Eco Friendly & Green Driving - Endless Money & Fuel Saving Car Tips Part 1

Car fuel prices are on a constant hike for a good part of 2008H1. You are on a constant quest to enhance your fuel efficiency. Regardless of whether you are driving a hybrid, compact or cng driven car, you would be looking to more cost saving ways of managing your transport expenses.

Check out the following simple yet proven effective ways on achieving fuel efficiency, conserving gasoline and attaining cost savings the easy way:

• Get a car with high MPG, which calculates miles per gallon. Even better, check out the low GPM cars, gallons per mile which is logically lower the better. This is the ultimate objective, and really what we are discussing here, ie. the lesser the gasoline usage, the more miles coverage and the more savings from your higher fuel consumption.
• If you own a vehicle which heats up your car seats at the touch of a button, Do Not Touch that button. The energy consumption is exceptionally high. If your human counterparts have all survived the harsh winter without heated car seats, you could too.
• Eco friendly car washing is another money saving idea. But, let me qualify that if you have to do it at home, you need to use biodegradable soap specifically formulated for automotive parts. Do it on your lawn instead of your driveway, so that the dirt and toxic waste water are absorbed and neutralized in soil. Otherwise, just patronize your local car wash. Their toxic waste water is drained into proper sewer systems and treated before being discharged.
• In summer, run your air conditioner sparingly at a low setting. When the car is sufficiently cool, switch to fan mode instead. Ensure that windows are tightly shut and not rolled down when the air conditioning is running
• Rotate your tires to ensure even tire threading. This causes less strain to the engine.
• Avoid traffic congestion as travelling in jam condition could consume more fuel. Rise early and get to work early whenever possible.
• In all weather all season, use windshield shades to cut down the summer heat and reduce frost in winter.
• When travelling at high speed, for instance, along highways, keep windows tightly closed. Open windows cause additional drag, making your engine work harder, and consuming more fuel.
• Plan trips well ahead before you set off to reduce unnecessary driving. Remember to check out the road conditions especially when driving in hash winter weather.
• Over inflated tires can reduce your fuel efficiency. Remember to check your tire pressure and never overfill them. This is because you need to leave space air expansion when the tires get hot when driving.
• Conversely, you should avoid driving with soft tires. When soft and not at the correct PSI pounds per square inch, your car requires more energy to move and maintain speed as well as increase fuel emissions. According to a Carnegie Mellon University informal study, majority of cars on the roads are only 80% inflated to capacity and inflating tires to the proper pressure improves mileage by about 3.3%. And the best part is that it is definitely safer too.

Stay tuned and check out even more Environmentally Friendly Green car driving tips at my site.

Strong Sales for Cars and Light Trucks Forecasted

At the annual Convention and Exposition in Las Vegas, good news was shared to the car manufacturing industry by the chief economist of the National Automobile Dealers Association or NADA. Paul Taylor, who is renowned for his insightful analysis of automotive sales and the economic trends in the US, has forecasted that this year, 2007, sales of cars and light trucks will equal that of last year. He cited that the reason for the projected sales output in the year 2007 is the arrival of many high-quality fuel efficient vehicles.

Taylor said that signs in the economy and the market shows that this year will see a solid year in the sale of cars and light trucks. He added that any significant increase in the roughly estimated 16.5 million units to be sold will be hampered by steady interest rates as well as the continued slowing of home mortgage refinancing. But the two factors will definitely not stop the steady pace of vehicle sales unlike the EBC Greenstuff brake parts that can easily stop a moving vehicle.

The chief economist reported on the trends that governed the car and light truck sales last year. He said that light trucks comprise the biggest percentage of light vehicles used last year at 53 percent. Sedans also increased in sales but not enough to be the majority in the total sales of light vehicles in 2006. Another segment that exhibited continuous growth in the market share is the crossover utility vehicle (CUV) segment. CUV sales have increased by 9.1 percent over 2005 sales figures and Taylor has forecasted that the growth of the segment will continue and he even is brave enough to state that he is predicting an 8 percent increase in 2007.

Sedans, which have seen steadily growing demand, has increased their sales by 1.8 percent for the full-size sedans while for the small cars, the increase is 4.7 percent. New designs and better mileage of the cars played a major role to the increase in the demand of the public for them. This is apparent in the newer models which have radically changed their appearance to increase their aesthetic value.

A prime example of this is the cars from Volvo which has departed from their reputation of having a boxy design. The effort by car manufacturers to produce good looking cars is aimed to attract the attention of younger car buyers. The younger generation is the target now of different car makers hoping that they will create a loyal buyer base that would later see them being long term consumers.

Taylor further predicted that used car sales by franchised new car dealerships will best last year's figures. "Used vehicles sales will receive increased attention by new car dealerships," the economist quipped. He added that "dealers will look for ways to increase used-car sales, and at least 100,000 additional light vehicles are likely to sell at franchised new-car dealerships this year". Taylor also stated that "used-car sales and parts and service revenue will be an important focus for dealers this year".

Other factors that allows the chief economist to predict the steady pace of automobile sales for this year is the low employment numbers which average 4.6 to 4.8 percent in 2007. He also cited the number of people per month returning to work which rose up to 130,000 will be generating many used car costumers and a small number of new car customers.

Taylor spoke for the National Automobile Dealers Association which has been founded in 1917 and is based in McLean, VA. The association represents more or less 20,000 new car and truck dealers which has a combined number of franchises of 43,000 globally.

Things to Consider for Car and Vehicle Finance

Purchasing a new car can be a daunting task. However, with some guidance, choosing the best options for a car and vehicle finance option does not have to be difficult. The most important step in the process of searching for car and vehicle finance is to research. A car and vehicle finance option can be found at dealerships and financial institutions. Often competing banks and dealerships will have special offers in order to attract business. Timing may play a part in which car and vehicle finance option to go with but if considering a special deal, make sure to be fully aware of all the terms so that you are sure you are not paying too much over the course of the loan. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Before you research a car and vehicle finance option, you should have a good idea of the type of car that you want and the total cost of it. This will help when shopping around and comparing car and vehicle finance options. When searching for car and vehicle finance options, one will have to choose between leasing a vehicle and a car loan. Choosing a car loan has its benefits by letting the buyer use car and vehicle finance to purchase the car outright. A down payment will need to be made and then monthly payments will be made for a period of time, typically between two and four years. After the loan is paid of completely the vehicle will be owned entirely. Using car and vehicle finance to lease a vehicle is ideal for people who want to maintain a low monthly payment and keep a late model car. After the end of the car and vehicle finance lease, there is an option to purchase the vehicle or trade it in for a newer model and renew the lease.

Before choosing car and vehicle finance options, it is important to shop around to get the best rate. There are financial considerations that should be examined including how much money is available for a down payment and how much in monthly payments can be afforded. If choosing car and vehicle finance loans, the interest rate is something that should be looked into to ensure you are able to get the lowest possible rate. People who have good credit can typically get car and vehicle finance loans at a lower interest rate and have more available options on where to get the loan. Banks will generally have lower interest rates than car and vehicle finance through a dealership. However, if your credit is not as good, you may have to get a car and vehicle finance loan from the source that will extend credit and this may mean a higher interest rate and higher payments. However, it will also afford an opportunity to reestablish credit. Calculate the total purchase price of the vehicle after factoring in the interest rate for the period of time and choose the option that is the lowest. Often banks will compete with one another to garner your business so it is important to shop around.