How To Make Your Honda Last 200,000 Miles and Beyond

Last October, the odometer in Joe LoCicero’s 1990 Honda Accord rolled past the 1 million-mile mark. He’s a damage claims inspector who reportedly drives his Accord about 62,500 miles every year. Honda not only gave “Million Mile Joe” a new Accord, but organized a parade in his home town in Maine in honor of the milestone.

Not many of us will own a car long enough to drive it a million miles, since most of us drive our cars about 15,000 miles per year, according to AAA. But experts agree that basic maintenance can help you stretch your car to 200,000 miles and beyond.

Read Your Owner’s Manual – and Follow it

Joe Malizia Sr., owner of Bel Air Fast Lube in Maryland, says the best thing you can do is read your owner’s manual as soon as you bring your new car home, and find out what your car’s maintenance schedule is, since keeping up with the recommended maintenance schedule can prolong your car’s life significantly. It may seem like a hassle to have to visit your mechanic every few months, and some may lament the higher price of the premium gas that’s recommended for their car. But following those simple directions can prevent unnecessary problems that will wear your car out prematurely.

John Lawlor, technical advisor at NPR’s Car Talk, agrees, saying “the least-read book in the world is the owner’s manual.” He adds that not only is maintaining your oil and fluids important, but keeping your tires properly inflated to the owner’s manual’s specs is another important factor to keeping your car on the road. Though making regular visits to the mechanic for normal maintenance may seem like the expenses will add up quickly, you’ll most often be saving yourself lots of money in expensive repairs down the road. Like Lawlor says, “It is the cheapskate who spends the most.”

Get Personal With Your Car
Unless you’re a gearhead, you probably won’t know how to change your spark plugs, or what makes your electronic stability control system kick in. But knowing basics like how to check your oil level and paying attention to your car when something feels wrong could save you a big repair bill down the road, say both Malizia and Lawlor.
Malizia also says that it’s very important to pay attention to your warning lights. Your vehicle’s monitoring systems are there for a reason, and it’s better to nip a problem in the bud rather than to let it escalate to catastrophic proportions that could keep you from reaching that 200,000-mile mark.
Lawlor says that one of the most important things you can do is keep your car clean. The paint on today’s cars can be damaged by simple things like bird droppings, acid rain or sap. Always having a coat of wax on your car will prevent the paint from being damaged, which can keep the metal from rusting. Additionally, Lawlor says you should make sure you keep your interior clean. Dirt on your seats or dash can act like sandpaper, grinding into the surface every time you touch it.

Find a Mechanic You Can Trust

One of the best ways to ensure that your car is well taken-care of for the long haul is to find a mechanic you trust, Malizia says. We’ve all heard horror stories about garages charging unsuspecting customers for fictional “blinker fluid” problems, or going in to fix one problem and finding 15 more. But most technicians are honest and up-front, and building a relationship with a mechanic you trust will help you as you push your car past that 200,000-mile mark.
Lawlor suggests taking later-model cars to the dealership, especially if they’re under warranty. The more recent the car’s model year, the more complex it’s likely to be, and dealership technicians undergo specific training so they know your car like the back of their hand. While the dealership is likely worth the money for newer models, Lawlor says that you’ll be better off taking cars that are more than 10 years old to your local mom-and-pop repair shop. They’ll know the basics of your car well enough to perform maintenance like changing the brake pads, but most won’t charge you as much as a dealership might.
No matter how you take care of your car, accidents are bound to happen and mechanical failures may be beyond your control. Properly maintaining your car will keep it on the road longer and will get you a higher price when it’s time to sell it or trade it in. Take it from Joe Malizia: The highest-mileage car he’s seen in his shop is his own 1993 Ford Taurus SHO, which is still going strong after 19 years and 238,000 miles.

Why Water Matters and Tips to Staying Hydrated

Why Water Matters

Even healthy eaters often underestimate the importance of their water intake and wind up suffering from chronic, low-grade dehydration. Here are just a few reasons good hydration is essential to good health, followed by six tips for staying hydrated:

Energy: Suboptimal hydration slows the activity of enzymes, including those responsible for producing energy, leading to feelings of fatigue. Even a slight reduction in hydration can lower metabolism and reduce your ability to exercise efficiently.

Digestion: Our bodies produce an average of 7 liters of digestive juices daily. When we don’t drink enough liquid, our secretions are more limited and the digestive process is inhibited. (Note that drinking too much water all at once, particularly with food, can also dilute digestive juices, reducing their efficacy and leading to indigestion.)

Related: 9 Common Myths about Dehydration

Regularity: As partially digested food passes through the colon, the colon absorbs excess liquid and transfers it to the bloodstream so that a stool of normal consistency is formed. When the body is low on water, it extracts too much liquid from the stool, which then becomes hard, dry and difficult to eliminate. Slowed elimination contributes to bodywide toxicity and inflammation.

Blood Pressure: When we are chronically dehydrated, our blood becomes thicker and more viscous. Additionally, in response to reduced overall blood volume, the blood vessels contract. To compensate for the increased vein-wall tension and increased blood viscosity, the body must work harder to push blood through the veins, resulting in elevated blood pressure.

Stomach Health: Under normal circumstances, the stomach secretes a layer of mucus (which is composed of 98 percent water) to prevent its mucus membranes from being destroyed by the highly acidic digestive fluid it produces. Chronic dehydration, though, impedes mucus production and may irritate and produce ulcers in the stomach lining.

Respiration: The moist mucus membranes in the respiratory region are protective; however, in a state of chronic dehydration, they dry out and become vulnerable to attack from substances that might exist in inhaled air, such as dust and pollen.

Acid-Alkaline Balance: Dehydration causes enzymatic slowdown, interrupting important biochemical transformations, with acidifying results at the cellular level. The acidification of the body’s internal cellular environment can be further worsened when excretory organs responsible for eliminating acids (e.g., the skin and kidneys) don’t have enough liquid to do their jobs properly. An overly acidic biochemical environment can give rise to a host of inflammatory health conditions, as well as yeast and fungus growth.
Weight Management: Feelings of thirst can be confused with hunger, both because eating can soothe thirst and also because dehydration-induced fatigue is often misinterpreted as a lack of fuel (e.g., sugar). Both dynamics can lead to false sensations of hunger, triggering overeating and weight gain. Inadequate hydration can also promote the storage of inflammatory toxins, which can also promote weight gain.
Skin Health: Dehydrated skin loses elasticity and has a dry, flaky appearance and texture. But dehydration can also lead to skin irritation and rashes, including conditions like eczema. We need to sweat about 24 ounces a day to properly dilute and transport the toxins being eliminated through our skin. When we are chronically dehydrated, the sweat becomes more concentrated and toxins aren’t removed from our systems as readily, which can lead to skin irritation and inflammation.
Cholesterol: Cholesterol is an essential element in cell membrane construction. When we are in a state of chronic dehydration and too much liquid is removed from within the cell walls, the body tries to stop the loss by producing more cholesterol to shore up the cell membrane. Although the cholesterol protects the cell membrane from being so permeable, the overproduction introduces too much cholesterol into the bloodstream.
Kidney and Urinary Health: When we don’t drink enough liquid, our kidneys struggle to flush water-soluble toxins from our system. When we don’t adequately dilute the toxins in our urine, the toxins irritate the urinary mucus membranes and create a germ- and infection-friendly environment.
Joint Health: Dehydrated cartilage and ligaments are more brittle and prone to damage. Joints can also become painfully inflamed when irritants, usually toxins produced by the body and concentrated in our blood and cellular fluids, attack them, setting the stage for arthritis.
Aging: The normal aging process involves a gradual loss of cell volume and an imbalance of the extracellular and intracellular fluids. This loss of cellular water can be accelerated when we don’t ingest enough liquids, or when our cell membranes aren’t capable of maintaining a proper fluid balance.

6 Hydration Tips
1. Start each day with a glass of water (no ice). Drink it down before you have coffee, tea or juice. It will help replace fluids lost overnight and get your hydration efforts off to a good start. Also fill a water bottle you can take with you in the car, or keep with you and refill during the workday.
2. Eat two or three servings of fruits and vegetables at every meal. They are brimming with water and include the minerals that help your body absorb and use it properly. Keep in mind that most processed foods (including sugars, flours, salty snacks and processed meats) result in a lowering of the body’s water table. Eating a lot of meat puts pressure on your kidneys and tends to increase your body’s need for water.
3. Establish regular water breaks, if possible. Tailor your drinking to meet your needs. For instance, drink an extra glass of water if you worked out or didn’t squeeze enough fruits and vegetables into your day.
4. Substitute sparkling water and low-sodium vegetable juice for soda and fruit juice. While it’s true that all beverages count toward your daily tally, the sugar in regular soda and fruit juice, as well as the chemicals in diet versions, can trigger a host of unwanted reactions in the body, including blood-sugar spikes.
5. Install water filters in your home and use a pitcher-type filter at the office. Resort to bottled water when you must, but beware of the drawbacks: It’s expensive and environmentally wasteful, the plastic contains harmful chemicals that can leach into the water, and there are no guarantees that bottled water is any better for you than the water flowing from the tap.
6. Cook with high-quality sea salt. A good, unrefined sea salt is rich in trace minerals, which are key to cell health and hydration. Bonus: Sea salt is also lower in sodium than table salt.

11 Tips for a Safe 4th Of July Holiday

1. Be a safe swimmer. Water sports and fireworks are two of the biggest pastimes for Fourth of July celebrations, and these are both linked to numerous deaths and injuries each year. Never swim alone, and make sure that kids' water play is adequately supervised at all times. Many drownings occur when parents and other adults are nearby, so always have a designated chaperone for water play and don't assume that others are watching the kids. Statistics show that most young children who drown in pools have been out of sight for less than five minutes.
   
   Related articles:

• "Rip Currents and Rip Current Myths"
• "Beach & Water - Play It Safe!"
• "Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs)"

2. If fireworks are legal in your community and are a part of your celebration, be sure to store and use them safely. Keep the kids away from the fireworks at all times, and keep spectators at a safe distance. Attending fireworks displays organized by professionals is always safer than trying to put on your own show. 

3. Use alcohol responsibly. Alcohol and fireworks can be a hazardous and dangerous combination. Also, have a designated driver to bring partygoers home from the festivities. Remember also that alcohol and swimming can be as dangerous as drinking and driving.

4. Lakes, waterways, and seas will be crowded with boats. Review safe boating practices, and don't drink and drive your boat. Alcohol consumption while operating boats or other motorized water vessels is illegal, and you can be arrested for a BWI (boating under the influence!). Be sure that you have an adequate number of life preservers on hand for extra guests. Become familiar with the boating laws in your area.

5. Cover food and beverages outdoors to discourage bees and wasps from attending your party. If someone is allergic to insect stings, you should have an emergency anaphylaxis kit on hand. Wearing shoes, long sleeves, and long pants outdoors and avoiding fragranced body products, bright colors, and sugary drinks can also help prevent bee stings.

6. Apply sunscreen both before and during an outdoor party. Ultraviolet rays from the sun can cause both premature aging and skin cancer in the long term, and a painful burn the next day. Even those with darker skin should use a sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15, according to recommendations from the American Academy of Dermatology.

7. Check prescription medications you are taking to assure you will not have a sun-sensitizing drug reaction to the medication.

8. If you'll be hiking or camping in an area where ticks are abundant, wear long-sleeved, light-colored shirts and long pants tucked into socks or boots to protect yourself from tick-borne diseases. For your skin, you can use a tick repellent with no more than 30% DEET according to the manufacturer's instructions. Products containing DEET should not be used on children less than 2 months of age and should not be applied to the hands or face of young children. Check yourself (and your pets) for ticks at the end of the day.

9. Spend adequate time indoors or in the shade and drink plenty of fluids to avoid heat illness in extremely hot climates. The risk of heat illness is increased when participating in strenuous activity or sports, and those with chronic medical conditions and the elderly are also at an increased risk of heat exhaustion and/or heat stroke. Alcohol consumption can also promote dehydration and increase the risk.

10. Keep children away from campfires and grills. Gas leaks, blocked tubes, and overfilled propane tanks can be a cause of grill fires and explosions.

11. Don't leave the picnic spread out all day. Allowing food to sit in outdoor temperatures can invite foodborne illness. The U.S. FDA suggests never leaving food out for more than one hour when the temperature is above 90 F and not more than two hours at other times. Foods that need to be kept cold should be placed in a cooler with plenty of ice or freezing packs and held at a maximum temperature of 40 F. While mayonnaise and other egg dishes are often associated with food poisoning, any food can potentially become contaminated. Adequate hand washing and food preparation can also help prevent food poisoning.

Summer Exterior Car Preparation and Cleaning

When big seasonal changes are approaching, smart drivers get their cars ready. Mechanics will tell you, if your car has an unseen weakness a drastic weather change, summer or winter, may turn the weakness into a failure that could leave you stranded. As the weather heats up, do summer maintenance on your vehicle, including protecting the finish to keep your vehicle looking good.
Exterior Preparation
Car Wash
Start with a car wash in a cool, shady place. Various Web sites tell you to use a car wash product, not dish soap. But some experts in the field of auto painting say they prefer to car wash with a mild dish soap, using one capful of soap to a gallon of warm water. The soap, they say, is not as important as rinsing quickly after scrubbing a section in order to prevent spotting during the car wash.
If you live in a beach area, your car wash procedure should include the underside of the hood, since a build-up of salt there can damage parts of your engine, so be sure to clean under there too. You may want to throw a piece of plastic over the cool engine to keep the salt from washing down.
Dry Using a chamois and broad strokes, quickly remove most of the water, then wring out the chamois and do a more thorough drying job. If you're not used to using a chamois, this is a car wash habit you should pick up. A chamois is a soft piece of leather that is lint-free. The fibers of the chamois trap grime particles inside rather than rubbing the grime into your car's finish. It can absorb up to 500 times its weight in water. When it gets full, wring it out and keep going. Because it is lint-free, a chamois is great for drying windows too. After the car wash is complete, rinse the chamois in warm soapy water, stretch it gently, and hang it to dry (not in sunlight). If the chamois is stiff when you're ready for the next car wash, a little bit of moisture should loosen it up.
Polish and Wax Once the car wash is complete, use a damp terry cloth to apply a good polish if you want to bring out the shine and preserve the paint. (Avoid using rubbing compounds, which tend to be too harsh.) Remove polish with a dry terry cloth, shaking frequently. Work on small areas at a time, using a circular motion. Use a soft toothbrush for cleaning around lettering and trim. Two polishes have gotten especially good reviews: Nu Finish, and Finish 2001. Both claim to deliver a shine that lasts for 12 months. Based on reviews, that seems to be true. Users say both do a good job for the money. However... there is a lot more elbow grease required than advertisement suggests. Polishing is not simply a wipe on, wipe off procedure.
The same is true for waxing if you choose to apply a good wax after the polish. As for the product to use, some car finish experts rely on Turtle Wax.
White Walls and White Lettering If you have white wall tires or raised lettering, the car wash isn't complete till they are restored to bright white. A Brillo pad and some elbow grease may be all the maintenance need for these, but if not, try Westley's Bleach White. It's been around for decades but you can still find it in the car wash or car maintenance section of department stores.
Interior Brush or dust debris from the dashboard and other interior vinyl surfaces. To give your interior vinyl a helping hand against summer heat, spray some vinyl-protectant like Armor All on a clean rag and wipe down. Air dry.

Tips for Preventing Heat-Related Illness

The best defense is prevention. Here are some prevention tips:

• Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
   
• Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar–these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
   
• Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library–even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area.
   
• Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
   
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
   
• NEVER leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.
   
• Although any one at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Check regularly on:
   
  • Infants and young children
  • People aged 65 or older
  • People who have a mental illness
  • Those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure
     
• Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching.

If you must be out in the heat:

• Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
   
• Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour.  A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. Warning: If you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage. Remember the warning in the first “tip” (above), too.
   
• Try to rest often in shady areas.
   
• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels).

This information provided by NCEH's Health Studies Branch.

No-Cost and Low-Cost Tips to Save Energy This Summer

Here you'll find strategies to help you save energy during the spring and summer when the weather is warm and you are trying to keep your home cool. Some of the tips below are free and can be used on a daily basis to increase your savings; others are simple and inexpensive actions you can take to ensure maximum savings through the spring and summer.

If you haven't already, conduct an energy assessment to find out where you can save the most, and consider making a larger investment for long-term energy savings.
Also check out no-cost and low-cost tips to save energy during the winter.

Use Your Windows to Gain Cool Air and Keep Out Heat

• If you live in a climate where it cools off at night, turn off your cooling system and open your windows while sleeping. When you wake in the morning, shut the windows and blinds to capture the cool air.
  • Learn more about natural ventilation.
• Install window coverings to prevent heat gain through your windows.
  • Find out about window treatments and coverings that can improve energy efficiency.

Operate Your Thermostat Efficiently

• Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.
• Keep your house warmer than normal when you are away, and lower the thermostat setting to 78°F (26°C) only when you are at home and need cooling. A programmable thermostat can make it easy to set back your temperature.
  • Find out how to operate your thermostat for maximum energy savings.
  • Also see ENERGY STAR's June 5, 2008, podcast for video instructions on operating your programmable thermostat.
• Avoid setting your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and unnecessary expense.

Use Fans and Ventilation Strategies to Cool Your Home

• If you use air conditioning, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4°F with no reduction in comfort.
  • Learn more about using a ceiling fan to increase cooling efficiency.
  • Find ENERGY STAR ceiling fans.
• Turn off ceiling fans when you leave the room. Remember that fans cool people, not rooms, by creating a wind chill effect.
• When you shower or take a bath, use the bathroom fan to remove the heat and humidity from your home. Your laundry room might also benefit from spot ventilation. Make sure bathroom and kitchen fans are vented to the outside (not just to the attic).
  • Find ENERGY STAR ventilating fans.

Keep Your Cooling System Running Efficiently

• Schedule regular maintenance for your cooling equipment.
  • Learn about operating and maintaining your air conditioner, evaporative cooler, or heat pump.
  • Find guidelines on hiring a professional service for air conditioner maintenance.
• Avoid placing lamps or TV sets near your room air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.
  • Learn additional tips for operating a room air conditioner efficiently.
• Vacuum registers regularly to remove any dust buildup. Ensure that furniture and other objects are not blocking the air flow through your registers.

Don't Heat Your Home with Appliances and Lighting

• On hot days, avoid using the oven; cook on the stove, use a microwave oven, or grill outside.
• Install efficient lighting that runs cooler. Only about 10%–15% of the electricity that incandescent lights consume results in light—the rest is turned into heat.
  • Learn more about your options for efficient lighting.
  • Find out when to turn off your lights.
  • Purchase ENERGY STAR lighting products.
• Take advantage of daylight instead of artificial lighting, but avoid direct sunlight.
  • Learn more about strategies for efficient daylighting.
• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes. Consider air drying both dishes and clothing.
  • Learn more about efficient dishwashing and laundry.
• Take short showers instead of baths.
  • Learn more ways to reduce your hot water use.
• Minimize activities that generate a lot of heat, such as running a computer, burning open flames, running a dishwasher, and using hot devices such as curling irons or hair dryers. Even stereos and televisions will add some heat to your home.
  • Learn more about avoiding heat buildup in your home

Keep Hot Air from Leaking Into Your Home

• Seal cracks and openings to prevent warm air from leaking into your home.
  • Learn more about air sealing new and existing homes.
• Add caulk or weatherstripping to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows.
  • Find how to select and apply the appropriate caulk.
  • Learn how to select and apply weatherstripping.
  • Find out other ways to improve the energy efficiency of your windows.

Lower Your Water Heating Costs

Water heating can account for 14%-25% of the energy consumed in your home.

• Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F). You'll not only save energy, you'll avoid scalding your hands.
  • Find other strategies for energy-efficient water heating.

Honda: America's Favorite Full Line Automaker

Market research firm Harris Interactive has revealed that Mercedes-Benz and Honda are the two strongest auto brands in America according to its survey of more than 38,000 people.

The survey, known as the 2012 Harris EquiTrend study, puts a number to all of those warm and fuzzy feelings people have toward a particular brand as a way to measure its equity. Broken down a different way, the survey points out that American's favorite automotive brands are German and Japanese.

Mercedes took top honors in the Luxury Automotive Brand of the Year for the second year in a row. It was followed by BMW, Lexus, Cadillac and Acura.

In the Full Line Automotive Brand of the Year category, Honda grabbed the top spot, beating out Toyota, Ford (last year's winner), Chevrolet and Nissan. (Apparently Harris' definition of "full line" differs a bit from ours, as brands like Subaru and Hyundai were also included).

Harris doesn't provide much guidance about what sort of questions it asked to survey takers, but the final results seems to closely resemble America's sales totals as well. This suggests people tend to like what they buy, or at least like what they've bought. Scroll down to read the press release to see what Harris says are America's favorite in-car audio brands, motorcycle marques, tire companies and so on.

Honda: America's Favorite Full Line Automaker

The ranking was close and the results are in - Honda overtakes both Toyota and Ford to become the 2012 Full Line Automotive Brand of the Year. It replaces last year's top-ranked automaker, Ford.

Having overcome some quality concerns and recalls in 2011, Toyota has come back strong. It climbs into second place, which is up two notches from its fourth-place position in 2011, and that much closer to the top spot it held only two years ago in 2010. Toyota's increase in brand equity is the largest of the brands measured in the category.

Although its equity score has actually increased, Ford has slipped to third place in the 2012 rankings- a further testament to the highly competitive nature of the automotive market. Chevrolet, Nissan, Subaru, Hyundai, and Volkswagen also rank above average in the full line automotive category.

In addition to measuring the brand equity of the luxury and full line automotive manufacturers, EQ also measures the auto industry's ancillary products and services, including tires, motor oil, and service centers, among others. Here's a look at the top brands in each category and how each of the categories stacks up overall:

Family Sedan Superiority

"The four cylinder Accord proves that when Honda plays to its strengths, it is better than anyone at producing vehicles with a supernaturally fine balance of attributes."  -Car and Driver, naming the 2012 Accord to its 10 Best Cars list.

2012 Accord EX-L vs.

2012 Kia Optima EX

Top five reasons to buy the 2012 Accord EX-L instead of the 2012 Kqia Optima EX:

1. Braking
In the Car and Driver Family Sedans comparison (May 2012), the 2012 Accord EX-L stopped from 70-0 mph in 175 feet.  The 2012 Kia Optima EX took an additional 8 feet (183 feet total) to stop.
2. Roomy Rear Seat
Accord provides large rear door openings for easy access, a high roofline for extra headroom above the seatback, and 37.2 inches of rear-seat legroom for adults and teenagers.  Kia Optima provides 2.5 inches less legroom and its sloped roofline makes rear-seat headroom feel tight.
3. Sporty Handling
Car and Driver praised Accord's communitcative steering; smooth, sure brakes; and unflappable chassis with its race-bred double-wishbone front suspension.  Optima EX has a less-sophistocated MacPgerson strut front suspension.  Car and Driver criticized Optima EX for slow steering.
4. Honda Reliability
Accord owners can look forward to years of trouble-free driving, given Accord's Predicted Reliability RAting of 4.5 out of a possible 5.0, according to J.D.Power and Associates.  The 2012 Kia Optima falls far short with a predicted reliability rating of just 3.0 out of a possible 5.0.
5. Lower True Cost to Own (TCO)
Although Accord EX-L has a higher initial MSRP when Kia Optima EX is comparably equipped, Edmunds.com estimates that the 2012 Accord EX-L will cost owners $1,927 less to own over 5 years when driven 15,000 miles per year. (TCO calculated for ZIP code 98208)

2012 Accord EX-L vs.
2013 Hyundai Sonata Limited

Top five reasons to buy the 2012 Accord EX-L instead of the 2013 Hyundai Sonata Limited:
1.  Superior Overall Frontal Crash Safety Rating
The 2012 Accord Sedan earned a 5-star safety rating from the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) in each combined New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) category, including a 5-Star Overall Frontal Crash Safety Rating.  The 2013 Hyundai Sonata earned a 4-Star Overall Frontal Crash Safety Rating.
2.  Roomy Rear Seat
Compared to Accord's spacious rear seat, Sonata Limited provides 2.6 inches less legroom and its plunging roofline can pinch rear-seat headroom for tall passengers.
3.  Sporty Handling
Sonata Limited lacks Accord's sporty driving character and well-thought-out ergonomics.  Like Optima, its front suspesion is a MacPherson strut setup.
4. Honda Reliability
The 2012 Sonata falls short of Accord's legendary reliability with a predicted reliability rating of just 3.5 out of a possible 5.0. (2013 Data not available.)
5. Lower True Cost to Own (TCO)
While Accord has a higher initial MSRP when Sonata Limited is comparably equipped, Edmuinds.com estimates that the 2012 Accord EX-L will cost its owners $2,229 less to own than the 2012 Sonata Limited over five years jwhen driven 15,000 miles per year.  (TCO calculated for zip code 98208.  TCO data not available for 2013 Sonata Limited)

Comparabily Equipped Price

What You Can Do To Cut Teen Crash Risk

Although crash risk for teens is high, crashes are preventable. There are many things you can do to stay safe behind the wheel. Be sure to gain driving skills and experience with a trusted adult and then avoid risky behaviors, such as failure to use your seat belt.

Distractions

Distractions such as peer passengers (driving friends around) and talking or texting on a cell phone while driving can be deadly. Only use a cell phone in the car in case of an emergency. Even then, be sure to pull over to make a call or send a text. For the first year of driving, do not carry peer passengers. After you’ve gained enough experience behind the wheel, talk to your parents about driving your friends. And then talk to your friends about how they can help reduce distractions when they are in your car.

Speeding

Always follow the posted speed limit. It’s in place to help you stay in control of the car. Going any faster is hazardous, especially for new drivers. Speed limits are set based on ideal conditions. So if you are driving at night, in bad weather, or in high traffic volume, you need to drive below the speed limit.

Driving At Night

All drivers need to slow down and be more cautious at night. But experienced drivers are able to anticipate and avoid hazards more quickly than new drivers. With practice and time, you will become a better nighttime driver. Until then, be sure to log plenty of practice hours at night with an adult before driving alone, and then stick to familiar and well-lit driving routes before venturing out on unfamiliar roads.

Seat Belt Use

Teens buckle up the least of any age group, and the consequences are deadly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2009 the majority (56 percent) of teens and young adults ages 16 to 20 that died in crashes were not wearing their seat belt. Make sure you buckle up every time you get into the car, as a driver and a passenger.

Scanning to Detect and React to Hazards

Failure to scan to detect and react to hazards is a critical error teen drivers make and leads to a significant percentage of serious crashes. An implicit skill that experienced drivers gain over time, scanning involves observing the surroudings far ahead of the vehicle and side-to-side, not just immediately in front of the hood. Be sure to remind your parents and driver ed instructor to work with you to build this skill. And remember to properly scan after years of driving. A recent study found that even in young adults with an average four years of driving experience, mind wandering tended to make them scan the driving environment more narrowly.

10 Tips for a Stress Free Road Trip with Kids

Are we there, yet? 10 tips for a stress-free road trip with kids

 

With a tight economy, many families will opt to hit the roads this summer instead of flying, but driving with kids can be especially challenging. Admit it: taking a long car trip with kids can drive you crazy. “Are we there, yet?” “I’m bored.” “He’s picking on me.” “I’m hungry.” And the list goes on. But with proper planning, the ride can be fun and relatively painless for all. Consider following a few important tips.
Here are 10 tips to ensure you have a fun, safe, and smooth trip.

1. Service your car. There is nothing worse than setting off on a road trip and breaking down along the way—especially on a hot day with kids in tow. Get your car checked out before you take off. Make sure fluids are topped off and tires properly inflated or purchase new tires if they are worn out. (See our guide to car maintenance and tire ratings.)
2. Plan properly. Before you even get in the car, plan your destination and route. A portable GPS device or smart phone navigation app can help guide you to your vacation spot, but always have paper map as backup. Try to drive during off-peak hours to avoid traffic or other delays. (Find the right GPS for you in our ratings.)
3. Check your car seats. As many as 80 percent of car seats may not be properly installed. Also, have your seat inspected to make sure it’s safe. Find a station near you at: http://www.seatcheck.org or http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cps/cpsfitting/index.cfm. The government recently updated the car seat guidelines to keep children rear-facing longer and keep older children in a seat to the highest weight and height allowed by the manufacturer. Also, make sure all children under 13 ride in the backseat.
4. Pack well. Loose items in the car can become dangerous projectiles in a crash. Secure all luggage and gear in the trunk or cargo area. If children are playing with toys, try to keep ones they are not using tucked away.
5. Bring all the necessities. Driving with kids means you need to make sure you have enough drinks and snacks, not just for the trip, but in case there is a problem and you are stuck on the road longer than expected. Also, don’t forget garbage bags, baby wipes, and paper towels, just in case.
6. Keep them entertained. Kids can get bored driving long distances, so prepare by bringing all types of music, movies, books, and games to keep them occupied. Apple iPads and smart phones can also be helpful and portable for keeping children busy. Be sure to grab any essential power cords and batteries, as well as head phones. Low-tech options include driving games such as I-Spy or looking for red cars or counting exits.
7. Connect to your location. Speaking of smart phones, there are some great apps for the co-pilot to use to plan where to stop for gas, food, or rest stops. My family uses the Android Places Directory, which searches for places to stop along your route and maps them out for you. There are also restaurant reviews linked up, as well. We found this app quite useful in planning where to eat, especially when avoiding fast food places right off the highway. There are other similar apps available.
8. Keep focused. Driving on a long trip can be very tiring. Avoid distractions and focus on the road, having the front passenger manage the children, navigation, and cell phone.
9. Take a break. It’s a good idea to stop every two hours for a stretch, bathroom break, and exercise to the get the blood flowing. Kids can especially benefit by running around, even for just a few minutes.
10. Know the laws in the states you are visiting, such as right turn on red rules and speed limits. And always buckle up.