Ford Focus #1 Selling Car of the Year

This year there were more than 1 million Ford Focuses sold internationally. Find out why it is the new number 1 car in the world.

It's official: The Ford (F) Focus was the best-selling car in the world in 2012, according to R.L. Polk & Co. The Focus is far from the best selling car in America, but it's world status is still a homerun for Ford.

The success of the Focus, which beat the Toyota Corolla for world honors and is improving in the U.S., is at the core of Ford's big comeback under CEO Alan Mulally.

When the former Boeing Co. executive arrived at Ford in 2006, the company was building different cars of the same size around the world. Indeed, the American Focus and the European Focus were different cars, though called the same name. Dumb, thought Mulally.

Mulally quickly moved the company to build the Focus, as well as the Fusion mid-sized sedan, the same around the world as a way to lower costs and improve quality (the fewer changes the less things that can go wrong).

In the U.S., from 1999 through 2010, Ford sold an updated version of the same Focus it launched at the end of the 1990s, while Ford of Europe re-tooled the car to a much better version. The fact that the U.S. didn't get the "good, new" Focus rankled dealers and the auto press, and came to hurt the car's reputation.

The all new Focus that is in Ford dealerships today was developed in Europe and is now built in five countries -- the U.S., China, Germany, Russia and Thailand. It is sold in 120 markets worldwide.

Despite economic slowdowns in Europe and China, the global auto industry set a record in 2012 with more than 80 million new vehicles sold worldwide, driving demand for the Focus. The U.S. is part of the surge. Sales topped 14.5 million in the U.S., compared with just 10.4 million as recently as 2009.

The Focus is popular abroad because it comes in several versions including sedan, coupe and hatchback. It is fuel efficient, reliable and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. In Europe, the Focus hatchback is a family car for many households with two children. Gasoline is much more expensive in Europe than the U.S., and so families tend to stay with smaller fuel efficient cars rather than getting an SUV.

In the U.S., the Focus is offered as a sedan, a hatchback five-door and an electric-car.

After Focus, which sold about one million across the globe, the Corolla was the most popular with 872,774. Ford's F-Series pickup line was the No. 3 nameplate, its Fiesta subcompact was No. 6, and General Motors Co. (GM)'s Chevrolet Cruze was No. 8, ahead of Honda Motor Co.'s Civic.

Toyota disputes Polk's findings, citing 1.16 million in sales for Corolla. The technicality is that Toyota sells the Corolla in some markets as the Corolla Axio and Corolla Altis, and Polk counts those as separate models.

"Focus and Fiesta represent the best of our One Ford plan," said Jim Farley, Ford's executive vice president, Global Marketing, Sales and Service and Lincoln in an interview with AOL Autos earlier this year. "In just three years, Ford has transformed our global small car lineup and started winning over customers worldwide with vehicles that are not only fun-to-drive but also fuel-efficient – largely thanks to our award-winning Eco-Boost engines."

Article courtesy of: http://autos.aol.com/article/why-ford-focus-is-new-no-1-car-in-the-world/

Easy Car Care Tips

These are some of the easiest ways to care for your car and prevent most major problems throughout the year!

Most men aren't mechanics, and some men could care less about their car as long as it looks good and drives well. But a responsible driver should always take five minutes every other week or so to check the essential parts of his car. If you pay proper attention to your car’s maintenance needs, you will save a lot of time, money and aggravation by avoiding some expensive repairs. Here are some things that you can do yourself:

Check the battery

Many batteries are so advanced they no longer require much maintenance. To be on the safe side, however, you should know where your car battery is located and check it periodically to make sure it is not leaking acid and has adequate water. Most batteries have a condition indicator that displays different colors to indicate how it's functioning: blue means it's OK, red means add distilled water, and white means charging is necessary.

Check the motor oil

For an accurate reading, check the oil dipstick while the car is turned off and parked on a horizontal plane. If the oil on the dipstick is black or deep red, have the oil changed by a professional or change it yourself if you're feeling confident. To check the oil level, pull the dipstick out and wipe it clean with a rag, then plunge it back into place. Pull the dip stick out again and hold it horizontally for an accurate reading. Be sure the oil on the stick is just under or right at the correct oil-level line or indicator hole; it should never be over. Putting excess strain on your hard-working car by not changing its oil will lead to trouble. An engine repair will have you dipping into your savings and leave you without car for as long as it takes for the proper repairs to be made.

Refill the antifreeze

Antifreeze keeps engine temperatures stable in all climate extremes and driving conditions. Always be sure you have the right level of antifreeze because fooling around with the cooling of your car’s complex mechanical parts is an unnecessary risk. Invest a few dollars in a bottle and keep it handy in your trunk. Antifreeze should be added when the engine is cool. Use a funnel as you would when adding motor oil to avoid splashing this greenish, toxic chemical on other parts of the car.

Align the tires

To receive an accurate assessment of your tire alignment, bring your car to a professional and have it put on a computerized tester. Having this test done every few weeks, however, is not cost-efficient in the least. Instead, test the alignment yourself on a flat street. Drive the speed limit and leave a hand on the wheel for safety, but don't actually steer the car for a few seconds. If the car veers in one direction and you need to manually keep your car driving straight, make an alignment appointment with a mechanic.

Check for optimized tire pressure as well. Thirty-two psi to 36 psi on a gauge is about average for a midsizedsedan, but check your owners manual. Slightly deflated or unbalanced tires will not only cause shakiness when you drive at highway speeds, but will eventually warp the tires and reduce your gas mileage. Always buy new tires in pairs so you can put the new ones on the front and move the old front ones to the back; this lets you get more use out of them and avoid blowing a bundle on four new tires -- unless a professional tells you it’s absolutely necessary, of course.

Replace the air filter

The air filter is on the engine air intake and prevents dust and dirt from entering the engine. So, take care of your engine by replacing your air filter when necessary.

Checking the air filter only takes a few minutes. It is usually hidden under a plastic casing under the hood of your car and you have to unsnap the case to switch out the filter. Refer to your operating manual for precise instructions to avoid injury to yourself or harm to your vehicle. As a rule of thumb, make sure your car engine is off before lifting the hood to replace the air filter.

Car care

When it comes time to sell your car or make repairs, having maintained some of these basic areas will really pay off. Negligence is the most common and costly way to see your money go down the drain on repairs that could have easily been avoided.

Article courtesy of http://autos.aol.com/article/easy-car-care-tips/

What Type of Vehicle is Right for You?

Deciding on the right vehicle to buy can be difficult. The buyer needs to consider a number of things when deciding between a car, van or truck. These tips will help you determine which vehicle best suits your needs.

Over 60 million cars were produced in 2012. This means that over 165,000 vehicles rolled off assembly lines every day of the year and headed towards car dealerships. This number is expected to increase annually into the foreseeable future. Choosing the right type of vehicle is not always an easy decision. Auto manufacturers have recently started to blur the lines between the different types of cars, vans and trucks that are now available. Anyone looking for a new vehicle will need to think about how it will be used. There are several areas to look at when deciding between a car, van or truck.

Fuel Efficiency

One of the first considerations should be the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. This is especially important for families that will be driving long distances each week. Cars currently have the best fuel efficiency of any vehicle. Trucks tend to sacrifice efficiency for performance. New injection technologies, fuel mixtures and computerized optimizations are increasing the mileage of nearly all but the heaviest vehicles. Smaller vans can achieve close to the same mileage as a sedan when not loaded to full capacity.

Cargo Capacity

Some thought must be given to the cargo space available. A car has the least amount of space. Vans have a large amount of interior cargo space that can often be reconfigured by repositioning or removing the passenger seats. Trucks have the largest cargo capacity although the open bed of most models will require some protection when hauling groceries or other light items. Drivers who need to move long, bulky or very heavy items on a weekly or monthly basis will want to consider a van or truck.

Passenger Seating

Standard sedans are one of the most popular types of cars sold in the world today because they provide a balance between passenger space and cargo space. Families who need to transport many people every day will want to purchase a van. Vans can hold anywhere from two to six more people than a standard car. Cars are good for smaller families who do not car pool. Trucks can normally hold only between two and four people depending on the design of the cab and provide the least amount of passenger space.

Parking Space

The physical size of the vehicle that is chosen might be an issue for some people. Cars have no problems on the roads or even in indoor storage spaces. A large truck might exceed the clearance of a smaller garage or certain bridges in rural areas. They can also be difficult to park comfortably in a crowded parking lot. Vans vary greatly in size. Some are nearly the same size as cars and will have no problems parking or driving into a garage. Others are much longer than a car and could present problems in tight spaces.

Towing

Families who have a recreational vehicle, a trailer or a rack for a boat or bicycles will want to look at the towing capacity of the vehicle. Trucks have the highest towing capacity and can even be outfitted with different hitches such as a ball mount to pull very heavy loads. Vans sometimes have hitches attached and can tow moderate loads. The towing capacity of a car varies greatly between manufacturers and models. Drivers who will need to tow a trailer or other item should check with the car dealership to determine whether the vehicle can handle the weight.

Article courtesy of: http://www.jorgeamortecedores.com/what-to-consider-when-choosing-between-a-car-van-or-truck

Car from the Future

No one likes walking up to the pump and spending over $3 a gallon for gas. But what if you could run your car on something else, something that is everywhere and inexpensive to get? What if you could be driving a car that ran on nothing but air?! It seems too good to be true, almost like something out of science fiction, but...

“That's what Peugeot-Citroen says it will be selling: A hybrid car that runs on a combination of gasoline and air. Digital Trends has an explainer on how they think it works, but they admit they were looking at poorly translated press releases. It seems to use hydraulic power to keep the car running and powering it up to speeds of 43 mph.

In recent years, volatile gasoline prices and worries about long-term supply have sent consumers and entrepreneurs alike searching for alternate fuels and alternate energy sources to power their cars.

Companies all over the world are looking for the newest fuel that will power our vehicles in the future, under the belief that at some point, oil will start running out. In fact, here's a look at some wacky, yet plausible, fuel alternatives that are in the process of development right now that could eventually find their way into your car's gas tank.

Peugeot isn't the first company to think about using air. A small British company is making fuel out of thin air, developing a process that uses air and electricity to manufacture a synthetic fuel that has already powered a Lotus in test drivers.

This one is still a ways away. The company behind the technology, Air Fuel Synthesis, wants to build a full-scale refinery, but that could take 15 years. Still, don't bet against it. Britain's deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, recently visited AFG's testing facility and came away saying, "I feel I've glimpsed the future."

More info and a video here: http://aol.it/10EeWkK

The 10 Most Dangerous Distracted Driving Habits

It’s easy to get distracted. But one of the worst places for distractions to happen is behind the
wheel. Read about the 10 most dangerous distracted driving habits so you can avoid them and keep
yourself and other drivers on the road safe.

It's probably safe to reason the 18-year-old man didn't leave the house with intentions to kill someone that day. As he went about his business, he casually held his car's steering wheel in one hand and a cell phone in the other. He certainly hadn't planned on running that red light. That was when a semi-tractor trailer swerved to avoid clobbering his car. Instead of hitting the negligent driver, the rig plowed directly into the vehicle carrying Jacy Good and her parents, Jean and Jay Good. The trio was returning from Jacy's 2008 graduation from Muhlenberg College near Allentown, Pa. 

Jacy's parents were killed instantly. She was critically injured and endured agonizing rehabilitation sessions to regain her speech and her ability to do just the simplest of tasks. The Goods' story is just one of thousands each year of the pain inflicted by distracted driving. 

It's no wonder that "distracted driving" has been called "the new drunk driving" [source: The Economist]. 

Distractions inside our vehicles abound. For many professionals, their car, truck or SUV is truly their office on wheels. For younger drivers, the car continues to serve as a social hub as it has for decades. But now vehicles are not just a mobile party; they've also become a spot to place calls and send texts -- all too often with deadly consequences. 

Every day, distracted driving kills more than 15 people and injures more than 1,200 [source: Centers for Disease Control].

Article Courtesy of: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/accidents-hazardous-conditions/
10-most-dangerous-distracted-driving-habits.htm

Top 5 Signs of Engine Trouble

Your engine is the most important element needed to keep your car running. If things aren’t going exactly as they should, your engine will give you plenty of signs. Use this list to keep a close eye on your engine so you can recognize the first signs of trouble.

We've all done it: While sitting in traffic, maybe at a red light, you listen. Is that a whirring sound? What is that whirring sound? Where is it coming from? Is it from my car? Is it in the engine? Please don't let it be in the engine. It's just the air conditioner. Or maybe it's not even my car. The car in the next lane looks like a real clunker. I bet it's that car.

Repeat with any sound, any smell, any weird feeling you get while driving. Car jerking around? They need to pave this road. Engine smells funny? That's because this whole town smells. Check engine light come on? It's probably a loose gas cap. And of course, if you hear something strange, turn up the radio and drown it out.

Because otherwise, these things can give you a panic attack. With every sound, smell, and insistent light on the dashboard, we see days without a car to get to work and money flying out of our wallets like winged monkeys in little red vests and hats.

Here are a few of the scariest signs of engine trouble, the likely causes. And yes, they almost all require immediate attention -- but there's no need to panic. Unless you actually see those flying monkeys. They're creepy.

5. Warning Lights

If your car is working properly, these are what Audra Fordin of "What Women Auto Know" calls "hello, good morning" lights. You fire up the engine and the dashboard lights up like carnival. This is the car's computer checking everything out. One by one, each of the lights turns off and you're ready to drive.

If they don't turn off, though, that's bad. Either very bad or slightly bad, depending on which light remains lit. These lights are connected to sensors that monitor everything your car does. If something seems out of whack, the computer will use these lights to tell you what it is. It can't use its words; it's not KITT, you know.

The lights you'll probably want to pay the most attention to are:

• Check Oil/Oil Level Low
• Oil Pressure Low
• Check Engine

The "Check Engine" lamp is perhaps the most troubling of lights because it could mean so many different things, from "you didn't screw the gas cap on tightly enough" to "look out for pistons flying through the hood and into the stratosphere." The easiest way to find out what this light is telling you is to hook your vehicle up to a scan tool. This diagnostic tool looks a little like an oversized calculator and plugs into a communication port inside the car. After you instruct it to perform the scan, it "speaks" with your car's computers to find out exactly what's prompting the light to turn on.

You can purchase your own tool from an auto parts store for less than $100, but then what? You're probably not going to put on your coveralls and crawl under the hood yourself. Instead, visit a service station, where a technician will use the scan tool to identify the trouble.

4. Doing the Jerk

No, we're not talking about that cool dance where your knees kind of open and close and you move from side to side, and you can get all low and funky with it. We're talking about a car doing the jerk, which is much less cool.

Driving should be free of jerking, surging, or stalling. It should be smooth and easy, more like ballet than Beyonce. What's cool in the club is not cool in an engine.

But if your car is popping and locking, that's a pretty strong sign of engine trouble. It could be due to fouled spark plugs, clogged fuel lines or fuel filter, the main computer reading the driving situation wrong, or many, many other issues.

The last thing you want is for your vehicle to take its own sweet time accelerating, or to give out entirely, as you're merging onto a busy highway with other vehicles barreling down behind you. Likewise, high revving at idle or acceleration that's out of your control are situations you should have a qualified technician investigate and repair as soon as possible.

Preventive maintenance, including regular oil changes and belt replacements at recommended intervals help to keep you out of the danger zone.

3. Rude Noises

You know how your uncle Barney makes all those sounds at Thanksgiving, and he thinks they're hilarious? Well, if your car ever sounds like Uncle Barney, you've got serious problems.
A tapping or popping that sounds like Barney doing deep knee bends (which never happens), for instance, could indicate detonation taking place within the engine's cylinders. This happens when gasoline ignites prematurely in the combustion chamber of the cylinders and can potentially result in expensive piston damage.

If you hear a grinding noise when you attempt to start your car, your starter motor might need to be adjusted or replaced. If you hear grinding when shifting between gears, it could be transmission replacement time! It's not as fun as it sounds. And if you're driving a manual transmission, do not listen to Uncle Barney when he says, "Grind it 'til you find it."

In most cases, a little bit of noise from either your car or Uncle Barney -- like a mild ticking or clicking -- might be normal. Cars with roller rockers in their valve trains, for instance, emit some ticking noise; and fuel-injected vehicles also produce slightly audible clicks from the injectors [source: 2CarPros.com].

If in doubt, listen intently, try to track down the general area of the noise as best you can and then attempt to explain it in as much detail as you can to a qualified service professional.

2. Foul Smells

Cars rarely smell delightful. They're burning gasoline or diesel fuel, there's hot metal under the hood, and your brother ate a burrito just before he got in the passenger seat. There's not much you can do about your brother besides open all the windows and monitor his lunch intake, but any other automotive smells that make it into the passenger compartment spell trouble.

The scent may signal oil or coolant leaking from their normally closed-loop systems, or it may indicate dangerous exhaust gases invading your car's interior. Car and truck exhaust contains toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, so if the inside of your car smells as if you were standing behind your car, get out and get it fixed. Fight the urge to take a little nap first. So sleepy. That's the carbon monoxide talking, friends. At least open a window on your way to the shop.

The smell of burning rubber could mean you just did an awesome smoky burnout, or it could be telling you that drive belts or accessory belts beneath the hood are damaged, loose, or worn out. It could also mean that a rubber hose carrying important fluids is touching something that it shouldn't -- something that's too hot and is melting the rubber.

In any case, it's a good idea to act sooner rather than later, as these nasty smells could be linked to a much more crucial and expensive component.

1. Smoke Signals

Smoke can come from the front or back of the car, and it's not good in either case. But the tailpipe will send-up colored smoke in attempt to tell you what the problem is. Here is your secret decoder ring:

Blue smoke: Oil is escaping from its intended passageways within the engine and is being burned along with fuel. Of course, you could always keep adding engine oil to the crankcase to prevent it from being all burned up (and risking serious engine damage), but the smart thing to do would be to take the car in to have any worn or damaged seals repaired [source: Torbjornsen].

White smoke: Water condensation or antifreeze has mixed with the fuel supply. Again, adding coolant or antifreeze to your car's cooling system will keep your car from overheating for as long as you remember to keep feeding the reservoir, but the wise move is to have it checked out as soon as possible.

If the smoke is coming from under your hood, that probably means you ignored white smoke coming out of the tailpipe, and now your engine is overheating. Or maybe you completely forgot to add coolant at all, and the engine overheated. Not that anyone would ever do that. That's ridiculous.

Article courtesy of: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/diagnosing-car-problems/mechanical/5-signs-engine-trouble.htm#page=0

Tire Buying Tips

Having the right tires makes all the difference in how your car operates on the road and in bad weather. But buying tires can be tricky and confusing. Use these 6 tips next time you buy tires to make sure you’re getting the ones that are right for you and your car.

It can all begin with the Lincoln test: if you see the top of Abe's head when you place a penny upside down into the tread of a tire, it's time to go tire shopping. The passage of time, or damage and flaking on the sides of the tires, can also signal the need.

It can end up costing a pretty penny — usually $500 to $800 for a set of four.

Yet the majority of shoppers do no research before buying tires, according to Consumer Reports. So if you're among them, get smart and follow these tips to make the most of your money — and tires.

1. Get the right size.

A tire's size is listed on its sidewalls in a sequence such as P265/70R16. Replacement tires should always match what's noted in your owner's manual or car door jamb, not necessarily what's currently on your vehicle.

2. Age matters, even with "new" tires.

Tires naturally deteriorate over time, faster in hot climates. A tire's "birthday" is noted as a four-digit number following a letter sequence beginning with DOT, indicating the week and year it was manufactured — 5009, for instance, means the 50th week of 2009.

Vehicle manufacturers recommend you replace tires after six years, no matter what their condition. Since some shops stock old tires, check the age code to make sure you're not being sold ones that are already several years old and well on their way to needing replacement.

3. Learn the lingo.

"All-season" tires are a popular and wise choice for most drivers. But think those called "high-performance" or "ultra high-performance" are better? Think again. Tire performance means ability to handle well at higher speeds, not lifespan. Any tire with "high-performance" in its name will likely wear out quicker.

4. Think twice about warranty.

Manufacturers often tout mileage warranties — typically between 50,000 to 80,000 miles, depending on tire type. The mechanic whom I use, however, says, "In truth, drivers never get that kind of mileage from their tires. And the heavier the vehicle, the less you should expect — no matter how well you drive."

Before buying based on mileage warranties, know the fine-print details: If tires wear out prematurely, you don't just get a new set for free. There's a prorated credit for replacements, and for that, you'll likely be expected to prove you properly cared for the tires by keeping them inflated to the right pressure, aligned and rotated every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. There may be a careful inspection and demand for service records before warranties are honored.

5. Don't rely on the TPMS.

If your vehicle was manufactured in 2008 or later, chances are it has a Tire Pressure Monitoring System, which warns when tires are underinflated. Insufficient air pressure not only is a safety hazard but speeds tire wear.

So at any given time, why do a majority of cars have at least one underinflated tire? "Most people never check their tire pressure," says Mark Cook of the Tire Industry Association, and the pressure monitoring system gives a warning only when tires are underinflated by 25 percent or more, not lesser amounts that still affect tread wear and tire lifespan.

To make your tires last longer, take five minutes every month to ensure that they're inflated according to specs listed on the car's door jamb. What's noted on the tires themselves is the maximum allowable pressure, not the pressure you want.

This isn't to say that a pressure monitoring system isn't worth keeping in good working order. Keep in mind that its brains are in special tire valves. They cost about $50 each and should be replaced every three to five years, says Cook.

6. Know how and where to bargain.

Tires are expensive but can you dicker for a discount? You certainly should try, but good luck.

Your auto dealer or neighborhood garage will likely offer zero or very low discounts, claiming thin profit margins.

Because of their buying power, warehouse clubs such as Costco and BJ's sell many tires for less. But aside from coupon sales, don't expect to successfully bargain down here. Sales clerks at chains that specialize in tires tend to work on commission, so they may have more wiggle room or will make "match any price" offers.

Websites that sell tires (for shipment to local installers) are worth checking out too. Type "buy tires online" into a search engine to find these sites.

Overall, you'll fare best seeking a discount not on the tire, but on related services such as installation, lifetime tire rotations or oil change. Expect salesmen (who sometimes must meet sales quotas) to push for more expensive tack-ons such as brake jobs and alignments. If your car needs them, ask for a discount on them as part of your tire purchase

Article courtesy of http://www.aarp.org/money/budgeting-saving/info-10-2012/great-tips-for-buying-tires.html