Auto Magazine

The Top Driving Tips from The World’s Best Drivers

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/06/12 in On the Road with Comments Off

Automobiles get people from place to place every day. But are you getting the most out of your vehicle? Find out what you can learn from the world’s best drivers.

Maximize Fuel Efficiency

The world’s best drivers have one thing in common, they all maximize gas mileage and you can too! Keeping tires inflated to their recommended pounds per square inch (PSI) is the first step in fuel efficiency. Experts recommend tire pressure be checked weekly or each time the vehicle is fueled. Drivers must consult their owner’s manuals because PSI levels vary by tire and manufacturer. Fully inflated tires allow the vehicle to reduce friction with the road. Excess friction between the roadway and the tires cause the engine to work harder and thus use more gasoline. Pros recommend finding a filling station that provides free air, or purchase your own air compressor.

How drivers start and stop a vehicle affects the fuel efficiency. Many drivers commute through areas with many stoplights. In order to increase efficiency drivers should be mindful of how they approach and leave stoplights. When bringing the vehicle to a stop, ease off the accelerator well before the stopping area. Accelerating for several hundred feet and then applying the brakes stiffly wastes gasoline. Similarly, drivers should avoid ‘gunning it’ when the light turns green. Stomping on the gas pedal causes the rotations per minute (RPMs) to surge and the engine to work much harder than it should. This wastes gasoline. The world’s best drivers ease into and out of intersections.

Defensive Driving

The open road can be a dangerous place for distracted, drowsy and impaired drivers. Keeping your wits about you while behind the wheel is of the utmost importance to preserve the safety of others and yourself. Driving defensively means being aware of other drivers and your surroundings while on the road and taking preventative action to avoid accidents. Leaving plenty of space between you and the driver in front of you, signaling turns, and keeping free from distraction while operating a vehicle are all examples of defensive driving. Car accidents—even small fender benders—can be devastating and expensive, and as such should be actively avoided.

Being involved in a collision can result in injuries, which a Portland injury lawyer says can become more severe without proper treatment. Take every safety measure you can while on the road—while you can’t predict the behavior of other drivers, you can do everything in your power to avoid a collision.

Keeping the Car Healthy

Great drives take special care of their vehicles. Along with keeping the tires inflated they also regularly service the engine. Most manufacturers get the engines’ oil changed at least every 3,000 miles. Experts state that most vehicle owners do not adhere to these standards and are thus degrading their engine more quickly than is necessary. Changing the oil and checking vehicle systems is essential preventative maintenance.

Top vehicle owners have a service station they trust and make an effort to visit it regularly. Experts also recommend paying close attention to the owner’s manual with regards to repairs. Most manuals will outline how long certain components last or when they need checking/replacing. This can avoid unnecessary early replacements suggested by service stations that are out to make a profit.

By following these simple steps to keep your car efficient and healthy, you can be one of the world’s best drivers too!

5 Extraordinary Facts About The Trucking Industry In The USA

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/05/15 in Trucks with Comments Off

The United States Department of Transportation or the USDOT controls all forms of transportation in the US, including airlines, shipping, railroads and of course, trucking. You may not know this, but most of your goods are delivered thanks to the US truckers. Especially if the transport involves some heave objects for consturction or building. Trucking is a an essential form of transportation that proves itself extremely prolific for the country. Here are some interesting facts about the trucking industry, and about the advantages of being a truck driver.

The Most Lucrative Form Of Transport

This will certainly come as a surprise, but the trucking industry is actually the one form of transport that brings the most to the economy. There are currently about 3 and a half million truck drivers in the United States. And according to the ATA report or the American Trucking Administration, this industry holds 67% of all domestic transportation of goods. This is by far more than a half of the entire goods that are being transported by trucks.

Improving Technology Actually Helps The Trucking Industry

In this modern day of age technology is improving rapidly fast. One would think that man made jobs are simply dying out. It is exactly the opposite in the trucking industry. Satellite communication and GPS help drivers stay in touch with each other and their superiors. Radio connection is still also used as one of the basic forms of communication. Apart from the improvement of the working conditions, modern technology also makes the travel much more interesting for the drivers. Plus, the modern times recognize the equality of genders, so a large number of ladies are making sure that the freight gets to its destination in time.

One Of The Most Dangerous Jobs Of All

As previously mentioned, women are also a part of the trucking industry as the drivers themselves. Still this job career is one of the most dangerous ones. The transport last for days and you are depending on the conditions on the road. The largest number of accidents are rollovers. The drivers must be fully concentrated and well rested, which sometime is not an option if you want to follow your schedule, which you must do. Therefore, a good organization of driving and resting shifts can indeed come in handy.

Combination With Other Forms Of Transport Or The Intermodal Transfer

Trucking does not only consist of driving the inventory from point A to point B. Truckers can also b a part of a transport chain, meaning that they are the missing link between airplanes and boat shipment. This is called the intermodal transfer. There were about 13 million intermodal container transports in 2012, which is a positive increase from the previous years.

The Largest Amount Of Goods Is Transformed By Trucks

Driving trucks or popularly called ‘trucking’ is becoming on of the most popular job in the US. This is way the largest amount of freight is being transfered exactly bu the trucking industry. According to the US Department of Transportation there was a 12 and a half billion tons of freight transported by the trucking industry with the value of 10 and half milion dollars. By the year 2040 these numbers could easily double.

What to Look For When Buying a Used Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/05/13 in Used Autos & Trucks with Comments Off

Used cars are a great option for the drivers who love saving money. However, you must take extra caution when purchasing a previously-owned vehicle. Here are five tips to keep in mind when shopping for a used ride.

Do the Proper Research

Although a particular vehicle may initially capture your heart, you still need to do the proper research. After reading through the various online reviews, you may find out that the car has a common flaw. For example, some vehicles are prone to experiencing premature paint fading. Remember, the cost of a new paint job can exceed $1,000. Not only do you need to research the vehicle’s projected reliability, but you also need to find out the car’s current market value.

Beauty is Only Skin Deep

When shopping for a used vehicle, do not be fooled by its beautiful appearance. There could be plenty of problems going on beneath the surface. After starting the engine, keep an eye out for the presence of exhaust smoke. Unsurprisingly, a smoky engine is never a good sign. If you need help, do not hesitate to ask an experienced car person to tag along. Before finalizing any paperwork, be sure to obtain a vehicle history report.

Check the Mileage

Ideally, you should try to select a ride that has less than 100,000 miles on the odometer. However, some high-mileage vehicles can still last for many years to come. Make sure to take the car to a mechanic like Tischer Auto before making any final decisions as they can tell you what condition the car is in better than anyone else. The key is to choose a vehicle that has been well-maintained and will last you a substantial amount of time. If you are purchasing the vehicle from a private seller, ask to see their maintenance records and see if it has ever been in an accident before. Accidents can seriously inhibit the integrity and safety of the car if done incorrectly.

Consider Purchasing a Certified Pre-owned Vehicle

Unlike the average used car, certified pre-owned vehicles usually come with a lengthy warranty. Before being showcased on the dealership’s lot, a certified pre-owned vehicle must be thoroughly inspected for quality. If a vehicle fails to meet the strict standards of the certified program, it will not make the cut. Although certified pre-owned vehicles are just a tad bit more expensive, the prospective buyers will not have to worry about purchasing a lemon.

Know Your Needs

Do not make the mistake of buying a car that does not match your lifestyle. While a sports car can be fun to drive, it is not the best choice for a person who needs to haul around their children.

There is no overlooking the fact that used cars are far less expensive. However, be sure to take the necessary precautions.

Image credit: by cool3c, on Flickr

What Are The Safest Ways To Travel? Tips For Staying Safe On The Road

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/05/11 in On the Road with Comments Off

It is a jungle out on the streets today. People become injured and then get carried away in an ambulance with sometimes serious injuries. Even if you do not find yourself directly involved in an accident, flying debris and other factors pose dangerous situations to you in the course of travel. Amidst all the danger, you may be wondering how it is possible to minimize your risk when traveling. Here are a few tips that will help to keep you safer on the road.

Take Public Transportation

If you are trying to make your way across town, one of the safest ways to get from place to place is by way of public transportation. When you ride public transportation, you are typically being transported in a larger vehicle. The person behind the wheel has not only had to prove themselves as a driver, but they also tend to be extremely familiar with the route they are taking. These drivers become used to the tricky intersections and what to do to avoid dangerous outcomes for their passengers. In the case of public monorails and trains, these modes of transportation avoid intersecting with the normal flow of traffic. This also helps to minimize potentially dangerous outcomes for passengers.

Walking

Walking is a relatively safe way to get around town, provided that you are attentive to what is going on around you. Being aware of traffic is key to safely walking around a city. Not using mobile devices when you walk is another huge safety factor to keep in mind. It is difficult to observe what is taking place around you when your eyes are glued to a mobile device.

Use a Seatbelt

Even though it is the law to use a seatbelt in most jurisdictions, people still refuse to strap themselves in securely when they drive. Although injury is possible when wearing a seatbelt, wearing a seatbelt will prevent more serious injuries to yourself and others in the car. On impact, a freely moving body will not only impact with the car, but might also impact with others in the car. This problem can give rise to numerous unnecessary injuries that seatbelts help to guard against.

In the Case of Injury

Many cities are home to thousands of drivers, pedestrians and tourists alike. You can travel the city streets in search of fortune or to make a productive life for yourself. Unfortunately, you may also find yourself involved in an accident while traveling about the city. When injury is unavoidable, it is important to remember that a qualified injury attorney will be able to guide you in the best course of action to receive compensation for your pain and suffering. Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyers say that an experienced attorney can help you recover damages.

Safety is a primary concern when traveling. From being alert on the road to navigating around the most dangerous intersections in town, every precaution you take may prove to be a life saving effort on your part. Remember, keeping safe when traveling is a major factor to preventing injury to self and maintaining a superb quality of life.

Six Tips For Teaching Your Teen The Dangers Of Distracted Driving

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/05/08 in On the Road with Comments Off

Teen drivers are considered high-risk operators because they lack experience behind the wheel. While there are several reasons why teens are most at risk on public roads, one major reason why drivers between 16 and 19 have the most crashes is because they are easily distracted. With all of the newest smartphone features and tablets that are hitting the market, driver distraction is becoming a serious problem. Unfortunately, when a teen does not realize the dangers of distracted driving, they are not likely to make an effort to avoid distractions. If you are looking for ideas on how to teach your soon-to-be drivers about the ever present dangers, here are six tips.

Show Your Teen the Statistics and Make Them Easy to Relate To

Distracted drivers put everyone on the road at risk. For some teens, the statistics will really speak to them, but you cannot just expect to tell them that 3000 people die per year because of distractions. In order for the information to do its job, you need to focus on providing the data for drivers in their demographic. If you were to explain that 16 percent of teens in fatal crashes were distracted, that could hit home. You could narrow the information down even more and explain that more than 1 out of every 4 accidents is caused by cell phone usage, and out of these accidents, 10 percent are fatal.

Model Good Behavior

No matter how experienced you are as a driver, diverting your attention to a phone, a makeup compact, or a television screen can be dangerous. While the rate of accidents are higher for teens, distracted driving is a leading cause in serious accidents in all age groups. If you want your teen to be safe and to exhibit responsible behavior when you are not around, you need to set the example. By fighting the urge to text or shuffle through music, you can demonstrate the model behavior that they will know to mimic.

Set the Ground Rules With Your Teen Early

You should never wait until your teen has made a mistake to set the ground rules. Setting the rules that must be followed while operating a vehicle should be done before you hand over the keys. You should discuss the dangers of distractions, teach your child how to avoid the distractions, and have them sign an agreement so that there are consequences if they are caught violating their contract.

Have Your Teen Speak With Someone Who Can “Scare Them Straight”

There are a number of Public Service Announcements that teach teens the dangers of driving while distracted. You might not pay attention to these when you think that a devastating accident cannot happen to you. When you sit down and speak with someone who has lost their loved one due to distracted driving, it starts to feel more real. That emotional presentation or conversation could make all of the difference if your child is making mistakes.

Work on a Public Service Announcement Together

Parents and teens do not get to spend enough time together doing things that can make a difference. After you have discussed the distractions, stressed the dangers and spoke with someone who has experienced loss, the last thing that you can do to ensure that the message has been intercepted is create a Public Service Announcement (PSA). Choose the artwork, come up with a message that will be heard by a target audience, and then consider presenting this to a community organization.

Teach Your Teen What to Do Following an Accident

You can take preventative measures to help reduce the chances that your teen will have an accident, but there is always a chance it could happen. It may even be that the other driver was distracted and your teen was just not able to avoid the collision. Parents should prep their teens so that they know their legal rights and what to do following an accident to exercise these rights. Have them take pictures, seek immediate treatment and document their costs. You should also talk to a lawyer so that you can discuss your right to recovery. After you speak with a lawyer, you will know which bills you can recoup and what steps you must take to shorten the process. Attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve.

No one wants to receive a phone call where the person on the other line tells you that their child has been in an accident. There are risks associated with driving, but you can play a role in making your teen a responsible driver from the start. Consider these tips, and prepare your teen for a life of focused driving.

Informational credit to Ladah Law Firm, PLLC.