Roadside Assistance Program

Simple car maintenance will keep you from becoming stranded on the road. Not only is it easy to do, it will keep you from having to call your road service program.

First, to help your vehicle look like new, give it a wash and wax in order to remove the grime and winter salt.  This will help protect your finish in the summer heat.

Next, consult your owner’s manual to flush and refill your radiator.  You should check the condition, level, and concentration of the coolant on a regular basis.

Get an oil change.  Skipping oil changes can greatly reduce the life of your vehicle.  Also, change the oil filter when you get your oil changed.  Other filters also need replacing occasionally, such as air, fuel, and PCV.

Finally, check your tires.  Let them cool down, and check your air pressure.  Also, be aware that cupping, uneven wear, vibrations, and pulling to one side may indicate a problem with either your tires or your suspension system.

These simple tips will have your car driving safely and keep you from calling for emergency roadside assistance.

If you’re thinking of buying a cheap car that is older, you might want to try Car-Auction.com.  This is an auction site on the Internet for cars that have been seized.  Buying a vehicle from this website can save you up to 90% off of the retail price of a car.  Here are some important things that you should know before making a purchase on an auction site for seized cars.

First, make sure to do research to ensure that you’re actually going to get a fair deal.  This is necessary because you are going to buy the car ‘as is’.  Also, know that seized car auction websites don’t offer used car warranties, so make sure to purchase one somewhere else.  This will allow you peace of mind about your purchase.

Also, choose a car that has its paperwork included.  This will allow you to check the repair record of the car, safety ranking, as well as mileage, before you make the purchase. To find this information, look online or at consumer magazines.

If at all possible, test-drive the car first.  This is the only way to get a true feel for how the vehicle runs.  This will also give you an idea of what repairs, if any, may need to be made.  This will give you valuable information when it comes time to negotiate.

Finally, don’t buy a car without an inspection.  A mechanic who is licensed will give you information about the car that you couldn’t detect when you did the test-drive.

Purchasing a car from a seized auction website can save you a great deal of money.  However, be cautious.  Also, buy an auto warranty and roadside assistance to protect your wallet.  After all, you can’t always foresee when repairs will be needed.

Many companies have offered ride-sharing sites on the Internet that help fill seats in people’s cars and conserve gas use and greenhouse gasses, however, Avego.com has the big advantage of being affiliated with iPhone.

This downloadable application lets motorists create a social network of vehicles and passengers who are traveling in the same direction.  In this way, its goal is to cut back on the safety concerns and anonymity of ride sharing.  Rather than riding in a car with a complete stranger, this program tries to put people together and acquaint them in a more reliable way.

In addition, the program’s goal is to have an established network so that Avego users determine points for pickup and drop-off.  Yet, while the idea is certainly intriguing, it will need to be demonstrated in the real world before it will be determined if it is more successful than any other ride-sharing networks online.

Just keep in mind, it always feels safer to be in a car with passengers, but you still need a good roadside assistance program in case of breakdowns.  After all, you don’t want to be stranded on the side of the road, no matter how many people are there to help.

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.  Unemployment is up a great deal since last year.

In a study that is coming out next month, 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 used car warranties and roadside assistance.

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.

SUVs are available in a wide array of prices and sizes.  They are more versatile than any other vehicle.  They have varying cargo carrying options, carry up to eight people, and allow drivers to be higher than cars.  In addition, they can tackle off-road terrain.  There are car based and truck based SUVs.  Which is the best for you?

Gaining popularity are car-based SUVs.  These vehicles are on car like unibody platforms.  In addition, they use a suspension that is completely independent, and have all-wheel drive.  They usually perform better in fuel-efficiency, handling and ride comfort than truck based SUVs.  Also, in CR testing they generally rate higher overall.  They can be driven off-road in mild situations.

Truck-based SUVs are built on a body on frame platform.  They allow for a larger towing capacity than car-based SUVs.  Also, the ones that have four-wheel drive can tackle off-road terrain that is serious.  The handling on these vehicles, however, can be more cumbersome.  Also, their ride can be a little jolting.

SUVs are a great option if you are looking for cargo space versatility, a large passenger capacity, and off road options.  Do your homework on such things as an auto warranty, maintenance costs, roadside assistance and fuel-efficiency before deciding on an SUV.  Also, have in mind what your needs will be before showing up at the dealership.

The Subaru Impreza is a sensible, simple, enjoyable vehicle equipped with all-wheel drive, good fuel-efficiency, a comfortable interior, and an ample amount of people space, all with the addition of an auto warranty.

This is what you will find in the Subaru Impreza. Generally, this car hasn’t been a frontrunner when shoppers are considering purchasing a small vehicle, however, now the Impreza is a smarter choice than many of its competitors.  In fact, it makes more sense than ever.

It is not because it has unbelievable fuel economy, however it does pretty well, but because this car will give you a lot of vehicle for an excellent price.  All of those cars that are popular as fuel-efficient cars, such as the Civic and Corolla seem pricey now that people are concerned with gas prices.  And with the Impreza you get AWD, which you don’t with the others.

It is hard to beat the amount of car you get for your money with the Impreza, complete with new car warranties and roadside assistance.  You’ll find this car to be a simple car without all of the fuss and complications, which is a pleasant surprise.

Apparently, car thieves aren’t all that concerned about steeling vehicles that are fuel-efficient.

In fact, SUVs and large pickup trucks are the majority on the top-10 most stolen vehicles list, according to the Highway Loss Data Institute, which is affiliated with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Number one on the list is the Cadillac Escalade ESV, probably because it is a highly desirable and high profile vehicle.  Big time athletes and celebrities drive the Escalade, making it a status symbol.  Also, people who drive this vehicle often include options and add-ons that are expensive, such as fancy rims and top-notch stereo equipment.  There are 11.3 stolen vehicle claims for the Escalade for every 1,000 vehicles.  The average claim is approximately $14,657 loss payment, whereas it is typically $9,396 average for all cars.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, a vehicle is stolen approximately every 24 seconds in America.  Just make sure you protect yourself with an emergency roadside assistance program so you don’t find yourself stranded with no ride.

If you ask a woman if she would like to buy a Dodge Viper, chances are she will say “no”.  This car is a V-10 two seater that starts at approximately $80,000.  Although this may not be a woman’s cup of tea, studies show that many men would like to have this car.  Like many other aspects of life, men and women seem to have very different tastes, and cars are no exception.

Men and women buy the Viper, but 91% of customers are men.  The Porsche 911 and BMW M5 are also cars being bought primarily by males.  These models costs above $60,000.  Studies show that men often equate their car with their image.  In other words, they choose cars that will portray a certain status.

What cars do women like?  The #1 choice is the Toyota RAV4.  Women like to purchase small, affordable cars that are easy to buy.  For example, the Saturn SC, SL, and ION are popular choices for women.  These cars start at around $10,000 and have a reputation of being “no hassle” when it comes to buying.

It is obvious that women and men think very differently in lots of areas, cars included.  Men like to buy the fast, impressive cars, whereas women purchase the inexpensive, small cars.  The only common ground that these cars have is that they are backed by an auto warranty and roadside assistance.

With people wanting to save money on gas and the trend for green living, motorists are looking to carpooling as an option.  This way of commuting is good for the pocketbook, the environment, and perhaps even people’s social lives.

People who ride in carpools find each other through websites, word of mouth, employers, and the state Executive Office of Transportation.  Some people use their own cars, while others form a vanpool.  This is when a group of people decides to lease a van together with the intention of using it for commuting.  Members then share the costs, such as maintenance, gas, insurance, and a road service program.

At this particular time in history, carpooling makes sense.  According to traffic planners and environmentalists, this is one of the cheapest and easiest ways that cities can decrease congestion and pollution.  In addition, carpooling allows people to reduce their transportation costs, which according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumed around 15% of the American budget in 2006.  And not like public transit, being in a carpool doesn’t require much money in the way of maintenance or infrastructure that is taxpayer-funded.

Although Americans crave their independence and freedom, they are realizing it is beneficial to join a carpooling group.  And in the end, commuting with a group of people is safer anyway.  After all, who wants to experience a breakdown alone calling for roadside assistance?