5 Bizarre Traffic Laws

When we’re on the road, we don’t tend to question the laws that we must follow. We stop at red lights and stop signs, we don’t turn right when signs tell us not too, and we obey the speed limits set by the state and counties we’re driving in, just to name a few basics.

But there are some rules out there that make drivers scratch their head. Every state has a few silly driving laws passed for one reason or another, many of which have been highlighted in Internet chain e-mails, memes and articles.

For example, did you know:

·       Arkansas authorities have deemed it illegal to blare a car horn where ice cold beverages or sandwiches are served after 9 p.m.

·       It’s a written law that you cannot drive a car with a gorilla in the backseat in Massachusetts.

·       You cannot transport dead poultry along Kansas Avenue in Topeka, Kansas.

·       Close your doors quickly in Oregon: you can be ticketed for speeding and for leaving your car door open longer than is deemed necessary.

·       It is illegal to plant rutabagas in the roadways in Chico, California.

Click here to read more head-scratching driving laws!

Seven Summertime Auto Myths Debunked

With summertime just around the corner, many drivers are probably ready to get in gear (no pun intended) and hit the road. Roadtrips and weekend getaways are both popular things to do in our freetime.

Of course, both require keeping your car in working order, and doing this can be tricky because of the number of myths that seem to float around year after year about summer car care. To help know what advice is sound and which to ignore, we recommend checking out this blog post from Popularmechanics.com, which dives into the most common summer car care myths:

Seven Summertime Auto Myths Debunked

The added heat of summer driving places a strain on your car's cooling and electrical systems. Batteries don't live as long in high underhood temps, and the extra heat and pressure places a strain on hoses and belts. High speeds and hot pavement are also tough on tires and brakes. These are all good reasons to give your vehicle a good checkup before leaving on that vacation road trip, starting with checking the tire pressures and all the fluids. But are there good ways to prevent overheating (not you—the car)? Do you really need antifreeze in your radiator all summer? Should you use heavier oil? There are plenty of old wives' tales, advice from distant relatives and just plain weird stuff you read on the Internet that confuse drivers. Here are some real facts about summertime and your car.

Learn how to care for your car properly this summer by reading the full Seven Summertime Auto Myths Debunked article on Popularmechanics.com.

Tips For Driving Safely This Spring

The worst of winter’s hazardous driving conditions may finally be behind us, but don’t let that fool you! There are still plenty of things drivers need to watch for on the road. Here are a few things drivers should keep in mind as they begin their journey into the spring season:

●      Monitor evening temperatures. If you live in an area that still has some snow, be prepared to deal with possible icy patches. Especially if that snow melts during the day and refreezes at night!

●      The end of winter means the end of hibernation for a number of animals. Be ready to watch for an increase in the number of critters trying to cross the road.

●      Warmer weather means an increase in the number of cyclists and motorcycle riders on the road! Be cautious and triple-check your blind spots to avoid an accident

●      Fluctuation in temperature during the changing seasons means road deterioration! Be vigilant. Focus on your driving, keep your eyes high, and be careful when it rains: the water can mask just how deep any potholes may be.

Check out Esurance’s page for more information on how to drive safely during the spring: http://www.esurance.com/driving-tips/spring-driving

What’s a Hemi and do you need one?

If you turned on the television in the early 2000’s you probably remember all of those Chrysler commercials about having a “Hemi”. And if you’re anything like the rest of us, you probably sat there wondering what the heck a hemi is and whether or not you need one?

A hemi is a type of engine. It is an internal combustion engine whose cylinder’s roofs are of hemispherical shape (hence “hemi”) as opposed to the normal flathead engine. One of the benefits of having a hemi is that the area of the combustion chamber (the part of the engine where the fuel is burned) is smaller than a flathead engine’s. With less surface area, there is less space for fuel to spread out and cool off, ultimately keeping the gas at its optimal combustion temperature and providing for better gas economy. In addition to the smaller surface area, a shape of a hemi allows for larger valve size. Larger valve’s allow for a more fluent control of air and liquid mixtures, allowing for a smoother performance.

All of this sounds really great, but do you need a hemi? Well, not necessarily. Modern technology has allowed for smaller fuel tanks, so there is less worry about fuel not burning at optimal temperature. Additionally, as it turns out, having more valves is more efficient than larger valves. Unfortunately, if more valves were put on a hemi, because of the hemi’s shape they would stick out at crazy angles that would not be efficient for an engine.