Edmunds

A growing number of iPhone apps are helping drivers keep better track of service and maintenance records for their cars, according to Edmunds.com.

"These new smartphone apps are offering a convenient alternative to the clutter of oil-stained paperwork that drivers packed into their gloveboxes for so many years," says Doug Newcomb, senior technology editor at Edmunds.com. "Not only do the apps keep users on top of their maintenance schedules, but they also keep tabs on operating costs, which helps car owners manage their automotive budgets more effectively."

Edmunds.com tested and recommended four of these inexpensive apps, which range in price from 99 cents to $2.99:

Car Minder Plus ($2.99) – This app stands out by featuring all the essentials, including logging repairs, tracking fuel economy and keeping the maintenance records of multiple vehicles.

Car Care ($2.99) – The most impressive aspect of this app is "Vehicle Stats," which gives comprehensive data including average and total fuel costs, fuel economy, service costs per mile and even the user’s carbon footprint

Car Maintenance]($1.99) – The app consists of bare-bones iPhone list menus, so there's essentially no learning curve. Enter the vehicle info: make, model, year, license, VIN and mileage and you're on your way. Read more

As gas prices threaten to tick past $4 per gallon, Edmunds.com debunks popular gas price myths and offers some reasonable steps every driver can take to ease the pain at the pump in a new report.

Gas price myths:

• Rising gas prices are forcing families into bankruptcy. Edmunds.com looked at a hypothetical household earning $50,000 a year with two cars: an around-town hauler (larger SUV) and a commuter car for getting to and from work (a smaller more fuel-efficient vehicle). At $3.00 per gallon, annual fuel costs for this household comes to about 7 percent of the total household income, or about $3,500. At $4.00 a gallon, that proportion moves up only slightly to 9 percent of the household income, or about $4,500. "In short," says Reed, "if this family were to go bankrupt, steep gas prices would not be the main reason."

• Trading in an SUV for a hybrid will save a lot of money. This is a knee-jerk reaction that often proves to be a financial misstep. Say that your SUV has a $10,000 trade-in value while your new hybrid costs $25,000. It could take over 8 years to make up the $15,000 balance in gas savings. Of course, every situation is unique, so Edmunds.com offers a Gas-Guzzler Trade-In calculator at www.edmunds.com/calculators/gas-guzzler.html to help you better understand whether trading in for a more fuel-efficient new car makes sense. Read more

Ten years ago, most people had never heard of many of the technologies that are mainstream today.

"In the '90s, satellite radio and iPods weren't around. Only hardcore computer geeks were tweaking cars to add MP3 capability, and navigation systems were still only available as expensive in-dash systems," remembered Edmunds.com Senior Technology Editor Doug Newcomb. "Bluetooth hands-free phones were still years away and Bose was the best known of only a handful of premium car audio offerings." Read more