The Car Coach: Preparing for a Trip - YNN, Your News Now

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The Car Coach: Preparing for a Trip - YNN, Your News Now

The Car Coach: Preparing for a trip

By: Lauren Fix, The Car Coach Rising gas prices won’t stop Americans from hitting the road this summer. Before you take off in full vacation mode, make sure that your vehicle is as ready as you are. Lauren Fix, the Car Coach, tells you how.
•Fueling your vehicle with high quality gasoline is important and can help protect your engine. Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines contain 20 percent more active cleaning agents than before, helping protect your engine’s intake valves and fuel injectors from performance-robbing gunk. Tests prove that Nitrogen Enriched Gasoline cleans up deposits left behind by lower quality gasoline. No other gasoline protects better!
•Check your tires: Do it right by spending just five minutes a month to check your tire pressure. It can save you money and help keep your family safe on the roads. Properly inflated tires can save you to 12 cents per gallon at the pumps and technology like Continentals low rolling resistant EcoPlus can help you save money while being environmentally friendly. This technology has phenomenal wet-braking capacity and year-round traction. The additional combination of fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions makes EcoPlus a smart choice. •Check and change your oil filter: Using a high quality premium oil filter will provide superior particle removal, preventing contaminants from circulating through the system and causing damage. Royal Purple oil filters are high-performance with optimized flow characteristics for maximum performance and longer filter life. If you have a high mileage car, using full synthetic oil and a synthetic oil filter will lengthen the life of your engine. •Carry the essentials: If you get stuck on the side of the road at night, be sure to carry something that can shine some light on the situation. The Hard Case Professional Magnetic Area Light can magnetically mount under the hood of the car. It’s easy to activate by pushing the lens switch with three bright, wide-angle LEDS that are very durable. The device comes with a screw-in wall mount so you can work on your car in the garage too! •Charge up: For your gadgets and portable entertainment, carry a car charger that will keep you powered while on the go. The Energizer 5W Premium Universal USB Charger for Car has convenient cable storage, which eliminates clutter. It’s universal so it works with your iPhone/iPod as well as all your micro USB devices, turning any DC outlet (cigarette lighter) into a charging station. Now you can have continuous use of your favorite gadgets while on the road. This may help to keep the kiddos happy, entertained and not screaming “are we there yet!” •Learn to repair a flat tire: Who wants to wait on the side of the road as traffic flies by? The quickest and safest way to fix a flat is to carry a tire inflation product, like the Slime SmartSpair. This emergency repair kit fixes a flat tire in 15 minutes, includes a bottle of tire sealant and a portable air compressor, and seals punctures up to a quarter-inch.

The Car Coach: 2012 Mazda CX5 - YNN, Your News Now

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The Car Coach: 2012 Mazda CX5 - YNN, Your News Now

The Car Coach: The 2012 Mazda CX5

By: Lauren Fix, The Car Coach The 2012 Mazda CX5 is a safe, affordable compact crossover that’s fun to drive. Lauren Fix, the Car Coach, brings you a closer look. Model - 2012 Mazda CX5 Crossover
MPG - 26/35 mpg manual front-drive model and 26/32 for the automatic.
Engine - 2.0L Skyactiv with 155 hp.
Transmissions: 6-speed automatic
Price - starts at $20,695
AWD models start at $23,345
Maximum Towing: 5,200 lbs. The 2012 Mazda CX5 Crossover offers these standard features:
•Dynamic stability control
•Traction control system Optional:
•Bose 9-speaker premium sound system
•Power glass moon roof
•Remote Engine Start
•GT Tech Package Includes: Navigation system, HID headlights, advanced keyless entry system, auto dimming rearview mirror w/HomeLink, and a burglar alarm The 2013 Mazda CX-5 is an all-new compact crossover utility vehicle that doesn’t disappoint. We found that it’s one of the best handling vehicles in this segment with strong driving dynamics. Inside, the seats are comfortable and supportive up front, and there's plenty of room in the back seat, even for tall adults. Open the hatch to find a long and flat floor, with a clever folding arrangement for the 40/20/40 split rear seat. And the CX-5 is also a quiet ride. Under hard acceleration you could hear the engine revving a bit louder than expected. Competes with:
•Ford Escape
•Honda CR-V
•Hyundai Tucson
•Toyota RAV4 Likes:
•Stylish design
•Very good fuel economy
•Driving Dynamics
•Spacious and functional
•Plenty of storage Dislikes:
•No option for a V-6 engine, or other more powerful engine
•Bluetooth not standard The 2012 Mazda CX5 Crossover is an affordable, fun to drive vehicle that offers sporty driving dynamics, wrapped in a stylish package that's all zoom-zoom. Remember, when shopping for a new car, test drive as many vehicles as you can in the class you are looking in to make sure you find the car that is best for you.

The Car Coach: Getting Organized - YNN, Your News Now

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The Car Coach: 2012 Mazda CX5 - YNN, Your News Now

The Car Coach: Getting organized

By: Lauren Fix, The Car Coach Is your car trunk a terrible mess? Get the junk out of your trunk and out of your car. Organizing your ride is easier than you think. Lauren Fix, the Car Coach, shows you how. 1.Take everything out of your car and trunk. You cannot organize things without removing everything from your trunk. Take out all items and arrange them so you can see what’s you need. 2. Begin with the spare tire well. Many car trunks have a separate space underneath a thin plywood/carpet divider that is where the spare tire and tools are kept. Make sure nothing is around the spare. Then you can go ahead with arranging the rest of your trunk, knowing that there are no stray items. 3. Clean out the interior, including small items from the glove compartment, door pockets and cup holders. 4. Keep only what's useful. Things like jumper cables, tire inflation products and emergency kit items belong in your trunk. Old clothes, sporting goods, kitchen items or other non-essentials do not. 5. Install a net if you carry smaller items in the truck area. Other types of car trunk systems are available at your local auto parts of big box store. 6. Clean the cup holder and door pockets with an interior cleaner and paper towel. Now you can add in the important items and place the other items elsewhere. 7. Visor organization. Keep a heavy-duty rubber band on the driver's side visor to hold parking tickets, directions, mileage logs and any other papers relevant to the day's travels. 8. Your new-car smell. Keep your car smelling sweet by placing fabric softener sheets under the seats or an air freshener. 9. Spare clothes. Keep a small travel bag with a change of clothes in the trunk, just in case. 10. A versatile tool. An old, clean shower curtain stored in the trunk comes in handy as a cover for a summer picnic table, a drop cloth for changing a tire or a protective tarp.
While you might think of your vehicle as simply a means to get from point A to point B, in reality your car is a portable household with everything you need and want while you're on the go. Setting up regular routines to maintain your abode on wheels will keep you buzzing happily down the road.

The Car Coach: 2013 Dodge Dart - YNN, Your News Now

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The Car Coach: 2013 Dodge Dart - YNN, Your News Now

The Car Coach: 2013 Dodge Dart

By: Lauren Fix, The Car Coach The 2013 Dodge Dart is a name you may remember, but forget its past. This new car has Alfa Romeo Guiletta DNA. Let’s take a closer look.

Model – 2013 Dodge Dart
MPG – 16 city/ 23 hwy mpg.
Engine – 1.4 L - Multi air turbo; 160hp.
2.0L - Fiat design; 160hp.
2.4L - Multi air 2; 184hp.
Transmissions: 6 speed automatic and standard (dual dry clutch)
Fuel economy: 25 city/36 hwy. mpg.
Price – SE- $15,995 base
SXT -$17,995
Rallye - $ 18,995
Limited- $19,995
R/T - $22,495
The 2013 Dodge Dart features more technology and safety features plus these great additions:
•8.4-inch screen with backup camera
•Customizable 7-inch screen between gauges
•Heated steering wheel
•10 standard airbags
•LED head and tail lights
•Alpine 10-speaker Premium audio
•150 different accessories to make your vehicle stand out. Our test drive in the Dodge Dart presented nice ride quality and responsive handling. The oval chrome exhaust pipes create a more European look and sound. The design is modern, wide, and confident with materials that show good fit and finish both inside and out. The upscale look and feel also offers great storage in creative and unique areas (under the passenger front seat cushion, large glove box, side pockets on center console, and door storage). Competes with:
•Chevrolet Cruze
•Ford Focus
•Hyundai Elantra
•Honda Civic
•Mazda3
•Toyota Corolla
•Nissan Sentra
•VW Jetta
Likes-
•Tight handling
•Comfortable interior
•Big touch screen
•Nice sound system
Dislikes-
•Slow pick-up from a stop on base engine
•Touchy brakes

The 2013 Dodge Dart offers mid-sized car roominess with compact car pricing; lots of style for the money, and surprisingly fun to drive. The more powerful turbo engine is the one to get. Remember, when shopping for a new car, test drive as many vehicles as you can in the class you are looking in to make sure you find the car that is best for you. www.dodge.com

THE CAR OF THE FUTURE EDITION

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THE CAR COACH REPORTS: WEEK IN REVIEW 8-24-12
THE CAR OF THE FUTURE EDITION

Announcing the car of the future!  Called the 2019 Insipid by Humdrum Motors, this 250 cc four-seater will run 0-60 in 29 seconds and achieve a blistering top speed of 63 mph! Weighing only 725 lbs, this sedan will get your juices flowing when a gust of wind blows you and your family clear off a bridge!
But wait, there’s more!  Even though the Insipid has a whopping 29 horsepower, it still manages to achieve 52 MPG thanks to President Obummer! 
Imagine driving down the street and passing your friends at the gas station who are filling up the cars they actually wanted!  Meanwhile, you’re laughing all the way home thinking about the all money you’re saving, or until you hit a pebble in the road and the car crumples.
So what are you waiting for?  Head down to your local Humdrum Motors dealer today where the 2019 Insipid could be yours for the low price of just $79,995. 

Sound ridiculous?  Perhaps not.  With the new CAFE regulations getting ready to take effect, our future cars will have to be lighter and less powerful.  I’ve been saying all along that this is a bad idea because lighter cars means less safe cars, and now House Republicans are saying it too: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/22/house-republicans-urge-white-house-to-delay-2017-2025-fuel-econo/
While I’m all for better fuel economy and less dependence on foreign oil, I will not stand for it if it affects our safety.  Furthermore, since car companies are going to have to develop new technologies to make these uber-efficient unsafe cars, the cost will be passed along to consumers.  In other words, we get to pay more for crap-can cars no one wants.  Oh gee, where do I sign up?
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: Let the market bare it out.  If people want fuel-efficient cars, they’ll buy them.  Stop forcing your unrealistic green agenda down our throats, Mr. President.  Set standards that are achievable without compromising safety.  Make sure the consumer doesn’t get hit with the bill.  Who am I kidding?  Since when does the president care about Americans having to pay for absurd policies?
What are your thoughts?
Post your comments at  http://laurenfix.blogspot.com/


My Final Thought:
Could this be real? http://gizmodo.com/5936580/they-finally-made-a-flying-star-wars-speeder-bike
A real hovering speeder bike like the ones in “Return of the Jedi”?  Where do I send my money?!!
If this is truly real and this technology can be replicated, then we’re looking at a paradigm shift in the motorcycle industry coming real soon.
Please let it be real!

Love your car!  See you next week!
--Lauren Fix

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The Car Coach: Road Signs - YNN, Your News Now

The Car Coach: Road Signs

By: Lauren Fix, The Car Coach Traffic signs give you information about the road, the highway, traffic flow, and local laws and regulations. Do you know what all the signs mean? Lauren Fix, the Car Coach, has a brush up on road signs. The shapes and colors of traffic signs have specific meanings that you must be able to recognize immediately. Most drivers know what the signs mean but other may have difficulty remembering them from driver’s ed. •GREEN: guide and directional information, like exits.
•RED: Stop, yield, do not enter, or wrong way
•BLUE: Motorist service guidance, also used to mark handicapped parking spaces.
•ORANGE: Construction and maintenance warning
•YELLOW: General warning
•WHITE: Regulatory, like speed limit signs.
•BLACK: Regulatory SHAPES:
•Octagon: The octagon shape is exclusively used for stop signs.
•Diamond: The diamond is a warning sign; alerting drivers to potentially hazardous road conditions ahead. These warning signs can alert drivers to a sharp curve ahead, caution drivers that the road is slippery when wet or alert drivers of a hidden intersection.
•Circle: The circle is a regulatory sign to inform drivers they should not be doing something. These signs inform drivers not to enter, perform a U-turn or turn left or right.
•Pentagon: The pentagon is another type of warning sign, specifically alerting drivers to watch for school children or pedestrians.
•Triangle: The triangle is a different type of regulatory sign that alerts drivers to slow down because another direction of traffic has the right of way. This shape is reserved exclusively for the yield sign.
•Pennant: The pennant is a warning sign that inform drivers not to pass traffic in front of them. This sign is placed at the beginning of, and at intervals, along a zone where sight distance is restricted or where other conditions make passing traffic dangerous.
•Rectangle: There are two different shapes of rectangular signs: vertical and horizontal. Vertical signs inform drivers of speed limits, weight limits and railroad crossings. A horizontal sign could inform drivers of a one-way street, a possible road hazard or as a mile marker. Do you think that everyone knows his or her streets signs? A recent survey found that most drivers believe it's okay to drive the maximum posted speed limit even in bad weather conditions. Fifty-four percent don't know what an advance warning sign for a school is, and thirty-four percent are clueless when seeing a warning sign that means your lane ends ahead, merge into the other lane. Do these drivers create a safety hazard to other motorists? Yes they do!

The Car Coach: 2013 Mercedes GL-Class - YNN, Your News Now

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The Car Coach: 2013 Mercedes GL-Class - YNN, Your News Now

The Car Coach: 2013 Mercedes GL-Class

By: Lauren Fix, The Car Coach The 2013 Mercedes GL-Class is classy, refined and offers the best of Mercedes. Let’s take a closer look. Model – 2013 Mercedes GL-Class
GL350 Blue Tec 4matic
V6 240hp/ 455 torque
18 / 24/ 20 mpg. combined
Top speed 130. 0-60. 8.3 sec
$62,400
GL450 4Matic
V8 362 hp / 406 torque
14 /19/ 16 mpg. combined
Top speed: 130. 0-60 6.2 sec.
$63,900
GL550 4Matic
V8 429hp / 516 torque
13 / 18 / 15 mpg. combined
Top speed: 130. 0-60 5.5 sec.
$86,900
Maximum Towing: all models 7500 lbs.
Built in Alabama. The 2013 Mercedes GL-Class offers every technology package you could think of as standard features, plus these standard safety elements:
• Around view camera - no more blind spots
• Collision prevention assist - visual, audio and maximum boosted brakes
• Crosswind stabilization - uses Digital Auto Pilot (DAP) to engages the opposite side wheel brakes.
• Park assist - parks the SUV for you and helps you pull away as well, making parallel parking easy. Our test drive in the dunes of New Mexico demonstrated how enjoyable the GL is to drive, no matter which model. The interior was luxurious with an upholstered dashboard, plenty of wood trim and Harman/Kardon surround sound system. It makes you feel like an interior designer designed the vehicle. Competes with:
• Audi Q7
• Cadillac Escalade
• Infiniti QX
• Land Rover LR4
Likes-
• Powerful V8 engines
• Upscale luxury is standard
• Comfortable and quiet interior
• Seating for seven
• Fuel-efficient diesel engine
• Massaging front seats
Dislikes-
• More expensive than competitors

The 2013 Mercedes GL-Class SUV offers a winning combination of comfort, high-end features, confident driving and impeccable build quality. Remember, when shopping for a new car, test drive as many vehicles as you can in the class you are looking in to make sure you find the car that is best for you. For more information, visitwww.mercedes.com.