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With summer just around the corner and the nice weather already here, plenty of us are thinking about getting in the car and heading out for new destinations. It’s part of what’s great about America is being able to see so much. But the important thing is to plan accordingly. Clinton Honda has some advice for keeping your road trip fun and safe. Planning As much fun as it can be to hop in the car and just go, longer trips, especially multi-day tours, do require a lot of thought ahead of time. Make sure you know your route and have some thoughts on major destinations. It’s helpful to not try to pack too much into a short trip to keep things light and enjoyable. What to Bring Along the planning part, make sure you pack accordingly. If you’re heading international, be sure to bring at least two forms of ID and, if you’re travelling with kids, be sure to bring copies of birth certificates. Always make sure you have a map or atlas in the car. As great as GPS and smartphones are, plan for the worst and hope for the best. Finally, music and snacks! Just make sure your road food isn’t likely to distract you. Where to Go Hitting the highlights is always a sure bet, but make sure you take some time for out of the way places. There are plenty of websites that will guide you off the beaten path. Doing so can leave you with a bit more of a feeling that you experienced a place and not just saw it. What to Keep in Mind All trips benefit from planning, but there comes a point when we all need to let go and let a trip be what it is. Forcing an itinerary can often be disastrous. Be open to changing plans and seeing what there is to see. Along that line: take your time. If you rush, you may miss it all.

If you’re one of those people who isn’t eager to get behind the wheel, you’re not alone. Thousands of people have some form of anxiety about driving. For most, it surrounds the idea of what could happen and trying to deal with other drivers. If this sounds like you, Clinton Honda, your Phillipsburg Area Honda dealer, has a few tips for you. Timing One of the major components to driving anxiety is other drivers. It may seem obvious, but one of the first things you can do is to avoid peak travel times for others. Leaving earlier or later than most can make your entire trip a lot less stressful. Preparation Similar to timing, many people get stressed when they’re going somewhere new or to a place like a city they don’t usually drive in. One of the best ways to combat this is extensive preparation in terms of directions, construction delays, even weather reports can decrease stress. While a GPS can solve a lot of this, having a voice dictating directions may not be the answer. Authority in the Car If you’re the type who gets anxious with other people in the car, be sure to take control of your vehicle as long as you’re behind the wheel. Take the time you need to adjust everything to your liking and, if excess noise or distractions set you on edge, ask your passengers to help you out and refrain from too much chatter or music. Exercises to Try Along the way, remember to breathe deeply if you find yourself getting tense. Pull off if necessary and roll your shoulders and neck to relieve some of the tension. Finally, try to imagine your trip one step at a time instead of thinking about the entirety all at once.

Every vehicle, no matter what the age or style, will need to have a tune-up from time to time. Older vehicles will typically need to have them done more often. The trick is getting it done before it’s too late. Your Bridgewater area Honda dealer goes over some ways you can tell if your vehicle needs a tune up. Car Stalls If your car is stalling, that is a surefire sign that a tune up is needed.  There are quite a few reasons that this could be happening, and it would be in your best interest to have a mechanic take a look at your car and give you a diagnosis. A common reason why this may be happening is because of the spark plugs. They could be worn out, or they may just need to be adjusted. Take notice to when your vehicle is mostly stalling, such as in cold or hot temperatures or when you turn the air conditioner on. Car Is Hard To Start If your car is hard to start, this could be for a number of different reasons, all of which require servicing. It could be due to a weak battery, the fuel system, the ignition system, or even some type of electrical issue. If you’re having trouble starting your car, the only way to really tell what is causing it is to take it to be checked out.

Your windshield is a very important part of your vehicle for obvious reasons. Good windshield wipers are needed in order for you to see clearly while driving, whether you use them to battle the rain or clear away dirt and grime. Keep your windshield clean with these tips from your Hackettstown area Honda dealer. Wiper Blades Your wiper blades should typically be changed twice a year. The best times of the year to do this are after a hot summer and before a rainy season. You can usually tell that you need new wiper blades when they start making a mess out of your windshield when you use them instead of cleaning it. In some cases you might be able to get away with just replacing the rubber wiper inserts, which are less expensive than the metal blades that the inserts fit into. If you like to do this type of stuff yourself, make sure that you know the correct type and size of the blades that you need, and that you know how to properly insert them. Washer Fluid Always make sure that you windshield washer fluid container is full. This is located under the hood. You can buy special windshield washer fluid from the store, or you can even use regular glass cleaner. If you buy it from the store make sure that it doesn’t need to be mixed with water before you use it. Don’t ever try to use anything like detergent or dish soap. That will not only make a soapy mess on your windshield, but it could clog up your lines.

No matter what the reason is, getting into a car that won’t start when you turn the key is never a good feeling, especially when your mind is left to wander through all of the possibilities of why. Learn about some of the reasons why your Clinton Honda may not be starting. Battery Perhaps the most common reason why a car won’t start is due to a dead or faulty battery. You can usually tell that it is the battery when you turn the key and there is silence or a clicking noise. You will then need to check the cable connections in the battery terminal. Look for any signs of corrosion. Sometimes the battery may just be dead altogether. This could be because you left a light or something on in your car, or it could be because the battery is just old and needs to be replaced. Fuel Supply or Spark Plugs Other common reasons why your car may not start could be due to an issue with the fuel supply or the spark plugs. You can usually tell that this is the issue when your car cranks over but won’t actually start. You should then check the fuel supply to your engine, and check that there is an electrical spark getting to your spark plugs. Carburetor or Fuel Injection If you can actually get your engine to start but then it dies, you may have an issue with the carburetor or the fuel injection, depending on which one your car has. This is also possible for cars that won’t start on cold mornings. You may be able to check the carburetor yourself, but if it is an issue with the fuel injection you will need professional help.

Hackettstown Area Honda Dealer remind drivers that when you are behind the wheel of a car, chances are you are probably sharing the road. Typically driver's expect to see other cars on the road, however things can bet a little confusing when bicyclists are in the road way. Here are some important tips on how to share the roadway safely with bicyclists. Share The Road Safely With Pedestrians and Bicyclists First, don't assume that bicyclists on the road are fully aware that you are behind them or passing them. It can be aggravating when you are stuck behind someone on a bicycle, but the fact is that they have a right to be there. So channel your inner patience and stick it out. It's important for everyone to remain safe. Practice Defensive Driving Second, by practicing defensive driving you will be able to confront almost any problem on the road with ease, even problems involving bicyclists or pedestrians. Practice going a safe speed and be aware of your surroundings. While bicyclists should wear reflective gear it is never a guarantee. So include bicycle safety in your checklist when you get behind the wheel. Have Patience and Compassion Third, try to put yourself in their shoes. By having a little bit of compassion we can easily act nice to each other when sharing the road. It can be hard for driver's to see around their entire vehicle, so keep that in mind when passing a bicyclists. It can be hard to share the road when it comes to non-vehicles. Sometimes as driver's we begin to feel entitled to the road way, but the truth is that we much all share and be safe. By practicing bicycle safety everyone can share the road happily.

Relatively new technology that has emerged in the auto industry is regenerative brakes.  With traditional braking, a lot of power is required to stop a vehicle.  Energy is used to stop the vehicle, but it is heated and ultimately wasted once braking is completed.  The issue of wasted energy has been one that has captured the imagination of many engineers.  Now, braking power is used more efficiently in hybrid and electric vehicles. Hackettstown area Honda explains regenerative brakes. What is Regenerative Braking? Regenerative braking is a system that recaptures and reutilizes the kinetic energy that is traditionally lost during normal braking.  Regenerative braking is designed to store energy in a storage battery so that the car can draw on it later to repower the motor when the car is strictly on the electrical power source.  So, while an electric car is at a red light or sitting in traffic, braking power is being recouped as reusable energy. How Does Regenerative Braking Work? First, the cars are still equipped with traditional, friction braking systems for high-speed braking scenarios such as driving on the highway.  Regenerative braking is more effective in stop-and-go driving scenarios.  When the driver puts his/her foot on the brakes, the electric motor works in reverse to slow down the vehicle.  The backwards motion recharges the car’s hybrid battery system. The car’s motor is able to operate backwards because the car’s momentum is recycled as mechanical energy that puts the motor into reverse. The recaptured energy in the car’s batteries is used to provide power for acceleration after stopping.

How much do you know about your vehicle’s braking system?  Your brakes are one of the most important features on your vehicle, so understanding how it works is not such a bad idea.  When you are shopping, researching, or looking for replacement parts for your vehicle, you will come across the terms ‘disc brakes’ and ‘drum brakes.’ Bridgewater area Honda service describes disc and drum brakes. What are Disc Brakes? Disc brakes are comprised of a rotor and a caliper, which has two pads on each side.  When the brakes are applied, friction and heat are used to slow down the vehicle.  The process is achieved by the caliper squeezes over the rotor to slow down the car.  When the caliper clamps down on the rotor, the brake pads slow down the rotor, which in turn slows down the car.  Your vehicle’s brake fluid is transferred through the system, from the brake pedal to the pads, controlling the actions of the brake pads against the rotor. This is what determines if a car gradually slows down or comes to a complete halt. What are Drum Brakes? Drum brakes are exactly what they sound like; a brake drum is attached to the wheel.  Inside the drum is a brake shoe.  When the brake pedal is engaged, fluid is transferred through the system to the brake shoes.  In response, the brake shoe presses against the inside of the drum to slow down the vehicle. What Kind of Brakes Does My Vehicle Have? Actually, your car may have a combination of the two.  Many passenger vehicles on the road today have a combination of both drum and disc brakes.  Disc brakes provide superior braking power, so they are used on the driving wheels. However, some vehicles are equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes.  It depends on the manufacturer’s design.

Many people store their vehicles for long periods of time for many different reasons. Some of the most common reasons include a long vacation, school, or military travel. Sometimes people may have a vehicle that they only use during certain seasons, such as a sports car that is only driven in the summer and would need to be stored for the winter. Learn how to properly store your vehicle from our Clinton Honda dealership. Keep Up On the Maintenance Just because you are not driving your vehicle doesn’t mean that you can just let your maintenance responsibilities go. First of all, make sure that you are up to date on all of the maintenance before you store the vehicle. Be sure to get an oil change since fresh oil will last much longer. Fill up the gas tank. See if there is somebody that can start your vehicle for you at least twice a month and drive it for about 15 minutes each time. This will help to keep your engine lubricated and the battery working well. Keep up on the Cleaning On top of the maintenance, you don’t want to let the cleanliness of your vehicle go because you are not driving it. If you can, park it in a garage. If you have to keep it parked outdoors, get a good weatherproof cover for it. Be sure to wash it well before you cover it. You don’t want things like dirt and bird droppings just sitting on the paint for a long period of time since they will likely cause damage.

Our Honda dealer near Hackettstown is urging you to not lose your car keys. Losing your car keys can spell trouble in more ways than one. Not only it is very stressful for you, but it can be very costly for you as well. Be sure to always keep good tabs on your car keys. How to Avoid Losing Your Car Keys You can help to avoid losing your car keys by never allowing yourself to put them down in any strange spots, or in any spots where keys can easily disappear, such as on couches or in any public places. Don’t let your children play with them. You should get in the habit of putting them in a secure place, like your pocket or your bag when they are not in use. Replacing Lost Car Keys Replacing lost keys can be much more troublesome than you would think. The days of just being able to walk into your local hardware store or locksmith and have copies made are long over. Car keys are now much harder and much more expensive to replace. This is the case because it used to be way too easy for people to copy keys and steal cars. So, even though it might be a real pain, these stricter policies and car key improvements are actually there to protect you.

Your windshield is there to protect you and your passengers. It keeps you in the car and it keeps unwanted things from entering the car. It is such an important part of your safety, which is why it should be treated with care. Get some windshield safety advice from your Phillipsburg area Honda dealer. Damage Any damage or issues with your windshield need to be addressed immediately. The longer you wait the worse and more dangerous it will get. A tiny chip or crack could very possibly turn into a more major issue if not fixed, and it will often spread across the windshield. Over time, dirt will get into the crack making it harder or even impossible to seal. If you catch windshield damage quick enough you can very possibly save yourself from having to replace the entire thing. Replacement Sometimes you just have no choice but to replace your windshield. It would be in your absolute best interest to have this done by a trusted professional and done right. Having your new windshield improperly installed is not something you want to mess around with. A windshield that is installed incorrectly could potentially pop out in a crash and cause your whole roof to cave in. The force of your airbags deploying during a crash could also possibly cause the windshield to pop out. You are much better off spending a little extra money if it ensures that your new windshield is secure.

When you are preparing to tow a trailer behind you, extra precautions must be implemented.  Not only do you have to inspect your trailer and its safety features, but also you must inspect the load before you leave. Phillipsburg area Honda explains how to load and tow a trailer. Safe Loading It is critical to balance your load when you are towing a trailer behind you.  Consider a few important steps when loading your trailer: Never exceed your vehicle’s trailering and load capacities. Always place heavier items in the front of the trailer’s front axle. 60% of the cargo weight should be in the front of the trailer, and the remaining 40% should be in the back. Position the cargo so that it is centered horizontally, and tie the items down so they do not shift on the trailer. Tie the load at many different angles. Do not stack the load higher or wider so that it impedes your view. Towing Tips Safety is key when you are towing a vehicle.  You are much larger and heavier, which means you are at risk for malfunctions, skidding, rollover, and jackknifing.  Follow a few simple rules when you are towing: Inspect brakes, tires and lights before you leave. Reduce you speed, and never exceed 55 mph. Avoid aggressive driving habits such as riding the bumper of a vehicle in front of you, sudden and sharp steering, sudden braking, failing to obey traffic signals and signs, and passing when it is not safe. Avoid distractions and keep both hands on the wheel. When you are backing up, put your hand on the bottom steering wheel and steer into the direction you want the trailer to go: turn to your left to move the trailer to the left, and turn your hand to the right to move the trailer to the right. Make wider turns. Use the gear the manufacturer recommends for towing.