Car Fans Rejoice! Great List of Twitter Enthusiasts to Follow:

If you’re composing a tweet while finishing your morning oatmeal, you have an appreciation for getting an early start.  If you’re choosing a hashtag (community-driven convention for adding additional context and metadata to your tweets) to contribute to while crossing a busy street, you’re adventurous.  If you’re texting while in the mall and happen to fall into a strategically placed water fountain, you need help.  If your Twitter addiction needs to be tamed, we can’t help you, but if you have a love for the modern automotive industry, you’re in luck.  We’ve got a comprehensive list, from Joel Feder of Social Car News and the best car-related twitter feeds to follow.   

@AdamCarolla: Almost hosted TopGearUSA; lived to tell about it, ready to host a real car show with the WSJ's vivacious Dan Neil and TSD's Matt Farah.
@AM_Tingwall: Automobile Magazine engineer, triathlon master.
@Auto123: The Canadian automotive network, for those above the 46th parallel and beyond.
@Auto_Bird: On a mission to save the world from underinflated tires.
@AutoCritic: The Detroit News' formerly erstwhile car guy; won't let anyone else tweet for him.
@AutomobileMag: Official Twitter account of the Automobile Magazine team.
@AutoTrader_com: Billed as The Automotive Marketplace, you know it as the ultimate work time-waster.
@BerryLowman: Avid Corvette enthusiast, obsessed with speed.
@BobbyLlew: UK TV star and big electric-car advocate.
@Bprosperi: Loves F1, Mazdaspeed, and works in IT. Supporting data: drives a MazdaSpeed6.
@BurnOutRadio: Hilarious podcast talking everything automotive. Seem to do lots of burnouts. Even the Twitter page smells like smoke.
@CarandDriver: Official Twitter account of Car and Driver, the best monthly car magazine ever.
@CarCounsel: From automotive engineering to marketing, Daanesh has his finger on the pulse, even though he has no actual medical degree.
@CarGuyDad: Car dork who also happens to be a father. Refuses to be labeled daddy blogger.
@CBaccus: Lover of BMWs; ex-Ford and Lincoln marketer.
@CRCars: Official Twitter account of the Consumer Reports cars team.
@CGAutomotive: Official Twitter account of Consumer Guide Automotive.
@CleanMPG: Extreme hypermiler. Want to know the maximum fuel efficiency of a car? Ask here nicely.
@DanBedore: The personal account for Hyundai's PR/SM guy, who has a sense of humor about Michigan weather.
@DamonLavrinc: Senior editor at Autoblog, gearhead and geek (in the good way).
@DavidShepardson: Chief of the Detroit News' D.C. Bureau.
@DeepSouthMS3: Complete Mazdaspeed nutcase.
@DoctorDiesel: Knows diesels inside and out. There had to be one.
@Edmunds: Official Twitter account of Edmunds.com.
@EVChels: Want to talk electric cars? Follow Chelsea, learn, then live it.
@Frank_Bacon: The automotive journalist that everyone aspires to be, give or take 200 pounds and a free LCD TV.
@FoxCarReport: Official Twitter account of the Fox News automotive team.
@GM_Joe: Founder of Gaywheels.com; now a leader for GM's grassroots PR.
@HighGearMedia: The most prolific, most experienced car writing on the Web, with @nireson, @joelfeder, @ben_gt, @johnvoelcker, and @martypadgett driving
@HighMileage: Energetic Texan out to save car culture from the evil beige.
@HemmingsNews: The bible of collector cars, if some prophets would get off their duffs and write one.
@IDMPhoto: Takes photos of hot cars, usually gets to drive them. Not #losing.

Quick Tips: 3 Ideas For Keeping Your Car Running Great

Life is a blur, sometimes.  Work can become stressful as the day begins and ends with an aching neck and sore feet.  The last thing on your mind is maintaining your car’s performance.  You’re more in the realm of kicking your feet up, getting a bite to eat, and catching the last part of 2 in a Half Men.  Car maintenance is very important, so how do you know if you’re overdoing it or ‘under’ doing it?  In today’s blog, we discuss 3 ways to keep your vehicle running great. 

         

          First, how often are you supposed to receive maintenance?  All of your answers lie in a small space known as the glove box.  Every car is supplied with a maintenance schedule-in the owner’s manual or in a separate maintenance log book-that includes details that vehicle’s need to sustain long and healthy lives.   Taking a few minutes to assimilate the requirements will help you avoid the following car-maintenance pitfalls. 

          Tire Inflation & Rotation

          Tires should be checked regularly, because over time, they leak naturally.  Problems can arise from under inflated tires, which suckS up more gas, as well as over inflated tires, that wear them out sooner.  Plus, front and rear tires wear differently and should be rotated to even that wear.  Your owner’s manual will have a recommendation for pressure and rotation.

          Wiper Tales

          Fall is the best time for wiper replacement.  After a certain period of time your wipers will be useless, leaving you prone to accidents.  Depending on location, wiper replacement may be an annual affair in the Southwest to a biannual chore in northern climates.

          Tune-Ups

         

          Tune-Ups are almost non-existent.  Valves no longer need adjusting, ignition timing is computer controlled and there are no more carburetors.  All you really have left is the spark plugs.  These are usually good for 100,000 miles! Save 60,000 and 120,000-mile services for timing belt, and coolant.

Got your own tip you want to ad?  Feel free!

5 Facts About Kids and Car Safety

Kids are the future of our nation, the bubble gum popping and bike riding youths of the new world.  Keeping them occupied in the back seat of a moving vehicle is difficult enough.  Today, in our weekly blog, we describe 5 facts about kids and car safety. 

1.)     Most accidents happen near home: Most accidents occur on residential, rural roads that are local, during a routine trip to the grocery store or day-care center.  No matter what, always buckle your child into their seat, even if the drive is two minutes away.  "Always buckle your child up, no matter how near or far you're going," says Marilena Amoni, associate administrator for research and program development at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). "And never forget to use your own seat belt. Kids watch everything that you do, so it's important that you set the right example."

2.)     Kids are at more risk than babies and toddlers: If your child is between 4 and 8 years old, they are more likely to be hurt in an accident than their smaller counterparts.  Most parents strap their infants into rear facing car seats, but only 20% of kids between 4 and 8 ride in booster seats as safety experts recommend. Some children even sit in the front seat before 13 years old.  Children are the safest in the backseat, putting them far away from the impact of a frontal crash.

3.)     SUVs aren’t safer: It’s BIG, bad, and menacing, but SUVs are no safer than ordinary sedans.  They’re more likely to rollover.  The safest vehicles are low to the ground and larger (station wagons).

4.)     A car does NOT have to move to be dangerous: Parked cars are also, surprisingly deadly.  As many as 220 children per year are killed in non-traffic auto accidents.  Some are strangled by a window when they’re leaning out, inadvertently leaning on the rocker-type power window switch.  Other children, when alone, release the emergency brake, setting the car in motion.  Finally, at least 30 kids die each year when their parents leave them in the car and they suffocate from overheating. "Children should never, ever be left alone in an automobile -- not even for a minute," says Terrill Struttmann, executive director of Kids in Cars, an education and advocacy organization he and his wife started after their 2-year-old son was killed by a car set in motion by two kids playing alone inside.

5.)     Kids don’t need to be inside a car to be hurt by one:  nearly 400 children are killed each year when they’re hit by an automobile.  ALWAYS keep an eye on your little ones, no matter how many times you’ve warned them to stay out of the streets.  A survey conducted by Safe Kids Worldwide found that a majority of drivers speed in school zones, and that nearly a third violate stop signs in neighborhoods where there are kids.

Do you have any tips of your own?  Feel free to comment below:

The Age Old Question: Manual or Automatic

Hm…that’s what comes to mind when you’re posed with this question.  Manual…you begin to ponder, imagining yourself as a speed demon.  You’re Evil Knievel reincarnate as your car reaches gut-wrenching speeds, your hand fixated on your gearshift as you weave through traffic.  Picturing Automatic is another animal.  You can enjoy the relaxation of not shifting gears, leaving more focus to the road and your surroundings.  The car ride is less work on your skills and more about maintaining a smooth ride.  So, when posed with the question of Manual Vs. Auto, which is better?  In today’s blog we discuss the differences and let YOU decide…

Manual

If you’re in search of power, Manual transmission is definitely the way to go.  For example, an automatic equipped Dodge Neon has a reported 0-60 MPH time of approximately 10.5 seconds.  The same Neon when equipped with a 5-speed manual has a reported 0-60 time of 8.1 seconds; a huge difference.  The acceleration offered from a vehicle with a manual transmission is usually higher, because of the precise shifting the car encompasses. 

Manual transmissions also excel at fuel economy.  Most new Automatic cars have an EPA rating of only 1 or 2 MPG less than the same model car with a manual transmission.  So, you’re not saving TOO much with a manual, but it is a small difference. 

When it comes to maintenance, most manuals require less service than their automatic counterparts.  The clutch disc in manual transmissions does need to be replaced on occasion. There are many factors that determine how long a clutch will last such as driving style, the material the clutch disc is made of, and the amount of city vs. highway driving. Clutch replacement is often a labor intensive task and can cost several hundred dollars if performed at a repair shop. 

Automatic

Automatic cars are easy.  There’s no clutch or shifter to control.  That means city driving is a breeze and commanding steep terrain is simple.  There’s no ‘rollback’ with an automatic car while its in drive, giving you more energy to controlling your car on the road.  If you live in a busy city its also beneficial because of stop-and-go traffic.  An automatic takes away the worry of shifting gears, leaving an open hand to perform a small task.  Since automatic cars only require one shift “D”, while driving forward it has a wider appeal.  So, if two people were sharing a vehicle after its purchase no learning would be required.  If one person couldn’t control a manual transmission it could be easier for them to stick with an automatic. 

Some cars offer a “best of both worlds” style known as manumatics.  The term differs from brand to brand, but the vehicle could begin in automatic and be shifted into a manual mode that allows control through the gears like a regular manual without the hassle of a clutch.

Automatic cars also have a higher resell value.  The appeal for an automatic is much larger than that of a manual.  Thus, becoming an easier seller for when you trade-in your vehicle.

So, we’ve given you the facts.  What will you choose??? What do you prefer?  Feel free to comment below:

How Hybrid Cars Work

Gas is up.  So, I understand when consumers say that we need an alternative.  Electric cars are all the rage, with vehicles in high demand.  The only question is, how do they work?  We embrace the idea, and today we’ll provide some insight on how hybrid engines work. 

Hybrids use traditional gas engines and an alternative power plant.  There are two types: electric hybrids and hydrogen hybrids.  Electric hybrids use an electric motor as their alternative energy source. Hydrogen hybrids extract the element from water and add the hydrogen to the fuel-air mixture of the vehicle.  So how do hybrids help the environment?  It’s important to know that oil is a limited resource; also carbon dioxide is produced when it’s burned.  In addition, the oil that is extracted from the Earth damages the environment from drilling.  Although hybrids still use gas, they achieve higher gas mileage than a regular vehicle because of the secondary power source.  The average estimate is a five-mpg improvement in fuel economy. 

One way the improved fuel economy numbers are achieved is through stop/start technology that is fitted to the vehicle. A stop/start system allows the engine to be shut off when it is not needed, such as when the vehicle is stopped at a red light or the vehicle is coasting. The technology allows for the engine to be restarted quickly so that the driver does not experience any hesitation. 

Hybrids are great for the environment.  They produce less noise pollution and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.  Innovation and technology will continue to change and adapt to the times making hybrids a great alternative. 

Music: the Best Part of a Drive Home

Music is bliss.  It’s that overwhelming feeling of reassurance when you’re feeling down.  It’s that overbearing tune stuck in the back of your mind, resulting in uncontrollable whistling.  Music is what keeps us sane in a world of car horns, missed appointments, and bad breakups.  It’s the key to our souls.  Now, imagine you’re sitting in your car at a stop light, wait, listen for it…nothing.  No music to take you away from your daily troubles, sometimes it’s understandable not listening to music.  You might have had a long day and want to enjoy some quiet, but most of the time our music soothes us.  In our blog today, we discuss the best options for music in your car.

iPod/Mp3 Player – If you have your favorite tunes locked in on your iPod/smartphone/Mp3 Player-a-majig and your car has an Auxiliary connection, (most cars after 2006 have them) then you’re in luck.  You can purchase an auxiliary cable online (eBay has them as low as 1$) plug it into the car and the other end into the headphone jack of your device.  Push play on your device and viola, HD music directly from your favorite jukebox.

Satellite Radio – satellite radio is commercial and static free, music is beamed directly from satellites in space.  Two big companies, XM and Sirius, have paid subscriptions with countless radio stations to choose from.  Music from all genres, sports, traffic, talk shows (Howard Stern) and weather are all included.  Purchasing the tuner for your car starts around $75 bucks, with a monthly subscription of around $15.   One drawback is that reception can be deterred in cities with skyscrapers, but purchasing an external antenna will fix the problem.

Car Audio w/Cassette Adapter – if you own an older car, don’t panic!  You can still play your mp3’s on the road.  By purchasing a cassette adapter, you can play your tunes via a headphone jack.  First, plug your cassette adapter into your player’s headphone jack.  Then, insert the dummy tape into your car’s cassette player.  With $20 dollars you can use your modern mp3 player to play your tunes, rock on!!

The Best Car Innovations

We’ve all been spoiled by technology.  From self-brewing coffee machines, to Bluetooth headsets, our society relies on the innovations of technology.  They make life easier, save time, and in some cases, add more free time to a busy work schedule.  In our blog today, we discuss the most important innovations of the modern vehicle.  These changes have added entertainment, space, and other options to a transportation device that’s main focus is to get you from point A to point B.  Take a look, and feel free to add your favorite right here:

1)                    Antilock brakes – They help maintain control while stopping, as well as throw the door open to stability control and roll mitigation technologies.  Mercedes-Benz started this innovation in 1978.

2)                    Airbag advancement – Chrysler made airbags standard in 1988, since then, airbags graduated to dashboards that protect you in a rollover and also cushion your knees and adjust for small drivers. 

3)                    Key fobs – (favorite) Chevy introduced these in 1993 with their Passive keyless entry system.  Now, it’s used to unlock doors, set off the horn and lights if you lose the car in Disney world, and in some cases keyless entry and start.  Before the days of key fobs we actually had to physically open the door with a key.

These innovations have revolutionized car safety and will continue to spawn further technologies.  Do you have a favorite innovation?  Please, comment below: