Autumn is the time to get your car in shape for the harsh winter months ahead. Snow, rain, mud and salt can all degrade the finish of your car so now is the time to protect it.

Rain and snow both collect pollutants from the air as they fall to the ground and these end up as a thin film on your car when the water evaporates. This can cause damage if not cleaned off. Salt is corrosive and can ruin paintwork and chrome. If it binds with mud and sticks underneath the car it can also cause rust.

As autumn starts, you should check that your windscreen washer reservoir is topped up with a decent screen wash and adjust the concentration for winter conditions. The screen wash should contain anti-freeze to stop it solidifying when the temperature drops. Your wiper blades should also be in good condition and shouldn’t leave smears on the windscreen. You can put bags of silica gel under your seats to absorb excess water on the inside windows of your car.

Oil is important for keeping your car running smoothly and it needs checking and changing if necessary to keep the car properly lubricated.

It is also very important to check the condition of your tyres (including the spare) because you will need extra grip in the winter. The tread should be above the legal limit and any wear should be even. Tyre pressures should be at that recommended by the manufacturer.

With the reduced light in the winter it is extremely important to make sure that all of your lights are working before you get caught out. You will also need to check that your car is up to date with services and that your horn work properly.

Batteries take extra use in winter because of the increased power demand for de-misters and lights. Cold starts are more power-hungry because the car fluids are thicker in winter. Check that your battery contact terminals are clean and that you battery isn’t running too low. Replace if necessary.

If you don’t already have roadside assistance options to cover you for a break down, consider getting some, and if you do have some, make sure it is in date still. You don’t want to get stuck with no-one to help you.

A thorough wash and wax of your vehicle in the autumn will help protect it during the coming months. The wash will take off any pollutants already on your car and the wax will form a protective layer to keep the paintwork safe. There are plenty of car cleaning products about to get your car in good condition but don’t just opt for cheap options because your car is one of the most expensive things you will buy so deserves to be looked after properly.

When winter sets in, keep your car regularly washed, especially if you have driven on salted roads. Don’t forget to wash the wheels and undercarriage too. A hand wash is preferable to an automated wash but it is more important for the value of your car to remove pollutants than worry about minor scratches that can occur after visiting a car wash. Dry all seals thoroughly and if possible, keep the windows down and drive the car with the heater on full for a few minutes. You can also apply a trim product.

Ice on the car in the morning is a hassle but it is something that needs to be sorted out properly. Using boiling water is a definite no-no because the temperature difference can cause the glass to crack. Do not scrape ice from your paintwork either as this will cause scratches. Heated windows are OK to use, as is using a proper ice scraper. If you want to avoid the build up of ice in the fist place, either put your car in a garage or buy a car cover. When purchasing a car cover, make sure that the seams are on the outside to avoid scratches and only put on a clean, dry car, keeping cover and straps away from hot exhausts.

For winter journeys, it is a good idea to keep a blanket, shovel, first aid kit, small bag of sand (for traction), torch, high visibility jacket, wellies, warm clothing, gloves, hat, warning triangle and emergency food and drink in the car just in case. Also take a fully charged mobile phone with you so that you can call for help easily if you run into trouble.

Do not set out on your journey until your windows are free of ice and all snow has been removed. Many motorists fell foul of the law last year when they were stopped for still having snow on the roof of their car whilst they were driving – in the event of sudden braking the snow will fall on the windscreen, preventing you from seeing which is obviously dangerous. Failure to remove the snow can result in 3 points on your license and a £60 fine. Wipe snow off your car carefully though because it will have debris in it than can scratch the paintwork if taken off too forcefully.

Winter roads are more treacherous because of ice – both visible and ‘black ice’. In the unfortunate event of skidding on it, come off the accelerator and brakes and steer into the direction of the skid. When you have full tyre grip back, steer the way you want to go. To practice this technique in a safe environment you can book time at a skid pan.

Also watch out for freezing fog. Slow down, don’t drive too close to the car in front, and use fog lights when necessary. It helps to turn off the radio and open a window to listen out for other traffic.

Winter is the time that most damage can happen to your car and when driving conditions are at their worst but with proper car care, forward planning and safe driving, both you and you car should make it through the winter in good shape.

By Rebecca G Wishford.

If you are looking for quality car care products try Car Skin Winning Formulas. They do excellent detailing and car cleaning products.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Rebecca_G_Wishford/1094703

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6623439

The way we do business has changed dramatically over the past 10 years. More products and services are now being offered outside traditional premises. You no longer have to go to a bank to complete your transactions or home loan applications. Insurance brokers visit your home or office; retailers deliver products directly to your home. This change in distribution methodology has meant many of us now run a car-office.

While researching this change in business strategy, we interviewed several successful managers, executives and sales people who operate their business from their car-office. Karen Lasorda, Vice President for Corporate Business Development of Harleysville National Bank was a valuable source of information as she shared some of her winning strategies to ensure she is highly productive and able to meet her targets each month.

While there are many advantages of working from you car-office including flexibility, being truly accessible to your clients and being able to conduct multiple appointments in one day, a number of challenges were highlighted.

These included:

Having the correct information with you at the right time. A major challenge of people interviewed was being prepared for all situations – for all clients.

Being able to locate valuable information or resources – it is easy to lose things in a car-office.

Being unorganised. Many people have good intentions of getting organised however in a car-office environment, organisation is imperative.

If you find yourself in a car-office apply these tips to overcome these challenges and boost your productivity today:

Be self-motivated – this is seems like common sense but if you operate your business from your car-office you need to be highly motivated. It is easy to be distracted by shops (especially those stores having a sale!), interesting food outlets for a longer lunch, coffee or catch up with friends. You should enjoy the freedom of working from your car-office but also respect it as if you attended a traditional office.

Avoid eating in your car – don’t allow yourself to ‘eat on the run’. To be more productive you need to take adequate stretch and food breaks through the day. Enjoy your food, eat in a park, eat with a client or eat with your colleagues but avoid eating in your car. This will also help keep your car clean and smelling fresh.

Invest in an economical car – as you will be travelling many miles ensure you have good mileage and the car is efficient. This can be a costly expense to your business if you are spending unnecessary money on your vehicle.

Use a ‘week at a glance’ calendar – this valuable tool will help you plan your week and you can place this on the front seat of your car for easy viewing. This will enable you to respond to your clients needs quickly by knowing where you will be each week.

Prepare the night before – each night allocate 10 minutes to prepare for the next days activities. Determine what customer files, promotional materials, product samples and information you may need. This valuable investment of only 10 minutes each night will ensure a smooth and productive day tomorrow.

Allow an extra 10 minutes travel time – always add this extra 10 minutes to any travel plans you may have. If you think it will take you 20 minutes, allocate 30 minutes. This extra 10 minutes will be helpful if you have difficulty finding somewhere, encounter extra traffic or getting a parking space. This extra time allows you to arrive organised and not rushed. No one enjoys being late, always make a great impression with every appointment by arriving on time and feeling calm.

Keep a well-equipped glove compartment – have a good supply of items you may need on the road. This could include also pharmaceutical needs for headaches, minor scratches, tissues, throat lozenges and vitamins.

Keep a supply of stationary in your car – this includes spare notepads, blank paper, stamps, envelopes and thank you cards. Thank you cards allow you to quickly write a note to a new client and post the same day you have done business! This is a powerful way to be remembered by your clients.

Stock up on Business Cards – keep a good supply of business cards, brochures and letterhead in your car-office – you never know when you might find a new client or potential business opportunity.

Keep your trunk tidy – don’t forget that clients may sometimes see inside your trunk. Keep this area clean and organised. Take time each month to vacuum this area of your car and remove any trash.

Keep your files in the trunk – invest in an archive box or plastic container that will store up to 20 files. This will ensure all your valuable information is keep in a safe and secure place, out of sight and well organised if you need it.

Keep an emergency box – this plastic container could include bottled water, street directory/maps, first aid kit, and small umbrella. Women may also like to include items such as spare pantihose, nail files, sewing kits and safety pins.

Wash your car regularly – this includes inside and out. Your car-office also makes an impression with your clients. You may need to drive them somewhere or they meet you at your car-office. Always keep your car looking and smelling professional. Invest in regular car washes and clean the inside on a regular basis. If you don’t enjoy this task, consider outsourcing it; always keep your car tidy.

Carry bottled water in your car-office – we all know we should drink more water. Keep a supply of at least two bottles of water in your car so you are always hydrated and refreshed.

Find great coffee shops for meetings – seek out several locations where you can meet clients or potential customers that serve great coffee, are quiet and conducive to meetings and provide easy parking. Get to know the waiting staff and owners – develop relationships with them so they will provide exceptional service for you if you are meeting with someone in their location. You may also like to consider establishing a monthly account with them so that you don’t have any awkward moments when the check arrives at your table.

Allocate external storage space – for an effective car-office you may also want to dedicate a place within your home for additional supplies of information, files, stationary, promotional material or product samples. Keep only the required items in your car to avoid unnecessary clutter and an untidy car-office.

By applying these tips to your car-office you will be more productive, increase yoru sales, meet your monthly targets and enjoy the freedom of a car-office.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Neen_James/4394

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/40553

While there is no doubt that electric cars receive more publicity than they ever have before, there is growing concern that the sector may be losing momentum in the short to medium term. As a consequence governments and car manufacturers around the world are now looking at new ideas to kickstart the revolution and attract the attention of consumers across the globe. So what will kickstart the electric car revolution?

Journey capacity

Time and time again the issue of journey capacity is never far from the headlines and when you bear in mind the vast majority of electric vehicles today can do no more than 100 miles per full charge, this concern is justified. However, many motorists seem to forget that on average very few of us will do in excess of 80 miles per day, therefore one charge per day will be more than enough to cover our average journey.

It is perhaps the use of electric vehicles within the business arena and for leisure time, where we will on average travel more than 80 miles per day, which is perhaps foremost in the minds of consumers at the moment.

Increased journey capacity

There is no doubt that great progress has been made with regards to journey capacity for electric vehicles but there is also no doubt that further progress needs to be made. The Nissan Leaf will be updated and re-released in 2013 with an extended journey capacity approaching 140 miles per charge. This has been achieved by using the latest battery technology, improved aerodynamics as well as efficiencies with regards to the electric engine itself.

If we can get towards the 200 miles journey capacity per full charge then we are certainly in a different ballpark and this would open up a whole new market for electric cars. Until we get there the chances are that many consumers will, rightly or wrongly, be concerned about reduced journey capacity and more importantly the lack of electric car charging stations around the world.

Charging stations

Despite the fact that the cost of electric vehicles is significantly greater than that of more traditional vehicles this is perhaps not the major problem in the eyes of consumers. Those who have traditional fuel vehicles will never likely be more than just a few miles away from a garage or petrol station where they can refuel and extend their journey capacity. The same cannot be said with regards to the electric charging station networks available at the moment which are at best few and far between. Will this change?

Finally governments and car manufacturers around the world are now coming together to create a viable investment programme for charging stations around the globe. This will likely see hundreds if not thousands of electric car charging stations introduced over the next few years which will take away one of the headaches which is concerning consumers.

Public relations

Whichever angle you look at the electric car market there is no doubt that the public relations situation has been a disaster for many years now. Indeed the stigma of the earlier electric car market still hangs over the much improved sector like a bad smell. We need investment in public relations, we need good news from the industry and we need to see savings set out in a very simple format so that consumers can understand what they are buying into and what they can expect to save. Until the message is received loud and clear by consumers across the UK and across the world what chance does the industry have?

Conclusion

While the electric car market today is very different to that of 20 years ago or even 10 years ago, there is still much work to be done and indeed changing public opinion will not be easy and it will not be cheap. Governments, car manufacturers and green campaigners have all come together to applaud the potential for eco-friendly travel but for some reason consumers have not yet grasped this potential.

The next couple of years will be vitally important to the electric car market, the next couple of years should see with the worldwide economy improve and funds become available to consumers. It will be interesting to see whether this stabilisation of the worldwide economy will lead to better sales in the electric car market and indeed more interest in general.

For more information on electric vehicles please visit the electricforum.com where you can discuss your questions and queries with the 5,400 strong community.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/NM_Benson/1482654

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7499445