(March 22, 2014) WASHINGTON — As winter snows recede, an epidemic of potholes has broken out across the nation, luring unsuspecting motorists and their vehicles into concrete or asphalt traps, causing damaged wheels, suspensions and tires.

The Rubber Manufacturers Association, the national trade association for tire manufacturers that produce tires in the U.S., is urging motorists to be extra careful to avoid potholes that can ruin tires or jar a vehicle out of alignment.

(March 21, 2014) NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Young drivers across the country will have a chance to learn potentially life-saving driving skills through the Bridgestone Teens Drive Smart Driving Experience. The free program pairs classroom instruction with hands-on driving exercises to teach drivers how to better handle accident avoidance and the importance of eliminating distracted driving behaviors.

(March 21, 2014) DEARBORN, Mich. — While the polar vortex has had much of the country in a vise grip, its impact has created a new condition — the “pothole vortex.” Road divots that turn the infrastructure into mega-holed golf courses do not allow for a luxury experience, to say the least.

However, the 2014 Lincoln MKZ’s standard, continuously controlled damping (CCD) suspension provides some protection against jarring impact and costly wheel/tire repairs from the dreaded highway pitfalls.

(March 20, 2014) RICHMOND, Va. — According to a new survey released by CarMax, one in four American adults say they plan to save (26 percent) or pay back debt (25 percent) with their tax refund this year. Among those expecting a refund, one in six (17 percent) are likely to use the money to shop for a car.

The survey explores the tax filing habits of Americans and how they plan to spend their refund. Almost three in 10 people (29 percent) are not expecting a refund this year.

(March 20, 2014) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — New-vehicle retail sales in March are showing signs of improvement, following slower-than-expected sales in the first two months of 2014, according to a monthly sales forecast developed jointly by J.D. Power and LMC Automotive.

New light-vehicle retail sales are expected to reach 1.19 million units in March — a 7 percent increase compared with March 2013 — with the seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for retail sales projected to reach 12.6 million. Retail sales in February reached 946,766 with a SAAR of 12.4 million.

(March 17, 2014) WASHINGTON — AARP Travel, a new travel website launching today, offers a one-stop online experience that helps users take their travel ideas from dream to destination.

(March 17, 2014) BETHESDA, Md. — The luck of the Irish won't make your car green, but performing basic vehicle maintenance will not only help protect the environment, but will also keep more "green" in your wallet, says the non-profit Car Care Council.

"To be car care aware, you don't need to be lucky, just proactive," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. "By following a few simple steps from the Car Care Council, you can drive smart, save money and be green."

(March 13, 2014) MCLEAN, Va. — Extremely cold weather during the first two weeks of February and more moderate temperatures over the second half of the month correlated exactly with used price movement, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Used Car Guide in the March edition of Guidelines, a monthly report on new and used vehicle sales trends and price movement.

(March 13, 2014) YONKERS, N.Y. — With prices at historic highs — even for models with high mileage and seemingly excessive wear — and with so many vehicles from which to choose, shopping for a used car can be a challenge.  To help Americans choose the best used car for their money, Consumer Reports compiled a Best & Worst Used Cars list for model years 2004 through 2013.

(March 12, 2014) SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Department of Motor Vehicles must enact regulations that protect users' privacy in new regulations it is drafting that would cover Google's driverless cars and other "autonomous vehicles" traveling on California's highways, Consumer Watchdog told the DMV on March 11.