- New Lamborghini featured at swanky Beverly Hills gala
http://t.co/DMOjzVZ92011/12/01 13:52 by HootSuite - Honda's natural gas Civic named Green Car of the Year
http://t.co/NNCNiTsf2011/11/30 13:55 by HootSuite - Amazing ICON redesign of the classic Ford Bronco.
http://t.co/kkvQcwpW2011/11/30 08:10 by HootSuite
Archive for August, 2010
If you’re an environmentally conscious consumer, your old tires are either left with the tire replacement shop to be recycled, or taken to an approved landfill or recycling center in your area if you replaced them yourself. Most communities also offer recycling programs that allow homeowners to put tires, batteries and electronics curbside for pickup once or twice a year.
At one time, these used tires tended to pile up, creating a singularly ugly health and safety hazard that encourages breeding mosquitoes, rodents and –when heated by intense summer sun – a source of almost inextinguishable fires (thanks to layers of compacted debris) that can seriously impact air quality.
Fortunately, a combination of advanced technology and an increasing awareness of the environment have led to a plethora of recycling options, some highly commendable, others somewhat peculiar (if no less desirable). For example, I can clearly see the value of tires as bumper guards. Tire art, on the other hand, leaves me frowning. Read more
Are you the type of person who will try anything for a little peace of mind? Many people have adopted the principles of feng shui for their homes….but you can also try a little feng shui  in your car. Your car is a place where you need to try and incorporate positive energy –  to get you through the frustration of rush hour and restless children in the back seat. Read more
Running out of gas is one of those things that we all hope as drivers we’re never going to do. But, no driver is perfect. There comes a time where drivers decide to push it to the next gas station on a road trip, leave home in a rush only to discover the last driver left the tank low, or in some cases, even find that the gas gauge was deceiving. The gas light is never a welcome sign as no matter what the reason.
So what do you do when the unthinkable happens and you find yourself stranded on the side of the road after running out of gas? Don’t bang your head on the steering wheel in frustration…follow these steps instead. Read more
Photo courtesy of Zipcar.com
If you are like me, you knew about car sharing, but only in a very generic way. Turns out, car sharing under the Zipcar banner is far from generic, and offers dozens of options to keep you moving while saving cash and that other kind of green – the environment.
As Zipcar media describes it, carsharing is about “practicable and actionable†sustainability that reduces the negative effects of transportation on the planet. This synopsis is shared by Greencar.com, which also suggests that car pooling (using Zipcar as a rideshare tool) where possible reduces overall spending – a definite planet- and pocket-plus during this recession. Read more
Tire maintenance is something that many drivers overlook. Unless air pressure is drastically reducing, you can’t tell that it’s time to change your tires from behind the wheel of your car. But, neglecting to do so can cause damage to the suspension system of your vehicle, and it can increase your gas consumption if the car needs more power to run because of low air pressure or poor traction. There are also safety concerns, of course. Neglecting to change your tires when it’s needed can increase the odds of a collision, especially when the roads are slick with water and ice.
Here are a few things you should know about replacing your tires: Read more
Buying or leasing a car can be a long-term commitment. Signing on that dotted line, you know you’ll be responsible for covering the payments on the vehicle for two or more years and over time your needs can change. When you commit to a vehicle today, there’s no way to predict your financial situation and lifestyle requirements years down the road. Before your lease is over you could change jobs, or need to trade in your Porsche for a practical minivan as your family expands. So what can you do if you’ve taken on a car lease for a vehicle that’s just not working for you anymore?
Pay to Terminate the Agreement
It is possible to end the lease early, but you will pay a termination fee (based on how much time is left on your lease) and have to pay back all payments owed for the remainder of your lease period. If you’re looking to end your lease because of lack of affordability, this option isn’t realistic. Even if you can afford to, paying a huge lump sum on a vehicle you no longer want isn’t ideal anyway. Consider this a last resort option, but know it is available to you.
Transfer your Lease
The better option is to find someone to take over your lease since you won’t end up with large fees to terminate your lease. Basically, this process involves “selling†your car to someone who will be legally taking over the lease for the remainder of the term. The process can be laborious if you try to do it on your own, but there are lease transfer companies like Swapalese or LeaseBusters that will advertise your vehicle and work with the financing lease company to transfer the lease agreement to the new owner . They do charge a fee for their services, but the process is far easier on you.
Sell the vehicle to the dealer
In many cases a dealer will sell your vehicle and pay off the lease company if you buy or lease a new vehicle. If you call the general manager or owner of a small dealer, they’re much more likely to help you find out. What they do is call the latest auctions to find out what your car is selling for. If the auction price is close to your lease payoff, you can often negotiate your lease as a ‘trade-in’ and if there is money owed, simply wrap that into the new lease or car loan. This is often the easiest way to get out of a loan. There may be early pay off fees, but again it can be wrapped into your new lease. Remember, when you sign a new car lease the payoff schedule is probably one of the most important pieces to negotative.
How to Avoid Breaking a Car Lease
Leasing a car is a long-term commitment, so while you can’t predict what might occur in the future, you can attempt to anticipate and plan for it. Think you’ll have a family before the 5 year lease term will be up? Buy a car that will accommodate one or more child. To ensure your leased vehicle always remains affordable to you over time; choose one with a monthly payment well below your maximum budget.
Edmunds.com has more tips on what you need to do to prepare for breaking or transferring your car lease .
And, no, it isn’t the Tim Burton movie of the same name, but a Volkswagen automobile called the Bio-Bug that runs on methane gas extracted from a nearby sewage treatment plant outside Bristol, England. Unlike the almost mythical water-fueled car, the methane-driven Bio-Bug is here now, and – according to the report in Wheels – gets enough gas from 70 area toilets to travel 10,000 miles a year. Read more
Remember in this hemisphere at least, it's too hot to leave your dog in the car.