All posts in On the Road

Road Trip: How To Prepare Your Car For The Long Miles

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/02/08 in On the Road with Comments Off

While a road trip to see a baseball game or visit family may be a good time for you, it may not be as fun for your car. Therefore, you must take steps to make sure that it can handle the journey. Let’s look at a few ways to prepare your vehicle before a long road trip.

Rotate Your Tires

Your tires will be able to handle the road better when they are regularly rotated. This enables all four tires to wear evenly and last for the entirety of their useful life. If you are going on a long trip, you can get better gas mileage when your tires grip the road better.

Get Your Oil Changed

Ideally, you will get your oil changed every 5,000 miles or so. If it has been almost 5,000 miles since your last oil change, you should do it before a trip to avoid any unexpected engine issues.

Wash the Car

Dirt, grime and other residue can eat away at the car’s exterior, which could make it vulnerable to water or sun damage. Washing your car before a trip and possibly once during your trip reduces the odds that rust can form.

Have Your Car Inspected

A vehicle inspection will reveal any minor issues that the car may have prior to going on a long journey. If nothing is wrong with your vehicle, you can hit the road with confidence knowing that you and your family will reach your destination safely.

Put Together an Emergency Kit

If you are ever stranded during your trip, you will want to be able to stay in good condition until help can arrive. This means that you should have a cell phone, portable cooking units and food that will not perish. You may also want to include blankets to keep warm and books and other activities to stay occupied.

Purchase a Remote Services Package

For cars that are equipped to receive them, a remote services package can come in handy. Your vehicle may be able to call police if it is has been in an accident or keep track of its location via GPS if it is ever stolen.

Road trips are meant to be fun adventures that you will remember forever. Therefore, make it a priority to get your car ready so it can handle as many miles as you need to put on it. It’s also important to stay alert on the road to prevent drowsy driving or accidents, which can not only damage your car, it can cause injury to you. If you are injured on the road, be sure to speak with a car accident attorney in Las Vegas.

Motorcycle Storage: 4 Ways to Keep Winter from Ruining Your Bike

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/02/01 in Motorcycles with Comments Off

Motorcycles are great. There is nothing quite like getting on your motorcycle in the warm months of spring and summer and going for a ride, having the wind in your face, and just cruising down the highway. If you are an avid motorcyclist, your bike is probably one of your most prized possessions. Unfortunately, the frigid temperatures may force you to put it away until next spring. So what do you do and how to take care of it until you can pull it out again? Here are four ways to keep winter from ruining your bike.

Fill the Tank with Fresh Fuel

Before putting your motorcycle in storage, be sure to top off the gas tank. Gasoline has a tendency to gradually break down over time. Not only will the decreased octane level cause the engine to run poorly, but it may also prompt oxidation to form within the fuel tank. Your best option is to add a highly rated fuel stabilizer to the gasoline. Furthermore, expert mechanics urge motorcyclists to avoid using low-quality gasoline at all costs. With that said it might be worth spending a few extra bucks and putting in premium gasoline at your local gas station. You also want to make sure that you want to cover your bike up and put it in a garage if you can to protect it from freezing once the cold weather hits.

Maintain the Tires

According to an experienced Las Vegas motorcycle accident attorney at Naqvi Law, poorly maintained tires can definitely cause a crash. Because the tires will be sitting in one position for an extended period, you need to keep the bike elevated off the ground. This will help prevent flat spots in the rubber. A motorcycle stand is a worthwhile investment. In the event that your garage or storage unit does not have any heat, the frigid temperatures may cause the tire pressure to drop. Never allow the tires to remain under-inflated for a long time.

Protect the Battery

If your motorcycle features an electric starter, the battery becomes an essential component. When not used frequently, a battery will slowly begin to lose its charge. Try to recharge the battery about once a month. You also must carefully inspect the battery for any signs of corrosion. Remember, corrosion can quietly eat away at the battery cables and terminals. Placing a tad bit of dielectric grease on the connections can prevent a lot of trouble.

Change the Oil

Even if you do not plan to ride your bike in the winter, make it a priority to change the motor oil. Used motor oil contains a certain amount of contaminants. If these impurities are allowed to just sit inside of the engine, it may cause the metal components to rust. Moisture is also a very big problem during the winter. Always completely drain the old oil from the engine.

By remembering these important tips, you can prevent the coldest season from damaging your bike. When the warmer temperatures finally arrive, you will be able to hit the road without making any unnecessary repairs.

Six Times You May Want To Skip A Motorcycle Outing and Drive Your Car Instead

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/01/29 in Motorcycles with Comments Off

Riding a motorcycle makes for an easy and fun way of getting around town. Whether you’re heading to work or are going on an outing, there are many times to make use of the bike. For those who want to remain safe while on the road, there are a few times when it’s important to resort to driving a car to protect yourself.

1. Maintenance is Needed

You may need new tires or have squeaky brakes on your motorcycle with maintenance that is needed. Avoid driving your motorcycle if the bike is not in perfect condition and maintenance or repairs are needed to ensure that you stay safe on the road.

2. Bad Weather

One of the most dangerous times to ride a motorcycle is when it’s raining or snowing outside. This can make the bike more vulnerable to an accident due to poor weather conditions that make it challenging to drive. You’ll be safer driving in a vehicle and can reduce your chances of an accident.

3. Popular Holidays

New Year’s Eve, 4th of July, and St. Patrick’s Day are all holidays when motorists are more dangerous on the road and tend to be drinking. Protect yourself by taking a car if you need to travel to avoid getting hit by someone who is intoxicated. If you do get injured by another driver at times like this, be sure to contact professionals like the Milwaukee injury attorneys at Groth Law Firm.

4. Heavy Traffic

It can be difficult to drive in heavy traffic when motorists are impatient and you’ll have to weave in and out of traffic. Avoid traveling on a motorcycle during rush hour or on a Friday evening due to motorists who may not see you and may come into your lane too suddenly.

5. At Night

Although you may see the road ahead of you, it can be difficult for other motorists to spot you at night. Resort to using your bike during the day when you’re more visible to other drivers.

6. You’re Tired

Operating a motorcycle requires a high level of energy and physical strength. Avoiding driving the bike when you’re tired, which can make it easy to make a mistake and get into an accident. Opt for driving a car to remain safer until you get to your destination.

Although it can be tempting to go on a motorcycle outing, it’s important to use caution and remain responsible with the bike. You should only operate the motorcycle in the right conditions and when you can use it responsibly to protect yourself and others on the road.

Cocktail of Danger: How to Avoid Accidents on the Road

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/01/25 in On the Road with Comments Off

Accidents on the road are frighteningly common, and you’ll never know when they will happen. But there are ways to diminish the chances of these accidents happening, and these tips could potentially save your life.

Drive Defensively

It is important when driving to remember that even if you do have the right of way, or the law is on your side in some other way, it will not matter in an accident. Make sure that you look beyond the laws of the road to avoid an accident. In a perfect world, everyone on the road would follow every traffic law, but this is not the case. Drivers run red lights, perform rolling stops at stop signs, exceed the speed limit, change lanes without signaling, etc. None of this can be prevented by you as another driver, you must simply recognize that this is happening and stay out of the way of a reckless driver who may cause you harm.

Limit Distractions

Although this may seem like a fairly obvious point, it’s a point which is lost on many new and experienced drivers. Make sure that when you get into your car, you put your cell phone and other pieces of mobile technology far enough away from you that you cannot reach it while driving. If you listen to the radio while you are driving, try to choose a station and then stick with that station. Moving your eyes away from the road for only a split second can have disastrous consequences. It is essential that you maintain focus on the road at all times. If you need to take or make a call, pull over to do so.

Use Your Mirrors

When driving, it is easy to only focus on what is in front of your vehicle, it is of utmost importance that you do not fall into this habit. The mirrors which are provided in your vehicle are there for a reason. You must know what is going on around your vehicles on all sides at all times. As difficult as this sounds, it becomes intuitive after falling into this habit.

Avoid Impairment

Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not only dangerous but a serious legal offense. While many people believe that they can have a few drinks and then drive home without issue, even light drinking can put one over the legal limit. Even if you stay beneath the legal limit, in Georgia you could be deemed "less safe" and charged with driving under the influence to the extent that you are less safe behind the wheel (learn more at http://athenscriminallawyer.com/). The best way to avoid this is to abstain from alcohol if you plan to drive later or call a taxi if you’ve been drinking and need to get somewhere.

Anticipate Every Possibility
When you drive, you need to foresee the actions of other drivers and pedestrians before they perform the action. It is also important that you see and recognize the behaviors of pedestrians, to make sure they do not accidently put themselves in peril of being struck by your vehicle. Make sure that your eyes are constantly moving around and assessing what could happen in the next few seconds.

Accidents on the road are a terrifying thing. They are unforeseeable, and they happen in a split second. Luckily for us, there are actions we can take to minimize the risk of being in a situation which could result in an accident.

4 Tips for Staying Safe on Your Motorcycle

by Anica Oaks on 2016/01/20 in Motorcycles with Comments Off

Motorcycles are cool, but they are not as safe as cars. A bike can travel as fast as a car, but it lacks most of the safety features that cars have. However, riding a motorcycle should not be a death-cheating exercise. There are many steps you can take to ensure you remain safe while riding.

Wear a Helmet

Wearing a helmet while riding is the most important protective measure you can take. It protects your head, and head injuries are the leading cause of death for motorcyclists. Wearing a helmet alone is not enough; you must wear the right helmet. When shopping for a helmet, look for one that is approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT). These have been tested and confirmed to provide the minimum protection you need. The helmet should not be too tight or too loose, and it should also not obstruct your vision.

Educate Your Passengers

You must ensure that your passengers wear the right gear. Like you, they should wear protective clothes and sturdy shoes. You need to practice having a passenger in a safe area such as a parking lot. Doing this gets you used to the extra weight on the bike, and your passenger also gets accustomed to the feel of the motorcycle. Ensure your passengers learn not to distract you, and also avoid panicking. If you are carrying a child, follow the laws of your state.

Avoid Distraction

Distracted riding is not a good idea. You need to stay fully aware of what is going on around you. Remember, many drivers find it difficult to see motorcycles, especially when they are driving big cars and SUVs. So, when you see them, try to avoid them, and don’t bet for them to see you. Don’t fiddle with your phone or iPod because this cuts your reaction time by several seconds. Also, don’t take your hands off the bike even for a second because this compromises your braking, shifting, or accelerating. However, when riding, you cannot avoid the mistakes of other road users. So, in case you get involved in an accident, find a good motorcycle accident lawyer from places like Arrington Schelin & Munsey PC to represent you.

Watch the Weather

A motorbike is not as stable as a car, and riding it in the rain is riskier than driving a car in the rain. Since it has two wheels only, its traction is half that of a car. And since a motorbike lacks a windshield and wipers, it has compromised visibility during bad weather. So, when preparing for a trip, check the weather first. If the weatherman predicts ice, snow, or heavy rain, leave your bike at home. But, if you must ride, don’t ride immediately after the storm starts because the rain conjures up oil and other residues that make the road exceedingly slippery. Thus, wait until the rain has washed off the oil and slick stuff that has been brought up, and then ride slowly and cautiously, allowing plenty of space for stopping.

A motorcycle is not as safe as a car, but you can ensure that you protect yourself from injury by wearing a helmet, educating your passengers, watching the weather, and avoiding distractions while riding.