When you think of exceptional cars that are built in Europe, does your mind run strictly to cars made by Rolls Royce, BMW, or Mercedes? Perhaps Jaguar and Lamborghini come to mind as well. Each of these makes deserve all the accolades given to them. Still, there are three makes that are, for various reasons, exceptional. Let’s take a look at Volvo, Volkswagen, and Audi, the three makes featured in this article.

For a country of just nine million to produce one automaker would be amazing enough. To lay claim to two automakers is simply phenomenal. Both Volvo and Saab are from this particular country which is Sweden. Now a part of Ford Motor Company, Volvo has greatly influenced the automobile industry over the years. Safety standards that had been universally low elsewhere are much more appreciated with Volvo. Front end crumple zones, reinforced roofs and specially designed interiors have all had their origin with Volvo. Out of these high safety standards have come a line of cars that are, indeed, some of the best built and safest cars on the road. Fortunately, through Volvo’s leadership, many automakers around the world have incorporated Volvo’s high safety standard. This is what makes Volvo exceptional in my eyes.

The company that brought to the world the first people’s car, the Beetle, is also exceptional. First designed in Germany during the 1930s, the Beetle survived World War II and was one of the most mass produced and loved cars in the world. From the 1950s forward the Beetle managed to make motorized transportation available to people who otherwise could not afford a car. From college students in the US to migrant workers in Mexico and from the gritty cities of Holland to the Irish farmlands, the Beetle made owning a car affordable the majority of the masses. Even after importation to the US ceased during the 1970s, the Beetle was produced for another generation and sold in Mexico.

Without drawing out the point too far, the term that best describes Audi’s quattro technology is “superior handling.”  Perhaps that is an understatement but when Audi introduced quattro all wheel drive the company threw the gauntlet down and told the rest of the auto making world that quattro was the standard by which all luxury sedans would be judged. Audi’s quattro technology has given the company such a huge advantage over competitors that over the years it has been banned from certain types of racing. Indeed, Audi’s quattro technology provides continuous traction long past when other road handling schematics have reached their threshold.

So, there you have it. Three truly exceptional automobiles from the European continent, exceptional in ways, perhaps, that should be labeled as extraordinary.

Last year marked a turning point in which Earth-friendly alternative-fuel and hybrid vehicles gained major attention and an increasing market share. On top of that, the AAA Great Battery Roundup collected more than 20,000 used vehicle batteries and disposed of them in an environmentally sound manner.

But you don’t need to have old batteries lying around or buy a different vehicle to protect the environment. According to AAA spokesman Michael Calkins, you can make a meaningful contribution by adopting two easy-to-implement strategies: regular vehicle maintenance and better driving habits.

The following tips can put you on the road to environmentally conscious car care.

* Keep your engine running at peak performance in order to conserve fuel. Perform regular vehicle maintenance at the intervals recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer. Seek timely service if the “check engine” warning light remains illuminated on the dash.

To find a trustworthy repair facility, ask friends for recommendations or search on www.aaa.com for AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities near you.

* Check the air pressure in your car’s tires regularly. Underinflated tires require your engine to work harder and use more fuel to maintain a given speed.

* Have your vehicle’s air conditioning serviced only by technicians who are certified to properly handle and recycle automotive refrigerants. Older air conditioning systems contain ozone-depleting chemicals that could be released into the atmosphere.

* Some older vehicles use switches that contain highly toxic mercury to activate hood, trunk and glove-box lights. Many organizations, including a number of AAA clubs across the country, now host mercury “switch out” programs in which these environmentally hazardous parts are removed for recycling and replaced with nontoxic mechanical switches.

* Avoid “jack rabbit” starts, sudden acceleration and speeds above the posted limits; all of these habits guzzle gas.

* Properly dispose of engine fluids and batteries. Call your local government waste management agency to find out how. Never dispose of fluids on the ground or in any manner that might allow them to make their way into groundwater, lakes or streams.

Proper vehicle maintenance and environmentally friendly driving habits conserve natural resources, reduce exhaust emissions and reward you with a vehicle that will last longer and be safer to drive. In other words, when you “go green,” the Earth wins, your car wins — and you are the biggest winner of all!

Today, buying a used car is as important as buying a new car. This is because the growing necessity and demand for cars is extremely important in an individual’s everyday life, especially if the daily activities require a lot of commuting and traveling.

So, buying used cars can be very feasible especially to those who have limited budgets. Actually, buying a used car, say, 2 to 4-year old cars will definitely save an individual as much as 25% to 50% when compared to buying a new one.

But, used cars are not created equal or they are not being maintained on the same level. Hence, it is important to know the proper way to choose used cars and the details to look for when buying one.

With all the many tips that are being offered these days, checking the condition of the used car is the best tip ever.

Here’s a list of the things to be checked before getting the car:

1. Exterior check

Buyers should check on the exterior portion of the car like the paint. Buyers should take note if there are any rusty places present on the exterior body.

Buyers should also make certain that the car is level when inspecting it. It should not sag to one side. If it does that is an indication of frame or spring damage. The tires should be well inflated and the lights should be in good condition.

Buyers should also check the other outer parts of the car like the disc brakes, the glass, the wheel rims, etc.

2. Interior check

It is best if the buyer inspects the interior portion of the car for things like its odor, the controls, the seats and the seat covers, and the pedal rubber. Everything should still be workable.

3. The air-conditioning unit of the car should be working well.

4. Trunk check

The trunk is the most neglected part of the car. Hence, it is important to know if the used car’s trunk area is still in good condition. It should never show any sign of rust accumulation and water entry due to holes and cracks.

5. The under hood test

The buyer of the used car should be aware of the wirings, fluids, belts, hoses, battery, and radiator of his car-to-be. It should not show any signs of damage, rust, or dents.

Best of all, before an individual finally decides on buying a particular used car, it is best if he or she will do a test drive first. In fact, it is one of the most important check-up in order to ensure the efficiency of the used car.