Tag Archives: driving

Keep Your Truck Running For Longer With These Smart Tips

09/24/2021 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

A truck is a significant investment, and that means keeping it running for as long as possible, is the most sensible approach. The good news is you can find some savvy ways to protect your truck and ensure it has the longest life span, all in the post below.

truck, cars, vehicles, maintenance, driving, repair

Picture sourced at Pixabay – License CC0

Respect your suspension

When your family car is a truck, a topic you can find my post on at http://www.going-dad.com/2018/09/30/could-your-next-family-car-actually-be-a-truck/, good suspension is an essential. Unfortunately, it also tends to be one of the areas that sees the most wear and tear over time, and a weak and faulty suspension can be incredibly dangerous.

With that in mind, it is well with the time and effort to do everything you can to protect the suspension in your truck. One way of doing this is to make sure you regularly rotate your tires. Otherwise, they can end up wearing unevenly and so add extra strain to your suspension.

When rotating your truck’s tires it is also a smart move to make sure they are properly balanced as well, as this can also help alleviate any undue strain on your truck’s suspension. Of course, another option is to enlist the help of a truck specialist like the one you will find at https://tcsupfitting.com/heavy-duty-truck-upgrades/ and get them to upgrade your trucks’ suspension for you. Thereby ensuring it is as robust and long-lasting as possible and offers the most comfortable ride.

Change your oil

Sure, it’s straightforward but you may be surprised at just how much difference putting the right oil in your car truck makes. Indeed, as oil is designed to keep your engine lubricated and running smoothly, choosing the one that is best suited to your vehicle is vital.

With that in mind, be sure to look for oils that are engineered to promote long life, something you can read all about at https://auto.howstuffworks.com/how-to-choose-the-right-oil-for-your-car-or-truck2.htm. Make sure you change your oil regularly too, consult your owner’s manual to find the correct duration between changes. In older trucks, you will need to change the filter at the same time as the oil too if you want to ensure efficiency and longevity!

Keep an eye open for problems with your lights

If you want to make sure that your truck lasts for as long as possible, it’s also a very smart idea to keep an eye on the way your lights and electrics are functioning. The reason being that dimming lights can signal an electrical fault that needs further attention to keep your truck on the road.

Always be aware of driving conditions (and adjust your maintenance accordingly)

Finally, if you want to keep your truck in tip-top shape for as long as possible you will need to stay aware of the conditions you are driving in, as well as what you are putting your vehicle through.

For example, if you are hauling heavier loads most of the time, you can expect more wear and tear on your tires and suspension. However, if you find yourself off-roading then your suspension and your air filters will need the most attention to ensure your truck continues to run for the longest time possible.

Lifestyle, Parenting, Tips

A New Car Or A Used Car? Which Is Best?

09/13/2021 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

Today, the car is no longer seen only as a vehicle that is used to move us from home to work. Over the years, it has become a representation of social status. For many, there is something exciting about owning a beautiful new car. We are often congratulated on our new purchase. The car is a symbol of luxury and a comfortable lifestyle. Many young adults, once their purchasing power increases, therefore prefer to turn to new cars. Buying your first new car is still today a sign of autonomy and freedom as much as it is for many a reflection of financial independence. Buying your third of fourth still costs, especially if you’re doing it because your family has expanded. Because just because you can afford it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t think twice. You may have looked at a GMC Sierra for example or a Chevrolet and really want to get your hands on it!

Photo: Unsplash

Apart from the justified passion that some may have for the automotive industry, it is just a matter of realizing the impact of this purchase. If you think about the reaction of your friends or family when you imagine buying your new car, you are probably on the wrong track. Are you really prepared to pay several thousand dollars more than a used car just to maintain a volatile social image? Getting into debt and having to pay extra interest every month?

Buying a new car: what are the advantages?

It is undeniable that buying a new car can offer a certain comfort and many benefits: manufacturer’s warranty, cleanliness, the feeling of having less chance of breaking down.

You have understood it: the long-term financial choice is detrimental. However, the purchase of a brand new automobile still has advantages that should be emphasized:

The manufacturer’s warranty is certainly the biggest advantage in favor of the purchase of a new vehicle. A guarantee of “security” in the event of a problem which reassures many new buyers. Who would want to have to pay for repairs again right after such a big expense?
New cars can be more economical or more environmentally friendly. New, less polluting technologies or the development of electric cars, for example, can ensure a more “eco friendly” driving (this argument does not take into account the environmental impact of the manufacture of new cars and of the “premature” replacement of your vehicle, however. current vehicle).
You will generally have less maintenance expenses during the first years of the car’s life.

The disadvantages of the new car

It’s no secret that the purchase price of a new car is higher than that of a used car.
Regardless of the discounts or commercial gestures, it is always more expensive to buy a new vehicle than a second-hand one. Worse still: “attractive” consumer loans which may suggest that this purchase on credit would be more profitable.
Unlike a used car, the price of a new car will often be very variable, and easily negotiable with your dealership.
In addition, if the price of the model you are looking for has too often been sold off at the dealership in order to sell off inventory, this will then be strongly felt on the resale price. Excessive reductions on certain vehicles generally result in a drop in its market value.

Life, Parenting

6 Things to Think About When Getting a Car for Your Teen

10/31/2018 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

Getting a car for your teen can be a stressful experience. You care about your child’s autonomy and want them to be happy, but at the same time feel incredibly concerned for their safety on the road. Every parent faces this struggle. Still, you recognize your teen isn’t a kid anymore, and is finally responsible enough to make safe decisions behind the wheel.

Even if you won’t frequently be in the car with your teen when they hit the road, there are some things you can consider when mulling over vehicle options that will increase both the capabilities and safety of their car.

The difference between choosing the right car and choosing the wrong car comes down to research. I knew that if I was willing to put in a little extra time on the Internet before entering negotiations with a private seller, or before vising the dealership, I would be comfortable knowing that I performed my due diligence and made the best choice for my teen.

How Safe is The Car?

This is obviously the number one priority on any parent’s list. It’s unthinkable to imagine your teen in a collision, but the road is unpredictable, and in the off chance they get in an accident it’s important that their car can withstand whatever impact might occur.

For over a decade, the government IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) has evaluated consumer cars for their ability to withstand and avoid crashes. Every year they publish a list of Top Safety Picks, vehicles that have been scrupulously tested and ranked. It would be wise to choose your teen’s car from this list. This is also an important consideration for your teen’s passengers, be they kids, adults, or friends.

teen, driving, cars, parenting, teens, kids

What Advanced Safety Features Does it Come With?

Checking the IIHS rankings are critical, and when it comes to choosing between vehicles that are ranked on that list, you should make sure that the model at the dealership is equipped with the features that earned it that ranking.

If, for example, I go to an Audi dealership near me, I know that cars will come with avoidance features like blind spot monitoring that alerts the driver to surrounding cars which might be out of his or her line of sight. Features like side curtain airbags provide additional cushion in case airbags deploy, and electronic stability control adjusts the way the vehicle balances itself on slippery or otherwise unstable roads.

How Big is The Car?

Remember those family vacations you use to take? Large vehicles not only make transportation easier, but they are, on average, significantly safer than compact cars. In the event of a crash, they protect drivers and generally sustain less damage. The best IIHS ranked cars are almost always big vehicles.

Is the Car in Good Shape?

As with any car, maintenance is a virtual inevitability. However, it’s important to make sure that you get your teen a car that is in the best possible shape so unexpected problems don’t arise during his or her ownership.

Consumer Reports posts car reliability ratings that are based on surveys from thousands of car owners. The findings are trustworthy and should be considered when looking for a car for your teen, especially if you don’t want to spend a bunch of money down the line on repairs. If you’re buying from a private seller, it’s vital that you get a car history report to know what repairs have already been done.

teen, driving, cars, parenting, teens, kids

Is the Car within Your Budget?

In all likelihood, your teen doesn’t need a top of the line car. If you’re able and willing to finance such a purchase, by all means do it. However, if you’re concerned about spending too much money, make sure you consider all of the ways you can potentially save while buying your teen’s car.

Calculate your budget by using a service like Mint. Once you’ve determined how much you can reasonably spend, find the best car that fits in that range. If your teen is working, perhaps they can pay for a portion of the vehicle. It’s also important to consider car ownership costs, which include things like gas and maintenance, which will inevitably come up during your teen’s ownership.