Posted by Anonymous on 10:00 AM
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,...
Posted by Anonymous on 8:45 AM
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...
Posted by Anonymous on 8:58 AM
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...
Posted by Anonymous on 8:58 AM
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. ScrewdriversQuality 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. PliersPliers...
Posted by Anonymous on 7:41 AM
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...
Posted by Anonymous on 8:23 AM
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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...
Posted by Anonymous on 7:39 AM
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 regularlyThe 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...
Posted by Anonymous on 8:51 AM
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...
Posted by Anonymous on 8:45 AM
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, MainePortland 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...
Posted by Anonymous on 9:08 AM
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....
Posted by Anonymous on 8:56 AM
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...
Posted by Anonymous on 8:25 AM
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...
Posted by Anonymous on 8:37 AM
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 OldAccording 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...
Posted by Anonymous on 9:40 AM
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 SurroundingsAs 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...
Posted by Anonymous on 10:00 AM
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...
Posted by Anonymous on 8:56 AM
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 recordsService 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...
Posted by Anonymous on 8:25 AM
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...
Posted by Anonymous on 8:37 AM
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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...
Posted by Anonymous on 8:09 AM
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...
Posted by Anonymous on 8:01 AM
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...
Posted by Anonymous on 7:37 AM
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...
Posted by Anonymous on 7:38 AM
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...
Posted by Anonymous on 12:40 PM
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...
Posted by Anonymous on 8:20 AM
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...
Posted by Anonymous on 8:38 AM
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,...
