While the news reports concerning hurricanes, flood damages and the travesty that was put upon the unfortunate victims have slowed down, the dangers and hazards are still present.



With reports varying upwards of 600,000 vehicles damaged by floodwaters, these cars and trucks will most certainly, and already have, surfaced across the country, waiting on their next victim.



It’s easy to let your guard down with out much media publicity, but used car buyers should be aware that these vehicles are still out in the market, perhaps cross country in states that are not affected by the floods.



A couple of common issues that have surfaced, that you should be aware of, is sellers attempting to hide the origin of where these cars came from. By registering the vehicle in different states, it creates a paper trail that can be difficult to trace unless you spend the time for researching.



Another common issue is sellers changing license plate frames or adding an emblem from another state. This of course is designed to hide or deceive the potential buyer of what state the car came from.



The question remains, what steps should a consumer take to minimize their risk of purchasing one of these damaged vehicles? The below tips, ideas and suggestions will at least minimize your risk of purchasing a car or truck that has been involved with floodwaters.



Check the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s web site at www.nicb.org, they have compiled a list of vehicles that have that have been affected by hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. While this list may not include every single vehicle, it’s a good place to start with.



Also run an online history report, once again, this database may not be all-inclusive, but it’s another step in the process of elimination.



Knowledge Is King, and it can’t have more meaning than in your quest for a quality used automobile. Following the below inspection tips will offer some added protection as well, and perhaps is the most effective means of determining in the vehicle was involved in floods.



Inspect for grass and debris around the radiator, underneath around the frame, front and rear suspension components, etc.

Check for standing waterlines in the engine compartment, rear firewall area, and even inside door pockets of the door panels and interior trim areas.

Mildew smell inside due to wet carpeting and padding indicate the possibility water intrusions.

Inspect connectors and wiring for signs of corrosion, physically disconnect a few connectors and inspect the terminals. Corrosion evidence will be a green or white chalk type substance or rust color.

Look for rusted bolts and metal components, particularly underneath seats where water has been standing.

Inspect for windows fogging up on the inside after the vehicle has sat overnight, this is an indication that there may be water underneath the carpet and or carpet padding.

Inspect trunk area for waterlines, corroded connectors and wiring.

With a keen eye and a little knowledge you can minimize the risk of spending thousands of dollars on a vehicle that has potential long-term effects by water damage.



Usedcarwise.com offers a comprehensive “how to” course designed to educate the average consumer on protecting themselves when used car shopping.

For more information visit the web site at www.usedcarwise.com or call toll free 1 866 374 WISE (9473).

About the author:

Jerry Christopher, owner http://www.usedcarwise.com

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair

Car theft folks have been so diversified with their sets of car theft skills that they could virtually penetrate into any car makes without much glitch. They have been enjoying virtually good income from stealing cars. As much as you would hate it, here are tips on how to prevent car theft so you can put a smack on their faces for good and relieve you from the car theft misery

Do you know that 3 out of 4 people in the United States do not have car theft protection systems or any car anti theft device installed on their cars? Well even if they do, most them do not even bothered to activate these car anti theft devices. Just think about it, when was the last time you left your car idling outside while you were busy picking up snacks from the gas stations?

Let’s face it, car theft “market” for these car theft folks have been literally blooming and striving like a twister on steroids. According to Insurance Information Institute, US, the average value of a motor vehicle reported stolen in 2003 was $6,797, compared with $6,701 in 2002. The latest key statistic says that for every 25 seconds, a motor vehicle is stolen in the United States.

1) Lock it up.
Lock your vehicle at all times, close all windows and sun roof and take your keys

2) Don’t be dumb by hiding keys in your car.
Never hide second set of keys in or on your vehicle. The car thieves can outsmart you by knowing all the hiding places.

3) Hide valuables
Don’t think about leaving your valuables in your car and left to be seen by the potential car thieves. Items left in the open attract car thieves.

4) Protect Your Data - Beware of Identity fraud.
Don’t ever leave any important documents such as bank statements, credit card bills/statements, or other personal information in your car. Car thefts can use this vital information against you and steal your bank money by accessing your bank or credit car accounts.

5) Do not dispose your Car registration
Some drivers literally take convenience up to the extreme. They often leave their car registration or car titles inside their car. Doing so may help the car thieves to dispose your car faster than you can ever imagine.

6) Parking Strategy
Do you know that parking at the right place may literally prevent car thefts and protect your car altogether? It is best to park in well lit areas with plenty of pedestrian traffic.

7) Stop idling and learn to increase gas mileage.
By leaving your car unattended might literally pose a danger to your car of being stolen, especially when you are at the convenient stores or ATMs. The ebook “Gas Mileage Tactics” at http://www.extragasmileage.com will reveal to you that not only learning to stop idling will prevent car thefts, but also the potential wastage of gas and wear and tear of your car. So you’ll get two sides of the same coin literally.

Prevent Theft by Towing.
You’d be surprised that thieves nowadays use tow trucks to steal vehicles. At the most extreme cases, some of them might pose as the bank credit officer and tow your car away in the broad daylight. So always use your emergency brakes and leave your transmission in the park position. You should also turn the wheels toward the curb. Although these steps will not 100% prevent auto thefts, but somehow or rather, this will make up a nightmare for the potential car thieves who use tow trucks to steal vehicles.

9) Park in your garage.
If you have a car porch / garage in your house, always park your car at those places and never park them outside of your house. Lock the gates or the garage as well as your car windows.

10) The “One” is not enough.
There are many car anti theft devices that are mushrooming in the auto market like nobody’s business. Although I will not say that these car anti theft devices may 100% prevent car thefts altogether, but at least it will prolong their time to steal your car and bring them one heck of a tough time to hack into your vehicle. So if you happen to park your car in high theft areas, never rely on just one device alone. Use as many as you can.

Here are some of the car anti theft devices you can use.
i. Vehicle Alarm
Vechile Alarms are one of the most common security alarm in a motorcar today. It pays in actually invest in a good car alarm system. Most auto alarm systems are equipped with motion sensors as well as impact sensors. As series of high-decibel tones are blasted out when somebody is trying to steal your vehicle. High quality car alarm systems may include an automatic kill switch and may also use flashing headlights and horn in addition to sounding the siren.

ii. Steering Wheel Lock
This is a simple device which looks like a long metal bar with a lock that fits on the steering wheel. When fitted on, it prevents the steering wheel from being turned. It’s a pretty inexpensive way to safeguard your car.

iii. Starter disablers.
There are quite a few of common starter disablers in the market. They serve as the one last extra safeguard to your car in case the car thief has broken into your car. These devices e.g armored collars will prevent them from breaking into the steering column to hot wire the vehicle. Some disablers may be used to prevent the flow of electricity of fuel to the engine, thus making it impossible for the thieves to get the car running.

So here are the top car theft protection tips for you. Apply them and you will see your vehicles better protected.

About the Author

Sunny Tan debunks the myth and truth about ways to increase gas mileage in his latest ebook Gas Mileage Tactics at http://www.extragasmileage.com. He also favors writing tips articles for his website http://www.tips.com.my covering many aspects and subjects. S

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair

Like all drivers, senior citizens (or as I like to call them seasoned citizens ) want to get the best rates on their auto insurance policies. What they may not be aware of is that older drivers may present a higher risk than other drivers, usually leading to higher auto insurance rates.

Following a few simple tips and taking these measures will ensure that you are getting the lowest rates possible on your auto insurance policy.

1. Avoid more Accidents, Pay Close Attention at Intersections. Auto accidents involving seniors often occur at intersections. Make sure to look ahead if you plan to quickly change lanes after an intersection. Pay attention to protected left turn lanes with their own arrows, and always keep your tires pointed straight ahead when stopped, so that a rear-end accident doesn’t push you into oncoming traffic.

2. Follow the flow of traffic, Drive at the at or near the speed limit. Driving too slowly can be just as dangerous as speeding, especially when entering or exiting interstates or freeways. It can also trigger dangerous “road rage” in less patient drivers. You don t have to be Mario Andretti, but keeping to the right and following the flow of traffic is the safest bet.

3. Many violations include failure to yield right-of-way, improper turning or incorrect lane changes, so keep current on the traffic laws relating to new traffic designs.

4. Sit high enough in your seat so that you can see at least 10 feet in front of your car, advises the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If your car seat does not adjust to allow this, add a cushion. This will make it easier to see pedestrians and bike riders, and reduce problems from oncoming headlight glare at night.

5. Do not wear sunglasses or tinted glasses when driving at night. For many older drivers, night vision is reduced, so safety dictates not driving at twilight or after dark.

6. Make sure you learn how to operate a New Car. Things like Anti-lock brakes, for example operate differently in slippery situations. If you have never driven a car with anti-lock brakes, sure to get training on proper use.

7. Senior drivers can refresh their skills and knowledge — and get a discount on auto insurance in many states — by taking a refresher driving course, such as the eight-hour “55 Alive” course offered by AARP. More than two-thirds of states mandate auto insurance policy discounts for such courses, and many insurance companies offer the discounts voluntarily.

8. Look for cars with rear-view mirrors that automatically dim and filter out headlight glare.

9. Air bag technology has become more advanced, with sensors that deploy air bags based on the weight of the occupant, reducing air-bag-related injuries. Some new cars also have side air bags in the seats or door frame that offer better protection.

10. Consider fit and comfort in your new car. Seat belts that comfortably fit over your shoulder and low on your lap will keep you safer. Automatic transmission, power steering and power brakes require less physical effort.

11. Last but definitely not least, Check to see which companies offer specific Senior Discounts While shopping around for the best auto insurance rates is important, which insurance company you choose might depend on how they treat senior drivers. You’ll get their best rates if you’re healthy and drive a safe, modern vehicle.

Reprints of this article are allowed (and encouraged) for your site or newsletter with proper credit to the author and a simple link to http://www.hometownquotes.com.

About The Author

Matt McWilliams is one of the co-founders of HometownQuotes.Com, an online insurance quotes web site. He is originally from Pinebluff, NC and attended Middle Tennessee State University in 2002. He is considered an expert in the field of online insurance shopping and finding new ways to help consumers save money on their insurance. For more information visit http://www.hometownquotes.com.

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair