Auto Roadside Assistance Blog

Every year there are more than 10,000 vehicle accidents in the nation and approximately 450 people die as a result of the collision.  Many of these accidents can be avoided by having routine maintenance performed on your car.

The vehicle is by far the most popular means of transportation in the U.S.  In fact, 91% of adults in our country own, or have owned a car.

Before you hit the road again, check the following parts of your car to make sure that they are operating properly.

First, take a look at your tires.  Many people neglect to check their tires and end up with blowouts.  Make sure that your air levels are good.  You can reference your owner’s manual to find out what the right level should be.  Also, you want to make sure that there aren’t any leaks, low treads, or worn spots.

Next, change your windshield wipers about twice in a year.  Your windshield is actually one of the most important parts of your car because if you can’t see the road well you are in trouble.

Brakes should be monitored to make sure they are working correctly.  If your brake pedal is moving all the way down to the floor when you step on it, have your brakes looked at by a professional.  More recent cars have a warning system to let you know if your brakes aren’t operating correctly.

Maintenance can save you from a dangerous accident and calls for auto road service.  To save your wallet, make sure you have a good auto warranty that will keep you from paying unnecessary repair costs.  You don’t want to find yourself unprepared.

We’ve all been there.  You encounter another driver who loses his temper and elicits road rage directed at you.  And the result is that you yourself become enraged.  Road rage has become a sort of cultural phenomenon that occurs all over the nation. Sometimes road rage even results in accidents that require roadside assistance.

People living in major metropolitan areas on the east or west coast elicit the worst road rage.  Drivers in the Northwest or Midwest tend to be more laid back and don’t experience as much road rage.  According to a study conducted nationwide, the city with the most aggressive driving is Miami, for the second year in a row.  The next worse was New York, followed by Boston, Los Angeles and Washington.  These cities experience the most traffic, and therefore, aggressive driving.

Data also shows that it isn’t just the increase in the number of drivers that is responsible for road rage; it is the increase in the age of drivers.  The senior population is the fastest growing demographic in the nation, which means seniors need to be able to adjust to aggressive drivers and crowded roadways.

There are several things that all drivers can do to avoid road rage.  First of all, people shouldn’t offend other drivers.  This includes tailgating, cutting people off, and making gestures.  In addition, drivers who are at risk for rage should take a minute to adjust their attitudes and put themselves in the shoes of other drivers.

One of the worst things that can happen to a motorist is getting into your car just to find that you have a dead battery.  At this moment people realize the importance of a good road service program, however, some motorists may not be covered by this.  But, the best thing to do is detect that your battery is weak before there is a problem.  In order to do this, you can use The Intelligent Battery Sensor, which will give a warning if the battery is run down due to age.  It is able to do this by determining what the charge status of the battery is.

Approximately one-third of car breakdowns are because of empty batteries.  This happens often in today’s cars because car batteries have added responsibilities.  For example, they must power all of the new electronics available, such as safety features, navigation devices, and luxury features.  This is why The Electronic Battery Sensor by Continental is so beneficial.

The new battery sensor may be small, but it provides a large job.  It allows drivers to know when it is necessary to change their batteries, which will cut down on the amount of motorists who are stranded.  However, it is always a good idea to have roadside assistance in case of unforeseen breakdowns because technology is never full proof.

Smart cars are becoming more and more popular because of the downsizing trend.  But many consumers have reservations about the safety of this car because of its 8 feet long, 5 feet tall dimensions.  So how does the Smart car measure up in safety?

According to crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Smart car received the highest rating possible in side and front crashes and the second highest in rear crashes.  The Smart car comes standard with front-end airbags on the passenger and driver side.

Also, motorists can feel good knowing that the Smart Car is made by Mercedes.  The Mercedes name has earned consumers trust, and they have always had excellent safety.

In the Smart Car the passengers are essentially sitting on top of a roll cage.  This is an iron frame that surrounds the car and provides a buffer zone in crashes.

Although the Smart Car has excellent safety features, the IIHS reminds consumers that cars are ranked in their class, determined by the size and weight of the vehicle.  This means that the Smart Car is in the top of its class, but this doesn’t mean that the car is as safe as vehicles in other classes.

Consumers are taking safety into their own hands by purchasing safe cars and signing up for roadside assistance programs.  The Smart Car is a great choice for its class based on its safety features.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners recently performed a study to determine what the best and worst states are in the country for auto insurance.  According to the study, you are paying the highest insurance premiums if you live in the Northeast.

New Jersey proved to be the most expensive state.  On average, premiums in New Jersey are over $1,300 yearly.  The capital of our nation, Washington D.C. was the second highest, with average yearly premiums of $1,185.  New York was third highest with $1,110 being the average premium.

Revealed in the study was that urban driving, high salaries, and a lot of traffic are responsible for elevated costs in those states.  In addition, liability insurance premium costs are higher in the Northeast.

Midwestern and Northern states proved to have the lowest insurance premium costs.  The overall lowest was Idaho with costs at $530 per year.  The next lowest was Maine at $560 a year, and North Dakota was $570 per year.

According to this study, your location is a key factor in determining your car insurance costs.  Today, consumers are paying more than they ever have for their vehicles.  These costs include insurance, roadside assistance, and maintenance costs.

If you are shopping for vehicles, you may realize that some cars cost more because of the paint job.  Paint can add an extra expense of up to $1,000.  This can feel like a big expense after factoring in other vehicle expenses, such as maintenance and roadside assistance.  It’s difficult for people to believe that a fancy yellow paint job can cost an extra $1,000.  The big question is will you get back that extra money when it is time to put your car up for sale?

Most people don’t realize that a paint job involves more than just a spray can, like in years past.  Clearcoat and metallic finishes require multistage operations.  This means that operations have a greater expense on the assembly line.

However, car manufacturers have figured out a new way to make profit.  They hike up the cost of some of their distinct colors.

When it is all said and done, fancy paint colors will only tack on a minimal value when it comes time to sell your vehicle.  Also, beware, because some of the more obscure colors can actually lessen the value of your car.  Keep in mind that the most popular colors on a vehicle are shades of gray.

Unless you are actually a mechanic yourself, it may require a leap of faith to deal with a repair shop.  However, paying attention to your mechanic’s actions can give you clues to their honesty.  Here are some things to look out for.

If your mechanic says you need to flush your engine right away, or it will go bad, he might be padding your bill.  Some shops will recommend procedures that aren’t necessary.  Also, they may want you to schedule tasks that are premature.  Pay attention to your owner’s manual for maintenance schedules.

Also, you don’t want to go to a shop that makes every repair recommendation sound like an emergency.  This is a scare tactic for consumers who aren’t mechanically inclined.

If your mechanic tells you the new fuel injectors didn’t fix it, so you will need a new fuel pump, you are dealing with a parts replacer.  This is a mechanic who is rebuilding your vehicle because he is unable to diagnose the problem.  This is one reason an auto warranty is essential.

It can be hard for motorists to know which mechanics are trying to “take them for a ride”, however, there are a few things that you can do to protect yourself.  First of all, make sure you have an auto warranty so you aren’t paying unnecessary repair costs.  Secondly, get yourself a good auto road service program, and thirdly, follow these tips to see if your mechanic is acting honestly.

Honda is known for its safety, and is trying to keep its reputation by developing an airbag that is new and improved.  The airbag will provide drivers with additional safety in the event of an accident.

The key components to Honda’s i-SRS airbag are a gas release control valve that allows the airbag to be deployed faster and makes an overall longer inflation period, and a spiraling seam within the design.  Honda claims that this protection is more effective for the driver in the case of severe impacts and increases safety in various types of accidents.

The new i-SRS airbag will first appear in the Life minicar, which is going to be released in November in Japan.  So far, it hasn’t been announced when the technology will make it to vehicles in the U.S.

Consumers are more concerned than ever with safety, which is one reason that Honda vehicles are so popular.  People are trying to protect themselves by purchasing safe vehicles with new car warranties and a road service program that will provide them peace of mind.

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.

Many people are excited about the inexpensive Honda Insight hybrid. The 2010 Insight begins at $19,800.  That price will buy you the LX trim level and doesn’t include a destination charge of $670.  The mileage on this car is rated 40 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway.

The LX trim level includes standard features, such as a steering wheel that tilts and telescopes, power windows and a CD player.  The EX, which is the next level up, will cost you $21,300 and will give you steering wheel shift paddles, stability control, a stereo system with six-speakers that has USB input and side mirrors that are heated.

Navigation is an option in the aptly named EX with Navi trim level, which starts at $23,100.

Drivers are looking for ways to save money, and the 2010 Honda Insight offers car shoppers an inexpensive car that provides reliability.  Of course, with any car purchase you should protect yourself with a roadside assistance program just in case of an emergency situation.