Decorate Your Car for Christmas!

Well, the lights are twinkling, the Christmas tree is already decorated, carols are floating in the air and your car is not fully introduced to the Christmas spirit yet. Just imagine: everything around your sweet car is sparkling while it has to be satisfied only with its Xenon headlights, in case it has some. In fact the situation is pretty similar to seeing a trendy dress in the shop window but not having enough money to pay for it.

You wouldn't want to see the disappointment in your vehicle's headlights when seeing everything is dressed up for Christmas excepting it. After all, in the past months it has been your most truthful friend (leaving aside the moment when one of those damn tires went flat) and certainly deserve a generous reward. Come on, let's have some Christmas honesty here: what could you possibly want more than going in a family visit with Jingle Bells all around your car?

Seriously speaking, since shopping fever has taken full command of you these days, you might think to add some decorations for your car in the basket. It won't cost a fortune although you might need to give up that snake-leather bag you spotted last week. The picture of your car decorated for Christmas will be priceless...

Think about crazy lights
If wreaths are not enough decorations for your beloved car, you can always have a back-up solution: illuminate your vehicle with holiday lights. Nowadays, you can easily find lights which are powered by batteries. In case you search all the town and find no battery powered lights, you might just as well resort to an adapter and plug the lights into your vehicle's electrical outlets. You can personalize your car for Christmas by stringing these lights from the inside of your car. Be sure you will arouse envy from your friends if you were the first one to put the idea into practice.

Garnish your car with a Christmas wreath
To be honest, a Christmas wreath will never be old-fashioned or sign of owner's bad taste. The best part is that you shouldn't worry about matching the colors: a Christmas wreath will fit a red Toyota just as well as it goes with a silver Audi.

What's more, wreaths can come with bows or other decorations attached. Just pay attention to the size: make sure the wreath you choose is appropriate for the type of vehicle you drive.

In case you're way too busy to go to a craft store, you may find plenty of wreaths on the Internet. Once you get your beautiful nails on the wreath, you can easily hang it on the front bumper of your car, but be sure it's secure. Otherwise you might lose it on your way.

Exercise your artistic skillsThere's no one on the world who hasn't an artistic side so all you have to do is let yourself driven by your infinite imagination and paint a holiday scene on your car windows. It's not that difficult after all and you don't need to be Picasso to create it. Some window paint can change your car into a winter wonderland. You can buy it from any craft store, supermarket or online shop in a variety of colors. Certainly you won't be given any awards for your masterpiece but there are good chances you'll gain the admiration of the passers-by. Yet, make sure you can still see out of your windows when driving. You wouldn't want your masterwork become an obstruction in observing the traffic rules.

Don't forget about the twinkling stars
Since we're still at your artistic face, you might just consider creating your own little stars. In fact, stars remind everyone about Christmas. You can use some craft paper to design them. Also try to put up some lighted bulbs. If you happen to have a small hanging bulb inside your car, you can tie the little stars with a string around the bulb.

Magnetic car decorating letters and magnetic bulbs
During the Christmas season, it won't be hard to find a magnetic letter kit to wish a “Merry Christmas” so you might just opt for such a decoration for your car. You can also choose bulb magnetic decorations to make your motor look more sparkling. The most popular colors for this season are green, yellow, white and blue, in case you want to be up-to-date to Christmas spirit.

Bumper stickers
Try to find flashing bumper stickers with a message related to the Christmas season or personalize it with your own words. In this way, you can spread the message of Christmas. Bumper stickers are nothing new but a Christmas-themed one will certainly make passers-by smile. And you as well since you made a good deed in the season of sharing and giving.

Bobble head SantaLet's just not ignore the character who brings us gifts under the Christmas tree each and every year... if we behaved well. But since all of us have been such good girls, Santa Claus will surely be present in our homes this year. And since we're speaking about him, a Santa bobbling with the moving car can be a really funny decoration for your car. You can place it on the back deck of the vehicle but make sure you use appropriate adhesives so that you don't lose it until you reach your destination.

Ho, ho, ho! With Santa and Rudolph the red nose reindeer on the bonnet, your darling vehicle is now more than ready to welcome Christmas.

How to Inspect a Used Car

You’ve found a car that seems perfect. The price is right, it drives well, and has all the features you’re looking for. But is it too good to be true? Whether you’re at the dealership or buying from an independent seller, you can’t always trust the salesman to reveal the dirty little secrets of their products. It’s important to learn how to spot red flags on your own. Here are some tips to conduct an effective vehicle inspection.

 

Bottoms Up

Grab a flashlight and start with the undrcarriage. Look closely at the condition of each of the components. If you find something that looks newer than the rest, and the seller hasnt' told you of any repairs, he is probably hiding something. Also, inspect the framework and floor pans for rust, and check the ground for signs of drips and leakages.

 

Tired Tires

A vehicle’s tires can be a surprisingly good gauge of the car’s condition. Check for wear by inserting a penny into the tire treads. If the top of Lincoln’s upside-down head is visible, the tires probably need to be replaced. Perform the penny test in multiple places along the wheel tread to see if the wear is even. Uneven wear can be a sign that the car is misaligned, often due to a serious accident. Check that the condition of the tires is appropriate for the mileage. If the car has low mileage and worn tires, there’s a chance that someone tampered with the odometer.

The Walk Around

Many buyers do a walk-around inspection without knowing what to look for. Your primary targets are rust and damaged seals. Check the lower part of the body for exposed metal, rust, bumps, and discolored paint. Some rust is to be expected, especially near the wheels. Use a refrigerator magnet to check for repaired panels on all sides. If the magnet sticks in some areas and not others, there might have been extensive repairs. Make sure the doors, windows, and trunk close and seal properly.

Under the Hood

Don’t be intimidated. Even auto-novices can easily spot issues in the engine compartment. Make sure everything looks clean and rust-free around engine. If there are signs of newer paint, or if the bumpers around the hood have been painted over, the car has likely been repainted due to damage or rust. Make sure the oil is clean and at the correct level. If not, it’s a good indicator that the car was not well cared for.

If you know what you’re looking for, you can keep yourself from making a terrible buying decision. Avoid the pressure to hurry the inspection, and make sure you look over every inch of your new vehicle.

Shifting Demographics: In The U.S., More Women Drive Than Men

As we saw during last week's election, the demographics of the U.S. are changing. Older white men -- once the country's key voting block -- make up an increasingly small percentage of the electorate, while African Americans, Latinos, and women are gaining ground.

A similar demographic shift is taking shape on the roadways. According to a new study from Michael Sivak and colleague Brandon Schoettle at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, older men (of all races and ethnicities) are less likely than women to drive after age 45 -- and the gender gap could get much wider.

UMTRI study
The Washington Post reports that Sivak and Schoettle reviewed 15 years' worth of U.S. driver's licence statistics, from 1995 to 2010. In 1995, 89.2 million men held licences, compared to 87.4 million American women. Men held their lead over women in every age group until age 70, when the trend flipped, perhaps in part to women's longer life-expectancies.

But life-expectancy alone can't account for the shift that researchers are seeing today. Although younger men are still more likely to have a driver's licence than younger women, the trend does reverse -- only this time, the flip happens not at 70, but at age 45. In 2010, 105.7 million American women had driver's licenses, versus 104.3 million men.

And guys aren't going to be catching up anytime soon. As we've often discussed, the number of younger Americans with driver's licences is declining thanks to graduated licencing, the cost of car ownership, and broader issues like social networking, which has reduced the need for face-to-face interaction.
As a result, the number of young women (age 25 - 29) with driver's licenses dropped 4.7% between 1995 and 2010. However, the number of young men with licenses fell twice that amount -- 10.6%. Only time will tell if men will pick up the slack as they get older. 

What does it mean?
This data could have a direct impact on the cars we drive tomorrow. Sivak tells Auto News that women tend to prefer smaller, safer rides with greater fuel efficiency. That could make small cars an even hotter property than they are today.

Also, as Sivak points out, women tend to be involved in fewer traffic fatalities. That sets the stage for an even lower fatality rate in the U.S., and potentially lower insurance premiums. (Well, maybe.)

Guys, are you giving up on cars? Gals, what changes would you like to see in the auto industry? Weigh in with your own thoughts in the comment below.

What Do The 1% Drive? The Top 10 Cars In Wealthy ZIP Codes

George Clooney advertising the Mercedes-Benz E-Class L in China

When you think of the wealthy -- if you do -- what do imagine them driving? A Porsche 911? A Lamborghini Gallardo? An old-school Rolls-Royce? 

Eh, not so much.

Sure, six-figure supercars are the province of the uber-rich, but by and large, America's wealthy families drive fairly mainstream vehicles. That news comes from TrueCar, which rounded up the ten most popular cars in our wealthiest ZIP codes.

The company began by identifying those ZIP codes based on data from the Internal Revenue Service. At the top of the list, we find 10274 -- lower Manhattan -- with an average income of $5.7 million. That's followed by Fisher Island, Florida (33109); downtown Chicago (60604); Atherton and Century City, California (94027 and 90067); New Vernon, New Jersey (07976); Greenwich, Connecticut (06831); Palm Beach, Florida (33480); Medina, Washington (98039); and finally, Ross, California (94957), boasting an average income of $497,000 .

TrueCar then used that data to pull the most popular vehicles sold to residents of each ZIP code. The findings were occasionally surprising:

• In the wealthiest ZIP code, the Honda Accord was the third most popular car, falling behind the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the BMW X5. The Honda CR-V came in at #5.
• The only top-five car approaching the six-figure range in any locale was the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The Porsche Panamera appeared in one ZIP code -- in Fischer Island's #5 spot. 
• Of all ten ZIP codes, Chicago seemed the most down-to-Earth: the eminently affordable Volkswagen Jetta was the most popular ride there, followed by the Honda CR-V, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Camry, and Honda Civic.
• Jeep was the only Detroit brand to make any of the top-five lists: the Wrangler was hugely popular in Greenwich, and the Grand Cherokee was a winner there, too, as well as Chigago.
• Less surprising was the fact that the Toyota Prius took the #1 or #2 spot in all three California ZIP codes.

When all was said and done, TrueCar compiled all that data to come up with a list of the most popular cars in America's ten wealthiest ZIP codes. Interestingly, eight of the ten are priced below $40,000. The models that didn't make the list are almost as interesting as those that did:

10. BMW X5
9. Toyota Camry
8. Honda Accord
7. Honda CR-V
6. Volkswagen Jetta
5. Toyota Prius
4. Lexus RX
3. Mercedes-Benz C-Class
2. BMW 328

And the most popular car in America's wealthiest ZIP codes is the...

1. Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Does this list surprise you? Is there a brand missing that you expected to see? Did one make the list that completely confuses you? Let us know in the comments below.

10 Tips To Help Your Teen Stop Texting And Driving

Texting while driving is considered the most distracting driver behavior, increasing crash risk by 2,300 percent. Yet it is also one of the most difficult behaviors to curtail, especially among young, first-time drivers.

A recent article in Minnesota Public Radio News caught our attention, so we thought we’d pass along some of it here, along with two tips of our own.

As parents, there are some things that you can and should do to help your teen be a safer and more responsible driver. Take note of these ten tips to help your teen stop texting and driving.

Be a good example. Whether you realize it or not, your young teen who’s of driving age is watching you like a hawk every time you’re behind the wheel. If you engage in distracted driving behavior such as texting or talking on your cell phone, don’t think your actions are going unnoticed. The best solution is to display the kind of behavior that you want your teen to model when driving. This may take some practice and discipline on your part, especially if you have been guilty of texting and driving or talking on the cell phone and driving in the past. Maybe you never gave it much thought until your child reached driving age. Now is a good time to start acting responsibly so your children pick up on it.

You make the rules. You are the parents, after all, so what you set down as the family rules regarding acceptable driving behavior should have an impact. Your children should know that there are consequences for breaking the rules, especially the one about texting while driving. Think carefully what those consequences will be and be sure to discuss them with your children so there are no misunderstandings about what will be okay and what is absolutely unacceptable.

Observe your teen driving (with you in the car). One of the best ways to know how your teen behaves behind the wheel is to be a passenger in the car and watch how he or she handles situations. Spend as much time as possible with your teen during the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) phase and gently correct any bad habits.

No reading or sending texts at stop lights. Your teenage driver may be under the mistaken impression that it’s okay to dash off a quick text or read an incoming text when stopped at a traffic signal. Make it very clear to them that this is against the law as well as being extremely unsafe behavior.

Have your teen watch a video of the aftermath of teen texting and driving. Nothing says how dangerous texting while driving can be like a video that shows the tragic aftermath. While the human carnage, thankfully, isn’t visibly displayed, the wreckage and interviews with survivors and the injured should be enough to get the message across that this is extremely dangerous behavior.

Check out apps to monitor your teen in the car. Sometimes this kind of “snooping” is reasonable and acceptable. Look into apps that allow you to lock out texting and cell phone use when driving as well as those that permit you to view your teen’s cell phone activity. Let your teen know that you will be monitoring their behavior. They’ll be more likely to abide by the rules.

Insist they leave the phone in the trunk or back seat (unavailable). You can’t expect your teen to leave the house without their phone, but you can insist that while they are behind the wheel that the phone stays in the trunk or in the back seat. If it is unavailable to them, they’re less likely to use it. Of course, if the phone is in the car, it needs to be turned off or muted.  An app that plays an automatic message that says the person is driving and will get back to them later is an excellent solution.

Talk about how you’d feel if they died. This suggestion may sound a bit extreme, but like watching the video of the aftermath of texting and driving, it gets the point across.

Ask if that text is worth dying for. The tendency for teens to instantly respond to an incoming text is tough to overcome. But the truth is that it is only a message that can wait. Be direct and ask your teen if that text – any text – is worth dying for. This sobering thought should help them think better about texting behind the wheel.

Take away driving privileges for breaking the rules. Remember those rules you laid down about driving behavior? They’re only as good as your willingness to back them up when your teen breaks them. The consequences for violating the rules have to be significant – and you have to enforce them. For example, teens cherish their mobility. If they text and drive, a logical penalty is to take away driving privileges for a certain period of time. That will get their attention, if nothing else will.

How Old Is Too Old To Drive?

In politics, there are plenty of "third-rail" topics that candidates try to avoid. Many of those issues are hugely important to one major demographic: senior citizens.

But older voters aren't just concerned with Social Security and Medicare. They're also worried about personal freedom and independence -- symbolized, in part, by their right to drive.

Earlier this year, AAA conducted a study of drivers 65 and older. And a whopping 89% said thatlosing their driver's license would be a huge problem. Many had begun curtailing their driving to reduce the possibility of accidents and ensure those licenses stay in their pockets.

But Margaret Dunning of Plymouth, Michigandoesn't seem to worry about such things. At 102, she still drives regularly, and she still changes her own oil. Perhaps most impressively, she does so with an 82-year-old car that she's owned for 63 years.

Dunning was born in 1910, and her favorite car, a 1930 Packard 740 Roadster, followed 20 years later. She got her driver's license at the age of 12, and apart from a few fender-benders, most of her troubles with Johnny 5-0 have been because of speeding. "I have lead in my feet," she says.

It's not unusual to see owners like Dunning maintaining older cars, but finding active drivers who remember the Roaring '20s seems a bit out of the ordinary.

However, Dunning may not be such an oddball down the line. Life expectancy rates continue to increase in the U.S. (PDF), and most drivers will continue getting behind the wheel long after their AARP card arrives in the mail. Some insist that older drivers are safer now than they once were, but not all will be able to grow old gracefully as Dunning has.

Have you discussed matters like these with your older family members? Do you have a plan in place -- a well-defined set of criteria that could force that family member to surrender his or her driver's license? And how do you plan to accommodate his/her travel needs once that license is gone? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Courtesy: The Car Connection

Garamond Vs. Arial: Fonts Can Increase Your Risk Of Crashing

Design fanatics spend a lot of time obsessing over fonts. They debate the readability of Times Roman, the 20th-century functionalism of Helvetica, the low-level IQ of Comic Sans. (Which has generated a hilariously profane response from Comic Sans itself.) 

But discussion of typefaces is more than an academic exercise. From stop signs to newspapers, fonts affect the way that humans read and understand information.

So, we weren't especially surprised to learn that researchers at Monotype Imaging and MIT's AgeLab have determined that typefaces employed by automakers on gauges and telematics screens have a direct effect on driver safety.

The study

To gather their results, MIT and Monotype scientists put 42 people in a driving simulator. Participants ranged in age from 36 and 75 years old; half were men, half were women.

During the simulations, researchers measured the time that their human guinea pigs looked away from the road while checking the navigation screen for directions. Then, the Monotype/MIT team changed the font on the screen and asked each participant to take another drive in the test vehicle.

On one test drive, researchers set the touchscreen to use Eurostile, a "square grotesque" font. The other typeface was Frutiger, which falls in the family of "humanist" fonts.

Grotesques -- square or otherwise -- are popular among automakers because they have a consistent, modern, timeless look. Think of two of the most popular grotesques, Helvetica and its low-rent imitator, Arial: both are clean and simple, without much variation in thickness. Humanist fonts, on the other hand, can taper, and they often offer more variance between upper-case and lower-case letters.

Of the two, humanist fonts are typically considered easier to read because there's more differentiation in the letters -- and that's exactly what researchers found.

In fact, male test subjects had to spend 12% longer reading the square grotesque font than the humanist font. (For reasons yet to be explained, the gap was minimal among women.) At highway speeds, that 12% translates to a difference of 50 feet of roadway -- which, in turn, could be the difference between a safe trip home and a visit to the emergency room. 

Confused by all that font talk? Have a look at this video clip, which explains the study in more detail (or check out a PDF from MIT here):

Could changing the font on our touchscreens cut back on traffic accidents? This study -- and another that verified its findings -- seem to indicate that's the case. (No pun intended.) 

Font fiends, weigh in below.

Flo Makes 'Top 10' Ad List: Can You Name Other Auto Icons?

When you see a list called the "All-Time Top Ten", you know you're in for trouble. Whether the list is about the ten best quarterbacks in NFL history or the ten best flavors of Jell-O, it's bound to cause a squabble.

So when we saw that AdAge had picked the "Top 10 Female Ad Icons of All Time", we flinched. Not only had editors ranked the best of something, but in doing so, they'd also played the gender card. Oy.

That said, AdAge has some great ad icons on its list, from Betty Crocker, to Mrs. Olson (the pesky coffee shill with a key to every kitchen in America), to Ms. Clara Peller, who went to her grave knowing that she'd changed America with three wee words: "Where's the beef?"

Also on the list: Flo from Progressive Insurance, played by actress and comedienne Stephanie Courtney.

There aren't many female ad icons in the auto industry -- or in this case, the auto-adjacent industry. They're far outnumbered by male counterparts like Joe Isuzu, Ricardo Montalbán, and even Dennis Haysbert (known to many as "The Allstate Guy"). 

Like all good icons, Flo is memorable without getting in the way of the product she's selling. But what makes Flo a truly great icon is the fact that she's so likable. The Morton Salt girl? She's just a mascot who enjoys walking in the rain and salting the Earth -- probably not the kind of gal you'd invite over for dinner. Flo, on the other hand, is a friend.

That may explain why, in the three years that Flo's been on the air, she's generated huge buzz. Her Facebook page (Flo's, not Courtney's) has 4.6 million fans. She (Courtney, not Flo), has been interviewed for numerous popular magazines. And even when Progressive has gone through rough patches -- as it did a month ago, forcing Flo out of the spotlight for a while -- she's returned, resilient.

To be sure, there are plenty of female icons left out of AdAge's list. In fact, the commenters at NPR have come up with some great also-rans, including Little Debbie, Aunt Jemima, and even Columbia (as depicted in the Columbia Pictures logo).

All of which are great, but we have a hard time thinking of other female icons in auto-themed advertising -- icons with Flo's staying power and personality. If you've got some suggestions, by all means, leave them in the comments below.

5 Must-Have Travel Apps For iPhone & Android Fans

Yesterday, our colleagues at Total Car Score offered their take on the best iPhone 5 apps for drivers. We agree with many of their picks, but we also know that a growing number of our friends own Android phones, which can't use software like Apple Maps.

Naturally, we began to wonder: what must-have travel apps would we recommend for owners of iOS and Android handsets? (Blackberry and Windows fans, we'll try to catch up with you soon.) Here's our current list of fave applications that will work on either operating system.

NAVIGATION
Tie: Google Maps, Waze
It's hard to believe that Google Maps debuted just seven years ago. In that short span of time, it's become a mainstay -- a place we go to search for nearby businesses, scope out potential apartments and hotels, and even create our own maps to share with friends. Google Maps' search functionality is superb, even when speaking place names. And who doesn't like turn-by-turn directions?

So why include Waze? Because as much as we love Google Maps, we don't really need it on a daily basis. Most of the time, we're commuting from home to office, a drive we know like the back of our hand. We don't need directions, we need traffic info, and on that front, Waze excels, which is probably why Apple tapped Waze to provide traffic data for Apple Maps. (Though sadly, that hasn't shielded Apple Maps from an avalanche of criticism from iOS users.) It's true that Google Maps includes real-time traffic, but we find Waze's color-coded interface easier to read when we're on the go.

RADIOStitcher
Don't get us wrong, we love Pandora -- really, we do -- but Stitcher gives us so many more options by providing free access to dozens of radio stations and podcasts from around the globe. Need your news fix? Dial up NPR. Want to listen to the big game back home while you're on the road? Run a quick scan to find your favorite hometown station, and -- boom -- it's on. And like the rest of the apps on this list, Stitcher is free. 

DININGUrbanspoon
It happens every week: we're out running errands and doing the mall thing when we suddenly realize that we're starving. We could hit the food court, but we'd really like to try someplace new -- ideally, someplace with more comfortable chairs and fewer screaming kids. So, we whip out Urbanspoon, ask for nearby recommendations, give it a shake, and like the Magic 8 Ball of our youth, we're presented with a plan. If we're skeptical, we can check out restaurant reviews from sites like Zagat and Eater, just to make sure we're barking up the right tree. Obviously, Urbanspoon comes in doubly handy when we're on vacation.

DISTRACTED DRIVINGDriveScribe
We've covered a lot of apps that promise to prevent distracted driving. The sad fact is, none are perfect. Few are free, most can be deactivated or overridden, and none are able to determine on their own whether the phone is owned by the driver or a passenger. To work well, a distracted-driving app needs to offer something more, and DriveScribe does, via gamification.
DriveScribe not only prevents distracted driving, it also offers tips on smart driving habits. The safer users are on the road, the more DriveScribe points they rack up. Ultimately, they can redeem those points for goods at places like Amazon.com and Dominos. DriveScribe may not be perfect, but there's something to be said for positive reinforcement.

GAS PRICESGasBuddy
We have to agree with our pals at Total Car Score: Gas Buddy remains the gold standard when it comes to finding cheap gas on the go. Other apps like Waze let you report gas prices (along with many other things), but Gas Buddy is dedicated exclusively to locating the least expensive fuel. With gas averaging around $3.85 a gallon nowadays, that's hugely important.
Do you know of other apps we should add to this list? (Remember, we're looking for those that run on both iOS and Android.) Drop us a line, or leave a note in the comments below.

Source: The Car Connection

Buying An iPhone 5? Prepare For Some Changes On The Road

Yesterday, Apple unveiled one of the worst-kept secrets in the tech world: the all-new iPhone 5. Rumors about the device and leaked photos of its casing have been flooding the internet for months, and now most, if not all of them, have been confirmed.

But apart from the iPhone 5's longer -- and some would say, less elegant -- silhouette, what changes will it bring? There are at least five major changes that drivers should expect.

Goodbye, Google Maps

As we reported back in June, Apple's new mobile operating system, iOS6, will kill off Google Maps as the iPhone's pre-installed map application. (You'll still be able to use Google Maps on your iPhone, but you'll need to download the app from iTunes, and so far as we know, there's no way to make it the smartphone's default mapping application. Click on a map link in your email, and it'll open in the new Apple Maps.)

That's a pretty big risk for Apple. After all, Google Maps has been in development for years, and people have become very familiar with its functions -- even its quirks. Apple Maps will need to be spectacular right out of the gate, or Apple could see a substantial backlash.

Hello Waze, Yelp, TomTom

When we first heard about Apple Maps, we feared for the future of some of our favorite navigation apps. After all, if Apple Maps became the go-to app for getting from Point A to Point B, what would that mean for fun, gamified apps like Waze?

We're happy and intrigued to report, however, that Waze, Yelp, and TomTom will all be integrated into Apple Maps. According to Mashable, Apple Maps will incorporate real-time traffic data from Waze, turn-by-turn navigation from TomTom, and point-of-interest features from Yelp. Hooray for collaboration and synergy.

"Do Not Disturb"

As we mentioned in June, iOS6 will incorporate a new "Do Not Disturb" feature. Though details are still a bit fuzzy on how this will work in practice, it appears that "Do Not Disturb" will function like DriveSafe.ly or other distracted-driving apps: when the iPhone's accelerometer determines that the device (and its owner) are moving at a certain speed, it will slip into "Do Not Disturb" mode, silencing alerts and keeping the iPhone's screen black. "Do Not Disturb" probably won't be as robust as other distracted-driving apps, but it's nice to see this functionality built in.

Adapt to reuse

Anyone who's ever owned a Mac laptop is well aware of the company's endless array of dongles. Rather than sticking with common VGA and HDMI ports, Apple creates its own proprietary ports, then charges customers for adapters ("dongles") to connect those ports to projectors, TVs, and other accessories.

Now, it appears the iPhone has jumped on the dongle bandwagon. Gone is the iPhone's familiar 30-pin connector -- clunky though it was -- and now we have the much smaller, completely unique "Lightning" connector. Drivers who listen to tunes on their iPhone using a 30-pin cable (or who like to charge their phone in the car) will still be able to do so, but they'll have to shell out $30 for an adapter.

Why Apple couldn't have included a far-more-common micro-USB port remains a mystery.

Upside-down

Perhaps most frustratingly of all, Apple has moved the headphone jack to the bottom of the phone. For those who connect their iPhone to a car stereo via an auxiliary cable, that could make things complicated. You won't be able to rest the iPhone in a cupholder anymore, unless you're willing to rest it upside-down, which seems like an unnecessary distraction. Perhaps it's time to invest in a dock that attaches to your dashboard.

Do you plan to purchase an iPhone 5? Do these changes concern you? Or are you just happy to get your hands on Apple's newest, shiniest, lightest gadget? Let us know in the comments below.

Top 10 Things to Keep in Your Car

Here’s the truth: You spend a lot of time in your car. Driving to and from work every day, to and from soccer practice, school, the mall, the list goes on. And unfortunately there is always a chance of an emergency. So it’s better to be safe than sorry.

So, what are the 'Top 10 Things to Keep in Your Car'?

#10).  It's a good idea to keep some basic fluids in your car like windshield washer fluid, oil and coolant. If you know that your car leaks something specific you should monitor the leak and keep the necessary amount of fluid in your car to prevent mishaps.

#9).  Matches and a candle should be kept in your car, as crazy as that sounds. If you get stranded in your car in the cold the flame from the candle can emit enough heat to keep you from getting hypothermia or from freezing to death. The bigger the candle the warmer you will be.

#8).   When it comes to a car accident or even a little fender bender, a camera can come in handy. Whether you scare people with the pictures or use them for photographic evidence in court, you will be glad you had the camera in your car.

#7).   Unless your a suspect for murder, you should keep a shovel in your car. If you ever get stuck in the snow or even just mud, a shovel is a great help. Pair it up with an old piece of carpet for some extra help.

#6).   It would be wise to keep a blanket in you car. It is convenient to have if the person in the backseat is cold or if you get stranded.

#5).  A flashlight is nice to have in your car if you need to check out your engine or change a tire in the dark. If you use a battery operated flashlight, don't keep the batteries in the flashlight. The flashlight will drain the batteries, while it's in your car you should tape the batteries to the flashlight. You could also get the flashlights that turn on when you shake them or twist them.

#4).  A nice head start when your car dies is jumper cables, then you just have to find a car to jump you. You could just skip that part all together and get a battery operated start kit to keep in your car instead.

#3).  Obviously a spare tire and tire repair tools. You never know when you're going to blow a tire.

#2).   Most people usually keep their cell phone on them but it is always a good idea to take it with you in the car. It is an even better idea to get a car charger to keep in you car also. The only time you really need your cell phone is when it is either dying or dead.

#1).  The most important thing you should keep in your car is a map. Getting lost isn't fun and a map of the area could save you from hours of meaningless driving.  Maps are preferable over GPS because many GPS device's aren't up-to-date with current road changes and additions.

Advice: How to Pick the Best Family Car for You

Picking the best car for you and your family may seem like an easy task. After all, it's pretty obvious how many seats you'll need, how much towing capability--if any--and how much cargo space you'll need, right?

Well, not always. Many people forget about the one constant in all our lives: Change.

In other words,  a family of four may not think it needs a third row of seating, but an unplanned addition to the family could change that. Or a family might think it doesn't need towing--until a large tax return comes due and a boat is purchased.

So, here's a few things to think about when heading to the dealership.

Space

The key is figuring out how much space you need now--and how much you'll need in the future. Do you travel a lot? Play a lot of golf? Haul kids toys or household appliances? You'll need space. But don't forget to think about the future. Keep in mind any additions you might have in mind to your family, your household, or your business/career. If you think ahead now, you could save yourself from losing money on a trade-in later.

Knowing how much space you need will help you decide between a sedan, crossover, full-size SUV, or wagon.

Towing

Plan on buying a boat or trailer sometime in the future? Better think about that now. If so, you should likely pick out an SUV, crossover, or  wagon that is rated for towing.

You'll also need to know how much you might be towing, since some vehicles can tow more than others.

Front-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive

There aren't many rear-wheel drive cars in this segment, but there are plenty of front-wheel and all-wheel drive choices. The main thing here is, you need to choose which drivetrain will work best for you. Generally speaking, all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive will be good choices for folks who live in climates that are besieged by inclement weather.

Features And Amenities

The biggest factor here is balancing the features you want versus the amount you can afford to spend. Don't forget to take into account the needs and wants of other family members, but don't overspend, either.

Safety

Finally, this may be the most important factor. A lot of safety features are standard, either by government mandate or manufacturer choice. One feature that will soon become standard is stability control, which will become standard by government edict in 2012.

In any case, we'd opt for ABS, traction control, and stability control if they aren't already standard, and side-curtain, front-side, and driver's knee airbags are all desirable. Other safety features worth looking into: Blind-spot monitoring systems, rearview camera systems, and rear cross-traffic alert systems.

Shop Smart

The best way to get the perfect family car for you and your family is to plan ahead, do your homework, and know what you want and need. That will save you plenty of time and headaches in the long run.

Source:  http://www.thecarconnection.com

Scenic Byways Offer The Road Less Traveled

The Blue Ridge Parkway is arguably North Carolina’s most famous drive for viewing spectacular fall colors, but other lesser-known mountain routes make for equally impressive leaf watching. Avoid the crowds by hopping on one of these North Carolina Scenic Byways.

Cherohala Skyway
The Cherohala Skyway shares a national scenic byway designation with the Blue Ridge Parkway, and it often draws comparisons to its better-known cousin due to its scenic attractions and natural topography. The route follows N.C. 143 in far western North Carolina, straddling national forests in North Carolina and Tennessee. From Robbinsville, follow N.C. 143 West for 12 miles until reaching the scenic overlook that marks the beginning of the byway. From there, the Cherohala Skyway weaves westward through the southern Appalachians, passing overlooks, trails and pull-offs along the way that make perfect spots for leaf viewing.

Length: 20 miles

Drive time: 45 minutes

Counties: Graham

Whitewater Way

Vivid fall color amidst a stunning backdrop of numerous waterfalls makes Whitewater Way a unique place for leaf watching. The byway begins at the intersection of U.S. 64 and N.C. 281 in the village of Sapphire. Follow N.C. 281 South for two miles to reach the access area for Horse Pasture River and Falls. Here, trails lead visitors along the river to a series of waterfalls with names like Drift, Rainbow, Stairway and Mist. Continuing along N.C. 281 the byway passes through the 1.4-million-acre Nantahala National Forest before reaching the entrance to Whitewater Falls Scenic Area about 8.5 miles from Sapphire. An overlook for this 411-foot waterfall, the highest east of the Rockies, is just a short stroll from the parking area. The end of Whitewater Way is located less than a mile from this point on N.C. 281.

Length: 9 miles
Drive time: 20 minutes

Counties: Jackson, Transylvania

Mission Crossing
For many, no trip to the mountains is complete without a stop at Mast General Store – and catching a glimpse of the original Mast General, built in 1882, is one of the major attractions of the Mission Crossing byway. Quaint towns, rustic barns and beautiful fall colors are additional reasons to make the drive. The byway begins near the Avery County community of Cranberry and follows N.C. 194 through the Elk River Valley to Banner Elk. From here, the route descends into the Watauga River Valley and passes through Valle Crucis, home to the original Mast General Store and the 19th century Mast Farm Inn. Mission Crossing ends in the Watauga County community of Vilas at the intersection of N.C. 194 and U.S. 321/421 north of Boone.

Length: 17 miles

Drive time: 45 minutes

Counties: Avery, Watauga

So, let your wind blow through your hair as you take the road less traveled and enjoy beautiful North Carolina!

Benefits of Buying Pre-Owned

Other than your home, your car might be the most expensive purchase that you ever make. Because of this, there are several good reasons to consider buying a used car, including ample selection and the improving reliability of older cars. But the main attraction for used-car buyers is still affordability.

Price

Buying a new car is definitely more expensive than buying a used one. In fact, the price spread between new and used is widening. The latest figures available from CNW Marketing Research indicate that the average transaction price, before taxes and fees, on a new car in 2011 was $29,916. The average used car transaction was $9,297 during that same time period. This spread has increased nearly 20 percent since 2008. Unless you decide to lease, your initial costs on a new car will be hefty. Financial institutions typically require down payments of about 10 percent on a new-car loan, but it helps to add more. If you pay less money up-front, your monthly payment will be higher.

Two other key considerations may tip the balance in favor of used cars: certification programs and new-car depreciation.

Certification Programs

Another trend that makes buying used a better option is the proliferation of certified pre-owned programs. The idea started with luxury brands such as Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. Today, most manufacturers have instituted these programs.

General benefits of Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) cars include:

• Manufacturers usually consider only late-model, relatively low-mileage used cars and trucks with no history of major damage for their certification programs.
• CPO vehicles undergo a rigid inspection process of mechanical and cosmetic items before they obtain certification.
• CPO vehicles are normally covered by a warranty that extends beyond the original factory warranty. The warranty often includes the same features as a new-vehicle warranty, such as roadside assistance.
• Several manufacturers offer special financing on CPO vehicles, usually at lower rates than those on new-car loans or the typical, higher used-car loan rates.

Buyers should be aware that they pay more for a CPO car than for a regular used car, but the higher price may be worth it for the extra coverage and the peace of mind they receive.

Avoiding Depreciation

Once you drive your new car off the dealership lot, its value will drop immediately in your early years of ownership. On mainstream vehicles, expect your new car to lose at least 30 percent of its value in the first two years of ownership.

Falling Registration Fees
In most states, the rate of your annual registration fee is based on your car’s value and its model year. In Colorado, for example, registration fees fall dramatically during the first few years after a car is manufactured. The rate is highest in the first three years, and then levels off after five years. If your state has similar rules, you can save about a thousand dollars by avoiding the new car registration fees and buying a car that’s at least three, or better yet five, years old

Useless Extras on New Cars, Cheaper Features on Used Cars

The oldest trick in the dealer’s book is to install additional dealer options. They’ll add a pinstripe, a protective film, or the immortal “anti-rust coating,” but new car buyers who want these add-ons can easily get them for a much lower cost from an after-market installer. Regardless, these changes don’t add a dime to the car’s resale value anyway. When you buy used, you may not get every feature you want, but you certainly won’t end up paying extra for things you didn’t ask for.

On the other hand, when you search for specific features that you do want in a used car, like a sunroof or navigation system, you’ll pay far less than the original owner did. Instead of needing to decline a dealer’s expensive navigation package with fees and surcharges, you’ll be able to afford the built-in features.

Condition

Nowadays, cars are built to last for at least 100,000 miles, so you don’t have to sacrifice reliability and overall condition just to get a good deal on a used car. You can get a used (or “pre-owned”) car that’s scratch-free and in excellent mechanical shape. In fact, if you know anything about cars, you should be able to find one that is in “like new” condition.

However, if you’re not comfortable under the hood, you can rely on the certification programs and extended long-term warranties that most car makers offer. When you buy a used car at a manufacturer dealer, you’ll know that they’ve inspected the vehicle and that it meets the strict requirements for certification. The biggest benefit you might find is the manufacturer’s warranty for used cars. Toyota, for example, offers a seven-year 100,000-mile warranty on certified used vehicles. This kind of peace of mind is crucial when buying a used car.

Consult used-car value guides to get an idea of what a particular model will be worth in the future. Leasing guides are another good source, even if you intend to buy instead. Lease payments are calculated based on residual, or resale, values. The Automotive Lease Guide projects those values for leasing companies to use when setting their prices.  

So, in conclusion, if you are in the market for a good pre-owned vehicle, look no further!  Call us today at Welborne Motor Company for the best selection of pre-owned cars, trucks, SUV's, and vans in the Statesville area!

Sources:  www.cars.com, www.moneycrashers.com