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What you should know about buying tyres

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These days, many people consider a car to be more of a necessity than a luxury. Gone are the days when only the rich and privileged had cars. Now, having a car is almost as important as having a job. In fact, many companies actually request that anybody applying for a job have their own car. So, since your car is such an important part of your everyday life, you have to take care of it.

When maintaining your car, tyres are an important aspect that should not to be overlooked. Since they’re rubber, a bit of wear and tear is to be expected but properly maintained tyres are something that your car cannot do without. Tyres do not last forever and when the time comes to replace them, it is important that you buy the right ones.

Tyre shopping is not as easy as walking into a shop and picking out the prettiest set though. There are certain things you need to consider when shopping for tyres:

  • Is safety your main concern?
  • Are you looking for durable tyres that last longer but may cost more?
  • Do you want a more comfortable ride?
  • Are the tyres for a person al car or a commercial vehicle?
  • Where is the car driven most of the time?
  • Are you looking for style or sport?
  • Are you concerned about fuel efficiency?
  • Do you feel more comfortable with a brand name tyre like Bridgestone tyres?

Safety should be your main concern when it comes to buying new tyres, so don’t take any chances. Tubeless tyres are far safer than tube tyres. You should always opt for branded tyres, like Bridgestone tyres, as they are tried and tested and have been around for years.

Comfort is another factor when it comes to choosing new tyres. For added comfort, pick a soft compound tyre. This tyre, however, won’t last as long as a hard compound tyre. These types of tyre are best suited to commercial vehicles used to carry heavy loads at lower speeds.

A good set of alloy wheels and nice tyres will make your car look good but remember that looks can be deceiving.  Tyres which look attractive may have drawbacks like increased road noise and reduced grip, particularly on gravel or muddy roads.

Some tyres can actually increase the fuel efficiency of your car. So, if fuel efficiency is a highly desirable factor when you’re shopping for tyres, silica based tyres can help by bringing down rolling resistance. This can increase the fuel efficiency of your car by up to 10%.

Remember that you can always change tyre brands if you feel they are not delivering the performance you’re looking for, you do not have to stick to the brand of your previous tyre.

Buying tyres is a serious affair that should not be done on a whim. Take the advice of professionals and decide what you need out of your tyre.

Author bio

This article was written by First Stop Tyre Experts and offers advice on shopping for tyres, including Bridgestone tyres.

Self-drive adventure with car hire in South Africa

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With FIFA World Cup fever mounting, car hire in South Africa is fast becoming one of the most popular options for getting around the country, with many travellers opting for this alternative to traditional tours. Self-drive travel is an ideal way to explore the country at your own pace, by hiring a car for the duration of your stay or for a week or two if you need to get from A to B without having to rely on public transport or lifts from your hosts.

To ensure that your trip is memorable and rewarding, it is always important to keep a few important things in mind when planning a self-drive adventure:

  1. Always make sure that you follow safety procedures. That means you should know and follow the rules of the road at all times. In South Africa, cars drive on the left hand side of the road, and traffic can be very busy at times – especially with mini-bus taxis causing mayhem on the main roads. It is therefore essential to how to navigate these busy roads and to drive carefully and slowly at all times. It is also a good idea to avoid known dangerous areas. Try to find out about the areas you wish to visit before after you have arranged your vehicle hire, this will help you know which areas are safest to travel through and which should be avoided.
  1. Make sure that you have an up to date road map. A good street map is essential to find your way around the cities and towns of South Africa without getting lost. In this country, road names can change every year, so it is important to have a current map that is as recent as 2009 or even 2010 to ensure that it is accurate. If you have a mobile phone with a GPS system, or a separate GPS, this will be a huge help. A good road map will be just as good however, as long as it is current.
  1. Decide on the best car hire options to consider. First, determine what sort of travel you will mostly be doing during your stay. If you are planning to stick to the main cities and towns and need a basic car to get you around, then a small Group L car such as a City Golf will be ideal. If you want to spend more time exploring the countryside and the great outdoors to enjoy camping or adventure sports however, then a Group L car such as a Kia Sportage 2×4 would be your best bet.
  1. Plan your budget and time limits. You may decide that you will need a vehicle for your entire stay, or you may need a car for a shorter duration such as a weekend or few days of your trip. Plan your budget and decide how much you can afford to spend on vehicle rental, and then you can work out the length of time you will need a vehicle. A little bit of planning will go a long way in ensuring that your adventure goes smoothly.
  1. Create your own adventure. As one of the most thrilling and adventurous ways to travel, self-drive travel allows you to see and do the things that interest you most rather than doing the things that the tour guide says you should do. With car rental in South Africa, anything is possible!

Author Bio:

Andre Van Kets is the co-founder and IT Director of a leading car hire agency, and offers advice and tips on car hire in South Africa for travelers seeking affordable and reliable self-drive travel solutions.

Top 10 Airline Safety Tips

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When it comes to airline safety, it is best to use your common sense. Most safety tips for flying depend on things you should already know.

1. Fly nonstop routes

It has been proven that most airplane accidents happen during the takeoff, descent and landing phase of flight. Therefore, the best way to minimise your chances of getting in an accident is to take fewer flights. If you have a choice and you are not too concerned about the price of the flight, opt for a nonstop flight. 1Time Airlines offers nonstop flights to a variety of domestic destinations in South Africa. Not only will this reduce exposure to accident prone phases of flight, but it will save you time as well.

2. Choose to fly in larger aircraft

Currently, all aircraft with more than 30 passengers undergo the strictest design and safety regulations. Also, in the unlikely event of a serious accident, a larger aircraft will always help for passenger survival.

3. Pay attention to the pre-flight briefing

Most people do not pay attention to the pre-flight briefing, but this briefing is done for a reason.  It is important to know where the closest emergency exits are as they are different with each aircraft and dependant on where you are seated.  Some of these briefings also include advice about the position to take in an emergency landing.

4. Keep the overhead storage bin free of heavy articles

Overhead storage bins may not be able to hold heavy objects in the event of turbulence. If you have trouble lifting any article into the overhead bins, store it somewhere else.  Heavy articles can cause serious injury if it were to fall out during turbulence.

5. Keep your seat belt fastened while you are seated

Just like in a motor vehicle, wearing your seat belt is important when flying. Keeping your seat belt fastened while seated offers extra protection from possible injuries from flight turbulence.

6. Listen to the flight attendants

The primary responsibility of a flight attendant is to provide safety on the aircraft. One 1Time Airlines flights the flight attendants are well trained in the field. Therefore, if a flight attendant asks you to do something that ensures your safety, please listen.

7. Do not bring any hazardous materials on board

The lists of things you are not allowed to bring on board are endless, but common sense should dictate that you shouldn’t bring gasoline, corrosives, poisonous gases or the like onboard unless they were allowed by the airline and shipped in a proper container.  Take time to find out about the most common prohibited and hazardous items you should not bring on board.

8. Let the flight attendants pour your hot beverages

Flight attendants are specially trained to handle hot drinks in a crowded aisle on a moving plane. Leave it to the experts and allow them to pour your drink.

9. Don’t drink too much

The atmosphere in an airline cabin is pressurised, so the effects of alcohol are worse than at sea level. Moderation is key at any altitude, especially in the air.

10. Keep your wits about you

In the event of something seriously going wrong, follow the directions of the flight attendants and flight crew and exit the aircraft as quickly as possible.

Author bio

This article was written by Flightsite and offers tips on airline safety. For cheap 1Time airline tickets visit Flightsite online.

Mango Airlines offer various payment options besides credit cards

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Most airlines work on the concept that their customers pay for their flights with a credit card. This concept works well in most cases because the people who can afford to fly generally have credit cards, whether they have large salaries or not. But airlines that promote themselves as low-cost have long realised that the bulk of their target market might not have access to credit cards.

It is for this reason that Mango Airlines have tried to think of various ways in which they can make it easier for the portion of their consumer base who do not have credit cards or who prefer to use credit cards only during emergencies.

Credit card

Mango Airlines accept various credit cards as payment options: Visa, American Express, Diners, MasterCard.

Edgars account

All Edgars account holders can now fly with Mango Airlines by using their account to pay for their flights. The account holders pay a small administration fee in exchange for this convenient way of making a payment and there are also certain discounts that some account holders can qualify for.

NPay

NPay is an initiative from one of the big South African banks that allows people who use debit cards to buy various services through an NPay device  that are available at certain shopping malls – airtime, flights with Mango, prepaid electricity, and web tickets, among others. This means they only need a debit card to purchase any of these services.

Nedbank Greenback voucher

Nedbank customers who use a credit or cheque card from this financial institution are eligible to receive points whenever they use these cards. They can then use the accrued points at one of a variety of shopping partners, Mango Airlines included.

Amex membership rewards voucher

Using a credit card can sometimes further your travelling goals, especially when you use a loyalty programme such as the American Express one that rewards spending money in vouchers. These vouchers can then be used to buy a Mango airline ticket to any of the destinations in South Africa.

Shoprite, Checkers, and Checkers Hyper

These shops have money market counters where people can buy various things, including airline tickets. More than 500 retail outlets throughout South Africa offer this service to Mango customers.

SID Internet banking

People with online banking facilities can use this option. South African banks support the ‘once off transaction’ EFT option so SID internet banking can help someone without a credit card to purchase a Mango airline ticket.

Author bio:


Flightsite wrote this article on the various payment options that Mango Airlines offer its customers.

Why choose luxury car hire in Cape Town

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For the top transport option for a special day, luxury car hire in Cape Town offers the ultimate solution to add a touch of glamour and style to any event. You may be looking for a beautiful car for the duration of your stay in Cape Town, or perhaps you are planning a romantic date or even an exclusive function during your trip to the Cape. Whatever your needs, there is a luxury car to suit almost any occasion. From a super sleek BMW convertible all the way up to the classic Porsche Boxster S, a number of luxury rides are on offer at your local vehicle hire agency – at a more affordable rate than you may have thought. [Read more…] about Why choose luxury car hire in Cape Town