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-offs”, which are known to fumble and lead to spotty service.

But many people might ask, “Why do we need Wi-Fi in cars anyway?”  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.

Although cars of today don’t require maintenance as regularly as the cars of the past, they still need a maintenance schedule.  This will ensure that your car has a long, healthy life span.  Consulting your owner’s manual for the service schedule that your car requires can save you from having to call your road service program.  Here are a few maintenance mistakes that you should avoid.

Many people fail to check their tire pressure.  Underinflated tires can cost you more at the gas pump and wear out sooner.  You should check your tires twice a year.

As simple as it may seem, motorists forget to replace their windshield wipers.  This should be done once a year to ensure that you have good visibility through your windshield.

Recent cars don’t need regular tune-ups.  This is because valves don’t need adjusting and there aren’t any carburetors to mess with.  Make sure to do your big car service at 60,000 and 120,000 to replace spark plugs, timing belts, and coolants.

Finally, change your oil according to your car’s owner’s manual.  They don’t have to be done every 3,000 miles like in days past.  Also, use the oil recommended for your car.

Regular maintenance is necessary for your car to keep you from calling for emergency roadside assistance.  However, don’t make maintenance mistakes that could cost you extra money.  And always invest in used car warranties to save you from paying unnecessary car expenses.

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.

Regardless of the year or make, one of the biggest investments people will make is a vehicle.  Buying a used car is a great way for consumers to save some money.  However, risks can be higher, which is why an auto warranty should be purchased for the car.  Fortunately, there are ways that buyers can recognize the difference between dependable used cars and lemons.

The safest thing to do is to have the car that you are looking to buy checked out by a licensed mechanic.  However, there are some things that you can do on your own.

For instance, bring a soft magnet from your refrigerator to determine if there is damage underneath a new coat of paint.  You can run the magnet all along the fenders and doors, which are steel.  If it seems that the magnet won’t stick, there is probably a type of body filler under the paint.

Also, examine the inside of the vehicle for stains from water.  If the car was damaged in a flood, it could mean trouble in years to come.  You also want to look at the wear on the pedals of the vehicle.  It should be consistent with what the mileage claims to be.  If there is low mileage, there should be little wear on the pedals.

Don’t forget to examine the tires of the vehicle, too.  If you see wear on the outside edges of the tires, the car is probably out of alignment or might have components that are worn-out.

Knowing what to look for in a used vehicle will bring you peace of mind about your purchase.  Also, know that used car warranties will allow you to save on costly repairs that are unforeseen.

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.

Chances are at one time or another you have been told that you need new shocks and (or) struts.  After being quoted a large price, you might find yourself thinking, “Can I get away without replacing them and are they covered under used car warranties?

Your shocks and struts serve two functions in your car.  Some cars only have struts, and some only have shocks.  Their purpose is to dampen the oscillation of springs and assist in ride control.

If your shocks and/or struts are worn, your suspension parts and tires will wear out sooner.  This is why it is important to take your vehicle in for preventative checkups.  It is a good idea to have your mechanic look at your shocks and struts every time you get an oil change.

There are several warning signs that might tell you it is time to replace your shocks/struts.  First, you might notice leaks on the housing or dents on the strut body.  Also, you might see high and low worn spots on your tires and pitted piston rods.  Finally, you may have rubber bumpers that are crushed from bottoming out.

It is important not to cut corners when dealing with your shocks/struts.  It is essential that these parts function correctly for handling and cornering.  Purchasing an auto warranty is a good idea for motorists in order to avoid unnecessary repair costs down the road.  After all, you never know when your car will need maintenance.

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 need to take responsibility for their actions by staying safe on the roads and purchasing used car warranties.

In the oil industry there is an economic term that is quite sinister-sounding being thrown around: “Demand destruction.”

Demand destruction is when the price of a product is looked at comprehensively as too high, therefore causing demand to tank.

So, why would the oil industry be concerned about this?  Well, the fact is that since the summer of $4 per gallon gas, demand has continued to stay low.  American motorists have pretty much completely stopped purchasing cars that get low-mileage and have given up on large gas-guzzlers, even since oil prices have fallen drastically. Many motorists are just holding onto their current vehicles and purchasing used car warranties. People are still driving fewer miles, even as gas prices go down.

Whatever the cause may be of the summer’s oil spike, it seems that there is no going back.  The most solid sign of demand destruction is carmakers’ shift to vehicles that are more fuel-efficient.

It might just be that the most oil-hungry country in the world has finally had enough, or maybe OPEC and the oil industry are driving down prices again as quickly as possible, hopeful for one last hurrah.

Most people don’t realize that there is certain etiquette involved when buying parts at the parts counter.  Following this etiquette will allow you to get the parts that you want without unnecessary hassle and keep you from driving the staff crazy.

When you go to a parts counter at a dealership you need to have your VIN handy, which is basically the magic key to all of the car codes.  At places such as Advance Auto or NAPA, you just need to know the make, model, year, and engine of your car.

Make sure to know what the part’s name is that you need.  If this is something you don’t know, be able to describe what it looks like or what it is going to attach to.  Don’t make up a name for the part you want; this is where 90% of wrong parts come from.  If worse comes to worse, take the staff out to your car and point to the part you’re looking for.

When ordering an expensive part you want to ask about return policies and auto warranty terms.  And get the answer in writing.  This can be as simple as having him write the information on the receipt.  This will save a lot of hassle if something breaks down the line.

Finally, don’t go to the parts counter to diagnose your vehicle.  Counter-staff gets very annoyed when you try to return a part because it wasn’t even the problem in the first place.

Following these simple etiquette tips will allow you to get the parts that you need with little hassle.  And make sure you have used car warranties, because you never know when your vehicle will need to be repaired.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners recently performed a study to determine what the best and worst states are in the country for auto insurance.  According to the study, you are paying the highest insurance premiums if you live in the Northeast.

New Jersey proved to be the most expensive state.  On average, premiums in New Jersey are over $1,300 yearly.  The capital of our nation, Washington D.C. was the second highest, with average yearly premiums of $1,185.  New York was third highest with $1,110 being the average premium.

Revealed in the study was that urban driving, high salaries, and a lot of traffic are responsible for elevated costs in those states.  In addition, liability insurance premium costs are higher in the Northeast.

Midwestern and Northern states proved to have the lowest insurance premium costs.  The overall lowest was Idaho with costs at $530 per year.  The next lowest was Maine at $560 a year, and North Dakota was $570 per year.

According to this study, your location is a key factor in determining your car insurance costs.  Today, consumers are paying more than they ever have for their vehicles.  These costs include insurance, roadside assistance, used car warranties and maintenance costs.