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Carpooling - It's been done for ages, most notably with the "Soccer Mom" set. But mothers and soccer players aren't the only ones carpooling these days. With gas prices near record highs and traffic congestion making commutes longer, driving alone now costs more than ever, the answer may be carpooling.

Carpooling is two or more people sharing a ride, often taking turns driving their own vehicles, according to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

Carpooling not only helps reduce the stress of fighting traffic every day, but can save thousands of dollars a year on wear and tear, car maintenance and gasoline. Carpoolers not only bypass the gas pump, they can also cruise past traffic in time-saving carpool lanes where commuters save 36 minutes a day on average (according to the MTA). Read more

By Jeff Zbar 
www.homeofficehighway.com

Which road tracking and map tech to use was always a toss up in our car.

We’d traveled for years with traditional GPS devices, that British lass barking out orders and seemingly venting frustration whenever we’d ignore her suggested turns. She was good and reliable. As the kids always warned, “Trust the technology.”

Then along came the Verizon Wireless and its VZ Navigator Version 4 application. Our “traditional” retail GPS would just tell us, “Make left in 2 miles.” No street name audibly announced (though it’s there in print on the screen). I have to admit, though, the British voice was something last summer when we took an impromptu detour onto the Blue Ridge Parkway — and she couldn’t convince us to “Make the next available turn…” Frustrated, she was. Read more

Millions of Americans will hit the roads during the warm weather months. Whether they're in the car on business or vacation, many drivers will likely share two major concerns: how they can reduce the impact their motoring has on the environment and on their wallets.

"Gas consumption - and prices - historically rise with the temperature as more people drive for work or pleasure during the warmer months," says Sue Pinera, environmental programs director of the Hertz Corp., leaders in the rental car industry."But you can definitely drive green and save yourself some money without having to trade in your reliable, reasonably priced family vehicle for a new one that features the latest eco-friendly technology." Read more

Chrysler enters the Hybrid vehicle business in a big way – announcing their first 4x4 SUV Hybrid vehicles, the 2009 Chrysler Aspen HEMI Hybrid and the 2009 Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid – priced nearly $8,000 below the competition.

The MSRP for the new 2009 Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid is $45,340 (including $800 destination fees). The MSRP for the new 2009 Chrysler Aspen HEMI Hybrid is $45,570 (including $800 destination fees). Also, customers are expected to receive an estimated tax credit of $1,800.

Both vehicles use Chrysler's fuel-saving MDS technology which allows the engine to alternate between four-cylinder mode when less power is needed and V-8 mode when more power is in demand. Because of this, both new vehicles offer fuel economy up to 20 miles per gallon - that’s an improvement of 40% in the city and 25% overall. Read more

High gas prices have many motorists putting the brakes on long-distance summer travel. However, smart maintenance and good driving habits can help boost your vehicle's fuel efficiency and ease the pain of a trip to the gas station.

"Drivers can save money at the pump and get the most out of their gasoline by performing a few simple maintenance checks on their vehicles," says Bruce Bonebrake, a master mechanic and host of "Weekend Mechanic," on the DIY Network "Simple actions like replacing dirty filters or worn spark plugs can lead to significant gas savings."

In fact, maintaining the quality of a few important vehicle components can help drivers improve their auto's gas mileage as much as 40 percent, according to FuelEconomy.gov, an automotive information Web site from the U.S. Department of Energy. That means an average savings of about $794 per year. Read more

By Jeff Zbar 
www.chiefhomeofficer.com

Headsets have long been important – and sometimes legally must-have – accessories for wireless phones. They free users’ hands for note-taking or driving (helping avoid costly traffic tickets in those markets where hands-free cellular phone use is the law). Yet sound quality, especially when driving, was lacking. Enter new Bluetooth products designed to enhance the speaker’s voice and eliminate background sounds, like wind, lawn equipment and crowd noise. Products like Jawbone and Plantronics Discovery, among others, use digital signal processing to adjust voice levels and improve sound at both ends of the call. Read more

Summertime is drive-time across the USA. Millions of vacation-happy Americans hit the road during summer, logging more driving miles on the pavement than any other time of year.

But with gas prices climbing toward $4 a gallon (or more!), folks are concerned about the costs of driving. Can families still afford to pile the kids into the car and ride to summer's favorite hot spots? Will a kids' chorus of "are we going?" replace the standard endless chants of "are we there yet?"

Savvy drivers say "no!" They're constantly seeking ways to increase fuel economy and to squeeze out more miles per tank. Instead of focusing purely on the fuel gauge, though, experts suggest paying more attention to tires, those black, rubbery objects that connect vehicles to the road. Yes, the right rubber on the road can save gas in the tank. Read more

With fuel prices getting higher and higher, reports of gasoline theft are on the rise. With a bit of tubing, a little suction and a few uninterrupted minutes, a thief can literally drain you dry. A locking gas cap is a great way to protect your vehicle from gas theft.

AutoSport offers Stant gas caps designed to keep fuel where it belongs—in the tank. Whether your car has an unlocked filler door or one that releases from the inside, these caps offer a powerful deterrent to would-be thieves. Anyone who frequently parks on the street, in a garage or in a large parking lot will appreciate the added security. And with their huge selection, ordering from AutoSport is the easiest (and most fuel-efficient!) way to buy the locking gas cap that fits your vehicle. www.autosportcatalog.com Read more

Do you often sit in rush hour traffic, engine idling, going nowhere fast? Is your commute taking longer than it used to because of all the other cars on the road? America's urban commuters now waste an entire workweek each year -- some 38 hours -- stuck in traffic, according to a traffic study released late last year by Texas A&M University's Texas Traffic Institute.

Not only is that wasted time you could have spent doing something constructive, it's a major problem for the health of our planet. Idling car engines are a significant contributor to the greenhouse emissions leading to global warming which has become, in the last 15 years or so, a major issue of international proportions. But there are steps commuters can -- and should take -- to reduce their impact on the environment. Read more

With a soft economy and an uncertain stock market, more and more people are keeping an eye on spending and they are interested in getting more for their money. Kyle Busch has over a quarter-century of experience saving money on transportation. He answers ten commonly asked questions about purchasing vehicles and saving money.

1. Why does it make sense to consider buying used vehicles?
Transportation is a depreciating asset that loses value, especially during the first three years of ownership. Buying a 2- to 3- year-old used vehicle will provide about a one-third reduction in the cost. Additionally, the initial owner will have "test driven" the vehicle for the second owner.

2. What is a common error than many people make when buying transportation?
A common error when buying transportation involves buyers not thoroughly identifying their transportation needs and then purchasing a vehicle that does not entirely meet those needs. For example, a buyer might choose a mid-size family sedan that satisfies many of his or her needs. However, six months after the purchase, the buyer realizes that another vehicle in the same category provides a softer ride, better fuel economy, etc. and would have better satisfied his or her driving needs. Read more