Temper your Temper and Drive Safe

Sometimes when you’re out on the road it’s easy to lose one’s temper. We’ve all experienced the horn blaring, cursing, aggressive driving road rage beast before, whether it was ourselves or someone else with the bad attitude. You can avoid submitting to a cranky temper with these tips:

Sleep. Seriously, sleep. A full night. No excuses. Everyone is a grouch when they don’t get enough sleep, this is just a given.

Plan ahead! It’s okay to leave early. This gives you time to be able to conquer unforeseen road difficulties without the stress.

Treat rude behavior the same way you would in a restaurant. Would you lose your cool over someone cutting you off in line at a bodega?

Probably not – it would be embarrassing. We are isolated in our cars, and feel a false sense of privacy and security while there. The truth is, everyone can see you flipping the bird and just a head’s up – nobody needs to be a lip reader to know what words you’re using.

Do You Drive Safely Near Motorcyclists?

With warm temperatures comes an increase in motorcycle traffic, and it’s important to be aware of the other vehicles sharing the road with you. Motorcycles are smaller in size, which makes them easier to miss, which can result in a collision. Motorcyclists don’t have the same kind of protection as someone in a car or truck would, which means that they are almost always injured in crashes.

If you’re expecting to see motorcycles, then you’re more likely to notice them. Pay attention especially at intersections – since they are lighter than other vehicles they can stop in shorter distances. You should leave more room between yourself and a motorcycle to avoid rear-ending them. It’s also easy to misjudge the speed of an approaching motorcycle because of its size and because it is moving towards you, so be aware of that as well.

Does Your Kid Need a Boost in Your Jeep?

Not sure if your child still needs a booster seat? Ask yourself these questions:

Does your child sit all the way against the seat?

Do your child's knees comfortably bend over the edge of the seat?

Does the seat belt cross your child's shoulder between the arm and the neck?

Does the lap belt lay low, touching your child's thighs?

Does your child stay seated like this for the duration of the car trip?

If you answered "no" to any of these questions, your child needs a booster seat. Not only will your child be protected in the event of a crash, your child will be more comfortable as well. Remember: Your child is doubly safe sitting in the back seat.

Go for One Last Hurrah!

Summer isn't over just yet! If you are thinking of doing a spontaneous road trip, consider these cool and quirky camping spots.

Joshua Tree, California

Loxahatchee, Florida

Hot Springs, North Carolina

Lopez Island, Washington

Monroe, Utah

Greenough, Montana

McKinley, New Mexico

Key West, Florida

Bisbee, Arizona

The 2014 Dodge Challenger Lives Up to It's Name!

When it comes to things going right with your vehicle, which of the following categories are important to you?

• engine/transmission
• ride
• handling and braking
• comfort/convenience
• seats
• cockpit/instrument panel
• heating
• ventilation and cooling
• sound system
• styling/exterior

If you said “all of them,” we can’t blame you.  They are all important factors when it comes to finding a vehicle that makes you happy– and  J.D. Power & Associates agrees.  That’s why the annual APEAL Study is conducted using the above factors as guidelines.  You deserve the best of the best– and the results are in.  Ranked best overall performance and design in its class for this year’s APEAL Study: Dodge Challenger.
Segment: Midsize Sporty Car
Competitors Left In The Rear View: Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler 300, Ford Taurus, Hyundai Genesis, Kia Cadenza, Toyota Avalon.


Come visit us to take one for a spin!

Keep on Trucking

Considering a second vehicle? Here are a few great reasons to own a truck:

Tailgating: Sports fans everywhere know that even if your team is getting creamed if you have a good tailgate party it can still be a good time.

Off-roading: Sure, sports cars are fun – but you can’t romp around in them. Puddles, dirt, gravel – it is all part of the fun when you drive a truck. And all the caked on mud? That is your badge of glory when you get home.

 Moving things: New furniture? Not a problem when you have a truck.

Outdoors activities: Nothing can buy happiness, but a truck can drive you to it – with all of your camping gear, bikes, and whatever else you need to have an awesome time.

Music over matters of the mind.

It is pretty safe to say that how we feel affects our perception of the world. Fortunately, your car stereo is on your side! Listening to the right music is like getting a chiropractic adjustment for your mood. 

Sad: While you could wallow in your sadness, it makes much more sense to turn the frown upside down. While it might seem like really happy songs would be the ‘go-to’ for this situation, they might highlight the disparity between how you feel and how you really want to feel. Why not go straight for your favorites? No matter what the genre, play a song that you could listen to on repeat! This should definitely change your focus.

Happy: If you are already happy, amp it up to the next level with something super upbeat! Techno and pop songs have light lyrics and a good beat. Listen to these to make a bright mood even brighter!

Angry: Man, don’t you just hate it when the day doesn’t go your way? When you feel frustrated, annoyed, or angry you need to breathe deep and relax. Even if you HATE classical music, its complexity and lack of lyrics will require that you do some active listening. Switching your focus through concentrating on an intricately orchestrated song will help you to take a break from what is bugging you so you can later revisit the situation with a new perspective.

Sleepy: Sleepy is a great way to feel…except for when you are driving! Stay away from techno and classical music! These music genres are like kryptonite for the sleepy driver. Instead, keep an eye out for the nearest exit or rest area and in the meantime throw on some metal or heavy rock – loud and invigorating music is an absolute must have at this point!

Relaxed – Nothing is better than relaxing music on a relaxing ride! Throw on some oldies, smooth jazz, or R&B. Any of these will enhance your already magnificent driving experience.

Unexplainable/undefined: Not sure how you feel? Neither are most Indy rockers. That is your ticket to exploring your thoughts and emotions.

Have any other mood music suggestions? Feel free to leave them in a comment!