If you are in the market to buy a used car, you MUST understand the CF (CF) report that each used car MUST have. CarFax is either provided free, by the seller, or you, the purchaser, must pay for the report. The typical CarFax report is 25 pages in length – don’t panic there is a recap page or two that summarizes the rest of the report. There are six parts to the report:

Vehicle History Report. This is the first page of the CarFax and the most significant! This page at once sums the entire CarFax if 1) any accidents, 2) number of previous owners, 3) if the car was leased or corporate vehicle, 4) service records available, 5) detail event records 6) last odometer reading. One glance, at the CF, informs you if this used automobile is a turkey and not to spend another second of your time or if this car is worthy of more research.

A summary of 1) title problems, 2) ownership history, and 3) other data follow. Critical items that CF has found can be investigated in just seconds. Items CF has determined need to be investigated are spotlighted – this saves a lot of time and that’s the secret of CarFax.

The Details section, under the Vehicle History Report, shows all events, like accidents, change in ownership, state inspections, etc. in one handy location. Each owner of the car has a section with all the details CarFax has accumulated.

Vehicle Highlights. There are many sections in Vehicle Highlights. Ownership History segment reviews the number of prior owners and latest mileage. State DMV-Reported Title Problems is an enormous critical section. Check if the car’s title has been reclassified into: Salvage, Junk, Rebuilt, Fire/Flood, Hail Damage, or Buyback/Lemon titles. Bypass this used car, if this has occurred.

Warranty Check. This is a very handy segment that shows various kinds of warranty coverage and if there is some warranty left. Reject or confirm any seller’s claim about warranties in this section. Some of the types of warranty coverage tracked by CarFax are: Basic coverage, coverage of the Drive Train, Emissions coverage, Corrosion coverage, and if any of the warranties are transferrable.

Safety & Reliability Ratings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests are covered in this fantastic section. Front, side, and rear crash results inform you just how safe this used car is to drive. Injury, Collision, and Theft Indicator section rates this used car against all automobiles and gives you guideposts as to this automobile’s ranking – below average, average, or better than average. Manufacturer recalls and if they were done to the car are covered in the Safety Recall section. J.D. Power Rating is a wealth of information contained in the last segment.

Buyback Guarantee Certificate (Optional). If the used car qualifies, CF will buyback the car if they screwed up with damage warnings, odometer readings, titles, or a Lemon History reporting. Some cars flunk and this should be your test too – if CarFax won’t issue a Buyback Guarantee then you should NOT buy that used automobile.

Consumer Ratings & Comments. This last segment constitutes feedback from car owners of this same model, make, and year of car. Trust me, if there is a problem with this kind of car other owners will post their horror stories. Once you use CF you will advise folks of any problems you have with this make of car.

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Modern cars are significantly more complex than their counterparts from the 1960’s and 1970’s, and working on them is an even more specialized discipline. The modern mechanic needs a laptop computer as much as he needs a tool box, and for this reason even those with a decent aptitude for working on engines are opting to have their repairs done by a professional. Still, there are a number of simple car maintenance steps that anyone can do. These simple tasks will go a long way toward preventing trouble which saves you time and money as well as resulting in a safer driving experience.

–Wash your car often: While the exterior of your car isn’t as important as what’s under the hood it’s still necessary to take care of it. A clean car looks better, of course, but it also helps in a few practical areas. Keeping your windshield clean inside and out, obviously, is crucial for safety. Washing you car often keeps your headlights clean. And, of course, frequent washing helps prevent rust and corrosion extending the life of your vehicle.

–Clean the undercarriage of the car: This is especially true if you live anywhere it snows”all of the salt and other gunk your car gets underneath it will rust out your body faster than anything. I dont care how cold it is, you should give your car a good bath at least once a week during the winter, and make sure to get underneath the wheel wells and the undercarriage of your car.

–Wash your engine: Not only is your engine subject to the same ‘threats’ as the exterior and undercarriage of your car, it also collects crusty oil, battery acid and a variety of other contaminants. Keeping your engine clean will not only protect against corrosive damage, but will help your car run cooler and more efficiently. Wash your engine every time you wash your car, and let it idle before you start driving to allow it to dry completely.

–Clean your air filter and change it often: Change your air filter every time you change your oil filter. Some might argue that changing it so often is ‘overkill’ but filters are so cheap why not err on the side of caution? In between filter changes its a good idea to give your filter a good spray with a compressed air hose and blow out the filter chamber at the same time. The clean air will help your car’s engine run cooler and more efficiently.

–Check and change your oil: Back in more civilized times, a full service gas station would check your oil every time you filled up. You should do the same. Change your oil frequently”at least every 5,000 miles and better still, every 3,000 miles. Change your filter when you change the oil or youre going to be pumping clean oil through a dirty filter which doesnt do you a bit of good. Oil changes are a pretty easy job even for those without much of a mechanical background, and drive thru oil change businesses are ubiquitous in any decent sized market. Most of these places do a decent job and charge a reasonable fee. Many also take care of several other of the maintenance tasks on this list.

–Check other fluids: Change your anti-freeze/coolant every year, and check the reservoir every week or so to make sure it’s full. Also check transmission, brake and power steering fluids at least once a week. Top them off if necessary.

–Take good care of your tires: Check your air pressure levels with a tire gauge at least once a week, keeping them filled to manufacturer specified levels. Check the spare tire–if you have a ‘real’ tire as a spare make sure it’s properly inflated, and even if you have a ‘donut’ temporary spare make sure it isn’t damaged. Rotate your tires every few months or more frequently if you drive a lot of miles. This will insure even wear, and along with proper inflation will prevent countless problems as well as saving you time and money.

Emergency tools and equipment: Despite your best efforts to the contrary, things will eventually go wrong. When in does, youll be glad that you planned ahead. These items should be in your trunk at all times: tire gauge, pliers (slip-joint and needle nose), adjustable wrench, flat head and Phillips screwdriver. Dont buy cheap tools”theyll break and the least opportune times. Invest in Craftsman tools or another premium brand, and youll be set for life. Youll also need a flashlight, and if you live somewhere it snows its also a good idea to have salt, sand, a small shovel, and a blanket just in case you get snowbound and have to sleep in your car. A cellphone charger is also a good thing to have, since a cellphone doesn’t do much good if your batteries are dead. There are also ‘emergency’ cellphone chargers that don’t require a power source.

–Auto club membership: Just a great investment that will pay for itself the first time you lock your keys in your car or need a tow. AAA is the best known, but there are many others. Most credit card and cellphone providers offer this type of service, and a growing number of car manufacturers including VW and Mini Cooper offer it free of charge for new car buyers. At minimum, they should offer free towing, trip continuation insurance, lockout service, free maps, and some other bells and whistles. Keep in mind, however, that all roadside assistance companies aren’t created equal. Compare what they offer, and consider the type of driving you do–if you frequently travel through remote areas you’re better off going with a bigger company due to their larger network of covered providers.

These tips are all things that anyone can do, even without more than a basic knowledge of how a car works. Regular car maintenance will prolong the life of your vehicle and help maintain its value, provide a safer and more enjoyable driving experience and save you money in the process.

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Whether you are a teenager buying your first car, or a parent taking on the challenge of finding a car for their teenager, there are a variety of aspects that must be understood before getting behind the wheel.

Regardless of your teens protests, it is usually best to stay as practical as possible when buying the first car. Pick something safe and reliable because after all, who wants to be sitting on the side of the road a day after the car has been purchased just because the vehicle was your teens favorite color?

With all of the makes and models out there today, there are a vast sea great quality used vehicles to choose from. The following is a list of some of the best used cars for your teen:

- Dodge Charger: This is a great vehicle that is safe to drive. It is not prone to rolling over and the size of the vehicle keeps the passengers safe. Its tough and rugged look leans towards the looks of a muscle car which appeals to the male teens, and it has an average fuel usage of approximately 25 mpg on the highway and 18mpg in the city. The cost of this car can be a bit high, but it is well worth it.

- Chrysler 300: This is a great looking vehicle that everyone in the family would like to drive, so the teen may find that they are wrestling with Mom and Dad in the driveway for the keys. On average, the price is a bit high, but it is a safe car. The gas mileage is much like that of the Dodge Charge.

- Jeep Wrangler: This car is popular with the teens because of all the extra gadgets it can come with such as MP3 players and iPods. Keeping that in mind, this may not make it one of the safest to be on the road with, especially if attention is focused on shuffling tunes instead of watching the road. With that said, the price is usually reasonable and the gas mileage is great. An added plus is that the government gave the Jeep a five star crash test rating, so you can feel safe about your teen driving in this vehicle.

- Chevy Cobalt: There are a variety of brightly colored cars to choose from with this model which helps to make it a fun drive for the teen. The price is affordable, even if purchasing it as a new car. It is also very fuel efficient. This is a popular choice of both teens and their parents because of its price, looks, safety, and fuel-efficiency.

- Chevy Equinox: If you are looking for a bigger set of wheels, then the Equinox will fit the bill. Even though it is an SUV, which have a bad reputation for rollovers, the Equinox has a four star rating so that issue can be placed lower on the list of things to worry about The pricing is average to high and gas mileage is a bit lower coming in at 24 mpg on the highway and 17 mpg in the city.

Finding the right car for a teen can be a time consuming task, but the more research and test driving you do from a used cars dealership, the better it will be for you and your teen. Make sure that the car you choose has the options you require. Remember to compromise when picking out the car, and most importantly, have fun while shopping!

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Car financing is a big business to the car manufacturers as they must help the dealership move their inventory. The car loan business is as competitive as any other financing business and several options may be provided at the point of purchase to allow the customer the ability to drive away with their purchase. It is then left to the customer to choose from the offers presented.

With cars being sold either from a showroom or lot, the rates and terms of the loans will probably be the same and competitive as the customer can always choose a different lender to get the rate they desire. There is much competition between finance companies to get the business as the customer can always go some other route for financing.

But this is not the case with the car loans that are given out for used cars. The rates that are charged by the loan giving companies usually differ from each other as it is the discretion of the loan companies.

Therefore, it is advised that before taking or choosing a loan the customer should properly research the rates that are prevailing in the market. He or she should not jump at once to grab a loan merely because the rate offered is low. There are bound to be companies which offer better rates. The customer should go through all the programs and then apply for a used car loan that suits him the best. And if no loan suits his interest then he can always go back to the first loan that was offered to him at a low rate of interest.

It is possible to apply for a loan online or physically fill out the necessary papers. But one must first find out the terms and rate of the loan being applied for. Online research for current market loan rates is possible as well as directly asking the local lender. In this manner the borrower has an idea of prevailing rates available to him. One thing to keep in mind is the length of the loan repayment schedule.

Online lenders are available to loan money on used cars at competitive interest rates, sometimes lower than the rates offered by local banks. They are in the business of loaning money for used cars so do not reject such loan applications.

So the advice here is that the used car buyer must do thorough research regarding loan terms and rates available to get the best financing possible.

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For those who love music and the ability to take their favorite tunes wherever they may roam, there are some fabulous auto sound systems that you can listen to as you go down the road. It doesn’t really matter which style of MP3 player you use, most of the newer auto sound systems at least have the ability to read and translate the material from these players into great music for you to enjoy on your ride by simply plugging your personal MP3 player into the modern car stereo. Isn’t it amazing?

Many of us find that lugging around an MP3 player with all of our favorite sound file, it is much more convenient and way more practical than attempting to lug around a huge case of CDs. They are fantastic for individuals who find ourselves disappointed when we purchase CDs only to discover that we really only like one or two songs. It is just a great feeling to have your favorite songs ready for when there is nothing on the radio or if you just want to zone out commercials.

Audio books are super to listen to while driving on the road. Audio books allow me to hear the stories I’ve been eagerly awaiting at my convenience and in my SUV as I’m making my daily commute or running errands. I really need the good car stereo sound quality for the words to be understandable at a normal volume level. Audio books are wonderful for helping to pass time on long car trips.

I typically try to get hold of stories that might appeal the children on long car rides as well (such as the Madeleine L’Engle books or The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes). This instills a love of reading in them and I don’t have to agonize about a few bad words that some audio books will say. The sound quality in an auto sound system that is very high-quality will make the spoken word much easier to understand, as well as the music have more depth and quality of sound.

When you embark on your quest for your next auto sound system make certain you contemplate all the potential features you may want to include. In fact the choices are seemingly endless as technology advances. Choose the car sound system that will meet your needs and interests best and just simply enjoy it. Trust me when I tell you this. When you get a new car audio system with everything that you want, you won’t regret it. It will give you a world of sound that you didn’t even know existed in your factory system.

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Chevrolet is about to start the largest fuel cell technology test drive ever. According to the Chevrolet Website this major car company and parent General Motors has been reviewing applications for the 100 consumers in three major commuting markets that will be their real life test drivers for this extensive test. Some 100 lucky consumers will begin driving vehicles rated as using Zero Gas and having Zero Emissions for up to 50,000 miles.

This is the test we have been dreaming of – vehicles that use no gas and produce no noxious emissions! And these vehicles will be on the roads of the U.S. in New York, California, and Washington, D.C. The chosen consumers will drive this vehicle on their daily commutes and errands throughout these large metropolitan areas. The results from these test drives will provide answers for researchers refining fuel cell technology in future GM and Chevrolet vehicles.

The vehicle developed for this historic test is the Chevrolet Equinox equipped with Fuel Cell Technology. The EPA certified Hydrogen Powered Equinox Fuel Cell as a “Zero Emission Vehicle” (ZEV). This means it emits only water – no smoke coming out of this tailpipe! In fact, instead of a tailpipe, it has 4 water vapor outlets on it’s backside.

Fueling up is quick for these vehicles, taking about 5 minutes at the yet to be designated fueling locations. 3 fuel tanks storing up to 9 pounds of hydrogen at 10,000 PSI, will provide up to 200 miles of driving for these next-generation vehicles.

The Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell combines hydrogen and water to produce electricity, which powers the electric drive system for the Equinox. This is a fully functional “real world” vehicle. According to Chevrolet’s website, “Equinox Fuel Cell has been crash-tested and is designed to meet all applicable 2007 U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. And you will enjoy the benefits of driver and front passenger air bags(2), the StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System, four-wheel antilock disc brakes with Traction Control, and OnStar.” In other words, it’s as safe to use as any vehicle on the road today, although it is a little heavier than it’s sister 6 cylinder gas powered Equinox.

General Motors is proud of this test, which is being billed as the “WORLD’S LARGEST FUEL CELL VEHICLE FLEET” in a recent news release at GM Media online. “GM is demonstrating its commitment to hydrogen fuel cells as the answer for taking the automobile out of the environmental debate and reducing our dependence on petroleum,” said Larry Burns in the news release. Burns is GM Vice President, Research & Development and Strategic Planning. “The Equinox Fuel Cell is powered by GM’s most advanced fuel cell propulsion system to date, and demonstrates an important milestone on our pathway to automotive-competitive fuel cell propulsion technology development,” he added.

More information can be found on Chevrolet’s website, where they have pictures and specs on this new vechicle. This test has been promoted for over a year by Chevrolet, with the first Hydrogen powered Equinox of the project already being delivered to the Army for a “non-tactical” functional test according to an article in September of 2006 on USAToday.com.

This is a major commitment by GM and Chevrolet. They are certainly stepping up to the table in the effort to bring this technology into the main stream. According to a news release at the 1006 Los Angeles Auto Show, Ed Peper, Chevrolet General Manager, said, “the fuel cell technology is seamlessly integrated into a uniquely styled crossover vehicle that is distinctively Chevrolet. The Equinox Fuel Cell joins Chevrolet’s family of advanced gas-saving and alternative fuel vehicles.”

Look for these test vehicles to start tooling down the roads of these metropolitan areas in September, 2007. Hopefully, they will pave the way for volume production of this already promising technology. In an article on the website ETA.co.uk an estimate of when this technology might be available for wider implementation(commercially viable) included the year 2010.

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How can you save on car rentals? Where do you find coupons or promo codes? It is easy to find car rental coupons or deals online. You can 1. Go to the site of the car rental company, 2. go to one of the discount travel sites, or 3. go to a site such as Priceline where you can place a bid on a rental car.

Usually you will place a numerical code into a box that will calculate your discount, or just by following a link stating the discounted deal.You need to verify for yourself that your discount gets credited to your bill before you pay. This is an easy way to enjoy 10-30% off, get a free day with a weekly rental etc.

Travelocity and Expedia are two discount travel sites. They have agreements with the car rental companies to sell and market their services for a lesser fee. They pass this on to us, the consumers and we find them from clicking on a link somewhere promising us a discount.

What may be the easiest way to find car rental coupons and promo codes is through hundreds of independent smaller websites and blogs who have taken the time to research the best deals, -so you don’t have to! You just need to make sure that the deal is still valid. Some sites offer feedback where people add their experiences and success with the discount.

With all the constant promotions it would be not so smart to rent a car without taking advantage of the best deals available. Some of the discounts can be substantial and save you money, other discounts may move you up a couple of steps in style and comfort for the same fare.

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Traveling by car might not be as fast as taking a plane, but its still the most common method of getting from Point A to Point B, even when long distances are involved. Its not always very comfortable or enjoyable to ride in a vehicle for long periods of time, no matter what your agenda is. Whether you are on a business trip or heading for a favorite vacation spot, here are some tips to make the trip a little easier.

Be prepared. While everyone hopes to have a safe trip, that isnt always the case. Youll want to have a membership with AAA and make sure that your car insurance covers everything that might occur on your trip, including another driver if you plan on switching off. This wont prevent problems with the vehicle, but it will certainly make things less stressful if you know everything is covered. Under the same category, be sure you have a car emergency kit on hand, as well as a spare tire.

Take breaks. Theres a good reason that rest stops exist. Take the time to stop and stretch your legs at least once every few hours. This will prevent cramping later on and will get the blood flowing, which helps you stay awake on those long, boring stretches.

Invest in a nicer seat. If you travel frequently in your car, youll really appreciate a nice cushy seat. There are many options on the market, from the common wooden bead seat covers to padded ones that your bones will thank you for after several hours of driving. While the driver usually needs the best seat since its not really possible to shift around while driving, your passengers will probably appreciate comfortable covers, as well.

Bring entertainment. Just because you are driving doesnt mean you cant enjoy stretching your mind at the same time. Music gets boring after a while, so consider bringing along some audio books or a cd of an interview or seminar youve been meaning to listen to. Some people even learn new languages while on long road trips. And if you have kids, a DVD is a must to keep bickering to a minimum.

Plan your stops. Theres nothing worse than hitting the point of exhaustion only to realize that there are no hotels for miles. By planning ahead and deciding where to stop for the night on each leg of your journey, youll have a much more pleasant trip and can schedule stops at points before you get too exhausted to continue driving.

Make sure you have enough time. Rushing to get to your destination will only result in stress, frustration and speeding tickets, so its really not recommended. If at all possible, plan to take your time getting there. 5-6 hours a day is usually plenty of time to spend in a vehicle, so if you plan for short days, youll be well-rested when you arrive.

Make a list before you leave. This is very useful in preventing such tragedies as auto insurance papers left sitting in a drawer at home or forgetting your presentation cd for a business meeting. Having a list will enable you to go down it quickly and double check that you have everything you need and you wont need to turn back shortly after pulling out of the driveway.

Traveling in a car can be rather tedious, particularly if you are going to be driving for several days. These tips will help make it less problematic and help you to really enjoy your trip, no matter where you are headed.

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High gas prices have become a normal occurrence today. We often have to shell out more and more money to get just as far as we were getting before.

Today, there is a solution to this problem called Half Water Half Gas. This system allows your car to run on both gas and water allowing you to save over 60% of your fuel costs.

This technology was apparently invented over 90 years ago but was never put into widespread use because the oil industry did not like it. This technology has become more available today due to the internet and better spread of information.

This system basically works by increasing gasoline efficiency by running a car on gasoline and water.

We see that it works fine by using the extra electricity that is generated by the battery to turn the water in oxygen and hydrogen. This is then run through the engine’s vacuum system to blend with the gas. Gas in normal cars doesn’t burn very efficiently so by adding water, you end up with a cleaner burn and also the result of not as much gas having been used. So, you are saved quite a bit of gas and in turn, quite a bit of money.

The technology to be able to make your car run on water and gas is surprisingly simple and anyone can install it. Even those people without any automobile experience can do it in about 30 minutes using hardware and tools that can be picked up at a hardware store.

If you are interested in picking up your own guide on installing this wonderful device to save you 60% and more of your fuel costs, then check out the Half Water Half Gas guide which features detailed instructions on how to install such a system and allow you to start saving more money on gasoline today.

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