Unfortunately, car crashes are the #1 cause of death among teenagers in our country.  Also, 1 out of 3 teens has a car accident their first year of driving.  What can we do to help our teens stay safe on the road?  Some people think that graduated driver licensing (GDL) is the answer.

With GDL, teens are eased into driving through three stages.  First, is a period with a supervised learner’s permit.  Next, an intermediate license is issued in which teens can drive in certain situations.  And finally, a full privilege license is issued.  Under requirements for GDL, many states don’t allow teen driving at night and with more than one passenger.

Putting a GDL program in place that is comprehensive will save people’s lives.  According to a 2007 comprehensive look at GDL by AAA, states with GDL programs that were substantive had a 38% reduction in crashes that were fatal involving teens.  Also, according to an IIHS study in 2006, an implemented GDL system in California in 1998 resulted in a reduction of 23% in crashes involving 16 yr olds.

Parents are fearful of their teen’s safety on the road.  To protect them, they are implementing strict rules, purchasing an auto warranty, and enforcing driver training.  However, the #1 thing that will help our teens on the road is GDL

With gas over $4 a gallon around the nation, drivers are trading in their big gas-guzzlers for fuel-efficient cars.  Yet, while that makes sense, if you switch too soon you might be looking at more overall car costs than you’ll save on gas.  According to Consumer Reports, downsizing is beneficial in the long run if you time it right.

A study by Consumer Reports reveals that if you still owe on your car loan, it might not be beneficial to downsize after just three years.  With a loan, initially your payments are made up of a large percentage of interest.  Trading in too early will leave you with less equity, which will limit a down payment for a new car.

Another hurdle that affects the equity of your car is depreciation.  In the first five years of ownership, depreciation makes up about 48% of total vehicle costs for the owner.  On average, costs for fuel only equal about 21%.  Within the first three years, depreciation is the greatest, and then it begins to level off.

So, trading in a 3-year old car will result in a whole new depreciation ride.  However, if you have owned your vehicle for more than four years trading in makes more sense.  Just make sure you have an auto warranty for peace of mind when keeping your vehicle for several years.

With the high gas prices and poor economy, drivers are feeling the pinch.  And while you don’t have control over costs, such as gas prices, maintenance, and an auto warranty, you do have the power to maintain your vehicle’s value by making it last longer.  Your choice is to buy a new vehicle every few years, or to maintain your current one.  Here are some tips to keep your old gem running great.

Perhaps the most important thing you can do for your car is to get regular oil changes and have your oil filter replaced regularly.  In addition, don’t forget about your air filter.  Changing this will allow your vehicle to breathe easier and help your engine last longer.

Don’t forget about your vehicle’s cooling system.  Keep coolant levels as recommended by your owner’s manual to avoid an engine melt down.  You wouldn’t think that a simple act such as this would save you from major repairs, but neglecting to do this will have you using your auto warranty more than you would like to.

The least expensive maintenance tip is to make sure your tires are inflated to the proper levels. However, the benefits of this are immense.  You will get better fuel-efficiency, have your tires last longer and have a safer vehicle.

Find a mechanic that you trust and use him for all of your car service.  This way he can get familiar with your car and know your car from the inside out.

If you want to avoid purchasing a new car right now, follow these service tips to keep your current car running like a champ.  And, make sure you purchase used car warranties so you don’t have unnecessary repair costs down the road.

Families consider the safety of their children a top priority.  Unfortunately, car accidents are responsible for more deaths among 3-14 year olds than any other cause.  Parents need to take essential steps to make sure that their children remain safe on the road.  That means buying an auto warranty to ensure that repairs are up-to-date, and making sure that car seats are installed and used correctly.

More than 1,500 children under the age of 14 were killed in 2003, and around 220,000 were injured as the result of a car accident.  Just using a child safety seat correctly can reduce these incidents drastically.  In fact, casualties are reduced by around 70%.  Alarmingly, approximately 75% of child seats are installed incorrectly.  Unfortunately, about half of children killed in car crashes aren’t even restrained at all.

GM has a program designed to combat this problem called Safe Kids Buckle Up.  This program informs parents about the importance of proper car seat use.  This program has been running for over 10 years, has had 40,000 child seat checks around the country, and has inspected over 900,000 car seats.

According to Experian, used cars experienced a major sales decline last year.  This trend is carrying over into 2008, where many dealerships are noticing a decline in used vehicle sales because motorists are remaining cautious.

Although used car sales have generally fallen, vehicles that are older (5-7 yrs.) actually experienced an increase in sales of 3.3%.  This age group had more of a sales increase than any other age group.

These older cars being the most popular age group may have to do with the difficulty that drivers are having with trying to get a bank loan.  Also, drivers can’t afford to pay as much outright.

Just like in prior years, the MPV, SUV, and sports car segments have experienced a sales increase, despite the fall in virtually all other vehicle segments.

Because of the poor economy, consumers are cautious in purchasing any car, used or new.  Many motorists are deciding to keep their older cars, and purchase an auto warranty to protect their old gems.

Whether you are driving two hours to grandma’s house or going on an eight-state road trip, there are some things that you can do to make your trip easier.  Though you can’t control many driving aspects, such as gas prices, there are other simple ways to save money.

First, make sure you know how to get where you’re going.  Even if your trip is familiar, conditions and roads can change due to things such as construction.  To avoid the wasted time, mileage and gas that goes along with being stuck in traffic, dial 511 in most states to check road updates.  Also, it is smart to consult maps before setting off on your trip to find the most direct route.

This goes without saying, don’t drive during rush hour traffic.  Yet many people make this mistake and end up adding hours onto their driving time.  This mistake can cost you money and peace of mind.

Probably the most important thing to do is have your car tuned up before you leave.  There is nothing worse than having your car breakdown on vacation.  Many people avoid doing this because they fear taking their car in just to find that they need to pay for a major repair.  You can avoid this stress by purchasing an auto warranty that will cover the expensive repairs on your car.

Road trips are supposed to be fun and relaxing, so follow these tips to ensure that you can enjoy your trip.

With gas prices soaring, there are numerous tips circulating about how to save money on fuel.  A lot of this advice, however, isn’t worth the time of the average driver.  So, which strategies are worth the time and which aren’t?

There are several things that you can do to significantly improve your fuel economy.  It makes sense to drive slow and steady to improve gas mileage.  If you travel at the speed limit and avoid accelerating rapidly you won’t burn as much gas.  Also, you don’t want to let your car idle.  Every second in which your engine is running while your car is stationary you are wasting gas.  Also, keeping your tires inflated properly will allow you approximately a 10% improvement in fuel-efficiency.

There are also some tips that aren’t worth your time.  First of all, don’t bother filling up when temperatures are cool.  Although this theory is true, it won’t save you enough to be concerned with it.  Next, lightening your load isn’t going to help you with fuel-efficiency very much unless you’re carrying 100 pounds of cargo in your car.  Most people don’t carry enough stuff in their car to amount to much.

Consumers are becoming more and more concerned with saving money on their cars.  To do this they are buying fuel-efficient cars with an auto warranty, and following tips to save on fuel.  Motorists are feeling the pinch due to the poor economy.

Child Safety Week is approaching soon (June 23-29), which is why HPI is asking parents to consider essential safety features when shopping for a pre-owned car.  Most parents take the time to make sure their children are in approved child safety seats, yet they don’t research the history of the car they are planning to buy, which could be risky for the entire family.

HPI endorses this campaign wholeheartedly and believes that it is extremely important to reduce the number of children killed in car accidents.

According to a recent survey conducted by the HPI, an alarming 75% of motorists would trust their own judgment when purchasing a car, instead of using professional advice to support a decision to purchase.  Also noteworthy is that 88% of drivers said that they were concerned with purchasing a write-off, and 95% of drivers wanted a cut ‘n’ shut.  Some people don’t realize how important a car’s history is.  For example, if a car was in an accident and wasn’t repaired properly, it may not be structurally sound.

Motorists should put the safety of their families first when purchasing a car.  To do this drivers should research the car they are buying and purchase an auto warranty.  These simple steps can help you rest-assured that you are taking necessary safety precautions.

Pickup trucks have come a long way since the day that their main purpose was for hauling farm equipment and hay.  Today you can find trucks that have the comfort and style of luxury cars.  And they have a suave appearance to take you for a night out on the town.

Pickup trucks are no longer a rough ride, and you have numerous options, styles, and colors to pick from.  Actually, there are more alternatives and choices available for pickup trucks than cars.

If you’re shopping for a pickup truck, you probably put utility before anything else.  Maybe you have a lot of hauling to do, or you do a lot of biking and camping.  Some pickup truck owners want to make a statement about their lifestyle, and really don’t care about utility.  These people like the image and being able to command the road.

There are a few things to consider if you’re looking for a truck.  At budget time, don’t forget to factor in such costs as fuel, insurance, and an auto warranty.  Also, determine how long of a bed you need, because parking a pickup truck with a long bed is a bigger hassle.

Sales of crossovers are one of the strongest segments in the auto industry. What exactly is a crossover? A crossover combines attributes from both SUVs and minivans with the positive characteristics we enjoy on passenger cars.

Crossovers typically have the cargo room and passenger space that you find in minivans, yet add the utility, usefulness, and even all-wheel-drive systems that you find on SUVs. All of these attributes come with the smooth ride, easy operation and secure handling of passenger cars. Basically, crossovers are built to be a combination of the best of all worlds. In addition, most crossovers come with a good auto warranty that gives drivers peace of mind.

Consumers who purchase crossovers have a variety of different interests and activities that call for a flexible, practical car with varied features. Crossover owners like to be ready for anything and everything, and they expect the same from their vehicle.

Other crossover owners are motorists who need to be able to carry more than four passengers, but they don’t want the image that goes along with the minivan, and they don’t want SUVs because of gas consumption and clumsy handling.

The crossover segment of the auto industry is becoming more and more crowded, with new vehicles coming out rapidly. These vehicles offer consumers versatility, reliability, and new car warranties. What’s not to like?