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Friday, June 24, 2011

Start Your Engines! (But Get a Tune-Up First)

Ready for summer? We sure are! Despite all of the rumblings about high gas prices, there’s something about a good old road trip that effectively cancels out pesky worries over fuel. Most people on a budget will simply scrimp on something else; say food, for instance, to fill up the tank and hit the road. If this is you, don’t listen to the naysayers: you’ll have a lot of company on the highway.

But before you head out, be sure to make sure your car is in great shape. (Mine is currently telling me, via an incessant yellow light on the dash, that the rear brakes are getting a little low – must have been all of those handbrake drifting turns I’ve been practicing!) There are plenty of Web sites that list the common parts and functions to check or have your mechanic check: here’s one and here’s another. Just Google ‘Summer Car Care Tips’ and you’ll find plenty more.

If you happen to drive an electric vehicle, be sure to carefully map out your drive to include charging facilities, and overestimate your per-charge traveling distance. Even though the age-old “Last Chance Gas” doesn’t apply to you, “Final Hour of Power” does.

So that’s it from a fellow road lover! Pack healthy snacks, bring iPods for the kids—and have a great time!

From Your Guidepoint Guy and Your Friends at Guidepoint


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