The Smart Car Reviews: Good Gas Mileage and Surprises

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Buzz up!

 Pepe's. A two-story car dealership with the showroom on the second floor? What were they thinking? It turns out the place has an elevator, and only a car as small as the two-seater, environmentally friendly Smart would fit i

The Smart Center is open now, with three models on display (the Fortwo Passion Coupe and Cabriolet, plus the Pure Coupe), but that doesn't mean you can just walk in and buy a car. There are 45,000 people on the waiting list, and it will be six months to a year before you're handed a set of keys.
Your best hope to get into a Smart car, actually, is to hang out at the Euro-styled, ultra-modern dealer and hope somebody cancels their order. Two people had done that around the time of our visit, so it was actually possible to walk in and drive away with a new Smart.
We wandered up to the second floor and sat in a Passion Coupe. The Smart is not really a new car, since it debuted in Europe in 2001, but it's been substantially improved and is certainly new here. I'd never actually been inside one. I was surprised how roomy it was for driver and passenger, and, considering the Mercedes sponsorship, also a little surprised at what looked like sub-Korean build quality (rough carpet and panel edges).

Inside a Smart Car
Everything about the Smart is quirky and cute, including the racing-inspired paddle shifters, and my girls loved it. Maya, the 13-year-old, promptly moved the Volkswagen Beetle convertible to number two on her list for a 16th birthday present. Undoubtedly U.S. Smart entrepreneur Roger Penske is pleased to learn that young customers are lining up.
Curly-haired salesman Dave Koczak (actually a "brand specialist" who doubles as a college student) wandered over and told us some salient Smart facts. They're exempt from sales tax in my state (Connecticut). The fuel economy is 33 in the city and 41 on the highway. Smarts are ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) by the California definition, but the window sticker is confusing on this point. The cars' plastic body panels are exchangeable and recyclable. The base model starts at just $11,590, but as displayed with options it was $14,410. The tricked-out yellow Cabriolet we also tried out starts at $16,590 ($18,085 as displayed).
It was pouring rain, but Koczak took me for a ride in a Cabriolet. It's no rocket: zero to 60 is promised in 12.8 seconds, and it feels even slower off the line than that suggests. Once underway it's sprightly enough, with nicely weighted steering, and there was plenty of elbow room for Dave and I. From the wheel, it feels bigger than it is, too, though getting squashed by a big truck was the primary concern of some of the would-be buyers we engaged.

Honda City 2009 with good safety

Honda has finally and officially started selling the all new third generation Honda City. We might not get the ultra-compact in North America but the car, which plays little brother to the Honda Civic, has been widely anticipared in Asian countries like Malaysia, India and Pakistan where the City is considered a efficient and quality means of transportation.

Save Fuel and Save Money

he best time to think about fuel efficiency is before you buy a car. Generaly, smaller cars will use less gas. And since insurance and taxes are also more of a bother in large cars, it may be wise to buy a little car if you care about the money. Also, among the larger cars, some are better than others. All you have to do is relate to the miles per galon figure that comes with it. Sports cars, by the way, are the best way to make more fuel burn away, and automatic transmission is also a good way of wasting a lot of it.
But those seem too obvious. The interesting thing is how to make a given car which you already have in your garage, go further on every single litre. As a rule, you can improve fuel efficiency by as much as 25% simply by changing your driving style, provided that your car has a manual gearbox.
Here's what you do: Try to change the gears (up) without the engine going to high RPM - certainly not over 2.5k RPM (2500 rounds per minute). I know a lot of people extend first,second and sometimes even third gear more than that because they want to accumulate speed. This may get you to the next traffic light before the car on the other lane, but there's a price to be paid - paid with a currency called petrol.
As long as you change the gears early you're pretty much maximizing the fuel efficiency of your motorcar. One last tip: Stay away from traffic and don't crawl (using the cluctch) too much. In other words, driving in the city is wasteful where fuel is concerned.

Keep Your Old Car Running Like New

Keep Your Old Car Running Like New
Brenda Rivera, 30, of Tulsa, Okla. does a lot of driving. She already has 80,000 miles on her seven year old Ford Taurus.
“My husband and I travel to Oklahoma City at least twice a month to see family and it’s over 100 miles each way,” says Rivera. “Between those trips and just every day driving, the miles add up.” Rivera says she wants to keep her car running for as long as possible because she doesn’t want the expense of replacing it, and she is in good company. A significant number of drivers are keeping their vehicles longer. According to national surveys, the average age of passenger cars and light trucks nationally is now between 8.8 and 9.2 years. “Thanks to better built engines and vehicles overall, improved technology in rust inhibitors and other anti-corrosives for automobile undercarriages and bodies and the general sticker shock relating to the average price of a new car, people are keeping their older cars longer and taking better care of them than ever before,” says Dave Kunkel, retail sales and marketing manager for Citgo’s Automotive Lubricants Division. “With proper maintenance, it’s not unusual to see vehicles accumulate 200,000 miles or more without needing expensive overhauls or repairs.”
Kunkel says it’s important to realize, however, that higher mileage vehicles have different needs when compared to newer vehicles. Over time, engine parts experience wear, deposits form on metal surfaces, and seals can dry out. “Older engines have different lubricating needs and require more attention than newer ones if they’re going to continue functioning well,” says Kunkel.
Citgo's Supergard Ultralife Motor Oil, introduced in October 2002, is specifically formulated to meet the needs of this growing population of older, higher mileage vehicles.
“The oil gives engines an extra layer of protection by providing additional cleaning agents for critical engine parts and conditioning seals, which, thereby, helps reduce oil leakage and prevent valve deposits,” says Kunkel.
Rivera says keeping her car running in tip top shape is very important. “It’s our family vehicle. I have two small children and it gives me piece of mind to know I’m doing something to keep my car running longer,” says Rivera.
Look for Supergard Ultralife Motor Oil at Citgo branded fast lubes and leading retail stores in your area.

How To Choose The Right Car

How To Choose The Right Car

Driving, across the country or merely a state line or two, is the quintessential sport. Our cars transport us to destinations like family reunions, vacations and honeymoons. You won’t find it on the front page of the sports section, but driving, windows down, music blaring and sunshine hot on your face has become a tradition that’s getting more popular every year.

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 anconvertibles 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.

Best Auto Insurance Advice

Always shop around for the lowest car insurance rates This is quite self explanatory and many people do it. Do get a copy of your driving record
Have a copy of your drivers license record before shopping for car insurance. Many of us have errors in our driving report that drive up our auto insurance rates. In the newspaper, a clerk of the court admitted they had a 20% error rate, and said it was normal. Just like your credit history determines your car loan approval, your driving record determines how expensive your auto insurance will be.
Car Insurance Discounts
Everyone wants a bargain, especially as car insurance goes up every year. There are discounts if we can satisfy some basic criteria. Make sure you ask your insurance agent if you qualify for any of these discounts.
Auto Insurance Discounts You May Qualify For
Automatic Seat Belts
Automatic seat belts are those annoying belts that choke you when you close the door. Some companies might discount up to 30% off Personal Injury Protection and Medical Payments coverage if the driver and passenger sides have air bags and automatic seat belts.
Anti-theft/Alarm
Some companies give discounts off the Comprehensive premium when an active anti-theft device is present. This usually means a burglar alarm. Some companies may discount more if the alarm arms itself automatically when you turn off the vehicle.
Driving School
Some companies give drivers under age 25 who complete a state approved drivers education class up to 10% off on Bodily Injury, Property Damage, Medical Payments, Personal Injury Protection and Collision coverage.
Safe Driver
Sometimes if you're a safe driver, usually 3 years with no points, you qualify for additional savings on different types of coverage. The insurance company will let you know. Usually on your insurance bill you'll see something that says "Your premium reflects the maximum discount allowed for safe driver".
Multi-Car or Home & Car
If you insure 2 or more vehicles on the same policy some companies may give you a discount. They may be equally generous if you have your home and both cars insured with them as well.
Safe Vehicle
Some insurance companies classify certain cars as "Safe Cars", meaning there's statistical data to suggest that there's less risk of injury by way of design, air bags ABS, etc. Find out if your car qualifies for this discount.
Choosing the Right Insurance Company
You now have most of the information you need to make a decision. However, there is something more to consider. Is the insurance company reliable?
Here are things to consider before you reach a decision:

• Visit your state's department of insurance and check consumer complaint ratios and basic rate comparison surveys.
• Get in touch with local body shops or dealerships you trust and ask which insurance companies they recommend.
• Check out the financial strength ratings for an insurance company by referring to the Standard & Poor's ratings.
• Look over J.D. Power and Associates' consumer satisfaction surveys reviewing auto insurance companies.

How To Save Gas

Gas prices are on the rise. Here are some tips to help you conserve gas and save money as we approach summer gas prices.
1. Keep your car tuned up. Cars in poor running condition use more gasoline.
2. Plan trips well to avoid unnecessary driving.
3. When you run your air conditioner you get much worse gas mileage. Use your air conditioner sparingly. If you have a lower setting, use it. Turn it on until the car gets cool, then turn it off and let the fan circulate the cool air. Never run your air conditioner with your windows open!
4. Keep your windows closed when traveling at high speeds. Open windows cause additional drag and lower your gas mileage. At high speeds, an open window can use more gas than many air conditioners (especially if they are on a low setting).
5. Check your tire pressure. Over-inflated tires can actually reduce your fuel efficiency, so don't overfill.
6. If at all possible, change your work start time to avoid gridlock. Stop and go traffic hurts your gas mileage.
7. Take unneeded items out of the car. You don't need to carry snow chains around with you in the summertime. Just make sure to put them back in when winter comes around.
8. Try not to idle your engine for long periods of time. If you are stuck in traffic and you don't think you are going to go anywhere in the next five minutes, you may want to turn your car off.
9. You no longer need to warm your car up for long periods of time, especially new cars. New cars are made to run when cold.
10. Don't travel at fast speeds in low gears unless you need the compression to slow down.
11. Try to drive the speed limit.
12. Try to accelerate slowly when leaving the stop light. It's not a competition with the driver in the lane next to you. The fastest person through the intersection just gets to spend more on gas.
13. No need to buy the highest priced gasoline. Most cars are built to run on regular unleaded. Check you owners manual or consult a mechanic. I have had many tell me that the more expensive gas is a waste of money.
14. Revving the engine needlessly wastes gas. There is no need to rev before you turn your vehicle off.
15. If at all possible, try to arrange car pools with co-workers to share the cost of commuting to work.
16. Walk, bike or run to your intended location whenever possible.
17. When the price is sky high, don't fill up. Wait for the price to go down before you fill up your tank. Filling up your tank when the price is peaking lets gas companies know that you are willing to pay ridiculous prices for gasoline.
18. And last, the biggest and most important step towards saving money on gas is always try to purchase vehicles that get good gas mileage. The difference between 20 miles-per-gallon and 40 miles-per-gallon is huge.
Fisher Swanson is a regular contributer to The www.ThriftyFun.com News. ThriftyFun publishes information about thrifty living.