Car Blog

The average new car today costs $40,000, according to USA Today. This represents a big investment whether you’re paying the full cash price or financing the deal. You want to drive your vehicle for as long as you want to by protecting it from theft. Here are a few guidelines.

Don’t Leave Valuables in Your Vehicle

While thieves may not be interested in your vehicle, they may like what’s inside it, and the crime of opportunity may be too enticing to resist. Remove any temptations by keeping valuable items at home instead of your vehicle. If you must temporarily leave something in your car, such as if you just bought it, keep it out of sight in the trunk or glove compartment. However, do this just before you drive off the parking lot because thieves may be watching the lot to spot potential victims.

Never Leave Your Keys in Your Car

It doesn’t matter whether you’re just leaving your vehicle quickly to pay for gas or have locked it up for the night with a smart key. Never leave your keys in your car. A thief can simply open the door or can break a window before driving off. This also applies to any spare keys that you store in a "secret" spot somewhere on your vehicle. A thief knows where all the good locations are.

Lock Your Doors

It may seem fairly obvious, but many people still leave their doors unlocked, reasoning that without the key, the thief cannot start your vehicle. But someone intent on stealing a car will often try several doors in a parking lot to find one that is unlocked. Then he can easily hotwire the ignition to start your car without ever needing your key. While you’re at it, keep your windows closed as well to prevent anyone from reaching in to unlock the door.

Put On a Car Cover

Put on a car cover if you have to leave your vehicle parked outdoors for any length of time. They are available from CarCare4U, among other manufacturers. You not only hide the make, model, and condition of your vehicle from thieves but you also protect the interior from nosy passersby. A thief will not bother with trying to remove the car cover just to reach the interior if there are other cars nearby that are uncovered. A car cover also guards the exterior finish and keeps the interior cool from the heat of the sun.

Install A Security Alarm

If a security alarm does not already come with your vehicle, it is usually a worthwhile option to get either at the dealer or at an auto supply store. Be sure to buy one that will produce a loud noise to attract attention if your vehicle is disturbed. Other security devices to consider are etching on the window or a steering wheel lock. Insurance companies often offer discounts to vehicles with alarms.

Add a Tracking System

Also available from the dealer or an auto center is a tracking system. If your vehicle is stolen, this device relies on GPS or other wireless methods to summon the police while delivering its location. This enables law enforcement to find your vehicle more quickly and return it to you.

Automation is a valuable resource for any industry. As a result, automated logistics systems are on the rise. This is why we have come up with these advantages of incorporating automation into your logistics business. Keep on reading to find out more.

Reduces Costly Errors

Costs affect the logistics industry by a large margin. Using automation in logistics helps to integrate your ERP system with your address book, automatic storage, and accessories. This is effective for eliminating entering data manually and incorrectly. This can reduce costs associated with transporting goods and can improve the transportation of the product for delivery. 

Increases Customer Service 

Customer service is a key component of the logistics industry. When companies fail to deliver on time, it leaves customers disappointed with the service provider. Automation provides efficiency in service delivery. Features such as real-time tracking and auto-pick-up ensure that goods are delivered within the desired timeframe. This can improve customer satisfaction and ensure that you are on the same page with your customers at all times. 

Promotes Organizational Control 

When you are controlling the methods of delivery, and you have access to tracking data, you can have more control over your operations. It is a good way to ensure that internal and external users are able to follow the policies that are aimed towards increasing efficiency in your business. 

Increases Delivery Speed 

The different features that you have access to minimize the need for using different resources to ensure that your goods are delivered timely. As the company grows and does more deliveries, you are able to ascertain the elements that need to be altered to improve the speed of your deliveries. 

The Bottom Line 

Incorporating automated logistics into your business model can provide you access to a wide range of tools and reports that are essential to ensuring that your business performance improves. 

Summertime always seems to bring with it a sense of freedom and adventure. We leave behind the tight schedules and school assignments for a season of fun and sun. Although the lack of structure is what we may long for, it can bring with it a few messy situations.

Whether you’re adventuring alone or with a car full of kiddos, it is likely that these summer outings may take a toll on the cleanliness of your vehicle. Your car will likely be the hub of some of this summer’s best memories, and doing your best to keep it tidy will surely enhance these good feelings.

Pick Up Every Time You Get Out

Just like with anything else in life, allowing things to pile up can lead to overwhelm. It is easy to go from one activity to another without taking the time to look around the car. But, if you can take just one or two minutes each time you get out of the car to quickly clear out anything you are done using, this will go a long way in keeping things tidy.

Check for cups, garbage, or even toys under the seats and put them away. You will be thanking yourself the next time you climb in for another trip.

Schedule Regular Washes

It is easy to go weeks without a car wash and not even realize it. Gone are the days of pulling out all the car washing and vacuuming equipment at home and spending an entire Saturday detailing your car. There are many a car wash and free vacuum Melbourne fl that make a regular wash so quick and easy. Make it a point to stop into a car wash at least bi-weekly. You will be cleaned out completely in a manner of minutes.

Make Use of Your Wait Times

So much of our time in the car is often spent waiting. Whether it’s in a parking lot, at a stoplight that never seems to change or even filling up on gas, there can be lots of downtime in your car. This creates a perfect opportunity for you to safely do some tidying up. Keep some wipes near the driver’s seat and use the wipes to wipe down your dashboard or driving column while you wait. You might even use this time to have the kiddos collect garbage or toys.

Many drivers take the windshields of their vehicles for granted most of the time. Then one day, something happens to the auto glass New Orleans requiring a repair or replacement. Some drivers regard this as optional since the windshield is not necessary to the vehicle’s operation. However, if you do not repair a chip or a crack, some very bad things can happen to your windshield.

Water

Water is a highly cohesive substance, meaning that its particles tend to stick together. You may have noticed that water tends to bead up and form droplets when it hits your windshield or vehicle body. The cohesiveness of water causes surface tension, which can cause it to seep into the chip in your windshield. If the temperature gets cold enough, the water can freeze. Water expands as it freezes, meaning that the chip can become bigger, or a crack can form.

Dirt

When water gets into the chip in your windshield, it often carries dirt along with it. Once dirt gets into a crack in your windshield, you can never get it back out again. This flaw may obstruct your vision while you are driving, a potentially dangerous situation.

Delamination

A pane of auto glass is made up of several different layers. The top lamination is the layer that faces out toward the road. It connects to the center membrane. However, water in a chip or crack can cause the top lamination to pull away from the center membrane in a process called delamination. This can cause the membrane to become foggy, which further clouds your vision.

Another way that a chip or crack can affect your vision is by producing a glare when the sun shines on it. Driving with a windshield that is obscured by a crack or chip may get you into trouble with the law or cause an accident.

Any industry has requirements for inspection, even pavement markings. Companies relying on automation use bead inspection to check for gaps, over-fillings, and other flaws that can cause problems with their machines. The tools used to check for these issues are trained on the proper appearance of the bead path, which allows them to identify any issues that can lead to runtime problems. Here are some things you need to know about using one of these tools.

Finding the Bead Path

Before you can train your tool for a specific path, you need to upload a sample image that your software can analyze and learn from. The tool will analyze the image provided and generate one or more rough paths to track your desired bead path. Based on the features in your image, you will likely receive one that is accurate and others that are not. Choose the best rough path before moving to the next step.

Editing a Rough Path

Be aware that even the best match may not be completely accurate. The good news is that you can edit the rough path to match the one in your machine. There will be a graphic tool that allows you to alter the path. It will produce bubbles along the rough path that you can drag and drop to edit. You can also open or close the path depending on your needs. Your rough path should follow the one in your machine as closely as possible when you are done. To train your machine, save your work. You can now use the tool to find any runtime problems.

Any company that relies on automation needs to inspect the bead paths to ensure there are no defects that could impact runtimes. By following these steps, you can properly check your bead path and train your inspection tool.

Cars are a huge part of most people’s daily lives. For many people, cars are the only means of transportation they own that can get them safely to and from work, the grocery store and any other place they need to go. Being targeted by thieves can be devastating, and result in the loss of a vehicle and everything in it. However, there are some steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of theft. 

1. Hide Valuables

Leaving a purse, wallet or electronic device in plain view inside of a vehicle can allow potential thieves to see exactly what they can gain by breaking in. Some people store a spare key on the outside of their vehicle in case they get locked out. Experienced thieves will know where to look and how to gain entry quickly, so keep valuables out of sight and any car key duplication Orlando should be kept at home, in a purse or wallet or with a trusted friend or family member.

2. Secure Doors and Windows

Leaving the car windows open can provide an easy way for thieves to enter a vehicle or grab valuables off the front seat. Keep the windows shut when no one is inside of the vehicle, even if it is within sight. Doors should be locked at all times, even when the driver is on the road, as car thieves may attempt to open doors at stoplights or in parking lots.

3. Use Anti-Theft Systems

Most new cars come with alarms, but that is not the only way to protect a vehicle. Using a device to lock the steering wheel in place can be a good way to deter thieves. Other systems can be installed that will track stolen vehicles or prevent them from being started while enabled.

While no one wants to think that they may be at risk of car theft as they go about their daily routine, there is a possibility that something may occur. Stashing valuables, keeping doors and windows shut and locked and using anti-theft measures can help protect a vehicle.

An old car can be an eyesore and an unnecessary expense if you are required to keep it licensed. However, if the car doesn’t have much resale value it may be difficult to get rid of it. Here are three options for disposing of an old car.

1. Have It Hauled Off

If the car you need to get rid of doesn’t run, then you may need to contact a service that will pick up junk cars Lake Charles LA and haul them off. You will still need a destination for the car to be hauled to. Try contacting local salvage yards. They may be willing to purchase your vehicle to sell for parts. 

2. Take Advantage of Special Promotions

If you are planning to buy another car, look for dealerships offering special promotions. Some dealers will offer to accept anything of value in trade. They probably won’t offer you much money for your trade-in, but they will at least take it off your hands for you. Because most dealerships don’t sell these types of cars, they will probably sell your car to a salvage yard, so it may be worthwhile to check with the salvage yard first to see if you can get more money out of your car by selling it directly to them. 

3. Try Craigslist or eBay

It can be difficult to find a buyer for a junk car, but some individuals and businesses may shop Craigslist, eBay and other auto sales sites for junk cars that they can use for parts. If you want to get the most out of your car, you could part it out yourself. 

Disposing of an old vehicle can be a hassle, but there are a variety of options open to you. Whichever option you choose, it is probably better than annoying your neighbors by leaving a junk car sitting on your front lawn.

The garage floor takes a beating daily. Whether you use it as an at-home workshop or to park your cars, having the garage floor coated can provide protection and aesthetic appeal. Here are five advantages to having the flooring in your garage covered in a protective layer.

1. Durability

Floor paint may seem like a good option in a garage, but it won’t offer the protection and longevity of a professionally coated floor. Paint can peel and lift up, which can be dangerous and doesn’t look great. Instead, having a home & business floor coating Oakland County MI done by a professional can provide durability for years to come. It can also hide minor defects and improve the beauty of your garage area.

2. Impact-Resistance

A professional floor coat can protect your floor from the impact of dropped tools if you use your space as a workshop. You can drag items across the surface and it won’t be harmed. No more cracks will occur on the surface of your concrete floor when you have a strong top-coat.

3. Easy Clean-Up

Dirt, oil, chemicals and other grime have a tendency to build up in a garage environment. With a protective coating, you can avoid stains and use a hose to wash off the stubborn particles. Sweep up the remaining debris and your floor will look like new again.

4. Safety

A good coating can also provide slip-resistance to keep you safe even if water puddles on the floor. This can prevent falls that could land you in the emergency room with a broken bone.

5. Compatibility

Your vehicle’s tires will last longer and stay in shape better on a smooth garage floor compared to a rougher concrete floor. You can also change your oil and other car fluids without worrying about staining the floor.

To keep your garage floor looking new and thoroughly protected, hire a professional today to lay down a strong top-coat.

Did you realize there are over 285 million cars on the roadways of America? If you own a car, you know how important it is to keep this piece of machinery reliable. Without the right amount of care, it is only a matter of time before your automobile breaks down. Many car owners make the mistake of neglecting their vehicles until it is too late. Rather than getting stranded on the side of the road due to mechanical issues, you need to take action to prevent these problems from occurring.

Are you trying to keep your car reliable and functional? If so, check out the great information below.

Your Cooling System Needs To Be Flushed

During the spring and summer months, your car’s engine is exposed to extremely high temperatures. If your cooling system is not working correctly, these high temperatures can result in lots of damage to various parts of your engine. The older your car gets, the harder it will be to avoid buildup in the cooling system. This buildup can lead to the radiator not being able to provide the cooling your engine needs.

This is why paying an auto repair shop Olympia WA to flush your cooling system is a wise move. Once they flush the sediment and gunk from your cooling system, a mechanic will refill it with coolant. In the days and weeks following this essential maintenance, you will probably notice your car runs much better and stays cooler.

Check and Change Your Oil

Running old oil in your engine is a disaster waiting to happen. Over time, oil breaks down and is unable to provide the lubrication the moving parts in your engine require. This can lead to additional friction in your engine and lots of damage. This is why you need to take checking and changing the oil in your vehicle seriously.