Auto Magazine

Driving Record: Tips for Cleaning Up Your Act

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/03/18 in On the Road with Comments Off

We know by now that an adverse driving record affects how much we will pay for auto insurance. Like credit rating, our driving record may be cleaned up, gaining us the best rates. Here are a few ways to accomplish that goal and make driving a better experience for everyone.

Know Your Record

Does it contain accidents? Multiple tickets? Driving while suspended? Knowing this will help you focus on violations that are your particular issue to resolve. If you have 3 speeding tickets, no one has to tell you to let up on the gas pedal.

Look for Renewals

Get a new copy every year on your renewal date. Entries fall off after three years, except the worst of them, such as DWS and Negligent Homicide. You can learn more here about which strikes against you will count for a while. Time may be just what you need to get it cleared up in time.

Get Enough Sleep

Driving when you are tired or sleepy puts you in a vulnerable position. It is harder to focus on what you’re doing than if you get 8 hours of sleep every night.

Know the Law

Know and obey speed limits, not just patrol car locations. If you don’t know a particular speed in an area, review a driver’s manual. If you are near a school in a residential area, 25 mph is too fast. Slow down.

Keep Your Eyes Open

The most dangerous driver on the road is everybody else—and you. Be aware of who is in front, behind, and beside you. If they get too close, get out of their way. Let them have an accident somewhere else.

Keep Your Distance

Honor the rule of thumb about putting distance between you and the car in front of you. It is 1 car length for every 10 MPH. Most car lengths average around 16 feet. At 20 MPH, there should be thirty feet between you and the car in front. Learn how far that is by checking the distance between cars parked on the street. It’s more than you think it is.

Downgrade Distractions

Keep distractions to a minimum. Do not slide in a new CD, answer your cell phone, or reach over the back seat while driving. If you drop something, leave it where it lands, even if it’s your lunch. Pull over to take care of it later. Caution passengers about distractions, and don’t permit them to continue. That’s why teens can’t ride with teen drivers.

Set short-term goals for yourself. When you’ve reached your goal, put the savings away for that new car or insurance policy you want. But check how much the insurance will cost before you buy it.

5 Reasons why Truck Sales are So High Right Now (and Still Climbing)

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/03/16 in Trucks with Comments Off

The U.S. auto industry has displayed strong growth throughout 2014 and into 2015, with automakers selling over 16.7 million units last year and that growth only expected to continue. Nowhere is the gain more apparent than in pickup truck sales, where Ford, RAM and GM have all seen double-digit percentage gains in January 2015 after a strong 2014.

What are the driving factors behind so many pickup trucks finding their way into American driveways? Here are five contributing reasons:

The Return of the Midsize Truck

Smaller, lighter trucks used to be a common sight on American roads, but U.S. automakers bowed out of the segment entirely for several years, leaving Toyota, Nissan and Honda as the sole players. The Toyota Tacoma has dominated sales even as its platform and powertrains were getting a little long in the tooth. For 2015, General Motors storms back into the midsize segment with the 27-mpg-highway Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon trucks. Buyers have responded, driving up segment sales as Toyota prepares to release a heavily updated version of its Tacoma for 2016.

New Full-Size Trucks from Ford and GM

Profitable full-size pickup trucks make up a huge portion of the Detroit Big Three automakers’ revenue. In the last 2 model years, Ford and GM have each released all-new versions of their popular full-size models, leading to an uptick in buyers who were waiting for the new-generation trucks to hit the market. The new-for-2015 Ford F-150 has made a particularly big splash with its aluminum-intensive body, bed and chassis helping cut around 700 pounds of weight when compared with the 2014 truck. While less ground-breaking, Chevrolet and GMC’s newest full-size trucks have struck a chord with legions of buyers as well, thanks to much more fuel efficient engines and comfortable interiors.

Low Fuel Prices

Toward the tail end of 2014 and into 2015, fuel prices hit their lowest levels in more than 5 years, with regular gasoline selling at less than $2 per gallon in nearly all U.S. markets. When gasoline prices go down, consumers tend to drift more toward large, powerful vehicles and away from compact cars and hybrids. The trend toward ultra-low fuel prices appears to be reversing itself, particularly on the West Coast where an explosion at a large Exxon refinery in Torrance, California has contributed to a 70-cent rise in prices in just a few weeks. Still, experts predict fuel should stay relatively affordable at least into 2016.

Luxury Truck Trim Levels

From Ford’s Platinum and Raptor trim levels to the Chevrolet High Country, RAM Laramie Longhorn and GMC Denali, pickup trucks can now be ordered with all the interior luxury and quality of a finely crafted German sedan. This luxury truck segment, with base prices reaching $50,000 or even $60,000, courts a different sort of truck buyer, one who needs the capability of a pickup but will make no compromises in comfort. These trucks, usually offered in crew cab form with expansive interiors, bring conquest buyers that may have otherwise opted for a crossover or luxury car. They are also hugely profitable for the trucks’ producers.

Incentive Wars

The mighty F-150 has been the nation’s best-selling consumer vehicle for more than 30 years. In the lead-up to the long-awaited 2015 replacement’s release, GM and RAM slashed prices and upped the level of available incentives on their own full-size models in an effort to cut into Ford’s market share. The strategy worked, with RAM gaining ground to control 21.3 percent of the truck market in the third quarter of 2014 to over 35 percent when combining totals of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. Whether the strategy of offering up to $8,500 in incentives on a new pickup is sustainable or not is another question, but buyers are the clear winners here.

What can truck buyers look for in 2015 and 2016 going forward? Nissan just debuted its all-new 2016 Titan full-size, offering 12,500 pounds of towing capacity thanks to a powerful turbo-diesel V-8 built by Cummins. Honda will debut its next Ridgeline midsize soon, and Toyota’s updated Tacoma will seek to steal back some of the midsize thunder from GM. Truck buyers have more credible options than at any time in recent memory, and sales are expected to keep flying high.

The information for this article was provided by the professionals of 99 Truck Parts & Industrial Equipment Ltd., who specialize in truck parts in Vancouver, BC.

Six Things To Consider Before Buying A New Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/03/13 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off

Whatever you financial situation, investing in a new car is never a small matter. Due to the fact that new cars lose a substantial amount of value the moment they are driven off of the lot, you can never be sure that you are making a sound financial investment without having the right information in hand first. By understanding the right questions to ask at the time of purchase, you can be assured that you are purchasing a winner.

All Charges Considered

Many deals can look very good on the surface. However, hidden charges often abound when it comes to purchasing a new vehicle. Maintain complete transparency when it comes to the price you will be paying by considering every fee that will apply to the deal. Negotiations typically include only the price of the car. Figure out what the total cost will be to drive off of the lot by exploring the fees related to documentation, sales tax, registration, and other hidden charges that are in the interest of the dealer.

The Car You Are Actually Buying

The majority of cars on the showroom floor are outfitted with additional add-ons and options. It is not unusual for dealers to package these extras into the deal in order to raise profits. Insist that all information related to upgrades is disclosed before finalizing the purchase. The most common features to fall into this category include mud flaps, alarm systems, and vehicle-recovery systems. Buyers also regularly encounter “paint-protection” packages and other unnecessary, costly warranties.

Details Matter

It is standard for dealers to charge a fee for documenting the purchase. However, this fee for filling out paperwork related to the purchase is not standardized for all organizations. This fee can range between $100 and $600. Some states cap these charges by law. These charges are negotiable in almost all cases. Address the issue early in negotiations in order to keep your costs to a minimum.

Online Purchases

It is not unusual for buyers today to purchase vehicles through online sources without ever actually seeing the vehicle in person. In these cases, there are several considerations that come into play. Be sure that you are made aware of the number of miles on the vehicle. Not all new cars come with a flawless odometer. It is also wise to explore your options for vehicle delivery. This option can be included at the conclusion of negotiations in order to save a little extra money when it comes to gas and visiting the actual dealership.

Loans and Interest Rates

It is important to know every detail of a dealer-provided loan. Be completely aware of the additional costs and terms of the loan before making all agreements. When looking at the raw numbers, applying for a loan in order to purchase a new car is best done though a neutral, third-party entity.

Stand Your Ground

It is important to let a salesman know that you are prepared to walk away from a deal no matter how good it is on the surface. Ask them directly what the best possible offer is that they can give to you directly. This tactic almost always ensures a better price at the bottom line.

Purchasing a new car can be less stressful with these tips. Consider looking online to read more about the vehicle you are interested in.

Informational credit to Expressway Dodge.

On the Road: How to Stay Safe on Your Next Road Trip

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/03/10 in On the Road with Comments Off

Road trips are great adventures. But whether you know exactly where you’re headed or are going wherever the wind takes you, there are plenty of things to keep in mind for your own safety, and that of your travel companions.

Get Your Vehicle Checked

Before you leave, have your vehicle checked for wheel bearings that may come loose, transmissions that may fail, and anything else that could break down. That way, you can repair what needs to be done before your trip, saving you a potential breakdown. A Colorado hit and run attorney says if your trip will take longer than a week, it is always a good idea to have the numbers of a few local repair places in every city you plan to visit on your journey. You should also carry a spare tire and toolbox just in case you get in a car accident in Colorado or a flat tire along route 66.

Look Like a Local

Don’t advertise your tourist status on your face or your vehicle. Looking confused with your face glued to a guidebook, and leaving a map on the dashboard of your parked car are bad ideas and will show that you are not from the area. Instead, look like a local. Walk as if you know where you are going, be confident when asking locals for information, and keep your maps and travel plans in the glove compartment.

Keep an Eye on Your Belongings

Park your car close to your hotel room where you can watch it from the window. The same goes for when you stop at a restaurant. You may feel silly asking to be reseated so you can be near the window with your car, but it is far better than having something get stolen while you’re eating. If you have valuables you can bring into your hotel room with you from the car, it is safest to keep them with you.

Find the Safest Places to Stay

If you know what cities you will be going to, book your hotels in advance and check the reviews. Don’t book a motel that seems like it’s in a bad area. Take note of any cancellation policies just in case you need to cancel a reservation during your travels. If you don’t know where you’re staying in advance, make sure the lodgings you find during your travels are safe and sanitary. If you find a small motel with a sign that says No Refund for Early Checkout, that likely means they get people leaving in the middle of the night due to unsavory conditions, and staying there may not be in your best interests.

"Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan."

Understanding the Ins and Outs of Car Insurance

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/03/09 in Auto Insurance with Comments Off

When it comes to car insurance, you have to have it, but you hope to never have to use it. That makes it important to pay as little as possible for the coverage you need. Fully understanding how car insurance works can help you get the right coverage and not pay too much for it.

Types of car insurance

Liability is the minimum amount of insurance coverage mandated by just about every state and provides coverage in an accident that you cause. If you have a loan on your car, you will be required to carry collision, which covers damages to your car, and comprehensive coverage, which provides coverage for damage caused by something other than a collision, such as hail. Other types of coverage include uninsured motorist, which will cover you if you are hit by a person without insurance or who is underinsured, and personal injury protection, which is a type of coverage that pays for injuries to your passengers.

How rates are set

While your driving record, including how many accidents and tickets you have gotten, plays a big role in what kind of rates you get, insurance companies consider many other factors. Your age, sex, where you live and what type of car you have will help determine your rates. For example, if you are a teenage male, your rates will likely be very higher because statistics show that most severe accidents are caused by young male drivers. Young female drivers also have higher rates, but they tend to be somewhat lower than young males. Other factors that are considered in your insurance rates are the grades you get in school, and if you have already been in an accident or involved in some other traffic violation. Any traffic or accident that you may be involved in can also cause your insurance rates to go up later even after purchasing your insurance. Also note that, some insurers even consider whether you have a high credit score in setting your rates.

Being proactive

While you can’t do anything about some characteristics used to set rates, such as your age and sex, there are other things you can do to pay less. A perfect example of this is going to driving school. Taking a driver’s education course, especially if you are a young driver, will lower your rates. According to North Shore Driving School Ltd., most insurers give significant discounts to drivers who have taken a driver’s ED class or a defensive driving class.

Other ways to lower rates

In addition to taking driver’s ED, there are a number of other things you can do to help lower your rates. If you are a student, getting good grades is even more important than going to driving school. Bundling policies by getting more than one with the same insurance company will get you discounts and save you money on rates. You can also lower the rates you pay by agreeing to pay a larger deductible.

Car insurance doesn’t have to be expensive, and there are a number of things you can do to lower your rates.