Helpful Tips for Winter Driving

 

Christmas is just around the bend! I’m sure everyone is looking forward to having a great get-together with their families and friends. Aside from the merry-making, holidays are also synonymous to traveling, especially nowadays that family members live far apart. If you are one of those who are thinking of driving home for the holidays, better get you gear prepared now. Driving during winter is more hazardous than any other time because the roads are more slippery due to snow. So, if you are driving down over at your parent’s for the holiday you’d better know the what and whatnot’s in winter driving.

 

1. Prepare Your Vehicle – Doing an overall check of the parts and putting them in good condition is a must. If upon checking you see some damaged parts, replace them immediately, especially if it involves the brakes and the tires. And talking about your tires, it’s better to use those that still have good tread. The more tread your car’s tire has the better grip it can have on the road. Installing snow tires is a good thing in this situation because they are really designed for snowy and slippery roads. Aside from tires here are some other parts you need to inspect prior to your trip:
• Battery
• Belts and hoses
• Oil
• Wiper and wiper fluid

And take note, it’s not only the mechanical parts that you have to check. Also maintain your car’s interior. Carpets and mats should be in good condition since you’ll be dripping moisture inside your car each time you get out and in.

 

2. Always Bring an Emergency Kit – Even if you think it’s a hassle to be lugging tools around, you’ll be really thankful you brought them with you if you get stranded in the middle nowhere. What tool should you bring for a winter drive?
• Ice scraper/brush for cleaning your windshield
• Flashlight with spare batteries
• Spare jacket, blanket, and work gloves
• Sand or gravel to put under your wheels in case you get stuck
• Jumper cables
• Communication device in case you need to call for help

 

3. Drive Carefully in Snow – Snow is slippery so driving fast is not a good idea. It’s always better to drive slowly but safely during winter. Drive slowly and apply the brake before turning a corner. If you skid, turn the wheel into the direction of the skid and not against. This will help you regain control of you vehicle.

 

Safety Features That Must be in Your Car

I have never seen car collisions up close, and I wish I don’t witness one, ever. This kind of scenario is very traumatic even for a bystander, what more for those who are involved in the accident. Since we have no way of knowing what lies ahead of the road, it would be a good thing to be prepared for whatever that might happen. When you intend to buy a car, make sure it has all the safety features needed. These safety features can make a great deal of difference between life and death.

 

So, what safety features must a car have? Take note of these:

·         Airbags

·         Seat Belts

·         Head Injury Protection

·         Head Restraints

·         Anti-lock Brake System

·         Traction Control

·         Electronic stability Control

·         All-wheel Drive

·         Weight

 

Airbags – This is a life-saving feature especially during strong-impact crashes. This prevents occupants from injuring themselves in case they hit the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield. This kind of protection is offered by the front airbags. The side airbags on the other hand protects the occupants from impact and from objects that are likely to crash through the windows and the door.

 

Seat Belts – These are very important. Putting them on at all times prevents the occupants from crashing into the dashboard and injuring themselves if they hit the dashboard during collisions. At the worst scenario, seat belts prevent passengers from going through the windshield.

 

Head Injury Protection – This safety feature is typically made of foam and other energy absorbing material. Occupants do no usually notice this because it is located under the trim of the interior. Some vehicles have head air bags as head injury protection. This is very beneficial for protecting occupants from head injuries if their head hits the upper part of the interior.

 

Traction Control – This feature is usually found in vehicles having four-wheel anti-lock braking system. Its main function is to improve vehicle stability. This is achieved by controlling the amount of drive wheels slip.

 

Anti-lock Brake System – Shortened to ABS, this feature helps the driver have more steering control over the vehicle by preventing the wheels from locking during high-tension situations. It’s a good thing that nowadays many cars, trucks, and vans are already equipped either with two-wheel or four-wheel ABS.

 

Head Restraints – They lessen the chance of head and neck injuries. It is best for vehicles to have dynamic head restraints. This dynamic type automatically adjusts itself if the seat position changes. Head restraints for the front seats must meet specific size and strength requirements.

 

Electronic Stability Control – It assists drivers in maintaining control of their vehicles when extreme steering maneuvers is called for.

 

All-Wheel Drive – This provides equal distribution of power to the front and rear wheels allowing better handling and control.

 

Weight – Heavy vehicles have more protection against crashes than lightweight ones.

Finding the Best Car for your Money

Economic crisis is plaguing the country and the whole world. It’s everywhere. At this point in time, we as people must be watchful of how we spend our money and the the things that we buy. Of course, no one wants his money to go to waste, thus thinking deeply and wisely is important before investing in anything. This is applicable when you intend to buy a car. A car does not one cent only, you have to spend thousands of dollars even for a second hand one. What more if you intend to buy a brand new car?

You don’t want your money to go to waste because you worked hard for it. Any investment you get out of that must be commensurate to its value. So, any car you buy must be worth every dime and cent you spend. Before buying anything, be sure to you know what you are getting into.

Buying a new car is not such a big issue if it is not your first time. Second time or third time buyers know what to do and what to look for in the car that they intend to buy. For first time buyers here are some of the things you must look into. Well, this can also serve as a refresher for second time buyers.

1. Determine what kind of car you want. You should get one that fits your lifestyle. Also, know whether you want a used or a brand new car. If you intend to buy used car determine how many owners have handled it before and if it was involved in any accidents. A car that has been involved in accidents is not a good proposition because its parts are probably problematic already.
2.  After deciding what kind of car you want set the price range. The brand and the design will usually depend on this aspect. You can consult local and online dealerships and have them give you some price quotes on the car that you want to get.
3. Next thing, know about your credit history. Be sure to know your own credit report. Car dealers usually ask about these things as security for their company.
4. Then, when you are ready to buy be sure to find a reliable dealer. Once you are at the dealer’s, these are some things you need to remember.

·         Don’t give your license or social security number to the dealer.

·         Don’t let a car dealer find a car from another store because there’s usually additional charge for that.

·         The car to be presented to you must have a price invoice sticker.

       5.  Be sure of the kind of financing being offered to you by the dealer or any credit company.

 

These are only some tips that can help you find the best car without ripping off your hard-earned money.

What to Watch Out For in Your Car Brakes

Road safety is a vital aspect that you must always consider. You don’t want to be just a statistic of accidents that happened at a certain day. There are only two possible things that can happen to you when you get involved in an accident. It’s either you get seriously injured – broken bones and bruises, or you die. Which of these is preferable? None, right? So, if you don’t want to end up either way, drive smart and drive safe!

The first thing to be considered in safe driving is your car’s brakes. Are they working properly? Are you able to stop without any problem? These are only some of the questions you need to ponder on every now and then just to be on top of things regarding your car’s brakes.

There are several things you have to watch out for to find out if your brakes are still working fine or not.

• First check on the brake fluid; see if it is still in the right level. 
• Be aware of the sounds produced by your vehicle each time you press the brake pedal. There are different kinds of noises that indicate different things about your car’s brakes. If you hear a grinding noise this means that your brakes no longer have the friction material; instead the metal plate where the pad is installed is the one rubbing against the rotor. On the other hand, if you hear loud screeching noises it means that you car’s brakes are glazed. Glazing happens when you press to hard and too frequently on the bakes that the rotors become so hot and end up with burned surfaces.  
• Aside from noise, you must also keep watch on vibrations being produced by your car. If there is too much vibration when you brake, then that is also an indication of deformed rotors, which means that you have to get your brakes checked by an auto technician.  
• If the brake pedal is too soft or too hard when you press it, probably, there are bubbles in the brake fluid that is why you need to bleed it.  
• Brake pull is also another indication that there might be something wrong with your brakes. When you brake then your car pulls to one side of the road instead of just going steady.

 

These are only some helpful tips that can help save your life. Don’t be a part of the statistics; maintain safe driving with functional brakes.

Great Car Deals for October

Tell me you’re not affected by the economic crisis that’s overwhelming the world right and I’ll tell you you’re a liar. With all the prices of commodities rising continually, there’s no other choice but to tighten our belts, which means no spending on unnecessary things. If it cannot really be helped, at least lessen the amount being spent. Sometimes what you spend on unnecessary stuff can already be used to pay for food and house bills.

 

If you’re on a tight budget but you need to have a car badly because the one you own finally and permanently gave out on you, be sure you find the best deals out there. Folks over at MyRide.com evaluated various cars and came up with the Top 10 Smart Deals for October. Read on. You might like some of the cars cited and it might just suit your budget! Each car included in the list is priced just around $15,000 and below.

 

 

10. 2009 Toyota Corolla – You can have this for $15,350. This car is equipped with a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine and 5-speed manual transmission.

9. 2008 Hyundai Accent GS 3-Door – Price tag is $10,870. This features all-around protection against impact in case of collision. It operates on a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine and 4-speed automatic transmission.

8. 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt LS Coupe – Base price is $14,410. Good for cruising around the city or countryside as this offers protection from impacts. It produces modest speed from the 2.2-liter 4cylinder engine installed. Control is provided through the 5-speed manual transmission.

7. 2008 Suzuki X4 Sedan – Base price is $14,999. Has 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and 5-speed manual transmission.

6. 2008 Nissan Sentra – Base price is $16,040. It operates using the 2.0-liter c-cylinder engine and continuously variable transmission.

5. 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer DE – Base price is $13,990. This can is equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and 5-speed manual transmission.

4. 2008 Ford Focus S Coupe – Base price is $14,395. It accelerates using a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and 5-speed manual transmission.

3. 2008 Nissan Versa Sedan 1.8 S – Base price is $12,880 and comes with a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed manual transmission.

2. 2008 Kia Spectra LX – Base price is $12,895 and is installed with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and 5-speed manual transmission.

1. Kia Rio Base – Very affordable with $10,890 price tag. This is equipped with a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine and 5-speed manual transmission.

 

See anything you like? If you do, you have to get it this month so that you can avail of the cash back deal. The cash back is still a big amount. It will still afford you several days of petrol.

Tips on How to Land a Good Car Deal

In this day and age of economic crisis, do you think buying a new car is practical? Even though it is not practical for a lot of people, they are still forced to buy one out of necessity. Those who live in far flung places where public transport is hard to come by would rather choose to bust out their pockets rather than be without any means of transport. I’m sure some of you readers out there would agree with me on this.

 

At present, it is not only the commuters who are experiencing the brunt of the present economic crisis. Carmakers are also becoming desperate to boost up their sales. For some of them it’s either sell more or fold. Take for example Toyota. It is now offering 0% interest rate on some of their vehicles, just to attract more buyers.  That’s how dire the automobile industry has become. As a potential customer, as I’m sure you’ll be buying a new car in the near future, how can you avail be secure in availing of a new car?

 

 

If you are going to avail of a car today Peter Valdes-Dapena of CNNMoney.com has some tips for you: 

 

1. Check Your Credit Rating

            - Making credit checks must be done at least once a year. For making this check, be sure to go to a reputable credit reporting agency like Equifax Experian, or TransUnion. Check on the accuracy of the results. If the result is all positive, then there’s shouldn’t be any problem.

            - You must also determine just how much you can afford. Consulting online sites that provide estimates on monthly payments would be a big help as this will give the general idea before you go to a car store.  You will be able to choose a better deal that will not let you have longer loan period.

 

2. Start Shopping

            - This shopping refers to finding a car loan. According to David Thomas of Cars.com, “Always check with a different financing institution before you go into a dealer.” You can see your local credit union or even apply to your own bank for a car loan if it is offering such service.

 

 3. Closing the Deal

            - Some car dealers also offer car financing so there’s a chance you’ll no longer use the loan you arranged. “Car dealers often make little money on the actual sale of the new car. The money they get for arranging financing has become an important part of their revenue stream. The biggest factor in how much you’ll pay for financing is how much you borrow. To minimize the principle, take advantage of all the discounts out there, as well as the dealers’ willingness to negotiate, to get the best price you can.”

Well, these tips should help you when you go shopping for a new car anytime soon.

Adding a Personal Touch to your Vehicle

Adding car accessories is the easiest way of personalizing your vehicle. Coming in varied colors, styles, and designs, accessories give car owners and enthusiasts numerous ways of enhancing the looks of a vehicle. Without them, a vehicle would look boring and incomplete.

Internal car accessories include dash covers, car seat covers, mirrors, shifter knobs, aftermarket steering wheels, steering wheel covers, fuel consumption meters, window tint film, stereo system, mobile video or DVD players, floor mats, and air fresheners. Car seat covers, which can be bought in different materials and designs, consist of leather seat covers, sheepskin seat covers, custom car seat covers and infant car seat covers.

On the other hand, exterior accessories include styling body kits, spoilers, sports mirrors, head and tail light covers, car hood shields, car bras, window visors, car covers, a sunroof, wiper blades, hood scoops, window graphics, and wheel caps.

Trucks and sports utility vehicles use additional accessories such as customized truck covers, novelty hitch covers, pickup truck bed covers, and tonneau covers.

Auto accessories are not just decorative items for your vehicle. They also perform other functions, which range from ensuring safety and improving car performance to passenger comfort. Accessories also help protect auto parts from damage. Take for example the seat covers, which protect the vehicle seat from wear and heat of the sun. A steering wheel cover, aside from protecting the steering wheel, improves the grip of the driver on the steering wheel. To increase a vehicle’s capacity to carry luggage, roof boxes or roof racks can be mounted on top of the car. Floor mats, which are an integral part of the car, keep the floor safe and provide comfort to the feet.

There are no hard and fast rules in accessorizing vehicles. Even without the help of a professional, you the car owner can put add-ons to the car depending on your taste. You just have to remember that just as auto parts require regular maintenance, your car accessories as well need to be checked for damage once in a while.

Extending your Car’s Life Span

Is it worth holding on to an old reliable car than buying a new one?

Absolutely. Today’s cars are in fact designed to last long. Trading in cars for a new model every three to five years has become a thing of the past. Keeping a car for 225,000 miles for more than 15 years instead of spending for an identical model every five years can save you even more than the original price of the car.

Consumer Reports recommends the following pointers for maintaining your car in good working condition over a long period of time.

• Buy smart. Consult Consumer Reports’s April Autos issue for comprehensive reliability ratings. The car you choose should be equipped with safety features that have performed well on government and insurance industry safety tests.
• Get regular service. Don’t hold back on maintenance. You may think you’re saving money by delaying that oil change, but think again. Skipping even one routine oil change can result in engine wear, so stick to the schedule.
• Be a car detective. Get in the habit of regularly popping the hood and checking for unusual sounds, sights or smells that may tip you off to problems. Look out for things like bulging hoses or cracked belts. If you’re mechanically inclined, you may even be able to fix minor problems yourself with the help of the vehicle service manual. The Internet also offers a broad array of do-it-yourself tips that can help you with car repairs.
• Don’t cheap out on auto parts. If you try to cut costs by buying used or off-brand parts, you may end up paying the price in the long run. You may inadvertently cause damage to the car by using parts or fluids that don’t meet the specifications of the manufacturer. The lesson: Be extra careful if you buy off-brand. And remember, when purchasing auto parts, quality and price must be weighed equally.
• Keep it clean. You’ll be less tempted to trade up to a new model before it’s time if you treat your current car with care. Remember: regular washing and waxing can help preserve paint and stave off rust, which can add years on a car.

In a nutshell, these tips tell us that nothing beats regular car maintenance in prolonging the life of your car. It is a simple but sure way to get the most out of your car, especially if you intend to keep your car for its sentimental value. Doesn’t it also bring pride to you being an owner of a well-maintained car that has withstood a long time?

What’s in? What’s out?: Latest Trends in Car Modification

Many trends come and go. Just like in the fashion world, the automotive industry has produced auto parts and accessories that are a fad in a certain period of time, but eventually go out of style when years pass. Among the auto parts that were once popular include neon under body kits, 13-inch wire wheels pushed out, neon washer nozzles, headlight and taillight covers, air shocks, and huge rear spoilers. Many of the past trends are still popular today, but with quite a different touch of style.

Examples of auto parts that have come and gone through the years are the smoked headlight and taillight covers, which were very popular between the mid and late 1990s. Come new millennium, sales of these items gradually dropped. Nonetheless, a lot of people still find the look of blacked out headlights appealing.

 

Smoked headlight covers always come and go.

Despite that, the newest trend is the tinted version of the aftermarket headlights, marker lights, and taillights. Kits that use a type of film to achieve this look are being sold by some companies. The problem with these kits, however, is that they usually leave gaps around the edges of the headlights or taillights.

A fad that is making a comeback in the realm of car accessories is chrome trim products. Before, chrome trim was found on almost every conceivable edge on the car including the door edges, gas cap, trunk lid, and rain guards. Today, many auto parts are custom made for particular vehicles and are designed to appear as though they are made from the factory. These car accessories include chrome door handle covers, mirror covers, pillar post trim, rocker panel molding, headlight, taillight trim, and even chrome rain guards and bug shields. Most of these items are easy to install, installing over the top of the factory parts using double-sided adhesive. These car accessories can greatly enhance the looks of a base model vehicle when used moderately.

Custom grilles, which had their beginnings in the truck accessories market, have been popular among many car enthusiasts. However, these accessories were often difficult to find for cars, and many vehicles that featured these products had items that were custom made by custom auto shops or by their owners. At present, a broad array of grilles is available for cars, trucks, and SUVs (sports utility vehicles). These include billet grilles, chrome mesh grilles, honeycomb style speed grilles, chrome factory style grille shells, chrome custom aftermarket grille shells, aluminum mesh, and many different styles of grille overlays including flames, “punch-out”, and many other different designs. The most recent and trendiest style is the chrome mesh, which are more expensive but more impressive than the billet style grille.

Upgrading the grille on the vehicle has been very appealing to car owners and many auto parts companies have recognized that fact. Now, there is a custom grille option for just about any vehicle model and make.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Auto Parts

Planning to purchase replacement auto parts? Before rushing to an auto parts store, there are a few points you have to consider. These include the pros and cons of various auto parts.

Today, car owners are fortunate that auto parts are accessible. Whereas before, auto parts were limited in number. When a vehicle broke down due to one or several damaged auto parts, the remedy was to find an alternative part or replace the vehicle with a new one. Nowadays, the cost of repairs and replacement auto parts are small compared to the increasing prices of new vehicles.

Generally, the term auto parts refers to the components of a vehicle sold by either the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of a particular vehicle, or a different engineering firm that manufactures mechanical parts for various makes and models of autos.

Auto parts, particularly genuine OEM parts, are fairly expensive. Aside from that, there are other costs such as transport expenditures while the vehicle is undergoing repair. The cost of time and inconvenience if the repair work is to be done by the car owner also has to be considered.

Having mechanics to fit the auto parts to your vehicle saves you the time and energy of having to do it on your own. Also, the advantage of it is that you are assured that the work is performed by a professional. On the other hand, the drawback is the extra money that you have to shell out for the expensive cost of the auto parts. Car owners can save a lot of money by buying auto parts at many discount outlets and auto accessories warehouses available.