Get More Miles Out of Your Car or Truck

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Get more miles out of your car and truck...stretch your vehicles life.

(NewsUSA) - Due to the current economic climate, many Americans are becoming less willing to make expensive purchases. Even the nation's long-held love affair with the automobile hasn't escaped the penny-pinching trend.

The latest trends demonstrate that Americans are trying to stretch the mileage of their current vehicles. In 2006, the average car owner drove their car for 68 months before trading it in for a new vehicle. By the fourth quarter of 2008, the average trade-in was 76 months old.

The following simple and inexpensive preventive checks provided by The Automotive Service Association (www.ASAshop.org), which represents thousands of repair shops nationwide, will greatly extend the life of the vehicle and ensure safer operation:

- Always consult your owner's manual, but a good rule of thumb is to have the oil and filter changed regularly, every 3,000 to 4,000 miles.

- Have all fluids checked, including brake, power steering, transmission and transaxle, windshield washer solvent and antifreeze. These fluids play a large role in the safety and performance of the vehicle.

- Keep your engine tuned. A fouled spark plug or restricted fuel injector can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30 percent.

- Have the chassis lubricated frequently. This step extends the life of the moving components of the vehicle's suspension system.

- Check battery cables and connections for corrosion, and clean them as needed.

- Have the lighting system checked frequently, including headlights, turn signals and brake and tail lights.

- Check windshield wiper blades for cracks, tears and windshield contact. Replace them approximately once a year or sooner if streaking begins.

- Inspect engine belts regularly. Worn belts will affect the engine performance. Look for cracks and missing sections or segments.

- Have the air filtration system checked frequently. The air filter should be checked approximately every other oil change for clogging or damage. This system ensures that the vehicle is performing at its peak condition.

Always consult the vehicle owner's manual for individual service schedules as manufacturer maintenance requirements will vary.

Automotive Service Association members agree to follow ASA's Code of Ethics, which is the automotive service industry's standard for professional business practices with consumers in mind. For more information, visit ASA at www.ASAshop.org.

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Lucky Dog Contest on NASCAR's Raceway

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Put Your Lucky Dog on NASCAR's Raceway

(NewsUSA) - Avid NASCAR fans should be familiar with the racing term "lucky dog." During a race, the Lucky Dog Rule allows the driver of the next lapped car behind the leader to gain back a lap during a caution -- a time when drivers are forced to reduce speeds due to trouble on the track. But a new contest takes the term "lucky dog" a bit more literally.

NASCAR fans and pet lovers will find much to love in "The Luckiest Dog of NASCAR" Contest, which could put one lucky winner's pooch on Kyle Busch's No. 18 Pedigree Toyota Camry during the Checker Auto Parts 500 in Phoenix on Nov. 15. The winning dog's owners will receive a three-day, two-night trip to the race.

And what does it take to win? Creativity and a dog unafraid to dress-up. During the entry period, which runs through Sept. 12, 2009, dog-loving NASCAR fans can log onto NASCAR.com/pedigreeluckiestdog to either upload a race-themed photo of their dog, or to vote on the other photos. Each voter is automatically eligible to instantly win one of 200 available $25 Pedigree gift cards. There's no limit to how many times a person may vote.

Every week, the popular vote on NASCAR.com will determine a finalist. After voters choose 20 weekly finalists, a panel of judges will select one grand prize winner on or about Oct. 1, 2009. The judging process will be based on creativity, originality and adherence to the NASCAR theme.

"We're excited to give one pet owner the chance to publicly profess the love they have for their dog," said John Anton, Marketing Director of the Pedigree Brand. "At Pedigree, everything we do is for the love of dogs, and this contest is really about giving people a platform to celebrate the bond between them and their best friend."

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10 Scary Myths About The Law...DUI Is One Of Them

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10 scary myths about the law-DUI is one of them. Find out how you can be arrested for drinking under the influence when you are not legally drunk. There are some misconceptions about tickets, those for DUI and other driving violations that you should know the facts about!



(ARA) - Did you know that you don’t have to be legally drunk to be arrested for driving under the influence? That there are many ways to break a contract or that if you receive a ticket and there’s an error on it, it’s still valid? Not knowing the law in some of life’s most common legal situations can lead to unexpected expenses, substantial penalties or could put yourself and others at risk.

Unfortunately, many Americans carry a number of misconceptions about some of the most common laws that affect their everyday lives, according to FindLaw.com (www.findlaw.com), one of the world’s leading online sources for legal information.

Based on inquiries from among the more than 4 million visitors who come to FindLaw.com each month, here are the top 10 scariest myths about the law:

Myth 1:

You have to be over the legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limit to be charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI).

Fact: In most states, it's illegal to drive a car or other motorized vehicles (motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles, etc.) while impaired by the effects of alcohol or drugs (including prescription drugs). Many people get to this point before they are at the BAC limit, which is 0.08 percent in all states. That means you do not have to be at or above the legal limit to be charged with a DUI.

Myth 2:

A written contract can’t be broken.

Fact: Actually, parties can get out of written contracts in many ways. For instance, if the contract wasn’t drafted well, a court may declare it not to be binding. A contract can be deemed unenforceable when the terms are patently unfair to one of the parties. Contracts may also contain specific conditions under which the contract can or will be dissolved.

Myth 3:

If someone breaks into your house, you have the right to use lethal force against them to protect yourself, your family or your property.

Fact: While most states, counties or cities protect a homeowner’s right to defend their family and their property, not all allow the homeowner to use lethal force. Some jurisdictions that do allow for the use of lethal force require that the homeowner must reasonably believe that the intruder means to inflict death or serious bodily injury on the homeowner and his or her family.

Myth 4:

An error on a traffic ticket voids the ticket.

Fact: For minor errors, there are administrative procedures that courts can use to modify information entered on a traffic ticket.

Myth 5:

If the police don’t read a person their Miranda rights when arresting them, they can’t be convicted of the crime.

Fact: Police are supposed to advise a person who has been arrested of his or her right to remain silent and their right to an attorney. But, the failure to do so won’t result in the case against the arrestee being dismissed. Instead, a judge might not allow any statements the arrestee made while in police custody to come in as evidence against them. This may make it more difficult to convict the person, but they could still be found guilty if there is sufficient alternative evidence.

Myth 6:

If a person is driving a car without a license and is injured in an accident, they can’t recover damages if the accident isn’t their fault.

Fact: Whether or not a person is driving with a license won’t affect their ability to recover damages if the other driver was at fault.

Myth 7:

Couples who live together for six years are considered married.

Fact: Not all states recognize “common law” marriages, and the states that do might have additional requirements. The amount of time that a couple has cohabitated is not the sole determinant of whether or not the couple has entered into a common law marriage.

Myth 8:

Car insurance won’t cover you if someone other than your spouse or a family member is driving your car.

Fact: Most insurance policies cover the car owner in these circumstances. Check with your insurance provider to see if your policy includes this provision, and, if it doesn’t, ask if you can add it.

Myth 9:

An undercover police officer always has to admit that he or she is a cop.

Fact: Police officers are allowed to use deception to fight crime, as long as they don’t intimidate or harass someone into committing a crime that they otherwise would not commit. If an undercover police officer had to reveal their identity, it could put their life in jeopardy, so there is no requirement for them to do so.

Myth 10:

Every nonprofit (and every donation to a non-profit) is tax-exempt.

Fact: In order for a nonprofit to gain tax-exempt status, it must meet the requirements of Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code. Donors who make a qualifying donation to a 501(c)(3) organization are entitled to list the donation as a deduction, but donations to groups that haven’t been granted tax-exempt status under 501(c)(3) are not tax deductible.

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Tire Time? Is It Time For New Tires?

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Time for tires? Buying basics for tire shoppers to help make the best selection when it's Tire Time! Learn what is important when you are tire buying.


(ARA) – It’s one of the most important vehicle-related purchases you can make, yet a whopping 62 percent of women and nearly half of all men think it’s difficult, according to a recent survey. What is this process that so many American car owners consider a hassle? Buying new tires.

“Most people barely have time to do what they need to do every day, let alone find extra time to shop for tires, but driving on worn-out tires is a safety hazard and replacing them should be a priority,” says Lauren Fix, the “Car Coach,” a nationally recognized automotive expert who travels the country talking to people about their cars.

Though close to 85 percent of American women are responsible for the maintenance of their vehicles, many don’t know when it’s time to buy new tires or what they need to know to buy the right ones for their cars, the national survey by TireBuyer.com revealed. The survey also showed that 21 percent of men admit they don’t know as much as they think they should about buying tires.

For all those American motorists who aren’t sure when their vehicle needs new tires and how to go about purchasing them when it does, Fix offers a few simple tips:

A Penny Really Can Save

“One penny can spare you a dangerous blowout,” Fix says. It’s a tried and true test of tire tread – stand a penny on its edge in a tread groove. Make sure Abe’s head is pointing down, into the tire tread. If you can see the top of his hair or any of the penny background above his head, it’s time to replace your tires. If you can’t see the hair on top of his head, your tire treads should still be OK to drive on. And remember, tires don’t wear evenly so repeat the test on several spots on the tire.

Keep The Manufacturer’s Advice In Mind

Most manufacturers will give you an estimated amount of miles their tires will be safe for. Be sure you know what their recommendation is for your tires and vehicle, and keep a close eye on tire tread depth as you approach that mileage limit. If you’re buying a used vehicle, be sure to have your mechanic check the tire treads and find out from the current owner when he or she last replaced the tires.

Well-Cared-For Tires Are Safer Tires

The quality and condition of your vehicle’s tires directly affect your safety on the road. Visually inspect tires at least once a month, looking for excessive or uneven tread wear, cracks or bulges on the sidewalls or tread, tread separation, and signs of punctures, or nails, screws, glass or stones imbedded in the treads.

Check for proper inflation at least once a month. Under-inflation is the leading cause of tire failure, and can impact how your car handles and its fuel efficiency. Refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual or the sticker on the inside of your car’s door jamb for proper tire pressure.

Exceeding passenger and cargo load ranges is the second leading cause of tire failure. Check the code on your tire’s sidewall and your owner’s manual for the maximum load range for your vehicle and don’t exceed that range.

Finally, replacing all four tires at the same time ensures maximum safety, performance and efficiency.

What To Do When It’s Time To Buy

Go online. The TireBuyer.com survey showed that both men and women like the idea of buying tires online, citing the convenience, ease of purchase and the opportunity to see prices before buying in a pressure-free environment. Online purchasing is also appealing, survey respondents said, because they can instantly view the selection that would fit their car. They also liked the ability to have the tires shipped free from TireBuyer.com to the certified dealer of their choice.

The easy-to-navigate site allows buyers to browse from an inventory of more than 3 million tires and wheels, narrow their search to products that fit their car, and use 3-D imaging to see how any tire or wheel combination will look on their vehicle. Once they choose a tire, they can purchase online and pay for the tires and installation – done by the certified local tire dealer of their choice.

“Driving around on worn-out tires isn’t safe,” says Fix. “Tires are the only point of contact cars have with the road. If you want to keep your car longer than usual because of the economy, then the best investment you can make is regular maintenance and buying new tires when you need them.”

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