All posts in On the Road

Important Lessons Teens Should Learn Before Getting On The Road

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/11/14 in On the Road with Comments Off

Getting a driver’s license is one of the biggest milestones in becoming an adult. Unfortunately, many teens start driving without being adequately prepared. Here are some helpful tips to make the transition to the motorway easier and safer.

Safety First

The single biggest fear that most parents have is that their children will be unsafe behind the wheel. Before you even turn the key in the ignition, make sure that your seat and mirrors are adjusted properly. You should be able to see clearly on both sides of your car, with the center rear-view covering the blind spot from the two side mirrors. Familiarize yourself with all of the car’s controls as well – the last thing you want is to be fumbling over the instrument panel in the middle of traffic.

The Basics Of Repairs

Too many teens hit the road without a basic mechanical understanding of how their cars work. It’s worthwhile to spend some time getting to know the ins and outs of a car before you even have your learner’s permit. Understanding how to change a tire, check the oil, and replace a taillight can save a bunch of money – something that teens are typically fairly short of. If you don’t have a family member who can teach you, ask around your school or trade labor at a local garage.

Control Your Anxiety

Both the written and the road test can be incredibly nerve-wracking for new drivers. Even if you’ve been practicing for weeks, anxiety can creep in and ruin everything. Before you go to the DMV, take some time to study ways to center your mind and calm yourself according to Valley Driving School, a Delta driving school. Eat a banana before taking your test, as the fruit is rich in tryptophan, a protein that releases the calming hormone serotonin.

Understand Defensive Driving

One of the most commonly-heard refrains in learning how to operate a car is "drive defensively." While it’s easy to say, it’s harder to do. Teens should not only understand how to control their vehicle in normal situations, but also what to do in case of inclement weather, heavy traffic and in the presence of emergency vehicles. Each of these situations has very specific steps to take that could save your life.

The best way for a new driver to get up to speed is to attend a high-quality driving school. Certified instructors will be able to identify your problem areas and work with you to address them. Companies like British Columbia’s Valley Driving School have been working for over half a century to help drivers. In conclusion, it’s vital for teens to be prepared before they even apply for a learner’s permit.

Driving Dangers: Most Common Reasons for Accidents on the Road Today

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/11/10 in On the Road with Comments Off

There are nearly 10 million car accidents on the roads every year. Some accidents are minor, while others result in fatalities. There are hundreds of reasons for auto accidents. You should know the top five causes for accidents on the road today and be sure you’re doing everything you can to minimize the risks you take.

Speeding

One of the most common causes of accidents is speeding. Drivers who are speeding can start to lose control of the car if anything goes wrong mechanically or on the road. This can result in serious injuries and property damage. You can avoid getting into an accident because of speeding by obeying the rules of the road. Do not exceed the speed limit, even if you are on a seemingly deserted road.

Fatigue

Fatigue means that a driver is overly tired, or is starting to nod off in the vehicle. Fatigue can happen with commercial drivers, or people who have to drive long distances every day. Fatigued drivers have been known to crash into other cars or drift into opposing traffic. Never start driving if you feel tired. If you get fatigued on the road, then pull over and rest. If you are taking a long trip, to bring along a backup driver.

Distracted Driving

A huge contributor to yearly crashes is distracted driving. This means driving while you are talking on a cell phone, eating, or talking to someone in the car. Distracted driving can lead to major accidents and fatalities. Avoid distracted driving by paying attention to the road at all times, and turning off devices while in your car. It takes only a second of distraction to get into an accident.

Bad Weather

Bad weather is one of the top causes of car accidents today. Heavy fog can reduce visibility so drivers cannot even see each other or the road. Snow and ice can cause drivers to lose control so the car slides into other vehicles or pedestrians. Heavy rain and wind can affect handling. Avoid driving if you know bad weather is coming. Pull over and wait if conditions get very dangerous.

Badly Maintained Vehicles

A final common cause of automobile accidents is a badly maintained vehicle. This means failing to properly care for a car, and have some component stop working correctly. The easiest way to avoid this problem is to have your car repaired immediately whenever problems start to occur. Take your vehicle into a shop at least twice a year to check out major repairs and maintenance.

If you want to avoid auto accidents, you need take every second on the road as seriously as possible. Pay attention to your surroundings and your body. If you start to notice problems, then stop or drive more cautiously. Hopefully following these tips will keep you safe while on the road.

5 Reasons to Get Your CDL License

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/11/07 in On the Road with Comments Off

If you have been considering getting your Commercial Driver’s License? There is no reason to delay especially if you are considering a career in driving a semi-truck or some other kind of big rig vehicle that requires you to have a CDL license. With that said, a new career is waiting for you, and all you have to do is pass a few tests. Here are the top five reasons to get started on your CDL today.

Drive Big, Drive Everything

A Commercial Driver’s License allows you to drive any vehicle weighing over 10,000 lbs. Whether it’s commercial semi-trucks, double or triple trailer vehicles, hazardous material tankers, or a local school bus, a CDL means you are qualified to drive the biggest commercial vehicles available anywhere in the United States. Having a CDL also makes it easier to purchase your own semi-truck (Source: Access Trucks).

Getting Started is Easy

Getting your new career underway is very easy. First, obtain your state’s CDL manual which can be found at your local DMV. Next, decide what kind of vehicle you want to get licensing in and what kind of job you’re pursuing. Bus drivers require a different class of license then semi-truck drivers. Next, simply apply for the Commercial Learner’s Permit at your local DMV and start driving with an instructor. Finally, when you feel comfortable on the road, take the final exam. The test involves a three part skill exam and a short written section. Many states even allow you to retake the test multiple times if need be.

Inexpensive to Get

Acquiring a CDL takes very little time and money. You can obtain your license in as little as four to six weeks. Most CLP training programs cost a mere $4,000. The internet is full of manuals and practice tests that are completely free. There are trucking companies everywhere eager for more drivers. Many will even reimburse your full tuition costs once you’re hired.

Pay Increase

After only a month of schooling, you can expect to make $35,000 to $40,000 a year. Within three years, that amount can climb up to $50,000. The demand for truckers is real, and drivers with experience can expect great compensation.

Work benefits

Trucking companies take great care of their drivers. Benefits include medical, dental, 401k plans and even paid vacation. It’s your truck with your rules. Dress how you want and make your own schedules to get the job done. Another nice benefit is that you get to travel a lot. The only real downside is that depending on who you work for, you may not be home very much, but if you enjoy the open road, this can be a huge benefit.

With the job market being at a low point to where jobs are scarce, getting your CDL license can only help you. It will make you a more marketable employee in the long run, especially if you are looking to make a career in driving bigger vehicles. If you are over 18 years old, you can get started on your CDL by obtaining a state only license. If you are 21 or older, a lucrative career driving on the interstate is waiting for you.

How To Prepare Your Teen For The Road Before They Get Their Permit

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/10/29 in On the Road with Comments Off

Is it time for your teen to start driving? Getting your teen their driver’s permit can lead to some high anxiety, but by managing it properly you should be able to escape with both your child and your car relatively unscathed.

Enroll Them in a Driving School

While giving your child driving lessons is a fantastic bonding opportunity, it should never replace the hiring of an actual driving school. Driving schools teach a teen to drive properly from the ground up according to North Shore Driving School Ltd., a driving school in Burnaby. Whether we realize it or not, many of us internalize some bad habits while driving, and we don’t want to pass that along to our children! Moreover, there are some issues — such as parallel parking — that can be very difficult for a non-professional to teach.

Teach Them Practical Skills for Driving

Many parents focus on the basic techniques of driving without concentrating on more practical issues, such as how to get from point A to point B. Before your teen gets their permit, make sure they know some basics: how to get directions if they’re lost, how to properly fill up their tank and how to navigate around a parking lot. Think about the things that you wish you had known before you began driving in earnest!

Make Sure Your Insurance Coverage Is Sufficient

Let’s face it: a teen is probably going to get into at least one wreck, even with you in the passenger seat. This is a time when a low deductible policy is for the best. Most teenagers won’t get into serious accidents but may instead scrape, dent or otherwise damage the vehicle at slow (sometimes achingly slow) speeds.

Don’t Forget About Responsible Driving

More than just teaching your child how to drive, you should impress upon them the importance of knowing when to drive. Of course, every teen should be taught not to drink and drive, but they should also be taught about how dangerous it is to drive while talking on the phone or to drive while tired. As a parent, you’re undoubtedly aware that children are always tired — and young drivers are more likely to get into accidents when drowsy.

The professionals at the driving school can offer you further tips on how to prepare your teenager properly for the trials ahead. With just a little coaxing, they should be ready to hit the road!

Diesel vs Gasoline Engine: The Bitter Impasse

by Anica Oaks on 2014/10/27 in On the Road with Comments Off

On October 17, 2002, the Banks Dodge Dakota Sidewinder rolled onto five feet of white potash salt in the shadow of the hazy Silver Island Mountains at Bonneville, Utah. It carried a 5.9-liter Cummins turbodiesel engine with 1,300 lb-ft of torque. Three days later, it would set a world speed record of 222 mph. Before the trials, company president Gale Banks announced, “Diesel has a negative image in many quarters. We intend to erase that image.”

The lines were drawn.

Citius, Altius, Fortius: Diesel’s Low-End Torque

Diesel engines create immense amounts of torque for the reasons of turbocharger boost (optional), stroke length, and average effective cylinder pressure. Most diesel powertrains are made with forged components to withstand the high compression ratios – 20:1 is typical – and are thus capable of transmitting the extra torque from a long piston stroke. As Archimedes said, “Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world.”

Big Bang, Small Package: Gas’s Power-to-Weight Ratio

In January 2014, Nissan unveiled a 400-horsepower 1.5-liter engine small enough to fit inside a hiking backpack. The engine, destined for the ZEOD RC, weighs only 88 pounds. Such technology proves that gasoline engines are capable of tremendous power-to-weight ratios, which are becoming increasingly important as western nations adopt suburban lifestyles and lightweight cars.

Built to Impress: Diesel’s Long-Lasting Reliability

In May 2005, Mercedes grabbed three E-Class sedans off the production line, gave each an experimental V6 CDI diesel engine and raced them around a Texas track for 100,000 miles. Each car ran for 30 days at an average of 140 mph, averaged 18 mpg and satisfied CARB emission standards. None broke.

Modern diesel engines are the posterity of the compression-ignition powerplants used to motivate great marine steel carriers. Their lower RPMs, mechanical ignition systems and heavy-duty components guarantee years of use. Plus, they average 20-30 percent better adjusted fuel economy than their gas counterparts. If they do break, aftermarket parts like front-end conversions and brake upgrades are available from Pure Diesel Power.

Popularity Contest: Gas’s Availability

Diesel-powered cars make up 2.8 percent of American passenger vehicles. Gasoline is America’s pet, and the reason is simple: price. A Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel, for instance, costs $4,500 more than the base V6 model. The payback period extends far beyond the average length of new car ownership.

As of now, gasoline engines remain the most versatile and widely used engines in America. But thanks to clean-diesel exhaust fluids, noise cancellation technology and icons like the Sidewinder, diesel may not have long to wait.