Check out this infographic from the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration illustrating their best safe driving tips for the summer. The interactive features provide everything a safe driver needs to know before they get in the car, when they’re on the road, or even in an emergency this summer.
Tag: new cars
Gift Ideas for Dads and Grads: Car Lovers Edition
June is here again. That means Father’s Day is right around the corner and graduation festivities are happening all month long. Don’t know what to get the awesome dad or grad in your life? We’ve got a few ideas..
For Grads:
Your new graduate is going to need reliable transportation to and from that new job they just landed. Here are some stylish cars that are under $25,000 and above 30 mpg to save a little more coin.
Chevy Spark
The very cool Chevy Spark comes equipped with a 7-inch color touchscreen and full iPod integration with streaming audio and BringGo navigation app. Vibrant colors, 15-inch alloys and rear spoiler make is sporty and it achieves 32/38 mpg city/highway. Tickets start under $12,500, including a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Honda Civic
New or used, coupe or sedan, the Honda Civic is a great first-car choice. The 140-horsepower four-cylinder engine achieves 28/39 mpg city/highway. Navigation, USB, Bluetooth, moonroof and heated leather are available for slightly more than the sub-$18,000 base price.
Hyundai Elantra GT
The Hyundai Elantra GT features a sport suspension, driver-selectable steering modes and 148-horsepower engine that achieves 27/37 mpg city/highway. The interior has heated leather, a cooled glovebox, and Bluetooth streaming audio. Blue Link adds voice-to-text messaging, Web searching and navigation. Prices start around $18,500 including Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
For Dads:
Your dad probably isn’t in need of a whole new car, so here are some gift ideas to help him spruce up the one he already has.
GPS Navigation System
The latest generations of GPS have tons of new features to help you get from point A to point B quickly and safely. Some popular models include Garmin and TomTom. You could also try a GPS app like CoPilot Live or Google Maps.
Wax and Polish Detailing Kit
A great way to help make dad’s old car look like new is with a detailing kit. Find one that features a microfiber sponge, a microfiber wash mitt, car wash, wax and polishes. This is a must for the do-it-yourself car detailing dad.
Remote Vehicle Starter System
An all-in-one remote-starter system is the perfect gift for dad. Check out these ones from Bulldog Security that come with an extended range remote, programmable cold start, keyless entry, and remote trunk release.
Whatever the occasion this month, these gifts are sure to surprise any dad or grad.
How to Use a VIN Decoder Chart
Much like a person’s DNA, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is unique to every car and holds a lot of information within the seemingly random combination of numbers and letters.
Between 1954 and 1981, each automobile manufacturer had their own system for tagging cars and light trucks which resulted in a wide variety of VIN number styles. This made it easier for thieves to switch a stolen vehicle’s ID with a legally registered one. In 1981, the federal government standardized the format in an effort to curb confusion and criminal activities.
Use the infographic below to decode your VIN number and verify the facts on your Vehicle History Report and service records.
This guest post comes from the editors of Carfax. Just say – Show me the CARFAX!
Basic Driving Tips for New Drivers
The first time your teen gets behind the wheel signals the first step toward independence and adulthood. As a parent, there are always concerns about safety on the road. It’s important for teens to remember that although the freedom that comes with driving is exciting, that freedom comes with significant responsibility. Here are some basic driving tips from CarsDirect that parents and young drivers should always keep in mind.
Keep Your Hands on the Wheel
Many people, especially new drivers, have trouble following this simple suggestion. Before your car leaves the driveway, adjust your mirrors, your seat and anything else you may have to before taking off. Doing this prevents you from having to make these adjustments while driving, which can easily take your eyes off of the road and create a dangerous situation.
Image via carinsurancequotes.uk.com
Turn Your Cell Phone Off
Studies have shown that driving while trying to send out a text message is just as dangerous as driving drunk. Do yourself, and everyone else on the road, a favor and turn your phone off. Turning it off is the easiest way to avoid a distraction from a message or a call. If you really need to use your phone in an emergency situation, pull over first. Never talk on the phone while driving. In some states, this is illegal and a ticketable offense.
Wear Your Seat belt
Wearing a seat belt is scientifically proven to help prevent injury in an accident and not wearing your seat belt is a ticketable offense in 49 of the 50 states. Save yourself the hassle, and the money, and just wear your seat belt- it could save your life.
Obey the Speed Limit
Speeding is a major cause of traffic crashes, so always obey the posted speed limit. More drivers are convicted of speeding than any other offense. Slow down in rain, fog, snow and ice, and keep at least twice the normal stopping distance between you and vehicle in front of you.
Stay in Your Lane
Pay close attention to what lane you are driving in and the cars in the other lanes. If you cut a person off you can cause an accident, or a backup in traffic. Be sure to check your blind spots when switching lanes.
Give Yourself Enough Time
Instead of racing to your destination because you are running late, plan ahead and give yourself enough time to get where you’re going safely, without the speeding. You’ll be safe and save money on traffic tickets and car insurance.
Be Prepared
Sooner or later it will happen to you, a breakdown in the middle of nowhere. Be prepared for a roadside emergency with a carefully stocked emergency kit. At all times you should have in your car: a battery charger (or jumper cables), a first-aid kit, a flashlight, Fix-a-Flat, some energy or granola bars, bottled water, rags, a multi-purpose tool and a pocketknife. Also, make sure you have a spare tire and jack, and learn how to safely change a flat tire.
Top 5 “Green” Cars
To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day coming up this Sunday, we’ve compiled a list of this year’s top 5 “green” cars. NewsWatch rated these five eco-friendly cars are the best bet for saving the planet and your money.
Toyota Prius
Image via www.egmcartech.com
The Prius is unique enough that it has become a brand of its own. With the addition this year of a larger model (the V) and a smaller model (the C) that brand has expanded. It is the best name for high-efficiency cars, having set the benchmark year after year.
Mitsubishi i-MiEV
Image via www.treehugger.com
Mitsubishi’s electric vehicle is a futuristic-looking electric car that is the most energy efficient vehicle available in America today. This pure-electric car uses lithium-ion batteries to drive a 66-horsepower engine, enough to give it spunky performance for driving around town.
Honda Civic Natural Gas
Image via automobiles.honda.com
Natural gas doesn’t get the same hype in automotive design as electric power, but it’s green nonetheless. Green enough, in fact, for the LA Auto Show to award the natural gas-powered Civic the Green Car of the Year award. The range of this year’s model has been improved to 240 miles, which beats most electric-only vehicles.
Smart ForTwo
Image via www.smartcarofamerica.com
The ForTwo doesn’t achieve its high energy efficiency by using a small engine to power a small, lightweight car. It makes up for its size with a unique, head-turning style.
Lexus CT200
Image via www.autoguide.com
The CT200 is a hybrid-only model (not available in a non-hybrid form) that gets 43 mpg. Best of all? For the same price as the Mitsubishi-i, the Lexus is, well, a Lexus.
And, of course, we had to add in one of our favorite green cars.
Lamborghini Murcielago
Image via madisoncowles.tumblr.com
This Italian high-performance exotic super car is known for its characteristic scissor doors that open upwards. But, unlike the other cars on this list, it’s neither very eco- nor budget-friendly.
