Auto Magazine

Six Must-Haves You Should Get Before Your Next Road Trip

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/04/17 in On the Road with Comments Off

For many families, there is nothing quite as fun as going on an extended road trip. Spending time with the people you love on the open road is a great way to bond and broaden your horizons at the same time. While road trips are usually great, they can quickly go wrong if you are not properly prepared. These are the six things you must have before you head out on your next road trip.

Maps

It may be easier to get directions from a GPS, but they do not always work. If you are traveling to remote destinations, then a GPS will probably not work at all. Since you do not want to be without directions, it is always a good idea to carry maps.

Emergency Kit

Unpredictable things are bound to happen on your road trip, so you want to be prepared. Keeping an emergency kit with you will make sure you are ready for anything. You should keep non-perishable food, warm clothing and first aid items in your emergency kit.

Entertainment

Every long road trip is going to have a few dull moments. Bringing movies, music and games should help keep you entertained for most of the trip. You should also be sure to have enough drinks and snacks on hand to keep you alert during long hours on the road.

Spare Keys

Losing your only pair of keys is the last thing you want to happen. It may take days for you to get some help, so you absolutely must have a spare set of keys. If two different people carry a set of keys, then you should never have to worry about being stranded.

Camera

You are going to see and do amazing things on your road trip, and the best way to capture all of your favorite moments is with a camera. Taking pictures of everything will help you remember your great trip forever. If you are trying to pack light, consider using your phone as a camera.

RV

If you have never experienced a road trip in a RV, then you are truly missing out on a great experience. Taking a nap on a real bed or watching a movie while on the road are amazing benefits that you can only get with a RV. The extra space will also come in handy if you are traveling with several people. Whether you buy or rent an RV, it can make your vacation experience much better.

Road trips are an unforgettable experience, so you need to make the most out of your great trip. If you have these six things on your next road trip, then you should have the time of your life.

Informational credit to Fretz RV.

A Look at How Toyota’s Virtual Reality Simulations are Helping Teens avoid Distracted Driving

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/04/13 in Toyota with Comments Off

Oculus Rift was originally developed by the independent company Oculus VR, bought by Facebook in March 2014 for $2 billion, as a virtual reality headset so that hardcore video gamers could sling frag grenades in award-winning games like Doom 3. Toyota has now repurposed the Oculus Rift headset for something else—to exterminate distracted driving.

Teen Drivers Ignore Perils of Distracted Driving

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), for teenage drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2011, nearly one in five were distracted by the use of a cell phone. "This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted," said the NHTSA. An Automobile Association of America study investigated 1,700 teenage car crashes caught on tape and went even further; 58 percent of accidents, it said, involved distracted driving.

TeenDrive365 Seeks to Reduce Distracted Driving

On November 18, 2013, Toyota launched a campaign to end the ignorance and apathy surrounding distracted driving. "TeenDrive365" aims to foster teenage responsibility and parental guidance, a methodology based on the results of a national study conducted by Toyota in collaboration with the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. The campaign includes training videos, a $15,000 grassroots video contest, driving advice from racing superstars like Antron Brown and JD Gibbs, a safe-driving contract and now, with the addition of Oculus Rift, a distracted driving simulator.

Toyota Uses Virtual Reality to Combat Distracted Driving

First unveiled at the Dallas Auto Show in March 2015, the simulator, built in partnership with 360i, invites teenagers to hop behind the wheel of a stationary car, don a headset, and drive down a city street. Raucous passengers, sirens, text messages, flocks of birds and other stimuli compete for attention. In this driving test, there are no second chances.
Almost 80 percent of participants have said they would reduce distractions because of their simulator experience. Teenagers and parents alike are learning that, unlike in a video game, there are no multiple lives.

Consider the Lessons Learned

While you might think this simulator program is just a marketing ruse, consider the types of things that teenagers gain from stepping inside a driving test like this:

Distracted driving escalates. Read one text message or open one bag of chips, and the distractions multiply.
Driving is leadership. A driver’s hands hold the lives of his or her passengers. Should those hands be grasping the wheel at 10 and 2, or "liking" a friend’s selfies?
Distractions decrease response times. Teenage drivers often believe in their infallible reflexes. A billboard and bent bumper later, that myth is expunged.
You get to watch your BFF fail. Watching a friend shatter her windshield leverages the power of peer pressure for the greater good.

Thanks to Toyota’s innovative TeenDriver365 campaign, the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset is doing more than helping gamers destroy virtual demons. As the program continues, teens will be able to grasp the gravity of distracted driving, and make their own resolutions for safe driving in the future.

The information for this article was provided by a DUI attorney in Los Angeles.

Six Car Care Tips You Should Know Before A Long Road Trip

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/04/08 in On the Road with Comments Off

Your car must be properly prepared for all road trips. Your passengers will be much safer in a car that you have prepared for the trip, and you will be much more comfortable behind the wheel. The six suggestions in this article highlight the six most important things you can do before you set off.

#1: Check The Tires

Checking your tire pressure will help improve gas mileage on your trip. It’s also important to replace worn tires, say the experts at Road-Mart Tire. Your trip can easily be derailed by a blown tire on the side of the road that could have been avoided at home.

#2: Check The Fluids

You need proper levels of coolant, brake fluid, engine oil and transmission fluid in your vehicle. You can check the levels on your own, or you can take your car in for a service just before you leave. A routine oil change will help you address all these item at the shop where you take your car.

#3: Replace The Air Filter

Replacing the air filter on your car will give you better AC and heat response in the vehicle. No one can have a good time on the trip if they are uncomfortable, and you can avoid these problems by changing the air filter quickly before leaving.

#4: Check Your Fuses

Fuses often go out at the wrong time, and you do not want to be pulled over because you have a tail light or registration light that does not work. Replacing the fuses is a quick process that can be done for a few dollars and a few minutes of your time. Leave an extra box in the car just in case you have problems on the road.

#5: Detail The Car

Your car journey will be much more enjoyable if the car is clean. Getting the car detailed makes it look good, and your passengers will not have to breathe in dust the whole way to your final destination.

#6: Get Your Spare Tire

You must ensure that your spare tire is inflated. You need to purchase a spare tire if you do not have one, and you need to check for the tire replacement kit. Every car should have a full emergency kit, but the tire kit is the most important part of this set.

By follow these steps, you can have a stress-free road trip. Doing each of these things makes your vehicle a much safer, more comfortable and easier car to drive.

Five of the Most Common Causes of Car Crashes

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/04/06 in Auto Accident with Comments Off

Many car crashes every year could be avoided with just a few changes in driver behavior. People often memorize the rules in the DMV’s driver handbook before getting or renewing their license, but fail to follow them in daily driving. The following are five things you can do to help avoid a car crash, and keep you safe and alert on the road.

Don’t Drive Distracted

Texting is one of the most distracting and dangerous things you can do while driving. It takes your eyes off the road, and takes control of the steering wheel out of your hands. Talking on the phone, even with a hands-free setup, takes your attention away from driving as well. Pull over if you need to use your cell phone. You should be aware of all your other distractions as well. Putting on makeup, eating, changing the radio, or even talking to a passenger can take your mind off your tasks. Make sure you use caution and try to avoid anything that takes away your attention.

Distance

Following too close is a major cause of car crashes and minor fender benders. Staying at least one car length behind the car in front of you is the commonly accepted rule, but is difficult in slow traffic. The Lucky Law Firm suggests you stay as far back as possible and be alert for sudden stops, or people attempting to pull between you and the car in front of you.

Lane Changes

Failure to signal a turn or lane change causes many accidents. This is especially true in heavy traffic, or if the driver behind you is driving too close to your car. Always use your turn signals, and try to avoid sudden lane changes.

Stopping

Drivers often become lazy about obeying stop signs, and many just don’t understand signals on traffic lights. Always come to a full stop at a stop sign. A “rolling stop” doesn’t give you time to make sure the road is clear. Failure to come to a complete stop at a stop sign is a common cause of traffic tickets. A yellow light on a standard traffic light is a signal to stop. It’s not a signal to speed up to avoid stopping for the red light. A yellow arrow on a traffic light also signals that you should stop. Also be aware of the rules when traffic lights go out. Treat the intersection as a four way stop and pay attention to who stops first, as they have the right of way.

Speeding

Speeding is always dangerous. Speeding at night, or in bad weather raises your chances of a crash. Even a damp road increases the time it takes you to slow down or stop. Be aware of your surroundings and always use caution. You might not drive the same on that windy road home when it’s raining.

Following basic traffic rules can decrease your chances of a car crash, but nothing can make you immune from a fender bender or auto accident. If you’ve been involved in an accident, consult a law firm specializing in traffic accidents or a Baton Rouge accident attorney, and make sure that you are aware of all your legal rights and options.

Car Competition: Which Rides are Getting the Best Reviews This Year

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/04/01 in Auto Manufacturers with Comments Off

A lot of exciting rides have already hit the automobile market this year. From high-powered muscle cars, to gas-sipping hybrids, there is a vehicle to suit everyone’s lifestyle. The competition among automakers has elevated to an even higher level this year, and here are the vehicles getting the best reviews.

Ford Fiesta ST

Stamped with an attractive price tag, the 2015 Ford Fiesta ST is one of the most affordable performance cars on the market. Automotive critics from all over the globe are raving about the Fiesta ST’s razor-sharp handling, and superb fuel economy. The sporty hatchback also comes standard with an impressive list of features, including a performance-tuned suspension system and a special set of wheels.

Chevrolet Impala

The 2015 Chevrolet Impala is clearly a class-leader. Not only does the new Impala provide plenty of legroom, but it also boasts a five-star safety rating. With a starting price of around $35,000, the Impala is able to compete with luxury sedans that are far more expensive. Equipped with a potent V-6 engine, the well-rounded sedan also delivers a very satisfying performance on the road.

Ford F-150

For decades, new and used car sellers have sold thousands of Ford F-150 pickup trucks. In the eyes of some truck enthusiasts, the 2015 F-150 is the best version yet. Designed with an all-aluminum body, the new F-150 is significantly lighter than the previous models. Although prospective buyers can choose from four different engines, a new Eco boost engine enables the truck to deliver an efficient 26 mpg on the highway.

Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat

In regards to sheer power, the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat is only rivaled by a few cars. With the use of a supercharger, its V-8 engine is able to pump out a monstrous 707 horsepower. Expressway Dodge, a Dodge dealership in Indiana, says that during performance testing, the muscular sedan was able to race to 60 mph in only 3.6 seconds. Although the Charger SRT Hellcat is a rather large car, its dynamic suspension system allows the chassis to hug the road.

Honda Odyssey

The 2015 Honda Odyssey is certainly a step above the competition. The mini-van’s excellent safety rating and abundance of creature comforts make it a great choice for large families. Some of the Odyssey’s standout features include Honda’s exclusive Lane Watch camera system, an eight-inch touch-screen display, and power sliding doors.

All of these vehicles are special in their own way. The competition continues to heat up as the year rolls along.