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.