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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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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5 Tips to Extend the Life of Your Wiper Blades

Windshield wipers are vital necessities that help keep you safe on the road. When neglected, dull wiper blades can cause problems during a sudden downpour, which is why keeping them properly maintained is so important. Here are a few of our top windshield wiper care tips to help ensure your wipers are always ready to go.

Defrost and Scrape Before Using the Wipers

Windshield wipers tend to stick when there’s been heavy snow or ice, causing them to snap if you turn them on before defrosting the windshield. In freezing temperatures, run the defroster first and scrape away any snow or ice, if necessary. It’s helpful if you warm up the car ahead of time with the defroster on high, especially if you have an early morning commute.

Replace the Blades at Least Twice a Year

Wiper blades are only designed to last about six months. After that, you’ll start to notice a decline in your driving visibility. To help combat this problem, buy replacements every six months and change them on time. You’ll also need to keep an eye on the blades for signs of early wear, such as smearing, skipping, or squeaking across the glass. The process is so easy, in fact, that you can do it yourself with a little practice.

Keep the Windshield Clean

Your car’s wiper blades are going to wear more quickly if they’re wiping across filthy glass. To help prolong their longevity, clean your windshield every time you stop to fill up at a gas station. Most stations provide a squeegee specifically for this use, so take advantage of it. Just be sure to inspect the sponge before use and wipe it with a paper towel when needed, as communal squeegees can harbor small rocks and other debris that can scratch your windshield.

Never Run the Wipers on a Dry Windshield

Windshield wipers are designed to be used when the windshield is wet. Operating them on a dry surface can cause the wipers to wear out much more quickly than they would normally, which only causes extras headaches. When you do need to clean a dry windshield, such as when there’s pollen buildup on the glass, press the washer button first. This will require you to keep your car topped up on windshield washer fluid, which is another thing to remember as part of your wipers’ routine maintenance.

Reposition the Blades During the Winter Months

Dealing with frozen windshield wipers is the last thing you want to be doing before work on a cold winter morning. To prevent this problem, pull the wiper blades away from the windshield the night before a freeze. This keeps the rubber squeegee part of the blades from freezing to the glass, and it makes it easier to scrape away any ice and snow.

Taking care of your car requires paying attention to the little things. When it comes to your windshield wipers, getting into a routine and being vigilant can ensure they’re always ready to go when you need them.

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Driving Safety Tips For Teen

Driving safety is essential for everyone, but it’s particularly crucial for teenagers who are new to driving and may lack experience. Here are some driving safety tips for teens:

  1. Follow Traffic Laws: Obey all traffic laws, including speed limits, stop signs, and traffic signals. Ignoring these rules can lead to accidents and tickets.
  2. Avoid Distractions: Stay focused on the road and avoid distractions such as texting, talking on the phone, eating, or adjusting the radio while driving. It’s best to keep your phone out of reach or use a hands-free device if you need to make a call.
  3. Always Wear Seatbelts: Seatbelts save lives. Make sure you and all your passengers are wearing their seatbelts at all times, no matter how short the trip.
  4. Mind the Speed Limit: Speeding is a common cause of accidents, especially for young drivers. Always drive at or below the posted speed limit and adjust your speed according to road and weather conditions.
  5. Maintain a Safe Following Distance: Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. The three-second rule is a good guideline. This gives you enough time to react if the vehicle in front of you suddenly stops.
  6. Use Turn Signals: Always use your turn signals to indicate your intentions to other drivers. This helps reduce the risk of collisions.
  7. Avoid Aggressive Driving: Road rage and aggressive driving can lead to dangerous situations. Stay calm and patient, and avoid aggressive behaviors like tailgating or excessive speeding.
  8. Adapt to Weather Conditions: Adjust your driving to match weather conditions. Slow down in rain, snow, or fog, and make sure your vehicle’s lights and wipers are working correctly.
  9. Avoid Driving Under the Influence: Never drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any other impairing substances. Even small amounts can impair your judgment and reaction time.
  10. Limit Nighttime Driving: If you’re a new driver, it’s a good idea to limit nighttime driving until you gain more experience. Reduced visibility and fatigue can make nighttime driving riskier.
  11. Stay Alert and Rested: Fatigue can impair your ability to drive safely. Get enough rest before getting behind the wheel, and if you feel drowsy while driving, pull over and take a break.
  12. Practice Defensive Driving: Always be aware of your surroundings and anticipate the actions of other drivers. Defensive driving can help you avoid accidents caused by the mistakes of others.
  13. Know Your Vehicle: Familiarize yourself with your car’s controls, including lights, wipers, and emergency features. Regularly check your vehicle’s tires, brakes, and other critical components.
  14. Take a Defensive Driving Course: Consider enrolling in a defensive driving course. These courses can teach you advanced driving techniques and safety strategies.
  15. Limit Passengers: Having too many passengers in the car can be distracting. In many places, new drivers are subject to passenger restrictions for the first few months of driving.
  16. Plan Your Routes: Before heading out, plan your route, and consider using a GPS or a navigation app to help you stay on track.

Remember that safe driving is a responsibility, and your choices behind the wheel can have far-reaching consequences. Always prioritize safety and make responsible decisions while driving.

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Signs Your Car Needs a Wheel Alignment

Here’s how to tell if your car needs an alignment.

  • Drifting: Your car drifts left or right, especially when you apply the brakes.
  • Hard to steer: An excessive amount of steering input is required to keep you in the lane.
  • Shaking: The car’s steering wheel shakes.

Before you take the car in, check if your tires are deflated. Having one tire measure substantially more or less than what the owner’s manual calls for could cause the same effect of drifting left or right or vibration in the steering.

Imperfections in the road surfaces could be your vehicle’s worst enemy in keeping proper alignment. If you regularly drive on poorly maintained roads or one riddled with potholes or accidentally hit a curb or a parking bumper, you may knock your vehicle out of alignment.

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