Planning on taking a trip?

Before you head out on the open highway, let Jiffy Lube offer you some practical hints to
help you reach your destination.

Prepare an emergency kit and keep it in the trunk. The kit should include: first aid supplies, jumper cables, a flashlight, fresh batteries, flares, basic tools, duct tape, gloves, flares, bottled water, granola bars and a mobile phone.

Over time, dirt, bugs, leaves, and other debris can collect in front of your vehicle's radiator and interfere with the cooling system. Spray the radiator grill with a hose when you wash your vehicle to remove debris and allow air to flow freely through to your air conditioner.

Check the pressure and wear on your tires, including the spare. Over or under-inflation can weaken your tires, cause uneven tread wear, and impact your gas mileage. Many people think the proper tire pressure can be found on your actual tire, however that’s incorrect. Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual or to a decal often found in the doorjamb or glove compartment, for the proper tire pressure. Check the pressure when the tire is cold / at air temperature. Do not check the pressure after an extended drive on the highway or after driving for more than five minutes.

Rotate and balance your tires before your trip so they wear evenly. The penny test will show you if it's time for a tire to be replaced. Just place a penny in between 2 of the treads - if you can see all of Abe Lincoln's head, the tire should be changed.

Match the load rate of your vehicle (found in the owner's manual or inside the driver's side door) with the estimated weight of your family and the luggage you'll be packing for the trip. Excess weight makes the engine work harder and consume more gasoline.

Make sure your headlights, taillights, turn signals, parking lights, and license plate lights are all working. Replace any that may have burned out. Make sure wiper blades are in good condition in case you run into any unexpected storms. Visually inspect your vehicle's belts, tubes, and hoses. Replace any that are cracked or leaking.

In rear wheel drive vehicles, extra weight in the trunk or truck bed may be helpful. Use care – unsecured weight can shift while you are moving or if you have to stop suddenly. Bags of sand can provide weight, and if sprinkled on the ice, sand helps provide traction.

Before you leave your driveway, scrape the ice and snow from every window and the exterior rear view mirrors, not just a small patch on the windshield.

Don't forget to remove snow from headlights and brake lights. Try to remove ice and snow from your shoes before getting in your vehicle. As they melt, they create moisture build-up, causing windows to fog on the inside. You can reduce this fogging by turning the air recirculation switch to the OFF position. This brings in drier, fresh air. You can also run your air conditioner. It can serve as a dehumidifier for a few minutes.

Keep your vehicle stocked with simple emergency equipment in case you do get stalled or have an accident. Consider keeping items like a blanket or extra clothes, a rope for towing, bottled water, granola bars, and a bag of sand or kitty litter for traction.

Warming up a car prior to travel is a common practice, but most engines really don’t need more than a minute or more to circulate oil to all internal parts. Check your vehicle owner’s manual for information about your engine.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that each year, consumers spend a total of $5 billion on vehicle accidents caused by mechanical failure. Besides the cost, there's another downside to breakdowns - they're dangerous. An engine problem while driving can cause an accident or leave you stuck on the side of a hazardous road.

Your senses can tell you a lot about the condition of your vehicle's engine systems and parts. Following these guidelines may enable you to prevent a dangerous breakdown by catching potential problems early.

Sights Take a look in, around, and under your vehicle:

	Make sure that brake lights, turn signals, headlights, and rear lights are working properly. Also check the inside dashboard lights, the dome light, and the glove box light.
	Look at the top and side of the battery. If you see a build-up of dirt, clean it with a rag. A dirty battery can drain a few amps of electricity.
	Check belts on the inside for cracks. If cracks are deep, the belt may be in danger of breaking soon and should be replaced.

Six Tips for Traveling with Your Pets

There's nothing like a road trip to kick start a vacation. Bringing your pets along makes it even more fun. If you're planning a trip with Fido, here's what you can do to help make the trip safe and enjoyable:

1.	Dogs and cats need to be secured properly, both for their safety and yours. The first and best option is to crate your animal for the duration of the trip. For large animals, a more feasible option is to use a special harness that attaches to your vehicle's seatbelt. Crates and harnesses are available at your local pet store.
2.	The ASPCA cautions against allowing pets to ride with their heads out the window of a moving vehicle. Not only do they risk being hit with a flying object, but they are also at risk of inner ear damage and lung infections.
3.	The noises and movement from car travel make many pets anxious. This anxiety can be expressed through barking, shaking, excessive drooling or even vomiting. Prepare your pets for a long trip well before you plan to leave. Start slowly by getting them used to being in the car. Once they are a little more comfortable, condition them with short trips around the block, gradually extending the duration of these trips. If your pet still suffers car anxiety, talk to your veterinarian about medications. Also consider keeping stain and odor remover in the trunk, just in case of an accident.
4.	Don't feed your pet right before you plan to leave. Instead, give him or her a light meal a few hours in advance. Never feed your pet in a moving vehicle.
5.	Just as you will on a long trip, your pet will need periodic pit stops and stretch breaks, too. Bring along a leash, water and small treats, as well as a favorite toy the pet can play with for some exercise.
6.	If you're planning overnight hotel stays, be sure to check in advance whether the hotel has pet-friendly policies.