Dream Drives For Summer: An Expert's Picks For Great Road And Vehicle Pairings

Hitting the road this summer in your beat-up, but reliable old Chevy pickup? There's nothing wrong with that. But you can always dream, right? And if you're looking for a dream drive, here are Farah's top five great road and vehicle pairings for scenic summer cruising:

5. Route 292, Patterson, N.Y., and the Corvette ZR1

Hop on 292 and head north out of Patterson. The road climbs through the Catskill Mountains, passing picturesque farms and homesteads throughout northern West Chester County. "The Corvette ZR1 is the perfect vehicle for this drive because it's got tons of horsepower," Farah says. "And it's the kind of car that you can go out and put miles on it and not worry about it losing value. It's reliable, powerful and looks great."

4. Interstate 90, South Dakota and the Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead

Interstate 90 is a straight shot across the state of South Dakota and passes through rolling plains and quaint towns. Get on anywhere on the eastern side of the state and head west toward the Black Hills. You'll see wild buffalo and antelope grazing beside the highway in broad plains that go all the way to the horizon. "Driving the Phantom is like driving on a cloud," Farah says. And the Drophead's massive front grill and 6,000 pounds of pure powerful heft ensure that if you have an encounter with any of the region's large wildlife, "you're probably going to win," he notes.

3. Latigo Canyon Road, Malibu, Calif., and the Lotus Elise SC supercharged

Latigo Canyon Road runs parallel to the more famous - and always crowded - Mulholland Drive. The road offers lovely scenery and a tighter, more technically demanding driving experience than Mulholland. "And it's always empty," Farah notes. For this drive, he favors the light and nimble Lotus Elise SC, which Lotus describes as "the ultimate evolution of the Elise."

2. Route 33, Ojai, Calif., and the Astin Martin DBS Volante

Route 33 travels through multiple elevations, carrying drivers down through a breath-taking canyon and back up over the mountains. It's an easy drive for beginners, but offers stunning scenery. The Astin Martin is Farah's pick for this drive because of the vehicle's rich, powerful sound. Topgear.com says the DBS Volante is "all about noise: monstrous, glorious, technicolor noise." And that noise sounds even more spectacular and powerful echoing off Route 33's canyon walls, Farah says.

And, Farah's No. 1 scenic drive and vehicle pairing is...

Glendora Mountain Road/Glendora Ridge Road in California and the Ferrari 458 Italia

Running through the scenic landscape north of Los Angeles, Glendora Mountain Road is another California highway rarity. "The road doesn't start at anything important and really goes nowhere," Farah says. "It's just there for you to enjoy." High elevation and tight turns make the road technically challenging and a 25-mile stretch unbroken by driveways or intersections ensures you'll have no interruptions. The Ferrari's light, nimble steering and outstanding rack and balance make it the perfect vehicle to handle this fun, exciting road.

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Tips For Safely Sharing The Road With Big Rigs This Summer

Statistically, big rigs are involved in just 2.4 percent of all vehicle accidents, according to the website TruckInfo.net. In fact, regular motor vehicles are three times more likely to be in an accident than are trucks, the site says.

Regular vehicle drivers can do a lot to help ensure truck accident statistics stay low by following some safety rules for sharing the road with big rigs. Mariani offers this advice:

* Be aware of the distance a big truck needs to stop. "At 55 mph, a big rig needs the length of a football field to stop," Mariani says. "Wet roads and bad weather extend that stopping distance even longer." Never cut in front of a big truck and then hit the brakes; the driver may not be able to avoid a collision.

* If you're behind a big truck and you can't see the truck's mirrors, it means the driver can't see you. Avoid traveling in the truck's blind spots - which are much bigger than the blind spots in a regular vehicle.

* Courtesy counts, especially when on the road with a big truck. If a trucker driver is signaling to merge into your lane, it's courteous - and safer - to slow down and let him in.

* As long as you're not following too closely, behind a big truck may be the safest place to be when you have to be near one on the road. If a truck is going too slow, make sure you pass safely, giving the truck plenty of room. If you're traveling on a three-lane highway, instead of passing a truck in the right lane, move all the way to the left lane to pass - but only when it's safe to do so.

* At an intersection, be aware that a turning truck may have to swing wide to make the turn. A truck has to travel farther into an intersection before initiating a turn than a passenger vehicle would need to. Give the truck plenty of room and never pass a turning truck on the inside (turning) side.

* If you're stopped at a red light and a big truck is approaching the light on the cross road, be aware that he may not be able to stop if the light turns yellow in front of him. Even if the light turns green for you, wait to be sure the truck can stop.

* Hot roads may increase the possibility of a blowout for any type of tire. When a big rig blows a tire, flying rubber parts can cause dangerous conditions for other vehicles. While drivers are supposed to pre-check their tires before getting on the road, it's impossible for a trucker to anticipate when a tire might blow out. Try to avoid spending too much time beside a big truck; you could be at risk of getting hit by debris if a tire blows out.

* When driving in the mountains, be aware of the truck's challenges. The truck will go slower up an incline and gain speed going down. Never pass a truck going uphill and then cut in front of him on the downside of the slope. Likewise, never stop your car in or block the emergency truck ramp alongside a highway. The ramps exist to help slow and stop trucks experiencing brake failure.

"Every time we go into a store looking for something, it's there - because a truck driver delivered it," Mariani says. "Safety on the road is everyone's responsibility. When we drive in a courteous manner around a big rig, we're helping truck drivers do a very important job - while making everyone on the road safer."

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Cruise Into Summer With Simple Auto Fixes

You can cruise into summer with simple auto fixes and you can find those easy car care tips here. Make sure your car is ready for summer driving! Get these suggestions and give your car a refreshed ride and a sparkling good look in the summer sun.

(ARA) - Summer is here and chances are your vehicle is in need of a little restoration. Returning your car to optimal condition may be less expensive and time-consuming than you think.

Use these tips to get your car back in shape for a summer of smooth and smart travel.

Paint Protection

Summer sunshine will reveal every nick, chip and scratch in your vehicle's paint. Restoring your ride to its original factory finish takes only minutes with the easy to apply Dupli - Color ScratchFix 2in1. This innovative product is available in hundreds of exact-match colors for domestic and imported vehicles.

Simply use the vehicle make, model and year to find your guaranteed matching color code, and use one of the two applicators to fix any scrapes or nicks in no time. With a roller ball tip for precision and a tapered brush for full coverage, ScratchFix 2in1 will help restore your vehicle to its optimal condition. And not only will ScratchFix 2in1 make your car look great, the touch-up paint will also protect the damaged surface from rusting and becoming a big, expensive problem.

Under Pressure

Driving on tires that are too flat or full can make summer traveling dangerous and expensive. With sky-high gas prices, maintaining optimal air pressure and getting the most out of your miles is more important than ever. You can improve gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent by keeping your tires properly inflated, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The recommended tire pressure for vehicles is usually found on a sticker inside the driver's-side door or glove box, as well as in your vehicle owner's manual. Checking tire pressure takes only a few seconds, but it may have a significant effect on both your well-being and your wallet.

Wiper Replacement

Don't let showers catch you off-guard this year. Even if your windshield wipers aren't visibly worn, they may not be working effectively. If yours leave behind spots or streaks of cleaning fluid, they need to be replaced. If you can pull the blades away from the windshield with little resistance, you may need new wiper arms.

Visibility is essential to safe driving year-round, and replacing these essential pieces every six to 12 months will ensure your view of the road is always clear. And, if you have one, remember to check and replace your rear windshield wiper as well.

Attention To Detail

With just a few basic cleaning products and a little elbow grease, you can make your ride gleam. First, remove and wash the floor mats, and vacuum the carpets and seats. Using an all-purpose cleaner, wipe down the dashboard and use canned air to remove dust and dirt from the tiny nooks and crannies in the instrument panel. Use foaming fabric soap or leather cleaner on any stains, and fix small tears with a vinyl repair kit. Next, use hot water and vehicle soap to wash the vehicle in sections from top to bottom. Remember the wheel wells, and give a final rinse to avoid soap spots. When dry, wax the body, including under door jambs and behind the bumpers. Use a toothbrush to remove excess wax from emblems or flat black surfaces, then scrub your tires and polish the rims for a head-turning exterior.

You don't need to break the bank to get your car back in shape for the hottest auto season. With just a little time and minimal cost, a summer-ready car is at your fingertips. These tips will help you whip your vehicle into prime condition, so get ready to show off your refreshed ride and enjoy wherever the summer takes you.

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Before Summer Fun, Make Sure Your Vehicle Can Handle the Heat

Before summer fun, make sure your vehicle can handle the heat. Prepare your car for trips to the beach, road trip vacations and just everyday summer driving with these helpful auto care tips. Keep your car in good running condition with easy maintenance and avoid summer roadside breakdowns.

(NewsUSA) - If you ask anyone, whether it be your friends, your neighbors or your colleagues, all will tell you the best things about summer are the surf and the sun!

For many of us, a day at the beach is like a mini-vacation, but if you're not prepared, your lovely day trip can turn into your worst nightmare!

The team at Firestone Complete Auto Care would like to offer the following tips to get you ready for your summer beach trips:

* Make sure your vehicle's fluids and filters are fresh and the air conditioner is working properly, as this will help keep your vehicle cool in the summer heat.

* Avoid overloading your vehicle, as too much weight in the vehicle can decrease your gas mileage and create excessive heat inside your tires.

* When driving on sand, point your vehicle's wheels straight ahead when starting off. This will help reduce the effort required by your vehicle to move forward.

* If you get stuck in the sand, reverse out. Gently reverse on your own tracks and then try to slowly move forward again. Before trying to reverse out, remove sand build-up from behind the tires or under your vehicle.

* Once you get home, remove all traces of sand, dirt or salt from your vehicle after a beach trip. When hosing your vehicle, pay special attention to areas like the mudguards and any other nooks and crannies where sand can get trapped.

* Make sure to check your tire pressure on all four tires and your spare at least once per month and before every long trip. Be certain to keep them at the recommended pressure level.

Firestone Complete Auto Care also realizes that rising gas prices might keep you and your family from embarking on a summer road trip to the seashore. That's why we have set up Gasonomics, an online resource to help you save money at the pump! Go to http://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/gasonomics for money-saving tips and special offers from Firestone Complete Auto Care and to locate the lowest priced gas near your home.

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