Driving in winter is NOT a fun thing to do, as many of you will attest to. One danger is skidding. You may be driving at a reasonable speed and being as careful as you can be, but a stray patch of ice just might throw you out of control. YOU may know how to control a skid, but do your (driving) family members know how to handle it? Here is some information that you can share with them, especially your teenagers.

What do you do when the rear wheels lose traction?

First, keep your eyes on the road. Don’t panic and look elsewhere, and continue to take the direction you were originally taking. Remember to turn the wheel towards the path that you want to go.

Second, do NOT hit the brakes! This is probably going to be the initial reaction of an inexperienced driver, but train yourself not to do it. Hitting the brakes will only make you lose control of the car more.

Third and last, do not stop steering in the direction you need to go. This will help avoid the rear wheels skidding in the other direction.

Now what if the front wheels skid?

You basically have to maintain the same presence of mind as well as follow the steps above. The important thing to remember is that you wait for the wheels to regain their grip on the road and not to brake or accelerate while doing so. Bottom line: be in control of yourself and the situation.

Written by Marcel on January 29, 2010 | Leave a Comment

I don’t mean that you can use your mobile phone to drive. You know what I mean by that – a lot of us have become largely dependent on our mobile phones that we are rarely seen without them. When on the road, the mobile phone is not turned off (not that I am proposing this) and is even used by the person behind the wheel.

Many states have already imposed bans on this habit and rightly so. Driving is a focus-oriented task and the slightest distraction can make the difference between life and death. The split second that it takes to glance at the cell phone screen just might be the split second that you need to save someone else’s life or your life.

So how can you drive safely with your mobile phone?

Use voicemail! Instead of picking up, let the call go to your voicemail. That’s what it’s there for. If the call is really important, then pull over before answering it. If your argument is that you have a hands free feature, let it go. You know as well as I do that carrying a conversation can prove to be a distraction.

Ask your companion/s to take the call for you. If you’re not alone in the car, there is no need for you to take the call or answer the text message. Ask the person with you to do it for you.

If you do have to use the hands free feature (they were made for a purpose, I suppose), then at least make sure that you don’t spend too long on the phone. Also, make the road your primary focus. Last, be aware of your speed – be consistent and don’t speed up or slow down suddenly.

Written by Marcel on January 26, 2010 | Leave a Comment

Many people have dreamed of getting an RV when they get older, and going around the country at a leisurely pace. In this day and age, when hopping on a plane to get from one destination to another is the norm, driving a good old RV is not that common anymore. But anyone who has had the experience of traveling on one will tell you that there is nothing like it. Of course, you have to pay attention to the details and know how to drive safely in that oversized van. Here are some tips to stay safe on the road in an RV.

Take your time. An RV is not meant to go fast. It is the ride of choice for those who want to take it slow and take in the scenery. Going up a hill, you cannot expect to do it the same way as you would if you were driving, say, a Mustang. Don’t rush it!

Never drive down a road/street if you’re not sure there is an exit. Have you ever tried having to bust a U in a small space, or maybe back out of an alley in an RV? If so, then you would know that this piece of advice is perhaps the best that you can ever have. Before you turn into a side street, make sure that you have a way out.

Trust those side mirrors like anything. If you’re used to looking at your rear view mirrors, you better get the hang of relying almost solely on RV’s side mirrors. You will not be able to see much from the rear view mirrors (except your bed maybe) and you’ll need those side mirrors more than anything else in an RV.

Written by Marcel on September 21, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Texting and driving has been an issue for the longest time. Ever since using the mobile phone for more than making voice calls became a common thing, texting behind the wheel has proven to be a serious problem. I suppose one factor is that many people do not see texting while driving as deadly as drinking and driving. It just seems to be “safe” and not really dangerous – at least to those who have not really thought about it or to those who have not had a bad experience.

In Great Britain, though, they are taking this very very seriously. There is this Texting While Driving PSA that is currently airing in the country, and it is quite graphic! It can be quite disturbing, actually. Here, take a look for yourself.

I hadn’t gotten through halfway of the video and I already felt as if there were a huge thing crushing my chest. The sound of metal on metal, the girl’s screams, the blood…this is only a video but it really had an effect on me. Other viewers feel pretty much the same way. As a matter of fact, I read that there are some people who have been complaining about the graphic nature of the clip; that it is way too much for the general public. I think that it should be shown to anyone who can drive. If that means showing the video to a 16-year-old, then so be it! If a person can take the responsibility of driving and potentially placing his life (and the life of others) at risk, then he can take this video. What do you think?

Written by Marcel on September 9, 2009 | 1 Comment

So you’re going to Europe, and you want to explore behind the wheel. This is not at all uncommon, as hitting the road can get you places which are out of the usual tourist paths (of course we know that this is the best way to explore). Before you get into the driver’s seat, however, make sure that you know exactly what you are getting into. The European Union may have united many of the countries in the continent, but that does not mean that the laws of the road are the same in each country. Take a look at these tips before you travel.

Whether you’re driving your own car, borrowing a friend’s car, or renting one, you should always have three things with you:

1. Driving license
2. Insurance papers
3. Vehicle registration papers.

Plan, plan, plan. While adventure is fun, it is also practical to have some idea of your route. You know, just to have a fallback in case you find yourself lost in the middle of nowhere. Oh, and bring your GPS with you – it just might save your life.

Make sure you have headlamp beam deflector strips and warning triangles. Also know that in some European countries, the law requires you to dip your headlights during the day. Some of these countries are Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Iceland.

Know the blood alcohol limits in each country you plan to visit. While drinking and driving is a NO NO, we know that you might find yourself behind the wheel after having a glass of wine with dinner. Just make sure that you know exactly what is legal and safe.

Written by Marcel on August 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Safety is paramount when you are behind the wheel. Driving has become such a part of our lives that sometimes, we take our safety for granted. Take those who take pride in being able to multi-task while driving. Mind you, these people are normally reasonable and logical people. I know some people who would not drive if they had taken even just a glass of wine in the past hour. But it is a different story altogether when it comes to texting while driving. But have you ever thought about just how dangerous texting while driving can be?

According to Car and Driver, texting or reading e-mail is extremely distracting. The study that they conducted has been described as “loosely structured,” but the results are nonetheless alarming. They asked for two volunteers who drove in a drunken state and then drove while texting.

So what did they find out? The Ottawa Citizen reports:

While over the limit, the drivers managed to stop about four feet into the simulated car they were supposed to be following, whereas texting slowed reaction times to the point that drivers had travelled upwards of 70 feet ahead of where a normal driver would have stopped.

Followers of texting and Twittering culture might wish to notice that a new abbreviation has been added to the growing list of time-saving acronyms. In e-speak, this message indicates that the sender is currently having an accident: HRHH%^&UB%6UB6U65 TTTTTT.

It is scary, isn’t it? One thing I know – I will not stand for texting and driving anymore!

Written by Marcel on August 7, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Drinking (alcoholic beverages at least) and driving are never a good mix. Everyone knows that. But has it ever occurred to you that eating and drinking non-alcoholic beverages while driving can be just as fatal?

Think about it, how often have you passed by a fast food’s drive through and eaten your meal while driving? The chances are that you have done this so many times you can’t even count! And why not? With the fast paced life that most of us live these days, there are instances wherein we can only grab a quick bite while on the road.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, however, this is not such a good idea. They recently conducted a study which showed that about 80% of all car accidents and 65% of near misses are due to motorists being distracted. So what’s new? Well this is what’s new – the drivers are distracted by their burgers and drinks! Instead of focusing their attention on the road, drivers involved in accidents are probably eating, the study says.

And if you think that drinking coffee makes you a better driver, you might want to think again. The study actually ranked the worst food and drink items that you can eat/drink while behind the wheel. Yep, coffee is one of them. Researchers say that the distraction stems from the potential spill each time you hit a bump or turn a curve. Same goes for that cheeseburger – the pickle might fall, forcing you to reach for it….

Bottom line? You might want to think twice before getting a Big Mac meal to go.

Written by Marcel on July 20, 2009 | 1 Comment

Most of us probably take gasoline for granted in the sense that apart from the concern we show over its price, we do not really think about its impact on the environment. Sure, we may have a certain degree of concern over the effect of our exhaust on the air quality; but have you really put any thought of the effect filling up has on the environment?

Yes, the mere act of buying gasoline and putting it in your car may have an effect on your surroundings. The effects may be minute but adding up all those tiny little things can eventually make a considerable change. So here are some things to look at.

Don’t use higher octane fuels unless your car really needs it.
You see, not all cars are meant to perform better just because you use high octane fuels. The truth is that most cars will function with the same efficiency whether you use regular fuel or its higher octane cousins. In these cases, the only difference between high octane fuels and regular fuels is the price; and you will end up on the losing end.

Don’t overfill the gas tank.
You know how you just love to try and get a tad bit more than you pay for at the gas pump? Well don’t. The gasoline will merely spill or evaporate. Either way, you will not gain anything PLUS you may contribute to the pollution of groundwater, as the spilt gas may leak below the ground, and smog formation.

Look for gas stations that have vapor catching nozzles.
Gasoline evaporates quickly and contributes to air pollution. There are gas stations however, which make use of these nifty nozzles which catch the vapor so it does not get released into the atmosphere.

Written by Marcel on July 6, 2009 | 2 Comments

Thinking back, I should have posted this before the previous article. You see, I saw a comment by one of our readers asking for posts on automatic transmission. That is why I am on a seemingly “automatic mode” right now. Anyhow, I realized that as simple as this topic may be – driving can’t get any simple than automatic, right? – it will still be useful for some.

So this is what you do to get started…

Once in the car, take a look at the two pedals on the floor in front of the driver’s seat. The pedal on the right is the accelerator and the pedal on the left is the brake. Unlike with the stick shift, you only have to use your right foot to man those two pedals.

Look to your right and get to know that gear shifter by heart. The automatic gear shifter will normally have settings with these labels: P, R, N, D, 2, and 1. P stands for park, R for reverse, N for neutral, D for drive, 2 for 2nd gear, and 1 for first gear.

Now you may be wondering what the gears are there for – it’s an automatic car right? the first and second gears are there in case you need them for bad weather conditions. Don’t diss them just yet – you will find them handy one of these days.

Now you’re ready to drive. Check that the gear box is set to P. Most cars will not start unless it is on P anyway, but just make sure. Step on the brake, and start the engine. Now shift the gear box to D or R, depending on whether you have to go forward or back up. Slowly ease up on the brake until the car begins to move. (If you’re used to driving manual, this first movement might be a bit surprising.) Put your right foot on the accelerator and go!

Written by Marcel on June 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment

So you got yourself an automatic huh? I know a lot of people these days who prefer to drive an automatic car in the city, for everyday use. Of course, there are still a lot who prefer to drive the stick for better control, but for those who have automatic drives, here are some ways you can wreck the transmission of your car. Of course, I do not have to explain the sarcasm behind these words, eh?

Shift into reverse or park while the car is still moving forward.
The newer cars have a safety feature to guard against this – the park and reverse are locked if the car is still in forward motion. But if your car doesn’t have this feature, then make sure you grab that knob and shift to reverse or park. Doing this over and over again will ensure a wrecked transmission one of these days.

Rev your engine instead of using the parking brake.
You know how you have to keep your car still when waiting for traffic to move while you’re on an incline? Well, you do have a parking brake which you can use, but why do that when you can rev your engine? It is more fun, it sounds fun, and it wrecks your transmission in the long run as well!

Don’t change the transmission gear oil on schedule.
That schedule is merely a suggestion. If you’re a little short on money, save it for later. The car will still work anyway.

Written by Marcel on June 6, 2009 | Leave a Comment