HowToDoThings.com Recent Driving & Safety Articles

How To Conserve Gas Easily

thedave — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:28:04 -0500

In recent years the once simple task of fueling a vehicle has become an overwhelming burden in households around the world. The price per gallon of gas and the cost per barrel of crude oil continue to break all-time high records. While we may see slight relief from time to time with gas prices dropping a few cents during certain seasons or "off peak driving periods", it would be naive to think the price of a gallon of gas will ever drop to what it once was. In fact I think it would be safe to assume gas prices will continue to rise.

You may not be able to control gas prices, but you can control how much money you spend on gas. Conservation is the key, and with the tips below you can ease that pain at the pump and keep some cash in your wallet!

How To Get Better Gas Mileage

marcalex — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:28:52 -0500

With gas prices slated to remain in the four dollar range for the foreseeable future, many consumers are looking for ways to reduce costs. Limiting the trips they take or planning combined trips to reduce mileage are common techniques.

Another idea is to improve the gas mileage your vehicle gets. There are many ways you can do this. If you want to dramatically improve your car's gas mileage -- maybe double or even triple it -- have you considered converting your car to a water hybrid? That's a do-it-yourself project that saves you gas and helps reduce emissions as well.

Though not as dramatic, you should be able to save on gas and make your vehicle more efficient by following the steps below.

How To Be a Good Designated Driver

mobile mom — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 19:00:26 -0600

So, you've set all your plans in stone. You will meet up with all your friends and comrades at the local pub this Friday night to enjoy a night of fun and frolic. In all of this excitement and planning, did anyone stop to ask who was going to be the designated driver for the evening? If not, I feel this is where we should start.

I really don't think many partygoer's put enough effort or attention into making sure they have a responsible designated driver with them when they are going to be drinking. There are plenty of kind citizens that offer to be the designated driver, but then fail to uphold their end of the deal. They give into to just a few drinks, feeling that as long as they are at least more sober than everyone else, they are still ok to drive. That is NOT a designated driver.

How To Adjust to RV Driving

rik — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:20:51 -0600

Driving an RV is little more difficult than driving a private car. You simply need to remember a few basic and very obvious facts: it's bigger, wider, longer and higher, and probably slower on acceleration. The actual driving is probably easier, as various power assistance features will be fitted on steering and brake systems to reduce strain on the driver. Other driving systems fitted to modern RV's include rear-view cameras, reversing sensors, GPS, cruise control, automatic gearboxes and even automated engine management systems that 'talk back to the factory' to monitor efficiency and ensure proper working.

How To Drive Long Distances Safely

omehaney — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:43:40 -0600

It's inevitable that we have to drive a long distance at some point in our lives and we would like to do so safely. Whether we are going on vacation or moving cross-country, getting the drive over with as quickly as possible is usually the objective. Before embarking on your next four-wheeled adventure, consider the following to help you stay alert and safe:

How To Get Good Gas Mileage

ralexander — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 19:15:14 -0600

With gas prices rising every day, miles-per-gallon has become a household term. People are becoming more and more interested in saving money by increasing their gas mileage. Hypermiling techniques have arisen out of this generation and look to turn ordinary cars into highly efficient vehicles. While some hypermiling techniques are just downright dangerous, others are safe and practicable by everyday people. Here are a few techniques that can increase the gas mileage in your car to otherwise unthinkable levels:

How To Make Sure Your Kids Drive Carefully

Denise639 — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 18:41:02 -0600

Driving is a privilege. It is a way to make our lives convenient and more efficient. The truth is, teenage deaths related to car accidents is rising, so talking about vehicle safety should be a priority on your list of topics to discuss with your teen as soon as possible. When you want to make sure that your teenager drives carefully, there are steps you can take to help her understand the importance of driving with caution.

How To Pass Your DMV Driving Permit Test

davenkit — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:29:34 -0600

In order to pass your DMV permit test, and assure you will "know your stuff" when you hit the road, you really need to take a good quality driver education course. Then take as many practice permit tests as possible prior to going in to DMV.

How To Ride a Motorcycle in the Rain

mcdesign — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 13:40:05 -0600

Experience will always be the best teacher when motorcycle riding. And this is never truer than when having to ride on wet pavement. But that doesn't mean with added experience you can ride as fast as or as aggressively as you might normally on dry pavement.

How To Prevent Car Problems on a Road Trip

Adeleah — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:45:11 -0500

At last! You and your family are having a road trip vacation, from the noise and pollution of the city to the peace and quiet of the countryside. But along the way something happened...you had a flat tire! And when you opened the boot of the car and find the spare tire, the tire does not have the proper tire pressure due to the long safekeeping. You did not bother to check it before you left...whose fault was it? Have you ever tried to give your car a safety inspection?

Check your car regularly to prevent minor problems from getting worse. Like we used to say, "Prevention is better than cure..."

This is how to prevent such hassles. Just remember the word B-L-O-W-B-A-G (Brakes, Lights, Oil, Water, Battery, Air, Gasoline).

CHECK the following:

How To Safely Share the Road With an 18-Wheeler

janjcmt — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 13:01:43 -0500

Commercial truck driving is an endlessly increasing industry that will only continue to grow larger in the future. Our nation relies heavily on trucks and their drivers. Trucks haul everything from baby food to olive oil to goldfish and to items for disaster relief areas. A truck brought everything you see in your local grocery store. Between 1980 and 1995, the truck driving industry has increased almost twice as quickly as the overall labor force. This means there were more job opportunities opening up for truck drivers than there were for any other industry. They aren't going anywhere, so we might as well learn to share the road. Here's how:

How To Take a Good Driver's License Picture

Staff468 — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 20:12:00 -0500

"Please make this picture better than my last one..." Have you ever muttered this desperate prayer as you approach the tired photo background at the DMV? You position yourself the mandated distance from the man behind the camera - a man who may even derive some dull pleasure in capturing the worst possible image of you. And why wouldn't he? He's probably sick of hearing people mutter desperate prayers whenever they see him! So how can you beat the odds and get a good driver's license picture?

How To Drive a Stick Shift Car

Staff468 — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 14:33:00 -0500

A high school tennis coach once told me that he'd never drive an automatic. His reason? Stick shift keeps the monotony out of driving. I thought he was out of his mind, but over the years of growing accustomed to driving a stick shift car myself, I find that there may be truth in his words. When driving my parent's automatic, I find myself missing the manual controls. If you just started learning to drive stick shift, you probably think I'm out of my mind. Give it a few years... you'll see.

The control differences.
- That third pedal... With an automatic, you should have never used your left foot for anything. One of the major differences between manual and automatic transmission is the use of your left leg to work the clutch (the left-most pedal). That left leg is going to get a workout!
  
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How To Avoid Being a Back Seat Driver

Staff468 — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 19:29:00 -0500

Ever pressed that imaginary brake pedal on the passenger side? Do you sometimes feel your chest tighten and blood pressure rise as you sit powerless at the mercy of a driver whose skills fall well beneath yours? How come, whenever you make a suggestions or point out an obvious error, drivers always seem to repay you with annoyance and resentment? Welcome to the frustrating world of a back seat driver.

Believe it or not, no matter how frustrated you feel as a passenger, you're making the driver feel just as much frustration, if not more. Here are some ways to ignore that underlying urge for control of the car and become less of a back seat driver.

How To Parallel Park

Staff468 — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 15:03:00 -0600

I could assume that you're reading this article in frantic preparation for the behind-the-wheel test that determines whether or not you get your driver's license. But frankly, so many of us proceed through our driving lives (having utterly failed the parallel parking portion of the test) without ever mastering this crucial driving skill. We end up paying astronomical parking fees just to avoid parking our car on the street. I wonder how much money we've spent in the efforts to hide our shame...

Well, no more of that! Whether you're a teenager or a Baby Boomer, it's time to learn how to parallel park once and for all.

How To Enroll In Driver's Education

Kathleen556 — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 13:56:00 -0600

Whether you are a teenager or an adult wanting to start driving for the first time, enrolling in a Driver's Education course is an important step toward getting your license. This article will direct you on how to enroll in a Driver's Education course as well as the many different places where they are available.

How To Check the Status of a Driver's License

Kathleen556 — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 13:53:00 -0600

Do you need to check the status of your driver's license, but don't know how? Then you have come to the right place! In this article, I will explain to you all the different ways you can check the status of your driver's license.

How To Find Driver's Ed Practice Tests

Kathleen556 — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 13:37:00 -0600

So you or your child has passed driver's ed, but you still have to take the test. You want to be prepared but may not know how best to prepare yourself. Well you're not alone, which is why driver's ed practice tests exist. In this article I will list the different resources that can be used to locate and obtain driver's ed practice tests that will help you prepare for and pass your driver's ed test.

How To Save on Gas

Ken18 — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 09:28:00 -0500

So how do you like putting $40 of gas into your car when it used to take only $20...and the size of your gas tank hasn't gotten larger? If you don't like it and want to save some money on gas, read on.

There isn't a whole lot you can do as an individual about the price of a gallon of gas, but you can influence how often you need to stuff that $40 into the pockets of "Big Oil". The answer is simple..........USE LESS GASOLINE............This is no secret, but the key word in that phrase is USE...it is a verb that implies that YOU need to take action...to change your driving habits and the way you use your car.

There are basically three types of things you can do to reduce your gas consumption and save some money:

How To Reduce Points on a Driver's License

Victoria116 — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 03:51:00 -0500

Anyone who has a driver's license should be aware of the driver's license points system for his state. Points, sometimes known as demerits, can be placed on a license for driving offenses for anything from getting stopped for a moving traffic violation to hazardous driving to littering. Points can also be given after a car accident (to the party at fault, of course). And because an accumulation of points can result in increased insurance rates or even the suspension of the driver's license, it's important to keep the points balance low. Here are some tips on how to reduce points on a driver's license:

How To Find Car Seat Safety Ratings

Victoria116 — Sun, 27 Aug 2006 12:43:00 -0500

Your child's car seat is one of the most important purchases you will ever make. Most states require car seats for children under the age of 4 year old-- and booster or other safety seats are often required for children up to age 8. When shopping for a car seat for your newborn or toddler, it is important that you do some research to make sure that you are getting the safest product for your child. Here are some tips on how to find car seat safety ratings:

How To Find Vehicle Safety Ratings

Joshua281 — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 18:29:00 -0500

Manufacturers are building safer and better cars than ever before, thanks to a little help from agencies and organizations dedicated to testing and publishing results on most of the new car models produced today. You can get simple ratings, or you can search in-depth reports about the crash worthiness and safety of your car. Also, several international organizations operate websites that make it easy to get information about cars from across the globe.

Some cars are not tested by either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Although specific safety information may be available for your particular model, all cars sold in the United States are required to adhere to federally mandated guidelines that specify safety requirements.

How To Take a Practice Learner's Permit Test

Joshua281 — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 12:55:00 -0500

It's really not very difficult to get a learner's permit, but nearly half of first timers fail the test. That means you might want to practice the learner's permit test before taking the real thing. Here are a few methods I've found to do just that:

How To Get a Moped License

Joshua281 — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 11:59:00 -0500

Mopeds are small, low-cost scooters that are great for getting around town. They are also cheaper to maintain, insure, and register than motorcycles, their larger counterparts. If you're thinking about buying a moped, take a few moments to learn about how to get a license to drive your new toy.

What is a moped? Early mopeds were bicycles with both pedals and small motors. Over the years mopeds have evolved, shedding their pedals and becoming more like small scooters. There isn't a good national definition for what a moped is. Instead, each state has the authority to define what a moped is. So it gets a little fuzzy at the extremes. Some states define a moped as a two-wheeled vehicle with an automatic transmission and less than 1.5 horsepower, while other states allow vehicles up to 2 horsepower. A few states, such as Alabama, don't recognize mopeds at all-they are considered motorcycles and require motorcycle licenses and safety gear.

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How To Prevent Skidding

Joshua281 — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 19:08:00 -0500

When it comes to skidding, prevention really is the best medicine. You can't always get yourself out of skidding situations. Taking necessary steps to prevent a big problem can go a long way to keep you and your passengers safe.
How you should react really depends on the road conditions and how fast you are driving. Obviously, your tires will have a lot more traction for steering and braking when road conditions are idea -- warm and dry. You also need to constantly evaluate road conditions and potential hazards whenever you drive. Bumpy, wet, or unpaved road surfaces will not provide you with the same traction performance as a smooth, dry road surface.

How To Prevent Engine Overheating

Joshua281 — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 10:31:00 -0500

Engines burn gas and produce explosions in each cylinder. Rapid expansion from the explosions pushes the cylinder heads downward and does work to move the car. Much of the energy from each explosion does not do any work at all and is lost as heat. Over a short period of time, an engine can produce considerable amounts of heat. In fact, your engine can get hot enough to melt or weaken some of its parts.

The whole engine doesn't have to overheat in order to failure to occur. If only a single part of the engine overheats, the engine will begin to fail.

How To Reduce Vehicle Wear and Tear

Joshua281 — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 15:40:00 -0500

According to Motor Trend magazine, the average cost for a new car is upwards of $28,000. Gas prices and car parts costs will not be getting cheaper any time soon either. You may have determined to make your current car last as long as possible. You can reduce wear and tear on your vehicle by following these simple rules:

Regular oil changes: The single most effective way to take care of your car is to change the oil and oil filter regularly. Most warranties require that oil be changed on a regular basis. A modern engine should last well over 200,000 miles when properly cared for. Manufacturers and oil companies usually recommend changing your oil at 3,000 to 6,000 mile intervals. Check your owner's manual to learn any specific recommendations for your car.

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How To Drive on Black Ice

Victoria116 — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 05:44:00 -0500

Winter driving conditions can be tricky for even the most experienced drivers. While a snow-covered road can be an obvious driving hazard, a road that just looks wet can also be deceivingly slippery.

Black ice is a dangerous wintertime hazard because the icy road may not always be visible to the driver. Indeed, melted snow or ice that refreezes may still look deceivingly like a dry road. And temperatures don't have to be below freezing for black ice to develop. Black ice can occur if temperatures are near the freezing mark--or even a few degrees above it.

How To Minimize Your Braking Distances

Joshua281 — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 12:44:00 -0500

Under normal circumstances, you may not think about braking as fast as possible. However, when an emergency arises you may quickly discover that you are extremely interested in stopping as fast as you can. You can do a lot now to get you and your car ready to slow down quickly and safely when the time comes.

Brake fluid check: Your must properly maintain your car safety systems. The most important of these is the brakes. Check the brake fluid every time you change the oil or open the hood. Most cars use DOT3 or DOT4 brake fluids, which are specially made to resist compression. If your brake fluid level is low, use only new fluid. Never use an old bottle of brake fluid.

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How To Calculate Your Braking Distance

Joshua281 — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 18:13:00 -0500

While you might not think of your braking distance every time you drive across town, you will eventually be very interested in slowing down as fast as possible. All sorts of things can go wrong, and highway driving is deceptively fast. Children can run into the road, animals can wander in front of you.... the possibilities are endless, and they're very real. Here's a few tips I've put together to help you understand what kind of braking distance you can expect and how speed affects your braking distance.

How To Get a Driver's License

Joshua281 — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 12:11:00 -0500

Getting a driver's license isn't just for driving. Driver's licenses are also useful as state-issued identification to get you past the boarding gate at airports, identifying yourself for jobs or even cashing a check.

Each state makes its own rules regarding driver's licenses. To determine the specific requirements in your state, try this excellent online guide from driversed.com. Select your state to learn about its licensing requirements. Another useful website, dmv.org, is loaded with useful information about all 50 states.

If your driver's license has been suspended or revoked, you will not be able to get a driver's license in any state until the specified period of suspension expires.

If you're trying to get a driver's license, here are some guidelines and a few things to expect.

How To Ride a Motorcycle

Joshua281 — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 11:54:00 -0500

Motorcycles are inherently more dangerous than their four-wheeled counterparts, but many people have come to love the open air and freedom they feel when riding a motorcycle. While you can't eliminate all of the danger when riding a motorcycle, you must make it a primary goal to reduce as much risk as possible. If you don't know what you're doing, then you should seek help from experienced riders before you even start the motor.

How To Prevent and Control Hydroplaning

Elizabeth69 — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 20:30:00 -0500

Normally, when you are driving down the road, your tires are firmly on the pavement. On wet roads, however, that is not always the case. Hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water comes between your tires and the surface of the road. The resulting loss of control can be both frightening and dangerous. Here are a few ideas on how to prevent and control hydroplaning:

How To Evaluate Elderly Driving Skills

Joshua281 — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 18:22:00 -0500

Loved ones often do not realize how much their driving skills have deteriorated. Reaction time slows. Motor control and coordination suffer as well.

Age should never be the dominant factor in determining if an older person is fit to drive; some drivers may be very capable and safe at 80, while others no longer operate on a safe level at 55 or 60. Older drivers are also frailer than their younger counterparts. Even a small accident can have serious health consequences.

Self Test

Here's a self test to help you determine if it might be time to give up driving. As with any self-test, try to be as objective as possible when evaluating whether or not it is time to hang up the keys. Answers to these questions may provide some valuable insight into how you're doing.

How To Drive Safely in the Winter

Elizabeth69 — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 18:38:00 -0500

There is no doubt that driving in the winter poses some unique challenges. Freezing drizzle, blizzards and icy patches in the road can all make your daily commute a bit more complicated. Bears probably have the right idea -- they just curl up and hibernate until spring makes the world a little less harsh. That works well for them, but for the rest of us who have jobs and kids and errands to run, here are a few ideas for driving safely in the winter:

Wait awhile. If at all possible, try to postpone getting on the road after a snowstorm until the plows and salt trucks have had a chance to make a few passes.
Plan ahead. If you will be making a long drive, be sure to check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. If you must travel, allow yourself extra time in inclement weather.

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How To Conserve Gas

Elizabeth69 — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 16:29:00 -0500

With the price of gas these days, it pays to make every effort to conserve gas. Here are a few ideas:

Take public transportation. It makes sense to take the train or the bus for your regular daily commute. Depending on where you live, you may be able to take public transportation for some of your errands as well.

Convert Your Car to Run on Water and Gas – Save Over 40% on Fuel

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How To Prevent Road Rage

Elizabeth69 — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 11:30:00 -0500

Road rage is becoming a commonplace occurrence on our streets and highways. Drivers are often stressed, short-tempered, impatient, and inconsiderate. Everyone can get a little irritated behind the wheel once in a while, but allowing your temper to get the better of you is both foolish and dangerous. Here are a few tips to help you to prevent road rage:

Get your rest. Physical exhaustion contributes to mental fatigue and shortened tempers. Try not to drive when you are too tired to do so safely.

Keep your cool. Do not engage in emotionally charged conversations or arguments with your passengers. Your car is not a safe place to have difficult disagreements.

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How To Get a Motorcycle Permit

Joshua281 — Fri, 19 May 2006 11:15:00 -0500

You've bought your first motorcycle and you're eager to get out on the road. First, though, you must get some type of motorcycle certification from your state. Generally, there are two levels of motorcycle certification.

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How To Make Rules for a Teen Driver

Victoria116 — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 09:52:00 -0500

Parents naturally become somewhat anxious when their teenager starts to drive. The newfound independence that comes with driving can overwhelm a teen's common sense, so it is important that you, as a family, set some rules and guidelines. Here are some tips on how to make rules for a teen driver:

Start off slow. When your teen first starts to drive, don't give her free reign of the car keys. Have your teen start off slow, with short local trips. Don't give your newly licensed teen the option of taking the car for a whirlwind weekend -- there will be plenty of time for that later.

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