Elliptical Exercise and Stairclimber machines are a great way to burn calories, pump up your heart rate, and work the quads, hamstrings, and butt. It is also a good exercise to take the pressure off your knees from running. Most Elliptical exercise machines feature an interactive display that shows you how long youve been stepping, how many calories youve expended, and your level of intensity. Stairclimbers will send your feet marching up and down, while elliptical exercise machines move your feet in a pattern of a flattened-out circle.
The Routine:
Heres how to get more out of your stepping or climbing workout.
-Start slowly:
Its best to step or climb for 30 minutes and work up from there.
-Position your feet well:
Users may feel their toes become numb and tingly before the end of the session. If youre getting weird messages from your southernmost reaches, youre probably putting too much pressure on the balls of your feet, pinching off blood circulation to your toes.
Move your feet forward or back on the foot pads until you find a position the lets them feel normal. Also wiggle your toes periodically to ward off the tingles.
-Step away from the arm rest:
Youll get more work out of your workout when you dont lean heavily on the armrest. For starters, youll be bearing and moving around more of your own weight, and burning more calories as a result. Second, when you stand up straight, you give your abs a better workout because they have to support you during exercise. You can also burn more calories, add your arms to the action, pumping them as you would during a run. You can burn up to 30% more calories by not using the armrest, which makes the workout more efficient
-Warmup and Cooldown:
Be sure to ease into your workout to allow your muscles to warm up, and slow down at the end of the session to cool down. Youll probably find that your machine has warmups and cooldowns built into its workouts.
2007年12月19日星期三
Beware of Fuel Pill Schemes!
Have you noticed ads for pills or powder or even liquids that you put into your gas tank and, magically, you will get up to 30% better gas mileage? Wow, that's more powerful magic than Harry Potter can produce! The number one selling fuel pill out there was a product made by Bioperformance. Their product was known as the gas pill or the fuel pill.
The Attorney General of Texas filed an action against Bioperformance. He stated "We will aggressively fight these con artists who cynically exploit the public's concerns about high gas prices to line their own pockets."
He referred to them con artists. That is exactly what they are. It seems, if you had put moth balls into your gas tank you would accomplish the same thing as the fuel pill. The fuel pill was found to be basically the chemical equivalent of mothballs.
Bioperformance and it's owners were really only out to recruit as many investors or paying members as they could into what at this point looks like a full blown pyramid scheme. That was according to statements made by the attorney general.
As incredible as it may seem, there are still products out there that are making the same claims all over again. One is MPG-Cap. Enviro-Max another one. They promise the same thing as the older fuel pill made by Bioperformance. They claim you will get increases in gasoline economy simply by dropping their pills into your gas tank.
Most of their claims are based on testimonials from drivers. An average driver cannot scientifically make the comparisons they claim. To really do a believable test it needs to be done under controlled conditions with sophisticated and expensive equipment.
The normal driving conditions of weather, traffic volume and stop light patterns have a tremendous impact on any days fuel economy. There is no way for the average driver to take those factors into consideration to be able to run a believable test.
Enviromax Plus claims that it makes gasoline burn more efficiently. It claims it will lower the unburned gas in your engine from 15 percent down to 1 to 2 percent. Unfortunately for Enviromax but fortunately for you, todays current engines actually burn gas with an efficiency of about 98 to 99 percent. That is without any help from EnviroMax.
The bottom line, save your money. Don't believe the wild claims of these modern day snake oil salesmen. As always if it seems to good to be true, it is!
The Attorney General of Texas filed an action against Bioperformance. He stated "We will aggressively fight these con artists who cynically exploit the public's concerns about high gas prices to line their own pockets."
He referred to them con artists. That is exactly what they are. It seems, if you had put moth balls into your gas tank you would accomplish the same thing as the fuel pill. The fuel pill was found to be basically the chemical equivalent of mothballs.
Bioperformance and it's owners were really only out to recruit as many investors or paying members as they could into what at this point looks like a full blown pyramid scheme. That was according to statements made by the attorney general.
As incredible as it may seem, there are still products out there that are making the same claims all over again. One is MPG-Cap. Enviro-Max another one. They promise the same thing as the older fuel pill made by Bioperformance. They claim you will get increases in gasoline economy simply by dropping their pills into your gas tank.
Most of their claims are based on testimonials from drivers. An average driver cannot scientifically make the comparisons they claim. To really do a believable test it needs to be done under controlled conditions with sophisticated and expensive equipment.
The normal driving conditions of weather, traffic volume and stop light patterns have a tremendous impact on any days fuel economy. There is no way for the average driver to take those factors into consideration to be able to run a believable test.
Enviromax Plus claims that it makes gasoline burn more efficiently. It claims it will lower the unburned gas in your engine from 15 percent down to 1 to 2 percent. Unfortunately for Enviromax but fortunately for you, todays current engines actually burn gas with an efficiency of about 98 to 99 percent. That is without any help from EnviroMax.
The bottom line, save your money. Don't believe the wild claims of these modern day snake oil salesmen. As always if it seems to good to be true, it is!
Japanese Automakers Recalls
Last Wednesday, Toyota Motor Corp., announced that the automaker will recall their optional all weather floor mats in their 55,000 Lexus ES 350 and Toyota Camry sedans. The recall was due to the potential of the mat to cause a crash as it interferes with the gas pedal.
If the mat is not properly attached, it could move forward and shut in the gas pedal and the vehicle will be unstoppable. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued an advisory regarding the floor mats to respond to the danger it poses to the American motorists.
A similar move was done by Nissan Motors. The automaker stated that they are going to issue recalls for their 420,000 sport utility vehicles with tubes where motorists pump gas which is at risk for corrosion.
Nissans recall includes their 1997-2001 models of the Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4 SUVs. Out of the 420,000 vehicles, 370,000 had already been sold and are presently registered in 22 cold weather states and in the District of Columbia. 45,000 of the vehicles are in Canada.
For Toyotas recall, the Avalon and the Prius are not included. But the advisory issued by the NHTSA also advised the owners of these two model vehicles to check their heavy-duty rubber floor mats if it is properly installed. According to Rae Tyson, they issued the advisory because we believe potentially it is a very serious safety issue.
According to Bill Kwong, spokesman for Toyota, the company did not receive complaints for the Avalon and the Prius. He also said that the floor mats built to collect rain water, mud, and snow were installed under the original carpet mats and locked up against the accelerator.
To consider that the floor of a vehicle only has one hook that can secure on mat at a time.
22 complaints have been made regarding the issue as reported by the automaker. But they have not learned any injury connected to the matter said Kwong. The Japanese automaker plans to solve this problem by notifying the owners of the vehicles under recall in early October and to expect availability of replacement mats in dealerships by late November.
As an advice, Toyota said that the owners should check their floor mats on a regular basis if it is properly installed. The company added in a statement, Under no circumstances should more than one floor mat ever be used in the drivers seating position.
According to Nissan, their recall was due to inefficiency of coating bracket by the fuel filler tube assembly mounted in their SUVs. For the cold weather states, significantly during the winter, a mixture of snow, water and salt could eventually lead to its corrosion on the metal tube resulting to fluid leaks.
Fred Standish, spokesman for Nissan said that they have not been notified of fires or any injuries connected to the issue. The company plans to replace the fuel tube assembly with a new and improved one though its dealers. The company will notify the owners about the availability of this service in late November.
The recall covers the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Earlier this month, Honda (makes Honda cold air intake) also issued recalls for their 180,000 2006-2007 models of their Civic to fix a wheel-bearing seal that can leak and cause a wheel to fall off from the vehicle.
10 Items Or Less-How To Use The Customers Demand For Fast Service And Convenience
I remember it like it was yesterday. My friends Jack, Bert and I (we all owned small businesses) were having lunch at the Steak House across from the new, first combination gas station / mini mart to come to the area. It was the first day the Quick Fill was open.
I think I was the first to say, "They will never make it." After all who is going to pump their own gas? I felt I was an expert on the subject of customers getting out of their automobiles and pumping their own gas, as I owned and operated a gas station. It was all we could do to get the people to roll their windows down when it was raining to tell us how much gas they wanted us to pump into their vehicles. There was no way they would get out and pump it themselves even though they would save a few cents. And there was no way people would pay twenty cents more for a half gallon of milk and thirty cents more for a loaf of bread. By the end of our lunch we all agreed the Quick Fill would be out of business in 3 to 6 months.
It is no secret we were wrong. Totally wrong! But why do people who will drive twenty five miles to use a coupon to get a free four dollar appetizer constantly overpay at these type of stores????
You know the answer as well as I do. Convenience! And when I figured it out in the mid 70's my businesses soared in sales and profits. I saw my customers, who beat me up for a discount on everything they purchased, parading in and out the mini marts and thinking nothing of over paying. I figured out that I needed to be the one providing convenience. I figured out what every customer is demanding:
1. MAKE IT QUICK. I do not have time to waste.
Business names with words like "Quick," "Jiffy," "Instant," "One-hour," and "Speedy" are common. Jiffy Lube International, which offers a ten-minute oil change, has grown to over one thousand outlets. Even overnight mail is not fast enough for the buying public. Facsimile machines and email are now widely used to transmit documents across the country in seconds. Your customers constantly patronize fast food restaurants, drive through banks, and drive through car washes.
2. MAKE IT EASY FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND THE BENEFITS
Listen to me. Listen to what I want the product to do. Listen to my problems I want solved. Tell me the benefits I will obtain from buying your product or service. Tell me why I cannot live without your product or service.
3. MAKE IT EASY FOR ME TO BUY
Be flexible with options for me to pay by cash, financing, using charge cards or lay-a-way. Have flexible delivery schedules to accommodate my schedule.
4. DON'T LET ME DOWN
Do what you say you will do. Deliver on time. Make the paperwork easy. Be easy to get in touch with. Give me the good service you promise.
5. BE 100 % CUSTOMER-CENTERED
Make it all about me. Give me your full attention when I am trying to buy your products and service. Don't answer your phone, talk to others or even look away. If I am not important enough for you to disregard everyone and everything else going on around you, I will take my business elsewhere.
Here is what you can do.
1. Shop your competition. Not just the businesses that sell what you sell, but everywhere your customers buy. Every business is your competition. You are competing for the dollars your customers spend. Your customers only have a limited amount of money to spend. If they spend it at other businesses they cannot spend it at yours. Shop your competition to see what they are doing to meet the customer's demands
2. Shop your business. Walk into your business, call your business on the telephone and shop it like you are seeing it for the first time. Are your people providing the customers with what they demand? Watch your customers. Ask them if they are satisfied with your products and services. Of course the best way to get the answers you need to know and not the ones you want to hear is to have an independent person or persons survey your customers and people who do not buy from you. All they have to ask is one question, "What do you think of (your business)?"
Grocery stores figured it out in the 60s when they put in the '10 Items or Less' line. Just go and look at those lines. You will find honest people cheating. I have seen people in the '10 Items or Less' line with as many as 50 items in their carts.
And now you can even check yourself out. Scan your items' pay in cash or credit. Why does it work? Because you want it quick and easy. They figured out how to give you want you want and lower their operating cost at the same time. Figure out how to create your own '10 Items or Less' convenience for your customers. Your sales and profits will increase.
I think I was the first to say, "They will never make it." After all who is going to pump their own gas? I felt I was an expert on the subject of customers getting out of their automobiles and pumping their own gas, as I owned and operated a gas station. It was all we could do to get the people to roll their windows down when it was raining to tell us how much gas they wanted us to pump into their vehicles. There was no way they would get out and pump it themselves even though they would save a few cents. And there was no way people would pay twenty cents more for a half gallon of milk and thirty cents more for a loaf of bread. By the end of our lunch we all agreed the Quick Fill would be out of business in 3 to 6 months.
It is no secret we were wrong. Totally wrong! But why do people who will drive twenty five miles to use a coupon to get a free four dollar appetizer constantly overpay at these type of stores????
You know the answer as well as I do. Convenience! And when I figured it out in the mid 70's my businesses soared in sales and profits. I saw my customers, who beat me up for a discount on everything they purchased, parading in and out the mini marts and thinking nothing of over paying. I figured out that I needed to be the one providing convenience. I figured out what every customer is demanding:
1. MAKE IT QUICK. I do not have time to waste.
Business names with words like "Quick," "Jiffy," "Instant," "One-hour," and "Speedy" are common. Jiffy Lube International, which offers a ten-minute oil change, has grown to over one thousand outlets. Even overnight mail is not fast enough for the buying public. Facsimile machines and email are now widely used to transmit documents across the country in seconds. Your customers constantly patronize fast food restaurants, drive through banks, and drive through car washes.
2. MAKE IT EASY FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND THE BENEFITS
Listen to me. Listen to what I want the product to do. Listen to my problems I want solved. Tell me the benefits I will obtain from buying your product or service. Tell me why I cannot live without your product or service.
3. MAKE IT EASY FOR ME TO BUY
Be flexible with options for me to pay by cash, financing, using charge cards or lay-a-way. Have flexible delivery schedules to accommodate my schedule.
4. DON'T LET ME DOWN
Do what you say you will do. Deliver on time. Make the paperwork easy. Be easy to get in touch with. Give me the good service you promise.
5. BE 100 % CUSTOMER-CENTERED
Make it all about me. Give me your full attention when I am trying to buy your products and service. Don't answer your phone, talk to others or even look away. If I am not important enough for you to disregard everyone and everything else going on around you, I will take my business elsewhere.
Here is what you can do.
1. Shop your competition. Not just the businesses that sell what you sell, but everywhere your customers buy. Every business is your competition. You are competing for the dollars your customers spend. Your customers only have a limited amount of money to spend. If they spend it at other businesses they cannot spend it at yours. Shop your competition to see what they are doing to meet the customer's demands
2. Shop your business. Walk into your business, call your business on the telephone and shop it like you are seeing it for the first time. Are your people providing the customers with what they demand? Watch your customers. Ask them if they are satisfied with your products and services. Of course the best way to get the answers you need to know and not the ones you want to hear is to have an independent person or persons survey your customers and people who do not buy from you. All they have to ask is one question, "What do you think of (your business)?"
Grocery stores figured it out in the 60s when they put in the '10 Items or Less' line. Just go and look at those lines. You will find honest people cheating. I have seen people in the '10 Items or Less' line with as many as 50 items in their carts.
And now you can even check yourself out. Scan your items' pay in cash or credit. Why does it work? Because you want it quick and easy. They figured out how to give you want you want and lower their operating cost at the same time. Figure out how to create your own '10 Items or Less' convenience for your customers. Your sales and profits will increase.
What Should You Look For In An Online Trading Account?
In todays world people are increasingly getting busier with their work which leaves them with little time to pursue other things. One might want to unwind playing a few rounds of golf, others might want to read a book and then there are those who would love to enjoy the thrill of the stock exchange (yes investing is a serious issue than playing golf or reading a novel, but some actually love to be involved as there is no denying it offers plenty of thrills and chills). But all through the day they are just too busy to even think about that. And a few years back, when they were out of work, the exchange was also through with the day's trading.
But those days are a history now. No, the stock exchanges don't stay open 24x7. But the internet does. And that is where all the activity is. Investing is not just about pumping in the money and waiting for the results. It is more like cracking a puzzle where you gather information, analyze them, understand the trends and then put in the money. When it clicks, there is a huge amount of satisfaction.
So, what do you need to invest online? A few basic things; a computer with a net connection and an online trading account. It needs to be a 3-in-1 online trading account for you to make investment through the internet. So what is a 3-in-1 online trading account? Or, to put it differently, what are these three accounts? Number one, a bank account which allows you to transact online. Number two, a demat account, a place where your electronic shares will be deposited and number three, a trading account that will allow you to carry out transaction online.
Before selecting this 3-in-1 online trading account there are a few things that you need to consider.
First of all how credible is the service provider and what are its credentials. If a reputed bank or a financial institution recommends it then you are on relatively comfortable ground. To check the trustworthiness of the service provider is your first job.
Secondly, check the kind of investments you can make and if the provider offers you all the options through the account you are subscribing.
Thirdly, what is the quality of information on offer from the service provider? To take informed decisions about the market, you need to be in tune and so you will need all the information in a readily comprehensible manner.
Fourthly, how quick are they in processing your orders. Trading during peak hours will need you to have a service provider that is doubly-quick.
But those days are a history now. No, the stock exchanges don't stay open 24x7. But the internet does. And that is where all the activity is. Investing is not just about pumping in the money and waiting for the results. It is more like cracking a puzzle where you gather information, analyze them, understand the trends and then put in the money. When it clicks, there is a huge amount of satisfaction.
So, what do you need to invest online? A few basic things; a computer with a net connection and an online trading account. It needs to be a 3-in-1 online trading account for you to make investment through the internet. So what is a 3-in-1 online trading account? Or, to put it differently, what are these three accounts? Number one, a bank account which allows you to transact online. Number two, a demat account, a place where your electronic shares will be deposited and number three, a trading account that will allow you to carry out transaction online.
Before selecting this 3-in-1 online trading account there are a few things that you need to consider.
First of all how credible is the service provider and what are its credentials. If a reputed bank or a financial institution recommends it then you are on relatively comfortable ground. To check the trustworthiness of the service provider is your first job.
Secondly, check the kind of investments you can make and if the provider offers you all the options through the account you are subscribing.
Thirdly, what is the quality of information on offer from the service provider? To take informed decisions about the market, you need to be in tune and so you will need all the information in a readily comprehensible manner.
Fourthly, how quick are they in processing your orders. Trading during peak hours will need you to have a service provider that is doubly-quick.
Ways to Increase Breast Size Without Surgery
Believe it or not, although most medical doctors and plastic surgeons Will tell you it is not possible, many women HAVE successfully increased their breast size through means other than plastic surgery. This article explores the different ways women have reportedly had success with nonsurgically increasing their breast size, improving breast tone and firmness, and creating an overall fuller look and more attractive bustline through natural means.
A common misconception about natural breast enhancement is that it willonly take weeks or a few months to gain results such as 1-2 cup sizes. This quite simply, is not the case most often since most women who do see success in naturally increasing their breast size do not see considerable results for anywhere from 6-12 months. Also, it is important that the right product is chosen.
Some women may respond to one product or method, while other women may not respond at all. Since everyone's body and chemical makeup is so diverse, it is nearly impossible to guarantee one single products will work the same "magic" on everyone.
Here are some of the ways you can increase your breast size without surgery:
* Herbal natural breast enhancement supplements - There are some good formulas out there that will really work well when used over a period of time and while adhering to the tips and suggestions found on our tips for maximum growth page. Some of the formulas offered out there are really watered down, or actually so unbalanced that they may create more problems than they are worth, so make sure you choose a reputable product with some testimony to back it up.
* Breast pumps or vaccum systems - By now if you've been seeking ways to naturally increase your bustline, you've probably come across a few breast pump or vaccum products that claim to increase breast size. And some of them really do work. Some common complaints and concerns from women who have tried this method are inconvenience and discomfort.
* Hypnosis - Hypnosis tapes using the methodology of mind power and mind over matter have been hailed as a means of natural breast size increase. There have been a few success stories, but approach with caution, since there is not enough evidence or conjecture pointing to the fact that this has worked for enough women yet to deem it worthy of publicity.
* Breast massage - Breast massage for breast enhancement, especially when combined with breast enhancing lotions, serums or creams, as well as an oral herbal supplement, has probably shown the most promise. Contrary to most medical professionals, you will see several forums dedicated to natural breast enhancement where real, every day women share their experience, good and bad, successful and unsuccessful, with various methods and products.
The one common thread is that the women who see the best results have had patience and dedication, and practiced massage, herbal supplementation or growth hormone therapy, like Bountiful Breast, along with bust enhancing serums. These three methods can really work together over time to naturally increase your breast size - it just takes time, dedication, and a few lifestyle guidelines.
A common misconception about natural breast enhancement is that it willonly take weeks or a few months to gain results such as 1-2 cup sizes. This quite simply, is not the case most often since most women who do see success in naturally increasing their breast size do not see considerable results for anywhere from 6-12 months. Also, it is important that the right product is chosen.
Some women may respond to one product or method, while other women may not respond at all. Since everyone's body and chemical makeup is so diverse, it is nearly impossible to guarantee one single products will work the same "magic" on everyone.
Here are some of the ways you can increase your breast size without surgery:
* Herbal natural breast enhancement supplements - There are some good formulas out there that will really work well when used over a period of time and while adhering to the tips and suggestions found on our tips for maximum growth page. Some of the formulas offered out there are really watered down, or actually so unbalanced that they may create more problems than they are worth, so make sure you choose a reputable product with some testimony to back it up.
* Breast pumps or vaccum systems - By now if you've been seeking ways to naturally increase your bustline, you've probably come across a few breast pump or vaccum products that claim to increase breast size. And some of them really do work. Some common complaints and concerns from women who have tried this method are inconvenience and discomfort.
* Hypnosis - Hypnosis tapes using the methodology of mind power and mind over matter have been hailed as a means of natural breast size increase. There have been a few success stories, but approach with caution, since there is not enough evidence or conjecture pointing to the fact that this has worked for enough women yet to deem it worthy of publicity.
* Breast massage - Breast massage for breast enhancement, especially when combined with breast enhancing lotions, serums or creams, as well as an oral herbal supplement, has probably shown the most promise. Contrary to most medical professionals, you will see several forums dedicated to natural breast enhancement where real, every day women share their experience, good and bad, successful and unsuccessful, with various methods and products.
The one common thread is that the women who see the best results have had patience and dedication, and practiced massage, herbal supplementation or growth hormone therapy, like Bountiful Breast, along with bust enhancing serums. These three methods can really work together over time to naturally increase your breast size - it just takes time, dedication, and a few lifestyle guidelines.
Car Safety Tips for Winter Driving
With ice, sleet, snow, and poor visibility, maneuvering a car in the wintertime can pose a mighty dilemma for many, as driving conditions only worsen with drastic weather changes. In order to increase the safety of you and your passengers, it is important to both appropriately prepare your car for the winter, as well as follow a few driving safety tips.
Preparing Your Car
When a car is in top operating condition, it will not only enhance the safety conditions for drivers and passengers, but also help people save on gas. One of the first things you should do is familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of your vehicle. It is important to read the owner's manual and follow proper winterizing suggestions that involve the battery, lights, defroster, heater, motor oil, antifreeze, wiper blades, windshield washer fluid, tire pressure, brakes and brake fluid, belt, hoses, and filters.
Before hitting the road during winter travel, you must clear the snow and ice from not only all windows and lights, but also the hood and roof of the car.
When driving in the winter, it is suggested to keep your gas tank above the halfway mark in case you become delayed or stranded in a snowstorm. In the case of an emergency, a cell phone or CB radio is known as a true lifesaver. During the wintertime, it is recommended to stock your trunk with emergency supplies, including a small shovel, jumper cables, tow chain, scraper, brush, and bag of sand (or kitty litter), which provides traction for tires. Breakdown kits are also helpful, as should contain a blanket, gloves, boots, road flares, warm clothing, flashlight, extra batteries, water, and a first-aid kit.
Knowing the current road conditions also helps prevent disasters on the road. This is often accomplished by calling your local weather 411 service, viewing weather and traffic information on the Internet, checking the local news for weather advisories and traffic reports, and paying attention to flashing electronic highway signs.
On the Road
In addition to maintaining the safety level of your vehicle, you must also pay extra attention to the way you drive in the wintertime. This means staying off of the cell phone and adhering to the legal speed limit. Additionally, a driver should:
1) Always wear a seatbelt.
2) Stay alert and drive completely sober.
3) Drive with headlights on.
4) Give ample amount of time to slow down when roads are slippery. When roads are icy, it is suggested to delay travel, especially when "black ice" is involved.
5) Do not pass maintenance vehicles or plows on the right and give them at least 200 feet between them and your vehicle.
6) Avoid traveling on bridges during icy conditions.
7) Since trucks take longer to stop than cars, do not cut in front.
8) Avoid cruise control or overdrive in freezing cold weather.
9) Vehicles with four-wheel drive may get drivers going quicker on the road, but does not help them stop any faster.
10) Avoid pumping anti-lock brakes - it is much better to "stomp and steer."
Preparing Your Car
When a car is in top operating condition, it will not only enhance the safety conditions for drivers and passengers, but also help people save on gas. One of the first things you should do is familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of your vehicle. It is important to read the owner's manual and follow proper winterizing suggestions that involve the battery, lights, defroster, heater, motor oil, antifreeze, wiper blades, windshield washer fluid, tire pressure, brakes and brake fluid, belt, hoses, and filters.
Before hitting the road during winter travel, you must clear the snow and ice from not only all windows and lights, but also the hood and roof of the car.
When driving in the winter, it is suggested to keep your gas tank above the halfway mark in case you become delayed or stranded in a snowstorm. In the case of an emergency, a cell phone or CB radio is known as a true lifesaver. During the wintertime, it is recommended to stock your trunk with emergency supplies, including a small shovel, jumper cables, tow chain, scraper, brush, and bag of sand (or kitty litter), which provides traction for tires. Breakdown kits are also helpful, as should contain a blanket, gloves, boots, road flares, warm clothing, flashlight, extra batteries, water, and a first-aid kit.
Knowing the current road conditions also helps prevent disasters on the road. This is often accomplished by calling your local weather 411 service, viewing weather and traffic information on the Internet, checking the local news for weather advisories and traffic reports, and paying attention to flashing electronic highway signs.
On the Road
In addition to maintaining the safety level of your vehicle, you must also pay extra attention to the way you drive in the wintertime. This means staying off of the cell phone and adhering to the legal speed limit. Additionally, a driver should:
1) Always wear a seatbelt.
2) Stay alert and drive completely sober.
3) Drive with headlights on.
4) Give ample amount of time to slow down when roads are slippery. When roads are icy, it is suggested to delay travel, especially when "black ice" is involved.
5) Do not pass maintenance vehicles or plows on the right and give them at least 200 feet between them and your vehicle.
6) Avoid traveling on bridges during icy conditions.
7) Since trucks take longer to stop than cars, do not cut in front.
8) Avoid cruise control or overdrive in freezing cold weather.
9) Vehicles with four-wheel drive may get drivers going quicker on the road, but does not help them stop any faster.
10) Avoid pumping anti-lock brakes - it is much better to "stomp and steer."
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