How To Save Money On Gas By Improving Driving Skills?

Better Driving Tips to Pile Up Sizable Savings over Time

High gas prices are a constant gripe of car owners these days, with many eager to trade in their gas guzzler for a fuel-efficient model. That’s certainly not a bad idea, but even if you keep your gas guzzler, there are some easy ways – both driving techniques and maintenance -- to improve its fuel economy.  By squeezing a few extra kilometers out of every tank of gas that you use, you can pile up sizable savings over time.

Easy on the gas pedal

Don’t floor the gas pedal forcefully whenever you want to accelerate.  Every time you make an abrupt, quick or sudden movement, you’re throwing away money.  Instead, opt for a smoother driving style. Use light, smooth throttle inputs, not deep throttle blips and full-throttle moves.

Easy on the brake

Keep your eyes focused further down the road. If you spot traffic congestion ahead, don’t immediately hit the brake pedal. Instead, take your foot off the accelerator and coast until you need to brake. When you do brake, ease on the pedal and maintain as much forward motion as possible. It takes more fuel — and, therefore, money — to get a car up to speed than to maintain that speed.

Keep your cruising speed low

Wind resistance increases sharply at higher speeds, so keeping your cruising speed below 105 km/hr will make your gas dollars go further. Use cruise control on highways..

Plan Your Day Smartly

Arrange your daily errands so that you make as many stops as possible in one trip. This approach is especially important in rural areas where you may have to travel long distances to reach your destinations. In more congested environments, also consider the time of day so as to avoid stop-and-go traffic. Idling wastes fuel. 

Tune up the engine

A tune-up of your car’s engine can improve its fuel efficiency by 4 percent.  A tune-up that fixes a faulty oxygen sensor can result in an improvement of up to 40 percent. Basic maintenance can also affect fuel efficiency. Even something as ordinary as the grade of oil you use can be a big factor.  It’s always best to use the manufacturer's recommended oil.

Inflate your tires

Be sure to keep your tires properly inflated if you want to get the best fuel efficiency. Tires that are under-inflated have more drag and need more energy in order to move, Check the tire pressures once a month, because leaks and temperature changes will deflate them. An estimated 17 percent of vehicles on the road have under-inflated treads. Properly inflated tires can boost fuel efficiency by as much as 3.3 percent, plus they are safer and will last longer.

 Reduce travel weight

Be sure not to keep heavy items in the trunk of your car when you travel.  By reducing the weight by 45 kilograms, you will gain up to a 2 percent increase in fuel efficiency. Rooftop racks are a bad idea, too.  Even when they are empty, they increase wind resistance, lowering fuel efficiency by 5 percent.

Follow these tips and you will benefit from less fuel consumption no matter what kind of vehicle you drive.

For information about PRUDENT VALUE CARS, visit our web site: www.prudentvaluecars.com

Traffic Violations and Insurance Rates

Traffic violations in Ontario can be major, minor or criminal offences.  The severity of the infraction can make a significant difference in how your insurance rates are affected, as well as in the legal consequences.  Minor offences are the less serious ones and usually result in a fine. Major offences can be much more serious, resulting in heavy fines, license suspensions and possible jail sentences.

Minor violations

Minor violations are the most frequent kind of traffic offences, and have less impact both legally and on the driver’s insurance rates.  They are chargeable on your insurance for three years from the date you are convicted (not from the date you are ticketed), and some carry a sizeable fine, too.

The most frequent minor infractions are speeding—though when exceeding the speed limit by over 50 kph, it becomes major--running red lights or stop signs, failure to obey traffic signs, and tailgating.  Others include improper turning, improper passing, obstruction of traffic, unnecessarily slow driving and driving with your view obstructed.

Minor offences differ in their impact on your insurance premiums. Not all will result in a rate hike, but that varies from insurer to insurer. It’s useful to contact your insurance agent after you’ve been ticketed to find out what to expect on your premiums. But if you are hit with an increase, it won’t take effect until you renew your coverage.

Parking violations and driving with a broken taillight are minor offences that are unlikely to affect insurance rates, as they are not usually regarded as moving violations and therefore do not concern the insurer.

Major violations

Major violations are considered to be more serious, as they are more likely to result in an injury to another driver or a pedestrian.  They include speeding (when driving above 50 km/h), speeding in a school zone, passing a school bus, failing to report an accident and driving without auto insurance coverage.

Insurers take a dim view of major violations.  They show that a driver is a higher claims risk and should, accordingly, pay higher premiums.  A major offence remains on a driver’s record just as long--three years--as a minor one when it comes to insurance premiums.   However, the premium rise is generally higher in the case of a major violation.

Major offences also have more severe legal repercussions. The offender could be hit with heavier fines and in some cases may even face a possible jail sentence.  Offences that carry a criminal record include driving with a blood alcohol level over .08, careless driving, criminal negligence, dangerous driving, driving with a suspended license, racing and motor manslaughter.  

For these types of convictions, the Facility Association of Ontario, which provides coverage to drivers who can’t qualify in the voluntary insurance market, will increase premiums by 100%.

Avoiding rate hikes

Keep in mind that being cited for more than one violation is a sure way to have your auto insurance rates rise.  Two minor violations can be more damaging than one major violation.  Statistically, if you have received a speeding ticket, there is a 20% chance that you will receive another ticket within the three year period. If you’re hit with three speeding tickets, you will be charged "high risk insurance rates" of thousands of dollars per year, for at least three years.  So it’s best to learn from the error and not repeat it.

To check which offences are considered major, minor and criminal, consult http://www.insurancehotline.com/driving-convictions-list/.

For information about PRUDENT VALUE CARS, visit our web site: www.prudentvaluecars.com

Driving Safely in Summer

Summer is the season for taking your car on the road.  But you’ll find increased traffic on those roads, including both locals and tourists. Taking extra care to drive safely will help you get through the summer accident-free.  Here are some tips on how to do that.

Have your vehicle checked

Summer driving conditions are often hot and stressful on equipment. So, preventive maintenance for the mechanical systems of your car or light truck is definitely a good idea.  The to-do list should include:

● Check your tire pressure before a long trip -- including the spare -- and keep it at the level recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Check tire tread depth for excessive and uneven wear.

● In extreme summer heat, it may be necessary to change the grade of the engine oil.

● Check the cooling system, both hoses and radiator, for leaks. Check the coolant recovery reservoir under the car’s hood when the engine is cold. Add the coolant recommended in the owner's manual,

● Check the air conditioning system.

Don’t overload

When packing up the car for a road trip, keep safety in mind. Don’t sacrifice your field of vision to squeeze in extra items. If you really do need extra space for supplies, consider using additional space on your car’s exterior or even towing a small utility trailer.  Both are safe options, provided all items are properly secured.

Buckle Up

The best way to increase your chances of survival in a road accident is to wear your seat belt. This applies not only to the driver, but to every passenger in your car, too.  Not wearing a seat belt leaves you more exposed for severe injuries or even death in the event of an accident.  Remember that any passenger below 16 years of age who isn’t properly buckled up is your responsibility, too.

Construction ahead

Summer is construction season, so heavier traffic flows are being squeezed onto roads that are being narrowed due to maintenance and construction. Watch out for road workers and stay alert in construction zones.  Speed limits often are reduced, and traffic can come to a halt without much notice.

Bikers are back

Watch for cyclists and motorcyclists, too.  As a motorist you may not be expecting these smaller vehicles, and their drivers may be rusty on the roads if they’ve had their bikes parked all winter.

Weekend warning

Unlike other seasons (when rush hour is the busiest time on the roads), summer brings traffic congestion on the weekends, as families drive to the cottage and back. These leisure drivers may actually be more of a danger: they’re revved up to reach their destination, and often are carrying more passengers and more stuff than a regular commuter. It’s best to stay calm and be polite to other drivers in order not to trigger road rage and put everyone at risk.

Carry emergency gear

Winter isn't the only season when car trouble can happen, so  carry emergency gear all year round.  In summer, along with the usual emergency items of a blanket, flashlight, rags, a red cloth or flag and reflective warning signs, you also should bring bottled water, extra coolant and oil and, of course, a cell phone.

Follow the above safety tips and you should have a safe summer on the road.

For information about PRUDENT VALUE CARS, visit our web site: www.prudentvaluecars.com

The trade-offs of a trade-in

When a car owner decides to buy a new auto, they usually wish to sell their current model.  They can do a private transaction, which requires some effort, patience and risk, or they can trade it in at a dealership. A trade-in occurs when a car owner sells their existing model to the dealership as part of a deal to buy another car (new or used).

The advantages of a trade-in (versus a private sale) are the efficiency and ease of buying and selling at the same location, as well as significant tax savings.  The disadvantage is getting a lower price for the trade-in vehicle than you’d get in a private sale.  Let’s look at the trade-offs in more detail.

Advantages

Since even dealers of used cars usually want your trade-in, they tend to make the deal as painless as possible. Trading in a car is usually a same-day affair, with a minimum of procedures.  The dealer assesses your car’s condition, its age and other factors, and then sets its trade-in value.

The emphasis is on convenience.  Unlike a private transaction, you don’t have to place ads, arrange test drives or face legal repercussions if the car breaks down soon after the new owner drives away in it.  (Once a car is traded in at the dealer, it's their responsibility to handle the resale.)

Then there are the potential tax savings. Since the trade-in’s value is deducted from the selling price of the car you’re acquiring, this lowers the tax that you’ll have to pay on the new car.  For example, if you buy a new car worth $40,000, and your trade-in is valued at $20,000, this effectively lowers the new vehicle’s selling price to $20,000.  Instead of paying HST of $5,200, you would pay $2,600—a saving of $2,600.

Disadvantage

The downside is that most dealerships will offer less than your car is worth. The dealer incurs costs in cleaning the car and fixing any problems and still must be able to sell it at a profit. So you should expect a low offer.  If the offer for your used model sounds too good to be true, it probably is: the dealer is likely making up for it in the negotiated price of your new car.

However, knowing the true market value of your trade-in vehicle will give you a stronger hand when negotiating.  It pays to study the market in order to get a realistic idea of your existing car’s value. Canadian Black Book (canadianblackbook.com) is considered the industry Bible for providing market values for cars, trucks and SUVs at the wholesale level.

Also, find out the current market demand for your make and model, and whether the dealership is oversupplied with that model. How much the dealership is willing to offer for your trade-in depends on supply and demand.

Assemble all your car’s service records. If you can demonstrate that you’ve looked after your car with recommended maintenance, it will fetch a higher trade-in price (whether at a dealership or privately).  Whichever route you go, it’s important to weigh the trade-offs when considering how to sell your current vehicle and buy another. 

For information about PRUDENT VALUE CARS, visit our web site:

www.prudentvaluecars.com

How to Make Your Car Last Longer

Most cars are built to last much longer than most car owners believe.  According to auto experts, the average vehicle’s useful life is ten years (or 300,000 kilometers). By providing proper preventative maintenance, however, a car owner can often double a car's useful life and spend less time taking it to the mechanic for repairs. Here are some tips on how to keep your car in good condition as it ages.

Regular maintenance

Research by the major auto manufacturers shows that the failure to provide routine service and maintenance is the number one reason for major car repair bills. While the owner’s manual will have a maintenance schedule, you can make sure you stick to that schedule by using the same mechanics each time.

Keeping your vehicle covered contributes to its life span. A garaged car last longest, a carport is second best, and a car cover is third. If you’re unable to garage, carport, or cover your car, at least park under trees or other covering to shield it from the sun’s rays.

Take time to regularly inspect your car by spending five minutes walking around and looking at it.  In that time, you can check to see if the tires are wearing unevenly, open the hood and check the hoses, and make sure all the lights are working.

Fluids and filters

Regular oil changes are the most important measure that you can take in order to protect the car’s engine and make it last longer. But other fluids and filters also require regular maintenance. For instance, changing the air filter will enable the car to breathe easier and the engine to last longer. When the air filter is clogged, the engine doesn’t run properly.  It also hurts the car’s fuel efficiency. 

Driving smart

The way that you operate your car impacts how long your car will last. Taking off in burst of speed and coming to a stop suddenly are hard on a car’s engine and brakes. So stop and accelerate gradually. This will save gas in addition to avoiding wear and tear on the brake linings, transmission, and suspension.

Avoid running the car with a tank that is low on gas and with tires that are low on pressure. A gas tank that is only one-quarter full   increases the possibility of dirt, water and moisture getting into the fuel system.  Tires tend to be the most neglected part of a car. When they’re not properly inflated, it’s not only bad for the car, the tires and fuel efficiency, but it’s also a safety problem.

Take care of the exterior of your car by regularly washing and waxing it. Look after the interior as well, keeping it clean by vacuuming the carpet regularly and getting rid of spills before they become difficult to remove.

Follow the above tips and your car will run gracefully into old age.

For information about PRUDENT VALUE CARS, visit our web site: www.prudentvaluecars.com

Buying a Quality Used Car is Easy When You Know What to Look for.

Not everyone knows the benefits of buying used cars, but that does not mean that they should not be taking a look at them anyway when it comes time to purchase a different car. It is always prudent for anyone looking to purchase a car that they check into what would be right for them. Buying a quality used car does not have to take a rocket scientist to get it right, it just has to be handled a bit differently than purchasing one of the new car show room. A previously owned vehicle can be likened to a Renoir painting. It may not be hot off the easel, but it sure has character.

The prudent car buyer will always take the time to look at buying a quality used car first because used cars have already taken the depreciation that often happens the minute a brand new vehicle is driven off the lot. Another thing that the astute car buyer should do is to be careful to select the car you want and the loan you need. most buyers are unable to even come up with the money to make the purchase, but that does not mean they should just take what is being offered to them at the dealership without question. Sometimes dealers offer good deals, but often they do not.

When buying a quality used car you should take a look at the newer models first because often they still have a portion of the manufacturer’s warranty still in place. That means that you will be covered in case something goes wrong with the power train or other important mechanical features of the car. Of course, there is always the option of purchasing an extended warranty on any used vehicle, but it is usually cheaper on newer models and provides more coverage as well since the risk of something serious going wrong is much less than with an older vehicle.

Along with taking a look at a newer vehicle, when buying a quality used car, you should also check into what are known as certified pre-owned vehicles. These later model used trucks and cars typically have fewer than 50,000 miles or 80,000 kilometers on the speedometer, and have been put through multipoint inspections to make sure that they are in tip top shape. During the inspection process they have received all the required service and upkeep prior to being placed on the car lot. What you will find when buying a previously owned vehicle that has gone through this rigorous process is a very good used car.

If you’re looking for ways to save money by buying a used car, visit our inventory at http://www.prudentvaluecars.com/
Prudent Value Cars makes it easy to help you buy the right used car for your needs.

Buying a Quality Used Car is Not Rocket Science

Many people realized a long time ago the benefits of buying a quality used car over buying one fresh off the new car lot. However, it is not always the easiest thing for everyone to figure out if they have not been doing so for years, or have a mechanics license to let them know when something is terribly wrong or extremely right. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out when a previously owned vehicle is a good deal or not, bit there are some things you should know so that you will not take home a lemon.

The best way to go about buying a quality used car is to shop for some of the newer models that are on lots these days. Most of the time later model previously owned vehicles still have a portion of the original manufacturer’s warranty still intact. With warranties usually being three-years or based on kilometres, when you buy a used car that is less than three years old you will be getting the satisfaction of knowing that you still have about a year left where you will not have to worry about your car. Along with that there is usually a longer warranty on the engine and transmission.

As you do search for the right previously owned vehicle for you make sure to check into certified pre-owned vehicles. These vehicles have been put through inspections that check the vehicle in multiple areas to make sure that they are ready to go. They are also serviced and any repairs made, that are necessary. They normally have less than 60,000 kilometers on them so you know that when you are buying a quality used car that has been through the ringer this way you will have a good vehicle to drive and be proud of. You just can’t go wrong with this kind of deal.

You can also do a background check on any car you are interested in to find out if you will be buying a quality used car if you settle on this one or not. If you find that the must-have vehicle has a number of recall issues or if the previous owner has complained to the manufacturer about it, it might be best to just walk away and take a look at something else, A previously owned vehicle can be a really great bargain, but if you are going t have to wonder if you will have troubles with it too, it is not a good deal.

For more, please visit our inventory at http://www.prudentvaluecars.com