Author Archives: auto news

What is “Pay as You Drive” Car Insurance?

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Every driver is unique and has their personal reasons for why, when, and how much they drive their car. Because it is the law that you have to have insurance before you drive a car, it is important that you find the best policy that meets your particular insurance needs. If you are a driver that only takes your car on short excursions, you have probably realized that you seem to be paying more for your car insurance than the amount of time you actually spend on the road.

It can seem unfair that you have to spend as much money on insurance as someone who drives many more miles than you do. Many insurance companies have realized this mileage disparity and have come up with an innovative way for drivers who have low mileage to pay less for their insurance. The Pay-As-You-Drive Car Insurance program is now emerging as a popular choice for drivers who do not drive often.

Pay-As-You-Drive Car Insurance is insurance that requires drivers only to pay for the amount of miles they drive. There are insurance companies that offer drivers a per-mile rate. Companies can track a motorists mileage by installing a small wireless device that tracks the number of miles a car is driven. The information is transmitted to the insurance company. The customer is then billed for the miles driven. People who do not regularly drive their car will see substantial savings when they enroll in this program. The less one drives, the less they will have to pay for their auto insurance.

Not only are insurance providers able to track a driver’s mileage, they can even assess the level of risk of a particular driver. For instance, the tracking unit measures the car’s speed each second, which allows them to assess braking and acceleration habits. A driver deemed to have good driving habits will be categorized as a lower risk of accidents and traffic violations which will result in a lower premium.

Other benefits of this program include: drivers have more control over the cost of their insurance, less greenhouse gases will be created as more people will try to cut down on their mileage, there will be less car accidents as people will be driving less, and state governments will spend less on roads as there will be less cars causing damage to the roads. As well, insurers will have fewer claims to pay out which lessens instances of insurance rate hikes.

Pay-As-You-Drive Car Insurance is a relatively new and innovative method of establishing fair insurance practices while helping the environment. It is predicted that in the near future, more people will be taking advantage of this program and more insurance companies will be offering Pay-As-You-Drive Car Insurance. When you search for a car insurance provider, make sure you check to see if they offer a Pay-As-You-Drive Car Insurance program. In these difficult economic times, it just makes sense to take advantage of an innovative way of lowering your car insurance premiums.

With over 50 years of experience, this assurance auto Montreal firm provides reliable auto and home insurance solutions. Shop, compare, and request an assurance auto in Quebec quote, or buy your car insurance policy online.

Has Infiniti Hit a Home Run With the 2011 QX56?

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Coming in next to no time to an Infiniti Merchant near you is the 2011 Infiniti QX56. The SUV has a fully fresh design inside and out. The amount of scientific know-how and features abound in this automobile but the MSRP starting price is barely a hair over the previous generation at $56,000. The first iteration QX56 was short on muscle, so the 2011 example will have a large boost in horsepower as well as a small gain in fuel economy. Does the public still want to buy full sized SUVs? Yes sir, and the last round of Infiniti QX56′s had some great sales numbers.

The very first thing you notice about the new Infiniti QX56 is the redesigned and sculptured look. The last generation full sized QX56 had a basic, boxy look. Infiniti saw fit to use the same shape as the ever popular FX35. Looking head on at the QX56, you can really see the sculptured lines. Upgrade to the Deluxe Touring package and you can have 22-inch rims and tires among other things.

More muscle is never a bad thing and for 2011 the QX56 has 80 more horsepower. The 5.6-liter engine is a torque monster with over 400 lb-ft coming from the V-8 motor, this equates to a large towing capacity at over 8500 pounds. The new QX56 engine uses Nissan’s patented VVEL hi-tech stuff which stands for Variable Valve Event and Lift. The QX56 also employs the best transmission available from Nissan in the form of a trick 7-speed. In turn the fuel economy gets a great boost. The QX56 should hopefully see real world fuel economy numbers of 13/20. This is fantastic for a automobile weighing over 5k pounds. This SUV can hold 28 gallons of fuel and the range is over 250 miles.

Moving to the interior of the sport utility vehicle, the QX56 can carry 7-8 people. Huge interior space abounds in the QX56. One of the best optional features are the 2nd row recliner-like seats. There is also a center console in the rear. Everyone is kept quite happy with plenty of ventilation, televisions, and room. I don’t think any other automobile manufacturer has ever fit 7-inch TV’s in the headrests like Infiniti has done in the cutting-edge QX56. Even with the extras, the brand new SUV is a bit lighter in terms of curb weight than the last one.

With every brand new model, Infiniti continues to release up-to-date options. One innovative and futuristic Infiniti advancement is the Hydraulic Body Motion Control System. This keeps the SUV straight while cornering. The system works by moving fluid from one dampener to another to keep the SUV steady. Believe it or not this keeps the SUV more stable than a BMW 5-series.

There are many optional features on the Infiniti in the name of safety. Traction control alone is super important in an SUV, but Infiniti took this one step further with all-wheel drive. There is a differential that the traction control system operates and which can essentially send power to the need wheels. Numerous systems overlap each other to create a large network of safety features. Infiniti has something called an advanced air bag system which has front air bags, side curtain air bags, and roof mounted air bags for roll overs. The Intelligent Brakes can automatically reduce speed if a collision is imminent. Many cars on the road today have some sort of system in place to alert the driver when they are drifting out of their lane, and the latest QX56 has one of the most advanced systems out on the market. The cruise control system is also a smart system that will keep the same amount of distance between you and the model in front even if the slow down a bit. There is also an alert system that will notify you if there are vehicles driving next to your SUV in the blind spot.

The QX56 is a value at a little over $55,000 in the luxury sport utility vehicle segment.

Be sure to check the new inventory online at your local Houston Infiniti Dealer or at Infiniti Los Angeles.

Symptoms of a Bad Catalytic Converter

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There are many ways to determine if your car has a bad catalytic converter and needs repair.  Often you run into subtle issues way before your car warns you that you have a problem with your emission system.  By understanding these issues, you can help diagnose the problem or aid your mechanic in accurately resolving the problem.

Oxygen Sensor Failure

The exhaust system has an O2 or Oxygen Sensor that monitors the level of oxygen emitted in the exhaust.  A check engine light will illuminate on your dash warning you of the problem.  Sometimes the sensor will fail but if you have other symptoms of a bad catalytic converter it may not be the sensor.  In either case, a mechanic will have to diagnose the problem further.

Low Engine Power

Low engine power at idle or stalling when the engine is cold is a good indication of a needed catalytic converter repair.  When you start your car when it is cold, the choke kicks in for higher engine RPMs to warm the engine.  Normally this is around 1000 RPM with the choke on and 750 RPM when it is off.  If tachometer drops lower to that or the engine stalls when backing out of your driveway, it is a good indication that your exhaust system is clogged.

Decreased Acceleration

A common sign after your car warms up is decreased acceleration.  This is noticeable when stepping on the accelerator to pass a car, getting up to speed onto the freeway or trying to maintain a consistent speed when going uphill.

Overheating

If there is any restriction to the exhaust, your car may overheat.  Your temperature gauge could indicate that your car is running hotter than normal as the gauge approaches the upper temperature range.  You should know that approximate temperature range your car operates during the year and any abnormal readings should be checked out regardless.

Bad Exhaust Odor

A common symptom with a bad catalytic converter is the rotten egg smell.  In this case, the converter is not removing enough sulfur from your exhaust.

Poor Gas Mileage

Your car will exhibit poor gas mileage if your exhaust system is failing.  Gas mileage declines with the age of your car, but a sudden drop may indicate that your catalytic converter is becoming clogged.  Simply record the distance you drive between filling up your tank to the full level and divide that by the number of gallons you purchased.  This number will give you the MPG for your last trip.  Your car may drop about 10 percent in gas mileage efficiency over time, but if it drops down to about 20 percent, have your mechanic check out your car.

How to Get Cheap Car Insurance

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Every state requires that you carry and maintain insurance on your car if you drive it. Depending on the insurance riders, your insurance can vary by several hundred dollars per year.  Also, you can expect that certain insurance companies will cost more, but if you shop around, you should be able to locate the cheapest car insurance quote.

The first place you should look for car insurance is with a company that you already have a relationship with.  They often give you discounted rates if you already have an existing home owner’s policy.  Often this is the best place since sometimes you want to carry an umbrella policy to protect your home and other assets if you are found liable in automobile accident.  However, you must carry 100/300 coverage which may put you out of the cheap insurance category.

States have a minimum coverage that you must carry so that it will cover a loss that is typically for the area in which you drive. This coverage is usually 15/30 and you should get the minimum for the cheapest rate possible.  You can increase this over time as your assets grow or have a newer or more expensive car you want to insure.

The second way to get reduced insurance rates is to lower the number of miles you annually drive your car.  If you drive your car under 7,500 miles per year, tell your insurance agent so he can give you a lower quote.  Otherwise, you’re going to pay the national average quote of 15,000 miles driven or more per year.

Keeping a clean driving record is always a sure bet in lowering your insurance cost.  Moving violations or accidents on your record will increase the rate you pay.  Fortunately, you can have tickets removed from your record if you attend traffic school; however, accidents stay on your record for 3 to 5 years depending on the company.  Try to avoid both for the best possible quote.

The third way to lower your rate is to shop around.  This is very simple process and you should not take you more than an hour to get four or five quotes.  You may not be able to get a policy discount like those offered from the company insuring your home, but you should be able to save substantial fees by choosing the lowest price.

Sometimes the lowest price is not the best.  When I first started driving, I was insured with a company that had great rates. When it came time file a claim, they gave me the run-around and I was out of my car for three weeks wait for a claims adjuster.   Before you sign up, check if the company has any issues with filing claims.  After all, this is why we carry insurance even if we’re trying to find the best price that will not break our budget.

Tesla Motors Stock Drops

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The price Tesla Motors Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) stock dropped nearly 15% when the lock up period expired.  This allowed a wave of investors to sell shares that were not open until 180 days after the initial public offering back in June.

Of the 93 million outstanding shares, 75 million or 80% of the shares can be freely bought and sold on the open market.

Tesla Motors is still on schedule for 2021 deliveries of the Model S.  The Model S, is a large sedan that can accommodate seating for five adults and two children. The Model S does not have the acceleration of the Roadster, but it is still impressive at 5.6 seconds for 0 to 60 MPH.

The car has three different range packages which will allow you to go 160, 230 or 300 miles on a single charge.  Recharging the battery takes about 45 minutes.

There is a second cargo area under the hood giving the Tesla more cargo space than typical sedans.

Photo: Tesla Motors Inc.

Custom Fit Luggage Makes the Best Roadster Weekend Bags

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The irregular shapes of roadster trunks makes it difficult to fit anything inside it other than a weekend bag. But if you had the chance to take larger bags on a trip, you probably would opt for custom fit luggage that would maximize the trunk’s cargo space.

After Jerome Jao of Roadtrip Luggage completed a 3000 mile road trip in his two-seat roadster, he decided that there had to be a better way to use the smaller irregular space found in roadsters. He was inspired in 2006 to provide a solution for roadster enthusiasts.

“We recognized that the enthusiasm for our luggage came not only from the roadster enthusiast community, but from a wider audience looking for convenient travel solutions for their roadsters, convertibles and small automobiles. Despite our growth, we’ve remained singularly committed to the personal satisfaction of each customer.” says Jao.

Unlike weekend bag, fitted travel bags provide more capacity you extend your overnight trip to several days while enjoying your roadster to get to your destination.

“Whether it’s about optimizing a small trunk space, developing a bag that fits inside the spare tire, or follows the contour of your car’s trunk – Roadtrip Luggage continues to develop and research new exciting luggage solutions that let you drive with your top folded down,” Jao continues.

Roadtrip Luggage designs and manufactures luggage in the USA for the BMW Z3, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Pontiac Solstice, Porsche Boxster and Cayman, Saturn Sky and Toyota MR2 Spider.

Where to find used ATV salt spreaders for sale

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Before buying a used ATV salt spreader, you may want to consider purchasing a new one. But the real trick in locating a spreader especially during the winter months is to think of how you would use it in the other seasons. That is, you should be looking at seed and fertilizer spreaders that do double duty as used salt spreaders. These are often less expensive or about the same price as a ATV salt spreader.

Before purchasing a spreader, make sure they have the basics to:

  • spread free flowing materials such as seed, feed, fertilizer, or salt
  • have a rust-proof, poly hopper
  • have a manual feed gate regulator
  • heavy-duty, sealed 12V motor to disperse the material
  • include a cover to to keep rain and snow from entering the hopper
  • plus have a large capacity to hold 100 lbs

Many companies sell these products on eBay for a reasonable price that will run you around $200. It would be hard to locate and buy a used ATV salt spreader for under that price.

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How safe is your child’s booster seat?

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Once your child out grows their forward facing car seats, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that they should ride in booster seats.  The booster seat raises the child to a height so that the belt fits properly across the chest. Normally, by the time the reaches age 8, they are tall enough to ride without the aid of a seat.

However, there is some question regarding the safety of they booster seat especially in lateral or side-to-side motion that may occur when avoiding an accident.  Even at low speeds of 20 MPH, the seat may rock back and forth causing the seat belt to become loose.

Earlier this year Lap Belt Cinch (LBC) announced a major nationwide safety campaign “Snug Up America”, aimed at promoting greater child passenger safety and awareness. LBC is the developer and patent holder of CG-Lock technology which connects to the car’s seat belt to provide a snug fit during side-to-side motion.

Originally developed as an aftermarket product for the performance driving market, CG-Lock made its worldwide debut by securing international stunt drivers during the filming of such movies as National Treasure starring Nicholas Cage, James Bond’s Quantum of Solace starring Daniel Craig and as the “secret safety device” used by the STIG in the popular #1 BBC show Top Gear. The CG-Lock improves overall seatbelt performance to enhance driver control and to enhance the safety and comfort of the user.

This technology was adapted to the child safety market as a new stability device SeatSnug. ”We are really excited with the application of the CG-Lock technology in our child product, SeatSnug”, says Chuck Carter, LBC CEO, “by advancing this technology our young ones will be safer and more lives will be saved.”

Windshield Treatment increases your visibility during stormy weather

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With record low temperatures, bad weather and storms around us, your safety may rely on having an adequate windshield treatment to increase your driving visibility during ever changing weather. Treatments add protective layer that repels water and makes cleaning off snow and dirt a breeze.

According to Nanofilm — makers of the Clarity Defender Windshield Treatment — independent tests show water-repellent coatings increase driver visibility 34% on a rainy night. The increased visibility can reduce the drivers response time by a full second. At 60 mph, this translates to an 88-foot margin of safety.

Clarity Defender also form a non-stick shield against bugs and bird droppings. Most soils easily release with just wipers and washer fluid.

Nanofilm is currently offering Clarity Defender as a buy-one-get-one free offer. “The weather is changing and we want to promote driving safety,” says Jodi Groh, Nanofilm’s Director of Marketing.
Defender is advanced nanotechnology, forming a barrier molecule-by-molecule that chemically bonds to glass. That’s why it lasts up to a year, outperforming the leading rain-repellent product that’s just wiped onto the surface. And Defender stands up better to sunlight, salt, moisture and cleaning.

Each Defender applicator covers approximately 45 square feet of glass. The wipe-on, wipe-off application is done in minutes and cures immediately. There’s no mess, no special tools required and no buffing. Defender creates a clear coating with no haze, streaks and smears.

Greener Cars May Start with the Interior

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Hybrid cars offer a greener choice by reducing the dependence on oil and hydrocarbon pollution. However, there is great public debate if going to a 100% electric car fleet actually creates a greener environment since the burden of supplying the energy is now shifted towards polluting power plants.

While it may take decades for clean energy producing power stations to come online to sustain such an automobile fleet, we need to face the fact that the internal combustion engine will be with us for at least another 50 years.

Regardless of the car’s power train, the manufacture process is highly dependent on the use of oil for interior plastic components. Automobile makers such as Toyota are actively perusing ‘ecological plastics’ that are carbon neutral since the source of the oil is from renewable plant materials.

Toyota’s has been engaged in biological based petroleum plastics, or Bio-PET, since 2000 and has produced an ecological plastic that is heat and shrink resistant with high durability compared to convention bio-plastics. Bio-Pet is made by replacing the monoethylene glycol with a biological raw material from cane sugar.

Starting with 2011 the Lexus CT 200h, Toyota will manufacture the luggage compartment liner using Bio-PET. Toyota plans to increase the number of vehicle series featuring this new material. One new model will derive 80% of the interior plastics from Bio-PET.

As Toyota and other automobile manufacturers move towards the use of bio-plastics, both the environment and company’s bottom line should be improved. Bio-plastics are not as dependent on wild oil price fluctuations making the manufacturing cost of the interior components more predictable. Yet the source of bio-engineered materials is plants and is subject to crops shortages and agricultural conditions.

But the future looks bright green as car makers produce more efficient hybrid and electric vehicles while using biological materials inside the car’s interior.