If you’re considering buying a new vehicle you need to think about safety features.  Things such as crash test results, electronic stability control, and rollover resistance are all things that are important in keeping you safe in your vehicle.

In order to give vehicles a safety rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety performs side impact and frontal crashes on cars.  Considering these results is important when it comes time to buy a new car.

Vehicles that are taller, such as SUVs and pickup trucks have a greater tendency to rollover since they have a high center of gravity.  You can find out a car’s inclination to rollover by looking at NHTSA five star ratings.

Electronic stability control is a safety feature that is extremely beneficial and highly recommended.  This feature allows you to maintain control of your car when you’re cornering.  You can avoid skidding and sliding with electronic stability control because brakes are automatically applied to the wheels that could use it.

Motorists are more concerned about safety than ever before.  Also, drivers are trying to protect their wallets by purchasing an auto warranty and buying fuel-efficient vehicles.

Unfortunately, mistakes are a common occurrence when you’re in a place that is unfamiliar.  According to a recent survey, people who drive RV’s admit to making expensive slip-ups.  Approximately 1,000 RV motorists participated in the survey, and revealed some mishaps that are interesting to say the least.

The following were the most common mistakes:  running out of gas, connecting taillights incorrectly, backing up and hitting something, not being able to accurately judge clearance, and pulling out of a parking spot with the steps still out.

According to the survey, approximately 50% of RV motorists travel for at least a month out of the year, and around 40% log 500 miles in their trip.

Although you can usually find blunders humorous, they can cost you big bucks in repairs and damages.  This is why it is necessary to have good insurance and an auto warranty for your RV.  After all, you need to be able to get back on the road as quickly as possible after a mishap.

It’s important to realize that in today’s cars the main source of power is still the battery.  The battery is not just used to start the engine; it is also used to supply electrical energy that maintains the memory of the numerous computers onboard.  Batteries and cable connections that are poorly maintained fail to supply the voltage needed for innovative electronic devices.  This can cause a vehicle to perform erratically. Maintaining your battery and purchasing an auto warranty can save you from breakdowns.  Here are a few simple do’s and don’ts that can help you maintain your car battery.

First, it is important to check cables to make sure they are tight and free of corrosion.  Make sure that terminals are lubricated with petroleum jelly to keep cables clean longer.  Also, the battery should be secured firmly to the mounting bracket.  If it’s not, it can result in short circuits.  Finally, make sure to maintain fluids.  If fluid is low, distilled water should be added.  If there isn’t fluid the battery needs to be replaced.

There are some important things that you shouldn’t do concerning your battery.  Don’t charge your battery if it’s frozen because there is a possibility it could explode.  Instead, you must replace the battery.  Never charge a battery that is dead with an alternator.  The alternator may be damaged in this case.  Also, you shouldn’t disconnect battery cables if your car is running.

Make sure to maintain your battery so it can perform at its peak.  These simple tips can help your battery last longer.  Of course, you never know when your car will fail, so make sure to purchase an auto warranty that will protect you in the event of a breakdown.

It is very important to maintain a correct tire pressure for the safety of your vehicle, especially when cold weather can cause the air pressure in tires to decrease.

It is estimated that 650 people are killed and 32,000 are injured as a result of car crashes related to problems with tires.  However, a recent survey revealed that 84 percent of motorists don’t check the pressure of their tires.

Another issue is that poorly maintained tires can be dangerous, and even leave you on the side of the road. Although you can always call for emergency roadside assistance, there are a few safety tips that drivers should keep in mind to avoid this:

Make sure you don’t overload your tires because overheating can occur.  The result of this could be a blowout or a car accident.  Your owner’s manual will give you proper loading instructions.

Tires that are under inflated also pose a risk.  This occurs naturally and cold weather accelerates the process.  In fact, frigid temperatures can cause tires to lose up to two pounds of air in one month.  Under inflated tires are actually resistant to rolling.  It can feel like you are driving with the parking brake on.

Finally, don’t over inflate tires because it can cause the tread to wear in the center.

Checking your tire pressure regularly can save you from many problems with your vehicle.  Of course, you never know when you might get a flat, so just in case, make sure you have a road service program that can assist you in case of an emergency.  In addition, make sure you have a good auto warranty to protect yourself from other car repair expenses.

A diesel engine used to bring about a wince from people who associated diesels with engine noise, a not so pleasant smell, and blue smoke coming out of the tailpipe.  However, things are changing.  Diesel engines will soon elicit a positive response.

The new generation of diesels is considered clean.  They use a very low sulfur diesel fuel that was made available in the United States in 2006.  It is predicted by experts that diesel sales are going to increase approximately 300% within 10 years.  One of the reasons for this is that diesel engines have around 20%-40% better fuel-efficiency than engines powered by gasoline.

The Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance claims that using ultra low sulfur fuel in these new and improved diesel engines will cause air quality to improve greatly.  The yearly reductions in emissions will be the same as taking away the pollution from over 90% of the buses and trucks today.  This is when the fleet of heavy-duty vehicles has been replaced by 2030.

It may take time to change people’s ideas about diesel engines, but people will begin to realize the benefits.  Not only will they make our air cleaner, they will save people at the gas pump.  However, as with any car, it is necessary to buy an auto warranty so you are covered in case of failure.

You might find that your car has become a mess from kids, pets, friends, etc.  But how are you supposed to keep it clean with kids spitting up and people having four-course meals in your backseat?  Let’s face it; it can be hard.  However, here are some tips to help you get started.

You might want to insist that whatever people bring in the car they have to take it out.  This means that kids should be responsible for the cups, stuffed animals, books, etc.  Also, you could limit them to only bringing one item each car ride.

Keep a trash bag from the kitchen in your vehicle.  This comes in handy for trash, or for dirty wet clothes.  You can have your oldest child be in charge of the trash bag.

For toddlers, purchase spill proof snack bowls and cups.  You can buy a “snack trap”, which keeps Cheerios from spilling all over your floor.

Keep toothpaste in your glove compartment.  This can save you from a stain on your upholstery.  Just rub gently on lipstick or ketchup stains to remove stains.

Purchase some rubber mats to go on top of your carpet.  If you don’t want to spend the extra money you can even turn your carpet mats upside down to reveal the rubber side.

It’s never easy to keep your car clean when you have a busy lifestyle, however, these tips will help.  Don’t just purchase an auto warranty to maintain your car, put a little bit of work into cleaning the interior.

It isn’t easy finding a vehicle that suits a family’s needs.  In fact, it is a challenging pursuit that can leave motorists feeling overwhelmed.  So, what are the important things to consider when buying a family vehicle?

First of all, a car must be affordable.  In other words, the base price shouldn’t be more than $30,000.  Ideally, you should be able to find a good vehicle for under $30,000.  If you’re looking at a car company who can’t produce a quality car for around $30,000, you’re looking at the wrong company.

Of course, the seating in a car should be comfortable for five people. Nobody is going to be happy if they don’t have room to move around.   In addition, the cargo space should be large enough to carry groceries to accommodate five people.

Safety is a necessity.  New vehicles contain innovative safety features that can save lives.  For example, Chevy Malibu cars have the OnStar communication system featuring Advanced Automatic Crash Notification.  The system allows a signal to automatically be sent to an OnStar adviser notifying them that a crash occurred.  Then, the adviser attempts to contact the motorist of the car to find out if any injuries are apparent.  This information then gets transmitted to emergency vehicles.

When buying a new family car don’t get too overwhelmed.  Remember the important things to consider when making your purchase, and make sure to buy an auto warranty that will protect your new investment.

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.

Some people think of used cars as being dirty, junky and old.  But a different market is making savvy buyers who are looking for updated vehicles pay attention.  The bonus is that these cars don’t have the sticker price of new cars.

Certified pre-owned cars have undergone rigid inspections and been refurbished by their manufacturer.  Also enticing is that they are backed with an extended auto warranty.  Automakers are realizing that they can’t ignore the certified vehicle market.

A recent study shows that certified pre-owned car sales have gone up 46% since the year 2000.  It is estimated that 1.5 million certified used vehicles are sold yearly, which is equivalent to approximately 10 % of the sales of new cars.

So what are the best and worst certified pre-owned cars to purchase?  Forbes.com has put out a list to help consumers make a good purchase.

At the top of the list of the best CPO cars are Honda Accord and Toyota 4Runner.  Following is the Acura TL, and Subaru Impreza.  Also, the Lexus GS tops the list.

Cars on the worst list are the Saturn Relay, and Jeep Grand Cherokee.  Also, the Volkswagen New Beetle, Pontiac G6, and Mercedes Benz E Class make the list.

Certified pre-owned can be a great way to purchase an updated vehicle without the updated cost.  Another perk is that they come with an extended auto warranty.  Just remember to keep in mind the best and worst CPO car lists when considering a purchase.

There’s nothing worse than planning a trip and waking up to find violent, heavy rains pouring down out of the sky.  There are two things you need in this situation, an auto warranty and a reliable car.  Do you have a vehicle that is ready for driving in this situation?  In this situation it is necessary to have a car that ensures a smooth, safe ride, even in ice and rain.

According to the FHWA approximately 6,400,000 cars are involved in accidents every year.  About twenty five percent of these accidents are related to weather.  Here are some of the best cars to handle in rain.

Although you may not believe it, the Porsche Cayman, as well as the Cayman S are two of the best cars in rain.  They are packed with essential all weather features.

For instance, these vehicles have a wiper system with rain sensors that make the wipers activate as soon as water hits the glass.  Also, wipers shut off after the car reaches 131 mph.

In addition, these cars have great tire traction, as well as mud guards.  They also have the Porsche Stability Management System, which detects when the car is slipping.

Finally, these cars have four-wheel disc brakes that are anti-lock.  They are cross-drilled for optimal performance.