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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (June 27, 2018)
SIUSLAW NEWS | WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2018 | 9A Summer Car Care Car Care stories & photos courtesy of Metro Creative Connection Precautions help road-trippers stay on course when traveling W hen the outdoors beckons, road trips can be the perfect way to see the countryside, escape the routine of daily life and enjoy short vacations. When taking to the open road, it is important to focus on safety. The Na- tional Highway Traffic Safety Adminis- tration says that planning and preven- tion can spare road-trippers from the consequences of breakdowns, traffic accidents or other road emergencies. • Stock emergency preparedness items. Prior to a trip, drivers should make sure their vehicles are equipped with necessary safety items. Liberty Mu- tual Insurance New Beginnings Report warns that nearly half of Americans do not check that proper emergency items are stored in their vehicles prior to get- ting on the road. Before embarking on a road trip, make sure vehicles have a first aid kit, flashlight, water bottles, phone chargers, tire-repair tools, flares, jumper cables, towels and even an old backpack for storage. • Schedule a service call. Regular maintenance can keep vehicles from breaking down. Drivers should take their cars in for tune-ups before long road trips. Such tune-ups should in- clude an oil change, battery check, tire rotation and any other necessary ser- vicing. • Plan your route. Map out the route before heading out. Be aware of po- Keep summer road trips safe for all involved by doing simple steps before and after you hit the road. tential road closures, obstacles or con- struction. Thanks to real-time GPS updates through mobile phones and other devices, some drivers like to rely on tech to get them through. However, service may be spotty in rural areas. Mapping a trip out in advance can save drivers from getting lost during mobile service interruptions. • Join a roadside repair service. Break- Les Schwab Tire Center — serving Florence since 1981 Les Schwab Tire Center, 4325 Highway 101 in Florence Employees at each local Les Schwab Tire Center believe in giving back to the community where they live and work. In Florence, we sponsor activities large and small, supporting youth programs, helping fam- ilies in need and raising funds for good causes — because these are values we believe in. For over 66 years, Les Schwab has been an active member of every community it serves, earning the trust of people all over the Western United States. Here are some of the causes Les Schwab proudly supports in our neighborhood: • Siuslaw School District athlet- ics and activities • Siuslaw Athletic Booster Club • Mapleton School District ath- letics and activities • Boys & Girls Club of Western Lane County • Rods ’n’ Rhodies Invitational Car Show • Oregon School Activities As- sociation (OSAA) • Rocky Mountain Elk Founda- tion • Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) • Oregon High School Rodeo Association saddle sponsor Want more information? Stop by Les Schwab Tire Center, 4325 Highway 101 in Florence or call 541-997-7178. downs happen even if trips are careful- ly planned. Automotive clubs can help drivers when breakdowns occur. Some car manufacturers also include road- side assistance in warranty packages, so inquire about your coverage. • Refresh defensive driving skills. A safe-driving course can remind drivers of the rules of the road. In some cas- es, courses also may qualify drivers for discounts on their auto insurance policies. One such class is the AARP Driver Safety course. • Avoid distractions. Keep children and other passengers occupied so they are not a distraction to the driver. Set out with favorite music, books, video games or even a pad and paper for doodling. Pack snacks to keep every- one feeling full in between roadside pit stops. Drivers also can load their cars up with tissues, water and music to limit distractions. • Plan fun breaks along the way. Breaks give drivers a reason to rest and passengers an opportunity to get out and stretch their legs. The Roadside America smartphone app lists must- see stops along any route, and drivers can plan their own stops as well. • Stay over if necessary. According to the NHTSA, driving while drowsy is a contributing factor in 100,000 ac- cidents every year. Drive only when well-rested. Share driving duties or plan a night at a motel so everyone is well-rested. Road trips are all about fun, but drivers must emphasize safety before and during such excursions. Simple ways to extend the life of your vehicle Automobiles are significant investments. According to Kel- ley Blue Book, the average trans- action price for light vehicles was $34,968 in January 2017, mark- ing a 3 percent increase from just a year earlier. The decision to spend thou- sands of dollars on a new vehi- cle is not one consumers should take lightly. Once drivers pur- chase their new vehicles, they can protect their investments and get greater returns on those investments by prioritizing maintenance and taking simple yet effective steps to extend the lives of their cars and trucks. 1. Drive defensively Aggressive driving is danger- ous and can have adverse effects on a vehicle. When driving, al- ways obey posted speed limits and avoid accelerating and de- celerating quickly. Such a style of driving can strain vehicle en- gines and drive trains while neg- atively affecting fuel efficiency and wearing down brakes. 2. Maintain a clean vehicle Car washes do more than just clean a vehicle. Routine wash- ing and waxing can remove dirt that, if left on a vehicle, can gradually scratch paint and contribute to chips and rust. Over time, rust can affect vehi- cle performance and may even compromise the safety of driv- ers and their passengers if bad enough frame rust affects struc- tural integrity. Routine washing also can remove road salt from vehicles. 3. Check tire pressure Many of today’s new vehicles alert drivers when tire pressure is low. Drivers should not ig- nore such warnings, as low tire pressure can affect engine per- formance by forcing it to work harder than necessary. Engines that are forced to work harder than they need to likely won’t last as long as those that run ef- ficiently. Low tire pressure also negatively affects fuel efficien- cy, potentially costing drivers substantial amounts of money over time. Drivers of older vehi- cles without tire pressure alerts should routinely check tire pres- sure and keep tires adequately inflated. Vehicles that are slow to accelerate from resting posi- tions may not have enough air in their tires. 4. Maintain a schedule Drivers may have heard that today’s vehicles were built to go longer periods of time between oil changes and tune-ups than the vehicles of yesteryear. But drivers should still adhere to manufacturer-recommended maintenance guidelines. Upon buying new vehicles, drivers should read their owners’ man- uals to determine recommend- ed maintenance intervals, and stick to those intervals for as long as they have their vehicles. Cognizant of the sizable in- vestments they’re making when buying new vehicles, many driv- ers want to get as many miles out of their vehicles as possible. Simple maintenance and safe driving habits can go a long way toward keeping vehicles on the road for years to come. Essentials for roadside emergency kits The following are some must-have items drivers should include in their roadside emergency kits. • Roadside flares • First-aid kit • u J mper cables • Warm blankets • Flashlight • Screwdrivers and a basic tool kit oil, brake fluid, anti- • Tire-pressure gauge freeze, water • Spare tire • Cell phone charger • N on perishable snacks • Contact information and drinking water • Check in person who • E x tra fluids — motor knows your route AUTO CARE MARKETPLACE Your guide to quality car care in the Florence Area! Evergreen Windshield Repair Mobile Business 435-229-3321 VALUE THAT GETS BETTER BY THE MILE. Free Peace of Mind Tire Protection • If a Tire is Damaged Beyond Repair, We’ll Replace its Value. • We Guarantee Our Work for the Life of Your Tires. • Free Pre-Trip Safety Checks Free Lifetime Tire & Mileage Care • Flat Tire Repairs • Tire Rotations & Rebalancing • Tire Pressure Checks • Brake & Alignment Checks FLORENCE 4325 Hwy. 101 541-997-7178 Les Schwab Tires Doing the Right thing matters. 4325 Highway 101 • Florence, OR 97439 541-997-7178 • LesSchwab.com Napa Davison Auto Parts 4480 Hwy 101 Bldg A Florence, OR 97439 541-997-3428 Shervin’s Tire & Automotive Full Service • Alignments • Tire Sales • Oil Changes 4515 Hwy. 101 • Florence, Oregon 97439 541-997-8052 • facebook.com/shervinsauto Tony’s Garage Auto Service and Repair ASE Certifi ed Master Technician 1730 W. 21st • Florence, OR 97439 541-902-1955