What to Keep in Your Car's Emergency Kit

We'd like to think our car will always get us where we need to go. But cars aren't always 100% reliable. They might run out of gas, get a flat tire or have engine failure. In the event that something like this should happen to you, it's best to keep an emergency kit in your care. Find out what your should keep in your car's emergency kit:

Your emergency kit should include:

• Roadside flares
• A first-aid kit
• Work gloves or latex gloves
• Two quarts of oil
• Jumper cables
• One gallon of antifreeze
• Brake fluid
• Extra fuses
• A blanket
• A flashlight with fresh batteries
• A Phillips head screwdriver
• A flat head screwdriver
• Vise grips
• An adjustable wrench
• A pair of pliers
• A tire inflator
• A tire pressure gauge
• Some rags and a funnel
• A roll of duct tape
• A roll of paper towels
• A spray bottle with washer fluid
• An ice scraper
• An AAA or roadside emergency card
• Triangle reflectors and flares.
• A pocketknife
• Bottled water
• Granola or energy bars

You can use a cardboard box or large plastic container (such as a milk carton) for storage, so that it doesn't roll around in the trunk and you can quickly find what you need in an emergency. If space in your car is at a premium, you can use a basic version of the emergency kit, with a small first-aid kit; two roadside flares; a quart of oil; extra fuses; a flashlight; a multipurpose tool commonly containing pliers, wire cutters, a saw, a bottle opener, screwdrivers, files and an awl; a tire inflator, some rags, a pocket knife, and a help sign.

Several companies and organizations offer pre-assembled emergency roadside kits that contain essential items in a small, convenient carrier. You may also want to add a few of the items listed above to suit your needs.

Some definitely optional items to consider for your emergency kit include a Swiss Army knife, a good book, a pillow, a bathing suit, some tasty snacks, and a beach chair.

If you live in an area with freezing temperatures during the winter, you should also keep a collapsible shovel in your car in case you have to dig your way out of ice or snow.

Read the full article here: http://bit.ly/1hsqZgT

Choosing the Right Car Insurance

Auto insurance is absolutely necessary for every car owner. If you're a first-time car buyer, the added cost can be scary. But luckily, there are many options when it comes to car insurance that can fit any budget. Keep reading to learn how to get the best coverage for your needs.

Watch out for minimum coverage.

States' legal minimums for insurance coverage should be considered just that – minimums. Jay Edelstein, a Philadelphia accidents attorney, strongly recommends policies with much higher limits. If you're held liable in a crash and only have the state minimum required coverage, you risk being held personally responsible for paying the other guy's damages.

If you don't have any liability coverage, you're responsible for paying for the pain, suffering, and other personal hardships and some economic damages, such as lost wages, that you cause, says Michael Reitman, a Clark, N.J. attorney who handles negligence cases. The insurer won't give you a lawyer or pay for one for you if you're sued. Your assets will be in jeopardy and you risk having your wages garnished if a judgment is entered against you. And, if you don't have coverage and someone hits you, you can't sue, says Reitman. I'm convinced!

Umbrella policies make good sense.

Umbrella insurance is a policy that increases your liability coverage – that is, what you'll owe someone else if you're responsible for injuring them or damaging their property. It covers more types of claims at a higher limit. Trustedchoice.com, a company that represents 140,000 independent insurance agents, says these policies can benefit anyone who drives, owns or rents a home and has assets to protect. Seeing that's almost anyone who has been saving money for a few years, it's something worth looking at. Of course, like any type of insurance, you need do a cost-benefit analysis to see if it's right for you. How much can you afford to spend each month and what do you stand to lose if you don't pony it up?

While you're pondering that, consider this: Nearly 15 of people with high net worth don't have this coverage, Trusted Choice says. An average cost of about $380 per year – or about $32 a month – can get you $1 to 2 million worth of protection. Sold!

Collision coverage raises questions.

It may or may not make sense for you. Our hunk o'junk 2001 SUV – a third vehicle for my two-driver household – is on its way to any charity that might want it, most likely for parts. We haven't paid collision coverage on it for awhile, but I just realized (by actually looking at my policy!) that we've been paying what's known as comprehensive coverage, which covers non-crash things that could happen to my car. I don't care what happens to this car so just saved, well, a whopping $20 a year.

While skipping collision coverage for a car worth $3,000 or less may seem like a smart way to save money, the cost of replacing any vehicle you actually need after a total loss can prove overwhelming if you don't have collision coverage. (We wouldn't replace ours until our teen starts to drive.)

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage a must.

If you suffer a life-changing injury and can't go back to work after a crash caused by a driver without enough insurance, your life and future can hang in the balance, says Philadelphia lawyer Dean Weitzman. The only way you can be adequately and fairly compensated after such an event is to have the highest amount of UM and UIM that you can afford, he says. There's even a way to do that without spending more on your existing policy: Just increase your vehicle collision deductible.

"If you're going to take a chance, take the chance on the property damage," Weitzman wrote on the MyPhillyLawyer.com blog. "That's better than having the unknown risk of having life changing catastrophic injuries and not having the money to pay for care."

Read the full article at AutoBlog: http://www.autoblog.com/2014/12/12/tips-on-choosing-your-car-insurance-wisely/

Keeping Your Car Clutter-Free

Is your car starting to feel a little messy, or even cramped? Keep your car comfortable and clutter-free with these tips from Kicking Tires:

Clean Out the Crap: Don't be tempted to put a lot of crap in your car in the first place. It sounds so simple, and it is. Items that go into your car should be necessities. Ask yourself if your kid needs to bring his 1,000-piece puzzle, pull-toy and swim floatie with you on a trip to the grocery store. Implement the "one in, one out" rule. If your kids must bring a favorite toy in the car, limit them to oneitem each. If they bring one thing in the car, they must bring that one thing back out of the car at the end of the day. (If that one item happens to be a purse stuffed with 20 other small items? Good luck!) One parent of three on our staff recommends treating your car like a camping trip. If you pack it in, you must pack it back out and leave it better than when you arrived.

Group the Necessities: Keep a utility bag, like this one from ThirtyOneGifts.com, in the cargo area to house items like first-aid kits, sunscreen, wipes and diapers, plus anything else you like to keep in there. One mom on our staff swears by disposable zippered plastic bags of all sizes to help organize all the stuff she needs for her preschooler and newborn twins in her car, while a friend uses mesh pencil bags for this purpose. A "to-go" tote is also helpful. Load it up with your daily stuff — library books to return, dry cleaning to drop off, a protein shake to keep you going if a meal is still a while off — and at the end of the day, load the tote back up with everything that needs to come into the house from the car. (Don't forget those dirty socks that have been under the backseat for months.)

Use Down Time (and Recycled Grocery Bags) to Gather Trash: No matter how diligent we are with the above techniques, trash inevitably ends up in the car. Use that extra minute or two while waiting in the carpool lane to grab a plastic grocery bag (keep a stash of them in the glove box) and gather up the wrappers and rogue pieces of Pirate's Booty that have been under the seats for months. Tie up the bag, stash it inside your "to-go" tote and trash it the second your pull into your garage.

Stuff a Sock in It!: To keep small items like coins, french fries and Polly Pocket shoes from falling into the depths of despair between the seats and consoles, just stuff a sock in that gap to close it up. If the stuff in your car stays within easy reach, you'll be more tempted to clean it out.

Wet Wipes are Your Friend: Wet wipes can do just about anything in a car, from cleaning up unmentionables on your kid's child-safety seat and wiping sticky messes off faces and hands, to grabbing dust off the dashboard. Travel-size packs of baby wipes are perfect for keeping in cars, and the crunchier parents among us can pick up a package of these organic ones by Giovanni. They do double duty as aromatherapy for your car, and, because they're individually wrapped, they won't dry out after months in the glove box.

Click here to read the full article: http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2014/12/how-to-corral-car-clutter.html

Gas Prices to Stay Low in the New Year

Are you loving the low prices at the pump? There's good news! According to AOL Autos, the low fuel prices should last well into the New Year!

In a dramatic shift from previous forecasts, the Energy Department predicted Wednesday that the average price of gasoline in the U.S. will be $2.94 a gallon in 2015. That is a 44-cent drop from an outlook issued just a month ago. 

If the sharply lower estimate holds true, U.S. consumers will save $61 billion on gas compared with this year. 

Rising oil production, particularly in the U.S., and weak spots in the global economy have led to a sharp reduction in oil prices over the past four months. Not seeing much of a change ahead, the government cut its forecast for global oil prices next year by $18 a barrel to $83. 

As a result, U.S. drivers will pay on average 45 cents less for a gallon of gas next year compared to this year. Based on expected gasoline consumption, that's a savings of $60.9 billion. 

That may not seem like a lot in the context of a $17.5 trillion U.S. economy, but economists say it matters because it immediately gives consumers more money to spend on other things. Consumer spending accounts for 70 percent of the U.S. economy. 

"It would be a reversal of the trend over the last few years where consumers can't stretch a dollar far enough," says Tim Quinlan, an economist at Wells Fargo. 

Quinlan says the price of gasoline is one of the three big drivers of consumer confidence, along with stock prices and the unemployment rate. "Lately all three are moving in the right direction," he says. 

After falling for 49 straight days, the average gasoline price in the U.S. Thursday is $2.92, the lowest since December of 2010, according to AAA. That was also the last full year when the average came in below $3 a gallon. 

While it's not unusual for gas to hit its low for the year in late fall, the government is now saying that these prices aren't just a low point, but instead will be the norm next year.

Click the link to read the full article: http://aol.it/1ruZqpp

Car Seat Changes for 2015

If you have young children, you'll want to pay attention to this! This article from Kicking Tires gives the low down on what will be changing for car seats in 2015. 

Improved Crash Protection
Parents shopping for car seats are already reaping the benefit of the proposed car-seat crash tests. Many new or redesigned car seats such as the Britax Marathon have large side wings that protect a child's head and chest in a side-impact crash. 

The Recaro Performance Coupe infant seat's carrying handle becomes an anti-rebound bar when the seat is installed. These bars, which are used only in rear-facing car seats, are positioned against the car's seat and prevent the child-safety seat from moving or bouncing during and immediately after a crash. 

Muv's Kussen infant seat (photo above) also has an anti-rebound bar, but it goes a step further in its crash protection. In a crash, the Kussen's carrier is designed to rotate into a more upright position in the car seat's base. This allows the car seat to absorb the crash forces by "compressing on the built-in shock absorption system" found in the car seat. 

Higher Weight Limits
It's been a few years since NHTSA and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that parents keep their children in the rear-facing position until at least age 2, and car-seat manufacturers are now offering rear-facing infant seats that have higher weight limits — meaning that the child can stay in this seat longer. Perhaps the most impressive car seat in that regard is the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 40 (photo above). It's the only rear-facing infant seat that has a 40-pound weight limit, according to Graco. To accommodate a child who weighs upward of 40 pounds, the car seat's base extends lengthwise to create a little more legroom for your not-so-little one. Of course, carrying a 40-pound child in an infant carrier will require some powerful arm muscles. 

More Adjustability
From installation to struggling to get the harness to fit your child correctly, car seats offer endless ways to frustrate parents. Recaro's Performance Coupe infant seat has a foot in the base (photo above) that can be easily adjusted to fit a car's backseat, but it also has a dial that allows you to fine tune that fit. The infant seat's harness straps, which can be adjusted without rethreading them through the car seat's shell, also impressed me.

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

Cold Weather Driving

Cold weather is finally here. Learn how to keep your car in tip-top shape during these winter months with these tips from AOL autos:

Check Your Battery
The battery is the part of the car that generally has the most issues when the mercury starts to drop. In fact, your car's battery loses about half of its starting power at 0 degrees.

If your car is going to sit for an entire 24-hour period during times of cold weather, it's a good idea to start the engine up and let it run for 15-20 minutes to ensure that the battery stays charged. This way, you won't find yourself stranded with a dead battery when you need to get somewhere.

Pep Boys also said if your battery is five or more years old, it should be replaced before it dies.

Check Your Tire Pressure
For every 10-degree drop in the outside temperature, your tires lose about a pound of air pressure. You should check your tires often during the winter and add air as needed. Filling them is quick and easy, and can be done at many gas stations.

Under-inflated tires can be a serious safety hazard, especially when the roads are slick, as they impair your car's braking and handling abilities. Tires with low inflation levels (psi) can also be a detriment to your fuel economy.

Check Your Fluids

Fluids can thicken when it's cold outside, making it much more difficult for your car to get the fluids it needs to run properly.

Take a few minutes to make sure that your fluids -- oil, antifreeze, power steering, brake and transmission -- are in good shape and at the proper levels. It's also important to let your car warm up for at least ten minutes before driving anywhere, so that these fluids can flow the way they're intended.

Ensure you have adequate windshield wiper fluid. You'll be using a lot of it, especially in states that put salt on the roads.

Protect Your Windshield Wipers

Windshield wipers can freeze and crack in extreme cold. Considering how much you'll use them to clear salt, snow and all the other gunk that comes with the winter months, it's important to keep them in tip-top shape.

You should pull the wipers off the windshield when the car isn't running in order to prevent damage. Get in the habit of replacing your wipers in the fall, while the weather is still warm. Swapping them out in the cold can be a nightmare on your fingers.

Read the full article from AOL Autos here: http://aol.it/1HDA8Qk

Is Texting and Driving Addicting?

A new study by AT&T shows that texting and driving can actually release the happiness-enhancing chemical, dopamine in people's brains. This means that texting and driving could actually be addicting. Learn more with this article from Kicking Tires:

The study, conducted by the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in cooperation with the "Texting & Driving … It Can Wait" campaign, found that more and more people are demonstrating compulsive behavior — dubbed "cell-phone addiction" — with three-quarters of people admitting to at least glancing at their phones while behind the wheel. That's despite 90 percent of people reporting that they know better.

"We compulsively check our phones because every time we get an update through text, email or social media, we experience an elevation of dopamine, which is a neurochemical in the brain that makes us feel happy," Dr. David Greenfield, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and founder of the Internet and Technology Addiction, said in a statement. "If that desire for a dopamine fix leads us to check our phones while we're driving, a simple text can turn deadly."

There is good news, however. According to the research, phone addicts can successfully rehab themselves. "Those who are most likely to text and drive are also the most likely to take steps to stop," AT&T said in a statement. "And 82 percent of people who take action to stop texting and driving feel good about themselves."

To help people stop this dangerous behavior, AT&T is promoting its free DriveMode iPhone app, which activates automatically at 15 mph, silences text-message alerts and automatically responds to incoming messages letting the sender know the user is driving; it also notifies parents if the app has been shut off.

Click the link to read the full article: http://bit.ly/1tN7dUg

Best and Worst Drivers in the US

Have you ever wondered where the best and worse drivers are in the US? Find out with this infographic!

View a larger version of the infographic here: http://bit.ly/1pRqswb

Keeping Germs at Bay in Your Car this Cold and Flu Season

This cold and flu season, make sure you're keeping germs at bay in your car with these tips from Kicking Tires:

The flu is nothing to sneeze at. It sends more young children to the hospital than any other vaccine-preventable illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The best way to prevent it and its complications is to get the flu vaccine for yourself and your family. It's recommended for children as young as 6 months old. Of course, the vaccine's effectiveness varies widely from season to season, so parents need to be vigilant when it comes to containing germs.

While many of us are trained to wipe down frequently touched surfaces in our homes (door knobs, light switches) whenever someone has the flu or a nasty cold, how often do those practices carry over to the family car, especially if you carpool? Here are our tips for keeping your car from becoming a petri dish:

What to Keep in the Car

• Box of tissues: While it's questionable as to whether your kids will actually use them, keeping tissues handy will hopefully encourage your children to use them when they sneeze. While you're at it, keep a small trash bag in the backseat to gather the used tissues.
• Hand sanitizer: Keep this on hand for easy cleanups when kiddos didn't have enough time to grab a tissue before sneezing (eww). They also help adults clean up their hands after pumping gas.
• Baby wipes: These are great for wiping down not only the kids, but also frequently touched surfaces like the steering wheel, radio buttons, door handles and window switches. Think twice before using bleach wipes in your car because the harsh chemicals could damage the interior.

Carpooling

Carting your sick children in the car is one thing, but what happens when your kids are part of a carpool. Well, if everyone isn't careful, it's easy for the kids to pass the same cold around and around. Here are some simple tips to help keep all the kids in your carpool a little healthier this winter:

• If another parent in the carpool is dropping off your child at your house, make sure to keep a bottle of hand sanitizer inside your house's front door to keep the germs at bay.
• Or even better, train your kids to go straight to the bathroom or kitchen sink when they get home to wash their hands with soap.
• Also, make sure to wipe down your child's backpack straps (if they use one) to help thwart with spread of germs.
• While you may be ready to declare germ warfare on the bacteria the carpooling kids are bringing with them, realize that not all parents will want you to hose down their kids with sanitizer. Instead focus on wiping down the car's frequently touched surfaces after depositing the carpoolers at their homes and finally getting to your own.

Child-Safety Seats

There's one last front to consider in the car: car seats. Cleaning a car seat requires a couple of steps:

• First, read the car seat's manual before doing anything. Any missteps when cleaning it could make the car seat unsafe.
• To clean the car seat's plastic shell, most manufacturers recommend using a damp cloth and mild soap.
• The harness straps should be wiped down with a damp cloth, too. Some manufacturers allow the use of a mild soap to clean it, but check before cleaning. Don't wash the harness straps in the washing machine because it can affect its fiber strength and wash away fire retardants.
• Although you may want to burn the car seat's dirty cover -- who knew they could get so gross? — again read the owner's manual before washing. Some manufacturers allow the covers to be machine-washed (and likely air-dried), while others prefer hand-washing and air-drying.

Click the link to read the full article from Kicking Tires: http://bit.ly/1u25MlR

Fall Car Care Tips

When the seasons change is a great time to do some routine car maintenance. Fall is particularly perfect because the weather is ramping down from super hot to being quite chilly. There's no better time to prepare for the cold winter that lies ahead!These four fall car care tips are crucial for the season.

Look at tires for signs of uneven wear or other damageYour tires play a vital -- and generally thankless -- role in keeping you safe on the road. They are, after all, the only point of physical contact between your car and the pavement.
Uneven wear on tires can point to a couple of potential safety problems. It could mean that one or more of your tires is underinflated, which can negatively affect your car's handling and fuel economy. It can mean that your tires are out of alignment, which can cause stress on your suspension and result in an uncomfortable ride. It can also mean that the tire is out of balance or the wheel is bent, which can result in a bumpy ride due to the wobbly tire or wheel. 

Any of these issues can cause compromise the safety and comfort of your car. If you notice uneven tire wear, check into the cause of it as soon as possible. 

Listen to and feel your brakesPay attention when braking to be sure they are not making scraping or grinding noises, or that the brake pedal does not feel soft or spongy when depressed. Either of these issues can make braking difficult, which is obviously something you don't want. 

A soft or spongy brake pedal can point to a couple of possible problems, the most common of which is that there is too much air in the brake lines. You can fix the problem yourself by bleeding the brakes, but it's probably best to have your local mechanic take care of it for you. 

If you hear your brakes making scraping sounds, it can mean that there is some kind of foreign particle stuck in them or that the wear indicator is rubbing against the rotor. If you hear a grinding sound, that means the friction material on your brakes has worn off and the only thing stopping your car is the metal backing plate. This will make stopping the car very difficult and can damage critical parts of your brakes. 

Check your light bulbs and lenses for clarity 

Give your headlight, brake, fog and hi-beam bulbs and lenses a good check for clarity. It's starting to get dark much earlier, meaning your lights are going to be even more important than usual, since you'll be using them when there is heavier traffic flow. 

There are a few home remedies to fixing cloudy lights, including using an aluminum polishing compound or even toothpaste. 

Replace your windshield wipers if they are worn, cracked or streak when in useWhen it comes to driving, there's not much that is more infuriating than windshield wipers that don't work properly. Having your vision obscured by ineffective wipers that just spread the rain all over your windshield isn't only annoying, it's also dangerous. 

Replacing windshield wipers is quick, easy and cheap. Simply go to your local auto parts store, get the wipers that are the right size for your car (they'll generally have a reference book there for you to use) and follow the installation instructions.  Do this while it's still warm outside, because trying to pry off wipers with cold hands is torturous.

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

Tips for Defensive Driving

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Parents Just as Guilty of Distracted Driving

Many people think teens are more likely to text and drive or participate in other driving distractions. But a new study finds that parents are just as guilty!

Most public service announcements about the dangers of distracted driving focus on teens and young adults, but there's another demographic in need of a wake up call: parents. A new study found that parents are not only engaging in risky driving behavior, but are also doing so with their driving-age teens along for the ride.

Liberty Mutual teamed up with Students Against Destructive Decisions to survey over 1,000 parents and 2,000 junior and senior high school students across the country. Of those surveyed, 83 percent said their parents engaged in risky behavior while in the car with them. Parents admitted to talking on a cellphone while driving the most, at 86 percent. Eighty percent of parents admitted to speeding and 40 percent said they have texted while driving with their teen in the car.

Teens noticed their parents' distracted driving, and 60 percent said they tried to stop their parents from driving dangerously. While 84 percent of parents said they did stop their behavior when asked, 41 percent of teens said their parents did not actually stop, but justified their behavior or ignored them.

Parents' "do as I say, not as I do" attitude towards distracted driving has been studied before. Last year, researchers at the University of Michigan asked 600 parents about their driving habits. Almost 90 percent of those surveyed admitted to at least one technology-based distracted driving action over the past month, and most parents reported engaging in four of the ten distractions that were asked about. Parents who reported distracted driving were also more likely to report having been in a crash. Additionally, an AT&T study found that 49 percent of adults admitted to texting while driving, compared to 43 percent of teens.

Click here to read the full article from AOL Autos: http://aol.it/XfpMUd

Checking and Filling Tires Properly

Checking your tire pressure and adding air seems like such a simple task that you don’t even need to think about it. But keeping your tires at the proper pressure and knowing how to fill them correctly is a very crucial task. It will help your tires last longer and make your ride smoother.

This article from Cars.com lists tips for checking your tire pressure as well as instructions for how to fill your tires in order to keep them in the best shape possible.

Before Starting

Temperature plays a huge part in tire psi, Rastetter said, adding that the most crucial time of year to check pressure is in fall and winter when days are shorter and average temperatures plummet.

Check your tires in the morning before going anywhere, because as soon as you get behind the wheel for an extended amount of time, psi will rise. Rastetter said that if you've been on the road a long time and notice higher psi in your tires, don't let the air out, as the increase in pressure has built up due to the warm, constantly-in-motion tires

What to do

1. Pull your car onto a level surface in the shade.
2. Remove dust caps from the tires' valve stems.
3. Using your tire gauge, firmly press the tip of the gauge straight on to the tire's valve stem for a brief moment.
4. The tire gauge should provide a psi reading; if the number seems unrealistically low or high — for example, 85 psi or 1 psi – you will need to repeat the previous step, ensuring that the tire gauge's tip is properly making contact with the valve stem.
5. If the tire gauge's recorded reading is higher than the manufacturer-recommended rating, press the gauge tip on the valve stem until you hear air leak out. Check the tire pressure again.
6. If the reading is lower than recommended, fill the tire with air by firmly pressing the air-hose tip onto the valve stem. You will hear air quietly enter the tire. If you hear air leaking or spraying out, you need to double-check that the connection between the air hose and the tire’s valve stem is secure.
7. When you think you've added or let out enough air, check the pressure a few times with the gauge.
8. Replace the valve dust caps. Rastetter emphasized the importance of keeping dust caps on during winter driving because if water gets into the valve stem and freezes inside the tire, it could cause a flat.
While you're at it, check your spare tire's pressure. You don't want to have a flat tire and then find out your replacement is flat, too.

Make these steps part of your routine. It will benefit your vehicle and your wallet.

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

5 Mistakes That Could Ruin Your Car

You may want to think twice next time you want to put off that oil change. There are a number of common car mistakes you might be making that could actually ruin your vehicle.

1. Delaying regular maintenance
Regularly maintaining your car is vital to your car's longevity. Regular maintenance includes oil and filter replacement, as well as transmission fluid, air filter and brake pad care. Every vehicle manufacturer specifies a different maintenance routine, which can be found in your owner's manual. While regular maintenance requires you to invest some time and money, it's peanuts compared to the cost of a new engine or transmission. 

2. Ignoring dash warning lights
When a warning indicator lights up on your dash panel, it's important to address the problem immediately. If you don't know what the light means, check your owner's manual or call your mechanic. Dash warning lights can alert you to some very serious problems, such as a coolant leak, which can cause your engine to overheat. A simple preventative repair can often prevent a large problem down the line. 

3. Shifting while moving
The transmission is one of the most complex and expensive parts in your car and it's important to use is as it was intended. Be careful not to shift from drive to reverse or vice versa while the car is still moving. This "jerky" shifting places excess strain on the transmission's internal gears and can instantly destroy it. 

4. Jerky driving
We all know someone who accelerates wildly on every straightaway only to brake hard at a traffic light or stop sign. This type of driving won't destroy your car immediately, but will cause your engine, transmission and brake system to deteriorate much more quickly than intended. Cars that have been abused will have premature fluid leaks, broken seals and mechanical problems. 

5. Putting off tire replacement
Tires for some cars can be expensive, so replacing them is an unwelcome cost. Driving on bald tires is very risky, however. If a tire blows out while you're driving, you can lose control of your vehicle and have a serious accident. And if you drive with bald tires in the rain, the risk of hydroplaning goes up tremendously. A new set of tires may seem pricey, but probably costs less than your car, and even less than your insurance deductible.

Click the link to read the full article: http://aol.it/ZGy48v

Rudest Drivers in America

Do the drivers you see every day seem rude? Are they constantly using a phone while driving, tailgating, or not using their turn signals? Find out what behaviors other drivers find most annoying, and which states the drivers are guiltiest of participating in those behaviors.

Idaho ranked as the No. 1 rudest state in the study. Survey respondents' attitude toward this potato-producing state is rooted in its alleged bumper crump of both speedy spuds and slow-rolling couch potatoes. "The roadways of Idaho present a dichotomy of drivers: Those who are moving so slowly that they're judged to be rude, and the aggressive drivers who speed around them and flip them off," Insure.com said in a statement.

The five driving behaviors that bothered survey participants the most, followed by the percentage reporting so, were:

• Talking on a mobile phone while driving, 47 percent
• Tailgating, 37 percent
• Not signaling turns, 35 percent
• Weaving in and out of lanes, 28 percent
• Driving too fast, like every road is a highway, 26 percent

It bears noting that in Cars.com's recent poll seeking readers' opinions on the most-annoying driving behaviors respondents overwhelming identified "camping out in the passing lane" as the most egregious offense. Our poll's choices represented the most frequently expressed complaints in the comments section of our previous post on the subject.

The study's top 10 rudest states list is split almost evenly between the western and eastern U.S. On the opposite end of the spectrum, North Dakota drivers are, by default, the most polite in the nation, ranking No. 51.

Insure.com's entire list of all 50 states and the District of Columbia is as follows; see where your discourteous drivers rank:

1. Idaho
2. Washington, D.C.
3. New York
4. Wyoming
5. Massachusetts
6. Delaware
7. Vermont
8. New Jersey
9. Nevada
10. Utah
11. Alaska
12. Louisiana
13. Connecticut
14. Rhode Island
15. Iowa
16. Oklahoma
17. California
18. Alabama
19. Arkansas
20. Mississippi
21. Colorado
22. New Mexico
23. Florida
24. Ohio
25. Georgia
26. Illinois
27. Texas
28. Hawaii
29. Kansas
30. Virginia
31. West Virginia
32. Kentucky
33. Maryland
34. Arizona
35. Michigan
36. Indiana
37. Pennsylvania
38. Tennessee
39. Missouri
40. South Carolina
41. South Dakota
42. North Carolina
43. Washington
44. Nebraska
45. Wisconsin
46. Oregon
47. Minnesota
48. Montana
49. New Hampshire
50. Maine
51. North Dakota

Read the full article from Kicking Tires here: http://bit.ly/ZsaDji

Finding the Right Car Insurance

If you're going to have a car, you're going to need insurance. But it isn't as cut and dry as having insurance or not. There are a few different kinds of coverage you can get. There are also a few other important considerations you should look at when looking for the correct coverage. Hopefully this blog will help put some of those different aspects of car insurance into perspective for you.

Three Types of Coverage

Although insurance policies and prices vary from company to company, there are three basic types of coverage you'll want to consider.

Liability: If an accident is your fault, the insurance company will usually cover the damage you caused, including bodily injury and property damage.

Collision: The insurance company will pay for repairs performed after an accident. Make sure you go to a repair shop approved by your agency. Otherwise, they may not pay for the work.

Comprehensive: Damage from vandalism, theft, floods, fires and other events is covered. Some insurance agencies don't cover certain kinds of mishaps, so make sure you know all the details — and exclusions — of your policy. Some insurers offer protection from uninsured drivers.

Other Important Considerations

Find out your auto lender's preferences
If you owe money on your car (through your loan), your lender may have some rules on the kinds and amounts of coverage you'll need. Most lenders want a comprehensive coverage package to protect the car in the event of an accident. However, if you own your car outright and have the title, you are free to select the insurance you feel most comfortable with, as long as you comply with state insurance requirements.

What's the smart amount of coverage for me?
Figuring out how much time you spend in your car and the number of hazards that your car faces on a regular basis (traffic, parking, etc.) can help you figure out the coverage you need. If your car is frequently exposed to hazardous conditions, you may want to consider adding more coverage. If you keep your car in a garage most of the time, you probably don't need as much coverage as someone who's parking on congested city streets every day.

Your insurance agent will ask you about your driving habits. Based on data from thousands of insured drivers, the agent can figure out the likelihood of you having an accident and offer a plan that is appropriate for you. Some insurance companies will reduce your payment if you drive less frequently, live close to work or if you drive a safer vehicle.

You should also consider where you live, work or go to school. Are you concerned that your car may get stolen or vandalized? Weigh all these things when choosing your insurance plan. You can easily increase your coverage if necessary.

Click the link to read the entire article from Cars.com: http://bit.ly/17YZhRO

Cleaning Up Spills in the Car

If you have kids, you know that spills are unavoidable. In a perfect world, spills would never happen in the car, but unfortunately this is usually never the case. So what do you do when a spill does happen? Kicking Tires has shared advice from parents on cleaning up spills in the car.

Start with Protective Surfaces: Generally speaking, leather or vinyl seating surfaces will be easier to clean than fabric. However, several automakers offer a stain- and odor-resistant material in some of their cars. GM, for example, uses interior coatings to protect cabin materials from sun, sweat, sunscreen, bug repellant and more. Engineers conduct durability experiments on the surface coatings, some of which involve applying perspiration to the seats for hours (a synthetic simulant, not real sweat, phew!) to see how surfaces hold up. Sweat is just the beginning. GM spills "everything from sewing-machine oil to petroleum jelly," said Doug Pickett, GM engineering group manager. "We do coffee, ketchup, blue-ink pen, regular soy sauce, chocolate milk, red Kool-Aid and black marker." 

Act Fast: If someone in your car spills, clean up as much as possible off the car's seats and floor as soon as possible. Scoop up any, um, chunks, and soak up any puddles with paper towels. 

Scrape it Up: If you've found your noxious fume culprit and it's had time to dry and harden, try to scrape up any residual particulates first. Gather plenty of fresh towels, wet the area with hot water and soak up smelly aftereffects with the towels. Rinse and repeat. 

Buy Stock in Baking Soda: Cover every possible affected surface with a thick layer of baking soda. Let that sit and work its magic for as long as possible (in the legendary strawberry milk episode, I let it sit for three days). The same principle that makes baking soda great for soaking up garlic fumes in your fridge means it will work in your car. After a few days, use a high-powered Shop-Vac or a commercial-grade coin-operated vacuum at the gas station or car wash, to suck up all that odor-absorbing magic powder. 

Combat Lingering Smells: By this stage the spill should be gone, but there might be a lingering aroma. Rather than trying to mask one smell with another, try an all-natural product like Moso bags, which are filled with bamboo charcoal that can soak up smells from a mile away. OK, maybe not a full mile, but at least within the confines of your car. They come in several shapes and sizes to fit discreetly in your car, and if they work on my daughter's ballet shoes, they can definitely work on your nasty car smell. 

Create an Alternate, Pleasant Aroma: Now that all traces of putridity are a distant memory, you can add a pleasant scent to transform your morning carpool schlep into a feast for your olfactory senses. Rather than adding chemicals to the mix, try a few drops of a favorite essential oil (I vote for grapefruit) on a cotton ball and tuck it into a cupholder or an in-door storage pocket. Breathe deep and enjoy that wonderful family, spills and all.

Click the link to read the full article: http://bit.ly/1AbFA6j

Warning Lights to Watch Out For

Your car has all kinds of built-in functions to let you know when something is wrong. Warning lights are one of these functions. In order to give your car the proper attention it needs though, you want to be sure you're able to decipher any warning lights that could potentially come on. This article from AOL Autos explains 5 important warning lights and what exactly they mean.

Low Tire Pressure Warning
Many modern vehicles constantly monitor the pressure of each tire, and inform you when there is a pressure drop due to a puncture. When the low tire pressure light turns on, you should pull over to visually inspect your tires.

While it’s fairly straightforward to visually identify a normal tire that has gone flat, it’s much harder to do so with a run-flat tire. If you see that a normal tire has gone flat, you should mount a spare or call roadside assistance. If you have run-flats, you should drive to the closes tire shop to get the tire patched or replaced. Driving a long distance on a punctured run-flat can be dangerous, so don’t risk it.

Even if the tire isn't completely flat, low tire pressure can be a serious safety issue, as it impairs your ability to steer the car. It also negatively impacts fuel economy.

The low tire pressure light looks like an exclamation point in the middle of a horseshoe.

Low Battery Warning
Depending on how much you drive and the weather where you live, your battery will last 4 or 5 years on average. When the low battery warning light turns on, it’s a good idea to change the battery within a few days to avoid getting stranded somewhere because the car won’t start. If you buy a new battery before the old one dies completely, you can purchase an inexpensive replacement at your local warehouse store and do the swap yourself. Otherwise, you could be forced to pay double the money for a battery off a road service truck.

The low battery light looks like, well, a car battery.

Brake Fluid Warning
Your brakes the the most important safety device on your car, and you should take the brake fluid warning light very seriously. This light can indicate a brake fluid leak, or another problem in your brake system.

If the problem is serious, you may experience diminished stopping power, which can have serious consequences. When this light turns on, get a brake system inspection as soon as possible. Brake failure can have life-threatening consequences for you and your loved ones.

The low brake fluid warning light looks like an exclamation point in the middle of a circle, which is enclosed in parentheses.

Oil Pressure Warning
While coolant is necessary to regulate the temperature of your engine, oil is necessary to keep the internal components running smoothly. The engine is the most valuable single part of your car, so it’s important to make sure it’s properly cooled and lubricated.

When your oil pressure light comes on, it can indicate that you have an oil leak or that your engine is burning oil. In either case, it’s important to get your oil level back to normal. You can do this by purchasing the correct type of oil for your car (as indicated in the owner’s manual) and using the dipstick to top it off. Be careful not to overfill the engine – too much oil can also cause damage. To figure out the root cause of the low oil level, you should take your car to a mechanic for inspection.

Temperature Warning
When your temperature warning light turns on, your car probably has a coolant leak, bad water pump or faulty thermostat. Driving a car with cooling problems can cause the engine to overheat, which can destroy the gaskets within the engine or even cause the delicate metal components to warp. An overheated engine can cost thousands of dollars to be rebuilt or replaced. Unless that’s a risk you want to take, take your car to a mechanic as soon as the temperature warning light comes on.

The temperature warning light looks like a thermometer floating on water.

Read the full article from AOL Autos here: http://aol.it/1un18fB

Protecting Your Family When Car Trouble Strikes

If you own a car, running into some kind of trouble is inevitable. Whether it be a flat tire, running out of gas or a dead battery, car trouble can be extremely stressful, especially if your family is in the car. Here are some tips you can use to make sure your family stays safe next time car trouble strikes.

So what should you do when your car breaks down and your kids are in the backseat? Erin Stepp, AAA spokeswoman, has tips to keep you and your family safe and sane when the inevitable happens.

Carefully pull over: In an emergency, the first thing to do is gently and safely bring the car to a stop. Pull over onto the far right shoulder, as far off the road as possible while remaining on level ground. If you're driving on an interstate or multiple-lane highway with medians, you may consider the left shoulder, again pulling as far away from traffic as possible.

Flash, baby, flash: In order to generate enough attention to notify law enforcement or a roadside-service provider of your whereabouts, turn on your car's hazard lights.

Raise the hood: Raising your vehicle's hood signals to a service provider that you need help. You can also signal that you need assistance by closing a brightly-colored handkerchief, scarf or even a baby's spit-up rag in a window.

Call for help: When calling for roadside assistance, make sure the service provider knows how many children will require transportation and if any of them need child-safety seats. While it may have been socially acceptable for me to ride on my mom's lap back in the early '80s, that wouldn't fly today.

Stay with your car … unless: If you're able to pull away from traffic, it's usually safest to remain with your vehicle until law enforcement or a roadside-service provider arrives. If you must leave the car, stick together as a family and have everyone exit through the side of the vehicle that's away from traffic.

Never leave children alone in, or around, a car: This one sounds logical, but sometimes we act illogically while under stress. Never leave a child alone in the vehicle while you leave to look for help. A car's interior temperature can rise quickly even with the windows cracked for air circulation. Children's bodies heat up five times faster than adults, making them more susceptible to heat stroke, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Secure Fido: If traveling with your family pet, secure it with a leash or pet restraint. This will protect both your animal and the roadside-service provider from unintended injuries due to a fearful or stressed animal.

Lock the doors, crack the windows: If temperatures allow, keep the car's windows almost closed and the doors locked while you wait for help. If approached by a stranger, stay in your vehicle and ask them to call for help if you haven't been able to call yourself.

Take inventory and stock up: Always keep a stocked emergency kit in your vehicle. Make sure you have these basics:

Cellphone (with charger) that's preprogrammed with your roadside service provider's number
Drinking water and kid-friendly, non-perishable snacks, such as a few granola bars or dried fruit

• Extra medication and, if traveling with infants, diapers and baby formula
• First-aid kit
• Pencil and notebook
• Your car's owner's manual
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Jumper cables and tire pressure gauge
• Flares, warning triangles or reflectors
• Signal flag, retro-reflective vest or scarf
• Windshield-washer fluid and wiping cloth
• Engine coolant and fire extinguisher
• Tool kit including screwdriver, pliers, duct tape and adjustable wrench
• Umbrella

Most importantly, remember that your energy is infectious. Stay cool, calm and collected to help little ones get through the experience without undo emotional turmoil. Give the kids a snack and whip out your pencil and notebook for a few retro rounds of hangman or tic-tac-toe. Help will arrive soon.

You can read the full article from Kicking Tires by clicking the link: http://bit.ly/1tv2TpD

Many Americans Are Driving When They Shouldn't

A new study has found that many Americans are driving their car even thought they know they probably shouldn't. The survey didn't only look at impairment from drinking, but also at those who drove when they were tired or sick or when their car has some sort of mechanical issue that may not have been safe. Read more about the study in this article from KickingTires.

Nearly half of all drivers admitted to driving when they shouldn't have. That's one finding in a poll of 2,000 licensed drivers from December 2013, which CarInsurance.com released Monday. The website found that 46 percent of respondents admitted to driving once or twice in the past year when they knew they shouldn't have.

Eleven percent admitted to driving when they shouldn't have from three to 10 times in the past year. And 3 percent were serious repeat offenders, admitting to driving when they shouldn't have at least 11 times in the past year.

"I'm glad I don't know any of those 3 percenters," said Michelle Megna, managing editor at the Foster City, Calif.-based insurance advice website. Other survey results had no date attached, Megna told us, which means respondents only admitted to having ever done it.

It's not just alcohol impairment that precedes a poor choice to get behind the wheel. The survey dug up some interesting (if troubling) numbers: Drivers admitted to getting behind the wheel when they were sleepy (68 percent), experiencing a headache (53 percent), sick enough to be in bed (35 percent), less drunk than a friend (23 percent), weren't wearing necessary glasses or contacts (16 percent), taking narcotic pain medicine (15 percent) or had their arm in a cast (8 percent).

Note that these figures came from the general population. Not everyone has had their arm in a cast, and 25 percent of adults reportedly don't need glasses or contacts. That means, in all likelihood, that the portion of people who have ever had a cast and drove with it exceeds 8 percent. And the portion of visually impaired drivers who drove without glasses or contacts exceeds 16 percent.

Drivers also admitted to getting behind the wheel despite car problems, the survey found. What kind? Read on:

• 61 percent admitted to driving with the check engine light on.
• 32 percent admitted to driving when they couldn't see through snow or ice on the windshield.
• 26 percent admitted to driving when their windshield wipers weren't working.
• 21 percent admitted to driving with a broken speedometer.
• 19 percent admitted to driving with a broken horn.
• 18 percent admitted to driving with broken headlights.
• 17 percent admitted to driving on a flat tire.
• 10 percent admitted to driving when a door had to be held closed.
• 7 percent admitted to driving without a required car seat for their child.
• 6 percent admitted to driving a car filled with exhaust fumes.
• 5 percent admitted to driving with a missing or broken driver's seat.

Read the full article from KickingTires here: http://bit.ly/1ofx5VW

Back-to-School Safety Tips

It's back to school time! In order to keep kids safe when getting to and from school, Kicking Tires has published this list of great tips for both parents and their kids as they head back to school for the year.

Before Carpooling

• Don't agree to drive more children than you have proper seating, seat belts and, if needed, child-safety seats for.
• Set rules for proper car behavior up front; kids cannot meet your expectations unless you spell them out clearly.

Driving Through the School Zone

• Create a distraction-free zone: Cellphones, loud music, screaming kiddos, breakfast, makeup touchups and more take our eyes and minds off the road. Research by AAA shows that taking your eyes off the road for just 2 seconds doubles your chances of getting in a crash.
• Obey the (stop) signs: Shockingly, studies show that more than a third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones and neighborhoods. If the sign says "Stop," you need to stop, people! Be aware of pedestrians: This is the time of year when walking and riding bikes to school is fun. According to AAA, pedestrians struck by vehicles traveling school-zone speeds (25 mph) are nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed than those struck by vehicles traveling just 10 mph faster. Young kids on bikes can be erratic while trying to get a feel for their new wheels; the chances of children riding in a straight line are slim to none, so plan for them to swerve into your path — even if they don't.
• Brake for buses, it's the law: According to a survey by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, on a typical day more than 75,000 vehicles pass stopped school buses. Yikes!

Speaking of buses, here are some safety tips for those of us lucky enough to have access to those awesome big yellow limos and their drivers, who risk life, limb and sanity driving our kids to and from school each and every day.

Before Getting on the Bus

• Allow enough time to get to the bus stop several minutes ahead of time. Children running to catch a bus can result in disaster.
• Coach kids to walk along the sidewalk, if available, and stay on the sidewalk at the bus stop. Yeah, I know it's much more fun to play football in the street, but I'm here to tell you about safety, remember? If a parent or two can be present at the bus stop, kids are much more likely to practice safe behavior. Gathering a couple of neighbors and splitting up the duties each week builds community and keeps kids safe.

Loading the Bus

• Here's where I inject my opinion: Big kids should wait for little kids to get on the bus. I'm not suggesting sixth-graders wait for fifth-graders, but all kindergarteners, first- and second-graders should safely get on the bus before the gangly giants ascend the stairs.
• Pushing is rude and shouldn't be tolerated by anyone, even friends.
• In the non-opinion category, kids should sit down quickly and face the front of the bus. Looking up at the driver so he knows everyone is ready to go is respectful and helps the bus stay on time.

While on the Bus

• Don't block the aisles with backpacks, instruments or even legs. Having a clear path for exiting the bus is important if there's a crash.
• Keep all body parts inside the bus. (Did I even have to say that? Yes, yes, I did.)
• Speak quietly on the bus; the louder one student talks, the louder others have to talk to be heard, and distracting the driver is a horrible idea. It also goes without saying that screaming and horseplay are also distracting to the driver.
• Don't trash the bus. Bus karma will come back to bite anyone who spits in the seat or leaves a bunch of trash for someone else to pick up.

Getting off the Bus

• Students should always cross in front of the bus if they have to cross the street. Visibility from the driver's seat of a school bus is best about 10 feet around the front of the bus, so that's where students should walk.
• Students should never pick up something that's dropped in front of, near or under the bus. Always talk to the driver before leaning down to pick something up.

Biggest Rule of All

Listen to the driver. A bus driver's job is to get kids to school safely. Drivers may be sweet as can be or big ol' curmudgeons, but either way, dissing the driver is the worst safety violation of all — even if you're 15 and know everything there is to know (about everything).

Read the full article from Kicking Tires here: http://bit.ly/1rPj5Cq

Car Mistakes the Could Cost You

Everyone knows that owning a car isn't necessarily cheap. But making any of these five mistakes could make your wallet a lot lighter. Some may even seem like you are saving money at the time, but in the long run it will actually cost you much more:

1. Putting Off An Oil Change
While oil technology has improved drastically over the past couple of decades, it's still important to change your oil as recommended by your car's manufacturer. 

Motor oil gradually breaks down as it is circulated through your engine. After a certain number of miles, the oil doesn't provide adequate lubrication, causing your engine to wear out prematurely. A new or rebuilt engine can cost you thousands of dollars. 

2. Changing Tires Without An Alignment
An alignment ensures that the wheels of your car are positioned properly on the road. When a car is out of alignment, the tires wear out prematurely or in places where they're not supposed to wear. 

When you change your tires, always opt for the $75 alignment. Otherwise you could find yourself spending hundreds on a new set of tires. 

3. Installing Oversized Aftermarket Wheels
While some aftermarket wheels are carefully designed to be compatible with certain vehicles, getting the wrong wheels can harm your vehicle's suspension and ride comfort. Also, if you buy wheels that are too large for your car, you can damage your fenders and wheel wells. Replacing a damaged suspension can cost thousands, and body work can be even more expensive. 

4. Buying A Cheap Battery
A dead battery is a huge hassle. Often times, it means waiting for a jump start and then having to spend $100 for a replacement. There are many batteries available at your local parts retailer, and it's important to find the exact match for your car. Springing for an inexpensive substitute can damage your car's electrical system, requiring extensive repairs that won't be cheap. 

5. Getting Cheap Body Work
If you have a dent on your car, sometimes you can be approached by a "professional" in a shopping mall parking lot, or a friend might offer to take care of the problem. Beware, because sloppy body repair can cost more to correct than the original damage. A dent that can be repaired for $100 by a professional dent repair expert might cost $500 to fix once an amateur has damaged paint and deformed the metal panel.

To read the full article from AOL Autos, click the link: http://aol.it/1n3WRao

Where You Live Could Affect How Much You Pay For Auto Insurance

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

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

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

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

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

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

Buying a Car for Your Teen Driver

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Common Car Seat Mistakes Parents Make

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Must-Have Tools for DIY Car Maintenance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Traveling Safely With Pets

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

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

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

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

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

Gas Myths Debunked

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

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

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

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

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

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