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Consumer Information and Advice


Sidebar: Wash Tips from a Pro
Master detailer Ken Wilson offers a car washing tips that will protect the beauty, and extend the life of, your car's finish.

Online vehicle fraud
If you’ve ever shopped for a used vehicle online, you’ve probably seen deals that just seem too good to be true. They usually are, says Ben Mirecki, President of Carpages.ca, who offers tips on avoiding online scams.

CAMVAP – Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan
CAMVAP, the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan, is a national program that consumers can use to resolve disputes about their vehicles with vehicle manufacturers. CAMVAP provides a fair and impartial hearing where an arbitrator makes a final and binding decision.

20 Under 20 20 sporty cars you can buy for under $20,000!
2006 Honda Civic Si. Click image to enlarge Review and photos by Chris Chase Discuss this story in the forum at CarTalkCanada The calendar says spring has sprung. Of course, for those of us in eastern Canada still mired in several feet of (now wet and heavy) snow, it still looks like winter, and it seems more a [...]

CanadianDriver Fuel Economy Challenge, Part 2: Honda CR-V and Mazda6 Sport – March 5 update
2008 Mazda6 Sport. Click image to enlarge By Paul Williams and Grant Yoxon Discuss this story in the forum at CarTalkCanada Photo Galleries:2008 Honda CR-V2008 Mazda6 Sport 2008 Mazda6 Sport; By Paul Williams Though car manufacturers are often subject to criticism, every once in a while they’ll do something that’s truly commendable. Sometimes it’s lost on consumers and the manufacturer [...]

What is a fuel efficient driving style?
On the road: Smooth driving; driving close to the speed limit; using a light foot on the accelerator; pacing to avoid red lights; avoiding “jackrabbit” starts; planning to reduce the frequency of stop signs on your route. Specifically: A key factor in reducing fuel consumption is to reduce the load on your vehicle’s engine. In practice, this [...]

CanadianDriver Fuel Economy Challenge, Part 2: 2008 Mazda6 Sport and 2008 Honda CR-V
2008 Honda CR-V. Click image to enlarge Story and photos by the editors of CanadianDriver Discuss this story in the forum at CarTalkCanada Photo Galleries:2008 Mazda6 Sport2008 Honda CR-V This series was developed based on the observation that even though consumers have no control over the price of fuel, they can control the pace at which it is [...]

2008 CanadianDriver Fuel Economy Challenge – Conclusion, Part One
2008 Jeen Grand Cherokee CRD. Click image to enlarge 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD and 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD – By Paul Williams Discuss this story in the forums at CarTalkCanada Photo Gallery:2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD Ottawa, Ontario – Long time Ottawa residents tell me that the winter of 2007/2008 reminds them of the city [...]

2008 CanadianDriver Fuel Economy Challenge – January 7 update
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD. Click image to enlarge Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD – By Paul Williams Discuss this story in the forums at CarTalkCanada Photo Gallery:2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD Although our series on driving style and its effect on fuel consumption started with the best of intentions, certain factors have emerged that we can’t control, and they’re [...]

2008 CanadianDriver Fuel Economy Challenge – Update
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD. Click image to enlarge Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD – By Paul Williams Discuss this story in the forums at CarTalkCanada Photo Gallery:2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD For the past two weeks I’ve been driving like an idiot. I feel like I’m in a perpetual hurry, leaping off the line in my 2008 Jeep Grand [...]

Star-spangled wheels: cross-border car shopping entices, but at what cost?
Ow! Excuse me, could I have some oven mitts for this hot potato? The steamy starch in question, in these heady days of fat Canadian dollars, concerns the growing abundance of American vehicles crossing our borders. With a high-flying Loonie and access to this marvellous invention called the Internet, the decision as to where you [...]

2007 Minivan Challenge: 2007 Honda Odyssey EX-L, Week Four
by Dave and Carolyn edited by Paul Williams Click image to enlarge Read more of Dave & Carolyn’s comments on the 2007 Honda Odyssey EX-L: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 Read all the articles in the Minivan Challenge Photo Gallery: 2007 Honda Odyssey Dave and Carolyn have a lot to say about the Honda Odyssey, and that�s partly because [...]

What consumers want: the history and future directions for Honda’s “Green” technology
By Paul Williams While driving a 2007 Honda Accord recently, it occurred to me that its 166-horsepower, four-cylinder engine makes as much power as the average V6 engine of a few years ago. Similarly, the 253-hp, V6 Accord Hybrid has higher performance numbers than several current V8 engines. And when you consider the formidable power of [...]

How to import a car from the U.S.
Contributing Editor Chris Chase looks at the ins and outs of importing a vehicle from the United States to help answer the question: is doing so worth the potential savings?

Canadian vs U.S. vehicle prices: are we paying too much?
The strength of the Canadian dollar means that many U.S. vehicles are now less expensive than comparable models in Canada. Are Canadian buyers being ripped off? Contributing Editor Chris Chase examines the issue in detail.

How to become an automobile journalist – More food for thought
By Paul Williams In Canada, the ownership of media is concentrated. This means that one company can own dozens or hundreds of outlets. Consequently, rather than a freelancer having hundreds of individual editors to approach, there’s often one key person handling “automotive” for a large chain. This limits your ability to sell stories to multiple publications. Note [...]

Auto Theft: How to keep your car
by Paul Williams When car alarms were first introduced, a wailing car in the supermarket parking lot caused all kinds of attention. Now when one goes off, people just talk louder. Car alarms don’t seem to bother anyone, least of all car thieves. No matter what you drive, or where you live, your vehicle’s vulnerable. [...]

Advice: How to test-drive
It's estimated that the average test-drive lasts about twelve minutes: not very much time spend on a vehicle that may cost more than a year's salary. Often it's because people are intimidated or not sure what they should be looking for when they test. Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh suggests the best way to "take it for a spin."

Advice: Light Truck vs Passenger car tires: what you should know
While Passenger car tires (P-metric) are typically designed for a quiet, smooth ride, Light Truck tires (LT-metric) have more rigid sidewalls and stronger construction, reports Paul Williams. "Swapping an OE LT-metric tire for a P-metric tire can have dangerous consequences," he warns.

Advice: What to do if you get really stuck in the snow
By Ken Mitchell and Stephen Miller Winter is coming, and in the unfortunate event that your vehicle gets stuck in deep snow, there are some things you can do to get out, or get help. Start digging the snow away from all the wheels with the shovel you should always have in the trunk. Position traction pads [...]

50 ways to love your beater
They say that we don't know when love starts, but we sure know when it ends. If your current ride just isn't doing it for you anymore, Michael Clark has some suggestions to rekindle the flame.

Advice: How to winterize your vehicle
By Ken Mitchell and Stephen Miller It’s never fun if your vehicle lets you down, but it can be downright miserable or even dangerous if it happens on a cold winter day. Here’s a few things you should know about “winterizing” your vehicle: Winter tires Make sure you have a good set of winter tires. They’ll [...]

Advice: How to lower the cost of your next new vehicle purchase
The average consumer pays 5% to 15% or more than necessary when purchasing a new vehicle, says American author Jim Thomas. In his new book, Negotiate to Win, Thomas describes the negotiating tactics needed to get the lowest price on your next new vehicle. Here is a summary.

Advice: Tips on buying a used car for under $3,000
All you want is cheap, reliable transportation. But how can you be sure you're not buying somebody else's problems? Michael Clark offers a few tips on finding the right car, and avoiding the wrong ones.

Advice: How to choose a tow vehicle
Thinking of heading south with your trailer this winter? Jeremy Cato provides a checklist of questions to ask, and get answers to, before making a decision on a tow vehicle.


More Consumer Advice...
CanadianDriver's Good Fall Fortune Contest
Click here to enterTime to have those winter tires installed. CanadianDriver and 1010Tires.com can help with a winter tire package valued up to $5 00. Enter today a nd every day until Friday, December 4, 2009.

CanadianDriver - 2008 Fuel Economy Challenge/Green Scene Promo Page
Green Scene                     
Green Car Reviews
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Buyer's Guide
With detailed descriptions, specifications, photos and our driving impressions of more than 250 model cars, trucks, SUVs and crossovers, CanadianDriver's Buyer's Guide is the largest, most complete guide to new vehicles sold in Canada.
It's online and it's free!

Price Guide Find the Manufacturer's suggested retail price of any vehicle. Find all the vehicles that fit your budget. Canadian vehicles, Canadian prices.

Photo Gallery
View CanadianDriver's extensive photo gallery - enlarge and print any image.

Tips and advice for new car and truck buyers
Which cars are built in Canada?
Are hybrids worth the extra cash?
Buying a vehicle from the US
Lower your fuel costs How to test drive a car
What you need to know about warranty coverage
Options at the end of your vehicle lease
Automobile features - what's good, and what ain't
Hybrid FAQs
Loan calculator
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Fuel Consumption Guide
Link to Natural Resources Canada
Crash Tests
Link to National Highway Transportation Safety Administration database.
More Crash Tests
Link to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety database.

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