Let your road trip be a time for well needed family bonding. As we all know, many vehicles now come equipped with DVD players and video games, and teenagers always seem to have their cell phones in their hands. Take an occasional break and interact with each other put those electronic devices away. Some of the best times can be had by playing simple games such as “I spy,” spot the license plate, or maybe even some trivia. These popular games can lead to some serious laughter and might prove the point that time does really fly when you’re having fun.

Take your time and relax on your road trip. A road trip is absolutely no fun when it is rushed or planned so much that everything is “written in stone.” If your travel time to your destination is eight hours, take an extra day. Also, try stopping the car and getting out to explore occasionally—you can use this opportunity to take pictures, visit a local attraction, or even an iconic dinner. Of course there will be a need to have a general itinerary, but keep it flexible and most importantly, RELAX!

Lastly, but most importantly, make sure that your vehicle is in top condition. Keep in mind that, though you are having fun and relaxing, nothing can ruin your vacation faster than an unexpected car problem. Make sure that your vehicle has fresh oil and top off all fluid levels. Also, check your tire pressure and inspect for wear, including your spare. (Read More About Road Trip Maintenance Tips Here) Finally, consider purchasing a roadside assistance plan from a reputable company. Doing these things ahead of time can give you the peace of mind needed to thoroughly enjoy your road trip.

Remember, a little relaxation and laughter goes a long way. With a little planning, preparation, a flexible schedule, and some patience then you are just about guaranteed to have a great time.

Read More About Road Trip Maintenance Tips Here

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Ethanol is an alcohol fuel made by fermenting and distilling starch crops, such as corn. In the near future, it may also be made from “cellulosic biomass” such as trees and grasses.  The potential benefits from ethanol use include reducing U.S. dependence on petroleum and reducing greenhouse gases.

E10 or “gasohol” is a blend of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline and is sold in many parts of the country. All auto manufacturers approve the use of blends of 10% ethanol or less in their gasoline vehicles.

E85, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, can be used in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs), which are specially designed to run on gasoline, E85, or any mixture of the two.  FFVs are offered by several vehicle manufactures.

(To determine if your vehicle is an FFV, check the inside of your car’s fuel filler door for an identification sticker or consult your owner’s manual. More than 2,000 filling stations in the United States currently sell E85. Also, you can visit http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/locator/stations for locations near you.)

There is no noticeable difference in vehicle performance when low-level ethanol blends are used. However, FFVs operating on E85 usually experience a 25-30% drop in MPG due to ethanol’s lower energy content.

Information obtained from the 2011 Fuel Economy Guide–for information visit www.fueleconomy.gov

• It is a good idea to have an inexpensive vehicle inspection done by a professional before you hit the road as an inspection will cover the lights, brakes, tires, suspension, cooling system, and other basic drive train components

• An air conditioner inspection is also a great idea (especially if you have an older vehicle) because no one wants to be driving in the hot summer without air conditioning

• Always check your tire pressure (most tires require between 30-32 psi) before you leave on a road trip—and remember to check the spare!

• If you packed anything on the roof of the vehicle, double check the manufactures weight recommendations and make sure the majority of the weight is concentrated in the middle of the roof

• Pack an emergency kit, which should include a flashlight, a first aid kit, jumper cables, gloves, rope, and tire inflator

• Bring extra water–a flat tire or breakdown can occur miles from the nearest exit or service station and standing on the side of the highway on a hot afternoon can lead to dehydration

• If you haven’t already done so, take a few minutes to check your owner’s manual to ensure that you know how to change a tire on your vehicle—it’s much better to brush up on your tire changing skills in the comfort of your own driveway than it is to learn on the side of the road

• While driving try to take a 15-minute break every 2 hours as this will help keep you alert and fresh

• Pack plenty of entertainment for the kids—travel toys and games can help pass the time and reduce the chances of hearing “are we there yet?” every 10 minutes

• Always when you travel make sure that everyone has proper identification and required documentation (and this is especially important when traveling across state and national borders)

A road trip can be a fun experience (read more about How to Help Ensure a Relaxing Road Trip). Follow these tips to make sure it’s a safe and enjoyable journey.

With all the stresses of purchasing a new vehicle, many people are not prepared to answer that question. However, it is extremely important to understand the terms and coverage provided in an extended warranty, so this article will try to address the most commonly used terms in an extended warranty contract.

What is an Extended Warranty?
An extended warranty is an optional coverage offered by many dealerships and/or loan providers. Many people purchase auto warranties to avoid the possibility of paying a potentially large amount resulting from mechanical breakdown and/or failure to their vehicle. An extended warranty is a contract between you and the service provider.

Bumper-to-Bumper
Bumper-to-bumper represents the highest level of coverage available. A quick definition will assume that this coverage protects everything with the exception of regular maintenance and wear and tear. A *true* bumper-to-bumper plan will not likely list out all the parts that it protects. Instead, it will simply state a much shorter exclusion list (which includes parts that fit into the category of regular maintenance and/or wear and tear).

Powertrain Protection
Powertrain coverage includes the engine, transmission, drive axles and drive shaft (or the line, or “train” of mechanics that produce the “power” for the vehicle. A powertrain warranty is more of a basic warranty that is typically the least expensive to purchase, but it can cover you for the more expensive repairs.

Wrap Coverage
A newer type of extended service plan, the wrap warranty, offers additional coverage for vehicles whose powertrain warranty runs longer than the original warranty. For example, if your vehicle comes with a 10yr/100,000 mile powertrain warranty then a wrap warranty plan will take your existing powertrain protection, and wrap all other components of your vehicle around it. Or, in other words, this gives you a bumper-to-bumper warranty for the full 10 years or 100,000 miles.

In Conclusion
Always remember to ask your salesperson about any questions regarding an extended warranty. A true professional will understand any concerns and will take the time to answer all questions.
Remember, an extended warranty can end up saving you quite a bit of money and can typically be financed into your loan’s monthly payments. Research and having a true professional help you with extended warranties will help you make the decision that’s right for you.

Questions? Contact MAC today

Listed below are some of the most important and low cost vehicle maintenance tips.

• Regularly check your vehicle’s oil level
• Change your vehicle’s oil and filter approximately every 5,000 miles (based on regular driving conditions).
• Regularly check your vehicle’s tire pressure
• Follow a regular schedule to rotate and balance your tires

Regularly maintaining a vehicle is key to its longevity and may even increase its resale value.  A few dollars spent here and there, along with some TLC, can truly go a long way.

A credit score is a number that strongly indicates to lenders and creditors how likely you are to pay back the debt you owe, based on your past borrowing behavior. The higher your score, the more likely you are to pay back the money you borrow.

The credit bureaus that issue these scores have different evaluation systems with each based on different factors. The primary factors used to calculate an individual’s credit score are credit payment history, current debts, time length of credit history, credit type, and frequency of applications for new credit.

The three major credit bureaus in the U.S., which are Equifax, Trans Union, and Experian, may issue differing scores because their scoring systems are based on different criteria which are weighted differently. So this means that each credit bureau rates an individual differently, even though the scores are based on the same credit report information.

Scores range between 350 (extremely high risk) and 850 (extremely low risk). Basically, if you have a poor credit score then lenders generally will not turn bad credit away; instead, they’ll lend money at a higher rate than the one paid by someone with a better credit score.

The importance of credit today is significant; overlooking this fact can be very detrimental to your financial health. Federal law mandates a consumer’s right to a free credit report annually from all three agencies, but not the score. In order to get the exact number, you have to purchase it from a provider. However, it is well worth it because it gives you a chance to keep a watchful eye on your credit score.

Members AutoChoice Team members know a lot about the credit system. If you’re in the market for a car, do not hesitate to call us with any questions regarding your credit.

Drive More Efficiently

• Aggressive driving, including speeding and rapid acceleration & braking, can lower your gas mileage by as much as 33% at highway speeds and 5% around town
• Observe the speed limit—each 5 MPH you drive over 60 MPH can reduce your fuel economy by 7-8%
• Use cruise control on the highway—not only does it help maintain a constant speed, but also in most cases cruise control will help save gas

Keep your Car in Shape

• Repairing a car that is noticeably out of tune can improve your gas mileage by about 4%
• Keeping tires inflated to the recommended pressure and using the recommended grade of motor oil can improve fuel economy by up to 5%
• Keep your tires aligned and balanced
• Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage on older cars with carburetor engines

Other Solutions

• Avoid carrying unneeded items, as an extra 100 lbs. can decrease fuel economy by 1 – 2%
• A roof rack or carrier provides additional cargo space and may allow you to meet your needs with a smaller car, however, keep in mind that a loaded roof rack can decrease your fuel economy by 5%

Buy a hybrid! Or, you could at least buy a more fuel efficient vehicle—Members AutoChoice can help with that!

Should you find yourself in this situation, here are a couple of tips to consider:

• Evaluate your budget as to what you can afford

• Obtain a complete understanding of your current credit status

• Secure your auto financing before you go to a Auto Dealership

• Familiarize yourself with the current vehicle market by doing your research

• Take advantage of any Car Buying Services or resources that may be offered through your Credit Union or Bank

Purchasing a vehicle is a major transaction which should not be rushed into, so take your time to gather the most relevant information possible in order to make a great car buying decision.  Consult with a Members AutoChoice Sales Consultant should you find yourself in the above mentioned situation and need help navigating through the car buying process.

• Change your oil and oil filter every three to five thousand miles. Oil is the life blood of your engine (you wouldn’t run too well without blood!). Do this on a regular basis and you will avoid break downs and expensive repairs. It’s 30 bucks every three months, no excuses.

• Rotate your tires every other oil change. It will prolong the life of your tires (since nowadays tires cost as much as a weekend in Vegas!) and your vehicle will stay handling and riding much better than if you don’t do it.

• Have your battery tested once a year. Nothing is worse than missing the first day of your new job because your battery is dead (or maybe leaving that someplace that maybe you shouldn’t be at in the first place and you have to call someone to get a jump!).

• Replace your wiper blades once a year (like you would your contacts). Consult your mechanic (or ophthalmologist!).

• Service your automatic transmission once a year, by doing so it will keep it shifting properly and smoothly. This is the backbone of your car—we all know how we get old and are not able to move around like we used to! Luckily, having your transmission serviced will help you car last (but maybe not your back!).

• Change your coolant once a year. It will keep your vehicle operating at the correct temps and help to avoid overheating and breaking down (on that dark lonely road that Jason and Freddy happen to live on!).

• Change your air filter and in-cabin filter every three months. This keeps the right amount of air flowing to the engine and helps to maximize your fuel mileage. The in-cabin filter is for your health as it filters the air you breath that’s coming into your vehicle, so you get fresh, clean air (verses turning on your A/C and feeling like you just walked into the smokers lounge at the airport!).

• Keep your car clean by going to the car wash every couple of weeks. Not only does it keep your car looking good, but it also helps to maintain your resale value. (Besides, your fellow drivers don’t want to have to look at something that looks like it just came off safari in the outback!)

So just follow these tips and you should experience joyous automobile ownership. (Of course you could choose not to do these simple things, in which case I’ll honk as I roll by you sitting in the emergency lane.)

Need help finding a car to extend the life of? Contact Members AutoChoice today!

The study was overseen by the Governors Highway Safety Association, a nonprofit organization that represents highway safety offices in every state and territory, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Here are a few highlights from the study:

1)      There are four basic types of distractions: visual (e.g. looking away from the road), auditory (e.g. listening to something that’s unrelated to driving), manual (e.g. fiddling with something other than the steering wheel or gear shift, like the radio or a mobile phone), and cognitive (e.g. thinking about something other than driving).

2)      Most major distractions involve at least two of the above factors.

3)      Shockingly, the majority of drivers admit to being distracted between 25% and 50% of the time they are behind the wheel.

4)      Roughly 1/3 of all drivers regularly use a mobile phone while driving.

5)      Roughly 1 in 8 drivers have said that they text and drive.

6)      Between 15% and 30% of drivers involved in auto accidents have admitted to being distracted (and the figure may actually be higher due to reporting inconsistencies).

7)      While texting is almost certainly more dangerous than talking on a cell phone, the GHSA study insists that “there is no conclusive evidence on whether hands-free cell phone use is less risky than hand held use.”

8)      Laws prohibiting talking and texting on mobile phones result in reductions of those activities immediately after the law goes into effect, but there’s no sign that they have any long-term impact or that they reduce the total number of crashes.

Despite point #8, the GHSA recommends that states continue to implement anti-talk/text laws, but stress that unless those laws are regularly enforced, they’ll do no good.

As technologies in telematics and collision-avoidance become more common place, hopefully we’ll see distracted driving become a more manageable problem. For now the problem lies with us, the drivers. We have to take responsibility for our actions and put away the phones while driving and encourage our kids, co-workers, and spouses to do the same.

*Portions of this taken from GHSA study