Today is Mountain Day! Instead of giving you a list of destinations near and far, we’re going to help you get ready to take the road less traveled with these great service tips to prep your vehicle for mountain roadways instead!  Let’s look at how to get our vehicles in tip-top shape for those challenging steep slopes and death defying curves.

Have you recently gone on a journey ascending or descending from a mountain summit? Let our readers know your experience and tips and tricks in the comments!

Bring your car in for a tuneup before you hit the road.  Be sure to have your fluids changed and topped off, tires rotated and balanced, an engine tune-up, brakes checked, and that your tires are properly inflated to pressure.  Taking preemptive measures for a service appointment before you embark on your mountain travel will save you time, money, and aggravation in the long run.

Prepare for emergencies with a fully stocked emergency kit.  Be sure to stock up your spare emergency kit with first aid supplies, a tire patch kit, battery charger, emergency flashlights, road salt and/or gravel, a spare shovel, shelf stable food and water, warm clothing, various tools and safety gear for fixing flats and vehicle maintenance.  You can purchase a fully loaded kit online, or assemble your own.

Be prepared to tackle mountain roads.  Driving up and down mountains and navigating the bends and dips on the route can really keep you guessing.  Be ready for anything, and take extra caution.  Stay on your side of the road, and leave a little extra room between you and the vehicle in front of you; don’t tailgate or pass anyone on blind curves!  You’ll want to be prepared for sudden stops and short braking.  Look out for dirt and debris on the roadways, and potential hazards like water, mud, and snow.  Make sure to engage your parking brake when you’re pulling over to the side of the road to take in the view or if there’s an emergency, and place some rocks behind your tires to help prevent rolling back downhill.  If drivers behind you become impatient, it’s better to pull over to the side and let them pass so you can maintain proper speed.

Keep your eyes peeled for special signage.  Mountain roadways present additional hazards than your average residential or city street.  Make sure that you keep an eye out for animal crossings, as well as any steep graded roads, flooding areas, boulders or rocks falling, and other unpredictable foils of nature.

Bring a Map and prepare for low-signal on GPS and SmartPhones.  In this modern day and age, it’s all too easy to rely on our technology to do the navigation work for us. However, when driving up and down mountains and tucked away roadways, we’ll need to rely on manual navigation in case we lose reception.  Make sure you carry a local atlas and road map so you can plot your route before you leave, and refer to it to find alternate routes if need be on the fly with no reception to magically get you through.  It can also help to have a physical compass to denote the direction of your path, and help orient your spot on the map.

Save your brakes and your engine from overworking.  If you notice your car is struggling to make it up a steep incline, shift your vehicle into a lower gear to allow you to maintain constant speed.  If you need to brake frequently, pull over if you smell any questionable burning aromas; this will prevent you from burning out the brakes or getting into an accident.  Keep cool by rolling your windows down and turning off the AC to prevent overheating from making your engine work double time; likewise, if you notice it overheating you can blast the vehicle’s heat system to draw heat away from the engine until you can safely pull over.  Let your car rest at the summit or idle for a short period, allowing it to cool off and reducing the strain.

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Schools are starting back up in just a few short days, so we thought it would be a great time to give student drivers a chance to get their first A+ of the school year.   Here’s some essential car maintenance tips for young drivers as they head back to class!  School your friends over cafeteria snacks with your amazing wisdom in all things automotive.  

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The school year is just around the corner, but that doesn’t mean the fun and adventure has to stop!  Today is National Book Lovers Day, so we’re celebrating the only way we know how: with incredible reading picks for your last blast of summer weekend getaway (or perhaps stacking your “TBR Pile” for the upcoming autumnal months!)  Whether you prefer to stow your books in an eReader for stolen glances while navigating as co-pilot, or you are the resident driver of the trip and prefer audiobooks, we know there’s something for you on our list.  So without further ado, let’s check it out and see if we can get on the same page as you by selecting some reading picks! 

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It’s finally here! The legendary Toyota Land Cruiser made its worldwide debut on August 1st with an all-new facelift and update for modern day living.  First introduced to the US market in 1958, Toyota’s longest-running nameplate has taken a three-year hiatus from the North American Market, but now it’s back and better than ever!  From the two-door 40 series with its fold-down front windshield, white roof, and rear jump seats to the fully loaded 200 series, the last generation to  be sold in the US, the Land Cruiser is back and better than ever to prove that strength and luxury are a match made in heaven.

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Summer is winding down to a close; the heat is tapering off and the days are getting shorter, but it doesn’t mean the fun is over.  Let’s all enjoy a last blast of summer making memories with the people we love the most, doing things we’ll talk about for years to come!  Today, we’re celebrating National Campfire day with a great list of Stargazing Road Trips to take in the midwest. Gather your best pals and your family and let’s hit the road to fun, adventure, and exploration as we embark on some nighttime camping fun to appreciate the heavens. Check it out on today’s blog, and then let us know your picks for best stargazing spots in the area!

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Today is American Family Day, a special holiday designated for spending time with your family and enjoying life’s beautiful moments together!  We’re sharing some great local area spots to hang out that are family friendly and will give you hours of endless entertainment and memory making.  Check it out below and feel free to tell us your favorite family activities in the area so our readers can check them out, too!

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In case you haven’t heard, it’s National Dash Cam Day! These pocket sized cameras are rising in popularity, and are a great secondary or tertiary way to provide extra safety and security in your vehicle.  It can save you money and time during accidents by providing law enforcement and insurance companies with footage instead of relying on “he said/she said/they said” of bystanders, onlookers, and drivers.  Experts are also highly recommending that parents equip their teen or young driver’s car with these handy mini cameras to provide an extra layer of protection and driving habit monitoring. So let’s take a look at some great options in Dash Cam technology that won’t break your bank or set your wallet on fire, clocking in under the $200 mark!

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Today is National Assistance Dog Day, celebrating the many tasks and jobs that hardworking pups do across the globe as service animals to their handlers!  Let’s take a look at some of the dos-and-don’ts, ins-and-outs surrounding the different things you need to know about Service Dogs and Assistance Dogs including how they travel and use public transportation.

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Summer is winding down. Back to School energy is in full swing!  And we’re here to help ease the transition from high school to college with this handy guide for inbound college students.  Let us help you take the stress out of packing your car as you embark on your journey from home to school, either for the first time or a return to your dorm/apartment.  There’s always room to improve your packing skills and learn something new!  So let’s get started so you can get on the road to independence faster.

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Looking for something fun to watch on your lunch break? Can’t get enough time in the garage and need more car content to keep you going between sessions? Doing a little research on the best gear, tech, and gadgets for your ride? We’ve got you covered with today’s fun car post filled with Gearhead YouTube Videos! That’s right, it’s time for another edition of Classic’s Youtuber RoundUp.

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