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We can decide whether or not to visit the mall. We can even put off going to the grocery store (for awhile, anyway). The one venue that is inescapable for most of us is the gas station. Without weekly trips, our cars - and our daily lives - would come to a grinding halt.

Despite their familiarity with the gas pump, most drivers have no idea how stations set their prices. With millions of motorists filling up the tanks in their SUVs or driving long commutes, the price per gallon is more important than ever. Below, I’ll expose a common myth that many people have about gas prices at the pump. I’ll also provide a short list of three fuel-efficient vehicles that are popular among drivers and auto critics.

Exposing A Common Myth

A lot of people believe that higher prices at the pump translate into higher profits for the station owner. In truth, that’s not the case. Profits tend to stay at the same level no matter how high or low the price per gallon. The thing that hurts owners the most is investing in long-term contracts at higher prices. When those prices drop, profits evaporate.

3 Fuel-Efficient Cars Worth Considering

The SUV trend that gripped the nation for years seems to be dissipating. More drivers are not only open to buying a fuel-efficient vehicle, they’re actively shopping for them. Here are 3 makes and models that are both reliable and easy on your pocketbook at the gas station:

1 - Toyota Prius

Topping nearly every fuel-efficiency list is Toyota’s fast-selling Prius. This is the car that arguably started the hybrid craze. It gets approximately 45 mpg and at today’s gasoline prices, will sip just under $700 in gas per year (assuming you’re driving a standard 15,000 miles each year).

2 - Honda Civic

This model comes in two forms: as a hybrid or equipped with a conventional gas-powered engine. The hybrid can deliver 42 mpg (an average between city streets and the highway) which means it will cost about $700 per year in fuel.

3 - MINI Cooper

The MINI Cooper has its share of fans and critics. But, it’s hard to ignore how many miles per gallon it gets (37 on the highway). While not as efficient as the Prius or Civic, the MINI Cooper isn’t a hybrid. That makes its performance even more impressive. At current gasoline prices, it will cost approximately $1,100 to drive each year.

Most automotive experts agree that gas prices will only go up in the future. And because our daily commutes are not shrinking, it may be time to consider buying a more fuel-efficient vehicle. The 3 makes and models above are consistent performers that will help you keep a few dollars in your wallet each week.

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The longer you keep your vehicle, the more likely you’ll need to take it in for repairs or preventative maintenance. Sometimes, your visit to the mechanic will be for routine maintenance tasks, such as rotating tires or replacing the air filter. Other times, major parts may need to be replaced in order to keep your car running smoothly.

A lot of motorists are uncertain whether they should take their vehicles to a dealership or to a local garage. While the independent mechanic’s prices are often less expensive, many drivers are concerned about voiding their warranties. In this article, I’ll provide an overview of the most important factors to consider when deciding where to take your car for repairs.

The Cost Of Repairs

The biggest difference between dealership technicians and independent mechanics is the price. For nearly all types of work, from oil changes to transmission overhauls, the dealer’s service shop will charge higher prices (often, much higher). And it doesn’t stop with the labor; they often charge a higher markup on auto parts.

The reason is simple: dealers have much greater overhead. Their facilities cost more to maintain and their technicians are often paid a higher wage than mechanics at a local garage.

Tools And Equipment

The guy at your local auto repair shop may be able to fix anything with a wrench, but having access to new tools and equipment can be valuable. Whether it’s a new diagnostic testing computer or specific tools designed by an automaker, dealerships have an edge. Not only do they have greater financial resources to invest, but car manufacturers will often extend financing for the equipment.

High-Quality Auto Parts

When the technicians at your dealer’s service shop replace a major part, they use Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts for the replacements. OEM parts are approved by the automaker and often come with a short warranty. On the other hand, independent repair garages can use either OEM or aftermarket parts.

At first, OEM replacement parts seem preferable because of their seeming higher quality. However, they cost more. Often, aftermarket alternatives offer the same level of quality at a much lower price (similar to generic prescriptions).

Protecting Your Warranty

The main concern for most people is keeping their warranty valid. Ask your dealership to clarify what types of work must be performed by the dealer’s technicians. For example, you will probably need to have all transmission work completed at the dealership. On the other hand, minor repair work, replacing small parts (i.e. alternator, catalytic converters, etc.), and oil changes can likely be done by your local mechanic.

In the end, there is no perfect answer. Indeed, many drivers are more comfortable taking their vehicles to the dealer’s service shop for every type of work, regardless of cost. Review your needs and your budget in order to make an objective decision.

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The trend toward buying SUVs and other large vehicles has created a ripple effect in the car accessories market. There are more gadgets available today than ever before. GPS devices, in-vehicle entertainment centers, and iPod connections are but a few of the recent technologies that drivers can’t seem to do without.

Roadtrips used to mean bringing along snacks and an ice chest filled with drinks. No more. Today, hitting the road means bringing an assortment of electronics to pass the time and ensure that you don’t lose your way. Here are 3 automotive gadgets that millions of motorists have grown to love and rely upon:

1 - DVD Player / Entertainment System

There was a time when a car stereo was enough to satisfy drivers and their passengers. When in-vehicle entertainment centers were first introduced, most people scoffed at the extravagance. Times have changed. Many SUVs are now outfitted with DVD players for those who are sitting in the back. For parents with young children, these entertainment systems, once a novelty, now seem like a necessity.

2 - GPS Device

Older drivers might remember pulling out their dependable Thomas Guide maps to find their way. These days, traditional roadmaps are as rare a dent-free car in a busy parking lot. Automotive GPS units now come with downloadable (and therefore, frequently updated) maps of the entire nation. What’s more, prices for these devices have plummeted. A Magellan RoadMate 1430 will cost under $250.

3 - iPod Connectivity

Why limit yourself to a few CDs when you can literally bring your entire music collection with you on the road? iPods continue to be the default MP3 player for millions of people. Automakers realized this a few years ago and began taking steps to accommodate the trend. Today, Ford, General Motors, and Mercedes Benz routinely equip their car inventories with iPod connection jacks. When you’re driving long distances, having your entire CD collection right next to you is a fantastic luxury.

The Future Of Automotive Technology

Each year, car manufacturers go to great lengths to develop innovative features for their vehicles. Some of these features, like the gadgets described above, are designed to add comfort to your driving experience. Others - for example, lane changing alert systems, automatic tire pressure monitoring, and blind spot warning systems - provide greater driver and passenger safety.

Automotive technology will continue to grow. New car gadgets will be created to offer greater comfort and more flexibility behind the wheel. At the same time, vehicles will be equipped with more robust systems which help their drivers avoid injury on the road. Even as automakers struggle to maintain profitability in the current economic climate, they realize that motorists’ needs must be addressed. And that may be the driving force behind tomorrow’s automobiles.

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A lot of motorists visit their local dealership, find their “perfect” vehicle, and drive it home only to regret their decision later. Aside from buying more vehicle than they can afford, the regret is often due to making a hasty decision. In truth, motorists are easily seduced into purchasing cars based on subjective factors. A vehicle’s sleek, flawless exterior combined with the new scent of its interior can be distracting.

This article will help you retain your objectivity when visiting your local dealer. I’ll describe how to properly test drive a vehicle to ensure that you don’t regret your purchase decision down the road.

Arrive At The Dealership Prepared

A little research goes a long way. Invest the time to look at professional reviews of the specific make and model you’re considering. Look at horsepower, fuel efficiency, and available space. Make a note about what reviewers thought of the car’s handling in a variety of driving circumstances. Also, memorize the model’s standard features as well as the options you prefer to avoid. When the salesperson greets you on the dealership lot, you’ll already have a great idea regarding what the automobile can and cannot do.

Set The Expectation

Salespeople sell. That’s their job. Unfortunately, they often try to do so while you’re test driving the car. In some cases, the information they’re giving you will be helpful; it can make your decision easier. However, the talking can also be extremely distracting. Ask the salesperson in advance to let you test drive without their talking during the ride. Explain that you’d prefer to concentrate on the driving experience rather than engaging in conversation.

Put It Through Its Paces

Doing a thorough test drive means taking a car on an assortment of road surfaces. You’ll want to drive on normal surface streets in order to test how smooth the ride is. But, you should also drive over bumpy terrain. That’s the best way to feel whether the suspension is solid.

Also, take turns at different speeds to check how well the vehicle hugs the road. Accelerate and stop quickly to check pedal response, engine power, and brake sensitivity. If you don’t put the car through its paces, you won’t know what it’s capable - or incapable - of doing.

Keep Your Comfort In Mind

You’re going to spend a lot of time inside whatever vehicle you purchase. You need to make sure you’ll be riding in comfort. Check to see how long it takes the air conditioner and heating unit to change the interior’s temperature. While you’re sitting in the driver’s seat, reach for all of the controls to check whether they’re comfortably accessible to you. Adjust the driver’s seat to see whether doing so is easy.

Don’t underestimate the value of doing a rigorous test drive. While knowing a car’s specs (i.e. horsepower, gas mileage, etc.) before arriving at the dealership is helpful, putting it through its paces should play a major role in your decision to buy.

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When a storm comes and it starts to hail outside, it can cause a lot of damage to many things. It can damage metal, wood, glass, and more. Hail damage can be bad and it can be at all sizes, but the damage will depend on how big the hail can be. Hail can get up to the size of soft balls or bigger and it will hurt someone if they get hit by it. Hail can do major damage to the body, it can cut through the skin, break bones, and more.

It can put dent marks in metal and it make it look like someone took a hammer to it. If you have insurance, you will need to look into damages for hail and get yourself insured for that as well if you are not. Hail is small or huge chucks of hardened ice that comes when bad storms hit. After a hail storm you need to check your roof to see if it did any damage. You need to watch out for thunderstorm or tornado weather because that is when hail will often be present.

Watch your weather channel for any bad storms coming your way and see if there are any watches or warnings for hail in your area. If there is, you need to get prepared for it to come and for the damages that can come with it. You do not want to be caught in an hail storm, because of the hail hitting your car and hitting the windows. It can crack it and it can knock you right off the road. It is scary, just something you do not want to go through. If hail is really thick it can pile up on the ground like snow but in a different way, it can be inches high off the ground. If you are out on the road and do get caught in a sudden hail storm, try to pull under an underpass or a even a gas station with an awning

For trailers there is no wooded roof or shingles on it, just metal and it can damage it badly. If it does you have to get it fix right away because it can cause water to leak through and bring in water damage to your house. It might be difficult to fix a metal roof. You may end up having to replace it depending on how much damage is done. Some mobile home owners will actually have a real roof put on their trailer in order to help prevent water damage from happening so easily.

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