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- Road Rage Study May Help You Drive Safer
Road rage has become a way of life, both on and off the track. And more and more, in cities across America, people are acting out their frustrations on our roadways with dangerous results. It's bad for professional and everyday drivers alike.
In a new study sponsored by the Affinion Group and its AutoVantage automobile membership club, drivers from 20 major metropolitan areas in the U.S. were surveyed to learn more about consumer views on road rage. - Racing Fans "clean Up" When It Comes To Tailgating
It's time for families to pack up and head over to stadiums, ball fields or racetracks across the country-that's right, it's tailgating season. With NASCAR races in full throttle, fans are shifting into gear for traditional pre- and postrace get-togethers. And everyone knows that racing fans are some of the best and most dedicated tailgaters in the country.
The key to a successful tailgate is not just the fans and a smorgasbord of food, it is the preparation and planning made ahead of time -which is why racing tailgates are often the most successful. Not only do race fans know how to prepare a tailgate-they are also prepared for the all-important cleanup after the checkered flag comes down. - How To Get Better Fuel Economy
Poor fuel economy can put a costly damper on any summer vacation taken in the family vehicle. But there are a few simple things you can do to enhance your fuel economy no matter what type of vehicle you drive, which means you'll buy less gas and have more money to enjoy the summer.
Let's go through a few ideas that are proven to improve your fuel economy. - In-vehicle Communications Systems. Valuable To Consumers, Law Enforcement
An estimated 1.3 million Americans had their vehicles stolen last year, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's annual Uniform Crime Report. After years of steady decline in the '90s, victims of motor vehicle thefts lost an estimated $8.6 billion in 2003.
As police agencies across the country look for new ways to crack down on this nagging problem, consumers are encouraged to take active measures to deter auto theft. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting insurance fraud and vehicle theft, recommends a multi-layer of protection to deter car thieves. The suggestions include not leaving keys in the car, locking doors, parking in well-lit areas and using visual and audio deterrents, such as steering wheel locks and car alarms. - Mechanics Veto Extending Oil Changes
The nation's top mechanics are rejecting the recommendation by some in the auto field that cars can go 5,000 miles or more before oil is changed.
National Institute for Auto-motive Service Excellence (ASE)-certified Master Automobile technicians weighed in on this and other issues in a survey conducted by Valvoline. The survey covered the controversial recommendation and trend toward longer intervals between oil changes, as well as the costs to car owners of delayed maintenance. - Consumer Financial Loss On Automobiles Decreases With Extended Warranty
According to leading independent testing laboratories, 33 percent of automobile repair shops overcharge customers. Though the cost of a given repair can vary by hundreds of dollars depending on the garage, the average repair exceeds $1,200 on vehicles over three years old, resulting in financial loss for car owners not covered by a warranty. In addition to this, car owners must also worry about the ever-changing technology associated with automobiles.
Today, electronics in automobiles make up nearly 50 percent of a car's value. This makes it almost impossible for car owners to work on their own vehicle, and more costly to have repairs made at a shop. Further complicating the issue, electronics in automobiles are rapidly becoming more and more complex, thus increasing the need for an "expert" to make repairs. - Ethanol Fuels New Opportunity For American Farmers
As the United States seeks ways to become less depen-dent on foreign oil, American farmers are helping provide part of the solution. They are growing high-fermentable corn hybrids used in the production of ethanol.
In 2005, the ethanol industry processed a record 13 percent of the domestic corn crop, according to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). It is projected by ProExporter Network that ethanol production could account for 45 percent of U.S. corn production by the year 2015. - Serious Engine Trouble? Now What?
Smart shoppers, like smart motorists, make better decisions when they know all of the options. When your car or truck suffers major engine damage, often the first reaction is to buy a new or used vehicle. However, many times that simply is not necessary or cost effective.
According to the Engine Repower Council (ERC), you should first discuss your options with your automotive technician. - Serious Engine Trouble? Now What?
Smart shoppers, like smart motorists, make better decisions when they know all of the options. When your car or truck suffers major engine damage, often the first reaction is to buy a new or used vehicle. However, many times that simply is not necessary or cost effective.
According to the Engine Repower Council (ERC), you should first discuss your options with your automotive technician. - Silver Still Shines As Top Car Color
Motorists have no need to brush up on their color choices. For the sixth year in a row, silver shone at the top of the list of colors chosen by buyers of new cars and light trucks sold in North America. The 2005 DuPont Automotive Color Popularity Report cited the continued, but waning, lead of silver in the 53rd compilation of consumer color preferences.
Silver Still At - Clean Diesel Debut Fuels Clean Air
Environmentalists, government officials and industry leaders are heralding the nationwide arrival of the cleanest diesel fuel ever.
"Clean diesel fuel, now available across the country, enables diesel engines to operate cleaner than ever and paves the way for a new era of clean diesel trucks and passenger cars," said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum. - Staged Accidents And Phony Claims Could Cost Motorists As Much As $300 In Additional Premiums Each Year.
In light of the growing number of auto insurance fraud-related arrests around the country, here's a crash course on how to spot staged accidents and other fraudulent activities related to phony auto claims.
First, know that staging accidents, providing unnecessary medical treatments for faked injuries and counterfeit medical mills are all illegal. - Four Questions To Get The Right Auto Insurance
Using the right tool for a job is key to success in any profession. Experts say the same principle applies when selecting an auto insurance policy.
Having the right type of policy can help ensure that you, your employees and your business are all protected in the unfortunate event that one of your vehicles is involved in an accident. - Cool Tips, Hot Spots And Red Bow Ties
Herb Citrin has safely parked thousands upon thousands of vehicles but it's the one that got away that still haunts him.
It was the summer of 1965, and Citrin--already a legend among parking attendants for having introduced the uniforms, the white-glove service and the name "valet parking" two decades earlier--got a frantic call from a garage manager. - Ome Of The Same Measures Used To Increase Horsepower In Race Cars Can Be Used To Increase The Horsepower Of Your Car Or Truck.
Odds are you don't need to boost your buying power to improve your car's horsepower. Here are three easy ways to get more horses out of your ride-without taking out an extra car loan. You may even increase the life of your engine while you're at it:
• Replace And Upgrade Your Air Filter-Thousands of cubic feet of air pass through engine cylinders in their lifetime. Dust and other material in the engine can cause excessive wear and operating problems. It's imperative that you keep air filters clean by regularly replacing them. To further enhance performance, upgrade to a performance air filter, which can free up an additional two to three horsepower. - Addicted To Oil? You Bet Your Lipstick
In his State of the Union speech earlier this year, President Bush said America is "addicted to oil." Correct, but hardly a surprise.
We generally think of oil products as the stuff that powers cars, trucks, SUVs, planes and trains. However, transportation accounts for only about half of the petroleum we use. - Equipment Ownership 101: Utility Vehicles Divide And Conquer Tasks
Life in the country can be really good when the right equipment is available to maintain the extra property. And thanks to the versatility and functionality of today's utility vehicles, rural homeowners are getting outdoor chores done faster, and letting the good times roll.
Kirby Williams, who has a 136-acre hay operation near Powhatan, Va., uses his two John Deere Gator™ HPX utility vehicles to run errands on the farm and to hunt. - Negligent Driving Will Cost Lives This Season
When checking off your list of what to do this season, don't forget to add "drive responsibly."
Busy schedules, too little sleep and too many gadgets in the car can result in negligent driving- and many people underestimate how much damage negligent driving does. Every 13 minutes, negligent driving costs a life on the nation's highways. Negligent driving falls into four categories: - The Secrets Of Savvy And Safer Auto Glass Shoppers
For most motorists, shopping for auto glass happens by necessity. When it's time to replace a broken car window or windshield, you need to know how to get the best value for your auto-glass dollar, especially because your automotive glass choices impact your vehicle's performance and structure.
First, not all replacement auto glass is created equal. Your vehicle's original, factory-installed windshield meets automaker requirements for size, shape, thickness, strength and visual quality. Replace it with the same brand. Original equipment (OE) windshields fit best and help maintain the structural and performance integrity of your vehicle during an accident. - Keeping A Classic, Older Or Rarely Used Vehicle Running Strong
Four little wheel sensors in a growing number of vehicles can help save lives by alerting motorists to low tire pressure, a potentially dangerous driving situation.
Low-tire-pressure-related crashes cause 660 fatalities and 33,000 injuries each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Yet a survey earlier this year by the Rubber Manufacturers Association showed that three out of four drivers wash their car every month, but only one in five correctly checks the tire pressure. - Keeping A Classic, Older Or Rarely Used Vehicle Running Strong
Whether it's a 1970s muscle car or a vintage Thunderbird, I've noticed more and more people adding a classic car to their everyday collection. In fact, classic car collecting is now a $17.8 billion-a-year business and is expected to keep growing. And while these cars are fun to drive and can be enjoyed for years to come, keeping a car in mint condition, when it's not driven regularly, takes special care. After all, cars are made to be driven, and when they're not, problems can start popping up left and right.
Bringing out the true beauty in an older vehicle often takes time and patience-restoration doesn't happen overnight. But once you've got your classic in working condition, it's important you take the necessary steps to keep it there. As the manager of Jay Leno's "Big Dog Garage," I have the pleasure of working with classic cars every day. A large portion of Jay's 96 cars and 84 motorcycles are classic or vintage models and require careful maintenance. And while these are truly extraordinary machines, the general principles that are used to maintain this collection can apply to anyone looking to keep his or her classic car in tip-top shape. - Vision Is The Key To Safe Driving
The single biggest factor in vehicle safety isn't the latest technology, air bags, electronics or driver skill. According to Dr. Philip Hessburg, chairman of the internationally recognized The Eye and the Auto symposium and president of the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology, the single biggest factor in vehicle safety is the driver's vision.
Information from such safety experts as Leonard Evans supports Hessburg. Evans' book "Traffic Safety" notes that vision provides motorists more than 90 percent of the information used to drive. - Playing With Traffic
When the weather outside is frightful, a safe ride is oh so delightful.
One simple way to maintain your vehicle's safety is to check your tire pressure. When your tire pressure is low or underinflated, it can compromise the safety of your vehicle, especially as winter approaches. Colder temperatures affect tire pressure, which is measured by pounds per square inch (PSI). Every 10 degree decrease in temperature causes a tire to depressurize by about one PSI. - Playing With Traffic
Commuting to the office shouldn't be hard work. Still, U.S. drivers spend over 47 hours and $80 billion a year sitting in traffic. But what causes all of these backups and-more important-what if you could control them?
A new game may let you do just that (on your mobile phone, anyway). Called Traffic Mayhem, the game, from Starwave Mobile, puts players in the proverbial driver's seat, allowing them to "control" traffic by directing stoplights, cleaning off streets, catching speeding vehicles and much more. - Year-round Radiator Maintenance
Maintaining your vehicle's radiator and cooling system is important for keeping your car in good working order.
Regardless of the temperature outside, a vehicle's engine produces enough excess heat to quickly damage or destroy the engine if it is not properly cooled by the cooling system. Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can keep your car's radiator and cooling system in top shape. Try these tips: - Kicking The Tires In Heels
A recent survey easily debunks old myths about gender differences in the auto-buying experience.
Commissioned by Automotive Retailing Today (ART) and conducted by Harris Interactive®, the survey shows that women bring men along when buying a car not because they lack confidence, but because it's a family investment. - Toyota Pro/celebrity Race Sparks Celebrity Interest In Racing
Roaring down a racetrack at lightning speeds while weaving through the competition in an adrenaline-pumped race to the finish line is a dream shared by race fans everywhere-and celebrities are no exception. For years, stars have tried their hands at careers other than acting, and professional racing is on top of the list among Hollywood stars, including Patrick Dempsey, Frankie Muniz, Jason Priestley, Lorenzo Lamas, Perry King, Alfonso Ribeiro, Sean Patrick Flanery, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Donny Osmond, Robert Hays, Gene Hackman, Bruce Jenner, Josh Brolin, Paul Williams and Walter Payton.
Apparently, these entertainers-turned-racecar drivers caught the racing bug while participating in the annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, which for the past 30 years has pitted celebrities from film, television, music and sports against each other in a heart-pounding, action-packed, 10-lap race through the streets of downtown Long Beach, Calif. - Preventing Teen Driving Deaths
A recent survey conducted by The Allstate Foundation found some intriguing data about how parents protect their teens.
While parents know the No. 1 killer of teens is car crashes caused by teen drivers, the majority don't understand the main causes of these crashes or the current Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws. - A Glaring Problem: An Easy Answer
The sun's glare is one of the most overlooked dangers encountered while driving, particularly during the height of morning and evening commutes. But you can reduce that danger by taking a few simple steps:
• Make it a habit to lower visors to help block some of the reflected light. - Don't Be Fuelish, Save Gas Money
With gas prices soaring, drivers and their gas dollars aren't going nearly as far as they used to. However, there are a number of things you can do to help improve your car's fuel efficiency. Here are six tips to maximize your car's performance.
1. Check your tire pressure. Improperly inflated tires can greatly reduce your fuel economy, so make sure your tires are inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure level. The right tire pressure will provide you with a safer ride and help reduce wear on the tires. - Utility Vehicles-then And Now
Utility vehicles continue to turn skeptics into believers when they see what these machines deliver in work performance.
In 1987, John Deere created the all-terrain AMT for farmers wanting a machine with hauling capabilities of a small truck but the maneuverability of an ATV. To overcome initial skepticism, a number of John Deere dealers asked select customers to test these new machines on their farms. When it came time to retrieve the AMTs, many customers didn't want to give them up. Soon after, the AMT quickly found favor with contractors, landscapers, hunters and other material transporters. - On The Road To Safety And Productivity
Safety is no accident thanks to a new commercial utility vehicle (CUV) for small-business owners. It arrives with more than 25 available safety features. Giving businesses the best of two worlds, the CUV is also designed to improve productivity-and the bottom line. For those who have never heard the term, a CUV is a work vehicle that combines the cargo-hauling capacity of a box truck or the people-hauling capacity of a minibus, with the confident handling and smooth ride of a luxury pickup truck.
Offered in a variety of passenger-transporting, cargo and chassis cab models, the Freightliner Sprinter provides up to 600 cubic feet of space and has a cargo area that measures as high as seven feet from floor to ceiling. This makes it the only vehicle in its class with enough headroom for virtually anyone. All cargo models of the CUV make loading wide objects easy through a side door opening that measures 72 inches high by 54 inches wide. - Horsepower Secrets From Professional Racers
Want more horsepower without paying much to get it? Here are three ways today's top racers get more power from their race cars-and their personal cars-without spending a lot of money to do it.
• Upgrade your lubricants. Friction and heat from engine components and the drivetrain rob horsepower and performance. Minimizing this power loss can be as easy as upgrading to one of the newer high-performance lubricants that are available. For instance, in a test by Horsepower TV, upgrading to Royal Purple high-performance motor oil freed up nine horsepower in a V-8 engine. - Traveling Through Gas Prices
If you plan to get away from it all this season, you may have some company despite high gas prices. Powersporters-owners of RVs, travel trailers, boats and motorcycles-say that even if gas prices go up, their love for their lifestyle has them willing to "pay to play."
In fact, nearly 70 percent of powersporters say they will not change their vacation plans because of high prices, according to a Nationwide Mutual Insurance survey.
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