Auto Magazine

5 Tips To Driving Safer During The Winter Months

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/02/19 in On the Road with Comments Off

The winter months bring beautiful scenery to otherwise boring landscapes, but that means it also comes along with dangerous driving conditions. These are five ways in which you can more safely and easily get to your destination while driving.

Drive 10-20 MPH Slower than Usual

If the driving conditions in your area are exceptionally bad, take notice of the speed limit for that area and subtract 10-20 miles per hour from it. This is especially true if your vehicle is not equipped to handle rough winter conditions that leave ice and snow all around.

Take a Course from a Driving School

If you are unsure of how to handle winter conditions while driving, it may be useful to take a refresher course from a driving school. Driving schools can equip you with all the knowledge you need to make informed decisions while on the road and keep your travel experience safer overall.

Give Yourself Double the Distance to Stop

Whenever coming to a stop, always make sure that you give yourself quite a bit of distance between your vehicle and the stop to slow your vehicle. Just because you can’t see ice on the roads between your vehicle and the stop point doesn’t mean that it’s not there, so be extra slow and cautious when bring your car to a stop.

Always Use Your Headlights

When driving in snowy and foggy conditions, be sure to use your headlights at all times. Even if it is day time in the area that you are driving, it doesn’t mean that other drivers will have an easy time seeing your vehicle. This is especially true if your vehicle is neutral in color, such as gray. Keep your headlights on at all times.

Don’t Assume Your Vehicle Can Handle All Winter Conditions

Many people make the mistake of flooring their vehicles in icy conditions using the "my truck has four wheel drive" logic. Although four wheel drive will help tread icy and snowy conditions more easily, that doesn’t mean that it is a perfect mechanism or that other drivers on the road will have time to react to your aggressive driving. To stay on the safe side, always drive as though your vehicle is not equipped to handle winter conditions.

Above all, use common sense while treading the roads during the colder months. Take your time with getting from point A to point B, and always make sure your vehicle is up to operating in winter conditions by checking your tire tread, examining the battery terminals for corrosion, etc.

Five Things You Need To Know Before You Purchase Your Next Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/02/17 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off

There are very few things that cost as much as a car and with the economic pressures it is vital that you do your research and make the best financial decision when you make your purchase. You will need something that is reliable, affordable and serve all of your traveling purposes. Look at these four tips before you make a final decision.

Interest Rates

When you decide you need a new car there will be several different financial options you can make. You can either pay all costs up front and buy a used car. You can lease your new car or take a loan out and purchase it. When you talk to a bank or car dealership, make sure you take a look at the interest rates that come along with your purchase. Finding an affordable rate will make a huge difference in the payments that you make. Make sure you are getting a competitive rate and one that will work with your finances.

Reliability

It is important to do your research on the different types of vehicles. There are certain manufacturing reputations that you should be aware of when you are considering which car is for you. Research how many miles you can expect, what problems you will run into and what type of warranty will come with your purchase. Finding the right combination will lead you to the purchase that works best for you.

Additional Costs

Buying a car is not the end of your spending. You should also calculate the registration, insurance coverage and your monthly gas expenditures that you can expect. If you decide to have car payments make sure you add up everything else and determine if you can ultimately afford the car that you picked out. Once you have a final number that it will cost each month, you will be able to decide if it is worth it.

Insurance

Depending on what finance option you have chosen, that may determine what insurance coverage you may need. If you have a loan or a lease on the car you may be required by the banks policy to get full coverage insurance. If you bought the car outright you could get away with liability insurance. Talk to your insurance agent to decide what best fits your situation.

Maintenance

Each vehicle will have different maintenance requirements after you are done. There are different maintenance costs at certain checkpoints. The maintenance costs at certain mileage destinations, this is more important for used cars. The maintenance requirements will vary between cars and it will be worth it to do your research.

Buying a car is an exciting time in your life. Make sure that you do the research necessary to make the best decision for your situation and have fun in the process. Understanding what to look forward to financially will help you in the long run and make your purchase even more enjoyable.

Author Bio: Hannah Whittenly is a freelance writer from Sacramento, California. A mother of two, Hannah enjoys writing on blogs of all niches. If you run into any problems after your next car purchase make sure you contact the Law Offices of Jon Jacobs and get the help you need.

Image credit: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Other_g374-Man_In_Car_Showing_Key_p77124.html

Customize your Ride: The Five Best Ways to Personalize Your Vehicle

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/02/14 in On the Road with Comments Off

When you hit the highway, it’s all too easy to get lost in the crowd. The streaming mass of cars heading down the roads can become a blur of monotony if you don’t distinguish yourself. Regardless of what type of car, truck, or SUV you drive, these five customization tips will set you apart from the many plain, unadorned vehicles on the roads.

Chrome Emblems for a Personal Touch

Chrome car emblems are an excellent way to proclaim your individuality on the road. These come in all types and shapes, from the common minimalist fish symbol to pop culture references, team logos, and national flags—so you can choose whatever emblem best represents you!

Decals Are An Inexpensive Option

Decals and bumper stickers are one of the easiest ways to personalize your ride. There are thousands upon thousands of creative and affordable options out there. There is no limit as to where you put it on your car; windshields, hitch, doors, hood. You can apply racing stripe decals across your hood or hot rod flames across the sides, the possibilities are endless!

Ditch the Standard License Plate

One surefire way to make your car different is to swap out the boring, standard state-issued numbered license plate for a customized one. Are you “The Boss”? Let everyone know. A speed demon? Say, “XLR8” to those behind you. If you would rather keep the standard license plate, consider a license plate frame. You can pick whichever phrases, colors and bling suits you. Lots of tourist shops sell custom plate frames, so next time you’re on vacation somewhere and want something to remember your time by, check those out!

Air Fresheners do Double Duty

A double whammy – air fresheners come in all kinds of shapes and fragrances. Choose the classic tree-shaped “fresh pine” scent or opt for a bolder aroma like coffee or gardenia. There are even fresheners that smell like bacon or corn dogs, if you’re into having your vehicle smell like meat. Not all air fresheners have to dangle from your rear view mirror—lots of auto shops and home stores now sell scent diffusers that plug into your cigarette lighter/outlet. These are even more customizable, as you can fill them with the your own oil blends or keep a variety on hand to change up the aroma more often.

Customizable Floor Mats

Floor mats not only protect the floor of your vehicle, they can also be used to jazz up the space. Go the classy route with a fancy calligraphy monogram or show off your wild side with animal print mats. You can choose a feminine floral theme or the emblem of your favorite automobile maker. Custom Floor mats will change the entire look of the inside of your vehicle and impress those you deem worthy enough to take for a ride.

It’s always a good time to set yourself apart from the crowd. Doing so through vehicle customization not only proclaims a sense of individuality, it gives others on the road a fun sight during an otherwise boring commute or long road trip.

About the Author: Emma is a freelance writer living in Boston. When not writing, she enjoys rock climbing and board games. Informational credit to www.chromeautoemblems.com

Image credit: http://pixabay.com/en/corvette-racing-car-roadster-171419/

Three Decisions You Need to Make Before Going to the Car Dealership

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/02/12 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off

When you have decided to buy a brand new car from one of the many dealerships in your city, it can be a very exciting time. People are often anxious to run out and find the car of their dreams right away. However, it is important to slow down and secure a few things in your mind before visiting the actual dealership. Having some facts and figures in mind before meeting the first salesman can allow you to get better deals, be happier with your purchase over time, and lessen the actual amount of time that you spend on the lot.

Understand What You Want

Dealers make it their business to try to meet the needs of their customers while simultaneously making the most profit possible for their dealership. Many times this practice leads to a dealer attempting to “up-sale” the customer to a larger vehicle, better trim, or a newer model. In order to take this kind of worry out of the picture, buyers should have a definite idea of the make and model of vehicle that they want. Coming into the situation with this idea in mind makes it easy to avoid temptations presented by the salesman. Even if you can’t settle on one specific type of vehicle, at least outline concrete needs that you have from your vehicle that include items such as cargo space, fuel efficiency, and numbers of passengers.

Look at the Numbers in Advance

It is a very bad idea to walk onto a lot without any idea of what kind of cost should be associated with the vehicle you want. Shopping around beforehand in order to understand the kind of price range you should see on the vehicle gives you some leverage when dealing with salesman in addition to providing you with protection against dealers attempting to gouge the price. According to experts at Mazda dealers in Kansas City like Premier Mazda, research the MSRP value on top of getting some round figures that reflect what the final cost should be after taxes and other fees. Decide on a price range and stick to your decision.

Make Your Own Decisions about When to Buy

Smart shoppers will avoid buying a vehicle on the first visit. Use this time to get a feel for the car you want, and gather some information from the dealership about what they can offer you. With this information in hand, you can do further comparisons and research. Schedule an actual appointment with a sales manager when you are ready to buy. These two actions let the dealer know that you are serious and will not be pushed around when it comes to closing the deal.

Keeping it Real: 4 Tools for Original Car Restoration Projects

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/02/10 in Uncategorized with Comments Off

When it comes to planning and completing your own original car restoration projects, the first thing you’ll certainly need is the right set of tools for the job. After all, no two cars on the market, past or present, are ever the same. With each make and model of car that you restore, you’ll need a different selection of tools. However, with a bit of planning, you can easily have all the tools you need on hand to complete your restoration project. What follows is a list of some of the more commonly used restoration project tools.

3/8" Professional Air Ratchet

You’ll certainly need a professionally balanced air ratchet for nearly every original car restoration project that you undertake. The 3/8" model is capable of delivering a torque of up to 50 pounds. The slimmer, more portable 3/8" design is also especially handy because it will allow you to reach fasteners in crowded, inaccessible spaces that the regular impact wrenches simply cannot. This is one item that will definitely need to be on every car restorer’s list.

Dual Action Air Sander

Another item that no qualified car restoration expert can afford to be without is a dual action air sander. You’ll need a sander that employs dual action for the simple reason that sanding the body of your car is not a one time process that smooths down only one type of surface on your car. Therefore, you’ll need a sander that can handle varying surfaces, such as metal, fiberglass, and others, without causing damage to the body. A dual action sander will give you the best results in this tricky situation. Unlike larger sanders, this still gives you the quality and detail control without giving up efficiency.

Portable Abrasive Blaster Kit

A portable abrasive blaster kit is an excellent addition to your personal garage. This handy instrument is equipped with a blast gun, 15 ft. of hose, and a 50 pound hopper. It’s the ultimate tool for removing paint, rust, graffiti, and previous restoration errors! These tools might seem expensive for the scope of the project you’re working on, but spending months with a small sander trying to take the paint and bad welding lines off of your restoration project is also time consuming. Save your valuable time and get yourself a fun tool in the process. Even if you don’t choose to restore another car after you’re done, this handy tool is great for all sorts of home improvement projects, and could be lent out to help with community service projects, like an eagle scout project to remove graffiti.

2000 PSI Pressure Washer

Before you can really consider your car restoration project complete, you’ll need to clean it up. A 2000 PSI pressure washer is the instrument most restoration experts recommend to accomplish this goal. It contains the recommended amount of pressure needed to fully clean a newly restored vehicle in a safe and convenient fashion, perfect for most personal home garages. This is a must have before you paint. If you paint over shavings and dust from your sanding, it will destroy that coat of paint, and any additional layers you add to it. A pressure washer can ensure that the body of your vehicle is clean and dry before you attempt to paint.

Whether you are interested in learning more about these and other car restoration tools, or looking for a a good place to source affordable parts, there are plenty of handy online resources available to you. YouTube has thousands of helpful how-to videos for repairs on all types of vehicles. Your car restoration project might not be as far away as you think, and it might just be the perfect excuse you need to stock up on some fun new tools.

Author Bio

Marlena Stoddard writes on antique cars and auto repair. Originally from Senoia, GA, Marlena lives in Santa Rosa, CA with her husband and 2 children. For help finding parts for classic restorations, Marlena recommends established sites like 99 Truck Parts.

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