Entertainment and Jiffy Lube Savings--Believe it!

Gear up for the race of a lifetime
When you purchase the digitally restored Blu-ray™ or DVD of Steve McQueen's iconic 1971 film Le Mans, you'll receive a coupon for $7 off your next Jiffy Lube Signature Service® Oil Change. It's a great benefit for you and your car-even if you don't plan to drive in a grueling, 24-hour-long race in the French countryside.
Offer applies only to the Le Mans Blu-ray™ and DVD advertised here, at participating retailers, while supplies last. Coupon expires 05/31/2012.
Get it at Amazon now!
Enter promo code LEMANSSD for $3 off the DVD or LEMANSBD for $5 off the Blu-ray™

Green Tips for Car Washing

We found this list from Ford detailing tips on how to wash the "Green" way.  Check it out!

http://www.motorwayamerica.com/editorial/ford-offers-green-tips-summer-car-washing?page=1

 As the summer season gets underway, millions of Americans will have “Wash the Car” on their weekend to-do lists.

Before you pull out the buckets, sponges, soaps and sprayers, Ford has a few tips for making your car clean and your car wash green.

• Turf Job: When washing your car at home, take the chore off the driveway and on to your lawn. Not only will you get your car clean, but you will water the grass as well.

• Save it When You Spray it: Americans waste gallons of water by leaving their hoses on during car washes. Before you make your vehicle squeaky clean, buy a water-saving hose nozzle to shut off the flow of water when you aren’t spraying your car.

• Don’t Kick the Bucket: Give your car a quick rinse with the hose, then fill a bucket with water and suds. Use the bucket with soapy water to wash the car, allowing you to save gallons of water during the cleaning process. Use your hose to rinse the car clean.

• Grab the Rag: Before you get out the paper towels to dry your car, consider using a clean rag or a microfiber towel. Either will get the job done better and can be used repeatedly throughout the summer.

• Go Pro: While you can save money washing your own car at home, the most environmentally-friendly way to get your vehicle clean may be using a car wash. The International Carwash Association reports that automatic car washes use less than half the water of even the most careful home car washer. According to one report, washing a car at home typically uses between 80 and 140 gallons of water, while a commercial car wash averages less than 45 gallons per car.

However you clean your car, Ford Motor Company encourages you to do it in the most environmentally friendly way possible. 

Insider Discounts on Jiffy Lube Coupons!

Jiffy Lube has now consolidated all it's most valuable money-saving coupons on a variety of services.   This is the place to find the best Jiffy Lube coupons.  Think of it as a "members only" site for those of you smart enough to take advantage of these Insider Discounts.  

http://jiffylubediscounts.com/

Jiffy Lube: Keeping My Ride Alive

Did you know that many cars on the road are over 110,000 miles or over? That's the best reason of all to Keep Your Ride Alive. This can best be done by taking advantage of Jiffy Lube's outstanding service maintenance.

Recalls--Keep Informed!

http://www.recalls.gov/nhtsa.html
It's a good idea, for both safety and practicality, to make a point of regularly checking in on vehicle recalls. The NHTSA keeps a vigorously updated list of all auto and auto related recalls at the above link.  Read a bit more about the NHTSA below or visit the link for more detailed information.


The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation provides recall information including vehicle and equipment campaigns from 1966 to present. The campaigns include motor vehicle products which experienced a safety-related defect or did not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards.  

Visiting Your Technician

What to Ask When You Visit the Technician

Every car owner should get to know a technician they can trust. And yes, they are out there. These are the people who know that trust is a vital component of the automotive maintenance and repair business. Trust, along with quality, timely and affordable work is vital to building repeat business for their service center.

So how do you find a good technician?

Ask around. Ask your dad and ask your friends if they know a good mechanic. Ask your hairdresser if they know someone in the neighborhood they trust. Check out the Internet and call the Better Business Bureau. Find a local consumer protection agency and ask them for reputable mechanics in the area. Call your local dealership and ask someone in the service department if they know any local service centers that perform quality work. A good mechanic knows where to find other good mechanics.

But don’t stop there. You shouldn’t be satisfied until you visit the service center in person and speak to the mechanic personally.

So what do you ask them?

The kind of technician you want working on your car will have no problem taking the time to answer all your questions. So don’t be shy.

*Are you affiliated with the Automotive Service Association (ASA)?

A service center needs to have a consistent record of excellent service to become affiliated with the ASA. You should see their sticker or seal in the mechanic's office. If you don’t see one, ask where it is. If they don’t have one, move on.

*Before you do any work, can I get all of the costs in writing?

It’s very important that you get everything in writing.

*Does your service center specialize in any particular type of work?

Also, ask them if they specialize in a particular type of car if it’s not posted on a sign outside the garage. You don’t want to get a tune-up at a place that specializes in radiators or transmissions. Nor would you want to bring a Ford F-150 truck to a garage specializing in foreign autos. The key is making sure you know what their strengths and weaknesses are.

*Do you charge a fee for estimates?

Free estimates are the norm. If a garage wants to charge you for a diagnosis, you may want to take your vehicle elsewhere.

*Do I have the option of choosing new or used parts?

Some service centers have affiliations with scrap yards and other used-parts outlets that could save you money. It depends on the situation, but sometimes a used part will work just fine. Ask the mechanic for his recommendation but you’ll want to get a second and even a third opinion when choosing a used part. Just remember, new or used, make sure you get a guarantee on the parts in writing.

*Will you get an itemized invoice and an explanation of what was done to your car?

Before the technician works on your car, get a breakdown on your invoice of the repairs done. Ask him if he can actually show you what part of the car he is going to work on. Ask to see the old part that was changed. And once again, get everything in writing.

*Will a courtesy car be supplied?

Many private service centers will give you a free ride home or to work. But if your repairs will take longer than a few days, some places offer a free rental or a rental at a discounted rate. Many insurance policies also include a free rental car. So give your agent a call, too.

*What payment policies and guarantees do you offer?

Every service center has different labor rates, warranties and payment options. Make sure you clearly understand the mechanic’s policies. And most important, make sure you get everything in writing and keep the receipts and other documentation!

So now I have a technician I can trust. What do I do if something is wrong with my vehicle?

Get out a pen and paper and write down these specific things that can help your mechanic pinpoint your problem.

Write down:

	When the problem started.
	When the problem occurs (when braking, or when you turn, etc).
	If there were previous repairs done to correct the problem.
	If the car is making a strange noise, try to record the noise, and jot down when the noise occurs.
	If there is fluid under the car. If so what color and where under the car?
	Are any of the light gauges flashing or on?
	Any other details can help. So write everything down.

Then talk to the mechanic that will be fixing your vehicle. Ask his opinion and come to an agreement.
And then GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING:

	Work orders
	Parts prices
	Labor rates
	Warranty information

Tips for Teen Drivers

Road Rules for New Drivers

Your child has waited a long time for his or her driver's license and that time has finally arrived. Driving will change the way your child looks at the world and it will change your life forever.

Safety is the most important consideration when it comes to new drivers, but there is more to it than merely knowing the laws. Here are some tips you can share with your child to help her become a true "roads scholar."

Stay Focused

We never stop becoming better drivers; we build up our experience every time we hit the road. It's especially important that your first few years as a driver are spent concentrating on the road, keeping distractions to an absolute minimum. Here are some practical ways to stay focused:

	Keep the volume of your radio or CD player low enough so you can hear the sounds of the traffic around you.
	If you’re driving with passengers, ask them to keep their conversation to a minimum so you can concentrate on driving safely
	Cell phones are a great convenience, but they can be dangerous when you take your eye off the road to dial a number or answer a call. If your call can't wait until you've reached your destination, pull over to the side of the road so you don't become distracted.
	Don't eat while you’re driving. Looking for a lost french fry between the seats is a recipe for disaster.

Passengers and the Speed Limit

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports teenagers accounted for 10 percent of the US population in 2005 and 12 percent of motor vehicle crash deaths.

Watching your speed becomes even more important when you have passengers in the vehicle. The Insurance Institute reports that most crashes involving young drivers result from driver error, speeding, and/or tailgating.

Remember, along with the privilege of driving comes the responsibility for you, your passengers, and others sharing the road.