Mechanic

Being a mechanic not only guarantees that you will get your hands dirty, but is also a very desirable and useful skill to have. Everyone who owns a car will eventually need a car service. Sydney and Melbourne are great cities to live in as a mechanic since there are so many cars on the road there. Getting good car service in Melbourne is especially desirable as many people rely on their cars to get to work every day.

Archaeologist

When it is your job to dig holes and look for artifacts in the ground, you are sure to get your hands dirty. Being an archaeologist is a very relaxing job as well because you get to be outside and generally there is no stress associated with the job as you aren’t expected to find anything most of the time. For the times when you are lucky enough to make a big find and you can contribute to our understanding of history, then the job can be very rewarding.

Landscaper or Gardener

Dirt will literally get all over your hands in this job, as well as on your clothes and stubbornly under your fingernails. Building a new landscape or creating a new garden can be really rewarding as well as physically demanding, but at the end of the day you can feel good knowing that you turned a plain space into a beautiful one.

Veterinarian

Especially if you are a large animal vet, you may find your hands going places where no hands have gone before. Despite the gross-factor of some of the things vets need to do, you can be proud that your efforts often end in saving the life of an animal.

Plumber

A day in the life of a plumber isn’t always choc-a-block full with constant mess, but when you get dirty in this job you really get dirty! As a plumber, you will never be short of work as this is one of the most highly valued jobs in society. Bad plumber jokes aside, it is a very necessary position as well as highly paid.

Dry Waller

Your hands will get dirty, your face will get dirty, your whole body will get dirty doing the job of a dry waller. This is a highly skilled job and you will be very popular if you can get really good at it.

Surgeon

Sure, you wear gloves when you are performing surgery, but your hands are still in a place where hands don’t normally go. To be a surgeon it takes years of dedication to be good enough, but if you are very dexterous, have an eye for detail and are interested in saving peoples lives, then this may be the job for you!

There are various factors to consider which can help you weigh up each option, and it is more than just rate differences when you compare car hire companies. Read through these points to help you come to a conclusion that suits your situation best:

Time

Time is the first thing you need to consider. Is this a long holiday you are taking, and do you have plenty of annual leave from work saved up? Or are you getting away to attend a wedding over a weekend and need to be back in the office early the next week?

If you have a decent amount of time up your sleeve, then driving is a great option as the journey to the destination can form part of the overall holiday experience. But if you are in a rush, the added pressure of driving on a time limit may not make the getaway as enjoyable as it could be.

Money

You may think the money argument is simply one of fuel vs. airfare. While this is definitely a big factor in weighing up your finances, there are other points you will also need to consider when analysing the budget.

If you are driving your own car, you will need to make sure it is in good condition before taking it on a long road trip. Having a car service in Melbourne before heading off is necessary for safety reasons, but the cost of this may need to be considered as part of the holiday budget. There is also the cost of snacks and meals on the road, and whether or not you will need a hotel or motel overnight on the way.

As for flying, you need to take into account the cost of getting to and from the airport on both ends. Do you need to hire a car when you get to your holiday destination? Do you need to catch a taxi on either end? These costs need to be factored into the overall costs of flying.

With the airfare, be wary of taking the advertised ‘cheap airfare’ as being the final figure you will pay for tickets. There are always additional costs that are included when booking, such as paying for baggage, seat allocation and taxes in some cases. If you are planning a holiday just for you, or just for a couple, then plane tickets may be the cheaper alternative. But once you start to introduce kids into the equation suddenly a family of four will find it a much more expensive option to fly.

Environment

If you drive a relatively fuel-efficient car, then the greenhouse gas emissions that are generated are less than that of flying. However, this is based on one car vs. one airline passenger, so if you car-pool or have a whole family going on holidays, the carbon footprint per person is reduced even further for driving.

Of course taking a bus or train lowers the carbon footprint per person considerably more, so if your reason for driving is due to your concern for the environment, consider buying a bus or train ticket instead.

Peace of Mind

Flying with children, especially toddlers can sometimes be a parent’s worst nightmare. But ask yourself, is it worth flying with them for just a few hours to save you at least triple the time in a car? Being cooped up in a car isn’t much fun but the bonus is that you can stop when you need to and you don’t have to deal with the death stares from other passengers.

Decision making

You don’t just get what you pay for when you hire a car- You get the results of making your decision to hire a particular car. So before you make up your mind to hire anything, it’s a great idea to create a list of features you want for your trip.

1. Start with the type of car you want

If you’re traveling for business or pleasure, you really need to plan a long way ahead to make sure you’re getting the type of vehicle you want.

These are the big issues:

• Long distance travel

• Space for people and their things

• Comfort

• Communications when traveling

• Top vehicle quality

Think about these things, because you’ll really be able to pin down exactly what you want, and you can have a lot of fun while you’re at it. Have a really good look around, because you’re sure to find something you’ll really love.

2. Getting down to cases

While making up your mind, you’ll soon see that there are some cars which really fit the bill for a long trip, a holiday, or business travel. This is the stage where you can find some really good deals, and find some very good opportunities to treat yourself to a great vehicle.

Do you need-

• A 4WD
• A family wagon
• A city runabout
• Station wagon
• Business car
• Hatchback
• Convertible
• Luxury car
• Van or commercial vehicle
• High-grunt power vehicle for towing a caravan or boat
This gets a lot simpler when you start looking at models. A Pajero or a good family car will really stand out if you’re looking for a 4WD or a reliable family car. Take your time and go through the class of vehicle you prefer, because you’ll find something good for sure.

3. Features and amenities

There’s not much you can’t get in car hire if you pick a good car rental firm, preferably on a website that acts as an agent for multiple car hire companies, so you can compare deals as well.

Would you like-

• Air con, naturally
• Car stereo and MP3 player
• Lots of storage space
• Really comfortable seating
• Car computer
• Power steering
• Automatic or manual
• ABS
• Cruise control
• Sports suspension features
• iPhone car kit
There’s a lot more options, but you get the idea. The good news is that you’ll definitely be able to get all these things on a good car hire site. If you want to save time, just fill in one of the online forms or phone and ask for these features. They’ll find them.

This approach also saves you having to traipse around the car hire firms talking to sales people and listening to sales spiel which is usually about everything but what you need to know. Ironically, the sales people are far more useful when you’re talking specifically about the rental terms and deal options than when you’re in the process of making up your mind.

The good news is that you can get some excellent car rental deals, particularly from the online car rental services, which tend to be more focused on providing quality information. Their websites do provide a lot of useful information upfront, and you don’t have to go looking for basic information about their rental deals.

Comparing car rental deals

There are 5 basic methods of making sure you get a good car rental deal every time:

1. Make direct comparisons between car rental rates: Some car rental websites offer you a choice of bookings from several big name car rental companies like Avis, Hertz, or other very reputable businesses. They also provide you with a list of car models, rates and can calculate your rental costs based on pick up and drop off dates. This is a very simple way of comparing a lot of rental options at once, and it’s an excellent way of getting your benchmark prices upfront for budgeting.

2. Check out the booking and payment options: The best car rentals are those which keep the whole process simple and straightforward. All you should need to do is fill in a simple form, select your car and book yourself in. The payment process comes later, and it’s also very simple, just a credit card payment online.

3. Only rent from companies which have good quality information: There should be an FAQ page for basic information about charges and fees, to start with, because this information is required to be disclosed by consumer law.

4. You should be able to get information easily about extras: Most car rentals come with optional extras like baby seats or even things like an iPhone car kit. If this information isn’t easy to find, look elsewhere.

5. You should have a contact point for any questions about your rental: Good car hire firms provide good customer service, and it’s also basic standard practice to have a reliable contact process if you have any issues while you’re hiring the car.

Important: It’s very strongly suggested that you check out the very reliable online multi-company car hire sites first. A site which does bookings for several major car hire firms will always be a much better bet for finding good deals fast. You should have no trouble finding a good deal, a good car, and a hassle-free rental experience.

Be patient: Inclement weather is going to slow down the traffic. It’s also going to add to number of vehicles on the road as those who may walk or ride a bike opt for the dryness of their car. You should also allow extra time to get to your destination.

Turn on your headlights: This will increase visibility, not only helping you to see but to make sure other motorists see you.

Slow down when it’s wet: You don’t have to drive at the speed limit all the time. In deteriorating conditions, reduce your speed, which will give you more time to react.

Pull over in poor visibility: If you can’t see then it’s unsafe to drive. Whether it’s pelting rain or fog, don’t take any chances. Pull over safely and wait until conditions improve before moving back into the traffic.

Increase braking distance: Put more space between you and the car in front. This will also give you more opportunity to react to vehicles in front of you. Stopping distances in the wet increase significantly compared to dry conditions, so don’t take chances.

Brake smoothly: Jumping on the brakes in the wet can result in a loss of control. Keeping a significant gap between yourself and the car in front will go a long way to ensure you have plenty of time to brake smoothly.

Avoid a heavy right foot: Stomping on the accelerator is likely to cause wheel spin, loss of traction and ultimately loss of control. Start off smooth and if you feel the wheels lose their grip, ease off the power.

Avoid hard turns: Jerking the steering wheel is another way to lose control in the wet. Keep it smooth and steady and give yourself plenty of time to make turns.

Making sure your insurance is up to date is also important, as crashes and claims jump in winter because people don’t drive to the conditions. You may find it’s a good time to revisit your policy and get car insurance quotes to ensure you are adequately covered. It is also important that your car is well maintained, and one of the most important things you can do is regular servicing. If you are getting a car service in Sydney, for example, your mechanic will be able to tell you if you need new tyres, wiper blades or your brakes require adjusting. There are a few things you can keep an eye on yourself.

• Tyres: Check for wear. A bald tyre is sure to slip on wet roads, so make sure they are up to scratch.

• Wiper blades: It’s a good idea to get new ones before winter starts each year. They are easy to fit yourself, but check at an auto store to determine what’s right for your vehicle.

• Headlights: Make sure they are working, along with your tail lights and indicators.

• Brakes: Regular servicing will help you determine how your brakes are holding up. Get them adjusted or visit an expert who can check them for you if unsure.

• Heater: Make sure you can demist the front windscreen when it fogs up. Using the air-conditioner will clear it faster. Check the rear demister is also working evenly.

For the most part, insurance companies are still trying to determine how to price coverage for electric vehicles. There are several factors the need to be considered which include the cost of repairs and replacements, the lack of qualified mechanics, the durability of these vehicles, and more. The number of vehicles on the road is still very few, which means that insurance providers will take time to determine a fair price for coverage until claims are made by owners. Electric vehicle owners are currently eligible for a federal tax credit. However, insurance providers are not keen on taking the reduction of around $7,500 on the base price into account since they are not sure if credit would be available if the vehicle needs replacement. Moreover, insurance companies do not benefit from tax credits if they need to replace portions of an electric vehicle.

Among the most expensive replacements in an electric vehicle is the battery pack. This is one of the major factors that will influence the premium that the insurance provider arrives at. Therefore, insurance providers rely on the Insurance Service Office rating for every electric vehicle manufactured. They use the rating to come up with their own formula and pass on the costs to the consumer.

The only solution for electric vehicle owners so far is to shop around for the best possible rate. Insurance providers vary in the formula they arrive at when calculating premiums for these vehicles built with cutting edge EV technology. Shopping around will help you make an informed decision and find the best coverage at the best possible price. Among the factors that will affect your insurance premium are your driving history, safety and security devices installed in the vehicle, customer loyalty, no claims bonus, and much more. Electric vehicles are cheaper to run and you can hope to save a significant sum when you search for better insurance rates.

The Green rating
Typically Green car ratings are created for a class of vehicles. The ratings are based on standardized testing conducted by manufacturers, a fact not all Green people are entirely happy about.

The basic tests include:
• Greenhouse gases rating- CO2 emissions
• Air pollution rating- Pollutants like carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon (fuel-based) emissions, and nitrogen oxide, another toxic gas
• Star rating- Somewhat like an energy star rating for an appliance, based on the emissions factors

As an example of a rating, the Toyota Prius, the standard bearer for the current generation of Green cars, rates ten out of ten.
Many dedicated environmentally conscious people might dispute these ratings, but the fact is that any rating system has to be based on a clearly defined systemic approach. This system may or may not leave out things like carbon particulate emissions and be short on other information, depending on your level of technical knowledge of particular cars.

Checking Green car credentials properly
The current generation of Green cars are hybrids and the new electric cars now coming on the road. A realistic check of Green credentials therefore involves some number crunching as well as technical information. If you can find out the engine specifications and filter capacity of a car, you can pin down the actual Green factor in any car.

The sad fact is that most older cars put out a minimum about 50g per mile (slightly under30g per kilometer, roughly) of carbon. That includes some of the hybrids, which although they’re at the bottom end of this scale and the Toyota Prius is definitely best of its class, is still a lot of carbon. Fuel efficiency is definitely a factor in Green credentials, and more fuel efficient cars are considerably Greener than the big cars, quite literally every second they’re on the road.

The electric cars are naturally Green in terms of common definitions involving fuel-based calculations, but naturally, the generation of electricity has a role to play in their real Green values. If your source of electricity is solar or another alternative power generation system, your electric car is truly Green. If you’re sourcing electricity from a coal powered electricity generator, the car is contributing to emissions from that source, albeit in a minimal way.

There’s another way of determining Green car credentials- On road costs. Real Green cars, particularly electric cars, are considerably cheaper than gas guzzlers. If you total up your on road costs including car insurance, you should see a notable improvement in your car budget real costs over a time frame of a year.

Check out your car online, and compare with the top Green cars. You’ll soon see where the real Green credentials are.

• Ensuring your car is running at its optimum level- This may seem obvious, but it’s true that by making sure you service your car regularly, you are ensuring that it is not only running at its optimum level of performance, but it will also be maintained to the highest standard. When a car is running at its best, you can really feel it in the way it handles, making your driving experience more enjoyable and safer too.

• Keeping your main or only form of transportation as reliable as possible-There is nothing worse than trying to start the car in the morning on the way to work only to realise there is something wrong with it that needs repairing. The benefits of servicing mean that the mechanics pick up on things that may cause you problems in the near future and can make sure that steps are taken to prevent your car from breaking down.

• Keeping your car’s warranty- If your car has a warranty, chances are this will be void if you do not have regular servicing.

• Servicing and keeping a record of doing this is important if you are ever considering reselling your car in the future-All car manufacturer’s will specify during the life of the car when it is important for it to be serviced. There is generally a service book to be used which keeps track of when these services are done. If you are considering reselling your car in the future, a car that has been regularly serviced and has proof of this is likely to sell for a higher price than a car that hasn’t been serviced or has been at irregular intervals.

• Doing your bit to reduce CO2 emissions-As we are becoming more and more aware of the importance of keeping our fuel consumption as clean as possible and as a result, our CO2 emissions as low as possible, having your car regularly serviced can help with this.

So whether you are on the lookout for the best priced car service Melbourne has to offer or you have just serviced your car, it’s good to keep in mind that the costs of the service are really worth all of the above benefits of having them done regularly. You can’t put a price on your main form of transport running well and remaining as reliable as the first day you purchased it.

A Prius costs a little more to buy, but in the long term the low cost of the maintenance is well worth the extra months on your lease. The Prius has two motor components: the electrical and the fuel-based. Since the fuel motor is used much less than in a traditional car, it lengthens the time between check ups and repairs. An electric motor requires the air filter to be changed every 40 000 miles or so, and the fuel motor will need an oil change ever 5 000 or 10 000 miles depending on usage and conditions.

An interesting little fact is how breaks work in a Prius versus fuel cars. In fuel cars, brake pads have to be changed quite often because all the energy of the breaking goes into the pads. In the case of the Prius, a lot of the energy used while breaking is captured by the pads and transferred to the battery to help recharge it. So not only can you charge your battery by plugging it, you also recharge it by driving! And since a lot of the energy is transferred to the battery and not the pads, the pads last much longer in a Prius than in a fuel car.

To avoid having to change the battery in your Prius you need to maintain its charge between 40% and 60%. Keeping the charge within these boundaries will make the battery last much longer than if you charge it fully or if you let it get completely empty. Your Prius should ideally be brought back to the dealership for maintenance; if you move, go to a dealership of the same company. It might be a little more expensive, but since the Prius is so new, the dealership mechanics are the ones with the most experience dealing with their maintenance.

You have made the right choice by buying a Toyota Prius. You will help reduce gas dependence, you will save money on both gas and maintenance, and you will have a quiet, technologically-advanced car that will serve you well for years. Shop around for a good car insurance quote, as they vary wildly between insurers, especially for a Prius. If you have any questions about the daily maintenance of your new Prius, refer to your Toyota dealership. They will have the most up-to-date information and people trained to deal with the mechanics of your car. And of course, drive safely wherever you go.

One of the main reasons why Prius owners can avail of better auto insurance rates is that the car has an excellent safety record. The car’s fatality rate for 2001-2007 was only .64 per 100 million miles, which is less than half of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) average. In addition, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the 2010 Prius with the title of “Top Safety Pick” due to the least amount of injuries in front, rear, and side collisions. Other excellent safety features available in the Toyota Prius to find favor with insurance companies include passenger, driver, side, and rear head, and driver’s knee airbags, anti-theft system, traction control, side impact door beams, and more.

The age, sex, and driving record are important factors that are also considered by insurance providers for Toyota Prius owners. Each company has their own eligibility standards when it comes to offering lower premiums. The key is to shop around and compare quotes among the auto insurance companies that offer hybrid car insurance. Don’t be satisfied with the first offer of a 10% discount. Chances are you will end up lowering your hybrid car insurance rate considerably by shopping for insurance online.