Where You Live Could Affect How Much You Pay for Car Insurance

Where you live could greatly affect the rates your paying for insurance. This article from AOL Autos examines why insurance rates are higher in urban areas.

How exactly car insurance companies calculate rates is a mystery, but we do know that they use a closely guarded calculation weighing obvious risk indicators like driving history and age with more surprising factors, such as gender, credit score and zip code. In fact, where you live can end up costing you hundreds of dollars extra per year. 

Insurers use something called the "territorial rating system" to determine high-risk zip codes. Essentially, the more urban the zip code, the higher the risk and the higher the rates, ​according to The Guardian. If a zip code is considered high-risk than insurance premiums go up. A lot.
Drivers in urban areas can pay as much as $400 more per year than their suburban counterparts, and sometimes even more than that. Drivers in Detroit, for instance, pay the highest insurance rates in the country: $4,599 per year on average. Their neighbors only a few miles north in the suburb of Royal Oak, Michigan pay less than half that rate, according to the Noisy Neighbor tool at carinsurance.com. 

While the cities' congested roads do increase the likelihood of a crash and the greater chance of crime in urban areas increases insurers' risk, research by UCLA sociologists Michael Stoll and Paul Ong shows the increase in insurance premiums for urban drivers is higher than those costs. That means those poorer city dwellers who can ill-afford additional bills are getting hit with much higher rates than they should. That higher cost leads to more drivers lying about where they live, or, like 19 percent of Detroiters, driving uninsured. 

Since almost every state requires car insurance and ninety percent of American households own cars, there is little incentive for insurers to change their practices or make billing more transparent. For now, all we know is that some people are paying more than what seems to be necessary.

Click the link to see the full article from AOL Autos: http://aol.it/1rdyw69

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Purchasing a Car for Your Teen Driver

Will you be car shopping for your teenager anytime in the near future? If you are, the IIHS has a few tips to help you look for the safest, most cost-effective vehicle for your new driver. Help make sure you're teen is as safe as can be while they're on the road. 

The recommendations on teen vehicle choice are guided by four main principles:

• Young drivers should stay away from high horsepower. Vehicles with more powerful engines can tempt them to test the limits.

• Bigger, heavier vehicles protect better in a crash. There are no minicars or small cars on the recommended list. Small SUVs are included because their weight is similar to that of a midsize car.

• ESC is a must. This feature, which helps a driver maintain control of the vehicle on curves and slippery roads, reduces risk on a level comparable to safety belts.

• Vehicles should have the best safety ratings possible. At a minimum, that means good ratings in the IIHS moderate overlap front test, acceptable ratings in the IIHS side crash test and four or five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

In the survey of parents, the mean purchase price for a teen's vehicle was about $9,800, while the median was just $5,300. There are many options on the recommended list for under $10,000, but just three that cost less than $5,300. 

"Unfortunately, it's very difficult to get a safe vehicle for a teenager at the prices most people are paying," says Anne McCartt, IIHS senior vice president for research. "Our advice to parents would be to remember the risks teens take and consider paying a little more."

Click the link to read the full article from the IIHS: http://bit.ly/1oXXmXI

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Common Car Seat Mistakes Parents Make

The smallest error in properly securing a child's safety seat can compromise the effectiveness of the device in the event of an accident. AAA has put together a list of 12 of the biggest mistakes parents are making when installing a car seat. Read the tips here and learn how you can prevent them.

AAA has put together a list of the twelve biggest mistakes parents make when using a car seat. Some items on the list may seem like insignificant oversights, but even the smallest error in properly securing these safety devices can compromise their effectiveness in the event of a crash. 

Read on to see the mistakes parents are making and how you can prevent them from happening to you. 

1. Moving a child out of a booster seat too soon.
Seat belts are designed to fit adults, not children. Putting a child that isn't ready into an adult seat belt can result in an abdominal or neck injury in the event of a sudden stop or crash. AAA recommends keeping your child in a booster seat until they are absolutely ready to fit into adult seat belts, which usually occurs between ages eight and twelve, depending on growth and development. Children should be able to sit with their back against the seat, knees bending at the edge of the seat and feet touching the floor. The lap belt should be positioned low across their hips and upper thighs with the shoulder belt across their chest and collarbone. 

2. Not installing the car seat tightly enough.
If a car seat is installed too loosely, it can subject a child to much greater force during a crash. A car seat should not move more than one inch front-to-back or side-to-side when installed correctly. 

3. Harness straps too loose.
Having the harnesses too loose on a child is very dangerous, as they will not be properly restrained in the event of a crash. This can result in subjugation to much greater force and even ejection from the seat entirely. Harnesses should lie flat without any twists. Ensure that they are snug enough that you cannot pinch any extra material at the child's shoulder. 

4. Retainer clip (or chest clip) is too low.
The retainer clip helps keep the child secure in the car seat. If a retainer clip is too low, a child can come out of the harnesses or the hard, plastic retainer clip can cause internal damage. AAA recommends ensuring that the clip is placed at armpit level. 

5. Turning your child forward-facing too soon.
According to AAA, children in the second year of life are 5 times less likely to die or be seriously injured in a crash if they ride in a rear-facing car seat. A child should remain in a rear-facing seat until they reach the upper weight or height limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer. Once this happens, then switch to a rear-facing convertible car seat with higher height and weight limits. 

6. Allowing a child under the age of 13 to ride in the front seat.
Children under the age of 13 are almost always too small to ride in the front seat, and they can be seriously injured by air bags in the event of a crash. Be safe and do not allow a child up front until they are a teenager. 

7. Forgetting the top tether.
Neglecting to use the top tether on a car seat will subject a child's head and neck to excessive forward movement. When recommended, always use the top tether with either LATCH or seat belt installations. 

8. Adding additional toys, padding or mirrors to a child's seat.
Don't add additional stuff to a car seat, as it can interfere with the seat performing the way it was designed to during a crash. Toys and mirrors can turn into dangerous projectiles in the event of an accident, as well. AAA recommends only using products that come with the seat or are recommended by the seat manufacturer. Secure all loose items in a vehicle trunk or storage space. 

9. Installing a car seat using LATCH in the center rear seat of a vehicle (when not permitted by the manufacturer).
Most vehicles do not support LATCH in the center rear seat. Using lower anchors intended for the outboard seats could cause the whole system to fail and the car seat to be thrown in a crash. Refer to the vehicle's owner's manual and only use lower anchors in approved seating positions. 

10. Transporting unsecured, heavy items (including pets) in the vehicle.
Loose items can turn into nasty projectiles during a crash. Secure items in a trunk or other storage location. Properly restrain pets with approved devices. 

11. Installing a car seat using both LATCH and a seat belt.
More is not better in this scenario. Using more than one system to secure a car seat can put unnecessary stress on the seat, affecting its performance during a crash. 

12. Having children wear bulky coats/sweaters while buckled into a car seat.
Unapproved padding, including coats and sweaters, placed behind or under the harness can compress in a crash, resulting in slack in the harness system. AAA says that you should always place blankets or jackets over the child after the harness is snug and secure.

Click the link to read the full article at AOL Autos: http://aol.it/18upxb8

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Must-Have Tools for DIY Car Maintenance

Do you ever do car maintenance in your own garage? If you do make sure you have these tools! AOL Autos has listed tools you don't want to be without when you do DIY car maintenance:

1. Screwdrivers
Quality screwdrivers are some of the most basic tools you should buy. While you should have one medium-sized flat head screwdriver and one medium-sized Phillips screwdriver at the very least, you can often buy quality name-brand sets for less than $15 at your local home-improvement store. Having multiple sizes of screwdrivers can help you get into tight spaces, and can also prevent you from stripping delicate screw heads. 

2. Pliers
Pliers are very versatile tools with many different uses. They can be used to adjust metal parts, cut wires and grab objects in tight areas. There are many types of pliers, and they can also be purchased in sets relatively inexpensively. A decent set of three-to-six pliers can be purchased for less than $20 and will often include expandable combination pliers, needle nose pliers and wire cutters. 

3. Ratchet set
Depending on your vehicle manufacturer, you should have either a metric or SAE ratchet set. Imported vehicles tend to have metric bolts, while many domestic models tend to use SAE. Before deciding what to buy, do some research or call your dealer. Ratchet sets tend to vary tremendously in quality. While a quality consumer-grade ratchet set can cost as much as $100, it can last for many years, so consider it an investment. 

4. Wrenches
Although wrenches are used on the same types of bolts as ratchets, it's important to have both tools in the correct sizes (metric or SAE). While you can sometimes use an adjustable monkey wrench as a substitute, it's often much more convenient to have a set of different sized wrenches. These can be used on bolts that are inaccessible with a ratchet. They can also be used to hold a nut while you use a ratchet to loosen the adjoining bolt. Name brand wrench sets can often be purchased for less than $50. 

5. Allen wrenches
Many modern vehicles also require Allen, or "hex," wrenches. These are L-shaped steel wrenches that range in length from two to six inches. While these are the most simple and inexpensive types of wrenches, they can be lifesavers if you come across certain bolts. Of course, double check if your vehicle is SAE or metric. Often, a set will include both types for less than $20. 

6. Jack with stands
If you plan on doing any work under your car, make sure to pick up a jack with at least two stands. If you have a large truck or SUV, you may need a heavy-duty set that can support the full weight of your vehicle. Make sure you don't skimp on the jack stands, as they're used to support the vehicle when you're working underneath it. We don't have to tell you why that's important. Expect to pay $50 to $100 for one of these.

Click the link to read the full article from AOL Autos:  http://aol.it/SqYYx7

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Traveling Safely With Pets

If you're going on vacation this summer, you may want to take your furry friend(s) with you. Take a look at these tips from Cars.com to learn how you can transport your pet safely in your vehicle.

A 2011 online survey of 1,000 dog owners by AAA and Kurgo, a manufacturer of pet travel products, revealed 84 percent of respondents allowed their dogs to travel unrestrained in their vehicles; 65 percent admitted to engaging in distracting activities with their dog while driving.
In addition to being a distraction or becoming a projectile in a crash (at a driving speed of 35 mph, a 60-pound unrestrained dog can become a projectile exerting 2,700 pounds of pressure), an unrestrained pet is likely to be thrown into traffic following an accident - often leading to a lost pet, severe injury or death. 

Before you head out on a summer road trip with your dog, along with restraining Fido, remember these travel dos and don'ts: 

• Put small pet carriers on the floor between the front and rear seats, only secure with a seat belt if they were designed for use with seat belts. 
• Don't put a pet carrier on the front passenger seat; airbags could crush it during an accident. 
• Don't leave a pet in a parked vehicle in the heat, even with windows cracked; heat stroke can be deadly and can happen in minutes.
• Microchip your pet and have a tag with your information, including cellphone number, on all collars.
• Carry vaccination/health records in case of an emergency.
• Have a pet first-aid kit.
• Bring an in-car litter box for cats on long road trips.
• Locate a veterinarian near your destination(s).

Click the link to read the full article from Cars.com:  http://bit.ly/1wordeQ

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Gas Myths Debunked

It's summer, which means it's time for road trips and running the kids to camp, sports events, play dates and more. This can be somewhat taxing on your gas tank and your wallet. It's understandable that you would do anything you can to save some dough. But don't let any of these common myths about how to save money on gas fool you!

Regular Maintenance
New air filters and regular oil changes are good for your car and wallet. Also, take a look at your tires before any road trip. The Environmental Protection Agency says even a slightly under-inflated tires can cost a car in fuel efficiency. By keeping you tires properly inflated, you can improve your vehicle's gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent, which works out to an equivalent gasoline savings of approximately $0.11 per gallon. 

Use Cruise Control
There are times when cruise control isn't appropriate, such as heavy traffic or when climbing hilly roads,
but if you're driving over relatively even terrain, cruise control can prevent unnecessary speed changes which waste gas. Cruise control can also keep drivers from creeping up in speed on long trips, saving you money on gas. 

Slow Down
Highway driving is the most efficient way to get around, but speed too much and those savings go out the tailpipe. Fueleconomy.gov estimates each 5 mph over 50 mph is like paying an additional $0.24 per gallon for gas. You don't want to drive too slowly on the highway of course, but keeping your speed around or under 70 mph can save a lot of cash on fuel, not to mention speeding tickets. 

Travel light, store right
Excessive weight can ruin fuel efficiency in any car, so it is important to prioritize when packing for a long road trip. How you stow your stuff can also have a major effect on gas bills. Hauling cargo on your roof, for example, increases aerodynamic drag and lowers fuel economy by around 2 percent to 8 percent in city driving and 10 percent to 25 percent at Interstate speeds according to fueleconomy.gov.

Click the link to read the full blog from KickingTires.com: http://aol.it/1s8ZPDd

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How to Keep Your Car Looking Great this Summer

Your paint job needs to be maintained if you want to keep it looking shiny and new. But summer can be rough on your your car's exterior. The sun beating down on the paint can leave it looking dull and dirt from the road can cause your car's exterior to look dull. These tips from Kicking Tires will help you keep your car looking great even throughout the summer months.

1. Wash regularly
The first step to preserving your paint job is the most obvious. In the normal course of driving, your car becomes covered in dust, tar and other dirty particles from the environment. Over time, these particles can get imbedded in your paint and become difficult to remove. By washing your car every 2-4 weeks with quality soap, you will prevent stubborn particles from getting stuck in there. Using a reputable brand of soap will protect the finish and prevent streaks and water spots. 

2. Park in a garage or covered spot
The summer sun can be harmful to your vehicle's finish if your car is always parked under its punishing rays. Cars that spend their lives in the sun will age prematurely, as the paint fades and the interior becomes dry and brittle. Although we can't always park in a garage or car port, it's nice to find a shady spot when possible. Parking in the shade will also prevent the headlights from fading and yellowing. 

3. Remove bird droppings immediately
It's a fact of life: No matter where you park your car, birds are going to find a way to poop on it. If these droppings aren't removed within a few days, they can leave a mark on your finish when you do finally clean them off. When removing dry droppings, be careful not to scratch your paint by scrubbing excessively. Instead, apply some water to the affected area and then after a few minutes, wash the droppings off with a hose. In some cases, you might need to gently agitate with a wet, soapy cloth. 

4. Remove superficial scratches
Superficial scratches are a normal part of your car's day-to-day wear and tear. Luckily, these scratches can be removed with special products that you can purchase online or at your local auto parts store. There are a number of rubbing compounds and waxes designed to safely remove small scratches and revitalize your car's finish. You can read reviews about the different products online, and also get advice from the auto-supply store attendant. If you've never done this before, stick to products that are applied by hand without the use of a special polishing machine. 

Click the link to read the full article at Kicking Tires: http://aol.it/1nhHVMm

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Get Your Car Ready for Summer

It's summertime! That means the kids are out of school and will be spending lots of time at the pool, going to day-camp or playing sports. You may even be taking a road trip vacation or two. Make sure your car is equipped with all the things you'll need for the summer! KickingTires has come up with this list of summer necessities for your vehicle. You don't want to find yourself stuck without them when you need them most!

Summer maintenance kit: A can of Fix-A-Flat, a jug of coolant and some protectant wipes. This magical trio will ensure that you won't be stuck on the side of the road with cranky kids and a flat; that any overheating radiators get relief; and that your car's plastic and leather surfaces look good despite the punishing heat. 

Sunscreen: Skin cancer is on the rise in young adults, and the crying of a sunburnt child is traumatizing on many levels. In addition to a bottle of sunscreen spray or lotion, you also might consider a sunscreen stick as it doesn't seem to melt in the car and makes application — especially on the face — easy and fun for kids. 

Bug spray: Nothing ruins a family outing like a swarm of mosquitoes. Keep a bottle of bug spray or packet of wipes handy to keep the little buggers at bay. 

First-aid kit: Summer is also a time of skinned knees, cuts and bug bites. A well-stocked first-aid kit ensures that a boo-boo won't bring an early end to a day at the beach. 

Towels: Whether you find yourself at the beach, the pool, a spray park in the city or in a mountain stream, keeping extra towels in the car is a must. They even come in handy for mess mitigation if it rains and the kids get all wet and muddy. 

Baby powder: An ingenious antidote to the sand that sticks to all parts of little bodies whether you're at the beach or your neighborhood sandbox. Baby powder gets rid of the sand and makes for a cleaner and more comfortable ride home. 

An umbrella: Not only for the rain, but also to shade yourself from the sun.
A blanket: For picnics, to sit on at soccer or baseball games, or just warming up during those inevitable summer rainstorms. It's all the better if it's waterproof. 

A cash stash: Instantly transform yourself into parent of the year with some extra dollar bills for impromptu ice cream purchases. Some places don't take debit cards. The kids will love it and it will give you a few blissful minutes of peace. Works like a charm every time.

Read the full article from KickingTires here: http://bit.ly/1oxVtTm

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Unforgettable Road Trip Destinations

Have you planned a summer vacation yet this year? If you haven't, why not take a spur of the moment road trip? Our country has many wonderful cities that aren't usually thought of as popular vacation getaways. Visiting any one of them will make for an unforgettable vacation. 

Business Insider has compiled a list of the Top 10 Road Trip Destinations in the United States. We've listed a few of our favorites here. What city would you most like to road trip to?

Portland, Maine
Portland is the perfect road trip destination. Whether you’re looking for a quick road trip along the east coast (it’s a 5 hour drive from New York City and less than 2 hours from Boston) or planning a cross-country adventure (start at the Atlantic Ocean in Portland and head west!). 

Stretch your legs and burn some  calories on a  biking tour of  Portland’s historic lighthouses and stunning shoreline, from Bug Light overlooking the Portland Breakwater to Spring Port Lighthouse and 2 Lights State Park. You’ll have earned a lobster roll for the road, which beats a rest stop hot dog any day. 

Rumney, New Hampshire
Whether you’re headed west from Maine or just taking a short trip into New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, why not get an adrenaline rush (from something other than go over the speed  limit) with a short pit-stop for to scale a mountain? 

Head up to Rumney, one of the country’s premier destinations for rock climbing. Numerous crags dot the hillside of Rattlesnake Mountain above the sleepy New England town, offering exciting challenges for climbing novices and experts alike. 

Niagra Falls, NY
Niagara Falls is an ever-popular road trip destination, since it’s pretty impossible to get to the Falls without driving some leg of the journey. 

Once you’re there, you could check out the Falls from the shore or don a “stylish” plastic raincoat aboard the Maid of the Mist, but why not embrace a little adventure? Hop on a jet boat tour of the Niagara River, whose Class 5 rapids make for an exhilarating, and very wet, ride.   

Nashville, TN
An American road trip is incomplete without visiting some historic sites.  If you’re headed across the country, why not stop in Nashville, Tennessee?  

Not only can you take in the great sites of Music City (Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, the Hall of Fame) but you can check out the city’s Civil War past as well. In late 1864, the Confederate and Union army fought the Battle of Franklin, a bloody struggle that effectively destroyed the Army of Tennessee.  

There you can visit three Civil War era mansions: The Carter House, Lotz House and the Carnton Plantation that witnessed and withstood the battle.  

Chicago, IL
Chicago has long been a hub of American travel—road trips to or through Chicago save the pain of having to spend time in Chicago O’Hare, a notoriously busy and overwhelming airport.
If you plan a trip with Chicago on the itinerary, there is any number of things to see and do. From the shores of Lake Michigan to the Miracle Mile, Chicago boasts culture and history in spades. 

Why not soak it all up on a foodie bike tour of the city’s best bites and brews? Ride 13 miles through Chicago’s distinctive neighborhoods, taste Chicago delicacies like deep dish pizza, and wash it all down with the Lincoln Park-brewed Goose Island beer.  Try to get there in time for the world-renowned Taste of Chicago, taking place July 10-14 – you don’t want to miss this! 

Denver, CO
The Mile High City is a must-visit on many East-West road trips via I-70 or I-80. The city combines the best of the urban, with the fun-loving adventuresome spirit of the West.  

Those unaccustomed to the altitude might find biking, running or hiking a lot more exhausting than what they’re used to.  Don’t torture yourself, and instead enjoy Colorado’s natural beauty without huffing and puffing.  

Shake off the road by soaring at 50 miles per hour 200-feet in the air through Rocky Mountain pine forests on a zipline. Afterwards, unwind with a craft beer tour of Denver’s hippest breweries.

Click the link to see the full list of Business Insider's Top Road trip destinations: http://read.bi/TUPZWz

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Most Embarrassing Driving Moments

You might not realize it, but when you're driving you have a pretty big audience. Every other driver on the road or in the parking lot are possible witnesses of anything you do wrong. That can lead to some embarrassing moments. Kicking Tires has compiled a list of the most embarrassing moments committed by motorists. Have you ever had any of these embarrassing moments happen to you?

1. Forgot where they parked: 52 percent (men: 44 percent; women: 59 percent) 

2. Drove over a curb in a parking lot: 43 percent (men: 35 percent; women: 51 percent) 

3. Locked keys in the car: 37 percent (men: 34 percent; women: 41 percent) 

4. Gone the wrong way down a one-way street: 34 percent (men: 30 percent; women: 38 percent) 

5. Driven away with something on the roof, such as coffee or a purse: 31 percent (men: 28 percent; women: 34 percent) 

6. Tried to open a car door and realized it wasn't your car: 29 percent (men: 24 percent; women: 34 percent) 

7. Couldn't back out of a parking spot because other cars or objects were too close: 27 percent (men: 21 percent; women: 33 percent) 

8. Dropped your money or food at a drive-through window: 26 percent (men: 23 percent; women: 28 percent) 

9. Accidentally started your car's panic alarm and couldn't turn it off quickly: 22 percent (men: 18 percent; women: 26 percent) 

10. Lost toll ticket at the payment booth: 18 percent (men: 18 percent; women: 17 percent) 

11. Couldn't get out of a roundabout and kept driving in circles: 13 percent (men: 12 percent; women: 13 percent) 

12. Gotten pulled over and didn't have license, registration and/or insurance: 11 percent (men: 11 percent; women: 11 percent) 

13. Driven away from a gas pump with the nozzle still in your tank: 11 percent (men: 14 percent; women: 7 percent) 

14. Not able to work key remote to get into your car: 9 percent (men: 10 percent; women: 8 percent) 

15. Almost hit a person: 9 percent (men: 8 percent; women: 9 percent) 

16. Forgot a passenger and had to go back: 8 percent (men: 11 percent; women: 6 percent) 

17. Gotten in a car and realized it wasn't your car: 8 percent (men: 7 percent; women: 8 percent)

Click the link to read the full article from Kicking Tires: http://bit.ly/1lfIL6z

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Engine Troubleshooting

Sometimes car engines don't always work properly. This can be very stressful for drivers. But it doesn't mean your car is done for if your engine is having problems. Use these tips from Lovetoknow.com to troubleshoot next time you're having engine trouble.

1. The Engine Won't Start - If your engine won't start at all, first check and make sure that you're not out of gas. You may be surprised at how often this happens. If you hear no sound when you turn the ignition key on, check your battery. You can tell if your battery is getting low if your lights are unusually dim, you can barely hear your horn, or your windshield wipers are moving slow. If it's not the battery, it could be your starter. If it is the ignition starter, you'll need to have that replaced before your engine will turn over. 

2. The Overheating Engine - An engine that constantly overheats could have a thermostat problem. The thermostat helps to regulate the engine's temperature and is an easy fix at the auto center if this is your problem. Check your engine coolant fluid as well. If it's low, this could be another reason your engine is overheating. Engine overheating is also caused by head gasket failure and drive belts that are broken, or ones that need to be tightened or replaced. 

3. The Backfire Engine - If your engine sounds like fireworks on the fourth of July, you have an engine backfiring problem. Engine backfires can be detrimental to the engine. Causes could be the camshaft or your ignition timing may need to be adjusted. It could also be the timing chain or belt, or the wiring of your spark plugs may not be correct. 

4. The Slow-Accelerating Engine - If your vehicle isn't revving up like it usually does, it cold be due to dirty air or fuel filters. There could also be water in your gas tank or your catalytic converter needs to be replaced. 

5. The No-Go Engine - If your vehicle starts but once you press on the accelerator, you go nowhere, it could be the transmission. Check your transmission fluid first and if that's not the problem, see your mechanic.

Click the link to see the full article from Lovetoknow.com: http://bit.ly/1oy6VLH

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Tips for Taking Your Baby on a Road Trip

Summer is almost here! That means many Americans will be hitting the road for vacations and road trips. If you have little ones, you know that buckling them up for a long car ride isn't always something to look forward to. How can you keep a baby happy on a road trip? These tips from BabyZone will help you have a happy trip with your baby.

Car Seat Safety

Make sure your baby’s car seat is the right size and that it’s properly installed. “Only 80 percent of child safety seats are installed correctly,” says Dr. Christopher Ryder, author of Take Your Pediatrician with You. Hospitals, pediatrician’s offices, fire departments, and police stations often hold car seat installation checks to teach parents how to properly install their child’s car seat.

Over Pack!

Be prepared to keep Baby busy by packing all the food you might possibly need, an assortment of toys, books, and any other items your baby is attached to. Bring Baby’s favorite music or a CD of nursery rhymes. If you’re traveling alone with Baby, keep your bag of tricks handy so you can reach over and hand it to the baby when needed. A packing checklist will come in handy.

The Right Time to Leave

Drive when it’s most likely Baby will sleep for a duration of the trip, if possible. Crystal Drennan, a mom from Utah, says she took a five-hour road trip to Idaho with her baby. “We left at bedtime,” she says. “I bathed him, gave him a sippy cup, put him in the car, and he slept the whole way.”

Soft Toys

Bring along soft, appropriate toys. Experts say anything in a car becomes a weapon during an accident because of the high speed of travel. Do not give your child heavy objects in car rides such as clunky toy trains or toys with sharp edges. Or consider buying a toy that attaches to Baby’s car seat.

Food and Drink

Avoid feeding Baby in the car seat while on the road. All too quickly babies can choke, even when drinking a bottle or out of a sippy cup. It’s best to pull over when Baby is ready to eat or needs a drink. (And think how much cleaner your car will be!) Also, it’s always good to know infant CPR, so consider taking a class before leaving on your trip.

Click here to read the full article and get more tips from BabyZone: http://bit.ly/1jyt9xk

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7 Ways to Know You Need New Tires

Unfortunately tires don't last forever. But how do you when your tires need to be replaced? LoveToKnow: Cars has come up with a list of seven ways to tell if you need new tires. What do you most typically look for as a sign that you need new tire?

Your Tires Are Old
According to TireRack, there is no set calendar age that indicates it's time to replace your tires. Environmental conditions like road salt and salt air, extreme temperatures, and direct sunlight exposure, can cause your tire to wear out more quickly, no matter how old they are. In general, if your tires that are more than six years old, you may need to replace them. If they are over 10 years old, there's an even higher likelihood that the rubber has degraded. 

You Have Driven More Than the Recommended Amount
When you buy new tires, you'll see that they are rated for a certain number of miles. This varies, depending on the brand. If you don't have long wear tires or those that are approved for an extended period, Autos.com reports that you'll mostly likely need to replace them around 40,000 miles. 

Your Car Doesn't Handle As Well
If your car isn't handling as well as it used to, this change may indicate that your tires need to be replaced. Trouble driving on wet pavement and difficulty maintaining traction around curves can be signs of tire wear. 

Your Tire's Sidewall is Bulging or Cracked
A bulge or raised area in the sidewall, or vertical edge, of your tire can indicate a weak spot, according to Consumer Reports. In time, this spot could lead to a tire blow-out, so it's very important to have it checked out right away. Cracked areas can also signal weakness. 

Your Car Vibrates While Driving
Poor alignment can cause your car to vibrate, but unevenly worn tires can be another culprit. In addition, an internal problem in the tire can cause this type of behavior, so it's important to have your tires inspected and possibly replaced if this is happening. 

You Don't Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated
Many newer cars have tire pressure monitoring systems to alert you that one or more tires is under inflated. If your car doesn't have this feature, it's important that you routinely check tire pressure on your own. Keep tires inflated to the psi recommended by the manufacturer. If you regularly drive with one or more tires under inflated, you may need to get new tires sooner than later. When your tires are under inflated, it places undue stress on the sidewalls of the tires, causing them to wear out sooner. 

Your Tire Tread Is Insufficient
Your tire's tread must be a certain depth to provide proper traction for your car. If the tread depth is too low, your car won't handle well on the road. According to a commentary published in the journal Traffic Injury Prevention, most states require a tread depth of 1/16 of an inch. However, there is a significant drop in traction if the tread depth is less than 1/8 inch. Most tires include wear bars that are exposed when your tread is less than 1/16 of an inch.

Click here to learn get more info about changing your tires: http://bit.ly/1nMZOl8

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Defensive Driving Tips

Taking defensive driving measures is one of the best ways you can stay safe on the road. You never know what other drivers might do. By anticipating what other driving mistakes other people might make, you will always be prepared for them. Use these tips to be sure you stay alert as a defensive driver and are always anticipating the next move of the guy driving beside you.

Pay Attention to Your Surroundings
As you head out on the road, it pays to be especially observant. Watch what is happening on all sides of your vehicle, not just in front. A great defensive driver is always aware about what is happening on all sides of the car. You can make this awareness a habit in the following ways:
• Each time you stop at a light, quiz yourself about the color of the car behind you. Check your guess by looking in the rearview mirror.
• Think about what you see in your peripheral vision as you drive. This will include cars on your left or right, as well as the shoulder of the road.
• Scan ahead for hazards, including deer, pedestrians, and other vehicles. Don't just focus on the car ahead of you.
• Be aware of the road surface, including whether it is slippery or dry. 

Stay Focused and Alert
While everyone knows that driving under the influence of alcohol is dangerous and illegal, many people are not aware of how dramatically their level of alertness can affect their safety. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy driving is the cause of more than 100,000 accidents each year. Fortunately, you can take steps to stay alert when you drive:
• Avoid driving near or after the time you usually go to bed. Your body is used to sleeping at this time, so you will not be as alert.
• If you're sleep-deprived for any reason, stay off the road if at all possible.
• When you find yourself feeling sleepy behind the wheel, pull over and take a short nap or a brisk walk to wake yourself up.
• If you need to get focused, drink a hot beverage to increase your body temperature. According a 2002 study, an increased body temperature helped subject perform better even when they were tired. 

Leave Plenty of Space
Leaving enough space between cars is essential for being a defensive driver. Think of this extra space as a safety buffer around your vehicle. If something happens ahead of you, you will have that safety buffer to react to the event. According to theCalifornia Department of Motor Vehicles, you'll need a minimum of three seconds between the car ahead of you and your vehicle. This means that you should leave as much space as it takes you to count three seconds. If you're driving at high speeds or in adverse conditions, you should lengthen this distance. 

Look Left Twice
It's common practice to look both ways before you pull out into traffic. However, in some situations, this may not be sufficient. For instance, if are making a left turn, you'll look left first and see that the lane is clear. Then you'll look right to check for cars, and you may need to wait a moment for that lane to be clear. In the time you were waiting, a car may have come around a curve or over a hill from the left. If you pull out after only looking left once, you'll get in an accident. 

It's best to get into the habit of looking left, then right, then left again before pulling out. Simply make this part of your regular driving routine every time you turn left or cross an intersection.

Click here to read the full article and get more defensive driving tips from lovetoknow.com: http://bit.ly/1puDmiu

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A Dirty Car Interior Could Be Making You Sick

Just because your car is spotless and shiny on the outside doesn't necessarily mean it's clean. A dirty car interior can harbor bacteria and allergens that could possibly make you sick! This article from AOL Autos explains the dangers of a dirty car interior and how you can take steps to keep your vehicle's interior clean:

Germs 

A study conducted several years ago by researchers at Queen Mary University in London showed that, on average, 700 different kinds of bacteria can be found inside cars. Only 60 types are found in the average public toilet. Keeping hand sanitizer in the car can help cut down on cross infection and bacterial build-up. The surfaces in your car that are regularly touched should be cleaned often with an anti-bacterial solution. 

Dust mites 

Dust mites make themselves comfortable in upholstered fabric and are often found in cars as well as homes. People with allergies need to regularly clean their homes to combat the tiny bug, according to the Mayo Clinic, but the car is often overlooked in the battle to reduce allergic reactions. Regularly vacuuming the floor mats and the seats in your car can reduce dust mite numbers. 

Pollen 

Pollen can build up inside of cars in the spring, as well. After this harsh winter, many experts are expecting a worse-than-usual allergy season, as plants will begin blooming along with grasses, according to ABC News. Using a disinfectant wipe to clear dust and germs from the dash and consoles can help cut down on allergy attacks behind the wheel. If you are particularly sensitive to pollen consider regularly cleaning the heating and cooling ducts, too.

Read the full article here: http://aol.it/1lcc3TT

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How to Maintain Your Car's Value

Did you know the value of a new car depreciates the minute you drive it off the dealership lot? However there are some steps you can take to help maintain the value of your vehicle. That way you'll get back as much as possible when you're ready to buy a new one. This article from AOL Autos gives you can use to keep your car's depreciation to a minimum:

1. Keep your service records
Service records are the best way for you to show a potential buyer you've taken care of the car's mechanical components. Without service records, it's difficult to prove that you've changed the oil on time and that you've met factory service requirements. Most sellers will claim they cared for a vehicle properly, but actual records can give you an advantage. Records can be computerized or they can be put into a booklet in the car's glove box. If your dealer or mechanic uses a computerized system, make sure to get printouts of all maintenance performed. 

2. Avoid dents and scratches
Dents and scratches can happen when you're parking, when you open your door or even when you place an object on your car. Cosmetic imperfections are expensive to repair, and can be a huge turn-off to potential buyers. Luckily, by washing your car regularly and taking extra care to avoid contact with other objects, you can keep your car looking like the day it left the factory. 

3. Keep the interior clean
The appearance and smell of the interior can also impact the attractiveness of your car to a potential buyer. Most people wouldn't want to buy a car with foul odors or food stains. To keep your interior fresh, avoid smoking, eating and drinking in your car. If you do eat or drink, throw away the empty food and beverage containers immediately, and clean spills with the proper cleaning solutions. 

4. Don't curb your wheels
Parallel parking can be a risky proposition if your car has alloy wheels. If you get too close to the curb, the edges of the wheels can get scratched or bent. Many buyers of higher-end vehicles pay close attention to the condition of the wheels, and will walk away if damage is readily visible. While it's best to avoid damaging your wheels in the first place, professional wheel repair shops can refinish damaged wheels for much less than the replacement cost. 

5. Polish faded headlights
After years of sun exposure, your car's plastic headlight lenses will fade and turn yellow. While the rest of your car might look terrific, the yellow headlights will reveal the vehicle's true age. Luckily, faded headlights can be polished by most auto detailers. Polishing the headlight lenses doesn't take long, and shouldn't be very expensive. Buyers will appreciate the difference when they compare your car to other cars of the same age.

Click the link to read the full article from AOL Autos: http://aol.it/1kLKqB0

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Sharing the Road Safely with Bicyclists

 Crashes that involve bicyclists and vehicles often end in fatalities or serious injuries. Many of these accidents can be avoided if proper safety precautions are taken by drivers. This article from Edmunds.com lists a number of steps drivers can take in order to maintain safety while sharing the road with bicyclists.

1. Appreciate Bicyclist Vulnerability: A car weighs 2 tons or so, while the average bike is a mere 20 pounds, says Tim Blumenthal, president of People for Bikes, an advocacy group.
"In any collision, any physical interaction between car and bike, the bike always loses," he says. "I've never seen a collision where the bike rider came out less injured," he says. 

Gary Brustin, a bicycle accident attorney in Santa Monica and San Jose, California, says he has seen the severity of the injuries to cyclists increase in recent years. Among the factors driving the increase, he suspects, are older riders, including baby boomers, whose bones may be more fragile than those of younger riders. An increase in high-speed roads with bike lanes also contributes to the rise, he says. 

2. Know Bicyclists' Rights: Drivers sometimes have little idea of the traffic laws that apply to bicyclists. A recent visitor to a message board discussing cyclists and motorists wanted to know why cyclists can't just use the sidewalks. 

In fact, bicycles in the roadway are considered vehicles. NHTSA says cyclists 10 years and older should behave as though they were vehicles on the street, riding in the same direction as other traffic that's going their way and following the same traffic rules. 

The cyclists, then, are on the same level as motorists. Information on the California Department of Motor Vehicles Web site spells out the law in the Golden State: "Bicycle riders on public roads have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists, and are subject to the same rules and regulations." 

The site encourages drivers to ''look carefully for bicyclists before turning left or right, merging into bicycle lanes and opening doors next to moving traffic. Respect the right-of-way of bicyclists because they are entitled to share the road with you." 

Nearly every state has similar language covering bicyclists, says Andy Clarke, president of theLeague of American Bicyclists. 

3. Adjust That Attitude: Motorists tend to think of cyclists as ''in their way," Clarke says. Rather, they should think of them as equals, just as entitled to the roadway as drivers are, says Clarke and other experts in the cycling community. 

Drivers who get impatient with bicyclists might want to stop for a moment and think about the human being on that bike, says Bob Mionske, a Portland cycling attorney and cyclist: What if that rider was my friend, a friend of a friend, or a neighbor? Somehow, seeing bicyclists that way makes people a little more patient, he says. When drivers don't humanize cyclists this way, he finds, they often perceive riders as mere objects 

If you can pinpoint the moment when a bicyclist is starting to irritate you — because you can't see where he is going or because he's moving slowly and is making you late — picture him as a family member or friend. That might calm you down, Mionske says. 

4. Consider the Benefits of Bicycling — for Drivers: "One cyclist on the road is one less car," Mionske says. Cyclists don't wear out the road, he adds (which means fewer potholes for you). "We lessen traffic congestion," he says. "We can't pollute." 

So if you're idling in your car behind a cyclist who you wish would go faster, think of it this way, Mionske says: "Well, he might be in my way temporarily. At least he is not in a vehicle and in my way the whole commute." 

5. Spare Them the Right Hook: Intersections are venues for serious car-cycle collisions. Drivers making right turns, especially, should watch out for cyclists. A cyclist may be a little behind and to the right of you, and may be planning to ride straight ahead. If you don't signal your right turn, you could wind up hitting each other, with the point of contact somewhere on your car's right side. If you are trying to figure out if a nearby cyclist is planning to turn right, look for his raised left hand in a squared position, or an extended right hand. 

6. Beware the Left Turn: A driver trying to make a left turn sees an oncoming bicyclist, but the driver figures he has plenty of time to complete the turn. Sometimes, that's not true. Brustin says it's a common scenario: After a collision, a driver often says he didn't realize the cyclist was going that fast. 

A bike can easily get to 15- or 20-mile-per-hour speeds, Brustin says. "If in doubt, yield," he says. Exercise the same caution as you would for an approaching vehicle. 

7. Give Cyclists 3 Feet of Clearance: Twenty states have now passed laws requiring motorists to give bicycles on the roadway about 3 feet of space, Blumenthal says. "Bike riders really appreciate that," he says. The 3-foot rule helps drivers by giving them a concrete frame of reference, he says. 

And thanks to Joe Mizereck of Tallahassee, Florida, that figure is becoming a standard reference. Mizereck took up cycling five years ago and is an avid participant. He says he was so unnerved by a few close calls that he founded the "Three Feet Please" campaign. He sells cycling jerseys emblazoned with the motto. "Everyone who has bought one of these jerseys says, 'It works,''' he says. 

On his site, Joe writes: "Please understand, our campaign is not about painting the motorist as the bad guy. Unfortunately, we have scofflaws on both sides and the key is to lay down the rules for all parties to follow, make sure the parties know the rules and then enforce them." Everyone needs to be held accountable, he says, "including cyclists." A list of the states that have passed the 3-feet law is here. 

Besides giving cyclists that breathing room, Blumenthal says it's best for drivers to pass them slowly and smoothly. The motorist's tendency is to speed up and get by the cyclists as quickly as possible, he says. "It's pretty unnerving when you are on a bike and a car accelerates." You can also spare cyclists' nerves by honking sparingly, he says. 

8. Look Around — but Not at Your Phone: Brustin, who has been handling bicycle injury lawsuits for 20 years, says that drivers who have hit cyclists almost always say the same frightening, sobering thing: "I never saw him before I hit him." 

If drivers only expect other cars on the road, they're setting themselves up for dangerous interactions. A model of greater awareness can be seen in the European-style ''roundabout," with traffic coming from all directions and merging into a traffic circle. Roundabouts require every participant's attention, as does the more comprehensive "shared space" concept of traffic design, which uses minimal road signs, crosswalks, lights and barriers and integrates pedestrians, cars and bicycles in the same terrain. The need for heightened interaction, paradoxically, makes everyone safer, traffic-design experts say.
"Start looking out for everybody," Brustin suggests, including other vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.

Click the link to read the full article and get more tips for sharing the road: http://edmu.in/1eqchpQ

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What Type of Auto Insurance is Right for Your?

If you are going to own a car in the United States, you are required to get auto insurance. However getting auto insurance isn’t as clear cut as having it or not. There are a variety of options provided by insurance companies. It can be difficult to decide which type of coverage is the best for you.

There are many factors that need to be considered when buying auto insurance, such as your car, your driving habits, and your budget. To help you decide which type of insurance best suits you, we have put together a list of some of the more common types of insurance and what they cover. 

Liability Insurance

Liability insurance  is a part of minimum insurance covered required by most states. If you are in a car accident that is deemed to be your fault, liability insurance will cover the costs of any damage to cars and other property, as well as resulting medical bills of others involved in the accident. The insurance company will only pay the amount of your coverage’s upper limit. If any of the damage and medical expenses exceed the limit of your coverage, you will be responsible for paying out of pocket. This is why it is generally a good a idea to buy more liability insurance than just the minimum requirement.

Comprehensive Insurance

While liability insurance covers car accidents specifically, comprehensive insurance covers many other damages your car may face, such as a cracked windshield, animal collisions, vandalism or theft. If you only have the minimum liability coverage your insurance will not cover any of these damages. Comprehensive insurance is not required by law, but it is still extremely beneficial to have because the prices of unpredictable damage to your car won’t have to come directly from your own pocket.

Collision Insurance

Collision insurance, like liability insurance, is covers you in the event of a car accident. But unlike liability insurance, collision insurance is specifically for your covered vehicle and is not required by law. This type of coverage will pay for any damages sustained to your vehicle if it is hit by another car or object. Collision insurance will also cover the value of your car if it is totaled. Coverage ensures that you will have enough money to repair your own vehicle if it is damaged in an accident. 

Gap Insurance

Gap insurance is very beneficial if you are still making payments on your vehicle. If your vehicle is totaled in an accident gap insurance will cover the cost of your remaining payments. This option is great if you owe more on your car than you would be able to quickly pay off. By covering the remaining cost of the totaled car,you will be left room to buy a new vehicle to replace the one you lost.

Personal Injury Protection

Personal injury protection is a type of insurance you can add to your plan that will cover any medical bills you may have from an accident, no matter who is at fault. This coverage can give you peace of mind knowing that you would not have to pay for a huge hospital bill if you ever were to get into an accident. If you have good health insurance this type of coverage is not necessary, but for others without or with very little health coverage, personal injury protection can help you breathe a little easier. 

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Driving In the Rain

Spring has finally arrived! That means we'll also be welcoming spring showers. Many people don't often think of rain as a dangerous driving condition, but many accidents happen every year because drivers aren't taking the proper precautions when driving in the rain. Skidding and hydroplaning can easily be avoided as long as you are careful.

This list of tips from The Weather Channel will help you stay safe when driving in the rain.

1. You can prevent skids by driving slowly and carefully, especially on curves. Steer and brake with a light touch. When you need to stop or slow, do not brake hard or lock the wheels and risk a skid. Maintain mild pressure on the brake pedal. 

2. If you do find yourself in a skid, remain calm, ease your foot off the gas, and carefully steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go. You must be prepared to turn the steering wheel again and again until the front of the vehicle is traveling in a straight line. For cars without anti-lock brakes, avoid using your brakes. If your car has ABS, brake firmly as you steer into the skid. 

3. Avoid hydroplaning by keeping your tires inflated correctly. Maintain good tire tread. Don't put off replacing worn tires. Slow down when roads are wet, and stay away from puddles. Try to drive in the tire tracks left by the cars in front of you. 

4. If you find yourself hydroplaning, do not brake or turn suddenly. This could throw your car into a skid. Ease your foot off the gas until the car slows and you can feel the road again. If you need to brake, do it gently with light pumping actions. If your car has anti-lock brakes, then brake normally. The car's computer will automatically pump the brakes much more effectively than a person can do. 

5. A defensive driver adjusts his or her speed to the wet road conditions in time to avoid having to use any of these measures.

Click the link to read the full article from The Weather Channel: http://wxch.nl/1dnGKDQ

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Spring Cleaning For Your Car

Spring is in the air! Pretty soon we'll be driving with the windows down and worrying about snow and ice will seem like a thing of the past. You want to make sure the gunk and grime of winter is gone from your car. Use these tips from Fox News in order to make your car spotless for springtime.

1. Wash the underbodyWintertime driving will coat the bottom of your car with salt, sand and other grime that can cause corrosion. Corrosion can lead to rust problems, which can make your car much harder to resell or even dangerous to drive. 

Spend a few extra dollars for the undercarriage power wash at the local car wash or spray the car's bottom with your own hose. If possible, use a car jack to raise the vehicle for a more thorough cleaning, advises Bill Kropelnicki, president and owner of Rambling River Repair in Farmington, Minn. There's no need to use soap or any other cleaner. 

While you're at it, open the hood and wipe down the engine with a soft mitt and soapy water. And remove all the leaves and debris that can find their way into the car, says Cliff Weathers, deputy autos editor for Consumer Reports. And remove any crusty white residue off the battery with a toothbrush, baking soda and water. The residue — caused by corrosion — can eventually prevent your car from starting. The cleaning also helps prepare the battery for the stress of warmer temperatures. 

2. Scrub inside and out
Salt and sand can damage the car's paint. Give your car a thorough cleaning and wax it with a paste or liquid wax, Weathers said. He cautions that sprays don't clean as well.
Scrub the bottoms of doors, which can get coated with grime, Kropelnicki says. He also urges car owners to clean the window channels, Also apply a silicone spray, which repels dirt and lubricates the surfaces so the windows will operate smoothly, he says. 

Use a steam cleaner — you can rent one for $20 at Home Depot — or apply a rug-cleaning spray to remove all the salt from the car's inside. Salt can break down some fabrics and cause rips or tears when feet grind against them. 

And don't forget to take bags of salt and ice scrapers out of the trunk. 

3. Replace wiper blades
Wiper blades get a workout during the winter months. Weathers advises changing them each spring and fall.

4. Check tires
Some garages recommend a wheel alignment — which can cost around $80 — or a tire rotation as part of your spring maintenance. Weathers doesn't think it's necessary as long as you're following the car's regular maintenance schedule and doing normal winter driving. 

Check your tire pressure. Cold weather can cause tires to be underinflated and the onset of warm weather can overinflate them. Also, visually inspect your tires to make sure they're wearing evenly and have plenty of tread for the rainy spring weather ahead. 

Driving on properly inflated tires can save you money. It can cost anywhere from $50 to $250 to replace a blown tire, depending on the kind of tire you need. 

5. Check your fluids
Winter weather can deplete some fluids — especially windshield wiper fluid — more quickly, so top them off yourself if they're too low. A service station will also do the job for $25 or so. You should change your oil around every 5,000 miles regardless of season, Weathers says. Brake and transmission fluids should be checked as well.

Click the link to read the full article from Fox News: http://tinyurl.com/oolyc9y

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Sharing the Road With Trucks

Driving on the highway alongside and 18-wheeler can be intimidating. But sharing the road is something we have to do. Staying out of a trucker's blind spots and staying patient are just a few ways you can avoid getting into a dangerous situation with a truck on the road.

Make sure you're taking the proper precautions when driving alongside a truck with these tips from Edmunds.com.

1) Riding in a trucker's blind spots. Trucks have large blind spots to the right and rear of the vehicle. Smaller blind spots exist on the right front corner and mid-left side of the truck. The worst thing a driver can do is chug along in the trucker's blind spot, where he cannot be seen. If you're going to pass a truck, do it and get it over with. Don't sit alongside with the cruise control set 1 mph faster than the truck is traveling. 

2) Cut-offs. Don't try to sneak into a small gap in traffic ahead of a truck. Don't get in front of a truck and then brake to make a turn. Trucks take as much as three times the distance to stop as the average passenger car, and you're only risking your own life by cutting a truck off and then slowing down in front of it. 

3) Impatience while reversing. Motorists need to understand that it takes time and concentration to back a 48-foot trailer up without hitting anything. Sometimes a truck driver needs to make several attempts to reverse into tight quarters. Keep your cool and let the trucker do his or her job. 

4) Don't play policeman. Don't try to make a truck driver conform to a bureaucrat's idea of what is right and wrong on the highway. As an example, Taylor cited the way truck drivers handle hilly terrain on the highway. A fully loaded truck slows way down going up a hill. On the way down the other side of the hill, a fully loaded truck gathers speed quickly. Truckers like to use that speed to help the truck up the next hill. Do not sit in the passing lane going the speed limit. Let the truck driver pass, and let the Highway Patrol worry about citing the trucker for breaking the law. 

5) No assistance in lane changes or merges. It's not easy to get a 22-foot tractor and 48-foot trailer into traffic easily. If a trucker has his turn signal blinking, leave room for the truck to merge or change lanes. Indicate your willingness to allow the truck in by flashing your lights.

Click the link to read the full article from Edmunds.com: http://edmu.in/1dF9S6w

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The Worst Things Your Auto Mechanic Can Tell You

Some car issues are easier fixes than others. But then there are those mechanical problems that every car-owner dreads, the fixes that make you consider buying a new vehicle because it might just be more worthwhile than paying the price for such an expensive repair.

Cars.com has compiled a list of the top 10 worst things your mechanic can tell you is wrong with your car. If you ever have one of these problems you might just want to consider stopping in to see us for your next vehicle.

Image from freedigitalphotos.net

1. Seized Engine Due to Lack of Oil
"The reason your engine stopped running is that it's now a melted mass of amalgamated metals. What used to be aluminum pistons, steel cylinder walls and an iron crankshaft is now a 900-pound garden sculpture. The Smithsonian wants to put it on display." 

Cost: $3,000 for a used engine, up to $10,000 for a remanufactured engine. 

The lowdown: A "seized" engine means that your lubrication failed (that is, you had insufficient oil or oil pressure), and the expensive moving parts of your engine scraped each other into a heated glob of useless scrap metal. Unfortunately, there's no way to fix a seized engine. Instead, the engine needs to be replaced with a used or remanufactured engine. What happens to your old engine? A recycler will finish the melting job, and the engine will be transformed into thousands of tiny Bic lighters.

2. Hydrolocked Engine
"That 4-foot-deep puddle that you tried to cross? You sucked some of it into your engine's cylinders." 

Cost: $3,000 to $10,000 

The lowdown: There are certain places water shouldn't be — like inside your iPhone, on your original Matisse watercolor or inside your engine's cylinders. Normally, your engine's cylinder contains air and droplets of fuel. The air is compressible, so when the piston squeezes everything, the pressure just goes up. Water is not compressible, so when the piston tries to squeeze the water, the piston loses. Then all the expensive parts that are attached to the piston get bent or broken. Just like your bank account. 

3. Overheated Engine 

"When you saw the paint on your hood was starting to blister, did that give you any kind of hint that you might have been overheating?" 

Cost: $100 to $10,000 

The lowdown: If you catch an engine overheating early enough and take action, you can get by cheaply. It could be a leaky hose, a stuck thermostat or a loose clamp.  If your car overheats badly, or frequently, you can do serious damage. The most common results of frequent or severe overheating are a blown head gasket, a cracked head or a cracked block. Those are, respectively, expensive, really expensive, and you may wind up saying, "I guess I won't be retiring for another year." 

4. Transmission Failure 

"Did you notice when you put your car in Drive, it doesn't move? We figured out why." 

Cost: $300 to $5,000 

The lowdown: The good news is that your engine is still running. The bad news? It's no longer connected to the wheels. Transmissions can fail for a number of reasons. These days, it's not uncommon for electronically controlled automatic transmissions to have problems related to software or solenoids. Those are not disasters and can be fixed for relatively little money. When the transmission's internal components start to disintegrate (like when your mechanic removes the transmission drain plug and chunks of metal fall out) due to old age, overheating the transmission or animalistic driving tendencies, it's time to tap the home-equity line of credit. 

5. Cracked Head, Blown Head Gasket or Cracked Block
"That stuff blowing out of your tailpipe isn't just water. It's antifreeze." 

Cost: $1,000 to $4,000 

The lowdown: There are a few places you should never see antifreeze: falling from the sky, in your cereal bowl or coming out your tailpipe. The engine's cooling system is a closed system, meaning that the coolant circulates from the engine's cooling passages to the radiator, the heater core and back again. It should never leave that loop. If it's somehow getting into the oil passages or the cylinders (and, from there, out the tailpipe) something has gone terribly wrong. Your head gasket has cracked, your head itself has cracked or, worst of all, your block has cracked. These problems are often the result of overheating (see No. 3). 

6. Broken Timing Belt
"Look in your glove box. If you open the shrink-wrapped booklet that says Owner's Manual, you'll see you should have changed your timing belt 20,000 miles ago." 

Cost: $1,500 to $3,500 

The lowdown: There are two kinds of engines: interference engines and non-interference engines. Or, as we refer to the interference engines in the trade, motor wreckers.
An interference engine is actually a more modern engine design, where the valves open wider and into the path of the upcoming piston. This lets the engine breathe better, giving it more power and better fuel efficiency. It all works fine as long as your timing works fine — when the valves are open, the piston is down, and when the piston comes up, the valves are closed and out of the way. If your timing belt breaks or jumps a notch on an interference engine, the piston smashes the valves, and you need a valve job ... at least. That's why it's crucial to change the timing belt at the recommended interval, before it gets anywhere near the point of breaking. 

On a non-interference engine, a broken timing belt will leave you stranded, but it won't crush your valves. You can ignore the timing belt change on one of those engines if you don't mind getting stuck. On an interference engine, you're rolling the dice on a large boat payment for your mechanic. 

7. Transmission Fluid in the Brake Fluid Reservoir 

"That was the brake fluid reservoir, to which you added transmission fluid." 

Cost: $800 to $2,000 

The lowdown: If you catch this mistake before you actually get back in the car and step on the brakes, and have the car towed to your mechanic, you may get by with just a new master cylinder. But once a petroleum-based product, like transmission fluid or motor oil, is pushed through the brake system, pretty much everything has to be replaced. The oils attack rubber seals, and everything except the metal brake lines has rubber seals. Once you've used the brakes and sent this stuff through the brake lines, grab your credit card and check your credit limit! 

8. Fried Computer  

"You hooked up the jumper cables backward." 

Cost: $1,500 to $100,000, in the event plastic surgery is required. 

The lowdown: In lots of cars, there's some type of protective circuitry in the event that you accidently reverse polarity when hooking up jumper cables. However, that's by no means true for all cars. If your car is one of the unlucky ones, you might be looking at having to buy a new computer for your car, and maybe a few new wiring harnesses, too. Even worse, you may incur so many confounding electrical problems that the best thing you could hope for is ... fire. Even if your car is OK, you might blow up one of the batteries in the two cars. If that happens, you might need to buy yourself a new face, too. 

9. Worn Clutch 

"That smell that's been following you around for miles? It's your clutch burning up." 

Cost: $1,000 to $2,500 

The lowdown: The operation of the clutch is based on friction. It's a tricky business to apply that friction slowly enough so that A) your engine doesn't stall and B) your passengers don't get whiplash. At the same time, you have to apply the friction quickly enough so you don't "sand down" the clutch and end up with no friction material left. When you continually let out the clutch too slowly, while giving the engine lots of gas, you're essentially wearing out the friction part of the clutch. Like a piece of sandpaper, a smooth clutch with no grabby surface can't do its job. If you're doing a bang-up job of it, you can actually start to smell the clutch burning as you wear it down. How quickly can you do this? We actually have a friend who did exactly this and destroyed a clutch in as little as 20 miles. No kidding! You know that $1,200 you saved by buying a manual transmission instead of an automatic? You're about to spend it on your first clutch replacement. 

10. Catastrophe at the Repair Shop
Cost: $0 if your mechanic has insurance; $25,000 if not. 

The lowdown: You know how you'll occasionally break a glass at home or drop a fork down the garbage disposal? Well, these kinds of little accidents happen. In the repair business, a tiny moment of carelessness can lead to something much more exciting, such as a car falling off the lift or catching fire. These are exciting moments for mechanics. And once they're over — and everyone is present, accounted for and still fully limbed — we feel a moment of euphoria to still be alive. 

Unfortunately, that's usually the moment we choose to call the customer and share this good news. "Good news! You're car fell off the lift, but nobody was underneath it!" For some reason, this isn't always received as good news. Fortunately, reputable repair shops have Bonehead Insurance for such calamities. You may be able to go out and buy that new Accord you've had your eye on. Remember: It's only a car. Cars can be replaced. People can't. At least that's what we keep telling our customers.

Click the link to read the full article from Cars.com: http://bit.ly/NuSEm1

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Tips for Saving Money on Tires

Knowing when to replace your tires is an important part of being a car owner. Overall vehicle safety is affected by tires that are in bad condition. But everyone knows that replacing tires is expensive, and is not always a task that can be done with ease financially.

This article from AOL Autos gives drivers tips on how they can save some green when it comes time to replace your tires. Now you'll have a safe car and your wallet won't be empty.

1. Determine if it's time for replacement 

To determine whether you even need new tires, do some simple checks on your current set. First, take a penny and place the edge into the groove of each tire. Insert the edge of the penny into the tread upside down, with the top of good ol' Honest Abe's noggin going in first. If the top of Lincoln's head is covered by tread, that means you still have an acceptable and safe amount of tread. Do this test at various points around the perimeter of the tire. If the top of Lincoln's head is visible at any point around the tire, it's time to go tire shopping. You can see an example of how to do this test here. 

Check to make sure the edges of the tires don't show excessive wear, and that the tire pressure is correct. Your owner's manual should have the recommended tire pressure, and most gas stations have an air compressor with a tire gauge in the event that you need to fill them. 

2. Don't replace all four tires unless unless absolutely necessary 

The front tires of a car will often wear out faster than the rear tires. This is especially true if you don't often rotate the tires during your vehicle's life. If your local tire shop insists that you need a new set, inquire about the condition of the rear tires before agreeing to the whole thing. Replacing four tires costs twice as much, and your rear pair could still have thousands of miles of life left. 

If you do buy two tires instead of four, it's better to put the new tires on the back, rotating the older ones to the front position. The newer tires will help the car remain stable if you need to swerve out of an emergency situation. Do not buy one tire at a time. If a single tire is damaged, always get another new one for the other side of the car. 

3. Big brands are not always the best value 

Most people can name two or three tire brands from advertisements and marketing campaigns. The big brands typically produce quality tires, but there are many lesser-known brands that are just as good. The lesser-known brands can save over 50 percent compared with the name brands, and can deliver the same tire life and level of comfort.
You can get recommendations on different brands from a site like Tire Rack. 

4. Get an alignment 

Getting an alignment every time you install new tires is crucial to extending the life of the tires. When your wheels are properly aligned, the tires will wear evenly as they were designed to do. If you install new tires and you wheels are out of alignment, the uneven wear can cause you to need a new set of tires prematurely.

Click the link to read the full article from AOL Autos: http://aol.it/1l1760F

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In-Car Entertainment is Going Mobile

Remember when you were a kid and family road trips consisted of "I Spy Games", singing, and asking "Are we there yet?" to pass the time. That's not the case for families these days. According to Kicking Tires many traveling families now rely on mobile devices to keep children, as well as adults occupied on long trips.

A new online survey by research firm Harris Interactive on behalf the manufacturers of the Scout GPS personal navigator polled 2,044 adults last month and found that personal electronics now overwhelmingly dominate in passing the doldrums of family holiday car travel. Only 27 percent of parents said old-school-style games and sing-alongs helped fill the hours on their trips. The most popular distraction for kids is video games, with 54 percent of parents saying so — including 36 percent of parents with kids age 2 or younger, and 62 percent with kids ages 3 to 5. Meanwhile, 46 percent say their youngsters watch movies, and 30 percent say they text or access the internet on mobile devices. 

But the kids aren't the only ones with their noses in their smartphones and tablets. Researchers report that 62 percent of adults who own mobile devices check email during holiday road trips (13 percent say they check "constantly," defined as every 10 minutes). Moreover, 72 percent of respondents say they're using their mobile devices to take road-trip photos or videos — one-third, constantly — while 41 percent report posting or uploading photos to social-media sites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter while in the car. Nearly a quarter post three to 10 photos on the road, while 3 percent admit to "oversharing."

When listening to music on the move, 27 percent said they favored songs downloaded onto a mobile device, 18 percent preferred streaming music services such as Pandora and Spotify via mobile device, and 18 percent opt for satellite radio. Still, more traditional choices remain highly popular, including AM/FM radio (69 percent) and CDs (39 percent).
In addition to the way we keep ourselves entertained, GPS navigation also has revolutionized how holiday road-trippers find their way. How much have things changed? Remember stopping at the gas station to ask for directions? In 2013, 10 percent of people say they've never in their life stopped for directions — and that percentage doubles for 18- to 34-year-olds.

Click the link to read the full article from Kicking Tires: http://bit.ly/Jt3YNg

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What to Do if You're In a Fender Bender

Nobody wants to get into a car accident. But sometimes fender benders happen. How you handle the situation afterwards can affect your personal health, how your insurance carrier will handle the incident, and the overall outcome of the accident.

There are a few general things to consider doing after a car accident. This article from Cars.com lists the steps you should take to ensure that all parties involved in a fender bender are taken care of physically, legally, and emotionally.

1. Think safety first.
It's a given to think safety in a more serious crash, but the after affects of fender-benders can be dangerous too. While in many states, the law requires you to stop after a collision, it's important to pull out of any driving lanes, even if the traffic behind you is stopped. This is to avoid a secondary collision, as well as to not impede traffic flow. 

If you are the front car in a collision, motion to the other driver and have him follow you to the closest spot where there's room for both of you to pull over safely. If you are parked in the breakdown lane, be sure to stay as far away from moving cars as possible as you exchange information and assess damage. 

If you can't move your car out of traffic, stay in the car with your seat belt buckled and call 911. No matter where you are stopped, turn your hazard lights on or put out flares or an emergency triangle if it's safe to do so. 

2. Check for injuries. 
Even in a relatively minor collision, people can be hurt. First, look at yourself, in a mirror if possible. While your adrenaline will be flowing hard, stop and think about if any part of your body hurts or if you are dizzy, short of breath or have other symptoms of an injury. Once you decide you are okay, ask the others involved if they are hurt. If anyone is injured or even seems like they might be, call 911. Unless you have first aid training, don't move anyone who is injured unless they are at risk of further injuries because of their location. 

3. Consider calling the police.
In many states, if no one is hurt, the cars involved are not blocking traffic and damage is under $1000, reporting the accident to the police is not required (New York and Massachusetts are two such places), but you may choose to make the call if you want a police report taken. If you think getting a report of the accident would be helpful in establishing fault or because you suspect fraud, then certainly make the call to request police assistance. 

Sometimes, especially in cities where officers are busy responding to calls of injuries and lawbreakers, the police may not respond to this request for a minor accident. Even if they don't respond, you may be required to file a report yourself, if anyone is hurt or if the damage exceeds a certain amount. Check with your local police, Department of Motor Vehicles or insurance company to find out. Keep in mind though, that in many states, if a police report is filed, your insurance company will be notified of the accident, which could derail you if you have plans to keep the accident quiet, though not reporting it is illegal in many states. 

4. Look for eyewitnesses. 
Noting any eyewitnesses to the collision is a smart move, especially if there's any question of fault in the collision. Go to the eyewitnesses as quickly as possible to get the full name, street address and day and evening phone numbers for each witness. Even if no police report is taken, you can provide this info to your insurance company. 

5. Make a plan if your car is being towed.
If the damage to your car is severe enough that it needs to be towed, take a few minutes to make a plan your next steps. Where do you want the car to be towed? Having it delivered to a dealer, mechanic or body shop you trust is ideal, even if you need to pay a bit because it's being towed further away. If you car is taken to the towing company's yard or other nearby location and you'll want it to go somewhere else later, you could end up paying for a second tow. 

If your car is being towed, make sure to get all of your personal belongings out of it first. If these items are stolen, they won't be covered under your auto insurance, plus they may be things you need later. 

6. Make notes.
In addition to the contact info of any eyewitnesses, take a moment to jot down the time of day as well as the street or highway where the collision occurred and the nearest cross-street or exit -- your insurance company will ask you for these details. It's also a good idea to note the road conditions, the weather, the speed limit sign, traffic signals and accident results, such as skid marks, since your insurance company may ask that information as well. 

7. Take pictures.
If you have a camera, even in a cell-phone, take pictures of the damage (or lack of it) of all the cars involved, as well as any pictures that can help the insurance company understand how the accident occurred and possibly determine fault or fraud. If possible, photograph each car by standing at an angle from each wheel, so one side and either the front or rear of the car is visible in the frame. Take close-up pictures of any vehicle damage (from this accident or not) and, if appropriate, of any people involved. You might also want to photograph the items you took notes on. 

8. Double check the other party's information.
Everyone knows to exchange information, but do so by writing down the info yourself by copying it from the person's driver's license and insurance card versus having them write it down for you. As you copy the info, ask if this is the person's current address and also compare the vehicle description, including the VIN, from the insurance card to the car itself. Make note of any discrepancies. 

9. Call your insurance company. 
Even in a fender bender with minimal damage, you are going to want to call your insurance company (and, in some states, you may be required to do so). Repair costs for even a new bumper and taillight can easily exceed a low deductible, and even seemingly minor damage to a car's exterior can reveal underlying damage once a body shop looks at the car more carefully. Be very cautious if you opt to try to handle the repair costs between the parties involved, check your state laws on this and decide in advance how to handle it if your car repair costs go up if they find more extensive damage once they have your car apart or if a person decides they are injured later. 

10. Consider visiting a doctor.
Even if you are not seriously hurt, it may be wise to see a doctor within the day or so after the crash. Soreness and stiffness can be signs of a more serious injury and if they are, it should be diagnosed and treated promptly. While it's not right to take advantage of the system, it is appropriate to ensure that any medical issues that are a result of the accident are taken care of by the at-fault party. You don't want to wait until months later to discover the lingering problem you have is a result of the car accident.

Click the link to read the full article from Kicking TIres: http://aol.it/1lHbFkx

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