Are You watching Your Fuel Gauge More Than Your Speedo?

Are You Driving on Fresh Air?

Do you travel miles to save pennies on fuel costs?

Do you watch your fuel gauge more than your Speedo?

Is the rising cost of Gas strangling you?

Fear not...Help is at hand...GET A BICYCLE!

Seriously, there are a few things that can be done without throwing your car keys away and walking everywhere. (PHEW)! A lot of the things you can do to save fuel are easy and free.

When was the last time you checked your tires to see if they were inflated to the correct pressure? Under inflated tires are one of the main causes of excess fuel consumption. It's easy to check your tire pressures daily with a cheap tire pressure gauge; if you don't know how asks your local garage mechanic to show you (A free beer works wonders). When you buy your fuel can have an effect on what you get. Gas is sold by volume and as we all know from school, liquids expand when warm, so if you buy your gas at the hottest part of the day you will get less than if you buy when it is cold. So the logical time to buy your gas is just before dawn (Who's Dawn?) when it's coldest.

With 24 hour shopping it would make sense to do your weekly shop while others are asleep and fill up your tank at the same time. The roads will be quieter so less traffic to get stuck behind and waste fuel.

There are various (free) websites that will tell you the cheapest gas prices in your area. How about just washing your car. It causes less drag, ... Honestly. Why do you think that swimmers shave their heads (i.e. Duncan Goodhew)? Or what about those skin tight smooth figure hugging suits worn by downhill skiers? (Just going for a cold shower).

Make car washing fun, get all the family involved. Hose down the dog, hose down the kids. Hose down the whole neighbourhood. (If winter you may ignore this one) Sitting at the lights revving the engine may impress the boy racers but it uses gas. Rev the engine 15 times and you use enough fuel to travel one mile. 

Remember this next time you have to push your car to the gas station. Is your car due for a service? (I know a good priest who can give the last rites at a reasonable price). I know it costs money for servicing your car if you are unable to do it yourself. But the cost in extra fuel if your car is not running right is even more. (Blocked air filter, worn spark plugs, sticking brakes, etc.) Best of all drive safely. Do not tailgate! if you do you will have to brake harder when the car in front does. Give some distance to the car in front. You will use your brakes less and still get there at the same time. Watch the traffic far ahead and try to read how they are going to act, if you see brake lights up ahead you can react a bit sooner. If you are driving in the wet you can sometimes see the reflections of brake lights on the wet road surface. This allows you to slow down sooner and avoid harsh braking.

Are You Really Safe From Carjackers?

Carjacking. What is it? Well, it is a crime of motor vehicle theft. Most of the time, a carjacker is armed so much so that the owner of the driver of the car is forced out of the vehicle. 

Aside from the fact that you may never see your vehicle again, carjacking could also be very hazardous to both your physical safety as well as the carjacker’s. You see, if you are the victim, you may try to maneuver your way out and in the process run the carjacker over. On the other hand, the carjacker could use their weapon and try shooting you. They also try pushing the occupant out of the car. 

If you are simply going to park your car, make sure that you park it somewhere that has lots of lights. Also, be sure that it is a busy area with plenty of motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic. If possible, try parking somewhere that is very close to your destination. The more people around, the lesser the chances of a carjacker striking and working up the nerve to attack your car. 

Also, make sure that everything valuable is hidden. Keep your windows rolled up and check all doors and windows before leaving the car. Make sure everything is locked up. And when you are going back to your car, have your keys handy. These carjackers could attack when you are posed trying to search for your keys. Be on the alert always. 

On the other hand, if you are on the road, make sure that your car is always well-maintained. This assures you that the chances of your car breaking down are slimmer. Cars that have broken down are the usual targets for carjackers. Driving should also be something to plan ahead of time. It would be best if you try going through routes that are busy and well-lit. 

The center lane is more safe. Remember that once you get stuck in traffic, the carjackers would have to go though a tough time first before they actually reach your car.

Performance Parts

In the automotive industry, the term ‘performance parts’ is used for a variety of car and truck parts or accessories, that are designed to enhance a vehicle’s performance. The term is generally tied to the aftermarket industry which makes sense considering that car or truck enhancement parts or accessories are typically purchased after the original purchase. This is not to say that O.E.M. manufacturers won’t create performance parts, because they often do.

Products such as Borla Exhausts, K&N Air Intake filters, ReadyLift Suspension Kits, or Bilstein shocks are considered performance parts because they are created to enhance car or truck performance. On the other hand, the O.E.M. exhaust, intake filter, suspension kit, or shocks that come with the newly purchased vehicles are generally stock parts designed to meet standards at a reasonable price. Someone looking to boost their car or truck’s performance will then purchase an aftermarket part designed to boost performance.

Strictly being aftermarket however, does not categorize a car or truck part or accessory as a performance part. Aftermarket products may include seat covers, car covers, bumpers, sun visors, make-specific paraphernalia (such as TRD’s line of Toyota® accessories), and steering wheel covers. These products are based on aesthetics, comfort, or brand loyalty, not performance. This would make them a car or truck accessory, but not a performance part.

Performance Parts may also play slightly different but overlapping roles from one car or truck to another. For example, K&N’s quality oil and air filtration products are available for virtually every modern vehicle under the sun. However, while lift kits tend to be popular among Ford®, Chevy®, Dodge® and Toyota® truck owners, you are unlikely to see a demand from Mercedes-Benz® or Porsche® owners. This isn’t to say that popular Porsche® and Mercedes® parts (aftermarket at least) are always different from the more popular truck performance parts. Manufacturers are starting to notice and react to new consumer demands. For example, Borla, known for its quality SUV and Truck exhausts, made the cross over and began to offer exhaust systems for Porsche® and Corvette® a few years ago.

Tire Maintenance Critical To Keep Your Car Rolling Smoothly

By properly maintaining your tires, you could potentially be avoiding uneven wear, poor performance and possibly even a blowout.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, tire failures or blowouts are believed to contribute to over 400 deaths and 10,000 injuries in the United States every year.  Even with those figures being made public, the surprising factor is that statistics have shown some drivers still fail to follow the basic tire maintenance guidelines that could help to prevent such occurrences.  

In addition to overloading, under-inflation is one of the leading causes of tire failure.  Simply put, this means putting too much air or not enough into the tires.  Either of these can cause stress and excessive heat, which can lead to tire problems and may even result in a blowout or a car crash.  

Many do not realize how much the change in outdoor temperature can actually affect a car, but it can.  In fact, it can even affect the rate at which tires lose air and this is especially true during the warm spring and summer months.  During a normal month, tires will lose approximately one or two pounds of pressure.  During the warmer months, that number is even greater.  The best way to avoid any tire-related mishap is to check your tire’s pressure every time you fill up your car’s fuel tank.  At the very least, tire pressure should be checked once every month and prior to leaving for a long road trip.  If you are uncomfortable checking the tires yourself, simply stop by the local auto repair shop and ask for assistance.  

If you do have a blowout while driving, it is crucial that you not panic and slam on the breaks.  This may be the first instinct, but it is a very bad move.  In doing so, you may end up causing your car to swerve and potentially put you at risk for a much more serious accident.  Instead, gradually apply the break until you have regained control over the vehicle.  At that time, slowly guide your car to a safe area as far away from the road as possible.  

The best way to avoid any type of tire failure is to take the appropriate steps to ensure they are in the best working condition possible.  This would include regular inspections and checking the air pressure often.  With the proper maintenance, a potential problem can be diagnosed before it occurs and will help to ensure you and your family will arrive at your destination safely.

5 Practical Ways To Check A Used Car

Since its inception, the market of used cars has suddenly escalated at an unprecedented rate for the past few years. In fact, surveys show that the number of people who buy used cars is almost tripled when compared to the number of people who buy new cars.

That is why many people are enticed to buy used cars because it is gradually becoming a trend in the car buying industry.

However, it does not necessarily mean that buyers will just take the process of selecting used cars for granted. Hence, it is important to take note of the ways to check the car prior to the closure of the deal.

Therefore, for people who wish to know the different ways on checking the condition of the used car, here are some pointers:

1. Test drive

There is no better way to check the condition of the car than to do a test drive. In this way, the buyer will be able to know the actual condition of the car and its parts like the brakes, accelerator, etc.

Also, the buyer will be able to detect at once if there are some “clunks” and rattles on the used car, even if the test drive is just a short trip.

2. Personal inspection

Aside from test-driving, it is also important for the buyer to personally inspect the details of the body make-up and its condition.

In this manner, the buyer will be able to identify any signs of rusts and damages, the condition of the tires, oil leaks, etc.

3. Mileage check

Usually, an average user or driver will consume 12,000 to 15,000 miles in a year. In this way, the buyer will be able to know the approximate age of the car by looking at its mileage.

4. Mechanic check

Another way of checking the condition of a used car prior to its purchase is to seek the help of a mechanic. This may cost the buyer some charges but the money would surely be spent for a good cause. The mechanic is the best person who could instantly assess technically and professionally the condition of a certain car.

5. CARFAX Report

Knowing the history of the car is also one of the best ways to know the real condition of the car. Hence, it is important for the buyer to seek the help of CARFAX report in order to know the full details of the used car’s history.

Take the proper steps and research your purchase. Doing so will guarantee a happy car buying experience.