What You Need to Know to Tow Like a Pro

Whether it’s your first time using your pickup to haul cargo or you’re a regular pro with the tow, it’s important to haul your cargo the right way.  Don’t latch that trailer until you’ve asked yourself these four questions:

1. What are the restrictions?  Towing laws vary by state, so get to know the ones for your area.  Make it easier on everyone: abide by them.

2. What are my limits?  Each truck has a defined towing capacity and it’s important to adjust accordingly.  For example, smaller trucks require a lightweight aluminum trailer instead of a steel one. Extending the life of your truck begins with using the appropriate trailer.

3. What am I hauling?  Just like you adjusted the size of your trailer for the size of your truck, take into account what you’re moving. You might need to use a closed trailer so avoid cargo spilling onto the road.

4. Where am I towing this?  The last thing you need to keep in mind is the terrain you’ll need to tackle during this job.  Take note of any unpaved roads or other deviations from the norm– it can and will affect your experience.

Top Reasons to Drive an Electric Car

From no gas prices to lowering your carbon footprint, there are many benefits to driving an electric car.  Here are the top ones:

-Never stop for gas.  Imagine never having to fill up at the station again.  Especially as those prices soar!

-Helping the environment. The U.S Department of Energy says that all electric vehicles don’t emit any pollutants from their tailpipes, so your car won’t contribute to air pollution.

-Low Maintenance.  Electric cars will never need an oil change or transmission fluid, introducing even more savings down the road.

-Tax incentives. The U.S Department of Energy says electric vehicles purchased in 2010 or later may be eligible for a federal income tax credit.

3 Rules for Keeping a Safe Distance

Have you heard of thinking in threes while driving? Follow these quick tips on keeping your distance from other drivers!

You should stay…

                3 Seconds behind the vehicle in front of you for speeds of 35-55mph

                6 seconds behind the vehicle in front of you for speeds above 55mph or in rain

                9 seconds behind the vehicle in front of you in low visibility conditions.

Top Car maintenance apps for your smartphone

Top Car maintenance apps for your smartphone

Road Trip (iOS) is probably one of the best mileage and maintenance tracking apps for iOS available. Tracking fill-ups and mileage is super-fast, as is adding maintenance history, expenses, and reminders for future work. The app has a tire log to track summer and winter wear on your tires, and supports other vehicles like boats and motorcycles. You can track as many vehicles as you like, too. The lite version gives you a taste, but the full version will set you back $5 for the iPhone or the iPad (it's not a universal app, so you'll have to buy it twice for both platforms.)

Car Maintenance Reminder (Android) is a free app that will keep track of your fuel efficiency, cost, and mileage, but also gives you a place to track all of the maintenance and repairs you have done to your vehicle. You can add notes, costs, and of course, get notifications and reminders when you should get some work done. The free version tracks one vehicle. If you have more than one, the $3 pro version is for you.

AutoCare (iOS/Android): AutoCare has been around for a while, and does a pretty good job of tracking your vehicle's maintenance history, mileage, repair history, service expenses, and more. You can even use it to remind you when it's time to get something specific done so you won't forget. Plus, it supports multiple vehicles. It'll set you back $4 for iOS users, and $2 for Android users.

Car Minder Plus (iOS) is another good, simple app for tracking your mileage and your vehicle maintenance. You get presets for things like oil filters, air filters, belt inspections, and oil changes, and you can enter in your own maintenance work and expenses to the log to keep track of what you've had done. From there, enter in your service intervals, and the app uses simple red/yellow/green indicators to tell you when it's time to get that work done. The app will cost you $3.

aCar (Android) is free, and one of the most popular Android apps for tracking vehicle maintenance and mileage. Tracking fill-ups and mileage is quick, entering in your maintenance history and expenses is easy, and you can even enter specific notes or information about parts you prefer or that your vehicle requires. The app notifies you based on time and/or mileage when you should have work done, and supports custom notifications. aCar Pro adds in multiple languages, home screen widgets for quick access to data and logging, and connections to other popular car apps and websites, all for $6.

Courtesy of Lifehacker.com.

Pet Travel Tips for the Car

Here are some tips to keep your pet safe on your next road trip

 

Start healthy – Make sure your pet is not sick before traveling.  A checkup at the vet can prevent any discomfort on the road.

Plan for restraint – Use a travel crate, pet seat belt, car seat, or other form of barrier to keep your pet safe.  Make sure you familiarize them with the restraint before traveling so that they are comfortable.

Pack enough essentials – Especially food.  Their particular brand of food might not be available or sold at your destination.  Don’t forget water bowls, bedding, leashes, and their favorite toys.

Frequent stops – Don’t go too long between giving your pet exercise and bathroom breaks.  This is also a good time to make sure they stay hydrated.