road trip Archives - Jiffy Lube of Southern California

Hitting the Road on MLK Day Weekend? We’ve Got You Covered

MLK weekend for many in Southern California, is used for quick getaways within driving distance. Here are some events happening this weekend that can help you plan your days off and entertain your family and friends. Before you hit the road, stop by your local Southern California Jiffy Lube to service your car. Find us at jiffylubesocal.com/locations.

Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival

When: Jan. 12-15, 2018

Every Martin Luther King weekend over 500 California bird festival lovers visit Morro Bay, California, a Globally Important Bird Area, to see, photograph, and learn more about birds. Morro Bay is located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco on the Pacific Flyway. The area offers pristine beaches, beautiful state parks, an excellent natural history museum, panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and, best of all, thousands of birds. Over 200 species are usually sighted during the Festival weekend. Saturday is family day at the Museum of Natural History at Morro Bay State Park where teens and children can learn about birds — and reptiles. Learn more at http://morrobaybirdfestival.org.

Downtown Ventura Tasting Tour

When: 10:30 a.m. Jan. 15, 2018.

On this tour, guests will explore the bounty of gourmet food available in downtown Ventura, some in the heart of downtown, others a bit off the beaten path. You will also have the opportunity to meet and hear from some of the well-known local chefs and shop owners. Tour is not suited for those who are vegan, lactose-intolerant or on a gluten-free diet.

Volunteer at the City of Lancaster’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service

When: Jan. 13, 2018

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service offers opportunities to volunteer on 18 projects at 15 locations. The theme is “Make it a day on, not a day off.” Learn more at http://www.cityoflancasterca.org/about-us/departments-services/parks-recreation-arts/special-events/martin-luther-king-jr-day-of-service.

Desert Woman’s Show in Rancho Mirage

When: Jan. 13 and 14

From Yoga to sipping a glass of wine and enjoying some massages, the Desert Woman’s Show features it all . Visitors can get free health screenings, take classes on Hawaiian-fusion cooking and experience virtual reality from a menu of real-world situations. Fifty exhibits cover weight-loss, beauty, clothing and jewelry. Learn more at https://www.desertwomansshow.com.

Be a Park Champion at Los Angeles State Historic Park

When: 9 a.m. Jan. 15, 2018

Help the Los Angeles State Historic Park on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Volunteers will work with native plants and habitat in the 32-acre park. Work is done at 1 p.m., and you’re free to enjoy the park on your own with a picnic, walk, run or bike ride.

Winter Road Trip Essentials

From Big Bear to Sequoia, all of us in Southern California love to hit the road in search of some fun in the snow during the holidays. For long-distance road trips this season, consider adding these additional items to your roadside safety kit.

Windshield scraper. Good visibility is your most important safety item, but persistent snow and ice can build up quickly and make it hard to see. A long-handled, soft-bristled brush can also come in handy. Be sure to do the heavy clearing with a tool, rather than the windshield wipers.
Tire chains and tow strap. Familiarize yourself with how to put the chains on your vehicle’s tires or attach a tow strap before you need to do it in cold and possibly dark conditions.
Blanket, extra layers, winter hat. If you run out of fuel or if your battery dies, the vehicle won’t be able to provide heat. A blanket, extra layer (like a sweatshirt or fleece) and hat can help keep you warm if you have to wait for a long time in cold conditions.
Chemical hand warmers. These small, inexpensive packets are available at ski shops and sporting-goods stores.
Water and nonperishable emergency food. Bring enough food and water to sustain you and any passengers for at least a meal—longer for remote areas or in extreme cold regions.
Small folding shovel. If you get stuck in snow, this can be a vital tool. A folding camping-style shovel will require more digging effort than a longer-handled shovel, but it is more convenient to store in the vehicle.
Bag of cat litter. Spreading the litter around your tires might provide extra grip to help you get unstuck from slippery embankments. Plus the added weight in the trunk might give a bit more traction with a rear-drive car.
Reflective safety vest. These can fit over your warm, oversized winter coat, yet still allow you to be seen up to 300 feet away.

Source: Consumer Reports. See the full article here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-car-emergency-kits-for-winter-holiday-road-trips/

Safe Driving Practices For Summer

Ah, summer! The perfect season for an evening cruise along the beach or a long vacation road trip. It may feel carefree, but when it gets really hot out, consider the condition of your vehicle. Are you prepared for whatever might arise? Follow these driving tips to prepare your vehicle for what lies on the road ahead.

Check the levels of all the vehicle’s vital fluids, including motor oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid and windshield wiper fluid and top off, or change them as needed. Pay special attention to the motor oil since it helps keep the engine cool and helps prevent the moving parts in your engine from grinding. Also, make sure to change your oil regularly, referencing your owner’s manual for the appropriate oil change schedule.

Keep a gallon of distilled water in the trunk of your vehicle. If your vehicle starts to overheat, pour the water into the radiator to temporarily cool it down until you can get to a service station. But don’t open the radiator cap until the vehicle has cooled down. The cap pressurizes the system to raise the boiling point. If you were to release this pressure before the engine cooled, hot fluid could boil, spout out and cause serious burns. Most vehicles have an unpressurized coolant reservoir, usually a plastic bottle, that can be a safer place to add fluid.

Prepare an emergency kit and keep it in the trunk. The kit should include:

First aid supplies

Jumper cables

Flashlight with fresh batteries

Spare batteries for flashlight

Roadside flares

Basic tools

Duct tape

Gloves

Bottled water

Granola bars

Spray the radiator grill with a hose when you wash your vehicle to remove debris and to ensure air flows freely through to your air conditioner. Over time, dirt, bugs, leaves and other debris can collect in front of your vehicle’s radiator and interfere with the cooling system.

Check the pressure and wear on your tires, including the spare. Overinflation or underinflation can weaken your tires, cause uneven tread wear, and impact your gas mileage. Many drivers think the proper tire pressure can be found on your actual tire; however, that’s incorrect. The pressure listed there is the tiremaker’s maximum, which often differs from what your vehicle requires. Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual or to a decal often found in the doorjamb or glove compartment for the proper tire pressure. Check the pressure when the tire is cold (air temperature). After an extended drive on the highway or after driving for more than five minutes, the tire gets warm and the pressure reading will be higher.

Rotate and balance your tires before your trip so they wear evenly. The penny test will show you if it’s time for a tire to be replaced. Just place a penny in between two of the treads, with the top of Lincoln’s head pointed down toward the tire. If you can see all of Abe Lincoln’s head, the tire should be changed.

Match the load rate of your vehicle (found in the owner’s manual or inside the driver’s side door) with the estimated weight of your family and the luggage you’ll be packing for the trip. Excess weight makes the engine work harder and consume more gasoline.

Make sure headlights, taillights, turn signals, parking lights and license plate lights are all working. Replace any bulbs that may have burned out. Also, ensure wiper blades are in good condition in case you run into any unexpected storms. Visually inspect your vehicle’s belts, tubes and hoses, replacing any that are cracked or leaking.

Hitting the Road on MLK Day Weekend? We’ve Got You Covered

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Winter Road Trip Essentials

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Safe Driving Practices For Summer

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