Roadside Assistance Program

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.  And, sign up for roadside assistance in case your car breaks down.

More and more cars are being loaded with high-tech advances.  In fact, some luxury car models have up to 80 switches and knobs to allow for advanced safety and comfort of motorists.  Yet, there are more high-tech gadgets coming onto the market.

Soon there will be sign recognition systems that will be able to read wrong-way signs and speed limits.

Cameras could replace sideview mirrors in the future.  Images would be displayed on the rearview mirrors on the edges, or on the instrument panel.

We may see chatty cars in the future.  Developers are trying to create a network that would monitor signals from car systems and warn other cars.  For example, skidding due to slick roads could be transmitted to warn other drivers.

Bumper bags could help SUVs be less deadly when hitting a low-riding car.  This has been shown to reduce intrusions and cause less injuries.

High-tech gadgets are great for motorists, but only if they learn how to use them before getting on the road.  In addition, with any new technology, drivers should have an auto warranty to protect themselves from technology failure.  In addition, roadside assistance is always a good idea.

Car dealers have haggled with their customers for years.  This practice has allowed salesmen to con buyers into buying cars and new car warranties, using all kinds of negotiating strategies.  But car dealers have paid for it by being known as untrustworthy.

Some dealers are changing their ways by dumping haggling.  The eighth largest chain of dealers in America, Lithia Automotive Group, announced that they are going to make all 108 of their stores haggle-free within three years.

Toyota’s Scion has implemented a policy for no negotiation from its onset four years ago.  This has prompted dealers who sell Toyota vehicles to apply the one-price approach.

And all over the country, independent dealers who carry various brands of domestic and foreign vehicles are teaching their employees to sell cars like the rest of the retail world.  In other words, cars come with a price tag and a smile from the salesperson.

This no-haggle method will make buying a more pleasant experience for consumers.  Now that people can look up a car’s base price online, they don’t have patience for haggling.  In addition, people are able to compare the prices of new car warranties and roadside assistance online.

Most people realize that hypermiling is not the safest practice; in fact it leads to car accidents. However, many people still do it.  Well now, AAA is weighing in with their view on the subject.

AAA has released a very strong warning saying that practices to save gas, in which illegal driving techniques are used, are dangerous, and therefore shouldn’t be used.  They are referring to practices like drafting off of other cars by tailgating, rolling stops, and turning off the car while driving.

Other gas saving practices toe the line of acceptability.  For example, motorists who have manual transmissions sometimes cruise in neutral to conserve fuel.  This practice is fairly common, yet safety advocates express concerns about motorists not having complete control of their cars.  Also controversial is the practice of utilizing neutral with automatic transmissions, however some drivers who do this say that they can do it safely.  AAA also doesn’t bring up the fact that there are numerous local laws having to do with improper driving, like not keeping your vehicle in gear.

Although motorists are tempted to do anything possible to save money on gas, including skimping on an auto warranty, people need to realize the danger involved in illegal driving techniques.  Unfortunately, hypermiling has been known to lead to car accidents, which is why it is important to have roadside assistance. In addition, drivers should have good used car warranties to avoid unnecessary repair costs, should they arise.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety designated the Audi Q7 as a Top Safety Pick.  This is the highest rating possible by the group, which means the Audi Q7 had top scores in front, rear and side crash tests.

The Q7 is considered a large SUV by the IIHS, and typically vehicles in this class don’t get rated.  However, Audi made a request for the IIHS to conduct these tests.  This is probably because Audi wanted to compare how the Q7 measured up to other midsize SUVs, such as the BMW X5, Volvo XC90, Acura MDX, Mercedes Benz M-Class, Lincoln MKX, which are all Top Safety Picks.

It was a smart move for Audi to request that the Q7 be tested, especially since it received a Top Safety Pick.  Consumers are becoming more and more concerned with vehicle safety and make that a top consideration when deciding what vehicle to purchase.  In addition, more people are buying roadside assistance and an auto warranty to avoid paying unnecessary repair costs, and to be able to keep up with car maintenance.

The Subaru Outback started out looking like a car-like station wagon, but now resembles an SUV crossover.  It’s dimensions are bigger inside and out, which makes the interior space much more comfortable for passengers.  It may not be quite as much fun as before, but now it’s a much more practical family car that still provides ruggedness and the capability for rough weather.

The exterior of the car looks completely different at first glance because of its beefed up dimensions.  However, if you look closely the front ends are almost identical, however the newer one is bigger.

The interior of the car has changed quite a bit.  The biggest change is how spacious it is.  Now, there is approximately 4 inches of extra legroom in the rear seats.  Also the dashboard layout has changed a great deal.  Now, the trip computer and clock have been put on the top of the dash.  Below, there is a brand new stereo unit or a navigation system that is optional.  In addition, there are some convenient cubbies, in which you can put cell phones, CD’s etc.

As with any new car, it is important to protect yourself with new car warranties to avoid unnecessary repair costs.  An auto warranty and roadside assistance will provide you with peace of mind in the long run.

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.