askthemercedesmechanic.com

Today in almost every state it is a requirement to wear a seat belt and it is a law that is enforced in

You’re practically giving money away. And for what benefit? Well, even if you are the world’s safest and most conscientious driver, you absolutely need car insurance. Going without it is irresponsible, dangerous, and it’s against the law. Every province in

Winter can pose many hazards to people that must leave the confines of home and venture out into icy conditions on roadways and into cold weather temperatures that could make shopping almost impossible. To make winter outdoors shopping more bearable, many townspeople will go outdoors shopping for salt spreaders that will keep the roadways near their home free of ice. Some town governments might go winter outdoors shopping and buy snow plows to clear the roadways everywhere.People that live in areas where snow falls most of the year will get quite accustomed to going winter outdoors shopping even if it is summer or springtime. The items that they are intent on buying are those that will winterize the house and the items that they will be intent on buying are the ones that are designed to keep the warm air inside the home during winter, and ones that keep the cold inside the house during the summer. People will purchase weather stripping to keep drafts out of any room in the house at all times of the year.People who live in rugged terrain areas need to have certain essentials in the car when they leave the house after a deep snowfall. If the automobile has been outside for a while, there is a good possibility that the electronic jump starter bought on an winter outdoors shopping trip will come in very handy when the automobile owner tries to crank it up and leave the driveway to get more shopping done before the Christmas holiday arrive.Some winter outdoor shopping trips will be earmarked for buying things that will keep the family warm and safe, should the car break down on an isolated roadway. Some engines might not freeze up if the automobile owner had thought ahead and purchased an engine heater when the car was purchased many years before. Even if the automobile did break down, the heated cushions on the car seats could make things seem quite cozy until help arrives in the knick of time.The automobile is a great asset to own but some things that are purchased on winter outdoor shopping expeditions will make owning it even more enjoyable. People can find great bargains on ski racks at internet retail sites and have enough money left over to make the ski resort reservations into two rooms or more. The wintertime provides sports enthusiasts with many opportunities to own gear that makes playing in the snow a brand new experience each year.People that love playing in the snow might use the outdoor shopping sales to buy snowmobiles, snowboards and snow shoes to keep out the chill. Every snowmobile will have its own cover because the winter outdoor sales priced them with great discounts. A recreational vehicle owner might use the sales ads in winter to buy RV covers and a new set of windshield wiper blades. These items are all essential to vehicles be ready for the road when the idea of a ski trip happens one weekend.

Hybrid cars are sent from the manufacturer with tires that perform well in all conditions, have decreased road resistance, and contribute to fuel efficiency. This type of tire is known as a low-rolling resistance tire. When the time comes to replace the tires on your hybrid, stay with this type of tire. Not only do the gas/electric engines in your hybrid contribute to fuel economy, but the low-rolling resistance tires do, as well. All major tire manufacturers are involved in the development of various types of low-rolling resistance tires.Low-rolling resistance tires roll smoothly on the road, eliminating resistance and drag. This decreases the energy needed to accelerate the vehicle, meaning more fuel economy for the car. This makes for a cleaner running vehicle, producing less emission than a traditional rubber tire. Energy is used by the heat generated by the rolling tires. The heat builds up along the sidewall of the tire, between the roadway and the tire, and along the rim. The low-rolling tire produces less heat and friction, causing a lower need for energy. These innovative tires are even more efficient with the aerodynamic design of hybrid cars. They are efficient and safe in all weather or road conditions.Tire manufactures use a composite of rubber particles to produce a more energy efficient, stiff low-rolling tire. The tread is also an important element in reducing road resistance, especially in a sandy roadway. Each manufacturer has its own tread design, but the final product is the same; a lighter, stronger, less deforming tire. Rather than the high PSI’s in traditional tires, the low-rolling tires use little air pressure. Many of the tire models can travel for up to fifty miles without full pressure. This is very convenient if the tire is punctured, giving the driver time to find a repair station.Fuel economy is the most positive advantage about low-rolling tires. Each hybrid vehicle comes equipped with these tires, making the vehicle more environmentally friendly. The MPG will have the driver smiling all the way to the gas pump. The hybrid car and low-rolling resistance tires can save up to 6% gas consumption. The tires are more expensive than regular tires, but the money saved on gas will pay for the low-rolling tires and then some. The other advantage to these tires is the benefit to the environment, reducing pollution and waste of natural resources.This does not mean that the low-rolling resistance tires are perfect. Some drivers do not feel the tires hold the road very well. More aggressive drivers may want to stay with regular sized, softer tires that hang onto the road. Each person should decide what is more important to them as far as choosing a tire: handling the road better, speed, fuel economy, or pollution control.The popularity of low-rolling resistance tires is increasing as consumers become more aware of the money that can be saved on gas. In fact, legislation has been passed in

Automobile accidents are responsible for the injury or death or thousands of children and young adults each year. Many of these events could be prevented by proper use of seat belts and other safety features of cars.Outside of a car, it is important for children to know how dangerous moving vehicles can be. When playing outside, never chase balls or other objects into the street without looking for traffic, and never run between parked cars into the street as it is hard for drivers to see over them. Teaching children these behaviors at a young age is an excellent way to prevent accidents in the future.In the car, there are a set of effortless rules that new drivers and young passengers should always follow. The way to prevent most serious injuries is to simply always buckle up. Even if no one else in the car is wearing one and the trip is just around the block, it is important to wear one regardless. In a case like this, it wouldn’t hurt to insist that everyone else buckle up as well to ensure their safety.When wearing a seatbelt, older children should be tall enough to sit without slouching with their feet on the floor. The lap-shoulder belt system will not fit most children until they are about 4’9” tall and weigh about 80 pounds. The lap portion of the belt should fit low and tight across the upper thighs, while the shoulder portion should fit over the shoulder and chest. Although it may be more comfortable, never put the shoulder belt under the arm or behind the back of the child.Reckless behavior in and around automobiles is also a large contributor to the injury and death rate. Never stick arms, legs, or any other body part out of the window of a moving car. If another vehicle is passing too close it could cause serious injury. One of the most dangerous but easily preventable behaviors is drunk driving. Never try to drive after drinking, and never ride with anyone who has been drinking. It is important to always have a designated driver, or at least someone to keep keys hidden.New and young drivers cause many of the accidents because they may have not yet learned how to handle a car properly, may drive at speeds to fast for the conditions, and are more likely to perform risky behaviors. Although they are commonly given a negative image, being a back-seat driver can save lives by telling a reckless driver to be more attentive or to slow down.Concerning very young children, there is even more information to be aware of related to accidents and safety. Generally, the back seat is the safest place in a car accident, and any child under 12 years should ride there, especially if the vehicle has a passenger side are bag. Infants should be placed in rear facing car seats in the back seat until at least 1 year of age or around 20 lbs. Forward facing seats are acceptable after this point. In either case, always read the child restraint manual for proper and effective installation and use. It is recommended that children use a safety seat until at they are at least 40 pounds and then use a booster seat that will help the lap-shoulder system fit well.It is important to remember that injury or death from an automobile accident can happen to anyone, not just children and younger drivers. Always promote safe behaviors near roads, behind the wheel, and also the lifesaving benefits of using safety belts and child safety seats correctly.

When you are fatigued your reactions are much slower, your ability to concentrate on driving is reduced and it takes longer to interpret and understand what is happening with the other traffic. Fatigue related crashes are often more severe than others because driver’s reaction times are delayed or they have failed to make any maneuvers to avoid a crash. Add fatigue to alcohol or speeding and it is a lethal mix.Driver fatigue is now considered a serious road safety issue, claiming more than forty deaths and nearly a thousand injuries in road crashes in 2006 alone. Over the period of 2002 to 2006, driver fatigue was identified as being responsible for 256 deaths or twelve percent of fatal crashes, and more than 4,350 injuries. Recent international research has suggested that driver fatigue is under- represented in accident statistics, and some estimates show that it could be a contributing factor in twenty to twenty four percent of fatal crashes.To make drivers aware of the dangers of fatigue driving, herewith are the warning signs that one has to strictly observe:- Blinking or yawning frequently.- Having trouble keeping your head up.- Eyes closing for a moment or going out of focus.- Having wandering or disconnected thoughts.- Realizing that you have slowed down unintentionally.- Braking too late.- Not being able to remember driving the last few kilometers or miles.- And the most dangerous warning sign of all: Drifting over the median line unto the other side of the road.It is urged that drivers have to recognize the symptoms of fatigue and not feeling to acknowledge the warning signs for any potential deadly consequences. It is therefore essential that drivers get plenty of sleep before a long journey and they should drive during normal waking hours. To manage fatigue they should strictly consider the following:- Take regular rest stops every couple of hours.- Share the driving with other passengers.- Eat light meals or fruits throughout the journey and drink water.- If feeling tired during the trip, a nap of twenty to forty minutes is an effective way of reducing sleepiness.

The tires of your vehicle are obviously important- and if you’ve ever experienced blowing out a tire while driving you know it can be frightening! It can actually throw your car around a bit, which can be disastrous if you are not able to get it back under control.Everyone understands the importance of having tires on their vehicle, but what’s really odd about it is most people don’t take the time to check their tires- or are not checking them frequently enough. In fact, studies show that tires are the most neglected part of a vehicle!When your tires are not properly inflated, the result is not only a safety hazard, but you end up costing yourself more money since under or over-inflated tires will reduce the amount of gas mileage your vehicle gets. With the ever-increasing price of fuel this can result in a large amount of wasted money. The actual life of your tire is also reduced with under-inflated tires, by about 15,000 miles- which means you will need to change your tires much more frequently and spend more money.If you are driving around in a vehicle with over-inflated tires, you are probably driving on the center tread only, causing your tire to wear unevenly. Uneven tire treads will cause difficult handling of the car as the tires do not grip the road properly.How do you check the inflation level of your tires? There are many people who are actually unsure how to do this, or people who think they can just look at a tire to determine if it is under or over-inflated. Estimating the air pressure level in your tire by looking at them will never give you accurate results. There is a small tool that can be purchased at any auto supply store, as well as many home improvement centers and perhaps your local Wal-Mart. It’s called a tire pressure gauge and you can simply place it on the nozzle of your tire and get a reading of the air pressure within your tires. Trying to gauge it by eye will typically result in 20% over-inflated or under-inflated air pressure.The most accurate time to test the air pressure in your tires is before driving the car. If you wait until after you’ve finished driving the car, the air in the tires has become warm from the movement of the tires and you will not get a very accurate pressure reading. Check your car’s manual to find out how much air pressure your tires should use as opposed to the recommended amount you’ll see printed on the actual tire itself.The cost of gas to make your vehicle run is getting more expensive by the day, with no end in site. You can reduce your maintenance and upkeep costs to keep your vehicle running smooth and safely by keeping an eye (and a tire pressure gauge!) on your tires. If you get in the habit of checking them at least once a week before getting in and driving off, you’ll have your tires performing at their optimum level, giving you a safer ride and keeping some of your hard earned money in your pocket.

Driving in the winter can be a royal pain and quite dangerous as well. Not only do you have to worry about your car breaking down but you also have to deal with treacherous ice and snow that can cause severe accidents. In fact, researchers have found that there are 35% more accidents during the winter months than summer ones. To protect you and your passengers, we’ve put together a few tips to help you drive safer in the winter.

1. Winterize your car early. Prepare your car before winter hits. This means, you should check and change your brake lights, oil, and tires, and windshield wipers are all in working order. In addition, you should make sure your heating unit works and that you are properly stocked with antifreeze, gas, and windshield washer fluid. If you discover that any parts are not functioning properly, get them changed right away. This will ensure that your vehicle is performing to its maximum efficiency before winter hits.
2. Plan ahead. Plan your trip before you leave home. This includes printing out maps and alternative routes in case of inclement weather. One good device to have is a navigational system or a cell phone with a navigational system embedded in it. If this is not a possibility, a good road map can also prove to be helpful as well. Yeah, this one is obvious, but not knowing where you are going while driving in the winter unsettled circumstances can be the sole responsible for an accident.
3. Leave early. Always leave for your destination early. After all, snow and rushing are not a good mix. By giving yourself a bit of a cushion, you will drive more carefully. In addition, you won’t feel stressed or have to rush in order to get there on a timely basis.
4. Be careful. In the winter, it is even more important that you drive defensively and use common sense at all times. For instance, you should stay 2-4 car lengths ahead of the person in front of you, avoid locking your brakes too quickly, maintaining control of the wheel, and driving slowly. By doing this, you will substantially lower your risk of losing control of your car and slamming into another passenger.
5. Have on-call assistance available. Have access to emergency help if needed. This means that you should carry your cell phone or subscribe to Onstar so that you can contact someone if the need arises. Keep in mind however, that Onstar relies on an electrical system so it may or may not function during an accident or in some areas.
6. Pack your emergency kit. Always have an emergency driving/survival kit packed in case of an emergency. Although you never anticipate an accident happening, you should always be prepared. Therefore, it is absolutely paramount that you include an emergency driving/survival kit in your car at all times.

Here are some popular items that you should have in your emergency kit:

• warm blankets or sleeping bags
• flashlight
• ski hats
• snacks and other non perishable foods
• bottles of water
• emergency flares and/or hazard triangles
• a medical first aid kit, including any medications
• shovel and ice scraper
• jumper cables
• working cell phone (at least to call 911)
• reflective windshield cover to protect you from the elements
• Your insurance information with contact numbers (just in case).

In conclusion, driving in the winter isn’t easy but it is a part of everyday life. By winterizing your car beforehand, planning your trip, leaving early, driving carefully and establishing an emergency kit, you’ll be better prepared to drive in inclement weather and will reduce your risk of having an accident.

When you do a little more research it appears that 15 - 40% seems more typical.  HHO gas cars are making the news and one has to wonder if this type of technology can reduce our dependence on foreign oil.  You could always purchase a hybrid car but these cars are not cheap costing thousands of dollars.With oil consumption increasing globally and through 2009 it is expected that consumption in the

Today’s automobile is very popular. It has grown from a luxury item to necessity! This almost attributes to its fast growth and development. Gone are the days when only a highly successful businessman only could think of buying a car. At that time again, more than the need, it was a status symbol. Just the possession of a car was enough to mark a person’s economic stability!Today however, the scenario has changed. There are various genres of cars - from the one’s that are highly stylish and lavish to the one’s that are fairly budgeted to suit the pocket of everyone who is of average income. Day by day, with extensive competition and development in technology, the vehicle models are growing in number per day and also becoming better with each new model. This also gives the consumer the freedom to choose the one that best suits his needs and requirements.With the launch of ‘Nano’, the dream of a car has become achievable even for a middle class salaried person! It fits right into the budget of everyone and its stylish design matches everyone’s car fantasy! Now-a-days, with the advance in the finance sector, it is much easier to get a loan and thus simpler to buy a car! The main reason in the cut of the price of various models is competition and use of modern technology methods for vehicle manufacturing.