Get your ride ready to hit the road

You’ve been shopping for dorm items and academic supplies for the fall semester…that’s a good thing. Hopefully, you found many bargains and were able to take advantage of your state’s tax free weekend.

Is your college ride road-ready?

Another task you should handle now is your car, if you’re planning to have one with you this year. Before you fill it up with all of your stuff, you’ll want to make sure that it is ready to hit the road and able to give you reliable service over the coming months.

Car Check

The Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc. through its Car Care Council is reminding students heading off to college to examine the following items before heading out:

• Tires and tire pressure — Look for visible signs of wear. Rotate or replace your tires as necessary. If your school is located in the snow belt, place a set of winter tires in the trunk or bring chains.
• Hoses and belts — Fraying or loose connections can cause a problem if not handled now. Don’t get stranded: fix these items now!
• Air filters — Dirty or clogged air filters can sap your engine of much needed power.
• Wipers — If you haven’t changed your wiper blades since last winter, now is a good time to replace them.
• Exterior and interior lighting — Have someone do a walk around while you are in your car, checking headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other lights to make sure that they’re working.
• Fluid levels, including engine oil, power steering, brake,
  transmission, windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant — Replenish or replace as necessary. If you can’t do the work yourself, find a trusted mechanic to give your car a thorough inspection.
• Inspection — Make sure that your car has been inspected by the state and that your registration and insurance information is up-to-date.

The Car Care Council also recommends that college-bound students have important telephone numbers in their cell phone or glove box in case of a breakdown or emergency. Vehicles should have a roadside emergency kit that includes items such as flares, a first aid kit, a tire-changing jack, a tire pressure gauge, jumper cables and a blanket.

Finally, consider joining a service club such as AAA to have towing and other car services available to you as needed. You’ll pay an annual fee, but the peace of mind is priceless.

Adv. — Do you need some funs this semester? A Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loan could be the right choice for you.

How to save money on gas.

Mothballs in the gas tank. Super chip to improve performance and fuel efficiency. Converting your car to run on water.

When gas prices soared past four dollars a gallon a few years back, drivers were scrambling for ways to save on gas. Some methods were total cons while others did the job, but were costly to implement.

Efficiency Methods

Most methods for saving gas are not that costly and include common sense measures that are easy to implement including the following:

Tire Inflation — Just how under inflated are your tires? You can improve fuel efficiency by as much as 2-3 percent if your tires are inflated at the recommended psi. Plus, properly inflated tires last longer and are safer. One more thought: New tires may be the best way for you to save money. According to Consumer Reports recommends drivers shop to “…look for high-rated tires with low rolling resistance.” You may be able to save $100 each year if you choose new tires.

Car Maintenance — Dirty air filters on older models can impede performance and sap gas, as can a car in desperate need of a tune up. Follow manufacturer recommendation change intervals for spark plugs and spark plug wire and other filters to enjoy improved fuel economy.

Speed Control — The interstate speed says “75” which means you can get there faster. But also means that your fuel economy will take a hit, dropping by as much as five percent for every five mph over 60 mph according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Drive Sensibly — Besides keeping your speed in check, keep your right foot under control too. Jack rabbit starts and other aggressive driving methods consume much gas especially on the highway. Use cruise control too as Edmunds reports that you’ll save on average seven percent in fuel consumption.

Save Gas — Though not having all that much to do with saving gas, using the right fuel can save you money. If you don’t need to use premium fuel, choose regular. Conversely, protect your sophisticated engine if it requires premium fuel. The operative word here is required…don’t risk voiding your warranty.

Avoid These

As far as other possible methods for saving gas, some are not as helpful as you might think including turning off the air-conditioning and opening up the windows. It also does not matter what time of day you gas up and as far as those fuel saving gadgets go, if they really worked manufacturers would include them as original equipment.

Photo Credit: Daryl Mitchell

Adv. — Are you suffering from college tuition shock? Colleges are sending out tuition invoices right now; you can handle that shortfall by considering a Sallie Mae loan option.

Is this the concept of things to come with car technology?

With degree in hand, you step off of the stage and work your way back to your seat, tassel turned and your whole life ahead of you. And if your searching paid off, you may have a new job waiting, one paying a living wage and offering a good start toward helping you launch your career.

Now for an important question: how will you get to your job?

If you live in the city, then mass transportation may be all that you need, but with so many jobs located in the suburbs and exurbs, having a dependable and efficient way to get you where you are going is essential.

Cars Of The Future

For students entering the workforce in 2015 and beyond, the types of transportation offered will be radically different from the cars available today. Though just a few years away, the cars coming online beginning later this year and over the ensuing years will be far removed from what you can buy right now.

The transition to a whole new breed of vehicles began more than a decade ago when both Honda and Toyota began to produce their first hybrid gas-electric cars. Earlier models were ugly, underpowered, and fairly cheap, but over time these cars have become more sophisticated and fuel efficient, keeping up with owner preferences and government mandates.

Concept Toyota Gets Noticed

The Toyota Prius is by far the best selling hybrid model of all, but it will soon have some strong challengers including newer versions of itself. One such model under consideration is the Toyota FT-CH concept (pictured), a vehicle that made its debut at the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit this January.

The FT-CH changes things for Toyota and for customers as the model points to new direction the world’s top selling automaker plans on going: some models will still be gas-electric hybrids, but instead of using the current nickel-cadmium technology, a switch to lithium-ion will begin, perhaps even as early as this year. Li-ion batteries as they are called have a more robust lifespan then ni-cad batteries and offer a longer driving range. You will be able to plug these cars in to home electrical outlets to recharge the battery.

But FT-CH will not stop there. A pure battery electric vehicle is being readied, one that will not include a supplemental gas engine. Plug this car in at home or at your work place’s recharging port and you will have a ready and steady supply of energy available to you.

Hydrogen Powered Cars Too

Perhaps the most revolutionary vehicle to hit the market will be a hydrogen powered version of the Prius. Thought to be decades away from hitting the market when first conceived around 2000, the technology has been refined and improved to where production may start as soon as 2015.

Also called a fuel cell vehicle, these cars are already being tested with Honda Clarity FX available for lease in select markets. A fueling infrastructure needs to be put in place first, but that looks possible for Southern California and the New York City area.

Sustainability Movement Takes Off

Although what powers these cars is critically important to buyers, what is inside will be dramatically different too. Roomy cabins, the use of 8-bit microprocessor technology for video games and music, and a much greater use of recyclable materials will be evident throughout.

Indeed, most automakers are working on developing cars which will be nearly completely recyclable, meaning that few future models will clog auto junkyards when their lifespans have been completed.

You have heard the term “sustainable” for many years now – the auto industry has embraced the concept of producing more environmentally friendly vehicles and you will be the benefit of these cars once you are ready to make your purchase.

The Toyota FT-CH is just a concept but its styling, engineering, and technology point in the direction Toyota and other automakers will be heading. Come 2015 you may have a new job in hand, but you may also be driving a car powered by electricity or hydrogen, sustainable vehicles with a minimal impact on the environment.

Unfolding Before Your Eyes

If you’re just starting out in college, you will witness these changes from the vantage point of a student who is seeing a new world unfold. No, the internal combustion engine is not dead, but even these motors will be smaller, more energy and environmentally efficient then what we’ve seen, part of an across the board sea change making its way through the global automotive industry.

Perhaps what you’re seeing a glimpse at the first new car you will buy once you launch your career.

Resources

Autotrends.org: Three New Hybrids to Join Hybrid Fleet

Green Car Congress

The New York Times: Coming: 95% Recyclable Cars

Source: Toyota Motor Company

Many drivers are seeing the worst winter in their lifetimes as howling winds, blowing snow, and sub-zero temperatures grips the country from America’s mid-section to New England. Unless you’re in Southern California or in South Florida, you will likely have to deal with the effects of winter chill sometime over the next two months.

Plenty of college students will be heading back to class over the next week or two as the spring semester gets underway. For students who plan on driving, particularly for long distances, making sure that your car is ready to handle winter’s worst is essential to help you arrive at your destination safely and on time.

The Car Care Council, which promotes the “Be Car Care Aware” campaign, offers timely seasonal tips to help drivers prepare their cars to handle all kinds of weather conditions including those impacting your driving:

• Keep the battery connections clean, tight and corrosion-free. Since batteries don’t always give warning signs before they fail completely, it’s wise to replace batteries that are more than three years old.

• Antifreeze (coolant) should be flushed and refilled at least every two years in most vehicles. The mixture of antifreeze and water is typically 50:50. As a reminder, don’t make the mistake of adding 100 percent antifreeze.

• Change to low-viscosity oil in winter, as it will flow more easily between moving parts when cold. Drivers in sub-zero driving temperatures should drop their oil weight from 10-W30 to 5-W30 as thickened oil can make it hard to start the car.

• Keep the gas tank at least half full, decreasing the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing.

• Tire pressure should also be checked, as tires will lose pressure when temperatures drop — consider special tires if snow and ice are a problem in your area.

• If you’re due for a tune-up, have it done before winter sets in. Winter magnifies existing problems such as pings, hard starts, sluggish performance or rough idling.

• Have the exhaust system checked for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are closed.

• Allow your car a little more time to warm up when temperatures are below freezing to let the oil in the engine and transmission circulate and get warm.

• If you live in a place with especially severe winter conditions, consider using cold weather washer fluid and special winter windshield blades.

There are a few more points drivers should consider before heading back to college this semester:

Your car insurance policy – does it covering towing in the event that you get stuck? If not, make sure that your car has auto club or similar coverage for road emergencies. While you’re reviewing your policy, check to make sure that it is paid up, currently reflects your needed coverage levels, and a copy of your insurance card is kept in the glove box or other safe place.

Finally, add contact numbers for your auto insurer and auto club to your cell phone’s directory. In the event that you are in an accident or need assistance, you can make a quick call without fumbling around for a phone number.

Source: Car Care Council

Photo Credit: Michal Zacharzewski, SXC

It certainly pays to shop around for car insurance coverage. Compare rates between insurance providers to find the best deals for you.

Auto insurance coverage is mandatory in most states or can be waived if you can show sufficient proof of assets. In any case, car insurance can help protect you if you’re in an accident, by paying repair bills, covering hospital costs, and protecting you in a lawsuit.

The insurance commissioner in your state authorizes who may write policies in your area, but the following car insurance companies have a national presence and are worth comparing when seeking price quotes.

State Farm Insurance Company
One State Farm Plaza
Bloomington, IL 61710
(877) 734-2265
statefarm.com

Allstate Insurance Company
2775 Sanders Road
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 402-5000
allstate.com

Government Employees Insurance Company (GEICO)
One GEICO Plaza
Washington, DC 20076
(800) 861-8380
geico.com

The Progressive Corporation
6300 Wilson Mills Road
Mayfield Village, Ohio 44143
(800) 776-4737
progressive.com

USAA
9800 Fredericksburg Road
San Antonio, TX 78288
(800) 531-6597
usaa.com

Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
175 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02116
(800) 295-3753
libertymutualgroup.com

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215-2220
(877) 669-6877
nationwide.com

Smart Tips

When contacting any car insurance company for a price quote, obtain quotes based on comparable coverage to arrive at an accurate comparison. Expect that these companies will review your credit reports to determine if they’ll offer coverage to you and at what rate.

Before obtaining price quotes, visit AnnualCreditReport.com to obtain copies of your credit reports. Review your reports closely, correcting errors before obtaining price quotes from auto insurers.

Adv. – If you are in the market for a new car, find a dealer to set up a test drive. Importantly, by arranging your own auto financing you can save hundreds of dollars, allowing you to take the manufacturer’s rebate instead of their low-rate financing.

Available in other colors besides blue, the Hyundai Elantra Blue offers just the right blend of value and fuel economy in a compact sedan.

Compact cars are usually the model of choice for first time car buyers, vehicles which seat four or five people, come equipped with a fair number of standard features, are priced around $15K and get very good gas mileage. For any automaker who has a winning entry level car available, that could spell the difference between losing a customer or gaining one for life.

Base Elantra

Hyundai’s entry in the compact car segment is the Elantra, a car that goes head to head with the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Chevy Cobalt, Ford Focus and numerous other vehicles. Hyundai’s presence in this all-important segment has been growing over the years thanks to newly revamped models which are priced hundreds of dollars less than what competitors are offering. Moreover, the typical Hyundai model is better equipped than what competitors offer, perhaps offering the best bang for the buck of any manufacturer out there. And, add in its 10 year/100,000 mile warranty and the Hyundai buying advantage certainly becomes quite apparent.

Not one to rest on its laurels, Hyundai has rolled out the Elantra Blue for 2010, its most fuel efficient Elantra yet. Delivering 35 mpg highway, the Elantra Blue matches up well against all competitors delivering the best dollar per mile cost of any car on the market, edging the Chevy Cobalt XFE for best value. Though the Cobalt gets 37 mpg on the highway, the Blue is priced $845 less resulting in an overall pricing edge for the Hyundai.

Higher MPG

To squeeze out an additional eight percent improvement in fuel economy, which raised highway mpg by two, Hyundai engineers added lower friction engine components, revised transmission gearing ratios, included a “smart” alternator management system, and placed a shift indicator with the manual gearbox. Even GLS and SE models equipped with a manual transmission benefited from these improvements, seeing their highway mileage figures increase from 33 mpg to 34 mpg from 2009 to 2010.

When it comes to standard equipment, the Hyundai Elantra Blue offers much including six airbags, anti-lock brake system, four wheel disc brakes, active head restraints (front) and power door locks/windows, keyless entry and power heated windows among other features. A/C is extra, part of a $1700 comfort package which also includes a high end audio system and iPod/USB auxiliary inputs.

What Buyers Want

Will the Hyundai Elantra Blue be exactly what cost conscious buyers want? Perhaps. Likely, some will still opt for the higher end GLS and and SE models which add several thousand dollars to the price, but deliver excellent fuel economy around town as well as on the highway.

Source: Hyundai Motors

Adv. — For more information about new cars, visit Autos Express. Check out Auto Purchase Loans for details on how to finance your new car purchase.

Not exactly a road warrior, the Chevy Cobalt is one of many vehicles that could benefit from more power, readily available thanks to quaility aftermarket parts.

For several weeks over the summer, consumers traded in their old cars for new ones, taking advantage of the federal government’s cash for clunkers program. That three billion dollar effort produced record sales for several automakers, while saving consumers between $3500 and $4500 on qualified trade ins.

New or Update Used?

If you missed “cash for clunkers” you aren’t likely to see the program reintroduced any time soon. It was very costly and a headache for all concerned. Instead, car buying consumers will have to hope that manufacturer incentives make purchasing a new car affordable for them otherwise holding onto their current ride may be the best choice.

Should you keep your current car? And, if so, what can you do to make it last longer and perform better? That’s easy – follow the maintenance schedule as outlined in your car’s maintenance manual and consider upgrading your car with quality aftermarket parts. Yes, one of the complaints of car owners is that their current ride doesn’t deliver quite the amount of power they want. It isn’t always an ego thing either, rather drivers want their cars to perform at optimum levels, something most cars do not do thanks to factory restrictions.

Saving Money Regardless

Buying a new car will likely cost you around $25,000 while keeping your current car maintained should only set you back no more than one or two thousand dollars annually. Of course, if you do most of the maintenance yourself, then labor costs is one expense you won’t have to incur. Shop around for quality aftermarket parts and you’ll save big.

What parts are worth considering especially if you want more power? There are several, actually, including the following which you can probably handle yourself:

Cold Air Intake System – By installing a cold air intake, you can send cooler outside air into your car’s engine. Denser cold air means your engine can produce more power.

Cat-Back Exhaust System – Formally known as a catalyst back pressure exhaust system, a cat-back helps relieve back pressure in your car’s exhaust. Less pressure means more power – drivers also enjoy a sportier “note” emanating from the exhaust.

Performance Air Filters – The same air filters used by race car drivers can be used in your car too – allowing air to freely flow into your engine. Moreover, they’re reusable which means fewer paper filters clogging up our landfills.

Exhaust Headers – Headers improve air flow from engine to exhaust while relieving back pressure. Enthusiasts will often use headers with cat-back exhausts in a bid to maximize performance.

Computer Programmers – Chips and programmers can help improve timing, perfect fuel deliver and alter shift points on automatic transmissions.

More complicated aftermarket parts include supercharger systems, nitrous power and ignition systems. FYI – if you don’t know what you’re doing, then caution is advised. You don’t want to use any part that could possibly damage your car or revoke your car’s warranty.

Shop ‘n Save

Quality aftermarket car parts can help you get the most out of your ride without paying major money for a new car. In addition, choosing the right parts can increase performance and squeeze out improved fuel economy, while increasing the resale value of your ride.

Adv. — For more information about new cars, visit Autos Express. Check out Auto Purchase Loans for details on how to finance your new car purchase.

Students planning to head off to college over the next few weeks have been given some ammunition by AutoWeek, in their bid to convince Mom and Dad to buy them a new car. Owned by Crain Publishing, AutoWeek is one of the top car magazines read by auto enthusiasts. And what better time to release their “list of vehicles to send the kids off to college in” when the nation’s “cash for clunkers” program is about ready to kick off?

New Models You’ll Want To Consider

AutoWeek editors have voted and have come up with their list of top cars that students will want to drive off to college in. Besides these new models, the editors tempered their list by saying that “used cars will do the trick” perhaps to avoid the ire of cash strapped parents with no plans to buy new.

In any event, AutoWeek’s list is made up of the following 2009 and 2010 models:

–  2009 Hyundai Elantra Sedan
–  2009 Honda Civic
–  2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
–  2009 Ford Escape
–  2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid
–  2010 Kia Soul (pictured)
–  2009 Dodge Caliber SE
–  2009 Ford Focus
–  2009 Chevrolet Cobalt Sedan

And what’s my opinion of the list? Not bad, though some of the models listed can easily top $25,000, which may be a bit of a stretch for most families. Noticeably absent were a number of the smaller, entry level models including the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit, cars that can do the job as well.

Source: AutoWeek

Adv. — Are you considering the purchase of a house or a car during this recession? For consumers who have good or excellent credit, this may be the best time to jump in to the market. You’ll also want to make sure that your emergency income levels are consistent during these times as well as have a good food storage plan in place to keep those costs under control too.

Lots of students will be heading off to college this fall driving their own or a family car and keeping that vehicle with them for the academic year. Some schools forbid freshmen students from having a car, while others simply don’t have the parking space available to welcome hundreds if not thousands of additional vehicles.

But even if your child’s school allows students to bring cars with them, is that something you should consider? Let’s take a look at some of the things families must consider before allowing their daughter or son to have a car on campus:

Parking Fees – You’re already paying thousands for tuition, room and board, and books, so what’s so big about a single semester parking fee charge? At some schools those fees can amount to hundreds of dollars per semester, a sizable charge for certain. If you haven’t figured it out parking fees are one charge colleges love to assess to help cover other campus related expenses. Then again, at some schools additional campus police must be hired to patrol lots and in colder climates snow removal must be handled – your parking fee will contribute to covering those expenses.

Car Insurance – What sort of insurance rate will your insurer charge for having a car on campus? Some families don’t notify insurance companies about the change of address figuring that it is a temporary move. However, if you must file a claim and the car is domiciled in another city, you could find that the insurance company will hit you up with a premium increase once they learn about the move. Then again, your car insurance rate could drop if that car is registered and insured separately in another location.

Regular Maintenance – More than likely your student won’t be putting a lot of miles on the car while it is on campus, but it will still need to be maintained. Sure, you can take care of some of those matters over Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring and Summer breaks, but who will handle more costly repairs when a problem arises far from home? A newer car shouldn’t be a problem but that 1999 Buick LeSabre with 200,000 miles could prove to be costly and troublesome to maintain.

Personal Responsibility – One factor every parent needs to consider is this one – is your child responsible enough to operate a car without your supervision? Sure, they’re at least 18 years old, but let’s be honest here: young drivers cause a disproportionate share of all accidents thank to risk taking, poor decisions and impaired driving due to alcohol or drugs. Your son or daughter may be responsible enough to go off to college, but taking the family car with them could be too much temptation for them. Don’t be afraid to tell them, “no” if you believe that it is in their best interest not to have a car with them next semester.

Many schools offer discounted mass transit passes to help students get around town while bus, train and airfare may be preferable ways to help your son or daughter get back and forth between your home and college.  Even if you decide that your adult student isn’t ready to handle a car now, you could revisit the issue later especially if you’re looking for certain behavioral or academic improvements to take place first. Better for your offspring to work on those things that need improvement now instead of having to face them later on in life when the stakes are even higher.

Adv. — For more information about new cars, visit Autos Express. Check out Auto Purchase Loans for details on how to finance your new car purchase.