Tag: manual

Don’t Let Car Thieves Steal Your Car When You Are Driving On Your Vacation

Don’t Let Car Thieves Steal Your Car When You Are Driving On Your Vacation

In these difficult financial times most folks need vacations more than ever.  And people also want to save a lot of money if they can.  One economical solution is to take the family car and drive to and from your holiday destination instead of flying.

If you plan to drive, it may also make sense to take some steps to protect yourself and family from car theft.  Having some car thief steal your car, luggage, or other items of value from your trunk could really put a damper on what was supposed to be a fun-filled and enjoyable trip.

 

Even if you take all of the numerous precautions to prevent auto theft when you travel, very determined professional car thieves can still manage to steal any vehicle if they want it badly enough.  Can you remember the car theft action movie Gone In 60 Seconds starring Nicolas Cage?  However, you can still dramatically reduce the odds of becoming a victim of auto theft to almost zero.

Most of these auto theft preventative measures are common sense and will you cost nothing to do.  So why not make it a habit of implementing them not only when you travel by car on your holidays, but also in your every day driving as well? 

To start with, you should never take for granted that you are immune from car thieves when traveling, or that your vehicle would not really be worth stealing. 

Keep in mind that sometimes these thieves might be after more than just your vehicle, luggage, or any valuables that might be inside your car or trunk.  They may only want an older car to joy ride in, or take it to sell its parts.

They may also be after your vehicle documents for identity theft purposes, or they could be thinking of robbing your home town residence while you are away on vacation.  Where would they get this important information?  From the vehicle registration and auto insurance papers which are usually conveniently located in the glove compartment.

The best way is to eliminate this problem is to keep these documents on your person at all times when traveling on your vacation.

The second best way to reduce this problem is to hide the documents really well in the trunk.  Some police forces in cities that have a high incidence of auto thefts recommend doing this.  Just remember to tell everyone who is traveling with you where these documents are squirreled away inside the trunk. 

Here are some more ways you can lessen the chance of having your holidays ruined by car thieves.  If you can manage to implement a number of these suggestions, you can dramatically lessen the odds of becoming another victim of auto theft when you travel.

Close all of your vehicle’s windows tightly and lock all the doors when you park it anywhere, even if it’s only for a minute or two.

A real invitation to lose your vehicle is to leave it idling while unattended.  Under no circumstance should you ever do this.  Don’t even think about it.

Similarly, you should not leave your vehicle’s keys in the ignition or hidden anywhere in car.  That  also includes a second set of keys.  Professional car thieves can easily find any keys hidden in the usual places very quickly.  Keep an extra set of keys on your person. 

Don’t leave any valuables in your vehicle, even if they can not be seen from the outside of your car.  If possible, take them with you.

However, if you have no choice but to leave valuables in your vehicle, at least make sure that they are locked inside your trunk.  When you do this, check first and look around to make sure that nobody is watching, or better still, stop, pull over, and put them in your trunk before you arrive at your intended destination.  Prying eyes can be anywhere.

When parking your vehicle in public areas, turn you front wheels either to the left or right before turning your ignition off.  This will engage the steering wheel locking mechanism in the steering column which can make your car a little more difficult to steal.

Engaging the emergency brake after you have parked and turned the motor off may also make your vehicle harder to tow away.

For front wheel and rear wheel drive vehicles you should park them differently when in an underground parking garage.  The front wheel drive autos should be parked with the nose in and rear wheel drives with the nose out.  Then turn your tires to the left or right.  Again, this may make your vehicle harder to tow away.

It’s always best to park in an attendant controlled parking lot rather than an unattended one.  If it is a  place where there is valet parking, only give the attendant your door and ignition key.  They don’t need any of the other keys on your key chain. 

In public places at dusk and at night, always park in a well lighted area that has a lot of pedestrian traffic.  Keep in mind that most auto thieves prefer to work under the cover of darkness. 

Try to avoid parking near or next to any obstruction, such as a fence, hedge, large truck, or anything that blocks a clear view of your vehicle to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

When you are staying in a place that has gated, secure parking, be sure that the gate has completely closed after entering or leaving so that a thief doesn’t sneak in to the parking area behind your vehicle.

If you happen to see any suspicious activity such as a person or group of people hanging around or near your vehicle you should call the police.

Here are some anti-theft devices that you can install for maximum protection.  You may already have a few of these products installed in your vehicle.

You should use a highly visible after-market steering wheel lock bar.  Most car thieves will likely move on to easier prey.  Other less visible after-market anti-theft products are gas pedal locks, brake pedal locks, and armored collars that fit around the steering column which protects the ignition.   And for the manual shift vehicles you can also use an after-market shifter lock.  These products are all effective but not as highly visible to prying eyes.

Another thing that you can easily do is to have your mechanic install a hood lock that will prevent easy access to your vehicle’s battery and security system.

A loud vehicle alarm system and a highly visible alarm sticker on your windshield is worth its weight in gold especially when it’s combined with the addition of some of the other anti-theft security options.

The best vehicle protection is a passive electronic immobilizer which disables the motor when you turn off the ignition.  It’s not an inexpensive device to have installed but it’s well worth it for your peace of mind.  There are other benefits you may receive when you install an electronic immobilizer in your car.  Some auto insurance companies will offer a discount on your policy if you can show documentation that you’ve had one installed.  You also could get more money for your vehicle if you decide to sell it down the road.

Last, but not least, check to make sure you have adequate insurance coverage on your vehicle including theft and damage before you travel by car on any vacation. 

Grana Cochinilla Fina — the Best Kept Secret in Oaxaca

Grana Cochinilla Fina — the Best Kept Secret in Oaxaca

Alvin Starkman  M.A., LL.B.

Most tourists have no idea that only a couple of hundred yards off the main highway, a minute or two from the black pottery village, is one the most fascinating destinations that the state of Oaxaca has to offer children and adults alike.  And yet the majority of travelers have a least heard or read a snippet about the natural red dye which comes from a tiny insect and is used to color the rugs they buy in Teotitl?n del Valle,  and other products including some of the foods and beverages we eat today…the grana cochinilla fina, commonly known as simply cochineal.

I suspect that from reading their guidebooks or speaking to tour guides and taxi drivers, visitors are not generally made aware of the importance of this little bug on the world stage over centuries; or perhaps they think it’s enough to buy a tapete and be told it’s been dyed with cochineal, and see and touch a few dried insects…rather than spend 40 or 50 minutes in amazement.  It might be different if they knew that during the conquest era, next to gold and silver cochineal was the most valuable commodity known to mankind, and that in 1758 Oaxaca exported over 1.5 million Spanish pounds of it to Europe, Africa and Asia for a multitude of uses including the dying of fabrics including uniforms worn by British nobility and cavalry. 

Together known as Tlapanochestli, the quaint research facility, museum, ranch and open-air teaching environment is located at Santa Mar?a Coyotepec off a dirt road only 15 minutes from downtown Oaxaca.  The attraction is designed to hold the interest of travelers of all ages and all backgrounds, from layperson to academic or professional.

Upon entering Tlapanochestli you’ll be greeted by one of the employees who works the ranch, or perhaps one of the two scientists who run the research and teaching programs, Engineers Manual Loera Fern?ndez and Ignacio del R?o Due?as.  You’ll learn about the lifecycle of the cochineal, how it attaches itself to and feeds off of a certain variety of nopal cactus, and about its harvesting and preparation for use as a dye.  Both kids and grownups will delight and be awe-struck at having either a live or dried bug squished on their palm yielding the scarlet pigment.    You’ll be taught why not all types of nopal cactus are suitable for production of cochineal, which ones are used to make salads, and about varietals which produce the sweet red edible fruit known as tuna, seasonally sold in marketplaces just as apples and oranges, and just as often encountered as a sorbet flavor or fresh fruit juice.  

But your tour is not only about the insect and its host, but includes learning about a plethora of other natural products used to dye foods and fabrics, such pecan shells, oyster conch, pomegranate, marigold, moss, onions, and the a?il plant which produces our blues and indigos.  Combining some of these dyes with the cochineal results in yet a further spectrum of color.  You’ll also discover how to use cochineal in combination with lime juice or baking soda and with different colored natural wools to produce orange and purple hews. 

One cannot help but marvel at the diversity of commercial products which utilize the cochineal as a coloring such as lipsticks and makeup for those allergic or sensitive to synthetic red and orange tones, Danone yoghurt,  Campari, and even  Campbell’s soup.  Often artists have opted to employ cochineal and other natural colors for their work, and accordingly witness walls adorned with examples of fine art created without the use of chemical-based paints.  The photos of Prince Charles’ attendance at Tlapanochestli is a testament to the world’s continued fascination with the historical and contemporary significance of the grana cochinilla fina.   In the gift shop there’s an opportunity to purchase dried cochineal for your own use, ink in an attractive wax-sealed bottle, paints and pastes, balls of yarn, soaps, clothing, and for the children perhaps a paint set consisting of dried cochineal to crush using the miniature clay pestle and mortar, along with coloring pages with instruction sheet directing how to use the kit and produce your own shades of red, orange and pink. 

A short video puts the production of cochineal into its proper historical context using facts, anecdotes and mythology, along with colorful imagery, narrated using language easily understood by children.  At the same time those with a background or interest in the sciences will have all of their questions answered.  The film outlines the pre-hispanic use of the pigment; the development of an internationally regulated industry attracting the attention of worldwide heads of state from The Conquest forward; its importance in the global marketplace as the strongest and most brilliant dye known to humankind; and its decline in the mid 1800’s upon the invention of synthetic coloration and the subsequent adverse impact on the Mexican economy.  While Oaxacan production and export never did recover from 19th century recessionary factors, the video concludes on a upbeat note documenting the industry’s resurgence in recent decades in the face of widespread health concerns regarding the continued reliance on synthetic substances to dye commercial products.

After your cinematic journey back into history, and having gained knowledge about how natural dyes are produced and used in a multitude of applications, your perception of not only Oaxaca but also the Western World will have been enhanced forever…whether you’re in Oaxaca shopping for rugs, watching the native vendors in a market or ordering ice cream; or sitting in the comfort of your home and sipping a Campari and soda.

Winter Driving Tips

Winter Driving Tips

With the winter weather closing in and coating the UK in a nice fresh layer of snow here are some tips on safe driving in icy and snowy conditions. Winter conditions are probably the most hazardous that a driver can experience in the UK, with a mix of ice, snow and limited visibility it’s essential to ensure that your car is well maintained and that you are prepared for your journey.

Before winter hits:

There are a few things that you should check on your car before the winter months close in:

Antifreeze

The important thing to remember with the antifreeze in your car is to check your levels and to check the manual provided with the vehicle for the type of antifreeze that is required. Some antifreezes do not mix well together and can form a “sludge” that can clog up your engine and can lead to irreparable damage.

Tyre Tread

Ensuring that your tyre tread is of a reasonable depth will ensure that you maintain as much grip on the road as possible, reducing the chances of losing control of the car.

Lights

Visibility is an important part of safe and sensible driving, making sure that your lights are in good working order will improve your chances of seeing any potential hazards.

Before setting off in wintry conditions:

Check traffic and weather reports by checking with the latest reports you can allow additional time for driving and see whether there are any potential accident black spots or roads to avoid.

Warm your car up

Quite simply, there’s nothing worse than sitting shivering in your car.

Clear windows and mirrors

Scraping the ice and snow from your windscreen and mirrors frees up your view, enables you to see other traffic behind you and with the increased visibility improves your chance of reacting to any problems that can happen.

Check your washer levels

Your washers help clear your windows from spray being kicked up from other traffic, this will usually contain parts of the grit and salt that are laid

Whilst driving:

Allow additional room for braking When driving in snow it is almost impossible to stop at the same rate that you would need to on a road under normal conditions, so allow up to 10 times as much room as you would normally allow for bringing your car to a stop.

Smooth driving

Sharp, sudden movements in your car on slippery surfaces is always ill advised, even more so when the road is icy. By keeping your driving smooth and changing your speed steadily you will maintain control of your car and severely reduce the chances of you being involved in an accident.

One final point is to make sure that you have a winter emergency kit in your car boot (containing a shovel, a tow rope, jump leads, spare tyre and a warning triangle) just in case you do end having to park your car up and wait until the conditions clear. It may also be a good idea to take a blanket, wellington boots (or other suitable outdoor footwear) and a torch. If you follow these instructions then hopefully you can look forwards to safe driving throughout the winter.

If you are using car hire then it is always best to make sure that you are aware of local laws for using appropriate tyres and any requirements that your hire company have.