Emergency Auto Assistance

An electric recharging station is going to be added to the affluent suburb of Lake Oswego in Oregon.  Local leaders believe that adding this station downtown will draw people into the area.  Portland General Electric will be working with the city in hopes of creating a network of similar stations.

At the moment, there are only 270 electric cars that are registered in Oregon, but with cars like the Chevy Volt, and electric Toyota, Chrysler, and Ford vehicles; stations like these may become more common.  It hasn’t been mentioned whether it will be free to charge, but the electricity is being supplied by renewable sources, although the specific type- solar, wind, etc. isn’t stated.

The main drawback is that charging a vehicle with electricity takes a lot of time.  For instance, GM claims that it will take the Chevy Volt about four hours to recharge with a high-voltage outlet.  Ideally, stations such as these would be placed near local businesses where commuters could recharge their cars during their workday.

Unfortunately, electric charging stations aren’t available anywhere else in the U.S., so people are apprehensive to purchase these cars for fear that they will end up calling for emergency roadside assistance when their car dies.

To avoid having to call for emergency roadside assistance, maintain your car.  There are a lot of motorists driving around with poorly maintained cars, and many of them find themselves stranded on the side of the road calling for road service.  To avoid this situation follow these simple tips.

Many people drive with very low tire pressure.  It used to be that gas stations would check tire pressure when you filled up your tank, but those days are gone.  Tires that are under inflated cause additional wear in tires and make your car get poor gas mileage.  It can be like driving with the parking brake on.  Check your owner’s manual for the proper tire pressure.

Also, be on the lookout for alignment problems.  If you sense a change in the steering, your vehicle probably needs to be aligned.  Many times there is a symbol on the steering wheel.  Make sure that the symbol is completely straight.  To avoid alignment problems, avoid potholes.

The most important thing that you can do for your car is changing your oil on a regular basis.  Generally, you want to change your oil every 3,000 miles.  However, if you use synthetic oil you can wait a little longer in between your oil changes.

Following these simple tips can keep you on the road and help you avoid being stranded.  Of course, you never want to leave home without a phone number for your road service program, because you never know when your car will fail.

Motorists are realizing that today’s vehicles are able to withstand more demands than ever.  There are a variety of vehicles on the road that are durable and reliable.  So, what cars are going to keep you from calling for emergency auto assistance?

Honda is always a sure thing because they put out cars that are known for safety and reliability.  Also, their vehicles experience few problems and minimal repairs.  The Honda Odyssey is a great example, which is ranked as the #1 durable vehicle.  Also on the list are the Honda Civic, Pilot, CRV, and Accord.

There are some small SUVs that are also known for being durable.  These are the Subaru Forester and the Volvo XC90.  Two models in this category that offer luxury in addition to durability are the Audi A4 and the Acura RDX.

These vehicles make the list of the most durable vehicles because of safety ratings, performance, and lack of complaints.  Anyone who is thinking of purchasing a new vehicle would feel peace of mind in these cars.  Of course, you never want to leave home without a road service program in case of circumstances that are unforeseen.

Hybrid cars are becoming more and more popular.  With high fuel prices and the poor economy, we need to save on costs.  In fact, many people are putting off filling up their tanks to avoid spending money and finding themselves calling for emergency roadside assistance. Global warming and the air quality also make it a good time to take the plunge.  But, which hybrid should you purchase?  Here are some factors to consider.

First of all, determine the size of vehicle that you need.  If you need a lot of cargo room and really want an SUV, there are many hybrids to choose from.  However, you have to realize that even the SUVs that are the most fuel-efficient hybrids aren’t going to be as fuel-efficient as standard gas powered sedans, because of their size, as well as the size of their engines.

Also, you need to consider style.  Some motorists claim that the Toyota Prius is the most ugly thing they have ever seen, while others love it.  And people who are environmentally minded like the style of the Prius because it calls attention to itself being a ‘green’ car.  However, if you like a more conventional car style, you might be happy with the Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, or Ford Escape.

It is time to stop relying on fossil fuels, and hybrid cars are a good way to do that. The type of hybrid you decide on is up to you, so make sure to do your homework and determine which hybrid will suit you the best.  In addition, make sure you find a good road service program that will protect you in case of breakdowns.  After all, you never know when you will find yourself stranded on the side of the road.

Many drivers are leery about buying a used car because they are afraid of inheriting old problems that a vehicle may have.  Unfortunately, this instinct is sometimes correct.  If you were considering buying a used car, it would be worth your while to place a call to the Better Business Bureau.

The Better Business Bureau claims they get tons of complaints from drivers who have purchased used cars, just to discover that their car breaks down three weeks later.  Placing this call can keep you from having to call for emergency roadside assistance.

The large amount of consumer complaints has led the Better Business Bureau to make a buyer beware packet and a presentation that will explain things you should know before you buy a car.  Things on the list include buyers’ rights, things you should check out, and things to ask for in writing.  Also, fuel-efficiency should be a consideration when purchasing a pre-owned car because of high fuel prices.

It’s unfortunate that some people experience breakdowns not long after buying a used car.  In order to protect yourself, it is essential that you have a road service program in case of breakdowns.

Two laws that have been in place since 1988 in all 50 states are receiving new acclaim for lessening fatalities due to drunken-driving.

A recent study in Accident Analysis and Prevention in July has recognized that the drinking age increase to age 21 has reduced the ratio of deaths due to drunken-driving by at least 11%. Also, making fake ID possession illegal and suspending the person’s driver’s license has lessened fatalities by an additional 7%.

While in all 50 states it’s illegal for people to use a fake ID to buy alcohol, a driver’s-license sanction isn’t always the punishment. This study suggests that if a law such as this were to be national and linked to highway funds, which are done with the designated drinking age being 21, deaths would decline even more.

Occasionally, there has been talk of making the legal drinking age 18, because soldiers have fought in the Iraq war, but can’t drink a beer. However, according to the AAP study, making the drinking age 21 has reduced drunken driving deaths drastically.

According to the AAP study, making the drinking age 21 has been a crucial step in reducing accidents and emergency roadside assistance calls due to drunk drivers. Also apparent is that national driver’s license sanctions would lower deaths even more.

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 have you calling for emergency roadside assistance.

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.  In addition, make sure that you have a road service program in case of an emergency.  You don’t want to find yourself stranded in your car at night.

The perks of purchasing a used car are the low initial price, property taxes, and insurance costs. The “downs” are that it isn’t new, which means there’s no auto warranty and you are more vulnerable to car problems. However, you can reduce your exposure to risk by taking these precautionary measures.

First, shop for used vehicles that are newer, which might still have a portion of their new car warranties left. Most late model cars have three-year/ 36,000-mile basic auto warranty coverage, so you could get a year of coverage if you look for cars less than three years old. Otherwise, you should purchase an auto warranty to cover your used vehicle.

Next, check the background of the make and model car that you are looking at. Go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations website to check out recall and safety information. Also, it never hurts to take a look at Consumer Reports to see if the particular car you like is problematic.

Also, you should always have a mechanic look at the car you are thinking of buying. This will let you know if the vehicle has been well maintained or has any major problems.

Used cars are a great option for people who don’t want to pay for the instant depreciation associated with new cars. Just make sure to protect yourself by doing your research and purchasing an auto warranty and auto road service.

In the last few years drivers over 70 years old have managed to lower the number of fatal car crashes they were occupied in. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported that from 1997-2006 there was a 21% decline in accidents that proved fatal for this age group. This is a complete reversal of what seemed to be a trend moving steadily upward.

This occurred despite the fact that the amount of elderly people in the country is increasing by 10% in this time period. Their significant decline in accidents that are fatal outpaced their younger counterparts, even though they added 2 million more drivers and greatly increased the number of miles they traveled.

IIHS suspected that the exact opposite would happen. Past accidents and fatalities that elderly drivers were responsible for were growing, which made it necessary for there to be laws allowing elderly impairments to be monitored.

There have been several justifications have been given for this new trend, including elderly people keeping themselves more fit and cars that are being made safer.

Unfortunately, you never know when you will be involved in an accident, so it is important to protect yourself by purchasing cars that are rated high for safety and signing up for an emergency roadside assistance program.

Vehicle safety and maintenance is about performing all of the little things right, like replacing your windshield wipers frequently.  A simple task such as this could save you from an accident or help you avoid calling for emergency roadside assistance.   And, purchasing a quality pair of windshield wipers will only cost you $10, according to Consumer Reports.

Three out of the four blades that Consumer Reports rated on top were actually some of the least expensive.  Included in these were the Michelin RainForce, which were $7 for the 18-inch, the Valeo 600 series, which were $9 for the 18-inch, and Anco 31 Series, which were $7 for the 18-inch.

It’s a good thing that good windshield wipers are cheap because they should be replaced fairly often.  According to the report, even blades that are top-rated will degrade after six to nine months of regular use.

If you’re interested in buying the top-of-the-line windshield wipers, you will want the RainX Latitude because those were the only wipers that maintained a “Very Good” performance rating throughout the entire six months of testing.  However, for those you will have to pay $17 for the 18-inch.