How to Overcome the Fear of Driving

As exciting it can be for someone to be getting a driver’s license, the thought of actually getting out on the road can be pretty terrifying for some people, especially new drivers. With this system, drivers are not allowed to be driving without another fully licensed driver in the vehicle for a certain period of time. This gives them the chance to get used to driving and know that they have an experienced driver with them if anything were to happen.

6 Steps You Can Take to Overcome the Fear of Driving 

1 Have Someone with You

If you find that you are nervous when you are driving, it may not be that you are nervous about the actual driving, but that you are nervous about driving when you are alone. For the first few weeks, or even months, after you are fully licensed, if you are still afraid of driving, try to take short trips with someone else in the vehicle with you. This person does not necessarily have to be another licensed driver, just someone to help keep you relaxed. Once you are more used to driving, you can start taking short trips by yourself, and in no time at all, you will have gotten over your fears, and you will not need to have someone with you whenever you go anywhere.

2 Take a Driver’s Training Course

One of the main reasons why people are afraid to drive is because they are new drivers, and they are unsure of their driving skills. This is a really good reason to take a driver’s training course. Some schools use virtual reality glasses to build confidence These courses teach people most of the things they need to know to be good drivers, and students get actual driving time, so they can get some experience being behind the wheel, while backed up by a professional instructor sitting beside them. Once you have had driver’s training, you will find that you do not have the same fears that you once did, because you know how to be prepared for every situation that can pop up when you are on the roads.

4 Get Right Back on That Horse

You have probably heard the old saying about how if you fall off a horse, you should get right back on that horse. There is a really good reason for this saying, and it is one that holds true for pretty much everything we do in life, including driving automobiles. Many people find that after having an automobile accident, they are terrified to get back in the car and drive anywhere by themselves ever again. This is not a good way to be. It is always good to make sure that you have an up-to-date driver’s license, and that you stay in practice, because you never know when you are going to have to drive somewhere in an emergency. If you are in an accident, don’t hesitate to get back in your vehicle and start driving right away, or at least as soon as your vehicle is drivable again. The longer you wait, the harder it is going to be for you to lose your fears. If you get right back at it, you will find that in no time at all, you will not have any fears, and you will enjoy driving once again.

5 Learn To Love Highway Driving

Many people find that even if they are not afraid of driving on local roads, they are absolutely terrified to drive on highways, especially multiple lane highways. Yes, this can be pretty scary, especially if you are a new driver, but this is a fear that every driver must eventually overcome. It is best to start out by driving on lesser used highways, and those that are not multi-lane. Choose smaller highways at less busy time of the day Once you are used to the quieter highways, then you can start to venture out onto the busier ones. After a while, driving on highways will seem old-hand, and you will have no worries at all.

6 Listen To Music

When you were taking your driver’s training classes, you were probably told that music is a big distraction, and that you should not bother having the stereo on when you are driving. This is not exactly true. Yes, music can be a huge distraction, but only if you are letting the music distract you, and you are listening to it at high volumes. If you are listening to relaxing music at a low volume, it will help to keep you relaxed while you are driving. It really is true; music really does soothe the savage beast. If you have a fear of driving, it is something that you will need to work hard to overcome. For some people, it is simply a matter of getting more experience behind the wheel. For others, the fear can be so bad that they need to get counseling to figure out why they are so afraid and learn how to deal with it. Driving should be something that you enjoy doing, and not something to fear. You can overcome your fear of driving easily by trying any of the above tips. You can also speak with driving instructors to see if they have any tips to offer you.

 

 

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10 Ways to Care for Your Automatic Transmission

Avoid costly transmission repairs. Here are 10 tips for keeping a car with an automatic transmission in good condition

Depending on the type of vehicle you drive and its age, transmission repairs can be costly. Sometimes it’s impossible to avoid having a transmission repair specialist service your vehicle particularly if you’re subjected to a total breakdown.

But there are things you can do to extend the life of your automatic transmission and prevent transmission failure. Read our checklist of top 10 transmission maintenance tips:

1. Check your transmission fluid periodically. On many cars, light trucks, and SUVs, checking the transmission fluid is as easy as checking the oil: with the engine idling, pull out the dipstick, wipe it off, insert it again, wait, then pull it out to get an accurate reading. If the fluid level is low, you may have a leak. The fluid itself should be a bright red color, clear, and it should smell sweet. If it’s murky, dark coloured, or smells like rotting fish take it to a transmission repair specialist to look things over.

2. Use the right type of transmission fluid. Always consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual to determine what type of transmission fluid you should use. If after doing so you’re still not sure, pop in to a Mister Transmission and ask a professional.

3. Have your engine’s cooling system serviced. Your vehicle’s cooling system helps prevent the engine from overheating. But did you know it also ensures the transmission fluid pumping through the gearbox is cooled too? It’s more likely you’ll need a transmission repair before your engine completely overheats. Make sure your cooling system is in optimal condition.

4. Get your transmission flushed regularly. Changing the transmission fluid in your car is best left to a professional. Consult your car’s owner’s manual, but in general, get your vehicle’s transmission flushed once a year. How long the transmission fluid in your car will last depends on the vehicle’s operating temperature and how much driving you do.

5. Don’t change gears while your car is moving. Bring your vehicle to a complete stop before changing gears from ‘drive’ to ‘reverse’ or vice-versa. Failing to do so simply puts strain on your transmission and after awhile it can lead to a serious problem.

6. Let your car warm up before you drive. Who among us has hopped into the driver’s seat, started the engine, put the car in drive and motored away? (Full disclosure: I’m as guilty as you are) Always allow your engine a few minutes to warm up before you begin to drive, especially during the winter months.

7. Don’t drive on a spare tire for an extended period of time. Mismatched tire sizes, or driving with a small spare tire over a long period of time is a no-no. Not only will it do damage to other parts of your vehicle such as ruin the wheel alignment, after a while it puts unnecessary strain on the transmission.

8. Regularly change the transmission filter. That’s right: your car’s automatic transmission may have a filter, and it needs to be changed from time to time. Whether or not you’re driving a car that has a transmission filter depends entirely on the make and model. Most newer vehicles don’t have a transmission filter but those that do should be changed each time you get your transmission flushed.

9. Avoid using your vehicle for towing. Using your car to tow heavy loads, particularly in hot temperatures, can cause the transmission fluid to oxidize or burn, and in turn, do a lot of damage to the transmission.

10. Have your transmission inspected annually. Having a certified transmission repair specialist conduct a diagnostic check of your transmission for leaks and other abnormalities at least once a year, as well as checking the transmission fluid’s level, color, and smell periodically is smart preventative maintenance.

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How to Wear a Seatbelt When Pregnant

Remember, wearing a seatbelt is the best way to stay safe while riding in a car. And pregnant or not, the right way to buckle up is the same—with the lap belt low and flat over your hips and the shoulder belt snug across your chest and shoulder.

But pregnancy does change your body—and your comfort level in the car. These tips can help make sure you and your growing belly are comfortable and secure on the journey.

1. Lift your belly and position the lap belt snugly across the tops of your thighs and hip bones.

Never place the lap belt over or on top of your belly. A seat belt over your vulnerable belly could harm your baby or the placenta in the event of a crash.

2. Position the shoulder belt between your breasts and off to the side of your belly.

This protects your head and chest and keeps the lap belt from sliding up over your belly.

3. Tilt the steering wheel upward. Your growing belly needs extra room in the car.

Tilt the steering wheel up and away from your belly.

4. Slide your seat as far away from the steering wheel as possible.

Sit as far back as you can comfortably to protect your belly from the airbag in a crash.

5. Adjust your seat to a comfortable upright position.

Reclining your seat too far increases the gap between your shoulder and the seat belt and puts extra pressure on the uterus.

If your growing belly prevents you from driving comfortably while wearing your seatbelt properly, maybe it’s time to take a break from driving. Consider letting someone else play chauffeur until after delivery. And remember to move your seat as far back as you can, even as a passenger. Airbags can save lives, but they can also be dangerous if you’re too close during deployment.

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Tips to Remove Bird Guano Stains From Your Car

Here’s a list of things you can do to remove bird guano stains from your car.

1) Clean Early:

Clean the stains at the earliest. Do not wait to do it during the regular car wash. It is necessary to clean the stains early otherwise the Uric Acid in the bird droppings will damage the car’s paint. If the dropping is not dry, you can clean it with a microfiber towel. If it is dry, place a wet cloth over it, pour some water, and then try to clean it after a while.

2) Cleaning Solution:

If you are finding it difficult to clean the bird guano stain with a cloth, you can try using a vehicle-safe cleaning solution. Use a wet cloth and the solution to clean the stains. You can leave the cloth on the stain for a while and then gently rub the area to clean the stain.

3) Club Soda:

You can also use club soda to remove the stains. The soda’s carbonation will break the acidic quality present in the stain. Pour some club soda on the stain, let it stay for a while, and then wash it off with a cloth in one clean swipe. Do not use carbonated cola or sugary sodas instead of the club soda.

4) Special Wipes:

It is said that necessity is the mother of invention. Someone might have felt the need to clean bird guano stains on the go and that probably led to the idea of speciality wipes designed to clean bird guano stains. You can keep a pack of these wipes in your car’s dashboard.

5) Detailer Spray:

You can use a car detailer spray to clean those stubborn wrinkled etching stains on your car. Simply spray once or twice on the stained area and clean it with a moist cloth.

6) Baking Soda:

You can use baking soda to create your own bird guano stain cleaning solution. Take two tablespoons of baking soda and mix with dish soap. Add hot water to it. Spray this mixture on the stain, let it soak for ten minutes and then clean it.

7) WD-40:

The WD-40 spray can be used to help you to keep your car free of bird guano stains. Spraying WD-40 on the affected area of the vehicle will loosen the bird droppings and enable quick cleaning of stains.

8) Unscented Laundry Detergent:

In an unfortunate scenario of bird guano on car seats or the upholstery, let it dry and then use unscented laundry detergent to clean it. Cleaning the bird guano stain while it is still wet might spread and smear it making the stain difficult to clean.

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The Ultimate Guide to Organizing Your Car Keychain

A cluttered keychain can be a constant source of frustration and inconvenience. When it comes to car keys, organization is key, no pun intended. An organized car keychain not only makes it easier to find your keys but also helps prevent damage to your vehicle’s ignition and locks. In this article, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to organize your car keychain efficiently.

  1. Remove Unnecessary Keys

The first step in organizing your car keychain is to declutter. Remove any keys that you no longer need or use. This might include keys to old locks, padlocks, or doors that are no longer relevant. Reducing the number of keys on your keychain will make it more manageable.

  1. Separate Keys by Function

Once you’ve identified the keys you need to keep, separate them by function. Group your car keys together, your house keys together, and any other keys for different purposes. This separation will help you quickly locate the key you need when you need it.

  1. Use Key Rings and Key Tags

Key rings and key tags can be incredibly useful for organization. Assign a different color or shape key tag to each set of keys, making them easily distinguishable. Additionally, use separate key rings for different sets of keys. This way, you can remove the keyring you need without having to fumble through a jumble of keys.

  1. Invest in a Key Organizer

If you’re looking for a more sophisticated solution, consider investing in a key organizer. Key organizers are compact devices that neatly hold your keys in a foldable or stackable fashion. They not only reduce the bulkiness of your keychain but also protect your pockets from being scratched by keys.

  1. Use a Keychain Accessory

There are various keychain accessories available that can help you stay organized. Some keychain accessories come with built-in tools like bottle openers or small flashlights. These can be handy in various situations, reducing the need for carrying additional tools.

  1. Keyless Entry and Remote Start

If your car is equipped with keyless entry and remote start features, consider using these instead of traditional keys. Many modern vehicles allow you to use your smartphone to unlock and start your car, eliminating the need for physical keys altogether.

  1. Secure Your Car Keys

For added security, especially if you have a keyless ignition system, consider using a key signal blocking pouch or a Faraday bag. These devices block the signals from your key fob, preventing thieves from remotely accessing your car.

Conclusion

A well-organized car keychain not only reduces frustration but also ensures that you have quick and easy access to your keys when you need them. By removing unnecessary keys, separating keys by function, using key rings and key tags, investing in key organizers, and considering keyless entry options, you can keep your car keychain neat and efficient. Remember that an organized keychain is not only convenient but also helps protect your vehicle and enhance your overall driving experience. So, take a few minutes to declutter and organize your car keys, and you’ll thank yourself every time you reach for them.

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Easy hacks to keep your car clean

Car cleaning and maintenance can sometimes get a bit difficult – but not for you! In this post, we’ve mentioned 10 easy hacks you can use to keep your car clean.

1. Use baby wipes to clean your windshield and windows  

Who knew baby wipes could also clean your car’s windshield and windows without any streak. Baby wipes are made of soft materials, and they won’t harm your car’s windshield. However, use it only when absolutely necessary and don’t have access to a dedicated glass cleaning product.  

2. Roll down your windows while cleaning them   

Most car owners simply spray the cleaning product onto the windows and wipe them. They tend to miss the dirt on top of the window. This dirt, if left uncleaned, can streak down on a rainy day. Make sure you roll down the window and clear off the dirt stuck on the top too.   

3. Use dryer sheets to remove bug splat  

Have you ever returned from a road trip with bug splats all over your car’s exterior? Use the dryer sheets to remove those bug splats without any hassle. However, if the stain is deeply embedded, we recommend you visit a car wash near you to clean it.

4. Leave the sponge – take the microfiber towel!  

Close your eyes. Imagine someone washing a car. What are they cleaning with? Do you see a sponge in their hand – if yes, we have a piece of news for you. You should never use a sponge to wash your car because dirt can get stuck on the pores, and when used on your car’s exterior, it can cause scratches. Even new sponges are abrasive. We’d highly recommend using a car-specific wash mitt or a microfiber towel while washing and detailing your car.   

5. Baking soda to remove odor   

All you need is a pinch of baking soda to remove any unpleasant odor from your car’s seats and doormats. Sprinkle the baking soda on the floor mats, seats, and other surfaces, wait for a little while and vacuum it.    

6. Use vinegar for odor removal  

Vinegar is also an excellent odor remover because it has the quality to neutralize foul smells. Pour white vinegar into a cup and leave it overnight in your car.  

7. Apply peanut butter to remove tar spots     

Apply peanut butter – not the crunchy ones – on the tar spot and wipe it with a towel. It may sound weird but, it does get the job done. Thanks to the peanut butter’s oil content, it can easily remove the tar from your car’s exterior.   

 

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How To Drive In Fog

It’s never ideal to drive in dense or heavy fog. Here are tips for when you have to keep driving.

Dense fog can create dangerous conditions on the road, especially if it’s extremely dense fog or combined with other severe weather conditions. The safest thing to do is pull over into a parking area until the fog clears.

How to drive in fog

  • Minimize distractions. Silence your cell phone and the stereo. Put distractions like your cell phone in a place where you won’t be tempted to reach for them while driving, like the glove compartment.
  • Reduce your speed. Because you can’t see the road or other vehicles, a low speed can help you react safely.
  • Roll down your window. This allows you to listen for cars and emergency vehicles.
  • Use roadside reflectors as a guide. The markings can help you navigate twists and turns.
  • Turn off cruise control. This will maximize your control of your vehicle.
  • Use windshield wipers and defrosters. These will help limit excess moisture on the window and reduce glare.
  • Drive with low beams and fog lights. High beams/bights can worsen visibility because they reflect off the fog.
  • Use the right edge of the road as a guide. Helps you stay in your lane and not “drift” into the middle lane.
  • Increase your following distance from other cars to ensure you have the proper time to respond to any obstacles. A good rule of thumb is to increase your count distance by at least 5 seconds instead of the normal 2 seconds behind another vehicle.
  • Beware of animals on the road. Animals, especially white tail deer, feel bolder under cover of fog and are much harder to see. The lowered visibility in dense fog means less time for you to see them, and for them to see you.

 

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5 Top Tips for Maintaining Your Car

Car maintenance is crucial, and the following tips can potentially make a big difference in terms of your strategy.

#1 Watch How You Drive

One of the best ways to keep your car in good condition is watching how you drive. Indeed, in many cases, driving carelessly can leave you causing unnecessary wear and tear to the engine and the vehicle’s systems as a whole.

In accordance with this, driving more carefully (for example, controlling your speed rather than accelerating and decelerating heavily) could keep your car in better condition.

#2 Complete Regular Checks

Where possible, try to run regular checks on your vehicle to make sure that avoidable issues don’t become prominent. Indeed, keeping an eye on your car’s performance through regular checks can make a big difference for car maintenance.

#3 Check Parts Carefully

When maintaining your car, ensuring you’re using the right parts for the vehicle during repairs is crucial. Indeed, parts that aren’t quite designed for the car can actually do damage, especially over time. This could cause a significant amount of damage; so, even though dedicated parts may be more expensive, they’ll often be a better investment compared to generic off the shelf parts.

Of course, this also requires that you know exactly the type of part you need and how to fit these. So, if you’re not sure, getting a professional to do the work for you could help.

Similarly, if you’re buying a new car, make sure you’ve run a car check first before buying a vehicle to ensure there weren’t any significant advisories from its last MOT.

#4 Keep Tires in Good Condition

Many of us run our tires down until they develop a serious leak. However, underinflated tires can impact on your fuel efficiency and the amount of wear and tear on your car. As such, keeping tires in good condition is integral to keep your car in better condition.

#5 Clean Regularly

There’s more to maintenance than just replacing broken parts; keeping your existing systems in good condition is also vital, and cleaning regularly is an integral part of this. Cleaning internally and externally helps prevent dirt and debris from building up, thereby reducing the wear on the car. This includes regular cleaning and vacuuming to keep things in great condition. Using a microfiber cloth may also help reduce the risk of scratches and other such damage.

Maintenance

10 Practical Tips To Prepare For Fall Weather

Driving safely during the fall months requires more than just cautious driver behavior though, your car also needs some attention. Here are 10 practical tips to help get your car ready for fall!

1. Check the brakes and tires. Inclement weather and associated road conditions and other hazards require good stopping power. That means good brakes and tires. If the tires have wear bars showing, say the experts, you need to replace the tires. Most good brake and tire shops will inspect the brakes and tires at no charge. Also check the tire pressure, as tire pressure drops when the outside temperatures plummet. Keep the pressure at levels recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

2. Check the lights. Walk around the outside of the car and check the operation of all lights: headlights, taillights, parking lights, brake lights and emergency flashers. Replace all broken bulbs and those that have stopped working. Make sure all lights are clean. If you own an older vehicle with sealed-beam headlamps, you might want to pony up for halogen lamps for improved visibility and safer driving.

3. Replace wiper blades. The purpose of wiper blades is to completely clear the windshield. Cracked or worn blades won’t do an adequate job. Check the blade’s rubber to ensure it is flexible and operate the wipers to see that the blades clear the glass. Replace worn blades.

4. Make sure heater/defroster work. Driving with an improperly working heater isn’t fun or safe. Driving with fogged-up windows is an accident waiting to happen. Check front and rear window defrosters to ensure proper working condition. If necessary, have heater and defroster systems repaired.

5. Have the battery checked. A fully charged battery is necessary to start the car in cold weather. Have the battery and charging system inspected by a trained technician who can replace it if required. If you see signs of corrosion on the battery terminals or cable ends or if you spot loose connections, your battery needs attention.

6. Inspect under the hood. Looking under the hood will allow you to identify any obvious signs of wear or items that need replacing or fixing. Look for leaks, cracks or loose clamps in the cooling system and squeeze the hoses and replace any that are spongy-feeling or brittle. Inspect the underside of drive belts for fraying and replace as required. If you’ve noticed any engine noises, experienced sputtering or other engine problems, have a licensed mechanic thoroughly inspect the engine and make any necessary repairs.

7. Change oil and air filter. If the oil is dirty or you’re at your recommended oil change time, change the oil. Also check the air filter to ensure that it is clean enough to allow for proper operation. If you can’t see light through it when you hold it up to a 60-watt bulb, it’s time to replace the air filter.

8. Refill cooling system. Experts such as AAA recommend checking the coolant level in the overflow tank when the engine is cold. If the level is too low, add a 50/50 solution of water and coolant to allow proper antifreeze capability. It may be necessary to refill the cooling system.

9. Check all fluid levels. This includes washer fluid, along with transmission, brake and power steering fluids. Make sure they are all at or above minimum safe levels and refill as necessary.

10. Get a good car wash/detail. It may sound crazy, spiffing up your car with an extra-special wash or even a detail, but when your vehicle is clean, it’s easier to spot any potential problems.

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Rainy Day Driving Safety Tips

When roads are wet from rain, water over the roadway reduces your vehicle’s tire traction. Add to that the fact that rain can reduce or impair a driver’s view of the road, and it’s easy to see that driving in the rain needs to be treated with extra caution.

Use the following safety precautions to help drive safely in the rain:

  • Only travel in heavy rain when necessary, and always leave extra time to safely reach your destination
  • When getting into the car during rainy conditions, wet shoes may slide from pedals. Dry soles of shoes on vehicle carpeting or rubber matting if possible
  • Be aware and avoid flooded areas–never attempt to cross running or flooded water
  • Buckle up
  • Turn on headlights to see and be seen
  • Defrost windows if necessary, both before and while driving
  • Reduce speed. Speed limits are based on normal road and weather conditions, not rainy conditions
  • Wipers must be on while driving in rain or snow
  • Keep additional distance from other vehicles
  • Watch carefully for other vehicles and pedestrians
  • Turn off cruise control to reduce hydroplaning
  • Brake earlier and with less force, and turn slower, than you would in normal driving conditions
  • Do not slam on brakes. Apply steady pressure on ABS-equipped vehicles and pump the brakes if necessary on non-ABS vehicles
  • If vehicle begins to skid, steer in direction of slide and slowly remove foot from accelerator
  • Temporarily pull off the road to a safe location if you have difficulty seeing the roadway or other traffic
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