(ARA) – Right now is a great time to plan your summer road trips — and to get your truck and gear in tip-top shape before you hit the road. Whether going to the lake for a weekend of fishing and relaxation or camping in the great outdoors, you need to have the right gear. 

While there are many experts who can help you determine what gear to buy, getting all those items to your destination safely and efficiently can be the real test. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when packing your truck for summer trips. 

Get organized and save space by compartmentalizing your gear into containers. You’ll be able to find items within seconds of opening the tailgate and unpacking will be much quicker once you reach your destination. Mark Sedenquist, publisher of RoadTripAmerica.com, suggests a combination of clear plastic containers, duffel bags, soft backpacks and cardboard boxes for organizing your gear while traveling. It’s also a good idea to place items you’ll need right away toward the back of the truck bed. For example, pack a cooler with your packed lunch or your tent and sleeping bags last, since they will be some of the first items you’ll want to unpack and set up. 

While your truck bed is a great place to store items during your road trip, you’ll also want to make sure those items are protected from the elements and prying eyes. One way to protect your gear is with a roll-up truck bed cover. These affordable roll-up covers are easy to install and will give you 100 percent bed usage for hauling your gear. You simply roll up the cover to gain access to items in your truck bed. 

A truck bed cover can also provide you with immediate gas mileage improvement, which may come in quite handy as gas prices tend to increase during the summer. A truck bed cover will help you save at the pump by reducing drag and making your vehicle more aerodynamic at high speeds. Most truck owners can see as much as a 10 percent increase in their fuel economy. 

Through a little research you can find many different truck bed covers available. A high-quality and budget-friendly option is the Access Roll-Up Cover, manufactured by ACI (Agri-Cover, Inc), a North Dakota truck accessory company. 

This soft roll-up cover is made of heavy-duty, double-coated vinyl material that holds up to the elements and numerous years of use in all different weather conditions. The roll-up cover installs quickly and easily with a clamp-on installation and is designed specifically to fit your truck model. When not in use, the cover can be rolled up behind the cab and never has to be removed when hauling your gear, making it a great option for road trips. 

“I put on many highway miles during the year and in talking to other owners with a similar truck without a box cover, I am amazed at the savings in gas mileage I’m getting with my cover. The Access Roll-Up Cover is such an attractive addition to my truck. It really finishes the look I want,” says a customer from Bismarck, N.D. 

For more information on the Access Roll-Up Cover and to find out how it can protect your gear this summer and save you money at the gas pump, visit www.agricover.com or call (888) 685-2558. 

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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First select a sturdy, efficient car that has a proven track record of performance and dependability. Thought must be given to a variety things including: type of car, size, gas mileage, maintenance, service contracts and insurance. Some cars carry a higher insurance premium due to the theft ratio. With the fluctuating price of gas, consider models that get the best gas mileage.

With the automotive industry in crisis, be on the lookout for over-zealous car dealers who are trying to turn every consumer visit to the dealership into an immediate sale. Shop around various dealerships for the best bargain you can find. It is important to be an informed shopper. Read the automotive section in the newspaper to become familiar with prices and deals available. An informed consumer can force the dealer to reduce his offer two or three times.

Consider your needs, lifestyle and road travel requirements. A mother with children who is active in the community car pool may consider an SUV to be the best fit. A business executive who often travels with clients, customers and potential customers may look for a more traditional four-door sedan as a good fit. A single person without a lot of family ties may be interested in a sporty, fast, two-seater vehicle as a perfect fit.

Make sure you select a car that is affordable for your budget and lifestyle. It is important to select a vehicle that will have a payment plan that allows easy manageability along with other financial obligations such as mortgage, rent, food, utilities and recreation. Buyers are encouraged to pay special attention to financing rates.

“Shop the financing before you buy. Buyers can be approved for a dollar amount and fill in the car later. Then check what the dealer is offering,” says Robert Lindquist, professor of business at Argosy University, Orange County.

Lindquist also recommends car buyers make sure that a low-interest quote is simple interest, and not add-on interest which doubles the rate and, ultimately, costs the consumer more.

In addition, Lindquist advises buyers to consider purchasing an extended warranty, particularly if you finance the car for longer than 36 months. The average car warranty is three years or 36,000 miles.

All of these factors are crucial when selecting the right vehicle for you. It is important that consumers are thoughtful in choosing a car that complements their lifestyle, and is affordable for their wallet.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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It’s time to take a drive, which means paying attention to what you’re driving on — which, in the near future, could be tires made from orange oil. This new eco-friendly product is about to hit the marketplace and could change the way Americans view one of the most underappreciated, yet technologically-advanced parts of a car..

“An orange oil tire,” explains Mark Chung of Yokohama Tire Corporation, “mixes rubber with orange oil and helps the environment because they are 80 percent petroleum free.”

Chung says the orange oil used in Yokohama’s dB Super E-spec, the world’s first orange oil passenger tire, comes from a juicing plant in Japan. “The tires use more natural rubber (a renewable resource) and are lighter, which conserves gasoline by reducing rolling resistance up to 20 percent. Low rolling resistance tires improve fuel efficiency by minimizing the energy wasted (as heat) as the tire rolls down the road.”

In non-tech terms, this means fewer trips to gas pump (money-saver) and less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (Earth-saver).

The thought of orange oil tires conjures up some fun, interesting notions, but Chung says, “the tires really aren’t orange colored and don’t smell like fruit. However, by using citrus instead of petroleum, it’s one way Yokohama can utilize technology to make better tires for consumers and the environment.”

The tires have been so successful, racers will be burning orange, er, rubber on the race track this season in the 2009 Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama. It’s the first race series in the world where every car on the track – in this case, Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars – will be on environmentally-friendly orange oil tires.

Chung was quick to say that orange oil tires are just a part of the solution to help the environment. ‘When it comes to tires, there are many ways consumers can be more eco-friendly…and save some money on gas, too. The real key is keeping your tires properly inflated.”

Chung offers these tire tips:

* Once a month, when the tires are cold — at least 3 to 4 hours after the vehicle has been driven — check tire pressure with a reliable tire gauge. Be sure that the valve stems have a plastic or metal cap to keep dirt out and seal against leakage.

* Tires should be rotated at least every 6,000 to 8,000 miles and the alignment should be checked once a year. Misaligned tires can cause the car to scrub, which lowers mileage and causes unnecessary tire wear.

* An overinflated tire changes and increases wear on the center of the tread. A tire is designed to run with the vehicle’s weight spread correctly in the road contact zone.

For additional tire care and safety tips, consumers can go to www.yokohamatire.com, the Rubber Manufacturers Association at www.rma.org and AAA Club at www.aaa.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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New tires, particularly all-season ones, save time and money by going the extra mile. Many consumers like yourself purchase all-season tires because, with tight budgets, the tires need to perform under all wet, dry, hot and cold conditions for the next four to six years. Unlike Ultra High Performance sport or winter tires, you don’t want to spend the money on new tires every spring and fall as the temperatures change.

The informed tire shopper can save a lot of money asking themselves and the salespeople the following questions:

1. How much rain or snow do you drive through annually? Calculate the amount of time driving in hot conditions, including rain, or cold conditions, including ice and snow.

2. What line do you want to drive between price and performance? A less expensive brand of tire, like Kumho Tires, often costs 30 to 50 percent less than top tier brands with only a 1 to 5 percent drop-off in the performance, if any. The price does not mean the tire is cheap. Nanotechnology, tire compounds and tread design even the playing field to your benefit.

All-season tires have an aggressive tread design on the edge of the tires to handle rain and snow, but the middle of the tires are designed to minimize road noise and increase tire life on the vehicles they fit.

Plus, all-season tires maintain a 50 to 70 percent range of elasticity even in the freezing weather of winter, and they last between 40,000 to 60,000 driven miles, or between four and six years for the average drivers.

Kumho produces all-season tires for all vehicles. The company has some tips to help your tires to go the extra mile:

* Maintain tire pressure according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Low air pressure in the tires not only reduces the vehicle’s gas mileage, but also wears out the tire faster.

* Rotate tires every other oil change, or about every six months. Your car’s tires wear differently depending on their position, and rotating them slows the wear, allowing you to use the tires longer.

* Check your alignment. When wheels lean too far in either direction, bald spots will appear much earlier in the tire’s life. Your car’s alignment can be altered every time the wheels hit something on the road like potholes or railroad crossings.

* Investigate your tire’s balance. This means both the weight of the tire and the wheel are compensated for once the tire is mounted. Uneven balance is indicated by a vibration as the tire rotates or irregular tread wear. Leaving the wheel unbalanced causes the tire to lose its durability.

To learn more about all-season tires before purchasing your own, visit www.KumhoTireUSA.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Desperate to Ease Pain at the Gas Pump? Here’s How

Can’t recall the last time you paid less than $40 for a tank of gas? You’re not alone. With prices already topping $4 per gallon in places like Chicago and New York City, and demand expected to rise this summer, you may be willing to try just about anything to curb gas consumption and costs.

“It’s possible to improve gas mileage in virtually any vehicle,” advises Bill Schumacher , an automotive expert with NAVTEQ, a leading global provider of digital maps for vehicle navigation. “You can improve your vehicle’s gas mileage by making some simple changes to the way you travel.”

Better Driving Equals Better Mileage

One of the most important thing you can do to improve your gas mileage is to simply drive smarter. That means staying within the speed limit, avoiding aggressive driving, and braking and starting smoothly.

“Being a polite driver isn’t just a nice thing to do, it can help you conserve gas and save money,” Schumacher points out. In fact, Edmunds.com tested the theory that moderate driving could result in improved gas mileage and found that moderate driving reduced gas consumption an average of 31 percent, with lower speed driving saving an average of 12 percent.

Use cruise control whenever possible on level highways, but avoid using it in hilly roads where it forces the engine to labor to maintain speed. Instead, maintain speed going up the hill and remove your foot from the gas pedal on the downside, allowing gravity to do the job of moving the car. Edmunds found that smart use of cruise control improved gas efficiency an average of 7 percent.

Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance

“Driving lost can lead to backtracking, excessive idling and unnecessary miles – all major gas wasters,” warns Schumacher. “There’s a reason why the big transport companies like FedEx and UPS pre-plan drivers’ routes; knowing where you’re going ahead of time means you’re less likely to waste gas driving aimlessly.”

For daily driving tasks, compare routes to see which one is likely to save the most gas. Remember, the shortest distance is not necessarily the best gas-saving route. Idling – the kind you would do in heavy stop-and-go traffic – can consume up to a gallon of gas or more per hour, according to Benjamin Jones, co-founder of the Web site Ecomodder. You may save gas with a route that is slightly longer in miles, but where less traffic allows you to keep moving at a consistent, moderate pace.

If you’re planning a long summer road trip, or even just heading somewhere new locally, make sure your route is as direct as possible. Consult a map or the Internet. If you have a newer vehicle, use your in-dash navigation system, and if you don’t have one, consider investing in a portable device. Those devices offer a lot of information on your favorite brands, whether it’s coffee, gas or a hotel chain you seek, your GPS device will help locate and identify a smart route.

Because traffic conditions change daily, be sure you’re using the most current information available. Update the map on your on-board navigation or handheld device by logging on to www.navteq.com and visiting their store. Or use www.traffic.com to get information if you don’t have a navigation system. The site can also be accessed from any Web-equipped cell phone at http://mobi.traffic.com, or by calling the (866) MY-TRAFC (866-698-7232) traffic hotline.

Choose People Power

If you are out walking or biking, consider equipping your bicycle with a carry basket. A trip to the post office or grocery store can become a cost-savings and health-benefiting excursion if you bike or walk. “It’s been said the human body is the most efficient engine ever built,” Schumacher comments. “Walking or biking for short trips is the ultimate way to save on gas costs. Plus, it’s good for the environment and your health.”

When driving, consider wearing thin-soled shoes or – if the law in your state permits – driving barefoot. The sensitivity of your skin will help you brake and accelerate gently, improving gas mileage.

Make smart use of the discounts and incentives many businesses are using to win and keep customers. Choose gas stations that offer cash back programs. Many entertainment venues, hotels and restaurants have begun offering discounts and incentives to reward patrons for spending the money on a drive to their destination.

Finally, use people power to avoid long idle times, which can consume up to a gallon of gas per hour. Stopping at the bank, a fast food joint or the pharmacy? Get out and go inside instead of heading for the drive-through.

“Not only will you slash gas-wasting idle time, you’ll begin working off those fast food calories on the walk back to the car,” Schumacher jokes.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Changing wiper blades at least once a year, combined with using a hydrophobic windshield repellent such as Rain-X Original Treatment, can dramatically clear a driver's vision.

For most Americans, their car is the second biggest investment they will make in their lifetimes. The average price of a light vehicle is $28,715, according to the Comerica Index. It makes sense to have an annual cleaning ritual to help preserve and maintain your car, just as you undertake regular cleaning to care for your home.

“Aesthetic maintenance is important to preserving a vehicle’s integrity and value,” says Ron Fausnight, Shell Car Care technical expert. “Routine maintenance, including washing and waxing your vehicle, can be viewed as preventative maintenance that helps to preserve a vehicle’s paint from the elements while restoring a polished, new look.”

Tires and wheels are often overlooked when washing a car, but they are two areas that take the most abuse throughout the year. Road grime, salt and brake dust can quickly collect on wheels, and without proper removal, can lead to discoloration of aluminum alloys and corrosion and pitting of steel alloys used. When removing the debris, use a cleaner that is pH-balanced to avoid any potential damage to the composition and finish of wheels. A pH-balanced product such as the Black Magic Titanium Wheel Cleaner is as gentle as soap and water, but contains stronger cleansing and shine agents that are safe to use on all wheel types.

“While all preventative maintenance is important, maintaining a vehicle’s safety features should be an even higher priority,” Fausnight says. “Roadway safety needs a multifaceted car care approach, and taking steps to ensure visibility is important.”

Changing wiper blades at least once a year, combined with using a hydrophobic windshield repellent such as Rain-X Original Treatment, can dramatically clear a driver’s vision. The treatment seals the microscopic pores of glass, causing any precipitation to bead up and roll off the windshield. In fact, in tests conducted by a major university, the increased visibility provided by Rain-X improved driving response time up to a full second or more.

“Regular maintenance for your vehicle does not necessarily only relate to the exterior. With gas prices climbing higher than ever, many people are looking for ways to clean the inside of an engine to maintain a vehicle’s performance and fuel economy,” Fausnight says.

In some cases, cheaper gasoline can be a low-quality fuel that meets the minimum requirement of detergency by the EPA, but may allow deposits of gunk to form in a fuel system. One way to help remove this gunk is by using a fuel additive to clear deposits from fuel injectors, intake valves and combustion chambers.

One such product is the new Shell V-Power Complete Fuel System Cleaner that contains more than three times the required cleansing agents by government standards for premium gasoline. The fuel treatment actively cleans all components of the fuel system restoring optimum performance and fuel economy while also protecting from future deposit build-up. When used regularly, a product like Shell V-Power Complete Fuel System Cleaner can actually reduce carbon monoxide emissions and help the engine run cleaner.

Incorporating these tips into an annual cleaning routine, and performing regular maintenance, are important steps to preventing the deterioration of a vehicle and may help to save money in the long run.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Get Your Vehicle Ready for the Change of Season

It seems like the kids just started school, but soon you’ll be packing up and hitting the road on your next family vacation. And contrary to popular belief, the weeks leading up to the trip are not the time to start getting your vehicle ready.

A better trigger for that tune-up is the change of season. As soon as the temperatures cool and you start to notice leaves falling from the trees, it’s time to start getting your vehicle ready. Here are three easy steps to follow:

1. Schedule an appointment with your mechanic.
When you bring your vehicle in for its fall or winter checkup, your mechanic may recommend a number of services to prepare your vehicle for the season, such as brakes, battery condition, oil and filters, hoses and belts. Two of the most critical items to check are anti-freeze and tires. Your technician can recommend the minimum temperature threshold for your area, and add anti-freeze as needed. Tire condition is even more important during the winter months. Remember the “Penny Rule”: Insert a penny upside down in your tread groove; if you can see all of Mr. Lincoln’s head, it’s time to change your tires!

2. Put together an emergency kit.
If you don’t have one already, put together a winter emergency kit. It should contain tools you can use to get out of a bind – such as adjustable wrenches that will allow you to make low-level repairs, jumper cables, a jack, air pump and flashlight. You’ll also need a first aid kit to treat any injuries that may occur in an accident. And in case you get stranded, carry canned or non-perishable food items and a can opener, a few gallons of clean water and enough warm blankets to cover up the entire family.

3. Take steps to protect your vehicle’s interior.
Fall/winter will bring with it mud, slush, dirt, salt and grime, all things that are hard to get out of the carpet. Protect your investment by upgrading your floor mats.

“Taking care of carpeting is probably one of the most overlooked aspects of vehicle maintenance,” says Frank Turner of Lund International, makers of automotive accessories. “It’s not there just for looks. It insulates the interior of the car, helps reduce road noise and protects the metal flooring beneath it.”

The experts at Lund International offer the following tips for protecting your vehicle’s interior from the wear and tear of the winter months:

* Whenever possible, shake excess dirt, mud and snow off your shoes before getting into the vehicle. This minimizes cleanup and helps protect the carpeting.

* Vacuum and shampoo regularly. Frequent vacuuming helps remove loose dirt before it becomes ingrained in the nap of the carpet. Shampooing or steam cleaning will help remove any built-up dirt and stains.

* Upgrade your standard issue floor mats with a more heavy-duty option.
Lund International’s Nifty brand offers The Catch All product line which provides protection for trucks, SUVs and even car interiors. Styles vary from plush OE nylon carpeting to the Nifty Extreme Catch-All which is made of Xynet, a custom molded thermoplastic material. Both styles resist water, snow, mud, grease and chemicals, are easy to install, and offer easy, take-out/hose-off convenience The mats fit over factory-installed carpeting and come with a lifetime guarantee against cracking, splitting or breaking.

* Enhance and protect your vehicle’s trunk or rear storage area.
Whenever possible, place items inside a sturdy box or bag before placing them inside your vehicle to prevent spillage. It would also be a good idea to put a Lund Cargo Logic Cargo Area Protector over the carpet to keep salt, dirt and wetness from spoiling your interior. The included Cargo Loks, which Velcro right to the mat, can be used to help keep items from tipping and rolling around.

To learn more about products to protect your vehicle’s interior, visit www.LundInternational.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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“Gas consumption – and prices – historically rise with the temperature as more people drive for work or pleasure during the warmer months,” says Sue Pinera, environmental programs director of the Hertz Corp., leaders in the rental car industry.“But you can definitely drive green and save yourself some money without having to trade in your reliable, reasonably priced family vehicle for a new one that features the latest eco-friendly technology.”

Summer vacations often mean extra driving, either to your destination in your own vehicle or, if you fly, in a rental car once you’re there. “Of all summer driving, vacation driving can be the most costly and least green,” Pinera points out. “Whether it’s spending time stuck in traffic or driving in circles looking for an attraction site in an unfamiliar location, there are plenty of opportunities to waste gas.”

Car rental agents, who work in tourist areas across the country leasing a variety of vehicles, have seen everything that works – and doesn’t work – when it comes to conserving gas, saving money and preserving the environment while vacation driving. Here are some tips from agents at Hertz for smart vacation driving:

In Your Own Car

* Have your car thoroughly checked out before going on a long vacation road trip. Be sure tires are properly inflated, oil and oil and air filters are fresh, and the air-conditioning is working properly. “Just $100 in preventative maintenance can save you real dollars in terms of fuel efficiency and a great deal of aggravation if you happen to catch a potentially serious problem before you break down on the roadside,” Pinera says.

* Drive smoothly and considerately. Aggressive driving – fast starts, excessive speed, abrupt maneuvers and constant braking – is not only dangerous, it significantly increases your vehicle’s fuel consumption. “You’ll enjoy the ride more and spend less on gas if you just drive friendly,” Pinera says.

* Only use premium fuel if your car’s manufacturer specifically recommends it for your engine type. Regular fuel costs less and premium will not improve your fuel efficiency in anything but a high-performance engine.

* Look for gas stations that offer pumps with vapor-recovery nozzles. They look like black plastic accordions attached to the nozzle. These curb emissions. Likewise, never try to “top off” your tank with these nozzles. They’re designed to shut off when the gas tank is at its optimum fullness. Continuing to pump could lead to overfilling and spilling.

* Try to pack light and avoid putting anything on top of your vehicle. Rooftop storage may increase the risk of rollover in some types of vehicles, and increases drag, which lowers fuel efficiency in all kinds of autos.

In a Rental Car

* Whenever possible, choose a fuel-efficient model, such as a subcompact, compact or economy car. The good news is that these are usually the least expensive to rent from any company.

* Consider renting a hybrid. Hertz, for example, offers a “Green Collection” of rental cars that includes fuel-sipping hybrids like the Toyota Prius or other environmentally friendly vehicles like the Toyota Camry or Hyundai Sonata, which feature an average Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highway fuel efficiency rating of 31 miles per gallon.

* Paying the extra fee for a navigation system can go a long way towards saving you time (and money) driving around lost. “Navigation systems can help you find your way in unfamiliar territory, helping you reach your list of attractions with a minimum of time and gas lost,” Pinera says. “How you entertain the kids in the back seat, however, is entirely up to you.”

For more green driving tips, visit www.greencars.org or www.epa.gov/air/actions/drive_wise. To learn more about Hertz’s fleet of eco-friendly, fuel-saving vehicles, visit www.Hertz.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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