Road & Travel Magazine's Blog

Proactively Prepare For That Dreaded Flat Tire

By Liz Kaadou

You are driving down a winding three-lane highway, hands gripped tightly to your leather-clad steering wheel, the sun is shining through your crystal clear windows, and a light breeze is wispily blowing through your hair. Sounds like the perfect way to start off your morning…until with no warning at all, you feel a sudden pop and your car seems completely off balance.  The dreaded flat tire has veered itself directly into your once tranquil driving path.  This could be cause for immediate concern and panic, especially if you are woman. But before you find yourself stranded on the side of the freeway with nothing in your trunk but a box of Kleenex and some mouth-watering mints, you may want to follow these practical steps to make sure you are always proactively prepared.

 

1) Make sure you always have a spare tire that is adequately filled with air.

 

2) Buy yourself a drill that can be plugged into your car lighter.  Make sure and also buy a tip for the drill that will fit the lug nuts on your car.  This way, you will be prepared in the event that the lug nuts are too tight for you to loosen.

 

3) Keep a ramp in your car so you will be able to lift the tire into the air during your tire changing extravaganza.  You can purchase a small ramp at any auto supply store.

 

4) Stash a pair of work gloves and and a set of disposable paper coveralls in your trunk.

 

5) Keep a small jack and tire iron in your trunk.

 

For more auto safety advice from Road & Travel Magazine, visit our Safety & Security section.

Subscribe to Roadandtravel Blog   Become a Facebook Fan

Don't Bump your Bumper!

You'd think the purpose of a bumper would explain itsself: bumpers are for bumping. Well, today, they're just part of the design, costing on average $4,500 to fix. Most are smooth, soft-plastic "fascias" that add to the car's demeanor but are easily damaged - the term bumper is practically an oxymoron. But who knows how to pronounce "fascia"?

Your best bet? Drive safe, or find a good deal on repairs.

Tips to protect your bumper:
-Drive as if your car's bumper were made of fine china - or hundred dollar bills.
-Park away from other, less careful, drivers.
-Don't overrun parking curbs, but if you do, don't immediately back up; this could pull the entire fascia off. Examine the problem and consider calling a tow company.
-Try before you buy (or consult the IIHS's crash tests for bumper damage costs).

What models' bumpers are the least-costly to repair?
Ford Focus
Mazda 6
Scion xB
Smart Fortwo

For more car care tips, visit RTM's Car Care & Maintenance section.

Subscribe to Roadandtravel Blog   Become a Facebook Fan

Meineke Offers Fall Car Care Advice

With a new season comes a rejuvenated spirit, fall cleaning – and vehicle maintenance. Therefore, after the road trips that many people took over the summer, Meineke Car Care Centers are encouraging drivers to make sure their vehicles undergo a maintenance check for the autumn season.

"It is critical that cars have periodical, thorough inspections by a qualified technician," said Don Rauch, director of dealer communications for Meineke Car Care Centers, Inc. “A car maintenance check-up and some simple service can really reduce the cost of car ownership." Rauch suggests the following advice:

Meineke Car Care Center's Top Fall Car Care Tips

1. With cooler weather soon heading way, keep the windshield wiper fluid reservoir full. When topping off, use some windshield washer fluid on a rag to clean off the wiper blades. In winter months, pay attention to the freezing point of the washer fluid.

2. Inspect belts and hoses. Replace worn, glazed or frayed belts. Tighten them when more than ½" of slack can be depressed between the pulleys. Vehicles with spring loaded belt tensioners require no adjustment. Replace bulging, rotten, or brittle hoses and tighten clamps. If a hose feels too soft or too hard, it should be replaced.

3. Check the antifreeze/coolant level. Some cars have transparent reservoirs with level markings. Fill to level marking with 50/50 solution of antifreeze and water.
Caution: Do not remove the pressure cap when engine is hot.

4. To maintain peak performance, change oil every 3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first. Replace oil filter with every oil change.

5. Check transmission fluid with engine warm and running, and parking brake on. Shift to drive, then to park. Remove dipstick, wipe dry, insert it and remove it again. Add the approved type fluid, if needed. Be sure not to overfill.

It's also important to remember that proper tire inflation, regular engine tuning, oil and air filter changes can do more than keep your car running smoothly: they actually save gas. Getting a regular check-up is not only vital to the safety of your car, it can save time, money and inconvenience – now and later.

For more fall car care tips from RTM, click here.

Subscribe to Roadandtravel Blog   Become a Facebook Fan

Prepare in the Fall, Be Ready in the Winter

The fall is the perfect time to prepare your car for the approaching winter driving season. The cooler fall temperatures serve as an excellent

reminder that the time is now to prepare your car for the winter weather season and its accompanying poor driving conditions. But amazingly, according to the Car Care Council, an estimated 70% of motorists fail to winterize their cars.

 

A little preventive maintenance can reduce the chances of encountering car trouble, saving you from an unpleasant, expensive or even deadly experience. Just like a professional mechanic or auto technician, drivers with even the most limited expertise can perform the same simple steps to protect their vehicles from the ravages of the unforgiving winter season:

 

• Check your tire pressure and tread depth: Use a pressure gauge and the coin test to determine if your tire tread is deep enough to insure good traction. Look for uneven wearing which can be dangerous.

• Check your battery, exhaust system, heater and defroster: Often neglected, make sure the battery is not past its lifespan, and that the terminals are tight and free of corrosion. Hoses and belts should be inspected for cracks. Now is the time to discover if your heater is broken - not when the temperature drops.

• Check your antifreeze: Make sure that 50/50 antifreeze/water mixture is at its proper radiator level. If the coolant is two years old, get it flushed and refilled.

• Change your oil every 3,000 miles: If you live in a colder climate consider using a lighter, “winter weight” oil. Refer to your owner’s manual for guidance.

• Check your windshield wipers and blades: Replace the blades twice a year and make sure you have extra wiper fluid on hand.

• Be sure your 4-wheel drive system and brakes are working properly.

• Keep an emergency kit in your car that includes a flashlight, blanket, jumper cables, clothes, tool kit and even food.

 

Winterizing a car is not a difficult, expensive or time consuming task, but most drivers do not think about seasonal maintenance until they’re stuck on the side of the road with an avoidable vehicle malfunction. Winterizing your car is actually minor vehicle maintenance that more than pays for itself in improved vehicle performance, a lesser chance of vehicle breakdown, and most of all by giving a driver the peace of mind knowing that their car is ready for the possibilities of harsh winter driving conditions.

 

For more car winterizing tips, visit RTM's Car Care Archives.

 

Subscribe to Roadandtravel Blog   Become a Facebook Fan

Road Trip Rules: Have a Flawless Labor Day Vacation

Despite expensive fuel and economic uncertainty, millions of Americans will be hitting the road over the Labor Day holiday.  The National Motorists Association has developed a list of recommendations intended to keep a vacation trip a vacation and not a family disaster story.

1) Take An Extra Key: Not many experiences are more frustrating than to be 300 hundred miles from home and to lock yourself out of your car. New automobiles can be a real challenge to enter, even by pros, when they are locked. Placing or hiding a key somewhere on the exterior of the vehicle will turn a potential nightmare into a minor inconvenience.

2) Your GPS Isn’t Infallible - Buy And Carry A Good Road Map: That new GPS may be addictive, but they are not foolproof in every situation.  For example, a bad accident stalls traffic for hours on a major highway and has you stranded in unfamiliar country.  A good map may provide a feasible escape route, and will often provide an alternative to an official detour route that is much faster if you are in a standard passenger vehicle (official detour routes have to accommodate large trucks and busses).

3) Check Your Belts And Hoses: Modern automobiles are remarkably reliable - they will absorb a lot of neglect and abuse and still get you to your destination. The weakest links in the reliability chain are coolant hoses and the belts that convey power to alternators, water pumps, and other components external to the engine. These too have improved dramatically but they should be checked over periodically.

4) Alternate Drivers If Necessary: Traffic accidents common to vacation travel can often be traced to fatigue and being in unfamiliar travel environments. Stay fresh, trade off driving, take breaks and get some circulation going. If you’re fresh and alert unexpected events or situations will be less likely to cause confusion or dangerous reactions.

5) Be Smart About The Traffic Laws: Traffic laws and traffic signage are supposed to be uniform, but they aren’t. It pays to be careful though because, according to the National Speedtrap Exchange, there are over 50,000 speed traps in the United States. If you are ticketed, don’t fight your battle on the roadside. If you truly feel exploited, you can challenge your ticket in court by yourself, with help from the National Motorists Association, or through an attorney. Just don’t let it spoil your vacation!

Subscribe to Roadandtravel Blog Bookmark this on Delicious

Practical Gift for Mom's Heart This Mother's Day

Looking for a practical and unique Mother's Day present? Mother’s Day is an opportunity to give Mom a gift that celebrates how she always ensured you reached your destination.  Choosing the right gift can be a challenge, but giving Mom something practical is a way to show your affection.

 

In tough economic times, people prefer to receive gifts that help out with everyday expenses and tasks.  A recent survey by Jiffy Lube International reveals that 64 percent of moms said they would prefer something useful and practical this year and 60 percent said they would like to receive a gift card. 

 

“Many moms focus on getting their family where they need to go, and it’s important that preventive vehicle maintenance does not get overlooked in busy schedules,” said John Sanfacon, head of Marketing and Innovations at Jiffy Lube International. “The Jiffy Lube Gift Card provides convenience and value to a busy mom.”

 

Whether commuting to work or running errands, Mom spends a lot of time on the road, and her vehicle handles a lot of wear and tear.  In fact, a survey from MomCentralConsulting.com found that 78 percent of moms spend at least six hours in their car each week.

The Jiffy Lube Gift Card can be purchased online at JiffyLube.com or at participating Jiffy Lube locations across the United States. The gift card can be set for monetary denominations from $5 to $300, has no expiration date or fees, and can be redeemed toward any Jiffy Lube preventive maintenance service. (Source: Jiffy Lube^®)

For more information on preventative maintenance, check out Jiffy Lube fights Heart Disease.

 

For more car-care advice, click here.

Are You Ready for the Road?

Even with the price of gas, people are always on the road. Whether you are driving across the state, across the country or just commuting to work, preparing your car for the trip is important.

Prepare the Car
Make sure your car is properly maintained before heading on the road. You should also consider your destination when preparing your car. Difference terrains, such as the beach, the mountains, the desert and urban areas, put different stresses on a vehicle. To learn more about preparing for different environments, check out RTM's Road Trip Preparation article to learn more about each terrain's requirements.

Keeping Your Car Makes Financial Sense

Although you may want to get rid of your present vehicle in favor of a new car, taking better care of your current set of wheels may make much more sense in the long run-helping you achieve a goal of financial freedom.

"We advise our clients that if they want a 10 percent increase on their investments every year, they need to cut down on their expenses," said Terry Mulcahy, vice president of investments for R.W. Baird.

Recent figures from Runzheimer International, a management consulting firm that measure travel and living costs, show that trading a vehicle every eight years instead of every four can save more than $2000 a year post-payoff in repairs and maintenance, license, registration, taxes and insurance, confirming the Car Care Council’s claims.

More about proper vehicle maintenance on RTM.

Spring Car MaintenanceTips

Spring is a time of fresh starts and renewals. Extend the “spring cleanup” you give your house and yard to your vehicle. You’ll not only improve its performance and lengthen its life, but you’ll spare yourself time, money and aggravation.
 
Whether you do the work yourself or depend on a professional technician, getting your vehicle in shape now will undo any damage caused by winter driving and keep you safe on the road this season. Start with removing clutter and giving your ride a shiny coat of wax; then move under the hood for a tune-up to make sure your care runs great through all of the seasons.
 
Click here for a full list of spring car cleaning tips.

Lowering Driving Expenses

Car care can be expensive and with the current economic times, downsizing and driving less are two of the most obvious and immediate ways to save on driving expenses. But there are other ways to curtail costs, some of which have little to do with prices at the pump. Simply lengthening scheduled maintenance intervals can save money. Today’s vehicles can go longer between routine services, such as oil changes.

“There are better quality engines being manufactured with a more precise tolerance and improved lubricants, and the combination of these things allows you to expand certain maintenance intervals,” says Jim Cain, a spokesman for Ford in Dearborn, Mich.

The traditional 3,000-mile oil-change interval espoused for decades is becoming obsolete. And at around $50 a pop, fewer oil changes each year means more money in the bank — or more money for gas. Being smart about where your vehicle is serviced can also keep costs down.

Click here to read more on RTM about lowering driving expenses.