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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Flat Tires?

When talking about getting a flat tire, it's almost more of a "When" not "If" situation. It seems to happen to everyone at some point, and it can result from a variety of factors.

So what do you do when you get one? Maybe you're on your way to work... you don't want to get your business suit all dirty from the road, and your hands are bound to get greasy, and what if you're on a busy highway?

Here are some actions you can take to prepare for a flat tire.

1.) Pack a blanket... It may seem stupid, but keeping an old sheet or blanket in the trunk of your car can save you from having to lay on the dirty ground, and will protect your clothes from rips and tears.

2.) Buy a pair of gloves! They can be virtually any kind, you really only need something to block surface dirt and grease from getting on your hands.  In addition, be sure to keep some alcohol wipes handy as well in  case you to manage to get some grease or dirt on your hands.

3.) Stop in a safe place. Sounds ridiculous, right? Wrong! When you get a flat a thousand things might be rushing through your head, especially if you're on a busy highway. Most highways have a special pull-off zone marked by blue signs that you can utilize for such emergencies, and as long as it's only a few hundred feet away, don't be afraid to drive to it... you can't drive on a flat for miles, but tires and rims can take a lot of abuse (recommended don't drive more than 500 ft).

So if you get a flat, remember these tips, and stay calm... it's frustrating, but you'll get through it!

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Go Further On Your Trip

If you're taking a long road trip, there's more to saving a buck or two than finding the right car with a good fuel economy...There are also a couple of tips you can follow to make your gas tank stretch itself out.

Cruise Control:


 Don't forget to use your cruise control. Maintaining a steady speed and with cruise control can help your car consume fuel more efficiently.

The A/C:

When you're in the city, leave your windows down, but when you hit the highway, the air resistance can cause loss of fuel economy. Turn on the AC when on the highway and you could save 3-10% fuel economy.

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The Best Time To Drive

Looking at a long road trip with your rental car? You might be surprised to find when the best times are to be on the road.

Oddly enough, it's not evading lunch times and rush hours... it's best to drive when there's no sunshine at all!

During the early morning is the most opportune driving time to make your trip... the VERY early morning, as in 3-4am.

A writer from e-How writes:


For long road trips, the best time is to drive is at night. There are fewer cars on the road, which leads to less congestion and fewer stressful situations. It also will allow a driver to cruise through a large metropolitan area, such as Chicago or Atlanta, without losing time for the typically backed-up highway systems. Typically, at 3 or 4 in the morning, the only other drivers on the road are truckers.


Read more: The Best Time to Drive | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5256741_time-drive.html#ixzz1xt2uXRT1

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Packing For Your Trip? Don't Forget These...

Packing can be a chore, and let's face it... stuff gets left behind. There are a few items that should go on every checklist tho... just in case...

1. Chargers and Powerstrips: Electronics flood our world, we live and breath them, and nothing is more annoying than getting to your destination and forgetting a charger. Since so many people use them, bring a powerstrip too... this might seem like an item that goes low on the list, but it's important if your family wants to stay fully charged, you never know when your hotel might only have one set of outlets.

2. Duct tape: It really does fix everything... clothes rip, shoes get holes in them, cases break, and you don't want to be left with only the option of buying new stuff while on your trip. Take some duct tape, even just a roll can save you, and a lot of places, it can be a $2 fix for a $500 item.


3. Wet wipes: Seriously... they help. Maybe you have a small cut, use a wet wipe... Touch something sticky at that last road stop? ... wet wipes. These are also essential for pretty much anyone going on a camping trip, you can use them to clean cook-ware, and a variety of other things.


These are all small items, and they can fit virtually anywhere, don't forget them, they could save you in a pinch.

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