Summer and winter holiday’s are the perfect time for families to start traveling. Everyone loves a good road trip right? You also want to be comfortable. Especially if you have children. When my wife, kids and I are going on a road trip we pretty much pack up our entire house. With that said, I was glad that Consumer Reports made the Chevrolet Traverse one of the top 10 vehicles for family travel. Not only did the Traverse score well on the road test from Consumer Reports but it also has good seating and cargo arrangements. It’s more than comfortable to ride in, scored well in all crash tests, and has proven reliable in owner surveys.
Chevrolet Traverse LT ($39,920)
The quiet, steady-riding Traverse handles well and offers plenty of room for people and cargo. Among the larger of the “mid-sized” SUVs, the Traverse has a third-row seat that’s comfortable even for adults. Rear visibility could be better, and fuel economy of 16 mpg is mediocre at best. – Consumer Reports.
Have you made it out and test driven the new Traverse yet? If you’ve got a big family this may just be the car for you. Let your Texas Chevy Dealer take you for a test drive. I don’t think you will be disappointed by any means of the word.
It is no secret that I am an automotive enthusiast. I have enjoyed seeing NASCAR races out at Texas Motor Speedway. I even enjoy the occasional car show. I love cars. That’s why when I saw this blog posted by Car and Driver titled the 10 events you must see before you die, I knew I had to read it. I was intrigued to find that many of the events that made their list I haven’t even heard of. I haven’t quite made a full bucket list yet but there are things I want to do and see before I die and after reading this I have added a few more to my growing list. I want to know if any of you have been to any of these events, how you felt about being there, what you think is left off, and what you would add to it. Let me know what you think!
From humble beginnings as a horseless carriage, the car has exploded into not just a necessity of life, but a necessity of leisure as well. For some people, cars are canvases for customization destined to become works of art—works of art, it’s worth noting, don’t have gigantic nonfunctional wings. Other people race them in every conceivable way: on-road, off-road, dirt-road; circles, serpentine circuits, straight lines; even straight into each other. Automotive passions have seeded the globe with must-see events; these are our top 10, listed in chronological order.
NHRA Winternationals
What: The greatest show in drag racing
When: February
Where: L.A. County Fairplex, Pomona, California
How Much: $25–$50
For More Info: www.NHRA.com
For megawatt power and tire-shredding performance, you owe it to yourself to experience a top-drawer drag-racing event. Few occurrences in modern sport can match the “holy shit!” factor of a Top Fuel dragster run. The earth trembles to the seismic pulse of nitromethane engines generating 8000-plus hp, and the cars reach trap speeds north of 300 mph in less than four seconds and just 1000 feet—the full quarter-mile is on hiatus while safety standards catch up to the cars’ jaw-dropping performance.
You’ll see this kind of action—plus the rest of drag racing’s top classes—at any NHRA National, but you’ll see more of it at the Winternationals. Staged annually at the Los Angeles County Fairplex, this four-day event is America’s quarter-mile Mecca. It’s the first event of the pro drag season, so all the cars are pristine, the teams even, and the competition fierce. It just doesn’t get any better. Comfort tip: bring earplugs. Top Fuel noise levels are like World War II compressed into one weekend.
Indianapolis 500
What: America’s premier open-wheel event
When: Memorial Day weekend
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, Indiana
How Much: $40–$150
For More Info: www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/indy500
Going to the Indianapolis 500 is a religious pilgrimage to racing fans, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a giant temple of speed standing tall among flat farmland outside of Indianapolis. Heck, there’s even a giant pagoda in the middle. Just don’t call the track an oval. It is actually four slightly different quarter-mile corners connected by as much straightaway as would fit on the original speedway’s land space. The peril and heroics of running the 500-mile race have diminished slightly thanks to modern safety improvements, but the average qualifying speeds, over 225 mph, remain near historic highs, and spectacular finishes are the norm.
But the Indy 500 is much more than the actual race. It’s an entire weekend of pageantry and history. The track is 101 years old, and an on-site museum is filled with the cars of past 500 winners. If you can get a pass to the Gasoline Alley garage area, do it—you’ll be able to walk right up to the drivers and mechanics as they move their cars from the garage to the grid. Also, bring sunscreen, lest you end up looking like one of the lobster-skinned shirtless dudes that litter the infield after too much pre-race revelry.
Isle of Man TT
What: A motorcycle race on public roads
When: Late May through early June
Where: Isle of Man, Great Britain
How Much: Free general admission
For More Info: www.iomtt.com
This set of motorcycle races on the Isle of Man, situated in the Irish Sea off the west coast of Britain, is a throwback to the past, when racers on two wheels and four pitted their skills against the hazards of public roads rather than purpose-built tracks. The Tourist Trophy (TT) races take place on the 38-mile Mountain Course around and over the island, where the riders hit speeds of more than 180 mph and get more air than the average ski jumper. Their bravery—some would say foolhardiness—is unbelievable, as any mistake on the island can be fatal. There are no run-off areas, and a collision with a stone wall, house, or tree is the likely outcome of any mistake.
Automobile racing started on the Isle of Man in 1904, with the first bike TT in 1907. World championship events were held there until 1976, when it was deemed too dangerous for top-flight racing, but hordes of motorcyclists descend on the island every year for this unique spectacle. The Isle of Man is hardly a glitzy vacation destination, but access to the course is unmatched. Where else can you sit in a pub, sipping a pint of ale, while a racing motorcycle roars by in the street?
24 Hours of Le Mans
What: Motorsports’ greatest test of man and machine
When: June
Where: Circuit de la Sarthe, northeastern France
How Much: $98 and up
For More Info: www.lemans.org/en
Le Mans isn’t just one race. Sharing the 8.5-mile Circuit de la Sarthe are cars ranging from the showroom-similar cars of the GT1 and GT2 sports-car classes to the state-of-the-art LMP1 and LMP2 prototype cars. Each car battles for class honors as well as overall position, and the different speeds and capabilities of the classes multiply the excitement exponentially. The omnipresent racing symphony ranges from the shriek of high-revving gasoline engines to the subdued grumble of the ruling turbo-diesel prototypes.
If the Indy 500 is the greatest spectacle in racing, the Le Mans 24-hour is the biggest party in motorsports—rock around the clock with an internal-combustion backbeat. No one goes just to watch cars zoom by for the entire 24 hours. They also go for the carnival rides (Ferris-wheel lights lend a circus aspect to the night sky), the food vendors, the boutiques, the sideshows, and partying. But no party surpasses the one on victory lane after a 24-hour triumph.
(The Unofficial) Woodward Dream Cruise
What: Detroit’s best, at its best
When: The third weekend in August
Where: Woodward Avenue, Oakland County, Michigan
How Much: Free
For More Info: www.WoodwardDreamCruise.com
If you’re a fan of pasty exposed granny-flesh, $4 bottles of water, and heat stroke, then by all means, attend the Woodward Dream Cruise. The promise of the Cruise is that you will see and hear the collected glory of Detroit’s muscle-car past thundering up and down this eight-lane boulevard four abreast. In reality, Woodward this weekend is so choked with traffic—human and otherwise—that the cars barely move.
To get the fully leaded effect, visit Woodward Avenue on a weeknight leading up to the big weekend and park yourself near the Shell station north of 13 Mile Road. Here you’ll find a front-row seat to an unofficial reenactment of the late-‘60s Woodward drags, that asphalt Colosseum where the Big Three’s gladiators would come before the stoplight emperor. Original Woodward legends like the Plymouth GTX “Silver Bullet,” their dashes papered with pink slips, stage here and detonate as they depart. You’ll also see warriors of more recent vintage—Murciélagos, Ford GTs, and even Enzos. So grab a Coke from the cooler inside the Shell, find a patch of grass at the curb, and feel the history vibrate through the soles of your shoes. And pay no heed to The Man’s schedule.
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
What: The finest in prewar exclusivity
When: Every third Sunday in August
Where: Pebble Beach golf course, Carmel, California
How Much: $150 in advance, $175 at the show, plus outrageous hotel and food costs jacked up roughly 6000 percent for this particular weekend. And it’s so worth it.
For More Info: www.PebbleBeachConcours.net
This is it—the Big Kahuna, the Chairman of the Board, the most important classic-car show in the world and the anchor to the most important classic-car weekend in the world. Last year’s show drew cars from 30 states and 19 foreign countries, many of them vehicles and collections that simply cannot be seen in any other public venue. This year, the show is 60 years old, so expect something even bigger. The accent is heavily on pre-World War II and early postwar classics, although in recent years, the show has expanded to include more bourgeois hot rods and motorcycles.
The concession prices are stratospheric, the crowd after 10:00 a.m. is epic, and the coastal weather is usually foggy and freezing or boiling hot, but rarely just right. Still, it’s magical, especially if you arrive at 5:00 a.m. in your best seersucker to watch the cars actually motor in, then leisurely stroll the fairway to get unobstructed views before the hordes arrive. It’s a whopper ticket price to watch rich people engage in vigorous ego massaging (just try to find one DIY owner out there), but the show proceeds are donated to worthy charities. Even if you can’t tell a Bugatti from a Bucciali from a bagel with lox, you’re certain to be captivated by the rarest and most fabulous examples of automotive artistry.
Eating in your car. I can’t say that I have never done that. I think at some point everyone eats in their car at least once. This is very true for commuters who travel long distances to work and home and almost have to eat in their cars. I came across this blog about how eating in your car could make you sick and of course I had to stop and read it. I am a firm believer that you should try to keep your new car or truck clean at all times. Mostly because it just looks good….but now it’s also because it can keep you healthy.
Check out the story from AutoBlog. After you are finished reading this and decide you need to have your car cleaned and detailed make sure you call your local Fort Worth Chevy dealer for help. We don’t want you getting sick either!
Ever eat in your car? If so, we’re thinking there is a good chance there is currently at least one french fry stuck between the driver seat and the center arm rest. That’s pretty bad, but a study by researchers from British auto accessories retailer Halfords shows that there probably are a lot more disgusting things in your ride than some fried potatoes or a few chunks of shredded lettuce. Scientists swabbed the door handles, steering wheel, shift knob, radio and seats and found bacteria ranging from Staphylococcus to Bacillus Cereus. Those names just sound unhealthy, and in reality they are the germs that cause food poisoning, impetigo severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Those nasty germs enter your car through the soil you walk on, the pets you travel with, the passengers you transport and the very hands you use to eat all that food.
That’s really bad news if you eat in your car regularly, and the study by Halfords shows that 70 percent of people do just that. Further, half of those study admitted to leaving food behind in the car, giving those bacteria the sustenance they need to help ruin your week. And don’t think that since this is summertime that the sun will bake your interior to the point where the germs die off. Quite the contrary, the nasty little microbes multiply faster as your vehicle heats up, bolstering the little buggers for the impending fight against your immune system.
To protect yourself from these germs, the best defense is to keep your hands clean and leave the eating for a clean kitchen table. But if you must eat while driving, scientists feel that car owners should clean their vehicles as often as one would wipe down that kitchen table. We’re not the type to shy away from every germ nature has to offer, but something as serious-sounding as Staphylococcus makes us want to make with the disinfecting wipes in short order.
What do you guys think? Kind of makes you want to never eat in your car again right?
I think it is that time of year when the cops are out in full force. I keep seeing all these new speed traps on my way to work and a countless number of people pulled over getting a ticket for whatever reason. This irritates me simply for the fact that it slows down traffic cause people want to rubberneck. Well I came across this article by the National Motorists Association and they’ve got some pretty good tips. There’s nothing more irritating than being pulled over getting a ticket.
Here’s the list:
1.) Try not to drive faster than 9 mph over the posted limit on the highway and about 5-6 mph above the posted limit on secondary roads.
In most places, most cops will not ticket you if you’re within this range. Part of the reason is simply that most car speedometers are not perfectly calibrated and so it’s easier to challenge such a trivial ticket in court. Exceptions to this include 25 mph/school zones — where you should never drive even a single mph faster than the posted limit.
2.) Don’t drive significantly faster (or slower) than the traffic around you.
If you do, you’ll stick out — and if there’s a cop around, he will notice and focus on you. Learn from the prey animals of the African savannah: There is safety in numbers. Even if you are driving faster than the speed limit, if you’re one of a dozen cars in a pack, there’s only a one in twelve chance the cop will target you.
3.) Never speed at night, especially after midnight.
There are more cops on the road during these hours — and fewer cars. You will stand out. And the cops are looking for any excuse to pull you over, because night-time is DWI time and every car a cop comes across will be closely scrutinized. Give him a reason — any reason — to pull you over and he will pull you over.
4.) Make sure your car’s registration, license plates and state inspection are always up to date.
Cops are trained to look for passed-due inspection stickers (and also things like cracked windshields and dead headlights/brake lights, etc.)
5.) Pay attention to the behavior of other drivers, especially if you’re driving in an unfamiliar area.
If you see cars ahead suddenly slowing down for no apparent reason (or oncoming cars are flashing their lights at you) it’s likely there’s a radar trap up ahead. Slow down now.
6.) Be on guard driving through small towns you don’t know, especially small towns just off an Interstate or when a major road goes directly through a small town.
Speed traps are a reality of life and you’re most likely to encounter one when driving through a small town in the middle of nowhere. Some towns get a large percentage of their budget from traffic tickets and the local yokel cops are on the lookout for cars with out of state plates because they know the driver is not likely to come all the way back there to try to fight the ticket in court — no matter how trumped-up the ticket might be. It’s unfair, but it’s the reality on the ground.
7.) Be on the alert for sudden (and often poorly indicated) reductions in the posted speed limit.
On many roads, the maximum will drop from say 55 to 45 for no obvious reason — and sometimes, there’ll be a cop just after the sign change, waiting for you with his radar gun. Watch for work zones — where the limit may drop by half (and the fines double).
8.) Educate yourself about photo radar, or automated tickets.
If you’re traveling to say Phoenix, AZ or Washington, DC — be forewarned that these areas use automated cameras to ticket people for both red light running and speeding. You may get no warning — and have no idea you just got a ticket — until it arrives in the mail a few weeks later.
9.) Familiarize yourself with the makes/models of cars that cops tend to drive.
The most commonly used cop cars (marked and unmarked) are the Ford Crown Victoria, the Chevy Impala and the Dodge Charger. The nice thing about the Vic is that it’s very easy to pick out because it’s very large and pretty much only cops and older people drive them. The Impala’s harder to sniff out because they are anonymous-looking and really blend into the crowd. The Charger’s even worse because it’s a popular car and also a car that younger, sporty drivers favor. But in general, be on the alert whenever one of these cars is around; be extra wary if you see telltale signs such as multiple low-profile antennas, large tires with inexpensive-looking trim rims/hub caps and a spotlight on the driver’s side door.
10.) Don’t exceed the posted in adverse weather such as heavy rain or when it’s snowy.
Not only is it unsafe, it may also be a moving violation even though you may not have been driving faster than the posted maximum. Keep in mind that the speed limit is just that — the lawful maximum — under ideal conditions. If a cop sees you driving faster than he deems safe for conditions, he can still pull you over and give you a ticket. And besides, this is a case where slower really is safer. Even if you have a 4WD vehicle, it takes longer to stop (and the vehicle is more prone to skidding out) if the roads are wet or slicked from snow/ice. - Thanks to National Motorists Association for this list.
Just make sure if you are headed to your Texas Chevy Dealer so excited about getting a new car. You take your time. Ha ha. Can you think of anything they left out?
Well it’s getting to be that time when people are taking vacation and trying to decide what to do. It’s no surprise that with the way the economy has been people just can’t afford to take trips for vacation. A lot of families have opted for the staycation. Dallas Fort Worth is a huge area and there are tons of fun things you can do with your spouse and or kids without having to spend a lot of money. All it takes is a little preparation. I started doing some research on some fun things to do around DFW and I came across this blog written by RandMcNally.com and it got me thinking that there really is a lot of cool things to do in this city. Statistics show that a lot of families travel to DFW from outside the metroplex to have a staycation. It’s close enough where you don’t have to stay overnight but just far enough to make you feel like you are on vacation.
Here’s some good advice from RandMcNally.com:
The trick to a successful staycation is to treat it like a real vacation. Research local tourism Web sites. Plan fun activities, don’t work (no email, no dropping by the office, no conference calls, do not check voice mail), and take care of household chores before your staycation begins.
This is the time for you and your family to relax and have fun. Go to a restaurant you’ve never visited, a museum you haven’t been to in years, or have a BBQ or picnic in the park. In addition to saving money, your staycation will help the local economy and you’ll avoid the stresses of packing, lost luggage, and standing in long airport lines.
Keep in mind that if you do decide to travel you’ll want to take your car to your local Texas Chevy Dealer and make sure your car is in good shape to travel. If you opt for the staycation below are a few ideas to get you thinking.
For the kids: (just a few options out of many)
1) Six Flags: Everyone loves the amusement park and it’s a great way to have a little adventure with your family.
2) Great Wolf Lodge: A huge indoor water park and hotel that is fun! The water is always warm here.
3) Texas Rangers: Head on over to the Ballpark in Arlington and catch a Texas Rangers baseball game.
4) The Fort Worth Zoo: Always fun to go see the Monkeys and the Fort Worth Zoo is one of the premier zoos in the country.
5) The Dallas World Aquarium: Engage the kids with fish feedings, performances and beautiful exhibits.
For the adults: (again just a few of many options)
1) Central Market: Make it a date, grab some food in the cafe express and a bottle of wine for that perfect picnic.
2) Tour 18 Golf Course: “Ever play the 14th hole at Pebble Beach? How about Amen Corner at Augusta National? Tour 18 provides 18 holes from 16 famous golf courses all in one. A trio of friends designed the course holes to be near-exact replicas of the actual holes, including course length and scenery. Golf Magazine named the course one of the 65 “Golfiest Places in America.” – Tour 18
3) Billy Bob’s Texas: The worlds largest honkey tonk in the historic Fort Worth stockyards. Catch a concert or bull riding and much more.
4) North Park Center: A premier shopping venue full of great shops and dining.
5) Dallas Summer Musicals: Whether its Wicked or Phantom of the Opera there are great musicals to be seen year round.
All it takes is a little research and a little planning and you can save lots of money by having a staycation. There also great things to do in Austin, San Antonio and Houston if you feel like getting out of town but don’t want to spend a lot of money traveling. What are your favorite things to do in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex?
I think we’ve all experienced back pain while driving at least a time or two. It’s usually always in the lower back… I wanted to find out what the connection was between driving and lower back pain. Research has come up with a few different things that can cause lower back pain. Vibration from the engine, sitting position and how long you are driving the car.
First things first is to make your seat more comfortable and here are some tips.
The Seat – You need to make sure that your bottom is sitting all the way in the back of the seat. When you slouch the lower back is not supported. Sitting up right with your bottom all the way to the back of the seat will help you sit more upright and minimize the stress on your spine.
The Backrest – You should place the seat at a 10-15 degree incline from the vertical position. If for some reason this feels unnatural to you then you need to make the seat more upright. It was unnatural for me so I had to play with it a few degrees. The main idea here is that if you are sitting at a bad angle it can strain your neck and your sitting bone.
The Headrest – This is good in helping your posture and it will help lower injuries in an accident. The bony bit at the back of your head (known as the ‘inion’) is a good guiding point, the headrest should be level with this. There should be about 1 inch between the back of your head and the headrest. This allows for the ligaments and the muscles of your neck to control the posture of your head better and giving better support in case of an accident.
Seat/Pedal distance – You want to make sure that you do not over stretch your legs and you also want to make sure you don’t have to twist your body in any way. If your knees are bent and you can’t move them very easily then you need to stretch out a bit. If you’re legs are completely straight when you push down the gas then you need to tighten up a bit. It is normal to have your knees bent at about a 45 degree angle.
The Arm position - Your arms should be as relaxed as possible, elbows bend around 20-30 degrees. You want to reduce any stress on your shoulders so you should adjust your steering wheel to a mid to lower position. And remember 10 and 2 on the steering wheel.
Take breaks – Just remember if you’re on a long trip to take a break. I once drove 14 hours without stopping unless it was a quick bathroom break then back to the car. My body was so stiff I was hurting the next day. It’s always better to travel with someone else but if you are alone stop at a rest stop every couple of hours and walk around a bit. It’ll help trust me.
There are very few people in this world that will actually admit that they are horrible drivers. But come on people we all know they are out there and they are in full force. I’ve probably been one of them a time or two.
Well I found this list combined by AutoInsurance.org and I thought to myself….I must share this because it is so true. These type of drivers can irritate and drive you crazy! Ha
Here’s a few of the bad ones.
(1) The Time Waster – You know this guy. You’re waiting to make a right turn and he’s coming down the street and instead of using his blinker to let you know he’s turning before you – you sit there and waste time not knowing what he’s going to do.
(2) Traffic Weavers - Why bother with all the lane changes when you’re only gaining one or two car lengths. You’re cutting people off and making us very irritated. I think it’s funny when someone is driving behind you and they think they can get ahead of you so they change lanes to get around you but get stuck behind someone going slower than you. I laugh so hard at this.
(3) Light Turns Green And Nothing – HELLOOOOO GOOOO!!!
(4) The No Reason Passer – If you’re going to pass me then you better not start driving slower than I am. What’s the point of that?
(5) I’m Officially Blind – Ok I got it! Your car is bigger than mine but if you must tailgate me i’d really rather not be blinded by your head lights. Thanks.
(6) The Snail / The Bullet – I think this pretty much sums it up, ”Have you ever noticed that anyone driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?” – George Carlin
(7) Widespread Panic – Ok look i’ve given you plenty of room to get over in front of me. What are you so afraid of?
(8) Oh Will You Look At That – Was it imperative that you take a quick few second look at that poor guy being pulled over by the police. You’ve backed up traffic for miles. Eyes forward FOCUS!
(9) The Permanent Blinker - You must be a real treat. You’ve just given more than one person on the road a complete psychotic breakdown as they are driving. Way to go! As a side note I once drove 30 miles with my hazards on and had no clue why people were honking at me or why my hazards were on.
(10) The Ones That Enter The Parking Lot – And then proceed to drive at the pace of a turtle. It’s ok to go faster than 2 mph. Trust me.
Please don’t be that person. Be a cool, calm, collected driver. However, if you are one of these drivers then that’s cool too I’m just laughing at you that’s all.
Tailgating the wrong way is when a driver follows the vehicle in front too closely for safety. The closer you follow the vehicle in front of you, the less time you have react. Research indicates that tailgating is a contributing factor in more than one third of all car accidents.
Even if you are in a hurry, stressed out, and believe that tailgating the car in front of you will speed up your trip, don’t do it! If the person in front of you is force to stop suddenly, you will absolutely be in the wrong when you “accidentally” hit them from behind. In addition to causing accidents, tailgating is one of the leading causes of road rage. Many times, when someone is being tailgated, that car driver gets angry at the person behind them and sometimes will “tap” their brakes in an attempt to get the tailgater to back off and use a safer following distance. This is very dangerous move and may cause a needless accident regardless of the intent.
Here are some guidelines to help you maintain:
It can be difficult for drivers to determine a safe following distance between them and the car in front of them. Try these three simple rules to count out the seconds between you and the vehicle in front of you:
1. Two-Second Rule
If you are on a dry and clear road, count two seconds to safely gauge the distance between you and the car in front of you. When the car in front of you drives past a sign or pole, you should reach the count of two before you pass the same sign or pole.
2. Four-Second Rule
This is for when the roadways are wet and rainy. In these conditions, you should employ a four second gap between you and the car in front of you.
3. 10-Second Rule
This rule applies to icy and snowy conditions when the roadways are at their worst. This may seem like a large distance, but every winter there are an enormous number of weather related accidents. Better to be safe than sorry after an accident.
By keeping a safe following distance you can avoid a needless accident. Road rage and impatient driving should never get in the way of you getting home safely to your family.
Tailgating….When you say that word most anywhere in the United States, visions of grilling food and cold beverages come to mind. Tailgating can be done before, during, and after the actual sporting event, and usually is. People attending such a party are said to be tailgating, even if their vehicles do not have tailgates. Hence tailgating in your Car or Truck
Here are some of the basics of Tailgating.
1. Remember that tailgaters are the absolute best fans. They wear the team colors, and most wear a team jersey or sweatshirt! You are the 12th man on the team so show your team spirit!
2. Plan your menu and get ready the day before the game. Keep it simple. If it can’t be grilled, iced down, or come in a bag, it probably doesn’t belong at a tailgate party.
3. Take paper plates, napkins, towels, plastic forks and spoons, etc. And don’t forget trash bags, water, and damp towels in Ziplocs to clean hands and face.
4. Plan to arrive 3 to 4 hours early and stay 1 to 2 hours after the game.
5. The right parking space is essential. Park next to a grassy area when possible, or at the end of the parking row– serious tailgating requires serious room!
6. Fly a custom flag on a high pole so friends can find you.
7. It’s party time. Be sure to decorate your tailgate site with team pennants and other team stuff.
8. Meet your tailgate neighbors, and try to make sure you’re tuned to the right pre-and post game shows.
9. Food should be ready an hour and a half before the game starts. That way there’s plenty of time to eat, clean up and extinguish fires. Those not going to the game can pull out the generator and TV.
10. Leave area clean like you found it.
You just have to tailgate once in your life. It doesn’t even have to be a football game. I’ve tailgated many of Texas Rangers games. Just go out there and enjoy yourself!
Ok so I know….We’re in Texas. This black ice stuff doesn’t happen all that often here, but I think we can all agree that when it does happen we Texans can’t drive very well in it. That’s why the whole metroplex shuts down for days after an ice storm. Heck some of us can’t even drive in a heavy down pour. I think if we all knew how to drive in it we wouldn’t be so scared of venturing out. And maybe just maybe there wouldn’t be some many cars and trucks in the ditches on the side of the highway, if we only knew how to drive on the stuff. There’s nothing more frightening then sliding around the highway thinking you are about to crash. The side roads can be even worse than the highway…. Try getting out of my neighborhood!
Here are a few tricks to avoid ending up on top of a curb, car, or ditch while attempting to drive on black ice, or ice in general.
As soon as your car begins to slide on black ice, take your foot off the gas pedal. The very last thing you want to do is give your car more gas. It’s very important to go extra slow when you’re driving on black ice or in any other winter road conditions. And by all means DON’T panic!
Look for and be aware of trouble spots ahead like bridges etc. If you have an idea that there may be black ice ahead (if you see other cars fish tailing and sliding, for example), downshift to a lower gear before you come onto the black ice. There’s a big bridge on my way home and when the weather gets bad I see people from a mile away sliding all over that thing. I cross it going like 3 mph and I’m fine. Just be prepared.
If your car does begin to slide around on the ice, turn the wheel in the direction of the skid. This is very hard to remember when you are sliding all over the road but it’s very vital to remember. This helps steer your car back on the right track.
No tailgating, make sure you keep plenty of space between your car and the car in front of you. When driving on black ice road conditions, stay well behind the car in front of you (at least a couple of hundred feet). Even if you feel like you can handle it, that doesn’t mean that everyone else knows how to. Believe me it’s not something that many Texans know how to do.
Don’t think you’re invincible just because you drive a truck or a big sports utility vehicle. While 4-wheel drive vehicles are great for driving in heavy snow, you’re on your own when it comes to driving on black ice. In fact, 4-wheel drive vehicles have no advantage over regular cars when it comes to driving on black ice, so be sure to take the necessary safety precautions no matter what type of vehicle you are driving.
Hi, I'm Hagen Durant, General Manager of Classic Chevrolet in Grapevine, TX - I am a huge car and truck enthusiast and love talking cars. I'm a cyclist, health nut, father, husband, geek, and drummer. I look forward to giving you great information about cars and trucks, driving tips, maintenance and so much more.
If you have any questions or would like to make suggestions feel free to email them to me at: hagen@classicchevytexas.com
Summer and winter holiday’s are the perfect time for families to start traveling. Everyone loves a good road trip right? You also want to be comfortable. Especially if you have children. When my wife, kids and I are going on a road trip we pretty much pack up our entire house. With that said, I was glad that Consumer Reports made the Chevrolet Traverse one of the top 10 vehicles for family travel. Not only did the Traverse score well on the road test from Consumer Reports but it also has good seating and cargo arrangements. It’s more than comfortable to ride in, scored well in all crash tests, and has proven reliable in owner surveys.
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