Rules For Riding Shotgun

Driving with another person in the car can be more distracting, but a shotgun rider can be a great asset for avoiding activities that might become a distraction.

As a passenger in a vehicle, you may think that you're off the hook from having to do any work, but you're really a second pair of eyes and hands for the driver. Knowing how to be the best shotgun rider can help out your driver and make the ride that much more fun (and safe) for everyone.

LET THE DRIVER BE IN CHARGE

No one likes a backseat driver, especially from the front seat. As a passenger, you usually don't get to choose the radio station or decide if it's too cold, although you're welcome to make suggestions. But, you should be the one to adjust those things when the driver is ready. In the front seat, you have the unique advantage of being there to help your friend behind the wheel. Reaching for controls takes the focus off of the road and an extra pair of hands can be incredibly advantageous in a moment where a second's glance towards the dash could cause trouble.

WATCH THE ROAD TOO

Your driver obviously knows the rules of the road. They wouldn't have a set of keys if they didn't. But things come up quickly and if it looks like your driver hasn't seen something that you have from your vantage point, bring it up calmly. (I mention "calmly" as the way to do it because there's nothing scarier as a driver than a passenger yelling about possible danger.) This is just as true for highway driving as it is for backing out of a parking space. With cars on either side, it can be difficult to see if anyone is coming your way and a passenger can be a second pair of eyes to be sure that your vehicle is in the clear.

ROAD TRIPPING IT?

If you're heading out for a longer trip, you're responsibilities as a shotgun rider are even greater. You might be in charge of food distribution if you stop at a drive-thru, keeping the driver (and yourself) attentive and awake, giving directions, and much more. If you're traveling with a group, keep the rest of the car in line and protect your driver from more distraction from the crowd.

Remember that even though you're not the one behind the wheel, you'll want to be just as attentive to the road, conditions, and other passengers as if you were, simply to help the driver out. You'll want to be the best front seat passenger you can be for your driver so that nothing (preventable) goes wrong on your drive.

Be good to me, I’ll be good to you, says your car!

We know you love your car, and you know what, we love them too. So this week, we’ve decided to show you how you can extend your car’s life with everyday things. Even if you don’t plan on keeping your car so long, keeping your car in great condition will help you get more out of your car trade-in for your next upgrade!

1. Drive with care everyday

Being car considerate shouldn’t stop after the break-in. Drive with care every day and your car will reward you with longer intervals without repair. Do not race your car’s engine during start-up.This is a quick way to add years of wear to your engine, especially if it’s cold outside.

2. Don’t fill up if you see the tanker

If you happen to see a gasoline tanker filling the tanks at your local gas station, come back another day or go to a different station. As the station’s underground tanks are being filled, the turbulence can stir up sediment.

3. Go easy when you’re stuck

When stuck in mud or snow, don’t make the problem worse by damaging an expensive component. Gently rocking in an attempt to free the car is fine. But if it looks as though you’re really stuck, don’t keep at it.

4. Lighten up your key chain

Does your car key share a chain with a dozen or more other keys? That’s a pretty heavy load hanging off the car key when it’s in the ignition.The weight, combined with bouncing while you drive, can wear out the tumblers inside the ignition and eventually lead to ignition switch failure.

5. Park in the shade

Of course, a garage is always the ideal place to park your car. But if one isn’t available, minimize interior damage from UV sunlight and heat by always trying to park your car in the shade. If no shade is available or if you find parking under a tree results in bird droppings, use a car shade to minimize the sun’s impact.

How to Improve Fuel Efficiency

When you drive, you will want to improve the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. By doing so, you can also help save on wear and tear of parts of your vehicle. You can help improve the fuel efficiency of your vehicle by simply changing a few driving habits. The most effective step you can take to help reduce costs is to accelerate slowly and to brake over a longer distance. Speeding, braking, and rapid acceleration all lead to wasting gas. If you try to anticipate stoplights and signs, you will get better gas mileage. It is also important to slow down when driving. Gas mileage decreases once you go above sixty miles per hour. Also when you fill your tank with gas, make sure to do it when it is the coolest outside. By fueling it up in the morning or late at night, the fuel will be denser and result in you getting more for the same amount of money.

By keeping your vehicle maintained properly, you can also help with fuel efficiency of it. Having it in for a regularly scheduled maintenance check up will help ensure your vehicle is running the best it can. Be sure to check the tire pressure of your vehicle and by keeping your tires properly inflated it can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer. Also checking the alignment of your wheels is important as well. If you notice an issue with the tires, make sure to bring the vehicle in to your trusted auto care center as soon as possible. Catching an issue at the first sign can help you to prevent further damage and wear in the future.

Be a Tire Expert! Learn Which Tires Works Best for You

TIRES 101 – LEARNING THE TIRE CATEGORIES

Tires are purpose-built. In other words, they are built using the specifications that are best suited to the job that the tire will perform. These specifications determine the materials that the tire is made of as well as the tread patterns and the overall look of the tire. These build specifications can be broken down into the following categories: Touring, Performance, All-Season, Light Truck, and Winter.


Touring

I’m sure you heard the term “touring”, but what does that mean? Touring means traveling at highway speeds for prolonged periods. Touring tires are designed to give a quiet, excellent ride with top-notch handling at highway speeds. This type of tire has a non-aggressive tread pattern with straight ribs that allow the channeling of water. Another characteristic of the touring tire is long tread life. Long tread life is certainly a plus but the downside is that the hard compound that makes up this tire tends to freeze in winter, which in turn, sacrifices traction in bad weather.’


Performance

This type of tire does a great job at highway speeds. It has an aggressive tread pattern that provides great traction and handling during cornering and aggressive driving. These tires have heavy or large shoulder lugs for cornering traction and a wide smooth face for gripping the road surface. Evacuating water is usually not a strong point of this type of tire. They are made of a softer rubber compound which aids traction but wears out quickly. Performance tires are usually short-lived. Most “Summer” tires fall under this category.’


All-Season

This category includes the most versatile tires. All-season tires have a dual purpose. First, the tread patterns squeegee, or remove water from underneath each tread block maximizing rubber-to-road contact. Secondly, the tread patterns allow the “pumping” of water, ice, and snow away from the tire. These tires are also made up of a compound that resists freezing, ensuring better traction during icy conditions. Another great characteristic of the all-season tire is its performance in great weather. They are comparatively quieter than performance tires and their blocky tread pattern allows good traction and handling in the wet and dry.’


Light Truck

This type of tire is built for work. They are constructed to work under heavy loads and in rough conditions. The rubber compound is hard, ensuring durability and the steel plies help the tire resist punctures and tears. The tread patterns vary widely and is determined by whether the tire will be used on or off-road. You will find lots of variation for light-truck tires, so thinking through the truck or SUV’s mission will go a long way.’


Winter

This category of tire is built for inclement and severe weather. Its whole mission in life is to move and break through snow and ice. The rubber compound resists freezing temperatures and remains flexible. The treads open and close as the tire moves down the road creating a “crunching” effect on ice and snow. This “crunching” keeps the treads clean which gets them ready for the next bite, ensuring traction. They are excellent at evacuating water. The sharp edges on the treads break through ice so that the tire can find the road or a surface that provides greater traction. If you experience an abundance of ice, snow, or inclement weather, the winter tire is your best bet.


Here’s a quick guide for category characteristics:

• Touring- quiet, good highway performance, long tread life 
• Performance- great handling and grip for aggressive driving in the dry, poor performance in wet and snow, short tread life 
• All-Season- good highway performance, good wet, dry, and snow performance, moderately quiet 
• Light Truck- good for heavier loads, hard compound, aggressive tread pattern, good on and off-road performance 
• Winter- great in ice and snow, resists freezing, best at evacuating ice and snow, great winter traction

Now that you can “speak” tires and know the difference between the types of tires available, you can make an informed purchase, choosing the right tires for your needs.

Why Motor Oil Is So Important

Motor oil is more than just a reason to visit your mechanic on a regular basis (more on that later). It is the the protector of the engine. Here are th e4 ways oil protects the engine:

1. Lubricating moving parts
Lubrication is achieved by forming a minuscule barrier layer between moving parts. The lubrication, specifically between the piston rings and cylinder walls, helps to reduce friction, thereby reducing wear. This provides a longer life for the engine and better performance throughout its life.

2. Improving cylinder compression
The lubricating barrier mentioned above fills in any gaps between the piston ring and the cylinder wall. This improves the seal of the cylinder, which helps to improve the ability of the engine to compress the air-fuel mixture and to capture the maximum about of energy from the resulting combustion.

3. Cleaning and preserving
As oil is being produced, a variety of additives are introduced into the formula that help the oil to protect the engine from a variety of different conditions. These can include anti-frothing agents (bubbly liquids include a lot of air, which doesn’t lubricate as well), anti-corrosion agents (which protect against rusting), viscosity modifiers, detergents (which sequester carbon deposits and other insoluble materials in the oil), and pour point depressants (which allow the oil to flow at cold temperatures).

4. Cooling the engine
Oil isn’t as good as water at storing heat (lower specific heat), but it still has a significant conductive cooling effect on the engine via contact with internals and the oil galleries in the engine block. This is in addition to the heat reduction benefit of reducing friction between internal components. Many high-performance cars will feature oil coolers to help maximize this effect.

Holiday Driving Tips

Millions of travelers will take to the roads between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. This added traffic can bring along with it added stress.

• In addition to the universal rules - do not speed, do not text and do not drink and drive - here are some additional tips to hopefully make holiday
• driving more enjoyable and safe, and to reduce those stress levels.
• Make sure your vehicle is operating properly. The lights, oil, tires (condition and pressure level), belts and hoses, brake fluid, antifreeze fluid and the condition of the battery should all be checked by a professional before leaving.
• Plan Ahead. Plan your route in advance and check traffic reports and weather conditions before you leave. As a backup, bring along a paper map. Even with a GPS system it's wise to bring along another option should something occur where using a GPS is not possible.
• Drive carefully. Follow speed limits and remember excess traffic and congestion on the roads may mean you'll have to travel below posted limits. Drive defensively and don't respond to aggressive drivers: It's far less frustrating to let an aggressive driver pass than to become aggressive yourself.
• Get a good nights sleep. It sounds simple, but a good night's sleep before departing can help make the trip more enjoyable. Be sure to take regular breaks during long road trips as it can be very dangerous to drive when you're overly tired. Pull over and stop in a safe area if you are tired, or around every 100 miles or 2 hours.
• Be prepared for emergencies - keep a blanket, boots, an extra pair of gloves and a flashlight in the trunk of your car. Traction mats, kitty litter or sand can be used to improve traction on icy surfaces. Also, keep the gas tank at least half-filled to prevent fuel line freezing in colder climates.
• Don't forget to secure your home when you leave, and do not post on social media sites that you will be away. Timers to turn lights on and off can give the impression that the property is occupied. If possible, have a neighbor or relative check on the house and even park a car in the driveway. Let someone know where you are going and what time you expect to be there.
• Finally, relax. Driving during the holiday season can be stressful. Frustration can lead to poor decisions and risky behavior behind the wheel. However, with the right attitude and some pre-planning it can also be more enjoyable.

While it can be stressful imagining the miles that lay between you and your destination, a couple of deep breaths once in a while along with a positive attitude can go a long way. Remember to relax and focus on what's truly important: reaching your destination safely and having fun with family or friends.

Happy Holidays! Drive Safe!

Windshield Ice and Snow Removal Safety Tips

Windshield ice and snow removal guide for winter driving.

To remove windshield ice and snow, you must have a mind for safety. The added stress on your windshield from the freezing temperatures can lead to disaster if you are not careful.

What matters most for windshield ice and snow removal?
Time is the most important tool. If you rush the removal, you greatly increase the risk of damage.

During the cold winter months, be aware of overnight weather conditions. Plan to get up early after freezing nights with precipitation.

How to prevent windshield ice and snow.

The best offense is a good defense. Listen to the local weather report and try to do the following:

• Park in a garage or covered area. 
• Use window covers or a tarp to cover your car. 
• If your budget is tight, make a windshield cover from paper bags or cardboard, then place the home made covers under the wiper blades. 

Any of these steps will reduce the chance of frozen water on your windshield. In other words, you will not have any ice or snow to remove at all!

Removing windshield ice and snow. 

• Before you get into your car, check to make sure no ice or snow is blocking your tailpipe. A blocked tailpipe could cause a build-up of carbon monoxide in your car. Even if you think it won’t take long, take the time to check the tailpipe and prevent the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning in your vehicle. 
• Cold glass is under stress; applying heat too quickly causes more stress. Start your car and set the defrost and the fan to “low” to prevent the windshield from heating up too quickly. 
• Allow at least 5 minutes for the windshield to slowly heat up. 
• Use a plastic ice scraper and a soft brush to clear the ice and snow off of your windshield. 
• If you allow plenty of time for your windshield to warm up, a scraper and brush should be sufficient. 
• Use a left-to-right sweeping motion to remove melted ice snow. 
• Make sure you use the edge of the scraper which is designed to remove ice and snow from glass surfaces. Use of other edges of the scraper could scratch or crack the windshield. 
• Be careful if you find you need to chip ice from the windshield. Excessive force can damage the windshield’s integrity and cause cracks or breaks.

Thanksgiving Driving Tips

According to the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, the Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year’s holiday periods are among the busiest long-distance travel periods of the year. During the 6-day Thanksgiving travel period, the number of long-distance trips (to and from a ­destination 50 miles or more away) increases by 54 percent compared to the average number for the remainder of the year. Most long-distance holiday travel, about 91 percent, is by personal vehicle, such as by car.

If you plan on hitting the road this Thanksgiving to visit family or friends, consider these tips as seen in an article from Consumer Reports to help prepare you and your car for whatever challenges might be faced on the road.

Fuel up - Don’t head out on a long trip without a full tank of gas. In addition to topping off the tank, also check fluids and tire pressures before you leave.

Pack smart - Check your vehicle’s load capacity to make sure you aren’t putting too much weight in the car. On most new cars, the total weight you can carry is printed on a sticker inside the driver’s door jamb. This weight capacity includes cargo and passengers.

Don’t be distracted - Pay attention while driving. If you need to send a message or make a call, hand your phone to a passenger or pull over. It’s not worth risking your and your passenger’s life.

Be patient - During busy travel times, expect to hit traffic. A GPS device with traffic information can help you navigate around congested areas.

Buckle up - Always use your seat belt and make sure children are properly secured in a car seat and are seated in the rear seats if they are under 13.

Watch for weather - If you’re driving in wintry weather, make sure you clear the snow and ice off for better visibility. Also, allow for longer braking distances and reduce your speed while driving in inclement weather.

Winter Driving Tips

Winter driving often poses hazardous conditions for drivers, unfamiliar with navigating slick, icy roads. Here are five basic winter driving tips to observe.

Regardless of what time of year it is, it’s always a good idea to check weather reports and construction updates to plan travel accordingly, deferring travel until there’s a reprieve in any winter weather advisories.

Winter Driving Tip #1: Proper tire management
Tires influence traction, braking and overall road performance on unruly pavement. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends checking tires at least once a month. Use a tire gauge to ensure proper inflation. Also, switch tires seasonally to accommodate driving conditions. (Winter tires have a 6/32 inch tread depth. New vehicle tires average 10/32-inch of tread)

Winter Driving Tip #2: Be prepared.
In addition to checking weather and road conditions prior to road travel, be prepared for unforeseen scenario. In the event of freezing temperatures and to avoid frozen gas line, maintain the gas tank at least 50 percent full. The National Safety Council recommends having a snow shovel, tire jack, jumper cables and chain emergency road kit. It also would be wise to have a bag of sand or salt, flares, solar panel crank radio, and a bottle of water.

Winter Driving Tip #3: Adjust driving distance and speed, drastically.
Unlike the ability to stop, slow down or turn on a dry surface, vehicles don’t have the same control on icy or snow covered roads. Over-acceleration causes automobiles under 10,ooo pounds to lose traction on snowy, icy road conditions. As a result, leave a three to four car distance at speeds under 35 mph; and, five to six auto spaces at speeds over 40 mph.

Winter Driving Tip #4: No time for cruise control.
Any slippery or traction-less road is unsuitable for deploying the cruise control system. Whether it’s rain, ice or snow.

Winter Driving Tip #5: Steer-less on skids.
In the event of a skid, let up on the gas, without slamming on the brakes. Steer less to gain vehicular control.

Common Traffic Law Myths - Debunked

You’re driving down the road, you glance in your mirror and there it is – one of the most dreaded sights to any driver – flashing blue lights. As you pull over, a knot forms in the pit of your stomach, and you begin to think about how much this is potentially going to cost you.

You’ve heard crying sometimes helps… Or that if you don’t sign the ticket you won’t have to pay… Or you can ask to see your speed on the officer’s radar gun and he has to show you or you get of the ticket… We hate to break it to you, but if it sounds too good to be true, then it’s probably a myth.

Myth #1: Claiming the radar gun was broken is a solid way to get out of a ticket.

Truth: It’s true, electronics have failed us all a time or two. And, yes, this reasoning is completely possible; it’s highly unlikely this statement will actually get you out of a ticket. To void the citation, the judge will request proof that the radar gun was malfunctioning, which is difficult to obtain. You could claim the radar gun wasn’t recalibrated recently, but to know that for sure, you’d need to see the officer’s recalibration records. To see the officer’s recalibration records, you will most likely need to hire a traffic lawyer. As you can see, the process of proving the radar gun was inaccurate is time-consuming, possibly expensive and probably not going to get the ticket overturned anyway.

Myth #2: Any mistake on a ticket can get you out of the citation, no matter how small.
Truth: Mistakes happen – even for the men in blue. The issuing officer misspelling your name, forgetting to make you sign the ticket, getting your license plate number wrong, or writing down an incorrect time or date won’t get you out of a ticket. Just like any worker, police officers are humans, and will make clerical errors on the job at some point, which is not against the law.

Myth #3: If you get a ticket in another state it won’t transfer to your home state.

Truth: Most states are members of both the Non-Resident Violator Compact and the Driver’s License Compact, which allow states to share ticket data. If you get a ticket in another state and choose not to pay it, your state most likely knows about it and will choose to prosecute – from license suspension to outlandish fines.

Myth #4: You can get a ticket for driving barefoot


Truth: One of the most absurd traffic law myths out there, driving barefoot won’t get you a ticket (or an extra violation after being pulled over for another reason). If you do choose to drive sans shoes, just make sure they can’t interfere with you ability to push your gas and brakes.

Myth #5: Flirting, crying or namedropping is a surefire way to get out of a ticket.

Truth: We’ve all heard those stories about a guy who mentioned the name of another officer he knew and was let off the hook,or know someone who swears a little smile and innocent flirtation gets them out of a ticket every time. In reality, there’s not one move you can pull to get out of a ticket once you’ve been pulled over.

Law enforcement officers are all unique individuals who handle situations differently. While crying may make one officer feel sympathetic, it could annoy another. Many of them can see through gimmicks. Your best bet is to simply treat the officer the way we all like to be treated: with respect. Being kind and honest may do more good than you think.

When it comes to your car and driving, knowing the truth about basic traffic laws will help you make the best decisions for your vehicle. 

5 VERY Wrong Ways to Drive in the Rain

1. Don't drive toward the sides of the road. 

Roads are constructed so that they're highest in the middle. The difference may be slight, but it causes water to run off the center hump (actually, it's called a crown) and drain toward the edges. If you're driving in the rain you want to avoid standing water, which means that you want to be where the water isn't -- and that's in the center of the road. No, the center won't be dry either, especially if it's still raining, but it's going to be the driest place around that isn't in somebody's garage.

2. Don't leave your headlights off (but don't make them too bright either).

We sometimes assume that, just like everything else, our headlights are all about us. They help us see what's in front of us, kind of like a pair of big flashlights. Actually, when it's raining, what you need your headlights for, even in the daytime, is so that other people can see you. But if headlights help you be seen, you don't want to unintentionally blind people with them either. Other drivers are already having enough trouble finding their way around. Don't dazzle them by turning on your high beams.

3. Don't drive if the windshield is so covered with rain that you can't see!

Okay, this one sounds like a no-brainer, but isn't it amazing how many people seem to have been born without brains? It doesn't matter if you know the road so well that you could drive it blindfolded while sound asleep, you still shouldn't drive it while there's enough water on the windshield to provide a home for goldfish. Not being able to see ahead, you don't necessarily know what's there. There could be stopped cars in front of you that you can't see. There may be pedestrians wandering around befuddled in your path. You may not even be driving as straight as you think you are and could be heading straight for a bridge abutment. When visibility gets low, pull off the road as quickly as it's safe to do so. Stop your car. Pop a CD in the dashboard player and listen to soothing music while you wait for things to clear up again. Get out your cell phone and have a conversation with your best friend (but only when you're not driving, remember?). Turn to the person next to you and get to know them better. Wonderful marriages have resulted from less auspicious beginnings.

4. Don't drive through a river.

We don't mean that literally, but if you see water flowing across the road from one side to the other and don't know how deep it is, don't try to drive across it! Every year hapless drivers figure their cars won't be harmed by fording a tiny little stream of rainwater that couldn't be deeper than, oh, an inch or so. You'd be surprised how many of these people then find themselves swept away, off the road and into a vicious current of rainwater that could carry them for hundreds of feet as they desperately try to get out of their car and grab a tree limb to keep from disappearing below the waterline. Better to wait out the storm and the rainwater than to lose your life -- and quite possibility the lives of those near and dear to you -- because you thought a little water couldn't hurt you.

Even if the water isn't moving, if the bottom isn't visible you don't know what's underneath it. There could be a pothole the size of a swimming pool. There could be broken glass or nails that fell off a truck. If you can't see the bottom, don't risk putting your tires on the submerged pavement -- or your life on the line. Either stop a safe distance from the water's edge or, if possible, find a way to drive around it.

5. Don't drive too fast for conditions!

Speed limits exist to tell you how safe it is to drive under good conditions. When conditions are bad and roads are wet, speed limits are worthless. Drive well under them -- and the worse the conditions, the lower the speed you should drive.

The worst danger of driving too fast in rain is hydroplaning. Hydroplaning is what happens when your car thinks it's a boat while it's still on the highway.

Usually your tires can slice their way through the water in front of them and keep in contact with the surface of the road. But when the road is wet and you're going too fast, your car can actually begin to float on top of the water and the tire tread loses contact with the road surface. This is bad. Very bad! When your tread loses contact with the road surface, you can no longer steer. You can no longer brake. This is what happens when you hydroplane. And you often don't know that you're hydroplaning until you hit the brakes and the car goes skidding out of control. Therefore it's better not to travel at hydroplane speeds to begin with.

What do you do if you realize you're hydroplaning and are already out of control? First off, don't panic (though, trust us, you'll be tempted to). Don't hit the brakes, because that just makes it worse. Let up on the accelerator so that any remaining traction can slow your speed. And drive straight. Don't try to turn. If the car is veering off in a direction you don't want to go, don't fight it; just follow your wheels. And as the car slows, , you'll be back under control.

At this point we recommend getting off the road and giving yourself time for your heart rate to slow back down. You'll need it.

Tornado Safety for Drivers

Tornadoes can touch down with little or no advanced warning. Safety is important to Elite Auto Sales, and we want to make sure you’re always prepared when you’re in your vehicle with these travel tips.

Weather signs that may indicate a tornado approaching:

• Dark or green-colored sky
• Large, dark, low-lying cloud
• Large hail
• A loud roar that sounds like a freight train

What to do if you’re in your car:

• Tune into the local news for the latest emergency weather updates in your area.
• If you have enough time to safely get to shelter, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.
• Drivers may find that fast food restaurants (many have walk-in coolers), truck stops, convenience stores and other businesses offer adequate shelter close to highways.
• Don’t seek shelter under an overpass or bridge; it can act like a funnel for strong winds, offers little protection and can create traffic hazards.
• If you can’t get to a building, get as far away from trees and cars as possible as one of the greatest risks in a tornado is the flying debris. The lower the ground, the better.
• Cover your head with your arms. Be aware of the potential for flooding.
• Never try to outrun a tornado in your vehicle. Cars can also be victim to being tossed by strong winds.

You can also download the Red Cross Tornado App for alerts and safety tools and turn to the Weather Channel for local weather conditions wherever you’re heading.

Drivers recognize their bad habits, but don't change them...

Stay safe & keep your eyes on the road!

Over 90% of car owners admit to singing when they're behind the wheel.

 'Re-Blog' if you proudly belt it out when you hit the road!