Understanding The New "Cash For Clunkers" Law

By Everette Jamison

If you're driving a gas guzzler and have been thinking about retiring it and upgrading to a later model, you may have your eyes on the "Cash For Clunkers" program. This new piece of legislation was drafted by the federal government in order to improve the environment. By encouraging motorists who drive older, fuel-inefficient vehicles, the government hopes to upgrade the cars, trucks, and SUVs on our nation's roads.

A lot of people are thinking about taking advantage of this law to purchase a new vehicle. However, it may not be as flexible as many drivers believe. Below, we'll take a look at the program's specifics and discuss whether the program will truly help you buy a new car. I'll also provide a few tips for getting the most value from the legislation.

Specifics Of The Plan

Under the "Cash For Clunkers" deal, motorists can trade in their gas guzzlers and receive a predefined value that goes toward the purchase of a more fuel-efficient model. There are several standards that must be met prior to receiving that trade-in value. First, the deal only applies to vehicles that were built after 1983 and get 18 miles per gallon or less. To clarify, this is not technically a refund or rebate. Instead, it is merely a guaranteed trade-in voucher.

Drivers will receive a voucher worth either $3,500 or $4,500. The amount depends on the type of vehicle they're driving and how fuel-efficient the new model is. For example, an increase of ten miles per gallon is required for cars in order to receive the full $4,500. An increase of four to nine miles per gallon will receive $3,500. Light trucks, vans, SUVs, and work trucks each have different standards that must be met.

Will It Help You Buy A Car?

While the "Cash For Clunkers" law seems like a boon for motorists, it is unlikely to help most people. If you are driving an older vehicle that gets less than 18 miles per gallon, there is probably a compelling reason. For example, you may want to avoid absorbing a hefty monthly payment. Or, you might enjoy the flexibility of performing minor repairs and replacing parts yourself, when necessary. In either case, you may not be a good candidate for buying a new vehicle.

A Few Tips For Navigating The Program

To be sure, the "Cash For Clunkers" legislation will help more than a few drivers upgrade their cars. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

First, it's important that you are aware of your mileage. A lot of cars and trucks with smaller engines will not qualify. And if your car does, you should know whether you're eligible for the full $4,500. Second, be aware of the trade-in value. If you can trade in your SUV for a dollar value that is higher than the $4,500 voucher, you'll be better off doing so. Third, understand how the program works. Your vehicle must be drivable and insured for a full year in order to qualify.

The "Cash For Clunkers" law creates an attractive buying opportunity for some motorists. For most people, however, it will be more sensible (and less expensive) to keep their cars and replace parts, when necessary. - 21393

About the Author:

For all your used Ford Escort engines and used Ford Mustang engines needs consider the leader in parts, http://www.everdrive.com

H2O Water Cars

By Marci Young

The market is screaming with all types of trinkets that are ready for you to get better gas mileage. Many claim that you don't even need gasoline to run a car. As gas prices rise, ways to replace gas are on the incline.

This is so that automakers can turn plummeting sales around and at least pacify the consumer. Many back yard mechanics have attempted to take matters into their own hands. They are trying to find a way for you to get better gas mileage too.

Still, some that are money hungry believe that they can defy the laws of science! They think they can bypass just a few steps. This system boasts that they can show you how to take a fuel cell and attach it to your car's electrical system.

The most talked about of these plans is the HHO hydrogen generator system. It is being pitched by numerous different individuals and small companies. This system boasts that they can show you how to take a fuel cell and attach it to your car's electrical system.

Once these are all accounted for, these gadgets will cause your vehicle to use more gas. This is because the extra gas is only heating the water in that electrolysis cell and the wires that lead to it. Still, some that are money hungry believe that they can defy the laws of science and bypass just a few steps anyways.

The delivery of it to the cells is difficult. The combustion process takes a lot less energy from burning the hydrogen than it took to create it. Once these are all accounted for, these gadgets will cause your vehicle to use more gas.

Many back yard mechanics have attempted to take matters into their own hands. They are trying to find a way for you to get better gas mileage too. The market is screaming with all types of trinkets that are ready for you to get better gas mileage.

There are all types of problems involved in generating electricity. The problems are especially in the delivery of it to the cells. There are more problems with the combustion process.

Researchers are discovering it takes a lot less energy from burning the hydrogen than it took to create it. Smart people wouldn't buy something like this from people who haven't got the slightest grasp of scientific concepts. Introducing hydrogen and oxygen to your engine's intake will also cause your car's computer to function incorrectly.

They still believe that you can get better gas mileage by taking the power from your alternator. This is done to create hydrogen. So now who is right and who is wrong? - 21393

About the Author:

The extra gas is only heating the water in that electrolysis cell and the wires that lead to it. Engine Compartment Water They'll cost somewhere in the range of what you'd pay for gasoline in one month of driving. Once these are all accounted for, these gadgets will cause your vehicle to use more gas.

What Are The Basic Car Gauges In My Car

By Derrick Dobins

To learn how to drive, you will need to do a lot of studying. In order to drive, you must understand what road signals mean, you must learn how to physically drive your car and you should be able to read and understand the gauges in your car. The gauges are important to keeping your car in good working order so that you can drive it for a long time.

Gauges come in several styles, depending on the car that you drive. Some will have more lights than gauges. Whichever style they are, they can be found in the dashboard of the car. They are designed to help you know what is going on with your car and if there is anything that you should be concerned about.

One of the gauges that you will see, the gas gauges, is the perhaps the one you will pay attention to most. The tells you how much fuel you have in your car and many cars now even estimate how many miles you will be able to drive before you run out of fuel. It is important that you pay attention to the fuel gauges and stop to add fuel to your gas tank when it is getting low. If you do not, you may find yourself with a dead car in the middle of the road because you ran out of gas. Plan ahead for long trips and make sure that you do not let the gas gauge get too low before you stop to refuel.

The speedometer gauge will save you a ticket if you pay attention to it. Wherever you go there will be a speed limit. Pay attention to the speed limit signs and your speedometer gauge to make sure that you are not going faster than is allowed.

A lesser known gauge is the tachometer. While it is found in almost every car, many people do not understand what it is gauging. The tachometer is designed to tell you the speed of the engine. This is measure in revolutions per minute of the crank of the engine. It is more widely known as RPM. The reason you need to know this is because the faster your engine is turning the greater the chance that it will break. The RPM gauge should have a red zone on it. As a driver, your job is to make sure that the gauge does not go into the red zone. This is done by driving in the appropriate gear.

The temperature of the coolant in your engine also has a gauge. The temperature gauge tells you how hot the coolant is. The hotter the coolant, the more likely you are to have problems inside the engine. Again, the gauge should have a red zone and you need to watch to make sure that the gauge does not get into the red zone. If the gauge is moving in that direction and does not come back down quickly as you get to speed, then you should pull over. You will need to let the engine cool down substantially before continuing on. You should check the coolant level the next morning before driving because it is likely too low and needs to be topped off to prevent the engine from getting too hot.

The last gauge is for oil pressure. It is important for your engine to run with the appropriate oil level. The indicator is on the middle part of the measuring device. If you noticed that the oil pressure is rising up or dropping down, you have to pull over and look at the oil level. Make sure to turn off the car's engine first before checking.

These tips are generic to every car. Keep in mind that the best material that you can read about car gauges is your car's manual. As long as you can interpret your car gauges, you will certainly have a long lasting car free from committing traffic violations. - 21393

About the Author:

In your instrument cluster you will see car gauges. It is important that you watchthem, especially the speedometer gauge. If you don't, you may pay in the form of tickets.

Quick Auto Insurance - Why Are You Overpaying?

By Neena Rodgers

Have you every thought to yourself, "I shouldn't be paying this much for car insurance" well, if you have you are not alone. In the U.S. we are required to have car insurance, it is the law and who are we to oppose our judicial system?

So, we have to have it but why do we have to shell out so much and what factors cause us to pay extra then our fellow citizens? Well there are 100s of factors that might potentially cause you to pay more then your neighbors but the ones beneath tend to cause the greatest increases. So if doable steer clear of the problems below... No pun intended.

1 - Try to maintain a spotless record when it comes to tickets. If you have a lead foot well you need to stop! A speeding ticket will KILL your wallet/purse. One speeding ticket can cost you a lot in fines but boy are you going to pay much more on your car insurance. How about a 100-300 percent in premium payments? Yeah... Don't speed.

2 - Do you have a son or daughter? If so you are going to pay dearly when they reach driving age. Teens are a huge liability for car insurance companies. They speed, they don't pay attentions, and they are easily distracted. They are pretty much a ticking time bomb. Most people get into at least a minor bump up by the time they are 21 and this why their premium payments are much higher.

There really isn't a way of dropping payments when it comes to brand new drivers, you just have to shop around from one company to another and hope you discover a good quality deal.

3 - If you have been in a few accidents then you may be paying more then other. In fact you probably are. The one way to fix this is to go to a new insurance provider, one that offers accident forgiveness.

4 -- So you have a high performance automobile, a Corvette or Mustang? Good for you but you are paying a lot for car insurance coverage. If you want less exspensive coverage you need to get rid of the gaudy car, sorry!

As I said there are tons of factors that cause insurance prices to change, they go up, they go down. The only way to really make sure you have a fair policy is to shop around. Get a few online quotes and see what you can find. Good luck. - 21393

About the Author:

Go here -- quick car insurance quote And get a great deal on auto insurance! All you need is your car info and your zip code.

The Numerous Advantages of Buying a Used Car

By James Barker

These days, financial pressure is a reality for most middle-income families and has forced us to reduce spending whenever and wherever possible. However, certain crucial aspects of life, like transportation, cannot be avoided. You can, however, reduce your automotive related expenses by investing in great used car. Apart from the initial cost of the car, a wisely selected used car, be it a Toyota or a Suzuki, can help save money throughout the year.

There are literally hundreds of used cars of different makes and models available for sale to match every reasonable budget. The idea is to buy a car that allows you to sleep comfortably at night and not worry about what unexpected repair and spare part costs you are going to have o deal with next. Scrutinize the car for flaws or get a reliable mechanic to do it for you. Its always wise to take the car for a drive on different kinds of roads to check its performance under different situations.

One of the other main benefits of buying a used car is the relatively lower drop in resale value in percentage terms. Unlike new car resale prices, which drop a substantial amount with the first few years of operation, used cars command relatively higher prices compared to the original purchase value. This is a great way to ensure that you loose less money when you sell your second hand car at some point in the future.

Car insurance is a recurring expenditure and can contribute significantly to your expenses, depending on the value of the car you purchased. Due to their comparatively lower market value, used cars have lower insurance premiums. You can also approach your existing insurance company for a further reduction in premium as you're providing additional business. This means additional savings for you. Keep in mind that older cars because of their lower prices have the lowest premiums.

Newspapers and popular online classifieds cater to the sale of used cars and have fresh deals day after day. The variety of used cars and the ease with which they can be found have increased and with websites offering advanced search options, you can find a particular car for your price range within minutes.

It is clearly evident that the benefits of buying a used car are significant and too valuable to ignore. A few thousand dollars saved can go a long way during a bad patch in ones life. And with the wide variety of makes and features available out there, you really don't have to sacrifice all that much. You get to drive a great car and worry less about making ends meet. Its a win-win situation. - 21393

About the Author:

James Barker is a veteran of the used car industry. To find cheap used cars for sale in immaculate condition please visit Good Deal Hunting, a free classifieds website.