You’re driving down the road and as you come upon a corner you sudenly realize the brakes aren’t doing any good and the vehicle continues going forward, what do you do?

This is a real-world scenario that causes many accidents year after year and as with many other car troubles, totally avoidable (most of the time that is, there is the 1% in the 99% reliability of your brakes that it can fail without any apparent reason). The key is maintenance, for if there has been sufficient maintenance on the vehicle meaning all safety and vital systems are inspected on a regular basis, there should not be any problems like this. Maintenance gives owners a chance to find problems as they begin as with brakes, yoi can see fluid from the brake system on the pavement or on the wheel rims. Hoses might be cracked or for the unfortunate few, that rock or piece of steel you ran over might have severed a brake line (actually hose) and your car is bleeding vital brake fluid needed to stop safely. Enough of the sermon and back to the point, What do you do?
First, any sign of trouble whe in a car, hit the flasher lights to tell everybody that something is wrong. Check the area in front of you if there are any vehicles in the way, if there are then you have to find spot to go to without hurting anybody else. If you are on open road like the interstate or highway, you can try pumping the brake which might give you some stopping power and use the hand brakes intermittently till you get to a full stop, ideally off the road on the shoulder. Using the handbrake is effective, but do it slowly for pulling hard can cause the rear tires to lock and spin you in many ways than one.
The point is, to keep you calm for panic causes you to loose your objectivity. Most modern cars have dual brake systems where the front driver’s side wheel and the rear pasenger’s side wheel are connected and so are the opposite two. You can brake (but you might have to push a bit harder on the pedal) even with one system down and use the handbrake to augment them. For some more important information check out the NSC fro more details
Keep safe, drive carefully and get home safe.

Written by Marcel on November 28, 2007 | 3 Comments

When we think of the fastest cars on earth, we think big gas guzzling V-8 engines crammed with as much turbos as possible to give the driver that Oomph. Hybrids are those ugly lab experiments that not only fail the “look’s good” category but doesn’t give much power at all. Well, you might have to re-think that notion, for we welcome the entry of the fastest Hybrid Car on earth.

Dodge’s SVS Power Viper, the name is synonymous with power and muscle which was what it was designed to do. The American automobile industry has produced more muscle cars in the automobile’s short history followed by the Europeans with their Porche’s, Buggati’s and McLaren’s and many more.

Written by Marcel on November 23, 2007 | 2 Comments

Going on a Road Trip? Here are tips for a safe, pleasant, worry-free road trip.

Before planning a road trip, make sure to have your car checked or serviced first, things like under the hood (the car battery, A/C, Engine Oil) and under the chassis (shocks, align wheels, as well as the exhaust systems)

Now on the actually going to the road trip part, Before leaving make sure you check :

1. Check the Brake Fluid Level. Fill up to the recommended level
2. Radiator coolant Level. Fill up to the recommended level
3. Window wiper Washer Level. Fill up to the recommended level
4. Check Brake lights, Headlights, foglamps, and always bring a spare bulbs
5. Check Fuses, bring spare fuses
6. Fuel tank. A full tank is wise choice
7. Check tire pressure. Inflate to recommended level
8. Check your spare tire, set of car tools, Early warning Device, First aid kit
9. Maps

Simple Tips I’ve learned from driving on long road trips

1. Bring Water for all the passengers.
2. Eat light snacks to keep you alert
3. To keep you charged, drink energy drinks, soft drinks, or fruit juices.
4. Don’t drive all the way take short breaks to stretch your muscles, If you have a replacement driver even better.
5. Whenever you feel sleepy, take a rest or switch with your co-driver.
6. Listen to a happy driving song, ( I listen to Gin Blossoms & Better than Ezra, whenever I go on a road trip)

Lastly, Have fun and Safe Road Trip.

Written by Jaren Cudilla on November 23, 2007 | 4 Comments

 

Many people hit the road without knowing the basics. They go to driving school to learn, pass the test, get their license and go on driving. Many do not realize the danger that driving without the proper knowledge is crazy and irresponsible. We see it all over the news, a poor driver with a stalled vehicle, on the side of the road, struck by oncoming traffic because of the mere fact the other driver can’t see the broken down vehicle. Sad indeed, most of these tragedies end in fatalities that can be avoided if they knew that the two pieces of reflectorized triangles at the back of your car were placed there to save your life and possibly the life of the driver who can run you over.

For those who didn’t know they have two colors, one yellow and one red, why, well the yellow one is supposed to be placed about twenty feet farther than the red one which is supposed to be placed at least ten feet from the stalled vehicle. The yellow one attracts drivers of on-coming traffic that there is something wrong. just in case they don’t see the yellow one, the red one comes into view which means, “MY CAR’S BROKEN DOWN, GET OUT OF THE WAY!” They are now made of plastic which also serves a purpose, when on-coming traffic does not see them and runs them over, it will catch their attention and alert them that something is wrong ( I assure you that they would notice it) and hopefully get them to steer away from your car in time. Hopefully even if they run over the plastic triangles it catches their attention enough for them to get them to avoid hitting your stalled vehicle and injuring you both in the process.

Written by Marcel on November 22, 2007 | 2 Comments

Yes we know that Yamaha doesn’t only make bicycles. They even make ‘nocycles’ in fact. But Yamaha Tesseract is not just like those motorcycle-engine-powered-cars that do not look like a motorcycle at all.

The Yamaha Tesseract Concept topped all other concepts on the Tokyo Motor Show held a month ago. It is a V-Twin gasoline and electric motor hybrid with ‘dual-scythe’ suspension design to enable the vehicle lean towards the way you are going to like ordinary bikes. I doubt the Dodge Tomahawk can do that.

[More Read. AutoBlogGreen]

Written by A. Cantos on November 21, 2007 | 1 Comment

This guy, probably named Rick, had me amazed of the paint job he did very well on his 1966 Corvair Corsa 140/4. With just three quarts of Rust-Oleum paint thinned with mineral spirits, ordinary foam roller, sand paper, a little patience and true art, he made a miracle to his trashed car.

I was thinking of doing the same while I was reading his article. It was so realistic and besides I want to fix some minor scratches on my 1990 Toyota Corolla, though he still looks good. But then when I landed on the Disclaimer Page, it made me think twice. Now I don’t know if I will still believe the job he done so well.

Despite, I’m still not saying he faked his work. It’s still up to you to believe. Nice read by the way.

Written by A. Cantos on November 20, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Jaren here… signing on to STUDY DRIVING blog…

This my introduction as I like to do away with formalities.

Thank you very much for a chance to join the crew and share my experiences in driving, car care tips, and a whole lot more.

Watch out for my posts, and I’m sure will have fun while learning the mystical art of driving defensively, and understanding the hieroglyphics we call street signs, and zen of washing cars.

Written by Jaren Cudilla on November 8, 2007 | 2 Comments