Car Stuff

In Colorado all cars must have at least liability coverage to operate legally on public roads.

This coverage is usually listed as BI (bodily injury) and PD (property damage).
   It is highly recommended to carry UM (uninsured/underinsured motorist) coverage to protect you if you are hit by a motorist who does not have insurance and is driving illegally on Colorado roads.
   Nothing in or on your car is covered by your car insurance. It is considered personal property and therefore will be covered by your homeowner’s policy. Make sure you have enough personal property insurance to cover bikes, kayaks, or computer gear carried in your car.
Tips for Your Car
•    Vinegar. If you have wet-dog smell in your car, wet ski clothes, or any kind of odor you want to remove, pour vinegar into a bowl and leave it in the closed car overnight. Add a second bowl in the backseat if necessary. Remove the bowls and open the windows and doors. The vinegar smell should disappear quickly and take the bad aroma with it. If the bad smell lingers, repeat the process. Vinegar is also good for wiping down the dash, steering wheel, door panels, etc. It’s a natural cleaner and helps kill germs.
•    Unplug. Because the newer cars have so many electrical components and rely heavily on the battery to start, unplug anything in the car charger if your car is going to sit for at least three days. That tiny bit of pull can reduce the amps of the battery just enough so the car cannot start.
Revised Child Passenger Restraint Law
In Colorado all children younger than one year and weighing less than 20 pounds must be in a rear-facing infant seat; one through three years and 20-40 pounds must be in a forward-facing child safety seat; four through five years and less than 55 inches must be in a booster seat. For children six through 15 years or 55 inches or more, an adult safety belt is permissible, and a safety belt must be worn by occupants seated anywhere in the vehicle. Unlike the adult safety-belt law, the child restraint law is a primary violation. A vehicle may be stopped solely for such a violation if observed by an officer. Colorado law also requires that the driver and every front-seat passenger must wear a fastened safety belt in all motor vehicles on public roadways.
Car Repair Act
The Colorado Motor Vehicle Repair Act requires repair garages to get written consent for any repair before work is performed. A repair garage must also give an oral or written estimate of costs associated with a particular repair before starting with the work. If a vehicle is towed to a site after hours and left for repair, repairs of no more than $100 may be made without written consent of the owner. The garage must notify the owner if used, reconditioned, or rebuilt parts will be used in the repair.
Fix Those Pits
Windshields take a beating in Colorado. Stop pits from expanding and cracking across your windshield by having a glass or windshield repair shop fill the holes with resin. Be forewarned: Cracked windshields can lead to a traffic ticket for “obstructing your driving view.”
For all sorts of car parts, go to CarQuest in Granby, (970) 887-2111, www.carquest.com.


Car Wash
Each town has a car wash. Because of well permits and water rights, it’s better to use the car wash rather than washing your car at your house. The harmful chemicals now used on roads should not be put into the ground.

Keep the interior of your car clean. Vacuum it and steam clean the mats on a regular basis. Not only is this good for your car but if your car is totaled in an accident the insurance company may give your car a higher value if it is kept clean.