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Sabtu, 29 September 2007

Car Maintenance Tips

We invest a great deal of money into our vehicles, and apart from a house, a car might be the most expensive item that we will buy.

Keeping your vehicle running smoothly can save you money in repairs and maintenance, and will be safer for you and your family.

We recommend that you always use a certified and qualified mechanic or technician to service your car – this ensures the best possible results, and can help maintain your vehicle`s warranty. However, there are some things you can do to keep your car running smoothly.

Safety Basics
Please refer to your owner`s manual before you start any maintenance, as it will contain vital information specific to your vehicle.
Have the right tools for the job. It can be dangerous for both you and your vehicle if you try to use the wrong tools.
Know how to handle chemicals. Oil and gasoline are dangerous materials, and should never touch your skin.
If you`re cleaning any part of your engine at home, keep a drainage pan under the engine to capture any residue and follow local ordinances regarding disposal of engine oil and related liquids.
Parking brake should be on, and the gearshift should be in park.
Do not work on a hot engine!
If you`re not sure about any aspect of a repair or maintenance procedure, please consult a professional mechanic or technician.
Things to keep an eye on…
Air Filter
Air filters steadily build up with dirt and dust, making sure that it doesn`t get into your engine. Eventually, your air filter will get blocked (if it does, your ‘Check Engine` light may come on), reducing performance. If the filter is only slightly dirty (it will appear slightly discolored), you can give it a quick clean by tapping it, bottom side down, against a hard surface.

Battery
Check your connections to make sure they are not corroded, and keep the casing of the battery clean. Cracks or bulges indicate that you might need to replace the battery. If you find corrosion on the terminals, you can try to clean it carefully with a mixture of baking soda and water, and a stiff (non-metal bristled) brush. Rinse the terminals with clean water, and make sure you`re catching the run off in a tray.

Windshield Wipers
Properly working wiper blades are an essential part of safe driving. Make sure they are clean and intact. You can clean the blades using a mild detergent and a paper towel. If the blades look worn, they are fairly easy to replace. You can either replace the rubber blade or the entire arm.

Fluids
Before you check fluid levels, make sure the car is on a level surface. Checking the levels of your vehicles various fluids can be a great way of ensuring your vehicle`s health. Make sure that the caps are clean and free of dirt and debris before opening them to check levels – you don`t want anything getting into the fluids. Windshield washing fluid is easy to replace, and you should always carry spare washer fluid in your trunk. Don`t fill the reservoir all the way during cold weather, just in case it freezes. Other fluids, such as engine coolant, brake fluid and power steering fluid, should be checked and replaced by a professional.

Oil change
Oil protects and lubricates the moving parts of your engine. It breaks down over time, because of the heat and pressure involved in protecting the engine, and because it picks up dirt, dust and other particles. Depending upon driving conditions, oil and oil filters should be changed every 3,000 – 5,000 miles. City driving (with lots of stops and starts), driving in dusty areas, very hot or very cold climates, or regularly carrying heavy loads, wears your oil out faster than highway driving in temperate areas.

Tires
Make sure your tires are correctly inflated. Not only will this help maintain the life of your tires, it can keep your gas mileage up, and is safer too. Keep an eye on your tread, and make sure you have the correct amount. Don`t let your tires wear down too far, as this can be dangerous. In most states, 2/32 of an inch is usually the legal limit, but you should try to replace your tires before then. You may be familiar with the ‘penny` method of checking your tread depth (if you can see all of Lincoln`s head, replace your tires) but a tire tread gauge (available from any auto parts store) is more accurate.

Tire rotation
Rotating your tires helps prolong their life. Your mechanic will have the equipment to rotate your tires easily and quickly. You can do this yourself if you have the time and equipment, though a professional mechanic will be able to check alignment and rebalance your wheels if necessary.

Belts
Most cars have a ‘serpentine belt` that drives the various pumps and engine accessories, along with a ‘timing belt` that runs the engine itself. These belts will wear out eventually, or will get loose over time. You can check for wear and tear on your belts, but it`s a good idea to have a professional handle the actual replacement. If you see deep cracks in the belts, that`s a sign that they need changed. They are inexpensive to replace, but a damaged or broken belt could strand you on the side of the road and damage your engine.

Brakes
Your brakes are essential to your safety on the road (and the safety of other drivers), so we recommend that you always get them changed professionally. If you notice screeching or grinding noises when you brake, or feel your steering wheel ‘wobble` when braking, take your car in to have the brakes checked as soon as possible. Those are just two of the warning signs that mean you may need new brakes.

Be Proactive…
Environmental Concerns
A well maintained car not only saves you money on repairs, it can help the environment. Properly tuned and looked-after, a vehicle will use less gas, less oil and less energy, while producing less pollution than a badly maintained vehicle.

A Class Act
Many community colleges run classes on basic car maintenance. Even if you never intend to service your car yourself, it can still be helpful to know more about your car. Remember, before you try any of these tips, make sure to consult your owner`s manual, and if you have any doubts, consult a professional.

Further Information
Visit the AAA for more useful information on car maintenance. And Car Talk has great tips on looking after your car.

The Consequences of Not Having Auto Insurance

When young adults graduate college they have aspirations of starting their first "real world" job, getting their own place and buying a brand new car - one that does not need a screwdriver to start. However, college students are also graduating with much more than just a college degree and a dream, they are graduating with a substantial amount of debt. In fact, many students graduate with an average of $3,262 in credit card debt - 10 percent of that group owing more than $7,000 in credit card charges.

Students forget to factor in other life costs, such as health care, 401K deductions, income taxes, car payments, auto insurance, rent, utility bills, student loans, credit card bills and food expenses into their monthly budget. "After you graduate and land your first job, you do not think about having to pay for all of these expenses," stated a graduate from Ohio University. "Unfortunately, reality sets in pretty fast and you realize you do not have the money to make ends meet - it is a hard lesson to learn!"

College Debt
Why is there so much credit card debt among college students? "Many credit card companies set up kiosks on college campuses offering free pizzas and t-shirts to try and entice students to sign up for a credit card," noted David Roush, CEO of Insurance.com. "The problem is many college students do not have the income or financial knowledge to manage a credit card - a problem that is leading students into a lifetime of financial despair."

In addition to the outrageous credit card bills, students are also graduating with student loans ranging from $10,000 to $52,000 or more. Often students figure they will be able to pay everything off once they get a job and start making "real" money, but that simply is not the case.

Not only are credit card and student loan bills financially crippling to many new graduates, it is also forcing grads to cut back on other necessary expenses, such as auto insurance - one bill you legally cannot drive without! "Driving without auto insurance is illegal in all 50 states, however, many young adults elect to go without auto insurance because they think they cannot afford to have it," stated Roush. "A scary thought when 15.3% of all automobile accidents are caused by drivers between the ages of 20 - 24."

While deciding not to pay for auto insurance may seem like a good idea at the time, graduates are not considering the expense of getting caught without auto insurance or the cost of getting into an automobile accident. "Imagine if you had to pay the medical bills of someone who gets injured in car accident when you are at fault - suddenly paying for car insurance does not seem so bad," says Roush.

The Penalty of Driving Without Auto Insurance
According to the Insurance Information Institute, the cost of driving without auto insurance can vary from state to state, depending on the percentage of drivers who are uninsured in that state. For instance, in Massachusetts residents can be charged anywhere from $500 to $5,000 in fines and receive a one-year jail sentence. In Florida, Louisiana, Connecticut and New Jersey, drivers operating a vehicle without the state required minimum will have their vehicles impounded - which can cost you thousands depending on how long it takes you to get your car out.

To find out the auto insurance state minimum and fines and penalties for driving without insurance in your state, visit the Department of Motor Vehicles' website.

How to Budget For Auto Insurance
As you look for auto insurance, make sure to check if the insurer offers a 6-month or 12-month payment plan to help you manage your auto insurance payments better. In addition, many auto insurance providers offer a variety of discounts, including alumni discounts. So make sure to ask if your college or university is eligible for a discount, because every bit helps when you are first starting out on your own.

To help make researching auto insurance rates easier, Insurance.com offers an auto insurance comparison application. Here, you will be able to evaluate multiple rates from best-in-class insurance providers - helping you find the best auto insurance coverage for your newly graduated budget.

Seat Belts Make Auto Safety a Snap

What auto device is simple to use, takes just a second to snap into place, and saves thousands of lives each year? Seat belts of course – probably the single most important tool you have to keep safe while driving.

Seat belt stats at a glance
Accidents do happen, and chances are you`ll be involved with one or more in your lifetime. In fact, according to information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 15,000 passenger vehicle occupants died in evening traffic crashes during 2005, and 59% of those occupants were not wearing seat belts at the time of the fatal crash. This is compared to the 44% of occupants who were not wearing seat belts and were killed during daytime hours in `05.

Sobering statistics, no doubt. The good news is the NHTSA reports 77% of passenger vehicle occupants who were in a serious crash and were wearing seat belts survived. Wearing seat belts has been proven to reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45% for front seat passenger car occupants and by 60% for those in pickup trucks, SUVs and mini-vans.

More good news: According to an `06 NHTSA report, seat belt use across the nation is pretty solid. The average rate was 81%, with seat belt use ranging from 63.5% in New Hampshire and Wyoming to 96.3% in Washington. And 11 states and territories have rates 90% or higher – including Washington, Michigan, Oregon, California, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Nevada, Maryland, Texas, Georgia and New Jersey.

While these rates are high, the only truly acceptable seat belt usage rate is 100%, 24/7, for all drivers.

Seat belts save more than lives
Interestingly, there`s a huge economic impact related to wearing seat belts. According to an '02 report by the NHTSA, between 1976 and 2002 seatbelts prevented 135,000 fatalities and 3.8 million injuries – saving an amazing $585 billion in medical and related costs. Their report states if everyone had used seat belts during this period, nearly 315,000 deaths and 5.2 million injuries could have been prevented, saving roughly $913 billion.

That's an incredible amount of savings and potential for more savings during a time when many driving-related costs can be high – from gasoline to insurance premiums.

Click It or Ticket in action
This year from May 21 until Memorial Day (May 28), the NHTSA is encouraging law enforcement agencies nationwide to take part in the Click It or Ticket campaign, aimed at enforcing seat belt use. Jurisdictions with stronger seat belt laws generally show higher seat belt usage rates than those with weaker laws. A good example is Mississippi, where the seat belt law was changed to a "primary" enforcement law in 2006 and seat belt use jumped from 60.8% to 73.6%.

The NHTSA hopes the Click It or Ticket campaign encourages drivers to consider the legal consequences of not wearing a seat belt, in addition to being aware of the enormous safety benefits seat belt use brings.

Quick tips on proper seat belt use and safety
Just a few quick reminders about the right way to wear your seat belt: First, the belt should be low and snug across the pelvis or lap, and never across the stomach.

The shoulder belt should be across the chest and collarbone, and be snug. It should never be in front of the face or behind the back. Remember, you still need to wear seat belts even if your car has air bags – in fact, air bags only work properly if you are belted in and they are not designed to replace seat belts.

All children under 12 should be buckled into an appropriate seat, such as a child safety seat in the back. To find out the best child safety seat for your child's weight and age, check with your local children's hospital. Newborns should be placed in rear-facing car seats in the back.

Wearing seat belts is a snap, saves lives daily, and saves billions of dollars. So keep in mind the link between car accidents and seat belts when you take to the roads. We'll all be safer for it.

For more information on seat belt safety tips, statistics and use, or for more information on the Click It or Ticket campaign, please visit the NHTSA's website

If you are in the market for auto insurance or would like to get an auto insurance quote, visit Insurance.com's auto insurance comparison application. Here, you can evaluate multiple rates from best-in-class car insurance providers, saving you time and money on your car insurance.

Insurance Guide

Top Ten 4th of July Driving Tips

When many people think of the 4th of July, they think of America’s independence, cook-outs, family gatherings, road trips and fireworks. But what most people don’t think of is road safety. With July 3rd and July 4th being two of the deadliest days to drive, Insurance.com is reminding all motorists to drive safely during the upcoming 4th of July week.

“Car accidents traditionally increase during the summer months, especially during the holidays when alcohol and long road trips are involved,” stated David Roush, CEO of Insurance.com. “That is why Insurance.com is committed to reminding drivers to play it safe this 4th of July and plan ahead before heading out to a holiday party or on a 4th of July vacation.”

To help keep you and your family safe this 4th of July, Insurance.com has listed their Top Ten 4th of July Driving Tips.

Don’t drink and drive. No matter if you are attending a holiday gathering close to home or if you are on a road trip, drinking and driving is never a good idea. Play it safe this 4th of July and either have a designated driver to drive you home or call for a cab.
Buckle Up! Wearing seatbelts every time you drive is the easiest way to help keep you and your family safe in the event of an accident. If you are traveling with small children make sure they are in a proper car or booster seat for their age group and height.
Watch your speed! State and local police officers will be out in full force during the 4th of July week. So make sure to obey the speed limits of the state you are in and keep a safe distance between the cars in front of you! Remember, a speeding ticket can mean points on your driver’s license and a potential increase in your auto insurance rate.
Check your tires. The last thing you want is your own “fireworks display” while on the highway. That is why it is important to inspect your tires before you head out on your trip. Make sure to check the tire pressure in your tires. Many drivers fail to do this – and low tire levels can potentially cost them more money in gas to fuel their car. It is also a good idea to have your tires rotated by a professional mechanic before you leave on a long trip.
Make sure your battery has enough juice. If it has been a few years since you replaced your car battery, you might want to do so before you leave on your 4th of July vacation. It is better to be safe than sorry when you are traveling far from home.
Turn on your lights. Something many of us fail to check before leaving for vacation are headlights, tail lights and turn signals. To ensure everything is working properly, have a family member or friend walk around the car while you test the car lights and signals from the inside.
Pack a first aid kit and roadside assistance kit. It’s always a good idea to keep a first aid kit and a roadside assistance kit in your car at all times. You never know what could happen, so it is better to play it safe. While you’re at it, consider packing a cooler of water, a flash light, non-perishable food and extra batteries.
Rain, rain, go away! The 4th of July weekend can bring the sun and blue skies, but it can also bring rain storms. That is why it is important to check the weather before you leave and during your trip. If you do get caught in a torrential downpour, pull off to the side of the road or to a rest area until the rain has stopped. And if the area you are in floods, don’t try to drive through it, find an alternative route. You may have to back track a bit, but it will be worth it in the long run.
Watch your surroundings! One of the most popular ways to celebrate the 4th of July is by attending a fireworks display at a local venue. These types of events typically generate large crowds of people and pedestrians. If you are driving to or from a fireworks celebration, make sure to drive with caution and care with these large crowds about.
Proof of car insurance. Whether you are traveling close to home or out-of-state you should always have your proof of car insurance in your wallet and in your glove box. It’s a good idea to keep a disposable camera, note pad and pen in your car, just in case an accident occurs.

If you are interested in switching your auto insurance or would like to get an auto insurance quote, visit Insurance.com’s auto insurance comparison application. Here, you can evaluate multiple rates from best-in-class car insurance providers, helping you save time and money on your car insurance.
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