AUTO.articles

The cold weather affects your car too. Along with making driving more hazardous due to ice and snow, extreme winter weather can be stressful, especially on older cars.As winter approaches take you car to your trusty mechanic and have him check the following items: battery, wipers, antifreeze levels, heating system, brakes, defroster.
You’ll want to make sure your battery is fully charged as cold weather starting is a heavy drain on your battery. You’ll want to make sure that your windshield wipers are in good condition as they’ll get a lot of use brushing snow off, and, make sure you have plenty of windshield washer fluid in the reservoir and carry an extra gallon in your car. Your windshield washer fluid will get used up quickly keeping salt off the windshield. You will want to make sure that your antifreeze is at proper levels. Antifreeze can prevent freezing of your engine to about 30 degrees below zero. It should be replaced every two years. Have your heating system checked, this will include your defroster, which you’ll really need during the winter.
Make sure you have good winter tires on your car. If you live in an area where you get a good amount of snowfall you may want to make a seasonal change from all season to snow tires. All season radials just don’t give you the same performance in snow and ice that dedicated snow tires do.
There are things that you should keep in your car during the winter. Snow scraper, deicer, blankets, extra hat and mittens, small snow shovel, sand (to help with traction), boots. At all times you should have a small first aid kit, booster cables, small tools such as screwdriver, wrench and pliers a flashlight with extra batteries, extra water. Keep a can of deicer in your home so you’ll be able to get into your car.
Remember before leaving home to make sure your car is completely cleaned off. Clear all snow and ice from your hood, roof, trunk and side. Make sure your headlights and tail lights are clearly visible. Drive slowly. The posted speed limits are for ideal driving conditions. When driving leave plenty of stopping distance between you and the car in front of you. You may need to leave more distance in icy conditions. Make any turns slowly. Brake slowly.
By following these tips above you can have a safe winter driving season.

• Comments (0)

Your automobile is one of the most important investments you will make aside from your house. So it only follows that you would watch over this prized possession as a mother would her child. While singing it lullabyes, you will want to keep it from getting scratched or stained. This is where a good car cover comes in. Without this simple but highly effective protection, you are sure to have your baby sporting dents and scratches in no time. If you re looking for a good guide to choosing a car cover for your vehicle, you have come to the right place.Imagine the dread when you find the first dent or scratch on your new vehicle. Unfortunately, it s a fact of life. Unless you are considering covering your vehicle in plated steel, chances are you will be seeing more of these dents and scratches in your life. However, a good car cover can, at the very least, keep your car away from many of the needless scratches it could endure.
Birds, trees, and dust all pose a scratch hazard to your car. They may seem harmless, but looks can be deceiving.
Birds
Don t you just hate it when those birds just can t seem to let loose their bombs unless there are right over something important- Jump the gun! Get protection for your car!
Bird droppings are acidic and could cause discoloration or even corrosion to your paint finish. Most outdoor car cover fabrics are designed to keep those droppings from harming your car.
Trees
We all love them for the shade. But trees have a deadly sense of retribution. Falling branches, nuts, fruits, and sap can all put scratches and stains on you car. And don t forget our friendly neighborhood birds (where else would they be found-). If you re really unlucky, a large branch might come crashing your way. So always be careful which tree you choose to park under.
Dust
You might think that your car paint can weather dust storms. Unfortunately that armor of paint you talk about is only .006 inches thick. Dust that settles on your cars surface could cause tiny scratches if it gets rubbed in. Indoor car cover fabrics and Outdoor car cover fabrics are designed to keep that dust away from your vehicle.
Thieves!
That thin lining of cloth might not look like it can repel large hazards to your car. But, look again! It could even save your car from thieving fiends! Thieves usually bypass covered vehicles because they take more time to get into. Since their goal is to get the car out of there in the least amount of time, they usually look for those that are easier to get in to. Add a lock and cable to your car cover, and you will keep those pesky thieves scrambling for a different quarry.
Rain
Rain is usually harmless. But a strong downpour could assist dust and other debris in scratching the surface of your car. A good outdoor car-cover gives your car a much needed raincoat.
Sunshine
Harsh UV rays and the intense heat of the Sun can bleach the color right out of your car. A car cover makes sure these harmful elements are deflected. It also keeps the interior of your car cooler.
Winter
Your car s finish will have no problem with the cold. It will, though, have a problem with the moisture and the salt. Both elements can wreck havoc on your paint job. Keep your car cover on to prevent this.
Things to Consider in Choosing the Right Car Cover Consider the following when choosing a car cover:
1. The places where you park and how frequent you use your car
2. Weather in the places you often drive to
3. What color will work best in the weather you drive. For sunny areas a light color helps keep the vehicle cooler. In area with snow, a high contrast vehicle makes for better visibility.
4. Parking areas. Make sure you know the hazards of your parking area. And be prepared to choose a car cover that addresses this.
5. The number of people and the crime rate at your parking lot. This will decide whether you will go for a car cover lock to discourage any thieves.
Choosing car covers might sound trivial to some. But for the well-informed person (that s you), an investment in a good car cover could decide the lifespan of you precious vehicle.

• Comments (0)

There are many reasons to purchase a helicopter for sale. Helicopters, often more affordable than their cousin, the air plane, afford both fun and function. Helicopters for fun and for business provide advantages over terrestrial vehicles, and can earn their keep in money saved. There are many business uses for helicopters for sale, and just as many leisure activities to pursue with a helicopter. Helicopters can increase the efficiency of sales for companies with wide geographic sales territories. Helicopters are easier to maintain than a company jet, and much less expensive. Helicopters get from place to place much quicker than a car could, and can carry greater amounts of products. For the fledgling company, a helicopter can add states to their sales territory without increasing the number of individuals providing sales. A helicopter provides a way for a salesperson to see about sales in one state, and still be home in a neighboring state in time for dinner.
This can increase the turnaround of product after sale, and can decrease a company s budget for travel and lodging of salespeople. Helicopters can make taking inventory on the road affordable and feasible, with on-demand merchandising increasing.
A helicopter for sale may spell increased satisfaction for customers who want merchandise on the spot. A helicopter may also increase job satisfaction among traveling employees who understand the necessity of in personal contact but still wish to spend time with their families in the evenings.
Helicopters for sale could spell future business ventures. Shuttle companies that use helicopters to ferry customers to and from cities provide a scenic view as well as a practical function. Helicopters for sale might be the beginning of a ferry business that brings customers to and from nearby cities. Cities located near major airports may benefit from this ferry service, because helicopters for sale and purchased for ferrying increase business traffic in a city.
Helicopters provide an avenue for sight seeing that can bring personal pleasure as well as financial gain. Helicopter rides, ranging from fifty dollars an hour to much more in areas with interesting terrain, provide a better view than traditional airplane rides. This view increases the worth of a helicopter for sale. Customers may pay upwards of two hundred dollars for a helicopter ride over volcanoes. Helicopter rides that tour the Grand Canyon provide tourists a way to see the majesty of this natural phenomenon a view they may miss when actually hiking in the canyon.
Helicopters for sale are also very good candidates for search and rescue operations. Helicopters are preferable for search and rescue missions for many reasons. A Helicopter for sale on a search and rescue mission provides searchers a wide view of scenery. A helicopter has distinct flight advantages over airplanes for this purpose. Helicopters can get closer to the ground, and can hover, affording a slower scan of terrain. Helicopters can get into greater areas than airplanes, and should be considered first when outfitting a search and rescue mission.

• Comments (0)

Auto import is one of the largest markets of car purchases each and every year in the United States. For some, this is a good thing. For others though, this is a very troubling aspect that many people need to be concerned about. Nevertheless, there are many reasons why people look overseas for their car purchases. Auto import sales are expected to continue to grow especially with more fuel efficient autos and the ever rising costs of fuel. But what is your side of the auto import story- First, there are those who are just looking for the car they want. It doesn-t mater to them where it was made. They want a good car that offers all the bells and whistles it can, but that also provides great mileage as well as a great price. These things are more difficult than you think to come by. In the world of auto import options, many of the cars that come in form economies like Japan and China are much less expensive simply because of the cost of labor and the cost of manufacture is so much lower there. So, the price you pay is simply lower in this case.
But, on the other side of the coin are all of the manufacturers of autos in the United States who struggle to stay ahead. This is a fierce competition. People want the best products but they want them cheaply. In many cases, this is just not possible in the American economy. But it ends up hurting us all in the end when these factors lay individuals off and then they cannot work.
With all of this said, there are still many reasons to consider about the auto import. They are great cars, made to perform as they should. They offer many of the latest and great technologies that make them so very important on the market. Some are high class cars and SUV-s that are there to impress while others are economies that are just awesome in the way of saving you money. The choice is yours whether you go for the auto import or not.

• Comments (0)

Defensive driving is quite an important thing that we have. People simply need to know that while you can control your own actions most of the time, you cannot control or know what is happening with other drivers. Defensive driving courses offer a wealth of information for people who are looking for solutions to prevent accidents and problems from happening. So, what is defensive driving all about- It is a method of driving in which you take every possible precaution that you can to prevent problems from happening. This method of driving is an excellent way to keep you and your family safe. Here are some of the rules of defensive driving:
- Its starts by being prepared. Checking such things as tire pressure and oil, gas, and water levels before leaving are important. You will want to check mirrors, seats as well as make sure that you have all the insurance and other documentation that you need before heading out.
- Never display or react to road rage.
- Purchasing bright colored cars can also help you. The purchase of a red, orange, yellow or other brightly colored car can help you to be seen. Unlike light colored cars that are more difficult to be seen, bright colored ones are less likely to be in an accident.
- Always use your headlights.
- When driving, make sure that you use the three-second rule. This states that you should be at least three seconds of driving time behind the driver in front of you at all times. In bad conditions, it should be five seconds.
- To make sure that you can see clearly, never follow too closely behind large trucks.
- Avoid the blind spot of other cars by not driving in those spots for every long.
- In fact, try to drive without anyone next to you at all times so that if you need to get off the road quickly, you can.
- Avoid cars that are broken down or show signs of being damaged. Studies show that these cars are often driven by bad drivers.
These are only a few of the defensive driving rules that are out there. You will find a wide range of them as well as places to take defensive driving classes on the web.

• Comments (0)

It doesn t matter if your car is a sports car, an antique car, or even just a plain family car, if you want it safely delivered to you, you will have to find a reliable and affordable transport company that has a car transport package that suits your needs and your budget. But, when choosing a car transport service you have to be aware of some issues regarding the transport and delivery of such. Transporting something as precious as your car would be suicide if you don t take the proper precautions.
Here are some things to look out for when considering a car transport service.
Insurance
Your car is a big investment. If you allow your car to be transported carelessly, you could end up with a badly banged-up car. To avoid this, you can have your transport service insure your car. While doing research on what transport service to hire, always look at the total price plus insurance. It may seem like a waste of money to some, but for those who have experienced having their cars shipped to them with dents, scratches, and gasp other major damages; insurance will seem like a welcome advice.
Know What Type of Transport You are Dealing With
There are quite a few options on how to have your car delivered. You can have door-to-door, enclosed, open, terminal-to-terminal, and rail service among others. Some of these options may have features that you do not need, or features that are more than what you need. Make sure you understand the details of each option and choose one according to your needs.
Schedule
You have to be clear on the schedules of pick up and delivery.
Pick up time is the amount of time it takes from receipt of the order to transport until your automobile is loaded unto the trailer. This time is usually 2 and 10 days. Transport services appreciate a three day allowance to find a trailer and assign your car to that trailer.
Transit time will take about 8-10 days. This depends on the destination and route taken. These trailers will usually carry about ten automobiles at the same time. And as they make the necessary stops to deliver each automobile, it could use up a lot of time. So, it would do well to be patient during these times.
When you and your car transport service come to terms on the dates, reinforce the fact that you will be expecting punctuality in the delivery and pickup. You might also want to consider whether the company allows you to cancel the transaction if they are late for pick up, or to refund a certain amount if they deliver you car late, or with damage.
If they are to be delayed, your car transport service should inform you ahead of time so you will not have to waste any time fussing over what happened to your car.
Report, Report, Report
It pays to have everything documented and in paper. Have the transport service inspect your car before and after transport so you can assess whether there was any damage sustained during the process. They should check the condition of the car and note this all down in paper. This is a standard operating procedure for many of the car transport services around.
Conclusion
Finding the appropriate car transport trailer to fit your specific needs and budget should be an easy task providing that you know you budget limitations, special travel requirements for your car, and the length of trip. In today s market there are literally hundreds of car transport trailer options out there, and you can count on finding the right one for you in no time at all.
The size of the car transport company is not the deciding factor. What really decides whether you can trust your transport service is the skill and track record of the service. Always investigate the past transactions of the transport outfit to see if there are any potential problems regarding their service.
Now you are all armed and a bit more knowledgeable in these matters. Car transport will now lose most of scary-ness you had attached to it, thanks to added knowledge! Use this knowledge wisely and enjoy a worry-free car transport!

• Comments (0)

Each year, there are approximately 500,000 accidents in the United States involving large trucks/tractor- trailers, with 5,000 fatalities. In fact, 1 out of 8 traffic fatalities in America is due to a collision with a truck. Virtually all of these deaths and injuries are restricted to the passengers of the cars struck by tractor-trailers, while the truck drivers usually escaped unscathed. The fatal crash rate for trucks is 2.6 deaths per one hundred million miles traveled, a statistic more than 50 percent greater than the rate for other vehicles. As well, tractor trailers and trucks are more likey to be involved in multiple vehicle accidents, and eighty percent of all truck accidents include more than 1 vehicle.
The Federal government requires truck operators to have a commercial drivers license and undergo limited drug and alcohol testing. However, due to the continuing number of accidents, the effectiveness of these safety measures is questionable.
Many accidents are caused by truck driver fatigue. In a recent survey, 20 percent of truck drivers admitted falling asleep while driving within a month of the questionnaire. For financial reasons truck drivers often stay on the road beyond the limits of human endurance.
In 2003, US Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) tightened regulations governing downtime for truck drivers in an effort to lower the accident rate. The compliance date was set to January 4, 2004.
A complicated set of guidelines now governs how long drivers can stay on duty. The revised Hours of Service regulations permit truck drivers to drive eleven hours after ten consecutive hours off-duty. Truck drivers are not allowed to drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on-duty, following ten hours off-duty. Truck drivers may not to drive after being on-duty for sixty hours in a seven-consecutive-day period of time or even seventy hours in an eight-consecutive-day time period. This on-duty cycle can be restarted if a driver takes at least thirty-four consecutive hours off-duty.
Short-haul truck drivers (those who routinely return to their place of dispatch after every shift and then are released from duty) may have an increased on-duty period of time of sixteen hours after a week of standard shifts. The 16-hour exception takes into consideration valid business needs without jeopardizing safety. FMCSA estimates that without the flexibility of additional 2 on-duty hours, the industry would have to hire at least 48,000 inexperienced new drivers, actually increasing the accident rate.
The FMCSA estimates the new rule has the potential to prevent 75 fatalities and approximately 1,326 crashes annually. However, studies reveal that many truck drivers violated the old regulations on hours of service, and without vigorous enforcement compliance with the new regulations will likely be poor as well.

• Comments (0)

Hi everybody, Richard Wallace here again with my latest article in the continuing series of articles. In this, the fourth article in the series, I am about to blow the lid off and truly reveal insider information on police radar calibration that will just leave you absolutely stunned and in complete disbelief. You will learn why I believe 3 out of every 5 speeding tickets has been written illegally or in error. Please read on.The Law Of Radar Calibration
Every state here in the United States requires by law, every law enforcement agency be it local, city, state or federal, to either annually or semi-annually send out every police radar unit in that departments inventory to an independent laboratory for a complete inspection and certification. The purpose of this is quite obvious; we want to be sure that every piece of police radar being used be in proper working order so that mistakes are not made and speeding tickets not issued in error or unjustly. Ok, so how does all of this work and why does it matter-
First, we want an independent inspection performed which will assure the integrity of the inspection. We do not want the police to police themselves, which is why state law requires an independent laboratory conduct the inspections. All states require the yearly or semi-yearly inspections. Secondly the law requires that each and every law enforcement agency deliver to any laboratory that has been government certified to conduct these inspections, their departments police radar units. Thirdly, the law requires that every police radar unit in that departments inventory be sent out within that states yearly guidelines. The majority of law enforcement agencies all across the United States fail to confirm to these standards as required by law. This is why I feel that 3 out of every 5 speeding tickets has been issued either unjustly or in error of some kind.
I Conduct A Survey…
In the summer of the year 2003 I began to conduct a survey of various local, city and state law enforcement agencies all across the United States. I interviewed either on the telephone or in person a department member of each of these law enforcement agencies, which totaled over 150 departments. The survey took months and months to complete but nonetheless it was finished late in 2004. The focus of this survey was quite simple actually; I was looking to find the answers to two questions in two subject areas. The first question revolved around finding out how many police radar units any given department had, followed up with did each and every radar unit get sent out for inspection as required by that states law. The second question was a follow-up question based on the answer to the first about the number of units any given department had in its inventory. What I attempted to elicit from the department official I interviewed was if that department sent an officer to court with calibration and inspection paperwork from a police radar unit that they knew not to be from the unit the police officer was operating at the time the speeding ticket he was going to court for was issued. The answers to these questions in these subject areas were just startling and left me in complete disbelief.
The Survey Says…
Out of the over 150 different local, city and state law enforcement agencies that I interviewed, I learned that 127 or the majority of these agencies had in their departments inventory police radar units that were routinely being used yet had not been sent out within the mandated annual or semi-annual inspection period. Further, 107 of these law enforcement agencies admitted that their officers went to court with calibration and inspection paperwork from a police radar unit that may have been different from the one they were operating when the speeding ticket they are now appearing in court on was issued. Many times I was told, the officers were not aware of what I called the bait & switch of the calibration and inspection paperwork. These officers would go into court and testify under oath that the paperwork they brought with them that day into court was in fact from the actual police radar unit they were using when they issued the speeding ticket that was the subject of the court case they were now testifying about. Let me explain how and what this information means to all of you who receive a speeding ticket and plan to fight back in court. This piece of information alone could be the one thing that makes your case and breaks the states case against you.
The easiest way to sum up what I learned from this independent survey was to just use my own police department as an example. Many of you are well aware that I am a retired police officer from the State of Connecticut with over 14 years of loyal and faithful service. I was forced to retire in 1996 due to a line of duty injury, which caused me a permanent disability. My own department had about 6 radar units in our inventory. We would send out 1 or 2 of those 6 radar units to be inspected and certified by an independent laboratory each and every year as required by Connecticut Law, yet we would use all 6 of those radar units all the time. Many of our radar units had not been sent out for inspection in years. If and when we had to appear in court on a speeding ticket matter, my department provided to me paperwork from whatever radar unit had been sent out for calibration and certification that year, even though it may have not been the unit I was using when I stopped the motorist for speeding who was now appealing his ticket in court. Oftentimes I knew I had paperwork from a different unit and other times I did not. As is the case in most states, it takes months and months for a speeding ticket matter to be brought up in court for trial and by that time many officers forget which piece of police radar they were using when they made that traffic stop and issued the speeding ticket. It is this reason most officers are unaware they are going to court with paperwork that may not necessarily be from the unit they were using many months ago. So just using my own department for example, if we only calibrated 2 out of the 6 police radar units in our inventory each and every year as required by law, then every speeding ticket issued with those 4 police radar units that were never sent out for inspection and certification were issued either illegally or unjustly, thus bringing me back to why I believe that 3 out of 5 speeding tickets issued every day in the United States was issued unlawfully. This “bait & switch” practice did not just occur in my own department, based on the survey I conducted it appears as though it takes places in the majority of law enforcement agencies all across the United States and most likely everyday.
How This Helps You Beat Your Ticket
Ok, so now we know the truth, that the majority of law enforcement agencies are unlawfully using police radar every day. What does this mean to you, the motorist or to you, the operator who has received a speeding ticket and wants to fight back- It means that you are know armed with true insider information that you can use to help you beat a speeding ticket that was issued with police radar.
Many of us have long suspected that the police do not play fair or by the rules, and the results of my survey clearly point this fact out. Let me tell you how we use this “bait & switch” against those law enforcement agencies who don’t play fair or within the scope of the law. If you find yourself on the receiving end of a speeding ticket where police radar was used, the most important piece of information you need to obtain with your discovery request is a list of all models, makes and serial numbers of each and every police radar unit the arresting department has in its inventory along with the calibration and certification paperwork from each unit. You may be met with some resistance but you must be determined to obtain this important list. Seek the assistance of the trial court if you are having difficulty with the arresting law enforcement agency. The obvious reason you want this list is to check and be sure that this department has calibration and certification paperwork for each and every radar unit they have in the inventory. If you discover they have 20 pieces of police radar and only have calibration and certification paperwork for say 15 of those units, that means 5 of their radar units may or are being used in violation of state law guidelines. You want to bring this to the attention of the court. The point you want to make is to get the court to believe this law enforcement agency may have used a radar unit to stop and ticket you that had not been sent out for calibration and certification. You want the court to suspect the department may have used one of those 5 units unlawfully. This creates reasonable doubt in your case and you could easily win a complete dismissal of your speeding ticket.
As I have explained to you in my other three articles as well as in my book entitled “An Educated Guide to Speeding Tickets - How to Beat & Avoid Them!”, if you are unfortunate to find yourself on the receiving end of a speeding ticket you must remember to remain calm, be polite to the officer, cooperate without admitting any guilt, and do not be afraid to use a good excuse or ask for a written or oral warning from the officer. And always appeal each and every speeding ticket because the odds are in your favor if you fight back and go to court. Over 50% of those who appeal their speeding ticket win in some fashion, be it a compete dismissal or at least a reduction in either the fine or points on their driving record.
For those of you who received a speeding ticket and police radar was used, you must follow my advice and first, appeal your ticket in court, and then request all calibration and certification records from each and every piece of police radar the arresting department has in its inventory. If you follow my advice as discussed in this article, you should be able to raise doubt if you have uncovered a department has not conformed to the calibration and certification laws in your state. You should also follow all of the tips, tactics and strategies I talk about In my book the “Educated Guide to Speeding Tickets.” You should do your homework and prepare for your day in court. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need advice. You can contact me via my website or telephone number as found in the “Educated Guide to Speeding Tickets” book again which is available for purchase right here.
I hope you found this article both revealing and easy to understand. Thank you for taking the time and interest in the reading of my articles. May God bless us all and keep us safe upon the highways and byways.

• Comments (0)

Yes I know that headline might provoke you a little bit. That s OK.
This article will show you how to cut your gas bill right now TODAY if you ll simply pay attention to these tips and now begin using them.
Of course, you ll probably see a few tips you might have heard before.
Why-
Because they still work, always work, and are even more important now that gas is approaching $3.50 a gallon (or more) in many places.
In fact, you might have at some point heard most of these tips before now. The real issue is Are you faithfully doing every one of these-
The average person is probably not doing 1/3 of them. Remember even though some of these have a direct associated cost savings how much associated cost is filling your gas tank these days-
OK let s get started … and these tips are in no particular order …
1. Get your car tuned
Sure everyone tells you to do this. But have you done it- Poor tuning wastes gas. This can improve your gas mileage by 10% or more.
2. Regularly check the air pressure in your tires
Another one you ve probably heard before. The fellow who sold me my new tires told me that tires lose 2 or 3 pounds of air per month by themselves. Low air pressure wastes gas. Look on the door in your car for proper tire pressures, and keep it to the high side of the range you re given. This can be another 10% savings.
3. Regularly change your oil
Another one you ve probably heard. Whatever your manufacturer recommends, pay attention to it. Personally, I used to change my car s oil every 3,000 miles. Once I switched to synthetic oil, I was told to increase the frequency between changes.
Also try to use synthetic oil. Rarely will your auto manufacturer say not to use synthetic oil, but be sure you understand before you begin. Synthetic oil costs more, but lasts longer, and reduces friction in your engine better. You ll treat your engine better while getting higher gas mileage. In my car, now I go 6,000 miles between oil changes instead of 3,000, and enjoy all the other benefits for basically the same cost.
4. Carefully plan your errands
This is one tip lots of people miss, and it ties into another tip below. Basically, don t run any errands that aren t mandatory today. Put them off till you need to do them.
Use the phone when you can, instead of driving somewhere. Avoid high traffic hours, days, and other times of congestion (see below.) Add in errands when they are part of your regular daily commute to and from work.
5. Try to avoid rush hour
I ll get some heat on this one. If your employer allows flex time, investigate that. Otherwise, if it helps you to go to work 15 minutes early and/or leave 15 minutes later do it, even if you don t get paid for the time.
Why-
You can either sit in traffic, get frustrated, use your gas for nothing, and maybe even overheat your car … or you can sit like a dedicated employee at work and be comfortable. This one can save you perhaps 25 50% of your gasoline by itself.
6. Always turn right when possible
I hadn t thought of this one before I read it somewhere. Consider that when you turn left, you sit in the turn lane and wait for a break in the traffic or the light to change. In many places you can turn right on red, and you re not turning against the traffic when you turn right. This tip takes some thought, but can make a significant difference in time and gas savings.
7. Try to keep your car clean
It s more fun to drive when it s clean, and removing all the caked on dirt makes your car slicker which reduces drag by a little bit. This tip is better for appearance than big gas savings.
8. Change all your car s fluids
Go to a local oil change place and tell them to change every fluid in your car not just your oil. This includes all engine fluids, radiator, transmission, axle grease, etc.
9. Read popular car magazines for even more tips
Most of the popular car magazines offer gas saving tips these days. Read the front covers and tables of contents to find the best articles for you.
10. Try to drive downhill
As silly as this sounds, when possible drive downhill instead of uphill so gravity powers your car instead of gas. I tried it, and within reason you can at times make this happen. A small tip, but a tip nonetheless.
11. Don t race up to stop lights and turns
I m amazed every day as people who blaze past me just in time to slam on their brakes at the red light up to which I m coasting or the turn I m approaching. Why in the world would you speed up to a place that requires a full stop- Baffles me …
12. Don t blast off the line
Smart people say to act like there is an egg between your foot and the gas pedal. Don t race away from a stop, and don t stomp on the gas pedal except to avoid an emergency situation (only if safety permits.)
13. No lead foot
This goes with #12 above. In general, be easy on your gas pedal. Use the least amount of pressure to attain and maintain your desired speed. And try to keep a steady pressure instead pushing in, pulling back, etc.
14. Time the red lights
Pay attention to traffic lights from as far away as your eyes permit, and try to adjust your approach speed so you get there when it s green and you don t have to stop.
15. Don t speed
For all the reasons you already know, as well as for safety and gas usage, don t speed. Ever. Obey all the speed limits. In general, the slower your speed, the less gas you use.
16. Don t burn your clutch on hills
Your clutch is not designed to be your brake. When you burn your clutch on a hill, you trash your clutch and burn extra gas. Also, don t sit at red lights with your clutch pedal in, as that also toasts your clutch, shortening its life.
17. Don t block intersections
This is mostly just decent manners, but you also create a traffic jam for everyone, wasting everyone s gas not just yours.
18. Don t drive 10 miles out of your way to save a penny a gallon
Think about this … if your gas tank holds 12 gallons, is empty, and you drive all over the place looking for the best deal on gas, you save twelve cents if you find it for a penny cheaper per gallon. It costs you more than that just to find the cheaper gas.
19. Stay in the right (slow) lane
To keep the speeders off your tail and keep yourself safer stay in the right (outer) lane on 4 lane roads so the speeders can have the faster (left inside) lane.
20. Use your imagination
If you ll give these tips some thought and put forth a little effort you ll not only cut your gasoline bill by as much as half … you ll also come up with your own ways to further reduce your costs to operate your car.
These tips WILL reduce the amount of gas you burn. Period. The rest is up to you. If you want it bad enough it s here for you, and you ll be able to discover other ways to save even more money once you start paying attention to these tips.
Chip Tarver
============================================

• Comments (0)