Category: Blog

The Worst States For Speeders

Speeding finesLet’s be honest, car ownership can be expensive. Regular scheduled maintenance isn’t usually too bad, but you also have to factors in other expenses like car insurance and driving citations. Even the best drivers have seen the flashing blue and red cherries in their rearview mirrors before, so today we’re looking at the worst and best states for speeding tickets.

The Five Worst

5. California – On the outset, California doesn’t look so bad. The base fine for speeding between 1-15 mph over the limit is $35, but then they tack on administrative and processing fees. By the end of it, you’re holding a $158 ticket. Additionally, a speeding ticket can jack up your insurance rates. One research group suggests the higher insurance rates will amount to 20 times the price of the ticket in the long run in California.

4. New York –  New York is exceptionally hard on excessive speeders. Anyone caught going at least 30 miles over the posted speed limit will be hit with a $600 fine and 30 days in jail.

3. Virginia – Similar to New York, Virginia is also very harsh on excessive speeders. Anyone caught going faster than 80 mph or at least 20 miles over the posted speed limit can be hit with a Reckless Driving ticket, which is punishable by up to a year in jail and $2,500 in fines. The state also ranks seventh in the nation for most tickets issued each year.

2. Massachusetts – Massachusetts has a tiered system in which the ticket price increase rapidly depending on how many miles you were driving above the speed limit. The base fee is $50, but it increases by $10 for every mph you drive about the speed limit, which means you’ll be paying at least $200 for doing 70 mph in a 55 mph zone. Additionally, speeding in a tunnel is a serious fine in Massachusetts. Tunnel speedsters will be hit with a $500 fine, and the state boasts the the second highest speed-trap-to-mile ratio in the nation.

1. New Jersey – Let’s just say you do not want to get caught speeding in New Jersey. Not only will ticket fines double if you’re traveling more than 9 mph faster than the posted 65 mph speed limit, but you have to look out for speed traps at nearly every turn. New Jersey boasts one speed trap every 30 miles, which is the highest mark in the US, and they collect nearly $30,000 per mile in driver fines and fees.

The Five Best

On the flip side of the ball, here are the five most lenient states when it comes to speeders.

5. Colorado – Going just a few miles over the speed limit will only set you back $36, and as long as you’re not double digit over the speed limit, your max fine will be $80.

4. Tennessee – The maximum speed limit fine is only $50, so long as you aren’t drag racing.

3. Idaho – Idaho doesn’t have very many speed traps, and getting caught going up to 15 mph over the speed limit will only set you back $75, which is less than half what the same violation would cost in Massachusetts.

2. Montana – Montana has the fewest speed traps per mile in the United States, and in many places the speed limit is 75 mph. Even if you do get pulled over, it’s only a $20 fine for going 10 miles above the posted limit, and the maximum fine for going 31 miles per hour or more than the posted speed limit is $100.

1. North Dakota – North Dakota has very few speed traps and boasts the lowest fines for going between 1-10 mph over the posted limit, as a driver will be hit with a meager $10 fine so long as the posted speed limit is 55 mph or less. If you’re speeding on a bigger highway, the penalty is $5 for each mile per hour over the posted speed limit.

Related source: Popular Mechanics

Car Owners Prefer Technology Over Brand Loyalty

Car loyaltyA new study suggests more car owners are willing to ditch their favorite car brand for upgraded in-car technologies, like active park assist and rear-view cameras.

According to the poll conducted by AutoTrader.com, more than half of vehicle owners (56 percent) would switch form their favorite car company to get a vehicle with the technological features they desire. The study asked 1,033 US vehicle owners how much technological features influence their buying decisions when it comes to picking out a new car. Not surprisingly, technological safety advancements outweighed other add-ons like bluetooth connectivity. 84 percent of consumers said advanced safety features outweighed infotainment options. Additionally, 61 percent said they are likely to consider autonomous features like collision avoidance and parking assist during their next purchase.

Other findings from the study include:

  • Ease of technology is also important. Mare than 50 percent of consumers would pass on a car they liked if they felt the tech features were too cumbersome.
  • More than 75 percent of consumers said they’d prefer one easy-to-use vehicle technology than a slew of complicated options.
  • 38 percent said they would delay their next vehicle purchase by six months in order to get a car with all the features they desire.
  • The majority of respondents said it shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes to figure out all the tech features in a particular model.
  • 30 percent said they’d like to be able to test drive a car overnight to spend more time learning about the car’s features.

“The fact that consumers are in need of this education combined with how much technology is influencing the purchase decision is a huge opportunity for dealers,” said Michelle Krebs, a senior analyst at Auto Trader, adding that many buyers feel that a quick test drive doesn’t give them enough time to get acclimated with all the features. “Salespeople who can actively show shoppers how easy these features are to use, and demonstrate the benefits, will build a trusted relationship with the shopper to help seal the deal.”

While technology reigns supreme, some people are pretty picky when it comes to the color of their vehicle, as 31 percent said they would not sacrifice their car color choice for their favorite on-board technologies.

Improving Gas Mileage in Cold Weather

Winter Gas mileageWinter is here, and by all accounts it appears it’s here for good. When temperatures drop, so too does your car’s fuel economy. Below, we explain why winter driving lowers your average mile per gallon and share some tips to raise it back up.

Cold Weather and Your Car

One car study found that the average car’s gas mileage drops about 12 percent when temperatures drop below 20°F than if the outside temperature was a comfortable 77°F. Short trips of less than five miles are even worse, as fuel economy can drop up to 22% on quick trips to the store.

Gas mileage isn’t the only thing affected by cold temperatures. Other ways cold temps impact your car include:

  • Engine and transmission frictions increase in freezing temperatures due colder engine oil and other fluids.
  • It takes longer for your car to reach optimal temperature. If it takes 10 miles for your car to reach optimal temperature, a three mile trip to the store means your car is making the whole trip at a less-than-optimal temperature.
  • That said, don’t let your car sit in your driveway for 10 minutes to warm up before you leave. Idling yields 0 miles per gallon.
  • Cold air is denser than warm air, leading to more drag on your vehicle at high speeds.
  • Keeping yourself warm comes at a cost. Heated seats, window defrosters and heating fans require additional power.
  • Tire pressure decreases in colder temperatures. If you don’t adjust them, your tires will create more resistance than normal.
  • Colder temperatures make it harder for your alternator to keep your battery charged. Last year we replaced an incredible amount of batteries as below-freezing temperatures took their toll on old batteries.

Improving Fuel Economy in the Winter

Now that you know why colder temperatures make it harder on your car, here are some tips to improve your gas mileage during the cold winter months.

  • As we mentioned, don’t idil your car to let it warm up. Start your car and wait 10-30 seconds before hitting the road.
  • Don’t overheat your cabin. Dress warmly while driving so you don’t need to crank the heat your whole drive.
  • Avoid short trips when possible. Try to combine trips to multiple errands when possible.
  • Park in a warm place, like your garage or a covered parking ramp. That will keep your initial engine temperature warmer than if you parked on the street.
  • Check your owner’s manual and adjust your tire pressure for the colder temperatures.
  • Get an oil change if you need one, and make sure the mechanic uses a winter-driving blend.

If you want to get a tune-up in now that winter is upon us, contact us for a free quote or to set up an appointment!

Related source: FuelEconomy.gov

Fun Car-Related Thanksgiving Facts

Thanksgiving travelThanksgiving is tomorrow, and soon college students and families will be traversing across the country to celebrate the holiday with one another. If you’re hitting the road soon, now is a good time to brush up on last year’s blog, “5 Thanksgiving Travel Tips” to help you get to your destination safely.

In spirit of the holiday, we thought we’d share some interesting car-related Thanksgiving travel facts as the holiday is one of the busiest days of the year for travelers. Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Travel Facts

  • This year’s Thanksgiving travel volume is expected to be at its highest point in seven years, with an estimated 46.3 million Americans hitting the highway.
  • In 2013, 44.4 million Americans traveled for Thanksgiving.
  • Great news for gas guzzlers! Fuel prices are at their lowest mark at Thanksgiving in 5 years, as the national per gallon price is $2.85. It’s even less in Minnesota! Gas is down to $2.49 in Brooklyn Park.
  • Do you remember how much gas cost last year? Looking back, the national average for gas at Thanksgiving last year was $3.28 a gallon.
  • A whopping 89 percent of travelers will travel by automobile this holiday season.
  • Air travel is also expected to increase. 3.55 million Americans are expected to fly to their Thanksgiving destination this year.
  • While gas prices are down, airfare costs are up this Thanksgiving. Airfare prices are up one percent from last year, while your average hotel or rental car costs have gone up eight and 10 percent respectively.
  • The average distance traveled this Thanksgiving will be an incredible 549 roundtrip miles. That’s up 50 miles from last year!
  • Be careful! Thanksgiving is the deadliest day of the year on the roads. Leave early, take it slow and don’t drive drunk!

And remember, if you need an oil change before you take off, or if you need service on your return, stop in to Affordable Auto today.

Related source: AAA

The Most Reliable and Longest Lasting Cars

Reliable carsBringing your car in for regular scheduled maintenance is one way to extend the life of your vehicle, but some cars are simply built to be longer lasting than others. To determine which cars were actually the most durable, a pair of researchers studied car ownership patterns and asked mechanics and other auto-professionals to evaluate cars for mechanical defects or major repair work.

After looking at data comprised of more than 550,000 vehicles, researchers found that these brands and types of cars made up more than 60 percent of the vehicles with over 300,000 miles still on the road today. The most reliable cars are:

  • GM Full-Sized Trucks and SUVs
  • Ford Full-Sized Trucks and SUVs
  • Ford Rear-Wheeled Drive V-8 Cars
  • Honda Four-Cylinder Cars
  • Any Toyota (Except the Celica and RAV4)

Researchers say these five types of vehicles are 250 percent more likely to hit 300,000 miles on the odometer than any other vehicle.

Other Findings

Some other interesting findings from the study include:

  • Nissan Maximas are also very reliable vehicles. 21 percent of Nissan Maximas reach 180,000 miles, while only five percent of Volkswagon models reach the same plateau.
  • Cadillacs are very unreliable vehicles. Similar to Volkswagons, only five percent of Cadillacs reach 180,000 miles.
  • Honda Accords trump European cars. Of 12,398 Accords traded in to a used car dealership, 3,826 had over 180,000 miles. That’s more than Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes, VW, Volvo, Saab, Porsche, and BMW’s sub-brand MINI combined.
  • Only 1 in 1,700 Land Rovers and Jaguars get traded in after surpassing the 180,000 mark.
  • On average, about 1 in 10 cars traded in at a used car dealership has eclipsed 180,000 miles.

Obviously the study has some flaws, as it’s certainly possible those who own a Land Rover, Jaguar or BMW simply hold onto the car until it breaks down for good, but it’s worth noting which brands appear to have exceptional lifespans. If you’re considering buying a used car, Toyota Camrys, Corollas and Honda Accords are great bets. Also, if you want to extend the life of your current vehicle, stop on in to Affordable Auto for your routine maintenance needs.

Winterize Your Car With These 5 Simple Steps

Winterize your carTwo weeks ago Minnesotans were taking their boats out for one last ride on the lake, and today we’re buried beneath a few inches of snow. Hopefully you took time during the warm days to prep your car for winter driving, but if you didn’t here are five steps you’ll want to take now that the weather has turned cold.

1. Antifreeze and Other Fluids – Antifreeze keeps your car’s fluids from freezing up, so make sure it’s at an appropriate level. Also, give your transmission and brake fluids a second look to ensure they aren’t running low or are past their prime.

2. Tire Care – If you use winter tires, now is the time swap out your seasonal tires. If you use all-season tires, make sure the tread is still at an appropriate level. Use this blog post to determine if your tires still have a safe level of tread.

3. Winter Car Kit – Most people leave their scrapers and jumper cables in their car throughout the year, but if you take them out for extra storage space in the summer, now is the time to throw them back in your vehicle. Also, other things you’ll want to keep in your car in the event of an emergency include: roadside flashers, a flashlight, a first aid kit and any tools needed to fix a flat tire.

4. Battery Prep – Last year was one of the coldest winters in Minnesota history, and there’s little reason to think we’re in store for a warmer winter season this year. Your battery has a shelf life of 3 to 5 years, but the cold weather can shorten its lifespan. If you notice your engine is having a tough time turning over, swing on in for a battery check to determine if it needs to be replaced.

5. Mentally Prepare – Sometimes the biggest hazard to a car is the driver. As you ease into your winter driving routine, give yourself extra time to get places and take things slow. You won’t be able to stop as quickly on icy roads, so drive smart and stayed focused when driving in adverse conditions.

In the event that you end up in a winter fender bender or you want some work done before more snow falls, give Affordable Auto a call today!

Daylight Savings Time and Car Accidents

Daylight Saving TimeYou probably enjoyed getting an extra hour of sleep this weekend, but it can take your body clock a while to get back in its natural rhythm, which can prove dangerous on the roads.

After analyzing traffic accident data, researchers at Texas A&M University found there to be a 7 percent increase in traffic accidents in the week after daylight savings time. They also found that morning traffic accidents spike 14 percent in the week after we fall back or spring forward. This is especially concerning considering more than 1 in 5 fatal accidents involve a tired or sleeping driver, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

“This new research further confirms that drowsy driving is a serious traffic safety problem,” said Peter Kissinger, head of the AAA foundation. “Unfortunately, drivers often underestimate this risk and overestimate their ability to combat drowsiness behind the wheel.”

AAA researchers also determined that 1 in 3 auto accidents involving a tired driver resulted in a bodily injury, and more than 6,000 accidents involving a fatigued driver result in at least one death each year.

“Like distraction, there are limitations in relying on crash-involved drivers to realize, remember and willfully report their level of impairment,” said John B. Townsend II of AAA. “This study leveraged findings from trained crash investigators, as opposed to police reports, as a source of data.”

Drowsy Driving

Interestingly, young drivers are actually the most aware that they sometimes “drive drowsy,” while older drivers over the age of 75 are the least likely to admit it.

“Despite the fact that 95 percent of Americans deem it ‘unacceptable’ to drive when they are so tired that they have a hard time keeping their eyes open, more than 28 percent admit to doing so in the last month,” Kissinger said.

Kissinger said AAA’s findings were based on an analysis of nearly 15,000 crashes between 2009-2013 in which at least one car was towed from the scene.

As we’ve mentioned before, drowsy driving is one of the leading causes of crashes in the United States. Simply put, make sure you get enough sleep each night, and stay extra attentive during the early morning hours this week. Oh, and if a tired driver gives you a love tap on your bumper, give Affordable Auto a call today.

Related source: Yahoo

The 10 Most Ticketed Cars in America

Subaru WRXSome people gripe about spending money on car repairs, but at least you know your money is going towards improving your vehicle’s performance. Speeding tickets, on the other hand, are car-related expenses that are no fun at all.

If you’re like the vast majority of drivers, you’ve been pulled over a time or two. Maybe you were able to get out of a ticket, but odds are you’ll get a ticket somewhere down the road, especially when you consider that 1 in 5 drivers will receive a speeding ticket in 2014. You can mitigate your risk of a driving violation by adhering to the speed limit and by coming to complete stops, but inattentiveness can get the best of anyone. Another way to lessen your risk of getting a ticket is by avoiding these ten most-ticketed cars in America.

1. Subaru WRX – 33.6%

2. Pontiac GTO – 32.7%

3. Scion FR-S – 32.6%

4. Toyota Supra – 30.8%

5. Subaru Tribeca – 29.7%

6. Volkswagen Rabbit – 29.6%

7. Mercury Topaz – 28.8%

8. Scion tC – 28.8%

9. Toyota FJ Cruiser – 28.4%

10. Mazda2 – 28.1%

That’s right. More than 1 in 3 WRX drivers has a driving violation on their record. Des Toups, managing editor at Insurance.com, who conducted the survey, said the WRX and GTO are popular cars for young drivers, who are the most ticketed demographic.

“There’s a bias towards young drivers,” said Toups. “I know for a fact that Scions and the Subaru WRX are appealing to young drivers who get tickets at a higher rate.”

Vadim Zelikov, a WRX owner who has been ticketed six times since 2004, said he’s not surprised by the findings.

“It’s because of the flamboyant look of the car for starters, the fact that the car is popular with young adults and it tends to be on the sportier side, so it’s got a lot of horsepower,” said Zelikov. “When I’m behind the wheel? I’m older now, so I feel younger. My girlfriend calls it calls it a Hot Wheels. It’s like a red Corvette or a yellow Porsche. It stands out.”

Related source: Insurance.com

Change Your Car’s Oil in 8 Easy Steps

Change OilWe love swapping out old oil for a new quart, but if you’re looking for an easy DIY project before the weather gets too cold, consider changing your own oil. It’s a rather simple process that we’ll explain in eight easy to follow steps.

1. Let your car run for a minute or two – By letting your car run for a few minutes, you’ll ensure any built up residue gets churned up and it will flow out easier. On the opposite side of the spectrum, don’t change your oil after a long drive, as hot oil can cause burns. Once you’ve let your engine run for a few minutes, turn off the car.

2. Drain plug work – The next step is to locate the drain plug underneath your car. Place a container or tray underneath the drain plug and unscrew the drain plug. Have a towel handy and move your hands out of the way as soon as the oil starts to flow out of the plug.

3. Remove the oil filter – Once the oil is done draining, remove the oil filter located under the hood near the engine. Reference your owner’s manual to determine its exact location and carefully remove the filter, as it will still have some oil on it.

4. Set oil and filter off to the side – Wrap your old filer in paper towels or old newspaper and set it off to the side, along with the bucket containing your old oil. You’ll need to properly dispose of these later.

5. Insert the new oil filter – Follow the directions on the new filter box and insert your new oil filter where the old one was located. Make sure it is appropriately set and locked into place.

6. Drain plug work, part two – Use a paper towel or rag to clean up any oil residue around the drain plug once it has fully drained, and make sure you screw the drain plug back in place before adding the new oil. This part is crucial, or you’ll end up with a garage full of oil.

7. Add new oil – Using a funnel, pour the new oil down the oil filter hole. Pour slowly so you don’t overflow the filter. Once complete, replace the oil filter cap and run the engine for a few minutes. As long as there are no leaks or drips, you should be good!

8. Proper disposal – Engine oil isn’t just something you can throw in a dumpster. Pour the oil into a container that can be sealed – the oil container you just emptied works great – and store it until you can get it to an auto parts store or oil disposal center.

Changing your car’s oil can be a great DIY project, but if you’d rather leave it to the professionals, we’d be more than happy to assist. Contact us to schedule an appointment today.

Minnesota Car Repair After Hitting A Deer

Car hit deerMinnesota ranks in the Top 10 in the nation in terms of the number of annual car accidents between a driver and a deer, so it’s no surprise that we see an uptick in deer-related maintenance requests as hunting season approaches.

Minnesota drivers have the eighth highest odds of striking a deer with their vehicle, as State Farm suggests that 1-in-88 Minnesotans will hit a deer this year. In all, State Farm projects there will be 37,549 accidents involving deer on Minnesota roads in 2014.

While Minnesotans can be thankful they don’t live in West Virginia – where an estimated 1-in-39 drivers will collide with a deer this year – the fact that nearly 40,000 individuals will hit a deer can be unsettling to many drivers. It should be noted that deer-related accidents are expected to fall from last year when Minnesota had the sixth highest odds. Officials believe the extremely cold winter and greater hunting license applications will lead to less car accidents caused by deer this year.

State Farm Spokeswoman Ann Avery said deer are just another reason why drivers should practice safe driving habits.

“Wearing your seat belt and practicing defensive driving tactics could make a significant difference,” said Avery.

The Odds

Drivers in Pennsylvania are expected to hit the most deer this year, as State Farm projects there to be 123,941 deer-related accidents in the state, but they come in at second behind West Virginia because Pennsylvania has so many more drivers than West Virginia. 1-in-77 Pennsylvanians will strike a deer this year.

Wisconsin, our neighbor to the East, comes in just ahead of Minnesota on the list, with 1-in-85 odds of striking a deer in America’s Dairyland. Drivers in Minnesota and Wisconsin are more than twice as likely to hit a deer than the national average, which is projected at 1-in-169.

Not surprisingly, residents in Hawaii are at the lowest risk for hitting a deer with their car. Only one in 10,281 Hawaiian drivers will file a claim because of a deer this year.

“Whether you live in Pennsylvania or Hawaii, it’s important that drivers are practicing safe driving habits and watching out for animals on the road,” added Avery.

Quick Tips For Avoiding Deer

  • Keep your eyes on the road ahead at all times.
  • Avoid swerving. Attempt to slow down safely, but swerving can cause the car to roll, which is much more dangerous.
  • If a deer appears in your path, beep your horn in short, quick bursts. Studies have shown rapid beeps prove more effective in getting the deer to move. One long horn may cause them to tense up and freeze.
  • Brake at a safe speed. Slamming on your brakes could cause your to fishtail and crash, while hitting the deer at a lower speed while likely cause much less damage.
  • If you need body work or windshield repair, contact us for a free quote.

Related source: Star-Tribune