A recent Virginia Tech study found that when the drivers texted, their collision risk was 23 times greater than when not texting. Not good. In fact, studies have shown that texters are significantly more likely to cause a crash. Someone who talks on a cell phone while driving is equivalent to a .08 blood alcohol level, when it comes to accident risk. So, when you’re tossing back that next phone call, consider it’s loaded. On verage, we overestimate our ability to multitask. So, save the simultaneous sandwich-eating, softdrink sipping, knee-steering while keying in the address to your GPS.

While the Dr. Spock-like phone in your ear device may not be the most flattering, it makes a lot of sense to at least have both hands on the wheel. Otherwise, just remember that the typical time it took study participants to look at an incoming text while traveling highway speed, many traveled the length of a football field before winding up in a “crash.”

You may not realize this but a tank of 90 octane may just turn that Kia you are driving into a Koenigsegg; seriously the extra octane found in premium unleaded does not do engines with low, or even moderate, compression that are designed to un on regular 85 or 87 octane, any favors. So, while using the higher octane may not hurt the engine it is most certainly a waste of money.

Believe it or not one of the most important things you can do to help your car is to wash, rinse and repeat. In other words, regular and consistent washing and waxing helps to preserve your paint and will prevent rust from getting a firm foothold. Don’t forget the interior be sure to vacuum and clean it frequently.

Whether you are heading into a summer road trip or the impending cold of winter your car needs to be prepared accordingly. The most demanding season on cars tires, coolant and batteries are winter and summer, so extra attention is important to those critical areas as it can mean the difference between getting stranded or getting there.

You should also research for technical service bulletins and recalls that are done by manufacturers as not all of them make it to the circulars that you get in your mail or into the daily news. This can be done by searching the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) website or even by signing up by email to be alerted by newsletters such as Automotive News.

Everyone knows about the Check Engine light and it usually gets a bad rap for going on for trivial diagnostics; however, it is there for a reason and you should pay attention to it. Most auto part stores have the means to scan for the codes and then translate them into English for you. True, it could be nothing more than a loose gas cap, but it could also pertain to a possibly serious power train problem, the more you know the better off you are.

One more important tip for maintaining your car is to use the proper engine oil. Check your owner’s manual as it gives you the accepted and recommended viscosities and perhaps even a brand name. Do not just assume that the brand name is a form of advertising it is probable that your car was made with that particular brand in its crankcase and you may be wise to continue with that brand.

MIDATLANTIC
Brandywine Valley Drive – Pennsylvania & Delaware
Route: Brandywine Valley from Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, southeast to Wilmington, Delaware

SOUTHWEST
Big Bend – Texas
Route: Ft. Stockton-Alpine-Paisano Pass-Marfa-Shafter-Presidio-along River Road FM170 to Study Butte. Leading down Hwy 118/Maverick Rd. to Big Bend National Park winding up in Marathon.

EAST
New York Finger Lakes Region – Wine Tour
Route: Ithaca-Interlaken-Ovid-Romulus-Seneca Falls-Geneva-Penn Yan-Himrod-to Hammondsport.

Vermont Cheese Trail
Route: Looping from Plymouth Notch, I-89 via Route 4 and Route 100A,  the cheese trail follows Route 100 north to Lincoln Gap Road, to Route 7 in the Champlain Valley. Route 7 links cheesemakers and other attractions, ending near the Canadian border with I-89.

SOUTHEAST
Florida KeysRoute: Highway 1 from mainland Florida to Key West, beginning in Key Largo-Pennekamp-Tarvenier-Islamorada-Duck Key-Hawks Cay-Looe Key-Big Pine Key to Key West.

WEST
Pacific Coast Highway
Route: Monterey-Carmel-by-the-Sea-Point Lobos State Reserve-Big Sur-Nepenthe-San Simeon-Cambria-to Morro Bay

To get your inspiration, and some helpful maps and accommodations tips, check these links:

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/

http://www.tripwiser.com/trip_plans?s_key=Road+Trip+USA

http://www.lets-ride.com/ridesevents.htm

Be very careful this can be addicting. Click on the link below and good luck.

Driving Reaction Test