Roadside Assistance Program

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.

Motorists who own a 2009 BMW in the U.S. are going to be able to access in-car Google, which is already available in Europe.  This service will provide integrated Google maps that will allow the driver or passengers to search for movie theaters, restaurants, and other businesses.  Of course, the thought of this kind of distraction already has people fearing that accidents and roadside assistance calls will be at an all time high, but we will assume that BMW drivers will act responsibly.

Once the driver locates an address or business, the system will access directions from the vehicle’s navigation system.  And, you can even make phone calls to a business via Bluetooth.  Other features include BMW Assist, which will send an emergency vehicle in the case of an accident or track your vehicle if it’s stolen.

And, how much will this luxury cost you?  At $199 yearly, we drivers who are thrifty might just Google a location before leaving the house.  However, in a BMW in-car Google actually may be one of the least expensive options on the price sheets.

What benefits can a sedan offer you? Sedans will provide a balance of performance, handling, safety and easy access. Unless you are a person who needs lots of cargo space, a sedan is a good option.

There are various choices to consider when buying a sedan. You can purchase a large, small, family or luxury sedan. Within these categories there are various models that provide numerous characteristics. Each model will give you a different balance of sporty, comfort, and practicality.

Fuel-efficiency can vary a great deal depending on the model you choose. Do your homework to compare the statistics on different cars.

All new sedan models have dual front air bags that will give you added safety. Also, three point seat belts and LATCH systems come standard in these cars. However, on certain models, side air bags and head protection bags are available.

Do a lot of research to ensure that you get the sedan that will suit your needs. In addition, sign up for a roadside assistance program to give you peace of mind.

To keep your vehicle performing at its best it is necessary to schedule routine maintenance and service.  This will prepare your car to drive in difficult conditions and help you avoid calling for roadside assistance.

First, make sure to check your tire pressure regularly.  In addition, look at the tread on your tires to check for wear and tear and ensure that there isn’t any cracking.

Next, wash your cars exterior to keep it looking good.  And, make sure to put a coat of wax on to maintain your car’s surface.

If your check engine light comes on you shouldn’t ignore it.  If this happens take your car to a professional immediately.  This will save you from spending excess money on repairs down the road.

Next, determine a service schedule with your mechanic and stick to it.  There are certain things on your car that need to be inspected by a professional.  Your owner’s manual will tell you the recommended maintenance schedule.

Follow these simple tips to avoid costly repairs down the road and help you avoid breakdowns in which you will need to call road service.

The government has announced to carmakers that they must get a fleet average fuel-efficiency of 35 mpg by the year 2020, however Hyundai now claims that they will hit this goal by the year 2015, which is five years earlier.

How will the Korean company hit this goal? Hyundai doesn’t just plan to move forward on developing new hybrid cars, but also to take an approach to its gas engines that are holistic, by discovering ways to take off a mpg here and there.

Some of the new technologies that Hyundai plans to use in its new cars include transmissions that increase efficiency, turbocharging, eight speed automatic transmissions, direct injection, integrated Stop and Go technology, and dual continuously variable valve timing. Other carmakers plan to make changes that are similar, but Hyundai has a lineup that is relatively small, with no large trucks and SUVs, so it makes it easier to make a quicker mileage jump.

Hyundai’s increased fuel-economy will make consumers happy, since gas prices have been such a concern to all. Currently, people have been pushing the limit and running out of gas often, which have put roadside assistance calls at an all time high.

Many people wonder why carmakers sell different models overseas than in the U.S.  And why it is so hard to bring a popular vehicle in Europe to the U.S.  For example, if Ford has success selling the Fiesta in Europe, which would fit the needs of Americans who are more gas conscious than ever, why not just begin shipping them to dealers in America?

The main reason is differing standards in safety.  What is acceptable in Europe doesn’t always pass the test with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  U.S. law has a requirement for crash protection for car passengers that don’t wear seat belts, however, this isn’t a priority in Europe.  Even small details, such as the color of the turn signals in the rear are a major obstacle when trying to take a car from one market to another.

A study was conducted by Ford of 43 regulations in Europe and the U.S. and discovered that there were only 11 that matched.  So, it gets to be very expensive to make an all-new version of a vehicle in order to meet different safety standards.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and American consumers have strict safety standards.  Motorists put safety at the top of their list, which is why they are buying safer cars and signing up for roadside assistance programs.  For this reason, cars in Europe aren’t always introduced to the U.S.

In a car, the heart of the cooling system is the water pump. Its purpose is to circulate engine coolant throughout the whole system, beginning with the radiator, and then to the engine and back again. The water pump is what allows your air conditioner to work when it is hot out.

The water pump gets its power from the car’s engine. It will either use a gear and chain system or belt and pulley system. The water pump generates power that then travels to a shaft with an impeller.

Then, the impeller circulates the coolant through the entire vehicle. The impeller is similar to a propeller that causes a boat to move.

The impeller and the shaft spin on a bearing that is sealed. It is essential to check this part of the water pump because it has a tendency to wear out easily. Make sure to look for leaking coolant and a strange noise. Also, know that a wet engine is a sign that your water pump should be replaced.

If you see any of these signs, make sure you replace your water pump. In addition, it is a good idea to sign up for a roadside assistance program in case you find yourself in an emergency situation. After all, you never know when your vehicle will fail.

Just like the trend that witnessed Americans canceling their Memorial Day and Fourth of July travel plans, the last summer holiday will have an estimated 0.9% decrease in travel in comparison to last year.

According to AAA, the decrease in vacation travel for Labor Day is the biggest in the last eight years. This drop is a reflection on the high gas prices and larger economic trends. Fuel prices are currently about $3.70 a gallon, which is 33% higher than at the same time last year. In addition, with a rise in prices of basic commodities, travel appears to be a luxury that not a lot of Americans can afford.

The number of Americans traveling in cars will drop to 28.64 million, which is a decrease of 1.1% from last year. The most difficult news is for the already struggling airline industry, which will experience a decline of 4.5% in air travel.

Maybe you’re one of the lucky ones who can afford to take a road trip this Labor Day weekend. If so, you will pretty much have the roads to yourself. However, you never want to leave home without a good roadside assistance program. After all, you can’t predict when your car will breakdown.

Drivers who are fuel-conscious now have a new innovative way to calculate their vehicle’s mileage and compare their mileage to other drivers’. Also, motorists will be able to devise ways that they can improve their own fuel-economy.

A new website, called fuelly.com, allows you to put your car in their system by entering details about your car. For example, by imputing your vehicle’s year, and make and model, they will track your gas mileage, gas expenditures, how your car compares to estimates by the EPA, and also how much you could save by using different ways to improve your gas mileage.

One helpful feature is that you are able to see how your vehicle compares to vehicles that identical. Then, if your gas mileage is significantly worse it will tell you some things. For example, maybe you have poor driving habits when it comes to burning gas, or maybe your tires aren’t inflated like they should be, or it’s time to replace your air filter. Whatever it may be, fuelly.com could be a valuable warning system. In addition, if you own a mobile device, you can update the website remotely.

We all dread paying the high fuel costs, even to the point where we run out of gas and have to call for roadside assistance. However, by using fuelly.com, you can now improve your fuel-efficiency by being aware of your poor driving habits.

A big alteration in the auto industry is on the way. Electric cars and plug-in hybrids are coming, and we have been asking for a while: When will they arrive? However, now a question more appropriate would be: Is America ready?

At the Institute of Transportation Studies, located within the University of California, this question has been the topic of research.

What they have found is cause for concern. First, they discovered that a large obstacle to acceptance of these cars is a lack in consumer education. Motorists just don’t have a lot of knowledge about plug-ins, or they get the information confused with already available hybrids. Car shoppers may not even understand what the benefits are of having plug-in vehicles, including the gas savings that they will receive.

Next, approximately half of households in the U.S. don’t have the infrastructure that will support plug-in cars. For example, look at Chicago residents. A citizen who lives in an apartment could really benefit from a car that could drive 40 miles without needing any gas. However, a person such as this wouldn’t have any garage access, which would mean they wouldn’t have a way to recharge the vehicle.

According to the study, only one-third of households wanting to buy a new car had the infrastructure necessary and an interest in hybrid or plug-in cars. This is definitely an obstacle for the mainstream success of plug-ins and electric cars. After all, a lot of people would be making calls for roadside assistance without an infrastructure to be able to recharge their cars.