12 Things You Don't Know About Car Insurance That Could Cost You

What you don't know about your car insurance policy could be draining your wallet right now. Insure.com, Inc. has revealed 12 factors that may be costing you money.

1. You'll pay for your friend's bad driving If your friend borrows your car and crashes it, you'll have to file a claim with your insurance company. You'll have to pay any deductible that applies and your rates could go up as a result of your claim, especially if you have made other recent claims.
2. Your personal property in your car isn't covered by your auto insurance Stolen or damaged items like compact discs aren't covered by your car insurance.
3. You may be entitled to payment for sales tax and registration fees for a new car Most states require insurers to pay sales taxes on total loss settlements. Some states require the insurer to pay it at the time of loss while other states require it to be paid only if you purchase a replacement vehicle within a certain time period. Make your request for a sales tax reimbursement no matter where you live.
4. You may be entitled to a diminished value claim in some states Diminished value is based on the idea that any car that has been in an accident, regardless of how well the repairs are done, is worth less than the exact same car that hasn't been in an accident. However, most states allow car insurers to use policy language that officially disallows diminished value claims. There's one way you may be entitled to a diminished value claim: If someone else hits you and you make a damage claim on that person's insurance. That's called a third-party claim and it's possible to get diminished value damages as a third party.
5. You may be able to "stack" your coverage Stacking uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage means you can collect payment more than once within the same auto policy or across two auto policies. There are two scenarios for stacking: First, if you have multiple cars, you can collect the limit of your UM/UIM policy to cover full payment for damages. Second, if you have more than one policy with UM/UIM coverage, you can make a claim under each policy until all your damages are recovered. Check the language of your policy.
6. Making a claim could increase your car insurance rates, but by how much? When an insurance company decides to raise your premiums because you make a claim, it doesn't follow any hard and fast rules; many factors are involved. For example, if you make a claim and have a birthday before renewal time, your birthday might bump you into a higher risk category along with the claim. Some insurance companies have "accident forgiveness" guidelines. When you buy or renew your policy, ask how to qualify for accident forgiveness.
7. If you don't drive much, "usage-based" car insurance could save you mone "Usage-based" car insurance allows you to buy coverage based on how much you actually drive. If you don't drive much, this can save you up to 60 percent on your insurance. Progressive is the first insurance company to offer "pay-as-you-drive" policies through its MyRate program. Your mileage will be measured by a wireless device installed in a car port. If your insurance company doesn't offer usage-based coverage, inquire about "low-mileage discounts."
   
8. Your credit history may affect your car insurance premium Car insurers believe that your credit history is an indicator of whether you are going to make a claim, and price your insurance policy accordingly where states allow it.
   
9. You must officially cancel your insurance policy when you switch insurers You can cancel your coverage at any time by notifying the company in writing of your intended date of termination. Most consumers assume that if they decide to terminate the policy at the end of the coverage period, they can simply ignore the bill. Insurance companies don't see it that way. They will send you another bill for the next premium payment, and when you don't pay it, the company can cancel you for nonpayment, which goes on your credit record.
10. You can wait to add your teenager to your policy until he or she is licensed In most cases, insurance companies don't require you to add your teenager to your policy until the teen has his or her driver's license. The exception may be if you are in a high-risk insurance pool; you may then have to add your child when they receive their permit.
11. Paying in installments will usually increase your overall bill "Fractional premium" fees are usually charged when you divide your annual premium payment into installments rather than pay for a year of coverage all at once. It can be as little as a few dollars per payment, but the more you break it down, the more it adds up. When you apply for the policy, ask what the fees are for paying in installments. If you can, pay your annual premium all at once.
12. Your car model affects your premium, but by how much? Auto insurers have a premium-rating system for every car model, usually based on "Vehicle Series Ratings" (VSRs) received from the Insurance Services Office (ISO). This rating indicates how comparatively expensive your vehicle should be to insure. Factors include susceptibility to theft and typical claims losses for the vehicle.

If you are shopping for a new car, contact your insurance company and ask about the premium difference among the cars you are considering.

Goodyear says contract offer includes no wage cuts

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., which has previously refused to release details about its contract offers to striking workers, said on Tuesday that its latest proposal would not cut wages as union workers have claimed and would close only one plant.
Jim Allen, Goodyear's director of global labour relations, said in a statement on the company's labour negotiations website that he wanted to correct misinformation about the status of negotiations with the United Steelworkers.
He said Goodyear's latest proposal would maintain medical benefits with a US$2 per week increase in premiums for single associates and $6 to $9 per week for families.
The proposal included an increase in capital investments for plants and would propose job security provisions at all major U.S. plants except its factory in Tyler, Texas.
Union members have said Goodyear's final contract offer included pay and benefit cuts for current employees and retirees and threatened to close plants in Tyler and Gadsden, Ala.
Tuesday's statement from Goodyear came a day after the company said it was closing the Tyler plant and eliminating 1,100 jobs. The plant's fate had been a key difference in negotiations that have been stalled since more than 12,000 workers in the United States and Canada went on strike Oct. 5.
The starting point to a new agreement is no plant closings,'' said Tom Conway, USW vice-president and chairman of the Goodyear negotiating team.

Goodyear's proposal also includes an offer to set up an independent trust fund for current and future retirees that would secure benefits.
The devil is in the details and the company is very deft in positioning its offer in the best light,'' Conway said. ``For example, the retiree medical proposal is so grossly underfunded that our members in the plants would have no coverage in the future.

Goodyear said this week that it is hiring an unspecified number of temporary workers at 12 plants affected by the three-week-old strike, including the Tyler plant. That move has been criticized by the union, which says hiring temporary employees to make tires raises concerns about safety and tire quality.
Goodyear executives throughout the strike have said they want the union to help the company be competitive in a global economy. The union says it already accepted pay cuts, job losses and other concessions in 2003 to help get the company back on track financially.

The company employs about 80,000 people in 28 countries.

Goodyear shares rose 15 cents to close at $15.33 Tuesday on the New York Stock Exchange. The stock has traded between $9.75 and $19.31 over the past year.

The Difference Between Collision And Comprehensive Automotive Insurance

which covers the cost to repair damages caused by you, is usually your state’s minimum automotive insurance requirement; however, if you are still making payments on your vehicle, your financer may require you to purchase additional automotive insurance coverage until you own the vehicle.

There alot of different kinds of additional automotive insurance, and collision automotive insurance and comprehensive automotive insurance are probably the most popular kinds of additional automotive insurance. But what is the difference between collision automotive insurance and comprehensive automotive insurance? Don’t they both cover everything?

No. Collision automotive insurance and comprehensive automotive insurance are actually quite different.

Collision automotive insurance is automotive insurance that will cover the cost to repair damages to your vehicle that result in an accident caused by you. If repairs to your vehicle cost more than the value of your vehicle, the automotive insurance company may deem your vehicle a total loss, in which case you will be compensated for the current and actual cash value of the vehicle.

Collision automotive insurance is usually the most expensive of the additional automotive insurance options, which is understandable since the automotive insurance company is paying for damages caused by their own policy holder.

On the other hand, comprehensive automotive insurance is insurance that will cover the cost to repair damages to your vehicle that result in an accident for which you are not at fault. These damages may be caused by incidents involving natural disasters, theft and vandalism, fire, and animals (think of deer running out in the road during your innocent drive home). Comprehensive automotive insurance will compensate you for the total cost of your vehicle before the accident.

Although many people opt to purchase only liability insurance since it’s usually the only insurance required, consider paying extra for these additional automotive insurances. You never know when you, or an animal, will be the one to cause damage to your vehicle.

How To Determine The Best Time To Attend Car Shows

If you are one of those people who are wondering when the best time to go to a car show is then your in luck. Most car shows will take place from spring to fall.

A lot of most car shows will take place in the summer although some are held in spring. You will find that many more people will attend in the summer since school is out. Even though many schools are different and people get out for summer earlier and later in the summer then others.

If you are looking for the best car shows in weather terms then you need to look for some that are going to be held in the summer months since it is always clean clear and sunny you will always be able to find some kind of car show event.

Just take this for example if you are going to be going to a NOPI event in Miami Florida then you are not going to need to wear long jeans and a long sleeved shirt you will need either a bath suit, shorts and t shirt on or just shorts on with no t shirt unless you are a women. Then you will just be able to wear a bikini or shorts and a t shirt as well.

If you are going to have little kids with your or babies then you will want to find car shows that start in the morning or noon hours and ends in the afternoon time so you can give them a nap. Most kids tend to get cranky in the evening hours as they will be tired and just want to eat and go to bed.

If you are just going to be by yourself or with some buddies then you can just go to the show in the morning so that you can avoid the crowd in the afternoon or you just might want to get to the car show early so you can be the first to look and ask questions. You might just want to get their earlier then everyone else because you just want to be there early so you will have the whole day to look at the cars you love. Either way you are going to see a lot of the cars you like whether you like it or not. So if you are worried about not getting to see enough cars that is going to be the wrong thing to think about seeing as it is a car show and you will have hundreds of cars to look at and gander through. You should have more then enough time to look at all the cars that are being showed even if you do get there a little later then you expected because of traffic. There will always be a lot of cars to look at unless it is just a high school car show then it will probably just be simple.

How To Find Car Shows That Feature The Vehicles You Are Interested In

If you are trying to find the car show of your dreams and want to put the car of your dreams in it then you need to find the right car show that is for you. Even though it may seem hard you should be able to find something along the lines of a good car show to you without trying too hard. There are all kinds of car shows everywhere. All you need to do is get out and go look at some of them.

The best ways to find a good car show is to look in your local newspaper or just hear it from around town or school. Usually if a town is having a car show at a school it will posted at school and all around the area of the school. If the car show is just for the town then you will most likely see it in the newspaper and it will be most likely on the front page or around that area.

Maybe another thing that you can do is just gander around in magazines that you normally look at you will see headlines and listings for all kinds of car shows that are probably in your area. If you cannot find or see that there is a car show in your area then you should just go online and look at cars shows and what the judges look for because you won't want to drive for a car show and then not win or at least win anything.

You might belong to a car club so look for listings of car shows from the club your in but some clubs you might have to be a paying member to go to some of the events that are being hosted there. So know what you must do and have before you start looking.

The newspaper or newsletter is where you can find most listings of what is going to happen on most government property. If it isn't at your house then you will be able to find the listings of the car shows in the newspaper no problem.

If you still cannot find a car show to go to from the newspapers magazines school or wherever else that you looked then you need to just go online and look at some car show videos because it doesn't look like you are going to any car shows anytime soon if you cannot find any. Even if they are just a hundred miles away that's only like an hour and a half away if you want to go to a car show bad enough you will drive an hour to get to what you want. Besides it's probably not the farthest that you have drove looking for a car show that you heard about and got lost trying to find. So go out and start going to car shows today. You might just be able to find one in your area that you didn't see.

The Way to Arrive in Style

Limousine services caters all sorts of events whether limousine service for prom or wedding, airport limo, corporate meetings, government dignitaries assembly, or simply to tour around town or just about anything that requires stylish movement of people from place to place. Surely the only way to travel with no less than regal elegance and style is in a chauffeur driven Limo. To simply put an example: Riding a New York Limo is far more elegant than riding a taxicab in New York.

Limousines, or simply Limo, are unusually long vehicles for luxurious travelers. It is an automobile associated with the well to do or the upper class men and women of the society. But do you know that the term Limousine came from a place called ‘Limousin.’ Limousin is a rural region in France famous for tasty beef cattle, exquisite wines and the infamous French Oak Orchards. Also, Limousin meant a certain type of specialized country coat or cloak made of wool fiber from sheep or goat. Shepherds in the region use Limousin coat or cloak during cold nights for it provides superior warmth and comfort against the bitter cold weather.

Similarly, Limousine ride meant luxury, comfort, fame and, nowadays, safety. It provides the best possible comfort, warmth and privacy. Also, most, if not all, Limousine services come with exquisite wines readily available on their mini bar. Limousines, on most cases, have two to three major compartments. Typically, the partition between the chauffeur compartment and passengers’ compartment is a soundproof sliding glass window so that the chauffeur is not hearing conversations among passengers. A third compartment is dedicated to luggage.

Chauffeurs drive limousines. A chauffeur, although it literally means driver in French or anyone who drives a vehicle for a living, is somewhat ‘one-up’ than any land vehicle driver. Chauffeur, nowadays, connotes driving a luxury car and not just any car. In some places a plus premium or qualifier for a chauffeur, aside from state issued driver’s license, are other licenses which attest them to have reached certain minimum age and years of clean driving experience (meaning no record of accident involving vehicles whether minor or major).

There are several types of Limousines to choose from based on the taste, level of comfort and elegance you are looking for. There is the traditional, the stage and the exotic or customized limo. Limousines usually come in black or white color; though rarely there are also other colors like pink, magenta and blue. Aside from manufactured Limos, there are also vehicles converted to become limousines. Today, almost all types of sedan car can be converted, or stretched, into Limousine. There are auto shops that specialize on this job, catering the wishes of clienteles who wanted custom built Limousine. Nowadays, Limousines can be equipped with almost all sorts of features in the name of elegance, comfort and safety. From bulletproofing to mini bars and hot tubs to GPS navigation systems and other multitude of features customized to fit every whims and wants of those who can afford.

Looking For A Used Ford

If you are looking for a used Ford then going online with a specialist used car website can considerably cut down the time you spend on your search for the car. A specialist site will offer all the tools needed for you to find your ideal used car by giving you access to tools which you can tailor to your needs such as the used car search engine to ensure that you are only spending time on the model of Ford you are interested in.

To begin with you can use the extensive search tool which all specialist used car websites will offer, this allows you to search not only for a used Ford but you can also search based on the area in which you wish to travel, the price of the car, model of car and any extras you wish to have and even down to the colour if needed. This is without a doubt the quickest and easiest ways of narrowing down you search so that you only have to look through the exact model you have in mind rather than wade through pages of cars you are not interested in. Some of the bigger used car websites will have thousands of used cars and even a huge range of used Fords so using a search engine to narrow down your choices is essential.

Once you have narrowed down what is on offer using the search engine you could still be left with a huge choice of cars. You can either narrow down your search even more or start to compare the choices of used Ford you have found. To help you there should be good clear photographs of the car from the front, back, sides and if you are lucky the interior of the car and this can give you a good indication of the bodywork of the car. There should also be a detailed listing with all the necessary information regarding the car such as the shape it is in, how many miles it has done, the price and of course if the seller is honest any problems the car has.

You do have to be aware of any used Ford that seems too good to be true. While there are many honest sellers just looking to pass on their car there are also some unscrupulous dealers who will try to make a profit from an old banger, often posing as a private seller. If you don’t know anything about used cars and in particular a used Ford then it is essential that you get advice before going to actually view the car and hand over your money. Again a specialist used car website can come in very handy, they should offer articles, hints, tips and advice on what to look for when it comes to going and viewing the car. Taking their advice can save you a lot of problems in the future and you should follow it if you want to avoid being ripped off by an unscrupulous dealer trading as a private seller.

New Engine Takes Power from the AIR

Inventor “Carl Hefley” states “Our new patented engine uses all types of fuel including gasoline, diesel, bio-diesel, corn oil, natural gas, propane, ethanol E-85 and even hydrogen enriched-combinations. Hydrogen is considered the “greenest” of fuels leaving only water in the exhaust, there’s absolutely nothing harmful to effect the environment. The new engine can change to new fuels within seconds!

“But that’s not all” Mr. Hefley goes on. “My new engine uses more oxygen that any other gasoline car engine being produced. The air is almost 21 percent oxygen. Gasoline engines for example can use about 12 times normal oxygen levels by compressing the air. However, conventional engines only use these high amounts of oxygen when running almost wide open (where the most power is produced for the fuel consumed). In reality you only need to run your big car engine wide open on occasion. Closing the throttle just starves the engine from using this highly efficient power booster OXYGEN. The answer is simple, instead of throttling back the engine, our engine simply shrinks in size but still runs almost wide open where the oxygen can continue to boost power. When more power is need, our engine just quickly and smoothly increases its size. This makes for amazing efficiency and economy while still providing all the power that is required.”

I asked Mr. Hefley how long it would take to get the new engine in production. He replied, “Not long at all. We have a great advantage since we use many of the well-proven components of conventional engines. No this is not an add-on; this is a completely new patented engine design that just works much better! My new advanced technology is known as variable displacement with variable compression ratio. Many of the top automobile makers have tried to perfect this concept since they know of its advantages. But, we have perfected it and also simplified it. As soon as financing is in place we will move ahead very quickly.”

In looking at Mr. Hefley’s website, I was amazed how clear and precise his 3-D animated engines were displayed. There is one area called The Hefley workshop where the designs were displayed in great detail. As I viewed them, his voice came on explaining them thoroughly. I am sure no other inventor has ever taken the time to illustrate and explain the patented designs so well!

I asked Mr. Hefley about the crossovers and hybrids we hear so much about. He answered. “Our engine works well on small and larger vehicles. Crossovers and hybrids would NOT be required to get amazing economy. However, our engine is easily adapted to work with hybrid and crossover technology.

If you would like to contact Mr. Hefley, try his email below. Be sure to out his website.

Your interest and support will help make this incredible new engine a reality. I can’t wait to start driving my own new energy efficient HEFLEY ENGINE!

Take Advantage Of The Search Option On A Used Car Website To Find Your Used Vauxhall

If you are looking to buy a used Vauxhall then you should take advantage of the search feature that a specialist used car website will offer along with many other helpful tools when making a search for a used car. And of course they should also offer plenty of free advice, hints and tips on how to get the best out of the search and also when it comes to going and looking the car over and taking it for a test drive.

The search feature offered by a specialist used car website is different from the standard search engine that you would normally use online. This search engine should allow you to scour what is on offer based on a huge range of criteria to find the match for the used Vauxhall you are interested in. Because there are many different models of Vauxhall starting with the exact model is a great starting point. After this you are able to narrow down the search even more by how much you want to pay for the car, the radius in which you want to travel, engine size or even colour. By honing your search this way you are not going to be wasting time looking through several web pages of cars that you have no interest in whatsoever.

While a used car website can greatly cut down the time you spend looking for a used Vauxhall there is the disadvantage of not actually being able to see the car and walk around it to get the feel of it, however while you cannot actually be there the majority of specialist websites will encourage the seller to take several good clear photographs of the car including the front, sides and back of the car. While this is not the same it can give you a very good idea of what the car looks like and the state the bodywork is in, you should be very wary of any photographs that have been taken in poor lighting conditions as this could mean that the seller is trying to hide something.

Along with the photographs the seller should have included a detailed listing alongside the photo; the more descriptive the better as this is how you are going to be able to narrow down from the choices of used Vauxhall that the search engine provided. If the seller has taken the trouble not only the essential information will be listed but also any additional features which make the car stand out from above the rest. Of course there will also be contact information included with the listing which allows you to ask any questions you have regarding the used Vauxhall which haven’t been answered in the listing.

Without a doubt taking advantage of the search engine that a specialist used car website offers is the quickest way of finding a used Vauxhall and along with this you can also benefit from the information and hints and tips which a website such as this offers to not only help you get the most out of the search but also when it comes to looking the car over and taking it for a test drive.

Fiberglass Tonneau Covers, Reduce Gas Mileage

Fiberglass tonneau covers are becoming more popular among truck accessories today. They are very easy to install, light weight, and easy to manage. Even though the fiberglass truck bed covers are light, they are tough and withstand inclement weather conditions and roads with pot holes and dips.

If you want to add beauty to your truck, with simple installation and almost no drilling, this is a long-term investment with which you will be pleased.

Simple lifting without straining yourself and easy access to the truck bed is a feature all tonneau covers offer. Most fiberglass tonneau covers open from the tailgate, and the hinges are present near the bed of the truck.

Fiberglass truck tonneau covers are manufactured so they can be painted and matched to the exact color of your truck. This sleek design and added accessory is a real head turner. Your vehicle will look like it is ready to enter a show because of this simple upgrade.

There are also a variety of covers that have a handle near the tailgate, adding to a more polished, expensive-looking appearance for your vehicle. Along with the beauty and style added, you have increased security of your gear.

How about adding a special emblem for that finishing touch? With many name brands to choose from, such as Access, Bestop, Gaylord, Masters, Pace Edwards, Truxedo, and others, the sky is the limit to choosing the best cover for your truck.

Hard tonneau covers may also come with a keyless remote system, which is yet another theft deterrent and ease of accessibility for you.

Almost all truck bed covers are custom made for your pick-up truck. All the necessary hardware needed for simple installation is provided along with the cover. The covers not requiring drilling are secured to the bed of your truck with heavy-duty clamps.

The hard fiberglass tonneau cover has a special locking systems so the loads kept in the back of the truck bed are secure. Some models even include a wing at the back, which adds to the aerodynamic style of the truck and makes for great savings on gas.

Quite a few truck owners purchase their vehicle to have more room to haul around a variety of gear. They wind up needing to lug their tools in and out of their truck every night, for fear of theft. If the room your truck provides is not secure, then you are literally wasting over 80 per cent of your truck’s space. You can also choose a tool box with tonneau cover, especially designed for anyone owning a lot of tools for their specific trade.

Therefore, it is more important to protect your cargo from getting damaged from not only the ever-changing weather conditions, but from would-be-thieves waiting to steal your expensive property. With the rise of truck break-ins, this type of theft deterrent system is a must.

The designs and benefits of these covers have been refined and improved by constant redesigning and engineering. After researching the price of different truck bed covers, you must decide which one fits your particular needs and budget.

Prior to your purchase, think about all of the ways in which you use your vehicle and cargo area. There are tonneau covers that open in one piece, like the hood of the car, while others can be stretched and locked with the tailgate. New and different styles are being introduced all the time, because truck owners are speaking up and telling the manufacturers what they need.

All the vendors of the fiberglass tonneau cover use the maximum space available, and thus produce the covers all the way to the tailgate. The benefits of these truck tonneau covers are noticed immediately after its installation. You can see the new sleek style of your truck, and feel the added safety and security of your gear.

Take Care Of Your Woodie Station Wagon

Nothing signifies surfing on the west coast of North America as much as “Woodies” – Wooden station wagons. They were inexpensive, could carry a surf board or boards easily. As well they could serve as a crash pad at night, parked along the beach or in a parking lot whether it be on the coast at a California, British Columbia or Oregon beach.

Initially woodies had a place since many potential car and automobile buyers who could not afford new station wagons would have bought such cars second hand. A wood body that was well card for seemed to last for years and years- even in humid climates such as Vancouver. It was true however that a portion of these woodies were not cared for by their owners and as such there were many lemons among this crowd.

When moisture gets into the cracks and open joints of a “Woodie” or as well into rips in the roof fabric, all sorts of decay can result. It’s a situation like the Titanic. What lies below the surface of the body of the vehicle can often be much more serious than an owner or potential buyer can think or even imagine.

A wagon that had been driven regularly every day is likely to be in better shape than one that stood around for weeks, or even months, in a damp garage – because the moisture would have been shaken out of it and dried up by the sun. It pays to look twice at a station wagon that has not gone as far as it its age would lead you to expect. It may be in worse shape than a similar vehicle with a much higher odometer reading or a newer vintage.

Neglect will be costly to you as a buyer of a vintage Woody automobile. Wood bodies were not self maintaining. A wooden body should have been maintained and revarnished every six months. The best finish is the most dangerous, however, if the joints are not filled properly. Wood filler should be worked into all cracks and coverered with a thin line of varnish. Otherwise water will have entered these cracks and be trapped under the heavy finish – eventually eating away the wood.

Similarly tears and small openings between the roof and the molding should be sealed promptly with weather strip cement. Paint, wax and varnish should not be used on fabric roofs. They will cause the fabric to crack. A light application of thin oil will keep these fabrics more than pliable.

Watch out that the drainage holes in the bottoms of doors and below the vintage sliding glass panes must also be kept open to preserve a Woodie Wagon’s body. This can be done very easily and simply by poking a stiff wire up through the holes occasionally.

Be careful of danger signs when evaluating vintage Woodie station wagons. Among the signs are – a musty smell, ugly fungus growths on the inside wood as well as discolored wood either inside or outside of the auto. Any of these signs of trouble can mean a fair amount of work will have to be done on the wagon within a year. Black or green discoloration is usually very serious, but gray areas along the top edges of horizontal frame members. The direct rays of the sun affect these edges most, and the grey spots usually can be bleached out and revarnished.

Lastly watch out decayed wood and patchwork repairs that have been concealed by paint. Look carefully for any depression in the surface of such a car body, and for cracks where there are no joints. Press these areas with your fingernail. If the wood is soft, and there are a number of such places move on. A very presentable Woodie station wagon auto is the very emblem of the California surfing image. Help maintain the tradition.

Electric Car Designs; What Is Missing?

by: Terry Bolton

There are yearly contests for engineering students, as well as high school students that can enter their electric car designs that promote the development of this automotive technology. Despite the fact the electric auto has been manufactured, and forgotten there is a continuous push for more optimal designs that can utilize battery or solar power to move a vehicle.

El Car Designs Do Not Differ that much from Conventional

Electric cars look like conventional cars aesthetically, both when it comes to exterior and interior. The same great and pretty designs are available, and friends and family will hardly be able to tell the difference. However, some new and simmering are emerging even today that promise better efficiency because unlike conventional cars which essentially only stress their aesthetics, electric vehicles also focus on the insides.

A question many people ask is; what exactly makes electric car designs different from other designs of conventional cars? Well, most electric automobiles bypass the use of gasoline and an engine completely although some have a secondary engine and storage tank in case the battery dies. Rather than using gasoline as a primary source of power, electric car design call for the usage of electricity like the name implies. A huge battery, made from materials like lithium ion - which is similar to performance batteries found in electronics like notebook computers - powers an efficient electric motor. New designs allow electric vehicles to travel up to fifty miles or more on a single charge.

Neat Usefulness

While conventional cars can easily travel 250 miles on a tank of gas, electric cars don't yet have the ability to go even close to hundred miles on a single charge. Keep in mind though that electricity is still much cheaper than gasoline. Nuclear power, hydroelectricity, and other sources of power, can power an electric vehicle indirectly by empowering the lines that the vehicle is charged from at a cost as low as about one cent per mile. The most fuel efficient conventional automobiles still cost around 7.5 cents per mile. It's unlikely that conventional engines will become significant more efficient, which is why research and development has occurred with regard to alternatives such as fuel made of hydrogen and other chemicals as well as electricity

Electric car designs should not be confused with design of hybrid cars. Hybrid cars utilize technologies from both conventional and electric cars to achieve slightly better fuel efficiency while lowering emissions, but they will probably never be as efficient as electric cars. Several families own two or more vehicles, so they would still have a long range car for vacations and business trips. For a car that's cheap and efficient for everyday transportation, an electric vehicle is the perfect solution.

The Benefits Of Vehicle Parking Sensors

by: David Ostiguy


Many articles have been written about vehicles that prevent a person from swerving; cars that automatically slow down or stop when the vehicle comes too close to an object, or my personal favorite, self parking vehicles.

Most Luxury cars will have a feature where the driver will press a “Self Parking Button,” and the vehicle will park itself. But what about the people who cannot afford a luxury car? Instead of going out and spending an arm and a leg, why don’t you consider the option of purchasing a Parking Sensor Kit? There are many kits to choose from that all range in price to fit anyone’s budget. Parking Sensors go as low as $50. The Sensor Kit is easy to install and fits any vehicle. Some of the pricier kits require a little more work to install. If you are not comfortable with removing the bumper of a vehicle yourself, you could easily find an Installation Technician at just about any place that installs Stereo Equipment.

Vehicle Parking Sensors are a wise investment. It was recently reported that the number of children that are injured in parking accidents are equal to the amount of children killed in auto accidents. Vehicle Parking Sensors could be responsible in reducing reversing accidents by 75% and will pay for themselves in the long run by preventing these kinds of accidents. This will save you money on insurance claims and will also keep monthly premiums low.

Each Kit usually comes with 4-8 sensors. Others come with a metallic strip that is installed behind the bumper. The Sensors are either all ultrasonic, or a combination of ultrasonic and radar. As the vehicle reverses towards an object, the LED screen will beep. The closer you get to an object, the faster the beeping.

With all of the money you’ll be saving by preventing auto accidents, you may be able to afford that Luxury Car after all!

Visit http://www.sensorparking.com for affordable Parking Sensors, blogs and more…

Tips for Safe Driving During the Holidays

by: Valerie Nay


Every year during the holiday season TV, radio, newspapers and others talk a lot about the hazards of drunk driving and remind us to be careful. Extra police are on the streets and many cities set up sobriety checkpoints to catch drunk drivers on nights when there are likely to be more parties.

This extra focus reduces the number of alcohol-related traffic accidents and makes all of us safer on the road during the holidays.

Drunk drivers aren’t the only hazard on the road during the holidays, though. While most of us would never dream of getting behind the wheel drunk, we could still be creating serious dangers without thinking about it.

Holiday Madness

Juggling normal responsibilities with shopping, parties, and extra school events can make a normally safe driver a literal wreck. Even if you are always calm and collected, remember that other drivers may be more on edge than usual and take these precautions.

*Be extra patient and make allowances for other people and the mistakes they make. Don’t forget to watch out for pedestrians as well as other drivers.

*Try to keep your attention on what you are doing. Not only could they cause you to make a mistake, but cell phones, eating and other distractions keep you from paying attention to other people and the silly errors they can make.

*Be especially careful in parking lots crammed with cars and pedestrians at this time of year. Take it a little slower than normal to avoid fender benders or worse.

*Take note of your emotions and consider taking a break if you get too stressed out, irritated or emotional. Get a cup of coffee or tea and relax for 10 minutes before you dive back in to the frenzy.

Holiday Fatigue

Another danger that is often forgotten, but also a huge problem during this hectic time of year, is driving while drowsy. Falling asleep at the wheel is obviously the most dangerous result, but tired drivers also tend to be more irritable and impatient.

This year like normal there will no doubt be many people who leave work on Friday and start out on long-distance trips to be with family or friends. College students whose holiday break begin after classes on Friday may be headed home as well.

Here are some recommendations you should consider and pass along to family members and friends who may be traveling by car during the holidays:

*Don’t start your journey tired. Be aware of the risks if you get up unusually early to start your trip or leave directly from work or school when you are tired.

*Plan your trip to include a 15-minute break every two hours.

*Make sure that you and everyone on your trip is carrying emergency contact information and valid identification.

*Share the driving if possible. Safety experts recommend switching off every three hours.

*You’re too tired to drive if you start drifting from your lane, hitting rumble strips, yawning repeatedly, having difficulty focusing or keeping your eyes open, missing road signs or tailgating. Pull over to a safe place as soon as possible, drink a high caffeine drink and take a 15-minute nap.

Megaloud - A New Concept in Car Audio

by: Vincent Craine


For so many years we have relied on the car audio manufactures to put out a great product that we could enjoy listening to. Well just the opposite has happened for the last several years. Many manufactures have tried to find ways to make a profit by selling diluted quality. They have spent thousands of dollars on advertising by pulling full page adds in all the top car audio and car magazines so they could Brain Wash you on how good their product is.

The problem with this is the quality each year keeps going down as the cost rises. The only one loosing is YOU!

Well the time has come to stand up and say enough is enough and demand an honest car audio line that does not depend on mass production and lower quality to survive.

My name is Vince Craine and I want to introduce you to the NEW buzz in the car audio industry. Simply put this new line resulted from one mans dream to produce the best car audio products on the market and make them affordable to the average car audio enthusiast as well as the very competitive car audio competitor.

Introducing Megaloud Inferno Series

Megaloud is brand new concept in car audio. Megelound produces music so crystal clear you won’t believe your own ears. 6 years of Black Board testing has now resulted in the best top of the line audio series without breaking the bank! There is no doubt Megaloud car audio will soon become one of the best lines in the world. (Hint: It’s already there!)

The man behind the dream and inventor is Milt Nasiopoulos… he’s been taking care of car audio enthusiast for decades. Milts passion for car audio started way before he graduated as an electrical engineer from one of the finest colleges in New York.

As a teenager he had a love for music and an ear for quality. As a competitor he tried many different lines but was not satisfied and in his heart felt he had the ability and talent to build a car audio line that would please not only him but also many of his fellow car audio enthusiasts. After many years of testing and blackboard trial he reached his goal. Megaloud was born...! This is a very high end line that will surpass all expectations from his critics and set new standards in the car audio world.

A Used Mercedes Benz Can Be Found Online Quickly

by: Louis Rix


If you are looking for a used Mercedes Benz then you have access to a virtual showroom which you can tailor towards the particular model you are looking for all from the comfort of your own home by way of your home computer and the internet.

Shopping online had become a big thing and when it comes to finding a used Mercedes Benz you are able to complete a tailored search right down to the exact model and colour you are looking for. A specialist used car website gives you all the tools you need to find your ideal used car in the shortest time possible and you are even able to search in the area in which you are willing to travel when it comes to taking a test drive.

Another big advantage of a specialist used car website is the information that you can gain regarding buying used cars and what to look for, the majority of cars that are listed online are what they say they are but then unfortunately some people take advantage and do embellish about the car they are selling. There should be plenty of hints, tips and advice on a specialist used car website and this is where you should start off when it comes to buying a used Mercedes Benz. It is essential that you know what to look for in used cars especially when it comes to going and looking the car over and taking it for a test drive and unless you know a little about cars and especially the Mercedes Benz then it is essential you read up on the car.

When you have narrowed down your search based on the particular model, colour, price and distance you wish to travel then you will have to narrow down your choices even further, to help you do this there should be photographs of the car and if you are lucky these will show you different angles of the car which can give an excellent indication of the state of the car. While the photographs can go a long way to helping you narrow down your choices of used Mercedes Benz the listing that accompanies the photographs can give detailed information regarding the car.

The majority of people who sell their car online will have taken the time to not only out all the essential details into the wording but will also have included anything that makes that particular car stand out such as any additional parts fitted and extras. Of course all of these go a long way to you finding your ideal used Mercedes Benz and can help you to narrow down the list considerably, however once you have narrowed down your choice then of course there will be contact information which then allows you to ask any specific questions regarding the car.

When going to look the car over and take it for a test drive always remember the advice you should have taken beforehand on what to look for in a used Mercedes Benz and always take the car for a test drive before handing over any cash along with making sure that the documents relating to the car are in order and all is upfront.

What You Should Know About International Car Shipping

Historically, people liked fairly stationary lives. It was not at all uncommon for a person live out their entire lives in the same town they were born in, just like their ancestors did, because travel was costly, difficult and sometimes dangerous. Thanks to technological advances in the transportation industry, it is now possible to make a cross country trip in just a few hours. The relative speed and ease of travel has inspired folks to conquer destinations they might have missed out on before. It used to be that international travel was only for wealthy people of leisure who had time for the long, expensive trip, but now there are fast, affordable options for people of all walks of life. Along with passenger transport, cargo transport has grown to accommodate vehicles so that your own car could be waiting for you when you reach your destination. Since shipping a vehicle isn’t an everyday activity for most people, here are some things you need to consider before you get started.

The first thing to do is choose a shipping company. You’d begin the process just like you would when looking for any other kind of business. Look at newspaper ads. Check out the yellow pages or business pages in the phonebook. If you live in a land-locked area, there may not be any such listings in your local phonebook. You should be about to locate some companies on the Internet, and can find the resources to investigate them there also. If you are part of a group that travels frequently, such as the military or executive, your colleagues should be able to give some good advice on the matter. Word of mouth is always your best bet.

After you have chosen a company, or at least narrowed it down to a few, you should be asking a lot of questions and getting the answers in writing. Do not count on a verbal agreement. Most companies will have a clause in there contract that says you will be fined if your car isn’t retrieved with in a certain time. Don’t assume you have to sign whatever they put in front of you “as is”. You can negotiate the date and sometimes even get the clause waived. That will save you money if your plans change. Make sure you are aware of all the possible fines and fees so you don’t get any unpleasant surprises.

Costs will vary greatly depending on the make of vehicle you need to move. Obviously, large ones, like RVs and SUVs take up more room and aren’t as easy to maneuver, so they can bring a bigger price, as can classic cars and those who have been modified. You will need to conduct a thorough inspection of your car with the shipping company and make note of any preexisting damage. Being intimately familiar with the details of your car will help you evaluate the condition in which it is returned to you. Make sure you have plenty of insurance. The shippers will only be responsible for damage they directly inflict. If your car gets a flat or something mechanical goes wrong, they won’t have to cover it. You can visit http://www.international-car-shipping-guide.com to find more information about transporting your vehicle abroad.

Moving to a different country can be an adventure or a nightmare. Working with a shipping company that knows the rules and regulations your destination requires of your vehicle will make everything go smoother.

Which Car Did I Park Here?

by: Kathy Austin
Don’t forget you’re the owner of that wonderful Chevrolet Venture; so get a nice grip on the only thing that would get it moving – your key. I am a proud owner of this great model, and this Chevrolet Venture keychain is a perfect companion reminding me constantly the answer to the question “Which one is yours in this sea of parked cars?”

Keys are designed to keep our valuables safe. But losing our key is as annoying as having our stuff stolen sometimes. Owning a Chevy Venture makes me proud with this badge – a leather keychain with a round silver plate engraved with the model name. It reflects my car’s personality (and my own, too!). When this treasured possession got lost, I felt like I went to hell in a week.

Before, I had no trouble explaining to a car park attendant which car is mine because my keychain has the exact model of my car engraved in it. By just a mention of the approximate location, like “It is parked in the second row next to the south entrance” and I am pretty sure he would find it very quickly. Within that week, I had this bad experience giving the car attendant my duplicate key attached to a Mitsubishi keychain. The parking attendant gave me a sharp, suspicious look. I nearly lost my cool to tell him, “Don’t look at me like that! I have all the registrations papers here!”

When the thought of finding a replacement came to me, I Google-searched the item and my eyes immediately caught the image of a fine black leather keychain featuring my Chevy Venture. It’s a not-so-exact replica of the one I’ve lost, it being slightly smaller at three inches tall and 1 1/4 inches wide. It still features the Chevrolet logo and the model name “Venture” highlighted atop a silver round plate with a shiny white plastic backdrop.

Every time I remember my experience which the car park attendant, my hands are moving involuntarily to tap my pockets. I am glad my new keychain is still there.

Here’s another funny anecdote to make you value your keychain more: I had a dinner with my boss in restaurant downtown when it rained like Noah’s time. We parked his car right in front of the restaurant. Trapped in the rain after the sumptuous meal, we were forced to wait at the already jam-packed lobby for about an hour. We do not have umbrellas because these were left inside the car. My poor boss is already fuming mad, ran to his car with a plastic folder on top of his head. He was already soaking wet, and yet he can’t open the door. When he came back to where I was waiting, he was laughing loudly and I thought he had gone crazy. He whispered to me, “Oh my God! What would have happened if the owner of that car saw me? I might have spent the night in jail. Our ride is behind the car I was trying to open like a thief.”

GPS Vehicle Tracking Devices

It is said that had it not been for a GPS tracking device in OJ Simpson’s mobile phone, he would not have been found to be tried on his wife’s murder. A GPS vehicle tracking device is much like driving around in your car with your mobile phone. It allows a person to locate the current position of a moving vehicle or identify where it’s been and as well, where it is heading. This is ideal for chasing criminals who has just fled the scene of the crime or finding where a suspicious vehicle will be heading next.

A GPS tracking device calculates its position by measuring distances between itself and other GPS satellites. In return, the signals emitted by the satellites carry information about the GPS carrier’s location. Aside from absolute location, other civilian benefits from having GPS vehicle tracking devices include relative movement. Relative movement is useful in ships and vessels to calculate certain time distance calculations including velocity made good toward your destination and crosstrac error calculations.

Additional benefits of using GPS vehicle tracking devices is the ability to know let the carrier know exactly where their vehicle is located and its direction of travel. This technology can also create a digital view of the vehicle’s current position in a geographic map. This information can be valuable in remote locations that do not have established road names or where the vehicle may be traveling off road. More advanced GPS devices can even tell you which turn to take or which roads to take to reach a destination. Life is now easier drivers who simply get on their cars and start their engines without knowing where to go. GPS in vehicles has given everyone the ability to navigate to about any location on the earth. As a result the world is a much small place than it was just a few short years ago. Now we can find our present location, where have been or going to, with a simple click of a button.

So, if you ever wonder where your car may be, your GPS can track where it is to within a few meters. If by chance your car gets stolen, you can easily find where it is heading or where it currently is. Suppose a vehicle stops in the middle of nowhere because of some car trouble, the driver could easily ask for help, or his location could easily be tracked for emergency assistance, that is for as long as there is a signal. GPS tracking will not work without it. This feature has the potential to decrease car theft or even robberies with getaway vehicles. This can also give cheating husbands or spouses a second thought on their actions. Moving around in vehicles with GPS can very well ruin a secret affair because of its non-discreet ability to identify one’s exact location.

Having this new and useful technology, GPS tracking devices in your mobile phones or GPS vehicle tracking devices in your vehicle, we are giving away a part of our lives to be known to others for a price. This loss of privacy is of great concern may many people. Basically we are giving away information about our lives for sake of more information. If you do purchase and install GPS vehicle tracking devices, then you should expect that somebody else can use the GPS tracking information you provide for their own benefit. Unless we a doing something illegal or immoral we really have little fear from the misuse of any GPS tracking information we generate each day.

Back Up A Vehicle Safely

Backing up your vehicle can be quite simple, once you get the technique down pat, like anything else. It should be a lot easier than going forward. There is a huge difference in speed, than maneuvering the vehicle forward. Keep in mind. The faster your speed is, the faster you have to process information. That said. Driving backwards should be a lot easier than going forward, because you should be going a lot slower. Now if you’re speeding going backwards, the opposite is true. Right?

When backing up a vehicle, always look in the direction that you are backing. When your maneuvering the vehicle to the left, look left. When you’re maneuvering the vehicle to the right, look right. When you’re driving straight back always look over you’re right shoulder. Always glance over the opposite shoulder first, before you proceed to back up. So if you’re backing and looking right, you should be glancing left first, before you start to roll backwards. Backing to the left, glance over right shoulder first. Always recheck you’re blind spot again, if you take more time, before you roll back.

There are a few things that you have to do first, depending on the size of the vehicle. You may have to honk your horn to worn pedestrians and other vehicles. One important thing you must do is looking around before you back up. The other important thing you must do is look where your backing at all times. The only reason to glance forward is to make sure your front end clears the vehicle, hazard, or pedestrian beside your car if you intend on turning the vehicle. Did you notice I used the word glance?

It’s pretty easy. Driving forward, you look forward, driving backwards; you look backwards until your vehicle comes to a complete stop. Everything else is just a glance. When you must back up, only go back far enough necessary to drive forward, especially if you’re view is limited. Putting it in simpler terms. If you’re vehicle has enough clearance to move forward. Stop and proceed forward. Do not guess. Move back more if your not sure. When you’re not sure which way your vehicle wheels are turned. With your foot on the brake pedal and the gearshift in drive or reverse, depending on direction, release up on the brake pedal slowly and look and see which direction your vehicle is heading, and correct accordingly.

Let’s take a quick lesson on backing up. May I suggest you find a vacant parking lot like a mall or a school when it is closed? Make sure you get out of the car and look around for kids playing first. (Do not attempt this maneuver without an experienced driver sitting next to you or kids playing in the area.)

With your foot covering the brake, slowly release the brake until the vehicle starts rolling. Keep your foot above the brake only to move it to the accelerator to get the vehicle in motion moving your foot back over the brake to keep the car from getting out of control. It’s called covering the brake. Looking in the direction you want to go, place your hand at the twelve o’clock position, practice turning the vehicle from side to side bringing it back to straight position and holding it straight for awhile. Stop after approximately the length of a football field and do the same thing going forward. The reason I would like you to do the same exercise going forward is that soon you will realize turning the wheel going forward is the same as turning the wheel going backwards. Once you turn the wheel right or left. Bringing the vehicle back to straight position will require you to straighten the wheel once the vehicle is straight again.

Repeat the maneuver going backwards until you arrive at the approximate point that you started. Also practice turning the vehicle on a bigger degree of a turn when you get a little more confident. Be certain that you are covering the brake pedal at all times. Slowly backing up to your ability only. Also practice backing up between the lines of parking stalls. Do this a few times or a couple of times a week and you will master the art of backing up safely.

Your knowledge on backing up is equally as important as driving forward. Just remember that doing it safely is the most important part of backing up. In other words, looking around before rolling back and looking where you’re backing. Do not roll back looking forward. Do you look back when you are driving forward? .

Lets talk about the blind spot. Position your hands at 10 and 2 on the steering wheel and look straight ahead. You should be able to see out your back window and your side mirrors. Those mirrors are good for viewing traffic coming up behind you. Your blind spot is situated over your shoulders on the backside of your passengers back windows. By glancing in that direction, you will be able to see a vehicle coming along side of you, that you cannot see with your mirrors. Including traffic or pedestrians approaching from the opposite side of the roadway, or parking lots and intersections.

When you want a better understanding of the blind spot. Have a friend or family member stand directly along side the back corner of you’re vehicle, and have them side-step away from your vehicle, and looking in you’re side and rear view mirror until they are not visible, then glance over you’re shoulder. That would be you’re blind spot.

Driving safely is almost impossible without the understanding of your blind spot. All it takes is a quick glance, and if you think you saw something, glance again, before you turn the vehicle wheel, and or move in that direction.

Do not turn the wheel at the same time your checking. It defeats the purpose of checking to see if it’s safe. I like to use the word glance, especially if you’re moving the vehicle. When you’re not moving forward or backwards, take a good look around before you roll. It is important to look in the direction you’re going.

For further information on driving techniques, please find a recognized driving school nearest you.