Road Service

When buying a used car you need to do your homework.  This includes doing a thorough inspection of the vehicle, and don’t forget to look under the hood. You don’t want to end up with a car that will leave you stranded calling for road service.  Here are some things you need to be aware of.

Squeeze all of the various rubber hoses that run to the air conditioner, radiator, etc.  The rubber shouldn’t feel hard or mushy.  In addition, there shouldn’t be cracks.  Make sure it is supple and firm.  Also, make sure the drive belts are frayed.

Check all of the fluid levels in the car.  You can consult your owner’s manual to know where to look.  You should have dark brown or black oil.  It it’s honey colored, it means it was changed recently.  If the oil is foamy or gray, it might mean there is a cracked engine block or a head gasket that is blown.  You should have pinkish transmission fluid, not brown.

Also, take a look at the battery.  Batteries that are “maintenance free” have a charge indicator that is built in.  Green means that the battery is still good, where yellow or black means the battery is no good.

With any car purchase, it is important to have an emergency roadside assistance program just in case of unforeseen incidents.  However, following these simple tips might save you from being stuck on the side of the road.

It’s familiar to us all.  You’re 10 minutes late, driving to work, and you need to make up for lost time.  So, suddenly you find yourself with a lead foot and you begin multi tasking by catching up on phone calls.  Doesn’t sound very safe, huh?  We all make common driving mistakes, but we need to be aware that these mistakes could leave us calling for road service.

Pushing buttons on your dashboard while driving can be very dangerous.  In fact, car companies find themselves jumping through the hoops of lawyers when they develop consoles equipped with climate gauges, satellite navigation and stereos.  Playing with these devices is the #1 cause of accidents.

In approximately 56% of fatal car crashes, aggressive driving is a factor.  Aggressive driving includes tailgating, speeding, making improper lane changes, and running red lights and stop signs.  Most motorists admit that they make the same mistakes that they hate to see other motorists make.

Mobile devices are a big temptation for everyone on the road, but especially teenagers.  These include cell phones, Blackberries, and iPods.  It is best to place phone calls, text, and set up your music before putting your gear in “drive”.  These simple devices can prove fatal in a car.

We are all guilty of making common driving mistakes, but being aware of them will help us avoid calls for emergency auto assistance.  Safety should be your first concern on the road.

The heart of the cooling system in a vehicle is the water pump.  It serves the purpose of circulating engine coolant through the entire system, starting with the radiator, then to the engine and back.  The water pump allows you to use air conditioning when it’s hot out.

The vehicle’s engine powers the water pump so that it works correctly.  It uses either a gear and chain system or a belt and pulley.  The pump generates power that goes to a shaft with an impeller.

The impeller circulates the coolant throughout the vehicle.  The impeller can be compared to a propeller that makes a boat move.

The impeller and shaft spin on a sealed bearing.  Checking this part of the water pump is essential because it wears out easily.  You can look for coolant that is leaking and an odd noise.  Also be aware that a wet engine is an indicator that you should replace your water pump.

If you notice any of these signs, it is time to replace your water pump.  Also, it is a good idea to have a road service program just in case of emergencies.  After all, you can’t always foresee when your car will fail you.

Modern cars provide safety for adults, but it is up to parents to provide the special protection needed for children.  However, there are many different types of Child seats out there today, which can make it confusing for adults to know what to choose for their child.  There are three different types of seats.

Infant car seats are designed to be rear facing.  These seats are for infants that weigh less than 20 pounds and are less than one year old.  One advantage to this seat is that you can unclip it from its base and carry your baby in it.

Convertible seats offer versatility.  These seats can be used with infants that are rear facing, or children less than 40 pounds that are forward facing.  You can purchase these seats in various configurations; so make sure you do your homework to secure your child correctly.  These seats are cost effective because with this type of seat you don’t ever have to purchase an infant seat.

Booster seats are intermediate seats between the infant or convertible seat and a seat belt.  These seats are designed for kids between 40-65 pounds and face forward.  These seats come in low-back and high-back models.  You don’t want to buy a low-back type if you have a child whose head is above the top of the back.

Don’t get overwhelmed with the child safety seat options.  Do your homework so you know what to look at when you go to the store.  It is important for you to be responsible for your child’s safety.  This includes purchasing an appropriate car seat and having a road service program so that you don’t find yourself stranded on the side of the road with your child.

According to a recent survey by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety, many drivers believe they have super abilities to complete complex tasks behind the wheel.  And although it may seem monotonous to just drive a car, multi-tasking while driving increases the chance for having an accident drastically. In addition, many calls for road service are due to multi-tasking. So, what are drivers really doing behind the wheel?

Well, 32% of drivers surveyed admit to reading while driving.  The survey didn’t specify whether they are reading maps or autobiographies, but it doesn’t really matter.  Either way, these drivers are 3.4 times more likely to get in an accident.

And, although most of us detest seeing drivers eat behind the wheel, NETS says that 70% of the surveyed drivers do it.  These drivers have a two to three times greater chance of crashing because of their eating habits.

Another group of people are making work preparations behind the wheel.  In fact, 10% of motorists admitted to making phone calls, reviewing notes, using computers, and making lists, all while trying to navigate during rush hour.

Although driving may seem monotonous at times, motorists need to resist the temptation to multi-task behind the wheel.  These habits can result in accidents and calls for emergency roadside assistance.

Many parents struggle with the decision of whether to purchase their teenager a vehicle.  Often, parents can afford a new vehicle, but they are concerned with indulging their children in this way.  So what is the answer?

If parents spend too little on a vehicle, their teenager may wind up with a junker that is unreliable.  Also, their teen might end up working too hard on supporting the vehicle, instead of worrying about their studies.

If parents spend too much, teens might acquire a sense of entitlement that is unhealthy.  Also, they may have a warped sense of how much things really cost.

Children who are just handed cars never really learn about the value of money.  In fact, children whose parents buy them luxury cars often end up totaling the car within a few months.  In this case, the only thing parents can do is make sure their child is covered with a road service program.

When it comes right down to it, if you’re going to give your child a car, you should make your child put some effort towards the car.  In other words, it is a good idea for children to have to put some of their own money towards the vehicle.

One of the family activities that are the most fun is going on road trips.  Although enjoyable, frustration can accompany families on the road.  Take note of the following do’s and don’ts in order to ensure that your family has a great trip.

The most important thing that you can do is to get your family vehicle a tune-up.  Your vehicle needs to be in top-notch condition.  Nothing is worse than having your car breakdown, leaving you stranded.  This is why a road service program is so important.

You should plan ahead so that your family knows what is happening during the trip.  This will alleviate stressful situations and help things to go smoothly. In addition, you might want to purchase software to plan your trip and invest in a GPS.  This advanced technology will act as your guide to your desired destination.

Of course, you never know when you will run into speed bumps throughout your trip.  For example, road construction and traffic are inevitable.  However, your trip doesn’t have to be ruined by these inconveniences.  In addition, you can rest assured that you have emergency roadside assistance in case your car overheats.

The riskiest time for car crashes are between midnight and six o’clock in the morning.  This is because there are the fewest drivers at this time of day, yet more accidents.  If you need to drive during these hours it is important to consider some important factors.  Safe driving at night calls for preparation, alertness, as well as common sense.  Here are some tips.

First of all, ensure that your headlights are aimed properly.  You should consult your service manual to determine the proper procedure.

Next, don’t focus on the headlights of oncoming cars.  This can blind you for five seconds until your eyes are able to adjust.

Don’t drive if you are feeling sleepy, instead pull off of the road and get some sleep.  Don’t substitute caffeine, loud music, or putting down the windows for sleep.  These tactics are unreliable and may have you calling for emergency roadside assistance.

Finally, don’t allow yourself to stare at the centerline because it can cause “highway hypnosis,” in which your reaction time is impaired, instead, keep looking around and moving your eyes.

Follow these simple tips to keep yourself safe when driving at night.  In addition, make sure that you have a road service program in case of an emergency.  You don’t want to find yourself stranded in your car at night.

With the poor economy and trend for green living, people are looking to carpooling as an option.  This way of commuting is good for the pocketbook, the environment, and perhaps even people’s social lives.

People who ride in carpools find each other through websites, word of mouth, employers, and the state Executive Office of Transportation.  Some people use their own cars, while others form a vanpool.  This is when a group of people decides to lease a van together with the intention of using it for commuting.  Members then share the costs, such as maintenance, gas, insurance, and a road service program.

At this particular time in history, carpooling makes sense.  According to traffic planners and environmentalists, this is one of the cheapest and easiest ways that cities can decrease congestion and pollution.  In addition, carpooling allows people to reduce their transportation costs, which according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumed around 15% of the American budget in 2006.  And not like public transit, being in a carpool doesn’t require much money in the way of maintenance or infrastructure that is taxpayer-funded.

Although Americans crave their independence and freedom, they are realizing it is beneficial to join a carpooling group.  And in the end, commuting with a group of people is safer anyway.  After all, who wants to experience a breakdown alone calling for roadside assistance?

What features can help older drivers stay safe and comfortable on the road and avoid road service calls?  The American Automobile Association has the following recommendations to help older drivers.

First, it is helpful to have a steering wheel that tilts and telescopes.  This puts the driver 10 inches from the airbag, and also alleviates shoulder and neck pain.

Also helpful are mirrors that allow for wide visibility.  This allows older drivers to compensate for a limited range of motion.

Seats that are heated with lumbar support allow relief from an aching back.

Six-way adjustable seats allow drivers who are short to see over the steering wheel, and allow for an easier entrance and exit out of the car.

A car with adjustable foot pedals will allow small drivers to be able to reach pedals while remaining far enough away from the airbag.

Four doors are better than two for older drivers because they are lighter and easier to open and close.

Purchasing the right car for an older driver is important for safety reasons.  Keep these things in mind to help your loved one avoid emergency roadside assistance calls.  In addition, purchase an auto warranty that will help you avoid unnecessary repair costs.