Planning For Comfort During Long Road Trips

Planning for Comfort During Long Road Trips. Find out how to stay alert and comfortable during long road trips with these guidelines developed by someone who knows what it's like to stay behind the wheel of a car, Porsche race car driver Patrick Long.

(NewsUSA) - Road trips can provide a great source of tunes, good conversation and relaxation throughout any travel season. However, long hours on the road can often result in body aches, poor nutrition and other challenges for drivers stuck behind the wheel.

To avoid such pitfalls and make the experience a bit less taxing on the body, champion Porsche race car driver Patrick Long has developed a set of guidelines for drivers everywhere.

Long, an American Le Mans Series race car driver who can be in his car for up to 12 hours at a time, recommends these tips for any kind of distance driving:

Fuel-Up:

If you pack a small cooler with water bottles and healthy snacks like fruits and veggies, this can deter the temptation to reach for non-healthy items on the road.

Stability:

Stability should be your number-one concern when taking a long road trip. Many people stick pillows behind their backs for lumbar support, but the main goal is to always have your spine straight. Sit with the seat fully contacting your back; allow the structure of the seat to do its job in supporting your spine.

Body Positioning:

Maintain proper posture by not leaning one way or the other in the seat. According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Authority, a driver's hands should both be placed on the outside of the steering wheel on opposite sides. Long recommends the "9 and 3" hand position. Having proper position in the car is also relative to the pedals -- if you're too close you're cramped. If you're too far away, you'll end up slouching down to reach them. Sit close enough to the wheel so there's a slight bend at your elbows and keep your arms relaxed.

Take Frequent Pit Stops:

For longer-distance road adventures, take frequent pit stops in order to stretch your legs and improve the blood flow in your body. To prevent a sore lower back experienced after driving, focus on core stability and strength exercises. Long suggests planks, leg lifts and crunches on an exercise ball to strengthen your core.

To find more information about Long, check out www.porsche.com/usa.

Automotive : Link Sponsors

Related Articles:
Tips For Safely Sharing The Road With Big Rigs This Summer
Avoiding Staged Car Accidents Head On
Is Your Child Ready For A Seat Belt?
Allstate Roadside Assistance From Allstate Motor Club
Vehicle Ejections Kill So Buckle Up
Vehicle Collision Protocol – 101
High–Tech Options For Tires Abound This Spring
Check Your Sunroof
DUI - Don't Let Your Celebration Be Dampened By DUI
How To Take The Stress Out Of Your Daily Commute
A Natural And Economic Solution For Safer Roads
Speeding Is Dangerous And Expensive
Simple Steps To Staying Safe For Women Drivers
Conquer Your Winter Driving Fears
In Winter Driving Conditions Caution Is The Key To Vehicle Safety

View the original article here

Chrysler planning to expand Toledo Jeep plant

New Cars Home

Learn more about new cars with our extensive collection of overviews, specifications, and pictures.

View the original article here

Report: Mercedes-Benz planning four S-Class variants

Friday, May 13th, 2011 @ 1:05 p.m.

Mercedes-Benz will reportedly double the number of variants of its next-generation S-Class. Mercedes’ latest flagship is expected to arrive during the second half of next year as a 2013 model.

Today’s current regular- and long-wheelbase S-Class variants will remain on tap for the next iteration of the car – codenamed W222 – but Mercedes will add two more body styles to the mix.

Set to arrive sometime during 2013, Mercedes-Benz will launch a coupe version of the S-Class sedan. Following the pattern laid out by the E-Class coupe, the S-Class coupe will replace Mercedes’ current CL model.

A year after the launch of the S-Class coupe, Mercedes will launch a convertible variant of the new S-Class. Although the 2007 Ocean Drive Concept (pictured) hinted at a four-door convertible S-Class, the production version is expected to retain the two-door setup of the coupe, but will offer seating for four.

The S-Class has long been known as a technology leader, and that tradition will continue with the 2013 model. Expected advanced electronics like a road-sensing Magic Body Control system and a more user friendly Command system.

References
1.’Mercedes S-class…’ view

View the original article here

Now hiring: Volvo planning to add 1,200 employees

Tuesday, Mar 29th, 2011 @ 1:44 p.m.

Volvo Cars says it plans to recruit 1,200 workers to build enough cars to fit in its future product plan. The Swedish automaker, recently acquired by China’s Geely Holding Group, says that the hiring will be for both its engineering facilities, home office and assembly plants in Sweden and Belgium.

“We need to expand our operations to enable development of the highly competitive and fuel efficient products and technologies that are part of our growth plan,” CEO Stefan Jacoby said in a statement released to members of the media.

Volvo says that 900 engineers will be hired to work in research and development in Sweden to create a new vehicle architecture that will eventually underpin electric cars. In addition, Volvo is hiring purchasing, IT and marketing workers.

In addition, the automaker says that it will also increase its staff at its Ghent, Belgium, assembly plant, which is expected to hit a new production record this year.

Volvo currently employees just short of 20,000 worldwide, a figure down from 2008 when it was owned by Ford Motor Company. During the last couple of years of Ford’s ownership, Volvo sliced its staff by about 6,000 workers in response to slackening global demand.

View the original article here