Recent Alaska Shipping News

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How to care for your car’s heat
What to do if your heat stops working
Conclusion
 

How to care for your car’s heat

Your car’s heat serves more of a purpose than just keeping you warm during the cold winter months as you drive. The same system that releases heat into your passenger cabin on cold days is the system that takes excess heat off of your engine and releases it safely away from the engine which prevents your vehicle from overheating as well as keeps the engine operating at an optimal and efficient level. So, if your heating system stops working you will be quite cold during the winter. But, this can also lead to more serious issues during the summer such as a break down.

For these reasons, you need to make sure that you take care of your car’s heating system. Doing so will not be difficult at all. It will basically just consist of not abusing the system as well as getting regular maintenance performed by a trusted mechanic. Be sure that this maintenance includes making sure antifreeze is clean and filled up as well as checking on the belts and hoses that are a part of the heating system.
 

What to do if your heat stops working

If your car’s heat suddenly stops working on a cold winter night, you will want to get it back in working order as soon as possible rather than wait a day to see a mechanic and then wait hours or even days while they repair it. Thankfully, getting your car’s heat working again is something that you might be able to do yourself depending on the cause of the issue. Either way, if your car’s heat stops working and you are actually able to get it working again or not, you should bring your car in for maintenance as soon as you can.

If your car’s heat has stopped working, you should first check the coolant. If the level is low, you should add more. Doing so might get the heat going because the heater’s core requires coolant to function properly. Next, you should make sure that the blowers and vents are working properly. The blowers and vents dispense the air in your passenger cabin. To do this you can take a look with a flashlight and see that the vents move when you change their alignment. You should also be able to see if anything is blocking the vents. If you still find yourself without heat at this point than you should get your car to the mechanic as soon as you can.
 

Conclusion

Your vehicle’s heat will obviously be quite important to keeping you warm as you drive during the winter. But few people know that your vehicle’s heating system is also responsible for the prevention of your engine overheating during warmer months of the year. In order to keep your car’s heating system running well, you should make sure that you take your car in for regular maintenance.

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What to do to save on car insurance
What not to do to keep rates low
Conclusion
 

What to do to save on car insurance

Paying as little as you can for car insurance while still having good coverage is the name of the game. However, it is no simple task. The first thing that you can do to get a lower car insurance rate is to look at getting a multi-car discount if you are getting auto insurance as a family and not just an individual. Ask your particular insurance provider about specific details.

You can also choose to pay a higher deductible. Doing so means your insurance cost each month will be lower but the amount you will need to pay in case of an accident will be higher. If you trust you and your family’s skills driving, this might be a good option for you. You should also make sure that your credit rating is as high as possible prior to getting car insurance as this will definitely affect your rate.

Consider getting some anti-theft technology installed in your car as well because doing so can help you procure a lower auto insurance rate with certain companies. Finally, you can always shop around before you pick a provider for your car insurance. We recommend getting quotes from at least three different companies before you make a final decision.
 

What not to do to keep rates low

In order to keep rates low, you will need to make sure you stay out of accidents and do not get pulled over. Obviously, if you are in an accident that is not your fault, your insurance rates will not increase. Long story short, always drive safely and carefully. If you do not, rates can get much higher really quickly.

For example, if you get ticketed for speeding in Alaska, the average annual insurance cost increase was seventeen percent. That means if your regular annual insurance rate was $1500, it will be increased by $255 per year for at least a few years. The increase will be much higher for more severe driving infractions or serious accidents.
 

Conclusion

Everyone wants to pay a minimum for car insurance but not many want to put in the effort needed or even know how to do so. Thankfully, it is not that difficult when you do a few different things such as shopping around for your car insurance, looking into a multicar discount, paying a higher deductible and more. Once you have a nice low rate, you can keep it there by simply driving safely and avoiding accidents and traffic tickets.

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The danger of a flat tire in Alaska
What you will need to fix your flat
How you can change your flat tire
 

The danger of a flat tire in Alaska

Alaska is, by far, the biggest state in the US. There are many areas of vast wilderness and lonely highways. The population can be dense in city areas such as Anchorage or Fairbanks but it is quite sparse in most areas throughout the rest of the state.

That is exactly why getting stranded out on the highway because of a flat can turn out to be an incredibly dangerous situation in Alaska. Not only will help likely be quite far away, but you also might be in an area will cell service is extremely poor or non-existent. This obviously means that you might not be able to call for help either.

Areas like this are much higher in frequency in Alaska than anywhere else. This is why it is so dangerous to get stranded here without knowing how or being able to fix your own flat tire.
 

What you will need to change your flat

In order to change your flat tire, you will need a spare tire or at least a reliable donut. You will also need a few tools in order to be able to make the change. This includes a lug wrench, wheel wedges and a jack. This might also include alignment studs as well as a wheel lock depending on the type of car that you have.

This means you will also need your car’s owner manual. This will let you know what you specifically need to do in order to successfully change your tire as each type of car will vary in what you will need to do. Finally, you will also need a few miscellaneous items such as a flashlight, a small piece of wood, a rain coat or poncho and gloves.
 

How you can fix your flat tire

You will also need to know what you are doing before you ever even attempt to change one or more of your tires. As we mentioned before, the process will be slightly different for different cars. However, the general process will remain the same.

When you get a flat tire in Alaska it is “safety first” as always, so be sure that you find an area off the road that will be safe to change the tire. You should also turn on and keep your hazard lights on. With that in mind you should also turn your car off because changing a tire can take a while especially at night and/or in poor weather conditions. Leaving your car on for too long can result in your battery dying or your car running out of gas.

Next, you should apply the parking brake and put the wheel wedges under the other tires of the car to make sure that it does not start rolling as you are fixing the one tire. After that you can remove the hubcap.

After that you should loosen up the lug nuts and then you should place the jack under the car. You can then raise the vehicle using the jack. Once you have done that, you should remove the lug nuts completely and remove the flat tire.

After that is done you can put the spare tire or donut on the lug bolts. Then you need to put the lug nuts back on and tighten them completely. You then can lower the car by using the jack again. Once that is completed, check the lug nuts to ensure they are completely tightened. Finally, put the hubcap back on and you can be on your way.

Remember, if you have never changed a tire before and you have no one else with you, call for help instead. Do not attempt to learn on the fly in an emergency situation. This can result in your tire coming off while you are driving which can be extremely dangerous for you and your passengers.

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What are bumper guards and their benefits?
Advice for avoiding fender benders
Conclusion
 

What are bumper guards and their benefits?

A bumper guard is either a set of metal bars that run vertically or a thick rubber pad which will cover one of your bumpers. They are meant to protect your car from front and/or rear end scratches and dents. Typically, the metal bar version will be used for the front bumper so it will not hinder your headlights and the rubber pads are used for rear bumpers. For the metal bars they are usually affixed to the car where the rubber pads are left hanging out of your trunk over your bumper when it is closed.

These guards have a couple of great benefits. First, they will protect your car from small scratches and dents when you are parking, someone else is parking near you or if you are in a low-speed fender bender. They can also reduce the chance of you getting whiplash in a more typical fender bender. Finally, they can protect your car’s paint from things such as shopping carts or careless kids when your car is parked.
 

Advice for avoiding fender benders

If you want to keep damage from fender benders to an absolute minimum, you should do what you can to avoid them altogether. You can start by making sure that you always stay one hundred percent focused on the road by eliminating any potential distractions such as cell phone use, playing loud music and turning your head to look out your window and/or have a conversation with a passenger.

You should also avoid high driving speeds as well as aggressive driving as both are top causes for fender benders. If you see someone else driving at high speeds and/or aggressively, do your best to avoid driving near them. Another important part of fender bender prevention is to always keep a safe distance between you and the car in front of you as well as avoiding making abrupt stops when you are in traffic.
 

Conclusion

Getting a chip, scratch or dent in your car can be unsightly and will cost you money that you could have easily kept. Using a bumper guard is a great way to prevent these things from happening due to parking, shopping carts and low speed fender benders. However, you should always try your very best to avoid any potential fender benders. Doing so will include driving slower, keeping your distance as well as avoiding making sudden stops in traffic. If you are ever considering shipping a vehicle to or from Alaska, give us a call at (907) 331-3100 for a free quote today!

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When you can put your studded tires back on
The benefit of studded snow tires
Final word
 

When you can put your studded tires back on

In Alaska, it is legal to have studded tires on your vehicle from September 30th until April 15th of the next year. This only applies to paved roads. For unpaved roads, you may use studded tires year-round. For those of you driving on roads in Alaska north of sixty degrees latitude, these dates are slightly extended, the studded tire season will range from September 15th until May 1st in those areas.

The reason for this is that studded tires can easily cause damage to road surfaces that are not covered with snow or ice. This can lead to costly repairs being needed to be performed on the roads which can cause the need to raise taxes. Thus, the state government wants to avoid that. A recent study also found that studded tires can increase the amount of distance that you need to brake on roads without snow or ice by about ten percent. So, it is for safety’s sake too that these tires are illegal outside of snow season in Alaska.

If you are caught in Alaska using studded tires on your vehicle out of season, you will be ticketed and fined fifty dollars per tire, which will likely add up to two hundred dollars as you will likely have chosen to use studded tires on all four wheels.
 

The benefit of studded snow tires

Although changing your tires twice a year every year might seem like an inconvenience, studded tires can be a big help in Alaska where roads are quite frequently covered with snow and or ice. Studded tires end up providing the best possible traction. The “studs” on your tire are small metal spikes that break and penetrate the snow and ice which gives your tires a much better grip as a result. Because the studs actually penetrate snow and ice rather than just handle them better, it makes them a much better option than other snow tire options out there.
 

Final word

Studded tires can be a huge help on snowy and icy roads in Alaska because they give you the best traction of any tire in these particular conditions. However, when the roads are not full of ice and/or snow these tires can cause your car to take longer to brake as well as damage paved roads. As a result, it is illegal to have these tires on your car during warmer months. If you are caught with studded tires out-of-season, you will be fined fifty dollars for each tire that has studs.

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Times when traffic is its worst
Traffic apps
Final Word
 

Times when traffic is its worst

If you happen to do most of your driving in areas of Alaska where it is most populated such as Anchorage or Fairbanks, you likely can end up hitting some bad traffic at certain points throughout each week and each day. Odds are you will want to avoid that traffic. You can do so by planning ahead, avoiding driving during the densest traffic times and/or by using a traffic app on your phone.

In Alaska, in an area such as Anchorage for example, traffic will typically be at its worst between 7:30AM and 9:00AM as well as from 4:00PM and 6:00PM. This will be from Monday through Fridays due to people commuting to and from work. You also could experience higher than normal levels of traffic in areas like Anchorage when there is an event such as a concert in town.

The point is, always plan ahead. Do your best to avoid driving during the times mentioned above as well as when there is an event going on near the area where you will be driving. Finally, always give yourself some extra time so that if you do get caught in traffic, you will not end up late or trying to speed and/or drive aggressively.
 

Traffic apps

Traffic apps are another effective tool to use in order to avoid getting stuck in a big traffic jam. These are especially useful against sudden and unpredictable traffic situations such as the ones caused by accidents. These apps tend to be crowdsourced with their data/information by users of the app. Users who are stuck in traffic report a slowdown, then the app uses this data to inform other drivers. Other apps might track smart dives along roads and detect when smart devices along a certain stretch of road simultaneously slow down considerably.

If you do use these apps and unfortunately end up stuck in traffic, try and “pay it forward” to the other drivers on the road by reporting the traffic to the app. Popular traffic apps include Waze, Google Maps and INRIX.
 

Final Word

No one ever wants to get stuck in traffic, especially when you need to get somewhere on-time. The best ways to avoid traffic are to plan ahead and use a traffic app such as Waze. In Alaska, there typically is not too much traffic. However, if you are in areas like Fairbanks and Anchorage, then you should try to avoid driving from seven to nine in the morning and four to six in the afternoon as this is when rush hour typically occurs, and traffic is at its worst.

Basic info about the Northern Lights

The Northern Lights, otherwise known as the Aurora Borealis, is absolutely one of the most magnificent sights that you can take in on the entire planet. The Northern Lights are when electrically charged particles collide with one another and, as a result, a natural and incredible display of colorful glowing light is seen in the sky.

These lights are often described as “dancing” because the particle collisions that cause these displays are moving as they occur. They can only be seen in areas with very low levels of light pollution and generally only in areas somewhere near the magnetic poles where these particle interactions occur.

So, that makes Alaska one of the very best places to see one of these amazing displays. The combination of its proximity to the magnetic poles and the low amount of light pollution make Alaska a prime spot to view the northern lights.
 

Where and when to see the northern lights and directions to get there

The following is a list of the best places in Alaska to see the Northern Lights and directions to get there:

• Fairbanks – Fairbanks is just about as perfect of a spot to view the Northern Lights a you will find. The city sits just about below the middle of the lights. The only issue being the slight to moderate amount of light pollution coming from Fairbanks as it is one of Alaska’s largest cities. We recommend you travel a couple miles north of Fairbanks for the absolute best viewing experience.
• Denali National Park – The Denali National Park is another great spot to check out the Northern Lights as it is only a couple miles south of Fairbanks and will have next to no light pollution corrupting your view.
• Anchorage – Alaska’s biggest city obviously also has the most light pollution but if you can venture out a few miles, you will still have a great view of the northern lights in Alaska.
• Nome – A much lesser known and frequented area of Alaska, Nome is much further north than the other places (with the exception of Fairbanks) on this list thus it is just as good if not better than they are for seeing the northern lights. It is also much less populated too so light pollution will be at a minimum. However, the caveat here is that you won’t be able to drive to Nome, you will need to take a flight from Anchorage.

Tips for seeing the Northern Lights

When you are investing your time, effort and money into seeing the Northern Lights you will want to make sure that you have the best experience possible. Here are some tips so you can get the most out of seeing the Northern Lights:

• March is the peak time to see them – The full season to see the Northern Lights is September through April. However, March has always been the best month to see the Northern Lights both in terms of intensity of the lights and their frequency as well.
• Take pictures using long exposure capture – You will absolutely want to take some pictures of the Northern Lights. However, if you want some really breathtaking pictures, you should bring a camera that has the ability to use long exposure capture.
• Ship your car to Alaska – You will just about need to have your car in order to get the full experience of the Northern Lights. Skip the expense and endless rules of a rental car and ship your car to Alaska today!
• Keep an eye on the forecast – It goes without saying that you will need clear skies in order to see the Northern Lights. So, be sure you check the weather forecast before you head out to see the lights, otherwise you might just end up staring into a rain cloud.
• Try an App – There are actually some apps out there that can give you up-to-date information so that you can choose the best times and spots to see the Northern Lights. We recommend Aurora Forecast.

Conclusion

The Northern Lights are some of the very best sights that Alaska has to offer. If you are ever in Alaska, they are an absolute must see. Just be sure that you plan your Aurora Borealis sight-seeing experience accordingly, so you don’t run into any obstacles such as bad weather. Otherwise, there is no excuse to miss this magnificent sight!

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Legal requirements to drive with a permit in Alaska
Restrictions when driving with a permit in Alaska
Final word
 

Legal requirements to drive with a permit in Alaska

If one of your children wants to drive in Alaska with a permit there are a few requirements to be aware of first. In Alaska, someone can earn their “instruction permit” at age fourteen or older. You also must only drive with an Alaskan permit, permits from any other states will not allow you to drive legally in Alaska.

In order to get your permit in Alaska, you will need to pass a vision test as well as a written exam. There will not be a practical driving exam until you are testing for your provisional license. When you go to get your permit, you will need to bring some documents as well as pay a fee. The fee will be fifteen dollars as of August 2021. The documents that you will need are the application, the parental consent form and legal documents that prove your name, birthday, address and social security number.
 

Restrictions when driving with a permit in Alaska

When you get your learner’s permit and are under the age of eighteen, you will only be allowed to drive with another licensed driver in your car who is age twenty-one or older who has at least a year of driving experience under their belt. You must have your permit for six months without getting a ticket before you can apply for your provisional license. If you get a ticket, you will need to wait another six months before you can apply. Finally, within these six months, you must complete at least forty hours of driving with one of your parents where at least ten of those hours are completed at night.
 

Final word

Driving with a permit is an important part of the driving experience for a young driver. It will take effort, time, and practice once a driver has it in order to eventually earn their provisional license. It is critically important as well as a legal requirement that a driver with a permit only drive with another licensed driver in the car over the age of twenty-one who has had their license for at least a year. Finally, getting a ticket with your permit is a huge deal because it restarts the clock until you can apply for a provisional license.

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What child safety features come in most cars
What child safety features can you have added
Wrapping up
 

What child safety features come in most cars

There are a few standard safety features in most vehicles that work to protect child passengers the most. However, you will still be able to add more safety to your vehicle for any children riding in the car, so be sure to do so. The safety features that will be included with your car intended to help protect children are child safety locks, extra protection for the backseat passengers and rearview mirrors.

Child safety locks are the locks on the back doors that can be kept locked from the driver’s seat. This prevents the possibility of a child unlocking the door and opening it while the vehicle is in motion. Extra protection for backseat passengers which includes backseat airbags target the seats where children will be in your car. Your rearview mirror can give you quick glances at the kids in the backseat without you having to turn your head away from the road.
 

What child safety features can you have added

As we mentioned, you can also have several safety features added to most vehicles in the name of keeping the kids in your car as safe as possible. These features will include a backup camera, window tinting, car seats and collision warning.

Adding a backup camera to your car could help you see one of you children running out behind your car as you backup which can be a life and death situation. Getting your windows tinted can help keep your car cooler as well as protect your passengers from harmful UV rays which could be extra harmful for kids. Car seats are a must have if you are going to have small children in the car because typical seatbelts are far too large for them. Finally, with kids in your car, being distracted is much easier thus the potential for an accident could be greater. If you have collision detection, this potential will be considerably lower.
 

Wrapping up

Child safety is paramount whenever you are driving anywhere with kids in your car. The standard safety features in your vehicle will go a long way to keeping your kids safe but there is always more that you can do. This includes having upgraded safety features added to your car as well as driving as safely as possible at all times. Some of these upgraded safety features can include a backup camera, window tinting, car seats and collision warning.

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The worst roads in the country
How you can avoid the worst roads
Tips for driving on bad roads
Conclusion
 

The worst roads in the country

The worst roads are scattered all over the country from Alaska to Florida. The worst roads in the United States are:

• U.S. 1 in Florida – This road had over a thousand deaths in the past ten years. That is the most in the country. Drive slowly and stay aware of other drivers on this highway.
• U.S. 41 in Florida – This road, also in Florida, had over seven hundred deaths in a ten-year span. The amount of deaths has stayed consistent. Frequent construction on the road causes slowdowns that lead to accidents.
• Dalton Highway in Alaska – There have been many deaths on the Dalton highway but fewer than any highway on this list. Do not let that fool you though. That is only because there is much less traffic on the Dalton, thus there are considerably fewer deaths. The Dalton can get extremely dark and icy. To make things worse, help could take hours to get to you in case of an accident.
• Interstate 20 in Texas – With over three hundred and thirty deaths in ten years, Interstate 20 is the worst road in Texas and one of the worst in the entire country.
• Interstate 40 in Arizona – Interstate 40 had several hundred deaths over the decade span. Semi-frequent construction and speeding are the lead causes of accidents on this road.

How you can avoid the worst roads

There are several options for you to avoid these roads. All of them pretty much boil down to planning in the end. You can download an app like Waze and program it to avoid a certain road. You can also go on Google and pre-plan a route that skips a particular road.

Bear in mind that even though these roads have seen a high number of deaths, they are safe to drive on as long as you drive carefully and with awareness.
 

Tips for driving on bad roads

Sometimes you will not be able to avoid driving on a bad road. If that is the case, you should use the following tips and exercise extreme care when driving on those roads:

• Stay off the phone – Distracted driving is the easiest way to get into an accident. If you think you will be tempted to use your phone while you are driving because of incoming texts or calls, you should put your phone on do not disturb or shut it off completely.
• Always check your blind spot – Changing lanes without checking your blind spot is a quick way to get into an accident. Always take a quick peak over your shoulder before you merge in order to make sure no one is driving in your blind spot.
• Keep a safe distance – Tailgating serves no purpose. It often only ends up making a frustrating situation dangerous. If you feel someone is driving too slowly in front of you, you should safely go around them or take a deep breath and slow down a bit.
• Do not drive over the speed limit – Speeding is a contributing factor in almost one third of all accidents according to a recent study.
• Pay attention, especially to other drivers – Awareness is key when you are driving. Make sure that you focus on the road and that you do not drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol or while you are too tired.

Conclusion

If you can, try to avoid the most dangerous roads. They earned that name for a reason. However, if you drive with safety and awareness, traversing such roads should be no problem at all. You can skip driving altogether while you travel or move by shipping your car to your destination.