Auto News Archives

What To Do If Your Car Breaks Down

December 4, 2018 by Andrew Mrozinski

Driveways, Motorways, Minor Roads & Dual Carriageways

In the Real World, things don’t always go to plan. Liberty Insurance get that, that’s why they’re here to help when things get real. In the first of their Real World Blog series, we look at the measures you need to take in the unfortunate event of a breakdown.

Most drivers don’t expect a breakdown, but the essential thing to bear in mind in these situations, is to stay safe. Be sure to contact your breakdown service provider right away.

Here are a few simple tips to keep you, your passengers and other road users safe when your car breaks down.

Motorways & Dual Carriageways

By far the trickiest place to suffer a car breakdown is on a motorway or dual carriageway, particularly if you are in the outside or overtaking lane when the issue happens. The RSA has a list of recommendations which we’ve listed below;

If you can, pull into the hard shoulder as soon as possible. Put your hazard lights and your side lights on and then point your front wheels away from the road.
If you have a visibility vest, wear it. Visibility vests are relatively cheap and don’t take up much storage space so it’s a good idea to get a few and leave them in the car.
Exit your vehicle on the left hand side, away from the traffic on the road. Be safe and stay away from the fast moving cars on the other side! Make your way up the embankment and if there is a barrier, climb over it if possible. You and your passengers should stay well away from the hard shoulder.
Don’t attempt to make any repairs on the car, no matter how small they seem to be. Plenty of people have warning triangles in their car, BUT you should not attempt to place this behind your car on the motorway. There will be cars speeding by and it’s risky to even attempt it.
Call the local authorities. If you do this from your mobile phone, they will need to know your location. If you use one of the roadside SOS phones on the motorway network, they will automatically know your location. Next contact your breakdown service.
If the repair services can get you back up and running there and then, that’s great but be very careful when it comes to re-joining the motorway. You’ll need to build up your speed on the hard shoulder before merging into traffic. Be aware too though that other vehicles may have stopped on the hard shoulder.
If for some reason you are unable to follow the above advice, you should stay in your vehicle with your safety belt securely fastened and switch on your hazard lights. Then, as above, call 999 and wait for assistance. You should also contact your breakdown service provider to let them know.

National, Secondary & minor roads

If you break down on any road smaller than a motorway, you’ll need to do things a little differently to make sure you remain safe throughout. Again, we’ve taken the advice of the RSA to give you the best information on how to handle the situation.

If you can, pull over to a safe place. Some national roads have a hard shoulder, but if there isn’t one, pull over as far left as you can.
Turn on your hazard lights and if the light is poor or visibility is low, turn on your side lights also.
Although the cars will be passing a little slower than those on the motorway, you should still only get out of your car on the left hand side of the road. Again, it’s better to be safe out there in the real world, so avoid those unnecessary dangers and prevent any issues occurring.
Put on your high visibility vest and place your Red Warning Triangle 50 metres behind your car to alert oncoming traffic.
In contrast to actions on the motorway, no matter where on the road you breakdown, be it in the middle of the road in town or out on a narrow country road, you should get back in your car once you’ve put out your triangle. That’s the safest place to be.
Once in your car, ring the Gardaí for assistance and then call your breakdown service provider to let them know.

Even experienced drivers might not know the above protocols for what to do if you breakdown, but now that you’ve familiarised yourself with them, you’re ready for any breakdown. All Liberty car insurance policies come with 24/7 breakdown assistance with Home Start as standard and it won’t affect your no claims bonus.

A Soft Goodbye To The Old Muscle Cars, A Hard Hello To The Cadillac CTS-V

October 24, 2018 by Andrew Mrozinski

Guys, let’s face it, we all love our muscle cars. We love the looks, the superchargers, turbochargers, and the exhilarating sound. Truthfully, guys who are into muscle cars most likely know of other guys with muscle cars. Aside from being attention-grabbing, muscle cars also very fun to restore. Cars, muscle cars in particular, can be an extension of the owner. They can also portray power and aggression, which is a popular reason for so many people choosing to drive them. However, with all the fun in the restoration process and portrayal of masculinity, eventually people’s maturity will surpass their muscle car passion. There’s no issue with owning a muscle car as a project, but sooner or later it won’t be as fun to daily drive one.

In this case, guys should really consider the Cadillac brand by visiting a Cadillac dealership and checking out their impressive lineup. Every aspect of Cadillac’s lineups, from the interior design, innovative safety features, groundbreaking performance, and overall aesthetic appeal is crafted with perfection. Many may not be aware, but the 2017 Cadillac XTS was featured in “Wardsauto” top 10 best interior list. Inside of the Cadillac vehicles, owners can experience the touch screen QUE system, with seamless connectivity, responsive intelligent design, and natural voice recognition. Everyone will appreciate the craftsmanship inside of a Cadillac vehicle from their hand-finished refinement.

There is a reason why Cadillac has been around for over a century, they know quality. By offering premium quality at competitive prices, Cadillac understands how to give the consumer the best bang for their buck. Additionally, by being around for so long, Cadillac still knows safety better than any other automaker with their advanced V2V safety technology. While leading the charge for the future of driving safety, Cadillacs are packed with the newest and latest safety features. Some of those include blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic braking. Some of the new Cadillacs, such as the CT6, are considered to be a testament to state-of-the-art engineering.

Guys that are still looking to enjoy the performance aspect of driving should consider the Cadillac V lineup. Being around for over a dozen years now, the V series continues to impress in ways other manufacturers just can’t. With a massive 6.2L supercharged V-8 engine packing 640hp and 630ft-lb of torque, the Cadillac CTS-V sedan packs more power than you’ll ever need. Accelerating from 0 to 60mph in just 3.7 seconds, it is faster than their competitor BMW M4 and Mercedes AMG lineup. Additionally, Cadillac is equipped with ultimate precision magnetic ride control and traction management, which reads the road up to 1,000 times per second and automatically adapts to changing road and weather conditions, unlike conventional suspensions. The suspension and control is transferred to the driver through a thickly wrapped steering wheel sculpture and wrapped in leather, or available microfiber suede for easy grip and ultimate control. Keeping the driver secure includes the addition of a comfortable Ricardo performance seat which offers 18-way adjustability, slip-resistant microfiber suede inserts, and aggressive bolsters that cradle the driver’s body during hard cornering. Of course, with all of that power, drivers need to be able to stop the vehicle. This is why Cadillac specifically designed six-piston front, and four-piston rear fixed caliper Brembo brakes with vented rotors for powerful braking every time.

Cadillac’s supercar-like performance brings the ultimate driving experience to the driver, while keeping the luxurious aspects and features of a luxury car. Aside from being gorgeous, the Cadillac CTS-V carries no decorative parts. Every part of the vehicle is functional, from the pillars to the carbon fiber weight saving grills. Everything internally about the V-series Cadillac is derived from the powerful Corvette Z06 series, with 2 extra comfortable seats. The exhilarating sound of this vehicle is also all pure, unlike the electronically recorded sound of the BMW M5, the Cadillac’s rumble is sure to put a smile on the driver’s face, and some intimidation as well. There are so many reasons to drive a Cadillac aside from groundbreaking performance and sophisticated luxury superior to many. It’s like love at first drive when you get in this super comfortable, yet scary performance machine, every time.

Car Insurance Tips for New Drivers

September 21, 2018 by Andrew Mrozinski

One of the most exciting and freeing feelings people know today is the independence that comes when they first become fully qualified to drive. Whether it’s at age 17 or 70 when you first get that shiny, full license your mind will immediately be drawn to going on that first driving adventure. Of course, that license isn’t the only thing you need to be road legal; there’s also road tax and insurance that you’ve got to worry about. By visiting a site like familymoney.com, you can out information about how to tax your car. However, if you aren’t insured then you could find yourself in many different forms of trouble so making sure you’re covered should be a top priority if you are just getting started out as a new driver. Luckily, we’ve got some top tips and information tidbits to help you get your first insurance policy to go with your first car.

Speaking of That First Car

The first thing that is worth considering when looking to take out your first car insurance policy is the car you’ll be driving will have a direct impact on what kind of quote you will be given for that policy. Simply put, if you opt for a fast sports car over something safer and more reliable like a five-door hatchback you can expect an insurance agency to see you as more of a risk, and there for charge you more for their coverage. Shop sensibly, do your research, and choose function over fashion when it comes to buying your first vehicle.

Modifying the Car Modifies Your Car Insurance

Just like the car itself affects how your insurance shapes up what changes you make to that car will also directly impact what type of insurance coverage you could get, and of course how much it could cost. Even cosmetic changes like alloy wheels could run you the risk of increasing your premiums by hundreds of pounds, and that is without even thinking about those modifications that directly affect the performance of the car. Just think, do you really need to have a new body kit or have the suspension lowered?

Talk to Someone with Experience

This one is very simple and very useful. Just talk to a driver with more experience. You probably know a friend or relative who’s been on the road a few years, right? Ask them for a bit of insight into what they do to shed some costs off their insurance policy. Better yet you can speak to an expert who will know the ins and outs of what policies are available for you to choose from.

Be Sure Your Coverage is Right for You

It sounds self-explanatory, but it is arguably the most important thing we can advise any new drivers, but above all else make sure that the coverage you get is exactly right for you. You will have to get van insurance if you own one but you will want to only have to be paying for what you actually need and want on your policy. Again, it sounds obvious, but it is very easy to let the seemingly overwhelming options suffocate you into making a snap decision that leaves you paying far more than you really need to. This is why it might be a good idea to check out something like these van insurance brokers, this way you can get your insurance sorted as quickly as possible and get the best sort for you.

Tips To Finding The Best Mobile Auto Detailing Company For Your Car Needs

July 3, 2018 by Kenneth Wilson

Gone are the days when you would have to drive by an area in order to get your car cleaned. Today, there are now mobile auto detailing companies which can clean your car inside and out, in a place which is convenient for you. You don’t have to go anywhere because professional auto detailers will come to your place to get the job done. And you don’t have to worry about their services being half-baked because they’ll bring all the supplies they need such as generators and water tanks. Mobile auto detailing companies obviously saves you a lot of time and are very easy to hire – you just need to call them for an appointment and you’re good to go. But with the number of companies who can provide you this kind of service, do you know which one to choose?

Finding the best mobile auto detailing company for your car needs is important because one, your car is your investment and trusting this to an inexperienced company can affect its performance; and second, the services of a mobile auto detailing company doesn’t come cheap so you should always get your money’s worth. If you want to find the best mobile auto detailing company for your car needs, take note of the tips below:

Gathering referrals from people you know can help with your search: Finding a mobile auto detailing company can become a challenge if you don’t know where and how to start. And if you’re doing this for the first time, you might see yourself clueless on what to do first. If you’re in this kind of situation, call your friends and family for help. If you know any of them who hired a mobile auto detailing company in the past, ask them about their experience and which companies they trust and avoid. Their referrals can go a long way in your search.
The more services, the better: Out of the reasons why you want to hire a mobile auto detailing company, convenience will always be included in the list. You want to maintain the cleanliness of your car while being able to do a lot of things. However, you can never have convenience if you end up hiring a mobile auto detailing company which only offers limited services. You’ll only spend time jumping from one company to another, hoping that they can give you the services that you want. The variety of services offered by a mobile auto detailing company is vital. If you own a luxury car, ask if the mobile auto detailing company can handle the requirements of cleaning your car’s luxurious leather or windows. One very important thing to look out for is a company that can offer dust and fume extraction. Most high level companies submit to dust extraction testing to ensure that they can remove any specs of dust or fumes that are surrounding the cars when they begin to decontaminate and clean your vehicle. Any specs of dust that are rubbed into the car are likely to scratch and damage the paint work, making it a far harder task to fix your car after this has occurred.
The company’s track record can make a difference: The number of years a mobile auto detailing company has been doing business can speak a lot about their services. If a company has been operating for decades, you can be assured they’re already experienced and efficient in what they do. On the other side of the coin, hiring a mobile auto detailing company which is still new can be a risky decision. If they don’t know how to handle your car’s problems, they might end up damaging different parts of your car.
The cheapest fees don’t always mean the best bargain: Although hiring the “cheapest” company in your area might make your bank account happy, it’s not always the best choice. A mobile auto detailing company which offers low prices might have mediocre services and standard products. Hiring a company like this can only lead to more costs and stress in the long run. Hiring an overpriced mobile auto detailing company doesn’t guarantee superb services as well. Scout for options and compare companies within your area. If you’re living in Toronto for example, look for mobile car detailing in Toronto which has affordable service. Make sure you’re going to hire a company which can give you the services you need without breaking the bank.
Look for 24/7 services: You might need the services of a mobile auto detailing company during a busy weekend or a long holiday – who knows? As much as you want to create a monthly or weekly schedule, emergencies will be there. And the company you hire should be available during these times. This is one way of making sure that you’re getting the best value for your money.

Take Your Time

Some people would consider their car as their pride and joy, their baby even – and you could be one of these people. And with the time and money you’ve spent just to have one, no one can blame you. When looking for a mobile auto detailing company for your car needs, don’t jump to any rash decision. Doing this can only put your car’s value and performance on the line. Instead, take time and do your homework in looking for options. Compare their offerings and get in touch with these companies when needed. All of these precautions are necessary so you’ll end up finding the best mobile auto detailing company for your car needs!

Buying a Car Privately? Be Wary of Back Fees Owed to the DMV

June 14, 2018 by Andrew Mrozinski

No matter how much you love your current vehicle, at some point you’ll have to buy a new car or truck. This could because your previous vehicle broke down, or perhaps it no longer accommodates your lifestyle. For instance, if you own a two-door sports car and you just became a parent, you’ll need something a little more family friendly.

If you purchase a vehicle from a dealership, there’s not a whole to worry about. Dealerships offer warranties and can help you with registering your vehicle. Of course, this isn’t a free service, but it’s highly convenient. In many instances, you can drive off the lot with new plates already on the car.

However, suppose you find your ideal vehicle from a private seller. In this case, things can get more complicated.

Unreported Title Transfer Fees

When purchasing a vehicle from a 3rd party, a few precautionary measures are necessary. First, always take the vehicle for a test drive. Secondly, be sure to review any available service records.

Additionally, be wary if the name of the person selling the vehicle doesn’t match what’s on the registration or title. In a worst case, that individual decided not to pay any title transfer or other outstanding fees to put the vehicle in her or her name. What this means is that when you purchase the car or truck, you may have difficulty registering the vehicle, as you’re now responsible for these fees.

Here’s how this may have happened.

You go online and see that an individual named Robert has an SUV for sale. When Robert first purchased this SUV, he never transferred the vehicle to his name. After you paid Robert, you visit your local DMV branch to register the vehicle. You’re shocked to learn that you’re liable for paying two title transfer fees; one for transferring the vehicle to your name and the other for transferring the vehicle from the original owner(s) name to that of the seller.

To be fair, there could be a legitimate reason for this oversight.

Let’s say that Robert purchased the SUV and never transferred the title to his name in the required timeframe, which is different in each state. Most states require owners to report the change of ownership to the DMV within 10 days, but the vehicle should be registered within 30 days. Robert drives the vehicle for a month or two and decides he’s not happy with it, so he sells it. Because he didn’t register the vehicle, you have to pay for two title transfer fees.

How to Find Out if There Are Back Fees Owed to the DMV

Again, always make sure that the registration and title match the name of individual you’re purchasing the vehicle from. If everything matches, simply ask if there are any back fees owed to the DMV. However, even if the person seems trustworthy, you should still protect yourself.

Do a little investigating on your own by using a title transfer system to look up the fees. This can be done through a site such as DMV.com or simply by contacting your state’s DMV. States such as California have an online vehicle registration fee calculator where you type in the Vehicle License number and Vehicle Identification Number to determine the VLF you’ll need to pay upon registration.

Registering Your Vehicle

The next step is registering your vehicle.

While the requirements vary by state, you’ll generally need to submit the following at your local DMV:

Application form for vehicle title and/or registration, and bill of sale (There may also be additional documentation required; New York State, for example, requires drivers to provide proof of sales tax payment)

Proof of identity (driver’s license)
Proof of vehicle insurance (varies by state)
Payment for the applicable fees

Some states may also require that the vehicle pass an emissions test.

Before planning your trip to the DMV, visit your state’s motor vehicle website to find out the exact requirements for registering your vehicle.

The good news is that once you’ve successfully registered your vehicle the first time, it’s incredibly easy to renew your car’s registration. Just complete and return the registration renewal form in the mail, or fill it out online if applicable in your state. Depending on where you reside, you may be asked to provide your insurance policy number, driver’s license number, and Social Security Number, as well as the last four digits of the vehicle identification number (VIN). You’ll also have to pay the applicable fees.