Author: SM

Hooray! You’re moving to another state! Whether it be for college, your first job or you’ve purchased your dream home with your spouse, this begins a new chapter in your life! You’ve got all of the paperwork sorted out, have already started putting your belongings into boxes, there’s absolutely nothing left to do on your list. Except…what about your Car Shipping?

Sure, you might feel compelled to just drive it along to your new destination, but it’s still a long journey, even if you’re just moving to a neighboring state. If you’re moving across the country from New York City to Seattle, you don’t want to risk anything happening to your car during your big transition, this is where Cheap Auto Transport will come in to help. Also here is a comprehensive step-by-step guide to ensure that your car is best prepared, shipped, and delivered.

Step 1: Check your budget

Whether you’re getting your haircut, picking out a school for your child, or shipping your car to a whole other state, it’s always important to do your research before you just walk in somewhere and getting barraged with a lot of information at once. 

One of the most important things to consider is how much this venture of shipping your car will cost. It’s still good to compare and contrast your options to find the best balance of quality and service when researching auto transport companies.

On average, it will cost between $600 and $1,000 to ship a car across the country. It’s typically more expensive to do this during peak summer months, and cheapest during the winter months. It depends on how far you’re shipping your car and what kind of car you own, but just keep in mind this ballpark estimate. 

If you have already exhausted most of your budget on picking out the absolute best moving company to pack up and move your stuff and you’re scrambling to find an affordable way to ship your car, no worries! There are plenty of options out there that won’t break your bank. It may end up being more expensive if you try to drive out to your new state yourself if you consider gas, hotels, any road accidents that might occur, etc.

If you’re still stuck on how much you should spend, the rest of the steps should help you narrow it down. Sometimes it’s better to pay extra for more protection for your vehicle, or a faster shipping speed. Whichever option you choose, however, make sure it’s a company that you can trust.

Step 2: Open-air or enclosed?

There are different kinds of moving trucks out there that you most likely have seen whilst driving on the highways. They can carry one to multiple cars at once, and they have different features. Some are open-air transport trucks and some are enclosed transport trucks. Taking a look between the two will help you choose what method is best for your car. 

“Open-air” trucks are just like you might imagine, carrying cars without any covering or hoods or anything of the sort. The truck is just trucking away on its route while its cargo is feeling the wind on its headlights. Each car is tightly secured so that it doesn’t move around while the truck moves, even in the windiest conditions. Open-air transport is usually the cheapest option, and there’s more availability across different providers.

“Enclosed” transports are the opposite of open air. Your car has complete protection from the elements as well as added security in general. This leads to an increase in price, but as stated previously, this could be more of a benefit to you as the customer than a hindrance. If you have a fancier car that cannot stand even a drop of rainwater, however, this may be the best method of travel.

Step 3: Select an auto transport company

Now comes the most important decision you will ever make in your entire life. Well, not exactly, but it’s still an important step in your moving journey nonetheless. Selecting a company that will safely and efficiently ship your vehicle to new horizons does require a lot of research and thought, and now that you’ve figured out cost and method, you now have to find the most reputable of the bunch.

There are plenty of good companies who service certain kinds of cars or who are reasonably cheap, depending on what you look for in a company. Most people just go by which one has better reviews and call it a day. 

While it may be less important to others who are just trying to get the whole process over and done with, for most people including those who chose to seek out this guide, picking a company matters a lot since they are handling a really important item that helps you to do daily tasks.

When you do check reviews, don’t just look for all five stars, since some people only do that for special discounts on future services. Instead, look for more three or four-star reviews since those people tend to be more honest about what they got. If all else fails, ask a friend which company they used. Back before there were websites like Yelp and Angie’s List, people relied on information via word of mouth.

It’s also a good idea to just call up a couple of different companies to get an estimate on their prices and their overall attitude towards service. Don’t be afraid to let them fight for you to be their customer. At the end of the day, you’re looking for someone to ship your car, and they’re looking for some business.

Step 4: Prepare your vehicle

The contract has been signed, your bags are packed, and your airplane tickets are bought! You are now ready to set off to a whole new state to soon call your home. Actually…there is one more small thing to take care of first. You’ve got to prepare your car to be shipped. After all, you can’t have the people who are going to be handling your car looking inside and be horrified.

Make sure your car looks the best it can be on both the inside and the outside. Take out any trash or flyers that may have piled up, as well as any charging ports. Those will become your new extra traveling chargers until you get your car back, and you’ll be glad to not be without them for a few days. There’s no judgment here, but some people might have preconceptions about what the overall look of a car says about a person. Spoiler alert: a well-kept car displays that you take pride in your possessions. 

Give the exterior a nice wash so that it doesn’t get covered in any more dust if you choose to go with an enclosed carry truck. Your kids will also need all of their usual travel toys you usually keep in there for entertainment. Any tablets hanging to the back of the front seats will also need to be taken down in order to prevent any damage or loss. 

If your car has any existing scratches or dents before you hand it over to the shipping company, make sure you go around and make a detailed list (and/or take photographs) so that any you discover after you retrieve your car can be corroborated to say that they were caused by the company and not you. This is only the worst-case scenario, but it is a good tip to protect yourself should anything happen. 

Step 5: Follow up with a review

Now all that’s left is to leave the heavy work to the professionals and head on down to your new destination with zero anxiety. A lot of transport companies get the job done in a very short amount of time, no matter if you’re going all the way to Alaska, or just to nearby Kentucky. After all, there are tons of cars out there that need to be moved every day. 

Once you receive your car and everything is in order, a review is always a welcome tip to anyone who does business right. You can either do this on the company’s website, a review site like Yelp, or even just shouting it from the rooftops to all of your friends and neighbors. However you do it, make sure that the other party knows that what they do is highly appreciated. You never know when you may need to utilize their services again. 

Step 6: Enjoy your new home!

Now it’s time to take your car out and explore your new neighborhood! Sign up for carpools, take road trips, and enjoy all of what the state has to offer. There’s a whole new life waiting for you, and you don’t have to pay for Uber.  

You chose to ship your car for a reason, as you could’ve just sold it outright and moved to a city where you could just walk everywhere or take the train. Your car is an important part of your family unit, so you want to take it with you wherever you can travel within your own country. Even if it has racked close to a hundred thousand miles but still works like it’s brand new, everyone needs a trusted travel companion to help them navigate through their lives.

Have you ever wondered how products made of metal are created? With the wonderful variations of different metals, it would almost be impossible to bend, melt, shape, and turn them into rigid structures if not for die casting, especially when using pipe bender dies.

What Is Die Casting? How Does It Work? 

Die casting is a metal fabrication process where metal is subjected to high temperatures to turn it into a molten liquid before being pressed into a mold cavity with high pressure. Manufacturers typically use alloys made of a combination of metals in this casting process because of their ideally low melting point. Each part of the TX casting foundries network has been designed to scale, market quickly, and cast the highest quality alloys and metal parts imaginable.

Additionally, other metals that work best for die casting are:

• Aluminum
• Copper
• Magnesium
• Zinc

The steel mold regularly filled with molten metal should be made of two or more sections to allow easy removal of casting without damaging itself. Several molds can create thousands of metal castings without interruption. Here’s a quick rundown of the steps involved in die casting:

• Clamping: Two steel mold sections are mounted and clamped into the die casting machine. One mold is movable while the other remains stationary.
  
• Injection: The mold cavity formed by these clamped mold sections will be injected with molten metal. The high-pressure present in the process forces the metal to take the mold’s shape, ranging from 20,000-31,000 psi. 

The metal injection time for every casting project varies due to the wall thickness of the required casting and the metal’s thermodynamic properties. Thicker casting walls and castings made of zinc and lead have slower injection times.

• Cooling: Once the mold is filled to the brim, the molten metal will now solidify into its final shape as dictated by the mold. Thicker and more complex forms are required to be cooled longer. 

• Ejection: After cooling the casting completely, the movable mold section can now be opened to eject the casting and will be prepared for another die casting process. 

• Trimming: The process will leave some flash and excess material in the dies, which can be trimmed using a trimming press, saw, or trim die. The scrap material can either be reused or discarded. 

Advantages Of Die Casting

Die casting is a preferred metalwork technique because of its speed, simplicity, efficiency, and reliability. Perhaps automotive manufacture is the top market for die casting, as a lot of castings for auto parts are required to make vehicles work on a small and large scale. From cosmetic finishing to under-the-hood components, die castings can find their way through automobiles. 

In 2020, the die casting market was valued at a whopping USD$65.5 billion and was expected to increase by almost USD$100 billion in the next six years. What makes die casting an appealing metal fabrication method for industrial-grade materials and components? 

• Accurate dimensional stability, even up to the smallest castings
• Handles the most complex shapes and intricate designs
• Quick and efficient turnaround times
• Reliable corrosion resistance
• High thermal and electrical conductivity
• Good electromagnetic interference (EMI) or radio frequency interference (RFI) isolation
• Extended tool life 

Die Casting Development Through The Years

Die casting first appeared in 1838 when printing manufacturers had to find a way to produce newspapers in a flexible, quick, and cost-effective manner. The first die casting machine was a manually operated machine for mechanizing printing type production, which used a lead-tin alloy for casting letters. 

Then came the rotary printing press in 1846 and the Linotype setting machine in 1886. When the manufacturing and production of die cast parts emerged, eventually, die casting machines became widely known not only inside the printing industry.

In the first few decades of the 20th century, companies recognized the potential of die casting across various industries. Watches, typewriters, children’s toys, and cash registers were the first products to try out die casting. 

Applications Of Die Casting

Die casting widely involves metalwork in various industries like the industrial, commercial, and consumer industries. Whether an engineered product is entirely made out of metal or only has a small percentage of it, investment casting services plays a significant role in manufacturing it as desired.

Check out some applications of die casting in products, tools, equipment, and machinery in different fields:

• Automotive: Gas engine parts, engine cylinders heads, and other parts of the most high-tech cars today 

• Healthcare And Medical: X-ray machines, ultrasound equipment, electronically operated hospital beds, portable oxygen pumps

• Weaponry: Gun triggers, pistol grips, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) joysticks, selector levels 

• Consumer Appliances And Devices: AC compressor, appliance surface finishing, and coatings, wearable device clasp, camera housings

• Construction And Architecture:  Window frames, curtain walling, cast door handles, structural glazing

• Telecommunications: Fiber optic connectors, connector housings, switching system pins 

Conclusion

With die casting’s numerous capabilities, there’s no doubt that the manufacturing landscape will continue to use this process for many years to come unless they can possibly find a faster, more efficient, cheaper, and more reliable approach to producing metal parts. 

Are you a fan of car racing? Perhaps even the off-road series? If so, you’ll be excited to hear about Extreme E! It’s the new racing series featuring completely electric SUVs! Extreme E is pushing the automotive industry to come up with better technological changes for future road and automobile development.

The global voyage is set to showcase the epic futuristic technology in off-road racing with electric SUVs that are capable of keeping emissions to the lowest. What’s more, Extreme E promotes the world’s first and leading gender-equal racing platform. The planet’s environmental issues will now attract greater attention from a majority of automotive fans as the event’s regions hint towards damage surrounding climate concerns. 

Extreme-E Event Locations & Calendar

The Extreme E will commence the inauguration of its first-ever championship racing even in the early months of 2021, prominently, starting from 3^rd April 2021. Did you know that as a “green” racing event, The Extreme E championship’s five rounds are across five different environments? Prominently, Glacier (Argentina), Arctic (Greenland), Desert (Saudi Arabia), Amazon (Brazil), and Coastal (Senegal). 

Similarly, the calendar for the races in each round is as follows:

• Sharaan, Al-‘Ula, Saudi Arabia– 3^rd to 4^th April
• Lac Rose, Senegal– 29^th to 30^th May
• Kangerlussuaq, Russell Glacier, Greenland– 28^th to 29^th August
• Santarem, Para, Brazil– 23^rd to 24^th October
• Ushuaia, Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina– 11^th to 12^th December

Besides that, as the development of more teams is in place for later seasons, the current teams include:

• Abt & HWA from Germany
• Team TECHEETAH from Indonesia
• Veloce Razing & X44 from the United Kingdom
• Chip Ganassi & Andrec from United USA
• QEV Technologies from Spain

The Specialty of These Events

While this championship of eye-catching electric SUVs will be capable of demonstrating monstrous racing power across harsh terrains and dreadful climates, it will shine a light on some key concerns. What are they?

Extreme E will closely work with scientific committees present in all five regions. Their main goal will be to increase awareness regarding environmental concerns. Most of the event sponsors are gambling sites and casinos, one of them is Mummy’s Gold Casino. Some of the key concerns of the Extreme E championship will be:

• Deforestation
• Desertification
• Growing carbon emissions
• Sea levels
• Ice caps melting
• Droughts
• Plastic Pollution

Format of Extreme-E Series

The top three runners will come from the qualifiers rounds. They will then progress into the semi-finals, which will produce two final contenders. The races comprise two laps, each covering 16 kilometers. The teams will contain one male and one female who will race against each other to make their mark on this new “green” racing platform.

What Inspired Extreme-E into existence?

Formula-E series’ founder, Alejandro Agag (presently the CEO of Extreme E), announced in January 2019 that the project is underway. This Spanish businessman and politician received inspiration from the flourishing Formula E launch, which is currently in its seventh year of running. Agag has implied that Extreme E gave his enterprise credibility.

Wrapping Up

Are you excited to be part of the audience watching the Extreme E championship? It’s bound to be an epic experience for all of us! Besides, Extreme E has been able to obtain a one-year deal with Sky Sports and BBC for live broadcasting. Moreover, there will be documentaries and magazine style-shows for the Extreme E championship! River Belle Casino started to show advertising videos for supporting the championship. These will showcase the different environmental problems and the extent of their severity.

In an attempt to raise awareness about environmental concerns and climate change, electric cars, and green racing championships will be major influences. They’re a suitable form of sports as they feature the latest technology, induce maximum thrill, and cause zero environmental negativities!

Reference Links:

1. https://www.autosport.com/extreme-e/news/what-is-extreme-e-car-calendar-drivers-how-to-watch-and-more/5745149/
2. https://www.whathifi.com/advice/extreme-e-live-stream-how-to-watch-electric-suv-off-road-racing-for-free
3. https://www.extreme-e.com/files/m2393_What-is-Extreme-E.pdf
4. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09c5qbr
5. https://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/50467580
6. https://www.autoweek.com/racing/more-racing/a36005595/extreme-e-opener-from-saudi-arabia/
7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extreme_E
8. https://www.extreme-e.com/en/news/65_Calendar-revealed-for-inaugural-Extreme-E-campaign.html

It is safe to say that almost all houses in the US have their driveways. Although you and your neighbors might not say it out loud, it feels good to have a little competition with your neighbors, am I right? 

From your patio to your cars, or even to your driveways, you want yours to look better than theirs. This is why you often see different kinds of driveways in the neighborhood with their unique decorations and designs. If you want to step up your game and make your driveway better than your neighbors’, this article might help. Here are some ways how you can decorate your driveway.

1. Outdoor water fountain

If you want to decorate your driveway to make it stand out, you must add an outdoor water feature to your driveway. Having a water fountain is the easiest way to amp up your dull-looking driveway.

Whether you have a semi-curve driveway or a full-circle one, placing an outdoor water fountain in the middle would be perfect like the ones you see in movies. The water fountain could also become the star of your driveway, which is why you should pick the right water fountain design. 

There are a variety of outdoor fountains available in shops and on the internet. You can choose the design you want, but make sure it compliments your house’s overall look.

2. Add some lights

Another idea on how to decorate your driveway is to place some outdoor pathway lights. This would take effect during nighttime, but I can assure you that you won’t regret following this idea. 

You can add some LED lights on the driveway from the start-up to the very end to have that light effect when you drive in or out of your house. You can also buy several outdoor pathway lights and place them in the driveway to create a spotlight effect. 

Not only can it beautify your driveway, but it can also be useful to light up your outdoor area and highlight the exterior design of your house. 

If you want to decorate for a birthday or during the holidays, you can always use yard signs.

3. Try the modern update.

Although the traditional pathways are still exceptional, we cannot deny that this design is already prevalent. We often see the paved driveway, paths made from bricks, those concrete ones, and especially the landscaped driveway. 

If you want something new, try to hire a company like JBS Construction which provides Concrete Driveways Milwaukee to install a modernized driveway in your home. One example of a modernized driveway is one with crushed marble, blue fescue, and weathered steel for a vintage effect. 

4. Add a gate

If you are willing to invest some money to beautify your driveway, then you might as well give your driveway a gate. You can add whatever gate you want, which would definitely enhance the look of your driveway. This project might take a long time, but you will not be disappointed with the results. 

These are several suggestions on how you can decorate your driveway. According to Asphalt Industrial, you may want your driveway to look attractive, but you must also consider that it is safe and long-lasting. There are many more ideas on the internet on how to transform your driveway and make it look attractive, but rest assured, your driveway would have that elegant and luxurious look with these four ideas.

People nowadays purchase a car for fun or for a season which they don’t drive more often. They drive it occasionally, like festive seasons and on weekends only. However, the way you store your car while you’re not driving plays a crucial role in how it performs when you take it out. Ensure you keep your vehicle in good shape to make it ready for use anytime. If you follow some of these tips to maintain your rarely driven vehicle, you can keep it ready for the road anytime.

Stick to the Mechanical Rule

Base your maintenance on the timing but not mileage. Check and follow the recommendation of your owner’s manual and at 110 Car Maintenance Tips to keep your car in top shape. Despite your car not accumulating the needed mileage, you still have to regularly check the oil and additives because they are still sitting and aging even when your vehicle isn’t on the road. You can also base your maintenance on the calendar and avoid the mileage.

Don’t Let Your Car Lie for too long

Ensure you turn your car every few days, even if you’re not hitting the road. This will keep everything in your engine lubricated by keeping fluids through cycling your engine. It will also ensure your battery stays fresh and prevents liquids from pulling in certain areas of your vehicle. This is the best way to keep your vehicle in good condition, especially if you normally leave your home once a week. It will enable the car to start whenever it’s needed. While you do need insurance, you can often get lower prices for cars used less than 50 miles a day.

Take Care of Your Brake Fluid

Like the engine, brakes are also an important component of your car. Brakes help you to avoid rear-end collisions which might lead to crashing. Your brakes should be among your top priority because they take care of you while driving.

You need to check your brake fluids regularly and, if need be, change the fluids. Brake fluid can attract moisture, which is not great for your car. Moisture can lead to corrosion and even rusting, which can lead to the failure of your brakes. Accidents related to brakes can be highly avoided. Ensure you visit Pedders to help you with the brake system when you notice any fault play in your brakes. Ensure you annually replace your brake fluids to keep yourself safe.

Keep Your Car Clean

The last thing you would want to deal with is the falling leaves and sticks that collect your vehicle over time. Leaves and sticks can be harmful to your car if you don’t clean them immediately. When mixed with moisture, they can turn into tannic acid that can gradually eat your paint and degrade both plastic and rubber seals.

Ensure you clean your lying car once in a while. After cleaning, you can also find suitable car covers and protect your car from any external damage. Ensure you keep your vehicle off from the scorching sun and the dropping sticks or leaves.

Finally

Maintaining your less-driven car lies within your hands. You can either make it last longer by taking care of it regularly, even if you’re not using it, or wait until you’re heading outside. Simple maintenance programs such as regular cleaning, changing fluids, and waxing your car can protect it from harsh weather conditions and make it run greatly.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that about 9% of vehicle crashes are due to poor tire conditions. The tires on your vehicle help your car stay fuel-efficient, balanced, and safe. It’s essential to keep up your tire maintenance and know when to replace your tires for your safety. Many drivers, who have been driving for a long time, inevitably lose all plans at least once because of a broken tire. Of course, after that, you have to dodge by replacing the wheels or calling a tow truck. However, the timing of the action has yet to return. That’s why drivers are advised to use tires with RunFlat technology. What it is and what its advantages are, you can read more. Let’s check out the eligibility of using tires and their benefits.

Tire Condition

Replacing old or damaged tires is a normal part of car maintenance. You will need to replace your tires at some point. 

It’s important to understand that tires keep you and the people who ride in your vehicle safe. Your ability to drive safely depends heavily on your car’s ability to brake. It also depends on your car’s ability to perform in harsher weather conditions. 

The more you drive your car, the more you naturally wear your car’s tread, inflation, and overall condition. 

The durability of your tires wears down over time. This gradual breakdown comes from weather conditions, road conditions, over or under-inflation, and heat. No tire is safe from these conditions, so vehicle owners must understand when to replace tires. 

Testing Your Tires 

While there are no standardized tests to determine when it’s time to replace your tires, there are some guidelines you can follow to ensure your vehicle’s safety. 

You can test the tread depth of your tires using a quarter. Place George Washington’s head into one of the tire grooves. The top of his head should be well within the tire tread. If it is, that means your tire has 4/32 inch tread left and has enough grip for snowy or rainy roads. However, if you see space above George Washington’s head, you may need new tires immediately. 

Determining Tire Age 

Another to make sure that your tires are safe is to follow the guidelines for tire age. Some tire manufacturers say that you should replace your tires after six years, no matter how much you’ve used your vehicle. Other manufacturers say that ten years is the maximum life span for tires regardless of their condition. 

To check your tire age, you can look at the identification number on the sidewall, which begins with the letters “DOT.” Look at the last four digits. These are the week and the year to indicate how old the tire is. 

Replacing Your Tires

Ultimately, the time to replace your tires depends on your tires’ condition. Even if your vehicle hasn’t reached the six or ten-year mark, it is vital to monitor your tires’ condition to see if they need replacing. You can call a mobile tire service provider to replace your tires from your home. A professional can find you the right kind of tire that you need and deliver tires right where you are.