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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (May 22, 2019)
Stock emergency preparedness items Prior to a trip, drivers should make sure their vehicles are equipped with necessary safety items. Liberty Mutual Insurance New Be- ginnings Report warns that nearly half of Americans do not check that proper emergency items are stored in their vehicles prior to getting on the road. Before embarking on a road trip, make sure vehicles have a first aid kit, flashlight, water bottles, phone chargers, tire-repair tools, flares, jumper cables, towels and even an old backpack for storage. Schedule a service call Regular maintenance can keep ve- hicles from breaking down. Drivers should take their cars in for tuneups before long road trips. Such tuneups should include an oil change, battery check, tire rotation and any other necessary servicing. Plan your route Map out the route before head- ing out. Be aware of potential road closures, obstacles or construction. Thanks to real-time GPS updates through mobile phones and other de- vices, some drivers like to rely on tech to get them through. But it’s import- ant to realize service may be spotty in rural areas. Mapping a trip out in advance can save drivers from getting lost during mobile service interrup- tions. Join a roadside repair service Breakdowns happen even if trips are carefully planned. Automotive clubs can help drivers when break- downs occur. Some car manufactur- ers also include roadside assistance in warranty packages, so inquire Avoid distractions Keep children and oth- er passengers occupied so they are not a distraction to the driver. Set out with favorite music, books, vid- eo games or even a pad and paper for doodling. Pack snacks to keep every- one feeling full in between roadside pit stops. Drivers also can load their cars up with tissues, water and mu- sic to limit distractions. Plan fun breaks along the way Breaks give drivers a reason to rest and passengers an opportunity to get out and stretch their legs. The Road- side America smartphone app lists must-see stops along any route, and drivers can plan their own stops as well. Stay over if necessary. According to the NHTSA, driving while drowsy is a contributing factor in 100,000 accidents every year. Drive only when well-rested. Share driving duties or plan a night at a motel so ev- eryone is well-rested. Road trips are all about fun, but drivers must emphasize safety before and during such excursions. Safeguard your vehicle from the elements In a perfect world, all vehicle own- ers would be able to park their cars and trucks in garages. In such a world, au- tomobiles would not be vulnerable to sun, storms and other natural elements that, over time, can contribute to wear and tear. But many drivers cannot or choose not to park their cars in garages. Some are content to let their vehicles brave the elements, while others look for ways to protect their cars and trucks as much as possible. Drivers who count themselves among the latter group can take these simple steps to protect their cars and trucks from whatever Mother Nature has in store for them. • Park in the shade. Parking in the shade can protect both the interior and exterior of a vehicle. Shaded areas pro- tect upholstery and dashboards inside the car from sun-induced fading, while also limiting the damage sun can cause to exterior paint. Faded paint may hurt the resale value of a vehicle, prompting prospective buyers to walk away or at least wonder if a vehicle with a faded exterior was well maintained. • Wash and wax. Washing and wax- ing scratching because it can be very ing a vehicle helps to minimize dam- difficult to remove without spreading. age that’s inevitable regardless of where Specially formulated sprays can help drivers park their cars. Dirt and debris drivers remove bird droppings and litter roadways, and over time cars can sap from their vehicles. collect a large amount of these unwant- • Employ a car cover. Drivers who ed stowaways. If dirt and debris are not have garages but use them to store removed, they can cause long-term things other than their vehicles can damage to vehicle exteriors. Washing use car covers when parking their cars and waxing a car can ensure its exte- in their driveways. Covers protect cars rior looks good and reduce the likeli- from the elements and can be quickly hood of rust and other corrosion from and easily removed. occurring. Nature can be harsh on vehicles. • Don’t write off bird droppings. Protecting automobiles from the ele- Some drivers, especially those who do ments should be a priority for drivers, not park their cars and trucks in ga- especially those who do not park their rages, may write off bird droppings as cars and trucks in garages. an annoying yet harm- less side effect of vehi- cle ownership. How- ever, bird droppings REAL ESTATE & FINANCE — June 26 are acidic and, if left to their unsightly de- TECHNOLOGY & INDUSTRY — July 24 vices, can cause per- manent damage to ve- LOCAL FLAVORS — September 25 hicle paint. Tree sap is an equally formidable COMMUNITY — October 23 Siuslaw News foe, potentially caus- PROGRESS 2019 SN ESS R OG PR When taking to the open road, it is important to fo- cus on safety. The Nation- al Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that planning and prevention can spare road-trippers from the consequences of breakdowns, traffic acci- dents or other road emer- gencies. RESS Refresh defensive driving skills A safe-driving course can remind drivers of the rules of the road. In some cas- es, courses also may quali- fy drivers for discounts on their auto insurance poli- cies. One such class is the AARP Driver Safety course. OG W PR about your coverage. hen the out- doors beckons, road trips can be the perfect way to see the countryside, escape the routine of daily life and enjoy short vacations. ESS P R RESS Keep summer road trips safe R G O OG Transportation PR 8A | WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2019 | SIUSLAW NEWS Learn to be an automative mechanic It’s easy to underestimate the level of know-how re- quired to be an automotive mechanic, and just how essential the job is. There are an estimated 30,000 parts on the average car, and data from the Interna- tional Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers indicates around 74,705,000 cars were produced in 2018. Auto mechanics are in high demand. Although many high schools offer adequate training to prepare individuals for a job in automotive mechanics, most mechanics are now expected to have completed an associate degree or certificate program in automotive training to keep up with ever-evolving vehicle tech- nology. Students can enroll in a vocational education pro- gram, receive a certificate and then go on to employee training. Upon completion of that training, students can become master mechanics. Training and school- ing typically takes two years. Salary.com reports that the average automotive me- chanic salary in the United States was $38,551 as of December 2018. Recognize potential brake problems Maintaining a vehicle is more than just a way to pro- tect one’s financial investment. Vehicle maintenance can protect against accidents and make the road safer for drivers, their passengers and their fellow motorists. Fully functioning brakes are an important component of automotive safety. Brake-related problems accounted for 22 percent of crashes where vehicular failure was cit- ed as the cause of the collision. Bad brakes are particu- larly notorious for rear-end collisions. Faulty, worn brake lines, antilock brake system malfunctions and worn brake pads and discs are some potential brake problems. It is important that motorists learn to recognize the first symptoms of brake trouble so they can address is- sues before they put drivers, their passengers and other motorists at risk of accident or injury. • Unusual noises: Screeching, grinding, rubbing and high-pitched sounds are common indicators that brake pads, rotors and other parts of the braking system need attention. Worn pads can cause damage to other vehicle parts, resulting in more expensive repairs. • Pulling: If the car pulls to one side when applying the brakes, this may indicate brake pad linings are wear- ing down unevenly. A brake adjustment may be neces- sary. Pulling also may be indicative of an object or debris caught in the brake fluid. • Less responsive: If the brakes just do not seem to be as effective as they once were, or it is necessary to press the pedal harder for the brakes to engage, there may be a brake fluid leak or an air leak. Check under the vehicle to see if any fluids are pooling. • Pungent odors: A burning smell may be indicative of worn out brake pads and friction on the tires. Each of these issues require immediate attention. • Vibrations: Certain vibrations may indicate brake issues. Rotors can become warped from metal-on-met- al rubbing, potentially leading to a failure of the vehicle to brake properly. They also may indicate tires are mis- aligned. These problems can be properly assessed by a trained mechanic. WE ARE YOUR ONE STOP CAR CENTER • Full Service Repair • Tire sales • ASE Certifi ed Technician • Shrink Wrap Locally Owned. 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