All In A Days Work

The big focus during Halloween is telling kids how to be safe during Halloween – however, someone being hit by a vehicle is four times more likely to happen on Halloween than any other day of the year.Its important that we discuss some Halloween safety tips for ADULTS – since as drivers we have the responsibility to follow traffic safety advice and keep the kids safe during Halloween.

This post is sponsored by Fred Martin Nissan 

SLOW DOWN

One of the biggest – and best tips – for Halloween Safety for drivers is driving below the speed limit listed for the residential area, especially during the hours of trick-or-treat. There are a lot more kids out, and it’s usually right at dusk when its harder to see as it is.

Turn on Your Headlights

Make your vehicle more visible to all the trick-or-treaters by making sure your lights are on, even during daylight. It will also help you see kids who are in darker colored  costumes which are usually harder to see in the dark.

Eliminate the Distractions

Cell phones, the radio, and even passengers can be distracting while driving. Pay especially close attention to the road and your surroundings while driving during Trick-or-Treat.

Going Out? Have a  DD

As you know , Halloween isn’t just for kids. Adults sometimes seem to enjoy it just as much (if not more) if you are planning on drinking, make sure you have a set designated driver in mind before you attend any party.

Following these simple driving safety tips can help keep the streets safe this October! 

Safely Handling a Tire Blowout

If a driver drove straight down a lane and allowed the deflated tire to drag and slowed down to less than 30 mph, that’s a safe way to handle a tire blowout. However, if you press the accelerator for a short time (though it seems like it would be the opposite of what you’d actually want to do) it can help stabilize your vehicle in its lane, but it also keeps you from turning or braking immediately, so it gives you time to slow down to ease off the side of the road.

                                  This post was sponsored by Central Avenue Hyundai

What NOT to Do

Turning the steering wheel – turning it even just slightly can cause the vehicle to spin out faster. If nothing else, just drive straight until you get to a spot that you can stop safely. 

What Causes a Blowout

Many things can cause a tire to blow, but the biggest factor is poor tire maintenance. Make sure your tires are inflated properly and have them rotated and balanced per your owners manual. Driving on under inflated tires can be especially hard on them as the components of a tire can bend beyond what they are designed to handle – which can cause them to  weaken and fail over time. Other factors that can lead to a blowout are overloading the vehicle, hitting potholes, or even the weather. 

Avoiding a Blowout

The best way to avoid a blowout is like I said above – proper tire inflation pressure. Check your tire pressure once a month ,or more if you are driving long distances. Make sure to set the pressure to what the manufacturer recommends (you can find it in your owner’s manual) Also be sure to inspect your tires for cracks, bulges, or other signs of wear. If you notice your tires are not performing well, or they are vibrating or making noises, make sure to have them inspected by a professional immediately.  

It can be a bit shocking to find out that your vehicle has been recalled – and it happens more than most people realize. There were 159 VOLUNTARY recalls in 2018, which affected over 14.5  million vehicles last year alone.
With so many new cars on the market, the chance of yours being recalled during its lifespan is pretty good.

                      This post is sponsored by Bud’s Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep,Inc.
          

What is a Recall?

A recall results from a number of events – car manufacturers will put their products through multiple tests, and may issue a recall based on those findings. If your vehicle is subject to recall, don’t freak out! It doesn’t mean there is a defect per sey, but sometimes it is just to check for potential ones.

Recalls are issued because it could make your vehicle unsafe in some way – you don’t have to wait to be contacted by mail, which happens two to three months after the recall is announced. You are transporting your family and friends in this vehicle – you can get it in right away! 

What Should I Do if My Car is Recalled?

The recall letter will have instructions on how to proceed – usually they will have you take your vehicle to an authorized dealership to  check for defects, update software, or replace parts. Just be sure to call and set up an appointment before hand.

Does a Recall Cost Me Anything?

For any recall, defective parts are replaced at no cost. Other things – it would depend. Most manufacturers will provide free rentals, taxi reimbursements and even free pick up/drop off of the vehicle.

Don’t Ignore It

When you do get a recall notice for your vehicle – don’t ignore it. It’s not safe for you – or anyone else on the road – to continue driving a recalled vehicle without getting repairs or updates made. Even if it seems like a minor issue, it could still have disastrous consequences. 

Getting in your car, it starting right up and taking off to your destination sometimes is taken for granted – until it doesn’t. A dead battery can be a very big inconvenience and can cause you to be left somewhere stranded, so that is why it’s very important to know when you should replace your car battery.

There are warning signs you can look for before your battery is no longer strong enough to start your engine – sometimes it can be a human error, (like leaving your lights on , or not closing your door all the way – I’m guilty! ) and usually that can be fixed by jump starting your car – however, there are other problems that can let you know that your battery is reaching the end of its life and it’s time for a replacement.

This post is sponsored by Alfa Romeo Dealer of Larchmont

Age of the Battery
One of the most common reasons to replace your battery is age – usually a car battery will last you approximately 5 to 7 years. If you are reaching those age markers, keep a close eye on it. Y

How Often You Drive
Some batteries last the 7 years or longer – some don’t make it 4. A lot of it has to do with how often you drive. Driving your car = charging your battery. If you take your car out and drive daily, the battery is probably going to last longer than a battery in a car that sits for a long period of time.

Time it Takes for the Engine to Start
If your car engine isn’t starting as quick as it once was, it could be that your battery is failing. If lights on your dashboard flicker, or you have to try and start it more than once, it could indicate your battery is getting weak and it needs replaced

A few other factors that might contribute to needing to replace your car battery:

Headlights dim when the car is idling, and brighten up when you rev the engine
You see signs of corrosion at the battery terminal or on the cables
Things like the power windows and locks run slowly
If you notice these types of things happening, your best bet would be to get a new battery – just take your car to the dealership body shop. They will test the battery for you, and let you know how much battery power is left and they will let you know if you should replace it or not.