If I Were Santa...

If I were Santa, here are some things I’d leave under the Christmas trees of some people I know.

A bumper sticker for Johnny-in-a-hurry: You keep tailgating, I keep slowing down.

Bumper sticker for a grandson: Weren’t we supposed to have hover cars by now?

Bumper sticker for a friend who procrastinates on his car maintenance: Honk if anything falls off.

A Car Checkup for Winter

If you’re like many of us, you don’t think about preparing for winter until the first major snowstorm. Let’s do it differently this year. Let’s plan ahead.

Priority one: Get a warm coat, boots, gloves, hat.

Priority two: Winterize your car! Let’s review some key steps:

Where Children Go

The school year is well underway. Children are going to bus stops. They are getting on buses, getting off buses, running home, crossing streets … sometimes carefully with mom or dad nearby … sometimes thoughtlessly. What’s a driver to do?

Let’s review a few safe driving tips to help ensure that our children are safe on the road to school or the playground:

1. Be patient. Give yourself plenty of time to get to work, especially in areas where you know there is a school bus route, because, where there are school buses, there are children.

Rules of the road on Halloween!

The increased foot traffic on Halloween also increases the potential for car-related accidents. Drivers are distracted by the ghosts, witches and ballerinas walking along the streets. Parents who are driving their children are watching their own children and may not notice others crossing in front of them. Everyone is preoccupied. Some simply may not pay as much attention to the rules of the road – whether they are pedestrians or drivers.

1. With all the stop and go traffic in neighborhoods, drivers sometimes take the risk of using cell phones, texting, taking a quick photo of the scariest outfit on the block. Follow the law. Keep your cell phone in your pocket. If you want to take that picture, park the car and don’t start driving again until you are done.

A Canadian Getaway

But can you get back into the US without a passport?

Let’s take a Canadian getaway! It’s actually quite drivable from Central New York. So what’s your problem? Ah, yes! It’s a foreign country … and you’d like to be admitted back into the US. However, you don’t have a passport. That could take months to get.

But wait, there’s another option, an enhanced driver license (EDL).

Common Sense Rules of Road (2)

Do you use common sense when driving? Try it. It could save your life.

Stay with the speed of traffic – not too fast, not too slow.

If someone is tailgating you, move aside so that he can pass you.

Don’t text and drive.

Don’t talk on your cell phone.

Common Sense Rules of Road (1)

Courtesy on the road makes sense and can save a life. There are dozens of written and unwritten rules of the road that can make the difference between making a trip pleasant or frustrating.

Let’s review a few of them:

When passing a truck, the driver will often flash his lights. He’s letting you know that you have enough room to go ahead of him. Do the same when a truck passes you.

Taking Care of Your Car: Auto Maintenance Mistakes

Today’s cars can practically drive themselves. Wouldn’t it be helpful if they could take themselves to the mechanic when necessary? Fortunately, many cars have self-diagnosis reports and warning lights that give maintenance alerts. Foolishly, however, some of us disregard the warning and delay the visit to the mechanic, hoping to save money or time.

The reality is that you’ll have a safer ride and actually reduce costs if you pay attention to the warnings and address the problem immediately.

Here is some advice on how you can avoid auto maintenance mistakes:

Short Trips Make People Happier, Provide Great Memories

If you’ve ever taken a long trip in a car with your whole family, you know that it can be stressful, costly and uncomfortable. That may be part of the reason why psychologists claim that short breaks make people happier than long holidays.

Where can you go regionally that’s an adventure, will make you happier, save you money on gas and expenses, and will reduce the stress of planning and coordinating? A place that will keep you refreshed enough to enjoy the excitement of the ride, as well as the destination?

Don’t Get Lost With GPS

Has your GPS led you down the wrong path? Has it suddenly seemed out of touch with the world? Oh, no!

Planning ahead could save time, gas and stress.

While your GPS navigation system does help direct you to an unfamiliar destination, there are times when it can misguide you. The question is, why?

Revitalizing Your Tired Tires

None of us has ever been in a hurry, right? Never peeled out, or come to a screeching halt?

Even the best of us don't always drive as we should. Not only is it about safety, but also about the impact on our tires. In fact, don't take your tires for granted. A little attention goes a long way to extending their life, keeping you safe, and even reducing your carbon footprint. Here are some tips for improved tire performance:

Shake, Rattle and Roll - Part 2

Sounds my car makes and what they could mean

The “hummm” of your car or truck has turned into a “clank,” “thunk,” or “grumble.” What to do? Let’s try to translate its language (with recommendations from popularmechanics.com).

7. The Thinker: ThunkThunkThunk
Listen carefully. If you hear the “ThunkThunkThunk” at one or both front corners of your car when turning sharp corners slowly, it might be a loose or worn CV joint. Go directly to your service station. If the joint fails completely, your car will stop suddenly. It’s time for a replacement.

8. The Clunker: CLUNK
Do you hear a front end “clunk” when parking or when going over small bumps? The ball joint connecting the suspension arm is not lubricated and there is metal-to-metal contact. Time to contact TP Brake & Muffler and have them replace the ball joint.

Shake, Rattle and Roll - Part 1

 Sounds my car makes and what they could mean

Nothing sounds better than the “hummm” of a car that runs smoothly. It’s comforting to know that all is well under the hood. But, one click, thump, tick, eeek, clang or thunk can put you into an emotional tailspin. What is it? Should I speed to the next service station or can I delay?

Let’s review some of those unexpected sounds and what you should do about them (as recommended by popularmechanics.com).

What drives me nuts on the road

You hear complaints about drivers all the time – especially when you’re in my business. Here are some of the more common issues that our drivers are facing.

• The driver who speeds through the caution light – that has already turned red.

• The driver who doesn’t signal when passing and then cuts in front of you.

• The driver who has the music so loud that it vibrates into your car.

What not to say to police

What not to say to the police officer when you’re stopped…

For speeding:
    “Sorry, officer, I don’t usually speed.”
    “Sorry, officer, I would have slowed down if I had known you were behind me.”
    “Sorry, officer, how can I make this up to you?
    “Do you know who I am?
    “I have a friend in the DA’s office, he’ll fix this ticket.”