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.

One of the family activities that are the most fun is going on road trips. Over the spring and summer, American families will go on over 320 trips. Although enjoyable, frustration can accompany families on the road. Take note of the following do’s and don’ts in order to ensure that your family has a great trip.

The most important thing that you can do is to get your family vehicle a tune-up. Your vehicle needs to be in top-notch condition. Nothing is worse than having your car breakdown, leaving you stranded. This is why an auto warranty is a necessity.

You should plan ahead so that your family knows what is happening during the trip. This will alleviate stressful situations and help things to go smoothly. In addition, you might want to purchase software to plan your trip and invest in a GPS. This advanced technology will act as your guide to your desired destination.

Of course, you never know when you will run into speed bumps throughout your trip. For example, road construction and traffic are inevitable. However, your trip doesn’t have to be ruined by these inconveniences. In addition, you can rest assured if you have used car warranties.

After recalling 944,000 vehicles, GM has had to discontinue its HotShot windshield washer system, which was responsible for an electrical short.  So far, the malfunction has caused 34 auto warranty claims and three fires as a result of a short in the circuit board, which caused the control-circuit ground wire to overheat.

GM claims that the system’s supplier, Microheat, is responsible for the dangerous glitch.  GM feels that Microheat should pay the $20 million to $25 million that has been estimated for the cost of the recall.  However, the supplier claims that it is still owed by GM for tooling and parts.  Microheat is already suffering financial troubles, which means the recall could cause Microheat to go out of business, even though its innovative system is great for getting rid of insect remains in warm months and ice in cold months.

GM is going to fix this problem at dealerships for free before November 1st.  Vehicles that were involved in the recall are the Cadillac DTS and Escalade; the Buick Lucerne and Enclave; the GMC Yukon, Sierra and Acadia; the Hummer H2; the Saturn Outlook; and the Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban and Tahoe.

Since there has been an increase in the demand for small cars, Ford has reconsidered its previous decision not to introduce the Ka to the U.S.  The Ka has a similar size to the Smart ForTwo, and originally was only intended for release in Europe because it was thought that it wouldn’t sell in America.

Alan Mulally, who is a Ford CEO, told a radio station in Detroit recently that the crash of the SUV and truck market has caused Ford to reconsider.  In reality, all he has to do is examine his own sales figures.  Although the U.S. car market has dropped 13% this year, the Ford Focus, which is the only compact car sold in America, has seen an increase in sales of 24%.  Meanwhile, sales of small cars have gone up 6% overall, and 18,000 ForTwos were sold through September with new car warranties.

As early as May the writing was on the wall, when fuel prices began their huge climb. Ford has planned to add additional products to its small car lineup.  It is planning to bring the Ford Fiesta from Europe by the year 2010, as well as the European-designed Focus of the next generation.

The latest version of the Ka debuted last week at the Paris auto show and will be on sale in Europe late in 2008 or early 2009 complete with a good auto warranty.

Car accidents are scary and usually happen unexpectedly.  An accident leaves motorists feeling shocked and stunned, and often, they don’t know what to do next.  Here are some important steps to take in this situation.

Of course the first thing to do is call 911 in the event of an injury.  Also, always contact the police and then place a call to your road service program.

Next, call your insurance agent.  They can inform you about what information to exchange with the other motorist, and help you survey the scene.  Be aware that you shouldn’t admit fault at the scene of the accident, the insurance companies will determine this.

Also, you will need to read the information in your insurance policy, so you file your claim within the specified time limit.  Often, if the vehicle damage is more than $750 you need to file a SR1 form, which can be found on the DMV website of the state that you live in.

It is always scary to be involved in a car accident, but unfortunately it happens to all of us at one point or another.  It is essential to know what to do in this case.  To alleviate stress, have all of your important documents ready, such as your insurance policy and auto warranty.

Word just came that Toyota is planning to spare the Camry Solara, at least through one more model year.  There was much speculation that after the Camry was redesigned for model year 2007, that the Toyota Solara would be canceled.

However, the Solara is Toyota’s one and only convertible, so the carmaker has made the decision to remain in the segment.  The last redesign for the Solara was in 2004, and the car is based on a platform that in almost 7 years old.  If a big redesign isn’t scheduled soon, Toyota will face a great risk that its convertible will no longer be competitive, even against cars that are poorly crafted, such as the Pontiac G6 and Chrysler Sebring.

So far, there isn’t any information about the date that the 2009 Solara will go on sale, or pricing and specifications, but chances are it will remain similar in price and come complete with a good auto warranty.  Hopefully, Toyota will plan to redesign this car so that it won’t be discontinued.

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.

Reliability and safety should be top considerations when buying a car for a teenager.  After all, teens are new drivers and don’t have experience.  To determine which cars are safe, you should look at results from crash tests and advanced safety features.  Also, make sure the car comes with a sufficient auto warranty, because teens tend to put more wear and tear on a vehicle.

Typically, vehicles that are big and heavy rate the best in crash tests.  However, large vehicles are more difficult to maneuver and tend to be gas-guzzlers.  Also keep in mind that SUVs and large pickups aren’t wise choices for teens because they have a higher roll over rate in accidents.

A mid-size sedan with good safety features and crash ratings is an overall wise choice for teens.  Vehicles that have these features include the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Hyundai Sonata, Acura RSX, Mazda 3 and Subaru Impreza.

When buying a car for a teenager, try to get the newest possible model that provides reliability.  To see crash test results; consult the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.  Also, make sure you have new car warranties so you don’t have to pay unnecessary repair expenses down the road.

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.

SUVs are available in a wide array of prices and sizes.  They are more versatile than any other vehicle.  They have varying cargo carrying options, carry up to eight people, and allow drivers to be higher than cars.  In addition, they can tackle off-road terrain.  There are car based and truck based SUVs.  Which is the best for you?

Gaining popularity are car-based SUVs.  These vehicles are on car like unibody platforms.  In addition, they use a suspension that is completely independent, and have all-wheel drive.  They usually perform better in fuel-efficiency, handling and ride comfort than truck based SUVs.  Also, in CR testing they generally rate higher overall.  They can be driven off-road in mild situations.

Truck-based SUVs are built on a body on frame platform.  They allow for a larger towing capacity than car-based SUVs.  Also, the ones that have four-wheel drive can tackle off-road terrain that is serious.  The handling on these vehicles, however, can be more cumbersome.  Also, their ride can be a little jolting.

SUVs are a great option if you are looking for cargo space versatility, a large passenger capacity, and off road options.  Do your homework on such things as an auto warranty, maintenance costs, and fuel-efficiency before deciding on an SUV.  Also, have in mind what your needs will be before showing up at the dealership.