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How to Use Carfax

How to Use Carfax

Buying a used car can be full of missteps and hidden problems. But thanks to Carfax and a quick trip to a mechanic, you can avoid these pitfalls. If you are in the process of buying a used car, you need Carfax! It can be used for so much more, though.

Here’s our guide on how to use Carfax

Make no mistake, Carfax is essential in the process of buying a used car. It can help narrow down your research, and help you make a decision on buying your next used car. Before signing the papers and parting with your hard-earned money, we definitely recommend having a mechanic review any used car you are planning on buying.

Checking Carfax records will reveal important information about cars that won’t require a mechanic’s review. If you see that a car had been involved in an accident, that would be a big red flag.

How do you get Carfax for free?

Dealers and online car marketplaces often provide free Carfax for the vehicle they are selling. Those are easy to spot. Case in point, if you go to AutoTrader.com and search for used hatchback cars, you will see the logo of Carfax on some of the listings. If you click on it, you will will be able to see the car’s history.

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51 Ways to Save Money on Your Car

51 Ways to Save Money on Your Car

Just a quick disclaimer, I am not a financial adviser and this blog post is for educational purposes only. If you need financial advice, please consult a professional. I am not a lawyer and this does not constitute legal advice.

We cannot live without cars–at least not yet! We need to go to work, drop off kids to school, run errands, and so much more. There are multiple ways to save money on car. It takes some research and planning. More importantly, it takes action! We have compiled 51 ways to save money on your car!

If you act on even a handful of the money-saving tips below, you’ll end up with extra hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in your wallet!

Buying a Car

1. Change your mindset. A car is a great tool! It feels good to have a nice car. But remember that you are not what you drive! Your identity is so much more than that. It means that you don’t need the most expensive car to feel good or confident.

2. Don’t buy a new car! The moment you drive it out of the dealership, it will have started losing its value. In fact, it loses 25-35% of its total value just in the first year!

3. Buy almost new cars — the ones that about 1-3 years old and still has the latest features of your favorite car. As long as you choose a car that has low mileage, you are still fairly confident that it will last for a long time.

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What to do if You Meet an Accident with a Child in Your Car

What to do if You Meet an Accident with a Child in Your Car

We hope you never have to read this post. We hope you never have a car accident, period. Much less with your child in the car at the same time. However, as careful a driver as you are, other motorists are unpredictable.

It’s never easy if you meet an accident and your child is riding with you. We hope that you followed all the important safety precautions mandated by law. We have also written about tips on how to keep your kids safe in the car.

We have written an article on what to do if you meet an accident. But if you have a child with you during the accident, here’s what to do.

Call the Police and 911 if needed.

Make sure that you and the child are safe. To make sure that everything is fine, call 911 and the police. They can help ensure that you are really okay. Sometimes, kids and adults may be fine right after an impact, but they may exhibit some trauma a few hours later.

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How to Keep Your Car Clean: Tips for Parents of Young Kids

How to Keep Your Car Clean: Tips for Parents of Young Kids

Keeping your car clean when you have kids could be a challenge. You may be the kind of person who always keeps everything in decent condition.

After having kids, though, your car’s floor might be covered with cookie crumbs and broken crayons every day! Though you clean it regularly, it ends up messy again.

Here are some tips on how to keep your car clean!

Avoid food in the car

Snacking in the car is the things that parents always do when they missed breakfast or lunch, as well as to keep their children entertained during their trips in the car. However, if you want to keep your car tidy, avoid eating in the car except for emergencies or long trips.

During your long trips, you may want to prepare some snacks for your kids, consider to eat them only when you get out of the car.

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How to Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Tips for Parents

How to Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Tips for Parents

The idea of a child suffering from Carbon Monoxide poisoning is unthinkable, isn’t it? Far too extreme a thing to happen to your own children. Think again. It is responsible for more deaths in children than you would think.

In 2016, it estimated that 31% of people hospitalized for accidental Carbon Monoxide poisoning were aged 14 and under. It is particularly dangerous for babies, as it takes a smaller amount to cause damage and health problems. Also, extra care should be taken in children with respiratory issues like asthma, for the same reasons.

Because it is a colorless, odorless, and commonplace in a vehicle (i.e., from the exhaust pipe), it is easy to breathe in too much – especially when children don’t understand the risks. An excessive intake of this gas causes it to replace the oxygen in the bloodstream, which does no good to the important parts of your body. Brain, heart, and lungs, to name a few.

But it’s not all doom and gloom here – there are some pointers – a few simple steps you can take to protect your children, plus symptoms and advice.

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Driving Mistakes that Parents Need to Avoid

Driving Mistakes that Parents Need to Avoid

Even though you have done your research and have bought the safest car for your family, it doesn’t mean that your family, especially kids are 100% safe from harm, injuries or any unfortunate event of car incidents. Obviously, car accidents are not something that you can avoid although you have taken proper precautions because some collisions or faults are caused by the other drivers or road users.

Here’s a driving mistakes that parents need to avoid.

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Car Safety Tips for Parents of Young Kids

Car Safety Tips for Parents of Young Kids

There is no doubt that as a family you will need to spend a lot of time traveling and transporting your kids around, from play dates to soccer matches, from school activities to grandma’s house and back again.

There are some tips to ensure that you keep your kids safe when they are in the car. However, your kids also have responsibilities when it comes to staying safe in a car. So, try to explain to your kids the importance of being safe and what they should do when they are in the car.

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Driving Habits That Parents Need to Develop

Driving Habits That Parents Need to Develop

So, you’ve been driving since you were old enough to learn. In all that time you have picked up a lot of habits – both good and bad.

And now, there’s a child in the mix. With that comes a whole new list of habits for you to get into and develop. Because children watch, and they learn by watching. By being careful, you ensure the safety of your child.

Here are driving habits that new parents need to develop.

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Avoid These Car Dangers for Kids

Avoid These Car Dangers for Kids

Cars are effective and efficient machines. But, like it or not, cars can also be dangerous. As parents, we want to keep our kids safe and secure, which is why we buy expensive car accessories for them. As is the case for many illness and accidents, prevention is always better than cure.

Here are some of the car dangers that parents need to avoid:

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

It sounds extreme. It might even sound ridiculous. But 31% of people hospitalized for Carbon Monoxide poisoning in 2016 were under the age of 14. It is a big deal – especially for young children and babies.

Carbon Monoxide gets expelled through a car’s exhaust system. The best way to avoid any incidents always ensured your children have access to fresh air. Don’t let your vehicle run idle in an enclosed space, and by extension don’t leave your child in or around the vehicle while you’re doing it.

If you have to let the car run to warm up, like in the winter months, do it outside the house and garage. Keep an eye on your car’s maintenance schedule too – don’t risk any faults or leaks.

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How to Take a Long Trip with a Toddler

How to Take a Long Trip with a Toddler

Lengthy car trips can be exhausting for everyone, especially for a toddler. They have a lot of energy to walk and run, but on a long trip, they will be sitting in the car for hours and hours! Try these tips on how to take a long trip with a toddler.

Safety first

Before you hit the road, make sure that everything is prepared. Make sure that your toddler’s car seat is installed properly. Check your car condition, make sure the tires are all alright as well as ensure that brakes and lights are all working. Don’t forget to pack some first-aid kit and essential car safety equipment.

Also, make sure that your phone is fully charged, or else you could bring a portable charger and extra battery. At last, make sure you do not lack sleep because sleep deprivation can cause frazzled nerves and harm you and your toddler. By being rested, you can avoid distractions while driving.

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