Road-Testing Four Smartphone Traffic Apps

The INRIX Traffic app's Comparative Traffic screen gives a color-coded indication of current road conditions vs. normal flow.

Getting from Point A to Point B has gotten more complicated in recent years. Crowded highways, road closures, construction projects, speed traps and road hazards now can make driving feel like running a gauntlet. And things can change so fast out of the mean streets that I check of traffic via a website on your computer before you start your commute doesn't always cut it.

Fortunately, technology is keeping pace with driver needs in the form of smartphone traffic apps with features such as real-time traffic data and road-congestion prediction derived from a variety of sources. The on-demand, location specific features of these traffic apps also mean you don't have to wait to for a generic traffic report on the radio. Besides your usual cup of java, one of these traffic apps could be your new favorite companion on your morning commute.

INRIX Traffic
Grade: A
Price: Free
Pros: Forecast function selects best drive time
Cons: Route planning requires $24.99 upgrade
Compatibility: iOS devices (3.1 or later), Android, BlackBerry, Windows 7

This app is from INRIX, a well-respected provider of traffic data for various OEM and aftermarket navigation suppliers. It's based on Google Maps, so the interface should be immediately familiar. It also pulls traffic data from INRIX's massive database that's partially (and passively) sourced from the app's users as well as through a crowd-sourced "citizen traffic reporter" function.

Go-to functions on the main screen are "Comparative Traffic" (which gives you a color-coded indication of current road conditions vs. their normal flow) and a "Forecast" function to gauge the best time to travel. Your input also helps make the app work: The "Alerts" icon on the main screen gives you three options to quickly provide updates to fellow users. Categories include "Police," "Accident" and "Traffic Color is Wrong" (for incorrect traffic assessments).

We found the "Incidents" screen a great feature for evading congestion: The day we were testing it, it gave us a heads-up about a Dodgers game that was sure to muck up a commute and reported an accident near the intersection of two major freeways. Another feature that gets a thumbs-up from us is the ability to toggle off high-resolution maps for quicker load times. Finally, if you want live traffic feeds as well as the ability to have your favorite routes planned out and saved, opt for the pricey $24.99 Traffic Premium upgrade.

iTraffic
Grade: D
Price: $1.99
Pros: Good incident updates featuring Bing images
Cons: Useless routing feature
Compatibility: iOS devices (3.1 or later)

Sometimes you can't judge a book by its cover — or an app by its colorful graphics. We liked the look of the iTraffic app, but while putting it through a test-drive we hit a roadblock. The Map screen utilizes Google Maps, so no issue there. But the app showed red lines (indicating congestion) on streets you could shoot a cannonball down and green lines (indicating no traffic) when cars were barely moving. That had us scratching our heads.

The "Incidents" screen, which lists local trouble spots, was useful and provided helpful satellite photography courtesy of Bing. But where the app really fell down was the "My Routes" function. It supposedly provides the "quickest way through traffic," using dynamic route planning that takes into account road-speed data, real-time traffic info and daily map updates.

What we found, however, was that My Routes consistently rejected addresses, so we couldn't even initiate routes. And we're not talking esoteric destinations either: We tried mom's house, a Trader Joe's market and Los Angeles International Airport. Just for comparison, we jumped out of the app and into good ol' Google Maps — and it offered up one of our preferred routes to LAX.

Traffic.com
Grade: A-
Price: Free or $2.99 Upgrade (without ads)
Pros: Ability to save commutes; handy "dashboard"
Cons: Slow map loads; color codes obscure road signage
Compatibility: iOS devices (3.0 or later)

Sometimes the minute you pick up an app and start to navigate its features, you immediately know the designers got it right. For the most part, that's the case with Traffic.com. The app gets its smarts from multiple sources: maps and historical traffic data supplied by NAVTEQ and other road info supplied by traffic sensors, GPS monitors and proprietary traffic operations centers.

We found the real-time traffic data accurate on several L.A. freeway commutes, but heard online grumblings about inaccurate data. And we found it slightly annoying that highway markers are obscured by the colored lines used to denote traffic flow status. For instance, it's helpful to know the Santa Monica Freeway is congested, but it would be great to actually see the "I-10" highway marker.

But the positives outweighed the negatives. We were impressed by the main "Dashboard," which in one handy screen gives you an excellent rundown of traffic on preferred roads, the current conditions in your area (such as incidents and road work) and even weather forecasts provided by AccuWeather.

We also liked the Hotspots screen that gives you an at-a-glance list of trouble spots in your area. Each has an assigned "Jam Factor" that lets you know the severity of the problem. And if you want to notch up the personalization factor, the app also lets you create a Traffic.com account. With it, you can upload and save your drives and related data for future reference.

Traffic Tweet
Grade: B
Price: Free
Pros: Social media interface; good incident search function
Cons: Limited settings; usefulness varies by area
Compatibility: iOS devices (3.1 or later)

Traffic Tweet combines the popular social media tool Twitter with a user-friendly interface. And what ultimately makes this app a solid traffic co-pilot is that it does a good job of meshing Twitter — in this case to crowd-source traffic data — with simple tap-and-go screens.

Just don't look for anything complicated here: There are no deep settings menus, so you won't be able to save routes or get cool dashboard views. But you will get reasonably accurate reporting (data varies by region because of the heavy reliance on crowd sourcing), intuitive ways to send and receive updates and the ease and familiarity of Google Maps, which the app uses as its map source.

Functions we liked include the ability to tweet road conditions ranging from clear to jammed with one tap, as well as another function button that lets you report hazards from accidents to speed traps via a menu. Your reports go immediately to your Twitter feed and auto-fill with brief details and your location.

Another handy feature is the search function, which gives you results in the form of a "pinned" Google map of your location and all area incidents. (We noted that U.S. urban areas like New York and L.A. had lots of helpful data, while international locales, like Heathrow Airport, had no available data due to lack of user updates.)

Bottom line: If you're in an area with plenty of Traffic Tweet users who are providing data, put this in your app tool kit. If not, pass.

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Music Player Tech Checklist for Car Shoppers

Preparation

Review the owner's manual to find out if your device is compatible.

Starting Out: Music Player Connection and Interface

How does music player connect to the car?
Aux-in jack
USB port
Proprietary plug

How do you access music player content?
Dedicated button
Multifunction button that toggles through various audio sources

How do you control music player functions?
Center console/dashboard buttons and switches
Touchscreen?
Steering-wheel controls
Voice recognition
A combination of the above

Does the system allow you to:
Quickly and easily access content on the device?
Minimize the time your eyes are off the road and your hands are off the wheel?
Quickly get to the most often used controls/features?
If the system has voice recognition, is it accurate?

Features To Look for

Which menu items are available?
Songs
Artists
Albums
Playlists
Composers
Podcasts
Audiobooks
Genres

Does the system pause/start audiobooks or podcasts at the same place after the car's engine is turned off? After a connected device is unplugged and then plugged in again?

Does the head unit correctly identify tracks by providing info such as artist, song and album?

Does the system display album art?

Is it easy to quickly scroll through a menu category that contains hundreds of items?

Is music information displayed so it's easy to read while driving and in all types of lighting?

Does the system offer Bluetooth audio for wireless music streaming?

Can the vehicle play music files on a USB "thumb" drive? If so, which of these formats are compatible?
MP3
WMA
AAC
Other

Is it easy to access music on the USB drive and is the same artist/album/song menu format used?

See the related articles in the Car Technology 101 series.

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Fuel-Sipper Smackdown 4: Which Car Gets the Best Fuel Economy?

Chevrolet Volt, Kia Optima Hybrid, Volkswagen Jetta TDI, Hyundai Elantra and Fiat 500.

"I want a car with good fuel economy."

We hear that a lot, but what exactly constitutes good fuel economy? It would be easy to simply look at the EPA mpg ratings on a new car's window sticker, but what sort of mpg numbers can you expect in the real world? And what happens when you factor in the cost of fuel — gasoline, diesel and now electricity? This test seeks to answer those questions.

Thankfully, there are not only a lot more fuel-efficient cars these days but also more fuel-efficient cars you wouldn't mind driving. When we did the first Fuel-Sipper Smackdown four years ago, there were no diesel-powered cars on sale, the wretched Smart Fortwo was the only gas-powered car with hypermiling capability and the Prius was the only serious hybrid. Back then, it seemed as if the only vehicles capable of 40 mpg were more like science experiments than real cars.

Then we tested a variety of new, more desirable cars in Fuel-Sipper Smackdown 2, and after dabbling last year in SUVs, we're back for another installment with a new set of appealing fuel sippers, and this time 40 mpg seems to be promised by every carmaker.

Well, we'll see about that.

The Cars
First up is the Chevrolet Volt. GM's well-hyped plug-in hybrid is a no-brainer for this fuel economy test, which includes three different test routes: rural highway, city and interstate. How far will the Volt's all-electric cruising range extend? What fuel economy will it get once its all-electric power is gone? And how will a car designed to excel in the city fare on a road trip?

Next is the Kia Optima Hybrid, which has a gasoline-electric powertrain similar in concept to the Toyota Prius, only with a more conventional (and less costly) transmission. This transmission is a key reason that the Optima and its mechanical twin, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, promise the best highway fuel economy of any hybrid sedan.

Now, whoever says you need to drive a hybrid to be fuel-efficient is just dead wrong, and we always bring along plain-old gasoline-powered fuel sippers on these comparisons to prove the point. One is the Hyundai Elantra, which boasts an EPA estimate of 40 mpg highway without the aid of special fuel-economy technology packages like those found on the Chevy Cruze Eco and Ford Fiesta SFE.

We actually had a Fiesta pegged for this test, but a series of accidents experienced within Ford's press fleet nixed chances of driving a Fiesta SFE or Focus SFE in this comparison. The loss of the Fiesta left a spot open for our long-term Fiat 500, although since it has the least impressive EPA mileage ratings of the group, our expectations aren't high.

Finally, no smackdown would be complete without a Volkswagen Jetta TDI and its free-revving turbodiesel engine. This is the all-new, redesigned sedan introduced for 2011, and the diesel helps it earn an EPA-estimated 42 mpg highway. This is tops here, but we'll see if it translates into a winning performance in the real world.

The Country Highway Route

1) 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI with 39.5 mpg1) 2012 Fiat 500 with $43.04 of 91 octane2) 2012 Fiat 500 with 39.4 mpg2) 2011 Hyundai Elantra with $43.64 of 87 octane3) 2011 Chevy Volt with 37.8 mpg and 23.5 miles of electric range (35.7 mpg gasoline only)3) 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI with $44.10 of diesel4) 2011 Hyundai Elantra with 34.3 mpg4) 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid with $45.04 of 87 octane5) 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid with 33.2 mpg5) 2011 Chevy Volt with $44.92 of 91 octane and approx. $1.85 of electricity for $46.77

Our first leg took us the extra-long way from Fontana, California, to Las Vegas, through Death Valley. These were lonely and occasionally very weird rural highways, and we traveled state highways with speed limits of 50 and 60 mph. This has been the best-case scenario for highway fuel economy in the past. But not this time.

The route began with a steep climb up the Cajon Pass, which quickly drained the Chevy Volt's battery and shrank its electric-only cruising range to a paltry 23.5 miles. This grade likely cost the Volt about 1 mpg from its overall performance at the end of the test, which came to 37.8 mpg over 385 miles. Then again, every vehicle in all four Fuel-Sipper Smackdowns had to climb the same hill.

Regardless of its E range, the Volt achieved only 35.7 mpg while its gasoline engine was running (40 mpg is estimated) and its small gas tank required us to fill up the car (a first in a Fuel-Sipper comparison, in fact). Another downside for the Volt's engine was its requirement for 91 octane fuel, which meant the Chevy was the most expensive car to run despite getting the third-best fuel economy.

In fact, fuel cost played a bigger role on this leg of rural highway than the others. The Hyundai Elantra fell a disappointing 5.7 mpg under its 40-mpg EPA estimate, yet it was actually the second cheapest to run because it uses 87 octane. The advantage of using regular gas didn't prove enough for the Optima Hybrid, however, which delivered a very disappointing 33.2 mpg. Even the fuel economy winner on this leg — the Volkswagen Jetta TDI — fell below its EPA estimates for highway mpg.

Could this be a sign that this year's test somehow is different from previous smackdowns? That was our thought until we ran the numbers on our last-minute addition to the test fleet, the Fiat 500. The little Fiat managed 39.4 mpg, which is better than its 38-mpg estimate — the kind of result in keeping with our previous tests on this leg of the route. So even though the Fiat had been handicapped to be worst in mpg on this driving leg, it nearly tied for 1st and was indeed the cheapest car to run.

Perhaps these results indicate that manufacturers are learning to tune their cars to achieve higher numbers in the revised EPA testing enacted in 2008 — numbers that have even less to do with real-world driving than before. Or maybe the Fiat is just that good.

The City Route

1) 2011 Chevy Volt with 44.8 mpg and 44.3 miles of electric range (33.7 mpg gasoline only)1) 2011 Chevy Volt with $16.40 of 91 octane and $1.50 of electricity for $17.902) 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid with 32.7 mpg2) 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid with $19.14 of 87 octane3) 2012 Fiat 500 with 31.3 mpg3) 2012 Fiat 500 with $21.32 of 91 octane4) 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI with 29.8 mpg4) 2011 Hyundai Elantra with $22.25 of 87 octane5) 2011 Hyundai Elantra with 28.2 mpg5) 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI with $23.44 of diesel

So if you take a Chevy Volt on a road trip, where do you charge it? Well, our Volt got a full load of electrons thanks to the EV Charge America charger installed at the Flamingo Las Vegas. The Flamingo is one of only a few hotel properties in Vegas to offer such a service (the Mandalay Bay and Luxor being the others). The Flamingo is a pioneer to be sure, and its staff actually painted the green lines with an "EV CAR" label around our car in the designated charging spot the night before we left on our 180-mile city driving loop around the greater Las Vegas area.

As for the city drive itself, the Volt took the crown with a gasoline-only average of 33.7 mpg. This was the best mpg on this leg, even without the benefit of its 44.3 miles of electric-only cruising range on this loop (its mpg for this leg would have been 44.8 mpg with the electric running factored in). Of course, if you keep your daily city driving below 44.3 miles (a good possibility), you'll be paying less for electricity. How much, exactly? Well, it cost approximately $1.50 in electricity to travel 44.3 miles in the Volt, whereas it costs $3.89 in gasoline to go 33.7 miles. The cost savings for electricity would certainly add up.

The Kia Optima Hybrid disappointed once again, its fuel efficiency falling below its EPA estimate of 35 mpg, but 2nd place is nevertheless still 2nd place. The other three cars were essentially competing among themselves. While the Elantra fell short of its estimate of EPA city mpg by about 1 mpg and the Jetta pretty well nailed its number of 30 mpg, the Fiat 500 once again proved to be an overachieving fuel-sipper. With prudent shifting of its five-speed manual transmission, we found the 500 capable of achieving 31.3 mpg in the city without forcing us to drive like a total grandma.

The Interstate Highway Route

1) 2011 Chevy Volt with 45.2 mpg and 31.7 miles of electric range (39 mpg gasoline only)1) 2011 Chevy Volt with $20.31 of 91 octane and $1.50 of electricity for $21.812) 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI with 40.4 mpg2) 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI with $23.34 of diesel3) 2012 Fiat 500 with 37.6 mpg3) 2011 Hyundai Elantra with $24.14 of 87 octane4) 2011 Hyundai Elantra with 36.2 mpg4) 2012 Fiat 500 with $24.42 of 91 octane5) 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid with 35.0 mpg5) 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid with $24.97 of 87 octane

This final 210-mile leg from Las Vegas to Fontana along Interstate 15 was not only more straightforward from a logistics standpoint but also more straightforward when it came to mpg rankings. The results were ordered just like the city loop, except the Elantra and 500 flip-flopped.

But here's a question: What if we couldn't have recharged the Volt? Well, the Volt would have achieved only 39 mpg, so it would've ceded its crown to the Jetta TDI. Yet we did charge up the Volt at the Flamingo, and the car managed 31.7 miles before firing up the gasoline engine. Unlike the first leg up Cajon Pass, I-15 out of Las Vegas is largely flat, more indicative of a regular strip of American freeway. We expect the Volt to get this sort of range on the average highway.

Once again, however, every car here managed to miss its EPA highway mpg number with the exception of the Fiat 500 (at least when you round up, as the EPA does).

The Final Cost

1) 2011 Chevy Volt with 41 mpg and 99.5 miles of electric range (36.1 mpg gasoline only)1) 2011 Chevy Volt with $83.70 of 91 octane and $4.85 of electricity for a grand total of $88.552) 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI with 37.2 mpg2) 2012 Fiat 500 with $88.77 of 91 octane3) 2012 Fiat 500 with 36.9 mpg3) 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid with $89.15 of 87 octane4) 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid with 33.6 mpg4) 2011 Hyundai Elantra with $90.03 of 87 octane5) 2011 Hyundai Elantra with 33.2 mpg5) 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI with $90.88 of diesel

So who wins? Well, in terms of mpg, then the Chevrolet Volt takes the rest of the pack to school (as long as you're able to recharge its battery, of course). In terms of overall cost, the Chevy Volt still wins, but there's only a $2.33 difference between it and the last-place Jetta TDI.

The Volt would've been cheaper to run if its engine achieved better fuel economy or ran on regular gas; the use of 87-octane gasoline would've given it a victory of $7.66 instead of just 22 cents. Still, apart from its fuel sipping, the Volt is a nice car to drive. Even when its all-electric charge runs out, the gasoline engine is less noticeable than in a Prius, while the Chevy's sophisticated ride, comfortable seats and well-appointed cabin set it apart from the rest, especially during our lengthy rural route through the desert. Two of our editors picked it as their favorite car, even though they admitted that buying one didn't make financial sense.

The biggest surprise here is the 2012 Fiat 500. It is the only car here to have met or exceeded its EPA mpg estimates on every leg in the test, beating cars that should theoretically have been more efficient. With a simple combination of tiny size, tiny engine and manual transmission, the Fiat managed to prove only 22 cents more expensive to run than the ultra-complex Volt (not to mention about $20,000 cheaper to purchase). Of course, not everyone can live with such a tiny car, but the 500 feels like a real car to drive, even if it might not look like one.

The Kia Optima Hybrid is a significant disappointment given the disparity between its EPA mpg estimates and our real-world results. Still, the advantage the Optima has in running 87-octane gasoline lands it in 3rd place. Its good looks, practical sedan packaging, spacious interior and ample feature content led one of our editors to pick it as his favorite. Of course, the same attributes apply to the regular, more affordable Kia Optima, which nearly matches the Hybrid's fuel economy, so we'd buy one of those instead.

The Hyundai Elantra came close to its EPA estimate in the city, but fell far below its lofty 40-mpg target on both our highway legs. Yet, of all the cars here, the Elantra is the most "normal." It runs on regular gas, it has a spacious sedan interior and it doesn't rely on power-sapping Eco buttons (like the Optima) or overly conservative transmission programming (like countless other cars) to achieve its thriftiness. Perhaps if the Elantra used such fuel-saving tricks it would produce better EPA numbers, but then it would be worse to drive, and that would be a shame. The Elantra is one of the best compact sedans on the road, 40 mpg or no.

Finally, the trusty Volkswagen Jetta TDI brings up the rear because diesel fuel is a good 10 cents per gallon more expensive than premium at the moment. In a year, diesel could be cheaper or a buck pricier; you just never know. What we do know is that the diesel-powered VW Jetta is one of the simplest ways to save fuel, and the car has one of the lowest price tags. We're not especially keen on the Jetta sedan's recent redesign, but two of our editors still picked the TDI as the car they'd happily take home (even if they'd pay a few cents more to get there).

In the end, this test showed us three things. First, figuring out just how thrifty the 2012 Chevrolet Volt is requires a mathematician and a whole lot of perspective. Second, carmakers seem to be figuring out how to maximize results in the EPA test, so when you compare your car's real-world fuel economy with its EPA ratings, well, your mileage may vary, as the expression goes. And finally, this fourth Fuel-Sipper Smackdown has shown us that it's never been easier to find a car that will roll out of your driveway and get really great fuel economy.

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How To Use New-Car Incentives and Rebates

Zero percent financing is typically for people with excellent credit. Not everyone will qualify for this incentive.

A new car's price can be a moving target for shoppers. An uninformed buyer might pay one price, while a shrewd negotiator could pay much less. What if there was a way to get a discount without having to rely on your negotiating skills? Happily for consumers, there is such a way, via incentives and rebates.

New-car incentives and rebates are discounts offered by an automaker to help steer consumers away from the competition or make sure they stay loyal to a brand. They are also used when a certain model is not selling well enough and the automaker needs a lower price to spur sales. Knowing about car incentives and rebates and how to incorporate them into the buying process can potentially save you thousands of dollars.

Incentives typically take the form of cash rebates, low APR financing and special leases. Many carmakers also provide additional incentives to first-time buyers, college graduates, members of the military and other specific customer segments.

Incentives can help you decide among a few vehicles you're considering. For example, Car A and Car B might have the same price, but if Car A has a $1,500 cash rebate, it becomes a much better value proposition.

Manufacturers can change incentive programs at any time. The incentives and rebates listed on Edmunds.com reflect national promotions. Occasionally there are regional incentives that could provide further savings.

Know the Incentive Types
Before you learn how to use car incentives and rebates, you must first know what they are. Here is a quick rundown:

Customer Cash: Customer cash, also called bonus cash, is a rebate the manufacturer gives to the consumer. The buyer typically applies it to the price of the vehicle, but buyers can sometimes opt to keep the money for themselves. Bonus cash can also be applied to the finance price of a lease.

A buyer often must meet certain requirements in order to get a rebate. To qualify for a loyalty bonus, for example, the buyer needs to show proof that he owns a vehicle of the same make as the one he's buying. A "conquest" bonus, on the other hand, might require that a buyer show that he owns a competitor's vehicle. Many carmakers also require that the vehicle be financed through their "captives," meaning financing companies they control, such as Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp., or Honda Financial Services.

Dealer Cash: Car dealers get a form of incentive called marketing support. The most common type of marketing support is called dealer cash. This incentive is paid to the dealer by the carmaker. The dealer is not obligated to pass on the savings to the consumer, but it can influence your negotiation. More on that later.

Low APR Financing: This incentive offers interest rates on financed vehicles ranging from zero to about 5 percent. A buyer needs excellent credit to qualify, however, so not everyone will be eligible. This is why we advocate that buyers get pre-approved for a car loan before they go shopping. That way, they'll have an interest rate to compare to what the dealer offers or something to fall back on in case they can't qualify for a dealer-offered low APR financing deal. The low interest rates are sometimes tied to the length of the loan term, so pay attention to this detail.

In most cases, low APR financing cannot be combined with customer cash. And in most cases, customer cash is a better deal because you are financing a smaller loan amount. But if you want to explore all your options, the Edmunds Low APR vs. Cash Back Calculator will help you spot the better value.

Special Leases: Manufacturers often offer special lease programs through their captive financing companies. Most of the lease programs listed on Edmunds.com are of this variety and are formally known as subvented or subsidized leases. These subsidized leases are generally based on a residual value that's much higher than the actual worth of the car at the end of the lease. That's known as the "money factor," and it's subsidized to result in below-market lease rates. In other words, the carmakers and dealers tweak the residual value to bring down the monthly payment.

Special leases are very common and can provide a low monthly payment with little or no money down — provided you pay attention to the fine print. There's not much room for negotiation with advertised lease specials. Instead, focus on getting the dealer to match the advertised special. Some dealers might say they can offer you a "better deal" than the lease special. And while the monthly payment may seem lower, it could cost you more up front, or in the long run. So shop with care.

Here are four important items to consider when you get a lease quote:
1. The length of the lease in months. Edmunds recommends 36 months.
2. The down payment. Edmunds recommends zero down.
3. The number of miles allowed per year, which is usually 12,000.
4. The monthly payment, including taxes and all fees.

How To Research Incentives and Rebates
Go to the Edmunds Incentives and Rebates page. Click on the car brand you are interested in. You'll see a summary of current incentives. This will give you a basic idea of what the automaker is offering. You'll need to choose a specific model to see further details. That page shows the incentives specific to that vehicle. It will also show you the start and end dates of the promotion. Clicking on the "Show details +" button reveals the requirements and other important details.

Once you know the incentives, call or e-mail the dealer for a price quote. Most of the time the salesperson will tell you about any current incentives, but it is still a good idea to have done your own research ahead of time.

Just because you are using an incentive does not mean you have to forgo negotiating the car's price. Instead, treat the rebate as a given and continue to negotiate as you normally would. For example, if you plan on offering $500 below MSRP, make the offer and say "plus incentive." If a vehicle has a dealer cash incentive, you can mention that you know about it, but keep in mind that a dealership is not obligated to pass that savings on to you. Instead, you may want to make a more aggressive offer, knowing that the dealer will get cash from the manufacturer when it makes the deal with you.

Now that you know the basics of car incentives and rebates, make it a point to research them before making an offer. The key to being an expert shopper is successfully combining an incentive with a negotiated price. Here's a final tip: If there aren't any incentives on the car you are interested in, consider waiting a few months. You will probably find that the selection is better and there will most likely be incentives offered on the car.

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Should I Buy a Car's Factory Navigation System?

A factory navigation system offers an integrated look and is backed by the manufacturer's warranty.

In their infancy, navigation systems were an expensive option reserved for luxury cars. Nowadays, navigation systems are ubiquitous. Not only can you get one on an economy car, but also there are alternatives ranging from portable navigation systems to applications for your smartphone.

Which one should you buy? What are the advantages of each setup? Which is less expensive? Here are a few things to consider so you can choose the system that's right for you.

Factory Navigation Systems
Pro: Integration — The factory-installed navigation system will appeal to car buyers who like a clean, high-tech, integrated look. These systems typically have larger screens and are designed to work specifically with the vehicle. This means that you can use such factory features as voice activation and steering wheel controls.

Pro: Warranty Coverage — Since the factory navigation system is part of the vehicle, it is covered by the bumper-to-bumper warranty. If anything goes wrong with the system, you can take it to any dealer for repair.

Pro: Theft-Resistant — Unlike a portable navigation system, which can draw the attention of thieves, you don't have to worry as much about someone walking away with a factory system. Thieves will have a much harder time stealing a factory navigation system than a portable unit that's stuck to the windshield with a suction cup.

Pro: Resale Value — Factory navigation systems also improve a car's resale value. Our used-car analysts say that visible options on used cars, like navigation systems, tend to hold their value in the used-car market and make a car more desirable to potential buyers.

Con: Price — The most obvious drawback for a factory navigation system is price. Factory systems can cost more than $1,000 — and much more than that when they are bundled with other accessories. In some cases, you cannot get a navigation system unless you buy the vehicle's highest trim level.

Con: Updates — Map updates can be pricey, too. If you want to update the maps on a factory system, you typically need to purchase a DVD, which can cost more than $200.

Con: Use Limitations — Some factory navigation systems do not let you input directions while the car is moving. This is meant to be a safety feature, but could be frustrating if you want your passenger to press the buttons. Most portable systems do not have these restrictions.

Portable Navigation Systems
Pro: Price — A portable navigation system is significantly less expensive than the factory system. Prices can range from $50 for a basic unit to more than $200 for a fully featured model with Bluetooth and live traffic.

Pro: Easier, Cheaper Updating — The maps on portable navigation systems are also easier and less expensive to update. Some current models come with lifetime updates.

Con: Mounting — Portable navigation systems are usually mounted on the windshield or the dashboard. That's not as tidy as a factory-installed system, and some people may not like the way this looks. More importantly, these easy-to-remove devices can attract thieves, so you'll have to make sure to hide yours or take it with you when you park the car. On the other hand, this portability can be useful for people who drive multiple vehicles.

Con: Limited Warranty — If your portable navigation unit malfunctions, you'll only be covered for about a year or however long the limited factory warranty lasts. On the other hand, you could buy another and still have spent less than you would have on a factory navigation system.

Aftermarket Navigation Systems
Pro: More Features — In-dash aftermarket navigation systems are geared toward techies and audiophiles who want additional features while maintaining the sleek appearance of the factory unit. These aftermarket navigation systems have entertainment features not found on most factory systems, such as DVD video playback, Pandora streaming and playlist creation for your iPod.

Pro: Better Screen — Since many aftermarket navigation systems have DVD playback, they typically have higher-resolution screens with animated menus and flashy colors.

Pro: Customizable — Aftermarket navigation systems are designed to be the centerpiece of an upgraded audio system that allows for user customization. Some models allow the user to customize the menu icons, colors and backgrounds. You can also add extra equipment such as a rear back-up camera.

Con: Price — A system can sometimes cost as much as the factory unit. The prices can range from $300-$1,300, plus another $250 for the cost of installation.

Con: Theft-Prone — Next to a portable navigation system, an aftermarket navigation system is the second most likely to get stolen. Thieves know how much these units cost, and how easily they can be removed.

Con: Not Fully Integrated — Although the system sits in the dash and is thereby more integrated than a portable unit, it will never look as if it were part of the car's design. This may or may not be a good thing, depending on your point of view. And while you've gained a bunch of new features, you will lose steering wheel functions such as volume and track controls. Some companies sell a special adapter that can restore that functionality. The part costs about $40, plus installation.

Smartphone Navigation Systems
Pro (and Con): Price — Factory-navigation skeptics argue that their smartphones are an alternative to an expensive factory system, saying that the phone already has a map application, and that's all you really need. And for those who want more, the average price of a smartphone nav application is low, from $10-$30. This may sound like the most cost-effective solution, but if you want to have an ideal setup, the price can jump as high as $130. Here are a few things you should consider before putting your smartphone on GPS duty.

Con: Distraction — Unless you purchase a car mount for the phone, it will most likely sit in a cupholder and you'll have to take your eyes off the road to check the directions. This can be just as much of a distraction as texting while driving. The mount itself can cost from $20 for a basic unit to $100 for a do-it-all mount that will charge the phone and boost the audio and GPS signal.

Con: Lack of Voice Guidance — Not all phones come with voice-guided direction capabilities. Voice guidance is a good safety feature, because it minimizes the amount of time you spend looking at the phone's screen. There are apps that can add this functionality, but they cost from $30-$50.

Con: Signal Issues — Some applications rely on a cell data signal for their map information. If you lose cellular coverage, you may find yourself unable to use the maps and directions. The more fully featured navigation applications have built-in map data, which would alleviate this issue.

Con: Battery Drain — Running a navigation application on a smartphone can sometimes take a toll on the battery. This makes carrying a phone charger more important and can be an added cost if you don't already have one.

Which Is the Best?
It may seem as though we're dodging the question, but the answer is really that it depends on your preferences. Some Edmunds editors love factory navigation systems, while others carry their portable systems with them from car to car. Take the factory navigation system for a test-drive before you buy a car and then weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.

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Top 5 Ways To Get Pulled Over by the Cops

Knowing what leads to traffic stops can keep your license free of tickets.

It's easier to get pulled over than you think. All you need to do is commit one of the five violations we've listed below. For even faster results, try combining two infractions at once. Many drivers find this very effective.

Actually, the real reason for this list is to stop you from being pulled over by the police. By seeing driving behavior from the traffic cop's point of view, you can avoid encounters with the law. A little extra awareness could help you keep points off your driving record and keep down the cost of your car insurance.

Three police agencies and two independent traffic experts loaned their expertise for this list of the most common traffic stops. There were some minor variations in opinion, depending on the police agency. But this list shows you the things to watch out for if you want to avoid unwanted contact with the boys (and girls) in blue.

1. Speeding. This was on everyone's list, and the reason is simple. The faster you go, the longer it takes to react to an unexpected situation, whether it's a pedestrian stepping into the street or another car making an unexpected lane change, says Detective William Bustos, officer in charge of the Los Angeles Police Department's traffic detectives. Braking distances also increase as speed builds, and it takes about 120 feet for a vehicle to stop when it's traveling 60 mph. Speeding is common in Bustos' jurisdiction, the San Fernando Valley, which has 230 square miles of mostly wide, straight streets. As recently as the early 2000s, the area attracted frequent street races that played like scenes out of The Fast and the Furious and its sequels.

People are driving faster than they did in the past, particularly on the freeways in the busy area of south Los Angeles, notes Edward McElroy, a California Highway Patrol officer. "People seem impatient; their commutes are longer than ever before," McElroy says. CHP officers write tickets, particularly for speeding, in an attempt to control the "mileage death rate" — the number of people who die per freeway mile. That's a sobering thought.

Alex Carroll, author of Beat the Cops, which has sold more than 250,000 copies, offers an opinion on how far over the speed limit a driver can go without being pulled over: 5-7 mph "easy," he says. The officers interviewed for this story confirmed that there's a "buffer," but added that the decision to cut a speeder some slack is up to the officer's discretion.

2. Illegal cell phone use. Distracted driving, usually because of texting or talking on a mobile phone, is high on the list of ticket bait developed by our experts. Although just a few states ban all cell phone use in cars, more than 30 have banned texting behind the wheel. "People think, 'I'll just make a quick call,' or 'This text will only take a second,'" Bustos says. "But you have to drive as if your life depended on it — because it does."

Sgt. Jeff Wiles, who heads the Santa Monica Police Department's traffic division and patrols the city on a BMW motorcycle, says illegal cell phone use is common — and responsible for a lot of trouble. "The really horrific stories about texting make the news," he says, "But we see accidents and even just fender-benders from it every day."

3. Hazardous driving. This is a catch-all category for common violations that each of our experts noted. Wiles ticks off his favorites without hesitation: stop sign and stoplight violations, improper lane changes, illegal U-turns, failures to yield and unsafe speeds. CHP officer McElroy says he sees people who apparently have forgotten they're driving cars: They're busy shaving, eating and even changing clothes. And what exactly is the violation you're committing when you're changing clothes in a car? "Unsafe speed," he says. "There is no safe speed for pulling a shirt off over your head while driving."

4. Equipment violations. Everyone knows the movie scene where a cop smashes a taillight to justify a traffic stop. But in real life, there's little need for that, our experts say. People commit a multitude of code violations all on their own. Leading the list are heavily tinted windows, burned-out headlights, broken windshields, expired tags, the lack of a front license plate (in California and some other states) and loud exhaust modifications.

5. Following too closely and improper lane changes. This one was a tie. Both of these violations are forms of hazardous driving that our police sources specifically called out. McElroy says that on the freeways of Los Angeles, following too closely can easily cause accidents by shortening a driver's reaction time. Combine that with cell phone use or texting and it is a recipe for disaster, he says.

An improper lane change means cutting someone off or changing lanes without looking first, Bustos says. Failure to signal can also be added to this ticket, he says, but it usually doesn't initiate the traffic stop — partly because the failure to signal is so common.

A Traffic Cop Critic's List
Police officers aren't the only ones keeping track of what gets drivers in trouble. Gary Biller, executive director of the National Motorists Association, which is often critical of law enforcement's handling of traffic stops, listed some attention-getting moves that the police experts didn't mention, including:

Cruising in the left lane of a multilane highway instead of using it only to pass slower traffic on the rightDriving more slowly than the normal traffic flowPeeling out from a stoplight or stop sign, and squealing tires in generalDrag racingRacking up lots of unpaid parking or traffic violations

These are things that make your car stand out and catch an officer's eye. Biller adds that plastering the back of your car with offensive bumper stickers and decals will definitely draw unwelcome attention. Carroll agrees that this will increase the chances of a traffic stop, and adds, "This is particularly so if your sticker conflicts with the cop's views or is a rival of his favorite sports team."

Watch Your Mouth
Traffic stops often have a tipping point. Because officers have legal discretion in what they can cite you for, saying or doing the wrong thing can compound your problems. Carroll says that a traffic cop might add extra violations if the motorist is belligerent. Act like a jerk and Carroll says, "They'll write you up for everything else they can."

Say that a police officer uses this time-honored opening line: "Do you know why I stopped you?" Take a minute before you answer, Carroll says. If you admit guilt or name a specific speed that you were driving, your fate is sealed. Instead, respond courteously but remain vague, he advises. However, "If you have clearly done something wrong, and you sit there and you're evasive with the cops, it's not necessarily in your best interest," he says.

If you plan on contesting the ticket in court it's really better to say very little. The officer is expected to have a clear recollection of the traffic stop.

A lot of traffic-ticket gotchas — and serious accidents — begin with a frustrated, impatient driver. If you really don't want a ticket, try chilling out. Santa Monica officer Jeff Wiles offers this advice: "Put on a relaxing radio station or CD and be patient, because traffic is bad and there will be delays."

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Repair or Replace Your Windshield the Right Way

A windshield is a vital safety feature of your car that adds strength during an accident and keeps occupants from being ejected.

When faced with replacing a windshield, many car owners default to the lowest-price option. But if you take this route and are in a serious accident, your decision could cost you your life.

An incorrectly installed windshield could pop out in an accident, allowing the roof to cave in and crush the car's occupants. Furthermore, when the front airbags deploy, they exert a tremendous force on the windshield and will blow out one that is not firmly glued in place.

"There are a lot of schlock operators" installing windshields, says Debra Levy, president of the Auto Glass Safety Council, which offers certification for installers. She says using original manufacturer's glass is a plus, but choosing a good installer is even more important. To find a certified shop, visit Safewindshields.org and type your ZIP code into the box at the top of the page. The National Glass Association also offers a feature to find certified installers. Certification is valuable because it keeps installers up to date on advances in adhesives and changing automotive designs.

David Beck, one of two technicians at Windshield Express, near Salt Lake City, installs eight windshields a day and has been working in the auto glass business for 18 years. Beck agrees that certification is important and warns that there are many "tailgaters" — installers with no brick-and-mortar shop — who quickly "slam" windshields into cars with little regard for safety. They don't handle the windshield correctly, don't use the proper adhesives and leave the car unsafe for driving and prone to rusting and leaks.

"The thing I wish that drivers knew was that the windshield is the No. 1 safety restraint in your vehicle," Beck says. The windshield is two sheets of glass held together by an inner layer of strong vinyl. When the windshield breaks, the vinyl holds the glass in place rather than allowing the shards to fall into the car and cut the occupants.

The windshield is a layer of protection that "keeps you inside the car and things out of the car," Beck says. "This is not the place to cut corners on and go with the cheapest price."

Steve Mazor, the Auto Club of Southern California's chief automotive engineer, adds that if the windshield isn't strong enough and an occupant is thrown from a speeding car, "the odds of survival are much less." Thirty percent of all fatalities, he says, are due to people being ejected from the car.

An investigation by the ABC News program 20/20 on windshield safety shows technicians incorrectly installing windshields by not wearing gloves. The grease from their hands prevents the adhesives from bonding correctly, Beck explains. Another error that 20/20 caught was technicians failing to use all the necessary bonding agents, such as primer.

When you are looking for a good windshield installer, Levy recommends calling three shops and asking a few qualifying questions beyond just price and certification.

Levy says to ask the shops if they use original equipment glass, which is usually of higher quality and fits better. Also, she suggested asking how long the car should sit after the installation is complete. "If they say you can take the car right away, you should run in the opposite direction," Levy says. A car should sit at least one hour before being driven and sometimes up to 12 hours, she says.

Beck says if you take your car to a dealership for a windshield replacement, it will just subcontract the job to a glass shop and then mark up the price about 30 percent. He recommends going directly to the glass shop to save money. However, when a car is new, the dealership might be the only place to stock the glass, as was the case for a 2011 Infiniti M56 Edmunds long-term test car where the windshield replacement cost $1,300.

Most windshield installation jobs take only about an hour and can be done at your home or office, Beck says. Once the installer is finished, check for signs that the job was completed correctly. Make sure the molding is straight and that there is no sign of adhesives visible inside the car, Beck says. The car should be clean inside. Debris or dirt left in your car could be the sign of sloppy workmanship, he says.

In some cases, a rock chip or star in the windshield can be repaired, saving you the cost of a new windshield. Mazor says some installers claim that cracks can be repaired even if they're up to 15 inches long, but only if they intersect just one edge of the windshield.

Beck says rock chips, which he also fixes, are easier to repair when the damage has just occurred. Over time, rain washes dirt into the crack, making it harder to seal. He suggests carrying a roll of clear tape in the glove compartment to quickly cover a crack until it can be fixed.

Beck injects polymer into rock chips and cracks. After the polymer cures, he smoothes the area so it doesn't affect the travel of the windshield wipers. Beck says that if he gets to the repair within a week of the damage, he can generally make it disappear. Windshield Express' owner, Bryan Petersen says his rate for rock chip repairs is $29.95 for mobile jobs and $19.95 in the shop.

In the Los Angeles area, the rates for windshield repairs are higher — in the range of $65. Windshield repair kits are available at automotive stores for the do-it-yourselfer, but they don't do the job as well as the professionals can do it. The pros have better equipment and much more experience.

The Auto Glass Safety Council's Levy says studies show that windshield rock chips or cracks that are in your field of vision can actually slow your response to emergency traffic situations. She also says that old windshields that are pitted or hazed should be replaced — even if they are not broken — since they can magnify the glare of the headlights from oncoming cars at night.

Mazor says that a new windshield might be cheaper than you would think. In many cases, windshield repair is covered by car insurance (under your comprehensive coverage — not collision). The deductible for comprehensive coverage is sometimes only $50 or $100, so that would be the cost of a new windshield.

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10 Things Teens Should Know About Cars and Driving

It's essential for young drivers to know what to do when they are stopped by a police officer.

When a teenager gets a driver license, it signifies freedom and the lure of the open road. But with this newfound freedom comes a host of new situations and possible problems that most teen drivers have never encountered before. It's a good idea to review these scenarios with new drivers in your family, and discuss how to handle them before they happen for real.

From traffic stops to road rage, here's a primer on what you need to tell teen drivers as they take to the roads.

1. What to do when you're stopped by a police officer
Safely pull to the side of the road, turn off your car, roll down the window and keep your hands visible. Don't make any sudden moves or argue with the officer. Do your arguing in traffic court.

For more information, read "Avoiding Traffic Tickets."

2. How to deal with a flat tire
Pull completely off the road, even if it means destroying the tire. Call roadside assistance and let that person change the tire. If you have a spare (many cars now only have an inflation kit) and know how to change the tire, make sure you are out of traffic and in plain sight of oncoming traffic before changing it yourself.

For more information, read "How To Change a Flat Tire" and "The Disappearing Spare Tire."

3. What to do when the "check engine" light comes on
If there is any change in the car's performance, any mechanical noises, smoke from the tailpipe or electrical smells, stop the car and call for assistance. If there are none of these symptoms, take the car to a dealer and let them diagnose the problem. However, if you just bought gas, the light might just be indicating that the gas cap is loose. Tighten the cap and continue driving. The light should go off on its own.

For more information, read "What Your Check Engine Light Is Telling You."

4. How to deal with a friend who is about to drive under the influence
Don't get in the car. Do anything not to drive with an intoxicated person, and that includes calling your parents for a lift or paying for a taxi. Your next move is to try to prevent your drunken friend from hurting themselves or someone else.

For more information, read "Stop Your Friend from Getting a DUI."

5. How to drive safely while talking on a cell phone
Most states ban all cell phone use by novice drivers, so be sure you know if these provisions apply where you live. If it's permissible to use a cell, always use a hands-free device so you can keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. Learn how to pair your phone with the car's Bluetooth system. Don't even think about texting while driving (no, not even at stoplights).

For more information, read "Texting While Driving: Targeted for Extinction" and "Driven to Distraction: Cell Phones in the Car."

6. How to get an honest quote for an automotive repair
Search Edmunds.com's Car Maintenance Guide or the Web to get an estimate for how much the repair should cost. Search online for garages with high customer ratings and ask friends for recommended garages. Call the garage and ask for a ballpark estimate and let the garage know you are contacting other places for their best quote. Use your intuition to make the final decision on whom to trust.

For more information, read "Avoid Getting Ripped off on Repairs and Maintenance."

7. How to buy a new car
Don't just wander onto a dealership's car lot. Instead, contact the Internet department of several dealerships to get multiple quotes and compare these with Edmunds.com's True Market Value® price for any car you're interested in. Make sure you check incentives and rebates. Follow up with phone calls to the Internet managers of these dealerships to verify the terms of their offers. Finally, ask the dealership to deliver the car to your home or office to avoid the hard sell in the finance and insurance office.

For more information, read our "Quick Guide to Buying a Car."

8. What to do after an auto accident
If the car is drivable and there are no serious injuries, turn on your flashers and pull safely out of traffic. Call the police to report the accident. Exchange insurance information with the other driver but refrain from discussing the accident and who is at fault. Make notes and use your cell phone's camera to take pictures of the cars involved.

For more information, read "What To Do After a Car Accident."

9. How to drive in rain and snow
Reduce your speed and leave more room between your vehicle and those in front of you. Understand how to handle skids. If possible, practice reacting to skidding in safe conditions, such as a snow-covered empty parking lot. Understand that a car might hydroplane on a rain puddle on the road and learn how to react to driving with reduced traction and visibility.

For more information, read "How to Drive in the Snow" and "Tips and Techniques for Driving in Rain."

10. How to avoid road rage situations
Understand the severe consequences to you, your car and your driving record when minor disagreements escalate to life-threatening situations. When someone offends you, take a deep breath and know that your anger will dissolve in minutes. Don't anger other drivers by cutting them off or tailgating. If you've inadvertently angered another driver, don't get drawn into interacting with them. Ignore them or, if necessary, change your route. Finally, repeat this phrase: It's just not worth it.

For more information, read "Top 10 Tips To Prevent Road Rage."

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Clean Your Car Without Washing It

After a light rain or dew, a squeegee is a quick way to keep those horrible drying marks off your windshield.

You have a hot date or an important appointment and you rush outside, only to find that your car looks like a hazmat zone. Luckily, you still have five minutes to do something about it. But where do you start?

Take a tip from used-car salesmen and give your car "curb appeal" — a good overall first impression. When you can't make use of a car wash, even little things can make a world of difference.

The folks at Meguiar's Inc. know a lot about making cars look good. The company's core market is enthusiasts who lavish attention on their cars. But Mike Pennington, Meguiar's director of training and consumer relations, was willing to talk about the gray area between a few swipes with a car duster and a full-on Saturday morning "bucket wash."

"We don't want to tell people not to wash their car anymore," he says. "But if you are willing to put a little time into it, you'll be surprised at how good your car can look."

Over at Turtle Wax Inc., Michael Schultz, senior vice president of research and development, says car finishes are more durable and the chemistry of waxes and car-care products has changed. This means that for minor indiscretions — think fingerprints, bird droppings and light dust — you can use a spray detailer to sharpen up the look of your car.

But one expert, who used to prepare cars for photo shoots, sounded a note of caution: Be careful of too obviously cleaning just one section of the car. It might draw attention to how dirty the rest of it is.

Here are six tricks you can use to keep up the good looks of your car between car washes. Think of it as triage for a dirty car.

Triage Tip 1: Clean horizontal surfaces with a spray detailer. You don't have to clean the whole car, just the obvious surfaces that catch dew or light rain and leave water marks. The eyesore areas are the hood, trunk and rear bumper.

Schultz recommends cleaning these surfaces in sections, using a spray detailer and microfiber towel, which is finely woven and makes better contact with the car's surface. For example, divide the hood in quarters and clean the four sections individually. He estimates you could even clean the entire car this way with spray detailer and only four towels.

Many car enthusiasts worry about scratching or putting swirl marks in the car's finish. The spray detailer is designed to avoid this by lubricating the dirt so it can be wiped up with a towel. But Schultz stresses the importance of flipping the towel often so you don't grind dirt into the clear coat — the transparent finish covering the car's paint.

Triage Tip 2: A clean windshield is (almost) a clean car. Glass is easy to clean and it sparkles like a jewel once you remove the haze and grime. Visibility is a huge safety factor, but a clean windshield also just makes you feel better about your car. When you're finished with the outside of the windshield, clean the driver-side window and side mirror, too. And for bonus points, clean the inside of the windshield and rearview mirror.

Keep a bottle of glass cleaner in your trunk, along with a roll of paper towels or the aforementioned microfiber towels. A foam spray cleaner also works well. For the really lazy folks, there's a squeegee. In addition to cleaning, a squeegee works well in the morning when there is dew all over the windshield. Squeegee off the morning moisture and your glass won't be left with those horrible drying marks.

Triage Tip 3: Take out the trash. It's a car, not a dumpster. Pull up next to a trash can somewhere and throw away papers, food or other junk that dates from the second Bush administration. Better yet, put a small trash bag in your car and empty it often, Pennington suggests.

While you're shoveling out your car, you might find a couple bucks' worth of change. Use it to buy a car deodorizer. Pennington says car interiors can absorb smells, but there are new products that actually absorb dreaded foul odors rather than just mask them. We've tested a few and they seem to work.

Triage Tip 4: Shake out the floor mats. When time is tight and you don't have a vacuum, you can simply grab your floor mats and shake off all the gravel, loose dirt, sand or — heaven forbid — used ketchup packets. The mat on the driver side probably is secured, so you'll have to work it off the anchors first. But the other floor mats are unattached and you can simply whisk them out for a quick flapping.

Triage Tip 5: Clean the wheels and tires. Pennington says that having dirty wheels on a clean car is like wearing old shoes with a new suit. So it makes sense to make the "shoes" look as sharp as possible.

The absolutely laziest way to go is just to use a cotton rag to wipe off the flat center section of your rims. (There's too much dirt on the rims for one of your microfiber towels to handle.) If time allows, work the rag into the spokes or crevices. You also can use a brush for the hard-to-reach areas.

As tires degrade, the rubber takes on a brownish hue that makes them look dull, Schultz says. So after you're finished cleaning the wheels, apply tire black with a sponge. Easier still, just use a spray product to get a quick shine.

Triage Tip 6: Clean anything you touch or look at. When you're in the car, you spend a lot of time looking at the gauges, the dashboard and the center console. So take that microfiber towel you used on the car's exterior and quickly clean off a few strategic areas inside the car. The plastic covering for the gauges is a must. Then, wipe the dust off the dashboard and sweep the fingerprints from the center console. Our experts recommend keeping car cleaning wipes in the glove compartment for quick interior touch-ups.

Now that you're finished, here's one more suggestion to make your life easier: Be very careful where you park. Sprinklers can undo all your hard work. And if you leave your car under the wrong tree, you might return to find it looking like a rock in the Galapagos Islands.

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Navigation Tech Checklist for Car Shoppers

Preparation

Review the vehicle owner's manual.

Starting Out: General GPS Navigation Features

Is the screen large enough to read easily? Even in bright sunlight?

Does the interface include:
A touchscreen?
Knobs and buttons?
A combination of both?
Is the interface easy and intuitive to use?

Does the system respond quickly to inputs?

Does the system provide:
Voice activation?
Geo fencing?
Weather reports?
Restaurant ratings?
Topographical maps?
Traffic info?
Notification of traffic incidents
Fuel finder
"Breadcrumbing"?
Off-road routing?

Mapping Software and Graphics:

Where does mapping software reside?
DVD
Hard disk
SD card

Mapping software can be updated. Cost to update $ _____

Are map graphics realistic and detailed?

Does the map provide a:
3-D view?
Aerial view? If so, is the angle adjustable?
Does the system have color-coded maps showing parks, shopping malls, etc.?

Destination and POI Input

Can you input destinations by:
Address?
Intersection?
POI?
Phone number?
Point on map?
Other?

Does the system include an address book?

Does the system have a "Home" button for quick routing?

Does the system provide info and routing to emergency services?

Does the system allow inputting multiple destinations and waypoints for stops along a route?

Number of Points of Interest (POIs) ____

Routing

Do you have a choice of routes to a destination?
Quickest?
Shortest?

Can you avoid freeways/toll roads/ferries/etc.?

Is it easy to cancel a route?

Does the system quickly and easily reroute you if you miss a turn?

Can you preview a chosen route? If so, in what level of detail?

Are the turn-by-turn directions clear via:
Map graphics on the display?
Voice guidance through the audio system?

Does the system provide:
A split screen at turns showing your upcoming maneuver on one side and a routing screen on other side?
Lane guidance for negotiating complex freeway exits?

See the related articles in the Car Technology 101 series.

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Making Child Safety Seats and LATCH More User-Friendly

Inflatable seatbelts, which debuted as an option in the 2011 Ford Explorer, "were definitely designed with kids in mind," according to the carmaker.

Parents, car manufacturers and car seat makers are all aiming to keep kids safer in vehicles. And while there have been important advances in the last few years, significant challenges remain. More than 1,000 children under age 12 die in vehicle crashes in the U.S. each year. More than 100,000 are injured.

One advance meant to better secure children has been in place since 2002: the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system for child car seats. And in March 2011, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) updated its car seat guidelines. It now recommends keeping young children in rear-facing seats longer, as well as keeping older children in the backseat longer.

But parents often struggle with the restraint systems meant to keep the young riders safer, whether that's an infant seat or a booster seat. And a number of groups are trying to do something about it.

Understanding the Problem
While proper use of child safety seats has improved, less than a third of forward-facing child seats had the recommended top tether in place, according to a recent survey by Safe Kids USA, an advocacy group.

Three out of four parents don't install child car seats correctly, according to an often-quoted NHTSA study. Booster seats for older kids can pose problems, too. The seatbelts used to secure them sometimes don't fit properly.

Throw in the variety of car seats available — more than 40 companies make child-restraint systems — and the seemingly endless configurations among vehicles, and it's easy to see how ensuring safety for young riders can be a complex, frustrating experience.

Regulators, carmakers and safety-seat manufacturers are increasingly aware of the problems, however, and say that they are at work on them. Here is a look at the major car seat issues, how they are being addressed and where parents can find help in dealing with them until they are resolved — or until some improvements are at least offered.

Using the "Safest" Position in the Vehicle
Parents hear conflicting information on where child seats should be placed, says Anne McCartt, Ph.D., senior vice president for research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

"Parents hear the center backseat is the safest," she says. ''They are also encouraged to use LATCH.'' However, most cars position the LATCH anchors on the "outboard" backseats, which are the ones closest to the windows, not in the center seat.

This is an instance of the ideal clashing with reality. Vehicles are required to have the lower anchors in a minimum of two seating positions, says Jose Ucles, a NHTSA spokesman. It's up to the car manufacturers to decide which two positions to use. And while the center backseat position is the safest, carmakers often opt for the outboard positions because it's easier for parents to secure seats and children there, he says.

Parents who want to use the center position will have to secure the seats with safety belts. According to NHTSA and IIHS, that's an acceptable option.

"While LATCH makes it easier to properly install car seats in vehicles, it's important for parents and caregivers to know that securing a child seat with a seatbelt is equally as safe — and they have the flexibility to use either system," NHTSA administrator David Strickland said in a statement to Edmunds.com.

NHTSA officials are researching LATCH use in the rear center seat, Strickland said. And some vehicles do have a dedicated LATCH system for the center backseats. For instance, the 2011 Toyota Sienna minivan has LATCH in the center back of the third row, says Brian Lyons, a Toyota spokesman. The 2011 Toyota Sequoia SUV has it in the second row center position.

Meanwhile, Ford Motor Company tells parents they may use the anchors from the two outboard seats that are closest to the center to secure a child safety seat in the back-center position — if certain requirements are met (see pages 218-223 in this owner's manual for the 2012 Ford Explorer). For example, the seat manufacturer's instructions have to permit use with the anchor spacing provided when using the outboard anchors. Ford experts have tested the center position in that way, says Wes Sherwood, a Ford spokesperson.

But that's not possible in all vehicles that have a middle backseat, Sherwood says. A seat can't be secured that way in the Mustang, for instance, he notes. NHTSA spokesman Ucles adds that NHTSA itself cannot sign off on this use suggested by Ford, since it's still being researched.

Choosing the Outside Seat
For parents, the decision about which car seat position to use is swayed by practicality. "It's easier to get a car seat in and in tight when it is in the outboard position," says Dan Edmunds, director of vehicle testing for Edmunds.com.

He's speaking not only as an automotive engineer but a parent of two who has installed and coped with his share of car seats and vehicle models. And in his opinion, the outboard seat also makes it easier to get children in and out of a vehicle, so it's the most common choice anyway.

That's no small consideration when you add up multiple trips and multiple children. In some cases, Edmunds says, the driver may need more legroom and the front seat may be pushed too far back for the center-back position to accommodate a child seat.

Focusing on getting the seat tightly installed is the most important thing, he says.

If LATCH makes installation easier and it's on an outside position, use it, he suggests. If you're transporting two children, separating them by the center space may have an additional benefit, he says: less bickering en route.

Doing LATCH Right
While parents are free to bypass LATCH and use seatbelts to anchor a child seat, many choose to use LATCH. But they need to better understand its correct use, experts say.

While many parents know about the system's lower anchors, they often overlook the other half of LATCH — the top tethers, says Emilie B.K. Crown, program manager with Montgomery County Fire Rescue in Maryland and an expert in child passenger safety. "Usually once people find the top tether, they use it correctly," she says.

Other LATCH mistakes are common, according to a self-help site, The Car Seat Lady. Among them are using the wrong belt path for the lower anchor strap, using lower anchors to install a seat in booster mode (not usually permitted) and using the lower anchors when a child is over the weight limit recommended by the seat maker. Indeed, the rise in childhood obesity has prompted experts to urge parents to check the weight limits of car safety seats.

To address such mistakes, manufacturers are getting better at providing instructions on seat installation, Crown says. Most car seat makers have online videos and Web site illustrations to help parents.

What would make installation even easier, she believes, is color coding, so parents can easily see what strap fits with what anchor. It's somewhat akin to home entertainment systems, where connectors and ports are often color-coded for easy matching.

What's needed for car seats and LATCH is an easier and more foolproof system to increase the number of proper installations, says Chris Theodore, a former engineer and top-level executive in the auto industry and now a technical advisor for Lap Belt Cinch, a company that makes safety devices.

Take the example of the center backseat that often lacks LATCH. Carmakers, Theodore says, "might take another look" and install a third LATCH system there.

The IIHS also is looking at the usability of LATCH across many different types of vehicles, McCartt says. It hopes to publish results soon and to evaluate or rate LATCH systems in different cars to guide parents.

NHTSA is working on a voluntary program that would help give parents some information on the best matches between seats and vehicles. At least one carmaker — Nissan — already offers an online guide that shows parents which seats fit with which of its car models.

Improving Booster Seat Safety
Booster seats for older children also can be problematic. The seats are meant to lift children so that the safety belts designed for adults fit them better.

The boosters on the market today are better than they used to be at fitting the lap and shoulder belts on kids, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Still, it can be difficult to pick the right booster to achieve the right belt fit in a specific vehicle.

The government doesn't include belt fit in the regulation for booster seats, McCartt says.

The makers of booster seats crash-test the devices, and the government does dynamic tests of crash performance, McCartt says. But what is crucial is the belt's fit. For that reason, IIHS is conducting tests for belt fit on boosters, she says.

Using a special device, the IIHS researchers are testing booster seats, using a dummy that represents a 6-year-old child. For a good booster fit, the lap belt should lie flat and on top of the thighs, not higher up on the abdomen.

The shoulder belt should fit across the middle of the youngster's shoulder. The Institute posts illustrations of good fit and poor fit on its site.

The Institute also offers ratings of car seats. In IIHS's 2011 rating of 62 booster seats, 31 earned "best bet" ratings and another five were "good bets." Six boosters were "not recommended," because they did not provide proper belt fit. IIHS advised consumers to avoid them. The biggest group of boosters — 41 of them — fell into the "check fit" category. IIHS said those seats are a good fit for some children in some vehicles, but not as many as the "good bet" or "best bet" seats.

Booster Seat Options?
Another option that's on the market is SeatSnug. The palm-size device, made by Lap Belt Cinch, Inc., clips onto an existing seatbelt. It helps tighten the lap belt by pulling the shoulder strap until it rests snugly, according to company information. It sells for about $30.

''Kids move around," says Theodore, who advises the company. "When kids move around, the lap belt moves around."

Some car manufacturers offer built-in boosters. For instance, Volvo's XC60 SUV and XC70 wagon offer "dual-stage" integrated boosters. One position fits children 45-55 inches and the other fits kids 37-47 inches, says Volvo spokesperson Laura DiStefano.

Another more limited solution is a set of inflatable seatbelts for the rear seats. The inflatable belts debuted as an option on the 2011 Ford Explorer. "These inflatable seatbelts were definitely designed with kids in mind," says Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood.

Ford expects to offer them on other models soon. On the Explorer, they cost about $200, Sherwood says.

The belts combine characteristics of traditional belts and airbags. The system aims to reduce head, neck and chest injuries, he adds.

The Bottom Line
Government officials say they can't comment on any of the new add-on devices, as they haven't been tested by NHTSA. Some experts warn that no device should be used unless the car seat maker approves of it.

No matter what seat or system a parent uses, what's crucial is proper installation and use. NHTSA urges parents to read the owner's manuals for their seat and their car, and to find a local fitting station to be sure they've done everything correctly. This can be done by visiting NHTSA's Web site.

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Car Tech 101: Music Player Integration Basics

As with this 2010 Subaru Tribeca, most new cars come with an aux-in jack that allows you to plug a music player into the stereo system.

The Apple iPod made it convenient to carry thousands of music files, liberating us from all those CDs and cassette tapes that used to clutter up the backseat. It's no wonder the iPod has become the dominant portable music player for the car. In fact, the term "iPod integration" could easily be swapped for "music player integration" as far as car people are concerned.

While the iPod is the de facto standard in car audio, the way it's controlled by the driver varies from car to car, even though there's some consistency among automakers in terms of how the device is physically connected to the vehicle. So what we'll do here is lay out the basics of music player integration, so you'll know what to look for when you start shopping for a car.

When you're ready to visit a dealer, check out our "How To Test Drive Music Player Integration" so that you can determine whether a system operates in the way you prefer and has the features you're looking for. We also put together a Music Player Integration Checklist, as well as tips to help you avoid the hassle you might get from a car dealership when you're testing audio tech in a car on the showroom floor.

Music Player Connections
There are four ways to connect an iPod or other music player to a vehicle: 1) aux-in connection; 2) USB port; 3) proprietary connections; or 4) Bluetooth audio. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, although we believe a USB connection is often the best option.

Aux-in connection: This is a common feature in most new cars. You plug an auxiliary cable (readily available at most electronics stores) into a car's aux-in jack on one end and the music player's headphone jack on the other. The "aux" music source typically has to be selected on a car's stereo and you hear the sound from the music player through the speakers.

The upside of an aux-in connection is that it comes standard in most cars and doesn't cost extra. An aux accessory cable is also inexpensive, and you use the familiar controls on the music player itself, not controls in the car. But the last point is also a downside, because fussing with a music player while you're driving is distracting.

USB port: Most carmakers now offer this computer-style connection. The port is often located side by side with the aux-in jack. You just plug in your iPod, using the computer-sync cable that comes with the device.

The advantage of the USB connection is that you can control the iPod through the car's stereo and charge the device's battery at the same time. There's almost no disadvantage to this setup, except that many systems lock out the controls of a connected device so you can't use them while you're driving.

Another advantage of a USB port is that it can accommodate a USB thumb-style memory drive that will store digital music files. The system will play these just as if they were on an iPod or another USB-based music player. A 4GB USB thumb drive that can hold about 1,000 songs sells for under $20 — far less than a pricey music player. Also, you can load the drives with tunes and leave them in a car without fear of having them stolen.

Proprietary connections: You'll also find these connections in some vehicles. They rely on a cable supplied by the automaker that plugs into the iPod's 30-pin connector on one end, just as a USB cable does. The other end plugs into a connection that's unique to the vehicle. Another connection setup uses a two-pronged cable that has to plug into both the aux-in jack and a USB port.

Bluetooth audio: The same technology that allows you to transfer a conversation from a mobile phone to a car's stereo can also let you wirelessly stream music between compatible devices. Though Bluetooth audio was an esoteric feature just a few years ago, it has quickly become a widespread feature in cars from all price categories. But the features available with in-car Bluetooth audio are limited compared with most music players. Typically, the only features available are play/pause and track-skip forward/back. Such information as the name of the artist and the title of the song isn't displayed. For more on this topic, check out the story Wireless Audio Streaming: Bluetooth's Second Act.

Music Player Interface
The physical connection that determines how your music gets from the player to the car's stereo is really a set-it-and-forget-it feature, something that you'll have to establish just once. The music player's interface is what you'll be using every day, however. And it can make accessing your music effortless or frustrating.

Every automaker has its own preferred interface for operating a music player, and the design is not always consistent, even across the same make and model of a car. Some automakers place media player controls in the dashboard near the radio. Some put them in a touchscreen display. Some house them in a controller mounted on the center console. And some put them on the steering wheel. Even more perplexing, a car can offer some combination of all of these.

Some vehicles add voice activation to the interface, so you can access the contents of a media player or files stored on a USB drive just by pressing a button and saying a specific command. Ford's Sync system, for example, allows the driver to call up music simply by saying the name of a song, an artist, an album, playlist or genre. It also has a "Play Similar" command that automatically creates playlists based on the music that's currently playing.

Because media player interfaces differ from car to car, it's important that you bring your device with you to try the controls firsthand on the car that you're planning to buy. If you prefer, bring a USB drive loaded with music files. Get a feel for how you'll access the content on the device or USB drive while you're behind the wheel. If the vehicle has voice recognition, see how well it works with your devices and your voice.

Vehicles also vary in how they present the information from a music player or USB drive. Some display the information on the large in-dash monitor that's also used for navigation. Others employ a smaller dash display for the radio or a display in the instrument panel. Make sure that the information is easy to comprehend at a glance and that it can be seen even in harsh sunlight.

Music Player Control Features
Fortunately, the control features for your music player do not vary much between vehicles. All systems have the basic features of track skip forward/back and fast-forward/back. Most also have the functions you find on an iPod, such as Repeat, Shuffle and Play All. A few of the latest systems also can display album artwork.

There's another commonality among most premium systems for in-car audio: All use the familiar iPod menu structure of playlists, artists, albums and songs. The best systems also include the additional categories of genres, composers, audio books and podcasts.

If you have a large amount of music on your player, some systems force you to scroll through menus one item at a time to get to the one you want. At the same time, some players have features that let you quickly go from Abba to ZZ Top. Some GM vehicles with touchscreens also have a feature called Music Navigator, which uses a slider and arrows on one side to speed up scrolling. The List Jump feature found in various Chryslers allows you to access items by typing in the first letters on a touchscreen. Of course, with accurate voice control, you can get to the music selection you want just by pushing a button and speaking a command.

It's also important to think about the features that you use most on your iPod. For example, if you regularly listen to podcasts and audio books, find out how their titles and chapters are displayed. See if they're easy to access. Also see if they'll pick up where you left off when you shut down the car or unplug your device. And if your music player doubles as your phone, consider where it's stored. If it needs to tuck into a glovebox or center console because that's where the USB port is located, it could be a pain to dig out each time the phone rings. Of course, if the phone is connected by Bluetooth, this shouldn't be a problem.

Many of these features work the same way for a USB thumb-style memory drive. The primary difference is that most in-car systems show the music files on a USB drive according to the folders where the music is stored. But once you open a folder, a system will usually organize it by the familiar iPod-like menu structure.

Mixed Musical Blessings
The advent of the iPod and other media storage devices has been both a blessing and a curse for drivers. You can carry more music in your car than ever before, but the process of figuring out how to best integrate devices and manage their music while you're driving can be maddening. That's why it's best to consider the issues before you buy a car and test your music player with your vehicle choice right on the showroom floor. With any luck, this article and the others in Car Tech 101 can help prevent buyer's remorse.

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