Cars BestAdvice

It only takes a single car to substantially impact the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average car emits as much as 575 pounds of carbon monoxide into the air each year. Until automakers develop a more environmentally friendly automobile, it's up to each driver to help reduce their car's footprint on the planet.

Here are five easy ways to drive green without buying a new car or drastically changing your driving habits:

1. Simply follow the maintenance recommendations in your owner's manual. An out-of-tune engine can increase emissions and fuel consumption by as much as 15 percent. Always follow your car manufacturer's suggested tune-up schedule to ensure your vehicle is performing at its best. 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

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 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

With gas prices higher than ever, everyone is looking for a way to squeeze the most miles out of every fill-up. For every common-sense solution you hear, there seems to be two wonder products that claim to produce miraculous mileage figures. We’d love to find a 100-mpg wonder-widget, too. But we haven’t seen anything yet, so while we can’t help your seven-passenger SUV achieve econobox-like mileage numbers, we can offer a few tips to help you squeeze more miles out of every expensive gallon. Give them a try and we bet you'll see a difference. As it turns out, the most amazing fuel economy enhancer ever made is probably holding the steering wheel during your morning commute! Read more

Winter has arrived and that means so has winter driving -- engine failure, multi-car pileups, and worse. During this season, drivers need to be extra vigilant with their safety in order to avoid accidents and getting stranded out in the cold.

“ The key to safe automobile travel in the winter months boils down to managing your risks,” says Frank Meyer, a trained wilderness EMT and co-founder of Adventure Medical Kits. Start by lowering all your own risks, says Meyer, and following some simple winter driving tips and you’ll dramatically increase your level of road safety:

1) Car Maintenance. Before you head out the door make sure your car is in good working order. This means a full tank of gas, fully charged battery with no leaks, antifreeze in the cooling system, engine tuned up, tire chains in the trunk in case of snowy weather, windshield wiper fluid filled and unfrozen and no mechanical problems you are aware of. All lights working properly? Check your tires for good tread and proper pressure. Read more

With gas prices high and still on the rise, everyone is looking for ways to save gasoline and to save money. Here, find 11 tips.

1. Drive smart: Aggressive driving (meaning quick acceleration, hard braking and speeding) wastes gas. In fact, it can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds, and by five percent on the city streets.

2. Choose wisely: Don't assume that neighboring gas stations will have the same prices -- check around. Also note that gas stations near freeways and popularly-traveled roads, as well as those in high-income areas, will charge more.

It’s not news that gasoline prices are higher than ever, and even worse news that some experts predict even higher prices this summer. There are, however, several simple things you can do to squeeze that lemon of yours into giving you better mileage, and lessening your pain at the pump.

When was the last time you had a tune-up? A badly tuned car can waste up to 15 percent of the gas it burns. For the average driver, that can add up to 35 gallons a year – a big chunk of the tune-up cost. Get a tune-up every 10,000 miles, or twice a year, and make sure it includes cleaning dirty spark plugs and replacing worn ones, changing the oil filter and checking the timing. Read more

You’ve just returned from the dealership where the salesman said he’d be willing to take $250 above invoice on the new Toyota Camry SE you are interested in. You are scratching your head and wondering … is this a good deal? Looking at the vehicle’s manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) or invoice price used to be the best way to figure out what you should pay for a new car, but that is no longer enough.

While most folks think of Kelley Blue Book for used car values, a free online service from the company, New Car Blue Book Value, enables car-buyers to know how much a specific make and model is actually selling for during that week. Read more

Changing antifreeze regularly is a vital part of preventative maintenance and keeps vehicles performing at optimal levels. To avoid engine problems, including freeze-ups and overheating, the experts at Prestone Products offer these easy steps to help make the annual antifreeze flush and fill a safe, uncomplicated do-it-yourself project.

1. Park your car in a safe area. Make sure pets are secured safely and no children are in the area. Be sure to check your owner's manual for any special cooling system service instructions. Begin with the engine cold and the ignition off. If you change coolant when the engine is hot, you risk burns from the hot coolant and engine.

2. Drain your radiator to remove loose rust and sediment. Open the radiator drain valve and drain the used antifreeze/coolant into a bucket large enough to catch the flow (typically, a two-gallon bucket is sufficient). Close the drain valve. Read more