Tag Archives: car

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Taking Yourself From A To B: Your First Car

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That means it’s time to invest! If you’re the kind of person who’s lived in a big city your whole life and never needed your own transport, or you’ve been able to depend on someone else this entire time and you know the situation needs to change, it’s time to take action. Being able to drive is a life skill a lot of people have and not a lot of people really put to good use. It can help us get jobs and support ourselves, it helps us ferry our families around and makes homelife a lot easier, and a vehicle can even be a mini home in itself when you need it to be. So if you’re on your journey to becoming a fully fledged driver, here’s some good ways to stay on top of things.

These keys are only a snatch away from you Source

Getting On With Your Lessons

Lessons aren’t always the first step in learning to drive. You need to determine first of all what kind of vehicle you’re hoping to pilot from here on out, whether it be a manual or an automatic or a car that runs on fuel or electricity. When you’re first starting your lessons, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, this is the space where it’s absolutely safe to do so.

Make sure you keep up with car control when you’re outside of the driver’s seat. If you know the routes around your town well, you can easily keep up with a Sat Nav or the instructor’s commands. Look at maps in your spare time, understand the speed limits of the common roads. Try and get some offtime practice in another car when you can, as more and more practical experience is never going to hurt anyone. With this, you’ll be studying for your theory from the get go, and still have the right amount of practical experience.

What If I Can’t Afford a Car?

Don’t worry, a lot of people are in the same situation as you. When you’re in this kind of situation, there’s a few solutions out there for you. Why not try a lease maybe? When you’re only hiring a car out for a short while, the cost is going to be dramatically lower than trying to own one outright. And hey, you might not even get enough use out of an owned car!

If someone else in your family has a car, see if you can be put on their insurance to also drive it safely when they’re not using the vehicle. Sharing the cost of running the vehicle between you is something a lot of people can manage, so don’t turn your nose up at not owning your own car. You can always move on from here after all, instead of immediately getting bogged down into debt.

Getting from A to B doesn’t have to cost the entire bank. Driving is an investment of course, but it’s worth it for living life to the full.

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Tips for Anyone Buying a Used Car

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Image source – http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/pictures/230000/velka/road-and-car.jpg

 

Are you looking for a used vehicle? There can be many benefits associated with buying a used vehicle. The most obvious benefit being the fact that used vehicles are a lot cheaper. They represent exceptional value when you consider how quickly the value of a new car depreciates. However, you will obviously want to make sure you purchase the right vehicle for you. So, let’s take a look at some top tips on purchasing a user car.

Check you have all of the paperwork before paying – It is important to make sure you have the correct documents before you pay up, as well as all of the necessary spares and a spare set of keys. The documents you should expect include the sales contract, manuals, servicing booklet, and logbook or V5C.

Be cautious when buying a car on eBay – If you have decided to buy a car on eBay, please be aware that you are not going to be protected. You will not be protected by eBay’s own buyer protection. If you purchase via PayPal, you will not be protected by PayPal’s purchase protection either.

Choose a dealership that specializes in the vehicle you are looking for – When looking to buy a specific auto make, it is a good idea to look for a dealership that specializes in this type of vehicle. For example, if you want to buy a Subaru, then the Eblen Subaru dealership would be a good place to start. This comes recommended because the people working at the dealership will have expert knowledge regarding the type of vehicle you are looking for. This will ensure you get the best information. Not only this, but if you require a repair or a replacement part in the future, they should be able to assist you with ease.

Take the vehicle for a test drive – It is so important to take your vehicle for a test drive, and when you do this, there are numerous things you should look out for. Will the car fit into your space? What does the engine sound like? Does the car pull away smoothly? Do you have enough space in the boot? What is the passenger space like? Are the boot, doors, and bonnet easy to open? Does the car feel balanced or does it veer to one side? Do the clutch and brakes function effectively and smoothly? If you are going to be fitting a child car seat, is it going to go in easily? Is your driving position at the wheel comfortable?

Be thorough when car shopping – When looking for a used car, you need to make sure it is right for you. There are some key factors you should be looking for. The vehicle’s mileage is important. If the odometer’s figures are wildly out when you consider the age of the vehicle, you need to ask why. Most vehicles clock up roughly 10,000 miles per year. Aside from this, you should also turn on the lights, test the radio, look at the engine for signs of water or oil leaks, check the oil itself, check repairs, and assess the overall condition of the car.

Always haggle – A lot of people assume that there is no point in haggling, however, this is not a practice that is only suitable for backstreet bazaars. You know what they say, if you don’t ask, you don’t get. This is most definitely the case when trying to buy a car. So, how do you haggle effectively? There are a number of approaches you can use. The first is to look for vehicles that are already discounted. This indicates that there may be some more room for negotiation. In addition to this, look for the tiniest scratches or dents and use this as a bargaining tool. You should also get them to check something in for free, as opposed to only looking for the price to come down. Plus, don’t feel like you have always got to fill the silence. Wait for them to fill the silence with a better offer.

Work out the true cost ­– Budgeting effectively is a necessity when buying a car. However, this is where a lot of people go wrong; they underestimate the true cost of buying a vehicle. When working out how much this is going to cost you, don’t only consider any upfront costs and finance repayments if you have taken out of any loan. You also need to think about parking permits and tolls, servicing, MOTs, car insurance, tax, and fuel.

Make sure the car meets your requirements – Last but not least, do not make the mistake of falling head over heels for a car and then forgetting what you were looking for in the first place. If a car does not meet your list of requirements, don’t buy it. So, before shopping, it is a wise idea to draw up a list of all of the things you need. This can include your essential requirements, whether you want petrol or diesel, boot size, eco-friendliness, and anything else that is important to you.

If you follow the advice that has been provided above, you should find it a lot easier to find the perfect used vehicle for you. A used vehicle can present a lot of value, but this is only going to be the case if you choose with care. Do the necessary research and follow the information that has been given to you, and you won’t go too wrong.

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Making Your Car Safer For The Road With Technology

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Driving can be a dangerous game. There are so many thousands of drivers on the roads just in your area every day, and each of them will have their own view on what safe driving is.

To ensure that you are always safe on the road, companies like American Traffic Solutions will install cameras, traffic lights, warning signs and diversions to ensure we stay safe. However, the safety of ourselves and the people around us is not only down to the authorities. We have a responsibility to make sure that we drive safely and that our car is safe to drive.

There are some great pieces of tech we can install into our cars which make driving much safer, and therefore being on the roads a less hazardous affair.

Rear-view camera

One of the things which can make a massive difference to the way we drive our vehicles is the ability to see where we are reversing. Rather than you having to guess where the cars are in each side of when reversing into a bay, the camera will show you and make it easier for you to drive. It also means that if anything appears at the back of the car such as a cat, you can avoid hitting it.

Phone technology

One of the most common causes of road accidents is texting or talking on the phone while driving. Having your phone either lifted up to your ear or under your steering wheel is a huge danger to you and everyone around you. The great thing is that you can get a car which has the ability to stop you from using your phone on the road. Most newer models will now have Bluetooth in the onboard system which will allow you to connect your phone and talk hands free. Another great feature which Ford has introduced is the ability for your car to read message out to you. This saves you being tempted to take your eyes off the road when you receive a message. You are then able to auto reply with ‘Call me back later’ and carry on your drive.

Lane Keeping

Don’t you just hate it when people swerve in and out of lanes for no reason? This can happen especially when a driver isn’t paying attention to the road. Luckily, many cars can now detect a subtle change in lane positioning and will correct this automatically. It means that if a driver is too busy texting to pay attention to the road. The car will move itself back into the lane and stay there.

Collision Prevention

You may remember your driving lessons when one day your instructor told you to break in the middle of the road. Learning how to emergency stop is a skill you are taught in case of an accident, however sometimes you simply cannot predict what will happen. The great thing is, some cars will do it for you. The Honda Accord for example will sense an accident happening and slam the brakes on before you even notice what it happening, it can save your life, and it will certainly make your car much safer on the road.

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Your Car Is More Than Just Transportation. Here’s Why!

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For most people, their car is just a way to get from A to B. It’s a handy tool that can help them get around in their day to day life, but it doesn’t bring them any extra benefits apart from being a convenient mode of transport. However, it is a very expensive mode of transport. Sure something this expensive should bring more benefits to your life than just a form of transport? Well, thankfully, it can! Your car doesn’t just have to used to getting you from A and B. Here are some other great ways you might want to benefit from your little auto.

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Money Maker

Your car doesn’t just have to drain your finances – it can actually be a nice little money maker and can bring you a small extra income if you are smart with it. Have you already heard of the likes of Uber and Lyft? These platforms give you the chance of becoming a taxi driver and making some cash from transporting people around using your car. The great thing about these kinds of platforms is that they give you the chance to be as flexible as you want to be with your work. You can take to the road and pick people up at times to suit you, so you can be your own boss!

Marketing Opportunity

Do you have your own small business? If so, then your car could be turned into an extra marketing tool. Wraps for cars and trucks are a great way to get your company name out there so that more of the public will encounter it. All that you need to do is pay to have a wrap designed with your company’s logo and branding. This will then be applied to the exterior of your car. You will then have a nifty little advert on the side of your car that everyone will see next time you go out for a drive!

Status Symbol

There are lots of people out there who use their car as a status symbol to show off their wealth and assets. Even if you aren’t the wealthiest person in the world, there will still be a really cool car out there that reflects your personality and street credit. One of the most obvious go-tos for a status symbol has to be a sports car. If you can’t afford a brand new Lamborghini, you could simply buy a chic second-hand sports car – it may have a previous owner, but it will still ooze coolness!

Stress Reliever

Some people see their car as a stress reliever. Whenever they are feeling stressed, they will simply jump in their car and go for a long drive. It doesn’t really matter where they go as the action of driving can help some people really calm down and unwind. If you need some extra calm, you could always take a drive to a peaceful rural location.

So, why use your car as just a mode of transportation when you could use it one of the ways above?

Electric Car Maintenance

Maintenance Musts: Essential Steps Every Electric Car Owner Should Take

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Every car owner should take steps to keep their vehicle in tip-top condition. If you’re prepared to look after your car, you’re likely to save money on repairs, and your wagon will be worth more if you ever come to sell. Electric cars are a different proposition to traditional motors, but this doesn’t mean that maintenance is any less important. Here are some essentials for every electric car owner.

Picture credit https://www.pexels.com/search/electric%20car/

Servicing

All cars, regardless of the type of technology or fuel they use, need to be serviced on a regular basis. Servicing involves a series of basic and routine checks, which are designed to ensure that the car is running well and reduce the risk of problems developing. You have to pay for a service, but keeping up to date with services could save you a huge amount of money in the long-term. Servicing an electric vehicle is often more straightforward and therefore cheaper than traditional cars, as there are fewer parts and the mechanisms are simpler. If your car is due a service, look for local garages that offer maintenance checks for electric cars.

Cleaning and polishing

If you’re a driver who takes pride in the appearance of their car, microfiber car wash towels are an excellent investment. Cleaning won’t prolong your car’s life expectancy, but it’ll make the car look more attractive, it will enhance the driving experience, and it’ll make the vehicle more marketable if you come to sell. If you use a car for business purposes, cleaning and polishing the vehicle will help to give off the right impression and enhance the appeal of your brand.

Taking care of your battery

There may be different guidelines for optimum charging for different makes and models, but it’s important to take care of your battery regardless of the type of car you drive. Nissan recommends charging the battery to 80 percent, rather than 100 percent to prolong the life of the battery. Check with the manufacturer so that you get the best out of your battery. While it may not always be the best option to drive with a full battery, it’s certainly not advisable to run your car on empty. Avoid getting to the stage where the battery is on 1 percent.

Tire tips

All drivers should check their tire pressure and tread depth on a regular basis. If your tires are worn, or they’re under-inflated, this can affect the driving experience, as well as putting you and other drivers at risk. Check the air pressure before long journeys and take a minute to inspect the surfaces of the tires. If the pressure is running low and you’ve only just pumped the tires up, you may have a slow puncture, and it’s worth trying to repair the tire or replacing it with a spare.

If you own an electric car, it makes sense to try and keep it in pristine condition for as long as possible. Taking good care of your car will enhance safety, save on repair costs and boost the value if you choose to sell.

Nissan Leaf

Your “Electric” Bill…

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Electric Car Charging Pavement Marking

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Practicalities aside, running an electric car, it appears, is full of various expenses. But is this really true? The thing, of course, with any electric car is that you are benefiting the planet, but is this a detriment to your wallet? Let’s break down the various costs essential to keeping an electric car running, and the upfront costs that you need, as well as the other pertinent aspects.

The Cost Of The Car

The first thing to notice is that these cars cost a lot more front than a standard vehicle. As far as average cost is concerned, the best-selling electric car in the United Kingdom, the Nissan LEAF, costs roughly £8,000 more than the most popular petrol car in the country, the Ford Fiesta. But the difference is bearable in some respects. The UK government will give grants towards the cost of electric cars, up to £4,500. The cost upfront is quite a dent in your savings. You could go for the cheaper models that are exempt from road tax, but with these ones you are looking at less than £40,000. As far as the impact on the environment is concerned, it is something worth considering, and based on your finances, you might start looking for the best place to get a personal loan, so you can make this upfront payment because you will recoup the costs in other ways…

The Running Costs

The one thing that is glaringly obvious is the lack of petrol costs, and so when you are looking at an electric vehicle battery, the charge for every 100 miles is between £2 and £4. So, straight away, if you can get roughly 300 miles out of a 1.2-litre tank, which costs roughly between £35 and £40, you’ve got a major saving! The most recent Tesla model offers 335 miles as a maximum range and the Nissan LEAF needs charging after 100 miles. As far the practicalities are concerned, as long as you have charging points dotted around your destinations, there is a major saving to be had. The other factors to consider in terms of getting the most mileage out of your electric car is what time of year you drive it, as well as if you like to listen to music in your car! The more in-car functions you use, the quicker it will drain the battery. It’s worth bearing this in mind.

The Other Concern

We all need to change the battery on occasion. This does depend on the model car that you buy. A Nissan LEAF, with a 30kWh battery, is covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever one you hit first. But will you look at the battery pack in the Tesla Model S, it only loses 8% of its battery life after 100,000 miles.

The Verdict

Overall, mathematics needs to be your strong point, and you need to calculate right now if it’s worth your expenditure. Apart from the benefits to the planet, and the value it can retain if you keep it safe, despite the government funding you can get right now, lots of people find that it’s too much of a dent in their wallet. However, petrol cars are going to be outlawed in 2040 in the United Kingdom, so it’s time to start saving!