How to Improve the Resale Value of Your Car

The model that you choose and the way that you take care of it can directly affect its future resale value. Here are some tips on how to improve the resale value of your car:

• Consider the resale value when buying a new car. Choosing a model that is reliable and popular will make it easier to find a buyer. Research the expected resale value before you buy.
• The same is true for choosing the color. Choose one of the most popular colors such as silver, black or white.
• When choosing options on your new car, be sure to include equipment that other buyers will want such as anti-lock brakes , air conditioning, a CD player or leather-upholstered seats.
• Don't customize your car unless it's in a way that's easy to undo without causing any damage.
• Maintain the vehicle properly and keep all of the records. But the best way to ensure a buyer that your vehicle was properly cared for is through documentation.
• Avoid eating, drinking and smoking in your car. Try to keep your car clean and smelling fresh.
• Neglecting your cars interior is one way you can ruin its resale value. Try to keep the upholstery and mats in good shape.
• Small dings and scratches can have a lasting impact on your car's value. Those blemishes could lead to rust if they don't get repaired soon enough.

Returning a New Car to the Dealership

There are many reasons why you may want to return a new car shortly after buying it. You’ve realized you paid too much for it, your spouse doesn't like the vehicle, you just lost your job, or maybe you suspect that it's a lemon. Most new car dealers will not take a new car back and give a full refund. Once you've bought it, you own it. So what can you do in this situation?

The first thing to do is to go back to the dealership and simply ask them if they will take the car back. They will most likely say no, but they may offer to take your vehicle in on trade toward a different vehicle or make an offer to purchase the vehicle.

There are some dealers that offer a grace period after purchasing a new vehicle. It can be anywhere from 24 hours to 30 days. Some dealerships will return the full purchase price during this time with no questions asked. If you want ultimate protection from buyers' remorse, purchase from a dealership that has a return policy.

If you want to return the vehicle because there is something wrong with it and you think it’s a lemon, then look into the specific lemon laws for your state. The requirements for a vehicle to meet a lemon can be strict. Usually, a vehicle has to be declared irreparable to be considered a lemon.

If all else fails, you can sell the vehicle privately and start over.

Volvo Offers Free Maintenance for 2009 Vehicles

Volvo has decided to reinstate the 3 year/36,000 mile free maintenance program for 2009 cars after a major push from car dealers. Free maintenance programs have been very successful in the past at increasing consumer confidence and sales. All 2009 Volvo vehicles sold and registered in the U.S. by an authorized Volvo dealer will include complimentary factory scheduled maintenance. The program is designed to supplement the Volvo warranty.

What the free maintenance program includes:

• Scheduled maintenance coverage for the first 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first.
• The first 4 regularly scheduled maintenance services at 7,500, 15,000, 22,500 and 30,000 mileage intervals.
• A diagnostic check of passive and active safety systems and a systems check of the on-board computer monitoring functions.

What the free maintenance program does not include:

• Vehicles severely damaged and/or declared to be total loss by an insurer.
• Wear items outlined in the Warranty and Maintenance Records Information booklet.
• Damage to the vehicle resulting from normal wear and tear or abuse.
• Severe operating conditions requiring additional services.
• Customer requested services or retailer suggested services not specified in the Volvo Warranty and Maintenance Records Information booklet.

Each recommended service must be performed within 1,500 miles of the normal service interval listed in the Warranty and Maintenance Records Information booklet.

Hawaii to Have Statewide Electric Stations

Hawaii is planning to be the first state to have electric vehicle stations statewide. This would be a big step toward weaning the islands off of oil. Hawaii imports foreign oil for almost 90% of its energy needs. A third of that oil is used to power vehicles. The program would help Hawaii meet its goal of slashing fossil fuel use 70% by 2030.

A California based company called Better Place will build the car recharging stations and provide recharged batteries. Better Place plans to have the stations open by 2011. It also expects to build between 50,000 to 100,000 charge spots across the state by 2012. Other communities, like the San Francisco Bay area, have announced plans to host Better Place recharging stations. But Hawaii aims to be the first to have the stations statewide.

The company picked Hawaii for the first statewide rollout in part because the islands are a contained environment. Hawaii also has abundant renewable energy resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal and wave power. Better Place plans to recharge its batteries at night with power from Hawaii’s wind farms. That power normally goes unused because of Hawaii's low nighttime energy needs. Hawaii may also offer tax breaks and other incentives to encourage people to buy electric vehicles.

What is Biogas?

Biogas is a form of natural gas that can be produced using a number of different renewable sources. Regular natural gas is found under the ground, in oil fields. Sources of biogas include swamps, marshes, landfills, sewage, sludge and manure. Biogas is most often produced using agricultural waste materials, such as otherwise unusable parts of plants and manure. Depending on where it is produced, biogas is sometimes called swamp, marsh, landfill or digester gas.

Biogas is more environmentally friendly than other fuel sources because it is clean burning, renewable and can be produced locally. It doesn't cost much to produce, so it is also very affordable.

Biogas can be used as a low-cost fuel for many different purposes, such as cooking. It can also be compressed, much like natural gas, and used to power motor vehicles. The Honda Civic GX is currently the only car available in the U.S. that can use natural gas and biogas, but most vehicles can be converted to run on them. Since Biogas is a renewable fuel, it qualifies for renewable energy subsidies in some parts of the world. Compressed biogas is becoming widely used in Sweden, Switzerland and Germany.

The Importance of Vehicle History Reports

Used car buying, especially through a private seller, can be risky. You can't always tell just by inspecting the vehicle if it has any problems. The best way to insure that you're getting a good deal is to find out the history of the vehicle. A vehicle history report is the quickest and easiest way to research the history of a car. It gathers all of a vehicle's insurance and DMV records into one place. It can tell you if there were major accidents, odometer problems, or other serious issues that would make the car a lemon.

Vehicle history reports can be ordered from a number of online companies, such as Carfax. Many of these companies draw on similar sources for their information and present the data in a compiled report at competitive prices. They charge a small fee for this service, usually around $20-$40. All you need is the VIN number of the vehicle.

The report has several categories, depending on the company you use, the report can include: report summary, vehicle specifications, accident check, mileage accuracy check, lemon check, ownership check, recall check, warranty check and vehicle history details. With this information, you can make an informed decision and negotiate the best price.

New Hybrid Models for 2009

2008 was a good year for hybrid vehicles. The sale of hybrids soared due to the combination of high gas prices, government rebates and environmental concerns. There was a good selection of 2008 hybrid cars to choose from, but 2009 will be even better. Here is an overview of some of the exciting new models:

2009 Mercedes S Hybrid : Mercedes will have a hybrid version of its luxury S-Class sedan available in September 2009. This will be the first hybrid to use the lighter and more powerful lithium ion batteries. This will be the first in a series of hybrids expected from the company in coming years.

2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid : This is currently the only large luxury SUV hybrid available. It's attractive, comfortable and has good fuel economy for its size. It has tons of comfort and safety features including GPS navigation, a backup camera, a video entertainment system and 14-way-adjustable heated and cooled power leather seats.

2009 BMW X6 Hybrid : The X6 hybrid is expected to arrive on the U.S. market in 2009 with a two-mode hybrid powertrain. It's expected to use BMW's version of the gasoline-electric hybrid technology developed along with an international group of partners.

2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid : This is a large SUV that can run in three modes: solely on electric power, gasoline only, or both systems at once. The unique thing about this vehicle is the two-mode electric automatic transmission. Fitted to the 385 horsepower, 5.7 liter HEMI V8. This dual-mode transmission operates on two different sets of gears; one for the electric motor and one for the gasoline engine.

2009 Dodge Durango Hybrid : This is a large, roomy SUV with three rows of seating. It comes standard with UConnect GPS, UConnect Bluetooth phone integration and an Alpine audio system.

Tips for Finding a Good Mechanic

Finding a good, trustworthy auto mechanic can be a challenging task. Here are some tips to help you find one:

- Plan ahead. Shop around for a mechanic before you need repairs. If you rush to find one once your car has broken down, you are less likely to choose a good one.

- Ask family, friends and co-workers to recommend a reputable auto care shop that they have used.

- When you find a place that you like, ask them for references and follow up with calls to them. A few minutes on the phone goes a long way to ensuring you get the quality car care you need.

- Ask the Better Business Bureau in your area to check a business' reliability before you have repairs done.

- If possible, get estimates from a few different mechanics, but don't choose based on price alone. It is important to remember that you are not just paying for the cost of the part and the time it takes to install it, but you are also paying for the professionalism and expertise of the mechanic.

- Consider shops backed by a national warranty program. Look for a written guarantee of parts and labor before you agree to have work performed on your vehicle. This will save you money, and provide you with confidence.

- Look for signs that the shop has the up to date equipment and skilled technicians needed to properly diagnose your car's problems.

The Advantages of Small Cars

One thing to consider when buying a car is the size of the vehicle. Small vehicles have many advantages over large vehicles:

• Gas Mileage: Smaller vehicles generally get better gas mileage both in the city and on the highway. The fuel savings can add up significantly over time, especially if you do a lot of driving. Many small cars get 20 miles per gallon more than the average large vehicle.
• Maneuverability: Smaller vehicles make maneuvering easier. You can fit into smaller spaces, turn around more easily and parallel park more easily.
• Cost: Smaller vehicles usually cost less than larger vehicles. Chances are you'll be able to get a smaller car for thousands less than its larger counterparts.
• Handling: Smaller cars tend to be more nimble and easier to handle, making it easier to avoid collisions. Their lower center of gravity means they're less likely to flip or roll over if an accident does happen. They also have shorter braking distances than larger vehicles, which means you may have a better chance at avoiding a collision.
• Environment: Small cars are better for the environment because it takes less material to build them and they get better gas mileage.

Replacing a Lost Car Key

Replacing lost or broken car keys can be expensive and a hassle depending on what car you have and what type of programming your key needs. If you have an older model car that just has a simple metal key, then you can easily get a new copy at a hardware store. But most new cars today have keys with microchips in them designed to prevent car thieves from easily obtaining a copy of your key. Unfortunately this also makes it harder for the owner to obtain another copy.

These secure car keys have to be specially made by either your dealership or a locksmith because they need to be coded. Some key systems contain unique identifier numbers that must be read by an electronic control unit in the vehicle. Others use an identifier number plus a rolling code that changes every time the key is used. Sometimes a service appointment is required to replace the key and it can cost up to several hundred dollars.

Dealerships may charge separate prices for the key and for programming it. If you need a new key, you should compare the total cost of getting it from your dealership with the cost of getting it from a locksmith to see who will make the key for less.