Fuel Efficient Autos

Road trip songs can either make or break your summer vacation. You need a great mix to keep everybody lively and entertained. Here are five great road trip songs that you should put on a CD or on your MP3 player to play in your Pontiac cars the next time you go somewhere.

1. Born to Be Wild by Steppenwolf – There isn’t a soul alive that does not know the bangin’ chorus to this song. And since it talks about getting your motor running, it’s perfect for a road trip!
2. Running on Empty by Jackson Brown – Not only is this a fun song, but it will also remind you to keep an eye on the gas gauge so you do not run your Pontiac cars on empty and get stranded.
3. On the Road Again by Willie Nelson – This is my personal favorite but that’s because Willie Nelson is an undisputed genius in my book. Whether you like country music or not, you cannot be silent while this song is playing.
4. Mustang Sally by Wilson Pickett – Mr. Pickett has a voice like no other. If it makes you feel better, you can replace the word “Mustang” with your favorite model of Pontiac cars.
5. I’ve Been Everywhere by Johnny Cash – You may have heard this song in some recent hotel commercials. It’s kind of fun to see how many places in the song you’ve visited, too.

If you are planning to have more of a “staycation” this year rather than going far away, New Jersey has several scenic roads you can enjoy in your VW cars. With these scenic drives, you can enjoy the beauty of summer without blowing your budget.

Delaware River Scenic Byway
This beautiful drive is nearly 33 miles of significant history and breathtaking landscapes. You will drive through historic towns like Lambertville, Titusville, Raven Rock and more. You can think about the significance this area had in the American Revolution as this is where George Washington made his triumphant march into Trenton after crossing the Delaware River. It is located along Route 29 on the eastern border of the Delaware River.

Millstone Valley Byway
This 28-mile scenic drive takes about 45 minutes and is located along the Millstone River Valley in north central New Jersey. British troops and the local militia were involved in a number of skirmishes along this route during the Revolutionary War. Be sure to stop by the 1860 House on Montgomery Road for a truly unique and historical experience along the way.

With the economy the way it is, there is nothing wrong with deciding to stay close to home and save your money this traveling season. But getting out in your VW cars and seeing something you may have never seen before is also a great way to bond with family and have fond memories of the summer as well.

Taking a road trip or a summer vacation in your VW cars is a great way to get away from the everyday stresses of life. When you can save money along the way, your trip is even better. Here are some tips to help you save money whether you are driving your VW cars across the country or just a few hundred miles during the upcoming travel season.

1. Get a GPS device. You may not want to make the initial investment to purchase a GPS device, but it would be well worth the money. You can get a decent one for about $100, but since it will tell you the nearest gas stations, hotels and other facilities along the way, it will probably pay for itself in a matter of a few days.
2. Make sure your VW cars are running as efficiently as possible. Check the tire pressure to ensure they are inflated correctly, change the air filter and use the air conditioner on the freeways for maximum gas mileage.
3. Bring snacks. Stopping at convenience stores and gas stations along the way to buy snacks adds up. If you buy snacks in bulk before you leave and just bring them with you, you will save a bundle!

Use these simple tips and your summer road travel will cost much less than you may expect!

Taking your Pontiac cars on a road trip this summer is a great way to get away from the stresses of the economy, politics and everything else going on in this crazy world of ours. But proper planning and preparation is essential for any worry-free summer road trip. Here are some things to consider when planning your upcoming road trip in your Pontiac cars.

• Take your car in for a complete checkup. This is probably the most important thing you can do if you are going to drive your car for a long distance. This will help identify any problems that could occur on the road so you can fix it before you leave instead of having your trip ruined somewhere along the way. Be sure to check the air conditioner, fluid levels and tire pressure while you’re at it.
• Get a GPS. I used to think GPS devices were just an extravagancy that I could do without. That was until my friend got one and I saw how useful they can be. They will save you time, money and frustration on your road trip this summer. Don’t leave home without one!
• Bring some good music. A road trip is nothing without good music. Come back tomorrow for a list of great road trip songs to add to your collection.

One of the best places in the world for a father and a teenage son to bond is in the family’s Pontiac cars. When the son turns 16 and wants to learn to drive, there are few things a father takes more pride in than teaching his son the ropes behind the wheel. That’s why WhoTech, one of the most reputable automotive training facilities in the nation, asked its students for the best piece of advice they ever received from their fathers about taking care of their Pontiac cars.

Reymundo Delago’s father taught him that every day can be a learning experience when it comes to auto maintenance. “My father told me: You cannot possibly learn everything there is to know about cars, so every day becomes an opportunity to learn more.”

Jimmy Avalos’s father took a different route. He told his son to stay in school and make something of himself. That’s exactly why Jimmy decided to attend WyoTech. He is planning to have a future in automotive maintenance and repair.

With Father’s Day approaching, we should all look back and remember some of the lessons our fathers taught us. If you think about it, their automotive advice can often be thought of as life advice as well.

Have you ever wondered what those numbers mean on the buttons at the fuel pumps? Do you know what a gasoline cleaning agent is? If these and other gas station-related questions have been bothering you when you pull up in your VW cars, wonder no more. Here is a brief explanation about the basics of gas stations.

Octane
The numbers you see on the fuel buttons do not refer to higher prices…they refer to the amount of octane a particular option has. The octane is basically the “measure of the fuel’s ability to resist ‘engine knock.’” Lower octane fuels are not as clean and they reduce performance. Be sure to refer to your car’s manual to see which octane it requires.

Cleaning Agents
There’s a good chance that the engines on your VW cars could be running much better than they are now. All you need to do is get some fuel cleaning agents. These products help clean out the gunk and carbon deposits that build up in your engine. This can clog intake valves and your fuel injectors, causing your VW cars to run poorly and less efficiently than they are able to.

These are just a couple gas station basics to help you know more about your next fuel trip. Keep coming back to learn more about various aspects of owning your VW cars.

Are you getting ready to take your Pontiac cars on a road trip for this Memorial Day weekend? If so, you will be joining a larger number of Americans than last year as AAA expects road travel to increase. But while you are sitting in traffic and asking yourself why you chose to go somewhere, mull over these fun facts about the Memorial Day holiday to have a greater appreciation for it and to get your mind off your frustrations.

• Memorial Day is a federal holiday that always takes place on the last Monday of May.
• Memorial Day was first enacted to pay homage to the Union soldiers after the American Civil War. After World War I, however, it was expanded to pay remembrance to any person who died while serving their nation in battle.
• There are several traditions that go along with this holiday. For instance, it is common to fly the United States flag at half-mast from dawn until noon on Memorial Day.
• The Indianapolis 500 is another Memorial Day tradition and it has occurred on this holiday every year since 1911.
• The idea for Memorial Day was first introduced in Waterloo, New York. The village first observed the day on May 5, 1866.

Now that you know a little bit more about this respected day, try to stay safe and appreciate what it stands for.

Last year’s Memorial Day weekend was a bit of a disappointment. With the price of fuel hovering around $4 per gallon this time last year, there were not many people traveling. But this year you will probably see a large number of VW cars and other cars on the road for the weekend.

One thing contributing to more VW cars on the road is the prediction that air traffic will be down by about 14 million passengers over this summer. But the lower gas prices are probably the biggest factor contributing to a larger number of drivers taking a trip this weekend. Although those prices have spiked by a few dimes in the last week or so, they are not anywhere near what they were last year.

According to AAA President Robert Darbelnet, the numbers are “not up by a lot, but anything that’s up compared to last year is pretty good news in this economy.” He also expects for the rest of the traveling season to be relatively flat except for the Fourth of July and Labor Day holidays.

What about you? Are you taking your VW cars on the highways this weekend or are you doing something different for Memorial Day?

When you are driving your VW cars, you should always wear your seatbelt. But that is especially important during Memorial Day weekend as law enforcement is out in greater numbers.

The National Safety Council estimates there will be fewer traffic-related fatalities this year than there were last year, but drivers should still be diligent about safety and seat belt usage. The organization estimates more than 360 traffic deaths between 6 p.m. Friday and the end of Monday, May 25.

Seat belts are the most effective device built into cars to guard against injury and death in the event of a collision. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seat belts reduce the risk of injury by at least 50 percent. The NSC predicts seat belts will save more than 320 lives this weekend. That’s why the organization fully supports the “Click It or Ticket” programs across the country that encourage drivers to buckle up. Under this program, law enforcement enacts a zero-tolerance policy with drivers who do not wear their seat belts.

Do you wear your seat belts all the time when you are driving your VW cars or do you only “click it” when you see a police officer? We are interested to know!

You might be sick of hearing about the arguments against talking on your cell phone while driving or texting when you are supposed to be paying attention to the road. But here is a story that shows the dangers of using your cell phone when driving your Pontiac cars.

In Tampa, Florida, a teen driver slammed into a police car. The teen’s major blunder was that she was texting someone on her phone while she was supposed to be driving.

Katelyn Blaylock skipped class today so she could drive around with a couple friends. She had the urge to text someone so she picked up her phone, began doing the thumb action and did not notice the red light where she was supposed to stop. As a result, she “plowed into the patrol car,” according to an article in a local newspaper.

Nobody involved in the accident was seriously injured. Blaylock and her front passenger suffered minor injuries and her car needs about $3,000 in repairs, but that was the extent of the problem. At least until Blaylock’s parents find out why she ran a red light and collided with a police car. She was cited for careless driving.

I’m sure stories like this happen all the time and we just do not hear about them. This one was just unusual because it also involved a police car. The texter is just lucky the situation did not turn out worse than it did.