The Chrysler Town & Country can be outfitted with not just one but two video screens and DVD players , so that those in the second row of seats can watch something different than those in the third row. The system also has video inputs and a 115-volt outlet for game systems, a 506-watt 9-speaker Infinity sound system, and Sirius Backseat TV, which receives kid-friendly satellite content from Nickelodeon, the Disney Channel and Cartoon Network. And because sometimes in-car entertainment involves interacting with your family members rather than ignoring them, the T&C also has the optional Swivel ‘n Go seating system, which allows the second row of seats to rotate 180 degrees and face the third row, as well as a removable table for board games or lunch.

The MKS from Lincoln is another winner in the entertainment category. The DVD player in the Lincoln MKS  sedan plays video only when the vehicle is in park, so you may wonder why, if you’re not going anywhere, you might want to watch a movie in the front seat of your car. The fact is, the MKS’ THX II-certified 5.1 surround sound system puts the one in your living room to shame, with its 600-watt 12-channel amp, 16 speakers and 10-inch subwoofer. And it probably doesn’t hurt that the seats are plusher than a high-end couch, with Bridge of Weir leather, 12-way power adjustment and heating and cooling. Oh yeah, the system also does wonders for your music, and includes the voice-controlled Sync system, so that you can call up some thunderous tunes when you take it out of park and hit the road.

The Mazda5  is one of the best bargains on the market, and it turns out the optional DVD rear-seat entertainment system is a relative bargain as well, at least compared with most manufacturers’ entertainment systems. Mazda  refrains from tucking the DVD player and 7-inch screen into a more expensive package, offering it as a stand-alone $1,200 option.

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’.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.