Fuel Efficient Autos

Some insurance companies are offering “accident forgiveness” these days. This term typically refers to “forgiving” an accident so it does not increase the premiums on your policy. But is this always the best and most affordable option?

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, you may be paying more on your premiums just by choosing the accident forgiveness option. If it is only offered as an add-on option to your policy, the cost could be higher than the increase in premiums following an accident. The only way it is a more affordable service is if it comes as a standard part of the insurance policy.

Many insurance providers that offer the accident forgiveness option only offer it to drivers who have either been with the company for many years or if they have a clean driving record. Some providers may even offer it to new policyholders as a way to lure them to the company from their current insurance company.

Do you have the accident forgiveness option on the insurance for your VW cars? If so, now may be a great time to reevaluate your policy and calculate the costs of your premiums. You my just be paying more than you need to for something that you may never use.

When you are in your VW cars by yourself, it’s easy to choose a radio station. If you want to catch up on the latest news, you listen to a talk radio station. If you want to “jam out,” you find your favorite rock station. Or you might even be in the mood to chill, in which case you would turn it to your favorite “coffeehouse” station. But what happens when your spouse or children are in your VW cars with you? Who chooses the radio station then?

If you’re like me, you end up playing “DJ” if you are driving around with your kids in the backseat. “Turn this song up, daddy,” I hear at certain songs. “I don’t like this song…change the station, daddy,” is another popular phrase. But it’s even worse when my wife rides along with me. “Why do you always listen to talk radio?” she always asks with a “It’s boring” added to the end of her question. It makes me long for the peacefulness that can only come with driving alone.

Do you face similar challenges when your family rides along with you in your VW cars? Let us know your radio-related experiences below.

Have you seen the YouTube video where the couple is getting married and the entire wedding party dances into the church? How about the one where the guy is pleading for people to leave Britney Spears alone? If so, you know what a viral video is. And if that’s you, you have probably even seen the one advertising for new VW cars.

Volkswagen has recently released a video that has become viral. The makers or the video started by doing experiments designed to monitor peoples’ behavior after making their everyday world more fun. At the end of each video, the VW logo simply drops onto the screen. It may not seem like much, but millions of people all over the world are viewing these videos online and getting exposed to the VW brand.

One experiment shown in the videos includes making a set of subway stairs look like a piano keyboard and adding a sound element each time a person steps on a “key.” The video shows people getting excited about taking the stairs instead of the escalator which is positioned right next to the stairway. The video, which can be seen here, has received over one million views and will probably get a million more.

The company has more ideas for promoting VW cars in this socially conscious fashion. We look forward to seeing more!

The fall season is a great time to go through some of the things in your car to make sure they are working properly. It’s also a good time to start preparing it for winter before it gets too cold. Here are some ways to get your VW cars ready for the impending colder temperatures ahead.

• Change the oil. This does not mean to just change it like you do every few months or every 3,000 miles. Instead, change the type of oil you use. Use thinner oil so it can flow through the engine and its parts more freely even in cold temperatures.
• Check the antifreeze level and the radiator. Antifreeze is essential once the weather starts changing because it keeps the engine and radiator from freezing up. Get this checked before the weather gets below freezing.
• Change your wiper blades. These are essential for safety when the snow and rain starts coming down.
• Check the defroster and heater. These two components are vital once the weather starts changing. The defroster helps keep the windshield clear and the heater…well, the heater needs no explanation. Just make sure they are both working before you actually need them.

These are just a few things to get checked out on your VW cars before the weather gets too chilly. If you do it now, you’ll be glad you did.

With the number of layoffs and uncertain economy, people are looking for fun things to do without breaking their budget. Minor league baseball games are becoming very popular because they are fun for the entire family and they are a fraction of the cost of major league baseball games. We have a minor league team just across the Delaware River that you can enjoy without driving too far in your VW cars!

The Camden Riversharks play their games against the backdrop of the breathtaking Philadelphia skyline with the Benjamin Franklin Bridge in full view. Campbell’s Field, which is the name of the facility, opened in 2001 and has more than 6,400 seats. It was also named Minor League Ballpark of the Year by Baseball America magazine. Games begin in May and most start times are 6:35 p.m.

The Riversharks are ready to entertain the entire family by playing their hearts out against their competitors. Ticket packages start as low as $50 and you can even get a free ticket to Six Flags – Great Adventure for each ticket package you purchase! Who else does that?

So pack the whole family in your VW cars and head across the river to Campbell’s Field. It’s a great way to spend an evening close to home without spending too much money.

A recent study shows that your parenting style can influence how safe your teenage driver is when behind the wheel of your VW cars.

Parents who give their teen drivers firm rules while being supportive tend to have safer teen drivers. In fact, the study shows that teen drivers are half as likely to get into an auto accident when parents are firm with the rules in a supportive manner. It also cuts down on teen drinking and driving. When parents use positive rule-setting, their teen drivers are more likely to wear their seatbelt and less likely to text or talk on their cell phone when behind the wheel of the car.

“Parent involvement really matters. Active parenting can save teenagers’ lives,” explained Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg from the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He went on to say that parents who “set boundaries and monitor those boundaries with warmth and support can have a really dramatic effect on teen driving safety.”

How are you handling your teen driver when it comes to driving your VW cars? Are you being loving and supportive or are you being impatient and mean? Evaluate your parenting style to ensure your teen driver is being as safe as they can be when they are behind the wheel. It could just save their life!

Keeping your VW cars maintained through scheduled procedures and other methods is a great way to keep them running smoothly and efficiently for many years. But there are other things you should be doing to reduce stress on the engine and other parts so your VW cars will run for years to come.

1. Stop before shifting. When backing out of a parking space, many drivers put their VW cars in “Drive” before it stops rolling. This adds undue stress on the transmission and can even cause a great deal of damage to it after doing it many times. Make sure the car comes to a complete stop before shifting gears for optimum performance.
2. Learn to listen. Your VW cars will tell you when something is not right. If you are in tune with your car, you will be able to hear if something is wrong. At the first sign of this, get it checked out before it becomes an even bigger problem.
3. Drive smoothly. Braking hard and quick starts wreak havoc on your engine. Accelerate smoothly and brake evenly and you will not add any unnecessary stress on your VW cars.

Take these suggestions and use some common driving sense and your VW cars may even last you a lifetime!

If you enjoy going to museums and exhibits by way of your stylish VW cars, there are two exhibits in the Philadelphia area that are going to be ending fairly soon. Here are those exhibits and what you can expect to see and learn from each one.

1. Shopping in Paris - French Fashion from 1850-1925 – This unique exhibit which takes place at the Perelman Building features costumes from cabaret dancers as well as designs from Coco Chanel and other famous designers from the era. The designs show a progression throughout society with various hems, necklines and gowns. The exhibit goes through October 25. Check with the Philadelphia Museum of Art for more information about ticket prices and other details.

2. Star Trek: The Exhibition – If you are a Star Trek nut, this is the exhibit for you! This exhibit is hands-on and makes you feel a part of Captain Kirk’s iconic ship. There are more than 200 objects – which is the most comprehensive collection in the world – which span more than four decades. Some highlights of the exhibit include the bridge of the Starship Enterprise and a Simulator Experience. You have to hurry, though. The last day of the exhibit is September 20!

If you are upset about the ban on using your cell phone while driving in Philadelphia, you may soon have more disgruntled company.

In addition to banning cell phones while driving, it will also be against the law to use your cell phone while traveling on anything with wheels. That means skateboarders, bicyclists and all other forms of wheeled transportation are subject to the new ban which takes effect on November 1. If you thought it was bad that you couldn’t use your cell phone while driving your VW cars, wait until this new law takes effect.

Many do not like the new legislation because they think it infringes on their rights too much. And once this law goes into effect, it will be easier to take it one or two steps further. Proponents of the law say it is benefitting the “common good” because it makes people safer.

For a first offense of using your cell phone while traveling on wheels, you are subject to a $150 fine. Repeat offenders can expect to pay more than that.

How do you feel about these cell phone bans? Should you be able to talk to someone on your phone when driving your VW cars? Should bicyclists be allowed to call someone while riding their bikes? Let us know your thoughts below.

Volkswagen recently announced the number of VW cars sold during the month of August and the results are exciting! With sales of more than 24,820 units, VW dealers enjoyed an increase of 11.4 percent in sales over August of 2008. Those are also the best sales figures for VW cars since December of 2005!

Part of the reason for the surge in sales was, of course, the Cash for Clunkers program. Volkswagen has a full line of fuel-efficient vehicles and stylish automobiles that attracted thousands of people wishing to trade in their older car for one of the attractive VW cars that qualified for the government rebates. The Jetta was one of the most popular VW cars during last month’s sales event with more than 12,870 units sold.

“We are extremely pleased with our August sales results,” said Mark Barnes, the CEO of Volkswagen America, Inc. “The government sponsored Cash for Clunkers program was instrumental at sparking the entire auto industry. The fact that Volkswagen currently has more vehicles that attain 25 miles per gallon or better on the highway than any other brand well positioned us to capitalize on the program.”

If you didn’t take advantage of the government’s voucher program, it’s not too late to get a good deal on the VW cars of your dreams. Check one out today!