Posted in General | June 3, 2017 

There are many companies that are forced to build large parking facilities because of the amount of employees they have. However, it is becoming common for business owners to hire companies that specialize in building automated parking structures. These buildings dramatically reduce the amount of space required to park cars. Do you own a business that has to devote too much space to parking the cars of your employees? If this is the case, you might want to seriously consider consulting a company that has built many automated parking structures in the past. Here are some of the things that you will need to look for when you are going to find a company to build an automated parking structure for your business.

1. How long has the company been designing automated parking structures?

Obviously, you do not want to entrust the designing of an automated parking structure to an inexperienced company. You need to be sure that the company you go into business with has a long history in the parking automation industry. The websites of companies that design automated parking structures should give you some indication about how long they have been around. Ideally, you should never hire a company that has been designing automated parking structures for less than five years.

2. Take a look at some of the previous automated parking structures designed by any company you are thinking about hiring.

Do not hire a company unless you can take a look at some of the other automated parking structures they have designed with your own eyes. You will be making a significant investment when it comes to an automated parking structure for your business. Therefore, it is imperative that you see if any companies you are considering are capable of building structures that are up to your standards.

3. Talk to other business owners who have already built automated parking structures.

It would be a very good idea to consult with other people who have been using automated parking structures for several years. These people will be able to tell you what to expect. You can also learn from some of the mistakes they have made. Ask these people about the company they hired to design their automated parking structure. Are they happy with the quality of work they received? Did they get charged an affordable price? Asking these questions could help you in your search.

Posted in General | May 25, 2017 

Wanting to buy a new Volkswagen for exploring the UK with your family this summer? To help make your decision, check out the research below from UK based Volkswagen dealer, Inchcape Volkswagen  and find out how far you can get on each gallon of fuel you fill up on.

The VW model with highest miles-per-gallon rate is listed in each case (unless there was more than one with the same figure):

Posted in General | May 13, 2017 

In light of this year’s Formula One season, some of you might have the thrill to release your inner Lewis Hamilton with a day on the racing track. Luckily for you thrill seekers, the UK is a haven for track day experiences — just take a look at this handy calendar from TrackDays for events taking place on renowned circuits such as Silverstone, Donington Park and Brands Hatch.

But once you’ve found a track that’s right for you, it’s important to make sure your car is ready to hit the track and if you are prepared to put pedal to the metal.

Fear not, car radiator supplier Advanced Radiators has this nifty guide so that you don’t forget anything when preparing.

Preparing the car

You’ll need to prep your car ahead of racing – it’s almost like a mini service of your own.

First things first, your tyres must match the manufacturer’s recommended levels. Tyre pressures can be a cause for debate when it comes to track days — run them too low and damage can be caused to the sidewalls (due to them flexing when putting them through sustained cornering), while too high a pressure runs the risk of increased wear. Bear these points in mind when deviating away from the manufacturer’s recommended levels.

This also entails making sure your tyres are in a good general condition – this means no damage and the thread should be above the legal limit of 1.6mm across 75% of the tyre.

Pop open the bonnet and check that all fluids are topped up to their maximum marks. Cornering force on a track can result in fluids building up on one side of the vehicle’s reservoir, causing the potential of fluid starvation.

Safety is key when racing. You’ll need to carry out a few checks of the safety equipment inside your car. Seatbelts must be in good condition with no tears or issues with them clipping into their holds, while you need to ensure there are no loose objects that could fly around and cause damage or injury once you’re at high speed. By removing as many items as possible from inside your vehicle, you will be surprised at how much lighter this will make your vehicle.

On the topic of shedding weight, ensure your car has just enough fuel to get through the day instead of filling the tank all the way to the top – and causing the vehicle to be unnecessarily heavy. Higher octane fuel is advised, as it tends to aid performance significantly more than the standard alternatives.

Preparing the driver

Whilst preparing your vehicle is important, you’ll also need to prepare yourself.

The clothing you wear should be considered carefully. Fire-retardant clothing made using natural fibres are recommended to ensure the highest level of protection. In fact, many circuits have policies in place which state that arms and legs must be covered while you’re on track.

When considering your choice of footwear, be aware that on most tracks, closed toe footwear is the minimum requirement. You should also be sure to opt for a shoe, boot or trainer with thin soles and no overhang so that they achieve good pedal feel lap after lap.

It Is likely that your insurance doesn’t cover you for this style of driving. Most don’t as standard but usually you can just add this on the day of the event for a small premium by contacting your provider. If this isn’t an option for you, seek out specific trackday cover so that your no claims discount isn’t affected in the unfortunate event that you need to make a claim from your day out.

Posted in General | May 9, 2017 

Conditions such as fatigue and lack of light can compromise your vision while driving at night. Other situations separate from your actions like rush hour traffic or an impaired driver also contribute to whether your road is clear. You might wonder if you find headlights for my car that it is safer driving during one of the most dangerous times of the day.

Keeping every part of your vehicle working properly can help to improve your chances of getting to and from your destinations. Still, it also helps to be aware of dangerous conditions and how to do your part in avoiding a crash.

Poor Road Visibility

Darker road conditions are not the ideal situation for human eyes. Seeing clearly at night naturally begins to deteriorate as we age. Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do that will improve your vision when driving at night is unavoidable.

• Get regular vision checks so street signs are clear to read.
• Try wearing anti-glare lenses to reduce the strain of exterior lights.
• Clean headlights, replace dim bulbs or cloudy covers that will reduce your ability to see clearly.
• Also, keep your windshield clean so dust does not accumulate. This can make it difficult to see when an oncoming car’s headlights are approaching.
• Avert your attention from oncoming traffic to prevent temporary blindness that occurs from trying to adjust to the bright lights staring back at you.

Rush Hour Traffic

Driving comes with inherent risks, but peak evening hours can often be more dangerous. Between frustrated drivers and the slow stop-and-go movements, you want to stay focused and calm.

Never tailgate because you never know when the driver in front of you may need to stop or change lanes. Reduce your speed and use defensive driving techniques to be aware of the movements of other vehicles. Avoid distracting behavior like using your phone or switching radio stations.

Impaired Drivers

Not only is driving under the influence against the law, but it is also extremely unsafe to do so. Sharing the road with an impaired driver is most likely to occur at night when people leave bars and restaurants. Be vigilant for anyone who appears to be driving erratically.

When the sun goes down, you can face extra dangers while driving on the road. There are plenty of hazards to watch out for such as compromised visibility and distracted drivers. Since it is nearly impossible to avoid ever driving at night, do your part to reduce the number of risks that can turn into tragic accidents.

Posted in General | May 9, 2017 

Save for Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) tags, drivers normally don’t consider automobile labels as an important part of maintenance. However, without proper labels, a driver doesn’t know the past history of the vehicle, comprehend the paint and trim colors should an accident take place, or how to properly inflate the tires. In the end, the lack of these labels can cause you to run into problems after purchase and a car dealership to falter due to lack of confidence in their legality.

So, in addition to VIN tag replacement, the replacement of all other pertinent labels is a priority, especially with pre-owned vehicles. Once again, the Internet comes to the rescue on this as there are many outlets, like AutomotiveID.com, which help get the required labels. All you as the new vehicle owner need to do is request the dealership to do research and put down some cash.

The VIN label is the most important. If there isn’t one on the vehicle, or it seems damaged, the dealership needs to replace this as quickly as possible. The same goes for the anti-theft label if a system is enabled in the vehicle. Emission control and tire loading are the second most important. The emission label allows those at inspection stations and repair shops to review information on an older vehicle’s output without charging extra for research. The tire loading label is required so drivers don’t under- or over-inflate their tires. Both of these situations can lead a shortened life for tires and brakes as well as damage to the suspension system.

The paint and trim label extremely important for vehicles of older model years, especially classics. This label provides the necessary colors needed to restore the vehicle to its original color or help in repairing minor scratches.

What to do if the dealership isn’t interested in ordering these labels? Best thing is to leave without making a purchase and find a dealer which will help you on these matters. And if the previous dealership had a number of cars without VIN or other labels, a call to the Better Business Bureau or even law enforcement may be needed as the vehicles sold may not be on the up and up.

Posted in General | April 11, 2017 

When you are searching for reliable trucking companies in Denver or any other city, you want to deal with a friendly and trustworthy transportation intermediary that has been offering solutions for many years and is well-experienced in coordinating freight shipments, whether it is one pallet or a multiple truck project.

Whether you ship every day and are a high-volume customer, or you ship infrequently, or even if you are a one-time shipper, you want a time sensitive and cost effective solution to your needs. You want the best possible service that is offered using the newest technological advancements and the latest operations software.

You want to know that a personal and seamless shipping experience will be facilitated by a shipping specialist who will have all the details of your shipment coordinated by tapping into an extensive network of more than 7,000 trucking companies all across the United States where the performance of all the partner carriers is graded and evaluated on an ongoing basis.

Flatbed trucks are an ideal answer for hauling heavy and bulky industrial freight that is too large for a box truck or when a loading or unloading dock is not available. If the shipment must be kept cold, or kept from freezing, refrigerated service is offered for food products or anything that requires a temperature-controlled environment.

Employees efficiently route, process, and track freight shipments. All types of flatbed, stepdeck and double-drop trailer freight is handled by full truck loads, LTL or partial loads without having to charge you for a full trailer, as well as over-size, wide loads, and over-weight specialized shipments. Open flatbeds are available for longer items, hard-to-load items, or any special circumstance. Arrangements can also be made with connections in many local markets to have local and regional freight moved.

The company will learn about your shipping requirements and will not ship a load before providing a confirmed truck. You will be kept informed of the status of a shipment, and carriers and customers should also have access via a website to any crucial information.

Choose an active member of the Transportation Intermediaries Association, a professional trade organization that abides by an industry code of ethics and core values. The members continuously strive to satisfy the current and future needs of their clients for high quality and dependable freight deliveries.

Stevens West, Inc. is a fine example of a professional transportation intermediary based in Denver that provides transportation answers to their customers and partner carriers. They work with carriers and shippers from coast to coast and can arrange for truck freight to be shipped throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Posted in General | April 11, 2017 

After winter’s brutal assault on your vehicle, it is time to give it some spring cleaning. This is a prime time to get auto repair Crystal Lake IL maintenance. Preparing for the upcoming seasons now will ensure your vacation plans and special events are not interrupted.

From the first wash-n-wax to remove grit and road salt to seeing your trusted mechanic, here are a few tips to keep you on the road.

Get an Alignment and Suspension Inspection

Winter weather can keep you indoors and be extremely harsh on roads. The results can have an even harsher effect on your car. Damage to the alignment and suspension is almost inevitable when you drive over potholes.

If you frequently drove over rocks and potholes, it could ruin the alignment and damage components that affects the way the suspension functions. A sure sign that there is a problem is if your car pulls to one side. Additionally, a vibrating steering wheel is another indication that you need to have a mechanic repair the issue.

Now is also a good time to check all fluids. This includes brake fluid, steering, windshield washing fluid and transmission. Compare the cost of paying $4,000 for a rebuilt transmission or to have it repaired to the cost of a bottle of fluid.

Even if your last oil change was right before winter, it is time to get another one.

Get Tires Rotated and Check Air Pressure

The last thing you need is to have a bad spare when you get a flat tire. Have all four tires and the spare checked. Your tires will greatly affect the handling, traction, ride and most importantly, the safety of your drive.

In addition to getting the tires checked after winter ends, you should make it a habit of getting a rotation at least every 5,000 miles. This will keep tread wear even. Again, the cost of new tires exceeds what you will pay in time and money to have them inspected before a problem occurs.

Have Brakes Inspected

Brakes are another critical component to your ability to drive safely. Have your mechanic check pads and rotors to avoid costly repairs or hazardous driving.

Winter continues to wind down across the country. Not only have the seasons changed, but you have a different car care strategy. Correct all issues that can interrupt your plans
with a breakdown. Now is the perfect time to see your auto mechanic for spring care maintenance.

Posted in General | April 6, 2017 

Road trips are a thing that many people dream about but never actually get the chance to go on, whether as a family, group of friends or if you’re a solo nomad and the main reason that many road trips never materialise is because of poor planning. If you’ve got the dream of your life within reach, don’t let it fade away just because you didn’t put enough into the planning of your trip. Here’s our ultimate guide to road tripping to ensure that you can make your dreams happen.

The beauty of a road trip is that you can set your own hours of travel, choose your own destinations and of course your own accommodation, budget depending. The other thing to consider when road tripping is that you don’t actually have to carry your luggage around by hand, you can chuck it into your car/van/truck or whatever it is that you’re tripping in and head off on your journey. The other beauty of not being on a plane is that you don’t miss out all the places between destination A and destination B so you get to take in a lot more than you would if you were on a plane. Anyway, without further ado, here’s some hints and tips to consider when you’re planning your road trip.

Plan Your Route

This is probably the most obvious point that could be made to someone planning a road trip but you’d be surprised at the amount of people who just have a destination in mind and hit the road without planning anything else. If you’re not travelling alone then it’s also worth considering that you’re going to have passengers with you and you need to consider their welfare too.

Before you head out on your journey, plan and map out your route and how you’re going to get to your destination before you leave. Have a set route in mind and also consider two or three alternative routes just in case you hit road works or delays along the way.

Check and Prep Your Car

Your car is obviously going to be one of, if not the most important part of this road trip for obvious reasons. Before you head out on the road, you should ensure that you carry out a few pre-trip checks to ensure that you’re not going to be hitting problems when you’re on your journey. These checks can save you both time and money which is important when you’ve got somewhere to be by a certain date and you’re on a limited budget.

1. Windscreen Wash

This may not seem all that important but when you’re going to be driving long distance, you’re almost certain to experience different kinds of weather on your route. It’s no good setting off on a nice sunny day and thinking that it’s going to be like that for the whole of your trip. There’s a chance you’ll hit rain eventually and driving through different terrains will mean that your car gets dirty and of course, so will your windscreen so if you’ve no way of cleaning it whilst you’re driving you could end up in a spot of bother.

2. Check Your Lights

This kind of goes without saying. You’re going to need some of the lights on your car, without doubt. Maybe not your headlights as you might be planning no night time trips but things like your reversing lights and your indicators you use on almost every journey you go on. Of course, if you’re going to be driving at night you will need your lights so it’s worthwhile that you check your headlights, full beam, fog lights and so on as these will come in handy during your trip if you’re travelling anywhere after dark.

3. Check Your Tyres

Another one that really should go without saying as your tyres, aside from your engine, are probably the part of your car that take the biggest beating during any use of your vehicle. You should know that the minimum legal tread depth limit for your tyres in the UK is 1.6mm and less than that can you land you in hot water with the authorities. It’s worth checking that you have the right tyre pressure too, you can ensure this is correct at a local garage. Having the wrong tyre pressure can lead to poor fuel efficiency, more wear on the tyres and perhaps worst of all, if you’re on a long journey, you can suffer from poor handling.

Budget, Budget, Budget!

Even though driving may be cheaper than catching a flight to your destination (if that’s even possible), there’s plenty of things that you should consider as a part of your budget as there’s nothing worse than setting out with X amount of money and soon realising that you’re running short much quicker than you anticipated. You should ensure that you’ve included things like food and accommodation in your budget too as you’re going to have eat and sleep on this trip, right?

On top of the staple things that we mentioned above, it’s worth setting some money aside to cover just in case of an emergency. There’s so many things that could happen, especially to your car, such as getting a blow out on your car tyres or, if you haven’t got a sufficient amount of oil in your car before you set off, you could find that you’re driving along one day and bam, your engine will seize up. Things like this need to be considered in your budget too as they aren’t cheap!

Try and Save Cash

This one is kind of a given, really. You don’t want to go all out on your road trip. You’ve planned your route, you’ve sorted your budget, that doesn’t mean that you should start splashing the cash on unnecessary things when you’re on the road. Just think, you go under budget for a full week and get by, you’ve got more money the week after and so on and so forth.

One thing to bear in mind too is the weight that you’re transporting in the car. Obviously your weight and that of any passengers is set but extra weight on top of that will reduce your fuel efficiency. The lighter your ride, the further she’ll glide.

Prep for the Return Trip

This is the one bit that almost everyone on a road trip won’t be looking forward to. That doesn’t mean that it’s not something you shouldn’t prepare for though and the first thing that you should do is to carry out a quick check on your car. Safety, as it should have been through the whole trip already, is just as important for your return leg home. Inspect your car, your tyres, your oil and various other things to ensure that you’re not missing something that could put you in any immediate danger.

After this, it’s important that you clean your car out. Well, it’s maybe not that important but it’s something that you’ll thank yourself for when you get back home and you’re tired out and don’t have to face the thought of tidying out your car after how many days/weeks/months on the road.

Posted in General | February 27, 2017 

Posted in General | January 31, 2017 

There are so many things to consider when buying a new car that it can often leave the process feeling less exciting and more stressful. Whether you are going out to car yards to find the perfect one for you, or going through a company like Australian Auto Brokers Cars and Co to help you with it all, it can still be a really confusing time.

However, that doesn’t mean that you should just settle on second best just to get it over with. If you are having trouble trying to focus on what to look for in your next car then don’t stress.

Here are 5 things you should consider when looking to buy a new car.

Mileage

A decent car can normally get to 100ks without any serious damage happening to it, but once it is over that mark that is when you should start paying real attention to how much mileage a car has. The higher the number, the more it has been used which means the car could have fallen victim to some wear and tear, try to keep the numbers low on your car so you are not faced with spending any more money once the car is bought.

Age

As with any other piece of technology or useful item, cars can be damaged by old age.

The older the car is, the more it will have been used. If the car has been well taken care of; it very well may last for many more years, however a careless or reckless owner in the past could cause it to have some issues. Try to keep the car a little younger, or at least buy off somebody who knows about the vehicle’s history so you know what you are getting yourself into.

Previous damage

When buying a new car, make sure you talk to the owner or seller about any previous damages to the car, if the car has any old issues, they may arise during your ownership and cause you to spend more money than it’s worth. Knowing the history of the vehicle is always a plus when looking to buy. A car with some old damages does not mean that you should not buy it, especially if it was taken care of, it just means you will have to be more cautious and prepared for any incidents that MAY occur.

Price

Before you accept the price for what it is, see what people are paying for the exact same car at other places, you could find a cheaper version of the car elsewhere. If you are set on that specific one, you may be able to use the cheaper cars as a way to get the price down.

Finding out about the history before you make any transactions can also help you with the price. If the car has been in any serious crashes or has had any issues in the past, you may be able to bring the price down using that information.

Fuel Economy

When buying a car it is always  good idea to find out how much fuel the car uses.

If it uses a lot, then it may end up costing you more in the long run to drive it. Try finding a car that is good with fuel which can end up helping you save money.

When buying a car you need to make sure it’s perfect for you. Whether you want to take it camping or just simply to get you to and from work, don’t overlook any details when finding your perfect vehicle