Event Data Recorders (EDRs) are similar to the "black box" of an airplane and record important information about the car in case of an accident. Metrics such as speed, braking, and other forces are recorded as often as every 5 seconds.

Suprisingly, 75% of those car fires are caused not by an accident but by bad maintenance. At least six flammable fluids under a car's hood can leak onto hot surfaces and start a fire. So AAA suggests fluid lines, hoses, caps and filters be inspected and maintained to prevent leaks.

Carmaker Saab was founded in the 1930s when they made airplanes:

Saab was an acronym for "Swedish Aircraft, Ab" (where "ab" is the Swedish equivalent of "inc.")

Vehicle weight now averages about 4,100 pounds, up from about 3,200 in the early 1980's... The increase in vehicle acceleration and weight alone has raised emissions of carbon dioxide in the United States by about 5 percent.

The 2006 Cadillac STS-V, which can reach 60 m.p.h. in less than five seconds, is one of many cars that now have more than enough horsepower to pull an 18-wheeler.

• Toyota - median buyer age 50
• Lexus - median buyer age 55
• Scion - median buyer age 35

About half of the German Autobahn has no speed limit - even though there is a suggested maximum speed limit of about 80 mph (130 kph). In 1973, photo radar units were installed and the accident rate reduced 18-fold. These days, deaths on the Autobahn account for only 10% of national traffic fatalities.

The current BMW logo, introduced in 1920, was based on the circular design of a white aircraft propeller on a blue background.

The company was created by merging the companies of Gottlieb Daimler, inventor of the gasoline internal combustion engine in 1883, and Carl Benz, inventor of the first gasoline-powered motor vehicle. In 1900, they designed a new car for Emil Jellinek, consul general of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Daimler named the new car "Mercedes" in honor of Jellinek's daughter, Mercedes. Ever since then, they have been known as Mercedes-Benz.

A "barrel" is 42 gallons of crude oil (at over $50/barrel these days). These 42 gallons of crude oil yield:

• 19.7 gallons of gasoline for cars
• 10 gallons of diesel fuel
• 4 gallons of jet fuel
• 11 gallons of other products

The average fuel economy of 2004 cars was 6% lower than the average of cars from 1987.

You can learn a lot by looking at a car's VIN -- where it was made, manufacturer, body style, engine type, assembly plant...

And using CarFax, you can lookup the vehicle's detailed history (flooded? accidents? rental car? rolled over?) -- all just by entering the VIN

It's also the best-selling pickup truck for 28 consecutive years. Get one fully loaded for only $39,995 MSRP!

The Mythbusters tested a 2004 Ford Explorer going 55mph and got 11.7mpg with windows up and AC on. The mileage dropped to 11.3mpg with windows down and AC off.

Saturn has not made a single dollar in earnings to date.