Top 10 Weirdest Things Found In Rented Cars

 

Ever forgotten something in that car you rented while you were on vacation? Don’t worry: even the best of us manage to leave our sunglasses or car keys behind occasionally.

But sometimes even stranger items get left behind in cars. What do we mean by strange? Well...take a look at this infographic and you’ll see what we mean! Make sure you read all the way to the end - this has some great tips on how to make sure you don’t leave anything behind in your rental.

How To Handle An Engine Fire

While driving can be an extremely fun activity, there are always dangers that drivers need to be aware of. One of those dangers are car fires. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that there is a vehicle fire every 96 seconds in the United States.

The dangers of car fires are further highlighted by articles like one on Detroitnews.com that tells one man’s tale about how his truck went up in flames within three minutes. “A fire in a modern vehicle burns fast and furiously,” the writer states. “What's intact for the moment can be gone or enveloped in toxic smoke in a matter of seconds.”

All drivers need to be aware of this potential danger, especially since most fires start due to electrical problems, which can’t be seen and can be undetected. Signs of potential problems, according to Statefarm.com, are:

·      Fuses that blow repeatedly

·      Spilled oil under the hood left over from an oil change

·      Oil or other fluid leaks under the vehicle

·      Cracked or loose wiring, or wiring with exposed metal

·      Very loud sounds from the exhaust system

·      Rapid changes in fuel level, oil levels, or engine temperature

·      A missing cap from the oil filler

·      Broken or loose hoses

Should the warning signs lead to a real emergency before any problems can be fixed, remember to stay calm and do the following:

·      As highlighted in the Detroitnews.com article, if anything seems “off” in your car, pull over and get out – you’ll be able to see if anything is obviously wrong.

·      If you smell gasoline, don’t just assume it’s coming from another car – it could be a sign of trouble in yours. Pull over.

·      When you pull over, turn off your car’s ignition immediately. Exit the vehicle and do not go back for personal items.

·      If you see flames once you exit the vehicle, call 911 immediately and keep away from your car.

·      Do not open the hood of your car and attempt to fight any fire yourself; opening the hood adds extra oxygen to the blaze and makes the situation worse.

As with all accidents, you should also find ways to alert oncoming traffic to the danger your car poses, and take pictures of the damage to show to insurance agents later.

The 10 Most Common Car Myths

Did the Model T Ford only come in black? Do bigger wheels make you go faster? Do red cars cost more to insure than other colored cars?

If you answered yes to any of the above, we’re sorry to say you’ve bought into at least one common perpetuated car myth, if not more. Don’t worry - it happens to the best of us.

Curious to know the truth and see what other myths you and your friends may be confusing with the truth? Check out this entire list of 10 most common car myths. We guarantee you’ll be surprised!

The Secret Lives of Drivers: An Infographic

Have you been checking out other drivers to see if they’re attractive? Or maybe you’ve been applying makeup to yourself while behind the wheel? Whatever it is, we’re sure you’re not alone. Everyday both men and women get behind the wheel and practice driving habits that we were all warned against back in drivers ed. and yet, nearly 70% of both men and women believe that their driving habits are not dangerous!

Check out the rest of these crazy driving habit statistics by viewing this great infographic here: http://bit.ly/w7Irv3

The Future of Driving: A Video

Electricity! Alternative oil! Solar power! The future of automobiles and alternative fuel has been a driving force of discussion over the past few years, but finding a new fuel to use is not the only concern that is out there. A large cause of wasted fuel are everyday occurrences like traffic, gridlock or even trying to find a parking space! The following TED talk, given by Bill Ford Jr. - Executive Chairman of the Ford Motor Company, talks about these everyday occurrences and the idea of not building more roads, but of more innovative ways of thinking, for example, developing cars on the road that can communicate with each other to a point where they know where traffic is, and then will rearrange your driving route before you too are bumper to bumper.

To check out what Bill Ford Jr. says about the future of driving, click this link here: http://bit.ly/lWAlXd

Time for a Change!

From that very first time you sat behind the wheel of a car, there has always been that little sticker in the top left of the windshield that tells you when to get your oil changed. Often the sticker will say the name of the company that last changed the oil, as well as at what mile this company suggests you get the oil changed. While yes, it is a very informative sticker, what the sticker fails to inform us about is why. Why is it so important to get the oil changed every few thousand miles?

To begin we must first know what oil does.

Oil Lubricates. Motor oil is used to prevent the wear and tear of an engine due to metal on metal friction. Oil seeps into the different tiny nooks and crannies in the metals, allowing for the now frictionless engine to run efficiently.

Oil Cleans. Oil cleans the engine by catching dirt and tiny pieces of debris that can damage bearings and other parts of the car.

Oil Cools. Oil absorbs the heat from the different frictions and combustions happening in your car. Oil helps cool the underside of the pistons, the crankshaft, bearings, rods and more.

Now that you know what oil does, what happens if you never choose to change your oil? If you refrain from changing your oil, dirt and debris will build up in the oil and eventually, when this mixes with the different detergents and additives already in the aging oil, the oil with become thick and sludgy, no longer working as a lubricant and ultimately leading to the demise of your car. Yikes!

So, keep an eye out for that sticker on your windshield and don’t forget to change your oil!

An Electric Future

Green is the most popular color today and those at Ford know it. This is why Ford has teamed up with HBO heart throb and Co-Founder of www.SHFT.com, Adrian Grenier, in an effort to not just go green themselves, but also help others go green too.

Check out this neat music video for “Electric Car” by They Might Be Giants posted on SHFT.com here: Electric Car

And check out the rest of the SHFT website to find out how they’ve been “curating the environment” all over the U.S. here: www.SHFT.com