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.

Due to the poor economy, electric and hybrid cars are in great need these days.  However, these cars also will come at a cost.  They will strain scarce resources for water, according to a new study.

Every mile that is driven using electricity consumes approximately three times the water than a car using petrol.  Sciencedaily reported this.

Michael Webber and Carey King calculated the usage of water, consumption, as well as withdrawal during refining of petroleum and generation of power in the United States.

This does not mean that the impacts on sources of water make the shift undesirable.  Instead, the increase in the usage of water resources should be a consideration when people are planning for an automotive economy that is plugged-in.

Every technological advance has potential downfalls.  Vehicles that lack petroleum are good in many ways for out environment, and our wallets.  Also good for your wallet, is an auto warranty that protects you in case new technology fails.  Also, it brings drivers peace of mind.

As the economy declines, more motorists are trying to save money by abandoning their car insurance.

According to the Insurance Research Council, the uninsured rate and the unemployment rate are directly correlated.  When unemployment increases 1%, uninsured drivers increase a half-percent.  As of November, unemployment was up 2% since last year.

In a recent study, the council claims there have been several hundred thousand drivers that have let their insurance lapse, or dropped it in the last year.

What this means is that your odds of getting hit by a driver that is uninsured have gone up drastically, and usually people who are uninsured don’t have very many assets if you plan to sue for damages.

For people who have the funds, coverage for being hit by underinsured or uninsured drivers has become a necessary protection even though it raises your premium 7% to 9%.  And, you don’t want to let your insurance lapse because you will be charged a 25% to 50% surcharge for a new policy.  Also, drivers should protect themselves with a roadside assistance program and an auto warranty.

The riskiest time for car crashes are between midnight and six o’clock in the morning.  This is because there are the fewest drivers at this time of day, yet more accidents.  If you need to drive during these hours it is important to consider some important factors.  Safe driving at night calls for preparation, alertness, as well as common sense.  Here are some tips.

First of all, ensure that your headlights are aimed properly.  You should consult your service manual to determine the proper procedure.

Next, don’t focus on the headlights of oncoming cars.  This can blind you for five seconds until your eyes are able to adjust.

Don’t drive if you are feeling sleepy, instead pull off of the road and get some sleep.  Don’t substitute caffeine, loud music, or putting down the windows for sleep.  These tactics are unreliable and may result in an accident.

Finally, don’t allow yourself to stare at the centerline because it can cause “highway hypnosis,” in which your reaction time is impaired, instead, keep looking around and moving your eyes.

Follow these simple tips to keep yourself safe when driving at night.  Just like you protect yourself with an auto warranty and roadside assistance, you should protect yourself with safe driving habits.

With the poor economy, 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.

Buying a new vehicle is an exciting event in most people’s lives.  People often want to flaunt their priceless possessions for everyone to see.  Drivers purchase an auto warranty to protect their jewels, and treat their cars with loving care. In addition, they try not to let their vehicle get any scratches. A car that is scratch free and has a shiny finish is a good reflection of its owner and brings a lot of driving pleasure.

However, with heavy traffic that is bumper to bumper, it is difficult to keep your beautiful gem scratch free.  In fact, it is inevitable that your vehicle will receive a scratch or two no matter what measures you take.

Never fear, you don’t have to spend thousands at a shop getting your entire car panel painted.  You can use Com-Paint, which is a touch up spray that allows you to say goodbye to scratches.  Follow these simple tips.

On small scratches you can use Aeroshot Top Cut to remove and cleanse the surface that is scratched.  This will most likely take care of the scratches so that they won’t need painting.

For medium scratches level with 1000 No. Emery paper.  Shake the can well and hold it 12” from the surface and use a stroking motion to spray.  Make sure the coats are light, not heavy.  Let the painted area dry at least 72 hours.

Car owners like to feel like their vehicles are brand new.  Simple things can allow you to do this such as touch-up painting, routine maintenance, and purchasing new car warranties to protect your vehicle. These simple things can keep your car seeming brand-new.

Many people maintain their car under the hood but neglect their car’s exterior.  To freshen up your car and make it look brand new, follow these simple tips.

To care for your car’s exterior start by giving it a comprehensive washing.  You’ll want to remove all of the mud and grime that has built up on your car.

Make sure to use a pH balanced wash on your car.  You should avoid harsh detergents because they will strip off the car wax on your vehicle.

After a good car washing, make an evaluation of the surface of your vehicle.  You can do this by rubbing your hand along the surface of your vehicle.  If the surface feels rough on your hand, chances are you have bugs, tar, or water deposits.  These things need to be removed before you wax your car.

After doing these things it is time to put a car polish and wax on your car to protect it’s finish from harmful elements.

Make sure to be proactive when it comes to taking care of your car.  This includes maintenance, washing, waxing, and buying an auto warranty.

There are many great deals out there on new cars, yet you need to understand the offers.  For example, are there any “restrictions”, “qualifiers”, “exclusions”, or “limitations”?  Make sure you know how to read the fine print.

Often, dealerships offer incentives that are regional.  In other words, you must live in the area to get the deal.  You might be able to get a new car for $1,500 less if you live in the right area.

Some deals on financing may be contingent on a predetermined down payment amount.  For example, you might need to have $4,000 cash to put down at the time of the sale.  If you don’t have this amount of money, you might get stuck with finance rate that is higher.

Sometimes an offer may be contingent on if the dealer participates with the program.  This could include a special financing rate, rebate, etc.  Remember that dealers are operated independently and you are not dealing directly with the automaker.

These are just a few things to look out for when it comes to dealer offers.  Make sure you read the small print to understand the terms of the offer.  And make sure that the car you are looking at comes with a good auto warranty.

It’s common to show affection to the people you love, but we don’t want to forget to give some thought to our vehicles.  A lot of us find our vehicles to be more than just another asset.  They are such a big part of our lives because we depend on them to get us where we need to go safely.  They deserve a bit of attention and affection too.

A recent survey reinforces the powerful relationship that drivers have with their cars.  Apparently, 44 percent of men and 48 percent of women claim they have thanked their car in different situations.  In addition, 30 percent of women and 37 percent of men claim they have given their cars compliments on dependability.

So what can you give your car to show your appreciation?  There are several things you can do.  First of all, make sure you have a preventative maintenance plan.  Also, purchase your car an auto warranty to ensure that it is covered in the event of a breakdown.  Your car will thank you by getting you to your destinations safely.

According to auto experts, it makes sense that four-wheel drive would make drivers and passengers safer.  Every year, more new cars are being sold with the option for all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive.  However, does it make sense for you to purchase one of these vehicles?  Do you really need it?  And are we actually safer with four-wheel drive?

Unfortunately, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hasn’t done formal studies on the effectiveness and crash prevention of four-wheel drive.

Consumers should make a decision on if they want two or four-wheel drive before showing up at the dealership.  To decide this, make a list of the ways that you plan on using the vehicle and the places that you will be driving it.

You might want to ask yourself the following questions. Do I live in a climate with a lot snow or heavy rain?  Also, do I travel to go skiing frequently?  Do I live on a dirt road?  Also, will I be hauling things backwoods?

These are the kinds of situations that it will be worth your while to have two or four-wheel drive.

Two or four-wheel drive can be a great asset if you’re actually going to use it.  However, make sure it is a priority because it might push you over budget.  This feature can be terrific, however make sure to purchase an auto warranty to ensure that you’re not paying unnecessary costs for repairs down the road.