SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2017
When shopping for a
new car, savvy buyers
know finding the right car
involves more than just
finding the most comfort-
able or flashy vehicle.
Numerous
factors,
including resale value,
determine what makes a
car the right car for a par-
ticular buyer. Various
websites and automotive
resources rank vehicles
based on their potential
resale value, and drivers
can do much to ensure
their cars and trucks
maintain that resale value
over the long-term.
• Pay attention to the
exterior. Much like
homes with strong curb
appeal can help home-
owners get the best price,
vehicles that look good
can make strong first
impressions on prospec-
tive buyers. Take care of
any dings or dents on the
car before putting it on
the market, and make
sure the car gets a thor-
ough washing and waxing
prior to showcasing it for
potential buyers.
Upon purchasing new
vehicles, drivers with
their minds on maintain-
ing resale values can park
their cars or trucks in
garages as often as possi-
ble to protect them from
the elements.
• Protect the interior. A
well-maintained interior
will impress buyers on
multiple levels. Pre-
owned buyers may feel
more comfortable buying
cars with well-maintained
interiors that still make
them feel as if they’re
buying a new vehicle.
Avoid eating in the car,
and immediately address
any spills or stains. When
taking the vehicle to a car
wash, spend the extra
money to have the interi-
or cleaned as well. Seat
covers can help protect
cloth and leather interiors
from spills, stains and
cracking.
• Keep maintenance
receipts. Another way to
maintain resale value is to
keep all maintenance
receipts from the moment
the vehicle is purchased.
Pre-owned vehicle buyers
are making substantial
investments when buying
preowned cars, and many
will want to be certain
they’re investing in the
right cars and trucks.
Documentation
with
regards to the vehicle’s
maintenance can assuage
any fears buyers may
have and help sellers get
the most money possible
when putting their cars on
the market.
Maintaining
resale
value is a concern for new
car buyers who want to
get the best returns on
their automotive invest-
ments. — Metro
Cycle of spring
Tire maintenance
a key component
of spring check-up
COURTESY PHOTO
hen
warm
weather
arrives, many people
enjoy a collective sigh of
relief. Just as people welcome the
end of the cold, snow and ice, cars
and trucks also can benefit from
more moderate temperatures.
Salt, grime and pot holes can take
a toll on tires over the course of a
typical winter. Drivers will not get
far this spring and summer without
tires in good repair, which is why
tire maintenance should be part of
any seasonal repair checklist.
Inflation levels
Now is the time to use a tire pres-
sure gauge to see if tires are at the
ideal inflation levels. Many tires
indicate the recommended PSI
(pounds per square inch) on their
sidewalls. Cold temperatures may
cause tires to deflate a little.
Esurance states that winter weather
W
can cause tire pressure reduction at
about one PSI for every 10 degrees
the temperature drops. Driving on
improperly inflated tires can be
dangerous, potentially affecting
handling and braking distances.
Check tires when they are cold
for the most accurate reading.
Properly inflated tires also will
improve fuel economy, so drivers
may even save a little money by
inflating their tires.
Tire rotation/realignment
Examine the tires for tread wear.
Any uneven or abnormal tread wear
could indicate that the tires need to
be rotated and the wheels realigned
at the very least. Take the vehicle to
a qualified mechanic to get their
opinion on how to remedy the situ-
ation. Mechanics may recommend
rotating tires every 6,000 to 8,000
miles, or about every six months for
the average driver.
Wheel realignment may be nec-
essary after a season of driving over
potholes and other irregularities in
the road. Misaligned wheels can
cause handling problems, like the
car “pulling” to one side.
Tire replacement
Drivers may discover extreme
tread wear, bulges or even cracks in
the sidewall during a tire inspec-
tion. These signs indicate that it’s
time to replace the tires. Failing to
replace old, worn down tires can
increase the risk of automobile
accidents.
Thorough cleaning
Once tires are inspected and pos-
sibly serviced or replaced, treat the
car or truck to a washing and thor-
ough detailing. This will help tires
shine and get the vehicle road-ready
for spring trips.
Riders must emphasize safety on the open road
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M
otorcycle enthusiasts in
locales with cold winters
may anticipate the warmer
weather of spring and summer
more than others, as it means
they can pull their bikes out of
their garages and get back on
the open road. While riding a
motorcycle can be an exhila-
rating experience, the U.S.
Highway Safety Authority
notes that fatal crashes are
much more likely to occur to
motorcycle riders than auto-
mobile drivers. As the number
of drivers and riders on the
road continues to increase, it
has never been more important
for riders to practice motorcy-
cle safety.
Be seen and heard
Ever wonder why some motorcy-
cles make so much noise? It’s to
attract the attention of other
motorists.
Failure of other
motorists to see motorcycles on the
road is a chief contributor to colli-
sions involving motorcycles.
One of the more comprehensive
studies on motorcycle accidents
showed most motorcycle accidents
involve a short trip associated with
shopping, errands, friends, enter-
tainment or recreation, and the acci-
dent is most likely to occur within
close proximity to the rider’s home.
Accident involvement is signifi-
cantly reduced by the use of motor-
cycle headlamps, including during
daylight hours, and the wearing of
highly visible clothing, including
yellow, orange, green or bright red
jackets.
COURTESY PHOTO
The study underscores the impor-
tance of remaining visible on the
road. While leather and denim may
be the traditional uniform of motor-
cycle riding, synthetic materials
that have reflective fabrics can
improve visibility.
Riders also can add reflectivity to
existing gear with reflective tape.
Use the right gear
When a rider is on the open road,
he or she doesn’t have the protec-
tion of a car frame to offer a buffer
between the rider and the pavement
should an accident occur. That is
why it is crucial to invest in quality
gear that can offer a certain meas-
ure of protection. A high-quality
helmet that fits well is an important
piece of safety equipment, as head
and neck injuries can result in
paralysis or fatalities. Pair the hel-
met with goggles or glasses
with safety lenses. Durable
nonslip gloves will help riders
maintain a good grip on the
handlebars, and boots can
cover the ankles.
Although it can be tempting
to forgo long pants or jackets
when the weather warms,
doing so can lead to painful
abrasions and road burn should
a fall occur. Invest in a leather
jacket and pants or a high-
quality, durable and bright-col-
ored material.
Additional precautions
Knowing this information
can help riders make more
informed choices on the road:
• Exercise extreme caution
at intersections and only go through
when safe.
• Test the lights, brakes and turn
signals before you make any trip.
• Make sure the fuel and oil levels
are at the correct levels.
• Know your bike’s limits.
• Follow the speed limit and the
rules of the road, and do not weave
in and out of traffic.
• Don’t ride in blind spots, stay-
ing in spots where you are most vis-
ible to fellow motorists.
• Always use turn signals.
• Do not tailgate, as stopping dis-
tances for motorcycles, especially
on slippery roads, can make stop-
ping difficult.
• Never drink and ride.
Emphasizing motorcycle safety
can make for an injury-free riding
season. — Metro
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
Maintain car value
over the long-term
3 C