Steps To Not Getting Lost

Anyone who's ever been on a roadtrip can tell you getting lost is FRUSTRATING especially if you don't have the reliability of a trusty GPS (we use "trusty" loosely)

So when taking a long trip remember a few of these tips:

1) A compass and map are cheap and priceless! A simple map of the US and compass can help you get a lot done... all you need to know is North from South and where you've already been. These make a great backup in a pinch if your GPS dies.

2) Keep checking road markers. If you're going through a sparse area remember to keep checking road signs every few miles to know exactly where you are and that will make the use of a map 100000 times easier! You can't find where you're going if you don't know where you came from.

3) Avoid low populated areas if possible. If you don't know where you're going but think taking a back road would be a fun idea... you're probably wrong... Unless you LOVE the mysterious, unknown, and staying at a "roach" hotel in the middle of nowhere without cable or cell phone service! Stick to main highways as much as possible, and follow the above tips.

Keep all of these things in mind and your trip will be much more relaxing and comfortable and every once in a while, practice map reading... it's a useful skill to have!

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Is Now An Ideal Time To Travel?

If you haven't been on that special road-trip yet, now could be the time.

Specific areas of the US and Canada are at peak weather conditions around the end of August, here's a list from Getaway:


Americas:

Alaska — Denali National Park
June to August is seen as warm, peaks being July to mid-August. May and September offer quite mild weather and are seen as off peak. October may see blizzards, with November to February for snow.

Canada — Ontario, Toronto
Spring, summer and autumn are ideal warm weather for touring. If you want to ski, head over for winter. Warmest months are July and August.

United States — California, New York
East Coast — summer (June/September) is most popular but most crowded, so autumn and spring are preferred.

West Coast — a warmer time would be mid-September to mid-October, along with all of May and early June. Cooling down from November to February (snow).

So jump in the car (or rent from us) and get out there and see the world!


See more peak visiting times: http://getaway.ninemsn.com.au/askgetaway/2001/16186/best-time-to-travel

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How to Use Jumper Cables

Planning on a long trip? At some point you may need a jump. Seems like a basic thing to do for your car, but you'd be surprised how many people can't use jumper cables properly.

● Find a car to serve as the boosting car.

● Park the two cars -- the dead car and the boosting car -- close to one another, making sure that they're not touching each other.

● Make sure both cars' engines are turned off, and both cars are in park.

● Clamp the red jumper cable (i.e. the positive cable) to the dead car's positive battery terminal, which is marked with a "+." Make sure that the clamp is firmly connected to the battery.

● Clamp the other end of the red jumper cable to the booster car's positive battery terminal, also marked with a "+." Make sure that the clamp is firmly connected to the battery.

● Clamp the black jumper cable (i.e. the negative cable) to the booster car's negative battery terminal, which is marked with a " - ". Make sure that the clamp is firmly connected to the battery.

● Clamp the other end of the black jumper cable to a bare, metal surface on the engine of the dead car. This can be a bolt or a screw. This provides grounding for the jump start [source: Brauer].

● Ensure that the jumper cables are not touching any engine parts.

● Start the booster car's engine and let it idle for a few minutes.

● Start the dead car's engine and let it idle for a few minutes.

● Disconnect the black jumper cable from the once-stalled engine. Then disconnect the black jumper cable from the booster car.

● Remove the red jumper cable from the booster car. Then remove the red jumper cable from the once-stalled car.

Original Article: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/how-to-use-jumper-cables.htm

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Looking To Rent? Go With The Civic!

At Van-Go Rentals we are proud to carry a sweet lineup of Honda cars for our customers like the 2011 Honda Civic, but not everyone is convinced it's the right choice, so here's a review from a CarConnection Critic:

"The current-generation Honda Civic looked pretty far-out when it was first introduced, five years ago, but it turned out to be a trend-setter. Its swoopier, more ached roofline, stubbier, yet more aerodynamic front end, drawn-forward, more rakish windshielf, and even its bold, two-tiered video-game-like instrument panel, which made other small-car dashes look plain at the time, have since been emulated by other automakers—serving to keep the Civic's look very contemporary."


"...Overall, the Honda Civic feels very peppy, with quick and precise steering especially in low-speed driving. On the highway can be a little too light on center, but when pushed hard the Civic feels like a more sophisticated, more expensive car whereas most other budget-priced small sedans start to show ragged edges...."


To read more of this review visit:


http://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/honda_civic-sdn_2011

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Tips For Long Trips

Long road trips in your car can be cumbersome... They take not only a toll on your car (As it's doing most of the work) but also you as a driver... So here are a few tips and facts to stay safe!

1) Take a break every two hours!

Did you know this? The mind tends to wander, "Highway fever" can start to take over, you easily lose attention span, and that's how accidents can occur. To reduce this risk it's recommended you take an out of car break to stretch your legs and get fresh air once every two hours. It sounds like a waste of time, but it saves time compared to what you'd spend if an accident were to occur!

2) Sleep during the day

If you're taking a multiple day/night trip make sure when you're resting and sleeping that it's during the day! Studies show that while less places are open at night and that is a disadvantage, that the roads are also much less occupied. Driving at night can mean less waits in traffic jams and less risk of a car to car collision.

3) You may not need a break... but your car does.

Even if you're car is brand new, fluids are topped, and tires are new... extended driving without stopping can have a MAJOR impact on the future condition of your car. Constant stopping heats rotors, constant driving has tire wear, and prolonged engine heat can lead to stretched belts... so even if you don't need to stop, stop every few hours for your cars sake.

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Top 10 Places To Visit For 2012

Summer is still here and that means there's still time to take a few items off your travel to-do list.

LonelyPlanet has whipped up an awesome list of the Top 10 places for you to visit this year and most of them you can get to in a car, so if you need a rental... you know where to find us!


10. Yellowstone National Park
The world’s first national park – turning 140 next year – attracts nearly four million visitors a year, but just a trickle go in winter; consider it. Rates are lower (the Old Faithful Snow Lodge has rooms starting at $95, a fraction of summer rates), and the scenery has its own wintery majesty, when waterfalls turn to curtains of ice, geysers shoot higher and boiling rivers billow with steam. You can get about by ski shuttles, snowshoe (rangers lead free tours) or – best yet – cross-country skis, as hiking trails of all levels transform into some of the country’s best trails. Why wait for summer?



9. Chicago
Chicago’s going to be busy in 2012, with G8 and NATO summits based here – though the main attraction lies outside politics. Instead, occupy the Magnificent Mile! Chicago has incredible art offerings at places like the Art Institute and Millennium Park, some of the country’s best restaurants and world-class festivals like Lollapalooza and Taste of Chicago. And the Obamas’ old neighborhood on the south side – Hyde Park – is seeing more visitors for its lakeside walks and a look at Frank Lloyd Wright’s ‘prairie style’ Robie House, up this year for World Heritage Site status.


Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/travel-tips-and-articles/76941#ixzz20WlmQZLH

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A Tip From Our Mechanics:

Imagine this: You're driving down the highway, everything seems smooth... No strange noises, smooth ride, then it happens... The check engine light comes on! The Check Engine light has the ability to immediately strike fear in the hearts of drivers everywhere, and leave you wondering how much the problem is going to cost to fix and if you will be able to afford it.

While it is true that sometimes the check engine light can signal a serious issue with your car, it can also signal much more simple issues with a cheap or free fix. These problems can be anything from a cylinder misfire to your gas cap not being on tight enough and everything in between.

So what can you do about it?

DON'T PANIC! If there doesn't appear to be any initial problems that are overly noticeable, see if there's a simple fix. Try checking for a loose gas cap, check all your fluid levels, and if that doesn't appear to fix it, maybe it's time to see someone about doing something a little more serious.

Get a free diagnostic! Often times car part shops such as Advanced Auto will do a free diagnostics check on your engine and can tell you what the issue is. It may be something you can take care of, or you might need to see a mechanic, but it's worth looking into.

For more info on what it means when your check engine light comes on, click here! 

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