Ways On How To Evade Rear End Collision

Rear-end collisions are one of the leading causes of traffic related accidents. Although warning sensors had been introduced in the market to help prevent rear end accidents, the driver's presence of mind and rationality will remain a significant factor in driving safely. Learning how to drive defensively and staying alert while driving is vital these days.

Stay alert And Be Attentive To Your Environment

Modern gadgets and devices take over the attention of many drivers these days. But each time you turn your attention to unnecessary things such as answering a phone call or text message, you are putting your life at great risk. It is important that you take driving your top priority when you are behind the wheel. Focus your mind on what is happening on the road. Keeping your concentration on the flow of traffic ahead of you and behind you is completely indispensable. You should not let any object or other activity distract you from driving. If you really need to answer a phone call, pull over to the side of the road before you use your mobile phone.

Forget About The 2 Second Rule And Apply The 4 Second Rule

Even if a vehicle ahead of you runs at a very slow pace, tailgating the car is not a solution. Brake lights on a car in front of you indicate that the vehicle is decelerating, but at what velocity is difficult to identify. If you see that the vehicle in your lead passes a permanent object, count up to 4 seconds. Your vehicle should pass that same object by the time you finish counting to 4. This can help you ascertain that you are maintaining a safe distance from the car in front of you.

Brake Early And Tap The Brake Pedal

Brake early and tap the brake pedal to help alert the driver at your back that you are slowing down. Braking early helps you maintain a secure distance from the vehicle ahead of you and it also warns the driver behind you that you are slowing down.

Always Use The Directional Switch

One more useful communication tool for drivers is the directional switch. This warns other drivers on the road of the moves and maneuvers that you want to undertake. Use this immediately to send your message to other drivers around you. Using the directional switch at least 8 seconds before you plan to do the turn is generally acceptable.

Don't Allow Other Drivers Tailgate You

If a driver is following you too closely, just maintain your composure and drive defensively. If a driver never stops in tailgating you, it is apparent that they want to drive faster than you. So, give way and let them pass.

Use Your Mirrors

Although it is very important that you keep your awareness on what is happening in front of you, it is also vital that you monitor the situation beside or behind your car. A defensive driver makes sure that they regularly check side view and rear view mirrors of their vehicle. Using the mirrors will help you see other vehicles in the road.

Windscreen Maintenances During Winter

Your vehicle is one among many things you should look after. Many people neglect the importance of cleaning their own car. What they do not realise is that a small accumulation of dirt or other elements can cause problems. Throughout the year, your car can take serious damage from cold weather, rain, gravel, dust, and other debris. Failing to give proper maintenance can cause accidents and expensive repairs to certain car parts in the future. Read on to know how to clean and maintain your car's windshield during the cold season.

How to Keep Your Windshield in Good Condition during winter

It is important to ensure that your windshield is clean on both sides of the glass. Many people just clean the exteriors leaving the inner part untidy. The sun and other natural elements like snow can cause significant visibility problems. This will make it difficult for the driver to see and may create optical illusions such as light trails or sudden headlight flashes. This can be very dangerous and normally results in many vehicle accidents.

Winter can be the most annoying time of the year to keep your car clean. Many people pour boiling water onto their window screen to clear and melt the snow. This is a bad idea because even if the ice easily melts away, the sudden change of temperature can cause the glass to expand and contract. This can cause the glass to crack or shatter into pieces. Try using regular tap water with normal room temperature to melt the ice. It will help to keep a can of de-icer spray and a window scraper for icy mornings.

Never try using your car's windscreen wipers to clean the ice. It is only suitable to wipe off raindrops and small debris. Extreme cold temperatures can cause the wipers to freeze and stick to the glass. Activating your wipers can cause them to rip or cause significant damage to your windscreen. If this happens, you can order new windscreens for replacement. Another important thing to remember is to set your wipers to their correct positions after using the car. Activating your car in the morning can trigger your wipers to return to their normal position and cause damage.

Some people use engine antifreeze for their windscreens. This is actually a bad idea as it can cause terrible damage to the glass and your car's paintwork. It is also one of the most dangerous chemicals you can throw onto the road behind you. This substance is more slippery than oil and may cause serious accidents for motorists or motorcyclists following you. Use bespoke washer fluid that has anti-freezing additives and is safe to use when you are on the road.

Heavy snowfall can cause many problems on the road. It is important to get as much snow off your vehicle's roof before driving. If not, the snow may slip forward onto your windscreen the moment you hit the brakes. This can obscure and block your view and cause terrible accidents. Even if you do manage to brake safely, vehicles behind you may not be able to stop in time.

Becoming a Motorist, Plus Expenses

Driving lessons can be a massive pain, considering the expense of hiring a driving instructor on top of the initial cost of a test, which is split into theory and practical, both with different costs of around £31 for theory and £62 for practical. The cost of theory and practical combined is already a huge expense, but on top of that you have to purchase your car; of which is an enormous cost and varies depending on the vehicle you desire, however it is the most important asset to driving. On top of this you have to scout around for a decent insurance company that covers you and isn't overly expensive. With consideration that the majority of learner drivers are under 21, which means they pay more as they aren't in a reliable age group of motorists. You also need a provisional licence which costs around £50; then there's tax, mot, petrol, all the extra costs etc. All together becoming a motorist costs an estimated amount of £2.5k+, however this varies depending on: gender, age, the quality of your car plus many smaller variables. Obviously this is a huge dilemma for any starter as generally most new car owners are usually around the age of 17 - 21, most of which will be on further learning and not have a brilliant income. This is a huge problem considering the fact that they can barely afford to be taught and become a vehicle owner, even with the help of parents; a lot of people won't be lucky enough to have parental coverage.

This is a considerably difficult problem and cutting any amount of costs is extremely important as you want the cheapest possible price you can come by. Looking into second hand cars; bought privately or through auction is a brilliant way to decrease costs plus a car with a previous owner may be a tiny bit less reliable but you will have in exchange a more quality vehicle. Searching in the right places is important and you should look around a lot before making your decision as it is stuck with you for a major amount of time, and with an unreliable vehicle you are more likely for it to break down and need repairs which could end up costing you a ton more than searching that extra bit and finding a much more reliable car.

Another brilliant way to cut down costs is to consider an intensive driving course; it's a lot cheaper to experience driving in bulk plus, it's faster and you have it out the way in a matter of days. This would be suitable for anyone who wants learning out of the way as quick as possible, whilst cutting prices and having a better learning experience. It is an amazing way to short cut your way through lessons plus it is much easier to assign a lesson, depending on where you go; whereas any normal driving instructor may take up to six months to have an appointment booked.

2013 Volkswagen Passat CC Car Review

The most frugal version of Volkswagen's Passat CC might just take the title of "the sleek sedan with a coupe-like styling" from the Hyundai Sonata with its innocuous, slab-sided exterior which is undeniably elegant. However apart from a new styling on the grille and additional electronic whizz bangs, the 2013 Volkswagen CC might not be largely different from its predecessors. The car still holds its economical position with even lower pricing for American models without compromising on comfort, reliability and the desire for adventure that arises in enthusiastic drivers sometimes.

Excess baggage

No longer referred to as the "Passat," the Volkswagen Group decided to drop the name and go with "CC" alone. This is not a wonder if you are living in the Eurozone where everything is being cut off to deal with the economic crisis, but a name drop wouldn't offer much reprieve - maybe they would have replaced the leather with the remains of the California wildfire that managed to take up much of Fisker Karma's interior. However if you have much "real baggage" fear not, for the car's boot size is large enough as well as the interior which is elucidated below.

Interior

If you have been inside a Volkswagen Group vehicle before, then you understand the instant inviting attitude of the dashboard even before you start the car - the VW Passat CC is no different. The leather seats are comfortable and seemingly luxurious, with handsome appointments here and there for a more "touchy" feel in its competition against the highly priced Mercedes CLS. The plastics are soft to the touch, the typefaces admirably concise and the entire cabin simple but distinctly attractive to the simple but attractive man. Head-room might not rival that of the Mercedes CLS but there is enough leg-room for a dwarf's party. The driver's legs are offset towards the centre and the power seats configure in 12 different dimensions, but the party doesn't end there. There are drinks for those going for the intermediate trims and desserts for those getting the upscale trims. If you feel lost, this is what I'm talking about:

Five different trims are available for the VW Passat CC: Sport, Sport plus, Lux, V6 Lux and VR6 Executive. The car's 12-way power seats and climatic control begin with "Sport" while "Sport plus" adds DSG transmission and a satellite-navigation system. "Lux" boasts of an aluminium trim, ambient lighting and a sunroof, "V6 Lux" bakes a back-up camera, bigger screen and memory seats all into one package while the show-stopping "VR6 Executive" combines a rear sunshade, parking sensors, all-wheel-drive and front seats that heat, cool and massage.

Infotainment

I have always been on the front seats for VW Passat's support but when it comes to entertainment I can only hung my head. Bad resolution on the 5-inch touch-screen (400 by 200 pixels), no voice command anywhere in this car, no USB plug for non Apple devices and the audio player is the very basic CD player with AM/FM Sirius radio only spiced up with iDevice integration. The only commendable component is Bluetooth audio streaming and the 600-watt 10-speaker Dynaudio system in the VR6. The navigation system is low end with minute improvement on screen size in the Lux and V6 trims from 5.0 to 6.5-inches and a colour LCD in the VR6.

Road performance

The Volkswagen Passat CC's 2.0L TDI engine with 139 horsepower and a combined economy of 60 mpg will leave you almost fully satisfied if you are not going for a road race. The good mileage is as a result of VW's BlueMotion fuel saving technology using an intelligent alternator that makes Prius' ETCS-i yesterday's news. The gearbox is a 6-speed manual that transmits with nicely spaced ratios for driving efficiency but again, not for road racing! The steering wheel though is well weighted and the ride is very quiet but higher-powered versions of 158 bhp and 207 bhp are a bit noisier. The ride height is a bit lower than in the standard Passat but most parts can be interchanged. The Sport trim however lacks DSG transmission that begins with the Sport plus trim and is more ideal in traffic but a bit high on the fuel bills. Driver engagement is not offered as the ride remains housed in traditional austerity and it will take a lot of hard work to achieve a chassis balance as accorded by BMW. Jagged surfaces are a bit responsive making it non ideal for off-road and this is worsened by the 18-inch wheels which "The Telegraph" describes as "deleterious." The car's lane departure system also does not always pick up on road markings and the boot switch activated by feet movement beneath the bumper is highly inefficient. It is yet to be understood what VW was thinking to suggest opening the boot by flipping your feet under the rear bumper, what is known as "air kicking" but if this is the direction innovations are taking us I bet we are yet to see more.

Factfile

• Price: £24200 - £30100
• Engine: 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
• Power: 138 horsepower @4200 rpm / 236lb-ft @ 1750 rpm
• Drivetrain: 6-speed manual, FWD
• Top speed: 133 mph
• Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 9.8 seconds
• Fuel economy: 60 mpg

Benefits of Owning a Gas Sipper

Fuel efficient vehicles are called gas sippers. A gas sipper uses gas in the most economical manner without any waste. Price of fuel has risen to such heights that every one is looking for vehicles that would curb gas usage. And thus there has been an ever increasing demand for better fuel economy. Apart from rise in oil prices, another reason that is responsible for the introduction of green vehicles, is the growing concern to protect the environment.

Nowadays, we are surrounded by things that are "eco-friendly", starting from daily use items to machines, electronic goods and so on. Gas sippers are eco friendly vehicles that waste least amount of energy and cause minimum pollution. Presently, majority of cars on the road are fuel efficient. Manufacturers are constantly competing with each other, using advanced technologies, in order to capture the fuel efficient vehicle market. Scooters, mopeds and motorcycles are by nature gas sippers due to their small size and less consumption of power.

Car companies are making small cars apart from their regular full size cars as they fulfil two purposes. One, they occupy less space and thus are easy to handle. And secondly they reduce the consumption of fuel. Hence, car owners or drivers have developed a preference for small cars that have pulled down their fuel expenditure to a large extent. Further, drivers have realised that driving a gas sipper gives a comfortable, relaxing and less aggressive experience. Its power delivery is extremely smooth as a result of which driving is least tiring. Some of the more efficient vehicles in the market are as follows:

2012 Ford Mustang- a non hybrid gas sipper. A 305-hp pony car with 19 mpg in the city it is one of the coolest and irresistible cars by Ford.

2012 Smart Fortwo- a two seater small car with 30 mpg in the city and 40 on the highway best for city or suburb dwellers.

2012 Volkswagen Golf TDI Two-Door- better than the Smart with 140 horsepower and a six speed manual transmission.

2012 Mini Cooper- the most suitable car for those who love to just drive and don't require cargo space inside.

2012 Honda Fit- with 117 hp-cylinder VTEC engine, it has an impressive fuel efficiency that is good for the pocket. It has automatic transmission and even paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

2012 Mazda 2- an extremely good looking car with dynamic exterior design and excellent fuel economy.

2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco- has turbocarged 1.4 litre engine with lots of space inside. Proud to have the best highway mpg rating. It is provided with OnStar, Bluetooth facilities and USB port.

2012 Hyundai Elantra- the most practical and livable car that costs much less than its competitors giving it an added advantage.

2012 Chevrolet Equinox- A good combination of efficiency, cargo space and comfort. 2012 Ford Fiesta- another reliable and smart gas sipper that uses fuel economically.

2012 Nissan Juke S- the fuel sipper with all wheel drive option. Has ample space inside with 27/32 mpg.

Steps For Safe Lane Changing

Lane changing is considered as one of the most risky road maneuvers to a driver. Overlooking the existing traffic rules and laws when shifting lanes can put the driver's life in jeopardy and potentially result in a horrible road accident. Whether you want to evade a barrier or another car, do an impending turn or outdo a slow-moving car, there will always be situations that will require you to shift lanes. Thus, it is indispensable that you learn the appropriate actions to do when performing lane changes.

Observe Your Location

Look at the road marking before shifting lanes. You should be aware that crossing solid lines is prohibited. Whether the solid line separating the lanes is single or double, changing lanes is still against the traffic laws. Drivers should put off lane changing when approaching intersections and you must understand that shifting lanes while crossing an intersection is unlawful. Changing lanes is only permitted and not dangerous if the line in-between the lanes are dashed.

Watch Out For Other Vehicles

Make certain that there are no other drivers getting in your way in the lane where you chose to transfer. In addition, pay attention to the pedestrians on the road. In case a car ahead of you is also attempting to shift lanes, wait for them to finish altering lanes first before you change your track.

Look At Forthcoming Vehicles

Look at your rearview and side mirrors to perceive any impending vehicles in your path and the lane where you plan to transfer. If the driver at your back sends you a signal for lane change, wait until it has altered lane successfully. Make certain that there are no other cars trying to pass multiple lanes before you move to another track.

Carry Out the Lane Change

First, you need to turn on your signal to notify other drivers of your intention to transfer lanes. Keep your signal light on the whole time you are doing a lane change. Then, check the rearview mirror and side mirror to spot other cars in the road that might get in your way. Next, skim through your shoulder in the course you are going to change lanes to ensure that there are no vehicles or hindrances in your way. Also, make sure that there is a sufficient space for you to move into without disturbing the stream of traffic. And once you see that there is an adequate space for you to enter a new path, you can now change lanes effortlessly, without speeding up your pace or making any dangerous maneuvers.

Tips to Buy a Car With No Credit or Bad Credit

Hopefully, the above title of this article will not make you "shake-in-your-shoes" nor toss your hands in the air shouting: "now what do I do about transportation?" By the time you have finished reading this informative article, you may be looking to put us on your future Christmas gift list! But first, regardless of the scuttlebutt you've heard around the office water cooler, buying a car with bad credit or no credit history is a simple and easy process if you know all the tricks. We're talking about affordable used cars here, folks. Good and reasonable transportation that, in most cases, can be cars priced very cheaply. So for now, forget the wishing and hoping about the smooth looking, "pickup" red convertible with the white sidewalls.

What you may not know is that buying a cheap used car will give you a "leg up" over other car buyers who opt for the expensive vehicles, because affordable used cars can have a huge effect on the price of insurance you have to pay to drive it. More on that in a moment, but right now you need to stop getting all exercised over the fact about your Uncle Fred telling you that if your credit sucks, you can't buy a car - new or used. That is total nonsense. Once you visit a clean used car lot in your town with the ability to put up a small down payment, that dealer will be all over you like moss on a Mississippi tree stump, with paperwork in hand, ready to cut a deal. And they probably won't run a credit check either. Once you prove that you have had a job for the past 12 months, pay your bills on time, and have a bank account, you'll be in like Flynn.

All that sounds like good news and it is. But since you are a marginal credit borrower you're not going to get the best terms on whatever the dealer has to carry back, or sell to a finance company. However, the terms will most likely be a moderately high interest rate and terms of 48-60 months. But at least it's transportation, and now you can forgo that monthly bus pass you've been using.

Instead of taking a high interest loan, the best option though is to scale down on the car that you buy so that you can fully pay for it with the money that you would use as down payment. It will not be the late-model, low mileage, V8 powered model that you dreamed about but at least you will not be trapped in a deal where you owe more than the value of the car for several years.

Since all states require vehicle insurance, another nice savings beckons in your favor. Oh, sure, you could muster up enough to pay cash for the car, and eschew car insurance, but then you'll be looking in your rearview mirror most of the time, and that's not a good thing. So here is the plan. Shop around to several insurance carriers online, and look for a company who insures 10 year old or older cars. Tell the agent all you want is a high liability coverage policy (more than the state requires) and eschew collision and comprehensive coverage, as well as medical, if you already have coverage, plus towing, for sure. All this added on stuff on a 10+ year old car is a waste of money. Remember, sometimes you're the cake - sometimes you're the frosting. You want to be the cake.

Defensive Driving Tips And Techniques

Defensive driving means that the driver behind the wheel is free from any form of distractions. It is crucial that the driver give full concentration on driving. It also entails proper communication with other people on the road. Defensive driving is a significant asset to you and for other drivers because it can help you save your life at risky road circumstances and when other people who drives erratically on the road.

Blind Spots

Pay attention to drivers' blind spots, particularly during heavy traffic on streets or roads. Again, you cannot control how other people behave on the road. In some cases, drivers may not notice their blind spots before the change lanes. Blind spots can be found in the rear and side of the cars. To secure your safety in the road it is indispensable that you maintain a safe distance between you and the next car to prevent car accidents.

Avoid Slamming The Brakes

Don't slam on your brakes whether in traffic or coming to a stop sign. Defensive drivers know that slamming your brakes is always useless and unneeded. To avoid doing impulsive braking, maintain a two-car distance at the rear of the car in front of you. If another car follows too closely behind your vehicle, calmly but constantly step on your brakes to give the other driver a fair warning. This should capture his consciousness and give him adequate time to move back.

Stop Lights

When the traffic light turns green, many drivers impudently pick up the pace immediately. They think that green lights always means go. To ensure your safety in the road, hang for about two or three seconds before driving. You would not know if another driver dared not to stop despite the red light signal and cause an awful crash. When you are positioned behind another car at a stoplight, make certain that you can watch his tires. Failing to see it may limit your reaction time for yourself and drivers in the street.

Blinkers

A lot of drivers commit the error of lighting up their blinkers at the eleventh-hour. Some believe that usage of blinkers is a courtesy rather than a requirement. Let other people on the road predict your next maneuvers and moves so they can also respond suitably to your actions. Keep in mind that turn signals capture attention and you need to catch the awareness of other drivers when changing lanes. Indecisiveness to employ turn signals gives rise to collisions, panic and road rage.

Road Conditions

Knowing how to deal with the present road conditions is crucial in defensive driving. Always anticipate unexpected circumstances in the road. Reading or reviewing road signs regularly averts the incidence of collisions. But lots of drivers do not respond suitably in sudden rain shower. Slow down your pace significantly and paying heed to drivers who have not reduced speed.

Is the Internet a Safe Bet for Quality Auto Parts?

Everybody has their own opinion when it comes to the matter of buying auto parts on the internet, though in general it is difficult to find two that correspond. Some are adamant that it is as safe as houses, others argue that most of the sellers are not to be trusted and some state that every buy represents a risk, though one that might be worth taking.

Needless to say, this really doesn't do much to help those looking for the real facts and hoping to make an informed decision, so what exactly is the truth behind the matter? Is it really safe to by auto parts online, or is it always better to pay more for the brand-new real-deal?

Huge Appeal

The primary appeal of buying auto parts on stores like eBay is of course the way in which almost anything in the world can be found in a matter of seconds, 24 hours a day and for a far lower price than MSRP. Online market places have effectively allowed every person across the US to become a seller should they choose to, which has opened up the possibility of buying literally millions more auto parts than would otherwise have been possible. Add into the mix the convenience of shopping from home and fast delivery and the overall package seems largely unbeatable.

Risks

However, to say that buying auto parts online, wasn't without its risks would be unfair and untrue. The very nature of these kids of sites is such that it is impossible to carry out a hands-on inspection of any products, therefore must take the word of the seller at face value in terms of safety, reliability and value for money. While most online sellers are in business for all the right reasons, some are always out to mislead and have the potential to disappoint and endanger their customers.

Safe Shopping

Add together all of the above and the result is an approach to the buying of auto parts that seem appealing but may carry unacceptable risks - especially where health and safety is concerned. However, employ a little proactivity and common sense while shopping on stores like eBay. Auto parts can indeed become almost 100% safe, or at least as safe as any other non-official dealership route.

First and foremost, never be tempted to use the internet when looking to buy the most crucially important auto parts and safety features, such as an airbag for example. When the viability of a product could literally mean the difference between life and death, it really isn't worth taking the chance.

Next, evaluate the prices of the auto parts on offer as it usually goes without saying that something that sounds far too good to be true really is exactly that!

Once a genuine product at a good price has been found, extensively consult the feedback of the seller and his or her previous seller history. This is an invaluable way of finding out where their expertise lies and what their customers have to say about them - truly priceless knowledge.

Last but not least, always opt for the sellers who offer full guarantees or refund policies, in order to effectively remove all the risk from buying auto parts and later finding them redundant.

Find out all the ins and outs of buying auto parts from the very best names in the business, along with potential risks and hazards to avoid.

Tips for Choosing Good After-Market Auto Parts

Like any piece of mechanical machinery, your car would eventually deteriorate and require some maintenance work. Sometimes the work can be minor (i.e. adding air to the tires); on some occasions, you might need to replace certain parts.

Define Which Parts Need Replacement

Some car parts wear faster than others because of their inherent functionality and the frequency of their use. Brakes, spark plugs, oil filters, windshield wipers and spark plugs normally need to be replaced more frequently than any other auto parts.

For obvious reasons, braking mechanisms need to be consistently maintained. Make sure to regularly have them checked and replaced (when the time comes) to make sure your safety; and the safety of other motorists and pedestrians. Spark plugs and other ignition components also require periodic replacement. Note that if these parts deteriorate, you would not be able to start your car.

Proactively Do Your Research

Doing your research means getting to know your car and its parts better. You don't need to be an expert mechanic to do this. You can simply use the internet to gather information. Try to figure out what is immediately available to you and which parts need to be pre-ordered. The availability of auto parts generally depends on the model year and make of your car. Newer cars might have spare parts that are easy to acquire; parts for older models might need to be backordered.

Ask the Experts

Asking the experts could invariably mean having to choose the right supplier - especially if you have no idea what you have to do. You can ask your family members or friends about which parts dealers they've had experience with. Look for a store that has a good track record and that is run by licensed personnel. The array of options can be overwhelming, so it would be good to have an expert point you towards the right direction. Typically, shops with more years of experience in the business have better expertise. If you want to purchase auto parts online, take your time to examine product reviews that can give you relevant insights. Compare prices and return policies so that you can determine which shop will offer you more value.

Be Reasonable

It is easy to assume that high performance, after-market spares are always expensive and that low-class ones are cheap. Quite often, you would be tempted to go for the cheap one because you'd think that it is the more economical choice. Some car parts are sold at a lower price because they have no warranty while some parts are pricey because they carry popular brand names. The most important thing to consider here is the purpose of that particular part.

Keep in mind that faulty replacement parts could put you and your passengers at risk or could give you a lot of hassle. Imagine if your new brakes failed as you are driving on the freeway or if your recently installed spark plug refuses to start on Monday morning. Scenarios like these can guide you in making your decisions when buying after-market auto parts.