• October 29, 2020

Odessa American: Automotive

e-Edition Subscribe

Automotive

  • Travel

    Survey: Pandemic has shifted how Americans view travel

    (BPT) - The COVID-19 pandemic has had an undeniable, unavoidable impact on the world — from the way you conduct business, to how you shop for groceries. It may have even shifted your idea of what is important in life.

  • Travel

    5 tips to stay safe as you get back on the road

    (BPT) - As the nation navigates a safe and socially distant return to work and travel, states are loosening restrictions on stay-at-home orders. As your car may have been relatively idle over the last few months, the following tips can help ensure your vehicle is ready when you are.

  • Travel

    How regular maintenance keeps your car firing on all cylinders

    (BPT) - Car maintenance is often a scheduled chore when you’re regularly driving. However, if you’re driving less due to the current environment, maintenance can easily become a lesser priority or even completely forgotten. Hankook Tire’s latest Gauge Index found that as daily driving decreased as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, nearly one-third (30%) of Americans have done less car cleaning and maintenance too.

Automotive News

Wednesday 09/23/2020
Don’t Risk A Ticket. Avoid Parking In Spots Reserved For People With Disabilities
Updated: October 09, 2020 - 2:35 am

(NAPSI)—In the harried competition for close-in spots, normally courteous drivers engage in all kinds of parking taboos, many involving the use of parking spaces designated for the more than 30 million Americans with mobility-impairing disabilities. Fortunately, there are people doing something about it and you can help. 

Who’s Doing What

 

Through the nonprofit Accessible Parking Coalition (APC), established by the International Parking and Mobility Institute, a national effort is underway to eliminate disabled placard abuse and make accessible parking more accessible.

What You Can Do

Here are seven reminders for every driver:

1.Remember that marked accessible parking spots are for people with disabilities (the term “handicapped” is outdated and offensive to many).

2.Unless authorized, never park in an accessible parking space—not even for a minute. 

3.Never infringe on van-accessible parking spaces, which are designed for ramp- or lift-equipped vehicles. They are marked by signs that say, “Van Accessible” with the international symbol for accessibility. Many drivers using wheelchairs have nightmarish examples of waiting hours for the owners of a car parked too close to return so they could get in their vehicle.

4.Never park, block or leave a shopping cart in the cross-hatched, access aisle zones next to accessible parking spots. 

5.Don’t borrow others’ disabled parking placards or use yours after it has expired or is no longer truly needed.

6.Follow the rules, but don’t be a parking vigilante. If you suspect illegal use of a spot, take a photo of the license plate and contact local law enforcement. 

7.Remember that not all disabilities that affect mobility are apparent. Don’t assume someone is parking in a accessible spot illegally. A person with a respiratory or other ailment that makes walking difficult, for example, may be entitled to a disabled placard. 

Eighty percent of people with parking placards agree accessible parking fraud is widespread. Disabled placard abuse and illegal use of accessible parking spaces are crimes that carry penalties. Many jurisdictions are cracking down, increasing fines—some more than $1,000 per violation—and setting up sting operations to catch offenders.

Learn More

For further facts, news and advice on this topic, visit www.accessibleparkingcoalition.org.

 

more »
Friday 09/04/2020
How to enhance your next road trip in 4 easy steps
Updated: October 29, 2020 - 2:32 am

(BPT) - Travel might look different right now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of the journey. Whether it’s a day drive up the coast or an overnight camping trip in the mountains, you can still fuel a sense of adventure by simply getting behind the wheel. And with travelers spending more of their free time on the road, it’s the perfect time to upgrade any vehicle with the latest in auto tech, accessories and equipment, starting with your tires.

more »
Tuesday 08/25/2020
Tips for Enjoying a Drive-In Movie Experience
Updated: August 30, 2020 - 2:31 am

(StatePoint) Social distancing guidelines across the country have made visiting a conventional movie theater difficult, if not impossible. However, what was once a relic of the past has now become an innovation in entertainment, the drive-in movie theater.

more »
Friday 08/21/2020
Time To Hit The Open Road? Rent An RV!
Updated: August 28, 2020 - 2:32 am

(NAPSI)—Consumer preferences have changed drastically since the start of the pandemic, with travel being no exception. Thousands of Americans have opted out of airline tickets and hotel reservations in favor of RV rentals, a safer method of travel that allows for self-contained excursions with a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen all on-board.

As more Americans become increasingly comfortable with the idea of getting back on the road, RV travel appears to be making its way into the mainstream. RVshare, the first and largest peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace, has seen RV bookings quadruple since last summer.

A Travel Sentiment survey conducted by RVshare found that nearly 70% of respondents plan to travel in the next three months, with the majority reporting that they will not be flying any time soon and would instead opt to travel via RV.

Don’t own an RV? No problem. RVshare lists more than 100,000 RVs across the U.S. for rent by owners looking to make a second income off their asset that otherwise might be sitting unused. With options ranging from a luxury motorhome to a confined camper, there is something for everyone at any pricepoint.

Tips for Renting an RV:

•Use a trusted site: Use a trusted site like RVshare.com where your payment is protected and the owner of the vehicle is verified. RVshare also offers roadside assistance, 24/7 customer service, insurance and other perks to protect your trip and payment.

•Have a plan before booking: Have an idea of where you plan to take your vehicle. Make a reservation to reserve a spot at the campground. If you’re not planning on staying at a campground, factor in that you’ll be using the generator for an extended period of time, which may cost extra.

•Enter your destination, dates and filter by preferences: Start by filtering by your pick-up destination, the dates you’d like to rent the RV and filter any other preferences you may have, like pet-friendly or type of vehicle. Worried about driving a big rig? Find an owner who offers delivery for a hassle-free experience.

•Review the full listing: The listing is full of information including pricing, fees, rental amenities including supplies on-board. RVs aren’t always outfitted and you may have to bring towels, linens and cookware.

Interested in learning more about how to book an RV rental? Visit RVshare.com.

 

more »
Wednesday 08/19/2020
4 Ideas for Late Summer Adventures from Expert Drivers and Road Trip Veterans
Updated: October 29, 2020 - 2:32 am

(BPT) - With just a few more weeks of summer, families are looking for ways to squeeze in a late season adventure, but it’s challenging to find the right activity that is fun and responsible given the times. Road trips are a great way to have a family adventure while maintaining social distancing and other health and safety guidelines and still have a great time. To help, Cooper Tire asked some of their sponsored athletes and friends, who are expert drivers and veteran road trippers, to share their suggestions for late summer travel across the U.S. Here are their top four recommendations for vehicle-friendly destinations, as well as some tips to make sure your tires are road-ready as you embark on your own (safe and fun) outdoor adventures.

more »
Wednesday 08/12/2020
4 driving tips that can help save lives and lower your insurance rate
Updated: October 29, 2020 - 2:32 am

(BPT) - Bad driving habits aren’t just obnoxious, they’re also dangerous — motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death in the U.S., with more than 38,000 people having lost their lives and nearly 4.4 million injured in collisions in 2019, according to the National Safety Council.

more »
Monday 08/10/2020
10 rules of tires every driver should follow before they hit the road
Updated: October 29, 2020 - 2:32 am

(BPT) - Every time you drive, you trust your tires with your safety.

more »
Friday 07/31/2020
Car Buying Tips
Updated: August 02, 2020 - 2:32 am

(NAPSI)—The U.S. auto industry estimates about 17 million cars are bought in the United States every year. If you’re hoping—or just dreaming—of buying one of them anytime soon, there are a few facts and stats that can make car shopping a better experience for you.

Quality Cars To Consider

First, you should know that, based on input from tens of thousands of drivers, J.D. Power named Kia the highest-ranked, mass market brand for initial quality overall in the industry. The vehicles were evaluated on driving experience, engine and transmission performance and a broad range of quality issues reported by vehicle owners—and for the sixth consecutive year, Kia is the number one mass-market automotive brand. 

Two of Kia’s most popular models, Forte and Soul were named among the top 10 vehicles in the industry and also took top honors in the Compact Car (Forte) and Small SUV (Soul) segments.  In addition,  the Kia Sorento and Sedona models placed first in the Upper Midsize SUV and Minivan segments, respectively. “With 4 segment winners—and 4 additional models ranking among the top three in their respective segments—Kia’s ‘Give It Everything’ brand philosophy continues to bear fruit in the extremely competitive automotive market,” said James Bell, director, corporate communications, Kia Motors America.

What Else You Should Know

Next, think about these four suggestions:

1.Be aware of book value. Look up the current market value of any car you’re thinking of getting in a pricing guide such as Edmunds.com or KBB.com. 

2.Get a pre-approved car loan and tell the salesperson you’re a cash buyer. That will keep the up-selling down and help you stay within your budget.

3.Take a test drive. Make sure it’s a vehicle you’ll be comfortable in. 

4.Before visiting the lot, visit the Internet. Check out the company’s website. There may be specials, coupons or discounts it will pay you to know about. Also, look up the car manufacturer’s website. For example, you can learn a lot about quality cars at www.kia.com.

 

more »
Tuesday 07/21/2020
The basics of virtual car buying
Updated: October 29, 2020 - 2:32 am

(BPT) - Online car buying has become more popular in recent years. Instead of having to go out to visit dealer lots, car shoppers have found it’s easy to look at inventory, set up test drives, secure financing, negotiate price and complete the purchase — all online, from the comfort and safety of home.

more »
Wednesday 07/15/2020
Which auto brand comes out on top in initial quality? [Video]
Posted: July 15, 2020

more »
Thursday 07/09/2020
RV Owners are the Surprise Financial Success Story of the Year
Updated: July 11, 2020 - 2:31 am

(NAPSI)—Millions of Americans who own an RV have it parked in their driveway or a storage facility for the better part of the year. With many families wary of airplanes and hotels these days, it may be time to consider renting your rig to make some serious cash.

According to peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace RVshare, RV bookings have reached unprecedented levels of demand, increasing more than 1,600% since the beginning of April and already tripling 2019 figures. As a result, RV owners are poised to capitalize on the surge of families discovering the unique and adventurous nature of RV travel for the first time.

In fact, the average RV owner who rents on the RVshare platform can earn up to $60,000 a year in rental income. The amount of money you can make from renting your RV can vary based on the type of vehicle you own. 

The most in-demand rentals on RVshare are Class C vehicles, which strike a great balance between features and price, making them popular with first-time renters. Class C rentals have an earning potential of $38,000 a year.  Class B vehicles, or camper vans, are the fastest growing in popularity on RVshare. With demand skyrocketing for these units, Class B rentals can earn up to $30,000 a year when listed on RVshare.

“During this time of financial instability, an RV can be converted into a significant money-making asset that many owners may not have previously considered,” said RVshare CEO Jon Gray. “For those who do not own an RV, now may be the time to invest. It’s not just pocket change that RV rentals can bring in.”

You can offset much or all of the cost of RV ownership from rental income. A survey of RV owners found that more than half (51%) are able to cover 76% or more of their RV’s financing cost through renting to travelers, with more than a third (35%) covering all or more of their financing cost.

RVshare’s Earnings Calculator can help evaluate the income potential of renting your RV, and to ease the minds of those new to the practice, RVshare provides owners with several tools and features to protect vehicles and their owners including:

•$1,000,000 Liability Insurance

•User Verification

•Secure Payments

•One-on-One Rental Coaching

•24/7 roadside assistance

Additional information on how to get started renting an RV can be found at https://rvshare.com/list-your-rv.

 

more »
Thursday 07/02/2020
Roadway safety on the weekends [Infographic]
Updated: October 29, 2020 - 2:32 am

(BPT) - -

more »
Tuesday 06/30/2020
Tips for the perfect summer camping trip
Updated: October 29, 2020 - 2:32 am

(BPT) - Summer is officially here.

more »
Monday 05/11/2020
Can You Save Money Driving an Electric Vehicle?
Posted: May 11, 2020

(StatePoint) While many motorists are aware of the environmental benefits of going electric, they may not know just how much they stand to save by making the switch.

more »
Wednesday 03/18/2020
How to Extend the Life of Your Used Car
Posted: March 18, 2020

(StatePoint) Nearly 70 percent of all car sales are used vehicles, thanks to the rising costs of new cars and the increasing quality of their used counterparts. While buying a previously owned vehicle makes the best financial sense in a lot of cases, experts say there are some things to keep in mind.  

more »
More Automotive News

More Online Features


Odessa, TX

Current Conditions

weather
Clear
43°
Humidity: 70%
Winds: WNW at 10mph
Feels Like: 37°

Your Extended Forecast

Tomorrow

weather
High 62°/Low 37°
Mainly sunny. Highs in the low 60s and lows in the upper 30s.

friday

weather
High 69°/Low 44°
Sunny. Highs in the upper 60s and lows in the mid 40s.

saturday

weather
High 77°/Low 44°
Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the upper 70s and lows in the mid 40s.
Online Features

Real Estate

Pet Central

pets

Having a pet is a lot of responsibility, and we’ll help by giving you lots of tips and tricks! More >>

Fitness

Fitness

Our fitness articles will help teach you how to work out with gym- and home-based exercises. More >>

Crosswords

Crosswords

Enjoy the crosswords challenge in our free daily puzzles, from the harder Sunday crossword to the quicker daily. More >>

Sudoku

Sudoku

Every Sudoku has a unique solution that can be reached logically. Enter numbers into the blank spaces so that each row, column and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9. More >>




MyOAOA

  • ALL-ACCESS: Subscribe to our e-edition and premium website at myoaoa.com.
    You can read your daily newspaper without taking a walk to the driveway.
    Look back at yesterday's newspaper, or issues from months ago with our archive feature.
    Call circulation at 432-337-7314 to sign up today.

© Copyright 2020, Odessa American, Odessa, TX. Powered by BLOX Content Management System from TownNews.com. [Terms of Use | Privacy Policy]