These days it’s important to watch one’s money, and proper vehicle care and maintenance is one way to save money. So, I asked Jody Victor  what simple things we can all do before we hit the road to keep our cars from becoming cash vacuums.

Jody Victor:

Check Your Oil: Wait until your engine is cool, before you start the car. Find the dipstick under the hood; it will likely have a visibility red or yellow handle, check your owner’s manual. Pull out the dipstick and using a clean rag, wipe it off, reinsert, and pull it again. The oil should reach the “full” marker, if not add a pint. You car needs an oil change about every 3,000 miles—this is basic car care, but if you pay attention to your oil and mileage you’ll keep your car’s engine in much better condition. Also, if you are having to fill your oil multiple times between changes, this is likely and indicator of a problem, see your mechanic.

Check the Windshield Washer Fluid: Ideally this should be done while the car is turned off and cool. It’s an easy visual check—find the reservoir and fill when needed. Again, see your owner’s manual for details. Keeping the window clean and increasing visibility will help prevent accidents. Keep a spare gallon in the trunk, especially on long trips.

Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid: This time you’ll want the engine hot, so be careful! If the car is cool, let it run for a few minutes first—maybe run an errand and check it when you get home. Find the transmission fluid dipstick—again check the owner’s manual if you have difficultly find it, it may not be as obvious as the oil dipstick. Check to make sure the fluid is clean and to the “full” line by pulling the dipstick, wiping it clean, reinserting, and checking it. Unlike oil, transmission fluid isn’t “eaten” by the engine, so if its low there is a problem, see your mechanic.

Measure Tire Pressure: You’ll need a simple tool for this job, a tire pressure gauge (available at any automotive parts store). Check the owner’s manual for the appropriate pressure rating for the car (the reading on the tire itself is for maximum pressure which is irrelevant to this task). Check the tires before you get on the road and fill them when needed. If you continually find you have low pressure in a tire, it may have a slow leak. Properly inflated tires will increase traction and gas mileage.

Thanks, Jody! Important tips for sure.

Joe Victor

SUV sales have declined over the past few years due to high gas prices, especially in the past few months with the economic downturn likely to blame. I asked Jody Victor to tell us about a new SUV that may change our way of thinking about them.

Jody Victor: As many SUVs are sitting, lonely, and for sale at dealers as in empty lots and neighborhoods; however this isn’t stopping Lexus/Toyota from releasing a new version of its GX mid-size SUV sometime in the second half of the year—the GX has been around since 2003, but is to be replaced with an all new model.

The new model will include new sheet metal and an improved interior, but the mid-size luxury SUV will retain the body-on-frame build. The updated model will include a big underhood revamp—where as the current rig uses a 4.7L V8 rated at 263 HP, the new GX will run the 310 HP 4.6L V8 from the 2010 Toyota Tundra.

GX sales, as many other SUVs of its class, have been on the decline since 2004. That year Lexus sold about 35,000 units of the GX, exceeding Toyota’s expectations of 20k. In the past month sales of the GX have been heading down toward the tune of 66%, but Lexus is hopeful the GX’s overhauls will increase demand.

Thanks, Jody! We'll be looking for this new version soon!

Joe Victor

In-car GPS navigation has come a long way—a long way down in price, a long way up in features, functionality, and accuracy for that low price (many basic after market systems selling for under a hundred dollars!). I asked Jody Victorto tell us what we could be looking at soon.

Jody Victor: As more and more special features become basic functions gear heads and gadget heads alike are asking, “what’s tomorrow’s gimmick?”

Honda recently upped the ante with its new “street-smart” in-car GPS navigation system that promises to warn drivers when they enter a “high crime area”—the GPS does this by tapping police records. However, Honda’s system is not only street-smart, but book-smart too. Not only will it warn of streets and areas with a reputation, but will calculate on-the-fly threat assessments based not only on how many reports it find, specifically vandalism and theft, but also by how recently the incidents occurred. 

Although currently available only in Japan, Honda’s new crime aware GPS system could easily be launched in the United States if the decision were made. Though US local generally know where not to park their car overnight, American’s with the road trip bug and love of gadgetry are whetting their whistles for this new toy.

Thanks, Jody! We love those gadgets!!

Joe Victor

The Mazda 3 has been known as an phenomenal small car for its fuel economy, handling, stylish interior, and its luxury options. In a class known for banality the Mazda 3 has managed to stand out among the ranks of Boring Beige lemmings. I asked Jody Victor to give us some details.

Jody Victor: Stylistically, the Mazda 3 has always looked and felt more than a little different from its competitors—the new 3 manages to improve on that. Borrowing its front end design from the Mazda RX-8 with its more modern nose, flared front fenders, and sweeping lines at the base of the doors.

Buyers have the option of two engines: first, the 2.0 liter four cylinder with 148 horsepower; second, the 2.5 liter four cylinder with 167 hp. The 2.0 liter's fuel economy runs at 25 mpg for the manual and 24 mpg for the automatic while both transmissions achieve 33 mpg on the highway. The 2.5 liter six speed's numbers run 21 mpg city, 29 highway. The automatic runs at 22mpg city, 29 highway.

Many cars these days are being built for Gadget Heads, not Gear Heads and the Mazda 3 will appeal to that Gadget Head crowd with a new and much cheaper navigation system. Previously, the 3 offered a factory installed navigation system costing an astonishing $2,000. Mazda has not yet release pricing on the new navigation system, but it is anticipated that it will only cost a few hundred dollars, possibly making it one of the cheapest factory installed nav systems. Also, for safety and convince it will be controlled by buttons on the steering wheel, not a touch screen. The 3 also offers Bluetooth connectivity with streaming audio and iPod integration. The 2010 3 will also offer luxury features such as active bixeon headlights, eight-way power seat with memory settings, and keyless ignition.

Mazda again is offering both the four-door sedan and the five-door hatchback version of their ahead-of-the-pack economy car.

Thanks, Jody! We'll be checking this one out for sure!

Joe Victor

While one might easily dismiss the Nissan Cube as just a Scion xB rip off, Nissan has just as much if not more to offer than Scion. If the xB was an “enraged toaster,” the Cube is a bad mother bulldog with sunglasses. I asked Jody Victorto tell us more.

Jody Victor: Successfully on sale in Japan for a decade, the Cube is a way to connect to a younger, hipper market. North American marketing will undoubtedly also target the digital generation with the Cube’s 40 customizable accessories a hipster can trick out the new Nissan to their heart’s desire (or their wallet’s limit).

Beyond the Scion xB, competitors include the Kia Soul, the Honda Fit, and even the Toyota Yaris.

The Cube’s design consists of combinations of circles and squares keeping it visually interesting by contrast. Also, it has a cool two-stage hinge for trunk that opens to about eight inches in the first stage in case there is a car parked behind it (and then opens fully).  Its 11.4 cubic feet of storage space, 58.1 with the rear seats down is more than enough to make it a great around-town errand runner. 

The 1.8 liter, 122 horse power engine isn't’t going to make you confuse this with a 10-second import, but its more than enough to carry up to five passengers or a trunk filled with cargo. The attraction of the Cube is undoubtedly its Funky Factor—the interior sports water ripple elements that not only add visually to the interior, but likely to the acoustics as well. The interior’s Funk Factor extends from what’s there to what can be added. The customizable options include a carpet patch that Velcros to the dashboard and offers storage for pens, sunglasses and so on. There is also an optional interior accent package available, offering up to 20 different accent lighting combinations. Nissan offers other custom elements ranging from lime-colored knobs to bungee cables to pen-holding pouches.

Starting at 13,990 the Cube offers a different design and fun car to haul friends, family, or cargo.

Thanks, Jody! We'll be looking for the Cube!

Joe Victor