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What Motivates a Car Thief?

1/16/2019

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Car Thief
Should you care what motivates a car thief? If you want to keep possession of your high end vehicle, as well as any possessions inside that vehicle, the answer is a resounding, “yes!”. Cars are stolen on a daily basis here in Houston, and what is even more upsetting is that these offenses happen right under our noses, in broad daylight, and it only takes 20 seconds!
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The most frequent story we hear from our customers goes something like this:
I left the car for just a minute to run inside to (return the video). When I came back out… the window was smashed and my purse was gone!
For a professional car thief, your “just a minute” is plenty of time to break in, steal your purse or whatever else looks cool to swipe.

It takes only seconds for a thief to get away with your valuables once you’ve been targeted. Commonly, thieves will target someone who looks to be dressed for work, getting out of their car and walking away without a briefcase, purse or laptop bag. A good tip is when you’re going to be making stops before and after work, lock these items up in the trunk…but do so out of plain sight and before you get to where your going. There is a trunk release inside the car that a thief could easily pop if they see you put something back there. Remember, most of these releases are lockable with your key!

Gas stations, dry cleaners and other “quick stop” places are common hangouts for curious and watching eyes. Also, moms picking up kids from after school activities are a frequent target that we hear about.
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In spite of their brazenness of committing crimes in broad daylight, there are things you can do to deter someone from trying to steal your car or your stuff. Here are a few things to consider:
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  • Don’t leave valuables in sight.This ought to be a no brainer, but people leave valuables out on a seat or on top of the console in plain-site all the time. If you can’t take them with you at least tuck them under the seat or as previously suggested, lock them in the trunk.
  • Watch where you park. Some parking areas that are tucked away or lack lighting give a thief more cover in which to work. Try to park closer to the front, in an area with more foot traffic or in a well lit area after dark.
  • Use your Alarm. Most vehicles have automatic locking systems. Although thieves commonly break a window to get in, be certain to lock up and that all the locks are functioning. If you have a door lock not working properly, give us a call and we can take a look!
  • Most newer vehicles come with alarm systems installed by the manufacturer.Be sure to use it every time you leave your car, even if it’s only for a few seconds. As we all know, alarms can’t completely safeguard against thieves but they can slow them down!

Taking some of these precautions and using good common sense can at least take a step towards protecting your car and valuables.
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Synthetic or Conventional Oil for My Car?

12/2/2018

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Oil
When you walk into get your oil changed, and the guy asks you, “Do you want synthetic or conventional oil?” do you draw a blank? Do you think,  “What is a synthetic oil, anyway?”
Lets look at some of the differences between these two:   Conventional oil comes from crude oil that is pumped from the earth.  It has a long chain carbon atom and complex molecules that render a thick and viscous fluid. Synthetic oils, by contrast, have a much shorter molecular chain producing a fluid that flows more easily.

Historically, synthetic oils were developed for aircraft jet engines because of their ability to reduce friction and wear on engine parts. This friction reduction was due to synthetic oil’s ability to function dependably at severe hot and cold temps as well as to withstand rigorous and lengthy engine operation without viscosity breakdown. (from:http://autos.aol.com/article/synthetic-motor-oil/)

OK, so should I use synthetic oil in my car?While the synthetic choice is a little more expensive, it is worth it to maintain your car optimally. Some carmakers recommend using only synthetic oils for their cars. Chevy recommends using Mobil One full synthetic in some of it’s cars. Ford specifies using a 5W20 semi synthetic for it’s Ford Taurus 3.0. While synthetics are certainly a safe way to go for your motor’s maintenance, we always recommend reading the manual that came with your vehicle to see what the manufacturer recommends for your engine design.

Is it ok to mix synthetic motor oil with regular?According to Mobil Oil, it should be fine to mix oils. It is unlikely that anything bad would happen, like a gel forming with the combination of the two oils, as many car owners fear. If you have synthetic oil already in your vehicle, and you need to add more sometime later at a gas station, it is perfectly all right to add what you need so your cars engine can move freely.
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Regular maintenance is a vital part of your cars long life and health. In case you hadn’t guessed, Poutous offers professional oil changes and fluid checks with high grade synthetic oils for your car. Wherever you go to get your regular oil change, you can be assured that synthetic oils is a safe choice for your car.
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Houston Rodeo Trail Ride 2015

2/8/2015

7 Comments

 
Picture
It was a February afternoon. I was driving towards Memorial Park to have an afternoon run and I noticed bright orange pilons partitioning off the roadway.

I pulled my car over and got out. I felt an excitement in the air. I smelled the smell of horses. I heard the ‘clop, clop, clop’ of hooves on pavement. I scan around to discover the bigger picture… It’s the famous Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Trail Ride announcing the beginning of rodeo season in Houston!

Every year over 3,000 cowboys and cowgirls saddle up and re-live the old west by participating in a trail ride with covered wagons, horses, mules, tents & sleeping bags. It is a time honored cavalcade and a true Texas tradition. There are 13 trail-ride groups coming from as far as Reynosa Mexico.
excerpt from RodeoHouston)
The cowboys who tamed Texas in the early days give modern day Texans the inspiration to relive the conditions of those times. They spend days and weeks traveling along well-known trails using the traditional equipment of the old West. Even with the benefit of some modern conveniences, a long trip on the trail has hardships to endure with harsh Texas weather, unpredictable animals and the journey through areas ranging from wilderness to bustling metropolitan cities.
The groups of people who comprise the 13 trail rides that converge on Houston are like small cities of settlers, combining their leadership and resources to bring their group over many miles. They are people from all walks of life, and each trail ride has many interesting stories. Their appearance in Houston signals the start of the Houston Livestock Show and RodeoTM as they merge via many routes into Memorial Park and proudly ride Saturday morning in the Downtown Rodeo Parade.
TrailRide Bullet Points:The first Trail Ride took place in January of 1952.
  • Four men made that first journey from Brenham, Texas, to Houston.
  • One year later in 1953, 80 people signed up to make the ride.
  • This was the beginning of the Salt Grass Trail Ride. By 1954, 800 people were participating.
  • More than 3,000 riders will saddle up and head to Houston from all directions, including Louisiana and Mexico.
  • 13 rides will ride into downtown Houston for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Downtown Rodeo Parade, taking place Saturday. February 28, 2015.
  • All 13 Trial Rides will have covered nearly 1,800 miles.
  • The Los Vaqueros Trail Ride is the longest ride, covering 386 miles, beginning in Reynosa, Mexico.
  • The Texas Cattlemen’s Trail Ride is the shortest ride, covering 70 miles, beginning in Montgomery, Texas.
  • In recent years, female Trail Bosses have served several rides as their very capable leaders.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is said to be one of the largest livestock exhibitions and live entertainment shows in the country. Boasting an impressive list of world famous singers and entertainers, it has also donated over $375 million in scholarships and towards benefiting the study of breeding better livestock and farm products. Not to mention a super succulent Barb-q cook off.
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