Right now the weather is warm and pleasant, but before you know it, temperatures will cool off and there will be snow on the ground.  Not only is now a good time to check your furnace and seal up the cracks around windows and doors, you should get your car ready for winter as well.  The colder months ahead can really take their toll on your vehicle, especially if you live up north or in ... [full story]

Trendy and artsy: Mini Cooper.  Cool soccer Mom: BMW wagon.  Nostalgia lover: new VW Beetle.  Midlife crisis: vintage Corvette.It's no accident that certain cars are driven by certain types of people.  In fact, by the time a car has reached the marketplace, a target buyer is practically in its DNA.  "Car manufacturers are designing vehicles based on focus group studies that give key insights into satisfying lifestyles, egos and current status symbols," says Ron Miller, a ... [full story]

A striking off-road course made of 1,000 tons of dirt and 20 tons of gravel plus the presence of Toyota trucks invite no less than action pact driving adventure. Toyota will also make the test drive free of charge and get lots of excited enthusiasts.   Toyota FJ CruiserThe Toyota Motor Corp. is glad to announce that its Trucks Off Road On Site Adventure is back by popular demand. The adventure brought by Toyota will be ... [full story]

The recent spike in gasoline prices is causing a shift in car-buying habits and increased interest in alternate fuels. But there are plenty of every-day, basic strategies consumers can employ to ease the burden of higher gasoline prices. The following advice is from the pros at the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), who note that these conservation tips will not only save gasoline, they'll help extend the life of your vehicle and ... [full story]

Angelguard Prevents Young Children From Accidentally Opening Seat Belt; One in Three Parents Report Children Have Opened Seat Belt Release Without Parent's Knowledge As National Child Passenger Safety Week begins Feb. 11, an innovative product is being introduced to help parents keep their young children properly secured in car safety seats. The new item, Angelguard, prevents young children from accidentally opening the seat belt release, rendering the car safety seat useless. Most parents would be ... [full story]

The cooler temperatures and early snowfall at Mt. Hood are sure signs that the winter driving season is right around the corner. Once again, AAA is designating October as Car Care Month, and encourages vehicle owners to "get ready, get set, and go." "After the hot summer, millions of vehicles need preventive maintenance before cold weather sets in," says Earl Baker, AAA Oregon/Idaho Approved Auto Repair Manager. "Throughout October, our Approved Auto Repair partners will ... [full story]

First-Ever Motorcycle Industry Benchmarking Study Identifies Why Customers Stay -- or Walk Away Harley-Davidson dealerships ranked highest in the newly released 2007 Pied Piper Prospect Satisfaction Index (SM) Motorcycle Industry Study, which measured how shoppers are treated at retail locations. The study is the first of its kind to provide actionable insights on the hot buttons that turn shoppers into buyers. Harley-Davidson dealerships were consistently near the top of the rankings for multiple aspects of ... [full story]

Sales of new cars and light trucks in 2007 will roughly equal the 2006 sales mark of 16.5 million, according to an economic forecast by Paul Taylor, chief economist of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA). Speaking at the association's annual Convention & Exposition in Las Vegas, Taylor reported that a strong U.S. economy and new products on the market, including a wide array of high-quality new fuel-efficient vehicles, will benefit sales throughout the year. ... [full story]

With the ability to sprint from a standstill to 60 miles per hour in under five seconds, the new Porsche Cayenne Turbo is hotter than a pepper to the taste buds of auto aficionados. Since the model's introduction in 2003, Porsche's sport utility vehicle has been perceived by many car enthusiasts as having raised the bar for high-powered, luxury SUVs. The Cayenne has proved to be a great success for the perennial sports car manufacturer, ... [full story]

Innovative new racing series will boast the most technologically advanced racing machines in the world. The Hydrogen Electric Racing Federation -- which unveiled "The Future of Racing" and the "Hydrogen 500" concept here to an impressive gathering of leading auto industry executives and motorsports dignitaries in early January -- has announced its initial specifications package. Introduced as a compelling first step into the realm of on-track competition for hydrogen electric fuel cell-powered vehicles, the Hydrogen ... [full story]

Although snow may no longer be a hazard on Oregon streets and highways, motorists should be aware of another potential danger—flying gravel. When motorists think of driving safety, they must remember that a vehicle’s windshield is a pivotal safety feature. "Windshields not only support the roof of your vehicle," says AAA Oregon Approved Auto Repair Coordinator Earl Baker. "They protect motorists from being ejected during head-on collisions, roll-overs and vehicle crashes when combined with the ... [full story]

Ford Motor Company announced this week its bringing back the well-known Ford Taurus name, introducing a new name -- Taurus X -- for its three-row crossover and returning the Mercury Sable to the lineup as upgraded 2008-model versions of all three vehicles go on sale this summer. "Taurus has been an icon for Ford's family sedan for more than two decades, and it's time to return this powerful name to where it belongs," said Mark ... [full story]

Get Quick Stats, Fast Facts and Cool New Car Pictures for Over 2,000 Cars, Trucks and SUVs Interested in buying a new car but don't want to sift through tons of articles or lengthy reviews to get important information about the car of your dreams? NADAguides.com, a leading vehicle information website, today announced the launch of its 'NADAguides New Car Fast Facts' tool -- an easy way for shoppers to access new car pictures, ... [full story]