Why you should add snow tires to your car during winter

driving in the snow

Do I need snow tires during winter? Of course, winter tires are essential when you’re driving your car during cold weather conditions. They help you to arrive at your expected destination safely. You should consider snow tires rather than all-wheel-drive to ensure your only car is well-equipped.

First, what is a snow tire? All snow tires whether studded or studless, are made to maintain and keep better traction on icy, snowy, extreme cold areas. Therefore, a snow tire is the way to go. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the importance of using snow wires.

Special Tread

Tread makes the difference. Your all-season tires may look sturdy enough, but study and compare them side-by-side with snow/winter wires. The tread is deeper, heavier and comes with many more edges known as ‘sipes’. These help it to slush and channel away snow and allow it to grip perfectly.

Special Rubber Formula

Rubber chemistry is tailored to challenge adverse conditions. Snow tires are made out of top-tech rubber compounds hence can stay flexible in extreme cold driving conditions. This proves why the tire grips the slushy roads much better. This gives room to better traction, not just on snow and ice but even on bare pavement especially when temperatures are frigid.

All-Wheel Drive isn’t Enough

‘All-season’ tires or all-wheel drive isn’t enough. According to the survey (Consumer Reports), subscribers revealed that winter tires are beneficial. It doesn’t matter whether they’ve all-wheel-drive or two-wheel-drive SUV or car. Drivers will mostly invest in all-wheel-drive thinking that they’ll arrive at their destination with no drama.

Electronic aids like stability systems, antilock brakes, and traction control further boost their self-confidence. Nonetheless, I learned that there is no shortcut for snow wires in heavy snow conditions. Their treads design prevents your car from skidding and bolsters more control.

In The Long Run, You May Save Money

By switching all-wheel drive for snow wires you prolong the life of your car’s original rubber. Also, with better control, you’ll stay away from accidents that result in costly repairs, higher insurance rates, or a need for a costly tow. This is an idea that all drivers would like, but you must do away with all-season tires.

Keep your loved ones and family safe on your journey. In every aspect, safety is an important feature when it comes to tires. You’ve to travel with confidence when making a trip in extremely cold conditions. So equip your car with reliable winter tires as you enjoy your vacation.

–– Article courtesy Missouri City Towing Services

5 Tips for Transporting Items When Moving Long Distance

moving company employees

Moving over long distances can be quite hectic. There are many costs to incur especially if you have many items. There is also an increased risk of your things getting damaged during transit. Therefore, a lot of planning is required to ensure that there are minimal risks along the way. The following article will discuss five essential tips when transporting items when moving long distances.

Pack items for a long haul

Your belongings will be handled by different workers and in different trucks when moving over long distances. Ensure that your packing boxes have enough cushioning to protect all your items. Make sure that all boxes are packed to the top to prevent items from moving loosely while in transit. All packing container should be appropriately sealed or locked to avoid items from falling out in case they are overturned.

Insure your belongings

When moving items for thousands of miles, a lot can happen. For this reason, should you be ready for something to go wrong. According to statistics, the moving industry faces a lot of risks. As a result, you should get proper insurance coverage for your belongings.

  1. Indicate your name on all boxes. Moving companies transport items for different people in their trucks. It is quite easy for unmarked boxes to get mixed up especially at the storage facilities. To avoid this, label all your boxes to display your name, address, and cell phone number. This makes it easier for moves to recognize your boxes in case of a mix up during transit.
  2. Do not pack drinks or liquids

Avoid packing edibles as they could rot and attract creeping animals when in transit. , on the other hand, could leak to your belongings in case the containers opened. You could risk your items, and those of other people in the same truck as yours get wet and damaged. Packing liquids such as oil and paint are not worth the risk when moving items.

Load the heavy and large items first

When packing a moving truck, ensure that all the heavy and large items are packed first. This includes furniture, mattresses, refrigerators among others. This items should not be placed on top of other boxes but should be at the bottom. Additionally, ensure that these items are strapped in to prevent them from falling on the other boxes.

If you don’t feel comfortable packing and relocating on your own, get in touch with professional moving companies in Aurora, CO.

Tips for Moving to Florida for Retirement

walking on a Florida beach

Moving from a state you have called home almost all your life could be both difficult and exciting. Florida is an ideal state for retirees as it has a warmer climate and cheaper housing facilities. Additionally, many people tend to move to Florida after retirement as it has some of the best retirement communities. To make your transition to Florida smooth, you need to apply some essential tips. This article will outline some of the basic tips in depth to ensure that you move with ease

Avoid moving during summer

Florida is one of the states in the United States that experiences extremely hot summers. The temperatures in Orlando are usually as high as ninety-five degrees Fahrenheit from June through to August. The amount of heat and humidity in this period is highly uncomfortable when lifting and moving heavy boxes. It increases the chances of suffering from a heat stroke and exhaustion. It is therefore advisable to move to Florida around November to May.

Choose an ideal location

Florida is a diverse state with different types of people, cultures, lifestyles, and sceneries. It has some of the most beautiful sandy beaches and orange groves. As much as you are looking for a retirement home, you need a place where you can enjoy Florida to the fullest. You can choose to buy a retirement home in a laid-back town where you still have access to the beach. Western Florida is ideal for fishing and golfing activities.

Be prepared for extreme weather conditions

When moving to Florida, you need to factor in the weather conditions experienced in this state. As a result, you need to buy a house that is built to withstand windy weather for a prolonged period. This will guarantee your safety. You should have a backup home outside of Florida. This is essential in case the government warns you to vacate the state when hurricanes are around the corner.Additionally, you should ensure that your home has the right insurance cover against wind damage or floods.

Hire the right moving company

You can request your family member to help you find the best movers in your city. A professional moving company might cost more, but the services provided are worth it. The movers are well-trained to ensure that none of your belongings are damaged during the transition. With this kind of help, you do not have to worry about carrying heavy boxes from and to your new house. Moreover, senior and retiree moving companies have all the necessary equipment to move heavy items such as furniture easily.

Tell your family about the moving plans

It is crucial to involve your children and other family members when moving to a new state. These people will offer you support in your decision to move to Florida. They could also help you search for a new home and advice where necessary. If you are looking to sell some of your belongings, family members could assist you in plan and operate a yard sale. They will also help you organize and label boxes which makes transitioning much more manageable.

10 Places to visit in Ohio

Are you looking to go on a small vacation? Well, you should travel to the state of Ohio. It is home to some of the beautiful cities in the United States such as Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton among others. Some of the exciting adventures you could undertake while in Ohio include horseback riding, hiking, rock climbing, and cycling. You could also visit the museums, zoos, art galleries and markets. Outlined below are some of the places you should visit in Ohio.

The Amish Country

A drive to the Amish country during summer is an excellent escape from the city. You will witness a simpler way of life where people tend to their farms. You can also buy locally produces such as cheese, ice cream and much more from this community.

Cincinnati Museum Center

This complex museum offers tourists a range of historical and scientific experience. There are millions of artifacts in this museum which could take days to view. There is also a children’s section in this museum where young kids can explore too.

Corkscrew Falls – Hocking Hills

The Hocking Hills comprise of waterfalls, cliffs, and rock shelters. To have a view of the beautiful waterfall, you will have to walk deep into the Hocking Hills. Not many people tend to walk to this area, but this should not discourage you.

Oak Openings Preserve

The Oak Opening preserve is a great place to explore both the wetlands and the dunes. You can hike through the trails and immerse yourself in nature as you get a view of the migrating birds. At night, you can camp outside or hire cottages. Do not drive in any wet areas, as an emergency towing service would not able to pull you out.

Roebling Suspension Bridge

This bridge was completed in 1866 and is one of the main landmarks in Cincinnati. It connects both Ohio and Kentucky. Considering the year of its construction, it is seen as an engineering miracle. You can take a walk on this bridge and view the scenic cities while admiring the skill put into building it.

Canton

Are you a football fan? Canton city is where the Football Hall of Fame museum is located. Great and upcoming footballers gather in this place annually for induction. In this place, you will find many stories related to America’s football history. If you need a tow while visiting, Clevleand, OH Tow Truck Service offer prompt assistance.

Columbus Zoo

The Columbus Zoo houses over ten thousand animals from different parts of the world. Throughout the year, various training programs and performances are held. During the winter season, millions of lights are put up in the zoo. This makes it possible to see the animals at night while enjoying winter.

Fountain Square

Fountain Square is a central meeting place in the city. Many people enjoy their coffer in the summer in this area while during winter it is the perfect spot for ice skating. Fountain Square offers a wide range of restaurants and entertainment all year.

Toledo

Toledo is a popular water recreation center in Ohio. Tourists who travel from different countries get to have some outdoor fun here. Fishing and sailing are some of the enjoyable activities that can be enjoyed in Lake Erie. While in this place, visit the Toledo Museum of Art where you can enjoy the Toledo Symphony Orchestra.

National Museum of the US Air Force

The first successful aircraft was invented here by the Wright Brothers. You will get to experience a walk through time in the aviation industry. From military airplanes to modern day aviation technology is what you will find here. There is also a Presidential Gallery where you can view some of the aircrafts used by previous US presidents.

What to do when you run out of gas on a long trip

gas station

If by any chance you’ve run out gas while on a long trip, there are a few tips that can help you get out of the situation. Running out of gas mainly occurs when you overestimate your gas mileage, take a longer route or a detour to places you weren’t supposed to go. However, since it has already happened, here are some of the things you can do:

Get your bearings

The first thing you need to do is pull over and locate the nearest gas station using your smartphone or your vehicle’s navigation system. By doing this, you will be able to take the shortest route, plan the next course of action and probably get to the nearest gas station easily instead of guessing.

Drive efficiently

You are required to drive slowly and steadily at about 35 to 45 mph because that’s the speed when your car is fuel-efficient. This means that if you are in a fast-moving interstate you should move to a lane that allows such speed because you have to consider state traffic laws. If you are running out of gas, the principle is not speeding up trying to reach the nearest gas station but to drive slowly and steadily.

Use Honk app for fuel delivery

Nowadays, apps are developed for everything you might think of. If your car has run out of gas completely, you need to pull off on the side of the road to avoid blocking other road users. Then, you can download the Honk app (if you don’t have it already) and ask for fuel delivery. This app helps drivers pick the services they are in need of, set the make and the model of their car and their approximate location to get an estimate. For instance, you can get towing services or fuel delivery services at a reasonable cost. This app is ideal for drivers who are not members of AAA. Instead of signing up at the moment or trying to find other options, this app can prove very helpful.

Use a lyft or an Uber to get help

If the nearest gas station is more than a mile away, the best course of action is to take an Uber to get help or fuel. If you can get fuel delivery using an Uber you are lucky but instead of walking for more than a mile, you can hire an Uber instead to save some time.

Remember, if you don’t want to face a similar scenario in future, you need to be very cautious. Check the gas meter every now and then and in case you have a long trip, ensure you refill gas as you drive to avoid getting stranded in the middle of nowhere.

5 Best Modes of Transportation When Vacationing Overseas

train

The happiness and feeling of fun when it comes to traveling to a new destination is far fetched above any fitting adjectival description. When going for a vacation overseas, you need to consider the mode of traveling to use in order to give your vacation lifelong memorable moments. When talking about moments, they should not only be memorable and safe but also cost-effective and within your budget. These modes of transportation will add value to your vacation.

Plane

This is one of the most efficient modes of transport when you already in your vacation country. It is efficient over long distances with plane carriers that offer direct domestic flight. This will save you time and fatigue over long distances within your vacation country. It is best when you in a small group but for large groups, it can be a little bit more expensive.

Train

Most overseas countries offer train services. If you are on a vacation with large family members or groups, then the train is the best choice. This is because they got no limit in the amount of luggage to carry. It is very reliable when you need to connect from one city to the other. Another advantage of using a train is is on cost. It is relatively cheap as compared to planes and number of family or group you travelling with.

Bus

Buses are most reliable when you traveling within the surrounding towns. It is very cost effective over medium distances. The traveling time is significant and thus you can bring drinks or any reading material. If your vacation is based on tourism, then you will get chance to site see the surrounding areas for free as opposed to paid tour rides. It is a very efficient mode of transportation when you in large groups.

Rented Cars

This option becomes very handy especially when you really need to move to different locations within a given time frame. It is cheaper than hiring a taxi to take you around the city or town of your vacation. It also offers you privacy and it is relatively cheap in cost.

Your choice of vehicle in this circumstance depends on the number of passengers. You need to also remember that rented cars come with conditions and thus need you to take full responsibility and give it back as it was.

Taxi

This is the last option but still best to be used within short distances. This is very efficient when traveling from one end of the town to the other. It is very efficient and stresses free especially when you don’t want to stress over using GPS or maps since the locals tend to know the town so well.

In conclusion, it is always very wise to plan your vacation. The mode of transportation to be used should be within your budget. In choosing them, consider distance and time. This will save you the stress when you need to travel within the vacation country for you will have already planned in advance.

Best Tips For Traveling

The best coach seats are emergency exit and front bulkhead seats. The bad news for occasional travelers is that many airlines allows their very frequent flyers to reserve emergency exit seats when they make their reservation. The good news is that many business travelers miss their flights (took an earlier/later flight, didn’t show, etc.) and you can ask the gate agent if there are any unclaimed emergency exit row seats for which you want to stand-by. The risk is that if the passengers do show up, when you get on the plane, all of the overhead space is gone. A great site shows seating for many airlines SeatGURU.

Getting bumped: There are different types “bump” coupons and types of compensation. How can you increase your chances of getting bumped and what can you get? Read my detailed tutorial/explanation by clicking here (don’t forget to return to this page for lots more tips).

Northwest Airlines’ web site will not necessarily give the lowest prices they offer. It’s imperative that you check with Orbitz or ITASoftware first. You may have to force the Northwest web site, call their reservation center or a travel agent to buy their lowest priced tickets. When going from Detroit to Minneapolis, lower fares are available if you go from Detroit to Chicago Midway and then to Minneapolis. Northwest’s web site does not show those fares but Orbitz and ITASoftware do. The only way to reserve this on Northwest’s web site is to make it a three or four leg flight. I don’t trust Northwest’s web site to provide the lowest prices that they offer.

Split tickets, what are they? Split tickets involve connecting two flights and possibly different airlines in a low fare city. The combination of two tickets cost less than one ticket. Chicago Midway, Kansas City, Las Vegas and Baltimore are inexpensive connection cities. The best way to find them is to check at Orbitz and ITASoftware. The risk you take is that you could miss your connection. An example is from Detroit to Minneapolis. The business traveler (non-Saturday night, two week advance) pays over $1,000 round trip on Northwest. If you buy a round trip ticket from Detroit to Chicago Midway and another round trip ticket from Chicago Midway to Minneapolis you will spend a LOT less. You can do this using different airlines or often the same airline. If using different airlines, allow extra time to connect, don’t take the last flights of the day and don’t check luggage unless the airlines specifically states that they will transfer your bags.