Winter Driving Tire Tips: If You Drive In the Snow, You Should Get Snow Tires

Winter is fast approaching here in the Pacific Northwest, and like many other northern portions of the United States, that means inclement weather is fast approaching. In many areas, the winter months are characterized by cold temperatures and the occasional snow storm. And in certain parts of the country, the snow and ice comes fast and furious.

There are a number of factors to consider when making your plans for winter driving. Depending on the usual weather in your area this winter, you might be considering snow tires. If you think you will be regularly driving in icy, snowy conditions, snow tires are probably your best bet. If your area’s winter is a bit milder, with only a few light, scattered snowstorms – then you might try to get away with all-season tires. But these tires do not perform as well as snow tires in conditions of heavy snow and slush.

Tires may be the most important part of your vehicle from a safety point-of-view, particularly when conditions are less than ideal. Without adequate tire grip, many important vehicle safety features are rendered useless, such as antilock brakes, all-wheel-drive and electronic stability controls.

What exactly are snow tires? Well, they are tires specifically designed with tread patterns that grab ahold of the snow and ice. Snow tires are also manufactured with a special compound that enables them to be more flexible than normal tires under cold conditions. These factors combine to improve grip and handling when stopping and steering when the road is slick.

All-weather tires are designed for a variety of conditions, including dry and wet roads. Compared to snow tires, all-season tires don’t perform as well in extremely cold environments, nor do they have as good a tread when it comes to particularly slippery conditions.

The benefit of all-season tires versus snow tires is that you don’t need to swap them out as the seasons change, because snow tires are not really designed to be used year-round. If you try to use snow tires in the summer, they will wear out very fast, rendering them less effective come winter.

The downside of all-season tires is that, while it is convenient to have one set of tires on your vehicle all year, these tires aren’t really optimal for any particular season, only adequate. Though you have to buy two sets of tires, you will get better performance year-round, if you go with a snow tire in the winter, and regular tire in the summer that will afford you a smoother, quieter ride.

Other factors to consider when purchasing snow tires include:

• If you are going to be making a lot of trips over very icy roads, you might consider installing “studs” on your snow tires, which are sturdy metal points inserted into the tread to give the tire an even better bite of the road. In most areas with harsh winters, studded snow tires are legal and available (though you should double check this). Studded snow tires MUST be removed at the end of winter, however, or you will be in violation of most local laws, as studded tires can be hard on the road during non-winter conditions.
• If you are going to take the plunge and get snow tires, you must get a complete set. Buying only front or rear snow tires is a bad idea that will defeat the entire purpose of snow tires. If snow tires are on the drive axel of the vehicle, but not on the other, it results in unequal grip that will increase spin outs and slide offs.
• Snow tires aren’t going to eliminate skidding on ice and snow, but they can reduce the risk. Naturally, you are going to want to drive according to the conditions, and slow down and drive defensively when the conditions are particularly harsh.
• Just because you have a 44 or all-wheel drive vehicle, doesn’t mean you don’t need snow tires. In fact, driving an SUV or other four-wheel drive vehicle in the winter without proper tires can be even more dangerous, because the 4WD gives drivers a false sense of security. Without winter tires, heavy 4WD vehicles have a very difficult time stopping.
• There has been much advancement in snow tire technology in recent years. Once, snow tires were terribly loud and led to a bumpier ride. These newer compounds are much quieter and smoother than the snow tires of a couple decades ago, while being just as effective in achieving acceleration and braking in snow and ice.
• When you get your snow tires installed and begin driving in adverse conditions, take extra time to getting a feel for the new handling traits. The traction characteristics will be much different than your normal tires, so caution should be taken to ensure that you are familiar with the new tires.
• It’s best not to wait until the conditions are already icy and snowy to install new snow tires. Like all tires, snow tires are comprised of multiple layers of various compounds and thus require a break-in period before maximum performance is achieved. It is best if you put about 100 miles on your snow tires on dry roads, so as to get the most out of them when on snow and ice.

6 Craziest Things Found in Used Cars

Of all the ups and downs that go with the used car market, one of the craziest things buyers and dealers have to put up with is the things people leave behind. Whether youre buying a used car at a market, a local dealership, or through the want ads, chances are you might find something left behind. Here are some wacky examples provided by buyers.

1. Vermin

 
One dealer tells a story of a great car he bought at a sale, one that was worth a lot of money. But every other dealer had passed it up, despite the value, because it had a strong, shall we say, ODOR about it. Turns out, the owner had left the window slightly cracked, just enough for a bird to get in, but not enough so it could find its way out again. The bird perished under the drivers seat, and the corpse created the awful smell in the car. The dealer removed the bird and paid someone to drive the vehicle back to his dealership but notes that when they stopped for lunch, this particular driver didnt have much of an appetite.

Rats are another common squatter in cars and sometimes, not even in abandoned ones. They like to make nests in dark places out of, among other things, paperso a glove compartment fits their needs quite nicely. Its a common story to hear of people finding a nest, and sometimes a litter of rats, in their glove compartment.

2. Drugs and Alcohol

 
The most common story heard from dealers is about finding joints or bags of marijuana tucked into various nooks and crannies of a car. One dealer thought one was a discarded gum wrapper until an associate asked, Did you want to keep that? and then took it for himself! Another story involved a sale of a car in the edge of the Appalachian mountains, where the buyer found a half-gallon jar full of homemade moonshine in the back seat.

3. Weapons

 
Theres a funny story on an internet message board about this topic, where the buyer found a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver between the seats, engraved with the name of the owner of the dealershipwho was likely pleased to get it back. Another user on the same thread tells about finding a rifle with telescopic sights welded on; perhaps the previous owner of his car was a bit of a stalker! In addition to guns, people report also finding knives of all shapes and sizes.

4. Romantic or Not Momentos

 
Another car buyer talks about finding a marriage license that got stuck behind the dash pad of a Corvette he bought. Even though the license was seven years old, he looked up the mans name in the phone book and gave him a call. Unfortunately the couple was already in the middle of a divorce, but he returned the license anyway.

Another story involves a man who found a Dear John letter from a woman breaking off her engagement. The diamond engagement ring was enclosed, and the letter concluded with You can do what you please with the enclosed. The buyer presumed that the fiance was pleased to pass the diamond on to the cars new owner.

5. Body Parts

 
Imagine buying a car and finding a severed finger under the floormat! Unlike the dead animals, this one didnt create a smell, as it was old and fairly dried up. The car had previously been in a wreck, but no one knows if thats what caused the person to lose their finger or not. The county coroners office picked up the severed finger from the new owner.

6. Cash and Jewelry

 
One used car dealer found a bag stuffed full of cash in the glove compartment. Unfortunately, the contents turned out to be all one-dollar bills, wadded into a pile and totalling about $40. That didnt add up to much but a few years later, the same dealer found a diamond watch in another car, which helped supplement his income quite a bit!

All in all, if you buy a used car, you may not find anything extraordinary; chances are that the previous owner will have cleaned it out, if not cleaned it up. But you never knowkeep your eyes (and nose!) peeled and you never know what you might turn up.

Tips To Get Your Car To Use Less Gas

Gas prices seem to be raising everyday, and the option of cycling fifty miles to work everyday is appearing more and more appealing. Most people have been forced to wave a sad goodbye to family road trips and all other fun car-related activities, because they just cannot afford it. However, what if there was a way to get your car to use less fuel, without having to get a new expensive hybrid?

Well there is a way, and it is not too hard to make your car more fuel-efficient. Just follow these simple steps and you will be amazed at how much more you will be able to get from your car for less fuel.
 

1. Less aggressiveness please

It may feel fun and you may think you are getting to your destination faster by speeding, but not only is this dangerous and illegal; it greatly increases your fuel consumption thus, reducing your fuel economy.  Research has shown that most cars are at the peak of their fuel efficiency when being driven at 55 miles per hour.

Any faster and you begin to waste. A recent study on the Toyota Camry showed a speed increase up to 65mph from 55mph resulting in a drop in fuel economy by up to 5mpg (miles per gallon).

Rapid acceleration and sudden braking will also not do you much good. It can lower your fuel economy by up to 33%. Get your foot off the gas peddle and set your car on cruise control the next time you hit the freeway for a long journey; you will be surprised by how much fuel you will be able to save by just allowing your car to be.
 

2. Get some clean air in there

You might not have known this, but there is a very big connection between your air filter and your fuel economy.  The air filter is essentially designed to keep particles such as dirt and other materials from getting into the engine’s cylinders as they can cause massive havoc in there, resulting in lower engine performance.

Simply replacing a clogged filter and thus avoiding these particle problems has been proved to help you save on your gas mileage by 10%. Considering it would only cost you, about $20 to do yourself, this is an investment well worth your while.
 

3. Inflate your tires right

Having your tires inflated to the proper level should save you about 12 cents per gallon of fuel.  It is recommended that you do a check on your car’s tire pressure once every month at least.

Wait until your car has not been used for at least 1 hour and the tires are cool then check the tire pressure. You should find a sticker at the driver’s door, which will specify the correct pressure needed for your vehicle’s tires.

4. Oil matters

You need to get the right oil, not only to ensure your engine remains in tip top shape but also because using the specified oil in your engine can enhance your fuel efficiency by up to 3%.

Never use oil of a lower density than that which has been specified by the car manufacturers as this can damage the engine. You can find out the right type of oil to use by checking out the manual or the gas cap if the car is a newer model.

An oil change as frequently as specified by the manufacturer is also essential to keep things flowing smoothly, resulting into optimum engine performance and thus optimum fuel efficiency.
 

5. Shed off the extra weight

Stop wasting gas by hauling along unnecessary stuff in the trunk of your car.  Every extra 100 pounds that you carry, has been proven to reduce your fuel economy by up to 2%. Simply ease off the load, this includes anything being carried on the roof rack, you could save up to 8 cents on every gallon.

A Beginners Guide to Jump Starting a Car

For many people, especially women, the thought of jump starting a car is unnerving. In most cases, the fear of getting a vehicle started using jumper cables has to do with being shocked but it is also because of lack of knowledge. Although there is a right and wrong way to start a car this way, the process is nothing to fear. With the information provided, people will see this is not as difficult or scary as initially thought.

Importance of Learning

 
Everyone who drives should learn how to jump start a car but also have a pair of jumper cables in good condition in the trunk. Although this is something that drivers do every day, it is amazing how many drivers have never even tried to get a car started using cables. In addition to the obvious, learning to jump start a car is important specific to safety. Having jumper cables and knowing the right way to use them greatly reduces the risk of a driver being stranded, possibly in a higher risk area.

If someone is old enough to drive, it would be beneficial to learn basic car care and maintenance. Having general education about various things that could go wrong with a car not only reduces possible risk but also creates a sense of pride and accomplishment. Most people who have made the effort to learn proper car care are surprised that what was believed to be extremely hard was actually not that much at all.

Using Jumper Cables

 
The first option for jump starting a car is with jumper cables. While an individual could experience a shock by mishandling the cables, if each step is followed correctly, this seldom happens. Following are the specific steps a person would fall to get a car started:

• The vehicle with the dead battery and the vehicle that will be used for the jump need to face each other closely but without touching although the exact position of each battery would determine the best way to align the vehicles. For instance, if both cars have the battery on the right side, the cars would still face each other but slightly angled so the jumper cables can reach without being stretched.
• The ignition in both cars should be turned off and parking brakes set. Even if the jump will take place on a flat road, experts still recommend setting the emergency brake for added safety.
• The battery terminals for both vehicles should be clean. However, any visible dirt or corrosion, which often looks like white hardened bubbles, should be brushed off. Although not mandatory, it would help to keep a jump starting kit in the trunk of the vehicle to include the jumper cables but also rubber gloves and a wire brush. If a person does not have gloves, any corrosion that comes in contact with the skin should be rinsed off with water right away.
• While holding the jumper cables, the tips, regardless of side or color should never touch since this is what causes sparks to fly. Keeping the tips separated, one black and one red would be used for each vehicle. On the car with the dead battery, the red cable would be connected first to the positive side of the battery, which can be identified by the letters “POS” or a “+” sign. Next, the red cable would be connected to the running vehicle, following the same steps.
• With this done, the black cable would be connected first to the running vehicle by using the negative side of the battery identified by the letters “NEG” or a “-”sign. The other black cable would be attached to the car with the dead battery, again going through the same exact steps.

We want to point out that some people will connect both red and black cables to the vehicle with the dead battery first, followed by attaching the red and black cables to the running vehicle. Although this way is not wrong, top automotive experts recommend using the steps outlined above, stating this is the safest and most effective method.

• With the jumper cables securely attached to both vehicles, the engine for the car with the good battery would be started. For the quickest results, the cables should stay on for several minutes before trying to get the other car started. If the vehicle wants to start but hesitates, rev the engine of the car with the good battery while turning the key again. When a battery is extremely low, jumper cables might need to be left on for five minutes or slightly longer.
• Once the car starts, the cables would be removed but this time, the black jumper cable should carefully be removed from the running car, followed by the black cable being removed from the car that was just jumped. Next, the red cable would be disconnected from the running card and finally, the red cable taken off the battery terminal of the jumped vehicle.

It is also important that once the vehicle starts, the engine should not be turned off for at least 30 minutes to allow the battery to recharge. Usually, after jump starting a car it would restart easily but again, only if the battery was given the 30 minutes to recharge. However, if for some reason the vehicle’s engine will not turn on, there could be a problem beyond the battery that would need to be checked out by a trusted mechanic.

Car Accidents On Private Property: The Facts

Car accidents are not something anyone wants to go through. As well as the possibility of injury, there’s also the issue of who is liable for the accident to negotiate too – with all of the attendant insurance complications it can through up. One such situation that can arise is when the accident happens on private property.
Defining private property

To start with, we need to understand what constitutes private property. Broadly speaking, this can mean anywhere outwith the bounds of the public highway such as:

• Most car parks (i.e supermarket car parks, multi-stories or pay and display etc)
• Car parks or other spaces clearly marked as private property
• Private residences and private land (including private roads and private car parking spaces – whether marked as such or not)

What’s perhaps most surprising in that list is the fact that most car parks we’d refer to as public spaces such as supermarket car parks are in fact deemed to be private property in the eyes of the law. And, if an accident does happen within those bounds, it immediately becomes a trickier business to resolve any compensation/insurance claims. Here’s why.

In accidents on private property, the laws that apply to vehicles on public roads no longer apply. In fact, in car parks, accidents usually occur at such a low speed that the authorities won’t apply blame in those situations. It’s left to the insurance companies to be the final arbiters or judges as to who’s at fault and who should pay for damages.
What to do in such accidents

So, should be unlucky enough to be in an accident on private property make sure you:

• Take all relevant details of the other party (name, registration, insurance details etc) plus eye witness statements if at all possible. This will prove essential to your claim. If the other party refuses to supply their details at the very least you should take their registration number in order to help you pursue your claim.
• If you do run into problems with the other party you may wish to call the police – although they may not attend the scene if it on private property, so you might have to report to a police station with your account of the accident afterwards.
• Shunts and dunts on private property may not seem a big deal. After all, if it’s just a minor dent and nobody’s hurt, where’s the trouble? Well, make sure you let your insurance company know to be on the safe side – that way you’ll be better protected if someone tries to make a personal injury claim against you.

Who is at fault?

The issue of determining fault primarily comes down to the following:

• Who hit who and how, i.e. relevant to who was supposed to give way. This is where eye-witness testimonies become so important.
• If you are hit while backing out, responsibility is usually shared – in fact shared responsibility is a common outcome in most accidents in car parks.
• If you back into an illegally parked car on private property, you are sadly completely responsible it’s considered an unmoving object that’s part of your surroundings, which you ought to have been aware of.

Overall, the best policy with accidents on private property is to make sure you get all the relevant details of the incident, get eyewitnesses if at all possible and report it immediately to your insurance company and the police. Taking that approach may make all the difference to personal injury and damages claims.

What Defensive Steps can be Taken to Mitigate the Risk of an Accident?

It is almost a given that everyone will be involved in some sort of car accident if they’ve been driving for any period of time. These incidents can be as minor as a fender bender or as major as a twenty car pileup, but hopefully most people only experience the former. It is important to be a safe driver while out on the road to prevent these accidents, but learning to drive defensively will also go a long way in avoiding these occurrences. By following just a few simple rules, all drivers can mitigate their risk of experiencing any type of automobile crash.

Avoid any Distractions

The first step to driving defensively is avoiding any distractions. It is hard for a person to pay attention to what is going on around them and react effectively if they are concentrating on anything other than their own driving. Around two-thirds of car and light truck accidents are caused by driving fatigued, speeding and inattentiveness, so it is imperative for a person to focus all of their attention on the task at hand.

Cell phones are one of the most common distractions a person can engage in. People who are using the texting feature of their phone have been found to be just as likely to have an accident as a person who is drunk behind the wheel. Avoiding using a cell phone altogether while driving is the best advice a person can take. It’s also pertinent to avoid eating, drinking and rummaging for things in the back seat.

Notice Warning Signs

Noticing when others are distracted or even intoxicated behind the wheel is vital in maintaining safety and avoiding accidents. Drivers who are swerving or straddling lanes are either not paying attention to their driving or inebriated, and it is important to avoid either of these two types of drivers. An individual should keep a safe distance behind these vehicles if the neglectful drivers are in front of them, and they should never try to pass them.

Drunk drivers will sometimes use people in front of them as a guide to stay on the road. If it becomes obvious that a driver behind someone is likely intoxicated, then it is a good idea to pull into a parking lot or onto a side road to allow the possibly inebriated driver to pass. It is also possible to tell if a driver is intoxicated if they are going too fast or slow for conditions, making excessively wide or sharp turns or applying their brakes at inappropriate times (ie. green lights).

Stay Visible

Most drivers don’t purposefully sideswipe or rear end other vehicles; these accidents are often caused because that driver didn’t see the other vehicle or know what its driver was doing. This can usually be avoided by ensuring that all headlights and brake lights are working correctly. Properly working brake lights are easily one of the most important factors in avoiding a rear end collision.

Working lights, however, are not the only way drivers need to stay visible. It is also pertinent for an individual to engage in behaviors that will make sure they are noticed by other drivers. Always using turn signals is an easy way to accomplish this. It is also a good idea to avoid staying in another driver’s blind spot. Being one lane over and slightly behind another car likely puts a person in a blind spot, so that driver should either speed up or slow down to remove themselves from that area.

Adapt for Varying Road Conditions

A great number of people are surprised when they receive speeding tickets even when they were not exceeding the posted speed limit. These citations are often referred to as ‘driving too fast for conditions’. It doesn’t matter that a driver is under the posted speed limit if that limit is unsafe for driving at the time. This law exists because it is important to adjust to different road conditions.

One mistake that many people make is not slowing down when it begins to rain. Most people don’t realize that even a light sprinkle can make a road excessively slick due to the oil that accumulates on the asphalt. Other drivers may not adapt their driving for specific conditions, so it is also important for a driver to be even more alert to what’s going on around them if inclement weather or some other road hazard has occurred. This will increase the amount of time a person has to react if something unexpected suddenly occurs.

Engaging in defensive driving techniques is one of the best ways that a person can protect themselves and lessen their chances of being involved in an accident. Most people out on the roads today haven’t taken the time to read online articles on how to drive safely and defensively, so they are far more likely to engage in behaviors that can sometimes lead to serious tragedies. Knowing just a few defensive driving tactics will allow an individual to avoid and react to these dangerous drivers.

The World of Company Cars

Times are not as easy as they once were.  The current economic climate has caused many individuals and companies to cut their cloth accordingly and costs with it.  One of the first things that companies have cut – also doing so under the green pretext that many are working with nowadays – is the company car.  If you still have to take out clients, drive to and from work or make business trips, you’re going to have to get yourself your very own business car.  So what do you need to look out for?  What is going to make your life easier, keep your wallet heavy and still be smart enough that you can ferry clients around within?

Comfort
You are going to be in this car a lot, especially if you make a lot of business trips.  Remember, too, that you have to get back behind the wheel on weekends and holidays too – this will be your family car as well as your company car.  It has to be comfortable, therefore.  Not everyone has the same taste in comfort, however, so make sure you test out each and every car before you buy.  Do you prefer harder seats?  Does it have air conditioning or a CD auto-changer?  Whatever home comforts you feel you need, make sure that the car you’re going to buy has it: you’re going to be using it enough in all likelihood.  Not only do you have to think about yourself, but how about your family too?  Do you have young children that need ferrying around or how about a dog?  As this car is not just for the week, you need to make sure it is comfortable for everyone in every occasion: it should be versatile and easy to convert.

This car will need to be comfortable for everyone as it needs to look and feel good enough for your customers.  It’s no good just pleasing your family if your next client gets in the car and turns his nose up.  No, it’s very important to make sure that whoever gets in the car will feel at home and be able to relax.  Some of the best cars for this are modern saloons and estates.  With folding seats and comfortable upholstery, these cars allow you to transform them from a family car into a work saloon quickly and easily.  You can ferry Mr. Adams to the airport before driving to pick little Molly up from school without batting an eyelid.

Cost Efficient

As a company car, you’re going to be using this vehicle to commute to work every day.  Not only that, but you’re going to use it at weekends too, to take your children out or to drive to the country, while the car will also need to go on holiday too.  All of this points to fuel efficiency.  Some companies still offer a percentage of your petrol bill for your work related trips but most will not do so for your commutes.  Not only does the car have to cost little to run, but as you’re buying it yourself, it should be relatively cheap to purchase too.   Luckily, if you’re purchasing yourself, you may have more leeway in what you can buy than your company allowed you.  One possibility is to go second hand.  With second hand cars, they will often come cheaper but have higher running costs – the older they are the more problems they’re likely to have.

So it’s a good idea to research not only the reliability of the car – it’s no good buying a cheap Alfa Romeo if it’s going to break down every ten minutes – but the cost of spare parts and the like.  Sometimes, you will be able to pick up cheaper parts on certain cars as, remember, you have to look after all the maintenance yourself.

Parking Doesnt Have to Be a Hassle

Parking is one of those things that stresses out just about everyone. It always seems like just when you are running late and in what feels like the biggest hurry of your life, you are unable to find parking. Without parking, you are stuck in your car driving around in circles for what feels like hours. Did you know on average it takes people between about 5 and 14 minutes to find a single parking space? With that kind of time being wasted on a regular basis, its no wonder people are stressing out over parking and choosing other options such as buses and taxis to get around. That money can add up pretty quickly and thats why we thought it was about time that we let you in on a few of the best ways to make parking much easier for yourself. Its great knowing you have so many options because at the end of the day, one thing you can never get back is your time.

Real-Time Parking Information and Directions

Can you imagine how amazing it would be to know exactly where parking is at all times so you dont have to drive around like a chicken with your head cut off? Well, we are proud to announce that many cities are actually incorporating wonderful systems into their roads and parking spaces that do just that. This means, much less time and gas wasted and there is much less traffic being caused. With the estimates as to just how long it takes for a single person to find a parking spot that we mentioned above, you can imagine just how much of a difference smarter parking can make.

You may be wondering how cities are able to track parking spots and send you the information (via signs that direct you where to go) and its actually quite simple. Basically, weight sensors are placed into each parking space and the data is sent to a control center. While this technology isnt exactly cheap, its something that more cities are adding all of the time to make parking easier than ever before.

Applications That Help You Find Parking

While the technology we listed above is exciting, there are even easier ways to track parking and do so before you even arrive to the area. There are many applications these days that not only track parking spaces in the area but are literally updated in real-time. This is fantastic because you are never going to have to wonder whether or not you are going to be able to find parking. The less time you have to waste driving around in circles, the more time you are going to have to get to where you are going. These apps have definitely made parking much less stressful for us.

Pay For Your Parking Space Before You Arrive

Some of the applications we have listed above are also able to help you reserve your parking spaces before you arrive to your destination. With this option, you can find and pay for parking before you even leave the house. This means you are going to never have to wonder where that perfect parking space is and your entire experience is going to change. We love everything these apps can do because parking has always been one of those things that we dread the most; especially when it comes to airports. There are just always so many people driving around, completely lost and confused and we dont want to be those people anymore.

Payment Locations at the Parking Garage Entry

Have you ever noticed that it can take quite a long time to pay for your parking once you are leaving parking garages? This is something we never understood because you waste so much time sitting there in a long line that never seems to end. Because of this, many parking garages actually make you pay before your return to your car. Sure, you may need to stand in line but thats much better and easier than being forced to stay in your car longer than you have to.

Cars Can Actually Help You Park Like Never Before

Cars are fantastic these days. They are able to do all sorts of things for us that just werent possible in the past. One of our favorite features would have to be the help when it comes to parking. Not only do some cars have cameras behind them so you never have to wonder whether or not the coast is clear but some are actually capable of doing all of the work for you. Parking has never been easier and we are excited to see what else is in store for us in the future. Safety is becoming easier to find.