t want to find yourself paying unnecessary repair costs.

Two laws that have been in place since 1988 in all 50 states are receiving new acclaim for lessening fatalities due to drunken-driving.

A recent study in Accident Analysis and Prevention in July has recognized that the drinking age increase to age 21 has reduced the ratio of deaths due to drunken-driving by at least 11%.  Also, making fake ID possession illegal and suspending the person’s driver’s license has lessened fatalities by an additional 7%.

While in all 50 states it’s illegal for people to use a fake ID to buy alcohol, a driver’s-license sanction isn’t always the punishment.  This study suggests that if a law such as this were to be national and linked to highway funds, which are done with the designated drinking age being 21, deaths would decline even more.

Occasionally, there has been talk of making the legal drinking age 18, because soldiers have fought in the Iraq war, but can’t drink a beer.  However, according to the AAP study, making the drinking age 21 has reduced drunken driving deaths drastically.

According to the AAP study, making the drinking age 21 has been a crucial step in reducing accidents and emergency roadside assistance calls due to drunk drivers.  Also apparent is that national driver’s license sanctions would lower deaths even more.  Drivers are taking special steps to protect themselves including getting used car warranties.