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How To Keep Your Nice Cars In Good Shape In The Winter

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/12/16 in Uncategorized with Comments Off on How To Keep Your Nice Cars In Good Shape In The Winter

Winter can be a rough time on cars. Temperature extremes, poor road conditions and the presence of corrosive materials on the roads can all add up to problems. Fortunately, there are a number of things that car owners can do to keep their rides in great shape through the cold months of winter.

Washing and Waxing

Keeping a car washed and waxed does more than make it look good. Washing removes dirt and other debris that can scratch paint and waxing provides a protective layer to protect a car’s finish from damage from sand, cinders and other objects on the road that are thrown up by other cars. Washing and waxing is especially important during the winter months when there is more debris on the road surface that can end up on a car.

Underbody Washing

While maintaining a clean and well waxed exterior is important, winter is also a time to focus on the underbody of the car. Road salt and other corrosive materials are constantly being splashed under a car onto frame components, CV joints, brake lines and other parts. Left alone over time these materials will cause parts to corrode and fail. For this reason, it is important for car owners to thoroughly clean the underbody of their cars during winter. It is important to spray off the bottom of the car as well as focusing on the wheel wells, bumpers and other areas that collect debris.

Tires

If a car owner plans to drive his or her car during the winter months, a tire inspection is mandatory. Tires should have at least 50% of its original tread depth for safe winter driving. An even better idea is to purchase winter tires to be used only during the cold months. Studded tires are still available in most areas, but modern winter tires that do not use studs perform better in most winter driving conditions. Car owners who choose to buy winter tires can have them taken off when warm weather returns in the spring and stored until next winter.

Storage

Car owners who want to protect their cars from all of the problems that winter can present should consider renting storage units to protect their car during the cold months. This is a particularly good idea for those people who do not have access to off street parking. Parking on the street in winter is especially hazardous for a nice car as snow plows, sliding cars and the splash of salty street slush provides an unending array of hazards for a parked car.

The Top 5 Fuel Efficient Vehicles For Your Daily Driving Needs

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/11/01 in Saving Fuel, Uncategorized with Comments Off on The Top 5 Fuel Efficient Vehicles For Your Daily Driving Needs

Due to the expensive price of gas, many motorists are seeking to purchase an extremely fuel-efficient vehicle. Although hybrid vehicles are an option, some drivers are not willing to pay the extra premium. The good news is that there are a few gas-only models that deliver an outstanding fuel economy. Here are the top five fuel efficient vehicles for your daily driving needs.

Mazda Madza3

If you are looking for an agile vehicle that gets great gas mileage, then look no further than the Mazda3. With a highway fuel economy rating of 40 mpg, the Mazda3 is one of the best daily-drivers on the market. The availability of a sedan or hatchback model further sweetens the deal.

Hyundai Veloster

Are you the type of person that likes to stand out from the crowd? If so, the Hyundai Veloster is right up your alley. Boasting a unique hatchback design and a 40-mpg fuel economy rating on the highway, the Veloster is a true bargain. Some of the standout features include a hidden third door and a motorcycle-inspired interior.

Chevrolet Cruze Eco

The Chevrolet Cruze Eco is definitely one of the best bargains in its segment. Not only does it offer a superb fuel economy rating of over 40 mpg, but it also offers a surprisingly spacious interior. There is also an available six-speed manual gearbox, which gets a tad less gas mileage. The best part is that it comes well-equipped for under $20,000.

Kia Rio

The Kia Rio has improved by leaps and bounds over its predecessor. Aside from the fact that it gets great mileage, the Kia dealership Newark NJ also offers the Rio with plenty of high-tech amenities. Some of the available features include a rear-view camera, touch-screen interface, and paddle shifters. If you are in the market for an economy car, this option will also bring you some luxury.

Ford Focus SFE

The stylish Ford Focus SFE is definitely engineered to deliver driving satisfaction on a daily basis. With an impressive fuel economy rating of 40-mpg on the highway, the Focus SFE is destined to save a few bucks at the fuel pump. Its 160-horsepower engine also provides plenty of punch when called upon. The push-button start and heated seats are just icing on the cake.

All of these fuel-efficient vehicles prove that gas-only vehicles are still capable of delivering fantastic fuel efficiency. The fact that these cars are also affordable makes them an even more rewarding choice.

Why Auto Loan Refinancing Makes Sense

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/03/04 in Auto Financing, Uncategorized with Comments Off on Why Auto Loan Refinancing Makes Sense

Consumers have been refinancing their homes for years, keeping track of mortgage rates and seeking out new loans as interest rates fall. That sort of thinking can also be applied to auto loans, a consumer loan that can prove costly when rates are high. Unlike home refinancing that requires mounds of paperwork, auto loan refinancing can usually be completed within mere days.

Auto loan refinancing may make sense for you provided the following has taken place since you took out your loan.

1. Your credit history has strengthened.

Some car shoppers get saddled with high interest rate auto loans because their credit scores were low. Interest rates for car loans are based on a number of factors, with your credit history a huge consideration. If your credit score is now very good or excellent, then you should qualify for a lower interest rate loan. Obtain your credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com and pay the fee to get your credit score.

2. Loan rates have fallen.

Not only has your credit outlook improved, but loan rates on cars have dropped. Perhaps you got a loan through a financing company and have since joined a credit union. Your new financial institution may offer low-rate refinancing, enabling you to save money.

3. Your finances are better.

Besides an improved credit score and lower interest rates, your personal finances may be better. If that is the case, you may be able to turn that six-year new car loan into a two- or three-year used car loan. You can do this by paying off part of the old loan and refinancing the balance. Your monthly rate may actually come in higher, but you may be able to shave a year or two off of payments, saving you money.

4. Consider your home equity.

Some consumers have discovered that paying off a car loan with their home equity makes sense. Under this arrangement, you take money out of your home and use it to pay off your car. The advantage here is that your monthly payments are lower. The disadvantage is that it may take you several years longer to pay off your car.

Refinance Considerations

Inasmuch that auto refinancing can lower your payments, reduce your interest rates and save you money, there are so matters to consider as you shop for a loan. Keep these in mind as your explore your options.

First, what is your car worth currently? Unlike homes that usually appreciate, cars lose value. Therefore, there is a possibility that you owe more money on your car then it is worth and that means you will have to come up with some cash to make up the difference. Check out Kelley Blue Book for its current value. Contact your lender to find out what the pay off amount is for your current car loan.

Second, some loans have built-in prepayment penalties that must be handled before you can get out of a loan. You may be required to pay back the full amount of the loan plus interest to get out of the original loan despite paying if off ahead of time. Familiarize yourself with your sales contract and its financing clauses.

Another Approach

If you are turned down for refinancing or find that the savings are not as robust as you had hoped, there is another option: paying down your current loan as quickly as possible. Here, you will still make your monthly payments, but you may be able to double up your payments or at least add more payments during the year. Only take this option if you believe that you can afford putting out more money each month in a bid to put your auto loan behind you.
Author Information

Jenny Willis is a professional blogger that enjoys providing consumers with personal finance advice. She writes for Purechecks.com, a leading check printing company of designer personal and business checks.

Car Insurance and Motorway Driving

by Carsurfer Admin on 2012/02/15 in Uncategorized with Comments Off on Car Insurance and Motorway Driving

It’s reassuring to know that your car insurance covers you against accidents, but a long journey on a motorway can be stress-filled for any driver. Motorway driving is a different skill if you’re used to just driving around town, but you can feel more confident before you set off with these handy tips.

Be prepared:

Plan your route and familiarize yourself with which junctions you’ll need to turn off at, as it’s not safe to try and read a map at speed. Leave enough time so you won’t be tempted to break the speed limit, and factor in regular breaks to keep your concentration up. Never embark on any journey without a valid car insurance policy from a reputable supplier.

Get used to the speed:

If you’re not familiar with motorway driving, stay in the nearside lane until you feel comfortable with the increased speed. Because cars are traveling faster on the motorway, things can happen quickly and it’s good to get your reactions up to speed too.

Leave a safe gap:

You can’t anticipate what the driver in front or to the side is about to do, but you can make sure you’re prepared for it. Leave a good space between you and the car in front, and if another driver cuts into that space, drop back. The more space you leave, the more time you have to anticipate and brake. It seems like you’re not making as good time as you could, but that precaution could be the difference between a safe journey or a claim on your car insurance. If you’re not sure how much space to leave, try this: Find a marker, such as a lamp-post or tree. Once the car in front passes it, make sure you can count two seconds before you reach it. If you can’t, slow down.

Watch the weather:

Driving in heavy rain or poor visibility? Leave a gap of four seconds between you and the car in front. If it’s foggy, keep a steady speed and don’t be tempted to try and keep up with the car in front.

Beat boredom:

Although a quiet stretch of motorway with country scenery seems like a safe place to be, it can get boring. If you feel your attention drifting or you’re beginning to feel tired, find a safe place to stop for a break and a breath of fresh air or get to the next service station for a rest. Take a break and stretch your legs at least every two hours.

Company Profile:

John Lewis Insurance offers a range of insurance services selected by the John Lewis Partnership. These include pet, life, travel, wedding, event, car and home insurance quotes.

For more information about John Lewis Car Insurance please visit the website here – http://www.johnlewis-insurance.com/homepage/car-insurance.html.

What You Need to Know About Small Cars

by Carsurfer Admin on 2012/02/10 in Uncategorized with Comments Off on What You Need to Know About Small Cars

If you’re in the market for a new car, there are many smaller models that deliver exceptional gas mileage. This feature may be important to you as elevated gas prices have forced consumers to consider how much it costs to fill up their gas tanks in addition to all of the other costs associated with owning a car.

Easily, we spend thousands of dollars annually to drive, maintain and pay off our vehicles, money that cannot be recouped, but a necessary expense for most Americans. The smallest cars deliver the best gas mileage, however not every vehicle merits a buy based on the following factors:

Fuel Economy – Achieving 30 mpg on the highway is common to all vehicles in the subcompact and compact classes. However, those numbers alone are not laudable. Today’s newest crop of small cars including the compact Hyundai Elantra, subcompact Ford Fiesta and minicar Smart ForTwo each get at least 40 mpg on the highway. Size matters, but more often than not a thrifty engine paired with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission makes the difference. A handful of small cars barely top out at 30 mpg; can you live with so-so gas mileage?

Safety Ratings – All cars are equipped with airbags, but not every vehicle has side curtain canopy bags, an advantage offered in most larger vehicles and only in some smaller vehicles. Smaller cars are lighter and much more likely to sustain major damage in a crash, given their size in proportion to other vehicles on the road. Occupants need an extra level of protection to reduce accident damage and personal injury. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety at IIHS.org rates all vehicles for front, side, rollover, and rear tests and for the presence of electronic stability control. Knowing how your vehicle rates can go far in determining which vehicle to buy. The Chevrolet Cruze, Kia Forte sedan and Toyota Corolla are among the better performing cars in this class.

Passenger Room – Other than the two-seat Smart, most small cars offer room for at least four, sometimes five occupants. But, this can be misleading. Front occupants usually have enough head, should and legroom, but that often comes at the expense of rear seating passengers. Small children usually can occupy the outboard seating positions just fine, but few cars offer a comfortable ride for the middle seat passenger. Cars with the roomiest interiors and most expansive rear seating compartments include the Volkswagen Jetta, Hyundai Elantra and the Chevrolet Cruze.

Storage Capacity – Small cars mean small trunks. One way to get around this problem is by choosing one of the few hatchbacks on the market including the Kia Rio5, Hyundai Accent and the Honda Fit. When more room is needed, the back seat can be folded down to carry additional items, but the trade off here is fewer people can ride in your car. One alternative is to select a sedan featuring a 60/40 fold-down rear seat. Here, only one part of the rear seat folds, giving you enough room to carry one person in the rear and that lamp or section of lumber that won’t fit in your trunk.

One important consideration when purchasing any car is to contact your insurance agent to obtain a rate quote. Insurers base new cars rates on the same IIHS crash test performances mentioned earlier and other factors including repair costs, where you live, age, gender, credit rating and other factors. The differences between models can be startling; adding hundreds of dollars to your costs annually if you choose a high cost, small car.

Author Information

Matt Keegan is editor and publisher of “Auto Trends Magazine” and is a freelance writer. Please visit his site for the latest in automotive news, car reviews and industry analysis.

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