What IS Road Rage?

               Do You Have Road Rage?

There is no true definition for it. It's more of a term used to characterize the attitude exhibited when a motorist loses their temper as a reaction to a traffic incident. The incident can be something as slight as a person moving into their lane or driving slowly in the fast lane.

Road rage is more typical of aggressive drivers. These drivers tend to drive faster and change lanes more often. They want to be the first one off the line at the traffic light and want the fast lane to themselves.

 Some  Symptoms of Aggressive Driving & Road Rage Are:  


Mentally condemning or thought of violence toward other drivers.

Verbally expressing condemnation of other drivers to passengers in your vehicle.

Not obeying traffic safety rules because you don't agree with them.

Engage in aggressive and risky driving:

Following too close.
Weaving in and out of traffic.

Speeding up to beat a traffic light.

Cutting between vehicles to change lanes.

Using the horn excessively.

Flashing headlights excessively at oncoming traffic.

Braking to get others to back off your bumper.

Passing another driver, then slowing to teach them a lesson.





When another driver gets your ire up.... Think FIDO : Forget It And Drive ON !! 

Which is Better - A Snow Tire or A Winter Tire??

The winter season quickly approaching and you may be starting to wonder ......….. what's the difference between a snow tire and a winter tire? Keep in mind that tires are the single most important consideration for anyone  who drives  during the  winter.

Winter Tires are designed for clear roads with a minimal amount of snow and/or ice and  are engineered with a rubber compound that works well in colder weather.


Snow Tires  are designed for much heavier snow and or ice at the expense of dry road handling. They  don’t do as well on dry roads, but if you  drive  around in an area with signifigant  snowfall, these should be installed on your  vehicle. With  snow tires you get chunky tread, a little  less stability on  highways  and more noise, and  snow traction.


With a winter tire, you get a quieter ride, very little squirm, less noise good pavement ride and grip, long wear characteristics, and – last but not least – good ice and snow traction. Winter tires are  better on pavement than the snow tires.
 

     To go in Snow or NOT go in Snow .... this is the question!

Do I Have To Have My Vehicle Serviced At A Dealer to Keep My Warranty?

Your Vehicle Warranty  is a promise  made by a manufacturer to stand behind its product or to fix certain defects / malfunctions over a  specific period of time. The warranty pays for covered repairs or part replacements during the this  period.
  Service at a dealer is not mandatory to keep your warranty in effect.  It's  actually  illegal for a dealer to deny your warranty coverage because you had routine maintenance/ repairs performed by someone else. Maintenance can  be done by a qualified service facility  Be sure to  keep all receipts as proof of the work being done and ask  the service provider fill out the Maintenance Record.
 


Here's how to get the most out of your vehicle's warranty:

Read your warranty.
Be aware of your warranty period.
Service your car at regular intervals.
Keep all service records and receipts.

If you think your dealer's service  depertment  denied your warranty claim unfairly, contact the manufacturer  You can also  file a complaint the  Attorney General, or  Better Business Bureau.

How to Keep Rodents Out of Your Vehicle

During the fall and winter months mice and squirrels look for places that provide shelter. They like to nest in areas such as garages and vehicle engine compartments because they are looking for  warm places to nest. They are gnawing animals by nature and  they may damage  your engine by chewing through insulated wires, hoses and other engine components . They have been known to chew upholstery and even plug up the exhaust pipes.

Vehicles parked for an extended period of time are engine can save money on expensive rewiring and other repair bills.

Some people will tell you that if you remove a food source, rodents will disappear but  this is not always the case.  Here are  a few home remedies to eliminate your rodent problem.:

  Spray small animal repellent on parts of the vehicle that don't get hot like  the front tires,  undercarriage and the bumper.


  Spread some ground hot pepper the areas where the squirrel may be gaining entry. A  dose around your  tires and along the bumper will likely to drive off squirrels and  other animals hanging around. Cayenne pepper works well but habanera  pepper seems to work better.

  Put mothballs beneath the hood, especially around the wires that squirrels seem to enjoy munching. (Squirrels are usually repelled by the odor of mothballs).


   Lay dryer sheets throughout the interior, in the trunk and under the hood. Stick a couple in the exhaust pipe ( mice hate the smell of the dryer sheets).



Try one or several methods together. Just remember to remove your rodent-proofing precautions if they are in your motor or exhaust pipe before you start your vehicle.

When Should I Get My Vehicle Ready For Winter?

Fall is  here and  winter is  peeking  just around the corner. Before you know it  we will be dealing with  sub-zero temps, pelting rain/snow  and blasting wind.

Experts advise you  should use these final fair-weather days to get your  vehicle  ready for what is lying  ahead.

 Remember ... Regular maintenance is the best preventative for winter breakdowns.  These areas may need  extra attention:


Blades –  Replace your wiper blades before the weather becomes nasty.

Battery – The  extreme heat of the summer may  reduce battery life, resulting in batteries that then fail in high-demand winter months. Look  for corrosion on cables and posts.

Brakes – Have your brakes checked and replace the pads/rotors as needed.

Belts and hoses – Look for thinning or cracking in belts and check  hoses for imperfections.

Tires –  Make sure your  tires are filled to the recommended tire pressures. Check the tread wear. Tires play a BIG role in how well your car handles in  winter driving conditions.

Oil and other fluids – Top off all fluids that have run low. Windshield washer fluid is used frequently in winter driving, so  be sure keep a gallon in your trunk to so   you will always have a clear view of the road. Check the oil, and change if necessary.

Air filters –  A dirty air filter is not necessarily  going to cause your car to break down, but if  you’re checking everything else, have it inspected .

Headlamps and tail lamps  -Check your lights to make sure you are as visible as possible to others.