“Driving vacations and common sense safety tips go hand in hand.” That’s the reason why if you want your whole family to be safe without killing the fun in the road trip, you must heed these simple road safety tips:

Do you need that?

Instead of picking up things randomly, making a short list of the most important things you need while on the journey is always a better option.

Check your tire and your tire pressure

Time and again, many family road trips have turned into a not-so-memorable experience because of busted tires. So to make sure such thing won’t bother you, check your tires if they have the right amount of pressure.

Check your car’s fluids and wiper blades

Regular oil change and maintenance of your car’s wiper blades can make the difference in the long run. Doing these things can help you avoid potential hassles while on your way to a vacation.

Prepare for roadside emergencies

Because anything could happen while the whole family is on the road, you must properly equip yourself to ensure that you won’t be left helpless. Make a kit that includes a flashlight, flares and first-aid basics. This could help you in certain situations like sudden repairs and small accidents.

Sources: Car Junky, Google

Every vehicle owner wants to have a ride that’s made for long-lasting performance. And this is something that’s not that hard to achieve given that you stay on top of scheduled maintenance – most importantly, oil changes.

In conducting oil change, the rule of thumb for most vehicle owners is every 4,827 kilometers. But because many have debated over this, the safest thing to do is to consult your owner’s manual. Additionally, if you’re looking for the right shop that can do the job, go for a reputable one that will use the proper oil that’s compatible for your ride. Some service provider would opt for the cheapest one that can affect the performance of your vehicle. A good shop will let you know the oil that it’s going to use, so you’ll know if it’s the correct one for your vehicle.

Now for your filters, if you’re not sure which one is to use and when to replace them, you can check your owner’s manual to know the appropriate time intervals in replacing filters. The proper filter to get as replacement should have 95 percent filtering efficiency to ensure total engine protection.

Sources: Car Junky, Google

As the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure. And believe it or not, this also applies to your vehicle. So before these problems could stop your ride during a family road trip or daily commute, what you need to do is to fix them now before they materialize. Here are some tips to help you get on with it:

1. Identify a quality repair shop and use that facility for all repairs and maintenance done to your vehicle. This way, you’re developing a good working relationship with them and they get to know your car.

2. Have your car serviced regularly based on recommended maintenance schedule. While some needs a professional to get the job done, others can be easily done by you.

• Engine Air Filter. Every six months or 7,500 miles is the ideal interval to check your air filter. If light can be seen through much of the filter, it’s still clean enough to work.

• Battery. Ensure battery cables if they’re securely attached to the terminals. Clean the terminals if signs of corrosion are present.

• Tire Pressure. Test and adjust tire pressures at least once a month including the spare. The recommended pressure can be found in the owner’s manual or on a sticker on the driver’s doorjamb.

• Tire Tread. Inspect the tread depth by inserting a quarter upside down into a tire groove with Washington’s head facing outward. The tread should cover part of Washington’s head.

• Windshield Washer Fluid. See the windshield washer fluid reservoir monthly and test the washer spray nozzles for proper operation and aim.

• Windshield Wiper Blades. Every oil change or whenever they fail to wipe the glass clean in a single swipe, you need to check your wiper blades. The inserts usually lasts from six to 12 months.

Sources: Car Junky, Google

If you’re a busy person and you can’t just let go of your cellular phone, then you’re probably one of the many that gave in to the urge of texting while driving. Well, this activity has become a leading cause of deaths and accidents across the United States. And to solve this, more than 25 states have implemented a law banning drivers from texting while behind the steering wheel. Though this problem may have been solved, the truth is that it’s just one of the many that keeps a driver distracted. So to cut down such distractions, we offer you a set of tips that can keep you and your family safe while on the road.

Be Prepared Before You Start Your Car.

If you already did the things like makeup, eat, or program your GPS before hitting the road, you’ll be able to reduce your distractions. It also helps if you can find the things that you need so you won’t feel the need to search for it once your behind the steering wheel.

Go Hands Free

Okay, so there are calls you just can’t ignore. Now, for you to answer such calls while in the car, you need to invest on gadgets that allow you to answer your cell phone without taking your hands off the wheel. This way, it’s like your hitting two birds with one stone.

Take a Break

It won’t hurt you to pull over at the safe side of the road and answer your call if you don’t have the devices that allow you to go hands free. It’s a simple and yet effective way to keep you from being distracted while driving.

Sources: Car Junky, Google

Buying a new vehicle is a big thing. And choosing the right one for you is one of those decisions that you would have to live with forever. Okay, maybe not forever, but for a long period of time. So why not take these four steps to help you get through the decision-making process.

1. Check Your Credit Score

Knowing your credit history is important when planning to buy a car. Auto lenders can use your history to see if you could be a delinquent on your auto loan payments. This history can influence your level of risk. And from that risk, the interest rates you may qualify for and the amount of the down payment you will need to make may change.

2. Know How Much You Can Afford To Spend On A Down Payment

Down payment means one thing – you’re going to have to spend money. But surprisingly, there’s more to that than just shelling out cash. Offering a solid down payment on a car allows you to have a better position in negotiating the final sale price of the vehicle as well as the terms of your loan.

3. Research Loan Options On Your Own

Getting a pre-qualified auto loan before visiting a dealership is also a plus. It can also influence the dealer to compete with the offer from your bank, thus, a better interest rate and lower monthly payments.

4. Request Your Vehicle History Report

If you’re opting for a used car or truck, then you must hire a professional mechanic to check its current status. It also helps to get a vehicle history reports that can tell you all sorts of information about it like odometer readings, vehicle registrations, title transfers, accident damage, and emissions inspections.

Buying a car is indeed a big decision to make. But doing these things can also give you an advantage. So make sure do each one first before taking that big step.

Sources: Car Junky, Google

Choosing the right fuel for your engine and your driving style can prevent costly repairs down the road. And here are some extra facts you must know to keep your ride in good working condition:

Regular maintenance will help keep your vehicle running longer and can help save money at the pump. Fact – Regular maintenance like oil and filter change can help you avoid unnecessary trips to the mechanic. Additionally, following a vehicle manufacturer’s motor oil recommendation can improve gasoline mileage by one to two per cent.

All gasolines are the same. Myth – Your choice of fuel can affect the performance and efficiency of your vehicle. Even famous automakers like Audi, BMW, Honda, and Volkswagen believe that high-quality gasolines that are Top Tier-certified will help keep engines cleaner than gasolines containing only the lowest additive concentration (LAC) set by government standards.

Octane levels in fuel don’t really make a difference. Myth – Engine knock that leads to poor performance and shuddering are the usual results of using a lower octane fuel in an engine designed to use higher octane.

A higher octane fuel is the best for most vehicle models. Myth – One thing you should know when looking at fuel is that “premium grade” is different from “premium quality.” So the high octane level is not only the basis for superior kind of fuel. It can also be based on the amount of cleaning agents inside it that helps your engine achieve optimum performance.

Sources: Car Junky, Google

Though making sure that your RV’s doors are always locked is a good thing, sadly, it’s not enough to make sure that it’s well cared for. Here are some tips to you can follow so it can be in good shape all year long:

Remove temptation. To put it in simpler terms, bad elements won’t be able to plan to steal something that they don’t see often. So make it a habit to put your RV in the garage and out of sight.

Lock Up. When camping with the family, be sure to lock the doors and windows before leaving for the night. Turning the radio and a small light on is also a good idea for a decoy.

Store it indoors. Though it’s almost the same as the first tip, this time it’s for another reason. Always keeping your RV in an enclosed are helps in preventing outside elements from inflicting any kind of damage to it.

Maintain your insurance year-round. Insurance can save you lots of worries when driving. And to make it even better, get your RV insured all year long.

Sources: Car Junky, Google

If you’re in vacation somewhere far from your home, chances are that you didn’t bring your own car. And because going from place to place would be awfully hard without your own vehicle, you tend to rent a vehicle. These vehicles are usually offered with a rental car insurance. Now, to help you decide it it’s good for you or not, better get your facts straight first.

Rental car companies commonly offer basic insurance like liability insurance, personal accident insurance, accidental death coverage, and personal effects coverage. However, they usually don’t declare the Collision Damage Waiver or CDW. This agreement which states that the renter will not be liable nor will they pay for any damage or theft of his or her rented vehicle. It can be voided by reckless or illegal activity. However, the catch is that this CDW is very costly averaging $9-$19 per day. That said it can easily double the rate of your rental. And only if you’re in a foreign country, a business trip, an extended lease, or has no other applicable auto insurance, you may be required to purchase a CDW.

The most common question for CDWs is this - What happens if a vehicle is damaged and it is not covered by rental car insurance? Normally, the rental companies would charge to cover the damage, but may also charge for profit lost while the vehicle is out of service and the estimated lowered re-sale value of the car. So putting everything into consideration, acquiring rental car insurance is NOT PRACTICAL. So you better think again the next time you rent a vehicle.

Source: Car Junky, Google

Taking care of your tires is one of the most basic ways to save money and ensure driving safety at the same time. So here are four quick ways you need to know in tire maintenance:

1. Rotate Tires

Regular rotation of tires allows them to wear out evenly. That way you can minimize noise as well as replace them in sets of four which is economical.
Irregular tread wear occurs fastest when the tire is at full tread depth, so the first rotation is crucial.

2. Check Tire Pressure

Having the right pressure in your tires can reduce the risk of irregular wear, poor handling and reduced fuel economy. You can find the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle in the door edge, door post, glove box door, inside the trunk lid, or in the owner’s manual.

3. Check Tread Depth

The tread maximizes the contact between the tires and the pavement. That said worn or bald tires can be very dangerous especially in wet conditions. You can measure the depth of your treads with the use of “wear bars.”

4. Don’t Overload Your Vehicle

The heavier the vehicle gets, the more wear it can cause your tires. So refrain from putting extra weight to your ride which also includes baggage carriers and trailer weight.

Sources: Car Junky, Google

Do you know that the Mommies are actually the ones that keep things organized in the family home? Aside from keeping things tidy inside the house, they also have to deal with the maintenance of the faily car. So, it’s really not surprising that Mommies look really washed out at the end of the day. Yes, there are times when the tasks become too burdensome for them. Kids, no matter what their age, can do something to lighten up that burden.

Here are some chores that kids can do to help.

1. Those who are aged 2 and below can help by taking their road toys inside the house.

2. Those aged from 3 to 5 can be responsible for taking their bags from the car into the house.

3. For those aged 6 to 9, the task they can do is to vacuum the interior. They can also help wash the interior parts, wipe off spills, and empty the trash bag every day.

4. Kids who are aged 10 to 13 are definitely capable of wiping the dirt and dust from the dash and upholstery. They can also put back the CDs and DVDs that were used during the trip.

5. Those who are aged 14 to 17 can also do some of the above. And they are also up to some more complicated tasks like washing the exterior and cleaning the undercarriage.

Mommies will surely be able to relax a bit more if the kids help out!

Photo Credit: Momlogic