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How defensive driving can keep you safe
Insurance rate benefit to completing a defensive driving course
Final word
 

How defensive driving can keep you safe

By taking a defensive driving course and properly utilizing the skills that you learn from the course when you are driving, you will effectively be able to greatly reduce risks by anticipating hazardous situations and better identifying risks such as reckless drivers. During a defensive driving course, you will learn about a vehicle’s safety equipment as well as how to properly use it, accident prevention techniques, Hawaii’s state driving laws, the details behind each of those laws and about the factors that can cause accidents such as the human element and weather.

In Hawaii, you will have the option of taking a defensive driving course in-person or online. This course will take somewhere between four and eight hours depending on which course your insurance provider allows you to take for a point and/or rate reduction. You can see all the defensive driving course options that you might have by clicking here.
 

Insurance rate benefit to completing a defensive driving course

The other major benefit to taking a defensive driving course in Hawaii is that you will be able to get a discount on your car insurance by completing the course. If you committed a serious enough traffic infraction that you were ticketed or even arrested, you can also use the completion of a defensive driving course to get the points you received taken off your license. This could, in turn, prevent your insurance rates from going up as a result of the infraction.

The amount of the reduction that you will receive will vary depending on which insurance company you have. The discount will be between five and twenty percent and will last for three years. After three years, you will need to re-take the course in order to continue the discounted insurance rate. In most instances, the insurance discount will be ten percent.
 

Final word

Taking a defensive driving course will really help keep you a lot safer when you are out on the road in Hawaii. It will also help keep your insurance rates as low as possible. Whatever your reason may be for taking the course, whether you do it in person or online, the course will only take between four and eight hours once every three years. So, it is well worth your time to do it.

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What hubcaps do
The types of hubcaps
Wrapping up
 

What hubcaps do

Your car’s hubcaps protect or partially protect the inner components of your car’s wheels, such as the nuts and bolts, from dirt and rust buildup. They also make your car look nicer. In terms of protection, if you are using the standard hubcaps you got with the car, odds are that they are standard plastic hubcaps. One thing that many people do not know is that the term “hubcap” only refers to the center part of an entire wheel cover. Many people use “hubcap” interchangeably with “wheel cover” or even “rims.” For our purposes, “hubcap” will encompass all of these.

These will do a little to help protect the inner parts of your wheels but not much. If you are concerned about protecting these parts of your wheels, you should opt to get steel hubcaps instead. However, as long as you are regularly getting your car washed and your tires serviced, you can drive around without hubcaps entirely.
 

The types of hubcaps

There are a few different types of hubcaps that you can choose from for your car. The first type is a standard and bare center-cap only. These run about twenty bucks for four. They offer minimum protection, but it is fine to drive with these as long as you get your car washed and tires serviced on a regular basis.

The next type are the factory quality wheel covers. You can get four of these for about thirty to sixty dollars. These will actually cover all of your wheel’s internal components but are still not the best choice if you are looking for top-level protection.

The type of hubcaps/wheel covers that offer the maximum protection for your wheels internal components are premium wheel covers. These are made of the most durable materials such as steel and will look better than the factory quality wheel covers. For four of them you should expect the cost to run between seventy and a hundred dollars.

Finally, there are also luxury level hubcaps/wheel covers. These are the best-looking hubcaps and can offer a decent amount of protection as well. These will run over a hundred dollars for four of these and will include “rims.”
 

Wrapping up

Your car’s “hubcaps” can protect the internal parts of your wheel. However, they are not a necessity because with regular car washes and tire service, dirt or potential rust build-up will be taken care of. For a better overall look for your car, hubcaps/wheel covers can definitely help if you buy some higher end covers.

Whether you have hubcaps on your vehicle or not, you can always get your car moved to or from Hawaii with our expert team of auto transport experts. Get a free instant quote anytime online!

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How the ignition works
How to know if your ignition if failing
Final word
 

How the ignition works

Your car’s ignition system is made up of several primary components, the coil, the distributor and its parts, the spark plugs, wires and ignition module. If you do not know what any of these things are or what they do, do not worry. If anything goes wrong with them your mechanic will know when you take your car in for service.

Your ignition system starts with the ignition coil which takes power from the battery and converts it into a spark that eventually ignites the vapor from your gas. This is the “combustion’ in a combustion engine. However, once the spark is created, it needs something to get it to where it needs to be in order to ignite the vapor. That is what the distributor starts, it essentially points the spark in the right direction. It is eventually the spark plug that actually ignites the vapor in the cylinder head. The wires are what transfers the spark from the distributor and its parts to the spark plug prior to the actual ignition of the fumes.
 

How to know if your ignition if failing

There are very blatant and impossible to ignore signs that your ignition has failed. The biggest one is that your car will not start. However, there are a few warning signs that will give you some time before it fails completely so that you can get it into the shop or diagnose and fix the problem first.

If you start having trouble turning the key, it could be a sign of a failing ignition. If you turn your key to the “ACC” position (turning the key without doing so all the way) and your car’s accessories do not get power or only partial power, this too could be a sign of a failing ignition. If your car stalls while you are driving, this is also indicative of a ignition that’s failing. If you experience any of these things, get your car in for service right away.

You can also do a few things to ensure that your ignition does not fail. The first is that, if you are not driving regularly, be sure to run your car for at least a few minutes every day or at least a few times a week. Extended periods of not using the ignition can cause issues. You should also make sure that your spark plugs are not too old. Most people will not know how to diagnose or fix this, so just ask your mechanic to check this each time they have the car.
 

Final word

Your car’s ignition is literally and figuratively the spark that powers the engine and the vehicle as a whole. Like anything else with your car, it can fail because of problems or wear and tear. Be sure you are using your car enough and that your mechanic always checks the condition of the components of your ignition system, especially the spark plugs.

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The frequency of drunk driving in Hawaii
The large penalties for drunk driving
Final word
 

The frequency of drunk driving in Hawaii

In a perfect world, no one would drive while drunk, while under the influence of alcohol or while impaired anywhere at any time. Unfortunately, that is just not the case. The same goes for Hawaii. In Hawaii, drunk driving occurred slightly less in 2019 than it did in 2018. Overall, in 2018, Hawaii was in the lower half of the country when it came to drunk driving arrests per capita as well as fatalities from drunk driving accidents.

Regardless of that, you should obviously never even consider driving under the influence in Hawaii or anywhere else, for your own sake and for the sake of other drivers out on the road. You should also always be driving alertly and defensively because of the possibility of other drunk drivers out on the road.

In order to avoid any accidents with potential drunk drivers, there are a few easy things that you can do. This includes making sure you always have your seatbelt on, keeping a good distance from drivers in front of you, being extra cautious at intersections and avoid driving late at night especially on holidays or on the eve of holidays. If you do see someone you think is driving drunk or under the influence, pull over and call 911 immediately.
 

The large penalties for drunk driving

The penalties for driving drunk or under the influence are severe in Hawaii as they are anywhere else in the United States. For a first offense DUI with a blood alcohol level over .08% a driver in Hawaii will lose their license for a year, have to enter a short rehab program, complete over seventy hours of community service and/or several days in jail and/or a one thousand dollar fine.

For a second DUI conviction a driver in Hawaii will lose their license for two to three years, get fined up to $3,000 and they will get over two hundred hours of community service or thirty days in jail. For third and subsequent DUI arrests, the driver will get five years in jail or five years’ probation. They will also get fined up to $5,000, lose their license for five years and will need to enter a longer-term substance abuse program.
 

Final word

Drunk driving is exceptionally careless and selfish. It puts your life and the lives of everyone else out on the road at risk. If you are caught, you will face extreme consequences. You will lose your license for over a year, possibly go to jail, and get fined thousands of dollars. Plus, your legal fees will run several thousand dollars. Many estimate getting a DUI in 2021 and beyond will easily cost you over $15,000 in the end. Just do not do it.

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The way that torque will affect driving
Getting the most out of your car’s torque
Wrapping up
 

The way that torque will affect driving

Torque is a twisting force that your car’s engine creates which generates power to engine output along with horsepower. Specifically, torque contributes primarily to heavy hauling or towing by employing a twisting energy through the engine that affects the rest of the vehicle’s performance.

In Hawaii, torque will be important, as we mentioned, if you intend on towing or hauling anything. This is obviously important during a big move, for example. However, torque also matters in a big way for climbing any sort of steep slope. When you are driving up any sort of steep incline, your car will need as much continuous force as it can get which is why torque can be so important. In Hawaii, there are a few areas on each island where elevation climbs on roads rapidly. This includes Waipio Valley Road which is widely considered the steepest road in the entire United States.
 

Getting the most out of your car’s torque

If you do plan on doing any heavy hauling or driving in the non-city areas of Hawaii with all of the steep inclines, you will want to maximize your engine’s torque. There are a few simple ways that you can achieve this.

In terms of maximizing torque’s performance, be sure that you are getting your car regular tune-ups. If something is not working properly or clogged in your engine, this can limit the amount of torque that it can generate. Next, if you plan on driving up any steep inclines, be sure that you lighten your car’s load as much as you can. The amount of torque you might need for heavy hauling and up a steep incline might be too great for your specific vehicle. You should also consider installing a supercharger or a cold-air intake. These things can easily boost power to your engine which will contribute to more overall torque.
 

Wrapping up

The torque in your vehicle is always generating power for your car’s performance. However, it is not always critically important. When you are hauling, towing or carrying anything heavy, it is. Torque might be at its most important in Hawaii when you are ascending a steep incline. It generates the power that you will need in order to push up the road against the force of gravity.

If you need your car moved to or from Hawaii, you should give us a call today at (808) 445-6695 for a free quote. You can also get a free instant quote online by visiting our homepage.

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How dash cams decrease your risk of liability
What you need to know about dash cams
Final word
 

How dash cams decrease your risk of liability

A dash cam can make the difference between you being responsible for the damages in a car accident and you not having to pay a dime in that situation. Dash cameras provide proof that you and your vehicle were not to blame in bad situations. The value of having one in your car is just as high in Hawaii as it is anywhere else in the world.

An example of a dash camera getting you out of trouble in terms of the liability of an accident could be if someone stops short in front of you and you hit them. Without any hard evidence, the driver with the car in front of them would be liable because they are assumed to have been able to take evasive action. With a dash cam, you will be able to prove that there was no time for you to react and that the action of the driver in front of you was reckless.
 

What you need to know about dash cams

Dash cameras actually have a bunch of benefits. Not only can they help you in a big way in terms of liability, but they can prevent a break-in or theft. If a potential thief sees a dash cam, they will likely move on to the next vehicle because they do not want video evidence of their crime being left behind. Dash cams can also help keep your insurance premiums low by preventing fault being placed on you as we previously discussed.

You should also be aware of the fact that there are different types of dash cams to choose from. There are SD cameras which record on to a hard copy. There are also connected cams which send all footage wirelessly to you at a central point such as your phone or computer. Both types may or may not have the capability of running while you are not operating your car. Be sure you ask any vendor about that before buying one. You also need to decide if you just want a front-facing camera, rear-facing and/or cab-facing camera. Having all three gives you the most protection.
 

Final word

Dash cams are a massive help in terms of preventing yourself from being stuck with a big bill for damages to your car and/or someone else’s car in the case of an accident. They can also help you fight tickets, prevent theft, and keep your insurance costs low. It borders on a non-brainer getting one or more dash cameras for your vehicle. Just be sure you research and decide which type of dash cams are right for you before you actually buy one.

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Types of car customizations
Advice for car customizations
Wrapping up
 

Types of car customizations

There are tons of car customizations that you can get. Some are purely aesthetic while others serve legitimate functional purposes. Either way, you will need to spend at least a decent amount of money to get a customization for your car. Many customizations that you can get will likely be well over a thousand dollars.

Some of the most popular type of car customizations that people get are sport seats, tints, upgrades to their suspensions, and paint jobs. There are also various illegal customizations that you will be able to get for your car. Some of those include neon lights, extra high and extra low suspensions, nitrous oxide systems, and radar jammers. We highly recommend you skip these illegal customizations as you can end up with a series of expensive tickets for having them.
 

Advice for car customizations

If you choose to get your car customized in Hawaii, we recommend that you do choose something functional. However, whatever you choose to customize about your car, you should always shop around with different providers so that you can get the best price.

In terms of functional customizations that could specifically benefit your car in Hawaii, you could choose to get your windows tinted because of how powerful the Hawaiian sun can be at times. Just make sure that you are getting legal tints according to local laws. Some better shock absorbers can also be useful in Hawaii if you are thinking of changing things up with your vehicle because the roads tend to have a higher number of potholes and cracks than normal.

If you choose to get a customization that will improve your car’s performance, be sure that you sure up the relevant safety features as well. For example, if you get your car customized in a way which makes it faster (very likely illegal), be sure you upgrade your brakes as well.
 

Wrapping up

Getting your car customized in Hawaii is obviously completely up to you. The majority of the customizations that you will be able to get will serve little or no function other than looking cool. If you do decide to get a customization for your car, be sure to shop around so you can get the very best price. Whether your car is customized or not, if you want to get it to Hawaii, you will have to have it shipped there. If that is the case, call Hawaii Car Transport at (808) 445-6695 for a free quote!

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The facts about car thefts in Hawaii
The laws against car theft in Hawaii
Ways you can prevent your car from being stolen in Hawaii
Final word
 

The facts about car thefts in Hawaii

Car theft has been a bit of a problem in Hawaii in recent years. On average, car theft in Hawaii is 25% higher than the national average per 100,000 people according to a 2016 statistic. There are a few theories as to why the rate of car theft is higher in Hawaii than it is in most places in the United States, but the prevailing one is that it correlates with the drug use problems Hawaii has had.

Although heroine use in Hawaii is comparatively low, cocaine and methamphetamine were surprisingly high in recent years. This usually translates to higher rates of theft, particularly with more expensive items such as automobiles.
 

The laws against car theft in Hawaii

Laws against car theft in Hawaii are a bit different those anywhere else in the United States. Believe it or not specific statutes regarding car theft are not specified under Hawaiian law, which is fairly rare.

So, if you steal a car in Hawaii, you will likely get prosecuted under general theft laws. However, do not think that this means that someone caught stealing a car in Hawaii will face lower penalties. They will still face stiff felony charges and several years in jail.

This applies to all forms of vehicle theft including offenses such as carjacking, which will be prosecuted as a robbery but will still carry felony level charges.
 

Ways you can prevent your car from being stolen in Hawaii

There are a bunch of easy, borderline obvious, ways for you to prevent your car from being stolen in Hawaii.

• Always double check that you have locked your doors – Be sure that you have locked your doors each time you walk away from your vehicle.
• Do not keep any spare keys in close proximity to your car – Thieves know to check near cars in a residential area for spare keys that might be hidden under a rock or something like that. So, be sure you keep your spare keys at a safe distance.
• Park in areas with lots of light – Do not park in a dark corner of a mall parking lot. Instead, park in the better lit areas of the lot, like right under a light.
• Get some sort of a tracking system – You will likely never need to use it but having a tracking system in your car will at least give you piece of mind. However, in the rare instance you’re your car is stolen, you will be able to retrieve it much more quickly.
• Do not keep anything of value in the car – Thieves will want to take the car with the most value. Obviously, those are the highest value vehicle is the most prized car to steal for a criminal. However, keeping something valuable in your car could be the difference between a thief trying to steal it and passing it over.

Final word

Car theft is fairly problematic in Hawaii, but you can prevent it from happening to you by taking a few simple and proactive steps. Some of these steps are cost-free such as making sure your car doors and windows are closed and locked, while others can be pricey such as getting a tracking system. However, they are all well worth taking the time to implement as the inconvenience and cost of having your car stolen will be much greater.

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Colleges in Hawaii
How far ahead of the start of classes to schedule your shipment
Final word
 

Colleges in Hawaii

Hawaii has seventeen four-year colleges throughout the state. Of that number, ten are public and seven are private. Three are located on the big island, twelve are located on Oahu, one is located on Maui and one is located on Kauai. Fortunately, you can ship your car to any one of these islands.

Among the most notable colleges in Hawaii are the University of Hawaii which accounts for four of the seventeen schools listed above, Hawaii Pacific University, Brigham Young University and Chaminade University.
 

How far ahead of the start of classes to schedule your shipment

College classes in Hawaii are similar to college classes in the rest in the country in that the fall semesters start sometime in August and the spring semesters start sometime in January. Obviously, depending on the college and whether or not it is private or public, this can vary.

With this in mind, you need to consider the timeframe for shipping a car to Hawaii for college. Shipping a car to Hawaii from New York can take up to four weeks. Doing the same from Los Angeles can take up to three weeks. You should also make sure that you schedule your shipment at least a month in advance of the date that you want your vehicle picked up for shipping. The reason for that is the earlier that you book your shipment, the better chances you will have at getting the preferred pickup and drop-off dates for your vehicle.

This means that you should consider booking your shipment at least two months ahead of the start of classes. This will vary a bit depending on where you are shipping from but booking your shipment one month ahead of classes with a month’s notice (two months ahead of the start of classes total) is the safest bet for getting your vehicle to Hawaii in time for the start of the semester.
 

Final word

Having your car shipped to Hawaii for college can make life much easier for a student, especially if they are living off-campus. The process is more involved in terms of the actual logistics than a typical car shipment normally is but, thankfully, your car shipping company will worry about all of that. You just need to make sure that you schedule your shipment to be picked up a month ahead of the start of classes (give or take a week depending on the pickup location) and that you book the shipment one month ahead of your desired pickup date.

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Internal car temperatures when your car is parked
How you can keep your car cool in Hawaii
Final word
 

Internal car temperatures when your car is parked

With spring and summer rapidly approaching, already warm temperatures in Hawaii are about to get warmer. This means that the temperatures inside of your car will be rising as well. This should concern anyone who drives with a child, pet or any other passengers that sit in your vehicle while you run a quick errand.

In Hawaii, temperatures during the winter months are around 70 to 75 degrees. In the spring, 75 to 80 degrees, In the summer, temperatures are about 80 to 90 degrees. This is what many people would describe as perfect weather and temperatures, year-round. However, temperatures in the inside of your car when the windows are up, and the car are up can be thirty to fifty percent higher than the temperature outside. This depends on how long you are away from your car for.

For example, if it is 70 degrees out and you are away from your car for just thirty minutes, the inside temperature of the car can reach 100 degrees. If the temperature is 90 degrees and you are away for over an hour the temperature can easily get higher than 125 degrees. This is exceptionally dangerous for any person or animal in the car. In, Hawaii, never leave a pet or person in your car without the air conditioning on or windows open for more than ten minutes.
 

How you can keep your car cool in Hawaii

Thankfully, it is not difficult at all to keep your car cool in Hawaii. As we have already mentioned, you can easily run the air conditioning or open up the windows. However, there are less expensive/risky options as well. You can make your best effort to always park in the shade or in a garage. You can also get your windows tinted as long as it is not to the extent where it is breaking the law. Finally, you can also use a sunscreen for your windshield anytime you leave your car out in the sun.
 

Final word

You must never leave any person or animal in your car in Hawaii, without the windows down or air conditioning on, for more than five or ten minutes maximum. Temperatures will always be high, and they will be thirty to fifty perfect higher inside of your car after just thirty minutes of no A/C or windows being rolled down. Remember, there are also several ways for you to keep the car cool without blasting the air conditioning or putting the windows down which include getting window tints, using a sun visor and parking in the shade or a garage.