Recent Puerto Rico Shipping News

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The dangers of distracted driving
The penalties for cell phone use while driving
Wrapping Up
 

The dangers of distracted driving

Distracted driving can result in terrible accidents as well as horrific tragedies. In fact, distracted driving is responsible for over three thousand deaths in 2019 in the US and Puerto Rico alone. In a 2019 survey of Puerto Rican drivers, seventy percent of those participating said distracted driving (by other drivers) was one of their two biggest safety concerns while driving. Distracted driving accounts for about ten to fifteen percent of all fatal car accidents annually according to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Association.

The typical driver has a reaction time of between half a second and one full second. That is considered to be the maximum for having a chance at avoiding an accident. When you take your eyes off the road to compose a text, for example, the whole time you are texting becomes time that you can’t react. So, if your text took ten seconds to compose, the time it took for you to react to something in the road just got ten times longer. That is a recipe for an absolute disaster.
 

The penalties for cell phone use while driving

In Puerto Rico, there are penalties for using your cell phone while you are driving. If you get caught using your phone while you are driving in Puerto Rico, you will be fined fifty dollars. That obviously does not seem too bad. However, you should take into account the true risk you are taking when you use your cell phone wile driving in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico has some of the worst driving conditions in the world. Many roads are in disrepair and few drivers obey basic traffic laws such as signaling, no parking in the middle of an active road or even stopping at a stop sign or red light. When you consider that, you will realize it is exponentially easier to get into an accident while driving in Puerto Rico. If you add taking your eyes off the road to text, you will inevitably get into an accident at some point which can cost you thousands of dollars and land you in prison depending on the circumstance.
 

Wrapping Up

Distracted driving is extremely risky behavior. Forget the fact that you can be ticketed. You are risking getting into a serious accident that could result in your or someone else’s death. Do yourself and others a favor, never drive distracted, especially by using your cell phone. Whether you need a motorcycle shipped from Puerto Rico or a truck shipped to Puerto Rico, we can ship any type of vehicle with ease to or from San Juan. Give us a call today for a quote at (904) 322-7644!

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Puerto Rico’s climate and the potential for foggy car windows
What you can do to prevent foggy windows in Puerto Rico
What you can do to fix foggy car windows in Puerto Rico
Final word
 

Puerto Rico’s climate and the potential for foggy car windows

Puerto Rico has a tropical climate year-round so it is always more humid there than normal. Humidity is the primary cause of a car’s windows fogging up. So, you will need to know how to prevent foggy car windows, or at least how you can effectively de-fog them each time that you get into your car.

In the case of a warm and muggy type climate as you have in Puerto Rico, the warm air carries moisture. This settles on your windshield. When you get into your car and turn the air conditioning on, the moisture in the air that settled on your windshield reaches the dew point, thus causing the window to fog up. When this happens, you will need to wait until you can effectively de-fog the window to start driving again because you will not be able to see out of the windshield.
 

What you can do to prevent foggy windows in Puerto Rico

The best way that you can de-fog your car’s windows is by not having the foggy windows in the first place. Here are a few ways that you can prevent your car windows from fogging up in Puerto Rico.

• Get and use an anti-fog spray – There are several products out there that you will be able to spray on your windows that will help prevent them from fogging up. You can see some here.
• Dry off first – We mentioned that the issue is actually caused by moisture that clings to the window, so if you are wet from going for a swim or from the rain, dry yourself off before you enter the vehicle.
• Be sure to keep your windows clean – Dirt particles such as dust will make it easier for the moisture in the air to stick to your windows, so if you keep them clean then you will be making it a bit more difficult for them to fog-up.

What you can do to fix foggy car windows in Puerto Rico

Odds are that you will not be able to ever completely prevent your car windows from fogging up in the first place. So, at some point you will need to de-fog them. These are the best ways to de-fog your car windows in Puerto Rico:

• Lower the windows – The weather will almost always be pretty nice in Puerto Rico, so if you lower your windows for a bit, you will be able to defog your windows that way. Obviously, you should not use this method if it is raining out. The purpose is to keep moisture out of the car.
• Buy a demister – You can buy a product called a demister pad that you can use to wipe your window clean of any fog.
• Turn on your wiper blades – If you turn on the wiper blades on your windshield you can effectively and manually remove the fog/moisture from the outside of the window which is where it will be during warm weather.

Final word

Foggy car windows are not the end of the world, but they are quite inconvenient. You will need to waste at least a few minutes of your time removing the fog from the windows right as you get into your car. Do not try to drive until the fog has completely cleared, doing so can be very dangerous and lead to an accident.

Jump to:
Insects in Puerto Rico
How bugs can harm your car
The best ways to prevent bugs from getting in your car
Conclusion
 

Insects in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has a hot and wet climate year-round. So, this means you will need to deal with bugs throughout the year when you are in Puerto Rico. There are a variety of insects to be aware of in Puerto Rico. This includes: cockroaches, ants, bed bugs, centipedes, spiders, and scorpions.

Most of these bugs are harmless beyond the possibility of a possible moderately painful bite. Although, there are a few poisonous ones such as the brown recluse spider. So, its best to keep your eyes peeled while you are in Puerto Rico.

Beyond the possible damage bugs can inflict on your car, they can also potentially cause a car accident. If you are driving and you get surprised by one of them appearing in your car, you could lose focus and control over the car which could cause an accident.
 

How bugs can harm your car

We just mentioned that bugs in your car could potentially cause you to get into an accident by distracting you while you are driving. However, there are more direct ways in which bugs could cause damage to your vehicle. So, you will want to do whatever you can to keep them out of your car.

Bugs can eat and damage or even ruin the interior of your car. They can clog the working mechanical parts of your car such as your radiator which can specifically lead to your car overheating. They can also cause damage to your cars paint job if you do not get your car washed at least fairly frequently.
 

The best ways to prevent bugs from getting in your car

Thankfully, there are a few effective ways that you can keep bugs out of your car when you are in Puerto Rico.

• Clean the car with something lemon scented – The majority of bugs do not like a lemon scent and cannot stand being near it. Wipe your cars surfaces down with some lemon scented wipes and that will go a long way to discouraging bugs from calling your vehicle home.
• Get the car washed frequently – This might seem obvious, but a lot of people only get their car washed a couple of times a year when they deem it to be visibly too dirty. You should get your car washed at least once a month and this includes the interior each time.
• Be sure you keep any openings very clean – Any small openings in your car where you could see a bug making its way in should be kept as clean as can be. This is the primary reason that a person might end up with bugs in their car, because there is food and dirt which bugs can easily detect. Be sure you vacuum these areas thoroughly and frequently.
• Do not park where bugs might be! – Do everything in your power to park where there won’t be bugs. A garage is best. However, just be sure that you do not park near trees and large grassy areas. These are prime areas for a large number of insects.

Conclusion

It is not a common problem in Puerto Rico as it is not in most places in the world, but bugs getting into your car is a possibility that you will want to avoid at all costs. If you invest some time and effort into keeping your vehicle clean and insect-proofed, you won’t have to worry about any creepy crawlers in your car.

Jump to section:
Hub cap 101
Additional info about hub caps
Wrapping up
 

Hub cap 101

Hubcaps are a cover for your wheelbase which are usually made of plastic or sometimes made of metal. Your vehicle’s hub caps serve two primary purposes. The first is functional in that they prevent weather elements as well as small debris from the road such as dirt or pebbles from damaging the actual wheels of your car. They also serve an aesthetic purpose as they make your car’s wheels look much nicer.

Your car will come with standard hubcaps when you buy it, but you can choose to get other hubcaps if you please. Newer and/or nicer hubcaps will not serve any additional function. They will just look better than the original hubcaps. If you choose to get new hubcaps the cost could be between thirty and eighty dollars each depending on the type of hubcap and their actual size. If you have a mechanic install the new hubcaps the labor could end up costing you around fifty or seventy-five dollars.
 

Additional info about hub caps

You might wonder if it is illegal to drive without any hubcaps. It is not because your car can still function fine without them. More importantly, your car can still function safely without them. Thus, there is no reason for a law that requires that you use them.

Although hubcaps do offer your wheelbase extra protection from road debris as well as the elements, you might want to consider getting wheel covers instead. Wheel covers will cover a greater area of the inner part of your wheel than just the wheelbase. Most modern cars will come with a wheel cover rather than just a hubcap.
 

Wrapping up

Your car’s hubcaps and/or wheel covers serve two very basic purposes, to protect the inside of your wheel, including your wheelbase from weather and debris as well as adding more of an aesthetically pleasing look to your wheels. Having either is not required by law. Wheel covers tend to be a better choice due to the additional area they cover. Whether you have hubcaps, wheel covers or neither, Puerto Rico Car Transport can ship any vehicle, large or small, to or from Puerto Rico with ease. Call (904) 322-7644 today for an instant and free quote!

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What your muffler does
Advice for keeping your muffler working well
Wrapping up
 

What your muffler does

Mufflers are a noticeable part of every car but not everyone who drives is exactly sure of what they do. Put simply, your muffler lowers the sound your car’s engine makes as well as lowers the overall emissions your car gives off a bit. When your car’s exhaust valve opens to release harmful gases from the car, a loud sound, “pop” or series of such will occur.

Think of it like cracking your knuckles. When you crack your knuckles, they make a “pop” sound because of gas rushing out from in between your joints so quickly. This is the same for your exhaust system in your vehicle when it releases gas. Your muffler greatly reduces the noise pollution this would cause. That is why mufflers are required for any vehicle on the road, to avoid roadways and towns where it sounds like gunshots are constantly being fired due to noise pollution from cars.
 

Advice for keeping your muffler working well

If your muffler is not working correctly or if you do not have one on your vehicle for some reason, your vehicle will not pass an inspection and you will have some very angry neighbors. You will obviously want to avoid both of those outcomes, so what can you do to keep your muffler in good working condition?

In short, you can really just make sure you bring your vehicle in for regular service and that your auto technician always performs a check on your muffler. However, you can check your muffler’s condition in a few easy ways. If you smell anything out of the ordinary, then it might be time to get your muffler checked. You should also bring your car into the mechanic if you notice excessive rust or holes on your muffler.
 

Wrapping up

Your muffler helps with some emissions from your exhaust system, but it primarily dissipates sounds from your exhaust system. Your car’s muffler must be working correctly in order for your car to pass a vehicle inspection. Be sure that you bring your car in for regular service and if you notice any odd odors coming from the muffler as well as any rust and/or holes on the muffler you should bring the car in for a check. If you need any type of vehicle shipped to Puerto Rico, you can give us a call anytime for a free quote or call us with any questions at (904) 322-7644.

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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.

Jump to section:
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.