Surviving the Top 10 Driving Emergencies

Every year, driving emergencies cost millions in properties and priceless value in terms of lost lives. Here are the 10 best survival maneuvers you can make when you find yourself caught in a driving emergency:


1. Tire Blowout - Squeeze the gas pedal for half a minute to gain back control of the car and lead it straight on the road. Once you get your grip back, release the accelerator pedal. Keep off the clutch or pedal, and stick to your lane then toward a road shoulder.

2. Tread Separation - This happens when the tread rubber and underlying steel belt come off the tire. Check the tires immediately if you hear unusual noises or pounding on it. Immediately replace with your spare tire before continuing to drive.

3. Stuck Throttle - The sign is an engine that starts to race uncontrollably. When this happens, release the brake to check if you are pushing the gas instead. Have the transmission in neutral mode or reverse. Turn off the ignition and use the reserve braking power to completely stop the car.


4. Sudden Acceleration - This happens when the driver presses on the gas by mistake. When this happens, your instinct should simply push the brakes.

5. Emergency Stopping Without Antilock Brake System (ABS) - Push the brake pedal hard but not reaching skid level, only to the point that the car nearly stops rolling. Then release the brake pressure until the tires start rolling again. Apply pressure back.


6. Emergency Stopping With ABS - Kick the brake pedal until the car comes to a complete stop, maintaining your hold on it until the car stops fully.


7. Avoiding Accidents with ABS - ABS allows the driver to steer even while on the brake. But do not overdo steering with ABS, if you do not want to jam into traffic or off the road. Remember that once you releases the brake pedal, the front tires lose their brakes.


8. Dropping Two Wheels off the Road - Remember that at most terrains, you only need grip from two tires to keep your car on the ground. With that in mind, remove pressure off the gas pedal and stay away from it as much as you can. Use the ABS if you have one. Carefully drive to the road slowly.


9. Front-Tire Slide - Remove your foot from the gas pedal and keep normal steering while you wait for the traction to return.


10: Rear-Tire Slide - This is a bit harder to manage than a front-tire slide because of the tire's location. The best thing to do is anticipate it and then deal with it by counter-steering.

2009 Volkswagen GTI

The 2009 Volkswagen GTI is hailed as the best among the newly-issued UPC or Upscale Small Cars in the automotive market today. In terms of cost, fuel economy and outstanding features, this latest Volks edition inspired by the previous VW Rabbit sweeps the competition, whether you are cruising around town in its 2-door model or charting the roads less traveled in its 4-door design.

Its most outstanding feature is its fuel efficiency - 21 miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles per gallon on the highway. Coupled with a low maintenance cost, the 2009 Volkswagen GTI is clearly the best pick for those who cruise on a compact premium model.

The surprising thing about compact cars is the strength that comes with the package, and the 2009 Volkswagen GTI is no exception. It ranks high in the fun-to-drive metrics credited to its turbo-charged powertrain - 200 horsepower packed in a tension-resistant chassis. Performance boosters also include agility of handling and precise-control braking systems.

While some Volks loyals may find the new GTI exterior design a bit off their nostalgic notions as it veered away from the conventional squarish Volks body contours, some features like the front grille makes the more aggressive appearance a welcome change. This is matched by a posh 5-seater interiors and a spacious cargo area.

Any great compact car must not fall short on the safety features, and the 2009 Volkswagen GT 4-door model passed government crash tests with flying colors and both models rate high in the automotive industry insurance tests.

Safety Tips How To Drive In The Snow

No one in his or her right mind would like to drive in the snow. It's a mean and tough job, not to mention dangerous especially when you have children onboard. However, there is nothing much the driver can do when caught in the middle of a snowy road. As such, it is always a practical thing to be able to learn how to drive in the snow.

1. Just like regular driving, cruising on your car in the snow entails the basic driver tip: Always have your vehicle in tip-top shape. This is especially true during wintertime, where you should install snow tires or chains to prepare for icy bumps ahead.

2. Reduce your speed. Slippery road requires cautionary driving, how much more with runny, snowy road? Watch out for corners or areas that are slide spots, and avoid them. Lock and control car mechanisms won't work if your car is already in sliding motion.

3. Double the distance from the car ahead from what regular driving entails, at least four cars distance for every 10 mph you travel. Always look ahead and anticipate movements of fellow motorists you encounter.

4. Your brakes will be working doubly hard when driving in the snow, since you should brake before entering any corner to maintain grip and control in case there is some snowy surprise waiting. Do this smoothly and then accelerate when the coast is clear.

5. If you find yourself in the middle of the snow with your car wheels doing an oversteer or turning too much, too fast, here is an expert's advice: Do not panic. Turn into the skid by releasing the brakes gently, then accelerate to transfer weight from the front to the rear wheels to enable you to turn into the skid. This way, you get back your car control and continue to drive ahead.