Dear Tom,
I own a ‘02 Toyota Highlander 4 cylinder, 62,000 miles. My local shop sent me a notice to have the EFI throttle body serviced. What is an EFI throttle body and how often does it need service? The vehicle is running fine, so I wonder if this service is really necessary at this time?
Bert from San Dimas, MX

Bert,
EFI stands for Electronic Fuel Injection and Throttle Body is the term for a component in the injection system where air is taken into the engine. Fuel injection systems require cleaning at regular intervals, every 35 – 40 thousand miles. This process is necessary because varnish deposits, dirt, and carbon build up on the end of the injector nozzles, inside fuel rails, inside intake plenums, on the tops of the pistons, and inside the cylinder heads and valves. The cleaning process involves injecting an industrial grade carbon cleaner into the system, and then letting it sit to liquefy any carbon buildup in the engine. A professional cleaning of the injection system and upper regions of the engine usually results in increased performance and better fuel mileage.
Tom

Ruthann,
In regards to the spastic oil pressure reading, run an oil pressure test with a mechanical gauge to confirm actual oil pressure. If it is low, the engine will have to be disassembled for proper inspection of the parts that relate to oil pressure. If the oil pressure is okay, then check for a bad sending unit or wiring to the unit (this is most likely the cause of the erratic readings). The popping sound could be a bad ball joint, control arm bushing shock, or some other suspension part. Get the truck up in the air for a suspension inspection. Success to you.
Tom

Bob,
I can’t answer why the knock appeared so suddenly unless I explored the engine. The cause could be a bad oil pump, excessive sludge buildup preventing oil flow to bearings, bad engine oil, as well as a host of other reasons. Pistons are connected to the crankshaft via a connecting rod. The rod bolts to the crank using a split metal cap. Bearing inserts are placed on the cap and this surface is what rides in the crankshaft journal. Oil is pumped into the bearing saddle and acts as a cushion between the crank journal and the bearing surface. The reason for the knock? The bearing inserts at the end of the connecting rod have worn out, causing a hammering (or knocking) effect when the piston travels up and down. Your mechanic’s assessment of replacement or rebuilding is probably accurate. Before sentencing your engine to death in the bone yard, drop the oil pan and inspect the crankshaft to evaluate the extent of the damage. I wish you success.
Tom

Barb,
If you think the shop will not like the fact that you want to see the parts that need replacing then you are going to the wrong shop (and your husband has the wrong attitude). As a consumer you are entitled to see why the work needs to be done. I suggest you find a dependable repair shop if this tire shop will be offended because you want to see what needs repairing or replacing. Call your local Triple A, ask for an Approved Repair Center in your area, and get a second opinion. As for the ‘lit’ ABS light, the brake computer has to be scanned for codes and the malady repaired (perhaps a speed sensor, broken wiring, or hub assembly). In regards to the transmission question, if the fluid in your trans were burnt or very brown, then yes, I would say to leave it alone because the trans has probably been overheated. When a trans overheats it cooks the clutches and rubber seals. When you replace the fluid on a ‘cooked’ unit, the clutches come unglued from their backing and the unit fails. Good luck.
Tom

For more articles by Tom Torbjornsen, visit AMERICA’S CAR SHOW web site: www.americascarshow.com

Tom Torbjornsen is an automotive expert of 37 years. An automotive journalist in good standing with the IMPA (International Motor Press Association), Torbjornsen is the Repair and Maintenance Editor for AOL Autos, Edmunds.Com, At Home Portals and many other websites. Torbjornsen is the auto expert of record for Channel 4 WIVB TV, Western New York’s CBS affiliate. Hear his radio show AMERICA’S CAR SHOW, on the Sirius XM Satellite Radio Channel – Stars Too – Sirius 108 and XM 139; Sunday nights – 10PM – Mid EST. Send your car questions to his website at: www.americascarshow.com

Dear Tom,
I bought a new 2010 Audi A4 in August of last year. Two months and 1600 miles later the oil light went on and the oil level was at the minimum line on the dipstick. It required a quart of oil. When I called the Audi service at the dealership they said that’s normal and that the Audi engine burns oil to the tune of about a quart every 2,000 miles. Is this true? I always thought having to put oil in meant leaking seals, gasket gone, or some other problem. What do you say?
Rod from IA

Rod,
Commonly, during the break-in period, an engine will “use” (not burn) oil. Why? Because mating surfaces are being established and metal is rubbing against metal causing friction. This process increases the operating temperatures and consequently uses oil. Now that the engine has 1500 miles on it, switch over to synthetic oil, which stands up to friction, heat, and chemical contamination much better than conventional petroleum based oil. If the engine continues to use oil at this rate, I would lodge a complaint with customer service so that it is a matter of record when and if the engine fails prematurely.
Tom

Christian,
What do you tell the folks when you have your A/C serviced? Exactly what you told me! That will lead them to a system analysis including a head pressure test, This will tell the tech if there’s a stoppage in refrigerant flow (which I think is causing the freezing of the refrigerant regulating valve in the system). Also, check the air blend doors to make sure they’re staying open when the system is in operation, because a stuck or broken air blend door will shut off cabin airflow. Let the techs do their job. Don’t tell them what to fix or replace or you might get what you ask for and not an effective repair.
Tom

Ray,
Sounds like there is condensation buildup from a plugged drain in the HVAC box. When organic material (leaves and plant matter) get into the air intake at the base of the windshield, it rots and forms a black paste that plugs the condensation drain. This causes water to build up in the box and blow into the vehicle in the form of a mist. Have the drain checked and unplugged to stop the misting problem. As for the cat-urine-like smell, when water does not drain, mold spores grow in the evaporator case, producing the offensive odor. Try spraying a whole can of Lysol into the air intake with the A/C running. This will kill the mold and eliminate the smell. If it doesn’t, the case will have to come apart in order to check for a bad evaporator core. Best to you.
Tom

Peter,
The best advice I can give is to find another shop capable of tracking down such a problem. A vacuum leak should not be hard to find. Either a line or vacuum driven component such as a power brake booster is leaking, or the intake gasket or manifold is leaking. Have a vacuum gauge attached to the intake manifold and read the vacuum. If it is vacillating wildly on the face of the gauge there’s a vacuum leak in the engine, probably in the intake manifold. Try spraying carbon cleaner at the base of the intake. If the engine picks up and/or smoothes out then you have found your vacuum leak. Good luck!
Tom

For more articles by Tom Torbjornsen, visit AMERICA’S CAR SHOW web site: www.americascarshow.com

Tom Torbjornsen is an automotive expert of 37 years. An automotive journalist in good standing with the IMPA (International Motor Press Association), Torbjornsen is the Repair and Maintenance Editor for AOL Autos, Edmunds.Com, At Home Portals and many other websites. Torbjornsen is the auto expert of record for Channel 4 WIVB TV, Western New York’s CBS affiliate. Hear his radio show AMERICA’S CAR SHOW, on the Sirius XM Satellite Radio Channel – Stars Too – Sirius 108 and XM 139; Sunday nights – 10PM – Mid EST. Send your car questions to his website at: www.americascarshow.com

Dear Tom,
I own a 2006 Ford Escape 4X4, 6 cylinder. It seems to drag while driving (it doesn’t glide freely). What could be wrong?
Ray from Corfu, NY

Ray,
Check the rear emergency brake cables. One could be stuck from rust, causing the e-brake to stay applied. Also, check the rear brake calipers for rust on the slides. When rust forms, the caliper stays in the applied position after the brake is used. This condition creates a dragging sensation and causes the brakes to wear out prematurely. After 10-15 minutes of driving, place your hand close to each wheel. If you find one that’s hotter than the others, you have located the stuck brake. Pull the wheel and check the brake. Success to you.
Tom

Ron,
I know you don’t want to hear this but my suggestion is to have a competent shop do a diagnostic on your Cadillac to determine the cause of the drivability problem. Arbitrarily replacing parts simply does not fix cars. I have seen this scenario played out thousands of time over the years and the results are almost always the same, leaving the customer with more cost. Contact your local AAA to find a competent drivability diagnostician near you. Best to you.
Tom

David,
Yes, a power or ground wire could have been left loose. Also, a battery terminal connection could be loose causing an intermittent connection (that would explain the symptoms you described). Get the car back into the shop and have them recheck their work before something burns up from a voltage spike.
Tom

Ray,
In my opinion, the key to the automotive fountain of youth is to follow the severe service schedule for maintenance. If using Mobile One synthetic oil, change the oil and filter every six (6) months. As for Z-Max and other additives, if you follow the severe service schedule and use Mobil One, there is no need for these products.
Tom

Joe,
Sounds like you have a fun ride there, ’56 Chevy with big block power mmmmmmm… I doubt mixing the same type antifreeze from two different makers would result in what you describe. Perhaps a call to both antifreeze makers would reveal more info. In the meantime, I would run a strong flush chemical through the cooling system and fill it with a 50/50 mix of coolant and forget about it. Good luck.
Tom

Jerry,
This problem could be caused by a bad battery ground connection (at the engine block or frame), a dead spot in the starter (which might not show up all the time), or a bad ignition switch. In the case of a bad starter, after the starter spins over the engine, it lands in a dead spot in the armature windings. This results in a clicking sound. Try gently tapping the body of the starter with a hammer the next time it turns up dead. If the truck immediately starts after tapping the starter, you can safely assume the starter is bad. Sorry to say, but you might have to wait until the problem leaves you stranded. It’s very difficult to track down an intermittent electrical problem. I wish you success.
Tom

For more articles by Tom Torbjornsen, visit AMERICA’S CAR SHOW web site: www.americascarshow.com

Tom Torbjornsen is an automotive expert of 37 years. An automotive journalist in good standing with the IMPA (International Motor Press Association), Torbjornsen is the Repair and Maintenance Editor for AOL Autos, Edmunds.Com, At Home Portals and many other websites. Torbjornsen is the auto expert of record for Channel 4 WIVB TV, Western New York’s CBS affiliate. Hear his radio show AMERICA’S CAR SHOW, on the Sirius XM Satellite Radio Channel – Stars Too – Sirius 108 and XM 139; Sunday nights – 10PM – Mid EST. Send your car questions to his website at: www.americascarshow.com

Dear Tom,
I was told that there is no advantage to using synthetic engine oil over conventional oil. I do not believe this is true. Also, I was told that conventional oil used with a stabilizer would accomplish the same thing as synthetic oil. Is this true? Thanks.
Nick from Bemus Pt, NY

Nick,
Whoever told you that synthetic motor oil has no advantages compared to conventional oil doesn’t know what he is talking about. Synthetic oil is more resistant to viscosity breakdown (loss of ability to flow and thus lubricate) from heat, friction, and chemical contamination (the hostile environment of an operating internal combustion engine). Synthetic oil was originally developed for use in aircraft to address the extreme operating environment of the jet engines. On the intake side, aircraft jet engines operate at very cold temperatures because of the rush of air, ambient temperatures, and venturi effect. On the exhaust side, the aircraft jet engine is very hot. Conventional oils simply did not stand up well under these conditions, so engineers designed a syntheticly fortified lubricating oil to avoid the problems associated with conventional petroleum lubricants. The new formula worked well, so AMSOIL founder and president Al Amatuzio (at the time, a jet fighter pilot in our armed forces) set out to develop synthetic motor oil suitable for automotive applications. The first synthetic engine oil for cars entered the market in 1972. Today’s synthetic oils flow better than petroleum oil in cold temperatures, providing internal protection during winter start up. Obviously, the quality of synthetic oil varies. In my opinion, based on the research I have seen, AMSOIL and Mobile One are number one and number two respectively. Finally, adding a stabilizer to conventional oil does not provide the same advantages as synthetic oils.
Tom

Steve,
The wiper arm has to be replaced. The tension spring (located inside the arm) keeps the wiper blade snug against the windshield glass. When the spring wears out, the wiper arm lifts off the glass. Replace the arm and problem solved!
Tom

Ed,
Small convex mirrors are a good addition to the driver’s side to eliminate blind spots. The passenger’s side mirror is already of the convex design, that’s why it says “Objects May Be Closer Than They Appear.” As for why carmakers don’t add convex mirrors on the driver’s side? Bottom line, cost. End of story.
Tom

Lois,
I checked my database for brake recalls on these vehicles and came up with nothing. Call your local dealer and give them your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to run in their database to make sure there’s no action from Chrysler on this condition. If not, perhaps you ran the brake shoes too long on the car, resulting in failure? Or, if they were replaced at one time or another, perhaps the shop used inferior shoes, causing the glue to crystallize that could result in shoe failure. It’s impossible to tell without seeing the old parts and the service history of the vehicle. Good luck.
Tom

Lloyd,
Check for a dislodged vacuum line, crossed wire, or an inadvertently grounded sparkplug electrode either from dirt in the air gap or from the electrode crushed down to the ground position. I’m sure you’ll find your problem in one of these areas. Best to you.
Tom

Sheila,
First, check the coolant level. It sounds like the coolant is low and an air bubble is circulating through the system. If it is low, then check for a coolant leak. If the level is good, then there could be a vacuum leak causing the air blend door to open and close on engine demand. Check the vacuum lines that feed the heater system. There’s a vacuum chamber in the engine compartment that stores vacuum for the heater system to draw on when needed. That chamber is usually made of plastic and it can crack, resulting in erratic heater blend door operation. I’m sure you’ll find your problem in one of there areas. Best to you.
Tom

For more articles by Tom Torbjornsen, visit AMERICA’S CAR SHOW web site: www.americascarshow.com

Tom Torbjornsen is an automotive expert of 37 years. An automotive journalist in good standing with the IMPA (International Motor Press Association), Torbjornsen is the Repair and Maintenance Editor for AOL Autos, Edmunds.Com, At Home Portals and many other websites. Torbjornsen is the auto expert of record for Channel 4 WIVB TV, Western New York’s CBS affiliate. Hear his radio show AMERICA’S CAR SHOW, on the Sirius XM Satellite Radio Channel – Stars Too – Sirius 108 and XM 139; Sunday nights – 10PM – Mid EST. Send your car questions to his website at: www.americascarshow.com

Although more women than men seem to develop some major anxiety issues when they realize that they need to get those jumper cables, the guys sometimes show a little hesitation as well.

You can’t really blame people for a brief moment of jittery apprehension, because if the truth is to be told, there is a very small chance that a fire or an explosion could occur. Note that the important key phrase being used is “small chance.”

However it does pay to understand how to get your car battery jump-started without getting yourself blown up in the process.
If you need to understand the conditions that can cause an “OOPS” event like a battery exploding in front of your face, here is a brief overview of the facts.

Hydrogen gas forms when a battery is discharging energy and losing fluid. This gas is highly flammable and a spark from the engine or battery cables could potentially create a devastating scenario, but this is pretty unlikely.

The hydrogen gas would have to become very dense before this occurred and this would only take place if the battery had been unused for a long period of time without any air circulation to disturb it. Possible? Yes. Likely?

Now let’s take a look at the steps you need to follow to safely jump-start your car.

1. You can use a portable jumper device that lets you do this task as a one-man show. You just need to remember to connect the red cable to the positive terminal, or post, and the black ground to the negative post. Batteries are color-coded and they also have the (+ and -) symbols that will help you keep things straight.
2. It’s a good idea to always ground your jumper cables first so make sure that you attach the black cable first. In a pinch you can ground it by clamping it to any metal part that is near the hood. Some people feel that attaching the cable to metal lessens the chance of any type of explosion and is a better grounding source. Both cables must be attached to the battery in the car that is providing the boost.
3. Never, ever hook the red (+) cable to a black (-) post and the black (-) one to the red (+) post because remember the talk about the explosion? Well, this backwards hookup has a much higher chance of causing this type of event.
4. If you are using another vehicle to boost your car battery it can be parked close, but should not be touching your car.
5. The jumper cables should be in good condition.
6. The cables should not be dangling down inside the engine compartments of either car. Excess cable should always be placed on the outside of the vehicles, or even on the ground.
7. Make sure the ignition is off on both automobiles and engage the parking brake. An automatic transmission needs to have the gearshift in Park and a car with a standard transmission should be in Neutral. Check to make sure the lights and radio are all off so there is no further drain to the battery. It is a good idea to have your hazard lights flashing, or set out the roadside flares so other drivers see the disabled vehicle.
8. The car that is giving the boost to the battery should then start the car and let it idle while the cables recharge the dead battery. This should only take a couple of minutes and then the jump-start will be completed.
If you follow these simple suggestions this common car tip can be performed without worry or fear.

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With such an affinity for staying connected, it comes as no surprise that sometimes you have to talk on your phone while driving. Everyone has done it at some point, with many people doing it frequently. In fact, many people save their phone calls until they are driving just so because it’s more convenient.

Although, it may be the norm, did you realize that it’s actually not very good for your health? In fact, it is one of the most dangerous things that you could do in a car.

What is so bad about talking on your cell phone in the car?

According to a recent three-year study, talking on your cell phone while driving is the equivalent of driving while drunk. While you might not think you’re out of it while on a cell phone, you are just as impaired mentally.

The study found that someone talking on a cell phone is the equivalent of having at least the legal blood alcohol limit of .08%. This is startling when you actually think about the effect that it can have on you.

Many people might think that they are ok because they use a hands-free device or a speakerphone. However, according to the study, you’re just as bad as if you didn’t. Those with hands-free devices were just as impaired as those with regular cell phones.

The study found that those with cell phones were 9% slower to hit the brakes than a normal driver. They were also 19% slower to resume normal speed again once they have slowed down. They also had a 24% higher variation in the distance that they followed other drivers.

Why is this? Their minds would go from driving to talking and back again and their driving reflected it. The biggest thing that they found was that cell phone users are more likely to crash than their non-cell phone using counterparts. That is a pretty telling set of statistics right there. The fact that you can actually increase your risk of crashing just by talking on your cell phone is pretty scary.

A growing problem…

The really scary thing to think about is that at any given moment, there are over 1 million people talking on their cell phones and driving in the United States. So what can be done about this growing problem?

First of all, legislation has taken notice to this concern and has addressed it in several areas. For example, certain states including California and New York have banned talking on the phone while driving. In addition to states doing this, several countries have banned the practice as well.

Besides the government outlawing it, the easiest way to stop it is to realize that it is a problem. You can choose not to use a cell phone while you’re driving and it will help you in the long run. Individual people need to make that decision for themselves.

Another decision you need to make is whether or not to buy an extended car warranty. Learn about the benefits of having an extended warranty on your vehicle and get your free quote.

It happens at an alarming rate across the country and more often than not, the thefts could have been prevented with some common sense.

If you’ve never had your car stolen before, you are fortunate. If you want to keep your car from being stolen in the future, follow these basic tips to prevent it.

1. Don’t leave the keys in the car. This is probably the most obvious step you could take to prevent getting carjacked, but it is also the most effective. More often than not, cars get stolen because their owners left the car running and run inside to get something. Thieves usually want to find the most convenient crime that’s available.

2. Try to stay away from owning one of the most commonly stolen vehicles in the country. The Honda Civic and Accord are the top two stolen cars on the annual Top 10 stolen cars list. The higher end cars don’t usually get stolen that often because they attract more attention. It’s easier to get rid of the cars that are more common in the market.

3. Owning LoJack on your car. This is the most effective method of preventing your car from getting stolen. 90% of the time, when a car with LoJack gets stolen, it is recovered within 24 hours. This is a pretty amazing rate of recovery for any product. LoJack is linked directly to the authorities and they can track the car quickly. If your car is not recovered within 24 hours, LoJack will actually repay the MSRP of your car to you. This is an unbelievable guarantee that will actually lower your insurance rates because of it.

4. Park in the appropriate areas. When you park at the back of a dark parking lot, you’re probably just asking for trouble. This goes the same for dark alleys or any other area that can’t be easily seen by the public. When you’re out and about, try and park at the front of the parking lot whenever possible. When you’re at home, park in your garage. This is pretty obvious as well, but a lot of people fill their garage with junk and then park out on the street. This is just asking for trouble.

5. Watch what you keep on the inside of your car. Obviously leaving the keys in the ignition is bad, but other people like to leave spare sets of keys in obvious places. Putting keys in the visor, glove box, console, or any other obvious place is going to be found pretty quickly. Also, leaving your wallet or valuables in plain sight will encourage thieves to get in the car. If you don’t have anything valuable in view, they might move onto another car and leave yours alone.

Overall, there are a lot of ways to prevent getting your car stolen. If you’ll follow the above tips, you should hopefully avoid any potential crimes.

Extended car warranty coverage won’t pay for your car if it’s stolen, but it will pay for car repairs if your car breaks down. Warranty Direct offers payment plans on extended car warranties for up to 18 months to make it easier for you in today’s economy.

The husband says, “No way, you don’t even know what a carburetor is!”

“Yes, there is,” the wife insists.

“Tell me where you left the car,” says the husband.

The woman says, “I drove it into the pool!”

Well, there are lots of videos out there showing just how bad women can be at driving. You don’t have to browse the internet very long to find vast amounts of footage of women doing horrible—and hilarious—things to their vehicles.

A lot of researchers have spent serious time to determine whether women or men drive better. In some studies, drivers are asked to look at photos depicting situations and decide if the picture suggests risk. Then they answer a series of questions to determine whether they take risks themselves.

The results show that men and women are pretty equal in identifying risks taken by others. But men fail to identify their own risks because they are overconfident about their driving skills, and women take fewer risks because they view their abilities modestly.

Statistics consistently show that of all driver fatalities, more of them are men than women. This data comes from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, an organization funded by insurance corporations that analyzes all aspects of car and highway safety.

Admittedly the percentage of women drivers who die at the wheel has increased in recent years. More women drive now than thirty years ago; and they drive longer distances and more night hours than they used to. Even so, approximately one-fourth of driver deaths are women, and a staggering three-fourths are men.

Besides risk taking, men demonstrate these other behaviors more often than women:

1. Driving without a seatbelt
2. Ignoring traffic signs to slow down or stop
3. Driving while intoxicated
4. Driving recklessly
5. Failure to yield
6. Speeding

It’s true that in accidents that injure the car and not the driver, women are more often the perpetrators. But with all things considered, it seems fair that women have the advantage when it comes to insurance rates. Unfortunately, they continue as the butt of driving-accident jokes.

Ladies, if you really want to get back at some of those male chauvinists in your life, you can always visit YouTube and search for videos of bad men drivers. You don’t have to live under the thumb of that stigma any more, and you’ll have a riot.

Men and women pay the same rate for an extended car warranty! Get a free quote today, and save money on car repairs down the road.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a six-foot-six guy wearing a wife beater or a little old lady with blue hair—when you’re gazing out at that sweet, beautiful piece of machinery, you feel positively glamorous.

So how do you choose the car that’s safest for you?

Before you even arrive at the showroom, you’ve watched seductive television ads. You’ve researched your car on the internet and viewed it in all its pristine glory. At the showroom, the salesman tells you everything you want to hear: He’s not selling you a car; he’s matching you up with a lifestyle!

But no matter why you like a car, at some point, you must compare its safety features with those of similar models.

How does the car fit you? Can you get in and out easily? Try to move the seats forward and backward. Find the tilt-adjustment levers. Check to see if the steering wheel adjusts or not. How well do the mirrors serve you considering your height?

If you use children’s booster seats or car seats, transfer them from your car to the one you’re considering. Do the same with pet carriers if you routinely transport your pet as well as luggage or cargo you normally haul around. Because if you can’t fasten things in easily, then on days when you’re in a hurry you’re likely to cut corners. You might have to leave your mother-in-law sitting in the back seat for days.

Ask your sales person to arrange a test drive. Tell him you want to drive to a local park or a place with a large, empty lot. Once there, try sudden stops. How do the brakes work? Does it corner well? Listen to the car. Does it squeal, whine, chirp, or rattle? Listen to the noise of the gears shifting.

• You’ll read a lot about crumple zones if you’re doing your research. Basically this refers to a part of the car engineered to crumple upon impact so that the energy of the crash has a smaller effect on anyone inside the vehicle.

• Look for at least four airbags, and many cars offer six these days—two each of the front airbags, side impact bags, and side-curtain airbags.

• Only some cars offer electronic stability control (ESC); only some offer an automatic braking system (ABS).

• Pickup trucks or vans have a higher center of balance, so look for a feature that promises stability control to avoid rollover.

• Some larger vehicles have a reverse sensing system or camera.

• Some models have collapsible steering wheels.

• Voice activation for music and phone might seem like a vanity option, but it guarantees hands-free control of personal electronics. It might be worth the money.

Most car manufacturers’ websites allow you to choose a car, and then click on a tab to view its safety features. Many allow you to choose one of their cars and compare it with other vehicles, but once you choose the first car they select which competitors’ cars will be used for the comparison.

In the end, you must choose the safety features that fit your lifestyle and wallet. You’ll be living with your decisions for a long time!

Keep your car safe with a Warranty Direct extended car warranty that covers wear and tear repairs. You’ll be more likely to keep up with them when you have an extended warranty in place – get a free quote today.

Many people think they can skip needed insurance coverage to save a buck, especially in these days of a tight economy.

Dropping your car insurance to save money is never a good idea. Why? You may think you are saving some bucks but if you do get into an accident, there are things that will happen that you will have to deal with that may cost you more than if you kept your insurance coverage.

Let’s take a look at what might happen if you drop your car insurance and have an accident.

• If you financed your vehicle and have a lien holder like Bank of ABC, and you make monthly payments to them, chances are one of the conditions of the auto loan they gave you is that you obtained full coverage insurance in case you are in an accident.

  If you drop your insurance, because they are a lien holder, good old Bank of ABC will get a notice in the mail telling them you dropped your car insurance and they will purchase a policy for you and include it in your monthly payment.

  You can bet the insurance they buy will cost more than what you were originally paying!

• If you own your vehicle outright and drop your insurance and are involved in an accident, most likely the police will be notified. The very first thing they will ask you after, “Are you okay?” is “Can I see your proof of insurance?” If you don’t have any insurance, you will get a ticket that will take even more bucks out of your pocket.

  In some states your driving license may even incur points for driving without insurance. Too many points and you could lose your license and have to pay legal fees to get it back.

• Whether you own your vehicle outright or finance it and drop your insurance and get into an accident and injure the other guy, you could be held responsible for medical bills, loss of work payments, and many other things that you can’t afford like the total cost to repair their vehicle as well as yours.

  What if someone were to die in an accident caused by you and you dropped your insurance? This would involve many lawyers and court, and perhaps even jail time.

• If you drop your insurance and just run into a tree while backing out of your driveway and no one is hurt but the back end of your vehicle is falling off and you can’t open your trunk because the tree fell on it, how do you plan to pay for that damage?

  Body and paint repairs are covered by your insurance if you get into an accident so again, this would be an out-of-pocket expense and not a very smart thing to do.

• If you go to buy a new car and don’t have a current policy on your old or trade-in vehicle, most car dealers will not let you drive the vehicle off of their lot until you obtain the required insurance.

• When you register your vehicle if you move to another state you must provide your local motor vehicle department proof of insurance or you can forget about that plate and registration papers.

Many people think they can save money by dropping their car insurance. You may save on that monthly premium if you own the vehicle outright and just pray you don’t get into an accident or no one hits you. Or, if you have a lien holder on your vehicle and drop it, you can bet they’ll be purchasing a high-priced policy for you and you will have to pay it or lose the vehicle.

Be smart when you think about car insurance. Dropping it does not save you money. An extended car warranty will save you money, though, so be sure to get your no obligation, free quote.

Not only can the controls be confusing, you may need to figure a way to adjust your car’s mirrors depending on the design of the vehicle so you can see all the angles you need to.

Here are 10 tips on how to adjust your car’s mirrors:

1. If you purchase a new or pre-owned vehicle, before you leave the dealership, ask the salesperson to go through how all the mirror controls work so you won’t be looking for them in the dark or while you’re driving. A good salesperson will take the time to do this, especially if they want you to give them an excellent recommendation. If they don’t offer, ask them to show you how the mirror controls work.
2. You can find the right location for your driver’s side mirror by leaning your head against the driver’s side window. Keep adjusting the mirror back until you see the edge of the vehicle.
3. For the passenger side mirror, place your head in the center area of the vehicle and keep adjusting until you see the edge of the vehicle on the passenger side. Remember this mirror should be adjusted so you can see the traffic in the lane beside you and don’t adjust it to be the same as your rear view mirror.
4. Next, return to a driving position that feels comfortable and if you see the sides of your vehicle, you need to adjust the mirrors so you just see the edge of the vehicle. This is a good test to see if your mirrors are adjusted correctly.
5. Think of the perspective you are trying to achieve when you sit in the driver’s seat. You don’t want the mirrors to all point to the same place.
6. A great tip, especially if you are new to the mirror controls is once you have adjusted the mirrors, and you think you have them right, ask someone to walk from behind the car slowly. You will know you have your mirrors adjusted correctly if you can see the person from every angle of the mirror’s view.
7. Blind spots can be dangerous so have the person walk from all angles, back, left, and right to ensure you can see them approaching.
8. Keep in mind that when you are driving, your arms will move in the same direction that your eyes do. Try to control this if you can and rely more on your mirrors. Use them correctly.
9. Adjust your rear view mirror so you have a clear view of what is traveling behind you. Make sure to not just adjust it left or right, include up or down as well to get it just right to fit the height and position of where you sit in the car.
10. Many rear view mirrors in newer vehicle models have all sorts of controls on them that may include lights, dimmer controls, or other manufacturer controls. Understand what they all mean before you leave the dealership and read your owner’s manual to gather insight on how to adjust your car’s mirrors.

Never drive a vehicle that has mirrors adjusted to someone else’s height or seating position. To be safe, follow these tips and take the time to adjust your car’s mirrors to ensure not only your safety, but everyone else’s safety on the road.

Not only do you want to be a safe driver, you want your car to be safe to drive. An extended auto warranty means you can keep your car’s wear and tear issues repaired without having to come up with a lot of money every time something happens.

Vehicles were chosen based primarily on safety ratings, safety features, reliability, available drive system, driving characteristics, and child friendliness.

Vehicles on this list scored very well in collision testing and feature advanced safety features and equipment. Also taken into consideration were driving characteristics such as all-wheel-drive, ride height, view of the road, and the overall child friendly aspects of a vehicle.

Child friendly vehicles tend to be safer vehicles because additional considerations have been made for the safety of child passengers.

1. 2008 Ford Taurus
2. 2008 Jeep Commander
3. 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee
4. 2008 Lincoln Town Car
5. 2008 Infiniti FX
6. 2008 Honda Pilot
7. 2008 Mercury Sable
8. 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis
9. 2008 Chrysler Town & Country
10. 2008 Toyota Highlander

Statistically, traveling by car is one of the most dangerous ways to travel. We don’t think about the dangers of driving because it is such a normal occurrence in our daily lives. However, the dangers must be considered, especially when purchasing a new vehicle.

Technology has made huge safety advancements compared to 15-20 years ago and as you can see from the above list, some cars makers focus more on these safety features then others.

Always prepare yourself for the unexpected by purchasing a car with solid safety features. You can ensure further security with an extended warranty that comes with roadside assistance for your new car.

The better you prepare, the less you will have to leave to chance.