Ten Reasons to Get a Car History Check

Buying a used car is no easy task. From finding the right car to cutting the final check, there are literally dozens of pitfalls that you can get trapped in if you aren’t careful. One of the best ways to mitigate your risk when buying a used car, is to get a vehicle history report. Read more

Still Flooded, but Seattle Area Roads are Opening Up

The rain may have stopped on Friday, but there’s plenty of water still on the roads. However, WSDOT has been working feverishly to open the I-90 passes and parts of I-5 .
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Bye Bye Snow, Hello Flooding!

Apparently, Seattle residents aren’t safe yet from the weather patterns that have left three separate snow storms in the past month and now a torrent of rain. In fact, email alerts from the Department of Transportation have been flooding our inbox today with various road closures. Read more

Driving in Flood Waters, Dont Do it!

If you’ve ever lived in the Midwest or part of Texas, you know that many fatalities happen when people try and drive through high waters in a car. It takes just ankle to knee-high water to stall your vehicle. Avoid high waters at all costs.

Here are some sobering facts when it comes to driving in floods.

• Over 50% of flood related drownings are vehicle-related
• In Texas, the nations leader in flood related fatalities, 65% of those fatalities happen when a vehicle is in the water.

Check out this excerpt from Floodsafety.com

Ironically, many drivers rescued from flood waters report that they were in a hurry to get home– to safety — as a reason for tempting the danger of driving into water. However it looks, and despite what car commercials depict, driving into flood waters may be the most dangerous things one might ever try considering the following:

Just because the truck/car in front of you can drive through the water, doesn’t mean you can. If you can’t see theyellow  line in the middle of the road, you shouldn’t be driving on it. Another thing to remember is that even with your high beams on, it is nearly impossible to see the road when there’s a lot of water on it.

Floodsafety.com also suggests that in 18-24 inches of moving water, most cars and trucks will be swept away. Trucks and SUVs have only about 6-12 more inches of clearance. If in doubt, don’t drive thru water that’s over 6 inches deep.

Driving in Seattle’s High Winds

(Seattle,WA) December 20

The 2008 holiday season will be remembered for snow and high winds. With gusts reaching hurricane-like speeds in some areas, many state and emergency officials emphasize staying indoors. The combination of snow, ice and high winds can be disastrous for drivers.

According to weather.com  when driving in high winds:

 

• Be aware of vehicles around you. High winds are more problematic for drivers of trucks, buses, recreational vehicles, campers, and drivers who are towing trailers.
• Reduce your speed and correct your steering, especially when moving from a protected area to an unprotected area, or when meeting large vehicles. 
• Wind is often accompanied by heavy rain or winter precipitation. Stay alert for slippery areas.

Also be aware of the floating bridges and closures. Check out some helpful driving tips from the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Winter driving is not just driving in snow. Seattle drivers should take the same precautions when driving in high winds, heavy rain, and flooding. Take your time and be smart about it.

Where to Find a Working Bare Bones Used Car

This is the second part of SeattleAuto.net’s series on Buying a Used Car for Under $1,000.

It’s hard to think that it’s possible to buy a working, semi-reliable car for under $1,000, but if you cut out the plush comforts, it’s still a reasonable goal. Read more

How to Buy a Used Car for Under $1,000

In one of the worst automotive sales years on record, auto dealers are slashing prices on new cars to entice buyers. However, for the buyer on the shoestring who is looking for the ultimate deal, we’re going to tell you how to buy a used car for under $1,000. And to prove it, we’re going to do it.
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