Helpful Hints For Saving Fuel

Getting better fuel economy may seem like rocket science to you. It's easy to forget the human factor in gas consumption. We may not think about it, but every time we sit in a car without moving, we're wasting gas. Every time we slam on the brakes or put the pedal to the metal, we're wasting gas. Even small things, like keeping the tires inflated or removing excess junk from the trunk can save us money. Here are some more practical tips to help you save fuel, as recommended by the Federal Trade Commission.

The FTC recommends driving more efficiently on the road to save gas. It's important to stay within the posted speed limits, not just for fuel economy, but for your safety too. Experts say that your MPG significantly decreases at any speed above 60 miles per hour. While some American highways are posted at 65 to 75, you can usually get away with driving 60, so long as you are safely cruising in the right hand lane.

According to the FTC, drivers can save fuel by decreasing wind resistance caused by roof racks or bike racks, which can decrease fuel efficiency by 5%. You can save another 2% by emptying out your trunk, the consumer protection agency adds. When you're running errands around town, they also recommend taking as few trips as possible. Drivers have been able to save 50% of their fuel just by driving around town on a warmed up engine, as opposed to driving the same distance across several trips starting from a cold engine.

Consumers may also save fuel by considering alternative fuel vehicles that run off methanol, ethanol, electricity, corn oil, compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas and other mixtures. The FTC says that using these alternative fuels "may reduce harmful pollutants and exhaust emissions," while also increasing fuel economy. When purchasing these vehicles, you must pay special attention to how many miles per gallon you'll receive because, in general, these vehicles don't travel as far on one tank as gasoline-powered vehicles do.

Finally, it's important to keep your tires inflated, your oil changed every 3 months, your air filter cleaned and use the manufacturer's recommended oil and gasoline grades.

There are a number of ways to cut costs when you're on a budget, but learning how to save fuel for your car can make a significant impact on your bank account. Click here to find out more about how to Save Fuel.

Tags: Automotive, Cars, save fuel, saving fuel, saving gas

Discover The Famous Miniature Cars Of Yester Year

When you think about the words of "famous miniature cars", it usually comes to mind matchbox cars. The tiny vehicles are know the world over, and later Mattel would make the line of tiny cars and truck famous. Finding out what the history of the play toy is, is a must for collectors. Being informed, will certainly help to decide if it is an original, their true value, and if it is a good deal or not, to buy one.

It might surprise you to find out that the original matchbox design came from an English product company, and by a co-owner, named Jack Odell. He redesigned the first car for his daughter, from a toy that was sold at the company, except it was a much smaller version. The need for the small car was that apparently, she could not take any toys to school that would not fit inside a matchbox, so this is how the idea of die-cast small cars was dreamed up.

Lesney company, as it was known, marketed and distributed through the Moko Lesney company, and after the Lesney legacy went out of business, all of the rights to the name and design went to Moko. If you want to collect the line of vehicles, then be aware that the original distributing company name will be on the toys.

One of the most brilliant plans for the Lesney line was when they developed a retirement plan for their line for the die-cast model of cars. Vehicles would taken off the market after a season of production for the buying public. That is why collectors look for them so vigorously, and will pay high prices for originals. Also, production would be limited, which today draws the value of them to high prices on the open market.

If you are looking for the cars, then known that all originals will come in their unique bright yellow little box, in the shape of a box of matches. If a car is trying to be sold without the box, then look for other defining marks on the car, such as the Moko imprint on the vehicles. Popularity and rarity of certain models, like the die-cast caravan, is just one example of what to look for in the little vehicles.

The condition of cars, trucks, and jeeps, and the packaging it came in is very important, when trying to decide if the selling price is worth the cost. As with other vintage or antiques, all of these factors play into the real worth of it. Only you can decide if it is worth that much to own.

Many new collectors of die-casts do not realize that catalogs of the toys in the Lesney/Moko line, are just as valuable. Any price guides that can be found are a collectible too. As with the vehicles condition on both publications does mean a lot, in value and collectability. Do not be surprised to find more vehicles that are in better shape than the books and magazines. Rough handling by kids does not bode well for paper products.

Knowing all of these facts of history about collecting these rare toy cars and trucks, might just keep you out of being taken advantage of by a sly seller. Read more about the fascinating history of collectible cars and trucks from decades past, and fall in love with them all over again, or for the very first time.

If you are looking for Diecast model cars, diecast models cars or diecast cars, then our site is your one stop shop for information and products.

Tags: Automotive, Cars, classic cars, diecast, diecast cars, dinky cars, lesney, mattel, miniature cars, miniatures, moko lesney

Guide Car Loan Payment Calculator

The simplest way to determine what you next car loan can cost you is to go online and find a useful car loan payment calculator. This tool works if you are looking to buy a pre-pwned or new car or should you be trying to refinance a car you have. The tool is quite simple but may help you determine what you could afford or if refinancing you will save any money. Here are the steps you take in using a car loan payment calculator:

First - make sure the calculator you choose is one that will help you. It should have you input three to five items to get an accurate payment. First of all it will ask is how much are you trying to fund.

Second - some calculators will ask for the quality of down payment you are planning on. If the calculator you find does not ask for this, then go to step three. If it does, enter the amount you've planned to put down. Remember that a payment in advance is usually required.

Three - determine how long you should finance your car loan. The most common term today is 72 months but many borrowers fund shorter than that. Many times that will be determined by the lender and will be determined by the vehicle you are purchasing or refinancing

Four - last but not least is the APR or annual percentage rate. Unless you know what that will be, you can estimate on what you're expecting from the lender.

Once you've input all this information into the car loan payment calculator, additional every month see your estimated payment. These calculators bring illustrative purposes only and is probably not reflect the exact payment you will possess. They can provide a very accurate estimation on what to prepare for. You will discover a useful calculator here.

About me: Chris Goodman has been in the auto finance business for longer than 20 years and has assisted thousands of consumers with their car loan needs. His articles are insightful and assist consumers in understanding the particulars of auto finance. OpenRoad Lending is an online lender with a consumer friendly website providing auto financing solutions to consumers in the act of purchasing a pre-owned vehicle or refinancing their existing auto.

Looking to find the best deal on Auto Loan Payment Calculator, then visit my article to find the best advice on finance for you.

Tags: auto loan rates, Automotive, bad credit auto loan, bad credit auto loans, car loan calculator auto loan refinancing, car payment calculator, loan payment calculator

Under Review : The Ford Mondeo

Unless you blinked and missed it, you may have seen this car in a James Bond flick, Casino Royale. It's Ford's Mondeo, evidently rental vehicle of choice for MI6's finest.

80% of outgoing sales were fleet/lease purchases so understandably the likes of Avis, Budget and significant fleet purchasers will be chomping at the bit for the car.

And why not too, the sleek and sporty new looks deliver a road presence the car once lacked. In either saloon, hatch or estate configuration it's certainly enough to give any car a run for its money.

Up front your gaze is drawn to the stylish headlights that bear similarities to Ford subsidiary brand Jaguar's upcoming XF, the look being completed with a contemporary trapezoidal lower grill. At 4844mm long (sedan) and 1500mm wide the new model is notably larger, which imparts a premium, large car like quality that could pose a risk to some Falcon models.

At entry-level, the saloon sits on fleet-friendly 16-inch steel wheels, while the higher spec Zetec receives alloys, fog lamps and an enhanced front grill.

Inside the build quality is the best on offer from the blue oval, again giving a premium perception to the occupants and there's been little skimping when it comes to levels of equipment.

Power adjustable seating is offered at base 2.0 liter saloon level, albeit without the electric height adjustment the Zetec spec receives, there are also handy creature comforts such as a trip computer, leather steering wheel with audio/cruise controls and tilt/reach adjustment and an i-Pod auxiliary plug. Safety features are class-leading with all models picking up front, side, driver's knee and curtain airbags and stability control. The Zetec sits in the middle of the pack and includes dual zone climate air, ebony cloth trim, map reading lamps front and rear in addition to the exterior styling enhancements.

The range-topping Zetec Sports pack adds to the Zetec's price but sets the vehicle out from the crowd with an aggressive body kit, 17-inch wheels and leather interior.

Regardless of the model, you'll remain comfortable on the long hauls, as seating is well bolstered and supportive, with plenty of leg and headroom, perfect for the sales rep or family alike.

A key feature in captivating the private sector is the cars dynamic handling characteristics, which has always stood head and shoulders above rivals, so the new version must be even better right? Well, sort of.

The suspension is stiffer, but you'd never know it, as the ride control over corrugations is excellent, setting the benchmark for the class.

Chassis rigidity is up 116% in Saloon, 130% in hatch and a massive 159% in estate formats, so after our initial launch drive we were surprised to find some of the legendary crispness has been blunted in the latest addition. Lighter steering and increased footprint appear the culprit here and the car does feel less nimble and engaging that it once did. In reality though this is a moot point, as it is still a class leader in handling.

We have the option of either a 107kW 2.0 liter petrol engine, available only in the saloon with a manual (5 speed) gearbox, all other variants are fitted with the 2.3 liter, 118kW petrol with a six-speed automatic. Both engines have a proven reliability record and are shared with Mazda's 3 and 6 ranges of vehicles.

Despite being the odd one out - available in only the base model saloon - the 2.0 manual is the pick of the bunch on the drivability front for your money. The 2.3 automatic would benefit from more low down torque, but overall provides a good combination of performance and economy with its smooth shifting six-speed automatic.

Some consolation comes when perusing the new ford Mondeo's pricelist, which sits perilously close to Ford's own Focus RRP's.

It's much more than a fleet hack this Mondeo, smart looks, excellent space, high build quality and confident driving dynamics bode well for private success. Here's hoping though, Ford can secure a license to thrill with both the diesel and 2.5 liter turbo petrol engines in the near future.

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Tags: auto, automobile, Automotive, Cars, vehicles

How The Wholesale Auto Auction Works

Old cars need more maintenance than new ones and with money as tight as it is these days, paying large amounts to keep an old car on the road can be difficult and buying a new one may make a lot of financial sense.

The problem is that when even paying for the maintenance of the existing car is tough, how do you pay for a new one? That is why the wholesale car auction is becoming a popular option - it is where bargains not available elsewhere can be found. Of course, these auctioned cars are not new ones, but you will be able to find a replacement for your current car that is cheap to buy and also to maintain.

The cars on sale at wholesale car auctions are those which have been repossessed by the finance companies because the borrowers did not repay the loans. The financial institutions need to sell of these vehicles to recover as much as possible of the remaining loan amount and they need to do it fast. Leaving the cars unsold means the losses against the bad loan will only keep increasing. On top of that, they will be paying storage charges for the cars in their possession and the longer the cars remain in storage, the more they will depreciate in value and also begin to show signs of age.

It makes sense for these financial institutions to sell off these cars as quickly as possible and recover whatever money they can.

The key to succeeding at a wholesale auto auction is to understand that the lenders are in a rush to get back as much of their money as they can and will not hold back a car even if the last bid is far lower than the market value and that is why those who attend these auctions regularly keep their bids low knowing that if they miss out on one car, another will soon come along.

However, buying from a wholesale auto auction is not without dangers - keep in mind you are buying a used car with no warranties. When people know that their car is going to be repossessed they often stop caring for it and a car that looks good from the outside may be one that will give you endless trouble if you do buy it. If you are planning to buy from a wholesale auto auction, it is important that you check out the cars you are interested in completely before bidding on them.

Find more information on the car issues like car rentals you can look through the urls in the resource box.

Tags: Automotive, car rental, rental cars

The Benefit of Purchasing an Extended Auto Warranty

One of the benefits of owning a brand new vehicle is the carefree feeling you get when you don't have to worry about the costs of repairs should something go wrong with the car or truck right away. Major auto repairs for new vehicles are usually covered as a part of the new auto warranty that comes with the purchase of the vehicle.

After the initial car warranty expires, that's when car owners begin to worry. They now have to pay for any and all repairs on their vehicles. Some of those repairs are quite costly. One way to avoid having to pay high auto repair bills is to cover your vehicle with an extended auto warranty.

While many automakers have extended the original warranty that goes with a new vehicle, the truth is the manufacturer's warranty is usually limited in scope which is all the more reason why you need an extended warranty. Granting you take good care of your car, an extended warranty is still a necessity since it protects you from unexpected major repairs that can easily eat up your budget. This is the real beauty of an extended warranty.

If you plan to only keep your vehicle during the period it is covered under the original auto warranty, then you could get by without purchasing an extended warranty. If you keep your car or truck longer than that, an extended warranty is recommended. Not only does it protect you from paying for major repairs, it can also increase your car's value should you want to resell it.

A little bit of research goes a long way when considering purchasing a warranty. It's a good idea to know what types of repairs you would like to be covered by the plan. Some warranties cover every major repair. These cost a little more, but most say the peace of mind is worth it. Other warranties can cover only major repairs and usually are a good option if you are on a tight budget.

Get a free, no-obligation quote online today at WarrantyHeadquarters.com and protect your auto investment with a quality warranty.

Tags: auto warranty, automobiles, Automotive, car maintenance, car warranty, extended warranty, vehicle maintenance autos, vehicle warranty

Affording Gas: Buying A Hybrid And Other Options

As you pull up to the pump and fuel your car up with $10-$50 worth of gas, you may find yourself releasing a long drawn out sigh. How did gas get so expensive? Should you check out one of those hybrid cars, you saw on the news? Everyone is talking about hybrid cars anyway. Hybrid cars and other types of cars may seem like a good idea, but before you go out and do something rash, maybe you should ask yourself some questions about how you can begin to save on gas.

There are many options out there that include everything from staying home to purchasing a hybrid car, but you have to find out what's best for you. You can only do that by asking yourself the following questions.

Should you just drive less?

Sure, you could spend the rest of your life at home on the couch, but how will you eat then? I know, you're thinking you will walk more and get more exercise. That may be true, but what happens when you get bored with walking and riding your bike? How are you going to be able to get to the gym? And, did you forget about work? You know you love listening to your books on tape while you sit in traffic at the end of the workday. Should you drive less? Probably not. What should you do? Well, have you ever considered buying a hybrid car?

Should I buy a car that gets more miles for less gas?

You could do this, but what about when the vehicle starts to depreciate and it's not as fuel-efficient as you thought it would be? And subconsciously, because you know you have a car that gets more mileage, you are going to start traveling more miles than you traveled before.

Should I get up each morning looking for the cheaper gas prices in the area?

Who has time for that? If you think about it, you could probably spend your time better finding the right answer to this question: Do you really want to spend extra time looking for a cheap gas station? What will your boss think if you arrive late for work and tell him you were trying to be cheap? And really, how long do you think you'll last doing that?

Should I find a way to run my car on batteries?

Well you certainly don't want to have to recharge your car each morning before you go to work because that might make you late. With a hybrid car, you won't have to worry about that. Therefore, the next question should be obvious.

Should I purchase a hybrid car?

Maybe you should. It's possible that buying a hybrid car could be a sensible way to avoid high gas prices. Does your car depreciate after you drive it off the lot? A hybrid won't do that. It becomes brings the buyer in more and more money as they save on gas. A hybrid car just might be a good choice here. However, it's still a good idea to conduct further research on hybrid cars.

Lastly, you got to check out the New Technology that save my petrol bill forever. After installing it, which I must say was very easy, I almost double my fuel economy.

Tags: Automotive, fuel consumption, fuel economy, fuel price, high gas prices, hybrid car, hydrogen car, water hybrid, Water Powered Car

Going Camping In An RV

RV camping is something that has been happening for years. Families have created many lasting memories from these excursions and a lot of them are shared through the generations. It is still a very popular way for people to get away now.

Pioneers were thought to be the first RVers but that is debatable. How much fun would they have had when they were looking for water or avoiding snakes? They probably did have a bit of fun, but survival was the main goal for them. It was not nearly the same thing as it is today.

Families are being found in campgrounds more often these days. Many times there are large family groups that are RV camping together in a kind of reunion sort of way. This is a great thing to see as the togetherness of families seems to get left behind over the course of time.

To enjoy an RV camping trip the first thing a person needs is an RV. There are many different types that a person can choose from, and it can be affordable if you take the time to look around. If you are handy at fixing things you may find one that just needs a bit of work.

Other than the actual investment of the trailer the costs can vary from campsite to campsite. There are tons of campgrounds around to choose from though. It all depends on what you are wanting from the campsite on what the cost will be. Hydro sites tend to cost more, but if you look around they too can be found at reasonable rates.

If you are a true camper you may choose to do it the old fashioned way. This means that you will want a campsite without the luxury of hydro. There are still a lot of people that are doing this nowadays, believe it or not. They find it a way to get back to reality and in touch with nature and the things immediately around them. There are still a lot that can be enjoyed even without hydro. Think of the fishing and cooking over an open campfire and the fun that can be had.

The United States and Canada have a huge amount of campsites that people can choose from when planning the RV camping trip they want. Many offer lots of extra things that can help to entertain children, like playgrounds and beaches. Maybe you need to rent a boat for fishing; there are many that provide this service as well. No matter what it is that you want from the campsite you can find one that will be a source of great fun for you and your family.

Once you have decided on the destination that you want, look on the internet and see what is out there for campsites. They can all be reserved online with no hassles at all. But the sites do book fast and there are even some that are booked up to a year in advance. Once you find one that you like you may choose to make it the annual spot to go enjoy your RV camping excursion.

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Tags: auto and trucks, Automotive, autos, camping, outdoors, rvs, travel, vehicles

Traffic Tickets Are A Huge Unnecessary Expense

Traffic tickets can be more than just a major headache for people. They create what can become an ongoing expense. Tickets which are not paid on time, or at all will cause even more fees for interest as well as late fines. This just scratches the surface of the difficulties that may follow.

Individuals who have outstanding tickets can forget about receiving reasonable insurance rates. These people also may find themselves facing jail time. The result of course is the need for legal representation, and more money being spent. At this point, a person may be looking at bills costing thousands of dollars.

It is important for people to understand that speed limits have been put in place for a reason. This is to ensure the safety of everyone who is on the road. Obeying the speed limits can also save people money. When running late, many individuals feel that if they drive faster that they may still be on time. The truth is that this is one of the leading causes of automobile accidents, and they may be lucky if they arrive safely at all.

A lot of drivers treat their directional signals as though they are optional. Nothing is more aggravating than being behind a car, which is turning but does not let the person behind them know. This has been the cause of more than a few automobile accidents. Unfortunately, having an accident is the only thing that some people may learn from. For many, it is also too late.

Everyone has an occasion where they make a mistake. Someone may realize that they are driving to quickly only when passing a speed limit sign. Others may forget to turn on the directional signal when trying to find the right place to turn. Some may continue through a yellow light, thinking that they will not have time to safely stop. Every town has an area which is known to be a place were police hide and wait to find drivers who are doing something wrong. When these individuals are ticketed, they are usually told that it is to ensure their safety. This however doe not seem to have any large success is changing people's driving habits.

When a person pays the fine for a traffic infraction, they have admitted that they are guilty. Once the fine has been paid, it is a done deal. It is always better to fight the charges and plead not guilty. Otherwise, a person can expect to have difficulty obtaining reasonably priced insurance. This is if they are able to become insured at all. Quite often, a judge will be lenient with a person who simply made an error, which is not habitual.

Because everyone is so busy these days, time truly is money. Putting off a court date can sometimes mean. Not being held responsible for ticket. A police officer will not have the time continue scheduling court appearances, which inevitably become delayed. More often than not in a case such as this. The police officer will not bother to show up for court date, and the case will be dismissed.

Biting traffic tickets can save a person a lot of money.

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Tags: Automotive, car, court, driving, legal, money, police, professional, regulation, research, services, society, traffic tickets, vehicle

Peugeot 4007 Under Review

With a wide product range covering the whole spectrum from small city runabouts, sporty coupes and convertibles through to luxury saloons and wagons, about the only thing missing from Peugeot's line-up has been the Kiwi favorite, an SUV.

Entering new territory can be something of a gamble, so going down a tried and tested track rather than re-inventing the wheel can have its benefits.

So the PSA (Peugeot / Citroen) Group has struck a deal with Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi for the use of their Outlander as a starting point for the new Peugeot 4007 and Citroen equivalent, the C-Crosser. Not a silly idea, seeing Mitsubishi has a long-standing reputation in the 4x4, SUV sector.

Peugeot is not the first Gallic carmaker to bring an SUV to market, and not the first one with Japanese connections. That honor goes to Renault who launched their SUV/Crossover Koleos back in 2008. However, Renault had a head start as they had existing links to Japanese manufacturer Nissan, from where they borrowed the X-Trail platform.

Different strokes.

But here's where Peugeot's approach differs from Renault's. Where Renault adopted a familiar shared platform arrangement on which to base their Koleos, Peugeot took the entire vehicle, added a good measure of French flair in the form of a controversially styled gaping mouth and new running gear, slapped a giant lion emblem on the front and "voila, it's a Peugeot!."

In fairness to Peugeot, although they've come very close to it, they've probably trodden just the right side of that fine line we call "badge engineering." HDi diesel power and an automatic 6 speed DCS (Dual Clutch System) transmission robbed from Mitsubishis latest Evo 10, being the major saving grace.

They've also made various other subtle exterior styling changes, re-tuned the suspension, re-worked the interior trim and added a leather steering wheel and dash trim. But there's no getting away from the fact that at the heart of the 4007 there lies a Mitsubishi.

Not that there's anything wrong with the Mitsubishi, and Peugeot's treatment has enhanced it. The Outlander has cried out for a diesel engine ever since its launch back in 2006, and diesel engines don't come much better than Peugeot's HDi.

In this case, the HDi is of 2.2 liter capacity and produces 115kW of power and 380Nm of torque, for which Peugeot quotes a combined fuel consumption figure of 7.3L/100km. A braked towing weight rating is quoted at 2,000kg

If the measure of success is customer demand, then Peugeot has a winner on its hands. Peugeot New Zealand Divisional Manager, Simon Rose has been overwhelmed with interest in the 4007. His forecasting predicted around 100 units in the first year. However, the 4007 hit our market with 75 units pre-sold, well above expectation.

"People who may never have considered us are now" says Rose. "We will be inviting every existing competitor SUV owner to have a look."

The 4007 is offered in New Zealand in three forms, an entry level five seat manual and two seven seat automatics, a Sport model and a full-house Luxury model.

Of the 75 sold so far, 70% of those are in the Luxury trim specification.

The entry level model gets climate control air-conditioning with refrigerated glove box, trip computer function, cruise control, CD player with MP3 function, automatic headlight function and front fog lights.

The Sports model up-sizes the 16" alloys to 18's and gets the impressive 6 speed DCS 'box, 6 stack CD player and Blue tooth. The Luxury model adds further refinement with leather interior, electric heated seats, Xenon headlights, rear parking assistance, tinted side and rear tailgate glass and chrome trim inside and out.

Safety features include the usual fare such as ABS and EBD, as well as ESP (Electronic Stability Control), ASR (Anti Skid Regulation) and 6 airbags. But with a 4 star Euro NCAP crash test rating, the 4007 falls one star short of the rest of the Peugeot range as well as many of its competitors that are now achieving 5 stars.

Pricing overlaps the $37,990 to $54,990 spread of the petrol-only Mitsubishi Outlander, starting at $49,990 for the entry level 5-speed manual 4007, $55,490 for the Sport and $59,990 for the Luxury model.

There's no doubt that having an SUV on offer will attract new customers into Peugeot showrooms The 4007 is a good fit for New Zealand's outdoor lifestyle, something that Peugeot is keen to cash in on.

Used Peugeot 4007 for sale is offered by used car sales online Ireland

Tags: auto, Automotive, Cars, vehicles

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