Wheels

On your mark, get ready and get set for the 911 Carrera and Carrera S for 2012 – or get set to just gawk at them. Sports car enthusiasts can take a look at this year’s version of the iconic vehicle, which is making its debut at New Country Porsche of Greenwich.

After its introduction last fall, the automotive blogosphere lit up with word that the newest 911 was the best iteration yet of Ferdinand Porsche’s original sports car vision. “Whether this is a customer’s first or their latest Porsche 911, it’s going to be the most exhilarating driving and ownership experience yet,” ...

Texting while driving has proven to be lethal. But while awareness of the deadly distraction has grown and efforts to ban it are under way nationally, it remains a killer, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. 

Here are some alarming statistics from the NHTSA regarding distracted driving:

• In 2009, 5,474 people were killed in the United States because of distracted driving. Of those, 995 were reported to have involved the use of cellphones.

• In that year, 24,000 people were injured in accidents in which cellphone use ...

We have yet to endure the relentlessly snowy and cold conditions of last winter and the car problems they can cause, but that does not mean there will not be a cold snap. Or two. 

At least we won't be alone. According to Fran Mayko of AAA Southern New England, on a typical winter Monday, "We receive about 900 calls. But we expect to do well over 2,000 jumpstarts in the cold snap." She adds, "The most common cause of these cold-weather breakdowns is a weak or dead battery."

AAA has the following tips to keep your car battery strong and start-worthy, even in ...

Just because the snow hasn’t fallen measurably this winter, does not mean that it won’t. New England weather is nothing if not unpredictable.

Here are winter driving tips from AAA New England to help keep you safe if the roads turn icy. 

Check and maintain proper tire pressure;Test coolant to ensure cold-weather protection;Check brake lights and all other bulbs;Maintain emergency kit – make sure it is complete with essentials (including bottled water, extra phone charger; blanket and non-perishables);Drive defensively: keep eyes on the road ahead;Install winter ...

Kelley Blue Book, a leading provider of new and used car information, reports that Toyota redeemed its top spot for brand loyalty 2011. Toyota last appeared in the top position in 2010.  

For the fourth quarter of 2011, Toyota’s brand shopping loyalty was at 50.6 percent, a 2.7 percentage point jump from the third quarter of 2011. Hyundai was close behind at 50.2 percent. Ford, which moved to the third position from the fifth for 2011, is at 47.1 percent loyalty. Kia continues to hold the fourth spot from the previous quarter at 46.5 ...

Music might make the heart grow fonder, but it also makes the trip go faster.

Carmax commissioned a study asking 500 parents what they could not live without on a long family road trip. The top answer was not rest stops -- it was music.

Forty-six percent of parents of children ages 3 to 15 reported they needed tunes to survive a family road trip. This is not surprising, considering how music helps you escape, if only briefly, from the banalities of everyday life -- and car travel. Movies ranked second at 17 percent, hence the profusion of onboard DVD players. Happily, ...

You might not have purchased your electric car yet, but you can still save money on fueling your gas-thirsty ride. Following is a checklist from The Daily Green to help you run your car more efficiently and in a more environmentally friendly manner.

Your vehicle probably needs an air filter replacement, as almost one in four cars does. A clean air filter can improve gas mileage by some 12 percent.When was the last time you checked your tire alignment? Poor alignment causes tires to wear out more quickly, and it also forces your engine to work harder. Aligning your tires can save up ...

What it is: A mid-priced sports sedan from Honda’s luxury division.

Base prices range from $35,605 to $39,155.

Mileage ranges from 17 miles per gallon in the city to 29 miles per gallon on the highway.

What’s worth knowing: Acura has struggled for attention in a luxury segment crowded with sharp offerings. The TL sits in the middle of Acura’s lineup, priced above the TSX and below the RL. If you’re not familiar with it, well, that’s part of Acura’s problem.

Who it’s for: Affluent drivers ...

The holidays are over, but safe driving is always in season. The following are some of AAA’s simple suggestions, courtesy of the letter D, for staying safe on the roads.

Drowsy driving: Drivers should have seven to nine hours of sleep before taking the wheel. While driving, take a break every 100 miles or every two hours. Do not drive during hours when you routinely sleep, and if you feel tired while driving, pull over to a safe location and take a 20- to 30-minute nap.

Drunken or drugged driving: Impairment does ...