Vehicle

3 Unwanted Car Related Experiences

Distance is meant to be conquered. Drivers seek the open miles, hurrying across state lines and city limits. Too often, however, those limits prove problematic, with vehicles failing and complications following.

Such complications require time, money and even legal maneuvering (provided often by a Chicago accident attorney). Recognizing potential concerns is necessary — if only to avoid them.

The three most frustrating car experiences are:

1. Collision

Statistics rarely favor automobiles — with over 6,000,000 accidents reported each year, which leads to a staggering 40,000 deaths and 3,000,000 injuries. Collisions are common, with causes that are both expected (alcohol, speeding and distracted driving) and unpredictable (weather, machine failure and tire blow-outs).

2. Implied Warranty Failure

Choosing used vehicles is accepted as necessary. It’s also, however, understood as a risk — with drivers forced to rely on secondhand engines and often undocumented histories. Implied warranty failure (which is when the expectations of a product’s reliability can’t be met) occurs frequently. This causes cars to suddenly stop working once they leave their lots, leaving buyers unprotected.

3. Cloned Vehicle

Unfortunately, theft is common within the world of automobiles. An estimated 1,000,000 vehicles are stolen each year. These vehicles are then stripped and given new Identification Numbers. This creates cloned cars, which will be confiscated by the authorities if discovered. Drivers lose their transportation methods as well as their money.

The possibility of vehicular trouble is undeniable. Millions of drivers suffer from accidents, warranty deceptions and theft each year. Choosing to stay aware of these issues is the only way to conquer them.

Filed Under: Car Dealers Tagged With: Accident, Automobile, Autos, Driving, Traffic collision, Vehicle

Purchasing used automobiles

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In the current economy purchasing a used vehicle is on the rise. Price is always a considering factor when buying a vehicle, but also choosing the model that fits the consumers needs is taken into consideration. The options are endless, but knowing the steps to be a smart consumer is crucial.

Some recommendations to keep in mind when purchasing any auto, new or used, is checking the value through the NADA. (National Automobile Dealers Association) The NADA has a plethora of information on new and used car prices, reviews, safety ratings, car comparisons and much more. As soon as the vehicle is driven off the lot it begins to depreciate in value so it is important to be informed.

In addition, it is beneficial to make sure to verify that there is an extended auto warranty available in case an issue was overlooked during the inspection process. Vehicle history reports are another useful tool for consumers to utilize to inform them if the vehicle has ever been damaged in a wreck in the past. The only item needed to complete this check is the vehicles VIN number.

Through all the steps that a buyer will take in buying a used car, one that is imperative to complete is the used vehicle inspection. This inspection will reveal if there are hidden issues that the buyer may not directly see or experience during the test-driving of the auto. Generally most dealers will allow the buyer to have the auto inspected by a shop of the buyerâ€™s choice. There is a cost involved with the inspection, but in the long run, it could save hundreds of dollars in repairs.

Lastly, it is good advise to never sign an as is document at a car dealership. To cover yourself as a consumer, there should be at least a 30-90 day warranty.

Filed Under: Used Cars Tagged With: automakers, Automobile, Car dealership, National Automobile Dealers Association, United States, Used car, Vehicle, Vehicle Identification Number

Vehicles with families in mind

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Whether you are taking kids to school, daycare, or sporting events finding the right vehicle for a family of carpoolers or families of six or more, can be a stressful task. A good question to ask before beginning the search is distinguishing between what you want from what you need.

Although sport utility vehicles (SUV’s) have been the vehicles of choice in the past, they are at a higher risk of rollovers, and they are also not the most fuel-efficient as well. That being said, the crossover’s or car based SUV’s that are currently on the market or the standard minivan are what more experts are recommending to families.

Things to look for in your quest for the right car are wide-ranging available safety features and high scores on vehicle safety testing. Along with that is having the option of rear-view cameras, and adequate visibility for front and rear. The larger the vehicle the harder it is to see behind you, and that can be fatal when there are young children involved.

Look for plenty of cargo space, second-row legroom and slide able second row seats. If you have children that are child safety seat age, make sure to double-check that the seat is compatible with whatever vehicle that you are leaning towards purchasing.

Besides the need for enough cargo space, other conveniences to ease parents stress loads would be the option of power rear hatches and remote starters. Something else to keep in mind is what type of interior fabric are you looking for? A parent’s best bet is to look for darker, stain-resistant fabric throughout. As we all know, children from toddler to teen can be a messy lot.

Overall, the decision comes down to what makes sense. It is best to educate yourself on choices and options before you sign the dotted line.

Filed Under: Tips for Buying a Car Tagged With: Family, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Ray LaHood, Rugby league positions, Sport utility vehicle, United States Department of Transportation, Vehicle, View camera

Sticker Shock-looking at fuel costs

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What are consumers looking for on a car sticker when it comes to fuel efficiency? A poll that was recently conducted by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the DOT (Department of Transportation) sheds some light on that particular question.
The top three, according to the poll, were fuel economy ratings, annual fuel costs, and fuel economy letter grade. Surprisingly the annual fuel costs was the most important, and the others followed meagerly behind.
The EPA and DOT conducted their survey according to the redesigned vehicles coming up, and the stickers that will be placed in the window of them on a car dealers lot. The EPA estimates that these new stickers will begin to be displayed on vehicles by the year 20112.
More than 55% of the consumers polled believed that fuel efficiency per city, highway, and combined miles per gallon (mpg) was a mandatory number that they looked for when choosing a vehicle.
Secondly was the annual fuel cost. A mere 15% of the consumers polled looked at this particular number. Some believe that if you are purchasing a $10,000 car that the annual fuel costs of $2,000 (for example) should be put on the sticker as well. Also, another surprising fact those that found this aspect important also would rather see monthly estimated fuel costs instead of annually. The EPA estimates that to fuel a vehicle for 5 years, the cost be around $10,000. Looking at those numbers definitely put a different focus than the normal things that potential buyers look for.
When it came to the letter grades on the sticker, most consumers didnt really take it into account when making a decision. From those consumers polled, it was an overall consensus that the letter grade aspect was confusing to them.
Lastly, surprisingly the least worried about point was greenhouse emission. Most customers polled didnt even take into account the environment or the pollution issue

Filed Under: Car Prices Tagged With: Automobile, Fuel economy in automobiles, Fuel efficiency, Grade (education), Plug-in hybrid, United States Department of Transportation, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Vehicle

Basic Auto Safety Checks

How a car functions and operates takes a variety of systems. Some of the basic systems require minimal maintenance, which a visual inspection is sufficient.

To assure the safety of the driver and the passengers, there are routine maintenance tasks such as oil changes, change burnt out bulbs, or replacing worn out belts. Safety checks are important for assessing any possible future malfunctions with the vehicle that could possibly cause system failures.

Some basic safety inspection tests that individuals can do themselves (if comfortable) are some of the following:

Checking all fluid levels. Make sure the automobile is off at time of check. One of the most common is checking the engine oil level. Use the dipstick in the engine oil compartment, which typically has a yellow handle. Displayed on the stick will be two level markers, which indicate the upper and lower level. If it displays oil level in between markers that is acceptable. Below that mark would indicate a need to replenish the oil.

â€¢ A standardized list of basic fluids that should be periodically checked is: engine coolant, oil, transmission fluid, windshield wiper fluid, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. (If applicable)

Inspecting the condition of the automobiles tires. The tires are responsible for supporting the braking, traction and steering of a vehicle. Theyre also a shock absorber when encountering uneven terrain or bumps in the road. It is recommended to maintain a certain amount of tire pressure at all times. This is generally disclosed on the inside panel of the vehicle. Lastly, it is also necessary to have the tires rotated at certain time increments to get the most wear from them. The time increments generally depend on the vehicles use in driving conditions, and inflation.

Safety for your family is essential. If you have questions or concerns contact your local dealer for information.

Filed Under: General Auto Tagged With: Automobile, Brake fluid, Hydraulic fluid, Motor oil, Power steering, Tire, Vehicle, Windshield washer fluid

Updated crash testing

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When purchasing a new or used vehicle, do consumers look at the safety standards and testing? Some feel that is one of the most important, while others are more concerned with the outside look and color. Safety crash tests should be a high priority when looking to purchase a vehicle. There is precious cargo being transported in that auto, you.
The vehicle-testing program NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) has been doing these safety tests since 1978. They are administered and supervised by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). This agency is responsible for all vehicle safety standards, and their testing is one of the most stringent when it comes to testing each car body.
Major revisions began in 2010 for NCAP. The aim is to continue to improve the safety of the vehicle, and to try and lower the repair costs. They use the star system when they are grading the vehicles. Five stars are considered the best. Potential consumers can find complete detailed information in the Consumer reports guide. It will give most of the information you may be looking for. It is important to do your car safety homework when contemplating the purchase of a vehicle.
Some advocates are unhappy that NCAP is just now overhauling their system to catch up with the ever-changing car market. Some of the additional testing or revised testing is NCAP has begun to use smaller passenger dummies when performing the crash tests. Researchers realized that most of the crash dummies where not representing a diverse populace.
Another aspect that has been added is after the crash test is complete, a NHTSA engineer assesses and records a fully injury report. They measure the force that the impact had on the head, abdomen, chest, pelvis, and lower spine in hopes of getting the knowledge of what these crashes would do to the passengers and driver. They have also revised the criteria for side-impact tests on all upcoming 2011 models.

Filed Under: New Cars Tagged With: Automobile safety, Crash test, Crash test dummy, Euro NCAP, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NCAP, Safety standards, Vehicle

Importing a vehicle into United States

There are steps that must be adhered to be able to legally import a vehicle into the USA. In addition, the buyer must comply with all safety regulations, bumper standards, and pass air pollution controls testing.

It is the purchaserâ€™s responsibility to make prior arrangements when it comes to having the auto shipped into the United States. An important step is to get the carrier/shipper to notify the importer on expected date of arrival to help expedite clearing customs in a timely manner.

There is also certain documentation that is required before importing. The buyer must have the carrier/shippers original bill of lading, bill of sale, and foreign registration. Other forms that must be completed are the EPA form 3520-1, and the DOT form HS-7 covering the emissions and safety provisions.

The United States Department of Agriculture mandates that all imported cars must be free of all hazardous material before being shipped to the U.S. Another aspect of importing is factoring in the cost of the necessary duty fees. Some determination factors used to figure the cost is whether the vehicle is new or in used condition, and if the vehicle will be used for personal use or for resale only.

To qualify for duty free imports it is required to be a non-resident. However, there has to be proof that the vehicle will be used for personal use for a time period of at least a year after the ownerâ€™s arrival to the United States. The exception for United States residents is for citizens working abroad or employees of the government and military that are returning to U.S. on TDY (temporary duty) or voluntary leave.

Importing a vehicle is a serious process. If you have questions call your local auto club or an international automobile federation with guidance on how to obtain the needed documentation.

Filed Under: Contract and Agreements Tagged With: Business, EPA, Ford Motor Company, Import, Toyota, United States, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Vehicle

Vehicle warranty choices

Are car warranties included in most consumers requirements when purchasing a vehicle? This should be ranked up there with the safety crash results. Without a car warranty, after you drive off the car lot, you are completely responsible for any repairs or issues that may arise.
Most car dealerships offer extended warranties on the vehicles they sell. However, one thing to keep in mind is this is a high-profit product up sell for the dealer. Be aware that extended warranties can also be negotiated when it comes to the pricing. Most consumers are unaware of that fact, but it is better to give it a try then not to.
There are two categories of warranties that are given as options to purchase. The first is the factory (manufacturer) warranty. This particular one is a bit pricier, but it is recommended for some of the following reasonings:
The technicians that will work on the repairs are factory trained and they will get authorized parts for all the work that needs to be done.
The repairs will be done quicker because you will not have to wait for a prior authorization from the carrier of the warranty.
There is no upfront cost to the customer, and there are no claims to file for reimbursement.
Generally, the warranty is transferable to the new owner if the car is sold and there is still mileage or time left on the warranty.
All dealers have the ability to sell both types of warranties, but just be aware that they will push the one that is going to get them the higher profit. At the time of purchasing the vehicle the warranty cost can be rolled into the loan financing, instead of paying an upfront lump sum. Another thing to keep in mind is that warranties are not mandated to purchase. When making this decision you will want to review the deductibles and the levels of coverage and what specifically is covered on those levels.

Filed Under: Contract and Agreements Tagged With: Autos, Car dealership, Consumer, Federal Trade Commission, Robocall, Shopping, Vehicle, Warranty

ABS system functions

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Anti-lock brake systems are an innovative automotive advance with the safety of the drivers in mind. Anti-lock brake systems are more often referred to as the ABS system.
There is more than one kind of ABS currently on the market. The first is the four-wheel system, this is found in most cars and minivans. This specific kind are to keep all four wheels from locking up at the same time when driving.
The other is the rear wheel drive. This is designed with certain pickups, vans and SUVâ€™s (sport utility vehicle) in mind. The rear wheel drive keeps the vehicle from spinning out of control during braking.
The ABS is to assist when the brakes lock up on a slippery surface (i.e. Icy road), the drivers tendency is to slam on the brakes, which leads to losing traction control, and the vehicle will begin to spin. The ABS keeps the wheels from locking up, and the car wheels continue to move in hopes the drivers will negotiate themselves out of the spin.
How does the ABS function? Two words. Traction Control. The following are the components that make up the traction control:
Sensors-each wheel has a sensor on it for when the wheels lock up.
Valves- each ABS has valves that open and close to release the pressure.
Pumps- pressure is released, and the pump builds up the pressure again.
Controller- this is the brains of the ABS. The controller runs the entire ABS system.
In other words, a vehicle without an ABS, the driver is responsible to pump the brakes while trying to maintain control of the vehicle. A vehicle that has ABS, the system pumps the brakes for you while you concentrate on getting the car safely under control. Ultimately, the controller will regulate the pressure that the ABS needs depending on the current road conditions.

Filed Under: New Cars Tagged With: ABS, Anti-lock braking system, Automobile, Automobile layout, Brake, Sport utility vehicle, Traction control system, Vehicle

Cars & Automatic Transmissions

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Automatic transmissions used to only be an option in certain luxury vehicles. Today most vehicles come standard with it in all price ranges. An automatic transmission is a transmission that shifts gears accordingly without the driver having to do anything.

An automatic transmission comes with pre-selected gear ranges. Some vehicles use what is called the CVT (continuous variable transmission). The CVT can change ratios over versus the set gear ratios.
Standard transmissions compared to the automatic transmission have certain differences. A standard transmission has an extra pedal that is called the clutch, and needs to be manually pushed down by the foot of the driver each and every time the transmission is shifted between gears. With an automatic transmission there are no extra pedals needed because the engine shifts on its own without a needed prompting from the driver.
There is no gearshift in an automatic transmission. All the driver needs to do is put the car in drive, and the engine does the rest of the work.
There are standard sets of gears that come with an automatic transmission vehicle. The driver has to move the shifter in motion to any of the below:
Park-P this will lock up the transmission, and keep it at a standstill until it is disengaged.
Reverse-R this gear gives the vehicle the ability to move backwards. The automobile must be at a standstill before you engage this gear.
Neutral-N in this position the vehicle is technically not in any gear. In this mode the transmission is disconnected.
Drive-D when put into this gear, it allows the vehicle to move forward and to increase speed.
Overdrive- the vehicle is only using minimal transmission in this gear. Typically the only time the vehicle is in overdrive is when going at a steady speed of around 40 mph (miles per hour)

Filed Under: New Cars Tagged With: Automatic transmission, Continuously variable transmission, Gear, Gear ratio, Manual transmission, Overdrive (mechanics), transmission, Vehicle