Holiday Driving Tips

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” Right? Right?  Um…hello?  Ok, so maybe once the gifts are wrapped, the food is prepared and Santa has left an abundance of presents and cookie crumbs, then you can take a breather and enjoy the holiday cheer.  These next couple weeks will be hectic, we know.  It’s a great time of the year, but the stress that goes into it can be overwhelming.  There’s hope, however.  In today’s blog, we’re providing some quick tips for navigating your holiday season safely. 

1.)   If you’re going on a road trip, please make sure your car is serviced properly.  Come into our dealership anytime for oil, brake fluid and tire condition checks.

2.)   SLEEP WELL.  Get a good night’s sleep before you venture into the world.

3.)   Plan your route; this will help you in the long run.  Unsafe detours can be dangerous and expensive.

4.)   Bring a paper map.  GPS is the wave of the future, but a paper map can act as backup if you’re GPS malfunctions.

5.)   Buy snacks and drinks before you leave, because stocking up at gas stations can be costly.

6.)   Tell at least 1 family member where you’re headed.  So, if something happens, you have a reliable person to get the message out.

7.)   DO NOT announce on social media that you’re leaving for vacation.  Secure your home and leave at least one light on.  This will detract burglars from your home.

8.)   Leave early.  If the common rush hour time is 9:30, leave a couple hours early to compensate for time.

Do you have any tips to add?  Feel free!  Have a safe drive and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

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What Exactly is the Autobahn?

When Autobahn comes to mind, I can’t help but reference Michael Jackson’s hit “Speed Demon, “ a fast-paced song about the repercussions of speeding down an infinite highway.  THAT is how I picture the Autobahn.  Millions of people have heard references to the famed speedway, but what exactly is it?  Is it a motorway system that lasts an eternity without a speed limit or a racetrack for the fastest cars in the world?  In today’s blog, we break down WHAT the Autobahn is and how you can see it for yourself.

The Autobahn, by definition, is a superhighway or expressway in Germany that stands as one of the last places on earth where you can drive as fast as you want.  The highway is in no means a free-for-all, with some sections of the autobahn having speed limits, though great stretches still remain unrestricted. 

The Autobahn national highway system stretches over 6,800 miles and is designed to connect all of Germany’s major metropolitan areas.  The presumption is that there are unlimited speeds on the entire Autobahn, but many heavily trafficked sections of the freeway have speed limits in the 50 to 75 mph range. The suggested speed for the unlimited sections is 81 mph, though various speedsters and adrenaline seekers routinely break the fold.

So, you must be wondering HOW fast someone has ventured into the record books.  Well, in 1938, driver Rudolf Caracciola set an autobahn speed record of 268.8 mph.  WOW.  

Learn How to Tie a Christmas Tree to a Car

Happy Holidays! As the weather shifts, relatives arrive in town, and the Christmas list continues to grow, the holidays spark a certain cheer in every one of us.  Whether you’re celebrating Hanukah, Christmas, Kwanza, or the neighborhood festivities, the holidays are a time of family, friends and….STRESS.  Lets be honest, the shopping season is booming, you’ve got TONS of gifts to pick up and you STILL haven’t had time to create that “pine smell” with a fresh Christmas tree in your living room.  Well, we’re here to help.  In today’s blog post, we’re going to show you HOW to tie a Christmas tree to your car.  

So, make sure you have heavy gloves, a warm jacket and plastic sheeting. First, put on your gear and shake your new tree.  This will loosen any foreign objects, as well as loose branches.  Place a sheet of plastic over the roof of your car to protect the paint and finish.  Now, lift the tree and place it on the roof.  Have a partner if your tree is larger than 6 feet.  Next, wind the rope or bungee cord all around  - over the tree, then under and back over the tree until it is secure.  Tie the rope or cord securely. Pull on the tree and make sure it’s tightly tied.  Ta da! An additional tip: bring your own rope or bungee cord when you buy your tree and always face the tree with the trunk end forward! (this will prevent wind breaking off branches while you’re driving.

Happy Holidays!!!!!!!