Auto Magazine

Motorcycle Hazards: How to Minimize Your Risk

by Anica Oaks on 2014/10/03 in Motorcycles with Comments Off

Motorcycles, by their very nature, are risky. If you ride, the hazards range from motorists not seeing you to changing weather. Fortunately there are steps you can take to minimize your risk. If you are a motorist, understanding the risks a motorcyclist takes will help avoid hazards, both to you and to the motorcyclist. In order to decrease the risks, all who travel the roads must use common sense precautions and alertness when driving.

Wear a Helmet

Despite the extreme physical dangers of riding a motorcycle, certain US states still don’t require that bikers wear helmets. Even if you don’t have to legally wear a helmet, a quick glance at the stats should be enough to convince you to. According to NHTSA.gov, the leading cause of death for motorcyclists is head trauma, a death risk reduced by an astounding 40% when the rider used a helmet.

Motorist: Do Not Tailgate

Motorists should never tailgate a motorcycle, because this is risky for both you and the cyclist. If the cyclist experiences a mechanical malfunction, odds are good they will be suddenly thrown from the motorcycle. If you tailgate, the possibility of running over the thrown cyclists is high. During the police investigation, the authorities may state you were negligent by following too close. Allow enough room for an escape route when driving behind a motorcycle.

Motorcyclist: Pre-Trip Inspection

If you are a motorcyclist, a pre-trip inspection minimizes your risk by discovering potential hazards. For example, imagine that during the inspection you find a frayed brake cable. If your brake fails, you lose a lot of stopping power when you need it. The solution, then, is to replace the cable before riding. Some areas of the pre-trip inspection should include checking the fluid levels, checking the cabling, and checking the tires. Another often overlooked routine is making sure all bolts are tightened to specifications. Bolts loosen up over time, and can lead to disaster if, say, the front wheel bolts loosen up.

Motorcyclist: Check the Weather Forecast

The weather may be nice, but a storm front may be moving in without you knowing about it. Any cyclist will tell you riding in a storm is miserable. Plan ahead, and plan for storms that are moving in. Tailor your riding time so bad weather is avoided. If you have to ride in the rain, pack weatherproof clothing accordingly. And if you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Denver or elsewhere in the US due to a driver’s negligence, consider contacting an injury attorney.

Motorcyclist: Look Far Ahead

As a cyclist, you should always look far ahead in the road, since road hazards can be encountered quickly before you have time to react to them. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), hazards such as oil slicks and debris all lead to accidents. For example, you are riding behind a truck. Some debris falls off the truck, causing you to lose control. To prevent this, allow enough room between you and the vehicle in front of you. Look far enough ahead, and plan for bad road conditions accordingly.

When you ride, it’s imperative to arrive at your destination, instead of an emergency room. Some elements you can’t control, but others you can. Take all the precautions necessary to ride safely, since it all boils down to being alert when riding and maintaining your motorcycle properly.

Trading Your Bullet Bike for a Car Seat? The Top 5 Safest Cars for Expecting Families

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/10/01 in Uncategorized with Comments Off

If you are an expectant parent, there are a lot of changes ahead of you. You might be baby-proofing your home, moving to a safer neighborhood, or buying a safer car. If you previously had a convertible, motorcycle, or an old junker car, having a baby is the perfect reason to get a newer, safer car. Not only will you have to worry about keeping your little one safer in the car, but you’ll want a vehicle designed for families that is easy to get in and out of. Keep reading to see the top five safest cars that are perfect for expanding families.

2014 Subaru Legacy

The new Subaru Legacy is a great choice for new parents. The Legacy’s legendary Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system provides excellent traction in all types of weather. Not only was the sedan chosen as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, but it also offers advanced safety technologies such as lane departure warning and forward collision warning. The Legacy’s outstanding visibility certainly comes in handy when traveling in congested traffic.

2014 Volvo S60

Volvo has a reputation for manufacturing extremely safe vehicles. Unsurprisingly, the well-built Volvo S60 obtained one of the best crash test ratings in its class. Aside from being a Top Safety Pick, the S60 is also available with a slew of high-tech safety devices. The innovative Corner Traction Control system effectively enhances the S60’s road grip when making quick maneuvers. Some of the other available safety upgrades include blind-spot detection and adaptive headlights.

2014 Cadillac ATS

The Cadillac ATS is arguably the safest sports sedan on the market. The agile sedan obtained a five-star rating in every safety test. Although an all-wheel drive version is available, the front-wheel drive model still offers great traction. Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure warning are just a few of the optional safety components. The ATS also surrounds your family with a total of eight airbags.

2015 Kia Optima

Designed with a very spacious interior, the Optima is perfect for expecting families. In governmental crash testing, the new Optima received a top rating in each category. Unlike the previous model years, the 2015 Optima is available with blind-spot detection and cross-traffic alert. Kia’s helpful Brake Assist feature provides an extra amount of stopping power when needed. The side-curtain airbags will surely give concerned parents extra peace of mind.

2014 Mazda 3

As expected, the Mazda 3 was recognized by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety as a Top Safety Pick. The Mazda 3’s athletic handling and sturdy chassis makes it a very capable family hauler. All versions of the Mazda 3 come standard with anti-lock disc brakes and daytime running lights. Some of the safety options include an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, lane departure warning, and cross-traffic alert.

All five of these vehicles have an outstanding safety profile, but you can easily research the safety ratings of any car you are interested in. This information is available online, so you can research the ratings after you test drive a car you like to make sure you know what you are getting.

Teen Driving: 5 Ways to Help Your Kids Understand Car Insurance

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/09/29 in Auto Insurance with Comments Off

When you’re teaching your kids how to drive, you’re doing much more than showing them the how-to’s and handing them the keys: you’re opening a new world of responsibility for them. Car insurance is one of those things that you may take for granted in terms of knowing how it works, but you can’t take anything for granted when it comes to the safety of your kids.

Consequences

You may want to use the word “consequences” sparingly. Depending on your parenting style, your teenager may associate this word with an empty threat, or something minor. But your teenager needs to understand how costly accidents can be. If you’ve ever had an accident, show them in black and white how much the repairs cost. Express it as a percentage of all the household income for the month, or how many hours you need to work to make that money. This should effectively demonstrate the need for a solution other than paying for everything out of pocket.

Not a “Product”

Your teen needs to understand that, contrary to some popular ads, insurance policies aren’t a product that’s manufactured somewhere, shipped, then bought in a store. It’s more like a club. They also need to understand that it can be a very expensive club that they pay to be a part of every so often. They need to understand that if they are in an accident whether it is their fault or not, the insurance premium could go up in price. They also need to consider the kind of vehicle and the age of the vehicle as newer, sporty, or luxurious cars will cost more in insurance premiums. They also need to understand that their gender and age also play a role in terms of pricing of being in the insurance “club.” Teach them how to research each insurance company and how to find insurance quotes. This will help them determine which insurance company will be right for them.

The Club Analogy

In buying into the policy, you’re buying into the club. In this club, everyone agrees to regularly put money into a big pot. These payments are called the premium. If something happens to anyone in the club while driving, everyone agrees to use the money in the pot to help them cover the expenses.

Deductible

Make sure they understand, however, that insurance isn’t cure-all magic. Even with an insurance policy, there is always a deductible. Explain that insurance doesn’t cover everything: it just makes the costs bearable if something should happen. For example, if repairs from an accident cost $10,000, then the company will pay those costs minus the deductible. If your deductible is $5,000, then you and the insurance company are splitting it down the middle in this case (Source: Meyer’s Insurance Ltd).

No Magic

No matter how good the policy is, it can’t make you safe. No amount of insurance can undo the trauma of an injury or bring back a human life. While your teen should feel safe enough to not be driving to school with white knuckles, they also don’t need any help feeling invincible. Outlining the realities of insurance, what it really covers and what it doesn’t, can help your teen enjoy their new found freedom safely.

7 Tips to be followed while Driving a Truck

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/09/26 in Trucks with Comments Off

Overview As a driver, it is true that in your entire driving experience, the biggest automobile you always come across is that huge moving truck. Most small car drivers are often terrified of moving trucks since most of them appear bigger and like they own the road. Nevertheless, accidents caused by moving trucks continue being recorded some of which could be avoided if the right measures are taken or followed.

Here are tips to follow while driving a track.

Buckle Up

Some of the truck drivers on the road seem to stick to an old myth which suggested that good drivers do not actually need to wear seat-belts. Well, this incorrect ancient belief cannot have a place in today’s modern society. As a matter of fact, track drivers ought to buckle up hard since their chances of being thrown from their vehicle during a crash and consequently dying are higher (almost 25times). Safety belts therefore are of great significance to track drivers, thus ought to be adhered to as such.

Comprehend Your Blind Spot

Unlike other cars, trucks bear a large blind spot which deters the driver from looking over his shoulder. This hence restricts the track driver to solely rely on his side mirrors when changing lanes or making turns.

Look Down the Road Paying

Good attention to the road ahead significantly helps in avoiding hazardous and abrupt braking which could lead into an accident. This gives the driver room to slow down the truck confidently and effectively in time without panic.

Be On the Lookout for Curbs

Due to the wider turns that trucks have to make, it is therefore important for the truck driver to ensure that there is adequate space for turning so as to avoid damaging the tires at the point of contact with the curbs. Also important to note is that truck drivers should go slower than normal so as to enhance smooth and complete turns.

Keep Safe Distance

The mechanism and the weight of a truck does not allow for its immediate stop. This therefore makes it dangerous if you have to make a sudden stop since the truck just won’t be able to Maintaining a safe distance hence allows for easier and safe braking when a need arises without subjecting other following or vehicles ahead to any sort of danger.

Know the Height of Your Truck

This is important as it helps to avoid inconveniences that occur when trying to pass under bridges or garage ceilings. Knowing how high is your truck thereby enables you to make proper judgments before going under.

Understand All the Truck’s Controls

Based on the truck’s technology, this may differ from others. You therefore have to get familiar with each control be it wiper settings, indicators or whatever it is this should be mandatory before setting off.
Summary Trucks are of importance in aiding transportation of heavy goods from one destination to another. Due to their inbuilt mechanism and size, it is then of vital importance for the truck drivers to be extra careful on the road. Careful truck drivers contribute greatly to road safety. In order to acquire a good experience in this, book driving test today.

Author Bio:
Amelia Amy lives in Wales, UK and is an avid blogger and reader. Since her early years she’s had a passion for writing. Her articles have been published in leading UK newspapers. Her areas of interest are Travel, Fashion, Lifestyle, Technology, Food, Lifestyle, Reviews (Book/Movie), Health and Fitness.

Top 4 Tips for Finding Replacement Parts for Your Truck

by Anica Oaks on 2014/09/24 in Auto Maintenance, Auto Repair, Auto Restoration with Comments Off

Nothing halts your plans faster than when your truck breaks down. Often older trucks are extremely difficult to find quality replacement parts for. If this is a problem you have not experienced yet, you are in for quite a lot of hassle and run around if you do not know where to turn to get the right parts. To avoid being hung out to dry, let us talk about some possible ways you can find the right truck parts to get your truck up and running again.

1. Searching Your Local Area

Often you can find parts for your truck by searching online ads in your local area. The great thing about online ads is that the sellers do not always want to charge you an arm and a leg for the part you are looking for. In some cases, they do not even want money for the part at all. Many online local ad sellers are just as happy to barter for other items you might have laying around the house that they either want or need for their own purposes. In a lot of cases, the part you are looking for has been taking up room in someone’s garage, and the person has been trying to get their garage space back. This can potentially give you a lot of room to negotiate for a low price.

2. Specialty Orders

Hunting around online, you might find websites that have been in business for a while, helping people locate hard to find parts for their trucks and industrial vehicles. Specialty shops like 99 Truck Parts & Industrial Equipment Ltd. make it easy to order parts you need online, both new and used. If these online businesses do not have the item in stock, they will likely know how to get the item or explain to you how you can find it, since dealing in hard to find truck parts is their forte.

3. Government Auctions

Another way to potentially run across replacement truck parts is by checking out a local government auction in your area. The government regularly makes information about these auctions available to the average citizen through online websites, such as USgovernmentauctions.net. Government auctions can be a great place for the truck enthusiast who needs or wants to find trucks to cannibalize or scavenge parts from.

4. The Boneyard

Every day people have their old car or truck towed off to the boneyard. A lot of times, these are wrecked vehicles, and they are good for little more than to salvage parts out of them. Sometimes this can be a roll of the dice looking for replacement parts in the boneyard, but it can also often be a good place to check, if all else fails—especially if the part you are looking for is not too uncommon.

Now that you have some idea where to look to find that replacement truck part you’ve been looking for, it’s time to make some calls and get that truck of yours up and running again. With a little effort and by showing off your mechanical abilities, you’ll have that truck purring like new in no time at all, allowing you to get back to those plans that were temporarily put on hold.