Tips for Classic Car Maintenance
Keeping a classic car in good shape is a skill on its own. It takes work to have your vintage ride stay in good condition, but there are some steps to make it more manageable. Here are some tips for classic car maintenance.
Finding a Good Place to Store It
The material in a classic car is sensitive. You need to make sure your classic car storage spot is dependable because you want to preserve the vehicle for years to come. Whether you’re storing it in the winter or summertime, you need to find a spot that’s dark and moisture-free.
Seasonal storage at a facility that’s climate-controlled will help you relax because you know your vehicle is in good shape. Not to mention, they have on-site security to monitor things. You’ll have peace of mind to know your classic ride is safe.
Also, you can keep it in your home garage, but make sure it’s properly ventilated.
Always Check the Fluids
One of the main issues of old cars is fluid from years ago. You don’t want to be in a situation where the vehicle starts rusting due to moisture buildup. Make sure you do a thorough oil cleaning to ensure that you get rid of all old fuel.
Once you start riding your car again, you need to change the oil every 3,000 miles to keep fresh oil in it to have the car run properly. It’s a good idea to have a restoration expert check under the hood and the brakes to ensure that everything is sound. You never know what underlying issues your vintage car may experience unless you have a well-trained eye to spot it.
Flush the Coolant
Make sure you do this at least once a year. It’s such a pivotal part of your car’s engine. You don’t want this to freeze in the wintertime or overheat in the summertime.
Check the radiator cap at least a few times throughout the season to keep it from leaking. If your ride is from the 70s, you should see green-colored coolant. Once it starts turning brown, it’s a good idea to drain and flush the system first.
Changes are there’s rust building up. You never want to work with a corrosive system. Clean it out thoroughly before refilling it with fresh coolant before you properly store your vintage ride.
Regular upkeep and storage can help you extend your classic car’s life to help you enjoy it for years.
Benefits of a High-Output Alternator
Your stock alternator may not be enough to do specific things for your vehicle. You might want to take an off-roading trip with friends or put in a booming sound system. However, a powerful alternator can handle these functions. Here are some of the benefits of getting a high-output alternator.
Extensive Battery Power
You don’t want to end up in the middle of the highway because your battery goes dead. Getting a high-amp alternator can help you extend your battery life. You’ll save money from having to fix your alternator or constantly replace one.
Before traveling long distances, you should get a reliable alternator to juice up your battery. It’ll help you feel more confident on the road, especially during wintry weather. The extra power helps your vehicle cope with the high battery discharge rate in the colder months.
No one wants to be stranded when it’s snowing and icing outside. Additionally, you feel more comfortable when stuck in traffic. Think about this when you decide to purchase a high-output alternator.
Handles Your Extreme Audio
You might want to boost your audio system in the vehicle. Maybe you’re putting GPS navigation in it for your road trips. You might want a digital dash with a screen to entertain your family.
All of these amenities require more power. A high-output alternator can meet the demands of your audio system. If you have a high-watt stereo, it takes massive power to ensure that it works properly.
Think about how taxing this is to your car battery. Invest in the best sound quality of your vehicle while getting the necessary amps to keep your engine running for your back and forth commutes.
Good for Off-Road
Maybe you have a trip you’re planning with a couple of friends on heavy terrain. Pick a powerful alternator to keep those big wheels and engines going on this tough turf. Additionally, the big lights need more juice because they light up bright from the battery power.
You never know if you need to take a heavy object in your off-road vehicle through a big storm. The plow in front doesn’t just run on fuel, but it requires an alternator strong enough to keep the motor going.
When you invest in a high-output alternator, it can help you extend the life of your vehicle, boost up your audio entertainment, and more to create a better driving experience.
How does a new car save you money?
If you happen to own an older car that has just gone out of warranty, then get ready for increased maintenance expenses and the possibility of having to make major repairs that can be expensive. There are many advantages of owning a new vehicle. Here is a closer look at the costs of continuing to own an older car to help you decide if it is time to replace your car with a newer one.
Increased Maintenance
As a car gets older it needs more maintenance to keep it running properly. Many parts are designed to last through the warranty period; however, after a car is about three to five years old, things just start falling apart.
A summary report from V12 Data of the auto aftermarket parts industry research, shows that typical increased maintenance expenses for older cars come from these items and more:
- More frequent air, oil, and fuel filter changes.
- More frequent oil changes.
- Start using premium grade oil that is more expensive.
- Fuse replacements.
- Brake drums and brake pads.
- Start using fuel additives.
- More frequent spark plug changes.
- Light and headlamp replacement.
- Wheel alignment.
- Battery replacement.
Owners of older cars are twice as likely to expect to pay more than $1,300 per year for auto maintenance, when compared to owners of newer vehicles. Many find that they save money on these expenses by getting car loans to buy a new vehicle or an almost-new, low-mileage vehicle that is still under warranty.
Increased Repairs
Along with the increased maintenance costs there may be a need for increased repairs, some of which are very costly. Typical repairs for older cars come from these items: upholstery repair, paint deterioration, that requires a new paint job to repair, windshield and window cracks and oil leaks. These are just some of the problems that you will encounter with an old car. Why not get a car loan and avoid them instead?
Major repairs to the drivetrain and engine are costly. Many have to borrow to cover these expenses.The most expensive problems reported by Car Health Monitor Reviews and the average price converted to Canadian dollars to make the repairs are: engine replacements, ring & cylinder repair, transmission damage and break system tunings.
Fuel Economy
A brand-new car may be more fuel-efficient than an older one. This can be a big expense if you drive frequently and use more gas to go the same distance in a less fuel-efficient older car. You can use an online fuel calculator to get the information for your older car and compare it to the fuel economy of the newer vehicle.
Emergency Road Service and Towing
An older car may have more problems that require emergency road assistance and towing. If the car is in the repair shop for an extended period, there could be a need to pay for a rental car while it is being repaired. Depending on the tow truck company, getting your car towed could be costly. Why not get a new car and not wait until your car is broken down on the road?
New cars can have problems; however, the big repairs should be covered by the warranty and they are less likely to occur. With an older vehicle, there is always the chance of some major repair being suddenly needed without any time for preparation. This is the main reason why getting a new car can save money. Other reasons could be towing, fuel economy, and the need for road-side assistance. You can avoid all of these problems but getting a new car today.
What You Should Know Before You Start Drifting
Have you exhausted all the thrills of the
speedway? Do you feel ready to be the next Ken Block?
Here are a few basics you need to know before you think about customising a car
and preparing yourself for drifting.
First of all, drifting is not something you should try with the car you drive to work. The modifications would of course allow you to still go to work, but your modified car would be less safe (more about this later), while an unmodified car would drift poorly.
In short: your drifting car should be customised for drifting only.
The second most important thing is that you need to have access to dedicated tracks. It can be tempting to find deserted parking lots late at night but remember that a parking lot of a mall is private property. Out of opening hours, you could end up being charged for trespassing. Keep in mind that malls have security cameras or private security and that drifting is noisy.
Drifting is an expensive hobby because typically you need to customise a dedicated car, change tyres pretty much all the time, and rent the track.
Choosing the right car
First and foremost, you need a rear-wheel-drive, which should be fairly light. Remember that drifting is all about weight transfer, transforming the momentum to rotate the car. A heavier car will be more difficult to use for drifting. Typically cars customised for drifting are sedans or coupes.
The Hudson Hornet has now become a legend in itself. Popular models these days include old BMW’s, Volvo 300 series and Ford Sierras. MW V8 were able to provide 300-400 horsepower output and BMW ruled for many years, but the German giant is losing ground to even more powerful American V8 engines.
Whatever your final choice is, power is key to achieving the wow effect you need. After all, drifting involves showmanship, emotions, and skills.
Lucy in the sky with diamonds
Good drifting requires … LSD. LSD stands for Limited Slip Differential, probably the most essential part from the technical point of view. In a nutshell, it is a mechanical device that allows you to keep moving if, say, your car was stuck with one wheel on a slab of ice. Without an LSD, the wheel on the ice would get all the torque and your car would not move.
Tyre selection
Using commercial tyres for drifting is possible, but bear in mind that drifting uses up the tyre exceptionally quickly. A lot of drifters buy cheap new tyres which, in most cases, are not intended to last more than one drifting session.
DOT treadwear measures how quickly your tyres will wear out, and they will resist the specific conditions of drifting. Proper tyres for drifting, such as the Falken Azenis RT615K, or Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08R will have very high DOT (about 200) but also the corresponding price tag.
Steering and the hand brake
In most production cars, Ackermann steering geometry allows the wheels to have a different angle when the car is turning. It is of course essential for the car to be able to handle road turns without losing control. The differential completes this mechanism as it allows the wheels to have a different speed.
Drifting is about losing control without losing control so to speak, so you need to get rid of your Ackermann. This is also why a car tuned for drifting could become dangerous in the hands of a careless or inexperienced driver.
The hand brake should be modified too. Commercial hand brakes lock when pulled. In drifting pulling the hand brake should not force you to unlock it before disabling it. And this is just another reason why your drifting car is not intended for everyday use.
For the driver
Just like speedway, motocross, rally racing or Formula 1, drifting is a motoring discipline which puts a lot of stress on machines and the people who drive them.
Safety comes first so always wear a helmet – not exactly because your car may hit another car but mostly because you can bump your head inside your car. Your body should obviously be secured within a racing seat with a harness.
Drifting involves strong centrifugal forces and you need to be able to concentrate on driving. Without a harness you would also find it harder to make the right move at the right moment.
It is also recommended that you change your steering wheel for a smaller one so that it can spin freely when you release it.
If you are taking your first steps in drifting, keep the above tips in mind and prepare everything you need. If you plan this adventure carefully and ahead of time and remain focused behind the wheel you’re bound to have a wonderful drifting experience.
Starting Your Own Local Car Garage Service
If you are enthusiastic about cars, then it is a great idea to have a business that is related to your hobby. One of the most in-demand businesses nowadays is a car repair shop or a local garage. Entrepreneurs who have this kind of business are known to earn a good profit because they can make better deals with their clients.
Also, many drivers nowadays happen to own old car models which means that spare parts are quite hard to find which is why owners prefer to have their vehicles repaired by a local mechanic instead of bringing it to the dealership. If you want to make a living out of fixing cars, it is essential to get Tradex Motor Trade Insurance for your protection against liability in the line of work. Also, here are some tips on how to be successful in this kind of business.
Always think of a business plan
Every enterprise, whether it is big or small, needs to have a business plan. If it is your first time venturing into a car repair shop business, all the more reason you need a solid business plan. First, you need to determine the scope of your services to give you a rough estimate with regards to the number of customers that you expect to cater to daily.
What services are you planning to offer? Do you expect to provide oil changes, engine overhaul, wheel realignments? Would you prefer to cover more extensive services that give you more opportunity to increase your income? Are you planning to get additional people to help you fix cars? It would help if you asked yourself these questions so you can have a clear direction for where your business is heading.
Also, having a solid business plan makes it easier for you to apply for a loan from banks and other institutions. Extra capital can always go a long way in providing better service for your clients.
Look for a good location
You want your customers to have easy access to your shop; that is why it is essential to look for a prime location. If you have the opportunity to lease or buy out an existing car repair shop, then it might be the right business decision. You get to have the current tools and equipment, and you also have a good chance of acquiring their old clients. This decision is more cost efficient compared to starting your shop from scratch.
Think of a good selling point
When you are about to promote your business, it is essential to define your selling point. What sets you apart from other auto shops? Are you willing to give better deals and lengthy promotions to encourage more clients? What are the reasons why customers should choose to avail of your services?
Also, it is an excellent idea if you specialise in certain services, for example, auto detailing and deep engine cleaning since many customers nowadays would like their vehicles to have a smaller carbon footprint.
Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/cleaning-steam-smoke-pressure-1837331/
How to Bet on Formula 1 – Betting Tips
The Basics
Formula 1 Grand Prix races are separated by 3 weeks through the racing season. The most popular bet is no doubt the race winner, but a good betting strategy will determine when to bet where there is value.
There has always been a clear favorite to win the championship and most of the races, a racer that outstands before all others. In the past it used to be Schumacher and Michael Vettel, in the present it is Lewis Hamilton. The odds for Hamilton to win are usually -200 to win (bet $200 to win $100) or 1.5 odds. Note that betting for almost any other contender the odds are +300 (bet $100 to win $300) or 3.0 odds. The unlikely underdogs to win can pay over 5000 to 1.
Aside from the Drivers’ Championship and individual race wins, sportsbooks might also offer prop bets on which team will win, the constructor championship or from which country the winner will be from.
Formula 1 Betting Strategies
Bet on the Favorite – Going for the underdog technique doesn’t apply well on the Formula 1. They almost never win and predicting it could be the hardest thing to do compared to other sports. In 2013 Sebastian Vettel won the last 9 races of the season in a row. Throughout the 2014 season only three drivers won any race; Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and Daniel Riccardo. Still, there are small opportunities to win big with an underdog.
Do not Over Value the Pole – The pole position is a single round race each driver races alone around the track, whoever makes the best time starts on the head. Although winning the pole does give a driver a great advantage to control the pace of the race and makes things a lot easier, stats say only 40% to 50% of pole winner’s end up winning the race. The Canadian GP at Montreal is definitely a race you do not want to bet on whoever wins the pole, only 33% of the pole winners have won the race.
When to bet on the Pole Winner – On the latest races in Monza the driver that wins the pole won the race 83.3% of the time. Monaco is another track were overtaking is hard and the pole position becomes a heavy advantage.
Value on the second favorite – If any value is to be found, it’s on the driver that does not win the pole and carries odds of +300 or +800 as long as he has proven skill and is a close rival to the top favorite on an overtaking track. Montreal for example is one of those tracks were bettors can look for value on a long shot since the circuit track make it easier to overtake.
Where to Bet on Formula 1
There aren’t that many sites that offer Formula 1 betting at great odds. I recommend to check out the latest Formula One matches at William Hill, a sportsbook that offers great odds and market offers rarely seen with others. And if you are really into car racing, try out their virtual car race betting games, it’s almost like the real deal with races happening one after the other.
Niche Marketing: Approaching the Millennial Consumers
For years now, marketers all across the world have been tearing their hair out in an effort to determine how to engage millennials with their campaigns. But they aren’t giving up; after all, there’s a lot of millennials out there.
As a matter of fact, according to statistics provided by the Pew Research Center, millennials now account for one third of the workforce in the United States, and by 2025, the researchers’ estimate that millennials will make up more than 75% of the workforce.
Simply put, millennials are a growing demographic with more than sizable purchasing power. Furthermore, no matter of line of work you’re in, it’s more than likely that you’ll be marketing your products or services to millennials.
The Broad Range of Millennials
The first we need to ask here is – what exactly means to be a millennial? We’re talking about more than 83 million people here that vary in age significantly. As Joel Windels explains in this Social Media Week article, today a millennial can be anything from a 16 year old schoolgirl to a home-owning family man in his mid-30s.
And there lies the problem – most people fail to realize that there’s actually a large amount of diversity among millennials. And this is not a random statement, it’s a concrete fact. According to a 2014 White House report, millennials are officially the most diverse generation in the United States – they are actually as twice as diverse as Baby Boomers.
Meet the HENRYS
So the question is not how can you target millennials but what group of millennials should you target with your marketing efforts. Even if you have a great brand identity and a seemingly bulletproof marketing strategy, you can’t expect to attract such a wide variety of people with different interests and personalities. But if you don’t want to target a micro niche, you need to get familiar with HENRYS.
Ok, we need to make a few things clear. For starters, HENRYS are not a niche exactly, they actually present a small subset of the millennial population. The name is an acronym, which stands for High Earners Not Ritch Yet and presents a part of the population that is:
- On the higher end of the age bracket, from 25 to 34 years old
- Makes between $100,000 and $250,000 per year
- Still not in a position to build any substantial assets
- Presents a potentially big group of loyal, high-earning clients
Most seasoned marketers that are currently targeting Baby Boomers will recognize that this group of millennials looks eerily like their current clients looked a decade or two ago. The point here is, you need to start targeting these millennials at early stages of their careers.
And this is not a small niche, there are plenty of opportunities out there for you. According to Business insider, there are more than 24 million HENRY households in the United States at the moment.
You just need to take a page from companies like Alpinestars, which targeted successful young people early on and profited immensely. According the Owler’s company profile, at the moment, Alpinestars has 339 employees and generates an annual revenue of more than $150 million.
Your Exponential Opportunity
In the end, it’s all up to you to define your niche. If you’re a more experienced marketer, you should probably look for younger versions of your current clients. And if you’re younger, maybe it’s someone like your friend or even spouse who you already understand and connect with on a personal level.
Whatever the case may be, you still have to realize that benefits of niche marketing are immense. It’s safe to say that the benefits are bigger than with any other generation, for a couple of reasons, some of which include:
- Because we’re looking at such a diverse group of people, you can creatively specialize
- Millennials, more than any other generation before, are looking for brands they can connect with
- Their loyalty can and will turn into strong word-of-mouth, which will help you in the long run
Final Thoughts
And when you finally find your niche, you have to make sure to weave some social responsibility into your business model. According to a recent Nielsen Global Study, as much as 73% of millennials would pay more for products/services that are socially responsible.
Also, you should try to be transparent, and make a good use of social tools that are your fingerprints. Let the consumers know how their lives are being changed through your blog and social media platforms. This will help them identify with a greater cause and make them loyal to your brand for years to come.
A Great Road Trip for Every Continent
Tips to Become an Effective Fleet Manager
There’s much more to being a fleet manager than some people believe. In fact, being a fleet manager can feel as if you were juggling a couple of balls at once. This is the case because you have to get all the vehicles ready for the road and make sure all chauffeurs are ready to get behind the wheel. Still, even though they deal with such important tasks, there are just too many fleet managers out there who live day after day with unused potential. And if you’re a fleet manager, you should make sure this doesn’t happen to you. That’s why we composed a list of 5 tips that are guaranteed to help you become more effective in what you do.
Go for mobile maintenance management
Being a fleet manager, it’s up to you to make sure all the chauffeurs maintain their vehicles on a regular basis. This includes performing some regular maintenance and providing you with a report on it. Now, we’ve seen all kinds of reports such as handwritten notes and SMS messages, but if you want to ensure all the reports made by chauffeurs are accurate and on time, you should think about using a software that’s been specially designed for fleet management. If you decide to go for this software, you’ll simplify maintenance management, which means that everyone on your team should find it easier to provide you with accurate reports on time.
Keep educating yourself about the industry
Another thing you’ll have to do if you want to become an effective fleet manager is stay on top of the latest trends in the industry. This means you should visit blogs and forums relevant to your work and try to implement ideas you manage to find there. Also, bear in mind that there are always new pieces of technology being released that your fleet can benefit from using. And it’s very important that you understand and know exactly how to use these new technologies in order to be able to improve your operations.
Come up with guidelines for purchasing vehicles
One thing you’re going to hear over and over again as a fleet manager is that consistency is key, especially when it comes to purchasing new vehicles. Members of your team may be tempted to invest money in vehicles they believe might be the right for your business. However, if you want to be consistent you should always try to buy vehicles in bulk. If this isn’t an option, you should at least come up with guidelines your team members should follow when purchasing vehicles. As a result, all chauffeurs will have vehicles that are more or less in the same condition.
Make safety a priority
When it comes to safety, you can never do too much. So, if you want to become a better fleet manager, you’ll have to put measures in place in order to help chauffeurs avoid accidents or any other dangerous situations. In fact, this is exactly what fleet managers in all the companies that offer transport services focus on. For example, experts who offer corporate cars in Sydney check and maintain their vehicles daily just to make sure everything is all right before they hit the road. Some companies now even install driver behavior monitoring apps, so that they can monitor their chauffeurs while they’re on the road.
Set goals and expectations for chauffeurs
There’s no need to say that each of your clients will be happy when a driver does a good job – whether this means the driver managed to save some fuel or they’ve reached their destination earlier than it was originally planned. Things like this are what can help you turn a one-time client into a recurring client. And in order to make sure all chauffeurs are ready to go an extra mile to provide the clients with they need, you’ll have to set goals and expectations for them to follow. This can include anything from forming better driving habits to promoting safer driving.
In today’s age of information, everything you need in order to become a better fleet manager is just a few clicks away from you. Therefore, make sure you always keep looking for some new things you can do in order to be more effective.
A 5-Point Plan For Passing Your Driving Test
The driving test is potentially one of the most nerve-wracking exams you can put yourself through – even if you’re a supremely confident driver, one nervous mistake can be the difference between a pass and a fail.
And while no one can guarantee what will crop up on the day of the test – other drivers can play almost as big a part in the outcome of your test as you do – follow this five-point plan and you can be confident of launching those L-plates forever.
- Swot up on the highway code
A good knowledge of the Highway Code should underpin your practical performance, as it clearly defines the legal requirements every road user must adhere to, and a solid understanding of the rules of the road can help you avoid making any serious faults.
So even before you get out on the road, give yourself a head start by swotting up on the Highway Code, it’ll help you pass your theory test and make informed decisions on your practical.
- Get familiar with possible test routes
Taking your test on unfamiliar roads will make it even harder to pass, so make sure your driving lessons take you along the potential test routes so you can get used to any tricky hill starts and challenging roundabouts before you take your test.
- Take your test only when you’re ready
Unfortunately, there’s no set amount of lessons you can take to guarantee a pass, so the important thing is to take as many as you need to feel completely confident behind the wheel, and don’t put in for your test until you are.
The Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) suggests the average learner will take 47 hours of private practice with an instructor, plus another 20 hours of private practice, before passing their test – this means it can take months to pass your test, unless you take an intensive driving course and fulfil your quota of driving hours in as little as ten days.
For more information on intensive driving courses, go to http://intensivedrivingcourses-bennetts.co.uk/
4.Don’t make the same old mistakes
There are certain mistakes that crop up time and time again during driving tests, so make sure you concentrate on the following:
- Check mirrors, particularly when moving off, and reversing.
- Stay alert and observe fully at junctions and roundabouts – but try not to be too hesitant
- Adjust your driving to suit the weather and road conditions, such as rain and standing water on the road
- Signal at the right time, and don’t forget to cancel your signals if necessary
- Keep full control of the vehicle, with proper hand placement and accurate manoeuvring
- Don’t keep your clutch down when changing gear (this is known as coasting), and try not to stall through poo clutch control – if you do, stay calm and safely re-start the car.
- Keep calm and be prepared
Make sure you get enough sleep the night before your test (and don’t touch a drop of alcohol the night before, even if your test is in the afternoon), and remember to take the following along to your test:
- Theory test pass certificate
- Photocard driving licence
- Glasses if you need them for driving
If you’re usually a calm and collected driver while out on your lessons, then treat your test as just another lesson and you shouldn’t go far wrong. If you’re not usually calm and collected, then maybe you should put your test off a while longer.
Good luck, and here’s to years of safe and happy motoring.