Recent Puerto Rico Shipping News

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How they will signal you to pull over
What to do if you get pulled over
Wrapping up
 

How they will signal you to pull over

In Puerto Rico, things are a bit different with police pulling you over than they are when you get pulled over in the United States. The biggest difference is that the police in Puerto Rico will constantly drive around with their police lights on, even if they are not on their way to a call or trying to pull someone over.

If you see a police car in your rearview mirror with its police lights on when you are driving in Puerto Rico, just pull over one lane and they will almost certainly just pass you by. However, if they put their siren on, it means they are either in a rush to get to a call or are pulling you over. Either way, do your best to stay out of their way.
 

What to do if you get pulled over

If you do get pulled over when you are driving in Puerto Rico, odds are you did something pretty bad. In Puerto Rico, many drivers often disobey routine traffic laws. As a result, the police frequently allow more minor traffic offenses slide, such as rolling through a stop sign, without even pulling that person over and giving them a warning. So, if you have been pulled over it is likely for something such as reckless driving or extreme speeding.

Regardless of why you got pulled over, there are a few simple things you can do to increase your chances of the officer giving you a bit of a break. First, you should pull over as soon as you see the police behind you with their lights and siren on. As soon as you are pulled over in a safe location, turn your engine off and put your keys on the dashboard where the officer can see them. Have your license, registration and insurance card ready by the time the officer gets to your window. If the officer asks you if you know why they pulled you over and you do, admit it. Most importantly, if you treat the officer with respect, it will likely go a long way to you getting a break on whatever ticket you might be receiving.
 

Wrapping up

Things are a bit different in Puerto Rico when it comes to getting pulled over by the police. This is due to the fact that the police will be constantly driving around with their emergency lights on, regardless of whether or not they are heading to a call or not. So, always pull over one lane when you have a police officer behind you with just their emergency lights on in Puerto Rico. If their siren is also on, then it likely means you are being pulled over. If you are being pulled over, do so quickly, in a safe spot, turn your engine off and try to treat the officer with respect if you want a chance of a break.

Shipping your car seems like it might be a daunting task for many people when they are visiting a place like Puerto Rico for only a few months. This is especially the case when they consider that they can just rent a car when they get there, buy and sell a cheap car during their stay or use public transportation.

Renting a car is a viable option, but only for a short stay for a few days or weeks. Using public transportation technically could work but it’s much more inconvenient and inconsistent compared to having your own vehicle. Buying and selling a car is really never worth the trouble and loss of money for a short stay.

Shipping your car is the best option for an extended stay or even a complete move. It’s much easier than you think, and you will likely end up saving money and stress during the process.
 

You should ship your car for extended stays in Puerto Rico

As previously stated, shipping your car is the way to go for any sort of extended stay or move that is longer than a couple of weeks in a country that’s overseas. Just having the comfort and peace of mind of having your own car alone makes it work the price of auto shipping. This way you won’t have to worry about storing your car somewhere in the United States while you’re gone which could easily get costly or about having someone look after it which could prove undependable.
 

Rentals can be tricky and public transportation can be unreliable

Rentals can be costly. Anything more than two weeks really starts to add up as far as the rental’s expense. You’ll be at the mercy of the policies of the rental company you choose as well. Also, you’ll need to get used to an entirely different car in an entirely different country with different laws and regulations regarding traffic. You’ll want to keep things at least semi-familiar by having a car that you’re accustomed to.

Public transportation is as reliable and convenient in Puerto Rico as it is here in the United States. It’s not very much of either. Buses can run late, and cabs can be expensive depending on the discretion of the driver.

Trying to buy and then sell a car before you leave will generally cost at least as much as shipping a car. It’s much harder buying and selling a car in a foreign country as well. Listing it online will yield fewer leads and dealing with potential buyers or sellers is considerably more difficult unless you are fluent in the most widely used native language (Spanish in Puerto Rico’s case). Also, it could be a complete disaster if you don’t find a buyer in time before you leave which will force you to abandon the car for a complete loss, yikes!
 

How Puerto Rico Car Transport can help you get your car to Puerto Rico safely and in time for your trip

Puerto Rico Car Transport can allow you to rest easy knowing that your car will be shipped safely and when you need it. The pricing is quite reasonable, and the professionals involved in getting your car to its destination are extremely experienced shipping vehicles to and from Puerto Rico.

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How you can take care of it yourself
How you can get it fixed professionally
Wrapping up
 

How you can take care of it yourself

If you get a scratch or two on your car’s paint, you will definitely not want to drive around with it for everyone to see. So, getting it fixed will be a top priority. Thankfully, repairing the scratches on your car’s paint is something that you can do yourself and that will be the quickest and cheapest option that you will have.

In order to repair a scratch in your car’s exterior paint you will have a few options. The easiest will be to pick up a scratch repair kit from an auto store such as Pep Boys. Once you do, just follow the instructions provided. You will also have the option of using a glazing putty to fill in the actual scratch itself and then painting over it and the affected area. You should consider using “touch-up” paint for this if this is the route you choose. Touch-up paint can also be found at many common automotive stores.
 

How you can get it fixed professionally

Although getting your scratches on your vehicle repaired professionally will not be the quickest or cheapest option, it will be the easiest and lead to the best results. If you are going to get the scratches repaired professionally, you should start by finding a reputable paint repair service near you. In fact, in many areas a mobile paint repair service will likely be available to come to you wherever you are. Once you find a few shops or services, compare the rates and/or quotes you receive so you can most easily choose one that works best for you.

Once you do that, you will just need to schedule a time to bring your car in or have a mobile service come to you. Odds are that you will need to wait between a day and a week for your appointment, but it will take out all the rest of the effort on your part. In terms of cost, small scratches will run you about two hundred dollars apiece, give or take a few dollars depending on the severity of each scratch.
 

Wrapping up

A scratch in your car’s paint is most definitely both unsightly as well as an irritating inconvenience. However, getting it taken care of quickly will be no problem. You can choose to fix a scratch yourself or you can choose to get it done professionally. Doing it yourself has the advantages of being the cheapest and fastest option while hiring a professional will get you the best results and be the most convenient as well.

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How to be prepared for a break down
What to do when your car does break down
Final word
 

How to be prepared for a break down

A break down is unfortunately always a possibility for any vehicle for a variety of reasons. This even goes for newer cars due to things such as road conditions or severe inclement weather conditions. Regardless of the current condition of the vehicle that you drive, you should always be prepared for a break down just in case.

Being prepared for a potential break down of your car starts with signing up for a roadside assistance program if you have not already. Programs like AAA can be tremendously helpful if your car breaks down because they will come to you wherever you are and fix the issue if its not too complex such as a dead battery. They can also tow your car and give you a ride somewhere safe if they cannot rectify the issue.

You should also have some emergency supplies as well. This will include flares, a spare tire or donut, jumper cables, a first aid kit, drinking water, less perishable food such as protein bars, an external battery to charge your cell phone for additional use and tools to perform basic work on your engine so long as you have the knowledge and experience in order to do so.
 

What to do when your car does break down

If your car does break down, do not panic. Be calm and get your car off of the road (as long as it is safe to do so). You might need to put the car in neutral and push in order to do so. Once you are in a safe spot, you should put your hazard lights on if possible. Then you can get out and do your best to assess the problem. If it is not a simple fix or you cannot figure it out, you should call for help. This is where your roadside assistance program will pay for itself.

Once you do that, sit tight, and wait for help. If you need to use your jumper cables or anything else, your roadside assistance driver will let you know when they arrive. It likely will not take longer than an hour for help to arrive. Once the AAA truck, tow truck or police arrive, you will be able to get a ride to safety if your vehicle cannot be fixed and needs to be towed.
 

Final word

A break down of your vehicle is always unfortunately a possibility even if your car is newer because external factors like road conditions can lead to a breakdown. That is why you must be prepared at all times. Being prepared will include having emergency supplies and tools as well as a membership in a roadside assistance program. Make sure you are always safe and clear of danger when you are pulled off to the side of the road.

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How fluid leaks can hurt your car
What you can do about fluid leaks in Puerto Rico
Final Word
 

How fluid leaks can hurt your car

Vehicle fluid leaks are an extremely serious issue that need to be addressed as soon as you notice them. A fluid leak can lead to or might already be the root of several very serious problems for your car. Your car could end up with components that do not work, your car could end up not running properly overall or your car might just end up not running at all.

If you are leaking coolant, for example, and you do not get the issue fixed, your car will overheat much more easily. This can get to the point that your car will barely be able to run. Thus, you need to be able to know how to spot a fluid leak so you can get it repaired as soon as possible.

Spotting a fluid leak is not difficult. You can do so by looking underneath your car every time before you get into the car. If you notice fluid there, move the car and take a closer look at it. If the liquid is colored, it is a fluid leak and you will need to take the car into the mechanic.

If the fluid is clear it could possibly be condensation from the air conditioner. It could also possibly be brake fluid. The way to tell the difference between the two is that condensation will feel watery to the touch while brake fluid will feel like oil. Also, condensation will occur near the front of the car whereas brake fluid will leak near the middle of the car.
 

What you can do about fluid leaks in Puerto Rico

It is possible to identify each and every type of fluid leak by color and/or consistency. However, unless you are adept enough to repair the leak yourself, it will not save a trip to the mechanic. So, if you are sure you do have a fluid leak in Puerto Rico, be sure you take your car in to be repaired.

However, there are a few things you can do in order to prevent fluid leaks if you would like to be proactive. The first and most obvious is to get your vehicle serviced regularly. The next is make sure that you do not let your car run without the fluids it needs because the hot air and lack of lubrication can cause tears and holes in the tubes and hoses that fluid passes through.

Finally, and especially in Puerto Rico, you should try and keep your car away from the elements and insects. Insects or small animals can sometimes wreak havoc in your engine that leads to a fluid leak. So, make use of a garage if you have the opportunity to.
 

Final Word

Fluid leaking from your car is no small matter. You should take whatever precautions you can in order to prevent them including getting your vehicle serviced regularly. Always keep your eye out for a possible fluid leak by looking under your car before you get in it to start driving. If you do spot a fluid leak, take your car into the shop as soon as possible because letting it go can lead to much more serious issues in the future.

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When you might need to drive in reverse
Safety advice for driving in reverse
Wrapping up
 

When you might need to drive in reverse

There are multiple instances where you may need to drive in reverse in Puerto Rico. These include backing out of your driveway or a parking space, if you are parallel parking, if you are making a three-point turn, if you are possibly avoiding an obstacle in the road and more. What is most important when you are operating your vehicle in reverse is that you do so slowly and safely each and every time.
 

Safety advice for driving in reverse

Being safe when you are driving in reverse is likely a bit more complex than you might think. The most important part of being safe while you go in reverse is that you check all of your mirrors, rearview camera (if you have one) and look directly backward before you even start driving in reverse. When you start in reverse, do so by taking your foot off of the brake without accelerating as this will ensure that you do not accelerate too quickly. It will also free up a quicker reaction to brake if need be.

When you are reversing, take some quick peeks at your side mirrors to ensure you still have space. If you are getting close to an object behind you and are unsure if you will hit it soon, put your car into park and get out and check. Finally, pay no attention to impatient drivers nearby. It is better to hear some honks than it is to end up hitting something or someone.
 

Wrapping up

In Puerto Rico, you will inevitably need to reverse or “back-up” at certain points when you are driving. The most important thing to do when reversing is that you do so with extreme caution in order to avoid hitting another car or pedestrian. To reverse with complete safety, you must check your mirrors and turn your head to look behind you before you start. You must also make sure that you do not do so too quickly. If you ever need your car transported to Puerto Rico from the United States or you need your car transported to the United States from Puerto Rico, do not hesitate to give our car shipping experts a call at (904) 322-7644!

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Security measures
Safe places to park
Wrapping up
 

Security measures

Preventing car theft is much more effective, inexpensive and less time consuming than recovering a stolen car is. That is why you must take every possible step in order to stop the theft of your vehicle before it even occurs. This goes for anywhere you are, not just in Puerto Rico. You can start with the free and simple steps. This will include never leaving your keys in or on your car, always keeping your doors locked, always keeping your windows closed when you are not in the car, and parking in a safe area which we will go more into later. You can also choose to get an additional security system installed.

In terms of added security systems there will be two main types, an immobilizer system and a tracking system. Typically, an immobilizer system will include a tracking system the not the other way around. We do recommend that you go with a security system for your vehicle that has both. This is because an immobilizer is used to disable your vehicle wherever it is once you notify the security company that your car has been stolen. A tracking system will obviously track your car after it has been stolen. With both, you simply stand the best chance of recovery. Keep in mind these systems can cost a bit of money. Typically, getting an additional security system for your vehicle will cost somewhere around two hundred dollars or so in 2021.
 

Safe places to park

As we mentioned above, where you park your vehicle will come into play in terms of preventing theft. If at all possible, try not to park in highly populated areas like San Juan. If you do have to park in a city with lots of people, try to park in a garage. If you are relegated to parking on the street, park in a well-lit area that has a lot of foot traffic and potential witnesses around. You can also be proactive if you are going to park in a big city and look up online where the safest places to park will be.
 

Wrapping up

Getting your car stolen is awful. It will end up costing you time and money. There is a decent chance that you might not even get your car back at all. If that is the case your insurance will cover most of the loss but likely not the full value of the vehicle. This is exactly why you must do everything within your power to prevent car theft from occurring in the first place. This includes keeping your doors locked, getting a security and tracking system as well as parking your car in places where it is least likely to be stolen.

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Getting a convertible washed at the car wash
Washing a convertible yourself
Wrapping up
 

Getting a convertible washed at the car wash

Many people in Puerto Rico choose to drive convertibles due to the beautiful climate and weather. However, you will need still need to get your convertible washed from time to time. That can definitely be more difficult if your convertible has a fabric or vinyl top rather than a hard top.

Thankfully, you will be able to rely on the professionals at the car wash to take care of that for you. When you bring your convertible to the car wash you should make sure that it is a gentle car wash and not a high pressure wash as high-pressure washes could possibly damage the soft top of your convertible. You can also choose to get your convertible hand washed or detailed when you bring it to certain car washes, although these options tend to be a bit more expensive overall. Your best bet is to call any car wash before you go and ask what your options with a convertible will be exactly.
 

Washing a convertible yourself

If you are too nervous to take your convertible to a car wash in Puerto Rico, you can always decide to wash it yourself. When you do wash your convertible, start with the fabric/vinyl top first. This is for two reasons; you should always clean anything top to bottom and the top will require the most work and elbow grease so you will be able to get that out of the way right off the bat when washing your car.

Other things to keep in mind about washing your soft top convertible yourself are that you should find yourself a soft microfiber brush and towel or large cloth. You should wash the convertible in a cool and shady area because too much sun and/or heat can cause the water to evaporate as you wash which can be counterintuitive. You should begin by rinsing off any dirt first with a hose at medium or low pressure. Then you should apply the appropriate convertible top cleaner. Then gently brush through the cleaning solution that you applied. Finally, gently rise it off at medium or low pressure.
 

Wrapping up

Having a soft-top convertible will make washing your car or getting it washed a bit more complex. However, as long as you choose the right car wash or detailing service or take the time and care to wash it yourself, you and your soft top will be just fine. If you do wash it yourself, be sure you use a soft microfiber brush and low or medium water pressure with your hose.

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Shifting gears 101
Automatic versus manual transmissions
Wrapping up
 

Shifting gears 101

Driving a car with a manual transmission can be an intimidating thought for many people. However, learning how to drive stick-shift and how to switch gears as you drive is not as complex as people may make it sometimes seem. First, you should know that a manual transmission has three main components: a clutch pedal, emergency brake and gear shifter.

The clutch pedal is used anytime you shift gears. It is the furthest left pedal of the three gears in cars with a manual transmission. The gear shifter (also known as the proverbial “stick”) is what you use to physically shift gears and select which gear you are shifting into. The emergency brake is used each time that you park since there is no gear for “park” in a car with a manual transmission.

When you are driving a stick-shift car it will work by you shifting gears according to speed. First gear is used from zero through ten miles per hour, second gear is from three through twenty-five miles per hour, third is from fifteen through forty-five miles per hour, fourth is from thirty through sixty-five miles per hour and fifth can be used for forty-five plus miles per hour.

These are obviously inexact ranges but do not stray too far from them or else you will risk messing up your transmission. In order to shift properly you should press the clutch, move the shifter as needed, take your foot off of the clutch and then press the gas pedal as you see fit.
 

Automatic versus manual transmissions

Some people might be wondering what the differences between manual and automatic transmissions are in terms of pros and cons. Most people choose to drive a vehicle with an automatic transmission because it is easier to shift gears and is less complex overall.

However, there are several distinct advantages to driving a car with a manual transmission. One of these advantages is that a manual transmission will have a smaller chance of something going wrong or needing repair. This is because the transmission itself is less complex and has less parts than an automatic transmission. Manual transmissions also use considerably less engine oil over time, so you will save some money there. Finally, vehicles with manual transmissions tend to have better fuel economy than those cars with automatic transmissions.
 

Wrapping up

If you are interested in driving a car that has a manual transmission, you should consider getting a bunch of practice first. You might not like it or perhaps you might find it difficult. Either way, give it a chance before you buy a car with a manual transmission. With that being said, there are a bunch of benefits to driving a car with a manual transmission including better control when you drive as well as better gas economy. The most important thing to remember when you are driving a manual car is that you must be careful when shifting gears and always pay attention to what gear you are in.

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Dealing with a dealership
The best car dealerships in Puerto Rico
Advice for buying a car from a dealership
Final word
 

Dealing with a dealership

When you decide that you are going to buy a new or used car from a dealership instead of a private seller, you need to be prepared to deal with aggressive salesmen. If you are looking for something specific, you must stand your ground. Otherwise, a salesman could end up convincing you to get something more expensive than you originally wanted.

The best car dealerships in Puerto Rico

The following is a list of the most highly rated car dealerships in Puerto Rico on Google:

• Alberic Auto Bayamon – Alberic Auto Bayamon offers a wide variety of cars including Jeep, Kia, Nissan and more. They have a 4.7 rating on Google with over a hundred reviews.
• Toyota de Puerto Rico – With a 4.5 star rating on Google, Toyota de Puerto Rico is one of the more trustworthy dealers in all of Puerto Rico. They specialize in new and used Toyotas.
• Caribbean Auto Distributors – Caribbean Auto Distributors specializes in the sale of new and used Hyundai, Kia and Mitsubishi. They have a couple of locations and have the best rating in Puerto Rico with a 4.9 star rating based on over a thousand reviews.
• Autogermana BMW – With over two hundred and fifty reviews, Autogermana BMW stands tall with a 4.7 overall rating. They specialize in the sales of BMWs.

Advice for buying a car from a dealership

Use the following advice in order to get the best deal when you are shopping for a new car:

• Do not buy on impulse – If you happen to come across your dream car, do not be impulsive and buy it on the spot. Act as if you are still unsure and that you are on the fence about buying it. This will help you to drive the price down.
• Bring a friend – It is always a good idea to bring a friend with you for support. They will be able to be more objective than you and will be able to let you know if you are making a bad deal.
• Negotiate with final full cost in mind – You always want to discuss price by using the absolute final price number. If you do not, a bunch of final fees could be tacked on at the end which could end up significantly increasing the price.
• Make sure you feel well when car shopping – If you shop when you are sick or hungry, you are more likely to make a decision just so you can leave quicker. You will most likely end up regretting a decision like this.
• Consider shipping your car to Puerto Rico – You can always ship a car to Puerto Rico from the United States. This way, you will not need to spend all that money on a brand-new car.

Final word

Buying a car can be a long, frustrating and expensive experience. However, when you are prepared and you know what you are doing, the experience will be much more enjoyable. You will also be able to save more money this way.
Do not forget that instead of buying a car, you can always choose to ship your car to Puerto Rico. All you need to do is give us a call today at (904) 322-7644.