Simple Auto Quote – Blog

Our society is obsessed with oil, but that doesn’t mean that the way BP is handling the oil spill situation is okay. Make sure you aren’t supporting BP by divesting your mutual funds. Not only will this method be less detrimental to privately owned gas stations, but this will affect the share price of BP stock and put pressure on the executive management team. However, this will not affect BP’s ability to pay for the clean up or reimburse those affected especially since BP has around 1.35 trillion.

Use the free tool provided by Invested Interests below to see if your mutual funds hold BP or its subsidiaries. Then divest!

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When can I get my permit?

It depends on what state you live in, but generally when you are 15 and a half years old. For drivers under 18, Driver’s Ed must be completed. The Driver’s Ed course is about 2 weeks long and can be taken by anyone 15 or older.

For drivers 18 and older, Driver’s Ed is not required.

How do I get my permit?

For driver’s under 18 a driver’s education certificate will be required along with the other things.

• Make an appointment at the DMV
• Pass the vision exam (each eye is tested individually)
• Present your birth certificate, passport, or other form of ID to verify your identity and know your Social Security Number
• Pay the application fee
• Take the written exam, usually around 30-40 questions

How long do I have to have my permit before I can get my license?

Again this depends on the state.

Drivers under 18 usually must have their permit for 6-9mo.  and have taken Driver’s Training before taking the driving test. Driver’s training consists of three lessons in a car with an instructor. Some states also require a certain number of practice hours.

Drivers 18 and older usually must wait at least 30 days to take the driver’s test after obtaining a permit.

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1. Monterey, CA – Besides the Monterey Bay Aquarium, there are beautiful views of  the Monterey Bay Coast to be seen on the drive down.  Turn outs allow you to stop at viewing spots and watch the massive waves. The town surrounding the Aquarium is quiet and clean. You can rent bicycles and surries to explore the area and there are plenty of small shops and cafes to browse. Another highlight in the Monterey Area is the Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary where monarch butterflies gather by the thousands from October to February.

2. Mount Diablo, CA – Breathtaking view from the summit well worth the drive. Pictures can’t quite capture what it’s like being there. The naturally formed rock city is fun to climb around and explore. The lighthouse at the summit gives great views of the ocean once the fog clears up and hosts a small exhibit about the area.

3. Point Reyes, CA – A great place to hike and take in the fresh air. There are plenty of trails to choose from and they can be biked as well.

4. Redding, CA – Check out the bridges in this area.

5. Napa Valley, CA – Beautiful countryside. Enjoy it on a train or visit a vineyard for a tour and wine tasting.

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Unless you adamantly ban food and drinks from your car,  there’s a high probability that you’re going to spill something at least once. Whether it’s kids or a particularly vicious bump in the road, that oh-no feeling as you watch your drink seep into the car cushions is the same and the clean up sucks.  FYI, spilled milk wins the prize for worst lingering smell; avoid at all costs!

Here are some tips and tricks to getting those stains out quickly:

• Blot up the spill with paper towels as soon as you reach your destination
• Dilute and wipe with cold or warm water (Never use hot water as it sets stains)
• Test all cleaners in an unseen area first: cleaners should be non-toxic and colorless

Cleaning Methods to Try for leather or vinyl:

• Rub stain with a dab of toothpaste
• Use baking soda and water paste
• Apply Isopropyl Alcohol (caution: can remove dye)
• Apply equal parts cream of tartar and lemon juice mix for 10min – wipe after with damp cloth
• Apply 1/4C Hydrogen Peroxide to 3C Water for 10min
• Rinse with 1/4C White Vinegar to 3/4C cold water

Products to Try:

• Scotchgard
• Oxy Clean
• Pet Odor and Stain Remover
• Odobon
• Febreeze Air Spray

To get rid of smells:

• Place an open bag of charcoal by the stain (charcoal absorbs odors)
• Use coffee grinds on the stain and vacuum up later or a bag of it next to the smelly seat

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Have you seen those self-parking cars? Amazing right? Parallel parking is a pain, and people might actually be tempted to buy these “smart cars” as long as they’re safe.  Toyota seems pretty confident so far and it’s hard not to wonder how those cars work.

Basically the cars have a myriad of sensors, cameras, or radars on the back and front bumpers that send out signals. The car’s computer uses the amount of time that it takes those signals to return to calculate the location of the curb and other cars.

After a driver finds a suitable parking space, he or she activates the parking system. As the driver pulls up  next to the car they wish to park behind, sensors on the car measure the space and the objects nearby.  The parking system will tell the driver when to stop. After the driver shifts the car into reverse, the car takes over the steering.  The driver still has control of the speed of the car via the brake. After the car has determined it has pulled back far enough into the space, the car signals the driver to shift to drive after which the car adjusts to finish parking.

These cars appear to have many benefits, for instance efficiently saving time and parking space. However, the driver has to relinquish control, and this is probably one of the hardest things for people to give up. To trust completely in the computer and overcome their misgivings about the safety of the system.

Pros:

• easier parking
• time saver
• less stress
• less disruption of traffic
• fewer insurance claims due to parking accidents

Cons:

• must find a space acceptable to the car (a minimum of 6.5 feet longer than the car itself)
• still liable for mistakes made by the car’s computer
• touching the gas or the wheel shuts off the parking mode
• system disengages if car goes over 2.5mph
• can’t park on steep inclines

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Check this out.  One of our favorite cars in the world!

V10 R8 Video – test drive of this auto!

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Advantages of Online Car Insurance Purchase

• Usually cheaper.
• Quicker and more convenient. Takes only a few minutes to get a policy.
• Can often report a claim 24 hours per day.

Disavantages of Purchasing Online

• No person directly responsible.
• No face to face meetings.
• Having to deal with a faceless company.

Also, try our tool to Find a Local Agent Near Your Address. We try to list every auto insurance agent in the country.

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Check Tire Pressure Tires that are under-inflated use more gas and drivers can save over 3 percent with properly inflated tires.

Drive at a Consistent Speed It uses much more gas to accelerate and brake then it does to drive at a constant speed. Instead of racing up to a stop-light and slamming on the brakes, take your foot off the gas and coast.

Don’t Drive too Fast Driving over 60 mph uses more gas.

Get Regular Checkups Perform the standard maintenance recommended by your car manual such as regular oil and filter changes. Just don’t go overboard. At quickie oil-change places they are constantly trying to sell you unnecessary “engine flushes”. If it’s not in your car’s manual, you don’t need it!

Know When to Use the AC At slow speeds, it is more efficient to just roll down the windows. At high speeds, air conditioning is more fuel efficient because rolling down the windows increases wind resistance.

Take Off the Luggage Rack! If you are driving around with a luggage rack, you could be reducing your fuel efficiency by 10%. Take it off it you aren’t using it.

Clean out the Extra Luggage. Some people use their cars as a second closet. All this extra weight reduces your mileage.

Don’t Get Premium Gas. Premium gas will not help your mileage or your performance unless your car’s manual specifically says you need it. If not, just buy regular.

Pay with a Cash-Back Card Some credit cards, such as the Citi Dividend card will give you a 5% rebate on gas. What a deal!

Buy a more Fuel Efficient Car Obviously, driving around in a Hummer will cost you a lot at the pump. It’s amazing how many SUV owners complain about gas prices when they are also the ones causing them!

Drive Less This is totally obvious, of course, but planning your day better can reduce the number of trips you need to make. Also, consider taking the bus or walking.

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