How To Handle An Engine Fire

 

While driving can be an extremely fun activity, there are always dangers that drivers need to be aware of. One of those dangers are car fires. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that there is a vehicle fire every 96 seconds in the United States.

The dangers of car fires are further highlighted by articles like one on Detroitnews.com that tells one man’s tale about how his truck went up in flames within three minutes. “A fire in a modern vehicle burns fast and furiously,” the writer states. “What's intact for the moment can be gone or enveloped in toxic smoke in a matter of seconds.”

All drivers need to be aware of this potential danger, especially since most fires start due to electrical problems, which can’t be seen and can be undetected. Signs of potential problems, according to Statefarm.com, are:

·      Fuses that blow repeatedly

·      Spilled oil under the hood left over from an oil change

·      Oil or other fluid leaks under the vehicle

·      Cracked or loose wiring, or wiring with exposed metal

·      Very loud sounds from the exhaust system

·      Rapid changes in fuel level, oil levels, or engine temperature

·      A missing cap from the oil filler

·      Broken or loose hoses

Should the warning signs lead to a real emergency before any problems can be fixed, remember to stay calm and do the following:

·      As highlighted in the Detroitnews.com article, if anything seems “off” in your car, pull over and get out – you’ll be able to see if anything is obviously wrong.

·      If you smell gasoline, don’t just assume it’s coming from another car – it could be a sign of trouble in yours. Pull over.

·      When you pull over, turn off your car’s ignition immediately. Exit the vehicle and do not go back for personal items.

·      If you see flames once you exit the vehicle, call 911 immediately and keep away from your car.

·      Do not open the hood of your car and attempt to fight any fire yourself; opening the hood adds extra oxygen to the blaze and makes the situation worse.

As with all accidents, you should also find ways to alert oncoming traffic to the danger your car poses, and take pictures of the damage to show to insurance agents later.

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The 10 Most Common Car Insurance Myths: An Infographic

Dealing with car insurance can be a tricky thing at best and a hassle at worse. The matter is made harder by the number of misconceptions and outright myths that exist in our minds.

Having the right facts about car insurance is very important and can make the difference between whether you’re obeying the law or committing fraud. Check out this sweet infographic and quiz yourself - what car insurance myths did you believe on this list?

Click the image to view a larger version!

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Sharing The Road With Cyclists

Did you know that about 30% of the American population owns a bicycle? That means there are a lot of potential cyclists that drivers need to watch for, especially with warmer weather approaching. In order to do this, it’s important that both drivers and cyclists understand the rules of sharing the road.

A few tricks to keep in mind:

●You look for pedestrians when you’re making a turn, right? Why not take a couple of seconds longer to look for a cyclist? The rider has the right of way if he’s going straight and you’re turning right.

●A little patience could save your life. Wait to pass that cyclist until you have a clear view ahead and are sure there’s no oncoming traffic.

●Riders are supposed to stay to the right. Drivers are supposed to stay well clear of them. By law in Maryland and several other states, drivers must stay three feet from a cyclist. Don’t expect to see cops out there with a yardstick, but if you cause a crash, you could be charged with a three-foot violation.

Read more about what drivers should know about sharing the road in this great Washington Post article: http://bit.ly/10yX1LZ

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The 2014 Jeep Cherokee

There has been a whole lot of hub-bub about the new 2014 Jeep Cherokee. People seem to miss the old look and feel of the classic Jeep Cherokee XJ, but maybe it’s time to let go of a classic and try something new. After all, welcoming the new can be refreshing, surprisingly fun and ever, well... fuel efficient. This article explains the 6 reasons why the new 2014 Jeep Cherokee is better than the XJ.

http://bit.ly/13y08v9

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More for your Money?

Sometimes cars can get very expensive. And with gas and repairs, it can feel like the spending never stops. When it comes to insurance, however, how bad do you actually have it? According to an Insure.com study, out of the 50 states, Louisiana has the most expensive car insurance and Maine has the least! To check out the list and see where we fall, click on the link here: http://bit.ly/f4nIDj

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10 Coolest Car Facts

 

The history of the automobile is lengthy in America! Cars have been on the road for over 100 years across the country. Wondering what the weirdest things about cars are? Check out these fun car facts from eHow!

The Early Days

• The first speeding tickets were given out in 1902, when the top speed of most cars was around 45 miles per hour.
• Some of the first cars ever made used a pair of levers to steer. Steering wheels weren't introduced for several years.
• Even before the Model T, the first popular American car was the Curved Dash Oldsmobile, which sold new for $650.
• The first car ever produced in America for sale was known as the Duryea. Only one model is known to still exist.
• Before the 1920s, cars didn't have gas gauges. Drivers had to estimate how much fuel was left, or risk running out.

For Drivers

• Cleveland was the first city in the United States to get a traffic light in 1914.
• In 1972 the average speed of cars on Los Angeles freeways was 60 miles per hour. Ten years later, the growing traffic problem dropped that number to 17 miles per hour.
• The average American will spend two weeks of her life stopped at red lights.
• To drive on all of the paved roads in the United States, you would have to drive nonstop at 100 miles per hour for over four years.
• The first car insurance policy was issued in Westfield, Massachusetts, in 1897.

Read the original article here: http://www.ehow.com/about_5280598_funny-cars.html#ixzz2OHBzl0H0

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Air Powered Car Tech

No one likes walking up to the pump and spending over $3 a gallon for gas. But what if you could run your car on something else, something that is everywhere and inexpensive to get? What if you could be driving a car that ran on nothing but air?! It seems too good to be true, almost like something out of science fiction, but...

“That's what Peugeot-Citroen says it will be selling: A hybrid car that runs on a combination of gasoline and air. Digital Trends has an explainer on how they think it works, but they admit they were looking at poorly translated press releases. It seems to use hydraulic power to keep the car running and powering it up to speeds of 43 mph.
In recent years, volatile gasoline prices and worries about long-term supply have sent consumers and entrepreneurs alike searching for alternate fuels and alternate energy sources to power their cars.
Companies all over the world are looking for the newest fuel that will power our vehicles in the future, under the belief that at some point, oil will start running out. In fact, here's a look at some wacky, yet plausible, fuel alternatives that are in the process of development right now that could eventually find their way into your car's gas tank.
Peugeot isn't the first company to think about using air. A small British company is making fuel out of thin air, developing a process that uses air and electricity to manufacture a synthetic fuel that has already powered a Lotus in test drivers.
This one is still a ways away. The company behind the technology, Air Fuel Synthesis, wants to build a full-scale refinery, but that could take 15 years. Still, don't bet against it. Britain's deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, recently visited AFG's testing facility and came away saying, "I feel I've glimpsed the future."

More info and a video here: http://aol.it/10EeWkK

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