Hot Driving & Safety How-Tos « Driving & Safety

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.

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: Use the auxiliary audio port in a 2010 Prius

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to use the auxiliary audio port in a 2010 Toyota Prius. This car is equipped with a mini plug auxiliary input port in the lower rear section of the center console, below the armrest. This will allow users to use personal playback devices such as an iPod. Simply plug the device into the mini plug socket and press the AUX button to listen through the car's audio system. This video will benefit those viewers who have a Toyota Prius car, and would like to...

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: Master the obstacle swerve on a motorcycle

In this video, we learn how to master the obstacle swerve on a motorcycle. First, you must reach a speed of 15 miles per hour and then swerve around a 7 foot obstacle 13 feet ahead. Learn how to swerve to the left first and then start to swerve to the right on a closed course. Do not brake while you are swerving and learn how to use counter steering. Keep your head up and look where you want to go while you are riding. Enjoy riding your bike and make sure to be extremely cautious when you are...

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: Set the onboard clock in a 2010 Toyota Prius

In this tutorial, we learn how to set the onboard clock in a 2010 Prius. To the left of the audio system are the clock buttons. To set this, press repeatedly or press and hold the "h" or "m" button to change the hours or minutes. Then, you will be able to set the correct time. Above the clock buttons is a switch that will change your reading from miles per hour to kilometers per hour. The controls on the Prius are completely customizable so you can control what you see on your car and when. M...

How To: Open & utilize the trunk area of a 2010 Prius

In this tutorial, we learn how to open & utilize the trunk area of a 2010 Prius. To access the cargo area, open the rear hatch by pressing on the release above the license plate. To keep items out of sight, there is a sliding cover that you can pull back and hook into slots. To open, pull towards you slightly, then reel it in. There is additional space under the floor which can be accessed by twisting the locks and removing from the vehicle. Underneath this, there is a cargo bin, and undernea...

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: 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: 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: Choose the safest possible parking space

Cars are expensive to buy, replace or repair. Check out this video and learn how to avoid the most statistically dangerous parking areas. There is no guarantee that no one will touch your vehicle, but by take precautions you are much less likely to be targeted.

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...

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: Use Active Trac (A-TRAC) on the 2010 Toyota 4Runner

The 2010 Toyota 4Runner comes with a feature called Active Trac or A-TRAC. A-TRAC traction control has the traction benefit of locking front and rear differentials, but with less weight. The ABS (anti-lock braking system) will automatically brake a slipping wheel. This will provide extra torque so that wheels with more traction can continue to push the car along. This automatic feature works seamlessly and the driving experience is not hindered in any way. However, the driver can turn this on...

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: Install cable style tire chains on your automobile

The Oregon Department of Transportation shows you how to install cable style tire chains in this video tutorial for the winter. These are tips and techniques for cable chain installation and removal from your auto's tires. The winter is here, and driving safely means protecting yourself against the snow and ice. Tire chains on your automobile is the perfect solution.

How To: Use the extra gear in a 13 or 18 speed RoadRanger

See how to use the extra gear in a 13 or 18 speed RoadRanger as Troy drives a kenworth K104B to Townsville.

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: 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.

How To: Approach Junctions to Turn Left and Right When Driving a Car in England

Here is a video to help all of those who are learning to drive in the Nottingham and surrounding area. It is one of the most important topics in driving and needs a whole lot of skills to do properly.

How To: Meet Oncoming Traffic and Pass Parked Cars in England

Here is a video all about meeting other vehicles when you're having lessons with driving instructors in Nottingham and the surrounding area. It happens when you are passing parked cars and someone is coming the other way.

How To: Learn to Move Off and Stop When Driving a Car in England

This tutorial video is all about how to move off and stop and use your mirrors when taking driving lessons in Nottingham and the surrounding area.

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: Jump start a car with a dead battery

You don't want to get stuck on the side of the road when your car's battery dies. Learn how to charge your car's battery off of someone else's using jumper cables. Don't let a dead battery leave you stranded! Every driver should know how to jump start a car.

How To: Unlock a frozen car door using a butane lighter

Live in a place with severe winter? You may eventually find that your car door lock has frozen solid. You can try jiggling the door handle, but if that doesn't work, then bring out a butane lighter and heat up your car key. Take care to not get burned!

How To: Determine if you should buy an electric car with Electric Car Calculator

Are you thinking of trading in your 6mpg Hummer for something a little more efficient? Well, if you've got an electric or hybrid car in mind, this video will show you how to make a choice that works for you. With a little program called Electric Car Calculator, you can determine if the savings are worth it for you to get into one of today's hybrid or electric cars.

How To: Pack a recovery kit for your 4x4 to ensure your safety while offroading

If you spend a lot of time alone or close to it in the wilderness, then hopefully you already know how important it is to bring a properly packed survival kit. This is true for offroading enthusiasts as well as pedestrian outdoorsman, but the kit requires some great specifically related to your being in a 4x4. This video will show you what you should pack in your 4x4 offroad recovery kit and explains why this stuff will keep you safe.

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.