4 secrets to save big on back to school this year.

If you have a new teen driver in your family, the last thing you should be stressing about is car shopping.  That’s why we’ve made it easy for you with four simple things to keep in mind.

•Don’t let high horsepower vehicles tempt you.  Your teen will be tempted to push speeding past the limits.

•Skip the sports cars.  Bigger, heavier vehicles are ideal for protection during a crash or rollover.

•Electronic stability control is a must.  It works even better than that imaginary brake pedal you keep pressing, trust us.  It will help  your teen maintain control of the vehicle around curves and on slippery roads.

•Pick vehicles with the best safety ratings possible from the IIHS and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Most Common Maintenance Myths – UNMASKED!

All right, all right. There are a lot of ideas about car care out there, but which ones do you follow? We’re here to bust through some maintenance myths and possibly save you a buck or two on your next service appointment.

MYTH: Oil has to be changed every 3,000 miles. It doesn’t hurt. But it is probably a waste of money. Familiarize yourself with your owner’s manual – seriously. Your maintenance schedule is probably not as strict as you think, and you might even be able to go twice this “recommended distance” without getting an oil change.

MYTH: Treating your car with premium gas after running regular for a while is beneficial. Just stick with your recommended octane level and you’ll be all right – the system will stay clean regardless. Some premium grade gas might have extra detergents in it, but a lot of the time that’s just a marketing gimmick. It’s up to you if you want to experiment to see what helps your car have the best performance.

MYTH: Wipe down your dash and tires with protectant compounds to keep them shiny. A lot of these “protecting” wipes on the market actually strip tires of their original protectants, and it’s possible that they actually cause drying and cracking on the dashboard. Stick with warm soap and water instead.

4 Tips For Tidy Travel During This Year's Summer Road Trips

There’s nothing quite as frustrating as arriving at your vacation destination unprepared.  One way to combat the stress that comes along with summer travel is to make sure your car is neat and tidy.  This allows you to plan ahead because you have room to see what you have, what you forgot, and what you can keep at the hotel room for the day.  Here are some simple steps for squeaky clean summer trips.

Stock your glove box with napkins and silverware for mess-less meals on the go.

Designate a place to collect trash.  This can be anything from a small wastebasket to a grocery bag.  It’s easier to keep things clean when all the dirt’s in one spot.

Clean out your trunk before you leave.  Many people use their trunk as a junk drawer on wheels–but you’ll appreciate the extra space when you travel.  If possible, only carry what you absolutely need during transit with you inside the cabin.

Don’t forget the Golden Rule of tidy travel: Take out whatever you bring into the car! 

The Top 5 Tips to Traveling Safely With Your Family Pets This Summer

1. You should bring your own water from home.  Dogs have sensitive stomachs and water from unfamiliar places can easily cause an upset tummy for your pup.

2. Plan ahead for any medication your pooch might need while you’re traveling.  If you are able to pack extras, do so.

3. It’s always smart to bring a blanket that smells like home– people aren’t the only ones who get homesick!

4. Get your dog used to being on the road by taking him on a few short drives in the days approaching the big trip.

5. Make sure he’s micro-chipped.  Hit the road with the peace of mind that if the worst does happen, you won’t be caught unprepared.

You already know this, but we must remind you: NEVER leave your dog in your car unattended.  This is especially important during the sizzling months of summer.

Get the best gas mileage possible on your summer road trip

Planning your summer road trip is already stressful enough–why worry about what you’re spending on gas?  Here are a couple of things to avoid and a couple of things to remember while you’re out on the road.

DO be assertive (not aggressive).  Speeding up and braking sharply slices your highway gas mileage by 33 percent.

DON’T drive with the windows down.  While you may think you’re cutting costs by avoiding use of the air conditioning, you are actually making your car work harder to maintain speed because of aerodynamic drag.

DO make sure your tires are properly inflated.  Driving on partially deflated wheels does nothing but damage to your gas mileage.

DON’T use a rooftop cargo box.  If you need the extra room, try a cargo tray that attaches at the rear bumper.  It’s much easier on your mileage.

New grad needing a new car? Make sure you do these 3 things.

Establish a Budget

When coming up with a budget for your car, consider all your monthly costs including rent, bills and student loans. This will help you stay within the limits of what you can afford so you don’t get in over your head with payments. Setting realistic goals will help you manage other financial areas, too.

Take your Time

Don’t rush the process. Look at as many cars as you want and take notes (you should be a pro by now!) so you can remember all the important facts. Car and Driver advises you not to purchase your car on the first visit. Take at least a night to think about your decision. You’ll be driving this new car for several years – you should be comfortable and happy with your decision.

Take a Test Drive

During your test drive, be sure to test the brakes and lights while driving on both slow roads and busy freeways. Don’t forget to check out the passenger seats. The more time you spend with a car during a test drive, the more accurate your evaluation will be.

One Feature By Volvo Every Parent Should Own

As its name suggests, the concept is an inflatable rear-facing child seat. It features ground-breaking technology from the Swedish automaker. Not only does Volvo say it is safe and easy to carry, but it will enable parents to use it in situations that aren’t typically practical for the traditional child seat.

Inflatable in just 40 seconds, the seat only weighs 11 lbs. and features an innovative pump system that is silent and efficient in its construction. It can also be deflated with an integrated pump that can be controlled via a Bluetooth connection. Perhaps one of the biggest draws, the seat is compact enough once deflated to fit into a weekend bag.

Courtesy: AutoGuide

Always double check that your load is secure before taking off.

The beginning of the end for the finish on many cars and trucks is an improperly stowed load. Invest in the appropriate racks for bicycles, cargo, and luggage. A good trick to keep tall objects from sliding around in a pick-up truck bed is to use a shower curtain rod as a brace. Just push the cargo against the front wall of the truck bed and install the rod behind it and twist to secure. Cargo nets will also help keep objects from banging around and damaging a truck bed.