Keep on Trucking: Road Sharing Tips for Car Drivers

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/10/02 in On the Road with Comments Off on Keep on Trucking: Road Sharing Tips for Car Drivers

For better or for worse, cars and trucks share the road. For the most part this arrangement works out without incident, but at other times the confluence of large and smaller vehicles can prove deadly, usually for the driver of the car and his passengers. Indeed, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 78 percent of all fatalities involving wrecks between trucks and cars involve the occupants in the passenger vehicle. 

Keeping everyone safe on the road begins with you. For car drivers, there are several things to keep in mind including the much quicker maneuverability of passenger vehicles and the very long stopping distances of the big trucks. 

Big Truck Blind Spots

Don’t expect that the truck driver will see your every move. In fact, you are often in one of his blind zones and in danger of causing a wreck if the trucker must stop or maneuver quickly. That blind zone is all around the truck — front, back and on the sides. 

A good rule of thumb when following a truck is as follows: if you are behind the truck and you can see his side mirrors, then he can see you. If not, you need to provide enough distance to show up in his mirrors.

Provide Ample Turning Room

Trucks need plenty of room to make turns and will often sweep left before turning right. The mistake that you make is not anticipating this types of moves and attempting to squeeze by on the right.

Never pass a truck on the right — always pass on the left. Pay attention to the driver’s signals and respond accordingly. 

Cutting Off Is Deadly

You may know full well that trucks are lumbering giants. And that is why it is so easy to move over and pull in in front of a truck, especially if you are attempting to fill some empty space between the truck and the vehicle in front of that truck.

Closing the gap between your vehicle and the truck is very dangerous. Trucks and buses for that matter take much longer to stop and if you cause the driver of a much larger vehicle to suddenly hit the brakes, the consequences could prove deadly. No amount of rear padding on any passenger vehicle is sufficient to absorb the impact of tens of thousands of pounds of weight bearing down on your vehicle.

Pay Attention, Always

A distracted driver is a dangerous driver, one that can cause an accident. Hang up the cell phone, never text and drive, and let someone else play with the audio system or set the navigation system coordinates before you start your trip. 

When your full attention is not on the road, you may find yourself doing things that you might not otherwise do such as slip over to the next lane, fail to judge the space between you and the car in front of you, or misjudge the speed of the 18-wheeler that is bearing down on you.

Drive Safe and Sober

You can increase the chances that you will be in a mishap or come through an accident the worse for it by not abiding by several considerations at all times. For starters, always buckle up and insist on the same for each of your passengers. Children should be placed in booster seats with babies and toddlers riding in car seats.

Never drive under the influence either through illicit drugs, prescription medicines or alcohol. Your ability to react properly under these conditions has been severely compromised. Add that to the slower stopping and maneuverability of a big truck and you have a recipe for disaster in the making.

Staying Safe

Of course, if you notice that a truck driver is acting irresponsibly, note the truck’s license plate number and the phone number that is typically listed on the back of the truck. Contact that number and describe what you have seen and never take matters into your own hands. Notify the police if you cannot get through to the trucking company.

The Power of Negotiation – Saving Cash on Your Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/07/19 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off on The Power of Negotiation – Saving Cash on Your Car

Cars are expensive. That applies to everything from basic maintenance to buying one from a dealership. However, you can cut those costs quite a bit if you are able to negotiate. Negotiation is something of a dying art these days, as most buyers don’t have the patience or knowledge to haggle. However, for those who master these skills, considerable savings await. What should you know? Here’s a quick look.

Auto Buying

Perhaps the most important area where you need to develop negotiation skills is in the arena of buying a new car. Whether you’re after the latest model, are working with a used car dealer, or buying from a private seller, the following tips will help.

Be Informed – Information is the key to negotiation in the automotive industry. If you’re not informed, you have nothing to stand on. If you’re considering buying another vehicle, you’ll need to know several things, including what the same or comparable vehicles are selling for at other dealerships. Once you’ve decided on a particular vehicle model, take some time and shop around. Find out what it’s going for from different dealers, and what incentives are being offered.

Armed with the information above, head down to your chosen dealership and negotiate the best deal for you. Let the salesperson know that the car is available for less and where. Most of the time they’ll be happy to meet or even beat their competitors.

You Have the Power – One thing that most buyers forget when dealing with car lots is that they’re the ones in control, not the salespeople. You can exercise that control in a number of ways, and showing the salesperson that you know you have the power in the exchange will help you command a lower price. For instance, don’t be afraid to walk away from a deal. The moment the salesperson sees you’re serious about it, the price will come down.

There’s Always Wiggle Room – Don’t be fooled by “final price” notices or salespeople who tell you that they simply can’t offer less than the sticker price. There is always wiggle room in the world of auto sales. Sticker price is nowhere near what the dealership actually paid for the car, so don’t be afraid to negotiate the price lower. If necessary, tell the salesperson you’re going somewhere else. Always remember – the sticker price is NOT the final price of the car, and there’s always room to knock it down.

Don’t Use Dealer Financing – Dealer financing seems like the most convenient, expedient option when buying a new car, and that’s what the dealership is counting on. Don’t fall for it. You’ll pay more in interest with dealer financing than if you got your own funding, and you’ll find that it’s common practice for dealerships to add interest points just to pad their profits (and this is legal). Get your own loan from a credit union or your local bank and you’ll save big without having to negotiate at all.

Auto Service

While you might not be able to negotiate the price of all automotive services, there are a few tips that can help. For instance, considering bringing your own oil to your service provider – most will discount the price because of this. If you have several vehicles, consider asking about a group/volume discount for your services. If you can guarantee that you’ll bring all of your vehicles to the shop for servicing, most of the time they can offer at least some discount. Finally, shop around for the best deal on the service you need, and then find out if the service provider you prefer will price match.

Don Elfrink is the owner and operator of AutoMatStore.com, that sells custom auto mats throughout the nation. Before AutoMatStore, Elfrink was the operator of an automotive production site. AutoMatStore focuses on logo, carpeted, molded and all weather floor mats.

Five Car Repairs You Can Do On Your Own

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/06/05 in Auto Repair with Comments Off on Five Car Repairs You Can Do On Your Own

There are plenty of perks to owning a car. Whether you are commuting to work or headed out for a night on the town, a car makes traveling a lot easier. Unfortunately, the expense of mechanical repairs can begin to put a huge dent into your budget. The good news is that there are quite a few car repairs that you can do yourself. Here are five car repairs that you can do on your own.

Air Filter Replacement

Shockingly, some automotive repair shops charge $75 dollars or more just to replace the engine’s air filter. Believe it or not, most air filters can easily be replaced in 15 minutes or less. By simply removing a few screws, the dirty air filter can be swapped out for a new one. The only tool that is required is a basic Phillips or flathead screwdriver.

Replace Coolant Hose

Over time, coolant hoses are susceptible to becoming brittle. In some instances, the hose may suddenly burst due to the tremendous amount of pressure. Instead of paying hundreds of dollars to a mechanic, you can do it yourself. Most hoses are attached with uncomplicated clamps, so very little mechanical skills are needed. The most important aspect is selecting the correct size hose.

Check Engine Light Diagnosis

Some drivers cringe in fear of an illuminated check engine light. Although a check engine light certainly warrants some concern, it could be something as simple as a loose gas cap. Every car owner should purchase a code reader for their vehicle. By hooking the code reader up to the diagnostic port under the dashboard, you will be able to determine the cause of the CEL.

Rotate the Tires

In less than an hour, you can rotate your tires. Although the process is relatively simple, you must remember to take all of the necessary safety precautions. The equipment needed for the job includes a hydraulic jack, jack stands, and a lug wrench. Although some people use the spare jack that comes with the vehicle, a hydraulic floor jack is far safer. A reliable tire finder will help you to locate new tires if needed.

Changing Spark Plugs

Changing the spark plugs may seem quite challenging, but it is actually fairly easy. With the assistance of a spark plug gap tool and a spark plug wrench, you will be able to complete the task. The most important thing to remember is to only change one spark plug at a time.

Stop Right There – All about Brakes

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/04/09 in Brakes with Comments Off on Stop Right There – All about Brakes

When it comes to safety and security on the road, nothing trumps your car’s braking system. However, despite its importance, few people really understand their braking system. Do you have disc brakes on all four wheels? Do you have ABS? Do you have drums on the rear? Do you know what those terms mean? Chances are you may have some passing familiarity with brakes, but you may not know the full story. Read on to learn more.

Brakes, Brakes and More Brakes

When it comes to braking systems, there are several solutions used by automakers. These include both disc and drum brakes.

Disc – Disc brakes are probably those you’re most familiar with. These systems use a disc-shaped rotor (hence the name), in conjunction with a caliper and brake pads. Disc brakes can be found on just the front wheels of cars or on all four wheels.

Drums – Once upon a time, drum brakes were the only option out there, but that changed some time ago. This really is older technology, but it’s still around today. You’ll find drum brakes in use on a wide range of vehicles, mostly on the rear wheels. Cars, trucks and vans can (and usually do) have drums in the rear and disc brakes on the front, unless the vehicle is noted as having 4-wheel disc brakes. Drums are very different from disc systems, and use a metal drum and brake shoes rather than a rotor and brake pads (the shoes push on the inside of the drum to slow the car).

ABS – ABS is not technically a standalone braking system. It stands for anti-lock brakes, and is a system designed to prevent wheel lockups from happening. For instance, if you’re driving down the interstate and have to slam on your brakes, the ABS system will keep your wheels turning, rather than allowing them to lock up and your car to skid. ABS is essentially a safety system. They’re found on disc brake systems, but that doesn’t mean that just because a car has disc brakes, it has ABS – the two are not mutually exclusive and you’ll find both ABS-enabled disc brakes and non-ABS systems on new cars rolling off the assembly line today.

How to Spot Wear

Spotting wear on your brakes can be tough to do (it’s impossible on drum brakes without taking the drum apart, by the way). For disc brakes, the best way to check your brake wear is to use a flashlight to gauge the pad thickness remaining by looking through the spokes of the wheel. It’s easier if you have the wheel off, though. You can also look for signs of wear on the rotors. Visible grooves are a definite sign of serious wear. Perhaps the simplest way to keep an eye on your brake wear is to have them inspected at every oil change and tire rotation – the mechanic should not charge for a simple brake inspection.

Change Them Yourself

If you’re a bit frugal and find that you need to change your brakes, doing it yourself can be a wise move. Most mechanic shops are going to charge much more than the price of the replacement pads, but if you have a little bit of extra time and a few basic tools, you can usually do this on your own at home.

Make sure you have a set of jack stands and tire chocks, though. You’ll also need a little bit of basic knowhow. As a note, if you have never changed brake pads before or don’t have access to a manual, doing it on your own might not be a good idea.

Your brakes are vital to road safety – make sure they’re in good condition at all times.

Don Elfrink is the owner and operator of AutoMatStore.com, a company selling auto mats throughout the nation. Before AutoMatStore, Elfrink was the operator of an automotive production site. AutoMatStore focuses on logo, carpeted, molded and all weather floor mats.

7 Used Car Buying Tips

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/03/26 in Used Autos & Trucks with Comments Off on 7 Used Car Buying Tips

You are in the market for a car, a used car at that. With new car prices averaging more than $30,000, buying used can be a terrific option for many consumers. Used cars have already lost a significant amount of depreciation with some newer models still under warranty. Keep in mind the following seven tips when shopping for a quality, used car.

1. Know your price.

How much car can you afford? Determine your spending limit and look for vehicles that come in below that amount. Your price should include your down payment as well as your monthly loan payments. Add in taxes, tags and your registration fees. Keep your total amount within line of your budget limit.

2. Choose your vehicle type.

What kind of vehicle do you need? Your heart may say sport coupe or luxury sedan, but your needs may be SUV. Stick with only the vehicle type that you will be happy with driving. Also consider your trim level or the amenities you need such as a navigation system, a moonroof or fancy wheels. The type of vehicle you buy will affect your insurance costs. Contact your auto insurer before you begin shopping to learn how these costs might affect you.

3. Consider your seller types.

You can buy a car from a variety of people and sources. There are new car dealers selling used cars, used car folk that sell late-model used cars, private parties and government auctions. If you want a certified used car, then a new car dealer is the way to go. If you’re looking for a bargain, then a private party will offer the best deal possible. Used car dealers may have the highest markups while government auctions tend to focus on fleet models with high mileage.

4. Reach out to the buyer.

You can locate buyers online, in newspaper ads or on the street. If you find a vehicle that you like, contact the buyer. Arrange to see the car during daylight hours and give yourself ample time to look over the car.

5. Test drive and inspect.

Look at the car closely, inspecting it inside, outside and under the hood carefully. Lift the carpeting to look for signs of water intrusion. Pop the hood and inspect the engine for leaks. Examine the body for scratches, dents and repairs. Find out if equipment is missing or has been replaced — ask the seller why. Take the car for a test drive, listen carefully for telltale signs of trouble and have your car inspected by your mechanic. Do a VIN check through the National Insurance Crime Bureau to verify that the vehicle has not been stolen.

6. Negotiate a deal.

Find out what a car is worth by obtaining its retail value. You can discover that information by visiting Kelley Blue Book’s website and plugging in the information. The dealer’s price may be much higher than the retail price — your goal is to work on getting the best price possible for your ride. Start off low and be prepared to meet the seller at a mutually satisfying middle ground.

7. Arrange for financing.

You will save money by shopping around for a used car loan. Banks and credit unions offer them — talk to your banker or union representative to find out what deals are available to you. Keep financing out of the price negotiation process. Interest rates on used car loans are low for those consumers with very good credit and for those who offer up a large down payment.

Purchase Considerations

Buying a used car can save you money over a new car purchase. It can cause you to lose money if you hurry the purchase and are sloppy with your research. Take time shopping for a car and avoid the typical pressure tactics. You’re making an important investment, one that you may have to live with for many years.

Author Information

Darren likes to spend most of his time restoring classic cars back to their former glory and when he is not working on motors, he finds writing about them both relaxing and fulfilling. He knows firsthand that buying a used vehicle can be tricky and would advise anyone looking for one to always have the necessary car history checks carried out in advance.

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