Automotive News, Car Reviews, and Podcast
Rats chewing car wires cost thousands to repair. The viral cures (Irish Spring, peppermint, ultrasonic repellers) mostly fail. Here is what actually works.
Read moreWinter is a hazardous time on roads. Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians are at increased risk. Here are the most common causes of winter road accidents and how to avoid them. Distractions While Winter Driving About 20 percent of all vehicle accidents can be connected to distracted driving, particularly in inclement weather. Ice and sleet can keep your car from stopping, even if you brake in time to avoid hitting someone. Cyclists must be more vigilant because more accidents occur in inclement weather. If you’re hit by a car while cycling, call a bicycle accident lawyer for help. Dirty Windows, Winter Road Accidents When light hits dirty glass, glare gets worse for drivers. it’s to see the road and an accident
Read moreIt’s a family affair. Several relatives have been or are in the field and now for nearly a decade, Melanie Musson has cultivated her expertise in the car insurance industry. With Halloween and the winter on the horizon, Musson, a published car insurance expert with CarInsuranceComparison.com, is our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Musson about the importance for drivers and pedestrians to remain acutely vigilant during the time of the year when nightfall occurs earlier. Musson provides expertise in many areas of car insurance, notably the increased accidents and other concerns during winter driving. Statistics tell the story: • Seventy percent of drivers who live in regions of the
Read moreAs the weather continues to get colder, the impending snowfall can exciting. But winter driving in inclement weather can create significant road hazards. If you drive in the snow, important safety tips should be followed? Here are some top safety tips and considering for winter driving: Do Not Drive in the Winter Weather Unless You Must Although hailstorms are more common during spring and summer, blocks of ice and snow during winter can still cause damage to your car’s exterior. Whichever season you may be driving in, though, it pays to be more careful. Once the hailstorm starts damaging your car, it also pays to entrust it to professionals at an established auto hail repair shop. For those residing in
Read moreBecoming a new driver when winter is approaching can be a challenge, particularly if you have primarily learned to drive in the summer when the weather and road conditions are better. If you’re a new (or experienced driver) and have just purchased a new car, here are tips for winter driving to keep you safe on the road. Take Winter Driving Slowly When you’re driving on the roads during the winter the most important thing to consider is the slippery surface. It is hard to see black ice patches of ice on the road at this time of year and you want to avoid causing an accident your first time out there. Be sure to drive slowly in situations when
Read morePodcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:52 — 49.3MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreWelcome to the latest episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. We have a two-part broadcast with an entrepreneur from Australia and a discussion with an insurance industry analyst about driving hazards during holiday travel. Our first guest is Ian Davidson, the co-founder of GOFAR. It’s a telematics device that connects vehicles to the cloud. Named one of the “Top 10 Coolest things in the world” by GQ magazine, we reach Davidson in Sydney. He discusses with co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia how the product works and its global appeal in dozens of countries. It’s available on Amazon here: GOFAR – The easiest way
Read moreIf you live near a river and your vehicle is parked outside and near trees, there’s likely one more reason to be concerned about its welfare — rats. Owners of cars from several manufacturers are increasingly reporting that rodents are eating their vehicles from the inside out. Reports in several states by owners of Honda and Toyota vehicles, as well as other carmakers’ models, are claiming rats are devouring the wiring in their cars and causing major costly repairs. The problem, owners claim, is that “green car” concerns have resulted in manufacturers using soy-based engine wiring and coverings. Several lawsuits have been filed, with Honda and Toyota stating the litigations have no merit. But several years ago, Honda introduced a
Read moreProper winter car care can mean the difference between safe driving and catastrophe. From exterior washing to paint preservation to ice prevention, using the diligent precautionary practices can eliminate potential inclement weather issues and ensure as much as possible efficient, problem-free travel. Michael Kahn on his lifestyle website www.mklibrary.com provides a detailed, step-by-step checklist to take proper measures when you travel in cold weather or other climate issues — hail, frost, snow and rain — or a mixture of several problematic elements. In one example, Kahn describes the best way to persevere your vehicle includes spraying your car’s exterior as well as its undercarriage. There are also sections on tidying up the interior to many recommended products for getting the
Read moreWith the arrival and dominance of inclement weather is your vehicle prepared for the season of winter driving conditions? Are you following the best winter driving safety tips? Planning and continuing preventative and ongoing maintenance are the best solutions to keep your car or truck safe in heavy rain, snow and icy condition, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Here’s the fourth of a four-part series on Winter Driving Safety Tips: Stay Alert • Keep your gas tank close to full, even with a hybrid-electric vehicle. If you get stuck in a traffic jam or snow, you might need more fuel than you anticipated to get home or to keep warm. • If road conditions are hazardous,
Read moreAre you following the best winter driving safety tips? With the arrival and dominance of inclement weather is your vehicle prepared for the season of winter driving conditions? Planning and continuing preventative and ongoing maintenance are the best solutions to keep your car or truck safe in heavy rain, snow and icy conditions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Here’s part 3 of a four-part series on winter driving safety tips: Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones • Always wear your seatbelt and ensure every on else in your vehicle is buckled-up in age-and-size-appropriate restraints. • Remember that all children underage13 should always ride properly restrained in the back seat. • Make sure car seats and booster
Read morePlanning and continuing preventative and ongoing maintenance are integral components of following the best winter driving safety tips. It’s the best solution for keeping your car or truck safe in severe rain. It’s the best solution for keeping your car or truck safe in heavy rain, snow and icy condition, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Here’s part 2 of a four-part series on winter driving safety tips: Battery When the temperature drops, so does battery power. For gasoline and diesel engines, it takes more battery power to start your vehicle in cold weather. For electric and hybrid-electric vehicles, the driving range is reduced when the battery is cold, and battery systems work better after they warm
Read moreWith the arrival and dominance of inclement weather is your vehicle prepared for the season of winter driving conditions? Are you following the best winter driving safety tips? Planning and continuing preventative and ongoing maintenance are the best solutions to keep your car or truck safe in severe rain, snow, and icy conditions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Here’s part 1 of a four-part series of winter driving safety tips: Get Your Car Serviced No one wants their car to break down in any season, but especially not in cold, icy or snowy winter weather. Start the season off right by ensuring your vehicle is in optimal condition. • Visit your mechanic for a tune-up and
Read moreE-Book PDF: Open in New Window | Download (610.1KB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreWinter driving means different potential problems to different drivers in different parts of the country. But many commonsense practices remain universal, whether you’re driving in the snow in the Sierra Nevada or in strong winds and torrential rain in Florida. Most importantly, if you drive in winter weather, make sure to use your vehicle’s headlights — even during daylight hours. During bright day days, precipitation can add to the difficulty of seeing other vehicles on the road. It also means other drivers will have difficulty viewing your car or truck. During these situations, using headlights helps drivers see other vehicles. Be careful about using your high
Read moreThe added traction of a specialized winter tire is amazing. If you drive in snow and ice, you need winter tires. Winter tires will reduce your stopping distance, allow faster acceleration and provide better steering. The typical tire on your car or truck is a general purpose tire labeled “all-season” or “mud and snow.” These tires perform well in many conditions, but they under perform in cold temperatures and on slippery surfaces. A winter tire is optimized for these conditions through special tread designs and advanced rubber compounds. Bridgestone gave me the opportunity to drive and compare tires at its “Tire Rack Winter Driving Experience” in Denver. The “test track” was the ice hockey rink in the Pepsi Center, home
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