Happy New Year!

Driver’s New Years Resolutions

Since it’s almost 2013, it’s time to decide what habits you want to make (or break) going into the new year! Make 2013 the year you resolve to stay safe when driving. Try following these 10 New Year’s safety resolutions from Consumer Reports:

1. Always buckle up. Seat belts save over 12,000 lives a year by protecting passengers from hitting hard vehicle surfaces or being ejected from the vehicle in a crash.
2. Not use my cell phone behind the wheel. In 2010, over 3,000 people died in crashes related to using a cell phone or texting while driving. Put the phone down or pull over to use it.
3. Never drink and drive or drive drowsy. Over 10,000 people die in drunk driving car crashes each year. If you plan on drinking, make sure you have a designated driver or hand over your keys.
4. Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists. Pedestrians make up 12 percent of all motor vehicle deaths each year and bicyclists about 2 percent. Drivers need to be especially diligent around crosswalks and remember to look both ways for bikes even on one-way streets.
5. Drive the speed limit. Speeding is a factor in about one-third of all fatal crashes.
6. Wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. Studies show that the use of motorcycle helmets is 42 percent effective at preventing deaths and 69 percent effective at preventing head injuries.
7. Model good behavior when driving children around. Children learn from their parents. Don’t show them bad habits.
8. Always use a proper car seat. Children under age 8 should be secured in a proper car seat and all children under 12 should be in the back seat.
9. Stop at red lights. Red light running killed 676 people and injured 113,000 in 2009 and most of those killed were occupants in other vehicles. Stop at red lights and slow down on yellow.
10. Maintain your vehicle and tires. Performing regular tire checks and routine maintenance will help to ensure your vehicle will stay in optimal condition.

Read the original article here: http://bit.ly/vnfxkR

How Do Turn Signals Work?

Your turn signal can not only notify other drivers of your intentions, it can help pedestrians know what you’re planning to do. If you fail to signal, you could put your car and its passengers in danger. Want to learn more about the interesting technology behind your signal? Read more:

In the American southeast, which up until recently was comprised mainly of small towns, it's said that drivers don't use their turn signals because everyone knows where you're going anyway. Turn signals may be the most underutilized device on a car. Yet signaling is one of the most important actions you can take as a driver, warning other drivers of your impending moves to minimize hazardous surprises. You might not see a car in your blind spot, but that car's driver might see your turn signal start to blink before you move into his lane. Failing to signal may be the cause of quite a few accidents, and is probably a big source of "road rage" as well.

Get the full article here: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/turn-signal.htm

5 Simple Ways to Drive Safe in the Snow

Going dashing through the snow this holiday season? Make sure you’re ready for anything winter has to throw at you by following these tips from the NHTSA:

Keep yourself and others safe by planning ahead before you venture out into bad weather.

• Check the weather, road conditions, and traffic; plan to leave early if necessary.
• Don't rush! Allow plenty of time to get to your destination safely.
• Familiarize yourself with directions and maps before you go, and let others know your route and anticipated arrival time.
• Keep your gas tank close to full. If you get stuck in a traffic jam or in snow, you might need more fuel to get home or keep warm. Note: To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning when stuck in snow, be sure to keep your vehicle's exhaust pipe clear of snow and ice, run your vehicle only in the open with the windows partially down, and run it only long enough to keep warm.
• If road conditions are hazardous, avoid driving if possible. Wait until road and weather conditions improve before venturing out in your vehicle.

Carry items in your vehicle to handle common winter driving tasks such as cleaning off your
windshield as well as any supplies you might need in an emergency. Keep the following on hand:

• Snow shovel, broom, and ice scraper.
• Abrasive material, such as sand or kitty litter, in case your vehicle gets stuck in the snow.
• Jumper cables, flashlight and warning devices, such as flares and markers.
• Blankets for protection from the cold.
• A cell phone, water, food, and any necessary medicine (for longer trips or when driving
• in lightly populated areas).

Read the full article and get more tips from the NHTSA here: http://1.usa.gov/XLk5La

Top 5 Signs of Engine Trouble

5. Warning Lights: If your car is working properly, these are what Audra Fordin of "What Women Auto Know" calls "hello, good morning" lights. You fire up theengine and the dashboard lights up like carnival. This is the car's computer checking everything out. One by one, each of the lights turns off and you're ready to drive.

If they don't turn off, though, that's bad. Either very bad or slightly bad, depending on which light remains lit. These lights are connected to sensors that monitor everything your car does. If something seems out of whack, the computer will use these lights to tell you what it is. It can't use its words; it's not KITT, you know.

The lights you'll probably want to pay the most attention to are:

• Check Oil/Oil Level Low
• Oil Pressure Low
• Check Engine

The "Check Engine" lamp is perhaps the most troubling of lights because it could mean so many different things, from "you didn't screw the gas cap on tightly enough" to "look out for pistons flying through the hood and into the stratosphere." The easiest way to find out what this light is telling you is to hook your vehicle up to a scan tool. This diagnostic tool looks a little like an oversized calculator and plugs into a communication port inside the car. After you instruct it to perform the scan, it "speaks" with your car's computers to find out exactly what's prompting the light to turn on.

You can purchase your own tool from an auto parts store for less than $100, but then what? You're probably not going to put on your coveralls and crawl under the hood yourself. Instead, visit a service station, where a technician will use the scan tool to identify the trouble.

4. Doing the Jerk: Driving should be free of jerking, surging, or stalling. It should be smooth and easy, more like ballet than Beyonce. What's cool in the club is not cool in an engine.

But if your car is popping and locking, that's a pretty strong sign of engine trouble. It could be due to fouledspark plugs, clogged fuel lines or fuel filter, the main computer reading the driving situation wrong, or many, many other issues.

The last thing you want is for your vehicle to take its own sweet time accelerating, or to give out entirely, as you're merging onto a busy highway with other vehicles barreling down behind you. Likewise, high revving at idle or acceleration that's out of your control are situations you should have a qualified technician investigate and repair as soon as possible.

Preventive maintenance, including regular oil changes and belt replacements at recommended intervals help to keep you out of the danger zone.

3. Rude noises: A tapping or popping that sounds like Barney doing deep knee bends (which never happens), for instance, could indicate detonation taking place within the engine's cylinders. This happens when gasoline ignites prematurely in the combustion chamber of the cylinders and can potentially result in expensive piston damage.

If you hear a grinding noise when you attempt to start your car, your starter motor might need to be adjusted or replaced. If you hear grinding when shifting between gears, it could be transmission replacement time! It's not as fun as it sounds. And if you're driving a manual transmission, do not listen to Uncle Barney when he says, "Grind it 'til you find it."

In most cases, a little bit of noise from either your car or Uncle Barney -- like a mild ticking or clicking -- might be normal. Cars with roller rockers in their valve trains, for instance, emit some ticking noise; and fuel-injected vehicles also produce slightly audible clicks from the injectors [source: 2CarPros.com].

If in doubt, listen intently, try to track down the general area of the noise as best you can and then attempt to explain it in as much detail as you can to a qualified service professional.

2. Foul Smells: Cars rarely smell delightful. They're burning gasoline or diesel fuel, there's hot metal under the hood, and your brother ate a burrito just before he got in the passenger seat. There's not much you can do about your brother besides open all the windows and monitor his lunch intake, but any other automotive smells that make it into the passenger compartment spell trouble.

The scent may signal oil or coolant leaking from their normally closed-loop systems, or it may indicate dangerous exhaust gases invading your car's interior. Car and truck exhaust contains toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, so if the inside of your car smells as if you were standing behind your car, get out and get it fixed. Fight the urge to take a little nap first. So sleepy. That's the carbon monoxide talking, friends. At least open a window on your way to the shop.

The smell of burning rubber could mean you just did an awesome smoky burnout, or it could be telling you that drive belts or accessory belts beneath the hood are damaged, loose, or worn out. It could also mean that a rubber hose carrying important fluids is touching something that it shouldn't -- something that's too hot and is melting the rubber.

In any case, it's a good idea to act sooner rather than later, as these nasty smells could be linked to a much more crucial and expensive component.

1. Smoke Signals: Smoke can come from the front or back of the car, and it's not good in either case. But the tailpipe will send-up colored smoke in attempt to tell you what the problem is. Here is your secret decoder ring:

Blue smoke: Oil is escaping from its intended passageways within the engineand is being burned along with fuel. Of course, you could always keep adding engine oil to the crankcase to prevent it from being all burned up (and risking serious engine damage), but the smart thing to do would be to take the car in to have any worn or damaged seals repaired [source:Torbjornsen].

White smoke: Water condensation or antifreeze has mixed with the fuel supply. Again, adding coolant or antifreeze to your car's cooling system will keep your car from overheating for as long as you remember to keep feeding the reservoir, but the wise move is to have it checked out as soon as possible.

If the smoke is coming from under your hood, that probably means you ignored white smoke coming out of the tailpipe, and now your engine is overheating. Or maybe you completely forgot to add coolant at all, and the engine overheated.

Article courtesy of: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/diagnosing-car-problems/mechanical/5-signs-engine-trouble.htm#page=5

Do you have to change the oil every 3,000 miles?

Like the five-day work week and glasses in about an hour, the 3,000-mile oil change is part of the American consciousness. Whether you follow the guideline or not, the number remains the same, decade after decade and car after car. It's been around so long, most of us don't even question its veracity.

But where does the recommendation come from, and is it legitimate?

If you check your car's user manual, you'll probably find you've been changing your oil more often than you need to, at least according to the people who designed your car. Most carmakers abandoned the 3,000-mile (4,828-kilometer) interval long ago, opting instead to advise their customers to go 5,000 or 7,500 miles (8,046 or 12,070 kilometers) between oil changes [source: MEMA]. Some people even go 10,000 miles (16,093 kilometers) or more without any guilt -- or damage to the engine.

The 3,000-mile guideline dates back to a time when motor oil wasn't quite as advanced as it is now. It used to be that if oil were left in the crankcase too long, it would start to degrade, causing a buildup of sludge [source: Torbjornsen]. But over the years, as tailpipe-emissions regulations have changed, so have engines and the oils that keep them running smoothly. Today's motor oils don't break down as quickly. Under ideal driving conditions, some synthetic oils can go about 25,000 miles (40,233 kilometers) [source: CIWMB].

Of course, driving conditions are seldom ideal. Lots of idling, stop-and-go traffic, extremely hot or cold weather, humidity and towing can all decrease the lifespan of engine oil. Plus, every car is a little different. The interval that is perfectly fine for one car could be way too long for another. So in reality, very few drivers will go 25,000 miles without an oil change, even if they spring for high-grade synthetic oil. And most of them shouldn't, although some can go 10,000 without a problem [source: CIWMB].

And yet most people still aim for 3,000-mile changes, perhaps because they don't know it's excessive, or perhaps because they adhere to an extreme better-safe-than-sorry principle. The result is millions of extra dollars wasted on oil changes and millions of extra gallons of oil potentially polluting the environment.

The best advice, then? Ignore the oil industry and go by your car's user manual, which will probably advise an interval of 5,000 miles or more. You'll save some money -- and possibly keep the world a little greener in the process.

Article courtesy of: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/vehicle-maintenance/change-oil-3000-miles.htm

Safe driving tips for Thanksgiving travel

Planning to hit the road for the Thanksgiving holiday to visit with family and friend? You won’t be alone. The AAA forecasts 42.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, marking a 4-percent increase over last year. Before you embark, consider these tips to help prepare you and your car for whatever challenges might be faced on the road.

1. Fuel up. Don’t head out on a long trip without a full tank of gas. In addition to topping off the tank, also check fluids and tire pressures before you leave.

2. Be prepared. Bring supplies in the event of an accident or medical issue. Stock your car with an emergency kit—especially a flashlight, blanket, first-aid kit, and some basic tools. Also, bring water and extra snacks, just in case.

3. Pack smart. Check your vehicle’s load capacity to make sure you aren’t putting too much weight in the car. On most new cars, the total weight you can carry is printed on a placard (sticker) inside the driver’s door jamb. This load rating includes all the passengers and cargo. Also, make sure your gear is packed properly and will not be a hazard if you stop short.

4. Track it. A portable GPS navigation system will help you get where you’re going, making it easy to find gas stations or restaurants along the way. Traffic-enabled devices can warn of roadway congestion, and all units can assist in finding an alternate route. Also, a navigator can help direct emergency services to your location, should something happen. (See "Video: Don't let a GPS navigator steer you wrong.")

5. Kid prep. If you’re driving with kids, make sure you pack enough snacks, water, games, videos/DVDs, and music to keep them occupied during your journey. (See our "10 tips for a stress-free road trip with kids" for more advice.)

6. Traveling with pets. Be sure to secure your pets, either with harnesses and seat belts or by placing them in a crate. Animals can be a dangerous distraction when driving and physical threat in an accident, should they travel about the cabin or escape onto a busy motorway. Bring water, food, toys, leash, and clean-up supplies—you never know.

7. Be patient. During busy travel times, expect to hit traffic. It may make sense to drive late at night or early in the morning to avoid the rush and ensure you get to your destination on time and with minimal stress. A GPS device with traffic information and an exit guide can help you navigate around congestion and help find desired pit stop locations.

8. Don’t be distracted. Cell phones and driving don’t mix, so if you need to send a message or make a call, hand your phone to a passenger or pull over. It’s not worth risking your life or others on the road.

9. Buckle up. Always use your seat belt, make sure children are properly secured in a car seat and are seated in the rear seats if they are under 13.

10. Watch for weather. If you’re driving in wintry weather, make sure you clear off the snow and ice for better visibility, allow for longer braking distances, and reduce your speed. (Check out our winter driving guide if you are headed to a snowy location.)

11. Keep control. There could be a variety of scenarios on the road, but if you stay calm and be prepared you can get through any challenge. Check out our story “Surviving the worst-case scenarios” for more on driving in fog, snow, or if you car has brake failure, overheats, or your tire blows out.

And finally, be safe and patient. Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Article courtesy of: http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2011/11/safe-driving-tips-for-thanksgiving-2011-travel.html

Avoid “Turkey” of a Weekend with Pre-Trip Vehicle Check

One way to avoid a turkey of a Thanksgiving road trip is to make sure the vehicle you will be driving is running well. A 10-minute pre-trip check is small potatoes compared to a big helping of inconvenience if you break down many miles away from home, according to the Car Care Council.

“A pre-trip vehicle check provides peace of mind, helping reduce the chance of costly car trouble and providing an opportunity to have any repairs performed by one’s own trusted technician before hitting the road,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “While no inspection can guarantee a car’s performance, it’s comforting to know proper precautions were taken to ensure a stress-free Thanksgiving road trip.”

The Car Care Council suggests the following 10-minute vehicle check to help ensure safety and reliability on the road:

• Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.
• Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering and brake and transmission, as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.
• Check the hoses and belts that can become cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or show signs of excessive wear. These are critical to the proper functioning of the electrical system, air conditioning, power steering and the cooling system.
• Check lighting to identify any problems with exterior and interior lighting as the chance of an accident increases if you can’t see or be seen.
• Check wipers. Wiper blades should be replaced every six months. Make sure the windshield wipers are working properly and keep the reservoir filled with solvent.

The Car Care Council also recommends that motorists restock their emergency kit. To save on fuel costs during the trip, the council suggests that motorists avoid aggressive driving, observe the speed limit and avoid excessive idling. Gas caps that are damaged, loose or missing should be replaced to prevent gas from spilling or evaporating.

Courtesy of: http://www.carcare.org/2012/11/avoid-turkey-of-a-weekend-with-pre-trip-vehicle-check/

Tire Care Tips

Tires are essential to keeping you on the road in more ways than you might think... Worn tread can cause hydroplaning and can force you off the road. Wear down a tire enough and you'll begin to expose the inner side-walls making it harder to change, and low grip can lead to sliding on slightly wet roads or roads with even a little amount of rocks and sand.

Inspect your tires for any tread issues, and have the alignment checked by a technician especially before a long road trip.  Your wheels and trim also need attention – After driving on roads that have been treated throughout the winter, or if you find yourself driving on a slightly dust coated road, it’s a good idea to clean the tires with mild soap and water and dry them with a soft cloth.  Make sure you don’t use an abrasive cleaner on the chrome of your rims!

Tips for Driving in the rain:

How do we deal with hydroplaning and low view distance? AAA offers these tips of advice:

Go slowly. Slow down and increase following distances. Speed limits are set for ideal road conditions. When it rains, visibility is reduced and braking distances increase.

Light up. Use low-beam headlights to help others see your car and increase your visibility. Remember Maryland law requires headlights to be on when windshield wipers are in use.

Be careful of standing and running water. As little as six inches of water on a road can cause most drivers to lose control of their vehicle. Nearly half of all people who die in flash floods are in cars and have underestimated the power of flood waters or have not acted quickly enough to escape. Do not drive through moving water or flooded areas. If floodwaters arise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can safely do so. If not, do not open your car doors, stay within your vehicle and call 911.

Be a follower. Driving in the tracks of other vehicles can improve traction and help avoid hydroplaning.

Readmore: http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/weather/safety/safety-tips-for-driving-in-heavy-rain#ixzz28wNQwICo

10 Most Dangerous Distracted Driving Habits

10: Eating and Drinking

Compared to some of the other distracted driving habits on our list, this one might seem relatively tame. After all, it doesn't demand all that much cognitive horsepower to stuff your gullet while on the move.

But before you get too enamored of underway refueling, consider some of the things that could go wrong:

• You could spill scalding coffee on your lap
• That breakfast sausage muffin or deluxe burger could collapse in your hands, sending crumbs, sauce and patty pieces all over your work outfit
• Greasy hands or one-handed driving means less control of the steering wheel and shifter

In each of these cases, drivers face a potential domino effect where impaired attention plus an unexpected event lead to loss of control.

Solution: Eat before or after you get behind the wheel; to chow down during your drive places you and others at risk.

9: Applying Makeup or Grooming

We treat it almost as a joke: the harried office worker who slogs through morning rush hour while painting her face; the road warrior who uses drive time as shaving time.

There's even a conveniently placed "vanity mirror" in the fold-down visor right above the windscreen to facilitate this morning ritual. As usual, the blamed culprit is shortage of time. With our schedules more compressed than ever, the car or SUV might seem like the perfect place to take care of less mentally taxing tasks such as personal grooming.

But there's little arguing with the science on distracted driving. All but a small percentage (between 2 and 3 percent) of the population experience a noticeable decline in performance when they try to do two or more things at once [source: Watson and Strayer].

You may have gotten away with eyebrow plucking on the interstate up until now, but just remember that it's always a gamble.

8: Tending to Fido or Kitty

Clawing their way in at No. 8, as you may have guessed, are pets. Next to kids, or perhaps in lieu of kids, pets are the collective apples of our eye. Circumstances dictate that sometimes we want to, or have to, transport them. The reason could be a veterinarian visit, a move to a different home or maybe just a trip to the park or beach outside of walking distance.

In any case, the last thing you need is an animal roaming around inside your vehicle while you drive. For the same reasons you wouldn't want people shuffling around the cramped passenger compartment, pets should be secured. It's safer for them, you and others outside your vehicle.

Fortunately, there are carriers for cats and other small pets. For larger dogs, you can try vehicle partitions or even doggy harnesses that strap your canine securely into a seat. That way he can enjoy the wind in his face without getting fur and slobber in yours.

The proper securing device, coupled with your reassuring words and caresses, should make riding in the car a tolerable and perhaps downright enjoyable experience for your pet. And unlike our next subject, pets don't require expensive video games or other electronics to remain settled.

7: Keeping an Eye on the Kids

The little bundles of joy can be anything but if they don't have distractions of their own to while away time in the car. Whether it's two or more young ones squabbling or a lone infant protesting to be released from a restrictive child safety seat, you do not want to divert your attention from the road to indulge them.

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, passengers are ranked by drivers as among the most frequent causes of distraction. Young children are four times as distracting as adults, while infants can be a whopping eight times more distracting, the AAA Foundation reports. Think carefully, though, about stealing a few seconds' glance to investigate while at cruising speed.

It takes only a fraction of a second for a road-borne hazard to enter your vehicle's collision zone and precipitate a disaster.

For the sake of everyone involved, if the little ones' screaming is about to force you to turn around and go back there -- pull over first.

6: Driving While Drowsy

It was a late night. Maybe you figured, "I didn't drink any alcohol, I'll be fine." But not long after getting behind the wheel, it felt as if your eyelids were anchored with five-pound weights. No matter how loudly you blasted the stereo or how many windows you rolled down, Mr. Sandman relentlessly seduced you to join him.

If that's ever happened to you and you're still here to read this, you're lucky. You're also not alone. Nearly 41 percent of drivers say they've fallen asleep behind the wheel at some point or another, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The NHTSA estimates drowsy driving in the United States causes 100,000 crashes a year, resulting in 40,000 injuries and 1,550 deaths [source: NHTSA].

Of course, it's not always convenient or safe to pull over and catch a few winks. Perhaps you don't think you need or can afford a night at a hotel or motel. But considering the alternative -- death -- it seems reasonable to consider it a non-discretionary purchase.

We go from mental shutdown to sensory overload with our next distraction. Continue to the next page to see why some people can't seem to keep their eyes on the road.

5: Fiddling with Entertainment and Onboard Electronics

Just because manufacturers and aftermarket companies make high-tech gadgets you can play with while driving doesn't mean you should.

Wisely, in-car DVD players are set by the factory to only play in view of the driver when the vehicle is parked. While that setting doesn't stop determined mobile multitaskers, at least it sends the message: The people who made these things think it's a bad idea to watch DVDs and drive at the same time.

Regular and satellite radios, iPod adaptors and navigation systems can all be deadly digital devices, in the wrong hands. To prevent your love affair with gadgets from becoming a fatal attraction, pull over if a gizmo requires you to focus on a screen and remove your eyes from the road. There's nothing wrong with In-Car Entertainment (ICE) in and of itself. But drivers need to know when to draw the line so that they don't wind up on a cold slab.

Many of us confess to taking a certain amount of guilty pleasure in rubbernecking. But can overindulging lead to a broken neck or worse? Continue on to find out.

4: Watching Roadside Diversions

Billboards are now animated and practically dare you to try not looking at them. Elsewhere, the hazard might be roadside bombshells -- like if you happen to be cruising through South Beach.

We humans are hardwired to notice the extraordinary. In our earliest days, the unusual could have represented an animal that wanted us for lunch or even a potential mate from another tribe who could diversify the genes of our offspring. One big difference between now and then was that we didn't have the ability to hurtle ourselves across the landscape faster than even a cheetah.

At 55 miles per hour (88.5 kilometers per hour), a car can cover half the length of a football field in about 4 seconds. So while your attention is focused on that toned hardbody strutting along the sidewalk, there's plenty of time for a cell phone-occupied driver to cut in front of you without looking.

While, arguably, our ancient hardwiring makes women better-suited to vehicular multitasking in the modern era, it's dangerous to divide your attention (hence your reaction time) among multiple activities behind the wheel, no matter what your gender.

One of the best -- or perhaps worst -- examples of this is our next distracted driving habit. It's guaranteed to push your buttons, so click to the next page to find out more.

3: Texting and Updating Social Media

OMG -- were you actually surprised by this one? Here's a stat that's nothing to LOL about -- you're 23 times more likely to crash if you text while driving [source: Distraction.gov].

Prior to the 2000s, this distraction would not have even made the list. But with proliferating technology and social media platforms, it's become one of the worst collective weapons of mass distraction with which we have to contend.

It takes about five seconds of attention to a screen and keyboard to send a brief text. Disturbingly, 77 percent of young adult drivers say they can safely drive while texting [source: stoptextsstopwrecks.org].

In actuality, distracted driving accidents, including those caused by the use of handheld devices, collectively form the No. 1 killer of teens, according to the NHTSA and others.

While it's convenient to blame our problems on technology, sometimes it's quite apparent that the issue really lies with us.

2: Daydreaming

Driving can be an opportune time to organize your thoughts, clear your mind, think through problems or just enjoy a few moments of solitude.

With experience, routine driving becomes an automatic activity in and of itself. Like brushing our teeth, we don't really have to think about the intricately coordinated choreography of our senses and muscles while driving.

So we might think we have plenty of processing power left over to focus on non-driving related tasks. And that can be dangerous, if we overestimate our powers of focus.

If you've ever let your mind wander and missed your exit on the highway -- then considered swerving across several lanes to catch it -- you're probably aware of the risk posed by daydreaming.

The fact is driving a car equates to operating heavy machinery. Just as you wouldn't expect a crane operator to drift off while hoisting tons of metal beams overhead, responsible driving means maintaining focus. Not only is it a courtesy to your fellow drivers, but it helps you to spot and avoid crazies on the road!

So what's our No. 1 driving distraction? This one has really stirred passions, on both sides of the distracted driving debate.

1: Talking on the Phone

Ringing in at the top spot on our list: talking on the phone. This dubious honor goes to the granddaddy of distracted driving, the now-ubiquitous cell phone. Ever since Wall Street titans and wannabe titans wielded the gigantic brick phones of the 1980s, our obsession with mobile communication has gotten us in trouble behind the wheel.

Driving under the influence of a cell phone, be it handheld or hands-free, impairs driver reaction to the same level as being at the legal limit for blood alcohol content of .08 [source:stoptextsstopwrecks.org].

Hands-free headsets appear to reduce the risk somewhat -- instead of both cognitive and manual impairment as you have with a handheld device, hands-free units only tie up your mental capabilities; in some jurisdictions, they're mandatory for people who talk on the phone while they drive.

Studies suggest that talking on a cell phone roughly quadruples a person's risk of being involved in a crash [source: AAA Foundation].

How could something that seems so innocuous be so deadly? Once again, it lies in the brain's ability to truly do only one thing at a time. We've become such masters at task switching that we create the illusion of successfully doing two or more things simultaneously. But throw a surprise into the mix, like a child darting into traffic or a slamming of the brakes by the car in front of us, and the brain can quickly fail to keep pace.

So there you have it -- 10 of the most dangerously distracting habits you can engage in while driving. While you might have a greater awareness of the risks now, just remember that many people don't.

Article courtesy of: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/accidents-hazardous-conditions/10-most-dangerous-distracted-driving-habits1.htm

When To Get New Tires

When it comes to driving safely, you have to start where the rubber meets the road. Your car's tires are the only surface that contacts the asphalt, so they affect braking, steering, and general auto performance. HowStuffWorks.com has written an article on warning signs that your tires are getting old or worn out. Keep informed to keep safe, and check out their tips here.




source: howstuffwork.com

Do You Need More?

Hyundai has a warranty center to help you decide if you should get additional coverage on your car. Check out your options and get informed here. Check it out to understand why we have faith in Hyundai, but also why you may need extra coverage depending on your driving habits and the risks you face on today's roads:

What To Do When You Take The Car In

Taking the car in for repairs can lead to a discussion with a mechanic who knows each part of every last car, but how do you know that the suggestions you get are worth your dollar? Car and Driver reports on which extras to choose when you go in for a check-up:



Any time we take a car into the shop and someone starts a sentence with “You know, while we’ve got it in here . . .” our BS meter goes off. Is he looking to help us out or just to make a quick buck? We asked longtime C/Dfriend, master mechanic, and auto-service instructor Russ Ferguson his thoughts on several common upsells. Their utility is rated on the Ferguson scale, which is to say out of five stars.

Read the full story here.

Source: blog.caranddriver.com
 

Businesses get Creative with Support for United Way

The local Tribune-Democrat reports on how businesses are getting creative in their support for the United Way.



Dave Sutor

dsutor@tribdem.com

— Businesses across Cambria and Somerset counties find simple, creative and fun ways to raise funds for the United Way of the Laurel Highlands every year.

There are car washes, Wii competitions, dart tournaments, gift-card giveaways, paid days off, limo lunches, turkey trots and more. Some companies offer easy payroll deductions.

Read the rest of the story here.

How To Share The Road With Truckers

Everybody has a horror story to tell about an encounter they've had with an 18-wheeler on the Interstate, and how they were nearly killed by the inattentiveness of the truck driver. News programs like Dateline NBC and 60 Minutes feed this fear with selectively edited stories regarding truck safety. But what nobody seems to consider is that they themselves may have caused the problem because of ignorance about what is involved in driving a truck, or by engaging in righteous driving behavior that did nothing but endanger their own lives and those of the people they care most about.

Personally, we've seen rude truckers hog the road, and we've seen dimwitted drivers set themselves up for what could be a very painful, if not deadly, lesson. Furthermore, not all trucks traveling the nation's highways are properly maintained, due to a lack of finances or pure laziness. But for most truck drivers, who are paid by the mile and are held responsible for damaged goods, their lives and livelihoods depend on driving a well-maintained truck carefully, and getting freight to its destination on time.

Tractor trailer trucks are responsible for carrying nearly 30 percent of all the cargo shipped in the United States. Technology and improved roadways have allowed the use of trucks for shipping to increase steadily since the 1920s, resulting in larger vehicles and heavier loads. Yet, traffic fatalities involving trucks have steadily declined during the past 50 years, except for a small spike upward in the early 1980s right after the trucking industry was deregulated. Fatalities due to accidents involving semi trucks total 5,000 annually on average, with the vast majority of those fatalities suffered by occupants of passenger vehicles that collided with a truck. As motorists who must share the road with semi trucks, we can do our part to help reduce this number even further if we simply take the time to follow a few simple driving rules and try to understand how difficult it is to maneuver a tractor-trailer in traffic.

We asked Michael Taylor, transportation special programs developer for the Tractor Trailer Training Program at Triton College in River Grove, Ill., what the top five pet peeves truckers had with fellow motorists were. Here is his list:

1) Riding in a trucker's blind spots. Trucks have large blind spots to the right and rear of the vehicle. Smaller blind spots exist on the right front corner and mid-left side of the truck. The worst thing a driver can do is chug along in the trucker's blind spot, where he cannot be seen. If you're going to pass a truck, do it and get it over with. Don't sit alongside with the cruise control set 1 mph faster than the truck is traveling.

2) Cut-offs. Don't try to sneak into a small gap in traffic ahead of a truck. Don't get in front of a truck and then brake to make a turn. Trucks take as much as three times the distance to stop as the average passenger car, and you're only risking your own life by cutting a truck off and then slowing down in front of it.

3) Impatience while reversing. Motorists need to understand that it takes time and concentration to back a 48-foot trailer up without hitting anything. Sometimes a truck driver needs to make several attempts to reverse into tight quarters. Keep your cool and let the trucker do her job.

4) Don't play policeman. Don't try to make a truck driver conform to a bureaucrat's idea of what is right and wrong on the highway. As an example, Taylor cited the way truck drivers handle hilly terrain on the highway. A fully loaded truck slows way down going up a hill. On the way down the other side of the hill, a fully loaded truck gathers speed quickly. Truckers like to use that speed to help the truck up the next hill. Do not sit in the passing lane going the speed limit. Let the truck driver pass, and let the Highway Patrol worry about citing the trucker for breaking the law.

5) No assistance in lane changes or merges. It's not easy to get a 22-foot tractor and 48-foot trailer into traffic easily. If a trucker has his turn signal blinking, leave room for the truck to merge or change lanes. Indicate your willingness to allow the truck in by flashing your lights.

According to "Sharing the Road," a booklet distributed by John Deere Transportation Insurance, the three most common types of accidents involving heavy trucks involve the following:

1) Crashes caused by the truck's inability to stop in time.2) Crashes caused by a motorist trying to pass a truck on the right while the truck is making a right-hand turn. Also known as the right turn squeeze.3) Crashes caused by a motorist riding in the trucker's blind spots. Use the following rule of thumb: If you cannot see the truck driver in his mirrors, he probably cannot see you.

By taking simple common-sense steps to protect yourself and your family when driving near large trucks, traffic fatalities will continue to drop. Over the years, the trucking industry has improved the quality of truck drivers by making it more difficult to qualify for and keep a Commercial Driver's License (CDL). Mandatory drug testing has also been instituted. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published the following data in 2008. The intoxication rate for drivers involved in fatal accidents was:

27% for motorcycle riders 23% for light truck drivers (pickups and SUVs, that is) 23% for passenger car drivers 1% for truck drivers

Still, more work must be done to combat tightly scheduled deliveries, overbearing stacks of paperwork and driver fatigue caused by federal regulations that work against the human body's natural circadian rhythm.

After meeting with truck driving instructors at Triton College, with representatives from the Illinois Transportation Association and learning what it takes to pilot a tractor-trailer by taking the wheel myself, we joined Taylor for a ride in a brand-new empty tanker truck.

We covered suburban roads during a half-hour loop just to the southeastern side of O'Hare airport. During our 30-minute ride, two motorists turned left across traffic directly in front of the truck. One young woman in a Toyota Celica crossed no more than 50 feet in front of us as she zoomed onto a side street. An older couple in a Dodge Grand Caravan turned in front of our International tractor, and incredibly, slowed so they wouldn't scrape the van on a steep driveway apron to a convenience store. A dude in a Camaro RS blasted by on the left, cut in front of the truck and stopped at a red light we were approaching. When the light turned green, he turned right.

These are the kinds of driving habits that we must break for truck-related accident rates to drop even lower. After a day at truck driving school, we left Chicago for Denver in a Subaru Outback. During that evening and the next day traveling I-80 and I-76, we were keenly aware of the needs of the truckers with whom we shared the road. We behaved more courteously toward truck drivers and fellow motorists than usual, and exercised more patience. We doubt very much that by driving more defensively and less aggressively we arrived in Denver any sooner than we would have had we not let that Kenworth into our lane back in Iowa or had we tried to beat that Freightliner to the construction zone near Lincoln, Neb. We do feel, however, that our trip was a safer one, that we had done our part to make highway travel better. Now it's time to do yours.

Source: Edmunds.com

Vampire 5k Run

Help The American Red Cross save lives with the Vampire 5k walk/run on Saturday, October 20th in the JARI drive area. Details at: http://tinyurl.com/johnstownvampire

Monkey Business

If you wanted to test a car for durability, is a pack of 40 babboons something that would even come to mind?

Fox News has a delightful report about the lengths to which Hyundai has gone to stress test its i30 model (UK cousin of the Elantra):

Weird, but true: Hyundai recently loosed 40 baboons on the latest Hyundai i30 hatchback. The i30 shares most of its essentials with the Elantra, though it's a hatchback in the case of the monkey-infested durability tester.

Hyundai claims it's the first test of its kind by a U.K. manufacturer, implying that some other manufacturers have done this as well. We don't recall the other occurrences, and we think that sort of thing would stick with us.

We could rattle off a dozen puns, but we'll let Hyundai's official statement, courtesy of product manager Felicity Wood, do the work: "At Hyundai we believe in new thinking, which is why we decided to take a new approach with this durability test. You have to be pretty brave to subject a car to the most rigorous quality testers in the world, and the monkeys certainly gave our New Generation i30 a thorough examination! The fact that it survived with only a few scrapes is testament to the way a modern Hyundai is designed and engineered. We really do give a monkey’s about building tough cars!

No, that doesn't make any sense to us, either. That said, it was apparently a good time for the monkeys, and we can get behind that. "For a baboon, to have a car to play with for a whole day is manna from heaven!" said David Ross, manager at Knowsley Safari Park, where the "durability test" was held.

According to Hyundai, the paint was scraped a bit, and the fabric of the seats was "tested" by lunching monkeys, but the car came through with shining colors after 10 hours of prodding, poking, and climbing.

 There's even a video to see just how wild things got:

Hyundai Hydrogen

The Hyundai Tuscon ix is set to premiere next year in 2013. Of all the big automakers planning to eventually release hydrogen vehicles, Hyundai is about to jump ahead of all of them, reports gas2.org

Toyota, Honda, and GM are all planning their hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) to launch in 2015. However, Hyundai will be the first to test the market, with 1,000 units actually going on sale next year.

And while some of the talk about hydrogen has been dismissive, the fact remains that all the

The price tag of the hydrogen Tucson ix will be $88,550. Undoubtedly a steep price, and with the leaps and bounds in electronic vehicle (EV) technology causing lower prices for EVs, hydrogen may have missed the market. Also, if you don’t live near one of the handful of pilot hydrogen filling stations, you are SOL my friend.

Yet for all the naysayers of hydrogen — the fuel cells are expensive and hydrogen fill up stations are not very common–  the fact remains that large amounts of major car manufactures are pursuing the technology. Hyundai has not given details about where the first 1,000 hydrogen FCEVs will ship, but it is most likely that the majority will be sent to Europe.

…hydrogen is a major emerging player in Europe, with FCEVs going beyond cars to include buses and other heavy vehicles. There are a few pilot programs in the U.S., mostly in California and New York, but hydrogen has a much more devout following in Europe.

What would you like to see in the transition off of fossil fuels? Do you think hydrogen is the future of automotive power or will EVs be the ultimate winner? Let us know in the comments.

Brake Overrides Coming to All Models

After numerous and worrisome stories in the news about uncontrollable acceleration, Hyundai has added a new feature to come standard on all models. From USA Today:

The technology lets drivers control a vehicle's speed and stop it in the event of an unintended-acceleration incident, Hyundai said. If sensors recognize that the gas and brake pedals are pressed at the same time, the brake action takes precedence to safely slow the car.

Inability of the brakes to stop the vehicle when the throttle was jammed was a factor in the incidents that led to Toyota's massive recalls in 2009 and 2010.

With Hyundai's system, "any brake pedal input by the driver, even with a runaway throttle condition, completely overrides any throttle malfunction," Robert Babcock, director of certification and compliance affairs for Hyundai's technical center, said in a statement. "It is no longer possible to have increasing engine power once the brake pedal is depressed by the driver."

Hyundai joins other maker who already use or are adding similar systems. BMW has made it standard for several year and all Chrysler products since 2003 have brake override systems. All 2011 and newer Toyota models have it, as well as model-year 2012 GM and Mazda vehicles.

More automakers will likely follow suit. And last month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began reviewing a proposal to require brake override systems on all new vehicles.

Got a chemist on speed-dial?

PennDOT may leave a number of potholes unmended, but at least it's nothing so bad as a truckload of sulphuric acid spilling all over the road!

http://gizmodo.com/5905067/if-a-truck-loaded-with-sulfuric-acid-crashes-would-it-melt-the-road

Hyundai hits the track with the 2013 Genesis Coupe:
http://www.insideline.com/hyundai/genesis-coupe/2013/hyundai-and-millen-show-off-2013-genesis-coupe-drifter.html

Hyundai Veloster: Leaving Conventional Design at the Curb

With three doors, the Veloster has an asymmetrical and highly unconventional design. Uniqueness often has its own appeal, especially with compact cars becoming more and more uniform. Read the full story of its design at the Iowan Clinton Herald

Did you catch the Wes Anderson-directed Oscars commercials? We think they’re as fantastic as that Mr. Fox:

Driving the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

 

Eager to get your hands on the new 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe? So are we. But in the meantime, we've learned about some first hand impressions with it. Car enthusiasts love it for its updated/upgraded engine, style and design, and of course for its price. While starting at just $25,125 for the basic package, the Genesis Coupe promises to be a game changer in the new car market. Check out this review by Automobile Magazine about the impressive features on this new Hyundai.

When we drove the Genesis coupe in mid-2009 at a media preview, we were pretty impressed with Hyundai’s efforts. After thrashing both turbo four-cylinder and naturally aspirated V-6 models around a racetrack, we concluded: “Regardless of which flavor you choose or modifications you install, there's plenty about the Genesis coupe to like. It's an affordable, attractive sports coupe, with the unique appeal of rear-wheel drive.” In subsequent drives of the Genesis coupe at our editorial office, Automobile Magazine editors found plenty to like but also lots to gripe about. Generally speaking, we concluded that ride comfort (especially in models with the optional track package), interior trim quality, overall refinement, and the power delivery and NVH characteristics of the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder, in particular, were lacking. So, although we loved the idea of the Genesis coupe---a rear-wheel-drive sporty car for the common man, an all-too-rare commodity---we thought the common man deserved more. “Here’s one Hyundai that needs some more polishing,” was a typical comment from our 2009 reviews.

Read more: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1202_2013_hyundai_genesis_coupe_first_drive/index.html#ixzz1nKKaTCEf

Another Rave Review for the Veloster

 

The 2012 Hyundai Veloster is an extremely affordable and stylish car for any car enthusiast. With 40mpg highway and 28 city, it is also a bank saver. The Veloster starts at $23,990, and as such is a great deal for anyone looking for unique style, a slim appearance, and a gas-friendly car. The Veloster also comes with a few modern additions including a high-end audio system, an iPhone charger, a USB input, and much more. With a five-star safety rating, the Veloster is a good choice for any driver.

Overall we found Hyundai’s Veloster a surprisingly good package, given the price. The extensive list of standard features puts some European luxury cars to shame, but as good as the additional kit in the Veloster+ is, the base model with DCT ($25,990) is the one we’d recommend.

There’s a reason Hyundai is the fastest growing car company in the world, it’s giving the market what it wants at a very reasonable price. We simply cannot wait for the Veloster turbo. Click on the gallery tab for more pictures.

Hyundai Veloster Pricing:

• Veloster Manual – $23,990

• Veloster DCT – $25,990

• Veloster+ Manual – $27,990

• Veloster+ DCT – $29,990

Read more: http://www.caradvice.com.au/158507/hyundai-veloster-review/

Hyundai At the 2012 Auto Expo

 

Hyundai had a great presence at an international auto show where they embodied their new slogan "New thinking, new possibilities." Attendees were privy to see the Hyundai Eon, the new Sonata, and the Veloster coupe. In addition, the Hyundai stand gave a glimpse of the Hexa Space concept MVP, one of the most important concept cars to be seen at the expo. We're excited to see what else Hyundai can bring for next years expo!

The entire stand was spread across a large area and divided into various zones. One of the key ones was the digital zone where visitors could use social media to express their opinion. Hyundai took the opportunity and helped the visitors update their Facebook status and even emailed pictures of them posing with their favourite Hyundai.

Almost 80 truckloads of material, two months of planning and one week of sleepless nights went into making the Hyundai stand the exciting affair that it turned out to be. And in one of the rare instances I actually heard people talking more about the Hyundai cars than the women. A job well done indeed!

 

Read more: http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/wheels/hyundai-stand-auto-expo-2012_663796.html

Blue Link from Hyundai

Looking for a car with tech features that actually simplify your life. Try Blue Link from Hyundai!

Blue Link not only pinpoints your current location, it may assist you with where you`re going. Discover your surroundings, get the weather, find a restaurant and reach your final destination through visual and audio guidance on this highly intelligent guidance system.

To help maintain the health of your vehicle, it`s important to stay up to date on service and maintenance. The vehicle maintenance technology of Blue Link^® provides maintenance reminders, archives service records, diagnoses problems and connects you to service providers to promote safer driving for years to come.

Now you can keep the lines of communication open right from the driver seat. Blue Link helps make it happen. Discover where your friends are, share where you are and meet up for a quick get-together. Send voice messages to your family from the road, and Blue Link translates them into text. The new way to communicate is the Blue Link way

Keep an eye on your Hyundai, without having to watch its every turn. Blue Link technology can help find the location of your vehicle, the time of day it`s being driven and how fast it`s going to ensure the driver is following your rules. In the event your vehicle is stolen, Blue Link can help law enforcement locate it.

Emergency alerts can be lifesavers. In the event you, or a loved one, are in a panicked state, simply engage one of the emergency alerts. Whether you need Roadside Assistance or SOS Emergency assistance, Blue Link will ensure that help is on the way.

Read more: http://www.hyundaiusa.com/technology/bluelink/

Motorcycle Ice Racing at the War Memorial

Motorcycle racing at breakneck speeds is thrilling, but add a layer of ice and the consequences are predictable. The Cambria County War Memorial Arena will be transformed to accommodate riders of the 36th annual World Championship Ice Racing Series at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4.
Brent Densford, president of the Myrtle Beach, S.C.-based International Championship Events (I.C.E.), will bring the thrill sport to Johnstown and crown the series’ champions in the final race of the season.

“Ending the season in Johns-town is nice because it has become a great place for us to race, and the fans are enthusiastic,” Densford said. “We have some loyal motor heads in Johnstown, and we hope to keep coming back.”

The event is billed as the  greatest spectacle on ice as the safety glass that normally surrounds the hockey rink will be removed and padding added to the corners and along the boards.
“The first thing that has to be done is an additional 3 inches of ice will have to be made to accommodate the racing machines, which have thousands of razor-sharp studs in the tires,” Densford said.
Metal screws are drilled into the specialized rubber tires to provide traction on the ice. “These modified machines can achieve speeds of up to 60 mph, which is a formula for exciting action,” he said.
Between 40 and 50 of the world’s top professional ice racers will compete for the national championships in manufacturers’ World Cup motorcycles and four-wheel all-terrain vehicles (quads).

“We will award the championship trophies to the two riders who have compiled the season’s most points,” Densford said.

During the event, riders will sprint around the arena on modified motorcycles and four-wheelers that consist of heats to earn the right to race in the final. The bikes are typically 450cc, four-stroke engines that can be found on most showroom models, but riders are notorious for modifying the engines and suspensions and turning them into high-performance machines. Among those on the ice will be two Indiana County residents who are veterans of the racing circuit – Mark Blystone of Indiana and Jason Fisher of Black Lick.

“This is their second year racing with us, and they will be in Johnstown for the event,” Densford said. Ice is more dangerous than dirt because the surface can be unpredictable at times.

Tickets are available at the box office from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays; Ticketmaster outlets; by phone at (800) 745-3000 ; or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com. Prices for advance tickets are $7 for children and $17 for adults. Advanced VIP tickets are $27. Tickets will cost $2 more at the door.

Read more: http://tribune-democrat.com/events/x1296865351/Ice-racing-sliding-into-War-Memorial

J.D. Power and Associates names Hyundai #1 in Customer Loyalty

Congrats, Hyundai! J.D. Power and Associates names Hyundai #1 in customer loyalty.

The J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Customer Retention Study shows Hyundai is highest among all automotive brands. It earned the top spot by improving its retention rate from 60 percent in 2010 to 64 percent in 2011.

Following Hyundai in the rankings are Ford and Honda, in a tie, each with a customer retention rate of 60 percent. Jeep posts the greatest improvement in customer retention rate from 2010, improving by 17 percentage points to 51 percent in 2012. Overall customer retention has improved by one percentage point in 2012 to 49 percent, compared with 48 percent in 2010. In 2012, 19 of the 33 ranked brands have improved their customer retention rates from 2010, while 14 have declined.

What's impressive about this study is it does not reflect the current hot-selling generation of Hyundai products but they probably had a lot to do with it. After all, why walk away from a winning brand, especially when you were already a loyal Hyundai customer?

Now in its ninth year, the study measures the rate at which automotive brands retain their existing customers and examines the reasons why customers remain loyal. Most new car buyers, including lessees, typically hold on to their cars for at least 36 months. New car buyers in 2011 would have bought 2008 and older models. They were good but not great.

According to J.D. Power and Associates, Hyundai's increased retention rate is shaped by its expanding model lineup, as well as the fact that perceptions of the brand's quality and appeal have continued to improve during the past decade. The 2012 Customer Retention Study is based on responses from 117,001 new-vehicle buyers and lessees, of which 73,733 replaced avehicle that was previously acquired new. In addition to customer retention, the study also measures the rate at which each automotive brand captures customers from its competitors, known as conquesting.

“We are proud that Hyundai owners show their brand loyalty by choosing to buy another Hyundai vehicle over 60 percent of the time,” said Dave Zuchowski, executive vice president, National Sales, Hyundai Motor America. “Once they experience the styling, comfort and value of Hyundai vehicles, it’s no surprise that they elect to stick with the Hyundai brand. We are thrilled that our vehicles and our dealers are earning the respect and loyalty of our customers.”

One in three new-vehicle owners who switched brands say their previous brand didn’t make the type of vehicle they wanted, indicating that striking the right combination of model offerings and vehicle appeal is critical to retaining customers, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Customer Retention Study information that was supplied to TorqueNews.

Read more: http://www.torquenews.com/108/hyundai-tops-all-brands-jd-power-customer-retention-study

Hyundai Elantra Named “Car of the Year” at the 2012 North American International Auto Show!

The Hyundai Elantra was named “Car of the Year” at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit!

The Elantra beat out the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Passat as finalists for the car of the year. The Evoque beat out the BMW X3 and the Honda CR-V. The finalists were named last month.

John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai North America, said Hyundai has sold more than 200,000 Elantras since the new model was introduced. Krafcik said the award will help to cement Hyundai's reputation for quality and improvement the company has made since it entered North America 1986.

The Elantra, which was designed at Hyundai's California studio, is a compact car that gets 40 miles per gallon on the highway.

"It's an amazingly competitive segment. To have this honor feels really good," Krafcik said.

Andy Goss, president of Jaguar and Land Rover North America, said the Evoque symbolizes the changes that SUVs and crossovers are going through in the automotive industry as manufacturers adapt to more stringent fuel economy standards.

"I think it will come as a surprise to some that the North American Truck of the Year is a highly capable, luxury four-cylinder SUV that achieves 28 miles per gallon," on the highway, Goss said.

The North American Car and Truck of the Year awards are different from other industry awards because they are given by a jury of 50 veteran automotive journalists from Canada and the U.S.

Most other automotive awards, in contrast, are given out by individual publications or organizations. Before today's awards were announced domestic automakers had won 10North American Car of the Year awards, European automakers had won four and Japanese automakers have won three. Hyundai won one time prior to today.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/story/2012-01-09/hyundai-elantra-wins/52463788/1

Five Reasons To Buy A New Car In 2012 According to Forbes

New-vehicle sales could rise by as much as six to seven percent during 2012 according to Automotive News, due largely to the one-two punch of a stabilizing economy and pent-up consumer demand. Here’s why you should join the crowd and head down to your local new-car dealership in the coming months to kick the tires.

1. Low Interest Rates: Those looking to finance a new-car purchase should continue to enjoy record-low rates over the coming year. That’s because the Federal Open Market Committee recently reiterated it would keep the federal funds rate between 0 and 0.25 percent and would likely to remain at those rates until at least mid-2013.

2. High Trade-In Values: Used-car prices should remain at all time highs during 2012, which in turn means equally steep trade-in values that can be used as more substantial down payments on new models.

3. Generous Leasing Deals: Bargain-hunting consumers have been able to take advantage of some truly unbeatable leasing deals in recent months, thanks to an ideal combination of market forces. “High resale values and low interest rates are contributing to some of the most attractive lease deals we’ve seen in years,”

4. Competitive Pricing: While new-car sales are on the rise, analysts say sticker prices should stay competitive over the ensuing months. Some predict it could become a buyers’ market at some dealerships.

5. Improved Products: It’s no exaggeration to suggest today’s cars are better than ever, with an array of new and redesigned models bringing buyers back into dealers’ showrooms in virtually all car and truck classes.

Read more: http://www.forbes.com/sites/jimgorzelany/2012/01/02/five-reasons-to-buy-a-new-car-in-2012/