Car Insurance

With the price of gas at record levels, a host of fuel saving products are being advertised. If you do a search for the key words “fuel saving devices” google will find 1.5 million pages as a result of the search. It never ceases to amaze that so many unscrupulous individuals try to take advantage of specific situations in order to scam you out of your hard earned money. And that is exactly what these gas saving devices are, scams.

This current scam takes advantage of driver’s overwhelming desire to cut their gas costs. The scam artists are using deceptive advertising to convince you that a fuel saving product installed on your vehicle will miraculously cut your fuel usage up to 30 percent or higher. The Federal Trade Commission through research and US government testing of every kind of device and additive has some advice for all consumers.

The Federal Trade Commission warns drivers to be extremely wary of any gasoline saving claims for additives or devices. The test and research results to date show that there has not been any fuel saving device that significantly increases fuel economy in any way!

There are a few themes used in most gasoline saving product advertising. Here are some to be wary of:

One popular deceptive advertising scheme is this: the ad claims “This gasoline saving product enhances gasoline economy by 20 percent.” Like that example gasoline saving devices claim increases in economy up to 25 percent and sometimes even higher. The Environmental Protection Agency has thoroughly tested, researched and evaluated more than 100 supposed gasoline saving products and additives and so far has not found any one of them that significantly increases gas mileage. In other words non of the gas saving devices work. In some cases, the test data showed that “gasoline-saving” products actually could damage your engine and could cause an increase of gasoline exhaust emissions. That could cause your vehicle to fail some state required emissions tests and that could cost you even more money.

Another deceptive advertising method used are ones that are based on great and glowing testimonials from satisfied consumers and drivers. An example: “After putting your product on my vehicle, I saw that I started getting an extra 6 miles per gallon of gas.” Don’t rely on some amateur drivers claim to justify spending your money.

These types of deceptive advertisements use testimonials from happy drivers as the proof that the product works. No consumer or driver has the proper equipment or the training to test for precise changes in fuel economy. Even if the consumer had the right equipment they could not control the conditions that affect fuel economy a great deal.

Different variables affect gasoline mileage. These include road conditions, weather conditions, traffic conditions, and the condition of the vehicle. For example in one deceptive advertising case that was researched, a driver wrote a letter praising a “gasoline saving” device. Of course this consumer forgot to mention that when he had the aforementioned device installed, he also had his car completely tuned up. The increase in fuel economy that was attributed to the “gasoline saving” device in the letter was most certainly a result of the tune up and not the device. The device advertisement did not mention this, so other drivers and consumers would never know it was the tune up not the device that accounted for any increase in fuel economy.

You have now read of a few of the deceptive methods that companies selling gasoline saving products use to convince you to buy their product. Unfortunately there are many other deceptive methods used. Those companies are taking advantage of high gasoline costs which require drivers to seek any way to lower their gasoline costs. Don’t become a victim of these deceptive practices. Don’t forget, if it sounds too good to be true, it is! Buyer beware!

London is chock-full of unique landmarks and Vauxhall have added another. No not an addition to Saint Peter’s Heritage Centre, I’m on about a four wheeled Vauxhall, in this case the Corsa Capital. Only by visiting a London Vauxhall dealer will you be able to pick one up, as Vauxhall aims to show its city car can take on the biggest conurbation in Britain. To help you deal with not only the congestion, but the charge that goes with it, Vauxhall are enticing Londoners to the Capital - pun intended, with (deep breath): 15″ alloy wheels, a CD player that’s MP3 ready, rear spoiler, body coloured bumpers, electric front windows and air conditioning to name but a few, for only a slight price hike over the standard model.

Of course the Capital is just one derivative of the all-new Corsa range and the new cars find themselves in the middle of the most competitive sector of motoring - the hatchback. Crucially then, the new Corsa must score highly in likeability, drivability and price (ability?). With Vauxhall dealers pitching the Corsa range directly at big rivals Ford and Volkswagen it has to be very good indeed to become the market leader. Those cutesy little fellas in the advert seem to be having fun mind - but you can’t trust cuddly fabric, so crucially how is it to drive and how does it look in the flesh?

As I am still the new boy when it comes to road testing cars, I am faced with the daily anguish of opening my letterbox to find a distinct lack of keys to the latest Ferrari or Lamborghini, with a “have this for a week” note attached from Mr Lamborghini. I have however, had the joy of driving the new Corsa and I don’t use the word ‘joy’ lightly. Firstly however an anecdote…

My own car is a Hyundai Coupe, the automotive equivalent to Kelly Brook - pretty to look at with racy curves aplenty and great handling (particularly dancing the Salsa). However thanks to karma, the gorgeous looks come at a price - it’s very slow and drinks like Oliver Reed in his heyday. Despite this fact, one rain-drenched evening when all the sensible people were fast asleep, I found myself meandering around the twisty back roads on the outskirts of Cardiff, when what looked like a B & Q shed with wheels pulled up alongside me.

It appeared the four youths had been on the sun bed, as there was a blue neon glow emanating from the shed and that’s when my inner eight year-old took over. I forced the hamster in his wheel to run faster than ever before and the engine roared to life. As I left the shed and sun bed combo behind with Kelly’s wonderful handling, I thought to myself “nothing could handle this well”. Low and behold six months later I was proved wrong.

If my Coupe is Kelly Brook, then the new Vauxhall Corsa is Kate Thornton. The design doesn’t rip your eyes clean out or make you go weak at the knees but it’s still an attractive hatchback. Crucially though, this car has brains with: ABS, CBC, SLS EBA and DTC. Don’t worry about what the acronyms stand for, they all add up to give you a very safe hatchback, but most importantly for a city car - it handles brilliantly. I drove a 1.2 litre Corsa derivative during my high-brow summer break to Ibiza and fell in love.

The island is split into the two best environments for testing a car: twisty mountain roads and city driving. With this in mind I left my hotel high on the sun-drenched hillside and set off for the capital, Ibiza Town. The air conditioning instantly cooled the car, although I admit I leant out the window on occasion, to smugly show the face of a man who still had all 4 wheel trims on his car. I didn’t however shout “C’MON!” The 1.2 litre engine was surprisingly willing and the car gripped as tightly through the hairpin turns as it did through the s-bends.

Hitting the main road towards the capital gave me time to reflect on the interior. Everything seemed well put together with no rattles or squeaks and the driving position gave perfect visibility - ensuring I had plenty of time to see the crazy drivers and get swerving to avoid them. At times, I really did think I was in Beirut, as no-one seemed to understand the old adage of ‘don’t crash into another car, it’ll do neither me nor you any good’.

Emerging unscathed with a combination of cheeky handling and dumb luck, I arrived at Ibiza Town, wheel trims and all. Parked against the backdrop of a billionaires’ playground of yachts in the harbour, the Corsa seemed somehow prettier. The funky looks seemed in-keeping with the fashion boutiques and hustle and bustle of the city. As night descended, the light steering and responsive gearbox came into its own. At one point I took a wrong turn. Well by wrong turn I mean turning into a dead-end street complete with drug dealers, ladies of the night and no La Policia in sight.

For some this may seem like a perfect night out, not for me and Kate though. It was a ludicrous situation really, these burly druggies being crept up on by the Corsa, with its lop-sided grin and surprised eyes. I’m pleased to announce that the excellent turning circle allowed me to deliver a swift three-point-turn and chirp off onto better climes within the big smoke. The next day, Kate had to be returned and with a heavy heart I did so, wheel trims and all - she really will be the envy of the rental company’s car park.

The small hatchback market is one of the toughest to conquer, but I really think Vauxhall have produced a worthy competitor. When I think of the Corsa I think of chirpy, cheeky, cute and cuddlesome. Coupled with the handling this is a fun car and ideal for any urban jungle. So if you’re looking for a city car, remember the equation: city + fun - cost = Vauxhall dealer. “C’MON!” Ah damn it.

Driving at any time of the year can be dangerous, but it is especially important to be careful driving in the winter. Winter driving can bring the hazards of snow, ice, freezing rain, sleet, blackouts, whiteouts, and much more. If your car breaks down at any other time of year, you’ve still got a good chance of being able to take care of it yourself. However, in the winter, the days are shorter, the weather is colder and it is not at all comfortable to break down in a snowstorm! There are also more ways to break down in the winter; not only can your car run out of gas, but it can also get stuck in the snow.

If you are starting to panic, just relax; there are some things you can do to prepare for car emergencies. Here the top ten items to keep in your car in case of an emergency:

Snow shovel - You never know when you’ll get stuck in the snow, and you also never know if a good Samaritan will be around when you get stuck. Even in the summertime, cars can get stuck in the mud, and a shovel would still help in that situation.

Candle - Even though a candle may be a lot smaller than a car, it can still keep you and your car warm in the winter if you happen to break down or get stuck in a snow bank.

Blanket - If you ever break down in the winter, a blanket or sleeping bag is a very good thing to have!

Spare tire - Always a handy item to have when something happens to one of your car’s tires.

Tools - It is important to carry the right kind of tools in your car to help you in case of an emergency. Tools such as a jack, ratchet, lighter

Air Compressor - Many stores now sell mini compressors that are just for this purpose. A lot of perfectly good tires start to lose air after a while and an air compressor is a quick fix when you are stuck on the side of the road!

Flashlight - This one is pretty self explanatory. You never know when something will happen, and if you happen to break down after dark, a flashlight quickly turns into a lifesaver. Without a flashlight, all the tools in the world will not help you in the dark!

Food - This one may sound strange, but the truth is, people get hungry, and if you are stuck in the middle of nowhere, some granola bars and bottles of water are a big help!

Cell phone - Nowadays, car emergencies are not as bad as they used to be, because of cell phones. As long as you have good service in the area you happen to be in, you will be just fine.

First Aid Kit - This is perhaps the most important thing to carry in your car - especially if you have children. You never know what is going to happen, and even the slightest accident can cause some injuries to you and your loved ones that can be easily remedied by a well-stocked first aid kit.

You can improve your gas mileage just by changing the way you park your car. It is one of the many easy and simple things you can do to increase your fuel mileage.

Is this what you do when enter a parking lot? You enter the lot and the first thing you do is head for the parking area nearest to the entrance to the mall or the store where you are going. There are not any spaces available at the entrance because everyone, like you, tries to find the closest spaces.

Since you did not find any spaces initially you drive up and down the closest rows to see if you can find a parking place that is reasonably close to the entrance or you sit in one place and wait for a parking space to open up.

These parking behaviors will cost you gas mileage. That also means it will cost you money. When you wait to see if any parking spaces will become available you are sitting and idling your engine. When you idle, you are getting zero miles per gallon. Zero miles per gallon is the worst fuel economy you can get.

Alternatively if you are slowly cruising along the parking rows still hoping to find a close spot, you are burning fuel at a tremendous rate relative to the speed you are going. Inevitably you have to stop behind another car that is waiting or you stop at spaces that you think are opening up. Once again this causes you to idle and again you end up getting zero miles per gallon fuel economy.

If you think that a few seconds of extra idling is not going to use much fuel, think again. If you only spend 1 minute a day waiting for a parking space then you would roughly be burning fuel for 30 minutes or a half hour each month.

One half hour of burning fuel a month is the equivalent of burning fuel an extra 6 hours per year. Would you ever leave your car sitting and idling for six hours doing nothing but burning fuel? Absolutely not. But in essence you are letting your car sit and idle for 6 hours if your parking habits involve always looking for the closest parking space.

In what way can you change your habits to prevent this wasteful burning of gas? You can improve gas mileage and stop burning extra fuel with this very simple and very easy solution. Your goal should be to park far away from the store or mall instead of trying to park as close as you can. The farther away from the entrance you go, the more empty parking spaces you will find. If you head to the parking rows far from the entrance, as soon as you enter the parking lot, you should find a parking place right away.

By parking far away you save all the fuel you would have wasted waiting for and looking for a parking place close in. There is an another benefit to finding a parking place far from the entrance. Not only will you improve gas mileage and save money but you will get more exercise as you walk the additional distance from your car. It’s great for your wallet and great for your body.