What cars have the lowest cost of ownership?

What cars have the lowest cost of ownership? Read on to find out!

There's more to the cost of owning a car than just paying the sticker price; in fact, the car with the lower sticker price might just turn out to be more expensive over the long haul. In other words, you might have the cash to buy a car, but not the income to afford to own it. That's the difference between price and total cost of ownership (TCO).

The total cost of ownership (over five years) includes six factors:

• Depreciation accounts for 46 percent of TCO (the average model depreciates 65 percent).
• Fuel costs mount up quickly -- especially for SUVs -- constituting 26 percent.
• Interest varies according to vehicle price, but in a typical case (a five-year loan, 15 percent down, 6.4 percent interest), it accounts for 12 percent of TCO.
• Insurance costs vary according to age, location, driving record, vehicle make and model but on average account for 11 percent.
• Maintenance and repair constitute 4 percent of TCO on average.
• Sales tax costs owners about as much as maintenance and repair, assuming the national average of 4.9 percent.

So which cars have the lowest cost of ownership? It's a complicated question and your circumstances may vary (especially if you include used cars in the mix), but here are some good candidates among 2010 vehicles. The list also indicates the award-winners in their categories for 2010:

Nissan Versa (also best compact car), Toyota Yaris (also best subcompact car), Hyundai Accent, Honda Civic, Scion xD (also best compact wagon), Honda Fit, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Prius
(also best mid-sized car), Nissan Cube, Chevrolet Aveo5

Read more: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/cost-of-car-ownership/what-cars-have-lowest-cost-of-ownership.htm

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The Red-light Camera Quiz

Red-light cameras may seem technologically cut-and dry, but that's far from reality. They've saved lives, but they've also stirred up more controversy that most other traffic control devices on the roads to date. See how knowledgeable you are about some of the more picayune and esoteric aspects of this growing debate.

Follow the link to get started: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/red-light-camera-quiz.htm

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Different Types Of Tires That You Should Know About

What’s the difference between All-season, Winter and Summer tires? Read on to find out.

If you want winter tires, don't wait — the retail season is in full swing right now. You might find yourself out of luck if you procrastinate until the first snow fall. Tire manufacturers have already built all the winter tires for this season, so when supplies run out, that's it.

Here are some tips to guide you through the process:

All-season tires: Based on our testing, all-season tires provide good all-around traction to handle dry, wet, and wintry conditions, but they tend not to be a master of any one condition. All-season tires are a good choice for modest winter conditions or when you can wait until the roads are plowed.

Winter tires: These tires are specially made for use in freezing temperatures and on snow and ice. Winter tires have a mountain and snowflake symbol on the sidewall indicating they meet challenging snow traction criteria. But like all-season tires, there is some compromise to consider, with so-so dry and wet grip and fast wear for many models. Consider winter tires if you have to drive in severe winter conditions.

Summer tires: If your car has summer tires on it, consider all-season or winter tires for cooler weather. These tires typically lose dry and wet grip below 45-degrees F and act like hockey pucks on snow and ice.

Bottom line: Consider your winter tire needs now to be sure you can get the tires you want and have the luxury to shop around for the lowest price before the snow starts falling.

Read more: http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1173217

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Hot Weather Tips For Your Car

Check out these hot weather tips for your car.

The prolonged hot weather we've been having is hard on vehicles, but a little preventive maintenance can go a long way toward ensuring that you don't wind up stranded on the side of the road withering in the heat while waiting for a tow truck.

Cars are complicated beasts and, of course, anything can go wrong at any time. But experts say there are four main problem areas that crop up as the mercury rises: batteries, tires, radiators and air conditioners.

"The extreme heat makes the acid and the fluid inside of them (car batteries) expand, which can cause them to start leaking," says Jim Kilgo, a supervisor at Austin's Groovy Automotive and Groovy Lube. "That causes battery failure in the long run."

Sarah Schimmer, AAA Texas public affairs representative, recommends that drivers keep in mind the age of their vehicles' batteries, especially in hot weather. "If it's older than 2 to 3 years, have it tested and consider having it changed out," she suggests.

Heat raises tire pressure, which is why manufacturers recommend checking their inflation before driving. And worn treads compound the effect. "As you drive during any month of the year, your tires' PSI (pounds per square inch) will raise from 5 to 8 pounds," Kilgo explains. "When it gets hot like this, it's going to raise even more. If you've got weak tires — worn tires — you've got a better chance of having a blowout."

Here's a bonus: Properly inflated tires in good condition (don't forget your spare) will improve your gas mileage.

If you see a car stranded on the shoulder and it's not up on a jack, chances are it has overheated. Your car is already working harder than normal in extreme heat, and low coolant levels can spell disaster for its engine. Belts stretch and hoses deteriorate with age; long periods of extreme heat can accelerate the process.

"A hose failure can cause an engine to blow almost before you can shut it down in this heat," Kilgo says.

"If you've got worn hoses that haven't been replaced in a while, you've got a better chance of a hose rupturing now than you do at any other time."

Read more: http://www.statesman.com/life/hot-weather-car-care-tips-1579503.html

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11 car-care tips that save gas

Below are some car care tips that you may not have thought of in order to save gas.

11. Fill up with a lower-octane gasoline. Buy the lowest grade or octane of gasoline that is appropriate for your car. Unless your car requires premium gasoline, filling up your car with high-octane fuel is a waste of money. That pricey premium fuel won't boost your car's fuel economy or performance in the least, so skip it.

If you're not sure what grade of fuel works best for your car, open up your owner's manual and take a look. As long as your engine doesn't knock or ping when you fuel up with regular unleaded, you're good to drive on this much cheaper gas. Passing on pricey premium gasoline could save you hundreds of dollars a year.

10. Don't top off. Don't bother topping off when filling your car's gas tank. Any additional gas is just going to slop around or seep out. Why waste your money paying for gas your car won't use? Stop pumping at the first indication that your tank is full when the automatic nozzle clicks off.

9. Tighten up that gas cap. Gas will evaporate from your car's gas tank if it has an escape. Loose, missing or damaged gas caps cause 147 million gallons of gas to evaporate each year, according to the Car Care Council. So be sure to tighten up that gas cap each time you fuel up your car.

8. Go for the shade. The hot summer sun that makes the inside of your car feel like a sauna also zaps fuel from your gas tank.

"If you let your car bake in the sun there's going to be a greater amount of evaporative emissions that take place than if you park in the shade," says Jim Kliesch, research associate at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy and vehicle analyst for GreenerCars.com.

So park your car in the shade of a building or tree whenever possible. And buy a good windshield shade. A windshield shade blocks sunlight and helps to keep heat out of the inside of your car.

7. Use your garage for your car. Got a garage? Clear it out and make room for your car. Parking in your garage will help your car stay warm in winter and cool in summer, and you won't have to depend as much on your gas-guzzling air-conditioning or defroster when you drive.

6. Pump up your tires. Don't get caught driving on underinflated tires. Underinflated tires wear down more quickly and they also lower your car's gas mileage.

"Tires that have low pressure offer more resistance so the engine is going to work harder to keep the car at 60," says Brian Moody, road test editor at Edmunds.com.

Your car's gas mileage may plummet by as much as 15 percent. Driving on underinflated tires may also reduce the life of your tires by 15 percent or more.

5. Check your tire pressure once a month. Buy a digital gauge and keep it in your glove box. Compare the pressure in your tires with the recommended pressure listed in your owner's manual and on the placard in your car door. Then inflate your tires as needed. Be sure to check tire pressure when your tires are cold. A good time is early in the morning after your car's been idle overnight.

4. Keep your engine in tune. Fixing a car that is out of tune or has failed an emissions test can boost gas mileage by about 4 percent. So be sure to give your car regular tune-ups. You'll also want to watch out for worn spark plugs. A misfiring spark plug can reduce a car's fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent.

3. Replace air filters. Keep a close eye on your engine's air filter. When the engine air filter clogs with dirt, dust and bugs, it causes your engine to work harder and your car becomes less fuel-efficient. Replacing a clogged air filter could improve your gas mileage by as much as 10 percent and save you 15 cents a gallon. It's a good idea to have your engine air filter checked at each oil change. The Car Care Council recommends changing your car's air and oil filters every three months or 3,000 miles or as specified in your owner's manual.

2. Use the right oil. You can improve your car's gas mileage by 1 percent to 2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. Opt for motor oil with the words "energy conserving" on the API performance label. This oil contains friction-reducing additives.

1. Don't skimp on maintenance. Be serious about auto care. Your car's performance depends on it.

"Always follow the manufacturer-recommended maintenance," Moody says. "The car's designed to run a certain way. If you neglect it, it won't be as efficient."

Obey the car-care guidelines outlined in your owner's manual. For more auto-care guidelines check out this free maintenance schedule from the Car Care Council.

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Top 10 Car Maintenance Tips

10: Check Your Tires

Tires are one of the most overlooked parts of a car. According the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), only one out of 10 drivers checks his or her tire pressure correctly, compared with almost seven out of 10 who wash their cars regularly [source: RMA]. But the truth is that an under-inflated, over-inflated, worn down or misaligned tire can be extremely dangerous, particularly in hot summer weather.

9: Change Oil and Oil Filter

Oil is the lifeblood of your car. It keeps hardworking engine parts running clean, smooth and cool. Most owner's manuals suggest that you change your oil and oil filter every 7,500 miles (12,070 kilometers). Oil change specialists suggest every 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometers) or three months. The fact is, most of us do a lot of heavy driving during the summer when an engine is more likely to overheat. So at least check your oil before you head out on that road trip with the family.

8: De-Winterize Your Car

If you haven't driven your car very much during the winter, or if you've had it in storage, then you need to check all of the fluid levels -- coolant, transmission,differential, power steering and brake fluid -- to make sure there weren't any leaks. You'll also want to change the oil, since oil gets thick and collects condensation if it sits in the engine all winter. If you haven't used your battery in a while, you might need a recharge or a replacement. It's also important to really clean the undercarriage of the car after a long winter, especially if you live in a snowy climate.

7: Check Hoses and Belts

The key to summer driving is keeping the engine cool. We're going to talk about the radiator and coolant soon, but first you need to check the hoses and belts. The hoses connected to the radiator help pump coolant to and from the engine block, and the belts run the fan that helps cool the system further [source: CBS News]. If the hoses crack or the belts snap, the radiator will quickly overheat, leaving you stranded.

6: Change the Air Filter

Over the winter, your car's air filter can get clogged with salt and other thick debris. A clogged air filter can really lower your fuel efficiency. Replacing a dirty or clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent

5: Replace Your Windshield Wipers

Winter can be tough on windshield wipers. Ice, snow, salt and extreme temperatures make cracks and tears in the rubber that lower the effectiveness of the wipers. If your wipers are leaving visible streaks or take several passes to clear away light rain, they need to be replaced.

4: Check Your Brakes

Brakes need to be replaced when the lining on your brake pad or brake shoe is worn down past the minimum thickness specified by the car manufacturer or state law [source: Yahoo! Autos]. You can have your brake linings checked at any normal service shop or at a brake specialist.

3: Check the Coolant and Radiator

Cars are designed to run hot, but there's a limit to how hot they should run. A combustion engine is most efficient at around 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius). But if an engine is allowed to get too hot, moving metal parts can actually start to melt and fuse together, causing a variety of internal problems for your engine -- and, you guessed it, a hefty repair bill.

2: Clean Your Battery

Wintertime is notorious for dead batteries and early morning jumpstarts. But the truth is that hot weather is even tougher on your battery. Summer heat can speed up the chemical reaction inside a battery, causing the battery to be overcharged [source: CBS News]. This can dramatically shorten the lifespan of your battery. Heat can also damage the battery by evaporating internal battery fluid [source: Car Care Council]. The best way to keep your battery running smoothly is to keep it clean.

1: Maintain Your Air Conditioning

The most common cause of a malfunctioning air conditioning unit is a low level of refrigerant. This could be caused buy a leak somewhere in the system. Since modern air conditioning systems are complicated creatures, it's best to have a professional check out the problem.

Tips courtesy of: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/accidents-hazardous-conditions/summer-car-maintenance10.htm

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