It’s Summer roadtrip season which means you may be traveling outside your normal area of civilization…to more remote places.  The question to ask yourself is if you’re ready for when things may go wrong…outside of cell coverage and roadside assistance accessible areas.  Let’s find out how to stock your trunk for emergency preparedness so you can take care of yourself.

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For the average pragmatist, much of what follows may be elementary. But at worst, you might go through a little trouble gathering and stocking a few items in your new Preparedness Trunk Box…and nothing challenging ever happens.

So here’s a suggested list of items to equip yourself with:

• Flashlight – LED based, heavy duty style. No cheap plastic stuff here.
• Jumper Cables – even low-gauge cables can be practical, but the potential problem is finding someone to give you a jump, hence…
• Portable Vehicle Jump Starter – great tool, but your challenge with this is remembering to keep it charged (Intelliboost, Weego & Gooloo are a few brands you can investigate for yourself)
• Roadside Hazard Indicators – old school Flares and free standing Emergency Reflective Road Triangles are two options.  A modern version is what’s called LED Road Flares that look like orange flashing hockey pucks. Batteries are your challenge here again.
• Fire Extinguisher – the “dry chemical” variety (rated A, B and C) is probably best in this case.
• Quart of Motor Oil – just in case. (check your vehicle owner’s manual for proper weight)
• Engine Coolant – Antifreeze –
• First Aid Kit – go crazy here and invest a few bucks ($25-$35) for a quality kit.
• Blanket – the Heavy Duty Thermally Efficient for Emergencies kind…as opposed to one that Grandma made for you.
• Radio – FRS or GMRS type for Emergencies.
• (keep watching…)
• (…for more life saving items!)

 

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Roadside assistance services for your vehicle is similar to health insurance.  You may only need to use it once a year or so…but if you ever get stranded along side the freeway, or worse, on a country road…you know the pain of potentially not having any help to fall back on.  Especially during Winter months when the incidents of dead batteries, flat tires, and keys locked inside their cars seem to multiply dramatically. But only one such experience can be enough to create panic.

Here are some strategic questions to ask yourself when beginning to determine which service plan would prove best for your situation:

1. Do I already have roadside assistance? – Yes, that’s actually possible more than you might think! Here a few of those potential scenarios:
   If you bought a new car or a certified used vehicle recently, your car may have come with a roadside assistance plan that lasts for the duration of the warranty, which for a new vehicle is at least three years or 36,000 miles, says Yu. If you’ve purchased a service contract—also known as an extended warranty—from an automaker or aftermarket company, you may also have coverage already. Always check the terms of your auto insurance policy as well. Some insurers, such as Allstate, Geico, and Nationwide, offer roadside assistance as an add-on to their auto insurance policies. Also check the fine print in your credit card agreements. Cards such as the American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card offer roadside assistance.
2. Complaints Frequency – Do a few web searches with the name of the plan provider plus “reviews” and “complaints.”  Complaints will typically revolve around wait times for the tow truck to arrive…or worse, if no one even shows up at all…and vehicles that may have been damaged during the tow itself.
3. Service Plan Criteria –  Here are few guidelines to help you decide which plan is best.

• More than one vehicle – a full-service plan may be your best bet in this case. They’re typically offered by AAA, National General Motor Club, Better World Club.
• Multiple family drivers – consider a plan from an autodealer such as Good Sam Roadside Assistance, where the member fee covers the spouse and kids as well.
• Recent Vehicle Purchase – whether new or certified pre-owned —and it’s the only vehicle you own—you can go with the automaker’s service, but make sure you know of any restrictions.
• Frequent or Long Distance Driver (i.e. far from home) …choose a plan with the most generous towing allowance and trip-interruption benefits.
• Fine Print – Some roadside assistance programs don’t cover the cost of towing as a result of flood, fire, and certain other calamities.

Read More – Consumer Reports

 

Old Man Winter is going to try to shake you down in the coming weeks!  Stick it to him and get your vehicle prepared.  Here’s a handy checklist to help you get it ready for the cold weather:

1. Recalls on Your Vehicle? – Just how safe is your vehicle to drive in Winter weather? Discovering safety recalls on your vehcile is a good first step. Enter your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) here in NHTSA’s Recalls Look-Up Tool to learn if your vehicle has been a part of a safety recall in the last 15 years.
2. Tune-Up & Routine Maintenance – Your trusted local mechanic  is the best next step for a seasonal tune-up and regular maintenance.  Leaks, old belts & hoses and any other parts and repairs should be your special request for them to check…especially your battery (e.g. for sufficient voltage, amperage and reserve capacity & tighten battery cable connections).
3. Tires – Quick check for excessive wear and correct pressure. (Avg. mo. pressure loss is 1 lb.).  If you’re in snow country and need special snow tires…get ’em now!  Remember…spare tires lose pressure too…check it! Contrary to popular belief, the correct pressure is NOT the number listed on the tire. Look closely at your tread and replace tires that have uneven wear or insufficient tread. Tread should be at least 2/32 of an inch or greater on all tires.
4. New Wiper Blades – Not being able to see through your windshield during a downpour is not a surprise you want to experience…old & worn wiper blades are dangerous.  Also…make sure your front and rear window defrosters are in proper working order.
5. Fluids – Radiator (coolant system) & windshield washer fluid…Flush & refill as appropriate . Use high-quality “winter” fluid with de-icer.
6. Lights & Signals – Emergency flashers, brake lights, headlights, turn signals, interior lights test & replace as necessary.

 

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Here’s the scary truth:  Halloween is one of the deadliest days of the year for pedestrians…especially children.

Pedestrian deaths are on the rise in general, reaching 5,987 in 2016, the highest number since 1990, according the Department of Transportation.

Parents and drivers can take these steps to reduce the risks.

“Halloween night is like a ‘perfect storm’ of risk because it involves darkness, a huge increase in pedestrian traffic, especially children, and all sorts of distractions,” ~  Jennifer Stockburger, director of operations – CR’s Auto Test Center.

Trick-or-Treaters Tips:
You can take these seriously…they’re from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Department of Transportation.

1. Parents should accompany children younger than 12 years old.
2. Children should walk—not run—from house to house.
3. Children should stay on sidewalks instead of walking between cars or on lawns, where there could be tripping hazards.
4. Remind children to look for cars when crossing driveways.
5. Pedestrians shouldn’t assume they have the right of way, because motorists may not see them.
6. Parents and children should consider choosing costumes that are a lighter color and are easier for drivers to see. Adding reflective material to the front and back makes a costume easier to pick out; it can even be part of the design.
7. Avoid costumes that make it more difficult for the child to see, especially ones that include masks. If a mask is necessary, kids may want to remove it when moving between houses to avoid issues.
8. Give children a flashlight to walk with in the dark so they can be more easily seen by drivers. Glow sticks can help, too.

Drivers Tips:
Children often behave unpredictably and can be difficult to see after dark…so drivers have a special duty to be alert on Halloween.

1. Drive slowly in and around neighborhoods and on residential streets.
2. Don’t drink and drive. Drunken-driving incidents increase on Halloween. (In the past five years, such fatalities have risen from 17 in 2011 to 55 in 2015, according to the NHTSA.)
3. Drivers should be responsible and understand that Halloween is especially dangerous.
4. Watch for children who may dart out into the street, and always yield to pedestrians. When drivers see one child, more are likely to be ready to cross.
5. If you’re driving children around for trick-or-treating, make sure they’re buckled up appropriately in a child safety seat or by using a seat belt. Do this each and every time they enter the car, and check to make sure they’re secure before driving to the next stop.
6. Pull over at safe locations to let children exit on the curb, away from traffic. Use your hazard lights to alert other drivers of your car.
7. Try to park in a spot where you won’t need to back up. But if you must, have an adult outside to make sure no children are in the way of your vehicle.
8. Don’t use a cell phone or other mobile device while driving. Pull over safely to check voice messages or texts if necessary.
9. By being cautious and mindful of safety this Halloween, you can make sure the holiday is a treat for all.

 

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Sitting behind the steering wheel of a vehicle…with passengers or alone…makes imperative that safe driving becomes your top priority.  Contemporary distratctions are more abundant and sophisticated than ever before.  So knowing the basics of safe driving and practicing them every time you climb into that driver’s seat is crucial. Here are 4 high quality safe driving tips to guide you:

1. Focus on Driving

• 100% of your attention MUST be on driving at all times – no multi-tasking.
• No cell phone or any other electronic device usage while driving.
• Slow down. Speeding gives you less time to react and increases the severity of an accident.

2. Drive “Defensively”

• Defensively means being aware of what other drivers around you are doing, and expecting the unexpected.
• Assume other motorists will do something crazy, and always be prepared to avoid it.
• Keep a 2-second cushion between you and the car in front of you. Bad Weather = A 4-second cushion.

3. Plan Ahead

• Schedule time to stop for food, rest breaks, phone calls or other business during the trip.
• Adjust your seat, mirrors and temperature controls BEFORE putting the car in “Drive”.
• Pull off the road to eat or drink.  Focusing on that alone takes only a few minutes to get back on the road.

4. Practice Safety

• Secure cargo that may slide around while driving…you don’t need the distraction.
• DON’T attempt to pick up items that fall to the floor.
• Keep needed items within easy reach – such as toll fees, toll cards and garage passes.
• ALWAYS use seat belts & drive sober and drug-free.

 

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Becoming a new driver as a teenager creates an exhilarating sense of fun and freedom…as well as a boatload of new challenges and dangers.  It can also be a little scary, to say the least.  While genuine guided practice and patience can offset many of those negatives…distracted driving poses an ongoing threat that everyone faces…especially new teenage drivers.  What can they do to avoid distractions?

1. No Cell Phones in Hand or Within Reach Temptation – While undeniably useful and convenient, cell phone pose an incredible distraction for any driver.  If it’s out of sight while driving, everyone’s safer.  Driving should be like going to the movies…there’s very little it has to say that can’t wait.  Pull over if you absolutely must check messages or make a call.
2. Embrace Technology If/When Engaging Devices is Absolutely Necessary – Yes, technology can actually reduce the  intensity of distraction in little ways…like controls for cell phones and music being available right on the steering wheel.  If it helps keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel…try it.
3. Keep Things Quiet – Advocating total silence while driving is probably unrealistic…nevertheless…it’s a good idea to avoid any kind of major distraction.  If you know there’s a good chance you’ll get caught up in a “Sweet Caroline” moment like the Hyundai commercial…just don’t play the song you know you’ll get lost in.  Heated discussions, verbal romantic interludes and passionate Jerry Maguire moments are best left for driveways and parking lots.
4. No Makeup in the Car – and no electric razors…for faces OR legs.  Personal grooming is a  documented primary cause of distracted driving for teenagers.  Just don’t do it!  It not only requires you to take your eyes off the road…it takes your hands off the wheel too!

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Summer here…the season for family trips and all sorts of travel ideas.  Don’t forget how important your tires are for getting you there!  Here a few simple tire-maintenance tips to keep your travel plans from going off course.

Heat Factor – Proper tire inflation is your #1 concern to keep you rolling…and Heat is the primary enemy. Tires can overheat from being underinflated, overloaded, or pushed at higher speeds. Sizzling hot summer road temperatures can actually cause tire blow outs.  Only about 19 percent of consumers properly inflate their tires, according to government estimates. A simple inspection can improve your safety:

1. Check pressure when the tires are at same temperature as their surroundings, typically after they’ve been parked for more than 3 hours.
2. Set the pressure to the prescribed level, which can be found on a placard on the driver’s doorjamb in most cars. Don’t use the pressure that’s noted on the tire’s sidewall; that’s the maximum pressure allowed for the tire.

Don’t Overload – Often miscaculated!  Here, the tire information placard IS your guide. It provides the allowable weight of all occupants and cargo combined.  Beware! Many vehicles hit maximum load capacity with just a few adults…and absolutely nothing in the trunk.

Spare Tire Check Monthly – Repeat…Monthly!  This is so overlooked …it’s not funny.  Check your spare tire every time you do  your regular monthly tire inflation check …AND before long-distance trips.

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Also Read: Changing a Tire in 8 Easy Steps from last month…practice makes perfect!

Been a little reluctant to try changing a tire on your own?  Go ahead!…the weather’s beautiful…and it beats trial by fire along side a highway when you’re late for a meeting.

Here they are 3 steps…easy peasy, lemon squeezy:

1. Loosen the Lugs – Once the car is on flat ground and the brake is set, break the lugs loose by turning them counterclockwise.
2. Jack up the Car – Raise the car with the jack until the flat tire is completely raised off the ground.
3. Off With the Flat – Once the car is off the ground, fully remove the wheel lugs and take off the flat tire.

 

Here’s the slightly longer version:

1. Get to a safe spot
2. Find your spare tire, jack and tire iron
3. Loosen the wheel lugs
4. Jack up the car
5. Remove the flat tire
6. Install the spare
7. Lower the car and tighten the wheel lugs completely
8. Important details about compact spare tires

 

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