Auto Roadside Assistance Blog

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.

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.

Ford just claimed that their exterior graphics have proven so popular that customizable decals will be offered for all of its vehicles by late summer.

Decals include flames, camo, stripes, flowers and dots- the various designs that make people think of their cars as unique.  Ford decided to latch on to this idea when all of the graphics became popular with people test driving the Fiesta.  In fact, 70% of consumers chose graphics for these cars.  Fordcustomgraphics.com, which is Ford’s graphics website, has gotten over 10,000 hits.

Jim Abraham (Ford spokesman), recently said to the Detroit Free Press that he believes this trend is due to many young people wanting to “customize products ranging from iPhones to cars.”

Graphics will initially be offered on the Mustang and F-150 later this month and will then bring out designs for its remaining cars by the end of the summer.  The graphics will range in price from $200 to $1,200 and will be affixed permanently to the body panels.

Consumers are growing more and more concerned with recent trends, but also take security in things that are tried and true, such as an auto warranty and roadside assistance.

After a vehicle accident, it is as important to find the right auto body shop, as it is to find the right contractor for home repairs.  You can have your road service program tow your vehicle directly to the repair shop that you choose.

There are over 34,000 auto body shops in the nation, which makes choosing the right one confusing.

Insurance companies often make recommendations, yet drivers are ultimately responsible for choosing the auto body repair shop.  To get the best result, motorists need to find a shop that is trustworthy and does quality work.

The National Auto Body Council and the CBBB have joined to offer consumers some much needed tips on choosing the right auto body shop, finding a deal on a rental car, and settling disputes.

To find a trustworthy repair shop, first inquire about the shop’s qualifications.  You can do this by asking questions about advanced technician training.  There are national organizations that you can find this out from such as I-CAR or ASE certification.

The average car will be worked on for about two weeks, so you will need to find a rental car.  Many times the shop will make arrangements for you if you ask them, or for a few dollars a month you can have a rental covered under your insurance.

Finally, make sure to get everything in writing.  You need an estimate of the price of the repairs to be performed.  Also, reputable shops might offer an auto warranty on their work.

Why is it so hard to bring a popular vehicle in Europe to the U.S?  Many people wonder why carmakers sell different models overseas than in the U.S.

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.

Many people believe it is easiest to trade in your current car when buying a new one.  However, is trading the right choice for you?  There are some advantages and disadvantages to trading.

The big advantage to trading over selling is that you have very little hassle.  You don’t have to haggle with buyers and you get rid of your car quickly.  However, the fact is that you aren’t going to get as much for your car if you trade it in.

Any used vehicle has a specific retail value.  If a dealership is going to sell that vehicle, they will have certain expenses, such as fixing dents and scrapes, cleaning it, and just overhead costs of running their business.  Therefore, the dealership has to sell it for a little more than a private owner would.

Since dealers need to make a good profit on used vehicles, they purchase them for less than the retail value.  When the dealership takes a trade in vehicle, they are essentially purchasing it from the new car customer, and at a price below the retail value.  Essentially, this is called the trade in value.

Although trading in your car is easier than going through the hassle of trying to sell your car privately, you are going to get less money for your vehicle.  If you sell your vehicle on your own, you can put the extra money you get towards important things such as an auto warranty and roadside assistance.  And with used vehicles, used car warranties are a smart choice.

Car shoppers are always questioning whether they should lease or buy.  But, here’s another question for shoppers: Will you even be able to lease your next vehicle?

U.S. carmakers’ financial subsidiaries have had to cut back on their leasing program, because of lower used-car values, especially with large vehicles.

Based on reports of poor earnings, Chrysler is completely abandoning leasing, and GM and Ford are making it hard for people to arrange leases through financial subsidiaries.

In fact, all carmakers are trying not to rely on leasing because it harms a profit picture that is already bleak.

The reason that this trend is continuing is because of the high risks and costs of leasing compared with regular cash and APR business.

Even foreign carmakers are considering following the lead of domestics, although for now they still offer leases.

But, the original question of should you lease still remains.  The domestic carmakers are going to make it so expensive to lease that you should probably avoid it.  Instead, purchase new or used with an auto warranty and roadside assistance to protect you in case of unforeseen repairs down the road.

When some people think of pre-owned vehicles, they visualize dirty, old, junky cars.  But there is another market, certified pre-owned cars, which are making savvy buyers take notice.

Certified pre-owned vehicles have had thorough inspections and refurbishing.  This eliminates the concern about reliability that often goes along with purchasing a used car.  Also, certified pre-owned cars are backed by an extended auto warranty and auto road service. These benefits are hard to pass up.  Automakers understand that they shouldn’t ignore the popularity of the certified car market.

A recent study revealed that since 2000, certified pre-owned sales have risen 46%.  In fact, approximately 1.5 million of these cars are sold every year.  That is the equivalent to around 10% of new car sales.

How do you know the best and worst certified pre-owned vehicles to buy?  Forbes.com has a list that will assist motorists in making a good purchase.

The Honda Accord and Toyota 4Runner come in at the top of the list.  Next, is the Acura TL, followed by the Subaru Impreza.  The Lexus GS also comes in high on the list.

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

Certified pre-owned vehicles offer an updated car without the updated price.  Also key is that they come with an auto warranty.

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 there has been 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.

Modern vehicles are designed safer to survive accidents and keep passengers safe.  Virtually all automakers include emergency kits installed by the factory.  This is either due to competitive pressure or government regulations.  Most of the roadside kits include reflective markers, jumper cables, and flashlights.  These kits typically deal with mechanical and accident breakdowns.

Today’s automobiles endure unique conditions.  There is an increase in natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, fires, etc.  Other emergencies include major accidents, snowstorms, and mechanical breakdowns, which all leave motorists stranded.

This is why it is necessary to be prepared in an emergency situation.  Motorists need to have emergency kits, first aid kits, and most importantly, a roadside assistance program.  In any emergency, drivers are left vulnerable, and knowing that help is only a phone call away leaves drivers with peace of mind.  It is simple to take these precautions, and they can literally save your life.