Driving In Snowfall: 4 Safety Tips For The Roads This Winter

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/11/25 in On the Road with Comments Off on Driving In Snowfall: 4 Safety Tips For The Roads This Winter

Driving in the winter can be challenging for even the most experienced drivers. The weather can often be unfavorable for driving due to snowfall and ice. Even small amounts of snow can cause road conditions to rapidly deteriorate, creating a slick and dangerous driving environment. Thankfully, there are steps that you can take to be prepared for the worst weather winter can bring. Here are four important safety tips that are crucial to follow when driving in the snowfall this winter.

Keep An Emergency Kit In The Car

If you become stranded on the road in the winter weather, having the proper supplies in your car can help keep you safe. Pack items such as bottled water, non-perishable snacks, blankets, gloves, a mini shovel, hand warmers, a flashlight, and a battery operated phone charger.

Drive The Appropriate Speed

It is never more important to drive at or under the speed limit than when winter weather conditions strike. Too often, drivers do not adjust their speed to accommodate inclement road conditions. Driving too fast in snow and ice not only places yourself in danger, but you put the safety of others at great risk.

If Possible, Wait To Drive Until Roads Have Been Treated

If you are not in too much of a hurry to get to your destination, wait until roads have been plowed and salted before driving. This will help ensure safer driving conditions while traveling. Road maintenance workers can only do so much to keep the road clear, depending on the severity of weather conditions. If it looks too bad, lean towards to side of caution and wait for better road conditions.

Proper Car Maintenance

The best driving in the world is no substitute for a properly maintained car when trying to navigate slippery roads. Before the first snowfall, ensure that your tires are in good condition, and replace your tires if the tread is worn. If you do need to replace your tires, consider buying ones that are specifically built for winter road conditions. Aside from your tires, be sure the rest of your car is ready for winter. Check the condition of your windshield wipers, car heater, and fluid levels. Take it to a dealership, like Woody Sander Ford, or a trusted mechanic to ensure that you are prepared for the winter.

In addition to following the four safety tips listed above, it is always important to use good judgement and exercise caution when driving in the snow. The four tips mentioned above could help you stay safer in winter weather conditions.

Auto Technology: Cool Innovations That Will Make You a Better Driver

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/11/23 in On the Road with Comments Off on Auto Technology: Cool Innovations That Will Make You a Better Driver

Driving has come a long way, so to speak, since the days of Henry Ford and his pioneering development of mass production automobiles. Ford embraced technology as an ally to help him attain his vision of average Americans being able to afford a car; since then, technology has shifted towards improving the overall driving experience. The following five innovations have been specially designed to make driving easier, more enjoyable and safer:

Backup Cameras

Throwing gears into reverse and assuming an awkward position of embracing the passenger seat and twisting your entire body while sitting down sounds like a complex yoga pose, but this is the reality of backing up without the benefit of a digital camera that lets you see exactly what is happening beyond the rear bumper of your car. The latest cameras even display the action on the rear view mirror to take advantage of the driving paradigm of glancing at the mirror to see objects behind you.

GPS Systems

Road navigation systems are often taken for granted these days, but there was a time when getting lost on the roads was a frequent and risky proposition. The best GPS application for automotive use are the type built into the dashboard infotainment unit, but even a mounted smartphone with the right mobile app can help these days.

Wireless Chargers

Smartphone integration with vehicles is only safe when it is done correctly. To this effect, modern wireless chargers do away with the risk of having to fumble with tangled cords while driving. Plus, some of them, like those from TYLT, are purposefully meant to be kept at the same level as the road as to prevent drivers from becoming too distracted.

Smart On-Board Diagnostics

The standard OBD II port in modern vehicles used to be reserved for auto technicians who operated expensive equipment to determine what the engine computer had to say about its condition. These days, smart OBDII scanners are affordable and can interface with mobile apps to let drivers and car owners know exactly what is happening to their engines, thereby making them better informed about the overall state of their vehicles.

Hands-Free Communications

Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Microsoft Link are primarily designed to make driving safer by allowing drivers to control infotainment systems with their voices and not with their hands. As these smartphone integration standards become smarter, drivers can keep their hands on their steering wheels while they make phone calls, reply to text messages and retrieve information with their voice.

How many of the five above innovations do you currently have access to? Hopefully, you can now see what value that they can bring to your life and will take the necessary steps to invest in them. We all want to be safe on the road and by taking advantage of new technology, we can do just that.

Need New Tires? 4 Ways to Find the Best Tires for the Best Prices

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/11/21 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off on Need New Tires? 4 Ways to Find the Best Tires for the Best Prices

Nothing lasts forever and so it is with the tires on your vehicle. If your tires are beginning to show wear on the tread or you spot obvious bulges and cracks, you probably need new tires. However, if you are like most car owners today, it’s imperative that you get good prices on new tires because, quite honestly, money is tight. If you need new tires and you have limited resources, here are 4 ways to find the best tires for the best prices.

Shop by Brand

If you are not replacing all your tires, you may need to shop by brand. Look at your tires, see who manufactures them and then go to a store that sells only that brand. Because they only purchase one brand in bulk, they are sometimes able to offer you a good deal which you might not get elsewhere. Other suppliers may need to pay more for that particular brand.

Multi-Brand Discount Tire Stores

Some stores buy very large lots from all major brands and from some lesser-known brands as well. These Discount Tire Centers also tend to get good buys from manufacturers since they do buy in bulk, especially if they are buying for multiple locations. These savings can be passed on to you, the consumer, giving you the best tires for the best prices.

Join Loyalty Programs

If this is your very first automobile and you’ve never had to buy a tire before, this option may not be open to you. However, once you buy tires from a discount store, sign up for their loyalty program that offers rewards for shopping there. These are great because they are quite literally discounts on top of discounts!

Sign up for Email and Text Notifications

Why not sign up for email or text notifications from your favorite discount tire stores so that as new sales go live, you will be ready and waiting at the door with your promo code in hand. Email and SMS messages are sent directly to the inbox on your smartphone, keeping you informed of discounts and deals in real time.

According to the insurance giant, GEICO, tires need to be checked regularly because tire failure causes more than 11,000 automobile accidents each and every year. When it’s time to buy new tires, try one or more of these 4 ways to get the best tires for the best prices.

3 Signs Your Car Needs a Radiator Replacement

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/11/18 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off on 3 Signs Your Car Needs a Radiator Replacement

The most critical part of the cooling system of a vehicle is the radiator. The function of the radiator is to cool off the sizzling water that picked up the heat from the engine. If the radiator begins to malfunction or stops working properly altogether, then it needs to be repaired or replaced immediately because running a car hot will cause expensive problems.

For example, if it is not repaired or replaced in time, then the head can crack, or the entire engine will fail. There are indicators the radiator is experiencing problems, and they are pretty easy to spot. If you notice any of the three signs listed below, then you need to take immediate action.

The Car is Overheating

You may start to notice your car overheat for no reason. After years of the radiator cooling the coolant, it may simply begin to fail. In fact, it is the general consensus from establishments that deal almost exclusively with vehicle radiators like Natrad, that an overheating vehicle is the most common sign a radiator needs to be replaced. Years of usage can cause the internal lines to become restricted or clogged, which prevents water from running through them. The first step is to attempt to flush the radiator, and if flushing does not work, then you have to replace it.

There is Rust in the Radiator

The radiator is metal and water runs through the entire coolant system, so it is common for rust to form. Unfortunately, it can mean the end of the radiator and lead to engine failure. Rust leads to clogged cooling lines, and if the entire radiator gets clogged, the whole engine will overheat, and it will fail. When other parts to your car start to fail, repairs become very expensive to the point it might be worth just buying a new car.

There is Leaking Water

If you see a puddle of water under the car on a daily basis or several times a day, then there is a major leak problem. Water leakage does not always mean it is from the radiator, but the majority of leaks come from there. Adding dye to the water in the radiator is a good way to be precise about the problem. Let the dye sit overnight and scan the cooling system in the morning for any traces of it. If the leak is tracked back to the radiator, then it is time to replace it as soon as possible.

The radiator is the centerpiece of your car’s cooling system. They may be very expensive to replace. However, if problems are left untreated and the radiator malfunctions, then the engine is going to suffer catastrophic damage from getting too hot. People often ignore these problems and push their vehicles too far, and they end up having to buy a new car or take public transportation. So again, replacing the radiator may be expensive, but letting a problem with your radiator go unattended for a long period of time can result in more major and more expensive repairs. The radiator is crucial, so it needs to be well taken care of and replaced if necessary.

6 Important Steps to Take Before Traveling

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/11/16 in On the Road with Comments Off on 6 Important Steps to Take Before Traveling

With the holiday season just around the corner, it’s likely that many people will be in transit to see friends and family all around the world. The last thing you want during this time of year is to get lost or stranded on the way to see your loved ones. Whether you’re traveling abroad or headed on a cross-country road trip, there are several things to consider to help ensure a safe journey. Check out these 6 steps to take before heading out of town.

1. Know About Your Destination

It’s important to take some time to read up on yourdestination, especially if you’re traveling to another country. Visa requirements are likely to be different for each individual country, so make sure you know exactly what you need before you leave. It’s also crucial to learn about the local laws before you arrive. Medical care is also something that could be very different than what you’re used to, so make sure you know what to expect.

2. Map Out Your Route

Whether you’re in for a couple of hours on the road or a full day, be sure to map out your route before you hit the road. Often times, there are certain highways that are more dangerous than other possible routes. In Georgia, themajority of car accident fatalities occurred in a city as opposed to rural areas. It’s also important to be comfortable with your route if you’re unfamiliar with the drive.

3. Keep a Paper Map in Your Car

If you’re headed across the state or even the country, make sure you have a paper map in your car. Cell signals could go down at any time, especially if you’re driving through rural areas. You don’t want to get stuck in unfamiliar territory with no way of knowing where you are.

4. Be Aware of Any Warning or Alerts

Traveling overseas or to another country in general means you should definitely check on any travel warnings or alerts that may be taking place in your destination country. The US embassy or consulate in the country to which you’re headed will likely have any security updates on their website. You can evenenroll your trip with the nearest embassy so they know you’ll be there.

5. Are There Any Health Precautions?

Traveling to a foreign country often means you’ll need to update your vaccinations or take additional health precautions. Make sure you know exactly what you’ll need before the date of your departure sneaks up on you.

6. Keep Your Vehicle Stocked With Safety Supplies

Make sure your vehicle is fully stocked with any emergency items you might need. A blanket, first aid kit, jack and spare tire, and large flashlight are all crucial safety supplies you’ll want in your car if anything goes wrong.

Preparing for a long journey – whether it’s via car or plane – requires little prep time, but it will definitely be worth it to ensure you have a safe trip.

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