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TRAVEL
TIPS: NET BEST SELLERS:
8 September 2000
According to a CommerceNet and Neilson Media Research report, of the 92 million Internet users in North America in 1999 (or 2 out of 5 people), 18 million of them shopped for cars and car parts online in 1999.
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 SUMMER ROAD
TRIP: DON'T FORGET TO PACK CAR CARE INTO PLANS
9 June 2000
Yikes!
The summer holidays are just around the corner - next month, in fact - and for most of us that probably means at least one long, challenging road trip to the cottage, a national park, or to visit relatives far way for a family reunion.
And that road trip will be especially challenging if you're among the 31 per cent of those who automotive supplier AlliedSignal Automotive found only think about car maintenance when something goes wrong.
Are you really ready to hit the highway for the kind of summer vacation that would tax the nerves of a saint? No? Well, you're not alone.
"Unfortunately, people do not think about car maintenance enough," says David Cole, Director of the Office for the Study of Automotive Transportation at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. "Proper maintenance is really an investment, because you get more from your car in return for what you put in it. It just makes good economic sense."
And good emotional sense, too. Peace of mind, lack of stress in other words. Remember, surveys show that in very hot temperatures, roadside breakdowns increase by about 50 per cent.
So what should you do to get your car ready for summer heat that's really tough on automobiles? What can you do now to avoid problems when taking to the road in summer? For starters, try these checks before you leave towns:
* Tires: do a visual inspection for uneven or excessive tread wear. Make sure all tires, including the spare, are inflated properly. Most of the time you'll want to follow the recommended
tire-pressure settings in your owner's manual, although there are some exceptions. For instance, if you plan to drive long distances at highway speeds, you can reduce heat
build-up and rolling resistance by increasing pressure in each tire by 3-5 psi. You'll benefit from better fuel economy and improved tread life. Never, however, exceed the maximum pressure imprinted on the tire sidewall.
* Antifreeze/coolant: check the coolant level and condition, making certain the proper 50/50 mixture of water and coolant is present.
* Engine oil: check the oil level and condition. If driving under extreme
situations-such as very hot temperatures or towing a heavy trailer-switch to a motor oil with higher viscosity (thicker motor oil). Check your owner's manual for specific oil recommendations.
* Belts and hoses: with the engine off, look for worn or cracked belts and worn, cracked, blistered or soft hoses.
* Air conditioning system: if needed, have the system serviced by a qualified technician. If you have an older system, an increasingly rarer one using
R-12 refrigerant, be aware that recharging that system with R-12 is no longer allowed and already the supply of
R-12 is diminishing due to laws against its manufacture and importation. In fact, you may be looking at a conversion for your AC system now or sometime down the road. Any shop doing conversions should have technicians fully trained in all
procedures-whether it's a standard SAE conversion or a factory one.
* Battery: hot weather can shorten the life of a car's battery. Weak or old batteries should be tested by a qualified technician and replaced if necessary.
If you're uncomfortable performing one or more of these checks, any qualified service centre will be able to help -- and should do the work at a reasonable price. As the warm weather approaches, it's a good idea to look for summer specials at accredited auto service and repair shops.
But of course even the best maintained vehicle can develop a mechanical problem. So it's also a good idea to plan in advance on how to handle breakdown situations safely -- just in case. Before you leave for long trips you're well advised to take along drinking water, a windshield shade and a comprehensive emergency kit with a flashlight, extra batteries and warning devices such as flares and jumper cables. Also pack a
first-aid kit, a basic tool kit, a gallon of water and a gallon of coolant.
If your vehicle does begin to malfunction, the first rule is not to panic. Instead, signal and pull completely off the road onto the shoulder, avoiding any sudden or panic maneuvers.
Once you're on the side of the road, turn on your emergency flashers. Remember to use extreme caution when exiting the vehicle and, if necessary, exit from the passenger side of the vehicle to avoid the risk of being struck by traffic.
If you have a cellular phone or other communications device such as the OnStar system offered in many General Motors' products, you'll be able to call for help. When you do, you might be asked for your exact location, including highway and mile marker or major landmark, so take note of that information and jot it down.
The next step? As soon as possible, set up reflectors, flares or other signal devices to alert passing motorists. If you're waiting for assistance and the temperature permits, return to your vehicle and lock all doors and roll up windows. If someone other than a uniformed police officer stops, roll down the window only enough to ask them to telephone the police, your auto club or a service station.
Of course surroundings, hazards and general breakdown conditions vary, so use your best judgement in deciding whether to stay with your vehicle or to go for help.
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GOING OVERSEAS? DO YOU NEED AN INTERNATIONAL DRIVER'S
LICENCE?
Dec 3 1999
You may be able to drive the information highway generally free of permits and regulations all around the world, but it's a different matter on real highways.
In fact, while a passport and a valid driver's licence are sometimes sufficient to get you on the road legally, many countries prefer or even require visitors to hold an international driver's permit
(IDP). Check with the appropriate consul, a knowledgeable travel agency or the appropriate auto club to be sure of regulations where you plan to travel and if an IDP is required, you should obtain it before you leave Canada.
Whatever you do, be wary of Web sites that claim to sell claim sell international drivers' permits, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California. Some sites claim to offer permits often charging large amounts for them-$200 or more. But the documents they sell are not internationally recognized and could actually result in problems with foreign law enforcement.
To be safe, it's not a bad idea to obtain an IDP before you travel overseas even if you don't plan to drive. International driver's permits are about the size of a passport and are good for one year from the date of issue. Some Internet sites claim they have permits available that are good for up to four years, but no valid international permit lasts for longer than one year.
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