Washing your car once a week is the best way to prevent a buildup of surface contaminants before they can damage the paint. Whether you park your car in the garage or on the street in Laurel, MD, it is still subjected to environment contaminants that quickly ruin the look of your car, but these top car cleaning tips will help keep your car looking and smelling new.

The Exterior
It is important never to wash your car in the direct sunlight because it can cause streaking and dried soap may leave permanent markings.

• Start by spraying the vehicle with a hose to remove any loose debris, dust and dirt.
• While the car is still wet, use a soft sponge and warm soapy water to wash the exterior paint. Start on the top of the vehicle and work your way done.
• Thoroughly rinse away the soap and dry with a soft microfiber cloth.
• Remember to clean thoroughly the tires and wheel wells.

The Interior

• Using a safe leather cleaner, start with the dashboard and work your way down to the console and steering wheel.
• Use a damp cloth to clean the inside of the doors, door handles and locks.
• Using a vacuum cleaner, start with the inside roof and work your way done. Pay close attention to the seats by making sure you vacuum inside the crevices. Remember to remove the floor mats and vacuum the floor thoroughly.
• Clean the inside of the windows first using a soft cloth and vinegar/water. Dry thoroughly and continue to the outside of the windows and the mirrors.
• To keep your car smelling fresh, stash a few fabric softener sheets under each seat.

Top Car Cleaning Tips include maintaining the paint, so you should attempt to wax and polish the exterior about once each month. It is also suggested that you clean the inside of and around the hood about every three months. Clean up fluid spills as soon as they happen to prevent a buildup of oil and grease around the motor.

One of the most important things you can do to keep your car in the best shop possible is to ensure you have sufficient insurance. Laurel, MD drivers, should contact Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial for a new insurance policy or review your current policy.

Situated directly between the metropolises of Baltimore and Washington, D.C. is Laurel, Maryland, a small town of just over 25,000 people, many of which commute to these larger cities for work. If you’re one of those people who commute, you will probably spend a lot of money on gas since you will be driving so much. So here are some tips for getting great gas mileage if you live in Laurel, Maryland.

KEEP YOUR TIRES PROPERLY INFLATED

Tires with low air pressure will force your car to work harder when driving and cause you to get much worse gas mileage. So keeping them properly inflated is something that will take very little time and save you a lot of money.

PURCHASE A GAS EFFICIENT AUTOMOBILE

Buy a hybrid or a smaller car that gets excellent MPG, as this will literally double your gas mileage when compared to bigger cars that aren’t built to be fuel efficient. Unless your livelihood requires you to have a truck or haul a lot of people or things, you really don’t need a big car, as they get terrible gas mileage and are more expensive to purchase in the first place. Also, make sure you have the right insurance for this vehicle, regardless of what you buy.Maryland state law requires all drivers to have a minimum amount of insurance that pays $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident of bodily injury damage, $15,000 worth of property damage and the same coverage for uninsured motorist protection, in case the person who collides with you is illegally driving with no insurance themselves. Therefore, it’s important to not only have the right amount of insurance while driving in Maryland through a company like Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial who serves the Laurel area, but also to budget for this added cost to your monthly car bill.

DON’T ACCELERATE TOO QUICKLY

Gunning it off the line and speeding well over the speed limit lead to a higher expenditure of gas, in turn leading to terrible gas mileage. Refrain from doing this and you will be amazed by the results.

Do you love your motorcycle? Unfortunately, you may not be the only one.

Motorcycle theft is a common occurrence in the United States, and any bike that isn’t securely anchored to the ground — and even some that are — are vulnerable to being stolen. Popular sport-style motorcycles can be easily loaded into vans, trucks and trailers, and all kinds of bikes can be hotwired and driven away. Motorcycle theft peaks in the summertime when the weather is nice and more people are riding. Some motorcycles are stolen by joyriders, but most are taken to be broken down and sold for parts. Trained thieves can swipe your bike faster than you can use a gas station’s restroom.

Fortunately, you have options. These five tips can help prevent thieves from getting away with your motorcycle.

1) Use Two Disc Locks… with Alarms

Disc locks are great deterrents to keep criminals from riding off on your motorcycle. Buy two brands of disc locks and use one on each wheel. Also, only use disc locks with built-in alarms. This will alert anyone nearby that your bike is being tampered with.

2) Anchor Your Bike

Use a high-quality chain and U-lock to anchor your motorcycle to a light pole, a tree, or even your friend’s bike. Anchor your motorcycle even when parked in your garage at home. Also, make sure your lock is tightly suspended in the air so thieves can’t get leverage to easily break it.

3) Don’t Try to Hide Your Bike in Public

When parking in public places, you may be tempted to conceal your bike between larger vehicles or behind buildings. Don’t. You’re much better off leaving your bike in a well-lit area where it’s in plain sight of as many people as possible.

4) Get a Bike Cover

Don’t help criminals by showing them whether your motorcycle is what they’re after. Cover your bike whenever possible. This is especially important if you don’t have a garage.

5) Use a Tracking System

Vehicle tracking systems like LoJack are highly effective in helping police recover stolen vehicles. If a thief does manage to steal your motorcycle, a vehicle tracking system can be the difference in reclaiming your bike before it’s scrapped and sold.

Don’t get caught without motorcycle insurance coverage that might help protect you from financial loss. Contact Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial and see how much you could save with a policy.

Having some tools in the trunk can help with emergency car repairs. Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial recommends that drivers have a tool kit and certain spare parts to help with emergency repairs.

Even those with roadside emergency service should have a tool kit and spare parts. There may be times, when driving in remote areas, when no cell phone signal is available to call for help. In wintertime, it is possible to stall out in the snow and it may take time to clear the roads so help can arrive. When help does arrive, it is extremely convenient to have the proper spare parts for the repair. This can avoid having to tow the vehicle, if making the repairs on the spot is possible by having the parts.

Tool kits are available that have some of what is needed. Here is a comprehensive checklist of items to consider, depending on the weather conditions:

TOOLS

• Lug Wrench (cross-shaped) – Easier to turn, due to having more leverage than a single bar.
• Socket and Wrench Set
• Screwdrivers
• Rubber Hammer
• Inspection Light
• Flashlight
• Onboard Electronic Diagnostics Code Reader – Determines what triggered the “check engine light.”
• Battery Cables
• WD-40
• Temporary Tire Repair Air Can or Air Pump
• Work Gloves
• Emergency Window Triangle
• Road Flares
• Extra Set of Keys – These are helpful if the vehicle has a button to pop open the trunk.

SPARE PARTS

• Two Headlamps
• Tail light Bulbs
• Spark Plugs
• Belts
• Oil Leak Stopper
• 5 Quarts of Oil
• Anti-freeze
• Transmission Leak Stopper
• Transmission Fluid
• Windshield Wiper Blades
• Set of Replacement Fuses

PERSONAL SAFETY

• First Aid Kit
• Drinking Water
• Dehydrated Food Rations
• Camper’s Cook Stove with solid fuel (safer)
• Lighter
• Sub-Zero Sleeping bag
• Space Blanket

Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial encourages taking the added precaution to carry a tool kit, spare parts, and personal safety items in the trunk. We care about your safety. Contact us to make sure you have adequate coverage for your auto insurance needs.

We’ve all seen the commercials where a brand new car is parked in the driveway with a big red bow around it, all wrapped up as someone’s holiday surprise.  These sorts of purchases definitely can be done, but there are a few things that you need to know if you plan on buying a car as a present this year.

Pick the Right Car

If you are buying a car for someone as a gift, it would be great to give them a vehicle that they actually want.  Is there a particular color in a vehicle that they love?  Is space for hauling recreational gear or family needed? Take the time to find out precisely what their likes and needs are before you go shopping.

Financing

If you need to finance the vehicle, a surprise may be more difficult provided you both are going to be listed on the paperwork.  Many dealers are willing to help with this if you explain what you are trying to do.  Some auto dealers allow you to execute your surprise and then complete the necessary paperwork soon after.  You will also want to consider any tax implications of giving a gift of this size, as it may subject you to the Federal Gift Tax.

Insurance

Finally, consider that while you are giving the gift of a vehicle, that car is going to require insurance.  Are you also giving the gift of insurance or will your loved one be responsible for auto insurance premiums?  Either way, Maryland is a mandatory vehicle insurance state, so the best course of action is to contact your auto insurance agent serving Laurel, MD to discuss coverages when you decide to purchase a vehicle as a gift.

For more information about personal auto insurance, contact Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial today.