Race Car Planet

4 Smart Tips For Making Your Vehicle Last

Because the prices of new cars has climbed steeply over the last decade, people are more willing to keep their older models. As long as they can keep running without requiring major repairs (for example, a transmission overhaul), it’s far easier on the budget. And therein lies the challenge.

Your vehicle will eventually die and need to be retired. There’s little you can do to prevent that from happening aside from pouring money into an ongoing string of expensive repairs. However, there are some smart things you can do that will prolong your car’s life. The following four items are simple and intuitive, yet millions of drivers fail to do them:

#1 – Follow Your Owner’s Manual Closely

Strangely, many people have never looked at their owner’s manual, even though it holds the secret to your car’s life. It contains a service schedule (this might be a separate booklet) that details every important maintenance item. It explains exactly when those items should be performed. From oil changes to air filter checks, and spark plug replacements to your ignition system, everything is listed in your service schedule. The key is to use it.

#2 – Be Gentle When You Start It

When your car sits for hours, the oil that circulates throughout the engine falls to the oil pan. Without that oil, your engine would overheat. When you start your vehicle, the engine roars to life, but it takes several seconds for the oil to move from the pan to the moving parts. Have you ever watched someone start their car and immediately floor it? That’s a good way to damage the engine. Be gentle. Crank the engine and let it idle for twenty or thirty seconds before throwing it into gear. You won’t notice the benefits, but over time, it will make a difference.

#3 – Check The Fluid Levels

Your oil, coolant, power steering, and transmission fluid levels can decline over time. It is critical that you keep all of them replenished. Most drivers neglect to check their levels because it’s inconvenient to do so. Get into the biweekly habit of checking all four fluids at once. It only takes 15 minutes and will help you avoid expensive repairs down the road.

#4 – Drive Easily

If you own a performance vehicle, you’re probably going to treat the engine harshly. Chances are, you spent a good sum of money and you want to enjoy the benefits. Fair enough. On the other hand, if you own a Toyota Camry, Dodge Charger, or a Honda Civic, you’re likely budget-conscious. So, drive gently. There’s rarely a need to drop the clutch and peel your wheels at 6,000 rpms. Besides, constantly doing so will land your vehicle in the repair shop far sooner than otherwise.

Your car won’t last forever. But, if you address key maintenance items, regularly check the fluids, and treat it gently (at start-up and while driving), you’ll prolong its life. And avoiding expensive repairs is nearly as good as money in the bank.

Race Car Planet

Automated Driving: How Cars Will One Day Drive Themselves

Have you ever glanced at the driver behind you and noticed that person was shaving or putting on makeup behind the wheel? Or worse, perhaps he or she was reading the newspaper while cruising along the highway. As dangerous as such habits are today, we may one day be able to do them without sacrificing our safety or the safety of other drivers. In the not-so-distant future, vehicles will drive themselves.

Even though it seems implausible, the technology that will allow our cars to navigate the highways and avoid collisions without our input already exists. Automakers continue to develop systems that let vehicles communicate with each other while on the road. Collision avoidance systems and smart cruise control are merely the beginning. Below, we’ll take a closer look at the ways in which automotive technology is making the implausible a reality.

Communication Between Cars And Roads

Many vehicles already use sensors to help their drivers avoid colliding with other cars. For example, lane-change warning systems will alert the driver that there is another vehicle within a blind spot. In some cases, the system will even trigger an evasive response (for example, engaging the brakes).

Major cities employ a robust communication network through which traffic can be managed efficiently and congestion can be minimized. Over the next several years, we’re likely to see increased integration between automotive computers and this highway infrastructure.

Smart Cruising

Smart cruise control devices have been around for years, but the technology behind them is still expanding. The most recent improvements allow the motorist to cede braking and acceleration control to the computer while cruising. If a vehicle ahead slows and as a result, the distance between it and the driver shortens, the computer will engage the brakes automatically. When the car ahead accelerates and the space between widens, the computer engages the throttle. That relieves the motorist of the responsibility of slowing down and speeding up, especially useful during stop-and-go traffic.

Compensation For Drifting

Motorists often drift unintentionally across lane dividers. This can lead to traffic collisions as other drivers brake, swerve, or otherwise try to avoid the drifter. Automakers have begun installing warning systems that alert the person behind the wheel if they’re drifting. Cameras and sensors will monitor that the vehicle is moving over the lane markers without the appropriate turn indicator being engaged. An audible alarm will sound. If it is ignored, the computer can engage one of the brakes to move the vehicle back into the lane from which it’s drifting.

While automated driving may be several years down the road, the basic technology already exists. The main obstacle to widespread adoption is cost. As with most automotive technologies, the features will first be installed in high-end cars and then gradually expanded into the mass market. One day, we may watch other drivers shaving or applying makeup while sitting behind the wheel and think nothing of it.

Race Car Planet

This beaten up race car was the victim of a horrid crash. It was towed back to this guy’s house for its final burial, right? Don’t be so sure. The owner is going to fix it up like new. He’ll prove once again that there is…wait for it…”Life After Crash.”

Race Car Planet