Yes, I know, this might sound like a no brainer to some people but you have to realize that I have encountered so many of my friends having this problem and being quite frustrated about not knowing what to do. So if you are like them, and you have been beat by the “not working” cigarette lighter in your car, then here is what you should do.
The first thing to do would be to determine the exact problem. If you cannot light a cigarette or you cannot charge your cell phone, you might not be getting power to the cigarette lighter. What you should do then is to get yourself a circuit tester.
What is a circuit tester, you might ask? It is a simple gadget that is used to determine if there is current flowing through a circuit. You can get one at any electronics store or even a hardware store. They come in various makes and models and you can get one for a really cheap price – you do not need the best model anyway.
So, with the circuit tester handy, get the clip end of the tester and place it on the outer frame of the socket. You can even just hold it in place. Take the other end and then push it all the way until it touches the back of the socket. Take care NOT to make it touch the side because it will probably cause a short. The tester will then tell you if you have power or not. If you have power, then you might have blown a fuse, so you just need to replace that. If there is no power, first check that you have your ignition set to ON (duh). Otherwise, take it to the pros.
We all know about sticking to the speed limit. You can easily get pulled over for going over the speed limit anywhere in the country, and this makes perfect sense. After all, these limits have been put in place in order to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians alike.
But have you ever thought about being ticketed for driving too slowly? Let us say that you are on the freeway with a speed limit of 60 mph. You find yourself driving at 45 mph. Is this something that you can be pulled over for legally?
The answer is not that simple. For one, it really depends on where you are – different states have different laws. For those in Seattle, I found useful information from Casey McNerthney:
Drivers cannot be ticketed specifically for driving too slowly unless there are minimum speed limit signs, he said. But drivers going too slowly can be cited for other violations – and the type of violation depends on speed in specific circumstances.
For example, if someone is driving 40 to 45 mph on the right lane of the freeway and not holding up traffic, he said they likely won’t be ticketed. But if a driver is going that slow on in the left passing lane, they can be cited for failing to stay right except to pass, which is a $124 ticket.
The bottom line? Know the law and stick to it as much as possible. Hope that helps in case you find yourself in such a situation in the future.
These days are the days of environmental awareness. We really just cannot close our eyes and ears to what is happening to our planet. Otherwise, we might have really bad environmental conditions in the next several years. This is the rationale behind a recent move in Scotland, which encourages motorists to become “green drivers.” While this initiative is in effect in Scotland, I believe that even those of us who are based in other parts of the world can benefit from following their program.
BBC has a report on this:
The Energy Saving Trust said “greener” driving habits could save motorists in Glasgow £24.5m a year and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 64,000 tonnes.
It will bring a driving simulator to Braehead Shopping Centre later to demonstrate eco-friendly techniques. Advisers will also visit Cumbernauld Shopping Centre.
The campaign offers four key pieces of advice for motorists:
• Shift to as high a gear as possible
• Anticipate road conditions and drive more smoothly
• Maintain a steady speed in as high a gear as possible
• Drive a little slower than your normal speed
Look at those key pieces of advice. If you think about it, it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that these tips would help you save fuel, and contribute to the conservation of the environment as well. I suppose it is a matter of initiative and motivation. This, we cannot force. We have to find it in ourselves and do it of our own accord.
Photo courtesy of j_avonni
Just in case you have not noticed yet, the weather has been totally crazy this year. It has been going bonkers for quite some time now, but this year, weirdness of the weather has gone up to a whole new level. While your driving habits aren’t the only reason for the degradation of the environment, you know very well that your own little contribution can add up to the little contribution of others to make a huge impact on the planet. Here are some green driving tips that you can follow.
Buy fuel efficient tires.
Fuel efficient tires? Do those things really exist? Yes they do, but do they actually help save fuel? The good news is that there are tires that do help in saving fuel. One manufacturer, Firestone, has created a range of tires that are aimed to do exactly that. Just ask your local tire store for the details. If it is time for you to change tires, why not go for the ones that will save you money and help the environment in the long run?
Buy green batteries.
It should be pretty obvious that I am not talking about batteries that are color green. There are many chemicals found in the conventional batteries that are harmful to the environment. The good news is that there are batteries that are eco-friendly. Take a look at your options and go for the green ones.
Buy eco-friendly car polish.
If there is one thing that turns me off, it is a dirty car. A lot of people think the same way, and they go to great lengths to keep their cars clean and shiny. But car polish products can be harmful to the environment. Why not look for products that are safe in this regard?
Remember, every little bit goes a long long way.
