Tags: accidents / advice / tips

What Not to do After a Car Accident

- Jumat, 25 September 2015 No Comments

Photo courtesy of Volvo

Fortunately for most drivers, car accidents are an occasional thing. Most people don't want to think about getting into an accident because they can be scary, but by not thinking about such a situation they put themselves at risk. You need to know what to avoid doing immediately after an accident on the road, because what you do in the moments after your car is wrecked can follow you for some time afterward. The following items are all things people commonly do, even though some are dangerous or even illegal.

Lose your temper

Never, ever, start yelling at or making aggressive moves towards the other driver. It's understandable that your emotions might be running high after being in a wreck, especially if it was a bad one. Even if it's blatantly obvious that the other driver was at fault, you cannot take the law into your own hands. Remember that you could be charged with assault if you do lose your cool and lay hands on the other driver, so if you're upset it's probably best to keep to yourself.

Admit any fault

Even if you feel bad about what happened to the other party in the wreck, never admit that you were at fault. Saying that you're sorry counts and it can be used against you in a dispute between insurance companies, or if the case goes to court. You can ask if the other party is okay and help them if they are injured, but keep the apologies to yourself.

Leave the scene of the wreck

Taking off after an accident is a very bad idea, even if you don't have insurance. The moment you flee the scene of an accident, you have broken the law, even if the accident was the other driver's fault. Going back to the accident after leaving still means you have violated the law and are subject to criminal charges. You must stop your car, check on the people in the other vehicle, and exchange insurance information with them.

Forget to call the police

You must contact the local police and follow their instructions about the wreck. Even if you swap insurance information with the other driver, you have no idea if that information is even accurate or current. There are some people who carry around falsified insurance information when they aren't even insured. The police can help sort things out so you're not left holding the bill for the wreck. Not only that, most insurance companies will not pay out on an accident that was not reported to the police because of the potential for fraud. Even if the police don't come to the scene of the accident, you still need to call them before you leave.

Neglect to document the scene

You might think the police or your insurance company will document the scene of the accident, but they might not even show up. Just about everyone carries a smart phone with them these days, so pull it out and start taking as many pictures as you can. Document where the two cars are, any damage on them, the license plate of the other car, and anything else pertaining to the wreck.

Tags: advice / alternative fuel / car shopping / diesel cars

Why You Should Buy a Diesel Car

- Jumat, 18 September 2015 No Comments

2015 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel. Image courtesy of GM.

Diesel cars have gained a bad rap in the United States. When most Americans hear the term “diesel powered” they think of large trucks, machinery or heavy duty pickup trucks with plumes of smoke billowing out of their exhaust pipes. They also automatically assume diesels are slow and hard to find fuel for. Recent trends predict a sudden resurgence of diesel-powered passenger vehicles in the US. In fact, you can easily find a fair amount of pre-owned cars that are diesels.

Diesel has long been a favored fuel source both in Europe and many other parts of the world. What many Americans don’t realize is that owning a diesel powered car offers several advantages they simply can’t enjoy with a gasoline powered car.

Diesel cars achieve significantly higher fuel mileage. Everyone is looking to get more miles out of their tank of gas, which is fueling the growing number of hybrids on the road. With diesel cars, you can achieve fuel mileage similar to a hybrid’s, but without the worries that come with battery packs. For example, the 2012 VW Jetta with a diesel engine achieves an EPA estimated 42 MPG on the highway.

With newer government regulations, diesel cars no longer pollute like they used to. Diesel cars do not spew huge plumes of black smoke out of their tailpipes, due to a series of special filters required on a diesel powered car’s exhaust system. Modern technology has also developed noise dampeners that make diesel engines not nearly as loud as they used to be. Most diesel cars at cruising speed make about as much noise as a gasoline powered car.

2015 Volkswagen Golf TDI. Image courtesy of VW.

While diesel cars get better fuel mileage, they do so without sacrifices to performance. Everyone knows most hybrids are not wonderfully powerful cars. In fact, some call them downright boring to drive. Diesel engines, on the other hand, offer an incredible amount of low-end torque, giving drivers a good burst of power to get them going after coming to a stop. Many modern diesel engines are paired with one or more turbochargers, making them even more powerful and fun to drive.

Diesel cars don’t all come in funky designs. Let’s face it, not everyone drools over the body shape of a Prius. Many hybrid vehicles look strange. Diesel cars look like their gasoline counterparts, meaning you get a high fuel mileage but not the funky looks.

What about concerns that diesel fuel is hard to find? Gas station chains know that diesel is picking up popularity, and they’ve been preparing for the shift. Most gas stations now have at least one fuel pump with a diesel nozzle. In general, the closer a gas station is to a freeway or highway, the more likely it will have multiple diesel pumps.

Tags: advice / road safety / road trips / summer

Summer Car Emergency Kits

- Rabu, 15 Juli 2015 No Comments

2015 Porsche Boxster Spyder - image courtesy of Porsche

The Boy Scout motto to always be prepared is actually solid advice for everyday life. You never know when your plans can be dramatically changed by a series of unforeseen events. At the very least you might be inconvenienced, and at the worst you could lose your life. One area where you need to be especially prepared is when you take to the road during the summer months.

Many people drive long distances for summer vacations or outings. While most drivers perceive clearly at least some of the dangers in driving on winter roads, many fail to understand that driving during the warm summer months comes with a different set of risks. You should create an emergency kit that is just for summer conditions, leaving out the winter gear like tire chains that will unnecessarily weigh your vehicle down.

Following are some ideas of what you can and should include in your kit. You don't necessarily have to match all of the equipment exactly, which means you shouldn't feel pressured to go out and purchase a whole shopping cart of items.

First off, you will need a strong, durable container to keep the items in your kit together. The size of the box should make it so it fits easily in your car and accommodates all of the items you decide to include. The best way to do this is to look around your house for a container you aren't currently using, such as a small plastic bin or a box.

Bring along a backup battery charger for your cell phone. If your car dies and you cannot use your usual phone charger, one that has an independent battery is the best kind of backup. Of course, there is the possibility that you could run into trouble outside of cell coverage, which is why having a backup power source is not a foolproof plan.

Always pack at least a small first aid kit. Even if you don't run into a major problem during a trip, having things like bandages and ointment can help take care of a small wound. Packing other emergency medical supplies, including any medications you need to take regularly, could make the difference between life and death.

You should never set out on a long car trip without packing food and water. Even if you don't plan on consuming anything while on the road, having extra food and water could save your life in the event that you become stranded. During the hot summer months, taking along extra water is a smart move not only to help prevent dehydration, but also to use if your car overheats.

Bring along at least some basic tools. Having a couple of screwdrivers, some pliers, a hammer and other tools can help out greatly if your car breaks down and you for whatever reason cannot call for help. With the right tools you might be able to patch things together long enough to reach civilization.

Take along a light blanket. Even though it's hot, in many areas it can become a little on the cool side at nights. If your car is completely disabled, you won't be able to run the heater at all, but a light blanket can keep you warm. A blanket is also helpful for administering first aid since most accident victims go into shock and need to be warmed up.  

Tags: advice / car buying

Tips for Purchasing a Salvage Vehicle

- Senin, 13 Juli 2015 No Comments

Purchasing a vehicle with a salvage title can be an excellent way to save money. While it's true that salvage vehicles can sell for thousands less than a comparable car with a clean title, you can also find yourself in a world of financial hurt if you don't know what you are doing. 

I have personal experience with salvage titles and have learned from the good and the bad about them. That's what you need to understand is that salvages can be a double-edged sword that isn't necessarily all good or all bad. Knowing what you're getting yourself into before you take the plunge is a good idea. 

Maybe you've heard the term "salvage vehicle" before but don't understand exactly what it means. A car is marked as a salvage when it has been in an accident and the cost to repair the damage exceeds the current value of the car. At the same time, the stigma of a salvage title can lower the price of the car to far below what it's really worth, even with the blemishes. Before you even consider purchasing such a vehicle, consider the following tips.

Considering that a vehicle that is given a salvage title has to suffer more damage than the car itself is worth, it's likely that there will be flaws. It's a simple business decision for anyone who decides to repair the car, because they obviously won't get the cost of doing all of the repairs properly back out of it. You must learn all you can about the damage done to the car, otherwise you can't make an educated decision. If you find out that the car fell prey to fire or flood, run the other way. Water as well as fire can cause extensive and unseen damage to a car, setting up problems that will crop up months or even a year or so later.

When a car has been damaged in a collision, you need to remember that some crashes are worse than others. There are ratings those in the automotive industry use to rate the severity of damage done to a car. Cars with an A rating have terrible damage, B is bad damage, C and D are set aside for cars with damage that can be repaired with little effort. You should look for cars that have damage to the body, or at the worst damage to mechanical components. If you find a car that has frame damage, you need to leave it alone since it will be a source of constant problems.

You should also know that financing a car with a salvage title can be difficult. Some banks absolutely won't provide financing for a vehicle that has a damaged title, no matter what. Other lends will offer a loan, but at a much higher interest rate. For this reason alone, many people who are looking to purchase a salvage vehicle bring along cash.

If you ever wreck your salvage car, be prepared to receive less from the insurance company. This is the case even if another driver hits your vehicle and is found to be one hundred percent at fault. You are taking a risk with a salvage vehicle, which is why so many owners of cars with a damaged title only insure the car up to the level that is required by their state.

In the end, you should steer clear of vehicles with salvage titles if the car normally would be expensive to purchase. If you think about it, a newer luxury car that would normally sell for about $60,000 but has a salvage title has suffered some pretty serious damage for the value of the repairs to exceed the car's value. On the other hand, a car that is normally worth $4,000 would not have to suffer nearly as bad of damage to be labeled with a salvage title. 

Tags: advice / car maintenance

How You Waste Money on Your Car

- Rabu, 24 Juni 2015 No Comments

For most people, their car is one of the biggest assets and liabilities they own. While some talk about a car as an investment, in reality they depreciate in value over time (with very few exceptions) and they constantly require care and maintenance. It's easy to become wrapped up in keeping your car in "perfect" condition, whether to maintain your image or to avoid maintenance problems further down the road. While some activities and items for your car are well worth the cost, there are others that are a complete waste. Read on so you can avoid throwing away money on your car.

Performing too frequent of oil changes. On old cars, a 3,000 mile interval between oil changes was necessary. Modern engines are designed with much tighter specifications, meaning they can go longer between oil changes. Using synthetic oil means that the lubricant will maintain its viscosity for a much longer time, requiring less frequent oil changes. Instead of following a lube shop's recommended 3,000 mile oil change interval, follow the recommended intervals from the vehicle manufacturer. Also, never fall for the oil system flushes lube shops sell since they are unnecessary if you change your oil at the manufacturer-recommended intervals.

Ignoring the tires. For many car owners, tires are something they never think about until they're told they need new ones. The fact is that by ignoring their maintenance, tires last only a fraction as long as they should. Check the tire air pressure regularly and keep it at the level the vehicle manufacturer recommends, not what's printed on the side of the tires. Tires aren't exactly cheap, so doing this simple thing will save you significant money.

Ignoring problems until they become big. Every once in a while you should drive with your windows down and the sound system turned off. Listen for your car's engine, brakes, etc. If you hear any strange noises, it could be an early indication of a problem. Also, pay attention to any of the warning lights on the dash as well as fluids leaking from your car. Strange odors can also indicate a problem that is brewing out of sight. The best thing to do if you suspect there is a problem with your car is to have it examined by your mechanic early. Addressing issues earlier usually means they are less severe and cost less to fix.

Paying others to do simple tasks. With a little effort, you can wash and wax your car yourself, plus clean the interior. Many people want to pay a steep fee to have professionals do the work for them, but in all honesty it's a cost you can most definitely avoid. The same thing goes for oil changes, swapping wiper blades, checking and topping off fluids, and replacing burned out light bulbs. If you perform work on your own car regularly, you will notice things you would otherwise overlook. Being more familiar with your car will help you catch any problems early and keep you aware of anything that needs to be addressed.

Using premium fuel unnecessarily. Your car's manufacturer recommends using fuel with a certain octane rating. Filling up with a fuel that has a higher octane rating does not make your car run any better or increase performance. Such a "treat" is simply a waste of money.

Rolling down the windows instead of running the air conditioning. This has been proven over and over by car manufacturers and others, but driving with your windows down does not save on fuel. In fact, having the windows down creates so much extra drag on the car that it ends up consuming more fuel than the extra load placed on the engine by running the air conditioning. The faster you go, the more rolling down your windows hurts the car's fuel economy, so plan accordingly. 

Tags: advice / car maintenance

Signs Your Transmission is Wearing Out

- Senin, 08 Juni 2015 No Comments

Every car uses a transmission to send the engine's power to the wheels. A transmission is a highly complex piece of machinery, which in turn means that purchasing a new one is typically pretty expensive. Transmissions do not normally wear out overnight, but instead fail over a long period of time. Knowing the warning signs that your transmission is ailing can help you possibly nurse it along a little more, or at the very least prepare you for the inevitable.

In a few cases, you can actually avoid big transmission problems by engaging in some easy and inexpensive servicing activities like flushing the transmission or replacing a cable linkage. By being proactive about the situation, you could potentially save yourself thousands of dollars and a considerable amount of heartache.

One sign of transmission failure is that the gears slip. Transmissions should stay engaged in a gear until you or the computer shifts out of the gear and into another. When the engine RPMs start racing and the car stops moving forward, you know the transmission is slipping and is heading toward death.

Sometimes a failing transmission will trigger the check engine light. Nobody likes to see the light illuminate, but avoiding having the engine codes checked by a mechanic can just make the situation worse. Once you know why the light turned on, you can take steps to fix the problem.

If you have a car with a manual transmission, you might notice the clutch starts to drag. Dragging is when the clutch fails to disengage from the flywheel when you push down on the clutch pedal. Any attempts to shift a transmission with a dragging clutch will result in grinding gears. Usually the problem is easy and inexpensive to fix, saving you from having to replace the entire transmission later.

Leaking transmission fluid is never a good sign. Transmission fluid is red and sticky, making it appear like blood. Like blood, transmission fluid leaking can lead to death if not addressed. A qualified mechanic can pinpoint the source of the leak and fix it before it causes damage.

Transmissions can overheat, creating a burning smell that should tip you off that a problem exists. If you smell something or see smoke coming from under your car, park for a while and let the transmission cool off. Check the transmission fluid and top it off to alleviate the problem.

Not being able to put a manual transmission into gear because the stick won't move is a very bad sign. Unfortunately, this means you will be replacing it in the near future.

If your car's transmission is noisy when it is in neutral, at the very least it needs to be serviced. The other possibility is that you will be purchasing a new one before too long. When the transmission makes other strange noises like whining, clunking or humming, either the transmission fluid is low or different parts are wearing it out. A qualified mechanic can tell for sure what can be done at that point.

It might seem obvious, but a transmission that does not respond can be a sign of impending failure. This includes if you push on the accelerator and the car does not speed up for a moment. The other possibility is that the clutch is worn, which is a far more affordable problem to fix.

The final sign that your transmission is failing involves any vibrations or grinding coming from it. A well-functioning transmission should work smoothly and almost silently. Instead of just ignoring the sounds and vibrations, take your car to your mechanic to evaluate what can be done.