Car Preparedness Kit for WI Drivers

Summer is here and it's the perfect time of year to take a road trip. There are so many cool places to go and things to see that can add some special moments to your trip if you choose to drive instead of fly. Before taking a road trip, it's always wise to perform some safety checks on your car. Nothing can spoil a road trip like an unforeseen complication that could have potentially been avoided. Here are 5 easy car safety checks that everyone should do before taking a road trip. 1. Check your fluid levels. The most important fluid to check is your engine oil. It's basically the lifeblood of your engine and is quite easy to check. Under the hood of the car you will find a small dipstick on your engine that should be marked "Oil". To check your oil, make sure you car is cooled off and parked on a level surface. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean with a paper towel, put it back in and pull right back out. There is a mark near the end of the dipstick that will show the high and low markings - if it's low, you should bring it in for an oil change or service before taking your trip. Under the hood you will also see some clear containers with different colored fluids - this would include your power steering fluid, brake fluid, and possibly clutch fluid if it's a manual transmission. The containers will have a high and low line on them as well to see where the fluid levels are. You may also want to check your windshield wiper fluid while you're in there. 2. Check the weight load capacity on your car. Inside the door jam of your car, you'll find a few stickers. One of them lists the maximum load capacity for your vehicle - which includes both passengers and cargo. It is important to not overload your vehicle because you could potentially damage your suspension or drive-train not to mention you may also decrease your gas mileage. 3. Check the air pressure in your tires and the tread level. While looking at the stickers on the inside of your door jam, you will also see mention of the recommended tire inflation pressure. You can check the air pressure in your tires using an air pressure gauge and many of the gas station air compressors have these built into them. Making sure you have the correct tire air pressure not only can ensure better gas mileage but you and your passenger's safety. A penny is a great way to measure the tread depth on your tires. If you use a penny, line up the Lincoln Memorial on the back with your tread. If the top of the Memorial is hidden, you have more than enough tread for a long road trip. If you turn the penny around and can see the top of Lincoln's head, you need new tires before taking your trip. 4. Check that you have a spare tire and that it has air in it. Open your trunk and make sure you have a spare tire. It's important to check that it's properly inflated because a flat spare tire is useless and dangerous. You also want to make sure you have the tools available to change your tire like a jack and a lug nut wrench. A flashlight would also be helpful as well as other emergency equipment like a first aid kit. 5. Check the outside of your vehicle - lights, wipers, and windows. It's just as important to check the outside of your vehicle as it is the inside of it. Make sure all lights are working. Check your wiper blades to ensure they're not worn as this could pose a safety hazard during rain. Lastly, check your windows to make sure they're clean to ensure you can see clearly. These 5 easy safety checks can help to ensure a safe road trip. All of these checks are things you can do yourself, but always read your owner's manual and if you have any questions or concerns bring your car in for service. Aside from these tips, some good music and snacks always help to make for a successful road trip. Happy travels!

Preparing an Emergency car kit: Winter Edition One thing that worries me and thousands of others during the winter months is to become stranded. Warmer climate areas always tend to think that they may never need snow tires or to be prepared for any winter weather at all and this is never a good way to think. My prime example is Alabama in January 2014 hundreds of motorists were stranded on I-20 for two days or more because of Winter weather. The national guard was called into the state but not all of the motorists were reachable - I know of no deaths however I'm sure there were several victims of frostbite , dehydration and other known issues that were caused from being stranded. All of which could have been prevented if they had been properly prepared for an event such as that one. Here are the top 5 Essentials that we feel should be in your vehicle during the winter months to help be prepared in case you're to become stranded in freezing temperatures. 1. Map - Most people would not think of this because with today's technology we all tend to use our GPS as most cell phones have them built in it is definitely easier to obtain than before. You should always keep a good ol' classic paper map in your vehicle. Most will fit right under your seat or behind if it has built in pockets. The purpose of this is that yes a GPS may be made available but it is still operated on batteries. If those battery are to die and you have no clue where you are the paper map will be able to help you. 2. Blankets , Extra clothing - One thing that you have to worry about during the winter months is the cold weather. Keeping warm is definitely a need greater than most. We suggest heavy blankets such as wool or thermal so that the heat from your body will hold in the blanket and not escape. 3. Water, Food - Having food and water is important because you could be stranded for a few days or even weeks depending on the circumstances. Just remember that an average person can go up to three weeks without food and only one week without water. Personally I keep two 2 liter bottles in my van at all times. 4. Winter tools - Every car should have a basic necessities kit already in place which should include items such as Flashlights, Flares, Jumper cables etc.. For the Winter months a few items you may want to add are: - Deicer - Compact Snow Shovel - Hand Warmers - Snow Chains and any other items you think you may need. 5. Have a plan- Being prepared for almost every situation will ensure that you will have a better chance of surviving without harm if you were to become stranded. One way that can help not only you but ANYONE that drives your vehicle is to have a printed out plan or instructions - You can leave this in your glove box so that other drivers may have it and know about the kit in the back. Make sure to tell them where the plan is if they're going to be driving your vehicle. We hope this helps you in preparing for this Winters travels! This post was written by Sandra S. Sandra is the owner/author of Confessions of a stay at home mom a well known mom blog featuring useful tips, recipes, giveaways and so much more.

You don't need to spend a fortune to keep your car looking like it just came off the showroom floor. You can find a variety of cleaning products in your favorite automotive shop. Some brands even offer kits that include a selection of their most popular washes, waxes, and protecting products, all ready for a weekend spent giving your car a much needed spa day. There are some tools that are vital to give your car that showroom shine! Here are just a few to get you started. Automobile Soap- Invest in a soap that is made specifically for cars. Please don't use dishwashing liquid. That is just wrong. Car Wax- If you want the ultimate, "see yourself in it" shine you need a good car wax. Remember, wax on, wax off. Don't forget the Chamois cloths. They are AMAZING to use after waxing to get that glass-like finish. Tire Foam- Nothing is worse than seeing a beautiful clean car with dirty tires. Tires need love too! Vinyl/Leather cleaners- You can't forget the inside and these clean dust and grime from your vehicle's dash board, consoles, and inside door panels. Glass Cleaners- I would prefer you use one designed specifically for automotive glass but you can use an all purpose one as well. Try to find one that repels water to keep the outside of your glass streak free. Upholstery Cleaners- Keep the upholstery sparkling with the right cleaner. You will definitely need a few hours to completely clean your car. I highly suggest cranking up some tunes and jamming out while achieving showroom perfection. After you have washed, waxed, and cleaned until your heart is content, hit the highway and show off your "new" car! We hope you have enjoyed this article. While you are online check out the new inventory offered at Lynch Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM. You can also contact the dealership directly with any inquiries before heading down to check out your next new potential vehicle. Author Note: Bobbie Seacrist is a writer that lives in Maryland. She loves to write about tech, travel, auto, and lifestyle. She owns a personal blog, My Life, Blogged and her own virtual assistant business, Glam Girl Media.