Category Archives: Holidays

Look Out for Flying Turkeys & Other Travel Tips

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While some are preparing to host a Thanksgiving feast , many are planning on making a road trip so they can share the holiday with loved ones. If you are in the latter category, please make sure  you are safe and prepared. After all, depending on where you are, the Weather Channel is reporting that things could be a little dicey in some areas. Before you head out on the road this holiday, consider these tips:

Prepare your vehicle for the drive

It is a good idea to have your regular maintenance done when the seasons change, but if you haven’t done that yet, do it before you leave town. Be sure to check: battery, brakes, wipers, lights, oil, coolant, fluids, and tire pressure.

Know gas prices and plan your fuel stops

You certainly don’t want to spend all of your Black Friday shopping cash on gas. Save time and money by using a gas price app like GasBuddy to help you find good gas prices along the way.

Know where you are going and how to get there

The best way to spoil holiday fun (and possibly start a big fight with your passengers) is to get lost on the trip. Be certain that your maps are current, whether it’s updating your GPS or getting  new paper maps from AAA.

Be ready for anything on the road

Don’t let anticipation of that turkey and stuffing distract you from your scout training – be prepared! Make sure you have all of  your roadside emergency items like flares, blankets, and jumper cables – especially if you’re heading into bad weather.

Don’t let pumpkin pie become a dangerous projectile

Are you contributing to the Thanksgiving feast? You have probably decided on what you are taking, but have you thought about how? Not only do you want to avoid spills, you want to be safe. Did you know a 20 lb turkey could hit someone with 600 lbs of force if traveling in a vehicle involved in a 35 mph collision?  This blog post from cars.com has some helpful advice to make transporting food a little safer.

Whatever your plans, always be safe and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

7 High Speed Holiday Gift Ideas

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Next week is Thanksgiving, and many will be starting their holiday shopping in full force on “Black Friday.” For those of you out there with car enthusiasts on your gift list, here are some ideas to rev up your creativity.

Kind of a Shady Gift

If you have any Star Wars fans on your list, they will appreciate having Jedi knights protect their car from sun damage while it is parked on sunny days. Those who aren’t George Lucas fans might simply prefer to keep an eye (or two) on their vehicle.

Creative Chrome

Best Mufflers lets drivers express the love they have for their vehicles with heart shaped custom chrome exhaust tips. Nothing says love like a heart-shaped exhaust cloud.

Pressure’s On

This digital tire pressure gauge from Accutire has a large, easy to read LCD display that provides pressure readings from 5-150 PSI in 0.5-pound increments. Ergonomically designed, easy to use, and accurate, this simple gift keeps on giving by extending tire life.

An Empowering Gift

A must for tailgaters and campers, this heavy-duty 12-foot extension cord plugs into the car cigarette lighter and powers  cooking appliances, coolers, heated blankets, or any 12-volt devices.

Peace of Mind

The Battery Tender Junior 12-volt/.75-amp battery charger keeps vehicle batteries optimally powered when the vehicle is not in use. The charger connects to a battery and assures the battery is ready to use when needed.

Keep it Clean

Chemical Guys Poly Clay Bar and Lubricant Detail Spray easily and safely removes stubborn contaminates that do not wash off during the normal washing process.

Here’s a Hot One

Bummed because you can’t afford to give someone you love a new car with fancy features like seat warmers?  Just give ’em the seat warmers! That’s right, Grandma can have the luxury of warm bum, even in her 2000 Corolla.

Street Smart Ideas for Trick or Treat

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Trick or Treat night is such a fun time in my neighborhood! We always have lots of takers and weather-permitting, the neighbors all  sit outside to watch the parade of giddy kiddies. It probably will not surprise you to learn that I always give EXTRA candy to the kids that come to my door in auto-themed costumes! Lightning McQueen  has been a very popular choice in recent years.

If you are still working on costume ideas and are a do-it-yourself type, here are some clever ideas to help you along:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many of the components of this cute car costume can be found around your home.

This costume just requires a little dressing up of ordinary clothing items, and has the added benefit of being warm!

Coolest Homemade Costumes has an entire page full of high speed costumes like this fresh idea!

Looking for a family costume? This one covers the entire crew!

And this amazing transformer concept just has to be seen. Here are two awesome examples:

If you don’t have the creative skills to make your own car themed costume, there’s a wide variety ready-made options to choose from.

Have a fun and safe Trick or Treat night!

Celebrate Independence Day and Tires!

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Happy Independence Day! This is the week for celebrating our nation, relaxing, and enjoying good times with family and friends. If you are looking for something fun to do this holiday weekend, and happen to have some old tires lying around, this post is for you!

Anyone who is feeling creative and loves tires as much as I do will find some fantastic project ideas in the environmentally friendly website WebEcoist’s feature on items made from old tires. As the article points out, more than 290 million tires per year end up in North American landfills. Meanwhile, people are spending top dollar on things like fashion accessories, flooring, shoes, and playground equipment. This article brings these two ideas together by showing some amazingly creative ways to turn old tires into the new items you want and need.

I just love these ideas and have started my personal project list. Hopefully some of you will find ideas here. If you have enough old tires, you might even sell some of these items and retire early!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

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Traditionally, Memorial Day weekend provides an extra day off and a great opportunity for road trips. But this year, due to high gas prices and a lethargic economy, many have decided to skip travel plans. If you are among those who are going ahead with a long-weekend trip, be sure to get the most from your vacation budget by saving on gas.

Make sure your tires are in good condition and properly inflated. You will get better gas mileage, and you’ll be safer on the road. You can also save on gas by using a price finder website to locate the best places to buy gas along your route. We’ve all had the experience of filling up during a trip, only to see a much lower price per gallon at the very next exit. You might be able to avoid that frustration by spending  a little time online looking at gas prices. Sites like gasbuddy.com also have app versions, so you can check prices while you are on the road.

And before you leave, here are a few additional tips:

  1. Make sure your battery, fluid levels, lights, and wiper blades are in good shape.
  2. Whether you use a GPS system or old fashioned paper, make sure your maps are up-to-date.
  3. Keep roadside emergency items like jumper cables and travel compressor in the car. Don’t pull them out to make room for the tent!
  4. If you don’t have one, get a cell phone charger with a car adaptor. This is a must have item any time, but especially on road trips.

As  for those who are staying home this weekend to enjoy picnics and parties, make sure you also think ahead about your travel plans. Decide on a designated driver before you let the good times roll.

Have a Safe and Fun Memorial Day weekend!

Don’t Leave Your Tires to Luck

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Tis the season of Erin go bragh, and even folks who aren’t Irish tend to feel a wee bit green. This year’s Food City 500 NASCAR race, held in Bristol, Tennessee, takes place this Sunday, on St. Pat’s Day and Danica Patrick has her car decked out for the occasion. For those who want to sport green on the road but cannot indulge in a custom paint job, don’t worry! There are other ways to dress up your car.

Though you may be feeling lucky in the spirit of the season, remember  that it is never wise to leave your tires to chance. It is very important that you check your tires on a regular basis. At the first indication of trouble, you should have a trusted tire professional inspect and correct issues or replace your tires if necessary.

Warning signs to watch for include:

  • Uneven tread wear. Any number of problems can cause uneven wear – have them corrected before it’s too late.
  • Excessively worn tread. Most tires have tread-wear indicator bars running across the tread, or you can use the penny test. When the tread wears down to 1/8″, it’s time to shop for new tires.
  • Cracks, cuts, bulges or blisters. If you see these potential weak spots, replace the tire as soon as possible.
  • Excessive vibration. Tire vibration may indicate misalignment, imbalance, or internal tire damage. Get service right away.

Top of the drivin’ to you and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Gift Ideas for Car Enthusiasts

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Many of us still have Christmas shopping to do, and time is rapidly running out! With that in mind, I am devoting this week’s post to gift ideas for the people on your list who, like me, love all things automotive!

  •  Auto Accessories  There are options to suit every taste from team logo floor mats to Hello Kitty seat covers to Yosemite Sam mud flaps.
  • Car Adapter for MP3 player  For some, singing “99 Bottles of Beer” is just not an option for passing time while on the road.  Being able to plug in and listen to an audio book or play list will be a welcomed alternative.
  • Vehicle GPS  We all know them – the folks who can’t find their way out of a paper bag. Put them on the right track with a reliable GPS. Be sure to get one with life time maps.
  •  Folding Shovel  Have any drivers in the great white north on your list? A folding shovel is a great item to keep in the trunk for emergency dig-outs.
  • Car Wash Coupons  Even those who prefer to do their own washing will appreciate having these in the winter. After all, no one wants to be caught riding dirty.
  • Digital Tire Pressure Monitor  Nothing says “I care” like a digital tire pressure monitor. Seriously, tire pressure is important for safe driving, and this is such a handy way to check it!
  • Portable Air Compressor  Not only is this a great emergency item to have in your car, a portable air compressor will be useful for filling a leaking tire until it can be fixed or even inflating a camping mattress.
  • Parking Sensors  If you buy this for a teenager who drives your car, it might be more of a gift for you. Some systems include backup radar which is an excellent safety feature. 
  • Cordless Wet/Dry Vac  For someone who has a Cheerio munching toddler or a road-trip loving dog, this will be a priceless gift. One of these makes keeping the car interior clean a whole lot easier.

Happy Thanksgiving

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This being the week of Thanksgiving, most of us are busy trying to make the most of the short work week, grocery shopping, or making travel plans. In the midst of my chaotic morning, I received the following email from a friend. It was a great reminder of what makes Thanksgiving and the holiday weekend so special. What a joy to give thanks for blessings over a terrific meal, then enjoy a long weekend with family and friends doing all those things that make for special memories.

In honor of the season, I’d like to share my friend’s message with you, and wish you a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

Dear Tracy,

Thanksgiving is tomorrow and the Lord willing I will go hunting in the morning for the 50th straight year. When I was a kid on the farm the Thanksgiving Day hunt was a much anticipated event. Some years my dad and uncles would participate and we would hunt the family farm which in those days was rife with small game. Other years we would head for Washington Court House to hunt pheasant on a farm owned by a friend of my parents. Other years my Uncle Clay would bring his beagles from Tennessee for a day of rabbit hunting that was exciting just watching his dogs work.

This year’s effort will probably be like last year, a pitiful ritual performed by me alone on my own farm. Last year I saw one rabbit which I took a half-hearted shot at and it left my dog Sandy so disgusted she left the hunt and returned to the house. The rest of the hunt consisted of shooting a few hedge apples and a beer can.

And yet when I’m out in the field tomorrow the memories of Thanksgivings past, the excitement of the dogs chasing game and the camaraderie of my dad and uncles will be relived and I will be thankful for another year. I hope you will enjoy your Thanksgiving Day as well – have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Roger M.

Tracy’s Tips: Don’t Labor over Buying Tires, Just be Prepared

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Those of you who are in the market for new tires may be looking for some Labor Day tire sales this weekend. I thought this might be a good time to share some of Tracy’s Tips for buying tires.

There are many things to consider when shopping for new tires. If you can find a trusted tire retailer in your area, the tire buying process will be much easier. A knowledgeable and reputable tire dealer will be able to recommend the type of tire that will best fit your needs and your budget. A good tire salesperson will ask you questions about the type of driving you do and how you use your vehicle. He or she will guide you in considering factors such as tread life, ride and handling, and driving conditions, helping you to determine what is most important to you. It’s important that you and the salesperson communicate as accurately as possible so your requirements are clearly understood.

Before you start your tire buying adventure, here are some quick tips to remember:

  1. Consider the UTQG rating. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires each manufacturer to grade its tires under the UTQG (Uniform Tire Quality Grading) labeling system and establish ratings for tread wear, traction and temperature resistance.
  2. Think about your climate. Consider the types of weather you experience in your area. Whether it’s a lot of rain or heavy snow falls, your tires will have to meet the challenge. Make sure you make the safest selection to handle the road conditions you will face.
  3. Decide how important ride quality is to you. Some types of tires make your car look great but you may not get the smooth, comfortable ride you desire.
  4. Some tread designs cause tires to create more road noise. This varies significantly between tire brands and tread designs. If most of the driving you do is highway driving, you’ll want to consider your options, especially if you’re driving an SUV on pavement most of the time. A good salesperson will be able to tell you which tires are quieter among those you’re considering.
  5. Check the recommendations listed in your owner’s manual and information placard. It is important that your tire selection is in keeping with the manufacturer recommendations for the best and safest performance.

Once you have made your purchase, and ready to have your tires installed, remember to have other checks made, such as the alignment and balance. If a vehicle maintenance problem caused your old set of tires to wear out too rapidly, the same thing will happen to the new tires if the issue goes unaddressed.

The Michelin Man Makes HISTORY

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Dear Readers,
The Fourth of July holiday has made for a slow week, with a lot of folks out on the road enjoying vacations and celebrations of our nation’s birth. I’ve been using the extra free time to pursue one of my favorite hobbies – collecting tire memorabilia and advertising. While I do occasionally find treasures at local garage sales, I find a lot of collectibles on eBay, a great resource for “specialty” collectors.
This week I was super excited to see something extra special among the usual early-era advertisements, promotional trinkets, and signage I typically see. Up for bid was a circa 1925 Antique Michelin Man Air Pump Compressor. This is an amazing piece of Michelin memorabilia, which I thought about bidding on for about two seconds until I saw that the 10th and current bid was up to $910. Whoa!

I had seen one of these guys just twice before. The first time was when I was a kid. A neighbor of my grandfather had one in his garage. Of course, I was completely enamored with it. The second time was this past April, when my husband encouraged me to watch one of his favorite HISTORY Channel shows – American Restoration. The episode (I looked up and discovered was called “Hot & Salty”) featured, among other things, the restoration of one of those very compressors! The before and after results were extremely impressive!

So you can imagine my excitement when I saw that Michelin Man compressor on eBay. That was, as I mentioned, until I saw the price. With the auction not ending until July 4th, the price could even surpass $1,000. I thought perhaps the recent appearance on a popular cable show might have driven up the value on this item, until I saw that in a September 2011 auction, long before the airing of the show, my compressor friend fetched quite a bit more. I think maybe this cool Michelin Man collectible would be more my speed, which is apparently 33 1/3rd.

I wish everyone a Happy 4th of July and safe travels!
Tracy