The 2012 Kia Sorento - A Safe And Practical Crossover SUV

The 2012 Kia Sorento is an affordable midsize crossover SUV with an emphasis on affordability, safety and functionality. This SUV is available in a total of 6 trim levels; the base LX, LX V6, EX, EX V6, and top of the line SX V6. The Sorento has evolved dramatically throughout the years; the first model was released in 2002. It was redesigned in 2009 with a revamped grille.

The base model sports a V4 2.4 Liter engine with a total output of 175 HP. Buyers who want a more powerful ride can opt for the V6 model 3.5 Liter engine with 276 HP. Gas mileage for the V4 model stands at 22 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the freeway. The base model is more than sufficient for every day driving. In addition, this versatile SUV also has towing capacity, the four cylinder model can tow up to 1650 pounds.

Standard features include Bluetooth compatibility, audio control functions mounted on the steering wheel and a trial subscription to satellite radio. Top of the line safety features include air bags, electronic stability control, brake assist and traction control. The base model is appointed with cloth seats and while the EX comes with leather seating.

The top of the line SX V6 model comes with standard amenities including a premium infotainment system and an upgraded audio system with ten speakers. Additional options that can be included at additional cost include a rearview camera, a sunroof, navigation system, 18 " wheels, push button start and parking sensors. Accessories available for the Sorento include mud gards, a rear bumper protector and a roof cargo attachment.

The Sorento is versatile when it comes to cargo space. 9.1 cubic feet of space is available with all seats in use which can be expanded to an ample 72.5 cubic feet with the third row folded down. When it comes to safety ratings, the Sorento scored "good" on four different tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety including front offset test, side impact, rear crash protection and roof strength. The 20122 model also received top scored from the European New Car Assessment Program in safety as well as the title of "Top Safety Pick" by the IIHS.

Given its low price, strong emphasis on safety and functionality, the 2012 Sorento would be suitable for families or anyone looking for a safe and stylish crossover SUV.

Kia Dodge City offers a large selection of new and used cars at low prices. Take a look at our brand New Kia Wichita inventory for 2012 and 2013. We also offer parts and services.

How Can I Prepare My Car For Holiday Travels?

With the holidays here again and plans start forming for a trip in the car, it is good to take the time to make sure the car is in shape to ensure a smooth trip. This will help safeguard every moment of the holiday, so none of it gets spent on the side of the road. Even though a long road trip is generally considered more beneficial to the car, as opposed to day-to-day driving around town, it is still a good idea to do a thorough check-up before leaving town. A break down far away from home can ruin a holiday and take away from the precious time you should be having with family and loved ones.

There are some convenient car accessories that can help the drive go smoothly and make it a lot easier if any problems do occur. They are helpful for hanging clothes, and different kinds of organizers that can hold a lot of different things. These car accessories help make the time spent in the car a pleasant one, especially if you have children to entertain. Organizers that can hang over the front seat make all the little things that are needed during the trip easily accessible.

About a week or two before the trip have a thorough check-up of the car, it is best to find a mechanic and have it serviced properly. It is important not to leave this till the day before in case there are any major problems that need to be seen to. In addition to the overall condition of the engine, the check-up should include wind shield wipers, tires, lights, air filter and brake checks. Make sure that you top up anything that is running low like water, oils and washer fluids.

A thorough check should be done on the tyres before a long journey, firstly look at the condition, tread depth, wear patterns and make sure there are no bulges or cuts. Then check the tyre pressure when they are cold and adjust accordingly. You might need to check the optimum pressure from the manual for the car. The tyres should not be under or over inflated especially when you are about to load the car and go on a long journey.

One or two days before the trip it is necessary to take note of the oil. The oil is an essential part of the car, without it the car's engine will seize up. Take a look at the records and if it is anywhere near time for an oil change, have it done before the trip. Also make sure the spare tire is in good condition and in the car.

The day before the trip fill the car with fuel and ensure the inside as well as the outside are clean. Go through the glove compartment and see if all manuals and registration papers are there.

As much as possible, pack the car the night before and using a list tick off what you have packed. This will allow enough time to pack the car properly, as it is important to spread the weight evenly, and put the bags that will be needed during the trip in accessible places. At this time take a double look at everything packed and be sure it is all essential. If it is not essential leave it at home. Cars do have a weight limit.

Hoping for Transmission Repair Over Transmission Replacement

It might be hard know what is wrong with your transmission until a mechanic can get in and see what is going on. Although this does necessitate getting to the part which is difficult, it will still save you money if you find the problem to be something as simple as slipping bands rather than something being wrong with the gears.

You can see how easy it would be for a mechanic to cheat you and tell you the whole unit needs replacing when there only needs to be a transmission repair made with the bands. This is why it is so important to choose your mechanic wisely. It is easy for them to make a little extra money on you by misdiagnosing your problem on purpose. Because of this, you might even want to have a second opinion if you have the time.

Hopefully you do feel that you can trust your mechanic because it would be rather disconcerting to never be able to completely trust their judgment calls. It might help to question your mechanic and ask specifically if it could be a problem with the bands slipping. Putting them on the spot in this way might make them choose to be honest with you since you showed some knowledge about your car. If your mechanic has been trustworthy in the past then you probably have no reason for concern.

If you do end up needing a transmission repair rather than a replacement, count yourself fortunate. Now that you know more about how this part of your car works, perhaps you will be able to diagnose the issue. Hopefully you will never come to the point of needing a new one. If it turned out that your vehicle did need more than just transmission repair then you can look at the bright side and realize that you probably will not have to worry about this part needing to be replaced again while you own it and are driving it.

As you take care of your car and have it maintained regularly, make sure to not neglect the transmission. Have the fluids checked whenever you get an oil change. This might help you avoid a bigger problem such as needing a replacement.

If you do not already have a mechanic that you trust, search today online to see if you can find a respected mechanic who also has the knowledge and integrity that you are seeking.

Review of Maruti Ertiga: Smart Exterior and Interior

 Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is a 7-seater Life Utility Vehicle (LUV) that is it neither an MPV nor SUV. The Maruti Ertiga's exterior has set a standard for most popular cars like Chevrolet Tavera, Mahindra Xylo and Toyota Innova. The alloy wheels and the Suzuki sign embedded on the mesh-like frontier gives the car a classy and luxurious look. Maruti Ertiga is smaller in size as compared to the Toyota Innova. The roof is high enough to give room and comfort to the head area. One amazing thing about the Maruti is its elegant and brilliant exterior packaging. The Maruti is actually of the same size as the Toyota Etios but Suzuki was able to make it a seven comfortable seater vehicle. Its code name "Swift with Three Rows" attests to its speed, compatibility and holding ability.

The Maruti is said to be the best car for the urban person because it has more space in a compact and strong body and is able to climb hills easily and swiftly. Besides, there is enough room for luggage and passengers. The tail design of the Maruti is a bit conventional seeing it has rear lamps that look a bit like the Honda Jazz. There might not have been any innovation for the rear part of the car; nonetheless the whole structure with its engineering master design gives the Maruti Ertiga a breathtaking look. The Maruti Ertiga looks very beautiful and its design is far removed from the normal Japanese design with its large back headlight, minimal overhang, and sporty bumper with massive air dumps.

Space

The doors are wide and the spaces behind the driver's seat are large and very comfortable. Moreover the third row can be folded to make room for luggage. Maruti Suzuki can accommodate 7 adult passengers.

Features

The Maruti Ertiga is equipped with an electrically adjustable rear view mirror for the driver's use. It has a power steering which can be adjusted and entry is keyless. It also has a central locking system. To prevent the driver from taking his eyes off the road while driving, there are audio controls on the steering wheel which enables the driver to regulate the music. The music system in the Maruti is a Kenwood music player with one CD player and FM/AM radio. The Maruti Ertiga is equipped with airbags for drivers and passengers, power windows and a central door lock making it a safe urban family car.

Different Types of Car Seats for Your Child

Selecting a good car seat for your kid is a very important task that a parent has to do. In some places the hospital authorities will not allow the newborn baby to leave the hospital unless a car seat is installed. Car seats for children are of three types - the infant seat, the infant/toddler convertible seats, and the booster seats. These are manufactured and used for making your child's ride to be as safe as possible. Here we will be looking into the detailed specifications of the three types of seats that can be installed in your car for the safety of your child.

It is mandatory that if your child is less than one year old they should be riding in an infant car seat. The main feature of the infant car seat is that it faces to the rear end of the car. It is designed in such a way so that the delicate neck of your baby will be protected in the event of sudden breaking or an accident. Their necks are not as strong as ours.

This infant seat is suitable for babies up to 20 lbs. This shows that your baby will outgrow the infant seat within six to eight months of its purchase. It would be better if you could buy a convertible car seat which can be turned to see the front. It would be more convenient if you could buy something which can easily be converted into a stroller system.

Most of the parents opt to buy an infant seat for their child, as convertibles are a bit bigger for infants. The straps will be loose for them. Whether you buy a convertible or an infant seat, you will need a convertible as your child becomes more than 20 lbs. This will be very necessary as this is the age where a child starts to travel frequently in a car. Convertible seats are designed in such a way that it can be adjusted through the growing ages of your child. This can be used by children up to 40 lbs or up to 4 years of age.

Boosters are for children who are above 3 years of age or at least have reached 40lbs. The primary objective in using a booster system is to optimize the seating position of the child so that they can use the car seat belt system correctly. A booster should be used until your child reaches the age of 8 or they grow up to 4 feet 9 inch.

What Are Car Thieves Looking For?

Car thieves are every motorist's worst nightmare; you come back to where you parked your car but it isn't there. Immediately you have to worry about how to get wherever you were going, calling the police to inform them about the theft, and dealing with your insurance company. If you're lucky you may get your car returned to you eventually with no damage. If you aren't so lucky your car may suffer damage, be written off, or even disappear without a trace. Any payment from your insurance company will only cover the cost of repairs, or if the car gets written off you will receive the value of the car. Unfortunately that value won't include any money you have recently invested in the car for new tyres, services or MOTs, although you can usually claim back some road tax.

You may think that joy riders would target the high performance sports cars, but actually, older cars are targeted more often. Older, lower value cars do not have the same security features that the high performance cars do. Less protection means a joy rider doesn't need to spend as long getting inside the car, and they probably won't find a noisy car alarm to attract attention. The sooner they get in, the sooner they can start speeding around in your car. Aside from buying a newer, more secure vehicle, all you can do is make sure that you always lock your car and shut all the windows. Avoiding parking in secluded locations will also lessen the risk of joy riders targeting your car.

Joy riders are only one group of car thieves, there are also opportunistic thieves and professional thieves. Opportunistic thieves will steal any car that looks like easy pickings, so the model is not very important. Avoiding them requires a bit of concentration - making sure you never leave the car unlocked, or with valuables on display, and definitely don't leave your car with the engine running while you 'just pop somewhere'. All it takes is the wrong person walking past and they can climb in and drive away before you know what's happening.

Professional thieves are more worrying as they target specific vehicles and generally try to get the keys first. This can prove dangerous for you if they try to car-jack you (targeting you while you are in the car so they can take the keys, and kick you out of the car), or burgle your house. The cars then have their identity changed by replacing the registration numbers and removing the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plates before being sold on, often being exported. Forty percent of high value cars will be out of the country within 48 hours of being stolen.

Courier Work Tips - Staying Alert on the Road

If you do courier work you'll be driving for a large part of every day you spend at work. Your workplace is comprised of the roads in your particular area. Even though you may know them well, you won't necessarily be the safest driver to use them.

However there is a lot you can do to ensure you stay as safe as possible and remain alert the whole time you are behind the wheel. If you want some tips in this respect keep reading - you might learn a thing or two!

Drink little and often
You'll no doubt want plenty of coffee or tea to kick start your day when you prepare to tackle the first jobs comprising your courier work for the day. This is good as it will wake you up and keep you feeling fresh and alert. However you shouldn't drink them quickly. Make them last and you will feel the effects of the caffeine without feeling bloated from excessive consumption. Drinking water little and often is also good, because it will prevent you getting headaches which can be caused by too little in the way of fluids.

Keep the windows open
This doesn't really apply in the middle of winter, but even then you can keep them cracked open a small amount to let a little fresh air in. If you have air conditioning and you are feeling tired while doing your courier work, switch it on and enjoy the fresh blast of cold air. It'll only take a minute or two to feel the benefits.

Make the most of the time you are out of your vehicle
One of the advantages of courier work is that you won't spend all your time driving around. You'll be delivering parcels and other important items as well, so you will be hopping in and out of your vehicle on a regular basis too. You can use this time to your advantage to make sure you stay alert. For example, if you have to go beyond the ground floor in a building, use the stairs instead of opting for the lift. This will ensure you get fitter and it will help you reduce the amount of time you feel tired for anyway. Even the odd jog from door to door can help you feel more alert, rather than trudging there and feeling lethargic for it.

As you can see it is really just a matter of changing the way you do things. There are plenty of other things you can do as well, such as playing loud music and nibbling at things little and often rather than eating a large meal at lunchtime then wondering why you feel so tired in the afternoon. A lot of it is common sense, but as you can see from the tips above, it is all about simple things done regularly too.

At a Glance: 2012 Honda Fit

The 2012 Honda Fit is a subcompact 5-door hatchback that seats five people. This car is a safety leader, recognized by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety as a top safety pick. Introduced in 2007, Honda's Fit replaced the Civic which was enlarged and is now a compact model. Besides its safety credentials, the Fit holds its value, a car that starts from just over $15,000. Read on for some highlights about Honda's smallest car.

Engine and Transmissions

Honda outfits every Fit with a 1.5-liter four cylinder engine that makes 117 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 106 foot-pounds of torque at 4,800 rpm. This 16-valve engine has a 10.4 to 1 compression ratio and is of aluminum alloy construction.

The Fit is paired with a standard 5-speed manual transmission or an optional 5-speed automatic transmission. Choose the Fit Sport and your car is equipped with dual-model paddle shifters for more spirited driving.

Fuel Economy

Top fuel economy of 28 mpg city, 35 mpg highway is achieved when the standard Fit model is equipped with an automatic transmission. All other models are rated at 27 mpg city, 33 mpg highway.

Outfitted with a 10.6 gallon fuel tank, the Honda Fit has a cruising range of 371 miles. That's enough gasoline to take you from Jacksonville to Miami with one tank of regular grade gasoline.

Model Dimensions

Honda's Fit sits on a 98.4-inch wheelbase and is 161.6 inches long by 66.7 inches wide by 60.0 inches tall. This model weighs from 2,496 pounds and is powered by its front wheels.

Total passenger volume measures 90.8 cubic feet. This model offers 40.4 inches of head room up front and 39.0 inches in the rear. Leg room comes in at 41.3 inches up front and 34.5 inches in the back. Shoulder room measures 52.7 and 51.3 inches respectively, front and back. Hip room is a near even 51.5 inches up front and 51.3 inches in the rear.

Fit cargo volume is 20.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat. Fold down the second row seat and cargo volume expands to 57.3 cubic feet. This vehicle is large enough to hold many of your garage sale finds.

Model Highlights

Sold in Fit and Fit Sport editions, Honda's subcompact comes well equipped. Every model features daytime running lights, a tire pressure monitoring system, tinted glass and body colored door handles. Choose the Fit Sport and your car comes with underbody spoilers, a roofline spoiler and a chrome exhaust finisher.

Inside, this model is equipped with air-conditioning, power windows, power door locks, 10 drink holders, ambient lighting and a 12-volt outlet. Also included is a rear window defroster, a cargo area light, a 4- or 6-speaker audio system, an MP3/auxiliary jack, cruise control and storage compartments.

Transmission Repair in Your Small Town

Living in a small town has its perks. You can get up in the morning, drive to town, and know most of the people you see. You can go to the local coffee shop and catch up on the latest town info while you drink your coffee. In the big city, you probably will not have this luxury. When you drive to town, you might not see one person you know. At the coffee shop, perhaps you can catch up on the latest news by reading the newspaper, and you are pretty much able to keep to yourself.

People in small towns will often extol the benefits of their communities, but undoubtedly, the conversation will find its way to the limitations of not living in a city, including lack of businesses. Living in a small town, though, you often have options when it comes to things like transmission repair and other things most people will need. Perhaps there is the local mechanic that everyone knows, but there also may be a local franchise transmission repair shop. You might feel obligated to go to the mechanic owned by people you know, but you should go with the one that has the qualities you are looking for.

You might not know what to look for in this type of mechanic. You should definitely look for someone who has done numerous transmission repair jobs; some shops even specialize in these parts. You should also look at the prices they charge compared to other shops in the area. Also be sure to look around the country at the franchise represented in your town. Find out what their standards are, whether their prices seem fair, and what others have said about the franchise as a whole and the shop in your town.

After you have done your investigations, you should have enough information to pick the right place to take your vehicle for basic mechanical and transmission repair work. If you are ever not satisfied with your choice, you can always choose another. So whether you choose the big franchise or the small local business, you will probably find both to be a good option for your car's issues.

If your car is showing signs of needing some transmission repair done, ask around town or call a few shops to see which car mechanic will fit your needs. Hopefully you will make the right choice and be able to drive away with a car that is in top shape. Small towns may not have all of the huge shopping centers that you find in larger areas, but there should still be numerous options when it comes to auto mechanics and transmission specialists.

Courier Work Tips - Getting a Good Night's Sleep

Some people seem able to sleep exceptionally well every single night, no matter what time they go to bed. Others continually struggle to get a good night's sleep. Which one of these best describes you? If you do courier work it is a good idea to ensure you know how to get the best night's sleep every night, because you may well have an early start most mornings.

Here are some tips you can use to help you sleep better every night. This in turn will make you feel fresher on a daily basis.

Try and stick to the same hours every day

If you work Mondays to Fridays you'll know how hard it can be to get to sleep on a Sunday evening - not to mention the difficulty of getting up early on Monday morning. This leaves you tired before the week of courier work has even started. It is usually better to try and go to bed at roughly the same time every evening if you can.

Ease off the caffeine and drink more water

When you do courier work you need to stay alert for the entire day. Caffeine is fine to drink in the mornings but if you stick to drinks with caffeine in them all day you're more likely to have trouble sleeping. Some people prefer to drink caffeinated drinks in the morning but switch to decaf from the afternoons onwards. Try and fit in more water too - it makes you feel more alert and is more likely to banish those sluggish feelings.

Make sure you wind down in the evenings

It is one thing to get some exercise after work, but it is quite another to focus on getting that exercise a little later in the evening. You need adequate time to wind down and relax before you actually climb into bed. This might mean enjoying a nice bath or perhaps reading a book for a while. Turn off your mobile and try to limit distractions during this time if you can.

Don't eat late at night

Ideally you should eat a few hours before you go to bed, otherwise you will increase the odds of a sleepless night. You are also more likely to get indigestion which can also keep you awake. Some people fare better if they drink warm milk or camomile tea just before they go to bed - but make sure you resist any urges to snack!

Courier work can be demanding. It certainly requires you to be alert and to have enjoyed a good sleep the night before. So if you happen to work in this field, make sure you follow the tips above to ensure you wake up feeling refreshed every morning. If you haven't been sleeping well you might be surprised how much better you feel if you do.

The 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid Under Review

Camry seems set to make a comeback with its all-new and improved 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid. As a family-size sedan, the first Camry had set an impressive benchmark for mileage.

Features of the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Available in two trim levels, the LE and XLE trim, the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid has several features that have been revamped to produce a top performance vehicle. These features include:

1. A 200 horsepower capability made possible by the revamped Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain that has a slightly larger 2.5 liter Atkinson-cycle four cylinder engine. The engine also has a 105 kilowatt electric motor and these features combine to give the vehicle 13 hp more than it had last year. The Atkinson-cycle engine yields a little less power output and compensates by being more fuel efficient and giving off less emmissions. Overall, the vehicle has a fuel efficiency rating of 43/39 mpg EPA delivering a combined average of 41 mpg.

2. The 2012 Toyota can be operated on either electric or gasoline or both. The vehicle is equipped with a new EV-mode button that allows the driver to operate the hybrid in pure electric mode as long as the speed does not excel 25 miles per hour. Toyota gives the maximum battery-only range as 1.6 miles.

3. The 2012 Camry Hybrid is fuel-efficient with the XLE, which is rated a bit lower than the LE, yielding an efficiency of 40 miles per gallon during a mixed drive. Overall, the 2012 vehicle has a fuel efficiency rating of 43/39 mpg EPA, delivering a combined average of 41 mpg.

The energy impact score for the vehicle stands at a consumption of 8.3 barrels of oil per year, while the carbon footprint stands only at an annual emission of 4.6 tons of CO2.

One of the major factors that cause a vehicle to use a lot of fuel is its weight. The weight of the 2012 Toyota has been cut by 250 pounds. The size and weight of the battery by itself was trimmed as a part of the weight reduction.

4. Camry's Hybrid sports 17-inch low rolling resistance tires that grip the pavement to yield efficiency.

5. The Car is also equipped with Toyota's Entune infotainment system, which relies on a smartphone data connection for certain apps to operate on the large touch screen. The data connection runs apps such as Bing and Pandora on the touch screen. Entune is free for three years, then it becomes available at a monthly cost of $5. It will eventually run other programs such as OpenTable and MovieTickets.com.

The Driving Experience

The 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid gives a smooth, quiet drive as it moves seamlesly, neither seen nor heard, unless it comes upon speed traps. When the vehicle comes upon a bump in the road, the gasoline engine kicks in, and this is the only disruption to the seamless ride. The 2012 hybrid drives pretty much like the brand new gas powered 2012 Camry.

2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible Will Debut in November's LA Auto Show

Volkswagen has finally confirmed that the company will be unveiling the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show this November. Unfortunately, Volkswagen has not yet provided the public with the images of the upcoming drop top version of the 2013 Beetle.  Due to this, a lot of speculations as to how the convertible would look like started to circulate.

Instead of providing the public with the images of the upcoming convertible, Volkswagen group of America has also confirmed that this vehicle will be offered with three types of engine which includes the 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine, 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, and the 2.0-liter TDI clean diesel engine.

Aside from the announcement made, Volkswagen has also provided the public with the powertrain list. The list has confirmed that the release of the convertible version of the Beetle should not be taken as a sign that the rumored electric Beetle will soon be released on the market. This is because the list does not include nor mentioned anything about the "E-Bugster".

The E-Bugster is considered as the electric Beetle concept. This concept car was shown at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show and the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. Since the vehicle has appeared on the two popular and prestigious auto shows, a lot of car buyers started to believe that this concept car will hit the company's production line and make it to the dealerships this year. Unfortunately, their beliefs were wrong. Due to this, most of those who are expecting for the release of the electric version of the Beetle were left with no options but to wait.

Since Volkswagen failed to release even a single image of the upcoming 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible, many car experts and even buyers assumed that the this version would most likely be lowered than the 2012 version of the Beetle. In addition to this, they also believed that the convertible would probably have a chopped windshield and a folding soft top. But aside from these unique characteristics, these individuals also believe that the convertible's shape would still be similar to what the other Volkswagen Beetle models have.

As soon as the convertible hits the automobile market, the vehicle  is expected to create a strong impact in its segment since a lot of buyers are very much interested with the upcoming version of the Beetle. Due to this, Volkswagen's engineers and vehicle developers are doing their best to equip the Beetle with all of the best features that they could to ensure that the potential buyers will not be disappointed with the convertible's overall characteristics.

Child Passenger Safety Tips

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) suggests the following:

Do List:

• Do make sure to restrain your child appropriately for his or her age and size (see below for more).

• Do follow directions that come with the car seat. Also pay close attention to your vehicle owner's manual for any further directions.

• Watch for local law enforcement events that help you check for proper installation and use.

Don't List:

• Don't allow any child under the age of 13 years to sit in the front seat.

• Don't allow a child under age 13 to sit in front of an active airbag, especially rear-facing infants.

Birth - 12 Months

• All infants under age 1 should ride rear-facing.

• Infant-only seats typically must be used in the rear-facing position. Most convertible seats and 3-in-1 seats can be used rear-facing and usually have higher weight and height limits.

1 - 3 Years

• Children ages 1-3 years should ride rear-facing as long as possible, within the weight and height limits of the seat.

• Once your child outgrows his or her rear-facing seat, a forward-facing car seat with a harness should be used.

4-7 Years

• Children ages 4-7 years should remain in a forward-facing car seat with a harness until he or she reaches the weight and height limits of the seat.

• Once your child outgrows his or her forward-facing seat with a harness, a belt-positioning booster seat should be used in conjunction with the vehicle's lap and shoulder seat belt.

8-12 Years

• Your child should continue using a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle's lap and shoulder seat belt fits properly

• The shoulder strap should fit snugly over the shoulder and across the chest. Make sure it's never across the neck, face, or arm.

• The lap belt should fit low and tight on your child's hips, not over his or her stomach.

For more information regarding your state laws you should check with your State Highway Patrol and/or Department of Revenue. These officials can answer all of your questions regarding regulations.

The most important first step is researching the different models of child safety seats. Make sure the one you choose is not on the recall list and watch for those recalls regularly. An exchange will be in order should a safety seat be recalled.

We all want our children to be comfortable but we can accomplish that at the same time as transporting them as safely as we possibly can.

Debbie Swinney is able to help you with your Kansas insurance needs and answer any questions you may have regarding policy choices.

Essential Tyre Safety Tips

Tyre maintenance is a matter of critical importance. As the only point of contact between the road and your vehicle, tyres largely determine how safe and stable your car is out on the road. Furthermore, the pressure placed on tyres over long periods can lead to a significant deterioration in quality, putting you or your family at risk.

Fortunately, there are some basic steps you can take to ensure that your tyres are road-safe and reliable. Following these tips will grant you peace-of-mind, improved on-road performance and a dramatic increase in vehicle safety.

Tyre Pressure
It may sound obvious, but if your tyres are not properly inflated then they will just not work as intended, leading to sub-optimal performance and safety. Under-inflated tyres also deteriorate much more quickly and lead to greater fuel consumption, which means a significant extra and unnecessary financial burden.

It's important that you check your tyres' pressure at least once a month and that you check the pressure when the tyres are cold in order to get an accurate reading. The correct pressure for your particular tyres will be outlined in the manufacturer's handbook or outlined on the tyres themselves, so make sure you follow the right guidelines and always have tyre pressure in the back of your mind when starting your journey.

Tread Depth
A more serious safety risk arises when your tyres' tread depth is at an unsafe level. The minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm, although it's generally advised that anything less than 2mm is unnecessarily risky. Tread depth plays a pivotal role in braking distance, especially in adverse weather conditions, so if your tread depth is insufficient you're at substantial risk of being involved in an accident.
Checking tread depth is simple. Take a 20p coin and insert it into your tyre tread. If you can see the outer band of the coin protruding from the tyre, then the depth is dangerously low, and you should consider replacing your tyres as soon as possible. Unlike tyre pressure, tread depth cannot be remedied through a trip to the air pump.

Tyre Condition
Perhaps the most obvious indicator of wear is the external quality of the tyres. If there are nails or other objects protruding from the tyre wall, then it's essential to remove them and check for significant damage. Also, look closely for evidence of cuts, cracks or bulges, especially on the sidewalls. Damage to the sidewalls could put you at risk of a dangerous blowout on the road, and it goes without saying that you should get the tyres replaced if you suspect such damage.

And Finally...
Even with all these safety tips in mind, it's always a great idea to have a spare tyre on hand to protect you from unforeseen circumstances. Even with well-maintained tyres, there are always going to be risks that will be out of your control. At the same time, a clear focus on tyre safety will do you and your vehicle immeasurable good, so keep these tips in mind every time you turn on the engine.

Bestselling Models of Small Sedans

Buying a smaller sedan is a good option for a car finder who is after for a vehicle that could be easily driven on tight spaces and even on traffic congested streets. Buying this type of sedan also allows the buyer to earn greater savings from reduced fuel expenses since small sedans are popular for their impressive fuel economy. In addition to this, smaller sedan models are also sold in affordable prices. So, if you are interested in buying a small sedan, make sure to consider some of the bestselling models such as those that are enumerated below for each of these could offer you the best value for your money.

1. Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius is considered as one of the bestselling small sedans in the market right now. This is because the Prius remains as the most fuel-efficient model in the market with fuel economy ratings of 51 miles per gallon in the highway and 48 miles per gallon on the highway. In addition to this, the Toyota Prius also remains a top choice of buyers since this model is also sold in an affordable price that is lower than $23,000.

Aside from its impressive fuel economy and lower price, the Prius also offers an ample interior space. Its four-door layout also makes the entry and exit of car occupants more manageable. The legroom and the headroom provide ample space for the car occupants to sit comfortably inside the vehicle.

2. Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla is also considered as a best-selling small sedan model. With its simple layout and decent fuel economy, the Corolla still remains as one of the top choices among car finders who are after for the most affordable yet reliable vehicle that they could purchase either on cash basis or by getting some of the available auto financing deals offered by dealerships and lenders.

Although the Corolla is viewed as one of the oldest smaller sedan models, its image is still attractive to most buyers since Toyota Motors has subjected this to a series of upgrades. But despite of the upgrades implemented in it, the Corolla has still retained some of its original features particularly its good running performance and modest fuel economy.

3. Honda Civic

The Honda Civic sedan is one of Honda's popular and most in-demand models. Famous for its attractive looks and relatively lower price, the Civic has successfully maintained its desirable image despite the fact that this is one of Honda's oldest sedan models. Due to this, there are still a lot of car buyers who prefer to buy the Civic. Most of these buyers love the Civic's fuel economy ratings of 45 miles per gallon in the city and 40 miles per gallon on the highway since this allows them to save more from reduced fuel expenses. In addition to this, Honda Motors has incorporated more advance features on the Civic which allowed this model to cope up with the competition posed by other smaller sedan models.

4. Ford Fusion

The Ford Fusion is also a small sedan model which is included on the bestselling list. This sedan became a best seller since the earliest versions were popular for their impressive fuel-consumption. Aside from this, the Fusion still remains as a best seller in its class since Ford has been subjecting this sedan to several upgrades particularly on its exterior and interior design. Thus, the demand for the Fusion continues to increase as the years go by.

2013 Honda Accord Receives the New HondaLink Connectivity System

Honda has recently confirmed that the 2013 Honda Accord will be getting the company's latest connectivity system dubbed as the "HondaLink."  In addition to this, other car models such as the 2013 Honda Crosstour, the 2013 Honda Fit EV, and the upcoming Plug-in Hybrid version of the Accord will also be getting this system.

Based on the information provided by Honda, the HondaLink system will include a number of useful as well entertaining features such as the audible updates from on Twitter and Facebook, Internet-based radio stations like Pandora, and audiobooks. In addition to those, HondaLink also enables the company's customers to stay connected with other people, music that they want to listen to, and the different types of media that they like without the need to use their cellphones.

In order to provide more user-friendly functions, Honda's personnel especially those who are involved in the development of the company's technologies placed the audio controls of the HondaLink on the vehicle's dash and other controls on the steering wheel. Aside from that, this HondaLink is also equipped with the voice-recognition function that makes it more manageable to operate.

Aside from the functions mentioned earlier, HondaLink can also be had with a smartphone application that enables vehicle owners to manage the system's contents in their phones and use the stored information the next time they drive their cars.

Honda has also provided some hints that the HondaLink will be offered in two versions. The first version will be used on the 2013 Honda Accord as well as on the other gas-powered models that the company would be producing. This version offers the features provided earlier and possibly a number of additional items that Honda's engineers would be adding soon.

The second version of the system will be dubbed as the HondaLink EV system and this will be used on the hybrid and electric car models such as the upcoming version of the Accord Plug-in Hybrid and the 2013 Honda Fit EV. This version will still provide the features that were previously mentioned as well as added information about charging stations for EVs, the vehicle's driving range, and activate the vehicle's heater and air conditioning through the application created for the HondaLink EV system.

Seven Winter Driving Safety Tips for Fear of Driving in the Snow

It's back-to-school season, which means winter is fast approaching. If you have a fear of driving in the snow, it's a good time to brush up your skills with some winter driving safety tips.

    1. Good lights: Your headlights and taillights should be clear of snow. This will help other drivers to see you. Get a new set of headlight lenses if yours are old or sand-pitted. Make sure both headlights work and replace broken tail and running lights.
    2. Visibility: Make sure you can see well. Clean the outside and inside of your windows thoroughly. Replace any old windshield wiper blades. Apply a water-shedding material on the outside of all windows. This includes the mirrors. Your windshield washers should work well and be filled with anti-icing fluid.
    3. Tire check: Use snow tires (sometimes called "winter tires"). Adequate snow traction requires at least 6/32-inch deep tread. Summer tires have little or no grip in snow. "All-season" tires don't always have good snow traction either: If the roads where you live are regularly covered with snow, get snow tires.
    4. Check for black ice: If the road looks slick, it probably is, but black ice can make it slick without it looking that way. Also called "glare ice", drivers often don't see it at all. Feel for black ice instead with a smooth brake application or by turning the wheel slightly. Does the road feel slick? Then slow down.
    5. Make turns slowly: Many motorists have lost control of their cars along icy curves. Slow down. Speeding on slippery curves is one of the top 25 causes of car accidents. Make sure to drive the posted speed limit. Avoid an accident by driving cautiously.
    6. Reduce speed on snowy roads: Remember your vehicle can't slow down or stop rapidly on snowy roads. Turning performance is also decreased. On snow-covered roads there is significantly less friction between the road and your tires. Make sure to slow down if the road is snow packed.
    7. Avoid icy uphill driving: Try to not drive up steep hills when it's icy. If you can't avoid it, go up the hill slowly in 2nd gear. Steer around obstacles and use feather braking to keep your momentum. Don't stop until you've cleared the top of the hill.

The Need For Speedy Auto Parts

To go online to shop for new auto parts is not just a smart idea when it comes to saving your hard-earned money. If you take that a step longer and consider the saying "time is money" then you will really save a bundle if you go online for your spare parts. To be able to compare vast options of different car dealerships and auto repair shops and see what they have in stock, and also utilizing the opportunity of seeing what regular costumers has to sell in terms of parts, will give you a much better position for negotiating.

The Auto Repair Shop

They have lots of spare parts, naturally, but usually the up-market their profit margins to such a degree that it almost becomes ridiculous. If you do your research correctly, but do not have the necessary skills to perform the surgical part of installing the spare parts, at least you can know what kinds of parts that is needed, and getting a hold of them a lot cheaper online then buying them from the auto repair shop.

The Need For Speed

And, instead of going around from place to place to compare prices, which will take you forever especially if the spare parts you are looking for prohibits you from using your car, and you have to take the twenty-stops-a-minute city bus, inching forward one block per half hour, then you could really keep that motto of time is money in the back of your mind.

Even taken into account the amount of time it will take the online business to deliver the goods, and even taken into account the shipping costs, you will likely get them faster and cheaper by going online.

And once you are out on the roads again, feeling the power of your beloved baby car roaring under you, the wind blowing through your newly styled hair since you treated yourself to a professional hair-dresser after saving so much money on the fixing of your car - a fact that really will contribute to the broad smile you have on your face.

The days of omnipotent repair shops and dealerships are long gone, they are not the only ones hoarding up all the spares, nowadays you can find what you need when you need it. And it will be fast and cheap, and customer reviews can help guide and reassure you that the parts you are buying online are reliable, and that the seller is serious.

The Online Scam

The risks of getting scammed has been seriously reduced since every serious business is subjected to customer opinions from everywhere, so if someone is trying to pull a fast one, he is bound to be ousted sooner than he could blink.

The information society of today has made everything move faster and more efficiently, and there is no time or need to spend a couple of days searching for just the perfect auto parts, when you can find them in just a few hours online.

Concept Cars: The Cars of the Future in the Last Five Years

Every one of us would want to have cars which are high-tech and innovative. However, if cars of the future are what you have been looking for, then perhaps it is time look into concept cars. Concept cars are vehicles made for the purpose of displaying new car styling and technology. Forget your suburban family minivan; these cars are innovative and are the latest in the game. These vehicles are mostly made for showcase purposes; they are often regarded as prototypes and may need extra tweaking or modifying before being sold to the general public. But by keeping track of concept car trends in the last five years or so, you will have a good idea on what to look forward to in the future, and which features should you focus on in getting your next vehicle.

It would be impossible to list all concept cars released in the last few years, simply because there are too many of them. But there are several universal trends which are almost exclusively shared by the concept cars of the last five years. The most noticeable element is aesthetics. Most of these cars would have extra shiny, titanium-like exterior. The curves are streamlined and sharp, with metallic hues being prevalent. Take the BMW GINA for example. This vehicle has a smooth yet futuristic exterior, and may seem like a mix of 1950's luxury cars and the platinum cars of the future. However, what is more impressive is that this model is made out of fabric; Spandex to be exact. Its flexibility allows the rider to change its shape at will over a moveable frame, but yet is sturdy enough to be able to handle harsh roads and fluctuating temperatures

The next element shared by the latest concept cars is functionality. Of course, one cannot imagine the future without picturing extremely fast cars, right? These cars are not just able to go fast, but they can cruise while on top speed. The Mercedes-Benz F700, released in 2007, has a Pre-Scan feature which allows riders to not feel any bumps on the road. Although concept cars are able to burn serious rubber on the tracks, they can still keep their carbon emissions in check. Many manufactures focus on developing cars which are environmentally friendly, such as the Cadillac Converj, which relies on an emission-free electric motor. Whether it is a car which is futuristic in design, or those which perform ahead of other models in their time, concept cars prove that your dream car is just around the corner.

Practical Reasons Why Purchasing Used Cars Is The Right Choice

It seems as if we are all searching for used cars at one point or another. After all, there is no reason why anyone should have to pay full price for a brand-new vehicle when they can purchase something that is a couple of years old for almost half the price. Most people are not aware of the fact that when they purchase a brand-new vehicle, it loses its value as soon as they drive it off of the

How to Choose the Car That's Best for You

The car that you drive can say a lot about you. It can label you a practical person, a flashy person, or something in between. Although you may not be intending to be making a statement, there's no question that you'll be certain to be making certain impressions by the car that you drive. So how do you pick the car that's best for you? Let's look at a few things you'll want to consider when

3 Ways Car Dealers Will Reel You In

Most people assume that the police are obligated to tell the truth when interrogating a suspect. But that is, in fact, untrue. Tey can lie all they want. It's the suspect who is expected to tell the truth.



Car ads are sort of like that. We all assume that they are required by law to tell the truth. Which they are, but we all know how the truth can be...stretched. Wondering what some of the