Pet Travel Tips!

It's usually not as easy as you think it would be. Bringing your best non-human friend on the road with you seems simple enough, right? Not always so. Here are a few tips on how to make travel with your pet easier.

Healthy Start: The last thing you need on the road is a sick pet. Make sure your pet is all set on vaccinations and has the proper certificates if you intend to cross any international/province/state borders. 

 

Frequent Pit Stops:  You pet can get stir crazy just like you! Stop at any designated waiting area or service stop and take it on a little walk. This may increase your travel time, but it is well worth it! Breaks like these also serve as a perfect time to hydrate.

 

Proper Restraint:  Whether your pet is calm and obedient in the car it is always important to make sure they are safe. No need to roll the windows down for fresh air, you don't want any debris hitting them in the face. A favorite blanket or pet bed is perfect for a long road trip. Creating a normalcy and routine for car rides helps your pet stay calm. 

 

There are lots of other ways to make you and your pet calm during a car ride lasting anywhere between 5 minutes and 8 hours. Thank you!

 

(Courtesy of Tripswithpets.com)

Seven Tips to Help Save on Fuel

Looking for ways to get the most bang for your buck when it comes to fuel? There are ways to help maximize each tank for a longer period of time. Some are well-known, and others you may not have realized; however, try these 7 tips to get the most of your next fill-up:

1. Lighten up. Empty your trunk and back seats of any items you don’t need. Also, don't fill up your tank until you're close to empty, as toting less fuel will also make your vehicle lighter. A lighter car should get you better MPG.

2. Cool off. It's okay to turn on you AC. Consumer Reports says that Air Conditioning's gas-guzzling reputation is undeserved. Furthermore, at higher speeds, opening the windows or sunroof can hurt on gas miles by increasing drag.

3. Stay straight. Staying in one lane as much as possible will also help with fuel consumption, as weaving in and out of lanes uses up more gas miles.

4. Tighten up. Your gas cap, that is. You don't want to let any of that precious fuel evaporate.

5. Shift up. Put your car in overdrive for highway driving. It lowers your RPM, which saves you gas money. Check your owner's manual for the recommended speed at which you may use overdrive.

6. Just cruise. Go ahead and use cruise control when you're on a flat highway, where it can increase gas miles by 7%. However, don't use it on uneven roads where it's not efficient.

7. Shut off. Turn off all electronics and climate controls before you cut the engine. With the extras off, your engine won't have to strain so hard to restart, leading to better gas miles.