Car Blog

February27

Making money is important for any professional, and that’s especially true if you’re a freelance truck driver. When you work freelance, you are entirely in control of all of your money, finding clients, and controlling your own work schedule. If you work as a freelance truck driver, you need to think about your work as business. The decisions that you make should be looked at through the lens of building off a business plan which provides a contextual understanding of how you should make decisions.

Upgrade Your Rig

If you want to get more and better work, you need to understand that you will have to make changes necessary for your truck to handle the workload. There is nothing that will ultimately take your company in a better direction other than working with a vehicle that you know will sustain a substantial workload. Optimization of your truck involves looking for the best parts within budget for heavy duty diesel systems and making the decision to work within the needs that are best for your style of driving.

Scheduled Maintenance

Downtime where you’re working on getting your truck fixed is money lost. Depending on the amount that you drive, you should focus on optimizing your routine to ensure that you are getting consistent maintenance on your truck. The more you drive, the more you’ll find it necessary to get repairs done, so it’s important that you design a schedule that works for your needs as a driver. Find what maintenance schedules that other drivers use that have a similar driving schedule or route as you do and tweak it to fit your own needs.

Build a Business Plan

When it comes to being a contracted truck driver, you have to learn to sell yourself. Finding clients shouldn’t be a problem, there is always room for a new truck driver. However, educating yourself on the necessary skills and reasonable prices can get you better gigs and more money in the long run. This is the best way to plan out your future business endeavors because it will help you build a functional and accessible framework for which you can alter.

Be Proactive

There are times of year when truck driving jobs are less popular than usual, and this can be a cut to your salary. Concentrate on building relationships with your clients by delivering on schedule every time, and making the most out of your time with clients that work with you. Doing a good job and building a rapport will go a long way in getting future work.

February27

Having a punctured tire is one of a driver’s worst nightmares. In case you ever find yourself in this situation, it’s important to know what you’re dealing with and what you should do next. Here’s what you should know when you need a fleet tire repair Williston ND. 

What Can be Repaired

When your tire is damaged you should know what can and can’t be repaired. Tears and cracks cannot be fixed. The tire itself is wearing down and tearing apart. If this is something you see, then it’s time to get a new tire altogether. Punctures can be fixed though. Your repair shop will likely use a tire plug to close the hole.

Reasonable in Time and Cost

Minimal to moderate damage can be repaired on tires without taking too much time. Punctures can be sealed without having to remove the full tire and it can be done within the hour. The cost is also more reasonable than other car repairs. The total price varies with the severity of damage but it’s reasonable compared to other fixes.

It’s Better Than Doing It Yourself

Having a professional work on your vehicle is always a smart choice. While there are tools and kits that allow you to fix your tires yourself, having a repair shop do it guarantees it will be longer-lasting and more stable. Longevity on the road is the most important feature of any car.

Knowing these basics will help put your mind at ease the next time you get a flat tire. Being aware of what can be fixed and the associated costs will go a long way in the moment. Making sure that the patches last is important too. The best thing for your tires is longevity. Doing it yourself is a quick solution but relying on a professional guarantee the repair will last.

February21

It’s happened to everyone: that feeling of dread when you realize you’ve locked your keys inside the car. This horrible experience can ruin your entire day and make you late. Instead of getting upset, here are four things to do if you get distracted and lock yourself out of your car.

Stay Calm

The first thing you should do when you’re locked outside your vehicle is to stay calm. Having a meltdown doesn’t serve any purpose and a lockout is only a minor inconvenience. Second, double-check each door to make sure there’s not one that’s unlocked. If you’re truly out of luck, it’s time to make some calls.

Call for Help

If you have your phone with you, call a family member, friend or for locksmith 24 hour emergency service Minneapolis MN. Around-the-clock service is a relief especially if it’s late at night. Then, if possible, wait somewhere indoors until help shows up. Don’t hesitate to dial 9-1-1 if you feel you’re in danger.

Get Your Spare

Many times a lockout occurs close to home. When you’re lucky enough to have that happen, walk home or have a friend pick you up. Always know where your spare key is located so you can get back to your car quickly.

Prevent Future Lockouts

To avoid a repeat performance of locking your keys inside your automobile, take precautions. Always keep a spare key in your wallet or purse. Another idea is to attach a magnetic key box to the underside of your car. Also, using your key fob to lock-up keeps keys in your hand.

Know That It Happens to Everyone

Locking yourself outside your car is a terrible feeling, but it happens to everyone. When it’s your turn, remain calm and call for help. In the future, carrying a spare key and using a fob will prevent another lockout.

February21

If you’re currently looking for a truck, you have probably noticed that diesel engines are trendy. Manufacturers are meeting this demand by producing more models than ever. This can make it hard to choose the right engine for you. You need to pick one that works with your driving style. Here are some of the most popular options and some details about them.

6.7L Cummins V8

People who do some serious towing will enjoy the 35,100-pound towing capacity a RAM 3500 provides with a 6.7L Cummins V8. This model provides 400 horsepower at 3,200 RPMs and 1,000 pounds per foot of torque at 1,600 RPMs. It is equipped with a DOHC valvetrain with four valves per cylinder. Its induction system is a two-stage Holset M2 compound turbocharger.

6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel V8

For great fuel economy, think about a Silverado with a 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel V8. This model is rated at 445 horsepower at 2,800 RPMs with a torque of 910 lb-ft at 1,600 RPMs. The valvetrain is an OHV with four valves per cylinder. Plus, it has a variable-geometry turbocharger induction system made by Garrett.

6.7L Ford Power Stroke V8

if you want a fuel-injection system with 36,000 PSI capabilities and a 37,000-pound towing capacity, look for a Ford truck with a 6.7 Liter Power Stroke V8. At 2,600 RPMs, you unlock 475 horsepower, and you have 1,050 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 RPMs. Like the Duramax, it has an OHV valvetrain with four valves per cylinder. It uses one variable-geometry turbocharger induction system by Garrett.

There are a lot of engine options for diesel trucks on the market. Each one is unique and meets the different needs presented by drivers. By knowing a little more about them, you can choose the right one for your driving style and get a truck that you enjoy.

February21

You may have heard the urban myth that red cars are most likely to crash or are most often pulled over by law enforcement. Indeed, statistics show that certain factors are relevant to car safety. You want a vehicle with excellent crash test outcomes and a good safety record, but even the most popular cars end up in accidents.

Car Color and Related Risk

You may be surprised to learn that vehicle color has been found to be a contributing factor to accidents.

Black

Your chances of being involved in a crash go way up with a black vehicle, perhaps because black is harder to see, especially in the evening hours. Black also has a tendency to blend into the background. But in spite of these hard and fast facts, fashionable black continues to be one of the most popular color choices.

Grey

Any shade of grey can make you more prone to accidents. While not quite as dangerous as their black brethren, studies prove you are about 10 or more percent likely to get in a wreck while driving a grey car.

Red

Flashy, with drivers prone to seeing flashing lights from cop cars in the rear-view mirror more often, but what about car wrecks? Rosy tones do not get in as many accidents as black and grey cars, but still are worth an honorable mention. If your automobile is red, you have a 7% higher chance of being in a collision.

Car Types Most Often Involved in Accidents

Color is not the only feature that affects risk, vehicle type is also important. Generally, modern micro cars with four doors take the number one spot, while sports cars are more dangerous than larger vehicles. Insurify Insights analyzed over 2 million insurance applications to find out which models have the highest percentage of wrecks. The following models have the highest incidents of being involved in accident:

 

• Infiniti Q50
• Subaru Crosstrek
• Subaru WRX
• Hyundai Elantra GT
• Subaru Impreza

Fatal Accidents

Some vehicles have attributes that make them more likely to be connected to accident fatalities. This lists the top auto brands most frequently involved in accidents that result in a death.

Ford

For decades, this brand has been boasting about having the best-selling trucks in the country, but there is no honor in topping this list. The brand comprised 22% of fatal crashes in the U.S.

Chevrolet

Toyota outsells Chevy, and yet there were over 2,800 more fatal accidents involving Chevy than Toyota.

Toyota

Maybe the fact that the Camry can get from 0 to 60 miles an hour in 5.8 seconds is not such a good thing when it comes to car accidents.

Honda

The brand with the wildly popular Civic, Honda is the only top 5 car maker that had 5 or more fatal car wrecks in every U.S. state.

Dodge

Brings up the rear with the distinction of having 10% of the country’s total fatal accidents.

 

 

Putting safety data aside, after a wreck, you may find yourself asking what happened. While color, make and model play a role, invariably most wrecks are caused by negligent drivers. And when you are injured, you have the added hassle of doing battle with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

 

Most accident victims settle for far too little compensation for their injuries and pain and suffering. Fortunately, you don’t have to face the large insurance companies alone. An expert negotiator will help you get the settlement you deserve, so talk to an experienced car accident attorney to see what your case is worth. You might be pleasantly surprised.

 

February20

American consumers spend over $188 billion on car repair and maintenance each year. If you are like most people, you drive a car on a daily basis. Most people get in their car and crank it up without really thinking about the various systems that have to work together for this to happen. When you bring your car to a complete stop, the components of your braking system have to spring into action.

As time goes by, the braking components on your vehicle will start to wear out. In most cases, you will see a number of warning signs when braking system issues are present. Below are some of those warning signs and what typically causes them to surface.

Noticeable Shaking When Trying to Stop a Vehicle

When your braking system is working correctly, it will bring your car to a stop without much commotion. However, if any of your braking components are damaged, you will notice lots of shaking when trying to stop your vehicle. This shaking is generally caused by damaged brake rotors. Trying to keep a car on the road when it is shaking violently is difficult.

The best way to rid your vehicle of this problem is by working with a brake repair North Vancouver professional. With the help of experienced mechanics, you can get your brake problems diagnosed and fixed in a hurry.

Grinding Noises Are Never a Good Sign

Another common problem you might notice when braking repairs are needed is a grinding noise when your car is coming to a stop. This grinding noise is caused by worn-out brake pads rubbing up against the brake rotors. Allowing this problem to persist can lead to the rotors getting damaged. This is why getting your worn out brake pads replaced is so important.

With the help of a mechanic, you can properly address the problems mentioned in this article.

February20

Finding a new auto repair shop can be daunting. After all, you have to be able to trust that your mechanic won’t scam you or do a poor job. When it comes to looking for a mechanic or auto repair shop, these are three things that you should look for.

Orderly Workspace

You can tell a lot about a mechanic by the state of his or her shop. If you want into the shop and there are parts everywhere, if it looks too messy and disorganized, you may have trouble receiving quality service. This doesn’t mean that there can’t be oil spills or stains. There should be signs of working within the garage. However, it should be as tidy as possible. This shows you that the mechanic cares about professionalism and safety.

Positive Reviews

Most businesses know that online reviews are important for their company. There are dozens of sites that you can check for reviews, including social media. One way to find out if you have a good mechanic in mind is to ask around. Ask any friends or family who have cars who they trust locally. While you should expect every business to have a couple of negative reviews, the majority of reviews should be positive.

Certification

When looking for an auto repair shop Marysville WA drivers trust, you need to look for certification. Without certification, you cannot be sure that the mechanics are professional or trained to handle your vehicle. Certification comes from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. This is the largest governing institution for mechanics. Many shops only employ certified mechanics.

When you need a high-quality mechanic, there are a few qualities that you need to look for. The most important thing is to make sure that you choose an auto repair shop that you can trust to ask fair prices for their service.