As we get closer to Memorial Day weekend, there’s closer focus on gas prices for the heavily-traveled holiday period.  For the moment at least, fuel flows about 25 cents cheaper per gallon than this time in 2011, according to AAA.  That’s also about the current price gap between regular and premium, give or take.

Some drivers are doubling-down their savings.  They’ve stopped running higher-grade gas in favor of the lower-octane option.  Though as the Los Angeles Times cautions, saving a little now could come back to haunt motorists down the road.

Engine knock, characterized by a metallic pinging sound, can occur when an engine is under load and things get out of sync in the combustion chamber, with misfiring low-grade gas often the catalyst, so to speak.  It’s not a beautiful noise, and it’s not at all good for an engine’s health.

Cars today are equipped with knock sensors to prevent or least minimize this through dynamic engine timing.  So when an engine designed to benefit from premium fuel runs on regular, the immediate driver’s seat translation can be less responsive acceleration and slightly lower gas mileage.  Some drivers, having done the math, find they still come out ahead and are willing to sacrifice some horsepower in the process.

Long-term effects are less certain.  Knock sensors, however well they function new, may not perform to the same level after tens of thousands of miles.  Less effective engine management could open the door to internal damage.

Perfect opportunity for a large-scale experiment?  Possibly.  But as Harold Schock, director of the Engines and Automotive Research Labs at Michigan State University told the Times, don’t expect it to happen.  Even the EPA isn’t about to test how a couple hundred cars fare on different types of gas, short-term and long-term.

There’s nothing stopping consumers from trying it on their own cars, though.  The consensus is to check the owner’s manual first.  There, Schock says, you’ll find “the best set of practices for…the longest life and the best performance.”

If the manual suggests premium fuel is recommended, you can probably segue to the cheaper stuff without any drama.  If it reveals premium is required, you probably shouldn’t tempt matters.

If it’s any consolation–especially to the latter crowd–the interviewed engineers agree there’s more to be saved through proper maintenance and sensible driving than cheaper gas can deliver.  Besides, a 25-cent per gallon difference on a 15-gallon fill-up only amounts to $3.75.  Something to ponder over that $6 cup of coffee.

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This story originally appeared at The Car Connection.

Although many consumers might still be unfamiliar with stop-start technology, once they learn how it works and the potential benefits, a new survey finds that 97 percent of Americans say they’d accept it.

Briefly, stop-start technology automatically shuts off the engine during idle and restarts it when the brake pedal is released or the clutch engaged.

The survey, conducted in a series of eight focus groups in four U.S. cities, was commissioned by Johnson Controls, a leading supplier of automotive batteries.  Most of the respondents said they liked the idea of saving on fuel costs, while 25 percent said stop-start technology “just makes sense.”

How much were consumers surveyed willing to pay for such a system? More than one-third said that for a 5-percent improvement in fuel economy, they’d be willing to pay up to $500.

Vehicles With Stop-Start

As automakers try to comply with increasingly stringent Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards – 35.5 mpg by 2016 and 54.5 mpg by 2025—the incorporation of start-stop systems in mainstream non-hybrid vehicles is likely to take hold.

Now, annual production is about 3 million, and that’s mostly in the European market. That’s expected to grow to 35 million worldwide by 2025.

Which vehicles are available today with the technology? Originally offered in some luxury models from BMW and Mercedes-Benz, stop-start technology will be available on the new 2013 Ford Fusion mid-size sedan and the 2013 Kia Rio subcompact. The 2013 Porsche 911 will also get the technology.

As for the price point of the system in mainstream cars, Auto Start Stop in the 2013 Ford Fusion costs $295 and is available as an option with the 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine. Fuel economy is projected to be 26 mpg city/37 mpg highway.

In the case of the Kia Rio, the technology was supposed to deploy in late 2012 model year, but has been moved to the 2013 Rio as part of the Eco package. Pricing for the Eco package is $400, but it also requires the $1,150 Convenience package. Fuel economy is 31 mpg city/40 mpg highway, although commuters navigating through highly congested stop-and-go conditions may see 10-percent improvement (compared to Rios without stop-start). Read more about the 2013 Rio in this review.

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This story originally appeared at The Car Connection.

Progress in technological advancements, easy and instant access to information and entertainment, and a host of other new and better items to make everyone’s life more convenient on-demand: It’s all good, right? Who really longs for the good old days anymore—the days when kids played stickball and kick-the-can and jump rope in the streets?

Over the years since most of adult Americans were born, something changed rather dramatically. The streets became an unfriendly place for children, so much so that parents increasingly opted to drive their kids to and from every possible destination.

This may be having a profound effect in how today’s kids not only view their surrounding environment but also how they learn how to function in society.

Sound far-fetched? According to a recent article in The Atlantic Cities, kids who get driven everywhere have difficulty connecting with their neighbors and community. The article goes on to say that these children don’t even know where they’re going, citing work by Bruce Appleyard, the son of urbanist researcher Donald Appleyard, who’s been looking into how children’s constant exposure to traffic affects their perception and understanding of their “home territory.”

Appleyard studied and worked with children in two suburban communities, one with light traffic and infrastructure conducive to the kids walking and biking to school on their own, and the other with heavy traffic where the kids traveled almost exclusively by car. Using a technique called cognitive mapping, Appleyard encouraged the children to draw maps of their neighborhoods, showing places like school and the houses of their friends, as well as marking places they liked or disliked.

Not surprisingly, the results of the study showed dramatic differences between the children’s perspectives. In heavy traffic neighborhoods, the kids expressed feelings of dislike and danger, drawing little detail of their surroundings. In contrast, kids in light traffic neighborhoods drew rich detail, more places they liked, and fewer cars or signs of danger.

What’s the take-away from this? Is there anything that can be done to change our high-traffic neighborhoods and encourage children to once again walk or bike to school? Appleyard points out that there are groups and programs committed to helping communities improve infrastructure and make streets and sidewalks safer for kids.

One such group is Safe Routes to School, which began research on children safely walking and bicycling to school in the early 1970s. The first modern safe routes to school program began in 1997 in the Bronx, New York.

In 2005, Congress passed federal legislation establishing a National Safe Routes to Schools program. The Federal Highway Administration administers the funds to states to use in infrastructure projects and non-infrastructure activities.

What programs such as Safe Routes to School can do is to help communities build sidewalks, pedestrian paths and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, reduce speeds in school zones and neighborhoods, address distracted driving among drivers of all ages, and educate generations on pedestrian and bicycle safety.

With a goal of creating safer and more pedestrian-friendly streets and neighborhoods for our kids, parents and communities can help children begin to view their home turf, at least, as a much more kid-friendly environment. If the research is on point, this small but very important change may give them a boost in learning how to be more functional members of society.

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This story originally appeared at The Car Connection.

America is in the midst of graduation season, which can only mean one thing: High school graduates across the country are motoring around in their very first cars, taking their first road trips, and buying their first (and last) air-fresheners disguised as fuzzy pairs of dice.

But along with those joys comes another, less pleasant first: the very first breakdown. How will your teen driver perform in the face of adversity? The folks at AutoMD put together a quick checklist to help them through the rough patch, and we’re going to share it with you, along with a suggestion of two of our own.

(Note: This list is directed at novices, but it really applies to drivers at every level of experience. Have a look. You might learn something.)

1. First things first: get your car off the road. Even when things go seriously wrong, moving vehicles don’t usually stop working entirely, so hopefully, you’ll have some time and momentum to get your car to the side of the road. (If not, turn on your hazard lights and skip to step 2; don’t get out of the car while it’s stranded in traffic, especially if you’re stuck on a busy highway.) When you reach the side of the road, put the car in park, engage the emergency brake, and spin your steering wheel away from the road. That way, your car won’t accidentally roll out into oncoming traffic. Turn on your hazard lights, too.

2. Call for help. According to the Pew Research Center, about 77% of American teens have cell phones, so odds are good that this won’t be a problem. (For the remaining 23% of teens, parents might consider stowing a limited-function feature phone in the glove box, just for emergencies. Or you could purchase a roadside assistance device like OnStar FMV, which is now on sale for $99.)

3. Let other drivers know that you’re in trouble. Hazard lights are a start, but they don’t necessarily shout to the world that you’re having car problems. (For example, you might’ve pulled over to take a call.) If you can get out of the car safely and if you have road flares available, place a couple of them about 50 feet behind your car. Raising the hood isn’t a bad idea, either.

4. Stay with the car. For at least two reasons, it’s usually best if you stay with your vehicle. First, if you’ve called AAA or another roadside service, they typically can’t do anything to a vehicle without the driver present. And second, as we mentioned above, roadways are dangerous places for people on foot — in fact, about 4,000 pedestrians are killed each year in the U.S. The situation is far more deadly when cars are flying by at 60 or 70 miles per hour.

5. Now probably isn’t the time to take a blind stab at auto repair. If you’ve got some tinkering experience, you might be able to identify a loose battery cable, but if your problem is a flat tire and you’ve never changed one before, leave it be unless the situation becomes desperate. Changing tires can be tricky, even under ideal conditions — and frankly, perched on the shoulder of a highway isn’t what we’d call “ideal”. If you do know how to change a tire, proceed with caution. In the best of all possible worlds, you’d wait until a police officer shows up, just to help slow down traffic.

6. Use common sense. Every breakdown is different, depending on where you are, what you’re driving, the time of day, the underlying problem, and so on. For example, if you’re on a quiet stretch of road and you know what’s wrong — say, for example, you ran out of gas and you’re certain there’s a gas station nearby — it’s probably okay to ignore item #4 and hoof it. Just exercise caution, and don’t exit the car on the same side as traffic is flowing.

7. Be wary of strangers. Your parents probably told you that a thousand times when you were young, but it bears repeating. There are plenty of good Samaritans out there, eager to help folks in trouble. However, there are also a handful of bad eggs that can really spell trouble. If a stranger pulls over and offers help, it’s probably best to remain in the car with the doors locked. Roll down the window a bit and tell them that help is on the way. Call the police if need be. Sorry if it seems that we’ve lost all faith in humanity, but if you’ve ever been to a cutthroat garage sale, your views are probably a little jaundiced, too.

Got any other tips for folks experiencing their first breakdown? Drop us a line, or leave a note in the comments below.

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This story originally appeared at The Car Connection.

DEFEND YOUR RIDE: J.J. In Mount Washingtonview gallery

“It’s the best car I’ve ever had.”

The Ride

The Driver: J.J.

Car in Question: White 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier

Spotted at: Grandview Avenue, Mt. Washington, Pittsburgh, PA 15211

Odometer: 226,630

Car’s Nickname: Old Reliable

THE DEFENSE

Photos and interview by Sarah Beth Martin

Are you ready to Defend Your Ride? If so, email localautos@cbs.com with “Defend Your Ride Pittsburgh” in the subject line for submission details.

View previous Defend Your Ride features as well as other great stories for people who love cars at CBSPittsburgh.com/Autos. 

DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Ian Rosenberger From Survivor Palau At Highland Parkview gallery

“My car may look small, but it fits my 6-foot-7 frame just fine.”

The Ride

The Driver: Ian Rosenberger

Car in Question: 2010 Toyota Prius

Spotted at: Highland Park Reservoir, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Odometer: 28,300

Car’s Nickname: Anita

THE DEFENSE

Ian Rosenberger is a former contestant of Survivor Palau, which premiered in February 2005 and was the 10th season of the Survivor series. He was second runner up, lasting 38 days of the 39-day competition. Today Rosenberger helps run Team Tassy, a non-profit dedicated to helping the earthquake victims of Haiti.

View previous Defend Your Ride features as well as other great stories for people who love cars at CBSPittsburgh.com/Autos. 

(Defend Your Ride Pittsburgh photos and interview by Katherine Brown Sutton)

There are many routes to outstanding fuel efficiency, but it’s often diesel that’s chosen to demonstrate the highest mpg numbers and longest distances.

Mileage experts Helen and John Taylor achieved both, to become the world record holders for the longest distance driven on one tank of fuel, using a Volkswagen Passat TDI.

In driving from Houston, Texas to Sterling, Virginia, the Taylors drove 1,626 miles on a single 19.322 gallon fill of clean diesel. That equates to an average economy figure of 84.1 miles per gallon.

The Taylors were determined to make it a proper test too, rather than making it too easy. To that end, all the driving was done during the day in normal traffic conditions, rather than at night. The car was completely standard–a 140hp, 2.0-liter TDI, with a six-speed manual transmission–with 120 pounds of luggage in the trunk. The Taylors took turns at driving, and drove no more than 14 hours per day.

To ensure the test was conducted accurately, the speedometer was correctly calibrated for accuracy, recording parity at 20, 50 and 70 mph. The odometer was reading slightly under, so all figures were corrected to maintain accuracy.

The fuel used was verified by Senior Police Officer Daniel M. Rodriguez in Texas, then sealed and signed. Motel managers along the route also signed to confirm the seal was still intact, before it was finally signed for and removed by Deputy Sheriff Alonzo Perry at the end of the drive.

The Passat’s 84 mpg rating by the end of the drive is nearly double that rated by the EPA, with an official highway figure of 43 mpg. Many Volkswagen diesel drivers have found that the EPA figures for their cars are slightly pessimistic, and average economy figures of more than 40 mpg aren’t uncommon.

The Taylors’ endeavor has earned them a place in the record books, but we wouldn’t put it past the next record being in a Passat TDI too. The previous record-holder, at 1,526.6 miles, was also a Passat–the 1.6 TDI BlueMotion model, sold in Europe.

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This story originally appeared at Green Car Reports.

2012 Hyundai Veloster

(credit: Hyundai)

Nice butt. Here’s the sporty, yet practical Veloster from Hyundai with three doors and a hatchback.

Its rear end is one of the nicest on any vehicle at any price. I’ve had more people stop and gawk at the Veloster in my driveway than any vehicle in a long time. Boy has Hyundai come a long way, in styling and reliability.

The style package has some sweet looking 18-inch wheels, fog lights, a panoramic roof and a good sounding eight speaker sound system.

If you go for the tech package you get rear parking sensors, a nav system with a seven inch touch screen a much needed rear camera, keyless ignition and much more. A really good bargain. The tech package will set you back $2,000.

The interior is tastefully done. A lot of tech for your dollar. The navigation system is easy to program and the seven inch touch screen looks great. Bluetooth set up is a snap. The steering wheel controls are a no brainer. The interior quality is impressive.

This is a new 1.6-liter direct-injected inline-4 that makes 138 horsepower. And great news! There’s a turbo charged version in the pipeline that will crank out 201 horsepower. The manual six speed is pretty tight feeling with good clutch action. You can spend more and get a duel clutch automatic with steering wheel shift paddles.

The Veloster borrows some of its underside from the Elantra Sedan, and that’s a good thing.

Rear visibility isn’t great. Form over function folks. The rear camera is a wise purchase. The only other complaint is that the Veloster is a tad noisy on the highway. The fact that you get 40 miles per gallon on the highway makes up for all the racket. That and a starting price of $17,300.00.

Mike West

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

(credit: Chevrolet)

This is the 2013 Malibu Eco, the most fuel efficient Malibu ever that delivers 37 miles per gallon on the highway 25 city.

The Eco has a sticker price of $29,380 dollars. For that, you get a lot of car, filled with a lot of technology. And it’s pretty good looking with styling cues taken from the Camaro, and a little bit of a BMW in the rear section.

Under the hood, there’s an all in one generator/motor connected to 32 lithium-ion cells housed in a battery pack behind the back seat. The electric motor gives you 15 more horses to play with. Switching between the 2.4 liter four cylinder engine to E-Assist is seamless. And so is the transition from auto stop to power.

The Malibu is proudly built by the men and women of Kansas City, KS.

I am a big fan of the interior and the quality of materials is first rate. Even the steering wheel feels great in your hands. The styling of the gauge cluster again inspired by The Camaro.

And then there’s My Link, which is standard on the Eco version. This is a nice touch. Flip a button and behind the seven inch screen is a place to store your cell phone or other valuables. You get an AM FM stereo with CD and MP3 playback, hooked up to a nice sounding Pioneer 8 speaker sound system. The cabin is a very nice place to be including the optional leather seats.

The eighth generation Malibu is a smooth, quiet and refined automobile with extensive use of sound blocking and sound absorbing materials and a starting price of around $26,000. The Chevy Malibu has been around since 1964. It was a pretty sweet car in the ’60s. The late ’70s and ’80s, not too sweet. This new generation Malibu is a car that does Chevrolet proud.

Mike West

DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Michelle At Highland Park Reservoirview gallery

“I was coming home about five in the afternoon and a drunk driver drove into my lane.”

The Ride

The Driver: Michelle

Car in Question: 2001 Honda Accord

Spotted at: Highland Park Reservoir, 201 Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Odometer: 105,201

THE DEFENSE

Photos and interview by Katherine Brown Sutton

Are you ready to Defend Your Ride? If so, email localautos@cbs.com with “Defend Your Ride Pittsburgh” in the subject line for submission details.

View previous Defend Your Ride features as well as other great stories for people who love cars at CBSPittsburgh.com/Autos. 

Last week, we told you about a proposal from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that would require brake-override systems on new vehicles. But there’s more change afoot in D.C.: according to Mashable, legislation has passed in the U.S. Senate that would mandate the installation of black box data recorders too, beginning with the 2015 model year.

The exact verbiage can be found in Section 31406 of S.B. 1813*, and it goes something like this:

“Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall revise part 563 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to require, beginning with model year 2015, that new passenger motor vehicles sold in the United States be equipped with an event data recorder that meets the requirements under that part.”

While the devices would clearly benefit law enforcement agencies and insurance companies, they’re also meant to help NHTSA evaluate customer complaints about specific vehicles. For example, data recorders could’ve cut through some of the confusion and panic surrounding 2010′s Toyota/Lexus recall fiasco. (Though we’re not sure that the floormat issue would’ve been caught with black boxes.)

Our take

Black boxes are already being tested on European cars. From where we sit, though, there are at least two major hurdles facing the installation of data recorders on American vehicles: privacy and cost.

The Senate bill addresses the former pretty clearly, stating that owners and lessees have sole ownership of their black box data, unless (a) the owner/lessee consents to share it, (b) it’s subpoenaed by a court, or (c) there’s a life-threatening accident, like a collision.

Cost is a different matter. The bill simply says that within two years, the Secretary of Transportation must report to Congress on the cost of the data recorders, but by that time, the 2015 model year will be mere months away. Even if the recorders are discovered to be cost-prohibitive, workers at factories around the globe will already be installing them. We suppose NHTSA will have to cross that bridge when it comes to it.

Of course, for any of this bill to pan out, it’ll have to pass the House too. Mashable thinks that’s likely to happen, but given the state of Capitol Hill these days, we’re slightly less certain.

Take a look at the news clip below and let us know: do you think mandating data recorders is a great idea, a terrible idea, or somewhere in-between?

* The entire bill is a really interesting read, if you’ve got nothing better to do on a Friday.

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This story originally appeared at The Car Connection.

Is it time to call the car industry recovered? In April, automakers sold vehicles at a rate that analysts say will only get better as dealers head into the spring selling season.

Sales numbers are being reported today from around the auto industry, and early on, some of the strongest numbers are coming from Chrysler. The automaker, in alliance with Fiat, says its sales were up 20 percent over a year ago, on the strength of new model lines.

Elsewhere in Detroit, Ford’s sales were off by 5 percent, while General Motors watched its sales drop 8 percent. Both were in line with expectations. Among other big automakers, Volkswagen posted a 31.5-percent increase, while Toyota rebounded from its year-ago stagger after the March 11 earthquake, reporting a 25.5-percent rise in sales for the month.

April’s strong numbers weren’t quite as brisk as those in March, when automakers posted a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 14.4 million sales. Though still far off the all-time peak of 16.9 million units, the SAAR posted so far this year is approaching the 14.9 million units registered in 2008, the year the industry faced the full brunt of the financial crisis.

Sales are expected to continue to improve, according to analysts J.D. Power and Associates. April’s numbers sometimes are misleading because of the long Easter holiday, says John Humphrey, Power’s senior vice president of global automotive operations, but “the signs of sustained growth are evident.”

Power estimates April 2012′s SAAR at 13.8 million units, down slightly from March 2012′s 14.4 million but up significantly from April 2011′s SAAR of 13.2 million units–with an accompanying 8-percent increase in retail sales, Power notes in a release.

For the year, Power estimates the industry will post a SAAR of 14.3 million units, with 11.5 million of those being at the retail level.

The totals for April 2012, as reported by the automakers:

General Motors: GM (NYSE: GM) says its April sales of 213,387 vehicles marked an 8-percent slide in the U.S. market, though retail sales were roughly equal to those in the period a year before. Chevrolet sales of 155,487 units were down 8.4 percent; GMC’s 32,603 units sold marked an increase of 4.5 percent. Buick sold 15,446 vehicles for a 16.1-percent slide over April 2011, and Cadillac sales fell 25 percent from the year-ago period to 9,851 units.

Ford: Ford (NYSE: F) reports its sales of 180,350 vehicles in April were 5 percent lower than the same period in 2011. The Ford brand’s total of 174,042 units accounted for a 4.7-percent drop from 182,542 sales a year ago; Lincoln’s sales of 6,308 vehicles were off 12.8 percent from last April’s 7,236 units.

Toyota / Lexus / Scion: Toyota says it sold a total of 178,044 vehicles last month, for a 25.5-percent increase over April of 2011–the month after the tragic earthquake in northern Japan. Of the total, some 160,493 units were sold as Toyotas, a 27.2-percent rise; Lexus sales were up 12.3 percent to 17,551 units; and Scion was up 8.4 percent at 5,503 units.

Chrysler: The sole domestic-branded automaker to report increased sales, Chrysler says it moved 141,165 vehicles in April, up 20 percent from April 2011. The Chrysler brand was up 56 percent at 31,879 vehicles sold, behind a 138-percent increase by the 300 sedan; Jeep rose 19 percent to 38,684 units with the Wrangler up 35 percent. Dodge rose just 2 percent to 45,248 units sold, while Ram trucks accounted for 21,505 sales, an increase of 12 percent. Fiat sold 3,849 500 hatchbacks on the month, with generous incentives helping the brand get much closer to its initial sales targets.

Honda / Acura: Honda sold a total of 122,012 vehicles in April, up 10 percent over its year-ago totals. The Honda brand accounted for 109,837 vehicles, up 9.2 percent; Acura was up 18 percent, to 12,175 units.

Nissan / Infiniti: Nissan says it sold 71,329 vehicles in April, off 0.3 percent from April of 2011. The Nissan brand was off 8.9 percent to 64,200 units, and sales of the electric Leaf were down sharply; Infiniti was up 5.4 percent to 7,129 vehicles sold.

Hyundai: Hyundai’s CEO John Krafcik reports via Twitter that “Hyundai’s April sales 62K+, up 1%. New 3rd shift (Sept.) at our Alabama plant will help us grow Elantra/Sonata to better meet demand. ^jfk” A total of 62,264 vehicles set a new April record for the automaker, and its new Veloster hatchback moved more than 3000 units–nearly as many as its Genesis luxury sedan.

Kia: Kia sales of 47,550 units set a new April sales record, at just a few hundred units over last April’s 47,074 units.

Volkswagen: Volkswagen sales rose 31.5 percent on the month, the brand’s best sales numbers since 1971. Jetta sales fell 7.6 percent, but the Passat sold 10,096 units–while the Routan fell to just 908 copies moved.

Mazda: Sales of 21,506 vehicles helped Mazda to a 4.2-percent sales gain in April over the year-ago period.

Mercedes-Benz: MBUSA reports sales of 22,336 vehicles in April, for a 23.8-percent increase over the same period last year.

BMW / MINI: Combined sales of BMW and MINI vehicles in the U.S. totaled 26,793 units in April, up 6.1 percent from April 2011. BMW accounted for 21,062 units of the total, up 12 percent; MINI sold 5,731 units last month, down 11.1 percent, though it notes the brand is up 6 percent on the year.

Subaru: Subaru says it sold 26,310 vehicles in April, up 6 percent on the month. On the year, it’s up 16 percent, with the 2012 Impreza leading the charge–up 124 percent in April alone.

Audi: Audi says it sold 11,521 vehicles in April, up 15 percent on the month, and its 16th consecutive monthly sales record.

Mitsubishi: Sales at the Japanese automaker totaled 5,280 units, down 34.7 percent versus April 2011.

Volvo: Volvo sales fell 24.3 percent to 4,847 units; on the year, the brand is down 2.7 percent.

Jaguar/Land Rover: The combined British brands sold 4,365 vehicles in April, up 3 percent over last April. Land Rover sales were up 10 percent to 3,292 units; Jaguar was down on the month 14 percent, to 1,073 vehicles.

Porsche: Porsche sales of 3,437 vehicles in April were up 4 percent over a year ago.

Suzuki:Suzuki sold 1,774 vehicles in April, off 17 percent.

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This story originally appeared at The Car Connection.

There’s nothing worse than having to get a car repair done, and then it costs too much and/or isn’t done properly. Not surprisingly, these are the top two complaints of respondents in a new survey from Consumer Reports.

Of the 13 reasons given for being less than “very” or “completely satisfied” with a repair, after price too high (38 percent) and did not fix problem properly (28 percent), the next three highest were: took longer than expected to complete the work (21 percent), had to bring the car back because the repair did not “hold up” (18 percent), and price was more than originally estimated (11 percent).

In fact, the entire list of reasons for customer dissatisfaction with car repairs reads like a litany of complaints that many a household experiences. We’re all holding on to our vehicles longer, nearly six years, on average. That means more eventual trips to the dealership or independent shop or franchise chain such as Midas or Sears for repair work of a major or minor nature.

In the latest survey, Consumer Reports for the first time recontacted some 5,400 respondents to ask about their specific car repair gripes. Dealerships came out on the worst end here relative to high prices, with 42 percent of respondents, while independent shops were at 32 percent. As for the problem not being fixed properly, the criticism reported was at the same rate for both dealerships and independent shops.

Another interesting survey finding is that most car owners are taking their vehicles to independent shops for repairs, rather than dealerships. This is consistent with past years’ findings. Who prefers independents the most? According to the survey, owners of Chrysler, Dodge, Jaguar, Jeep, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo are less satisfied with dealership repairs than owners of most other vehicle brands.

Reasons cited for ditching a mechanic

Delving a bit deeper into recontacted consumers’ dissatisfaction with a shop, the reasons for switching to another shop was similar to their top complaints about car repairs. Here, however, the number one and two reasons were reversed. Fifty percent said the problem wasn’t fixed properly and 34 percent said the price was too high.

Tied for third place, at 23 percent each, were “had to bring the car back because the repair did not ‘hold up,’ and “sold me unnecessary parts or service.” Next came a three-way tie, at 19 percent each, for “treated poorly by staff,” “took longer than expected to complete the work,” and “price was more than originally estimated.”

What consumers can do to get car repairs done right

It’s one thing to complain about high prices and shoddy repair work, but what can consumers do about it? Consumer Reports offers five tips to aid in getting car repairs done right:

• Describe the problem fully. Be specific on when, where, under what circumstances, and what you see, hear and smell when the problem occurs.
• Forget offering a diagnosis. You’re not a mechanic, and you might incur needless repair charges for the mechanic trying to fix your idea of what might be causing the problem.
• Ask for a test drive with the mechanic – if the problem only occurs when the car is moving.
• Be sure to get an estimate. This way, you have a base-line for what the repair should cost. Request the shop call you for approval if the repair is expected to go over the estimate.
• Look at the evidence. Ask to see the old parts, especially if you’re not happy with the diagnosis.

We might add one more point to consider. If you have to bring your car back numerous times for the exact same problem, and it remains unfixed, you must document everything properly, including getting written estimates and copies of repairs performed, so that you have evidence to support a claim under your state’s Lemon Law statute.

Finally, and this goes without saying – but we’ll say it anyway, if you manage to find a mechanic or shop that you trust and that consistently does excellent work, keep using them. Done right the first time and at a fair price should be right at the top of your must-have list for car repairs.

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This story originally appeared at Family Car Guide.

When it comes to innovations in safety and driver aids, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volvo, and a few other brands have long led the way, particularly in the realm of the use of technology to those ends. But the latest and greatest innovations in the field are often limited to a handful of the upper-tier cars from each brand, or at the least, beyond the reach of those that aren’t buying luxury brands.

That may soon change, at least in regard to driver alertness technology. Mercedes-Benz and Volvo have had their own driver alertness monitoring/warning systems for several years now, but Bosch has just announced its own system, which may see the technology expand into the mainstream.

Bosch is one of the industry’s largest suppliers, providing components and systems for many of the best cars on the road–including the likes of Mercedes, BMW, and Volvo. The Bosch Drowsiness Detection System is its own solution to the driver alertness issue, and can be implemented in nearly any car, with the right equipment. It uses information from either the electric power steering system or the stability control system to evaluate driver inputs and look for signs of drowsiness. Using the existing sensors means expensive radar- or camera-based sensors aren’t required, lowering the cost and making it more suitable to less-expensive cars.

One of the first to feature the new Drowsiness Detection System is the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack, unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show last November, and shown in the U.S. as a concept at the 2012 New York Auto Show–it’s not yet settled whether the Alltrack will be sold in the U.S.

But the real question is, with high-tech safety systems becoming more commoditized, with the Drowsiness Detection System as an example, are we primed for a wider prevalence of what was once the province of the upper tier of the luxury market–even just a few years ago? Perhaps. We’ve already seen similar widespread implementation of navigation, voice controls, and other once-high-tech features.

Modern CAN (Controller Area Network) bus systems sharing information on the fly and offering a modular upgrade capability make adding a system like Bosche’s a matter of tapping into the network and sending the proper messages once the hardware is in place. And with supplier production and the resultant volume, prices will likely fall, making it more accessible.

______________________________________

This story originally appeared at Motor Authority.

Click below for my review…

The Tiguan features a well laid out dash and comfortable and supportive seats.

Vinnie Richichi has been driving vehicles of all kinds and covering the automotive scene for over 20 years. His Drivetime-radio vehicle reviews have aired on radio stations across the US as well as his website www.drivetime-radio.com. You can hear Vinnie weekdays on The Vinnie and Cook Show on Sportsradio 93-7 The Fan.

Well you know it’s going to be safe and well built. But, what the 2012 XC60 also gives you is a lot of style.

The days of the boxy Volvo are going by the wayside in favor of sharp angles and muscular wheel wells. Volvo manages in their smallest SUV/wagon to marry up style and safety in a nice five-passenger package that gives you as much peace of mind as you can buy in the automotive world.

Click below for my review.

For more information: http://www.volvocars.com/us/all-cars/volvo-xc60/Pages/default.aspx

Vinnie Richichi has been driving vehicles of all kinds and covering the automotive scene for over 20 years. His Drivetime-radio vehicle reviews have aired on radio stations across the US as well as his website www.drivetime-radio.com. You can hear Vinnie weekdays on The Vinnie and Cook Show on Sportsradio 93-7 The Fan.

DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Angelina At Fox Chapel Yacht Clubview gallery

“I have a little button to turn on 20 different colored LED lights that circulate while you drive.”

The Ride

The Driver: Angelina

Car in Question: 2009 Nissan Cube

Spotted at: Fox Chapel Yacht Club, 1366 Old Freeport Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238

Odometer: 35,808

Car’s Nickname: Cubert

THE DEFENSE

Photos and interview by Katherine Brown Sutton

Are you ready to Defend Your Ride? If so, email localautos@cbs.com with “Defend Your Ride Pittsburgh” in the subject line for submission details.

View previous Defend Your Ride features as well as other great stories for people who love cars at CBSPittsburgh.com/Autos. 

It’s all of the style, personality and engineering of the bigger Audis in a package that fits in a small garage.

Fun to drive and torquey the Audi A3 TDI is another chapter in Audi’s book of spectacular station wagons that give you a lot of room while never letting you lose interest behind the wheel!

Oh, and did I mention it’s pretty darn green with that TDI  diesel engine that gives you low emissions and 42 mpg highway. Yeah, pretty darn green!

Click below for my review

For more information: www.http://models.audiusa.com/a3?csref=75483530250853401

Vinnie Richichi has been driving vehicles of all kinds and covering the automotive scene for over 20 years. His Drivetime-radio vehicle reviews have aired on radio stations across the US as well as his website www.drivetime-radio.com. You can hear Vinnie weekdays on The Vinnie and Cook Show on Sportsradio 93-7 The Fan.

Photo Credit Audi of America

Today, 10 states and several U.S. territories have banned the use of hand-held mobile phones by drivers. The thinking behind those laws is that folks need to keep their hands on the wheel, and trying to fumble with a mobile device is a major distraction.

But we have to wonder: have state legislatures missed the point? Is it the device that’s the problem, or is the conversation itself?

As we enter the final week of National Distracted Driving Awareness month, we thought it was a good time to take a look at the evidence.

LaHood: Hand-held devices are the problem

Earlier this year, California’s Office of Traffic Safety released the results of a study conducted by the Safe Transportation Research and Education Center at the University of California, Berkeley (PDF). That study looked at California’s traffic fatality statistics since the state enacted a ban on hand-held calls in July, 2008.

The findings were encouraging. Overall, traffic deaths fell 22% (in keeping with the national trend), but deaths linked to drivers using hand-held devices plummeted 47%.

Findings like that help to explain why Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has focused so much of his attention on banning hand-held devices, while giving a thumbs-up to gadgets that enable hands-free calling.

In fact, when the National Transportation Safety Board proposed banning all calls for drivers — both hand-held and hands-free — LaHood basically threw the Board under the bus, saying that hands-free calls aren’t such a big deal. Specifically, he said ”The problem is not hands-free…. That is not the big problem in America.”

NTSB: The conversation is the distraction, not the device

But the NTSB isn’t giving up. Earlier this month, the Board defended its proposed ban on drivers taking any calls at all. Board member Robert Sumwalt pointed to data that shows talking on a mobile device — either hand-held or hands-free — increases the likelihood of an accident by four times.

“But what about the data from California?” some might ask. “Doesn’t that prove that hand-held devices are dangerous?”

It does, indeed. But it doesn’t show that hands-free devices are necessarily safer. Who’s to say that if California had outlawed drivers from taking any calls behind the wheel that traffic fatalities wouldn’t have dropped another 47%?

The problem, of course, is that no state in the nation has such a law on its book, so we don’t have any real-world data to examine. In fact, only one municipality has such a law — Chapel Hill, North Carolina — and that was enacted just last month.

Our take

Driving isn’t a right, it’s a privilege, and with that privilege come certain responsibilities.

Late last year, the Governors Highway Safety Association published a study showing that few of us take those responsibilities very seriously. In fact, we’re distracted behind the wheel 25% – 50% of the time.

The biggest distraction of all involves conversing with passengers, but as studies have shown (PDF), that’s actually less dangerous than chatting on a mobile phone.

In the best of all possible worlds, drivers would stow their mobile devices while driving. It’s what Oprah recommends, and unlike some of her dodgy book club picks, we stand by her on this one.

But while texting behind the wheel is always a bad idea, we understand that there are times when you have to take an important call — someone’s in the hospital, a child is ill, you’re picking up a friend at the airport, whatever.

If you can pull over to take that call, do. If you can’t manage that, take the call hand-free — either through an in-dash system like Ford Sync, or simply via a clip that holds your phone in place. Using a Bluetooth headset is okay, but in our books, that’s really just another device liable to fall to the floorboard.

And of course, take some responsibility for your kids. Make them use an app like DriveSafe.ly that limits their ability to call or text while driving. If they don’t have a smartphone, that’s no problem: Cellcontrol has created a system that works similarly for some feature phones.

Be safe, be thoughtful, be responsible. That’s the best any of us can do — during Distracted Driving Awareness month, or any month for that matter.

____________________________

This story originally appeared at The Car Connection.

Instead of being a car that grandpa might drive, the Verano looks and feels like it would be much more comfortable living in the garage of the 30 something car buyer that is looking for luxury but not looking to pay the luxury car price.

Fully loaded, the Verano doesn’t go over the $30,000 mark yet comes with things like a heated steering wheel and Bose sound system, options that you would expect to find in a car north of  $35,000.

Buick expects the Verano to go toe to toe with the imports in the same class and I think it does a pretty good job of doing just that.

Click below to hear my review…

The 2012 Verano interior with two tone leather

For more information:http://www.buick.com/verano-luxury-sedan.html

Vinnie Richichi has been driving vehicles of all kinds and covering the automotive scene for over 20 years. His Drivetime-radio vehicle reviews have aired on radio stations across the US as well as his website www.drivetime-radio.com. You can hear Vinnie weekdays on The Vinnie and Cook Show on Sportsradio 93-7 The Fan.

DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Thomas At The Churchill Valley Country Clubview gallery

“After surviving two accidents, I refer to my truck as Ironman.”

The Ride

The Driver: Thomas

Car in Question: 2007 Izuzu Truck

Spotted at: Churchill Valley Country Club, 800 Beulah Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15235

Odometer: 78,201

Car’s Nickname: Ironman

THE DEFENSE

Photos and interview by Katherine Brown Sutton

Are you ready to Defend Your Ride? If so, email localautos@cbs.com with “Defend Your Ride Pittsburgh” in the subject line for submission details.

View previous Defend Your Ride features as well as other great stories for people who love cars at CBSPittsburgh.com/Autos. 

2012 Nissan Juke

(credit: Nissan)

This isn’t your ho hum Nissan product. The styling is in your face with touches like turn signal indicators in the upper front fenders. Hidden black covered rear door handles and rear lights that look like a cross between a Volvo and a Nissan Z.

Motorcycles inspired Nissan designers. The center consol looks like a fuel tank.

There’s room for five adults, but only the front seat passengers will be comfortable. It’s pretty tight in the back.  60/40 fold-down 2nd row seats help because there’s not a lot of storage here, unless you are using your Juke for grocery store runs.

Back to the dashboard. Nissan calls this system I Con for integrated control. It’s a double duty display for driving mode and climate control. So you push either the D Mode or Climate depending on what you need from your Juke. Pretty slick. Here’s the boost gauge in action.

The engine is not fast, but it’s no slug either. Gas mileage is a little disappointing for this front engine all wheel drive looker. The Juke is rated at 25 city 30 highway.

I like a big car company that designs bold vehicles. When you drive the Juke you can imagine how much fun the designers had putting it together. The Juke is a car packed with cool technology, it is unique and above all, fun to drive. What more could you ask for?

Mike West

It may come as a shock to some automakers, and a few parents, but a new proprietary study from The Family Room finds that three of five parents (57 percent) today involve their kids in car-buying decisions.

The story, originally appearing in Advertising Age, caught our attention, and we wanted more details. In a telephone interview, George Carey, CEO of The Family Room, told FamilyCarGuide that things have changed rather dramatically since the last survey in 2009. At that time, just 38 percent of parents surveyed said they involved their children in the car-buying decision process.

The latest study, conducted in 2011, looked at a number of different categories including automotive, vacations, electronic purchases, and others. The result is a lot of information about the relative purchase influence of kids vs. parents, how often parents are conferring with their kids on cars to buy and what cars not to buy, as well as what brands are most aspirational to kids and their parents.

Favorite brands – kids vs. parents

Any guess as to which brands are the favorites among kids and their parents? You might be surprised. Kids gravitate toward the Jeep brand as their number one choice, at 18 percent. That’s followed by Chevrolet and Ford, tied at 17 percent each, then Toyota and Honda in a tie at 16 percent, and Volkswagen at 13 percent. Dead last: Chrysler and Mazda, tied at just 2 percent each.

As for the parents, the choices were more clear-cut, involving no ties among the top five choices. Toyota came in at number one with 29 percent, followed by Honda (24 percent), Ford (21 percent), Chevy (19 percent), and Jeep (9 percent). At the bottom and tied at 3 percent each: Hyundai and Mazda.

One point worth noting is that the survey didn’t get model-specific, so there’s no breakdown as to which Jeep or Chevy or Ford or Toyota, for example, kids or their parents most preferred.

Carey did comment, however, that NASCAR, based on many metrics, is the most popular family sport in America today and, to the extent kids are getting information about new cars, this is one source. That may account somewhat for the high percentages for Chevy and Ford, at least where kids are concerned.

What’s changed?

Things have moved from a world where things were driven by what the father or mother wanted to what the family wants. This is a huge potential impact, which, for the most part, Carey said that the automotive industry hasn’t embraced.

Several factors account for the shift toward more parental involvement of their offspring in what type of vehicle the family will buy. Carey outlined four of the most prominent.

1) Good parenting – Parents’ definition of what constitutes good parenting is shifting. One of the number one values and lessons parents are trying to pass on to their kids today is the skill of making the right choices on their own. One of the ways parents are doing that is giving their kids “more engagement and more responsibility rehearsals” in family decision-making. Parents are teaching their kids to make good choices and evaluate their options effectively while they’re still at home and under the parents’ protection.

2) Information – Parents are realizing that their kids have more information in many categories than they do. Kids are incredibly aware of developments in technology and consumer products and parents are increasingly likely to turn to them for their authority, to the extent that it’s warranted.

_____________________________

This story originally appeared on Family Car Guide.

Gentlemen: on a scale of one to ten, how much do you value your relationship with your wife? Girlfriend? Mother? Sister? Female co-workers? If you answered more than, say, a five, you might want to skip this article entirely, because it could get you into a lot of trouble.

You see, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently commissioned a study from the TransAnalytics research firm and the Highway Safety Research Center at the University of North Carolina. And that study found that women seem predisposed to hit the gas when they really mean to hit the brake.

In fact, the data reveals that women are twice as likely to accidentally hit the accelerator than men are.

The study looked at police data on crashes that occurred within North Carolina and at news reports on accidents that happened elsewhere. And in cases of unintended acceleration, women were at fault roughly 66% of the time.

But it’s not just women who are to blame. The study found that older drivers and younger drivers are particularly dangerous when it comes to gas-pedal accidents.

In North Carolina, those accidents were most common among persons younger than 20 and older than 76. In out-of-state news reports, though, seniors clearly cause the most mayhem, with folks over 76 blamed for 40% of all unintended acceleration accidents. (Older drivers also shouldered the blame in many of those Toyota and Lexus accidents, which led to the recall fiasco of 2010.)

Men: if you’re still reading this, please note that you’re not off the hook yet. In fact, when the number-crunchers leading the study looked at all accidents — not just those involving unintended acceleration — guys were at fault 60% of the time.

What’s behind all these numbers? Are men really more dangerous behind the wheel? Why are women more likely to be involved in gas-pedal accidents? Do women in North Carolina need to change their shoes?

We have no idea — and even if we did, we probably wouldn’t hazard a guess.

But it does raise a question we’ve already raised once today: how much good are NHTSA’s brake-override regulations really going to do?

_____________________________

This story originally appeared on The Car Connection.

If you’re looking to buy or sell a used car, take note: the National Automobile Dealers Association says that used car values are about to peak. If they’re right, now could be the perfect time to unload your current ride, but you may want to wait a couple of months before investing in another used car.

For TCC’s regular readers, this shouldn’t come as a shock. Back in March, we told you that used car prices were on their way up — particularly for fuel-efficient models, thanks to rising gasoline prices.

Now, however, with gas hovering at $3.90, some experts believe that pump prices have peaked. In markets like California, gasoline is already on its way down.

But even if gas prices have plateaued, that doesn’t mean that used cars will become cheaper overnight. In fact, NADA says that demand for used cars will remain strong through May. That’s largely because spring is a big season for car sales, meaning that demand for vehicles will be high. And since used cars have become scarcer since the Great Recession, supply is even lower than it used to be. High demand, low supply: you can do the math.

No? Then let NADA do the math for you.

Since January, used car prices have surged an average of 4.3%, or around $500. However, smaller and fuel-efficient models have seen much greater increases. The 2009 Toyota Prius, for example, has jumped 12% — from $13,750 to $15,675. The 2010 Ford Focus has soared 10%, from $10,075 to $11,225.

For sellers of those kinds of vehicles, the time may be right to unload.

For shoppers, however, you might want to cool your jets. NADA believes that June prices will be about .05% below April, and July will clock in around 1.5% lower. The variance could be higher or lower, depending on the model that you’re shopping.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t get a head start on your fellow shoppers and start doing some research. Head on over to TCC’s used car section, where you’ll find reviews of hundreds of previous models, and use our finder tool to locate a used vehicle near you.

_____________________________

This story originally appeared on The Car Connection.

Click below to hear my review

One door on the left side gives it the coupe feel!

Two doors on the right side means easy in and out in front and back seats!

For more information: http://www.hyundaiusa.com/vehicles/2012/veloster/?

Vinnie Richichi has been driving vehicles of all kinds and covering the automotive scene for over 20 years. His Drivetime-radio vehicle reviews have aired on radio stations across the US as well as his website www.drivetime-radio.com. You can hear Vinnie weekdays on The Vinnie and Cook Show on Sportsradio 93-7 The Fan.

Click below for video

Vinnie Richichi has been driving vehicles of all kinds and covering the automotive scene for over 20 years. His Drivetime-radio vehicle reviews have aired on radio stations across the US as well as his website www.drivetime-radio.com. You can hear Vinnie weekdays on The Vinnie and Cook Show on Sportsradio 93-7 The Fan.

DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Matthew At PNC Parkview gallery

“The third day I had my truck, I wrecked it!”

The Ride

The Driver: Matthew

Car in Question: 2006 Dodge Dakota Ultra

Spotted at: PNC Park, 115 Federal Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Odometer: 134,714

THE DEFENSE

Photos and interview by Katherine Brown Sutton

Are you ready to Defend Your Ride? If so, email localautos@cbs.com with “Defend Your Ride Pittsburgh” in the subject line for submission details.

View previous Defend Your Ride features as well as other great stories for people who love cars at CBSPittsburgh.com/Autos. 

DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Wade At Gatto Cycle Dinerview gallery

“I used to work at this diner as a teenager!”

The Ride

The Driver: Wade

Car in Question: 2010 Ultra Classic Harley Davidson

Spotted at: Gatto Cycle Diner, Wood Street and Seventh Avenue, Tarentum, PA 15084

Odometer: 14,201

THE DEFENSE

Photos and interview by Katherine Brown Sutton

Are you ready to Defend Your Ride? If so, email localautos@cbs.com with “Defend Your Ride Pittsburgh” in the subject line for submission details.

View previous Defend Your Ride features as well as other great stories for people who love cars at CBSPittsburgh.com/Autos. 

2013 SRT Viper (credit: Brady Holt)

Dodge Viper: 640 Horsepower With A Lighter Weight
The 2013 Viper has a familiar look and a familiar V10 engine, but owners of past Vipers wouldn’t recognized the carefully finished interior and bright touch-screen controls. Chrysler also says the car now has more interior space, and that its lighter weight will improve acceleration and fuel economy. That’s not to say that the Viper has anything to do with gas savings. Either the car still demands that drivers use as many of its 640 horsepower as possible, or the loyal buyers who bought old Vipers will howl that its uniqueness has been lost. Based on Chrysler officials’ comments during the Viper’s unveiling Wednesday at the New York International Auto Show, it’s more likely to be the former. Chrysler, too, likes the Viper’s character the way it was.

2012 BMW M6 (credit: Brady Holt)

BMW M6: 62 MPH In 4.3 Seconds
For someone seeking more sophisticated speed, BMW and Mercedes-Benz introduced new performance versions of their large convertibles at the auto show. These two cars don’t offer the manual transmission or the racetrack-ready handling of the Viper, but they do offer more opulent interior trim and promise smoother everyday driveability. The 2012 BMW M6 will have a 560-horsepower V8 and a zero-to-62-mph time of 4.3 seconds when it goes on sale this summer. This slots above the existing 640i and 650i in the BMW 6-Series line, which have a comparatively piddling 315 and 400 horsepower, respectively.

Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG (credit: Brady Holt)

Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG: A Turbocharged V12 Engine & 621 Horsepower
If that BMW’s performance isn’t sufficient, consider instead the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG, which wins the overkill award for its turbocharged V12 engine and 621 horsepower. Mercedes says it will reach 60 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds – that is, if you’re lucky enough to buy one of the 45 the company plans to build. (Proles are offered a V8-powered SL63 with just 557 horsepower, but company officials noted that you just don’t get the same exclusivity with one of those.)

Price Tag Favorites: Lexus’s $375,000 LFA & Terrafugia’s $279,000 Flying Car
The New York Auto Show’s displays are also a who’s who of existing exotic performance cars. McLaren, Lamborghini and Bugatti are among those with a presence, and Lexus is showing its $375,000 LFA. And if you find driving on the street too dull, Terrafugia will sell you an airplane that also meets requirements to be driven on the road. The company claims this car-plane can even fit into a normal sized garage. The ever-increasing price estimate now stands at $279,000.

_____________________________________________

For more great, firsthand coverage of the
2012 New York International Auto Show,
visit CBSNewYork.com/Autos.

_____________________________________________

Brady Holt, a Washington D.C. newspaper reporter, has had a lifelong interest in cars in the automotive world, and he’ll share his thoughts at every available opportunity. Brady has written for Examiner.com since 2008, and covered the ’08 New York International Auto Show with Edmunds.com’s Inside Line team as a student journalist. His work can be found on Examiner.com.

Those still looking for something with more brawn than comfort should turn to today’s Nissan Pathfinder. Mechanically related to the Nissan Frontier pickup truck, it has an available V8 engine, can go off-road, and is capable of towing a 7,000-pound trailer. In fact, it’s one of the last midsize SUVs to hold out against the push for family-friendly crossovers. Here’s a closer look at the SUVs that were unveiled.

2013 Nissan Pathfinder
The new, redesigned 2013 Pathfinder, on display in a preview concept form at the 2012 New York International Auto Show, is going the way of the Ford Explorer by switching from rear-wheel-drive architecture to a lighter-duty front-wheel-drive construction. These changes will allow for a smoother ride, better on-road handling, and a roomier interior. When a production version is unveiled later this year, it will face off against several newly unveiled crossover models: an all-new 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe and updated versions of the Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse, as well as the Explorer and such models as the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander.

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
The new Santa Fe, which debuted at the auto show Wednesday, will be offered in two sizes: a five seat “Sport” model and a seven-seat model, which is a longer version with three rows of seats. The Sport model’s four-cylinder engines will be music to the ears of many drivers, as it promises class-leading fuel economy of up to 33 miles per gallon on the highway. The Santa Fe Sport will slot directly above the smaller, less expensive Tucson. The seven-seat model has a powerful 290-horsepower V6, and it will replace the slow-selling Veracruz as Hyundai’s largest SUV.

2013 Chevrolet Traverse (credit: Brady Holt)

2013 Chevrolet Traverse
The 2013 Chevrolet Traverse, also unveiled Wednesday, sported a shiny new grille and a revised interior. A cool new safety feature was also added: The Traverse holds a first-of-its-kind airbag that deploys between the front seats to keep passengers from bouncing off each other in an accident. The 2013 Buick Enclave, shown earlier this week, and the 2013 GMC Acadia that debuted earlier this year at the Chicago Auto Show, offer more of the same, but with more luxury touches. Though these models are old by automotive standards – their basic design dates to 2007 – GM hopes relatively minor tweaks will keep these cars competitive.

2013 Honda Crosstour
Another new crossover shown at the New York show is a concept car previewing the 2013 Honda Crosstour, a bigger, taller all-wheel-drive hatchback version of the popular midsize Accord. The Crosstour, formerly called the Accord Crosstour, has been something of a sales dud since it went on sale as a 2010 model. Honda hopes a new grille, a revised interior and more features will make the difference.

Subaru XV Crosstrek
Subaru is also showing a tall hatchback at the show: The compact Impreza-based XV Crosstrek is making its North American debut. It has a higher ride height than the Impreza and a few different styling touches, but it’s nearly identical to that car – right down to its 36 mile-per-gallon highway mileage rating, better than any non-hybrid SUV.

2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK (credit: Brady Holt)

Luxury SUVs Compete With More Affordable Options
Cadillac, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz also each introduced updated premium crossover SUVs at the New York show. The 2013 Cadillac SRX has modified styling and new features; the 2013 Lexus RX made its North American debut sporting a new front end; and Mercedes-Benz showed a 2013 GLK and GL with revised interior and exterior styling, and a new fuel-efficient diesel engine on the GLK. Additionally, BMW debuted the first U.S.-specification of the X1 compact crossover, which was already on sale in other world markets and will start from a relatively affordable $30,650. Some even more affordable crossovers unveiled this week at the New York Auto Show include the updated 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, 2013 Subaru Outback and 2013 Toyota Venza, which each saw fairly minor design changes.

_____________________________________________

For more great, firsthand coverage of the
2012 New York International Auto Show,
visit CBSNewYork.com/Autos.

_____________________________________________

Brady Holt, a Washington D.C. newspaper reporter, has had a lifelong interest in cars in the automotive world, and he’ll share his thoughts at every available opportunity. Brady has written for Examiner.com since 2008, and covered the ’08 New York International Auto Show with Edmunds.com’s Inside Line team as a student journalist. His work can be found on Examiner.com.

2013 Nissan Altima (credit: Brady Holt)

2013 Nissan Altima
The biggest news is the redesigned 2013 Nissan Altima midsize family sedan. The Altima may not be as exciting to look at as, say, the new Viper, but it features an eye-catching spec sheet nonetheless. Nissan promises an attainable $21,500 base price, and an expected 38 miles per gallon on the highway from the standard four-cylinder engine. A powerful V6 will also be offered. If the EPA confirms the latter figure, the Altima will be the most fuel-efficient car in its class (with the exception of pricey gas-electric hybrid versions). The new Altima is also roomier than the outgoing 2012 model, and sports a nicer interior with more in-dash electronics.

2013 Toyota Avalon (credit: Brady Holt)

2013 Toyota Avalon
One size up from the Altima, Toyota unveiled its redesigned 2013 Avalon on Thursday. Toyota is promising greater levels of style and luxury for its flagship sedan. The current model is considered stodgier than such competitors as the Chrysler 300 and Hyundai Genesis.

2014 Chevrolet Impala
The redesigned 2014 Chevrolet Impala, meanwhile, is also trying to shed its old image. The current Impala is an old-school car, mostly popular among rental car companies and police departments. The new version, however, is more stylish and more fuel-efficient, but alas, it’s also more expensive.

2013 Smart Fortwo (credit: Brady Holt)

2013 Smart Fortwo
Although none of these new debuts — the Altima, Avalon and Impala — is a true luxury car, each features roomy seating for five adults and a plush, feature-laden interior. For the polar opposite of luxury, look to the newly updated 2013 Smart Fortwo, which made its U.S. debut on Wednesday. The Smart has revised styling and an upgraded interior, but it retains the familiar two-seat configuration, and those who remember get queasy over the parallel parking portion of their driver’s license test will appreciate the car’s easy-to-park size.

2013 Subaru Legacy
Another updated mainstream car shown at the New York show is the 2013 Subaru Legacy midsize sedan. The Legacy has a new, more fuel-efficient engine, a redesigned front end, and new safety and convenience features like emergency automatic braking and adaptive cruise control. Like most other Subarus, the Legacy has standard all-wheel-drive.

_____________________________________________

For more great, firsthand coverage of the
2012 New York International Auto Show,
visit CBSNewYork.com/Autos.

_____________________________________________

Brady Holt, a Washington D.C. newspaper reporter, has had a lifelong interest in cars in the automotive world, and he’ll share his thoughts at every available opportunity. Brady has written for Examiner.com since 2008, and covered the ’08 New York International Auto Show with Edmunds.com’s Inside Line team as a student journalist. His work can be found on Examiner.com.

DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Emily At Homestead Stacksview gallery

“I hope my children get to drive this car.”

The Ride

The Driver: Emily

Car in Question: 2006 Mini Cooper

Spotted at: Homestead Stacks, Pittsburgh, PA 15210

Odometer: 60,785

Car’s Nickname: Mini

THE DEFENSE

Photos and interview by Katherine Brown Sutton

Are you ready to Defend Your Ride? If so, email localautos@cbs.com with “Defend Your Ride Pittsburgh” in the subject line for submission details.

View previous Defend Your Ride features as well as other great stories for people who love cars at CBSPittsburgh.com/Autos. 

From the everyday Chevrolet Impala sedan to an Infiniti electric luxury car to the high-performance Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG convertible, automakers are preparing to stuff the Jacob K. Javits Center with the latest new models.

2013 Viper SRT - Official Teaser Photo (credit: SRT)

Sports Cars
One of the most highly anticipated new cars at the 2012 show is the 2013 Viper, the eye-catching performance machine that was the priciest Chrysler-made automobile from 1992 through 2010. The reborn Viper will sit atop a new “SRT” (Street and Racing Technology) brand rather than returning to Dodge, and is rumored to feature a 600-horsepower V10 engine.

Competing for the sports car spotlight will be the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG, the top-of-the-line version of the brand’s new high-end convertible. Base versions – if such a term applies to a vehicle priced above $100,000 – of the SL were shown in January at Detroit’s North American International Auto Show. The AMG model will have a 621-horsepower V12 and more aggressive styling touches.

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG - Official Photo (credit: Mercedes-Benz)

Luxury Models
Several important luxury models will also debut, including the redesigned 2013 Lexus ES and 2013 Lincoln MKZ – two close competitors in the “entry-luxury” segment that prioritize smooth rides and comfort rather than zippy handling. Derived from the Toyota Camry and Ford Fusion respectively, these models typically have higher-end features, upgraded interiors and more eye-catching styling to justify their higher prices.

2013 BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe - Official Photo from the 2012 Geneva Motor Show (credit: BMW)

Two more luxury cars that are coming to the show will wear the recently developed “four-door coupe” designation, which means they’re lower and sleeker than a typical sedan. The New York show will feature the world debut of the Mercedes-Benz CLC and the U.S. debut of the BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe.

Terrafugia Flying Car - Official Photo (credit: Terrafugia)

Flying Cars
The future has finally arrived. The Terrafugia flying car, an airplane with folding wings that can be legally driven on streets and parked in a garage, is debuting at this year’s NYIAS. The $194,000 vehicle has been previously shown in aviation circles, but not alongside conventional automobiles until now.

Best Selling Models
In addition to the dream cars you’ll want to ogle, the show will also feature some cars the rest of us may actually be able to afford.  Redesigns of the best-selling Chevrolet Impala and Nissan Altima sedans are also coming to New York, and Toyota has announced it will show a new sedan as well.

The 2013 Altima will face off against the recently redesigned 2012 Toyota Camry and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, as well as the upcoming 2013 Ford Fusion. The competing Honda Accord, also due for a redesign, may make a New York International Auto Show appearance as well, though so far only its Crosstour crossover variant has been confirmed to make an appearance.

The 2014 Impala, meanwhile, is expected to re-establish itself as Chevrolet’s flagship sedan, placing itself more decisively above the smaller Malibu. Now an old-school design selling based on its size for the money, the Impala will likely jump up in quality – and price – to better compete against such models as the Dodge Charger and Ford Taurus.

Crossover SUVs
Automakers are bringing several popular crossover SUVs to New York, including a fully redesigned 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, General Motors’ updated 2013 Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse, and Toyota’s face-lifted 2013 Venza. A high-riding version of the Subaru Impreza all-wheel-drive compact hatchback will also make its U.S. debut wearing the “XV Crosstrek” moniker, offering a more fuel-efficient alternative to the best-selling Ford Escape and Honda CR-V.

Fuel Efficient Options
Speaking of fuel efficiency, eco-friendly luxury will also be on display. Infiniti will unveil a concept luxury version of the Nissan Leaf electric car, and exotic carmaker Fisker will show off the new Nina plug-in hybrid that will slot below the $100,000+ Karma that’s now on sale.

The Classics
Besides the new models, the LeMay automotive museum from Tacoma, WA. will have an exhibit of classic cars on display at the auto show. Other activities include ride-alongs in Jeep SUVs on an off-road course and in electric cars indoors.

Tickets cost $15 for adults and $5 for children and can be purchased at autoshowny.com.

For more great, firsthand coverage of the 2012 New York International Auto Show, visit CBSNewYork.com/Autos.

Brady Holt, a Washington D.C. newspaper reporter, has had a lifelong interest in cars in the automotive world, and he’ll share his thoughts at every available opportunity. Brady has written for Examiner.com since 2008, and covered the ’08 New York International Auto Show with Edmunds.com’s Inside Line team as a student journalist. His work can be found on Examiner.com.

DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Nonie At Frick Parkview gallery

“I got my car two weeks before I adopted my daughter and they were both life-changing events.”

The Ride

The Driver: Nonie

Car in Question: 2006 Toyota Prius

Spotted at: Frick Park, 7227 Reynolds Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208

Odometer: 64,253

Car’s Nickname: Mr. Reliable

THE DEFENSE

Photos and interview by Katherine Brown Sutton

Are you ready to Defend Your Ride? If so, email localautos@cbs.com with “Defend Your Ride Pittsburgh” in the subject line for submission details.

View previous Defend Your Ride features as well as other great stories for people who love cars at CBSPittsburgh.com/Autos. 

1. Keep your car in good condition. Get your engine tuned up regularly, change the oil and keep your tires inflated properly. A tune-up could boost your miles per gallon anywhere from four to 40 percent. A new air filter could get you 10 percent more miles per gallon. When replacing your wheels, opt for the new fuel-efficient tires. Due to new materials in these tires, they use less energy when rolling along the road but maintain excellent wear and traction characteristics. Major tire makers, including Michelin, Goodyear and Bridgestone, all offer fuel-efficient models.

2. Commute smarter. Share a ride to work, telecommute or use public transit. If your daily commute is just 10 miles each way (the national average) and you normally drive a 20 mpg vehicle, you would save 236 gallons of gas each year by opting to carpool, telecommute or use transit. If each commuter car carried just one more passenger once a week, we would cut America’s gasoline consumption by about 7.7 million gallons.

Learn how to save on your electricity bill.

3. Drive smarter (known as hypermiling). Drive more smoothly, avoid heavy breaking or accelerating, and coast to a stop in order to improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and save on gas by maximizing miles per gallon. Avoid idling by shutting off the engine for prolonged waits (for the kids at school or a train crossing). Remove roof racks whenever possible as they can create significant drag. When carrying clamshell storage containers, bikes or other burdens, you reduce your fuel efficiency by as much as five percent, so take them off the car roof when not needed.

4. Slow down. Ease up on the pedal. Slowing down from 75 to 65 miles per hour will drop your highway gasoline consumption by about 15 percent. That’s money in your pocket.

5. Use good motor oil. Choose fuel-efficient motor oil marked with an “Energy Conserving” label by the American Petroleum Institute. Motor oils with additives that reduce friction can increase a vehicle’s fuel economy by three percent or more.

Check out the Autos section at CBS Local for more car news.

Visit the Earth Day section at CBS Local.

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Through our patent-pending EcoAd program, an innovative twist on traditional advertising, advertisers are able to support much-needed local environmental projects which aim to improve quality of life. In the process, we’re fundamentally altering the advertising landscape, elevating the ordinary, traditional commercial — and media, in general — into a catalyst for tangible, quantifiable social change. In recognition of this, the internationally known Edison Awards recently announced that EcoMedia has been named a finalist for the 2012 Edison Best New Product Awards(TM).

We invite you to visit ecomediacbs.com to learn more about the improvements EcoMedia is making in communities across the country.

Frazzled moms bustling about tending to work and kids and other household duties aren’t the only drivers who need some peace of mind behind the wheel. We all can use a little more serenity when we drive, right?

Maybe feng shui can help soothe our nerves, bring order to our in-car chaos, and maybe even get us back to what we’re supposed to be doing behind the wheel: drive.

It’s at least a good start, so we’ll take a minute to check out what Ford has to say on the subject of bringing feng shui into our family rides. Not surprisingly, the automaker relates the concept to the 2013 Ford Fusion, its redesigned mid-size family sedan.

First, they’ve put out a handy diagram, “bagua,” in feng shui terminology, that shows how energy, or ch’i, flows, in this case, in our vehicles. Check out the nine areas of the environment involved in free-flowing ch’i: career, knowledge, helpful people, wealth, health, relationships, family, fame, and children/creativity.

While we’re not quite sure why children/creativity seem to reside in the trunk area, it’s a fairly intuitive placement of career in the engine area. Ford enlisted the help of Detroit feng shui practitioner Catherine Hilker, who also owns Creating Sanctuary, to give consumers some practical tips on adding feng shui to their cars.

We’ve added a few thoughts of our own.

• Keep it simple. Clutter is clutter no matter where it is, home or car. If you spend a great deal of time in your vehicle, shuttling the kids around, driving long hours in a daily commute, you want your ride to be clean and well organized. A clutter-free car helps relax you, keeps you from being too stressed out. At least, that’s the theory.
• Name your car. Many of us already do this, sort of a holdover from our first car, maybe, or a tradition in the family. But Hilker says that naming your car creates a connection, always a good thing to have to help bring about good feng shui.
• Add a ch’i enhancer. No, this isn’t a joke. Hilker mentions wind chimes, but it could easily be something else. Just don’t make it anything distracting. After all, you’re in the car to drive.
• Add color to suit. This is a good one that ties right in to Ford’s recently announced ambient lighting available in the new Ford Fusion. Change your color to suit your mood. Who can’t get behind that?
• How about an icon? Maybe you remember your dad having a St. Christopher statue affixed to the dash or medallion of some sorts. The idea is to place something in the vehicle that reminds you to be a better, safer driver.

Bottom line: You don’t have to be an ardent practitioner of feng shui to realize the benefits of cleaning up your messy car and keeping it spotless, or, at the very least, less cluttered.

(credit: Ford)

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This article originally appeared on Family Car Guide.

DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Peter At Frick Mansionview gallery

“My car is my home away from home.”

The Ride

The Driver: Peter

Car in Question: 2006 Toyota Scion

Spotted at: Frick Mansion, 7227 Reynolds Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208

Odometer: 83,588

THE DEFENSE

Photos and interview by Katherine Brown Sutton

Are you ready to Defend Your Ride? If so, email localautos@cbs.com with “Defend Your Ride Pittsburgh” in the subject line for submission details.

View previous Defend Your Ride features as well as other great stories for people who love cars at CBSPittsburgh.com/Autos.