SafeAuto Insurance Company a direct-to-consumer company that does not rely on a middleman which ultimately saves its clients money is offering Ten Road Readiness Tips to help drivers to remain safe from accidents and breakdowns. These Road Readiness Tips are based on market experience and from frequent customer reports from SafeAuto’s free roadside assistance program.

Here are the Ten Road Readiness Tips courtesy of SafeAuto Insurance:

  1.    Make sure tires are inflated to the proper pressure.
  2.    Have a jack in the trunk and an inflated spare.
  3.    Have an extra set of car keys kept in a secure and accessible location.
  4.    Make it a point to change your oil regularly and top off your fluids
        -- maintain your car, it is an investment in your safety.
  5.    Have your cell phone charged, working and with you.
  6.    Jumper cables can be a lifesaver - make sure you have a set.
  7.    Make sure insurance coverage is up to date - that means insurance premium paid in full.
  8.    Pack water and snacks in case of a breakdown.
  9.    Keep roadside markers or flares in your trunk - if you breakdown, they will help you flag attention.
  10.   Make certain you have roadside assistance. If your insurer doesn't automatically provide roadside assistance as a benefit, check whether you can add it on top of your policy or consider the purchase.

SafeAuto Insurance Company started in Ohio in 1993 as a provider of minimum insurance coverage and serving the underserved market. The company has expanded to other states and now covers Indiana, Kentucky, Georgia, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Illinois, Arizona, Oklahoma, and Texas.  And today the company offer minimum insurance coverage to automobile drivers in 13 states.

If you want to know more about SafeAuto Insurance kindly visit their web site at www.safeauto.com.

A study conducted by the Esure Car Insurance found out that around 3 million UK motorists have had accidents, near misses or lapses in concentration due to in-car smoking distractions. And 45 percent of these motorists who smoke and were questioned in the study said that they will ignore the new rules set out in the revised Highway Code and will continue to light-up behind the wheel. It was also amazing to note that 68 percent of these smokers have not even read the existing Highway Code since passing their driving test.

The new Highway Code states that smoking inside the car is an action that may be considered as not haaving proper control of the car. The study conducted by Esure reveals a series of potentially dangerous behaviors related to in-car smoking and these are as follows:

•    80 percent of the questioned motorists admit to taking their hands off the wheel to light a cigarette.
•    75 percent of the motorists think its okay to smoke while driving on the motorway.
•    46 percent of motorists confess to dropping their cigarette in the car and over a quarter of them have taken their eyes off the road to retrieve their cigarette.
•    45 percent also admit of disposing their cigarette butt by throwing it out of the car which is quite dangerous if not extinguished.
•    88 percent of the smokers have also admitted that they are likely to smoke in the car when they are stressed.

With regards to attitude:

•    47 percent of the motorists are pro-smoking in cars while 53 percent are against it which clearly shows how opinions are divided on the issue.
•    66 percent of non-smokers are hoping to see an official in-car smoking ban introduced as compared to the 11 percent of smokers.
•    And over a quarter of those people who smoke in their cars are blaming the recent laws that banned smoking in public places. This has left them with very few options of which include in-car smoking.
•    Over a quarter of motorists light up even with children with them inside the car that is despite the fact that the children passengers can prove to be major distractions. They are simply doubling the risk.

The study also reveals that men are the most rebellious when it comes to in-car smoking with 48 percent saying that they would continue to smoke inside the car and just risk police intervention rather than follow the new rules. Also, men are most likely to take their hands off the wheel while driving to either light a cigarette or retrieve a cigarette.

In addition the study was able to show that the motorists from Wales were mostly against smoking in car with 68 percent showing their support for an official smoking ban. And in contrast only 48 percent of respondents in the South West have expressed their disapproval of the ban.

It was also found out that 67 percent of those living in Wales and 38 percent of those living in East Anglia were mostly likely to smoke with children in the car. The Londoners were shown as the riskiest drivers on the road with 100 percent admitting to taking their hands off the wheel to light a cigarette while 86 percent thinks that its fine to smoke while driving on the motorway.

The study also reveals the situations when people are most likely to smoke while driving and these are as follow:

• On long journeys (92 percent)
• When stuck in traffic (90 percent)
• When feeling stressed (88 percent)
• In an old car (84 percent)
• On the way home from work (77 percent)
• On the way to work (76 percent)
• On the way to/from a party/club (70 percent)
• When feeling tired, to help them stay awake (56 percent)
• When driving to a new location and causing anxiety (53 percent)

Sometimes things as basic as checking the oil can help in improving the fuel efficiency and safety of a vehicle not to mention help in lowering down the repair cost. The Car Care Council suggests 10 basic maintenance procedures that will keep cars working at their optimum.

1.    Check the oil, filters and fluids. It is important to check the oil at every fill-up to maximize engine life. It should be changed per owner’s manual recommended intervals or for every three months or 3,000 miles. The brake, transmission, power steering, coolant, and windshield washer fluids need to be checked also regularly. Likewise, car’s filters including those of the transmission, fuel system, and interior ventilation has to be regularly checked and if needed replaced.

2.    Check hoses at each oil change and if needed have them replaced especially when already leaking, cracked, brittle, rusted, swollen, or restricted. It is also important to check the so-called V-belts and serpentine belts for looseness and damage. If needed have them replaced especially when cracked, frayed, glaze or showing signs of excessive wear. Have the timing belt replaced every 60,000 to 90,000 miles traveled or as suggested in your car owner’s manual to prevent breakdown or serious engine damage.

3.    Inspect the engine brake system every year and have the brake linings together with the rotors and drums checked at each oil change.

4.    Make sure that the battery connection is clean, tight, and corrosion-free. Likewise make sure that the battery is securely mounted. In case of three-years old or more batteries, have them tested and replaced if necessary.

5.    Check the exhaust system for damage, leaks or broken supports or hangers in case of unusual noise. Never take forgranted exhaust leaks since it can be dangerous and have to be corrected as soon as possible.

6.    Schedule the tune-up of your vehicle to help the engine to deliver the best balance of power and fuel economy to produce the lowest level of emissions.

7.    Inspect the car’s heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system since proper heating and cooling performance is vital for interior comfort and safety such as defrosting.

8.    The steering and suspension may be checked annually including shock absorbers and struts and chassis parts, such as ball joints, tie rod ends and other similar components.

9.    Inspect the pressure of all tires, including the spare at least once a month. Similarly check all tread for uneven or irregular wear and cuts and bruises along the sidewalls. Have your car’s alignment checked at least annually to reduce tire wire and improve fuel economy and handling.

10.     Check the exterior as well as the interior lights and bulbs that are not properly working. Change the windshield wiper blades if possible every six months or when cracked, cut, torn, streaking or chattering for optimum wiping performance and safety.

Fiat and PSA Peugeot Citroen in partnership with Tofas will soon launched a newly developed LCV that will create a new option for the light van market due to its compactness, useful performance, and styles.

The new vans measure 3.86 meters in length and very spacious inside. It also has load volume of 2.5 cubic meters. Other features include a stowable passenger seat that increases capacity to 2.8 cubic meters made possible in an amazing 2.5 meters of loading space length. And for efficient loading, the new vans were equipped with side-hinged doors as well as sliding doors.

The light vans are available in either gasoline or diesel engines but between the two the diesel engine has by far the least impact on the environment with less than 120g/km of CO2 emissions. Inside, convenient features are installed and are ergonomically arrange to optimize riding and driving comforts. The standard equipment added includes ABS, driver airbag, and power steering while optional features include parking sensors, separate cab locking system, plus additional storage space.

For the production of the vans Fiat and PSA Peugeot Citroen have invested a total of EURO 380 million of which 190 million was used for research and development. The new light vans are to be manufactured in Turkey by Tofas with a total production capacity of 158,000 units per year. The light vans are scheduled to enter the market in the guise of Fiat Fiorino, Citroen Nemo and Peugeot Bipper by the end of 2007 and onwards.

There are lots of auto theft myths that if you try to analyze them you will be surprise to know that none of them are even close to reality.

Myth No. 1 “My car is not a luxury car therefore safe from thieves.�

Take for instance the common notion that only expensive cars are the favorite of car thieves. Never assume that since your car is not a luxury car it is safe from car thefts. It is surprising to know that most of the stolen cars are common vehicles and are at least a few years old. Why is this? First of all spare parts of older cars are often hard to find which makes them expensive. So in case you have a very old model instead of selling the car for less why not sell its parts instead. LOL

Some of the most commonly and frequently stolen cars include Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Oldsmobile Cutclass, and Honda Civic.

Myth No. 2 “Insurance will pay me in case my car is stolen.�

Most car owners are not aware of the coverage of their car insurance and often assume that when their car is stolen they get to receive the 100 percent cost of their vehicle. This is the ideal and of course what we want as policyholders unfortunately the car insurance system does not work that way.  Instead of the 100 percent cost of your vehicle returned to you what you get is the depreciated value of your car provided that your car’s coverage is a comprehensive one in case that its not, then you will not receive any payment for auto theft.

Myth No. 3 “It’s not a hassle if my car is stolen.�

Well if you are one of those individuals who really don’t give a damn for their car then this very myth holds true for you but for an average earner without so much spare dollars for a new car, a stolen car can be devastating. Just think of all the hassle of commuting to work, if you have your own car then it would be much convenient and faster for you to drive to work.

Common reasons for stealing cars:

1.    To sell the vehicle
2.    To sell the parts
3.    To obtain transportation or as a getaway car in event of bank robberies, hostage dramas, and other similar crimes.
4.    To trade for drugs
5.    Plain fun or to go joyriding usually committed by juvenile thieves
6.    To commit other crimes usually terrorristic in nature and commonly wired with bombs and crashed through buildings or made to explode in densely populated areas.
7.    To commit insurance fraud
8.    To clone vehicle by making use of your car’s license plate and employing it in another vehicle of the same model as your car and using this vehicle in illegal activities.

These are just some of the common gimmicks of car thieves there are still some more so be very careful.

Julia Hearthway, Chairperson of the ATPA Board of Directors was so excited to introduce the newly developed "75 Tips for the Tailgater" and is determine to let Philadelphia Eagles fans know that---"whether you are parking in an urban area for a tailgate, or in your own driveway, you should take steps to protect your car from theft. Forty percent of Pennsylvania's reported vehicle thefts are in Philadelphia!"

Hearthway has also added that she is so thrilled that ATPA is partnering with the Philadelphia Eagles and Spikes who has an impressive record of actively participating in the community. Hearthway with reference to Spikes said that "Philadelphia is lucky to have him both on and off the field. Auto theft is a serious problem with serious consequences. We want Eagles fans to have a good defense when it comes to protecting themselves and their vehicles. The prevention tips are your playbook to ensure your ride is there when the game is over."

Mark Donovan, Eagles Senior Vice President of Business Operations has also shared his views and was quoted by PR News as saying: "We are happy to partner with an organization whose mission is to protect our fans. The tips provided by the PA Auto Theft Prevention Authority can help our fans defend themselves against theft year round."

This is one of those good ideas turn bad. A car lift in your home garage is a dream come true for most owners but the cost can prove to be a nightmare. And this does not only pertain to the very price of the lift but for the extra cost that goes with additional concrete works that needs to be done to accommodate the lift not to mention the creation of a proper and environmentally-sound drainage.

Lucky for those who have $1,400 there is the Eastwood Tilt-A-Car which is a much affordable option but of course as expected from inexpensive gadgets there are some features that are sacrificed. Since it lacks much of the convenience of a lift you would have to drain all the fluids off your car before you can start lifting your car on its side.

And according to Eastwood their Tilt-A-Car can lift a car or truck weighing up to 6,800 pounds all the way up to 90 degrees. "There are two rocker assembles attached to the wheel lugs on one side of the vehicle while a threaded lift screw connects to the lugs of a wheel on the opposite side. A 3/8" corded or cordless drill then lifts the car up by pulling the ends of the threaded rod inward."

By the way the price of $1,400 doesn't yet include the freight shipping which means that it would still cost your more.

But of course for those of us that doesn't have the extra $1,400 to waste on a car lift contraption then I guess we'll just have to settle for the good old reliable jacks that we have although a lift can provide us with better access to the underbody for rust repairs and repainting than the jacks.

Anyway even with car jacks we still have to make sure that we are doing things correctly.  Usually, we use jacks when replacing tires since underbody rust repairs and repainting are done at car repair shops, obviously since they are meant for the pro.

And speaking of jacking your car the right way, ehow.com has the instructions to help you do it correctly:

1.    Secure your car by parking it on a level ground. Don't forget to pull up the parking brake. Leave the manual transmission in first gear or reverse and then put automatics in park.
2.    Don't forget to place a chock or a brick behind or in front of the wheel diagonally opposite one being jacked up depending on the road's incline.
3.    Place the jack under the car's frame nearest the wheel to be jacked up. Look for the thin lip that runs along the side of your car since this is where you should place the jack. Consult your owner's manual to be guided on where the safest place to position the jack.  And remember that bumper jacks are attached to slots in the front or rear bumper on much older models.
4.    Once the jack is properly positioned, insert the handle according to the directions on the jack, and then turn the ratchet the handle to make the jack rise. In instances where it doesn't badge or cannot be turn, try to rotate the handle the other way, or flip the switch marked R and L which stands for raise and lower.
5.    Try to raise the hack high enough to replace your tire or simply to place the car on a jack stand. If you are to change a flat tire don't forget to leave an extra room since new tires are full of air and therefore more bloated as compared to the tire you removed.
6.    After you are through, lower the jack but be sure to do this carefully and cautiously. If you used a jack stand remember that before lowering the jack you will have to raise the car slightly to pull the stand from its place.

Hope the above instructions prove to be of help to you.

Honda has finally released the pricing of their redesigned 2008 Honda Accord which will hit dealerships starting September 12 for sedan and September 20 for the coupe. The Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price range from $20,360 for the well-equipped Accord LX Sedan up to $30,510 for the sporty and luxurious Accord EX-L V6 Coupe that is loaded with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation(2) Systemâ„¢.

According to Dick Colliver, Executive Vice President of American Honda Motor Co. Inc. as quoted by theautochannel.com: "The 2008 Honda Accord adds popular features and enhancements while maintaining competitive, value-oriented pricing on every model. A new, innovative design with improved packaging and even more refined performance adds to the Accord's strong foundation of historically high residual values, renowned manufacturing quality and legendary reliability."

Compared to its predecessor the redesigned 2008  Accord has a pricing that reflects a sales increase of 2.5 percent or $600 across its entire lineup while an addition of around $1,400 for its standard features and other enhancements.

All of the four-cylinder models were equipped with Vehicle Stability Assistâ„¢, rear disc brakes (LX), larger wheels and tires plus an audio system enhancement, and an increased of 11 horsepower except for the Accord EX and EX-L sedans and all Accord coupes that get an extra 24horsepower.

The audio system enhancements include an MP3/auxiliary input jack, steering wheel audio controls (LX), MP3/Windows Media® Audio(3) (WMA) playback capability and Radio Data System (RDS).

There were also enhancements down on the V-6 models which include the addition of Variable Cylinder Management â„¢ on the automatic transmission models, audio system enhancements, fog lights, a 24-horsepower increase and more.

The Accord is offered in sedan and coupe body styles with a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder and 3.5 liter V6 engine choices. In terms of transmissions, the choices include a 5-speed manual (standard with all 4-cylinder engines), 5-speed automatic (standard on V6 sedan models, available on 4-cylinder engines and V-6 powered Accord Coupes), and 8-speed manual transmission which is an exclusive offering for the Accord EX-L V-6 Coupe.

Pricing for the 2008 Accord

Sedan Model (4-cylinder models)
Accord LX sedan
(5 speed manual transmission):$20,360
(5 speed automatic): $21,160
Accord LX-P Sedan
(5-speed manual): $21,360
(5 speed automatic):$22,160
Accord EX Sedan
(5 speed manual): $23,060
(5 speed automatic): $23,860
Accord EX-L Sedan
(5 speed manual): $25,060
(5 speed automatic): $25,860
Accord EX-L Sedan with Navi
(5 speed manual): $27,260
(5 speed automatic): $28,060

V-6 models
Accord EX V6 Sedan (5-Speed Automatic): $25,960         
Accord EX-L V6 Sedan (5-Speed Automatic): $28,060        
Accord EX-L V6 Sedan with Navi (5-Speed Automatic): $30,260    

Coupe (4-cylinder models)
Accord LX-S Coupe              
(5-Speed Manual): $21,860         
(5-Speed Automatic): $22,660         
Accord EX Coupe                
(5-Speed Manual): $23,160         
(5-Speed Automatic): $23,960         
Accord EX-L Coupe              
(5-Speed Manual): $25,160         
(5-Speed Automatic): $25,960         
Accord EX-L Coupe with Navi    
(5-Speed Manual): $27,360         
(5-Speed Automatic): $28,160    

V-6 models
Accord EX-L V-6 Coupe          
(6-Speed Manual): $28,310         
(5-Speed Automatic): $28,310         
Accord EX-L V-6 Coupe with Navi
(6-Speed Manual): $30,510
(5-Speed Automatic): $30,510