I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the weather has been crazy these past few months. Where it is supposed to be summer, they are getting storms. Where it is supposed to be cold, the temperatures are way up. In case you find yourself driving in the rain, here are some tips that will help you stay safe.

Pay extra attention when it suddenly rains after a long dry spell.
This may seem common sense but sometimes, people overlook like. The fact is that during dry spells, engine oil and grease build up on the road surface. When it suddenly rains and the road gets wet, the grease and oil mix, making more dangerous than usual.

Brake sooner and with less force.
Slippery roads make for dangerous times when you brake. As such, when driving in the rain, do brake sooner than you normal would. Also, do not press on the brakes with as much force as you normally would. This would not only give you more distance between your car and the car in front of you but it would also give the driver behind know enough time to hit the brakes himself.

Do NOT use cruise control.
Cruise control was invented for a reason but it was never meant to be used in bad weather. Do not feel lazy when driving in rainy weather but instead be alert as you possibly can.

These are some of the most simple tips that can help you in bad weather. More to follow in the next post.

Written by Marcel on May 15, 2009 | 2 Comments

Buying a car is not a one time expense – everybody knows that. In fact, it could very well cost you a lot of money years down the road. In these times of financial instability, you need all the help that you can to save money. Here are my top 3 tips to help you do just that!

Buy diesel
Before you get all riled up, hear me out. I know that there are people who do not like diesel. Some hate it for environmental reasons, and I respect that. In this day and age, we need to do all we can to save the environment. But the thinking that diesel is bad for the environment is so outdated. Technology has made progress in this respect, and there are countless “clean diesel” engines available in the market today. Even better, with diesel, you get better mileage at lower costs.

Drive a stick
Do you know how to drive a stick shift? If you do, then you’re better off than a huge number of Americans today. Automatic cars are all the rave but the fact is that these cars consume more fuel. They also cost more as well. So learn how to drive a manual.

Buy hybrid
Even better than diesel, hybrid cars will save you more money down the road. The initial cost may be a bit higher than “normal” cars but the long term savings are worth it. Another thing, I foresee cheaper hybrids in the near future as this seems to be the trend. So really, there will soon be no excuse for not buying hybrid.

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