5 Exterior Car Care Tips

Owning a car is not so easy. You have to take care of it completely, from the car tax engine to the car's exterior to make it look good and not too dull, and the color paint on the car still looks new. This time there are tips for you so that the exterior of your car still looks new.

1. Wash The Car Weekly

Wash your car, at least once a week and don't forget to use a special car soap so as not to damage the car paint or car headlights (scratches or color fading). If you are hesitant to wash it yourself at home, just leave it to the car wash. Even if you are forced to save money, at least ask a friend or person who is an expert in their field.

2. Wax At Least Twice A Year

There is something about a waxed car that makes it very attractive. Maybe it brings back that aura or glow of a brand new vehicle. Apart from making your car pretty and shiny, the car wax protects your vehicle from UV rays. Not to forget, those bugs will just slide off your paint. On average, you should wax your vehicle at least twice a year.

3. Schedule Annual Professional Detailing

at least you have to take the car to Car Salon Treatments, in order to get extra care and at the same time, you can ask other tips from the technician who handles your car. At least you bring your car to the place, 2 times a year. Or checking the car due to natural disasters, minor accidents, or crimes that resulted in the car's exterior body being damaged.

4. Keep The Car Under Cover

If You Are Traveling And Your Car Cannot Get A Shady Place, You Must Bring An UnderCover That Protects Your Car From The Hot Sun Which Can Make The Paint Color On The Car Fade.

5. Spot Check The Paint Frequently

It’s normal for car paint to fade off after years of exposure to rain, sunlight, snow, dirt, and wind. Even oxygen plays a role in speeding up the paint deterioration process and there is nothing you can do about it. However, you can spot-check the paint and schedule the car for a painting service before it gets too serious. Some common signs your car may require a basic paint job include; discoloration, dark spots, peeling, dents, and scratches.

Tips to Selling Your Used Car For a Higher Price Than Expected

Tips to Selling Your Used Car For a Higher Price Than Expected - From exorbitant prices too expensive insurance and maintenance costs, it's no secret that cars in the United States or Europe are very expensive. That is why most prospective car buyers take a long time to research diligently, ask for advice, and take precautions to ensure they get a car that will last at least during their COE.

However, those who realize that they might have bought the wrong car for their needs or have changed their mind about owning a car can lose thousands of dollars, even when placing their cars for sale. However, when selling your car will not get back 100% of the original price because of factors beyond your control such as depreciation, there are still things you can do throughout the life cycle of your car to get the best resale value.

1. Be a Careful Driver 

While you may not stay away from deterioration totally, there are things you can do to keep a lower resale esteem because of long-haul wear and tear. The most imperative approach to do this is to be a sheltered and watchful driver. While it is enticing to crush brakes and take hard turns when we feel hurried or furious, these driving propensities can prompt long haul harm and mishaps. Not exclusively will your auto turn out to be more defenseless to separating, yet experienced purchasers and auto merchants will have the capacity to recognize harmed parts to your auto and endeavor to arrange a lower cost. This turns out to be ever the more obvious if your auto has gotten into mischances also. Rather, you ought to rehearse cautious driving when you leave the dealership and consider breaking in your vehicle by being steady with your gas pedal and completely breaking in your motor.

2. Invest in a Comprehensive Insurance Policy

A cheap comprehensive car insurance policy may be great for those who are accident-free and are planning on keeping their car until it's time to scrap it. However, those who are realizing they may want to sell should consider investing in a more comprehensive car insurance policy to help them to ensure they're well protected beyond basic windscreen, theft, and fire damage. For instance, HL Assurance offers complimentary car servicing and even authorizes you to make minor repairs, making maintaining your car that much more affordable. Furthermore, a good insurance policy will be able to cover costly accidents, saving you money to focus on things that can help increase the car's value instead.

3. Replace Small Worn Out Car Parts

Towards the end of your car ownership and when you are getting ready to put your car up for sale, you should start thinking about replacing damaged or worn out parts. While bigger repairs are best left to car mechanics, you can easily increase the value of your car by swapping out simple parts such as the brake pads, engine air filters, and car mats. Not only will this make the car feel newer and better to prospective buyers, but it will also benefit you for the rest of the time you own your car. For instance, replacing your brake pads can prevent accidents and damage. Additionally, replacing an engine air filter can increase fuel efficiency and prolong your engine's life. These small changes can really add to the resale value of your car in the long run, especially since many dealerships will deduct any fees incurred for any repairs they have to do on their own.

4. Choose the Right Avenue of Sale

In the United States, you can sell your car via a few different channels. The first way is to simply post an ad on a website and hope for the best price. The second way is to go through a used car dealership. The third way is a hybrid of the first two and involves using an agent (selling through consignment). All three channels have their benefits and drawbacks. Selling directly will give you greater control over the final sale price, but it may take a long time you to actually find a buyer. A consignment sale will result in more money for you and is cheaper than a dealer (usually a flat fee around S$500 or 1% of the sale price), but an inexperienced agent can make selling your car much more difficult. Used car dealerships guarantee some form of payment if they accept your car, although you will sell it for less than if you sold it directly.

Regardless of the channel you choose, you should conduct a thorough research of the market. For instance, if you want to maximize resale value, you should get a few quotes from accredited dealers first, calculate what their final price would be and go via the direct selling or consignment route. Those who are adamant about using a dealer should negotiate their price since dealers usually take a healthy profit margin of S$2,000 or more. While you may not get the exact price you initially ask for (hence you should consider initially highballing your sale price), you may end up settling on a happy medium that is still a few hundred dollars more than what you were initially quoted.

5. Know the Selling Points of Your Car & Maintain Them

When you think back to when you first bought your car, there must have been some nugget of information that made you decide this car was the one you wanted. Whether it was a streamlined design, enhanced safety features or a great engine, these features were enticing enough to get you to spend tens of thousands of dollars. Since these features are most likely going to be the same selling points for future buyers, you should take extra care in maintaining them and highlighting them to future buyers.

For instance, let's say one of your car's selling points was its powerful Turbocharged DOHC V-6 engine. Since prospective buyers may be interested in your car because of its purported engine quality, keeping it in mint condition by using the proper grade fuel can help you negotiate a higher price. Likewise, if what drew you to your car was a sleek and ultra-modern design, you should make take special care of its paint job and avoid scratches and dents.

In Conclusion: Invest Early to Reap Higher Rewards

While people enjoy scoring a great deal, they're also willing to pay extra for high quality. This is why it is important to keep your car in the best shape possible if you want to command a higher price. Due to the high volume of used cars for sale in the United States, it is up to you to prove to potential consumers why your car deserves to be priced at what it is—especially if you decide to charge a few thousand dollars above the average asking price for your model. Routine maintenance and paying attention to small details can mean the difference between barely selling a car for a lower than average price and negotiating a price that is several thousand dollars higher. On a market where the same user model's price can range between S$67,800 and S$73,800, this means your couple hundred dollars investment in keeping your car in top condition can easily lead to a price increase of 15-20%.

5 Things You Need to Know Before Buying an Electric Car

5 Things You Need to Know Before Buying an Electric Car – Technological development is growing rapidly, not only on the side of smartphones or smart homes. But this innovation also penetrated the 4-wheel drive sector. So far, what we know is that cars use fuel oil. But the resulting impact is air pollution that will disrupt future lives. Making electronic cars may be the solution for us now and in the future.

If you want to buy an electronic car. We recommend that you pay attention to the following instructions, so as not to be disappointed after buying it. And the following 5 Things You Need to Know Before Buying an Electric Car

1. Prepare Your Home Charging

There are two main options for charging an electric vehicle at home: (1) 120V charging from an ordinary home outlet and (2) 240V charging from either an upgraded home circuit or existing circuit for a heavy electric appliance like a drying machine.

There is also DC fast charging, but that is only applicable to charging on-the-go and described in more detail below. Before deciding on how to charge, talk with a couple licensed electricians to better understand your home’s electrical capacity. Mr. Electric appears to win the Google SEO for “electrician for an electric vehicle,” so maybe head there for a start.

Electric Vehicle Charging Level 1 (120 volts)—about 4-6 miles of range per hour of charge

Uses an ordinary wall outlet just like a toaster.
Typically won’t require modifications to electric panels or home wiring.
Confirm that your home’s electrical circuits are at least 15 or 20-amp, single pole by consulting with a licensed electrician.
Slow, but can get the job done if you don’t drive that much on a daily basis. If you only need 20 miles of range, for example, only getting 20 miles of charge each night is not a problem. For road trips, most EVs are equipped to handle the faster-charging options that can make charging pit stops on road trips pretty quick. Electric Vehicle charging level 2 (240 volts)—about 10-25 miles of range per hour of charge

installation costs vary, but here’s a 30-amp charger from Amazon that is highly rated and costs around $900, including installation, and here’s one that includes an algorithm to minimize charging emissions and costs.
Will likely require a new dedicated circuit from the electric panel to a wall located near the EV parking spot.
Consult with a licensed electrician to verify that your home has a two-pole 30 to 50-amp electrical circuit breaker panel.
Electric Vehicle Charging Level 3 (aka DC fast charging) (400 volts)—Not for home use, but can charge battery up to 80 percent in about 30 minutesThe fastest charging method available, but prohibitively expensive for home use.
Some vehicles can get an 80 percent full charge in as little as 30 minutes, depending on the electric vehicle type.
No other automaker has a relatively affordable, 200 mile-plus range electric vehicle on the market, yet (the nextgen Nissan Leaf will compete too), and one or both of these vehicles may be a pivotal point in the modern shift to electrics. Assuming you’re already sold on the benefits of driving on electricity, here are a couple tips for you to consider if you’re prepping for an electric vehicle.

2. Archive Your Tax Credit(s)

Purchasing an electric vehicle should qualify you for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500. Here is all the information and form to fill out when you file taxes. You better file quickly because the federal tax credit is capped at 200,000 credits per manufacturer. Some manufacturers, including Nissan and Chevrolet, are forecast to hit the 200,000 caps as early as 2018. If Tesla delivers on its 400,000 Model 3 pre-orders, not every Model 3 owner will be able to take advantage of the full $7,500 savings, so act fast! Also, check this map to see what additional state incentives you may qualify for.

3. Locate Public Charging Stations

Tesla has a network of fast charging stations exclusively for Tesla owners, but there are thousands of public charging stations that any electric vehicle driver can use on the go too. You may be surprised to find chargers near your workplace, school, or other frequent destination. Check out this Department of Energy station locator, or this map from PlugShare. The Department of Transportation has also designated several charging corridors that should be getting even more EV chargers.

there will be a problem if you have bought an electric car, but there is no place to recharge your car’s battery.

4. Contact Your Utility

Give your utility a heads up that you are getting an electric vehicle, and inquire about any promotional plans for vehicle charging. Some utilities have flexible “time-of-use” rates, meaning that they will charge you less when you plug a vehicle in during off-peak times (typically overnight). Your utility might also have its own electric vehicle incentives, like a rebate on installation or charger costs, or even a pilot project on smart charging where you can get paid to plug in your vehicle.

5. Say Goodbye to Internal Combustion Engines, Forever!

Driving on electricity is not only cheaper and cleaner than driving on gasoline, it’s also a total blast. Prepare to never want to go back to gasoline-powered vehicles as you cruise on the smooth, silent power of electricity.

Top 14 Tips Maintenance So That Your Car Last Longer

Top 14 Tips Maintenance So That Your Car Last Longer - Caring for your car is a very important step, that every car owner should follow and improve the lives of their cars. In order to make it look like new all the time. Always follow the maintenance schedule, and never disregard or delay. So the car you always get up to speed with the best performance.

Preventive maintenance is the best thing you can do to your car to improve your life and also save money on repairs. Never ignore the preventative maintenance such as they can tell you when to change the oil, checking tire pressure, getting the inspection's, etc. The best guide You can get this from the owner's manual. However, we have provided some car maintenance tips to help you plan your schedule.

Top 14 Tips Maintenance so That Your Car Last Longer

1. Check your Air Filter

Many of the troubled car caused by defective water filter attached to them and wear caused by them. You should get your filter changes every 12 months or after 12000 miles, whichever comes sooner. Don't ignore this maintenance because it will lead to problems with AIR CONDITIONING and you are inhaling unhealthy air in your car.

You can get the filter replaced mechanical in the comfort of your garage in just 10 minutes. By doing it yourself, you can save a trip to the mechanic and also money. Here's how you can do it yourself :

• Firstly locate your filter, which is situated in the hood of the car. It is a black rectangular box, which has metal clips inside it. You can see it as soon as you pop the hood. If you don't find it there, then check the owner's manual for assistance.


• After locating it remove the casing and see how the filter is fit inside it. It is important to note the directions of the filter. Make a note of the directions of the filter and remove it.


• After removing it insert the new filter in the same way, the old one was fit in the same direction. You will see that it will be perfectly fit touching the edges.


• Now close the metal clips after you are done. This way you have changed the air filter.

You can also clean out the debris from your new filter by using compressed air. This will improve the life of the filter and make it last longer.

2. Inspect Fluids and Tire Pressure Regularly

This is something that you should never disregard or delay any cost. They are the major components of your car and also has a habit of wearing and walk out too fast.

The task of checking takes just 10 minutes.

All you need to do is open the machine when it is cooled down and release the oil dipstick. Clean thoroughly and put it back again. Now when you pull it, you will see the oil stuck to it. This way you'll know when to change the engine oil.

While doing this also check your power steering fluid level and also the hose and belt for signs of wear. After warming up your car check the transmission fluid level too.

Now for your tires, you can check the pressure using the measuring device and ensure that it has the correct pressure for all tires. Do this every week for less used to ban you.

3. Check your Battery

We all have had our car batteries run out when we need it the most. We all faced the situation where we are left stranded on the road in the middle of the nights with just the lights of our cell phones. It isn't a pretty situation, is it?

To avoid this never ignore your low battery sign and always get it checked regularly. Check for leakage or any mineral build up around it. Clean it with a battery cleaning brush and do this whenever necessary.

4. Change your Spark Plugs

If you see that your machine does not work efficiently, so the main problem is probably the spark plugs. If you haven't yet checked if they wear out easily and will be discussed in the buildup. Check and get them replaced if necessary. They usually last for 30,000 miles; See the owner's manual for accurate depiction because it specifically was written for your car and give you better details.

5. Get your Tires Rotated and Balanced

This is the easiest trick in the book to prevent wearing of tires and make them last longer, and the trick is to get them rotated once in a while. All tires do not wear at the same amount. So by rotating the front and rear tires, you balance the wear and make them more durable.

Ensure that the tires of your car are always perfectly aligned as non-aligned tires can make you lose control of your car and cause accidents.

6. Clean your Windshields and Replace the Wipers

If the glass is not a good look, there are scratches. We recommend that you clean it, or replace it with a new one. If you do not replace it, will affect you in driving, caused by scratches on the glass.

7. Inspect and Replace Serpentine Belts

Thoroughly inspect your serpentine belts and check for wears. If these belts fail, they can cause damage to the other accessories to make the bill of your repair too high. It is recommended to get it checked every 60,000 miles but you should the owner's manual to get the best guide for your car.

8. Ensure the Working of the Cooling System

The hoses, which carry the engine coolant can damage very quickly as they transport high-pressure fluids, which can break if the pressure is too high. Also, the heater hoses face the same problem as they carry hot coolant to the passenger compartment.

The best way for efficient working create a perfect balance between them and get it checked regularly. And, why should you do so? The answer is getting this system replaced would cut deep into your pockets. So the smart choice would be to inspect them for any damage and taking action immediately.

9. Check your Brakes

Movies have a scene of brakes failing to cause the car crashing into places. While we might not read much into this scene, don't make this your reality as it is a very tricky and risky situation to be in. If your brake system is efficient, then your car will be very youthful and last longer.

It also ensures a very safe driving for the passengers in the car and also the people around you. Getting your brakes checked and replaced is like changing your car's oil, Simple and easy.

There is a very easy way to check your brake fluid; this will prove that the system is working properly. But if the color is little to the dark side then that's the car signaling you to change it. The dark black color indicates that the fluid is filled with rubber and rest and you should replace the fluid as soon as possible.

To make the brake system more durable, you should replace it completely every two years. Also if your car is more than seven years old then change the rubber brake lines for smooth driving.

10. Keep it Covered

This may seem like a very easy tip, but it has a major impact on maintaining your car. Keeping it out of the reach of the sunlight helps the outer material and the paint to stay stronger.

This will make your car look more stylish and brand new for a longer period. So cover your car when not in use and try to keep it in your garage whenever you can.

11. Exterior Engine Cleaning

We have learned the importance of maintaining your engine internally; it is as important to do it for the exterior too. Some minor debris in the wrong place can do a lot of damage if not checked. You don't need to dismantle your entire car to do so, just keep an eye on the engine and get it checked.

There is a special engine cleaner available on the market designed specifically for exterior engine cleaning. Also, remove the grease and the debris. Do not use harsh equipment like a wire brush as it can harm the engine and damage the components.

12. Carry the Automotive Tools at all Times

The best tip to maintain your car properly is to be ready to face any situation and gave the suited tools with you. If you delay repair, it can potentially cause more damage, which was already there and also increase the amount of repair. The best remedy is to inspect the problem yourself whenever you feel while driving that the car is not working efficiently.

Do take the help of the mechanic if the damage is severe. There is a set of tools, which is readily available and you can store it in your trunk. Do carry the best jumper cables to give that jump start to your car so that you are not stuck in a tricky situation.

13. Protect your Headlights

Always keep an eye on your headlights as they are your best friends while driving at night. It can be an extremely dangerous and risky situation if you drive without your headlight on at night. Replace, repair it before they fuse it for your safety and others around you.

We also have the tendency to forget to switch off the lights the next morning. This makes you drain your battery and also leads to extensive damage to your engine. It is better to ensure the headlight working as it doesn't take much of your time and keeps it well-maintained.

14. Clean the interior of the car and give air freshener

keep the interior looks clean, and fragrant with perfumes typical of the natural. Will make you more relaxed, and passengers in the drive.

Safety Tips for Driving in Snow And Ice

Safety Tips for Driving in Snow And Ice - When driving with the snowy weather was very difficult and it took extra caution so as not an accident when driving on the road. Lifestyle do more have prepared tips, so you can travel by car, by the time the season of snow and slippery roads. So no need to worry

Safety Tips for Driving in Snow And Ice

Tips for long-distance winter trips:

• Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive or before driving ing in isolated areas. Delay trips when the especially bad weather is expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.


• Always make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition by having it inspected by an Approved Auto Repair facility.


• Keep at least half a tank of gasoline in your vehicle at all times.


• Pack a cellular telephone with your local telephone number, plus blankets, gloves, hats, food, water and any needed medication in your vehicle.


• If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Don’t try to walk in a severe storm. It’s easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.


• Don’t over exert yourself if you try to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow.


• Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or place a cloth at the top of a rolled up window to signal distress. At night, keep the dome light on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity and will make it easier for rescuers to find you.


• Make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running.


• Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps.


• If possible run the engine and heater just long enough to remove the chill and to conserve gasoline.

Tips for driving in the snow:

• Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.


• Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.


• The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.


• Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.


• Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.


• Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill as slowly as possible.


• Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.


• Stay home. If you really don’t have to go out, don’t. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don’t tempt fate: If you don’t have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors.

Tips for Driving Safely in the Rain

Tips for Driving Safely in the Rain - Driving a vehicle, not just following traffic rules and using seat belts only, and should not be sleepy or should not get drunk. But we must know the road terrain, and the weather sometimes changes at any time.

Yes, sometimes the weather is hot, suddenly it rains. Or the weather is hot, suddenly snowing. For us sometimes can't concentrate on driving, because the rain is very heavy, and can interfere with visibility in driving Edit

But do not worry, lifestyle do more has summarized some tips, which may be able to provide a solution for you, can drive when heavy rain comes.

After averaging 10 years of statistics, NHTSA researchers found that 46 percent of weather-related crashes happened during rainfall, but just 17 percent while it was snowing or sleeting. Those statistics are partially explained, of course, by the fact that many drivers have the good sense to stay home during a bad snowstorm, says Debbie Hersman, president, and CEO of the National Safety Council, which offers defensive driving courses. But the statistics also reflect a sobering truth, she says: Drivers often do not respect the rain and fail to adjust their driving habits to hazardous conditions.

Here is how to reduce the chances of being a rainy day statistic, according to safety experts.

Slow down: Driving too fast for conditions is especially dangerous on wet pavement because your tires lose traction with the precipitation, Van Tassel says. "When roadways are wet, the friction is reduced between the tire and the road,'' Hersman adds. No friction is a bad thing. Tires are meant to grip the roads, not slide on them.

How much does traction decline in wet weather? "You might lose about one-third of your traction," Van Tassel says. And that figure is why this recommendation makes sense: Reduce your speed by about a third when it's wet or rainy. If the speed limit is 55 mph, aim for under 40 mph. "That is not a hard statistic but a rule of thumb," he says.

Back off: Forget the old rule about keeping a certain number of car lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you, Van Tassel says. Focus on staying 3-4 seconds behind the vehicle in front of you in dry conditions. Watch the vehicle in front of you as it passes a fixed marker, such as a street light, he says. Then count 3 seconds. Add more time if it's raining, staying about 5 seconds behind.

For each additional driving challenge, add another second, Van Tassel says. If it's raining and you are driving at night, you should aim to be 6 seconds behind the vehicle in front of you.

If possible — and in heavy traffic, it might not always be — try to keep from being boxed in by cars in the lanes on either side of you, Van Tassel says. If you have space on either side of your car, you have an easy out in case the vehicle ahead of you stops suddenly.

Know when to lean on technology, and when not to: "While some technologies are not advisable for use during bad weather, others can help," Hersman says. Do not depend on cruise control, adaptive cruise control or forward collision warning systems during the rain, she says. Wet weather may affect the systems' sensors and reduce their reliability, she says.

Even adaptive cruise control, which is an advanced version of cruise control and maintains a set speed and a safe following distance, is not recommended during rainy weather, Van Tassel says.

Here's why: When you're driving without cruise control and you see a hazard, you lift your foot off the gas pedal as you prepare to brake. As you come off the gas, the nose of the car starts to dip a bit, transferring some weight to the front. This provides more traction on the front tires. But if you have cruise control on, your speed remains constant after you lift off the gas. There is no dip. You lose that helpful early weight transfer.

On the other hand, a traction-control feature is tailor-made for rainy days. "It prevents the wheels from slipping on wet pavement and helps the driver maintain control when stopping or accelerating in the rain," Hersman says.

Antilock braking systems (ABS) are meant to prevent the loss of steering control during hard braking, particularly on wet and slippery roads. ABS is a component of electronic stability control (ESC), which has been required on new cars beginning with the 2012 model year. Electronic stability control, which helps stabilize your vehicle when it starts to veer off the intended path, can be valuable in wet weather as well, Hersman says.

Van Tassel sees anti-skid control and lane-keeping assist features as being potentially useful in the rain. "Anti-skid control is a bit more advanced than traction control," he says. "Traction control helps prevent the drive wheels from spinning when you apply the gas (as when trying to get a car moving from a stop in snow or ice). Anti-skid control actually helps prevent front-wheel or rear-wheel skids when you are driving through a turn (regardless of whether the surface is dry or slick)."

However, like other technical features, these should be viewed as a backup, he says. The best advice for a rainy day when it comes to advanced vehicle technologies is to "just pretend they are not there," he says.

When You Hydroplane
Suppose your car hydroplanes, which can be a terrifying experience. Hydroplaning happens when the tires are riding on the top of a layer of water and have completely lost contact with the pavement. It can happen when your speed is as little as 35 mph. You will know when it happens. "Steering will get light in your hands," Van Tassel says.

"Gently ease your foot off the gas," he advises. "This may transfer enough weight forward so that your front tires regain contact with the road."

If not, he says, gently squeeze your brakes to slow the vehicle down and transfer weight to the front tires. Steering will not really be possible since the tires are riding on a film of water.

"We don't recommend turning the wheel in a hydroplaning situation," he says. "If you have some steering 'dialed in' when the front tires finally do regain traction, you might immediately steer right off the road. Obviously, that's not a good thing."

If you do start to skid, don't turn into the skid, regardless of what you've heard. "Continue to look and steer where you want to go," Van Tassel says. This strategy works for both front and rear skids.

Getting Comfortable With Scary Situations
Some wet-weather driving emergencies can be handled by an application of common sense. Others require something more, such as practicing driving techniques that can save your life. Consider taking an advanced driving training class. But whatever else you do, begin with the simplest life-saver of all: Slow down when the rain starts to fall.

8 Tips To Buying a New Car

8 Tips To Buying a New Car - Welcome back to lifestyle do more, this time we will discuss 8 Tips To Buying a New Car. Having a new car, it will be fun. But we should consider the benefits first, is that true?

1. Research Vehicles and Features

Not sure what car you want? Car-making sites are useful for viewing more photos and learning more about features and options on cars. Once you have a short list, it's time to find out how you will pay for the car.

2. Get Preapproved for a Loan

A preapproved car loan starts you on the right foot. You get an idea of how much you can afford, and you'll have an interest rate that you can then compare to the dealership's financing, which might actually have the lowest annual percentage rate. Look for a loan application on the mobile web pages of your bank, credit union or other lenders such as Capital One or Nationwide. It's a good idea to do your own research on which lender works best for you.

As you plan your financing, Lifestyle do more recommend a loan term that's no longer than 60 months. We also recommend combining a 10 percent down payment with gap insurance or new-car replacement coverage. That lets you keep more money in your pocket without the risk of being underwater on your car loan.

To begin the loan approval process, have at hand your employer and salary information and balances of other debt you may have. Make sure you will be ready to shop within about two weeks of seeking pre-approval. This will reduce the number of "hard" inquiries to your credit history.

3. Plan Your Trade-In

You can skip this step if you do not have a trade-in. If you do, keep reading.

It's important to get your trade-in value before you go to the dealer. This will help set your expectations for what a car is worth and give you a reference point for each offer you'll receive. Most cars are categorized as "clean" or "fair". Very few cars are "amazing," no matter how many owners take care of them.

When you finish assessing, you will see three numbers. The trade-in value is what the dealer has to offer you - it's a number to keep in mind when you're at a dealer. The value of private parties is what you might expect if you sell your own car. Retail dealers are a little different: This is what you expect to pay for a car if you buy it at a dealer.

There is an alternative to trading in cars or selling it yourself: Have used car retailers, CarMax, rate cars and offer you deals. This offer is good for seven days, at which point you can ask the dealer to beat that price or you can sell your car to CarMax.

4. Locate and Test-Drive the Car

Now, you have assigned several car candidates. You should see it in person before making a decision. Hundreds of dealers across the country are registering their car inventory, and in many cases, you can sort by color, trim level and features. This is a better way to shop than to set up a car on a car maker's website and hope you'll find one with a series of real-world options. All the lists you find on the page are original cars with various options. Most will have a locked price that should be comparable to what others paid.

If you found the vehicle on another site, call the dealership's internet sales department to request more information. In either case, keep these do's and don'ts in mind:

To verify that the car you want is still in stock. It might have been sold recently, and online inventories can take a while to catch up.

Do ask the salesperson if there are any dealer-installed options. Many new vehicles are sold with add-ons such as nitrogen in the tires, all-weather floor mats or theft protection packages. These can easily add $1,000 to the sale price.

Don't just show up at the dealer on a busy weekend or late at night. Waits may be long and you may not get the salesperson's full attention.

To schedule an appointment for a test drive. Early in the week and in the morning are good times. Having an appointment means the car will be waiting for you when you arrive.

Don't just drive around the block. Take the time to see how you and your family fit in the car and see how it handles on a variety of roads.

Do ask yourself the following questions: Are the controls easy to use? Is there enough cargo space? Will a child seat fit? (Bring it with you and test it.)
Don't feel obligated to buy the car the same day. Feel free to take a night to think it over.

5. Check Sale Price and Warranties

Once you have a target car, it's time to focus on getting a price. We recommend using one of these two ways to get a price quote on a car:

• Call, text or email the internet sales department of three dealerships that have the car you want. Ask each for the total selling price, including any additional accessories that may have already been installed on the car. The best price will be obvious. You also can take that quote and ask the other dealerships to beat it. If you plan on leasing, this is the way to go.


• You can save time and trouble by using Edmunds to get a locked-in price that's designed to be comparable to the average price that others are paying in your area. Make sure you ask the salesperson to email or text you a breakdown of the "out-the-door price," with all the taxes and fees factored in. That lets you see the total amount you'll be spending.

You also should ask for a preview of products the dealership plans to offer you after you buy a car — such as paint protection, an extended warranty and possibly a prepaid maintenance plan. Usually, you won't hear about these extras until much later in the shopping process, but we suggest you get some information now to relieve pressure later.

Here's how you do it: Call the dealership finance manager and ask about these products and services. They may be of value to you, but just know that the price is often negotiable and you don't have to buy them when you buy the car unless you intend to hold their price into the purchase contract.

6. Review the Deal and Dealer Financing

It's important to keep in mind that an average price paid is exactly that. Some people have paid more and others paid less. Some shoppers are only happy if they grind their way to a rock-bottom price. But for most shoppers, that usually isn't worth the hassle and frustration. If your price quote is above the average, it's not necessarily reasoning to walk away from a deal. Here's why:

A car's price isn't the only factor that determines a good car deal. You also should look at the interest rate, the loan term and the value of your trade-in, if that's part of your deal. There are even some intangibles, such as how the salesperson and the dealership treat you and the time you save in the shopping process. Those are all factors in a good deal. In fact, at this point in the process, you may be able to improve parts of it.

In Step 2, you got preapproved for financing. Now that you're close to purchasing, there's a chance that you can get a better interest rate at the dealership.

To see if that's possible, let the dealership run a credit report and assess your interest rate. Or, if you know your credit score, tell the finance manager what it is and the rate for which you'd qualify. You can give your information to the finance manager over the phone. Some dealerships have credit applications on their websites and you can fill one out. If the interest rate is lower than the one in your pre-approved loan, go for it. If not, you already have a good loan locked in.

7. Close the Deal

If the price, financing, and fees look right, it's time to say yes to the deal. From here, you can proceed in one of two ways: Buy at the dealership or have the car and paperwork delivered to your home.

Most people tend to wrap up the sale at the dealership. Once you've agreed on a price, the salesperson will take you to the finance and insurance office. Here, you'll sign the contract and purchase any of the additional products we discussed earlier, such as an extended warranty.

The alternative is to make the sale contingent on having your new car delivered to your home or office. This is a great time-saver and allows you to close the deal in a relaxed environment.

Wherever you finalize the deal, review the contract carefully and make sure the numbers match the out-the-door breakdown. Be sure there are no additional charges or fees. A good finance manager will explain each form and what it means. Don't hurry. Buying a car is a serious commitment. And remember: There is no cooling-off period. Once you sign the contract, the car is yours.

8. Take Delivery

Whether you take delivery of your car at the dealership or at your home, it should be clean. The gas tank should be full. Give the car a final walk-around, checking for any dents or scratches that might have occurred during transport.

Finally, let the salesperson give you a tour of your new car. The rundown should include showing you how to pair your smartphone via Bluetooth and demonstrating other important features and safety devices. All of this information is in the owner's manual, but let's face it, very few people ever read the manual, which can be hundreds of pages long. If you don't have time for a complete demonstration when you sign the contract, set up an appointment a week or so later. With the amount of technology that comes in most new cars, that walk-through is important and very useful. You'll learn tricks and shortcuts you might not find on your own.

And now there is only one more thing to do: Enjoy your new car.