School Zone Safety Tips | Prescott Brothers Inc of Mendota

Keeping Children Safe

Parents and caregivers who drive on campus and in neighborhoods near school can plan an important role in enhancing safety near schools by following safe driving practices. At arrival and dismissal times, drivers are often in a hurry and distracted which can lead to unsafe conditions for students and others walking, bicycling and driving in the area.

Drivers should always:

• Slow down and obey all traffic laws and speed limits, both in school zones and in
  
  neighborhoods surrounding the school. 
• Comply with local school drop-off and pick-up procedures for the safety of all children accessing the school. 
• Avoid double parking or stopping on crosswalks to let children out of the car. Double parking will block visibility for other children and other motorists. Visibility is further reduced during the rain and fog seasons when condensation forms on car windows. 
• Avoid loading or unloading children at locations across the street from the school. This forces youngsters to unnecessarily cross busy streets—often mid-block rather than at a crosswalk. 
• Prepare to stop for a school bus when overhead yellow lights are flashing. Drive with
  
  
  caution when you see yellow hazard warning lights are flashing on a moving or stopped bus. 
• Stop for a school bus with its red overhead lights flashing, regardless of the
  
  direction from which the driver is approaching. Drivers must not proceed until the school bus resumes motion and the red lights stop flashing, or until signaled by the school bus driver to proceed. 
• Watch for children walking or bicycling (both on the road and the sidewalk) in areas near a school. 
• Watch for children playing and gathering near bus stops. Watch for children arriving late for the bus, who may dart into the street without looking for traffic. 
• Watch for children walking or biking to school when backing up (out of a driveway or leaving a garage).

Source: http://apps.saferoutesinfo.org/lawenforcement/resources/driving_tips.cfm

Getting Your Teen Their First Car: A How-To

Make sure you're setting them up for safety right from the start.

1. Choose the Right Car

Let's face it, if you left the decision up to your teen, you would probably end up with either a huge SUV or a suped up sports car, neither of which is particularly safe for a young, new driver. However, there are plenty of options out there to make both you and your teen happy. And with the right research, you can find a car that is not only fun to drive, but also safe and reliable, too.

Choosing a midsize car is the best way to go, according to The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety and the Insurance Information Institute. Depending on your budget, you can opt for either a new or used model - just make sure the car is in good condition with updated safety features like airbags and electronic stability control. Also, you'll want to check out crash test and safety ratings before making your final purchase.

Fuel efficiency is another important factor to consider, especially in today's economy. Unless you're willing to cover the cost of filling your son or daughter's tank each week, buying your teen a gas guzzler is probably not a good idea.

2. Get the Best Auto Insurance Rate

The truth is that no matter what car you choose, insuring your teen driver will increase your auto insurance rates. But there are some things that you can do to make these costs as manageable as possible. In fact, another great reason to opt for safety first at the car dealership is that it can help keep your auto insurance premiums down. Because safer cars tend to have a lower accident risk, they are usually less expensive to insure.

Another way to get the best auto insurance rates possible is to scope out potential discounts. If your teen is a full-time student, for instance, he or she may be eligible for a good student discount. Researching your options beforehand will help you to make an informed decision when trying to find the right car for your teen.

3. Set Boundaries

Choosing a good car and purchasing the right auto insurance are only the first steps in keeping your teen safe on the road. Talking with your teen about safe driving and setting clear rules and guidelines are also important. To ensure that your teen stays safe behind the wheel, you can:


Limit the number of passengers your teen can have in his or her car at any one time;
Establish a "no cell phone" policy to ensure that your teen does not text or call while driving;
Discuss what to do in cases of emergency, including accidents and adverse weather conditions.

Regular Car Checks Recommended During High Summer Temperatures

Staying on top of your car's systems during the height of summer can help ensure a comfortable and safe ride.

Summer can be tough on cars, especially during high temperatures when heat can destroy batteries and stress the cooling system and tires. As a precaution, these vehicle components should be checked periodically during summer to help avoid breakdowns and car problems, according to the Car Care Council.

Excessive heat and overcharging shorten the life of a battery. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, which then damages the internal structure of the battery. A malfunctioning component in the charging system, usually the voltage regulator, allows too high a charging rate, which will eventually destroy a battery.

To get the most life out of a battery, the council recommends having the electrical system checked to make sure it is charging at the correct rate. If your car's battery is the type that needs to be topped off, check it often, especially in hot weather and add distilled water if necessary. Keep the top of the battery clean. Dirt can become a conductor, which drains battery power. If corrosion accumulates on battery terminals, it becomes an insulator and inhibits the current flow.

The cooling system also works harder during hot temperatures to prevent overheating of the engine. To keep the cooling system working effectively, the coolant and distilled water mixture for a vehicle's radiator should be 50:50. As a reminder, never open a hot radiator cap when checking the coolant level in the reservoir.

As a rule of thumb, the coolant should be changed annually on most vehicles. This will keep the cooling system fresh and clean inside, which helps prevent corrosion and assures that the coolant has the proper boiling point and protection. A pressure test, thermostat test, a cooling fan test and a visual inspection for leaks and corrosion should also be done annually. Hoses and drive belts should be checked for cracks, bulges or frayed edges.

The radiator should be kept clean by periodically using a garden hose and a soft brush to carefully remove bugs, dirt and debris.

Tires also need special care in warmer weather as high temperatures put added stress on them. To maximize tire life and safety, check the tire condition and inflation pressure monthly, and have the tires rotated every 6,000 miles. Summer heat will cause the pressure within a tire to rise, therefore, it's important to check the pressure when tires are cold. The owner's manual includes the recommended air pressure for your vehicle's tires.

"It takes very little time and money to make sure your car runs properly during summer, and although breakdowns happen, they can definitely be minimized by taking a few extra preventive maintenance steps," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.

The council reminds motorists that the vehicle's exterior also can be damaged by sunlight, UV radiation, acid rain, salt, dirt and air pollution. To protect the paint and finish, vehicles should be washed weekly and waxed every six months.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the "Be Car Care Aware" consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council's Car Care Guide or for more information, visithttp://www.carcare.org/.

Source: Car Care Council

Take a different approach to get on the Road | Prescott Brothers Mendota IL

Get out and enjoy your summer!

The Great American Road Trip can become even greater when you tweak a few simple things about your approach.

Heed our advice, grab a couple close friends, and get out there on the best trip of your life.

1. Make a plan, but not a rigid one.
If you’ve got a time limit (as most road trippers do), it’s smart to plot out which city you’ll sleep in each night before setting off. Plan so your driving time is eight hours or less per day, but don't plan anything more than that. Then watch as your days become hilarious sagas of driving, wandering, and following your wild road trip whims.

2. Don’t research your stops beforehand.
Ahh expectation, the grand crippler of many a road tripper’s happiness. On a road trip, your schedule has extra room, so you can afford to enter a new city with no prior knowledge of what you’ll find. Being relatively clueless has benefits: When you don’t know what to expect at a stop, you can’t possibly be let down by what you discover. And when you’re not bee-lining for the city’s most-visited tourist locales, you leave the door wide open for weird little discoveries… of the city’s true gems.

3. Find the “world’s largest” everything.
Ok so if there’s one thing you’re allowed to map out, it’s all those places that claim to have the “world’s largest” version of whatever, because they make for some hilariously off-beat sights. There are tons and tons of “world’s largests” along our highways-- highlights include the Giant Artichoke in California and the World’s Largest Freestanding Illuminated Man-Made Star in Roanoke, Virginia.

4. Bring a real, actual map and a really big Sharpie.
Google Maps is awesome for driving directions, but it’s infinitely more fun to track your progress on a real, printed-out atlas. Trace your route on the map as you go along, then hang it in your bedroom or office to smile at every day.

5. Pack light so there’s room to collect.
You’re going to find an authentic Apache rug in New Mexico. And an awesome mounted deer head in Texas. And a year’s supply of syrup in Vermont. It will be sucha bummer if your trunk is too full of suitcases to stow these finds.

6. Get a gas card.
You’re gonna be buying a LOT of fuel, which can translate into a LOT of free fuel points, cash back on hotels, and discounted groceries.

7. Bring a CD.
Yes, a real live CD. With 12 songs or less that you’d be semi-comfortable hearing for two weeks straight. Stick it in the car’s CD changer old-school style, and run through it every day without skipping tracks. It won’t seem like a big deal. But months later, when one of those special road trip songs comes on at the grocery store or in a bar, you’ll find yourself transported back to your trip in a way only a song could transport you.

8. Bring refreshments.
You never know when a beautiful roadside sunset or especially scenic overlook will call for a break to just sit back and watch.

9. Practice making new friends.
You can keep to yourself at home, but a road trip is not the best time to do so. Chat up your grocery store cashier. Ask the motel staff for shopping suggestions. Be bold and join a Frisbee game at the park. Locals know their area best, and they’ll lead you to the best activities once you break the ice.

10. Carry cash for tolls.
Toll roads can pop up in the most bizarre of places, and their fares might be higher than you expect. Stock your center console with dollars and coin rolls so your mailbox won’t overflow with fines from the Kansas Department of Transportation when you get home (not that it’s ever happened to us).

11. Announce your whereabouts.
Text someone -- a friend or your parents -- the name of the place you stay each night and which city you plan to reach by the next night. In the very rare event that anything sketchy happens, it’s good to have a public record of where you are.

12. Make up your own road games.
Unlock the “are we there yet?” child within and use your pent-up creativity to pass the time. Play a game of “seven questions” instead of 21. Re-cast your favorite movies using you and your trip mates as the actors. Count how many times you see the word “chicken” on a billboard. Get funky with it.

13. Ask a local where to eat.
Nine times out of ten, a local will lead you to a tastier, cheaper dinner with better ambiance than a guidebook could ever suggest. Find a local who looks like they know what's up, and ask the simple question.

14. Limit phone calls to the outside world.
Road trips are all about being wild, abandoned and free on the open road. They’re also about bonding in a special way with your trip mates while spending hours and hours together in that tiny box on wheels. It might be tempting to spice things up with phone calls to your friends back home, but limiting those calls will pay off when you’re able to really get to know your fellow travelers and really soak in the amazing sights around you.

15. Bring a spare car key.
It might sound like a no-brainer, but there are some people (cough, us, cough) who have not been so wise.

16. Follow those weird billboards.
You know, the ones that say “Free Chocolate Samples This Way” and “Second-Friendliest Yarn Store in The Universe.” These places aren’t creepy; they’re cool. And they are often gleeful small-town destinations never before seen by your big-city eyes.

17. Embrace the gas station.
Some are gourmet. Some, less so. But they’ve got cheap eats, classic candies, bathrooms, and fuel all in one. Stop at gas stations often, and you’re bound to hit some stellar ones -- the one with the five-legged cow or the ones with the mix-your-own-milkshake machine -- which will positively make your trip.

18. Take pictures!
…and not just the Instagram kind. Road trips are prime fodder for beautiful scrapbooks and bulletin boards once you get home.

Happy road tripping, freeway pioneers!

Resource: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/01/road-trip-hacks_n_4177884.html

Summer is the time to make Memories | Prescott Brothers Mendota IL

Don't Let Your Adventure Break the Bank

In a few weeks, millions of Americans will start hitting the road for their annual summer road trips. Overall, almost 80% of American vacations involve driving rather than flying, according to the U.S. Travel Association. A survey by AAA found that 52% of people said they were more likely to take a long road trip in 2015 because of lower gas prices.

But driving to your next vacation destination comes with costs of its own, including gas, lodging, and wear and tear on your car. While the upfront cost is smaller when getting behind the wheel, minor expenses can add up.

Whether you’re planning a coast-to-coast journey or a quick weekend getaway, you’re probably looking for ways to save on your next road trip. We’ve gathered seven tips that will help you save money on travel this summer so that you can get the most bang for your vacation buck.

1. Get a tune-up

Before you hit the road, make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition. Popular Mechanics advises checking filters, fluid levels, brake linings, coolant, and tire pressure. Properly inflating your tires can improve fuel economy by 3%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, while using the manufacturer-recommended grade of motor oil can improve gas mileage by up to 2%.

2. Pack light

Loading up your car with a lot of baggage means you’ll spend more on gas. Your fuel efficiency falls by 1% for every extra 100 pounds you carry in your car. Putting a cargo box on your car’s roof reduces fuel economy by 6% to 17% when driving on the highway. If you must carry extra cargo, haul it behind your car rather than putting it on the roof.

3. Watch the speedometer

Having a lead foot will cost you. Fuel economy decreases dramatically at speeds above 50 miles per hour, says the U.S. Department of Energy; you’ll pay an extra 17 cents per gallon for every five miles you drive above that speed. Rapid acceleration and braking also reduces your car’s fuel efficiency.

4. Skip the tolls

Tolls are collected on 4,630 miles of highway in 25 states, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. And they won’t just cost you pocket change. Driving 356 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, from the Ohio border to the Delaware River Bridge, will set you back $46.10 if you have a regular passenger car, and more if you’re driving a bigger vehicle like an RV. Picking an alternate route could mean more money in your pocket.

Going far out of your way to skip tolls could end up costing you more in gas and lost time. But for cost-conscious travelers who aren’t in a hurry, it may make sense to choose the scenic route, opting for small back roads rather than major highways.

5. Get a deal on lodging

Everyone has a different strategy when it comes to finding a place to stay on a road trip. Some people create strict itineraries, so they know exactly where they’re going to stay every night. Other people have a more laissez-faire strategy, letting the rhythm of the road dictate where they bed down for the night.

If you prefer the former approach, you have time to shop around and get the best deal on a room. Seat-of-their-pants travelers can use sites like Priceline and Hotwire to get last-minute deals. A membership with AAA can score you big discounts at many hotels, and hotel loyalty programs may earn you discounts and upgrades on rooms. Camping rather than staying in hotels is another way to save.

6. Stock up on snacks

The average American individual or family spends $27.16 per day on food at restaurants when traveling, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Make multiple trips through the drive-through a day, and you could quickly blow your travel budget.

Before you leave, stock up on affordable, healthy snacks so that you’re not tempted to hit McDonald’s. Then, look for parks and nature preserves on your route where you can stop for a picnic, and turn your lunch break into a fun part of the trip. And if you’re staying in hotels, don’t forget to fill up at the free breakfast, if one is offered.

7. Track gas prices

Gas prices have fallen over the past year, which is good news for summer travelers. But a little advance planning can save you even more. Apps like GasBuddy can help you find the cheapest gas station when it’s time to fill up.

Also, remember that gas prices can vary significantly from state to state. If you’re driving through Chicago, fill up in neighboring states like Wisconsin and Indiana, where gas can be 10 or 20 cents cheaper per gallon because of lower local taxes, according to a report by Illinois Policy. On your way to California, top off the tank in Arizona, where the average price of gas is currently 76 cents less than in the Golden State.

Resource: http://www.cheatsheet.com/personal-finance/save-money-on-your-summer-road-trip-with-these-7-tips.html/?a=viewall#ixzz3dFOO3oot

This or That: 2005 Dodge Ram SRT-10 vs. 2005 Subaru WRX STI | Prescott Brothers Inc Mendota IL

Which Potential Collector Car Do You Prefer?

Jeremy Korzeniewski

Some cars, due to ultimate desirability, particular rareness, or spectacular performance/prestige eventually become collectible. It's darn near impossible to know which ones will make it into the rarefied stratosphere of collectibility – why is a late 1960s AMC AMX so affordable these days, whereas prices for late '70s Pontiac Trans Ams are soaring? – but there are some useful indicators to keep tabs on.

We're not exactly experts on investing, but we do know cars. As such, we've decided to take our non-expertise on one hand, combine it in the other with our knowledge of all things automotive, wad it up, throw it out and ask for your forgiveness. Or something like that.

I've challenged Senior Editor Seyth Miersma to choose a car he thinks will become a future collector's item that's not more than 10 years old, and for no more than $25,000. I've done the same, and we vigorously argued for and against each other's picks. I feel good about my choice, but I don't have the best track record in these contests (I've lost three times, won twice, but they've all been pretty close), so, while I'm not going to beg (please vote for me!), I do hope you find my argument convincing. But first, let's hear from Seyth:



Miersma: Ten-years old or newer makes this challenging. At that age most vehicles feel like a plain old used car to me, few hit the "classic" button.

But the Subaru WRX STI has always been a special car, and the 2005 cutoff year proves to be very attractive for the parameters of our contest. It's rare; with fewer than 5,000 STI models sold that model year. It's probably the best looking WRX STI ever sold in America; narrowly avoiding the dreadful "horse collar" front fascia. And it's got one of the more die-hard car-geek followings out there.

For $25,000, you can also still find examples that have reasonable miles, are in good condition, and haven't all been molested by grown-up Initial D wannabes. With the street racers hacking up collectable examples every day, I like my odds for steep appreciation by way of conservation. 

I couldn't agree more. It really is difficult to predict what cars will catch the eye of collectors, and the WRX STI seems like a pretty good choice. But I think mine is even better, and I can't let him know that I'd love to park just such an STI in my very own garage. And so goes my argument:



Korzeniewski: I like your choice as a driver, Seyth. I'm less convinced of its status as a sure-fire collectible.

For starters, the Mitsubishi Evolution is a rarer beast, selling in smaller numbers just about every year, as best as I can tell, and especially since 2015 will be its last year sold in its present WRX-fighting form. What's more, with so many non-STI WRXs on the road, seeing one of Subaru's rally-bred machines isn't exactly a stop-and-stare driving moment.

My Dodge Ram SRT-10, on the other hand, is rarer than not just the WRX STI, but the Evolution too, for that matter. According to the Viper Truck Registry (yep, it exists), there were just 3,305 Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab trucks built in 2005. Another 1,309 were built in 2006, and then production ended, forever. That's what I call built-in exclusivity.

Of course, I expect that Seyth will be wowed by the fact that there is already a Viper Truck Registry. Turns out he's not. Or at least he's not willing to let on.

 

Miersma: The contemporary Evo would've been a good pick, too. But if you mean to suggest that the smaller volume Mitsubishi will somehow dull the appeal of the STI, I bet there are some folks at NASIOC, ClubWRX, and ScoobyNet that would set you straight.

But the question at hand isn't about an Evo, it's about that really fast truck you've picked out. It's a clever choice, I'll grant you. Never underestimate the desire of Americans to buy trucks. And the SRT-10 is definitely rare – unlike with the STI formula, Dodge could only convince people to buy an entirely impractical, enormously expensive show truck for so long. You've got that going for you.

Production figures don't come close to telling the full story though. The SRT-10 was purchased to be a collectable. STIs sold here were getting modified from the moment they peeled out of the Subaru lots. Brass tacks: the preservation rate for your Dodge is way higher than for my Subaru. Supply and demand will ultimately work out in my favor.

Figuring that Seyth is parroting "preservation rates" much more than actual desirability, I counter with stats.

 

Korzeniewski: You started a debate by citing rarity, then balked when I pointed out that both the Evo and the SRT-10 were rarer. That's fine. Let's move on from that bit for now.

Let's talk power. As in, 8.3 liters, 10 cylinders, 500 horsepower and 525 pound-feet of torque. Routed to two fat rear tires, that equals smoky burnouts. And, when the traction issue is metered well, it results in an official factory 0-60 time of 4.9 seconds and a Guiness Book of World Records-verified 154.587-mile-per-hour top speed. That makes it the World's Fastest Pickup Truck, down to this day.

That kind of performance, that kind of provenance, is what dream rides are made of.

With engine output very clearly on my Ram SRT-10's side, Seyth goes back to his perceived rarity factor before mentioning what I knew would be the elephant in the room: rally racing victories.



Miersma: "Were" rarer, not "will be" rarer. But we can move on.

The Ram has a mighty engine, one well-suited for a straight-line truck. After all, 500 horsepower and 8.3-liters works out to a specific output of 60 hp/l. That's just a little worse that a Toyota RAV4 of the same vintage – I know, I know, I can't replace displacement or something.

Meanwhile the STI makes do with just 300 horsepower from a hornet-quick, 2.5-liter flat-four. It has legendary all-wheel-drive traction, can move from corner to corner like a ninja through a forest, and generally makes good use of every once of power a driver can dial up. The SRT-10 may have been the world's fastest truck, but it's still slower than the STI if there's, you know, one turn involved.

Most importantly, it has all of those attributes because it was conceived of and built by a racing team: Subaru Technica International. The same team that won three WRC constructors championships and aided three drivers in taking top honors. Talk about provenance.

If we weren't talking about an engine borrowed from the Viper, Seyth's horsepower-per-liter dig might hurt. But it doesn't, even a little bit, because we're talking about 500 horsepower and 525 lb-ft of torque. Also, what's with this "may have been the world's fastest truck" garbage? Time to correct that notion and to bring in the argument of usability – after all, we're talking about collectors' valuing these vehicles years down the line, and their current owners may want to actually use them in the meantime.



Korzeniewski: I'm certainly not going to argue that the Ram SRT-10 will be as quick down a winding road as the Subaru WRX STI, but that doesn't mean it won't be just as fun.

Not that practicality really enters too far into the equation, but it bears mentioning that the Ram SRT-10 is an investment that will prove quite practical for lots and lots of drivers. Not only is it supremely comfortable inside for five passengers, it also can tow as much as 7,500 pounds, or haul a load of practically anything in its pickup truck bed.

Finally, let me offer you this correction: You say it "may have been the world's fastest truck." This is not accurate. It still is the world's fastest truck. As in, the fastest vehicle of its kind, ever.

Surely Seyth will be won over by now, right? Well, not so much. Turns out he likes the SRT-10 just fine, he just thinks he's smarter than me. Which he might be. Still, I like my truck. Here's his closing argument:

 
 

Miersma: Trucks are practical as a rule. Trucks that get nine miles per gallon in the city, on premium, and have a tabletop covering their beds, are slightly less so. But the SRT-10 isn't a good collector's item because of practicality; people want to savor it because it's so outrageous, and cool.

I still think the STI has a more collectable future. Consider this: The SRT-10 follows the muscle car idiom that's been selling vehicles to Baby Boomers for decades now. When it was new it was being bought by guys in their 50s, not 20s. And American classics sell for huge amounts to our parents' generation, because those were the cars they wanted when they were kids.

What did my generation of enthusiasts (and younger) want when they were kids? The cars that they used to conquer Gran Turismo; the cars they saw on TV and in movies; the cars that were winning races at the time. Sure, American iron like your Ram will still have a market when you and I are collecting social security, but it just won't have the emotional pull of stuff like my Subaru. Let's check back in twenty years to see.

I truly hope we can look back on this discussion in 20 years, and not just because I think I'm right. That said, it's now time to wrap up my own sentiments.

 
 

Korzeniewski: I'll conclude by thanking you for making my argument so easy, Seyth. As you say, the SRT-10 follows a well-known formula for picking classics. Most powerful engine, low production numbers, outrageous and cool. That's the Ram SRT-10.

Now, I know you're a gamer, Seyth, and you know I'm not. But I'm also not a Baby Boomer, and I think the idea of a Viper-powered pickup is just plain awesome. It was awesome in 2005, and it's still awesome in 2015. And it won't be any less awesome in 2025, 2035 or whatever time in the future when the idea of burning fossil fuels for transportation (especially at nine mpg) will be absurd.

5 Spring Maintenance Tips for Your Car | Prescott Brothers Inc Mendota IL

Here are Five Spring Car Maintenance Tips to Keep in Mind

1. Remove leftover salt

Salt, used on roads to melt ice and snow, can cause serious damage to cars, especially their undercarriages where metal can rust. Take your car to a highly rated car wash to eliminate salt, and check that the business has sprayers that clean the undercarriage.

2. Check alignment and suspension
Driving over potholes can damage your car’s alignment and suspension. You might have a problem if you notice that the car pulls to one side or the steering wheel vibrates as you drive. An alignment check typically costs $25 to $40.

3. Change oil and check fluids

“If your last oil change was before winter, then this is a great time to do it, spring is also an ideal time to flush your transmission fluid. It’s one of the most neglected services. Mechanics say spring is a good time to check your car's fluid levels. Waiting too long to change your fluids can lead to a costly repair. Mechanics recommend changing your car’s oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.Don’t forget to check window washing fluid levels, as well as your brake and cooling system fluids.

4. Rotate tires and check air pressure
You should check the tire pressure, including the spare should you ever need it. Your car’s tires affect the ride, handling, traction and safety.Mechanics recommend tire rotation every 5,000 miles to keep tread wear even.One of the biggest issues we see is the front tires wearing out prematurely.

5. Inspect brakes
Nothing, perhaps, is more important than having brakes that function properly. Have a technician check the pads and rotors to ensure there are no safety issues. Neglecting them can lead to a costlier repair down the line.