5th
June
2008
Unnecessarily slow driving is a very annoying habit some drivers have. It delays traffic, it causes accidents, and it causes failures in road tests for many driving students. Driving slowly has its reasons, but the reality it brings is unavoidable: slow drivers can be found anywhere. During a driving test, driving too slowly can fail a student. However, slow driving has much more than that.The main reason for slow driving is fear and lack of confidence. A scared driver is more likely to drive slowly, since speed gives a feeling of losing control. The slow driving makes the driver more confident at first, but when everyone passes him, it can once again throw his confidence away. This is a cycle that leads to an extremely diffident driver.During a driving test, slow driving can annoy the examiner. Although the annoyance of the examiner is not a factor in the test results, marking a speed error on every street can ruin the test very quickly. Furthermore, driving too slowly can trigger a speed critical error, from which there is no return. Driving too slowly really ruins driving tests.On the road, slow driving is dangerous and already caused many accidents. When a fast car approaches a slow one, sometimes there is not enough space to change a lane or slow down. The result - the fast (or normal speed) driver hits the slow driver. If an accident doesn’t happen and the fast driver manages to slow down, drivers behind him will also slow down, and a chain reaction will begin. This is how “unexplainable” traffic jams occur.With all disadvantages, slow driving is not always bad. Some roads are limited to a very low speed limit, usually for good reasons. It is done to prevent accidents, crashes, and unnecessary death. Driving on these low speed areas might be boring and annoying, but it is also life saving.The only way to avoid unnecessary slow driving is practice. Not all practice drives are good. Only driving with a good guide that explains how to choose the right speed for any situation will help drivers. Every driving student should have such a guide before taking the driving test.
posted in Driving Tips |
5th
June
2008
Would you like to cut your gas costs and get the most out of your car? Everyone knows it, it’s no secret. The price of gas is going up, and it’s going to stay up. Sure it may fluctuate a bit, but the days of a $1 per gallon are gone. Long gone. The oil companies are not going to help you, the government will act slowly and too late, the car companies will make their vehicles more efficient only when they absolutely have to.So what’s a poor sap to do who is only looking to make it from point A to point B to earn an honest living?Alternative fuel saving technologies that can be applied to gas and diesel engines are not fancy, at least not anymore. Remember, it wasn’t the big companies that started the automobile revolution, it was guys who tinkered around in their garages and created something amazing. The same as the people who are looking beyond what the current big companies are trying to do.Let’s look at a few of our possibilities:Water Hydrogen: Water? How can water be a fuel? Heck, our planet is full of water, wouldn’t that be a great way to save money and the planet all at the same time? I’ll try to put it simply. It is a Free-energy solution which uses water as a supplement to gasoline. Using a little electricity, your car’s battery will separate water into a gas called HHO (2 Hydrogen + 1 Oxygen). HHO, also referred to as Hydroxy burns effectively and supplies significant energy, while the end product is just Water. HHO has the atomic power of Hydrogen and maintains the stability of Water.Sounds kind of confusing, but really what it means is that electricity helps your car convert energy from water.Moreover, you don’t need to add anything special to the water it works with plain old tap water.Bio-Diesel: You’ve probably heard of this one before; that guy on the news who converted McDonald’s french fry oil into fuel. Now wherever he goes his exhaust smells like french fries and McNuggets. Sure is a lot better than the smell of diesel, right? And a whole lot cheaper.Now on the market are guides and instructions for how regular people like you and me can do these things ourselves with a little instructional help. It will be better for the environment and better on our wallets.You owe it to yourself to check into them today. Wouldn’t it be nice to put the money you work so hard for toward something other than getting to and from work?
posted in Driving Tips |
2nd
June
2008
Before you use your vehicle, it is best to observe some car safety tips before starting out. Your diligence in making sure of standard automobile safety checks before traveling is the best preventive measure to avoid motor accidents.Check the radiator water level of the car as a first step. Some car owners just assume that there is enough water in their radiators, only to be surprised when the temperature gauge in the car’s dashboard starts shooting up. Do not wait for an accident like this to come your way; it is not easy to open the hood of the car and the radiator cap, once the engine is overheated. Some nasty accidents of scalding with boiling water can hit you, if you do not take precaution in opening that radiator cap! Things could be worse if you have no backup container in the car with some water, and you are in the middle of a highway in the desert!When starting your car’s engine, do not forget to put the transmission gear to neutral. This ensures that as the engine comes to life it functions normally, avoiding any unusual “jumping” or abrupt movement, as what happens if the transmission is on first or second gear, that may cause unnecessary accidents.After the car’s engine is started and you forgot to do a task back in the house that will require you to get out of the car to attend to it, be sure to put the hand brakes on, if you leave the engine running.If there are small children with you in the car, it is best to put the engine off even if the car is on neutral, before leaving the vehicle to return to the house. This is to avoid incidents of the kids unknowingly pulling the transmission lever, as kids are wont to do, active and restless as they normally are. An innocent hand’s pull on the lever might cause the car to move abruptly, if the transmission is suddenly in first or second gear without the presence of the adult driving the car.Before you move out of the garage to start your trip on the road, see to it that everybody with you in the car fastened the seat belts properly. Adults should supervise strictly the fastening of the seat belts for the children.Make sure in locking the doors properly especially if kids are traveling with you in the car. This is to prevent the accidental opening of the car doors while the vehicle is in motion. Keep away the kids from the doors as much as possible.Ensure positioning the rear view mirrors of your car correctly to enable you to have a good view of the rear of your car, especially the vehicular traffic following you.Before picking up some speed, make it a habit to check if the car brakes are working well, by testing them as you move slowly forward.There is one other thing to re-check before you proceed with that trip. See if the fuel gauge does not indicate a need to pass by the gasoline station for some refill of your tank. That, finally, should complete your list of mandatory things to do for your journey.
posted in Driving Tips |
30th
May
2008
This has to be one of the most popular subjects around the internet today thanks to the war and rising costs of fuel. It’s funny how little things you do can give your vehicle gas mileage improvements everyday. Now, with the information we are about to provide you, don’t expect it to increase your mileage at a rate of 100% or anything of that nature. However, just keep remembering that every little bit helps.1. Gas Mileage Improvements Without Spending A PennyThere are three ways to improve gas mileage an individual or family can do without it becoming a financial burden. The first deals with simply parking your car in the shade. Sounds a little absurd right? Well, it’s not, and in fact, it can give your vehicle gas mileage improvements because the sun on hot days in the spring and summer can evaporate gas just from your car sitting there. The other two deal with keeping your tires inflated, checking them at least once week, and making your car lighter, getting rid of dead weight.2. Other Ways For Just A Little MoreYes, gas mileage improvements can be easily made, but sometimes they cost a little to reap the rewards. Something as simple as purchasing an air filter and replacing your old one is just one of many ways to improve gas mileage. If you want another 3% increase then go out and purchase radial tires. We aren’t saying today, but the next time you need new ones make sure they are radial. Then, of course, getting an engine tune-up will always improve your gas mileage and is necessary to keep your car in the best shape.Understanding The SituationThese have all been proven to help your vehicle get the best gas mileage improvements possible. There are others as well, like turning on the AC while you’re driving on the highway. Whatever the reason we need everything we can get right? If you just feel like the money you are making every week is mostly going to gas to get back and forth to work, its time to make a change. Take back the $3-$4 a gallon you are spending on gas today and instead of having to buy more in a week, make it ten days. Over time if you use these suggestions above they will help more than you know.
posted in Driving Tips |
30th
May
2008
Accidents on the road are often broadcasted over the news. Many lost their loved ones because of car accidents. It is important that precautionary measures are taken before and while you are on the road to avoid such accidents from happening. Here are some car safety tips to help you arrive at your destination safely.Make sure that your car is in good condition. Car manufacturers usually recommend a maintenance schedule for their car. If you can, follow the schedule, if not, have your car checked regularly. Make sure that your car is in good shape, whether you are driving to the next block or planning a long trip.Buckle up before driving. Make sure that your passengers have fastened their seatbelts as well. Make sure that everyone securely strapped. You can never underestimate the capacity of that strip to save life.Keep both hands on the wheel. Position your right hand at the right end of the wheel’s diameter and position the other hand to the opposite side. This will allow you to have a good grip and control over the wheel just in case you need to make a sudden swerve,Focus on the road when you are driving. Look forward and that includes scanning through the traffic ahead. By doing so, you will be able to spot problems and will have enough time to avoid them. You will also be able to respond accordingly if there are risky road conditions.Before you pull into an intersection look both ways. Scan for cars and make sure that it is clear before actually pulling in. The cars in the intersection usually rush through, it may not be there the first time you looked, but you’d be surprise with its loud beep just when you are about to drive through.Avoid doing something else while you are driving. Most drivers have a habit of grooming themselves while driving. Some use their mobile phones. Others eat even read while driving. No matter how good you are in driving, doing something else while you are driving will divide your attention. This will also impair your ability to respond if there are sudden irregularities in the traffic.Be familiar with your car’s performance. Check how it reacts to certain conditions. Is it easy to maneuver when you are driving fast? Does it stop immediately once you hit the brakes? This will help you know the limitations of your car.Don’t try to beat the red light. This is one of the common causes of accidents in intersections. It’s not worth the risk at all.Be mindful of blind spots when changing lanes. It is not advisable to rely on your rear view mirror because there might be cars behind you that you cannot see. It is best to physically turn your head to make sure that it’s clear.And finally, don’t drive if you are under the influence of alcohol. You may claim that you are not drunk but that will affect your ability to pay attention on the road. It may also cause you to fall asleep.To avoid accidents, keep your eye on the road and focus on driving. Position your hands properly so that you can easily maneuver the wheel just in case a situation calls for it.
posted in Driving Tips |
29th
May
2008
When traveling with a child in the car, parents must ensure that they follow strictly and comply with child safety seat regulations for the maximum safety of their kid. The state governments of the
US require the strict observance of these regulations, knowing that the young children can suffer the most injuries in case of accidents. Traveling with the kids without these measures strictly followed would reflect some gross irresponsibility for the children by their parents.A child restraint system secures the kid with an infant safety seat while the family is traveling on the road. There is a standard design for this used in most states with the child facing to the rear of the car. Regulations of different states differ only in terms of the penalties imposed for non-complying parents. There are some variations also in the ages of children in allowing them to face to the front from the mandatory rear-facing positions required of the smallest infants.The seating of a child, whether facing to the front or to the rear of the car, is most vital considering that the most harm can happen to the kids when they are facing in the wrong directions when accidents happen, like frontal car collisions. A small child seating in the front seat will be open to harm from a deploying air bag. Hence, parents must see to it that the child faces to the rear for as long as possible as they grow in weight and size.There are many models of these infant safety seats in the market. Parents are free to choose the types that they want. The common characteristics of these seats are that they have harnesses and straps that conform to the baby’s small body measurements, depending on the baby’s age.While some models can be of the convertible type (babies seat facing to the rear, or facing to the front), most are made and designed for attachment to the rear portion of a car seat with the baby in a position facing to the rear. Babies, especially those less than a year old, should seat facing to the rear. The rear-facing position is the safest for them.One other advantage for a rear-facing position is that it is in this type of sitting arrangement that neck injuries to the child can be avoided, since the back of the seat can be a good support to the infant’s head when the vehicle suddenly decelerates, as what happens on impact in a vehicle frontal collision incident. A child facing to the front risks the head snapping forward without any support and this could cause a severe injury to the neck.A parent should not travel/drive singly with the infant, even if the baby is in an infant safety seat. Since the baby is positioned at the back of the car’s front seat and facing to the rear, another adult must be at the back seat to monitor the baby’s condition all the time. A young infant would certainly need the care and attention of a human being, very much more than what an infant safety seat can provide.
posted in Driving Tips |
29th
May
2008
You’ve heard a lot of people talking about their gas mileage and you still don’t know how to calculate it. If that is true, then you will need to follow some simple steps and you could figure it by yourself really fast.Knowing which is your car’s mileage is really important if you’re planning a long trip and you want to estimate a cost on how much gas you need for it. You could do this by using simple math and by following a couple of steps.First, you will need to fill your gas tank completely and you will have to look at your car’s gauge and check out how many miles you’ve made until then or reset your odometer back to zero if you could do that. Drive your car as you normally drive until your gas tank is almost empty. Now, you will need to check the odometer to see how many miles have you made and write down that number.You will also have to figure out how much gas you have used since you filled-up your gas tank. You could check this at the gas station when you refilled your tank. The number of gallons you will add to fill the tank again it’s the exact number of gallons you’ve used.After you will do all these steps, you will have to divide the number of miles you’ve made with the number of gallons used and that number is your gas mileage. If you want to figure out an average gas mileage for your car, you should repeat this process a couple of times and make the average.There are several differences with gas mileage. For example, the gas mileage for your car should be a lot lower outside the town than the one you will calculate for the time you’re just driving in your town.
posted in Driving Tips |
28th
May
2008
Here is a guaranteed way to get instant savings on your car or truck fuel bill. Nothing to purchase, nothing to install, and very little effort!The most effective way to reduce your gas consumption is to ease off the gas pedal! Yeah, well duh. Everyone knows that. But not everyone does it. Few people are even aware of their jack rabbit starts, darting in and out of lanes, and racing to the next stop light. You can see every time you drive that people are hoofing it, and generally driving like there’s no tomorrow. Which is what there’ll be if we don’t all start using less oil.Let’s face it. There is practically no alternative to gasoline and diesel engines now or in the near future. Even hybrids burn oil and we can’t go far or fast in an electric golf cart, or afford a Tesla electric sports car.But you don’t have to give up anything except road rage if you just relax, learn to drive with a soft foot, and anticipate the traffic flow you are in. You can improve your gas mileage by 30 - 50% with a small change in driving habits. Imagine cutting your gas bill by a third!First off, think of having an eggshell that you mustn’t break under your right foot. As you get the vehicle moving, press gently and no more than an inch movement of the accelerator. You can easily keep up with traffic and merge at this rate. When you reach your cruising speed, ease off a little more. You can maintain a constant speed with a light touch.If appropriate use your cruise control. Studies show it can save 5 - 15% over manually adjusting your speed, and reduces speed creep.In city driving, look ahead for traffic signals, and anticipate slowdowns by watching for brake lights. If you ease off early and coast gently you might not have to stop at all and you can reduce the next acceleration needed from an unnecessary stop.Hard acceleration and braking isn’t just when tires squeal. Many people drive as if they’re in a race all the time without even realizing it. So changing your habits may not come easily but the dividends will pay off.Do you even know what your current gas mileage is? It sure isn’t what the sales window sticker says. That’s a theoretical number based on emissions at the tailpipe and not real world driving conditions. At your next gas stop fill up until the pump clicks off. Write down your odometer reading. Next time you fill up and pay that huge amount, write down the gallons and the miles again. Now calculate your miles per gallon for that thankful. Keep doing that each fill up and soon you’ll learn how easy it is to improve your mileage.With a little driving adjustment and awareness you can go from 20 mpg to nearly 30 mpg! I challenge you!
posted in Driving Tips |
27th
May
2008
Unnecessarily slow driving is a very annoying habit some drivers have. It delays traffic, it causes accidents, and it causes failures in road tests for many driving students. Driving slowly has its reasons, but the reality it brings is unavoidable: slow drivers can be found anywhere. During a driving test, driving too slowly can fail a student. However, slow driving has much more than that.The main reason for slow driving is fear and lack of confidence. A scared driver is more likely to drive slowly, since speed gives a feeling of losing control. The slow driving makes the driver more confident at first, but when everyone passes him, it can once again throw his confidence away. This is a cycle that leads to an extremely diffident driver.During a driving test, slow driving can annoy the examiner. Although the annoyance of the examiner is not a factor in the test results, marking a speed error on every street can ruin the test very quickly. Furthermore, driving too slowly can trigger a speed critical error, from which there is no return. Driving too slowly really ruins driving tests.On the road, slow driving is dangerous and already caused many accidents. When a fast car approaches a slow one, sometimes there is not enough space to change a lane or slow down. The result - the fast (or normal speed) driver hits the slow driver. If an accident doesn’t happen and the fast driver manages to slow down, drivers behind him will also slow down, and a chain reaction will begin. This is how “unexplainable” traffic jams occur.With all disadvantages, slow driving is not always bad. Some roads are limited to a very low speed limit, usually for good reasons. It is done to prevent accidents, crashes, and unnecessary death. Driving on these low speed areas might be boring and annoying, but it is also life saving.The only way to avoid unnecessary slow driving is practice. Not all practice drives are good. Only driving with a good guide that explains how to choose the right speed for any situation will help drivers. Every driving student should have such a guide before taking the driving test.
posted in Driving Tips |
27th
May
2008
Would you like to cut your gas costs and get the most out of your car? Everyone knows it, it’s no secret. The price of gas is going up, and it’s going to stay up. Sure it may fluctuate a bit, but the days of a $1 per gallon are gone. Long gone. The oil companies are not going to help you, the government will act slowly and too late, the car companies will make their vehicles more efficient only when they absolutely have to.So what’s a poor sap to do who is only looking to make it from point A to point B to earn an honest living?Alternative fuel saving technologies that can be applied to gas and diesel engines are not fancy, at least not anymore. Remember, it wasn’t the big companies that started the automobile revolution, it was guys who tinkered around in their garages and created something amazing. The same as the people who are looking beyond what the current big companies are trying to do.Let’s look at a few of our possibilities:Water Hydrogen: Water? How can water be a fuel? Heck, our planet is full of water, wouldn’t that be a great way to save money and the planet all at the same time? I’ll try to put it simply. It is a Free-energy solution which uses water as a supplement to gasoline. Using a little electricity, your car’s battery will separate water into a gas called HHO (2 Hydrogen + 1 Oxygen). HHO, also referred to as Hydroxy burns effectively and supplies significant energy, while the end product is just Water. HHO has the atomic power of Hydrogen and maintains the stability of Water.Sounds kind of confusing, but really what it means is that electricity helps your car convert energy from water.Moreover, you don’t need to add anything special to the water it works with plain old tap water.Bio-Diesel: You’ve probably heard of this one before; that guy on the news who converted McDonald’s french fry oil into fuel. Now wherever he goes his exhaust smells like french fries and McNuggets. Sure is a lot better than the smell of diesel, right? And a whole lot cheaper.Now on the market are guides and instructions for how regular people like you and me can do these things ourselves with a little instructional help. It will be better for the environment and better on our wallets.You owe it to yourself to check into them today. Wouldn’t it be nice to put the money you work so hard for toward something other than getting to and from work?
posted in Driving Tips |