A car accident can be a very traumatic and stressful event in your life, especially if the other person involved flees the scene. Unfortunately, this happens more than you might realize. It’s important to keep calm and follow these necessary steps to protect both yourself and your car. What is a hit-and-run? A hit-and-run occurs when someone hits a vehicle, person, someone’s property or even an animal. The person operating the vehicle that causes the damage then “runs” from the scene of the incident and they do so without contacting the local authorities or leaving a note on the damaged vehicl ..read more

Even though roundabouts are more common in European countries, they are growing in popularity everywhere in the United States, especially in cities that want to increase traffic flow and prevent clogs at popular intersections. If you haven’t driven through a roundabout before, it can be confusing. That’s why it is essential to familiarize yourself with them so you can move around them safely. [1] What is a roundabout? A roundabout is a circular-shaped intersection where drivers move counterclockwise around a center point. There aren’t any traffic signals or stop signs. Instead, every driver yi ..read more

While we typically drive a quarter of the time at night, studies show that 50% of traffic deaths happen at night. [1] It doesn’t matter whether you know the road you’re driving on or not; it is always more dangerous to drive at night. With a few extra precautions, you can reduce the risk of something dangerous happening while driving at night. Why is driving at night more dangerous? There are several reasons why driving at night is significantly more dangerous than during the day. Compromised night vision: This is especially prevalent in drivers over 60. Fatigue: 1 in 25 adult drivers report ..read more

Like all fluids in your vehicle, power steering fluid plays an important and specific role in keeping your car operating at peak performance. This fluid is critical for providing the steering system with hydraulic assistance so you can turn your vehicle’s steering wheel easily. It also helps lubricate the power steering pump and the steering components. Power steering fluid even prevents corrosion. Because this fluid serves various purposes, you can see why it’s important to use the right kind. [1] Where is the power steering fluid located? When you’re looking for the power steering fluid unde ..read more

An automotive recall can hit home, but the process may be relatively painless. It can be quite unsettling to discover that your car has been recalled. And it’s happening more than ever: There were over 400 recalls in the U.S. in 2022 according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Recently, the NHTSA issued a recall on Takata airbags, one of the largest and most complex safety recalls in U.S. history, affecting approximately 47 million vehicles. Visit NHTSA for details and see if you’ve been impacted. [1] “With so many new cars on the market every year, the chance of y ..read more

Some of a driver’s worst fears are a dead battery or alternator, a blown gasket, your car running out of gas and any number of other car troubles that leave you stranded on an empty stretch of road. For winter drivers, there’s also the possibility of sliding off an icy road into a snowbank. A quick call to a tow truck or roadside assistance service will usually get you to safety within a couple of hours, but technology can fail, and there are still parts of the country that aren’t covered by cellular service. In such scenarios, having a car safety kit with the right components can make the dif ..read more

Driving in the rain can be a slippery situation – slick road conditions, poor visibility and possible hydroplaning or skidding are some of the potential risks, particularly in the spring. More than 1 million weather-related crashes occur each year, most occurring on wet pavement and nearly half while it’s raining. Smart drivers know techniques for driving in the rain, avoiding hydroplaning and using the vehicle’s safety features. Here are some tips for driving in wet conditions that you can save for a rainy day. Safety tips for driving in the rain Headlights It’s critical to turn on your headl ..read more

Quite often, car batteries are taken for granted until they stop working. A dead battery can be an inconvenience at best and, at worst, may leave you stranded somewhere. That’s why it’s important to know when you should replace your car battery. It’s important to look for warning signs long before the moment your battery is no longer strong enough to start the engine. In some cases, a dead battery can be caused by avoidable human errors, such as leaving the lights on and draining the battery overnight. In cases like this, you can get a jump-start to help start your car and recharge the battery ..read more

Driving in wet conditions can cause several issues, including lowered visibility or the need for longer braking distances. It can also cause your car to hydroplane. If you’ve ever driven on wet roads or through a puddle of standing water and felt like you didn’t have control of your vehicle, you may have already experienced this. Since this can happen to any driver at one time or another, it’s important to know what to do when hydroplaning. What is hydroplaning? Hydroplaning or aquaplaning happens when roads are wet. Water reduces tire traction, causing your vehicle to slide or skid. Losing c ..read more

How common are car thefts? There were 873,080 motor vehicle thefts in 2020 in the U.S., according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.1 And when citizens are targeted in the most potentially dangerous of these crimes – carjacking – the attacker succeeds in roughly half of all attempts, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. To find out how to prevent carjacking and car theft read on. 1. Don’t leave valuables in your car You don’t display your cash, financial statements, and jewelry in your home’s windows, do you? So why would you do the same in your car? Hide those valuables, includin ..read more