Safest Picks for 2016

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/03/21 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off on Safest Picks for 2016

Years ago, the most up-to-date, top of the line safety features were only available in high priced luxury vehicles. Fortunately, with more safety features becoming standardized in a wide assortment of vehicles, many of today’s cars are not only more affordable, but safer as well.

While there are many contributing factors responsible for car accidents across the U.S., one of the easiest ways to prevent a fatal accident or one that ends in injury is by driving a car equipped with safety features. Here are some of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) top 2016 picks based on safety features:

Small Cars

Small cars are popular and perfect for a couple, a small family, a college student, or someone who lives in a larger city. Small cars continue to be popular picks because more models are becoming fuel efficient or are offered as an alternative (such as a hybrid or electric version).

  • Honda Civic:
    Honda has had an impressive and loyal following for years. Often chosen for safety and sportiness, Honda owners stick behind the brand for a car with a long lifespan. The Honda Civic remains one of Honda’s most popular models and is chosen as a top pick for such safety features as side, front, rear head curtain airbags as well as front seat-mounted torso airbags. Additional features include electronic stability control, antilock brakes, and a rollover sensor. Perhaps one of the most sought after features on the Civic is the optional Front Crash Prevention Technology.

    Crash prevention technology or automatic forward collision-avoidance systems are so Important in vehicles these days that IIHS won’t consider giving a vehicle a safety rating if it’s not equipped with the lifesaving technology. It may increase the vehicle’s cost by a few thousand dollars, but it’s worth the extra cost.

  • Other Picks include Acura ILX, Subaru Impreza, and Volkswagen Golf.

Mid-Size Cars

Mid-size cars are typically a little roomier than small cars, but still have some of the “sporty” capabilities of a smaller vehicle.

  • Toyota Prius:
    A 2016 top pick for mid-size cars is the ever popular Prius. As one of the first hybrid models on the market, the Prius introduced eco-conscious drivers to a whole new way of driving. Not only does the new Prius have great fuel efficiency (54/50 mpg), but it also has some great new optional safety features such as crash prevention technology and lane departure alert.

    Like crash avoidance technology, lane departure technology keeps the vehicle in control when the driver is not. With all of today’s distractions and increase of fatigued motorists, drivers could use a little extra help and security while on the road.

  • Other picks include Chrysler 200, Nissan Altima, and Subaru Outback.

Small SUV

SUVs are a common sight on U.S. roadways, particularly for family cars. Not necessarily ever given praise for safety or fuel efficiency in the past, SUVs are becoming more safe and eco-friendly.

  • Mitsubishi Outlander:
    Equipped with a 7 airbag safety system and other standards such as electronic stability control, antilock brakes, and a rollover sensor, front crash prevention is also an optional feature on this popular and moderately priced SUV. Other picks include: Fiat 500X and the Toyota RAV4.

For a complete listing of the most safe and up-to-date vehicles on the market for 2016, check out IIHS Top Safety picks.

Preventative Measures to Maintain Your Vehicle

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/03/16 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off on Preventative Measures to Maintain Your Vehicle

It’s important that you give your car regular, preventative maintenance to ensure that it runs well. If you ignore the preventative maintenance needed for your car, you could end up with more money owed in repairs than it would have cost for the maintenance.

Oil Changes

While you can check your fluids and fill them yourself, you might need a professional to perform an oil change unless you’re handy. There’s a dipstick that you can use to check the level and color of the oil in your vehicle. If you notice that you need to add oil frequently, you could have a problem. Oil that was recently changed that looks muddy could be cause for concern. There’s a lot you can learn about your engine by checking the oil. Your car manual should tell you how often you should get the oil changed.

Engine Air Filters

At the same time that your oil is being changed, you can have the person check the air filters. The engine air filter is used to keep dust and dirt from entering the valves. A dirty or clogged filter won’t allow air to enter the parts that need it the most, which can cause the car to stop running correctly. If you drive in the city for extended periods, the filter might need to be changed often. Check the owner’s manual for the exact mileage.

Tune Ups

When it comes to spark plugs, wires, hoses and engine, you should visit a mechanic for preventative maintenance. If you wait for a problem, you could end up with mechanical issues that won’t be resolved by changing your plugs and wires. Professionals, like those at Free Service Tire Company, also recommends changing your fluids regularly.  That way, your engine will stay in good condition for a longer period of time. Mechanics can also perform the other tasks like oil changes and changing air filters too.

Tire Pressure and Wear

You don’t need someone to check your tire pressure, or to see that your tires are wearing down unevenly. You should keep your tires filled based on what the best pressure is for the brand of tires you have. When your tires are wearing unevenly, it could mean you need a front-end alignment or you need to have your tires rotated. It’ll help your tires last longer.
You should give your vehicle regular, preventative maintenance checkups to ensure that your car doesn’t need more expensive repairs later. It can be extremely dangerous to ignore your car’s maintenance needs or delay problems like leaks or unexpected sounds. It’ll cost you more time and money later to fix those problems that could have been prevented.

What to Do If You Have Been Pulled Over for Suspicion of DUI

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/03/14 in On the Road with Comments Off on What to Do If You Have Been Pulled Over for Suspicion of DUI

It is rarely a good thing to be pulled over by the police. If you have been drinking and driving at the time of a traffic stop, you could be charged with a serious crime. What you do when you are pulled over could determine what you are charged with and how many mandatory penalties you may face.

Consent to Breath Tests

Failing to consent to a breath test typically results in a one year license suspension no matter what happens next. Therefore, it is in your best interest to take the test even if you don’t think that you will like the result. Your attorney may be able to convince a judge or jury to disregard it during the legal process. However, it is within your rights to refuse taking a breath test.

Don’t Try to Flee or Become Combative with the Officer

One of the dumbest things you can do is flee from the police. They will chase you and they will catch you. Don’t give them an attitude either. Yes, you may be in some trouble, especially if you have been drinking and driving. Therefore, it will not help you in the slightest bit to give the police officer any kind of attitude.  The bottom line is, if you try to flee the scene or give the officer any kind of attitude this will likely result in additional charges that could be harder to get rid of in a plea bargain. Depending on your criminal past, those charges could trigger additional mandatory jail time or other penalties. So be cooperative and don’t do anything stupid like trying to run away.

Bring up Any Conditions You May Have

A medical condition could make it difficult to walk, could cause you to slur your words or could cause your eyes to twitch uncontrollably. This could also be mistaken as signs that you are drunk or impaired. If you have a medical condition that could mimic signs of alcohol or drug impairment, tell the officer right away. This will make your experience with that police officer go over much smoother than letting them assume that you are impaired. Even if you are taken into custody, your attorney can use this information to your advantage later on.

Call an Attorney Immediately

As soon as you get the chance to do so, you should call an attorney like someone from the Law Offices of J Lee Webb who can provide DUI help in Athens. You will want a DUI attorney because he or she will have specialized knowledge of the subject, which could come in handy during your case. In addition to contacting an attorney, you will want to contact a bail bondsmen if you are eligible for bail.

If you have been pulled over on suspicion of DUI, it doesn’t mean that you are guilty of driving while under the influence. Therefore, your best option is to cooperate and call an attorney as soon as possible. With the help of legal counsel, you may be able to have the charge reduced or dismissed.

For Classic Car Collectors: What You Need to Know

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/03/09 in Auto Collection with Comments Off on For Classic Car Collectors: What You Need to Know

Classic cars have become a very hot item for people to collect. Of course, this is a hobby that takes a considerable amount of money to get into. There have been many classic cars that have sold for well over $1 million at an auction. Collecting classic cars has become a very big business. Many companies have been created to satisfy the needs of the people who collect these cars. Some of these companies specialize in searching the entire planet for their clients in an attempt to find specific cars that are very rare. Other companies focus on buying classic cars. What makes a classic car desirable? Here are a few of the top things that collectors look for.

1. How many were made

The production number is always a huge factor in the world of classic cars. Obviously, the value of a car will not be very high is they are easy to find. Therefore, the serious collectors tend to gravitate towards the cars that were produced in very limited quantities. Collectors may also be interested in cars that may have been produced in large numbers and are now hard to find simply because they are so old. It all comes down to a simple case of supply and demand.

2. Condition

Finding a rare car is a difficult enough task. However, finding it in excellent condition is often impossible. Collectors want a car to be in outstanding condition if they are going to be paying top dollar for it. As you might expect, it is very difficult to find certain cars in great condition when they are more than 50 years old. This drives up the prices of the cars that have been well taken care of to amounts that few can afford. Collectors will pay premium prices for European classic cars with no rust and most of their original parts.

3. Manufacturer

There are certain car companies that have developed a reputation for excellence over the years. Therefore, the collectors tend to seek out cars made by these companies more than the ordinary manufacturers. Ferrari and Mercedes are two brands that always see very high prices when some of their rare models go up for auction. However, the price that a collector pays for a car often comes down to personal preference. The person may be willing to pay more than a car is worth if he has been looking for it for a long time.

Roads Towards Ample Auto Shop Storage

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/03/04 in Auto Garage with Comments Off on Roads Towards Ample Auto Shop Storage

There is never enough storage space in an average car repair shop. Since mechanics have to be productive and efficient throughout their work day, they need to arrange and keep their tools and machines in apple-pie order. This is why many of them adapt storage containers and items of furniture from other shops to create ample storage space in their garages. We have analyzed some of their solutions and made a short overview of the most practical ones.

Cleaning-friendly flooring

Although not directly a member of the storage crew, the floor is the foundation of every garage. Due to the fact that garages have the highest spill rate when it comes to car oils and grease, the flooring has to be made of easily cleaned and affordable material. If you want to make your garage floor a firm and cleaning-friendly area, the only thing you should do is cover it with epoxy. However, we have to place a disclaimer here – since it can also get pretty slippery when covered with water, epoxy should be used only for the garage area on which the fluids in a car are checked and changed.

Repairs on wheels

Car repair shops are usually full of heavy and bulky machines and other massive devices. In order to be able to free the space you need at every single moment inside the garage, it would be wise to install wheels to each and every machine, chair and device that you use there. That way you will be able to move them whenever they are needed by other mechanics. Also, your workers will have better work conditions, since they will not have to lift that heavy stuff anymore.

Saving nuts and bolts

When talking about car repairs and places that provide such services, it is clear that they literally contain loads of nuts and bolts. Losing those tiny parts could result in losing a customer from whose car they have been removed, too. Such an outcome would not only be an unpleasant situation, but pretty bad marketing, as well. Out of all these reasons, every garage needs to have a sufficient number of proper containers for small tools and tiny parts. From old cardboard holders thrown out of some old library to adjustable pallet racks that can cover the overhead area, you can repurpose various containers to store your precious parts.

Walls as tool sheds

While smaller tools can be easily accommodated on racks, larger items need a different treatment. A skilful mechanic needs a drill, several storage hooks and a few metal boxes to turn their garage walls into tool havens. Tools such as pliers, screwdrivers and wrenches can be stored in metal boxes. On the other hand, wall hooks are a perfect solution for those massive tools, like mallets, large hammers and crowbars. If you want to get more inspiration to organize your garage tool in an efficient way, you should definitely check out these ideas.

The key of an efficient business is fine space organization. Getting enough storage units to accommodate all the spare parts, as well as large and small tools is a must for every mechanic who wants to be productive. Only a well-organized garage will give you enough room and time to run a successful car repairing business.

Image credit: Gardner/Fox Associates, Inc, on Flickr

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →