Memorial Day Weekend - Summer Travel and Safety Tips

Memorial Day is this weekend and this signals the start of the summer travel season. In DFW several local police departments have already stated that they will be increasing enforcement this weekend (especially seat belt, speeding and drunk driving violations) and conducting check points throughout the DFW Metroplex. So make sure that you are fastening those seat belts, driving the speed limit and making sure you have a designated driver for the drive home from that barbecue or pool party if you have been drinking.

Edmunds.com (one of our favorite automotive resources) has compiled a nice "Top 10 Summer Travel Tips" article that is worth noting. We picked out our top 3 picks from the list.

Whether you're heading out on a weekend road trip, planning a month-long family vacation or waking a four-wheeled friend from its long winter's nap, you'll want to make sure the summer driving season brings maximum enjoyment and minimum stress. Before you pack up the car, check out these travel tips from our staff of road warriors.

1. Tend to your tires. Exchange your winter tires for summer or all-season tires. Winter tires wear out quickly on dry, hot pavement; switching them early will keep them in optimum shape for next year, not to mention improve your car's handling during the summer months.Check your tire pressure — and check it often. With every passing month, the average tire loses about a pound of air pressure. Proper tire inflation is critical to achieving the best possible contact between the tire and the road and avoiding blowouts and tread separation. Most cars have a decal mounted in their driver doorjamb that lists the correct tire pressures depending on tire size and vehicle load. Properly inflated tires will also improve fuel economy, particularly important if you're doing lots of high-speed driving on a long family vacation.
   
2. Stay on top of your fluids. If you've fallen behind on maintenance, get your car's oil changed before you hit the road. Keep in mind that any of today's oils, including 5W-30, 10W-30 or 10W-40 grades, are multiviscous, and get a bit thinner the hotter it gets outside, thereby increasing the chance that the engine might not get the proper lubrication (it's the opposite in winter). Your vehicle's owner's manual will list the manufacturer's oil recommendations for different climates. If you have a dealership or local garage perform the oil change, ask the manager what type and viscosity of oil they are putting into your vehicle. Consider changing it to a compound that's slightly thicker if you're going to be driving in extreme temperatures. While the hood is up, check the coolant/antifreeze mixture inside your vehicle's radiator. The ideal ratio of coolant to water is 50-to-50 for optimal temperature regulation in both cold weather and hot. You can check this with a simple and inexpensive antifreeze tester, which you can find at all auto parts stores.
   
3. Avoid fatigue. Drowsy driving is one of the leading causes of highway accidents. There are a few measures you can take to avoid getting tired on the road. Make absolutely sure you get a good night's rest before spending a long time behind the wheel. Be mindful of caffeine; a short-term coffee buzz will be followed by a lull, and it's all but impossible to sustain one's energy for hours on end. Switch drivers every hour or two if you can. If you find yourself getting tired, by all means pull over at a safe spot, switch on your hazard lights and rest for a few minutes. Finally, stop often. Some people complain about having small bladders, but frequent bathroom stops actually help lower the risk of freeway fatigue. Besides, you never know what cool trinkets, local vittles and photo ops may be waiting for you in those random small towns you might otherwise skip over.

If you keep these travel tips in mind, you're well on your way to a relaxing and enjoyable summer road trip season.

About Grubbs Infiniti
Grubbs Infiniti is a DFW area Infiniti dealership that specializes in new and pre-owned Infinitis. Our pre-owned lot features not just Infinitis but a wide range of luxury vehicles. Let us know how we can help you. Located at 1661 West Airport Freeway, Euless, TX 76040. 817-318-1200

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Texas Laws Governing Texting and Cellphone Use While Driving

Today while driving to work at Grubbs Infiniti (yes, as the Social Media Manager I could easily work from home but prefer to office at the dealership so I stay connected to what's going on) I noticed a Clear Wireless billboard on Central Expressway that showed a lap top sitting on the dashboard of a person's car and showed a traffic camera on the screen. (I will get a picture of it tomorrow when I drive by it.. Yes, I will make sure to not be moving while I take the picture). My first impression was, that it's pretty cool to be tracking traffic live on your computer while driving. My second impression, after a cup of coffee, was that it's irresponsible to be even hinting at driving while using a lap top computer. That got me thinking about what the actual Texas laws are governing texting and hands free cell phone use.

The interesting thing about the laws that are in place is that you not only have to be tuned into what the Texas legislature passes as law (and signed by Governor Perry) but also what the municipalities around Texas have passed. Some municipalities have tried or have banned texting or using cellphones without a handsfree device all together. Dallas, Austin, Galveston and several smaller municipalities have banned use of drivers’ use of mobile phones without hands-free devices and text messaging in school zones. El Paso’s City Council voted March 9 to ban use of handheld cell phones and text messaging while driving in city limits. Hands-free cell phones OK. Fines up to $500. El Paso already has outlawed use of handheld cell phones in school zones.

Six states (Calif., Conn., N.J., N.Y., Ore. and Wash.), D.C. and the Virgin Islands already prohibit all drivers from using handheld cell phones while driving. While it's not inevitable that a handheld cell phone ban is in the works it might be time to take a look at purchasing a Bluetooth ear piece or upgrading your car with Bluetooth.

Navigation Screens a Distraction?
When I think about the Clear Wireless billboard with the laptop on the dashboard it also makes me think of how the onscreen navigation systems (whether, in dash or placed on your window) can be a possible distraction. Some navigation systems safeguard against use while moving and have a rolling lock out and you can't enter any information while moving at speeds more than 5mph. When using any device be it a handheld cell phone, handsfree cell phone or a navigation system it's important to make sure that you are operating your vehicle in a safe manner. The tragedies arising from texting while driving have been front and center in the news lately but you can point to any distraction while driving as a cause for concern.

I am sure that we have all seen someone eating or putting on makeup while driving and you just shook your head. Recently in Florida a women was involved in a crash because she was shaving her bikini line. (See Articles Below). Let's be responsible, buckle up and focus on driving. At Grubbs Infiniti we hope that driving an Infiniti is such a great experience that you want to focus 100% on the driving and not all the other stuff that you can do while driving.




This information is from HandsFreeInfo.com
Updated: March 12, 2010
Texas legislation news: Two new laws are in effect: one banning teen drivers from using cell phones and text messaging devices; the other prohibiting drivers from using handheld cell phones in school crossing zones.

Current prohibitions:
Learners permit holders are prohibited from using handheld cell phones in the first six months of driving.

Drivers under the age of 17 with restricted licenses are prohibited from using wireless communications devices.

School bus operators prohibited from using cell phones while driving if children are present.

Drivers prohibited from using handheld devices in school crossing zones.

Resources

Texas Cell Phone Rules for Drivers

Governors Highway Safety Association

Infiniti Bluetooth Information

El Paso Proposed Ban

Florida Women Causes Crash While Shaving Bikini Line