Auto Magazine

How to keep it Cool When Teaching Your Teen to Drive

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/18 in On the Road with Comments Off

The adolescent years can be a trying and life altering time for parents. One of the biggest changes and life moments comes when it is time to teach your young teen how to drive. This can be a time-exhaustive experience as you will need to have your teen practice how to drive and prepare mentally for their driving test. Here are some steps to keep it cool when teaching your teen to drive.

Show Them How a Car Works

One of the first lessons is to show how a car works. Open up the hood and show them how the engine works and what to check when there is an issue, such as fluid levels. Show them what every button and light on the dashboard panels mean. Show them what turns on the wipers, wiper fluid, turn signals, climate control, and hazard lights. Go through the car manual to tell your teenage what alerts could mean. Show them how to position their seats, position the rear view mirrors. Finally, you can show them what to do in emergencies, such as how to change a tire and what to have packed in the car, like flashlights.

Train Yourself to Speak Calmly

For many parents, their teens learning how to drive may seem like a catastrophe ready to happen. But, like anything in life, the teenager has to learn in order to mature. Before driving, you need to tell yourself that as a parent you are there to provide information and to allow the teenager to learn and experience what driving is like. Having a rough, authoritative tone or yelling in a panic or anxious voice that they are doing something wrong will not help the teenager and could make the experience more stressful for the two of you. Its better to talk calmly to the teenager and to inquire with them why specific driving techniques are necessary. This will help the teenager learn calmly and, as a result, make the learning experience more pleasant than stressful.

Use Isolated Areas to Drive

The very first experiences of driving can be done at empty parking lots. Try to use non-private property lots as you could be trespassing. But, try to use a lot where there are little to no parked cars. This is the field that works best to learn how to drive. Let your teen be in the driver seat and tell him or her to accelerate and stop. Tell them to only drive 10 to 15 mph in the parking lot and see how fast they can stop when you command them. This hones their senses so they can stop quickly in case of an emergency. Eventually, the empty parking lots will become excellent grounds to learn how to reverse and park. Since these lots are empty, they prove to be excellent, stress-free training grounds.

It is highly recommended that the first actual driving exercises are done on non-congested back roads. If you send the teen out to major roads, the teen may become very anxious from traffic and frequent stopping. The basics of driving the speed limit, with the road, and mastering different kinds of weather (rain, snow, etc) will work better on back roads than major routes. This will allow you and your teen to stay calm.

Set Rules

Before the teen is ready to take driver school classes, it’s very important at the very beginning to establish the future rules of driving. This talk should include telling the teenager to follow state laws in terms of driving curfews and passengers in the car for teen drivers as well as your household’s rules. This is important to establish during the teaching days before drivers ed so the teenager knows full well what the rules of the household will be related to driving. Having this talk later will cause deep conflict and possible rebelliousness. But, if you discuss calmly the concerns and rules placed by you to your teenager, they may be more accepting that this will be the reality of driving life after they get their license.

Author Bio: Annette Hazard is a freelance writer and small business owner. She is a mother or one and wrote about health and family when she gets the chance. She suggests telling your kids there will be rules and consequences after you have your license.

Fixer Upper – 5 Reasons Buying a Used Vehicle is a Smart Move

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/18 in Used Autos & Trucks with Comments Off

Buying a brand new car can break the bank for most people and the only option that they have is to buy a used vehicle. If this is done right you can purchase a vehicle that will last you many years and be a great investment. A used vehicle eliminates the hassles associated with the expenses of new vehicles. So if you are considering purchasing a new car you should consider going with a used vehicle for these convincing reasons.

Eliminating Expensive Loans

One of the best advantages for purchasing a used vehicle is that they can be purchased directly from an auto dealership or an individual without the hassle of an high-rate loan. There is no need to apply for any extended loan that comes with high interest rates as you can purchase a cheap vehicle quite easily. In fact, used cars can be bought with cash, personal check and credit card if necessary. If a loan is needed to make a purchase for a used automobile, then most financial institutions and banks may offer low interest rates for sums below $10,000.

Reducing Extra fees and Surcharges

New vehicles come with specific surcharges and fees such as for delivery. By contrast, a purchase of a used car involves payments for the title, registration and applicable taxes. Surely, there aren’t any down payments involved with a used automobile. The bottom line is that an older vehicle is sold in "as is" condition and with a negotiable price tag for the most part.

Optional Maintenance Costs

Older vehicles do not need to be maintained and serviced as frequently as new vehicles that come with specific manufacturer’s guidelines. For example, multiple expensive services are usually done the first 15,000 or 30,000 miles of a car. When a used car has more than 50,000 miles on it, the maintenance is done on a as needed basis and not really according to a perfectly scheduled guideline. Additionally, owners of used vehicles may be able to bear some slight mechanical problems.

Fixing Older Cars

These days, an old car can be upgraded with auto parts that can be found online or at used car stores everywhere for cheap. The entire powertrain, drivetrain, electrical system and chassis can be updated or completely replaced with OEM parts. Owners of used cars can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on online auto parts that can be brought to a local repair shop and used to get an older vehicle back on the road.

Lower Insurance Rates

Used vehicles may come with lower auto insurance premiums compared to new vehicles. For example, the deductible for an old car cannot be high because insurance companies don’t pay more than the actual value of an insured vehicle. Additionally, older cars do not need to be covered under certain policies that are mandatory for most leased or financed new vehicles.

Used cars can be restored for a relatively minimum investment and also do no come with any extra fees and interests rates. Because of this, buying a used vehicle can be the right decision for any person looking for a inexpensive way to get around.

Meghan Belnap –
Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She also enjoys being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise as well as researching new topics to expand her horizons. Meghan recommends using cheap parts that can be bought online from Taronis Used Ford Parts for an inexpensive alternative to repairing your vehicle.You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure.

Five Tips to Make The Car Buying Process Less Stressful

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/17 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off

Venturing out to purchase a vehicle means you’ll have a lot of details to attend to, and all of this can make you feel stressed out. Learning how to balance your budget and deciding to work with reputable and friendly dealers can help to alleviate these anxieties. Here are five tips to reduce the stress of buying a new car:

Determine Your Budget Beforehand

Even if this is your first trip to the car dealership, you could fall in love with a particular model and want to buy it on the spot. Trying to calculate how much you can afford while you’re standing at the dealership is a bad idea. Chances are, you won’t add up the figures correctly, and you could end up spending far more than you really can afford to. Sit down with your spouse or co-signer early on in the process to determine exactly how much you can spend.

Research Cars Online

People who are really familiar with different types of cars have an advantage here. For those who couldn’t tell a 2014 fancy model from a beat-up car built in 1999, this process adds in another element of stress. Get to know cars online before you go to the dealership. You can find out information about safety ratings and the types of technologies that are built into the vehicle. You can also read reviews about the cars and talk to people who own them.

Choose The Right Dealership

If you walk into a dealership and feel pressured to purchase the most expensive model right from the start, then you aren’t in the right place. Do your research on dealerships too, and work with one that is known for its friendly and reputable staff members. Working with people who have your best needs in mind and who know a lot about cars will help to reduce your stress levels.

Don’t Make it a Family Outing

While bringing the entire family to look at new cars can be fun, imagine how unnecessary it is to have your toddler running through the showroom and your infant screaming because they are hungry. Hire a babysitter for the day, grab dinner after you get your new car and make a date night out of it with your significant other. This will help make sure you don’t feel rushed or make a bad decision at the dealership.

Don’t Haggle Into The Ground

When you walk into the car dealership with an attitude, you are probably going to leave feeling aggravated and frustrated. Remember, the car dealership needs to make money too. While the professionals who work there are used to haggling to some extent, you have to realize that at some point, the sale would not be profitable for the company. Having reasonable expectations in terms of the price you can get is advisable.

If you follow these tips, you can have a shiny new vehicle without all of the stress.

Anita is a freelance writer from Denver and often writes about home, auto, family and business. She enjoys traveling with her family when she isn’t writing. Anita suggests talking with a Premier Mazda dealer to simplify the process of buying a car.

Which Models Will Stand the Test of Time? 5 Cars that Are Known to Last The Longest

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/16 in Auto Design with Comments Off

When it comes to choosing a car, most drivers want something reliable, durable, and something they can drive for the next 7 or 8 years. When you’re trying to find a car that will stand the test of time, consider factors like durability, design, and mileage. With that in mind, check out these five models that are proven to last and are top consumer picks.

Toyota Corolla Eco

The Toyota Corolla comes highly recommended not only because it’s a great mid-size car but also due to the good mileage it offers. A new Corolla can get 42 mpg on the highway and 30 mpg in city driving. Corollas are known to excel in the durability department and can go strong for 200,000-300,000 miles or more when properly cared for. The maintenance cost of a Corolla is not overly expensive, making it one of the top picks for those who want a car to stick with them through the years.

Subaru Impreza

The Subaru Impreza station wagon is another great choice for a long-lasting car that has gotten high consumer ratings. It offers 36 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg in the city. This car can also go well over 200,000 miles and is known for its solid engine. Regular low-cost maintenance will keep it going, and the Impreza is a consumer favorite because it holds up well overall. When you don’t have to pay a ton in maintenance costs, its much easier to care for your car on a more regular basis.

Volkswagen Passat

If you watched the 2014 Superbowl, you might remember a fun little commercial done by Volkswagen boasting that VW has the most cars on the road over 100,000 miles—obviously a VW needs to make this list of most durable cars. Passat owners are happy with this zippy little model that sticks with them through thick and thin, lasts through their kids’ childhood, and accompanies them on countless family road trips. Volkswagen cars enjoy long lives for many reasons, the actual structure of the car being one major contributor. Engineers use laser seam welding to create a stronger frame for the car, and hot wax flooding is used to keep the car from corroding too fast.

Honda Accord

Another good option when you’re looking for longevity is the Honda Accord. It’s built well, and with routine maintenance will “go the distance” so to speak. Accords are notable for interiors that stay intact and keep a nice look as well. Their mileage isn’t too shabby either, with 34 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg in the city. They frequently last up to 300,000 miles, making them a reliable and obvious choice for plenty of consumers.

Toyota Prius

This is one of the top picks today for longevity and economy. The Prius goes an incredible 51 mpg on the highway and 48 mpg in the city, making it extremely fuel efficient. It can last for 300,000 miles with the proper care and maintenance. However, the battery is guaranteed to last at least 8-10 years, or 100,000 to 150,000 miles before needing replacement. As you can see, one of the keys to a long-lasting vehicle is easy and inexpensive maintenance, both of which the Prius can offer you.
These are five of the top vehicles to keep in mind when you’re shopping for a ride that will give you the longest service with minimal upkeep and maintenance. Some people enjoy trading in for a new model every year or two, but many people want to find a car they like and stick with it for as long as possible. If you’re the type of driver that wants to use a vehicle for all it’s worth before purchasing a new one, make sure you make the right choice from the beginning. Choosing a car that has proven it’s ability to stand the test of time, but that has also won a place in the hearts of consumers will ensure that you have a better chance of keeping the car throughout the years and getting your moneys’ worth for it.

AUTHOR BIO: This article was written by Dixie Somers, a freelance writer who loves to write for business, finance, women’s interests, and technology. Dixie lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters. Information for this article was provided by the auto professionals of National Transmission, who specialize in red deer transmission repair.

Car Decisions: Is it Worth Buying a Car that Needs Work?

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/15 in Used Autos & Trucks with Comments Off

While you are searching through the classifieds for a new ride, you may stumble across a vehicle that needs a few repairs. While your initial response may be to pass over the advertisement, the flawed vehicle may actually be a diamond in the rough. Once the vehicle is fixed, it may be able to last for many years to come. Here are some of the pros and cons of buying a car that needs work.

Cons: Fear of the unknown

Purchasing a vehicle that needs work always carries an element of uncertainty. For example, the seller may tell you that the vehicle will not crank due to a failed alternator. While this may be true, the car could also have other mechanical problems as well. Unfortunately, you will not find out until you install the new alternator.

Cons: Underestimate the cost of the repairs

At first glance, the total cost of the necessary repair work may seem very affordable. However, the damage could be more extensive than you originally thought. Upon taking the vehicle out for a test drive, you make notice that the steering is off-kilter. While the car may just need a simple wheel alignment, the steering problem could also stem from damage to the frame. Frame damage is very expensive to repair.

Pros: Leverage in negotiating a deal

Depending on the amount of work that is needed, you may be able to negotiate a great deal with the seller. Some people are in a financial bind and simply can not afford to make the repairs. This is a win-win situation for both parties. Although the cost to repair the vehicle may total $450, the low purchase price will more than make up the difference.

Pros: A new hobby

If you don’t need the car right away and are looking for something to do on the evenings and weekends, a project car may be perfect for you. Many people gain fulfillment in fixing up project cars. Often, the finished results are amazing, unique, and personal to you. There are plenty of books and websites to help you learn how to build up your new car.

You do not always have to buy brand new parts. Purchasing salvage parts can save hundreds of dollars, and may be more inexpensive than a flashier new car. For example, f the vehicle has a damaged fender, you should easily be able to find a dent-free replacement at the salvage yard.

Do not make the mistake of passing up a great car due to a few minor problems. The key is to take the time to analyze all of the critical factors. You can decide if you have the time and resources to fix up the car. You may even find a fun project.

Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing about business and finance and spending time with her dog, Max. Information credited to www.salvageyardphoenixaz.com.