Want to save fuel, money, AND the environment while you’re at it? The thought of buying a new or different car while paying your gas credit card payments may seem insane, but Autoblog and Consumer Reports have an idea for you.

You don’t have to buy new, just buy smart. Buy pre-owned. Once that hybrid owner drives that car off the lot, it’s lost a good percentage of it’s value already. Just snap that baby up once they turn it in for the newer model and blam! Saving money and the world.

Consumer Reports created a list of the top pre-owned cars to snap up that will help you save at the pump. The vehicles that top the list for Consumer Reports, well,  report, isn’t any surprise: Toyota and Honda rake in the most rankings.  Here is a basic rundown for you:

With all the worrisome press about the automotive industry in the news lately, I thought it would be important to share some uplifting news and interesting factoids about our domestic manufacturers.

Ford is perhaps best known for the Mustang, which has now sold more than 9 million units since it was introduced at the New York World's  Fair on April 17, 1964. The Mustang will celebrate its 45th anniversary in 2009, and is one of the most widely recognized vehicles in the world. Today, one of every two sports cars sold in America is a Mustang. The Mustang is also Ford Motor Company's longest-running nameplate.

But some may not know much more about this domestic brand, which in recent years has become extremely focused on improving quality, fuel economy, technology, safety, and eco-friendliness.

So, let's talk about Ford:

It's bad enough that it takes so much time and trouble to find a used car. However, nothing could be worse then purchasing a vehicle that starts to fall apart a short time after you take it home. Educated consumers are a used car seller's worst nightmare. Knowing more about the vehicle than the seller tells you is the secret ingredient to buying a great used car, negotiating a great deal and avoiding a nightmare!

Here are three important steps you can take to help you buy a great used car.

Step 1: Do Your Homework.
Know what you're looking for before you even pick up a paper, turn on the computer, or step foot onto a car lot. Know what your budget is, how you're going to pay for the vehicle, and research the safety and reliability of various makes and models to figure out what you want.

Step 2: The Preliminary Inspection.
It's imperative that you do a preliminary inspection to decide if this vehicle is even worthy of your consideration.

It is essential that you have a checklist with you so you know what to look over on the car. You want a checklist that is easy to use. One that tells you what to look for and you only have to answer: Yes / No or Good / Bad.

If the vehicle passes your inspection then you also need a test drive checklist. If you would like more information and the checklists you need for your preliminary inspection, you can come to my website www.autocraftsmen.com and download a FREE copy of my 72-page workbook "How To Buy A Great Used Car."

Once you have found that special vehicle that you are interested in buying, then it is time for the most important step!

A tire is a pneumatic system, which supports a vehicle’s load. It does this by using a compressed gas (usually air) inside to create tension in the carcass plies. It’s important to realize that a tire carcass has a high-tension strength, but has little or no compression strength. It’s the air pressure that creates tension in the carcass and allows the tire to function as a load-carrying device.

That's why inflation is so important. In an inflated, but unloaded tire, the cords pull equally on the bead wire all around the tire. When a tire is loaded, the tension in the cords between the rim and the ground is balanced or relieved. The tension in other cords is not changed. Therefore, the cords opposite the ground pull upwards on the bead. This is the mechanism that transmits the pressure from the ground to the rim.

In addition, a tire must transmit handling (acceleration, braking, cornering) to the road. Cornering forces are transmitted to the rim in a similar manner to load. Acceleration and braking forces rely on the friction between the rim and the bead. Inflation pressure also supplies the clamping force, which creates friction.A tire also acts as a spring between the rim and the road. This spring characteristic is very important to the vehicle’s ride. Too high an inflation pressure causes the tire to transmit shock loads to the suspension and reduces a tire's ability to withstand road impacts. Too low an inflation pressure reduces a tire's ability to support the vehicle's load and transmit cornering, braking and acceleration forces.

Inflation Problems

Under-inflation can cause many tire-related problems. Since a tire’s load capacity is largely determined by its inflation pressure, under-inflation results in an overloaded tire. An under-inflated tire operates at high deflection resulting in decreased fuel economy, sluggish handling and may result in excessive mechanical flexing and heat buildup leading to catastrophic tire failure.

Correct inflation is especially significant to the endurance and performance of radial performance tires. For example, because of a performance radial’s aspect ratio and design, it may not be possible to look at a radial tire and actually see under-inflation of 5 psi. However, under-inflation of 5 psi can reduce a performance tire's tread life by 25%. A typical tire may also lose 1 to 2 psi a month, if not checked and adjusted.

Temperature Effects
Air pressure is affected by temperature. The air under pressure in a tire is no exception. Typically, an inflation pressure can change by 1 psi for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit of temperature change. Higher temperature means increased pressure.

For example, if a tire is inflated to 35 psi on an 80°F July day, it could have an inflation pressure of 23 psi on a 20°F day six months later in January. This represents a normal loss of 6 psi over the six months and an additional loss of 6 psi due to the 60°F temperature change. At 23 psi, this tire is severely under-inflated.All tire makers recommend that consumers check their tire inflation pressure at least once each week, and as often as possible when tires are cold (ambient air temperature and if the vehicle has not been driven for several hours).

Excessive inflation loss (more than 2 psi per week), visible damage and irregular wear, or tires experiencing severe impacts, vibration, or pulling require removal along with an expert inspection of tire and rim to determine reparability or the need for replacement. Damaged tires may fail suddenly or burst upon re-inflation, resulting in serious injury.

Article by Tire Review Magazine.

by Danna "Daytona" Dayton

Forty of the nation's most promising conservationists will advance their environmental vision and conservation leadership skills as recipients of the first TogetherGreen Fellowships. Awarded in November by the new conservation alliance of the National Audubon Society and Toyota, Fellows were selected from scores of applicants across the country by an advisory board of environmental leaders.

TogetherGreen Fellows were chosen for leadership potential, skills and commitment to engaging communities in conservation action. Each receives a $10,000 stipend and assistance in launching local projects to educate a wide range of communities about the environment and engage them in efforts to conserve land, water and/or energy. Fellows also receive specialized training in conservation planning and execution, the chance to work with experienced environmental professionals, and assistance with project outreach and evaluation.

"Each of our TogetherGreen Fellows demonstrates exceptional environmental understanding and commitment, combined with tremendous potential to inspire and lead others. They are the talented leadership the environmental community will need to tackle the huge challenges and opportunities confronting us now and in the years to come," said Audubon President John Flicker. "These are amazing people who can help us all shape a better future."

by Breanne Boyle
It’s time for another Breanne post. No really. Y’all missed me terribly. I get it, now stop sending me eHallmark cards and boxes of chocolates as bribes to write more glorious posts! (Okay, amend that. Chocolates are still very much accepted and needed.)

So I like to chronicle my forays into aftermarket installations on my Acura RSX (that’s a Type S, people), and today is no different. About a week ago or so we had rain in Southern California. I know. Oh. My. Gawd. Rain in SoCal basically means three things:
1)    The local grocery store sells out of umbrellas
2)    People get irritated because they forget that when you wear flip flops when it rains your feet get wet
3)    People forget how to drive

Number three is the most important one here. There is this crazy phenomenon that happens when the raindrop hits the first windshield on the roads… cars STOP having drivers. All of a sudden cars go weird directions or stop altogether because rain, people, can hurt you. I pride myself on being less freakish than other natives when it gets a little wet here. Did I avoid the flips flops… ahem, no. Did I bring the umbrella with me on the way down to San Diego (a 65 mile drive one direction from the OC)? No way Jose! It doesn’t rain in San Diego - everyone knows that!

Christmas is here, and Santa's been making the headlines in lots of different ways. Here's just a few that we found. Ho ho ho!

Times are tough, even for Santa!
It's been a difficult season, and times are tough everywhere. We've all heard plenty about the situation in the automotive industry, and the federal government has come through with a financial aid lifeline  for the manufacturers, but did you know Santa also went to Congress begging for a holiday bailout?

In this video over at youtube, you can watch Santa and two of his elves as they petition a hostile committee for $25 billion in Federal assistance, saying that he and his workers just can't keep up with the selfish demands for expensive electronics. Poor Santa!

Have you wondered what would happen if car companies designed Santa's sleigh?
The editors at the British automobile magazine, Car, decided to find out, so they asked various leading designers at British car companies for their vision of Father Christmas's wheels... with intriguing results! Apparently, Bentley, Ford, Nissan, and Rolls-Royce all contributed designs. Click on the links below to see how their designers imagined they might build Santa's holiday ride, and read more details about their imaginative creations.

Ford submitted three designs based on their latest 'kinetic design' mantra, including one heavily  influenced by the upcoming new Fiesta. Paul Wraith's red Kuga-style sleigh  with pop-out silver snowboards features the gorgeous new vehicle design that we're eagerly anticipating to arrive Stateside for the 2010 model year. It also makes a great sleigh!

Martin Uhlarik penned Nissan's sleigh,  which is pulled not by reindeer but by  Nissan's popular new sportscar, the GT-R.

Rolls-Royce has created a rather stately design that crosses Greek temple-style architecture with the shape of some top-end speedboats. Looks comfortable, powerful, and fast!

Bentley's designers  penned a futuristic Santa Azure Sleigh complete with rifled tailpipes and an exposed Bentley Blitzen powerplant!

What if Rudolph is a Girl??
Betsy Blaney of the Associated Press says "There may be a perfectly good reason why Santa doesn't get lost on his annual Christmas globetrot: His flying reindeer just might be female and don't mind stopping for directions." According to an article we found at USAToday.com,   the gender of Rudolph and his or her sleigh-hauling friends is now being pondered by renowned wildlife experts at Texas A&M University.

"Santa's reindeers were really females, most likely," said Alice Blue-McLendon, a veterinary medicine professor specializing in deer, who points to the Rudolph's shiny red nose as part of her evidence. "Females like accessories," said Blue-McLendon, who in 2003 led the school's cloning of a white-tailed deer. "I think that fits because females like bling. We like shiny stuff." I know I do!

And besides, when you think about it, their names aren't necessarily masculine, either! Really, what rutting male would want to be called Dancer, Prancer, or Vixen? (creative commons image courtesy tristanf)

From all of us at AskPatty.com, we hope your holidays are safe and happy!

Jody DeVere
President and CEO
http://www.askpatty.com
http://www.carblabber.com

His Reindeer Share Helpful Suggestions

From www.AutoFinancing101.org

The holiday season is rapidly approaching, and Santa just realized he has a problem. His sleigh is getting old and won’t be able to make it around the world to deliver toys to all the good girls and boys. Santa needs a new sleigh, but he doesn’t know where to begin.

 Luckily, Santa’s eight reindeer – plus Rudolph – have some advice on financing a sleigh that they learned on AWARE’s helpful Web site – www.AutoFinancing101.org. Each reindeer has an important tip for Santa as he prepares to purchase and finance his new sleigh!