Road Service

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.

It is an awful feeling when you go to start your car in the morning, just to discover that your battery is weak. Luckily, many people have a road service program that can help them in this situation, but unfortunately, others don’t. If a car isn’t getting sufficient power, it won’t start, however, help is now here. The Intelligent Battery Sensor by Continental will warn you if your battery is running down due to age. To do this, it determines your battery’s charge status.

Approximately one-third of car breakdowns are because of empty batteries. The reason for this is that vehicle batteries today have to do more work than in years past. For example, car electronics have taken on a huge responsibility. They help passengers remain safe, orient the driver in traffic, and allow passengers more comfort. Batteries are required to supply all of this power. This is one reason that The Electronic Battery Sensor is beneficial.

The new battery sensor may be small, but it is a great technological advancement. It gives drivers a good indication of when it is time to change their batteries. This will cut down on breakdowns and stranded vehicles. However, it is a good idea to have emergency auto assistance in case of unforeseen circumstances.

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.

Many motorists aren’t sure whether they should use regular or synthetic oil in their cars.  The answer depends on the age of the vehicle, mileage, and the recommendations by the carmaker.

Vehicles with high mileage that are older often have excessive engine wear that allows oil to leak internally.  Synthetic oil isn’t recommended on these vehicles because it is thinner than regular oil and flows freely.  Using it often will cause internal oil combustion.

Many carmakers today use synthetic oil in their engines.  This is often the case when the car has an engine that is high performance with high compression, high temperatures for operating, and engine tolerances that are tight.  If you’re thinking of switching to synthetic oil and your car still has an auto warranty, make sure to consult your dealer first.

In the proper vehicle synthetic oil is a good idea (consult your owner’s manual).  Although synthetic will cost you twice as much as regular, it is worth it because it lasts longer and can help your engine last longer.  In addition, you might save yourself some calls for auto road service.

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.

In this struggling economy, automakers can’t count on slick styling and big engines alone to lure buyers. Consumers have changed their tastes: appearance and performance are still a priority, but value, gas mileage and practicality are becoming more important than every, according to experts. In addition, people are protecting themselves with new car warranties and a road service program.

Fuel-efficiency stays on the top of people’s minds. A study was conducted in January by the Consumer Federation of America, finding that even though gas is at $2 per gallon, drivers are still looking for 20% better mileage in their next car.

However, don’t count out the importance of performance. Derrick Kuzak, who is the head of product development at Ford said, “I think people are looking for both [performance and efficiency]. He also said the carmaker’s EcoBoost initiative, which is basically downsizing engines for better fuel-efficiency but adding on turbochargers to make up for performance that is lost, is a way to satisfy both demands.

People assume that more power means poor gas mileage, but this isn’t the case. Now there are advanced drivetrains, better aerodynamics and lighter materials. There are popular vehicles in every car segment, from the Toyota Prius to the Escape that are more fuel-efficient and quicker with every redesign.

With people wanting to save money on gas and the trend for green living, motorists 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?

People need to realize that in today’s cars the main source of power is still the battery. The battery is not just used to start the engine; it is also used to supply electrical energy that maintains the memory of the numerous computers onboard. Batteries and cable connections that are poorly maintained fail to supply the voltage needed for innovative electronic devises. This can cause a vehicle to perform erratically. Maintaining your battery and purchasing an auto warranty can save you from breakdowns. But, of course you should have a good road service program in case of an emergency. Here are a few simple do’s and don’ts that can help you maintain your car battery.

First, it is important to check cables to make sure they are tight and free of corrosion. Make sure that terminals are lubricated with petroleum jelly to keep cables clean longer. Also, the battery should be secured firmly to the mounting bracket. If it’s not, it can result in short circuits. Finally, make sure to maintain fluids. If fluid is low, distilled water should be added. If there isn’t fluid the battery needs to be replaced.

There are some important things that you shouldn’t do concerning your battery. Don’t charge your battery if it’s frozen because there is a possibility it could explode. Instead, you must replace the battery. Never charge a battery that is dead with an alternator. The alternator may be damaged in this case. Also, you shouldn’t disconnect battery cables if your car is running.

Make sure to maintain your battery so it can perform at its peak. These simple tips can help your battery last longer. Of course, you never know when your car will fail, so make sure you have roadside assistance in the event of a breakdown.

To keep your vehicle performing at its best it is necessary to schedule routine maintenance and service.  This will prepare your car to drive in difficult conditions and help you avoid calling for roadside assistance.

First, make sure to check your tire pressure regularly.  In addition, look at the tread on your tires to check for wear and tear and ensure that there isn’t any cracking.

Next, wash your cars exterior to keep it looking good.  And, make sure to put a coat of wax on to maintain your car’s surface.

If your check engine light comes on you shouldn’t ignore it.  If this happens take your car to a professional immediately.  This will save you from spending excess money on repairs down the road.

Next, determine a service schedule with your mechanic and stick to it.  There are certain things on your car that need to be inspected by a professional.  Your owner’s manual will tell you the recommended maintenance schedule.

Follow these simple tips to avoid costly repairs down the road and help you avoid breakdowns in which you will need to call road service.

Most people don’t find tire shopping to be one of the most enjoyable things to shop for. Basically, we would just like to find a set of tires that will fit our car and keep us from calling for road service. Nevertheless, there are a few things that you should be aware of before going tire shopping.

First, you should never buy used tires. Saving a few dollars is not worth sacrificing traction and performance; in the same way that it isn’t smart to skimp on an auto warranty. Your safety should be your first priority, so don’t buy used tires.

Next, you need to know what the factory size of your tires is. You can find this out by looking on the inside of the door hinge located on the driver’s side.

Do your homework and shop around for good tire deals. It is easy to make price comparisons online, just make sure you factor in shipping and installation costs. Tiretrack.com is a good website that has practically every tire and they offer good deals. Also, you can read reviews from other customers who have bought the tires you plan on buying.

Finally, do some research on different tires before you buy anything. All tires aren’t created equal and the expensive ones aren’t necessarily the best.

Although tires aren’t most people’s favorite things to shop for, they are an important part of your vehicle. Following these tips will allow you to get good tires at a low price.