For those shopping for a Jeep and interested in venturing off road, it may be interesting to learn about an organization that is supported by Jeep owners nationwide. Tread Lightly! is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to promote responsible outdoor recreation through ethics education and stewardship. The organization was launched in 1985 by the US Forest Service, and became a nonprofit organization in 1990.

Tread Lightly!’s educational message, along with its training and restoration initiatives are strategically designed to instill an ethic of responsibility in a wide variety of outdoor enthusiasts and the industries that serve them. The program’s goal is to balance the needs of the people who enjoy outdoor recreation with our need to maintain a healthy environment.  Tread Lightly!’s core focus is on people that use or are affected by motorized and mechanized vehicles. The organization offers unique programs and services to help remedy growing recreation issues. Unique enough, the federal government officially recognizes the organization as a sole-source service provider of education and training on how to be environmentally and socially responsible while using motorized and mechanized vehicles in the outdoors.

Tread Lightly! is the nation’s only source for a full line of motorized and non-motorized outdoor ethics training and education. Tread Lightly!’s educational materials include: guidebooks, quick-tip brochures, a hunting education curriculum, an online awareness course, how-to videos, teaching materials, and a line of children’s materials.

Tread Lightly!’s positive message of balancing outdoor ethics with recreation has reached nearly 50 million people through strategically-designed public service announcements for print, radio, television and the web. More than $1 million in ad space is donated each year for these important messages. News coverage involving Tread Lightly! reaches an additional 10 million people per year. So next time you are venturing off the road with your Jeep, remember to ‘tread lightly’.

Nominees, presenters and performers arriving to “The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards” will have an opportunity to help raise money for Haitian relief efforts with a simple signature. Positioned at the entrance of the Beverly Hilton Hotel is President and Chief Executive Officer for the Chrysler Brand, Chrysler Group LLC, Olivier Francois’ personal car, a Chrysler 300C.  Francois donated his vehicle so that attendees to the ceremony could place their signature upon the sedan which could then be donated for auction to specifically raise money for Haiti relief efforts. The Chrysler 300C that will be donated for auction is expected to raise approximately 1 million dollars.

The Chrysler brand, together with Dick Clark Productions, has also partnered with Stars for a Cause to donate six eco-friendly accessorized vehicles that will be auctioned off to select celebrity charities. Nominee Meryl Streep; presenters Christina Aguilera, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Felicity Huffman; and actor Colin Firth will arrive to the Golden Globes in their select Chrysler 300 eco style limited edition vehicle, which will be donated and auctioned to the charity of their choice.

Based off of the Chrysler 300C, the most-awarded vehicle in the industry, the eco style edition vehicles are accessorized with eco-friendly materials such as cork, bamboo, recycled jute carpeting and suede seat inserts and feature refurbished wheels while providing high-end luxury and elegant design.  The vehicles feature a refined interior, premium technology and offer fuel-efficient performance and excitement.

Looking for a speedy car that won’t empty your wallet? Incredibly, Chevy offers two models for under 30K that can more than produce some speed.  The Chevy Camaro starts at $23,880. Its 3.6-liter V6 gets 304 horsepower, which translates into a price/HP of $73.17. With design cues evocative of the legendary 1969 model, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro combines the spirit of the classic American muscle car with the fuel efficiency, safety, handling, technology and build quality expected in a modern performance coupe. Its 304 horsepower is not only more than the 1967 Camaro SS (295 hp from a 350-cubic-inch V8), but more than last year’s Mustang GT with a 4.6-liter dohc V8.The Camaro LT accelerates from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds, and will do the quarter mile in 14.4 seconds, which is hot in anyone’s book. The Chevy Camaro succeeds on all the main fronts: drop-dead gorgeous looks, potent and efficient engines borrowed from Cadillac and Corvette, great transmissions, superb handling and ride, and great prices.

The Chevy Cobalt SS has a starting price of $23, 425, and with its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine it gets a horsepower of 260.  This translates into a price/HP of $90.10.  The Cobalt SS has a fuel economy of 30 mpg Hwy/22 mpg City. The Cobalt SS is distinguished by its front fascia with integrated air dam and projector-beam fog lights. Upper and lower grilles both sport a specific diamond-mesh texture. Rocker extensions are also unique to the SS, and a rear deck-lid spoiler is standard. Cobalt SS coupe and sedan comes with upgraded suspension and brakes, sport seats with suede-like inserts, additional gauges, fog lamps, and spoilers and air dams all around. A heavy-duty five-speed is the only transmission offered. Chevrolet claims a quick 0-60 time of approximately 5.7 seconds. Front brakes are from Brembo and have a performance-oriented fixed-caliper design, which resists fade better than floating calipers.

Going back to school means joining in with the car pool and gearing up for being your kids chauffeur for the school year.  Whether its morning drop-off, soccer games, study groups, or day care – driving kids around is just a part of being a parent.   When shopping for your next car it is important to make sure it suits your needs and your families needs. Some factors to consider are space (both passenger and cargo), safety features, convenience, ease of use, and entertainment features.

Look for plentiful cargo space, second-row legroom and sliding second-row seats. Minivans, such as the top-rated Dodge Grand Caravan, are still the most practical choice here, but there are plenty of other options, particularly crossover vehicles. For those who want a smaller minivan that’s fun to drive, less expensive and a cinch to park, the Mazda Mazda 5 is an alternative, but it doesn’t yet have traction or stability control.

Crossovers and wagons are also great choices.  They have the space, fuel mileage, and safety rating that parents look for.  At the same time, they add a little style form the ho hum design of the minivan.

The heat is on and it is summer time.  I fact, August is often one of the hottest months of the year.  70, 80, even 90 degree weather means that a closed vehicle is going to heat up quickly. A car sitting in a parking lot all day can reach temperatures well over 100 degrees F.  Nothing is more uncomfortable to climb into your car only to sit on hot seats and breathe in the stifling air.  However, in hot weather there are ways to minimize a cooking car. You may even want to think about this while shopping for your vehicle.  Cloth seats are better than leather as far as heating up, and some luxury models even come with air conditioned seats, where small refrigerant units are actually built into the seats. Follow these tips and you may be better off:

Windows Shields

Aftermarket windshield shields that block out the sun’s rays are widely available. Not only do they lower interior temperatures, but they also stop the UV rays from damaging dashboards and fading fabrics.

 Find some Shade

If any shade is available where you will be parking, this is great way to lower the rate at which the vehicle heats up.  If there is no shade, park so that the sun comes in the back window. This will keep the front dash, steering wheel, and seats from getting so hot.

Crank the A/C

Once you enter that hot car, turn on the air conditioner and open your windows a couple of inches. This will efficiently lower the interior temperatures because the cool air produced will displace the hot air, pushing it out the windows. As soon as it’s cooled off, close the windows.

Vent the Windows

Lower the windows at least a half-inch to allow some airflow. This will slightly reduce the temperature, and allow for less stifling air.

Tinted Windows

Window tinting is very effective in lowering interior temperatures, but there are different rules regulating window tinting for every state. Some states prohibit tinting of the front windows, some states allow tinting, but the degree of tinting is defined, which varies from state to state.

The great debate about senior drivers and personal rights has swirled around for years.  The issue is seniors driving beyond the age of suitable mental and physical abilities.  While many drivers can operate a vehicle safely through their retirement years, there is a small perentage who refuse to give up their key despite medical issues ranging from poor eyesight to compromised mental state.  The three factors that lead to elderly drivers becoming unsuitable on the road are: fading vision, diminishing physical dexterity and deterioration in cognitive abilities.  On top of those are other problems such as acute conditions and diseases; Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and arthritis.   There have been several high-profile accidents around the country in which an older driver has plowed into a crowd, and killed people.  Should there be laws to take away their licenses at a certain age?  Is it fair to risk others lives and safety while allowing possibly impaired seniors to keep driving? Does creating a law infringe on personal rights? It is a difficult and sensitive subject.  There are many approaches to finding a solution.  In any case it is best if senior drivers make their own decisions about when to leave the wheel, as forcing them can be very upsetting.  But, sometimes adult children must have a frank talk with their parent, often easing in the idea that one day soon they must stop driving.

So how does one know it is time to stop driving? There are warning signs family, or the drivers themselves, can watch for that indicate it is time to give up the keys.  These include frequent near-accidents, dents or scrapes on the vehicle or the mailbox, difficulty for the senior to see the sides of the road when looking straight ahead, and more than normal traffic stops.  This conversation should warn the seniors about their responsibility, and the idea of harming someone in an accident.   The conversation often is toughest with an elderly person who still has most of his faculties — just not enough to drive safely.   If the family makes no head-way in convincing their parent, they may want to get some help. The senior may be more willing to listen to an authority figure, especially one who he trusts deeply.  A trusted doctor could even write a prescription saying their patient cannot drive anymore.

The common reason elderly refuse to stop driving is a fear of losing their independence and mobility. To address this, map out a new transportation plan with them, there are many options, the proceeds from their vehicle could even be used for a ‘transportation budget’. Many churches, senior centers, and nonprofit groups provide ride services to the elderly.  If none of those solutions are an option, there is conventional mass transit.   You also can hire home-care agencies.

Today, one in seven licensed drivers is 65 years old or older, but within two decades that ratio will be almost one in four.  And many are perfectly able to drive, in fact, they are sometimes better drivers, because they are generally more cautious.  Older drivers are also much less likely than younger ones to be involved in crashes related to high speeds or alcohol. Today, there are even ‘drivers ed’ type classes specifically geared at the older age group.  The class addresses issues that senior drivers may face.

In this country we put an immense emphasis on driving.  It is a symbol for many of independence.  Many states have easily put into effect rules that restrict driving for teenagers, but it isn’t as simple to put the hold on drivers later in life.  While this problem will not go away, family intervention, classes targeted towards seniors, and new technology in vehicles are all worthwhile efforts at reducing the issue.

A New Age in Family Vehicles

While families vehicles of the past simply served as a means of transportation to get from one place to the other, family vans, sedans, wagons, and SUVs of today do much more than ever imagined.

Entertainment

Especially on long drives, entertaining the kids is all important. Rear-seat DVD entertainment systems now come in a variety of vehicles.  Typical entertainment systems come with a centrally located fold-down screen, a pair of headphones and auxiliary input jacks that can accommodate video-game systems. Some systems have a screen in the back of each front headrest, and Chrysler offers dual screens, one for each rear seating row. SIRIUS Backseat TV makes a rear-seat entertainment system even better. Offered exclusively by Chrysler, it comes with three child-friendly channels: Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and Disney Channel.

Seating

Third row SUVs are widely available and come from a variety of automakers. There is finally an alternative to the minivan, and for some the style of an SUV is much desired compared to the minivan. Seating options in minivan, meanwhile, have become advanced.  Chrysler and Dodge offers the ‘Stow ‘n Go’ system , where the seats can be folded directly into the floor.  When the seats are up, the bins they fold into can be used for storage space. The third-row seats also fold into a well in the back of the van, leaving a flat, useful load floor.  Other companies have developed the same rear seat/rear well configuration, but nobody else has Stow ‘n Go-style second-row seats.

Safety

Safety has become one of the most advanced technologies in the auto industry.  And family vehicles, naturally, make it a priority.  Rearview cameras and/or rear park assist can prevent you from backing over items or even kids in the driveway. Other safety technologies to look for are anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC) and side-curtain airbags. Similar to the way ABS prevents a vehicle’s brakes from locking up, ESC sensors detect loss of traction. All-wheel or four-wheel drive can also be helpful in a family vehicle. Both systems will get you through the snow when front- or rear-wheel drive may not.

As more technologies become standard in everyday life and people are more and more on the go, multitasking while driving has become the norm on American roads. Automakers, meanwhile, are caught between growing consumer demands for more capabilities and conveniences — and the safety and legal concerns that might encourage auto designers to discourage multitasking.  The list goes on: shaving, changing clothes, fixing hair, eating and texting.

The obvious problem with this trend is that it without a doubt distracts drivers; about 80 percent of all crashes are related to some form of distracted driving, according to the U.S. government.  Car designs have made great strides in making occupants of the car safer in an accident, but they can only do so much.  Furthermore, carmakers battling for sales are turning to convenience and technological features to gain the upper hand. The automakers view is they have a responsibility to provide consumers with what they want; it is the consumer’s job to use these safely. The automakers have taken steps, on their part, to encourage a safer multitask drive. With Navigation systems, none are designed so drivers need to lower their heads more than 30 degrees from a straight-ahead position. Also, many automakers won’t allow front-seat occupants to enter destination addresses manually while the vehicle is in motion.  Including Bluetooth in vehicle design is another way automakers are addressing this issue. Drivers will never stop talking on their phones while in motion, so having hands-free technology available in the car is important.  Voice recognition technology is also making multitasking safer.

Right now four states and the District of Columbia already outlaw the use of handheld phones while driving, and at least 38 states currently are debating bills that would specifically regulate text messaging while behind the wheel, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Highway designers are trying to add more rumble strips on highway shoulders to startle those who’ve strayed to the side, and creating greater numbers of safe rest spots along the nation’s roads.

There is a thin line between citizen’s personal property rights and the government’s right to make roads safer.  Add into the mix automakers and the technology industry and there is a lot going on.  Hopefully, in the future a common ground will be found and multitasking, for however we take it, will be safe.

Keep Your Pet Safe While Traveling

It is amazing what people in this country will do for their pets, from spending thousands for medical treatment, to buying bottled water or special ice cream.  One may think that bringing the family pet on a car trip is a great idea – you get to skip asking friends to look after your pet and you can avoid the costs and concerns that go with boarding and kennels.  Yet, traveling with pets in the car takes planning and preparation, and there are special challenges that go along with the trip.

Guidelines for Dogs

Dogs riding in a car should not ride in the passenger seat if it is equipped with an airbag, just like a child should not.  It should never be allowed to sit on the driver’s lap, as this poses a danger to both the driver and their pet.  Dogs should not be allowed to ride with their heads outside car windows, as dirt or debris can enter the eyes, ears, and nose, causing injury or infection.    If they seem to have car sickness, there is a medicine the vet can prescribe that can help this.    Today, there are many vehicle safety products for dogs.  Read more about these below.

Guidelines for Cats

Cats should always be in a cat carrier.  This allows them to feel secure and prevent them from crawling under your feet while you are driving.  Before going on a long trip, take the cat on some short trips around town, if it does not usually ride in a vehicle, or it is especially nervous when riding.

Car Travel Products for Pets

Personalized Pet Car Seat: This is designed for small dogs (less than 10 pounds).  It is an elevated, square carrier that will easily attached to any seat.  This not only allows smaller dogs to be able to see out the window, but there is also a safety harness that will keep him in one place.

Pet Travel Hammock: This could also be called a safety. It attaches to the back of the front-seat headrests and drapes down across the back seats, creating a hammock. This prevents your dog from tumbling onto the floor during quick stops or unexpected swerves.

Travel Harness: This is sort of a seatbelt that fits around the back of a dog’s front legs.  Many models attach to seatbelt buckles, while others tether through the vehicle’s round bar. This protects your dog, and it also prevents a distracted driver, as the dog can no longer be jumping from front to back seats and back again.

Dog Ramp: This ramp is especially useful for older dogs that have a hard time getting around. It allows your pet to enter and exit cars without having to leap, jump, or be lifted.

You must take into consideration your pet’s health, happiness and safety – everything you deal with at home, and these things need to be addressed as much, if not more, while on the road.  Only give small portions of food and water. Plan to stop every two hours for a bathroom break and exercise, which you will need a leash for.   An identification tag should always be on the pet, but in addition put one on that includes a mobile phone number. Bring your animal along on a trip can be convenient and even ‘fun’, as many animals are considered part of the family.  It is easy to make things go smoothly; just come prepared and ready to alter the way you normally travel.  Always pay attention to the pet while on the road.  Be aware of any change in your pet’s appetite, energy, and disposition.