Roadside Assistance Program

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there continues to be a decline in the amount of miles driven by Americans.  In fact, in comparison to June of 2007, motorists in America drove 12.2 billion less miles in June of this year, which is a 4.7% decline.

Realize, however, that the Department of Transportation has tracked motorists’ mileage only through June 30th, and fuel prices didn’t hit their peak until July 17th, when they hit $4.11 a gallon.  Now that the fuel prices have fallen, it is to be determined whether these new driving habits will be abandoned, or if the gas spike during the summer will be representative of a change in American driving that will be more permanent.

It is also important to remember that the peak-driving season is in the summer.  People take family vacations, take weekend road trips and get in their car more often than they normally would. In fact, there are more roadside assistance calls in summer months than the rest of the year.  It could be that motorists will continue skimping on car travel that is unnecessary, or if fuel prices keep declining, the 2008 summer may just turn into an unpleasant memory that people will soon forget.

You can get SUVs in a large variety of sizes and prices. They give you more versatility than any other kind of vehicle. They allow different options for carrying cargo, will hold up to eight people, and allow people to be higher up off of the road. Also, they can handle off-road terrain. SUVs come in car based and truck based options. Which one is for you?

Car based SUVs are becoming more and more popular. They are on unibody platforms that are car-like. Also, they have a completely independent suspension, and feature all-wheel drive. In addition, they often have better fuel-efficiency and handle and ride comfortably. Finally, they rate highest in CR testing.

SUVs that are truck-based have a body on frame platform. They usually have a large towing capacity and can tackle difficult terrain. However, handling these vehicles can be more difficult and cumbersome. Also, they can sometimes have a jolting ride.

SUVs are a terrific option if you need a lot of cargo space, a large capacity for passengers, and off road options. However, a roadside assistance program is always a good idea when driving on difficult terrain.

Many people believe that hydrogen cars are like science fiction, a technology as murky as the things that drive them. However, despite some obstacles, such as producing a fueling infrastructure, the big carmakers and Uncle Sam are fans of hydrogen cars and are driving all the way across the country in a fleet of these vehicles to prove they work.

Evangelists of hydrogen left Portland, Maine to take their fleet to 31 cities throughout 18 states during this “Hydrogen Road Tour.” Although hydrogen is considered the most common element, it can be pretty difficult to find when your fuel gauge is on empty. In fact, this could keep roadside assistance companies busy because there are only 62 hydrogen stations throughout the nation. That’s why the fleet is using portable fueling stations to fuel up.

The National Hydrogen Association and the Department of Energy joined together with the Fuel Cell Partnership in putting the tour together. Their hope is to convince Americans that hydrogen is a practical fuel on the verge of commercialization. However, the technology necessary for these cars to end up on roads already exists. It is not a matter of if hydrogen powered cars will be commercially available, but when.

After an auto accident, it is very important to find an auto body shop that you can trust. You can have roadside assistance tow your car directly to the repair shop of your choice. But, with more than 34,000 auto body shops in the country, how do you know which one to choose? Here are some tips.

You can usually get recommendations from your insurance company, yet the decision of choosing an auto body shop ultimately falls on your shoulders. To ensure good results, you need to find a shop that is reputable and trustworthy.

To do this, find out about the qualifications of the repair shop. You should ask questions about advanced technician training. Also, you can consult national organizations, such as I-CAR and ASE certification.

Most cars will require approximately 2 weeks worth of work, so you will need to get a rental car. Often, the auto body shop will make arrangements for you if you ask them to, or you can pay a few extra dollars per month to have a rental car covered under you insurance policy.

Finally, you should make sure to get agreements in writing. You will need the repair shop to give you an estimate of the necessary repairs. Also, shops that are reputable often offer a warranty on their work.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re driving a couple of hours to a relative’s house or driving across country, there are some things you should do to make sure that your road trip is easy and fun. Although there are certain elements that you can’t control, such as fuel prices, there are other simple things that will save you some money.

Make sure you know the route to get to your destination. Even if your road trip is familiar, road conditions may vary due to unforeseen factors, such as construction. To avoid the wasted mileage, gas, and time that occur when you are stuck in a traffic jam, you can dial 511 to get road updates. Also, look at maps before leaving home to determine the route that is the most direct.

Stay away from driving during rush hour. Many motorists make this mistake, which can cost them hours in driving time. Getting stuck in rush hour traffic can also cost you gas money and a lot of frustration.

Make sure you take your car for a tune-up before leaving home. There’s nothing worse than being stuck on the side of the road on vacation. A lot of people avoid taking their cars in because they are afraid of repair bills. But it’s worth saving you a headache on vacation.

Finally, make sure you have a roadside assistance program. You can’t always foresee when your car will breakdown. Having a road service program will give you peace of mind so you can enjoy your trip.

High gas prices and other economy strains have caused Indiana drivers to cut back on their driving.This May, Hoosier state drivers drove 336 million fewer miles than in May of last year. This is a significant 5.3% decline.

The decline is one of the biggest decreases in a nationwide plunge, which is the biggest ever recorded for May. There were only three other states who’s drops were bigger: Michigan, with a 7.4% decline; Arkansas, with a 5.6% decline; and Rhode Island, with a 5.4% decline. Delaware and Vermont were tied with Indiana.

Throughout the nation, motorists drove 9.7 billion fewer miles this May than last May, which is a decline of 3.7%.

Normally, traffic will increase in May, which concludes with Memorial Day weekend; traditionally the start of the driving season for summer.

This trend may shift if fuel prices drop, but for now motorists are concerned with protecting their wallets. They are doing this by purchasing smaller cars, signing up for a roadside assistance program, and cutting back on their miles.

When motorists think of seasonal driving problems, they tend to think of winter dangers, such as sleet, snow and ice.  But winter months are not the only time that seasonal scares affect cars.

Also of great threat are sizzling summer months.  In the heat, lubricants and fluids break down at a more rapid pace, and tires endure more stress.  In hot weather, it is extremely important to regularly have your car serviced.  If you don’t do this, high gas prices won’t be your only menace; you’ll find yourself stranded calling for roadside assistance.

The California Department of Consumer Affairs, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that motorists look at their car owner’s manuals and follow the maintenance schedules religiously.  In addition, they feel it’s important for people to put their vehicles through a safety inspection.

This is even more imperative for drivers planning a road trip this summer.  Of course, it’s a good idea to have a road service program in case of emergencies, but you shouldn’t be relying on this as your only protective measure.

Do you realize that a seat belt alone won’t protect your child in a car accident?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, correctly using a child safety seat will reduce your child’s risk of being killed in a vehicle accident by 54% for a toddler, and 71% for an infant. For this reason, all 50 states require child safety restraints by law.

But when purchasing a child safety seat, many parents become confused by all of the choices on the market. The NHSTA recently did a study revealing that 72% of parents don’t know how to properly use child safety seats. Which is why the NHSTA developed guidelines called the “4 Steps for Kids” to help parents. They are as follows:

1. Make sure infants stay in the back seat facing back until they reach the height and weight requirements for the seat they are using.
2. Children should ride in forward-facing seats in the back seat until they reach the upper height and weight requirements of the seat (around 4 yrs old and 40 pounds).
3. Children should be in booster seats in the back seat after outgrowing their forward-facing seats. This should continue until car seat belts fit the children properly (around 8 yrs old or 4’9” tall).
4. Children can use regular seats belts in the back seat when they fit properly.

Parents are more concerned than ever about their children’s safety and are taking extra precautions, such as following strict car seat guidelines and signing up for a roadside assistance program in case of an emergency situation. You can never be too careful when children are involved.

Modern carmakers are making cars safer than ever with added safety features.  Almost all vehicles come equipped with emergency kits installed by the factory.  This has become common practice because of competition among carmakers and government regulations.  These kits usually have reflective markers, flashlights and jumper cables.  These kits help motorists be more able to deal with mechanical breakdowns and accidents.

Vehicles today must withstand unusual conditions.  There are more natural disasters than ever, such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, fires, etc.  And there are other emergencies that can leave motorists on the side of the road calling for road service, such as breakdowns, accidents, and snowstorms.

This is why it is necessary for drivers to prepare themselves for various emergency situations.  Steps that drivers can take to protect themselves are having emergency kits, first aid kits, as well as an emergency roadside assistance program.  Drivers end up being vulnerable in any driving emergency.  Having a road service program gives motorists some much-needed peace of mind.  Just by taking these precautions you can save your life.

High new car prices and never ending waiting lists for small fuel-efficient cars like the Toyota Prius have many motorists seeking other alternatives that will allow for a significant savings at the gas pump.

Economic vehicles from the ‘90s have had a big increase in the amount of searches on websites such as Cars.com. Vehicles like the Geo Prizm and Geo Metro have seen searches by consumers rise by over 200% in the last year. The spiked interest in these fuel-efficient cars that are cheap has also caused their prices to go up. For example, Geo Metros that are from the 90’s, which are valued at approximately $1,300, are being listed for over $4,000.

Despite the popularity of these older vehicles, consumers should take precautions before purchasing them. Although people will save money on fuel, these cars will often bear more costs when it comes to reliability and safety, and have you calling for roadside assistance. This is part of the reason that these vehicles weren’t that popular when they were introduced originally. Automakers have made great improvements in safety features and construction that weren’t found in older vehicle models.

Older, fuel-efficient cars can be a great way to save money at the gas pump, but make sure you do your homework before purchasing them. Also, you should protect yourself in case of breakdowns by having a road service program.