Many people claim to love the smell of a new car.  However, the chemicals that gives cars that new smell may be harmful and have been known to cause long-term health issues.  However, consumers now have a guide that will aid them in figuring out the cars that are the safest.

An advocacy group in Michigan, called The Ecology Center, recently published a guide about toxic chemicals in vehicles and child seats on Tuesday.

The report deals with harmful substances, such as chlorine, bromine, heavy metals and lead.  The Ecology Center got samples of parts that people touch the most, such as center consoles, steering wheels, and seat fronts.

The investigation determined that there are top healthier cars from Smart, Acura, BMW, Chevrolet, Toyota and Honda.  Some cars that created high concern were by Suzuki, Mitsubishi, VW, BMW, Mazda, Lincoln, Audi, Mercedes, BMW and Kia.

Consumers are becoming more and more concerned with car safety issues.  They are taking precautions, such as doing research on new cars, and purchasing cars with added safety features, and an auto warranty.

Here’s a question for car shoppers:  What has the low sticker price of a pre-owned vehicle with the auto warranty and reliability of a new vehicle?  The answer is a certified pre-owned vehicle.

CPO is a term that the auto industry uses to describe used vehicles with low-mileage that are late models.  These vehicles have passed a rigorous inspection and therefore have a factory auto warranty to back them up.  CPOs are typically in much better shape than a regular used vehicle and come with a regular maintenance schedule that a consumer can verify through Carfax.

Most certified pre-owned programs are offered with an auto warranty, inspection, as well as a return option if you end up not liking the vehicle.  However, what consumers end up receiving for the extra money they spend on a CPO car varies a lot.  For example, Lexus gives a 100,000 total vehicle; 3 year limited warranty on its COO vehicles.  However, Chrysler offers an inspection along with a return policy, yet only offers a 3,000-mile, 3 month limited auto warranty.

Customers need to ensure that they receive an extension of the auto warranty offered by the factory, which will give them the same service of a new car owner.

It’s apparent that the auto industry in America is becoming “greener” than ever.  Everywhere you look there are ads for fuel-cell technology, hybrids, Bio-diesel fuel, clean-diesel engines, and E-85 fuel.  These technologies have gained popularity with America’s Big Three automakers.

Why?  Automakers are feeling pressure from all directions, including the White House, Congress, and also consumers.

Ford Motor Co., Chrysler LLC and General Motors have been trying to catch up with foreign cars, such as the Toyota Prius.  The Prius has gained popularity because of the hybrid technology it offers, its environmental benefits, its cool styling, and all with the addition of an auto warranty.

The Big Three carmakers are closing the gap.  General Motors already offers 14 Flex Fuel car models, which run on E85, and 2 million of them are on roads already.  In addition, GM is going to bring 12 hybrid cars to the auto market within the next four years.  Also, Ford has the Escape Hybrid and the Mercury Mariner Hybrid.  Perhaps the biggest buzz though, is about the Chevrolet Volt, which will allow drivers to travel 40 miles on an electric motor.

U.S. carmakers are on the mission to catch up with foreign automakers, putting out effective green technologies complete with style, safety, and an auto warranty.  Their goal is to have several different technologies to meet the needs of all consumers.

Consumers can experience sensory overload when walking down the car care isle at their local store.  It can be confusing to know what products to purchase, or even if you need to purchase them.  Some people assume that if you have a factory auto warranty that includes the finish, you don’t need to bother washing and waxing, but this isn’t true.

A factory auto warranty will protect you by ensuring that the paint job was sound, that they used quality paint, and that it was cured correctly.  However, new car warranties won’t protect you from oxidation that occurs over time.  This happens naturally if you don’t care for your finish.  Car wax serves the purpose of being a sacrificial layer between Mother Nature and your paint.

If new car owners want to keep their finishes looking great, they don’t have to spend a lot of time or money.  Preventative maintenance is the key for your finish, just like it’s under the hood.  All you have to do is wash your vehicle frequently with car care products.  Even just a basic car wash will do a lot to help protect your investment.  After washing, you can spray-on a wax that will boost the shine and extend the intervals between regular wax jobs.

Almost every vehicle that has front wheel-drive uses car struts on the front.  They aren’t just shock absorbers.  They integrate many different suspension parts into one assembly.  Included are the spring seats, coil spring, shock absorbers, steering knuckle, and strut bearing.

The shock absorber is the part of the strut that is commonly serviced the most.

The strut has many different purposes that it serves.  Because of the spring, the strut can support the vehicle’s weight while it’s traveling and allows for adaptations of road irregularities.  The shock absorber that is internal will dampen the spring’s movement while it is compressing and rebounding.

The function of the strut housing is structural.  It connects the bearing in the upper strut to the ball joint down below.  This allows the whole assembly to pivot as someone turns the steeling wheel.

It is a good idea to have your vehicle’s suspension system checked by a service technician that is qualified.  The struts in a car should be checked once a year, along with the alignment of wheels.  You never know when car parts will wear out, so an auto warranty, as well as regular maintenance is a necessary part of your routine.

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 last year, 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.

If you’re purchasing a pre-owned 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 cars 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 avoid vehicle fraud.

Car history reports, such as those from CARFAX are comprehensive and can save you from purchasing a lemon.  Also, to protect yourself, purchase an auto warranty to avoid unnecessary expenses down the road.

Today’s drivers are realizing that cars are being made to withstand more.  There are many vehicles on the road that prove to be reliable and durable.  So, what cars are going to keep you on the road?

Honda cars are known for being reliable and safe and are always a sure thing.  Also, they experience minimal problems and repairs.  For example, the Honda Odyssey is ranked #1 in durability.  Also ranking high on the list are the Honda Pilot, Civic, Accord and CRV.

Some small SUVs are known for being extremely durable.  For example, the Volvo XC90 and Subaru Forester are two examples.  But if you’re looking for luxury in addition to durability, the Audi A4 and Acura RDX will deliver.

The vehicles listed made the list due to performance, safety ratings, and lack of complaints.  Anyone who is shopping for a new car would feel peace of mind in these cars.  However, it is always a good idea to purchase an auto warranty to protect you.

Cars need regular maintenance in order to run trouble free.  Some people actually brag about driving an incredible amount of miles without performing maintenance on their vehicle.  However, these are the same people that eventually go to their mechanic and get handed a bill for hundreds of dollars.  An auto warranty can help you avoid unnecessary costs for repairs, but you need to have a maintenance schedule.

The reality is that faulty sensors and bad fuel injectors will cause engine adjustments that are improper resulting in foul sparkplugs.  Also, oil combustion is a result of worn pistons and rings.  And, of course, dirty fuel filters and air filters can cause problems.  A perfect world would have no grime and dirt, which would allow us unbelievable mileage between services, but that’s not reality.

According to the Car Care Council, during the National Car Care Month there were check lanes that show an 83% rate in failure.  The problems were transmission fluid, engine oil, power steering fluid, coolant, and brake fluid.

Drivers need to consult their owner’s manuals and make sure they get regular maintenance.  This will allow vehicles to operate more effectively and for a longer amount of time.  Buying an auto warranty will give you peace of mind when it comes to repair costs.

A new report shows that new car customers aren’t doing enough to ensure the best deals on financing, insurance and an auto warranty.

Only 64 percent of consumers 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 percent 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.