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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (March 29, 2017)
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2017 WET WEATHER DRIVING TIPS riving in the rain can be more haz- ardous than driv- ing in the snow, particu- larly because drivers fail to realize the dangers wet roads can impose. After averaging 10 years of statistics, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that 46 percent of weath- er-related crashes hap- pened during rainfall, but just 17 percent occurred while it was snowing or sleeting. Drivers often think rain is no big deal, but while it’s not necessary to avoid driving when the raindrops begin to fall, exercising caution when the roads are wet can decrease the risk of being in an auto acci- dent. • Slow down. Wet roadways cause tires to lose traction, as friction is reduced between the rubber and the asphalt. D ccording to the Insurance Information Institute, more than 700,000 motor vehicles were reported stolen in the United States in 2015. Car thieves are often highly skilled, but that does not mean car own- ers cannot take steps to reduce their risk of being victimized by auto theft. • Take the simple steps. Suggestions like keeping cars locked at all times and rolling up all win- dows before walking away from the car may sound simple, but they are also effective. Drivers should avoid being care- less no matter how briefly they plan to be away from their vehicles. Talented thieves need only a few seconds to steal a car, so don’t make it any easier for them than it already is. • Park in well-lit areas. Well-lit parking lots may not prevent cars from being stolen, but such lots, especially ones mon- itored by security cam- eras, can be a strong deterrent to thieves who want to avoid being seen and having their crimes documented on camera. • Park in public areas. Avoid parking in areas that are off the beaten path. When parking at A COURTESY PHOTO Drivers should take extra precautions when driving in foul weather. It’s possible to lose up to one-third of traction in the rain. To compensate, slow down to reduce sliding and stopping dis- tances. • Improve visibility. Turn on windshield wipers and lights when it is raining. This makes it easier to see the road and makes your vehicle more visible to other motorists. • Leave more distance between cars. In addition to improving your reac- tion time, giving others more space can improve visibility by reducing the amount of mist or splashing caused by other vehicles. • Stick to daytime driving. If possible, when it is raining, drive only during the day. Glare from wet road- ways and headlights at night can further com- promise poor visibility. • Watch for wind gusts. Anticipate gusts when traveling through windy road corridors or over bridges. — Metro Simple projects to keep cars running smoothly ne of the ways to keep vehicles run- ning strong for years on end is to adhere to the manufacturer’s recom- mended maintenance schedule. Although there are many factors drivers cannot control, including recalls, weather and road conditions, proper main- tenance is something drivers can control, and maintaining a vehicle can be very simple. corrosion from leaking battery fluid on the con- tacts. In such instances, use a battery cleaning brush to clean the con- tacts and then replace the cables. O Oil changes Motor oil lubricates the engine and keeps it in good working order. Old oil becomes more vis- cous and can lose its effi- cacy. While changing motor oil is important, motorists should follow the owner’s manual or the factory maintenance schedule regarding how often it needs to be changed, as all vehicles are not alike. The old myth that cars and trucks need oil changes at set intervals has changed as digital check capabilities have evolved. Car computers can now keep track of more than just mileage. Computers now track starts and stops Reduce risk of vehicle theft COURTESY PHOTO Oil checks and changes are vital to engine health. and trip durations to and destruction of the determine when cars engine. Coolant is usually need oil changes. changed once per year or at 30,000 miles. This Coolant levels Coolant helps prevent keeps the coolant work- vehicles from overheat- ing properly and will ing and also prevents the help prevent corrosion water that it mixes with and deposits from form- in the radiator from ing inside the cooling freezing or boiling. system. Coolant levels Coolant is nearly as might be checked during important as motor oil in a full-service oil change vehicle maintenance. appointment. Coolant is typically com- prised of a 50/50 mix of Check battery contacts Many modern car bat- distilled water and antifreeze. These two teries do not require a lot maintenance. substances work together of to maintain a proper ratio However, one problem of heat energy and pre- that may occur is a vent eventual breakdown buildup of minerals or Tire maintenance Properly inflated, bal- anced and rotated tires make for a smooth, safe ride. Check that tires are wearing evenly and that the vehicle is not pulling to one side. A lack of tread on tires requires they be replaced. Because tires can be expensive, many drivers put off routine tire main- tenance. But this can be a costly mistake. Tires that are worn or not properly inflated can cause skid- ding, problems braking and accidents. Blowouts also may occur, putting drivers, their passengers and fellow motorists in danger. It’s best to be proactive with regard to tire maintenance. Maintaining a vehicle in adherence to manufac- turer guidelines can pro- long the life of the car, improve its safety and increase its trade-in or resale value. — Metro grocery stores, malls or other areas with large parking lots, park as close to pedestrian entrances as possible. Constant foot traffic can deter thieves from attempting to steal cars. • Install an alarm sys- tem and anti-theft device. Insurance companies often discount their pre- miums for drivers whose vehicles have alarm sys- tems and anti-theft devices. Such systems and technology draw attention to vehicles when thieves attempt to steal them, and many thieves can easily spot which cars have anti-theft devices they would prefer to avoid. • Remove personal items and valuables from the vehicle. Automobiles should not be used as rolling storage facilities for various reasons. One such reason is that valu- ables may attract thieves. Women should always take their purses with them when leaving their vehicles, and all drivers should make sure to remove all valuables when exiting their cars. Car theft is a legitimate concern for drivers, but savvy motorists can take steps to reduce the risk of their vehicles being stolen. — Metro fordservicejmc@gmail.com Celebrating 71 Years! Hoberg’s 541-902-1955 WINNER READERS CHOICE BEST AUTO REPAIR AND OIL CHANGE Complete Auto Repair www.hobergsautorepair.com 345 Hwy. 101 541-997-2413 acrauto.com • Repairing all makes and models • Serving Florence for 35 years Kevin McMullen 3rd Generation Owner hobergsautorepair@gmail.com Serving Your Auto Needs Since 1945 1736 West 15th Street • Florence 541•999•6078 FOLLOW US FOR THE LATEST NEWS OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK /S IUSLAW N EWS ❘ @S IUSLAW N EWS WWW .T HE S IUSLAW N EWS . COM 18 Mon th Unlimi , ted Mileag e Warran ty FACEBOOK.COM/PETERSENAUTODETAIL 541-997-6700 joel@acrauto.com CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK 2 C
