Carry Out A Three-Point Turn

A driving manoeuvere that takes place during a UK driving Test is called a three point turn. (Now called a turn in the road). The candidate is asked by the DSA examiner to turn the vehicle around to face the opposite direction. It must be remembered that doing a three point turn in the road in a vehicle for a lot of people can be stressful.

Lots of practice should be completed before doing this on the day of the driving test. These directions should help you remember.

Selecting a safe place

When practicing a three-point turn, select a safe and lawful place to make this manoeuvre. The road should have good visibility and be quiet. Also wide enough for your car and within your capability. Remember you must not inconvenience or endanger any other road users.

The first thing that must be remembered when doing this manoeuvre is to use your mirrors to check the speed and position of following traffic before the car slows down. Also check the traffic to the front and any possible blind spots. Then you can bring the car to a stop.

When slowing down is important to give an indicator signal if necessary to warn and inform other road users, it should not be carried out if there are vehicles waiting to merge from driveways or side roads. The signal must be only turned on after passing these hazards.

Slow down and steer gently to the left when approaching the curb. With your right foot lightly press the brake pedal, increasing the pressure as the car slows down. Make final steering adjustments as necessary. You should stop close to and parallel to the kerb. Just before stopping, press the clutch pedal down fully and then secure the car with the parking brake, select neutral and release the clutch pedal. Make an all round visual check for pedestrians, children playing and any street furniture such as lamp posts and wheelie bins.

The three-point turn procedure

First step

Assess the road width and camber and then prepare the car to move off. In first gear look and check all around the car, always check the mirrors and all blind spots before turning. If needed, wait until the road is clear and if safe to do so use the clutch biting point to move forward slowly. As soon as the car moves, steer briskly to the right and try to achieve full right lock before reaching the centre of the road.

When carrying out a three point turn keep a good look out for other road users and at the crown of the road don't forget to check the traffic flow in both directions when turning. Move gently to the far side of the road and when close to the right hand kerb, steer briskly to the left, push the clutch pedal down and gently brake before the car bumps or overhangs the kerb. If necessary apply the parking brake.

Second step

Prepare to move off in reverse gear, look and check all around the car, then start by looking over the left shoulder out of the rear window and reverse slowly. During this part of the three-point turn keep a good lookout for other road users and at the crown of the road check the traffic flow in both directions, continuing to look briefly out of the rear window over the left shoulder, then look right towards the left hand kerb. Steer briskly to the right, push the clutch pedal down and gently brake before the car bumps or overhangs the kerb. If necessary apply the parking brake.

Third step

Prepare the car to move off in first gear. At this stage in the three-point turn always check the mirrors and all blind spots before turning. If needed, wait until the road is clear and if safe to do so, use the clutch biting point to move forward slowly. As soon as the car moves, steer briskly to the right. When clear of the kerb check all mirrors and drive on if safe to do so.

Safety and control

If not clear of the kerb, repeat the second and third steps. Most new drivers make a common mistake in not steering briskly enough when doing a three point turn. The width of the road may also make it necessary to carry out several turns before it is safe to drive on.

Keep looking all around all the time you are carrying out a three-point turn. Be particularly aware of pedestrians. Always allow other road users the opportunity to get past you if they wish to do so. Keep the clutch at or near the biting point. Use the clutch, footbrake and gas pedals according to the camber on the road.

Stan Ashton is a UK Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor (car) and Pass Plus instructor with a diploma in adult learning and teaching. A member of the Driving Instructors Association, He has a very successful York driver training school.

Enhance Dealer Profitability

As dealers continue to see their margins on new and used vehicle sales dwindle, an often underutilized area of profitability is the F&I department. Making sure the F&I department has a full complement of products, and the training to market and sell these products, will generate additional revenue with only minimal additional costs.

The importance of a skilled F&I manager cannot be overemphasized. That is why a dealer must have the right person in the position and not attempt to fill the role with the dealership's sales staff. An analogy can be made that the F&I manager is like a closer in baseball - a specialist with a unique talent. The unique talent is being able to sell something intangible to the customer. Commonly, the F&I manager presents the products as enhancements and safeguards to the customer's new investment. In that light, the customer believes that the F&I manager is looking out for their best interests.

In almost all cases, the F&I manager is one of the last dealership employees with whom the customer will interact. The impression he/she leaves can have a dramatic impact on the dealership's customer satisfaction index. It is imperative that the members of the F&I department are aware of this and conduct themselves accordingly. In some instances, the F&I manager can be so focused on the sale of the products that other aspects of the job are ignored. As "the closer," he needs to ensure that all paperwork is prepared and completed according to the dealership's policies and that everything is in order for a smooth delivery to the customer. In terms of the sales process, this is often the final impression your dealership makes on a customer. A customer who leaves having a bad experience could not only cost the dealership future vehicle sales, but also the loss of service business.

Since F&I employees are most often paid on commission, they are always confronted with the temptation of selling in what may be perceived as a less than ethical means. It is essential that all F&I employees are made aware of their responsibility to always act in a lawful, professional and ethical manner. The dealer must make certain that the F&I department is properly trained in all aspects of their position. Dealers should inquire of their F&I vendors of any free training they may offer.

The benefits that a capable F&I department provides are numerous. The dealership will experience an increase in profitability, provide a pleasurable buying experience which can generate future sales and, in the case where the dealer owns a reinsurance company, also generate additional income.

Under 17 Driving Lessons

Under 17 driving lessons are being offered to youngsters in order to better prepare them for full driving lessons once the reach the required legal age to drive of 17. These lessons usually take place in a safe controlled environment on off road courses however, if they choose to, students can choose to have on road lessons.

There are many advantages to learning how to drive under the age of 17. Here is a list of the top 5:

1. It prepares students for the more intense driving they will experience when they take lessons at the age of 17. It also teaches them the responsibility that comes with learning how to drive, showing how driving can be a dangerous activity and how a car can be a lethal weapon.

2. Teaches students how to control the car and builds up their awareness before they have to drive with the worry of traffic. This lessens the chances of a student causing a accident during a lesson because they're fearful of traffic as they are inexperienced.

3. As the lessons are taken without the presence of traffic the students are not distracted or unnerved and pick up the basic skills immediately saving many hours of learning when they do take to the road to start learning how to drive properly.

4. The Driving Standards Agency estimates that the average amount for a learner to pass their driving test is £1500. As discussed above taking under 17 driving lessons means hours of driving on road are vastly reduced because the learner already has the basic skills and this ultimately reduces the overall cost of getting a drivers license by a substantial amount.

5. As students are taking under 17 driving lessons it means they are better equipped for the road when they take their driving lessons at 17 and so pass quicker. This means higher first time pass rates and has been proven with some students being reported to pass their driving test a few months after turning 17 after taking a few lessons on the road to build awareness.

Driving instructors are aware that young students are vulnerable and need more security when behind the wheel of a car and so have extra precautionary measures set in place to ensure their safety and security whilst under their instruction. Special insurance policies are also put into place just for the under 17 learners which cover all accidents and damage which could occur. Any parents that may want to watch their children take their lessons are usually catered for by the driving school who set up designated waiting areas from which parents can watch lessons take place.

Under 17 driving lessons are not only available to just the under 17s but also available to anyone over the age of 14 and is good introduction, especially for nervous drivers who want to gain experience in a less pressured environment.

Changes in Braking Technology Made Cars Safer

A lot of families remember their parents' Chevy Impala that was half a block long and took about that much room to stop when the brakes were pressed. With that memory in mind, people are glad today's technology provides better stopping power, considering that every member of the family has a car. This is often, sadly, necessary in order to finance the future of the family. So every family is grateful that their kids' cars will safely brake when necessary when the kids are distracted by various things, such as waving at passing friends, text alerts on their phones or loud music on the MP3 player.

Automobile makers have built into their cars safety features centered on braking. More cars are on the road than ever before, they travel faster than ever before as well as driving greater distances to get to jobs, schools and vacations. Distractions are more intense, so drivers sometimes need extra help stopping their cars when approaching deadlocked traffic, slick roadways from rain and ice or getting out of the way of emergency vehicles. With all that in mind, anti-locking brakes were invented. That technology helped, but then, just as phones got smarter, so did braking systems.

Insurance Companies

No insurance company wants to pay out for an accident, so they offer discounts when clients use vehicles with safety measures built in, such as airbags and child safety features. In 2010, Nissan introduced Forward Collision Avoidance Assist Concept. This is, basically, a smart chip inserted behind the car's front bumper which senses and records the distance of things in front of the car. It then releases pressure on the gas pedal and applies it to the brakes slowly until the driver notices the alerts going off inside the car and safely brakes to a stop. Doesn't this sound like just the thing to protect our young drivers?

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

NHTSA, working hand in hand with Congress, has helped auto makers refine what Toyota and Honda call Brake Override. Brake override is another smart chip-type thing, in which the car senses when the gas and brake pedals are being pressed simultaneously and steps in to stop the car safely. People who drive race cars, for example, use one foot for the clutch and the other foot for the gas and brake pedals, heel-and-toe style. This smart chip senses that and safely brakes the car to a stop. BMW was the first to use this technology, but as the movement toward safety gathers momentum, people can expect to see all auto makers building these innovations into their cars.

The Year of Green Cars

With the awareness of federal regulations on car safety features in addition to financial awareness in the form of auto insurance companies' regulations comes auto makers conforming to the collective view of the future. 2012 cars will not only be fuel efficient but safety conscious. Models such as the Ford Focus along with the Hyundai Accent will combine brake override or brake assist with electronic brake distribution, in which the smart chip senses which wheel is banking into a steep turn then redistributes power to all wheels to prevent a skid. These innovative technologies will prevent brake dust and particles from causing emissions, which will make for a greener experience for the people not breathing in the stuff.

The Top Cars Of 2011

Just like in the fashion world, street rods change every year. Car shows are similar to that of a fashion week for retail fashion. These cars not only include sophistication and style, but also the comfort and creativity the car manufactures put into their design work.

We have to admit, the previous year was a challenge to the car manufacturing industry because of the economic problems, but this year there is hope that it will thrive, just like what it did during the two world wars and the depression.

Consumers are not only looking for warranty, insurance, performance or even brand. They are now after the design, the creativity and the uniqueness of the car. Because of that rising competition, street rods are becoming like fashion statements and even get celebrity endorsers to promote the products

Career-wise, this is the best time to be a car designer for every car manufacturer is out to get and hire the best and creative designers. Notice the cars of late have front grilles like that of an Audi, not only for circulation and ventilation, but also for style.

So, what constitutes as a top car for 2011? One can consider the design, performance and the trend of the car as good check points. It can be an electric or solar powered car as well. It can also be the hybrid and the classic coupe, even Kia's Picanto takes the center stage for being considered a top car.

Street rods that can run on battery power can be the best contender for the top car for 2011. Family vehicles or SUVs come into the picture too. Don't forget the famous pick-up truck or even a trusty sedan to join in this rambunctious gallery of best cars for the year. With a lot of categories to choose from, one must be having a hard time picking what would be the top street rod for 2011.

Regardless of the critics praising or ranting about a certain street rod, the consumer will still be able to decide for them self what would be the best and the top car for 2011.

Even the high-end companies are seriously looking at manufacturing a car that has the same quality and yet meet the standards and the demand of the consumer. Not only are there advances in technology and engineering but also be on the lookout for better and sleeker cars in the years to come. If you're an avid fan of movies and action heroes, you might want to take a look at the cars they drive on the big screen to see for yourself what is to come.

Still undecided what would be the top car of 2011? Cable television already has a channel dedicated to cars and has so many shows that address the needs of fans. They also have shows that present hosts test driving cars and give feedback on the good or bad points. At the end of the day, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing the top car. What matters most is how the car lives up to its performance, quality, power, after sales assistance, warranty, technology and even the price.

If the consumer is satisfied with all that, then it can be considered the top car of 2011.

Getting Stranded For A Dead Battery

Have you ever found yourself needing to hop into your car and get to an appointment only to find it won't start? Your battery is dead. Doesn't it always seem to happen at the most inconvenient times? There are things you could (and should) do to avoid that dilemma.

In your owner's manual, there is typically a chart describing the routine service and maintenance that you should do on a regular basis. You may be slightly skeptical of these figures thinking that they are designed to get you into the shop more frequently.

In fact, cars are made better now, so the mileage requirements for changing the oil or getting a tune up have been modified... lengthened. So take a look at your manual and stick to a plan for regular maintenance.

Talk To Your Dealership

We suggest that you go to a reputable dealer for care, because the good ones will perform a thorough inspection -- often a 128 point check. And they'll do it every time. They can tell you if things are in good shape or if there is something in the vehicle that is in a yellow condition (which means it's "OK, but watch it"). Sometimes they may say a part is in red condition. That is when you need to replace it immediately. Imagine not knowing something like this. Of course you want to know when there is a serious problem, particularly if it is safety related.

Five Ways To Keep Your Battery Going

1. Get a load test on the battery. This is a process to put a demand on the system and measure its response. Do this frequently ... at least every six months or 3K to 5K miles, whichever is less. This will tell you how strong your battery is.

2. Check the corrosion on the battery terminals each time you're in the garage. Once corrosion occurs your car may randomly fail to start because the electrical contact is lost between the battery and the cable.

3. Pay more attention to the battery during the cold weather. The life of the battery is affected dramatically when the temperature goes down because they require more cranking amps in cold weather, reducing cranking power as much as 35%.

4. Be careful to turn off head lights, the radio and the inside lights. A continual drain on your battery shortens its life. Leaving the lights and radio on pulls heavily on the battery each time you start the car.

5. Make sure you have the proper rated replacement battery for the vehicle. In other words, don't be penny-wise and pound foolish and get stuck somewhere. The battery has to handle the draw load for the electronics of your vehicle. To use a battery that is not a proper match for your vehicle will reduce its life.

BOTTOM LINE? The more savvy you are about automobiles, the safer you will be and the more money you can save!

Top Brands of Wax For Your Car

If you are serious about detailing your car, you know how hard it can be to find high-quality waxes for your car's exterior. This seems to be true because some products have such a gritty texture that they are difficult to use on your vehicle. Moreover, other products are so thick that they are almost impossible to apply evenly without leaving a mess.

Thankfully, there are many brands of high-quality car wax that are easy to use that produce marvelous results each time you use them.

To see what we mean, here are brief reviews for ten car wax products that we recommend for your detailing needs.

--Turtle Wax:

This old stand-by still is highly recommended because it still produces great results cheaply. This is the case because Turtle Wax contains a blend of clarified carnauba waxes and other ingredients to produce a long-lasting shine that won't fade in extreme weather conditions. In addition, its smooth consistency allows users to apply the product evenly effortlessly.

--Black Magic:

Black Magic products are available online and in many auto parts stores. They have won many Consumer Reports awards for quality because they use a unique blend of conditioning ingredients and waxes to produce a deep shine that is UV-resistant.

We recommend using Black Magic's liquid wax products on vehicles that need extra TLC to look their best because the products' viscosity is just the thing for polishing the exteriors of neglected vehicles.

--Griot's:

The Griot family of products can be found online at any good auto detailer website. They include liquid and paste products. These products blend high-quality waxes and paint sealants that create a deep shine that is weather-proof, long-lasting, and easy to maintain.

We especially recommend using the spray-on liquid wax products for routine maintenance after completing a major detail project because you can quickly touch up the appearance of your vehicle's exterior with just a few sprays.

--Duragloss Total Performance Products:

Recent improvements to synthetic wax products have made many brands such as Duragloss worth a close look for your detailing needs.

We like Duragloss liquid products for major detailing projects because the products' combination of synthetic waxes and other polymers create a crystal-clear shine that rivals what you'd find in a dealer's showroom.

We also like these products because it's easy to pour them right out of the bottle. As a result, it's easy to pour only the amount of the product needed to finish the job without making a mess.

--SONAX(r) Nano Technology Liquid Wax Products:

We recommend SONAX products for your detailing needs because the micro particles of carnauba wax used to create these products penetrate deeply in to the surface of a vehicle's exterior to produce a super high-gloss finish that is pleasing to the eye.

---Finish Kare 2685 Pink Wax:

This product is a unique blend of natural waxes and synthetic sealants. It is recommended for touch-up work because its sealants do a tremendous job protecting vehicles against UV-rays and extreme weather conditions. Moreover, we like this product's versatility on fiberglass, metal and glass surfaces.

--3-M Perfect-It Show Car Liquid:

This product is made out of 100% synthetic waxes that have been blended together with other polymers to produce a liquid product that is great for major detailing projects.

We recommend this product because the waxes in it produce a showroom-like finish that's durable and beautiful. In addition, we also like its consistency because it lets users pour the product inside a buffing machine easily.

--Mothers FX Synwax Paste:

If you are leery about using synthetic car wax products, why not try this newest product from the Mothers family of car care products? This wax has a smooth consistency, a high tolerance for heat, and ingredients that produce great results the first time around. Look for it at auto stores and car detailing supply websites around the country.

--Meguiar's QUIK WAX® Spray-on Waxes:

These products are recommended because they produce a glossy shine with just a few quick sprays and a few minutes of elbow grease. They are easy to apply and easy to wipe off with a terrycloth.

--Jax Wax Cherry Wax:

Finally, this liquid-based product does a fantastic job removing light rust stains, dirt and dust quickly to produce a "wet shine" that is hard to beat. Users will also like how easy it is to pour the product on to a cloth.

Why GPS Has Made Driving Safer

Global Positioning Systems or GPS were initially used in military vehicles and luxury cars. Today many manufacturers are making them available in their normal cars. A GPS shows you the way from point A to Point B providing several possible routes to choose from. It is also used to avoid traffic jams at rush hour and many other features.

The original global positioning systems were very large and cumbersome. When using it in a city or place completely unknown to you, it was necessary to stop every so often and check the coordinates on the GPS. This took time and extra effort on your part, they were not very good but eventually they got you to your destination. Modern systems are nothing like the original systems, today they even speak to you.

Before the GPS it was necessary for a person to stop in a gas station, buy a map and follow what they believed would be the shortest route to his or her destination. Many times due to the fact that these people were strangers to the area they were driving in, they would suddenly find themselves in traffic jams or in even worse situations like dangerous parts of town. When this happened it was necessary to stop, sometimes at night, under a street light to study the map and find your way around.

These days are gone, today drivers using GPS have to program it before taking off and all they do from them on is listen to the instructions it will give. You listen to them you do not look at them. It was determined some time ago that an accident could occur in a second so GPS were designed with a voice to give you instructions. In fact, today every road in America and every address can be found using a GPS. This makes travelling easier and definitely safer.

Another great feature is that when you program your initial destination, the GPS will give you several options which you can choose from. Each route chosen by the system will tell you the distance you will drive and also an estimate on the time of arrival. This will give you the option of taking the straightaway road or the scenic road to wherever you are going. It will also let you know if you will be going through any dangerous areas which you should avoid. These are other safety features.

By using the distance information the system gives you it is also possible for you to calculate your gas. If you do not believe that you have enough gas to get wherever you are going, fill it up, this will prevent you from making any unscheduled stops in dangerous or lonely places on the road. Most GPS are also programmed to give you the weather report on route and in the place where you are going. This is information you will get when programming it, not on the road, this information allows you to choose the right clothing and to be prepared for special driving conditions.

It is great to use even in your own home town, it will let you know where the traffic jams are and how to take alternate routes. It will also help you to arrive on time to your appointments and meetings. All you have to do is check the estimated time of arrival and you will know how much time you have before having to start the trip so you will get there punctually. Remember to always leave a few additional minutes for any problem or emergency on the way. The GPS is giving you an estimate of the time, not an exact time of arrival. This is another safety feature that will serve you well, if you organize your time, you will not have to race all over town to get somewhere in time. GPS should be installed in every car, by law, the benefits it provides are innumerable and they include, saving time, gas and the most important is to increase the driver and passenger's safety.

Picking A Classic Car Shipping Service

One of the challenging parts of being a classic car owner is when you need to transport your vehicle across the country to a show or competition. In most cases, driving the car is not a solution, so you will need to hire a car shipping service to take care of it for you. However, this means leaving one of your most prized possessions in the hands of someone else. So you obviously want to pick a company that you can trust with your classic car or truck.

Experience is one of the first things you should look for in the shipping company. You will want to choose a company who was been around for many years and has plenty experience shipping unique cars and trucks. They should be able to provide you with a long list of former customers who were satisfied using their service. If they cannot, then you should consider looking else where. There is much more that goes into shipping a classic car, than a normal car and the company should be able to prove without a doubt that they are capable of doing so.

They should also offer enclosed shipping carriers. You will not want your vehicle exposed to bad weather during the move, so make sure enclosed carriers are an option. In addition, many of the quality companies have temperature controlled trailers. If you prefer to have your car shipped on a single carrier, you should request that.

Also make sure to check and see what type of insurance is provided. Some companies don't provide any insurance at all and you will have to pay for it separately. While others will provide only up to a certain amount. Find out exactly what the company will cover to avoid any costly mistakes.

Another thing to look for is GPS Tracking so that you can tell exactly where your vehicle is at all times. In addition, the company should be willing to communicate with you frequently to give you updates on your car's arrival status. The service should also provide drivers who are well trained.

As always, you will want to try and get the best price you can. Get quotes from the companies that you have found that you can trust. That being said, you don't want to just hire the cheapest service and end up with a company that doesn't provide adequate service for you and your car.