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Driving Tips

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Driving Tips

5 Strange Car Sounds You Shouldn’t Ignore

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Modern vehicles are easier on your ears than ever before. The silent hum of the engine is even pleasant. You probably hardly notice it. So that means any strange sounds are a sign that something is up. Take a listen as you drive to notice any noises that seem out of the ordinary. When you notice any sounds listed below, you can order online auto parts or find auto parts near me.

  1. Screeching or Squealing Brakes

High-pitched sounds when you brake may indicate that the hardware is wearing down. This is usually a sign that you may need to replace the brake pads and perhaps the rotors too. Replacing these parts will help you brake safely and efficiently.

 

  1. Chirping from the Engine 

If you notice a chirping noise when you accelerate or start your car, it may mean the drive belt–or serpentine belt–is wearing down and slipping. Thankfully, replacing your drive belt is easy and inexpensive.

 

  1. Rumbling or Sputtering Exhaust

A loud noise that happens underneath your vehicle is a sign that something is wrong with your exhaust system. Usually, it is a red flag that there is a hole somewhere in the exhaust. You may need to repair or replace a pipe, muffler, or catalytic converter.

 

  1. Howling or Whining While Driving

Sounds like this may indicate that bearings aren’t working properly. These tiny metal balls help the parts of your car rotate smoothly. The area of concern may be the rear wheel bearings, front-wheel bearings, or differential.

 

  1. Grinding Brakes

Grinding noise when you brake may mean that the brake pads are worn down and are contacting the rotors. It could also mean that the calipers are grinding against the rotor.

 

Resolving problems with your car doesn’t need to be expensive. You can find a variety of deals online, such as car battery coupons.

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Driving Tips

Top 10 Distractions For Drivers

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When driving a car, there are many things that can easily distract us and one of the biggest distractions I find when I’m driving is my two boys arguing/fighting in the back of the car. Only this weekend this very thing happened to us in Stratford Upon Avon which is a good 250 miles away from our home in Cornwall.

We were driving along some unfamiliar roads and approaching a large roundabout and my boys started arguing/flighting in the back. For some reason they always have the knack of doing this at the worse possible moment i.e. a very busy rush-hour roundabout at night. Thanks guys! They don’t mean it of course, they’re only 6 and 8 years old brothers who were excited that we were finally close to the hotel having driven 5 hours. At that moment however, I couldn’t concentrate or hear what the sat-nav was telling me, so I had to wait at the roundabout until they’d calmed down. If you’re a parent then i’m sure you’ve had a similar experience of children distracting you when driving. Interestingly I came across some research this week stating that ‘kids arguing’ was the fifth biggest distraction for drivers and also ‘kids fighting’ appeared in ninth spot. I reckon if you add those two together it easily makes the most distracting for drivers.

The research points at people with their full beam on being the number one most distracting, followed by heavy rain, getting lost and debris in the road. Here is the graphic I found with the percentage break down for each distraction:

Driving Distractions

Driving Distractions

Along with this research, Accident Advice Helpline also have a useful interactive map highlighting accident hotspots which is a useful overview of the dangers on roads throughout England along with lots more advice and tips.

 

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Cars

Think You Can’t Afford a Better Driving Experience? Think Again

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Have you completely fallen out of love with your car and the driving experience you get when you’re behind the wheel? It’s hardly an uncommon problem, and many people assume that it’s one that they can’t really fix. After all, replacing your car with a new one is not cheap, and if you don’t have the money, you don’t have the money. Don’t despair just yet, though. Here are some ways to get a better driving experience without spending a fortune on a new car.

 

Use Gadgets to Enhance Your Driving Experience

There are so many great car gadgets that you can take advantage of these days. Simply having more control over your car and how it drives can be very satisfying, and that’s what the best gadgets allow. You can use everything from electronic displays and  GPS trackers to bluetooth kits and dashcams. Messing around with tech and using gadgets to extend and enhance the driving experience could turn out to be ideal for you. It’s definitely not something that you should just dismiss.

 

You Could Always Lease

 

If you really want to ditch your current car but can’t afford to buy a new one, you could always choose a lease option. This is something that is definitely worth considering if you don’t have the option to buy. Leasing is affordable, and it means that you can enjoy your driving experience once more. There are plenty of companies out there, such as Leasewell, that can help you with finding a lease deal that suits you and your needs. So, maybe it’s time for you to find out more about this option.

 

Gradual Tweaks and Home Upgrades Have an Impact

 

Improving your car is not something that has to happen overnight, and you don’t have to spend a pile of cash on it either. It’s perfectly possible to carry out gradual tweaks and upgrades on your car. If you want to get real value, you’ll do this yourself. Paying someone else to carry out upgrades is just far too expensive. Learn about which upgrades could benefit your car, and then carry them out in your own time at home. Doing this really does have an impact on how your car drives.

 

Change Yourself Not the Car

 

Maybe it’s not your car that’s the problem. You shouldn’t forget that the way in which you drive your car also has an impact on the kind of driving experience you get out of it. It’s not something that many people consider because no one likes to admit their own shortcomings. But there are things you can do to become a better driver. By taking an advanced driving course and picking up some fresh tricks and skills, you can move yourself onto the next level, which could be exactly what you’re looking for.

 

There is no reason why you shouldn’t take steps to improve your own driving experience. You deserve an experience that’s as strong as it can be, so make the most of the ideas above.

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