Roadside Assistance Program

An emergency on the road can occur at any time, whether you have an old or new car.  Any number of problems could cause it, from a flat tire or breakdown, to running out of gas.  There are several things you can do to prepare yourself for a situation such as this.  First, you should sign up for a roadside assistance program.  Also, you should have a basic emergency kit in order to increase your safety and help get you back on the road.

Even with a road service program, you need access to a phone in order to contact them.  You could be on the side of the road waiting for a while, so it is essential to have a few items in a basic emergency kit.

Your emergency kit should first and foremost have a cell phone to call for emergency auto assistance.  Also, you should have flares to warn other drivers that your car is broken down.  A fire extinguisher will keep your vehicle from undergoing a great amount of damage should it catch on fire.  In addition, you need foam tire sealant, a jack and a lug wrench in the event that you have tire punctures. Finally, jumper cables are a must in case of a dead battery

One way to improve our world would be to alleviate road rage. Everyone has gotten angry with another driver after being cut off. Wouldn’t it be great if we all had cars that helped curb road rage? Well, those vehicles have arrived.

Toyota’s RIN has friendliness in mind. It has wide, deep windows that allow the driver to stay connected with the environment. The headlights on the car have controls for light distribution that allow the driver to be considerate to other drivers. It even has features that reflect the psychological state that the driver is in, such as the steering wheel that is “mood trained” and displays that promote the mental health of the driver.

The Toyota i-REAL offers pedestrians added safety. It is a solo transport that offers maneuverability because it sits upright. This allows the driver to be at eye level with pedestrians. Also, it will stretch out its wheels making it more aerodynamic and stable when you want to travel long distances.

The time has come when automakers are realizing that vehicle design can have an impact on how friendly people are. Toyota is making great strides in accommodating fellow drivers and passengers to make our world a friendlier place. Consumers are willing to pay extra money on car costs that will make their lives easier, such as roadside assistance, insurance, and even friendlier cars.

When your car needs basic services, such as an oil change, where do you take it?  Chances are you will go to a quick lube business, not your dealer.

However, Acura is striving to get back the quick-lube consumers by creating its Accelerate service program for Acura owners.  The concept is for Acura dealership service departments to start offering affordable, quick services that bring car owners back to the dealership.

Services will include tire rotation, an oil change, brake-pad checks, tread checks, air monitoring, a car wash and a vacuum for $38.95, and the whole thing will be completed in less than 47 minutes.

Acura says that more than half of the profits of a dealership come from service and parts, so it is smart to give car owners a reason to come to the dealer instead of the quick lube service joint.  This program will begin with select dealerships in Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Philadelphia and Los Angeles, but will be in all Acura dealerships by 2011.  Maybe this will encourage Acura owners to have their cars serviced more often and help them avoid roadside assistance calls.

The days are gone when you could do a roadside repair with chewing gum and tights. In modern vehicles you need professional help for anything more than a puncture. It’s reassuring to know that help is only a phone call away, but it can be difficult to choose a roadside assistance program. There have been many new providers to enter the market in recent years. These companies offer motorists peace of mind through roadside benefits.

The market is very competitive and it can be confusing for consumers to find the right coverage. There are numerous road service providers that all offer several various levels of service.

Of course price is an important consideration when shopping for roadside benefits. However, it shouldn’t be the sole issue. Decide what aspect of the coverage is most important for you first, and afterward you can proceed with your search.

Often you can pick between auto road services that only help on the roadside, or those that will also help you if you’re stuck at home. It is a good idea to purchase the latter. After all, you never know where your car will breakdown.

It is also worth inquiring if coverage is for you, regardless of the car that you’re driving, or for the actual car. The latter is a good idea if you if other people in the family are driving the car, and the former are ideal if you will be driving more than one car. Also, sometimes discounts can be given for policies that include a husband and wife.

It can be hard to figure out which roadside assistance program is best for you. Just remember to determine what kind of road service you need, and find a company that will provide you with the most options.

Just in case you didn’t know, our country will be holding a presidential election on November 4th.  The candidates have differing opinions on many issues, including transportation and energy.  Here are the major differences.

McCain is in favor of developing alternative energy sources and plug-in hybrids using a market-based approach, while Obama favors research and development that involves more government involvement.  The candidates also have differing views on bio-fuels.  Obama, who is a farm state senator, supports ethanol subsidies and McCain voices opposition to them, as well as tariffs on bio-fuels that are imported.  Obama feels strongly about raising standards for fuel-efficiency quickly, where McCain just supports the current standards.

When it comes to energy issues, there is a difference on the emphasis: Both candidates support a comprehensive energy package, but McCain emphasizes nuclear energy and domestic drilling, while Obama stresses renewable energy sources.  Lastly, Obama feels there should be a windfall profit tax on oil companies, and the revenue should support a $1,000 energy rebate that goes to American families.  McCain is opposed to such a measure, and cites the uneven results in the Carter administration.

No matter which candidate you favor, make sure to get out and vote on November 4th.  Just make sure to leave plenty of time to get to the polls because typically Election Day has lots of traffic and roadside assistance calls.

It would seem to be a simple equation: High gas prices cause fewer people to drive, which mean there are fewer accidents.  And fewer overall accidents would mean that auto insurers wouldn’t pay out as much money, which means that rates for insurance should be less.  However, for some reason this hasn’t been the case.

Even though there are a few states that have had a reduction in insurance costs (California), many others have witnessed increases (North Carolina, New York).  Overall, there has been a steady rise in insurance, even the last few months when drivers have been staying off of the roads a significant amount.  In fact, premiums have actually gone up 1.7%, which is an increase of more than four times the increase rate for this period in 2007.

Why is it that Americans are driving fewer miles, yet getting higher insurance premiums?  Insurers blame the increasing cost of raw materials, everything from steel to paint to plastic, as the cause of the increase, but there is much skepticism about this.  States that are regulated more heavily tend to provide better consumer prices, and these states look at the insurance industry as suspect when it claims it needs to raise rates.

Accidents have also declined because of fewer drivers on the roads.  However, it is still important to have a good road service program. After all, you never know when you will experience an accident or a breakdown.

Chrysler, along with all of the American car companies is scrambling to make improvements on gas mileage. Now, they have a largely updated Hemi and updates in mpg for the Dodge Avenger, Dodge Caliber, and Chrysler Sebring.

Most of the 2009 models are already being sold with the addition of new car warranties and roadside assistance, and their 2008 counterparts have been heavily discounted.

One of Chrysler’s staples is the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, which is available in the bigger SUVs, large trucks and sedans, as well as the popular Dodge Challenger.  However, the all-new Hemi gives an average of 5% better fuel-efficiency than its previous version, and gives approximately 30 more horsepower and more torque.  This is thanks to the variable valve timing of the new powertrain.  In addition, Chrysler’s multi-displacement system, which has the purpose of allowing the V-8 to run on four cylinders at highway speeds, has been updated to allow it to remain in four-cylinder mode a little longer.  The result of this may be an added one or two miles per gallon, but when you consider the additional power, it’s impressive.

When purchasing a used car you need to do your homework.  This includes doing a thorough inspection of the vehicle, and don’t forget to look under the hood. You don’t want to end up with a car that will leave you stranded calling for road service.  Here are some things you need to be aware of.

Pinch all of the various rubber hoses that run to the air conditioner, radiator, etc.  The rubber shouldn’t feel hard or mushy.  In addition, there shouldn’t be cracks.  Make sure it is supple and firm.  Also, make sure the drive belts are frayed.

Check all of the fluid levels in the vehicle.  You can consult your owner’s manual to know where to look.  You should have dark brown or black oil.  It it’s honey colored, it means it was changed recently.  If the oil is foamy or gray, it might mean there is a cracked engine block or a head gasket that is blown.  You should have pinkish transmission fluid, not brown.

Also, examine the battery.  Batteries that are “maintenance free” have a charge indicator that is built in.  Green means that the battery is still good, where yellow or black means the battery is no good.

With any car purchase, it is important to have an emergency roadside assistance program just in case of unforeseen incidents.  However, following these simple tips might save you from being stuck on the side of the road.

The stock market has deflated rapidly. Layoffs, foreclosures and bankruptcies are higher than ever. So this is the perfect time to begin selling sports cars that are $350,000 in Tampa, Bay, right?

Well, we will soon find out.

Officials of Ferrari are planning to open an extravagant new dealership in Palm Harbor before Thanksgiving, also planning to sell Lamborghini and Bentley. And this week the Elder Automotive Group opened up sales of the “Spyker” sports cars in the Southeast.

Together these extravagant dealerships will do a test on the theory that car enthusiasts who are filthy-rich will resist economic gravity and spend on a car what it would cost for a large home.

While most motorists are currently worried about paying for gas, car loans and roadside assistance programs, there are still people out there who can afford luxury sports cars. Will these dealerships survive? That remains to be seen.

Often motorists get sticker shock or experience buyer’s remorse after buying a new car. However, you can avoid this by considering the expenses that you will encounter in the future.

According to experts, most consumers anticipate the price of the purchase, registration and taxes. However, many people forget to factor in the price of insurance, new car warranties, and roadside assistance. Fortunately, by doing your homework you can get good deals on insurance, an auto warranty, and road service.

To control car costs drivers should consider these tips. First of all, decide before you get to the dealership the amount of money that you can spend. Also, decide on what type of car will suit your needs. It is also beneficial to get quotes from several dealers, because then you are in the position to negotiate. Finally, check insurance and auto warranty prices on the vehicle that you want to purchase.

You don’t have to go broke purchasing a new car. But, be smart and consider all of the costs involved. It isn’t just the purchase price that you will be paying.