All across America most college students are back in school or getting ready to go. I asked Jody Victor  to give us some 'educational' tips for taking care of your car between classes!

Jody Victor: Between books, tuition, your job, housing, homework and a social life, most of you probably aren't looking for another thing to think about. However, consider these car tips when heading back to school.

It’s never too early to winterize your car. Now, most of you probably aren't going to buy snow tires or go through any other such extremes, but here are a few relatively cheap ideas that can keep you and your car safe in cold weather. First, get an oil change before the cold weather sets in, even if you aren't quite due for one. If you didn't already know, regular oil changes are a good way to get extra miles out of any car. Next, create a winter safety kit to store in your back seat or trunk. This might include a stocking cap, gloves, an extra coat or blanket and hand warmers. Also, standard items such as road flairs, jumper cables and the proper tools to fix a flat are all important.

Many of you will be parking on campus. If so contact your school's campus parking services. Many of them are there to do more for you than write you a parking ticket! Check and see what emergency services they offer such as flat fixes, jumps and help with getting keys out of a locked car. Also, check with the local and/or campus police—they too, may offer such services. Keep a list of campus emergency numbers written down in your glove box or stored in your cell phone.

Although we like to think it won't happen to us, car break-ins are not an uncommon occurrence on many college campuses. At night try your best to park in well lit portions of parking garages and lots. Don't leave valuables in plain sight, even inside a locked car. This includes your college text books! Many cars are broken into each semester just for expensive text books which can be easily sold back for cash and are basically untraceable.

Above all, use your head! Common sense is one of the most valuable tools a college student should have ready at all times.

Thanks, Jody! We can all use this info!

Joe Victor

The government’s so called “cash for clunkers” program may be emptying dealer lots of new, “greener” cars, but is seriously cutting the pool of cars available for donation to charitable organizations. I asked Jody Victor  to telll us more about it.

Jody Victor: There are a number of reputable charities that need donated cars to keep their operation running; however, a large number of vehicles that would have otherwise been donated to “keep the lights on” are being destroyed under the CARS program.

Charities, like Volunteers of America, rely on donated vehicles for funding. Unfortunately for the charities and their beneficiaries, donations have slipped since the initiation of the CARS program. Since July 1^st vehicle donations have dropped 12% and could fall as far as 25%. Whether or not a 12% drop in donation is cause for serious alarm at a non-profit charity, I'm not one to say. However, one cannot deny the devastation of a quarter drop in donations could bring to a non-profit. In all about 175K vehicles are expected to go to the CARS program instead of donation.

Jim Hartman, VP of vehicle donations at Volunteers of America told Automotive News, “It varies by market, but there's been an 11 to 12 percent drop compared with last year.”

“The cars I'm seeing cashed in as clunkers, like older SUVs, are absolutely the typical donation to us.”

Of course other factors might be affecting donations beyond the so called “Cash for Clunkers” plan. People may simply be keeping older, but reliable cars longer, selling or giving them to family and friends or literally “driving them to death”.

The majority of vehicles donated to charities are sold at auction. These auctions net millions in funding each year. The remaining donations are sold at extreme discounts to less fortunate families.

Current tax laws cap deductions for vehicle donation at $500. The CARS program promises up to $4,500 dollars. With a possible difference of 4K, its no surprise CARS is winning the race for clunkers.

However, there is hope on the very distant horizon. Charities are lobbying Washington for a $2,500 cap increase on vehicle donations—such a bill is currently on the floor of the House, but isn't expected to be passed anytime soon.

Thanks, Jody! Great info for all of us.

Joe Victor

The economy may be down but life goes on. We still need vehicles that meet our needs. I asked Jody Victorto tell us about a new Mazda for 2010.

Jody Victor: Generally speaking the Mazda6 occupies a class where low adrenaline, simple transportation is expected. The first Mazda6 was something of a cult classic, so its no suprise that some may find it hard to believe the Mazda6 I GT is something more than a mid-sized sedan. The original 6 was not faultless, but it offered razor's edge handling and controlled suspension, making it capalbe of romps around corners (much like Mazda's "Zoom Zoom" marketing implies).

In the redesign Mazda is clearly targeting North America—the hatchback and wagon variants are gone as well as the turbocharged Mazdaspeed6. The 2010 features a single front-wheel drive, four-door with manual transmission available only in the four cylander model. Fuel economy is down, prices aren't great, the revised 6 isn't quite the car it once was. However, power is up. The 3.7 liter V6 is a match for the defunct Mazdaspeed6. However the 2010 is a car made for Americans. It features Bluetooth and push-button start among other features.

The new 6 is also quite a bit larger. The extra length seems to have mostly shown up in the back seat, which is now mammoth. There is lots of stretch-out room for any sized passanger and flop-down arm rests. The 6 handles well and is comfortable in nearly any terrian. It also handles the curves well. Fuel economy is about 29 highway, 20 city. Typical for the class.

Mazda's intention, clearly, is to make a big, comfortable highway car that resembles cars American's like driving—the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima etc. The new 6 could be a great beiginning family car with its increased room and luxury. Business people who are on the road a lot might also enjoy this car (though you might find better highway mileage in another vehicle). I'm guessing these kinds of customers are going to be the happiest owners of the Mazda6 2010 Redesign.

Thanks, Jody! We'll be looking forward to this new Mazda!

Joe Victor

Jaguar moves on, distancing itself from its history while writing its future; yet, they footnote themselves as in the R designation Jag uses to refer to the performance variants of its models. I asked Jody Victor to give us some details.

Jody Victor: As with the Jaguar XFR, introduced at the N. American International Auto Show (January 2009). What is the XFR? A four door, five-person sedan for the died-young S-Type Jag. The design takes its cue from the older model, but incorporates modern aspects as well. The XFR is the first R Type for the XF sedan (introduced in '08). With an all new, top end supercharged engine, XFR is Jaguar's flagship for luxury and performance. This R-type has many respectable competitors--look at the BMW M5, Audi S6, Mercedes E63, and the Cadi CTS-V. The XFR can boast proudly though, being the equal or better of these competitor models.

The breakthrough styling that made the XF a hit carries over for 2010--with the addition of a full high performance kit! This includes a 'spanking new AJ-V8 Gen III direct injection engine (5.0 liter!). At 510 horsepower and a zero-sixty clock time of only 4.3 seconds, this Jag is no house cat. Along with increased steering responsiveness, improved brakes, active suspension dynamics, differential control and a little bling make the XFR a well-groomed lion on the road. Active Differential Control helps put the rubber to the road, in an ongoing, as needed basis. We found an instant boost in its ability to vary the torque lockup to each driven wheel, which in turn improves acceleration on low-traction surfaces. According to Jaguar, it does not add to under steer in the manner that a mechanical system would. EPA mileage estimates for this 4,306-pound cat come in at 15 mpg in the city and 21 on the highway that averaged out to about 18 mpg in our driving.

As for style the XFR features the fastback sedan look from its '08 model, a honeycomb front grille, chromed intakes, a ground effects kit, low profile wheels and of course the R badge to let everyone know you aren't driving the average Jag. The chrome-trimmed greenhouse reappears, as do the side gills. New additions that boast of the XFR’s newfound power are the body-colored hood-mounted vents that help to release trapped hot air from under hood.  Mr. Bond would probably feel quite at home making moves in this vehicles if Jag added a few stinger missiles and machine guns.

Performance-oriented two-toned black and tan leather covered the interior of our tester, while a polished bit of metal spread across the dash. Accented areas are covered with stitched leather, gray polished maple wood inserts, and aluminum strips. The look is one of understated performance. The heated and ventilated driver seats are especially welcome during our recent sweltering summer temperatures here in South Florida. The HVAC system will cause Goosebumps to rise up in protest (or excitement), while cruising around in the tropics.

I'd buy this car if everyone else on my street was riding an M5 or CTS-V and I wanted to show off and could afford the 80K base price tag.

Thanks, Jody! What a line-up!

Joe Victor