Recent Puerto Rico Shipping News

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Car emissions in Puerto Rico
Getting your car inspected in Puerto Rico and emissions standards
Cars with low emissions to consider driving
Final word
 

Car emissions in Puerto Rico

Car emissions have been an issue affecting the air quality in Puerto Rico for many years. Now, Puerto Rico will need to submit a plan to the Environmental Protection Agency that details how the country will lower overall harmful emissions by this October. Puerto Rico will need to complete fulfilling the plan by April 2023.

This comes after some startling results were discovered after Hurricane Maria a couple of years ago. Harmful levels of Sulfur Dioxide were discovered in areas near San Juan and Salinas.

The strings have now been tightened in order to get all emissions in Puerto Rico, including automobiles, to comply with the standards set by the EPA.

So, you might be wondering, “How can I make sure that my car passes the emissions test during an inspection?”
 

Getting your car inspected in Puerto Rico and emissions standards

Just as you would anywhere else, you will need to get your car inspected and your car will need to pass the emission standards in Puerto Rico.

There are a few common reasons that cars fail the emissions test in Puerto Rico:

• Spark plugs – If the spark plugs in your engine are old and worn out, they could cause you to fail the emissions test because they will lead to increased levels of emissions the older they get.
• The EVAP system – The evaporative emission control system prevents harmful vapors from coming off a car’s engine and going into the atmosphere. If this system is not functioning properly, your emissions could rise too far, and your car can fail the test.
• Air filter – Unsurprisingly, your car’s air filter is an important part of the emissions test. If it is too dirty, it will not filter the air that runs through the engine properly and this can increase the emissions given off by your car while it is running.
• Catalytic converter – This is likely the most important one on the list. The catalytic converter’s job is to take harmful emissions and convert them into something breathable that is not harmful. If this is not working properly, you will almost certainly fail the emissions test.

If at all possible, check all of these things before you bring your car in for an inspection. This way if something needs to be replaced or fixed, you can do so before-hand and avoid failing the emissions test the first time around.
 

Cars with low emissions to consider driving

If you want to avoid any hassles regarding your car’s emissions, most modern cars will do the trick as far as passing emissions testing. However, if you are particularly interested in lowering your emissions to a minimum in order to help the environment, you should keep the following cars in mind:

• Toyota Prius – The Prius has long been at the top of the emissions game. It is the best choice on the list for the environmentally conscious because it is a hybrid, which means that the carbon emissions from this car are at an absolute minimum.
• BMW i3 – The BMW i3 is high on the list because of its all-electric propulsion system. It also has a very small engine which helps to reduce emissions as well.
• Cadillac ELR – The Cadillac ELR is the best low-emission luxury car on the market. It’s emissions are low and its EV driving range is good at 39 miles.
• Chevrolet Volt – The Chevy Volt has a nice EV drive range at 50 miles, has 41 miles-per-gallon and has some of the lowest overall emissions per-mile on the list.

Final word

The car emissions rules in Puerto Rico are the same as they are in the United States as these standards are set by the environmental protection agency. In most cases, your car will easily pass an emissions test. However, if there are issues with your engine then you could possibly fail that inspection. Be sure you keep up with the engine maintenance of your vehicle because something as simple as an air filter can cause too much emissions from your vehicle’s engine.

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The types of wildlife crossing the road in Puerto Rico
Why you need to be cautious
Wrapping up
 

The types of wildlife crossing the road in Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rico, driving is already difficult because of aggressive and careless driving by many motorists. It can be further complicated by the fact that there are fairly frequent animal crossings in the countryside. This can cause a delay for traffic or, even worse, it could cause an accident.

You will see a variety of animals crossing the road in Puerto Rico. This includes cows, chickens, horses, dogs, pigs, sheep goats and more. Many of these animals will cross the road slowly in packs. However, some will run across the road, even at night. Hence, you will need to keep alert at all times and exercise caution when you are driving in the Puerto Rican countryside.

If you find yourself in a situation where an animal is just standing in the middle of the road, you can try beeping at it or slowly inching towards it so that it moves out of the way. We do not recommend trying to drive around it. The safest option is to wait or call the police so that they can take care of it.
 

Why you need to be cautious

You might think that hitting one of these animals will be inconsequential for your vehicle, yourself and other drivers. You would be wrong. If you run into one of the smaller types of these animals, you could still lose control of your vehicle and go off the road or into another car.

If you hit one of the larger animals such as a horse, your car could incur incredible amounts of damage, possibly to the point where it is totaled. These accidents can easily run you several thousand dollars in damages to your own car or someone else’s.
 

Wrapping up

Animals crossing the road in Puerto Rico pose a serious risk to anyone who drives there. It should not be a problem so long as you stay alert and drive carefully. Expect some occasional traffic delays due to these crossings. If you do happen to hit one of these animals, pull over and call the authorities. If you have to have your car moved to or from Puerto Rico, you can always call the auto transport experts at Puerto Rico Car Transport for a free quote by calling (904) 322-7644.

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The importance of regular oil changes
Tips for getting your oil changed
Conclusion
 

The importance of regular oil changes

Everyone knows that regular oil changes are a necessity. However, not many people really know why. They just chalk it up to something they need to get done once or twice every year. In reality, there are several very realistic reasons that your vehicle’s oil must be changed every few thousand miles that you drive.

Overall, getting your oil changed as often as you need to will increase the life of your engine and your car. However, we can break that down into smaller parts. Getting your oil changed will keep your engine parts lubricated which will decrease friction and corrosion. If this were not the case, these engine parts would break down much more quickly. Getting your oil changed also keeps the engine notably cooler and cleaner. This goes a long way to keeping the engine running at top efficiency for longer as well.

In Puerto Rico, the need for you changing your oil is higher because of two things: stop and go driving and periods of more extreme heat. Driving in Puerto Rico, especially in highly populated areas like the city of San Juan, will involve a lot of sudden stops. Puerto Rico also has quite warm weather during several points throughout the year. Both of these can stress your engine more than normal; thus, it will increase the need for you to get your oil changed.
 

Tips for getting your oil changed

Getting your vehicle’s oil changed will be one of the easiest things you can do to care for it beyond washing it or putting gas in it. The only actual work you will need to put in is brining it to a mechanic or place such as Jiffy Lube and waiting for them to take care of it for you. However, there are a few things that you should consider before you get your oil changed.

First of all, you should check your engine’s oil frequently and know when it is time to get an oil change. Normally, that is about every three thousand miles or so. However, in Puerto Rico it could be less than three thousand miles depending on the amount of stop and go driving you do and how consistently hot it is. Talk to your mechanic for specific guidance on this.

You also need to know what type of oil you need and/or want to get put into your vehicle. If you are having a professional change your oil, they will take care of this. Although, you will still have the option of whether or not to choose synthetic oil. Synthetic oil is higher grade oil that will protect your engine better than a standard oil. Generally, most people do not need it but with the hot weather in Puerto Rico, you should definitely consider it.
 

Conclusion

Getting your oil changed in Puerto Rico is not something that you will need to stress over. But, in Puerto Rico, you might have to do it slightly more often because of the potential for near-constant stop and go driving as well as the hot weather. Be sure you speak to your mechanic or auto care professional and find out how often you should get your specific vehicle’s oil changed.

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What you can do with a roof rack
Advice for driving safely with a roof rack
Final word
 

What you can do with a roof rack

Roof racks are quite useful when you run out of space in your truck or need to move something that will not quite fit in there. This is particularly true when you are on vacation and/or on your way to the beach. So, you can see why roof racks can make a big difference in Puerto Rico.

Most frequently, you will see people transporting things like surf boards and kayaks with roof racks in Puerto Rico. Although, you can also use a roof rack to move additional luggage so long as you know what you are doing and have a cargo box to put your luggage in.

You will need to make sure that you get the right kind of roof rack depending on what you are going to be hauling. There are different types of roof racks for hauling cargo boxes and larger items like bikes or surf boards. You also need to make sure that the rack will fit your roof. You can do so by clicking here. After that you can order a roof rack online.
 

Advice for driving safely with a roof rack

Driving safely with your roof rack in Puerto Rico will be as simple as being sure that you are not driving too fast and recklessly as well as being sure that your roof rack is secured properly. The latter part starts with making absolute certain that you install the rack properly.

Then, you must ensure that you pack the load properly so that it is not too far forward, back or to one side. It must be balanced with the lowest center of gravity possible. Otherwise, swaying can occur which can affect the driving performance of the vehicle. It also could allow the load to fall off. You obviously must also make sure that the load is tightly secured to your roof. Finally, make absolute sure that you do not exceed the roof rack’s weight limit.
 

Final word

A roof rack in Puerto Rico can make your vacation or trip to the beach much easier and more convent. You will just need to make sure that you get the right roof rack for your vehicle as well as for the type of stuff that you intend on hauling. You also must make sure that you balance the load correctly and tie it down securely. Finally, always drive with caution and at lower speeds when hauling something with your roof rack in Puerto Rico.

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What is the weather like in Puerto Rico?
What are driving conditions like in Puerto Rico?
How you can stay safe when you are driving in the rain in Puerto Rico
Conclusion
 

What is the weather like in Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico has a tropical climate and the weather follows suit. So, this means often times the weather is very warm and beautiful. However, this also means that there is a considerable amount of rainfall too. Remember, Puerto Rico includes the only rainforest in North America, El Yunque. Hence, there is enough rain for an ecosystem like that to thrive.

On average, Puerto Rico receives over 60 inches of rain per year in most places. In many places it rains at least once per day at least half the days of the year. So, as nice as the weather can be, you also see some pretty frequent rain across the island.
 

What are driving conditions like in Puerto Rico?

Driving conditions in Puerto Rico are simply never too great. This is because traffic laws are only loosely enforced most of the time and many motorists tend to take advantage of that. You will see other drivers routinely driving through red lights and stop signs as well as stopping randomly in the middle of the street for seemingly no reason. You will also come across animals crossing the roads as well as aggressive pedestrians doing the same.
 

How you can stay safe when you are driving in the rain in Puerto Rico

So, between the frequent rain and pretty poor driving conditions, driving in Puerto Rico can become dangerous quickly. Use the following advice to stay safe when you are driving in the rain in Puerto Rico:

• Keep a safe distance – Always keep some extra space between you and the person in front of you. If you do this, it will allow you more time to brake and you will likely need to suddenly at some point during your drive.
• Try not to have to slam on the brakes – The effectiveness of slamming on your brakes is much lower in rainy conditions. That is because your tires will tend to slide a little bit. Keep a safe distance from other drivers and always pay attention to avoid having to brake too suddenly.
• Keep it slow and defensive rather than fast and aggressive – Do not drive over the speed limit in the rain. In fact, you may even want to drive slightly under the speed limit when it is raining. Do not do anything aggressive like cut someone off. In fact, if you see anyone else driving aggressively in the rain, stay as far away from them as possible.
• Be careful of big puddles – It is nearly impossible to gauge how much water is in a puddle as you drive. Often times, puddles are much larger than they initially seem. When your car drives through a puddle with a bunch of standing water in it, you risk hydroplaning which can lead to a very serious accident. If you can, avoid driving through larger puddles. If you must drive through a large puddle decrease the amount of speed before you arrive at the puddle.
• You can always wait it out – If it is really raining hard, or you are just uncomfortable driving in bad weather in general. You can always choose to wait out the storm. Puerto Rico has its fair share of beautiful weather too for you to drive.

Conclusion

When you are driving in Puerto Rico, conditions on the road are not great. This is primarily because of the general aggressiveness of other drivers. However, driving could be even further complicated by rain. If that is the case, then you should take your time driving and drive with a high level of caution and safety.

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Basic info about your car’s differential
How to get the most out of your differential
Final word
 

Basic info about your car’s differential

The differential in your car does several important jobs. It directs the power from the engine to the wheels, it allows different wheels to rotate at different speeds and it slows the rotational speed of the transmission before it gets to the wheels as a safety measure.

A differential is necessary to the safe performance of your vehicle because of the simple fact it lets your wheels operate at different speeds. This is extremely important from a physics perspective when it comes to optimum driving performance.

Consider that when you are turning, the wheel that is on the outside of the turn is traveling a slightly longer distance. This means the car will perform better and at a higher level of safety when the outside and inside wheels of a turn can move at different speeds. If you did not have a differential on your car, turning would be more difficult and less accurate as a result.
 

How to get the most out of your differential

Like any other component of your car, you need to care for your differential in order to get the very most out of it. First and foremost, this means not overstressing it. Avoiding this is as simple as not taking turns too suddenly and not at high speeds which is something you should already be doing for safety’s sake.

You should also be vigilant about getting your differential oil changed the same way you would with your engine oil. The oil lubricates the parts of the differential and without it, too much friction will cause this component to fail. This is a more complex task than changing out your engine oil. So, we do not recommend doing it yourself. It will be quite easy for your mechanic to accomplish this.

Fortunately, you will not need to do this until it has been twenty-five thousand miles since your last differential oil change. For the vast majority of people, this will be at least five years. Just so you do not forget, make sure your mechanic keeps track of it and/or checks this annually.
 

Final word

Many people do not know about the existence of their differential either because they have never heard of it or because they choose to ignore it. That is typically fine because the differential acts as an unsung hero in this way, making turns smooth, easy and safe. You just need to be sure and aware that you need to take turns gradually and slowly. You also must get your differential oil changed every five to ten years depending on the mileage that you put on your vehicle.

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Everything to know about collision insurance
Puerto Rico’s roads
Puerto Rico’s traffic
 

Everything to know about collision insurance

Collision insurance for your car is exactly what the name suggests that it is, insurance that will cover you in case you get into an accident with another car or an object such as a telephone pole. What many people do not know is that having it is an optional part of your car insurance policy.

As with other forms of insurance, auto collision insurance comes with a deductible. So, if you have a $1,000 deductible, and you get into an accident that causes your car &5,000 worth of damage, insurance will cut you a check for $4,000. You also need to be aware that your car’s collision insurance will not cover things such as damage to another person’s car, any medical bills or any damage whatsoever that is not the direct impact of a collision.

As you might imagine, the vast majority of people that can afford collision insurance get it. That is because it is important no matter where you are driving. However, it is even more important if you are going to have a car in Puerto Rico, specifically in a highly populated area such as San Juan.
 

Puerto Rico’s roads

Driving in Puerto Rico in general and, more specifically, driving around in more populated areas puts you at a higher risk of a collision than you would be in most places in the United States. This is due to two factors: the condition of the roads and the careless and dangerous way that other people drive.

The roads in Puerto Rico have cracks and potholes in various spots throughout the island. This is due to the more extreme inclement weather and precipitation over the history of the island which includes several massive hurricanes.
 

Puerto Rico’s traffic

The traffic in Puerto Rico can be extremely dangerous. Other motorists will often speed, go right through stop signs, stop suddenly, and turn without signaling from an improper lane. All of this can easily lead to a major collision or at least a fender bender.

If you end up getting into a collision without collision insurance, you will easily be responsible for hundreds or thousands of dollars of damage to your own car. Odds are that you will have at least a few close calls throughout your time driving in Puerto Rico. So, it is better to be safe than sorry and pay for collision insurance if you plan on driving in Puerto Rico. If you wait until you have an accident to get collision insurance, the damage from that accident will not be covered and the rates will be higher.

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Underbody basics
Underbody protection in Puerto Rico
Conclusion
 

Underbody basics

The underbody of a car is everything on the bottom of the car that faces the ground. It is important to take good care of this because much of it is open and exposed. This means parts of your car like the axels, muffler and various critical engine components are exposed to potential damage. The potential for damage stems primarily from small road debris and moisture from inclement weather.

This might not seem like much but over time it will certainly add up. Once it does, the cost of repairing or replacing these parts could cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The way to avoid this and keep your car’s underbody protected is by getting an underbody coating. This will become hardened and act as a barrier that prevents moisture, salt, dirt and small road debris from harming the car’s underbody. Obviously, larger debris can still do damage. Make sure that you have an auto body professional such as a mechanic apply this.
 

Underbody protection in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico’s roads are unfortunately a perfect storm for potential underbody damage. You have dirt and sand from the beaches and rural areas being tracked all over the roads. Cracks and potholes which are frequently found here, lead to small rocks all over the road. Finally, there is more than enough rain in certain areas to cause damage to your underbody over time.

There are a ton of other things for you to worry about out on the road in Puerto Rico. This includes wild driving habits like people turning left from the right lane and going through red lights, frequent animal crossings and poorly conditioned roads. There is no reason that you should also need to stress about the underbody of your car constantly. Thus, you should schedule an appointment to get your underbody coated as soon as possible.
 

Conclusion

The underbody of your car is always exposed. This makes it one of the most vulnerable areas of the vehicle to damage as well as rapid wear. In Puerto Rico, the road is full of elements that can easily corrode and wear away at the elements of the underbody of your vehicle. These include dirt/sand, small rocks and moisture from the weather. If you want to protect your car from damage that will eventually cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to fix or replace, you need to get an underbody coating as soon as you can. Remember, you need to have a professional do this.

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An introduction to shock absorbers
How shock absorbers make an extra difference in Puerto Rico
Final word
 

An introduction to shock absorbers

Shock absorbers are devices that make sure that your tires stay in contact with the road while you drive. This is important because it not only keeps your drive from being too bumpy, but it also goes a long way to help with steering and handling. Specifically, shock absorbers are pumps that absorb the energy of movement in order to protect your cart, its components, and you.

There are three main types of shock absorbers: telescopic, spring seat and strut type. Telescopic shock absorbers are the most basic type of shock absorber, the least expensive and the lowest quality of the three types. Strut shock absorbers are the most complex and best of the three types of shock absorbers on cars. They are made to absorb much larger forces and can be repaired instead of just being replaced. Spring seat shock absorbers are pretty similar to telescopic shock absorbers, they are a bit better in terms of shock absorption but that is about it.
 

How shock absorbers make an extra difference in Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rico, shock absorbers are quite important. This is because of a few reasons. The first is that the roads are not in great condition at all. Due to hurricanes over the years such as Hurricane Maria, lots of potholes and cracks have developed on the roads. Many have been repaired but there is a long way to go. If you hit one of these without reliable shock absorbers, you can damage your car or, much worse, lose control of the car and get into an accident.

The other primary reason that good shock absorbers are extra important in Puerto Rico is because of how intense traffic can be. We are not referring to traffic jams, but we are referring to the way that many other drivers will drive quite haphazardly. Many motorists in Puerto Rico will frequently do things such as roll through stop signs, turn without signaling, and stop abruptly and park in the middle of the road. On top of that, there are frequently pedestrians and animals crossing the road without warning. As a result of all of this, you will find yourself stopping abruptly fairly often. You will need reliable shocks to help absorb the momentum of doing so.
 

Final word

Shock absorbers are a very basic necessity for any vehicle no matter where you are. In Puerto Rico they are even more important than they already are normally. The number of potholes and cracks in Puerto Rico’s roads combined with the often unpredictable traffic and pedestrian/animal crossings are why shocks are so crucial in Puerto Rico.

When you need your car moved to Puerto Rico and want an easy and stress free experience, get in touch with Puerto Rico Car Transport so you can put those shock absorbers to work.

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Towns and places to visit on the west coast of Puerto Rico
How you can get around when you are there
Conclusion
 

Towns and places to visit on the west coast of Puerto Rico

The west coast of Puerto Rico is considerably less popular than the east coast. This is because the east coast has the premier tourist destination, biggest port and capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan. However, if you stay in Puerto Rico for more than a few days to a week or visit more than once, you should make your way over to the western side of Puerto Rico.

A few of the most popular towns in western Puerto Rico are Rincon, San German, Aguadilla, Cabo Rojo and Mayaguez. The overall makeup of the western coast of Puerto Rico includes beaches with surfing and fishing, restaurants, a massive forest and much more.

Specifically, there are a bunch of things on the west side of Puerto Rico that you should definitely consider making part of your stay. The first are the picturesque beaches. This includes Maria’s beach, Domes beach, Sandy beach, Crash Boat beach, and Villa Pesquera beach. Some of these beaches serve as great surf spots while all are great places for relaxing and getting a tan.

Some of the best restaurants in the western half of Puerto Rico are Mi Familias Pizzeria, La Cambija, Kahuna Burger Bar and Grill, Cinco, Zazones, Desecheo and much more. The variety of restaurants in western Puerto Rico will range from Caribbean food, to Latin food to seafood and more.

Finally, the very best attractions in the western part of Puerto Rico include a dry forest called Bosque Seco de Guánica that has over nine thousand acres for bike riding, hiking, and birdwatching. There is also a wildlife refuge, salt flats, a lighthouse, and horseback riding. You can find out where you can find all of these wonderful beaches, restaurants and attractions here.
 

How you can get around when you are there

All of the wonderful things to do and see in western Puerto Rico are not in one small area. In fact, they are spread out over hundreds of miles. So, you will obviously need a method of transportation in order to get around.

Unfortunately, this part can get expensive. If you really want to get the full experience of west Puerto Rico, you should spend at least ten days to two weeks there. For longer periods of time like this, rentals can limit what you can do, and the expense can add up quickly and will not stop until you return the vehicle.

Fortunately, you do have another option that is not using taxis and/or ride share apps. You can always ship your car to Puerto Rico. This is an especially good option if you plan no staying in Puerto Rico for an extended period. Not only will this be the most convient and comfortable option, but for longer stays it will likely help you save some money and stress.
 

Conclusion

People often entirely miss the incredible opportunity to visit the west side of Puerto Rico because of how popular the San Juan area of Puerto Rico is. They are missing out on amazing beaches, gorgeous rainforest, incredible restaurants and much more. If you do plan on visiting west Puerto Rico, you will need a way to get around. As long as it is not a short stay, your best bet will be to ship your car there.