Aug/090
6 Ways To Improve Gas Mileage!
While we may not be seeing the over-four-dollar per gallon prices we saw last summer, the cost to fill up your tank isn't cheap. Most experts agree we won't be seeing prices below two dollars per gallon again. And there's a good chance the prices will continue rising. Here are some painless ways to keep more money in your wallet.
1. Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Under-inflated tires take considerably more energy to move your car. Check your tire pressure every time you fill up - it doesn't cost anything extra and you'll be considerably safer too.
2. Make sure your tires are properly aligned. Improperly aligned tires also create drag, especially when going up hill and on turns, meaning your engine is burning more gas.
3. Check your brakes. You should have your brakes aligned and checked. Poorly aligned brakes mean you have to brake harder, and you lose or bleed off kinetic energy, resulting in lower gas mileage.
4. Tune your engine. A poorly tuned engine uses more gas, plain and simple. Have your engine's timing checked, and replace worn or dirty spark plugs.
5. Limit idling. When you are idling, you are getting exactly zero miles per gallon. while it takes more gas to start your car than it does to idle, you can actually save gas by shutting off your engine if you are going to be idle more than 30 seconds.
6. Change your driving habits. Over-accelerating, stop and go traffic, congestion, these all burn unnecessary gas. Do your errands at night when there is less traffic so you can get to and from your destination in less traffic.
There are many more ways to improve gas mileage. Visit sites like www.gasforlessmoney.com and start practicing some of these gas-saving tips. A gas mileage improvement of just 10% can translate into a $5-$10 savings at the pump!
Aug/090
Experience South America by Car
Have you ever wanted to experience South America the way that the native people experience it? Native inhabitance stay off the beaten path and go places that most tourist just don't get to take advantage of. Well, you to could experience South American this way through car travel.
You want to travel to South America but you are worried about means of transportation when you get there. What do you do? Well, you have several options: you can choose to figure it out when you get there and travel by bus, train, shuttle, etc., or you can rent a car. Most are nervous about traveling to a new country to begin with, and then they are faced with the problem of getting around when they arrive. Some consider it foolhardy to head to South America with no transportation plan, and to just improvise upon arrival. Others see no problem with it. Those who think that it is a risk they are not willing to take will want to know how to secure a rental car before arriving. They will also worry about the driving rules and regulations of South America, but this worry can be averted with a small amount of research. It is important to think ahead and set things up early so you do not run into problems when you arrive. Many underestimate the complexity of the process, and do not know what to do when they arrive. Most important, other than car rental, is awareness. Driving in South America is not considered a particularly safe or easy task so being aware of the situation is a very big deal.
Getting the rental car is very simple and there are plenty of resources available on the internet to help you work through any problems that may arrive. All you need to do is find a website which provides rental cars to travelers. Log on to the site and let them know when you need the car for and where you would like to pick it up. That being said, you will have to provide some information to the site so that they can go through all of their procedures and hold the car for you. On the other hand, it could be a lot more difficult to arrange a rental when you arrive. Locating a rental company in an area that you are not familiar with can be a real headache and hard to find.
Finally, make sure you are always switched on when traveling by car in South America. Many roads have been partly-destroyed or damaged, or are covered in hazardous obstacles which are usually natural but occasionally are man-made. Some parts of South America have man-made obstacles to slow drivers down but they are usually not marked which leaves them hard to see, especially at night. Driving at night is never recommended because you never know what to expect on the roads in an area you are not familiar with. Day driving should be limited not only because of the hazards that will be found all over the country but also because urban traffic can be heavy and chaotic. Bearing in mind the points made above, having a car can still be more beneficial than relying on public transportation. As long as the rides are short then you will enjoy having the freedom to travel where you want when you want to.
Be sure to make it easy on yourself and book your rental ahead of time. Always be aware and careful when driving a rental car. Make sure to plan your route ahead of time and head straight to your destination. Driving around South America aimlessly is only going to lead to accidents!