What can you say ?

The french parking techniques...

Worst Boo boos

Worst Drivers

Parallel Parking Techniques

Parking Uphill

Parking Downhill

Bay Parking

Tire Age

1. Step 1

   Look for the Tire Identification Number branded on the sidewall of the tire to determine the tires age. The Tire Identification Number is preceded by DOT, which stands for Department of Transportation, and is 10 to 12 digits in length. You may have to check both sides of the tire to find the complete Tire Identification Number.

2. Step 2

   Locate the last three or four digits of the Tire Identification Number. Previous to 2000, three digits determined the tire age. Tires made since 2000 use four numbers to determine a tires age.

3. Step 3

   Since 2000
   
   Determine the year the tire was manufactured by decoding the last two digits. For example, if the last two digits are “07”, then the tire was manufactured in 2007.

4. Step 4

   Determine the week the tire was manufactured by decoding the first two numbers that makeup the last four digits in the Tire Identification Number. For example, if the last four digits of the Tire Identification Number are 2807, then the tire was manufactured during the 28th week of 2007.

5. Step 5

   Before 2000
   
   Determine the year the tire was manufactured by decoding the last digit of the Tire Identification Number. For example, if the last digit is “3”, then the tire was manufactured during the 3rd year of the decade. The problem with this system was that you could not determine during which decade the tire was made.

6. Step 6

   Determine the week the tire was manufactured by decoding the first two numbers that makeup the last three digits in the Tire Identification Number. For example, if the last three digits of the Tire Identification Number are 403, then the tire was manufactured during the 40th week of 1993 (or 1983).

7. Step 7

   Shop for newly manufactured tires by decoding the Tire Identification Numbers. A good rule of thumb is to purchase tires that are less than six years old for optimum safety.

Detailing a Car

1. Step 1

   Since dirt and debris build up on the paint and exterior surfaces of the car, you must wash the vehicle before you wax it. Clean all crevices, and rinse the car thoroughly. Apply wax to one section at a time, then remove with a lint-free cloth after the car is dry.

2. Step 2

   Vacuum the interior. Run the vacuum over the carpet to remove soil and debris, and vacuum the seats and rear trunk area. You may need to use a smaller vacuum head attachment to get into tight spaces.

3. Step 3

   Apply leather or dash cleaner to all interior surfaces. Most vehicles have door panels or rear seat backs that are also covered in vinyl, so wipe them as well. Professional detailers are adept at removing dirt and gunk in the small crevices of the dash and center console spaces, but you can enjoy similar results by using a toothbrush to scrub these areas.

4. Step 4

   Clean the inside and outside surfaces of the glass to complete the detail. While an ammonia-based cleaner will do the job, alcohol-based cleaners will totally remove grease and insect debris without leaving streaks behind. Don't forget the instrument cluster, radio display and interior chrome surfaces.
   

Your Dash Lights

1. Step 1

   Look at your dashboard before putting the key in the ignition.

2. Step 2

   Turn the key to the on position (not the start position) without taking your eyes off the dash lights. All the lights should light up for five or more seconds so you can check that they're working.

3. Step 3

   Note that the gauges (the gas gauge, temperature gauge, and possibly a charge indicator gauge instead of a battery light) can only be checked when the engine is running.

4. Step 4

   Visit your mechanic if you notice that one of the lights is no longer coming on.

Adding Power Steering Fluid

1. Step 1

   Open the hood and find the reservoir for the power-steering fluid. It will probably be labeled on the cap. If not, look near the belts for a pulley-driven pump with a plastic or metal reservoir on top.

2. Step 2
   

   Open the cap. It may unscrew or pop off.

3. Step 3

   Check the fluid level (see illustration in Step 2). If the reservoir is made of clear plastic, look for full and low indicator lines on the outside. The cap will have a small dipstick attached if the reservoir isn't see-through. Wipe the dipstick clean with a rag and put the cap back on. Remove the cap and check the level on the dipstick. Your car may have both full hot and full cold indicators, as the fluid level will vary depending on whether the engine is cold or hot.

4. Step 4

   Add power-steering fluid as needed, using a funnel to avoid spilling. If the engine is hot, fill to the hot line. If the engine is cold, fill to the cold line.

5. Step 5

   Put the reservoir cap back on.

Check and Add Your Break fluid

1. Step 1

   Open the hood and locate the brake master cylinder. It will almost always be close to the back of the engine compartment on the driver's side. The cap may be labeled.

2. Step 2

   Clean the top of the cap with a rag to prevent dirt from entering the reservoir when you open it.

3. Step 3
   

   Open the reservoir cap (see illustration). It may screw off or just pull off.

4. Step 4

   Check the fluid level. You will see full- and low-level indicators on the side of the reservoir or inside the opening.

5. Step 5

   Add brake fluid up to the full line if needed. Use a funnel to avoid spills.

6. Step 6

   Put the cap back on and close the hood.

Check Your Brake Lights

1. Step 1

   Position your car in such a way that you can see the brake lights operating. A wall or garage door works best for this purpose, especially in the early evening, when the brake lights will be more visible and easier for you to check.

2. Step 2

   Press down on your brake pedal while looking at the rear window. You should be able to see the reflection of your brake lights on the wall behind you.

3. Step 3

   Observe how your brake lights operate. Make sure that both sides of the vehicle are equally lit from the illumination of the brake lights, and ensure that the resulting glow is not weighted in favor of one light over the other.

4. Step 4

   Troubleshoot any problems that arise as a result of your brake light check. Note any problems in a small notebook if you do not feel comfortable memorizing them.

5. Step 5

   Check the fuses for your brake lights. The owner's manual of your automobile should tell you exactly where the fuse case is, although if you lack an owners manual, the fuse case is usually found beneath the dashboard in the driver's side area. The cover of the fuse case will provide a diagram of what fuse is responsible for which system.

6. Step 6

   Change all necessary fuses. Using the fuse removal tool provided by most automobile manufacturers is the best way, however they can be removed using one's fingers as well. Make sure you replace the fuses only with a fuse of the same type!

7. Step 7

   Replace the brake light bulbs by opening the trunk and removing the panel that leads to the brake lights. This will be different for every automobile, but there is no trick to how it's done. In many modern automobiles, the brake light panel is attached with an easy-to-remove wingnut, but be prepared by keeping a screwdriver and ratchet handy.

8. Step 8

   Consult an auto mechanic if replacing fuses and light bulbs do not solve any problems you have with the brake lights. This means that the problem is located in the vehicle's electrical system and should be treated by professionals.

The Two Second Rule...

1. Step 1

   The first step in determining the safe distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you is to notice the objects that the vehicle in front of you is passing. Example: Notice when the vehicle passes a lamp post or a fire hydrant or parked car, etc.

2. Step 2

   As soon as the vehicle passes that parked car, start counting one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three, etc.

3. Step 3

   If you have passed that same car before you two seconds have gone by, then you are too close to the vehicle in front of you.

4. Step 4

   If you passed that same car after two seconds have gone by, then you are at a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.

5. Step 5

   You'll notice that the safe distance actually is shorter when driving at slower speeds and increases when you're driving at higher speeds.

Keep Your Car from Getting Stolen

So you have a new car. And you have saved three years worth of your salary to buy it. Or maybe you were approved a loan that obligates you with monthly payments for the next five years. How would you feel if suddenly, your car gets stolen just like that? It would be a sinking, painful feeling for sure. Well, there are ways to stop that from happening. Here's what you can do to keep your car from getting stolen.
1. Don't park in unfamiliar neighborhoods.
If you're new in the place, it is best that you don't park there at all. If you have to stop and ask for directions or anything, look for a gasoline station or convenience store to do that. These places are equipped with surveillance cameras so thieves are not likely to hang around there too much. But just the same, you have to be very careful.
2. Equip your car with an alarm system.
While an alarm system would do nothing but squeal for all its worth, it could scare the hell out of a possible car thief. At least, the people around him would know that he's not the owner of that car because the alarm wasn't switched off when he approached. Hopefully, the thief will run away and leave your car alone.
3. Never leave your car unlocked and running.
Even if you intend to leave your car for half a minute, it is never a good practice to leave your car unattended, running, and unlocked. You don't know if there's a car thief near you. If your car is in this state, it would take the thief a quarter of a second to slide into the driver's seat, lock the car, drive away, and leave your running at your heels.
4. Engrave your name somewhere on the more expensive parts of your car.
While this might not always work, leaving some sort of a personal identification on your car may help you recognize it in the future. You never know but your car stereo may be stolen. Or it could be something as simple as the side mirrors of your car. Thing is, leave some marks on your car so even if they're detached, you will still know that they're yours.
5. Invest on a garage.
You might never suspect any of your neighbors taking your car away. But you will never know if somebody from ten cities away drops by the neighborhood with the sole intention of stealing a car in the middle of the night. Cars parked on plain view are easier to steal during the night. So don't waste your garage if you have one. If you don't have a garage, build one. And use it at all times.
6. Don't hide second set of car keys somewhere in the car.
Car thieves are intelligent people. Don't underestimate them for a second. It's bad practice to put a second set of car keys under the skirt of your car. Somebody may chance upon it and leave you crying helplessly. If it works for your house, don't do the same for your car.

Save your gas!

Fuel efficiency is one of the most popular concerns of car owners. As the price of fuel keeps rising in the world market, it becomes mandatory for everyone to find ways on how to possibly save on gas. Here are good tips to follow:
1. Make sure that your car is running perfectly.
Cars that have problem motors are likely to use more gas. Have your car checked on a regular basis to keep it in shape. Tune ups should be done right on schedule. This way, you can keep your car from consuming more gas than it has to.
2. Use the air conditioner sparingly.
The air conditioning system of your car uses gasoline as well. This fact should force you not to use the air conditioner system when not necessary. If it is rather cold outside, why not roll down the window a bit and enjoy some fresh air? This is especially advisable on short rides. If that's not possible, try to wait for the temperature inside the car to go down and then switch to fan mode right after.
3. Don't over inflate your tires.
Tires that are filled over the required pressure tend to reduce the fuel efficiency of your car. Always check the pressure of the tire before driving. If you have to fill your tire with air, make sure that you don't go over the limit.
4. Idle engine uses gas.
Don't leave your car's engine on idle if you will be gone for quite some time. Some people park their car and leave the engine on. This is not a good practice, even if you have somebody watching your car. You might also want to turn off the engine if the traffic is so worse every stop is more than 5 minutes worth of wait.
5. Don't drive too fast.
Driving too fast consumes more gas than driving within acceptable speeds. You should have known that already. Every time you accelerate, you step on the gas. That means you're using more fuel if you are unnecessarily driving too fast. Unless you're in a race, remind yourself that speed limit doesn't mean minimum speed.
6. Consider your gas choices thoroughly.
When you go the gas station, there are different types of gas to choose from - unleaded, premium, and all other types of car fuel that may or may not be compatible with your car. Know the type of fuel your car needs. Your car would run with unleaded gasoline as good as the more expensive ones. Just be sure not to load up on diesel or LPG if your car runs on gasoline. Doing so would ruin your car. Consult your manual for reference.
7. Choose fuel efficient cars.
If you really want to save gas, you might want to change your car entirely into another model that is known to be real fuel efficient. Cars that are made to run fast tend to consume more gas than cars with less whistles and horns. Know the car's expected mileage per gallon straight from its dealer.

Oooops!

Well, I did eat my words again. I told myself that I wouldn't think anymore of adding another site once more but here I go again. Another site has been born again because I want to make a one stop shop where I can keep a lot of do's and dont's and compile some of the helpful tips I browsed in the net. Being a good and responsible driver and also as car owner...this blog link will do more of helping us and why not?

Detecting your car brake problems...

• Step off the brakes, with the car's engine turned off. A soft or mushy brake pedal indicates that you may be low on brake fluid, or may need to bleed your brakes.
• If it is safe, drive the car at low speed, braking as needed. You may need new brake pads, or to clean the brakes, if they squeal.
• In a clear area, step sharply on the brake pedal. If the brakes do not stop the car effectively, several things may be wrong, including worn pads, contaminated brake fluid or contaminated brake pads.
• If the brakes pull the car to one side, you may need to adjust the brake's clearance, may have to replace the pads or rotors, or may have insufficient hydraulic pressure in one part of the brake system.
• Begin driving forward slowly. If the brakes bind or drag, it may be due to grease on the pads or scored rotors. Visit a mechanic if you do not know how to fix brakes. Describe the car's performance to the mechanic in as much detail as you can. Check brake fluid regularly. If you have determined that your brakes are bad, avoid driving the car until they are fixed. Computerized brakes, which are standard in many cars, need to be fixed by a mechanic.