Maintenance Myths--UNMASKED!

All right, all right. There are a lot of ideas about car care out there, but which ones do you follow? We’re here to bust through some maintenance myths and possibly save you a buck or two on your next service appointment.

MYTH: Oil has to be changed every 3,000 miles. It doesn’t hurt. But it is probably a waste of money. Familiarize yourself with your owner’s manual – seriously. Your maintenance schedule is probably not as strict as you think, and you might even be able to go twice this “recommended distance” without getting an oil change.

MYTH: Treating your car with premium gas after running regular for a while is beneficial. Just stick with your recommended octane level and you’ll be all right – the system will stay clean regardless. Some premium grade gas might have extra detergents in it, but a lot of the time that’s just a marketing gimmick. It’s up to you if you want to experiment to see what helps your car have the best performance.

MYTH: Wipe down your dash and tires with protectant compounds to keep them shiny. A lot of these “protecting” wipes on the market actually strip tires of their original protectants, and it’s possible that they actually cause drying and cracking on the dashboard. Stick with warm soap and water instead. 

Traveling tips that will keep your pooch happy!

1.) You should bring your own water from home.  Dogs have sensitive stomachs and water from unfamiliar places can easily cause an upset tummy for your pup.

2.) Plan ahead for any medication your pooch might need while you’re traveling.  If you are able to pack extras, do so.

3.) It’s always smart to bring a blanket that smells like home– people aren’t the only ones who get homesick!

4.) Get your dog used to being on the road by taking him on a few short drives in the days approaching the big trip.

5.) Make sure he’s micro-chipped.  Hit the road with the peace of mind that if the worst does happen, you won’t be caught unprepared.

You already know this, but we must remind you: NEVER leave your dog in your car unattended.  It gets hot in there!

Tips for Traveling With Pets!

According to a study by AAA and Best Western International, more than half of U.S. pet owners take their cats and dogs with them when they travel!

If you're planning on hitting the road with Indiana Bones, here are some tips to get you guys through:

• Trial run. Go on some shorter drives to see how your pet handles them to give you an idea if you're ready for a longer trip.
• Buckle up. Pets freely wandering the vehicle aren't only a distraction to the driver, but they're also more likely to be injured in the event of an accident. Keep Sir Yips-A-Lot safe with a pet barrier, pet seat belt, pet car seat or travel crate.
• Keep heads and paws inside. Lord Voldebark may enjoy sticking his head out the window, but riding this way could cause ear damage or expose your pet to lung infections.
• Prepare for the worst. Attach a second tag to Bark Wahlberg's collar that includes the address and phone number of where you'll be staying during your trip. Also, bring your his medical records along in case of an emergency.
• Pit stops. The American Veterinary Medical Association advises pet owners to stop every two to three hours for your pet to use the bathroom and get some exercise.
• Hydrate. The ASPCA recommends keeping a gallon of cold water on hand to ensure Christian Tail stays sufficiently hydrated during the trip.
• Don't leave them alone. On an 85-degree day, the temperature inside a car with the windows cracked can reach 110 degrees in 10 minutes, which can be deadly. If you'll be visiting a destination where pets aren't allowed, leave them at a pet-friendly hotel — or at home — instead of the car.

5 Tips to Keeping Your Christmas Tree Fresh!

1. Cut your own from a local farm, or have one cut for you.  However, if you choose to buyt a pre-cut tree from a nursery, store or scout troop, ask them how recently they were harvested, and where they came from. The fresher the tree, the longer it will last.

2. If you bought a pre-cut tree, it's important to make a cut across the bottom, removing an inch or an inch and a half off the bottom. That's because once it is cut, the sap in the tree will start sealing over the base, and this will hinder its ability to absorb water. 

3. As soon as possible, get the tree in water. The base of the cut tree should never dry out, in order to keep the needles fresher.

4. Keep the tree away from direct sunlight, heaters or fans. Be cognizant of fire hazards and make sure your lights are all in good condition.

5. Once you are done with your tree for the season, don't just toss it on the curb, where it will end up taking landfill space. Recycle it!

By taking good care of your tree, it can last up to a month! 

The BEST Holiday Movies of All-Time! Is your favorite on the list?

1. It's A Wonderful Life
2. The Nightmare Before Christmas
3. A Christmas Story
4. White Christmas
5. The Polar Express
6. The Muppet Christmas Carol
7. Elf
8. Love Actually
9. Home Alone
10. Miracle on 34th Street
11. The Santa Clause
12. How The Grinch Stole Christmas
13. A Charlie Brown Christmas
14. Frosty the Snowman
15. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Beating Cyber Monday

Uninterested in the absolute madness that is Black Friday, but still want the great deals? The solution in recent years has been Cyber Monday -- the Monday following Black Friday where you can get all the deals online from the safety and comfort of your home.

Here are some tips to getting the best deals this year:

1. Don't wait until Cyber Monday! To be competitive, companies are starting earlier and earlier. Start researching now and find great discounts.

2. Copy & Paste. It's so easy to search and compare prices. Take that one extra minute to copy whatever item you're looking at and throw it in the Google search bar and find the lowest price. We suggest looking for things on Amazon.com and then using their descriptor titles to copy.

3. Use coupons to get extra savings! CyberMonday.com and BestCyberMonday.com offer coupon codes that, when applied while making an online purchase, will take an additional discount off the final Cyber Monday sales deal price.

Good luck!

5 Tips to a Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey!

1. The safest method is to thaw turkey in the refrigerator at 41 degrees F. Be sure to plan ahead — it takes approximately 4-5 days for a 20 pound turkey to fully defrost.

2. For crisper skin, unwrap the turkey the day before roasting and leave it uncovered in the refrigerator overnight.

3. Cooking times will differ depending on whether your bird was purchased fresh or frozen. Plan on 20 minutes per pound in a 350 degree F oven for a defrosted turkey and 10 to 15 minutes per pound for fresh.

4. A turkey will cook more evenly if it is not densely stuffed. Go easy on packing it in.

5. DO NOT OPEN YOUR OVEN after you have put the turkey in! When the oven temperature fluctuates, you increase the chances of drying it out.

Good luck and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!