AUTO INSURANCE INFORMATION

The 2006 cars are fresh in dealer showrooms and already talk is raging about several upcoming cars set for release in model year 2007 or later. The styles are great, the engineering is advanced, and you simply haven’t seen anything yet. Let’s take a peak at what is coming down the pike. One of these future cars just may be what you end up driving!

Hyundai Equus - Can you say, V8 Hyundai? That’s right, the Equus which is already sold in Korea, may make its debut here in North America as a 2008 model. Reports have it that the car, which is larger than the Sonata, will be a rear wheel drive four door sedan outfitted with wood, leather, and all the latest electronic gadgetry.

Saturn Outlook - Things are certainly changing for Saturn, now that GM has killed off the Oldsmobile division. Still trying to find its footing amongst Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, and Cadillac, the division will get its first big crossover vehicle when the 8 passenger Outlook debuts as a 2007 model. Look for V6 power standard with the first Saturn equipped V8 as an option.

Ford Edge - If a Ford model starts with an “E” it likely is an SUV. The Edge is an SUV and it isn’t an SUV. More of a crossover vehicle, the 2007 Edge will be based on the Ford Fusion which borrows its platform from the Mazda 6. Positioned between the Escape and the Explorer, the Edge is meant to be Ford’s answer to other car based people movers including the Honda Pilot and the Toyota Highlander.

Volvo C30 - Can you say, subcompact Volvo? Yes, it is true: Volvo will be introducing the C30, a three door hatchback coupe. Some eight inches shorter than the compact S40, the car will run on a small inline four and it may be the first Volvo to have an optional hybrid engine. The C30 is to debut as a 2007 model.

Chevrolet Sport Wagon - GM’s purchase of Daewoo is having some positive side effects in the development of the 2008 Sport Wagon. A joint Daewoo-Chevrolet venture, this five seat model will be a crossover vehicle and share some components with Chevy’s larger Equinox. Planned as a world car, the Sport Wagon is likely to wear Daewoo, Chevrolet, Suzuki, and Opel nameplates.

Are you excited yet? If not, there are hundreds of additional models on the drawing boards and concept cars on display at an auto show near you. Hang on, change is in the air and you haven’t seen anything yet!

Does the use of aftermarket parts, including performance chips, affects the new automobile warranty? Well, let us peep into what the laws of the land say.

The United States Code found at 15 U.S.C. 2301 Section 2302(c) states: “No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumer’s using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade, or corporate name…. 15 U.S.C. 2302(c).”

This provision was supplemented by Congress on 16 C.F.R. 700.10 section 102(c). It states in pertinent part: “No warrantor may condition the continued validity of a warranty on the use of only authorized repair service and/or authorized replacement parts for non-warranty service and maintenance. For example, provisions such as, ‘This warranty is void if service is performed by anyone other than an authorized “ABC” dealer and all replacement parts must be genuine “ABC” parts,’ and the like, are prohibited where the service or parts are not covered by the warranty. These provisions violate the Act in two ways. First, they violate the section 102 (c) ban against tying arrangements. Second, such provisions are deceptive under section 110 of the Act, because a warrantor cannot, as a matter of law, avoid liability under a written warranty where a defect is unrelated to the use by a consumer of “unauthorized” articles or service. This does not preclude a warrantor from expressly excluding liability for defects or damage caused by such “unauthorized” articles or service; nor does it preclude the warrantor from denying liability where the warrantor can demonstrate that the defect or damage was so caused.”

It is clear from the foregoing that in the United States an automobile warranty is only inapplicable if the manufacturer proves that the aftermarket part was the cause of the defect or damage of the automobile in dispute.

What about warranty? There are pieces of jurisprudence about this.

Federal law precludes a dealer from voiding warranty just because of using aftermarket speed equipment, with only two exceptions: the warranty can be voided if the aftermarket part causes damage, or adversely affects the emissions or the emissions system. SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) reported that a trade association representing specialty automotive parts manufacturers, the following quotes have been extracted:

“The vehicle manufacturer is not allowed to void the vehicle warranty just because aftermarket equipment is installed on the vehicle. This protection for consumers is the result of a parts self certification program developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA).

Have you ever left your headlights or some other electrical device on overnight and came out bright and early to start you car? The battery is completely dead. All you hear is the pathetic dying sound of that annoying buzzer in the dashboard.. To add insult to injury your wife or husband has just pulled out of the driveway and they are gone. What do you do? Like most people you have a pair of jumper cables but that requires another car. It is too early to wake you neighbor or picture a dead car on the proverbial deserted highway with no one to help you. This is where a battery jump starter can become your best friend. A jump starter or battery booster is the equivalent to having another car with a good battery packaged in a small, portable box. They are basically a rechargeable battery with a pair of jumper cables attached. All you need to do is hook up the cables and start your car. These little jewels can be a lifesaver. They are compact and easy to carry. You can keep it in the garage or put it in the trunk. I have my wife to carry one, so she doesn?t have to go wandering around some dark alley or parking garage with a pair of jumper cables. In a situation like this, a jump starter is the ticket to getting your car up and running. There are several models and makes out there. Be wary of the cheap ones that they sell at your local big box store for 50 bucks. For example, they sometimes label them as having 450 amps but in reality they have only 250 amps of ?cranking? power. You are much better off buying a professional grade unit like the Jump N Carry. A unit like this has 1,700 amps of cranking power and is built for repeated use. You get what you pay for in the world of the battery jump starter.

In the air travel industry, airlines live and die by their operating costs, a large component of which is their fuel costs. That is why aircraft manufacturers have whole departments whose purpose in life is to track and reduce the weight of the airplanes, ounce by ounce and gram by gram. Auto performance enthusiasts can take a tip from aerospace engineers- by instituting a weight reduction program, you can get dramatic performance and power increases and save gas.

What other mod to your car can effect braking, cornering, acceleration and gas mileage, reduces wear on your engine, suspension and brakes, and doesn’t void your warranty? Not many.

Here are a few ways to reduce your car’s weight you may want to consider.

1) Remove all the broken parts you don’t plan on fixing. For example, if have a broken power antenna motor or an old cassette stereo unit you never use- you can take them out.

2) Clean out your trunk. You might be surprised how much gas you’re wasting if you haven’t looked in your trunk in awhile. Your spouse or teenager (or you!) may have decided this was good place for long-term storage. It’s not. Old phone books, folding lawn chairs, sandbags for winter traction, cases of dog food, we’ve seen it all. They belong in the garage or basement.

3) Lose the flashy bling-bling rims. Get forged aluminum wheels to replace showy steel wheels. Those are for show, not for speed, usually. While you’re at it, look for lightweight tires. Compare weight on your current tires to some others on the market. The differences can be significant.

4) Carbon Fiber Panels instead of steel. They may be a little pricy, but are certainly a cost-effective replacement over time. Depending on your local vehicle code, you may also be able to replace your steel hood and trunk lid with carbon fiber ones. Major savings here.

5) Replace power seats with racing seats. Power seats can weigh in at up to 75 pounds each. Replacing them with lightweight fixed-back racing bucket seats that weigh ten pounds or less each will shave 150 pounds off your car.

Do you know Why your car meter reading is Might Not show the correct fuel mileage?

You may be trying hard to increase gas mileage of your car but when you don’t know how to get the best possible mileage reading of your car, then everything else is useless.

With these tips, you’ll be sure to get the best possible gas mileage reading to tell when something is amiss with your car. This article will give you some tips you can use to better keep track of your car fuel mileage consumption.

On one fine evening, a subscriber of mine wrote me the following,

“Dear Sunny,

I bought my first car, a Nissan Sunny 130Y, three months ago, It runs extremely well and I’ve had no major problems since. But I’m curious as to its actual fuel consumption. Can that be measured without sophisticated electronic devices so I could learn to start increase gas mileage of my car in more efficient way?

What are the methods a layman like me can use to measure fuel consumption?

Janice”

To be frank, fuel consumption varies widely. It all depends on the way you drive your vehicle, your car make, and the type of traffic condition it encounters. These circumstances affect the actual fuel efficiency of your car.

For instance, if you drive mainly in urban areas where you’ll see lots of traffic jam, you are likely to lose up much more gas money compared to when you are cruising along the highway.

Enough said, your fuel economy will suffer when you are stuck in the jam. Jack rabbit starts and heavy braking of your vehicle may contribute to your increased fuel consumption as well. All these factors may not contribute to your ways to save fuel.

Here’s my tip to measure your fuel consumption of your vehicle and to get the best possible gas mileage reading of your car.

First, you would start by filling up your vehicle tank to the brim and then adjusting the trip meter to zero. You could do that just by resetting the meter.

Next, drive the vehicle until at least two-thirds of the tank has been used before you fill up again. During this time, please take note of the amount of fuel you are filling up against the distance that you have travelled since the last time you topped up.

Fuel consumption, in kilometres per litre, is calculated by dividing the reading on your trip meter by the amount of fuel that you have filled up.

Based on my experience, it is best that you average out the results by repeating the same procedures and take measurements over a few weeks to obtain the average of the best consumption figure for your vehicle.

Some car manufacturers will state the fuel consumption figures of the cars in the manual. Please be aware that these figures were obtained under strict test conditions and surveillance and also on an almost perfect road surface.

So don’t be alarmed when you notice the variance of the actual fuel mileage result you get against the manufacturers’ figures.

To really find out your actual car fuel consumption and to diagnose any sudden drop of fuel efficiency, you should keep track of your fuel consumption regularly as it is the best and surest way to tell when something is going on with your car.

Once you’ve realized how easy it is to keep track of your car fuel consumption, you should be on your way to seriously consider some of the ways you could do to increase gas mileage even when you are pumping gas in the gas stations.

Do you love your car just the way it is, or are you looking to fix ‘er up the way you really want it to be? If you’re the creative type who wants to do things your way, why not take advantage of the great car body kits that are available from reputable parts dealers? You can stop in at the local neighborhood store to check out and select the parts that will bring your vehicle up to speed, so to speak. Or you can virtually browse online websites to find the parts you want to make your car everything you need.

A well-stocked auto supply kit knows your car better than you do. The associates can give you a quick rundown on what you can do to make your car better, faster, and more efficient in no time flat. They can give you detailed instructions and precise parts for any make, model, and year of vehicle, truck, or SUV you have in mind. For example, check out the wing spoiler and ground spoiler kits for your Mercury Cougar. Easy to install with solid, durable materials, you will love the way your car cruises after adding features like these.

Make sure you have the know-how to do the job right. If you don’t, look around for someone who can do it for you at a fair rate. While a dealership or auto garage can put in the labor to add your new options, they could charge steep rates, so you may want to look elsewhere for help. Follow instructions carefully, and contact the parts dealer if you come up short a bolt or two. While you may feel that the part is secure minus the extra hardware, it isn’t worth having it come loose and scrape the body finish or even detach because you don’t feel like tracking the extra parts.

Compare prices, as they can vary widely from one dealership to another. Become familiar with some of the construction techniques and materials used to create the parts you want to add to your car. Sometimes you can find basically the same feature under a different name for a much lower cost. Do your homework and take some time to shop area stores as well as online websites. Remember, there’s one born every day, so don’t become a statistical scam victim by purchasing parts that won’t hold up or may even be “hot.”

It may be a good idea to check out the latest product reviews on the various car product websites online. You can visit chat rooms or discussions boards, and also read the detailed reviews that are often found on the Web. Posted by those in the know, you can learn more in ten minutes of reading sometimes than you can from talking with a parts dealer associate.

After installing your new body parts, keep them well maintained so that they last and help your vehicle become everything you want it to be.

The American economy is sucking a lot of money out of consumers’ pockets due to high gas prices and the general increase in every other consumer good from food to clothing that is associated with high oil prices. However, there is good news on the horizon, and that is that auto insurance rates are being reduced. Despite this reduction, there are several things you should keep in mind when shopping for car insurance to ensure you receive the best rate and coverage for you and your vehicle.

Tip #1 Shop Around There are so many different auto insurers out there you might think it difficult to find the best insurance at the lowest prices. However, don’t despair because all you have to do is shop around. The easiest way to do this is to go online and search all your favorite car insurers in order to receive a fast and free online quote. Then, you can simply compare the services and prices of the insurers and make the best choice for you. Spending a little time on research might save you hundreds of dollars on car insurance.

Tip #2 Look for the Discounts You may not have known this, but many auto insurers provide discounts to drivers for good driving behavior and other reasons as well. So, ask about the discounts available through various insurance providers and consider how many you would qualify for. More than likely if you qualify for one or two then your rates could easily drop several hundred dollars per year.

Tip #3 Maintain Your Credit Unbeknownst to you, your credit score affects your car insurance rate. As a result, you should be sure to maintain your credit score as high as possible in order to not only receive the benefits of good credit, but also to pay lower car insurance premiums. It is really worthwhile, and something you will benefit from economically.

These tips are great ways for you as a consumer to take your car insurance needs into your own hands and find the best provider with the lowest rates and most coverage. When you start doing the research, you will be amazed how much money you can save as well as how many more benefits you can receive. Go ahead and start saving on your auto insurance today, there is no reason to wait.

About the author: “It is time that we the people stand up and declare we will not be overtaken by the car dealers, but rather we will take the car dealers by storm. Researching the cars is not enough; we need a way to research the dealers themselves.” - Dennis James

The latest offerings from American automakers has the industry buzzing. Coupled with steep discounts, cars are rolling out of showrooms at a record clip. Not everyone is buying a new car these days, instead a significant number of car lovers are maintaining and keeping their cars for five or ten years, even longer. However, finding affordable, quality parts for any model car can be difficult particularly as the car ages. Let?s look at five ways you can find parts for your soon to be classic.

1. The Dealers. Some dealer inventories are extensive and include parts for classic models including the Charger, Coronet, and Omni; Mustang, Thunderbird, and LTD; and Camaro, Caprice, and Vega. Their prices, however, can be steep as you are paying the dealer rate and receiving genuine manufacturer parts.

2. The Junk Yard. The cheapest parts out there can be pulled off a wreck that has been placed in a salvage yard. Of course finding the particular make/model part and hoping that it isn’t damaged or worn out is another thing.

3. Parts Stores. Your local parts store may stock what you need. If not, the better ones can place an order and have it shipped in.

4. Ebay. What isn’t sold online through eBay and other auction sites? Precious little! There is one important caveat with purchasing through an auction site: fraud is rampant. Only purchase through these types of businesses if you know the buyer and you can get a guarantee.

5. Shop Online. Brick and mortar stores are receiving stiff competition from online purveyors. Some are good, some aren’t. Things to look for in an online merchant: check to make sure that they are a recognized name in the industry, stock quality parts, offer toll free phone support, ship from a U.S. address, and their shipping and handling fees are clearly stated. Prices at these types of stores are usually very competitive; they are also the same stores that many of your local parts stores order from. If you order from them directly, you will cut out the middle man and realize significant savings.

A car is like a human being; there are several systems that work together in order for it to move. One of the systems in an automobile that resembles that of a human being is the exhaust system. This system allows the car to exhale the air it had inhaled and consumed. Cars, however, breathes in and exhales air mechanically; thus, once a part in the system is damaged, it can be easily replaced with an upgraded unit and so the system can continue to function.

Replacing a part or adding aftermarket parts to domestic and import cars has never been easier than replacing or adding them nowadays with the existence of thousands of auto parts stores catering to various needs of auto users. The easiest way to purchase them today is through online stores. The country’s leading online auto parts dealer,? now features thousands of superior quality engine parts and exhaust system parts, including those for Honda. These auto parts can help your engine respire more efficiently and thus, perform better.

There are times when we get bored with the usual things. Thus, we think of changing, reinventing and planning something new.

This is also true with the bike’s form and appearance. Change is constant and it is inevitable. Everything changes even our choices. The things that we think may last be able to be truthful at once but now - not anymore. Our world, our time is peppered with people’s changing choices and fascinations. These fascinations have resulted to consequences ranging from dire to total awe.

I have made up my mind to give my bike Harley-Davidson Fat Boy FLSTF a new look. I have decided to use aftermarket motorcycle parts for a change. First, I wanted to customize my bike because it been quite a while since I purchased my bike but up to now I haven’t given it a new look. I wanted something new and with that note I wanted to get it from aftermarket parts. With these parts I have saved a great sum. Ever since, I am using OEM parts however, they are fix and sometimes dull so I go for something flashy and trendy where you can decide and design wildly without limiting your options to a few.

I never expected that in aftermarket motorcycle parts, I can actually have the same quality as OEM parts until I have tried it myself. Now, I am enjoying the benefits of my courage and desire to change.

I can feel the stare of amazement and awe coming from the people around me. My bike’s new look gives me a drive I will never regret. I am pretty satisfied with the results. Now, I not only gaze at the wonderful sceneries feasting in front of my eyes, I also am feasting on my reinvented bike. Thanks to these parts, we can now explore and expect more!

Why stay with the conventional when you can be bold, wild and ecstatic! Aftermarket motorcycle parts are available in your trusted motorcycle stores. You can have them by visiting them personally or if you want it the easy way, you can order in just a flick of a finger, without causing you much trouble - do it online.