THE AI MICROBUS

Volkswagen last year showed off its futuristic I.D. Buzz Microbus at CES which impressed most people with its utilization of artificial intelligence. It recognizes the owner’s face as he or she approaches and then unlocks the doors. It also monitors the driver’s eyes for alertness continuously, and use deep-learning techniques to enhance the vehicle’s autonomous driving skills.

VOICE-CONTROLLED INFOTAINMENT

Toyota has become the latest car maker to introduce voice-control to some of its cars. From 2018 selected Toyota and Lexus models boast this feature. By simply giving voice commands to Alexa, drivers and their passengers can control the vehicle’s infotainment system – and they can also control their smart home devices at home remotely.

THE MIND-READING CAR

Although it’s unlikely this technology will become available in production cars very soon, Nissan has announced that it is developing what it calls Brain to Vehicle systems that use input from a device that looks like a headband to read brain activity and then prepare the vehicle for the action you want to take even before you actually take it.According to Nissan the system also detects when you are uncomfortable during autonomous driving and then adjusts the vehicle’s autonomous driving style or suspension settings on the go.

BUILT-IN WIFI

For those drivers among us who are used to keeping our passengers happy during long, boring road trips, built-in wifi in cars came as a godsend. Suddenly everyone is connected to the big world out there, and they can keep themselves busy without tearing the car apart.The kids love to play online games, and the non-driving parent can keep him or herself busy for hours by playing casino games. Of course there’s also abundant material online for those who want to improve their game.

Listen to podcasts

Podcasts are a great way to entertain yourself during a long trip. You could listen to educational ones if you choose to so that you can increase your general knowledge and not feel like you are wasting time. Although, if you choose to listen to a comedy podcast, we really won’t judge you. If podcasts aren’t your thing, you could always download an audiobook or two.

Play poker

Most online casinos have mobile apps which means that you could play a hand or two of poker while you are on the move. You never know, you might make a bit of money that you can use when you reach your destination. Just make sure that you brush up on your skills at Poker Rakeback beforehand to maximise your chances of winning.

20 Questions

This is a great way to pass the time whilst making sure that everyone in the car is included. Choose a player to start and have them pick a famous person. All the passengers have to try and guess who they have picked but they only have 20 questions to try and get to the bottom of it.

Name a country

This is a great game to not only pass the time but to get those cogs in the brain turning. The first player chooses any country and then the person following them has to name a country that begins with the last letter of the previous country. Play keeps going until a player is unable to think up a country, at which point they are out of the game.

Ever been the passenger in the car of a heavy smoker? The smell lingers in your car when you smoke, even if you don’t notice it. The fabric of your interior absorbs some of the stench and in some cases even gets discolored. This happens even if you smoke with your windows open.

2. Take care of your loved ones – don’t smoke in the car.

Even if you don’t intend to, second-hand smoke is harming those around you. Getting exposed to second hand smoke is never safe, at any level of exposure. Young children are especially susceptible to the dangers of cigarette smoke. It’s not appropriate to smoke in the car while transporting children. What many people don’t know is that third-hand smoke might be harmful as well. After smoking, residue and toxins stick to fabric, hair and even to your skin. This is called third-hand smoking, and it especially puts children and pets in danger according to the FDA.

3. There are other options

We all know smoking is dangerous. But not everyone can just cut off smoking without replacing it with an alternative. Luckily there are alternatives to smoking that aren’t harmful to your surroundings. Swedish snus is one of them. If you don’t know what snus is, it is a moist tobacco powder that you place under your lip. This is a great alternative to smoking, as it won’t put your pets or children in danger. You can use snus in public places where they prohibit smoking, such as restaurants and even airports. To read more about Swedish snus, visit snusdirect.com.

4. Conclusion

If you choose to continue smoking, be sure not to do it in your new car. Instead, try to take smoke breaks when you arrive at your destination. And lastly, make sure not to expose children to any second-hand smoke.

Visit More Than One Dealer

When buying a new car and entering the price negotiating process with any dealer, the best position you can be in is one where you aren’t desperate to quickly conclude the deal. In negotiations, it is usually the party that is willing, if necessary, to walk away from the deal that is able to negotiate the best outcome. Give yourself options by visiting more than one dealer in the area and finding at least three cars you would be happy to sign a deal on.

Don’t Get Tricked By Added Extras

A trick regularly employed by car dealers to make potential buyers feel like they are getting a great deal, is to add in bonuses to the deal. This could include any type of voucher, car cleaning tools or driving accessories. When deciding whether to purchase a new car, it is best if to try to largely ignore these freebies. The price and the terms for any new car must stand up to any value assessment before any extra items are added in.

Spend Time Negotiating

The sticker price you will see attached to the new car you would like to buy is never what you should actually pay. It should be seen as a starting point to begin negotiating the price. Read a couple of books on negotiating before you go to buy your new car and you may well be amazed at the size of discounts which are available for those who know how to bargain!

Changing the Wiper Blades

The best thing about changing wiper blades is that you will not get your hands greasy. After you have purchased the new blades, read the instructions before proceeding with the replacement. You may be tempted to pull the blade but resist this urge. Many auto parts dealers normally fix wiper blades for free so take advantage of such services if the opportunity arises.

Changing a Tire

It is common to come across a stranded driver with a flat tire waiting for AAA. Well, the great news is that the wait can be prevented by rising up to the occasion and DIY. Roll up your sleeves, then locate the spare tire and the tools required for the job. Lift the car using the jack, unscrew all nuts, remove the flat tire, exchange it with the spare and fasten all nuts.

Installing Air Filters

Installing air filters is easy although the major challenge lies in finding the exact location of the filters. In most cars, it’s normally above the engine. Opening plastic casings that snap is simpler than unscrewing those fitted with nuts. After the case has been opened, just take out the previous filters and replace with the new ones.

Installing the Battery

Do not fret here. A car battery has an output of approximately 12 volts thus cannot electrocute you. Use a wrench to undo the nuts while removing the dead battery. Take the new battery, place it where the old one was and fasten the connectors. Remember, keep the screws safe since they can get lost particularly when dropped inside the engine.

The Car Repairs Not to Do Yourself:

On the other hand, there are some car repairs that must be avoided at all cost. It is ill-advised to try tackling complex issues because this can lead to further damage. The repairs that you ought to avoid include:

Brakes and Belts

Never attempt to fix the brakes and belts. In addition to this, all other issues related to electronics should be taken to the professionals sooner rather than later. These areas are delicate and sloppy work can present real bad news. If you ignore this advice, the amount of money that you’ll be required to cough up in the end will be preposterous. A mechanic will ensure that repairs are done the correct way.

Oil Changes

Despite being moderately complex, oil changes are really messy. Moreover, you may end up draining the fluid inside the transmission by mistake. Also, forgetting to replace the oil pan may knock the engine; a nightmare no driver whishes for. The procedure is labour intensive and time consuming as well.All in all, it clearly emerges that there are other repairs that not only require skill but also interest and effort. Now that you know what to do and what not to do, happy driving!

Headlamp Replacement Kits

A headlamp is a very sensitive part of a vehicle. Moisture may enter into the vacuum or a bulb may simply burn out. So, a good headlamp replacement kit is always worthwhile to look into. It should be obvious that each product will depend upon the car in question and unfortunately, not all replacement parts are of the same quality. So, always utilise online review sites to make sure that the kit is provided from a reputable manufacturer.

Vehicle Movers

It can be difficult to access specific parts of a vehicle; particularly if you are working in a smaller garage. How can this be dealt with? A great way to avoid such a physical dilemma is by purchasing a powerful and reliable vehicle mover. Not only will it provide unparallelled access in hard-to-reach areas, but increased levels of safety are an added bonus.

Airless Paint Sprayers

Body work is one of the critical aspects when restoring any used vehicle. In fact, this can even be a “make-or-break” variable if you eventually intend on selling the car in the future. The exterior beauty can be greatly enhanced with the use of an airless paint sprayer. This tool offers the advantage of providing a uniform coating of paint and it is specifically designed for use in the automotive industry. Although the best models may cost as much as a thousand pounds or more, the return on investment that you will enjoy is well worth a one-off purchase.

Channel-Lock Pliers

This type of pliers is one of the most universal tools that should be found in any garage. From loosening rusted parts to removing a stripped bolt, this item is great to have nearby.This equipment will enable any restoration or maintenance job to be completed quickly and painlessly. So, your used car will be up and running in no time!

1. Do your research

Find as many car ads as you can, both in print and online, and compare different models based on features, mileage, and price. You might also want to visit a car dealership, who will provide manufacturer-certified vehicles but at a higher price. A price comparison website will enable you to compare and contrast different makes and models – providing you with all the information you need when choosing a used car.

2. Decide on features

Decide on all the features that you want from a used car. What’s your budget? Acceptable mileage limit? Are you willing to purchase a car in a less-than-perfect condition? Deciding on what you want from a used vehicle will make it easier when it comes to finding the perfect car.

3. Think safety

Always inspect any vehicles in great detail, and always ask for maintenance records. Look out for rust or damage to the car, and remember to ask the reason why it is being sold. You might want to print off a checklist when purchasing a used car.

4. Test drive

Ask to test drive the car, and check that everything is running smoothly. Check headlights, brake lights, tail lights, wipers, the heater, and the radio. You should also test all windows and doors in the vehicle. Ask yourself whether you feel comfortable driving the car, and make sure that the tires are in a good condition before making a purchase.

Number crunch

Start by getting a grip of what you can realistically afford to invest since buying and running a car can cost far more than expected, especially if you have never done it before. Running costs include petrol, car insurance, breakdown cover, road tax, MoT, servicing, repairs and dealing with wear and tear. Remember, insurance can be extremely high for drivers without any no-claims bonus.Affordability is usually a main consideration when choosing a car. Whether or not you prefer a new or used car is a key factor determining the asking price. New cars are indeed a great joy to drive and they have the advantage of full guarantees. However, new cars generally cost much more than used ones.

Set your priorities

Safety and dependability are overriding priorities for most people. Take time to decide what your other priorities are. Is efficient fuel consumption more important than speed and a sleek appearance? Are you looking for a family car or simply something very small just for you? Do your research thoroughly by checking out company websites, participating in online forums and chatting with family, friends and work-mates.

Scrutinise

Getting expert advice from a mechanic or experienced friend can be particularly important when buying a car for the first time. Very useful reports which detail car history can be bought on the internet. Gov.uk (2014) gives a free online vehicle enquiry service that allows you to check car details against government records. Gov.uk (2014) also gives an excellent list of checks to be done when buying a used car (such as checking the vehicle identification number).Once you have narrowed down your choices, test drive short-listed cars to decide which one is right for you. Be wary of cars with gears which are difficult to change, have noisy engines or are uncomfortable for you to drive. In addition, be on the look-out for the following pitfalls. Check the bodywork carefully for any signs of rust. Driving-Test-Success.com (2014) cautions that cars with outstanding loans on them can be repossessed by the firms which are still owed money. According to Automobile Association Developments (2014), odometers can be illegally wound back to make cars appear to have done less mileage than they have actually done in order to increase asking prices (clocking). Automobile Association Developments (2014) also cautions that illegally changing number plates can give one car the identity of another (cloning).When you are finally ready to buy your first car, take the time to check all of the car’s paperwork thoroughly. Make sure that the car registration paperwork, handbook, MoT certificate, road tax disc, warranty, service history and receipt are all in order.

At last!

All of your hard work, determination and patience has finally paid off. You can now bask in the feeling of victory, knowing that you have bought your first car at last!