Your Guide to the Ultimate Roadside Emergency Kit

There's nothing quite like that new car smell. Now they even have air fresheners with that new car scent. But how do you keep the rest of your vehicle looking like new? Here are four ways to help you keep your car looking its best. 1. Wash and Wax Your Vehicle Regularly Many people ignore washing their car on a regular basis. Dirt and dust can build up. Pollen is another culprit that can sneak up on you, coating your car with a yellowish film. If you park in the shade of a tree beware of the sap and the bird droppings. Both leave ugly marks, but the sap can actually leave a nasty stain. more Wash your car every week and you'll keep it looking new longer. A good tip is to use soft sponges and a soap designed for cars. Your vehicle's paint is different than most other paints and needs special care. Another good tip is to dry your vehicle with a soft terrycloth or microfiber towel. Water can collect in unexpected areas, leading to rust over time. Drying it thoroughly can help prevent the corrosive effects of standing water. While you don't need to wax your car every time you wash it, you should do so every month or so. Waxing will leave your car looking shiny and new. It also creates a barrier between your car's exterior and the elements. 2. Park in the Garage Leaving your vehicle outside exposes it to the sun. The sun can fade your paint over time, but that isn't the worst thing that can happen if left outside. That cool moist dew you find on your vehicle can be harming your car. The pollution in the air from all the vehicles on the roads, factories, and more all floats up in the hot air during the day. At night, the air cools and these pollutants are carried down again in the dew. These pollutants can eat away at your paint, chrome, and rubber on your car. If you have a garage, park your car there. Covering your vehicle with a car cover is the next best thing. A carport can help to some degree but it still leaves your car susceptible to pollutants. 3. Don't Park Under Trees If you've ever parked beneath a tree you've probably had sap and leaves and twigs fall on your vehicle. Maybe even a branch or two has fallen onto your car, possibly leaving a scratch or dent. The shade might be nice when you get into a cooler car, but the inevitable risk from above isn't worth it. If your driveway is beneath a tree you should consider trimming it back or cutting it down. 4. Tint Your Windows Window tint not only adds a certain stylish look, but it also protects the car's interior from the sun. The sun's rays are often magnified by the glass on your car, causing the leather, cloth, and plastics within to fade. You don't have to buy a new car every three years to drive one that looks new. Just follow these four simple steps and your car will look like new for a long time. Image via Pixabay.com

Your brakes are one of your car's most important operating systems. However, braking the wrong way will put undue stress on these critical components, leading to possible failure. Here is a list of five bad braking habits to stop today — before you can't stop at all. 1. Riding Your Brakes The biggest danger of riding your brakes is the real possibility of creating too much heat. Under these conditions, pushing the brake pedal won't build up the necessary pressure in the system, causing your brakes to fail. Brake fade also occurs when heat causes a chemical reaction that creates gas bubbles between pads and rotors, reducing overall efficiency. more In addition to these immediate effects, the long term effects of riding your brakes lead to serious mechanical issues. Your pads and shoes are designed to wear down with use. Riding the brakes speeds up this process significantly. Over time, the heat buildup will damage components. Rotors can warp, and non-metallic parts such as seals can melt, causing leaks. 2. Hard Braking Hard braking is a habit that isn't doing your brake system any good. Unless you're going down a very steep hill, stop it. Regularly stomping on the brakes is a sign you're accelerating too hard or not paying enough attention to traffic — or both. Smooth acceleration and braking will do more than ensure your brakes last longer. This good habit helps save on fuel costs and will keep you safer behind the wheel. 3. Resting Your Foot on the Pedal Some people have a bad habit of resting their foot on the brake pedal. With this practice, you may accidentally hit the brakes while driving. Not only is this a dangerous situation for you, but it's also a problem for other drivers because any sudden stops could lead to a collision, so rest your foot on the floor instead. 4. Not Coasting If you slam on the brakes just as you get to the red light, you're going to add stress to your brakes. Next time, try coasting instead. When you're coming up to an intersection, lift off the accelerator and let the car slow down on its own. Who knows, by the time you coast to a stop, the traffic light may have turned green, and you won't even need to use the brakes at all? Looking ahead to anticipate traffic situations is a terrific habit and will prevent you from braking too soon, saving the brakes for when you really need them. 5. Not Getting Serviced Get your brakes serviced regularly by a certified technician. These experts undergo frequent training, so they are always up-to-date on every aspect of your car's vital systems. Brakes must be serviced to ensure they function correctly, and your vehicle is safe to drive. Have your brakes inspected if you notice any signs of wear, including sticking or seizing up, or whenever you hear unusual brake noises. Many drivers don't know how to brake properly and practice bad habits. Use these tips to stay safe on the way. Image via Pixabay.com

With spring just around the corner, it's time to prepare your Jeep for warm-weather road trips and off-road adventures. You give your house a thorough spring cleaning, and you should do the same for your Jeep. Here are six tips to help make sure your Jeep is ready for anything. 1. Wash the Undercarriage Your Jeep's undercarriage takes on a lot of dirt and grime throughout the winter months. When all of this muck builds up, it makes your Jeep heavier and can cause corrosion. To make sure that the undercarriage is thoroughly clean, use a pressure washer. You should also pressure wash under the Jeep's fenders. Consider investing in some off-road fenders, which will reduce the amount of mud that can build up underneath. more 2. Keep Washing Of course, the rest of your Jeep deserves a thorough washing as well. Winter debris can cause as much damage to your Jeep's paint as it does to the undercarriage. While you're washing your Jeep, make sure to clean the headlights and taillights. Hand washed lights look and perform better than dirty lights. Make sure the windows are clean and free of streaks that can interfere with visibility. After your Jeep is clean, apply a coat of wax to help preserve its paint. 3. Do a Maintenance Check After your Jeep is free of mud and grime, you should pop open the hood and inspect the engine compartment. Look underneath the engine to make sure there is no damage. Also, keep an eye out for worn parts and hoses and wires that may have come loose. You can also check the oil and other fluids and top them off if necessary. It's also a good idea to change your Jeep's oil. 4. Clean the Inside The inside of your Jeep can get as dirty as the outside, especially if you enjoy off-roading. Dust and mud can cause permanent damage to interior surfaces and carpet. Slush mats and cargo mats can help protect these surfaces and make cleaning the interior much more manageable. 5. Install New Wiper Blades Icy windshields can cause excessive wear and tear on your Jeep's windshield wipers, making them virtually useless. Luckily, replacing wiper blades is an effortless task. You should also make sure that there is plenty of washer fluid in the reservoir. 6. Prepare for Off-Roading You never know what could go wrong when off-roading, so it's crucial for you and your Jeep to be as prepared as possible. If you plan on traversing sandy terrain, it's a good idea to reduce air pressure in your tires by 10 to 12 pounds. This makes your Jeep less likely to get stuck. For rocky conditions, you should outfit your Jeep with rock rails. Be sure to pack a tire repair kit, a jump start kit, and a tire jack. These are just some of the things you can to do to make sure your Jeep is ready for the spring season. By taking these steps, you'll be able to drive your Jeep with confidence. Image via Pixabay.com