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.