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A Refresher: Basic Safety Driving

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While people are required to take driving lessons and a strict driving test in order to get their licenses, it doesn’t hurt to remind everyone about basic safety driving every once in a while. After all, there is nothing more important while driving than keeping one’s self and passengers safe.                               Source: caranddriver.com However, safety driving begins even before driving itself. Before going out with a car, owners should check if all lights are working, if all the mirrors are in the proper position, if there are any leaks or anything hanging from the car, or if the tires are in good condition. At its most basic, safety driving entails knowing all the signs, following speed limits, and keeping one’s eyes on the road at all times. Other important things to remember are never driving while intoxicated by either alcohol or drugs and always having everyone wear seatbelts (and...

Buying a Car? A Few Advantages From Dealerships

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Since the internet has altered the landscape of automotive sales in the past two decades, one might think that this may signify the end of the dealership. However, more than a few surveys suggest that dealerships continue to be relevant today. In fact, a majority of people who’ve purchased their vehicles through car dealerships only have positive things to say about the experience. Below are some of the advantages the consumer has through car dealerships. Image source : caranddriver.com Trials This goes not just for car dealerships, but for all brick-and-mortar businesses as well. One of the biggest advantages of being able to go to stores is that people get to physically try out the items they want to buy. This is something the internet cannot provide. Studies show that eight out of every 10 buyers test the cars before buying them. Laws and competition   State franchise laws are in place to keep auto manufacturers from selling directly to bu...

The Different Sensors For Vehicle Emissions

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The increase in the number of cars on the road has led to concerns about the potential amount of pollution vehicles can produce. A solution for this is the emission control systems, which aim to increase engine efficiency and limit the creation of air pollution gases. Part of these systems is a set of sensors that indicate if the emission control systems are still working effectively. Image source : americanmuscle.com Some of these sensors are the following: Oxygen sensor A fixture in all vehicles since the 1980s, the oxygen sensor checks the proportional amount of oxygen in the engine system. Lack of oxygen indicates excessive emissions. This sensor is placed in high-temperature places; thus, it has a high failure rate and should be inspected from time to time. Manifold absolute pressure (MAP) and barometric air pressure (BAP) sensor These two sensors function similarly – they measure the atmospheric pressure of the environment wherein the car is...

Learning what the dashboard warning lights mean

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One of the most basic things that every driver should learn is to know what the warning lights on the dashboard mean. When these are lit, they indicate a critical problem in one of the systems of the car and the car should be brought to the shop immediately, otherwise, expensive repairs await. Image source: osseoauto.com The set of warning lights and the icons may differ depending on the manufacturer, but some of the most common indicators are listed below.  Engine warning light   When the check engine light, also called the malfunction indicator light (MIL), is blinking or continuously illuminated, there are many possible problems in the engine, such as lack of power, a misfire, or issues in the cataclysmic converter.  Oil pressure warning light   This warning light signifies that oil temperature is too high or oil pressure is too low. Either way, the lubrication in the engine is reduced, which can cause rubbing of metals in the engin...

Tire tips for car owners

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People often overlook the importance of the conditions of their car tires. This may not only prove costly, but dangerous as well. Countless tires have blown on the freeway because car owners neglect to check their tires. A lot of accidents happen when roads are wet because tires no longer have the grip they need to have. Here are a few tire care tips that you may want to look into if you’re a car owner. Image source: insuranceofficesltd.com  Change the positions of your tires after every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. Get the tires on the back and exchange them with the tires in front.  In line with the previous tip, it’s also very important to note that you should put new tires on the back axle. This prevents the car from spinning during hazardous situations.  When putting air into your tires, always adhere to the recommended levels. Lower tire pressure can be dangerous since tires can slip and slide on wet roads.  Always check your tire pres...

The Ins and Outs of Motorcycle Coverage

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As with most vehicles, some form of damage coverage is essential for motorcycles, with a minimum level of coverage enforced in many states. Motorcycles are especially vulnerable to damage and accidents, making coverage like insurance vital. Motorcycle coverage comes in multiple forms. Insurance coverage covers not only for injury sustained from accidents but also fire, theft, damages, and legal liabilities. Vehicle service contracts, meanwhile, mainly include repairs and are typically used for out-of-warranty vehicles. Image source: americanautoshield.com Among the first things that motorcyclists would encounter when applying for insurance is to determine what they would be using their motorcycles for, which would influence the type of coverage they would need to receive. This is due to the various risks they might encounter in different situations. Most coverage products would often make distinctions between on-road motorcycles and dirt bikes, and in some cases, for light m...