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Buying a Used Vehicle

Welcome to my website. My name is Frances Reed. If you’re considering buying a used car, you are in the right place. I recently had my first experience with purchasing a used car and want to share some tips I learned along the way. When I began my search, the important things were color, comfort, and low mileage. I ended up with a green vehicle (which isn't on my favorite color list,) it has over 150,000 miles driven, but it is comfortable. I was very fortunate and had a friend who’s a mechanic come with me to test drive vehicles. Tip number one: be sure you have a mechanic check out vehicles before you buy. I hope I can offer you some valuable information here.

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Buying a Used Vehicle

Winter Mountain Driving Safety For City Dwellers

by Connor Ferguson

If you are going on vacation in the mountains this winter, then you need to understand some different rules of the road than those that apply in the city. 

Winter Driving Rule #1 - Prepare Your Care Before Leaving Home

Driving at elevation, in snow, requires that you keep your car in top condition. The absolute last thing that you want to have happen, is to find yourself trapped in your car alongside the road, and discover that the car heater is not working, or that you are almost out of gasoline.

If you are going to the mountains, before you ever leave home, you need to ensure that the following parts of your car are in perfect working order:

  • radiator is full of antifreeze
  • windshield washer fluid container is full of antifreeze windshield washing fluid
  • windshield wiper blades are in good repair
  • heater and defroster work well
  • tires have sufficient tread to drive in ice and snow

You should also place some extra motor oil and antifreeze in your trunk just in case you need to add them during your trip.

Winter Driving Rule #2 - Pack Your Trunk Before Leaving Home

Mountain roads are very susceptible to closure due to weather and traffic accidents. Since you never know if you will have to wait on the road for 20 minutes or 20 hours, you should pack the following items in your car:

  • food
  • water
  • blankets
  • a change of dry clothing
  • ice scraper for windows
  • shovel in case you need to dig your wheels out
  • cell phone to make emergency calls
  • extra car keys in your pockets in case you accidentally lock your car door

These items will make you wait a lot more comfortable and will keep your family members safe as well.

Winter Driving Rule #3 - Avoid Breaking When Possible

When you are driving on an icy mountain road, you should take care to take your time and drive more slowly than you would on a flat city street. In addition, you should avoid applying the breaks when it is possible. If you break on a sheet of ice, then you risk the car sliding across the pavement and causing a collision (to be repaired at such places as Unlimited Collision).

Final Thoughts

In order to avoid the automotive collision repair shop after vacation, take your time when traveling on winter mountain roads. Avoid breaking whenever possible so that you can avoid sliding uncontrollably on the road. And, finally prepare you car and supplies so that if something goes wrong, then you will be able to still be comfortable and safe.

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