Defensive and Efficient Driving: a Roadtripper’s Key to Road Zen

Defensive and fuel efficient driving are the ultimate keys to road safety and the optimum operation of your car’s system for a long time. By being a defensive and fuel efficient driver, you’ll also add up more on savings from frequent gas ups.
Follow these simple and easy steps to become a defensive and fuel efficient driver.
Become a defensive driver
1. Before starting your car, be sure that you have buckled up everyone, including children and pets (if any)
2. Stay in the speed limit. In some areas, (especially highly urbanized zones) driving too fast or too slow will increase your chance of a collision.
3. Be cautious of changing situations on the road and be prepared to responds quickly. If you notice a car that’s straddling, weaving, making wide turns, stopping suddenly or not responding to traffic signals, then know that the driver may be impaired or distracted. Probable causes could be alcohol, distraction or on the phone.
4. Stay away from impaired drivers. Slow down a bit to increase following distance. If the driver is behind you, turn at the nearest corner. Always remember to never let or encourage an impaired driver pass you. If a vehicle crosses over into your lane, pull over the roadside. Sound your horn or flash lights to attract attention.
5. Maintain presence of mind to quickly respond to any situation. Never drink and drive. Never use your mobile phone while on the road.
6. Always follow traffic rules and regulations. Never contest right of way or engage racing on busy roads.
7. Always observe courtesy and respect for other drivers.
Drive efficiently
1. Regularly tune-up your gasoline / diesel engine to keep it in top fuel efficiency condition.
2. Start and keep your engine running at the normal idling speed. Running more than the recommended “warm up” will affect your fuel burn.
3. When driving, always keep within the speed of 70 to 90 kph. Driving below or higher than this bracket will result in less kph traveled for the same amount of fuel.
4. Plan your trips ahead in order to maximize the load factor of your car.
5. Always be aware of alternate routes in your trip to avoid traffic hassles.
6. Always keep in mind when to shift to a higher gear. This will avoid stress on your engine.
7. Fill your tank early in the morning will result in your being able to load 3-6% more fuel than filling it at noon when the temperature is much higher.
8. Never overfill your tank. Always see to it to keep your fuel cap tight to prevent spillage or evaporation.
9. If you tune up the operation of your car at close to sea level, it will be less fuel efficient when you’ll get to a higher elevation and vice versa due to the difference in density altitude.
10. Always maintain gradual acceleration. This will save you as much as 1 kilometer to the liter compared with rapid acceleration.
11. Minimize your load. Unnecessary weight in your car will add up to as much as 10% in your car’s fuel consumption.
Practice these basics and you’re off to a safe and smooth ride.
Buckle Up.

by: Jovir Amatong
AutoTerminal.com

Custom Car Parts Is A Growing Industry

People love to personalize things and that especially goes for their cars. The idea of custom car parts is not new but with the ever increasing amount of television shows dedicated to personalizing cars there has been an explosion in the popularity of custom car parts.

Some people go with subtle custom car parts such as decals and accessories while other people become hardcore custom car parts fanatics and start changing around engines and other parts of the car that can increase performance and also make the car look more like a customized vehicle.

Some custom car parts have even been outlawed in some states while others are just plain dangerous. For a time people were putting lights in their radiator grills that looked a lot like the lights installed in police cars. These types of custom car parts have been outlawed.

Some people like to install nitrous in their cars to soup up performance and these custom car parts have been known to kill people. But with custom car parts it is not always about the new models. Just as much as contemporary car parts have been increasing in popularity so have custom car parts for antique vehicles as well.

A large industry has grown up around the community of people that take older vintage vehicles and fix them up for show, to race them, or just to have them in their collection. As this community of antique auto enthusiasts grows the custom car parts makers out to support them grows as well.

Is it Ever too Much?

Most states and communities have laws regarding custom car parts. In some cases some communities will invoke local noise ordinances to keep people from increasing the volume of their exhaust pipes or from blasting a stereo that is obviously much too loud for the vehicle it is in.

Always check to make sure that any modifications that you wind up installing are not going to make your vehicle illegal or in any way unable to be driven on public roads. It is nice to have a custom vehicle but if you have no way of showing it off then what is the point of doing it?

Everyone likes to make a personal statement and many people make their statement with the vehicle that they are seen in every day. Whatever your preference is always make sure that what you are doing is legal and safe.

Consider Mickey Thompson Wheels

You will find Mickey Thompson wheels out on the drag strip, sending drivers ripping through the track like lightning bolts. They can be found off-road all across America, taking drivers through muddy terrain without a problem. Look out at the street and you may see them there as well. Discover the wide variety of Mickey Thompson wheels and learn whether you are a good candidate for ownership. Read the highlights of this product set below. Afterward, search the Internet for reputable dealers near you.
– The majority of Mickey Thompson wheels are load rated for 2,000-3,600 pounds each.
– For rim width information, always consult your vehicle manufacturer specifications. There are many different sizes of widths, and you will want to match them with the right tires for optimal performance.
– The classic Mickey Thompson Classic Lock wheels are street legal unlike most bead lock wheels. The Department of Transportation must approve a wheel for it to be classified as legal to take out on the streets.
– Make sure you do not air dry your Mickey Thompson wheels. For a perfect finish, you will want to wipe them off to avoid spots.
– Mickey thompson wheel choices include but are not limited to: Limited Edition series, HR-1 wheel, Classic II wheel, Pro-5 ET Drag wheel, HR-2 wheel, Classic Lock wheel, ET Drag wheel and Sidebiter. You can also find Mickey Thompson replacement caps and classic lock ring kits for sale.
– Look for Mickey Thompson wheels out on the drag strip where both cars and motorcycles are given superior attention.
– Consult the Mickey Thompson wheel fitment guide for guidance regarding which type and size of wheel to select. The guide can be found on the Mickey Thompson Web site.
– Show your approval and wear Mickey Thompson apparel

One Day Car Insurance- Insurance As You Need It

Just imagine a case when you are driving out on the city streets. Suddenly there is a screech of brakes and you find that you have bumped into the car ahead. In a single second your life can be altered if you find that it was your fault on account of which someone has suffered loss to property or limb. There could be so much financial loss due to the fact that one has not take car insurance. Stepping out with one’s car when one does not have adequate car insurance is callousness at its worst as well as nothing short of a criminal act. Those who would want to avail insurance for even one day can necessarily take the advantage of one day car insurance.

There are some cases when people go to a different city for work or pleasure where they need to drive a car. It would not be enough to assume that they can do with just the annual or regular car insurance that they have at their place of residence. Doing such a thing is not just presumptuous but also grossly in contravention of laws. Ignorance of law cannot be condoned and hence people are required to avail one day car insurance, for their needs of extremely short term car insurance. Theoretically this car insurance is valid for a period between one day and twenty eight days which makes one day car insurance a type of temporary or short term insurance.

It is not enough to avail one day car insurance only. One has to carry proof of the same, as sometimes revenue department officials are seen to check drivers for proof of car insurance at random. This helps to bring out cases of avoidance of the law, which could lead to levying of fines as well as penalties being imposed on such errant folks. In case of repeat of the offence, one may also have to forfeit the license to drive or perhaps have the car impounded. Wise people hence carry proof of one day car insurance also without fail.

If you want to get one day car insurance, it is quite simple. Do look at various quotes online, fill out some simple forms and make an online payment to get car insurance. You need not even go to the insurer to collect the policy as you can just print it out at home.

One day car insurance is really easy to avail if you know how.