When taking a family camping trip or cross-country journey, recreational vehicles can provide many of the creature comforts of home. Beds, bathrooms, televisions and even kitchen appliances often come installed in these large, versatile vehicles. But there's one thing that campers and other RVs may not provide in ready supply: maneuverability. Therefore, many families find it useful to tow a car or sport utility vehicle from the back of their RV in order to ensure ... [full story]

If Your Motor Oil Could Talk OK, we had an arrangement. You'd change me every 3,000 miles or three months and in exchange, I'd keep critical parts of your precious vehicle's engine lubricated, cleaned and cooled. Here I am, however, dirty and old and still expected to perform. No way. The Car Care Council reminds motorists that although oil can't speak for itself, it is the engine's life-blood and that changing the oil regularly is ... [full story]

CR identifies Good Bets and Bad Bets to help guide used car buying decisions Used cars often offer consumers the best values in the automotive market since new vehicles undergo a rapid depreciation in the first few years. Consumer Reports (CR) 2007 April Auto Issue features the lists of the best and worst used vehicles for 10 model years, 1997 through 2006.  Reliable vehicles and Vehicles to avoid include all models that showed above- or ... [full story]

What's it worth to an enthusiast to get behind the wheel of an exotic car for a few hours? Apparently, plenty. Luxury car rental agency San Diego Prestige is charging $999 per driver, plus a $10,000 security deposit, for half-day tours that feature 30 minutes of driving time in six fast cars. The tour has proven so successful that the company has added a second shift to the monthly events.   SUPER TOUR - The Supercar Tour makes ... [full story]

Headed uphill on a fairly steep on-ramp, I spied a gap ahead in the heavy freeway traffic. I gave a good goose to the throttle on the new BMW K1200GT sport-touring motorcycle and aimed for the gap. I ended up a good quarter-mile ahead of where I'd intended to go. Good grief! What powers this thing?   NEW BMW - The new BMW K1200GT is a motorcycle for all seasons. It has optional heated seats, handgrips and electronic ... [full story]

The NASCAR Nextel Cup series is off this week, but not many drivers are getting much time for rest and relaxation. Nine of them are competing in the Busch Series race in Mexico on Sunday. And another 50 teams were testing the Car of Tomorrow at a mid-week session at Bristol, Tenn. The deadline to have the COT race-ready is looming. The first race with the new design is now less than a month away ... [full story]

WASHINGTON - Diesel fumes pose a major health risk to commuters, according to a new report by the non-profit Clean Air Task Force. The Boston-based environmental research group reported today that even though we spend only a tiny portion of our day commuting, it's during the commute that we receive more than half our overall exposure to deadly fine particle pollution. "Exposure to diesel exhaust during commutes poses a serious public health risk that needs ... [full story]

According to results of a study released recently by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAAFTS), Oregon's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program has room for improvement. AAAFTS included seven basic GDL components in its research, and found that 16-year-old drivers are involved in 38 percent fewer fatal crashes and 40 percent fewer crashes resulting in injuries if their state GDL program has at least five of the seven common components. Those seven components are:  A ... [full story]

Mitch Weiss looks at pickup truck beds in a way most people don't.  He sees the potential for projectiles from unsecured cargo, loose trashcans and recycling barrels that could soon add to the trash along the roadside, and fuel cans lashed precariously and prone to leakage. There has to be a better way, and he's working on it one rack, bracket and bolt at a time.   BEDDER HEDDER - The Bedder Hedder bolts to the truck bed ... [full story]

It started in controversy, with the suspensions and fines. It ended in controversy, with a huge accident and hotly debatable finish. No one could say this year's Daytona 500 was dull. Hard as it is to imagine, what happened at the end of the race has managed even to overshadow the days before, when five crew chiefs were suspended, multiple fines and points deductions were levied and even Jeff Gordon's team was called into question. ... [full story]

Toyota U.S.A., Inc., announced Tuesday the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the 2007 Camry Hybrid 50th Anniversary Edition. The limited edition Camry Hybrid celebrates Toyota's 50 years of business in the United States. This specially badged Camry Hybrid comes with features exclusive only to the 50th Anniversary Edition. Its stunning Blizzard Pearl paint, unique 16-inch alloy wheels with a graphite finish, and exterior "50th Anniversary Edition" badging are just some of the 50th Anniversary ... [full story]

Recently honored with MotorWeek's "Best Minivan" award, the Kia Sedona is now being given The Car Book 2007's "Best Bet" distinction, along with seven other Kia vehicles: Rio, Rio5, Spectra, Spectra5, Optima, Sportage and Sorento. Rio and Optima were both recipients of the award in 2006, however this is the first time eight different models in the 11-vehicle Kia lineup have received the distinguished accolade. "Obviously we are extremely thrilled and proud to have eight ... [full story]

Despite a slowdown in SUV sales over the past several years as a result of higher gas prices, 21 percent of consumers who plan to buy a car in 2007 intend to purchase an SUV or crossover vehicle, according to a recent Cars.com survey.* Roughly 24 percent of survey respondents said they will buy a new or used car this year, and no body style was more popular than SUVs and crossovers. Next were small ... [full story]