Road Service

Regardless of the year or make, one of the biggest investments people will make is a vehicle.  Buying a used car is a great way for consumers to save some money.  However, risks can be higher, which is why an auto warranty and roadside assistance should be purchased for the car.  Fortunately, there are ways that buyers can recognize the difference between dependable used cars and lemons.

The safest thing to do is to have the car that you are looking to buy checked out by a licensed mechanic.  However, there are some things that you can do on your own.

For instance, bring a soft magnet from your refrigerator to determine if there is damage underneath a new coat of paint.  You can run the magnet all along the fenders and doors, which are steel.  If it seems that the magnet won’t stick, there is probably a type of body filler under the paint.

Also, examine the inside of the vehicle for stains from water.  If the car was damaged in a flood, it could mean trouble in years to come.  You also want to look at the wear on the pedals of the vehicle.  It should be consistent with what the mileage claims to be.  If there is low mileage, there should be little wear on the pedals.

Don’t forget to examine the tires of the vehicle, too.  If you see wear on the outside edges of the tires, the car is probably out of alignment or might have components that are worn-out.

Knowing what to look for in a used vehicle will bring you peace of mind about your purchase.  Also, make sure you have a good road service program in case of an emergency.

Modern cars provide safety for adults, but it is up to parents to provide the special protection needed for children.  However, there are many different types of Child seats out there today, which can make it confusing for adults to know what to choose for their child.  There are three different types of seats.

Infant car seats are designed to be rear facing.  These seats are for infants that weigh less than 20 pounds and are less than one year old.  One advantage to this seat is that you can unclip it from its base and carry your baby in it.

Convertible seats offer versatility.  These seats can be used with infants that are rear facing, or children less than 40 pounds that are forward facing.  You can purchase these seats in various configurations; so make sure you do your homework to secure your child correctly.  These seats are cost effective because with this type of seat you don’t ever have to purchase an infant seat.

Booster seats are intermediate seats between the infant or convertible seat and a seat belt.  These seats are designed for kids between 40-65 pounds and face forward.  These seats come in low-back and high-back models.  You don’t want to buy a low-back type if you have a child whose head is above the top of the back.

Don’t get overwhelmed with the child safety seat options.  Do your homework so you know what to look at when you go to the store.  It is important for you to be responsible for your child’s safety.  This includes purchasing an appropriate car seat and having a road service program so that you don’t find yourself stranded on the side of the road with your child.

Some people think of used cars as being dirty, junky and old.  But a different market is making savvy buyers who are looking for updated vehicles pay attention.  The bonus is that these cars don’t have the sticker price of new cars.

Certified pre-owned cars have undergone rigid inspections and been refurbished by their manufacturer.  Also enticing is that they are backed with an extended auto warranty.  Automakers are realizing that they can’t ignore the certified vehicle market.

A recent study shows that certified pre-owned car sales have gone up 46% since the year 2000.  It is estimated that 1.5 million certified used vehicles are sold yearly, which is equivalent to approximately 10 % of the sales of new cars.

So what are the best and worst certified pre-owned cars to purchase?  Forbes.com has put out a list to help consumers make a good purchase.

At the top of the list of the best CPO cars are Honda Accord and Toyota 4Runner.  Following is the Acura TL, and Subaru Impreza.  Also, the Lexus GS tops the list.

Cars on the worst list are the Saturn Relay, and Jeep Grand Cherokee.  Also, the Volkswagen New Beetle, Pontiac G6, and Mercedes Benz E Class make the list.

Certified pre-owned can be a great way to purchase an updated vehicle without the updated cost.  Another perk is that they come with an extended auto warranty.  Just remember to keep in mind the best and worst CPO car lists when considering a purchase and always sign up for road service.

Unfortunately, drunk driving is a common practice that is responsible for thousands of car accidents and calls for emergency roadside assistance every year.  Ideally, motorists should take responsibility and not get behind the wheel after drinking, but this doesn’t always happen.

Toyota has taken this matter seriously.  Currently, they are in the process of developing a system for vehicles in which cars are able to detect if a driver is drunk.  If the vehicle detects that the motorist is trying to drive while intoxicated it will shut down the car automatically.

Vehicles that have this detection system will have sweat sensors on the steering wheel, which detect abnormal alcohol levels in a person’s bloodstream.  The car won’t even start if there are high alcohol levels in the driver.

This system will also become affective if abnormal steering is detected, or if a camera determines that the pupils of the driver’s eyes aren’t focused.  The vehicle will then slowly come to a stop.

Toyota hopes to have cars equipped with this system by late 2009.  Drivers may want a good auto warranty to cover technology such as this.

Nissan Motor has also experimented with devices similar to breathalyzers that can detect drunken drivers.  Other technologies that are similar, like alcohol ignition interlocks, are already being used in the U.S. and other countries.

Toyota and Nissan have taken a step in the right direction.  Hopefully, these new car safety features will cut down on auto accidents and road service calls.

Today drivers encounter many distractions.  People are talking on cell phones, playing with gadgets on their dashboard, tuning the radio, etc.  If you see a car in front of you slowing down and speeding up randomly, chances are the driver is distracted.  What to do?  Drive defensively.

According to the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety, driving is a full-time job.  They found that 94% of motorists admitted to engaging in distracting activities, such as tending to their children, tuning the radio, and eating.  They also found that 39% of the activities were distracting were while drivers were working.  Also alarming is that between 25-50 percent of accidents occur because of driver distractions.

Automakers are adding more and more gadgets and entertainment systems to new vehicles, which means that people are going to get even more distracted driving.  People will be looking at navigation systems, MP3 players and DVDs, leading to more accidents.  The best thing that drivers can do to protect themselves against distracted motorists is steer clear from them if possible.  In addition, have a road service program just in case of an accident.  You don’t want to end up stranded on the side of the road somewhere because of someone else’s mistakes.

Roads often seem like they are war-zones.  Motorists encounter ruts, potholes, and icy roads that can be dangerous.  Just being aware of bad road conditions can help drivers protect themselves.  Here are a few tips that can help you avoid accidents.

Be on the lookout for nasty potholes.  If you encounter a pothole, slow down and keep your hands on the wheel.  Hitting a pothole hard might put your vehicle out of alignment.  Also, it is common for steel-belted tires to endure damage, due to potholes, that could make the driver lose control.

Luckily, ruts do little damage to vehicles.  However, they do sometimes cause drivers to lose control of the car.  In this event, a car can experience a great deal of damage.

One of the most dangerous road conditions is a sheet of ice.  Many accidents are the result of cars slipping on ice.  If the roads are very icy, it is best to avoid driving.  However, in the event that you must drive, go slow and allow enough distance in between you and the car in front of you.

Sometimes drivers can’t foresee bad road conditions.  All motorists can do is drive defensively and make sure you have a road service program that can assist you in case of an emergency.

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.

It’s that time again when students all over the country are taking road trips for spring break.  Chances are that most of these people are headed towards warm, beach weather.  So, what is an ideal ride for these students on spring break?

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a perfect spring break vehicle.  What car would look better with a surfboard on top?  This ride has a retro design that will demand stares from the opposite sex.  The floor that is rubberized, as well as the water-shedding interior will allow students to clean up easily for the ride home.

Ford’s Mustang is a blast from the past without being stuck there.  This is definitely a muscle car that has a 300 horsepower V8.  You can’t beat the Mustang for a four-seat convertible, and the price is right.  It starts at $25,060.

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is the hot vehicle of the Wrangler lineup.  It has four doors and a true back seat.  The Wrangler handles great in dirt, boulders, and more importantly, sand.  With the top down and a car full of college students, the Wrangler has a great wow factor.

These rides would make any college student proud.  However, college students need to consider safety.  While cruising around looking cool, students need to behave sensibly. Also, they should have a road service program and an auto warranty in case of unforeseen circumstances.

When a teenager turns 16 years old, they are excited to get their drivers license.  Unfortunately, teens have more driving accidents than any other age group.  For the majority of teen drivers, the question isn’t whether they are going to have an accident, but when they are going to have an accident.

Inexperience is the main reason that teenagers are vulnerable to traffic accidents.  Although 16 to 19 year olds only make up 5.3 percent of the driving population in our nation, they’re involved in 13.3 percent of all of the traffic accidents and 11 percent of crashes that are fatal.

One program aimed to protect teenagers is “graduated licensing”.  Although the age of licensing is the same, full privileges come gradually.

The program begins with a learner’s permit.  Next, is the intermediate stage, in which teens can drive during the daytime alone, and in the evening they can drive between 9 p.m-6 a.m. with a licensed driver.  Then, the advanced stage comes. This is when teens can drive with no restrictions.

The graduated licensing program is a good step to ensure that our teens remain safe.  However, teens need to protect themselves with a road service program just in case they get into trouble.  This will give them peace of mind in an emergency situation.

With the poor economy, motorists are looking a little more closely at used cars.  The National Automobile Dealers Association reports that last year the average cost of a used vehicle was around $15,000, while it was $29,000 for new vehicles.

While you want to purchase a pre-owned car that has a solid reputation for dependability, it’s even more beneficial to purchase a used vehicle that consumers find less popular, because it has already depreciated rapidly.

Many people believe that the best new vehicles make the best used vehicles, which is true in general.  However, often these cars depreciate at a slower rate, which makes them popular as new vehicles, but means they cost more as used vehicles.

According to Kelly Blue Book, the vehicle brands that depreciate the slowest are Mini, Scion, Volkswagen, BMW, and Honda.

Instead of purchasing those models, consider other brands that have high reliability scores, but depreciate more quickly and can save you thousands of dollars.  Domestic brands are good to consider, such as Dodge, Ford, and Chevrolet.  These will get you a bargain.

If you want to save money by buying a used car, consider depreciation. You can get a good bargain by buying reliable, more rapidly depreciating models, and buy used car warranties to give you peace of mind.  In addition, a road service program is always a good idea.