Get creepy

Spring is slowly arriving, and car guys and gals will soon be spending more time out in the garage. This year, make things easier on yourself with a mechanic's creeper. As Autoanything.com points out, "Whether you're draining your oil or changing your brakes, a creeper takes the strain out of auto maintenance." And, as with just about every other product these days, things are getting increasingly sophisticated. Case in point: how about a multi-positional, double-decker creeper, which allows you to slide under your vehicle or even sit up. Keep it flat when you need to work on the chassis, and pop it up into its stool position for the brake job. The creeper comes with plush padding and swivel castors for smooth use. Visit Autoanything.com.

Porsche plans hybrid SUV

Porsche has plans to build a hybrid SUV, the New York Times recently reported. The Cayenne Hybrid combines a 34-kilowatt electric motor with a 3.6-liter, 290-horsepower V-6 and nickel-metal-hydride battery pack. The company says the Cayenne will be able to cruise on electricity alone - at least for short distances - at speeds up to 75 mph.

Porsche plans to have the hybrid in showrooms by 2009 or 2010. The automaker has not set a price on its hybrid. Current base prices range from $44,295 for the base Cayenne (with a V-6) to $94,595 for the Cayenne Turbo.

Consider a car-seat cover

Is your old car looking a little frumpy inside? Car-seat covers are an effective way to spruce up your vehicle's interior. As Autoanything.com points out, even with regular use, your vehicle's seats can take a serious beating. Accordingly, the website offers tailored custom seat covers, form-fitting semi-custom or economical universal-fit auto seat covers in a wide range of factory and custom colors. "Choose from durable car-seat cover and truck-seat cover materials such as waterproof neoprene, stain-resistant polyester/cotton and luxurious velour, even sheepskin seat covers."