Tips for Tidy Travel

There’s nothing quite as frustrating as arriving at your vacation destination unprepared.  One way to combat the stress that comes along with summer travel is to make sure your car is neat and tidy.  This allows you to plan ahead because you have room to see what you have, what you forgot, and what you can keep at the hotel room for the day.  Here are some simple steps for squeaky clean summer trips.

Stock your glove box with napkins and silverware for mess-less meals on the go.

Designate a place to collect trash.  This can be anything from a small wastebasket to a grocery bag.  It’s easier to keep things clean when all the dirt’s in one spot.

Clean out your trunk before you leave.  Many people use their trunk as a junk drawer on wheels–but you’ll appreciate the extra space when you travel.  If possible, only carry what you absolutely need during transit with you inside the cabin.

Don’t forget the Golden Rule of tidy travel: Take out whatever you bring into the car!

If you hate rush hour traffic, stay away from these places.

The next time you’re sitting in rush hour traffic, just be glad you’re not in LA.  If you are in LA…well, our condolences.  TomTom has just released its definitive list of this year’s Top 10 Most Congested Cities.  So if sitting in traffic behind a sea of red taillights makes you see red, it’s best to steer clear of these problem spots.  Or, maybe just avoid California in general…yikes.

1. Los Angeles, CA
2. San Francisco, CA
3. Honolulu, HI
4. Seattle, WA
5. San Jose, CA
6. Washington, DC
7. New York, NY
8. Portland, OR
9. Boston, MA
10. Chicago, IL

Put the Mascara Down...Step Away from the Cell Phone...

Want to lower your chances of getting into a car accident? Stop grooming behind the wheel. Men, no more electric shaving!  Ladies, put the makeup down. Driving with these types of distractions, along with eating or using your cell phone significantly increases your chances of getting into an accident. Finish grooming before you leave the house– because it’s never worth the risk.

Here’s how NOT to get pulled over on your way home tonight

1. Have situational awareness.  If traffic begins to slow, don’t take it as your cue to weave in and out of lanes like a speed demon.  Chances are, there’s a good reason it’s coming to a halt.

2. Big Brother is everywhere, and he’s waiting for you to slip up.  When you hit the road, do so with the knowledge that you are being watched.  From speed traps to red light cameras to that police car parked at the bottom of the hill, all eyes are on you.  Drive accordingly.

3. Leave the glitz and glamor to the movie stars.  Try not to call any extra attention to yourself.  A bright red sports coupe with a vanity plate and a bunch of bumper stickers is far more likely to get caught speeding than the understated beige minivan next to it.

IF YOU DO GET PULLED OVER…
The best chance you have at not getting a ticket is to be polite.  Getting pulled over is a stressful event, but it’s important not to panic.  As soon as panic sets in, people incriminate themselves inadvertently by volunteering information or becoming argumentative. Remember: police officers mean it when they tell you anything you say can and will be used against you in court!

May is Military Appreciation Month

The month of May is set aside as a special time to honor our past and present military service members and their families for their contributions to our country. There are many activities you can do to observe the occasion! Here are some ideas we came up with:

-Learn about contributions of the U.S. Armed Forces through study or by visiting a historical monument.
-Write letters (or emails) of appreciation to military veterans in your life.
-Start a drive to provide items of comfort to those who are in veterans homes.
-Invite a service member to come and speak before an organization you are affiliated with.
-Share information about National Military Appreciation Month on social networking sites.

How will you show your appreciation?

Check Your Coolant Levels

Cars are designed to run hot, but there's a limit to how hot they should run. A combustion engine is most efficient at around 200 degrees Fahrenheit). If an engine gets too hot, moving metal parts can actually start to melt and fuse together, causing a variety of internal problems for your engine, as well as a hefty repair bill.

All modern cars are equipped with a cooling system that uses a chemical coolant, called antifreeze, and a series of pumps, hoses, thermostats and fans to keep the car at its optimal running temperature. If any problems arise with this system, such as low coolant levels, cracked hoses, loose or broken belts, a leak in the radiator, or even a loose or missing radiator cap, can cause your car to overheat and break down.

The summertime is tough on cooling systems. Sitting in traffic on a hot day is one of the quickest ways to overheat your car. This is because there's no air flowing across the engine to help keep it cool. A well-tuned cooling system can take long idles in hot weather, but if you have low coolant levels, your engine temperature is going to go up...and fast.

Check under the hood and make sure that your coolant levels are fine. The general rule is to flush your radiator and add new coolant at least every two years. Flushing the radiator is done with a special chemical that cleans debris and build-up on the inside of the radiator. For summer driving, coolant should be added as a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water.

Bunny Tails

These Bunny Tails are quite a treat for children! Package donut holes of your choice in a plastic bag. Add the finishing touches by making the "Bunny Tails" label from colored paper of your choice and marker. You'll also need a pair of scissors to cut out shapes to create the decorative Easter bunny. You can find all of the materials shown in the photo above at your local arts and crafts store. Get creative! Your kids will love a tasty holiday treat.

Earth Day 2014

Each year, Earth Day, April 22, marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. In 1969 at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco, peace activist John McConnell proposed a day to honor the Earth and the concept of peace. Earth Day has evolved and people all over the world now celebrate. There are plenty of ways to show you care for the planet on which we live. Here are some suggestions below:

-Carpool with friends and family to save gas and reduce your carbon footprint.
-Switch to online bill pay to reduce the amount of wasted paper.
-Plant a tree or garden.
-Update the light bulbs in your home to more energy-efficient bulbs.
-Set up a compost bin. Every time you throw out coffee grounds, paper towels or a pizza box, you're adding to a landfill. All of these materials can be composted instead of trashed, and compost is an ideal way to fertilize your outdoor space.

Will you do your part this Earth Day?

Keeping Your Kids Occupied on a Road Trip

Keeping the kids occupied on a road trip can sometimes be a difficult task. Take full advantage of technology with popular road trip game apps your kids will love!

Road Trip Scavenger Hunt: With components of “I Spy” and “The License Plate Game,” this app gives your kids items to try to spot as they look out the window.

123 Color: Less mess than an actual coloring book and set of crayons, this coloring app will keep your kids entertained for hours filling in pictures.

Bingo Apps: There are several versions of this “I Spy”-like app out there, but most of them work the same way: The app features a bingo game board, but instead of letters and numbers, it features icons of items you might see near the road, such as cows, light poles, and gas pumps. As in “Bingo,” the first one to fill a row or column win.

Mad Libs: Much like the paper original, this app lets you select from a variety of categories and insert words into stories when prompted.

Have you found any apps your kids love to play? Share them below in the comments!

Get Rid of the Junk in the Trunk

Your car burns gas for energy. It's food for the engine, which­ is what makes the car run. The more work the car has to do, the more energy it needs. It's why large SUVs have worse gas mileage than small cars. The added weight of the SUV makes the car work harder.­

No matter what kind of car you drive, eliminating weight can go a long way toward increasing your car's fuel efficiency. Have a ski or bike rack on your car? Unless you're on your way to a ski trip or bike ride, take it off. That unused rack adds weight and wind resistance. If you're like most people, you probably have some junk in your trunk. Sports equipment, strollers, and gym bags are all hurting your fuel economy. The EPA estimates that for every extra 100 pounds your car caries, it loses 2 percent in fuel economy. By cleaning up your act, you can start on the road to saving.

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Spring Gardening

Yesterday was the first day of spring! Although it may not be warm enough to get a head start on gardening just yet, we've sure been thinking about it! Do you have a favorite flower, fruit, or vegetable you enjoy planting in the spring? Leave us a comment below!

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How to Deal With a Foggy Windshield

Imagine you're in a hurry and need to leave for work ASAP. For a quick fix to defrost your windshield, you'll need to lower the temperature inside your car rapidly. Turn on the defrost vent with cool air or cracking a window; make sure not to turn on the heat. This will make the inside of your car cooler and help reduce the fog. Also, turn on your car’s rear-window defogger to help clear up the back window.

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Spring Forward

Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 9, 2014. Remember to spring forward! Move your clocks one hour ahead for the adjustment.

Make sure to reset all clocks in your house, including the microwave, computer, and especially your alarm clock. Don’t forget to reset the clock in your car, as well. The goal is to get used to the new time as soon as possible!


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Remote Island Getaway

Are you looking for a quiet getaway? Nestled between the Florida mainland and Key West, and just past the Seven-Mile Bridge, lies the Lower Keys, a collection of tiny islands that prove just how much the towns and vibes vary across the state of Florida. Much of the Lower Keys seems untouched and unspoiled, but never as much so as on the tiny private escape of Little Palm Island. Access Little Palm Island by boat or seaplane. Dive into a national marine sanctuary overflowing with diverse sea life and beautiful coral reefs. Have you traveled to any of the Florida Keys?

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Choosing a Family Car

Families are always changing. Sometimes it’s hard to determine what will be important to you a few years down the road. Before deciding on a car, think about the changes you expect your family to go through during the car’s lifespan.

Your daily routine is important, too. If that includes dropping children off at day care or sitting in traffic as you head to the office, good fuel economy, and city maneuverability may matter more than having a surplus of storage space.


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Bench Seats

Have you noticed you no longer see bench seats in vehicles? The last American production model car to offer a bench seat in the front was the Chevrolet Impala. Back before seat belts were even included in cars—much less mandatory to wear—three passengers could fit comfortably in the front of most cars. Do you miss bench seats? Let us know in the comments below!

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Rear-Enders: Common Car Accidents

Did you know that rear-enders are one of the most common types of car accidents? Rear-ending results when one car collides into the back of car in front of it. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, this type of crash accounts for 29 percent of all accidents. A 2007 NHTSA study found that drivers involved in rear-end crashes were “routinely engaged in activities that divert their attention from the forward roadway while driving,” and 64 percent of those involved in rear-end crashes were not looking at the road at the time of the crash.

To help avoid rear-ending another vehicle because of inattention, always pay attention to your surroundings, particularly the street and other vehicles. Make sure your cell phone is safely put away and focus your attention to the road and your speed.

 

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Name that Concept!

Are you a fan of concept cars? We're here to test your Chevy knowledge! Put the puzzle pieces together and guess the name of this 1955 concept vehicle. Leave us your answer in the comments below!

provided by flash-gear.com

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Keep Calm and Get Organized

Did you know that an organized car is a safer car? No really, we’re pretty serious. Loose items can, and often do, become projectiles during hard braking or accidents. Objects flying through your car at high speeds can cause serious injury to front and back-seat passengers.

January is Get Organized Month, so why not start preparing for Spring Cleaning season by organizing your car? Your efforts will be rewarded in the form of a safer, organized, and more confident drive that will make time spent in your ride much more comfortable.

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Funny Florida Laws

Florida has some pretty ludicrous laws. Take a look at the 5 we found below:

-If an elephant is left tied to a parking meter, the parking fee has to be paid just as it would for a vehicle.
-It is illegal to sing in a public place while wearing a swimsuit.
-It is illegal to sell your children.
-Women may be fined for falling asleep under a hair dryer, as can the salon owner.
-You are not allowed to break more than three dishes per day, or chip the edges of more than four cups and/or saucers.

What silly Florida laws have you found?


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