3 ways to take the words “traffic jam” out of your vocabulary

1. Use an alternative form of transportation.  There’s no shame in riding your bike, taking the bus, or using the train to get to your destination.  And it’s cleaner for the environment.

2. Change your schedule.  Most of the country is at work Monday – Friday from 9:00AM until 5:00PM.  That means traffic is the heaviest during the half hour before and after these times.  If you are able to budget your time in a way that avoids even just one of the two traffic jams you hit daily, you’ll be happier for it.

3. If you’re dealing with infuriating traffic jams daily, maybe it’s time to rethink your route to work.  Think of it this way: it’s impossible for all the roads in your city to be congested at once.  Breaking from routine can be a beautiful thing– especially if your routine involves gridlock traffic.

5 Signs You Need New Tires

1. Bulges, gouges, or cracks
   When a tire deflates, it bulges at the sides. This is a sign of low tire pressure or a slow air leak.
    
2. Tread wear 
   The old-school penny test is one way to check your treads: Place a penny into the tread, with Lincoln's head pointing down. If you can still see the top of his noggin, the tread is dangerously low. Most modern tires, however, have wear bars: bits of rubber woven into the pattern at a specific depth. You can find the wear bars that go across the groove, and if the tread pattern is worn down to that wear bar, you need to replace the tire.
    
3. Tire pressure 
   Tires deflate at a rate of about one pound per square inch (PSI) per month.
    
4. Temperature 
   Tire pressure drops in extreme cold. The challenge in summer is excessive heat buildup in the tire. If you're heading out on a road trip with an underinflated tire, it will generate more heat and wear out faster.
    
5. Vibration 
   Watch out for vibration or thumping when you're driving. If it feels like it's coming from under the seats, the rear tires may be out of balance. Vibration from the steering wheel could indicate suspension issues.

Did Your Teen Just Get Their Driver's License?

We know it’s difficult to let your teen take the wheel—and we can help! The best remedy to the parental stress that accompanies a smiling teenager with a glossy new license? Making sure they’ve got the right car. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re out looking for a new ‘whip’ (or whatever the kids are saying these days).


New instead of used
It might decrease your stress level momentarily to put your teen in charge of a vehicle that costs less, but think about it long-term. You want your kiddo to be safe and you don’t want to end up having to spend money on repairs that end up being more costly than the vehicle itself.

Not too big, not too small
It doesn’t matter that “everyone else” has a tiny sports car, or that your teen “will be the laughing stock” of the school unless they are behind the wheel of a huge SUV. The truth of it is that a happy medium is, well… a happy medium. New drivers behind the wheel of big vehicles are more likely to roll it in an accident and new drivers with sports cars are more likely to disobey the speed limit and get into trouble that way.

Stay away from stick! 
We know back in our day everyone knew how to drive a manual transmission, but the sad truth is that it is becoming somewhat of an endangered skill. Your teen can learn how to drive stick! Just make the first vehicle as easy and safe as possible for your teen—and everyone else on the road.

How to Keep Travel Tidy

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!

Fido’s big five for a tail-wagging drive

1. You should bring your own water from home.  Dogs have sensitive stomachs and water from unfamiliar places can easily cause an upset tummy for your pup.
2. Plan ahead for any medication your pooch might need while you’re traveling.  If you are able to pack extras, do so.
3. It’s always smart to bring a blanket that smells like home– people aren’t the only ones who get homesick!
4. Get your dog used to being on the road by taking him on a few short drives in the days approaching the big trip.
5. Make sure he’s micro-chipped.  Hit the road with the peace of mind that if the worst does happen, you won’t be caught unprepared.

You already know this, but we must remind you: NEVER leave your dog in your car unattended.  This is especially important during the sizzling months of summer.

Love Riding With The Top Down? You Can Thank Mazda For That.

Cruising with the top down this summer?  While you’re enjoying that breeze, just keep in mind that the design you love today had some very cool beginnings.  Back in 1988, Mazda engineer Takaharu Kobayakawa showed up to his favorite ski resort in the RX-7 Convertible with its top down.  Crazy, right?  Surprisingly, no.  We’d call it smart.  With its heater vents carefully aimed, this pivotal moment led to his invention of the wind blocker.

The design has been imitated by almost all convertible manufacturers since.

How to Avoid Car Sickness on Your Next Road Trip

Before you know it, we’ll be smack dab in the middle of road trip season. For many, a long summer drive sounds like a thrilling adventure. But for those prone to car sickness, a road trip can turn into a nightmare. Here are a few tips for avoiding that dizzy, nauseous feeling:


–Sit in the front seat (or maybe do the driving for a little while)

–Crack a window (fresh air helps some avoid nausea)

–Close your eyes (if you can’t see anything, you won’t get motion sickness)

–Avoid focusing your eyes on one particular thing (like a card game or a book)


If you keep these handy tips in mind, you should be able to get out and enjoy the open road with ease.