When Is The Most Dangerous Time To Drive?

Every driver knows the basic ways they can both prevent and increase their chances of escaping injury in an accident. They know that they should drive more slowly in bad weather, always wear their seatbelt, be aware of the other drivers on the road around them, and so forth.

But sometimes even the most careful of drivers can find themselves in an accident. And now, statistics are adding another layer to the puzzle by revealing what times of the day or year are the most dangerous to drive. Would you have guessed that the most dangerous time to be on the road, going by statistics, is a Friday in September between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.?

Just remember: this doesn’t mean that drivers can relax every other day of the year. An accident can happen at any time while you’re on the road; it just so happens that statistics show that accidents are more likely to happen at certain times, and that some days require a little extra caution on the driver’s part. That’s not bad information to have on hand!

Check out this great infographic to get more statistics on when car accidents are most likely to happen.

6 Most Common Tire Myths

What is the most important part of your vehicle? Well, we admittedly can’t say that one particular part is absolutely the most important, but we can say that your car’s tires definitely belong near the top of the list.

Naturally, this means that properly caring for and maintaining your tires must always be a priority. But unfortunately a number of wives tales and myths about tire care could put you at a disadvantage if you don’t know what advice to ignore rather than follow.

Fortunately, Popularmechanics.com is here to save the day with an article about the 6 most common tire myths:

Tires are arguably the most important component on your vehicle. They are, however, among the least understood features. Allow me to list and pop a few common misconceptions about tires.

1. The tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS) in my new car makes sure my tires are adequately inflated.The truth: TPMS isn't required to issue a warning until pressure is 25 percent below the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation. That's "well below the pressure required for safe driving," according to AAA and "barely adequate to carry the vehicle's maximum load," says the Rubber Manufacturers' Association. TPMS is intended as a last-minute warning before imminent tire failure, not as a monitor to make sure your tires are properly inflated.

Buy a quality tire gauge and set your tire pressure to at least the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation, which is found on the driver's door jamb. I'd rather you set your tires 3 or even 5 psi high rather than 1 low. Tire-pressure gauges can be inaccurate, and tires leak as much as 1 psi per month. Higher pressure improves hydroplaning resistance and, if you're like many folks, you may not bother to check your tires again for six months.

Check out Popular Mechanic's full article to read more about common tire myths you need to ignore: 6 Common Tire Myths Debunked - Popular Mechanics

Sharing The Road With Cyclists

Did you know that about 30% of the American population owns a bicycle? That means there are a lot of potential cyclists that drivers need to watch for, especially with warmer weather approaching. In order to do this, it’s important that both drivers and cyclists understand the rules of sharing the road.

A few tricks to keep in mind:

●You look for pedestrians when you’re making a turn, right? Why not take a couple of seconds longer to look for a cyclist? The rider has the right of way if he’s going straight and you’re turning right.

●A little patience could save your life. Wait to pass that cyclist until you have a clear view ahead and are sure there’s no oncoming traffic.

●Riders are supposed to stay to the right. Drivers are supposed to stay well clear of them. By law in Maryland and several other states, drivers must stay three feet from a cyclist. Don’t expect to see cops out there with a yardstick, but if you cause a crash, you could be charged with a three-foot violation.

Read more about what drivers should know about sharing the road in this great Washington Post article: http://bit.ly/10yX1LZ

The 2014 Jeep Cherokee

There has been a whole lot of hub-bub about the new 2014 Jeep Cherokee. People seem to miss the old look and feel of the classic Jeep Cherokee XJ, but maybe it’s time to let go of a classic and try something new. After all, welcoming the new can be refreshing, surprisingly fun and ever, well... fuel efficient. This article explains the 6 reasons why the new 2014 Jeep Cherokee is better than the XJ.

http://bit.ly/13y08v9

4,6,8 Cylinder Engines

What is the difference between a 4 and 6 cylinder engine and what are the benefits of each?

A car has an engine which converts fuel into a forward motion. In a 4-cylinder engine, a car has 4 pistons that rise and fall which, through a series of events, ultimately drives the car forward. A 6-cylinder engine has 6 of these pistons that rise and fall. In the most simple terms, the more pistons a car has, the more powerful the car is. A 6-cylinder engine, which is usually found in larger cars, small SUV’s and small trucks, is, in theory, 50% more powerful than a 4-cylinder engine. And an 8-cylinder engine, which is usually found in standard trucks and SUV’s, is, in theory, 100% more powerful than a 4-cylinder engine (We will come back to the “in theory” part after the explanation of the benefits).

The benefit of a 4-cylinder engine is that it is normally less expensive, lighter and will get better gas mileage. However, if you’re going to be going on long commutes, up a lot of hills, or want a car that has a bit more pick-up when the gas is pressed, you want an engine that is stronger than a 4-cylinder, ie. the 6-cylinder. Going back to the equation of more cylinders = more power, if you’re going to be hauling a lot of heavy things all the time, you’re going to want to buy something with 8-cylinders, like a standard truck or SUV.

Now, to touch on the “in theory” aspect. The reason why a 6-cylinder engine is “in theory” 50% more powerful than a 4-cylinder engine, and an 8-cylinder engine is “in theory” 100% more powerful is because of the advancement of technology. The advancement of technology has lead us to 4-cylinder engines that are far more powerful than they used to be, as well as 8-cylinder engines that are way more gas efficient. An 8-cylinder engine of a 2013 SUV may have better gas mileage than a 4-cylinder engine of the 1980’s, and a 6-cylinder engine of the 1980’s may be less powerful than a 4-cylinder engine of 2013.

Keep It Clean!

As a car owner, you want to treat your car similarly to how you would treat your own body. A car has a skeleton and an entire system of interconnecting pipes and motors that, much like your own body, you want to keep clean and running smoothly. Additionally, a car has a superficial layer that, as an owner, you want looking nice since that is generally what others will see. Besides for these two aspects, however, is a car really that much like a person? Well, according to Reader’s Digests, “13 Weird Tricks to Clean Your Car,” it might be way more like us than you would think. For instance, did you know that using hair conditioner with the ingredient lanolin to clean your car will keep it looking waxed and even repel rain water? How about the fact that a jug of cheap vodka mixed with water and liquid detergent is a way to make your own windshield wiper fluid? And we won’t even go into what they recommend you do with Maxi Pads, but you can surely check it out for yourself by clicking on the link here: 13 Weird Tricks to Clean Your Car

Car Care: Spring Maintenance Check List

It’s officially the Ides of March, so beware! You and your car may be excited to hit the road again in the nice weather, but over 9 million people break down and have to call AAA each summer. What can you do to help your car recover from the winter, and get ready for the nicer weather?

“If, like most Americans, you're not driving a fresh-from-the-showroom ride - the average age of passenger vehicles in the U.S. is just over 10 years old - it's time to give your car a little springtime TLC.
"Drivers often overlook their cars when it is spring cleaning time," says Shawn Hoelzer, master technician for CarMax, the largest U.S. chain of used car dealerships. "Following a few easy steps to spruce up your vehicle helps avoid costly repairs."
So take your car to a dealership to get checked out. Use this spring maintenance checklist to make sure your car is reliable and running efficiently.
Check the battery: You can't get where you are going if the car won't start. "Winter is tough on all the starting components like the starter and alternator. The battery works harder and can get drained," says Jimmie Swims, a specialist at the auto parts chain Auto Zone. Signs of a weak battery: dimming headlights or interior lights; power windows that take longer than usual to go up and down.”

“Check the brakes: Winter conditions and salt on the roads can lead to corrosion of brake parts; Auto Zone's Swims also points out that anti-lock braking systems get an especially hard workout in winter's slick conditions. Nothing is more crucial to your safety than your brakes, so get them checked. Trouble signs: pulling to one side when you hit the brakes, squeaking or grinding noises and a brake pedal that feels too soft.
Tire photo courtesy of Flickr user Bryan Alexander Battery photo courtesy of Flickr user Robert Hruzek”

Full article here: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505145_162-40542866/car-care-spring-maintenance-check-list/