In the United States alone, a car is either stolen or broken into every 20 seconds. It is therefore not surprising that car alarm system manufacturers are constantly finding ways to improve the theft deterrence abilities of their products. But while itís amazing how car alarm systems have evolved form their simplest beginnings, itís even more amazing how car thieves still manage to get around them. Are car alarm systems really too simple to provide any protection?

Basic car alarm systems work by using simple circuitry technology ñ if someone forces the car door open, the circuit is closed and a siren sounds off. More sophisticated car alarms have added more sensors to capture every possible threat by being more sensitive to light vibrations or pressures. Shock sensors cause the alarm to go off when someone or something hits or moves the vehicle. The alarm will go off in patterns dependent on how strong the shock is ñ the sounds go anywhere from a short beeping sound to a very loud, nonstop alarm. Because shock sensors are very sensitive to any movement in and around the car, it often goes off accidentally; when someone leans on your car while waiting for a cab, for example, or when a huge truck passes by and causes the ground on which your car is parked to vibrate.

Whether they effectively deter thieves or not is subject to debate. Some experts say that shock sensors make car alarms go off unduly, and that this has caused people to become immune to them. Studies show that car alarm sounds have become so ordinary that almost nobody notices them anymore.

Manufacturers of car alarm systems are going full speed on their development of new and more innovative alarms that are more proactive. These alarms have the power to stop a stolen vehicle or send signals by themselves so that the owner and the police can track its location.

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Chevrolet used to have an advertising campaign that touted, ìBaseball, apple pie, and Chevrolet.î Supposedly, General Motorís largest division attempted to indoctrinate consumers into believing that a Chevrolet was as mainstream as Main Street, USA. In many ways this campaign worked. For generations now the Chevrolet division has been serving up cars that have been snapped up by Americans, particularly those seeking their first car. Letís take a look at three Chevy classics that have shaped the respected US automaker.

<b>Corvette</b> ñ In 1953, the Chevy Corvette was released and the auto market hasnít been the same since. This two seat ragtop paved the way for greater and lesser cars to enter the US market including Chevyís own Camaro and Chevelle; Pontiacís Firebird and GTO; Fordís Thunderbird and Mustang; the Dodge Charger; Plymouth ëCuda; AMC Javelin; Datsun 240Z; and a host of other cars. For over 50 years, the limited production Corvette has been the ìhaloî car for Chevrolet and is now a favorite of the baby boomer set.

<b>Camaro</b> ñ One of the original ìpony carsî was the Camaro which, along with the similarly designed Pontiac Firebird, was GMís answer in 1967 to the Ford Mustang. After the 1964Ω introduction of the Mustang, GM needed a responseÖand badly! Pony cars were famous for compact size, speed, and 2+2 seating. Add in a convertible and you had a true California cruiser. After 35 years of production, Chevy discontinued the Camaro while the Mustang is still being made. Good news for Camaro fans: A new Camaro is reportedly set to debut for the 2009 model year.

<b>El Camino</b> ñ Is it a car or is it a truck? How about: car/truck? Half car and half truck, the El Camino is essentially a car with the rear section converted into a truck bed. Introduced in 1959, the original El Camino was based on the Impala platform, then on the Chevelle, and later on the Malibu chassis. The El Camino was Chevyís response to the 1957 introduction of the Ford Ranchero, the first production car/truck. Although not meant for heavy duty truck use the El Camino, when equipped with adjustable shock absorbers, was able to carry its share of weight in its bed.

Other cars from Chevy that have been memorable include: the Venture, Nova, Caprice, and Chevelle; while some truly forgettable models include the Chevette, Monza, and Vega.

Chevroletís current line up is a far cry from yesteryearís fleet, but with over 25 cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs models being marketed today, the Chevrolet name continues to impact and shape the American automotive industry.

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There are a number of myths and misrepresentations about hybrid cars but there are also a number of clear facts. Certain hybrid cars produce a significant amount less pollutants than conventional cars although the amount depends on the model. The United States Government offers a number of incentives so that citizens will turn to hybrid cars and these include a valuable tax rebate. The cost of hybrid cars can be high initially but the truth about it is that it is an investment as the parts have warranties that provide free replacements. They keep their value as they are so much in demand. They tend to last longer than conventional gasoline cars and do not require more maintenance than other cars. The facts about hybrid cars technology is that they are always improving and becoming more efficient offering faster and more economic versions as time goes by. Hybrid cars are environmentally and economically friendly and provide an advanced form of travel.

There is a lot of information that car owners need to know about hybrid cars in order to make the right choice. Some people are confused about how hybrid cars work but they need to know a few basic details. Hybrid cars use small gasoline engines and electric motors that need to be recharged in order to function properly. The battery that supplies the power is generated by the energy used when the car is braking but it is not necessary to use the brakes more than normal. The average amount of brake use should provide more than enough power to the electric motor.

Hybrid cars use less gas because of the smaller engine and the use of the electric motor for assistance and save on further gas emissions and fuel use by automatically switching off the engine when the car is stopped in traffic only to switch on again when the car is put in gear and accelerated. They are quietly run cars and economically friendly and most manufacturers even produce these cars or else plan to. They have a good resale value and sell for about the same amount as they are bought for as their value does not depreciate as much as conventional vehicles. Advances in technology include powering up the battery by using a plug in method and these technologies are constantly being improved.

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If you're considering a used vehicle, don't just ask how many miles it has-ask how many owners it's had, too.

That's the advice from experts who say used cars that have had only one owner may be in better shape than cars that have had multiple owners. Many of the one-owner cars are relatively new, have fewer miles on them and less overall wear and tear. While these cars may cost a bit more, the chances of a new owner having to shell out cash down the road for repairs could decrease dramatically.

This one-owner preference has helped drive many car-buying decisions, according to a recent study. Nearly nine out of 10 shoppers said they find it important to know how many owners a car has had. In addition, nearly eight out of 10 said they were more likely to purchase a car identified as having one owner than they were to purchase a car that had multiple owners. Two out of three shoppers are even willing to pay more for a one-owner vehicle.

Finding One-Owner Vehicles

The study found that franchised dealers are usually the best place to find one-owner cars, but it's always important to do a little investigating on your own.

A good place to start is with a vehicle history report from a company such as Carfax. The company's reports give a complete timeline of a vehicle's ownership, and clearly indicate whether a vehicle has had one or multiple owners. The reports also indicate whether a car has been in an accident, flood or fire, or if it has been totaled and rebuilt.

In addition to running a report on any car you consider buying, it's important to talk to the dealer about the vehicle's previous owner. Find out why the owner sold the car in the first place and ask if the dealership can guarantee that the vehicle you are considering is a one-owner vehicle. Many dealers will provide a free vehicle history report.

If you are buying from a private seller, ask questions similar to what you would ask a dealer, but also ask for the seller's address and phone number. If he or she is not willing to provide that information, you may want to consider walking away from the deal.

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