Page loading ... Please wait.

(ARA) - If you've been in an auto dealer's showroom recently, you won't be surprised to learn that the average price of a new car is approaching $30,000. While there's no getting around the price you have to pay for a new automobile, there are plenty of things you can do to make sure you won't have to make the same investment again anytime soon.

By doing the little things to maintain your car on a day-to-day basis, you can do everything in your power to make your car last long past the day you make your final payment on that car loan.

"Time and miles are the two forces fighting to destroy every car," says Tom Taylor, engineer and vice president of RockAuto.com. "Giving the car an occasional wash and wax is nice but really not as important as regular maintenance. Driving and maintaining your car as if it needs to last for at least 200,000 miles or 20 years is a smart way to preserve the value of an expensive asset."

Storage
If you have a garage, make it your car's permanent home. Reserving a garage space for your car instead of household items that could be stored elsewhere will help you avoid the accelerated wear and tear caused by prolonged exposure to the elements.

If you store your car in a partially protected carport or use a car cover, regularly inspect underneath your hood for signs of vermin. "I recently needed to replace a fuel injector connector that a rat gnawed off our 20-year-old family van after it was left unattended in a carport for just a few days," says Taylor. "Rats and mice like a nice warm engine bay and they chew constantly to wear down their ever-growing teeth."

Scheduled maintenance
Your car's maintenance, engine oil, radiator antifreeze and other components might differ significantly from your last car. Following the maintenance schedule laid out in your owner's manual is important to protect your vehicle. The photos in the RockAuto.com online auto parts catalog can help you become familiar with the maintenance parts for your specific car. Making sure items like filters, struts and brake pads are replaced when needed will help protect other components, saving you money and unnecessary wear.

Drive smart
Occasionally kicking up your heels is fine, but consistently accelerating too fast can put unnecessary strain on your engine and other moving parts. Stopping or cornering too quickly can prematurely wear out your brakes and suspension. If you're starting your car in the cold, take it easy at first - letting your car idle won't help protect your car, but driving a little more methodically than usual while your car warms up will.

Drive less
You don't need to cut out the annual family road trip - highway miles are among the easiest miles you can put on your car. But eliminating unnecessary trips in everyday life can have noticeable results since the starting and stopping associated with short trips can be tough on your car. Take care of all your errands in one trip, walk with your kids to school if it's close to home or ride the bus to and from work. If you can cut down on driving by 5 miles per day for 10 years, you'll save 18,000 miles of driving. Taylor estimates that those miles are worth $4,000 in parts, depreciation and gas. Not only will you save money, but you'll also put less stress on your vehicle, which should extend its lifespan.

When shopping for a new car, you might be able to save hundreds of dollars by comparison shopping and finding the best price. But good maintenance and driving practices can save you thousands if it means you won't have to buy another car for 20 years.

(ARA) - This year, millions of Americans will be hitting the roads and facing cold temperatures, along with the snowy and icy conditions winter weather brings. These factors are not only a nuisance, but at times, very dangerous, even for the most confident and experienced drivers. Simple driving maneuvers, such as starting, stopping and making turns can become very challenging if vehicles are not properly prepared for inclement weather.

After their homes, the second-largest financial investment for most is their vehicle; helping it stay in good working order during the colder months of the year should be a top priority. Because money is often tight in the given economy, you may be reluctant to spend on services or maintenance that could be put off, at least for the short term. Such decisions, however, could potentially shorten the life of a vehicle, decrease its fuel efficiency or even help create unsafe driving.

To prepare vehicles for the winter months ahead, here are some simple tips to help you arrive safely at your destination.

Traction is key: The economy has forced many to postpone tire purchases, but with wet weather and unpredictable winter conditions ahead, now is not the time to have low tread on your tires. Your tires need good traction to help keep your car on the road. It's important to have the correct tire tread and in particularly cold climates, drivers should consider investing in winter tires. For example: The Winter Reactive Technology used in Goodyear's Ultra Grip Ice WRT tires offer a combination of innovative tire features to help drivers react to changing weather conditions with enhanced starting, stopping and turning traction for superior performance on the roads. Winter driving experts such as the ILR Car Control School, located in Mount Albert, Ontario, choose Goodyear UGI Ice WRT for superior performance in winter conditions.

Feel the pressure: As temperatures change, so does tire pressure. Proper tire inflation is essential for increased automotive safety, optimum driving performance and even good fuel mileage. Tires should be inflated to the vehicle manufacturer recommendations printed on the vehicle door placard or in the glove box and should be checked at least monthly. Over-inflation can lead to premature or irregular tire wear and under-inflation reduces a vehicle's fuel efficiency by an average of 3.3 percent.

Keep it clean: Consumers' cars, trucks or SUVs are likely weathering the harsh conditions and corrosive elements associated with winter, including freezing rain, snow, ice, sand and salt. Keeping vehicles clean will help protect them from the chemicals and dirt that may attack the car's finish and undercarriage. Be sure to use quality cleaners and waxes specifically designed for handling a car's finish.

Keep it flowing: Oil is the lifeblood of the engine, helping to keep it running efficiently and effectively. Not sure what oil to use? Defer to a professional or use the grade of motor oil recommended by the vehicle manufacturer to achieve optimum engine protection and fuel efficiency.

Be prepared: Keep a survival kit handy. A flashlight with fresh batteries, a blanket, water bottles, cellphone charger, jumper cables, flares, a "help" sign, and a first aid kit will prepare you for emergency situations or unexpected breakdowns.

For more helpful car care advice or information on tires for cars, light trucks, SUVs and more, visit your local Goodyear retailer or go online to www.goodyear.com.

Snow and cold is an inevitable part of winter for many people living in the United States. Unfortunately, for millions of Americans, that means that the leather motorcycle jackets get shelved and their beloved motorcycles are put in storage for the winter.

Winterizing your motorcycle is important - unless you want to deal with costly motorcycle repairs in the spring. And that process can start before you even buy a motorcycle.

When you start researching motorcycle dealers to purchase a motorcycle, it's worth finding out if they will store and winterize your bike for you. If they do, it solves a lot of potential issues for you. If not, then it's time to get ready to store your bike - and if you don't do it properly, dead batteries, wrecked carburetors and corrosion can await you in the spring.

It only takes a month of bike inactivity to cause issues when you try to ride again, according to the American Motorcycle Association. One of the first things you should do before storing your motorcycle is fill the gas tank and add a gas-stabilizing additive, which keeps the fuel from breaking down. It's also key to make sure the oil is fresh, as the contaminants in older oil can be corrosive.

In order to preserve the tires during storage, keep them off the ground the best you can - even if it means putting a thick piece of cardboard underneath them. This will keep the tires off the hard, cold ground, which is important since tires can crack when they freeze.

When it comes to your battery, you have a few options. One is to remove the battery from the bike and recharge it every two weeks to maintain its viability. The other popular technique is to keep a charging system in place attached to the battery, or charge it every month or so - providing you start with a fully charged battery when you store it.

Follow these important steps, and you'll be back in your motorcycle riding gear enjoying your pastime in no time.

(ARA) - Every day, thousands of speeding tickets are issued to motorists on our nation's roads and highways. According to various sources, an estimated 40 million speeding tickets are issued each year (one for every five motorists) with an average fine of $150.

What can you do to avoid a speeding ticket? And what should you do if you're stopped for speeding? Here are some tips from FindLaw.com, the nation's leading online source for legal information.

Be familiar with speed limits. You should always be aware of the speed limits on the roads and highways that you drive. Being unaware or unsure is not an excuse. Also keep in mind that it's possible to receive a speeding or reckless driving ticket under special circumstances even when you're not driving faster than the posted limit, such as driving faster than severe weather would allow.

Give yourself enough time. One of the reasons many people speed is because they didn't give themselves enough time to get where they're going. Plan ahead and give yourself enough time to arrive early so you can avoid going over the speed limit to make up time.

Be aware of speed traps. Pay attention to signs alerting drivers to speed zones, especially when nearing schools, small towns or suburban neighborhoods - where the speed limit abruptly changes from 55 mph to 30 mph, for example. These are often areas where police step up traffic enforcement.

Say cheese! More than a dozen states use photo radar to issue motor vehicle violation tickets for speeding or going through a red light at an intersection. Is your state one of them? Cameras are strategically set up to record speed or other traffic violations, and are used by local police departments to free up police officers for other types of law enforcement work. Make a traffic violation and days later you'll receive a ticket in the mail.

Pull over. If you're stopped for speeding, it's important to cooperate with the police officer. Here's what you should do: Pull over quickly and safely, pulling over as far to the right as you can. Turn off your engine and put your keys on the dashboard. Roll down your window and put your hands on the wheel in plain sight of the officer. Do not get your driver's license and proof of insurance out - let the officer ask you to get them so he or she can see your hands at all times. Take off your sunglasses if you're wearing them. If you're stopped at night, turn on your interior light. Be friendly, polite and cooperative, and avoid arguing.

Let the officer do the talking. When you're stopped for a motor vehicle violation, let the officer do the talking. Don't say anything that can be recorded or used against you at a later time, such as in traffic court. Officers are trained to let you incriminate yourself by letting you admit to violations or admit that you were careless or negligent. Respond politely to an officer's questions, and never get into an argument with an officer.

Avoid a car search. If an officer asks to search your vehicle and you do not believe you have anything to hide, you could save yourself time and effort by letting the search proceed. If you don't want the search to proceed, you should state clearly that you don't give the officer your consent. Taking this path does not imply guilt, but it may mean that the officer will seek a search warrant or put you under arrest, if the officer has probable cause for his or her suspicions.

Paying the ticket. If you plead guilty to a traffic charge, the court will automatically require you to pay the maximum fine allowed by law and will record the conviction on your Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) record for a period of years (varies by state). Pleading guilty to a speeding ticket can increase your insurance premiums. Also, traffic violations can mean you'll accumulate points against your driver's license (if you have other motor vehicle violations) that could lead to the loss of your driving privileges. If having a clean record matters to you, you may want to seek the help of an attorney who specializes in traffic violations.

Challenging a ticket. Speed limits and how they're defined can vary by state. It's important to know how your state defines speed limits before attempting to challenge them. There are limited defenses for challenging a speeding ticket. The three most common are: claiming that you were speeding because of an emergency; claiming that the officer misread your speed; or claiming that the officer mistook your vehicle for a similar one that was traveling near your car or motorcycle. You can attempt to challenge a ticket on your own, or with the assistance of an attorney experienced in traffic violations.

(ARA) - In 2009, 3,466 teenagers died in the United States from automobile crash injuries, according to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Such injuries are by far the leading public health problem among youths 13 to19 years old. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in America. Mile for mile, teenagers are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers. The crash risk among teenage drivers is particularly high during the first months of licensure.

An IIHS review of recent literature confirmed that driver age and experience both have strong effects on driver crash risk. Crash rates for young drivers are high largely because of the driver's immaturity combined with driving inexperience. The immaturity is apparent in young drivers' risky driving practices such as speeding. At the same time, teenagers' lack of experience behind the wheel makes it difficult for them to recognize and respond to hazards. They get in trouble trying to handle unusual driving situations, and these situations turn disastrous more often than when older people drive.

Research shows which behaviors contribute to teen-related crashes. Inexperience and immaturity combined with speed, drinking and driving, not wearing seat belts, distracted driving (cellphone use, loud music, other teen passengers, etc.), drowsy driving, nighttime driving and other drug use aggravate this problem.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Association (NHTSA) recommends a multi-tiered strategy to prevent motor vehicle-related deaths and injuries among teen drivers: Increase seat belt use, implement graduated driver licensing, reduce teens' access to alcohol and increase parental responsibility.

* Keep your hands on the wheel.
* Keep your eyes on the road.
* Keep your hands and eyes away from your cellphone while driving.

"You need to teach safe driving behavior from the beginning," says Lyman Munson, vice president of risk services at Fireman's Fund Insurance Company. As the parent, you can start by modeling safe driving behavior whenever you drive your children, from the time they are infants."

Give teens an edge by teaching them some basics about cars and the rules of the road early, well before they hit driving age. Ease them into driving with short trips in familiar areas, at low speeds, in daylight and with an adult. Choose a safe car that is predictable in its handling and easy to drive.

Insurance carriers often offer good student and safe driving discounts for teens. Parents can include these incentives in the discussion regarding safe driving. Fireman's Fund recommends parents use devices such as Cellcontrol to disable cellphone use while driving.

Munson also suggests parents talk to their teens about safety issues and the rules they are setting. Explain each one of your rules and the consequences for breaking it. Write up a contract with your teen driver to make sure they drive by the rules and drive as safely as possible. Include the most important issues. Here's a sample:

Spell out the rules:
1. Alcohol: Absolutely no alcohol
2. Seat belts: Always buckle up
3. Cellphone/texting: No talking or texting while driving
4. Curfew: Have the car in the driveway by 10 p.m.
5. Passengers: No more than one at all times
6. Graduated drivers license: Follow the state's GDL law
7. Parental responsibility: Set your house rules and consequences