Auto Magazine

Slick Road Slip-Ups: Five Fender Bender Dos and Don’ts

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/01/11 in Auto Accident with Comments Off

A fender bender can put you into a potentially dangerous situation. What seems like something minor could explode into a very serious incident if you aren’t careful. The key to staying safe is knowing what to do. Here are five dos and don’ts when you are involved in a fender bender, especially on slick or icy roads this winter.

Do Contact the Police Immediately

Always contact the police immediately after an accident. Do not try to settle things quietly, or just brush off the accident. You want to call the police, request medical attention if necessary, and file an official report. This helps to protect you and the other driver. It is also a necessary step if you need to file an insurance or personal injury claim later.

Do Not Remain Standing in the Road

The last thing you want to do is stand in the road next to the vehicles, assessing the damage after an accident. Do get out of the road as quickly as you can. There will be plenty of time to look at the damage when the police arrive. Get to a safe place with everyone involved in the accident. This might even mean crossing the street to get to a sidewalk or parking lot.

Do Speak To a Lawyer

You will want to speak to a personal injury lawyer after the accident if you were hurt in any way. A Pocatello Attorney from a firm you trust will make certain your rights are protected. A lawyer will also help to determine whether you have valid damages that can be recovered through filing a personal injury claim. Always contact a lawyer if you were in a car accident.

Do Not Attempt to Drive Your Vehicle

There is no way to tell what parts of your vehicle might have been damaged as the result of a fender bender. You do not want to attempt to drive your vehicle right away. Wait until a tow truck arrives and have the car inspected. If you try to drive away, then damage to the car might cause you to lose control and get into another accident.

Do Document What You Can

Do try to document everything you can. This includes taking pictures or videos of the scene and the damage done. Get the names of witnesses in the area. Get all the contact information from the opposing driver and the license plate of the other cars. This information can be very helpful later.

You need to take action right after a fender bender in order to protect yourself and your rights. Do not assume that a small accident will not have far-reaching consequences in the coming days. Use these five tips to do the right thing after an auto accident.

Image credit: Fender Bender, 101 FWY, on Flickr

A Deadly Combination: The Dangers of Drinking and Driving

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/01/08 in On the Road with Comments Off

Although everyone in America knows that drunk driving is a problem, many underestimate the dangers of driving drunk and the resulting consequences. Some are unaware of the fact that a person’s driving ability can be severely impaired even without driving over the legal limit. In addition to legal consequences, a person whose driving ability is impaired can pose a real danger to other drivers and passengers.

Why is Alcohol a Problem When Driving?

Many people safely drink in moderation and operate a vehicle afterwards without causing any problems. However, even smaller amounts of alcohol can impair a person who is small in size, has low alcohol tolerance, or takes medications. People with certain medical conditions that impact their reaction time may also experience impairment.

Serious Accidents Can Carry More Severe Charges

Penalties for drunk or impaired driving are severe but are worse when serious injury or death results. A driver that is involved in a car crash that causes severe casualties may face a long jail sentence, eventual civil damages, and severe social stigma. Understanding how severe the consequences might be is something that people need to take into account before their drinking causes a tragedy.

Under the Influence or Impaired?

Many people unfamiliar with the laws don’t realize that driving under the influence and driving while impaired are two different charges. Driving under the influence, which is what most people think of when they think about drunk driving, happens when the driver has a blood alcohol level of .08% or more. However, drivers can also be charged when their BAC is .05% or more, and the alcohol impairs their driving. When this is the case, they face driving while impaired charges.

The Penalties Can Be Severe

Although driving under the influence or impaired have different criteria, both charges can similar sentencing. A DUI can carry a sentence of up to a year while DWAI can result in a 6-month sentence. A jail sentence of this length can have severe personal and financial consequences. Law firms such as Bachus & Schanker Law work with these types of cases regularly.

Consulting with a Lawyer Helps

People facing the sentences and fines associated with driving drunk would do well to consult with an attorney. A lawyer may be able to assist a person facing drunk driving charges so that they can resume living as normal a life as possible. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding a DUI or DWAI charge, seeking an attorney’s advice may make things easier.

Car Swap: How to Get the Best Value for your Trade-In

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/01/06 in Used Autos & Trucks with Comments Off

Trading in your current car is one of the easiest ways to afford a new car purchase. The money you receive for your trade-in can go directly towards the cost of the purchase of a brand new car. Since you are not going to need more form of transportation, your trade-in is essentially extra money. While trading in your car is a great way to reduce your new car loan, there are still four things you need to do in order to get the best value for your old car.

Know the Value

You should absolutely never sell or trade in your car without doing the proper research. If you do not know the correct value of your car, then there is no way you are going to get a great deal. Luckily, there are several different used car resources online that make it extremely easy to determine the exact value of your car before using it as a trade-in.

Make Car More Attractive

The only way to get the most value out of your trade-in is by making your car look as best as possible. There is no way you are going to get much money for your car if it looks dirty and poorly maintained. Giving the inside and outside of your car a detailed cleaning will ensure you do not lose any value in your trade-in.

Show Maintenance Records

Used cars that have been properly maintained are far more valuable than other cars. The best way to prove your car has been properly maintained under your ownership is by showing detailed maintenance records. These records will put a potential buyer at ease because they know they are getting a car that should continue to run properly for a long time.

Negotiate Separately

It is absolutely necessary to negotiate the trade-in and sale of new car separately if you want to get the best deal. Once you get the desired amount on your trade-in, then you move to the new car deal. If you already agreed to buy a new car, then the dealer knows they can get you to agree for a bad deal on the trade-in. If you are ready to purchase a new car and want a great deal on your trade-in, then you should visit a dealership like Quebedeaux Buick GMC.

Trading in your car and buying a new one does not have to be a complicated process. If you follow the four tips on this guide, then you should have no trouble getting a great deal.

What to Know About Buying a Car in 2017

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/01/02 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off

The automotive world is always interesting. There are new hot releases every single year, and automotive fans are always on the lookout for the amazing cars of the future. We are going to talk a little bit about how to buy a new car in 2017. Read on to find out more.

The Right Options

If you purchase a new car, the dealer can customize it the way you want it. Dealers, like those at Woody Sander Ford, will work hard to please you in terms of options, exterior colors, and interior features. A new car is not a used car. For instance, used cars can smell funny, might have tons of accidents, and the list goes on. Yet, certain dealerships will also have used vehicles in their inventory too.

Warranty

A used car can have a warranty, but it will be inferior to that of a new car. A new car will have a strong warranty backed up by the manufacturer itself. For instance, a Mercedes-Benz has a 5-year warranty from the manufacturer, and you might be able to extend this warranty up to 7 years. Isn’t it amazing? Yes, it is. The new car will also come with the latest gizmos such as top-tier navigation and multimedia interfaces that will allow you to enjoy an atmosphere of luxury and elegance. You will also enjoy the latest safety features such as adaptive cruise control, brake assist, blind-spot monitoring systems, and much more.

Lower Emissions and Better Financing

A new car will emit lower emissions as well. It will also enjoy higher fuel efficiency, as automakers will go above and beyond to make the car the new star in the automotive industry. There are lots of hybrid cars out there, and the diesel technology is getting better and better with every new model that comes out these days as well. Your bank will lend you money to buy a new car easier than if you wanted to buy a used one, as the new car has not been hit by any sort of depreciation at all.

Free Maintenance

Since your car is new, it might even enjoy a full year of free maintenance. This will depend on the type of car and other things. A new car will allow you to avoid tons of legwork, as you will not have to go from a used lot to another used lot. The top condition of your new car is undeniable. You will enjoy a lot of good driving, and your car will not be a source of problems for you in the short term at least. Remember that the value of a new car is great not only in terms of money but also in image and class.

New Releases to Consider

Although there are many different types of vehicles for you to consider, you should definitely check out these four to see if they are right for you:

2017 Acura NSX
2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia
2017 Audi A4
2017 Ford Fusion Sedan

As you can see, buying a new car in 2017 is not a harsh task. Now you have more information to get the most out of your car. So all you have to do is take bold action and have fun with your new car right away.

Top Gear: 5 Ways to Break in your New Hot Rod

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/12/30 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off

The purchase of a new hot rod is one that takes time and careful consideration. You work hard for your money, and this is a significant investment. You want to get the most out of your purchase, and this requires you to take steps in ensuring your motor lasts. Whether you have just purchased your hot rod or have had it sitting in your garage for some time awaiting much anticipated use, there are five ways to break in your hot rod that you’ll want to keep in mind.

1. Breaking in the Cam

Before taking your hot rod out on the road, it’s a good idea to first make sure the cam is properly broken in. To achieve this, start the vehicle and rev it up to around 2,500 rpm for an extended period of around 20 minutes. This level can be varied, but it’s a good idea to keep your rpm below 3,000. Keep in mind this practice should only be taken when working with a freshly assembled vehicle.

2. Gas in Carburetor

Using care, pour a small portion of gasoline into your carburetor. For those with a mechanical fuel pump, remember that prior to the fuel reaching the carburetor it first must be drawn up from its source. Furthermore, if dealing with an electric fuel pump, ensure you turn it on during this procedure as well as pull the throttle back. This allows you to ensure fuel is making its way into the carburetor.

3. Avoid Speed Racing

This can be a tough one to follow. After all, you likely bought your hot rod to experiment with how fast you can get from zero to 60. However, during the initial break-in period, it’s a good idea to drive the vehicle normally and avoid redlining it. Keep your rpm’s low and treat the vehicle as you would your family car as you break it in. Some things to avoid include:

Testing its top speed
Towing heavy loads during the first 1,000 miles
Drag racing

4. Keep Interior in Mind

When you first purchase your hot-rod, it can be tempting to slather the interior with cleaning products. However, overusing typical protectants can actually lead to premature cracking. Do consider using Scotchgard on the cloth upholstery and carpets.

5. Changing the Oil

It’s a good idea to go through these four procedures in close succession in order to properly break in your new hot rod. Also, when you’re finished, it’s a good idea to take some time to change your oil. At places like Findlay Auto, a dealership that specializes in used cars in St. George, you can easily find the parts you need as well as additional services. Some of the things the staff can do to help your new hot rod are:

Inspect engine for contaminants
Ensure the cam lobes won’t prematurely wear out
Offer additional advice in breaking in your new hot rod specific to your unique vehicle

An Investment That Can Last

While it may seem that letting your hot rod sit in the garage is a good way to preserve it, there are actually many things that can go wrong by following this practice. From a draining battery and rotting tires to broken down fuel pumps, a rusted gas tank and more, a sedentary car isn’t a healthy one. You need to get your hot rod out on the road regularly to ensure optimal lifespan of your investment. When you follow these five helpful tips, you can be on your way to breaking in your new hot rod and enjoying many years of fun.