Tamiami Ford

Keep a well oiled machine

2010-12-15T13:02:00.000-08:00

We all know that we should get our oil changed every couple of months, and a lot of us still need the reminder of the little flashing oil can light. But why do we need to change our oil? Will it REALLY not run properly if we don't? The answer is yes you need to change your oil, and yes it will REALLY REALLY not run properly if you don't maintain your car.

Think about it this way, how would you feel if you didn't have any liquids for an extended period of time. You would feel pretty terrible and parched and get yourself a bottle of water. Well your car can't exactly drive itself over to a Jiffy Lube or pop open the top of a jug of oil and drink up (well yet anyways!), so you need to stay vigilant and take care of your vehicle when it shows he warning signs of being parched.

Your vehicle is a complicated machine fun of cylinders and pistons and things that need to move around freely, but need the lubrication of oil. If there is no oil then too much friction occurs and we all know that fast moving metal on metal never ends well. In order to make sure your engine is happy and healthy, just make sure you keep some oil in it.

For more information on what happens if you don't change your oil, check out:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080204193107AApEcRz

Prevent automobile theft!

2010-12-08T12:24:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately things aren't like the good ol' days where we could leave our car running out in the parking lot. We need to be careful. Thievery is a problem, but you can take many measures to prevent loss of property.

First of all, lock your car doors. Always. Whether it's in drive, parked at the grocery store, or parked out front of your house, lock the doors. You never know when a criminal may strike so you might was well be prepared.

Don't leave personal belongings such as Ipods, cell phones, purses, or garage door openers in your vehicle in the first place. If it is necessary to leave such an item in your vehicle, hide it or lock it in your glove compartment. No need to dangle a prize in front of a potential thief!

Make sure you know where your car keys are at all times. You don't want to set them down and have someone easily steal your car.

If your car gets broken into or stolen, file a police report right away. Make sure the law knows what's going on so they can possibly prevent further issues.

Be safe out there everyone!!

Slow it down! Some reasons to not speed

2010-12-01T10:51:00.000-08:00

We know how tempting it is to speed and get to your destination just that much quicker. Sometimes it seems that speed limits are put in place purely for aggravation purposes, and they're all way too low. It's so easy to fall into the trap of thinking that, but in reality, speed limits are set for a reason.

Statistics show that 88% of crash fatalities from speeding were not on the interstate (http://www.teendriversource.org/stats/teen/detail/67z). Speeding anywhere is dangerous, especially in neighborhood areas or school zones. It's easy to get distracted and go much faster than necessary, but we all just need to pay more attention to sticking with the speed limit.

Teenagers especially need to be careful because there is a high correlation between teen crash fatalities and speeding.

Besides the overriding safety issues, who wants a speeding ticket? They are expensive and aggravating. Insurance rates sky rocket, and let's be honest NO ONE wants to go to traffic school.

So buckle up and cool the lead foot. Speeding is not worth it!

For more information check out:
http://www.teendriversource.org/stats/teen/detail/67

Rainy Day Driving Made Simpler

2010-11-24T10:47:00.000-08:00

We've all experienced that moment when we're cruising along the highway and it's a nice and bright sunny day when all of a sudden a giant, ominous rain cloud appears only to rain on our parade. Literally. Although a lot can be said for our own efforts in making driving in the rain safer, technology is evolving to help us out even further.

Most cars now are installed with anti-lock braking systems (ABS) that act as extra insurance that our tires are in fact meeting the road. We don't want to hydroplane!

Many cars also have brake force distribution, brake assist, and traction control that help in slippery conditions. Brake force distribution essentially prevents unequal weight distribution while braking that could potentially cause your car to skid when you slam on the brakes. Brake assist partners with ABS when you stop short to ensure that the car fully brakes. And finally traction control works with the steering system to ensure stability control for your vehicle.

With all these extra technologies driving in the rain isn't such a daunting task.

For more information on auto technology, go to:

http://www.canadiandriver.com/2010/11/24/auto-tech-slippery-roads.htm

Dangerous Debris: Avoid it!

2010-11-17T10:52:00.000-08:00

There are many dangers on the roadways, one of which is debris that does not belong on the road. Whether it fell out of a cargo truck, is left over from a previous accident, or a stray piece of garbage that somehow made it into the road, debris poses many problems for you.

Eighty to ninety fatalities per year can be attributed to crashes caused by debris in the road; unacceptable for a preventable action. You can make the first step in preventing these crashes by securing your own personal belongings to your car, and ensuring that your vehicles doors are all properly shut.

Be a vigilant driver in order to avoided hitting debris. If you see a debris along the roadway or highway, report it to make sure action is being taken to rectify the situation. When avoiding debris in the way make sure to check before moving into another lane instead of having a sort of "knee jerk" reaction. Swinging into the next lane can cause a fatal crash.

Be safe out there!

For more information on debris safety, check out:
http://www.aaaexchange.com/main/Default.asp?CategoryID=3&SubCategoryID=4&ContentID=313

Check Out a Hybrid Car Today!

2010-11-10T10:38:00.000-08:00

With the new movement to "go green" the popularity of hybrids is spiking. Investing in a hybrid car is a smart decision for many reasons.

Hybrid cars are definitely the way to go as far as environmental friendliness. Combine the fact that the tires on these cars are made with a special rubber that reduces friction on the road and the cars themselves are built more aerodynamically, hybrids waste a lot less fuel. This makes hybrid cars emit much less pollution.

Hybrid cars may be a little more expensive on the forefront, but in the long run they can actually save you money. With gas prices not exactly being low these days, filling up less definitely helps the wallet. These cars are designed with smaller, more efficient engines to make the car waste less gas by shutting down the engine when the car is stopped. The electric motor gets powered automatically by utilizing the energy to charge the batteries that is typically lost through braking.

You should definitely check out a hybrid car today!

For more information, check out: http://www.learnmechanic.com/why-buying-a-hybrid-car-makes-you-feel-better.html

Collision Warning Technology: Too Robotic?

2010-11-03T14:37:00.000-07:00

New burgeoning automotive technology involving radar-based safety has many wonderful benefits, but has us asking: will it lead to other dangers?

Distracted driving is a huge problem these days, and these car safety-moniters can help, but may also go a little bit too far. With the extra assurance some people may throw all caution to the wind and rely too much on their vehicle instead of actually paying attention themselves. No matter how great technology is there is always a potential for error or technological failure, so the humans behind the wheel still need to be vigilant.

Now 5 percent of vehicles in North America including these radar-based safety features and the market of sales for these vehicles is expected to grow exponentially. Automakers are still fine-tuning this technology and hopefully will be able to find a happy medium between extremely safe and not having a completely robotic car.

For more info check out: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101101/OEM06/311019987/1182

What To Do If Your Car Breaks Down

2010-10-27T11:08:00.000-07:00

Below are some answers to common questions asked when a car breaks down in the middle of traffic.

Where do I move my car?

Move your vehicle to the right side of the road out of the flow of traffic (if possible) because it is much safer than being stopped on the left side of a divided road. Never leave your vehicle stopped in a lane with traffic. Move the vehicle as far away from the traveled portion of the roadway as you can so that at the very least you are far enough away that you can open the door without stepping out into traffic.

Where do my passengers and I go?

Stay off of the road and away from your car, never standing in front of or behind the vehicle. Always exit the vehicle by the passenger side (unless not possible given the circumstance of the accident). Make sure you are visible enough so that people can see you, and never allow passengers to remain in the vehicle to avoid more dangers of the road.

How do I show that I need help?

Show clear signs that there is a problem and you need assistance by raising the vehicle hood or turn on your emergency flashers and display any signs you have that indicate you need help.If you remain with the vehicle, another motorist will be able to report your disabled vehicle to the police, and it will be easier for the police or others to provide assistance. Do not try to make your own repairs to your vehicle while it is in an area exposed to other traffic.

(WHAS11.com)

GoTellMom.com Promotes Safe Teen Driving

2010-10-20T10:53:00.000-07:00

GoTellMom.com is a family owned company that has started a program that enables parents' ability to monitor and protect their teen drivers utilizing a "How's My Teen's Driving?" bumper sticker. The overall goal of the program is to protect teenage drivers and to promote safer driving habits.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that, "Drivers aged 16 to 19 years of age have the highest average annual crash and traffic violation rates of any other age group." Also, "16-year-olds are 3 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash than the average of all drivers."

With the GoTellMom.com program, parents can register online and receive a "How's My Teen's Driving?" bumper sticker with a unique privacy protected identification number. If a fellow driver or witness observes unsafe driving habits by the teen, they can call or visit GoTellMom.com to report the incident using the 4 digit code on the bumper sticker. GoTellMom.com will then send a detailed e-mail report notifying the parents of the teen driver.

Studies have shown that commercial vehicles utilizing "How's My Driving" stickers reported a 20% decrease in accidents and traffic violations.

By placing the GoTellMom.com sticker on a teen's car, parents take a proactive step towards preventing bad driving habits, ultimately keeping their teens safe.

If the teen is speeding, texting while driving, or just driving carelessly, the community can call or report to GoTellMom.com, instantly notifying the parents of the teen. If teen drivers know that the community is watching, safe driving will inevitably become a priority.

GoTellMom.com was created in 2010 after founder Dale Sutcliffe was tailgated by a teen driver in his neighborhood. He watched the same teen driver continue to tailgate other drivers on the road, causing Sutcliffe to wish he could contact the teen's parents and tell them about their child's dangerous driving to correct the behavior.

Statistics reveal that teenage driving accidents and fatalities nationwide are a major problem. GoTellMom.com hopes to reach out and help prevent many of these accidents by promoting safe driving in the community.

Tips for Buying a New Car

2010-10-13T10:38:00.000-07:00

Cars are no longer a luxury that only the rich and famous can afford. Today, cars have become a necessity to every home and family. Now cars are one of the most used means of transportation in the entire world. This means that you need to follow some new car buying tips before owing one of these beautiful pieces of machinery.

These days there is a lot of competition as far as car manufacturing is concerned. Different car manufacturers are consistently in the process of improving car designs and engine performance to attract more and more customers. In the end it is the consumer who gets to benefit in the bargain. You can buy one of the cool-looking cars at the best price if you do your homework well before you hit the store.

Here are three useful tips to ensure that buying a new car does not turn into a stressful experience for you:

1. Spend ample time to select the car of your choice

Buy a new car when you are in a position to wait for the right choice. This is one of the important new car buying tips. Do not ever get yourself into a situation where your old car is in a broken down state and you desperately need a new car. This situation will not benefit you. Therefore, start looking for the car of your dreams when you still have the time.

2. Get the best car loan and look for best incentives from different auto dealers

Before you decide on the color and model of the car, make sure you have ready money to buy the car. If you want to finance the car you need to ensure you know about the interest rates, monthly installment, and the tenure of the car loan. Check with different credit unions, banks, and other financial institutions to make sure you get the best deal. Another of the new car buying tips is to check with various auto dealers about the incentives that they offer. Incentives such as cash back, special financing deals, and customer loyalty discounts are things to look out for. Persuade the auto dealer to give you as much incentive as possible on the new purchase.

3. Do proper research and do not develop any emotions about a new car before buying it

Do proper research on the Internet to study different models of your choice. You should know about the features and specifications of the model that you like before walking into a car shop. This will give you a sense of confidence and help build an impression of the salesperson who knows he/she cannot fool you. Another of the important new car buying tips is not to get emotionally attached to a car unless you bring it home, thereby allowing yourself to go for the best deal.

"Drive Safely Work Week" Kicks Off to Combat Distracted Driving

2010-10-06T12:22:00.000-07:00

As the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety’s (NETS) “Drive Safely Work Week” kicks off nationwide today, safety organizations and employers are encouraging organizations to draft, maintain and enforce distracted driving (DWD) policies. With a goal of protecting employees and other drivers by reducing preventable accidents, CellControl CEO Chuck Cox emphasizes that Drive Safely Work Week is “a great time to draft and implement a distracted driving policy. Having such a policy is an important first step in improving driver safety.”

Driver safety is a big problem. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that traffic accidents are a leading cause of workplace death and injury, costing almost $100 billion annually in lost productivity and medical expenses. Because phone-related distracted driving is a leading cause of such accidents, Kathy Trahan, President/CEO of the Safety Council of the Louisiana Capital Area (http://www.safetylca.org), notes “driver safety is critical for our membership. For the CEO/CIOs, corporate safety directors or fleet managers that want to maintain safe operating environments, distracted driving safety policies and enforcement solutions should be priority components of their safety strategy.”

National fleet safety advocacy groups and public/private corporations are working this week to protect drivers in the communities, states and regions that they serve. Baron Davis, President of Safety Alert (http://www.safetyalert.com) agrees on the importance of safety and the prevention of distracted driving. “Our Louisiana-based organization serves fleet partners across the country and monitors thousands of drivers to promote and advocate safe driving. Mobile phone distractions are a large and growing problem, and technology solutions like CellControl are important and save lives.”

“The CellControl distracted driving solution has been developed for corporations and government agencies, large or small, that provide mobile communication devices to their employees. Mobile devices are important and mission-critical productivity tools, but endangering lives and property due to out-of-policy usage must and can be prevented,” added Cox.

As part of this week’s focus, CellControl is hosting online web demos to educate business and community leaders on the dangers, realities and costs of distracted driving (DWD). To schedule a complimentary web demo on the real costs of distracted driving or obtain additional information, call 1-888-896-9753 (1-225-215-0079 outside USA) or visit www.cellcontrol.com.

CellControl, based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, provides the most accurate, secure and reliable solution for distracted driving caused by cellular phones and other mobile devices, such as laptops and handhelds. Instead of using GPS to determine vehicle movement, a technology approach with several weaknesses, CellControl directly integrates the vehicle’s onboard diagnostics computer with the mobile phone/device to stop texting, e-mailing, web browsing and phone usage while operating a vehicle. Additional vehicle performance data, such as speed, mileage, and idle time, are also provided.

Different Types of Tires and the Affect on Your Car

2010-09-29T10:50:00.000-07:00

When you go to the automotive store you will see a wide variety of tires available. You will find big tires, small tires, tires for winter, tires for summer, and tires that can help you save money. Fortunately, you don not need to be an automotive expert to determine what types of tires are best for your vehicle(s).

There are many types of tires available on today's market. One of the newcomers is the environmentally friendly tire. These "green" tires provide less rolling resistance, which in turn helps improve fuel economy. Some tests on these eco-friendly tires have shown that owners will get 2,600 gallons of free gas (or the driving equivalent of 65,000 thousand miles). This is possible due to the composition of the tires as well as the dual tread zone which allows better traction in the center of the tire for wet weather along with improved edges on the tire to perform better in dry conditions. These changes add to the comfort of the ride, the life span of the tire tread, and overall investment in the cost of the tire.

If you do the bulk of traveling in the summer and it is primarily the all-American road trip, then you want to have tires that are designed with warm weather usage in mind. These tires are often referred to as ultra-high performance or max-performance tires and are a step up from the standard all purpose tires. They are available in 15-22 inch wheel sizes and are noted for their performance on wet or dry roads, as well as the smoothness of the ride. These tires are also great for high speeds and, depending on the brand, have topped out at as much as 186 miles per hour. Interestingly, these tires have also been shown to be fuel efficient, getting 3-4% better mileage than standard all-season tires.

If you live in area known for severe winter storms, ice and snow, then having winter/snow tires is a must. These tires are designed to provide you with extra traction, better braking and easier handling so that you can drive on the snow without fear of sliding. The tires are made with special rubber compounds and tread designs that make cold weather travel safer. In fact, test have shown that vehicles of the same length and size with winter tires going at a speed of 15 mph will stop half a car length faster than a identical vehicle without the snow tires.
An all-season tire, while good for everyday usage, is not recommended for winter driving and is only adequate in any type of weather. If you will be driving in moderate to severe snow, you will want to invest in a set of winter tires. In addition, the all-season is recommended for areas with minimal rain or little to snow.

Whether you are looking for all-season tires, winter wheels, summer tires, or green tires your area automotive store will be glad to help you find the best wheels for your ride.

Top Six Teen Cars for Cheap Insurance Rates

2010-09-22T11:03:00.000-07:00

Hooked you on the title, right? Everyone with a teenager of driving age who wants a car to zip around with friends, to and from school and various activities is interested in the subject of best teen cars for cheap insurance rates.
Hey, it’s a tough topic in many households. I mean, kid wants to drive, parents are tired of toting them around at inconvenient hours (anytime becomes inconvenient after a while), but budgeting is tight these days and money isn’t getting any easier to come by. Then, there’s the whole issue of sky-high rates and risk pools and all that for teen drivers. Seems like the deck is stacked against parents and teens, doesn’t it? Well, there are some cars that are generally cheaper to insure for teen drivers – given the fact that the teen has a good driving record and a few other factors.
We’re not going to get into all those factors in depth here, except to note that driving record (at least three years in order to get a “good driver” discount), age, gender, location, type of vehicle, and amount of coverage all play a role in the amount of premium for the teen driver’s car. Keep in mind that new or newer cars have more standard safety equipment than some older models – and you want all the safety features you can get in a car for your teen: anti-lock brakes, extra airbags, electronic stability control, and traction control. Also look for models that scored better than average on government crash tests.
And now, the list:

While there are certainly other cars that may offer reasonable (cheap relative to other cars) insurance rates for teen drivers, here are six that stand out. Maybe you drove one when you were a teen. At any rate, check them out. Your teen may thank you for it. And the family dinner table will be a lot less contentious.

1. Ford Fusion - The mid-size Ford Fusion four-door sedan is mostly unchanged for 2011. Eye-catching style, available all-wheel drive, nice interior, great fuel economy (23 mpg city/33 mpg highway in base four-cylinder with six-speed automatic), and unique Ford SYNC system appeal to parents and teens.
Safety features, standard or optional abound, including six standard airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), traction control, and integrated blind spot mirrors, optional lane departure warning, and optional MyKey (which limits top speed to 80 mph, radio volume to 45 percent, and continuously chimes when seat belts are not fastened). Whether you buy this car for your teen or allow him or her to drive the family Fusion, it’s a great choice for less expensive insurance rates. Fusion is also a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

2. Ford Focus – Dated styling (2011 is the last year before a much-needed redesign), but high fuel economy (25 mpg city/35 mpg highway in base inline four-cylinder and five-speed manual transmission), plenty of safety features (six standard airbags, electronic stability and traction control, optional MyKey), and available SYNC system make the 2011 Ford Focus a good choice for a commuter car for teens. It won’t win any beauty contests, but it may be less to insure.

3. Ford Fiesta – The all-new 2011 Ford Fiesta, on the other hand, available in hatchback and sedan models, is winning raves from automotive reviewers and young drivers alike. It’s fun to drive, has high build quality, is one of the least expensive small cars, and gets great fuel economy (estimated 29 mpg city/40 mpg highway). There’s a total of seven standard airbags – including side-curtain airbags and a driver’s knee airbag. And, like Fusion and Focus, integrated blind spot mirrors, ESC and traction control. The 2011 Ford Fiesta is the first minicar to win the Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS since the introduction of tough roof strength requirement for rollover protection. Ford also offers lots of options to customize Fiesta, further appealing to young drivers.

4. Honda Fit – Kelley Blue Book named the Honda Fit one of its “10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000.” It’s easy to see why. Fit is versatile, fun to drive, and very fuel efficient (28 mpg city/35 mpg highway with four-cylinder engine and five-speed automatic transmission). Fit for 2010 also achieves a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in frontal crash testing, has six standard airbags and stability and traction control (Fit Sport with navigation).

5. Honda Civic – Another IIHS Top Safety Pick, the Honda Civic sedan is a traditionally inexpensive car to insure for teen drivers. Six airbags, ESC with traction control, and daytime running lights are standard. Fuel economy in the base four-cylinder engine with five-speed automatic transmission is 25 mpg city/36 mpg highway.

6. Chevrolet Cruze – With a class-leading 10 airbags (including knee airbags for the driver and front passenger), the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, expected in dealer showrooms by the end of 2010, has outstanding safety features for a small car. It has not yet been tested by either NHTSA or IIHS. ESC and ABS are also standard. Fuel economy is 26 mpg city/36 mpg highway and up to 40 mpg highway with Cruze Eco.

Other best teen cars for cheap insurance rates to consider: Kia Soul, Nissan Cube, and Scion xB.
Note: It would be remiss not to mention other cars besides the Honda Fit that KBB designated as “10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000.” These include the Honda Civic, Nissan Cube, Scion xB, Kia Soul, and Ford Fiesta.
Bottom line: Check with your insurance provider regarding the best insurance rates for your teen driver. Be sure to inquire about premium differences between one vehicle and another. And stress the importance of maintaining a good driving record and getting good grades in school – both of which will have a significant impact on how much insurance will cost for them to drive.

Back To School Safety Tips

2010-09-08T11:04:00.000-07:00

As parents or caregivers, it is important that you take time to sit down with your children and make sure they know how to stay safe.

Summer is nearly over and everyone has headed back to school. Just like teachers, books, and homework go hand in hand with the school year, so should safety. The following tips were provided by the National Fire Protection Association.

Tips for those riding the bus:

While waiting for the bus, take five giant steps back from the curb until the bus has stopped completely.

- Inside the bus, stay seated at all times.

- Keep head, arms and hands inside the bus. Never throw anything out of the bus window.

- Always hold on to the bus handrails when you are getting on or off the bus so you don’t fall.

- Be careful that clothing, book bags, and key rings don’t get caught in the handrails or doors

- When getting off the bus, go to the closest sidewalk or side of the road and take five giant steps away from the bus.

- If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver. If you bend over to pick it up, the bus driver may not be able to see you.

Walking to school safely:

- Children under age 10 should never cross a street without a grown-up.

- Choose a safe route to school. Look for the most direct route with the fewest street crossings.

- When crossing the street, stop at the curb or edge of the road.

- Look left, then right, then left again for moving cars before crossing.

- Keep looking left and right until you are safely across the street – and remember to walk, not run.

- Follow all traffic signals and markings.

- Don’t enter the street from between parked cars or from behind bushes or shrubs. Drivers might not be able to see you.

If you will be riding a bicycle to school:

- If you are old enough to ride alone, plan a safe route to school and have a grown-up ride with you the first few times.

- Children under 10 shouldn’t ride on the road without a grown-up.

- Be sure that your helmet fits. It should sit even on top of the head – not rocking in any direction and always fasten the safety strap.

- Learn the proper hand signals and use them when you turn or stop.

- Walk, do not ride your bike across the street.

- Come to a complete stop before entering driveways, paths or sidewalks, then look left, right and left again for bikes, cars or pedestrians heading your way.

- Do not ride at night.

And last, but not least, if you are riding in a car to school the safest place to be if you are 12 years old or younger is in the back seat buckled up safely. Remember, you should be in a booster seat until you are eight years old and weigh 80 pounds.

Automobile crashes are the leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths for children 14 and under with almost 2,000 deaths in 2005. Inappropriately restrained children are nearly three and a half times more likely to be seriously injured in motor vehicle-related crashes. In 2007, more than 178,000 children ages 14 and under were injured occupants in a motor vehicle crash.

Riding in a motor vehicle:

- Children ages 12 and under should ride buckled up in the back seat in a child safety seat, booster seat or safety belt.

- Infants should ride in a rear-facing infant seat until they are at least one-year old and weigh at least 20 pounds.

- Use a convertible or forward-facing safety seat until the child outgrows it – up to about four and when the child weighs 40 pounds.

- All children who have outgrown child safety seats should be properly restrained in booster seats until they are at least eight years old, unless they are 4-feet 9 inches tall.

Adult safety belts alone do not sufficiently protect children weighing less than 80 pounds from injury in a crash. Children can’t ride comfortably and remain properly restrained until they are tall enough for the knees to bend over the edge of the seat when their backs are resting firmly against the back seat.

If the shoulder portion of the lap-shoulder belt comes across the neck, rather than the chest, they should be in a booster seat.

Proper Tire Care Equals Safety and Fuel Savings

2010-09-01T12:38:00.000-07:00

When it comes to tires, choose carefully. Selection of tires should be based on loading and size recommendations of the vehicle. Try asking an expert or automobile dealer when you're selecting the proper tire for your driving patterns.

You never know when you'll need a tire gauge, so buy one and keep it in your car. This device will provide information about when to add more air to your tires.

Remember to check the pressure of your tires once a month and especially if you've just taken a long trip. Damages that can lead to tire failure are caused by underinflation. Uneven wear, handling and stopping problems are often caused by overinflation. Therefore, it's important to use as a guide the manufacturer's recommended air pressure.

When it's raining, try to slow down. Better traction is provided as your speed decreases because the amount of your tire's tread making contact on the road's surface increases.

It's important to rotate your tires every 6,000 miles. Before rotation, you first need to check if your tires are showing uneven wear because if they do, then you need to ask your automotive service professional to correct any mechanical problems.

Another thing to remember is to periodically check your vehicle alignment. Ask an automotive professional to check the alignment if you notice that your vehicle is pulling to one side.

Also remember to inspect and measure your tire tread. To do this, place a penny in the tread groove and you'll know it's time to replace it when you can see the top of Lincoln's head.

To make sure that there are no irregularities like bulges or cuts check the tire sidewalls.

Remember not to overload your vehicle because in can create excessive heat inside your tires.

Checking your tire balance periodically is also important. Irregular wear may be the result of unbalanced tire and wheel assembly.

If you want your vacation drives to be enjoyable, affordable, and safe, then make it a habit to regularly check your tires.

Tips On Buying A Car For Your College-Bound Teenager

2010-08-25T07:26:00.000-07:00

With the new school year approaching your teenager or college-bound student may be asking you for a car. Selecting the right vehicle can become quite challenging, especially when their preferences can be quite different from yours. The automotive repair experts at Shade Tree Garage, in Morristown, New Jersey, have created a list of tips to keep in mind when purchasing a new vehicle for your teenage driver.

Dan O’Connor, Service Advisor at Shade Tree Garage says, “When purchasing a vehicle for your teenager, you’ll want to look at safety, affordability and reliability. If you evaluate each of these areas carefully, you will be confident you’re getting the best vehicle you can for the money you want to spend.” Here’s O’Connor’s list of tips.

1. Safety - According to AAA, automobile crashes are the leading cause of death for teens. “Because safety is of primary importance, it’s critical to choose a vehicle that has the latest safety features designed to prevent crashes and minimize injury,” states O’Connor. Any vehicle considered should include features like anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights, electronic stability control, adjustable/locking head restraints, and airbags.

2. Affordability - Insurance costs, fuel and maintenance will all affect the affordability of a car. According to O’Connor, “A lot of times a car might look great and be in your price range, but the owner is selling it right at the time it will need a lot of maintenance work done, like new brakes, tires, or the major service. Quality automotive repair shops, like Shade Tree Garage, can perform a pre-purchase inspection to let you know if the vehicle is safe, reliable and priced right.”

3. Reliability - Of course you want to know the vehicle won’t break down the first time your teen takes it out on the road. It’s a good idea to order the vehicle’s CarFax report. You should also determine if there’s a warranty for the vehicle. Again, you may want to have an automotive repair expert perform a pre-purchase inspection. In doing so, you’ll know the vehicle you are thinking of purchasing is roadworthy, mechanically-sound and equipped with operational safety components.

Survey Says Cell Phone Users Are Serious About Safety

2010-08-18T10:10:00.000-07:00

A study by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) finds that most drivers who use cell phones consider safety their top priority in the car. Twenty-two percent of drivers with cell phones never use their phones while driving, while others only use them with devices like a built-in speakerphone, wireless Bluetooth headset, or a wired earphone or headset.

According to CEA, the typical American spends about 2 1/3 hours per day in a vehicle, amounting to roughly 16.5 hours per week.

The organization says in-car technology has contributed to significant improvements in safety and comfort in the car, while helping to reduce distractions.

How Automobile Car Alarms Work

2010-08-11T07:38:00.000-07:00

Car Alarms are essentially designed to give your car a complete security network, which is hard to detect by a goon or a thief or an imposter. There are different types of car alarms available in the market, and every alarm offers unique set of features and functionalities, though the purpose of these very smart and subtle car audio systems is common - to prompt the car owner about the theft; and alert him or her to take the necessary action altogether.

Different car alarms work differently. Expensive cars and SUVs have more complex working alarm systems, while the less expensive cars have basic or the elementary models of car alarms installed in them.

Car alarms are nothing but a series of sensors which are installed in the car’s fuselage and other secret areas of the car body making them quite hard to detect. It is the use of stealth technology that ultimately make car alarms completely successful and more of practical advantage to the users. The sensors are connected to the car stereo system wherein the speakers generate the sound when the sensors are triggered due to movement of live objects in the vicinity of your car or vehicle.

As the part of basic installation of car alarms, wires pass through the driver’s door, to the rear doors and finally the passenger’s door in the front just adjacent to driver’s seat. In most of the normal used car models, both the front doors are equipped with the car alarms sensors and which are further connected to car stereo system. The procedures for installation of car alarms is very simple, and involves fixing a switching circuit somewhere under the dashboard, with the network of wires spread all across. Finally, it is the car audio system that works together in sync with the sensors. On the whole, basic functioning of car alarms is quite simple, and you don’t need to perform any kind of complex manipulative actions before you get set and trigger the sensors. Car alarms are automatic in operation. The moment there’s any human intervention, sensors sense them, and sounds from car audio begin sounding.

Many car alarm manufacturing companies are innovating on new genre of electronic car alarms. The companies are manufacturing car alarms for all kinds of cars. Remember! Today, car alarms are playing indispensable role in preventing car thefts, and saving car owners from all the angst and undue trouble. If you are really looking for good and effective car alarm for your car, you need to go for comparison shopping. When you go for comparison shopping, you are likely to get affordable car alarm for your car.

Tamiami Ford - Biggest 4th of July Weekend Sale - (7/2010)

2010-07-02T07:54:00.000-07:00

Our First Blog

2010-05-07T18:14:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Tamiami Ford's Blog! We look forward to updating the world with all kinds of useful information about our dealership and the Ford products we sell!