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Words: 379 Copyright: 2005 Marilyn Pokorney

Please leave the resource box intact with an active link, and send a courtesy copy of the publication in which the article appears to: marilynp@nctc.net ———————————————————— When winter weather strikes the best thing to do is to stay home or wherever you may be at the time. But if you absolutely must be driving, then here are some tips from the experts to keep you safe.

First of all, make sure your car is in perfect working order. If you need to be driving in a lot of snowy conditions get four good snow tires.

Know what your car can and cannot do in the snow.

Keep a snow brush, ice scraper, shovel, and a bag of sand in the trunk. Place the sandbag over the rear axle. Add extra windshield washer fluid, a blanket and old clothes and boots as well.

Pack a burlap bag, grocery bag, cardboard, deicer, or fresh cat litter for traction in case you get stuck.

Take extra time to make sure your windows, sideview mirrors and lights are all brushed clean of snow.

Clean the snow off the entire car so it doesn’t blow onto your windshield or fly into windshields of other drivers. Keep gas tank always over half full.

Accelerate, drive, turn and brake slowly and gently.

Leave plenty of distance between you and other cars. Turn headlights on low beam during daylight. It will make it easier for other drivers to see you.

Try to back into the garage or parking space. Pulling out will be easier than backing out.

Always turn into a skid. If the drive wheels start to spin or slide while going up a hill, ease off on the accelerator slightly and then gently resume speed.

Decelerate well in advance of a turn or stopping point.

When approaching a stop with alternate patches of ice and bare pavement brake as you cross the bare spot and coast over the ice.

Stay at least 15 car lengths (200 feet) back from sanders and plows.

Don’t use cruise control or overdrive.

Call ahead and let your destination know your approximate arrival time. Likewise, when you arrive at your destination call and let your family and friends know you have arrived safely.

And lastly, keep your car clean. Corrosive chemicals, salt and gravel are damaging to cars and their exteriors.

For more information on protecting your car during winter weather visit:

http://www.apluswriting.net/gasmiles/5starshine.htm

About the author:

Marilyn Pokorney Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment. Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading. Website: http://www.apluswriting.net

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair

REQUIREMENTS FOR REPRINT: You have permission to publish
this article free of charge in your e-zine, newsletter,
ebook, print publication or on your website ONLY if it
remains unchanged and you include the copyright and author
information (Resource Box) at the end. You may not use
this article in any unsolicited commercial email (spam).

You may retrieve this article by:

Autoresponder: roadsalt@getresponse.com
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net/articles/roadsalt.txt

Words: 470 including resource box
Copyright: 2005 Marilyn Pokorney

Please leave the resource box intact with an active link,
and send a courtesy copy of the publication in which the
article appears to: marilynp@nctc.net
————————————————————

Every winter drivers should take active steps to protect
their car from road salt.

Road salt is necessary for safe transportation when snow and
ice accumulate on roads and highways and cause dangerous
driving conditions.

Salt was first used in the 1930’s in snow and ice control to
make roads safe and passable by creating a lower freezing
temperature of the water. It is the most available and
cost-effective de-icer. It is easy to store, handle, and
apply.

Some 15 million tons of de-icing salt is used each year in
the U.S. and about 4-5 million in Canada.

Salt keeps snow and ice from bonding to the pavement and to
allow snowplows to remove accumulations quickly and
efficiently.

Studies show that salt use reduces accidents by 88%.

Washing your car during wintertime is one of the best things
you can do to maintain the value of your car. Mud, salt,
rain, sleet, and snow can damage your car’s clear finish.
Mud and salt caked on the undercarriage promote rust,
especially in older vehicles, and can also affect how well
your car drives.

To prevent winter damage, it is recommended that you wash
your vehicle every 10 days. Wash your vehicle whenever the
temperature is 40 degrees F. and above. Do it during the
day so that it dries completely before freezing evening
temperatures begin.

Immediately after washing the vehicle, open and close all
doors, the trunk, and other parts of the car with locks
several times before parking it to prevent locks from
freezing.

Always wash your car right after a snow or rain shower.
Rain and snow collect pollutants in the air and drop them as
acid rain which can damage the cars protective finish. Snow
and sleet also include the corrosive road salt.

Wash the underside of your car often during the winter
months in car washes that do not use recycled water.

Avoid driving through large puddles of standing water which
is saturated with road salt.

Any paint chips that are larger than the tip of a pen should
be taken care of immediately.

Wax your car at least every six months. Put a good heavy
coat of wax on your car before the winter storms hit. This
heavy coat will protect your paint from the corrosive salt
and cold temperatures.

More frequent waxes are needed if your car is red, black or
white because these colors are more susceptible to acid rain
and UV rays.

When spring time rolls around, treat your car to a good wax
job again. Be sure to remove all road grime and salt off of
the car before you begin waxing.

For more information:
http://www.apluswriting.net/gasmiles/5starshine.html

About the Author

Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair

Spending a little time now may save you serious money later. Go to a reputable car repair shop and ask if you can bring the vehicle by for a look-over. While you’re there, ask what cars they have to repair most often. Take heed. Also, ask what the inspection includes, how long it takes, and the price. Always get this information in writing - just to be safe.

Once the vehicle has been inspected, ask the mechanic for a written report with a cost estimate for all necessary repairs. Be sure the report includes the vehicle’s make, model and VIN. Go over it with a fine-toothed comb and make sure you understand every item. If you decide to make an offer to the dealer after approving the inspection, you can use the estimated repair costs to negotiate the price of the vehicle.

Remember, private sellers generally are not covered by the Used Car Rule and don’t have to use the Buyers Guide. However, you can use the Guide’s list of an auto’s major systems as a shopping tool. You also can ask the seller if you can have the vehicle inspected by your mechanic. If he/she says no… beware. No matter how nice the car appears, something fishy is going on.

Now, a private sale likely will be on an “as is” basis, unless your purchase agreement with the seller specifically states otherwise. If you have a written contract, the seller has to live up to the contract. The car also may be covered by a manufacturer’s warranty or a separately purchased service contract. But that doesn’t mean that the warranty and service contract are transferable. Plus, other limits or costs may apply. Before you buy the car, ask if it’s still under warranty or service contract, and review that baby carefully.

Some states will require vehicle sellers to pass a vehicle inspection before a sale is made. That’s not always the case, though. To find out what your state requires, contact your state Attorney General’s office or a local consumer protection agency. Hey, it’s just a phone call. And it could save you a real headache later!

Whether you end up buying a used car from a dealer, a co-worker, or a neighbor, follow these tips to learn as much as you can about the car:

Examine the car carefully yourself using an inspection checklist. You can find a checklist in many of the magazine articles, books and Internet sites that deal with buying a used car. My favorite book that I’ve used several times is How to Buy and Maintain a Used Car by Brad Crouch.

Once I bought a used car in August, and never thought to test the rear defroster. Guess what? Come November, I found out it didn’t work. If you’re shopping in the summer, don’t forget to check the heater. And if it’s cold as ice outside, still turn that air on full blast and make sure it works!

Ask for the car’s maintenance record. If the owner doesn’t have copies, contact the dealership or repair shop where most of the work was done. They may share their files with you.Talk to the previous owner, especially if the present owner is unfamiliar with the car’s history.Have the car inspected by a mechanic you hire.

About the author:

Author is running BMW fan site BMW Cars

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair