AAA offers "Tipsy Tow" on NYE

For all you party-goers planning to go out this New Year's Eve, the Auto Club of Southern California is offering it's free "Tipsy Tow" during the New Year's holiday.  The service will be available from 6pm on Thursday New Year's Eve through 11:59pm Friday night, New Year's Day.  

According to the Auto Club's website,

Motorists, bartenders, restaurant managers, party hosts or passengers of a drinking driver may call 1-800-400-4AAA (4222) for a free tow home up to seven miles. Callers simply tell the Auto Club operators, “I need a Tipsy Tow,” to receive the ride home for themselves and their vehicle.

The website didn't specify members only.  From the looks of it, this service is available to the public within the So Cal counties they serve.  However, there are restrictions

The service excludes rides for passengers, is restricted to a one-way, one-time ride for the driver and the destination is limited to the driver’s residence. Reservations are not accepted. Drivers can expect to pay the rate charged by the tow truck contractor for rides farther than seven miles.

The Auto Club provides the Tipsy Tow service as part of its “You Drink. You Drive. You Lose.” campaign and also supports several other sober driver programs. The Auto Club advises that motorists can avoid DUI arrests or worse by keeping these safety tips in mind:

• At social events, designate non-drinking drivers who can get everyone home safely.
• Call a friend or family member for a ride home if you’ve been drinking.
• Keep a cab company telephone number in your wallet so you can call for a ride home.
• As party host, try to be aware of whether some guests are drinking too much. Offer non-alcoholic drinks and plenty of food. Provide a gift to guests who volunteer to be designated drivers.
• Take car keys away from friends and relatives who have had too much to drink.  

Tips To Buying A Car

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Tips To Buying A Car

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Drive Safe.ly

Tara, one of our operations employees, was sitting at her desk when her cell phone started talking out loud in a women’s voice. All of us in the office were curious to know what it was. She said it was her new app she downloaded for her Blackberry, called DriveSafe.ly. Tara downloaded this free app to read her texts and emails while she drives, but she forgot to turn it off when she came into work. I’m glad she didn’t, because it got me curious as to what it was.

According to the designer’s website

DriveSafe.ly is a mobile application that reads text (SMS) messages and emails aloud in real time and automatically responds without drivers touching the mobile phone.

DriveSafe.ly is a free application that is available to Blackberry and Android users and will soon be available to Window Mobile and iPhone users.  According to Consumer Reports, it's a simple program that works well.

[It]reads text messages and e-mails aloud as they are received, either through the phone’s speaker or through a Bluetooth connection. It sends an automatic response to alert the sender that the recipient is driving...The free version features a female voice reading up to 25 words, though there may be verbal ads included. It does recognize common abbreviations such as “BTW” and “LOL”.

It’s really simple to download and allows you to adjust the settings. According to Berry Review,

you can edit the Auto response [to] create a custom response. Drivesafe.ly does not require anyone to use the auto response or any of the options on there but some come set by default so make sure you explore through all the settings.

You can also upgrade to DriveSafe.ly Pro, for only a $13.95 one-time cost.  The premium version allows up to 500 words and a few customization options, including changing the voices.

Like with any new tool, DriveSafe.ly has its pros, cons and room for improvement. According to Android Guys App Review,

CONS:
• Icon in status bar should indicate if the app is active or not
• Must have an internet connection to work

PROS:
• Let you hear messages without looking at your phone
• Good natural voices
• Understand acronyms and dates
• Auto reply to sender to let then know you’ve heard the message

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT:
• Missing an option to automatically repeat the message
• Option to deactivate automatically (timed or by geolocation)

For Tara’s review, she gives it a thumbs up.   Distracted Driving laws are becoming more stringent, so DriveSafe.ly or any other text reading tool available is something to really consider. Read more about these laws in our posts Texting While Driving and Don’t Text and Drive.

Winter checklist for maintaining your car

Winter is approaching, well the actual start date isn't until December 21st.  But, the temperatures are falling fast and rain clouds are coming and going more frequently.  So, is your vehicle ready for the winter season?  According to ProCarCare.com's Automotive Technical Editor, Rich Diegle, "[your vehicle] needs to be inspected and maintained on a regular basis. A well-maintained vehicle gets better fuel economy, is safer and is less likely to leave you stranded." 

Here's a checklist from ProCarCare to help you maintain your car throughout the wet and cold months.

1. 
   
   Check the drive belts for cracks, tension, and glazing.
   
   
   
2. 
   
   Check all fluid for condition, leaks and levels - replace as recommended by your owner's manual.
   
   
   
• 
  
  Fluids including oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield wiper fluid, auto transmission fluid, battery fluid and terminals, hydraulic clutch fluid (if equipped).
  
  
  
3. 
   
   Check or replace filters
   
   
   
• 
  
  Including air, oil, fuel, emissions canister, PCV, cabin air (if equipped).
  
  
  
4. 
   
   Brake systems check and service
   
   
   
• 
  
  Check brake components (pads, rotors, shoes, drums, hydraulic parts)
  
  
  
• 
  
  Check the brake fluid
  
  
  
5. 
   
   Check tires
   
   
   
• 
  
  Proper inflation - make sure to check the spare tire.
  
  
  
• 
  
  Abnormal, uneven wear - if so, get the vehicle aligned.
  
  
  
• 
  
  Check for damages - visible defects such as nails, cuts or bulges in the side walls
  
  
  
• 
  
  Rotate, if needed. (rule of thumb, every other oil change or 5,000 -7,000 miles).
  
  
  
6. 
   
   Replace wiper blades, if needed.
   
   
   
7. 
   
   Check lights and horn
   
   
   
• 
  
   Test the brake lights, turn signals and headlights on to make sure they work properly and have enough illumination.
  
  
  
• 
  
  Tap the horn a few times to make sure it sounds loudly every time.
  
  
  

This information provided in this article is for information purposes only and is not intended as legal or professional advice. 

Tips to prepare for your next road trip

Is your car ready to travel to your Thanksgiving destination? If you're planning to travel over the holiday weekend, it's always best to be prepared. Don't be like I was on Monday, stuck on the side of the I-15 (in the middle of nowhere) because my boss' car had a blown rear tire. With minor preparation on our part, we could have avoided a major interruption! But, at least we have a great story to tell at the next staff meeting.

 

Here are a couple tips from Auto Zone’s website ProCarCare.com.  The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal or professional advice.

The Walk-Around Inspection 

• Wiper Blades - Inspect the condition of the blade material (it should be soft and pliable) for cracks or separation from the blade retainer.  
• Lights - Check the turn signals, headlights and brake lights, making sure they operate properly. It is a good idea to have the headlights checked for proper alignment in order to have optimum lighting and to prevent the “blinding” of oncoming drivers.
• Tires - Check tires for excessive or uneven wear and tire pressure. It’s important to check the tire pressure when the tires are cold. The recommended tire pressure provided by the vehicle and tire manufacturers are designed to compensate for the increase in tire pressure caused by the rise in temperature of the tire when it is rolling down the highway.

Tire Wear Notes

1. Over-inflation would cause the tire to wear prematurely in the center of the tire. During wet conditions, an over-inflated tire is more prone to skidding due to less tread contact on the pavement.  
2. Under-inflation will result in sloppy, vague handling and cause the tire to wear prematurely on the outside and inside edges of the tire.

Under Hood Inspection  

• Fluid Levels - Lift the hood and check the engine oil, automatic transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, radiator coolant, and windshield washer fluid levels. Top up if necessary.  
• Belts and Hoses - Check hoses for proper fit, leaks, brittleness, loose clamps, and softness in the elbow areas. As for the belts, check for alignment, glazing, adjustment, and tearing and cracking. Replace if necessary.  
• Air Conditioning - Test the A/C system to see that it is working and cooling the vehicle down in a reasonable time. Also, inspect the refrigerant lines for evidence of leaks. Remember, on most late-model vehicles, the defroster system utilizes the air conditioning for more efficient defrosting and defogging.  
• Battery Connections - Check / clean battery posts and cable terminals for corrosive buildup. White fuzz that surrounds the cable terminal ends at the battery posts can easily identify a corrosive condition. Cleaning or removal of the white fuzz requires the removal of the cable terminals after washing them down with a baking soda and water solution. The best cleaning results can then be achieved by using a battery post and cable terminal-cleaning tool. Performing this small maintenance activity will ensure optimum performance from the vehicle’s electrical system. Remember to always remove the negative terminal first to avoid sparks. (If you blow a battery up, you won’t have to worry about what to be next Halloween!)

Under Vehicle Inspection

• Fluid Leaks - Examine the ground where you park your vehicle for leaks. Any fluid residue found should be examined for the type of fluid (gas, engine or transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, radiator coolant, windshield washer fluid), and the leak repaired immediately to avoid any problems.  
• Exhaust Leaks - Listen / look for leaks from the exhaust system, and if something seems marginal, have the system checked by a professional mechanic / muffler shop prior to leaving for your trip. The life you save may be your own, as the gases escaping from the system are very deadly.  
• Brakes - Test-drive the vehicle for brake response and feel. Listen for noises (high-pitched squeal, grinding or clunking). Look for fluid leaks from flexible brake hoses and steel brake lines. If you feel your mechanical expertise is limited in this area, I would recommend you have a professional look at your brakes to advise you on the condition of the brake friction material, drums, rotors, and the hydraulic system. It is important that the vehicle always be prepared to stop regardless of the driving conditions.   

Emergency Road Kit

Carrying an emergency kit can get you out of a tough jam when stuck on the roadside. You can easily create one by putting together in a box the items listed below: 

1. One quart of Oil 
2. Two quarts of Premix Radiator Coolant 
3. Small Funnel 
4. Tire Pressure Gauge 
5. Pocket Knife (If you’re MacGvver…Swiss Army Knife) 
6. Rags and Waterless Hand Cleaner 
7. Assortment of Combination Wrenches, Screwdrivers, and Pliers 
8. Flashlight / Spare Batteries for Flashlight 
9. Roadside Flares / Battery Operated Roadside Marker Lights (If you don’t like playing with fire)
10. First Aid Kit 
11. Electrical Tape/Duct Tape 
12. Battery Jumper Cables 
13. Blanket, Food, and Something to Drink (In case you’re stuck for awhile) 
14. “Help” Sign for the Window

Of course, a cellular phone can be your most useful tool, but they don’t always work. If possible, use a roadside emergency telephone call box. These call boxes are provided on some major highways in the US, but not all. Look for them on the right-hand shoulder with a sign indicating “Call Box” or “Emergency Call Box.” Consult the instructions in the box; in most cases, calls are free and you are connected directly to the Highway Patrol. If there’s no phone around and you aren’t able to use a cellular phone, you may have to rely on your emergency kit, so make sure you take it with you. In my experience, when you’re totally prepared, usually nothing goes wrong. Happy motoring!

Understanding auto insurance

When it comes to purchasing auto insurance, most of us try to get it over with as quickly and painlessly as possible. There is more to choosing auto insurance than simply seeing who will give you the lowest price. Taking the time to understand the basic types of insurance, the providers in your area, and your own insurance needs will go a long way to assure that you obtain the coverage that will serve you best through the years to come. Here are some tips from Mari Rezinas, President of Patrion Insurance, an insurance broker based in Riverside, CA.

It is important to determine the amount of liability coverage needed to protect your assets. This is the one type of auto coverage that everyone needs. Liability insurance protects your assets if you are the responsible party in an accident and others are injured or property is damaged. This insurance pays medical, hospital, lost income, rehabilitative care, pain and suffering, and property damage costs to the victim. It will also pay for your legal defense if necessary. It makes sense to choose the largest amount of liability insurance that you feel is affordable and will protect your valued assets.

Another type of coverage is Uninsured Motorist coverage. This type of coverage pays for your medical expenses, lost wages and other general damages when you or your passengers are injured in an accident caused by a driver who has no insurance. The amount paid by uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage is capped at a limit you select.

Next, you will need to decide if you should purchase collision and comprehensive insurance. Collision insurance covers the cost of damage to your vehicle, which is the result of an accident, no matter who is at fault. Comprehensive insurance takes care of the cost of auto damage from other causes such as theft, storms, floods and vandalism. If you are leasing or financing your vehicle, collision and comprehensive insurance are required and your lender will determine the required amounts of coverage.

If you have a new vehicle, which is not financed, it still makes sense to purchase this coverage to protect your investment. As your vehicle ages and depreciates in value however, there will come a time when the cost of carrying collision and comprehensive insurance will exceed the benefits. If the value of your vehicle is less than the sum of your premiums plus your deductible, you can do without this type of insurance.

To protect yourself and your passengers in the event of an accident, consider medical payments insurance. Medical payments insurance will cover the cost of medical, hospital or funeral expenses which result from an accident for both you and any passengers in your vehicle. When you have decided which coverage you need, it is time to start learning about insurance providers. Check the customer satisfaction records of these companies, and be sure that they are financially sound with the ability to pay claims; there is more to being a good insurance provider than just offering the lowest price.

Once you have narrowed down the possibilities, it is time to get quotes. Be sure that all your quotes are for identical amounts of coverage so that you can make an accurate price comparison. Your efforts will pay off with the peace of mind you’ll achieve in knowing you are getting the right coverage at the right price.

Don't Text and Drive

The slogan, "Don't Drink and Drive" will always be a classic statement, but there's a new slogan surfacing, "Don't Text and Drive". Or as I'd like to state it, "Just Drive!" Similar to drunk driving fatalities leading to many committees and organizations, like MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving), Washington is taking distracted driving to the same level. According to an article on Wired.com

The senate, the Department of Transportation and the FCC [Federal Communications Commission] want you to stop texting while driving, and on Wednesday, they all but declared a war on texting, promising education campaigns and laws to convince you to put your phone down — at least while you are piloting a two-ton SUV going 70 mph. In a Senate hearing Wednesday, using a mobile phone while driving was said to be more dangerous than drunk driving, the cause of 16 percent of fatal accidents in the United States and a “perfect storm” of distraction.

I'm guilty of looking at my phone while driving when I hear the "bing" of a new email or text, but I'm disciplining myself to resist the curiosity of picking up my phone and reading it. I really should just turn off my phone while driving.  In a recent hearing regarding the Commerce Committee on Critical Safety issue, Senator John "Jay" Rockefeller, Chairman of U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee stated

"Everyone knows the dangers on the road created by distracted drivers—they are a threat to all families and serious action must be taken. Distracted drivers—people who make the choice to text or use their electronic devices instead of watching the road—put all our lives at risk and that is absolutely unacceptable to me. Today, I am unveiling comprehensive legislation that will give states real incentives to act, reduce the number of preventable deaths and injuries, and keep Americans safe from destructive and irresponsible distracted drivers."

Read more on the summary of the Distracted Driver Bill here.

Just as much as our phones have become a necessity, they have become a huge distraction in our lives. Just like "buzzed" driving can still lead to major accidents, our "little distractions" can lead to major accidents. According to a September news release, Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary LaHood announced

new research findings by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that show nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving a distracted or inattentive driver, and more than half a million were injured. On any given day in 2008, more than 800,000 vehicles were driven by someone using a hand-held cell phone.

The best bet, use a hands-free device with your phone that reads your texts and/or emails. Or, just wait until you reach your destination. Is that email or text really that important? If it is, don't you think that person would call you? The same questions can be asked when you want to text or email someone.

Drive Safe this Halloween

Halloween is a much-loved fall tradition for kids and adults alike. But irresponsible celebrating can quickly spoil the fun. With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, more drivers will be on the road with a costume party as their destination. According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), Halloween is one of the worst nights for impaired driving accidents. Impaired driving is one of America’s most-often-committed and deadliest crimes. In 2008, 3,434 people in California were killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.

Halloween is a particularly deadly night due to drunk drivers. In 2008, 58 percent of all highway fatalities across the nation on Halloween night (6 pm Oct. 31 to 5:59 am Nov. 1) involved a driver or a motorcycle rider with a BAC of .08 or higher. 

We don’t want revelers taking the party to the roadways, putting trick-or-treaters and responsible motorists at risk.  Real-life nightmares can be prevented by taking simple precautions.

• 
  
  Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;
  
  
  
• 
  
  Before drinking, please designate a sober driver;
  
  
  
• 
  
  If you’re impaired, and haven't designated a sober driver, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely;
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement
  
  
  

Drunk driving has frightening consequences. Not only do you risk killing or injuring yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be significant. 

Drunk driving violators often face jail time, the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses ranging from attorney fees, court costs, car towing and repairs, and lost wages due to time off from work.  Refusing to take a sobriety test in many jurisdictions may result in the loss of your license on the spot and the impoundment of your vehicle. Not to mention the added embarrassment, humiliation, and consequences after informing family, friends and employers.

More information can be found on http://www.stopimpaireddriving.org/.

What to do immediately after a car accident

On my way to work on Monday morning, I passed 3 car accidents, and I live less than 15 miles away from work! Monday is usually a hectic day on the roads, but 3 accidents within 5 miles of each other, that was something else. If you were in an accident (knock on wood), would you know what to do?

I asked the President of Patrion Insurance, Mari Rezinas, for the steps she suggests to take right after you get in a car accident, regardless of who is at fault.

1. If you think it was your fault do not admit so to the other party, your insurance company will determine fault.
2. If anyone is injured call 911 and ask for the police to come to the scene. In the event of a major injury, ask for the police and ambulance. Once the police arrive, ask for them to complete a written accident report and ask for that report number. You will need to provide this number to your insurance company. NOTE: If no one is injured, and if both cars are drivable, calling 911 is not necessary.
3. Find out if there are any witnesses to the accident and if so, get their name, address and phone number.
4. Most importantly, obtain the following information from the other driver:

• Name, address and phone number.
• Drivers License number. NOTE: If the address is different on the license than what they gave you, write it down.
• Insurance Card information showing Insurance Company name and phone number and Policy Number.
• Complete license plate number and year, make and model of their car.
• Ask to see the registration and if the name on registration is different than the driver, write down the information off the registration. In addition, double check to be sure the License Plate number on the registration matches the car.

5. After leaving the accident scene, contact your insurance agent. If you do not have an agent, go to your insurance company's web site and get their toll free number for reporting a claim. Usually within 24 hours you will be assigned an adjuster who will contact you.

The above information is great if it was the “perfect accident”. However, the only accident I was in was a hit-and-run. It wasn’t a horrible accident; the person wasn’t paying attention and hit me from behind at stop light. Of course, I proceeded to pull to the side of the road, when they zoomed right past me! I managed to catch up to them and get their license plate number and “nicely” gesture to pull over. They just kept zooming away. In this event, I contacted my insurance company who informed me to issue a police report. My insurance company assigned an investigator to my case and searched and finally found the other party’s insurance company, who covered the damages to my car. Lesson learned, ALWAYS get the license plate number, otherwise you don’t have a case and you’ll likely have to cover the damages.

Honda's concept car for 2011

Honda’s brining back the Honda CR-X, sort of. At the 2009 Tokyo Motor show, Honda introduced a new concept car, the Honda CR-Z, a hybrid powered sports coupe. The car is set to be available for the 2011 model year. In the late 1980’s, Honda designed and produced the CR-X, an economy hatchback sports car, leaving room for only 2 passengers.
The Honda CR-Z is a mix between the Honda CR-X and Honda Insight.

The rather homely first-generation CRX morphed into a beautiful, elemental sports coupe with a 1988 redesign, and the Si version was a riot to drive—lightweight, just enough power to cause trouble, and razor sharp handling…Honda cancelled the CRX after the 1991 model year, replacing it with an odd little car called the Civic del Sol.

Staying true to fuel efficiency and a coupe, the Honda CR-Z will only have room for two passengers, not four. The Honda CR-Z will make its production version debut at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, scheduled for this January.

The 2011 Honda CR-Z’s exterior design clearly shows the influence of the CRX and the first-generation Honda Insight, the company’s first production hybrid model. The profile and overall proportions are similar to the second-generation (1988-1991) CRX, while the roofline bears a resemblance to the Insight.

Information about the Honda CR-Z is available at JDPower.com.

Auto theft hits a 20-year low

Is vehicle theft a thing of the past? Not likely, however, technology is making it harder for auto theft. Auto manufactures are developing more sophisticated anti-theft technology for new makes and models. USA Today reported that 

vehicle theft has fallen to a 20-year low even as the number of vehicles on the road has doubled, as manufacturers install sophisticated anti-theft technology in cars and police target organized car-theft rings.

Many vehicles come standard with factory alarms, ignition immobilizers, and GPS tracking devices. However, not all autos include these standard luxuries, especially base models and older vehicles. Read our post Older cars still valuable…to thieves to find out what the top 10 vehicles are being stolen today.

If you don’t have some type of anti-theft or tracking device for your car, consider one. At minimum, an alarm system is the cheapest way to go because it can help deter a thief.  If you have a little extra to spend, there are satellite tracking systems that can help police track your vehicle (and hopefully, before it’s stripped into a bare frame). These systems include Sat Track and Guidepoint and both will help police locate your vehicle anywhere in the United States, Mexico and Canada. A cheaper version of a GPS system is Lojack. And instead of satellite tracking, Lojack uses radio frequency technology. This limits the area of the signals reach. Just think of your cell phone as Lojack and a GPS system as satellite radio, like XM radio.  And, in my experience, my cell phone won't work when I need it the most.

In addition to keeping your vehicle safe, most insurance companies will provide discounts on your premium for having a theft-deterrent or auto-recovery system. Contact your insurance provider for more details on applicable discounts.

If you’re interested in investing in a product listed above, contact Auto Expert for more information at 1-800-359-4567.

Start your car with iPhone's new app

Viper Smart Start is a new app that you can download for your iPhone to control your car.  With over 75,000 applications for iPhone, including apps for ordering take out, navigating and map questing, a vehicle control feature is a natural evolution.  According to Viper's website,

With SmartStart, you can use your iPhone to pre-warm your car’s cabin in the winter, pre-cool it in the summer, lock and unlock your doors, arm and disarm your vehicle’s security system, open your trunk, and even find your car in a parking lot, all using your iPhone.

The application is free, however the hardware and service comes with a cost.  This product is exclusively available at Best Buy and they're selling the product for $499, which includes the first year of service.  Thereafter, the service is $29.99 per year.  Unlike most factory remote keyless entry or starters, this application works pretty much anywhere and at any distance from your car, as long as you're in the 3G cellular network or over Wi-Fi.  And, all your vehicles can be accessed by your one application, however the hardware would need to purchased and installed for each vehicle. 

With this product, you can share the same features as a luxury model in your economical, older model car, truck or SUV!  Who say's you can't have your cake and eat it too?

Is it really all that simple?  The application, yes; the installation of the hardware, no.  Professional installation is required by authorized retailers, which is Best Buy, as of now.  In addition, like all new technology, the Viper Smart Start being sold is the first version.  There will be more upgraded versions to come.  After the New Year, Auto Expert will be able to offer this product, including mobile installation.

For more information about this product, visit www.viper.com/SmartStart

Contest - Looking for the funniest bumper sticker, personalized license plate or license plate frame

Auto Expert wants to challenge you in finding the funniest bumper sticker, personalized plate or license plate frame.  Submit your picture of either one (or all three if you're up to it) by Tuesday on our facebook page, and we'll have our facebook fans vote on the funniest one.

The winner will receive a $20 gas card!  Gas isn't cheap nowadays, this will be a great opporunity to score some!

Have fun!

2010 Green Car of the Year finalists announced, diesels vs. hybrids

 2010 Green Car of the Year finalists announced, diesels vs. hybrids

Last year, Volkswagen's new Jetta TDI was named the 2009 Green Car of the Year at the LA Auto Show, which means that the Volkswagen Golf TDI has a bit of baggage if it wants to win the 2010 award. Regardless, the Golf was named one of five finalists today, along with the Audi A3 TDI, the Honda Insight, the Mercury Milan Hybrid and the Toyota Prius. Odd that the Mercury would be chosen above the Ford Fusion Hybrid, but so it goes. That makes it two diesels and three hybrids vying for top spot.

The Green Car of the Year award is given out by Green Car Journal, which narrows the field of green cars down to five and then turns over picking the winner to "jurors such as Jay Leno, Jean-Michel Cousteau, Carroll Shelby, Matt Petersen of Global Green USA and the Sierra Club's Carl Pop."  Read more...

Helpful website to help manage traffic and your traveling plans

I despise traffic, especially Monday morning traffic. I normally don't carpool because it seems that the two people I can potentially carpool with have fluctuating schedules, so having 1 car for 3 people just doesn’t work for us. And, I don’t have a hybrid vehicle. Therefore, the carpool lane is out for me. When sitting on the freeway, stuck in traffic, I’m always tempted to break the law and cross the double yellow lines. But, I stay true and sit tight in the frustrating lines of red! At least once a month, I travel to Orange County and LA for early morning meetings. In my experience, the 91 and 5 freeways always seem to be parking lots, even on a mid-week afternoon.


Luckily, my husband informed me of Sigalert.com a very cool and interactive website. On the homepage, a map of the southern California freeways and main highways are displayed in primary colors of red, yellow and green. The colors indicate traffic traveling in a specific range of speed - red for less than 30 mph, yellow between 42-50 mph and green for speeds above 55 mph. There are also diamond symbols to signify any notices of collisions, hazards, lane closures, etc.


On Sigalert.com, you can plan your route with either the fastest or shortest routes. And, you can access the site on your phone and, for iPhone users, there’s a web application just for you. The site also offers My Sigalert feature that saves personalized routes in which you can view up-to-the-minute speeds on your most traveled freeways. My Sigalert also has Traffic Alerts, in which the site will notify you via text or email when a problem arises on your route. This feature is only $19.95 per year and their offering a 2 week free trial.

Hope you enjoy this helpful site.  Thanks to my hubby for this tip of information!

Older cars still valuable...to thieves

Older cars are still susceptible to being stolen.  According to MSN autos, Hot Wheel’s top 10 most stolen cars include: 

1. 1994 Honda Accord
2. 1995 Honda Civic
3. 1989 Toyota Camry
4. 1997 Ford F-150 Pickup
5. 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup
6. 2000 Dodge Caravan
7. 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
8. 1994 Honda Integra
9. 1999 Ford Taurus
10. 2002 Ford Explorer

Overall auto theft is declining five years in counting, however vehicles like Hot Wheel’s top 10 are eye-catching, and not because of their look, but for their substance.  

According to MSN auto, the parts on these vehicles, especially headlights, tire, catalytic converters and anything made of copper, is highly valuable on the black market.

In addition, owners are less likely to protect an older vehicle, thinking a newer version of their vehicle is more susceptible to theft. On the contrary, new makes and models include standard theft-deterrent systems such as a factory alarm, kill switch, fuel cut-offs, OnStar (standard feature in GMs) and smart keys.  

Does this mean you have to go out and buy a brand new car if you have an older vehicle, especially one listed above? The answer is no. If you don’t have the funds to make a payment and/or comfortable with your current vehicle, take precautions to protect your vehicle. This best defense, and at no cost is you, is lock your doors. And, don’t leave the car running or the key in the ignition just to step away to the ATM, drug store, to pay for gas, etc. Don’t leave valuable items in the car or, at least, have them out of sight, including your purses, bags, and loose change. And, if you’re willing to invest in an anti-theft or theft-recovery system, do! This doesn’t mean buying The Club anti-theft device…I don’t even think they make those anymore. This simple can be an alarm. If you would like more information regarding Auto Expert’s theft-deterrent and/or theft-recovery systems that are installed at your home or work, please contact us at 1-800-359-4567.

Toyota recall, largest in company's history

Toyota Motor Corp. will be recalling 3.8 million vehicles in the U.S., the company's largest recall in U.S. According to Toyota.com's news room, "Recent events have prompted Toyota to take a closer look at the potential for an accelerator pedal to get stuck in the full open aunch a safety campaign on specific Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Throughout the process of developing the details of the action plan, it will advise the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 

Until Toyota develops a remedy, it is asking owners of specific Toyota and Lexus models to take out any removable driver’s floor mat and NOT replace it with any other floor mat. The following models are affected:

• 2007 – 2010 Camry
• 2005 – 2010 Avalon
• 2004 – 2009 Prius
• 2005 – 2010 Tacoma
• 2007 – 2010 Tundra
• 2007 – 2010 ES350
• 2006 – 2010 IS250 and IS350

Should the vehicle continue to accelerate rapidly after releasing the accelerator pedal, this could be an indication of floor mat interference. If this occurs, Toyota recommends the driver take the following actions:

First, if it is possible and safe to do so, pull back the floor mat and dislodge it from the accelerator pedal; then pull over and stop the vehicle.

If the floor mat cannot be dislodged, then firmly and steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet. Do NOT pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the effort required to slow the vehicle.

Shift the transmission gear selector to the Neutral (N) position and use the brakes to make a controlled stop at the side of the road and turn off the engine.

If unable to put the vehicle in Neutral, turn the engine OFF, or to ACC. This will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost.

-If the vehicle is equipped with an Engine Start/Stop button, firmly and steadily push the button for at least three seconds to turn off the engine. Do NOT tap the Engine Start/Stop button.

-If the vehicle is equipped with a conventional key-ignition, turn the ignition key to the ACC position to turn off the engine. Do NOT remove the key from the ignition as this will lock the steering wheel.

In the event owners choose not to remove their floor mat, Toyota strongly recommends that they ensure that the correct floor mat is being used, that it is properly installed and secured, that it is not flipped over with bottom-side up, and that one floor mat is not stacked over another. Information on proper floor mat installation can be found on http://www.toyota.com and http://www.lexus.com/.

Owners with questions or concerns, are asked to please contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center (1 800 331-4331) or Lexus Customer Assistance Center (1 800 255¬3987), or consult the information posted at http://www.toyota.com and http://www.lexus.com."

Funny Friday

To follow up with yesterday's post about don't talk on the cell phone while driving.  Here's a funny video of a kid failing a driving test 5 times in a day while on cell phone. Enjoy!

Texting While Driving

According to the Associate Press, the Auto Industry, including automakers like General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp., and others, are supporting bans on texting while driving.  "The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said Wednesday that using a hand-held device to text or make phone calls while driving represents a saftey risk and it supports the ban."

As of January 1, 2009 the Wireless Communications Device and Wireless Telephone Law went into effect to follow the previous Hands-free law in July 2008.  Not only us it an infraction to talk on a cell phone without a hands-free device, it's also an infraction to "write, send or read text-based communication on an electronic wireless communications device, such as a cell phone, while driving a motor vehicle."

To read more about the laws, visit http://www.dmv.ca.gov/cellularphonelaws/.

New technology promises to make and receive texts while driving possible.  Some car companies, like Ford and Mercedes, include text-to-speech features in newer models.

Tips for better gas mileage

Last week we posted on 2009's top 10 most green vehicles.  That post helps if you're in the market for a vehicle.  But, what if you like your current vehicle or just can't afford a new one?  Here are some tips to make your car or truck more fuel efficient.

According to www.fueleconomy.gov:

1. Drive Sensibly.  Maintaining a steady speed can lower your fuel cost by 33% on the highway.  Rapid acceleration and braking causes you to waste gas.  So keep your road rage to a minimum!  And, to help you in maintaining a steady speed, remember your cruise control.
2. Observe the speed limit.  Gas mileage usually decreases at speeds above 60mph and from 60mph to 75mph, your gas mileage decreases by 25%. 
3. Remove excess weight. Unnecessary items in your car can cost you, especially the larger items.  An extra 100 pounds can cost you 2% on your average miles per gallon.
4. Keep your car properly tuned.  Taking car of your engine can save you up to 4% on gas mileage.  Rule of thumb is around 7,500 miles or 6 months for tune ups.  Most owners manual, especially for newer models, advise you on when to have your car tuned up.
5. Keep your tires properly inflated. Under inflated tires can decrease your gas mileage by 3%.  The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is usually found on a sticker on the driver's side door jam, glove box or in the owner's manual.
6. Use the reccommended grade of motor oil.  Using the reccommended motor oil can save you 1-2%.  Rule of thumb is to change your motor oil every 5,000-7,000 miles for most vehicles. 

More information regarding these tips can be found at the Federal Trade Comission.

Green Cars

The house has approved an expansion to a recently approved bill for goverment-led research in making vehicles more fuel efficient.  The expansion has given this area of research a total of $550 million dollars in annual spending.  

"The bill would authorize $2.9 billion to the Energy Department to boost the research over five years. It would push the government to team up with companies and universities to conduct research on technologies such as batteries for hybrid vehicles, electric cars, hydrogen fuel cells and infrastructure for the electric grid," accoring to an article by the Associate Press.

In the market for a green car NOW?  According to the thedailygreen.com, 2009's top 10 Most Fuel Efficient cars and trucks are:

1. Toyota Prius
2. Honda Civic Hybrid
3. Nissan Altima Hybrid
4. Mercury Mariner Hybrid tied with Ford Escape Hybrid and Mazda Tribute Hybrid
5. Smart Fortwo
6. Toyota Camry Hybrid
7. VW Jetta
8. Toyota Yarius
9. Mini Cooper
10. Honda fit

To all my fellow female drivers - Is this you???

A friend of mine, emailed me this video.  And I thought it was hillarious!  Check it out!  Especially the woman trying to park because I know I've done that a couple times in my life :)

Is your car your closet?

As a working mom, I find myself with a messy car ALL THE TIME! Anytime I try to organize or clean it, it only lasts for a day, if that! I’m not the cleanest or most organized person in the world, but having somewhat of an order to my madness would help in my hectic life.  

I’m a huge pack rat (thanks mom), I think everything is important, therefore I need to keep everything. This includes “important items” I need for my 20-month old, you know just in case the world falls apart and we’re stuck in some remote location. And, to top it off, I have other miscellaneous items that wind up on the floorboard. However, I will say, I am much cleaner and more organized than when I was in high school and college. That’s a different story; my car was practically my closet on wheels. From sports gear to books and school supplies to food and drink containers, anything and everything would be on the floor board and in the trunk. I had a Jetta at the time, and those trunks are huge! I guess the bigger the space, the more opportunity to hold more junk.

 

Researching the Internet and taking best practices from my husband, family members and friends; I’m hoping these suggestions will not only help me, but other pack rats like me.

 

1. Keep your car from clutter. Cup holders, the console, side door panels and floor board wind up becoming cluttered with junk. Here are some other tips I’d like to try… 

• My husband always keeps trash in one location of his car and when he parks somewhere, whether at home, a store or a gas station, he throws it all away.
•  My mom keeps a bag handy (either in the back seat floor board or between the console and the passenger seat) to use as a trash bag and empties it when she gets home.
• On some retailer sites, they have storage bins or trash bins that you can keep behind the passenger seat.

 2. Organize your must-haves for Moms. I’m not talking about the important papers that you need for your car, like the registration, proof of insurance, manual, and tire pressure gauge. That’s what the glove box and/or center console is for, among other little items you want to store. But for me, what about stuff for my 20-month old, like extra diapers, her sippy cup, her pacifiers, snacks, etc? Believe it or not, there are organizers made especially for this! There available at most retail stores and online. You can do an online search for “car organize accessories” and a slew of results come up. Another great reason to shop!

  

3. Organize your must haves for people whose car is their office. Same as above, there are organizers designed especially for those who have their office on wheels. I particularly like how Organize.com has a section especially for travel, called Auto Organizers. Or for those on a really tight budget, try creating a makeshift organizer with extra boxes you have around the house. A friend of mine used a box on her passenger seat as a desk and for her laptop! It’s not very appealing, but it works.

  

4. Make it habit to clean your car frequently. At least once a day or every other day, throw out any unnecessary items that have piled up on your recent trips. However much time you have available, make it a habit to clean your car frequently.

 

These are only a few suggestions I had, let me know what you’ve tried on organizing your car.

Welcome to Auto Expert!

Hi Everyone,

Wahoo!! Auto Expert now has a blog, at http://aeauto.blogspot.com/. We will update this a couple times a week with tips, advice, ideas and anything and everything that has to deal with autos!