Get your Rv'ing on

School is almost out, the warmer weather is here and thoughts of camping as well as taking that recreational vehicle of yours "on the road again" -- Hopefully you've done some preventative maintenance before you parked your RV, but even if you did? They are a vehicle and will need repairs from time to time. That's when searching for the right place to have rv repairs done is important. Especially if you have a breakdown away from home.

Traffic fatalities continues to drop

Despite Americans driving nearly 21 billion more miles last year, U.S. highway traffic fatalities dropped 3 percent from 2009 to the lowest levels in recorded history.  The fatality rate also dropped, to 1.09 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT).

"The hard numbers show that auto travel today is safer than ever before – not because of an economic slump, but because automakers have worked with other stakeholders to bring innovation to autos," said Alliance Interim President and CEO John Whatley.  "Still, we have to remember that these aren't just numbers, these are lives, so automakers are continuing to advance technologies that will make the biggest impact on the traveling public."

Alliance members have enhanced safety — and led regulations — through the introduction of many safety technologies, including anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, side airbags for head and chest protection, side curtain airbags, radar use for collision avoidance, and more.  These technologies, combined with a comprehensive approach that includes promoting strong traffic safety laws coupled with high-visibility enforcement and consumer education were fundamental factors in bringing safety statistics to their historic levels.

Potholes and your car a bad combination

After enduring snow, wind, ice and frozen rain, drivers now must deal with a another challenge: potholes. Streets and highways have turned into obstacle courses in many parts of the country; fortunately, there is auto insurance coverage for damage resulting from potholes and other winter-related disasters, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

"Winter weather can wreak havoc on cars, which is why car owners need to financially protect themselves with the right type and amount of auto insurance," said Jeanne M. Salvatore, senior vice president and consumer spokesperson for the I.I.I.

The I.I.I. offers the following insurance tips so that drivers can protect themselves against winter-related disasters:

POTHOLES

Damage to cars due to potholes is covered under the optional collision portion of an auto insurance policy. Coverage for potholes may vary from company to company—for instance, there may be limited coverage for damage to tires if the car itself was not affected by the pothole. This coverage also pays for a collision with another car, object or as a result of flipping over. Collision coverage is generally sold with a deductible of $250 to $1,000—the higher the deductible, the lower the premium.

120EX announced by Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today confirmed the development of 102EX, a one-off, fully electric powered Phantom, to debut at the Geneva Motor Show on March 1, 2011.  The car will tour during 2011, serving as a test bed to gather a bank of research data which will be crucial in informing future decisions on alternative drive-trains for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

"We have engineered the world's first battery electric vehicle for the ultra-luxury segment," said CEOTorsten Muller-Otvos, speaking from the company's headquarters in Goodwood. "With this vehicle, we begin an exploration into alternative drive-trains, seeking clarity on which alternative technologies may be suitable to drive Rolls-Royce motor cars of the future."

Rolls-Royce produces cars that represent the pinnacle in luxurious motoring for the world's most discerning customers.  With 102EX, also known as the Phantom Experimental Electric (EE), it is the company's intention to carefully test the opinions and reactions to alternative drive-train options of a range of stakeholders including owners, enthusiasts, members of the public and the media.  

Ford announces plans for Kansas City Assembly Plant

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) today announced a further commitment to U.S. manufacturing with plans to build a new vehicle at its Kansas City Assembly Plant in Missouri after Ford Escape production moves to Ford's Louisville Assembly Plant and retooling of the Kansas City facility is complete.

Ford will invest $400 million in the Kansas City plant to install a new body shop, new tooling and other upgrades. In addition, the company has committed to retain 3,750 full-time jobs at the plant – consistent with current employment levels. This includes the positions required to assemble the Ford F-150, which will continue to be built at the facility on a separate line.

Auto Show Charity raised $2.6 million

The 2011 North American International Auto Show Charity Preview black tie gala continues to be one of the top single-night fundraising events in the nation as nearly 10,500 guests helped raise $2.6 million for local children's charities.

"Our passion as the Motor City transcends a love of cars," said NAIAS Chairman Barron Meade. "The automotive community and the city band together each year during the NAIAS Charity Preview for the greater good of our future, and that is our children. Thousands of children benefit from this event as a result of that sense of community."

Support by sponsors allow for a great event for attendees, and as a result, the maximum benefit for children in the metro area. The sponsors of the 2011 NAIAS Charity Preview included:

• RBS/Charter One: Presenting Sponsor; marking its fourth year of support.
• Delta Air Lines, Comcast and MGM Grand Detroit: Sponsors of the VIP Ribbon Cutting Party.
• Art Van Furniture: Special Additional Support.

Charity Preview attendees had the special opportunity to enjoy cutting-edge concept and production vehicles up close on the showroom floor while enjoying a Motor City musical favorite, "The Rockets."

Since its inception in 1976, Charity Preview has raised nearly $82 million for children's charities in metroDetroit, over $37 million of which was raised in the last seven years alone. Medical treatment, clothing and support services for local kids in need all are made possible through the purchase of Charity Preview tickets.

Beneficiaries of the Charity Preview include: Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan; Boys Hope Girls Hope of Detroit; The Children's Center; Judson Center; The Detroit Institute for Children; Think Detroit PAL; March of Dimes; The Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation; and the DADA Charitable Foundation Fund, a fund of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.

About the North American International Auto Show

Entering its 23rd year as an international event, the NAIAS (www.naias.com) is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world, providing unparalleled access to the automotive products, people and ideas that matter most - up close and in one place. One of the largest media events in North America, the NAIAS is the only auto show in the United States to earn an annual distinguished sanction of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, the Paris-based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the world.

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Press Preview - Monday-Tuesday, January 10-11, 2011

Industry Preview - Wednesday-Thursday, January 12-13, 2011

Charity Preview - Friday, January 14, 2011

Public Show - Saturday-Sunday, January 15-23, 2011

Vans versus cars

I admit it, I'm not a fan of vans no matter if it is a Chevy Express-Van or a mini-van. While at one time I hauled around five children, I preferred a "mom-mobile" type station wagon or a Grand-Cherokee.

Though I also admit while driving around doing mom type child delivery tasks, I'd dream of the days when they were grown and I could tool around in a Mercedes S-Class type vehicle.

Even then I'd spend time checking out wiki cars websites to dream of the cars in my future. Especially after buying a lottery ticket, cars are always a part of those dreams. One great thing about the Internet is the ease in which you can research what type of car you either plan to purchase or dream about...

Chrysler sales up 37%

Chrysler Group LLC Reports October 2010 U.S. Sales Increased 37 Percent

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 3, 2010 /PRNewswire/ --

October marks the seventh consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases
Jeep® Grand Cherokee sales up 291 percent over October 2009 as the Jeep Brand's flagship vehicle is named "SUV of Texas" by influential group of automotive journalists
Ram pickup truck sales up 41 percent as new 2011 Ram Laramie Longhorn is named "Truck of Texas" by the Texas Auto Writers Association; Ram Truck Brand sweeps every category entered in annual "Texas Truck Rodeo"
Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram Truck brands all posted year-over-year sales gains
Eleven new or significantly-refreshed Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Fiat vehicles to be launched this quarter

Chrysler Group LLC today reported U.S. sales of 90,137, a 37 percent increase compared with sales in October 2009 (65,803 units).

October represents the seventh consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases. The Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and Ram Truck brands each posted year-over-year sales increases in October.

Ford reports Oct. sales up 19%

Ford October Sales Up 19 Percent; New Vehicles Drive Year-to-Date Sales Growth to Double Industry Average

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 3, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury October sales totaled 157,935, up 19 percent versus year ago
Ford's year-to-date sales totaled 1.6 million, up 21 percent; Ford's sales growth doubled the industry average
In October, Ford's balanced portfolio of high-quality, fuel-efficient new cars, utilities and trucks drove sales gains; car sales up 20 percent, utilities up 9 percent and trucks up 25 percent
Ford dealers conclude annual Truck Month promotion with F-Series sales of 49,041, up 24 percent; F-Series further expands its leadership margin as year-to-date sales reach 434,920
Fiesta posts its best sales month ever; record October sales for Fusion. Strong starts for 2011 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX crossovers with MyFordTouch and MyLincolnTouch technology

Hyundai sets record sales in September

Hyundai Motor America Sets September Sales Record With 48 Percent Increase

- Sonata up 161 percent over 2009

- Genesis sets an all-time sales record of 3,230

- Genesis sets an all-time sales record of 3,230

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America today announced all-time record September sales of 46,556, up 48 percent versus 2009. Retail sales were up 73 percent. For the year, Hyundai has reported total cumulative sales of 410,047, up 20 percent versus the same period in 2009, with retail sales up 26 percent. Fleet mix for the month was 13 percent.

"We are enthused to be actually building momentum as we exit the traditionally strong third quarter selling season and enter the fourth quarter under a full head of steam," said Dave Zuchowski, executive vice president of sales, Hyundai Motor America. "September's growth was led by a 161 percent sales increase by our game-changing 2011 Sonata and an all-time volume record for Genesis. In the fourth quarter, we expect continued growth as our 2011 Georgia-built Santa Fe reaches dealerships along with our all-new Alabama-built Sonata turbo producing 274 horsepower (more power than any V6 in the segment), while retaining 4-cylinder fuel-economy of 33 miles per gallon."

Comparing calendar year-to-date results for 2010 with 2009, Elantra, Sonata, Tucson and Genesis sales increased 22 percent, 59 percent, 131 percent, and 34 percent, respectively. Genesis sales of 3,230 represent an all-time sales record, and mark the 15th consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases.

October is car care month

AAA Reminds Motorists Proper Car Care Saves Money, the Environment

In recognition of October as AAA Car Care Month, the nation's largest motor club reminds car owners of the benefits of properly maintaining their vehicles

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AAA Car Care Month kicks off today, and the nation's largest motor club asks motorists to consider how following the right maintenance schedule and procedures can not only help save money, but also the environment.

"Knowing what and when maintenance needs to be performed keeps consumers from over- or under-maintaining their vehicle," said John Nielsen, director, AAA Auto Repair and Buying Programs. "It also cuts down on the over-use of environmentally sensitive products such as motor oil, aids in the conservation of gasoline and can prolong the overall life of a car."

Are You Over-Changing Your Car's Oil?

Frequently motorists believe their cars' oil should be changed every 3000 miles, however most late-model vehicles now can go 5000 to 7000 miles between oil changes. "Having oil changes performed more frequently than needed is both a waste of money and an unnecessary additional burden on the environment," said Nielsen.

Motorists should check their vehicle's owner's manual to find out what intervals their vehicle's manufacturer recommends for changing the oil based on the conditions in which they drive.

A Few Minutes a Month Can Mean Hundreds in Savings

Tire maintenance—including proper inflation and regular rotation/balancing—also saves money by extending the life of the tires while reducing a car's fuel consumption. Extending tire replacement intervals and using less gasoline also provide added benefit to the environment.

Avoiding speed traps

I've never gotten a speeding ticket, but I know that some people like to get there a bit faster, which is why radar detectors were created. They were not created so people would drive like maniacs, but for those who wanted to travel a few miles faster per hour would avoid radar speed traps. The laws vary from state to state on radar detectors, so before you purchase one? Check your state's laws.

Check insurance rates without privacy concerns

How do you find insurance quotes auto rates? You may think the best way is to call an agent and spend hours getting quotes, however you may be paying more than you need to. You may also be giving more information online than you want to...

Recently my daughter's boyfriend got his license and his first car. He first tried calling around to some of the local agents, he knew his car coverage requirements for Ohio as far as what the minimums were. Yet when he listened to my advice checked on line and using the same insurance company got a quote that was $30.00 a month less online than he did by calling that particular insurance carrier.

There are quite a few resources out there related to how to find the best deals on insurance including this auto ins quotes video. Some of the tips can help you save money as well as help you make sure you are getting the coverage you need. Just having the state minimums is not always a great idea. It's especially an issue when it comes to uninsured motorist coverage, having been hit by a person who did not have insurance, a basic liability coverage policy won't help you with damages.

In addition to the above reference information, the federal government has a great deal of resources, from helping you to find the right used car to even tips for purchasing new cars. They also have car maintenance tips and insurance tips. With the internet it gives you a vast number of tools to be a much wiser insurance consumer and a car owner.

Being able to check insurance rates without having to share too much personal information being shared online is a positive step. When you watch the video below you'll see how personal identity theft issues has created the need for consumers to be able to check rates without having to worry about any additional privacy issues. Even if you have been with a carrier for years, it still makes sense to check rates. If you are getting the best deal? Great, but if you are not? You can.

Myths and truths about pedestrian traffic injuries in NYC

This was interesting, having been in New York City and having moments were I really did not want to cross a street...A study pinpointing where, when and why pedestrian accidents are likely to happen and also proving some of the century-old assumptions about transportation in NYC are not true:

Taxis, it turns out, were no careering menace: cabs accounted for far fewer pedestrian accidents in Manhattan than privately owned vehicles. Jaywalkers, surely the city’s most numerous scofflaws, were involved in fewer collisions than their law-abiding counterparts who waited for the “walk” sign.

And one discovery could permanently upend one of the uglier stereotypes of the motoring world: in 80 percent of city accidents that resulted in a pedestrian’s death or serious injury, a male driver was behind the wheel.

Read more here.

Car repair via the internet...

Some car repairs are possible to do by even the do-it-yourselfer, some are far beyond the capabilities that most of us have or we don't have the special tools required. For those of us that have older cars no longer under warranty, some of the repairs are costly. Whenever something goes wrong with our car, I turn to the internet. There was a time when my husband thought a brake job was beyond his mechanical skills.

We turned to the internet for step by step directions (with pictures) and he successfully replaced the brakes and rotors saving us hundreds of dollars from the estimates. It helps to search specifically for your car and the problem, if you were looking for repair information on a Chevrolet Silverado you should use the name of the vehicle and the problem, "Chevrolet Silverado rear lights won't work" as an example.

Another great way to use the internet is if you discover that the problem appears to be complex where you need professional troubleshooting or it's above your level of skill, you can use the internet to find a repair shop. Again being specific is the best -- Dallas auto repair will get you better results than "Texas auto repair" -- If online reviews are available for a repair shop, those are helpful as well as some shops offer discounts to customers who find them online...Websites like repairpal.com can help you get estimates, find a repair shop and more.

Toyota has to recall over 600,000 Sienna minivans

Toyota (TOYOF) said "prolonged exposure" to road salts may lead to corrosion of the carrier cable in these vehicles, which could in turn cause the spare tire to fall from the car, endangering other motorists.

"In the worst case, the carrier cable may fail and the spare tire could become separated from the vehicle, a road hazard for following vehicles that increases the likelihood of a crash," Toyota said.

Vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the following cold climate areas are covered by the recall: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia and the District of Columbia

In this house you have to be creative...

Living with the various members of my household, things you believe you have, simple things like twist ties for bags, just seem to disappear. I was looking for one to tie up a bag of pizza crusts to keep them fresh and I discovered they were all missing. Also being out of rubber bands? I turned to the tool drawer and found a hair tie, it worked. Two days ago part of the exhaust fell off of the car, being out of muffler clamps the simple solution since it was a pipe that was not connected to the exhaust manifold was to use bungee cords.

:-)

More cars!

Okay cars are on my mind today, what can I say...

nice article from Oddly Enough that shares pictures of some of the cars being featured at the car show in Detroit.

For the motorheads as we call them here, for the petrolheads elsewhere...

More 2010 cars...

There are several other new cars out there that have caught my interest for 2010 or the interest of some in my inner circle, the first would be the porsche panamera. That of course is in the "OMG if I won the lottery" category...

Next up would be the new chevrolet impala. I like the design, though I'll always miss the motorhead impala style of years of old. While I've never been a huge fan of Fords, I've had friends express interest in the ford taurus.

Two of my bunch are very much into the honda line, especially the 2010 Honda Insight. They are both drivers of older Civics.

Here's a Ford I actually like...

Mention the name Ford Fiesta and you probably will make people think you are crazy, but I like the new Ford Fiesta, especially after checking out the latest information and pictures on Car and Driver.

My cars have either been huge monster vehicles like my 1989 olds custom cruiser wagon or subcompacts like my 1990 Renault LeCar...