You
never
know when an emergency can happen, that's why your vehicle should
always be prepared just in case. Here are 5 things to keep in your car
in case one does.
1) Flashlight – Easy to keep in your
glove box, handy if you need to examine the car in the dark.
2) Blanket – In case you break down
in cold weather
3) First-Aid kit – Treat any minor
injuries
4) Water and Food – Keep bottles of
water and a couple of energy bars with you, enough to hold you over until help
arrives
5) Cell Phone – Able to contact
emergency services without the need for a phone box or payphone
1. Bench Seats: Many sly males took advantage of the seat design while driving with a
female companion; a quick, unexpected sharp turn made with his right arm
resting on the seat back sent the lady sliding right into his embrace.
2. Full-Size Spare Tire: The advantage with a full-size spare was that
you could put it on, stow
the flat tire in your trunk, and go on your merry way with no particular
urgency to get it repaired. Until one day you got another puncture,
only to discover that the tire in your trunk was just as flat as the one
on the axle.
3. Horn Rings: Horn rings were originally considered a safety feature as well as a
convenience device. Previously, the driver had to completely remove one
hand from the steering wheel to depress the button in the center to honk
the horn. The horn ring was designed so that both hands could remain on
the wheel and just a stretch of a finger or thumb would be able to beep
a warning sound.
4. Vent Windows: Vent or “wing” windows were popular in the pre-air conditioning era of
automotive manufacturing. But they were convenient for many purposes
that are still valid today. For example, on those days when it’s
temperate enough to open windows rather than run the A/C, the vent
windows allowed air to circulate freely without blowing street grime in
your face and messing your hair.
5. Tailfins: By the late 1950s, most folks had shrugged off the war and were fixated
instead on all things space-age. Tailfins grew to enormous proportions,
giving cars a futuristic look.
Spring provides such wonderful weather in almost every location. It's a
wonderful time for the family to head outdoors and soak up some sun
whether it's at a picnic or at an outdoor athletic event.
Spring time is perfect for families to become even closer, here are some reasons why Spring is the best for family fun!
Ideal temperatures -- It's not too hot, it's not
too cold. The kids can run around to their heart's content without
getting all sweaty and dehydrated.
Fun sights and sounds -- Is there anything better
than heading out the door and hearing the birds chirp, watching
squirrels run by, and seeing your little ones squeal with delight upon
spotting them? Nope.
Daily trips to the park -- On any given spring day,
there's really no better place to hang out with a toddler than the
playground. They get to let off some steam, play with other kids, and
since the weather is nice (see number one), you don't have to worry
about the equipment being too hot for them to touch.
Learning experiences -- Now that the snow has
melted, you gotta get the yard and garden back in order. Kids love to
feel like they're helping out mommy, so you can turn any outdoor project
into an educational experience -- even though they'll only see it as
fun.
Fresh air is great for sleep -- For whatever
reason, the kiddos sleep so much better after they've had a good dose of
fresh air. Even something as simple as a walk around the neighborhood
in the stroller is guaranteed to give your child (and you) a few extra
z's at night.
What's your favorite part about Spring? Let us know in the comments section below!
Trunk storage is handy but heavy items can weigh you down.We
all know smaller cars get better gas mileage — but if you're weighing
down your car with a set of golf clubs or an emergency water supply in
the trunk, it'll take a toll on your fuel efficiency. A loaded roof
rack, similarly, will increase weight but also cause aerodynamic drag,
cutting mileage by up to 5%.
Every extra 100 pounds is estimated to cut a vehicle's mileage by 2%.
2. Keep Windows Closed
The more aerodynamic your vehicle is, the more open windows will
cause a drag and impact your gas mileage's bottom line — up to 10%, a study found.
But, if you're moving at less than 45 mph, wind resistance shouldn't make a significant difference.
Can you compensate for closed windows with the air conditioning? Consumer Reports found a Honda Accord at 65 mph lost 3 mpg
in gas mileage when running the A/C. Since you'll lose out either way,
it may be a matter of opinion which luxury to go without.
3. Fill Up Your Tires
A reminder to keep up with routine maintenance carries more weight
when it will save you money — and a stop by the air pump will do just
that. Keeping your tires filled can improve gas mileage by 3% or more.
4. Drive a Steady (and Modest) Speed
Once you break 60 mph, you're losing fuel efficiency — 10% for every additional 5 mph.
Accelerating and hitting the breaks will eat up fuel as well, so if
possible, avoid the road during rush hour or other times when
stop-and-go traffic is likely.
5. Don't Buy Pricey Gas
It's been thought that premium gas gives cars better gas mileage, but
it's untrue. Save money on gas by purchasing the grade that is
recommended for your car — you won't benefit by spending more.
Additionally, avoid the gas station on days
when prices are higher. If you’re running on empty, you may not be able
to wait, but what if you could predict if gas prices will rise or fall
tomorrow?
Fuelcaster™,
the latest tech from Esurance, is the industry’s first gas price
predictor. Enter your zip code on fuelcaster.com to see if gas prices
will rise or fall tomorrow, as well as locate the cheapest fuel in your
neighborhood.
Fill up when prices are low and you'll save money in the long run.
Here are 5 ways to know that it is time to get your brakes checked or replaced!
1) Worn Pads: You'll have to estimate, but generally, your pads should be at least
one-quarter of an inch thick. If they're any thinner than that, it's a
good idea to get them changed.
2) Strange Sounds: One of the warning signs that your brakes need servicing can come from a
small indicator in your braking system that emits a high-pitched squeal
when your pads need replacing. And, while this sound is loud enough to
be heard even when the windows are up, it might be tough to hear with
Lady Gaga blaring from the stereo.
3) Pulling: Has your car ever felt like it has a mind of its own? As if
it wants to make right- or left-hand turns while driving or braking? If
so, this could indicate a problem with the braking system. Pulling,
however, doesn't always indicate a problem with the brakes. The
cause could also come from unevenly inflated or worn tires, poor
alignment or a problem with your vehicle's suspension.
4) Vibrations: Generally, a vibrating brake pedal indicates warped rotors. Their uneven
surfaces will thrum against the brake pads, and you'll feel the
feedback through the brake pedal.
5) Temperamental Pedal: A mushy pedal, one that goes practically to the floor before engaging
the brakes, could indicate worn pads or a problem with the hydraulic
system, such as air in the line, an air leak or a brake fluid leak.
Courtesy of HowStuffWorks.com: http://bit.ly/1fEBTxd
