Save Cash By Following These Car Tips

Here are some tips that will help you to save on your car repair expenses.

Fluid Level

It does feel like you are spending more by adhering to maintenance schedule when there seems to be nothing wrong with your car. But that’s exactly the point, by ensuring that you have the correct levels of oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze, wiper fluid, power steering fluid and brake fluid all the time, you can avoid expensive car repair as well as risking your life while on the road.

Air And A Spare

Tires don’t come cheap. So if you don’t want them to wear out sooner than they should be and buy new ones do yourself a favor and pay more attention to them. Always make sure they’re properly inflated and check the pressure when the tires are cool. Doing monthly visual inspection will also keep you aware of wear, cracks, slipped belts, bulges or other abnormalities. Moreover, don’t neglect your spare. If you have a properly inflated spare then you can change your own tire when the need arise and save you tow bill or road service call.

Oil Changes

Always consult your owner’s manual to know your car’s required oil change interval. Don’t just think it’s every 3,000 miles because it’s a standard. It differs for every car. Aside from that, try to use only the grade, viscosity or weight of oil that is set for your particular car.

Air Filter

Okay, here’s the thing, your air filter’s job is to make sure you are breathing clean air as you drive. When the air filter itself becomes too dirty to function it puts your health to risk because it could pump your car full of dust and allergens. This is why it’s important to change your filter every three months, don’t worry it’s so simple you can easily do it yourself as long as you follow instructions on your owner’s manual, so no need to spend on car grooming services in Singapore.  

Wiper Blades And Wiper Fluid

If your windshield is blurred due to dust, water, snow, or anything that could leave marks on it, it could affect your visibility on the road which may lead to an accident. Having said that, it’s very important that your wiper blades are working properly and you have wiper fluid in the compartment. Replace your wipers every year and don’t use water as wiper fluid. The wipers will cost you less than $20 but spending on that yearly is so much cheaper than having an accident, especially if your replace them yourself.   

Top 9 Road Trip Friendly Tips

Road trips are fun and exciting! It’s a great way to explore new places while gaining a lot of benefits like being able to sharpen your mind, seeing things in new and brighter way, building your confidence to try new things and get out of your comfort zone. But to make sure you get the best out of your travel experience, mind these tips to avoid common mishaps on the road.

1. Pick An Enthusiastic Companion

Nothing sucks out the life out of a supposedly fun trip than having a travel buddy who is in a completely different page. So you might wanna make sure that the person you’d be traveling with is someone who understands the responsibilities and challenges of travelling, but is also spontaneous enough to take things in stride.

2. Be Realistic With Your Budget

Do your research well when it comes to possible expenses so you can budget well. Believe me; you don’t wanna cut your trip short because you ended up with not enough money to go on.  Be smart on the things to save and splurge and make sure to set a fund for unexpected expenses.

3. Make Sure You Take A Reliable Car

If would rather bring a car than to commute, you better be certain that that vehicle won’t be a problem. Have the car checked for possible repairs before the trip; opt for a ride that ensures fuel economy, passenger comfort, cargo volume, off-road ability and cruise control. Secured safety features like airbags, traction control, vehicle stability, and tire pressure monitor system should also be a non-negotiable.

4. Don’t Drive Tired

You’re supposed to be headed for a fun and relaxing getaway, not to a hospital due to road accident. No one wants that, so don’t risk it by forcing yourself to drive even if you’re already beat just so you could go home by a set schedule. Give your body the rest that it needs to avoid accident.

5. You Pick The Playlist

The driver should be able to pick the playlist. Why? Because music can affect the driver’s mood, which means he can be as engaged or not on the wheels depending on the music he hears.

6. Don’t Be Too Confident With Your GPS

What if your phone goes haywire all of a sudden? Then you’d end up not knowing which route to go because you relied on one source for GPS. Better have a backup gadget as well as backup navigation apps just to be sure.

7. Get Off The Highway

Now, where the fun in that if you stay on the highway? That’s fine if you’re already headed home, but if you’re still in the middle of the road trip, why not goes off the beaten path? Who knows, you might discover a local restaurant or a tourists spot that not many people know but turned out to be a great find? Just make sure your car is prepared for fewer gas stations, public attractions, and rest stops since you’d be going in less traveled road.

8. Opt For Healthier Snack

Yes, you need to eat when your stomach calls for it, but you’ll get tired right away, not to mention gain more weight if you stop for fast food every time your tummy growls.  Have a stash of easy snacks that are a good combo of protein, carbs, and healthy fats to keep you satisfied in the car.

9. If You Can, Don’t Crash On Motels

If you come to think of it, hotel accommodation don’t costs that much considering that they often come with complimentary meals, a nice pool, fitness centers, and comfy mattresses. Plus you can always split the price with your travel companion, so why settle for a motel with amenities you can’t be sure of?

Ways To Care For Your Tires And Make Them Last Longer

Tires are expensive! And having to replace them more often that they should be isn’t something neither you nor your savings will be happy about. So, to keep you from going bankrupt here are some tips that will keep your priced tires in top shape.

Pay Attention To Your Driving Habits

Do you look out for potholes, road debris, speed bumps and curves? Do you drive like you’re being chased all the time? Often find yourself driving on rough roads maybe? All of these things changes your tires condition which leads to premature damage.

Keep The Load Within The Weight Limit

Gym bag, tools, spare tire, and stash of clothes, snack, and maybe a bag filled with personal belongings for those unexpected out-of-town trip or overnight stay somewhere are some of the reasonable stuffs that can be found in your car. But, try not to fit your entire house in your car. The heavier your car gets, the higher the risks for flats, blowouts, and damage. 

Watch Where You Park

As much as possible, avoid parking on hot asphalt during hot weather, not on gravel or dirt roads when it’s extremely cold either, or leaving your car immobile for weeks or months. These conditions can break down or destroy tires.

Make Sure They’re Properly Inflated

Over inflation and under inflation are bad for your tires. They put unnecessary pressure on your tires which leads to early wear and tear on them.

Proper Rotation Is Important

When you take your vehicle to service shops to have the oil change, have the tires rotated at the same time. This helps prevent uneven wear on your tires.

Don’t Forget To Keep Your Tires Balanced

While you’re at oil change and tire rotation, why not have your tires balanced too? Not only that this ensures smoother ride but also keep tires from improper wear.

Tire Alignment Is Just As Crucial

If you want to maximize the tire tread design, drive a car with better performance, and practically get the most out of your tires, make sure not to pass on tire alignment. This is essential for the drive line components of your vehicle. 

Pros And Cons Between Manual And Automatic Transmission

Transmission is important in a car because it helps with changing gears and get from point A to point B without trudging along in first gear. So, obviously a car needs transmission, the question is what kind would you prefer? 

Manual

Pros

Simple Maintenance

Since manual cars have less machinery involved, it’s less likely to breakdown. Which means it requires very little maintenance.

Uses Gear Or Engine Oil

It’s more versatile when it comes to oil, so gear or engine oil won’t matter. Plus, unlike automatic transmission cars that need transmission fluid change often, when it comes to manual that won’t be the case.

Better Fuel Economy

Manual transmission engines weigh less and have more gear. As a result you can expect to drive further compared to automatics even with the same amount of fuel. But of course, the condition of the car still matters on how much fuel it will consume.

Cons

Takes A Lot To Learn

As the name suggest, learning to drive this thing won’t be as easy as maneuvering an automatic. So practice a lot and pack patience all the time, you’ll get there.

Driving Around A City Can Be A Pain In The Ass

You will have to stop multiple times when you drive around a city due to traffic lights. So shifting gears will be a challenge.

Trouble With Ascending Surfaces

Uphill drives can be and will be more hard work that trying to please your in-laws. Expect to cause traffic and get yelled at.

Automatic

Pros

Widely Known And Used

Majority of cars today are automatic. So if you’re looking for a specific car, it’ll be easier to find if you prefer it over manual.

Almost Effortless To Drive

Shifting or using the clutch pedal will be the least of your problems.

Comfortable

Considering that shifting isn’t an issue with automatic transmission car, you can rest assured that you’ll have a smooth ride.

Cons

Intricate Maintenance

With a complex system, a lot could go south on you which of course means maintenance will follow.

Handling

If you don’t mind not having the “hands-on” precision drivers usually get with manual, then this might work for you.

It Can Be Pricey

Just like everything else in life, innovation comes with a price. Be prepared to shell out more cash if you prefer automatic transmission cars.

This comparison is not to say that one is better than the other. But this should help you distinguish which kind works for you better.

Top 13 Fastest Electric Vehicles In The World

Always in a rush? It would’ve been perfect if you have access to any of these fastest vehicles. For sure you’ll never be late again! While some misconception about electric vehicles being slow had circulated in the automobile industry, this list will surely surprise you otherwise. 

1. JR-MAGLEV MLX01 (361 mph)

Japan’s JR-MAGLEV MLX01 bullet trains are probably the reason why Japanese are known for being so punctual.

2. TRAIN ÀGRANDE VITESSE (357.2 mph)

Due to petrol crisis in France back in 1973, these French trains had to go with electricity and yet it’s still recognized as the fastest wheeled train on earth. Who said electric vehicles are slow now?

3. VENTURI BUCKEYE BULLET 2.5 (307.7 mph)

Smashing the previous electric land speed record, this lithium-ion-battery-powered Buckeye Bullet doesn’t need to say more.

4. ELIICA (250 mph)

Considering that each of this car’s wheels has its own electric motor, it’s no surprise that it could surpass Porsche 911 Turbo.

5. LONG-ESA (202.6 mph)

Flight of the Century didn’t just made an electric motorcycle that can run up to 190 mph, they also made a plane with almost the same speed!

6. LAWLESS OCC ROCKET BIKE (201 mph)

The joint project of Lawless industries and Orange Country Choppers packs a mean punch! Not only had it set the record of being the fastest electric motorcycle but also a record for electric vehicles in general. This only proves that electric vehicles are far from slow.

7. SCHUMACHER MI3 (161.8 mph)

It may be a remote-controlled car but with its 11 horsepower into its aerodynamic body, it’s hardly a toy you’d let your kid to play with.

8. MISSION R (160 mph)

It’s a shame that the impressive record-setting all-electric super-bike manufacturer went bankrupt despite all the hype when the Mission R came out. Nevertheless, its 0-60 in 3 seconds will remain in the history of fastest electric vehicles.

9. TESLA ROADSTER SPORT (125 mph)

With its agile handling and 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds, as the company Tesla Motors claims, this electric car should be able to outrun any Ferrari, Porsche, or Aston Martin.

10. BONTOFT & MILLER HYDRO BOAT (98.8 mph)

This power boat from Eagle Tree System is the world’s fastest electric boat that can speed up to 85 knots or just under 100 mph.

11. ELECTRIC BAR STOOL RACER (54 mph)

Streamlined motorized bar stool raced for the first time in 1998, going nearly 22 mph. When manufacturer Medical Device Engineering Company, IMDS made their own electric bar stool racer they managed to set a record of 53.557 mph in 2009 and exceeded it the following year by reaching 54.062 mph.

FASTEST ELECTRIC VEHICLE IN SPACE

12. HELIOS 2 (157, 078 mph)

This NASA built space probe was used by France, Belgium, Spain, and Greece as military observation satellites.

13. VOYAGER 1 (38, 600 mph)

This space probe launched by NASA is not only one of the fastest electric vehicles, but also the farthest spacecraft from earth and the only one in interstellar space. 

Safety Checklist On Your Car Before Hitting The Road

Headlights And Taillights

Having these two properly working is important so that you can be seen by other motorists on the road even in the most limited visibility condition. That is, if you don’t want to be a part of a crash statistics.  

AC Air Flow

We can’t do anything about the hot weather. However, there’s something we can definitely do to make driving more comfortable during such times which is turn the AC unit. So better make sure it’s blowing out perfectly.

Tires

How many times had there been an accident due to under inflated or worn tires? It causes 11, 000 crashes and 200 deaths annually according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Always do personal inspection before every ride.

Filters

The reason why there are filters is to filter air impurities. If that’s dirty or isn’t functioning then you’d be risking an engine trouble and reduced air quality.

Fluid Level

It’d be better if you check your fluid level and oil level early so you can take it to oil change shops before you hit critical level. This should prevent any hassle when you’re already on the road.

 Battery

Whether its winter or summer season, trying to fix a dead battery in the middle of nowhere can be frustrating. But why let yourself end up in that situation when it’s something that can be easily prevented?

Vehicle Preparedness

A car has to have important tools or items necessary during car related emergencies at all times. These things should go in your compartment before anything else.

 Your Patience

You cannot predict what will happen on the road no matter how much you prepare. But you’ll be able to overcome any traffic, car trouble, or irritating drivers if you keep your cool and stay focused on driving carefully and defensively.