Here are some questions to ask yourself before you ship your car, as well as some good vehicle shipping advice:

1. Is it worth the effort? It usually makes sense to ship a vehicle that’s in good working order, but not always. Consider that shipping your car will cost a few hundred dollars at the bare minimum, and can sometimes cost a couple thousand dollars if you’re shipping the vehicle over a great distance. If you were considering replacing your car anyways, it might make sense to sell it rather than ship it.
   There’s also the fact that some cars are more valuable or desireable in one area of the country than another. For example, a cute little convertible is coveted in Southern California but not very popular in cold weather climates. A powerful 4wd SUV is popular in the mountains of Colorado, but regarded as an extravagance in South Texas. Therefore, put some thought into where you car belongs before you ship it.
2. What documents are required? One of the biggest mistakes owners make is lacking the required documentation. The original title is mandatory to prove ownership unless there is a lien on the vehicle. In this case, a letter certifying the authorization to ship the car will be needed. Other documents like a bill of lading as well as a sales invoice may also be required.
3. Remove your personal belongings. Your car is supposed to be locked down tight during shipping, but unfortunately that’s not always the case. The drivers sometimes forget to lock your vehicle, and even worse, sometimes vehicles on transports are broken into. By removing your personal belongings, you reduce your risk. Speaking of break-ins…
4. Are you insured? Most insurance companies will cover your car wherever you take it, but as soon as it’s strapped onto the back of a transporter, some insurance companies may determine that the transporter’s insurance covers your car. The trouble is, most transporters make you sign a limited liability agreement before you ship…so call your agent and make sure you’re not going to be taking a financial risk.
5. Review all your shipping options. There are a surprising number of options available for shipping a car in North America. Ebay Motors has a long list of transport companies, but there are also companies that specialize in moving goods in and out of your area, as well as person-to-person transport you can arrange on websites like uShip. You can even hire someone to drive your car, paying them a fee that covers their time and their one-way plane ticket home.

The last tip – talk to the used car manager at your local dealership and see if they can recommend a couple of transport companies. Most dealerships use vehicle transporters on a regular basis, and they can usually recommend an affordable shipper that’s also reliable.

Author Jason Lancaster is an experienced auto industry expert who is also the founder of ImportingCarstoCanada.org, a website that helps Canadians import used cars from the United States as well as offering vehicle shipping tips.

With endless straight roads and stunning scenery, Australia is the perfect place to take a family road trip. Heading along the Queensland Coast, you can experience beautiful beaches, surfing opportunities, and genuine rainforest. Go into the outback and you can indulge your fantasies of a classic desert road trip towards the iconic Ayers Rock, miles from modern civilisation. New South Wales has the splendour of the Blue Mountains, and in Victoria there is the Great Ocean Road—one of the world’s most scenic drives with views of the Twelve Apostle rock formations and numerous secluded bays.

A road trip is a great option for a family holiday, as it gives you a lot of freedom to stop and start whenever you please. Itineraries can change instantly if you like and having a large vehicle means you can pack everything you could possibly need—very important if travelling with young children! However, the first thing to think about before you get on the road is which family vehicle will best fit your needs.

Which car?

SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles) or FWDs (four-wheel drives) are equipped with off-road capabilities, so are ideal if you’re planning on driving places where the road surfaces may not be so good, such as into the outback. Their wheels are designed to cope well with gravel roads in summer and with ice in winter. They’re also very spacious inside for all your suitcases and bags. Some popular midrange models include the Toyota Prado, Holden Captiva and Ford Territory.

For those with bigger families, more luxurious seven-seater SUVs include the BMW X5 and the Volvo XC90. If you’re concerned about safety, the latter was awarded the Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

If you aren’t keen on the style of the FWD, there are other large vehicles available. One of the most popular people movers in Australia is the Kia Carnival—since 2006, almost a third of people movers sold have been this model. With eight seats and strong safety features, it is ideal for large families or those packing a lot of luggage.

At the other end of the scale, small families might want to consider a compact car, such as the Toyota Corolla. If you can cut down on your packing, a smaller car will mean lower fuel costs. Then, with the money you save, you can add all kinds of extra adventures to your holiday!

Before your trip

It’s a good idea to get a full service before you embark on a long journey—find a garage that can check your vehicle over and provide you with new tyres, new brake cables, or a windscreen replacement in Sydney if necessary. It’s far better to sort this out before you start than discover it’s something you should have done when you’re in the middle of the outback!

Catherine Halsey writes for a digital marketing agency on a range of topics. This article links back to http://www.obrienglass.com.au/2110.0.html.

Nobody wants to find themselves in a car accident, whether it’s just a bingle or something more serious. Sometimes they’re unavoidable though, especially when you’re not at fault. Imagine then, being in an accident and discovering that you either have no car insurance or don’t have enough to cover vehicle repairs or medical bills for yourself or other people? If that’s a position you might be in, then perhaps it’s time to re-evaluate that position and either purchase or increase your car insurance.

If you’re like most people, you understand the ‘big picture’ value of having car insurance but don’t see the point in paying through the nose for something they might not need. In which case I refer you back to the opening two sentences of this blog. So here are some tips on how you can save money on your car insurance premiums without compromising on your level of cover:

1. Shop around:Don’t just settle for the first car insurance quote you apply for. Nor should you sign on the dotted line for the cheapest policy either – under insurance can potentially be just as damaging as having no insurance at all. Insurance providers change their policies year by year, so get a good five car insurance quotes and compare what each provider covers for the amount you’re willing to pay as there can be noticeable differences.When you’re shopping around and talking to insurance companies, keep what those other providers have quoted you close to your chest as many companies will only try to beat the last quote. This means you could potentially be losing out on the best possible price for your insurance and settling only for a price that is intended to undercut the competition.
2. Higher excess, lower premiums: Many insurance customers will increase their level of excess in order to reduce their monthly premiums. It can be a bit of a risk, especially if you do find yourself in the unfortunate position of being involved in an accident, but if you pay a low excess on a reasonably new vehicle your monthly premiums will be significantly higher than if you were to pay a higher excess on that same vehicle. So bump up the excess and save $$$ with your monthly premiums.
3. Monthly payments Vs annual lump sum: When you’re using car insurance quote comparison websites find out which providers give you the option of paying your car insurance in one annual lump sum. This can often result in significant savings compared to having the payments for your premiums direct debited monthly from your bank account.
4. Insurance discounts: Many insurance companies will offer discounts for a number of reasons, but more often than not you have to make the enquiry yourself. Some will give a package discount if you bundle your car insurance with your home and contents cover. You might also get discounts for your customer loyalty, the age of the car (new car = low mileage = low risk = possible discount on premiums) and the age of the driver. Older drivers over 25 are seen by insurance companies as more reliable and so typically receive lower premiums. There may well be other opportunities for discount, but you’ll need to ask your insurance provider.
5. Drive safely: It’s kind of a commonsense thing, but people with a safe driving record and no claims are considered less of an insurance risk and are therefore more likely to receive discounts on their premiums.
6. There are numerous other ways to save money when applying for a car insurance quote. Your best bet is to shop around and find the best policy for your needs.

Here’s a look at some of the stopovers that can make your bike rides more pleasant than ever before.

Espresso Garage

Grey Street, in South Brisbane, is home to the Espresso Garage, a place that is filled with biking enthusiasts on almost all weekend mornings. The café has a number of places where you can tie up your trusted steed and head inside for a nice little meal. The place is known to serve some of the best Genovese coffee in the city and if you are looking for something a bit more substantial, try out the Avocado toast as well as the scrambled eggs.

My Sweetopia

After that tiring bike ride, you need a burst of energy and the well-iced cupcake is just the calorie-ridden treat you want. There are 21-different kinds of cupcakes, each of them baked fresh every day. Then there’s that little bit about the chocolate fudge cake that’s sublime to the point of being deemed illegal. The biking regulars tend to stick to a bit of the speedy brew as well as a slice of the fruit loaf toast that really tingles your senses. What’s more, if you are an advocate of this clean & healthy means of transport, then you get your name written on top of your cappuccino foam, in chocolate syrup!

Stove

Another fantastic location to savour the brilliant Genovese brand of coffee, the Stove is a favourite haunt of cyclists especially on Wednesday and Friday mornings. The muffins are baked in house, fresh and there are an astonishing variety of flavours, from apple and blueberry to something more exotic, like white fig. if you are looking for something to munch on, then the pumpkin, leek and bacon quiche are just what you need to sink your teeth into. The setting is quite relaxed and small but everyone is welcome to bring in their bikes and put them up against the fence.

DL Coffee

What do you get when you combine a roaster with a café and a bike shop? You get a chance to enjoy your love for bicycles and coffee, all in one sweep. The place serves up some delightful teas along with its range of coffee and is also known to bake a fantastic loaf of banana and chocolate bread, served up with a side of berries and mascarpone cheese. That’s all you need to find the energy to go back home. If you’re looking for something more savoury, then try the scrambled eggs with the home-made salsa. The walls are dedicated to great bicycle races from the past and present, keeping you in the mood and setting the tone for the conversation on the coffee table.

Coffee is, in itself, an institution that’s as big and brilliant as the world of cycling. If you are a biking enthusiast, then chances are that you look for some nourishment right after you finish your ride. Whether you are looking for sustenance midway through your trip or simply settling down for the after-ride breakfast, these are some of the best places to find some good company and stay in the spirit of cycling.

RICHARD ADAMS – author

Since he was 7, Richard has been a cycling enthusiast and has tried his hand at working in bike stores and repair workshops, while paying for his college degree. His entire life has been dedicated to the field of cycling even though he works as a graphic designer, in Brisbane Australia. Richard spends a good amount of time looking for places where he can indulge himself, after his daily cycling routine, to ensure that he has more reasons to come out, every morning, than just the ride itself. 

The cities

The leading cities are Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.  All three are capital cities, Sydney being the capital of New South Wales, Melbourne, the capital of Victoria and Canberra, the capital of Australia.

Sydney is not only the oldest but also largest city in the country. Its harbor is one of the world’s finest. It is famous for its water sports and beach as also its cultural life. It is the centre of higher learning being the seat of the Universities of New South Wales, Sydney and Macquarie University. It hosted the 2000 Summer Olympic Games.
 
 

Melbourne, second largest in size, may not have the engineering and cultural icons that Sydney can showcase but it is soaked in creativity. There are art galleries in the laneways and even street art. It has an unbelievable music scene and food difficult to beat anywhere in the world.

Places to see in Sydney and Melbourne

* Sydney Harbor Bridge is among the world’s biggest single span bridges.

* Sydney Opera House, the UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most famous multi-venue performing arts centre in the world. The structure is set on a huge podium at a site covering 4.5 acres on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbor. It has a roof evocative of a ship at full sail.

* Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens on Yarra River is a leisurely jaunt for picnics; the city has been nicknamed ‘garden city’ because of its many wonderful green spaces.

Natural wonders

Australia has four physiographic regions with more than half of its land area located in the Western Australian Shield which includes a number of ranges like the Kimberleys and MacDonnel ranges. The Eastern Uplands are characterized by high ridges, basins and plateaus. Mount Kosciusko is the highest peak in the Australian Alps and Lake Eyre is the lowest point in the country. There are a number of reefs and islands by the coast, the most famous being Great Barrier Reef and Tasmania.

Places of natural wonder to see

* In the never ending cinder dry desert in the central Outback is Uluru, a hunk of monolithic rock, the country’s ‘ground zero’ to be experienced through a spectrum of colors, either at sunrise or sunset; Gosse Bluff, a huge comet crater dug out by a comet as way back as 142 million years; and King Canyon in MacDonnel ranges, 300 meters deep, with towering flanks of 270 meters high.

* Hiking trails in World Heritage wilderness on the island of Tasmania for its rain forests, mountains, meadows, lakes and rivers.

* The largest deposit of coral in the world, encircling northeastern Queensland coast, the Great Barrier Reef has a length exceeding 2,000 km covering an area of 350,000 sq km; it has been shaped through the course of millions of years from skeletons of a living marine organism mass and has 300 hard coral species, a varied range of fishes and red encrusting algae giving it a purplish red algal rim.

Greg works at a bathroom supplier company and handles the packaging and dispatch. His company supplies to various bath store and retail outlets. Greg is a workaholic and works hard on weekdays and parties harder on weekends.

When you’re piloting a veritable behemoth of a vehicle, there’s even more cause for concern. Here are five reasons why driving an 18 wheeler takes not just skill, but guts;

photo source

Stopping Time

Though they can boast 18 wheels, most big rigs will only be fitted with ten breaks. Add to this the fact that the vehicle weighs in the region of 40 tons and you can see why stopping a truck of such size is no easy task. Indeed, it generally takes 40% longer to bring the progress of an 18 wheeler to a halt when compared with the average car.

This means truck drivers need to have the vigilance to anticipate any obstacles they may encounter well ahead of time, as well as good reactions in the case of an emergency.

Blind Spots

Though it doesn’t tell the whole story, in some regards, driving a truck is something like driving a car, but with every aspect of the experience enlarged by a considerable factor. Whilst, size causes many obvious problems, a vast turning circle for example, there are some less obvious disadvantages that arise from the scale of the vehicle.

Blind spots in our mirrors, for instance, often lead to accidents. In an 18 wheeler, the that you are unable to observe through your mirrors is much larger than in a car, meaning that, at times, you’ll have multiple ‘invisible’ vehicles in the vicinty you that you need to consider. This accounts for a large part of the difficulty of safely directing a big rig.

Double Clutching

If you find driving with a manual gear box troublesome, you probably aren’t cut out to be a trucker. Changing gear in a 18 wheeler requires the driver to use the double clutch technique, where you have to essentially perform two shifts every time you change gear. First the clutch is used to move into neutral, before being released, and then pressed down again as the appropriate gear is selected.

Other than truckers, the only other people you are likely to have seen use this technique are professional race car drivers, which gives you some indication that a fair level of technical skill is required.

Fuel

The average 18 wheeler rig will be equipped with fuel tanks capable of holding either 100 or 200 gallons of diesel. Either away, that’s a lot of highly combustible liquid, and it can add an extra element of danger to any accidents that may occur…

Jack-Knifing

Jack-knifing is where the trailer starts to move out of line with the cab, to the point that the cab and trailer eventually twist round into an opposed position, causing a crash. This can occur if for any reason the trailer starts moving faster than the cab (such as rapid, heavy breaking). Once the trailer moves out by an angle of 45 degrees from the cab, the situation can not be salvaged and jack-knifing becomes inevitable.

Will Kerr writes on a huge number of topics relating to driving jobs, from employees rights, to road safety.

Checking Out the Condition of Your Automobile’s Shocks Is as Easy as 123:

Assessment of the existing condition of shock absorbers is remarked ably both a simple and easy procedures. One of the standard mechanic’s tests of the condition of auto shocks is the push test that can tell whether replacement is needed or not and how soon. The test merely requires pushing of the shocks down then observing for its reaction. A single cycle is what you want because this means the shocks are fine. In case additional cycles were made, replacement are required. The more additional vibrations the sooner the replacement should be made. But the push test cannot tell everything, so together with this perform ocular inspections as well. Leakage is a bad sign, so when observed replace the shock absorbers even if the push test is fine. Another thing to look for are the loosened nuts and bolts which can bring more damage to the bushings and bosses. Thus once observed, tighten straightaway.

Simple Rules to Follow When Replacing Automobile Shocks:

Shock absorber replacement requires some techniques to make sure of its success. Replacing the shocks in pairs is on top of them because this is crucial in keeping a balanced dampening on the wheels present in the same axle. Bringing along the materials and tools important in the replacement process is another thing. Eye damage is high in possibility because of the falling debris on the auto under body so wearing eye protection is a must. Then to make the dismantling of the nuts and bolts easy make use of silicone lubricant or rust penetrant. Lifting tools are also important like wheel chocks, jacks and jack stand. The different types of shock mount may entail different process to disassemble but the caution on the bouncing or falling off of the axle or post should be exercised anyhow. Dismantled mount can present marks of debris, dirt and corrosion which should be wiped off before putting on the replacement. And finally see to it that you utilize the hardware that go with the shock absorber package in its installation.

Shock Absorber Aftermarket Replacements – Available in a Number of Types, Options & Upgrade Models:

Shock absorber replacements are already available in a wide array of options. Any type and built of vehicle has replacement possibilities. The most common of these is the standard-duty type which is the sort of general purpose shock. Performing smoothly on even-surfaced roads, with minimum passengers and loads. However with increasing cargo, the efficiency of this type is lessened. A very good alternative is the heavy-duty type that is very manageable despite heavy loads or more passengers and even on off-road terrains. The heavy-duty though is more expensive than the standard type but the former is way durable. Another alternative which is suitable for vehicles that only carry heavy load in an occasional manner is the air shock. An adaptive shock that can carry heavy load whenever required to. Though pricier and more susceptible to damage this type of shock is very effective for occasional heavy loading of your vehicle.

McPherson Struts Require More Specialized Testing Assessment & Installations:

One more type of shock absorber which is more modern than the rest is the McPherson-strut suspension. Similarly it requires constant checking but the process is more complicated and complex apart from the fact that is requires specialized tools. In line with this, having expert mechanics handle the task is the more practical thing to do.

Thomas Surrey

Surrey is a well respected auto service mechanic at a brand name auto dealership nearby Maple Ridge BC

Sure Tom enjoys his work – its just he says one day i am going to see my ticket in the local Vancouver Birtish Columbia newspaper in terms of BC  lottery winning numbers

Sea World

Located in Surfers Paradise, Sea World is not to be confused with the American SeaWorld chain. However, it does offer a similar combination of marine-life exhibits and theme park rides, making it one of the region’s most enduringly popular visitor attractions. It also features an adjacent water park, which carries a separate entry fee.

As its name suggests, Sea World’s most unique offering is its selection of exhibits and shows that offer an insight into the creatures that live in the waters off the Gold Coast and beyond. Among the most popular are Penguin Encounter (an Antarctic-themed penguin habitat), Polar Bear Shores (Australia’s only polar bear exhibit, which offers multiple viewing perspectives) and the Dolphin Nursery Pool (a major part of the park’s breeding program). Seals and dolphins also perform in daily shows.

SeaWorld’s ride line-up includes two major roller coasters. Jet Rescue sees riders boarding a “jet ski”, and is themed around a mission to save marine creatures. Sea Viper, meanwhile, has been operating for three decades and features a number of inversions in its twisting, turning circuit. Two areas, Beach Break Bay and Castaway Bay, are dedicated to children’s attractions, while the Viking’s Revenge flume ride can be enjoyed together as a family.

Don’ miss: Shark Bay, the world’s largest artificial lagoon for sharks. If you’re fascinated by the ocean’s predators, this is one of the best exhibits anywhere to see them up-close.

Warner Bros. Movie World

Known by locals simply as “Movie World”, Warner Bros. Movie World is designed to offer a similar experience to the famous Universal Studios parks. Unlike many other parks which claim to educate guests about the movie-making process, it is actually home to a real, working studio at which a variety of films and TV series are produced.

The major attractions at the park are its selection of roller coaster and its daily shows. The coasters include Green Lantern Coaster, which opened in 2011 and features the steepest drop of any roller coaster in the Southern Hemisphere, and Arkham Asylum – Shock Therapy, Australia’s first inverted roller coaster (which was previously themed around Mel Gibson’s Lethal Weapon movies). The shows include the death-defying Hollywood Stunt Driver and the high-tech Journey to the Center of the Earth 4-D Adventure.

Two of the highlights in Warner Bros. Movie World’s annual calendar are its Fright Nights Halloween celebrations and the festive White Christmas events. The latter sees areas of the park covered in artificial snow, and lit up by more than a million twinkling lights. There’s also the chance to board the Polar Express to the North Pole, in a special 4-D experience.

Don’t miss: Superman Escape, the park’s headline roller coaster, which launches riders from 0 to 62 miles per hour in just 2 seconds.

Dreamworld

The largest theme park on the Gold Coast, and indeed in all of Australia, is Dreamworld. It packs four roller coasters and dozens of other rides into a number of themed lands, alongside a variety of animal exhibits and shows. Adjacent to the theme park itself sits WhiteWater World, a separately-ticketed water park.

A number of major additions have been made to Dreamworld following its 30th anniversary celebrations in 2010. This includes the Buzzsaw roller coaster, which features an unusual lift hill that leaves riders dangling upside before plummeting through a loop towards the ground below. Another recent addition, Shockwave, sees guests spinning rapidly as they travel up and down a coaster-style track.

The new attractions have added to an impressive line-up that also features a variety of kids’ rides, including an area dedicated to the Wiggles. The park’s Australian Wildlife Experience is also very popular with visitors to the area, and offers a variety of exhibit and shows. This includes one of the most unusual theme park attractions you are likely to find anywhere in the world – the Australian Sheep Shearing Show.

Don’t miss: Tower of Terror II, a terrifying roller coaster in which guests are launched backwards at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour up a 377-feet-tall tower, before plummeting back into the station in a forwards direction.

All of the theme parks on Australia’s Gold Coast offer a fantastic day out, and you’ll be left satisfied whichever one you opt to visit. Visiting all three is highly recommended, though, as each offers a slightly different twist on the traditional theme park experience.

Photo credits:

• Sea World – Flying Cloud
• Warner Bros. Movie World – acroamatic
• Dreamworld – Samuel Mann

Nick Sim regularly writes about theme parks and related attractions for his own website, where you can find an extensive guide to theme parks in the UK.

Do you do a lot of travelling around? Spend a lot of your time tens of thousands of feet above the ground? Well then, the infographic above was created by us, for people like you. Despite millions of people around the world using air travel every month, people are not as clued up on some of the more unusual facts and figures of air travel as they could be! I bet you don’t know which airline serves the most Dom Perignon champagne? Or how many tonnes of caviar, salmon and chicken British Airways serve up every year to passengers?

Next time you’re going somewhere with friends or family by plane then you can be sure that you will know more than they do about the wonders of modern air travel. In fact you could wow them all with your newly found knowledge (or bore them!) during those long hours on the plane.

Created by Electric Dialogue for No.1 Traveller

Paddington
This inner city suburb, just east of the city’s centre, has some incredible restaurants. Have a game of pool while you enjoy classic modern Australian cuisine at the Paddington Inn on Oxford Street. The revamped pub restaurant has nightly specials and great live music. Durty Nelly’s Bar and Print Room restaurant is located on Glenmore Road and serves up some of the best Irish food in Paddington.

Watsons Bay
This seaside eastern city suburb is only 12 kilometres from the centre of Sydney, and is loaded with delicious eateries. Sit outside on Marine Parade, and watch the boats go by as you enjoy a cold seafood platter at Doyle’s on the Beach. Since 1885, the Doyle family has been serving up fresh lobster, bugs, prawns and fresh fish on the foreshores of Watsons Bay. Beer battered John Dory and Scotch filet steak sandwiches are just a couple of the menu items that you will find at the famous Watson’s Bay hotel on Military Road.  Sit inside or enjoy live music in the beer garden.

The Rocks
The oldest part of Sydney is rich with history and fantastic places to eat. More than just a simple cafe, The Vintage on Nurses Wk serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring Mediterranean omelettes, chorizo and eggs, and traditional Portuguese meals. Authentic German cuisine is what you will find at Lowenbrau Keller on Argyle St. You will feel like you have been magically transported to Europe when you step inside this converted warehouse. Feast on sauerkraut, schnitzels and sausage while you listen to live music.

Neutral Bay
The Oaks is a popular pub restaurant on Military Road that has been serving people under the giant oak tree in the beer garden since 1885. Just 12 minutes north of the Harbour Bridge, you can pick your scotch fillet or rib eye, and grill it yourself while you have a cold pitcher of beer and a big pot of mussels. There are several bars in the hotel, but if you want to sit in the garden, get there early, especially on Sunday. Bombay Bites is just down the street, and serves mouth watering Indian food. Have a plate of tandoori, or curb your appetite with spicy jalfrezi.

Newport
Located on the North Shore about 31 kilometres from the city’s centre, Newport has some incredible eateries, and if you like Thai food, you will not be disappointed. Crocodile Smile on Kalinya St. serves up authentic Pad Thai, Nasi Gorang and Volcano Prawns that everyone can afford. The Newport Arms is a great place to relax on a sunny afternoon. Order a burger at the Garden Bistro, have a beer and listen to live music. You can watch the big game on the largest outdoor screen in Sydney, or enjoy fabulous Pittwater views.

Jane is a world-renowned food critic and dining expert from Sydney, Australia. Having lived in the area for most of her life, Jane has dined at all of the best restaurants in Sydney and knows the area well.