2013 Spring On The Road

Your Guide To All Things Mobile

April 2013

A SpECiAl pUBliCATiON BY

Spring On The Road - April 17, 2013

(MS) -- Few things exemplify the easygoing nature of spring and summer more than packing up the car and heading out on a road trip. Hitting the open road with the top down, pulling up to the beach and enjoying a carefree day in the sun is a time-honored tradition for motorists across the country once the warmer weather arrives. After all, who wants to worry about office workloads and catching up with household chores when there are more important things like barbecues to plan, and tan lines and travel plans to consider? One thing all motorists need to think about before they put the top down and tackle the open road is how road-trip-ready their car is and how it’s going to look and perform when it’s finally time to push the pedal to the metal. For the antsy motorist ready to leave work in the dust and hit the highway, consider the following tips to make sure your vehicle can have as good a trip as you do. * Wash your car: When hitting the beach for a weekend getaway, having a good-looking car is almost as important as looking good yourself. While a trip to the tanning salon won’t do your car any good, a thorough car wash will. Use two mitts to wash your car: one to wash the top and one for the gritty undercarriage so the big bits don’t scratch the paint in more visible areas. A quick wash removes not-so-friendly deposits from busy little birds, water spots from recreational areas, break dust that erodes the wheel surface, and all kinds of debris that dims your car’s shine over time. Use The Absorber to dry your car quickly -- you’ll be back having fun in no time at all, and it preserves the wax coat that protects paint from drying out under the hot summer sun. You can even use it to clean up interior spills

on carpet and upholstery, making the interior a safe place to venture despite sippy cups and sodas. * Be prepared for anything: Perhaps the biggest problem with flat tires is they always seem to come at the worst possible time. Before you duck out of the office early and start your weekend getaway, be sure you’re prepared for whatever pitfalls the road might present. Check the trunk and make sure you still have a spare tire and a jack ready to roll should they be needed. Because road trips are often a little raucous, be prepared for any accidents that might occur inside your vehicle as you head on your merry way. The Dash Gear removes dust, fingerprints, smudges and puts the finishing touches on the interior, making a car that’s just gone through the road-trip-ringer look as good as new with little effort at all. For quick touch-ups on the road, The Glosser is a three-layered microfiber with wash and wax in the middle layer, cleaning and polishing in one fell swoop and ensuring your car’s pre-trip wash holds up as long as you do. What’s more, The Glosser comes five to a pack, and its slim packaging makes it a perfect fit in the glove compartment or under a seat, leaving room for more important stuff like beach chairs and bathing suits. * Get a tune-up: Nothing can ruin a spring road trip more than a broken-down vehicle. After a harsh or even a mild winter, your car deserves a tune-up, and you deserve a reliable car when you hit the road. Make sure the battery has plenty of juice, the tires are properly inflated and that there’s fresh oil in the engine. For more information on the products mentioned, call CleanTools at 1-800-654-3933. Or visit your favorite Wal-Mart, Target, Kmart, or automotive retailer for purchase.

Ready your ride for a warm weather road trip

(MS) -- Visibility is something many motorists take for granted, especially during the day, when sunlight tends to make drivers less cautious than they might be at night. But as the National Highway Traffic Safety A d m i n i s t r a t i o n notes, more traffic accidents occur during daylight hours than at night, when headlights make vehicles more visible to other motorists and more pedestrians are walking around. Though many drivers feel more comfortable during daylight hours, pedestrians and oncoming traffic are not always easy to see, especially when weather and road conditions are unfavorable. Fortunately, there are easy ways for drivers to improve their daytime visibility. * Install LED daytime running lights. Being seen while driving in the daytime is just as essential for a driver’s safety as being able to see when driving at night. Daytime running lights, or DRLs, are an effective way of improving visibility because they make the vehicle more detectable during daylight hours and dusk, when a motorist’s visibility is reduced. Studies have shown that DRLs reduce multiple-vehicle daytime accidents by as much as 11 percent, effectively preventing daytime head-on and front-corner collisions by making it easier to see a vehicle, particularly as it approaches from far away. Some cars have daytime running lights based off their headlamps. These are not very bright and can ultimately cause the lamps to wear out prematurely. Philips LED DayLight DRLs are equipped with high-powered LUXEON(R) LEDs that project a powerful, bright white light and a wide beam, making a vehicle more visible to fellow motorists as well as pedestrians. In addition, the Philips LED DRLs allow drivers to switch from using their standard headlights to an LED light source during the daytime, extending the life of the headlights while drawing less power from the vehicle. * Routinely check windshield washer fluid. Some vehicles have just one reservoir for windshield washer fluid, while others equipped with a rear

wiper typically have two. Locate these reservoirs and make sure there is an adequate amount of fluid in each, e s p e c i a l l y during the winter and early spring months

when snow and debris such as sand or salt from the roadways can

accumulate on the windshield and make it difficult to see. If the reservoir is empty, but you are out of windshield washer fluid, do not use water as a replacement, as water can freeze and cause damage to the reservoir and hoses. * Inspect wipers and replace the blades if they are sacrificing visibility. Old or worn out wiper blades can also negatively impact visibility. Ford Motor Company recommends drivers inspect their vehicle’s wiper blades at least once every six months or as soon as they fail to clear your windshield completely or leave streaks. Older vehicles with pitting on the windshield tend to be harder on wiper blades, so drivers who have cars with some extra years under their belt should inspect their blades more frequently. * Clean interior glass and mirrors. Interior glass can suffer from film buildup that can reduce a driver’s vision, especially during daytime hours when such buildup can create a hazy reflection from the sun. This film can be especially thick in cars where drivers or their passengers routinely smoke. In addition to cleaning the interior glass, keep the rearview and side mirrors clean and properly adjusted so your vision is not compromised while driving. Drivers should be able to see all of the views around the back of the car, especially the blind spots along both sides of the vehicle. When cleaning or adjusting the rearview mirror, remove any trinkets or other items hanging from the mirror. Such items might add some personality or aesthetic appeal, but they can also prove a significant distraction and make it difficult for drivers to see the road. More information is available at www.daylight-led.com or from Philips at 1-800-257-6054.

Daytime visibility just as important as nighttime visibility

Philips LED Daylight DRLs improve safety by increasing visibility to other

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Owning a motor vehicle is not cheap. In addition to the purchase price of the vehicle, owners must also pay for routine maintenance as well as fuel. Insuring the vehicle likely won’t come cheap either, especially for those drivers with less than perfect driving histories.But even drivers with poor track records behind the wheel can fi nd ways to reduce the cost of insuring their vehicles. The following are a few ways to avoid overspending on auto insurance. * Choose the right vehicle. The vehicle you drive goes a long way toward determining the cost of your auto insurance. According to Insure.com, minivans had long had a stranglehold atop the list of the least expensive vehicles to insure until the model year 2013, when crossovers and sport utility vehicles took control of the list. The 2013 Ford Edge SE was the least expensive vehicle to insure at just over $1,100 per year, while other crossovers and SUVs from manufacturers including Jeep, Subaru and Kia each cracked the top 10 as well. Drivers hoping to save on insurance costs might want to avoid buying a Mercedes-Benz, as the top eight spots on the most expensive 2013 vehicles to insure list were all products of the German luxury auto manufacturer. When choosing your next vehicle, keep the make and model of the vehicle in mind if you’re looking to minimize the cost of your auto insurance. * Fix your credit. Drivers with average or below-average credit, regardless of their driver history, are likely to pay more for auto insurance than those with above-average credit. That’s because

insurance agencies take credit history into account when determining their rates. A suspect credit history or a history of paying bills late will be a red fl ag to prospective insurers. So before buying a new car, address any issues on your credit report so your insurance application is as glowing as possible. * Consolidate your coverage. Oftentimes, consolidating coverage isa great way to lower your insurance costs. Homeowners who consolidatetheir homeowners insurance with their auto insurance can expect to save a signifi cant amount of money as a result. Though fi gures vary as to just how much consumers can save by consolidating their coverage, it’s not unrealistic that consumers can save asmuch as 15 percent by consolidating their coverages. An insurance carrier with a strong rating is a much better bet when consolidating, as such fi rms are more fi nancially sound and more capable of offering better deals. * Negotiate a better deal. It’s easy for policy holders to stay with a company they have been with for years. However, it behooves consumers to periodically see what’s out there and shop around for a lower rate. If you get a quote that’s far less than what you’re paying now, get the quote in writing and take it to your current insurance provider. If you have a solid record with few claims, chances are strong the provider will match the offer, saving you the trouble of switching providers. Auto insurance is part of owning a vehicle. But drivers should know their rates are not set in stone and there are often savings to be had.

Get the best deal on auto insurance

(MS) -- Many drivers feel less comfortable behind the wheel at night than they do during the day, when daylight makes it easier to see fellow motorists as well as pedestrians. Nighttime can compromise a driver’s vision, and that reduced vision is a key factor in traffi c fatalities, nearly half of which occur at night. Though traffi c accidents are a byproduct of a host of factors, headlamp clouding is one of them and a growing problem for many motorists. Vehicles equipped with plastic headlamp lenses can become hazed and yellowed from the effects of sunlight, ozone, road pollution and the chemicals used in car washes. When driving at night, cloudy headlamps combine with little or no natural light to decrease visibility and pose a signifi cant safety threat to drivers, their passengers and fellow motorists. Drivers cannot increase the amount of natural light at night, but there are steps they can take to improve their nighttime visibility. * Address cloudy headlamps. Plastic headlamp lenses, especially as they age, reduce headlight output considerably, compromising nighttime vision and the safety of drivers and their passengers. But as potentially dangerous as cloudy headlamps can be, it’s just as easy for drivers to address the issue before it becomes a problem. Employing an advanced technology that works with minimal effort, the Philips Headlight Restoration Kit is designed for do-it-yourselfers and can help restore headlight lenses to like-new condition in less than 30 minutes. In lieu of a costly headlamp replacement, the Philips Headlight Restoration Kit allows motorists to quickly and signifi cantly improve the light output of their headlamps, taillights, turn signals and refl ective lens covers. * Keep wiper blades fresh. Vision is already compromised at night, when the lack of natural light can make it diffi cult to see pedestrians or animals on the road. That visibility is only further compromised by brittle or ineffective wiper blades, which

should be changed every 90-120 days to ensure optimal performance. Drivers who live in areas with heavy rain or snowfall should inspect their wiper blades more frequently, especially if there is pitting on the windshield. * Check the windshield washer periodically. The windshield washer isan often overlooked aspect of vehicle maintenance. Unfortunately, it’s typically too late by the time many motorists notice an issue with their windshield washer. Don’t fall victim to a faulty windshield washer in the middle of a rainstorm or a blizzard. Inspect the windshield washer periodically to ensure it’s working properly and keep the fl uid level topped off so it’s there when you need it. * Think ahead. In addition to addressing existing issues, drivers can take steps to ensure their nighttime visibility is protected over the long haul. The Philips Headlight Restoration Kit, for example, employs a protective UV coating that can prevent future clouding for up to two years. In addition to addressing the headlamps, consider how your visibility is likely to be affected during the worst possible snowstorm or on a night with torrential rains. Keep those conditionsin mind when deciding whether or not to hang any fuzzy dice or other trinkets from your rearview mirror. While such items can add a touch of personality to your vehicle, the decreased visibility such items can causeis not worth the cost over the long haul. More information is available at www.philips.com/automotive.

Cloudy headlamps a signifi cant safety concern

A cloudy headlight lens (left) before restoration and (right) a headlight lens

restored to “like new” condition with the new Philips Headlight Restoration Kit.

One of America’s most famous roadways technically no longer exists. 2010 marks the 25th anniversary that Route 66, which has been mentioned numerous times in pop culture, was offi cially removed from the United States Highway System. The reasoning behind the famed route’s decertifi cation was its practical irrelevance, as the road had long since been bypassed by travelers for more convenient routes. However, the route’s decertifi cation has not done much to decrease its historical notoriety. In fact, several portions of the road have been designated a National Scenic Byway, including stretches in Missouri, New Mexico and Arizona. What’s more, a handful of Route 66 associations sprouted

up shortly after the route’s decertifi cation. These associations were established to preserve and restore the route, while also promoting its rich history. Each state along the route, which spans Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, has its own Route 66 association. Travelers with a love of history can even fi nd “Historic Route 66” signs along the old route, and those traveling through Flagstaff, Arizona,can even travel along Route 66 by driving down Santa Fe Avenue, all but a few blocks of which was renamed Route 66. Perhaps due to its presence in pop culture lore, Route 66 might never be forgotten, asthere is even a movement afoot to have the famed roadway returned to road atlases.

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(MS) — For years the most reliable way to tell if any wax was still on your car’s surface was by careful observation of the water beads after a rain. If the beads were high and small, the wax coating was either fresh or most of it was still there. Large flatter beads meant the wax coating was wearing off and no beading meant the wax was gone. Most people are under the false impression that if they see any water beading on their car, their wax is still creating the same gloss it did when first applied. Actually, shine diminishes each time a car is washed, driven, or exposed to rain, snow or ice. Simply drying the paint with a cloth after washing can reduce gloss. Don’t be fooled by some of today’s synthetic waxes, as some will continue beading water even though shine has dulled. If you want to keep your car really glossy with that just waxed look, you should reapply whatever product you use when gloss diminishes. Never depend on water beading to indicate the condition of the shine. Here’s a simple way to determine the condition of gloss on your vehicle. Just wash and dry the hood. Apply wax to one small section of the hood. Now compare gloss in the waxed and the unwaxed areas by looking at your face’s reflection. If you can see your face more clearly in the waxed section and it looks better overall, then only waxing the entire car will restore maximum gloss. The telltale sign of a good wax is when the color of your car appears so vivid and deep that the paint actually looks wet. Such is the look many car-show aficionados aim for with their own vehicles. While veterans of the car-show circuit know the ins and outs of which wax to use, that might not be the case for most other drivers. Unknowingly, some car owners might be applying a wax that actually dulls a car’s finish. Products that claim to wax, clean and remove scratches from paint contain abrasives, which could possibly be removing a little of your car’s paint with each application.

New cars, especially, should not be exposed to waxes containing abrasives. An abrasive-free wax, however, is meant to be applied to clean car paint to create a very smooth and shiny appearance while protecting against nature’s damaging elements. It’s the ideal choice for new cars fresh off the lot or even cars that have just come out of the car wash. An important ingredient to look for in an abrasive-free wax is Carnauba, an all-natural extract derived directly from the leaves of a unique palm tree. Accustomed to battling harsh weather conditions in the rain forests of Brazil, Carnauba provides the ideal protection for your car’s paint job. All products that contain Carnauba are not necessarily what you’re looking for. Carnauba comes in many different grades, some of which are more durable and provide a longer-lasting finish. Lower grades of Carnauba may not give the shine you expect. Finding an abrasive-free wax that utilizes the best grades of Carnauba can be difficult. Since 1979, Malm Chemical Corp. is the popular choice among car show veterans, who reportedly pay up to $125 for an 8-ounce jar of high-grade Carnauba paste wax. Along with all-natural Carnauba, Malm’s special formula includes additional unique ingredients, which blend together to yield the best results for your vehicle. Malm also produces a concentrated liquid Carnauba that many users boast can wax an entire vehicle with less than half an ounce. Malm’s products are sold at a limited number of new Porsche dealers. Check with the manager of parts at a dealership near you.

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Parents of young children may need to brush up on their knowledge of child safety seats and seat belt restraints. Many are still operating in adherence to older guidelines that go back more than a decade. As a result, parents should re-educate themselves in order to ensure child safety. In guidelines published in April of 2011, the American Academy of Pediatrics made some modifications to the period of time a child should be kept in a rear-facing seat. Prior to 2011, parents were told it was safest for infants and toddlers to ride rear-facing up to the limits of the car seat or when children reached 12 months in age and 20 pounds. But new guidelines advise that children should be kept rear-facing until age 2, or until they reach the maximum height and weight for their seat. “A rear-facing child safety seat does a better job of supporting the head, neck and spine of infants and toddlers in a crash, because it distributes the force of the collision over the entire body,” says Dennis Durbin, MD, FAAP, the lead author of the new policy. Transport Canada says children should be kept in rear-facing seats until they outgrow them. There are some rear-facing seats that will accommodate children up to 20 kg (40 pounds). As long as the child is still below the weight and height limit of the current child seat, they should continue to face the back of the car. Rear-facing seat recommendations weren’t the only ones to be modified in 2011. New advice on booster seats for older children were also presented. The AAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration say children should ride in a belt-positioning booster -- which is the high-back booster seat that provides a guide for the vehicle’s seat belt -- until they are at least 4 feet, 9 inches and between 8 to 12 years old. Vehicle seat belts are designed to fit an average adult. In order to get the best protection, children usually need a booster seat until they are about 4 feet 9 inches tall and weigh between 80 to 100 pounds. Smaller children may need to remain in a booster a little longer than anticipated. Transport Canada advises that as long as a child still fits within the manufacturer’s weight and height limits for the booster seat, it is safer for the child to remain in the booster seat rather than wear a regular seat belt. Canadians also are urged to check with their province or territory for specific laws concerning when a child can move to a seat belt.

Children should not ride in the front seat of a car until they are age 13 or older. Parents of preteens who were under the impression that booster seat days were coming to an end will need to keep the safety seats in the car a few years longer. But safety seats should not be placed in an area of the car where an air bag can be deployed. Parents and other adult drivers may want to heed some other safety precautions before a child is upgraded to a new seat. * A seat belt should never be placed under a child’s arm. * Children should always be buckled up in a booster seat with both the shoulder and lap belt. * The seat belt should fall across the shoulders and the lap belt should rest on the upper thighs when a child is in the seat of a car. If the seat belt rubs against the neck, the child is not yet tall enough to give up a booster seat. * Mirrors placed in the rear seat of the car can help parents see their children in rear-facing toddler seats. * Children who cannot be trusted to keep a seat belt latched should not be moved from a five-point harness to a regular seat belt. * Parents unsure if their children are buckled up correctly can have the seat checked at a police station or first aid building. Keeping children safe means heeding warnings and guidelines regarding safety restraints. It is not adviseable to upgrade a child into the next seat until he or she has met all the measurement requirements set in place.

SIDEBAR: Car seat expiration In addition to using the right car seat for a child’s age, weight and height, drivers should also be aware to check the expiration dates of seats they already have. While a car seat will not grow moldy after a few years, it does “expire,” meaning it is no longer deemed safe for use. That’s because these seats are not built to last forever. Hairline cracks may form in the plastic, and the harness belts may become stretched or more elastic after years of use. Manufacturers do not test safety seats after a certain period of time, so they cannot state how they will perform in an accident after many years. Most seats will feature a label on the bottom that indicates when the seat is likely to become unsafe -- typically between five and six years after manufacture. It can be tempting to borrow a used car seat from a friend or family member to save money, but if the seat is older parents could be putting children at risk.

Newer child safety seat guidelines


(MS) -- You swerve, hit the brakes and hope for the best. But the worst occurs, sending your car careening into danger -- and a lot of damage. What you do in the next 10 minutes could have a critical impact on the outcome of your accident from a fi nancial, legal and personal perspective. Who you call, what you say, and how you record the details of the event all are important in the long-term resolution and repair of your collision. “There are some six million auto accidents every year,” says Dan Bailey, president and chief operating offi cer for CARSTAR, the nation’s largest chain of collision centers. “That means one in eight people will be involved in a crash this year alone, according to the National Safety Center. With these kinds of odds, it is important to be prepared so you can react calmly, quickly and intelligently when an accident happens.” Bailey, a collision repair expert, offers the following tips for anyone involved in an accident. 1. Create a collision kit for your car. Include copies of your vehicle registration and insurance verifi cation card so you can keep a copy and leave one in your vehicle in case it is towed for repairs. Also include a sketch pad and pencil, disposable camera, fl ares, bottled water, and a fi rst aid kit. For a downloadable accident report form that will help you gather the information at the scene, visit www.carstar.com/resources. 2. Call 911 fi rst. Provide as much detail as possible about the location of the accident and the condition of those involved. 3. Remain calm and collected. Even though you may be scared or even

injured, it’s important to stay as calm as possible. Don’t say the accident was your fault or make any statement that might be used against you later. Be tactful and courteous, even if you’re angry. If the other people involved in the accident are belligerent, don’t argue with them. Let the police be the intermediary. 4. Turn off your car and avoid danger. Turn off the engine and leave the car where it is if you feel it is safe. Use the hazards if it is dark. If the car is in danger of being hit, drive slowly to the side of the road or a well-lit parking lot. Warn other motorists to proceed around the accident with caution. 5. Assess your condition. If you think you’re hurt in any way, stay in your car. Only accept medical help from a professional -- and provide medical help to others ONLY if you’re trained to do so. Provide honest, detailed information to medical personnel so they can treat you. 6. Call a friend or family member. A close friend or family member can provide support and help collect the accident details. If you are transported for medical care, they can remain behind at the scene. 7. Record the accident details. Photograph the cars involved and traffi c conditions. Sketch what happened, including street names, road signs and

details on car movements. Get the names,addresses, phone numbers, and licenseplates of those involved. 8. Identify the witnesses. Look for other drivers and bystanders who mayhave seen the accident. Get their names,addresses, phone numbers, and their recollection of the accident. 9. Have a collision plan in place. Know where you’d like to have your car repaired ahead of time so you don’t have to makea sudden decision. CARSTAR Collision Service offers high-quality, reliable repair service in 27 states and 10 Canadianprovinces. Just call 1-800-CARSTAR when you have an accident and they will send the tow truck, contact your insurance company, arrange for a rental car, and repair your vehicle. 10. Collect your personal items. If your car is being towed, make sure you’ve collected your valuables, electronics,briefcase, purse, vehicle information,and any other items you may need while your car is being repaired. Also take your copies of your vehicle registration and insurance verifi cation card. “While an accident may range from a minor inconvenience to a major incident, you need to be prepared for any situation,” offers Bailey. “With a bit of planning and quick action at the sceneof the accident, you can greatly reduce the potential for fi nancial, insurance and medical headaches afterward. And by choosing a quality collision center like CARSTAR to repair your vehicle, you’ll have a reliable partner to help you get back on the road quickly and safely.” For more tips on dealing with an accident or having your car repaired after a collision, visit www.carstar.com.

10 tips for 10 critical minutes:Important steps for reducing your fi nancial,

legal and medical headaches after an accident The drive-in movie theater was the brainchild of Richard Hollingshead, Jr., an auto products sales manager at his father’s Whiz Auto Products store. Hollingshead wanted to combine his passion for automobiles with his love of films. After testing different parking configurations and imitating weather conditions in his own driveway to simulate the drive-in movie experience, Hollingshead filed for a patent for the drive-In theater. He received the patent on May 16, 1933. The first drive-in was opened on June 6, 1933, in Camden, N.J. The price of admission was $.25 for the car and each person inside. Drive-in theaters peaked in popularity in the 1950s, when there were roughly 5,000 drive-ins operating across the United States and Canada. According to Drive-Ins.com, currently there are about 365 drive-ins remaining in the United States and 55 in Canada.

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(MS) -- Planning to install new spark plugs in your vehicle? There are lots of choices in spark plug design these days -- plugs with one, two, three, or even four ground electrodes. There are also exotic materials like platinum, yttrium, and iridium for center and ground electrodes. So how to choose? Bosch, one of the largest suppliers of spark plugs as original equipment for auto manufacturers as well as in the aftermarket, offers some cogent thoughts on selecting the best plug for your vehicle and how you use it.

Avoid downgrading from the original plugs

“Engine performance is built on a baseline of design technology, and that includes spark plugs. Today’s engines are more sophisticated than you might imagine. Combustion chambers are contoured for optimal fl ow of gases, and many advanced engine designs incorporate variable valve timing. Part of the equation is a spark of very specifi c size, duration, and location. Downgrading will almost certainly result in reduced performance, economy, and emission control,” said Reid Smith, Product Manager for Spark Plugs at Bosch. “This is particularly true when considering the material used in the plug, and the number of electrodes the plug is equipped with. If the vehicle was originally equipped with platinum plugs, for instance, make sure you install platinum replacement plugs, if it was equipped with 4-electrode platinum plugs, install 4-electrode platinum plugs.”Take advantage of the latest technology

Engine development does not stop when vehicle production starts. Quite the contrary. Since Bosch, for instance, is a major supplier of spark plugs to

domestic and import OEs, their engineers continue to work with the automakers’ engine development teams to come up with designs that can work even better than that which existed when the car was fi rst built. “So you can, and often should, upgrade from, say, single-electrode platinum spark plugs to multiple electrode platinum plugs, and maybe even to plugs with iridium or yttrium. These advanced design plugs enhanced with precious metals will provide more effi cient and complete combustion, and will also last longer,” Smith indicated.

Install plugs that meet your specifi c needs

Plugs come in a variety of designs and materials. Install one that increases performance, such as the Bosch Platinum Ir Fusion or plugs for long life such as the Platiinum+2 or Platinum+4. For motorists who prefer copper, remember that some copper plugs have been updated. Bosch’s yttrium-enhanced Super Plus, for instance, lasts 50 percent longer than other copper core spark plugs, which translates into less time under the hood and more time behind the wheel. There are a lot of situations in which you can benefi t from improved spark plug technology, according to Bosch. Examples include: * Mostly short trips, which don’t allow the engine and spark plugs to fully warm up and burn off deposits. * Heavy-load use like a car-full of kids, sporting goods, or luggage. * Operation in cold weather where start-ups can be critical.

What’s your engine’s condition? If your car has 50-75,000 miles or more on the clock, it almost certainly has some internal wear, with attendant loss of some engine compression and increased

oil consumption. “An engine with this kind of mileage is almost sure to develop deposits on pistons, valves and, therefore, on the spark plugs as well. As such,upgrading to a multiple electrode spark plug like Bosch’s Platinum+2, Platinum+4 or Platinum Ir Fusion will provide extra ground electrodes so the spark can take the most effi cient path to provide optimal spark,” Smith said. These plugs utilize ‘surface air gap’ technology for superior spark effi ciency, and are permanently preset at the factory for correct gap. And the multiple electrodes are less likely to foul.

Are you rigorous in having maintenance performed?

If you, like so many of us, are less than scrupulous about having tune-up andother services performed at the precise intervals recommended, it’s probably best to upgrade to premium spark plugs. Spark plug replacement in many of today’s cars is labor-intensive, and the incremental cost of premium spark plugs is relatively modest. Considering that upgraded spark plugs will deliver better fuel economyand performance for a longer time on the road than standard plugs, it’s a good bet that premium spark plugs will pay for themselves long before they reach the end of their service life, according to Smith.

The bottom line? “If you have any doubts about the way your car is used, the condition of your engine, or the likelihood of your adhering strictly to maintenance schedules, upgrade your spark plugs. It won’t take long to recoup the extra parts cost, and you’ll enjoy quick starts and thrifty performancefor tens of thousands of miles to come,”said Smith. For more information, visit www.boschautoparts.com.

Choosing the Right Spark Plug -- It Really Does Make a Difference There are different times in a driver’s life when he or she may have to pull over on the side of the road. Whether a flat tire has derailed the trip, the driver or a passenger is experiencing motion sickness or you find the car isn’t performing correctly and it warrants a look under the hood, pulling over on the shoulder may be necessary. It can be difficult to pull over smoothly and safely on a busy highway, especially when you are in a stressful situation, such as a mechanical emergency. But it is in your best interest to remain calm and follow a few procedures. First, slow down and put on your right-turn signal to indicate you will need to move into the right lane. Some people prefer to put their four-way-flashers on after they have successfully cleared the lanes and are ready to navigate onto the shoulder. Try to select a spot where you are not on a bend or where there is poor visibility or your vehicle cannot be seen by other drivers on the highway. You do not want to be injured while exiting or attempting to work on the pulled-over vehicle. Drivers should keep an emergency roadside assistance preparedness kit containing flares, emergency triangles or cones, a flashlight, batteries, a poncho, booster cables, duct tape, a utility knife, cord, a blanket, and first aid supplies in the car as a precaution. Each item serves its own unique purpose. The Canadian Automobile Association recommends staying inside the vehicle, especially on a busy road. Tow trucks and police vehicles typically cruise busy stretches of road and help may arrive in a matter of minutes. Those who have a roadside assistance plan membership can use a cell phone to make a call for help. It is best to wait in the car until a tow truck or police arrive.

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Motorcycle enthusiasts in locales with cold winters may anticipate the warmer weather of spring and summer more than others, as it means they can pull their bikes out of their garages and get back on the open road. While riding a motorcycle can be an exhilarating experience, the U.S. Highway Safety Authority notes that fatal crashes are much more likely to occur to motorcycle riders than automobile drivers. As the number of drivers and riders on the road continues to increase, it has never been more important for riders to practice motorcycle safety.

Be seen and heard Ever wonder why some motorcycles make so much noise? It’s to attract the attention of other motorists. Thanks to their small profiles, motorcycles can easily go unnoticed by motorists. Failure of other motorists to see motorcycles on the road is a chief contributor to collisions involving motorcycles. One of the more comprehensive studies on motorcycle accidents occurred in 1981. Titled “Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures” and published by researcher Harry Hurt with the help of the University of Southern California and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the study analyzed 3,600 motorcycle traffic accidents in a specific region of California. The findings showed most motorcycle accidents involve a short trip associated with shopping, errands, friends, entertainment, or recreation, and the accident is most likely to occur within close proximity to the rider’s home. Accident involvement is significantly reduced by the use of motorcycle headlamps, including during daylight hours, and the wearing of highly visible clothing, including yellow, orange or bright red jackets. Although this research was conducted some time ago, it still underscores the importance of remaining visible on the road. While leather and denim may be the traditional uniform of motorcycle riding, synthetic materials that have reflective fabrics can improve visibility. Highly visible colors, such as orange and yellow, are good choices when on the road. Riders also can add reflectivity to existing gear with reflective tape. Many motorcycle riders, particularly those on Harley Davidsons, swap out stock exhaust pipes for ones that emit a louder decibel range. This helps other motorists notice them.

Use the right gear When a rider is on the open road, he or she doesn’t have the protection of a car frame to offer a buffer between the rider and the pavement should an accident occur. That is why it is crucial to invest in quality gear that can offer a certain measure of protection. A high-quality helmet that fits well is an important piece of safety equipment, as head and neck injuries can result in paralysis or fatalities. Pair the helmet with goggles or glasses with safety lenses. Durable nonslip gloves will help riders maintain a good grip on the handlebars, and boots can cover the ankles. Although it can be tempting to forgo long pants or jackets when the weather warms, doing so can lead to painful abrasions and road burn should a fall occur. Invest in a leather jacket and pants or a high-quality, durable and bright-colored material.

Additional safety precautions According to Allstate(R) Insurance, 46 percent of motorcycle crashes occur at intersections. Knowing this information can help riders make more informed choices on the road. Some other important safety precautions include: * Exercise extreme caution at intersections and only go through when safe. * Test the lights, brakes and turn signals before you make any trip. * Make sure the fuel and oil levels are at the correct levels. * Know your bike’s limits. * Follow the speed limit and the rules of the road, and do not weave in and out of traffic. * Don’t ride in blind spots, staying in spots where you are most visible to fellow motorists. * Always use turn signals. * Do not tailgate, as stopping distances for motorcycles, especially on slippery roads, can make stopping difficult.

* Never drink and ride.Emphasizing motorcycle safety can make for an injury-free riding season.

Riders must emphasize safety on the open road


Automotive break-ins and thefts are something no driver wants to experience. They can leave a person feeling violated, and the hassle of replacing the vehicle and the contents inside the car can bring additional stress. Statistics indicate that a vehicle is stolen in the United States roughly every 28 seconds. Roughly one million cars are reported stolen each year. According to Statistics Canada, about 100,000 cars are stolen on average each year in that country. Although there are many precautions to help safeguard against car theft, being particularly vigilant during certain holidays might be the best preventive measure a driver can take. According to analysis of National Crime Information Center vehicle-theft data by the National Insurance Crime Bureau, car thefts are more likely to occur during certain holidays. The Bureau reports that, between 2010 to 2011, the most recent span of time for which data is available, there were 20,800 U.S. car thefts during the 11 holidays studied. So on which holiday is your car most likely to be stolen? Here are the holidays as ranked by the number of thefts reported in 2011. 11. Christmas Day: Thieves may be more interested in opening presents under the tree than venturing out in the cold to steal a car or truck. This holiday ranks the lowest among the major holidays. 10. Thanksgiving: While the turkey and trimmings were being set on the dinner table, 1,526 vehicles were being stolen in 2011. 9. Christmas Eve: Those who are engaging in some last-minute shopping at the mall or visiting friends and family for a cup of eggnog may want to be cautious as to where they park their cars. 8. President’s Day: Even Honest Abe

cannot prevent would-be thieves from making off with a car on this holiday. 7. Independence Day: Perhaps the fireworks and the revelry of July 4th help to mask the steps needed to steal a car. In 2011, 1,862 vehicles were stolen amid the “rocket’s red glare.” 6. Valentine’s Day: While couples are dining at favorite restaurants or cuddling up on the couch with a movie playing, a car thief may be making off with a stolen car. 5. New Year’s Eve: So many people are caught up in the moment of toasting the new year that they may not realize a thief is making his or her own resolution to steal a car or truck. 4. Labor Day: The unofficial end to summer is also a prime time for vehicle thefts. There were 1,947 car thefts reported in 2011. 3. Memorial Day: The unofficial start to the summer entertaining season is also a prime time for car thefts. 2. New Year’s Day: While individuals were sleeping off the remnants of their midnight partying, 2,288 vehicles were being stolen on January 1, 2011. 1. Halloween: Although not an “official” holiday, Halloween is the holiday when the most number of vehicles are stolen. The trick is on the person who comes home to find not only is the trick-or-treat candy missing, but also the family car. Being aware of these prime car-stealing dates can help drivers protect their valuable assets. In addition, it is advised to always park in well-lit areas, keep belongings out of view, make sure the vehicle is always locked when it is parked -- even if it’s in the driveway, invest in an alarm or vehicle immobilization system, and to be extra careful if your car driven is one of the most-stolen makes and models.

Car thefts more likely during certain times of the year

Renting an automobile can be practical for a variety of reasons. City dwellers with easy access to public transportation might not own a vehicle and might choose instead to rent a car when the need arises. Men and women who are leasing a vehicle might rent a car for a long trip to avoid exceeding the mileage restrictions that come with their leases. Even drivers who own their vehicles might rent a car in an effort to preserve their own vehicles for resale. Regardless of an individual’s reason for renting a car, there are certain things all renters should know before taking the keys to their next rental. • Your credit card company might be insuring you. Drivers who have rented a car in the past are aware that rental company employees attempt to sell renters insurance for the vehicle before handing over the keys. While it’s definitely smart to be insured, you may already be insured if you’re paying for the rental with a credit card. (Note: Many rental agencies require a major credit card for customers to book a reservation.) Credit card companies provide this coverage at no extra cost to you, which can save you a substantial amount of money, as many rental agencies charge by the day for insurance. Consult your credit card company before renting the vehicle to see what, if any, coverage they offer. Some cards may not offer complete coverage, but even partial coverage will still save you money. • Multiple drivers will cost you money. If you’re about to embark on a road trip and you plan to have more than one driver, you can plan to pay more as well. Each extra driver you add to the rental agreement will cost an additional fee. If you can make the trip with just one driver, then you will save money. Do not list one driver but allow others to drive the rental, as this might negate any insurance coverage you purchased from the rental agency or any coverage provided to you by an existing

auto insurance policy or credit card company. • Return the car with gas in the tank. The rental agent will tell you how much fuel needs to be in the car when it’s returned. The car might need a full tank upon being returned, but more likely that figure will be about one-quarter of a tank. Remember that figure (which should be listed on your rental agreement) and do not come in below it. You will pay a lot more per gallon if the rental agency has to put gas in the tank than if you just remember to do it yourself. • Avoid renting at the airport whenever possible. Though there might be some exceptions, renting from an agency located at the airport is almost always more expensive than renting from an off-airport location. That’s because the rental agencies are required to charge customers an airport fee, which can be considerable. If you’re staying at a hotel in town, consider renting from an agency close to your hotel as opposed to one at the airport. The savings might be considerable, and some locations might even come and pick you up at the airport if you so desire. • Don’t sleep through the vehicle inspection. Before you take the vehicle off the lot, a customer service representative from the rental agency and you will examine the vehicle for any damage, whether that damage is significant or minor. If you don’t pay attention during this examination and the company representative misses any damage, you could very well be blamed for that damage when you return the vehicle. Company employees may be disinterested in the inspection, so it’s up to you to notice and report any damage before you take the keys. Renting a vehicle can be a convenient solution for travelers who need a car. But drivers should exercise their due diligence to ensure they’re getting the best deal possible.

Renting 101: Things to know before renting a car According to the Federal Trade

Commission, auto dealerships are not legally obligated to give preowned car buyers a three-day right to cancel their purchase. This means a sale is fi nal once a preowned vehicle buyer signs all of the necessary documents. However, some dealerships do offer a return policy, though that offer will likely not be made unless the buyer inquires about it. When a dealer does provide the privilege of returning the vehicle in 72 hours, the policy may be referred to as a “money-back guarantee” or a “no questions

asked return policy.” While many dealers are trustworthy and willing to work with their prospective customers, the FTC recommends all buyers contact their local consumerprotection agency and state attorney general to determine if there are any unresolved complaints on fi le with regard to a particular auto dealer. This can help buyers fi nd a reputable dealer and give the buyers someadditional peace of mind, especially for those shopping for preowned vehicles that tend to carry more risk than a brand new car.

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Perhaps no other time of year is more anticipated than spring. After a cold winter, many people await the arrival of spring like a child awaits the arrival of Christmas morning.

Among the more popular annual rites of spring is the road trip. A chance to tackle the great outdoors with the spring wind in your hair, spring road trips have come to define a season beloved by outdoor enthusiasts. For those planning their own road trip this season, consider the following tips to ensure yours goes off without a hitch.

* Give your car a thorough wash. While it might seem obvious to get your car washed once spring arrives, few might be aware that a thorough car wash pays practical as well as aesthetic dividends. Over the course of a typical winter, vehicles are exposed to all sorts of harmful elements, including salt used to improve icy road conditions and slush and grime leftover from winter snowstorms. These elements can create deposits that make it difficult for a car to run smoothly, resulting in poor fuel efficiency and possibly harming the vehicle even further. So while a freshly cleaned car might look the part of the perfect vehicle on a spring road trip, there’s also substance behind that image, as a clean car is guaranteed to run more smoothly.

* Don’t forget the first aid kit, but pack it last. Road trips, especially those with active kids along for the ride, often include a few cuts or scrapes. That’s why it’s always wise to take inventory of the first aid kit before heading out on the road. Make sure the first aid kit is fully stocked

since the last time you hit the road. Also, be sure to pack the first aid last, after all the luggage and snacks. In case of a legitimate emergency, you will want the first aid kit readily available and won’t want to waste time digging it out from under everything else in the trunk of the car.

* Give a passenger a spare set of car keys. No one plans on losing their car keys; it just happens from time to time. At home, this can be a nuisance. On a road trip, particularly one to a remote area, this can be a disaster. While you don’t have to plan on losing your keys, you can plan on what you’ll do if you lose them by making a spare set for a passenger along for the trip. That way, if your travels take you on a hike in some isolated woodlands or to soak up some rays at the beach, you’ll have a spare set of keys readily available should yours end up missing.

* Bring along a cooler for snacks and beverages. Many a road trip has been bogged down by pitstops at roadside eateries or convenience stores for things as simple as a snack or a bottle of water. However, road trippers can make great time and save a little money by packing a cooler filled with snacks and beverages. For those short on space, consider a collapsible cooler. Unlike traditional bulky coolers made of hard plastic, collapsible coolers fold up easily when not in use, creating valuable storage space as a result.

Travel Tips to Help Road Trippers Hit the Ground Running

Before taking the camper out on the road this season, it’s best to take a few precautionary measures to make sure

your trip is safe.

Men and women looking to finance the purchase of their next vehicle could potentially fall victim to a practice referred to as “spot deliveries.” Consumer advocacy groups warn that spot deliveries, in which a car is sold “on the spot” before the financing has been completed, can leave consumers with average or below average credit vulnerable to abuse. When a person wants to finance a vehicle purchase, the dealership must first find a bank to approve their loan application, a process many banks do not do on nights or weekends, when many people are inclined to shop for a vehicle. During a spot delivery, a dealership will allow the consumer to drive off the lot with the car, even though the consumer has yet to be approved for a loan. In some cases, the lender may not approve the application, forcing the consumer to return the vehicle, while other times the lender might only approve the loan with a high interest rate, one the consumer may be unwilling to pay. In addition, lenders may require a higher down payment the consumer cannot afford. To protect themselves from spot deliveries, consumers can arrange for vehicle financing on their own before visiting a dealership, or insist that the lender approve their applications before they take possession of the vehicle.

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(MS) — When it comes to cars, people seem to have a wide spectrum of opinions. For some, a person’s car is an extension of the driver. For others, a car is merely a way to get from one place to another. Regardless of a person’s point of view, there comes a time in most car owners’ lives when it’s time to part ways with a vehicle, whether there’s an emotional attachment to the car or not. In some cases, the separation is as easy as calling up the nearest junkyard and having them tow away a clunker to parts unknown. Many more people, however, choose to try and get something for a vehicle before moving on. For those new to selling cars, there are several decisions to be made and things to do to ensure you get the most money for your soon to be former vehicle.

Where to Sell? This is arguably the biggest decision a seller has to make in the selling process. If you need to unload your car fast, choosing the wrong place to list a vehicle can be very detrimental. For those who can afford some trial and error, where to list a vehicle isn’t nearly as important. Of course putting a for sale sign in the window always helps, but there are numerous other options available as well. Since most homes now have the Internet, that’s the fi rst place most sellers now go to sell their car. This has its ups and downs. On the plus side, a car listed on the Internet has more prospective buyers than one listed elsewhere, simply because there are no geographic restrictions on the Web. For example, a car being sold in New Jersey could theoretically be purchased by a buyer in California. While this is highly unlikely, due to the global nature of the Internet it’s not impossible. The downside to selling on the Internet is the current popularity of doing so. The more cars listed on auto sale Web sites, the more likely your car is to get lost in the shuffl e. For those looking to sell quick, the Internet probably isn’t your best bet. On the contrary, a local newspaper classifi ed section could be the quickest way of selling a car (outside of simply trading it in). Here, you know your prospective buyers are within shouting distance, and a daily newspaper ad will ensure your advertisement gets seen at least once daily, probably many more times than that. For those who need to sell fast but don’t want to trade-in, a newspaper classifi ed section will likely

be the quickest way to a sale.

How Much Can I Get? To some, this might seem the most important decision a seller has to make. While it is important, it’s not really a decision on the seller’s part. Thanks to car selling guides such as Kelley Blue Book (which is available online for free), sellers have a guideline by which to sell their cars, and buyers can easily look up any car and see if they’re paying too much. While there exists some leeway and sellers should always try to get the most money, the fl exibility with respect to price rests largely on the price the industry says the car is worth, and not necessarily on how much the seller thinks the car is worth.

What Can I Do to Make My Car More Appealing?

There are lots of ways to make a car more appealing to buyers. For the sake of brevity, let’s just consider standard maintenance and cleanup. Any mechanical issues should be addressedon an individual basis and with a mechanic you trust. Much like selling a house, a car’s curb appeal goes a long way toward selling it. If a car doesn’t look good to a buyer when he or she arrives, the person probably won’t buy it, regardless of its price or how smoothly it may run. Get a car detailed and have it washed and waxed before putting it on the market. In addition, clean the inside as well, including having it vacuumed after the carpet and upholstery has been professionally cleaned. A dirty car, be it on the outside, inside or both, will give prospective buyers the impression that it wasn’t well taken care of, a defi nite red fl ag. Other tricks include changing the oil, replacing the air fi lter (which can drastically change how smoothly a car drives), keeping the tire pressure up to snuff, and keeping the car smelling fresh. Also, be sure to remove the contents of the trunk (but leave the spare tire). A roomy trunk is always attractive to buyers. While this might be a bit of hindsight, keep all maintenance records in a fi le. If you haven’t done this you haven’t done it, and there’s no going back. But if you have kept your records, organize them and make them available to prospective buyers. This will leave a good impression of you as an honest seller, and someone who took care of the car.

Selling Tips for First-Timers Young children, cyclists and pedestrians are especially vulnerable to injury when vehicles are backing up -- either in or out of parking spaces or a driveway. In July of 2011, 78-year-old Yolanda Casal was thrown into the air and killed after she was hit by an SUV that was backing up on the streets of New York City. Her daughter was also struck and suffered broken ribs. In the same year, Judy Neiman was backing out of her parking space in Washington State when she struck her 9-year-old daughter Sydnee, who did not survive her injuries. Neiman has since lobbied lawmakers to establish laws requiring mandatory back-up cameras on vehicles. Backover is the term applied to hitting a person or object while a vehicle is in reverse. Thanks to the prevalence of sport utility vehicles and minivans, backover accidents have increased. Figures from the U.S. National Highway Traffi c Safety Administration say backovers kill on average 292 people in the United States every year. Although Canadians suspect that backovers are just as much a problem for them, Transport Canada does not have any recent information regarding statistics or policies on backovers. The most notable information available is a Transport Canada research paper that states at least 900 Canadians were struck and injured by reversing vehicles every year between 1992 and 2001. There are many people who believe that back-up cameras on vehicles can save hundreds of people, particularly young children, from backover accidents. An SUV that has rear windows nearly 5 feet off the ground does not enable drivers to clearly see a person or object directly behind the vehicle. Most children under

the age of 10 (the segment ofthe population most likely to be injured in a backover) are much shorter than that height. Even without legislation already in place, many SUVs and vansnow come equipped with reverse cameras as a standard feature or as an option. Therefore, consumerscan choose brands that offer this added safety feature. After-market

cameras also are available for installation. In addition to using cameras, there are other safety precautions drivers can take to reduce backover accidents. * Children should be instructed not to play in, under or around vehicles. * Drivers should always assume someone or something is behind the vehicle.Conduct an inspection behind the car ortruck prior to getting in the vehicle and backing up. * Do not back up the vehicle until you have ensured all passengers are in the car and safely belted in. * Be aware of the vehicle’s blind spots at all times. * Always clear windows from visual obstructions before putting the car or truck in gear. Do not reduce visibility any further. * Always back up slowly and with the windows rolled down so you can look and listen for anything that might be behind the vehicle. * Keep the radio off, put your cell phone away and avoid any distractions in the carwhen moving in reverse. * Teach teens learning to drive how to safely move in reverse. Backovers can be prevented with diligence on the part of drivers. Taking a few minutes to inspect behind the vehiclebefore moving in reverse can help save a life.

How can you prevent a backover accident?

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(MS) — Conserving gasoline is easier than you think. Given today’s high prices and concerns for the environment, what are you waiting for? Here’s time-tested advice from the experts at the non-profi t National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) on ways to use less gasoline.• Check tire pressure. Under-infl ated tires and poorly aligned wheels waste fuel by forcing the engine to work harder. • Consolidate your daily trips and errands.• Avoid excessive engine idling. Shut off your vehicle while waiting for friends and family. • Observe speed limits. Speeding decreases your miles per gallon.• Drive gently. Sudden accelerations guzzle gas. Anticipate traffi c patterns ahead and adjust your speed gradually.• Remove clutter and unused items. Less weight means better mileage. • Keep your engine operating at its peak effi ciency. A misfi ring

spark plug or clogged fi lters cut into gas mileage. • Follow the service schedules listed in your owner’s manualand have the work performedby qualifi ed technicians. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellencewas founded to improve the quality of automotive serviceand repair through the voluntary testing and certifi cation of automotive technicians. ASE-certifi ed technicians wear blue and white ASE insignia andcarry credentials listing their area(s) of certifi cation. Their employers often display the blue and white ASE sign. Visit www.ase.com for more car care tips.

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Few parents look forward to the day when they must teach their teenager to drive a car. Handing over the keys to a teenager and then riding shotgun as he or she learns the basics is hardly a recipe for a stress-free afternoon, but it’s a part of life many parents must endure sooner or later, and it’s a rite of passage for their children.While it’s likely your son or daughter will not be a great driver from the get-go, there are ways parents can make the process of teaching their teen to drive less stressful and more likely to be a success. * Utilize an empty parking lot as a classroom. Empty parking lots are great places to teach teens to drive. In an empty parking lot, teens can practice skills like turning or braking without the risk of running into another driver. This gives kids the feel of a vehicle and an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the vehicle’s controls, including those for turn signals and headlights. Find an empty parking lot that is large, such as one outside a closed grocery store or a nearby school when school is not in session. * Find a less-traveled road to practice more subtle driving skills. Once your teen has become familiar with the vehicle, a good next step is to find a back road or a road without heavy traffic where he or she can learn more subtle driving skills that might be difficult to learn in a parking lot. Coming to a stop, maintaining a safe distance between vehicles, accelerating and decelerating on roadways and learning to share the road with pedestrians and/or cyclists are all valuable lessons that can be learned on a back road without heavy traffic. * Some lessons are best learned on the freeway. Some skills, including changing lanes and merging into traffic, are best learned on the freeway or highway. Teens will eventually take to the highway once they get their driver’s license, so it’s best to teach them how to handle using on and off ramps and learning to yield when entering a highway so they’re comfortable with such driving and don’t have to teach themselves.

* Teach kids to anticipate other drivers. Anticipating other drivers is a lesson even some veteran adult drivers must learn, much less teen drivers with little or no experience driving. When teaching teenagers to drive, emphasize how difficult it can be to anticipate other drivers’ maneuvers and how defensive driving techniques are designed to help drivers predict what other drivers will do in order to protect themselves from drivers who might be unpredictable. Teach teens to keep an eye out for drivers routinely switching lanes without signaling and tell them to be mindful of other drivers when they pull up to a stop sign. Teens who will become good drivers will eventually find such techniques are second nature, but initially parents should instruct them in the ways to anticipate the behavior of other drivers so the teens can stay safe on the road. * Practice driving at different times of the day. Taking teens out to drive at different times of the day can teach them that road conditions, even when the weather is nice, vary depending on the amount of light. Driving at dusk and dawn, for instance, can be difficult because glare from the sun can decrease visibility and headlights might not provide much help. Like learning to drive on the highway, learning to drive at various times of the day is a valuable lesson that kids should learn with their parents in tow and not on their own after they have received their driver’s license.

Tips for helping teens learn to drive

Parents can employ various methods to help their teen become more comfortable behind the wheel.


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2013 Spring On The Road

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