Summer Driving Tips!

No matter where you are going this summer, prevent vehicle issues with these summer safety tips!

Before You Go: 

Regular maintenance, such as tune-ups, oil changes, battery checks, and tire rotations, go a long way toward preventing breakdowns. If your vehicle has not been serviced recently or you don't know the service history of the vehicle you plan to drive, schedule a preventive maintenance check-up with your mechanic now. If your vehicle is well maintained, getting it ready for a road trip is relatively quick and easy. However, it's important to perform the following basic safety checks before you go.


Protect Your Passengers:

Ensure that your children are safe. Make sure best-suited car seats and booster seats for your children are properly installed. All children 13 and younger should ride in the back seat and all passengers in your vehicle should be buckled up!


Share the Road with Pedestrians:


Pedestrians are just as vulnerable as motorcyclists and bicyclists. Things to remember as a driver:

• You can encounter pedestrians anytime and anywhere. Be vigilant.
• Pedestrians can be very hard to see - especially in bad weather or at night. You must keep a lookout and slow down if you can't see clearly.

Roadside Kit:

Even a well-maintained vehicle can break down. Put together an emergency roadside kit to carry with you. A cell phone is especially important. Suggested emergency roadside kit contents:

• Cell phone
• First aid kit
• Flashlight
• Flares and a white flag
• Jumper cables
• Jack (and ground mat) for changing a tire
• Work gloves and a change of clothes
• Basic repair tools and some duct tape (for temporarily repairing a hose leak!)
• A jug of water and paper towels for cleaning up
• Nonperishable food, drinking water, and medicines
• Extra windshield washer fluid
• Maps

Courtesy of safercar.gov/summerdrivingtips

Link: http://1.usa.gov/UssuDT

Hack: Simple Tools to Improve Your Camping Trip

We wanted to give you a few easy tips and tricks on how to make your next camping adventure a bit more comfortable! Follow the link at the bottom of the blog to see more details on these great ideas.

1. Pencil Sharpener for Kindling:

Traditionally, most campers have a pocket or utility knife with them to shave off some kindling to make a fire. But, you may have lost or forgotten your life during your travels doing other activities with it.
Bring a pencil sharpener with you to create some simple kindling for your fire. You’re less likely to lose it since you’re probably not going to be using it else where.


2. Ice Shower To Go:

Made infamous from comment threads online, the ice shower involves using common household items to make a chunk of ice with half soap water and half clean water. One side to clean, one side to rinse. 
Follow these detailed ice shower instructions and throw your ice shower in your cooler to keep on hand for your next trip.


3. Foam Tile Flooring:

If you’ve got little ones at home or know someone with kids, chances are you’ll be able to access foam tile squares quite easily. Bring some along to create a more comfortable flooring for your tent.
Alternatively, you can bring a yoga mat or two to achieve the same effect.

Courtesy of route66rv.com

Link: http://bit.ly/1jama8o

Maintenance Questions You're Afraid to Ask

We've all been there-- you have a question about something basic...but you don't ask it.  Chances are, someone else has been where you are and had the same confusion!  Here are some frequently asked questions (with answers!) about maintaining your car.

How often do I need to change the oil in my vehicle?

There are many variables that determine how often an oil change is needed (climate, drive time, highway or city street driving, etc.) You should refer to the Scheduled Maintenance section in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

Should I consider using synthetic motor oil in my vehicle?

Synthetic motor oils can be a good choice for high output, turbocharged or supercharged engines. Or for vehicles that are used for towing (especially during hot weather), and vehicles that operate in extremely cold or hot climates. Although more expensive than mineral-based oils, synthetic motor oils can improve fuel economy and provide longer intervals between changes.

How often should I rotate my tires?

Your tires should be rotated every other oil change. Neglecting to rotate tires is a major cause of premature tire wear.

Is it really necessary to replace my timing belt at the recommended interval?

YES. The failure of a timing belt in many cars can result in major engine damage. The cost of repairing an engine with a broken timing belt is much greater than the cost of a timing belt replacement.

Have more questions?  Give us a call!  We'd love to talk to you.

Cleaning Your Own Headlights

1.       Clear headlights of every bit of excess grime you are able to and outline each headlight with tape.  This protects your paint job while you’re cleaning.

2.       It is likely that any product you try will require sanding of some sort—so be detailed, meticulous, and careful during this process.  After wards, the headlight should be rough and dull, yet clear of any yellowing.

3.       Polish them up!  This will rid your headlights of the small scratches caused by the sandpaper.  It will also rid them of the dull look and make them clear again.

4.       Since you’ve removed any protective layer that was on your headlights originally during the sanding process, it’s important that you apply a sealant with UV protection.  If possible, choose one with promised extended protection.

If you’re in the dark about the best UV sealant to use, check out what Popular Mechanics says on the issue.

How to Change a Tire in 9 Easy Steps

Having a flat tire and not knowing how to change it can make you feel helpless. Changing a tire is easy enough to do, and everyone should have a general idea of what's involved:

Secure the vehicle so that it won't roll; and roll the spare tire to the scene of the action.

Never change a tire on an incline or hill; always seek a flat surface, even if it means driving on a flat tire. Use bricks, wooden wedges, or metal wheel chocks to block the wheels at the opposite end of the car from the end that is to be raised.

Pry off the wheel cover.

You can use a screwdriver to pry the wheel cover off. Just insert the point of the tool where the edge of the cover meets the wheel, and apply a little leverage. The cap should pop off. You may have to do this in a couple of places, as if you were prying the lid off a can of paint.

Loosen the lug nuts.

 

 You might know this as breaking the lug nuts. Whatever you call it, find the end of the wrench that fits the lug nuts on your vehicle, and fit it onto the first nut. Apply all your weight to the bar on the left. This starts turning the nut counterclockwise, which loosens it. Don't remove the lug nuts completely; just get them loose enough to remove by hand after you jack up the vehicle. A hollow pipe and a cross-shaft wrench can loosen the tightest lug nuts.

If you have alloy wheels that are held on by lug nuts with delicate finishes, the delicate aluminum or chrome-plated lug nuts need careful handling. They should never be loosened or replaced with power tools that can scratch the delicate finish.

Jack up the vehicle about 6 inches off the ground.

Place the jack securely under the edge of the car. Proper locations may vary among vehicle models, so consult the owner's manual for the right places to put the jack.
If you have a scissor jack (image a), insert the rod or wrench over the knob, and then crank. If you have a hydraulic jack (image b), place the handle into the appropriate location and pump up and down. Use nice, even strokes, taking the jack handle from its lowest point to its highest point on each stroke to cut down on the labor involved.

Remove the flat tire.

Take the lug nuts completely off by hand and put them in a safe place — inside the wheel cover or hub cap works well. Grasp the flat tire with both hands and pull it straight toward you. As you pull the flat off, it should slide along the bolts until it clears the end of the bolts and you find yourself supporting its full weight. Roll the flat along the ground to the rear of the vehicle to get it out of the way.

Lift the spare onto the lug bolts.

Because tires are heavy, you may have a little trouble lifting the spare into place — especially if you're not accustomed to lifting heavy things.

Replace the lug nuts and tighten them by hand.

Give each lug nut a jolt with the wrench to get it firmly into place, but wait until the car is on the ground before you really try to tighten the lug nuts.

Lower the vehicle and tighten the lugnuts.

After the vehicle is resting on the ground, use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts as much as you can.

Replace the wheel cover or hubcap.

If your car has wheel covers with a delicate finish, the owner's manual should provide instructions for replacing it. If your car has hubcaps, place the hubcap against the wheel and whack it into place with the heel of your hand. Cushion your hand with a soft rag first so that you won't hurt it. And don't hit the hubcap with a wrench or hammer — you'll dent it.

Courtesy of Dummies.com

Link: http://bit.ly/1jazEkD

Maintenance Tip of the Day!

Hi friends! We're here to provide you with your car maintenance tip of the day. 

Buy gas at reputable service stations

Ask whether the gas you buy is filtered at the pump and if the station has a policy about changing the pump filters regularly. If you get a song and dance, find another gas station. Some stations don’t have pump filters, making you more vulnerable to dirty gasoline. Other stations may not mix alcohol and fuel properly — or worse, water down their product. Find a station you trust and stick to it.

Chevrolet is Back on the Big Screen!

• Brand has been involved in all four Transformers films
• New installment features Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette Stingray, Sonic and Trax

DETROIT – Chevrolet and a Camaro that converts into the iconic Bumblebee will once again turn heads when the Transformers movie franchise returns to screens around the globe in the upcoming “Transformers: Age of Extinction” from director Michael Bay, in theaters June 27.


The latest film also features Chevrolets sold around the world including a Corvette Stingray that converts to Autobot Crosshairs, a Trax and a Sonic outfitted as a Rally Car.


The fifth-generation Camaro converted into Bumblebee in the 2007 film “Transformers,” the 2009 film “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” and the 2011 film “Transformers: Dark of the Moon.” The latest edition features two Camaros specifically built for the film, one a heavily modified vintage 1967 Camaro SS and the other a futuristic concept Camaro.


“The Transformers movies have been a great partnership for Chevrolet by allowing us to introduce our vehicles to new fans, young and old, around the world,” said Tim Mahoney, chief marketing officer, Global Chevrolet. “Now for the fourth time, you’ll see a Camaro as a heroic Autobot, a fitting role for one of the stars of Chevrolet’s lineup.”


Said LeeAnne Stables, executive vice president of Worldwide Marketing Partnerships for Paramount Pictures: “The Chevrolet partnership with this iconic Michael Bay movie franchise has become one of the longest-running and most innovative movie-brand relationships in film history. This new Chevy campaign will definitely bring new and exciting elements to a global audience of Transformers movie fans around the world.”


In addition to providing vehicles for the production, General Motors’ locations for filming included GM Design at the Warren Technical Center, the Milford Proving Ground and the Lansing Grand River Assembly plant.

Courtesy of Chevrolet Online: http://bit.ly/1i2NaWS

5 Roadside Attractions You Have to See!

We wanted to provide a quick list of roadside attractions around the U.S.A. On your next road trip take a look at some of these wonders if you are passing by!

1.  Ave Maria Grotto | Cullman, Alabama

The Benedictine monk of St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Ala., devoted some 50 years to the project. "To pass the time, I started hobbies," he once said. After he made 5,000 small grottoes, which were sold to support the abbey's work, Zoettl began work on his magnum opus, the Ave Maria Grotto. Today, spread out across three acres of the abbey's forested grounds, stand tiny replicas of St. Peter's Basilica, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the grotto of St. Theresa, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, an Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine, the Great Wall of China and miniature versions of Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Rome, among others. He even crafted a mini St. Bernard's Abbey, complete with the abbey's power station where he once worked shoveling coal.


2. Carhenge | Alliance, Nebraska
 













On a 10-acre plot in Alliance, Neb., stands Carhenge — a monument that looks like the artistic offspring of Stonehenge and Cadillac Ranch. Envisioned by artist Jim Reinders in 1987, Carhenge is an arrangement of 38 autos, painted slate gray and placed in a formation mimicking England's medieval wonder.


3. Desert of Maine | Freeport, Maine

When you think of Maine, you think of fresh seafood, idyllic sunsets and endless blue water. So a desert is probably the farthest thing from your mind. But if you're around the Freeport area, this natural wonder is a must-see. Bad farming after 1797 led to soil erosion and the creation of natural desert-like conditions. Surrounded by green hills, this unlikely wonder covers nearly 50 acres and can be explored with 30-minute coach tours or on foot.


4. Lucy the Elephant | Margate City, New Jersey














Victorian speculator James V. Lafferty, who hit upon the idea of driving up interest in beachfront property he owned by constructing 'Lucy,' a building shaped like an elephant. Though 'zoomorphic architecture' failed to take off, Lucy became a popular tourist attraction, her belly serving variously as a restaurant, summer home and speakeasy. Though she fell into disrepair in the 1960s, Lucy was soon saved from the wrecking ball, moved onto public land and designated a National Historic Landmark.



5. The Blue Whale | Catoosa, Oklahoma














Drive along Route 66 through a pair of side-by-side bridges and you're bound to come across an even more bizarre sight: a famous beached whale. Built in the 1970s as an anniversary gift from one man to his wife, Oklahoma's grinning Blue Whale is 80 feet long, and rests in a pond that has since become a favorite watering hole for locals and passing travelers.


If you have a suggestion or a favorite roadside attraction, tell us and post a picture to our Facebook page!

Courtesy of Time.com

Link: http://ti.me/1gSfeMw

Chevrolet Malibu Earns IIHS 2014 Top Safety Pick+ Rating

DETROIT – The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety today named the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu with available Forward Collision Alert a Top Safety Pick+. The distinction requires cars to receive high marks in crash worthiness and achieve a basic, advanced or superior rating for frontal crash prevention.


The crash tests consist of front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests. In order to receive 2014 Top Safety Pick+ status, the 2014 Malibu had to offer a frontal crash protection system meeting IIHS requirements as well as receive a “Good” rating – the highest classification used by IIHS – in four of the five crash tests and no less than an “Acceptable” – the second highest classification – rating in the fifth test.


This differs from the 2014 Top Safety Pick Rating that required a car to receive a “Good” rating in four of the five crash tests and no less than an “Acceptable” rating on the fifth test – without offering a frontal crash protection system meeting IIHS requirements.


The 2014 Malibu exceeded those requirements, achieving a “Good” rating in all five tests. It also achieved a “Basic” assessment for the frontal crash prevention system when outfitted with the optional Advanced Safety Package available on 2LT and above trim packages, meeting the requirements for the Top Safety Pick+ consideration. The system uses camera and radar systems to monitor the distance to the car in front of the Malibu, and will sound an alert if it senses a possible collision.


The IIHS designs its tests to replicate certain types of crashes that can occur on the road, with evaluation focusing on key points in the vehicle’s body structure and the risk of occupant injury.

Learn more by following the link: http://bit.ly/1guEWX7

Courtesy of Chevrolet Media

Stingray School Maximizes Corvette Driving Experience

Chevrolet offers discount to Ron Fellows driving course for new Corvette owners

 

 

PAHRUMP, Nev. – Chevrolet is helping owners get the most from their new Corvette Stingray through the Ron Fellows Performance Driving School. The two-day program is available to 2014 Corvette Stingray owners for $1,000 – a $1,500 reduction from the standard rate. 


Developed and managed by legendary Corvette racer Ron Fellows, the performance driving performance-driving curriculum at Spring Mountain Motor Resort and Country Club in Pahrump, Nev. accommodates drivers of all skill levels. 


“We designed the Corvette Stingray to make its owners better drivers through technologies such as the Driver Mode Selector, Active Rev Match, electronic limited-slip differential and more,” said Tim Mahoney, chief marketing officer, global Chevrolet. “Through the Ron Fellows Performance Driving School, they’ll learn to make the most of its technologies and delve deeper into the Corvette’s capabilities, resulting in a more exciting and fulfilling driving experience.”


The discount from Chevrolet is good for one year from the retail purchase of a new Corvette Stingray and applies only to the original owner. Only one attendee per vehicle is eligible for the discount. Attendees are responsible for the cost of travel and accommodations.


Owners do not have to bring their personal Stingray to Pahrump. The school uses a fleet of Corvette Stingrays for instruction.


“We are proud to be the official high-performance driving school for Chevrolet and the Corvette Stingray,” said Fellows. “Our goal is to ensure every driver leaves with enhanced driving skills, more confidence on the street and track and, most of all, a deeper understanding of his or her Corvette’s capabilities and how to safely enjoy the car to the fullest.”

Courtesy of GM Media: http://bit.ly/1hiU6Dn

5 Features You No Longer See in Cars

We thought this would be a fun blog post for the week. Tell us which feature you miss the most!

1. Bench Seats: Many sly males took advantage of the seat design while driving with a female companion; a quick, unexpected sharp turn made with his right arm resting on the seat back sent the lady sliding right into his embrace.

2. Full-Size Spare Tire: The advantage with a full-size spare was that you could put it on, stow the flat tire in your trunk, and go on your merry way with no particular urgency to get it repaired. Until one day you got another puncture, only to discover that the tire in your trunk was just as flat as the one on the axle.

3. Horn Rings: Horn rings were originally considered a safety feature as well as a convenience device. Previously, the driver had to completely remove one hand from the steering wheel to depress the button in the center to honk the horn. The horn ring was designed so that both hands could remain on the wheel and just a stretch of a finger or thumb would be able to beep a warning sound.

4. Vent Windows: Vent or “wing” windows were popular in the pre-air conditioning era of automotive manufacturing. But they were convenient for many purposes that are still valid today. For example, on those days when it’s temperate enough to open windows rather than run the A/C, the vent windows allowed air to circulate freely without blowing street grime in your face and messing your hair.

5. Tailfins: By the late 1950s, most folks had shrugged off the war and were fixated instead on all things space-age. Tailfins grew to enormous proportions, giving cars a futuristic look.

Courtesy of mentalfloss.com: http://bit.ly/1fdDMig

How to Organize Spring Cleaning

Springtime is the traditional time to remove the winter blues from your home and make it ready for the long days of summer fun. It's also a good exercise in taking stock of your home and its contents. Just make sure that you share the work--and the credit for a job well done.

Instructions

1. Make a list of each room in the house that needs to be cleaned.
2. In each room, breakdown the individual items that need to be cleaned with a bulleted list. For instance, a kitchen might include refrigerator/freezer cleanup, silver tarnish, cabinet organizing, etc. This way, you can tackle each room piecemeal.
3. Do a double-check for items that exist independently of a specific room's list. For instance, filters in your air conditioning unit might be due for a change, or you gutters may be clogged with late winter's heavy rains.
4. Farm out responsibilities to the members of your family. If you have young children, you might give them something small to do.
5. Schedule a weekend for the spring cleaning. Make sure your family knows that this weekend is dedicated to cleaning.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the weakest cleaner first, then graduate to stronger solutions when needed. This way you're least likely to harm surfaces with harsh, inappropriate cleaners.
• Pop moist sponges in the microwave oven for 20 seconds to kill germs.
• Spring cleaning is also a great time to change out your wardrobe. Wash and pack away winter clothes, and break out the short sleeves and beach towels.
• Stock up on trash bags, boxes, cleaning supplies and rags.

(courtesy of eHow)

Tires 101 - Learning the Tire Categories

Tires are purpose-built. In other words, they are built using the specifications that are best suited to the job that the tire will perform. These specifications determine the materials that the tire is made of as well as the tread patterns and the overall look of the tire. These build specifications can be broken down into the following categories: Touring, Performance, All-Season, Light Truck, and Winter.

Touring

I'm sure you heard the term "touring", but what does that mean? Touring means traveling at highway speeds for prolonged periods. Touring tires are designed to give a quiet, excellent ride with top-notch handling at highway speeds. This type of tire has a non-aggressive tread pattern with straight ribs that allow the channeling of water. Another characteristic of the touring tire is long tread life. Long tread life is certainly a plus but the downside is that the hard compound that makes up this tire tends to freeze in winter, which in turn, sacrifices traction in bad weather.

Performance

This type of tire does a great job at highway speeds. It has an aggressive tread pattern that provides great traction and handling during cornering and aggressive driving. These tires have heavy or large shoulder lugs for cornering traction and a wide smooth face for gripping the road surface. Evacuating water is usually not a strong point of this type of tire. They are made of a softer rubber compound which aids traction but wears out quickly. Performance tires are usually short-lived. Most "Summer" tires fall under this category.

All-Season

This category includes the most versatile tires. All-season tires have a dual purpose. First, the tread patterns squeegee, or remove water from underneath each tread block maximizing rubber-to-road contact. Secondly, the tread patterns allow the "pumping" of water, ice, and snow away from the tire. These tires are also made up of a compound that resists freezing, ensuring better traction during icy conditions. Another great characteristic of the all-season tire is its performance in great weather. They are comparatively quieter than performance tires and their blocky tread pattern allows good traction and handling in the wet and dry.

Light Truck

This type of tire is built for work. They are constructed to work under heavy loads and in rough conditions. The rubber compound is hard, ensuring durability and the steel plies help the tire resist punctures and tears. The tread patterns vary widely and is determined by whether the tire will be used on or off-road. You will find lots of variation for light-truck tires, so thinking through the truck or SUV's mission will go a long way.

Winter

This category of tire is built for inclement and severe weather. Its whole mission in life is to move and break through snow and ice. The rubber compound resists freezing temperatures and remains flexible. The treads open and close as the tire moves down the road creating a "crunching" effect on ice and snow. This "crunching" keeps the treads clean which gets them ready for the next bite, ensuring traction. They are excellent at evacuating water. The sharp edges on the treads break through ice so that the tire can find the road or a surface that provides greater traction. If you experience an abundance of ice, snow, or inclement weather, the winter tire is your best bet.

Here's a quick guide for category characteristics:

• Touring- quiet, good highway performance, long tread life 
• Performance- great handling and grip for aggressive driving in the dry, poor performance in wet and snow, short tread life 
• All-Season- good highway performance, good wet, dry, and snow performance, moderately quiet 
• Light Truck- good for heavier loads, hard compound, aggressive tread pattern, good on and off-road performance 
• Winter- great in ice and snow, resists freezing, best at evacuating ice and snow, great winter traction

Now that you can "speak" tires and know the difference between the types of tires available, you can make an informed purchase, choosing the right tires for your needs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8194151