5 Things to Do to Prepare Your Car for a Summer Road Trip

 5 Things to Do to Prepare Your 

Car for a Summer Road Trip

By Ron Haugen

If your car is reaching a certain age, it's only normal for you to worry about taking it on a long trip. Yet, what most people don't know is that long trips make less damage to your car than short course trips in the city.

The speed will be constant, you won't be needing to hit the brakes so often, making the car spend less gas and the motor won't have too much strain.

But, the last thing you want is to have a breakdown away from home. To avoid this, do a few simple checkups, the earlier the better - two to four weeks before departure would be the best choice.

• Repair major problems: If your car needs some big repairs, you should make them ASAP. This will give you time to see if there's something really wrong with the car, and you'll have the time to fix it.

A good thing to keep in check, is the coolant. If you're going to a warmer or colder place than what you're used to, your car may suffer with the changes. Ask for the mechanic to check if your vehicle is properly protected, and have it done as soon as possible.

• Check tires and spares: Make sure your tires have the proper pressure. If you have a low pressure, your tires will heat up, and this can cause them to blow up if you speed up. The best way to do this is by checking your user's manual, to see what the best pressure for your car. Also, check your tires tread.

A good thing to do beforehand is to check the spare tire - is it inflated? Also, check if the jack, wrench and everything you need to change a tire is in the trunk

• Check the glove compartment: Make sure you have your vehicles owner manual and registration. If you don't have the manual anymore, order a replacement or ask if they don't have it in PDF format on their websites.

Check the registration to see if won't expire while you're on your trip, and keep it in your wallet or in your pocket, in case your car is robbed. It's also a good idea to have a road atlas in there, just in case.

• Check the air filter: If your air filter is obstructed or clogged, it will make you spend more fuel. They aren't very expensive, and they're quite easy to change. If you haven't changed the filter ever, and your car is over 10,000 miles, it's time for a change.
• Join Triple A: If you don't have a roadside assistance program, consider triple A. in case of an emergency or if you have any problems, they'll tow it, put gas in it if you run out and change the tire if it goes flat.

If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com
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Why You Should Consider Safety Belts for Your Pets

Why You Should Consider Safety Belts for Your Pets

By Ron Haugen

Back in the day, dogs traveled in backseats of cars with one of the backseats windows open. The family trips consisted in making regular stops to give them some water and let them stretch out their legs.

Considering their safety alone, in case of an accident, they were in danger of being flung across the car and injuring themselves greatly.

Also, if we consider that a dog never stays put for long, you can have several problems that include distractions because your pet keeps trying to escape the backseat and you lose focus on the road increasing the possibility of an accident.

A new protection method that is being proved quite efficient is a seatbelt for your pooch. This is a good alternative to letting your dog run around freely in the backseat. It reduces the possibility of you being distracted while driving - reducing the possibilities of you having an accident.
It will also keep your pet safe in case of a sudden stop.

For most people, these harness shape seatbelts don't look humane and you might fear your pet can be hurt or too much restrained. But even the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends people use dog vehicle restraints.

They won't feel at ease at first, but like everything, they'll just need some training and guidance. Start by taking them on small drives, and reward them every time you put the seatbelt on, so it gets used to the new safety device.

A few pointers when buying a seatbelt for your pet: you should always check its quality. Make sure the buckling parts are metal, and not plastic. Also, check how much strength the seatbelt can take. A small dog needs at least 450 pounds of seatbelt strength to be safe when travelling.

You should always use your dog's seatbelt every time you travel, even if you're planning on traveling short distances and even if your pet struggles at first. It's the only way your pet will get used to it, and feel more comfortable. To make it easier, install a pet seatbelt on every car your pet travels on.

Don't stop trying if your dog doesn't like the seatbelt - it will take them only three to five trips before they relax. If they're too hyper, then try a natural stress reliever made specifically for pets. The more comfortable your pet is, the less it will resist the seatbelt. Bring a cozy shirt with you that will soften any bulky plastic.

For smaller pets, use a harness and not a collar, because it can damage the small neck bones of a little dog.

To keep your pets safe, put them some safety belts on. Only travel with your pets in the backseat, in the center. Keep them away from the airbags that deploy on the side of the car.

If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.askronthecarguy.com
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