"The best advice that we can give motorists is check the antifreeze levels," Neosho Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep Service Manager Mike Claypoole said. "In this area, the vehicle's antifreeze level should be able to go down to negative 35 degrees to negative 40 degrees."

Thermal shock is the term engineers use to describe the stress caused by drastic differences in outdoor and indoor temperatures. If the vehicle has a small ding in the windshield, thermal shock can cause the minor ding to turn into a major crack. The cost of repairing the small ding is minimal, compared to replacing an actual windshield.

"Honda deserves a standing ovation for not playing it safe again," said Angus MacKenzie, editor-in-chief of Motor Trend. "With the sizzling Si, a sleek coupe, an elegant sedan, and a Hybrid that averages 50 miles per gallon, each model shines through with what Motor Trend looks for when crowning Car of the Year. The engineering passion that Honda Motor Company was founded on radiates from these new Civics."

After two full weeks of intense scrutiny, track testing, performance drives, and walk-around appraisals, Motor Trend editors found each of the 2006 Honda Civic models to be fun to drive and terrific value. With their bold, contemporary styling and innovative technology the new Civics are primed for success in one of the most competitive market segments in the country. For the past nine years the Honda Civic has been the best-selling retail compact car in the U.S., with Honda expecting sales for these new models to be even stronger.

AAA said more than 37 million people would travel by car at least 50 miles from home during the long holiday weekend. The association, citing a telephone survey, said the number of Thanksgiving travelers would be up 0.8 percent from last year.

''I'm glad gas is not $3 anymore," Kate Kehoe said as she filled her tank in Ann Arbor, Mich., for a trip of about 55 miles to Flint.

On Wednesday afternoon, while northern Indiana braced for a storm that triggered a National Weather Service warning in effect until 11 a.m. Friday, swarms of drivers headed out of Chicago. The holiday travelers clogged expressways, with long delays particularly a problem on Interstate Highway 80, officials said.

Westbound I-80 began experiencing heavy traffic shortly after noon Wednesday, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. By 4 p.m., the interstate was backed up in both directions.

General Motors Corp. will eliminate 30,000 jobs and close nine North American assembly, stamping and powertrain plants by 2008 as part of an effort to get production in line with demand and position the world's biggest automaker to start making money again after absorbing nearly $4 billion in losses so far this year.

The announcement Monday by Rick Wagoner, GM's chairman and CEO, represents 5,000 more job cuts than the 25,000 that the automaker had previously indicated it planned to cut. United Auto Workers union leaders called the cuts "extremely disappointing, unfair and unfortunate."

The 30,000 job cuts represent about 9 percent of GM's global work force of about 325,000 people.

GM said assembly plants will close in Oklahoma City, Lansing, Mich., Doraville, Ga., and Ontario, Canada. GM also listed Spring Hill, Tenn., as a plant closing even though one production line will remain open there. A shift also will be removed at a plant in Moraine, Ohio.

Audi Nero: The supreme expression of Los Angeles nightlife, the Audi Nero is a modern interpretation of the streamlined record-breaking automobiles developed by Auto Union racers in the 1930s. (Volkswagen/Audi Design Center California)

GMC PAD: Priced out of the housing market? The PAD is an urban loft with unlimited mobility and was developed for the modern city dweller living in the ever-changing cultural landscape of Southern California. It has a media rich environment unlike anything ever seen. (General Motors West Coast Advanced Design Studio)

Honda LA Rolling Film Festival: "Movie-style" vignettes represent the diverse cultural backdrop of this ever-evolving city that includes everything from The Running Bus, a human-powered hybrid vehicle, to the Jacarzzi, a sleek sports car that doubles as a hot tub. (Honda Research & Development)

Hyundai Greenspeed Gator: The Gator pushes the boundaries of design and fuel cell performance. Harking back to the top fuel racers of the '60s, this sling shot is powered by hydrogen and in-wheel electric motors. (Hyundai Kia America Design Center)

Kia Sidewinder: This Kia is a two-seat lean, mean drifting machine. It combines the emerging sport of drifting with a vehicle that is equipped with a turbine powered by Compressed Natural Gas for environmental soundness. (Hyundai Kia America Design Center)

Maybach California Gourmet Tourer: As the name implies this vehicle is the ultimate machine to enjoy a culinary adventure. Featuring an espresso machine, microwave, wine rack, food preparation area and other essentials, occupants can simply be chauffeured by allowing the GPS guidance system take over. (Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design of North America)

Mercedes-Benz Mojave-Runner: This Mercedes-Benz is powered by gas- electric hybrid engine and can handle anything that gets in its way, including extreme heat, rough terrain and unpredictable weather. (Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design of North America)

Mitsubishi Roadster Konzept (MRK): The MRK is Mitsubishi's take on a future compact roadster for the California lifestyle. The two-passenger coupe can instantly become a four-passenger car thanks to a unique rumble seat that also doubles for added cargo space. (Mitsubishi Research & Design of North America)

Scion Exile: For those who desire the freedom and flexibility to jump in their car and see what journeys lay ahead, the Scion Exile will take them there in style -- with proportions similar to that of an expensive exotic mid-engine sports car. (CALTY Design Research)

Smart Rescue Vehicle: Designed for the adventures and responsibilities Southern California lifeguards encounter daily, including beach patrol and water rescues, the Smart is equipped with a jet pump for amphibious mode. (Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design of North America)

The technology is another step in a much broader auto industry trend that is making collision repairs ever more costly, a kinder way of saying manufacturers are building throw-away cars. It means that more cars are totaled when they have relatively modest damage, particularly if they are more than five years old.

Although BMWs can certainly be repaired, it requires a degree of sophistication and cost that may be unprecedented.

BMW will certify auto body technicians only if they are employees of BMW dealerships, using BMW-approved parts, tools, adhesives and rivets. Though independent shops can buy equipment and get training, they are not allowed to say they perform certified repairs, BMW's official seal of approval.

"It is a game," said Don Feeley, owner of three independent body shops in Riverside. "Absolutely, they are shutting auto body shops out of their business."

As with many Honda, Toyota and Nissan urban-centric concepts, the Chrysler Akino is a miniscule, one-box vehicle with the sole purpose of providing a mobile sanctuary; sort of a personal, private space where up to five people can hide away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. This is the reason for some of its slightly abstract features inside and out, such as texture-coated rear privacy glass, bamboo flooring, a throw rug, lighting sconces and even throw pillows. Car or portable Zen lounge? You decide. On the outside, the Akino takes many of Chryslers most distinctive new styling traits and integrates them into an unfamiliar shape, with virtually nonexistent overhangs. Its amorphous nose is adorned with the big-chrome winged Chrysler badge, and angular headlamps. Other than a few minor items, such as ornamental grooves cut into the hatch lid, similar to the Crossfires hood, and a smaller version of that same winged logo attached to the rear hatch, theres little styling shared with other Chryslers. Distinctively pointed slivers form tail lamps, bumper edges and the side cladding.

The Akino, named after Chrysler designer Akino Tsuchiya, has an interior space fitted with more natural fibers than a Peta rally — like the bamboo used for the flooring. (Oops, there's suede trimming inside. Cancel the rally.) Still, it's a social vehicle, with seats that swivel and throw pillows for lounging. Consider it a high-concept, rolling tea house.

Not checking the blind spot before manoeuvring

Trying to change a CD or find a radio station while driving

Tailgating another vehicle -- it takes nearly 100m to stop when braking suddenly at 70mph.

Using a mobile phone while driving

Eating and drinking at the wheel

n the EIA's weekly survey, the West Coast had the most expensive regional gasoline, with the price down 8.9 cents to $2.62 a gallon. Miami again topped the agency's survey of cities, with gasoline down 11.1 cents to $2.72 a gallon.

The Midwest had the cheapest gasoline at $2.23 a gallon, down 9.5 cents. Among major cities, Cleveland had the cheapest fuel, down 10.6 cents to $2.16 a gallon.

The EIA report also showed prices, rounded to the nearest penny, down 6.8 cents to $2.70 in Los Angeles, down 7.3 cents at $2.56 in Seattle, down 10.5 cents at $2.44 in Chicago, down 13.1 cents at $2.42 in New York City, down 13.1 cents to $2.37 in Houston, and down 11.4 cents at $2.33 in Boston.

Separately, the weekly price for diesel fuel fell 17.8 cents to $2.70 a gallon, the lowest level since late August but still up 54 cents from a year ago, the agency said.

Mazda stormed to victory with 447 points, easily defeating the new Lexus GS (309) and BMW 3 Series (212).

Making up the top five was the Honda Civic (165 points) and Suzuki Swift (154). Technology of the Year went to Honda for the clever new Civic gas-hybrid powertrain. The JCOTY Most Fun prize was awarded to Suzuki's impressively redesigned Swift compact. BMW's 3 Series took Import Car of the Year.

Called Eliica, short for Electric Lithium-Ion battery Car, it boasts a neck-snapping 0-100kmh time of just four seconds and a 0-160kmh time of seven seconds, which means the Eliica accelerates faster than a Porsche 911 Turbo.

Professor Hiroshi Shimizu, of Japan's Keio University, believes his team can make the electric car popular. He feels that the movement towards stricter emissions laws will favour these zero emission vehicles.

"If we continue producing current levels of CO2, we will face a global-warming crisis well before 2040, a long time before fossil fuel reserves run out. We need to halve these emissions now," he says.

Earlier this year, at Italy's Nardo high-speed test track facility, the Eliica recorded a top speed of 370kmh. Shimizu says the car would break 400kmh on a smoother surface.

No reason for the extra set of axles is given, though perhaps they’re needed when the vehicle is traveling at its top speed of 230 mph, which actually was reached one day last year at the Nardo in Italy. The Eliica takes 10 hours to charge and will travel 125 miles on a charge. It can accelerate to 62 mph in 4.1 seconds, after which we imaging you’d need to recharge it again. The team’s goal is beat the top speed of the Bugatti Veyron and produce 200 units of the Eliica for people like George Clooney and that ex-Baywatch babe who still drives an EV1.

1. 1995 Honda Civic
2. 1989 Toyota Camry
3. 1991 Honda Accord
4. 1994 Dodge Caravan
5. 1994 Chevrolet Full Size C/K 1500 Pickup
6. 1997 Ford F150 Series
7. 2003 Dodge Ram Pickup
8. 1990 Acura Integra
9. 1988 Toyota Pickup
10. 1991 Nissan Sentra

Common Sense:
The cheapest form of defense is to simply employ the anti-theft devices that are standard on all vehicles: locks. Lock your car and take your keys.

Warning Device:
Having and using a visible or audible warning device is another item that can ensure that your car remains where you left it.

Immobilizing Device:
"Kill" switches, fuel cut-offs, and smart keys are among the devices which are high and low tech, but extremely effective. Generally speaking, if your car won't start, it won't get stolen.

Tracking Device:
On the higher end of high tech are the newer devices which can alert you—and law enforcement—the moment an unauthorized user moves your vehicle.

An August survey by AutoExtra.com found that three out of four driving-age students own cars, half of which were purchased by parents. Of the 500 parents polled in the survey, 82 percent said they bought used cars and most of them cost under $10,000.

Fall is a prime time for teens' first car purchases, especially this year, as July's record high auto sales led to a surplus of cars from trade-ins, which means there's more selection and lower prices on used car lots. But while they were looking for less expensive cars for their children, 90 percent of parents polled in AutoExtra.com's survey cited safety and reliability as their biggest concerns.

As a general rule, safety-conscious parents tend to focus on car size, said Jonathan Adkins, communications director for the Governors Highway Safety Association. Adkins said parents often buy SUVs because they think bigger is better. But only the newest models of SUVs have electronic stability control to prevent rollovers and many parents can only afford the used models.

For the first time, the German manufacturer joined Ford, General Motors and a who's who of Japanese and South Korean automakers in displaying accessories and concept cars at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show here. They're hawking chrome racing wheels, chrome-tipped exhaust pipes, race-tuned suspensions and souped-up engines.

At stake: the chance to reach hot rodders and style meisters whose customizations are at the heart of the estimated $31 billion accessories market. A Volkswagen booth at the trade show was a must, says spokesman Steve Keyes, because the company's accessories business is growing so fast. Dealers sell eight times as many custom wheels as a year ago, he says. Now, the company is targeting tuners, the amateur mechanics who boost engine performance and rev up interest in aftermarket products. "We're looking at how we can become more tuner-friendly," Keyes says.

General Motors (GM), which instigated employee prices in June, saw sales fall 25.9% in October. Trucks and SUVs, which are among the biggest revenue makers for the automakers, were down 33% at GM, including the profitable Cadillac Escalade, which was down 49%. "Although a slowdown after the record sales of the last several months was expected, October was a difficult month for us and the industry," said Mark LaNeve, GM's vice president of sales and marketing for North America, in a press release.

Ford (F), which sells twice as many trucks as cars, posted a 25.7% drop in sales. Truck sales were down 31.6%. Car sales were down 11.0%, but could have been worse. The automaker rolled out three new cars in October ? the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr. Their sales totaled less than 7,000.

DaimlerChrysler's (DCX) sales were down 2.8%, but car sales boomed 21.9%. Chrysler Sebring was up 126%.

GM did its best to make the H3 fuel-friendly, equipping it with a relatively small (3.5 liters) 220-horsepower, five-cylinder truck engine (from the Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon). It doesn't help much, though. Our 300 miles of untrafficked rural-road and interstate driving gave a bottom line of 14.7 miles per gallon. The full-time all-wheel drive and 4,700-pound curb weight are among the culprits for such a high rate of fuel consumption.