May 2010 Archives

So you have packed all the necessary things and made all the necessary arrangements and you are ready to take on the road. But wait, did you check if your car is ready for the road? You need to do this as I am sure the last thing you want to happen is car trouble in the middle of your journey. That would be counterproductive to the purpose of your road trip whether it is for business or pleasure. If you have not checked your car, you need to do that and we will help you out by telling you how.

 You should have ideally had a mechanic check your car a week or two before your trip, but since it is last minute you will just have the do the best you can with the time you have. At least now you know what to do the next time you are planning a road trip. The reason we say a week or two before is just to ensure that if something is very wrong with your car you will have ample time to fix it without having to postpone your trip. Things to check include fluid levels, belts, hoses, lights, tires, brakes. These can be checked on the day of your trip and you can keep your fingers crossed that nothing will come up as that would mean delaying the trip or renting a car. Neither of which sound very appealing right?

You may be reading this and saying well I may check it two weeks before and everything is fine and then the day I decide to move out then something goes bad. This is very true, checking your car a week or two before won't guarantee that you will not have any problems but it is safer to do so. The average Joe can check some of these things himself and there are those car fanatics who know everything about their cars. They may be the lucky ones but if you have a long standing relationship with your mechanic he will charge little or nothing to do these safety checks for you.

 So I said there are some checks you can perform yourself. These are checking the brakes, wiper blades and fluid levels. Checking the oil including the level and the condition of the oil (has it been there for the past 5000 miles?). Check the transmission fluid, Inspect the battery to ensure there are no leaks, corrosion or loose wires. Try the lights, kick the tires and check for bald spots and bulges (you can check the pressure at a service station free of cost), check your spare tire for the same. Find out if there is roadside assistance available where you are traveling and if your cell phone will have coverage. The latter have pretty much nothing to do with the car and more to do with your safety.

So basically your checklist includes a lot of checking, no pun intended. If you are automotive savvy you can save yourself the expense by checking this yourself. If you are not so automotive savvy but you have a good and long standing relationship with your mechanic he may check it for you free of cost or for a minimal cost. It is wise to check at least a week before your trip but if time doesn't allow you can check the day before or on the day. If you find a problem however, do not be fool hardy and continue on your trip anyway. It is better to postpone your trip a few days so you can have the problem fixed.

The fun and adventure that comes with owning a jeep is something that cannot be expressed in words.  This is a feeling that you have to experience to fully understand.  This experience is part of a unique way of life that binds all jeep owners together all over the world.  The only other vehicle brands that are said to enjoy this special bond among owners are the legendary Harley Davidson and land rover names.

The best thing about the special magic that a jeep has over a person is the fact that the feeling of owning one never goes away even when the vehicle is many years old.  Owning a jeep that is 10, 15, 25 even 40 years old afford you the same excitement and sense of adventure that owning one that is fresh off the assembly line does.

You do need to take a few extra considerations in mind when owning a used jeep vehicle.  This is due to the fact that the basic jeep design may not have changed a lot in the past 60 years but the technology that is behind the jeeps rugged good looks and exceptional engineering has.  For this reason it may sometimes be a little confusing when looking for parts, service and accessories.  For instance a jeep hard top that is designed for a 1970s model series may not work on a 1980's vehicle but may fit great in a jeep made in 1995.  Consequently seats from the 80's may fit a jeep from the second half of the 70's but not one from the early part of the 90's.  Older jeeps may have a transfer case or a "jam" box while newer ones only have a transfer case. 

Engine technology has changed a lot as well in the past 60 years.  While all new jeeps some equipped with modern engines that have electronic cross port fuel injection and computer controlled combustion, you can still order one with a good old fashion carburetor.  Some jeep models only come in a diesel format what others offer a full range of fuel options.  There is even a particular model of jeep sold in the 1980's that only comes on right hand drive, no matter what country it was sold in. 

You can see how owning a used jeep can be a mentally challenging task at time but, you should know that it is well worth the effort.  These vehicles are extraordinary in their high quality engineering and long lasting construction, There are jeeps on the road today that were built in the 1960's that run just as good as they did they day they rolled out of the showroom for the first time.  With good care and basic maintenance a jeep will still be tearing up beaches, climbing rocks and roaring through brush 25 years after the key is first turned, this is what makes them one of the most popular choices for a used vehicle all over the world. 

You do need to understand however that this is also the very same characteristics that lead them to be hard to find and expensive to get.  People who own a jeep are not easily pressed to part with it.  This is due in part to the fact that they keep their value so well and also to the great memories that jeep owners build with their vehicles.