A defensive driver is someone who is always on guard and prepared for what could happen.  They are cautious, yet are able to take action and not put their fate in other drivers’ hands.  The National Safety Council has revealed that driver error accounts for 77% of accidents.  This number can be cut significantly by driving defensively.  Here are some tips.

First, allow enough space in between you and the car in front of you.  Out of ten accidents, four involve rear-ending collisions.  These could have been avoided by not tailgating.

Have an avoidance route.  Look in your mirrors often to see what cars are behind and around you.  You should be able to maneuver and avoid an accident in most situations.  If you don’t have an out, allow more distance between you and the car ahead of you.

Realize that you can’t depend on other motorists.  It is important to be considerate, but you have to consider your own safety.  Don’t make assumptions that other drivers will drive the way they should.  Anticipate a worse case scenario.

Finally, don’t drive too fast.  The speed limit that is posted is for ideal conditions.  Decrease speed if you have other variables, such as bad weather.

Defensive driving can save you from a bad accident and from calls for emergency auto assistance. In addition, an auto warranty will help you avoid costly repair expenses. Exercising caution is the best tactic for staying safe in a vehicle.

Many people struggle to decide what kind of car to buy.  It can be difficult to sort through all of the vehicle options to arrive at the car that best suits you.  Here are some important factors to consider that will help you make the right decision when purchasing a car.

First of all, decide what you intend to use the vehicle for.  Don’t buy a 4WD SUV because you take two camping trips a year.  If you’re using the car everyday for commuting, you are going to want to purchase a car that is easy to maneuver with good fuel-efficiency.

Next, consider the looks of the vehicle.  You need to find a vehicle that you can stand to look at every day without getting sick of it.  If you end up with a car that makes you shudder when you look at it, you will never enjoy it.

Finally, fuel-efficiency, although not as big of a deal three years ago, is now a major factor in car buying.  Now there are options of what kind of fuel you want to burn.  For example, some options are E10, E20, compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, petrol, diesel, and B5.  All of these fuels have their benefits, so decide which will suit you the best.

The best way to get the car that is going to fit you is to do your research on various vehicle models.  Also, when doing this consider the added costs of an auto warranty, vehicle maintenance, and auto loans.

It is essential for consumers to do their homework before trying to purchase a new vehicle.  To avoid unnecessary costs, follow these three important tips.

First of all, you need to shop around to find the best dealership.  To do this, use the Internet and read blogs that people have written about specific dealerships.  You will find a wealth of information just by doing web searches.  Many times, you will come across complaints or favorable revues about how a dealership operates.  Also, it is a good idea to contact three dealerships in your area to determine which one responds quickly.  This will give you an indication of good service.

Next, dealers will try to talk you into financing through them, but don’t do it.  Financing at dealerships typically isn’t the best deal you can find.  Save your money by finding financing elsewhere and use your extra money for a much needed auto warranty.

Also, don’t fall for buying an alarm system through the dealer.  Carmakers already install wiring in vehicles, yet they then sell alarm systems for approximately $1,200 separately.  They will tack this cost onto the price of the new car purchase.

Lastly, sell your current car yourself to save money.  Chances are you aren’t going to get as much money for it through the dealership.

Follow these tips to save big when it comes time to purchase a car.  Also, purchase new car warranties to protect your wallet down the road.

More motorists are deciding to switch to hybrid cars for better fuel-efficiency, however, just like any car; hybrids need common maintenance and occasional repairs.  A regular mechanic can do work that is routine, yet you will need hybrid-certified mechanics for jobs that are more extensive.

According to a Toyota service director in Tampa, hybrid work at the dealership has been small.  There are some vehicles with issues, but for the most part repairs are the result of accidents.  The most costly repair on hybrids is for battery replacement.  In a vehicle that isn’t covered by an auto warranty, you will pay approximately $3,000 just on the part.

The best thing to do is to find a technician to repair your car before you really need it.  This way you won’t have to make last minute decisions.  Also, make sure that the technician is certified in hybrid repair.

Finally, most new car warranties for hybrids cover 100,000 miles or 8-10 years.  Make sure you know if your auto warranty requires that you get service from a specific repair shop.

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 ever, according to experts.  In addition, people are protecting themselves with an auto warranty and a road service program.

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 $3 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.

Why buy a sports car?  Sports cars are not made to be practical, they are made to be fun.  They are available in various models, such as two-seat roadsters and hatchbacks.  Many models have relatively small cargo space, while others offer ample rear cargo room.  Here are some things to consider when deciding which car model to purchase.

Even car models that fall in the same categories can vary greatly in fuel-efficiency.  Make sure to do comparisons to see which models will save you money at the gas pump.

A lot of sports cars have small doors and limited head room that make getting in and out difficult.  If you’re looking for a little more ease, you might want to look for a four-door hatchback or sedan.  They often have easier access.

A sports car can have from two to five seats; depending on what model you look at.  Even cars with five seats often have a middle rear seat that is too tight for adults.  Make sure to try out the seats for comfort.  Also, consider a three-point seat belt instead of a lap belt for a seat in the center rear.

A sports car is a great choice for motorists who want an exciting ride, and aren’t concerned about cargo space.  However, it is always important to purchase an auto warranty to protect your wallet in case of unforeseen repairs down the road.

Often motorist get sticker shock or experience buyer’s remorse after buying a new car.  However, you can avoid this by considering the expenses that you will encounter in the future.

According to experts, most consumers anticipate the price of the purchase, registration and taxes.  However, many people forget to factor in the price of insurance and new car warranties.  Fortunately, by doing your homework you can get good deals on insurance and an auto warranty.

To control car costs drivers should consider these tips.  First of all, decide before you get to the dealership the amount of money that you can spend.  Also, decide on what type of car will suit your needs. It is also beneficial to get quotes from several dealers, because then you are in the position to negotiate.  Finally, check insurance and auto warranty prices on the vehicle that you want to purchase.

You don’t have to go broke purchasing a new car.  But, be smart and consider all of the costs involved.  It isn’t just the purchase price that you will be paying.

Credit is a key factor when an auto shopper is trying to figure out how much they will pay for a car.  However, according to experts, people should look at various dealers to compare special financing deals.  This is as important as shopping around for a car type.

It is important to request a copy of your credit report and score through a credit agency.  This will give you a better idea of what you will be dealing with when you talk about financing.

There are web-based tools that you can look to for help.  For example, AutoTrader.com is a website for classifieds that actually has a credit center for people looking to buy a car with bad credit.  And while other websites of a similar nature require the consumer to disclose personal and confidential information, the credit center only asks general questions to give the shopper privacy.

After you fill out the questionnaire, you will get a credit level that is estimated excellent, good or fair.  Next, you can do a search among car dealers in your area that can help you with your specific financing needs.

The key is to be prepared when you walk into the dealership.  Websites are a great way to arm you with knowledge.  You can learn all about car prices, credit scores, and prices on an auto warranty.  You want to do your homework so that you can get the best deal you can on the car itself, financing and new car warranties.

Because many people lead busy lives, they try to pick a repair shop that is close to their home.  They also try to find a shop that they believe to be trustworthy.  Motorists take for granted the freedom of being able to pick where their cars get repaired.  This may all be coming to an end.

Cars operate through their computers, and it is necessary to have the computer codes to determine if something is faulty on the vehicle.  However, car manufacturers often don’t like to release the codes.  This means that independently owned repair shops might not be able to properly make repairs.  In addition, drivers will be forced to take their vehicles to dealerships.  This makes an auto warranty even more necessary for motorists because dealerships tend to charge more for repairs.

There are approximately 220 million cars in the country and only 21,000 vehicle dealerships.  Also, there are around 130,000 businesses that make a business of repairing cars.  If these businesses don’t have access to computer codes they may eventually go out of business because they won’t be able to perform many repairs on cars.

Congress has recognized this problem and therefore, is trying to pass the Motor Vehicle Owners Right To Repair Act.  This bill would make it necessary for car companies to share information with the independent repair shops.

Unfortunately, you never know when your car is going to require repairs, so regardless of where you take your car for service, make sure you have an auto warranty to protect your wallet.

What is magic about the age 13 that makes it OK for children 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?

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 the 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 an auto warranty, auto loans, and maintenance, but most important is the safety of their children.