Author Archive: Chad Baus

What automotive technologies will go from science fiction to commonplace in just the next 5 years? The rate at which technology is changing personal transportation accelerates every year, which can make predicting the arrival of future car tech a dicey proposition. I’ve listed these below in an effort to identify the top 10 advanced car technologies we’ll see in showrooms by 2020.

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Gas prices historically rise with the temperature and so do the miles we drive. We head to the beach, transport kids to summer camps, take summer vacations and ferry college-bound students to explore university campuses. “With so much warm weather driving ahead, it pays to take steps to maximize the amount of miles you can get out of every gallon of gas,” says Bob Abram, product planning manager with Yokohama Tire Corporation. Fortunately, you don’t have to buy a hybrid to reduce the amount of gas you’ll use this summer. Try these unbelievably easy tips to improve your vehicle’s gas mileage…

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Memorial Day, summer’s kickoff, is often seen as a time to think about slowing down, relaxing, spending time with loved ones and taking to the open road for a break.

For families with teens, however, it’s got a darker side: teen driving deaths. Memorial Day marks the beginning of what many experts now call the “100 deadliest days” for traffic-related deaths of teens.

During all of 2012, 1,919 teens ages 15-19 died in crashes involving at least one teen driver, with 550 of those teens’ deaths (nearly 29 percent) taking place between Memorial Day and Labor Day, according to the National Safety Council. It analyzed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Another data analysis tells a similar story: In 2012, 2,823 teens ages 13-19 were killed in crashes, according to the Insurance Institute [...]

Crude oil prices determine around two-thirds of the price consumers pay at the pump every time they fill up and forecasts are showing the average price per barrel for Brent crude oil in 2015 to be around $68 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate is showing $63 per barrel. However, it’s important to understand that there are many factors that could change these numbers, as industry price forecasting is not an exact science.

The U.S Energy Information Administration (EIA) notes, “Federal, state and local government taxes contribute to the retail price of gasoline. Additionally, county and city taxes may have a significant impact on the price of gas in certain locations”.  Also, “Distribution, marketing, and retail dealer costs and profits are included in the retail price of gas. Most gas is shipped from the refinery first by pipeline [...]

Many on-the-road inconveniences and even tragedies can be avoided with some preparation. From facing bad weather to avoiding breakdowns, proper planning can make a difference.

Follow these five steps to put the odds in your favor.

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When you’re looking for a new car, calculating monthly costs is imperative to ensure you’re not committing to spend beyond your means – especially when you consider that most car financing terms are up to around five and half years, according to Edmunds.com. For even the most modest of vehicles, when you add in things like maintenance costs, gas mileage and insurance, what once seemed like an affordable option can quickly become out of range for your budget. That’s why it’s important to establish how much you can truly afford to pay for your new vehicle while you’re still in the research phase. Here are some key factors to help you determine the right price range for your budget.

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Winter sweaters and boots have been packed away in favor of shorts and sandals. Has your vehicle benefited from the same maintenance you’ve performed on your closets? Warm weather means long weekend getaways and even longer vacation road trips, and taking the time to perform seasonal maintenance today can help avoid trouble later.

Here are 10 tips for spring and summer car care. In some cases, you’ll be able to perform these procedures yourself. Others are best done by a mechanic as part of a tune-up. Some will help your vehicle look better. Most will help it perform more efficiently and get better gas mileage.

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Every year, as temperatures fluctuate between the deep freeze of winter and the thaw of spring in many areas of the country, the roads can quickly become pockmarked with holes (big and small) that can cause great damage to your car and tires. According to CBS News, AAA estimates that consumers typically spend $5 billion a year on repairs stemming from pothole damage. This phenomenon isn’t new, but with this year’s polar vortex, it certainly is starting to feel like we’ve reached a whole new level in this pothole plague.

Hitting a pothole with your car can cause a great deal of damage to your car, particularly to the tires, rims, suspension and chassis. Because of this, it’s imperative that you take the proper precautions to keep your car out of harm’s way. [...]

Speed limits along the Ohio Turnpike and rural freeways in the state would be raised from 70 miles per hour to 75 mph under changes made Monday to the state’s transportation budget bill.

The proposed 75-mph limit would apply to the same stretches of highway in Ohio that had the speed limit raised two years ago…

…[L]awmakers found that the speed-limit increase to 70 mph along rural highways, passed two years ago, “has not caused any problems at all – actually, accidents have gone down.”

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