You may not see them, or know much about them, but engine belts are always working to keep your vehicle moving. Losing a belt can mean immediate trouble for the engine and a breakdown for you. To avoid being stranded, the non-profit Car Care Council recommends that motorists review the owner’s manual to ensure that belts are inspected and replaced at the proper intervals.

A vehicle’s belts are essential to the cooling, air conditioning and charging systems of the engine. Serpentine belts are used to turn the water pump, alternator, power steering and air-conditioning compressor. Older cars use V-belts for various accessories.

Always check serpentine and V-belts for looseness and their overall condition. Replace V-belts when cracked, frayed, glazed or showing signs of excessive wear. Noise in the belt system is a sign of wear and the smell of burnt rubber can indicate a slipping belt. When changing a serpentine belt, it is important to check all the components in the serpentine system as tensioners and pulleys wear at the same rate as the belt and should be inspected.

Typical serpentine belt replacement is 60,000 to 90,000 miles. Typical V-belt replacement is 40,000 to 50,000 miles. Replace timing belt per interval specified in the owner’s manual.

“Why risk being stranded when a bad belt can be diagnosed with simple routine maintenance?” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Inspecting and replacing belts as specified in your owner’s manual will help you avoid the hassle and expense of a sudden breakdown.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 18, 2020) – New research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety finds that as older adults reduce their driving, men report having fewer resources for making important life decisions. Compared to women, men over age 65 who have reduced their driving in the last year report lower levels of social support when it comes to advice, suggestions and information about issues they may be facing. Because driving is closely tied to freedom and independence, AAA recommends families with older loved ones plan ahead together, especially when it comes to important decisions like limiting driving and putting reliable informational resources in place.

“When it comes to older drivers, data from our study suggests there are perceived social support differences between older male and female drivers,” said Dr. David Yang, executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “Men and women who have reduced their driving report similar levels of care and emotional support from friends and family, but older male drivers find it harder to seek out advice and guidance.”

Of the study’s 2,990 participants, 1 in 5 older drivers reported reducing their driving in the past year, with more women, 57%, than men, 43%, saying they had cut back on driving. The findings are part of the AAA LongROAD (Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers) study, a multi-year research program to better understand and meet the safety and mobility needs of older drivers in the United States.

Past AAA Foundation research has found that many older adults limit their driving, or self-regulate, to daytime, short trips, or familiar locations due to health issues and it can lead to an overall decline in life satisfaction.

“Cutting back on driving may threaten older drivers’ sense of independence and may complicate their ability to run errands, keep medical appointments, or visit friends,” said AAA Traffic Safety Advocacy Project Manager Rhonda Shah. “Just like planning for financial and healthcare needs in retirement, there are many benefits to planning ahead for the day when it makes sense to limit or stop driving.”

While self-regulation may seem like a good solution to allow older drivers to continue driving safely, some changes can create unintended consequences on the roadway. For example, using side streets to avoid the freeway can increase an older drivers’ risk of a crash by increasing the distance traveled and his/her exposure on the road.

Although the average interest rate on a new-vehicle loan is expected to drop year over year, analysts say rates will hit 3-month high as automakers curtail promotional deals, 0% finance offers

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 3, 2020 -- The average interest rate for a new vehicle loan saw a slight lift in January, according to the car shopping experts at Edmunds. The annual percentage rate (APR) on new financed vehicles averaged 5.7% in January, compared to 5.4% in December and 5.5% in November. Edmunds data reveals that the share of sales with 0% finance deals dropped to 3.6% in January, hitting their lowest level since April of 2019.

"January is a bit of a hangover month for auto sales given that it follows some of the biggest holiday blowout events at the end of the year," said Jessica Caldwell, executive director of insights at Edmunds. "Automakers typically rein in the incentives at this time of year, so it's not unusual to see auto loan interest rates creep up. The good news is that interest rates are still much lower than they were a year ago."

Edmunds data also shows that the average monthly payment, amount financed, and down payment for new vehicles were down month over month in January, which Edmunds experts attribute to a drop in purchases of luxury and larger vehicles.

PLANO, Texas, Feb. 3, 2020 -- Much to the excitement of fans across the country, the marketing campaign for the all-new 2020 Toyota Highlander has officially kicked off. The "GO HIGHLANDER" campaign will highlight the best-selling retail model in the midsize SUV segment standing apart from the rest thanks to its unique combination of power, sophistication and functionality.

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here

The "GO HIGHLANDER" campaign for the fourth-generation benchmark SUV will feature Highlander and Highlander Hybrid models that speak to the vehicle's performance, dramatic new design and sophisticated detailing, making it the ultimate vehicle for those who are at the center of making memories.

"We hope the campaign inspires our guests to live their lives with no compromises while going above and beyond for their version of 'family'", said Ed Laukes, group vice president, Toyota Marketing, Toyota Motor North America. "The all-new Highlander gives our guests the ability to go wherever they're needed, which inspired the 'GO HIGHLANDER' campaign."

"Heroes", a humorous and action-packed :60-second spot featuring actress Cobie Smulders and the all-new Highlander, ran in this year's Big Game and officially kicked off the campaign. The spot was created by Saatchi & Saatchi.

The fully-integrated Highlander campaign was developed using the Total Toyota (T2) model which provides multicultural insights aimed at a transcultural mainstream audience. T2 features a blended and cohesive marketing approach inclusive of multicultural marketing, bringing together its agencies into a total market model. The T2 agency team includes Saatchi & Saatchi, Burrell Communications, Conill Advertising and Intertrend, with Zenith placing TV and outdoor media buys.

Matching opening and closing sequences and production features showcase a unified style across all creative throughout the campaign spots, which are highlighted below:

In Burrell Communications' "Top Hat", directed by Daniel Azancot, a group of fashionable women use the all-new Highlander to 'show up and show out' at a premier event. In "Home Team", a family featuring four generations and baseball legend Jim Robinson celebrates togetherness, baseball, and their proud family legacy. The spot was directed by Antony Hoffman.

According to a recent survey, it is estimated that 85 million families in the United States own at least one pet. That makes up 67% of the population. Many new pet owners are choosing pet ownership over starting families, and love and treat their pets as children. Being a responsible pet owner means being prepared. We’ve put together a useful guide on how to keep you and your pet safe in an auto emergency.

You may be a good, responsible driver, but accidents happen. Auto insurance may give you peace of mind when hitting the road, but does that protection cover your pets? People aren’t the only ones that can get hurt during an auto emergency. Pets are just as vulnerable to sustaining injuries caused by car accidents as we are, so whether you make a quick trip to the vet or take your pet along on a fun-filled road trip, you need to be sure they are as protected as you are.

Pet safety and driving safety tips go a long way in avoiding damage or injury during auto emergencies. However, when push comes to shove, can you rely on auto or pet insurance to cover the costs involved?

Possible Dangers Your Pet Faces

Possible emergency situations with pets in your car are endless, but let’s cover some of the most common scenarios.

Most dogs absolutely love the open road. Once that window is down, that head pops out, and it’s all ears and tongues flapping in the wind. But have you considered the potential dangers of letting your dog hang its head out the window?

Debris, insects, and other foreign objects can cause havoc when they hit your dog’s eyes, ears, or mouth. Things can go very wrong for your dog when something hits them at the right angle or speed.

Open car windows also create an opportunity for your pet to jump or fall out of the vehicle. Needless to say, once that happens, your pet faces serious dangers that are entirely out of your control. They could get hit by oncoming traffic or run away and get lost.

Choking on treats or toys is another danger your pet faces. You may think treats and chew toys are great for distracting your pet in the car, but dogs are as likely to choke on foreign objects while driving as they are anywhere else. The only difference is you may not notice your attention is focused on the road.