Increase Your Vehicles Safety on the Road

Safety is something that you could never have too much of while driving. There are many things to take into consideration on whether you vehicle is safe or not. Many times when you buy a car you check its safety ratings to ensure that you are getting a safe vehicle for you and your family or friends. However some safety concerns occur after you have been driving that car that was deemed safe. Keep in mind that as your vehicle ages it undergoes changes that could in fact make it less safe than when you originally bought it.

The first thing to look at is your headlights. If they have become hazy, cloudy or discolored this could be a safety concern. Don’t think it is just you, it happens to all cars. It is a process called oxidation. Oxidation is the result of oxygen mixing with different elements and since your car is exposed to many elements day in and day out the oxygen mixing with them creates oxidation. This oxidation shows up in the form of cloudy, hazy or discolored headlights. Not only does it not look good, but it significantly decreases your night visibility. To be more specific it decreases your visibility by 90%. So, to fix this problem you can get headlight restoration. Headlights restoration services can be found at most auto body shops.
Next, take a look at your windshield. If it is cracked, chipped or broken in any way you are really compromising the safety of your vehicle on the road. The windshield of your vehicle is meant to protect you and your passengers from any debris on the road that could potentially enter your car. If your vehicles windshield is cracked or chipped it is weaken as the days go by and will not be as much as a protection as it could be harm. That one little crack could shatter with the smallest contact with debris and send glass shooting into your car. It is important that you get your windshield repaired as soon as you can to avoid replacement and worse injury to passengers and yourself. Some auto body shops will even come to you to fix this repair.
Now take a look at your vehicles bumper. If you have bumper damage either in the front or rear of your vehicles it will have a harder time protecting you, your passengers and your vehicles engine and body. If it has been damaged it is also weakening and making it harder to do its job of protecting what is inside. So, get your bumper repaired at a local qualified auto body shop. It doesn’t take as long as you think and what is more important than safety on the road.
These are just a few things that can impair safety on the road, however they are very important to safety. If your vehicle is in need of any kind of repair be sure to take it to a qualified professional to get it fixed so you can drive safely.

Free Safe Driving Tips

Use the signal lights. Keep track of traffic. Check the mirrors frequently. Look far down the road and keep your eyes moving to spot any problems before you reach them. Have a clear head while driving. Alcohol and other drugs can impair your driving skills. Have a good night’s rest and don’t drive for hours at a stretch without a break. If you are traveling on a highway don’t risk your safety and others who are with you. Just try other modes of transport like taxi cab or public transportation. Before taking any medications just read the labels. If on the label certain instructions are written as this medicine can cause certain drowsiness then don’t drive. Before taking these medications just consult the doctor that can I take any other medication so that it does not cause drowsiness.

Safety is always at the priority list before buying any vehicle. Air bags are mandatory in all the new cars. Look at even side impact bags in many new models as well. While buying a used car look it has air bag. Be a calm person while driving the car; don’t be in a hurry to reach your destination. If you ride faster, breaking all the signals there might be chance of meeting with an accident. If the signal shows red light it means stop, yellow means slow down, and green means you can move on. If you feel tired while driving just stop and let the other person drive. If you are alone, then just stop the car at a safe location and take a short nap or walk around for a few minutes. When you are driving on long trips, eat light as heavy meals can make you feel drowsy.
Always wear your safety belt. And also see that others have worn there safety belts. Before you start to drive, keep certain things on mind that are easy to reach like directions, map, and sunglasses etc. Always don’t talk while you are driving. Driving at night is more dangerous due to darkness. While driving at night, remember certain things like aim your headlights properly, prepare the car for night driving, clean taillights, headlights once in a week. Keep the headlights on low beams. Don’t overdrive the headlights. Don’t smoke while you drive. Smoke’s nicotine and carbon monoxide hamper night version. Always obey school zone speed limits and stop for school buses with flashing lights.
Always plan ahead. Allow no less than 2 seconds between vehicles during the daytime, 3 seconds at night, and 4 seconds during inclement weather such as during rain, snow, or icy conditions. Be especially cautious when approaching stop lights, intersections, and when changing lanes. Anticipate potentially hazardous situations that could cause the driver in front of you to stop suddenly.
If you do need to stop quickly, don't slam on the brakes; instead, use firm, even pressure. If your brakes lock, release the pedal and use a pumping action. However, if your car is equipped with an ABS braking system, never pump the brakes. Remember, too, that alcohol, some types of prescription drugs, fatigue, and your emotional state will affect your reaction time and could lengthen your stopping distance.

Free Car Alarms and Demobilisers Tips

Protecting your car from auto theft
While you may be worrying about your car’s gas mileage, and or thinking about a new paint job, there’s something else you might want to keep in mind. Technology in car protection is constantly improving, and one of your first priorities when thinking about your car is its safety. What would happen if someone tried breaking into your car? Would you be informed? Would they be able to start the car? These are some things you might want to look into when choosing your car’s safety.
You might have the infamous sound alarm. Upon disturbance, these will emit a loud, often continuous cacophony, consisting often of the car’s horn, various noises, and sometimes a prerecorded voice. The effectiveness of this is that a criminal doesn’t want to get caught. The instant your alarm goes off, the vandal or thief will likely go running. While you may not catch the crook, your will be where you left it, hopefully without a scratch.
Arming and disarming the alarm can be rather easy. Often, it involves the keys, and the driver can manually shut off the alarm by placing their key in the door. They may also be able to disengage the alarm from a button, usually attachable to the keys. There is also sometimes a button hidden inside the car to override the alarm.



How the alarm is triggered depends on the make and model of your vehicle. There are also many after market alarms, which can be purchased and installed after buying your car. These can be set off from opening the doors or trunk, and also when the hood is opened, or the ignition is turned on. They can also be triggered by an impact to the car, or a difference in voltage in the car, though the latter has become less useful, as car technology is starting to incorporate more electronics into vehicles.
Sirens and alarms, however, are not entirely effective. Some people might be able to get away with the car before you can get to it. Also, due to the number of alarms set off by accident in the past, people in urban areas are generally not prone to respond to a car alarm. So, what’s another good security precaution? Car immobilizers!
Car immobilizers are devices that prevent an unauthorized person in your car from driving away with it. It can prevent hotwiring, because the car will only start when the correct key is inserted. This is because the key contains a miniature circuit, and that will connect the electricity in the car. These have proven so efficient, that they are mandatory in all new cars in several nations, since as early as 1997.
In some cases, attempts to use the car will be reported through satellite or mobile phone. Some people might even try using a unauthorized copy of the key, but while that will not be sequenced, the car will still not start, and the report will be made. These immobilizers, like the alarms, can be purchased post-market, for older cars, which tend to be candidates for small auto theft.
The price of these security measures depends on where you get them, and how efficient they are. But, regardless of the cost, it’s a definite investment to have one installed into your car. You’re pouring the money into your car for insurance, gas, and tune ups anyway, and this is surely just as important as the other things.

Free Driving Safe Tips

Safety on the road is extremely important. There are over 230 Million vehicles on the road today and that number is steadily growing. More vehicles on the road means that there are more accidents on the road every day unfortunately. So, it is even more important now that you keep your vehicle in the safest driving conditions and drive as safe as you possibly can! Find out how you can keep driving safe everyday to avoid being involved in any accidents.
There are many different things that can be unsafe on your vehicle. If you have been involved in an accident already you may be driving unsafely. So many times vehicles that are in need of repair are unsafe because the area of the vehicles that is damaged can not do its job daily or if involved in an accident. So, here are a few repairs that should be completed immediately to keep your vehicle in its safest driving conditions.
If your vehicles windshield is cracked or chipped it should be repaired right away. Most times car owners do not realize just how unsafe this can be. With a damaged windshield it is not able to do its job the correct way and is weakened greatly by the damage. If something were to hit your damaged windshield it could come right through and possibly make your windshield burst as well. Most times your windshield can be repaired if taken in for repair quickly. It is quite affordable and actually most times your insurance will pay for the repair!

If your vehicles headlights are foggy, cloudy, hazy or discolored you need to get them restored. Having headlights that are in these types of conditions reduces your night driving vision by 90%. That is a lot, which means if you have that much in a decrease of visibility there is an increase in a chance for an accident to occur. Headlights can be restored easily and at a low cost. This change occurs from oxidation so a professional will use products and techniques to remove the oxidation. Not only will they provide safer driving conditions but they will look better too!
If your vehicles bumper is damaged in any way you will need to get it repaired. Your bumper has a big job of protecting your vehicle and passenger from damage. If it is already damaged it is also in a weakened state, which means it performance will be limited. Now that bumpers are now made of plastic they can be easily and affordable repaired at auto body shops. You need a bumper that will protect your vehicle from further damage and protect your passengers as they ride in your vehicle!
All of these repairs will help to keep your vehicle safe and provide you with the safest driving conditions. This will help prevent you from getting in any accidents as well. So, look for an auto reconditioning shop to complete the repairs for you quickly and at an affordable price. You need to keep driving safe!

Tips on Car Tyres Safety Issue

Serious warning - Car tires may have a hidden defect that could cause drivers to lose control on the road. A lot of us think that if our car tires look good, are properly inflated and have a good amount of tread, that they are probably safe to go out on the road with. But few drivers ever think about the age of their tires - as we are about to learn, this can be a tragic mistake. Tires, especially the spare tire, could be up to a decade old, making them an accident waiting to happen. A ten year old tire can have deteriorated to the point of having rotted inside, when the tire is used at highway speeds the effect can be disastrous.

"In tires, the materials that hold the belts together -- the rubber materials -- will degrade and lose its elasticity, and those properties will get to the point where the tire can no longer hold together," said vehicle safety advocate Sean Kane. Also, in warmer climates tires start to break-down even earlier. Six years, or older, is when we start to see a disproportionate rise in tire failures. An American government report on tire aging, analysing insured tire claims from several states, found that 84 percent of claims were for tires over 6 years old. Even never used tires, such as those bought from the showroom floor, in the same age bracket, are just as dangerous, as they may indeed have been sitting there for a decade or more, just waiting to be sold. Many auto-makers now put warnings in their new-car manuals, warning against using tires more than 6 years old.

What is really needed are expiration dates stamped on the product, similar to many other consumer products, from washing machines to yogurt . The tire industry disagrees, stating that expiration dates will only give consumers a false sense of security, Dan Zielinski from the 'Rubber Manufacturers Association' says: "Consumers may view the use-by-date as the minimum service-time they can use that tire, no matter what they do to it - whether they care for it or not, or have worn it to the nub." Tire-makers say proper maintenance is the key to safe tires and that there is no reliable data available showing tires becoming dangerous after 6 years. So, where does this leave the consumer? I have some invaluable information to pass on to you! On the outer wall, or side-wall of the tire, the bit that faces away from the car, are a series of four raised numbers and letters (actually manufactured with the tire).

The last series of four numbers actually shows the "birth-date of the tire". e.g. if it shows 1501, this means on the 15th week of 2001 is the date of manufacture. Safety experts advise that if a tire does fail, the driver should not slam on the brakes, this can cause the vehicle to swerve out of control, pulling suddenly toward the affected tire, nor should drivers jerk the wheel back, possibly causing the car to roll. Drivers should immediately back off the accelerator and gently pull the wheel back to straighten the car applying the brakes carefully once the car has slowed to a manageable speed.

Safety Tips when Driving at Night - Save Life

Driving at night carries with it a different set of risks to motoring during daylight hours and even experienced drivers can encounter difficulties if they are not fully prepared. Indeed, the first thing to get right is the use of lights. Not only are they important for night driving but should also be used during periods of reduced visibility such as at dusk, dawn and when there is heavy rain or the sky is heavily overcast during daylight hours. Car lights are there for you to see and also to be seen. Your safety depends on other road users being aware of you as much as you being aware of them and any other possible hazards. Remember, it’s not just other vehicles that use roads, cyclists and pedestrians do too and they must be able to see you coming.



So, before the winter sets in check that your lights are in working order and make sure you continue to regularly check them throughout the darker times of the year, say once a week to ensure that the bulbs have not failed. And, perhaps even get someone to help and make sure you replace any worn out bulbs immediately. When driving with headlights it is important that the full beam is used appropriately. Avoid dazzling oncoming drivers by dipping your lights promptly as soon as they come into view. And, do not wait until other drivers are almost upon you or flashing desperately to alert you to the fact they are being dazzled, before you dip your beam. Driving through well-lit urban areas shouldn’t require anything other than a dipped beam to ensure optimum visibility. As most car insurance UK policies allows drivers to build up a no-claims bonus over several years of careful driving, it is important to ensure that accidents are avoided. Many road traffic collisions are caused by inappropriate excessive speed and during the winter months it is even more important to keep an eye on the speedometer. Road conditions are regularly worse in winter than during the summer months and slippery and icy road surfaces can result in a loss of control. However, at night it more difficult to see such upcoming hazards, especially if excessive speed is involved. So slow down and ensure that you can react comfortably to any potential hazard. Finally, although road safety information films promote the wearing of bright clothing for pedestrians; cyclists and motorbike riders during darkness should be aware that some people don’t always follow that advice. So watch out for such road users who are not immediately visible and always take special care if driving past pubs or clubs at closing time, as not all the people leaving such establishments will be as responsive or careful as they should be on public roads.

Free Tips on How to Clean Your ABS Wheel Sensor - Get Better Braking System

Does your ABS light come on consistently and you do not know what is wrong! Well, when you check your code, you may see that it says that your front wheel sensor is damaged. However, that is not always the case. A lot of times, your ABS wheel sensor is just fine; they just need to be cleaned. Of course, if you take it to a shop, they are going to tell you that you need a new one. So we are going to go over how you can clean your own ABS wheel sensor in your Toyota and save yourself a lot of money. After you clean it, if you are still having the problem, you will need a new one. However, most people have noted that nine times out of ten, this does indeed fix their problem.
First of all, before you get started, you are going to want to make sure you have everything that you need to perform the job. The only things that you are really going to need are a ratchet, jack, wheel lock and, of course, a rag or paper towel to clean it off with. After you have all of this stuff, you can feel free to get started. This should only take you an hour or two to do yourself.



Getting Started On Your Wheel Sensor
First, you have to choose which side you want to get started on. You can choose either the passenger side or the driver side; it does not really matter. However, whichever side you do choose, that is the side that you, of course, need to jack up first. Before you jack up the car, you need to turn the steering wheel to the opposite side that you are working on. For example, if you are working on the driver side, then you are going to want to turn the wheel to the passenger side. Also, when you get it jacked up. You should use a jack stand, not just the jack. You never know how long you will need to have this car jacked up, so you will want the jack stand.
After you turn the wheel and get everything all set up, you will notice that you should be able to locate the ABS wheel sensor very easily. It should be located directly mounted to the knuckle. To take this off, you are going to have to remove the two bolts that are holding them in place. In most Toyota cars, they are 10mm bolts. However, some of them can change from time to time. Overall, there will be about four bolts you have to take out. To do this, just follow the ABS sensor around so that you can remove all of the bolts. When you get the sensor off, you will notice that it is all covered in dirt. Take your rag or paper towel, and start whipping it off. As you do, you will notice that the very middle of it has a sliver strip that you could not see before. A lot of times, dirt blocks this and can cause problems, as you found out. After cleaning it, simply reverse the steps you did to reinstall it. Also, be sure to check both of the front ABS sensors. The one on both sides of the car!
Still Having Problems
Most of the time the procedure discussed above will fix any problem that you are having with your ABS sensor. If you have cleaned both of the front sensors and there are still problems, then you do have a damaged ABS sensor. At this point, you need to get new ones and replace them. If you want, you will be able to install them the same way you cleaned the other ones. However, instead of cleaning the old ones and putting them back on, you can simply put on the new ones. Overall, this is a one day job that can save you a ton of money. Most people do not notice how much money that they can save by doing this themselves until they actually do it!

Free Guides on Volvo's Car Child Care

The Swedish car manufacturer Volvo has always been known for prioritizing the safety of their consumers. As stated by the founders of the company, Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larson, “Cars are driven by people. The guiding principle behind everything we make at Volvo therefore, is – and must remain - safety.”
The company has been researching and developing safety features for their vehicles for forty years now. During that span of time, Volvo has come up with breakthrough systems which increase the protection that their vehicles offer to their consumers.
According to the company, taking care of children inside cars is of utmost concern for them. Small children need special restraints which are specifically designed for their asize. According to the company, the needs of babies in terms of car safety are very different from that of grownups.

A grownup’s head accounts for about six percent of the total eight of the person. In comparison, babies’ head comprises about one half of their total weight. This hefty head is the weakest point of a baby. That is why it is of utmost importance that a baby should be harnessed to a child seat which adequately protects its head and other developing body parts.
Another concern is the developing pelvis of a child. This portion of the body cannot adequately anchor a seat belt in its proper position as easily as a grownup’s hips can. To ensure that the child will be safe in the unfortunate case of crash, booster seats should be provided for them. Booster seats are designed to fit a child’s body snugly. It also has specialized belt geometry which does not rely on the child’s hips to support it.
Not only babies should be protected carefully, unborn ones should be taken cared of too while a pregnant woman is in a vehicle. To develop safety features for pregnant women, Volvo uses pregnant crash dummies to study the effects of a crash in a pregnant woman. To date, only Volvo has engineered a pregnant crash test dummy in the industry.
The pregnant crash dummy is named Linda by Volvo. Linda is used to determine how a pregnant mother and the child inside the womb would react to various collisions. Aside from the physical attributes of a pregnant woman, Linda is also loaded with information about the uterus, placenta, amniotic fluid and the fetus. This helps safety engineers to study how a child inside a womb reacts to violent motions as a result of car crashes. The virtual pregnant Linda can be positioned in any way inside a car and the speed at which a car crashes can also be set by researchers.
With Linda, Volvo found out that pregnant women and their unborn child can e protected well by a front airbag. Volvo also found out that using a seat belt does no harm to an unborn baby. The company encourages pregnant women to always wear seatbelts to adequately protect their unborn babies.
With the advancements made by Volvo, they have become a leader in car safety. Their Volvo thermostat-equipped vehicles are known to be some of the safest in the world. With their accomplishments, Volvo is keen to develop more safety features to reduce fatalities caused by traffic accidents.

GLADY REIGN

Advantages With Automotive Burglar Alarm Systems

The car is most probably the second most important asset of anybody, next to a house. Therefore, it is important that we give importance to its protection and security.
Automotives have been a natural target for burglars. They cost a lot of money, can easily be stolen and transported and may relatively be easy to resell.
Statistics show that 1 out 4 reported crimes are automotive-related. Out of all automotive crimes, 40% occur on the road just outside the house while 30% occur in public places, most often in parks. 40% of these stolen automotives are never recovered by the owners.
Most at risk are older car. New cars already come with appropriate automotive burglar alarm systems. Therefore, it is no wonder that more incidents of burglary occur on older automotives, accounting for almost 80% of all automotive-related crimes.

Due to these statistics, more and more people have realized the necessity of investing in car security measures. Majority of these people will not think twice in going for the more expensive automotive burglar alarm systems.
A less expensive security measure is with the use of steering bars or locks. However, these do not offer enough protection as these may be sawed off by determined and experienced burglars. The steering wheel can also be bent forcibly, making the steering bars or lock easily removable.
To provide more protection, a reliable car security alarm system should be installed. Millions of people have invested in expensive but sophisticated automotive burglar alarm systems. Why not? These have been proven effective in preventing automotive theft or stealing of valuable possessions left inside the vehicle.
How does an automotive alarm system work? Simply put, this is device with a bunch of sensors connected to an alarm. In its simplest form, the switch is placed on the driver's door, which is then wired to an alarm. When the door is opened, the alarm then goes off.
The automotive burglar alarm systems nowadays are more complicated than this. Aside from simple sensors, they now include switches and even detect movement. This motion detector is why we often encounter alarms going off with just the slightest movement or with nearby noise. The type of alarm can also be chosen such that the sound is distinct and can easily be recognized by the owner even from afar. Modern automotive burglar alarm systems can also be wireless and can be controlled remotely and can also have a supplementary battery such that it still works even if main battery fails. All of these added features come with a price, but it is all worth it considering the added security and protection for a prized possession.
With the high incidence of car-related crimes, it is definitely worth the investment on modern automotive burglar alarm systems.

The Features of Car Burglar Alarms

Car burglar alarms are very important in terms of protecting your vehicle. It has many features which you can utilize to make sure you always protect one of your most valuable assets.
Nowadays, nothing is ever certain. Even the most seemingly quiet places end up to have the worst record in terms of crime rates and the stealing. This being said, you can never be too sure about the protection of your assets so you should pull off all the possible ways in which you can protect yourself from people who are interested with what you have. With this in mind, then car burglar alarms are something which you should definitely consider buying.

Car burglar alarms are really helpful and they can really save you up on this valuable asset. Car burglar alarms are more than just a piece of device which automatically makes some noise once a suspicious person comes up too close with it. In more ways than, car burglar alarms serve vehicles as a really effective self-protection. There is actually a considerable drop in the rate of stolen vehicles as soon as car burglar alarms became a popular commodity. This is obvious proof that car burglar alarms are really working.
Car burglar alarms also offer more than just some warning noise. There are some car burglar alarms whose features include a safety locking system which really prevents somebody from trying to force the doors open. So aside from just making noises, car burglar alarms can also strengthen the lock system of your vehicle so even if the car itself is not the primary but just something inside it, that thief will definitely fail if you have this security device installed.
Moreover, some car burglar alarms are also high tech enough to automatically trigger a response from the police. In this way, the device do not just make warning noises against an intruder but it also actively makes sure that some authorities aid you in that particularly threatening moment. What happens is that as soon as the alarm is triggered, your device will automatically be sending wireless and signals which cannot be intercepted to the proper authorities. As a result, the police can promptly respond on the scene and prevent the unwanted from happening.
Car burglar alarms are really important devices which you should definitely consider buying. They can actually provide you with so many benefits that you end up getting more than what you initially paid for. Keep in mind that your car is a very valuable asset and yet you will not always be around to protect it. After all, you will not always be able to park inside a garage where you know it is kept safe and free from questionable strangers.

Volvo Improves Braking Functions

To increaseroad safety, Volvo, a world-leading Swedish auto manufacturer, improves its braking functions for the European market. If customers choose a Volvo truck with electronically controlled Brake System (EBS) in base form, more functions are incorporated to it without the burden of paying extra cost. Among the additional features now made available by the automaker are Hill Start Aid that prevents the truck from rolling backward when starting on an uphill gradient, and Wheel Brake Monitoring that alerts the driver if the brake force on the wheels abruptly falls.

The EBS system incorporated in Volvo trucks can be ordered in 3 program packages: Standard, Medium and High. The Standard package remains in the base version. Moreover, the Medium version is already equipped with the EBS system. Moreover, the base version has been upgraded with six new functions, available for both semi-trailers and rigids.
Power bleed Volvo brakes are now upgraded to boost safety in driving. "We are now providing our customers with an extremely high safety level as standard, no matter the type of truck they order," said Lars-Göran Löwenadler, safety director at Volvo Trucks. "This is entirely in line with our constant determination to increase safety for drivers and other road-users alike."
EBS system has a number of sensors and valves to monitor and regulate the braking system of the vehicle. Additionally, it is possible now for the wheel and auxiliary brakes to interact with in just a short span of time to effectuate shortest viable braking distance in all sorts of driving situations. The braking force is also distributed optimally between the tractor and trailer. This is done to sustain stability even when braking.
The base range of Volvo trucks is now equipped with 6 functions. The first function is Hill Start Aid, which makes it easier to move off on an uphill gradient by automatically maintaining brake pressure until the engine has built up sufficient torque to move the truck forward without slipping backward. This feature is significant when hauling a heavy load.
Another significant function is the Panic Brake Assistance, which is designed to boost brake pressure in a panic braking situation. The system registers when the driver presses the brake pedal quickly to help cut the stopping distance. Other functions include the Wheel Brake Monitoring, Lining Wear Analysis, and Differential
Lock Control. These functions contribute significantly to improve road safety in driving.

Free Tips For Driving Safety

Accidents Phony fender-benders - criminals cause minor fender-benders then attack and rob the motorist when he/she gets out of the car to inspect the damage. Stay in the car, dial 911 on the cell phone, and/or drive to safe place. Check your rearview mirror for the license number and description of the offending vehicle. New twist: Someone suddenly confronts a motorist after he parks in a shopping center and gets out of his car. The stranger screams that a ways back the motorist hit him and failed to stop. The accuser then punches the driver and robs him. Before leaving the car in a shopping center lot, check to see if someone is watching you or approaching your car. If driving away is impossible, stay in the car and dial 911.
Breakdowns - breakdowns leave you vulnerable. If a breakdown occurs, you don't have a cell phone, and immediate help is unavailable, raise the hood, turn on the blinkers, and remove the keys. Lock the doors and sit on the passenger side. If someone offers help, ask him to call the police and/or your auto club.
Carjackings - carjackings at stoplights and service stations: Service stations: before getting out and pumping gas, turn off the ignition and take the keys. If someone demands the keys, give them up. Traffic signals: leave distance between you and the car ahead for quick get-away. If you feel threatened by someone walking toward you, run the light.
Doors - keep car doors locked, windows up, your purse and other valuables out of sight.
Ensure that you fully charge your cell phone battery before you start out in the car. Have the phone on and within easy reach. Always let someone know where you're going.
Follow-homes - car stalkers follow their intended robbery victim home then attack and rob them in their driveways or garages. If you notice someone following you, don't drive home. Go to the nearest police station.
Garages/Parking attendants - avoid parking in underground and enclosed parking garages at night, if possible. Phony parking attendants target special events parking lots at night. Make certain the attendant you give your money to and entrust with your car is wearing a uniform identifying the parking lot.
Hitchhikers - never pick up hitchhikers.
Ignition running – never dash into a store or fast food establishment and leave the car on. Carjackers watch for such opportunities.
Join a carpool to work. Ask someone to join you when you go shopping.
Keys - in your hand as you approach the car. Carry the ignition key between your index and middle finger. Not just for quick entry if you don’t use a remote fob, but also for use as a weapon.
Leave parking lots immediately. If you sit alone in your car talking on the cell phone, you make an easy target.
Maintenance - join a roadside service auto club. Make sure your tires are in good condition and everything else is working properly before you start out.
Notice what goes on around you. Watch for someone loitering in parking lots, hanging around service stations, street corners, and fast food places.
Office (working late) - have a guard or someone else walk you to the car.
Park in well-lighted areas and remember the location. Do not park between trucks and vans. No one will see you if you're attacked. Try to approach your car briskly from the passenger side. As you walk around the car, notice the tires for any damage, check inside through the windows. Back into parking whenever possible; particularly, at night for fast get-away.
Quick thinking and evasive action can save your life. Stay alert for dangerous situations.
Road-rage - never argue with, trade obscene gestures with, or tailgate another driver.
Statistics: • 2-1/2 million U.S. women are crime victims each year. • 37% of attacks on women occur between 6 p.m. and 12 a.m. • 53% of attacks occur near the home. • 36% of attacks occur in public parking garages • 51% occur in parks or other public areas • 64% of all rapists use guns
Tank-full - refill your tank when it registers half full.
Unfamiliar areas - avoid driving alone through strange parts of town, parks, woods, and long stretches of deserted highways, if possible.
Vary your driving habits. Change your shopping and work travel routine.
Weapons - spray-type protectors can slow down or even deter an assailant if properly used. Have it out of your purse and know how to unlock the canister quickly.
Xmas and other holidays are busy times for thieves. Don't load yourself down with shopping bags and packages. Make more trips to the store if necessary.
Yell - if you sense danger, attract attention by yelling and blowing the horn.
Zero in on safe driving.

Source: Ernestine Hill

Good Driving Techniques Help Prevent Road Accidents

Being more cautious on the road is vital to avoid mishaps. Driving a car safely means anticipating possible problems that one may encounter due to hazards on the road itself or danger that may be posed by other drivers.
Mastering all the traffic signs and rules is not enough in traffic safety. Knowledge of defensive driving skills is a necessary tool to reduce risks of encountering accidents.
Advance Driving Skills

• Automotive Maintenance – Excellent driving starts with an excellently conditioned car. A driver must check his engine, brakes, wheels, and other parts of his car which may malfunction while on the road. A car that breaks down on the road is a potential road danger.
• Do not surprise other drivers- Sudden lane changes, turns, or halts can lead to accidents most of the time, since other motorists are caught unaware of another driver’s action. It is important to communicate what you intend to do to other drivers on the road. The car lighting system plays a crucial role in this aspect. Signal lights, tail lights, and headlights give other drivers an idea of what you want to do on the road having them react appropriately. This makes driving safe for everyone.
• Be predictable on the Road- Defensive driving entails doing what you are indicating to do on the road. A blinking right turn light means not turning left or going straight for a few more meters. Improper use of the indicator lights may confuse other drivers which may contribute to a road disaster.
• Enough Space – It is best to avoid tailgating when driving to provide sufficient time and space before a driver stops his or her car. There must also be a lead time to foresee or preempt what other drivers may do on the road. It is also recommended to scan the road constantly and make an exit plan in your mind in case an accident should happen.
• Right of Way – Road signs are there to remind the driving public when to yield to other vehicles so accidents may be prevented. Yielding is also a form of road etiquette where a driver avoids delaying the other car who has the right of going first.
• Just the Right Speed – Speed limits on the road are to be respected by all vehicles. One over speeding vehicle may lead to chaos and disaster on the road. A driver must anticipate how he shall pass an intersection and foresee how other vehicles may handle a turn or a merging road.
• Weather Hazards- A motorist must be able to handle his automobile in less than ideal weather conditions while on the road. The key to safety is slowing down and keeping distance from other vehicles.
• Rage Control – No matter what happens, road rage is not part of advance driving skills. Reacting to other drivers at fault may result to you speeding up, ignoring road signs, and ultimately causing bodily harm to yourself or other individuals.
Defensive driving saves lives on the road. Drivers must consider enhancing their skills by attending further trainings which are offered in almost all states.

The Safest Cars On The Roads

Safety should be the topmost priority especially in choosing vehicles. This is why every car shopper should know the safest cars that he can grab. So which cars are safe?
Luxury cars are among the safest vehicles on the road, and the Acura RL, Audi A4 and Saab 9-3 get the highest safety marks of all, wrote Dan Lienert of Forbes. Sounds good for the manufacturer of the Acura air filter and other automakers that made it to the prestigious list. So if you are hit by a vehicle, silently wish it is an Acura RL.

Joining Acura RL at the top is the Audi A4 and Saab 9-3. All three vehicles get the highest marks for safety from three of the four most respected sources of such data. Sources include Consumer Reports, the Department of Transportation, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI).
Additionally, all three vehicles carry Consumer Reports' highest-possible rating for accident-avoidance capabilities. The Acura RL also has perfect crash-test scores from both the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and from the IIHS. According to HLDI, the A4 and 9-3 have perfect IIHS crash-test scores, as well as substantially better-than-average (in this case, lower-than-average) frequencies of insurance injury-claim filings.

In order for a vehicle to garner the highest-possible rating, it has to have at least two of the following: first, Consumer Reports' highest-possible rating for accident-avoidance capabilities. Second, perfect NHTSA crash-test scores across the board. Third, perfect IIHS crash-test scores across the board. Finally, a substantially better-than-average (i.e. lower-than-average) frequency of insurance injury-claim filings, according to the HLDI.
According to Forbes, the company only looked at cars that the NHTSA and the IIHS have tested in all of their available categories: for NHTSA, two frontal-impact tests, two side-impact tests and a rollover-resistance test; for the IIHS, front, side and rear tests.
The organizations we used as sources do not test every car on the market, nor do the crash-testing agencies put each car through every test they have, the company added. The sources we consulted try to assess a broad range of vehicles, but they lack the data or the resources to do all of them.
What is the significance of determining good from bad crash-test rating? Forbes made it apparent: “A five-star NHTSA frontal-crash rating means a chance of serious injury of ten percent or less in a head-on collision in which each vehicle is going 35 mph. A one-star rating means a chance of 46 percent or higher. NHTSA defines a ‘serious injury’ as one that requires immediate hospitalization and may be life-threatening.”
Lienert continued: “The IIHS conducts a frontal-offset crash test in which the vehicle strikes a deformable barrier at 40 miles per hour. The organization obtains injury measurements from a crash test dummy, representing an average-sized man, in the driver seat. In the side-impact test a 3,300-pound barrier, which represents the front end of a pickup or SUV, strikes the side of the tested vehicle at 31 mph. The IIHS obtains injury measurements from two crash test dummies, representing a small woman in the driver seat and a small woman or adolescent in the rear seat behind the driver.”
The ratings of Consumer Reports' for accident-avoidance capabilities in cars are based on objective tests the organization conducts. The company believes the most important factors are braking and emergency handling.

Pre Drive Safety Checks

It is essential for every car driver to run through a series of pre-drive checks to ensure a safe and comfortable journey. These checks are called the cockpit drill and now even form part of the UK practical driving test.

Firstly check that the doors, boot and even bonnet are correctly shut.
Adjust your seat and steering wheel so that you are in the correct driving position.
Adjust your head restraint so that it is the correct position. Remember the head restraint is there to prevent whiplash injuries so it is important it is positioned correctly. The base of the restraint should should be level with the base of your skull where it meets the top of the neck, and the restraint should be about an inch away from the back of your head whilst driving.
Make sure your side and rear view mirrors are positioned to give a clear view behind. You should be able to see the view behind clearly and quickly, with a flick of the eyes.
Confirm that the parking brake is on is and that the car is in neutral gear (park if driving an automatic). Starting the engine when in gear results in the car jumping forwards, or backwards if in reverse gear.
Put your seat belt on. Remember the laws states that whilst driving a car you must wear your seatbelt at all times, except when performing a reversing manoeuvre or if you have a medical exemption certificate. For comfort and safety you should adjust the height of the seatbelt so that the belt gives a firm pressure over the top of your right shoulder, with no gap between the belt and the front of your shoulder.
If driving for any length of time then it is important to make sure you are seated in a comfortable way. However remember you must be able to reach all the controls from foot pedals to dashboard switches without stretching, and you shouldn't sit too close to the steering wheel as this could be dangerous in a collision. To obtain a driving position which fulfils these requirements:
Elevate your seat as high as you can without your head touching the roof. Then position the seat forwards so that you can easily depress the clutch and accelerator pedals.
Adjust the height and reach of the steering wheel so that your hands whilst holding the steering wheel rest slightly lower than your shoulders. Make sure the wheel or your hands don't block your view of the instrument panel.
Recline the seat back to the point where your shoulders and upper back are resting comfortably on the seat and your arms are slightly bent when you hold the steering wheel in the ten-to-two position. Don't sit too upright, as this may put pressure on and strain your wrists and shoulders as you lean forward to grip the wheel. Don't recline back too far as this will result in your neck muscles having to work harder to support your head.
Start the engine and wait for all the warning lights, such as oil pressure, air-bag, traction control etc have gone out before moving away.

Keeping your Car Safe From Thieves and Vandals

Wondering how to make your car secure but don’t want to spend 400 plus dollars for a top of the line alarm system? Here are a few tips to reduce your risk of vehicle theft or vandalism--without breaking the bank!

Tip 1: Get a simple alarm system. Your basic system will cost about $149.00 dollars (plus installation) and can be found even cheaper if you look for specials or closeouts. This will at least put a shock sensor on your car and a siren that will definitely scare most novice criminals out of their wits.
Tip 2: Buy a steering wheel lock device. These usually lock with a key, keep the wheel from turning and are compact enough to fit in between or under your seats. Unless a would-be thief wants to take your entire steering wheel off and try to put another on, this will usually stop car theft dead in its tracks. Wheel lock devices are also cheap (in the neighborhood of 29
dollars at your local auto parts store), simple to use and easily seen, providing a good measure of deterrence. Nine times out of ten, they are spotted by the would-be offender who will simply choose to walk away without giving your car a second look.
Tip 3: Leave the outside lights near your automobile on at all times during the night. Most homes usually have a porch light in close proximity to the driveway where your car is located.
Many criminals will be at least a bit more wary of trying to break into (or steal) your car with a light right on top of them. Also, for good measure leave your back porch light on as well, especially if your back yard is not fenced in. This lets others know that you are keeping an eye on things and inhibits random lurking on your property.
Tip 4: If you have a garage, use it. But make sure your garage is locked. A garage is only useful in this regard if the perpetrator can’t easily get into it while no one is home.
Tip 5: This is probably the easiest and most overlooked way to protect your vehicle. Lock your doors! It’s simply harder and more troublesome for a thief to get into your car if they have to break a window to open the door.
Follow these simple tips and, at the very least, you should reduce the opportunity a passer-by criminal may have for an easy score.

Reason of a car engine overheat

There are many different reasons that can cause an engine overheat, but they all have in common three aspects. The three aspects which all engine overheat factors have in common are that they cause that the heating system can not get rid of heat, they cause a loss of coolant or they directly cause too much heat in the engine.
One first problem which might be the cause of an engine overheat is a problem with the radiator cap and the pressure it holds. If the radiator cap does not hold pressure correctly then coolant could boil and therefore the engine would overheat. Another reason might be caused by thermostat failures; it is recommendable that you check it.

The car engine might also overheat due to coolant leaks such as those from the radiator, the hoses, the water pump, the freeze plugs or any others. Also, problems in the water pump could be the cause and therefore you should check it and replace it in case it is needed.
Some other reasons by which the car engine could overheat are problems in the exhaust system which you can discover by checking vacuum readings, pipes and converter. Besides, you should also make sure that the radiator hose has not collapsed and the ignition timing is working properly.
You should also check the electric cooling fan by making sure that the fan motor, the relay and temperature are correct or otherwise it could cause the engine to overheat. Besides this, you should also check the radiator in case there are any debris in it as well as you should check its hose in case it has collapsed.
It is also recommendable that you check the antifreeze concentration which should be 50/50 in order to be correct, otherwise it could cause the car engine to overheat. If you do not find why your engine does overheat, you should ask a mechanic or an expert for advice. You should not try to fix this if you do not have the proper tools and general car knowledge necessary for it.

Do Your Vehicle Brakes Squeal?

Does your vehicle squeal when you apply the brakes? This could be the sound of your "chirper", a signaling device built into the system to warn you of worn brake pads. A squealing or grinding noise also is characteristic of the new, semi-metallic friction material used on brake pads and linings. This material replaces the hazardous asbestos previously used.
Brake performance on vehicles of recent years is significantly improved, as is the service life of braking system parts. Unfortunately consumer attitude toward preventive maintenance has not kept pace with technology. A national consumer survey showed vehicle neglect is on the rise even though nearly half of motorists ranked brake failure as their number one fear among driving emergencies.

The USGAO reports that states without vehicle safety inspection programs had accident rates 16% higher than those with some inspection program.
Whether or not your vehicle's brakes are inspected periodically, be aware of the signs of brake trouble and take corrective measures at once.
Listen for unusual noises when brakes are applied. To hear properly, try applying brakes at slow speeds with windows down.
Brake work performed on time saves money as well as lives. Some owners, to squeeze more miles out of their worn brake pads, have been known to disable the "chirper". This is a terrible case of false economy. In addition to affecting your safety driving, metal-to-metal wear of rotors or drums adds hundreds of dollars to a brake system overhaul.

If brake fluid needs filling frequently, correct the leak.
If vehicle pulls to one side, if the brakes shudder or if the pedal pulsates, have a repair shop check out the trouble.
If the pedal fades, feels spongey or falls to the floor under steady foot pressure, take the vehicle in for service.
Invest in the best quality brake work you can obtain. You do care about yourself and those you transport don't you?

Volvo Receives Award For Child Seat

For 80 years, Volvo has been known as one of the leading automakers when it comes to vehicle safety. Safety has always been the foremost priority of the Swedish automaker and it is not surprising that their penchant for developing safety technology after safety technology has earned them awards and even more awards. Recently, it was the Popular Science Magazine which gave an award to the Swedish automaker for their cutting-edge childe booster seat cushion system.

The automaker's newly-developed booster seat is designed to adequately help protect its occupants in the unfortunate event of a collision. This is made for children who have already outgrown their child seats. The said cushion system is complemented by an extended inflatable curtain which deploys upon collision. Volvo booster seats are also designed with a stronger side body structure.
The said safety innovation from the FoMoCo-owned, Sweden-based automaker is chosen among thousands of new products as this year's recipient of Popular Science's Best of What's New award. Although the award was given just recently, the basic idea of the booster seat has already been showcased in 2001 in Volvo's Safety Concept Car. Improvements have been made to the system and the end product is a much safer system which was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year on the XC70.
"Our goal is to help protect occupants. This award acknowledges our efforts to help protect our smallest passengers, our children," said Thomas Broberg, Senior Safety Advisor at Volvo Cars in Sweden. "This new seat, in conjunction with our refinements in side body structure and the inflatable curtain will have a significant reduction in child injuries," he added further.
One of the things that Volvo considered in the development of the cushion system is the size of children. Since they are smaller than grownups, they need special seat belts which can restrain them safely. Or, the booster seat can be adjusted to the right height so that the provided safety belt will fit them snuggly. The latter is what Volvo decided upon. Studies support that children using booster seats and safety belts make them safer inside a vehicle.
"We took into account the child's physical size and weight, seat belt misuse, child physiology, along with redesigning our vehicle side body structure and side impact inflatable curtain to come up with this new integrated two-step booster seat,” said Broberg. "There will be better fitment of our three-point seat belt, a wider age and weight range, and better attitude for the child who can now easily see outside with the added benefit of reducing driver distraction. Hopefully we will hear less often: 'Are we there yet?’," he added.
Apart from being equipped with safety features such as the one mentioned, Volvo vehicles are also proving to be more and more popular among car buyers because of its reliable auto parts which are as durable as Subaru spark plug wires.

Ways to Prevent Auto Body Damage

With cars being so expensive and the economy in a slump it is important to keep the car’s we already own looking and running great! Many times are cars begin looking old and beat up. This is because a lot of car owners to not take proper precautions in preventing auto body damage. Auto body damage can be expensive and sometimes take a lot of time to repair. So, learn how to prevent damage and save time and money. There are many ways you can prevent damage from occurring to your vehicles.
First of all one of the easiest ways to prevent damage is to clean and wax your car. It protects the vehicles paint, and the paint is what protects the steel parts of your vehicle. Without a good coat of paint all over your vehicle would start to rust and become weak in those areas. Also the paint can oxidize without wax which gives the paint a dull look. So with a good wax and wash you can prevent oxidation from occurring on the paint as well. So, you will reduce your chances of oxidation and rust with a simple wash and wax.


Next, Drive safely! Take extra care while driving to avoid running into anything. Whether it be another car or a stationary object. Make sure to use your mirrors and also check your blind spot before merging or pulling into traffic. This is a key contributor to auto body damage. Also do not follow to close behind or tailgate another vehicle. If they stop suddenly you will suddenly find your car and possible another car in need of auto body repair.
Also, choose carefully where you park your vehicle. It may sound a little crazy, but it will help prevent auto body damage. A lot of auto body damage occurs in parking lots. Try to park far out where there are fewer cars around that could potentially cause damage to your car. Also avoid parking near a cart return area. Many times carts are to blame for dents and dings in cars, usually the wind will push them right into your car.
These are just a few simple ways to protect your car against auto body damage. However, we all know that it is impossible to perfectly prevent our cars from any damage. So if damage does occur, make sure to get it fixed right away by a professional before it causes more auto body damage in the waiting process.
If you car is in need of auto body repair make sure that you find a qualified professional at a well recommended auto reconditioning shop to assist you. Do a little research before decided which the right auto body shop is for you and your car. Make sure you are getting a good deal but also great quality work.
So, avoid spending time and money on fixing your vehicle after an incident and start protecting your car to prevent auto body damage from occurring to your vehicle!