Articles written by Mona Gallagher in Autos

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About me - Mona Gallagher

Hello, I'm glad you stopped by my little corner of Helium.

People write for different reasons. I write because if I didn't, I think I might burst with stored up passion for life events past and those up ahead and around the corner. We're living in a most

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Autos > Buying Cars (Other) Car buyers: What to bring to the car dealership: 3 of 24
Consumers have a definite advantage over the car dealership. When you visit a car dealership, bring your financial information, automobile selection, and your courage to negotiate. Apply your knowledge and you will increase your buying power and confidence ten-fold. Women sometimes think they don't have the expertise to make... More..
Autos > Fuel Economy The ethanol revolution: Fueling up with corn instead of just oil: 2 of 16
Twenty years ago, using corn to make ethanol probably seemed like a good idea, but today, technology has surpassed ethanol making it look like a failed experiment. Ethanol is not energy efficient and it can't be piped like other fuel because of contamination issues, so fossil fuels must be used in the transportation as well ... More..
Autos > Fuel Economy Are electric vehicles the answer to high gas prices?: 2 of 15
Electric vehicles are environmentally friendly and a great concept, but they are not the ultimate answer to high gas prices when you consider the current fuel technology. Electric vehicles lack the power to accelerate quickly, require frequent battery recharge and they have travel limits that make them impractical for driver... More..
Autos > Driving & Safety Common mistakes of a newly licensed driver: 2 of 14
Every year about 6,000 teens lose their lives in car crashes soon after acquiring their driver licenses. The highest risk period for the new driver is the first few months of driving and the risk decreases as the new driver acquires more experience. Inexperience, over confidence, and high speed maneuvering are some of the to... More..
Autos > Hybrids Hybrid: Overview: 3 of 20
The hybrid motor has evolved slowly over the past one hundred years and has finally emerged as the current champion in our quest for conservation of fossil fuel and responsible stewardship of the earth and it's limited resources. More to the point, people abhor paying the high cost of gasoline and consumers see a better choi... More..
Autos > Fuel Economy When will gas hit $5 a gallon?: 2 of 13
This past Friday the price of oil just hit $138 per barrel of crude oil. While it's true that supply and demand have a great impact on the price of oil, speculators drive the price on the market as much as unrest in the Middle East and other factors. The weak US dollar also puts the US at a distinct disadvantage, as does Con... More..
Autos > Mechanics & Repair Shops Secrets to finding the right mechanic: 2 of 13
Finding a good mechanic is more difficult than finding a good doctor. In a way they're both doctors; one works to repair you and the other works to repair your car. You get to check out and see your doctor's credentials, but you don't get to see your mechanic's credentials. What you should always keep in mind before looking ... More..
Autos > Classic Cars Classic cars: Why drive a classic?: 3 of 18
I was an accidental classic car driver. The first car I ever owned was a 1968 Plymouth Fury III. I bought my Fury when it was 4 years old, because it was cheap and it seemed to be reliable transportation. It was the most reliable car I ever drove. My Fury III was a 318, slant 6 engine with 145 hp @ 4000 RPM. The slant 6 desi... More..
Autos > Trucks An overview of the 2007 hybrid pickup trucks: 1 of 6
Hybrid pickup trucks are moving in the right direction toward cleaner air and better fuel economy, but the question is; are they true hybrids? The hybrid pickups are called mild hybrids because they don't meet all the criteria of hybrid vehicles. Mild hybrids can't run on electric power alone; instead the gasoline engine rec... More..
Autos > Buying Cars (Other) Tips for buying a car when you are upside down on a loan: 2 of 9
Would you put your money into an investment that goes down in value faster than it builds equity? It doesn't make sense, does it? That's exactly what some of us do when we buy anew car and we owe more on our current vehicle than it's worth. In this scenario, you're paying the difference of your current car's value and often ... More..