Toyota Motor said Tuesday it will soon issue a recall for at least 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles to fix a potential safety problem caused by a car’s floor mat jamming the accelerator.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, meanwhile, urged motorists not to wait for a fix. “This is an urgent matter,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “For everyone’s sake, we strongly urge owners of these vehicles to remove mats or other obstacles that could lead to unintended acceleration.”

The impending U.S. recall, the largest in Toyota history, followed a horrific crash last month in San Diego in which a mat was suspected of snagging a gas pedal on a runaway Lexus, ending with a fiery crash that killed four family members.

A minute before the crash, the driver called police to say the car had no brakes and the accelerator was stuck. The runaway car was doing more than 120 mph when it hit a sport-utility vehicle, launched off an embankment, rolled several times and burst into flames. The car, equipped with all-weather floor mats, was on loan from a dealership while the driver’s own vehicle was being repaired.

“The tragic accident in San Diego was certainly an eye opener for all of us,” said Senior Vice President Irving Miller, prompting the company to review previous allegations of unintended acceleration caused by floor mat interference.

Miller said the company could not quantify the number of complaints, nor could it estimate the cost of the safety campaign.

Now that we are hearing more and more about fuel saving hybrid cars that run on batteries, we wanted to know how the top contenders compare in fuel consumption and value.   So we took at the look at the 3 Hybrids rated the most fuel effecient for 2009:  The 2009 Toyota Prius Hybrid, the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid and the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid.

All of these figures are based on the assumption that you have driven the car at least 1500 miles to break it in. Assuming 1500 miles annually and gas prices at $2.44 per gallon, combined MPG (Miles Per Gallon) and the assumption that you refill when the tank is at 10% full.

The Toyota Prius Hybrid does the best in the city at a whopping 45 MPG, but breaks even when it comes to the highway at 45 MPG and again takes the lead in the combined gas mileage at 46 MPG. It should cost you about $1.33 to drive 25 miles, while only using only .54 of a gallon of gas. This car will cost about $794.00 to fill up on a yearly basis.

The Nissan Altima Hybrid does not do as well as either car, as it only gets 35 miles in the city and 33 on the highway. It only pulls a combined 34 MPG. To drive 25 miles would cost you $1.79 and only gets 612 miles on a tank of gas.
You’re looking at $1076.00 in annual fuel cost based on 612 miles per tank fill up.

The Honda Civic Hybrid comes in about even with the Honda Prius with 40 miles in the city and 45 on the highway. It pulls a combined 42 MPG, it cost $1.45 to drive 25 miles, while only using .60 of a gallon.  To fill this car up it will cost you $43.92, while getting 612 miles off of a fill up, and a yearly fuel cost of $871.00.

Are you worried about getting a car loan in these tough economic times? Getting a car loan can be very easy if you know what you are doing. Here are some tips on how to get an auto loan:

1. The first thing that you should do is put together a monthly budget of your expenses so you can see the amount of money that you can afford for a car payment.

2. The second thing that you need to do is to put together some money for a down payment on the car. You can get a lower car payment and a lower interest rate if you put down a decent down payment. You should try to put down at least thirty percent so that you don’t have a hefty auto loan to deal with.

3. The third thing that you should do is select three types of cars that you might like to own; then go view them at a car dealership. It is important to weigh your pros and cons when selecting a car to buy because the loan is a huge responsibility.

4. The fourth thing that you need to do is serious discuss financing with a few car salesmen so that you can see what types of car financing that they offer so that you are prepared when you go to apply.

Getting a car loan is now very easy through Any Credit Auto Loans. This company helps consumers to find the best auto financing available; the company says that your prior credit history does not matter. They will help you get an auto loan no matter what your credit history looks like. This service is free and consumers can begin the process by filling out an application. The application is pretty short but it can be very beneficial to helping you find a great place to get your car financing. The whole process takes less than 24 hours and you will learn very fast if your application has been approved.  They will help you get the car that you want in no time!

The week of April 10th through the 19th, the annual New York Auto Show will be taking place at Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. With giveaways, prizes, high-tech displays, celebrities and much much more, it is a world of entertainment for the whole family.

The 2009 NY Auto Show is the best place to get a look at the latest and greatest advancements in automobile technology. (Event Schedule) Whether you are interested in going fast or going green, there is something there for everyone. While you cannot actually purchase a car at the New York Car Show, take a look around and get some ideas for your next buy. Not only is there the opportunity to check out a display of antique cars, there is also vast information on the newest developments such as increased gas mileage, lowered emissions and brand new safety features developed to keep you and your family safe.

The winners of “Car of the Year” are all smaller cars which get great gas mileage:

• 2009 Ford Fiesta
• 2009 Toyota I!
• 2009 Volkswagon Golf

If you plan on checking out the NY Auto Show this weekend, be sure not to miss the raffle for the 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera, benefiting the Diabetes Foundation. Also, definitely check out the automotive career fair, which is a great opportunity for students soon to graduate. The exhibit of custom cars is sure to awe as well.

The New York Car Show will be running at the convention center from April 10th through April 19th, from 11am to 10:30pm (7pm on Sundays). It is open to the public and tickets can be purchased online or at the door. The NY Auto Show is an event that is sure to delight the whole family.

The 2009 Toyota Prius Hybrid is hands-down the highest rated of the hybrid vehicles. Gas mileage, the most important consideration for many, is 48 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway. This Toyota was designed from scratch as a hybrid, not modified from a conventional vehicle, and is considered by many the best blend of efficiency, dependability and affordability. It’s roomy design seats up to 5 people and maximizes interior space. At $21,100 it is a good value for all that it offers.

The 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid has excellent gas mileage at 40 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway. Its price is competitive with the Prius at $22,600. The Civic Hybrid is a roomy, 4-door style sedan with a number of trims and options available. This hybrid vehicle is considered reliable and affordable, all-in-all an excellent value.  Plus Honda has an award-winning extended warranty program which is standard for most vehicle purchases.

The new kid on the block, coming out this fall, is the 2009 Smart Fortwo.  The Fortwo is a small, affordable 2-seater, designed more for around-town than for long trips. It’s base price of only $11,590 is very affordable, and it gets great gas mileage: 33 in the city and 41 on the highway. Although this Smart car is definitely not for everyone, it is easy to park anywhere and it’s low fuel consumption will definitely save you money.

For those who need a more conventional vehicle, the Volkswagen Jetta may be a better alternate choice than these hybrids in a slightly bigger class. It is not an alternative fuel or hybrid vehicle; it gets great gas mileage through efficient design. It gets 30 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway, with some variation between specific models. Available in a coupe or a sportwagon, the VW Jetta boasts quality design and construction for a long lasting vehicle, starting about $17,500.

Fuel economy is an important factor to consider when purchasing a vehicle. For instance the Chevy Aveo, in addition to its many other features, boasts a remarkable EPA estimated 34 mpg (miles per gallon). With the higher gas prices experienced this year, along with the current economic downslide, making sure you get the most value for your dollar is essential when buying a new car. Not only will the high gas mileage save you money every day that you own the vehicle, but cars with higher gas mileages tend to have higher resale values, protecting your investment over time.

The secret behind the improved fuel economy in the Chevy Aveo lies in the new ECOTEC engine. Without sacrificing performance, the variable valve timing on the engine results in 27 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, with the manual transmission, and 25 city, 34 highway, using a four speed automatic. Chevy is breaking away from the typical gas guzzling vehicles many Americans associate with previous models. The Aveo is the same American quality you have come to expect, but now with the gas mileage you would expect from an import. When looking for your new car, consider the Chevrolet Aveo and feel what it is like to save money every time you start the engine.