10 Tips When Purchasing a Used Car
If you are looking to find a car then you might want to consider these 10 important tips before running off and signing that check. With the recession affecting more dealers, they are looking to squeeze every penny possible out of their buyers but you as the buyer should learn to get the most value out of your money as well.
Your vehicle whether new or used is an important investment. You want it to become an asset and not a liability, but if you aren’t careful then it might become a burden. The following tips can help you when you go to get your dream car. Take them into consideration when you enter that dealership lot and you might spare yourself the pitfalls of a failed purchase.
1. Choose the right time. Usually the best time to purchase a new car is when the new models are out. These are usually between August and November. When you shop during these times you will get to see the latest models that are available or get a discount out of the older models since the new ones are already out.
2. Do not let the salesman pressure you into a decision. More often than not, sales agents will try to convince you to purchase at that instant. Don’t let them pressure you this way. Let them do their sales pitch but in the end, it will be you who will decide when to buy, not them.
3. Ask for any promotions or unadvertised sales that might be going on. This can provide you with a great discount.
4. Search the internet. These days, there are a great many offers over the internet and you might find yourself with one. This removes the burden of going to a dealership and even dealing with pushy car sales agents.
5. Don’t be afraid to negotiate, prices are oftentimes negotiable so do not hesitate to bargain for a price that is right for you.
6. Don’t go on weekends. Generally this is when there are a lot of people buying, if there are plenty of people around you will not get good deals. Try to go mid-week because this is the time when most sales agent are eager to make a sale and offer great deals.
7. Also, go to the dealers during the month’s end or towards the month’s end. This is when agents are rearing to meet their quotas and you might have a bigger chance in landing a greater deal as they are eager to make a sale.
8. If you’re not well versed with cars, bring along someone who has knowledge of cars.
9. Don’t be hasty. Remember buying a car is a major purchase and something that needs thorough evaluation and consideration before jumping into.
10. Enjoy.
Purchasing a new vehicle need not be a hassle, remember these 10 tips when purchasing your new car and get your hard earned money’s worth with a great deal for your new vehicle.
Your vehicle whether new or used is an important investment. You want it to become an asset and not a liability, but if you aren’t careful then it might become a burden. The following tips can help you when you go to get your dream car. Take them into consideration when you enter that dealership lot and you might spare yourself the pitfalls of a failed purchase.
1. Choose the right time. Usually the best time to purchase a new car is when the new models are out. These are usually between August and November. When you shop during these times you will get to see the latest models that are available or get a discount out of the older models since the new ones are already out.
2. Do not let the salesman pressure you into a decision. More often than not, sales agents will try to convince you to purchase at that instant. Don’t let them pressure you this way. Let them do their sales pitch but in the end, it will be you who will decide when to buy, not them.
3. Ask for any promotions or unadvertised sales that might be going on. This can provide you with a great discount.
4. Search the internet. These days, there are a great many offers over the internet and you might find yourself with one. This removes the burden of going to a dealership and even dealing with pushy car sales agents.
5. Don’t be afraid to negotiate, prices are oftentimes negotiable so do not hesitate to bargain for a price that is right for you.
6. Don’t go on weekends. Generally this is when there are a lot of people buying, if there are plenty of people around you will not get good deals. Try to go mid-week because this is the time when most sales agent are eager to make a sale and offer great deals.
7. Also, go to the dealers during the month’s end or towards the month’s end. This is when agents are rearing to meet their quotas and you might have a bigger chance in landing a greater deal as they are eager to make a sale.
8. If you’re not well versed with cars, bring along someone who has knowledge of cars.
9. Don’t be hasty. Remember buying a car is a major purchase and something that needs thorough evaluation and consideration before jumping into.
10. Enjoy.
Purchasing a new vehicle need not be a hassle, remember these 10 tips when purchasing your new car and get your hard earned money’s worth with a great deal for your new vehicle.
Buying A New Car
When I bought my first new car, I was just out of college and felt flush with cash. I had just started working full time and I was enjoying my new salary. After donating my old clunker of a car to charity, I confidently strolled into the Volkswagen dealership to pick out a brand new Jetta.
The salesman must have heard cash registers going off in his head as he looked me over and saw me for the easy mark I was.
I’m not proud to admit it. I got taken.
I bought a car alright, but I ended up with more extra features than I needed or wanted. I also paid a lot more than I had planned.
But the next time around it was a whole different story. I had picked up some car buying tips and tricks over the years and I was able to use them to my advantage to get myself a great deal.
You can do the same if you follow these 6 simple new car buying tips:
1. Know what you want before you even get close to the dealership. Research the different car models online so you can walk into the dealership knowing exactly what you want. Skilled salesmen can easily talk undecided buyers into unnecessary upgrades and features.
2. Do your homework. There are plenty of websites that offer new car reviews, pricing, and comparisons of different models. The more knowledge you have the better informed your choice will be. The dealer’s invoice price is especially important. Dealers hate when you know how much they paid for the car because it takes away one of their biggest edges in negotiating car prices.
3. Dealers love to combine the purchase price, finance charges, and value of your trade-in into one negotiation. This way they can play with numbers and try to confuse you into thinking they’re giving up more than they are. You can keep them from doing this by insisting they negotiate each individually.
6. Above all, whenever you are negotiating new car prices with a dealer you must continuously remind yourself…”This guy is NOT my friend.” Don’t fall for the old “I really want to give you a good deal. It’s my boss that’s taking a hard line here.”
The salesman’s goal is to get you to pay as much money as possible. He doesn’t want to be your friend and he doesn’t want to invite you to his house for a barbecue. All he sees when he looks at you is dollar signs. Remember that, and take everything he says with a grain of salt.
Follow these simple car buying tips and tricks and you’ll drive off the lot knowing you got the best deal possible.
The salesman must have heard cash registers going off in his head as he looked me over and saw me for the easy mark I was.
I’m not proud to admit it. I got taken.
I bought a car alright, but I ended up with more extra features than I needed or wanted. I also paid a lot more than I had planned.
But the next time around it was a whole different story. I had picked up some car buying tips and tricks over the years and I was able to use them to my advantage to get myself a great deal.
You can do the same if you follow these 6 simple new car buying tips:
1. Know what you want before you even get close to the dealership. Research the different car models online so you can walk into the dealership knowing exactly what you want. Skilled salesmen can easily talk undecided buyers into unnecessary upgrades and features.
2. Do your homework. There are plenty of websites that offer new car reviews, pricing, and comparisons of different models. The more knowledge you have the better informed your choice will be. The dealer’s invoice price is especially important. Dealers hate when you know how much they paid for the car because it takes away one of their biggest edges in negotiating car prices.
3. Dealers love to combine the purchase price, finance charges, and value of your trade-in into one negotiation. This way they can play with numbers and try to confuse you into thinking they’re giving up more than they are. You can keep them from doing this by insisting they negotiate each individually.
4. You can take away one of the dealer’s biggest bargaining chips if you secure financing ahead of time. Go to your bank or credit union and secure a new car loan before you head to the dealer. This lets you focus strictly on the price of the car. Once you’ve agreed on a price, you can always see if the dealer will beat the rate you already have.
5. When buying a car, timing is key. You want to hit the dealer when he is most likely to give you a good deal. The ideal time is just before the next year’s models arrive as they will need to make room for the new stock. You can get a great deal on the previous year’s model.
The end of the month is also a good time because salesmen who are short of their monthly quota will be pushing hard to make sales. Also, go late at night an hour or two before the dealership closes. They’ll be more anxious to close the deal so they can go home and see their families.6. Above all, whenever you are negotiating new car prices with a dealer you must continuously remind yourself…”This guy is NOT my friend.” Don’t fall for the old “I really want to give you a good deal. It’s my boss that’s taking a hard line here.”
The salesman’s goal is to get you to pay as much money as possible. He doesn’t want to be your friend and he doesn’t want to invite you to his house for a barbecue. All he sees when he looks at you is dollar signs. Remember that, and take everything he says with a grain of salt.
Follow these simple car buying tips and tricks and you’ll drive off the lot knowing you got the best deal possible.
How to prolong your car’s lifespan
WANT to continue driving but can't seem to afford a new car any time soon? Here's one alternative - save money by keeping your old jalopy running until it falls apart!
Alright, perhaps not literally, but a car, even when past its prime, can still serve you for a few more years if it's well taken care of - and at the same time, save you money from buying a brand new vehicle.Here are some tips to keep your clunker going for many more years.
Routine maintenance:
A well-maintained vehicle will still give you good service even after the odometer indicates that your car has “boldly gone where no car has gone before.”
“There's still a lot of life yet in your car even after you've hit 100,000km on your odometer,” says Simon Lam of Used Autos Sdn Bhd, a Kuala Lumpur-based used-car dealer. “Regular, routine maintenance ensures that your car is always running at optimum level,” he says, adding that one should not try to prolong a vehicle's maintenance schedule just to save a bit of money. If you feel that something needs fixing, get it done immediately before it escalates and becomes a bigger problem - which would mean big money to fix!”
Keeping your old car going also means saving money on not having to make payments on a new vehicle, says Kuala Lumpur-based mechanical engineer Peter Lau.
“Car loan repayment bills are a big financial obligation and delaying the purchase of either a new or used vehicle can help save you thousands of ringgit if you practice good auto maintenance habits and keep your old car running for many years.
“Getting your engine oil, gearbox fluid and spark plugs changed as per the maintenance schedule will help prolong and even avoid expensive rebuilds or replacements. Change your belts on a regular basis and flush the radiator out. It's the tiny things that make the most difference,” he says.
Drive it less
One way to reduce the wear and tear on your aging vehicle is to drive it less often, says Jeremy Tan (not his real name), a 30-year old lawyer from Johor Bahru.
Tan, who owns a 1965 Volkswagen (VW) beetle, says he used to drive it everyday when he was in college and in the early years of his working career.
He has since purchased a new car (a Proton Saga) but still maintains his trusty VW and drives it mostly on weekends.
“I will never sell it because it has served me for so many years. When I used to drive it daily, I would take it for repairs or maintenance jobs every three months. Nowadays, I can go a full year without taking it to the workshop.”
Can he stomach the maintenance bills for two cars?
“Road tax and insurance for my VW comes to about RM400 a year. It's a lot cheaper than paying for a new car. (The road tax and insurance) for my girlfriend's three-year old Perodua Kancil is nearly double that amount!”
Tan also says many older, foreign cars appear to be longer lasting than cars of today.
“I've been driving the car for over 20 years and have overhauled the engine once. So far, I've had no gearbox or suspension problems yet. Many new cars after a few years will start having all sorts of problems.
“So having an old car on the side does not burn a hole in my pocket.”
Learn to DIY:
This option is for those who are a bit more adventurous and don't mind getting their hands dirty.
Tan says that having owned his VW for many years, he's taken the initiative to learn more about his car, and has even learnt a thing or two about maintaining it himself.
“In the beginning, I knew nothing about my car or how it worked. Words like distributor and carburettor were all foreign to me. For every little thing, I'd take my car to the workshop to get it fixed because I didn't quite know what really needed repairing, I'd get a bill for something that didn't need changing!”
Tan says by learning more about your vehicle and doing small maintenance and repair jobs on your car can actually save one lots of money and long trips to the workshop. “There is a wealth of information about how to fix your old cars. This can be sourced from the Internet, books or even DVDs.”
Tan says today he is able to do simple jobs on his own, such as changing the vehicle's engine and gearbox oil, adjust the brakes, timing and adjust the valves, among others.
“I've even got my car to start again when it broke down on the road. It saved me the hassle of waiting for a tow truck and money getting it fixed at a workshop.
“It's not for everyone, but getting to know more about how your car works and learning to fix certain things yourself not only saves you money, but it also changes your relationship with your vehicle.”
Automobile Maintenance Tips
Acquaintance with the necessary automobile maintenance tips would definitely increase your satisfaction level in the long run as you would be able to lower the maintenance cost of your new car and used car significantly. If you make a habit of reading the automobile maintenance tips, it would always keep you abreast with the latest dos and don'ts for your vehicles. Two wheelers, three wheelers, new cars and used cars and heavy motor vehicles all have different tips for maintenance. Therefore, one should always be in a look out for specific maintenance tips that suit the vehicle requirements.We all are familiar with the fact that automobile repairs can burn hole in the pockets and is especially very high for imported vehicles. But regular maintenance can keep us away from all the troubles. Automobile maintenance is one of the most important aspects, which we generally ignore.
It helps in the proper functioning of the car, and determines the longevity, performance and reliability of the automobile, we drive. Automobile maintenance tips are so simple that one can do-it on their own and take care of all the parts of the automobile. Sending automobiles for regular services, changing oil, lubricating the engine, checking the brakes and air filters regularly are some of the many easy car maintenance tips that can be practiced to increase the life of your automobile.
Automobile maintenance tips given by automobileindia.com will help you in keeping your vehicle strong and shinning and at the same time cutting down on the fuel cost. You will get several tips on how to clean your vehicle, on how to make your ride economical. These tips would be of great help to any one who wants to keep his or her vehicle in a healthy condition, as it would introduce you to the functioning of several important parts. Maintenance tips would also be useful for those who are associated with commercial vehicles. Therefore, this section would give you the tips for maintaining all light motor vehicles and heavy motor vehicles too.
The automobile maintenance tips provided here are meant not only to help you whenever you meet with an unforeseen incident on the road, but also to guide you in preventing them. Familiarity with these maintenance tips would always distinguish you from others. Here, you would find maintenance tips for all kinds of vehicles. Check them regularly and be a smart owner of an automobile.
Tyres- At regular times rotate the position of the tyres and you must balance them at around 10,000 km. There are under-inflated tyres that one must check. A regular check for stone and gravel in the tyres is compulsory.
Brakes - top up the brake fluid reservoir occasionally when you notice that the brakes tend to become wobbly and act slowly.
Battery - for the prevention of corrosion, one must clean the battery terminals from time to time and apply a light coat of grease. Check the level of distilled water in the battery and see that the plates are covered at all times.
Interior - regularly vacuum the interiors which will prevent the deposition of sand, dust, grime, salt, etc that otherwise damage the floor surface. Wipe the dash, seats and instrument panel and rear parcel shelf. You can use special car cleaners and not household stuff for cleaning. Clean the leather interiors with specific products and avoid cleaners with high alkaline content as they bleach the color off the leather.
Exterior - wash windscreens with water and soap followed by clean water wash. Then use chamois leather to dry the spots. When the car is dry, use methylated spirit dipped rag and water solution to polish the glass.
Lights- make sure that lights are clean and are working fine. Check the brake lights, turn signals and emergency flashers. Keep spare bulbs and fuses in your vehicle. Make sure that all your lights are clean and working, including the brake lights, turn signals and emergency flashers. Keep spare bulbs and fuses in your vehicle.
Hoses - Inspect the hoses and belts every month. If a hose looks bad or feels hard, then it is time for replacement.
Exhaust - Check for loose or broken exhaust clamps and supports. Also look for holes in muffler or pipes. Change the rusted or damaged parts and have the emission checked every year.
General Tips - Always use genuine spare parts for your car.
Give your car an anti-rust coating before the monsoons.
For Bike Maintenance there are the following tips:
- Regularly check the tyres and air pressure.
- Check your tyres for cuts and scrapes on the tyres that might result in a blowout. Also keep checking the tyre treads once every week and the wheels are balanced and the alignment checked if the wear is uneven.
- Check the engine oil level every day before you ride your bike. The oil level should be between upper and lower marks. Top up the engine oil if required and also check for oil leakage.
- Check the two-wheeler body surface regularly to ensure good surface finish. Before cleaning the bike, see to it that the ignition switch unit, H.T. Coil and silencer are covered with plastic sheets.
- While cleaning the bike, use low pressure water. The painted surfaces must be washed only with water.
- Take periodic checks of the motorcycle battery for a long life. Check the electrolyte levels against the top and bottom markings on the battery shell. Top up with distilled water. Check for battery leakage.
- Clean the sparks regularly. You can clean the spark points with emery paper.
- Keep the carburetor clean by regularly cleaning the carburetor float chamber and other parts. Clean the jets by forcing compressed air through them.
- Keep the brakes spaced in the right way. If kept too tight or too loose, is dangerous. Brakes must be tightened as per the rider's requirement.
- Check the cables frequently for kinks, bends and frayed ends. Replace if the strands appear broken.
- Ensure that the insurance cover is done in the valid time frame.
- For Scooter maintenance, these are the following tips: Regularly clean the mobility scooter which will prevent dust, dirt and grit from entering the moving parts and causing wear and tear.
- Always prevent your scooter from rusting and keep it dry at all times possible. By drying fabrics such as the seat, will ensure a longer life of the scooter. It is also advisable to purchase a wet weather cover to prevent against the rain.
- Maintain the battery at all times. Ensure that you follow the guide lines of the manufacturers while charging the battery. This ensures that you receive the maximum travel range.
- You must spend time reading the manual and ensure better maintenance. Ensure regular servicing which is possible at home itself.
- In the case of front brakes, one must ensure that the brake fluid levels are in the normal state.
- The rear brake pedal should be regularly checked to ensure that it is free of any trouble.
- In the case of a low tyre pressure, ensure that it is inflated as per the guidelines and that in case of more they should be deflated.
- Free movement of tyre should be ensured and service center must be called immediately.
- If there are problems in starting the vehicle, it indicated low fuel and one must refill the fuel levels.
- Horn, lights and fuel gauge need to be checked thoroughly before riding your scooter.
Car Driving Tips
vehicle Maintenance is the most important ingredient for a happy journey and a long life of your vehicle. A well maintained car would never desert you when you need it the most. more..Fasten your seat belts:
Buckling up your safety belt may be the single most important step you can take to reduce your health risks. Make sure that everyone in your vehicle is strapped in, and that small children are secured in safety seats before you set off. It can save your life, and it's the law!
Don't Mix Drinking and Driving:
Alcohol is the major cause of fatal accidents caused by human error. Drunk driving results in hundreds of thousands of injuries including lifetime disability from brain damage, paralysis, blindness, or amputated or deformed limbs.
Hot Cars:
On a warm day, the temperature inside a car can shoot up in minutes - even if the windows are partially open.. Even if it is not so hot outside, the danger of overheating exists - especially if you have a dark-colored car. Don't leave pets or children unattended.
Keep Your Eyes On The Road:
Avoid taking your eyes off the road by eliminating any possible distractions ahead of time. Before setting out on a drive, be sure that important items are within easy reach, i.e. directions and maps, sunglasses, etc. Reduce to a minimum possibly dangerous diversion of your attention from the tasks of safe driving such as changing tapes or compact discs and always pull over to a safe place to use your cellular telephone.
Be Alert To Signs Of Fatigue:
If you start to feel tired when driving pull over in a safe area and let someone else drive. If you are alone, pull into a safe location such as a well-lit rest stop and take a short nap or get out of the car and walk around for a few minutes. Stop as often as necessary. When traveling on long trips, eat light. Large, heavy meals can make you drowsy.
Maintain a Steady Speed:
Go with the flow. Keep up with traffic if conditions permit. A wide disparity in speeds is dangerous.
Be Safe:
Avoid cars that drive in formation on the highway so you're not involved in someone else's accident.
Keep track of traffic :
Look far down the road and keep your eyes moving to spot any problems before you reach them. Check your mirrors frequently.
Do not hog the right lane :
That is a passing lane, not a "fast" lane. Keep right except when passing. Don't try to block speeders.
Use the signal lights:
-Signal lane changes as well as turns.
Wait to turn right :
When you're stopped in traffic, waiting to turn right, keep the wheels aimed straight ahead until the way is clear. If you wait with the wheels cut to the right, someone could hit you from behind and push you into incoming traffic.
Brake at the right time :
Slow down to a safe speed before you enter a turn. Hard braking in mid-corner can upset the car's balance.
Protect your night vision :
Don't stare at approaching headlights. If you're being blinded, focus on the right shoulder of the road.
Beach driving tips protect your car and the environment
Four wheel drive instructor Dave Darmody says many of the guidelines are also common sense driving tips, such as checking the tide times before you head out."Some people think there's a bit of a challenge in pushing up the beach in a high tide, but you're bashing yourself around, your car around, and you're doing the beach no good at all.
"So the first thing, check the tides. You'll have a much more pleasant day if you drive within two hours of low tide.
"Secondly, check the weather. Nobody wants to be camped on a beach with an offshore low kicking up 40 knot winds. No-one wants to have a bad time camping, so a little bit of preparation, checking the weather, checking the tides, is a good place to begin."
Once you're on the beach, driving on the firm, damp sand exposed by the low tide, Dave says you have to go slowly and remember you're not on a road.
"There's no driving environment as dynamic as a beach.
"Driving up and down the Bruce Highway you don't have to look out for fishermen, for people swimming, for animals or, on Fraser Island, for aircraft landing.
"So, when you're driving on the beach you need to chill out a bit. Relax and acknowledge that you're in a beautiful place, and really take the opportunity to slow down and look around. There's an awful lot happening on a beach, be it just the natural movement of the water or all those other people and animals who choose to be there at the same time.
"One of the points of driving within two hours of low tide is you have the maximum amount of beach, so all these people and animals and planes and everything else have the greatest amount of beach that we can share.
"That way we're not forcing anyone to drive up in the soft sand which is bad for the car, bad for the environment, and bad for the people inside who're bouncing around like crazy things. It's a more pleasant way to approach the day."
The new code of practice applies to sandy foreshore areas and tidal wetlands. To the untrained eye a tidal wetland might just look like a large, flat, sparsely vegetated area. Maybe it even looks like wasteland where you could practice some circle work. But these areas are very fragile, and something as simple as a wheel rut can spoil the region's fishing and crabbing in years to come.
Sue Sargent is the Burnett Mary Regional Group's business development and planning manager, and a specialist in coastal areas.
"Ultimately these are very, very special areas, because they're very productive ecosystems.
"It's not just four wheel drives, it's trail bikes and quads as well. They can cause damage directly to the vegetation and they can also cause ruts, particularly when people get a bit excitable and want to chuck a few donuts, or see how deep they can risk it in their new four wheel drive.
"In some of those areas, ruts can cause long term damage and reduce the connectivity of the wetland. They stop the water passing freely, and that reduces the opportunities for small fish to migrate up and down, and also the crabs and other species that use the area."
Sue says some of our local tidal wetlands are so fragile they're still recovering from inadvertent damage done by horses' hoofs and buggy wheels generations ago.
The BMRG secured the funding to develop the code of practice through the federal Caring for our Country program. Sue says they were inspired by feedback they received from local four wheel drive enthusiasts after a wetlands tagalong tour they ran last year.
"A lot of feedback we got from people was that they just didn't know. They hadn't understood or they weren't aware of how important these areas were for the fish and the animals that these guys had all come down to enjoy.
"We decided it'd be a great idea to develop something that allows people to get some basic information about how they can then plan their activities while minimising the damage they cause when they're out there."
Areas covered by the code of pratice include:
- Drive on the damp, firm sand below the high tide mark, and travel within two hours of low tide.
- Stick to established vehicle tracks where they exist.
- Go slowly and look out for other vehicles, people and animals (and the occasional aircraft).
- make sure your vehicle is mechanically sound so you're not contaminating the sand with leaking oil or petrol, or billowing exhaust smoke into the atmosphere.
Beach driving tips protect your car and the environment
Four wheel drive instructor Dave Darmody says many of the guidelines are also common sense driving tips, such as checking the tide times before you head out.
"Some people think there's a bit of a challenge in pushing up the beach in a high tide, but you're bashing yourself around, your car around, and you're doing the beach no good at all."So the first thing, check the tides. You'll have a much more pleasant day if you drive within two hours of low tide.
"Secondly, check the weather. Nobody wants to be camped on a beach with an offshore low kicking up 40 knot winds. No-one wants to have a bad time camping, so a little bit of preparation, checking the weather, checking the tides, is a good place to begin."
Once you're on the beach, driving on the firm, damp sand exposed by the low tide, Dave says you have to go slowly and remember you're not on a road.
"There's no driving environment as dynamic as a beach.
"Driving up and down the Bruce Highway you don't have to look out for fishermen, for people swimming, for animals or, on Fraser Island, for aircraft landing.
"So, when you're driving on the beach you need to chill out a bit. Relax and acknowledge that you're in a beautiful place, and really take the opportunity to slow down and look around. There's an awful lot happening on a beach, be it just the natural movement of the water or all those other people and animals who choose to be there at the same time.
"One of the points of driving within two hours of low tide is you have the maximum amount of beach, so all these people and animals and planes and everything else have the greatest amount of beach that we can share.
"That way we're not forcing anyone to drive up in the soft sand which is bad for the car, bad for the environment, and bad for the people inside who're bouncing around like crazy things. It's a more pleasant way to approach the day."
The new code of practice applies to sandy foreshore areas and tidal wetlands. To the untrained eye a tidal wetland might just look like a large, flat, sparsely vegetated area. Maybe it even looks like wasteland where you could practice some circle work. But these areas are very fragile, and something as simple as a wheel rut can spoil the region's fishing and crabbing in years to come.
Sue Sargent is the Burnett Mary Regional Group's business development and planning manager, and a specialist in coastal areas.
"Ultimately these are very, very special areas, because they're very productive ecosystems.
"It's not just four wheel drives, it's trail bikes and quads as well. They can cause damage directly to the vegetation and they can also cause ruts, particularly when people get a bit excitable and want to chuck a few donuts, or see how deep they can risk it in their new four wheel drive.
"In some of those areas, ruts can cause long term damage and reduce the connectivity of the wetland. They stop the water passing freely, and that reduces the opportunities for small fish to migrate up and down, and also the crabs and other species that use the area."
Sue says some of our local tidal wetlands are so fragile they're still recovering from inadvertent damage done by horses' hoofs and buggy wheels generations ago.
The BMRG secured the funding to develop the code of practice through the federal Caring for our Country program. Sue says they were inspired by feedback they received from local four wheel drive enthusiasts after a wetlands tagalong tour they ran last year.
"A lot of feedback we got from people was that they just didn't know. They hadn't understood or they weren't aware of how important these areas were for the fish and the animals that these guys had all come down to enjoy.
"We decided it'd be a great idea to develop something that allows people to get some basic information about how they can then plan their activities while minimising the damage they cause when they're out there."
Areas covered by the code of pratice include:
- Drive on the damp, firm sand below the high tide mark, and travel within two hours of low tide.
- Stick to established vehicle tracks where they exist.
- Go slowly and look out for other vehicles, people and animals (and the occasional aircraft).
- make sure your vehicle is mechanically sound so you're not contaminating the sand with leaking oil or petrol, or billowing exhaust smoke into the atmosphere.
Driving Tips For Winter
Ensure the car is regularly serviced -with regular checks on battery and brakes, and regular checks on oil. Keep a good supply of anti freeze screen wash, that is suitable to Bulgaria's very low temperatures and fill reserves when needed.
Make sure window wipers are in good condition. In extreme cold temperatures they stick to the windscreen and become damaged. It is a good idea to leave them extended to prevent them sticking to the windscreen, when vehicle not in use.
Check that tyres are well inflated and have a good tread, winter tyres are a good option for driving in the snow but not law, however remember it is law from 1 November to 31 March to carry snow chains in Bulgaria.
Emergency Essentials
It is a good idea to keep some emergency items in the car before travelling any distance in Bulgaria including : Snow chains, Shovel, Blankets, Warm Coats, Snow boots, Torch, Ice scrapers, First aid kit, Mobile, food, water, Jump leads, and fine gravel/sand.
Travel tips
Travel tips
When driving in the snow try to stay on main roads where possible as if you break down or get stranded in the snow there is a higher chance of getting help. Roads will have been gritted and will likely to be clearer from other traffic use plus 24 hour petrol stations.
Rural roads in Bulgaria are often in poor condition with numerous potholes and few lights, limited petrol stations and less traffic, so a potential hazard if driving at night and in the event of a breakdown or getting stuck.
Avoid high revs and keep control of your speed -if you are driving too fast the car is likely to lose control, if your vehicle skids do not rev the car, remove foot of pedals and steer until control gained again. Keep the car in a low gear if driving downhill, and a higher gear when moving off.
In the event of becoming stranded in the snow if you have your emergency essentials for driving in winter, then they could make all the difference in helping keep warm until help arrives or you can dig yourself out of the snow and carry on with your journey.
Driving Tips for the Inclement Weather
- Before you leave your home inspect your vehicle to make sure it is in good working order. Check your tires, lights, belts and fluids.
- Remove any snow from vehicle's windows, lights, brake lights, and signals and leave in plenty of time to reach your destination.
- Some good items to carry in your vehicle are a charged cell phone, warm clothing, blankets, flares, a flashlight, bottled water and snack food. These items will come in handy should you get stranded.
- Always tell a friend or loved one your route of travel and destination.
- Take it slow, particularly on ice and snow to avoid slipping and sliding and give yourself extra space.
- Brake early, slowly and never slam on the brakes. If you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it. If you don't have anti-lock brakes gently pump the pedal. Either way, give yourself plenty of room to stop.
- In any weather conditions, motorists who become disabled or encounter an emergency on the roadways should stay in their vehicle, as it provides shelter, and dial 911 to report their location and the nature of the emergency. Motorists should always be aware of their location, noting the route they are traveling on and the number of the exit they most recently passed.
- Wear your seatbelt and drive with your headlights on.
- Once a snow emergency is declared, the law requires certain precautions. They are: prohibited parking on roads and streets designated as snow emergency routes; and the use of snow tires/chains (most cars now use all weather tires, so changing to "snow" tires is unnecessary).
MORE TIPS
- Increase following distance – Increase your following distance to at least 10 seconds to allow yourself time in the event you or the car in front of you loses control.
- Use extra caution on bridges and overpasses – Bridges and overpasses freeze first and melt last. Therefore, use extra caution as the roadway leading up to the bridge may appear fine but the bridge itself could be a sheet of ice.
- Accelerate slowly – Traction is the greatest just before the wheel starts to spin, therefore accelerating slowly will increase your grip on the road.
- Ease off the gas pedal – If your tires begin to slip or you begin to skid, ease off the gas pedal until you regain control of the vehicle.
- Brake slowly and gently – Slamming on the brakes on ice covered roads dramatically increases your risk of losing control of your vehicle.
- Control the skid – In the event you find your car is skidding, ease off of the accelerator or brake, and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go.
- Never use cruise control – Cruise control is not recommended when ice is on the road as the driver should be in full control of the vehicle at every second.
- Drive in cleared lanes – Changing lanes unnecessarily puts you at greater risk of hitting a patch of ice between lanes that may cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
Drive slowly and remember posted speed limits identify the maximum speed allowed in ideal weather conditions. Law enforcement agencies can write citations to motorists driving the posted speed limit if weather conditions warrant a slower speed.
You and your passengers should all use safety belts, both lap and shoulder straps.
Adjust head rests. Rear-end collisions are common in winter driving and a properly-adjusted head rest can prevent or reduce neck injuries.
Don't use a cellular phone when driving on ice or snow. Even if you have a hands-free model, you need to concentrate on driving, not on a telephone conversation.
Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
Remove snow and ice from your vehicle before you drive, making sure the headlights and taillights are visible.
Accelerate slowly.
Increase your following distance.
Brake gently in slow, steady strokes to see how much traction you have, and begin braking early when approaching intersections or stops.
Approach bridges, shaded spots, overpasses and turns slowly.
Never use cruise control in winter driving conditions.
Use non-freezing windshield washer liquid.
Use snow tires and/or studded tires or chains.
Last but certainly not least; if you do not have to travel – DON’T! Stay at home unless in case of an emergency.- Be sure to review the basic safe-driving procedures with teens:
- always wear seatbelts - everyone
- no cell phones or texting
- avoid all other distractions
- limit the number of passengers
- restrict night driving
- no alcohol or other drug use
- keep eyes on road/hands on wheel
- obey all traffic signs and laws
- Check the car that the teen drives to make sure it is in good working condition.
- Check road conditions.
- Slow down – reduce speed at least 10 miles per hour to accommodate road conditions.
- Increase following distance – allow three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
- Break slowly – slamming on brakes can cause skidding and loss of control of vehicle.
- Accelerate and decelerate slowly – helps keep traction.
- Never use cruise control – always be in control of car.
- Steer into a skid – if car starts to skid, steer in the direction of the skid, slow down gently, do not slam on the brakes.
- Do not spin your wheels if stuck in the snow – rock back and forth slowly.
- Adjust driving to accommodate the conditions – response time of your vehicle to stop and start is reduced with snow and ice on the road.
- Keep a winter survival kit in car – flares, blanket, snow brush and shovel, flashlight, etc.
