Do You Need To Pump Your Brakes?

On ice and snow-covered roads, it is important  to understand the basics of safe driving. Smart travel planning, reliable tires and regular vehicle maintenance all go a long way to keeping you safe on the road. 

When it comes to driving on ice there are still some common misconceptions. You might hear conflicting advice on what to do if you lose traction. Should you pump your brakes, or not?                                                    It depends.


When driving on ice, the safest technique will depend on whether your vehicle has an antilock braking system (ABS). Keep reading to find out when to pump and when not to pump.
How do antilock brakes work?

Antilock brakes decrease your stopping distance and increase control and stability during hard braking. It’s an especially useful  on icy roads, where traction is limited. An antilock braking system is made up of speed sensors mounted on each wheel and an electro-hydraulic braking circuit. When used, ABS prevents your wheels from locking by monitoring the speed of each wheel and automatically pulsating the brake pressure when it detects skidding. 
My car has ABS. Do I need to pump my brakes?

If your vehicle is equipped with ABS, you don’t need to pump the brakes when driving on slippery roads. Why? The brakes do it for you.
If you’re wondering how to use ABS, the answer is simple. Your vehicle will activate it automatically, pulsating the brakes as soon as the system detects a wheel skidding. Just firmly press your foot on the brake and maintain steady pressure. You’ll feel the brake pedal pulsate and the ABS light will flash on the instrument panel.

 

How do you know if your vehicle has antilock brakes?

It’s important to know your vehicle’s braking system before you end up navigating an icy road. Your owner’s manual should describe your braking system and how to operate your vehicle in slippery conditions.

Antilock brake systems have been around for a while. By the late 1990s, ABS was becoming commonplace, even on entry-level vehicles.In 2013, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began mandating ABS on all new cars.

If your vehicle was built after 2013, then your vehicle has ABS. But if your car is older, you’ll want to check whether ABS was an included option. An ABS light on your dashboard is also an easy indicator of whether or not you have antilock brakes.

Many late-model vehicles are also equipped with traction control or electronic stability control, which can also help when driving on ice.

If your vehicle doesn’t have antilock brakes, manually pumping can help maintain control on slippery roads. Gently apply and release pressure at a moderate rate. Do not apply quick or steady pressure, as this can cause your wheels to lock and your car to skid.

How Does having An Automobile Improve Your Life??

Can you even imagine life without your automobile ??

 With out a vehicle would your children  participate in after-school activities, because they wouldn’t have transportation.  Would your family would get bored to tears, because you would  be stuck at home all day?  Getting to work, school, and appointments would become a big hassle without an auto.

Here are the top  ways having a car improves your life.

1 It protects you.

Autos  are equipped with air bags, seat belts, back-up cameras, and tons of safety features that save lives. Seat belts alone have  prevented  more than 10,000 deaths.
Autos are covered with a protective shell of steel, aluminum, and other metals.  Traffic accidents are scary and dangerous, but they’d be a lot more lethal without such a strong set of body armor.
Cars are built with your safety in mind, but they can’t care for themselves. Own your responsibility!  Follow preventive maintenance. Follow the guidelines in your owner’s manual to minimize risk. Ask  your auto shop about more ways to improve your safety.

2. It comforts you.

Your auto should feel like a second home. If it doesn’t, we encourage you to consider why. It might help to wash, vacuum, and organize your car. I bet you’ll feel more comfortable without messes and clutter in your way.  A CLEAN auto is a happy one!

3. It inspires you.

Thousands of people gather at car shows every year to admire the craftsmanship that’s involved with making an automobile (and keeping it in good shape!).

Safety should always be your #1 consideration when buying your auto, but there’s nothing wrong with wanting an attractive ride.
It doesn’t matter whether your vehicle is a beautiful swan or ugly duckling. Think about all the people involved in its creation. Designers made it pretty. Welders and assembly line workers made it practical. Creating a vehicle  is a collaborative effort!

4. It communicates with you.

Cars aren’t like an angry romantic partner. They won’t stonewall you or give you the silent treatment. When something is wrong, they will make sure you’re 100% aware!
Of course, cars don’t speak English, so you’ll need to use your senses. Look and listen for any odd sights, sounds, smells, or sensations that might suggest you have a car problem.
Keep a pencil and notepad in your glove compartment. If you  breakdown, see your  check engine light, or notice anything weird, pull over and write it down. Don’t trust yourself to remember!

Car-Lotta wants you  to LOVE your 4 wheel baby!

Do You Leave Your Vehicle Running Unattended ?

Winter  shows no signs of lightening up any time soon, many of us try to get a step ahead of Old Man Winter and warm up our cars before heading out for the day. When cold weather approaches, many leave their cars running unattended in an effort to warm up them before facing the cold.


                                      YOU MAY WANT TO RETHINK THIS PLAN.


In Pennsylvania it is illegal to leave your vehicle  running while it is unattended.  The purpose of the law is so that vehicle owners do not become victims for thieves! When falling prey to the simple temptation of leaving your auto running and unattended, you  must remember that car thefts of this kind are easily preventable crimes.



If you are caught leaving your vehicle running and unattended in Pennsylvania, you are guilty of a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $5 plus court costs.

Although summary offenses and tickets do not seem like a big deal in the long run, if your auto is stolen, there can be civil and sometimes even criminal liability for the reckless act of leaving a vehicle unattended while running.

Some Insurance providers will deny coverage for a vehicle stolen due to the lack of reasonable care taken by the owner of the vehicle. If an individual is injured or property damage occurs as a result of an unauthorized individual operating a vehicle simply because it was left running, may have a negligence claim against the owner of the vehicle (or the person who left it running unattended).

So before deciding to put those key in the ignition, turn on the defrosters and heat, and run back into the house to finish getting ready, Car-Lotta reminds you, it is  better to have a cold car than no car.

How Do You Drive In The Winter?

Winter driving  definitely has its challenges. Throw an inexperienced or inconsiderate  driver into the mix, and your daily commute can get much more difficult. 

It’s always aggravating when other drivers put you at risk. Getting stuck behind a driver who is spinning their tires or not paying attention isn’t just annoying… it’s dangerous. 

Winter driving calls for quick decision making, patience and a little bit of know-how. Below you’ll find ways to spot a rookie winter driver — and how to avoid looking like one yourself:

              Car-Lotta wants you to be aware of 6 Common Mistakes of Winter Drivers

1. Tailgating  is never OK, especially in the winter months. It takes longer to come to a stop in the winter, so you should always put more distance between you and the car ahead. Impatience on the road rarely pays off – tailgating just puts you and others at risk.
   
   
2. Speeding  can get you into trouble quickly. Make sure you’re never driving faster than what is safe for the conditions. In snowy or icy conditions, that probably means driving below the speed limit. The faster you're going, the more likely you are to lose control or slide into another car. Expect traffic to move a little slower in the winter and allow extra time to get to your destination.
   
   
3. Getting stuck in  deep snow is NEVER fun,  chances are it will leave your tires spinning. For your own safety, know when to stay off the road altogether and drive carefully to avoid losing traction in the first place. After all, getting stuck is easy – getting out isn’t.
   
   
4. Ice on the windshield  can be tempting to save time by letting your wipers or defroster remove it as you drive. Driving without full visibility is like driving blindfolded. Use a snow brush or ice scraper to clear your windshield entirely every time you get behind the wheel.  (And don’t just clear a little “window” you can see through!)
   
   
5. Snow on the roof  can be an accident waiting to happen. If your car is covered in snow, take the time to clear your roof before you tackle the windows. You’ll keep snow from falling in your field of vision and from hitting the drivers behind you.
   
   
6. Driving with high beams on can be frustrating in any condition, but some people think that high beams will increase your vision during whiteouts or heavy snowfall. In fact, fog lights and low beams will do much better.

Just like other people's driving, winter weather can be unpredictable. Even the safest, most experienced drivers can get into an accident.