As families get bigger most people decided to drop the cool factor of their vehicle and purchase a minivan. Minivans are hard to beat when you consider a minivan’s height and sliding doors, spacious interiors and the ability to fit six or seven people plus luggage.
As family-friendly as they are minivans are gas guzzlers and not exciting or cool to drive. Now you don’t have to sacrifice practicality for luxury because here is a list of vehicles that provide both.
1- Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
2- VW Golf Wagon TDI
3- 2010 Acura MDX
4- Ford Flex
5- Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC
6- Volvo V70
7- Hyundai Veracruz
8- Mazda CX-9
9- Nissan Cube
10- Two Honda Fits
According to MSN Autos
Whether you’re dealing with the road rage of other drivers of the flooding of mother nature the best emergency plan is preparation.
Continue reading for a driver’s survival guide for every situation you could encounter on the road.
Things are always stressful after a car accident, but here are some tips that can really help you out if, heaven forbid, you get into a fender bender.
According to Sympatico.MSN
-Always report a car accident to the police if someone is injured, or if the damage is over the provincial limit (e.g. In Ontario the limit is $1,000).
- Take reasonable steps to protect your vehicle from another loss. Move it out of the flow of traffic.
- Try to take notes at the scene that include details of the accident, identification of the vehicles and people involved and the names and badges of emergency personnel. If possible, take pictures.
- Get a driver information-exchange form from the police officer. This is a quick checklist that covers all the information you should be collecting from the other party.
- Collect names, addresses and phone numbers of witnesses to the accident. You might need to get their statements later.
- Don’t accept money, don’t accept fault and don’t agree to forget about the accident.
- Contact your insurer as soon as possible after the accident, and make sure that you file a complete claim. You might have difficulty processing a claim if you’re late contacting your insurer, or if you’re found withholding details. Make sure that your insurance company agrees to pay for all repairs before you have the work completed.
- Check all repairs at the auto shop and also when you’ve returned home to make sure that you’re satisfied with the work.
- Get an official receipt from the repair shop that details all the work they completed. Make sure that name and address of the shop are clearly identified. You might need to submit this with your insurance claim. Find out how your insurer handles supplemental repairs just in case the repair shop finds more damage to your car that wasn’t on the original estimate.
- Ask us if they have a list of preferred repair shops in your area. Sometimes we have systems already set up with these shops that make processing the claim and getting your car repaired even faster.
If you’ve ever slid into the driver’s seat after someone else you know that it always takes a while to get back into the comfortable position that you’re use to. Knowing what you’re looking for when setting-up your driving position can make it a lot easier to get to.
Here are some guidelines to follow according to Sympatico.MSN
1. The seats
Slide the seat so that you are at least 25 cm from the steering wheel. This will protect you if the airbag is deployed. Ensure you can reach the brake pedal without stretching.
You should also be seated high enough to see over the steering wheel and past the hood. Sit so your arms are slightly bent when you hold the steering wheel.
Make sure the passenger’s seat is pushed back as far as possible because passenger-side airbags are usually larger.
2. The headrest
There are a couple of adjustments to make to your headrest:
Height: The top should be even with the top of your head, and no lower than the top of your ear.
Position: The headrest should be close to the back of your head - no more than five to 10 cm away. That’s one reason it’s not a good idea to drive with your seat tilted back.
A proper headrest position helps reduce the risk of whiplash if you’re hit from behind.
3. The seatbelt
As well as keeping you secure in your seat in the event of a collision, the seatbelt also helps distribute the force of impact over shoulders, hips and the ribcage - the parts of the body that can better sustain impact.
Adjust the seatbelt to fit over your shoulder (never tuck it under your arm), and snugly across your chest. If you can adjust its height, set it so the strap doesn’t dig into your neck or sit too low on your chest.
The lap belt should sit across your hips, rather than across your abdomen, and it shouldn’t be too snug or too loose.
4. The rear-view mirror
Adjust the mirror so you can see it without shifting from your driving position. You should be able to see out the car’s entire rear window.
5. The side mirror
Take a minute to clean it if it’s dirty or covered with snow or ice. The side mirrors should be adjusted so you can see vehicles beside you and in the next lane.
Position the mirrors so you can just barely see your own car - it’s those around you that matter. This should allow adequate vision through the mirrors in combination with your own peripheral vision.
Road trips, weekends away and drive ins are just some ways that we use our cars to create memories. Today there’s more to consider than just having enough money to fill the tank, but also what effect you’re having on the environment.
Change your driving with these easy tips and tricks so that you can enjoy the open road without the guilt gut.
1-Think about what you’re driving
2- Give your car a check up before a long trip.
3- Slow down and save more
4- Use your cruise control
5- Go easy with the A/C
6- Drive in the right gear
According to Sympatico.MSN
Teens and parents count down the days until the driving test. For teens, a license is a new found freedom and for parents it’s one more reason to worry.
Here are 7 things you can do so that your teen will stay safe behind the wheel and to easy your mind.
1. Look in the rear-view mirror
2. Let a professional do the teaching
3. Review what’s being taught
4. Consider the type of car driven
5. Impose a household graduated licencing policy
6. Don’t rush your teen to get a full licence
7. Draw up a driving agreement
To buy or to lose- that is the question.
Here are some tips for anyone looking to get a new set of wheels.
(PRWEB) April 8, 2008 — In honor of Earth Day, which will be celebrated this year on April 22, CarMD.com Corp., is providing a number of handy tips that drivers can use to become more environmentally conscious in their everyday driving habits. The company, which manufactures CarMD, the only consumer electronics device and software system designed to help drivers monitor their vehicle’s health and emissions output, is encouraging all drivers to do their part to help reduce emissions and keep their cars, SUVs and minivans in tip-top road condition for optimum performance.
“We are proud to join ranks with the more than 1,000,000,000 people worldwide who are taking part in Earth Day celebrations and doing their part to create a cleaner and healthier planet,” said Kristin Brocoff, marketing manager for CarMD.com Corp. “By practicing some of these ‘green’ driving tips, we can all make a difference in the quality of air we breathe, help conserve our energy resources, and help reduce fuel costs for our vehicles.”
We are proud to join ranks with the more than 1,000,000,000 people worldwide who are taking part in Earth Day celebrations and doing their part to create a cleaner and healthier planet
The Top 10 green driving tips from CarMD.com Corp are:
1. Avoid unnecessary driving by planning your trips wisely, making efficient routes and stops, and buying online when you can.
2. Keep your car well maintained by following your vehicle’s service manual and getting regular oil changes.
3. Ensure proper tire maintenance, tread and inflation. A properly inflated tire can increase gas mileage 10 percent to 30 percent. (Ideal inflation should be listed on the sidewall of the tire).
4. Tighten the gas cap after every fill-up.
5. Avoid stop-and-go traffic by driving at off-peak times.
6. Limit idling. Did you know idling for over 10 seconds uses more gas and causes more pollution than simply restarting your engine?
7. Select the most efficient vehicle for your lifestyle (if you don’t need an 8-seat SUV on a regular basis, don’t buy one. Instead, consider renting a bigger vehicle for the few occasions in which you need it).
8. If budget allows, consider purchasing a green vehicle, such as a hybrid or one that runs on ethanol, which is make mostly of corn.
9. Get your annual or bi-annual emissions test. A majority of states and some local agencies require you to get your car “smogged” before you can sell it or register it.
10. Never drive for extended periods of time with an illuminated “Check Engine” light.
CarMD’s technology is tied to the nation’s “Check Engine” light health. Beginning in 1996, the U.S. government mandated that vehicle manufacturers put on-board diagnostic computers on all cars, light trucks, SUVs and minivans — foreign and domestic. If you drive a 1996 or newer vehicle, it’s equipped with this on-board diagnostic system. This early-warning system looks for problems associated with emission output and triggers the Check Engine light on when a problem occurs that could negatively affect the vehicle’s emissions output. A Check Engine light can mean anything from a loose gas cap, which reduces gas mileage, to a more catastrophic and costly problem that can negatively impact a vehicle’s safety and hurt the environment.
Winner of the 2007 CES Innovation Award in the mobile technology category, the CarMD handheld device plugs into any vehicle’s dashboard to check for hidden problems in seconds. Drivers can use it to get road-trip ready, inspect used cars, solve engine problems and catch emissions-related problems before they can cause damage to the environment. An estimated 8 percent of all vehicles on the road today have an illuminated Check Engine light. You will not pass your state-mandated emissions (”smog”) test if your check engine light is on. When a problem is found, the CarMD tester and PC software can tell you why it’s on and let you generate a personalized diagnostic report with probable cause and estimated repair costs to help keep auto repair bills low. CarMD costs $89.99 and is available at www.CarMD.com or by calling 888.MyCarMD (888.692.2763).
LOS ANGELES, CA–(Marketwire - December 26, 2007) - The Automobile Club of Southern California is offering its free Tipsy Tow service to drinking drivers during the New Year’s holiday. The service is available from 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30 through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008. Tipsy Tow is available in the 13 Southern California counties served by the Auto Club.
Motorists, bartenders, restaurant managers, party hosts or passengers of a drinking driver may call 1-800-400-4AAA for a free tow home of up to seven miles. Callers simply tell the Auto Club operators, “I need a Tipsy Tow,” to receive the free tow and ride home. A regular Auto Club-contracted emergency road service truck will be dispatched.
Callers need to keep in mind that the service excludes rides for passengers, is restricted to a one-way, one-time ride for the driver and the destination is limited to the driver’s residence. Reservations are not accepted. Drivers can expect to pay the rate charged by the tow truck contractor for rides farther than seven miles.
“Some guests might balk at taking a cab home because they don’t want to return for their car the following day,” said Steve Bloch, the Auto Club’s traffic safety researcher. “We want motorists to be aware of the high crash risk from drinking and driving associated with holidays and encourage them not to get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking, and Tipsy Tow provides motorists with a safe ride home for themselves and their vehicles instead of driving while intoxicated,” he added.
New Year’s Eve is a traditional time for parties and revelry, activities that contribute a more relaxed atmosphere, said Bloch.
“It takes only one or two drinks to slow physical and mental skills and affect vision, steering, braking judgment and reaction time,” he said. “We hope drivers are aware that the CHP and law enforcement agencies usually are using extra patrols to look for drinking drivers during the holiday.”
While the number of Californians arrested for driving under the influence in 2006 (the latest year available) is 42% less than what it was 25 years ago, it’s still disturbingly high — 199,147, according to Bloch. Statewide annual alcohol-related fatal and injury crashes have also decreased sharply, by 55% from 49,314 in 1981 to 22,332 in 2006. “We would like to see these numbers reduced even further, particularly the high numbers around the holidays,” added Bloch.
People convicted of driving under the influence could lose many important things in their lives, such as family, job, dignity and money. The Auto Club estimates that a first time DUI conviction can cost $13,468 or more in fines, penalties, restitution, legal fees and increased insurance costs.
Current laws, enforcement, public awareness, and education efforts by public service-oriented organizations, including the Auto Club, have contributed to the decline in the number of alcohol-related fatalities and injuries during the past 10 years. The Auto Club provides the Tipsy Tow service and free publications as part of its “You Drink. You Drive. You Lose.” public awareness campaign. The Auto Club also supports many sober driver programs.
The Auto Club advises that motorists can keep themselves and others safe and can avoid DUI arrests by keeping these safety tips in mind:
PLAY
-- At social events, designate non-drinking drivers who can get everyone
home safely.
-- Call a friend or family member for a ride home if you have been
drinking.
-- Keep a cab company telephone number in your wallet so you can call for
a ride home.
-- As a party host, offer a variety of non-alcoholic drink alternatives
and provide a gift to guests who volunteer to be designated drivers.
-- Take the car keys away from friends and relatives who have had too
much to drink.
EVERSON, Wash., Dec. 21 /PRNewswire/ — Packing up the dog for the trip to Grandma’s? Here are some ideas for stress-free travel with your pet from 4everPets®, makers of natural nutrition products for dogs and cats:
Crate expectations: Whether traveling by air or car, a familiar crate will relax your dog. Never put a leash in the crate, as your pet could get tangled in it.
Hello gorgeous: Brushing your dog and clipping its nails before you leave will make traveling more comfortable.
Make a list: Bring water, your dog’s favorite food, bedding, toy and dishes, pet first-aid kit and old sheets to cover car seats and furniture.
Check it twice: Identify your dog with a current tag or microchip. Carry current health and rabies certificates and a recent photo.
Stair hazard: Did you know that a dog’s claws and fur can get caught in escalators? Pick up or crate your dog, or take the elevator.
No tranquilizers: The ASPCA advises not to use sedatives, because they interfere with balance and can hamper breathing. Instead, use Missing You to relax your dog without dizziness or drowsiness.
Chow time: Traveling by car? Feed a light meal three or four hours before you leave. Never feed a dog in a moving car. Dogs should fly on an empty stomach.
Open wide: Do a health check every day you’re away from home, says the American Veterinary Medical Association. Look for runny nose and eyes, scratching or biting, lumps, limping or loss of appetite. Check any concerns with a local veterinarian.
About Missing You for Dogs: This innovative herbal formula counteracts the stress of separation, travel, boarding and other changes in routine. A synergistic blend of nutrients and botanicals, including St. John’s wort, passionflower, amino acids, calcium and magnesium, and essential fatty acids, helps to relax your dog safely. SRP is $8.99 for a bottle of 15. Visit http://www.4everpets.com to order.
About 4everPets
Based in Kelowna, B.C., Canada, 4everPets serves pets and their owners with all-natural nutrition products for dogs and cats. All 4everPets products are made in North America with human-grade ingredients. Gateway Nutrition Products of Everson, Wash., distributes 4everPets in the United States.
