(NC) You’re sound asleep. Absolutely dead to the world. Suddenly, a huge person bursts in, drags you out of bed, throws you out the window into a snow bank and screams at you to start doing push-ups. Right now, faster, faster, faster! So how do you feel. A bit stressed, maybe.

Well, that’s how your car engine feels every time you turn the key. Because starting your engine from cold is just like the story above. Really stressful. And the colder it is outside, the more stressful the start-up and warm-up period are.

This is one reason why synthetic motor oils are so popular in cold climates. Because synthetic oils are much more “pumpable”. This means they flow better at low temperatures and circulate quickly when you start-up, even in sub-zero conditions. Some other advantages of synthetics are faster “cranking” speed when starting, and better fuel mileage.

Canada’s top selling synthetic is Castrol Syntec, which contains an exclusive chemical that is attracted to metal, forming a bond with the components. The result is a protective layer called a “carpet”, that cushions metal parts and reduces stress during the critical start-up period. For a small premium, oils like Syntec are a wise choice.

A wealth of interesting and valuable information on motor oils and lubricants can be found at www.castrolcanada.com or other well known petroleum web sites.

- News Canada

News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.

News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial “fill” items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair

There are an estimated 300,000 casualties from road accidents every year in the UK and knowing some First Aid could help save a life. Carrying a First Aid kit in a car or on a motorcycle is highly recommended, so that there is basic equipment available should there be an accident.

It must be stressed that there is no comparison to going on a First Aid training course, and that the following advice must be taken in that context. www.sja.org.uk is the St John’s Ambulance website where more information about going on a First Aid course can be found.

These are some basic tips to help in a road accident situation in which there is a casualty:

1. Make sure the area is safe It is important to make sure that there is no further danger at the scene of the road accident. Ensure that approaching cars are aware of the hazard and turn off the ignitions of the vehicles involved. Ask a bystander (if there are any) to call the emergency services as soon as possible.

Take a few moments to view the site of the car accident and to look at the casualty to see what kinds of injuries are likely to have been sustained. If it is possible that the casualty has suffered trauma, and may have broken bones, head injuries, neck injuries, or internal injuries, it is essential that they are not moved.

2. Check if the casualty is conscious See if the road accident casualty is conscious or unconscious by tapping them on their collarbone and shouting to them. If they are unable to talk, ask if they can open their eyes.

If the casualty is a motorcyclist, do not remove the helmet, whether the casualty is conscious or not. Helmet removal must only be carried out by trained medics because if it is done wrongly, it can cause additional injuries.

3. Check the casualty’s airway First aid authorities recommend the following action to check and clear a casualty’s airway. To check if it is clear, place a hand on their forehead, and gently tilt the head back. Look in their mouth to see if there is any visible obstruction, such as their tongue having fallen back into their throat. Once this is done this, lift their chin using 2 fingers. This helps the airway to clear.

If the casualty has broken bones or other trauma, such as neck or back injuries, avoid moving their head at all, just raise the chin.

20% of the fatalities on Britain’s roads are caused by obstruction of the airway, so making sure it is clear is a priority. If unsure how to go about it, check if any of the bystanders have First Aid knowledge, or speak to the emergency services operator.

4. Check the casualty’s breathing It is useful to be able to tell the emergency services whether the casualty is breathing or not, and this can be done by:

- Listening to the mouth for sounds of breathing

- Feeling for breathing by placing your cheek over the mouth

- Watching the chest for signs of rising and falling

5. Symptoms and treatment of shock A road accident casualty who has gone into shock shows symptoms such as cold, clammy skin, rapid and shallow breathing, thirst, and a rapid, weak pulse. Shock is caused by loss of blood, and means that oxygen is not travelling around the body properly.

To help slow down shock until medical assistance arrives, try to keep the person warm with coats or blankets, reassure them, and, if possible, get them to lie on the ground with their legs raised. Slowing the loss of blood is something you may be able to do if it is caused by an external wound, but not if the blood is being lost internally.

6. Slowing an external loss of blood Wear disposable gloves if possible, and look and feel for blood on and under the casualty. To staunch a bleeding wound that has nothing embedded in it, apply direct pressure to it. Ideally use a dressing, but if a dressing is not available then your hand should be sufficient. If there is something in the wound that should not be there, such as glass for example, do not apply direct pressure to it, but press it together from the sides.

A First Aid course will teach these skills in a lot more detail, as well as teaching additional skills such as CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation). Learning what to do for casualties in a road accident is something that could save lives, and a short course with a First Aid authority is highly recommended.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a road accident and are considering a personal injury claim, George Ide, Phillips may be able to help you. For free advice on claiming compensation, go to www.accident-compensation-solicitor-uk.co.uk or call on 0808 144 0043.
About the Author

Editorial notes: George Ide, Phillips provides no fee, no cost access to personal injury compensation and have specialists in road accident claims. If you have been injured in a road accident that was not your fault, go to www.accident-compensation-solicitor-uk.co.uk or call 0808 144 0043 for free legal advice.

Author: Alexandra Gubbins. For more information, please visit www.accident-compensation-solicitor-uk.co.uk or call 0808 144 0043.

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair

(NC)-As the first smog alert warnings of the season approach, Canadians are being urged to use ethanol-blended fuel to alleviate the urban smog problems plaguing many parts of the country. Many regions have experienced a significant increase in the number of “smog days” in recent years and the problem is getting worse according the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association.

Mr. Bliss Baker, President of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA), suggests motorists fill-up with ethanol-blended gasoline. “All vehicles can use ethanol blends and this is one way of addressing the issue of air pollution,” said Mr. Baker.

An ethanol blend of only 10% is a proven smog fighter reducing smog forming carbon monoxide by 30% compared to regular gasoline.

“This is no longer an urban problem,” said Mr. Baker. Many rural parts of the country are now experiencing poor air quality particularly in the spring and summer months. The good news is there is something we can do about it,” concluded Mr. Baker.

There are currently over 1,100 gas stations in Canada that sell ethanol-blended fuel across the country from Alberta to Quebec. To find a station near you simply visit the Canadian Renewable Fuels website at www.greenfuels.org.

About The Author

News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.

News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial “fill” items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair