It’s easy to go green. We all should be using the three r’s and other environmental safety measures. Let’s each do what we can to make our world, our vehicles and our homes as green as they can be. It all begins with each one of us.

(NAPSI)-Car owners go green if they heed these hints:

• Don’t speed. Gas mileage decreases sharply above 60 mph.
• Drive gently. Avoid sudden accelerations and jerky stop-and-go’s. Use cruise control on open highways to keep your speed as steady as possible.
• Avoid idling.
• Remove excess items. Less weight means better mileage.
• Remove rooftop cargo carriers after vacations.
• Consolidate your errands to eliminate unnecessary driving.
• Keep your engine tuned. A misfiring spark plug will reduce fuel efficiency. Replace filters and fluids as recommended in your owner’s manual.
• Check your tires for proper inflation. Underinflation wastes fuel by making your engine work harder to push the vehicle.
• Look for qualified auto technicians as evidenced by trade school diplomas, certifications by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and signs of advanced course work.

Nothing on this go green list is difficult or unreasonable. The go green car care tips here are common sense procedures drivers should use whether it’s for an environmental reason or not.

Checking your tires, keeping your vehicle’s engine tuned, no speeding…aren’t these common sense practices we should all use all the time?

When you try to go green just use your head and do what you can to ensure your car is as green as it can be and at the same time you are protecting your family with these on the road safety tips.

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Disc brakes (click link for photo), sometimes spelled as “disk” brakes, use a flat, disk-shaped metal rotor that spins with the wheel. When the brakes are applied, a caliper squeezes the brake pads against the disc (just as you would stop a spinning disc by squeezing it between your fingers), slowing the wheel.

What are drum brakes?

Drum brakes (click link for photo) use a wide cylinder that is open at the back, similar in apprearance to, well, a drum. When the driver steps on the brake pedal, curved shoes located inside the drum are pushed outwards, rubbing against the inside of the drum and slowing the wheel.

What is the difference between disc brakes and drum brakes?

Disc brakes are generally considered superior to drum brakes for several reasons. First, they dissipate heat better (brakes work by converting motion energy to heat energy). Under severe usage, such as repeated hard stops or riding the brakes down a long incline, disc brakes take longer to lose effectiveness (a condition known as brake fade). Disc brakes also perform better in wet weather, because centrifugal force tends to fling water off the brake disc and keep it dry, whereas drum brakes will collect some water on the inside surface where the brake shoes contact the drums.

Why do so many cars still use rear drum brakes?

All cars sold in the United States use disc brakes for the front wheels, but many cars still use drum brakes in the rear. Braking causes the car’s weight to shift forward, and as a result about 70% of the work is done by the front brakes. (That’s why your front brakes tend to wear out faster.) By fitting disc brakes to the front wheels and drum brakes to the rear wheels, manufacturers can provide most of the benefits of disc brakes while lowering costs. (Drum brakes are less expensive to make than disc brakes, largely because they can also double as a parking brake, whereas disc brakes require a separate parking brake mechanism.) Even so, a car with four-wheel disc brakes (versus front disc/rear drum) will still provide superior braking performance in wet weather and on long downgrades. (That said, you should always downshift and let the engine control the car’s speed on long downgrades.)

How can I tell if my car has disc brakes or drum brakes?

If your car was built in the last thirty years, it most likely has disc brakes on the front wheels, but it may have drums in the rear. If the car has wheels with big openings, you may be able to see some or all of the brake assembly. Seen through the wheels, disk brakes look like this, with a flat rotor set back from the inside surface of the wheel and a wider piece (the caliper) at the front or rear of the disc. Drum brakes look like this, with a cylindrical drum that is usually flush against the inside surface of the wheel.

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What Are the Top Five Cars You Would Like to Own?
We always suggest that you have at least five makes/models of cars that could be a possible restoration project because as you go through the following questions, you’d be surprised how quickly the desirability factor of a car can diminish under close scrutiny. Whether it’s the initial cost, availability of parts or the difficulty level of the particular car, your research may have you thinking that your dream car would be a nightmare restoration.

Your best education about a variety of marques is available at car shows and auctions. Talk to owners about their car’s design flaws and what they did to remedy them. Ask how easy or difficult the car is to maintain and find parts for. Look at all the cars very closely, and you may find yourself admiring a marque that you wouldn’t have considered before.

Just be sure that you have actually driven the cars you place on your top five. What may look like a really cool car while parked in your garage could be a real wrestling match for you to drive. Remember that older cars don’t handle or brake like newer cars. And if you keep them as they were originally produced, they will not have the creature comforts you have come to enjoy. Why take all the time to restore a car that you won’t have fun driving.

What do You Plan to do With Your Restored Car?
Restoring a car for investment purposes will play a big role in deciding your purchase. You need to find a car that is as close to original as possible, especially one that has matching numbers on the engine, body, frame and transmission. Restoring the car’s original parts will retain the cars value much more than sourcing parts from similar makes and models.

But if you’re looking to restore an older car to be a regular driver that will used more for fun than turning a buck, a solid car would be the better criteria. A solid car that has little rust, a straight and accident free body, and decent bright work will save a lot of time and money in a restoration project.

How Much of the Restoration Can You do Yourself?
If you are not handy around the house and have never changed the oil on your car, then be realistic about finding accomplished professionals to do the heavy work for you. This will make a very expensive restoration compared to buying an already finished car. Even the home mechanic can be intimidated with the mechanics found in vehicles produced in the 60’s and 70’s. First timers may want to look at the more straight forward 40’s and 50’s engines and electronics.

The key factors on the affordability scale are then driven from your ability to do the work, and what you think you should pay for the jobs that you have done, the availability of quality shops for specialized work at a reasonable cost and of course, the availability of parts or spares at reasonable prices. The reasonable price criteria is directly related to the numbers of cars built of the model you have chosen and the network of clubs from which you can gain intelligence for their sourcing.

How Much Money is in the Budget?
Only 30% of restoration projects get back out on the road, mostly due to the lack of funds for completion. It is a rare occasion that we find a restoration project costs us less than expected even when we generously pad the budget for unexpected repairs or part replacements.

Once you have made a complete inspection of the car, make a list of all the repairs or replacement items necessary and the tools you will have to buy to do these repairs. If the engine doesn’t start, don’t assume that it ever will and put that repair on the list. Source parts and get quotes from professionals to complete the restoration before you make an offer on a car. The inconvenient truth behind automotive restoration is that the car you buy for $5000 can cost you $25,000 to restore only to find that the resale value is $21,000…even if you do a high end restoration.

Where Will You do the Work on the Car?
If you think you can just put your main transportation outside and restore your classic in its parking space, think again. Once you start taking the project car apart, you will find that it takes up much more room than your main ride did.

Parts that come off need be stored in an organized and documented fashion. Before you know it you’ll have boxes, body parts and bright work with no place to put them. This can cause damage and loss to parts of the car you didn’t have in the budget.

If space is limited, consider a smaller car like an MG, BMW Isetta or VW Bug. These cars can offer some very thrifty thrills.

Why Do You Want to Restore a Car?
If you think this is a silly question to ask, you obviously have never fully restored an old car. Restoring an older automobile with the goal to get it back to its former glory and on the road again, is truly a labor of love and can be great fun. Every time you come up against a nut that won’t budge or find that apart needs to be fabricated, you need to remind yourself of this.

We suggest you make the reasons for restoring this car a mantra to be repeated constantly when aligning your newly painted doors back onto its hinges and trying to get them to close properly. This helps curb the obligatory profanity usually used during this part of the restoration.

We’re not trying to scare you away from restoring a car, we just want you to understand that there are frustrating moments in the process. It’s similar to golf…when you shank the ball left into no man’s land, you have to remember that this is a game and you’re supposed to be having fun.

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(NAPSI)-If you’re in the market for a car–new or used–you have more information at hand than at any other time in the history of car buying, in large part due to the Internet and the competitive nature of today’s automotive market.

Automakers’ Web sites are a great place to begin your quest for information. Most manufacturers have an online tool to virtually “build” your vehicle, choosing the trim levels, options and accessories that are most important to you. Is a sunroof important? Check. Leather seats? Check. All-wheel drive? Check. The automakers’ Web site will also steer you to a dealer near you, so you can check out locally available inventory.

Since safety is such an important consideration when buying a car, be sure to check out the vehicle’s crashworthiness ratings at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Search the Web site (www.iihs.org) for vehicles that have been named a “Top Safety Pick” by the institute, which means that the vehicle has earned the top rating in each of four crash tests. Subaru (www.subaru.com), for example, is the rare manufacturer with at least one Top Safety Pick in every vehicle class in which it competes.

If you are considering a used vehicle, arm yourself with pricing knowledge before you begin shopping for your dream car by checking out Kelley Blue Book online at www.kbb.com. The site gives typical pricing for each trim level of a used vehicle, allows you to customize by adding options and accessories, and adjusts vehicle valuations based on the condition of the used car.

One way to avoid the uncertainty that often comes with buying a used vehicle is to take advantage of a manufacturer’s Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicle program. CPO vehicles are given a thorough inspection, often with well over 100 points inspected, and generally come with an extended warranty, including power train coverage. Some manufacturers, such as Subaru of America, enhance their CPO programs with additional features, including a CARFAX® Vehicle History Report and 24/7 roadside assistance.

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(ARA) – Knowledge may be power, but that’s only the case if you put what you know into good use. Sure, it’s a common phrase that can be used in many different situations, but when applying it to car care, weeding through the myths can result in financial savings and longer vehicle life.

Myth: My car’s motor oil should be changed every 3,000 miles

It is recommended that vehicle owners follow their manufacturer’s maintenance intervals while it is still under warranty. However, if your car is no longer under warranty, try using a synthetic oil that can extend your oil change intervals. The number of miles you can allow between your oil changes will depend on the way you drive and the oxidations stability of the motor oil.

Oxidation stability can be measured by the American Society for Testing and Materials’ (ASTM) rigorous Thin Film Oxidation Uptake Test (TFOUT). This test is so demanding that it lasts 1,300 minutes. Conventional motor oils typically last less than 300 minutes and Synthetic motor oils typically last less than 500 minutes. One high performance synthetic motor oil, Royal Purple, has been shown to outlast the duration of the test. Royal Purple motor oils are recommended to extend oil change intervals as much as 12,000 miles under normal driving conditions, and have also been shown to improve fuel economy.

Myth: A dealership must handle all maintenance on my vehicle while it is under warranty.

The key to maintaining your factory warranty is that car care items specified in the owner’s manual are performed on schedule. As long as the service is documented, it can be performed by any auto-repair shop. You can also do the work yourself; just make sure you keep accurate records and receipts in case warranty issues arise and for future repair.

Myth: My car engine needs to warm up before driving.

During winter months, it is a common practice for drivers to warm their vehicles up inside, but a cold engine will warm up faster when it is being driven instead of idling. If you use your car infrequently, take a few minutes to warm up your car before you drive away. This allows cold, thick oil to warm up, protecting your engine from damage. For cold weather starts, all you need is 30 seconds to ensure proper oil flow and lubrication. In the event of frigid temperatures, driving at a slower speed for a few miles will give your car enough time to warm up.

Myth: You tires should be inflated to the pressure shown on the tire sidewall.

Because of the wide variety of tires on the market today, tires can be used on more than one vehicle, so inflating your tires based on the PSI number on the sidewall may not be ideal for your specific vehicle. Car owners should follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for cold weather and normal conditions tire pressure. That number can be found on a doorjamb sticker in newer cars, or in the glove box or fuel door on older models.

Myth: Are dishwashing detergents suitable for washing my car?

It is common for people to use dish detergents to wash your car, but do so with some warning. Dish detergents are designed to remove animal or vegetable fat and will equally target the wax on your car. Instead, opt for a product specifically for automotive use. Quality products are based on detergents and not soaps which are made of rendered animal byproduct that contain trace elements that could damage your paint.

Myth: All oil filters are the same

You may think that “an oil filter is an oil filter,” but that’s not true, because there can be significant differences that affect both filtration efficiency and longevity. The oil filter is the engine’s main line of defense against abrasion and premature wear. The more dirt and other contaminants the filter can trap and hold the better.

Inexpensive filters are typically made with the 3,000-mile interval in mind, using low-quality paper media that deteriorates rapidly for filtration. There are a number of new high performance premium oil filters on the market from manufacturers such as Royal Purple, Wix and K&N. These filters are made for extended oil drain intervals. For example, Royal Purple uses a proprietary long-life, micro-glass media that provides protection for 12,000 miles.

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“Get an oil change , have your belts and engine checked, and if your windshield has ever been replaced, make sure the job was done right,” says Leo Cyr, vice president of NOVUS Auto Glass.

According to the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA), 82 people are either killed or injured in accidents every day after being ejected from their vehicles. There’s no breakdown of how many of those people went through windshields, but Cyr figures the number is high.

“Laws exist that require seatbelt use. Laws exist to prohibit tampering with or disabling airbags. However, there are no laws that govern how a windshield is replaced once the vehicle leaves the factory. An improperly replaced windshield could — and sometimes does — become detached from the vehicle during airbag deployment, from the force of a collision, or when the car rolls or flips over. With the windshield disabled, the effectiveness of the vehicle’s safety restraint system (SRS) is seriously compromised.

“The tragedy of the situation,” explains Cyr, “is the average person will not realize their windshield was improperly replaced until it is too late. There are literally thousands of responsible auto glass companies in the United States that perform high-quality, safe windshield replacement. However, the way to locate and select such a company comes from knowing what questions to ask before making a commitment.”

The first question to ask is if the windshield really needs to be replaced, or if dings in the glass can be repaired. Chips or dings that are small enough to be covered by a credit card or cracks that will fit under a dollar bill are typically repairable without having to remove the factory seal of the original glass.

If you do decide to go through with a repair, ask if the technician will take the following steps when making the repair:

* Remove the old sealant leaving approximately 1/16 inch bonding surface.

* Clean and prime the glass and the vehicle pinchweld.

* Wear gloves so as not to contaminate the clean glass.

* Use urethane adhesive (not butyl tape or silicone).

* Check for a passenger side airbag and, if present, use urethane rated for that type of installation.

* Discuss how long before the vehicle can be driven.

* Tell you the “do’s and don’ts” of operation during adhesive curing.

After the job is done, inspect the work carefully. You do not need to be an auto glass expert to identify the “tell tale” signs of improper installation. From outside the vehicle, see if the windshield is perfectly centered on the car. Is the distance the same between the left side and the right side of the windshield and the auto body?

Finally, inspect the molding that fits around the entire circumference of the windshield. Is the molding broken or are there visible gaps? Is the molding flat or does it look like a roller coaster? Most importantly, is the glass flush with the vehicle’s body? If any of these conditions are present, the installation should be considered suspect.

“When shopping for auto glass repair and/or replacement services, people need to be quality conscious to a fault,” says Cyr. “Discounts, coupons and sales incentives are fine when shopping for ‘brand’ name products at competing retailers. Auto glass repair/replacement is not a product. It is a service — a safety service — requiring the use of the best materials technology has to offer.”

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Like lemonade stands and drive-in movies replaced by today’s mega-theatres and air-conditioned malls, cruising has evolved to include not only today’s safer convertibles, but other vehicles that lend themselves to the particular tastes of the driver.

“They say getting there is half the fun, and if you’re driving one of this year’s newer vehicles to your vacation destination that really will be the case,” says John Davis, host and executive producer of MotorWeek, a weekly automotive magazine show produced by Maryland Public Television.

Davis says you’ll be seeing a lot of pickups, SUVs and convertibles out there; and unlike in past years when people might rent “fun” cars specifically to drive on vacation, “the latest trend is for people to travel in their own vehicles. It’s a comfort thing as well as being more economical,” says Davis.

So-called cross over vehicles, which combine the features of a car with those of a sedan, minivan or sport utility vehicle, are really gaining in popularity. “They are the widest, most imaginative group of vehicles to enjoy in the history of the industry,” says Davis. Vehicles that fall into this category include the Pontiac Vibe, Subaru Baja, Honda Element, Scion xB, Chrysler Pacifica, Toyota Matrix, and Chevrolet Avalanche. They cover a broad range of prices from under $15,000 to well over $40,000.

Safety Issues

“They are very versatile, there’s no doubt about that,” says Davis. “But like the traditional SUV, they tend to be tall, and taller vehicles by their very nature can roll over easier, so you still need to be extra careful when taking corners.”

Rollovers can also be a worry for another popular summertime car: convertibles. They tend to be slower to respond to driver inputs because they are heavier than your average sedan, but Davis points out, they have come a long way. “Convertibles used to be flimsily made and clumsy to drive, and really rattled over rough roads. Now they are better built, with better suspensions, and are much safer. Along with front airbags, many convertibles can be ordered with side impact airbags, while a few have pop-up roll-over bars that automatically provide extra protection for occupants. Most also offer electronic driving aids like anti-lock brakes and electronic stability systems.

Cruising still has the devotion of the American driver as it has for years, but with some 210 million registered drivers on the road, it does require us to be more conscious. Not just about safety, but other drivers, and local laws as they relate to aggressive driving and cell phone use. So, toss the cell phone in the glove compartment, strap on your seat belt and enjoy your next road trip.

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Size

When deciding which best car to buy that you want and need you will need to spend some time to consider it. Although you are keen on the appearance of a Mini Cooper or a VW Bug but it may not the right decision to make.

It may necessary to choose a bigger vehicle like an SUV or a van if you are carrying around soccer team. The first thing to consider is the amount of persons that you will have in your car.If there are only two passengers then you may need the little two-seater convertible car. Though, small sport car is not best car to buy if you need to carry people around to the workplace or if you have a big family.

Mileage

In our current economy, gasoline is particularly essential. The price of gas is highly changeable because it can swing prices at prices within twenty-four hours. Because of this, you should consider the mileage of your car. In our current economy, gasoline is particularly essential. The price of gas is highly changeable because it can swing prices at prices within twenty-four hours. Because of this, you should consider the mileage of your car.

The best car to buy may be the one that provides you better gas effectiveness. Although it may mean that you should spend some more money in advance. However, you are able to save more money due to the effectiveness of gas.

Warranty and Reputation

All brand new cars come with certain guarantees but it is not only a guarantee that will state that you buy the finest vehicle. The best car to buy may also have a good reputation behind its manufacturer.

You have to make sure that the research of the quality of the car is done and the car maker has a great reputation. So you are certainly going to get the best car that not only meets your need but your budget as well.

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To start with you need to know when these federal auctions are held. There are websites that regularly provide a list of all federal vehicle auctions. For first time buyers, here are a few tips that will ensure you buy yourself a good quality vehicle. Set a budget and decide on the type of vehicle you would like to purchase. You can avoid overspending and not get caught in the excitement of an auction. Auctions can do that to you!

If you know someone who has purchased a vehicle at government and police auctions, you can always ask them to tag along. You will be at an advantage with an experienced hand by your side. You can observe how other participants are bidding for vehicles, if potential buyers are not bidding for a particular vehicle; we would recommend staying way too..

A quick look at the interior of a car should give you a fair idea of the cars use. You could also check vehicle tyres, under the hood, and run the engine if possible. These are basic steps that you could follow and identify any problems that vehicle might have. When you purchase a car, truck or SUV from government and police auctions you can be sure that you will get a car with a clean title.

Bids start as low as a hundred dollars and usually well maintained vehicles. For people that are on a budget or looking out for a second car, buying a car at a federal auction is quite the bargain. The list of cars that are available at car auctions are endless and they are held at regular intervals which is a benefit when you want a particular model.

If you would like an expert to check the car before you make a purchase, federal auctions allow potential bidders to inspect the car. This is done a day before the auction and is another great way to get to buy your dream car.

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How to Choose The Right Coolants
A significant percentage of the cars these days are liquid cooled. However, you are not recommended to use only water in the radiator of your car as it can hamper the performance of the engine. Usually, you can select from ethylene glycol or propylene glycol. These are preferred as they help your car’s engine perform normally under extreme temperatures. This aspect is extremely vital if you consider driving your car through desert areas that are usually hotter climate.

Benefits of Modern Coolants
Modern coolants have a world of benefits over traditional coolants when it comes to the performance of your car under a variety of weather conditions. One of the most striking advantages of modern coolants is their additive elements. Today, coolant manufactures are found out how to use additives in coolants. Good news is most of the modern coolants have anti-rust additives and lubricants in them which keep the water pump in god working conditions. These additives make a world of difference to the performance engines of your any modern car, if you consider that modern engines are designed with less weight which are sensitive to extreme temperatures.

What To Watch Out For
When you buy a new car, make sure you read the specifications carefully to understand the specific treatments of its engine. This is crucial as you cannot use just any coolant in for you car’s engine. More often than not, you would fine many car manufactures recommend using coolants and water in 50:50 ratio. However, it is much safer to stick to the specifications of your car before deciding to use any particular coolant for you car’s engine. Head is the enemy of your car’s engines and hampers its performance. Hence, make sure you use the right kind of coolants to enhance the performance of your car.

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