How to Effectively Handle Road Rage

Crowded streets, rush hour traffic, and tired drivers can lead to some events of road rage especially in a big city with a lot of drivers. You shouldn’t let it get the best of you or fall victim to an accident because of it. You should also never be the driver who is initiating road rage because it is dangerous and rude to say the least. Unfortunately, we have all encountered it at some point as a driver and should know how to effectively handle road rage while we are driving. This can be especially scary for a new driver who is being tail gated or honked at. Even experienced drivers can get flustered when they encounter it. Here are some tips for effectively handling road rage.

The first tip, and perhaps the most important, is to keep your cool. You don’t want to get as angry as the person using road rage to get their way while driving. If you get mad or flustered, you could lose your concentration on the road and cause or be victim to an accident. Using road rage to counter road rage is ineffective. You have to be the bigger person in these situations and remain, calm, cool, and collected. Vehicles shouldn’t be used as weapons or a means to intimidate anyone.

If you encounter a bully on the road, you should ignore them. Ignoring the road rage can be one of your best defenses. If someone is yelling out of their window at you, you should keep driving and never respond. Keep your window rolled up and don’t yell back or gesture anything rude back. Avoid contact with the driver at all costs. Unless there is an accident, never get out to talk to the driver or try to make them pull over. Likewise, if they want you to pull over just keep driving.

If the road rage is really bad and becoming a danger to any driver, you should contact the police. Tailgating or swerving can lead to accidents. Because of new cell phone safety laws, you will need to pull over to call the police. Pull over in a safe location or find a nearby exit to pull off the road to make the call. If the driver sees you on the phone, and you can safely make the call while you are driving, the road raged driver might back off a bit. If you feel that calling the police isn’t necessary, you may just want to pull off the road to avoid the driver and let them get a head start on the road from you. Stopping on the side of a busy highway can be dangerous, so look for the nearest exit to get on a frontage road or another place to stop like in a parking lot or gas station.

When dealing with road rage remember to stay calm, be safe, and call for help when necessary. Remembering these tips while driving can make your trip safe and effective for handling unfavorable situations.

Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgeable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Since 1959, Chapman motors has supplied reliable Austin used cars and is known as one of the best used cars austin dealers. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.

Proper Vehicle Fluids

Maintaining your vehicle is important because it ensures that it will run smooth and last longer. Maintenance involves more than oil changes and detailing it. Your vehicle needs proper fluids to operate safely and last longer. Having low fluid levels can cause premature break downs or even accidents. These are the fluids you should check in your vehicle on a regular time schedule.

First and very important is brake fluid. The level should always be full at the most to two thirds full at the least. This fluid system is a closed one, so if you find that the fluid runs low a lot there could be a leak and should be fixed immediately. If you are unsure of how or where to check the brake fluid, refer to the owner’s manual for your vehicle. Usually the compartment to check is near the engine, and will be labeled brake fluid reservoir.

Perhaps the most important fluid in your car or truck is the oil. You should change the oil yourself or get an oil change every three months or three thousand miles, whichever comes first. Just like the blood in our bodies, the oil is the bloodline in our cars. It should be clean and properly filled. When changing the oil and replacing the oil filter, be sure that you or your mechanic are using the proper oil for your vehicle. There are different grades and qualities, so check the owner’s manual to find which one you need.

Transmission fluid can be a little more risky to check because it has to be done while your vehicle is running. You check the levels of fluid here like you do the oil. There is a dipstick with a leveler on it that is located next to the oil dipstick. Because the car is running while you do this, unlike the oil, don’t wear loose clothing or low hanging jewelry. Usually you won’t need to fill the fluid because it will hardly ever be low. It’s good to check though because a low reading could mean there’s a leak.

Another really important fluid that should be checked weekly is coolant or antifreeze. It prevents the engine from overheating or freezing up in cold weather. This is really easy to check and refill when it gets low. Pay attention to the type of coolant you purchase because some need to be mixed with water. The fluid is a bright green color and is easy to check because there is a reservoir right near the front of the hood next to the radiator. If the levels are low a lot you run the risk of overheating and ruining the vehicle’s engine.

If the power steering starts to make noises when you turn your car, you probably are low of power steering fluid. The reservoir for the power steering is usually always next to the belts under the hood. In cars, it’s usually on the passenger side. If the fluid level is low you will have a hard time steering which will make for unsafe driving conditions. Normally, the reservoir is clear so you can see if you need to refill the power steering, but if it isn’t just unscrew the cap and look in the reservoir.

Another liquid that should be filled for safety reasons but won’t harm your vehicle if the level is low is windshield wiper fluid. In the event of dirt or bugs getting on your windshield while driving, you need to keep your view clear when you drive by cleaning the windshield.

Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgeable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Since 1959, Chapman motors has supplied reliable Austin used cars and is known as one of the best used cars austin dealers. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.

Emergency Preparedness Kit for Your Car

Driving a vehicle can be a very pleasant experience, but we have to keep in mind that safety should always be our top priority. As a driver, you hope that there won’t be any car accidents, traffic jams, terrible weather, or accidents in the car from kids or other unruly passengers. Living in Austin, TX, most of us know how the weather can take a turn for the worse. During the winter months, we have to be cautious of ice storms, freezing, and heavy rain when we are lucky. Unfortunately, inclement weather can make the roads hazardous. If you live in the hill country you have to be on the lookout for deer on the roads in the spring which can cause some very serious accidents. If something were to go wrong, you should be prepared for any situation with an emergency preparedness kit for your car.

If you are a parent driver, you know that kids can get cuts or scrapes from playing around in the car. It is always handy to have plenty of band aids available. There are other necessities that you will need for your car kit, including fluids for your car in case there is a break down. Here are some tips and materials to use when making an emergency preparedness car kit.

If nothing else, you should always make sure your vehicle is properly maintained. In the event of a breakdown, you can do some trouble shooting to see what the problem is. A lot of times the vehicle is out or low of proper fluids. Your car kit should include motor oil, a gallon of water, antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid, power-steering, and brake fluid. If you have the space in your kit or somewhere else, include a funnel so that pouring liquids in will be easier. It’s also a good idea to keep a few old rags to clean up with.

Once you have fluids for your car, you can work on materials for your car kit in case someone in the vehicle is hurt from an accident or other mishap. A standard first aid kit should include band aids, gauze, bandages, something for sterilization like alcohol wipes, scissors, instant cold pack, adhesive tape, gloves, and pain relievers. If you have medication that you need daily, such as insulin or an inhaler, you should include them in your kit as well.

Other items that will come in handy in case you are stranded or lost should be considered as well. When ice storms hit in Austin, some cars can get stranded over night on the road. This happened to a lot of people commuting out of Austin on their way home from work. Your emergency kit should include blankets, flash lights, batteries, energy or protein bars, toilet paper, jumper cables, road flares, and a battery powered or solar powered radio. These items are especially important if you are going on a long road trip, camping trip, or a day of off-roading.

You should always be prepared for any situation that might arise while you are in your car and on the road. It is better to be safe than sorry. You can encounter bad weather, a break down, or a car accident whether you are in Austin used cars or new cars, and you should always be prepared. Being prepared is your key to safety while on the road.

Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgeable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Since 1959, Chapman motors has supplied reliable Austin used cars and is known as one of the best used cars austin dealers. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.