Car Insurance

Buying your first or tenth Ford truck will always create feelings
of pride and satisfaction. And of course, you will want to
protect your investment the best way you know how, but somehow
many people never realize that the simple act of buying Ford
truck seat covers can protect and extend the life of your truck.
Consider the following benefits of buying Ford truck seat covers.

Protect your Seats

If you drive a truck then you are probably around dirt and mud
and other stain causing agents on a regular basis. The easiest
way to keep stains from ruining your seats is to cover them with
Ford truck seat covers that are waterproof. This way, not only
will you protect your seats from regular stains, but also from
spills of colas, water, chemicals, and the like.

Increase value, or Resale value

Everyone wants to protect their investment, and amazingly a small
investment in Ford truck seat covers will pay off in the long run
by protecting your main investment, your truck. This is the case
because your actual seats and fabrics will be protected by the
seat cover and when the day comes that you want to sale your
truck or trade it in, you will be able to get a better price or
trade in value because your seats and fabrics will be in
impeccable condition, like when you first bought the truck. This
benefit alone is worth getting Ford truck seat covers, but there
are several more reasons why as well.

Give your truck a custom look

When you have seat covers made for your truck or either buy them
pre-made you get the same result—a custom look for your truck.
When you put seat covers in your Ford Truck you will be setting
yourself apart from all the other Ford truck owners, be
protecting your investment, and look a lot better as well.

Keep Your Truck Clean

When buying Ford truck seat covers you should definitely consider
getting the custom made with some great fashionable fabrics that
are waterproof yet feel like normal soft fabric. You can buy
these custom made or even pre-made as well. They are perfect
because they generally resist stains, protect your actual seats,
and can easily be machine washed as often as you like. This way,
your truck will always be clean and you won’t have to worry about
staining your clothes either.

Do your own a classic car or special vehicle? Has your regular insurance company turned their backs or made the premium so high that you are thinking of selling your car to buy bread?

Well, fret not.

Here are a few quick tips to get your car insured.

Tip 1

Contact your regular insurance company and check that you are getting the best rate. You may be entitled to a reduction based upon good driving history.

Tip 2

THEN, search on the net for classic car insurance, classic auto insurance, kit car insurance etc. Whichever suits your type of vehicle. You will be pleased to know there are now lots of specialist insurers.

Tip 3

Get a number of quotes from each and perform due diligence. I suggest making phone contact with them and asking them a few questions. i.e How long have you been in business? What is your financial backing? Do they have a physical address?

Check around for good recommendations from sites you trust before you make a decision.

Tip 4

Make sure you don’t forget to check all the terms, conditions and restrictions.

Tip 5

Be insurance savvy! Your regular insurance company just wants to crunch the numbers. A specialist insurance company knows that you look after your car like one of your children. This is often reflected in a lower premium. So shop around and enjoy.

There are many add-on devices and gizmos for cars that can provide features to make your ride better. There are accessories that will give you music that is more to your liking. A gps with maps can display the route to take to your chosen destination. A heated mug will keep coffee hot as long as the car is running. There are other useful functions and nice effects that add-on accessories can provide. Many car accessories are low enough in price so that they may be well worth installing. This article concentrates on the lower priced accessories. Most are under $50.

Here’s the list with some information and comments about each:

>> Map reading light- These are available with incandescent bulbs, flourescent tubes or leds (light emitting diodes). The flourescents and leds use less power and so are slowest to drain batteries. Led bulbs last the longest, flourescents next, and incandescents generally burn out first. Incandescents usually are priced lowest. Options include a power cord that plugs into the cigarette lighter socket or two wires that get connected into the vehicle’s wiring. Some map reading lights mount with double sided tape, some clip on, some are supported by the cigarette lighter plug/socket, some use velcro. Some have swivel bases to aim the light, some have flexible stems, and some are fixed.

You might find these at larger auto parts stores, large department stores, electronics stores or online.

Example models:

CarMate NZ181 ZAX LED Interior Map Light. Has plug to get power from cigarette lighter jack. Available at www.eautoworks.com for about $25.

Touring R Series LED Shot Light- With swivel for aiming, two wire connection to vehicle’s power. Available at www.eautoworks.com, www.xtremewhite.com for about $20.

Some online sources are:
www.eautoworks.com
www.xtremewhite.com

>> 12 volt heated mug- A mug with a plug for getting power from the cigarette lighter socket. It keeps a liquid such as coffee hot for as long as the vehicle is running. Some models have a thermostat to set the temperature.

Example models:
Wagan Tech Heated Travel Mug about $30
NexxTechâ„¢ Travel Mug with Thermal Control about $20

Available online at:
www.autoanything.com
www.circuitcity.com

>> Cooler/warmer- These give the choice of keeping food or beverage hot or cold. Some are sized to hold a can of soda or a mug of coffee, larger units might hold a six pack or more.

Example models:
Wagan Car Cooler/Warmer about $75
Koolatron 8 quart Food Cooler/Warmer about $50
Vector 6-can Portable Food Cooler & Warmer Chest about $50

Available online at:
www.autoanything.com
www.jcwhitney.com

>> Cell phone charger- Plugs into the cigarette lighter socket to power or charge your cell phone.

Example models:
Custom Accessories Deluxe Power Cord Charger about $20
Custom Accessories Power Cord Charger about $10
Radio Shack 273-1288 Car Power Adapter for Hitachi SH-P300 Wireless Phone about $30
Quick Cell 3900 Car Charger Nokia about $15

Available online at:
www.carlovershop.com
www.radioshack.com
www.advanceautoparts.com

>> 12 volt coolers-
These range in size to hold 2 soda cans up to full size refrigerators for recreational vehicles.

Example models:
VDP Road Chill 2-pack Cooler about $30

Available online at:
www.jcwhitney.com

>> Multipurpose lights- Can be incandescent, flourescent or led. They might plug into the cigarette lighter socket, might be wired directly into the car’s power circuits, or be battery operated and portable. If used while the vehicle is not running, a consideration may be that led models will drain the battery the least (but in general produce less light).

Example models:
Wolo FL4 Battery-operated Fluorescent Light 4 Watt about $10
Wolo FL95 12 volt flourescent
Bonatrade International 6-Watt Single Tube 12V Fluorescent Light about $15
Custom Accessories 10716 Power Lite: Magnet Mount about $10
Custom Accessories 76665 Utility Light 12v at www.acehardware.com about $3
Type S Accessories LM104166 Dash - Map Light about $20
Voltec Industries 0800255 Trouble Light: 12 Volt about $4
Alert HC20 Halogen Worklight 12v about $20

Available online at:
www.carlovershop.com
www.jcwhitney.com
www.circuitcity.com
www.advanceautoparts.com
www.acehardware.com

>> Compass- Some are magnetic, mechanical; some are battery powered with digital displays, can be lighted to read at night, and/or have additional features such as time, date, and/or temperature.

example models:
Wayfinder V2000 Digital Compass about $70
NexxTechâ„¢ Digital Compass with Calendar, Clock and Temperature about $30
Radio Shack 63-1221 Digital Vehicle Compass about $20
Custom Accessories 18100 about $10
Custom Accessories 55558 about $5
Type S Accessories AC12320606 Digital Compass about $40
Black Type S Compass about $5

Available at:
www.autoanything.com
www.circuitcity.com
www.radioshack.com
www.advanceautoparts.com
www.autobarn.com

>> Weather alert radio- Receives broadcasts from the National Weather Service. The NWS provides weather forecasts and reports as well as announcements about severe weather and any possible disasters. Choose a radio that uses the vehicle’s power so you don’t have to replace batteries every time you turn around.

example models:

ShareCom WRP50 Weather Radio about $70
Weather One Emergency Alert Portable Weather Radio about $35
Midland74109 All Hazards Weather Alert Radio about about $70
Midland 74-109 Weather Max Plus about $35
Midland 74200 All Hazard Alert Monitor about $50
Midland WR-10 Weather alert radio about $40

available at:

www.weatherradiostore.com
www.safetycentral.com
www.diversepower.com
www.midlandradio.com
www.amazon.com

>> Flashlight- Dozens of types available including windups that don’t require batteries, solar rechargeables, flourescent tube (bulbs last much longer), and led models that will run many hours on one set of batteries.

example models:
Dorcey Coolblue led about $20
Himount Windup LED Flashlight about $20

available at:
www.batterysavers.com
www.jcwhitney.com

>> 4 point safety harness- Has four anchor points with a restraint for each shoulder. These are more likely to get you through a crash with less injury than if you had been using a standard belt (across one shoulder and across the lap). Many of these models are made to attach to a roll bar, so make sure the one you are getting is appropriate for your vehicle.

example models:
Peak Racing Equipment PEK-507-2 about $75

available from:
www.amazon.com
www.summitracing.com

>> Power inverter-Plugs into the cigarette lighter sockect, clips to battery, or wire it in. The vehicle’s 12 volts dc is changed to 120 volts ac to power things like laptop computers, coffee makers, cell phones, camcorder battery chargers and other small appliances. Don’t go bigger than 400 watts unless you want to go directly to the battery with heavy wire. Even then, high power devices will drain your battery quickly and could fry the alternator if the engine is running.

example models:
Coleman Powermate CMN-PMP400 400 watt about $60
Motor Trend power inverter HDL-MTI-12-3716 about $60
Xantrex X Power Mobile Plug 75 about $30
Go Power GP 175 Modified Sine Wave Inverter about $30

available at:
www.summitracing.com
www.fisheriessupply.com
store.hamiltonmarine.com
www.jcwhitney.com

Other accessories that can be used to enhance your car include seat covers, floor mats, steering wheel covers, sun shades, head rest covers, litter bags, can and cup holders, inside/outside thermometer, gps/map device, extra loud or novelty sound horns.

Items to keep in your car for repair, emergency, safety, miscellaneous- Jack, lug wrench, trouble light, flares, jumper cables, maps, cell phone and phone numbers, coolant for radiator, drinking water, long storage food, empty container for gasoline, various hand tools, gloves, coat, hat, blanket, rain poncho, and a first aid kit.

The exterior of your vehicle is really the first impression people get of both you and your vehicle. Imagine you just drove up for an important meeting or job interview. As you get out of your car you notice everyone is staring at you and your vehicle. Is it a good stare or a bad one? What does your car’s exterior say about you?

You always want to make a good impression. You might be a snappy dresser and great at making introductions and small talk but what if a person sees your vehicle instead of you first, what impression are they going to get? You want to send a vibe to those that see you park your car that you are an organized, well put together person. The best way to do this is to present a vehicle that is well maintained and shines from the sunroof to the mud-flaps.

Maintaining the exterior does not have to take long, perhaps an hour or two during the weekend normally. You just have to know what to do and have the right materials to get it done. To keep you car in pristine shape you first need the proper car washing equipment.

To properly wash your car yourself you will need to have a hose, car wash, cleaning mitts, chamois, wheel cleaner spray and tire brush. Pull your car out of the garage and wet it down. Try to keep it out of the sun or it will “sun dry” while you are washing it which will leave spots. Now fill up a bucket with a bit of car wash concentrate (easily found at an auto parts store) and then a lot of water. Whatever you do, do not use dish washing detergent it could harm your clear coat or paint.

Preferably you will have lamb skin wash mitts to dip in the water and wash/scrub the car with. These are softer and less likely to damage the paint. Make sure to scrub off any bugs or bird droppings before they can hurt your paint. If you have parked under the tree you might have to get a special wash to get the sap off. You do not want anything on the car that could eat way the paint or make the paint fade.

As you finish with washing a portion of the car, spray it off with the hose to get the soap off. Continue re-wetting the car to keep the part you are washing wet as well as the rest of the car drying with water spots. Remember to wash the windshield, roof, mirrors and front lights. If the bottom portion of the car is dirty with grease do not use your mitt. The grease or oil will stick to it and you will spread it to the rest of the car. Instead get a soft rag and use the water and cleaner mixture to wipe off the grease.

Once the car is washed you can move onto the tires and rims. Depending on the type of rim you have on the car it can be easy or hard to clean. The more intricate the design the more difficult it usually is to wash. Use a tire brush if you must to clean all the crevices of the rim. You then can use a tire protector to spray on the tires and give them a glossy shine.

Now it is time to dry the vehicle. Use the chamois and wipe the car down. Wring out the chamois as needed. Now that the car is washed and dry take a critical eye to it. See if there are any scratches or areas that need to be touched up. If so you should be able to match paint at a dealership or auto supply store. The touch up paint can then be put on the flaw.

You have now finished with the washing of your car. Sure, sure you could instead take your car to a car wash but if you do that you need to make certain it is a hand wash and not a machine wash establishment. If your car is not washed by a human it is likely to get scratched up. Human are more precise with their cleaning and try to keep debris such as dirt out of the cleaning mitts so that the paint job does not get scratched up. Also if you take it to a car wash you do not get the satisfaction of having a job well done yourself.

If you want to make your car’s exterior look even better you can give it an occasional wax job. This will help protect the paint job even more from such potential harmful items as sun or UV damage and other pollutants. But for now you have a shiny washed car that you should be proud to drive and park in any parking lot, no matter if you are going to an important meeting or joining friends at the mall.

In Ontario, Canada if you are a teenager wanting to get a driver’s license, or a novice driver with less than 2 years driving experience, you are considered a new driver. To get full driving privileges one must pass through the two levels of the graduated licensing system. The first level is the G1 and comes with 6 conditions that must be adhered to. The second level, the G2, has less conditions and thus more freedom for the driver to get experience behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.

The graduated licensing system (GDL) in Ontario, Canada first stage is referred to as the G1 license. The motorist must stay at this level 1 step for 12 months, unless they have completed a recognized driver education course in which case they can leave this step after 8 months. Once the G1 minimum period is over the driver must pass a road test to move up to the G2 license.

The G2 license must also be held for minimum of 12 months. After this 12 month time period the motorist can attempt to pass the G2 road test. During the time that one carries a level 2 license they must adhere to certain conditions. The conditions are not as numerous as the conditions given for the G1 period so that the beginner motorist can get more driving experiences under their belt.

With a G2 license you can drive anytime during the day or night. There are not restricted hours of which you can only operated during as there was under the G1 restrictions. You also may now drive without an accompanying driver on all Ontario roads.
The conditions of a G2 driver include that the driver is still required to:1. Maintain a zero blood alcohol level while driving.2. Make certain the number of passengers in the vehicle is limited to the number of working seat belts. New conditions as of September1, 2005 include:· All teenage G2 drivers must limit the number of passengers under age 20 that they can carry late at night.· During the first 6 months of carrying the G2, the driver may only carry one passenger under 20 years old between 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m.· After 6 months of holding the G2 license and until you get your full G license, or turn 20, you may carry up to 3 passengers under 20 years old between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m.

These new restrictions do not apply if the G2 driver has a fully licensed driver, with four plus years of experience, in the front seat or if the young passengers are members of their immediate family.

It is recommended that the driver completes each level of the graduated licensing system as soon as the minimum time period allows and the driver feels ready to safely do so. This allows the driver to feel confident in their driving abilities and move onto the next step in the licensing process. The G1 or G2 license expires 5 years after the date in which the person received their G1 license.

If the person takes too long going through the licensing process it could make them have to start over. If one does not pass the G1 and G2 road tests and earned the full G license status by the end of five years then the person will need to retake the knowledge test to get the G1 license again and/or retake the G1 road test to obtain a G2.

The time spent in level 1 and level 2 graduated licensing steps count towards the four years of experience one needs to be an accompanying driver. At the end of the level two, G2, minimum 12 months a driver can try to pass a road test to be come a fully licensed G driver. If this is passed the person is now fully licensed to drive any car, van or small truck or a combination of vehicle and towed vehicle up to 11,000 kg (provided the towed vehicle is not over 4,600 kg).

The Ministry of Transportation in Ontario has found the graduated licensing system to be a successful program for young drivers. It has been helpful in reducing injury and death among novice drivers. Research shows that new teenage drivers are more likely to be involved in serious accidents or fatal collisions when they have other teenagers as passengers so that is why the restrictions are in place. With the graduated driving privileges and conditions on the drivers, they learn how to drive safely on the different roadways in Ontario, which is good for every driver on the road.