5 Useful Additions to Your 4×4

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/07/14 in Trucks with Comments Off on 5 Useful Additions to Your 4×4

Owning a four wheel drive is a matter of great pride for fans of this type of vehicles. Back in the old days, people used to have horses they were strongly connected to, and today it is all about horsepower and robust bodies of their good old SUV’s.

However, whether you as a 4×4 owner would like to admit it or not, the basic configuration of your vehicle leaves a lot of room for improvement. Fortunately, the market is full of useful additions which can both make your life comfortable and improve your vehicles safety and stability. The process of making your 4×4 sturdier and generally better is a fun and rewarding one, so read on to discover some of the most popular and common additions.

Navigate

Let us first go through the things which exist to make your driving experience a more pleasant one. Among available 4×4 accessories which you can find online or in your local shops, probably the most popular one is the navigation device. And this is for a reason, too, because the importance of good navigation only becomes completely obvious when you start using your 4×4 for what it is meant to be used – off road trips to wilderness and visiting remote destinations where you cannot count on your ability to properly orientate in space.

Make yourself comfortable

For better trip experience, also consider purchasing an mp3 player, especially if you are planning to go to solitary trips. You would not believe how much a little bit of music at the right time can help you deal with solitude.

In order to increase your comfort level, you will also need to find accessories which will help you organize your available inside space better. Cargo area is a weak spot of every car – we always need to put a few things more, which in the end usually results in the complete chaos in the back of your vehicle. The solution to this problem is compartmentalization, which you can easily achieve by installing drawers into your storage area. A car fridge will help you both store and preserve your drinks and food, and cup holders will hold your drinks safely to avoid possible spillages.

Improving your vehicle

Two main concerns when it comes to keeping your 4×4 fully functional in extreme conditions are engine cooling and physical damage protection. The best way to cool your engine is to install airflow snorkels, which will ensure your engine always gets fresh supplies of cool air. The damage protectors are available for both the front and the back of your car (for the sides too) and, apart from having the obvious effect of increasing the general safety and looks of your vehicle, they also tend to look cool and add a level of robustness to the general look of your 4×4.

Some other performance improving accessories worth giving a chance to are mud tires and diff locks, both of which are a must have in off road conditions because they improve directional stability and traction of your vehicle. These can be real life and time savers when the need arises.

Keeping Your Work Vehicle In Good Condition: Useful Tips Not To Be Overlooked

by Anita Ginsburg on 2014/07/11 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off on Keeping Your Work Vehicle In Good Condition: Useful Tips Not To Be Overlooked

Owning a work vehicle seems simple, but maintaining it is an endeavor that could get complicated. When you drive the vehicle constantly, it becomes harder to drive and more likely to break down. Changing the oil, rotating the tires and washing the exterior are common tasks. However, there are other steps that you could be overlooking. Read a few tips that help you maintain the good condition of your work vehicle.

Mend the Windows

A lot of people ignore the condition of the windows unless the damage is obstructing their view. Even if you see tiny cracks or holes in the glass, have it repaired right away. In the worst situation, a small crack could deepen and spread across the window. Improving the aesthetic value is just as important as improving the safety. Fixing a small rock chip is much cheaper than replacing the entire windshield.

Replace the Coolant

Replacing the fluids is important, but you cannot just focus on the oil. Replace the coolant at least once a year. The coolant prevents the car from overheating and accumulating dirt, which happens much more often in work vehicles. Make sure that the engine is cool before you insert the chemical.

Change Transmission Fluid

Good transmission fluid is needed to add more fluency to your car’s inner workings. The engine and motors are less likely to break down when you replace this fluid often. Review the mileage to know when it is time to make a replacement. There are time limits listed on the dealer’s website or within the car’s owner’s manual.

Hire a Septic Service

If the drain in the car is getting overused, have the wash bay cleaned often. Regardless of the amount of buildup, professionals have the skills and equipment to clear it out, say the experts at Kamloops Septic Service. If necessary, have the professionals come over and inspect the drain often. This way, you find problems before they damage the septic system over time.

Lubricate Used Up Parts

Lubricate those parts that you have used consistently for many months and years. Most parts need grease to operate more smoothly and easily. Otherwise, the parts get dirty and stick together. There are plenty of lubrication products available at department stores and auto shops.

Repaint the Surface

As a driver, you may underestimate the difference made when a car is repainted. Apply new coats to paint over small defects like cracks, hole or chips. Also, you could repaint the entire surface another color or apply unique designs. Even if the interior of the vehicle is not up to par, at least the exterior looks good with new paint, giving it a more professional look.

Your work vehicle lasts long if you take advantage of regular auto maintenance. Start with these tips to keep your work vehicle in good condition so you can continue to use it for years to come.

Life in the Carpool Lane: Everything You Need to Know About Insuring a Teen Driver

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/07/09 in Auto Insurance with Comments Off on Life in the Carpool Lane: Everything You Need to Know About Insuring a Teen Driver

Having a teen driver is a big source of worry for parents, especially within the first year of having their license. There is a lot that teenagers don’t understand about driving, cars, costs of repairs, etc., and it’s up to you as a parent to teach them about these things. While you may be an expert with your own insurance, you need to know some specific information about insuring your teenager’s vehicle. Read on to learn the essentials of insuring a teenage driver.

The Cost of the Car and the Cost of Insurance

Generally, newer cars are going to be more expensive to insure because states usually have laws requiring a certain level of protection for them. However, you need to weigh out the benefits and the drawbacks. An older vehicle is likely to save you money on insurance, but it also likely has a greater chance of breaking down, which could just lead to more repairs in the end. Knowing the type of usage the car will get helps with this decision.

Drivers Education and Car Insurance

Depending upon the state that you live in, driver’s education might be required. In these areas, it is unlikely that your teenager is going to receive a discount for insurance because he or she was required to take the program. When you are living in a state where driver’s education is optional, ask the car insurance company if a discount is available once the course has been completed.

Receiving Good Grades and Discounts

Encouraging your teenagers to do well in school now has another benefit; it could save you or them money on their car insurance. Find out about the specific requirements of the program when you first sign up. Each car insurance company is going to have a different minimum grade or grade point average that must be achieved for the discounted rate, but many of them will likely have a minimum grade requirement of around a B or higher.

Paying the Deductible

Fully understanding insurance is something that even some adults have difficulty with, but you want to make sure this point is crystal clear to both you and your teenagers. When you have to go through your insurance to pay for the damage on your car, you generally need to pay a deductible. This means that the entire cost of repairs is not paid for by your insurance company. A $500 deductible is fairly common. Therefore, you want to ensure that your teenager has this money saved up if something were to happen with his or her vehicle, and that they know how much a crash or fender bender could set them back.

Talking to your teenagers early about car insurance is smart so that way they know about the costs associated with it and how they can keep their rate down. One day, your teens will be paying for their own insurance, so it’s helpful to help them learn the ropes now. Teen drivers always present a risk, but if you get your insurance set up properly from the get-go, you will have less to worry about.

AUTHOR BIO: Dixie got her advice for this article from the professionals at the Valley Driving School who offer driving lessons in Vancouver.

5 Tips to Help you Protect your Windshield

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/07/07 in Windshield with Comments Off on 5 Tips to Help you Protect your Windshield

Protecting your windshield and car windows is imperative for obvious purposes like safety. Research shows that 90% of driving decisions are dependent upon good vision, so it only makes common sense to invest in taking care of the windshield in particular.

Other reasons for maintaining your windshield is that it is the biggest target for the sunlight and in hot months, heats up your car interiors which in return damages them, when your car is parked for long periods of time. Additionally, if you are intending to sell your car, the windshield and wiper blades are a good gauge of how well maintained the vehicle was.

Most people maintain various parts of their cars but forget that the windshield too needs to be protected and maintained on a regular basis. Below are some tips on how to protect your windshield, so that when you are on the road, you are as safe as possible.

Clean your Windshield on a Regular Basis

The simplest and most effective way to protect your auto glass is by cleaning it on a weekly basis, both on the inside and the outside. If a piece of gravel strikes a clean windshield, its smooth surface prevents energy transfer and bounces off. However, if it strikes a dirty auto glass, the friction allows for more energy transfer that may lead to a chip or even worse, a shattered windshield.

Clean your Windshield Wipers Regularly & Replace them with New Ones when Necessary

Dirty windshield wiper blades leave streaks and simply spread dirt built up on your auto glass, leading to the same problem of a likely chip in your windshield if gravel or stones hit it when you are on the road. When you notice that your wiper blades are not doing an efficient job of providing good visibility, chances are that they are no longer doing their job well and it’s time to replace them with new ones.

Request an Extra Coating of Windshield Protection

When buying a new car, request for an extra coating of windshield protection. While some cars already come with this extra coating, most don’t. In the long run, the investment will pay off in the unfortunate event of an accident or flying glass hitting your windshield. Called shatterproof glass, this is a good option for a new purchase.

Use Invisible Polyester Films to Reinforce the Safety of your Glass

There many consumer products in the market today that can be used to protect your car windshield. Most of them are used to protect against cracks from stones, hail and harmful UV rays, so fret not if your existing car hasn’t been reinforced with an extra coating of windshield protection.

Remove Ice from your Windshield without Causing Damage

When winter comes around, it is more than likely that you will encounter a layer of ice forming on your windshield at some point. It may be tempting to pick any old item like a knife or a spatula to remove the ice. This increases the chances of scratching your windshield or damaging your auto glass. Instead be patient and use a plastic ice scrapper. Other options include using a de-icer spray to melt the ice and you may not even need a plastic ice scrapper.

Follow the tips above religiously and you will be well on your way to preserving and maintaining your car windshield for a long time to come.  However, if you happen to find yourself with a damaged windshield, be sure to get a quick windshield replacement quote on glass.net.

3 Things Insurance Companies Don’t Always Tell You

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/07/03 in Auto Insurance with Comments Off on 3 Things Insurance Companies Don’t Always Tell You

Finding the great combination of insurance is a goal for many savvy consumers. Whether it’s home, auto, or health-related, the process of filing a claim or even the application process can be daunting. Many insurance agents use a variety of calculations to come up with rates and claim procedures. There are a few things that consumers should be aware of with insurance.

Demographics and styles can play a key role in rates

Believe it or not, the town you live in and the style of car or home can dramatically change premium rates. Many insurance companies use statistics that determine areas that are higher risk for theft or crime. They also assess areas prone to flood. Many areas that are not labeled as a flood zone can be rated by a claims adjustor after recent flooding for home insurance. Different occupations or marital status can play a role in the financial aspect of calculating rates.

Car makes and models also play a role the type of insurance premiums available. For example, a rear-wheel drive vehicle can be considered a sports car and carry a higher premium. It is in the best interest of consumers to research neighborhoods or vehicles before making that purchase.

There are many discounts that consumers forget about

Many Calgary insurance companies include several perks and insurance incentives to people such as students or senior citizens. Some of the more hidden features are good driver discounts or rate reductions for energy efficient vehicles. Many insurance agencies can provide additional benefits when requested.

Bad driving of any car occupant can affect premiums

A positive driving record can have a cumulative effect of lowering premiums and enhancing the stability of insurance. Inversely, it can cause premiums to go up and stay high for a considerable length of time. Many consumers do not realize that even a friend or relative driving the vehicle can raise your rates if they get into an accident.

The Bottom Line

It pays to do research in advance and inquiring about services with a local insurance company. Insurance companies can sometimes have vague or arbitrary language that makes it difficult to file a claim properly. Consumers can work with this language by claiming ambiguity and allowing more leverage for getting a claim filed more quickly. The insured should also make detailed note of exactly what is insured and place a sticker price on everything in that package. Using good detective skill and maintaining communication with an agent can help decipher the mystery of insurance.

Article credit: Calgary insurance company Thomson Schindle Green Insurance & Financial Services Ltd,

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