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Halloween Safety Tips for Drivers

Help protect trick-or-treaters by following these driving safety tips on Halloween, or on the night your community hosts Halloween activities. Be especially careful between 4 and 8 p.m., when most severe vehicle/young pedestrian collisions happen.

Drive slowly, and don't pass stopped vehicles. The driver might be dropping off children.

Park your mobile phone. Avoid distractions by waiting until you've stopped to call, text, or surf. Get more mobile phone safety tips.

Watch for children darting into the street. Kids can cross the street anywhere, and most young pedestrian deaths happen at spots other than intersections.

Yield to young pedestrians. Children might not stop, either because they don't see your vehicle approaching or don't know how to safely cross the street.

Communicate with other drivers. Always use your turn signals. And if you have to pull over to drop off or pick up your kids, turn on your hazard lights.

And, to keep your own trick-or-treaters safe:

Teach them how to safely cross streets. They should look both ways and cross only at corners and crosswalks.

Consider indoor community Halloween programs for younger kids. Some communities also offer to help you inspect your kids' treats to make sure they're safe to eat.

Brighten them up. Give them flashlights and glow sticks, and/or use reflective tape on their costumes, so drivers can see them.

5 VERY Wrong Ways to Drive in the Rain

1. Don't drive toward the sides of the road.

Roads are constructed so that they're highest in the middle. The difference may be slight, but it causes water to run off the center hump (actually, it's called a crown) and drain toward the edges. If you're driving in the rain you want to avoid standing water, which means that you want to be where the water isn't -- and that's in the center of the road. No, the center won't be dry either, especially if it's still raining, but it's going to be the driest place around that isn't in somebody's garage.

2. Don't leave your headlights off (but don't make them too bright either).

We sometimes assume that, just like everything else, our headlights are all about us. They help us see what's in front of us, kind of like a pair of big flashlights. Actually, when it's raining, what you need your headlights for, even in the daytime, is so that other people can see you. But if headlights help you be seen, you don't want to unintentionally blind people with them either. Other drivers are already having enough trouble finding their way around. Don't dazzle them by turning on your high beams.

3. Don't drive if the windshield is so covered with rain that you can't see!

Okay, this one sounds like a no-brainer, but isn't it amazing how many people seem to have been born without brains? It doesn't matter if you know the road so well that you could drive it blindfolded while sound asleep, you still shouldn't drive it while there's enough water on the windshield to provide a home for goldfish. Not being able to see ahead, you don't necessarily know what's there. There could be stopped cars in front of you that you can't see. There may be pedestrians wandering around befuddled in your path. You may not even be driving as straight as you think you are and could be heading straight for a bridge abutment. When visibility gets low, pull off the road as quickly as it's safe to do so. Stop your car. Pop a CD in the dashboard player and listen to soothing music while you wait for things to clear up again. Get out your cell phone and have a conversation with your best friend (but only when you're not driving, remember?). Turn to the person next to you and get to know them better. Wonderful marriages have resulted from less auspicious beginnings.

4. Don't drive through a river.

We don't mean that literally, but if you see water flowing across the road from one side to the other and don't know how deep it is, don't try to drive across it! Every year hapless drivers figure their cars won't be harmed by fording a tiny little stream of rainwater that couldn't be deeper than, oh, an inch or so. You'd be surprised how many of these people then find themselves swept away, off the road and into a vicious current of rainwater that could carry them for hundreds of feet as they desperately try to get out of their car and grab a tree limb to keep from disappearing below the waterline. Better to wait out the storm and the rainwater than to lose your life -- and quite possibility the lives of those near and dear to you -- because you thought a little water couldn't hurt you.

Even if the water isn't moving, if the bottom isn't visible you don't know what's underneath it. There could be a pothole the size of a swimming pool. There could be broken glass or nails that fell off a truck. If you can't see the bottom, don't risk putting your tires on the submerged pavement -- or your life on the line. Either stop a safe distance from the water's edge or, if possible, find a way to drive around it.

5. Don't drive too fast for conditions!

Speed limits exist to tell you how safe it is to drive under good conditions. When conditions are bad and roads are wet, speed limits are worthless. Drive well under them -- and the worse the conditions, the lower the speed you should drive.

The worst danger of driving too fast in rain is hydroplaning. Hydroplaning is what happens when your car thinks it's a boat while it's still on the highway.

Usually your tires can slice their way through the water in front of them and keep in contact with the surface of the road. But when the road is wet and you're going too fast, your car can actually begin to float on top of the water and the tire tread loses contact with the road surface. This is bad. Very bad! When your tread loses contact with the road surface, you can no longer steer. You can no longer brake. This is what happens when you hydroplane. And you often don't know that you're hydroplaning until you hit the brakes and the car goes skidding out of control. Therefore it's better not to travel at hydroplane speeds to begin with.

What do you do if you realize you're hydroplaning and are already out of control? First off, don't panic (though, trust us, you'll be tempted to). Don't hit the brakes, because that just makes it worse. Let up on the accelerator so that any remaining traction can slow your speed. And drive straight. Don't try to turn. If the car is veering off in a direction you don't want to go, don't fight it; just follow your wheels. And as the car slows, , you'll be back under control.

At this point we recommend getting off the road and giving yourself time for your heart rate to slow back down. You'll need it.

Driving In Ice and Hail

Ice is one of the most hazardous of all driving conditions. Black ice is particularly treacherous because it is transparent and harder to spot compared to snow, frozen slush or thicker white ice.

As a result, many drivers often don’t realise they are actually driving on ice and don’t reduce their speeds.

Here are some useful tips for driving in ice:

• Only drive if it’s absolutely necessary and don't be afraid to turn back if you think the conditions are too treacherous
• Make sure you windows are completley clear before you start driving.
• If you’re driving to meet someone, let them know where you are travelling and when you expect to arrive
• You may need to leave as much as 10 times the normal recommended gap between you and the car in front
• If you do encounter a skid, steer gently into it - for example, if the rear of the car is sliding to the right, steer to the right. Do not take your hands off the steering wheel or stomp your foot on the brakes
• Controls such as the brakes, as well as the steering, accelerator and even gear changing should be operated both smoothly and slowly
• A higher gear may be more appropriate to aid the tires gripping when moving off of packed ice

Driving In Hail

Hail storms are extremely dangerous to drive in. Not only can they cause extensive damage to your car but can also be harmful to anyone who decides to venture out of their vehicle. If you have to travel, plan your route to avoid known affected areas. We also recommend informing relatives and friends of your intended route in case of an emergency.

The following tips should always be followed when driving in hail storms:

• Stay inside the vehicle. Hail falls at fast speeds, and can cause injury
• If hail is severe, stop driving and pull over to a safe place so the hail doesn't break the windshield or any windows. Stop under an overpass if you can, or pull out of traffic lanes and on to a hardshoulder
• Keep your car angled so that the hail is hitting the front of your car. Windshields are reinforced to withstand forward driving and pelting objects. Side windows and backglass are not and are much more susceptible to breakage
• Avoid ditches due to possible high-rising water

Bad Habits

When it comes to your car’s “health”, you may be have some bad habits that seem perfectly safe (and smart), but can actually hurt your car in the long run.

Most vehicles are designed to have long lifespans when properly taken care of. But sometimes you may not even be aware that what you’re doing may actually be hurting your car, reducing its lifespan and decreasing its value.

Carrying too much weight.

Just like carrying extra weight around the midsection is bad for your health, hauling too much weight in your car is bad for its suspension, braking and exhaust systems. Having too much weight in your car can put unnecessary stress on some of its critical systems, leading to premature wear. Too much weight makes your engine work harder than it should.

What you can do: Take a look at what’s in your car. Can you remove some of it? Does that cargo carrier really need to stay on your car on a day-to-day basis, or can it be removed until needed? If there are items that can be removed to decrease the weight (and stress) on your car, do it now.

Ignoring a tiny chip in the windshield.

You notice a tiny, speck-like chip in the corner of your windshield. It’s not in your line of sight, so it’s no big deal to ignore it. Right? Wrong. That tiny speck can easily turn into a giant crack – and the need for a full windshield replacement – if it’s ignored. Not to mention the cost of repairing a small windshield chip is usually much lower than the cost to replace an entire windshield.

What you can do: Get the chip repaired immediately.

Never replacing your tires.

Keeping an eye on your tires is critical to the health of your car. But don’t just look at your tire tread – also pay attention to your car’s tire pressure. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that underinflated tires are up to 25 percent more likely to overheat, fail and cause an accident. Tire tread is also important, since not having enough tread can cause skidding, shaky steering and vibrations. Even if your tires look fine to the naked eye, it doesn’t mean they are.

What you can do: Check your tire pressure and tread depth every so often. You can use a penny to check depth by inserting the ‘heads’ side down into the tread. If the entire head is visible, you don’t have enough tread. A good rule of thumb is keeping your tires at 2/32” tread depth minimum.

Keeping your car in a heated garage.

You’d think that keeping your vehicle toasty warm during the cold winters is a good thing – and it is for your car’s engine. But not so much for your vehicle’s exterior. When you park your snow or ice-covered car in a warm garage, the heat melts the fluids, which mix with salt from the roads. This combination then sits in puddles on or near your car, and this increases risk of oxidation (rusting).

What you can do: Instead of keeping your car in a heated garage, opt for a non-temperature controlled garage or covered space. Your vehicle will still be protected from harsh winter winds and snow, but it won’t succumb to melting salt, ice and rust.

Not doing research before an auto repair.

Your car’s maintenance is so much like the maintenance of your own health – it’s always smart to be informed. If you have no idea what’s going on with your car, how do you know how serious the repair will be? You also won’t know how long the repair will take or how much the bill will be. Being proactive with your car’s “health” is the best way to take care of it.

What you can do: Do your own research about symptoms of problems before you visit an auto mechanic. This way you’re somewhat prepared for the diagnosis and repair plan, you’re not caught off guard and most importantly, you’re not taken advantage of. Studies have shown that some auto mechanics take advantage of ignorance by charging more than they would for a more educated customer.

Your car’s health is similar to your own – so much so that you might be committing a few bad habits that you think are fine. The first step is to become educated, and the next is to scratch those old bad habits by forming new, better ones. Your car’s lifespan will surely benefit from the changes.

Fall Car Care

Taking a few simple steps now can save you the headaches and cost of an emergency breakdown later. Whether you do it yourself or take your car to a professional service technician, here are four proactive steps to take this fall to make sure your car is ready for winter driving.

1. Battery – Keep the battery connections clean, tight and corrosion-free. Cold weather is hard on batteries, so it’s wise to check the battery and charging system. Because batteries don’t always give warning signs before they fail, it is advisable to replace batteries that are more than three years old.
2. Heater, Defrosters and Wiper Blades – Check that the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system are working properly as heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons, such as defrosting. Fall is also a great time to check your air filters. Wiper blades that are torn, cracked or don’t properly clean your windshield should be replaced. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months. When changing the blades, be sure to also check the fluid level in the windshield washer reservoir.
3. Tires – Check the tires, including the tire pressure and tread depth. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly as tires lose pressure when temperatures drop.
4. Brakes – Have the brake system checked, including brake linings, rotors and drums. Brakes are critical to vehicle safety and particularly important when driving on icy or snow-covered roads.

Getting your vehicle ready for winter while temperatures are still mild is a proactive approach to preventive maintenance that helps ensure safety, reliability and fewer unexpected repairs when severe winter weather strikes.

Auto Buyer Beware of Used Cars For Sale By Owner

Used cars for sale by owner accompany more uncertainties than buying from an auto dealer specializing in pre-owned vehicles. Auto buyers are often under the misconception that they have more control of the sales transaction and negotiations with an owner. But, that’s not always the case. Fraudsters prey on unsuspecting auto buyers

Four Common ‘For Sale By Owner’ Ploys

Odometer rollback

A savvy for sale by owner can always rollback the odometer reading to ask for a greater used car price. In a used cars for sale by owner transaction, a buyer has no way of validating whether a vehicle’s odometer has been modified. With an auto dealer, car consumers have resources, as well as recourse if a vehicle does not live up to its mileage history.

Title Fraud

In certain for sale by owner sales transactions, auto buyers don’t always have the vehicle’s automobile’s title. The title issue can morph into a legal fiasco for the auto buyer.

Curb-stoning

One common fraud technique involves an imposter, posing as private auto seller. In actuality, the “used cars for sale by owner” is really a unlicensed dealer, repetitively “flipping” vehicles and profiting. The fraud is referred to as curbstoning.

Read more about the signs of curbstoning: http://www.carfax.com/guides/buying-used/things-to-avoid/curbstoning

Falsified Vehicle History

Another unsavory tactic, often deployed in a used car for sale by owner transaction is a failure to disclose a vehicle’s history. An auto buyer has no way of knowing if pre-owned vehicle consists of salvaged parts. In contrast, it is illegal (in most states) for auto dealers to sell salvaged vehicles.

Buy your vehicle with confidence at the premier new and used auto dealer in Fremont, Siemer Auto Center.