Tips for Staying Safe on the Road

For some people, driving can be a form of relaxation, for others it can be an anxiety driven chore. Whatever your feelings on it, driving is a part of our culture and society. Unless you live near everything, or live in an area that thrives on public transportation, then chances are you have to drive at some point. Driving does not have to be a chore that freaks you out every time you are behind the wheel, yet you do need to be aware of the dangers that can occur. This article will look at some of the things that you can do to stay safe while driving. These tips can help you feel more at ease on the road and also protect you from harmful dangers.

One of the best ways that you can avoid trouble on the roadways is to stay alert. This can be hard for some people. You need to remove yourself from all distractions that can occur in your car. Do not eat while you are driving. Not only is it bad for your health, but it can also take you attention off of the roadways. Put down your cell phone. That call or text may seem important now, but is it really more important than your life? Also, do not drive if you feel tired. You may not think that you can fall asleep at the wheel, but trust me you can.

Weather can be very unpredictable and you may not always know if you are heading in to bad weather. However, if you can avoid it then do not drive in bad weather. It will impair your vision and make the roadways a disaster. If you find yourself in unpredicted weather, then pull off the road way and make sure you are out of harm's way. Wait it out before you continue on your journey.

My next tip should be self explanatory but we still have horrible accidents due to it. Do not drink and drive. You may think that you are fine, but you are risking your life and the lives of those around you. Do not learn this lesson the hard way. A cab ride will be less expensive then charges and jail time.

It is also important that you take your car for routine checkups. By staying on top of your checkups you can rest assured that your car is operating at the level that is acceptable on the road ways. Little things like getting your oil changed, tires rotated, and making sure your tires are full of air will make a huge difference in the long run.

Another important tip is, wear your seat belt. It can be annoying and uncomfortable, but it can also save your life. Even if you are just going down the street put your seat belt on, you just never know what can happen. Encourage everyone in your car to do the same also.

These are just a few tips that can help you on the roadways. Driving does not have to be your worst nightmare. If you are prepared then it will be harder for careless mistakes to happen to you. Check with your car insurance company and see if they offer you any discounts for safe driving.

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Should You Take Your Classic Car Through a Carwash?

Most people that have classic cars with pristine car finishes will not go through any type of carwash that has brushes. And a good many of them know better than to go through carwashes that wash the car without touching it, because generally they use a flash washing method where they use an acid type soap wash, allow 10-seconds of dwell time which eats the dirt, and then rinse it quickly within a few seconds to prevent it from damaging the paint job or the rubber on the vehicle. Okay so, let's talk about this for second shall we?

Now then, if you have a fully restored classic car chances are you have gone to great expense to buy aftermarket custom rubber built on original specs, and you have a car which does not have a clear coat, and chances are you have a ton of lacquer, and/or wax on that car. Such a washing technique from a touchless carwash strips off a good amount of wax, and whereas the lacquer finishes probably okay, it doesn't do much good for it, therefore these classic car owners are right not to take their cars through this type of carwash.

What if the carwash is not a mechanized robotic tunnel carwash, or what if the washing system is not a touchless automatic - what if the carwash is a full hand wash where is soaped by hand, rinsed with a pressure washer, and dried with very extremely soft terry cloth towels, and chamois?

In that case it is okay, providing those doing the soaping are careful and do not pick up any little pebbles or granulars of dirt as they are soaping. If they soap underneath the wheel wells and then use that same wash mitt on the car, it will put fine and minute scratches in the surface of the paint. If they understand how to wash a classic car, and they're doing it very carefully, that would be fine, but it only takes one employee, perhaps the new guy, that doesn't know what they're doing to put scratches in your car.

Sometimes it makes more sense to hire a mobile detailer to come to your house, if you don't wish to do it yourself, someone who knows what they're doing, perhaps even the owner of their own little company, and have them do a complete hand wash. If not, I advise you to wash your own car. There are very few carwashes in this country that I would feel comfortable sending you to if you have a pristine and perfect classic car that you've totally rebuilt yourself with a perfect paint job and is show quality. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.

Lance Winslow has launched a new series of eBooks on the Mobile Detailing Business. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a The Detail Guys, a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net/

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Three Reasons to Buy a Used Nissan!

Buying a used vehicle can be daunting to say the least. Can you trust the dealership or previous owner you're buying it from? Will you get value for money? Is there something you're not being told? The list of questions can go on forever. However, if you buy smart, owning a pre-owned vehicle could just be your best decision yet, especially if you buy a used Nissan. Here's why...

1. Nissan's Valid Value Programme

The only way to ensure potential buyers of a top quality used product is to give them a guarantee that it adheres to stringent criteria. It's with this thinking in mind that Nissan designed its Valid Value Programme. Only vehicles that are less than 3 years old, have less than a 100 000km on the odometer and have a full service history can be considered for the programme. These select vehicles each have to undergo a 101-point quality check and be verified not to have been stolen or have financial or legal claims against it. Nissan furthermore offers a 20-day exchange policy and free safety checks for as long as you own the vehicle with roadside assistance and a 2-year warranty as optional extras.

2. A Proud Nissan Heritage

The Japanese automaker's reputation as a top quality brand alone is good enough reason to consider buying a used Nissan. With over 5 decades of presence in our country, it has earned a loyal following. Just the number of Nissan vehicles seen on our roads daily speaks volumes of the brand's longevity and popularity. Plus, many Nissan vehicles are manufactured locally, which makes parts readily available unlike some European competitors that could leave you stranded for weeks waiting on imported components. Nissan also boasts a countrywide dealership network assuring owners of exceptional support wherever their travels may take them.

3. A Comprehensive Product Line

There's undoubtedly a used Nissan out there that will see to every possible individual want or need - from the modern hatch and family sedan to the workhorse pick-up, off-roader 4x4 and even a sports car or two. Depending on budget and requirements buyers can take their pick from older and newer models that include popular ranges such as the Micra, Livina, Qashqai, X-Trail, Navara, Patrol and powerful range of pick-ups such as the NP200 which has followed on the heritage of the legendary little Datsun bakkie and bigger brother NP300. Pick one with the Valid Value stamp of approval and you're guaranteed of a clever buy.

The author is an experienced automobile engineer and has worked with manufacturers across the globe. The author occasionally writes Nissan Blog Posts on motoring topics that include reviews of used Nissan Micra's, X-Trail's, GT-R's, Pathfinder's and the Qashqai's.

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