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Use the Parking (Emergency) Brake Correctly
Most people don't engage their parking brake, only use it on a hill, or don't use it properly. While it's name includes emergency, it should be used every time before you turn off your engine, but don't wait until you've turned off the engine to engage it. The correct way to use the parking brake is to stop your car with the primary brakes, set the parking brake, and then place your transmission in park before turning off your engine. It's best for your transmission to not hold your car in place with the primary brake.
Therefore, when you start your engine, you press your primary brake pedal, disengage the parking (emergency) brake, and shft into drive. Don't ever drive with the parking brake engaged. That will damage your car.
If your primary brakes fail while you're driving, slowly pull up on the parking (emergency) brake handle or engage the pedal down (which ever is appropriate for your car) evenly and slowly to control your car and to come to a complete stop.
Most people don't engage their parking brake, only use it on a hill, or don't use it properly. While it's name includes emergency, it should be used every time before you turn off your engine, but don't wait until you've turned off the engine to engage it. The correct way to use the parking brake is to stop your car with the primary brakes, set the parking brake, and then place your transmission in park before turning off your engine. It's best for your transmission to not hold your car in place with the primary brake.
Therefore, when you start your engine, you press your primary brake pedal, disengage the parking (emergency) brake, and shft into drive. Don't ever drive with the parking brake engaged. That will damage your car.
If your primary brakes fail while you're driving, slowly pull up on the parking (emergency) brake handle or engage the pedal down (which ever is appropriate for your car) evenly and slowly to control your car and to come to a complete stop.
What is GAP Insurance and Who Needs It?
Guaranteed Asset Protection, or GAP, covers the difference between an auto loan balance and the car's cash value in the event of a total loss. If your auto loan balance is higher than your car's value, you're "upside down", and GAP insurance is good security to have.
Specific reasons for needing GAP insurance include the following:
1. your down payment was less than 20% of the car's value.
Remember, since car loans are for increasingly longer term, and average over 5 1/2 years now, your car may lose value quicker than you pay down the auto loan balance.
Guaranteed Asset Protection, or GAP, covers the difference between an auto loan balance and the car's cash value in the event of a total loss. If your auto loan balance is higher than your car's value, you're "upside down", and GAP insurance is good security to have.
Specific reasons for needing GAP insurance include the following:
1. your down payment was less than 20% of the car's value.
- your vehicle is leased
- your auto loan's term exceeds 48 months
- you drive more than most, which makes the car lose its value faster
- the car model depreciates quicker than most
- your trade-in was upside down
Remember, since car loans are for increasingly longer term, and average over 5 1/2 years now, your car may lose value quicker than you pay down the auto loan balance.
How to Avoid Buying the Flood Damaged Used Car
The unscrupulous car seller will try to eliminate all signs of a flood damaged car, but there are some things to look for and do to avoid being scammed.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau VINCheck is a free service to assist in determining if a car has been reported as stolen, but not recovered, or has been reported as a salvage vehicle by cooperating NICB member insurance companies. To perform a search, a vehicle identification number (VIN) is required.
The unscrupulous car seller will try to eliminate all signs of a flood damaged car, but there are some things to look for and do to avoid being scammed.
- If you want to spend the extra money have a mechanic look over the car you're considering
- The smell of mold or a strong smell of cleaning solution can suggest a formerly flood damaged car
- Upholstery that doesn't match, such as seats and carpet
- Look for rust on screws and other fastening points of the car
- Contaminated oil and transmission fluids
- Does the engine compartment look unusually dirty
The National Insurance Crime Bureau VINCheck is a free service to assist in determining if a car has been reported as stolen, but not recovered, or has been reported as a salvage vehicle by cooperating NICB member insurance companies. To perform a search, a vehicle identification number (VIN) is required.
Where's The Spare Tire
A 2017 AAA report stated 28% of 2017 model year automobiles were sold without a spare tire. Don't they come in handy when you have a flat tire? Apaprently, car dealerships and manufacturers know that an increasing percentage of people don't know how to change a tire and have no intention to change one if the problem arises.
Some newer cars come equiped with tire pressure monitoring systems or tire-inflator kits. Neither system will help for all flat causing events. It's a good idea to have a properly inflated spare tire with you on the road. You never know when you might drive over the object that will cause a severe blow out. While often convenient, services such as AAA's might not always be as timely as needed, and changing a spare tire properly doesn't take very long.
A 2017 AAA report stated 28% of 2017 model year automobiles were sold without a spare tire. Don't they come in handy when you have a flat tire? Apaprently, car dealerships and manufacturers know that an increasing percentage of people don't know how to change a tire and have no intention to change one if the problem arises.
Some newer cars come equiped with tire pressure monitoring systems or tire-inflator kits. Neither system will help for all flat causing events. It's a good idea to have a properly inflated spare tire with you on the road. You never know when you might drive over the object that will cause a severe blow out. While often convenient, services such as AAA's might not always be as timely as needed, and changing a spare tire properly doesn't take very long.
Auto Safety and Pets
While nearly 80% of drivers take their pets along for the ride, less than 20% have their pets in any safety restraint inside the car, according to a recent AAA survey. The unrestrained pet can get between you and the gas and brake pedals of your car or truck. Bad things can happen after that. An unrestrained pet is a distraction and is left unprotected if you're involved in an accident.
The AAA Safety survey also noted that nearly 60% of drivers admit to actions while driving dealing with their pets that is not safe.
Common diversions while driving admissions included:
55% to petting dog
20% to allowing dog to sit in driver's lap
7% to giving food and water
5% to playing with dog
While nearly 80% of drivers take their pets along for the ride, less than 20% have their pets in any safety restraint inside the car, according to a recent AAA survey. The unrestrained pet can get between you and the gas and brake pedals of your car or truck. Bad things can happen after that. An unrestrained pet is a distraction and is left unprotected if you're involved in an accident.
The AAA Safety survey also noted that nearly 60% of drivers admit to actions while driving dealing with their pets that is not safe.
Common diversions while driving admissions included:
55% to petting dog
20% to allowing dog to sit in driver's lap
7% to giving food and water
5% to playing with dog