Category: Automotive

About Car Covers

  • Indoor – These are required when parked inside the garage. A light car cover can be used for frequent usage with easy on and easy off; heavier material, if it is parked in a garage which sees a lot of movement of children, pets etc. to protect it from bumps and dents and if it is not taken out too often. In addition, they should be mildew resistant.
  • Outdoor – These are usually waterproof, high strength polyester fabrics that are built in with special polymers to shed dust, bird droppings, pollutants, water and tree sap. They are also UV resistant and breathable, allowing any heat or moisture trapped between the car and the car cover to escape easily.
  • Custom – They are specially tailored for your car. They fit every contour of your car and don’t rub and slide against your paintwork
  • SUV and truck and caravan covers are a category that are larger than car covers, but are basically made of the same material
  • Universal car covers – These are low quality one size fits all cars which are baggy, allowing the harsh elements in defeating the very purpose of a car cover. They also tend to rub against the paintwork.
  • They can be used to seal your vehicle in for extended periods, much like a giant ziplock bag for added protection.

If your car is a light color, it is best to go for a light colored ones. Light colored materials are also recommended for sunnier climates. If you are looking for style you could go for a vibrant color.

They are basically made from polyester and microfiber, with additions like flannel dinners, etc. For cars about to be launched, silky polyester that just drapes over the car, outlining its silhouette is available. Most are ultrasonically laminated, making them dust proof while remaining breathable and soft against any fine paint finish. They are also designed for easy storage.

Most sellers have an index of the car manufacturers and their model names. All the customer has to do is indicate the model of his car. With the full description of the product and easy and secure payment portals available on the website, delivery is guaranteed. There is also a toll free helpline number should the person have any query.

Stay Aware While Driving Far

Caffeine or coffee is probably the first thing that you would want to take before leaving for your trip. Caffeine is known to keep a person awake and to start the metabolism process. What you don’t want to do is overload it with sugar. If you have a higher sugar level you will end up shaking and noticing things that aren’t important. This is important during any night driving because of the darkness that has metaphorically swallowed the streets.

Make sure that you have a bottle of water whether it’s cold or temperate. You need water in your system to keep your body going and your brain aware. If the weather is extremely hot you might want to take more than one bottle. The brain uses more energy than the body so you will need to keep feeding it.

Eating before leaving keeps your energy levels up and keeps you going. You have to always give the brain fuel for thinking. Try to take fatty foods with you such as nuts or dried fruits to give you a bit more of a kick start.

Don’t allow adrenaline to take over your body. If you allow that feeling to take over your body you could end up in an accident. Take the trip slowly and calmly. Impulsiveness can be the result of your blood pumping due to anxiety.

The best idea when travelling far is to bring a person along with you. It’s never recommended to drive alone in case something happens to you. The person travelling with you could also point out road signs that you may not see because of your exhaustion.

Always make sure that your body is prepared to take on a road trip that is across the country. Stay focussed and keep your tyres on the road. Be calm and energized with the correct food and drink.

Avoid Aggressive Drivers

It’s Not Only Anger

It is a common belief that most aggressive drivers are neurotics with no outlet for their inner rage and of course angry people make a large portion of aggressive drivers. Impatient people in a hurry to get to their destination though can be just as aggressive. Unsafe driving may also be caused by stressed and irritated individuals. Aggression from one driver goads other drivers into aggression and we have a chain reaction to contend with. Your life is much too precious to lose over momentary anger, stress or boredom.

Congestion Breeds Aggression

Every passing year we get more and more new cars on the road. This leads to congestion on the roads and waiting on the crowded roads raises frustration that eventually leads some into aggressive driving.

Motorcycle Riders

More and more motorcycles are now on the road and many motorcycle drivers weave in and out of lines at full throttle. In developing countries motorcycle riders are a leading cause of fatalities and things are not much better in developed countries either. Be more alert when motorcycle riders are passing by your vehicle and slow down if feasible to let them overtake you.

A chain reaction

Aggressive drivers start a chain reaction by getting other drivers angry and frustrated. Too many otherwise good drivers become a part of the problem by reacting instinctively into unsafe driving

Around Larger Vehicles

Large vehicles as trucks and buses have larger blind spots and are not always able to see drivers that are following too closely or speeding past them. It also take a lot longer for larger vehicles to come to a stop; and, in a crash, a truck or bus on a car is like a sledge hammer on a tin can. All drivers need to keep a safe distance from larger vehicles. Pickup truck drivers feel more secure but increasingly pickup truck are being made of lighter materials and they are no match for large commercial trucks.

Here are some tips on how to avoid aggressive drivers.

  • Get out of their way and steer clear of them on the road.
  • Stay relaxed. Remember that reaching your destination safely and calmly is your goal.
  • Don’t challenge them. Avoid eye contact. Ignore rude gestures and refuse to return them.
  • Give them the benefit of the doubt. Not all aggressive driving behavior is directed at you.
  • Don’t block the passing lane, especially if you are driving slower than most of the traffic. Move to the right lane

How to avoid being an aggressive driver

  • Allow more travel time to get to your destination. It reduces stress dramatically.
  • Come to a full stop at red lights and stop signs. Never run yellow lights.
  • Let other drivers merge with you.
  • Obey posted speed limits.
  • Don’t ever follow other drivers too closely.
  • Resist temptation to teach someone “a lesson.”
  • Concentrate on driving, not on cell phones, stereo, passengers or other distractions.
  • Remember that you can’t control traffic, but you can control yourself, your driving, and your emotions.

Defensive Driving Tips

Watch the Traffic Signs

While driving, you should pay attention to the road signs. This will help you stay within the speed limit. Unlike most drivers, you shouldn’t do what the drivers ahead of you are doing. They may not be following the traffic rules. Make sure you don’t cross the speed limit or you may be at a higher risk of having an accident.

Keep a Distance

Keep a distance from the vehicle ahead of you. This will help you prevent a collision in case you have to apply brakes all of a sudden. If you don’t maintain enough distance, you may end up hitting the vehicle ahead of you.

If you are driving on icy roads or roads that are covered with snow, you may want to leave more room as you will take longer to stop. Vehicles tend to slip on icy surfaces when breaks are applied. So, keep this in mind.

Don’t Drive in Bad Weather

Bad weather may cause accidents. So, we suggest that you don’t drive when it’s raining or snowing. This is more important for beginners. Driving at night is more difficult so you need to be more careful. However, you can driver at night if you have an expert driver with you. They can teach you how to drive in bad weather. Once you are confident enough, you can drive at night as well. However, you should avoid driving in bad weather to be on the safe side.

Don’t Make Haste

At times, while driving you may be in a situation where you may not know whether you should pass or let the other driver pass. This can happen in a four way stop. In this type of situations, you may want to let the other person have the right of way. In the worse scenario, if you and the other drive pull out at the same time, you may have a collision. So, it’s best that you wait a few seconds before you pull out.

Tricks to Prepare Vehicle for Winter

  • Battery – A thorough inspection of your battery, cables, terminals and fluid will help to make sure your car is ready for winter. The cold weather puts more stress on your battery. Many automotive parts stores will test your battery capacity free of charge.
  • Inspect Your Tires – If you’re not mounting winter tires on your vehicle, be sure to examine your current tires for remaining tread life, uneven wearing and cupping as well as checking the sidewalls for cuts and nicks to help you to know if your tires are ready for the harsh weather. The colder weather will also reduce the pressure within your tires, causing them to perform poorly in the snow. You should frequently check your tire pressures.
  • Coolant – Along with regulating the engine temperature, a vehicle’s coolant system is responsible for protecting your engine against corrosion. For the winter season you will want to make sure that you are using the right ratio of coolant to water in your system as well as using the right type of coolant for your car. If you are unsure, you can check the effectiveness of your coolant with a simple and inexpensive test found at any car parts store.
  • Ice scraper – Keep your ice scraper in your vehicle and always clean off your car completely, not just a little peephole in the windshield. You must be able to see all your surroundings, your side mirrors and through your back window. Snow on top of your car could slide down and cover your windshield while you are slowing down or fly off onto someone else’s vehicle while you are driving. In some states it is the law that your vehicle is clear of snow and ice.
  • Survival Kit – Especially during times of slick road conditions and below freezing temperatures, you will want to keep a survival kit in the car at all times in case of emergency. Some items to consider include extra gloves, boots and blankets, flares, tire chains, a flashlight and extra batteries, car charger or portable cellphone charger, and a whistle. Also check your spare tire and make sure that your car jack is in good, working condition.
  • Keep Your Gas Tank Above Half – If you get stuck or stranded, the car’s engine will be your only source of heat and you will want to be sure you have enough fuel to keep you warm. In some cases, it may be necessary to remove snow from behind the tailpipe and keep it unobstructed to prevent lethal gas from accumulating in the vehicle.

Save Fuel Without a Driving Limit

The simple trick to using less gas is not to drive less, but to drive smarter. And a smart driver (YOU) makes sure they are staying current with all their factory scheduled vehicle maintenance. This includes fluid changes like motor oil, coolant, windshield wiper, and power steering. But also includes services like tire balancing and rotation, brake pad inspections and replacements, cabin filter replacements, air filter replacements, comprehensive inspections, and more.

Aside from what your trusted mechanic can provide for your vehicle in terms of routine maintenance, there are many things you can do yourself to keep your ride in tip-top condition, allowing it to utilize fuel efficiently and perform for years to come.

Take initiative into your own hands with DIY car care. There are many duties you can implement on your own to continue vehicle maintenance in between regular scheduled mechanic visits. You can start by making sure your tires are always properly inflated. When they are not, your vehicle must work harder to assume the same level of performance, which uses more fuel. Also, be sure to periodically inspect the gas cap for damages. This can cause fuel to vaporize into the air.

Another way to use your fuel efficiently is to obey the speed limit and accelerate slowly. This also protects several components of your vehicle, allowing optimal performance and safety. Last, try emptying the trunk and backseat of unneeded materials. This can reduce the overall weight of your car, thus reducing the amount of gas it needs to operate.

Although there is no magical way to truly “drive more and use less“, with routine car care you can optimize your vehicle’s fuel economy, which essentially delivers the same financial gratification. Talk to your trusted automotive service technician about your vehicle’s recommended maintenance schedule. You may refer to your vehicle’s owners’ manual for additional information as well.

Car Towing Tips

You need to have the necessary things for your car to be safely towed. One of the things you need to have is a towrope. The rope is usually cheap and you can easily get it from your local store or a gas station. You can also use a chain if you have it. You should avoid using poor quality ropes as they can easily break putting you at the risk of causing an accident. After you have got the rope you should attach it on the towing eyes of your car.

When attaching the cars, you should leave a distance of 4.5 meters between the vehicles. If you leave a distance that exceeds 1.5 the rope should be clearly visible for the other road users. This calls for you to avoid using a rope that is the same color as the tarmac.

The other thing you need is a sign. All you need to do is write on a piece of paper, “ON TOW” or “BEING TOWED” in capital letters and place the sign in the back window of your car. The purpose of the sign is to let other drivers know that you are being towed so that they don’t wonder why you are driving too slowly.

If you are the one towing the car you should be cautious that you don’t cause damage to the cars. When starting off, you should start off gently and ensure that you don’t yank the rope which would cause it to break. When changing direction, do it gently and always warn the other driver about it. It’s common for the tow rope to break. If it breaks or you see any other problem, you should stop immediately.

Getting towed doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have control of your car. Before the towing begins you should turn on the ignition so that you release the steering lock. This is to make it easy for you to steer the car. While on the road, pay close attention to the driver towing you. You should steer and brake your car in synchronization with the driver towing you.

You should maintain tension in the towing rope by applying light brakes. This is to minimize jolting. If the steering or brakes aren’t working you should avoid getting towed as you can’t control the car. In such a scenario you should call a professional towing company that will tow the vehicle even in your absence. The companies use specialized vehicles that are able to move the car without requiring a second driver.

Mistakes Choosing Car Battery Suppliers

Not checking their battery selections

One of the main mistakes that individuals make when choosing car battery suppliers is they do not check battery selections they offer. As of now, there are numerous battery brands individuals can choose from. Apart from that, there are also different sizes and voltage output. Sadly, some individuals neglect these factors when searching for battery suppliers which can certainly affect the performance of vehicles. Thus, before purchasing, you need to make sure that you look for suppliers that offer a wide range of selections.

Forgetting to evaluate expertise

The next mistake that individuals make with regard to choosing suppliers of car batteries is they forget to evaluate their expertise. As mentioned above, there are numerous types of car batteries to choose from. This is because some vehicles demand higher voltage to allow it to function properly. Therefore, if you are a new car owner, you need to make sure that you are properly guided. Thus, you need to ensure that you look for suppliers who have the right skills and knowledge to help you.

Neglecting car battery related services

Some individuals also neglect car battery related services when looking for battery suppliers. When it comes to car batteries, individuals only need to remove the old and replace it with new batteries. However, there are some cases when this simple task may turn into a disaster. This is commonly experience since some individuals neglect battery related services offered by suppliers. To avoid this, you need to look for suppliers who can provide you with the best services to ensure that battery replacement and installation can be done properly.

Not asking about warranties

Finally, individuals also sometimes forget to ask about warranties. Warranties are important to ensure that your investments are secured since suppliers can replace factory damaged products. Unfortunately, some individuals do not ask for warranties. As a result, they may end up purchasing a new one because they bought it from small shops.

Types of Car Power Inverters

Single

The most cost-effective option is the single outlet inverter. They are built with a single 3-pronged outlet to accept one electronic item. The current capacity can vary between 150 watts and 200 watts. A useful benefit of this unit is its compact size, which makes it really easy to use and store. Also, the ability to power only one device at a time means there is a low risk of overloading the system. But, the single use option means the all-round use is limited and not a practical choice when multiple devices are in need of charging. If it is necessary to charge several devices, the inverter will be in use for a long time, which can put a strain on the vehicle battery.

Multiple

The Multiple outlet inverters are a lot more expensive and larger than the single outlet units. Most are built to power two devices, although there are some that have up to three and include a higher wattage capacity. This type of inverter is great on a campsite when it is necessary to power a DVD player and television at the same time. When using the multiple outlet inverters it is essential to make sure the electronic items do not exceed the accepted capacity limit of the inverter. If it does go above the maximum limit the devices may not perform correctly or simply not work at all.

USB

There are certain inverters that include one or more USB ports. This is often in conjunction with the 3-pronged outlets. Easy access to USB power is practical to charge a wide range of devices like tablet PCs, smart phones, or other gadgets powered via a USB cable. Similar to the multiple outlet inverters it is important to avoid charging devices that will exceed the maximum current rating.

How To Prevent Car Lockouts

  • Do not forget to take keys before leaving home-
    Once you plan to leave home, take the car keys with you and once you park and leave the car take the keys out of the keyhole and keep them with you. Instead of leaving the car and forgetting the keys in the car ensure that you have them with you all the time. If you forget to take your keys out and leave, someone will do it for you and take your car away. Once you park the car and turn the engines off, if you hear any beeping once you open the door, it means the car keys are still in the ignition. The beeping sound gives you a reminder to take the keys out instead of leaving them behind. You should always keep the keys with you.
  • Get a spare key-
    In order to avoid any bad event on your way out, make sure you have an extra pair of keys at home. People who have this problem of forgetting things and leaving car keys behind should get an extra pair of keys. This way you can avoid lockouts. You can use this key to unlock your car and get inside easily. But people usually keep this key in their houses; under doormats etc. you need to carry this key with you all the time. Just keep it inside your wallet without any key ring attached to it.
  • Get your lock fixed-
    Car lockouts not always happen because of leaving your keys inside, sometimes it occur due to a defaulted lock. To avoid such thing you should contact a locksmith or car mechanic or else you have to face this issue every time you try to lock your car. There is another option of leaving your car without locking it, but then you do not want to risk losing your car. If someone finds your car unlocked he might try to get inside and steal it. Do not waste time and get the lock fix before it’s too late.
  • Attach a noisy key ring-
    Do attach some noisy key rings with your spare keys and even with your original car keys in order to avoid losing them. If incase, your keys ever fall to the ground you will be able to notice it immediately due to the noise they make.