Road Service

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.

If you’re looking to buy a cheap used vehicle, you might want to look online.  One website that is a good place to start is Car-Auction.com.  This is an auction website featuring seized vehicles by the government.  Consumers can select what type and model of vehicle you are looking for, as well as the price.  Results will appear within a few seconds.  This is a lot more convenient than attending an automobile auction and waiting to see if the car you want is up for auction.

When you are looking to buy a cheap used car follow these simple tips.

The most difficult part of the process is finding a quality car that you would like to purchase.  People make the mistake of buying a car because they like the way it looks.  You need to get the full history of the vehicle before making an agreement.  Also, get the VIN of the vehicle and do a search of the number through a local agency.  You want to get the vehicle inspected by a professional.

An online auction is a great place to buy a used car. However, beware.  To protect yourself, do your homework to get a good buy and make sure to purchase used car warranties and auto road service for peace of mind.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that small cars aren’t as safe as big vehicles, back in 1997.  Yet, today there are more small cars than ever.  Small vehicles aren’t the only way to accomplish fuel-efficiency and reduced emissions.  There are now light construction materials that can accomplish this feat on larger vehicles.  In fact, making a vehicle lightweight will improve safety.  A car that is lightweight is more nimble than a heavy car, allowing motorists to avoid accidents and road service calls.

Many people make the assumption that weight and size of a vehicle go hand in hand.  This isn’t necessarily true.  Lightweight, strong materials, like carbon fiber tend to be expensive, however, certain high-end automakers are implementing it on roofs and hoods.

The Smart ForTwo is using plastic door panels.  The doors won’t ding or scratch, and are reinforced internally with steel bars.  This gives the best protection in the instance of a side impact, yet it is more lightweight than a conventional door.

Small vehicle sales are at an all time high in the U.S.  Currently, the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit are the top sellers.  Although consumers will have to pay more for big vehicles that are lightweight, it is worth it because of safety.  In addition, motorists should buy good new car warranties to protect themselves.

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.

Here’s why people need to be concerned about the state of the environment: Because a situation that is bad is costly-namely in money and lives.

California State University recently performed a study, finding that the two regions in California that are the most populated have air pollution that killed more people than car accidents.  This is saying a lot considering the amount of vehicular accidents and auto road service calls in California.  There were 2,521 deaths due to vehicles last year, however, 3,182 deaths were caused by respiratory illnesses as a result of particle pollution.

Ozone released from cars that are gasoline powered and particulate matter that comes out of tailpipes of diesels has been known to cause various coronary and respiratory problems, such as chronic bronchitis and asthma.

It’s very hard to estimate how much the severe air pollution in California costs, however, this study reveals that by bringing the air conditions into compliance with federal particulate and ozone standards could mean a savings of $28 billion a year.

According to the Associated Press, Toyota has “secretly” started to develop a solar-powered car, even though the Japanese company has experienced its first year down after having positive growth for 70 years.

However, don’t get too excited yet.  Perhaps the story that is the biggest here is the reason that the AP wrote about a potential solar car being created by Toyota.  This isn’t any different than any other carmaker that has developed a prototype in the Research & Development department.  Toyota is known for a reputation for its green technology that is cutting edge, and it will receive key expertise when Panasonic, its battery developer, takes in solar leader Sanyo later in the year.

The technology is there to build such a car, without a doubt.  However, you have to ask, what sort of range is it going to have?  Also, is there going to be anyone that will purchase a car costing $200,000 that will need to be recharged after 35 miles?  One thing’s for sure; an auto warranty and road service would be a good idea for a car with solar technology, such as this.

In other words, can a vehicle that is solar-powered be mass-produced and actually work for people’s lifestyles?

Roads often seem like they are war-zones.  Motorists encounter ruts, potholes, and icy roads that can be dangerous.  Just being aware of bad road conditions can help drivers protect themselves.  Here are a few tips that can help you avoid accidents.

Be on the lookout for nasty potholes.  If you encounter a pothole, slow down and keep your hands on the wheel.  Hitting a pothole hard might put your vehicle out of alignment.  Also, it is common for steel-belted tires to endure damage, due to potholes, that could make the driver lose control.

Luckily, ruts do little damage to vehicles.  However, they do sometimes cause drivers to lose control of the car.  In this event, a car can experience a great deal of damage.

One of the most dangerous road conditions is a sheet of ice.  Many accidents are the result of cars slipping on ice.  If the roads are very icy, it is best to avoid driving.  However, in the event that you must drive, go slow and allow enough distance in between you and the car in front of you.

Sometimes drivers can’t foresee bad road conditions.  All motorists can do is drive defensively and make sure you have a road service program that can assist you in case of an emergency.

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.

Many drivers have a hard time finding a repair shop that they feel is trustworthy.  While some motorists feel comfortable taking their car to the dealership, others prefer going to an independent repair shop.  So, which one is better?

You will find several advantages to going to the dealership repair shop.  First of all, dealerships pay for their technicians to have special training, and they provide them with special tools and equipment.  Dealerships also have a years worth of proprietary information on new vehicles that they have sold.  This information is important for making repairs and diagnosis, yet only the dealer has access to it.  Finally, dealership service departments only work on the specific makes and models that they sell, so they are efficient at diagnosis and repairs.

Independent shops also have advantages.  Because independent facilities try to serve the neighborhood that they are in, customers can benefit from a more personal customer service.  Also, independent repair shops provide more versatile services on a wide range of cars.  In addition, top-notch repair shops will offer an auto warranty through the supplier of the parts.  Finally, prices are usually better at independent repair shops.

There are advantages to both dealerships and independent repair shops.  Consumers should find a repair shop that they feel comfortable with, regardless of what kind it is and a good road service program.  In addition, it is important to purchase an auto warranty to avoid paying unnecessary repair costs.

To avoid having to call for emergency roadside assistance, maintain your car.  There are a lot of motorists driving around with poorly maintained cars, and many of them find themselves stranded on the side of the road calling for road service.  To avoid this situation follow these simple tips.

Many people drive with very low tire pressure.  It used to be that gas stations would check tire pressure when you filled up your tank, but those days are gone.  Tires that are under inflated cause additional wear in tires and make your car get poor gas mileage.  It can be like driving with the parking brake on.  Check your owner’s manual for the proper tire pressure.

Also, be on the lookout for alignment problems.  If you sense a change in the steering, your vehicle probably needs to be aligned.  Many times there is a symbol on the steering wheel.  Make sure that the symbol is completely straight.  To avoid alignment problems, avoid potholes.

The most important thing that you can do for your car is changing your oil on a regular basis.  Generally, you want to change your oil every 3,000 miles.  However, if you use synthetic oil you can wait a little longer in between your oil changes.

Following these simple tips can keep you on the road and help you avoid being stranded.  Of course, you never want to leave home without a phone number for your road service program, because you never know when your car will fail.