Always visit dmv.org before going to the DMV.

1.  Why does everything take four visits and roughly three hours of standing in line to a DMV prolem fixed. The problem? Everything from not bringing enough or the right forms of ID to having his records confused with those of another driver of the same name. Making sense of the DMV is an $11.5 million business for DMV.org, an unofficial guide to state rules and peccadilloes.

2.  Remember those pics of flooded car lots after Hurricane Katrina? You could end up buying one of those cars today and never know it. In the past five years, the number of flooded cars sold as “used” has doubled nationwide. Unscrupulous sellers can buy them at auction, then replace the title at a Department of Motor Vehicles office in another state by fudging the document, saying it’s lost or retitling in a state that doesn’t recognize “flooded” as totaled. If you’re buying a used car, always have a mechanic inspect it first. And screen the car’s VIN through the free database at carfax.com/flood.

3.   There’s another way criminals take advantage of flimsy DMV car records: “VIN cloning,” a kind of vehicle laundering. A stolen car’s vehicle-identification number is switched with that of a junked car, and a clean title is obtained from the DMV. To combat this practice, the 1992 Anti-Car Theft Act authorized the creation of a database, known as the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, which allows state DMVs to verify a car’s title, theft and damage history before issuing a new title. Too bad only 30 states belong to the network.

4. Identity theft is the No. 1 crime in the U.S. The simplest form, mostly used by beginners, is to ask the DMV for a duplicate license in someone else’s name. Identity thieves simply tell the DMV clerk that they’ve lost their license or that it was stolen, then provide someone else’s illegally obtained information. It’s a simple con to pull off.

5. Personalized license plates might seem like a harmless accessory, but they could make you a more likely target for criminals. Why? Because they communicate much more than the written message. The downside of doing things that tend to ‘get you noticed’ is that they can get you noticed by the wrong kind of people. Rapists, thieves and muggers.

For the rest of the list, click here.

If fuel is warm when it’s delivered to a station, it’ll still be warm when it’s sold a few hours later.

Some people say it’s better to buy your gasoline first thing in the morning, rather than in the heat of the day. That’s because gasoline, like all liquids, expands when heated. The basic facts are correct, but the advice is not. Gasoline does expand and contract a little depending on its temperature. When gasoline rises from 60 to 75 degrees F, for instance, it increases in volume by 1% while the energy content remains the same.

Filling stations typically store their gasoline in underground tanks, where the temperature variation during the day is much less than in the air above. The result is that the temperature of the gasoline coming out of the fuel nozzle varies very little, if at all, during any 24-hour stretch at any particular station.

A 15-degree difference, for example, would result in a one-percent gain in volume. Or, just a few cents difference on the first gallons pumped — not enough to change your schedule or routine in chasing costs, especially if it might increase your fuel consumption in the pursuit.

To Lease Or Not To Lease

The decision-making process on whether to lease or buy a car has been altered by automakers’ scaling back their leasing operations under pressure from high gas prices, making leases less available and much more expensive in many cases. Here are some points to consider about leasing:

PROS

New Car Frequently: You won’t have to drive the car for more than two to four years, depending on the length of the lease (36 months is typical).

No Money Down: Leases require little or no down payment, although you can make one in order to lower your monthly bill.

Lower Payments: You can drive a more expensive car for a lower monthly payment than if you’d bought it, albeit without gaining ownership equity.

Minimal Repair Risks: A leased car is always under warranty, with routine maintenance sometimes covered.

No Resale Issues: You don’t have to take on the risk of declining resale value; you just turn it in when your contract is up.

CONS:

Fast-Rising Lease Costs: Leases for SUVs, trucks and other non-fuel-efficient vehicles are getting significantly more expensive and will become harder to find as carmakers scale down their leasing businesses.

Credit Restrictions: Credit requirements have tightened, because banks are reluctant to take on any more risk than necessary for fear the residual value will drop and they’ll lose money. A spotty credit rating could make a consumer ineligible for a lease, or raise the cost.

Mileage Limits: You’ll have to pay for any additional mileage beyond the limits specified in the lease.

Long-Term Loser: Buying saves money compared to leasing over the longer term, especially after the car is paid off.

Return Fees: The fee charged at the end of a lease can be high, depending on the contract and the company. This comes on top of the contractual monthly payments.

Buyers of second-hand cars have to follow two pointers to ensure that they do not purchase carnapped vehicles. The buyers should know the original duplicate invoice and the original owner of the vehicle they are buying.

The original duplicate invoice is an official document given by the dealer, who sold the brand new car, to the original owner. The original duplicate invoice contains all information including the name of the selling dealer, name of the original owner, owner’s address, serial and engine numbers and the original amount the first owner paid to buy the vehicle.

Going through the process of obtaining the original duplicate invoice and knowing the original owner maybe tedious but these are two ways which second-hand buyers can do to protect their interest.

The seesaw of gas and vehicle prices

For the past few weeks, dealerships across the country had begun to feel the heat with their large vehicle inventory. Gas prices had soared to $4.70 in some areas of the United States with oil nearing $150 per barrel. Incentives on SUVs and large trucks had shot through the roof. Today, however, Ford announced a hike in SUV and truck lease pricing to make their most profitable vehicles unattractive to new car lesees.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Ford sent a memo to their dealerships saying “due to extreme losses Ford Credit is taking on off-lease vehicles, it will be necessary for Ford Motor Credit Company to adjust residuals mid-quarter on the following vehicle lines.” This is an attempt to salvage whatever revenue they can because of defaults on leases extended to low credit rating individuals, which Ford will also cease to offer with this announcement.

Now is the time to pick up a lease if you’re looking for an SUV or truck. Gas prices have been fluctuating and seem to have settled down, and if the trend continues we may see an overall increase in SUV and truck purchases in the near future. The changes will effect the Ford Sport Trac SUVs, F-150s, Explorer and Super Duty Pickups. Use our fast vehicle search tool on Autobrag.com to find a Ford vehicle before the lease option expires on August 1, 2008.

Even if you have checked out some confessions of a car salesman and carefully studied the evil “four-square” technique, there are still some things you could say that tell a salesman you are a soft target.

1. I love, love, love this car
Even if you fall in love with a car, maintain your composure and don’t let the salesman realize it. It is easy for salesmen to manipulate you when they know that you will do almost anything to own the car.

2. I need to get a car by tomorrow
Even if you need the car quickly, act like there’s no desperate need for the car. If he senses your desperation he will realize that you won’t be thinking carefully about your choice and will accept most anything.

3. I need a monthly payment of…
The monthly payment is only one part of the equation. A salesman can give you that monthly payment and still rip you off in another area such as in the number of payments or trade-in value. Ideally, you should calculate what you can afford based on your monthly budget and expected trade-in value and negotiate that big number. Now, agree on a monthly payment and then negotiate any trade-in value.

4. My trade-in is outside
If you let him know it is outside he will want the keys. If the deal starts to go south, your keys may be somehow misplaced in which case you will be forced to listen to his sales pitch longer than you want to.

5. I don’t know anything about leasing
Even if you don’t plan on leasing a car, you should learn about leasing to help make you impervious to the salesman who may try to sell you the idea. Usually, leasing only makes sense if you know that you won’t be keeping the car for several years. If you do plan to lease, you should be familiar with the costs of leasing beyond monthly payments. You should also be aware of how many miles are included in the lease and any money that needs to be paid up front or at the end of the lease.

6. My credit is a little spotty
Often, consumers underestimate their own credit score. Ideally, you should try to secure a loan you can use for “plan B” in case you don’t like what the dealership has to offer. This gives you bargaining power and lets you know more clearly where you stand with your credit rating.

Creative marketing strategies to avoid losing both time and money.

High gas prices mean low demand for gas guzzlers, new or used.  You And the last thing a used-car dealer needs from you is another big SUV sitting unsold on his lot. So here’s a few tips on selling your SUV.

Sell to individuals, not dealers: It is harder to get the price you want with dealers, of course, since they need to resell the vehicle at a profit. ”

Leave on bells and whistles: While SUV owners are sometimes advised to take off the rooftop carrier to remove some weight–and be able to advertise better mileage–this could be counterproductive. Any extras that could attract a buyer should be left as they are. People want it as stocked as you can get it.

Lower prices: It may seem obvious, but lowering the price of an SUV to get something for it is better than never selling it at all. Cars can be very personal objects, but try to detach your emotions and view the sale of your vehicle with an analytical eye.

Wait for winter: If you can, wait to sell your SUV until winter, when people are more apt to invest in four-wheel drives and bigger vehicles.  If you’ve got a four-wheel drive, it makes sense to wait.

Toyota considers using American base for exporting to Middle East and Asia

Increasingly sluggish SUV sales, rising material costs and the strengthening Yen are all reasons for why Toyota plans to begin shipping automobiles manufactured in the United States to the Middle East. The credit crunch coupled with increasing oil prices has forced many Americans to move away from giant, gas-guzzling SUVs into more energy efficient sedans. Today oil reached a new high of over $129 a barrel with no immediate slowdown in sight.

Currently, the Avalon is being exported to the Middle East and Toyota plans to begin shipping Sequoias to an area where demand for family vehicles has steadily increased. In the United States, Toyota’s sales for the Sequoia fell 30%, which is a strong statement to be made about the dynamic US automotive market. Sequoias should begin to ship this year and there is the possibility that Sienna minivans could begin exporting to China as early as 2010.

What does this mean for the consumer who still needs a large family SUV and can foot the cost of increasing gas prices? Prices for large SUVs should begin to dramatically decrease as inventories pile up and dealers scramble to get their vehicles off their lots. Check out AutoBrag.com’s New Car Price Search Engine to find an incredible deal on Toyota Sequoias in your area.

Do You Have One In Your Car?

A roadside emergency can happen at any time, whether your car is new or old. Being prepared with a basic emergency kit can increase your safety, reduce stress, and help you get back on the road faster. Even if you have roadside-assistance coverage or an automobile-club membership with roadside assistance, you usually need access to a phone in order to contact them and you may have to wait on the side of the road for an hour or more before help arrives. That’s its recommended that drivers carry certain items in their vehicle, even if it only gets used for everyday, around-town driving.

1. First-Aid Kit. Choose one that allows you to treat a range of problems, from small cuts or burns to ones that require major bandaging.

2. Fire Extinguisher. A car fire can start from something as simple as a wiring short circuit or leaking oil. You should get away from a vehicle that’s on fire as quickly as possible. Still, for extra security it’s good to keep a fire extinguisher in the car that can be used in any emergency or to quickly douse a small flame that’s just begun. Carry a compact unit that’s labeled 1A10BC or 2A10BC.

3. Warning Light, Hazard Triangle, or Flares. Look for a battery-powered warning light that can be placed far from the vehicle. Reflective hazard triangles and flares are also effective and don’t need batteries.

4. Tire Gauge. This should be used on a monthly basis to check the inflation pressure in all four tires and the spare tire.

5. Foam Tire Sealant or a Portable Compressor and Plug Kit. For minor punctures, a foam tire sealant can get your vehicle back on the road quickly. Only use it in an emergency, however, many tire shops will refuse to repair the tire because of the sticky residue these sealants leave inside it. Be sure to choose a sealant that’s labeled as non-flammable, and don’t consider this a permanent fix.

6. Jumper Cables or a Portable Battery Booster. Jumper cables are easy to use as long as you have a second car available to provide a jump.

7. Flashlight. This can be critical at night. Choose one that is bright and weatherproof. In addition, a flashlight with a magnet, flexible mounting system, or a stand will free up your hands for other tasks.

For other important items to carry in your car at all times, click here.

Car Buying Is Easy If You Have The Right Resources

With car sales expected to be down this year, many dealerships will be desperate for any sale they can get, says Danny Chan, CEO of AutoBrag.com, a car-shopping comparison Web site that compiles price data from no-haggle dealerships. The slow conditions could prompt many of them to accept better deals as they struggle to keep their doors open, he added. But even though dealers might be hungry to make a deal, don’t expect that they’ll give in to your offers without a fight.

If you’re considering the purchase of a new car, you’ll need to prepare before browsing the show floor. Here are five tips on how to get a good deal on your new set of wheels:

1. Hit The Internet
The Web has a wealth of automobile information that can help consumers know how much they should be paying for a car and what deals they can get. AutoBrag.com tells consumers how much cars are selling for at actual no-haggle dealerships, and shoppers can use those quotes during their negotiation. Deals can also be found by expanding your online search to dealers beyond your immediate area. Even if the best deal is states away and the automobile needs to be transported to you, it may be worth the hassle.

2. Know What You Can Afford and Your Loan Options 
Before negotiating, it’s also important to know exactly how much you can afford. But don’t max out your budget. Experts also advise not extending the term beyond the standard five years to bring monthly payments down. More manufacturers and dealers are now offering 7-year car loans; for a $20,000 car, the loan would rack up an additional $5,335 in interest.

And investigate loan options before hitting the showroom. Often, credit unions offer favorable automobile financing, Chan said. If opting for dealer financing, make sure you know what interest rate you should be paying before signing, he said.

3. Consider Older Model Years
When the 2009 models come out and 2008 cars are still on the lot, the older new cars can be bought at a decent discount for good reason — their age will cause them to depreciate faster. Two months before the release of the 2009 Toyota Camry, the 2008 model was being sold to consumers for an average of 5.32% below the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, Chan said. But during February 2008, when the new model was released, the 2008 model was being sold for an average 10.39% below MSRP.

4. Negotiate Before Incentives
Get down to a good price before adding an incentive, even if adding a manufacturer’s rebate pushes the price below invoice. In fact, keep all the transactions separate — negotiating the price before the financing and the trade-in value. You’ll often get the most for your vehicle if you sell it yourself. But if you decide to trade in your old vehicle, use the Internet to learn what it’s worth. You can simply ask AutoBragBlog.com for your used car value.

5. Don’t Cave To Pressure
It’s a buyer’s market, so don’t be intimidated and be aggressive in your negotiating. If the salesmen won’t budge and you can’t get the price you want, be prepared to walk away and try another dealership, Chan said. He also recommends not paying for extras such as paint protection; dealers often put a huge mark-up on this extra, and you may be better off having it done somewhere else.