It is very important to maintain a correct tire pressure for the safety of your vehicle, especially when cold weather can cause the air pressure in tires to decrease.

It is estimated that 650 people are killed and 32,000 are injured as a result of car crashes related to problems with tires.  However, a recent survey revealed that 84 percent of motorists don’t check the pressure of their tires.

Another issue is that poorly maintained tires can be dangerous, and even leave you on the side of the road. Although you can always call for emergency roadside assistance, there are a few safety tips that drivers should keep in mind to avoid this:

Make sure you don’t overload your tires because overheating can occur.  The result of this could be a blowout or a car accident.  Your owner’s manual will give you proper loading instructions.

Tires that are under inflated also pose a risk.  This occurs naturally and cold weather accelerates the process.  In fact, frigid temperatures can cause tires to lose up to two pounds of air in one month.  Under inflated tires are actually resistant to rolling.  It can feel like you are driving with the parking brake on.

Finally, don’t over inflate tires because it can cause the tread to wear in the center.

Checking your tire pressure regularly can save you from many problems with your vehicle.  Of course, you never know when you might get a flat, so just in case, make sure you have a road service program that can assist you in case of an emergency.   In addition, protect yourself with used car warranties.

Well, it is obvious that hybrids are the wave of the future. Motorists are spending a lot of money on maintenance, new car warranties and financing, and need to save on fuel costs.  So, is it worth it to buy a hybrid to save money at the gas pump?  Let’s take a look.

To see how long it will take you to recoup your premium up-front, we can compare the Toyota Camry Hybrid to a typical Camry.  Because of the equipment level of the hybrid, however, it is necessary to compare it to the V-6 Camry LE.  The base prices of the cars are only $2,000 apart.  The Hybrid is $25,000 and the Camry V6 LE is $23,640.

According to Toyota, the Camry Hybrid gets 33mpg in the city and 34mpg on the highway.  The Camry V6, however, gets 21mpg in the city and 31mpg on the highway.

If you were to drive 15,000 miles in a year you will use about 454 gallons.  With the V6 LE you will burn approximately 635 gallons in a year.  If gas costs $3.20 per gallon, you will have a fuel cost savings of approximately $547 per year.  This means that you would recoup the premium up-front that you spent to purchase the hybrid.

In this comparison you can see that in the long run you will end up saving with a hybrid. In addition, you get the satisfaction of doing a service to your planet.

Why is it finally acceptable for kids age 13 to finally ride in the front seat of the car?  Are they finally big enough to withstand the impact of an airbag?  Are they at the age where they can behave in the front seat?

A big part of the problem is behavior.  When kids mess with the radio, and play around, they usually aren’t in a proper position when an airbag deploys.  In injuries and deaths, the proximity to the airbag in the front is a huge issue; in addition, proper positioning in the seat is a factor.  By 13, kids are more able to sit still and behave.

Around ages 11 and 12, children are also bigger physically.  This is an issue because it is hard for children to have their backs against the seatback if their feet don’t touch the floor.  This means that they scrunch down putting them in a bad position for airbag deployment.

Kids under 13 need to ride in the back seat for their safety.  It isn’t worth it to put your child in the front and have them injured by an airbag.  Parents are concerned with many things such as new car warranties, auto loans, and maintenance, but most important is the safety of their children.

The government has announced to carmakers that they must get a fleet average fuel-efficiency of 35 mpg by the year 2020, however Hyundai now claims that they will hit this goal by the year 2015, which is five years earlier.

How will the Korean company hit this goal?  Hyundai doesn’t just plan to move forward on developing new hybrid cars, but also to take an approach to its gas engines that are holistic, by discovering ways to take off a mpg here and there.

Some of the new technologies that Hyundai plans to use in its new cars include transmissions that increase efficiency, turbocharging, eight speed automatic transmissions, direct injection, integrated Stop and Go technology, and dual continuously variable valve timing.  Other carmakers plan to make changes that are similar, but Hyundai has a lineup that is relatively small, with no large trucks and SUVs, so it makes it easier to make a quicker mileage jump.

Hyundai’s increased fuel-economy will make consumers happy, since gas prices have been such a concern to all.  Currently, people have been pushing the limit and running out of gas often, which have put roadside assistance calls at an all time high.  Consumers can also get peace of mind from new car warranties.

It is helpful to use a car loan calculator to determine what the cost for a new or used car purchase will be monthly.

These can be found online with options for buying or leasing.  This is a helpful tool in determining what your budget actually is and how much car you can afford.  Just remember to factor in other car costs, such as maintenance and new car warranties.

Just remember that the numbers on a vehicle loan calculator are not actual quotes.  The calculator allows you to compare the costs of different cars and see what your payments per month will be.

On the calculator there is a line to enter the dollar amount you would like to finance. Then, by clicking your mouse you can compare what payments will be, with different arrangements for paying.  You can also find out what interest payments will be for the life of the vehicle loan.

It is a bonus to use a car loan calculator before going to a dealership to buy a vehicle.  You will already know what your budget is, which will allow you to make a smart purchase.  You will also know how much money you have left over to spend on maintenance costs and an auto warranty.

If you’re purchasing a used car you need to find out as much history as possible about it.  The car may have problems that are not apparent from a visual inspection or a test drive.

A car history report is a good way to find out what you’re getting.  This is a report prepared by a third party that is a compilation of information from DMVs, RMVs, and other sources.  A car history report will give you an overview of what the car has been through.

When getting a car history report look out for the following things.  This is not to say that you shouldn’t buy the car based on these issues, but certainly ask questions.

If a car has had a lot of owners, chances are it hasn’t been cared for lovingly.  These cars have probably endured more abuse.

Some areas of our country are easier on vehicles than others.  For example, extreme winter conditions are tough on vehicles, as are flood areas and extreme heat.

Make sure the name and description of the car match up with the actual car.  Read the description carefully to rule out vehicle fraud.

Car history reports, such as those from CARFAX are comprehensive and can save you from purchasing a lemon.  Just performing this simple step may save you from having to call for auto road service.  Also, you can protect yourself with used car warranties to avoid unnecessary repair costs down the road.

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.

Modern cars are being designed with more safety features than ever to keep passengers safe.  Almost all carmakers have factory installed emergency kits in their cars.  This is due to both government regulations, as well as competitive pressure.  These roadside kits often include jumper cables, reflective markers, and flashlights.  Typically, these kits allow motorists to deal with accident and mechanical breakdowns.

Today’s cars have to withstand unique conditions.  There are more and more natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, fires, hurricanes, etc.  Other major emergencies include snowstorms, accidents, and breakdowns that leave drivers stranded.

This is why drivers need to be prepared for all types of emergency situations.  Things that motorists can do to protect themselves are having first aid kits, emergency kits, emergency roadside assistance and used car warranties.  Drivers are very vulnerable in any emergency, and being able to call road service allows drivers some peace of mind.  Taking these precautions are simple and can save your life.

Imagine one day waking up to find that the only vehicles on the roads, in driveways, and in parking lots were electrics or hybrids.

CNW Marketing Research made some calculations to determine when America would become completely hybridized, and could stop depending on Middle Eastern powers for barrels of oil.

Based on the amount of people who live in America today (300 million), the number of cars driving on U.S. roads (11 million), the number of new cars that are sold in a year (15 million), and the number of those purchased cars that are hybrids, CNW calculated that in 2034 there is going to be:

• 357 million Americans
• 381 million cars, all hybrid or electric
• 15.7 million cars written off
• 18.1 new cars sold that are all hybrid or electric

It may seem like a long timetable, but it’s not unreasonable when you consider that every car being built and sold would have to be a hybrid, and every car on the road would have to be replaced with a hybrid vehicle.  Also, many people are holding onto their old vehicles and buying used car warranties because of the poor economy, so that is slowing things down.

If you ask a woman if she would like to buy a Dodge Viper, chances are she will say “no”.  This car is a V-10 two seater that starts at approximately $80,000.  Although this may not be a woman’s cup of tea, studies show that many men would like to have this car.  Like many other aspects of life, men and women seem to have very different tastes, and cars are no exception.

Men and women buy the Viper, but 91% of customers are men.  The Porsche 911 and BMW M5 are also cars being bought primarily by males.  These models cost above $60,000.  Studies show that men often equate their car with their image.  In other words, they choose cars that will portray a certain status.

What cars do women like?  The #1 choice is the Toyota RAV4.  Women like to purchase small, affordable cars that are easy to buy.  For example, the Saturn SC, SL, and ION are popular choices for women.  These cars start at around $10,000 including new car warranties, and have a reputation of being “no hassle” when it comes to buying.

It is obvious that women and men think very differently in lots of areas, cars included.  Men like to buy the fast, impressive cars, whereas women purchase the inexpensive, small cars.  The only common ground that these cars have is that they are backed by an auto warranty.