Driving & Safety — tips and tricks for motorists out on the road « Driving & Safety

How To: Get turn by turn directions with Ford SYNC

If you have just purchased a new Ford Taurus, you may have noticed the new SYNC feature. SYNC is a GPS built right into your dashboard. If this is your first time using a global positioning system, you may need a few pointers. Check out this video and learn how to access step by step directions and get where you need to go.

How To: Use a deadbolt cable and ballmount trailer lock

This is a cable and ballmount lock set for 1-1/4 inch trailer hitch receivers. What it does is attach to your bicycle rack through the receiver and also the cable lock attaches your bike to the receiver and the bikes themselves. See how to set it up in this video.

How To: Pair a phone through Bluetooth with a 2010 Prius

Learn how to pair a phone through Bluetooth with a 2010 Prius in simple steps. 1. You can connect your phone to the vehicle through Bluetooth without using any wires. 2. Press the 'Info Phone' button on the right side of the display screen, press 'Phone' now and press 'Yes' when prompted. 3. Now enter the pass code when prompted on your phone to pair it successfully. 4. You can pair more than a single phone by using the same process but you can use only one at a time. 5. You can also transfer...

Quick Tip: Pointing Your Car Remote at Your Head Increases Its Range

Keyless entry remotes are great, but they don't always work how you want them to. One of the most common complaints is that they just don't reach far enough, and there's nothing more annoying when you can't remember where you parked. After all, what's the point of having "remote" entry if you have to be right next to the car for it to work?

How To: Are You Being Followed? How to Check Your Car for GPS Tracking Devices

There's been a lot in the news lately about tracking devices, and it's been pretty much all bad. They can be useful if your car gets stolen, but if you weren't the person who installed it, chances are you don't want it there. Just type "GPS tracking device" into Google and on any given day you'll find an article about someone who got busted by one of these things. Even if you don't have to worry about getting into trouble, you still don't want people following you. Here's how to make sure you...

How To: Unlock a Car Door with a Clothes Hanger

This video shows you how to unlock a car door with a hanger but warns it isn't easy and may take some practice. First you will need a hanger as long as your arm, then insert the hanger in the hole on the left side of the window. Try to feel around and find the pin inside the hole. After you find the pin pull up on it. Try not to lock your keys in your car so you don't have to do this anymore.

How To: Pass a California DMV Driving Test

If all things go well, you'll only have to take your road test once. That's the goal: to ace your test on the first try and then start driving on your own. Granted, it's a nerve-racking experience, but keep in mind that the California Department of Motor Vehicles wants you to pass. So much so, they give you the examination answers ahead of time! All you have to do is study.

How To: Unlock a Car When the Keys Are Locked Inside

In these auto lockout emergency videos, learn what to do when you've locked your keys in the car—aside from calling a locksmith. See how to use special tools, usually readily available to the public, to unlock your car free of charge.

Skip the Long DMV Line: Renew Your Driver's License at a AAA Office Instead (No Membership Required)

If there's one way to get a visceral response from someone, it's bringing up the DMV. Regardless of the reason, whether it's the long lines, disgruntled employees, or just general inefficiency, I have yet to meet a single person who doesn't mind the trip. Just look at all those happy faces.

How To: Start a car without needing the key

Please only use the information in this video if you have lost your own car key or you are helping out a friend who has lost theirs! If you need to start a car without the key, this tutorial shows you how to find the wires in the steering column to find the eight cables underneath. Here's what to look for and then what to do so you can get your car running and go to where you need to be.

How To: Enter Address in Hyundai Tucson Navigation System

How to enter an address in the navigation (infotainment) system in a Hyundai Tucson (2015–2016 model, formerly known as ix35) as well as other Hyundai models with similar systems.

How To: Use a wheel winch to rescue your 4WD drive from the mud

If you and your 4WD Jeep or other offroading vehicle venture far enough afield, you will probably find yourself stuck in mud, sand, ruts, or some other sticky situation. This video will teach you how to use a wheel winch to self-rescue your vehicle from all sorts of situations and get your truck driving again.

How To: Use the smart key for the 2010 Toyota Prius

In this video, we learn how to use the smart key for the 2010 Prius. You can use this just like any other keyless entry system. Press the lock button to lock the doors and the unlock button to unlock the doors. When you press unlock once it unlocks the drivers door, if you press it twice within 3 seconds, it unlocks all the door. After 60 seconds, the Prius will automatically lock itself. Press the red alarm key if you need to draw attention to yourself in an emergency situation. Make sure yo...

How To: Operate the backup camera on the 2010 Toyota Prius

In this tutorial, we learn how to operate the backup camera on the 2010 Prius. The Prius models can come equipped with a navigation and a backup camera. When you shift into reverse, the navigation screen will change to show what the camera sees behind the vehicle. You will also hear a repeating beep to indicate that you are going in reverse. This is a great tool to use while you are backing up your vehicle, which can help you avoid small things in the road. This is also a great tool to help a...

How To: Use steering wheel controls in the 2010 Prius

In this video, we learn how to use steering wheel controls in the 2010 Prius. The Prius has steering wheel mounted controls that come with touch tracer display. When you press these, the display produces the duplicate on the panel to see what you are doing. This is located in the driver's line of sight. You will find radio, volume, and radio channel controls on the left hand side. You will also find voice activation and phone on the left hand side. The switches on the right hand side will hel...

How To: Use the paddle shifter in the 2010 Ford Flex

Not sure what a paddle shifter is? Well, if you own the 2010 Ford Flex, you are at least aware of its existence. You can switch your vehicle from automatic transmission to manual transmission in the 2010 Flex, and there's these things on the steering wheel called paddle shifters, which allow you to shift between gears without ever taking your hands off the wheel. Learn how to use them.

How To: Operate the headlamps on a 2010 Prius

Toyota USA shows you how to operate the headlights of the 2010 Prius. Follow this guide to operate the headlights on the 2010 Prius: To turn on the headlights, use the switch on the end of the left hand stalk. Rotate it once to turn on the parking lights, twice to turn on the headlights. The fog lights are switched on my rotating the inner control ring. If your model comes with LED headlamps, you can turn on the headlamp washers by pushing the button located to the left of the steering wheel.

How To: Operate the windshield wipers in a 2010 Prius

Toyota USA provides this quick video guide to show you how to use the windshield wipers in the 2010 Prius. If you want to control the wipers and washers, take the following steps: To operate the wipers, move the right hand stalk up for a single wipe, or move it down to activate the intermittent setting. Move the stalk down one more position to select a slow and constant wiper mode. One more down pull selects the fast wiper mode. Pulling the entire stalk towards you will activate the windshiel...

How To: Operate automatic headlights on a 2010 Toyota 4Runner

Have you heard about the headlights automatic operation system on a 2010 Toyota 4Runner? Let's check it out. With the head lamp switch on the auto position, the system turns the low beam headlight on when it gets dark and off when there is good sunlight. When dark, the automatic headlights will be on for about 30 seconds till one leaves the car to walk by. This new feature is a smart, built-in system that works well with the intensity of the light.

How To: Use the backup camera on a 2010 Toyota 4Runner

This video shows you how to use the backup camera on a 2010 Toyota 4Runner to assist in backing up. The 4Runners that are equipped with the available navigational system also have the backup camera. When you shift into reverse, the navigation screen display changes and shows you what the camera sees behind the vehicle. There are also select models that are not equipped with the navigational system that are equipped with a backup camera. This select 4Runner has the rear view displayed in the r...

How To: Parallel Park Your Car in a Tight Parking Spot

If you live in L.A. or New York, you simply will not survive unless you know how to parallel park. That's beccause in big cities finding any sort of parking spot at all is a miracle, and often the spots that are open are also tiny slits of parking spaces, requiring more than a little finesse to slip into.

LA Auto Show: VW Does Infotainment the Right Way

The 2015 LA Auto Show showcases the best of the auto industry—well, at least according to car companies. Increases in horsepower, better fuel economy, and most importantly—the latest tech—is all on display during the 10-day event in Southern California. Once of my first missions at the show was to figure out who is putting the most care and thought into in-cabin electronics, mainly the ones that guide us around and play our music, affectionately known as "infotainment."

LA Auto Show: The Car of the Future Is Only $6,800

There was one company at the 2015 LA Auto Show that had everyone intrigued. They didn't have a big booth, and they only had one car on display, but they definitely had everyone's attention.

How To: Get a Free Tow Home This New Year's Instead of Leaving Your Car at the Bar (Or Driving, You Drunk Fool)

Assuming that you're not going to knit a sweater and celebrate New Year's Eve with Ryan Seacrest and Jenny McCarthy on ABC's “New Year's Rockin' Eve," it's a pretty safe bet to say that you're probably going to consume alcohol—a considerable amount of alcohol.

How To: How Anonymous Texting Can One Day Help You Avoid Tow Trucks, Parking Tickets, & Vandalized Cars

Parking. Ugh. Parking is about as fun as running through a swarm of bees while being chased by a pack of wolves from The Grey.

How To: Want to Find Your Stolen Car Fast? Forget the Police and Call a Taxi

A car is stolen every 33 seconds in the United States, and from that, the percentage of vehicles recovered in the first day is a whopping 52 percent. Over the next week, that number rises to around 79 percent, but after those initial seven days are up, it's unlikely the vehicle will be found.

How To: Find a Sweet Parking Spot at Peak Times (Then Locate Your Car Afterwards)

Living in Los Angeles has taught me one thing—parking is a luxury. If you are lucky enough to find street parking anywhere near your desired location, do not pass it up thinking you will get an even closer one. It does not exist. Looking for free parking? Get real. You can't even park at a busted meter in Los Angeles, despite state law saying otherwise. Now, finding a good parking spot is not just relevant for Los Angeles, but for other large cities and any other crowded areas, be it a shoppi...

How To: Perform the Right Hand Reverse for Advanced Driving Tests in England

Here is a manoeuvre that you won't see every day. It is intended for drivers in commercial vehicles who cannot see to the rear. By reversing with the flow of traffic it is possible to see approaching vehicles through the front windscreen and the right hand kerb by looking down over your shoulder. This manoeuvre sometimes occurs on the ADI, Part 2 Test of driving ability.

How To: Park in a Bay to Driving Test Standards in England

Here is a video demonstration of the Bay Park. You will only be asked to do this if your local driving test centre has its own car park. Be careful when practising this as most car parks are privately owned and don't want learner drivers disturbing their customers. Make sure to look all around for pedestrians when you are doing this manoeuvre.

How To: Demonstrate the Reverse Park Manoeuvre on a Driving Test in England

Here we see how to do the reverse park manoeuvre to driving test standards. There is an explanation of the manoeuvre followed by an in-car demonstration. You will need to be diplomatic about where you practise this, and try not to annoy local residents by using their cars to park round too often. Keep the car slow and make sure you look all around for other vehicles and pedestrians.

How To: Perform the Turn in the Road Driving Test Manoeuvre in England

This video will show you how to perform the turn in the road driving test manoeuvre. Commonly know as the three point turn, it is used to turn the car around in the road to face the other way. You will need to keep the car slow and move the steering wheel quickly when you do this.

How To: Do the Left Hand Reverse for Driving Tests in England

Here is a video to help you with the left-hand reverse manoeuvre, which occurs on the driving test. There is a full explanation of the manoeuvre followed by an in-car demonstration. Make sure you keep your speed low and do plenty of observations when you perform this. It should help you along with your driving lessons.

How To: Deal with Pedestrian Crossings When Driving a Car in England

Here's a video on how to deal with pedestrian crossings in England. It's to help all of you taking driving lessons in Nottingham and the surrounding area, and can be used before or in-between your training.

How To: Deal with Roundabouts When Driving a Car in England

Here's an educational video about dealing with all types of roundabouts, suitable for those practising with driving in the Nottingham and surrounding area.

How To: Deal with Crossroads When Driving a Car in England

Now, here's a subject that has a lot of information in it. The brief for this is quite long, so you'll have to pay attention when taking driving lessons in Nottingham and the surrounding area.

How To: Emerge at T-Junctions When Driving a Car in England

Here's a very informative video for those of you learning to drive in the Nottingham and surrounding areas. We look at what to do when you get to the end of a road and you can't see what's coming from the sides. Keep slow so you can look, assess, decide and act upon what you see. You have to wait at a give way line and definitely stop at the stop sign. It's the law.