When you hear an unusual noise coming from your car (usually a whine, creak or squeal) it’s a warning that its normal operating methods have changed—often for the worse. By paying close attention to these sounds, you can catch minor problems before they become too serious and expensive. Consider the following tips:

Squealing brakes
If you hear high-pitched squealing when you apply your brakes (especially lightly), it’s probably caused by vibration in the brake pads. Minor squealing won’t affect your braking performance and is usually nothing to worry about. If you take your car to an auto repair shop, a mechanic may be able to apply a lubricant and quiet the vibration. Read more

Here are some helpful tips for getting more mileage out of your gas tank. Read more

Teenage drivers are at higher risk than other drivers. That’s why they’re required to take driver’s education, including behind the wheel training and they must be monitored and tested. Safety experts believe in involving parents from the beginning by inviting them to ride along for the driving lessons. They can see for themselves what and how the teen is learning, and this helps with continuity and consistency when the parents monitor practice sessions.

A good driving teacher shows parents not only how to communicate with their teens, but specifically explains what it means to be proactive in preventing automobile crashes. He shows them how not to overwhelm students by putting them beyond their skill level when practicing. Read more

Most tires are designed to provide similar performance throughout their entire lives, but at some point they start to lose their traction and braking abilities. Understanding when a tire needs to be replaced is important to maintaining the overall performance and longevity of your car, but it’s also important to make sure replacement is the only option you have left. Before making a final decision, consider the following tips:

Look at the tread pattern. All tires sold in the United States have “tread wear bars,” which are small bridges that form between the treads. Look at the tread pattern and you’ll see the beginnings of these bars start to form. As the tires wear, Read more

Besides expecting to be pampered, you should expect the chauffeur to arrive on time and be professional. According to Kathy Bimrose, manager of Style N’ Comfort Transportation & Tours, a Diamond Certified company, licensed operators are expected to pass safety checks performed by the California Highway Patrol and must meet other state and federal requirements. For example, drivers must be drug tested periodically. Any company transporting children under the age of 18 has to undergo special training.

When hiring a limousine service, you usually are asked to sign a contract. Deposits may be required and some companies want a credit card on file in case of damage. If someone gets sick in the limo, Read more

The biggest thing I learned from watching this is that you have to lean as far as you can in both directions to adjust the side view mirrors.

The idea is to eliminate those dangerous blind spots. Read more

 AAA Reminds Travelers to Use Their Seatbelts in Cabs and Shuttle Vans

AAA Northern California is reminding summer travelers that seatbelt safety shouldn’t set sail just because you’re on vacation. Sometimes a false sense of safety can set in as vacationers leave their worries behind, and they forget to buckle up in taxicabs and shuttle vans. But the danger of being in a crash doesn’t fade away like a tropical sunset.

“You can leave all your cares behind while on vacation but don’t leave behind your habit of buckling up,” said AAA Northern California spokesperson Matt Skryja. “In the rush to relax, travelers sometimes forget basic safety while riding in taxi cabs and shuttle vans by failing to use their seatbelts. Read more