Winter is closer than you may think, which means it's time to start thinking about preparing your car for the cold season, and the sooner the better. Edmunds.com recently offered up a few tips for drivers to get ready for winter, such as putting together an emergency kit and checking tire pressure or even switching to snow tires.

"No one wants to work on a car in cold, sloppy conditions, so now is a great time to start winterizing your car," said Phil Reed, the senior consumer advice editor for Edmunds.com. "Taking on these preventative measures will significantly reduce your chances of experiencing the nightmare scenario of having to wait for a tow truck in a heavy snowstorm."

Drivers should inspect engine components for wear, especially belts and hoses, and have them replaced if necessary. It is also important to check the fluid levels of the antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, transmission fluid and oil. Some vehicles may require a lower-viscosity oil for colder temperatures, and an extended warranty can cover the cost of oil changes and any other maintenance the vehicle may need this winter.

When drivers trade in their current vehicles for something new, they often want to find a car that fits them better, and in many cases this means switching brands. The annual J.D. Power and Associates Customer Retention Study sets out to find why drivers either remain loyal to certain automakers or move on to other brands. This year, the report found that the main reason that car owners are switching brands is because their current company did not offer the type of vehicle that they wanted.

"Many automotive brands are expanding their array of models in an attempt to capture more buyers, but this isn't enough in and of itself," said Raffi Festekjian, the director of automotive product research at J.D. Power and Associates. "Manufacturers needs to integrate specific attributes and features that delight vehicle owners to maximize their opportunity to both retain customers and conquest from other brands. Manufacturers also need to ensure owners are satisfied with the quality, residual values and ownership costs of their vehicles."

Drivers who love their vehicles should take steps to protect their investments so they can drive the vehicles as long as possible. An extended warranty can help cover the cost of repairs for certain parts to help keep things operating smoothly. 

A recent report by AutoTrader.com indicates that consumers are returning to luxury vehicles. Land Rover saw marked sales improvements in October with three of its vehicles in the top twenty list. The Range Rover Evoque was the biggest mover on the site last month, jumping from 309 on the sales list to 36, and the Range Rover Sport and LR4 also had big jumps of 99 and 25 spots on the list, respectively.

"The strong movement of luxury vehicles on the site in October points to a silver lining in the black clouds of the economy," said Rick Wainschel, the vice president of automotive insights at AutoTrader.com. "Consumers appear to be ready to get back to enjoying some of the finer things in life."

The best way for drivers to really enjoy their vehicles, even if they aren't in the luxury class, is to make sure that they are running smoothly. If you just shelled out a big chunk of change for a Cadillac or a Land Rover, you can regain some of your investment with an extended auto warranty. This will cover the cost of any necessary repairs and maintenance so your vehicle so you can continue to ride in style without breaking the bank.

Consumer Reports recently announced the findings of its annual owner-satisfaction survey, and the Chevy Volt is the top-scoring vehicle. Car owners were asked if they would purchase their current 2009 to the 2012 model year vehicles again, considering factors such as price, enjoyment and reliability. Nearly all Volt owners who participated in the survey (93 percent) said that they would definitely buy the car again.

The hybrid sedan, which had only been on sale for a few months before the survey took place, beat out the Porsche 911 and the V8 Dodge Challenger, which both had 91 percent satisfaction ratings. It was not the only fuel-efficient model to qualify as a top-scoring car either. The Ford Fusion Hybrid, Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, Toyota Prius and diesel versions of the Volkswagen Golf and Jetta Sportwagen also had ratings higher than 80 percent.

"These models reflect a larger trend we've seen in recent years: Sporty cars and fuel efficient cars with alternative drivetrains tend to generate more enthusiasm and loyalty than most other types of vehicles," said Rik Paul, Consumer Reports automotive editor.

The best way for drivers to keep their current vehicles running efficiently and make every drop of gas count is to get regular maintenance and address all necessary repairs. An auto warranty can even cover the cost for certain parts to help drivers save even more. 

Georgia recently passed a new law concerning child safety that will take effect on July 1. The legislation will require all children under eight years of age to be properly restrained, according to the Newnan Times-Herald. When Georgia’s new law sets in, all children under 8 years old will need to sit in booster seats, unless they are more than 4-feet 9-inches tall and weigh more than 40 pounds.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that automotive accidents are the leading cause of death for children under the age of 14. In 2008, approximately four children were killed in car accidents each day. Seat belts should be checked to ensure that they are working properly. A vehicle warranty can help cover the cost of any repairs that may be needed.

Infants and toddlers should be placed in rear-facing car safety seats until they are two years old or reach weight and height recommendations that are recommended by the car seat manufacturer, HealthyChildren.org recommends. Once they outgrow the required limitations for a car seat, booster seats are used to ensure that seat belts fit properly and safely.

BMW has been developing laser lights that could change the very face of headlights as we know them. They premiered the new illumination technology at the Frankfurt Auto Show last month on the i8 and i3 concept cars, which are expected to go into production in the next few years, according to The Detroit News. However, Inside line suggests that the headlights might see production before the concept car.

BMW is claiming that the laser lights are 1,000 times brighter and 100 times smaller than LED lights, according to the news source. Their reduced size could mean that BMW will be able to radically redesign the headlights of new cars, but they have claimed that no drastic changes will be made yet.

Hanafi Abdul, the optical systems designer at BMW, told the news source that lasers are twice as efficient as LEDs, which may be able to reduce fuel consumption. They are also brighter than other headlights used in vehicles, which could mean that BMW drivers will have better visibility when driving at night.

Being able to see better in the dark can reduce the risk of accidents, but drivers would be wise, laser headlights or no, to purchase car warranties. They can cover the cost of any repairs in the event of a car crash.

The 41st Annual Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction

The 41st annual Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction has come to a close, and the auction house is reporting more than $92 million in sales of a number of rare, collectible, classic and custom cars. The week-long auction included the sale of several famous vehicles, such as the original General Lee from the Dukes of Hazzard TV show and the hearse that carried Former President John F. Kennedy to Air Force One from the Parkland Memorial Hospital. The 1964 Cadillac hearse brought in $160,000, but it was far from the best-seller at the week-long event.

A 1948 Tucker Torpedo took the top prize, bringing in an astonishing $2.915 million. It was joined by a 1947 Bentley mark IV Coachworks ($2.75 million) and a 1954 Mercedes-Benz Gullwing as the most expensive cars to be auctioned off all week. The Gullwing only had 4,159 miles on the odometer and had a higher selling price than any other steel-bodied Gullwing in history.

Most drivers are not sitting behind the wheel of collector's items such as these, but they can still treat their cars as though they were the most valuable. Regular maintenance and repairs are key to keeping a vehicle running at its best, and an extended warranty can cover the cost of certain repairs so drivers can save money while keeping their cars in good condition.

To many motorists, their vehicles may be nothing more than a way to get from point A to point B, but for plenty of others, the joy of the drive is one of the most important aspects of their cars and trucks.The annual All-Star awards by Automobile Magazine were recently presented to the 10 best vehicles available in the U.S. from the 2012 model year.

"While the lineup of this year's All-Stars covers nearly every vehicle segment, each one shares one major characteristic," said Jean Jennings the president and editor-in-chief of Automobile Magazine. "Regardless of the purpose of cost, every All-Star is fun to drive."

The winners include the Audi TT RS, Dodge Charger, Ferarri 458 – Italia and Spyder editions – Ford Focus and Mustang Boss 302, Porsche Boxster and Cayman, the Honda Odyssey and the Volkswagen Golf GTI and TDI models.

The publication could not decide on just one of the 18 different BMW 3-Series models, so the entire group was given one of the ten awards for their ability to be driven hard.

However, rough driving will strain the engine of any vehicle, which is why it is a good idea to consider purchasing an extended auto warranty. This way, when something needs to be tuned up or repaired, the car warranty will cover the cost.

Not every automobile sells as well as America's best-selling vehicle, the Ford F-150, and some fare far worse on the market than others. AutoBlog recently compiled their own list of the worst-selling vehicles of 2011, excluding any vehicles that were not manufactured throughout the entire year and those with a price tag higher than $100,000.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback came in as the third-worst vehicle in terms of sales. The hatchback edition of the Lancer only sold 1,548 units in 2011, but it still did better than the Hyundai Azera (1,524) and the vehicle with the lowest number of units sold, the Acura RL (1,096).

The worst-selling vehicle in America may have done so poorly due to inadequate safety test ratings. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the model top marks for frontal offset and side impact tests, but the RL only did marginally well when it came to roof strength tests. A score of "marginal" is only one step up from "poor," the worst rating a vehicle can get.

Even if their vehicles are among the worst-selling in America, drivers should still keep up with maintenance and repairs. An extended warranty can cover the costs so they can save up for something more popular next time around.

Acura, Honda's luxury brand, is making waves at the North American International Auto Show. The automaker unveiled three new vehicles in Detroit, including the NSX Concept, which features an all-new

performance hybrid engine system.

"Over the next 24 months, the Acura brand will unleash a series of new models that will remake our product lineup and shake up the luxury market," said Jeff Conrad, Acura's vice president and general manager. "Acura will once again defy conventional wisdom to become one of the top luxury brands by creating luxury vehicles based on our own unique values."

The NSX Concept is a window into the future of the company's alternative energy solutions. It uses a Sport Hybrid all-wheel drive system, combined with a direct-inject V6 engine for superior acceleration and efficiency. The design of the concept car is sleek and sporty, reminiscent of top-of-the-line supercars, but don't expect the jaw-dropping power capacity of a Maserati. Acura officials claim that the car will offer a decent power-to-weight ratio.

This concept may not make it to production for years, but drivers who want to be the first in line for the new car can start saving now. They may want to invest in an extended warranty for their current vehicle, which will not only help keep it running until the NSX is commercially available  but will also help them save money for their next car.