http://www.motherproof.com/ Car and product reviews, articles and tips by moms for moms everywhere. en sgilsbach@motherproof.com Copyright 2009 2009-01-07T18:06:45-06:00 http://www.motherproof.com/news-rants/story/Hyundais-Assurance-Helps-Skittish-Car-Buyers/ http://www.motherproof.com/news-rants/story/Hyundais-Assurance-Helps-Skittish-Car-Buyers/#When:18:06:45Z Let’s say you want or need to buy a new car but your lack of job security in this global economic crisis is holding you back. Well, the Hyundai Assurance Program just might remove that giant “what if” from your car-buying experience.Let’s say you want or need to buy a new car but your lack of job security in this global economic crisis is holding you back. Well, the Hyundai Assurance Program just might remove that giant “what if” from your car-buying experience. The Assurance Program allows buyers to return their leased or financed new car in the first 12 months of ownership should the owner run into an economic hardship. The program only covers up to $7,500 in depreciation. Finally! An automaker that’s making some sense out of the nonsense that is our global economy! According to Hyundai’s website, these are the conditions that are covered under that economic hardship umbrella: 2009-01-07T18:06:45-06:00 http://www.motherproof.com/news-rants/story/Redesigned-Lexus-RX-Gets-a-Shot-of-Testosterone/ http://www.motherproof.com/news-rants/story/Redesigned-Lexus-RX-Gets-a-Shot-of-Testosterone/#When:15:47:17Z In my recent review of the 2008 Lexus RX 400h, I said the hybrid version of Lexus’ RX 350 was in dire need of an update. Well, I guess the folks at Lexus agreed with me, because they completely redesigned their best-selling RX to make it faster, quieter and techie-er for the 2010 model year.In my recent review of the 2008 Lexus RX 400h, I said the hybrid version of Lexus’ RX 350 was in dire need of an update. Well, I guess the folks at Lexus agreed with me, because they completely redesigned their best-selling RX to make it faster, quieter and techie-er for the 2010 model year. Fans of the RX have no need to worry: The new version isn’t a radical departure from the current one, but there are countless small changes that add up to a huge difference in the driving experience. The 2010 RX 350, which hits dealerships in February, maintains its well-known silhouette. Lexus sharpened some of the RX’s edges and created a stronger, bolder face. Overall, it’s a bit more angular; by pushing the wheels out to the corners of the vehicle, Lexus made the RX seem wider and lower to the ground. The new look speaks to the new, faster, more powerful engine and its fabulous performance. 2009-01-07T15:47:17-06:00 http://www.motherproof.com/advice-safety/story/Hybrid-Conversion-Kit-Would-Turn-Yellow-Buses-Green/ http://www.motherproof.com/advice-safety/story/Hybrid-Conversion-Kit-Would-Turn-Yellow-Buses-Green/#When:18:18:57Z In School, Go Green 2009-01-06T18:18:57-06:00 http://www.motherproof.com/news-rants/story/More-Sleep-Helps-Teens-Lower-Accident-Rates/ http://www.motherproof.com/news-rants/story/More-Sleep-Helps-Teens-Lower-Accident-Rates/#When:15:49:05Z By moving school start times back an hour and giving teens a little more time to snooze, a study found that the likelihood of teens getting into a car accident would be lowered, according to the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.We all know how much teens need their sleep; turns out, just an extra hour could help save a teen’s life. A Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine study found that by moving school start times back an hour and giving teens a little more time to snooze, the likelihood of them getting into a car accident could be lowered. The study of 10,000 Kentucky students found a 16.5 percent drop in accident rates for teen drivers when high schools moved their start time from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. We bet a lot of teens would support similar moves in their own schools, though it would probably come more from a desire to get extra sleep than it would safety concerns. Whatever works! 2009-01-06T15:49:05-06:00 http://www.motherproof.com/car-reviews/new/2009-Volkswagen-Tiguan-/ http://www.motherproof.com/car-reviews/new/2009-Volkswagen-Tiguan-/#When:21:39:40Z In Diapers, In School, Teens, SUVs (two rows) 2009-01-05T21:39:40-06:00 http://www.motherproof.com/lifestyle-trends/story/My-New-Car-Wish-List/ http://www.motherproof.com/lifestyle-trends/story/My-New-Car-Wish-List/#When:16:50:39Z In Diapers, Trends 2009-01-05T16:50:39-06:00 http://www.motherproof.com/news-rants/story/What-Was-So-Great-About-08/ http://www.motherproof.com/news-rants/story/What-Was-So-Great-About-08/#When:16:33:29Z There was a lot of craziness in 2008.  What were some of the highlights?  I’ll share some of my favorites.There was a lot of craziness in 2008. What were some of the highlights? I’ll share some of my favorites: * I loved that manufacturers are making the third rows in their vehicles more comfortable for the passengers back there. More legroom, moonroofs and easy access abounded in many of the cars I tested with third rows. On a safety note, more automakers are putting in Latch connectors and seat belt receptors that are easier to use. * I liked the fact that smaller cars are becoming more accommodating toward families, with easy-to-access Latch connectors, folding seats and flexible cargo space, plus cupholders stashed in clever places. 2009-01-02T16:33:29-06:00 http://www.motherproof.com/accessories/story/ford-ends-the-parallel-parking-nightmare/ http://www.motherproof.com/accessories/story/ford-ends-the-parallel-parking-nightmare/#When:21:10:00Z In Diapers, In School, Teens, Gadgets 2008-12-30T21:10:00-06:00 http://www.motherproof.com/car-reviews/new/2009-Mercedes-Benz-ML320/ http://www.motherproof.com/car-reviews/new/2009-Mercedes-Benz-ML320/#When:16:05:42Z In Diapers, In School, Teens, SUVs (two rows) 2008-12-30T16:05:42-06:00 http://www.motherproof.com/news-rants/story/Can-a-Dirty-Diaper-Fuel-Your-Car/ http://www.motherproof.com/news-rants/story/Can-a-Dirty-Diaper-Fuel-Your-Car/#When:19:42:35Z My landfill-filling diaper footprint isn’t what I’d like it to be, and that weighs on me. Much to my great pleasure, however, there is technology out there that can convert garbage into ethanol.With two children in diapers, I have a lot of landfill guilt. I’m too busy and grossed out — or perhaps just not feeling guilty enough — to use cloth diapers. Please don’t look down your nose at me for this. I know they’ve improved since the olden days, etc., etc., I just don’t use them, OK? Of course, that means I go through my fair share of Pampers, and my landfill-filling diaper footprint isn’t what I’d like it to be. That weighs on me. 2008-12-29T19:42:35-06:00